Isolation and sequence determination of 6- and 8-kDa precursors of human neutrophil peptides from bone marrow, plasma and peripheral blood neutrophils

Human neutrophil peptides (HNPs) are 29 to 30 amino acid antimicrobial peptides localized in the azulophil granules in neutrophils. We isolated endogenous molecular forms of HNPs from normal human bone marrow, plasma and peripheral blood neutrophils and determined their primary structures to investigate their post-translational processing. HNPs initially are synthesized as 94 amino acid precursors that produce 75 amino acid pro-HNPs by cleavage of a signal peptide. The majority of pro-HNPs was processed to 56 amino acid intermediates by preaspartate proteolytic cleavage in the bone marrow then to mature HNPs in peripheral blood neutrophils. Part of pro-HNPs was released into the plasma, in which they constituted 25-30% of the HNP molecules. Pro-HNPs and their mRNAs were detected both in peripheral blood neutrophils and bone marrow. Identification of the post-translational processing products of HNPs should provide a better understanding of the biosynthesis of the peptides.

Correlations of hopelessness with motivation and personality traits among Japanese school children

Correlations for 628 children in Grades 2, 4, 5, and 6 of scores on hopelessness with measures of motivation for learning and personality traits were investigated. Hopelessness scores significantly correlated with lower scores on motivation. Also, hopelessness scores were significantly correlated with scores on personality traits of schizothymia, nervousness, and self-uncertainty.

Detection of a proteinaceous toxin in the brackishwater clam (Corbicula japonica)

Water extracts from the brackishwater clam (Corbicula japonica) were found to be lethal to mice upon i.v. injection. Muscular tissues (foot muscle, adductor muscle, mantle muscle, mantle and siphon) were all toxic while gill and viscera (mid-gut gland, testis and ovary) were nontoxic; the highest toxicity was observed with foot muscle. The toxin was judged to be a thermolabile, basic protein with a mol. wt. of about 13,000.

New glycosidases inhibitors, panosialins D and wD produced by Streptomyces sp. OH-5186

New panosialin analog, panosialins D and wD have been isolated from the culture broth of Streptomyces sp. OH-5186. Their structures were elucidated as 5-(13-methylpentadecyl)-1,3-benzenediol bis(sodium sulfate) and 5-(13-methylpentadecyl)-1,3-benzenediol 1-(sodium sulfate), respectively. They showed strong inhibitory activity against alpha-mannosidase, alpha-glucosidase, and beta-glucosidase. Panosialins wA-wD mixture also showed weak mitogenic activity but suppressed the mitogen induced activity.

Terpendoles, novel ACAT inhibitors produced by Albophoma yamanashiensis. II. Structure elucidation of terpendoles A, B, C and D

Structures of terpendoles A, B, C and D, novel acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitors, were determined by spectroscopic studies. All terpendoles consist of diterpene and indole moieties in common. Terpendoles A, C and D possess an additional isoprenyl unit via oxygen atom(s) of their diterpene moieties. The relative stereochemistries of terpendoles C and D were confirmed by NOE experiments and X-ray crystallographic analysis.

Identification of 10-kDa proguanylin as a major guanylin molecule in human intestine and plasma and its increase in renal insufficiency

Guanylin is a 15-amino acid peptide that acts on intestinal guanylate cyclase, thereby regulating intestinal fluid and electrolyte transport through the second messenger, cyclic GMP. Using synthetic rat guanylin, we prepared an antiserum that recognizes human and rat guanylin equally on a molar basis and developed a sensitive radioimmunoassay (RIA). The major endogenous guanylin molecule in human intestine and plasma is 10-kDa proguanylin, 15-amino acid guanylin being a minor component. Human guanylin is distributed widely from the duodenum to colon, the highest contents being in the ileum and proximal colon. The plasma concentration of immunoreactive guanylin in the normal individuals tested was 31.2 +/- 3.0 fmol/ml (mean +/- SE) and that in patients with chronic renal failure who were undergoing hemodialysis 7,924 +/- 2,140 fmol/ml. The RIA we established is a promising tool for clarifying the physiological functions and pathophysiological significance of guanylin in water and electrolyte homeostasis.

Clinical significance of right ventricular dilatation in patients with right ventricular infarction

BACKGROUND

Right ventricular infarction can be accurately diagnosed by ST-segment elevation in the right precordial leads. However, the clinical outcome of right ventricular infarction encompasses a wide spectrum, ranging from no hemodynamic compromise to cardiogenic shock. The present study examined the clinical significance of echocardiographic right ventricular dilatation in patients with right ventricular infarction.

METHODS

We studied 60 consecutive patients with ECG evidence of right ventricular infarction (at least 1 mm ST-segment elevation and QS or QR in V4R) after their first acute Q-wave inferior infarction. They had been admitted to the coronary care unit within 24 h of the onset of chest pain. The presence of right ventricular dilatation was diagnosed when the end-diastolic ratio between right and left ventricle was more than 0.5 on two-dimensional echocardiogram.

RESULTS

Of the 60 patients with ECG evidence of right ventricular infarction, 29 had right ventricular dilatation (group 1) and 31 did not (group 2). We used four clinical variables in multivariate analysis to determine the significant factors related to right ventricular infarction. Mean right atrial pressure and number of left ventricular segments with advanced asynergy were found to be the important factors. Furthermore, a significantly higher incidence of major complications (cardiogenic shock and need for temporary pacing) was observed in group 1 than in group 2. Right ventricular dilatation was found to be the significant factor related to major complications.

CONCLUSION

Echocardiographic right ventricular dilatation is an important non-invasive sign obtained on admission in patients with right ventricular infarction, because it is associated with larger left ventricular infarct size and increased risk of major complications.

Drosophila mutants in the 55 kDa regulatory subunit of protein phosphatase 2A show strongly reduced ability to dephosphorylate substrates of p34cdc2

The 55 kDa regulatory subunit of Drosophila protein phosphatase 2A is located in the cytoplasm at all cell cycle stages, by the criterion of immunofluorescence. We are unable to detect significant change in protein phosphatase activity during the nuclear division cycle of syncytial embryos. However, cell cycle function of the enzyme is suggested by the mitotic defects exhibited by two Drosophila mutants, aar1 and twinsP, defective in the gene encoding the 55 kDa subunit. The reduced levels of the 55 kDa subunit correlate with the loss of protein phosphatase 2A-like, okadaic acid-sensitive phosphatase activity of brain extracts against caldesmon and histone H1 phosphorylated by p34cdc2/cyclin B kinase, but not against phosphorylase a. Thus the mitotic defects of aar1 and twinsP are likely to result from the lack of dephosphorylation of specific substrates by protein phosphatase 2A.

Localization of human neutrophil peptide (HNP) and its messenger RNA in neutrophil series

Human neutrophil peptides (HNPs) 1,2 and 3, also called defensins, have high antimicrobial activity and are cytotoxic to both normal and transformed human cells. The localization of HNPs 1-3 and their mRNAs in cells of normal human bone marrow and peripheral blood was investigated. Immunoreactivity for HNPs 1-3 appeared in the promyelocyte stage and increased with the maturation of the neutrophil series. HNPs 1-3 were absent from such mononuclear phagocyte systems as peripheral monocytes, alveolar macrophages, and Kupffer cells in the liver. HNP 1-3 mRNAs were detected in bone marrow cells by Northern blot analysis and in peripheral leukocytes by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). HNPs 1-3 are restricted to cells of neutrophil lineage and seem to function as microbicidal agents in the neutrophil-mediated defense system.

Cytosaminomycins, new anticoccidial agents produced by Streptomyces sp. KO-8119. II. Structure elucidation of cytosaminomycins A, B, C and D

Structures of novel anticoccidial antibiotics, cytosaminomycins A, B, C and D, were elucidated by NMR studies. Cytosaminomycins were shown to be nucleoside antibiotics related to oxyplicacetin. Their carboxylic acid moieties bonded to the cytosine residue were different from that of oxyplicacetin. The carboxylic acids contained in cytosaminomycins A, B, C and D were (E)-3-(methylthio)acrylic acid, 4-methylaminobenzoic acid, 3-methylcrotonic acid, and tiglic acid, respectively.

[A case of tuberculous pyothorax with retroperitoneal gravitation abscess]

A 65-year-old woman being treated under the diagnosis of pneumonia was subjected to further evaluation for right back tenderness. Chest radiography revealed a granular, net-like shadow in the right lower lung field, and right pleural thickening with pleural fluid retention. Ultrasonography demonstrated a cystic mass of uniformly low echo density, corresponding to the site of tenderness. This lesion was located on the right renal dorsal, right iliopsoas muscle ventral side. Based on CT findings of internal water density and marginal enhancement, the lesion was diagnosed as an abscess. With the suspicion of right tuberculous pyothorax with retroperitoneal gravitation abscess, puncture was attempted. The diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the specimen. Antituberculosis chemotherapy was initiated, with drainage for symptom relief and lesion range definition. The abscess cavity communicated with the right pleural cavity via s stalk. The stalk path was confirmed by CT, and surgical curettage was performed. Tuberculous pyothorax with retroperitoneal gravitation abscess is rare and is not discussed in standard textbooks. In large series of cases it is not mentioned. In this patient we assumed that retroperitoneal gravitation abscess occurred as a result of the advanced state of tuberculous pyothorax.

Alternative cell fate choice induced by low-level expression of a regulator of protein phosphatase 2A in the Drosophila peripheral nervous system

The Drosophila gene twins encodes the regulatory B subunit of type 2A protein phosphatase. Here we report that its partial loss-of-function mutations caused abnormal morphogenesis in the adult peripheral nervous system. In wild-type flies, the mechanoreceptor, one major class of sensory organs, is composed of four specialized cells (one neuron and three accessory cells) that are derived from a single precursor cell. The hypomorphic twins mutations did not block division of this precursor, but most likely altered cell fate in this lineage to produce only accessory cells that form sensory structures. Stepwise reductions of twins protein enhanced this transformation. In these mutants, another regulatory subunit, A, and the catalytic subunit, C, of the phosphatase were expressed at normal levels. Therefore, the modulation of the phosphatase activity by the B subunit appears to be crucial for specification of neural cell identity.

Familial amyloid polyneuropathy in Taiwan: identification of transthyretin variant (Leu55-->Pro)

We report a family with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), showing an early-onset and a fatal outcome before age 30. Transthyretin (TTR) gene analysis showed one point mutation (T-->C change) in the second base of codon 55, and the corresponding amino acid substitution of proline (Pro) for leucine (Leu) was confirmed at the protein level. This is the first FAP family of Taiwanese origin demonstrating a causative gene abnormality, and FAP with TTR-Pro55 was considered to be more serious compared with other forms of FAP.

[Ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm associated with inter-optic course of anterior cerebral artery: report of a case and review of the literature]

We report a ruptured anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysm in a patient whose anterior cerebral artery (ACA) arose from the left C3 portion and ascended between the optic nerves. A 50 year-old woman was admitted to our department with complaints of headache and vomiting. CT scan showed thick subarachnoid hemorrhage. Left carotid angiography revealed a saccular aneurysm of the anterior communicating artery and an abnormal vessel which arose from the left C3 portion and terminated in the territory of the ACoA. Surgery was performed about eight hours after subarachnoid hemorrhage. The abnormal vessel was identified as it ascended between the optic nerves. There are only 25 reported cases of this abnormality including our own case. The right carotid artery was the most frequent origin of the abnormal artery (18 cases). 13 aneurysms were associated in 11 cases, in which seven were located in the anterior communicating artery. It was the most frequent site of the aneurysm. There were various explanations for this anomalous ACA. Because of the angiographical and operative findings, we prefer to use "inter-optic course of ACA" as the medical terminology better suited to describe this condition.

Isolation and sequence determination of two N-terminal fragments of islet amyloid polypeptide in rat pancreas

Using a highly sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay (RIA) for the N-terminal hexadecapeptide of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), we isolated two N-terminal fragments of IAPP from rat pancreas. They were identified as IAPP(1-16) and IAPP(1-17) by amino acid sequencing. The two fragments were also found in rat plasma. IAPP(1-37) was the major molecular form of rat IAPP, IAPP(1-16) and IAPP(1-17) accounting for 6.0% and 32.3% of the immunoreactivity for the N-terminal region of the peptide in pancreata of normally fed rats. In human pancreas, the N-terminal fragments of IAPP were not present, indicating that the processing of IAPP in the pancreas differs between human and rat. Food deprivation increased the molar ratios of IAPP(1-16) and IAPP(1-17) to IAPP(1-37) in comparison to values for fed rats. Identification of novel fragments of IAPP, in addition to IAPP(1-37), offers a promise for the elucidation of the physiological function of IAPP and the identification of factors that regulate the biosynthesis and catabolism of the peptide.

Familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy with late-onset and well-preserved autonomic function: a Japanese kindred with novel mutant transthyretin (Ala97 to Gly)

We report the characteristics of one patient and two asymptomatic carriers from a Japanese family with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP). The clinical features were somatic sensory and motor neuropathy with well-preserved autonomic function and late onset with slow insidious progression. These symptoms and signs are different from those of type 1 FAP. There were massive amyloid deposits with transthyretin (TTR) in the myocardium and the sural nerve. DNA sequencing of the TTR gene and amino acid sequence analysis of serum TTR revealed a new mutation in which Gly97 was substituted for Ala. We suggest that patients with somatic sensory and motor neuropathy of unknown origin without apparent autonomic dysfunction should be further studied for TTR mutation.

Affinity chromatographic purification of tetrodotoxin by use of tetrodotoxin-binding high molecular weight substances in the body fluid of shore crab (Hemigrapsus sanguineus) as ligands

A purification method for tetrodotoxin (TTX), based on affinity chromatography using the TTX-binding high mol. wt substances in the body fluid of shore crab (Hemigrapsus sanguineus) as ligands, was developed. This method was particularly useful for analysis of TTX in biological samples with low concentrations of TTX. The affinity gel prepared was highly specific for TTX, having no ability to bind 4-epi-TTX and anhydro-TTX as well as saxitoxin.

A new antibiotic, cypemycin. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation and biological characteristics

A new peptide antibiotic, cypemycin, with a molecular weight of 2,097 (M+H), was isolated from the culture broth of Streptomyces sp. OH-4156. The antibiotic possesses cytocidal activity against P388 leukemia cells in vitro at a concentration of 1.3 microgram/ml (IC50 values), and the antibiotic showed antimicrobial activities against Micrococcus luteus (MIC, 0.2 microgram/ml).

Establishment of radioimmunoassay for human neutrophil peptides and their increases in plasma and neutrophil in infection

Neutrophil peptide, also called defensin, is an antimicrobial peptide localized in azurophil granules in neutrophils. Using a synthetic human neutrophil peptide-1 (HNP-1), we prepared an antiserum against the peptide and established a highly sensitive radioimmunoassay (RIA). This RIA equally recognized HNP-1, -2, and -3 on a molar basis. Analyses of leukocyte and blood extracts obtained from normal individuals and patients with bacterial infection by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with the RIA showed that the antiserum specifically detected HNP molecules. Concentrations of HNP 1-3 in total in normal human blood and plasma are 13.2 +/- 1.4 (mean +/- SEM) ng/mu 1 and 403.8 +/- 38.9 pg/mu 1, respectively. The values increased in infection and returned to within the normal levels after the recovery of the disorder. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) increased the plasma and blood concentrations of HNP 1-3. The RIA established here provides a useful tool to elucidate the pathophysiological significance of HNP and to evaluate the neutrophil functions in infection and inflammation.

A basic transthyretin variant (Glu61-->Lys) causes familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy: protein and DNA sequencing and PCR-induced mutation restriction analysis

A new mutation of transthyretin (TTR) has been identified in a patient with late-onset familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) of Japanese origin. Peptide mapping by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography to compare the patient's TTR with normal TTR showed the presence of an abnormal peptide. Amino acid sequence analysis of the peptide (residues 49-61) showed a lysine-for-glutamic acid substitution at position 61. This substitution, verified by direct DNA sequencing, was the result of a guanine to adenine change on exon 3 of the TTR gene. A polymerase chain reaction-induced mutation restriction analysis (PCR-IMRA) system was established to rapidly detect the missense mutation. TTR-Lys61 is the first variant TTR with a replacement of the acidic with basic amino acid to be found in the amyloid precursor proteins of FAP.

Phthoxazolin A, a specific inhibitor of cellulose biosynthesis from microbial origin. II. Isolation, physico-chemical properties, and structural elucidation

Phthoxazolin A is a new inhibitor of cellulose biosynthesis produces by Streptomyces sp. OM-5714. The active compound was isolated, and the structure was elucidated by spectrometric analyses.

Identification of a Drosophila homologue of alpha-catenin and its association with the armadillo protein

The cadherin cell adhesion system plays a central role in cell-cell adhesion in vertebrates, but its homologues are not identified in the invertebrate. alpha-Catenins are a group of proteins associated with cadherins, and this association is crucial for the cadherins' function. Here, we report the cloning of a Drosophila alpha-catenin gene by low stringent hybridization with a mouse alpha E-catenin probe. Isolated cDNAs encoded a 110-kD protein with 60% identity to mouse alpha E-catenin, and this protein was termed D alpha-catenin. The gene of this protein was located at the chromosome band 80B. Immunostaining analysis using a mAb to D alpha-catenin revealed that it was localized to cell-cell contact sites, expressed throughout development and present in a wide variety of tissues. When this protein was immunoprecipitated from detergent extracts of Drosophila embryos or cell lines, several proteins co-precipitated. These included the armadillo product which was known to be a Drosophila homologue of beta-catenin, another cadherin-associated protein in vertebrates, and a 150-kD glycoprotein. These results strongly suggest that Drosophila has a cell adhesion machinery homologous to the vertebrate cadherin-catenin system.

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and pheochromocytoma. Report of a case

A 49-year-old woman was diagnosed in 1985 as having pheochromocytoma because of hypertension with high levels of plasma catecholamine concentration and 24-hour urine excretion of vanillyl-mandelic acid and metanephrine together with a right adrenal mass. The excised tumor cells had fine granular basophilic cytoplasm with argyrophilic granules by Grimelius' method. Four years later, she was diagnosed as having a duodenal bulb ulcer. Serum gastrin showed an abnormally high level of 1900 pg/ml. Abdominal echogram and computed tomography revealed a hypoechoic lesion in the pancreas and intrahepatic multiple tumors. A needle biopsy specimen of the liver tumor was compatible with the histology of metastatic islet cell tumor. A diagnosis of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome was made due to malignant gastrinoma with multiple liver metastases. The patient had no family history of endocrinological or neoplastic disorders. The present case indicates the possibility that pheochromocytoma and gastrinoma, that is, endocrine tumors characteristic of multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) I and MEN II, may be coincident even in a person without MEN. A continued awareness of previously rare or undescribed manifestations is important in patients with islet cell tumors or pheochromocytoma.

Mutation of twins encoding a regulator of protein phosphatase 2A leads to pattern duplication in Drosophila imaginal discs

The Drosophila gene twins was identified through a P-element-induced mutation that caused overgrowth in posterior regions of the wing imaginal disc. Analyses using position-specific markers showed that the inactivation of this locus induced the formation of extra wing blade anlagen in the posterior compartment of the disc. The duplication was mirror symmetrical, and the line of the symmetry did not correspond to any of the known compartment borders. We isolated the twins gene and found that it encoded one of the regulatory subunits of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). These results suggest a novel aspect of physiological roles of protein dephosphorylation; that is, the control of PP2A activity is crucial for specification of tissue patterns.