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Biomedical subjects

T Kakimoto

Publications and source records attributed to T Kakimoto.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

Instability of F-actin in the absence of ATP: a small amount of myosin destabilizes F-actin.

The effects of the neutral salt concentration, pH, and coexistence of myosin on the denaturation of F-actin without ATP at low temperature were studied using the DNase I inhibition assay. The percent denaturation of F-actin gradually increased with a decrease in pH from 8.0 to 5.2, on incubation for 2 weeks in the presence of 50 mM KCl at 0 degrees C. This change was much faster in 0.5 M KCl and more than 75% of the F-actin became denatured on incubation for 1 week at pH 5.2. The buffer composition was found to exert a strong influence on the denaturation of F-actin. That is, there was a tendency for the denaturation of F-actin at pH 6.0 to be faster in MES[2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid]-NaOH buffer than in sodium phosphate buffer, the critical concentrations of actin in 0.5 M KCl being 0.31 mg/ml for MES-NaOH buffer and 0.15 mg/ml for sodium phosphate buffer. A sigmoidal relationship was found between the percent denaturation of F-actin and the KCl concentration added, the greatest change occurring at KCl concentrations between 0.25 and 0.75 M. The time courses of the denaturation of F-actin showed that the percent denaturation rose at first and that in time the rate of the increase decreased. In the case of pH 8.0 and 0.5 M KCl, it took about 1 week for the denaturation rate to begin to drop. The pH of 6.0 further promoted the instability of F-actin exposed to high KCl concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Actins

The distribution of the blood flow during exercise in chronic heart failure--compensatory mechanism to the decreased cardiac output.

To evaluate the blood flow distribution during exercise, 51 patients with chronic heart failure underwent ergometer exercise testing measuring cardiac output and leg blood flow. At the given workrate (10 watts and 25 watts) cardiac index (L/min/m2) was significantly lower in NYHA class III patients than class I patients (at 10 watts, 4.08 +/- 1.05 in class I, 4.01 +/- 1.29 in class II and 3.00 +/- 0.89 in class III, p less than 0.05; I vs III), while leg blood flow (L/min/m2) was similar among 3 groups (at 10 watts, 1.19 +/- 0.32, 1.29 +/- 0.25 and 1.16 +/- 0.29, ns). Consequently, residual blood flow (L/min/m2) was significantly lower in class III than class I (at 10 watts, 2.89 +/- .92 and 2.78 +/- 1.27 and 1.84 +/- 0.71, p less than 0.05: I vs III). The results at 25 watts were similar. Serum noradrenaline was significantly higher in class III patients than class I patients at both 10 and 25 watts. We concluded that in severe heart failure, agreater blood flow is distributed to the working leg muscle as compared with less severe heart failure. And such an increased distribution of blood flow to working leg plays a role to compensate an insufficient cardiac output response in patients with severe heart failure.

Adult

Determination of diltiazem hydrochloride enantiomers in dog plasma using chiral stationary-phase liquid chromatography.

The separation and determination of d- and l-diltiazem hydrochloride in dog plasma by a two-column high-performance liquid chromatographic technique are described. Diltiazem hydrochloride and its metabolites were extracted from dog plasma and analyzed on a conventional column (Nucleosil 5C18) with a volatile buffer system. The column effluent of diltiazem hydrochloride was collected and evaporated. The enantiomeric ratio of the collected diltiazem was determined using a chiral column (Chiralcel OC). The method was accurate and sensitive.

Animals

Separation of beta-lactam antibiotics by micellar electrokinetic chromatography.

The retention behaviour of beta-lactam antibiotics in micellar electrokinetic chromatography (EKC) was investigated. Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and sodium N-lauroyl-N-methyltaurate were used an anionic surfactants at concentrations of 0.05-0.3 M. It was found that the retention of ionic substances in micellar EKC is determined by the following three factors: the electrophoretic migration of the ionic substances, the interaction between the ionic substances and ionic surfactants and solubilization of the solute by the micellar phase. A difference in the retention behaviours of cationic substances was observed between the two anionic surfactants, which have different groups neighbouring the charge-bearing groups. The effect of an ion-pairing reagent was also investigated to make the effect of the micelle clearer. All test solutes were successfully separated by micellar EKC at SDS concentrations above 0.1 M, with theoretical plate numbers ranging from 70,000 to 260,000.

Anti-Bacterial Agents

Separation of water-soluble vitamins by micellar electrokinetic chromatography.

The retention behaviour of eleven water-soluble vitamins in micellar electrokinetic chromatography (micellar EKC) was investigated in comparison with capillary zone electrophoresis. Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and sodium lauroylmethyl taurate were used as the anionic surfactants at concentrations of 0.05-0.2 M in micellar EKC. The retention times of cationic substances increased more rapidly with increasing concentration of the anionic surfactant than those of other substances. This result suggests that ion-pair formation between cationic substances and anionic surfactants contributes to the retention of the former. The difference in the structures of the two surfactants affects the retention behaviour of solutes, especially cationic substances. To clarify the effect of the micelle, an ion-pairing agent that does not form the micelle structure was employed. All solutes were successfully separated within 15 min by using a 650 mm x 0.05 mm I.D. fused-silica tube with a 0.05 M SDS solution (pH 9.0) to give theoretical plates ranging from 100,000 to 350,000.

Chemical Phenomena

Production of L-serine by Sarcina albida.

Conditions for the production of microbial L-serine hydroxymethyltransferase and for the conversion of glycine to L-serine were studied. A number of microorganisms were screened for their abilities to form and accululate L-serine from glycine, and Sarcina albida was selected as the best organism. Enzyme activity in this organism as high as 0.12 U/ml could be produced in shaken cultures at 30 degrees C in a medium containing glucose, ammonium sulfate, glycine, yeast extract, and inorganic salts. L-Serine was produced most efficiently by shaking cells at 30 degrees C in a reaction mixture containing 20% glycine, 5 X 10(-3) M formaldehyde, and 3 X 10(-4) M pyridoxal phosphate in yields of 22 mg of broth in 5 days. L-Serine was easily isolated in 84% yields by ion-exchange resin.

Bacteria

Stimulation of L-asparate beta-decarboxylase formation by L-glutamate in Pseudomonas dacunhae and Improved production of L-alanine.

The formation of L-asparate beta-decarboxylase by Pseudomonas dacunhae was compared on media containing a variety of organic acids and amino acids as a carbon source. Although the enzyme was formed constitutively when the organism was grown on basal medium or on that containing tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates, it was induced twofold by L-glutamate and repressed one-tenth by L-serine. L-Glutamine, L-proline, L-leucine, glycine, and L-threonine also showed induction effects lower than that of L-glutamate. L-Glutamate derepressed the serine effect. This glutamate effect was observed effect was observed with other microoganisms, e.g., Achromobacter pestifer and Achromobacter liquidum. Since the intermediates from L-glutamate metabolism had no effect, this induction effect was specific to L-glutamate. The formation of some glutamate-related enzymes was measured and is discussed in relation to the formation of L-asparate beta-decarboxylase. L-Asparate beta-decarboxylase was purified to an electrophoretically homogenous state from L-glutamate-grown cells of P. dacunhae, and some properties were compared with those of the enzyme from fumarate-grown cells. The two enzymes were identical in disc electrophoresis, molecular weight, and some enzymatic properties. The industrial production of L-alanine from L-aspartic acid acid was improved by using the culture broth with highly induced L-asparate beta-decarboxylase (9.4 U/ml of broth).

Alanine

Crystallization and properties of L-arginine deiminase of Pseudomonas putida.

Crystalline L-arginine deiminase of Pseudomonas putida was prepared by the following steps: sonic disruption, ammonium sulfate fractionation, protamine sulfate treatment, DEAE-cellulose column chromatography, and L-arginine-Sepharose 6B chromatography followed by crystallization. This procedure yields a crystalline pure enzyme with a 45% recovery of the activity in crude cell-free extracts. The yield is significantly higher than that reported for this enzyme. The purified enzyme appears to be homogeneous in ultracentrifugation (s-o20, w equals 10.2 S) and isoelectric focusing (pI equals 6.13). The purified enzyme showed two bands on disc gel electrophoresis, both carrying out the deimination of L-arginine. Electrophoresis in the presence of beta-mercaptoethanol plus Na dodecyl-SO4 gave a single band (Mr, 54,000). Specific activity of this enzyme was 58.8 mumol of L-citrulline formed per min per mg of protein at 37 degrees. The optimum pH of the purified enzyme was 6.0 and maximal activity was obtained at 50 degrees. The molecular weight of the native protein was 130,000 by gel filtration and 120,000 by sedimentation-equilibrium measurements. The spectrum of the pure enzyme showed absorption maximum at 280 nm and the value of E-1%-1 CM AT 280 NM WAS 10.48 IN 0.05 M potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). The crystalline enzyme hydrolyzed several L-arginine analogues. L-Homoarginine, L-alpha-amino-gamma-guanidinobutyric acid, and L-alpha-amino-beta-guanidinopropionic acid competitively inhibited the hydrolysis of L-arginine with Ki values of 25.7, 7.5, and 4.0 times 10- minus 3 M, respectively. p-Chloromercuribenzoate, Ag-+, and Hg-2+, and several metal ions inhibited the enzyme.

Arginine

Crystalline L-histidine ammonia-lyase of Achromobacter liquidum. Crystallization and enzymic properties.

Crystalline L-histidine ammonia-lyase of Achromobacter liquidum was prepared with a 24% recovery of the activity. The specific activity of the pure enzyme (63 mumol of urocanic acid min-1 mg-1) is similar to those so far reported for the enzyme from other sources. The purified enzyme appeared to be homogeneous by analytical disc electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing (pI = 4.95). The molecular weight determined by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration is 200000. The optimum pH is 8.2, and the optimum temperature is 50 degrees C. The enzyme showed strict specificity to L-histidine (Km = 3.6 mM). Several histidine derivatives are not susceptible to the enzyme but do inhibit the enzyme activity competitively; the most effective inhibitors are L-histidine methyl ester (Ki = 3.66 mM) and beta-imidazole lactic acid (Ki = 3.84 mM). L-Histidine hydrazide (Ki = 36 mM) and imidazole (Ki = 6 mM) noncompetitively inhibited the enzyme EDTA markedly inhibited enzyme activity and this inhibition were reversed by divalent metal ions such as Mn2+, Co2+ Zn2+, Ni2+, Mg2+, and Ca2+. These results suggest that the presence of divalent metal ions is necessary for the catalytic activity of histidine ammonia-lyase. Sodium borohydride and hydrogen peroxide inhibited the enzyme activity.

Alcaligenes

Effects of pyridoxal phosphate N-oxide and 2'-hydroxy pyridoxal phosphate on L-aspartate beta-decarboxylase.

Pyridoxal phosphate N-oxide and 2'-hydroxypyridoxal phosphate served as the coenzyme for aspartate beta-decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.12) from Pseudomonas dacunhae. Reconstituted enzymes with those pyridoxal phosphate analogues exhibited an absorption band near 370 nm. Close to 1 mole of vitamin B6 derivative is bound per minimal catalytic unit with high affinity. The decarboxylase, desulfinase, and transaminase activites of the both pyridoxal phosphate derivate-enzymes are relatively low. But the Km values for aspartate and cysteine sulfinate are not affected.

Aspartic Acid

Enzymatic production of urocanic acid by Achromobacter liquidum.

To develop an efficient method for the production of urocanic acid, optimal conditions for the production of microbial L-histidine ammonia lyase and for the conversion of L-histidine to urocanic acid by this enzyme were studied. A number of microorganisms were screened to test their ability to form and accumulate urocanic acid from L-histidine. Achromobacter liquidum was selected as the best organism. With this organism, enzyme activity as high as 2.0 units/ml could be produced by a shaking culture at 30 C in a medium containing glucose, urea, potassium phosphate, L-histidine, yeast extract, peptone, and inorganic salts. Appropriate addition of a surface-active agent to the reaction mixture shortened the time required for the conversion. A large amount of L-histidine was converted stoichiometrically to urocanic acid in 48 h at 40 C. Accumulated urocanic acid was readily isolated in pure form by ordinary procedures with isoelectric precipitation. Yields of isolated urocanic acid of over 92% from L-histidine were easily attainable. When the culture of Achromobacter liquidum was added to DL-histidine, D-histidine and urocanic acid were simultaneously obtained in high yields.

Acrylates

Production of coenzyme A by Sarcina lutea.

To develop an efficient method for the production of coenzyme A (CoA), optimal conditions for its formation from pantothenic acid, cysteine, and adenine were studied. A number of microorganisms were screened for production of CoA. Strains belonging to the genera Sarcina, Bacillus, Microbacterium, Micrococcus, and Serratia accumulated CoA. Among these, Sarcina lutea was selected as the best organism, and the culture conditions for the production of CoA were investigated with this organism. Under optimal conditions, 600 mug of CoA per ml was accumulated in the culture broth. CoA was readily isolated in high purity by the use of charcoal, diethylaminoethyl-cellulose, Sephadex G-25, and Dowex-50. Yields of isolated CoA were over 33% from culture broth.

Adenine