Myristoylation of protein at a distinct position allows its phosphorylation by protein kinase C

A hydrophilic enzyme, lysozyme, was myristoylated in vitro by the N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of myristic acid and three monomyristoylated lysozymes modified at a distinct position (at Lys-13, Lys-33, Lys-97) were isolated by two-step column chromatography. The relationship between membrane binding and phosphorylation by protein kinase C of these monomyristoylated lysozymes were examined using phospholipid vesicles. These three lysozymes bound to phospholipid vesicles to the same extent, whereas the binding of nonmyristoylated native lysozyme was negligible. When native and three monomyristoylated lysozymes were reacted with protein kinase C in a phosphatidylserine (PS)-containing vesicle system, phosphorylation was observed with the myristoylated lysozymes, whereas that of native lysozyme was negligible. However, a remarkable (more than sixfold) difference in the extent of phosphorylation by protein kinase C was observed among three monomyristoylated lysozymes with a different myristoylated position. These results suggest that the membrane binding of substrate protein is not sufficient for the phosphorylation by protein kinase C and the topology of the substrate protein on the membrane play a crucial role in the recognition of substrate protein by protein kinase C. These results further indicate that protein myristoylation can modulate the topology of the membrane-bound protein.

[Portal-transfer of an orally administered anti-cancer agent analysis of the time course of portal blood and systemic blood levels of preoperatively administered UFT]

The transfer of an orally administered anti-cancer agent, UFT, into the portal vein was examined in 21 patients with hepatic metastasis of colorectal cancer (synchronous metastasis in 9 and metachronous metastasis in 12 cases) encountered at our department. The time course of tegafur, 5-FU and uracil levels in portal blood was traced for maximum 6 hrs, starting 2 hrs after the final oral dose of UFT. The portal blood tegafur level was 11.89 +/- 4.31 micrograms/ml at 2 hrs after the final dose and decreased gradually thereafter, reaching to 8.48 +/- 8.42 micrograms/ml at 6 hrs after the final dose. Unlike the portal blood tegafur level, the portal blood 5-FU level did not show any similar tendency; it remained almost unchanged at 0.018 +/- 0.006 microgram/ml and approximately equal to the serum 5-FU level throughout the observation period.

[Significance of the glucose concentration in amniotic fluid for the prediction of chorioamnionitis in preterm labor]

For the rapid and accurate prediction of the presence of chorioamnionitis (CAM) in preterm labor, amniotic fluid analyses were performed in 46 women with preterm labor between 24 to 34 weeks' pregnancy. Ultrasound-guided transabdominal amniocentesis was performed on admission and the amniotic fluid was subjected to the measurement of cell count, glucose, protein and chlorine concentration according to cerebrospinal fluid and neutrophil esterase analysis. The data demonstrated that the amniotic fluid glucose concentration was significantly lower in women with preterm birth/CAM(+) than that with preterm birth/CAM(-) and term birth (19.0 +/- 9.1, 28.0 +/- 7.6, 51.6 +/- 14.5 mg/dl, respectively). All of the women with a glucose concentration of 20mg/dl or less showed signs of CAM. By setting up a cut off value of 25mg/dl, both high sensitivity (81.8%) and specificity (91.4%) for the prediction of CAM were obtained. Positive predictive values for CAM of a glucose concentration of 20mg/dl or less and 25mg/dl or less were 100% and 75% respectively. It was concluded that amniotic fluid glucose concentration measurement is useful for the prediction of CAM. The presence of CAM should be considered when the amniotic fluid glucose concentration is 25mg/dl or less.

Cooling the cornea to prevent side effects of photorefractive keratectomy

Complaints after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) include both severe pain and a decrease in quality of vision due to corneal subepithelial haze. We suspect that one of the causes of these troubles is a temperature rise at the corneal surface during ablation. We cooled down the eye with cold balanced salt solution before and after photorefractive keratectomy. Postoperatively, this reduced severe pain, subepithelial corneal haze and any damage to the corneal endothelium.

Tissue-specific expression of the human aromatase cytochrome P-450 gene by alternative use of multiple exons 1 and promoters, and switching of tissue-specific exons 1 in carcinogenesis

Extensive screening of aromatase cDNA was carried out in cDNA libraries from various human tissues. The DNA sequences of all the isolated cDNA clones were identical in the region encoded by exons 2-10 of the aromatase gene. However, tissue-specific sequences, which were classified into four groups, were observed in the 5' portions of the clones corresponding to the region encoded by exon 1. All of them were also found in clones isolated from a human genomic library and mapped between exons 1 and 2 of the human aromatase gene reported previously, suggesting the presence of multiple exons 1 and promoters in the gene. Reverse transcription-PCR analyses of aromatase mRNAs in various tissues revealed that aromatase transcripts are tissue-specifically spliced by alternative use of multiple exons 1, although minor forms of the transcripts were also present in each tissue. Aromatase mRNA is spliced from 10 exons in most tissues, but from 9 exons in the prostate and from 10 or 11 exons in the placenta. This suggests that tissue-specific regulation of the aromatase gene in various tissues may be explained by alternative use of multiple exons 1 flanked with tissue-specific promoters. The alternative use of multiple exons 1 for liver transcripts was found to change developmentally. Furthermore, switch from an adipose-specific exon 1 to another type of exon 1 was observed in aromatase transcripts of adipose tissues of three of five breast cancer patients.

Effects of truncation of human pro-tumor necrosis factor transmembrane domain on cellular targeting

Human tumor necrosis factor is initially synthesized as a transmembrane prohormone anchored by a hydrophobic region of the leader sequence. This hydrophobic domain has been previously localized to extend from Leu-46 to Ile-21 based on hydropathy calculations. To functionally determine the nature of this domain, we have generated a series of pro-TNF mutant cDNAs in which either half or both halves of this encoding domain is deleted. These cDNAs were analyzed both by the ability of their mRNAs to direct translation in a microsomal system and by cellular localization of their encoded TNFs following transfection of NIH/3T3 cells. We determined that the mutant protein with deletion of the periluminal region of the transmembrane domain (Thr-32 to Ile-21) was translocated into microsomes and localized on the inner surface of the microsomal membrane in a fashion identical to that of the parental TNF. In contrast, the mutants with deletion of either the pericytoplasmic aspect (Leu-46 to Gly-34) or of virtually the entire transmembrane domain were not localized in the microsomes. Transfection experiments indicated that only the cDNAs whose peptide products were translocated across microsomal membranes gave rise to transmembrane prohormones and matured TNFs. Thus, the functions of membrane targeting and orientation prior to proteolytic processing can be fulfilled by the sequence Leu-46 to Ala-33 of the transmembrane domain, but not by the sequence Ala-33 to Ile-21.

A study on the lung function in alpha 1-antitrypsin-deficient (PiMZ) patients

Laurel and Eriksson published the first report indicating that alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency predisposed patients to the development of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). For the purpose of early detection, disturbances of pulmonary function in alpha 1-antitrypsin mild deficiency cases (PiMZ) were compared with those of normal cases (PiMM) in caucasian Americans. The marked results are as follows. 1) Parameters of flow-volume curves were more disturbed in PiMZ cases than in PiMM cases. 2) Volumes of isoflow are specially different between PiMZ and PiMM cases. 3) Mechanical properties, like lung work of breathing, were larger in PiMZ cases than in PiMM cases.

Role of tyrosyl phosphorylation in neutrophil priming by tumor necrosis factor-alpha and granulocyte colony stimulating factor

The ability of human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) to induce phosphorylation of protein tyrosyl residues in human peripheral neutrophils (PMN) was investigated by Western blot analysis with antiphosphotyrosine antibody. Both TNF-alpha and G-CSF increased the tyrosyl phosphorylation of various proteins, such as species of 54-, 63-, 72-, 83-, 98-, 108-, and 115-kDa proteins. The ligand-stimulated tyrosyl phosphorylation of the 115-kDa protein was time- and concentration-dependent. When the 115-kDa protein was phosphorylated, it was recovered from membrane fractions. The phosphorylation of the 115-kDa protein was inhibited by genistein and alpha-cyano-3-ethoxy-4-hydroxy-5-phenylthiomethylcinnamamide (ST 638), inhibitors of tyrosine kinase (TK), and was enhanced by 1-(5-isoquinoline-sulfonyl) methyl-piperazine dihydrochloride (H-7) and staurosporine, inhibitors of Ca(2+)- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (PKC). Similar inhibition by the TK inhibitors and stimulation by the PKC inhibitors were also observed with formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP)-induced superoxide (O2.-) generation by TNF-alpha- or G-CSF-primed PMN. Phosphorylation of the 115-kDa protein occurred in parallel with the ligand-dependent generation of O2.-. These and other observations suggested that substrate proteins for tyrosine kinase, such as the 115-kDa protein, might play critical roles in the mechanism for priming of neutrophils. This is the first report describing that tyrosyl phosphorylation is involved in the priming of neutrophils by G-CSF and TNF-alpha.

Neutrophil priming by granulocyte colony stimulating factor and its modulation by protein kinase inhibitors

Upon stimulation by various ligands, freshly isolated human peripheral neutrophils (PMN) respond in a variety of ways, such as superoxide (O2-.) generation, phagocytosis enzyme release, migration etc. Chemotactic peptide formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) and opsonized zymosan activate neutrophils by a receptor-mediated mechanism, while phorbol myristate acetate and dioctanoylglycerol activate the cells by a mechanism involving Ca(2+)-and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (PKC). Receptor-mediated but not PKC-mediated O2-. generation in PMN was enhanced by the priming of recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). FMLP-dependent luminol chemiluminescence was also enhanced by G-CSF. However, no appreciable enhancement was observed in FMLP-induced intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i). Enhancement of FMLP-induced generation of O2-. by G-CSF was inhibited by genistein or alpha-cyano-3-ethoxy-4-hydroxy-5-phenylthiomethylcinnamamide (ST 638), inhibitors of tyrosine kinase (TK), and was stimulated by staurosporine and 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-3-methyl-piperazine (H-7), inhibitors of PKC. The ED50 values of genistein and ST 638 for the inhibition of the FMLP-induced O2-. generation from G-CSF were 0.5 and 5 microM, respectively. In contrast, O2-. generation by PKC activation without G-CSF priming was inhibited by stauroporine and H-7, but was stimulated by genistein and ST 638. These results suggested that the enhancing effect of G-CSF on receptor-mediated generation of the O2-. might be regulated by protein kinases, such as TK and PKC, and that the TK inhibitor selectively inhibited the G-CSF-primed receptor-mediated O2-. generation of neutrophils.

Requirement of protein association with membranes for phosphorylation by protein kinase C

To clarify the requirement of the association of substrate proteins with phospholipid membranes for phosphorylation by protein kinase C (PKC), we studied the relationship between membrane association of PKC-substrate proteins and their phosphorylation by PKC. In the presence of phosphatidylserine, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate induced PKC autophosphorylation in either the presence or the absence of Ca2+, and this phosphorylation was not inhibited by increasing salt concentration (up to 200 mM NaCl). Thus, Ca2+ and ionic strength did not markedly affect the enzymatic activity of PKC. Annexin I required Ca2+ for both its association with phospholipid membranes and phosphorylation by PKC, whereas histone and monomyristilated lysozyme (C14:0-lysozyme) did not. This result indicates that the membrane association of substrates closely correlates with their phosphorylation by PKC. Similar correlation was also observed in the effects of ionic strength on the membrane association of the substrates and their phosphorylation by PKC; increased ionic strength (200 mM NaCl) remarkably inhibited both the membrane association and the phosphorylation of histone and annexin I by PKC but C14:0-lysozyme was not markedly affected. These results suggest that the membrane association of PKC-substrate proteins is a prerequisite for their phosphorylation by PKC. This concept further conforms to the mechanisms of PKC inhibitors; some types of PKC inhibitors are mediated all or in part through inhibition of the substrate-membrane interaction.

[Inhibitory effects of calphobindins on phospholipase A2 and phospholipase C]

Calphobindins (CPBs) I, II and III which we isolated and characterized from placenta belong to a family of calcium and phospholipid binding proteins represented by lipocortins known to inhibit phospholipase A2(PLA2). The amino acid sequence of three CPBs shares much homology with lipocortins I and II, so we investigated the functions of CPBs in affecting the enzymatic activities of PLA2 and also phospholipase C(PLC). In our experiments CPBs I, II and III showed an apparent dose-dependent inhibition of PLA2 and PLC activities, and all three proteins had a more potent inhibitory effect than lipocortins. The inhibition was overcome by high phospholipid substrate concentrations, for example, in the presence of 2.9 x 10(-9)M PLA2 and 2.6 x 10(-7)M CPB I, the inhibition decreased from 85 to 9% as phosphatidylethanolamine was increased from 10 to 100 microM. A similar result was observed in the case of PLC also. The evidence strongly suggests that the inhibitory effect of CPBI results from binding of the proteins to the phospholipid substrate rather than from a direct action on the phospholipase itself.

[A pupillographical study on the effects of cataract surgery on the contralateral eye]

In order to estimate the effect of cataract surgery on the contralateral eye, we examined pupillary light reflex and performed laser flare-cell measurement. The subjects were nine patients who underwent extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and fourteen patients who underwent ECCE with intraocular lens implantation. Pupillary light reflexes of the contralateral eyes were examined using a computerized videopupillogram (HTV C-301). Aqueous cells and flare of both eyes were measured by a laser flare-cell meter (KOWA FC 100). The author performed five successive measurements before and 1, 3 days, 1, 2 weeks and 1, 2, 3 months after surgery and statistically estimated the consensual effect of cataract surgery. As a result of contralateral cataract surgery, pupils became significantly miotic from the first postoperative day for more than 3 months without any alteration of other parameters of light reflex. On the contrary aqueous cells and flare significantly raised from the first postoperative day and disappeared within 3 months. Consensual miosis was considered to be sensitive indicator of postoperative inflammation of cataract surgery as well as contralateral increase of aqueous cells and flare.

Modulation of TNF-alpha-priming and stimulation-dependent superoxide generation in human neutrophils by protein kinase inhibitors

Human peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (HPPMN) from healthy individuals are not primed and, hence, weak stimulation-dependent responses are induced by certain stimuli which bind to membrane receptors. When HPPMN were exposed to recombinant human tumor necrosis factor alpha (rHuTNF-alpha) or recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rG-CSF), they underwent priming and the rate of superoxide anion (O.-2) generation was increased by subsequent exposure to formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) or opsonized zymosan (OZ). However, the degree of enhancement was very small upon exposure to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or dioctanoyl glycerol (DOG). The oxygen burst induced by FMLP or OZ was inhibited by genistein and alpha-cyano-3-ethoxy-4-hydroxy-5-phenylthiomethylcinnamamid (ST638), which are inhibitors of tyrosine kinase (TK), and was enhanced by 1-(5-isoquinoline-sulfonyl)-3-methyl-piperazine (H-7) and staurosporine, which are inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC). Without priming, however, O.-2 generation from HPPMN by high concentrations of FMLP was not inhibited strongly by genistein or ST638. On the contrary, the oxygen burst induced by PMA or DOG was stimulated by genistein or ST638 and was inhibited by H-7 or staurosporine. Furthermore, O.-2 generation by guinea pig peritoneal neutrophils, which are already primed in vivo, was induced markedly by FMLP by a mechanism which was stimulated by a low concentration of genistein or ST638. Thus, FMLP-mediated O.-2-generation of HPPMN is coupled with rHuTNF-alpha- or rG-CSF-priming and is inhibited by TK inhibitors, whereas PMA- or DOG-induced O.-2 generation is not coupled with TNF-alpha or G-CSF-priming and is inhibited by PKC inhibitors. These results suggest that both PKC and TK play critical roles in the regulatory mechanism of priming and NADPH-oxidase activation in neutrophils.

[Age effects of topical tyramine and cocaine on the pupil]

In order to obtain the age distribution of normal values of the effects of topical tyramine or cocaine on the pupil, we measured the pupillary light reflexes of 50 normal volunteers before and 45 minutes (tyramine) or 90 minutes (cocaine) after the topical instillation in right eyes. Left eyes were used as controls. An infrared videopupillogram (HTV-C301) was used. Topical tyramine as well as cocaine caused mydriasis, increase of maximum %-velocity of dilatation (%-VDmax), reduction of %-amplitude of constriction (%-A) and decrease of maximum %-velocity of constriction (%-VCmax). These alternations of pupillary parameters coincided with the changes induced by topical epinephrine. The effects of tyramine or cocaine significantly increased as the age of the subjects increased, though the increase of %-VDmax caused by cocaine was only related to age. Age-related augmentation of pupillary changes were also been observed in a previous study using topical epinephrine or topical pilocarpine which concluded that the effects of any topical autonomics were increased by aging. No physiological senile Horner's syndrome was detected. It was concluded that the age-related augmentation of pupillary changes caused by topical autonomics probably resulted from the increment of corneal permeability in the aged which was confirmed in the previous fluorophotometric study by the authors following topical fluorescein administration. It is possible to assess the pupillary sensitivity to topical adrenergics of the patients with bilateral Horner's syndrome by comparing the age-related normal values obtained in this study.

Structural organization and expression of the gene for bovine myosin I heavy chain

Brush border myosin I heavy chain (MIHC), known previously as the brush border 110-kDa protein, contains an amino-terminal sequence which is highly homologous to the globular head domain of conventional myosin II heavy chain (MIIHC). The carboxyl-terminal sequence of MIHC completely diverges from that of MIIHC and functions as calmodulin-binding and membrane-interaction sites. In this investigation, we determined the structural organization of the bovine MIHC by isolating a set of genomic segments containing the whole MIHC gene. The bovine MIHC gene is 26 kilobase pairs long and consists of 28 exons. At the homologous amino-terminal portion of MIHC, many introns are located at positions equivalent to those of the rat MIIHC gene and the amoeba MIHC gene. At the carboxyl-terminal sequence of MIHC, the putative calmodulin-binding and membrane-interacting domains are specified by discrete sets of exons. These findings support the view that the amino-terminal head portions of MIHC and MIIHC evolved from a common ancestral origin and also that the MIHC protein was generated as a result of fusion of discrete genomic segments encoding different functional and structural protein domains. Analysis of tissue expression of the MIHC mRNA was also extended in this investigation, and the results indicated that this mRNA is expressed in some tissues other than the intestines.

The role of amino functions in recombinant human tumor necrosis factor in expression of biological activity

The role of amino functions in the expression of the biological activity of recombinant human TNF (rHuTNF) was studied by chemical modification. rHuTNF is a homotrimer of 17 kD subunits, each of which contains an N-terminal valine and six lysyl residues: two of these lysyl residues are known to be involved in intra- or intersubunit interactions. Chemically reactive amino functions were modified with the N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of acetic acid; modification of amino groups to amide, and the concomitant loss of charge, was monitored by native PAGE. When rHuTNF was reacted with the active ester at increasing mole ratios, up to 12 amino groups per trimer could be modified. When the biological activity of acetylated rHuTNF was determined, a strong correlation between the extent of modification and loss of biological activity was observed. One to three amino groups per trimer could be modified with nearly complete retention (approximately 80-95%) of biological activity; activity was essentially completely destroyed at the highest levels of modification. These results reveal important functions for the amino groups of rHuTNF and significant constraints on strategies involving their modification in development of second-generation-TNF variants.

Preparation and characterization of liposomal-lipophilic tumor necrosis factor

The liposomal delivery of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (rHuTNF) has been shown to be effective in reducing its toxic effects and in its targeting of organs rich in cells of the reticuloendothelial system. However, native recombinant human TNF shows only poor affinity for liposomes, presumably due to its low hydrophobicity. In an attempt to increase the efficiency of association with liposomes, we have modified TNF to increase its hydrophobicity by selective substitution of its amino groups with fatty acid side chains. N-hydroxysuccinimide esters of saturated fatty acids ranging from C8 to C18 were reacted with recombinant human TNF. Modification with esters of C8 to C14 acids occurred as determined by consumption of positively charged amino groups monitored by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; however, esters of longer chain lengths (C16, C18) were much less capable of introducing these chains via amide linkages, and thus these adducts were not further characterized. Biological assays revealed that retention of activity was inversely dependent both on the number of chains introduced and on their length; activity was most conserved (greater than 50%) in a TNF preparation modified with only approximately 1-2.5 caprylic acid (C8) residues/trimer. This preparation was found to bind with high efficiency (approximately 50%) to preformed dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine-small unilamellar vesicles. The extent of binding closely paralleled both the number of chains introduced and their length; binding was even more efficient (80-90%) for TNF modified either with approximately 3.5 caprylic acid residues/trimer or with approximately 1.5 residues of myristic acid (C14). However, the biological activity of these acylated TNFs was further reduced by this more extensive chemical modification (less than 50% activity for C8 and less than 10% for C14). The biological activity of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine-small unilamellar vesicle-C8-TNF was found to be comparable to that of the nonliposomal C8-TNF. Thus, biologically active preparations of liposomal-lipophilic TNF can be prepared with high efficiency.

[A follow-up study of pupillary dynamics in patients with ocular hypertension and primary open angle glaucoma]

The authors previously reported light reflex abnormalities and adrenergic supersensitivity to topical epinephrine (DPE; dipivalyl epinephrine) of the pupils in patients with ocular hypertension (OH) and those with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). In this investigation, we attempted to reconfirm pupillary light reflex abnormalities we reported previously, and to investigate the relationship between the normotensive effect of 0.1% DPE and the pupillary light reflex abnormalities in OHs and POAGs. A total of 11 OHs and 11 POAGs under good oculotensive control with neither mydriatics nor miotics were examined. They were measured by an open-loop photically stimulated infrared videopupilogram, and were neurologically diagnosed by comparing the simulated patterns of the light reflex made by topical autonomic agents. When we considered the progress of the stage of POAG, both OHs and POAGs showed satisfactory reproducibility of pupillary light reflex abnormalities. Other cases in which light reflexes altered, showed worsening of the visual field deficit, which was prominent when OHs developed into POAG. OHs with significant reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) after topical administration of 0.1% DPE showed various kinds of abnormal pupillary light reflexes. On the contrary, cases with little reduction of IOP after 0.1% DPE instillation showed normal pupillary light reflexes in OHs and afferent pupillary defect on POAGs.

Targeting SOD by gene and protein engineering and inhibition of free radical injury

Although oxygen toxicity of tissues can be decreased by a variety of antioxidants and some enzymes, such as SOD and catalase, their protective effect on tissue injury in various diseases are fairly small predominantly because of their unfavorable in vivo behavior. To minimize oxidative stress in various diseases, such as ischemic myocardial injury, circulatory disturbance and corneal inflammation, we synthesized three types of SOD derivatives by gene and protein engineering technique. One type of SOD (SM-SOD covalently linked with hydrophobic anions) circulates bound to albumin with a half life of 6 h and accumulates in tissues whose local pH is decreased. The other type of SOD (AC-SOD covalently linked with long chain fatty acids via the epsilon-amino group of lysyl residues) anchors onto membrane/lipid bilayers of various cells. The last type of SOD (HB-SOD synthesized by constructing a fusion gene coding human CuZn-type SOD and a C-terminal heparin-binding domain) binds to heparin-like proteoglycans on vascular endothelial cell surface. Intravenous administration of either SM-SOD or HB-SOD markedly inhibited postischemic reflow arrhythmias in the rat. When the left anterior descending artery was occluded permanently, about 65% of animals died within 30 min predominantly due to irreversible ventricular fibrillation; the motality of animals decreased to 15% by administering SM-SOD either before or after occlusion. Topically administered AC-SOD bound to the corneal epithelial cell surface and polymorphonuclear leukocytes and efficiently dismutated superoxide radicals at their cell surface. Thus, endotoxin-induced keratitis was inhibited markedly by topical instillation of AC-SOD.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Inhibition of 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate promoted tumorigenesis by cepharanthine, a biscoclaurine alkaloid, in relation to the inhibitory effect on protein kinase C

In two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis initiated by 7,12-dimethylbenz[alpha]anthracene (DMBA), cepharanthine inhibited the tumor promoting activity of 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Since Ca2(+)-phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (PKC) was shown to be an intracellular target of TPA, effects of cepharanthine on the activity of this enzyme were investigated Cepharanthine also inhibited the phosphorylation of H1 histone by PKC in a concentration dependent manner. While cepharanthine inhibited the association of H1 histone with phospholipid vesicles, autophosphorylation of PKC was not inhibited by this drug. Cepharanthine also inhibited TPA-stimulated phosphorylation of some cytoplasmic proteins of mouse skin epidermis. These results indicated the possibility that anti-tumor promoting action of cepharanthine was the result of inhibition of PKC dependent cytoplasmic protein phosphorylation through the reduction of the interaction of these proteins with the plasma membrane.

Epidural buprenorphine or morphine for the relief of head and neck cancer pain

We present three cases in which epidural buprenorphine or morphine was used for intractable cancer pain of the head and neck. Excellent pain relief and minimal side effects offered by epidural opioids were of significant benefit. The use of epidural opioids prior to the administration of high doses of oral morphine may be the treatment of choice for pain from malignancy of the head and neck, especially when there is tumor extension or distant metastasis.

[Intrapleural administration of CDDP against malignant pleural effusions in breast cancer]

Malignant pleural effusion in the patients with breast cancer commonly occurs, and is a life-threatening factor. The present paper shows the usefulness of intrapleural administration of CDDP in six cases. A decrease of pleural effusions was observed in all cases. Treatment was effective in two cases of CR and four cases of PR. A median survival from initiation of intrapleural therapy is 17 months (range 2-47 months). This procedure produced distinctly fewer side effects than intravenous administration. The results of this trials suggest that CDDP should be considered as an active agent in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion in the patients with breast cancer.

[Investigation of where schizophrenic patients receive treatment]

Schizophrenic patients receiving treatment in Kagawa Prefecture were studied as to where treatment was obtained. Analysis showed that there was a tendency by schizophrenic patients to seek treatment in institutions distant from their place of residence. The direction in which a patient proceeded to seek treatment varied and showed no pattern. Analysis by age groups showed that patients in the 15 to 39 years age group were most likely to seek treatment in locations other than where they lived and traveled the longest distance. The tendency to seek treatment away from their place of residence decreased with increasing age. However even among the elderly there were patients who traveled long distances for treatment. Factors associated with geographical or social relationships between the cities/towns could not explain the tendency observed. Neither was there a relationship to specialized medical care. Factors such as the related to the mental health care system, including prejudice and lack of societal understanding were inferred to be associated to this problem. Results of this study indicate a need to organize the community mental health system to serve districts with wider areas than that established for other diseases. However in the future there should be a gradual narrowing of the district area, a broadening of services offered, and a removal of societal prejudice against psychiatric patients.

Corneal permeability in patients with tonic pupil. A reevaluation of its cholinergic supersensitivity

Cholinergic supersensitivity of the iris sphincter helps to make the diagnosis of "tonic pupil." Because uncertain responses sometimes occur with mecholyl 2.5%, dilute solutions of pilocarpine are often used. There has always been some question as to whether individual variation in corneal permeability was one of the factors contributing to the variability in pupillary constriction to topical cholinergics in these patients. In this study, the degree of intraocular penetration of topical fluorescein was compared with the degree of pilocarpine-induced miosis in six tonic pupils and in seven age-matched normal controls. A noncontact fluorophotometer and a computerized videopupillogram were used. The patients showed a significant cholinergic supersensitivity in their affected tonic pupils and had normal intraocular penetration of fluorescein through the cornea in both eyes. It is concluded that the cholinergic supersensitivity of the iris in tonic pupils is not the result of increased corneal permeability but instead results from an increased sensitivity of the cholinergic receptors in iris sphincter muscles.

[Follow-up study of benign breast diseases]

Follow-up study after surgery of the benign breast disease revealed that rates of the recurrence were 50%, 6%, 4%, 3.5% in those who had phyllodes tumor, duct ectasia, intraductal papillary lesion, and multiple fibroadenoma, respectively. Incidences of the subsequent breast cancer development were 14.3% after ADH, 11.7% after ALH, 1.5% after PDWA, respectively. However no difference was found statistically among those diseases(X2 = 2.89). The longest interval between time of the first surgery and time of detection of subsequently developing cancer was 68 months. Accordingly, checks at three times of postoperative third, fifth and eighth year were required for early detection of such subsequent breast cancer, using image diagnostic methods.

Human breast carcinoma (ZR-75-1) serially transplanted into nude mice--with reference to estradiol dependency and sensitivity to tamoxifen

Tumor cells of the ZR-75-1 line (1 X 10(7) in 0.5 ml) were inoculated into the right thigh muscles of BALB/c female nude mice which were, at the same time given 1.0 mg of estradiol subcutaneously. After the transferable strain had been established, the tumors were then transplanted into female and male nude mice either with or without estradiol treatment. Although no exponential tumor growth was observed in the untreated male and female nude mice, no complete rejection was found during the experiments. The estrogen receptor of this strain was positive and the growth of ZR-75-1 was dependent on exogenous estradiol. ZR-75-1 in the nude mouse was insensitive to tamoxifen treatment, given as 5 mg/kg intramuscularly twice a week, suggesting that dependency on estradiol is not necessarily correlated with endocrine sensitivity to tamoxifen.

[Local production of estrogen via aromatase and estrone sulfatase in breast cancer tissue]

The activities of aromatase and estrone sulfatase which are important enzymes involved in the local production of estrogen in breast cancer tissue were measured to examine their availability in endocrine therapy and their clinical significance. The materials obtained were breast cancer tissue, noncancerous mammary gland and breast fat tissue from twenty eight patients with breast cancer, and mammary gland tissue from eight patients with benign breast disease. After centrifugation of homogenized tissue at 1000 X g, the supernatant of breast cancer tissue or mammary gland and the subnatant of breast fat tissue were used as enzyme sources. Aromatase activity was measured by 3H2O release assay using (1 beta-3H) androstenedione as the substrate, while estrone sulfatase activity was estimated from the conversion rate of (6,7-3H)estrone-3-sulfate to estrone. Aromatase activities were 25.1 +/- 12.4 (mean +/- S.D.) fmol/mg protein/h in twenty seven breast cancer tissue specimens, 11.0 +/- 6.1 fmol/mg protein/h in sixteen noncancerous mammary gland tissue specimens, 9.3 +/- 10.0 fmol/mg protein/h in twenty seven breast fat tissue specimens, and 7.7 +/- 5.5 fmol/mg protein/h in eight mammary gland tissue specimens from patients with benign breast disease. The aromatase activity in breast cancer tissue was significantly higher than that in noncancerous mammary gland, breast fat tissue and benign breast lesions (p less than 0.001). Estrone sulfatase activity was 4.0 +/- 3.5 nmol/mg protein/h in nineteen breast cancer tissue specimens, but was almost undetectable in eleven noncancerous mammary tissue specimens and eight benign breast lesions. These results suggest the relatively high local production of estrogen, mediated by aromatase or estrone sulfatase in breast cancer tissue.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Follow-up study of precancerous lesions of the breast]

A follow-up study of 105 patients with microdochectomy for nipple discharge during the ten year period from 1965 to 1974 revealed that cancer developed in seven of the cases. The histology of the seven cases consisted of atypical hyperplasia in the terminal duct or lobular neoplasia. Accordingly, patients with either of the above histological findings were regarded as high risks for the development of breast cancer. Twenty such high risk patients were selected from 1850 patients biopsied for benign breast disease during the eleven year period from 1975 to 1985. This follow-up study revealed that five of the 13 patients (38%) with atypical hyperplasia in the terminal duct and two of the seven patients (28%) with lobular neoplasia developed breast cancer. Microphotocytometry using TV image analyzed system showed that the mean +/- standard deviation of the nuclear area and the absorbance were, respectively, 46.79 +/- 2.84 and 0.42 +/- 0.01 in fibroadenoma, 62.93 +/- 12.15 and 0.32 +/- 0.02 in precancerous lesion and 86.16 +/- 14.38 and 0.44 +/- 0.07 in breast cancer.

Ricin A-chain induces fusion of small unilamellar vesicles at neutral pH

The interaction of ricin and its constituent polypeptides, the A- and B-chain, with small unilamellar vesicles of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) or dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) was investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry measurements. The A-chain, at neutral pH, entirely shifted the endothermic peak of small unilamellar vesicles of DPPC from 37 degrees C to 41 degrees C at low protein/lipid ratios. The potency of either ricin or the B-chain to induce the shift of endothermic peak was much less than that of the A-chain. The A-chain was also found to cause mixing of endothermic peaks of DMPC vesicles and DPPC vesicles. These data strongly suggest that the A-chain has the ability to induce fusion of phospholipid vesicles.

Immune response to intraocular injection of retinal S-antigen in adjuvant

It has been proposed that the introduction of foreign material into the eye at the moment of a penetrating trauma provides an adjuvant effect which, coupled with the release of antigen, might be responsible for sensitizing the immune system to produce a contralateral "sympathetic ophthalmia." We addressed that hypothesis by injecting S-antigen with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into the anterior chamber (AC) of the eye of Lewis rats. The injection of an identical dose of antigen (30 micrograms S-Ag in CFA in a total volume of 10 microliters) via the foodpad (FP) or under the conjunctiva (SC) could induce typical experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU). By immunizing via the AC route, we could demonstrate a positive sensitization of the immune system, manifested by serum antibody production against S-Ag and by the presence of S-Ag-specific, responsive T-lymphocytes in the spleen. However, immunization via the AC route did not induce contralateral uveitis, and the animals did not produce a DTH skin response when challenged intradermally with S-Ag as they did after FP immunization. In the light of these results, we evaluated the possibility that a DTH suppressive response was elicited by intracameral (IC) injection as seen in anterior chamber-associated immune deviation (ACAID): we tested the effect of splenectomy and cyclophosphamide pretreatment before IC immunization and the effect of secondary footpad immunization as well as T-helper cell transfer after IC immunization. The results given by these approaches argue against the induction of suppressor cells by IC immunization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Synthesis of acylated SOD derivatives which bind to the biomembrane lipid surface and dismutate extracellular superoxide radicals

Involvement of oxygen radicals in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases has been the focus of recent attention. Since lipid peroxidation of cell membranes is postulated to be one of the major reasons for radical-induced tissue injury, inhibition of oxygen toxicity at or near plasma membranes is important. To metabolize extracellular superoxide radicals effectively at or near cell membranes, we synthesized amphipathic superoxide dismutase (SOD) derivatives (AC-SOD) by covalently linking hydrophobic fatty acids with different chain lengths, such as caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid and myristic acid, to the lysyl amino groups of the enzyme. When incubated with erythrocytes or polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), AC-SOD, but not SOD, bound to plasma membranes of these cells. When topically instilled to the eye, AC-SOD also bound to corneal epithelial cell surface. Upon activation by phorbolmyristyl acetate, extracellular cytochrome c was rapidly reduced by PMNs which were pretreated with SOD. In contrast, PMNs preincubated with AC-SOD failed to catalyze the reduction of cytochrome c under the same experimental conditions. These results suggested that AC-SOD bound to cell membranes and effectively dismutated superoxide radicals at or on the outer surface of plasma membranes.

Myristoylation of neutrophil proteins and their biological characteristics

We have studied protein acylation in neutrophils of guinea pigs using [3H]myristate. A large number of neutrophil proteins were acylated with exogenously added myristic acid. The myristoylation was detected on 110, 77, 56, 54, 52, 42, and 37 kDa proteins. These myristoylations were stronger in peripheral blood than in peritoneal cells. Myristic acid was found to be covalently linked by an amid bond to these proteins since the proteins were resistant to boiling, chloroform/methanol and hydroxylamine treatment. Most myristoylated proteins appeared to be associated with the membrane fraction, while some of the proteins such as 77 kDa one was distributed also in the cytoplasm and translocated from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane by stimulation. Lysozyme was myristoylated in vitro by the N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of myristic acid. The myristoylated lysozyme had an ability to be associated with phospholipid liposomes, and the membrane-associated lysozyme became a substrate of the rat brain Ca2+- and phospholipid dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C). These results indicate that myristoylation in neutrophil proteins may have an important role in metabolic regulation through their membrane association.

Association of a myristoylated protein with a biological membrane and its increased phosphorylation by protein kinase C

A hydrophilic enzyme, lysozyme, was myristoylated in vitro by the N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of myristic acid, and the monomyristoylated lysozyme was isolated by CM-cellulose cation-exchange column chromatography. The monomyristoylated lysozyme associated with phospholipid vesicles, whereas the association of native lysozyme was negligible. The membrane-associated monomyristoylated lysozyme was phosphorylated with partially purified rat brain Ca2+- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) in the presence of Ca2+, phosphatidylserine and phorbolmyristate acetate. Thus, the myristoylated lysozyme became a substrate of protein kinase C through its hydrophobic association with the membrane. The present results suggest that the myristoylation of cytoplasmic proteins may have an important role in signal transduction.

[Hormone independent murine carcinoma BX-1 spontaneously arising from nude mouse bearing Br-10, a hormone dependent human breast carcinoma strain]

BX-1, an adenocarcinoma spontaneously arising from nude mouse bearing Br-10, a human breast carcinoma strain was characterized. And the purification of a hormone independent murine carcinoma strain, BX-1 was found in August 1986 in three institutes where a hormone dependent transplantable human breast carcinoma cell line Br-10 has been serially passaged. The histological features of BX-1 were different from any other strains which were maintained in these three institutes. Estrogen receptor of BX-1 was negative and no estrogen dependency was observed while Br-10 was the receptor positive and the growth of Br-10 was dependent on estrogen. Although the graft of BX-1 into the thymus intact littermates was rejected, the chromosomal analysis revealed only murine chromosomes for BX-1, while both of human and murine chromosomes were detected in Br-10 tumor. By incubating Br-10 tumor in untreated female nude mice for 2 months and stimulating the growth of the tumor by exogenous estradiol, the purification of Br-10 from BX-1 could be achieved. Whereas the stability of human tumor xenografts in nude mice is confirmed, the spontaneously arising murine tumor from nude mice bearing human tumor xenografts should be considered for the experiments.

Receptor-mediated interaction of ricin with the lipid bilayer of ganglioside GM1-liposomes

The interaction of ricin with ganglioside GM1 or glycoprotein containing liposomes was investigated. At neutral pH, ricin bound to galactose moieties on the surface of the liposomes to form ricin-liposomes complexes, but did not associate with their lipid bilayers. When these ricin-liposomes complexes were exposed to a pH below 5, ricin bound to GM1-liposomes became associated with the lipid bilayer, whereas ricin bound to glycoprotein-liposomes (containing human erythrocyte Band 3) was only rarely associated. Association of ricin with the lipid bilayer of GM1-liposomes did not occur in the presence of lactose, which inhibits the binding of ricin to ganglioside GM1. Using a hydrophobic probe, 8-amino-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid (ANS), it was revealed that an acidity below pH 5 resulted in exposure of hydrophobic regions on the ricin molecule. These results strongly suggest that association of ricin with the lipid bilayer of GM1-liposomes at acidic pH is mediated by the binding of ricin to ganglioside GM1 at neutral pH and occurs through interaction between the exposed hydrophobic region on the ricin molecule and the lipid bilayer of GM1-liposomes at low pH.

Cytoplasmic proteins, association with phospholipid vesicles and its dependency on cholesterol

Since the plasticity of the plasma membrane is correlated with changes in its dynamic behavior and biological functions, the content of cholesterol in this membrane is thought to have an important role in the regulation of cell metabolism. The research reported here was done to clarify the role of cholesterol in the interaction of the innersurface of plasma membrane with cytoplasmic proteins in relation to the regulatory mechanism of signal transduction. Many cytoplasmic proteins of EATC or rat liver cells were found to associate with DPPC liposomes and they induced a transient increase in membrane permeability at the phase transition temperature of the liposomal lipid. The association and the permeability increase were inhibited by the introduction of cholesterol into DPPC liposomes, and the sensitivity of individual proteins to the action of cholesterol differed. F-actin, but not G-actin, associated selectively with the liposomes. Also, the main endothermic peak of the unilamellar DPPC liposomes was shifted from 37 degrees C to 43 degrees C by this protein association, evidence of transformation from a unito multilamellar structure. The introduction of cholesterol into the liposomal membrane caused a reduction in the energy content of the phase transition and in the inhibition of protein-membrane interaction. We concluded that the cholesterol in the plasma membrane contributes to the regulation of cell surface signal transduction.

Continuous fluorometric assay of Ca2+ transport by liposomes with Quin 2 entrapped: effect of phospholipase A2 and unsaturated long-chain fatty acids

The amount of free calcium in the cytoplasm is important in stimulation coupled with a number of cellular functions. The putative ionophoretic action of membrane lipid metabolites on Ca2+ offers convenient explanation of the stimulation-coupled mobilization of cytoplasmic Ca2+. To analyze the ionophoretic action of the lipid metabolites, we devised a sensitive method to study Ca2+ transport that uses liposome-entrapped Quin 2. A calcium ionophore, A23187, increased the fluorescence intensity of the Ca2+-Quin 2 complex as a function of Ca2+ transport into liposomes. A similar Ca2+ flux into the liposomes was induced by phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and by various long-chain fatty acids in liposomes that consist of phospholipids containing unsaturated fatty acids. The potencies of the fatty acids for Ca2+ transport is inversely correlated with their melting points. The oxidized products of the unsaturated fatty acids increased the Ca2+ and nonspecific permeability of the biological membranes. These results suggest that stimulation-coupled PLA2 activation might mediates the mobilization of cytoplasmic Ca2+.

Interaction of ricin and its constituent polypeptides with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine vesicles

The interaction of ricin and of its constituent polypeptides, the A- and B-chain, with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) vesicles was investigated. The A- and B-chain were individually associated with DPPC vesicles, although the intact ricin was not associated. The maximum binding and association constants were evaluated to be 154 micrograms per mg of DPPC and Ka = 2.30 X 10(5) M-1 for the A-chain, and 87 micrograms per mg of DPPC and Ka = 14.5 X 10(5) M-1 for the B-chain, respectively. The A-chain could induce the phase transition release of carboxyfluorescein from DPPC vesicles to a greater extent than the B-chain, whereas the release induced by the intact ricin was negligible. The evidence indicated that the hydrophobic regions on the A-chain and on the B-chain were buried inside when the two chains constituted the intact ricin molecule through one interchain disulfide bond, and that the A-chain caused perturbation of the DPPC bilayer at the phase transition temperature with consequent leakage of carboxyfluorescein.