Isolation and culture of protoplasts from high anthocyanin-producing callus of sweet potato

Optimum conditions for the isolation and culture of protoplasts from high anthocyanin-producing callus of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) were investigated. Growth phase of callus and the ratio of callus-enzyme solution affected the yield of protoplasts. Composition of the medium and protoplast density were examined for protoplast culture.Small colonies were regenerated from the protoplasts. Upon transfer to light a high amount of anthocyanin was accumulated in these colonies.

Dextran and antidextran antibodies in the sera of patients with liver diseases

Dextran and antidextran antibodies were examined by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and immunodiffusion in sera of 108 patients with various liver diseases. In EIA, IgG class antidextran antibody was detected in 16 patients (14.8%), mostly with chronic liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis (26.9%) and chronic hepatitis (22.2%). IgM class antibody was detected in 10 patients (9.2%). Results obtained by EIA inhibition revealed that dextran antigen was present mostly in sera of patients with acute liver diseases such as fulminant hepatitis (75.0%) and acute hepatitis (17.2%). Identity of the dextran antigen in the liver diseases serum and the dextran preparation recognized by an antibody-containing serum was demonstrated. These results suggest that the damaged hepatocytes in the process of the liver disease may release the dextran antigen into the patient's circulation which is responsible for the formation of antidextran antibodies by the patients with liver diseases.

Studies on the metabolism of unsaturated fatty acids. XIV. Purification and properties of NADPH-dependent trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase of Escherichia coli K-12

NADPH-dependent trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase was purified to homogeneity from Escherichia coli. The molecular weight of the native enzyme was estimated to be 80,000 by gel filtration and that of the subunit was estimated to be 40,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme was most active toward trans-2-hexenoyl-CoA and trans-2-octenoyl-CoA but was less active toward longer chain substrates, whereas the Km values decreased progressively with increasing carbon chain length of substrates. The reductase appears to have a functional thiol group. The enzyme activity was rapidly decreased by p-hydroxymercuribenzoate and 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid), and slowly by N-ethylmaleimide. The enzyme was protected from inhibition by these SH-reagents by the addition of NADPH. The enzyme was also inhibited by saturated acyl-CoA esters.

Studies on the metabolism of unsaturated fatty acids. XII. Reaction catalyzed by 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase of Escherichia coli

Incorporation of deuterium atoms from deuterium-labeled NADPH and 2H2O during the reaction catalyzed by 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase of Escherichia coli (E. coli) was investigated. When trans-2,cis-4-decadienoyl-CoA was incubated with 4R- or 4S-[4-2H1]NADPH in the presence of purified 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase, no deuterium was detected in the reaction product by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after derivatization to its pyrrolidine amide. On the other hand, when the dienoyl-CoA was incubated in the presence of NADPH and the reductase in 2H2O, two deuterium atoms were incorporated: One deuterium atom was located at the C-4 position of trans-2-decenoate, and the other at the C-5 position. The UV and shorter wavelengths of the visible spectrum of the reductase solution revealed that the reductase contained flavin as a prosthetic group. Therefore it is considered that a hydrogen atom of NADPH was first transferred to the flavin moiety of the reductase, and then the hydrogen atom was rapidly exchanged for one in the medium before its direct transfer to the substrate.

Immunoglobulin class of rheumatoid factors detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

The immunoglobulin class of rheumatoid factor (RF) in sera and synovial fluids of patients with rheumatic diseases was measured by a solid-phase enzyme immunoassay. IgG-RF was frequently found in seronegative sera as well as in seropositive sera of rheumatic patients. Titers of IgG-RF were higher in the active phase than in the inactive phase of SLE and showed a correlation to the levels of hypocomplementemia and circulating immune complexes in SLE sera. Titers of IgA-RF were likewise higher in the active-phase of SLE with a correlation to titers of circulating immune complexes. IgA-RF was also found frequently in sera of patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

C1q and immune complexes in liver cirrhosis sera

The highest mean value of the serum C1q concentrations among chronic liver diseases was obtained in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). C1q serum levels seemed to increase along the progression of liver damage. Serum levels of C1q and CH50 in patients with LC and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were simultaneously estimated. No correlation between C1q and CH50 levels was observed in LC sera, while a significant correlation was demonstrated in SLE sera. It could be suggested that the mechanism for the low CH50 in LC sera seemed different from that in SLE sera, and that the activation of classical complement pathway was not the predominant cause in LC sera. Correlations of serum levels between immune complexes and C1q were examined in patients with LC and SLE. It could be deduced from the results of a positive correlation in LC sera and the reverse tendency in SLE sera that the significances of C1q and immune complexes in LC sera differed from those in SLE sera.

[Factors affecting the growth and extension of gastric cancer--analysis of retrospective observation]

It is our aim to clarify an importance of severe lymphoid infiltration and peptic ulcer to the growth and deep extension of the gastric carcinoma, using 38 cases of gastric carcinoma observed retrospectively from one year to nine years and six months. Four cases of gastric carcinoma with lymphoid stroma were found in this series. Its mucosal extension is markedly suppressed compared with that of carcinomas without lymphoid stroma. Thirteen cases clinically showed a distinct deep invasion into the gastric wall during the retrospective observation period of one year to nine years and six months, while 21 cases repeated peptic ulcers in the tumor tissue without a distinct deep invasion during the period of one year and one month to six years and three months. On an examination of the resected stomach, the former had a common histological characteristic, that is, no complication of peptic ulcer or, even if presents, relatively small peptic ulcers to the tumor mass in the submucosa or in the further deep layers. On the contrary, the latter always showed multiple or recurrent, relatively large ulcers to the tumor mass in the submucosa or in the further deep layers. It is concluded that the severe lymphoid infiltration and peptic ulcers in the gastric carcinoma are factors inhibiting the growth of gastric carcinomas.

Studies on the metabolism of unsaturated fatty acids. XI. Alterations in the activities of enoyl-CoA hydratase, 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA epimerase and 2,4-dienyl-CoA reductase in rat liver mitochondria and peroxisomes by clofibrate

Alterations in the activities of enoyl-CoA hydratase, 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA epimerase, and 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase in rat liver mitochondria and peroxisomes caused by clofibrate were compared in order to clarify the metabolic pathways for unsaturated fatty acids. Our results suggest that there are two pathways for fatty acids having (a) double bond(s) at the even-numbered carbon atom(s) both in mitochondria and in peroxisomes. One is the hydratase-epimerase participating pathways, and the other is the reductase participating pathway. It is considered that the former in mitochondria occurs mainly under normal conditions, and the latter becomes significant when the degradation of fatty acids is stimulated.

Studies on the metabolism of unsaturated fatty acids. IX. Stereochemical studies of the reaction catalyzed by trans-2-enoyl-coenzyme A reductase of Escherichia coli

The steric course of the reaction catalyzed by NADPH-dependent trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase from Escherichia coli was investigated. trans-2-[6,7,8-2H7]Octenoyl-CoA was synthesized as a substrate and incubated with partially purified trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase in the presence of 4R- or 4S-[4-2H1]NADPH. The deuterium-labeled octenoyl-CoA was also incubated with the reductase in the presence of NADPH in 2H2O. Aliquots of octanoic acids formed were analyzed, after esterification, by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to demonstrate that the pro-4R hydrogen of NADPH was incorporated into the C-3 position of octenoyl-CoA and that hydrogen from water was introduced into the C-2 position of octenoyl-CoA. The remaining portions of octanoic acids isolated from the incubation mixtures were converted to their CoA esters by the action of acyl-CoA synthetase, and they were dehydrogenated by treatment with acyl-CoA oxidase, which had previously been shown to catalyze the anti-elimination of the pro-2R and pro-3R hydrogen atoms of acyl-CoA. The deuterium contents of the products were also analyzed by GC-MS, and the results indicated that the reduction catalyzed by NADPH-dependent trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase occurred by an anti-addition of hydrogen via a 2-Re, 3-Re attack on the trans-double bond of the substrate.

Studies on the metabolism of unsaturated fatty acids. X. Purification and some properties of 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase from Escherichia coli

2,4-Dienoyl-CoA reductase has been separated from Escherichia coli grown in the presence of linoleic acid and purified to homogeneity. The enzyme has a molecular weight close to 50,000 as determined by gel filtration on Sephacryl S-200 Super-fine. The reductase was rather stable in a buffer containing citric acid and kept its full activity on heating at 55 degrees C for 10 min in the pH range of 5.5 to 6.5, but was completely inactivated on heating at 58 degrees C for 10 min. Phosphocellulose column chromatography revealed that the reductase was not involved in the multi-enzyme complex (molecular weight of 260,000) of fatty acid oxidation.

Peliosis hepatis. Report of two autopsy cases with a review of literature

Two cases of peliosis hepatis, treated with a large dose of predonine for aplastic anemia and multiple myeloma, respectively, were reported. Case 1 showed no abnormal liver function, but, in Case 2 hepatomegaly, retention of ICG, and elevation of LDH level despite the normal serum transaminase were noted. In both cases, peliotic lesions were incidentally observed at autopsy. In Case 1, the lesion was localized in the right lobe only, but, in Case 2 the lesion was present throughout the entire lobes of the liver involving also a part of the spleen and bone marrow of the sternum. Innumerable blood-filled cavities were surrounded by incomplete reticulin or injured hepatocytes. In smaller lesions observed in Case 1, focal necrosis, hemorrhage, inflammation, and thrombi were prominent features. On the other hand, in extensive lesions, as in Case 2, a marked liver cell dissociation with sequent irregular reticulin arrangement was present. Though the etiology and peliosis hepatis is still uncertain in these cases, it was assumed that a large dose of predonine might have some correlation to the occurrence.

Studies on the metabolism of unsaturated fatty acids. VIII. Induction of 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase in Escherichia coli on the addition of unsaturated fatty acids

2,4-Dienoyl-CoA reductase has been detected in crude extracts of E. coli. The reductase was shown to be induced many fold when the cells were grown in the presence of linoleic or oleic acid. The activity profile of the reductase on gel filtration was different from those of other enoyl reductases. These results suggest that there are two pathways even in E. coli for the degradation of cis-4-decenoyl-CoA, which is an intermediate in the beta-oxidation of linoleic acid, as recently proposed in rat liver.

Serological and immunohistological studies on lepromatous leprosy

Sera of patients with lepromatous leprosy were studied for the presence of a variety of antibodies and immune complexes (IC). The frequencies of heterophile, Hanganutziu-Deicher and Forssman antibodies were 61 and 43%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in other diseases. The frequency of antibodies to cardiolipin was 89% and the frequency of rheumatoid factor was 34%. Circulating IC were demonstrated in 54% of the patients' sera by Raji-cell test and in 43% by anti-antibody inhibition test. Analyses of immunoglobulin classes of IC revealed that IgG was predominant in IC of patients with lepra reaction (LR) and IgM in patients without LR. Immune deposits were found in and between cells of dermis in skin biopsy specimens of patients with LR.

Heterophile antibodies in Japanese patients with various diseases including infectious mononucleosis

Sera of Japanese patients with various diseases including patients with lympho-proliferative disease similar to infectious mononucleosis (IM) were studied for the presence of heterophile antibodies. Antibodies to sheep erythrocytes were demonstrated in 9 of 19 such patients whereas similar antibodies were found only in 28 of 3570 (0.8%) patients with various other diseases. Adsorption studies revealed that these antibodies in patients with IM-like syndrome are of Hangantziu-Deicher or Forssman nature. On the other hand, Paul-Bunnell antibody characteristic for IM in Caucasians was not demonstrated in Japanese suffering from IM-like syndrome.

Hanganutziu-Deicher antigen and antibody in pathologic sera and tissues

Heterophile, Hanganutziu-Deicher (H-D) antigen was studied in pathologic sera by means of inhibition of agglutination of bovine erythrocytes by H-D antibodies. H-D antigen was demonstrated in 38% of random cancer sera, 25% of lymphoma or leukemia sera, 25% of leprosy sera, 8% of infectious mononucleosis sera, 6% of rheumatoid arthritis sera, and 27% of synovial fluids of rheumatoid arthritis patients. None of 134 normal human sera gave positive results. Some of the inhibition-positive cancer sera formed precipitation lines with H-D antibody-containing sera. Over 50% of various extracts of cancer tissues as well as spleens of lymphoma or leukemia patients were shown to contain H-D antigen by means of the inhibition test.

Paul-Bunnell antigen in malignancies and rheumatoid arthritis

By means of agglutination inhibition test, Paul-Bunnell (P-B) antigen was demonstrated in sera of patients with cancer (5%), lymphomas or leukemias (12.5%) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (1.4%) as well as in synovial fluids from RA patients (27%). In contrast, none of 124 normal human sera gave positive results. P-B antigen was also demonstrated in 3 of 12 perchloric acid extracts of cancer tissues and 2 of 11 saline extracts obtained at 100 degrees C from spleens of lymphoma-leukemia patients. Extracts of apparently normal tissues from 16 individuals gave negative results.

Studies on immune complexes in rheumatoid arthritis

Sera and synovial fluids of patients with rheumatoid arthritis were studied for immune complexes by means of the anti-antibody inhibition test; approximately 40% of these specimens were shown to contain immune complexes. To study the nature of antigens participating in the formation of complexes under investigation, the anti-antibody inhibition test was repeated after addition of various soluble antigens to the complex-positive rheumatoid arthritis sera. This resulted in conversion of some sera from inhibitory to noninhibitory. It was found that of 15 positive rheumatoid arthritis sera, 7 had complexes formed by heterophile, Hanganutziu-Deicher antigen and of 12 positive sera tested, 2 had complexes formed by human IgG.

Studies on heterophile antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis

Sera and synovial fluids of patients with rheumatoid arthritis were studied for the presence of heterophile antibodies to sheep and bovine erythrocytes by means of hemolysis in agar gel. It was demonstrated that 18 of 146 sera had hemolytic antibody titers of 160 or more; all 18 (12%) against sheep and 8 (6%) against bovine erythrocytes. Of 31 synovial fluids examined, 5 showed hemolysin titers of 40 or more; all 5 (16%) against sheep and 3 (10%) against bovine erythrocytes. These heterophile antibodies were shown to belong to IgM and/or IgG class. Absorption and inhibition studies revealed that antibodies of 10 positive sera and 2 synovial fluids were of Forssman specificity and antibodies of 6 sera and 3 synovial fluids were of Hanganutziu-Deicher specificity. Two remaining sera were shown to contain a mixture of Forssman antibodies and immune anti-B antibodies.