A mutation of furin causes the lack of precursor-processing activity in human colon carcinoma LoVo cells

Furin has been proposed to be the endoprotease responsible for precursor cleavage at Arg-X-Lys/Arg-Arg (RXK/RR) sites within the constitutive secretory pathway. However, there was a possibility that other protease(s) is involved in this cleavage. We here characterized furin in human colon carcinoma LoVo cells, since these cells lacked the endogenous processing activity toward RXK/RR sites and recovered the activity by transfection of furin cDNA. Furin cDNA cloned from LoVo cells had one nucleotide deletion in the region covering the homo B domain which is essential for the endoproteolytic activity. LoVo cells transfected with a furin construct with the mutation showed no activity. Based on these data, we conclude that furin is the endoprotease that is involved in the precursor cleavage at RXK/RR sites within the constitutive secretory pathway.

A new approach to collagen fiber orientation in cow skin by the microwave method

The fiber orientation of cow leather sheets corresponding to the corium of the middle layer in the cow skin was studied by measuring the angular dependence of transmitted microwave intensity and the complex dielectric constant at a microwave frequency of 3.9 GHz. The direction of the minimum transmitted microwave intensity and the maximum dielectric loss agrees with that of the maximum mechanical breaking strength, suggesting that the collagen fibers constituting the cow leather should be preferably oriented in the direction of minimum transmitted microwaves and the maximum dielectric loss. The electron microphotograph supported this suggestion. The main chain direction of collagen fibers and the degree of orientation varied from position to position in the sheet. The present microwave method is convenient for quick determination of the orientation of collagen fibers in the cow skin. It can be applied non-destructively and contact-freely.

Immunohistochemical localization of C3d fragment of complement and S-protein (vitronectin) in normal and diseased human kidneys: association with the C5b-9 complex and vitronectin receptor

The localization of C3d, a fragment produced by C3 activation and S-protein (vitronectin), a regulatory factor of C5b-9, was studied immunohistochemically in normal human kidney and renal biopsies from patients with several types of glomerulonephritis. Immunofluorescent staining of the normal kidneys showed that C3d was present along the glomerular basement membrane (GBM), tubular basement membrane (TBM) and arterioles, and that S-protein was present in the GBM, mesangium, TBM, and arterioles. Immunoelectron microscopy of isolated basement membranes showed that C3d was localized exclusively on the epithelial side of the GBM, and that S-protein was present along both the epithelial and endothelial sides. In nephritic tissues, glomerular staining of C3d, C5b-9, and S-protein was increased when compared with that in normal tissues. S-protein, frequently co-localized with C3d and C5b-9 neoantigen, was intensely positive in the immune deposits of glomerular capillaries and the mesangial area, overlapping the background staining of GBM and mesangial matrix. S-protein and its receptor were occasionally co-localized in the glomeruli. These findings indicate that C3d and S-protein are normally present in the glomeruli. Co-staining of C3d, C5b-9 neoantigen, and S-protein within the immune deposits of nephritic kidneys suggests in situ binding of S-protein to locally-formed C5b-9 complex, or merely co-distribution of S-protein with the complex, rather than trapping of large molecular SC5b-9 complex from the circulation.

Alpha 1-adrenoceptor-blocking activity of ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin in isolated vascular smooth muscles

Using vascular strips from dogs and rabbits, we investigated whether the hypotensive action of ofloxacin enantiomers could be ascribed to effects on vascular smooth muscle. (+)-Ofloxacin, (-)-ofloxacin, (+/-)-ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin competitively inhibited contractions induced by norepinephrine or phenylephrine in dog mesenteric artery and rabbit aortic smooth muscles, without affecting the maximum contractions, whereas they did not affect contractions induced by high KCl. (-)-Ofloxacin did not affect the contractions induced by prostaglandin F2 alpha, 5-hydroxy-tryptamine, U46619 and angiotensin II. Pretreatment with (-)-ofloxacin protected alpha 1-receptors of rabbit aortas from the irreversible blockade by phenoxybenzamine. Any action on the vascular endothelium or intracellular Ca release was not involved in the vasorelaxing action of the drugs. The results suggest that these drugs have an antagonistic action on alpha 1-adrenoceptors in vascular smooth muscles and that this action is, at least partly, responsible for the hypotensive action.

Adrenal tissue characterization with 0.5-T MR imaging: value of T2*-weighted images

The authors investigated the value of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at 0.5 T for distinguishing adrenal adenomas from adrenal metastases. The series included 23 adrenal adenomas (18 nonhyperfunctioning, five hyperfunctioning) and 23 adrenal metastases from various organs. Adrenal tumor-liver signal intensity ratios on T1-, T2-, and T2*-weighted images were calculated for adrenal tissue characterization. Adrenal adenomas were more precisely distinguished from adrenal metastases on T2*-weighted images (21 of 23, 91%) than on T2-weighted images (15 of 23, 65%). T1-weighted images were not useful for this distinction. In conclusion, T2*-weighted images were better than routine T2-weighted images for distinguishing adrenal adenomas from adrenal metastases. It can be postulated that the total signal intensity of adrenal adenomas, which contain some fat components, decreased on T2*-weighted images because of an out-of-phase effect.

Diagnosis of intracapsular pathology associated with temporomandibular joint disorders

The clinical diagnosis of a Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) has traditionally been based on data gathered by means of a medical history and physical examination. The most common signs and symptoms associated with TMD are reduced jaw opening, pain and elevated tenderness in the muscles of mastication, pain and elevated temporomandibular joint (TMJ) tenderness, and TMJ noises upon movement. These signs and symptoms are routinely detectable by a skilled clinician upon examination. Unfortunately, the clinical problem described globally as a TMD has several different and overlapping patho-physiologic disease processes, and a traditional clinical examination does not provide highly tissue-specific pathologic information. Were it readily available, such information would be greatly useful, since logical and accurate treatment planning requires that each disease process be correctly identified. One important challenge for researchers interested in TMD will be the careful definition and subsequent validation of diagnostic methods which identify the relevant ongoing pathological disease process. On such research area, which has great promise, is the establishment of a valid diagnostic technique for intracapsular pathologies unique to TMD patients. This paper provides a critical review and discussion of the diagnostic validity of TMJ arthroscopy and other related methods of identifying intracapsular pathologies associated with TMD.

Rat renin promoter activity in cultured cells and transgenic mice

Renin, a key enzyme controlling blood pressure, is mainly synthesized in kidney. To characterize the rat renin promoter, we have constructed a reporter gene containing the 238-bp putative regulatory region linked to a bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT), and analyzed its promoter activity by in vitro transfection and introduction of the CAT fusion gene into germline of mice. CAT activity was detected in transfected embryonic kidney-derived 293 cells, but not in HeLa cells derived from cervical carcinoma, showing that the putative promoter region of the rat renin gene directs transcription in a cell type-dependent manner. To examine whether the sequence was sufficient to regulate the expression of the CAT chimeric gene in mice, we generated seven transgenic mice carrying the reporter construct. Unexpectedly, the transgene was not expressed in any of the independent transgenic mice examined. These results suggest one possibility that an additional control region may be required for efficient expression of the rat renin promoter in developing mice.

Morphogenesis of compound melanosomes in melanoma cells of a gray horse

A thoroughbred horse, gelding, gray color, aged 19 years old had cutaneous melanomas from the root to the middle of the tail, and throughout the connective tissues of the whole body. Histologically, the tumors were diagnosed as mature melanotic melanomas characteristically deposited with abundant melanin pigment. Examined with an electron microscope, melanosomes were electron opaque without internal structure (stage IV), or as mature granular and lamellar types. Most of them were fused with each other, and formed compound melanosomes, which was similar to internal melanin aggregates in shape. The internal melanin aggregates gradually disintegrated, and compound melanosomes grew spherical. The compound melanosomes changed into autophagosomes.

Identification of an isoform with an extremely large Cys-rich region of PC6, a Kex2-like processing endoprotease

In the previous study [1993, J. Biochem. (Tokyo) 113, 132-135] we identified PC6, a member of the Kex2 family of processing endoproteases. In this study, we identified another cDNA encoding an isoform of PC6, and designated it as PC6B and redesignated the originally identified PC6 as PC6A. PC6B had a very large Cys-rich region consisting of 22-times repeats of a Cys-rich motif, and a putative transmembrane domain which is not present in PC6A. A PC6B transcript was found mainly in the intestine, while PC6A transcripts were in various tissues. These results suggest distinct roles of PC6A and PC6B in endoproteolytic processing of precursor proteins.

Proximal and core DNA elements are required for efficient angiotensinogen promoter activation during adipogenic differentiation

Angiotensinogen is abundantly expressed in adipose tissue as well as in liver where it is mainly produced. To address the mechanism of this adipogenic expression, promoter regions of the mouse angiotensinogen gene are fused to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene and stably transfected into 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Promoter activity correlates well with an increase of mRNA levels during adipogenic differentiation, thereby demonstrating that the induction is primarily due to transcriptional activation. Deletion analysis indicates that the proximal promoter region from -96 to +22 is able to mediate the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase induction and identifies two transcriptionally active regions: AGE1 (position -399 to -139) and AGE2 (position -96 to -52). Heterologous promoter assay reveals that AGE1 behaves with a constitutive enhancer-like property and that AGE2 functions as a differentiation-inducible activator. Gel shift experiments show that AGE2 specifically binds a novel factor (AGF2), which is induced upon differentiation. Furthermore, a constitutive factor (AGF3) binds to the core promoter region including the exon 1 (from -6 to +22, AGE3). Mutations within either AGE2 or AGE3 that disrupt nuclear factors binding in vitro dramatically reduced the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activation in the native promoter context. These results suggest that both AGE2 and AGE3 are necessary for mediating efficient activation of the mouse angiotensinogen promoter during adipogenic differentiation.

Effect of ethanol on the development and maturation of synapses in the rat hippocampus: a quantitative electron-microscopic study

The effects of chronic ethanol administration on the development and maturation of synapses in the strata radiatum and lacunosum-moleculare of CA1 in the hippocampus were quantitatively examined in rats exposed to ethanol for the entire period of fetal life as well as the whole period of postnatal life. Synapse densities in the strata radiatum and lacunosum-moleculare of the ethanol-treated group were significantly lower than those of the control group at 2, 14, 21, and 70 days of age. However, the rates of density reduction did not change between either of the strata that receive different groups of afferent fibers. The ratio of axospinous to axoshaftic synapses also did not change between control and ethanol-treated groups. These data suggest that chronic administration of ethanol reduces the density of synapses in this area and that this effect is not specific to neither the type of afferent fibers nor the type of synapses.

[Focal glomerular sclerosis in a sibling]

We described here one sibling with focal glomerular sclerosis. Proteinuria was noticed at the age of five in brother and four in sister. Both of them developed nephrotic syndrome shortly after the discovery of proteinuria. The nephrotic syndrome was resistant to corticosteroid, immunosuppressive agents or the combination of these drugs. Percutaneous renal biopsy in them revealed morphological and immunohistological features compatible to focal glomerular sclerosis. HLA typing in HLA-A, B, C and DR loci was identical to both. This observation suggests that genetic factors is associated with the pathogenesis of focal glomerular sclerosis.

A novel human monoclonal antibody directed to a tumor-associated antigen

Twelve human monoclonal antibodies (HuMAb) were established by the fusion of (mouse x human) heteromyeloma cells with B-lymphoblastoid cells derived from the regional lymph nodes of three patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. They were tested for reactivity to two kinds of proteins (purified protein derivatives and bovine serum albumin) by ELISA, Sq-19 (squamous cell carcinoma) culture cells by indirect membrane immunofluorescence tests, and Sq-19 tumor xenograft by immunohistological study. Among them, one HuMAb 904F (IgM, lambda) was selected. In indirect membrane immunofluorescence tests, this 904F antibody reacted with various kinds of cell lines, e.g. lung cancer, esophageal cancer, endometrial cancer, and stomach cancer. It did not react with malignant hematopoietic and diploid fibroblast cell lines. Immunohistologically, it stained the tumor nests of squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma of the lung. It also stained those of esophagus and colon, but not those of small cell carcinoma of lung, or stomach. On frozen-section specimens of normal tissues from various organs, it showed only limited areas of positive staining. Limited positive findings were observed at a reticular zone of the adrenal gland, at the esophagus as weak staining, and at islets of the pancreas as very weak staining. Western blotting analysis demonstrated that it recognized a 54 kDa trypsin-sensitive molecule which is expressed on the surface of tumor cells. These results suggest the 904F monoclonal antibody detects a novel tumor-associated antigen which is recognized by the human immune system.

Production of transgenic rats using pregnant and pseudopregnant rats prepared at a breeding farm

We used pregnant and pseudopregnant Wistar-Imamichi rats, prepared at a breeding farm, for production of transgenic rats. The donor and recipient rats were transported to our facility for ova manipulation and embryo implantation, respectively. As a foreign gene, 1.9 kb of a hybrid gene was constructed with the rat renin promoter and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase-coding gene. Fertilized oocytes were collected from the donor and the foreign DNA was microinjected into the pronuclei of 539 oocytes by the method of Hochi. The manipulated oocytes were cultured to the 2-cell stage. One hundred seventeen 2-cell embryos were implanted in the recipient rats. Of 67 newborns, 55 rats grew up to be 3-week-old weanlings. Genomic DNA was extracted from the tail of these weanlings and examined by polymerase chain reaction analysis. Six transgenic rats were found to have been generated by the present method. In this way, transgenic rats were produced by an efficient combination of breeding farm utilization and laboratory research.

Levels of androgens and danazol metabolites in serum during danazol therapy

Thirteen women who had endometriosis were treated with danazol (300 to 400 mg/d). Levels of androgens and danazol metabolites in serum and the influences of danazol metabolites on the assays for serum androgen were investigated during danazol therapy. Serum DHEAS significantly increased (P < 0.05), but serum DHEA slightly decreased. Serum T levels, measured by direct assay, were markedly elevated. However, measured after HPLC separation, the T levels in serum were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). There were considerable cross-reactions between danazol metabolites and androgens (T, DHEA, and A) in RIA. Purification of androgens using column chromatography was necessary to measure serum androgens precisely.

Chimeric renin-angiotensin system demonstrates sustained increase in blood pressure of transgenic mice carrying both human renin and human angiotensinogen genes

A reaction between enzyme renin and its only natural substrate angiotensinogen is the initial and rate-limiting step for producing a potent vasoconstrictor angiotensin II as the final product of the renin-angiotensin system, a contributory factor in the pathogenesis of hypertension. In order to assess the role of the interaction of human renin with human angiotensinogen in the development of high blood pressure, we have constructed the chimeric renin-angiotensin cascade in mice comprising both human renin and human angiotensinogen as well as the endogenous angiotensin-converting enzyme and angiotensin II receptor by cross-mating separate lines of transgenic mice carrying either the human renin or human angiotensinogen genes. Although each single gene carrier did not develop hypertension despite the observed normal tissue-specific expression of the transgenes, dual gene strains exhibited a chronically sustained increase in blood pressure. Administration of a human renin-specific inhibitor (ES-8891) was effective in reducing the elevated blood pressure only against the cross-mated hybrid mice, but treatment of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (captopril) and a selective antagonist (DuP 753) directed at the angiotensin II receptor decreased the basal level of blood pressure even in single gene carriers as well as in dual gene mice. These results clearly demonstrated that the sustained increase in blood pressure of the hybrid mice was initiated by the interaction between the products of the two human genes.

A simple method of hybridohistochemistry for detection of renin mRNA in the mouse kidney

Hybridohistochemistry was applied for the detection of renin mRNA in the mouse kidney with a digoxigenin-labeled probe, synthesized as the sense and antisense RNAs from Ren-1 cDNA in the presence of digoxigenin-dUTP. Renin mRNA was detected in the juxtaglomerular cells located in the vicinity of the glomerular vascular poles of the kidney using the digoxigenin-labeled antisense RNA as a probe. Using the sense RNA as a probe, no signal was detected anywhere. In neighboring serial sections, the same cells reacted immunohistochemically to rabbit anti-mouse submandibular gland renin serum as in hybridohistochemistry. As we used the probe labeled with digoxigenin as a non-radioisotopic marker, there was no need for special handling other than that in immunohistochemistry. It was concluded that the simple procedure given in the present study is useful for the detection of mRNA.

Structures of asparagine linked oligosaccharides of immunoglobulins (IgY) isolated from egg-yolk of Japanese quail

Structures of the Asn linked oligosaccharides of quail egg-yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) were determined in this study. Asn linked oligosaccharides were cleaved from IgY by hydrazinolysis and labelled with p-aminobenzoic acid ethyl ester (ABEE) after N-acetylation. The ABEE labelled oligosaccharides were then fractionated by a combination of Concanavalin A-agarose column chromatography and anion exchange, normal phase and reversed phase HPLC before their structures were determined by sequential exoglycosidase digestion, methylation analysis, HPLC, and 500 MHz 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Quail IgY contained only neutral oligosaccharides of the following categories: the glucosylated oligomannose type (0.6% Glc alpha 1-3Glc alpha 1-3Man9GlcNAc2; 35.6%, Glc alpha 1-3Man7-9GlcNAc2). oligomannose type (15.0%, with the structure Man5-9GlcNAc2) and biantennary complex type with core structures of -Man alpha 1-3(-Man alpha 1-6)Man beta 1-4GlcNAc beta 1-4GlcNAc (9.9%), -Man alpha 1-3 (GlcNAc beta 1-4)(-Man alpha 1-6)Man beta 1-4GlcNAc beta 1-4GlcNAc (25.1%) and -Man alpha 1-3(GlcNAc beta 1-4)(-Man alpha 1-6)Man beta 1-4GlcNAc beta 1-4(Fuc alpha 1-6)GlcNAc (11.4%). Although never found in mammalian proteins, glucosylated oligosaccharides (Glc1Man7-9GlcNAc2) have been located previously in hen IgY.

Skin sympathetic nerve activity in acquired idiopathic generalized anhidrosis

We recorded skin sympathetic nerve activity (SSNA) microneurographically from the right tibial nerve of a patient with acquired idiopathic generalized anhidrosis (AIGA). The patient did not show any spontaneous sweating or pilocarpine- and nicotine-induced sweat response. Histopathologic examination showed degenerated eccrine glands associated with surrounding inflammatory cellular infiltration. Electrical nerve stimulation produced a two-peak pattern of SSNA reflex discharge representing sudomotor and vasoconstrictor components. The frequency of spontaneous SSNA bursts (burst rate), presumably of a sudomotor nature, at the ambient temperature of 25 degrees C was significantly higher than in a healthy control subject and was further increased at a temperature of over 38 degrees C. Thus, sudomotor sympathetic nerve activity is well preserved or even increased in AIGA. We conclude that anhidrosis of AIGA results from the generalized sweat gland dysfunction rather than decreased sympathetic outflow to the skin.

Human ERG-2 protein is a phosphorylated DNA-binding protein--a distinct member of the ets family

We describe the identification of the ERG-2 gene products using an antibody raised against recombinant human ERG-2 protein. ERG-2 is a nuclear phosphoprotein and binds to purine-rich sequences (C/G)(C/a)GG-AA(G/a)T. ERG-2 protein, with a half-life of 21 h, is considerably more stable than the short-lived ETS-1 or ETS-2 proteins. Its phosphorylation is stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), but not by Ca2+ ionophore treatment. ETS-1 protein is phosphorylated by Ca(2+)-dependent events, whereas ERG-2 protein is phosphorylated by activation of protein kinase C, suggesting their involvement in distinct signal transduction mechanisms. The expression of ERG-2 protein is restricted to few cell types and is high in early myeloid cells, indicating that it may function at an early stage of hematopoietic lineage determination. The DNA-binding sequence for ERG-2 protein is identified by using a random oligonucleotide selection procedure. The selected sequence is very similar to the binding sequence determined for human ETS-1 using the same method. Like other ets proteins, ERG-2 is a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein and is expressed at higher levels in early myeloid cells than in mature lymphoid cells. These results suggest that it may act as a regulator of genes required for maintenance and/or differentiation of early hematopoietic cells.

[Developmental biotechnology and hypertension--emphasis on renin-angiotensin system]

The recent remarkable progress in molecular biology and developmental biotechnology has contributed to the evaluation of mechanism of hypertension. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is defined as an endocrine substance acting on blood pressure regulation. Accumulating evidence suggests the existence of tissue RAS in various organs, such as the brain, heart, vascular walls, adrenal gland, testis and ovary, in addition to the circulating RAS. However, it remains unclear how the RAS affects those tissues and high blood pressure. The advent of new developmental biotechnology gives an additional dimension to hypertension research. Such approach includes the generation of transgenic animals carrying the component of RAS genes and it should contribute to the elucidation of the RAS action in tissue function. In this manuscript, transgenic animals, produced to date, with emphasis on hypertension is introduced.