Molecular cloning of cDNA encoding the Xenopus homolog of mammalian RelB

We have molecularly cloned cDNA encoding a new Rel-related protein in Xenopus laevis. Nucleotide sequencing revealed that the product is most homologous to mammalian RelB in its N-terminal region. Furthermore, the putative protein kinase A phosphorylation site (RRPS), found in most of the Rel family proteins, but replaced by QRLT in mammalian RelB, is replaced by QRIT, indicating that our cDNA most likely encodes the Xenopus homolog of mammalian RelB (XrelB). As in the case of mouse RelB, XrelB alone does not bind to DNA efficiently, while XrelB/human p50 heterodimers bind to kappa B sites and activate transcription. XrelB transcripts are present at all stages of oocyte maturation and in adult tissues examined. However, in staged embryos XrelB is undetectable from neurula to stage 28 and resumes expression at stage 47, while Xrel1/XrelA, the Xenopus homolog of p65, has been demonstrated to be expressed throughout embryogenesis. These results raise the possibility that XrelB and Xrel1/XrelA play different roles in the development of X.laevis.

Cupric ion blocks NF kappa B activation through inhibiting the signal-induced phosphorylation of I kappa B alpha

A transcription factor NF kappa B, which regulates expression of various cellular genes involved in immune responses and viral genes including HIV, is sequestered in the cytoplasm as a complex with an inhibitory protein I kappa B. Various extracellular signals induce phosphorylation and rapid degradation of I kappa B alpha to release NF kappa B. Cu2+ was found to inhibit the activation of NF kappa B induced by TNF-alpha, TPA, or H2O2. Deoxycholate treatment of the cytoplasmic extract prepared from cells stimulated by TNF-alpha in the presence of Cu2+ resulted in the release of NF kappa B from I kappa B alpha, indicating that Cu2+ interferes with the dissociation of the NF kappa B-I kappa B complex. Neither phosphorylation nor degradation of I kappa B alpha was observed upon TNF-alpha stimulation in the presence of Cu2+. These results indicate that Cu2+ inhibits the release of NF kappa B by blockade of a signal leading to the phosphorylation of I kappa B alpha.

Plasticity of myofibroblasts appearing in granulation tissues after acetic acid treatment. Effect of bFGF

To clarify the origin of the myofibroblasts appearing in the healing process of the acetic acid-induced ulcer and effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on these myofibroblasts, we conducted an immunohistochemical study using antibody to intermediate filaments, desmin and vimentin. The binding sites of bFGF on the regenerative tissues were also studied by the radioautographic study of soluble compounds. As a result, the binding sites of bFGF were accumulated on the fibroblasts and myofibroblasts as well as on endothelial cells. The effect of CS23, acid-stable human recombinant bFGF was shown on distribution of myofibroblasts and regeneration of the microvascular system in the mucosal and submucosal layers.

[Bone mineral density in postmenopausal elderly women with type 2 diabetes]

We measured lumbar bone mineral density (L2-4 MBMD) in the postmenopausal elderly diabetic women and made comparisons with age-matched controls in terms of the age, body mass index (BMI) and % BMD of age-matched. In addition we evaluated the correlation between BMD and menarche age, menopause age, HbA1c, serum calcium, serum phosphate, serum alkaline phosphatase (S-Alp) and the ratio of urine calcium to urine creatinine (UCa/Cr). Moreover we divided non-insulin dependent diabetic patients (NIDDM) into two groups; the high BMD group and the low BMD group. Serum Alp and the ratio of UCa/Cr were compared in these two groups. The relationships between regimen of therapy and BMD were also analyzed in female NIDDM. There were no significant differences of BMD and background factors between controls and NIDDM. The ratio of UCa/Cr in the high BMD group were significantly less than that in low BMD group (p < 0.05). BMD in NIDDM with retinopathy was lower, but not significantly, than that in NIDDM without retinopathy. The methods of therapy for NIDDM such as diet alone, an oral hypoglycemic agent and insulin did not influence BMD in elderly postmenopausal diabetics. These results indicated that BMD in elderly postmenopausal diabetics are dependent on UCa/Cr and retinopathy.

Determination of (+)- and (-)-nicardipine concentrations in human serum and their correlation with the antihypertensive effect after oral administration of racemic nicardipine

Serum (+)- and (-)-nicardipine concentrations were determined after oral administration of racemic nicardipine, and the relationship between the concentration of each enantiomer and the percentage change in blood pressure was investigated. Serum concentrations of (+) and (-)-nicardipine were assayed separately by a method combining high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GS-MS). Linear relationships were found with serum concentrations of 0.25-80 mg x ml(-1) for both enantiomers of nicardipine with correlation coefficients of greater than 0.999. A single oral dose of 40 mg racemic nicardipine was given to 15 patients with essential hypertension. Serum (+)-nicardipine concentration was 2-3 times higher than the concentration of (-)-nicardipine 1, 2, and 3 after drug administration. The logarithmically transformed value of the serum (+)-nicardipine concentration was inversely correlated with the percentage change in systolic blood pressure, the correlation being statistically significant 1 and 2 h after drug administration, and also inversely correlated with the percentage change in diastolic blood pressure 1, 2 and 3 h after drug administration. However, the logarithmically transformed value of serum (-)-nicardipine showed no significant correlations with the percentage change in either systolic or diastolic blood pressure.

Novel zinc chelators with dual activity in the inhibition of the kappa B site-binding proteins HIV-EP1 and NF-kappa B

Both HIV-EP1 (also called PRDII-BF1 or MBP-1), a zinc finger protein, and NF-kappa B, a Rel family protein, bind to kappa B site present in the enhancer of multiple cellular and viral genes involved in immune function and inflammatory response including HIV-1 LTR and human interferon beta gene. When cells are exposed to extracellular stimuli such as virus or phorbol ester, the activity of both HIV-EP1 and NF-kappa B is induced. Thus, kappa B site-directed transcription could be regulated by two distinct proteins in a cooperative way. Novel heterocyclic compounds comprising (dimethylamino)pyridine and histidine units, i.e., 1-4, have been designed and synthesized, aiming at inhibition of these kappa B site-binding proteins to discriminate their functions. These compounds exhibited remarkable zinc-binding capability as revealed by NMR study. Compounds 1 and 2 showed a marked inhibitory effect on the DNA binding activity of HIV-EP1 by removing zinc without interfering with the DNA binding activity of NF-kappa B. Since it has been demonstrated that zinc somehow influences the DNA binding of NF-kappa B, the effect of these heterocyclic compounds and their zinc complexes on NF-kappa B was examined. Zinc complexes of 3 and 4 exhibited the inhibitory effect on the DNA binding of NF-kappa B and/or homodimeric complexes of p50 and p65 subunits of NF-kappa B without affecting HIV-EP1. Thus, it became possible to inhibit either one of the two kappa B site-binding proteins without inhibiting the other.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

On the parameter estimation for diffusion models of single neuron's activities. I. Application to spontaneous activities of mesencephalic reticular formation cells in sleep and waking states

For the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck neuronal model a quantitative method is proposed for the estimation of the two parameters characterizing the unknown input process, namely the neuron's mean input per unit time mu and the infinitesimal standard deviation per unit time sigma. This method is based on the experimentally observed first- and second-order moments of interspike intervals. The dependence of the estimates mu and ŝigma on the moments of the observed interspike intervals and on the neuronal parameters is clarified, and a comparison is made between the estimates based on the classical Wiener model and those yielded by the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck model. Comprehensive tables are included in which the displayed values of mu and ŝigma have been calculated in terms of physiologically realistic pairs of first- and second-order moments. Our method is finally applied to interspike interval data recorded from neurons in the mesencephalic reticular formation of the cat during hypothetical sleep, slow-wave sleep stage, and wake stage.

Effect of basic fibroblast growth factor on reinnervation of gastric microvessels. Possible relevance to ulcer recurrence

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) has well-established angiogenic and ulcer healing actions. bFGF has also been found to induce neural regeneration in the central nervous system. Thus, the present study was undertaken to clarify the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor on the regeneration of autonomic nerves in the granulation tissues following the induction of experimental gastric ulcer induced by acetic acid in rats. Rats were divided into control, acetic acid alone, and acetic acid plus acid-stable human recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor (CS23, 1 microgram/100 g body wt., every 12 hr for three days, or one or two weeks, through oral gastric intubation) groups. As a result, few autonomic nerves were recognized surrounding the newly formed arterioles and venules in the acetic acid alone group. In the CS23-treated group, the cholinergic, calcitonin gene-related peptide and vasoactive intestinal peptide-immunoreactive nerves were clearly recognized near the microvessels, but few adrenergic nerves were seen even after CS23 treatment. From these observations, basic fibroblast growth factor was suggested to promote the reinnervation of the newly formed microvessels.

[Neoadjuvant chemotherapy of liver tumors metastasized by sigmoid colon cancer: a case report of CDDP/5-FU intraarterial infusion therapy followed by hepatectomy]

A case of liver tumors metastasized by Sigmoid colon cancer was treated with intrahepatic arterial infusion of CDDP (10 mg) and 5-FU (250 mg) via subcutaneously implanted reservoir. After 20 administrations of CDDP and 5-FU, the tumors in the right lobe of the liver disappeared, but those in the left lobe remained. Therefore left hepatectomy was carried out. Six months after the hepatectomy, a nodule recurrence was disclosed in the right lobe of the liver. With re-elevated serum CEA level, subsequent intrahepatic arterial infusion of CDDP and 5-FU the nodule size reduced with normalization of the serum CEA level.

The force-velocity relationship of the ATP-dependent actin-myosin sliding causing cytoplasmic streaming in algal cells, studied using a centrifuge microscope

When uncoated polystyrene beads suspended in Mg-ATP solution were introduced into the internodal cell of an alga Chara corallina, the beads moved along the actin cables with directions and velocities (30-62 microns s-1) similar to those of native cytoplasmic streaming. Bead movement was inhibited both in the absence of ATP and in the presence of CA2+, as with native cytoplasmic streaming. These results indicate that bead movement is caused by cytoplasmic myosin molecules attached to the head surface interacting with actin cables. The steady-state force-velocity relationship of the actin-myosin sliding that produces cytoplasmic streaming was determined by applying constant centrifugal forces to the beads moving on the actin cables. The force-velocity curve in the positive load region was nearly straight, and the implications of this shape are discussed in connection with the kinetic properties of the actin-myosin interaction in cytoplasmic streaming. It is suggested that the time for which a cytoplasmic myosin head is detached from actin in one cycle of actin-myosin interaction is very short. The Ca(2+)-induced actin-myosin linkages, responsible for the Ca(2+)-induced stoppage of cytoplasmic streaming, were shown to be much stronger than the rigor actin-myosin linkages.

Overlapping substrate specificities of benzaldehyde dehydrogenase (the xylC gene product) and 2-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (the xylG gene product) encoded by TOL plasmid pWW0 of Pseudomonas putida

Two aldehyde dehydrogenases involved in the degradation of toluene and xylenes, namely, benzaldehyde dehydrogenase and 2-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde dehydrogenase, are encoded by the xylC and xylG genes, respectively, on TOL plasmid pWW0 of Pseudomonas putida. The nucleotide sequence of xylC was determined in this study. A protein exhibiting benzaldehyde dehydrogenase activity had been purified from cells of P. putida (pWW0) (J. P. Shaw and S. Harayama, Eur. J. Biochem. 191:705-714, 1990); however, the amino-terminal sequence of this protein does not correspond to that predicted from the xylC sequence but does correspond to that predicted from the xylG sequence. The protein purified in the earlier work was therefore 2-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (the xylG gene product). This conclusion was confirmed by the fact that this protein oxidized 2-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde (kcat/Km = 1.6 x 10(6) s-1 M-1) more efficiently than benzaldehyde (kcat/Km = 3.2 x 10(4) s-1 M-1). The xylC product, the genuine benzaldehyde dehydrogenase, was purified from extracts of P. putida (pWW0-161 delta rylG) which does not synthesize 2-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde dehydrogenase. The amino-terminal sequence of the purified protein corresponds to the amino-terminal sequence deduced from the xylC sequence. This enzyme efficiently oxidized benzaldehyde (kcat/Km = 1.7 x 10(7) s-1 M-1) and its analogs but did not oxidize 2-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde or its analogs.

Uptake site of lansoprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, in human fundic mucosa: possible relevance with fibroblast and Helicobacter pylori

To clarify the mechanism of the effect of lansoprazole in the healing of human gastric ulcer, the uptake sites of lansoprazole were studied using endoscopically biopsied specimens from the margin of the gastric ulcer. The specimens were incubated in a medium containing 3H-lansoprazole for 5 or 15 min., postfixed with 1% osmic acid and embedded in Epon. The semithin or ultrathin sections were made and radioautographic emulsion films were applied by the wire-loop method. 30 days after the incubation, the sections were developed, fixed and observed by light and electron microscopy. As a result, the uptake sites of lansoprazole were accumulated on the fibroblasts located near the tip portion of the gastric mucosa and on the unmyelinated nerve fibers as well as on the parietal cells. Some of the uptake sites were also observed near the plasma membrane of the bacteria in the gastric lumen. From these observations, lansoprazole uptake sites were not only on the parietal cells but on the fibroblasts and the bacteria, suggesting that the effect of lansoprazole was exerted partly through the influence on the mesenchymal cells and Helicobacter pylori-related organisms.

Autoradiographic demonstration of lansoprazole uptake sites in rat antrum and colon

To investigate possible effects of lansoprazole other than its acid suppression through the parietal cell, uptake sites for lansoprazole were studied by autoradiography in rat antral and colon mucosa. Autoradiography was performed using two different methods, i.e., routine fixation and in vitro autoradiography on cryostat sections. Our results showed that the uptake sites for lansoprazole in the gastric antrum were located in the interstitial cells, including unmyelinated nerve fibers, whereas those in the colon mucosa corresponded to epithelial cells and some of the interstitial cells. With electron microscopy, the uptake sites for lansoprazole in the colon epithelial cells were seen exclusively near the apical plasma membrane. On the basis of these findings, lansoprazole may have effects on autonomic nerve and colon epithelial function as well as on acid secretion.

Organization and transcription of the mitochondrial ATP synthase genes in the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica

Mitochondrial gene organization was studied in a dimorphic yeast, Yarrowia lipoltica. The gene order in a sequenced 6.6-kilobase region closely resembles that of the human mitochondrial genome in that ATP synthase subunit 8 and 6 genes are followed by genes for cytochrome c oxidase subunit 3 (which contains an intron), NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit 4, and ATP synthase subunit 9. This region also contains tRNA genes decoding AUA, UGA, CUN and CCN codons, suggesting a unique mitochondrial translation. All the above genes are transcribed from the same DNA strand into multigenic RNAs, starting from a nonanucleotide sequence, 5'-ATATAAATA-3', similar to other yeast mitochondrial promoters.

Development of a thermoelectric cooling apparatus for high-voltage isoelectric focusing on a cellulose acetate membrane

To develop an isoelectric focusing apparatus using a cellulose acetate membrane (Separax EF), we have designed a thermoelectric cooling isoelectric apparatus. This apparatus has two characteristics. Firstly, the cooling system was switched to a thermoelectric cooling system from an ice-cooling system. Secondly, the chamber lid of the electrophoretic apparatus was also devised so that samples could be applied without opening the chamber lid. With this apparatus we could perform the isoelectric focusing without worrying about room temperature and humidity in the laboratory. Applying 2000 V for an extra 5 min with our module cooling system, we achieved a much higher degree of resolution with three sheets of cellulose acetate membrane (Separax EF) overlaid for simultaneous electrophoresis. Thus, three types of information could be obtained from only one electrophoretic procedure.

EFFECT OF MECHANICAL VIBRATION ON ACTIVE TENSION IN THE LONGITUDINAL RETRACTOR MUSCLE OF A SEA CUCUMBER STICHOPUS JAPONICUS

1. The effect of mechanical vibration on active tension in an echinoderm somatic smooth muscle was studied using the longitudinal retractor muscle (LRM) of a sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus. 2. The steady contracture tension in LRM fibres maximally activated with 10(-3) mol l-1 acetylcholine (ACh) was reduced by vibrations (peak-to-peak amplitude, 0.5&shy;2.5 % of l0, where l0 is the slack length of the muscle; frequency, 5&shy;100 Hz). The extent of reduction of active contracture tension increased with increasing amplitude of vibration, but it did not change appreciably with increasing frequency of vibration. 3. The steady contracture tension in LRM fibres submaximally activated with 10(-5) mol l-1 ACh was more markedly reduced by vibrations than was that in maximally activated fibres. 4. The vibration-induced reduction of active contracture tension disappeared when temperature was lowered from 20&shy;23 to 0 &deg;C. 5. The development of contracture tension in LRM fibres activated with ACh was not affected by mechanical vibration. 6. These results are discussed in connection with the vibration-induced decrease in the rate of breakage of the actin&shy;myosin linkages responsible for isometric force generation.

[Lobectomy under thoracoscopic guidance]

From September '92 to November '93, 15 lobectomies were performed under thoracoscopic guidance. After a thoracoport was inserted through the seventh intercostal space to conduct the operation utilizing a monitor, a six to ten cm incision was made in the fifth intercostal space. The pulmonary arteries and veins were divided after stapling with an Endo GIA or Roticulator 30-VIII. The lobar bronchus was stapled with a Roticulator 30-3.5, 30-4.8 or an Endo TA and affected lobes were resected. In cases of lung cancer, lymph node dissection has become possible as well due to the improvement of endoscopic instrumentation.