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Biomedical subjects

Kaoru Murata

Publications and source records attributed to Kaoru Murata.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Simplified gradient generator for micro- and nano-liquid chromatography.

We have developed a simple device to generate gradient elution profiles using split tubing array (STAR) units for micro- and nano-HPLC. This gradient device consists of a delivery pump, a splitter, tubes in parallel, and a relatively large-volume mixing chamber. In the mixing chamber, an initially filled water-rich solvent is adjusted to an organic-rich solvent by delivery of appropriate components through the split paths, in which the flow rate and residence time are controlled by the sizes of the tubes employed. A program was developed to describe the output gradient profiles, and the predicted gradient profiles were highly consistent with the observed ones. A linear gradient generated by this STAR system was successfully applied to micro-HPLC systems for separation of digested peptides derived from serum albumin with sufficient reproducibility. Further miniaturization of STAR systems for nano-HPLC coupled with tandem mass spectrometry was accomplished to separate digested peptides from serum albumin with a reproducibility of retention times of better than 0.2%, and the obtained spectra from the well-separated chromatographic peaks allowed protein identification with high confidence by protein database searching. We believe that this simple and reproducible gradient system using an isocratic pump will be especially advantageous for nanoLC-MS, instead of flow-controlled gradient pumps.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed2005

Development of a large-volume, membrane-based injection system for gradient elution micro-liquid chromatography.

A membrane unit which can be used to inject a large volume of sample solution was developed to facilitate reproducible and accurate gradient elution in micro-high-performance liquid chromatography (micro-HPLC). Since the membrane unit has a very low void volume, it facilitates the effective concentration of analytes in large sample volumes. Gradient elution micro-HPLC with the membrane unit allowed the efficient separation of n-alkyl benzoates, used as test samples, in a short time without marked gradient delay. In this study, the membrane unit could be loaded with up to 50 microg of n-hexyl benzoate, and more than 500 microL of sample solution could be applied. In about 50 chromatographic runs, the relative standard deviation (RSD) of the relative retention time of n-hexyl benzoate with respect to methyl benzoate was 0.530%.

Benzoates↗
PubMed2005

Hes1 directly controls cell proliferation through the transcriptional repression of p27Kip1.

A transcriptional regulator, Hes1, plays crucial roles in the control of differentiation and proliferation of neuronal, endocrine, and T-lymphocyte progenitors during development. Mechanisms for the regulation of cell proliferation by Hes1, however, remain to be verified. In embryonic carcinoma cells, endogenous Hes1 expression was repressed by retinoic acid in concord with enhanced p27(Kip1) expression and cell cycle arrest. Conversely, conditional expression of a moderate but not maximal level of Hes1 in HeLa cells by a tetracycline-inducible system resulted in reduced p27(Kip1) expression, which was attributed to decreased basal transcript rather than enhanced proteasomal degradation, with concomitant increases in the growth rate and saturation density. Hes1 induction repressed the promoter activity of a 5' flanking basal enhancer region of p27(Kip1) gene in a manner dependent on Hes1 expression levels, and this was mediated by its binding to class C sites in the promoter region. Finally, hypoplastic fetal thymi, as well as livers and brains of Hes1-deficient mice, showed significantly increased p27(Kip1) transcripts compared with those of control littermates. These results have suggested that Hes1 directly contributes to the promotion of progenitor cell proliferation through transcriptional repression of a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p27(Kip1).

5' Flanking Region↗
PubMed2004

Fas-disabling small exocyclic peptide mimetics limit apoptosis by an unexpected mechanism.

Fas ligand- (FasL) mediated apoptosis is an important element of tissue-specific organ damage. We have developed biologically active small exocyclic peptide mimetics that disable apoptotic functions of Fas. The most effective mimetic binds to both its receptor and FasL with comparable affinity. In vitro, the most effective antagonist blocked FasL-induced cytotoxicity completely and specifically. In vivo, the antagonistic mimetic also prevented Concanavilin A (Con A) induced hepatitis, a CD4(+) T cell-mediated animal model of liver injury. Although current approaches prevent Fas receptor signaling by excluding FasL binding to Fas, the small molecule mimetics reported here disable Fas by promoting a defective Fas-FasL receptor complex. This event desensitizes FasL-mediated apoptosis by inhibiting extracellular signal regulated kinase activity and up-regulating NF-kappaB.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2004

Localization of the laminin alpha4 chain in the skin and identification of a heparin-dependent cell adhesion site within the laminin alpha4 chain C-terminal LG4 module.

The laminin alpha4 chain, a component of laminin-8/9, is expressed in basement membranes of endothelial cells, the peripheral nerves, and muscle fibers. The localization and functions of laminin alpha4 chain in the skin have not been elucidated. By immunostaining with specific antibodies, we demonstrate here that the alpha4 chain is located in the basement membrane zones of blood vessels and is also associated with fibroblast-like cells in the dermis. Western blot showed that cultured fibroblasts secreted a laminin trimer containing the alpha4 chain. We have also focused on the cell adhesion activities of the human laminin alpha4 LG4 module since the corresponding LG4 module of laminin alpha3 was previously identified as active for cell adhesion. Recombinant human alpha4 LG4 was active for heparin-dependent fibroblast adhesion. Screening assays with 19 synthetic peptides covering the entire alpha4 LG4 module identified three peptides (HA4G82: TLFLAHGRLVYM; HA4G83: LVYMFNVGHKKL; and HA4G90: TEATWKIKGPIYL) as active sites for heparin- and heparan sulfate-dependent cell adhesion. Serine-substituted peptides demonstrated that two basic residues, His and Arg, within HA4G82 were essential for cell adhesion activity. The cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), syndecan-2, -4, and glypican-1, were stably expressed in 293T cells to estimate whether they function as cell adhesion receptors. 293T cells overexpressing syndecan-2 or -4 bound to recombinant alpha4 LG4 and to HA4G82, but parental or glypican-1-overexpressing 293T cells did not. Therefore, syndecan-2 and -4 could mediate cell adhesion to the laminin alpha4 LG4 module. Our study suggests that the laminin alpha4 LG4 module may play an important role in cell adhesion and/or vessel wall formation in the skin by interacting with syndecan-2 and/or -4.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed2003

CD69-null mice protected from arthritis induced with anti-type II collagen antibodies.

CD69, known as an early activation marker antigen on T and B cells, is also expressed on platelets and activated neutrophils, suggesting certain roles in inflammatory diseases. In order to address the role of CD69 in the pathogenesis of arthritis, we established CD69-null mice. CD69-null mice displayed a markedly attenuated arthritic inflammatory response when injected with anti-type II collagen antibodies. Cell transfer experiments with neutrophils, but not T cells or spleen cells, from wild-type mice into CD69-null mice restored the induction of arthritis. These results indicate a critical role for CD69 in neutrophil function in arthritis induction during the effector phase. Thus, CD69 would be a possible therapeutic target for arthritis in human patients.

Adoptive Transfer↗
PubMed2003

src homology 2 domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 controls the development of allergic airway inflammation.

Th2 cells are generated from naive CD4 T cells upon T cell receptor (TCR) recognition of antigen and IL-4 stimulation and play crucial roles in humoral immunity against infectious microorganisms and the pathogenesis of allergic and autoimmune diseases. A tyrosine phosphatase, SHP-1, that contains src homology 2 (SH2) domains is recognized as a negative regulator for various intracellular signaling molecules, including those downstream of the TCR and the IL-4 receptor. Here we assessed the role of SHP-1 in Th1/Th2 cell differentiation and in the development of Th2-dependent allergic airway inflammation by using a natural SHP-1 mutant, the motheaten mouse. CD4 T cells appear to develop normally in the heterozygous motheaten (me/+) thymus even though they express decreased amounts of SHP-1 (about one-third the level of wild-type thymus). The me/+ naive splenic CD4 T cells showed enhanced activation by IL-4 receptor-mediated signaling but only marginal enhancement of TCR-mediated signaling. Interestingly, the generation of Th2 cells was increased and specific cytokine production of mast cells was enhanced in me/+ mice. In an OVA-induced allergic airway inflammation model, eosinophilic inflammation, mucus hyperproduction, and airway hyperresponsiveness were enhanced in me/+ mice. Thus, SHP-1 may have a role as a negative regulator in the development of allergic responses, such as allergic asthma.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Ras activation in T cells determines the development of antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and eosinophilic inflammation.

The central role for Th2 cells in the development of Ag-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and eosinophilic inflammation is well documented. We have reported a crucial role for TCR-induced activation of the Ras/extracellular signal-regulated kinase mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade in Th2 cell differentiation. Here, we show that the development of both OVA-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and eosinophilic airway inflammation in a mouse asthma model are attenuated in transgenic mice by the overexpression of enzymatically inactive Ras molecules in T cells. In addition, reduced levels of IL-5 production and eosinophilic inflammation induced by nematode infection (Nippostrongylus brasiliensis or Heligmosomoides polygyrus) were detected. Thus, the level of Ras activation in T cells appears to determine Th2-dependent eosinophilic inflammation and Ag-induced airway hyperresponsiveness.

Animals↗