Structural polymorphism of murine factor B controlled by a locus closely linked to the H-2 complex and demonstration of multiple alleles

New alleles of murine factor B (Bf) protein were demonstrated. When ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-plasmas from inbred and wild mice were analyzed by isoelectrofocusing (IEF) and immunofixation, murine Bf proteins were visualized as distinct protein bands in all mice tested. Four variants of murine Bf could be demonstrated in a large number of tested mice: Bf 1 (isoelectrofocusing point (P.I.) range of 5.8-6.1) exemplified by B10 and B10.BR, Bf 2 (P.I. range of 5.8-6.0) exemplified by B10.MOL (OHM), Bf 3 (P.I. range of 5.6-5.9) exemplified by B10.MOL (TEN2) and Mus musculus (Mus m.) subspecies Chc, Bf 4 (P.I. range of 6.0-6.3) exemplified by Mus m. subspecies Shh. The genetic linkage between S locus and Bf locus was studied with two backcross progenies--[B10.BR X (B10.BR X Mus m. subspecies Chc)F1] and [B10.BR X (B10.BR X Mus m. subspecies Shh)F1]. Totally, 256 backcross progenies were typed for Bf type and for Ss type (plasma level of the fourth complement protein regulated by S locus). The results indicated that murine Bf was controlled by a single codominant locus located close to the H-2 complex because no mouse showing recombination between Bf locus and S locus was found.

Specific interaction of radioactive anti-androgen TSAA-291 with androgen receptor in rat prostates

A steroidal anti-androgen ISSA-291 (16 beta-ethyl-17 beta-hydroxy-4-oestren-3-one) bound to a macromolecular component in the cytosol of rat ventral prostates with high affinity (kd = 5.0 X 10-9 M) and in a saturable manner. The number of binding sites was comparable to that for 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5 alpha-DHT). [3H]TSAA-291 binding was effectively displaced by unlabelled 5-alpha-DHT, 19-nortestosterone and cyproterone acetate but to a lesser degree by corticosterone. Glycerol density-gradient centrifugation analysis revealed that the sedimentation coefficient of the [3H]-TSAA-291-macromolecule complex was 3-4.5 S. However, when the unlabelled cytosol was fractionated by glycerol density-gradient centrifugation before the binding of [3H]TSAA-291 was examined, specific binding of [3H]TSAA-291 was observed in fractions corresponding to 8-10 S. Binding of the [3H]TSAA-291-macromolecules complex to prostatic nuclei and DNA-cellulose was considerably less than binding by the [3H]5 alpha-DHT-macromolecule complex. Instability of the TSAA-291 binding component on heat treatment before and after complex formation was also revealed and the results are discussed in terms of the anti-androgenic activity of TSAA-291.

Bivariate ratio monitoring in clinical laboratories

The usefulness of monitoring bivariates was studied and discussed. Analysis of the correlation between bivariates was studied and discussed. Analysis of the correlation between bivariates demonstrated that combinations of bivariates can be divided into two groups. The first group was the combination in which a close correlation between two variates could be observed in any pathophysiologic state. The monitoring of the ratio of this first group was effective for the detection of analytical mistakes and the detection of symptom poor hereditary disorders, such as pharmacogenetical disorders. The second group was one in which a high correlation between two variates was obtained in some specific pathologic stage, and the monitoring the ratio of this second group gave high predictive values for the screening of that pathologic stage. It was demonstrated that the use of bivariate monitoring was not only very simple but also provided an effective laboratory data analysis system for the laboratory routine.

Disposition of timiperone, 4'-fluoro-4-[4-(2-thioxo-1-benzimidazolinyl)piperidino]butyrophenone, a neuroleptic, in the rat on repeated oral dosage

1. The metabolic disposition of [14C]timiperone was studied in male Wistar strain rats receiving an oral dose of 0.5 mg/kg consecutively daily for 21 days. 2. Blood concentrations of 14C indicate that absorption of [14C]timiperone on repeated dosage may be similar to that after a single dose. 3. Tissue levels of 14C after repeated doses were increased to up to double those after a single dose, but the decline of tissue concentrations after the 21st dose was similar to that after a single dose. Thus, no rat tissue show accumulation. 4. Repeated administration did not affect the metabolism of timiperone. 5. Excretion of 14C on the third day of repeated medication was urine, 44.7% and faeces 52.4% of the cumulative dose, and total daily excretions were more than approx. 97% of the cumulative dose in days 3-21 of the repeat dosage schedule.

Disposition and metabolism of timiperone in the rat, dog, and monkey

The disposition and metabolism of timiperone (TP), a new butyrophenone antipsychotic, were studied in the rat, dog, and monkey given [14C]TP orally at different dose levels. [14C]TP was absorbed by the three species; the elimination of radioactivity from the blood was most rapid in the rat, and slowest in the dog. In the rat, blood and tissue concentrations of radioactivity were dose-dependent, and persisted after low and high doses. Tissue/blood ratios of radioactivity concentration in most of the rat tissues were much larger than 1.0, indicating that TP has a high affinity for the tissues. Approximately 19, 36, and 54% of the administered dose were excreted into dog, rat, and monkey urine, respectively, within 3 days, and the residue into the feces. [14C]TP was metabolized by N-dealkylation and the reduction of the butyrophenone sidechain to form 4-[4-(2,3-dihydro-2-thioxo-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)-1-piperidinyl]-1-(4-fluorpheny l)-1-butanol (M-II), 2,3-dihydro-1-(4-piperidinyl)-2-thioxo-1H-benzimidazole (M-V), and N-(4-fluorophenylacetyl)glycine (M-b-l). Urinary major metabolites in all the species were M-V and M-b-l. Metabolite patterns in the rat brain indicated that unchanged TP accounted for the major part of total radioactivity. Similar patterns were obtained in rat and dog plasma, but not in monkey plasma.

5alpha-reduction of an anti-androgen TSAA-291, 16beta-ethyl-17beta-hydroxy-4-estren-3-one, by nuclear 5alpha-reductase in rat prostates

Inhibition of 5alpha-reduction of testosterone by an anti-androgen TSAA-291 (16beta-ethyl-17beta-hydroxy-4-estren-3-one) was studied in rat ventral prostates and the metabolic conversion of 3H-TSAA-291 was examined both in vitro and in vivo. In the in vitro experiment using nuclear 5alpha-reductase of the prostate, 5alpha-dihydrostestosterone formation from 3H-testosterone was inhibited in a competitive manner by the anti-androgen. In the in vitro experiment using 3H-TSAA-291, 5alpha-reduction of the anti-androgen occurred. One, 2 and 4 hr after an intravenous administration of 140 muCi/rat of 3H-TSAA-291 to castrated rats, the unchanged TSAA-291 accumulated in higher amounts in the ventral prostate than in the plasma, skeletal muscle and levator ani muscle, thereby indicating the selective uptake of the anti-androgen by the androgen target organ. No appreciable amounts of the 5alpha-reduced metabolite of TSAA-291 were detected in the prostate, thus suggesting that TSAA-291 itself may be responsible for the anti-androgenic properties. The inhibitory potency of the 5alpha-reductase activity of several other 16beta-substituted androstane and estrane analogues was also examined.

Hereditary deficiency of lactate dehydrogenase M-subunit

A family with a complete deficiency of lactate dehydrogenase M-subunit was investigated. The propositus was an 18-year-old male who complained of exertional pigmenturia and easy fatigue. Marked discrepancy was observed in the ratio between creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase (CK/LDH). Electrophoretic analysis of serum LDH isoenzymes of the propositus demonstrated only one activity band of LDH H4. A complete lack of the LDH M-subunit was similarly demonstrated in erythrocytes, leukocytes and in the intermediate vastus muscle. LDH levels in the muscle specimen were markedly decreased in the patient, whereas CK and aspartate aminotransferase were almost the same as in a control subject. LDH isoenzymes of erythrocytes were analyzed in 5 siblings and in the parents. This demonstrated a complete lack of LDH M-subunit in 3 siblings. The ratio between H-subunit and M-subunit (H/M) in erythrocyte LDH suggested a partial absence of the M-subunit in two siblings and in the parents. An abortive increase of blood lactate and a marked increase in blood pyruvate were observed immediately after ischemic work of the forearm, accompanied by an increase in serum creatine kinase and myoglobinuria. The present case represents a newly described form of genetically determined myopathy.

Membrane associated enzyme complexes containing lambda type immunoglobulin A

The properties of the membrane associated enzyme complexes were investigated. The enzyme complexes of alkaline phosphatase, arylamidase, and L-gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase were excluded by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200. The electrophoretic mobility of the enzyme complexes was found to be in the alpha-1 portion and these enzyme activities were immunologically fixed by anti-IgA and anti-light chain lambda antibodies. Heterogeneity in density was observed by density gradient ultracentrifugation. The activities of membrane-associated enzymes were demonstrated in both high (d > 1.21) and low density particles (1.063 < d < 1.21), and the enzyme activities of a high density particle were immunologically fixed by anti-IgA and anti-light chain lambda antibodies. The heterogeneity in density was based on the presence of immunoglobulin A molecule in the complexes. The specificity of the immunoglobulin which was found in the enzyme complexes proved to be exclusively of the alpha heavy chain classes and lambda light chain types respectively. This isotype specificity of immunoglobulin A is similar to the specificity observed in enzyme-linked immunoglobulins, and simple non-specific binding of immunoglobulin and membrane moiety was eliminated. This isotype specificity is of interest in connection with the properties of the circulating autoantibodies.

Immunological properties of athymic nude mice born from homozygous (nu/nu) parents

No significant differences were observed between nude mice (nu/nu) born of homozygous (nu/nu) parents and those born of heterozygous (nu/+) mothers in the percentage of Thy-1-positive cells or immunoglobulin (Ig)-bearing cells in the spleen as assessed by immunofluorescence. There were no significant differences in the antibody response to thymus-dependent antigen or in the number of background plaque-forming cells to this antigen. The antibody response to thymus-independent antigen was not imparied at all in mice born from homozygous parents as compared with other nude mice or euthymic mice. It was concluded that the Thy-1-bearing (T) cells observed in nu/nu mice and the capacity of these mice to respond to thymus-dependent antigens arose independently of maternal T cells and of the influence of the maternal thymus.

Anti-androgen TSAA-291. V. Effects of the anti-androgen TSAA-291 on the androgen-receptor complex formation from [3H]testosterone in rat ventral prostates

Intramuscular administration of a new steroidal anti-androgen, TSAA-291 (16 beta-ethyl-17 beta-hydroxy-4-oestren-3-one), in doses of 0.05, 0.5 and 5 mg/kg body weight reduced the in vivo uptake of [3H]testosterone by the ventral prostate of castrated rats of 78, 59 and 37% of the control level, respectively. Analysis on subcellular fractions of the prostate by gel-filtration and sucrose density-gradient centrifugation followed by thin layer chromatographic identification of testosterone metabolites revealed that 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5 alpha-DHT) which was found to be largely bound to macromolecules in the cytosol and nucleus was the predominant metabolite even in the presence of the anti-androgen, and radioactivities corresponding to the 5 alpha-DHT-macromolecular complexes were decreased by the anti-androgen. TSAA-291 also inhibited the in vitro formation of the 5 alpha-DHT-macromolecular complexes in both cytosol and nucleus from minced prostates incubated with [3H]testosterone. The importance of the findings is discussed in connection with the mode of anti-androgenic action of TSAA-291 in terms of the interaction with the androgen receptor.

Anti-androgen TSAA-291. VI. Effects of the anti-androgen TSAA-291 and its related compounds on the in vitro formation of 5 alpha-DHT-receptor complex in the cytosol of rat ventral prostates

Inhibitory effect of a synthetic steroidal anti-androgen TSAA-291 (16 beta-ethyl-17 beta-hydroxy-4-oestren-3-one) on the in vitro formation of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone(5 alpha-DHT)-receptor complex was examined. An aliquot of the cytosol from rat ventral prostates was incubated with [3H]5 alpha-DHT in the presence of various amounts of the anti-androgen. By means of dextran-coated charcoal assay and sucrose density-gradient centrifugation analysis, TSAA-291 was demonstrated to inhibit directly, in a competitive manner, the binding of 5 alpha-DHT to a component analogous in its properties to the cytosol androgen receptor. Further, displacing study using a variety of TSAA-291 analogues was undertaken to examine which of the functional groups of TSAA-291 is important for the affinity to the 5 alpha-DHT binding component, and elucidated that 3-hydroxy or 5 alpha-dihydro derivatives of TSAA-291 and others having axial methyl group at C-10 were less potent competitors for [3H]5 alpha-DHT binding than TSAA-291. Furthermore, using other steroids including androgens and anti-androgens, considerable knowledge was obtained about structural requirements for a steroid molecule to displace the bound [3H]5 alpha-DHT, and this displacing activity of the steroids was discussed in terms of their anti-androgenic activity.

Anti-androgen TSAA-291. IV. Effects of the anti-androgen TSAA-291 (16 beta-ethyl-17 beta-hydroxy-4-oestren-3-one) on the secretion of gonadotrophins

Effects of the anti-androgen TSAA-291 on the gonadotrophin secretion were studied. (1) A single subcutaneous or oral administration of TSAA-291 and its caproate induced the ovulation in the proestrous rat of which the spontaneous ovulation was blocked by the treatment with chlorpromazine. (2) A single subcutaneous administration of TSAA-291 at 2.4 mg/kg to the adult male rat induced only a slight elevation in the serum LH and FSH levels at 30 min after the administration. Successive intramuscular administrations of TSAA-291 to the adult male rat for 2 or 4 weeks resulted in significant decreases in the serum LH and FSH levels at high dose levels. A dose-dependent decrease in the serum LH level but not FSH level was observed in the orchiectomized rat. (3) Successive intramuscular administrations of TSAA-291 at high dose levels to the male rat suppressed the plasma testosterone level in the testicular venous blood and general circulation.

Transplantable argyrophilic gastric carcinoid of Mastomys natalensis secreting both histamine and serotonin

A transplantable strain of gastric carcinoids of Mastomys (Praomys) natalensis secreted not only histamine but also serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)]. Mastomys bearing growing transplants excreted 11.3 times more histamine and 4.4 times more 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA) in the urine than did Mastomys in which transplanted tumors did not grow. Mastomys that developed primary gastric carcinoids also excreted 3.9 times more histamine than did those free from primary tumors, but the difference in urinary excretion of 5-HIAA was not significant in both groups. All transplantable carcinoids contained definite amounts of both histamine and serotonin, whereas the primary gastric carcinoids contained only histamine. We also confirmed that the histamine and 5-HIAA excreted in urine increased as the size of transplanted tumors enlarged. 5-HT was histochemically demonstrated in a small number of carcinoid cells of the transplanted tumors but not in primary carcinoids.

Effect of timiperone on 3H-spiroperidol binding to rat striatal dopamine receptors

The effects of timiperone, its metabolites and related compounds on specific 3H-spiroperidol binding to dopamine receptors in the rat corpus striatum were studied to clarify the affinity of timiperone, a new butyrophenone, for the receptors and whether timiperone itself was active in vivo. Timiperone had an approx. 0.6, 5 and 30 times greater affinity for the receptors than did spiroperidol, haloperidol and chlorpromazine, respectively. This affinity was observed specifically for antipsychotic drugs but not for diazepam and trihexyphenidyl. Timiperone metabolites had little or no affinity for the receptors. Radioreceptor assay values agreed well with the radiochemical assay for timiperone in the plasma and brain of rats after i.v. injection of the 14C-labeled drug. Thus, it is conceivable that timiperone itself exerts its potent antipsychotic activity by blockade of cerebral dopamine receptors.

An ascites form of human mammary carcinoma transplantable in nude mice

Mammary carcinoma cells from pleural effusion of a patient were inoculated into the peritoneal cavity of nude mice, and a large amount of ascites was produced about 120 days later. From the ascites, serial passages in the same form were successful in nude mice by intraperitoneal injection of 10(7) or more cells. The ascites cells retained the morphology almost similar to that of the patient tumor cells, whereas specific estrogen-binding proteins in the cytoplasm disappeared after growing in male nude mice. The results were compared with those of other established human cancer cell lines in nude mice.

Heterotransplantation of human stomach carcinoma in nude mice

Thirty-five primary tumors and 14 metastatic lymph nodes from stomach cancer patients were transplanted in nude mice. Successful transplantation was obtained in 16 cases of primary tumors and 5 cases of metastatic lymph nodes. The tumors growing in the nude mouse displayed histological features similar to those of the original human tumors. Eight cases of the successful takes have been maintained by consecutive transplantation. Nine cases have been stored in liquid nitrogen. The transplanted tumors were observed to spread to the distant lymph nodes in 3 cases out of the 17 successive transplants.

Dependency of transcoronary circulatory transport function on coronary perfusion pressure and flow

Transcoronary circulatory transport function was computed from the dye-dilution curves recorded simultaneously at the entrance (aortic root) and exit (coronary sinus) of the coronary circulation after the injection of dye bolus into the femoral vein in open-chest dog. The effect of coronary perfusion pressure and flow on the first (delta-t) and second (deltapi2) moments of the transport function was examined before and during intra-aortic angiotensin infusion. It was observed that the relative dispersion (deltapi2 1/2/delta-t) in the canine coronary circulation is the largest among the organ-circulations that have been examined by the investigators, suggesting that cardiac wall is highly heterogeneously perfused, and that the relative dispersion was variable depending on the coronary perfusion pressure and flow. It is concluded that sole measurement of the moment of transcoronary transport function such as -t cannot be a reliable indicator of the coronary circulatory disturbances. The underlying mechanisms for the dependency of the relative dispersion on the perfusion was discussed.

Properties of amylase-linked immunoglobulins

In this report, the properties of eight cases of amylase-linked immunoglobulins were gel filtration using Sephadex G-200 superfine. The class of heavy chain of amylase-linked immunoglobulins was proved to be gamma in four cases and alpha in three cases by immunoelectrophoresis followed by amylase activity staining. In one of the cases, the precipitin line against light chain lambda could be visualized only after treatment with 0.1 M 2-mercaptoethanol. Then, the type of light chain was determined to be exclusively lambda irrespective of heavy chain classes. In two cases, the immunoglobulin complexes were partially dissociated into normal amylase and immunoglobulin G at pH 8.6, and completely dissociated at pH 9.0. In three cases, the complexes were completely dissociated at pH 8.6. The precipitin line of papain treated amylase-linked immunoglobulin G against anti-Fc was not. This fact suggests that the binding site of amylase-linked immunoglobulins G was located in the Fab portion of immunoglobulin molecule and that the complexes are specific antigen-antibody complexes. Treatment with Con-A Sepharose caused the dissociation of the amylase-immunoglobulin complexes. It is suggested that the changes in the conformation of amylase-linked immunoglobulin causes the dissociation of this immuno-complex. Thus, it is elucidated that the complexes of amylase and immunoglobulins are specific antigen-antibody complexes, and that these complexes must be recognized as one of the circulating autoantibodies in plasma, and must be clearly distinguished from the other unknown macromolecular amylase complexes.

Properties of the amylase produced in carcinoma of the lung

The properties of the amylase produced by carcinoma of the lung were studied. The abnormal amylase recognized in the serum of a patient with carcinoma of the lung had a mobility with beta-position and showed reduced migration to the cathodic side after neuraminidase digestion. This abnormal amylase had a close affinity for Concanavalin A and this affinity was not retarded by the neuraminidase digestion. However, the purified, tumor-extracted, amylase from the same patient had the same electrophoretic migration as normal human salivary amylase and was not affected by neuraminidase treatment. The abnormal affinity for Concanavalin A was not observed in this purified tumor-extracted amylase. It is suggested that some transglycosidation steps are needed for the appearance of the abnormal amylase in the patient's serum, and that the terminal sialic acid is independent of the affinity for Concanavalin A. The dissociation constants of the tumor amylase for several substrates were smaller than those of normal pancreatic or salivary amylases. Moreover, maltotriose had no affinity for the tumor-extracted amylase and it was not digested to maltose and glucose by the purified tumor extracted amylase. These differences in the kinetic properties and in the mode of digestion were of interest in the study of tumor-produced amylases.

Graphic analysis of osmotic fragility of erythrocytes

A precise and highly reproducible method for analyzing the osmotic fragility of erythrocytes with a minute amount of blood (less than 10 mul) is described. The osmotic fragility curves are recorded with a coil planet centrifuge with accessories and a scanning photodensitometer. The recorded curves are transcribed by a DuPont Curve Resolver and their components are analyzed. Normal fragility curves obtained from healthy adults revealed slightly skewed Gaussian curves and they were resolved into several typical Gaussian components which differed according to the physical and clinical conditions of subjects. Each resolved component is supposed to correspond to the population of erythrocytes having a nearly identical osmotic fragility. The method is proved to be useful for the detection of altered membrane properties of erythrocytes in various diseases.

Characteristics of changes in the intracellular potential associated with transport of neutral, dibasic and acidic amino acids in Triturus proximal tubule

(1)Introduction of L-alanine and L-lysine into the lumen of the proximal tubule of Triturus kidney evoked an immediate and sustained depolarization of the peritubular membrane potential (Epm) and a small increase in the transtubular potential (Ett). L-Aspartate had no effect. (2) The alanine-induced depolarization was absolutely dependent on the presence of Na+, whereas the lysine-induced one was partially dependent on Na+. In the absence of Na+, alanine usually evoked a transient hyperpolarization of the Epm, while lysine evoked a diffusion potential-like PD change. (3) Addition of alanine or lysine to the peritubular fluid did not cause any immediate change in the Epm, but the cells depolarized with a marked time delay. The delayed depolarization could be ascribed to the entrance of amino acids into the lumen through the nephrostromes and the paracellular pathways. (4) Cellular uptake of alanine and lysine was partially dependent on Na+, while that of aspartate was completely dependent on Na+. (5) Characteristics of the observed electrical events were explained in terms of the differences in the charge transfer associated with transport of these amino acids across the luminal membrane.

Studies on triglyceride lipases from rat adipose tissue

A new assay procedure for triglyceride lipase [EC 3.1.1.3] was developed in which radioactive triolein was dissolved in ethanol and directly added to the reaction mixture in the absence of serum and albumin. In the rat adipose tissue there appeared to be a triglyceride lipase measurable with this assay in addition to the two previously defined lipases, lipoprotein lipase [EC 3.1.1.34] and hormone-sensitive lipase. The enzyme was active in the absence of serum and was strongly inhibited by albumin. The molecular weight was estimated to be about 42,000. Adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase [EC 2.7.1.27] was unable to activate the enzyme. The three species of lipases mentioned above behaved differently upon chromatography on a Sepharose 4B column, and were distinguishable from each other in their physical and kinetic properties. The physiological roles of the new species of lipase remain to be explored.

Syntheses of estetrol monoglucuronides

Four possible monoglucuronides of estetrol (estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,15 alpha, 16 alpha, 17 beta-tetraol) have been prepared from appropriately protected estetrol by the Koenigs-Knorr reaction employing cadmium carbonate as a catalyst. Condensation of methyl acetobromoglucuronate with estetrol 15,16,17-triacetate provided the 3-glucuronide acetate-methyl ester in a satisfactory yield. Introduction of the glucuronyl residue into C-17 was similarly attained by the use of estetrol 3-benzoate 15,16-acetonide. When estetrol 3,17-diacetate and acetobromosugar were stirred in anhydrous toluene in the presence of cadmium salt, the reaction occurred at C-16 and C-15 yielding two isomeric monoglucuronide derivatives in a ratio of ca. 5 to 2. Removal of the protecting groups in the four glucuronide acetate-methyl esters gave the desired estetrol glucuronides, respectively. These synthetic substrates underwent readily enzymatic hydrolysis with beef-liver beta-glucuronidase to afford estetrol.

Sialic acid containing abnormal amylases in human sera

The properties of abnormal amylases with unusually fast electrophortetic mobility from five patients were studied. These abnormal amulases showed markedly reduced electrophoretic migration to the cathodic side by digestion with neuraminidase. It was suggested that these five abnormal amylases contained sialic acid in their molecules, and the increased electrophorectic mobility resulted from sialic acid, which is not present in normal human amylases.