Genetic regulation of GM2 expression in liver of mouse

GM2 containing NeuGc was found to be a major ganglioside in the liver of most inbred strains of mouse we have examined so far. They were DBA/2, C3H/He, C57BL/6, BALB/c, and CBA mice. However, WHT/Ht mouse does not contain a detectable amount of GM2 (NeuGc) but has GM3 containing NeuGc as the major ganglioside in the liver. The positive expression of GM2 (NeuGc) was demonstrated in the liver of F1 hybrids between WHT/Ht and DBA/2 mice, as one of the possible combinations. Moreover, the expression of GM2 (NeuGc) in the liver was proved to be an autosomal dominant trait by ganglioside analysis of 34 individual mice of the F2 and backcross generations. WHT/Ht mouse was demonstrated to be a recessive homozygote lacking GM2 (NeuGc) expression. During the analysis, interestingly enough, the enhanced elongation of the sugar chain in the gangliosides from GM2 (NeuGc) to GM1 (NeuGc) and GD1 was observed in the liver of F1 mice and this elongation was segregated only in half members of F2 and backcross generations.

Structural polymorphism of murine factor B controlled by a locus closely linked to the H-2 complex and demonstration of multiple alleles

New alleles of murine factor B (Bf) protein were demonstrated. When ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-plasmas from inbred and wild mice were analyzed by isoelectrofocusing (IEF) and immunofixation, murine Bf proteins were visualized as distinct protein bands in all mice tested. Four variants of murine Bf could be demonstrated in a large number of tested mice: Bf 1 (isoelectrofocusing point (P.I.) range of 5.8-6.1) exemplified by B10 and B10.BR, Bf 2 (P.I. range of 5.8-6.0) exemplified by B10.MOL (OHM), Bf 3 (P.I. range of 5.6-5.9) exemplified by B10.MOL (TEN2) and Mus musculus (Mus m.) subspecies Chc, Bf 4 (P.I. range of 6.0-6.3) exemplified by Mus m. subspecies Shh. The genetic linkage between S locus and Bf locus was studied with two backcross progenies--[B10.BR X (B10.BR X Mus m. subspecies Chc)F1] and [B10.BR X (B10.BR X Mus m. subspecies Shh)F1]. Totally, 256 backcross progenies were typed for Bf type and for Ss type (plasma level of the fourth complement protein regulated by S locus). The results indicated that murine Bf was controlled by a single codominant locus located close to the H-2 complex because no mouse showing recombination between Bf locus and S locus was found.

Specific interaction of radioactive anti-androgen TSAA-291 with androgen receptor in rat prostates

A steroidal anti-androgen ISSA-291 (16 beta-ethyl-17 beta-hydroxy-4-oestren-3-one) bound to a macromolecular component in the cytosol of rat ventral prostates with high affinity (kd = 5.0 X 10-9 M) and in a saturable manner. The number of binding sites was comparable to that for 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5 alpha-DHT). [3H]TSAA-291 binding was effectively displaced by unlabelled 5-alpha-DHT, 19-nortestosterone and cyproterone acetate but to a lesser degree by corticosterone. Glycerol density-gradient centrifugation analysis revealed that the sedimentation coefficient of the [3H]-TSAA-291-macromolecule complex was 3-4.5 S. However, when the unlabelled cytosol was fractionated by glycerol density-gradient centrifugation before the binding of [3H]TSAA-291 was examined, specific binding of [3H]TSAA-291 was observed in fractions corresponding to 8-10 S. Binding of the [3H]TSAA-291-macromolecules complex to prostatic nuclei and DNA-cellulose was considerably less than binding by the [3H]5 alpha-DHT-macromolecule complex. Instability of the TSAA-291 binding component on heat treatment before and after complex formation was also revealed and the results are discussed in terms of the anti-androgenic activity of TSAA-291.

Bivariate ratio monitoring in clinical laboratories

The usefulness of monitoring bivariates was studied and discussed. Analysis of the correlation between bivariates was studied and discussed. Analysis of the correlation between bivariates demonstrated that combinations of bivariates can be divided into two groups. The first group was the combination in which a close correlation between two variates could be observed in any pathophysiologic state. The monitoring of the ratio of this first group was effective for the detection of analytical mistakes and the detection of symptom poor hereditary disorders, such as pharmacogenetical disorders. The second group was one in which a high correlation between two variates was obtained in some specific pathologic stage, and the monitoring the ratio of this second group gave high predictive values for the screening of that pathologic stage. It was demonstrated that the use of bivariate monitoring was not only very simple but also provided an effective laboratory data analysis system for the laboratory routine.

Disposition of timiperone, 4'-fluoro-4-[4-(2-thioxo-1-benzimidazolinyl)piperidino]butyrophenone, a neuroleptic, in the rat on repeated oral dosage

1. The metabolic disposition of [14C]timiperone was studied in male Wistar strain rats receiving an oral dose of 0.5 mg/kg consecutively daily for 21 days. 2. Blood concentrations of 14C indicate that absorption of [14C]timiperone on repeated dosage may be similar to that after a single dose. 3. Tissue levels of 14C after repeated doses were increased to up to double those after a single dose, but the decline of tissue concentrations after the 21st dose was similar to that after a single dose. Thus, no rat tissue show accumulation. 4. Repeated administration did not affect the metabolism of timiperone. 5. Excretion of 14C on the third day of repeated medication was urine, 44.7% and faeces 52.4% of the cumulative dose, and total daily excretions were more than approx. 97% of the cumulative dose in days 3-21 of the repeat dosage schedule.

Disposition and metabolism of timiperone in the rat, dog, and monkey

The disposition and metabolism of timiperone (TP), a new butyrophenone antipsychotic, were studied in the rat, dog, and monkey given [14C]TP orally at different dose levels. [14C]TP was absorbed by the three species; the elimination of radioactivity from the blood was most rapid in the rat, and slowest in the dog. In the rat, blood and tissue concentrations of radioactivity were dose-dependent, and persisted after low and high doses. Tissue/blood ratios of radioactivity concentration in most of the rat tissues were much larger than 1.0, indicating that TP has a high affinity for the tissues. Approximately 19, 36, and 54% of the administered dose were excreted into dog, rat, and monkey urine, respectively, within 3 days, and the residue into the feces. [14C]TP was metabolized by N-dealkylation and the reduction of the butyrophenone sidechain to form 4-[4-(2,3-dihydro-2-thioxo-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)-1-piperidinyl]-1-(4-fluorpheny l)-1-butanol (M-II), 2,3-dihydro-1-(4-piperidinyl)-2-thioxo-1H-benzimidazole (M-V), and N-(4-fluorophenylacetyl)glycine (M-b-l). Urinary major metabolites in all the species were M-V and M-b-l. Metabolite patterns in the rat brain indicated that unchanged TP accounted for the major part of total radioactivity. Similar patterns were obtained in rat and dog plasma, but not in monkey plasma.

5alpha-reduction of an anti-androgen TSAA-291, 16beta-ethyl-17beta-hydroxy-4-estren-3-one, by nuclear 5alpha-reductase in rat prostates

Inhibition of 5alpha-reduction of testosterone by an anti-androgen TSAA-291 (16beta-ethyl-17beta-hydroxy-4-estren-3-one) was studied in rat ventral prostates and the metabolic conversion of 3H-TSAA-291 was examined both in vitro and in vivo. In the in vitro experiment using nuclear 5alpha-reductase of the prostate, 5alpha-dihydrostestosterone formation from 3H-testosterone was inhibited in a competitive manner by the anti-androgen. In the in vitro experiment using 3H-TSAA-291, 5alpha-reduction of the anti-androgen occurred. One, 2 and 4 hr after an intravenous administration of 140 muCi/rat of 3H-TSAA-291 to castrated rats, the unchanged TSAA-291 accumulated in higher amounts in the ventral prostate than in the plasma, skeletal muscle and levator ani muscle, thereby indicating the selective uptake of the anti-androgen by the androgen target organ. No appreciable amounts of the 5alpha-reduced metabolite of TSAA-291 were detected in the prostate, thus suggesting that TSAA-291 itself may be responsible for the anti-androgenic properties. The inhibitory potency of the 5alpha-reductase activity of several other 16beta-substituted androstane and estrane analogues was also examined.

Hereditary deficiency of lactate dehydrogenase M-subunit

A family with a complete deficiency of lactate dehydrogenase M-subunit was investigated. The propositus was an 18-year-old male who complained of exertional pigmenturia and easy fatigue. Marked discrepancy was observed in the ratio between creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase (CK/LDH). Electrophoretic analysis of serum LDH isoenzymes of the propositus demonstrated only one activity band of LDH H4. A complete lack of the LDH M-subunit was similarly demonstrated in erythrocytes, leukocytes and in the intermediate vastus muscle. LDH levels in the muscle specimen were markedly decreased in the patient, whereas CK and aspartate aminotransferase were almost the same as in a control subject. LDH isoenzymes of erythrocytes were analyzed in 5 siblings and in the parents. This demonstrated a complete lack of LDH M-subunit in 3 siblings. The ratio between H-subunit and M-subunit (H/M) in erythrocyte LDH suggested a partial absence of the M-subunit in two siblings and in the parents. An abortive increase of blood lactate and a marked increase in blood pyruvate were observed immediately after ischemic work of the forearm, accompanied by an increase in serum creatine kinase and myoglobinuria. The present case represents a newly described form of genetically determined myopathy.

Membrane associated enzyme complexes containing lambda type immunoglobulin A

The properties of the membrane associated enzyme complexes were investigated. The enzyme complexes of alkaline phosphatase, arylamidase, and L-gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase were excluded by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200. The electrophoretic mobility of the enzyme complexes was found to be in the alpha-1 portion and these enzyme activities were immunologically fixed by anti-IgA and anti-light chain lambda antibodies. Heterogeneity in density was observed by density gradient ultracentrifugation. The activities of membrane-associated enzymes were demonstrated in both high (d > 1.21) and low density particles (1.063 < d < 1.21), and the enzyme activities of a high density particle were immunologically fixed by anti-IgA and anti-light chain lambda antibodies. The heterogeneity in density was based on the presence of immunoglobulin A molecule in the complexes. The specificity of the immunoglobulin which was found in the enzyme complexes proved to be exclusively of the alpha heavy chain classes and lambda light chain types respectively. This isotype specificity of immunoglobulin A is similar to the specificity observed in enzyme-linked immunoglobulins, and simple non-specific binding of immunoglobulin and membrane moiety was eliminated. This isotype specificity is of interest in connection with the properties of the circulating autoantibodies.

Immunological properties of athymic nude mice born from homozygous (nu/nu) parents

No significant differences were observed between nude mice (nu/nu) born of homozygous (nu/nu) parents and those born of heterozygous (nu/+) mothers in the percentage of Thy-1-positive cells or immunoglobulin (Ig)-bearing cells in the spleen as assessed by immunofluorescence. There were no significant differences in the antibody response to thymus-dependent antigen or in the number of background plaque-forming cells to this antigen. The antibody response to thymus-independent antigen was not imparied at all in mice born from homozygous parents as compared with other nude mice or euthymic mice. It was concluded that the Thy-1-bearing (T) cells observed in nu/nu mice and the capacity of these mice to respond to thymus-dependent antigens arose independently of maternal T cells and of the influence of the maternal thymus.

Anti-androgen TSAA-291. V. Effects of the anti-androgen TSAA-291 on the androgen-receptor complex formation from [3H]testosterone in rat ventral prostates

Intramuscular administration of a new steroidal anti-androgen, TSAA-291 (16 beta-ethyl-17 beta-hydroxy-4-oestren-3-one), in doses of 0.05, 0.5 and 5 mg/kg body weight reduced the in vivo uptake of [3H]testosterone by the ventral prostate of castrated rats of 78, 59 and 37% of the control level, respectively. Analysis on subcellular fractions of the prostate by gel-filtration and sucrose density-gradient centrifugation followed by thin layer chromatographic identification of testosterone metabolites revealed that 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5 alpha-DHT) which was found to be largely bound to macromolecules in the cytosol and nucleus was the predominant metabolite even in the presence of the anti-androgen, and radioactivities corresponding to the 5 alpha-DHT-macromolecular complexes were decreased by the anti-androgen. TSAA-291 also inhibited the in vitro formation of the 5 alpha-DHT-macromolecular complexes in both cytosol and nucleus from minced prostates incubated with [3H]testosterone. The importance of the findings is discussed in connection with the mode of anti-androgenic action of TSAA-291 in terms of the interaction with the androgen receptor.