PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

S Hirose

Publications and source records attributed to S Hirose.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Minimal functional size of porcine lung and testicular angiotensin-converting enzymes deduced from radiation inactivation analysis. Interaction of two highly homologous domains in somatic isoenzyme.

Domain structures of porcine lung and testicular angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE) were studied by radiation inactivation to test the hypothesis that lung ACE has two catalytic sites localized to discrete, structurally independent domains (the N- and C-domains) of approximately equal size. The minimum functional sizes of lung and testicular ACE, calculated from the inactivation curves obtained, were 140 and 74 kDa, respectively. Since testicular ACE has been demonstrated to contain only the C domain, this result indicates that the two domains in lung ACE are not independent but are, in fact, structurally tightly linked.

Animals

Structure of the bovine endothelin-B receptor gene and its tissue-specific expression revealed by northern analysis.

We have isolated and characterized the gene encoding the bovine endothelin (ET) receptor ETB with seven putative membrane-spanning domains. The gene exists as a single copy of the bovine genome and extends over 36 kilobases. The coding region is divided into seven exons separated by six introns; the first exon encodes the first and second transmembrane domains and each of the following transmembrane domains is encoded by a separate exon. The 5' region of the transcript was examined by the ribonuclease protection analysis; multiple start sites were deduced with no apparent "TATA" box in the expected upstream region. Northern blot analysis demonstrated a widespread but tissue-specific distribution of the ETB receptor in bovine tissues.

Amino Acid Sequence

Regulation of Drosophila neural development by a putative secreted protein.

The Drosophila strawberry (sty) locus was isolated by P-element insertion mutagenesis in a screen for mutations affecting eye development. Analysis of the mutant phenotype and the putative expression pattern of the sty gene suggested that it has multiple functions. Mutations in the sty gene lead to irregular spacing of ommatidia, an increase in the number of photoreceptor cells, as well as abnormal axonal projections to the lamina and disrupted structure of the optic lobes in the adult fly. The sty mutation also causes abnormal head involution, a change in a number of sensilla in the antennomaxillary complex in the embryonic stage and abnormal morphogenesis of the maxillary palp and wings in later stages. We examined the presumptive expression of the sty gene during development by histochemical staining for lacZ expression from enhancer trap elements inserted within the sty gene. During embryogenesis, expression of lacZ showed a segmental pattern in the ectoderm and in the nervous system. In the eye imaginal discs, lacZ was expressed in photoreceptor cells beginning a few rows posterior to the morphogenetic furrow. The lacZ was also expressed in the wing disc. In the adult, lacZ was expressed in the retina and lamina. We cloned the sty gene by P-element tagging and found that it encodes a putative secreted protein containing a cysteine-rich region similar to the epidermal growth factor (EGF) repeat. On the basis of the loss of functional phenotype, the expression pattern and the predicted structure of its product, we propose that sty encodes a diffusible protein acting as a signal involved in lateral inhibition within the developing nervous system and also as a factor involved either directly or indirectly in axonal guidance and optic lobe development.

Animals

Properties and localization of endothelin-1-specific receptors in rat testicles.

The characterization and localization of rat testicular endothelin receptors were studied. Receptor binding assay with radiolabeled members of the endothelin family revealed that endothelin-1-specific receptors were present in rat testes; a maximal binding capacity of 250 +/- 62 fmol/mg protein and a dissociation constant value of 0.35 +/- 0.06 nM were calculated from the Scatchard plot. The affinities for endothelin analogues were endothelin-1 = endothelin-2 much greater than endothelin-3 much greater big endothelin-1 for the membrane-bound receptors. Receptors of endothelin-1 were localized in peritubular myoid cells and interstitial cells of rat testis by 125I-labeled endothelin-1 autoradiography; the receptors were undetectable in spermatogenic cells. The presence of endothelin-1 receptors in the rat testis raises the possibility that one or more of the endothelins may play a physiological role in the regulation of testicular function.

Animals

An early activation antigen of murine T cells recognized by monoclonal natural autoantibody NTA204 and the expression on T cells from aged NZB x NZW F1 mice with overt autoimmune disease.

A monoclonal natural thymocytotoxic autoantibody NTA204 established from an autoimmune-prone NZB mouse reacted with the majority of thymocytes, all peripheral B cells, granulocytes and bone marrow myeloid cells, but not with peripheral resting T cells of normal mice. In aged NZB/W F1 mice with overt autoimmune disease, the population of NTA204+ CD4+ CD25- T cells was remarkably increased. The NTA204 antigen could be induced on splenic T cells from normal healthy mice as early as 3 hr after the initiation of culture with stimulant Con A, and was expressed on the vast majority in the 48-hr culture. The expression preceded that of other T cell activation antigens tested, CD25 and CD45R. Cell cycle analysis suggested that NTA204 is expressed at an early phase of G1A. T cells, particularly CD8+ T cells, in the allogeneic mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) could be divided into two populations, NTA204+ and NTA204-. By immunohistochemical analysis, 30% of NTA204+ CD8+, but few NT204- CD8+ T cells were intensely positive for large cytoplasmic granules of perforin, an important cytolytic mediator of cytotoxic T cells. Thus the increased population of NTA204+ T cells in aged NZB/W F1 mice appear to be activated T cells and might be at least partly involved in the pathogenesis of disease in these mice. Immunoblotting analysis of Con A-activated splenic T cells showed that NTA204 molecules have a molecular mass of 49 Kd.

Animals

Defect in the split proteins of 30-S ribosomal subunits and under-methylation of 16-S ribosomal RNA in a polyamine-requiring mutant of Escherichia coli grown in the absence of polyamines.

Polyphenylalanine synthesis was carried out with Escherichia coli Q13 50-S ribosomal subunits and reconstituted 30-S particles containing different combinations of 23-S core particles and 30-S subunit split proteins obtained from a polyamine-requiring mutant of E. coli during its growth in the presence or absence of putrescine. It was concluded that the defect in the amount of some kinds of 30-S subunit split proteins was responsible for the decrease of polypeptide synthesis in a polyamine-requiring mutant of E. coli grown in the absence of polyamines. The methylation of 16-S RNA during growth in the absence of putrescine was decreased, while the degree of methylation of 23-S RNA did not change significantly. The decrease in methylation of 16-S RNA in the absence of putrescine was due mainly to a decrease of methylation of adenine. The relationship between the decrease of polypeptide synthetic activity of 30-S ribosomal subunits obtained from a polyamine-requiring mutant of E. coli grown in the absence of polyamines and the decrease of methylation of 16-S RNA is discussed.

Aminoglycosides

A microsomal exoribonuclease from rat liver.

A exoribonuclease has been purified from the microsomes of rat liver. The enzyme had an apparent molecular weight of 80 000-83 000 and produced, via a processive mechanism, 5'-AMP as the only product from poly(A). The degradation was found to proceed in the 3' to 5' direction. The relative rates of breakdown of synthetic polynucleotides by the enzyme under standard conditions were in the order poly(A) equal to poly(U) greater than poly(C). In addition to Mg2+, K+ was required for maximum activity. The enzymic activity was inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoate and poly(G), but not by a rate liver RNAase inhibitor. The effect of spermine on the breakdown of synthetic polynucleotides by the enzyme has been studied. In the absence of K+, the breakdown of poly(C) was stimulated and that of poly(A) was stimulated slightly. However, the breakdown of poly(U) was inhibited slightly by spermine.

Animals

Depression and homicide. A psychiatric and forensic study of four cases.

Four examples of homicide followed by attempted suicide are presented based on the psychiatric examinations prepared for the use of the courts. Three cases were suffering from unbearable states of endogenous depression and the fourth showed a serious chronic neurotic depression following an acute grief reaction before and during homicide. The relationship between depression and homicide is discussed from the standpoint of clinical psychopathology. Criminal responsibility of these cases is also discussed.

Adult

Specific antibody to hog renal renin and its application to the direct radioimmunoassay of renin in various organs.

We produced anti-hog renin antibodies using as antigens pure hog renal renin that either had been insolubilized or conjugated to tetanus toxoid. High titer antibodies were obtained, which demonstrated different cross-reactivity with renins from other species. A direct radioimmunoassay for renin was developed using antibody, monoiodinated 125I-hog renin, and various methods for separating free and antibody-bound trace. This assay was capable of detecting 40 pg of hog renin and was applied to the determination of renin in hog blood and other organs. Based on the direct measurement of renin by this radioimmunoassay, the renin-like activity (i.e., the ability to generate angiotensin I from renin substrate preparations) of the pituitary gland was found to be due mostly to true renin, whereas the renin activity of other hog tissues, including the adrenal gland, liver, lung, spleen, and submaxillary gland, was not identified as renin and may have been due to cathepsins.

Adrenal Glands

Mechanism of spermine stimulation of rat-liver isoleucyl-tRNA formation.

The mechanism of spermine stimulation of rat-liver isoleucyl-tRNA formation has been studied by Cleland's method [Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 67, 104--137 & 173--197 (1963)]. It was demonstrated that isoleucyl-tRNA formation proceeded through a ping-pong mechanism in the presence of spermine and magnesium. From a study of the effect of spermine on both the formation of isoleucyl-AMP . enzyme complex and on the subsequent formation of isoleucyl-tRNA from the isoleucyl-AMP . enzyme complex, evidence is presented that the stimulatory effect of spermine functions mainly through the spermine preventing the tRNA inhibition of isoleucyl-AMP . enzyme complex formation.

Adenosine Triphosphate

Morphological observations on the vasculitis in the mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome. A skin biopsy study of 27 patients.

Twenty-seven skin biopsies were obtained from the exanthemata of patients in the acute stage of the mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (MCLS). The three vascular systems of different caliber size--the intrapapillary capillary loops (ICL), the superficial arteriolar or venular plexus (SAP, SVP) and the small subcutaneous vessels--were examined to investigate the characteristics of the vasculitis in MCLS and differentiate it from infantile polyarteritis nodosa (IPN). Significant papillary edema and dilatation of ICL, SAP and SVP were observed on the 4th day after the onset of the illness, and then gradually decreased. In the subcutaneous regions, vasculitis began with endothelial necrosis, and subendothelial edema and degenerative changes in the muscle cells followed. These changes in the small subcutaneous vessels were observed for a longer period than in the ICL, SAP and SVP. Moderate mononuclear cell infiltrations were observed. Both arteries and veins were affected.

Acute Disease