Potential sites for processing of the human invariant chain by cathepsins D and E

Seven peptides of 15-30 amino acid residues were synthesized that covered almost the entire sequence of the lumenal domain of the human invariant chain (Ii), and their hydrolysis by cathepsins D and E was investigated. Two sites were identified that were very susceptible to such cleavage. One site, the Leu174-Phe175 bond, was cleaved by both cathepsins, and the other site, the Met99-Gln100 bond, was specifically cleaved by cathepsin E. These two sites could be the sites at which native Ii is cleaved by aspartic proteinases. The cleavage of the Met99-Gln100 bond by cathepsin E might be important in the inactivation of Ii and its functional derivatives.

Mitral valve protrusion assessed by use of B-mode echocardiography in dogs with mitral regurgitation

OBJECTIVE

To examine our hypothesis that changes of the mitral valve in dogs with mitral regurgitation lead to various degrees of protrusion of the cusp in individual dogs in systole.

DESIGN

Assessing the mitral protrusion, using B-mode echocardiography in dogs with mitral regurgitation.

ANIMALS

33 dogs with chronic mitral regurgitation and 40 clinically normal dogs.

PROCEDURE

The mitral valve was imaged in the right parasternal left ventricular long-axis view, and we measured the height (H) from the coaptation point or tip of the protruded cusp to the mitral annular plane. When the tip of the protruded cusp was located beyond the mitral annular plane extending into the left atrium, H was expressed as negative values.

RESULTS

The H in clinically normal dogs was 3.7 +/- 0.8 mm. In dogs with mitral regurgitation, the mitral cusp protruded toward the left atrium to various degrees, and H was -0.7 +/- 1.9 mm (range, 2.9 to -5.0 mm). The 2 dogs in the latter group with the lowest H (-5.0 and -4.5 mm, respectively) presented typical mitral flail on B-mode images. The indices of left atrial and ventricular dimension (left atrial dimension/aortic dimension and left ventricular end-diastolic dimension/body weight, respectively) were significantly higher than those in the clinically normal dogs and were negatively correlated with H.

CONCLUSION

The mitral valve in individual dogs with mitral regurgitation has different degrees of protrusion. The degree of protrusion might be related to the hemo-dynamic condition in mitral regurgitation.

Stage-specific elevated expression of the genes for hepatocyte growth factor, keratinocyte growth factor, and their receptors during the morphogenesis and differentiation of rat stomach mucosa

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) are two factors considered to be involved in the morphogenesis of several organs. To understand the role of HGF and KGF in the stomach development, we analyzed changes in the levels of expression of the genes for the two growth factors and their receptors in the fetal rat stomach by competitive RT-PCR. Resembling our previous results for HGF, the expression of the genes for KGF and its receptor was observed in the mesenchyme and epithelium of 16.5 day fetal stomach, respectively, indicating the possibility that KGF mediates the epithelial-mesenchymal interaction in the early stage of stomach development. The developmental profile of the expression of the genes for the two growth factors and their receptors were different, indicating a difference in their roles; the genes for HGF and c-met, the receptor for HGF, are expressed mainly during the morphogenetic period, while the genes for KGF and its receptor mainly after the morphogenetic period. Thus, it is probable that HGF controls the proliferation of epithelial cells during the morphogenetic process. The expression of the genes for KGF and its receptor is not correlated with epithelial proliferation during morphogenesis, but it does appear to be linked with epithelial differentiation. These results, together with the absence of significant mitogenic effect of KGF on the epithelial cells of the fetal rat glandular stomach in vitro, suggest a role for KGF as a differentiation factor. In addition, the expression profile of the genes for KGF and its receptor towards the end of fetal period appears to be closely correlated with that of mesenchymal cell proliferation, suggesting another role for the growth factor that is not regulated by the epithelial-mesenchymal interaction.

Cloning and characterization of mycovirus double-stranded RNA from the plant pathogenic fungus, Fusarium solani f. sp. robiniae

A mycovirus (named FusoV) from the phytopathogenic fungus, Fusarium solani f. sp. robiniae SUF704, has two kinds of double-stranded (ds) RNA genomes, designated M1 and M2. The cDNAs were constructed from FusoV genomic dsRNAs. The sequences of M1 and M2 cDNAs comprised 1645 and 1445bp, respectively. Sequence analysis showed that each dsRNA had a single long open reading frame (ORF) on only one of the strands. M1 ORF encodes a 519-amino acid residue polypeptide with a predicted molecular mass of 60 kDa. RNA-dependent RNA polymerase-conserved motifs were identified in the predicted amino acid sequence, and the polymerase synthesized dsRNA in vitro. The M2 ORF encodes a polypeptide of 413 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular mass of 44 kDa. The predicted amino acid sequence contained the sequence corresponding to those found in the purified 44-kDa capsid protein of FusoV.

Microsomal aldehyde oxygenase (MALDO): purification and characterization of a cytochrome P450 isozyme responsible for oxidation of 9-anthraldehyde to 9-anthracenecarboxylic acid in monkey liver

Oxidative activity of 9-anthraldehyde (9-AA) to 9-anthracenecarboxylic acid in monkey liver was mainly located in microsomes. The reaction required NADPH as an essential cofactor and was significantly inhibited by SKF 525-A, metyrapone, disulfiram, and CO, potent inhibitors of microsomal aldehyde oxygenase (MALDO). Two cytochrome P450 isozymes, named P450JM-A and P450JM-C, which mediate the oxidative biotransformation of 9-AA were purified from hepatic microsomes of untreated male and female Japanese monkeys, respectively. These isozymes each showed a single band of molecular mass 51,000 on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The NH2-terminal amino acid sequences of P450JM-A and P450JM-C are highly homologous with those of several P450s belonging to the CYP2A and CYP2B subfamilies, respectively. The anti-P450JM-C antibody significantly suppressed 9-AA MALDO activity in monkey liver, but anti-P450JM-A antibody did not. The antibody against CYP2C11, which is a major isozyme responsible for 9-AA MALDO in male rat liver, also inhibited the activity. These results indicate that P450JM-C and isozyme(s) immunologically related to CYP2C11 predominantly possess MALDO activity toward 9-AA.

Complementary DNA cloning and sequencing of rat enteropeptidase and tissue distribution of its mRNA

A cDNA clone encoding enteropeptidase (EC 3.4.21.9), a key enzyme for the conversion of trypsinogen to trypsin, was isolated from a rat duodenal mucosa cDNA library. Sequences of the 3585 base pair clone predicted that enteropeptidase is synthesized as a single-chain precursor form, proenteropeptidase, consisting of 1058 amino acid residues with an internal signal sequence (51 residues) and is then processed into the mature enzyme consisting of three different peptide chains, i.e., mini, light and heavy chains, not the previously reported two-chain enzyme. The structure of enteropeptidase is relatively conserved among different species and the rat enteropeptidase is 24 and 39 amino acids longer than the porcine and human ones, respectively. Northern blot analysis of rNAs from normal rat tissues revealed that the enteropeptidase mRNA of around 4.4 kb in size was expressed only in the duodenal mucosa, and high proteolytic activity of the enzyme was detected in the proximal small intestine. Additional analysis of the RNAs by RT-PCR revealed that a low level of the mRNA was also expressed in the other parts of the small intestine, i.e., jejunum and ileum. These results indicate that the biosynthesis of enteropeptidase takes place mainly in the proximal small intestine, the duodenum, and the importance of the region in the physiology of intestinal protein digestion regulated by the enzyme is suggested. Furthermore a faint signal of the mRNA was also detected in the stomach, colon and brain in which the existence of trypsin-like serine proteases were reported. The significance of the low level expression of the gene is unclear, but the potential peptide-processing function of the enzyme in these tissues is also suggested.

Effects of auricular acupuncture stimulation on nonobese, healthy volunteer subjects

Effects of auricular acupuncture stimulation on nonobese healthy volunteers were investigated. Subjects (n = 35) averaged 34.5 years old, and BMI was 25.3 kg/m2. Small (0.15 x 2.0 mm) auricular needles were applied intracutaneously into the bilateral cavum conchae that was identified by having less than 100 k omega resistance. Body weight was measured four times a day and charted by the subjects themselves. Results showed that, in the period 11-2, in which only body weight was measured, without auricular acupuncture stimulations, 57.1% of the subjects reduced their body weight. This indicates that charting body weight themselves might be useful to maintain their weight. In the auricular acupuncture treated period, 19 (70.4%) out of 27 decreased (p < 0.01), 5 (18.5%) was increased, and 3 (11.1%) had no change in body weight. In conclusion, the results suggest that success in maintaining weight reduction can be attributed to graphic illustration of one's weight pattern. Bilateral auricular acupuncture stimulation can also reduce body weight of healthy non-obese subjects. This is consistent with the suggestion that it might be effective in the treatment of obese patients.

Processing of the precursors to neurotensin and other bioactive peptides by cathepsin E

Cathepsin E (EC 3.4.23.34), an intracellular aspartic proteinase, was purified from monkey intestine by simple procedures that included affinity chromatography and fast protein liquid chromatography. Cathepsin E was very active at weakly acidic pH in the processing of chemically synthesized precursors such as the precursor to neurotensin/neuromedin, proopiomelanocortin, the precursor to xenopsin, and angiotensinogen. The processing sites were adjacent to a dibasic motif in the former two precursors and at hydrophobic recognition sites in the latter two. The common structural features that specified the processing sites were found in the carboxyl-terminal sequences of the active peptide moieties of these precursors; namely, the sequence Pro-Xaa-X'aa-hydrophobic amino acid was found at positions P4 through P1. Pro at the P4 position is thought to be important for directing the processing sites of the various precursor molecules to the active site of cathepsin E. Although the positions of Xaa and X'aa were occupied by various amino acids, including hydrophobic and aromatic amino acids, some of these had a negative effect, as typically observed when Glu/Arg and Pro were present at the P3 and P2 positions, respectively. Cathepsin D was much less active or was almost inactive in the processing of the precursors to neurotensin and related peptides as a result of the inability of the Pro-directed conformation of the precursor molecules to gain access to the active site of cathepsin D. Thus, the consensus sequence of precursors, Pro-Xaa-X'aa-hydrophobic amino acid, might not only generate the best conformation for cleavage by cathepsin E but might be responsible for the difference in specificities between cathepsins E and D.

[A study on the relationship between clinicopathological findings of gastric cancer and its biological behavior such as DNA ploidy pattern and immunohistochemical staining of PCNA, laminin, p53 and nm 23]

The quantity of DNA ploidy and the expression of PCNA, laminin, p53 and nm23 by immunohistochemical stain were investigated using paraffin-embedded specimens obtained from 135 gastric cancer patients, and were compared with clinicopathological findings.

RESULTS

(1) The incidence of DNA high ploidy (HP) was significantly higher in such a case with infiltrating type (INF) and positive lymph node metastasis (p+) compared with that of negative cases. (2) The high level of PCNA labeling index (HLI), negative expression of laminin (NEL) and nm23 (NE23) were more frequently observed in INF; large tumor size, deep invasion and p+, while positive p 53 was noted only in p+ cases. (3) The survival curve of HP, HLI, NEL, and NE 23 was significantly lower than that of the cases showing the reverse findings. As a conclusion, it is suggested that the investigation of the DNA ploidy, PCNA, laminin, p53 and nm23 might be useful as a parameter of biological behavior for gastric cancer and the prognosis of gastrectomized patients.

Efficacy of traditional herbal medicines in combination with acyclovir against herpes simplex virus type 1 infection in vitro and in vivo

Traditional herbal medicines have been safely used for the treatment of various human diseases since ancient China. We selected 10 herbal extracts with therapeutic antiherpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) activity. Among these, Geum japonicum Thunb., Rhus javanica L., Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. et Perry, or Terminalia chebula Retzus showed a stronger anti-HSV-1 activity in combination with acyclovir than the other herbal extracts in vitro. When acyclovir and/or a herbal extract were orally administered at doses corresponding to human use, each of the 4 combinations significantly limited the development of skin lesions and/or prolonged the mean survival times of infected mice compared with both acyclovir and the herbal extract alone (P < 0.01 or 0.05). These combinations were not toxic to mice. They reduced virus yields in the brain and skin more strongly than acyclovir alone and exhibited stronger anti-HSV-1 activity in the brain than in the skin, in contrast to acyclovir treatment by itself. Combinations of acyclovir with historically used herbal medicines showed strong combined therapeutic anti-HSV-1 activity in mice, especially reduction of virus yield in the brain.

Metabolism of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol by cytochrome P450 isozymes purified from hepatic microsomes of monkeys

The most abundant metabolite of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THC) formed with hepatic microsomes of monkeys was 11-OH-delta 9-THC, followed by 8 alpha-OH-, 8 beta-OH- and 3'-OH-delta 9-THCs. Two cytochrome P450 isozymes, P450RM-A and P450JM-C, were purified from monkey hepatic microsomes and found to have a molecular weight of 51,000. In the reconstituted system, the activities of P450RM-A towards formation of 11-OH-, 8 alpha-OH-, 8 beta-OH- and 3'-OH-delta 9-THCs were 19-, 40-, 22- and 10-fold higher, respectively, than the corresponding activities of the hepatic microsomes. The activity of P450JM-C towards formation of 3'-OH-delta 9-THC was 10-fold higher than that of P450RM-A, while the activities of both isozymes for 11- and 8 alpha-hydroxylation were not so much different and the 8 beta-hydroxylation activity was 14-fold higher in P450RM-A than in P450JM-C. Antibodies against P450RM-A and P450JM-C markedly inhibited the microsomal formation of 11-OH- and 8 alpha-OH-delta 9-THCs, and 3'-OH-delta 9-THC, respectively. These results suggest that P450RM-A and P450JM-C are major isozymes responsible for the formation of 11-OH- and 8 alpha-OH-delta 9-THCs, and 3'-OH-delta 9-THC, respectively, in monkeys.

[A cross-sectional survey on mental health and working environment of hospital nurses]

Relationships between mental health status of hospital nurses and their working environment were examined by a self-administered questionnaire survey among 471 nurses in three hospitals. Their mental health status was assessed by the General Health Questionnaire (60-item version). Their GHQ score was apparently higher than that among the general population. The score was inversely associated with number of days off in the last month, and was also positively associated with the perceived stressors, particularly "difficult judgement in a job" and "confronting death of a patient". The personal relationships at their work place exerted a buffering effect to the stress associated with "difficult judgement in a job". These results suggested that a mental health promotion strategy for hospital nurses should be planned from the following three aspects: measures concerning their working environment, especially with respect to working time; measures concerning their personal relationships including on-the-job training; measures concerning their personal tolerance, such as psychological support system in a work place.

Effects of hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus: electrical stimulation produce marked analgesia in rats

The effect of the electrical simulation induced analgesia (ESIA) on the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) was investigated by the paw pressure test, which was used to avoid any tissue damage to the paw of Wistar-SPF/VAF male rats. A stimulating electrode was chronically implanted in the parvocellular (PVN-prv) or magnocellular (PVN-mgn) divisions of the PVN. The ESIA was examined at least 10 days after surgery. The electrical stimulation of the PVN markedly showed analgesia (ESIA), but stimulation of most locations outside the PVN did not produce ESIA. Stimulation threshold for the ESIA was lower from PVN-prv than from PVN-mgn, but neither region was affected by naloxone administration (10 mg/kg, i.p.). These results indicate that the PVN is a part of the pain inhibitory system in the CNS, and show that PVN-ESIA might not be mediated either by opioids or by neuropeptides such as vasopressin.

Effects of auricular stimulation on feeding-related hypothalamic neuronal activity in normal and obese rats

It is known that auriculotherapy occasionally affects dramatic body weight reduction for obese patients, although the physiological and anorexigenic functions are not clear. Effects of auricular stimulation on feeding-related lateral (LHA) and ventromedial (VMH) hypothalamic neuronal activity in normal and experimental (hypothalamic and dietary) obese rats were investigated. The LHA and/or VMH neuronal activity were recorded from feeding-related regions in Wistar SPF/VAF male and experimental (hypothalamic and dietary) obese rats, anesthetized with urethane-chloralose, under stereotaxic coordination. Recording was through 3 M KCI glass microelectrodes, while stimulating the ipsilateral vagal innervated region of the auricle. This is equivalent to the cavum conchae in the human, and was identified by resistance less than 10-50 k omega. The stimulating electrode was a stainless steel ear acupuncture (0.12 x 2.0 mm). The latency of potentials evoked in the LHA by unilateral stimulation of a specific site in the ear was 28.1 +/- 3.3 ms (8-92, n = 41). LHA neuronal activity was depressed 45.6% (n = 12, p < 0.01), and VMH activity was excited (60.5%, n = 18, p < 0.01). The auricular acupuncture stimulation clearly modulates feeding-related hypothalamic neuronal activity of experimental (both hypothalamic and dietary) obese rats. These auricle acupuncture stimulation effects were correlated to the degree of obesity. In conclusion, the results suggest that auricular acupuncture stimulation may not reduce appetite, but is more likely concerned with satiation formation and preservation. Thus, auricular acupuncture should be more effective on obese rats than on normal rats.

Molecular cloning and sequencing of cDNA that encodes cysteine proteinase in the eggs of the silkmoth, Bombyx mori

We have isolated and sequenced a 1,486-base-pair near full-length cDNA coding for Bombyx egg cysteine proteinase. The cDNA encodes 344 amino acid residues containing a typical signal peptide sequence (16 residues), pro-peptide (104 residues), and the sequence for mature enzyme (224 residues). Sequence alignments show that the egg cysteine proteinase is similar to lobster cysteine proteinase (61% identity), barley cysteine proteinase, Aleurain (52%), rice cysteine proteinase, Oryzain (54%), and rat cathepsin L (59%). The amino-terminal sequencing of the egg cysteine proteinase indicates that the enzyme purified as an inactive form from eggs is a pro-enzyme. Pro-egg cysteine proteinase was detected in other silkmoth tissues such as ovary, fat body, hemocyte, and hemolymph by immunoblotting.

Partial splenic embolization for Felty's syndrome: a 10-year followup

Partial splenic embolization was performed in a case of Felty's syndrome in 1980. The granulocyte count has since remained normal without serious infections for the 10 years after the procedure. This is the first report of partial splenic embolization in this syndrome. This treatment may have an advantage over splenectomy because the defense mechanisms of the spleen are preserved and overwhelming infections may occur less frequently.

A case report of surgical treatment of a dog with atrioventricular septal defect (incomplete form of endocardial cushion defect)

A 3-month-old female collie was diagnosed as having atrioventricular septal defect with ostium primum atrial septal defect (PASD). The diagnosis was made by echocardiographic observation of the PASD and goose-neck deformity on left ventriculogram. The PASD was treated surgically with a patch graft under cross-circulation cardiopulmonary bypass (CC). The PASD was identified above the ventricular septum after right atriotomy. The patch graft was sutured along the fibrous tissue of the tricuspid annulus on the ventricular side of the PASD to avoid injuring the conduction system. After the operation, cardiac function and renal output were well preserved, but the dog died 33 hr later. At postmortem examination, a mitral cleft was identified.

Asian macaque pepsinogens and pepsins

Five pepsinogens were purified from the gastric mucosa of eight species of Asian macaques. The chromatographic behavior of each pepsinogen was essentially the same but differed from human and other mammalian pepsinogens. The major pepsinogen in each species was pepsinogen A-1, accounting for 29-48% of the total. Amino acid compositions and some enzymatic properties of derived pepsins were similar for the various monkey species. This high degree of similarity confirms that these species are closely related to one another.

Glucocorticoids inhibit the proliferation of mucosal cells and enhance the expression of a gene for pepsinogen and other markers of differentiation in the stomach mucosa of the adult rat

Adrenalectomy caused a significant decrease in the mucosal level of pepsinogen in the adult rat stomach. This decrease was mainly due to a reduction in the level of the main component of rat pepsinogen isozymogens, namely, Pg1 and in the level of expression of Pg1 mRNA, with a maximal effect being evident 48 hours after operation. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the level of expression of Pg1 in the pepsinogen-producing cells was decreased throughout the stomach mucosa and this decrease was especially marked in the immature chief cells located in the glandular neck of the fundic mucosa. Adrenalectomy also increased the proliferation of mucosal cells and suppressed the expression of cathepsin E and class III mucin, markers of differentiated stomach mucosa. All these changes were reversed by hydrocortisone replacement and the extent of the recovery of the level of Pg1 mRNA was dependent on the dose of hydrocortisone, indicating the transcriptional control of the Pg1 gene by hydrocortisone. The observed results suggest that the continuous presence of glucocorticoids is necessary for active transcription of Pg1 gene in fully differentiated stomach mucosa and that glucocorticoids are important regulators of both the function and the morphology of stomach mucosal cells.