[Development of behavior and sex differences in infants; with reference to the formation of sex role]

In order to observe the formation of sex role, an investigation was made on the development of behavior and sex differences in infants aged 1 to 6 at Fukuoka-city. The present study consisted of questionnaire on behavior of daily living and breeding, block construction test and coloring a drawing test. The parents instructed their infants to become masculine for males and feminine for females on the basis of traditional view. No sex differences were observed in construction ability of infants aged 4. Favorite colors were different according to sex.

Structure and restriction fragment length polymorphism of genes for human liver arylamine N-acetyltransferases

Genomic DNA clones coding for polymorphic and monomorphic arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NAT) of human liver were isolated from a genomic DNA library, and their restriction maps and partial nucleotide sequences were determined. Messenger RNA for monomorphic NAT was coded in one exon, while mRNA for polymorphic NAT was coded in two exons; the 5'-noncoding region was located in one exon 8 kb upstream from another exon containing the coding and 3'-noncoding regions. Recently, we have shown that there are three types of polymorphic NAT gene; one of the genes corresponds to a high NAT activity, while the other two genes give rise to a low NAT activity. The restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was analyzed by Southern blot hybridization of genomic DNAs from homozygotes of the three polymorphic NAT genes using various fragments of the cloned NAT gene. RFLPs of polymorphic NAT gene were observed in coding and 3'-flanking region upon digestion with BamHI and KpnI.

Localization of hydroxyindole O-methyltransferase-synthesizing cells in bovine epithalamus: immunocytochemistry and in-situ hybridization

Hydroxyindole O-methyltransferase (HIOMT)-immunoreactive cells and melatonin synthesis were demonstrated in bovine epithalamus (including the pineal gland) with monoclonal antibodies and cRNA probes to HIOMT. The HIOMT-immunoreactive product was present in the cytoplasm of pinealocytes. All identifiable pinealocytes were clearly labeled in the pineal gland. The expression of the HIOMT gene was first identified in pinealocyte cytoplasm by in-situ hybridization (ISH). The distribution of the hybridization-positive cells in the pineal gland was compatible with that revealed by immunocytochemistry using the monoclonal antibody to HIOMT. In addition, HIOMT transcripts were found in the medial habenular nucleus, and the habenular and posterior commissure; they may correspond to S-antigen-immunoreactive cells demonstrated in the same regions of the hamster and the mouse. In these regions, the hybridization-positive cells did not exhibit HIOMT-immunoreactivity; thus, cells devoid of immunoreactivity may synthesize but rapidly transport the newly synthesized proteins. These results indicate (1) that the conversion of N-acetylserotonin into melatonin takes place in the cytoplasm of pinealocytes, (2) that some epithalamic cells in the habenular area may synthesize melatonin, and (3) that melatonin may act as a chemical messenger in centrally directed processes, as shown by using S-antigen immunocytochemistry.

Immunological comparison between prostate-specific antigen and gamma-seminoprotein

Prostate-specific antigen (PA) and gamma-seminoprotein (gamma-Sm) were compared by immunocytochemical, immunodiffusion and immunoblotting methods using rabbit anti-PA antibody and rabbit anti-gamma-Sm antibody. Enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) were developed for measurements of PA and gamma-Sm to determine a correlation between serum PA and gamma-Sm levels in patients with prostate cancer. The patterns of localization and distribution of PA and gamma-Sm were identical in prostate tissue sections, including benign and cancerous human prostates. The immunodiffusion study showed that the antigens with which anti-PA antibody and anti-gamma-Sm antibody reacted in seminal plasma and prostate tissue homogenates were identical to each other. In the immunoblotting study, anti-PA antibody and anti-gamma-Sm antibody recognized a single antigen corresponding to a molecular weight of approximately 33,000 both in seminal plasma and prostate tissue homogenates. The EIAs developed in this study were sensitive, specific, and reproducible, and the correlation between serum PA and gamma-Sm values determined by these EIAs was highly significant (r = 0.99, P less than 0.001). These results indicated that PA and gamma-Sm were immunologically identical and that serum PA and gamma-Sm determined by immunoassays using anti-PA antibody and anti-gamma-Sm antibody should be evaluated as identical tumor markers for serodiagnosis of prostate cancer.

In vivo effect of human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor derivatives on hematopoiesis in primates

Using cynomolgus monkeys, we studied the hematopoietic effect and antigenicity of the human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (hG-CSF) derivatives mutated at N-terminal amino acids (NC-59 and KW-2228) and that lacking N-terminal amino acids (M-7) in comparison with intact hG-CSF. These compounds were subcutaneously administered daily into the back of cynomolgus monkeys at the doses of 1 and 100 micrograms/kg for 2 weeks, and withdrawn for 2 weeks (1st course). After that, the same schedule was repeated (2nd course), and intact hG-CSF and KW-2228 were further administered for 2 weeks (3rd course). In the first course, all of the G-CSF derivatives showed excellent dose-dependent granulopoietic activities. In the 2nd course, however, the activities of NC-59 and M-7 were decreased and the elevations of binding and neutralizing antibody titers were observed. On the other hand, KW-2228 showed granulopoietic activities equal to or better than that of intact hG-CSF and had low antibody titer throughout all the courses.

Immunogenicity and safety of recombinant yeast-derived hepatitis B vaccine in haemodialysis patients

The immune response of 32 haemodialysis patients vaccinated with a recombinant yeast-derived hepatitis B vaccine (YHB vaccine) was compared with that of healthy adults and of another haemodialysis patient group vaccinated with the plasma-derived vaccine (PHB vaccine). Twenty-two patients were immunized 3 times (months 0, 1 and 6) intramuscularly with a 20 micrograms dose, and ten patients with a 40 micrograms dose of the YHB vaccine. All members of the former group (100%) and nine of the latter group (90%) were anti-HBs positive after 3 vaccinations (months 7); anti-HBs concentrations with geometric mean titres (GMTs) of 82.3 mIU/ml and 242.1 mIU/ml, respectively, the difference being statistically in significant. The 87 healthy control group participants were vaccinated according to the same schedule but with 10 micrograms per dose, and 98% of them were anti-HBs positive by month 7, with a GMT of 198.3 mIU/ml. The patients responses were higher at each time point than those of 53 dialysis patients vaccinated in an earlier study with either 20 micrograms or 40 micrograms PHB vaccine. Two additional inoculations led to a substantial elevation of the anti-HBs titre in most of the haemodialysis patients; GMTs by month 12 being 506.8 mIU/ml and 979.5 mIU/ml for the 20 micrograms and the 40 micrograms dose respectively. No serious side-effects were observed over the one-year period of study. From these results, it was concluded that the YHB vaccine is highly immunogenic and could replace the PHB vaccine even in dialysis patients.

Inhibition by transforming growth factor beta of choline acetyltransferase stimulation in a co-culture of spinal cord and muscle cells from mice

Choline acetyltransferase (CAT) activity increased 11-fold in co-cultures of spinal cord and muscle cells from fetal mice relative to cultures of spinal cord cells alone. The addition of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) to the medium at 30 pM throughout the culture period inhibited the increase of CAT activity in the co-cultures, but did not affect the activity in cultures of spinal cord cells alone. TGF-beta did not inhibit glutamic acid decarboxylase activity in the co-cultures. Other growth factors such as epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth factor and beta-NGF had little or no effect on CAT activity. TGF-beta markedly inhibited the fusion of myoblasts to myotubes and the expression of marker enzymes for muscle differentiation. When TGF-beta was included during muscle culture and removed before inoculation with spinal cord cells, myoblasts did not subsequently form myotubes. CAT activity in the spinal cord cells, however, markedly increased in co-cultures with the undifferentiated myoblasts. When TGF-beta was added to the co-cultures after myotube formation was complete, the increase in CAT activity was inhibited according to the length of TGF-beta treatment. These results suggest that TGF-beta inhibits the muscle-induced stimulation of CAT activity by inhibiting the production, secretion and/or action of trophic factors from muscle.

Effects of L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate, a cysteine pro-drug, on teratogenicity of 5-fluorouracil in mice

Embryotoxicity and teratogenicity of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and modulation of its effect by L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate (OTC), a cysteine pro-drug, were evaluated in mice. Pregnant ICR mice were intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with 25 mg/kg of 5-FU on day 11 of gestation (vaginal plug = day 0). Mice were pretreated i.p. with 950 mg/kg of OTC 4 hours before dosing with 5-FU. Dams were killed on day 17 of gestation. Fetuses were examined for external malformations, especially limb malformations. Pretreatment with OTC decreased the frequency and severity of oligodactyly induced by 5-FU, although the differences were not significant statistically. There was little difference in either liver glutathione levels, or body weight gain during gestation of dams between the 5-FU group and the 5-FU plus OTC group. Fetal mortality and fetal weight of the group treated with 5-FU alone were comparable with those of the group pretreated with OTC. In the present study, teratogenicity of 5-FU seemed to be slightly mitigated with OTC pretreatment.

Correlation between acetylator phenotypes and genotypes of polymorphic arylamine N-acetyltransferase in human liver

Southern blot analysis was performed with genomic DNAs from 86 human subjects using the 32P-labeled cDNA for polymorphic arylamine N-acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.5) in human liver recently cloned in our laboratory. Three types of N-acetyltransferase gene were identified. Gene 1 contains a 5.5-kilobase (kb) KpnI fragment with a BamHI site; gene 2 contains a 5.5-kb KpnI fragment without a BamHI site; and gene 3 contains a 5.0-kb KpnI fragment with a BamHI site. The combination of these three genes generated five genotypes. Acetylator phenotypes were determined in 29 healthy volunteers by isoniazid loading tests, and they were classified as rapid (10 subjects), intermediate (16 subjects), or slow (3 subjects) acetylators. Rapid acetylators were homozygotes of gene 1. Intermediate acetylators were heterozygotes of either genes 1 and 2 or genes 1 and 3. There were two exceptional cases who were classified as intermediate acetylators but were homozygotes of gene 1. Slow acetylators were either heterozygote of genes 2 and 3 or homozygotes of gene 3. These results indicate that gene 1 corresponds to high N-acetyltransferase activity, while gene 2 and gene 3 give rise to low N-acetyltransferase activity.

[The expression of ras p21 product in hepatocellular carcinoma]

To elucidate the cell biological significance of ras oncogene, the expression of ras-p21 was analyzed in 53 cases of liver tissues including 34 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), by using immunohistochemical method. In result, 22 (65%) cases of 34 HCC and 34 (79%) cases of 43 liver cirrhosis were positive for p21, whereas all of chronic hepatitis and normal livers were negative. Especially, comparative study between the expression of p21 and clinicopathological background of HCC revealed that p21 was prominently expressed in well differentiated form, nodular type, small liver cancer, and the cases showing AFP levels below 400 ng/ml. From these results, it was indicated that ras oncogene might play an important role in malignant transformation of hepatocytes or differentiation of HCC.

Electron microscopic study of acute retrograde pyelonephritis in mice

A strain of Escherichia coli O6:H-, which was isolated from a patient with acute pyelonephritis, was used to produce ascending pyelonephritis in mice. The histologic features at the early stage of acute pyelonephritis and the pathways of bacterial invasion and distribution in the infected kidneys were studied by using transmission electron microscope. The histologic changes were characterized by degeneration and destruction of renal pelvic and tubular epithelial cells, and a massive infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Bacteria invaded the pelvic surface and spread over the renal medulla and cortex by contiguity twelve hours after infection. It was also shown that bacteria ascended the tubules, multiplied in the tubular lumina, destroyed the tubular epithelial cells, and spread over the renal cortex by twelve hours. In addition, bacteria and leukocytes phagocytizing bacteria were present in the capillaries in the renal interstitium twelve hours after infection.

Cloning and expression of cDNAs for polymorphic and monomorphic arylamine N-acetyltransferases from human liver

To elucidate the molecular basis of human N-acetylation polymorphism, cDNA clones encoding human liver N-acetyltransferases (EC 2.3.1.5) were isolated from lambda gt10 cDNA libraries using the 32P-labeled cDNA of rabbit liver N-acetyltransferase recently cloned in this laboratory. Three types of cDNAs (D-14, O-7, and D-24) were isolated and their nucleotide sequences were determined, from which the amino acid sequences of human N-acetyltransferases were deduced. All the cDNAs coded for 290 amino acids. Between D-14 and O-7 cDNAs, there was only a single-base substitution in the coding region, which replaced glutamic acid in D-14 cDNA for glycine in O-7 cDNA. There were considerable differences between O-7/D-14 and D-24 cDNAs, with 80% homology in amino acid sequences. When the cDNAs were inserted into pEF321 expression vector and introduced into Chinese hamster ovary cells, N-acetyltransferase activity was expressed in three groups of the transfected cells. The activity in cells transfected with D-14 cDNA was only 9-17% of the activity in O-7 cells. Immunoblot analysis of the transfected cells indicated that the difference in the enzyme activity between O-7 and D-14 cells was possibly due to a difference in the amount of enzyme proteins. The substrate specificity of the expressed enzymes indicated that O-7 and D-14 cDNAs code for polymorphic N-acetyltransferase whereas D-24 cDNA codes for monomorphic enzyme. Southern blot analysis indicated that the polymorphic and monomorphic N-acetyltransferases were encoded in separate genes and that there was restriction fragment length polymorphism with KpnI digestion in the polymorphic N-acetyltransferase gene.

Effects of phorone and/or buthionine sulfoximine on teratogenicity of 5-fluorouracil in mice

Embryotoxicity and teratogenicity of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and modulation of its effect by the depletors of glutathione (GSH) were evaluated in mice. Pregnant ICR mice were intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with 25 mg/kg of 5-FU on day 11 of gestation (vaginal plug = day 0). Mice were pretreated i.p. with 250 mg/kg of phorone, a GSH depleting agent and/or 200 mg/kg of buthionine sulfoximine (BSO, an inhibitor of GSH biosynthesis) 4 hours before dosing with 5-FU. Dams were killed on day 17 of gestation. Fetuses were examined for external malformations, especially limb malformations. Pretreatment with phorone or BSO decreased fetal weight and increased the frequency and severity of oligodactyly induced by 5-FU, as well as the reduction of maternal GSH levels. Combined use of 125 mg/kg phorone and 100 mg/kg BSO i.p. augmented growth retardation induced with 5-FU. Cotreatment with exogenous GSH, at a dose of 300 mg/kg injected intravenously, could not suppress the augmentative effects of phorone and/or BSO on 5-FU teratogenicity under these experimental conditions. These results indicate that the level of endogenous GSH is one of the factors which significantly affects teratogenicity of 5-FU.

Complementary DNAs for choline acetyltransferase from spinal cords of rat and mouse: nucleotide sequences, expression in mammalian cells, and in situ hybridization

Complementary DNA clones containing the entire coding region of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) were isolated from the spinal cords of rat and mouse. The cDNAs of rat and mouse coded for 640 and 641 amino acids, respectively, and showed 95% mutual homology and 80% homology with the cDNA of porcine ChAT. Northern blot analysis revealed a single band of 4.4 kb in the spinal cord and brain in each species. Introduction of the cDNAs into Chinese hamster ovary cells and neuron-derived cell lines, N1E115 and NG108-15, expressed a high ChAT activity, which was inhibited by a specific ChAT inhibitor. In situ hybridization using the rat cRNA probe revealed specific labeling of the motoneurons in the spinal cord and neurons in various forebrain nuclei of the rat where the existence of cholinergic neurons has been demonstrated immunohistochemically.

[Relation between dentofacial skeletal patterns and the deflection of the roots of mandibular canine and premolars]

We conducted an investigation of the relation between dentofacial skeletal patterns and the deflection of the roots of mandibular canines and premolars. Data on root deflection, rated as mesial, distal, or undeflected, were obtained from orthopantomographs taken of 130 patients who were judged to meet certain criteria on their initial orthodontic examinations. The significance of the relation between these data and the dentofacial patterns, determined by radiographic cephalometric analysis, was then examined statistically. This determined that in cases of severe mandibular prognathism (ANB less than -2 degrees), the roots of 1st and 2nd premolars exhibited significantly more mesial deflection. This result suggests that the mesial deflection of these roots is caused by the differential growth rates of basal and alveolar bone in cases of severe mandibular prognathism.

Effects of arginine derivatives on soluble guanylate cyclase from neuroblastoma N1E 115 cells

The effects of L-arginine (Arg) derivatives on soluble guanylate cyclase from neuroblastoma N1E 115 cells were examined. The Arg derivatives were modified at the -NH2, -COOH, C alpha-proton or guanidino group of Arg. Among the synthesized derivatives, eight compounds, i.e. the 5-(dimethylamino)-1-naphthalenesulfonyl (DNS) ones, especially N-cyclohexyl-2-(N-DNSamino)-5-guanidino-2-methylvaleramide and 1-[2-(N-DNSamino)-2-(2-imino-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydropyrimidin- 4-yl)acetyl]- piperidine, were found to inhibit the activity of crude guanylate cyclase in the 105,000 g supernatant fraction of the cell homogenate. The enzyme, partially purified by a column of Chelex 100 Na+, was also inhibited by these eight compounds. The mode of the inhibition was competitive. The Ki values were in the range of 2-8 microM for the enzyme in the 105,000 g supernatant fraction and 3-16 microM for the partially purified enzyme, in the presence of Mg2+ as a metal cofactor. In contrast, a new derivative, methyl 2-amino-5-guanidinovalerate (M Arg ME), as well as the Arg methyl ester (Arg ME) and Arg; were found to enhance the activity of the partially purified guanylate cyclase; KA values of M Arg ME, Arg ME and Arg were approximately 9, 4 and 3 microM respectively. From these results, the free guanidino group including 2-imino-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydropyrimidin-4-yl or 2-imino-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydropyrimidin-5-yl and modification of the --NH2 residue with a hydrophobic group such as DNS seemed to be essential for inhibition of the guanylate cyclase; however, the guanidino and --NH2 residue of Arg should be free for activation by these Arg derivatives.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors: synthesis and biological activity of N-substituted tripeptide inhibitors

A new series of highly potent angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, 1-(N2-substituted L-lysyl-gamma-D-glutamyl)octahydro-1H-indole-2-carboxylic acids, was synthesized; various acyl groups were introduced at the alpha-amino group of the N-terminal P1 Lys. The effect of the N2-acyl groups on in vitro inhibitory activity and oral antihypertensive effect was examined. All of the synthesized N-acyl tripeptides were found to have in vitro inhibitory activity at an approximately nanomolar level, and showed antihypertensive potency in renal hypertensive rats at a dose of 10 mg/kg, when administered orally. Among them, compounds 7e, g and 9f, i, m showed potent and long-lasting antihypertensive effects compared with enalapril (2a). Their structure-activity relationships are also discussed.

Expression and characterization of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II from cloned cDNAs in Chinese hamster ovary cells

cDNAs containing the entire coding regions of the alpha and beta subunits of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase II) were isolated from a rat cerebrum cDNA library, ligated into an expression vector under the control of SV40 early promoter and introduced into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. To investigate the role of the alpha and beta subunits and their functional domains in CaM kinase II activity, the properties of the kinases expressed in the transfected cells were studied. CaM kinase II activity was detected in the transfected cells when the alpha and beta cDNAs were introduced into CHO cells simultaneously. RNA transfer blot and protein immunoblot analyses demonstrated the expression of the mRNAs and proteins of both alpha and beta subunits in the cloned cells. When alpha or beta cDNA was introduced into CHO cells separately, a significant level of the enzyme activity was also expressed, indicating that the alpha and beta subunits exhibited enzyme activity individually. The apparent Km values for ATP and MAP 2 were almost the same for the alpha subunit, beta subunit, alpha beta complex, and brain CaM kinase II. However, there was a slight difference in the affinity for calmodulin between the expressed proteins. The alpha and beta subunits expressed in the same cells polymerized to form alpha beta complex of a size similar to that of brain CaM kinase II. The alpha subunit also polymerized to form an oligomer, which showed almost the same S value as that of alpha beta complex and brain CaM kinase II. In contrast, the beta subunit did not polymerize. The alpha subunit, beta subunit, alpha beta complex, and brain CaM kinase II were autophosphorylated with [gamma-32P]ATP in the presence of Ca2+ and calmodulin, which resulted in the appearance of Ca2+-independent activity. The Ca2+-independent activity was 60-75% of the total activity as measured in the presence of Ca2+ plus calmodulin. To examine the functional relationship of peptide domains of the subunits of CaM kinase II, deleted cDNAs were introduced into CHO cells and the properties of the expressed proteins were studied. In cells transfected with alpha or beta cDNA from which the association domain was deleted, a significant level of kinase activity was expressed. However, the expressed proteins showed hardly any autophosphorylation and the appearance of Ca2+-independent enzyme activity was very low, indicating that the association domain was essential for the autophosphorylation and for the appearance of the Ca2+-independent activity.

Two arylamine N-acetyltransferases from chicken pineal gland as identified by cDNA cloning

A cDNA library prepared from the poly(A)-rich RNA of the chicken pineal gland obtained at night was screened with the 32P-labeled cDNA of arylamine N-acetyltransferase from the chicken liver recently isolated in this laboratory. Two positive clones (p-NAT-3 and p-NAT-10) that cross-hybridized with the liver cDNA were isolated. The cDNAs did not cross-hybridize each other under a high stringency, indicating that they corresponded to different mRNAs. When the cDNAs were inserted into an expression vector pcDL1 under the control of the early promoter of simian virus 40 and introduced into Chinese hamster ovary cells, both cDNAs expressed arylamine N-acetyltransferase activity in the transfected cells. The nucleotide sequences of the cDNAs were determined, from which amino acid sequences were deduced. Both cDNAs coded for 290 amino acids. Similarities in amino acid sequences were about 60% between p-NAT-3, p-NAT-10 and liver N-acetyltransferases. Poly(A)-rich RNA blot hybridization analysis indicated that p-NAT-3 cDNA detected a 2.2-kb band with the poly(A)-rich RNAs from the brain, gut and, less intensively, spleen, liver and kidney, while p-NAT-10 cDNA hybridized only with the poly(A)-rich RNA from the kidney. Neither cDNA detected any hybridization band with the poly(A)-rich RNA from the pineal gland, suggesting that the contents were low. Genomic Southern blot hybridization analysis showed that p-NAT-3, p-NAT-10 and liver N-acetyltransferases were encoded in a separate single gene. The properties of the enzymes expressed in the transfected cells were compared with N-acetyltransferases from the pineal gland, brain and kidney. On a DEAE-cellulose column, the kidney and p-NAT-10 enzymes appeared in the effluent fraction, whereas the brain and p-NAT-3 enzymes were eluted from the column with a gradient elution at 0.08 M NaCl. The supernatant of the pineal gland obtained in the daytime showed two peaks appearing in the effluent fraction and the eluate fraction at 0.08 M NaCl. The substrate specificity of these enzymes were examined with p-phenetidine, 2-aminofluorene, tryptamine and phenylethylamine as substrates. All the enzymes preferred arylamines to arylalkylamines, indicating that both p-NAT-3 and p-NAT-10 cDNAs encoded arylamine N-acetyltransferases.

[Correlation of serum gamma-seminoprotein and serum prostate-specific antigen in patients with prostate cancer]

Enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) using rabbit anti-gamma-seminoprotein (gamma-Sm) antibody and rabbit anti-prostate-specific antigen antibody (PA) for measurements of gamma-Sm and PA were developed in order to determine the correlation between serum gamma-Sm levels and serum PA levels in patients with prostate cancer. Each EIA for measurement of gamma-Sm or PA was revealed to be sensitive and reproducible by fundamental analysis of the quality of EIAs. A significant correlation was established between serum gamma-Sm levels and serum PA levels which were measured by these assays and expressed as protein concentration of seminal plasma (r = 0.99). This result coincided with our previous observation that gamma-Sm and PA are immunologically identical materials. We conclude, therefore, that gamma-Sm and PA should be regarded as tumor markers identical to each other for serodiagnosis of prostate cancer.

[A case of localized amyloidosis of the bladder manifesting post-renal failure]

We report a case of primary localized amyloidosis of the bladder which manifested post-renal failure. A 79-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus complained of anorexia and oliguria. Computed tomographic (CT) scan showed bilateral hydronephrosis. Cystoscopic examination revealed a broad-based nonpapillary tumor in the trigonum of the bladder and CT scan demonstrated thickening of the posterior wall of the bladder. Pathological examination of the transurethral biopsy specimen revealed amyloid deposits in the submucosa, but no malignant changes were found. Cytodiagnosis of washing fluid of the bladder revealed amyloid deposits around the exfoliative cells. Serum electrophoresis showed a normal pattern. Urinary Bence-Jones protein was not detected. Amyloid deposits were not found in rectal mucosa. Systemic or secondary amyloidosis was ruled out from these findings, and primary localized amyloidosis of the bladder was diagnosed. The mass of the bladder was transurethrally resected and pig-tail stents were indwelt. These procedures gave a satisfactory result.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors: synthesis and structure-activity relationships of potent N-benzyloxycarbonyl tripeptide inhibitors

A new series of gamma-D-Glu-containing N-benzyloxycarbonyl (Z) tripeptide inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) was synthesized. The effect of varying the antepenultimate amino acid residue in this series on the biological activity was studied. Introduction of Lys and Orn residues at the P1 position provided the most potent inhibitors, 25a and 25b (IC50: 3.5 and 4.9 x 10(-9) M, respectively), which exhibited an oral antihypertensive activity. This result suggests that basic amino acid residues at the P1 position play an important role in binding with the S1 subsite of ACE in this series. Oral antihypertensive activity of selected compounds was evaluated.