Beta-thalassemia major resulting from a compound heterozygosity for the beta-globin gene mutation: further evidence for multiple origin and migration of the thalassemia gene

We describe in a Japanese family beta zero-thalassemia resulting from a compound heterozygosity for a beta-globin gene mutation. One mutation is a C-to-T transition at IVS-2 nucleotide position 654 on the background of Mediterranean haplotype IX. Another mutation is a G-to-A transition at IVS-2 nucleotide position 1, associated with a novel haplotype XI. The occurrence of these mutations on various chromosomal backgrounds provides strong evidence for an interplay of gene migration, interallelic gene conversion, and multiple origins of the same mutation.

Distribution of the HindIII restriction fragment length polymorphism among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with different concentrations of CR1

Sixty six patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were genotyped using a HindIII restriction fragment length polymorphism identified by CR1.1 cDNA, then were followed up for an average of 50 months to evaluate the stability of their CR1 activities. The gene frequencies for the two alleles which correlate with the numeric expression of CR1 on the erythrocytes were not significantly different between 66 patients with SLE and 52 normal controls. A discrepancy between homozygosity for a high allele and a negative CR1 activity was found in many patients. These patients, however, had significantly lower concentrations of serum complement than did patients with a positive CR1, and some were in an active state of the disease. Furthermore, there were several patients in whom the CR1 activities changed from negative to positive together with an increase in serum complement. Our results suggest that the decreased expression of CR1 on erythrocytes in patients with SLE is not inherited, rather it is a consequence of the disease processes.

[A case of cardiomyopathy due to allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis]

We report a rare occurrence of cardiomyopathy associated with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). A 49-year-old man with a history of bronchial asthma was referred to the Matsuyama Red Cross Hospital for evaluation of the abnormal shadow on his chest X-ray. Laboratory examination showed blood eosinophilia and marked elevation of serum IgE concentration and IgE antibody to A fumigatus. The immediate and late skin reactivities to A fumigatus antigen were both positive. The diagnosis of ABPA was made. Treatment using prednisolone was effective in ameliorating the symptoms. However, he was admitted again due to dyspnea, edema and anorexia 6 months later. Chest X-ray, ECG, UCG and scintigraphy suggested severe cardiac failure. The clinical diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and the pathohistological diagnosis of endomyocardial fibrosis were made by cardiac catheterization and biopsy of endocardium. Retrospectively, cardiomegaly had gradually increased during the past several months while peripheral blood eosinophilia had continued. All these data strongly suggested that eosinophilia due to ABPA might cause severe cardiac damage.

Epidermal growth factor receptor of fibroblasts from patients with scleroderma

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) of fibroblasts from 3 patients with scleroderma (progressive systemic sclerosis, PSS) was studied by radioiodinated-EGF binding assay. The binding was 60.9 +/- 4.0% of normal fibroblasts, and the Scatchard plots showed a decrease in the affinity for EGF, not in the number of EGF-R. PSS fibroblasts expressed higher levels (1.15-2.45-fold) of RNA for the v-erbB (EGF-R gene). All-transretinoic acid (retinoid) had little effect on EGF-R, v-erbB gene expression and the proliferation of PSS fibroblasts. These data concerning the abnormality in the EGF-R may all constitute a feature of PSS fibroblasts.

The cAMP-dependent protein kinase in sea urchin sperm tails: association of the enzyme with the flagellar axonemes

When sea urchin spermatozoa were treated with a Triton X-100 solution, cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cA-kinase) activity was extracted. Further extraction with Triton X-100 of axonemes isolated from the Triton-extracted sperm again released a considerable amount of the cA-kinase activity. The activity which remained after extraction three times with Triton X-100 was released by treatment with a low salt solution. These activities found in the various extracts were likely to be due to the same cA-kinase, which was a mammalian type II-like enzyme. The cA-kinase activity that remained in the axonemes after the first Triton X-100 extraction may be involved in the regulation of flagellar movement in the Triton-extracted sperm.

[Two cases of amyopathic dermatomyositis with fatal rapidly progressive interstitial pneumonitis]

Two middle-aged women showed typical erythematous heliotrope eruption and Gottron's sign without any symptom of myositis. The patients were diagnosed as 'amyopathic dermatomyositis' because of normal serum CPK levels, normal EMG and no histological abnormality by muscle biopsy. Clinical manifestations improved by the treatment with corticosteroids. During tapering of corticosteroids, however, intersititial pneumonitis developed and rapidly progressed. The first patients was treated with methylprednisolone pulse therapy, azathiopurine and methotrexate. The second patients was treated with betamethazone, methlprednisolone pulse therapy and cyclosporin A. In spite of these extensive immunosuppressive therapies, both patients died of pulmonary insufficiency a few months after admission. In the literature there has been only several cases of amyopathic dermatomyositis and only one case with fatal rapidly progressive interstitial pneumonitis. A new approach to the treatment of this disease should be made.

A common Chinese beta-thalassemia mutation found in a Japanese family

We have identified the substitution of a thymine for a cytosine at nucleotide position 654 in the second intron of the beta-globin gene that causes beta-thalassemia in a Japanese family. This mutation was reported to occur rather frequently in patients of Chinese origin, but has rarely been found in other ethnic groups.

Successful treatment of refractory systemic lupus erythematosus with intravenous immunoglobulins

Two cases of refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg). In Case 1, the immediate recovery from severe pancytopenia and the improvement of proteinuria were observed, following IVIg therapy in high doses (450 mg/kg) for 5 consecutive days. In Case 2, 3 courses of IVIg therapy (100 mg/kg) for 6 to 8 days resulted in a significant reduction of massive proteinuria. In both cases, the improvement of immunological variables was also seen.

Preparation of tubulin from Caulerpa, a marine green alga, using casein as a protective agent against proteolytic degradation

Bidirectional organelle movements taking place in the cytoplasm of the rhizomes of Caulerpa, a coenocytic marine green alga, have been indicated to be dependent on microtubules (Kuroda, K. & Manabe, E. (1983) Proc. Jpn. Acad. 59B, 131-134; Manabe, E. & Kuroda, K. (1984) Proc. Jpn. Acad. 60B, 118-121). However, when a crude extract of Caulerpa rhizomes was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and subjected to immunoblotting with monoclonal anti-tubulin antibody, no reacting band could be detected. This apparent absence of tubulin in the extract was found to be a result of the complete degradation of tubulin by potent intrinsic proteolytic activity. All of the commercially available protease inhibitors so far tested (p-chloromercuriphenylsulfonic acid, phenyl methylsulfonyl fluoride, 1-chloro-4-phenyl-3-tosylamido-2-butanone, 7-amino-1-chloro-3-tosylamido-2-heptanone, p-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester, soybean trypsin inhibitor, antipain, chymostatin, leupeptin, and pepstatin) failed to inhibit the activity completely. But addition of casein at the concentration of 1% (weight per volume) to the solutions used for preparation was effective in protecting tubulin from proteolytic degradation, thus making it possible to prepare tubulin from the crude extract of Caulerpa. On SDS-PAGE, the Caulerpa alpha-tubulin thus prepared was a little smaller in molecular weight than that of rabbit brain.

A substitution of cytosine for thymine in codon 110 of the human beta-globin gene is a novel cause of beta-thalassemia phenotypes

We have described a novel human globin gene mutation that produced in a Japanese family the beta-thalassemia phenotype through a post-translational mechanism. Substitution of proline for leucine at position 110 in the G-helix of the beta-globin chain greatly reduced the molecular stability of the beta-globin subunit, leading to total destruction of the variant globin chains by proteolysis and hence to the beta-thalassemia phenotype. The mutation could be identified after MspI digestion. This detection of the mutation on the gene level is valuable for diagnostic purposes.

Assembly of a protein sharing epitopes with sperm dynein heavy chains into meiotic spindle in the prometaphase starfish oocyte

Starfish oocyte meiosis provides a good system for studying the mechanism for prometaphase chromosome movement. Since a protein sharing epitopes with sperm dynein might be a force generator for mitosis, the contribution of such a protein was assessed in this movement. Specific antibodies to heavy chains (HCs) and intermediate chains (ICs) of dynein subunits were affinity-purified from whole antidynein serum. We confirmed that the oocytes contain several polypeptides identical to sperm dynein subunits. The anti-HCs binding to in situ antigen was examined in the oocytes permeabilized with detergent at appropriate stages of maturation with special reference to tubulin and chromosomes, and the meiotic apparatus-establishing process was described in terms of a force generator (oocyte dynein). Before resumption of maturation, dynein HCs were particularly associated with prophase chromosomes within the germinal vesicle (GV). After GV breakdown, there was a striking local accumulation of dynein HCs in the "fading GV" (nuclear matrix). When chromosomes were pulled toward the central area between 2 asters, dynein was accumulated at first at the presumptive equator and then moved to the poles, showing uneven localization on the meiotic spindle.

Properties of a broad spectrum beta-lactamase isolated from Flavobacterium meningosepticum GN14059

A broad substrate-spectrum beta-lactamase was purified from Flavobacterium meningosepticum GN14059. The purified enzyme gave a single protein band on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight was estimated to be about 30,000 and the isoelectric point was 5.1. The enzyme hydrolyzed various beta-lactam antibiotics including oxyiminocephalosporins and aztreonam. Relative rates, with cephaloridine as 100, were cephalothin 200, cefazolin 48, cefuroxime 153, cefotaxime 51, ceftazidime 20, ampicillin 26, carbenicillin 19, and aztreonam 20. The enzyme activity was inhibited by clavulanic acid, sulbactam, imipenem and cephamycins.

[A case of Ewing's sarcoma treated successfully by combination chemotherapy consisting of high-dose methotrexate, aclacinomycin-A and vindesine]

A 22-year-old man was admitted to Kyushu University Hospital because of high fever, and pain in the right foot and back. An X-ray examination revealed an osteolytic lesion on the 5th metatarsal bone of the right foot. Paraplegia and disturbance of bladder function occurred and compression of the spinal cord between T3 and L5 was found by myelography. An extradural tumor was removed by emergent laminectomy, and a histological examination of the tumor showed aggregations of small round cells, which suggested Ewing's sarcoma. Although T-9 protocol was started with initial effect, the tumor recurred during the therapy. The patient was then treated with HD-MTX, ACR and VDS, which induced a clinical improvement for 4 months without maintenance therapy. This result showed that HD-MTX, ACR and VDS warrant further consideration for the treatment of refractory Ewing's sarcoma.

Immunological properties of a penicillinase produced by Alcaligenes denitrificans subsp. xylosoxydans

Rabbit antiserum was prepared to the penicillinase of Alcaligenes denitrificans subsp. xylosoxydans GN14062. The antibody gave a single precipitin line in double immunodiffusion assays with the penicillinases from strain GN14062 and from two other A. denitrificans subsp. xylosoxydans strains. The precipitin line given by the GN14062 enzyme gave a reaction of complete identity with the precipitin lines of the penicillinases from the other A. denitrificans subsp. xylosoxydans strains. Furthermore, activity of the penicillinases from all three A. dentrificans subsp. xylosoxydans strains was neutralized by the antiserum to the GN14062 enzyme. Thus it was proved that the penicillinases produced by the three A. denitrificans subsp. xylosoxydans strains were immunologically identical. Penicillinases types I, II, III, IV, V, SHV-1, TEM-1, TEM-2, and the chromosomal penicillinases of Klebsiella pneumoniae GN69 and A. faecalis GN14061 formed no immunoprecipitate with, nor were neutralized by, the antiserum to the GN14062 enzyme. From these results, it was concluded that the penicillinase produced by A. denitrificans subsp. xylosoxydans was immunologically distinct from the penicillinases produced by these other bacteria.

Rendu-Osler-Weber disease with portosystemic encephalopathy

We treated a Japanese man with Rendu-Osler-Weber disease and a recurrent encephalopathy with hyperammonemia concomitant with recurrent epistaxis, G-I bleeding, congestive heart failure with aortic and mitral regurgitation, and chronic renal failure. At peritoneoscopy, several telangiectasia were noted on the surface of the liver. Angiographical studies revealed widened and tortuous hepatic arteries with early filling of hepatic veins and small pools of contrast medium scattered throughout the parenchyma. The recurrent encephalopathy was attributed to the porto-systemic shunt formed in the liver.

Activation of sea urchin sperm flagellar dynein ATPase activity by salt-extracted axonemes

When 21S dynein ATPase [EC 3.6.1.3] from sea urchin sperm flagellar axonemes was mixed with the salt-extracted axonemes, the ATPase activity was much higher than the sum of ATPase activities in the two fractions, as reported previously (Gibbons, I.R. & Fronk, E. (1979) J. Biol. Chem. 254, 187-196). This high ATPase level was for the first time demonstrated to be due to the activation of the 21S dynein ATPase activity by the axonemes. The mode of the activation was studied to get an insight into the mechanism of dynein-microtubule interaction. The salt-extracted axonemes caused a 7- to 8-fold activation of the 21S dynein ATPase activity at an axoneme : dynein weight ratio of about 14 : 1. The activation was maximal at a low ionic strength (no KCl) at pH 7.9-8.3. Under these conditions, 21S dynein rebound to the salt-extracted axonemes. The maximal binding ratio of 21S dynein to the axonemes was the same as that observed in the maximal activation of 21S dynein ATPase. The sliding between the outer doublet microtubules in the trypsin-treated 21S dynein-rebound axonemes took place upon the addition of 0.05-0.1 mM ATP in the absence of KCl. During the sliding, the rate of ATP hydrolysis was at the same level as that of the 21S dynein activated by the salt-extracted axonemes. However, it decreased to the level of 21S dynein alone after the sliding. These results suggested that an interaction of the axoneme-rebound 21S dynein with B-subfibers of the adjacent outer doublet microtubules in the axoneme causes the activation of the ATPase activity.

Melanoma dynein: evidence that dynein is a general "motor" for microtubule-associated cell motilities

Platyfish-swordtail hybrid melanoma cells exhibit pigment aggregation in response to adrenergic stimulation or melanophore-concentrating hormone. This translocation of pigment granules is thought to be related to radially arrayed microtubules. Very little is known about the molecular "motor" that powers the translocation. We present evidence that dynein is located on these microtubules and is a candidate for the "motor". Vanadate and erythro-9-[3-(2-hydroxynonyl)]adenine, which are potent inhibitors of dynein ATPase, prevent the transport of melanosome granules in Brij-treated melanoma cells. Direct identification of dynein in melanoma cells and tissues is demonstrated by immunofluorescence microscopy and immunoblotting using anti-fragment A (tryptic fragment of sea urchin sperm dynein) serum. The cytoplasm of melanoma cells is stained with the antiserum and gives rise to a pattern similar to the distribution of microtubules. Western blotting shows that the molecular weight of an immunoreactive polypeptide in melanoma tissues coincides with that of the heavy chain of sea urchin sperm dynein.

The structure of hemocyanin II from the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus. The amino acid sequence of the second largest cyanogen bromide fragment

Fourteen fragments have been isolated from hemocyanin component II of Limulus polyphemus by cleavage with CNBr. The amino acid sequence of the largest fragment, CNBr Ia has been reported (Yokota, E., and Riggs, A. F. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 4739-4749). The amino acid sequence of the 12 smaller fragments is reported in an accompanying paper (Moore, M. D., Behrens, P. Q., and Riggs, A. F. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 10511-10519). We have determined the amino acid sequence of the second largest fragment, CNBr Ib. The fragment contains 142 residues and has a molecular weight of 16,095.

Structure of hemocyanin II from the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus. Sequences of the overlapping peptides, ordering the CNBr fragments, and the complete amino acid sequence

The amino acid sequence of the largest fragment, CNBr Ia (203 residues) has been reported (Yokota, E., and Riggs, A. F. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 4739-4749). The amino acid sequences of the second largest fragment, CNBr Ib (142 residues), and of the 12 smaller fragments are reported in accompanying papers (Moore, M. D., Behrens, P. Q., and Riggs, A. F. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 10511-10519; Behrens, P. Q., Nakashima, H., and Riggs, A. F. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 10520-10525). The complete amino acid sequence of hemocyanin component II has been established by isolation and analysis of 13 methionine-containing peptides from either a tryptic digest or a Staphylococcus aureus strain V8 protease digest of whole carboxamidomethylated hemocyanin II. Hemocyanin II is composed of 628 residues and has a molecular weight with two copper atoms of 72,946.

Purification and properties of a beta-lactamase produced by Branhamella catarrhalis

A beta-lactamase from Branhamella catarrhalis was purified by column chromatography. The purified enzyme hydrolyzed penicillins, such as ampicillin, carbenicillin, and piperacillin, more rapidly than cephalosporins. Furthermore, the enzyme hydrolyzed cefotaxime and cefmenoxime. The molecular weight of the enzyme was 33,000. The pI was 5.4.

The structure of arthropod hemocyanins

Hemocyanins are large multi-subunit copper proteins that transport oxygen in many arthropods and molluscs. Comparison of the amino acid sequence data for seven different subunits of arthropod hemocyanins from crustaceans and chelicerates shows many highly conserved residues and extensive regions of near identity. This correspondence can be matched closely with the three domain structure established by x-ray crystallography for spiny lobster hemocyanin. The degree of identity is particularly striking in the second domain of the subunit that contains the six histidines which ligate the two oxygen-binding copper atoms. The polypeptide architecture of spiny lobster hemocyanin appears to be the same in all arthropods. This structure must therefore be at least as old as the estimated time of divergence of crustaceans and chelicerates, about 540 to 600 million years ago.

A case of sicca syndrome due to primary amyloidosis

We report the rare occurrence of sicca syndrome associated with primary amyloidosis. A 63-year-old man with apparent keratoconjunctivitis sicca and xerostomia died of the cardiac failure. Neither sialography nor labial gland biopsy revealed findings compatible with Sjögren's syndrome. Macroglobulinemia and a positive Bence-Jones protein were noted in urine testing. Amyloid deposition was demonstrated by Congo red staining on biopsied rectal tissues, and by typical birefringence under polarized light microscopy. At autopsy, the amyloid deposition was identified histochemically in the submandibular gland and the minor salivary glands of oral cavity.

The structure of the hemocyanin from the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus. The amino acid sequence of the largest cyanogen bromide fragment

The amino acid sequence of the largest CNBr fragment, CNBrIa, from hemocyanin II of Limulus polyphemus has been determined. This fragment contains 203 residues, has Mr = 23,600, and is the NH2-terminal segment of the molecule. Comparison of this sequence with the first 87 residues of the NH2-terminal sequence of the alpha chain of hemocyanin from the Japanese horseshoe crab, Tachypleus tridentatus, of the Western Pacific (Nemoto, T., and Takagi, T. (1981) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 670, 79-83) shows that 46% of the residues are identical. Residues 172-177, -His-His-Trp-His-Trp-His-, appear to constitute at least part of the copper-binding site. This conclusion is supported by our finding that 40% of the residues in the sequence 172-186 are identical to residues 188-202 in tyrosinase from Neurospora; residues 188 and 193 in tyrosinase are known to be copper-binding histidines (Pfiffner, E., and Lerch, K. (1981) Biochemistry 20, 6029-6035). Model building suggests that histidines 172 and 175 might bind one copper atom and histidines 173 and 177 might bind the second copper. These observations suggest that tyrosinase and hemocyanin may have a common evolutionary origin, but we have not so far seen other correspondences.

Muscle beta-actinin inhibits elongation of the pointed end of the actin filaments of brush border microvilli

By using isolated actin bundles of brush border microvilli of chicken intestinal epithelial cells, it was clearly visualized that muscle beta-actinin caps the pointed end of an actin filament, whereas cytochalasin D masks the barbed end. The growth rate at the barbed end in the presence of beta-actinin was markedly slower than in its absence.