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Yoneda A, de Lacerda K, Alexandre-Santos L, Itikawa E, Louzada-Junior P, Wichert-Ana L. Temporal evolution of postsurgical bone repair in a rabbit model: A [99mTc]Tc-MDP scintigraphic study. Braz J Med Biol Res 2024; 57:e12953. [PMID: 38511767 PMCID: PMC10946240 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x2024e12953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Bone regeneration is crucial for repairing bone tissue following various injuries. Research techniques that enable the study of metabolic changes in bone tissue under different conditions are important for understanding bone repair and remodeling. This study used bone scintigraphy to evaluate osteogenesis secondary to osteotomy in a preclinical model of New Zealand rabbits. For this purpose, we conducted a longitudinal, prospective, case-control study in which scintigraphic variables were measured in both the right forearm (case-operated) and the left forearm (control - non-operated). The study sample consisted of 10 rabbits subjected to osteotomy, followed by a 12-week postoperative evaluation period, divided into six imaging stages at 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. We observed that the operated forearm showed significantly higher external radiation than the control side, using the pinhole collimator, denoting an increase in the biodistribution and tropism of the radiopharmaceutical to the operated forearm. Among the three evaluated time points, osteoblastic activity was highest in the second week and presented a significant decline in the 8th and 12th weeks, denoting regeneration and resolution of the surgical injury; the control forearm was also influenced by the inactivity imposed by the operated forearm. This fact was notably evidenced by the reduction in the metabolic activity of osteoblasts in the left forearm. Our study suggested that bone scintigraphy was sensitive enough to semi-quantitatively differentiate the metabolic activity of osteoblasts in the operated forearm in the three temporal landmarks evaluated in the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Yoneda
- Laboratório de Medicina Nuclear e PET/CT, Departamento de Imagem Médica, Hematologia e Oncologia Clínica, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - K.J.C.C. de Lacerda
- Laboratório de Medicina Nuclear e PET/CT, Departamento de Imagem Médica, Hematologia e Oncologia Clínica, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - L. Alexandre-Santos
- Laboratório de Medicina Nuclear e PET/CT, Departamento de Imagem Médica, Hematologia e Oncologia Clínica, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - E.N. Itikawa
- Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brasil
| | - P. Louzada-Junior
- Divisão de Reumatologia, Departamento de Medicina Interna, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - L. Wichert-Ana
- Laboratório de Medicina Nuclear e PET/CT, Departamento de Imagem Médica, Hematologia e Oncologia Clínica, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
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Washio H, Kashimoto K, Sakashita N, Ohira S, Tanaka J, Maeda N, Shimada M, Kawamata M, Yoneda A, Nakanishi K. Practical use of the central venous access port for contrast-enhanced CT: comparison with peripheral intravenous access regarding enhancement and safety. Clin Radiol 2024; 79:213-220. [PMID: 38218706 DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2023.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate the efficacy of using the central venous (CV) port compared with peripheral intravenous access for contrast-material injection for contrast enhancement during the portal venous phase. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients were divided into three groups: CV delay, CV routine, and peripheral access (PA) groups. Patients in the CV delay group underwent injection in the arm-down position with an additional delay, while those in the CV routine and PA groups underwent injections with the routine injection protocol for portal venous phase imaging. Contrast enhancement was evaluated by measuring the mean radiodensity (Hounsfield units) values for the aortic arch, abdominal aorta, inferior vena cava, portal vein, and spleen. The peak injection pressure was recorded and compared among the three groups. RESULTS No complications related to power injection were observed during 119 contrast-material injections performed using the CV port device. The CV delay group showed significantly lower radiodensity values than the PA group (165.7 ± 20.1 versus 181 ± 19 HU [p<0.01] for the portal vein); however, no significant differences in mean radiodensity values were observed between the CV routine and PA groups (p>0.05). The median peak injection pressure was 73.5, 67, and 47 psi in the CV delay, CV routine, and PA groups, respectively (p<0.01). CONCLUSION The CV port can be used for safe contrast-material injection while maintaining contrast enhancement on portal venous phase comparable to that achieved with peripheral intravenous access.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Washio
- Department of Diagnosis and Interventional Radiology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka, Japan.
| | - K Kashimoto
- Department of Diagnosis and Interventional Radiology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka, Japan
| | - N Sakashita
- Department of Diagnosis and Interventional Radiology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka, Japan
| | - S Ohira
- Department of Comprehensive Radiation Oncology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Radiation Oncology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka, Japan
| | - J Tanaka
- Department of Diagnosis and Interventional Radiology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka, Japan
| | - N Maeda
- Department of Diagnosis and Interventional Radiology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka, Japan
| | - M Shimada
- Department of Diagnosis and Interventional Radiology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka, Japan
| | - M Kawamata
- Department of Diagnosis and Interventional Radiology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka, Japan
| | - A Yoneda
- Department of Diagnosis and Interventional Radiology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka, Japan
| | - K Nakanishi
- Department of Diagnosis and Interventional Radiology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka, Japan
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Kwak S, Crook N, Yoneda A, Ahn N, Ning J, Cheng J, Dantas G. Functional mining of novel terpene synthases from metagenomes. Biotechnol Biofuels Bioprod 2022; 15:104. [PMID: 36209178 PMCID: PMC9548185 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-022-02189-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Terpenes are one of the most diverse and abundant classes of natural biomolecules, collectively enabling a variety of therapeutic, energy, and cosmetic applications. Recent genomics investigations have predicted a large untapped reservoir of bacterial terpene synthases residing in the genomes of uncultivated organisms living in the soil, indicating a vast array of putative terpenoids waiting to be discovered. RESULTS We aimed to develop a high-throughput functional metagenomic screening system for identifying novel terpene synthases from bacterial metagenomes by relieving the toxicity of terpene biosynthesis precursors to the Escherichia coli host. The precursor toxicity was achieved using an inducible operon encoding the prenyl pyrophosphate synthetic pathway and supplementation of the mevalonate precursor. Host strain and screening procedures were finely optimized to minimize false positives arising from spontaneous mutations, which avoid the precursor toxicity. Our functional metagenomic screening of human fecal metagenomes yielded a novel β-farnesene synthase, which does not show amino acid sequence similarity to known β-farnesene synthases. Engineered S. cerevisiae expressing the screened β-farnesene synthase produced 120 mg/L β-farnesene from glucose (2.86 mg/g glucose) with a productivity of 0.721 g/L∙h. CONCLUSIONS A unique functional metagenomic screening procedure was established for screening terpene synthases from metagenomic libraries. This research proves the potential of functional metagenomics as a sequence-independent avenue for isolating targeted enzymes from uncultivated organisms in various environmental habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suryang Kwak
- grid.4367.60000 0001 2355 7002The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, 4515 McKinley Avenue, Room 5121, Campus Box 8510, Saint Louis, MO 63110 USA ,grid.4367.60000 0001 2355 7002Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - Nathan Crook
- grid.4367.60000 0001 2355 7002The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, 4515 McKinley Avenue, Room 5121, Campus Box 8510, Saint Louis, MO 63110 USA ,grid.4367.60000 0001 2355 7002Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63110 USA ,grid.40803.3f0000 0001 2173 6074Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695 USA
| | - Aki Yoneda
- grid.4367.60000 0001 2355 7002The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, 4515 McKinley Avenue, Room 5121, Campus Box 8510, Saint Louis, MO 63110 USA ,grid.4367.60000 0001 2355 7002Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - Naomi Ahn
- grid.4367.60000 0001 2355 7002The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, 4515 McKinley Avenue, Room 5121, Campus Box 8510, Saint Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - Jie Ning
- grid.4367.60000 0001 2355 7002The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, 4515 McKinley Avenue, Room 5121, Campus Box 8510, Saint Louis, MO 63110 USA ,grid.4367.60000 0001 2355 7002Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - Jiye Cheng
- grid.4367.60000 0001 2355 7002The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, 4515 McKinley Avenue, Room 5121, Campus Box 8510, Saint Louis, MO 63110 USA ,grid.4367.60000 0001 2355 7002Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - Gautam Dantas
- grid.4367.60000 0001 2355 7002The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, 4515 McKinley Avenue, Room 5121, Campus Box 8510, Saint Louis, MO 63110 USA ,grid.4367.60000 0001 2355 7002Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63110 USA ,grid.4367.60000 0001 2355 7002Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63130 USA ,grid.4367.60000 0001 2355 7002Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63110 USA
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Yoneda A, Thänert R, Burnham CAD, Dantas G. In vitro activity of meropenem/piperacillin/tazobactam triple combination therapy against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2019; 55:105864. [PMID: 31870598 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2019.105864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the activity of the reported synergistic and collaterally sensitive antibiotic combination, meropenem/piperacillin/tazobactam (ME/PI/TZ), against a panel of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus species; and to investigate the relationship between ME/PI/TZ susceptibility and the genomic background of clinical isolates of MRSA. METHODS ME/PI/TZ combination and single drug minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined for 207 strains (including 121 MRSA, 4 methicillin-sensitive S. aureus [MSSA], 37 vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus [VISA], 6 ceftaroline non-susceptible MRSA, 29 coagulase-negative staphylococci [CoNS], 5 S. pseudointermedius and 5 vancomycin-resistant Enterococci [VRE]) by broth microdilution. Whole genomes of 168 S. aureus strains were sequenced, assembled, and comparatively analysed. RESULTS USA300-SCCmec type IV isolates, clonal complex 8 (CC8)-MRSA isolates, including some VISA and ceftaroline (CPT)-intermediate strains, and all tested methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis isolates were highly susceptible to ME/PI/TZ. Isolates with elevated MICs (MICs of >16/16/16 mg/L) clustered with the USA100-SCCmec type II strain. Susceptibility of MRSA to ME/PI/TZ was correlated with susceptibility to ME. No obvious cross-resistance to CPT was observed among high-ME/PI/TZ MIC isolates. CONCLUSIONS The ME/PI/TZ combination is effective against a variety of clinical MRSA isolates, particularly of the USA300 lineage, which is expanding worldwide. ME/PI/TZ is also effective against drug-resistant CoNS and S. pseudintermedius clinical isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aki Yoneda
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Robert Thänert
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Carey-Ann D Burnham
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
| | - Gautam Dantas
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
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Yoneda A, Wittmann BJ, King JD, Blankenship RE, Dantas G. Transcriptomic analysis illuminates genes involved in chlorophyll synthesis after nitrogen starvation in Acaryochloris sp. CCMEE 5410. Photosynth Res 2016; 129:171-182. [PMID: 27276888 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-016-0279-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Acaryochloris species are a genus of cyanobacteria that utilize chlorophyll (chl) d as their primary chlorophyll molecule during oxygenic photosynthesis. Chl d allows Acaryochloris to harvest red-shifted light, which gives them the ability to live in filtered light environments that are depleted in visible light. Although genomes of multiple Acaryochloris species have been sequenced, their analysis has not revealed how chl d is synthesized. Here, we demonstrate that Acaryochloris sp. CCMEE 5410 cells undergo chlorosis by nitrogen depletion and exhibit robust regeneration of chl d by nitrogen repletion. We performed a time course RNA-Seq experiment to quantify global transcriptomic changes during chlorophyll recovery. We observed upregulation of numerous known chl biosynthesis genes and also identified an oxygenase gene with a similar transcriptional profile as these chl biosynthesis genes, suggesting its possible involvement in chl d biosynthesis. Moreover, our data suggest that multiple prochlorophyte chlorophyll-binding homologs are important during chlorophyll recovery, and light-independent chl synthesis genes are more dominant than the light-dependent gene at the transcription level. Transcriptomic characterization of this organism provides crucial clues toward mechanistic elucidation of chl d biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aki Yoneda
- Department of Pathology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Bruce J Wittmann
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Photosynthetic Antenna Research Center (PARC), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jeremy D King
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Photosynthetic Antenna Research Center (PARC), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Robert E Blankenship
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Photosynthetic Antenna Research Center (PARC), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Gautam Dantas
- Department of Pathology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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Yoneda A, Henson WR, Goldner NK, Park KJ, Forsberg KJ, Kim SJ, Pesesky MW, Foston M, Dantas G, Moon TS. Comparative transcriptomics elucidates adaptive phenol tolerance and utilization in lipid-accumulating Rhodococcus opacus PD630. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:2240-54. [PMID: 26837573 PMCID: PMC4797299 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Lignin-derived (e.g. phenolic) compounds can compromise the bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass to fuels and chemicals due to their toxicity and recalcitrance. The lipid-accumulating bacterium Rhodococcus opacus PD630 has recently emerged as a promising microbial host for lignocellulose conversion to value-added products due to its natural ability to tolerate and utilize phenolics. To gain a better understanding of its phenolic tolerance and utilization mechanisms, we adaptively evolved R. opacus over 40 passages using phenol as its sole carbon source (up to 373% growth improvement over wild-type), and extensively characterized two strains from passages 33 and 40. The two adapted strains showed higher phenol consumption rates (∼20 mg/l/h) and ∼2-fold higher lipid production from phenol than the wild-type strain. Whole-genome sequencing and comparative transcriptomics identified highly-upregulated degradation pathways and putative transporters for phenol in both adapted strains, highlighting the important linkage between mechanisms of regulated phenol uptake, utilization, and evolved tolerance. Our study shows that the R. opacus mutants are likely to use their transporters to import phenol rather than export them, suggesting a new aromatic tolerance mechanism. The identified tolerance genes and pathways are promising candidates for future metabolic engineering in R. opacus for improved lignin conversion to lipid-based products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aki Yoneda
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - William R Henson
- Department of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Nicholas K Goldner
- Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Kun Joo Park
- Department of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Kevin J Forsberg
- Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Soo Ji Kim
- Department of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Mitchell W Pesesky
- Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Marcus Foston
- Department of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Gautam Dantas
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Tae Seok Moon
- Department of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
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Kaneko Y, Okita H, Haruta M, Arai Y, Oue T, Tanaka Y, Horie H, Hinotsu S, Koshinaga T, Yoneda A, Ohtsuka Y, Taguchi T, Fukuzawa M. A high incidence of WT1 abnormality in bilateral Wilms tumours in Japan, and the penetrance rates in children with WT1 germline mutation. Br J Cancer 2015; 112:1121-33. [PMID: 25688735 PMCID: PMC4366886 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2015.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Revised: 12/24/2014] [Accepted: 12/31/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Bilateral Wilms tumours (BWTs) occur by germline mutation of various predisposing genes; one of which is WT1 whose abnormality was reported in 17–38% of BWTs in Caucasians, whereas no such studies have been conducted in East-Asians. Carriers with WT1 mutations are increasing because of improved survival. Methods: Statuses of WT1 and IGF2 were examined in 45 BWTs from 31 patients with WT1 sequencing and SNP array-based genomic analyses. The penetrance rates were estimated in WT1-mutant familial Wilms tumours collected from the present and previous studies. Results: We detected WT1 abnormalities in 25 (81%) of 31 patients and two families, which were included in the penetrance rate analysis of familial Wilms tumour. Of 35 BWTs from the 25 patients, 31 had small homozygous WT1 mutations and uniparental disomy of IGF2, while 4 had large 11p13 deletions with the retention of 11p heterozygosity. The penetrance rate was 100% if children inherited small WT1 mutations from their fathers, and 67% if inherited the mutations from their mothers, or inherited or had de novo 11p13 deletions irrespective of parental origin (P=0.057). Conclusions: The high incidence of WT1 abnormalities in Japanese BWTs sharply contrasts with the lower incidence in Caucasian counterparts, and the penetrance rates should be clarified for genetic counselling of survivors with WT1 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Kaneko
- 1] Department of Cancer Diagnosis, Research Institute for Clinical Oncology, Saitama Cancer Center, Ina, Saitama 362-0806, Japan [2] Japan Wilms Tumor Study Group (JWiTS), Itabashi-Ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - H Okita
- Japan Wilms Tumor Study Group (JWiTS), Itabashi-Ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - M Haruta
- 1] Department of Cancer Diagnosis, Research Institute for Clinical Oncology, Saitama Cancer Center, Ina, Saitama 362-0806, Japan [2] Japan Wilms Tumor Study Group (JWiTS), Itabashi-Ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Y Arai
- Division of Cancer Genomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Chuo-Ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - T Oue
- Japan Wilms Tumor Study Group (JWiTS), Itabashi-Ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Y Tanaka
- Japan Wilms Tumor Study Group (JWiTS), Itabashi-Ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - H Horie
- Japan Wilms Tumor Study Group (JWiTS), Itabashi-Ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - S Hinotsu
- Japan Wilms Tumor Study Group (JWiTS), Itabashi-Ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - T Koshinaga
- Japan Wilms Tumor Study Group (JWiTS), Itabashi-Ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - A Yoneda
- Japan Wilms Tumor Study Group (JWiTS), Itabashi-Ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Y Ohtsuka
- Japan Wilms Tumor Study Group (JWiTS), Itabashi-Ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - T Taguchi
- Japan Wilms Tumor Study Group (JWiTS), Itabashi-Ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - M Fukuzawa
- Japan Wilms Tumor Study Group (JWiTS), Itabashi-Ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
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Yoneda A, Kuo HWD, Ishihara M, Azadi P, Yu SM, Ho THD. Glycosylation variants of a β-glucosidase secreted by a Taiwanese fungus, Chaetomella raphigera, exhibit variant-specific catalytic and biochemical properties. PLoS One 2014; 9:e106306. [PMID: 25180973 PMCID: PMC4152272 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0106306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2014] [Accepted: 08/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellulosic biomass is an abundant and promising energy source. To make cellulosic biofuels competitive against conventional fuels, conversion of rigid plant materials into sugars must become efficient and cost-effective. During cellulose degradation, cellulolytic enzymes generate cellobiose (β-(1→4)-glucose dimer) molecules, which in turn inhibit such enzymes by negative feedback. β-Glucosidases (BGLs) cleave cellobiose into glucose monomers, assisting overall cellulolytic activities. Therefore, BGLs are essential for efficient conversion of cellulosic biomass into biofuels, and it is important to characterize newly isolated BGLs for useful traits. Here, we report our discovery that the indigenous Taiwanese fungus Chaetomella raphigera strain D2 produces two molecular weight variants of a single BGL, D2-BGL (shortened to “D2”), which differ in O-glycosylation. The more extensively O-glycosylated form of native D2 (nD2L) has increased activity toward the natural substrate, cellobiose, compared to the less O-glycosylated form (nD2S). nD2L is more stable at 60°C, in acidic pH, and in the presence of the ionic detergent sodium dodecyl sulfate than nD2S. Furthermore, unlike nD2S, nD2L does not display substrate inhibition by an artificial substrate p-nitrophenyl glucopyranoside (pNPG), and the glucose feedback inhibition kinetics of nD2L is competitive (while it is non-competitive for nD2S), suggesting that these two glycovariants of D2 bind substrates differently. Interestingly, D2 produced in a heterologous system, Pichia pastoris, closely mimics properties of nD2S. Our studies suggest that O-glycosylation of D2 is important in determining its catalytic and biochemical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aki Yoneda
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Hsion-Wen David Kuo
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Mayumi Ishihara
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Parastoo Azadi
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Su-May Yu
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Nankang, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Agricultural Biotechnology Center, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Tuan-hua David Ho
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Agricultural Biotechnology Center, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Nankang, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
- * E-mail:
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9
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Nakano K, Toya M, Yoneda A, Asami Y, Yamashita A, Kamasawa N, Osumi M, Yamamoto M. Pob1 ensures cylindrical cell shape by coupling two distinct rho signaling events during secretory vesicle targeting. Traffic 2011; 12:726-39. [PMID: 21401840 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0854.2011.01190.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Proper cell morphogenesis requires the co-ordination of cell polarity, cytoskeletal organization and vesicle trafficking. The Schizosaccharomyces pombe mutant pob1-664 has a curious lemon-like shape, the basis of which is not understood. Here, we found abundant vesicle accumulation in these cells, suggesting that Pob1 plays a role in vesicle trafficking. We identified Rho3 as a multicopy suppressor of this phenotype. Because Rho3 function is related to For3, an actin-polymerizing protein, and Sec8, a component of the exocyst complex, we analyzed their functional relationship with Pob1. Pob1 was essential for the formation of actin cables (by interacting with For3) and for the polarized localization of Sec8. Although neither For3 nor Sec8 is essential for polarized growth, their simultaneous disruption prevented tip growth and yielded a lemon-like cell morphology similar to pob1-664. Thus, Pob1 may ensure cylindrical cell shape of S. pombe by coupling actin-mediated vesicle transport and exocyst-mediated vesicle tethering during secretory vesicle targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Nakano
- Department of Structural Biosciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan.
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10
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Multhaupt HAB, Yoneda A, Whiteford JR, Oh ES, Lee W, Couchman JR. Syndecan signaling: when, where and why? J Physiol Pharmacol 2009; 60 Suppl 4:31-38. [PMID: 20083849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2009] [Accepted: 09/10/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Syndecans are the only family of transmembrane heparan sulphate proteoglycans. Invertebrates all appear to have one Syndecan core protein, but in mammals there are four. Examination of the core protein sequences shows that the cytoplasmic domains are the most conserved. This suggests that Syndecans make important interactions and/or signalling contributions. It has been established that all syndecans can interact with proteins of the actin-associated cytoskeleton, but details of signalling have been harder to ascertain. However, it appears that Syndecans can signal, primarily to the cytoskeleton, and the details are reviewed here. Only for vertebrate syndecan-4 is there substantial detail, and it remains a challenge to dissect the functions and signalling of other vertebrate and invertebrate syndecans.
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Affiliation(s)
- H A B Multhaupt
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, BRIC, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
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11
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Yoneda A, Doering TL. An unusual organelle in Cryptococcus neoformans links luminal pH and capsule biosynthesis. Fungal Genet Biol 2009; 46:682-7. [PMID: 19450701 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2009.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2009] [Revised: 05/08/2009] [Accepted: 05/09/2009] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a basidiomycete that causes deadly infections in the immunocompromised. We previously generated a secretion mutant in this fungus by introducing a mutation in the SAV1 gene, which encodes a homolog of the Sec4/Rab8 subfamily GTPases. Under restrictive conditions there are two notable morphological changes in the sav1 mutant: accumulation of post-Golgi vesicles and the appearance of an unusual organelle, which we term the sav1 body (SB). The SB is an electron-transparent structure 0.2-1microm in diameter, with vesicles or other membranous structures associated with the perimeter. Surprisingly, the SB was heavily labeled with anti-glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) antibodies, suggesting that it contains a secreted capsule component, GXM. A structure similar to the SB, also labeled by anti-GXM antibodies, was induced in wild type cells treated with the vacuolar-ATPase inhibitor, bafilomycin A(1). Bafilomycin A(1) and other agents that increase intraluminal pH also inhibited capsule polysaccharide shedding and capsule growth. These studies highlight an unusual organelle observed in C. neoformans with a potential role in polysaccharide synthesis, and a link between luminal pH and GXM biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aki Yoneda
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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12
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Kelly H, Molony CM, Darlow JM, Pirker ME, Yoneda A, Green AJ, Puri P, Barton DE. A genome-wide scan for genes involved in primary vesicoureteric reflux. J Med Genet 2007; 44:710-7. [PMID: 17660461 PMCID: PMC2752186 DOI: 10.1136/jmg.2007.051086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) is the retrograde flow of urine from the bladder into the ureters. It is the most common urological anomaly in children, and a major cause of end-stage renal failure and hypertension in both children and adults. VUR is seen in approximately 1-2% of Caucasian newborns and is frequently familial. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS In order to search for genetic loci involved in VUR, we performed a genome-wide linkage scan using 4710 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 609 individuals from 129 Irish families with >1 affected member. RESULTS Nonparametric linkage (NPL) analysis of the dataset yielded moderately suggestive linkage at chromosome 2q37 (NPL(max) = 2.67, p<0.001). Analysis of a subset without any additional features, such as duplex kidneys, yielded a maximum NPL score of 4.1 (p = 0.001), reaching levels of genome-wide statistical significance. Suggestive linkage was also seen at 10q26 and 6q27, and there were several smaller peaks. CONCLUSION Our results confirm the previous conclusion that VUR is genetically heterogeneous, and support the identification of several disease-associated regions indicated by smaller studies, as well as indicating new regions of interest for investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Kelly
- The National Centre for Medical Genetics, University College Dublin Department of Medical Genetics, Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin, Dublin 12, Ireland
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13
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Reese AJ, Yoneda A, Breger JA, Beauvais A, Liu H, Griffith CL, Bose I, Kim MJ, Skau C, Yang S, Sefko JA, Osumi M, Latge JP, Mylonakis E, Doering TL. Loss of cell wall alpha(1-3) glucan affects Cryptococcus neoformans from ultrastructure to virulence. Mol Microbiol 2007; 63:1385-98. [PMID: 17244196 PMCID: PMC1864955 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2006.05551.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Yeast cell walls are critical for maintaining cell integrity, particularly in the face of challenges such as growth in mammalian hosts. The pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans additionally anchors its polysaccharide capsule to the cell surface via alpha(1-3) glucan in the wall. Cryptococcal cells disrupted in their alpha glucan synthase gene were sensitive to stresses, including temperature, and showed difficulty dividing. These cells lacked surface capsule, although they continued to shed capsule material into the environment. Electron microscopy showed that the alpha glucan that is usually localized to the outer portion of the cell wall was absent, the outer region of the wall was highly disorganized, and the inner region was hypertrophic. Analysis of cell wall composition demonstrated complete loss of alpha glucan accompanied by a compensatory increase in chitin/chitosan and a redistribution of beta glucan between cell wall fractions. The mutants were unable to grow ina mouse model of infection, but caused death in nematodes. These studies integrate morphological and biochemical investigations of the role of alpha glucan in the cryptococcal cell wall.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aki Yoneda
- Washington University School of Medicine
| | | | | | - Hong Liu
- Washington University School of Medicine
| | | | | | | | | | - Sarah Yang
- Washington University School of Medicine
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14
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Yoneda A, Kutsuna N, Higaki T, Oda Y, Sano T, Hasezawa S. Recent progress in living cell imaging of plant cytoskeleton and vacuole using fluorescent-protein transgenic lines and three-dimensional imaging. Protoplasma 2007; 230:129-39. [PMID: 17458628 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-006-0237-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2005] [Accepted: 03/17/2006] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
In higher-plant cells, microtubules, actin microfilaments, and vacuoles play important roles in a variety of cellular events, including cell division, morphogenesis, and cell differentiation. These intracellular structures undergo dynamic changes in their shapes and functions during cell division and differentiation, and to analyse these sequential structural changes, the vital labelling technique, using the green-fluorescent protein or other fluorescent proteins, has commonly been used to follow the localisation and translocation of specific proteins. To visualise microtubules, actin filaments, and vacuoles, several strategies are available for selecting the appropriate fluorescent-protein fusion partner: microtubule-binding proteins, tubulin, and plus-end-tracking proteins are most suitable for microtubule labelling; the actin binding domain of mouse talin and plant fimbrin for actin microfilament visualisation; and the tonoplast-intrinsic proteins and syntaxin-related proteins for vacuolar imaging. In addition, three-dimensional reconstruction methods are indispensable for localising the widely distributed organelles within the cell. The maximum intensity projection method is suitable for cytoskeletal structures, while contour-based surface modelling possesses many advantages for vacuolar membranes. In this article, we summarise the recent progress in living cell imaging of the plant cytoskeleton and vacuoles using various fusions with green-fluorescent proteins and three-dimensional imaging techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Yoneda
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan
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15
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Babiker HAE, Nakatsu Y, Yamada K, Yoneda A, Takada A, Ueda J, Hata H, Watanabe T. Bovine and water buffalo Mx2 genes: polymorphism and antiviral activity. Immunogenetics 2006; 59:59-67. [PMID: 17119954 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-006-0167-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2006] [Accepted: 10/11/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Millennia-long selective pressure of single-strand RNA viruses on the bovine Mx locus has increased the advantages of using the bovine Mx protein to evaluate the ultimate significance of the antiviral role of Mx proteins. The conclusions of research based only on the bovine Mx1 protein showed the need for comprehensive studies that demonstrate the role of all isoforms, individually or together, especially in the presence of a second isoform, the bovine Mx2 gene. This study provides information about bovine and water buffalo Mx2 genes, as well as their allelic polymorphism and basic antiviral potential. Observation of an Mx2 cDNA sequence (2,381 bp) obtained from 15 animals from 11 breeds using primers based on a previous sequence (NCBI accession no. AF335147) revealed several nucleotide substitutions, with eight different alleles and two amino acid exchanges: Gly to Ser at position 302 and Ile to Val at position 354, though the latter was found only in the NCBI database. A water buffalo Mx2 cDNA sequence was identified for the first time, revealing 46 nucleotide substitutions with 12 amino acid variations, in addition to a 9-bp insertion in the 5' untranslated region UTR, compared with the bovine Mx2 cDNA. Transfected 3T3 cells expressing bovine Mx2 mRNAs coding Gly or Ser at position 302, water buffalo Mx2 mRNA, positive control bovine Mx1 mRNA-expressing cells, and negative control parental 3T3 were subjected to infection with recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSVDeltaG*-G), as were empty pCI-neo vector-transfected cells. The positive control and all cells expressing Mx2 mRNAs displayed significantly higher levels of antiviral activity against VSVDeltaG*-G (P < 0.01) than did the negative controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- H A E Babiker
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8589, Japan
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Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans, which causes fatal infection in immunocompromised individuals, has an elaborate polysaccharide capsule surrounding its cell wall. The cryptococcal capsule is the major virulence factor of this fungal organism, but its biosynthetic pathways are virtually unknown. Extracellular polysaccharides of eukaryotes may be made at the cell membrane or within the secretory pathway. To test these possibilities for cryptococcal capsule synthesis, we generated a secretion mutant in C. neoformans by mutating a Sec4/Rab8 GTPase homolog. At a restrictive temperature, the mutant displayed reduced growth and protein secretion, and accumulated approximately 100-nm vesicles in a polarized manner. These vesicles were not endocytic, as shown by their continued accumulation in the absence of polymerized actin, and could be labeled with anti-capsular antibodies as visualized by immunoelectron microscopy. These results indicate that glucuronoxylomannan, the major cryptococcal capsule polysaccharide, is trafficked within post-Golgi secretory vesicles. This strongly supports the conclusion that cryptococcal capsule is synthesized intracellularly and secreted via exocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aki Yoneda
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Tamara L. Doering
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
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Seyama T, Ko JH, Ohe M, Sasaoka N, Okada A, Gomi H, Yoneda A, Ueda J, Nishibori M, Okamoto S, Maeda Y, Watanabe T. Population Research of Genetic Polymorphism at Amino Acid Position 631 in Chicken Mx Protein with Differential Antiviral Activity. Biochem Genet 2006; 44:437-48. [PMID: 16955367 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-006-9040-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2005] [Accepted: 01/17/2006] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A single amino acid substitution between Asn and Ser at position 631 in the chicken Mx protein has been reported to determine resistant and sensitive antiviral activity. In this study, we investigate whether various kinds of chicken breeds and jungle fowls carry the resistant or sensitive Mx allelic gene by using the mismatched PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique. In total, 271 samples from 36 strains of 17 chicken breeds and from 3 kinds of jungle fowls were examined. The rates of the resistant Mx gene and sensitive gene were 59.2% and 40.8%, respectively. Only a Red jungle fowl captured in Laos carried the resistant Mx gene, and the other three Red jungle fowls from Indonesia and Gray and Green jungle fowls all had the sensitive Mx gene. These results were confirmed by the determination of amino acid sequences in the GTPase effector domain of jungle fowls.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Seyama
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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Abstract
Glycosyltransferases are specific enzymes that catalyse the transfer of monosaccharide moieties to biological substrates, including proteins, lipids and carbohydrates. These enzymes are present from prokaryotes to humans, and their glycoconjugate products are often vital for survival of the organism. Many glycosyltransferases found in fungal pathogens such as Cryptococcus neoformans do not exist in mammalian systems, making them attractive potential targets for selectively toxic agents. In this article, we present the features of this diverse class of enzymes, and review the fungal glycosyltransferases that are involved in synthesis of the cell wall, the cryptococcal capsule, glycoproteins and glycolipids. We specifically focus on enzymes that have been identified or studied in C. neoformans, and we consider future directions for research on glycosyltransferases in the context of this opportunistic pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Stacey Klutts
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110-1093, USA
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Yoneda A, Kubo A. Simultaneous determination of mean pressure and deviatoric stress based on numerical tensor analysis: a case study for polycrystalline x-ray diffraction of gold enclosed in a methanol-ethanol mixture. J Phys Condens Matter 2006; 18:S979-S994. [PMID: 22611107 DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/18/25/s06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
It is known that the {100} and {111} planes of cubic crystals subjected to uniaxial deviatoric stress conditions have strain responses that are free from the effect of lattice preferred orientation. By utilizing this special character, one can unambiguously and simultaneously determine the mean pressure and deviatoric stress from polycrystalline diffraction data of the cubic sample. Here we introduce a numerical tensor calculation method based on the generalized Hooke's law to simultaneously determine the hydrostatic component of the stress (mean pressure) and deviatoric stress in the sample. The feasibility of this method has been tested by examining the experimental data of the Au pressure marker enclosed in a diamond anvil cell using a pressure medium of methanol-ethanol mixture. The results demonstrated that the magnitude of the deviatoric stress is ∼0.07 GPa at the mean pressure of 10.5 GPa, which is consistent with previous results of Au strength under high pressure. Our results also showed that even a small deviatoric stress (∼0.07 GPa) could yield a ∼0.3 GPa mean pressure error at ∼10 GPa.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Yoneda
- Institute for Study of the Earth's Interior, Okayama University, Misasa, Tottori 682-0193, Japan
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Abstract
Legionella pneumophila utilizes a type IV secretion system (T4SS) encoded by 26 dot/icm genes to replicate inside host cells and cause disease. In contrast to all other L. pneumophila dot/icm genes, dotU and icmF have homologs in a wide variety of gram-negative bacteria, none of which possess a T4SS. Instead, dotU and icmF orthologs are linked to a locus encoding a conserved cluster of proteins designated IcmF-associated homologous proteins, which has been proposed to constitute a novel cell surface structure. We show here that dotU is partially required for L. pneumophila intracellular growth, similar to the known requirement for icmF. In addition, we show that dotU and icmF are necessary for optimal plasmid transfer and sodium sensitivity, two additional phenotypes associated with a functional Dot/Icm complex. We found that these effects are due to the destabilization of the T4SS at the transition into the stationary phase, the point at which L. pneumophila becomes virulent. Specifically, three Dot proteins (DotH, DotG, and DotF) exhibit decreased stability in a DeltadotU DeltaicmF strain. Furthermore, overexpression of just one of these proteins, DotH, is sufficient to suppress the intracellular growth defect of the DeltadotU DeltaicmF mutant. This suggests a model where the DotU and IcmF proteins serve to prevent DotH degradation and therefore function to stabilize the L. pneumophila T4SS. Due to their wide distribution among bacterial species and their genetic linkage to known or predicted cell surface structures, we propose that this function in complex stabilization may be broadly conserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Sexton
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
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Hoshino H, Yoneda A, Kumagai F, Hasezawa S. Roles of actin-depleted zone and preprophase band in determining the division site of higher-plant cells, a tobacco BY-2 cell line expressing GFP-tubulin. Protoplasma 2003; 222:157-65. [PMID: 14714204 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-003-0012-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2002] [Accepted: 04/17/2003] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The mode of cytokinesis, especially in determining the site of cell division, is not well understood in higher-plant cells. The division site appears to be predicted by the preprophase band of microtubules that develop with the phragmosome, an intracellular structure of the cytoplasm suspending the nucleus and the mitotic apparatus in the center. As the preprophase band disappears during mitosis, it is thought to leave some form of "memory" on the plasma membrane to guide the growth of the new cell plate at cytokinesis. However, the intrinsic nature of this "memory" remains to be clarified. In addition to microtubules, microfilaments also dynamically change forms during cell cycle transition from the late G2 to the early G1 phase. We have studied the relationships between microtubules and microfilaments in tobacco BY-2 cells and transgenic BY-2 cells expressing a fusion protein of green-fluorescent protein and tubulin. At the late G2 phase, microfilaments colocalize with the preprophase band of microtubules. However, an actin-depleted zone which appears at late prometaphase is observed around the chromosomes, especially at metaphase, but also throughout anaphase. To study the functions of the actin-depleted zone, we disrupted the microfilament structures with bistheonellide A, a novel macrolide that depolymerizes microfilaments very rapidly even at low concentrations. The division planes became disorganized when the drug was added to synchronized BY-2 cells before the appearance of the actin-depleted zone. In contrast, the division planes appeared smooth, as in control cells, when the drug was added after the appearance of the actin-depleted zone. These results suggest that the actin-depleted zone may participate in the demarcation of the division site at the final stage of cell division in higher plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Hoshino
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, JP
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22
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Inoue M, Nakano T, Yoneda A, Nishikawa M, Nakayama M, Yumura-Yagi K, Sakata N, Yasui M, Okamura T, Kawa K. Graft-versus-tumor effect in a patient with advanced neuroblastoma who received HLA haplo-identical bone marrow transplantation. Bone Marrow Transplant 2003; 32:103-6. [PMID: 12815485 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1704070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
A 5-year-old boy received CD34-positive HLA haplo-identical bone marrow transplantation from his father as treatment for refractory advanced neuroblastoma. He had residual disease in the para-aortic lymph nodes and multiple bones after the transplant. However, all of his residual disease had disappeared completely 3 years later. He developed grade I acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) but had no symptoms of chronic GVHD or any other complications. This case demonstrates the possibility of a graft-versus-tumor effect against neuroblastoma by HLA-mismatched allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Inoue
- Department of Pediatrics, Osaka Medical Center and Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Izumi, Osaka, Japan
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Abstract
AIM To compare the incidence of renal damage in siblings of patients with vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) who presented with a documented history of urinary tract infection (UTI) with asymptomatic siblings who were diagnosed with reflux during a screening programme for hereditary VUR. METHODS Medical and radiological records of the VUR patients (1990-2000) were examined for age, gender, mode of presentation, reflux grade and renal damage. RESULTS VUR was noted in 226 siblings (352 ureters) in 107 families. Of the 119 siblings of index patients, 64 were investigated for a documented UTI and 55 with no history of UTI were detected during screening for sibling reflux. Dimercaptosuccinic acid scan revealed reflux nephropathy in 25 (26%) of the 97 renal refluxing units (RRU) of siblings who presented with a UTI and in 6 (7%) of the 89 RRU of asymptomatic siblings who underwent screening voiding cystourethrography (p=0.0006). Mild renal damage was present in 20 (21%) RRU of siblings with UTI and in 2 (2%) RRU of the screened siblings (p < 0.001). Moderate to severe renal damage was present in 5 (5%) RRU of siblings with UTI and in 4 (4%) RRU of the screened siblings (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that the incidence of mild renal scarring was much higher in siblings who presented with UTI than in asymptomatic siblings. However, the incidence of moderate and severe renal scarring among asymptomatic siblings was comparable to that in siblings with VUR and UTI.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Cascio
- The National Children's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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24
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Solari V, Ennis S, Yoneda A, Wong L, Messineo A, Höllwarth ME, Green A, Puri P. Mutation analysis of the RET gene in total intestinal aganglionosis by wave DNA fragment analysis system. J Pediatr Surg 2003; 38:497-501. [PMID: 12632375 DOI: 10.1053/jpsu.2003.50087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Total intestinal aganglionosis (TIA) extending from the duodenum to the rectum is the most rare form of Hirschprung's disease (HSCR) and usually is fatal. RET is the major gene associated with HSCR, and germline mutations of this gene account for up 50% of familial and up to 15 to 20% of sporadic cases in HSCR. The aim of this study was to investigate DNA variants in the RET gene in TIA patients using the WAVE DNA Fragment Analysis System. METHODS Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood samples from 6 patients with TIA. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the 21 exons of RET was performed using published oligonucleotide primers. Heteroduplexes were followed by the WAVE DNA Fragment Analysis System with the DNASep cartridge. RESULTS WAVE system technology detected 16 variants in the RET gene in the 6 patients with TIA. Three patients had a significant mutation in exon 8, 11, and 15, respectively. Thirteen RET polymorphic variants also were detected in the 6 patients, with L746L variant in exon 13 occurring in 4 patients. CONCLUSIONS WAVE system technology is an efficient method for the detection of DNA sequence variants. Our findings suggest that not only RET mutations but also RET polymorphic variants may contribute to the occurrence of TIA.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Solari
- Children's Research Centre, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, University College Dublin, Crumlin, Ireland
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Kusafuka T, Miao J, Kuroda S, Udatsu Y, Yoneda A. Codon 45 of the β-catenin gene, a specific mutational target site of Wilms' tumor. Int J Mol Med 2002. [DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.10.4.395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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Oue T, Yoneda A, Shima H, Taira Y, Puri P. Increased vascular endothelial growth factor peptide and gene expression in hypoplastic lung in nitrofen induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia in rats. Pediatr Surg Int 2002; 18:221-6. [PMID: 12021965 DOI: 10.1007/s003830100625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPH) in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) lung has been shown to be associated with structural changes in the pulmonary vasculature, including medial and adventitial thickening. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent mitogenic and permeability factor targeting predominantly endothelial cells. mRNA encoding VEGF is detected in all fetal tissues and is most abundant in fetal lung, kidney, and liver. Recently, antenatal dexamethasone (Dex) treatment has been shown to prevent pulmonary-artery structural changes in experimentally-produced CDH. The aim of this study was to investigate mRNA and protein levels of VEGF in CDH lung and to determine whether antenatal Dex treatment has any effect on the production of VEGF. A CDH model was induced in pregnant rats following administration of 100 mg nitrofen on days 9.5 of gestation (term=22 days). Dex 0.25 mg/kg was given on day 18.5 and 19.5. Cesarean section was performed on day 21 of gestation. The fetuses were divided into three groups: normal controls (NC, n=8); nitrofen-induced CDH (CDH, n=8); and nitrofen-induced CDH with antenatal Dex treatment (CDH-Dex, n=8). Protein and mRNA were extracted from the whole lung. VEGF protein was measured by ELISA assay and mRNA expression was evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry using anti-rat VEGF antibody was also performed in each group. VEGF protein as well as mRNA expression were significantly increased in the CDH group compared to the NC group, which was not affected by antenatal Dex treatment. VEGF immunoreactivity in pulmonary vessel walls was increased in the CDH and CDH-Dex groups compared to the NC group. The enhanced VEGF protein and mRNA expression in CDH lung suggests that increased local synthesis of VEGF may be responsible for the structural changes in the pulmonary vasculature in CDH lung. VEGF expression in CDH lung is not downregulated by antenatal Dex treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Oue
- Children's Research Centre, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin 12, Ireland
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28
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Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Increasing evidence suggests that the enteric nervous system is under the control of neurotrophins. Nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and neurotrophin-4/5 (NT-4/5), promote differentiation, growth, and survival of various central and peripheral nervous system neurons. The biological effects of neurotrophins are mediated by the interactions with high-affinity tyrosine kinase receptors (TrkA, TrkB, TrkC). Recently, abnormalities of intramuscular innervation have been reported in infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS). To further understand the reported abnormalities in pyloric innervation in IHPS, the authors analyzed the expression of Trk receptors and the neurotrophins content in IHPS. METHODS Full-thickness muscle biopsy specimens were obtained from 8 IHPS patients (age range, 23 to 41 days) at pyloromyotomy and from 8 age-matched controls without gastrointestinal disease at autopsy performed within 12 hours after death. Indirect immunohistochemistry was performed using ABC (Avidin Biotin peroxidase Complex) method with anti-Trk specific antibodies (A,B,C). Quantitative analysis was performed using sandwich-type ELISA for NGF, BDNF, NT-3, and NT-4/5. RESULTS The intensity of staining of the myenteric plexus for TrkA, TrkB, and TrkC was similar among IHPS and controls. There was a lack of TrkA-positive nerve fibers in IHPS compared with controls. The quantity of total NGF, NT-3, and BDNF in IHPS was significantly lower than in controls. CONCLUSIONS The reduced production of neurotrophins in IHPS may be responsible for the delay in the functional and structural maturation of pyloric innervation in IHPS. The lack of TrkA-positive nerve fibers in pyloric muscle may explain the abnormal intramuscular innervation in IHPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Guarino
- Children's Research Centre, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Dublin, Ireland
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29
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Kumagai F, Yoneda A, Tomida T, Sano T, Nagata T, Hasezawa S. Fate of nascent microtubules organized at the M/G1 interface, as visualized by synchronized tobacco BY-2 cells stably expressing GFP-tubulin: time-sequence observations of the reorganization of cortical microtubules in living plant cells. Plant Cell Physiol 2001; 42:723-32. [PMID: 11479379 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pce091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Transgenic BY-2 cells stably expressing a GFP (green fluorescent protein)-tubulin fusion protein (BY-GT16) were subcultured in a modified Linsmaier and Skoog medium. The BY-GT16 cells could be synchronized by aphidicolin and the dynamics of their microtubules (MTs) were monitored by the confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). We have succeeded in investigating the mode of reorganization of cortical MTs at the M/G1 interface. The cortical MTs were initially organized in the perinuclear regions and then they elongated to reach the cell cortex, forming the bright spots there. Subsequently, the first cortical MTs rapidly elongated from the spots and they were oriented parallel to the long axis towards the distal end of the cells. Around the time when the tips of the parallel MTs reached the distal end, the formation of transverse cortical MTs followed in the cortex near the division site, as we had previously suggested [Hasezawa and Nagata (1991) Bot. Acta 104: 206, Nagata et al. (1994) Planta 193: 567]. It was confirmed in independent observations that the appearance of the parallel MTs was followed by the appearance of the transverse MTs in each cell. We found that the transverse MTs spread through the whole cell cortex within about 20-30 min, while the parallel MTs disappeared. The significance of these observations on the mode of cortical MT organization is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Kumagai
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8562, Japan
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30
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Imura K, Kawahara H, Kitayama Y, Yoneda A, Yagi M, Suehara N. Usefulness of cord-blood harvesting for autologous transfusion in surgical newborns with antenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies. J Pediatr Surg 2001; 36:851-4. [PMID: 11381410 DOI: 10.1053/jpsu.2001.23952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE The risks of homologous transfusion and the effectiveness of predeposit autologous transfusion have been described. The authors examined the clinical usefulness of cord-blood harvesting for autologous transfusion in newborns who had congenital anomalies antenatally diagnosed that would require surgical intervention at or near the time of delivery. METHODS Of 112 cases of antenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies, 50 mothers gave informed consent and enrolled in this study. Cord-blood was withdrawn immediately after clamping of the umbilical cord and was used for autologous transfusion in newborns within the first 3 days postpartum. RESULTS A mean of 72 +/- 54 mL of cord-blood was harvested (27 +/- 18 mL/kg). While preserving cord-blood for 3 days at 4 degrees C, no signs of clot formation or hemolysis were observed. The harvested cord-blood included plasma-free Hb ranging from 1 to 68 (13 +/- 18) mg/dL and thrombin-antithrombin III complex ranging from 2 to 273 (18 +/- 50) ng/mL. Bacteriologic examination of the stored cord-blood showed negative cultures, except for samples from 3 newborns after vaginal delivery. A mean of 46 +/- 34 mL of cord-blood was used in 26 patients for autologous transfusion. No significant complications related to cord-blood transfusion were recognized clinically. CONCLUSIONS Autologous cord-blood transfusion has the potential to be a useful alternative to homologous transfusion in newborns requiring surgery. Adequate collection and storage techniques for cord-blood must be developed. J Pediatr Surg 36:851-854.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Imura
- Division of Pediatric Surgery and Obstetrics, Osaka Medical Center for Maternal and Child Health and Research Institute, Osaka, Japan
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31
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Abstract
Hirschsprung's disease (HD) is characterised by the absence of ganglion cells and the presence of hypertrophic nerve trunks in the distal bowel. It has been suggested that aganglionosis may be caused by failure of differentiation as a result of microenvironmental change after neuronal migration has occurred. Recently, it was reported that cell-adhesion molecules (CAMs) and fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) stimulate neurite outgrowth through activation of FGF receptors (FGFRs) in neurons. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of CAMs FGFs, and FGFRs in ganglionic (NG) and aganglionic (AG) segments of HD in order to understand the role of CAM-FGF signalling in the pathogenesis of HD. Specimens from NG and AG segments of bowel from 11 patients with HD were obtained at the time of definitive pull-through operation, snap-frozen in OCT compound, and stored at -70 degrees C. Aganglionosis was confirmed by Haematoxylin and eosin staining and acetylcholinesterase histochemistry; 8-micron cryosections were immunostained using the standard streptavidinbiotin-immunoperoxidase method. The following antibodies were used as the first antibody; FGF2 and FGF7 for FGFs, FGFR1 and FGFR2 for FGFRs, NCAM, L1CAM, and N-cadherin for CAMs. FGF2, FGF7, and FGFR2 were expressed in neuronal tissue of NG segments as well as in hypertrophic nerves of AG segments. There was a lack of FGFRI expression in neuronal tissue of both NG and AG bowel. Immunoreactivity with all three CAMs was detected in ganglion cells in NG bowel and in hypertrophic nerve trunks in AG bowel. In contrast the numbers of CAM-positive nerve fibres in muscle layers were markedly decreased in AG bowel compared to NG bowel. The markedly decreased expression of CAMs on nerve fibres within the muscle of AG bowel suggests that CAM-FGF signalling is altered in HD, resulting in failure of enteric neuroblast migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Yoneda
- Children's Research Centre, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin 12, Ireland
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32
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Internal anal sphincter achalasia (IASA), also referred to as ultrashort segment Hirschsprung's disease (HD), is a clinical condition with presentation similar to HD, but with the presence of ganglion cells on rectal biopsy. The diagnosis of IASA is made on anorectal manometry, which shows the absence of rectosphincteric reflex on rectal balloon inflation. Altered intramuscular innervation has been reported in IASA. The purpose of this study was to review the outcome after internal sphincter myectomy in patients with IASA. METHODS Fifteen consecutive patients (age range, 2 years to 12 years) with IASA underwent posterior internal sphincter myectomy. All patients presented with severe constipation with or without soiling. The diagnosis of IASA was made by anorectal manometry. HD was excluded in these cases by the presence of ganglion cells and normal acetylcholinesterase activity on suction rectal biopsies. Internal sphincter (IS) specimens were examined using immunohistochemistry for the general neuronal marker PGP 9.5 and synapsin 1 (a presynaptic marker) and using general histochemistry for NADPH-diaphorase. All patients underwent follow-up for periods from 2 years to 6 years. RESULTS PGP 9.5, synapsin 1 and NADPH-diaphorase positive nerve fibers were either absent or markedly reduced in IASA specimens compared with controls, confirming previous reports of defective intramuscular innervation in IASA. At the time of follow-up, 7 patients have regular bowel motions and are not on any laxatives. Six patients have normal bowel habits but are on small doses of laxatives. One patient is able to stay clean with regular enema regimen. One patient required resection of dilated and redundant sigmoid colon and now has normal bowel habits with laxatives. CONCLUSION The majority of patients with internal anal sphincter achalasia can be treated successfully by internal sphincter myectomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- D De Caluwé
- Children's Research Centre, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin 12, Ireland
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33
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Abstract
Vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) is known to occur in families. In siblings of index patients with VUR, there is a much higher incidence (16% to 46%) than in the general population. The renin-angiotensin system plays an important role in renal development. Recently, it has been reported that angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I/D gene polymorphism is a risk factor for renal parenchymal damage in patients with congenital urological abnormalities. The aim of this study was to investigate the ACE I/D genotype pattern in familial VUR patients. Blood samples were obtained from 86 families in which two or more members had VUR. Samples of DNA were extracted from 407 blood samples (183 affected patients and 224 non-affected family members). To detect ACE I/D polymorphism, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification was performed using specific primers for the ACE gene. PCR products were electrophoresed with 2% agarose gel containing ethidium bromide. Among 224 non-affected family members the ACE genotype distribution of DD, ID, and II was 23%; 56% and 21%, respectively. The ACE genotype distribution of 183 affected patients was 28%, 47% and 25%, respectively. There was no significant difference in ACE I/D distribution between affected patients and their non-affected families. Both the ACE genotype distribution of affected patients and that of non-affected family members were not significantly different from the previously reported genotype distribution of the normal Caucasian population. This study demonstrates that ACE genotype frequencies are similar in index patients with VUR and their unaffected siblings, thus suggesting that the ACE gene is not involved in the development of familial VUR.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Yoneda
- Children's Research Centre, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin 12, Ireland
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34
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Yoneda A, Asada M, Yamamoto S, Oki J, Oda Y, Ota K, Ogi Y, Fujishima S, Imamura T. Engineering neoglycoproteins with multiple O-glycans using repetitive pentapeptide glycosylation units. Glycoconj J 2001; 18:291-9. [PMID: 11788797 DOI: 10.1023/a:1013608930759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Controlled protein remodeling with O-linked glycans has been limited by our incomplete understanding of the process of glycosylation. Here we describe a secretable fibroblast growth factor (FGF) with multiple mucin-type O-glycans produced by introducing a minimum pentapeptide glycosylation unit in a decarepeat format at its N- or C-terminus. Expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, chemical and biochemical analyses of the resultant proteins (Nm10-FGF and Cm10-FGF, respectively) demonstrated that all O-glycosylation units were glycosylated and the dominant structure was sialylated Gal[beta1-3]GalNAc. This indicates that minimum O-glycosylation unit in multirepeat format serves as a remarkably efficient acceptor in CHO cells. The Nm10-FGF and Cm10-FGF proteins maintained the mitogenic activity to vascular endothelial cells. In addition, intact Cm10-FGF and its desialylated form interacted with several lectins in the same way as mucin-type glycoproteins. The intact Cm10-FGF with multiple sialylated O-glycans exhibited a longer lifetime in circulating blood, whereas the Cm10-FGF with desialylated O-glycans exhibited a shorter lifetime than the deglycosylated form of Cm10-FGF. Our approach would thus appear to be highly effective for engineering neoglycoproteins, the characteristics of which are determined by their multiple mucin-type O-glycans.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Yoneda
- Gene Discovery Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8566, Japan
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35
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36
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Hayashi H, Yoneda A, Asada M, Ikekita M, Imamura T. Molecular cloning of mouse alpha-1,6-fucosyltransferase and expression of its mRNA in the developing cerebrum. DNA Seq 2001; 11:91-6. [PMID: 10902914 DOI: 10.3109/10425170009033974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Complementary DNA encoding mouse alpha-1,6-fucosyltransferase (FUT) was cloned. The deduced primary structure consisted of 575 amino acids and had 96.0% and 93.0% identity with alpha-1,6-FUT of human and porcine origin, respectively. Quantitative analysis of alpha-1,6-FUT mRNA expression during selected developmental stages of the cerebrum showed that the expression increased during later embryonic stages and was highest in the early postnatal stages (P1 to P7), after which it declined somewhat but still remained relatively high in the mature adult. The expression profile suggests important roles of FUT in the developing central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Hayashi
- Biosignaling Depoaartment, National Institute of Bioscience and Human Technology, AIST Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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37
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Total intestinal aganglionosis (TIA) is a rare form of Hirschsprung's disease (HD). The aim of this study was to examine the 3-dimensional morphology of the myentric plexus of the entire gastrointestinal tract in a newborn with total intestinal aganglionosis. METHODS Whole-mount preparations were made of the entire gastrointestinal tract using NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry and c-kit (a marker of interstitial cells of Cajal) immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Whole-mount preparations of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum showed 3-dimensional morphology of the myenteric plexus forming a meshlike network of nerve fibers, connected to each other and to ganglia. There were large numbers of NADPH-diaphrase-positive nerve fibers between the muscle fibers in the circular muscle layer. In esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, c-kit-positive interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) formed a 3-dimensional network between the two muscle layers and also were abundant within the circular muscle layer. In the jejunum, ileum, and colon, the myenteric plexus was absent and was replaced by hypertrophic nerve bundles that stained weakly with NADPH-diaphrase. Circular muscle layer completely lacked NADPH-diaphrase-positive nerve fibers. The c-kit-positive ICCs in the jejunum, ileum, and colon were sparse and localized mainly around the nerve trunks between the circular and longitudinal muscle layers. CONCLUSIONS Whole-mount preparation is an elegant 3-dimensional technique in which the relationship of branching and interconnecting nerve fibers to each other and to muscle can be seen clearly. Absence of myenteric plexus, lack of nitrergic innervation, and depletion of interstitial cells of Cajal in the bowel wall throughout the small and large bowel contribute to the inability of the smooth muscle to relax, thereby causing lack of peristalsis in TIA.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Nemeth
- Children's Research Centre, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, The Children's Hospital, Temple St, Dublin, Ireland
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38
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Yoneda A, Oue T, Imura K, Inoue M, Yagi K, Kawa K, Nishikawa M, Morimoto S, Nakayama M. Observation of untreated patients with neuroblastoma detected by mass screening: a "wait and see" pilot study. Med Pediatr Oncol 2001; 36:160-2. [PMID: 11464874 DOI: 10.1002/1096-911x(20010101)36:1<160::aid-mpo1039>3.0.co;2-g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies have indicated that mass screening for neuroblastoma detects tumors that otherwise would have regressed spontaneously without recognition. Therefore, we started an observation program for these patients to determine how frequently spontaneous regression occurs. PROCEDURE Eighteen patients were detected by mass screening between June 1994 and December 1996. Eight of these cases matched the following criteria and entered the observation program: Stage I or II, less than 5 cm in diameter; no involvement of large vessels or organs; not difficult to resect; informed consent. If there were an increase in tumor size, an elevation of tumor markers, or evidence of metastasis, the tumor would be immediately resected. RESULTS Five of the eight cases showed spontaneous regression. Although the remaining three tumors were resected 6-10 months after diagnosis, all patients survived without evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS At least 60% of neuroblastoma cases who entered our observation program regressed spontaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Yoneda
- Osaka Medical Center and Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Japan.
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39
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Affiliation(s)
- M Asada
- National Institute of Bioscience and Human Technology, Ibaraki, Japan
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40
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Uchibori-Iwaki H, Yoneda A, Oda-Tamai S, Kato S, Akamatsu N, Otsuka M, Murase K, Kojima K, Suzuki R, Maeya Y, Tanabe M, Ogawa H. The changes in glycosylation after partial hepatectomy enhance collagen binding of vitronectin in plasma. Glycobiology 2000; 10:865-74. [PMID: 10988248 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/10.9.865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitronectin is a multifunctional glycoprotein present in the extracellular matrix and plasma. Changes in rat vitronectin were studied during liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy. Carbohydrate concentrations of vitronectin decreased to 2/3 of sham-operated rats at 24 h after partial hepatectomy. Carbohydrate composition and lectin reactivity indicated that N-glycosylation and sialylation of vitronectin changed markedly after partial hepatectomy, while amino acid composition did not change significantly. We previously showed that deN-glycosylation of vitronectin in vitro affects collagen binding among various ligands (Yoneda et al., Biochemistry (1998) 37, 6351-6360). Vitronectins from partially hepatectomized rats at 24 h were found to exhibit markedly enhanced binding to type I collagen. The effect of sialylation on collagen binding was further examined using enzymatically deglycosylated vitronectin of nonoperated rats. Collagen binding increased by 1.2 times after deN-glycosylation of vitronectin, while it increased more than 2.9 times after desialylation. Various glycosyltransferases in liver are known to change after partial hepatectomy, including the attenuation of N-oligosaccharide transferase. The findings therefore suggest that the collagen binding of vitronectin is modulated by the alteration of peptide glycosylation caused by postoperative physiological changes of glycosyltransferases and that the change may contribute to tissue remodeling processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Uchibori-Iwaki
- Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
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Tanaka T, Yoneda A, Inoue S, Sugiura Y, Ueno Y. Simultaneous determination of trichothecene mycotoxins and zearalenone in cereals by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A 2000; 882:23-8. [PMID: 10895929 DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9673(00)00063-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Trichothecene mycotoxins are commonly distributed in crop fields in the world, and zearalenone has been found in cereals. Rapid and accurate methods for the determination of these mycotoxins is required to prevent the intoxication of humans, and to contribute to the supply of safe foods and feeds for human and livestock. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is a useful method for the determination of these toxins. We describe here our current GC-MS analysis for the simultaneous determination of trichothecenes and zearalenone contaminants in cereals.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Tanaka
- Department of Food Chemistry, Kobe Institute of Health, Japan
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42
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Yoneda A, Asada M, Oda Y, Suzuki M, Imamura T. Engineering of an FGF-proteoglycan fusion protein with heparin-independent, mitogenic activity. Nat Biotechnol 2000; 18:641-4. [PMID: 10835602 DOI: 10.1038/76487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In the absence of heparan sulfate (HS) on the surface of target cells, or free heparin (HP) in the vicinity of their receptors, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family members cannot exert their biological activity and are easily damaged by proteolysis. This limits the utility of FGFs in a variety of applications including treatment of surgical, burn, and periodontal tissue wounds, gastric ulcers, segmental bony defects, ligament and spinal cord injury. Here we describe an FGF analog engineered to overcome this limitation by fusing FGF-1 with HS proteoglycan (PG) core protein. The fusion protein (PG-FGF-1), which was expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells and collected from the conditioned medium, possessed both HS and chondroitin sulfate sugar chains. After fractionation, intact PG-FGF-1 proteins with little affinity to immobilized HP and high-level HS modification, but not their heparitinase or heparinase digests, exerted mitogenic activity independent of exogenous HP toward HS-free Ba/F3 transfectants expressing FGF receptor. Although PG-FGF-1 was resistant to tryptic digestion, its physiological degradation with a combination of heparitinase and trypsin augmented its mitogenic activity toward human endothelial cells. The same treatment abolished the activity of simple FGF-1 protein. By constructing a biologically active proteoglycan-FGF-1 fusion protein, we have demonstrated an approach that may prove effective for engineering not only FGF family members, but other HP-binding molecules as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Yoneda
- Biosignaling Department, National Institute of Bioscience and Human Technology, 1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8566 Japan
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43
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Abstract
In Hirschsprung's disease (HD) there exists an overabundance of acetylcholine (ACh), which in turn stimulates excessive production of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. Muscarinic ACh receptors (mAChRs) play an important role in smooth-muscle contraction. Recent studies have indicated five different subtypes of mAChRs encoded by five different genes, ml to m5. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of each mAChR subtype in aganglionic (AG) colon to further understand the pathophysiology of HD. Entire colon resected at the time of pull-through operation for HD was obtained from 14 patients. Specimens obtained at autopsy from 8 age-matched patients without gastrointestinal disease acted as controls. Frozen sections were used for indirect immunohistochemistry as well as in-situ hybridization. Immunohistochemistry was performed using specific antiserum against each mAChR subtype and in-situ hybridization was performed using specific oligonucleotide probes against ml to m5 subtypes. Messenger RNA (mRNA) was extracted from normoganglionic (NG) and AG bowel of HD patients and normal control bowel. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate mRNA levels of each mAChR subtype. To adjust the levels of mRNA expression, a housekeeping gene G3PDH, known to be expressed normally, was used as an internal control. Strong m2 and m3 immunoreactivity was observed in the mucosal layer, smooth-muscle layers, and myenteric plexus of NG bowel, whereas ml immunoreactivity was only detected in the mucosal layer. The most striking finding was the abundance of m3-immunoreactive fibers in muscle layers of NG bowel while there was a total lack of m3 fibers in smooth-muscle of AG bowel. Intense mRNA signals encoding m2 and m3 and to a lesser degree ml were detected in NG bowel, and these signals were weak in AG bowel. Immunoreactivity and mRNA expression of m4 and m5 was not detected in NG or AG bowel. The lack of m3-immunoreactive fibers in the smooth-muscle layers of AG bowel and decreased m2 and m3 mRNA expression in AG bowel may be responsible for the motility dysfunction in the aganglionic segment.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Oue
- Children's Research Centre, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
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44
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Abstract
The authors present a pair of identical twins with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) diagnosed prenatally, who underwent successful surgical repair. They were diagnosed as having CDH at 32 weeks' gestation and showed respiratory distress soon after cesarean section at 33 weeks' gestation. Both survived after scheduled perinatal management followed by surgery, for which the prenatal diagnosis of CDH was valuable.
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MESH Headings
- Cesarean Section
- Female
- Fetal Diseases/diagnosis
- Gestational Age
- Hernia, Diaphragmatic/diagnosis
- Hernia, Diaphragmatic/diagnostic imaging
- Hernia, Diaphragmatic/surgery
- Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital
- Humans
- Infant, Newborn
- Infant, Newborn, Diseases/diagnosis
- Infant, Premature
- Pre-Eclampsia/complications
- Pregnancy
- Treatment Outcome
- Twins, Monozygotic
- Ultrasonography, Prenatal
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Tazuke
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Osaka Medical Center for Maternal and Child Health and Research Institute, Izumi-city, Japan
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45
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Abstract
The authors report on a child with tracheal agenesis who survived for 6 years and 10 months. A female infant was born with respiratory distress and an absence of audible cry. With mask ventilation, gastrostomy and division of the esophagus was performed just after birth. She was well ventilated with an endotracheal tube inserted through the cervical esophagostomy after thoracic esophageal banding. An accidental extubation caused her anoxic encephalopathy at 9 months of age. She had been alive without artificial ventilatory support until she died of acute esophageal bleeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Soh
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Osaka Medical Center, Osaka University Medical School, Suita, Japan
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Yoneda A, Asada M, Suzuki M, Imamura T. Introduction of an N-glycosylation cassette into proteins at random sites: expression of neoglycosylated FGF. Biotechniques 1999; 27:576-8, 580, 582 passim. [PMID: 10489617 DOI: 10.2144/99273rr05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We developed a method for introducing an N-glycosylation cassette into proteins at random sites by constructing cDNAs and expressing it in mammalian cells. The protocol entails four steps: (i) generation of cDNAs that contain single, randomly-located blunt end cuts; (ii) ligation of N-glycosylation cassettes into the blunt end cuts in three-frame formats; (iii) selection of the cDNA clones encoding N-glycosylated proteins; and (iv) subcloning into an expression vector for transfection and expression in mammalian cells. This method was evaluated using secreted fibroblast growth factor (FGF) as a model protein. Several secreted FGF cDNA clones, each containing an AsnLeuSer-coding sequence at a random site, were obtained. When these clones were expressed in mammalian cells, some of the secreted FGFs were found to be N-glycosylated. The method described here should also be applicable for random introduction of functional oligopeptide/polypeptide cassettes into virtually any protein of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Yoneda
- National Institute of Bioscience and Human Technology, Ibaraki, Japan
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Tazuke Y, Kawahara H, Yagi M, Yoneda A, Soh H, Maeda K, Yamamoto T, Imura K. Use of a Palmaz stent for tracheomalacia: case report of an infant with esophageal atresia. J Pediatr Surg 1999; 34:1291-3. [PMID: 10466618 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-3468(99)90174-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A male infant with congenital cardiac anomalies and esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (EA-TEF) showed intractable respiratory symptoms after delayed primary repair of EA-TEF. Computed tomography demonstrated that the trachea was compressed by the enlarged aorta. Artificial ventilation was necessary even after aortopexy performed at 2 months of age. At 140 days of age, an expandable metallic stent (Palmaz stent) was inserted through a rigid bronchoscope into the trachea underfluoroscopic control. His respiratory status improved dramatically, and he was extubated in 18 hours. Although the follow-up period has been 9 months, the short-term result is satisfactory. The expandable metallic stent placement should be considered in patients with EA-TEF who show intractable respiratory symptoms caused by tracheomalacia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Tazuke
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Osaka Medical Center and Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Izumi-city, Japan
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Abstract
The peptide signal sequence for protein O-glycosylation is not fully characterized, although a recent in vitro study proposed that the sequence motif, XTPXP, serves as a signal for mucin-type O-glycosylation. Here, we show that the AATPAP sequence acts as an efficient O-glycosylation signal, in vivo. A secreted fibroblast growth factor (secFGF) was used as a model to analyze glycosylation and its effects on the biological activity of FGF. Two constructs encoding [AATPAP]secFGF in which AATPAP was introduced at the N- or C-terminus of secFGF were constructed in an eukaryotic expression vector. [AATPAP]secFGF proteins were then expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and secreted into the surrounding medium, primarily as modified forms sensitive to sialidase but not to peptide N-glycosidase F. The modifying groups were not seen when the AATPAP sequence was converted to AAAPAP or when [AATPAP]secFGF was expressed in mutant cells incapable of UDP-GalNAc biosynthesis. The results indicate that the modifying groups were mucin-type O-glycans and that the AATPAP served as an efficient O-glycosylation signal sequence. The O-glycosylated forms of [AATPAP]secFGF were as mitogenic toward human vascular endothelial cells as unmodified secFGF, suggesting that introduction of the signal into biologically active polypeptides is a promising approach with which O-glycosylation may be achieved without affecting original activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Asada
- Biosignaling Department, National Institute of Bioscience and Human Technology, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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Abstract
Dibenzo-16-crown-4 (1) indicates high silver and thallium(I) ion selectivity over sodium, potassium, and rubidium ion evaluated from the solvent extraction of metal picrates, while its cation-binding ability is lower than those of dibenzo-18-crown-6 (2) and dibenzo-22-crown-6 (3). Taking account of the highest thallium(I) ion selectivity for 1 obtained from extraction experiments, PVC membrane thallium(I)-selective electrodes based on 1 are prepared. The electrode shows the best potentiometric selectivity coefficients for thallium(I) over potassium and rubidium than those of 2 and 3, and commercially available bis(crown ether)s (4).
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ouchi
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Himeji Institute of Technology, Hyogo, Japan
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