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Biomedical subjects

S Mihashi

Publications and source records attributed to S Mihashi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Organization of the gene for batroxobin, a thrombin-like snake venom enzyme. Homology with the trypsin/kallikrein gene family.

We have isolated and analyzed the gene for batroxobin, a thrombin-like snake venom enzyme. Three overlapping DNA segments containing the entire batroxobin gene were identified. Sequence analysis revealed that the batroxobin gene spans 8 kilobase pairs and contains five exons. Mature batroxobin is encoded by four separate exons, 2 to 5. The catalytic residues of batroxobin, His-41, Asp-86, and Ser-178, are encoded by separate exons, exons 2, 3, and 5, respectively. The exon/intron organization of the batroxobin gene is different from that of the prothrombin gene but very similar to those of the trypsin and kallikrein genes. These results indicate that batroxobin is not a member of the prothrombin family but one of the trypsin/kallikrein family. The snake venom gland is assumed to originate from the submaxillary gland. Therefore, batroxobin is expected to be a member of the glandular kallikrein family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of cDNA for batroxobin, a thrombin-like snake venom enzyme.

Determination of the nucleotide sequence of a cDNA for batroxobin, a thrombin-like enzyme from Bothrops atrox, moojeni venom, allowed elucidation of the complete amino acid sequence of batroxobin for the first time for a thrombin-like snake venom enzyme. The molecular weight of batroxobin is 25,503 (231 amino acids). The amino acid sequence of batroxobin exhibits significant homology with those of mammalian serine proteases (trypsin, pancreatic kallikrein, and thrombin), indicating that batroxobin is a member of the serine protease family. Based on this homology and enzymatic and chemical studies, the catalytic residues and disulfide bridges of batroxobin were deduced to be as follows: catalytic residues, His41, Asp86, and Ser178; and disulfide bridges, Cys7-Cys139, Cys26-Cys42, Cys74-Cys230, Cys118-Cys184, Cys150-Cys163, and Cys174-Cys199. The amino-terminal amino acid residue of batroxobin, valine, is preceded by 24 amino acids. This may indicate that the amino-terminal hydrophobic peptide (18 amino acids) is a prepeptide and that the hydrophilic peptide (6 amino acids), preceded by the putative prepeptide, is a propeptide.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Plasma levels and urinary excretion of batroxobin and its defibrinogenating effects in various animal species.

The plasma levels and urinary excretion of batroxobin administered to 6 species of animals were examined by an enzyme immunoassay method. Defibrinogenating effect of batroxobin was also studied in those species. The plasma levels of immunoreactive batroxobin disappeared exponentially in all the animals and differences in half-life were observed to occur according to species. The elimination half-life of immunoreactive batroxobin in the plasma was the largest in dogs, followed by rats, monkeys, guinea pigs, mice and rabbits. The extent of the defibrinogenating effect was also noted to vary according to the species, being greatest in dogs and then monkeys, mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits. Following the continuous infusion of batroxobin into dogs, its level in the plasma remained high over a considerable period of time and the defibrinogenating effect lasted in corresponding to its plasma level. The urinary excretion of immunoreactive batroxobin was quite small in these species, being 0.2-1.9% of the original dose.

Animals↗

Metabolic fate of 125I-labeled batroxobin in rats and dogs.

125I-Labeled batroxobin was prepared and following its intravenous and subcutaneous administrations to rats and dogs, the blood radioactivity was determined. In the both species following the intravenous injections, the decrease in radioactivity was biexponential. Following subcutaneous administration, radioactivity became maximal at 6h and decreased in a manner similar to that of the beta-phase of the intravenous injection. The blood concentration of fibrinogen in dogs was also determined. After the intravenous injection, fibrinogen became undetectable 1h later, and appeared again in the blood at 24h. After the subcutaneous injection, the decrease was not so rapid. Fibrinogen resumed its original levels at 7 day after the administration in both the routes. Radioactivity after the both injections was excreted generally in the urine in about the same amounts. The total urinary and fecal excretions in rats and dogs were 80 and 95%, respectively. The distribution of radioactivity in the tissues was examined by counting technique and whole-body autoradiography. Radioactivity predominantly accumulated in the thyroid and stomach and could also be found in the kidneys and liver in fair amounts. The distribution patterns of radioactivity for both the routes of administrations and also for male and pregnant rats were basically the same. In fetus rats, a slight distribution was noted. From the results of gel filtration chromatography and trichloroacetic acid fractionation, [125I] batroxobin was metabolized soon after the administration to afford low molecular substances such as 125I-ion in the plasma and urine.

Animals↗

[CO2 laser in treating head and neck cancer].

CO2 laser is especially useful in treating cancer of tube- and cavity-organs. For carcinomas of the tongue, we have employed three types of laser usage. Carcinomas confined within the mucosa are treated by laser alone. For carcinomas invading the muscle to some extent, we make a mass reduction surgery by means of laser which is followed by (chemo)radiotherapy. Carcinomas with extensive muscular invasion are first treated with induction chemotherapy. If the chemotherapy is effective, we add laser surgery for the purpose of mass reduction and chemoradiotherapy follows. 26 patients were treated and none has developed local recurrence. For glottic carcinomas, we have applied laser in two ways: laser surgery alone and laser combined with (chemo)radiotherapy. We have treated 58 patients with glottic carcinoma. 14 developed local recurrence. Of these 14, 13 were successfully treated but the other died because he refused to have further treatment.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

[Pharmacokinetics of cisplatin and the effect of sodium thiosulfate].

The pharmacokinetics of cisplatin (cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum (II), CDDP) have been studied in 11 patients. Plasma and urine CDDP concentrations were determined by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The treatment schedule was administered either by a 3-hour and 4-hour i.v. infusion or a 1.5-hour i.a. infusion. In the 3-hour i.v. infusion, the peak level of plasma total CDDP was 4.09 micrograms/ml after the end of infusion and non-protein-bound CDDP was 0.78 microgram/ml. Plasma total CDDP level declined with two peaks, the half-life of the alpha phase being 3.3 hours and that of the beta phase being 5.29 days. The half-life of non-protein-bound CDDP was 1.6 hours. CDDP might have remained for a long time, because CDDP values were obtained 3 weeks after infusion and urinary recovery of CDDP showed low values. Its urinary recovery was 40.3% of the dose infusion in the first 24 hours and 48.0% in 96 hours. The protein-binding of CDDP was inhibited by sodium thiosulfate(STS) and renal urinary excretion was enhanced. Our data suggest that STS can be applied as a neutralizer of CDDP.

Cisplatin↗