Biochemical characterization of a casein kinase I-like actin kinase responsible for the actin-induced suppression of casein kinase II activity in vitro

By combination of column chromatographies (heparin-agarose, HiTrap heparin and HiTrap SP columns) and gel filtration on a Superdex 200-pg HPLC column, an actin kinase was partially purified from a 1. 5 M NaCl extract of porcine liver. The actin kinase was finally purified, by actin-Sepharose column chromatography (HPLC), as an actin-binding protein kinase. The biochemical properties, such as (1) requirements of divalent cations (10 mM Mg(2+) and 3 mM Mn(2+)) and effective phosphate acceptors (actin and alpha-casein), (2) phosphorylation of both Ser- and Thr-residues on these two phosphate acceptors, (3) autophosphorylation of the catalytic subunit (approximately 37 kDa), and (4) inhibition kinetics by CK-I-7 (a CK-I specific inhibitor), of the purified actin kinase were similar to those reported for CK-I purified from various mammalian cells, but it was distinguishable from three cellular actin kinases (A-kinase, C-kinase and actin-fragmin kinase (approximately 80 kDa)). The 37 kDa actin kinase-mediated phosphorylation of actin did not relate to its polymerizability. Inhibition of CK-II-mediated phosphorylation of functional cellular proteins, including calmodulin (CaM), by actin was significantly stimulated after its full phosphorylation by the purified 37 kDa actin kinase or rCK-I in vitro. These results suggest that: (1) the 37 kDa Ser/Thr actin-binding kinase may be classified as a member of the CK-I family; and (2) specific phosphorylation of actin by the actin kinase may be involved in the suppression mechanism of CK-II-mediated signal transduction at the cellular level.

Technetium-99m HYNIC-annexin V: a potential radiopharmaceutical for the in-vivo detection of apoptosis

Either inadequate or excessive apoptosis (programmed cell death) is associated with many diseases. A method to image apoptosis in vivo, rather than requiring histologic evaluation of tissue, could assist with therapeutic decision making in these disorders. Programmed cell death is associated with a well-choreographed series of events resulting in the cessation of normal cell function, and the ultimate disappearance of the cell. One component of apoptosis is signaling adjacent cells that this cell is committing suicide by externalizing phosphatidylserine to the outer leaflet of the cell membrane. Annexin V, a 32-kDa endogenous human protein, has a high affinity for membrane-bound phosphatidylserine. We have coupled annexin V with the bifunctional hydrazinonicotinamide reagent (HYNIC) to prepare technetium-99m HYNIC-annexin V and demonstrated localization of radioactivity in tissues undergoing apoptosis in vivo. In this report we describe the results of a series of experiments in mice and rats to characterize the biologic behavior of (99m)Tc-HYNIC- annexin V. Biodistribution studies were performed in groups of rats at 10-180 min after intravenous injection of (99m)Tc-HYNIC-annexin V. In order to estimate the degree of apoptosis required for localization of (99m)Tc-annexin V in vivo, mice were treated with dexamethasone at doses ranging from 1 to 20 mg/kg, 5 h prior to (99m)Tc-HYNIC-annexin V administration, to induce thymic apoptosis. Thymus was excised 1 h after radiolabeled HYNIC-annexin V injection; thymocytes were isolated, incubated with Hoechst 33342 followed by propidium iodide, and analyzed on a fluorescence-activated cell sorter. Each sorted cell population was counted in a scintillation counter. To test (99m)Tc-HYNIC-annexin V as a tracer for external radionuclide imaging of apoptotic cell death, radionuclide imaging of Fas-defective mice (lpr/lpr mice) and wild-type mice treated with the antibody to Fas (anti-Fas) was carried out 1 h post injection. Rat biodistribution studies demonstrated a blood clearance half-time of less than 10 min for (99m)Tc-HYNIC-annexin V. The kidneys had the highest concentration of radioactivity at all time points. Studies in the mouse thymus demonstrated a 40-fold increase in (99m)Tc-HYNIC-annexin V concentration in apoptotic thymocytes compared with the viable cell population. A correlation of r=0.78 was found between radioactivity and flow cytometric and histologic evidence of apoptosis. Imaging studies in the lpr/lpr and wild-type mice showed a substantial increase of activity in the liver of wild-type mice treated with anti-Fas, while there was no significant change, irrespective of anti-Fas administration, in lpr/lpr mice. Excellent images of hepatic apoptosis were obtained in wild-type mice 30 min after injection of (99m)Tc-HYNIC-annexin V. The imaging results were consistent with histologic analysis in these animals. In conlusion, these studies confirm the value of (99m)Tc-HYNIC-annexin V uptake as a marker for the detection and quantification of apoptotic cells in vivo.

Casein kinase II (CK-II)-mediated stimulation of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase activity and characterization of selective inhibitors in vitro

The physiological significance of the casein kinase II (CK-II)-mediated phosphorylation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) on its three enzymatic activities [RNA-dependent DNA polymerase (RDDP), DNA-dependent DNA polymerase (DDDP) and ribonuclease H (RNase H)] was investigated in vitro. It was found that (i) the purified recombinant RT (rRT) functioned as an effective phosphate acceptor for CK-II; (ii) the RDDP, DDDP and RNase H activity of rRT was stimulated about 2.8-, 4.1- and 3.9-fold, respectively, after full phosphorylation by CK-II; and (iii) this stimulation was selectively inhibited by potent CK-II inhibitors, such as neocarzinostatin-chromophore (NCS-chrom) and three polyphenol-containing anti-oxidant compounds [quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and 8-chloro-3',4',5,7-tetrahydroxyisoflavone (8C-3',4',5,7-THI)]. These results suggest that (i) CK-II may be responsible for activation of RT in HIV-1-infected cells; and (ii) the selective inhibition of CK-II-mediated activation of HIV-1 RT by potent CK-II inhibitors may be involved in the mechanism of their anti-HIV-1 effects at the cellular level.

Casein kinase II inhibitors isolated from two Brazilian plants Hymenaea parvifolia and Wulffia baccata

Two dihydroflavonol rhamnosides (1 and 2) isolated from the bark of Hymenaea parvifolia and two pentacyclic triterpenoids (3 and 6) obtained from the leaves of Wulffia baccata have been found to exhibit inhibitory effects of casein kinase II (CK-II) dose-dependently, suggesting that at higher doses more than 10 microM, these four compounds may act as potent CK-II suppressors of the CK-II-mediated activation of 60S acidic ribosomal P proteins in vitro.

Biochemical characterization of 60S acidic ribosomal P proteins associated with CK-II from bamboo shoots and potent inhibitors of their phosphorylation in vitro

Three effective phosphate acceptors (35, 15 and 13 kDa polypeptides) for casein kinase II (CK-II) in the Superdex CK-II fraction prepared from a 0.5 M NaCl extract of bamboo shoots were selectively purified by glycyrrhizin (GL)-affinity column chromatography (HPLC). These three proteins (p35, p15 and p13) were identified as 60S acidic ribosomal P proteins by determination of their partial N-terminal sequences. CK-II was associated with p35 since the GL-affinity fraction was coprecipitated with an anti-serum against Drosophila CK-IIbeta. Moreover, a derivative (oGA) of glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) and several polyphenol-containing anti-oxidative compounds [quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and two isoflavones, i.e., 3',4',7-trihydroxyisoflavone (3',4',7-THI) and 8-chloro-3',4',5,7-tetrahydroxyisoflavone (8C-3',4',5,7-THI)] inhibited the CK-II-mediated phosphorylation of 60S acidic ribosomal P proteins in vitro. Quercetin was found to be the most effective compound on CK-II activity since its ID50 was approx. 50 nM. These results suggest that (i) GL-affinity column chromatography is useful for the selective purification of 60S acidic ribosomal P proteins as a heterocomplex associated with CK-II from various cell sources; (ii) natural anti-oxidative compounds with polyphenols, but not GL and GA, act as potent CK-II suppressors; and (iii) CK-II mediates the regulation of the physiological functions of 60S acidic ribosomal P proteins in growing plant cells.

Dying a thousand deaths. Radionuclide imaging of apoptosis

Programmed cell death, apoptosis, is an inducible, organized, energy requiring form of demise that results in the disappearance of a cell without the induction of an inflammatory response. Apoptotic cell death is strikingly different than necrotic death, which is disorderly, does not require energy and results in local inflammation, usually secondary to sudden release of intracellular contents. Apoptosis is induced when cells undergo severe injury to their nucleus, as occurs following exposure to gamma or X-radiation, or mitcochondria, as occurs in a variety of viral illnesses. Apoptosis can also be induced by external signals, such as interaction of fas ligand with fas receptors. Once the cell is committed to apoptosis, the caspase enzyme cascade is activated. An early effect of caspase activation is the rapid expression of phosphatidylserine on the external leaflet of the cell membrane. Membrane bound phosphatidylserine expression serves as a signal to surrounding cells, identifying the expressing cell as undergoing apoptosis. A deficiency or an excess of programmed cell death is an integral component of autoimmune disorders, transplant rejection and cancer. A technique to image programmed cell death would be useful to assist in the development of drugs designed to treat these diseases, and to monitor the effectiveness of therapy. The sudden expression of phosphatidylserine on the cell membrane is a target that could be used for this purpose. A 35 kD physiologic protein, Annexin V lipocortin, binds with nanomolar affinity to membrane bound phosphatidylserine. Annexin V has been radiolabeled with Technetium-99m by direct coupling to free sulfhydryl groups, and through the hydrazinonicatinamide and N2S2 linking agents. The biodistribution of the agents labeled with each of the methods is slightly different. In all cases the radiopharmaceutical binds to cells undergoing apoptosis in vitro, and permits imaging of the process in experimental animals.

Effects of aging on fluorescein leakage in the iris and angle in normal subjects

PURPOSE

To determine the presence of fluorescein leakage from the iris and angle in normal subjects, and how it is affected by aging.

METHODS

The subjects were 92 normal volunteers and patients with senile cataract who ranged in age from 20 to 93 years and were free from any systemic or ocular diseases. Fluorescein iris and angle photography and color iris and angle photography were performed using a goniolens and a photo slit lamp.

RESULTS

Radial ciliary body vessels were found in 22 eyes (24%), radial iris vessels or trabecular vessels in 7 eyes (8%), and circular ciliary band vessels were seen in 4 eyes (4%). Goniovessels were found in 8 of 30 eyes (27%) of those under 50 years of age. No significant difference in the incidence of goniovessels was found between those over and under age 50 (P < .01). In the pupillary margin, fluorescein leakage was seen in 1 of 30 eyes (3%) in the age group under 50 years, whereas leakage was found in 30 of 62 eyes (48%) in the age group over 50 years. In the anterior chamber angle, leakage was seen in 4 of 30 eyes (13%) under age 50 years, and in 38 of 62 eyes (61%) over age 50 years (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggested that the incidence of leakage of fluorescein from the pupillary margin and anterior chamber angle tends to increase with age. Thus, when leakage of fluorescein in angle and iris is observed, it is important to consider the physiological changes resulting from aging.

2,4-Nonadienal and benzaldehyde bioantimutagens in Fushimi sweet pepper (Fushimi-togarashi)

Fushimi sweet pepper, "Fushimi-togarashi", is one of the "Kyo-yasai", traditional vegetables, in Kyoto, Japan. The chloroform fraction of Fushimi sweet pepper showed bioantimutagenicity on UV induced mutation in Escherichia coli B/r WP2. The bioantimutagen was purified with silica gel chromatography and identified as 2, 4-nonadienal (ID(50) = 20 microg/plate) on the basis of GC retention time and EI-MS spectrum of authentic 2,4-nonadienal. The sweet pepper also contained a known bioantimutagen, benzaldehyde (ID(50) = 2 mg/plate). Additive bioantimutagenicity was also observed by 2, 4-nonadienal with benzaldehyde. 2,4-Nonadienal did not show bioantimutagenicity in an UV excision repair deficient strain, E. coli B/r WP2s uvrA(-)(). Furthermore no delay of the first cell division after UV irradiation was observed in E. coli B/r WP2. These results indicate that the bioantimutagenic activity of 2, 4-nonadienal on UV mutagenesis might depend on the excision repair system in E. coli B/r WP2.

Oral administration of peptidergic growth hormone (GH) secretagogue KP102 stimulates GH release in goats

To assess the oral activity of KP102 (also known GHRP-2) on growth hormone (GH) release in ruminant animals, 5 or 10 mg/kg body weight (BW) of KP102 dissolved in saline was orally administered twice at 2 hr-intervals to either 1- or 3-mo-old goats (n = 5-6). Plasma GH concentrations in the 1-mo-old goats were elevated at 15 min after the first administration of both 5 and 10 mg/kg BW of KP102. Significant elevation of GH concentrations continued until 180 min after 10 mg/kg BW of KP102, whereas the elevated GH levels after the administrations of 5 mg/kg BW of KP102 subsided to basal concentrations within 90 min. The second administration of 10 mg/kg BW of KP102 failed to elevate the GH concentration, but 5 mg/kg BW of KP102 abruptly stimulated GH release. Plasma GH concentrations in the 3-mo-old goats were also significantly elevated after the administration of both 5 and 10 mg/kg BW of KP102. The plasma GH responses to 5 and 10 mg/kg BW of KP102 were almost identical. The elevated GH levels after the first administration of KP102 tended to be maintained throughout the experiment, and a transient increase in plasma GH levels was observed after the second administration. However, the stimulatory effect of KP102 on GH release in the 3-mo-old goats was small and less abrupt than that in the 1-mo-old goats. The concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I were not increased by KP102 during the brief sampling periods used in this experiment. These results show that the oral administration of the peptidergic GH secretogogue KP102 stimulates GH release in a ruminant species, and that the oral activity of KP102 on GH release is modified by the age.

Imaging of apoptosis (programmed cell death) with 99mTc annexin V

Apoptosis (programmed cell death) is a critical element in normal physiology and in many disease processes. Phosphatidylserine (PS), one component of cell membrane phospholipids, is normally confined to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane. Early in the course of apoptosis, this phospholipid is rapidly exposed on the cell's outer surface. Annexin V, an endogenous human protein, has a high affinity for membrane-bound PS. This protein has been labeled with fluorescein and has been used to detect apoptosis in vitro. We describe the use of radiolabeled annexin V to detect apoptosis in vivo. The results are compared to histologic and flow cytometric methods to identify cells and tissues undergoing apoptosis.

METHODS

Annexin V was coupled to hydrazinonicotinamide (HYNIC) and radiolabeled with 99mTc. Bioreactivity of 99mTc-HYNIC annexin V was compared with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled annexin V in cultures of Jurkat T-cell lymphoblasts and in ex vivo thymic cell suspensions undergoing apoptosis in response to different stimuli. In addition, the uptake of FITC annexin V and 99mTc-HYNIC annexin V was studied in heat-treated necrotic Jurkat T-cell cultures. In vivo localization of annexin V was studied in Balb/c mice injected with 99mTc-HYNIC annexin V before and after induction of Fas-mediated hepatocyte apoptosis with intravenously administered antiFas antibody.

RESULTS

Membrane-bound radiolabeled annexin V activity linearly correlated to total fluorescence as observed by FITC annexin V flow cytometry in Jurkat T-cell cultures induced to undergo apoptosis in response to growth factor deprivation (N = 10, r2 = 0.987), antiFas antibody (N = 8, r2 = 0.836) and doxorubicin (N = 10, r2 = 0.804); and in ex vivo experiments on thymic cell suspensions with dexamethasone-induced apoptosis from Balb/c mice (N = 6, r2 = 0.989). Necrotic Jurkat T-cell cultures also demonstrated marked increases in radiopharmaceutical (4000-5000-fold) above control values. AntiFas antibody-treated Balb/c mice (N = 6) demonstrated a three-fold rise in hepatic uptake of annexin V (P < 0.0005) above control (N = 10), identified both by imaging and scintillation well counting. The increase in hepatic uptake in antiFas antibody-treated mice correlated to histologic evidence of fulminant hepatic apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that 99mTc-HYNIC annexin V can be used to image apoptotic and necrotic cell death in vivo.

Biochemical characterization of recombinant HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (rRT) as a glycyrrhizin-binding protein and the CK-II-mediated stimulation of rRT activity potently inhibited by glycyrrhetinic acid derivative

By means of successive Mono Q and glycyrrhizin (GL)-affinity column chromatography (HPLC), recombinant HIV-1 RT (rRT) was purified to apparent homogeneity from the Superdex 200 pg fraction of the crude protein extract of E. coli BL21 transfected with pET 21a(+)/HIV-1 PR-RT. It was found that (i) rRT functioned as an effective phosphate acceptor for recombinant human casein kinase II (rhCK-II) in vitro; (ii) this phosphorylation was inhibited by anti-HIV-1 substances [a glycyrrhetinic acid derivative (oGA) and quercetin] and a high dose (100 microM) of GL; (iii) RNA-dependent DNA polymerase (RDDP) activity was stimulated about 2.5-fold after full phosphorylation of rRT by rhCK-II; and (iv) oGA as well as NCS-chromophore effectively prevented the CK-II-mediated stimulation of RDDP activity. These results suggest that the anti-HIV-1 effect of oGA may be involved in the selective inhibition of the CK-II-mediated stimulation of HIV-1 RT at the cellular level.

The use of technetium Tc 99m annexin V for in vivo imaging of apoptosis during cardiac allograft rejection

OBJECTIVE

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, has been suggested as a mechanism of immunologic injury during cardiac allograft rejection. We tested the hypothesis that technetium Tc 99m annexin V, a novel radiopharmaceutical used to detect apoptosis, can be used to detect cardiac allograft rejection by nuclear imaging.

METHODS

Untreated ACI rats served as recipients of allogeneic PVG rat (n = 66) or syngeneic ACI rat (n = 30) cardiac grafts. Untreated recipient animals underwent 99mTc-annexin V imaging daily for 7 days. Region of interest analysis was used to quantify the uptake of 99mTc-annexin V. Immediately after imaging grafts were procured for histopathologic analysis and terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick-end labeling of apoptotic nuclei. One group was treated with 10 mg/kg/d cyclosporine (INN: ciclosporin) commencing on day 4 after transplantation (n = 6).

RESULTS

Untreated allografts showed histologic signs of rejection 4 days after transplantation. Apoptotic nuclei could be demonstrated in myocytes, endothelial cells, and graft-infiltrating cells of all rejecting allografts. Nuclear imaging revealed a significantly greater uptake of 99mTc-annexin V in rejecting allogeneic grafts than in syngeneic grafts on day 4 (P = .05), day 5 (P < .001), day 6 (P < .001), and day 7 (P = .013) after transplantation. A correlation between the histologic grade of acute rejection and uptake of 99mTc-annexin V was observed (r2 = 0.87). After treatment of rejection with cyclosporine, no apoptotic nuclei could be identified in allografts and uptake of 99mTc-annexin V decreased to baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

Apoptosis occurs during acute cardiac allograft rejection and disappears after treatment of rejection. 99mTc-annexin V can be used to detect and monitor cardiac allograft rejection.

Early and delayed Tc-99m-tetrofosmin myocardial SPECT in patients with left bundle branch block

To determine the utility of the myocardial tracer Tc-99m-tetrofosmin in the examination of patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) and to investigate Tc-99m-tetrofosmin uptake and retention in the myocardium, early and delayed Tc-99m-tetrofosmin SPECT was performed in 10 patients having LBBB without coronary stenosis.

METHODS

After 740 MBq of Tc-99m-tetrofosmin injection in the resting state, the early and delayed SPECT imaging was done at 30 min and 180 min, respectively.

RESULTS

Decreased Tc-99m-tetrofosmin uptake in the septal segments was observed in 4 patients (40%) at 30 min and in 9 (90%) at 180 min. Reverse redistribution was seen in 9 of 10 patients. In patients with LBBB, the septal-to-lateral uptake ratio was lower in the delayed images than in the early images (0.80 +/- 0.09 vs. 0.89 +/- 0.09, p < 0.001). In patients with LBBB, the washout rate of Tc-99m-tetrofosmin was higher in the septal segments than in the lateral segments (28.3 +/- 4.3% vs. 22.8 +/- 3.3%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The SPECT data indicate that in LBBB without coronary stenosis, the uptake of Tc-99m-tetrofosmin is decreased in the septal wall, and that reverse redistribution occurs frequently. Our results contribute to the elucidation of both the cellular biokinetics of Tc-99m-tetrofosmin in the myocardium and the hemodynamics of the septum in LBBB, and indicate the possible clinical utility of Tc-99m-tetrofosmin.

Characterization of an apoptosis-inducing factor in Habu snake venom as a glycyrrhizin (GL)-binding protein potently inhibited by GL in vitro

By means of successive heparin-affinity and glycyrrhizin (GL)-affinity column chromatographies (HPLC), a 55 kDa GL-binding protein (gp55) was purified to apparent homogeneity from the Superdex P-I fraction of Habu snake venom. This gp55 was identified as an apoxin I-like protein, because (i) its 20 N-terminal amino acid residues (AHDRNPLEEYFRETDYEEFL) are 95% identical with the corresponding sequence of apoxin I (apoptosis-inducing factor, approx. 55 kDa) in the venom of the western diamondback rattlesnake; and (ii) L-amino acid oxidase (LAO) activity of gp55 is detected when incubated with L-leucine, but not with D-leucine. GL inhibited the LAO activity of gp55 in a dose-dependent manner, but had no effect on the activity of a 65 kDa LAO also purified from Habu snake venom. In addition, GL reduced the ability of gp55 to induce the hemolysis of sheep red blood cells. These results suggest that GL is a potent inhibitor of apoxin I-like proteins in harmful snake venoms.

Direct fractionation of proteins in particle-containing feedstocks by a filter paper pieces-based DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. Rapid, robust and low-cost capturing procedure for protein

Filter paper pieces-based (FPB) DEAE-celluloses was prepared for direct fractionation of proteins in particle-containing feedstocks. FPB DEAE-cellulose has a protein binding capacity equivalent to that of commercially available DEAE-cellulose. Crude extracts from porcine intestine and kiwi fruit pulp, which were unmanageable by commercially available chromatographic media due to rapid clothing, could be directly fractionated with FPB DEAE-cellulose column. In addition, effluents from an FPB DEAE-cellulose column were extensively clarified. The present approach can be used as a rapid, robust and low-cost capturing step for protein from particle-containing feedstocks.

Comparative bio-antimutagenicity of common vegetables and traditional vegetables in Kyoto

Traditional vegetables in Kyoto are a unique group of vegetables that have been cultivated in limited areas near Kyoto city. We compared the traditional vegetables in Kyoto with common vegetables for the bio-antimutagenicity of their extracts against UV-induced mutation of E. coli B/r WP2. Among the traditional vegetables in Kyoto, Kamo eggplant (Solanaceae) and Katsura oriental pickling melon (Cucurbitaceae) showed higher bio-antimutagenicity and yield in the n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions than their common vegetable counterparts. Shishigatani pumpkin (Cucurbitaceae) possessed bio-antimutagenicity in the chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions, but common pumpkin did not. Polyphenolic compounds in the ethyl acetate fraction of plants are known to be related to antimutagenicity. However, the intensity of bio-antimutagenicity was not correlated with the polyphenol content in the ethyl acetate fractions of the present vegetables. In particular, Kamo eggplant possessed both polyphenolic and non-polyphenolic bio-antimutagenic sub-fractions in the ethyl acetate fraction. In the aqueous fraction, taro (Dioscoreaceae) was the most capable among our samples, whether being of common or traditional origin. Consequently, it is considered, that some traditional vegetables in Kyoto are superior to common vegetables in their bio-antimutagenicity and that these could be used as starting materials to identify new bio-antimutagens.

Separation of phospholipase A2 in Habu snake venom by glycyrrhizin (GL)-affinity column chromatography and identification of a GL-sensitive enzyme

By means of glycyrrhizin (GL)-affinity and Mono S column chromatographies (HPLC), at least four GL-binding proteins (p25, p17, p15-1 and p15-2) in the two Superdex fractions (P-II and P-III fractions) from Habu snake venom were selectively purified. By determination of their N-terminal partial amino acid sequences, a metalloprotease (p25) and three GL-binding phospholipases A2 (gbPLA2s) [PA2Y (p17), PA21 (p15-1) and PA2B (p15-2)] were identified. PA2B (lysine-49 PLA2) was found to be the most sensitive to GL because (i) it strongly bound to a GL-affinity column; and (ii) its enzyme activity was selectively inhibited by low dose (ID50 = approx. 1.5 microM) of GL, but not by GA. Furthermore, these three gbPLA2s were phosphorylated by casein kinase II (CK-II) in vitro and GL inhibited the CK-II-mediated stimulation of their enzyme activities in vitro.

Biochemical characterization of HIV-1 Rev as a potent activator of casein kinase II in vitro

The stimulatory effects of several DNA-binding basic proteins (histone and protamine) and HIV-1 Rev with arginine (Arg)-rich clusters on the activity of casein kinase II (CK-II) were investigated in vitro. It was found that recombinant Rev (rRev) and the synthetic oligo-fragments corresponding to the amino acid sequences of its Arg-rich cluster stimulate CK-II activity in a dose-dependent manner. The activated CK-II phosphorylates several cellular and viral proteins in HIV-1 infected human MOLT-4 cells, and also phosphorylates HIV-1 structural proteins, including recombinant reverse transcriptase (rRT). These phosphorylations are selectively inhibited by CK-II inhibitors, such as quercetin, oGA (a glycyrrhetinic acid derivative) and NCS-chrom (an enediyne containing antibiotic). The data presented here suggest that HIV-1 Rev acts as an effective potent activator of CK-II, which may be a cellular mediator promoting HIV-1 replication in virus-infected cells.

In vivo detection and imaging of phosphatidylserine expression during programmed cell death

One of the earliest events in programmed cell death is the externalization of phosphatidylserine, a membrane phospholipid normally restricted to the inner leaflet of the lipid bilayer. Annexin V, an endogenous human protein with a high affinity for membrane bound phosphatidylserine, can be used in vitro to detect apoptosis before other well described morphologic or nuclear changes associated with programmed cell death. We tested the ability of exogenously administered radiolabeled annexin V to concentrate at sites of apoptotic cell death in vivo. After derivatization with hydrazinonicotinamide, annexin V was radiolabeled with technetium 99m. In vivo localization of technetium 99m hydrazinonicotinamide-annexin V was tested in three models: fuminant hepatic apoptosis induced by anti-Fas antibody injection in BALB/c mice; acute rejection in ACI rats with transplanted heterotopic PVG cardiac allografts; and cyclophosphamide treatment of transplanted 38C13 murine B cell lymphomas. External radionuclide imaging showed a two- to sixfold increase in the uptake of radiolabeled annexin V at sites of apoptosis in all three models. Immunohistochemical staining of cardiac allografts for exogenously administered annexin V revealed intense staining of numerous myocytes at the periphery of mononuclear infiltrates of which only a few demonstrated positive apoptotic nuclei by the terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated UTP end labeling method. These results suggest that radiolabeled annexin V can be used in vivo as a noninvasive means to detect and serially image tissues and organs undergoing programmed cell death.

Effects of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GRF) analogs, bovine and rat GRF on growth hormone secretion in cattle in vivo

Effects of bovine and human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GRF) analogs (bGRF(1-29)-NH2: bGRF-29, [D-Ala2, Ala15]-bGRF-29, [D-Ala2]-hGRF(1-29)-NH2: [D-Ala2]-hGRF-29), bovine GRF (bGRF(1-44)-NH2: bGRF-44), as well as rat GRF (rGRF) on GH release were studied in female calves. Intravenous (i.v.) bolus injections of 0.25 microg/kg BW of bGRF-29, [D-Ala2, Ala15]-bGRF-29, and [D-Ala2]-hGRF-29 stimulated GH release. Plasma GH levels began to rise 10 min after the injection of each peptide, and significant increases in GH concentrations were obtained at 60, 180 and 150 min after the injection of bGRF-29, [D-Ala2, Ala15]-bGRF-29 and [D-Ala2]-hGRF-29, respectively. The concentrations of GH 80 min after the injection of [D-Ala2, Ala15]-bGRF-29 were significantly higher than those after the injection of [D-Ala2]-hGRF-29 (except at 80 and 90 min) or bGRF-29. The i.v. bolus injections of 0.25 microg/kg BW of bGRF-44 and rGRF stimulated GH release, and the GH-releasing potency of rGRF was approximately equal to that of bGRF-44. The plasma GH responses to the repeated i.v. injection of bGRF-29 or [D-Ala2, Ala15]-bGRF-29 at 2-h intervals were examined. bGRF-29 acutely increased plasma GH levels after each injection, and the high GH levels decreased to the basal values within 2 h. In contrast, high GH levels induced by [D-Ala2, Ala15]-bGRF-29 were gradually decreased but not lowered to basal values throughout the experiment. These results show that [D-Ala2, Ala15]-bGRF-29 has longer-lasting and greater GH-releasing activity than the other GRF analogs in female calves, and the GH-releasing potency of rat GRF is approximately equal to that of bovine GRF in cattle in vivo.

Enzymatic properties, substrate specificities and pH-activity profiles of two kiwifruit proteases

Kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) contains abundant protease, actinidin, and two possible components which were named A1 and A2. However, a comparison of the two components has not been thoroughly conducted. We have previously shown the presence of six proteases named KP1, KP2, KP3, KP4, KP5 and KP6 in kiwifruit, and that each purified kiwifruit protease was chromatographically pure. It was also indicated that the two representative components, KP4 and KP6, must be A1 and A2. To establish whether or not the two proteases, KP4 and KP6, have the same specificity in proteolytic activity, their enzymatic properties were compared. Between the two proteases, differences in substrate specificity against several protein-substrates (casein, gelatin, collagen, ovalbumin and bovine serum albumin) were not observed by digestion-product analysis with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The kinetic parameters of KP4 against N-alpha-carbobenzoxyl-lysine p-nitrophenyl esters were different from those of KP6. The pH-activity profiles of KP4 and KP6 against S-3-trimethylaminopropyl-lysozyme, a wide-pH range soluble substrate, and N-alpha-carbobenzoxyl-lysine p-nitrophenyl esters were different.

Biochemical characterization of glycyrrhizin as an effective inhibitor for hyaluronidases from bovine testis

The inhibitory effects of several anti-inflammatory agents, including glycyrrhizin (GL), on the activities of hyaluronidases (HAses) purified from bovine testes and Streptomyces were investigated in vitro. It was found that (i) GL inhibits the activity of HAse (p55) from bovine testes in a dose-dependent manner, but does not affect HAse from Streptomyces; (ii) GL was the most effective of the compounds tested on bovine testis HAse activity (50% inhibition with approx. 3 microM GL); and (iii) glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), a derivative (oGA) of GA and diglucuronic acid had no detectable effects on HAse activity at 9.0 microM. The GL-induced inhibition of HAse activity is uncompetitive for its substrates. Data are provided to support the contentions that (i) bovine testis HAse (p55) is a GL-binding protein; and (ii) GL acts as a potent inhibitor of HAse in vitro.

Immunohistochemical study on the nm23 gene produce (NDP kinase) in oral squamous cell carcinoma

The nm23 gene is a potential metastasis suppressor gene originally identified using a murine melanoma cell line. Immunohistochemical investigation on the role of nm23 gene product (nucleoside diphosphate kinase: NDPK) in squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity was performed and compared to clinical and histopathological factors. The stainability of NDPK did not correlate to tumour extent, differentiation and mode of invasion. However, the NDPK positive group tended to have a lower frequency of lymph node metastasis, and a better prognosis than the NDPK negative group. Consequently, nm23/NDPK is suggested to be a metastasis suppressor factor that may be useful for predicting tumour metastasis and prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma.