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S Kitayama

Publications and source records attributed to S Kitayama.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Dominant negative isoform of rat norepinephrine transporter produced by alternative RNA splicing.

We have cloned from rat brain a family of alternatively spliced cDNAs from a single gene, which encodes a norepinephrine transporter (NET) having variations at the 3'-region including both coding and noncoding regions. This produces two transporter isoforms, rNETa and rNETb, which differ at their COOH termini. The rNETa isoform reveals a COOH terminus homologous to human NET and transports norepinephrine. In contrast, rNETb revealed no detectable transport function but reduced functional expression of rNETa when both isoforms were expressed in the same cell. Thus, rNETb potentially functions as a dominant negative inhibitor of rNETa activity. Co-expression of rNETb with a gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter (rGAT1), a serotonin transporter (rSERT), and a dopamine transporter (rDAT) reduced their transport activity. No reduction was found with the glutamate/aspartate transporter (rGLAST). Alternative RNA splicing of NET suggests a novel mechanism for the regulation of synaptic transmission.

Alternative Splicing↗

Molecular cloning and characterization of rat trp homologues from brain.

Identification of trp (transient receptor potential) gene from Drosophila photoreceptor and subsequent molecular cloning of the human cDNA homologues suggest its participation in capacitative calcium entry (CCE) or so called store-operated Ca2+ channel (SOC). We identified five different trp-related amplifications of reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from rat brain; these corresponded to mouse trp homologues, mtrp1,3,4,5,6 and were distributed in various tissues with multiple expression levels. Two cDNAs, homologous to Drosophila trp from rat brain, designated rtrp3 and rtrp6, were isolated and characterized. By RT-PCR analysis, mRNAs of rtrp3 and rtrp6 were found to be expressed differently in brain and other tissues. In situ hybridization analysis revealed that rtrp6 mRNA was preferentially expressed in hippocampal dentate gyrus and cortical layers II and III. Expression of rat TRP3 and TRP6 in COS cells revealed an increase in CCE, as compared to that in the mock-transfected COS cells of the control. Isolation of cDNAs of rat trp gene family provides a useful model for studying mechanism of CCE.

Animals↗

MPP+ toxicity and plasma membrane dopamine transporter: study using cell lines expressing the wild-type and mutant rat dopamine transporters.

The Parkinsonism-inducing neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) causes specific cell death in dopaminergic neurons after accumulation by the dopamine transporter (DAT). COS cells, a non-neuronal cell line insensitive to high doses of MPP+, becomes sensitive to MPP+ when transfected with the rat DAT cDNA. We analyzed the bi-directional transport of MPP+ and its toxicity in several cell lines expressing wild or mutant DATs. Cell death in COS cells expressing wild DAT by exposure to MPP+ was concentration-dependent and cocaine-reversible. Increased wild DAT expression caused higher sensitivities to the toxin in HeLa cells. Although several mutant DATs demonstrated greater transport activity than the wild-type, they displayed similar or lower sensitivity to MPP+ toxicity. Reverse transport of preloaded [3H]MPP+ through DAT was facilitated in COS cells expressing certain mutant DATs, which consistently displayed less sensitivity to MPP+ toxicity. These results suggest that re-distribution of MPP+ due to influx/efflux turnover through the transporter is a key factor in MPP+ toxicity.

1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium↗

Idiopathic peripheral neuropathy in the horse with knuckling: muscle and nerve lesions in additional cases.

We have previously reported a pathological investigation of peripheral neuropathy in a horse with knuckling. This report describes details of the muscle and peripheral nerve lesions in two additional cases of light horse yearlings with knuckling. The skeletal muscles showed neurogenic atrophy characterized by scattered single angular fibers, fiber grouping, and fiber-type grouping. The severity of muscle lesions increased distally; that is, both fore- and hindleg muscles were affected more severely than cervical and dorsal muscles. In the peripheral nervous system, a number of Renaut bodies appeared to be common in the nerve fascicles. Pathological alterations indicating demyelination, remyelination and regeneration of nerve fibers were occasionally observed. The most common abnormality was myelin ovoids or myelin debris infiltrated by macrophages. Occasionally, myelinated axons were seen containing accumulations of organelles, often associated with buckling of the myelin. The myelin sheath occasionally formed axonal outpouching containing accumulations of mitochondria and dense lamellar bodies. Histochemically, intramuscular nerve fibers presented multiple arborization and collateral ramification, indicating relapsing denervation and reinnervation. Also seen were the fibers with myelin balloons or swollen segments considered as being degenerative processes. The distribution patterns of muscular lesions in the affected animals were indicative of systemic distal denervation atrophy. In addition, peripheral nervous lesions that selectively involve the distal parts of axons and an absence of abnormalities in neuronal cell bodies in the spinal cord suggest a dying-back neuropathy. It was concluded that this disease should be classified as a distal axonopathy.

Animals↗

Inhibition of Na+,K(+)-ATPase by platelet-activating factor in dog submandibular glands.

Physiological stimulation of dog submandibular gland has been shown to generate platelet-activating factor (PAF). However, PAF is not released from cells in the tissue. To assess its intracellular activity, the effect of PAF on Na+,K(+)-ATPase was examined in dog submandibular gland cells. PAF inhibited Na+,K(+)-ATPase in membrane preparations, and the inhibitory effect was dependent on the protein concentration in the enzyme preparation. The inhibitory effect of a low concentration of PAF was antagonized by a PAF-receptor antagonist, BN 50,739, but at high concentrations, PAF was not antagonized. Kinetic analysis of PAF inhibition of Na+,K(+)-ATPase suggests that the inhibition of Na+,K(+)-ATPase by PAF is not due to competition by PAF at K(+)- or Na(+)-binding sites on the enzyme, but by complex inhibitory mechanisms. These results suggest that PAF may interact with specific and nonspecific site of action resulting in the inhibition of Na+,K(+)-ATPase. Ouabain increased mucin release from dog submandibular gland cells. Because Na+,K(+)-ATPase and ion exchange pathways are important in the secretory responses of acinar cells, PAF may regulate intracellularly the secretory function of acinar cells by modulating Na+,K(+)-ATPase and ionic homeostasis.

Animals↗

Tyrosine-533 of rat dopamine transporter: involvement in interactions with 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium and cocaine.

To improve our understanding of structure-function relationships for neurotransmitter transporters, we performed site-directed mutagenesis of the rat dopamine transporter (DAT) and assessed the functions of the mutants in transiently-expressing COS cells. Tyrosine-533 of rat DAT lies in the 11th transmembrane region, where the corresponding amino acid of human DAT is phenylalanine. Alanine substitution of tyrosine-533 (Y533A) conferred an increased affinity for 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+). Phenylalanine substitution of tyrosine-533 (Y533F) increased the velocity of MPP+ uptake but decreased DAT's affinity for MPP+. Cocaine's potency in inhibiting dopamine uptake was unchanged with Y533A, but increased with Y533F. Differences in the uptake kinetics and inhibitory potency of cocaine between rat and human DATs were similar to the differences observed between the wild-type and Y533F mutants DATs. Tyrosine-533 may be important for the DAT function and for species differences in transporter functions, including differential sensitivities to cocaine and 1-methyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in humans and rats.

1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium↗

Cyclic ADP-ribose induces Ca2+ release from caffeine-insensitive Ca2+ pools in canine salivary gland cells.

Cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR), a novel putative messenger of the ryanodine receptor, was examined regarding its ability to mobilize Ca2+ from intracellular Ca2+ stores in isolated cells of parotid and submandibular glands of the dog. cADPR induced a rapid and transient Ca2+ release in the digitonin-permeabilized cells of salivary glands. cADPR-induced Ca2+ release was inhibited by ryanodine receptor antagonists ruthenium red, ryanodine, benzocaine, and imperatoxin inhibitor but not by the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-receptor antagonist heparin. Thapsigargin, at a concentration of 3 to 30 microM, inhibited IP3-induced Ca2+ release, while higher concentrations were required to inhibit cADPR-induced Ca2+ release. Cross-potentiation was observed between cADPR and ryanodine or SrCl2, suggesting that cADPR sensitizes the Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release mechanism. Cyclic AMP plays a stimulatory role on cADPR- and IP3-induced Ca2+ release in digitonin-permeabilized cells. Calmodulin also potentiated cADPR-induced Ca2+ release, but inhibited IP3-induced Ca2+ release. Acetylcholine and ryanodine caused the rise in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in intact submandibular and parotid cells. Caffeine did not produce any increase in Ca2+ release or [Ca2+]i rise in any preparation. ADP-ribosyl cyclase activity was found in the centrifuged particulate fractions of the salivary glands. These results suggest that cADPR serves as an endogenous modulator of Ca2+ release from Ca2+ pools through a caffeine-insensitive ryanodine receptor channel, which are different from IP3-sensitive pools in canine salivary gland cells. This system is positively regulated by cyclic AMP and calmodulin.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗

The Deinococcus radiodurans uvr A gene: identification of mutation sites in two mitomycin-sensitive strains and the first discovery of insertion sequence element from deinobacteria.

Deinococcus radiodurans (Dr) possesses a prominent ability to repair the DNA injury induced by various DNA-damaging agents including mitomycin C (MC), ultraviolet light (UV) and ionizing radiation. DNA damage resistance was restored in MC sensitive (MC(S)) mutants 2621 and 3021 by transforming with DNAs of four cosmid clones derived from the gene library of strain KD8301, which showed wild type (wt) phenotype to DNA-damaging agents. Gene affected by mutation (mtcA or mtcB) in both mutants was cloned and its nucleotide (nt) sequence was determined. The deduced amino acid (aa) sequence of the gene product consists of 1016 aa and shares homology with many bacterial UvrA proteins. The mutation sites of both mutants were identified by analyzing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fragments derived from the genomic DNA of the mutants. A 144-base pair (bp) deletion including the start codon for the uvrA gene was observed in DNA of the mutant 3021, causing a defect in the gene. On the other hand, an insertion sequence (IS) element intervened in the uvrA gene of the mutant 2621, suggesting the insertional inactivation of the gene. The IS element comprises 1322-bp long, flanked by 19-bp inverted terminal repeats (ITR), and generated a 6-bp target duplication (TD). Two open reading frames (ORFs) were found in the IS element. The deduced aa sequences of large and small ORFs show homology to a putative transposase found in IS4 of Escherichia coli (Ec) and to a resolvase found in ISXc5 of Xanthomonas campestris (Xc), respectively. This is the first discovery of IS element in deinobacteria, and the IS element was designated IS2621.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Stimulation of cyclic ADP-ribose synthesis by acetylcholine and its role in catecholamine release in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells.

Cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) is suggested to be a novel messenger of ryanodine receptors in various cellular systems. However, the regulation of its synthesis in response to cell stimulation and its functional roles are still unclear. We examined the physiological relevance of cADPR to the messenger role in stimulation-secretion coupling in cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. Sensitization of Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release (CICR) and stimulation of catecholamine release by cADPR in permeabilized cells were demonstrated along with the contribution of CICR to intracellular Ca2+ dynamics and secretory response during stimulation of intact chromaffin cells. ADP-ribosyl cyclase was activated in the membrane preparation from chromaffin cells stimulated with acetylcholine (ACh), excess KCl depolarization, and 8-bromo-cyclic-AMP. ACh-induced activation of ADP-ribosyl cyclase was dependent on the influx of Ca2+ into cells and on the activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. These and previous findings that ACh activates adenylate cyclase by Ca2+ influx in chromaffin cells suggested that ACh induces activation of ADP-ribosyl cyclase through Ca2+ influx and cyclic AMP-mediated pathways. These results provide evidence that the synthesis of cADPR is regulated by cell stimulation, and the cADPR/CICR pathway forms a significant signal transduction for secretion.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗

Inclusion of Volatile Organic Compounds into Natural Cyclodextrins and Their Branched Cyclodextrins in the Gaseous Phase

The adsorption isotherms of water, the differential heat of adsorption, and the entropy of adsorbed water were investigated to elucidate the structure of stability of cyclodextrins (CyD) and branched CyD's. The amount adsorbed on branched CyD's increased with increasing relative humidity. The steep rise in the amount adsorbed at higher relative humidities indicated that the structure of branched CyD's was affected by the water molecules at these higher relative humidities. The bonding force between alpha-CyD's and water molecules was stronger than that between their branched CyD's and water, while that between beta-CyD's and water was weaker than that between their branched CyD's and water. We have used activated carbons for the recovery of organic solvents. There are polar groups on the activated carbon surface. Therefore, the recovered organic solvents were degraded by these groups. However, such polar groups are not expected for the hydroxyl groups of the CyD's. The amounts of 1,1,1-trichloroethane, benzene, and toluene included in natural CyD's and their branched CyD's were measured. The amounts of organic solvents included in the CyD's depended upon the cavity radii and the glucosyl and maltosyl functional groups of the CyD's and the radii of the organic solvent molecules.

Journal Article↗

Mutation of D. radiodurans in a gene homologous to ruvB of E. coli.

Following the digestion of chromosomal DNA of Deinococcus radiodurans with a restriction enzyme a partial genomic library was constructed using lambda phage as a vector. A phage clone whose DNA can complement the deficiency in a radiation-sensitive mutant of D. radiodurans was isolated. Following the subcloning using phasmid vector, a hybrid plasmid containing 1.2 kb inserted DNA was obtained. After the determination of nucleotide sequence, the deduced amino acid sequence showed close homology to RuvB protein of Escherichia coli; approximately 81% of the amino acids (310 residues in total) was homologous (152 were identical and 100 amino acids were similar). The putative protein has a conserved ATP binding domain characteristic of DNA helicases. However, we could not find an SOS promoter and ORF for RuvA protein in the sequence upstream of ruvB in contrast to the E. coli homologue. The mutant was transformed with exogenous DNA at the same rate as the wild-type cells, but it was moderately sensitive to UV, gamma-rays and to interstrand cross-linking reagents.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Individual and collective processes in the construction of the self: self-enhancement in the United States and self-criticism in Japan.

A collective constructionist theory of the self proposes that many psychological processes, including enhancement of the self (pervasive in the United States) and criticism and subsequent improvement of the self (widespread in Japan), result from and support the very ways in which social acts and situations are collectively defined and subjectively experienced in the respective cultural contexts. In support of the theory, 2 studies showed, first, that American situations are relatively conducive to self-enhancement and American people are relatively likely to engage in self-enhancement and, second, that Japanese situations are relatively conducive to self-criticism and Japanese people are relatively likely to engage in self-criticism. Implications are discussed for the collective construction of psychological processes implicated in the self and, more generally, for the mutual constitution of culture and the self.

Adolescent↗

Stimulation of platelet-activating factor synthesis by neurotransmitters in salivary glands.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF), a phospholipid mediator exhibiting potent biological activities, has been shown to stimulate amylase release from the pancreas and salivary glands. The capacity of salivary glands for PAF biosynthesis in response to stimulation has also been demonstrated. To elucidate the role of PAF in salivary glands, we studied the regulation of platelet-activating factor synthesis by the autonomic nervous system in canine salivary glands. Acetylcholine and ionomycin stimulated PAF production in dispersed cells from parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands of dogs. Norepinephrine and phenylephrine, but not isoproterenol, also stimulated PAF production in submandibular gland cells. Norepinephrine-induced PAF production was blocked by phentolamine but not by propranolol. Acetylcholine and norepinephrine increased both the PAF production and liberation of [14C]arachidonic acid from cells pre-labeled with [14C]arachidonic acid in the presence of Ca2+ in the medium. These stimulants increased [14C]arachidonic acid liberation without the accompanying production of PAF in Ca(2+)-deprived medium. No activators or inhibitors of protein kinase C produced or affected acetylcholine-induced PAF production. Lyso-PAF:acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase was activated in the cells treated with acetylcholine, norepinephrine, isoproterenol, and 8Br-cyclic AMP. Deprivation of Ca2+ in the medium markedly reduced acetylcholine-induced activation of the transferase, but little affected norepinephrine-, isoproterenol-, and 8Br-cyclic AMP-induced activation. Dithiothreitol-insensitive cholinephosphotransferase activity was also increased by acetylcholine, norepinephrine, isoproterenol, and 8Br-cyclic AMP, and the deprivation of Ca2+ in the medium further increased the activation of the enzyme activity by these agents. These results suggest that PAF synthesis in canine salivary glands is under the control of muscarinic cholinergic and alpha-adrenergic systems via Ca(2+)-dependent remodeling pathways, and that the independent activation of either phospholipase A2 or acetyltransferase is insufficient for PAF production in submandibular gland cells, i.e., the concurrent activation of these enzymes is required.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Cocaine inhibits the release of MPP+ but not dopamine through the rat dopamine transporter.

Transporter-mediated release of dopamine and the parkinsonism-inducing neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) was examined in COS cells, a cell line derived from monkey kidney, expressing the rat dopamine transporter. The release of preloaded [3H]MPP+ but not [3H]dopamine was dose-dependently inhibited by cocaine and other compounds known as dopamine uptake inhibitor, 1-[2-(diphenylmethoxy)ethyl]-4-(3-phenylpropyl)-piperazine (GBR12,935) and nomifensine, although the uptake of both [3H]dopamine and [3H]MPP+ was sensitive to these compounds. The different sensitivity of the outward transport of dopamine and MPP+ to the uptake inhibitors might provide a clue to the identity of the specific site(s) for cocaine on the transporter.

1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium↗

Ca2+ entry induced by calcium influx factor and its regulation by protein kinase C in rabbit neutrophils.

Extracellular application of acid extract from platelet-activating factor- or thapsigargin-treated rabbit neutrophils induced a rise of cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in neutrophils and adrenal chromaffin cells suspended in Ca(2+)-containing, but not in Ca(2+)-deficient, medium. The ability of the extract to selectively induce Ca2+ entry was also confirmed by the increase in 45Ca2+ uptake and failure to stimulate Ca2+ release in digitonin-permeabilized neutrophils. 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) inhibited the extract-induced [Ca2+]i rise in a staurosporine (ST)-sensitive fashion, neither of which had any effect on its production. SK&F 96365 and econazole also reduced extract-induced Ca2+ entry. These results suggest that a Ca2+ entry-inducible substrate (calcium influx factor) is extracted from Ca2+ store-depleted neutrophils, and that its action may be regulated by protein kinase C and certain pharmacological agents.

Adrenal Glands↗

Role of cytokines in leukemic type growth of myelodysplastic CD34+ cells.

The clonal growth of progenitor cells from myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) can be subdivided into four growth patterns: (1) normal, (2) no growth or low plating efficiency, (3) low colony and high cluster number, and (4) normal or high colony number with a large number of clusters. The former two (1 and 2) can be referred to as nonleukemic patterns and latter two (3 and 4) as leukemic. In a search for a role for cytokines in leukemic-type growth of MDS progenitor cells, marrow CD34+ cells were purified up to 94% for 8 normal individuals and 88% for 12 MDS patients, using monoclonal antibodies and immunomagnetic microspheres (MDS CD34+ cells). The purified CD34+ cells were cultured for 14 days with various combinations of cytokines, including recombinant human macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rM-CSF), granulocyte-CSF (rG-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage-CSF (rGM-CSF), interleukin-3 (rIL-3), and stem cell factor (SCF; a ligand for c-kit) in serum-free medium. The clonal growth of MDS CD34+ cells supported by a combination of all of the above cytokines was subdivided into the two patterns of leukemic or nonleukemic, and then the role of individual or combined cytokines in proliferation and differentiation of MDS CD34+ cells was analyzed in each group. Evidence we obtained showed that SCF plays a central role in the leukemic-type growth of MDS CD34+ cells and that G-CSF, GM-CSF; and/or IL-3 synergize with SCF to increase undifferentiated blast cell colonies and clusters over that seen in normal CD34+ cells. SCF is present in either normal or MDS plasma at a level of nanograms per milliliter, and this physiologic concentration of SCF can stimulate progenitor cells. This means that progenitor cells are continuously exposed to stimulation by SCF in vivo and that MDS leukemic cells have a growth advantage over normal blast cells. This depends, at least in part, on cytokines such as G-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-3, and SCF.

Acute Disease↗

Uptake and release of dopamine through the rat dopamine transporter expressed in Xenopus laevis oocyte: evaluation by voltammetric measurement of intracellular dopamine concentration.

An attempt was made to evaluate the uptake and release of dopamine (DA) through the rat dopamine transporter (DAT) expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. A carbon electrode was placed intracellularly into the oocyte to measure directly the intracellular concentration of DA ([DA]i) by voltammetric analyzer. Oocytes injected with the rat DAT cRNA showed a rapid rise and fall of [DA]i in response to the perfusion solution in the presence and absence of DA. In the control experiment, oocytes injected with water showed no response to external DA. An increase in [DA]i which was induced in control oocytes injected with DA into cytosol was not affected by DA-free perfusion solution, suggesting that in the absence of the transporter the accumulated DA never leaked out from the cell. Thus, the bi-directional DA fluxes through the transporter were demonstrated electrochemically in real time on-line mode.

Animals↗