SPK 380 is a novel cyclic nucleotide-independent protein kinase that self-phosphorylates the tau-amino position of the histidine residue(s) residing in its 120,000-dalton subunit and specifically catalyzes the phosphorylation of serine residue(s) of the alpha-subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 [Kuroda, Y. and Sharma, R.K. (1982) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 217, 588-596]. Herein we demonstrate that this self-phosphorylation reaction is reversible. In the presence of ADP and Mg2+ or Mn2+, the phosphate bound to histidine is transferred from the enzyme to ADP, resulting in the formation of ATP. The rate of reversible reaction is rapid, and maximal value is reached in 30 seconds. The reaction is dependent on ADP concentration and shows a broad pH activity optimum in contrast to the optimal pH of 8 for the forward reaction.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

PubMed1983

Multiple primary cancers: with reference to atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima.

We treated 44 patients with multiple primary cancers, at the Second Department of Surgery, Hiroshima University, during the 14 year period from 1968-1981. The total number of malignant tumors was 1,934 during this period, thus the incidence of multiple primary cancers was 2.3 per cent. Nine of the 44 were atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima and were characterized by the frequent incidence of the second tumor about 30 years after exposure to the atomic bomb. In addition, the second tumor tended to develop later in patients prescribed radiotherapy for the first tumor. As for the site of tumor, there was no tendency of more frequent development of tumors in organs highly sensitive to radiation other than the thyroid.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1983

Histological changes of muscle in a patient with pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency.

Histological changes of muscle from a 17-month-old boy with pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency are presented. The patient had muscle hypotonia, mental retardation, seizures, lactic acidosis and hyperalaninemia. Deficient activity of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex was found in his platelets (about 25% of normal) and of pyruvate dehydrogenase in his biopsied muscle (about 5% of normal). A muscle biopsy specimen showed an increased proportion of type IIC fibers (24%), fiber-type grouping and lipid droplet accumulation.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

PubMed1983

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in mice: persistent viremia and preferential replication of virus in low-density lymphocytes.

The mode of replication of the "unconventional virus" of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease was studied in BALB/c mice infected intracerebrally. Virus was detected in the brain, spleen, lung, thymus, liver, kidney, and blood, but not in urine, at various time intervals after inoculation. The highest infectivity was present in the spleen from the second through the ninth weeks postinfection. Density gradient separation of spleen cells with colloidal silica (Percoll) revealed that the highest concentration of virus was present in blastoid cells from lower-density (1.05 to 1.07 g/ml) fractions. These results suggest that blastoid cells play an important role as the initial replication site of virus in the pathogenesis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in mice.

Animals↗

PubMed1983

Meige's syndrome associated with spasmodic dysphagia.

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Aged↗

PubMed1983

Effect of long-term administration of sodium benzoate to a patient with partial ornithine carbamoyl transferase deficiency.

An 8-year-old girl with partial ornithine carbamoyl transferase deficiency was treated with sodium benzoate (200 mg/kg/day) for 13 months. Before administration of sodium benzoate, her protein intake was reduced to 1.0 to 1.5 g/kg/day and her caloric intake fluctuated. Hyperammonemic attacks were frequently observed in winter. After the start of administration of sodium benzoate, the severity and frequency of these attacks decreased, although her protein intake was increased to 1.5 to 2.0 g/kg/day. No adverse effect of sodium benzoate were detected by clinical and laboratory examinations. It is concluded that long-term oral administration of sodium benzoate was effective in reducing the frequency and severity of hyperammonemic attacks in this patient. Sodium benzoate therapy in combination with dietary manipulation may improve the growth and development of these patients by allowing reduced dietary protein restriction.

Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors↗

PubMed1983

Enhancement of aggregation of Chinese hamster V79 cells in rotation culture by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate.

A potent mouse skin tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), enhanced the increase in the size of aggregates of Chinese hamster V79 C-2 cells cultured in rotation flasks for 24 h. The effective concentrations of TPA were 1-100 ng/ml. Phorbol used as the negative control did not enhance aggregate formation of V79 C-2 cells. When aggregates that had formed in culture with TPA for 24 h were transferred to normal medium and cultured for another 24 h in rotation culture, aggregate size was not markedly enhanced as compared with that in the control culture. These results suggest that some changes produced in the cell surface by TPA remain irreversible on further culture in normal medium. No such difference in aggregate-forming activity was found in aggregates formed with phorbol. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as the solvent had no effect at the concentrations used in these experiments.

Animals↗

PubMed1983