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Y Inoue

Publications and source records attributed to Y Inoue.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

The glutamate receptor agonist, AMPA, induces acetylcholine release in guinea pig cochlea; a microdialysis study.

Acetylcholine (Ach) has been considered a major neurotransmitter in the inner ear efferent nerve endings. A bioassay analysis has shown that the electrical stimulation of the crossed olivocochlear bundle increased the Ach-like activity in the perilymph. Applying in vivo microdialysis techniques and high-performance liquid chromatography to the perilymph, the change of Ach level was thus measured before and after alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA), a glutamate receptor agonist, was added to the perfusate. Ach was only detectable when the perfusate contained an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. The level of Ach increased 2-3-fold immediately after AMPA was administered. Our data suggest that the afferent stimulation, such as the administration of AMPA, may therefore induce the release of Ach from the efferent nerve endings.

6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione↗
PubMed2001

Specific induction of metallothionein synthesis by mitochondrial oxidative stress.

Metallothionein (MT), a sulfhydryl-rich protein, may be increased by administration of a variety of agents, including metals, cytokines and oxidative stress agents. Mitochondria are a major source of reactive oxygen species, but antioxidant systems against mitochondrial free radicals are not fully understood. In this study, we examined the induction of MT synthesis by administration of mitochondrial-specific reactive oxygen generators such as antimycin A (AA), an electron transfer inhibitor, and 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), an uncoupling agent. Subcutaneous administration of AA to mice significantly increased the hepatic MT concentration in a dose- and time-dependent manner. AA slightly elevated glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity, but the rate of increase in GSHPx (1.3-fold) was smaller than that in MT (11.8-fold). Other antioxidants such as catalase, manganese-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) and GSHPx were not activated by AA treatment. Moreover, administration of DNP induced the synthesis of MT in the liver. Although DNP slightly elevated Mn-SOD activity, the rate of increase in Mn-SOD (1.3-fold) was smaller than that in MT (3.7-fold). Other antioxidants such as catalase, Cu/Zn-SOD and GSHPx were not activated by DNP treatment. These data suggest that MT plays a major role in protection against oxidative stress induced in mitochondria.

2,4-Dinitrophenol↗
PubMed2001

First photosensitized enantiodifferentiating isomerization by optically active sensitizer immobilized in zeolite supercages.

Enantiodifferentiating photoisomerization of (Z)-cyclooctene sensitized by (R)- or (S)-1-methylheptyl benzoate immobilized in zeolite supercages afforded the respective enantiomer pair, (-)- and (+)-(E)-isomer (1E) in 5% enantiomeric excess, whilst racemic 1E was obtained upon homogeneous-phase photosensitization with the same antipodal sensitizer pair, thus demonstrating for the first time that chirally modified zeolites not only serve as supramolecular photosensitizing media but also enhance the original enantiodifferentiating ability of chiral photosensitizer.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Cloning and overexpression of the oah1 gene encoding O-acetyl-L-homoserine sulfhydrylase of Thermus thermophilus HB8 and characterization of the gene product.

The oah1 gene of an extremely thermophilic bacterium, Thermus thermophilus HB8, was cloned, sequenced, and overexpressed in Escherichia coli cells. The gene product having a high O-acetyl-L-homoserine sulfhydrylase (EC 4.2.99.10) activity was purified to homogeneity, with a recovery of approximately 40% and a purification ratio of 81-fold, both calculated from the cell-homogenate. The protein showed molecular masses of approximately 163000 (for the native form) and 47000 (for the subunit). The isoelectric point was pH 6.0. The optimum temperature and pH for the activity were approximately 70 degrees C and pH 7.8, respectively. The enzyme was also shown to be very stable at high temperature (90% activity remaining at 90 degrees C for 60 min at pH 7.8) and in a wide range of pH (pH 4-12 at room temperature). The absorption spectrum showed a peak at 425 nm, and hydroxylamine hydrochloride (0.1 mM) inhibited approximately 90% of the activity, suggesting formation of a Schiff base with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. The enzyme showed an apparent K(m) value of 6.8 mM for O-acetyl-L-homoserine, a V(max) value of 165 micromol/min per mg of protein at a fixed sulfide concentration of 5 mM, and also an apparent K(m) value of approximately 1.3 mM for sulfide (with 25 mM acetylhomoserine). L-Methionine (1 mM) inhibited the enzyme activity by 67%. Based on these findings, it was discussed that this enzyme might be inactive under ordinary conditions but might become active as an alternative homocysteine synthase in T. thermophilus HB8, only under such conditions as deficiency in transsulfuration, bringing about a sufficient amount of sulfide available in the cell.

Carbon-Oxygen Lyases↗
PubMed2001

Infrared spectroscopic study on the properties of the anhydrous form II of trehalose. Implications for the functional mechanism of trehalose as a biostabilizer.

FTIR spectra were obtained for several different states of trehalose including dihydrate crystal, anhydrous form II (designated by Gil, A. M.; Belton, P. S.; Felix V. Spectrochim. Acta 1996, A52, 1649-1659), anhydrate crystal, dried melt, amorphous solid and aqueous solution. From the observation of the symmetric and antisymmetric stretch vibrations of the glycosidic linkage, it is found that this sugar assumes at least three types of backbone conformations. Among them, the conformation with C(2) symmetry is characterized as 'open state', which means that the sugar easily absorbs water molecules. The conformation of the sugars in anhydrous form II and in freeze-dried trehalose is shown to be in the open state. Next, the hygroscopic properties of the anhydrate, form II and the amorphous solid are compared based on their IR spectra. Interestingly, form II alone is converted to the original dihydrate in a week under mild environmental-like conditions: relative humidity of 40% and room temperature. These results suggest the possibility that form II plays a role in avoiding the devitrification of the sugar glass. Finally, we discuss the role of form II in preserving freeze-dried biomaterials.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Strong growth polarity of yeast prion fiber revealed by single fiber imaging.

Using the yeast prion as a model, we have developed a novel system to observe the growth of individual prion fibers directly. NM fragments, the prion-determining region of the yeast protein Sup35p, were labeled by either red or green fluorescent dyes, and the fiber growth was observed under a fluorescence microscope. When green-Sup35NM was added to the preformed fibers made of red-Sup35NM, 70-97% of green fibers grew unidirectionally, from only one end of individual red fibers, whereas the remainder grew from both ends. Similarly, the majority of red fibers grew from only one end of green fibers when the order of addition was reversed. Sonication of preformed fibers to expose fresh ends did not change the results, excluding a possibility of occasional deformation of one end as the reason of the apparent unidirectional growth. These results indicate the polarity of Sup35 prion fibers and impose constraints on the models of fiber growth.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Reduced expression of flice-inhibitory protein (FLIP) and NFkappaB is associated with death receptor-induced cell death in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs).

We investigated the effects of TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) and 2 (TNFR2) modulation on the death of human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) resistant to TNF-alpha-induced cell death. Alteration of the transcription of anti-apoptotic proteins, including inhibitor of apoptosis protein 1, 2 (cIAP1, 2), TNF receptor-associated factor 1 (TRAF1), nuclear factor kappa B1 protein (NFkappaB1), and FLICE-inhibitory protein (FLIP) was assessed by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). TNF-alpha (200 ng/ml) or actinomycin D (ActD) (5 ng/ml) did not kill cells, while 5 ng/ml of TNF-alpha and 5 ng/ml of ActD increased expression of Fas (CD95) and FasL (CD95L), and 45% of cells died. TNFR2 blockade suppressed NFkappaB1 and FLIP expression and increased cell death. TNFR1 blockade enhanced FLIP expression and decreased cell death. Cells insensitive to TNF-alpha may respond to TNF-alpha through TNFR that induces transcription of NFkappaB1 and FLIP. Down-regulation of these proteins may facilitate death of cells insensitive to TNF-alpha-induced cell death.

Aorta↗
PubMed2001

Failure to induce neonatal tolerance in mice that lack both IL-4 and IL-13 but not in those that lack IL-4 alone.

Current evidence suggests that neonatal tolerance to a foreign Ag is the consequence of IL-4-mediated Th2 immunity rather than the thymic deletion of Ag-specific T cells. Here, we addressed the role of IL-4 in neonatal tolerance by testing whether tolerance to a minor histocompatibility Ag can be induced in newborn mice that lack IL-4 (IL-4(-/-)). We found that IL-4 does not play a dominant role in the induction of neonatal tolerance as newborn female IL-4(-/-) mice could be readily tolerized to the H-Y male Ag. In contrast, mice that lack both IL-4 and IL-13 (IL-4(-/-)/IL-13(-/-)) were resistant to the induction of neonatal tolerance, and their splenocytes produced exaggerated amounts of IFN-gamma on rechallenge with the same Ag encountered during the neonatal period. These findings argue against the view that IL-4 alone is critical for the induction of neonatal tolerance and suggest that the combined actions of both IL-4 and IL-13 are essential for this process.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Brain mast cells act as an immune gate to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in dogs.

Mast cells perform a significant role in the host defense against parasitic and some bacterial infections. Here we show that in the dog, degranulation of brain mast cells evokes hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal responses via histamine release. A large number of mast cells were found in a circumscribed ventral region of the hypothalamus, including the pars tuberalis and median eminence. When these intracranial mast cells were passively sensitized with immunoglobulin E via either the intracerebroventricular or intravenous route, there was a marked increase in the adrenal cortisol secretion elicited by a subsequent antigenic challenge (whether this was delivered via the central or peripheral route). Comp.48/80, a mast cell secretagogue, also increased cortisol secretion when administered intracerebroventricularly. Pretreatment (intracerebroventricularly) with anti-corticotropin--releasing factor antibodies or a histamine H(1) blocker, but not an H(2) blocker, attenuated the evoked increases in cortisol. These data show that in the dog, degranulation of brain mast cells evokes hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal responses via centrally released histamine and corticotrophin-releasing factor. On the basis of these data, we suggest that intracranial mast cells may act as an allergen sensor, and that the activated adrenocortical response may represent a life-saving host defense reaction to a type I allergy.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Cooperative multipoint recognition of organic dyes by bis(beta-cyclodextrin)s with 2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dicarboxy tethers.

A series of novel 6,6'-bis(beta-cyclodextrin)s linked by 2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dicarboxy tethers; that is, 2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dicarboxy-bridged bis(6-O-beta-cyclodextrin) (2) and N,N'-bis(2-aminoethyl )-2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dicarboxamide-bridged (3), N,N'-bis(5-amino-3-azapentyl)-2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dicarboxamide-bridged (4) and N,N'-bis(8-amino-3,6-diazaoctyl)-2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dicarboxamide-bridged bis(6-amino-6-deoxy-beta-cyclodextrin) (5), has been synthesized as cooperative multipoint-recognition receptor models. The inclusion complexation behavior of 2-5 with organic dyes; that is, ammonium 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonate, Brilliant Green, Methyl Orange, Acridine Red, and Rhodamine B, has been investigated in aqueous phosphate buffer solutions (pH 7.20) at 25 degrees C by means of ultraviolet, fluorescence, and circular dichroism spectrometry as well as by fluorescence lifetime measurements. The spectral titrations gave the complex stability constants (Ks) and Gibbs' free energy changes (deltaG degrees) for the inclusion complexation of 2-5 with the organic dyes and other thermodynamic parameters (deltaH degrees and deltaS degrees) for the inclusion complexation of 2-4 with the fluorescent dyes Acridine Red and Rhodamine B. Bis(beta-cyclodextrin)s 2-5 displayed higher binding abilities toward most of the examined dye molecules than native beta-cyclodextrin 1; this is discussed from the viewpoints of the size/shape-fit concept, the induced-fit interaction, and cooperative, multipoint recognition by the bridging chain and the dual hydrophobic cavities. Thermodynamically, the inclusion complexation of 2-4 with Acridine Red is totally enthalpy driven with a negative or minor positive entropic contribution, but the inclusion complexation with Rhodamine B is mainly entropy-driven with a mostly positive, but occasionally negative, enthalpic contribution; in some cases this determines the complex stability.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Construction and characterization of a Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae bacterial artificial chromosome library.

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae is an important plant pathogen which causes bacterial blight of rice. To facilitate genome studies of this bacterium, we have constructed a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library of strain MAFF 311018. It consisted of 750 clones representing 16 genome equivalents, and had an insert size ranging from 20 to 220 kb with an average size of 107 kb. This library is the first to be constructed from a X. oryzae pv. oryzae strain. The usefulness of this library was demonstrated through polymerase chain reaction screening of 11 genes and the 16S--23S rDNA spacer region in a 192-clone subset, representing five genome equivalents. The results obtained showed an average of 5.9 BAC clones per screening. This result is in good agreement with the estimated size of the test library, indicating that the constructed BAC library can be used to facilitate genome analysis of X. oryzae pv. oryzae.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed2001

Structural, CV and IR spectroscopic evidences for preorientation in PET-active phthalimido carboxylic acids.

Hydrogen bond and potassium cation mediated preorientation were detected for phthalimido acetic acid and the corresponding acetate. Evidence for these phenomena came from X-ray structure analysis as well as cyclic voltammetric and IR spectroscopic measurements. These interactions rationalize the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) reactivity of the substrates in photodecarboxylation reactions.

Journal Article↗