Synthesis of a glycopeptide with phytoalexin elicitor activity. I. Synthesis of a triglycosyl L-serine and a triglycosyl L-seryl-L-proline dipeptide

A stereocontrolled synthesis of the model compound for the phytoalexin elicitor-active glycoprotein is described. Glycosylation of the disaccharide, 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl- alpha- D-mannopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate, with N-(carbobenzoxy)-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-(1-->3)-L- serine methyl ester or N-(carbobenzoxy)-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-(1-->3)-L- seryl-L- proline methyl ester by use of AgOTf gave the desired trisaccharide-serine or trisaccharide-seryl-proline derivatives, which were transformed into beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1-->6)-alpha-D- mannopyranosyl-(1-->3)-L-serine and triglycosyl-(1-->3)-L-seryl-L-proline via removal of the N-carbobenzoxy group, followed by deacylation.

[A case of suprasellar intradural chordoma]

An extraosseous and intradural chordoma of the suprasellar region is described in a 54-year-old male who presented himself with left homonymous hemianopia. Computed tomography showed an isodensity tumor containing a cyst in the suprasellar region. Magnetic resonance images demonstrated the tumor as an isointense mass with heterogeneous enhancement after intravenous administration of a contrast agent, and as a high signal intensity mass on T2-weighted images. The associated cyst was also clearly demonstrated. The tumor was diagnosed preoperatively as a craniopharyngioma and was resected using the frontobasal interhemispheric approach. However, the resected tumor had the typical histological and immunohistochemical characteristics of chordoma. Only ten cases of totally extraosseous and intradural chordoma have been reported. The histogenetic background of this tumor is also discussed in this paper.

Antibody against a peptide corresponding to the extracellular domain of the luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor stimulates testosterone production in rat Leydig cells

In order to study the function of LH/CG receptor, we prepared four synthetic peptides (RP1, 2, 3, and 4 for residues 242-255, 49-66, 493-504, and 573-584) corresponding to extracellular domains of rat ovary LH/CG receptor and raised antibodies against RP1 and RP2 (anti-receptor peptide IgGs). These peptides and IgGs were assayed for inhibition of 125I-labeled hCG binding to Leydig cell membrane receptors. However, neither the peptides nor the IgGs inhibited hCG binding to the receptor at doses up to 10(-3) and 10(-5) M, respectively. On the other hand, although anti-receptor peptide IgGs did not show inhibition of hCG binding to the receptor, it was found that one of the IgGs (anti-RP1IgG) was bound to the cell membrane and stimulated testosterone production in rat Leydig cells. F(ab')2 fragment lacking the N-linked sugar chain in the IgG molecule, whose sugar chains are similar to those of hCG, was prepared from anti-RP1IgG. Anti-RP1F(ab')2 was still bound to the cell membrane but no longer stimulated testosterone production. These results suggested that when LH/CG receptor binds to a glycoprotein, even if it is different from the native ligand hCG, it may interact with sugar chains of the glycoprotein to cause signal transduction. Thus, a lectin-like domain in or near the receptor may play a key role in the receptor function.

[The effects of various doses of lipopolysaccharide on endotoxin-induced uveitis in rats]

We induced intraocular inflammation by foot pad injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats to investigate the inflammatory effects of the various doses of the LPS and the anti-inflammatory effects of prostaglandin (PG) synthetase inhibitor. The aqueous protein concentration curve showed two peaks, an early one at 3 hours and another at 24 hours after the injection, at doses higher than 12.5 micrograms per rat. The PG synthetase inhibitor reduced the aqueous protein concentration by 30 to 60% at both of the two peaks. These results suggest the involvement of PG in the mechanism of the endotoxin-induced uveitis.

[The relation between Behçet's disease and interleukin-1 beta production]

Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) is an inflammatory cytokine. We measured its production in 21 Behçet's disease patients, 4 healthy controls, and 4 sarcoidosis patients, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide from peripheral blood monocytes. IL-1 beta production of the posterior segment type was significantly greater (p < 0.001) than in healthy controls, sarcoidosis patients, and anterior segment type. In all posterior segment type cases, IL-1 beta production in the active period was greater than in the remission period. IL-1 beta production is considered to be related to posterior segment type attacks of Behçet's disease.

[Severe carotid artery stenosis in the neck is frequently associated with coronary heart disease]

We have reviewed 15 cases of carotid artery stenosis in the neck, consisting of 11 patients with cerebral ischemia and 4 asymptomatic patients, in relation to associated coronary heart disease. The 15 patients had systemic complications, including hypertension in 87%, diabetes mellitus in 40% and hyperlipidemia in 57%. Systemic vascular complications other than coronary heart disease were present in 27% of the patients. Three of the 15 patients had a history of ischemic heart disease and had been treated by cardiologists. One patient developed angina pectoris on the second day of a cerebral ischemic attack. Coronary angiography (CAG) and simultaneous cerebral angiography following carotid endartectomy (CEA) were performed 4 of the remaining 12 patients, who had symptoms or history of ischemic heart attacks. Three of these four patients had stenotic lesions in their coronary arteries. Another one patient among the remaining 8 developed angina pectoris one year after undergoing CEA. This patient had 3-vessel coronary artery disease. These findings suggest that a strong correlation between stenotic lesions of the carotid arteries in the neck and coronary heart disease, with or without episodes of ischemic heart disease. CAG should be strongly recommended in such patients to assess the severity of complicating ischemic heart disease and to improve the prognosis following CEA.

A survey of a functional amino acid of class C beta-lactamase corresponding to Glu166 of class A beta-lactamases

The class C beta-lactamase of Citrobacter freundii GN346 is a typical cephalosporinase comprising 361 amino acids. The aspartic acid at position 217 and glutamic acid at position 219 in this beta-lactamase were, respectively, previously shown not to be the counterpart of Glu166 (ABL166) in class A beta-lactamases, even though sequence alignment of class A and C enzymes strongly suggested this possibility [(1990) FEBS Lett. 264, 211-214; (1990) J. Bacteriol. 172, 4348-4351]. We tried again to assign candidates for the counterpart of Glu166 through sequence alignment based on other criteria, the glutamic acids at positions 195 and 205 in the class C beta-lactamase being selected. To investigate this possibility, these two glutamic acids were changed to glutamine, lysine or alanine, respectively. All the mutant enzymes showed more than 50% of the activity of the wild-type enzyme, indicating that the possibility was ruled out. These results strongly suggested the possibility that the class C beta-lactamase lacks a functional acidic residue corresponding to Glu166 in class A enzymes.

[A dementia occurred during therapy for multi-drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis]

A 47-year-old woman was thirdly admitted to our hospital for therapy to multi-drug resistant tuberculosis of the lung in June 88. Although she was treated with TH, PAS and EVM, M. tuberculosis were positive constantly in her sputum. She complained of sleep disturbance, irritability, headache on September 89, she was diagnosed reactive depression. But her symptoms were progressive, low level of intelligence test in November, apatic in December and became spastic paralysis and vegetable state at next year. She was died of pneumonia in November 90. Her autopsy findings showed no brain atrophy nor meningitis. Microscopically, central chromatolysis were showed in Betz cells and anterior horn cells, these findings sometimes suspected for Peragulla, but we could not obtained definite pathological diagnosis, because we could not have been obtained findings indicating for Peragulla. Finally, we reported the clinical course and autopsy findings of dementia occurred during therapy for multi-drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis.

Interferometric observations for oxygen-containing organic molecules toward Orion-KL

High spatial resolution observations (approximately 5") were made for the 3 mm transitions of methanol (CH3OH), methyl formate (HCOOCH3), and dimethyl ether [(CH3)2O] toward Orion-KL using the Nobeyama Millimeter Array. The 15(3)-14(4) A- CH3OH emission appears to be elongated along the line connecting IRc2 and "the southern condensation (SC)", which may suggest a relation between methanol and the outflow from IRc2. The HCOOCH3 (7(1,6)-6(1,5)) and (CH3)2O (15(2,13)-15(1,14)) emissions appear to be well concentrated toward SC with an angular size of approximately 6".5 (at the 2 sigma level). There also exists another oxygen-rich condensation to the west of IRc2 (angular size approximately 4".5) having column densities of HCOOCH3 and (CH3)2O comparable to those of SC. We derive the total column densities 6.8 x 10(16) cm-2, 1.4 x 10(16) cm-2 and 2.7 x 10(16) cm-2 for CH3OH, HCOOCH3, and (CH3)2O, respectively, at the core of SC.

[Lp(a) lipoprotein in patients on maintenance hemodialysis--a study from apo(a) isoform]

It has been suggested that lipid abnormalities may be involved in the development of cardiovascular disorders in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD). Hypertriglyceridemia commonly accompanies this condition and is associated with decreased concentrations of HDL-cholesterol. Recent clinical interest has been paid to the disturbances of Lp(a) and apo (a) isoform in relation to cardiovascular disorders. Although high concentrations of Lp(a) are associated with ischemic heart disease, we are unaware of the availability of such data concerning patients on maintenance hemodialysis. We therefore compared levels of Lp(a) and the frequency of occurrence of their isoforms in 310 patients (chronic glomerulonephritis, N = 221; diabetic nephropathy, N = 77; polycystic kidney disease, N = 12) on maintenance hemodialysis and in 212 normal subjects. The following results were obtained. (1) HD patients showed significantly elevated levels of Lp(a) compared to normal subjects. (2) Studies of apo (a) isoform showed that HD patients showed high frequency of S2 and low frequency of S4. (3) HD patients, especially long-term patients, showed high frequency of double band (S2/S3). (4) There were no significant differences in the levels of Lp(a) and in the frequency of apo(a) isoform among 3 different etiological studies.

Immature human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in first trimester placental cells is bound to an ATP-binding protein forming high-molecular-weight hCG

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in first trimester placental cells is made up of immature alpha- and beta-subunits containing only N-linked high-mannose sugar chains, which are of 21 kDa for the alpha-subunit and 23 and 19 kDa for the beta-subunit. However, the apparent molecular weight of immature hCG from placental cell extracts has been estimated from gel filtration to be much higher (100-200 kDa; high molecular weight-hCG, HMW-hCG) based on gel filtration than the theoretical value (approximately 44 kDa) of the alpha beta dimer (alpha beta-hCG). We prepared a gel-filtered fraction containing HMW-hCG and investigated treatments for converting it to alpha beta-hCG. We found that the molecular weight of HMW-hCG was decreased to close to that of alpha beta-hCG by treatment with acetone, proteases, or chelating agents. These treatments also shifted the isoelectric point of HMW-hCG from the acidic region (pI = 4-6) to the alkaline (pI = 9-11), approximating to that of alpha beta-hCG. We also found that HMW-hCG, but not acetone-treated HMW-hCG, bound to ATP-agarose resin. These results suggested that the immature alpha beta-hCG molecule in placental cells may be bound to an acidic ATP-binding protein to form HMW-hCG.

Zinc protease of Bacillus subtilis var. amylosacchariticus: construction of a three-dimensional model and comparison with thermolysin

The active site structure of the Zn-containing neutral protease from Bacillus subtilis var. amylosacchariticus (BANP) was predicted by computer-aided modeling on the basis of the three-dimensional structure of thermolysin (TLN). As expected from the high homology in amino acid sequence of the two enzymes, the overall folding of BANP was very similar to that of TLN. Glu144, Tyr158, and His228 of BANP were located near the active site Zn ion, to which three amino acid residues, His143, His147, and Glu167, were coordinated. This model is supported by the previous results that chemical modifications of Tyr158 and photooxidation of His228 of BANP markedly affect the proteolytic activity of the enzyme. Interestingly, BANP was found to be significantly less sensitive to metalloprotease inhibitors such as phosphoramidon and talopeptin. From a comparison of the enzyme-inhibitor complex models between BANP and thermolysin, it is suggested that replacement of Thr129 in TLN by Phe130 in BANP is related to difference in inhibitor sensitivity between BANP and TLN.

Single-shot UV autocorrelator that uses a two-photon-induced photoacoustic signal in water

A single-shot autocorrelation of an ultrashort UV pulse is measured by detecting a two-photon-induced photoacoustic signal in water. A supersonic wave representing the autocorrelation function is detected by a polyvinylidene fluoride piezoelectric film with a spatial resolution of less than 60 microm. The detection sensitivity is higher than that of a multiphoton-induced fluorescence method by approximately 2 orders of magnitude.

Factor in urinary extracts from pregnant women that inhibit mouse oocyte maturation in vitro

Mouse oocyte maturation inhibitory factors, on the basis of inhibitory activity of spontaneous germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) of denuded mouse oocytes in culture, were extracted and partially purified by reversed-phase resin adsorption and Sephadex G-100 and G-50 column chromatographies from the urine of pregnant women. Denuded oocytes obtained from ovaries of ICR mice underwent spontaneous GVBD by cultivation for 3 h in modified Krebs-Ringer's buffered solution, while this spontaneous GVBD was found to be inhibited by adding the final preparation (U-D-4) of urine. The inhibition was dose dependent, ranging from 0.6 to 10 micrograms protein/ml medium. Oocytes treated with U-D-4 and resuspended in control medium resumed GVBD. The molecular mass of U-D-4 was estimated to be less than 2,000 Da with gel filtration. Ether treatment failed to extract inhibitory factor(s) from U-D-4 and pepsin treatment inactivated U-D-4, indicating that inhibitory factor(s) in U-D-4 are peptide-like substances. The inhibitory effect of U-D-4 on spontaneous GVBD was partially reversed in the presence of naloxone, a potent opioid antagonist. U-D-4s obtained from urine samples of pregnant women, nonpregnant women, and men showed the inhibitory effect on spontaneous GVBD; however, the activity of U-D-4 obtained from pregnancy urine was significantly more potent than those of the other urine samples.

Cardio-respiratory control in an infant with Ondine's curse: a multivariate autoregressive modelling approach

We applied spectral analysis through multivariant autoregressive model fitting [1] to RR interval (RRI) and respiratory (RES) oscillation obtained during quiet sleep in an infant with congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (Ondine's curse), a child with obstructive sleep apnea, and two healthy children. Power spectra, impulse response and noise contribution ratio between RRI and RES oscillation were calculated by using a minicomputer PFU-1200 (FACOM) to determine the structure of the feedback system between RRI and RES within the central nervous system. We found that the respiratory noise contribution ratio to RRI was significantly smaller in Ondine's curse (37 +/- 7.7%, at 0.23 Hz) than in obstructive sleep apnea (90 +/- 6.7%, at 0.39 Hz) and healthy subjects. We postulate that the result shows disturbance of the central autonomic control of breathing and heart rate in Ondine's curse.

Primary structure deduced from complementary DNA sequence and expression in cultured cells of mammalian 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid dioxygenase. Evidence that the enzyme is a homodimer of identical subunits homologous to rat liver-specific alloantigen F

4-Hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid dioxygenase is an important enzyme in tyrosine catabolism in most organisms. From porcine and human liver cDNA libraries we isolated complementary DNA inserts for the enzyme. Protein sequence analysis of the porcine enzyme revealed a block of the amino terminus of the mature enzyme. Comparison of the amino acid sequence determined by Edman degradation of peptides derived from porcine liver 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid dioxygenase with the nucleotide sequences revealed the primary structure of the porcine and human enzymes. The mature human and porcine enzymes have an 89% amino acid sequence identity in amino acid residues and are composed of 392 amino acid residues. A computer-assisted homology search revealed that the enzyme is 88% identical in amino acid sequence to rat liver-specific alloantigen F. A monoclonal antibody (mob 51), which can immunoprecipitate both the human and porcine enzymes, was developed. Cultured BMT-10 cells transfected with the cDNA insert of the human enzyme, using the expression vector pCAGGSneodE, produced a polypeptide with an M(r) of 43,000, which was immunoprecipitated with mob 51. Enzymic activity of the enzyme was detected in the transfected cells but not in the mock transfected cells. These findings suggest that the human 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid dioxygenase is a homodimer of two identical subunits with an M(r) of 43,000. Liver-specific alloantigen F seems to be closely related to the enzyme or possibly to the subunit of the enzyme itself. Elucidation of the complete amino acid sequence of the enzyme is expected to reveal structure-function relationships of this metabolically important enzyme and to shed light on inherited disorders related to tyrosine metabolism, especially tyrosinemia types 1 and 3.

Chromosome abnormalities in liposarcomas

We performed a cytogenetic study of short-term cultures from fresh surgical specimens obtained from four patients with liposarcoma. Myxoid liposarcomas (cases 1-3) were associated with a specific translocation between chromosomes 12 and 16. Trisomy 8, a nonrandom secondary aberration in myxoid liposarcoma, was observed in the third case as the only additional change. Round cell liposarcoma (case 4) showed complex chromosomal aberrations affecting chromosomes 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 13, 14, 17, 19, and 22. Neither band 12q13 nor 16p11 was visibly rearranged. Three subgroups of liposarcomas are proposed. The first group is characterized by t(12;16)(q13;p11), the second group by ring chromosomes, telomeric associations, and giant markers, and the last by complex numerical and structural aberrations.

Myxoid liposarcoma with t (12; 16)(q 13; p 11). Possible usefulness of chromosome analysis in a poorly differentiated sarcoma

A chromosomal study was used to establish diagnosis of a poorly differentiated soft-tissue sarcoma occurring in the right thigh of a 57-year-old Japanese female. Histopathologically the excised tumor consisted of a poorly differentiated myxoid neoplasm, without specific features to enable the identification of neoplastic cells. Although a tentative diagnosis of poorly differentiated myxoid liposarcoma was made, ultrastructural examination and Oil Red O fat stain failed to demonstrate the evidence of lipoblastic differentiation, except that occasional cells possessed a small number of fine fat droplets. The diagnosis of liposarcoma was suggested by chromosome analysis of the fresh tumor tissue after short time culture and trypsin-Giemsa banding technique. The tumor cells demonstrated a clonal abnormality characterized by a reciprocal translocation, t(12; 16)(q 13; p 11), which is known as a specific aberration in myxoid liposarcoma. Thus, chromosome study seems to be useful for identifying undifferentiated mesenchymal tumors, which lack morphologic evidence of any specific differentiation, as in the present case.

A case of lipoblastoma with t(3;8)(q12;q11.2)

We studied a single case of lipoblastoma in a 4-year-old boy. Cytogenetic analysis of the tumor cells showed two abnormal clones: 47,XY,t(3;8)(q12;q11.2),+mar, and 46,XY,t(3;8)(q12;q11.2). To our knowledge, this is the second report of chromosome findings in this rare tumor. Although lipoblastomas are frequently confused with myxoid liposarcomas, breakpoints in our patient were different from those of myxoid liposarcoma.

Biochemical studies on oral toxicity of ricin. V. The role of lectin activity in the intestinal absorption of ricin

In order to investigate a possible role of lectin activity of ricin in its absorption from the small intestine, we prepared two ricin derivatives. BMH-ricin, prepared by crosslinking A and B chains of ricin with 1,6-bismaleimidohexane, was nearly non-toxic but the lectin activity was unaltered. And, NBS-ricin, prepared by the oxidation of tryptophanyl residues of ricin with N-bromosuccinimide, was not only non-toxic but also non-lectinic. After the oral administration of ricin derivatives to rats, their interaction with the digestive tract and absorption into the circulatory systems have been compared with those of ricin, immunochemically and histologically. It was shown by immunostaining that ricin and BMH-ricin could bind to the intestinal mucosa, whereas NBS-ricin could not. No appreciable damage in the small intestine from rats treated with either BMH-ricin or NBS-ricin has been observed, in contrast to ricin treatment where severe impairment of the small intestinal tissues resulted after 5 h. Immunoreactive ricin in the liver has been determined with the ricin enzyme immunoassay (EIA). When compared at 48 h after oral administration, NBS-ricin was not detected, whereas BMH-ricin was found to be 38 micrograms/liver and ricin 100 micrograms/liver. From these results, it was inferred that the lectin activity of ricin plays an important role in the absorption of ricin from the small intestine and that the absorption of ricin protein was enhanced by its high toxicity.

Two cell lines established from mixed müllerian tumors of the uterus. Morphologic, immunocytochemical, and cytogenetic analyses

To clarify the cellular origin and characteristics of malignant mixed müllerian tumor (MMMT), the authors investigated two cell lines (designated as FU-MMT-1 and FU-MMT-2) established from two patients with heterologous MMMT of the uterus. Both cell lines propagated continuously for 83 and 55 serial passages over 1.5 years, respectively. Morphologically, FU-MMT-2 was a mixture of carcinoma cells and sarcoma cells with predominance of carcinoma cells; FU-MMT-1 only had a sarcomatous element with distinct rhabdomyoblastic differentiation. Immunocytochemically, the sarcoma cells of each cell line expressed, not only myogenic and mesenchymal antigens (desmin, myoglobin, and vimentin), but also epithelial antigens, including epithelial membrane antigen and keratin. The carcinoma cells in FU-MMT-2 were positive for the epithelial antigens and vimentin and negative for desmin and myoglobin. Both lines had abnormal karyotypes; the modal chromosome numbers of FU-MMT-1 and FU-MMT-2 were 47 and 80, respectively. In addition, FU-MMT-1 had trisomy 8, and FU-MMT-2 had complex structural abnormalities. When transplanted into nude mice, FU-MMT-1 reproduced and maintained the characteristics of the original tumor. These cell lines and xenografts appear to provide a useful system for studying the biologic behavior, cytogenetic features, and histogenesis of MMMT. In conclusion, the presence of epithelial antigens in the sarcomatous and carcinomatous elements seemed to support the hypothesis that both elements are derived from a common stem cell.

Biochemical studies on oral toxicity of ricin. IV. A fate of orally administered ricin in rats

After oral administration of ricin in rats, its distribution in the gastrointestinal tract, body fluids and principal organs was determined by an enzyme immunoassay, and the immunoreactive ricin detected was identified by gel filtration followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, protein blotting and the immunobinding method. When ricin D (10 mg/kg rat) was given orally to a rat, which dose is equivalent to 1/3 LD50, about 75% of the ricin was found in the stomach and small intestine within 2 h, and most of it was transferred to the large intestine after 24 h. It was also demonstrated by an in vitro toxicity test of immunoreactive ricin in the blood and lymph obtained from the intoxicated rats that a part of the ricin was absorbed from the small intestine into the tissues and organs via the circulatory systems (lymphatic and blood vessels) as the active ricin. The participation of the blood vessels was greater in the absorption of ricin from the gastrointestinal tract than that of the lymphatic system. Ricin, after absorption, was detected in liver and spleen and ricin found in the liver was predominantly in the form of intact ricin, although an undetectable amount of ricin in other organs cannot be eliminated. These results infer that a small fraction of orally-given ricin was transferred to the circulating system and was responsible for rat's death as in the case of i.p. administration.

Characterization of a unique nonsecretory ribonuclease from urine of pregnant women

We have reported previously [Sakakibara, et al. (1991) Chem. Pharm. Bull. 39, 146-149] that a protein purified from a partially purified pharmaceutical preparation of human chorionic gonadotropin (a urinary protein preparation from pregnant women) is a unique nonsecretory ribonuclease (RNase)-like protein on the basis of its amino terminal sequence homology. We purified the protein further from the same materials by gel filtration and reversed-phase column chromatographies with RNase activity as an index. The purified protein was designated RNase UpI-2. The catalytic activity and its sensitivity to inhibition by divalent cations suggest that the protein is related to nonsecretory RNase. The estimated molecular weight of RNase UpI-2 (38 kDa) by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was significantly higher than that of urinary nonsecretory RNases (13 to 19 kDa) reported so far. After trifluoromethanesulfonic acid treatment, the molecular weight of RNase UpI-2 was reduced and approached that of nonsecretory RNase, which indicated that the protein contains a significant amount of carbohydrate (approximately 50%). RNase UpI-2 was immunoreactive with antibodies to a nonsecretory RNase, RNAase 1 [Yasuda et al. (1988) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 965, 185-194]. By immunoblot analysis of the protein freshly prepared from various urine samples, it was shown that a considerable amount of RNase UpI-2 is present in urine of pregnant women, but only a trace of RNase UpI-2, if any, was detected in urine of nonpregnant women and men. These results suggest the possibility that RNase UpI-2 may have been formed via a specific protein modification in pregnant women.