Molecular cloning and functional characterization of a novel mammalian sphingosine kinase type 2 isoform

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (SPP) has diverse biological functions acting inside cells as a second messenger to regulate proliferation and survival, and extracellularly, as a ligand for G protein-coupled receptors of the endothelial differentiation gene-1 subfamily. Based on sequence homology to murine and human sphingosine kinase-1 (SPHK1), which we recently cloned (Kohama, T., Oliver, A., Edsall, L. , Nagiec, M. M., Dickson, R., and Spiegel, S. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 23722-23728), we have now cloned a second type of mouse and human sphingosine kinase (mSPHK2 and hSPHK2). mSPHK2 and hSPHK2 encode proteins of 617 and 618 amino acids, respectively, both much larger than SPHK1, and though diverging considerably, both contain the conserved domains found in all SPHK1s. Northern blot analysis revealed that SPHK2 mRNA expression had a strikingly different tissue distribution from that of SPHK1 and appeared later in embryonic development. Expression of SPHK2 in HEK 293 cells resulted in elevated SPP levels. d-erythro-dihydrosphingosine was a better substrate than d-erythro-sphingosine for SPHK2. Surprisingly, d, l-threo-dihydrosphingosine was also phosphorylated by SPHK2. In contrast to the inhibitory effects on SPHK1, high salt concentrations markedly stimulated SPHK2. Triton X-100 inhibited SPHK2 and stimulated SPHK1, whereas phosphatidylserine stimulated both type 1 and type 2 SPHK. Thus, SPHK2 is another member of a growing class of sphingolipid kinases that may have novel functions.

Functional characterization of human sphingosine kinase-1

Sphingosine kinase catalyzes the phosphorylation of sphingosine to form sphingosine 1-phosphate (SPP), a novel lipid mediator with both intra- and extracellular functions. Based on sequence identity to murine sphingosine kinase (mSPHK1a), we cloned and characterized the first human sphingosine kinase (hSPHK1). The open reading frame of hSPHK1 encodes a 384 amino acid protein with 85% identity and 92% similarity to mSPHK1a at the amino acid level. Similar to mSPHK1a, when HEK293 cells were transfected with hSPHK1, there were marked increases in sphingosine kinase activity resulting in elevated SPP levels. hSPHK1 also specifically phosphorylated D-erythro-sphingosine and to a lesser extent sphinganine, but not other lipids, such as D,L-threo-dihydrosphingosine, N, N-dimethylsphingosine, diacylglycerol, ceramide, or phosphatidylinositol. Northern analysis revealed that hSPHK1 was widely expressed with highest levels in adult liver, kidney, heart and skeletal muscle. Thus, hSPHK1 belongs to a highly conserved unique lipid kinase family that regulates diverse biological functions.

F-12509A, a new sphingosine kinase inhibitor, produced by a discomycete

In the course of our screening for inhibitors of sphingosine kinase, we found an active compound from a culture broth of a discomycete, Trichopezizella barbata SANK 25395. The structure of the compound, named F-12509A, was elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic analyses, to be a new sesquiterpene quinone consisting of a drimane moiety and a dihydroxybenzoquinone. Enzyme kinetic analyses showed that F-12509A inhibits sphingosine kinase activity in a competitive manner with respect to sphingosine, with a Ki value of 18 microM.

The effect of leustroducsin B on the production of cytokines by human mesenchymal cells

Leustroducsin B (LSN-B), a novel colony-stimulating factor (CSF) inducer, has been shown to have various biologic activities in vivo. To compare the CSF-inducing activity of LSN-B in vitro with that of the well-known cytokine inducer, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), we measured granulocyte (G)-CSF and granulocyte-macrophage (GM)-CSF levels that were induced with the stimuli in several mesenchymal cells. The results indicated that each stimulant displayed a different profile in the induction of G-CSF and GM-CSF. Next, to investigate if LSN-B induces cytokines other than G-CSF and GM-CSF, we characterized cytokines that were induced with LSN-B from bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). The results showed that a variety of cytokines, including G-CSF and GM-CSF, were induced in both clonal and primary BMSCs. From these results, we speculate that LSN-B induces cytokine production via a regulatory pathway distinct from that of IL-1beta, LPS, or PMA and that this signaling of LSN-B might lead to the production of a variety of cytokines in BMSCs. In addition, from our in vitro and in vivo results, we speculate that the biologic activities of LSN-B in vivo might be based on its own cytokine-inducing activity even though the target cell type of LSN-B in vivo remains to be determined.

Molecular cloning and functional characterization of murine sphingosine kinase

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (SPP) is a novel lipid messenger that has dual function. Intracellularly it regulates proliferation and survival, and extracellularly, it is a ligand for the G protein-coupled receptor Edg-1. Based on peptide sequences obtained from purified rat kidney sphingosine kinase, the enzyme that regulates SPP levels, we report here the cloning, identification, and characterization of the first mammalian sphingosine kinases (murine SPHK1a and SPHK1b). Sequence analysis indicates that these are novel kinases, which are not similar to other known kinases, and that they are evolutionarily conserved. Comparison with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Caenorhabditis elegans sphingosine kinase sequences shows that several blocks are highly conserved in all of these sequences. One of these blocks contains an invariant, positively charged motif, GGKGK, which may be part of the ATP binding site. From Northern blot analysis of multiple mouse tissues, we observed that expression was highest in adult lung and spleen, with barely detectable levels in skeletal muscle and liver. Human embryonic kidney cells and NIH 3T3 fibroblasts transiently transfected with either sphingosine kinase expression vectors had marked increases (more than 100-fold) in sphingosine kinase activity. The enzyme specifically phosphorylated D-erythro-sphingosine and did not catalyze the phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol, diacylglycerol, ceramide, D,L-threo-dihydrosphingosine or N, N-dimethylsphingosine. The latter two sphingolipids were competitive inhibitors of sphingosine kinase in the transfected cells as was previously found with the purified rat kidney enzyme. Transfected cells also had a marked increase in mass levels of SPP with a concomitant decrease in levels of sphingosine and, to a lesser extent, in ceramide levels. Our data suggest that sphingosine kinase is a prototypical member of a new class of lipid kinases. Cloning of sphingosine kinase is an important step in corroborating the intracellular role of SPP as a second messenger.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate in cell growth and cell death

Recent evidence suggests that branching pathways of sphingolipid metabolism may mediate either apoptotic or mitogenic responses depending on the cell type and the nature of the stimulus. While ceramide has been shown to be an important regulatory component of apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor alpha and Fas ligand, sphingosine-1-phosphate (SPP), a further metabolite of ceramide, has been implicated as a second messenger in cellular proliferation and survival induced by platelet-derived growth factor, nerve growth factor, and serum. SPP protects cells from apoptosis resulting from elevations of ceramide. Inflammatory cytokines stimulate sphingomyelinase, but not ceramidase, leading to accumulation of ceramide, whereas growth signals also leading to accumulation of ceramide, whereas growth signals also stimulate ceramidase and sphingosine kinase leading to increased SPP levels. We propose that the dynamic balance between levels of sphingolipid metabolites, ceramide, and SPP, and consequent regulation of different family members of mitogen-activated protein kinases (JNK versus ERK), is an important factor that determines whether a cell survives or dies.

Mutations in the hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 alpha gene (MODY3) are not a major cause of early-onset non-insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes mellitus in Japanese

Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY3), a monogenic subtype of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) with an early age of onset, is characterized by a primary defect in insulin secretion. Recently, it has been shown that mutations of the gene encoding the transcription factor hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 alpha (HNF-1 alpha) cause MODY3. Since NIDDM in Japanese is characterized by insulin secretory defects due to primary beta-cell dysfunction, we screened 60 Japanese nonobese subjects with early-onset NIDDM for mutations in this gene, 45 of whom had a first-degree relative with NIDDM. Direct sequencing of the ten exons and flanking introns of the gene in these subjects identified eight nucleotide substitutions including two amino acid changes, Ile-27-Leu and Ser-487-Asn, the frequencies of which were not significantly different in subjects with early-onset NIDDM and nondiabetic subjects. These results suggest that mutations in the HNF-1 alpha gene are not a major cause of early-onset NIDDM in Japanese.

Purification and characterization of rat kidney sphingosine kinase

Sphingosine kinase catalyzes the formation of the bioactive sphingolipid metabolite sphingosine 1-phosphate, which plays important roles in numerous physiological processes, including growth, survival, and motility. We have purified rat kidney sphingosine kinase 6 x 10(5)-fold to apparent homogeneity. The purification procedure involved ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by chromatography on an anion exchange column. Partially purified sphingosine kinase was found to be stabilized by the presence of high salt, and thus, a scheme was developed to purify sphingosine kinase using sequential dye-ligand chromatography steps (since the enzyme bound to these matrices even in the presence of salt) followed by EAH-Sepharose chromatography. This 385-fold purified sphingosine kinase bound tightly to calmodulin-Sepharose and could be eluted in high yield with EGTA in the presence of 1 M NaCl. After concentration, the calmodulin eluate was further purified by successive high pressure liquid chromatography separations on hydroxylapatite, Mono Q, and Superdex 75 gel filtration columns. Purified sphingosine kinase has an apparent molecular mass of approximately 49 kDa under denaturing conditions on SDS-polyacrylamide gel, which is similar to the molecular mass determined by gel filtration, suggesting that the active form is a monomer. Sphingosine kinase shows substrate specificity for D-erythro-sphingosine and does not catalyze the phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol, diacylglycerol, ceramide, DL-threo-dihydrosphingosine, or N,N-dimethylsphingosine. However, the latter two sphingolipids were potent competitive inhibitors. With sphingosine as substrate, the enzyme had a broad pH optimum of 6.6-7.5 and showed Michaelis-Menten kinetics, with Km values of 5 and 93 microM for sphingosine and ATP, respectively. This study provides the basis for molecular characterization of a key enzyme in sphingolipid signaling.

Roles of sphingosine-1-phosphate in cell growth, differentiation, and death

Recent evidence suggests that branching pathways of sphingolipid metabolism may mediate either apoptotic or mitogenic responses depending on the cell type and the nature of the stimulus. While ceramide has been shown to be an important regulatory component of apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor alpha and the Fas ligand, sphingosine-1-phosphate (SPP), a further metabolite of ceramide, has been implicated as a second messenger in cellular proliferation and survival induced by platelet-derived growth factor, neuronal growth factor, and serum. SPP protects cells from apoptosis resulting from elevations of ceramide. Inflammatory cytokines stimulate sphingomyelinase, but not ceramidase, leading to accumulation of ceramide, whereas growth signals also stimulate ceramidase and sphingosine kinase leading to increased SPP levels. We propose that the dynamic balance between levels of sphingolipid metabolites, ceramide, and SPP and consequent regulation of different members of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (JNK versus ERK) family is an important factor that determines whether a cell survives or dies.

Expression of telomerase activity in human chorion

Telomerase activation is required for cellular immortalization and is found in most malignant tumors. Normal somatic cells are generally telomerase-negative, except for stem cells in renewing tissues. During pregnancy, human trophoblast continues to proliferate and acts as proliferating stem cells for the development of chorion and the formation of placenta. In the present study, a total of 105 chorions from placentas at various weeks of gestation were examined for telomerase activity using the telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay. Twenty-five of 33 (76%) normal early chorions at 5 to 9 weeks gestation were telomerase-positive. Chorions from early spontaneous abortions also exhibited telomerase activity but at a low level. In contrast, only 2 (4%) late chorions at 34 to 41 weeks gestation expressed telomerase activity. Significant telomerase activity was observed in trophoblast cell fractions of chorion, demonstrating trophoblast to be the source of the activity. Expression of human telomerase catalytic subunit (hTRT) was observed in early chorions, but not in late placenta, and there was a close correlation between telomerase activity and hTRT expression. In contrast, expression of human telomerase RNA component (hTR) was observed in both early and late chorions and was not liked to telomerase activity. These findings suggest that telomerase activity in chorion is critically regulated over the course of gestation, associated with hTRT expression. The findings of the present study also appear to support the emerging concept that normal somatic cells with stem cell-like characteristics can express telomerase activity.

Molecular epidemiology and changing distribution of genotypes of measles virus field strains in Japan

Based on phylogenetic and restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses of the hemagglutinin and nucleoprotein gene sequences, measles virus strains obtained in western Japan were divided into two types. Type 1 isolates have largely replaced type 2 isolates during the last 10 years in the area surveyed.

Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone and other sex steroid hormones on mammary carcinogenesis by direct injection of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a) anthracene (DMBA) in hyperprolactinemic female rats

The present study was performed to investigate the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) compared with those of sex steroid hormones on the mammary tumor induced by local injection of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a) anthracene (DMBA) in hyperprolactinemic female rats. Under sustained hyperprolactinemia induced by pimozide (PMZ) from day 21, DMBA was injected locally into the mammary glandular tissues on day 73. Rats were divided into 5 groups as follows; steroid free (DP group), 17 beta-estradiol (DP + E2 group), testosterone (DP + T group), progesterone (DP + Prog group), or dehydroepiandrosterone (DP + DHA group). The growth pattern and histological classification of the tumor in these 5 groups and rats treated only with DMBA (D group) were examined. All of the tumors grew to a size of 10 mm in diameter and after retaining the size for a certain duration, increased the size rapidly again (onset of rapid tumor growth). The period from the day of DMBA administration to that of onset of the rapid tumor growth in DP group was shorter than in D group, and the period in DP + DHA was longer than DP group and longest in steroid-treated groups. The incidence of adenocarcinoma was 2 tumors/16 animals in D group, 9/11 in DP group, 5/11 in DP + Prog group, 2/7 in DP + E2 group, 2/8 in DP + T group, and 0/10 in DP + DHA group. The incidence of adenocarcinoma in each steroid group except in DP + Prog group was lower than in DP group. These results suggest that prolactin (PRL) increases the incidence of adenocarcinoma in the DMBA-induced mammary tumor model, and DHEA especially decreases the incidence of adenocarcinoma.

Telomerase activity in human endometrium

Human uterine endometrium undergoes a complex pattern of changes in proliferation and secretory activity during the menstrual cycle. In the present study, telomerase activity in normal endometrium was examined using a non-radioisotope PCR-based telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay. Various levels of telomerase activity were detected in the 60 normal endometrial samples examined, depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle. Of 21 proliferative-phase endometrial samples, 20 (95%) expressed telomerase activity, whereas 8 of 19 (42%) secretory-phase or menstrual endometrial samples did (P = 0.002). Five of nine (56%) samples from atrophic endometrium from postmenopausal women also expressed telomerase activity. Eleven of 21 (52%) endometrial samples in the proliferative phase expressed high telomerase activity detectable after 100-fold dilution of extracts, whereas none of the 19 endometrial samples from the secretory phase or during menstruation and none of the 9 postmenopausal endometrial samples did (P < 0.001). The highest activity was observed in the late proliferative phase, but activity dramatically decreased with the progression of the secretory phase. Surprisingly, the levels of telomerase activity detected in the late proliferative phase were comparable to those detected in the endometrial cancers examined. Immunohistochemical analysis of the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen revealed that telomerase activity is closely correlated with endometrial cell proliferative activity. These findings indicate that normal endometrium expresses telomerase, the activity of which changes dramatically over the course of the menstrual cycle, suggesting in turn that telomerase is a regulated enzyme linked to cellular proliferation and that hormone functions may be involved in its regulation.

A technique of minilaparotomy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy

In minilaparotomy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy, the operation begins vaginally by opening the peritoneal folds and ligating the uterine vessels and uterosacral ligaments. Minilaparotomy is then performed for myomectomy, cutting the fallopian tubes and the utero-ovarian ligaments and detaching any adhesions on the anterior peritoneal angle. In 26 women who underwent this procedure, the feasibility rate was 100% and no intraoperative complications or postoperative morbidity was observed (except in one case of ovarian bleeding), indicating that vaginal hysterectomy assisted by minilaparotomy is a feasible approach for hysterectomy in the setting of large myomas, myomas with adhesions caused by endometriosis or previous pelvic surgery, and adenomyosis.

Parameters for plaque formation in the potency assay of Japanese measles vaccines

Parameters for plaque formation by measles vaccine strains licensed in Japan were studied. For the plaque test, inoculum volume was one of the critical factors for obtaining an appropriate titre of the sample. A linear relationship between the inoculum volume and the apparent reciprocal titre was discovered, enabling the comparison of absolute titres. Another factor affecting the infectivity was the strain-specific temperature sensitivity in the plaque assay. Although all the vaccine strains tested showed the highest titre at 35 degrees C, the pattern of the temperature sensitivity differed from one strain to another. These factors must be taken into consideration in order to obtain an appropriate titre of a vaccine virus.

Detection and comparison of viral antigens in measles and rubella rashes

Measles and rubella skin lesions were immunocytochemically compared by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method for detecting viral antigens. Cryostat sections of biopsied specimens of the skin were stained with mouse monoclonal antibodies to P protein of measles virus and to E1 protein of rubella virus. The measles virus antigen was concentrated in the corneal layer and the keratinocytes of the epidermis and in the surface part of the dermis in the biopsy secimens taken within 6 days after the onset of rash. On the other hand, the rubella virus antigen was dispersed in all parts of the dermis and the subcutaneous layer but not in the epidermis in the biopsy specimens taken within 2 days after the onset of rash. The differences in the distribution and density of the viral antigen and in the times of its detection suggest distinct patterns of spread of infection with each virus in the skin.

Leustroduscin B, a new cytokine inducer derived from an actinomycetes, induces thrombocytosis in mice

Leustroduscin B (LSN-B), a novel colony-stimulating factor (CSF) inducer produced by an actinomycetes, has previously been shown to induce CSF production in bone marrow stromal cells. To determine the biological activity of LSN-B on hematopoiesis in vivo, LSN-B was administered intraperitoneally to mice every day for three to six days. Peripheral platelet counts were markedly elevated on days 4 through 6 compared with the control mice injected with vehicle. Serum II/6 levels were low (0.8 ng/ml) or virtually undetectable in the drug treated groups. This cytokine profile suggests that LSN-B induction of thrombocytosis is mechanistically distinct from other cytokine inducers such as IL-1 or FK-565.

Isolation of the measles virus hemagglutinin protein in a soluble form by protease digestion

The hemagglutinin (H) glycoprotein was isolated in a soluble form by digesting measles virus particles with an endoproteinase, Asp-N (from a Pseudomonas fragi mutant). Digestion of H with Asp-N brought about glycopeptides in three different forms, depending on the cleaving site: AHD, which has an M(r) of 66,000 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and which formed a disulfide-linked homodimer with an M(r) of 132,000, and two monomeric digestion products, AHM-1 (with an M(r) of 64,000) and AHM-2 (with an M(r) of 58,000). The susceptibility of the H glycoprotein to the protease depended on the enzyme concentration. AHD was readily formed at a low concentration of Asp-N, while AHM-1 and AHM-2 required higher and even higher protease concentrations, respectively. All of the cleavage products reacted with monoclonal antibodies to various epitopes of the H protein; however, only AHD showed a significant hemagglutinin activity on African green monkey erythrocytes. The hemagglutinin activities of AHM-1 and AHM-2 were restored after a monoclonal antibody lacking the hemagglutination-inhibiting activity was added to the reaction mixture. AHDs purified by size-exclusion high-pressure liquid chromatography had two associating forms; one had an M(r) higher than and the other an M(r) as high as that of a tetramer. The former was associated noncovalently in addition to having two intermolecular disulfide bonds, and the latter was associated covalently with a single intermolecular disulfide bond and was also duplicated through a noncovalent association. In addition, both AHM-1 and AHM-2, having no intermolecular disulfide bond, were in a dimer form. These results suggest that AHM-1 and AHM-2 are monovalent in the hemagglutinin activity, while AHDs are divalent. Comparative analyses of the N termini of these soluble glycopeptides with the sequence of H suggested that the cysteine residue at position 139 was responsible for the intermolecular disulfide bonding between the monomeric H glycoproteins. The cysteine at position 154 was also suggested to participate in the forming of the intermolecular disulfide bond.

Augmentation of host resistance against bacterial infection by treatment with leustroducsin B, a new CSF inducer

We tested the in vivo activity of leustroducsin B (LSN B), a new colony-stimulating factor (CSF) inducer isolated from the culture broth of Streptomyces platensis, with mice infected with Escherichia coli. Treatment with LSN B augmented the host resistance to lethal infection of E. coli at doses between 0.1 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were found to increase after this treatment, and superoxide anion generation of neutrophils was enhanced in vivo, suggesting that LSN B augmented the host resistance at least in part by inducing IL-6, which subsequently enhanced the bactericidal activity of the neutrophils.

Diabetic scleredema and scleroderma-like changes in a patient with maturity onset type diabetes of young people

A 21-year-old housewife with maturity onset type diabetes of young people developed scleredema diabeticorum, scleroderma-like skin thickness on forearms and dorsum of hands, digital sclerosis and cheiroarthropathy. She had diabetes mellitus since the age of 11 years. Her grandfather on the mother's side, her mother and 3 of 5 her mother's brothers and sisters have diabetes mellitus. Blood glucose was 295 mg/dl. Urinary glucose was 5.3 g/day. Nail fold capillary microscopy revealed a progressive systemic sclerosis pattern. Histologically, hematoxylin and eosin sections from back and forearm skin demonstrated broad collagen bundles separated by widened clear spaces throughout the thickened dermis.

Novel microbial metabolites of the phoslactomycins family induce production of colony-stimulating factors by bone marrow stromal cells. I. Taxonomy, fermentation and biological properties

Three metabolites were isolated from the culture broth of an actinomycete strain identified as Streptomyces platensis SANK 60191, that induce the production of colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) by stromal cell line KM-102 at ED50 concentrations from 40 to 200 ng/ml. The compounds induced quantities of granulocyte CSF (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF) comparable to those induced by interleukin-1, a strong CSF inducer. These metabolites were called leustroducsins (A, B and C) and were later found to be structurally related to phoslactomycins. This is the first report of CSF inducing activity by members of the phoslactomycin class.

Novel microbial metabolites of the phoslactomycins family induce production of colony-stimulating factors by bone marrow stromal cells. II. Isolation, physico-chemical properties and structure determination

Leustroducsins (LSNs) A, B and C, novel inducers of colony-stimulating factors (CSFs), were isolated from culture broth of Streptomyces platensis SANK 60191 mainly by ethyl acetate extraction and preparative reverse-phase HPLC. The molecular weights and molecular formulae of LSNs A, B and C are 641: C32H52O10NP, 669: C34H56O10NP and 669: C34H56O10NP, respectively. The structure elucidation revealed that they belong to the phoslactomycin group antibiotics, and their structures contain an alpha,beta-unsaturated delta-lactone, an amino group, a phosphate ester and a cyclohexane ring moiety. The structures differ only at the substituent bound to the cyclohexane ring.

Screening method for colony-stimulating factor inducers using a human bone marrow stromal cell line, KM-102

A new screening method for inducers of colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) was established using KM-102, a human bone marrow stromal cell line as the producer. In this method, the assay system which uses CSF dependent cell lines is combined with the CSF production system. Interleukin-1 (IL-1), which is known to upregulate CSF production in many cell populations, was used as a positive control for production of granulocyte CSF (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF). Induction in the positive controls was clearly detected within 24 hours. Activators of protein kinase C (PKC), protein phosphatase inhibitors and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were positive in this assay system, but muramyl dipeptide (MDP) and Bestatin which are known macrophage activators, were negative. Inducers of CSFs were successfully detected using this assay method. Among 1,600 microbial strains tested, 2 actinomycete strains were found to produce active substances. One strain produces teleocidin-A, a strong activator of PKC, and the other strain produces a mixture of active compounds including three novel compounds. These three compounds do not induce terminal differentiation of HL-60 cells, suggesting that they are not teleocidin-like substances and form a new class of CSF inducers.

[Neuroanatomical studies on pontine urine storage facilitatory areas in the cat brain. Part II. Output neuronal structures from the nucleus locus subcoeruleus and the nucleus reticularis pontis oralis]

Output neuronal structures from the nucleus locus subcoeruleus (SLC) and the nucleus reticularis ponts roalis (PoO) were investigated by the wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) study in cats. Under halothane anesthesia, a double-barreled electrode was inserted into the LSC, PoO. After identification of these regions, the WGA-HRP was injected ionphoretically into the LSC or PoO. WGA-HRP labeled fibers were observed from the hypothalamus to the sacral spinal cord. Fiber connection was assumed between the WGA-HRP injection sites and areas where WGA-HRP labeled cells were located. There were input and output relationships between the LSC, the PoO and the nucleus locus coeruleus alpha which is the pontine micturition center. By injecting the WGA-HRP into the LSC, two major rostral pathways and four major caudal pathways from the LSC were recognized. Two short caudal pathways projected into the cerebellum and the nucleus raphe magnus. Two long caudal pathways passed through the ipsilateral ventral and contralateral funiculi, and projected into the sacral intermediate gray and the Onuf's nucleus. By injecting the WGA-HRP into the PoO, two major rostral pathways and four major caudal pathways from the PoO were recognized. Three short caudal pathways projected into the cerebellum, contralateral reticular formation of the brain stem and the ipsilateral nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis. One long caudal pathway passed through the ipsilateral ventral funiculus and projected into the sacral intermediate gray and the Onuf's nucleus. From these results, the LSC and the PoO seem to send and receive outputs and inputs each other and to integrate the informations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Neuroanatomical studies on the urine storage facilitatory areas in the cat brain. Part I. Input neuronal structures to the nucleus locus subcoaruleus and the nucleus radicularis pontis oralis]

Input neuronal structures to the nucleus locus subcoeruleus (LSC) and the nucleus reticularis pontis oralis (PoO) were investigated by the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) study in cats. Under halothane anesthesia, a double barreled electrode was inserted into the LSC where electrical stimulation increased bladder capacity and the external urethral sphincter muscle activity, and into the PoO where chemical stimulation with carbachol increased bladder capacity and decreased the external urethral sphincter muscle activity. After identification of these regions, the HRP was ionphoretically injected into the LSC or PoO. By injecting the HRP into the LSC, retrogradely HRP labeled cells were located broadly in the frontal, rectal, orbitalis, rostral cingulate, internal aspect of posterior sigmoidal and anterior sylvian gyli, nucleus corticomedialis of amygdala, lateral area of the hypothalamus, paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus, substantia nigra, periaqueductal gray, reticular formation of the mesencephalon, pons and medulla, cerebellar nuclei and intermediate gray of the spinal cord. By injecting the HRP into the PoO, retrogradely HRP labeled cells were located broadly in the frontal, rectal, orbitalis, internal aspect of the posterior sigmoidal and anterior sylvian gyli, lateral area of the hypothalamus, paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus, periaqueductal gray, reticular formation of the mesencephalon, pons and medulla, cerebellar nuclei and intermediate gray of the spinal cord. These areas where HRP labeled cells were located mostly corresponded to the areas where electrical stimulation evoked either bladder relaxation or contraction in the previous reports. The LSC and the PoO seem to perform important roles in the neuronal mechanism for urine storage, receiving the inputs which facilitate or inhibit micturition from the extended areas between the cerebral cortex and the sacral spinal cord.

[Effect of YM-12617 (amsulosin hydrochloride) on lower urinary tract function in the female decerebrate dog]

The effect of YM-12617 on the lower urinary tract function was studied by combined recording of cystometry and external sphincter electromyogram (EMG) in 11 female decerebrate dogs. Reflex micturitions were induced by bladder filling before and after YM-12617 administration. Statistical analysis was carried out on the urodynamic parameters. YM-12617 in a dose of 10 micrograms/kg significantly decreased micturition threshold pressure during the collecting phase. In the urodynamic parameters of the emptying phase there was a significant decrease in contraction pressure at 10 and 30 micrograms/kg.

[Vesical ultrasonography and internal examination of female patients with urethral syndrome]

Transabdominal ultrasonography of the bladder and internal examination were performed in 80 female patients without pyuria. They were divided into 3 groups: urethral syndrome with trigonitis (49 cases), asymptomatic trigonitis (16 cases) and normal bladder (15 cases) by cystoscopy. Ultrasonography of trigonitis with or without symptoms showed focal dilation of the submucosal low echo zone and mucosal irregularity around the bladder neck. On the sagittal view, the thicknesses from the surface of mucosa to that of muscle layer within 2 cm from the bladder neck were 4 +/- 1 mm (mean +/- standard deviation) in the group with urethral syndrome and in that with asymptomatic trigonitis, and 3 +/- 1 mm in the normal bladder group. Mucosa of the trigonitis with or without symptom is patients with significantly thicker than that of those with normal bladder (p less than 0.01). On internal examination, tenderness at the upper frontal wall of the vagina was present in 10 of 11 cases (91%) with urethral syndrome, in 2 of 8 cases (25%) with asymptomatic trigonitis and in one of 9 cases (11%) with normal bladder. There was a significant difference (p less than 0.005) between the degree of inflammation and the number of cases with tenderness at the frontal wall of the vagina. From these results, transabdominal ultrasonographic measurement of mucosal thickness around the bladder neck and internal examination for tenderness at the frontal wall of vagina are thought to be useful methods for diagnosis and follow-up of urethral syndrome.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Identification of effective region of the pons in response to inaperisone which facilitates urine storage]

To identify the effective region of the pons in response to inaperisone which facilitates urine storage, inaperisone (100 mM, 0.2 microliters) was injected into the nucleus locus coeruleus alpha (LCa, the pontine micturition center), the nucleus locus subcoeruleus (LSC, the pontine urine storage center) and the nucleus reticularis pontis oralis (PoO, micturition inhibitory region) of the decerebrate cats. On reflex micturition, inaperisone injection into the LSC decreased voiding volume, and increased residual volume and bladder capacity, significantly. However, there was no difference in the maximum bladder pressure before and after inaperisone injection into the LSC. Inaperisone injection into the LCa or the PoO had no influence on reflex micturition. These results suggest that effective region of the pons in response to inaperisone is the LSC, and that inaperisone facilitates the urine storage neural mechanism in the LSC.

The primary structure of Aspergillus niger acid proteinase A

The complete amino acid sequence of the acid proteinase A, a non-pepsin type acid proteinase from the fungus Aspergillus niger var. macrosporus, was determined by protein sequencing. The enzyme was first dissociated at pH 8.5 into a light (L) chain and a heavy (H) chain, and the L chain was sequenced completely. Further sequencing was performed with the reduced and pyridylethylated or aminoethylated derivative of the whole protein, using peptides obtained by digestions with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and lysylendopeptidase. The location of the two disulfide bonds was determined by analysis of cystine-containing peptides obtained from a chymotryptic digest of the unmodified protein. These results established that the protein consists of a 39-residue L chain and a 173-residue H chain that associate noncovalently to form the native enzyme of 212 residues (Mr 22,265). This is, to our knowledge, the first time that such a protein with a rather short peptide chain associated noncovalently has been found. No sequence homology is found with other acid or aspartic proteinases, except for Scytalidium lignicolum acid proteinase B, an enzyme unrelated to pepsin by sequence, which has about 50% identity with the present enzyme. These two enzymes, however, are remarkably different from each other in some structural features.

[Experimental and clinical studies of urethral anesthesia on etiology and treatment of detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia]

We studied whether detrusor-sphincter synergia during micturition was obtained by means of urethral anesthesia with lidocaine hydrochloride in five thoracic spinal cats and eight clinical cases with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. In thoracic spinal cats with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia, urethral anesthesia produced detrusor-sphincter synergia, an increase in the maximum bladder pressure and a decrease in the residual volume. In clinical cases with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia, urethral anesthesia produced detrusor-sphincter synergia or a decrease in the external urethral sphincter activities during micturition, and a decrease in the maximum urethral closure pressure and the residual volume. There were no remarkable changes of the external urethral sphincter activities during urine storage phase before and after urethral anesthesia in both spinal cats and clinical cases. These results suggest that urethral anesthesia blocks the urethro-urethral contraction reflex and secondarily activates vesico-urethral relaxation reflex. The block of urethral sensory nerves is thought to effectively treat detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia.

[Non-invasive imaging diagnosis of left renal vein compression causing hematuria. Part 2. CT]

Left renal veins of 77 patients were examined by computed tomography (CT) to evaluate its usefulness in determining the left renal vein compression which is causing renal bleeding. From CT image, left renal vein compression was observed in 6 (86%) of the 7 cases which had been classified as idiopathic renal bleeding, in 9 (21%) of the 42 cases which had urinary tract diseases causing hematuria, and in 3 (11%) of the 28 cases which did not have hematuria. In 15 of the 18 cases of left renal vein compression, left renal vein was compressed between the superior mesenteric artery and the abdominal aorta, showing so-called nutcracker phenomenon. In the remaining 3 cases, however, the superior mesenteric artery provided sharp delineation from the abdominal aorta. The superior mesenteric artery and the abdominal aorta made the mean angle of 35.5 degree in patients with normal left renal vein, the mean angle of 45.4 degrees in those with left renal vein compression without nutcracker phenomenon, and the mean angle of 11.9 degrees in those with nutcracker phenomenon. CT was superior to ultrasonography, in revealing left renal vein compression.

[Non-invasive imaging diagnosis of left renal vein compression causing hematuria. Part 1. Ultrasonography]

Left renal veins of 100 out-patients were examined by transabdominal ultrasonography to evaluate its usefulness in determining left renal vein compression which is causing renal bleeding. Ultrasonography revealed the left renal vein in 86 patients. In 61 of the 86 cases, the internal cavity of left renal vein was opened at least in diastolic phase, but in 23 cases, the internal cavity was closed between the abdominal aorta and the superior mesenteric artery in both systolic and diastolic phases. In the remaining 2 cases, left renal vein was compressed at a point where it intersected the right renal artery. Left renal vein compression was observed in 18 (69%) of the 26 cases which had been classified as idiopathic renal bleeding and in 7 (26%) of the 27 cases which had urinary tract diseases causing hematuria. In 33 cases which did not have hematuria, left renal vein compression was not observed. These results suggest that diagnosis of left renal vein compression causing renal bleeding is possible by transabdominal ultrasonography.

Quantitative analysis of serum alpha 1-acid glycoprotein levels in normal and diabetic pregnancy

In an attempt to clarify the mechanism of lipid metabolism during pregnancy, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (alpha 1-AG) was analyzed in normal and diabetic pregnant women. Seventy-two determinations of serum alpha 1-AG levels were performed in 18 diabetic pregnant women and 82 determinations in 82 normal pregnant women in all three trimesters and within 14 days postpartum. Serum alpha 1-AG levels in both normal and diabetic pregnant women decreased throughout pregnancy and rapidly increased postpartum. In all gestational stages, the serum alpha 1-AG levels were lower in diabetic women than in normal women, but the differences were not significant. No significant correlation was obtained between serum alpha 1-AG and hemoglobin A1 (HbA1) in diabetic patients. On the contrary, the serum triglyceride levels increased during pregnancy and decreased postpartum in both groups of subjects. These findings suggest that serum alpha 1-AG plays an important role in the activation of lipoprotein lipase during pregnancy.

[Effects of trospium chloride on the lower urinary tract function]

The effects of trospium chloride on the lower urinary tract function were studied by combined recording of cystometry and sphincter electromyogram in 13 decerebrated dogs. Micturition was induced by bladder filling before and after drug administration. A statistical analysis was carried out on the urodynamic parameters. Trospium chloride at the dose of 0.1 mg/kg showed a small but significant decrease in the threshold pressure during the collecting phase. In the urodynamic parameters of the emptying phase which is considered to be influenced by cholinergic activity, there was a significant decrease in maximum bladder pressure at 0.03, 0.1, and 0.3 mg/kg and a significant increase in residual urine at 0.3 mg/kg. Trospium chloride is probably acting as a antimuscarinic agent in this study. Trospium chloride appears to be useful for the relief of symptoms associated with hyperactive bladder contraction.

Monoclonal antibodies to three structural proteins of Newcastle disease virus: biological characterization with particular reference to the conformational change of envelope glycoproteins associated with proteolytic cleavage

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to the haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN), fusion (F) and matrix (M) proteins of Newcastle disease virus were prepared and characterized. At least three non-overlapping or partially overlapping antigenic sites were delineated on the HN, three on the F and three on the M proteins by competitive binding assays. Antigenic sites on the HN and F proteins roughly represented functional domains defined by serological tests. Two antigenic sites on the F protein were involved in virus neutralizing and haemolysis-inhibiting activity. These antigenic determinants were readily affected by treatment with certain surfactants and acetone. Proteolytic cleavage of the HN and F proteins was associated with conformational change, revealed by altered reactivity with MAbs and by altered topological arrangements of some epitopes. None of the anti-M MAbs inhibited any biological activities of the virus.

Protective effect of monoclonal antibodies to Newcastle disease virus in passive immunization

A series of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against the haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and fusion (F) glycoproteins and the matrix (M) protein of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) were tested for protective effects in passive immunization of newborn chickens against challenge with a virulent heterologous strain of NDV (Italien). MAbs with high virus-neutralizing activity directed to one antigenic site of the HN protein delayed virus growth and significantly prolonged survival time, but all chickens eventually succumbed to infection. MAbs directed to two antigenic sites of the F protein completely suppressed virus growth and prevented death of chickens, although the neutralizing activities of these anti-F MAbs were lower than those of the above anti-HN MAbs. Combined administration of the anti-HN and anti-F MAbs had a synergistic protective effect, but no protective effects were shown by MAbs against the M protein.

Elevation of immunoreactive platelet prostaglandin E and plasma prostaglandin F2 alpha in diabetic pregnancy

Platelet prostaglandin (PG) E and plasma PGF2 alpha concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay methods and compared in non-pregnant and pregnant, normal and diabetic subjects. The blood samples were obtained in the follicular phase in the non-pregnant women and in the third trimester and after delivery in the pregnant women. The immunoreactive platelet PGE (IRPGE) levels were significantly higher in the pregnant diabetic women than in the normal non-pregnant and pregnant women and diabetic non-pregnant women. The immunoreactive plasma PGF2 alpha (IRPGF2 alpha) concentrations were significantly higher in the non-pregnant diabetic women than in the normal non-pregnant and pregnant women. During pregnancy, the plasma IRPGF2 alpha were further increased significantly in the diabetic subjects compared to the non-pregnant diabetics. Both the platelet IRPGE and plasma IRPGF2 alpha concentrations were higher in the pregnant diabetic subjects with retinopathy than in those without retinopathy. These findings suggest that pregnancy and diabetes influence the synthesis of PGE and PGF2 alpha in the platelets and plasma, respectively. The increased production of these prostaglandins are possible exacerbating factors of diabetic retinopathy during pregnancy.

Application of Doppler color flow imaging method on the detection of vesicoureteral reflux

The doppler color flow imaging method was employed to detect the vesicoureteral reflux. The ultrasound examination was performed by using the doppler color flow imaging system. Ultrasonic sector scan was carried out by the use of the 3.75 MHz phased array and/or conbex array transducer with a transabdominal approach. The flow in the bladder from the ureteral orifice to the bladder was detected with a red color indicating the direction towards the probe and the flow from the bladder towards the ureteral orifice during the vesicoureteral reflux was detected with a blue color indicating the direction away from the probe. The doppler color flow imaging method appears to be a useful diagnostic procedure for the detection of the vesicoureteral reflux.

A measles virus subgenomic RNA: structure and generation mechanism

A plaque-derived line of measles virus induced the synthesis of 21S subgenomic RNA in addition to 50S genomic RNA. The nucleotide sequence of the former RNA was determined in comparison with that of the latter. The 21S subgenomic RNA was 2646 nucleotides long and had a copyback structure containing a 50S genomic 5'-end. At the site where copying turns back, there was a 15-nucleotide-long sequence resembling the "measles virus consensus sequence" which is present at the beginning of each gene on the measles virus genome and is presumed to serve as a signal for the initiation of transcription. Recognition of the specific sequence may have been involved in the aberrant replication and may represent an additional and novel copy choice mechanism leading to the generation of subgenomic RNAs.

Protective role of human antibody to the fusion protein of measles virus

Absorption of a pooled human gamma globulin preparation with acetone-treated measles virus-infected cells removed all antibodies to measles virus antigens except a portion of the antibody to the fusion (F) protein. The residual anti-F antibody had hemolysis-inhibiting and virus-neutralizing activities, inhibited spread of infection through cell fusion, and was effective in protection of passively immunized mice from fatal measles encephalitis, providing evidence for the protective role of human antibody to the F protein of measles virus.

Effect of cerebellectomy on reflex micturition in the decerebrate dog as determined by urodynamic evaluation

The effect of cerebellectomy on reflex micturition in the decerebrate dog was investigated by cystometric and striated urethral sphincter EMG studies. Before and after cerebellectomy, reflex micturition consisting of bladder contraction and spasmodic contraction of the striated urethral sphincter occurred when a critical degree of filling was reached. Cerebellectomy showed no influence on the striated urethral sphincter EMG activity. However, cerebellectomy produced a significant decrease in threshold volume and threshold pressure during the collecting phase, and also in the contraction pressure and voided volume of the emptying phase. The present study suggests that the cerebellum plays an inhibitory role in the collecting phase and a facilitatory role in the emptying phase during the entire reflex micturition cycle of the decerebrate dog. Further study will have to be done concerning the neurotransmission mechanism that causes these different effects in the collecting and emptying phases.

A burst-promoting activity derived from the human bone marrow stromal cell line KM-102 is identical to the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor

Recently, several human bone marrow stromal cell lines have established and produced hematopoietic growth factors. One of these factors, a burst-promoting activity (BPA), was purified from 6 liters of serum-free conditioned medium cultured from stromal cell line KM-102, which was stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and calcium ionophore A23187. This stimulation induced 60 times more production of BPA than the unstimulated control culture. BPA was purified 4000-fold by sequential fractionation using ammonium sulfate precipitation, anion-exchange and lentil lectin affinity chromatographies, high performance gel filtration chromatography, and reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography. Purified BPA gave a single broad band of protein with a molecular weight of approximately 18 kd, as assessed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The concentration required for half maximal growth of early erythroid colonies was estimated as 10 pg/ml or 0.6 pM. At a higher concentration (125 pg/ml) this factor also stimulates the growth of granulocyte, macrophage, and eosinophil colonies in agar culture. The profile of amino acid composition is very similar to that of the human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) deduced from its complementary DNA sequence. The result of amino-terminal sequence analysis strongly suggests that the purified material consists of GM-CSF and tetrapeptide-deleted GM-CSF. Moreover, antibody against GM-CSF completely neutralized the biological activities of this factor. These results indicate that the human bone marrow stromal cell line secretes GM-CSF as a burst-promoting activity and GM-CSF may play a significant role in the interaction between stem cells and stromal cells in the hematopoietic microenvironment.

[Effect of oxybutynin on lower urinary tract function]

The effect of oxybutynin on lower urinary tract function was studied by combined recording of cystometry and sphincter electromyogram (EMG) in 7 decerebrate dogs. Micturition was induced by bladder filling before and after oxybutynin. The statistical analysis was carried out on the urodynamic parameters. Oxybutynin at a dose of 30, 100, and 300 micrograms/kg significantly increased the threshold volume during the collecting phase in a dose dependent manner. In the urodynamic parameters of the emptying phase considered to be influenced by cholinergic activity there was a small but significant decrease in maximum pressure only at 300 micrograms/kg. Therefore, oxybutynin is probably acting as a strong antispasmodic agent. Oxybutynin seems to be useful for the relief of symptoms associated with detrusor instability and hyperreflexia.

Intracellular processing of measles virus fusion protein

Intracellular processing of measles virus fusion (F) protein was studied by radiolabeling and immunoprecipitation with a monoclonal antibody against F protein. The cleavage of F protein into F1 and F2 subunits was complete after 5 hours of chase during which the growth of oligosaccharide chains on the F2 domain of F protein continued. The addition of terminal sialic acid conferred a strong negative charge on the F2 subunit. F protein expressed on the cell surface was removed by a fungal semi-alkaline protease, providing a method to follow the kinetics of its transport to the cell surface. The transport of the F protein was faster than that of the hemagglutinin (HA) protein. Uncleaved F protein, as well as cleaved subunits became digestible by the protease, indicating that a portion of the F protein reaches the cell surface uncleaved. The treatment of measles virus-infected cells with tunicamycin resulted in the synthesis of unglycosylated HA (65 kilodaltons, Kd) and F (48 Kd) proteins. Unglycosylated F protein was not cleaved into smaller subunits, nor was it transported to the cell surface. Unglycosylated HA protein likewise failed to reach the cell surface.

Role of the pelvic nerve in the dynamics of micturition in the decerebrate dog as determined by suprapubic endoscopical and urodynamic evaluation

The role of the pelvic nerves on the dynamics of micturition was evaluated in 13 decerebrate dogs, four male and nine female, by direct observation of bladder movement, by suprapubic cystoscopic observation of urethral behavior, and by pressure flow EMG studies. Experiments were performed before and after unilateral pelvic nerve transection. In control conditions and after unilateral pelvic nerve transection, the bladder neck was not tightly closed during the collecting phase, the membranous portion of the urethra opened and closed spasmodically during the emptying phase, and reflex micturition developed. Direct observation showed that after unilateral pelvic nerve transection, the ipsilateral bladder did not contract. A pressure flow EMG study showed that unilateral pelvic nerve transection produced a significant increase in threshold volume, threshold pressure, bladder compliance and residual volume, and a significant decrease in contraction pressure and flow rate. The present study shows that unilateral pelvic nerve transection has no demonstrable effect on urethral function, but has effects on bladder function during the collecting and emptying phases and that bladder innervation is unilateral in the dog.