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Biomedical subjects

Takashi Katsu

Publications and source records attributed to Takashi Katsu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Synthesis of low-hemolytic antimicrobial dehydropeptides based on gramicidin s.

The synthesis and biological activity of a novel cyclic beta-sheet-type antimicrobial dehydropeptide based on gramicidin S (GS) is described. The GS analogue, containing two (Z)-(beta-3-pyridyl)-alpha,beta-dehydroalanine (DeltaZ3Pal) residues at the 4 and 4' positions (2), was synthesized by solution-phase methodologies using Boc-Leu-DeltaZ3Pal azlactone. Analogue 2 exhibited high antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and had much lower hemolytic activity than wild-type GS and the corresponding (Z)-alpha,beta-dehydrophenylalanine (DeltaZPhe) analogue (1).

Alanine↗
PubMed2006

Cloning of a cDNA encoding a novel marmoset CYP2C enzyme, expression in yeast cells and characterization of its enzymatic functions.

We cloned a cDNA encoding a novel CYP2C enzyme, called P450 M-2C, from a marmoset liver. The deduced amino acid sequence showed high identities to those of human CYP2C8 (87%), CYP2C9 (78%) and CYP2C19 (77%). The P450 M-2C enzyme expressed in yeast cells catalyzed p-methylhydroxylation of only tolbutamide among four substrates tested, paclitaxel as a CYP2C8 substrate, diclofenac and tolbutamide as CYP2C9 substrates and S-mephenytoin as a CYP2C19 substrate. p-Methylhydroxylation of tolbutamide by marmoset liver microsomes showed monophasic kinetics, and the apparent K(m) value (1.2 mM) for the substrate was similar to that of the recombinant P450 M-2C (1.8 mM). Although all of the recombinant human CYP2C8, CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 expressed in yeast cells catalyzed tolbutamide p-methylhydroxylation, the kinetic profile of CYP2C8 was most similar to that of P450 M-2C. Tolbutamide oxidation by the marmoset liver microsomes and the recombinant P450 M-2C was inhibited most effectively by quercetin, a CYP2C8 inhibitor, followed by omeprazole, a CYP2C19 inhibitor, whereas sulfaphenazole, a CYP2C9 inhibitor, was less potent under the conditions used. These results indicate that P450 M-2C is the major tolbutamide p-methylhydroxylase in the marmoset liver.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Roles of phenylalanine at position 120 and glutamic acid at position 222 in the oxidation of chiral substrates by cytochrome P450 2D6.

The roles of Phe-120 and Glu-222 in the oxidation of chiral substrates bunitrolol (BTL) and bufuralol (BF) by CYP2D6 are discussed. Wild-type CYP2D6 (CYP2D6-WT) oxidized BTL to 4-hydroxybunitrolol (4-OH-BTL) with substrate enantioselectivity of (R)-(+)-BTL > (S)-(-)-BTL. The same enzyme converted BF into 1''-hydroxybufuralol with substrate enantioselectivity of (R)-BF >> (S)-BF and metabolite diastereoselectivity of (1''R)-OH < (1''S)-OH. The substitution of Phe-120 by alanine markedly increased the apparent K(m) and V(max) values for enantiomeric BTL 4-hydroxylation by CYP2D6. In contrast, the same substitution caused an increase only in V(max) values of (S)-BF 1''-hydroxylation without changing apparent K(m) values, while kinetic parameters (K(m) and V(max) values) for (R)-BF 1''-hydroxylation remained unchanged. Furthermore, the substitution of Glu-222 as well as Glu-216 by alanine remarkably decreased both the apparent K(m) and V(max) values without changing substrate enantioselectivity or metabolite diastereoselectivity. A computer-assisted simulation study using energy minimization and molecular dynamics techniques indicated that the hydrophobic interaction of an aromatic moiety of the substrate with Phe-120 and the ionic interaction of a basic nitrogen atom of the substrate with Glu-222 in combination with Glu-216 play important roles in the binding of BF and BTL by CYP2D6 and the orientation of these substrates in the active-site cavity. This modeling yielded a convincing explanation for the reversal of substrate enantioselectivity in BTL 4-hydroxylation between CYP2D6-WT and CYP2D6-V374M having methionine in place of Val-374, which supports the validity of this modeling.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

The influence of aggregation of porphyrins on the efficiency of photogeneration of hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solution.

The pH-dependence of the ability of coproporphyrin (CP) and uroporphyrin (UP) to photogenerate hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in aqueous solution was investigated, with special attention to the structure-activity relationship related to the aggregation of the porphyrins. It was found that the efficiency was strongly dependent on the aggregation of CP and UP mediated by changes in the pH of the solution, and a dimeric form had a weak ability to produce H2O2, while a highly aggregated form had a good ability. The increased efficiency of the highly aggregated porphyrin to produce H2O2 was further demonstrated using a different type of aggregate formed by the electrostatic interaction of cationic tetrakis-5,10,15,20-(N-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphin (TMPyP) with anionic tetrakis-5,10,15,20-(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphin (TSPP). The present results demonstrated the importance of the state of aggregation of porphyrin to photogenerate H2O2, and the results may help to develop a new type of medicine for photodynamic therapy.

Coproporphyrins↗
PubMed2006

Porphyrin-induced photogeneration of hydrogen peroxide determined using the luminol chemiluminescence method in aqueous solution: A structure-activity relationship study related to the aggregation of porphyrin.

A luminol chemiluminescence method was used to evaluate the porphyrin-induced photogeneration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). This method enabled us to detect H202 in the presence of a high concentration of porphyrin, which was not possible using conventional colorimetry. The limit of detection was about 1 microM. We compared the ability to generate H2O2, using uroporphyrin (UP), hexacarboxylporphyrin (HCP), coproporphyrin (CP), hematoporphyrin (HP), mesoporphyrin (MP), and protoporphyrin (PP). The amount of H2O2 photoproduced was strongly related to the state of the porphyrin in the aqueous solution. UP and HCP, which existed predominantly in a monomeric form, had a good ability to produce H2O2. HP and MP, existing as dimers, showed weak activity. CP, forming a mixture of monomer and dimer, had a moderate ability to produce H2O2. PP, which was highly aggregated, had a good ability. These results demonstrated that the efficiency of porphyrins to produce H2O2 was strongly dependent on their aggregated form, and the dimer suppressed the production of H2O2.

Colorimetry↗
PubMed2005

Geranylgeranylacetone protects membranes against nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Direct gastric mucosal cell damage mediated by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is involved in the formation of NSAID-induced gastric lesions. We recently suggested that this direct cytotoxicity of NSAIDs is caused by their membrane-permeabilization activity. Geranylgeranylacetone (GGA), a clinically used antiulcer drug, can protect gastric mucosa against lesion formation mediated by NSAIDs. However, the mechanism by which this occurs is not fully understood. In this study, we show that GGA acts to stabilize membranes against NSAIDs. GGA suppressed NSAID-induced permeabilization of calcein-loaded liposomes and NSAID-induced stimulation of K(+)-efflux across the cytoplasmic membrane in cells. GGA was effective even when coadministered with NSAIDs and was also able to restore membrane fluidity that had been compromised by NSAIDs. This mechanism seems to play an important role in the antiulcer activity of GGA.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed2005

Involvement of intracellular Ca2+ levels in nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced apoptosis.

We recently reported that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced gastric lesions involve NSAID-induced apoptosis of gastric mucosal cells, which in turn involves the endoplasmic reticulum stress response, in particular the up-regulation of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous transcription factor (CHOP). In this study, we have examined the molecular mechanism governing this NSAID-induced apoptosis in primary cultures of gastric mucosal cells. Various NSAIDs showed membrane permeabilization activity that correlated with their apoptosis-inducing activity. Various NSAIDs, particularly celecoxib, also increased intracellular Ca2+ levels. This increase was accompanied by K+ efflux from cells and was virtually absent when extracellular Ca2+ had been depleted. These data indicate that the increase in intracellular Ca2+ levels that is observed in the presence of NSAIDs is due to the stimulation of Ca2+ influx across the cytoplasmic membrane, which results from their membrane permeabilization activity. An intracellular Ca2+ chelator partially inhibited celecoxib-induced release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, reduced the magnitude of the celecoxib-induced decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibited celecoxib-induced apoptotic cell death. It is therefore likely that an increase in intracellular Ca2+ levels is involved in celecoxib-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and the resulting apoptosis. An inhibitor of calpain, a Ca2+-dependent cysteine protease, partially suppressed mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in the presence of celecoxib. Celecoxib-dependent CHOP-induction was partially inhibited by the intracellular Ca2+ chelator but not by the calpain inhibitor. These results suggest that Ca2+-stimulated calpain activity and CHOP expression play important roles in celecoxib-induced apoptosis in gastric mucosal cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Low direct cytotoxicity of nabumetone on gastric mucosal cells.

Prodrugs of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used for clinical purposes because they are not harmful to the gastrointestinal mucosa. We recently showed that NSAIDs have direct cytotoxicity in NSAID-induced gastric lesions. We show here that under conditions where the NSAIDs indomethacin and celecoxib clearly induce cell death, an NSAID prodrug, nabumetone, and its active metabolite 6-methoxy-2-naphthylacetic acid (6MNA), did not have such effects. Moreover, nabumetone and 6MNA exhibited much lower membrane permeabilizing activities than did indomethacin and celecoxib. We recently reported that when an orally administered NSAID was used in combination with a low dose of intravenously administered indomethacin, the severity of gastric lesions produced in rats depended on the cytotoxicity of the orally administered NSAID. Using a similar protocol, we show here that gastric lesions were produced when the orally administered NSAID was celecoxib, but not when nabumetone was used. We thus propose that the low direct cytotoxicity of nabumetone observed in vitro is maintained in vivo, and that the use of nabumetone does not harm the gastric mucosa.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2005

Low direct cytotoxicity and cytoprotective effects of nitric oxide releasing indomethacin.

Nitric oxide (NO) releasing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have shown a marked reduction of gastrointestinal side effects and we here examined the cytotoxicity of NCX 530 (NO-indomethacin). Under conditions where indomethacin clearly induced both necrosis and apoptosis, NCX 530 induced neither. NCX 530 protected cells from celecoxib-induced necrosis and apoptosis. NCX 530 partially suppressed celecoxib-dependent membrane permeabilization and an inhibitor for guanylate cyclase suppressed the cytoprotective effect of NCX 530 against celecoxib. In vivo, NCX 530 alone produced fewer gastric lesions in rats than did indomethacin. A combination of the oral administration of celecoxib together with the intraperitoneal administration of indomethacin, but not of NCX 530, clearly resulted in the production of gastric lesions. The low direct cytotoxicity and the cytoprotective effect of NCX 530 observed in vitro may also act in vivo, thus ensuring that NCX 530 is safe for use on the gastric mucosa.

Acetates↗
PubMed2005

Potassium-selective membrane electrodes based on macrocyclic metacyclophanes analogous to calixarenes.

The tetrabutyl ester derived from 9,16,25,32-tetrahydroxy[3.1.3.1]metacyclophane was an excellent ionophore for constructing a K+-selective membrane electrode. This ionophore exhibited a much higher selectivity toward K+ than the structurally similar potassium ionophore IV commercially available from Fluka. In particular, the interference from organic ammonium ions decreased remarkably. Potassium ionophore IV possessed oxygen atoms in the ring structure, while the present ionophore changed the oxygen atoms to carbon atoms. Thus, the removal of oxygen atoms in ring constituents of the metacyclophane acted to reduce the interaction with the NH3+ group of organic ammonium ions. The size of the cavity of the present ionophore was between those of calix[4]arene and calix[6]arene derivatives, which act as Na+ and Cs+ ionophores, respectively, demonstrating that the ability to recognize alkali metal cations was strongly cavity size-dependent. The present K+-selective electrode had less interference from Rb+ and Cs+ than an electrode constructed using valinomycin, but suffered greater interference from Na+.

Calixarenes↗
PubMed2004

Membrane permeabilization by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The cytotoxicity of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is involved in the formation of NSAID-induced gastric lesions. The mechanism(s) behind these cytotoxic effects, however, is not well understood. We found here that several NSAIDs tested caused hemolysis when employed at concentrations similar to those that result in cytotoxicity. Moreover, these same NSAIDs were found to directly permeabilize the membranes of calcein-loaded liposomes. Given the similarity in NSAID concentrations for cytotoxic and membrane permeabilization effects, the cytotoxic action of these NSAIDs may be mediated through the permeabilization of biological membranes. Increase in the intracellular Ca(2+) level can lead to cell death. We here found that all of NSAIDs tested increased the intracellular Ca(2+) level at concentrations similar to those that result in cytotoxicity. Based on these results, we consider a possibility that membrane permeabilization by NSAIDs induces cell death through increase in the intracellular Ca(2+) level.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Enantioselective total synthesis of eurylene, 14-deacetyl eurylene, and their 11-epimers: the relation between ionophoric nature and cytotoxicity.

[structure: see text] Enantioselective synthesis of eurylene, 14-deacetyl eurylene, and their 11-epimers was achieved. The characteristic structural feature of these compounds is two tetrahydrofuran (THF) rings substituted in different stereochemistry. The synthetic approach involves nonstereoselective THF ring formation to afford both segments from a common precursor. We also investigated their ionophoric nature and cytotoxicity. The complexation of these compounds with K(+) might be related to their cytotoxic activity.

Eurycoma↗
PubMed2004

Mode of action of novel polyamines increasing the permeability of bacterial outer membrane.

We have clarified how the polyamines naphthylacetylspermine and methoctramine (N,N'-bis[6-[[(2-methoxyphenyl)methyl]amino]hexyl]-1,8-octanediamine), originally developed as a synthetic analogue of joro spider toxin and a muscarinic receptor antagonist, respectively, can increase the permeability of the outer membrane of Escherichia coli. These polyamines were recently found to be outer membrane permeabilisers, based on investigations of the structure-activity relationship using ion-selective electrodes. In a standard microbiological assay examining membrane-permeabilising ability, these polyamines enhanced the action of hydrophobic antibiotics such as novobiocin and erythromycin, which ineffectively traverse the outer membrane of E. coli, to inhibit the growth of E. coli. This result substantiated the outer membrane-permeabilising ability of these polyamines demonstrated by using ion-selective electrodes. We observed the release of lipopolysaccharide from the outer membrane in the concentration range causing permeabilisation, showing that the action of the polyamines is attributable to disruption of the outer membrane structure.

Bacteria↗
PubMed2004

Bacterial cytoplasmic membrane permeability assay using ion-selective electrodes.

We used K(+) and tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP(+)) electrodes simultaneously to evaluate the ability of antimicrobial peptides to form channels (or more generally to increase permeability) and to abolish membrane potential in bacterial cytoplasmic membranes in situ. Such evaluations are usually made independently by colorimetric monitoring of the hydrolysis of a chromogenic substrate by a cytoplasmic enzyme or by fluorimetric determination of membrane depolarization using a membrane potential-sensitive dye. In the present study, the K(+) electrode was used to evaluate channel-forming ability by monitoring the efflux of K(+) originally present in the cytoplasm of bacteria, while the TPP(+) electrode was used to examine membrane depolarization causing the efflux of TPP(+) accumulated in the cytoplasm of bacteria dependent on membrane potential. Thus, the combination of these two electrodes enabled us to clarify how the peptide-induced formation of ion channels is involved in disrupting the energy-generating system in situ.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2003

Potassium and tetraphenylphosphonium ion-selective electrodes for monitoring changes in the permeability of bacterial outer and cytoplasmic membranes.

A tetraphenylphosphonium ion (TPP(+))-selective electrode, originally developed as a membrane potential indicator, is useful for measuring increases in the permeability of bacterial outer membranes induced by antimicrobial agents. The combination of this electrode with a potassium ion-selective electrode enabled us to determine changes in the permeability of bacterial outer and cytoplasmic membranes simultaneously. Outer membrane permeabilization induced by antimicrobial agents, chlorhexidine and polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), as monitored with the TPP(+) electrode, correlated closely with the ability of the agents to release lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from the outer membrane.

Biguanides↗
PubMed2003

Comparative study of the response of membrane electrodes based on calix[6]arene and calix[8]arene derivatives to organic ammonium ions.

p-tert-Butylcalix[8]arene-octaacetic acid octaethyl ester and calix[8]arene-octaacetic acid octaethyl ester well recognized 2-phenylethylamine and phenylalanine methyl ester compared with the corresponding calix[6]arene derivatives. Moreover, the calix[8]arene derivatives, especially one having tert-butyl groups, gave better selectivity against biologically active amines having a complicated structure, such as norephedrine. We considered the interaction between calixarenes and organic ammonium ions from the viewpoint of molecular symmetries.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Acidic phospholipids inhibit the DNA-binding activity of DnaA protein, the initiator of chromosomal DNA replication in Escherichia coli.

In order to initiate chromosomal DNA replication in Escherichia coli, the DnaA protein must bind to both ATP and the origin of replication (oriC). Acidic phospholipids are known to inhibit DnaA binding to ATP, and here we examine the effects of various phospholipids on DnaA binding to oriC. Among the phospholipids in E. coli membrane, cardiolipin showed the strongest inhibition of DnaA binding to oriC. Synthetic phosphatidylglycerol containing unsaturated fatty acids inhibited binding more potently than did synthetic phosphatidylglycerol containing saturated fatty acids, suggesting that membrane fluidity is important. Thus, acidic phospholipids seem to inhibit DnaA binding to both oriC and adenine nucleotides in the same manner. Adenine nucleotides bound to DnaA did not affect the inhibitory effect of cardiolipin on DnaA binding to oriC. A mobility-shift assay re-vealed that acidic phospholipids inhibited formation of a DnaA-oriC complex containing several DnaA molecules. DNase I footprinting of DnaA binding to oriC showed that two DnaA binding sites (R2 and R3) were more sensitive to cardiolipin than other DnaA binding sites. Based on these in vitro data, the physiological relevance of this inhibitory effect of acidic phospholipids on DnaA binding to oriC is discussed.

Bacterial Proteins↗