Isolation and characterization of peroxisome-deficient Chinese hamster ovary cell mutants representing human complementation group III

We made use of the 9-(1'-pyrene)nonanol/ultraviolet (P9OH/UV) method and isolated peroxisome-deficient mutant cells. TKa cells, the wild-type Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, CHO-K1, that had been stably transfected with cDNA encoding Pex2p (formerly peroxisome assembly factor-1, PAF-1) were used to avoid frequent isolation of the Z65-type, PEX2-defective mutants. P9OH/UV-resistant cell colonies were examined for the intracellular location of catalase, a peroxisomal matrix enzyme, by immunofluorescence microscopy and using anti-catalase antibody. As six mutant cell clones showed cytosolic catalase, there was likely to be a deficiency in peroxisome assembly. These mutants also showed the typical peroxisome assembly-defective phenotype, including significant decrease of dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase, the first step key enzyme in plasmalogen synthesis, and loss of resistance to 12-(1'-pyrene)dodecanoic acid/UV treatment. By transfection of Pex2p and Pex6p (formerly PAF-2) cDNAs and cell fusion analysis between the CHO cell mutants, two mutants, ZP104 and ZP109, were found to belong to a novel complementation group. Further complementation analysis using fibroblasts from patients with peroxisome biogenesis disorders revealed that the mutants belonged to human complementation group III. Taken together, ZP104 and ZP109 are in a newly identified fifth complementation group in CHO mutants reported to date and represent the human complementation group III.

T/G polymorphism at intron 9 of presenilin 1 gene is associated with, but not responsible for sporadic late-onset Alzheimer's disease in Japanese population

To investigate whether presenilin 1 (PS1) gene, a major causative gene of familial early-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD), also contributes to the etiology of sporadic AD, we evaluated associations between Japanese AD and polymorphisms located at 14q24.3. While the D14S43 and FOS loci showed no association with either early- or late-onset AD, late-onset AD carrying no APOE-epsilon4 allele was associated with the G allele of the T/G polymorphism located at intron 9 of the PS1 gene (P = 0.016). Considering another study showing a positive association between AD and the T allele, this polymorphism is associated with, but not responsible for sporadic late-onset Alzheimer's disease.

Elevated amyloid beta protein(1-40) level induces CREB phosphorylation at serine-133 via p44/42 MAP kinase (Erk1/2)-dependent pathway in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells

The deposition of amyloid beta protein (A beta) in the cerebral cortex is the pathological characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and patients with AD suffer from progressive memory loss. Transgenic experiments have revealed that long-term memory is dependent on cyclic AMP-response element binding protein, CREB. CREB phosphorylation at serine-133 is essential for its transcriptional activity. Here we demonstrated that A beta(1-40), at a concentration more than 1 microM, induced CREB phosphorylation at serine-133 in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. A beta(1-40) induced phosphorylation of p44 and p42 MAP kinases (Erk1 and Erk2) at tyrosine-204, and PD98059, a MEK1 inhibitor, inhibited A beta(1-40)-induced CREB phosphorylation at serine-133. We conclude that elevated A beta(1-40) level induces CREB phosphorylation at serine-133 via p44/42 MAP kinase-dependent pathway.

Isolation of a new peroxisome-deficient CHO cell mutant defective in peroxisome targeting signal-1 receptor

For the study of mechanism of peroxisome biogenesis, we attempted to isolate CHO cell mutants deficient in peroxisome biogenesis. We used as the parent strain a stable CHO transformant of rat PEX2 (formerly named peroxisome assembly factor-1) cDNA, to avoid unusually frequent isolation of Pex2 mutants. Among the three peroxisome-deficient mutants obtained, ZP102 was a new CHO mutant of complementation group 2, and was restored for peroxisome assembly by the transfection of human PEX5 (formerly called PXR1 or PTS1R) cDNA. This approach would facilitate the isolation of new complementation gorups of peroxisome-deficient CHO mutants and the identification of essential genes for peroxisome biogenesis.

Susceptibility to drug-induced seizures of Fyn tyrosine kinase-deficient mice

Mice deficient for the fyn gene were examined for their susceptibility to seizures induced by various convulsive drugs, including pentylenetetrazol, picrotoxin, bicuculline, kainic acid, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and strychnine. Homozygous mutant (fynz/fynz) mice were significantly more likely to show myoclonic convulsions than were heterozygous mutants (+/fynz), when pentylenetetrazol, picrotoxin, bicuculline, kainic acid and NMDA were administered. On the other hand, no difference in seizure susceptibility was found between homozygous and heterozygous mutants when strychnine was administered. These results provide evidence of abnormal susceptibility to seizures induced by anti-GABAergic agents and agonists for central excitatory amino acids in Fyn-deficient mice.

Comparison between allergen-induced and exercise-induced asthma with respect to the late asthmatic response, airway responsiveness, and Creola bodies in sputum

BACKGROUND

The difference between allergen-induced asthma and exercise-induced asthma with respect to the late asthmatic response and airway responsiveness has not been well elucidated.

OBJECTIVE

We compared the incidence of late asthmatic response, the changes in airway responsiveness, the degree of epithelial desquamation, and the activation of eosinophils in the airways after induction of allergen-induced asthma and exercise-induced asthma.

METHODS

Allergen-induced asthma or exercise-induced asthma was provoked in asthmatic patients, and sputum was collected before challenge and at the immediate asthmatic response and the late asthmatic response. Clusters of columnar epithelial cells in sputum (Creola bodies) were detected to evaluate respiratory epithelial damage, and the sputum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) concentration was measured to evaluate eosinophil activation in the airways. Airway responsiveness was measured before and 48 hours after the challenge.

RESULTS

The maximal % fall in FEV1 with the late asthmatic response was significantly higher after induction of allergen-induced asthma than after exercise-induced asthma, even though the maximal % fall in FEV1 with the immediate asthmatic response was similar. Airway responsiveness increased significantly at 48 hours after allergen-induced asthma, while it did not change after exercise-induced asthma. The increase in airway responsiveness was not correlated with the maximal % fall in FEV1 with the late asthmatic response, but was correlated with the degree of epithelial damage evaluated by observation of Creola bodies. The sputum ECP concentration and the percentage of sputum eosinophils increased significantly with the late asthmatic response after allergen-induced asthma, but did not change after exercise-induced asthma.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that less airway inflammation was provoked by exercise-induced asthma resulting in less epithelial damage and no increase of airway responsiveness in contrast to allergen-induced asthma.

Pancreastatin-like immunoreactivity in globular dystrophic neurites of senile plaques in brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease

The immunohistochemical localization of pancreastatin (PST) was examined in brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and control cases using three different antisera to PST, and was compared with the staining for chromogranin A (CgA), the precursor of PST. In control brains, CgA-like immunoreactivity was observed in the cytoplasm and fibers of certain neuronal populations, which were not immunostained with any of the PST antisera. In AD brains, dystrophic neurites of globular shape located in senile plaques were immunostained with each of the PST antisera, as well as with the CgA antibody. PST-positive and CgA-positive dystrophic neurites showed similar profiles. The present study indicates that CgA is probably cleaved to produce PST in some globular dystrophic neurites in senile plaques.

[Measurement of serum and sputum eosinophil cationic protein concentrations in asthma]

Concentrations of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) were measured in serum from patients with asthma, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and healthy subjects. The relationships between serum ECP concentration and percent of predicted FEV1 (%FEV1), and between serum and sputum ECP concentrations were also examined in patients with asthma. Serum ECP concentration in asthma was significantly higher than those in COPD patients and healthy subjects. There was a significant inverse correlation between serum ECP concentration and %FEV1 when analysis was restricted to data from asthma patients less than 60 years old. ECP concentration in serum and in sputum were significantly correlated. These results suggest that in asthma patients, eosinophils are activated in serum, and that the degree of eosinophil activation in the airway can be estimated by measuring serum ECP to some extent. Because it does not require bronchial biopsy or bronchoalveolar lavage, measurement of serum ECP may be useful as a minimally invasive monitoring of asthma.

Comparison of chromogranin A and pancreastatin levels in plasma of patients with pancreatic islet cell tumor

The plasma levels of chromogranin A (CGA) in patients with islet cell tumor and plasma CGA responses to administration of a somatostatin analogue (Octreotide) in two of these patients were examined in comparison with plasma pancreastatin (PST) levels. There was a significant correlation between the fasting plasma levels of CGA and PST (r = 0.6, P < 0.001). Administration of the somatostatin analogue reduced the plasma concentrations of PST and CGA within 1 h, but the responses of CGA and PST to the analogue were not parallel in either patient. Thus, the suppressive effects of the analogue on the secretions of PST and CGA may be different. The results suggest the value of the PST and CGA assays used in this study.

Enhanced susceptibility of audiogenic seizures in Fyn-kinase deficient mice

Mice with a mutation in fyn genes were examined for their susceptibility to acoustically primed audiogenic seizures. Homozygous mutant (fynz/fynz) mice were significantly more likely to have seizures and to show the stronger seizure syndrome (clonus). These results indicate that the susceptibility of acoustically primed audiogenic seizures is enhanced in the Fyn kinase deficient mice.

Serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor in asthma patients

We measured the serum concentration of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) in asthma patients and healthy controls to evaluate T-lymphocyte activation in this disease. The SIL-2R concentrations in patients with asthma irrespective of presence of acute attacks were significantly higher than those of the controls (p < 0.001). Although the sIL-2R concentrations were similar in the patients with acute asthma and those in remission, levels in patients with moderate and severe asthma attacks were significantly higher than levels for patients in remission (p < 0.001). These results suggest that T-lymphocyte activation occurs in asthma patients and becomes more prominent during moderate and severe acute attacks.

Isolation and functional expression of human pancreatic peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase

Pancreastatin (PST) is processed from chromogranin A and the C-terminal amide of the peptide is an absolute requirement for biological activities. Human pancreatic carcinoma cells QGP-1 which produce both chromogranin A and PST were used to isolate cDNAs encoding two forms of peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase (PAM). The two forms are a full length bifunctional enzyme and a variant lacking the transmembrane domain-coding region. When the cDNAs of these two forms were expressed in COS-7 cells, cells transfected with the predicted soluble form released into the culture medium a very much higher amidating activity which converts human chromogranin A-(273-302) to PST-29. The optimal pH for amidating activity was 5.4 and Cu2+, ascorbate and catalase were required as cofactors for the both forms of PAM. Km values for the membrane-bound and the soluble forms of PAM were 15.7 +/- 3.1 microM and 12.4 +/- 1.6 microM, respectively. These results demonstrate that both forms of PAM can function in the posttranslational processing of chromogranin A to PST in the environment of a secretory vesicle.

Pancreastatin-like immunoreactivity of cerebrospinal fluid in patients with Alzheimer type dementia: evidence of aberrant processing of pancreastatin in Alzheimer type dementia

The concentrations of pancreastatin-like immunoreactivity (PST-LI) of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were measured in the patients with Alzheimer type dementia (ATD) and in age-matched normal subjects. The mean PST-LI concentration in the CSF of ATD patients was significantly lower than that of normal subjects. Gel chromatographic analysis revealed that the main PST-LI peak of ATD's CSF eluted at molecular weight (MW) 13.5 kDa. However, the age-related change of the molecular forms of PST-LI in CSF was observed in normal subjects as following; PST-LI in neonatal CSF showed one peak at MW 13.5 kDa, that of 16-64-year-old showed two peaks at MW 13.5 and 5.4 kDa, however, only one main peak was shown at MW 5.4 kDa in the CSFs of 72-85-year-old. These findings suggest that the production of PST-LI was decreased and the proteolytic cleavage, which should process big PST to PST (1-52) in normal subjects, was altered to that of neonatal type in the CNS of the patients with ATD.

Production and secretion of chromogranin A and pancreastatin by the human pancreatic carcinoma cell line QGP-1N on stimulation with carbachol

Chromogranin A (CGA) is thought to be a precursor of pancreastatin (PST). Carbachol (Cch) stimulated the secretion of CGA and PST from QGP-1N cells derived from a human pancreatic islet cell tumor. Atropine inhibited the secretion of both. Sodium fluoride, phorbol ester, and calcium ionophore also stimulated the secretion of both. Cch (10(-5) M) stimulated inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production in QGP-1N cells. Stimulation with Cch increased the total amount of PST in the cells and the medium 1.7-fold and decreased the amount of CGA in the cells and medium. QGP-1N cells were labelled with [35S]methionine, and then CGA and PST in the cells and medium were immunoprecipitated with specific antisera, and separated by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel. Stimulation with Cch resulted in an increase in the intensity of PST-immunoreactive bands and a decrease in those of CGA-immunoreactive bands. Cch did not increase the cellular level of CGA messenger RNA. These results suggested that (1) the secretion of CGA and PST from QGP-1N cells is regulated mainly through muscarinic receptors coupled with activation of polyphosphoinositide breakdown by a G protein, with intracellular calcium ion and protein kinase C playing a role in the stimulus-secretion coupling and that (2) Cch may induce the secretion of PST and CGA and processing from CGA to PST.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) molecular forms in human pancreatic endocrine tumors resemble those in intestine rather than pancreas

Different glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) molecular forms are produced in the pancreas and the small intestine by differential processing of proglucagon. In this report, molecular forms of GLP-1 in two human pancreatic endocrine tumors were studied and compared with those in the pancreas and small intestine. A predominant GLP-1 immunoreactive form in the pancreas was eluted at the position of GLP-1(1-36) amide, whereas a predominant immunoreactive form in the ileal mucosa was eluted at the position of GLP-1(7-36) amide. In a glucagonoma, GLP-1 immunoreactive forms corresponding to GLP-1(7-36) amide and GLP-1(7-37) were predominant and immunoreactive forms at the position of GLP-1(1-36) amide and GLP-1(1-37) were minor. In another tumor, an insulinoma, immunoreactive forms were detected at the positions of GLP-1(7-36) amide, GLP-1(7-37), GLP-1(1-36) amide and GLP-1(1-37). Thus, the pattern of GLP-1 molecules in pancreatic tumors was not a pancreatic pattern and mimicked that found in the small intestine or consisted of both the patterns found in the small intestine and the pancreas. These data suggest that neoplastic transformation of the islet cells is associated with a switching in processing phenotype from islet (A) cells to intestinal (L) cells.

Expression of the cholecystokinin precursor gene in rat tissues

Cholecystokinin, a brain gut peptide that stimulates gall bladder contraction and pancreatic exocrine secretion, also acts as a neurotransmitter. In this study, we demonstrated that small amounts of cholecystokinin precursor mRNA were expressed in the heart, lung, and kidney, as well as in the brain and the small intestine. The nucleotide sequences of the coding regions of the cholecystokinin precursor mRNA in these tissues were identical to those of the small intestine, indicating that cholecystokinin precursor proteins produced in these tissues are identical to those in small intestine. This is the first report demonstrating that the cholecystokinin precursor gene is expressed in the heart, lung, and kidney, as well as in the gastrointestinal tract and brain.

Unique change of pancreastatin-like immunoreactivity in cerebrospinal fluid by aging

Using a specific antiserum for the C-terminal glycine amide region of human pancreastatin (PST), pancreastatin-like immunoreactivity (PST-LI) was measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 447 subjects (368 +/- 10.8 pmol/l, mean +/- S.E.M.) free from endocrine diseases. The CSF contents of PST-LI showed a mountain-shape type change which peaked at 40 years of age. The highest concentration was found in the group of ages 40-49 years old (412 +/- 22.9 pmol/l) and the lowest concentration was found in the group of ages 80-89 years old (293.2 +/- 45.2 pmol/l) among various age groups. Gel chromatographic examination revealed the presence of two major forms (MW 13,500 and 5,400) of PST-LI in CSF. Because of the character of this antibody, the large molecular form is possibly an N-terminally elongated PST and the other may be PST-52. This may be the first report on the unique age-related change of PST concentration in CSF.

Quantitative characterization of insulin-glucose response in Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic and cholesterol-fed rabbits and the effect of cilazapril

A great deal of evidence suggests that insulin resistance, via hyperinsulinemia, contributes to hyperlipoproteinemia and coronary atherosclerosis. When Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits, an animal model of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), are compared with normolipidemic Japanese White (JW) rabbits, an elevated fasting plasma insulin level and a heightened plasma insulin response to an intravenous (i.v.) glucose challenge are found. To elucidate the mechanism behind this phenomenon, a two-compartment model of the glucose/insulin system was fitted to empirical time courses of glucose and insulin concentrations during an i.v. glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) by nonlinear least-square regression, and the model parameters such as the glucose utilization rate constant, insulin degradation rate constant, and pancreas sensitivity were determined. WHHL rabbits showed decreased values of glucose utilization and insulin degradation rate constants and slightly higher values of pancreas sensitivity. This suggests that insulin resistance occurs in extrapancreatic tissues, and that this may be attributable to insulin receptor and/or post-insulin receptor abnormalities. Cholesterol feeding did not significantly change glucose tolerance or insulin action in JW rabbits. The effects of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, cilazapril, on insulin resistance were also examined in WHHL and JW rabbits. A decreased insulin response to an i.v. glucose challenge and increased glucose utilization and insulin degradation rate constants were observed in WHHL rabbits that had been treated with cilazapril, indicating that cilazapril improved insulin resistance in WHHL rabbits, possibly by increasing the number of insulin receptors. No significant differences were found in glucose tolerance and insulin action in JW rabbits before and after cilazapril administration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in the saliva from 1,000 oral surgery outpatients by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and virus isolation

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) was detected by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 47 (4.7%) out of 1,000 saliva samples from the outpatients of an oral and maxillofacial surgery department compared with 27 (2.7%) by conventional virus isolation. There were 20 PCR-positive, culture-negative cases but no culture-positive, PCR-negative cases. Patients younger than 10 years or older than 60 years secreted HSV more frequently than the others. Those with inflammatory diseases showed higher positivity for HSV than those with malignancy, trauma or other complaints. All 27 virus isolates were typed as HSV type 1 and none were resistant to acyclovir, arabinofuranosyl-adenine, iododeoxyuridine or phosphonoacetic acid.

Pancreastatin molecular forms in normal human plasma

Circulating molecular forms with pancreastatin (PST)-like immunoreactivity in plasma from normal subjects were examined. An immunoreactive form corresponding to a human PST-like sequence [human chromogranin-A-(250-301)] (hPST-52) and a larger form (mol wt 15-21 kDa) were detected by gel filtration of plasma from normal subjects. On high performance liquid chromatography, predominant immunoreactive forms coeluted with the three larger forms which were purified from the xenograft of human pancreatic islet cell carcinoma cell line QGP-1N cells and with synthetic hPST-52. The fraction containing larger forms purified from xenograft of QGP-1N cells had biological activity equivalent to that of hPST-52 on the inhibition of pancreatic exocrine secretion. These results suggest that the larger molecular forms as well as hPST-52 may be physiologically important circulating forms of PST in human.

Time course of recovery from pancreatic hypertrophy during partial exclusion of bile-pancreatic juice in rats

The time course of recovery from hypertrophied pancreas to the normal size was examined and compared with the time course of normal size pancreas getting hypertrophied in rats. The bile-pancreatic duct was cannulated and bile-pancreatic juice was partly bypassed the proximal intestine. Trypsin and bile salts disappeared from the lumen of proximal quarter of intestine during the first 7 postoperative days; however, these appeared again after the 14th postoperative day and luminal trypsin activity reached 3 to 4 times the control level during the postoperative days 14-56. Conversely, the plasma cholecystokinin (CCK) concentration significantly increased on day 7, then declined thereafter, and the mRNA level of CCK in the proximal intestinal mucosa increased and reached the maximal level on day 7. Pancreatic wet weight, as an index of size, was significantly increased and remained high on postoperative days 7-28, then returned to the control size on day 56. Therefore, it took 7 d for the pancreas to become hypertrophied by high circulating CCK, however the pancreatic size recovered to the normal size on the 56th postoperative day although the plasma CCK level decreased with the appearance of luminal bile salt and trypsin during postoperative days 14-56. In conclusion, it took longer for the hypertrophied pancreas to return to the normal size (14 or more d) than for the normal size pancreas to become hypertrophied (7d).

Secretion of neurotensin from a human pancreatic islet cell carcinoma cell line (QGP-1N)

Effects of various secretagogues on secretion of neurotensin from a pancreatic islet cell carcinoma cell line (QGP-1N) were examined. Carbachol stimulated secretion of neurotensin concentration-dependently in the range of 10(-6) - 10(-4) M. The neurotensin secretion stimulated with 10(-5) M carbachol was completely inhibited by atropine at 10(-5) M. Phorbol ester and calcium ionophore (A23187) stimulated secretion of neurotensin. The removal of extracellular Ca2+ suppressed the secretion through the stimulation with 10(-5) M carbachol. Fluoride, an activator of guanine nucleotide-binding (G) protein, stimulated secretion of neurotensin. Neurotensin released into culture medium through stimulation with carbachol coeluted with neurotensin 1-13 on a gel-chromatography. Our results suggest that secretion of neurotensin from QGP-1N cells is mainly regulated by acetylcholine through muscarinic receptors coupled to G protein and that an increase in intracellular Ca2+ and protein kinase C play an important role in stimulus-secretion coupling.

[A case of congenital atrial flutter associated with atrial septal defect]

We report the case of a 8-month-old boy with atrial septal defect associated with congenital atrial flutter. He was operated on for ASD successfully. Atrial flutter in infants has been reported to be uncommon and to have a poor prognosis when associated with underlying cardiac disease. Therefore, early surgical intervention may improve the prognosis.

Comparison of plasma pancreastatin and GAWK concentrations, presumed processing products of chromogranin A and B, in plasma of patients with pancreatic islet cell tumors

Plasma pancreastatin (PST) and GAWK, peptides processed from chromogranin A and B, were elevated in patients with various neuroendocrine tumors. In the present study, we measured plasma PST- and GAWK-like immunoreactivity (LI) concentrations in 12 patients with pancreatic islet cell tumors and evaluated them as a marker for these tumors. We also performed the gel filtration of the plasma from a gastrinoma patient and investigated the processing of PST and GAWK in plasma. Elevation of plasma PST-LI was found in 4 of 12 patients (33%) and elevation of plasma GAWK-LI was found in 6 of 12 patients (50%). A significant correlation was not found between plasma PST- and GAWK-LI concentrations of the patients. In the gel permeation chromatography of the plasma from a gastrinoma patient, PST-LI composed of a single peak but GAWK-LI composed of several components with wide range molecular weights.

[Multicenter study of the effects of sulbactam/cefoperazone on bacterial infections in the fields of internal medicine focused mainly on respiratory infections in Tochigi Prefecture]

Clinical effects of sulbactam/cefoperazone (SBT/CPZ) was studied on variety of bacterial infections in the fields of internal medicine focused mainly on respiratory infections. The total 135 infections were consisted of 103 respiratory infections, 15 urinary tract infections, 4 sepsis, 7 biliary tract infections, and 6 other infections, of which 86 patients had underlying diseases. The daily doses of SBT/CPZ were 2 to 6 g divided into 2 to 3 times i.v. or d.i.v., and the duration of administration was from 3 to 35 days. The clinical effects were judged by the attending doctors based on the changes in fever, cough, rales, chest rentogenograms, white blood cell counts, CRP values, ESR, etc. The total efficacy rate was 76.9%, and 69.0% of the isolated organism was eradicated by SBT/CPZ. The side effect was noted in 1 case, and the abnormal laboratory findings were noted in 1 case, however it was difficult to determine whether they were due to SBT/CPZ. These results suggest that the clinical usefulness of SBT/CPZ for the infections in the fields of internal medicine.