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Biomedical subjects

Y Oka

Publications and source records attributed to Y Oka.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Nonsense mutation of glucokinase gene in late-onset non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

A nonsense mutation at codon 186 in exon 5 of the gene for glucokinase, an enzyme important for glucose-induced insulin secretion, was identified in a Japanese patient with late-onset non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). All affected members of her family were heterozygous for the mutation and had late-onset NIDDM or impaired glucose tolerance, whereas unaffected members showed normal glucose tolerance. The early insulin response to oral glucose was impaired in affected relatives, but was normal in those unaffected. These findings suggest that the glucokinase mutation raises the set-point of pancreatic beta cells for glucose-induced insulin secretion, leading to abnormal glucose tolerance in some patients with late-onset NIDDM.

Adolescent

Characterization of GLUT3 protein expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

We have expressed GLUT3 protein, an isoform of a facilitative glucose transporter, in Chinese hamster ovary cells by transfection of its cDNA using an expression vector. The expressed GLUT3 protein was detected by Western-blot analysis as a broad band of 45-65 kDa, indicating intensive glycosylation of the protein. The expressed GLUT3 protein was observed, by immunofluorescence staining, to be located mainly at the plasma membrane, and its expression was associated with a marked increase in glucose-transport activity. Kinetic analysis revealed that the Km value of GLUT3 protein for 3-O-methylglucose uptake was approx. 35% of that of GLUT1 protein, whereas the Km value of GLUT3 protein for 2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake was very similar to that of GLUT1 protein. The Vmax. value of GLUT3 protein for 3-O-methylglucose and 2-deoxyglucose uptake was approx. 20-50% of that of GLUT1 protein. GLUT3 protein was well photolabelled with [3H]cytochalasin B or a mannose derivative, 2-N-4-[3H](1-azi-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)benzoyl-1,3-bis-(D-mannos -4-yloxy)-2- propylamine. Thus GLUT3 protein has very similar characteristics to GLUT1 protein including its subcellular localization, but exhibits lower Km and Vmax. values for 3-O-methylglucose uptake.

3-O-Methylglucose

Replacement of intracellular C-terminal domain of GLUT1 glucose transporter with that of GLUT2 increases Vmax and Km of transport activity.

The intracellular C-terminal domain is diverse in size and amino acid sequence among facilitative glucose transporter isoforms. The characteristics of glucose transport are also divergent, and GLUT2 has far higher Km and Vmax values compared with GLUT1. To investigate the role of the intracellular C-terminal domain in glucose transport, we expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells the mutated GLUT1 protein whose intracellular C-terminal domain was replaced with that of GLUT2 by means of engineering the chimeric cDNA. Cytochalasin B, for which GLUT2 protein has much lower affinity, bound to this chimeric protein in a fashion similar to GLUT1. In contrast, greater transport activity was observed in this chimeric glucose transporter compared with the wild-type GLUT1 at 10 mM 2-deoxy-D-glucose concentration. The kinetic studies on 2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake revealed a 3.8-fold increase in Km and a 4.3-fold increase in Vmax in this chimeric glucose transporter compared with the wild-type GLUT1. Thus, replacement of the intracellular C-terminal domain confers the GLUT2-like property on the glucose transporter. These results strongly suggest that the diversity of intracellular C-terminal domain contributes to the diversity of glucose transport characteristics among isoforms.

Amino Acid Sequence

Expression and possible function of glucose transporter protein GLUT1 during preimplantation mouse development from oocytes to blastocysts.

A micro-Western analysis method both sensitive and quantitative enough to analyze oocytes and embryos is developed. GLUT1 protein is present in mouse oocytes and preimplantation embryos and levels are increased by fertilization and with time in ensuing embryonic development; the levels were 20-fold greater in blastocysts than in unfertilized oocytes. Similar increases were observed in glucose uptake by oocytes and embryos, suggesting that they may depend on GLUT1 expression. These results suggest that GLUT1 expression may explain a switch in substrate preference of the embryo from pyruvate to glucose during preimplantation development.

Animals

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) cells of the terminal nerve as a model neuromodulator system.

Modulation of ionic channel properties by neurotransmitters and hormones is called neuromodulation and may be the basis for many long-lasting changes in animal behavior, e.g. changes in the arousal or motivational states. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), originally identified as a hypophysiotropic hormone, is now believed to act also as a neuromodulator. From studies of electrical activities and morphology of terminal nerve cells (major source of GnRH) of a fish brain, a general hypothesis regarding modulator neurons is proposed; modulator neurons have endogenous oscillatory activities which vary according to the animal's hormonal or environmental conditions. These modulator neurons, in turn, regulate neuronal excitabilities in a wide variety of brain regions simultaneously via multiple axonal branches.

Animals

Protease inhibitors (gebexate mesylate and ulinastatin) stimulate intracellular chemiluminescence in human neutrophils.

The effect of protease inhibitors on the intracellular production of free radicals was investigated by measuring chemiluminescence (CL) elicited from phagocytosed luminol-bound microspheres (Lumispheres) in human neutrophils stimulated with formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), interleukin-8 (IL-8), phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, or diacylglycerol. Both gabexate mesylate (Foy) and ulinastatin (Miraclid), urinary trypsin inhibitor, increased intracellular CL in a dose dependent manner. Compared to control buffer without protease inhibitor, gabexate mesylate (322 micrograms/ml) caused about a 10-fold increase in intracellular CL in stimulated neutrophils, and ulinastatin (3100 U/ml) a twofold increase in neutrophils stimulated with fMLP or IL-8. When the protease inhibitors were added to the cell suspension after the phagocytosis of lumispheres, CL responses rapidly increased again to the level which was observed when both protease inhibitors and neutrophil stimulants were incubated simultaneously. In contrast, extracellular release of oxygen metabolites from stimulated neutrophils, assayed by a conventional measurement of luminol-dependent CL, was reduced by the protease inhibitors in a dose dependent fashion. When luminol-unbound microspheres were incubated with neutrophils stimulated by fMLP in luminol solution, extracellular CL was almost completely inhibited by gabexate mesylate. These results indicate that the protease inhibitors enhance the generation of intracellular CL and suppress the extracellular release of free radicals.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug

An insulin-like growth factor II-producing histiocytoma associated with hypoglycemia: analysis of the peptide, its gene expression, and glucose transporter isoforms.

An insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II)-producing histiocytoma was detected in a patient presenting with the classical findings of tumor-related hypoglycemia (low serum insulin and IGF-I concentrations, glucose intolerance, and only modestly increased serum IGF-II levels). Acid-gel filtration of serum extracts showed a single peak of IGF-II immunoreactivity that emerged at the same site as the 125I-labeled human IGF-II standard. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of the tumor IGF-II demonstrated that it had an identical retention time to that of recombinant human IGF-II. The tumor IGF-II content was extremely high, messenger RNA (mRNA) for IGF-II showed a 100-fold increase in expression compared with normal human liver tissue. Of special interest, a newly identified exon (hE1) was shown to be predominantly expressed in the tumor by Northern blot analysis using leader exon-specific rat IGF-II complementary DNA (cDNA) probes. Although the significance of this finding remains uncertain, this is the first evidence of a new transcription unit in the human IGF-II gene. In addition, immunoblotting showed that the levels of the glucose transporters, GLUT1 and GLUT4, in the tumor were low and undetectable, respectively. This finding makes it unlikely that increased glucose consumption by the tumor accounted for the hypoglycemia in this patient. This case report provides an interesting insight into the pathophysiology of tumor-induced hypoglycemia and new evidence of the abnormal regulation of IGF-II gene expression in human tumors.

Animals

Continuing V gamma 2 to J gamma 2 rearrangements of murine T cell receptor gamma genes in a B-committed immature cell line.

In SPL2-1-2, a murine B-committed immature cell line transformed with a temperature-sensitive mutant of Abelson virus, T cell receptor (TCR) gamma gene rearrangements, together with IgH gene rearrangements, were induced during culture at a non-permissive temperature (39 degrees C). During 11-12 months of culture, TCR gamma gene rearrangements occurred in all cells. In contrast to TCR gamma genes, neither TCR beta or TCR delta were detected even after 11-12 months of culture at a non-permissive temperature. The majority of the TCR gamma gene rearrangements observed here were V gamma 2 to J gamma 2 joinings and the remaining rearrangements were J gamma 1-linked. V gamma 1 to J gamma 4 and V gamma 3 to J gamma 3 joinings were not detected. Approximately 70% of cells with TCR gamma gene rearrangements produced normal-sized transcripts from the rearranged TCR gamma genes. Cloning and sequencing analysis of a cDNA from the transcripts demonstrated that the whole structure of the cDNA was similar to that of T-lineage cells. These results showed that TCR gene rearrangements were restricted to the gamma genes and that V gamma 2 to J gamma 2 joinings occurred preferentially in this B-committed immature cell line. Furthermore, TCR gamma gene rearrangements also occurred in intracytoplasmic mu-chain producing cells. This indicated that the existence of intracytoplasmic mu-chains did not prevent TCR gamma gene rearrangements, although the existence of mu-chains is known to inhibit further productive IgH gene rearrangements, (allelic exclusion). These results should provide many implications for the mechanism of TCR gene rearrangements, especially that of cross-lineage rearrangements.

Animals

Transitory expression of Thy-1 antigen in immature B cell lines.

In cmu- B220+ Thy-1- murine immature B cells transformed with a temperature-sensitive mutant of Abelson murine leukemia virus, a low level of Thy-1 antigen was transitorily expressed after the shift of the culture temperature from the permissive (35 degrees C) to the non-permissive (39 degrees C) temperature. On the other hand, B220 antigen was persistently expressed regardless of whether the cells were cultured at the permissive or non-permissive temperature. No other T-lineage-specific antigens, CD3, CD4, and CD8 were induced during the culture at the non-permissive temperature. Expression of Thy-1 antigen was confirmed by the detection of a low level of Thy-1-specific mRNA. These results clearly showed that immature B cells could express Thy-1 antigen during proliferation and/or differentiation. The results imply a role for Thy-1 antigen in B cell proliferation and/or differentiation.

Animals

[A case of citrullinemia associated with isolated ACTH deficiency, rapidly developing coma].

We report a 41-year-old male of citrullinemia associated with argininosuccinate acid synthetase deficiency. He was admitted to the Hitachi General Hospital because of finger tremor, restlessness and urinary incontinence. He had short stature and a poor appetite. Laboratory evaluation was summarized as follows: mild hypoglycemia, low plasma cortisol levels, delayed response of 17-OHCS and 17-KS to ACTH administration in urine, and delayed response of plasma ACTH level to insulin administration. In this case, ACTH deficiency is estimated to be a dysfunction of the hypothalamus. Replacement therapy of hydrocortisone improved his symptoms. He was readmitted to the hospital because of delirium and confusion, two weeks after the hydrocortisone administration. At that time, he had flapping tremor. Laboratory examination revealed hyperammonemia (NH3: 231 micrograms/dl) and mild elevation of GOT and GPT. Serum and urinary amino acid determination showed marked elevation of citrulline (478.1 nmol/ml in serum, 4681.2 mumol/day in urine). Lactulose administration, low protein diet and plasmapheresis were started, but he went into a coma. Without any improvement, he died on the 29th hospital day. Autopsy examination of the liver disclosed fatty change. Adrenal cortex depicted severe atrophy. Biochemical analysis of urea cycle enzymes of the liver and kidney showed decreased activity of argininosuccinate synthetase (liver: 0.0022 U/mg protein, 5% of that normal liver, kidney: 0.003 IU/mg protein, 20% of that in normal kidney). Citrullinemia associated with ACTH deficiency have not reported in the literature. It may be presumed that ACTH deficiency is concerned with the delayed onset of hyperammonemia. The relation between citrullinemia and endocrinological abnormalities is also discussed.

Adrenal Cortex

Metabolic acidosis in patients receiving anticonvulsants.

Blood pH, bicarbonate, PCO2, serum calcium, alkaline phosphatase and red cell carbonic anhydrase were measured in 37 selected patients receiving anticonvulsants. Patients with metabolic acidosis showed a high incidence of hypocalcemia with increased alkaline phosphatase and a significant reduction of carbonic anhydrase-B activity. High iPTH levels were found in 13 patients, but this was not correlated with acid-base balance status. Anticonvulsant drugs seemed to inactive carbonic anhydrase-B activity. Metabolic acidosis might be one of the factors causing a disturbance of calcium metabolism in these patients.

Acidosis

beta-Blockade therapy for supraventricular tachyarrhythmias after coronary surgery: a propranolol withdrawal syndrome?

A high incidence of cardiac arrhythmias and hypertension has been noted after coronary artery bypass surgery in patients previously treated with oral propranolol. Forty-two patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery had propranolol withdrawal 10 hours before surgery and were randomized into a group treated with propranolol immediately postoperatively, and a nontreatment group. Patients treated with prophylactic propranolol had a significantly lower incidence of postoperative supraventricular arrhythmias compared to patints who received no prophylaxis. All the arrhythmias responded rapidly to 1 mg of intravenous propranolol therapy, whether it was used as a primary treatment or as a supplement to prophylactic propranolol. The findings suggest that (1) there is a high incidence of supraventricular arrhythmias and sinus tachycardia after coronary artery bypass which might reflect an abrupt propranolol withdrawal, and (2) that perioperative prophylactic or supplementary propranolol therapy will successfully prevent or treat most of these arrhythmias.

Coronary Artery Bypass

Glucose-6-phosphatase activity in liver and blood platelets of two patients with glycogen storage disease type I.

Glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) activity in liver and blood platelets of two patients with glycogen storage disease (GSD) type I is described. Both patients had a reduced activity of G-6-Pase in liver. The km value for glucose 6-phosphate (G-6-P) of residual activity in liver of both patients was similar to that of control liver. We could not demonstrate any reduced activity of platelet G-6-Pase in the patients. Platelet G-6-Pase with our assay method seems to represent a nonspecific phosphatase activity. Our observation suggests that it is necessary to examine platelet G-6-Pase of many other patients with GSD type I to confirm that G-6-Pase deficiency can be diagnosed by enzyme assay performed on blood platelets.

Alanine

Methylmalonic acidemia.

A patient presenting with severe metabolic acidosis accompanied by hyperglycinemia, hyperuricemia, hypoglycemia and hypertammonemia is described. Metabolic acidosis was found to be due to accumulated methylmalonic acid and did not respond to vitamin B12 administration. The patient showed favorable growth and development when kept on a low isoleucine, methionine, threonine and valine diet. In vitro studies using a lymphoid cell line derived from the patient showed a deficiency of methylmalonyl-CoA carbonyl-mutase.

Acidosis