Elucidation of three putative structural subdomains by comparison of primary structure of Xenopus and human RAP74.
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Amino Acid Sequence↗
Biomedical subjects
K Wada
Publications and source records attributed to K Wada.
Imperfect conservation of a sigma factor-like subregion in Xenopus general transcription factor RAP30.
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Amino Acid Sequence↗
N-acetylaspartylglutamate acts as an agonist upon homomeric NMDA receptor (NMDAR1) expressed in Xenopus oocytes.
The electrophysiological effects of N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG), an endogenous peptide restrictively distributed in the central nervous system, were studied using Xenopus oocytes injected with RNAs transcribed from cloned glutamate receptor cDNAs. NAAG induced an inward current, dose dependently, in oocytes injected with RNA for an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit (NMDAR1). In contrast, the oocytes injected with RNAs for AMPA-selective glutamate receptors (GluR1, GluR3, GluR1+GluR2 and GluR2+GluR3) scarcely responded to NAAG, and the oocytes injected with RNA for kainate receptor (GluR6) did not respond to NAAG. The half-maximal response (ED50) value of NAAG on expressed NMDAR1 was 185 microM, which shows that NAAG is about 115-times less potent than L-glutamate (Glu), the ED50 of which value was 1.6 microM. The maximal current amplitude induced by NAAG was about 70% of that by Glu. NAAG-induced current in NMDAR1-injected oocytes was potentiated by glycine, dose-dependently antagonized by DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid, and blocked by magnesium ions in a voltage-dependent fashion. These results suggest that NAAG is one of the endogenous agonists selective for NMDAR1.
2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate↗
[Septicemia caused by MRSA].
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Aminoglycosides↗
Comparison of the inhibitory effects of the TXA2 receptor antagonist, vapiprost, and other antiplatelet drugs on arterial thrombosis in rats: possible role of TXA2.
The antithrombotic effect of the thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist, vapiprost, was compared with those of other antiplatelet drugs using an arterial thrombosis model which utilized photochemical reaction in the rat femoral artery. Vapiprost prolonged the time required to occlude the artery with thrombus and inhibited collagen-induced rat platelet aggregation in whole blood ex vivo, in a dose-dependent manner. The potency ranking of antithrombotic effect was vapiprost > ketanserin (serotonin 5-HT2 receptor antagonist) >> ticlopidine (inhibitor of ADP-induced platelet aggregation) = dipyridamole (adenosine uptake inhibitor) > aspirin (cyclooxygenase inhibitor). On the other hand, the ranking of antiplatelet effect was ticlopidine > or = vapiprost > or = aspirin. Ketanserin and dipyridamole were ineffective. Relative to their antiplatelet effect, vapiprost and ketanserin had powerful antithrombotic effects. It is possible that the potent antithrombotic effects of vapiprost and ketanserin in vivo reflect the ability of these drugs to inhibit mediator-induced vascular contractions in addition to platelet aggregation. The results of the present study also suggest that TXA2 may play an important role in thrombogenesis in rats.
Animals↗
Expression of two types of neurofibromatosis type 1 gene transcripts in gastric cancers and comparison of GAP activities.
To understand the molecular mechanism of gastric tumorigenesis, the status of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) gene was analyzed in human gastric cancer cell lines. Although the sequencing of the GTPase activating protein (GAP)-related region of NF1 (NF1-GRD) revealed no apparent mutation, the NF1-GRD transcript (type I) and that containing an additional 63 bp insert in the center of NF1-GRD (type II) were equally expressed in most gastric cancer cells. By contrast, type II was predominantly expressed in normal stomach mucosa. When these two types of NF1-GRD were bacterially expressed and their GAP activities were tested, both types of NF1-GRD similarly stimulated ras GTPase activity. However, arachidonic acid inhibited GAP activities of two types of NF1-GRD to different extents. These results suggest that the increased expression of type I NF1 protein may modulate ras-related signal transduction and it may be related to the control of the gastric cellular proliferation.
Arachidonic Acid↗
Arterial thrombosis model with photochemical reaction in guinea-pig and its property.
We have already developed an arterial thrombosis model in the rat femoral artery which utilized photochemical reaction between systemically injected rose bengal and transillumination of a green light with 540 nm wave length from the outside of the vessel. In the present study, we applied this model to guinea-pigs in order to produce a more suitable thrombus model for evaluation of antithrombotic drugs which act on the prostaglandin cascade. In the guinea-pigs, the irradiated femoral artery was completely occluded in 7 min after the injection of rose bengal (10 mg/kg) in a similar manner to the rats. The processes of primary endothelial injury and the subsequent formation of thrombus during this manipulation were observed by the electron microscopy. Pretreatment with aspirin and Y-20811, a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor, significantly prolonged the time required for occlusion in the guinea-pigs, while these drugs were ineffective in the rats. The antithrombotic effect of vapiprost, a thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist, was more pronounced in the guinea-pigs than the rats. In conclusion, this model in guinea-pigs is more suitable for evaluating antithrombotic drugs, particularly, the action of which is exerted involving the prostaglandin cascade.
Animals↗
p53 gene mutations in human gastric cancer: wild-type p53 but not mutant p53 suppresses growth of human gastric cancer cells.
To further investigate the role of p53 gene inactivation in gastric tumorigenesis, the mutational status of the p53 gene in primary human gastric cancer samples was examined. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and subsequent direct sequencing of the p53 gene from gastric cancer samples revealed frequent point mutations of the p53 gene: some of these coincided with those previously identified in gastric cancer cell lines. In addition, both allelic deletion analysis using pYNZ 22 and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis demonstrated an allelic deletion of the p53 gene in cancer tissue which contained a point mutation of the p53 gene in the remaining allele. Transfection of the wild-type or mutant p53 genes into gastric cancer cells showed that the wild-type but none of the mutated p53 genes suppressed the colony formation of gastric cancer cells. Furthermore, the incorporation of thymidine into DNA was reduced in cancer cells expressing the wild-type p53 gene. The glutathione S-transferase-wild type p53 fusion protein bound to simian virus 40 large T antigen in COS-1 cell lysate. None of the p53 fusion proteins containing mutations at codons 143, 175, 248, or 273 bound to simian virus 40 large T antigen. By contrast, two different mutant p53 fusion proteins containing mutations specifically observed in gastric cancer bound to simian virus 40 large T antigen. These results indicate that inactivation of the p53 gene through mutations and the allelic deletion may play an important role in gastric tumorigenesis. These mutations may cause a conformational change in the p53 protein resulting in the loss of the suppression by p53 of the growth of gastric cells, partly through disruption of the association of p53 protein with a cellular component.
Antigens, Viral, Tumor↗
Protein degradation by the phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C-alpha family from rat liver endoplasmic reticulum.
A 60-kDa protein homologous to phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C-alpha was purified to apparent homogeneity on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis from the rough endoplasmic reticulum of rat liver through three sequential chromatographies on DEAE Toyopearl 650, AF-heparin Toyopearl 650M, and TSK gel G3000SW. The purified protein was monomeric, with an M(r) of 60,000. Eight types of protein were further separated from the 60-kDa protein and named ER60A-ER60H according to the order of their elution from a TSK gel DEAE-5PW column. They were essentially identical in terms of immunochemical properties and the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence. The partial amino acid sequence of ER60F showed homology to that of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C-alpha. ER60A-ER60H showed no phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C activity. However, ER60A-ER60H catalyzed cleavage of themselves and the endoplasmic reticulum proteins protein disulfide-isomerase and calreticulin. Proteolytic degradation was inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoate. These results indicate that ER60A-ER60H comprise a group of endoplasmic reticulum resident proteins and show thiol group-related proteolytic activity.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Biliary cystadenocarcinoma of the liver. A clinicopathologic and histochemical evaluation of nine cases.
Nine cases of biliary cystadenocarcinoma of the liver were studied, with emphasis on its clinicopathologic features, mucin profiles, and immunohistochemical characteristics. In general, the cystic tumors had protrusions that consisted of well-differentiated papillary adenocarcinoma cells with or without benign-appearing epithelial elements. In invading or metastatic foci, the carcinoma cells tended to show distinctive anaplastic changes. Tumor growth was confined to the cystic lesions in five cases (noninvasive type), whereas in four cases it extended to the hepatic parenchyma or neighboring organs (invasive type). There was a considerable difference between the two groups in terms of prognosis. In fact, the patients included in the group with the noninvasive type had no sign of tumor recurrence after an appropriate surgical procedure. With mucin histochemical and immunohistochemical approaches, positive reactions with carcinoembryonic antigen, tissue polypeptide antigen, carbohydrate 19-9, and Dupan-2 and the predominance of sialomucin were observed in most cases of biliary cystadenocarcinoma, indicating a similar cellular nature of cholangiocarcinoma.
Adenoma, Bile Duct↗
Effect of aldose reductase inhibitor on the inhibition of platelet aggregation induced by diabetic rat plasma.
Plasma isolated from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats inhibited platelet aggregation. Treatment of diabetic rats with an aldose reductase inhibitor, ONO-2235, which did not improve hyperglycemia, prevented the antiaggregating activity of plasma as did insulin treatment. Both treatments reduced the elevated sorbitol concentrations in erythrocytes. Although the factor(s) accounting for the antiaggregatory effect of diabetic plasma has not yet been characterized, it is possible that the accumulation of sorbitol in erythrocytes is related to the generation of the factor(s).
Aldehyde Reductase↗
Structural characterization and expression of a brain specific gene encoding chick kainate binding protein.
The gene encoding chick kainate-binding protein (c-KBP), a member of the non-NMDA ionotropic glutamate receptor family has been isolated and characterized. The c-KBP gene is at least 13 kilobases long and contains 11 exons interrupted by 10 introns. Primer extension and RNase protection studies identified a major transcription initiation site located 117 bases upstream from the initiation methionine codon ATG. Consensus TATA and CCAAT sequences were detected in the putative promoter region. The structure of the c-KBP gene is strikingly different from that of other members of neurotransmitter-gated ion-channels (cloned at present) although the topology of c-KBP consists of four membrane-spanning domains, a structural characteristic of ionotropic receptor subunits. The c-KBP gene was found to be expressed at high levels in chick cerebellar Bergmann glia and at extremely low levels in the forebrain. The limited expression of the c-KBP gene raises important questions concerning the mechanisms governing the regulation of c-KBP gene transcription.
Animals↗
Missense mutations and a deletion of the p53 gene in human gastric cancer.
To investigate the molecular pathogenesis of human gastric cancers the p53 gene, a suppressor oncogene, was analyzed in 12 human gastric cell lines. Southern blot and Northern blot analysis revealed a total deletion of p53 gene in KATO-III cells but no major abnormality of p53 gene in other cell lines. By the use of the reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing 7 cell lines showed point mutations of p53 gene resulting in amino-acid substitutions. Most of them were rare mutations which had not been observed in other types of cancers. One of these mutations was also detected through the use of PCR and oligomer-specific hybridization. Six out of 7 cell lines with mutations of p53 gene also lost one allele of chromosome 17p. Immunoblotting of cell lysates with an antibody specific to p53 demonstrated the absence of p53 protein in KATO-III cell. By contrast, the high levels of the p53 protein were observed in 5 cell lines all of which contained mutations of p53 gene. These results further suggest that the inactivation of p53 gene may play an important role in the transformation of gastric cells to the malignant phenotype. KATO-III cells might be a good model for studying the significance of the loss of p53 gene in cellular transformation.
Alleles↗
Immunochemical characterization of the non-NMDA glutamate receptor using subunit-specific antibodies. Evidence for a hetero-oligomeric structure in rat brain.
Antibodies were made to synthetic peptides corresponding to sequences specific to the glutamate receptor (GluR) subunits, GluR1-4. The specificity of the antibodies was established by Western blotting using membranes of simian kidney cells (COS-7) transfected with GluR subunit DNA. Four antibodies were found to be selective for each of the four GluR subunits, and a fifth antibody recognized both GluR2 and 3. All five antibodies immunoadsorbed Triton X-100-solubilized rat brain [3H]AMPA binding activity and labeled an Mr = 108,000 band in samples of rat brain. The structure of the Triton X-100-solubilized GluR was studied using subunit-specific antibodies covalently attached to protein A-agarose and analyzing GluR subunits bound to the antibodies by Western blotting. Each of the four subunit-specific antibodies immunoadsorbed its respective GluR subunit as well as the other three forms of GluR, showing that the detergent solubilized GluR exists as hetero-oligomers composed of two or more of the four subunits. Evidence supporting a similar structure for membrane bound GluR was obtained using synaptic membranes chemically cross-linked with dithiobis(succinimidylpropionate). GluR was immunoaffinity-purified using the GluR2 and 3-selective antibody. This antibody, covalently attached to protein A-agarose, adsorbed 55% of [3H]AMPA binding activity, and after elution with 1 M KSCN, 22-37% of the binding activity was recovered. Analysis of the purified product showed a major immunoreactive band at Mr = 108,000, and silver staining identified the same major band and no additional polypeptides. The GluR receptor complex, therefore, appears to be made up exclusively of GluR1-4. In the purified GluR preparation, in addition to the Mr = 108,000 band, three higher molecular weight immunoreactive components were also detected. These bands migrated at Mr = 325,000, 470,000, and 590,000. Similar sized proteins were seen in the cross-linked synaptic membrane sample, with the Mr = 590,000 component being substantially enriched after cross-linking. The Mr = 590,000 band is the largest component detected, and it has a size consistent with its being a pentamer of the Mr = 108,000 protein.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Circulating thrombomodulin as a novel endothelial cell marker: comparison of its behavior with von Willebrand factor and tissue-type plasminogen activator.
Circulating thrombomodulin is a novel endothelial cell marker, which may reflect the endothelial injury. Plasma levels of thrombomodulin were quantitated by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in patients with hematological malignancies, liver disease, diabetes mellitus, collagen disease, thrombotic disease, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and the thrombomodulin values were compared with those of von Willebrand factor antigen (vWf:Ag) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) which are released from stimulated or damaged endothelial cells. The mean plasma concentrations of thrombomodulin in these disease states were elevated as compared with healthy subjects. A relatively high mean thrombomodulin level was observed in DIC, liver disease, and collagen disease. Abnormally high thrombomodulin values (greater than normal mean value + 3 SD) were found in 32.3% of patients with hematological malignancies, 57.7% of patients with liver disease, 39.3% of patients with diabetes mellitus, 30.0% of patients with collagen disease, 23.1% of patients with thrombotic disease, and 69.0% of patients with DIC. Plasma concentrations of both vWf:Ag and t-PA were also elevated in these patients. On the whole, the plasma thrombomodulin concentration was positively correlated with vWf:Ag (r = 0.441, P less than 0.001) and t-PA (r = 0.398, P less than 0.001). These findings indicate that the elevation of plasma thrombomodulin is frequently seen in a variety of diseases and circulating thrombomodulin is possibly useful for evaluating the endothelial damage in selected disease states.
Biomarkers↗
A synthetic analogue for the active site of plant-type ferredoxin: two different coordination isomers by a four-cys-containing [20]-peptide.
The (Fe2S2)2+ complex of an artificial 20-peptide ligand, Ac-Pro-Tyr-Ser-Cys-Arg-Ala-Gly-Ala-Cys-Ser-Thr-Cys-Ala-Gly-Pro-Leu-Leu-T hr-Cys- Val-NH2, containing an invariant Cys-A-B-C-D-Cys-X-Y-Cys (A, B, C, D, X, Y = amino acid residues) fragment of plant-type ferredoxins was synthesized by a ligand exchange method with [Fe2S2(S-t-Bu)4]2-. 1H-nmr spectroscopic and electrochemical data of the complex indicate the presence of two coordination isomers. One of them having a Cys-X-Y-Cys bridging coordination to the two Fe(III) ions, has the (Fe2S2)2+ core environment similar to those of the denatured plant-type ferredoxins and exhibits a positive shifted redox potential at -0.64 V vs saturated colonel electrode (SCE) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). Another isomer with the Cys-A-B-C-D-Cys bridging coordination shows a negative redox potential at -0.96 V vs SCE in DMF.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Effects of antiulcer drugs on phosphatidylcholine synthesis in isolated guinea pig gastric glands.
To better understand phosphatidylcholine synthesis in the stomach, we isolated guinea pig gastric glands and examined their [3H]choline incorporation into phosphatidylcholine in response to either antiulcer drugs such as geranylgeranylacetone (GGA) and H2-receptor antagonists or agents that cause phosphatidylcholine synthesis in other tissues. [3H]Choline incorporation was stimulated by GGA, palmitate, and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Dibutyryl cyclic-AMP had no effect. By contrast with GGA, famotidine, ranitidine, and cimetidine equipotently inhibited [3H]choline incorporation into phosphatidylcholine. GGA, palmitate, and TPA increased phosphatidyl-[3H]choline and decreased phosphoryl-[3H]choline as compared with control in tissues that had been pulsed with [3H]choline. On the other hand, no more decrease in [3H]choline incorporation at chase periods was observed in pulse-labeled glands in response to each H2-receptor antagonist. The particulate fraction of glands that had been incubated with GGA or palmitate had more CTP-phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase activity than that of glands incubated without agents. A decrease in choline kinase activity was not observed in the cytosolic fraction of glands that had been incubated with cimetidine. These results suggest that GGA and palmitate stimulate phosphatidylcholine synthesis by activating cytidylyltransferase, and H2-receptor antagonists may affect phosphatidylcholine synthesis by inhibiting choline uptake in the gastric glands.
Analysis of Variance↗
M3 muscarinic receptors mediate pepsinogen secretion via polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis in guinea pig gastric chief cells.
The muscarinic receptor system involved in pepsinogen secretion from isolated guinea pig gastric chief cells was investigated by evaluating the effect of muscarinic receptor antagonists on carbamylcholine (CCh)-stimulated chief cell responses. CCh stimulated the hydrolysis of polyphosphoinositide in chief cells at the same concentrations as it stimulated pepsinogen secretion. Each of five different muscarinic receptor antagonists, atropine, pirenzepine, 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide (4-DAMP), AF-DX116 and scopolamine, inhibited both pepsinogen secretion and inositol phosphate accumulation stimulated by graded concentrations of CCh. The pA2 values of the antagonists calculated from data on inositol phosphate accumulation and pepsinogen secretion (atropine = scopolamine = 4-DAMP greater than pirenzepine greater than AF-DX116) suggest that the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor in gastric chief cells is the M3 subtype. On the other hand, CCh did not affect the adenylate cyclase/cAMP signaling pathway in gastric chief cells. All pA2 values of the antagonists were also in agreement with the Ki values determined by [3H]NMS binding to chief cells. Furthermore, GTP gamma S reduced [3H]acetylcholine binding to chief cell membranes in a concentration-dependent manner. The present study, therefore, suggests that muscarinic M3 receptors, which may be coupled to a G protein, mediate pepsinogen secretion, probably by activation of the polyphosphoinositide second messenger system in guinea pig gastric chief cells.
Animals↗