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Biomedical subjects

T Ohno

Publications and source records attributed to T Ohno.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Structural requirements for duodenal permeability of heparin-diamine complexes.

We have compared the physico-chemical behaviors alone and in the presence of a synthetic bilayer membrane, in aqueous solution and the bioavailability after intraduodenal administration to rabbits, of the two heparin diamine salts ITF-300 and ITF-331 with those of the heparin-amine salt ITF-1175. The three salts have similar structures but different characteristics of compounds tend to form aggregates in solution, but at different critical concentrations. The compounds induce fusion of single-walled vesicles of a synthetic peptide lipid into multi-walled lamellae. The minimal concentrations of the compounds required for the formation of such lamellae differ. This behavior in solution explains the differences in absorption in the animal model. This makes it possible to correlate enhanced heparin bioavailability with the structural nature of the diamine counter-ions used to prepare heparin salts.

Animals

New bronchodilators. 1. 1,5-Substituted 1H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinolin-4(5H)-ones.

A series of novel xanthine-based tricyclic heterocycles in 1H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinolin-4(5H)-ones was designed, synthesized, and tested as potential active bronchodilators. Inhibition of the Schulz-Dale (SD) reaction-induced contraction in trachea and inhibition of antigen inhalation-induced bronchospasm in passively sensitized guinea pigs served as primary in vitro and in vivo assays, respectively. Simultaneous measurement of acute lethal toxicity (minimum lethal dose; MLD, po) in mice allowed determination of a safety margin. The bronchodilatory activity of these heterocycles was considerably varied with the nature of substituents at the 5-position. The most active substituents at the 2- and 5-positions and on the aromatic ring were found to be hydrogen, n-butyl, and hydrogen, respectively. There was a bulk tolerance for lipophilic substituents at the 1-position. 5-Butyl-substituted compounds appeared to be less toxic than theophylline on the basis of MLD data. Thus 5-butyl-1-methyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinolin-4(5H)-one (10) (IC50 value of the SD assay = 0.25 microM, MLD > 300 mg/kg) was selected for further studies. Compound 10 (KF15570) reduced bronchoconstriction produced by antigen (Konzett-Rössler preparation in anesthetized guinea pigs, ED50 = 0.42 mg/kg, iv) more effectively than aminophylline (ethylenediamine salt of theophylline, ED50 = 7.8 mg/kg, iv) but had fewer side effects on the heart and CNS than theophylline. Compound 10 and its derivatives showed weak adenosine antagonism and phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibition which could not account for their potent bronchodilation. Although their precise mechanism of action remains unclear, this series of novel tricyclic heterocycles represents a new class of bronchodilator.

Airway Resistance

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate-binding sites in plasma membrane from human uterine cervical fibroblasts.

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHA-S) plays a critical role in cervical dilatation at labor. Incubation of cervical fibroblasts with [3H]DHA-S caused a rapid and saturable increase in cellular radioactivity: an apparent equilibrium was reached by 2 min. There was no detectable conversion of DHA-S into DHA or oestradiol. When the fibroblasts loaded with [3H]DHA-S were homogenized and fractionated, the specific radioactivity in the plasma membrane fraction was enriched approximately 8- to 9-fold compared with the whole homogenate; only low amounts of radioactivity were observed in the other subcellular fractions. The binding of DHA-S to plasma membrane preparations showed saturation kinetics with an apparent equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of 12 nM, and the binding capacity (Bmax) was calculated to be 1.25 fmol/mg protein. Neither DHA nor oestrone sulfate affected [3H]DHA-S binding to the plasma membrane. The plasma membranes of skin fibroblasts did not show specific binding sites for DHA-S. These findings demonstrate the presence of specific binding sites for DHA-S in the plasma membrane of cervical stroma cells. The fetal adrenal steroid may exert its action on cervical ripening at least in part through membrane-associated binding sites, or receptors.

Binding Sites

Establishment of the human BSMZ breast cancer cell line, which overexpresses the erbB-2 and c-myc genes.

A new cell line, designated BSMZ, was established from a malignant pleural effusion from a woman with breast cancer. This line has a doubling time of 27 h and has now been cultured for over 120 passages. The large, rounded BSMZ cells grow as both a monolayer and as aggregations in suspension. Intracytoplasmic lumen, a finding consistent with results from cells derived from mammary tissue, was detected on ultrastructural analysis. Injection of BSMZ cells into nude mice resulted in the growth of solid tumors 4 weeks after inoculation. The solid tumor was identical to the original BSMZ cells in microscopic and electron microscopic studies. These cells possess an average of 80 chromosomes. Expression of erbB-2 and c-myc genes was increased by 10-fold, while there was no detectable overexpression of the N-ras and c-myb genes. Southern analysis has revealed amplification of the erbB-2 and c-myc loci. The BSMZ cell line may therefore provide a useful model for the study of human breast cancer and overexpression of the erbB-2 gene.

Adult

A chimeric actin carrying N-terminal portion of Tetrahymena actin does not bind to DNase I.

A chimeric actin gene was constructed from Tetrahymena actin sequence corresponding to residues 1-83 and Dictyostelium actin sequence corresponding to residues 84-375, and the gene was expressed in Dictyostelium cells. Using DNase I-affinity column, we revealed that the product of the chimeric actin gene was not retained in the column whereas intrinsic actin was retained. In conjunction with our previous data that Tetrahymena actin does not interact with DNase I [Hirono, M., Kumagai, Y., Numata, O., & Watanabe Y. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S. 86, 75-79], we suggest that the binding site of DNase I in an ubiquitous actin is located in N-terminal region (residues 1-83).

Actins

Analysis of differential accumulation of winged bean Kunitz chymotrypsin inhibitor mRNA species by a sequence-specific termination method.

Winged bean Kunitz chymotrypsin inhibitor (WCI) is encoded by a multigene family and accumulation of its mRNA is restricted in mid-maturation stage seeds and tuberous roots. In this paper, we analyzed the accumulation of mRNA derived from each WCI gene using a novel method: sequence-specific termination analysis. The results demonstrated that the accumulation of each WCI mRNA was differentially regulated in winged bean plants.

Base Sequence

Postnatal changes in fatty acids composition of brown adipose tissue.

It has been demonstrated that thermogenic activity of brown adipose tissue (BAT) is higher during the early postnatal period, decreasing towards a low adult level. The present study examined postnatal changes in the lipid composition of BAT. BAT from pre-weaning rats at 4 and 14 days old showed the following differences in lipid composition compared to that from adults of 12 weeks old. (i) Relative weight of interscapular BAT to body weight was markedly greater. (ii) BAT-triglyceride (TG) level was lower, while BAT-phospholipid (PL)level was higher. (iii) In TG fatty acids (FA) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PU; mol%), arachidonate index (AI), unsaturation index (UI) and PU/saturated FA (SA) were higher; rare FA such as eicosadienoate, bishomo-gamma-linolenic acid and lignoceric acid in mol % were also higher. (iv) In PL-FA monounsaturated FA (MU) in mol % was lower; PU mol %, AI and UI were higher. These features in BAT of pre-weaning rats resembled those in the cold-acclimated adults, suggesting a close relationship of the PL-FA profile to high activity of BAT.

Adipose Tissue, Brown

Suppression of myoelectrical activity of gastric smooth muscle by endogenous gastric prostaglandin E2.

The myoelectrical activity of the gastric smooth muscle, recorded by a bipolar electrode placed at the gastric antrum in rats, could be recorded when the stomach was distended with 5 ml of physiological saline. This activity may be induced by a mucosal reflex and was inhibited both by atropine and by pirenzepine. Replacement of physiological saline with solutions of NaCl suppressed this myoelectrical activity. This suppression was dependent on the concentrations of NaCl in the solutions, from 0.3 to 1.0 M. Pretreatment with indomethacin (10 mg/kg, intravenous) completely prevented this suppression induced by different concentrations of NaCl solutions. Intragastric administration of 1.0 M NaCl in solution caused an increase in the levels of PGE2 in the gastric lumen. Intragastric administration of OU-1308, a synthetic derivative of PGE1, also suppressed the myoelectrical activity in a dose-dependent manner. It is concluded that the suppression of gastric myoelectrical activity by hyperosmolar NaCl may be attributable to the generation of endogenous PGE2 in the stomach.

Alprostadil

Additive effects of antitumor drugs and lymphokine-activated killer cell cytotoxic activity in tumor cell killing determined by lactate-dehydrogenase-release assay.

The effect of pretreatment with antitumor drugs on lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell cytotoxic activity, determined by lactate-dehydrogenase(LDH)-release assay, was investigated. LAK cells were induced by incubating peripheral blood lymphocytes of healthy donors in medium containing interleukin-2 (IL-2) and monoclonal anti-CD3 antibody for 6-7 days. A human lung squamous carcinoma cell line, SQ-5, was used as an adherent target. After 24 h exposure of the target cells to cisplatin, doxorubicin, or mitomycin C, the drugs were washed off and LAK cells were added at an E/T ratio of 5. During further incubation for 48 h, LDH release from cisplatin- or doxorubicin-pretreated target cells was markedly higher than that from non-pretreated target cells. The combination of cisplatin and LAK cells has an additive cytotoxic effect and that of mitomycin C and LAK cells does not; there may also be an additive effect late in the toxicity mechanism between doxorubicin and LAK cells.

Antineoplastic Agents

A new DNA profiling system for cell line identification for use in cell banks in Japan.

Using the polymorphic DNA probes, ChdTC-15, ChdTC-114, pYNH24, and lambda TM-18, a DNA profiling system was developed that verified identities of individual cultured cell lines collected in the Japanese cell banks, JCRB, RCB, and IFO. These highly polymorphic DNA probes include both VNTR (Variable Number of Tandem Repeats) sequences and substantial lengths of unique regions. In the mixed probe system, several distinct bands from four to eight can be used for cell line identification. These bands were widely spread in a range of molecular sizes, and were stable and reproducible under stringent conditions of Southern blot hybridization. Because the DNA profile was specific for each individual human cell line, it is useful not only to authenticate many existing cultured cell lines but also to monitor their identity during propagation in a laboratory, and to confirm newly established lines as unique.

Blotting, Southern

Learning deficits after unilateral AF64A lesions in the rat basal forebrain: role of cholinergic and noncholinergic systems.

Rats were given unilateral infusions of ethylcholine aziridinium ion (AF64A) into the basal forebrain (BF). BF-lesioned rats had significant acquisition and retention deficits in two different types of learning tasks (water maze and active avoidance). Choline acetyltransferase activity was lower than control in the frontal cortex but not in the hippocampus or striatum. AF64A markedly reduced the levels of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin in all brain regions studied. However, L-glutamic acid decarboxylase activity was not altered by AF64A injection. Cholinergic agents (physostigmine and arecoline) ameliorated the AF64A-induced learning deficits in the water maze task but not in the active avoidance task. Noncholinergic agents (desipramine and L-dopa) ameliorated the AF64A-induced avoidance deficits in the active avoidance task but not in the water maze task. 5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine did not improve either active avoidance or water maze learning. These results suggest that intra-BF injection of AF64A produces extensive brain dysfunction and that different neuronal systems are involved in associative and spatial learning.

Animals

Maturational stage specific immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangements, determined by D and D upstream region gene structures.

In 43 cases of various B-cell lineage tumors, precise gene structures of rearranged immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) were studied. By Southern-blot analysis of D upstream (5'D) gene of IgH, biallelic rearrangement structures, D-J or V-D-J, were determined and consequently maturational stage specific IgH rearrangement patterns were investigated. B-precursor ALL cases (especially stage IV of Nadler's criteria) have V-D-J rearranged IgH genes on both alleles. In contrast, most of the mature B-cell malignancies, excluding multiple myeloma, have IgH genotype of D-J/V-D-J. In addition, in case of D-J/V-D-J, the D gene used in D-J joining has been speculated by Southern-blot of D genes. So, these approaches for inquiring precise structures of rearranged IgH genes are supposed to provide new information of lymphocyte differentiation and leukemogenesis.

Antigenic Variation

Argininosuccinate synthetase gene expression in leukemias: potential diagnostic marker for blastic crisis of chronic myelocytic leukemia.

Argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS) activity is hardly detected in human lymphocytes. In this study, we examined the ASS gene expression of various leukemia cells by a polymerase-chain-reaction method. We demonstrate here that (a) acute lymphocytic and acute myelocytic leukemia cells exhibit the highly elevated expression of the ASS gene and (b) chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) in blastic crisis also exhibits the increase of ASS gene expression while CML in chronic phase, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and adult T leukemia cells show the similar level to that of normal lymphocytes. These results suggest that the ASS gene expression is of value as a diagnostic marker of acute type leukemia, particularly for blastic crisis of CML.

Adult

Expression of Tetrahymena actin in mammalian cells.

We previously revealed that Tetrahymena actin can copolymerize with rabbit skeletal muscle actin whereas it has a very divergent primary structure and some unusual properties. To investigate the effects of coexistence of this unusual Tetrahymena actin in mammalian cells, we here transfected Tetrahymena actin gene on an expression vector into COS-1 cells. From the results of immunofluorescence microscopy, it was found that Tetrahymena actin expressed in COS-1 cells copolymerized with intrinsic actin, and it was conspicuously localized to the tips of microfilament core bundles in microspikes. On the other hand, increase in cell number tended to cease temporarily about 24 hr after transfection with Tetrahymena actin gene, implying the inhibition of cytokinesis by Tetrahymena actin coexistence.

Actin Cytoskeleton

Simple method for isolation of primordial germ cells from chick embryos.

A simple one step centrifugation method was developed for purification of primordial germ cells (PGCs) of chick embryos. PGCs, constituting less than 0.1% of the total blood cells of stage 13-14 embryos that contained a microliter amount of blood, were concentrated at the interface of a 6.3% (w/v) and 14.4% (w/v) Ficoll bilayer by centrifugation at 800 x g for 30 min. the purity of these PGCs was 86%, which was 22 times that obtained previously.

Animals

Development of myelination in the human fetal and infant cerebrum: a myelin basic protein immunohistochemical study.

The early development of myelination was studied by means of myelin basic protein (MBP) and luxol fast blue (LFB) stainings of large sections of the cerebral hemispheres. Myelination first occurs in the globus pallidus, pallidothalamic fibers of the posterior internal capsule and the thalamus at 25 weeks, which may be related to the cellular maturation in the globus pallidus and thalamus. Then myelination is observed in the striatum, and precentral and postcentral gyri at 35 weeks, and the anterior internal capsule and optic radiation at 37 weeks. Immunoreactivity with MBP is observed earlier and more strongly in the early myelination period than that with LFB. Thus, MBP may play an important role in myelination and its delay. The macroscopic positivity as to MBP as well as LFB staining may be related to the development of high signal intensity observed in a T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, which was observed 1 to 3 months after the first microscopic appearance of myelin.

Amidines

Structure and regulated expression of Kunitz chymotrypsin inhibitor genes in winged bean [Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC].

We analyzed the structure and the expression of Kunitz chymotrypsin inhibitor (WCI) genes in winged bean. WCI was encoded by a multigene family which comprised at least seven members. From their primary structures, four genes (WCI-2, WCI-3a, WCI-3b, and WCI-x) were expected to be functional ones and the other three (WCI-P1, WCI-P2, and WCI-P3) to be pseudogenes. The nucleotide sequences of the WCI-3a and WCI-3b genes were nearly identical, and they encoded the WCI-3 protein, the major chymotrypsin inhibitor in seeds. The WCI-2 gene also encoded the chymotrypsin inhibitor found in seeds and the WCI-x gene was expected to encode an unidentified chymotrypsin inhibitor. WCI messenger RNA and protein accumulated mainly in developing seeds and tuberous roots, small amounts of WCI mRNA being present in stems and pericarps. In seeds, transient accumulation of WCI mRNA was observed during the seed maturation period. These results suggest that the expression of WCI genes is regulated organ-specifically and developmentally in winged bean.

Amino Acid Sequence

Evidence of a role for phosphatidylinositol synthesis in human amnion cell proliferation.

Phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) is the key precursor of phosphoinositide-derived intracellular mediators. The effects of changing the rate of PtdIns synthesis on mitogenic activity of human amnion-derived WISH cells were investigated. Incubation of the cells with [3H]inositol caused a time- and dose-dependent PtdIns labeling. Exogenous Ca2+ inhibited [3H]inositol incorporation in a dose-dependent fashion; half-maximal inhibition occurred with 0.3-1.0 mM Ca2+. In contrast, removal of cytosolic Ca2+ by ionophore A23187 and 1 mM EGTA induced enhancement of the PtdIns labeling as a function of A23187 concentration, perhaps through release of inhibitory effects of endogenous Ca2+. The A23187-stimulated PtdIns labeling with [3H]inositol was not abolished by additional unlabeled inositol, suggesting that [3H]inositol labeling of PtdIns occurred mainly through de novo synthesis catalyzed by PtdIns synthase (EC 2.7.8.11). In cells with PtdIns synthase activity decreased by exogenous Ca2+, [3H]thymidine incorporation was also inhibited, while A23187 caused dose-dependent enhancement of thymidine incorporation. The changes in PtdIns synthase activity occurred in parallel with changes in mitogenic activity caused by increasing the dose of exogenous Ca2+ or A23187. A similar lowering of mitogenic activity was observed upon suppression of PtdIns synthase by pemirolast potassium (9-methyl-3-1H-tetrazol-5yl-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyridin-4-one potassium) via a Ca(2+)-independent mechanism. These data demonstrate that changes in PtdIns synthase activity by some agents acting via different mechanisms are associated with parallel changes in thymidine incorporation, and suggest that PtdIns production is tightly coupled to cell proliferation in human amnion cells.

Amnion