Information Theoretic Equivalent Bandwidths of Random Processes and Their Applications

Objectives : Since most of the biomedical signals, such as electroencephalogram (EEG), electromyogram (EMG) and phonocardiogram (PCG), are nonstationary random processes, the time-frequency analysis has recently been extensively applied to those signals in order to achieve precise characterization and classification. In this paper, we have first defined a new class of information theoretic equivalent bandwidths (EBWs) of stationary random processes, then instantaneous EBWs (IEBWs) using nonnegative time-frequenc distributions have been defined in order to track the change of the EBW of a nonstationary random process.

Methods : The new class of EBWs which includes spectral flatness measure (SFM) for stationary random processes is defined by using generalized Burg entropy. Generalized Burg entropy is derived from the relation between Rényi entropy and Rényi information divergence of order α. In order to track the change of EBWs of a nonstationary random process, the IEBWs are defined on the nonnegative time-frequency distributions, which are constructed by the Copula theory.

Results : We evaluate the IEBWs for a first order stationary auto-regressive (AR) process and three types of time-varying AR processes. The results show that the IEBWs proposed here properly represent a signal bandwidth. In practical application to PCGs, the proposed method was successful in extracting the information that the bandwidth of the innocent systolic murmur was much smaller than that of the abnormal systolic murmur.

Conclusions : We have defined new information theoretic EBWs and have proposed a novel method to track the change of the IEBWs. Some computer simulation showed effectiveness of the methods. Applying the IEBWs to PCGs, we could extract some features of a systolic murmur.

Processing of dielectric oxynitride perovskites for powders, ceramics, compacts and thin films

This perspective reviews recent studies on the fabrication of dielectric oxynitride perovskites for powders, ceramics, compacts and thin films.

Effects of Water Redox Conditions and Presence of Magnetite on Leaching of Pu and Np From HLW Glass

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of water redox conditions and of the presence of iron corrosion products (magnetite) on the release of actinides from HLW glasses. Static corrosion tests were performed on a simulated HLW glass doped with Pu and Np in deionized water in the presence of magnetite under oxidizing and reducing conditions. The tests under oxidizing conditions were performed in air, while the tests under reducing conditions were performed in mixed gas (Ar+5%H2) atmosphere.

The following results were obtained: (1) The presence of magnetite enhances formation of colloids containing Pu and Np in the leachates under both redox conditions. (2) Redox conditions have no remarkable influence on the release of Pu. (3) The reducing conditions combined with the presence of magnetite cause a decrease in the concentrations of Np dissolved species, which is probably the result of the reduction of Np(V) to Np(IV) at the magnetite surface.

Information theoretic equivalent bandwidths of random processes and their applications

OBJECTIVES

Since most of the biomedical signals, such as electroencephalogram (EEG), electromyogram (EMG) and phonocardiogram (PCG), are nonstationary random processes, the time-frequency analysis has recently been extensively applied to those signals in order to achieve precise characterization and classification. In this paper, we have first defined a new class of information theoretic equivalent bandwidths (EBWs) of stationary random processes, then instantaneous EBWs (IEBWs) using nonnegative time-frequency distributions have been defined in order to track the change of the EBW of a nonstationary random process.

METHODS

The new class of EBWs which includes spectral flatness measure (SFM) for stationary random processes is defined by using generalized Burg entropy. Generalized Burg entropy is derived from the relation between Rényi entropy and Rényi information divergence of order alpha. In order to track the change of EBWs of a nonstationary random process, the IEBWs are defined on the nonnegative time-frequency distributions, which are constructed by the Copula theory.

RESULTS

We evaluate the IEBWs for a first order stationary auto-regressive (AR) process and three types of time-varying AR processes. The results show that the IEBWs proposed here properly represent a signal bandwidth. In practical application to PCGs, the proposed method was successful in extracting the information that the bandwidth of the innocent systolic murmur was much smaller than that of the abnormal systolic murmur.

CONCLUSIONS

We have defined new information theoretic EBWs and have proposed a novel method to track the change of the IEBWs. Some computer simulation showed effectiveness of the methods. Applying the IEBWs to PCGs, we could extract some features of a systolic murmur.

Meige syndrome with apraxia of lid opening after the discontinuation of sulpiride treatment

We report a case of Meige syndrome with apraxia of lid opening that lasted for about seven months after discontinuation of sulpiride treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating that Meige syndrome with apraxia of lid opening is induced by sulpiride, and that the condition persists.

High serum levels of additional IL-18 forms may be reciprocally correlated with IgE levels in patients with atopic dermatitis

We established an ELISA system for determination of as yet unidentified species of interleukin 18 (IL-18), named IL-18 type 2, in human serum. Serum IL-18 levels and their effect on IgE levels were examined in 18 patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) with no other allergic symptoms. Three of these patients showed high IL-18 type 2 concentrations (25-100 ng/ml) in their blood serum, and this IL-18 type 2 was detectable only with our established ELISA system. In contrast, the level of the conventional form of IL-18 (type 1) was found to be 50-400 pg/ml in all patients by the commercially available ELISA. The levels of type 1 IL-18 showed no correlation with those of type 2 and approximately 2-fold higher in AD patients than in normal subjects. IL-12 p40 and IgE levels were correlated in the patients with no IL-18 type 2, and interestingly, relatively low IgE concentrations were detected in the three IL-18 type 2-positive patients. They showed considerable levels of IL-12 p40 unlike normal subjects. The IFNgamma-inducing activity of IL-18 type 2 was >100-fold less potent by weight ratio than that of a recombinant 'active' IL-18 preparation, even after the treatment with Caspase 1. Although the relationship between AD and serum IgE levels is not clear cut, IL-18 type 2 appears to play some roles in the Th2-polarization involving IgE production in association with immune responses occurring in local inflammatory milieu such as atopic lesions.

Distribution of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase I beta 2 in the central nervous system of the rat

Recently, we reported the mRNA localization of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase I beta 2 isoform (CaMKIbeta2) in the mouse nervous system. In the present study, polyclonal antibody against CaMKIbeta2 was generated and used to investigate the distribution of the enzyme within the central nervous system of the rat. Interestingly some differences were observed between the enzyme localization and previous mRNA detection [J. Neurochem. 268 (1999) 26512]. The strongest expression of the enzyme was found in pontine nuclei. Immunopositive fibers could be traced through the middle cerebellar peduncle until they reached the cerebellum. Quite strong staining could also be observed in almost all of the neurons in the neocortex, hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus, brainstem and cerebellum, including the nuclei of the cranial nerves and Purkinje cell layer of the cerebellar cortex which was not clearly detected in the previous in situ hybridization study. In the spinal cord, CaMKIbeta2 could be detected in the gray matter with stronger expression in the dorsal horn. CaMKIbeta2 showed very strong nuclear localization but was also present in the cytoplasm of some neurons. Such localization suggests that CaMKIbeta2 may be involved in many neuronal functions in the central nervous system, including the possibility of important roles in nuclear signal transduction.

Interferon gamma-producing ability in blood lymphocytes of patients with lung cancer through activation of the innate immune system by BCG cell wall skeleton

An in vitro assay system was developed to assess the potency of the human innate immune system by measurement of IL-12, IL-18, IL-10 and IFNgamma in the supernatants of bacillus Calmette-Guerin cell wall skeleton (BCG-CWS)-stimulated blood samples. BCG-CWS is a ligand for Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and 4, and activates monocytes to macrophages (Mphi), and immature dendritic cells to mature antigen-presenting cells (APC). This system was found to allow the discrimination of immune suppressive states in patients with lung cancer from normal immune states in light of the cytokine profile. The following results were deduced from analyses of BCG-CWS-stimulated blood samples of lung cancer patients with reference to normal subjects. (1) The levels of production of IFNgamma and IL-10 by lymphocytes were decreased. (2) IL-12 p40 production by monocytes/Mphi was upregulated, while that of IL-10 was downregulated. (3) IL-18 was detected in all patients in a range similar to normal subjects. (4) Responses of lymphocytes to IL-2 and IL- 18 in terms of IFNgamma production were diminished. (5) The upregulated IL-12 levels were recovered to within the normal range in most patients after tumor resection. (6) Male patients showed more severe suppression of IL-12/IL-18-mediated IFNgamma production than female patients. Thus, the lesser IFNgamma production observed in patients' blood with high IL-12 p40 levels in response to BCG-CWS may reflect the production of p40 dimers or IL-23 instead of p70, or the presence of some unknown pathways to prohibit the interface between the innate and acquired immune systems. BCG-CWS-mediated Toll signaling may participate in IFNgamma induction for lymphocytes through Mphi/APC IL-12/I-18 modulation.

Distribution of IL-18 and IL-18 receptor in human skin: various forms of IL-18 are produced in keratinocytes

Human interleukin-18 (IL-18) enhances IL-12-mediated IFN-gamma production by lymphocytes and Fas/perforin-mediated cytolysis by NK cells. IL-18 is synthesized as a 24 kDa proform, and the proform is processed in the cytoplasm into an 18 kDa mature form. Active and precursor forms of IL-18 have been detected in immunocompetent cells, and active IL-18 exerts its functions through its receptor. We sought to determine which human skin cells are responsible for production of IL-18 and which express its receptor. Monoclonal antibodies against human IL-18 and polyclonal antibody against IL-18 receptor were provided for this analysis. Formalin-embedded and frozen sections of human epidermis were analyzed by immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence staining. IL-18 was detected in all living cell layers of the epidermis, hair follicles, arrectores pilorum, eccrine ducts and endothelial cells. IL-18 was localized in the cytoplasm of cells in living epidermal cell layers. In contrast, IL-18 receptor was mainly detected in keratinocytes and expressed in the cell periphery in living cell layers. Since keratinocytes were the main source of IL-18 and its receptor, cultured human keratinocytes were further analyzed by immunoblotting. IL-18 receptor was identified as an 80 kDa single band. The mature 18 kDa and precursor 24 kDa forms of IL-18 were detected by our monoclonal antibody (mAb) 21 and mAb 132, respectively, while only the 18 kDa form was detected by a commercial mAb, 125-2H. Cultured keratinocytes showed positive granular staining for IL-18 in the cytoplasm and positive staining for IL-18 receptor mainly in the cell periphery. Our findings indicate that mature IL-18, precursor IL-18 and IL-18 receptor are simultaneously expressed with different localizations by human epidermal keratinocytes. Keratinocytes might be activated by their own IL-18 in an autocrine or paracrine fashion.

An Alternative Form of IL-18 in Human Blood Plasma: Complex Formation with IgM Defined by Monoclonal Antibodies

Monoclonal Abs 21 and 132 were raised against human functionally inactive rIL-18, and plasma IL-18 levels were determined by the sandwich ELISA established with these mABS: Plasma IL-18, designated type 2, was detected by this ELISA, and the levels found were not consistent with those obtained with the commercially available kit for determination of functionally active IL-18 (type 1). Type 1 was detected in all volunteers, whereas type 2 was detected in approximately 30% of healthy subjects, and the levels of type 2 in their blood plasma were high (25-100 ng/ml) compared with those of type 1 (0.05-0.3 ng/ml). We purified IL-18 type 2 from blood plasma of volunteers with high IL-18 type 2 concentrations, and its M(r) was determined to be 800 kDa by SDS-PAGE and molecular sieve HPLC. The purified 800-kDa protein, either caspase-1-treated or untreated, expressed no or marginal IL-18 function in terms of potentiation of NK-mediated cytolysis and IFN-gamma induction, and it barely bound IL-18R-positive cells. N-terminal amino acid analysis indicated that the purified protein was IgM containing a minimal amount of IL-18 proform and its fragment. Again, the purified IgM from IL-18 type2-positive volunteers exhibited cross-reaction with mAb 21 against IL-18. This band was not detected with 125-2H, an mAb against functionally active IL-18. Hence, human IgM carries functionally inactive IL-18 forming a disulfide-bridged complex, and this IL-18 moiety is from 10- to 100-fold higher than the conventional type 1 IL-18 in blood circulation in approximately 30% normal subjects.

Human macrophages produce dimeric forms of IL-18 which can be detected with monoclonal antibodies specific for inactive IL-18

We established two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) which specifically recognize human 'functionally inactive' recombinant IL-18, and IL-18 protein polymorphism was examined using human monocytes and macrophages (M phi). In 6 day GM-CSF-treated M phi, an 'inactive' IL-18-recognizing mAb 21 detected the IL-18 proform (24 kDa) and a 48-kDa protein, which were gradually increased concomitant with maturation stage. Majority of the 24- and 48-kDa forms were barely detectable with other mAbs recognizing 'active' IL-18. No reagents including Toll stimulators up-regulated these IL-18 populations in M phi. The 21-recognizable IL-18 species were separated using an anion-exchanger column and their IFN gamma-inducing activity was assessed with human lymphocytes plus IL-12. Virtually no as yet known activity was detected with these IL-18 species. After processed with M phi proteases, an 18-kDa form was generated to express the IFN gamma-inducing activity, although the activity was far weaker than that of control 'active' IL-18. These observations suggested that large amounts of various IL-18 species are produced with monocyte-M phi differentiation and most of these IL-18 species are functionally 'inactive' in terms of the reported IL-18 function even after proteolytic 18-kDa conversion.

Complement activation in Mycoplasma fermentans-induced mycoplasma clearance from infected cells: probing of the organism with monoclonal antibodies against M161Ag

Mycoplasma fermentans, a cell wall-less prokaryote, is capable of infecting humans and has been suggested to serve as a cofactor in AIDS development. Recently, we discovered a novel lipoprotein with a molecular mass of 43 kDa originating from M. fermentans. This protein, named M161Ag, activated human complement via the alternative pathway and efficiently induced the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-12 in human peripheral blood monocytes. It is likely that M161Ag of M. fermentans affects the host immune system upon mycoplasma infection. In this study, we developed monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against M161Ag and examined the direct role of complement in M. fermentans infection using these MAbs as probes. M. fermentans was rapidly cleared from the surfaces of infected cells by human complement, but a low-grade infection persisted in human tumor cell lines. Mycoplasma particles remaining alive in host cells may cause recurrent infection, and liberated M161Ag may serve as a biological response modifier affecting both innate and acquired immunity.

A comparative analysis of the antigenic, structural, and functional properties of three different preparations of recombinant human interleukin-18

We compared the structural and functional properties of three recombinant human interleukin-18 (rIL-18) preparations, commercially available (Pep rIL-18) and prepared in our laboratory (active and inactive, according to their ability to potentiate IL-12-mediated interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma] induction in lymphocytes). All three preparations showed multimer formation on SDS-PAGE/immunoblotting using monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against the inactive form of rIL-18. In contrast, only the 18-kDa bands were recognized in each sample by mAb against the active form of rIL-18. The amounts of multimers and the 18-kDa moiety of Pep rIL-18 resembled those of the inactive rather than the active form. Likewise, the reaction profile of Pep rIL-18 toward mAb was very similar to that of inactive but not active rIL-18 on sandwich ELISA. Pep rIL-18 potentiated IFN-gamma-inducing activity together with IL-12, but its potency was 100-fold less than that of the active rIL-18, and excess doses were required for its activity. The inactive rIL-18 showed virtually no IFN-gamma-inducing ability, but when reduced and reconstituted, it inhibited the IFN-gamma-inducing activity of active rIL-18. These results suggest that there are two categories of recombinant IL-18 that are structurally, functionally, and antigenically different, and the mAb 125-2H and 21 can discriminate these two IL-18 populations by recognizing the epitopes specifically expressed on active and inactive IL-18, respectively.

[Cytoarchitectonic abnormality in the facial nucleus of the reeler mouse]

Reeler, an autosomal recessive mutant mouse, is characterized by ataxic gait and tremor. In this mutant, the cerebral and cerebellar cortices and hippocampus are cytoarchitectually disorganized: neuronal components are ectopically located in these laminated structures. Since reelin, the gene responsible for the reeler mutation, was discovered by D'Arcangelo et al. (Nature 374: 719-723, 1995), remarkable progress has occurred in this field. The reelin gene encodes an extracellular protein, Reelin, that is crucial for neuronal migration. During embryogenesis, reelin is expressed in the Cajal-Retzius cells in the cerebral cortex and in the outer granule cells in the cerebellar cortex. Although non-laminated structures such as facial nucleus, inferior olivary complex, and dorsal cochlear nucleus are also cytoarchitectually deranged in this mutant, only a few studies have been done to clarify the detailed abnormalities in these non-laminated structures. In this review, we focused on the cytoarchitectonic abnormality in the facial nucleus of the reeler mouse. The branchiomotor neurons in the facial nucleus are generated from the ventricular zone of the floor of the fourth ventricle, migrate ventrolaterally, and finally settle near the ventral surface of the hindbrain. Time schedules for the generation, axon formation and migration of facial motoneurons are similar both in the normal and reeler mice, but the reeler phenotype becomes identifiable at the end of neuronal migration. Although the reason why the facial nucleus is cytoarchitectually abnormal in the reeler mouse is still unknown, the long migration of the facial motoneurons seems to be susceptible to the absence of Reelin in the reeler mouse. In spite of the cytoarchitectual abnormality, retrograde horseradish peroxidase (HRP) study confirmed that the musculotopic arrangements within the facial nucleus of the reeler mouse are still preserved, suggesting that neuronal migration and target recognition are regulated independently. More recently, other reeler-like mutants have been reported. Among them, yotari and scrambler mice arise from mutations in mdab1, a mouse gene related to Drosophila gene disabled (dab). More than 10 years ago, an autosomal recessive rat mutant, shaking rat Kawasaki (SRK), was described that exhibits a phenotype identical to reeler, but the gene responsible for this rat mutation remains unknown. Interestingly, the facial nucleus is cytoarchitectually more deranged in yotari and SRK than their reeler counterpart. Although the reason why yotari exhibits a phenotype identical to reeler in the laminated structures but not in non-laminated structures such as the facial nucleus has remained obscure, mDab1 and Reelin proteins may function as signaling molecules in a different way between laminated and non-laminated structures. Phenotypes resembling that of reeler are seen with mutations in mdab1, cdk5 and p35. Cdk5 and p35 are respectively the catalytic and regulatory subunits of a serine/threonine kinase, that could potentially operate in a common signalling pathway with mDab and Reelin. These plausible partners for Reelin and mDab1 should help us to understand how the activities of these proteins coordinate neuronal migration and rearrangement.

How vertebrate and invertebrate visual pigments differ in their mechanism of photoactivation

In vertebrate visual pigments, a glutamic acid serves as a negative counterion to the positively charged chromophore, a protonated Schiff base of retinal. When photoisomerization leads to the Schiff base deprotonating, the anionic glutamic acid becomes protonated, forming a neutral species that activates the visual cascade. We show that in octopus rhodopsin, the glutamic acid has no anionic counterpart. Thus, the "counterion" is already neutral, so no protonated form of an initially anionic group needs to be created to activate. This helps to explain another observation-that the active photoproduct of octopus rhodopsin can be formed without its Schiff base deprotonating. In this sense, the mechanism of light activation of octopus rhodopsin is simpler than for vertebrates, because it eliminates one of the steps required for vertebrate rhodopsins to achieve their activating state.

A novel photointermediate of octopus rhodopsin activates its G-protein

The photointermediate of octopus rhodopsin responsible for G-protein activation was examined by a GTPgammaS-binding assay in a reconstituted system with purified rhodopsin and photoreceptor G-protein. When octopus rhodopsin alone was incubated in the dark after illumination, its ability to stimulate GTPgammaS-binding by the G-protein decreased in a time-dependent manner. We associate this decay with the decay of a novel photointermediate, transient acid metarhodopsin, which lies between mesorhodopsin and acid metarhodopsin. Spectroscopic evidence for its existence was suggested by its effects on the turbidity of the vesicles. These results suggest that the transient acid metarhodopsin, not the stable final photoproduct, acid metarhodopsin, activates a G-protein in octopus photoreceptors.

Structural and functional properties of complement-activating protein M161Ag, a Mycoplasma fermentans gene product that induces cytokine production by human monocytes

Human malignant cells are targeted by homologous complement C3b if they express M161Ag, a 43-kDa protein with C3-activating property. cDNA of M161Ag cloned from human leukemia cell lines predicted M161Ag as a novel secretory protein comprised of 428 amino acids including 5 amino acids encoded by TGA codons (Matsumoto M., Takeda, J., Inoue, N., Hara, T., Hatanaka, M., Takahashi, K., Nagasawa, S., Akedo, H., and Seya, T. (1997) Nat. Med. 3, 1266-1270), although the origin of this gene was obscure. Here we clarified this point through genomic and biochemical analysis: 1) 5'-UT and genomic sequences represented the prokaryote promoter and ribosomal binding site; 2) the TGA codons in M161Ag cDNA were translated not into selenocysteines but into tryptophans; 3) M161Ag anchored onto the membrane secondary to its N-terminal palmitoylation like prokaryote lipoproteins; 4) genomic and cDNA clones of M161Ag were highly homologous to Mycoplasma fermentans gene encoding P48, a monocytic differentiation/activation factor, recently released in the data base, although the resultant proteins were different in the amino acid sequences. Additionally, purified soluble M161Ag efficiently provoked IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and IL-6 like P48, and further IL-10 and IL-12 in human peripheral blood monocytes. Thus, M161Ag originates from M. fermentans, and latently infected M. fermentans allows human cells to produce M161Ag. The liberated protein serves as a potent modulator of innate and cellular immune responses via its complement-activating and cytokine-producing activities.

A novel rhodopsin kinase in octopus photoreceptor possesses a pleckstrin homology domain and is activated by G protein betagamma-subunits

G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) play an important role in stimulus-dependent receptor phosphorylation and desensitization of the receptors. Mammalian rhodopsin kinase (RK) and beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (betaARK) are the most studied members among known GRKs. In this work, we purified RK from octopus photoreceptors for the first time from invertebrate tissues. The molecular mass of the purified enzyme was 80 kDa as estimated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and this was 17 kDa larger than that of the vertebrate enzymes. Unlike vertebrate RK, octopus RK (ORK) was directly activated by betagamma-subunits of a photoreceptor G protein. We examined the effects of various known activators and inhibitors of GRKs on the activity of the purified ORK and found that their effects were different from those on either bovine RK or betaARK. To analyze the primary structure of the enzyme, we cloned the cDNA encoding ORK from an octopus retinal cDNA library. The deduced amino acid sequence of the cDNA was highly homologous to betaARK over the entire molecule, including a pleckstrin homology domain located in the C-terminal region, and homology to RK was significantly lower. Furthermore, Western blot analysis of various octopus tissues with an antibody against the purified ORK showed that ORK is expressed solely in the retina, which confirmed the identity of the enzyme as rhodopsin kinase. Thus, ORK appears to represent a unique subgroup in the GRK family, which is distinguished from vertebrate RK.

Inhibitory effect of betotastine besilate on antigen-induced airway eosinophil infiltration and peripheral blood eosinophilia in mice

Eosinophilic inflammations has been recognized as a characteristic of allergic diseases. The effect of betotastine besilate (betotastine, CAS 125602-71-3, TAU-284), a new potent antihistamine drug, on the model of eosinophilic inflammation which shows eosinophil infiltration into the airway and peripheral blood eosinophilia was examined. The mice sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) were challenged with aerosolized OVA 12 days after the first sensitization. One day after the challenge, the numbers of leukocytes and eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were increased and the increase lasted up to 10 days after the challenge. Additionally, peripheral blood eosinophilia was also observed and the change peaked on the third day after the challenge. Betotastine (10 mg/kg, b.i.d., p.o.) inhibited the increase of eosinophil number in BALF on the third day after the challenge and that in peripheral blood from 1 to 3 days after the challenge. These results suggest that betotastine is an effective drug against eosinophilic inflammation of allergic diseases.

Light-induced protein conformational changes in the photolysis of octopus rhodopsin

Light-induced protein conformational changes in the photolysis of octopus rhodopsin were measured with a highly sensitive time-resolved transient UV absorption spectrophotometer with nanosecond time resolution. A negative band around 280 nm in the lumirhodopsin minus rhodopsin spectra suggests that alteration of the environment of some of the tryptophan residues has taken place before the formation of lumirhodopsin. A small recovery of the absorbance at 280 nm was observed in the transformation of lumirhodopsin to mesorhodopsin. Kinetic parameters suggest that major conformational changes have taken place in the transformation of mesorhodopsin to acid metarhodopsin. In this transformation, drastic changes of amplitude and a shift of a difference absorption band around 280 nm take place, which suggest that some of the tryptophan residues of rhodopsin become exposed to a hydrophilic environment.

Identification of two palmitoyl groups in octopus rhodopsin

We determined the structure and site of fatty acid incorporated in octopus rhodopsin using a combination of fluorescence label and enzymatic cleavage methods in conjunction with fast-atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry. A single peptide containing two adjacent cysteines, Cys337 and Cys338, was successfully isolated using the fluorescence from a dye conjugated to Cys345. The FAB mass spectrometric analysis of the peptide (323Phe-340Phe) revealed that two palmitoyl groups are linked to Cys337 and Cys338 via thioester bonds in octopus rhodopsin as in bovine rhodopsin.

Simple purification and functional reconstitution of octopus photoreceptor Gq, which couples rhodopsin to phospholipase C

In invertebrate photoreceptors, illuminated rhodopsin activates multiple G proteins, which are assumed to initiate multiple phototransduction cascades. In this paper, we focused on one of the phototransduction cascades, which utilizes rhodopsin, a Gq-like G protein, and phospholipase C (PLC). A Gq-like G protein from octopus photoreceptors was successfully purified to apparent homogeneity as an active form by simple two-step chromatography. The purified G protein had an alpha beta gamma-trimeric structure consisting of 44-kDa alpha, 37-kDa beta, and 9-kDa gamma subunits. The 44-kDa alpha subunit was assigned to the Gq class by western blot with antiserum against mammalian Gq alpha and by partial amino acid sequencing of its proteolytic fragments. Light-dependent binding of GTP gamma S was observed when the purified octopus Gq was reconstituted with octopus rhodopsin that had been integrated into phospholipid vesicles. Octopus Gq activated PLC beta 1 purified from bovine brain dose-dependently in the presence of A1F4-. Finally, light- and GTP-dependent activation of PLC beta 1 was observed in a reconstitution system consisting of octopus rhodopsin, Gq, and bovine PLC beta 1.

Synaptic connection patterns between frog retinal ganglion cells and tectal neurons revealed by whole-cell recordings in vivo

The synaptic connections between frog retinal ganglion cells and tectal neurons were examined by whole-cell recordings in vivo combined with nystatin perforated patch-clamp technique and pulse-triggered averaging analysis. In five tectal neurons, monosynaptic EPSPs from seven R3 retinal ganglion cells were observed. One tectal neuron was found to receive EPSPs from both R1/2 and R3 retinal ganglion cell simultaneously. Thus we could provide the first evidence for convergence of multiple types of retinal axons upon a single tectal neuron.

GTP-binding protein couples with metabotropic glutamate receptor in bovine retinal on-bipolar cell

GTP-binding protein (G protein) linking to metabotropic glutamate receptor of bovine retinal on-bipolar cell was studied by use of pharmacologically selective ligands, 2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (APB) on bacterial toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation and GTP gamma S-binding. In contrast to the electrophysiological findings reported, G protein coupling to APB-sensitive glutamate receptor served as a substrate for pertussis toxin but did not for cholera toxin. Several glutamate analogues effective on on-bipolar cell, as well as APB, increased GTP gamma S binding to retinal membranes devoid of rod outer segments. The enhancement of GTP gamma S binding by APB was completely abolished when the membranes were pretreated with pertussis toxin and NAD. These results suggest that, in retinal on-bipolar cell, the G protein which couples metabotropic glutamate receptor to hyperpolarizing response of the cell is sensitive to pertussis toxin.

Superoxide dismutase and glutathione in the gastric mucosa of patients with chronic liver disease

The total activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and the tissue content of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and lipoperoxides in the gastric mucosa were determined in patients with chronic liver disease and in healthy controls. The mean levels of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase in liver cirrhosis and in hepatocellular carcinoma with cirrhosis were significantly reduced compared to controls (32.0 +/- 4.4, and 35.8 +/- 2.2, vs 44.6 +/- 2.2 ng/mg protein, p < 0.01). Mucosal levels of glutathione were significantly lower in chronic active hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma with cirrhosis than in controls (9.7 +/- 2.1, 8.9 +/- 2.3, and 11.0 +/- 3.4, vs 23.6 +/- 4.7 nmol/mg protein, p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences between chronic liver disease and controls in the activity of gastric superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Gastric lipoperoxide concentrations were significantly higher in chronic active hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma with cirrhosis than in controls (0.56 +/- 0.07, 0.50 +/- 0.12, 0.50 +/- 0.05 vs 0.18 +/- 0.03 nmol/mg protein, p < 0.05). These results suggest that the concentrations of gastric mucosal antioxidants were decreased in chronic liver disease, and that these changes may be responsible for the higher frequency of gastric mucosal lesions observed in patients with chronic liver disease.

Activation of nucleoside diphosphate kinase by mastoparan, a peptide isolated from wasp venom

We have previously reported that GDP-bound alpha beta gamma-trimeric GTP-binding (G) proteins can be converted into the active GTP-bound form with nucleoside diphosphate (NDP) kinase and ATP, although its exact activation mechanism still remains to be resolved. In the present study, we investigated whether NDP kinase activity was modified by mastoparan, a wasp venom peptide that is known to activate G proteins as an agonist-receptor complex. The activity of NDP kinase measured by the formation of GTP from ATP and GDP was markedly stimulated, when the kinase was incubated with mastoparan. The concentration of mastoparan required for the activation was much lower than that observed for the peptide-induced activation of G proteins under similar assay conditions. There was also an increase in the phosphorylated intermediate of NDP kinase as well as the catalytic activity upon its incubation with mastoparan. These results suggest that mastoparan not only activates G proteins directly via guanine nucleotide exchange reaction but also stimulates NDP kinase activity.

Turbulence in the canine ascending aorta and the blood pressure

Turbulent velocity fluctuations were measured and analyzed in the canine ascending aorta using a hot-film anemometer. Blood flow rate and temperature were stabilized using a special bypass technique. Blood pressure was elevated by Methoxamine infusion. Turbulence components were extracted from measured data using an ensemble averaging technique. Turbulence intensity correlated best with blood flow rate although the variance was relatively large, especially when the blood flow velocity was high. When pooled data were grouped into subclasses using peak aortic flow velocity as the criteria, turbulence intensity correlated well with aortic systolic blood pressure in each of the subclasses. Spectral bandwidth correlated with aortic pressure in the same manner. In summary, turbulence in the aorta developed when blood pressure was high. Both an increase of turbulence intensity and an widening of turbulence spectra may be ascribed to a stiffening of the aortic wall due to an elevation of blood pressure.

Conversion of GDP into GTP by nucleoside diphosphate kinase on the GTP-binding proteins

A direct interaction of alpha beta gamma trimeric GTP binding proteins (G proteins; G0 and Gs) with nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDP kinase) was investigated with homogeneously purified proteins. There was a progressive release of 32Pi from [gamma-32P]ATP when GDP-bound G0 was incubated together with NDP kinase. The Pi release induced by the interaction of G0 with NDP kinase was not accompanied by the dissociation of GDP bound to the alpha-subunit of G0. This was a sharp contrast to G protein-catalyzed GTP hydrolysis observed with GTP as the substrate; the dissociation of bound GDP was essentially required for the following binding of the substrate, GTP, to be hydrolyzed. A kinetic analysis displayed different properties for the substrate of NDP kinase between free GDP and G protein-bound GDP. NDP kinase-dependent phosphorylation of GDP on G0 was indeed demonstrated with adenosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate as the phosphate donor; there was a formation of guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate-bound G0 from the ATP analogue. Moreover, purified Gs was readily ADP-ribosylated by cholera toxin in the presence of NDP kinase, ATP, and an ADP-ribosylation factor, also suggesting that the nucleotide form on Gs was certainly GTP. These results indicate that NDP kinase can transfer the gamma-phosphate of ATP directly to GDP bound to G proteins and that this phosphorylation results in the activation of the signal-coupling proteins. A possible role of the new activation mechanism of G proteins is discussed in comparison with the previously characterized GDP-GTP exchange pathway by the agonist-receptor complex.

Identification of sites for alkylation by N-ethylmaleimide and pertussis toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation on GTP-binding proteins

An alpha beta gamma-trimeric GTP-binding protein (Go) serving as the substrate of pertussis toxin-(IAP) catalyzed ADP-ribosylation was purified from rat brain membranes. The constituent alpha-subunit (alpha o) was alkylated with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), and the functionally important sulfhydryl groups were investigated. There were at least two cysteine residues highly reactive to NEM on the GDP-bound form of alpha o. These alkylations resulted in loss of its ability to be ADP-ribosylated by IAP and to associate with beta gamma, but leaving the GTP-binding site of alpha o intact. The reacted cysteine residues were identified by the sequencing of tryptic fragments of alpha o. One of the alkylation sites was Cys-351, which was four amino acid residues away from the carboxyl-terminus of the molecule. The Cys-351 was proven to be also a site for IAP-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation. Possible roles of cysteine residues on the alpha-subunit of Go are discussed in the functions of the signal transducing protein.

Esterification of chiral secondary alcohols with fatty acid in organic solvents by polyethylene glycol-modified lipase

Lipase from Pseudomonas fragi 22.39B was modified with polyethylene glycol. The modified lipase (PEG-lipase) was soluble and active in organic solvents such as benzene and 1,1,1-trichloroethane. PEG-lipase catalyzed esterification of chiral secondary alcohols with fatty acids in benzene and exhibited preference for R isomers over S isomers. Km and Vmax values for each isomer of various alcohols were obtained by kinetic study of the esterification in benzene. PEG-lipase-catalyzed esterification leads to optical resolution of a racemic alcohol.

Purification of GTP-binding proteins from bovine brain membranes. Identification of heterogeneity of the alpha-subunit of Go proteins

Using high-resolution Mono Q column chromatography, we purified 6 distinct peaks of GTP-binding proteins from bovine brain membranes. Five of them consisted of 3 polypeptides with alpha beta gamma-subunits and served as the substrate of islet-activating protein (IAP), pertussis toxin. The other one was purified as alpha-subunit alone and was also ADP-ribosylated by IAP in the presence of beta gamma-subunits. When each alpha-subunit was characterized by immunoblot analysis using various antibodies with defined specificity, the two of them were identified as Gi-1 and Gi-2, and other 4 appeared to be Go or Go-like G proteins. The alpha-subunits of immunologically Go-like proteins were apparently distinguishable from one another on elution profiles from the Mono Q column. Thus, there was a heterogeneity of the alpha-subunit of Go in the brain membranes.