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Biomedical subjects

M Ueda

Publications and source records attributed to M Ueda.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Peroxisomal acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase of an n-alkane-utilizing yeast, Candida tropicalis.

Two genes encoding acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase (thiolase I; EC 2.3.1.9), whose localization in peroxisomes was first found with an n-alkane-utilizing yeast, Candida tropicalis, were isolated from the lambda EMBL3 genomic DNA library prepared from the yeast genomic DNA. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that both genes contained open reading frames of 1209 bp corresponding to 403 amino acid residues with methionine at the N-terminus, which were named as thiolase IA and thiolase IB. The calculated molecular masses were 41,898 Da for thiolase IA and 41,930 Da for thiolase IB. These values were in good agreement with the subunit mass of the enzyme purified from yeast peroxisomes (41 kDa). There was an extremely high similarity between these two genes (96% of nucleotides in the coding regions and 98% of amino acids deduced). From the amino acid sequence analysis of the purified peroxisomal enzyme, it was shown that thiolase IA and thiolase IB were expressed in peroxisomes at an almost equal level. Both showed similarity to other thiolases, especially to Saccharomyces uvarum cytosolic acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase (65% amino acids of thiolase IA and 64% of thiolase IB were identical with this thiolase). Considering the evolution of thiolases, the C. tropicalis thiolases and S. uvarum cytosolic acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase are supposed to have a common origin. It was noticeable that the carboxyl-terminal regions of thiolases IA and IB contained a putative peroxisomal targeting signal, -Ala-Lys-Leu-COOH, unlike those of other thiolases reported hitherto.

Acetyl-CoA C-Acetyltransferase↗
PubMed1992

The p53 tumor-suppressor gene and ras oncogene mutations in oral squamous-cell carcinoma.

The frequencies of mutations in the p53 tumor-suppressor gene and ras proto-oncogenes were investigated systematically in surgically resected oral squamous-cell carcinomas (SCCs) using single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and/or dot-blot hybridization analysis of DNA fragments which had been amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). p53 gene mutations, within the region of exons 5 to 8, were detected in 17 out of 27 (63%) tumor specimens. The role of p53 mutations in cell-line establishment was investigated. p53 gene mutations were detected in 5 out of 6 tissue samples from which cell lines were established and in 4 out of 5 specimens from which cell lines could not be established, suggesting that the presence of p53 gene mutations is not by itself sufficient for cell-line establishment. Tumor samples were also analyzed for point mutational activation of the ras proto-oncogenes. One out of 30 (3%) tumors showed an activating point mutation in codon 12 of H-ras, this being consistent with reports from Europe and USA but not with any from India. Compared to frequencies of the other genetic changes so far reported for oral SCC, the p53 mutations have been observed most often to undergo genetic change. p53 gene mutation is thus intimately involved in the genesis of oral SCC and consequently should be useful as a marker for the diagnosis of this neoplasm.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Production and ligand-binding characteristics of the soluble form of murine erythropoietin receptor.

A recombinant soluble form (sEPO-R) of erythropoietin (EPO) receptor (EPO-R) was produced by Chinese hamster ovary cells and isolated in high yield with the EPO-fixed gel. Ligand binding assays were done using three methods; precipitation of sEPO-R radiolabeled EPO complex and competition of sEPO-R for the binding of radiolabeled EPO with the cellular EPO-R. The results showed a Kd of 17 nM which was much lower than those for cellular EPO-R. One N-glycosylation site exists in sEPO-R but the glycosylation did not affect the binding affinity to EPO. A complex with a molecular size that corresponded to a 1:1 complex of EPO and sEPO-R was detected.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Effect of pancreatic type phospholipase A2 on isolated porcine cerebral arteries via its specific binding sites.

The addition of porcine pancreatic group I phospholipase A2 (PLA2-I) produced a transient contraction followed by a relaxation in helical strips of porcine cerebral arteries. Its ED50 value (2.3 nM) was almost identical to the Kd value (3.9 nM) calculated from the specific binding of 125I-labeled porcine PLA2-I in cultured porcine cerebral arterial smooth muscle cells. Type-specific action of PLA2s and homologous desensitization strongly implicated the involvement of PLA2-I-specific sites in the response. The transient contraction was abolished by treatment with indomethacin as well as by the removal of endothelium, indicating the dependence of vasoconstrictor prostaglandins synthesized by PLA2-I in endothelium. The PLA2-I-induced relaxation response was also observed in bovine and cat cerebral arteries, thus providing a new aspect of PLA2-I as a vasoactive substance.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Bifemelane enhances high K(+)-evoked release of glutamate from mossy fiber synaptosomes of guinea-pig hippocampus.

We have shown that bifemelane augments long-term potentiation in the mossy fiber-CA3 system, but not in the Schaffer collateral-CA1 system. To elucidate the mechanism of action of bifemelane in relation to pathway-specific augmentation of long-term potentiation, we prepared a mossy fiber terminal-rich synaptosomal fraction (P3) from guinea-pig hippocampus and investigated the effect of bifemelane on the release of glutamate from these synaptosomes, using an in vitro superfusion technique. Bifemelane (0.01-1 microM) dose dependently increased the 30 mM K(+)-evoked release of glutamate from the P3 fraction, without affecting glutamate release from a conventional synaptosomal P2 fraction. This stimulatory effect of 1 microM bifemelane was abolished by 100 microM H-7, which also suppressed the increase in K(+)-evoked glutamate release by phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (1 microM). Bifemelane (1 microM) induced the translocation of protein kinase C activity from cytosol to membrane in the P3 fraction (which contains large and irregular-shaped synaptosomes probably derived from mossy fiber terminals), but not in the P2 fraction. These findings suggest that bifemelane directly acts on mossy fiber terminals to potentiate depolarization-induced glutamate release, which may be at least partly mediated by the translocation (activation) of protein kinase C.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗
PubMed1992

A novel non-peptide endothelin antagonist isolated from bayberry, Myrica cerifera.

A potent non-peptide ET receptor antagonist, myriceron caffeoyl ester (50-235), was isolated from the bayberry, Myrica cerifera. This compound selectively antagonized specific binding of [125I]ET-1, but not of [125I]ET-3, to rat cardiac membranes, ET-1-induced increase in the intracellular free calcium concentration in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts, and ET-1-induced contraction of rat aortic strips. Thus, 50-235 is the first non-peptide ET(A) receptor antagonist. This compound can be useful for studying the physiological role of endothelin and exploring its role in various diseases.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1992

A model for initiated mouse skin: suppression of papilloma but not carcinoma formation by normal epidermal cells in grafts on athymic nude mice.

The availability of a skin grafting system on nude mouse hosts and of epidermal cell lines which form papillomas when grafted has made possible the creation of a model for initiated skin in vivo from cultured cells. When grafted with 6-8 x 10(6) primary dermal fibroblasts, 10 x 10(6) primary epidermal cells form an apparently normal skin, and cell line SP-1 (0.5 x 10(6) cells) forms papillomas. Cell line SP-1 was derived from papillomas produced on SENCAR mice by initiation with 7,12-dimethylbenzaadaa]anthracene and promotion with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. Grafting of 0.5 x 10(6) SP-1 cells along with 10 x 10(6) SENCAR newborn primary epidermal cells resulted in a 90% reduction in the average papilloma volume per mouse compared to controls without primary epidermal cells. Suppression occurred specifically with epidermal cells, either cultured or freshly prepared, and was not seen when an equivalent number of SENCAR primary dermal fibroblasts was grafted in place of epidermal cells. Nor did suppression occur when primary epidermal cells were replaced with a carcinogen-altered cell line, SCR722. SCR722 cells have a normal-skin phenotype when grafted. Furthermore, suppression of tumor formation did not occur when a malignant variant of SP-1 cells replaced benign SP-1 cells in grafts. Repeated treatment of suppressed grafts with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate resulted in an increased number of mice with papillomas and a larger mean papilloma volume per mouse compared to controls treated with solvent alone, whereas treatment of nonsuppressed grafts of papilloma cells with promoter produced no change in tumor size. These results support the concepts that normal epidermal cells suppress the growth of initiated cells and that repeated treatment with phorbol ester tumor promoters overcomes the suppression, leading to benign tumor formation.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗
PubMed1992

Changes in extracellular concentration of amino acids in the hippocampus during cerebral ischemia in stroke-prone SHR, stroke-resistant SHR and normotensive rats.

To investigate the role of glutamate release in cerebral ischemia, the amounts of amino acids (glutamate, taurine, alanine, glycine and glutamine) released in the hippocampal CA1 region of stroke-prone SHR (SHRSP), stroke-resistant SHR (SHRSR) and normotensive rats (WKY) were determined during and after cerebral ischemia by the microdialysis method under halothane anesthesia. Cerebral ischemia was produced by the occlusion of both common carotid arteries for 20 min. The basal amino acids release did not differ among the three strains of rats, but ischemic glutamate and taurine releases were more marked in SHRSP than in other strains. These results suggest that the massive glutamate release during cerebral ischemia of SHRSP might be related with severe neuronal cell injury.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1992

Interaction of the low-molecular-mass, guanine-nucleotide-binding protein with the actin-binding protein and its modulation by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase in bovine platelets.

Platelets have been shown to possess several, different, low-molecular-mass, guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins) with molecular masses about 20-30 kDa. We report here that a 25-kDa G-protein copurified with the bovine platelet actin-binding protein (ABP), a cross-linker of actin filaments which is known to generate the three-dimensional network of actin. Both the G-protein and ABP were recovered in a fraction that was insoluble in Triton X-100 and were extracted in 0.6 M NaCl. Gel-filtration chromatography of the high-salt extract and rechromatography in a low-salt solution indicated that the two proteins may be associated with each other. The association of the two proteins was suggested by cosedimentation of the G-protein with the actin gel formed by actin and ABP. The amounts of the cosedimented G-protein and ABP was unaffected by guanosine-5'-O-[beta-thio]diphosphate and guanosine-5'-O-[gamma-thio]triphosphate, but the G-protein, not ABP, was partially released from the actin gel by phosphorylating ABP with cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Thus, the association of the two proteins was affected by modification of ABP, but not by modification of G-proteins. The physiological significance of the possible association of the two proteins might be that the membrane skeleton functions as a modulator of the G-protein, rather than that the G-protein modulates the function of the membrane skeleton which comprises ABP.

Affinity Labels↗
PubMed1992

In vitro reconstitution of an erythropoietin gene transcription system using its 5'-flanking sequence and a nuclear extract from anemic kidney.

We have developed an in vitro transcription system for the erythropoietin (Epo) gene. This system uses a plasmid carrying 0.2 kb of 5'-flanking sequence from the human Epo gene, rNTPs and a nuclear extract from mouse kidney. The transcribed RNA was assayed by primer extension with an end-labeled primer complementary to the sequence of the plasmid, dNTPs and reverse transcriptase. The primer extension product corresponding to the transcript was detected on a sequencing gel. The in vitro promoter activity of the Epo 5'-flanking sequence was observed with a nuclear extract from anemic kidney but not with that from normal kidney.

Anemia↗
PubMed1992

Evaluation of cytocentrifuge apparatus with special reference to the cellular recovery rate.

Two types of commercially available cytocentrifuge apparatus (type A and type B apparatus) using disposable funnels were compared for percentage of cell recovery and degree of cell preservation. The cellularity of each cell suspension was determined using a Sysmex micro cell counter for blood analysis, and the cell recovery was obtained by counting cells in the total smeared area on the May-Grünwald Giemsa (MGG)-stained slide. Overall recovery rate by the type A apparatus was between 54.3% and 74.9% with a mean of 63.0%, whereas, the recovery rate for type B apparatus was between 30.6% and 51.8%, with a mean of 42.5%, indicating that the type A apparatus was significantly better. In the type A apparatus, a higher yield of all cells was obtained (69.7-74.9%) in the group of low cell counts (350 cells/0.5 ml), which was run for 10 minutes at 2,000 rpm. On the other hand, in the type B apparatus a higher yield of all cells was obtained (38.6-42.6%) in the group of low cell counts which was run for 10 minutes at 2,000 rpm. Cellular structure was better preserved on the slides in the type A apparatus. However, the percentage of ghost cells was somewhat higher in the type B apparatus. The cytocentrifugation of the type A apparatus consistently recovered a higher percentage of cells than with the type B apparatus. Using the type A apparatus, a high rate of cellular recovery, which is extremely important, such as for accurate morphological evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid, can be consistently obtained.

Centrifugation↗
PubMed1992

Effects of ammonium chloride on membrane currents of acinar cells dispersed from the rat parotid gland.

In acinar cells freshly dispersed from rat parotid glands, the effects of ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) on membrane currents were studied using the whole-cell clamp method. When membrane currents were recorded with command pulses to 0 mV, applied at 2-s intervals from a holding potential of -70 mV, NH4Cl (5-20 mM) transiently decreased outward currents and then slowly increased both outward and inward currents. After reaching a peak in about 40-50 s, both outward and inward currents gradually decreased in the presence of NH4Cl and, on its wash-out, the currents returned to the control level. Butyrate (5-20 mM) had little effect on the resting membrane currents, but markedly inhibited the response to NH4Cl. Tetraethylammonium (5 mM) strongly reduced both the resting and NH4Cl-induced outward currents, whereas it slightly potentiated the NH4Cl-induced inward current without affecting the membrane current at the holding potential. Without ATP in the patch pipettes, carbachol-induced membrane currents were relatively resistant to Ca2+ removal from the external medium, but NH4Cl-induced currents were quickly abolished in the absence of Ca2+. We conclude that intracellular alkalinization with NH4Cl increases Ca2+ influx and activates Ca(2+)-dependent outward K+ and inward Cl- currents.

Ammonium Chloride↗
PubMed1992

Factors affecting the outcome of patients with advanced urothelial cancer following chemotherapy with methotrexate, vinblastine, adriamycin, and cisplatin.

Attempts were made to identify factors related to the response of patients treated with intravenous methotrexate, vinblastine, Adriamycin, and cisplatin (M-VAC). The subjects consisted of 54 patients with advanced urothelial cancer whose histological type was transitional-cell carcinoma. The effects of various factors on the response were studied using univariate analysis and a multiple logistic regression model. The following factors were included in the analyses: (1) age, (2) sex, (3) performance status (PS), (4) primary site, (5) histological grade, (6) T category, (7) N category, (8) M category, (9) tumor status, and (10) dose of drugs. In all, 9 patients achieved a complete response and 23 showed a partial response, for an overall response rate of 59% (95% confidence limits, 46%-72%). Univariate analysis revealed that the PS, M category, and dose of drugs were related to the response, and there was a significant correlation among these three factors. In the multiple logistic regression model, the absolute value of t was high for the M category. The presence of distant metastases is an important factor in predicting poor efficacy for the present regimen. The management of metastatic disease will be the subject of further study in the treatment of advanced urothelial cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Histological pancreatitis in end-stage renal disease.

To clarify a possible cause of hyperamylasemia in end-stage renal disease (ESRD), histological studies were performed on the pancreatic glands of twenty-seven autopsied patients with ESRD who had received long-term hemodialysis. The findings were compared with those in a similar number of age-matched control subjects. Histological evidence of pancreatitis was found in 51.9% of the ESRD patients as compared with 14.8% in the controls (p < 0.005). The pancreatitis was chronic in nature in 85.7% of the ESRD patients showing changes of pancreatitis. Secretin administration to an additional group of twelve patients with ESRD induced an elevation in the activities of both total and P-type serum amylase in only one patient. These findings suggest that although histological pancreatic alterations are common in patients with ESRD, they are probably not responsible for the P-type hyperamylasemia frequently found in such patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Mitotic activity of cells in the fibrous zone of the rat mandibular condyle.

To investigate cell renewal in this fibrous zone, Wistar rats at 3 and 6 weeks of age were injected intraperitoneally with colchicine (1 mg/kg) three times, at 10:00, 13:00 and 16:00 h, and mitotic cells were examined after killing the rats at 18:00 h. Colchicine induced a significant increase in the number of arrested metaphases in the fibrous and the proliferating cell zone. The mitotic rates (per 1000 cells per h) in the fibrous zone at 3 weeks of age were 0.426 for the superficial layer and 0.266 for the deeper layer. These findings suggest that the fibrous zone of young rats grew with the proliferation of the cells within this zone. Age-associated histological changes in the fibrous zone were related to changes in mitotic rates within that zone.

Aging↗
PubMed1992

Immunodeficiency and the role of suppressor cells after human bone marrow transplantation.

Although not totally analogous to a fetus or newborn, the donor-derived immune system attempts to recapitulate immune ontogeny over a 1- to 2-year period. Early after BMT, primitive functions such as cytotoxicity are present in an immunologic environment dominated by suppressive signals. The suppressive signals are so intense that helper cells are inhibited in their ability to function. Teleologically, the suppressive signals may be required for the development of specific tolerance. Full immune reconstitution is accompanied by the development of specific suppressor activity and specific immune functions. Cognitive T cell-T cell and T cell-B cell interactions are dependent upon the finely tuned and orchestrated synthesis of lymphokines, as well as the expression of specific receptors for the lymphokines on target cells. Future studies will elucidate the mechanisms involved in such interactions in lymphocytes from BMT recipients. Understanding the mechanisms involved will permit the development of therapeutic strategies to manipulate immune responses after BMT.

Bone Marrow Transplantation↗
PubMed1992

Detailed analysis of an amplified region at chromosome 11q13 in malignant tumors.

We have examined the amplification unit at chromosome band 11q13 in 12 primary tumors and one cancer cell line (A431) with 15 DNA markers. The amplified region and size varied from one tumor to another; the smallest amplicon was estimated to be 700 kb long and the largest was 4.5 Mb long at maximum, on the basis of a physical map. Furthermore, the DNA amplified in tumors was not always continuous, because in three cases one locus within the amplicon was not amplified. The amplified region common to all 13 cancers consisted of 500 kb of DNA which incorporated eight defined loci (BCL-1, cCI11-524, cCI11-283, cCI11-234, HBI-1, cCI11-454, HSTF1, and INT2). As two of them, cCI11-524 and cCI11-454, were found to contain DNA sequences conserved in other species, one or both of these loci might encode the gene(s) that may be associated with progression of these tumors.

Blotting, Southern↗