Purification of high-molecular-weight follicle-stimulating hormone binding inhibitor in porcine follicular fluids

We performed the purification of high-molecular-weight follicle-stimulating hormone binding inhibitor (FSHBI) from porcine follicular fluids. The FSHBI activities of high-molecular-weight fractions acquired by ultrafiltration of follicular fluids from small, medium and large follicles with Centriflo CF25 membrane cone were 277.2 +/- 24.6, 176.7 +/- 3.0 and 141.3 +/- 3.6 U, respectively. By affinity chromatography of CF25 retentate with a column of Blue Sepharose CL6B, 94.1 +/- 5.3% of FSHBI activity was recovered in the unretained fraction. The FSHBI in the unretained fraction was purified by anion-exchange chromatography with a column of Mono Q and gel filtration on Sephacryl S300HR. As a result of sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of the final purified fraction, a single silver-stained band was observed at 310 kD under the non-reducing conditions. On the other hand, under the reducing conditions, SDS-PAGE revealed three bands at 178, 101 and 55 kD. A double reciprocal plot analysis of this substance showed competitive inhibition in FSH binding. The results of the present study suggest the existence of a 310 kD FSHBI composed of three subunits of 178, 101 and 55 kD in porcine follicular fluids.

[The effect of arachidonic acid metabolite inhibitors on liver injury in endotoxin shock, with special reference to the role of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs)]

To elucidate the effect of arachidonic acid metabolite inhibitors on liver injury in endotoxin shock with special reference to the role of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), we pretreated rats with three kinds of arachidonic acid metabolite inhibitors (hydrocortisone, Hy; AA-861, AA; indomethacin, In) in our rat model of endotoxin shock. We examined plasma GOT and GLDH levels, O2- production by PMNs, the phagocytic activity of PMNs, the cytotoxicity of PMNs to liver cells, the histological changes in the liver, and so on, and compared the three groups Hy, AA and In with the ET (endotoxin) group, which was only infused with endotoxin. 1) Plasma GOT and GLDH levels were significantly lower in the Hy and AA groups than in the ET group, but there was no significant change in the In group in comparison with the ET group. 2) The amount of O2- production by PMNs was significantly lower in the Hy group than in the ET group when there was no stimulation. When PMNs were stimulated by PMA, O2- production was significantly lower in the other three groups than in the ET group. 3) The phagocytic activity of PMNs was significantly lower in the other three groups than in the ET group. 4) The cytotoxic activity of PMNs to liver cells, which was seen in the ET group, was completely inhibited in the Hy and AA groups, but was only slightly prevented in the In group. 5) Concerning histological changes in the liver, there were remarkable improvements in the Hy and AA groups as compared with the ET group, but the findings in the In group were similar to those in the ET group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Functional and structural relationship of various extradiol aromatic ring-cleavage dioxygenases of Pseudomonas origin

The extradiol ring-cleavage dioxygenases derived from seven different Pseudomonas strains were expressed in Escherichia coli and the substrate specificities were investigated for a variety of catecholic compounds. The substrate range of four 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl dioxygenases from biphenyl-utilizing bacteria, 3-methylcatechol dioxygenase from toluene utilizing Pseudomonas putida F1, 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene dioxygenase from a NAH7 plasmid, and catechol 2,3-dioxygenase from a TOL plasmid pWW0 were compared. Among the dioxygenases, that from Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes KF707 showed a very narrow substrate range. Contrary to this, the dioxygenase from pWW0 showed a relaxed substrate range. The seven extradiol dioxygenases from the various Pseudomonas strains are highly diversified in terms of substrate specificity.

[Changes in plasma interleukin 6 in a surgical case of left atrial myxoma]

It was recently described that the cardiac myxoma produced Interleukin-6 (IL-6) as a kind of cytokines, and the constitutional signs in patients with cardiac myxoma were due to the IL-6 production. We measured the values of plasma IL-6 concentration before and after surgical therapy. It was decreased from 7.2 pg/ml to less than 4.0 pg/ml two months after surgical removal of the myxoma. It is recommended that the measurement of IL-6 is useful for screening of cardiac myxoma and postoperative follow-up.

Simplified sulfidoleukotriene ELISA using LTD4-conjugated phosphatase for the study of allergen-induced leukotriene generation by isolated mononuclear cells and diluted whole blood

By using leukotriene D4 (LTD4)-labeled alkaline phosphatase (LTD4-AP) and a mouse monoclonal anti-sulfidoleukotriene (sLT) antibody (1A-LDR1), we developed a solid-phase competition ELISA for sLTs. The detection limit of this assay was 6.3 +/- 1.2 pg sLT/100 microliters (mean +/- SEM; n = 10). Intraassay variations at 15, 50 and 150 pg sLT/well (9.8, 13.5 and 12.3%, respectively), the corresponding interassay variations (32.1, 11.9 and 18.8%, respectively) and the good correlation with a commercial radioimmunoassay (r = 0.97; n = 43) confirmed the validity of this ELISA. Furthermore, the assay had a low background and gave a 70-90% recovery of LTD4 added to medium containing up to 10% serum. In contrast to another sLT ELISA using the same antibody but based on competition with solid-phase LTE4-BSA, our assay is about 7-fold more sensitive. It also requires about 40 times less leukotriene for conjugate production than the previous method for the same number of determinations. The assay allows measurement of sLTs generated by small numbers of basophils present in isolated mononuclear cells or diluted whole blood in response to allergen, and allows simple and rapid determination of basophil reactivity to suspected allergens.

Dislocation and subluxation during femoral lengthening

Femoral lengthening by callus distraction was performed on 26 femurs of 18 patients with various disorders between 1988 and 1992. Age at surgery ranged from 6 to 17 years (13 years on average). The amount of lengthening varied from 2 to 7.5 cm (mean 5 cm). Follow-up evaluation of femoral-head displacement was based on the change of center-edge (CE) angle. The hips were divided into two groups based on the preoperative CE angle; one group consisted of 14 hips with a CE angle > 20 degrees and the other group consisted of 12 hips with an angle of < or = 20 degrees. In the first group, none of the hips deteriorated; however, five of 12 hips in the second group did deteriorate. One hip developed complete dislocation and the other four showed a decrease in the CE angle. Four of five deteriorated hips had a history of congenital dislocation of the hip and the other had multiple epiphyseal dysplasia. In cases in which the CE angle is < or = 20 degrees preoperatively, bony procedures such as innominate osteotomy should precede femoral elongation.

[Ventricular septal perforation following acute myocardial infarction in an 85-year-old woman]

An 85-year-old woman who experienced sudden severe chest and back pains was admitted to our hospital. On admission a pansystolic murmur was audible and the ECG showed an acute antero-septal myocardial infarction. Right heart catheterization revealed increased oxygen from the right atrium to the right ventricle, leading to the diagnosis of ventricular septal perforation (VSP). Hemodynamics of the patient were stabilized using only a low dosage of dopamine. However the heart weakened progressively, an operation was performed on the 13th day after the onset of the perforation. The post-operative course was uneventful. She is the oldest patient with VSP which has been successfully operated in Japan.

Expression of human nm23-H1 and nm23-H2 proteins in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The expression of nm23-H1 and nm23-H2 proteins in 25 hepatocellular carcinomas was studied immunohistochemically.

METHODS

Tissue specimens were reacted with anti-human nm23-H1 and nm23-H2 monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) (H1-229 and H2-206, respectively) and then stained by the biotin-streptoavidin complex method.

RESULTS

Adjacent nontumorous tissues were intensely stained with nm23-H1 and nm23-H2. Of the 25 hepatocellular carcinomas, 60% were positive for MoAb H1-229, and 68% were positive for MoAb H2-206. These immunoreactivities were most common in the cytoplasm of tumor cells. There was no significant correlation between the expression of nm23-H1 protein and tumor size, Edmondson's histopathologic classification, or invasion of the capsule. However, the authors observed an inverse relationship between nm23-H1 expression and intrahepatic metastases of hepatocellular carcinomas. There was no significant correlation between the expression of nm23-H2 protein and clinicopathologic findings. Only a short survival period was observed in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma with reduced nm23-H1 or nm23-H2 proteins.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that nm23-H1 protein plays a role in the suppression of intrahepatic metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma and that the combined expression of nm23-H1 is associated with favorable prognosis.

Protection against ischemic spinal cord injury: one-shot perfusion cooling and percutaneous topical cooling

PURPOSE

We investigated the protective effect of two methods of hypothermia against ischemic spinal cord injury: one-shot perfusion cooling and percutaneous topical cooling.

METHODS

Twenty-five rabbits were divided into five equal groups. The abdominal aorta was isolated proximally by a vascular clamp and distally by an inflated balloon catheter for 60 minutes. Group I served as control. In groups II (2.5 ml/min) and III (5.0 ml/min), hypothermic lactated Ringer's solution was infused for 3 minutes from the distal end of the catheter. Ice blocks were placed behind the backs of rabbits 30 minutes before ischemia in group IV. Group V underwent the procedures combined with those in groups II and IV (infusion of hypothermic solution plus placement of ice blocks). Another 15 rabbits underwent laminectomy at the L2 or L3 level. A temperature probe was inserted into the spinal cord to monitor cord temperature continuously during the procedures in all five groups (three rabbits per group).

RESULTS

Neurologic status on the second postoperative day in groups IV and V was significantly superior to that in group I (p < 0.01), but the neurologic status of groups II and III did not differ significantly from the neurologic status of group I. The spinal cord temperature in groups II and III dropped rapidly with the infusion, but it rose again quickly. In contrast, the spinal cord was kept sufficiently hypothermic during ischemia in groups IV and V.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that the percutaneous cooling method can keep the spinal cord sufficiently hypothermic during ischemia to lead to a significantly superior neurologic outcome.

Efficient degradation of trichloroethylene by a hybrid aromatic ring dioxygenase

Engineering of hybrid gene clusters between the toluene metabolic tod operon and the biphenyl metabolic bph operon greatly enhanced the rate of biodegradation of trichloroethylene. Escherichia coli cells carrying a hybrid gene cluster composed of todC1 (the gene encoding the large subunit of toluene terminal dioxygenase in Pseudomonas putida F1), bphA2 (the gene encoding the small subunit of biphenyl terminal dioxygenase in Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes KF707), bphA3 (the gene encoding ferredoxin in KF707), and bphA4 (the gene encoding ferredoxin reductase in KF707) degraded trichloroethylene much faster than E. coli cells carrying the original toluene dioxygenase genes (todC1C2BA) or the original biphenyl dioxygenase genes (bphA1A2A3A4).

Thyroid gland metastasis from renal cell carcinoma masquerading as nodular goitre

Renal cell carcinoma metastasizing to the thyroid gland, in a 72 year old Japanese woman, is reported. The patient had undergone a left radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma 3 months prior to the present operation. The patient noticed a nodular goitre but there was no evidence of any systemic spread of renal cell carcinoma. The histopathologic diagnosis, from a left lobectomy of the thyroid gland, was thyroid gland metastasis from renal cell carcinoma in adenomatous goitre. Clinical manifestation of thyroid gland metastasis from renal cell carcinoma, with no evidence of systemic involvement, is seen rarely. A case is reported and the condition discussed briefly.

A prediction scoring system to select the surgical treatment of liver cancer. Further refinement based on 10 years of use

OBJECTIVE

This study reports further refinement of a prediction scoring system, which was established in 1980 as a guide to determine a safe limit for hepatectomy, based on 10 years of use.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

In the past, whether major resection was safe was judged empirically from the net resection volume or the residual hepatic volume combined with the patient's liver function. However, such judgment was not based on objectively defined criteria.

METHODS

Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; n = 376) and metastatic cancer (n = 58) who had hepatectomy at some time from 1981 through 1990 were entered into this study. A prediction score (PS) was computed using a multiple regression equation that consists of computed tomographic scan-estimated resection rate, indocyanine green retention rate, and the patient's age. A PS greater than 55 was classified as a risky zone, a PS of 45 to 55 was considered borderline and a PS less than 45 was a safe zone.

RESULTS

With HCC and chronic liver disease, all patients in the risky zone died, whereas 33% in the borderline zone died and 7.3% died who were in the safe zone. With metastatic cancer with normal liver, all patients in the risky zone died, whereas no patient in either the borderline or safe zones died. The major cause of death in the risky zone was liver failure due to excessive resection. In the borderline and safe zones, liver failure developed primarily after abdominal sepsis or pulmonary infection, particularly for those with adverse prognostic factors such as disturbed glucose tolerance, lower platelet count, and higher indocyanine green retention rate.

CONCLUSION

Prediction scores can eliminate deaths related to excessive resection for patients with normal or injured livers. When patients have adverse prognostic factors, careful surgery and postoperative management is mandatory to avoid liver failure triggered by intra- or extra-abdominal sepsis, even if the score remains in a borderline or safe zone.

cDNA cloning and functional characterization of a meiosis-specific protein (MNS1) with apparent nuclear association

It is well known that cytoskeleton and karyoskeleton proteins are associated with changes in cell shape and with the rearrangement of the dynamic structures involved in cell division and motility. In higher vertebrates, there are three major skeletal protein groups: microfilaments, microtubules and intermediate filaments, each representing a multigene family. Some of these skeletal proteins are expressed in a temporally- and spatially-specific fashion, and they establish cell-specific cytoplasmic and nucleoplasmic organization during development. Here we report the cDNA cloning of a novel 60 kDa skeletal protein from mouse spermatocytes, termed MNS 1 (meiosis-specific nuclear structural protein), whose computer-predicted protein configuration indicates long alpha-helical coiled-coil domains flanked by non-helical terminal domains. Functional characterization of MNS1 by ectopic expression in culture cells indicated that it is a detergent- and high salt-resistant skeletal protein which is involved in organization of the nuclear or perinuclear architecture. The MNS1 protein is specifically expressed at the pachytene stage during spermatogenesis, so that its function may involve the determination and maintenance of the appropriate nuclear morphology during meiotic prophase.

ATP-induced inward current in neurons freshly dissociated from the tuberomammillary nucleus

1. Neurons in the tuberomammillary nucleus (TMN), which are considered to be histaminergic, were dissociated and their response to extracellularly applied ATP was investigated in the nystatin-perforated patch recording mode under voltage-clamp condition. 2. ATP induced a sustained inward current that was slowly desensitized at a holding potential of -60 mV. 3. The ATP response increased in a concentration-dependent manner. The half-maximum concentration (EC50) was 44 microM and the Hill coefficient was 1.8. 4. The potency of ATP analogues was in the order of ATP > or = 2-methylthio-ATP >> alpha, beta-methylene ATP > or = ADP. Neither adenosine nor AMP induced any response. The results suggest that the purinergic receptor in TMN neurons is P2y. 5. The current-voltage relationship for the 100 microM ATP showed a significant inward rectification at a potential more positive than -20 mV in an external solution with 150 mM Na+, but a significant rectification current was not observed in an external solution with 150 mM Cs+. The change in the reversal potential of the ATP response (EATP) to a 10-fold change of extracellular Na+ concentration was 56 mV, indicating that the ATP-induced current is highly selective for Na+ over Cl-. 6. The permeability ratio for cations was Na+:Li+:K+:Rb+: Cs+:Ca2+ = 2.16:1.36:1.68:1.54:1:2.55, indicating that the ATP-induced current is passing through the ligand-gated nonselective cation channel. 7. These results suggest that ATP has an excitatory effect on the TMN neurons by opening nonselective cation channels.

Nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine responses in differentiated PC12 cells

Nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) responses were investigated in PC12 cells using the conventional whole-cell and nystatin perforated patch techniques. With the nystatin perforated patch, ACh induced three kinds of ionic currents: a rapid transient inward current, a subsequent transient outward current and a long-lasting slow inward current, whereas only a transient inward current was recorded by conventional whole-cell patch. The transient rapid inward current was mimicked by nicotine, but not by muscarine. On the contrary, the transient outward current and the long-lasting slow inward current were mimicked by muscarine but not by nicotine. Both nicotinic and muscarinic antagonists inhibited the transient inward current and the subsequent outward current in a concentration-dependent manner. The current-voltage relationship for the nicotine-induced transient current showed an inward rectification and the reversal potential was close to the Na+ equilibrium potential. The ACh-, muscarine-, CCh- and oxotremorine-M induced outward currents increased in a sigmoidal fashion with an increase in the concentration. Neither McN-A-343, an M1 agonist, nor oxotremorine, an M2 agonist, mimicked the muscarinic response. The reversal potential of the muscarinic response was close to the K+ equilibrium potential. The muscarinic response was not affected by pre-treatment with pertussis toxin but was enhanced by pre-treatment with Li+. In the cells perfused with Ca(2+)-free external solution, only the first application of ACh induced the muscarinic response. Calmodulin antagonists reversibly blocked the muscarinic response in a concentration-dependent manner.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Construction of hybrid biphenyl (bph) and toluene (tod) genes for functional analysis of aromatic ring dioxygenases

Multicomponent enzyme complexes of biphenyl (BP) dioxygenase (Dox) encoded by the gene cluster, bphA1A2A3A4 in Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes strain KF707 [Taira et al., J. Biol. Chem. 267 (1992) 4844-4858] and toluene Dox encoded by the gene cluster, todC1C2BA in P. putida strain F1 [Zylstra et al., J. Biol. Chem. 264 (1989) 14940-14946], show high homologies (approx. 60%) for the corresponding subunit component in spite of the fact that they have discrete substrate specificities. We constructed hybrid gene clusters by replacing the gene component(s) between the large and small subunits of terminal Dox in the bph and tod gene clusters, and analyzed the function of a novel hybrid aromatic ring Dox. Escherichia coli cells expressing the hybrid gene clusters, todC1::bphA2A3A4, todC1C2::bphA3A4 and bphA1::todC2::bphA3A4, gained the ability to convert benzene-toluene and their derivatives to the dihydrodiols, indicating that the hybrid terminal Dox composed of TodC1::BphA2 and BphA1::TodC2 forms a functionally active multicomponent Dox associated with ferredoxin (Fer) (BphA3) and Fer reductase (BphA4). Moreover, hybrid Dox (composed of TodC1::BphA2A3A4 and TodC1C2::BphA3A4) showed a wide substrate specificity rather similar to that of the wild-type toluene Dox (TodC1C2BA). On the other hand, the hybrid Dox (BphA1::TodC2::BphA3A4) showed oxidative activities for the same compounds, but the rate of oxidation was dependent upon the substrate. These results suggest that (i) the two subunits of terminal Dox are critically involved in the substrate specificity for BP, benzene and their derivatives, and (ii) the electron transport proteins, Fer and Fer reductase, are exchangeable with one another between the BP Dox and toluene Dox complexes.

Identification of Lys277 at the active site of Escherichia coli glycogen synthase. Application of affinity labeling combined with site-directed mutagenesis

Lys15 in Escherichia coli glycogen synthase, which is specifically labeled by adenosine diphosphopyridoxal, is mainly involved in binding of the substrate ADP-glucose (Furukawa, K., Tagaya, M., Tanizawa, K., and Fukui, T. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 23837-23842). We have found that the mutant glycogen synthase in which Lys15 is replaced by Gln via site-directed mutagenesis is inactivated by adenosine diphosphopyridoxal at concentrations higher than those required for the inactivation of the wild-type enzyme. ADP and ADP-glucose offered protective effects on inactivation, suggesting that the label binds to the ADP-glucose-binding site in the mutant enzyme. Sequence analysis of the labeled peptide revealed that the labeled residue is Lys277. This lysyl residue is conserved in maize starch synthase, which shows about 30% amino acid identity to E. coli glycogen synthase. Substitution of Gln for Lys277 by site-directed mutagenesis resulted in a 140-fold decrease in the kcat value with little changes in the Km values for ADP-glucose and glycogen. These results suggest that Lys277 at the active site participates in the catalytic reaction rather than binding of substrate. The present study shows the usefulness of the combined application of affinity labeling and site-directed mutagenesis.

Developmental changes in the response of rat isolated duodenum to nicotine

Developmental changes in the response to ganglionic stimulants, nicotine and dimethylphenylpiperazinium, were investigated in rat isolated duodenum by recording isotonic mechanical activity. The duodenal response to nicotine/dimethylphenylpiperazinium (3 x 10(-7) to 10(-3) M) in neonatal rats was contraction, which was blocked by hexamethonium, tetrodotoxin and hyoscine. The response to nicotine/dimethylphenylpiperazinium (10(-6) to 10(-4) M) in the adult duodenum was relaxation, which was blocked by tetrodotoxin and hexamethonium, but by neither guanethidine nor hyoscine. The transition of the response to nicotine/dimethylphenylpiperazinium from contraction to relaxation occurred at around the 3rd postnatal week. Nicotine-induced relaxation of adult duodenum was significantly inhibited by preincubation with alpha-chymotrypsin, a proteolytic enzyme, and a combination of nucleotide pyrophosphatase and 8-phenyltheophylline, a P1 purinoceptor antagonist. Nicotine-induced relaxation was desensitized by alpha, beta-methylene ATP, a stable P2x purinoceptor agonist. These results suggest that the contractile response of isolated duodenum to nicotine is mediated through cholinergic transmission in neonatal rats and the relaxant response is mediated through non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic transmission, which involves both peptidergic and purinergic transmission, in adult rats.

Antiplatelet therapy following cardiac valve replacement-a comparative study of aspirin and ticlopidine

The antiplatelet agents, aspirin and ticlopidine, are widely used to prevent thromboembolism following cardiac valve replacement. To compare the clinical effects of each platelet inhibitor, a daily dose of ticlopidine 300 mg was given to 50 patients who underwent aortic valve or mitral valve replacement with an average age of 56.9 years over a mean 52.6 months after surgery. 50 more patients with an average age of 50.2 years were given a daily dose of aspirin 81 mg over a mean 51.3 months after surgery. Warfarin was given to maintain thrombotest values at 10 to 25% (PT-INR at 1.6-3.0). The incidence of thromboembolism was low in both groups; 1.0/100 patient years in the ticlopidine group and 1.9 in the aspirin group. Hemorrhagic complications, hematuria and ecchymosis, showed an incidence of 2.9 in the ticlopidine group and 2.3 in the aspirin group. Slight increases in GOT and GTP were observed in 4 and 18% of cases and elevated total cholesterol and neutral fat in 2 and 18% of cases. No adverse reactions were reported. With the exception of a significant decrease in ADP-induced platelet aggregation in patients who took ticlopidine, there were no significant differences observed between the two groups.

Goniodomin A induces modulation of actomyosin ATPase activity mediated through conformational change of actin

Goniodomin A, one of the polyether macrolides, isolated from the dinoflagellate Goniodoma pseudogoniaulax stimulated skeletal actomyosin ATPase activity 2-3 times, with a peak at 3 x 10(-8) to 3 x 10(-7) M. The effect of goniodomin A was dependent on the concentration of actin, but not of myosin. The actomyosin ATPase activity was increased by pretreatment of actin (but not of myosin) with goniodomin A. Goniodomin A induced a sustained and concentration-dependent increase in the fluorescence intensity (excitation wavelength, 277 nm; emission wavelength, 329 nm) of actin. The maximum response was obtained with concentrations of goniodomin A in the 10(-5) to 10(-4) M range in the presence of 5 microM F-actin. However, the ATPase activity and fluorescence intensity of myosin were not changed by goniodomin A at concentrations from 10(-8) to 10(-5) M. Interestingly, goniodomin A induced a remarkable but transient increase in the fluorescence intensity of actomyosin in a concentration-dependent manner, with a peak at 3 x 10(-7) M. This profile was quite similar to that found in the stimulation of the actomyosin ATPase activity induced by goniodomin A. To investigate further the effect of goniodomin A, actin was labeled with N-(1-pyrenyl)iodoacetamide. Goniodomin A at 10(-6) M had no effect on the fluorescence intensity of pyrenyl-actin (excitation wavelength, 365 nm; emission wavelength, 407 nm), but increasing concentrations of goniodomin A to 3 x 10(-6) M remarkably decreased its intensity. This effect was potentiated by heavy meromyosin. Actin molecules treated with goniodomin A were completely sedimented by mild centrifugation (for 15 min at 12,000 x g). Electron microscopic observations suggest that actin filaments associate with each other to form a gel in the presence of 3 x 10(-6) M goniodomin A. The conformational change of actin molecules, resulting from stoichiometric binding of goniodomin A to actin monomers in filaments, may modify the interaction between actin and myosin.

[Emergency coronary artery bypass grafting in a chronic hemodialysis patient: a case report]

Emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was performed on a 48-year-old male with a long-term hemodialysis history. Following the operation, the patient developed acute elevation of potassium. We applied hemodialysis and obtained beneficial beneficial results. No remarkable change on hemodynamics and coagulant system was observed. Hemodialysis should be recommended on an acute phase for the patients of good cardiac function with less bleeding during the operation.

Most bovine milk fat globule membrane glycoproteins contain asparagine-linked sugar chains with GalNAc beta 1-->4GlcNAc groups

N-Acetylgalactosamine is usually not a constitutive monosaccharide of Asn-linked sugar chains. Our previous study showed that the Asn-linked sugar chains of bovine CD36 prepared from milk fat globule membranes (MFGM) contain this unique monosaccharide as the GalNAc beta 1-->4GlcNAc group [Nakata et al. (1993) Biochemistry 32, 4369-4383]. Western blot analysis of bovine MFGM glycoproteins with Wistaria floribunda agglutinin (WFA), which binds oligosaccharides terminating with either an alpha- or beta-N-acetylgalactosamine residue, showed that WFA binding is observed for most of the protein bands as detected with Coomassie Brilliant Blue staining. However, no WFA binding was observed for protein bands after treatment of MFGM glycoproteins with N-glycanase. Structural analyses of the sugar chains released by hydrazinolysis from the MFGM glycoproteins by sequential exoglycosidase digestion and by methylation analysis revealed that oligosaccharides, which bound to a WFA-agarose column, are bi-, tri-, and tetraantennary complex-type and hybrid-type sugar chains with the GalNAc beta 1-->4GlcNAc group in their outer chain moieties, while oligosaccharides, which passed through the column, were of high-mannose-type, hybrid-type, and complex-type, of which the latter two groups contained the Gal beta 1-->4GlcNAc groups. These results indicated that many bovine MFGM glycoproteins contain Asn-linked sugar chains with the GalNAc beta 1-->4GlcNAc group.

Structural study of the sugar chains of porcine factor VIII--tissue- and species-specific glycosylation of factor VIII

The asparagine-linked sugar chains of blood coagulation factor VIII purified from porcine plasma were released as oligosaccharides by hydrazinolysis. These sugar chains were converted to radioactive oligosaccharides by reduction with sodium borotritide and separated into neutral and acidic fractions by paper electrophoresis. Most of the acidic oligosaccharides were converted to neutral ones by sialidase digestion, indicating that they are sialyl derivatives. The neutral and the sialidase-treated acidic oligosaccharides were fractionated by serial chromatography on immobilized lectin columns. Structural study of each oligosaccharide by sequential exoglycosidase digestion and by methylation analysis revealed that porcine factor VIII contains high mannose-type and bi-, tri-, and tetraantennary complex-type sugar chains. Sixty-seven percent of the complex-type sugar chains contained the Gal alpha 1-->3Gal group, and 23% of the biantennary complex-type sugar chains contained the bisecting N-acetylglucosamine residue. These structures were not detected in the sugar chains of human plasma factor VIII. An in vitro competition study of von Willebrand factor and anti-Gal antibody for binding to factor VIII revealed that von Willebrand factor prevented antibody binding to Gal alpha 1-->3Gal groups in porcine factor VIII sugar chains. This suggests that anti-Gal antibody present in human plasma may not interact with the sugar chains of therapeutic porcine factor VIII. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to identify porcine tissues producing FVIII mRNA. These studies revealed that the kidney is one of the major tissues expressing factor VIII which may contain the sugar chains with the bisecting N-acetylglucosamine residue.