A wide-range phylogenetic analysis of Zic proteins: Implications for correlations between protein structure conservation and body plan complexity

We compared Zic homologues from a wide range of animals. Striking conservation was found in the zinc finger domains, in which an exon-intron boundary has been kept in all bilateralians but not cnidarians, suggesting that all of the bilateralian Zic genes are derived from a single gene in a bilateralian ancestor. There were additional conserved amino acid sequences, ZOC and ZF-NC. Combined analysis of the zinc finger, ZOC, and ZF-NC revealed the presence of two classes of Zic, based on the degree of protein structure conservation. The "conserved" class includes Zic proteins from the Arthropoda, Mollusca, Annelida, Echinodermata, and Chordata (vertebrates and cephalochordates), whereas the "diverged" class contains those from the Platyhelminthes, Cnidaria, Nematoda, and Chordata (urochordates). The result indicates that the ancestral bilateralian Zic protein had already acquired an entire set of conserved domains, but that this was lost and diverged in the platyhelminthes, nematodes, and urochordates.

Development of a,b-plane-oriented hydroxyapatite ceramics as models for living bones and their cell adhesion behavior

In vertebrate bones and tooth enamel surfaces, the respective a,b-planes and c-planes of hydroxyapatite (HAp) crystals are preferentially exposed. However, the reason why the HAp crystals show different orientations depending on the type of hard tissues is not yet understood. To clarify this question, appropriate ceramic models with highly preferred orientation are necessary. In the present study, dense HAp ceramic models which have the same orientation as living bones were fabricated using composite powders of c-axis-oriented single-crystal apatite fibers (AF) and wet-synthesized apatite gels (AG). The results of crystalline identification and ultrastructural observation showed that the resulting HAp ceramics maintained the c-axis orientation of the AF particles, and their high a,b-plane orientation degrees could be maintained with small additive amounts of AG; however, when the AG content was over 30 mass%, this value decreased. The influence of orientation degree on the surface characteristics was investigated by evaluating the surface zeta-potential and wettability. These results show that increasing the a,b-plane orientation degree shifted the surface charge from negative to positive, and decreased the surface wettability. Initial cell-attachment assays were performed on these resulting ceramics using MC3T3-E1 cells as models of osteoblasts. The results show that the cell-attachment efficiency decreased with increasing a,b-plane orientation degree.

Molecular evolution and diversification of snake toxin genes, revealed by analysis of intron sequences

The genes encoding erabutoxin (short chain neurotoxin) isoforms (Ea, Eb, and Ec), LsIII (long chain neurotoxin) and a novel long chain neurotoxin pseudogene were cloned from a Laticauda semifasciata genomic library. Short and long chain neurotoxin genes were also cloned from the genome of Laticauda laticaudata, a closely related species of L. semifasciata, by PCR. A putative matrix attached region (MAR) sequence was found in the intron I of the LsIII gene. Comparative analysis of 11 structurally relevant snake toxin genes (three-finger-structure toxins) revealed the molecular evolution of these toxins. Three-finger-structure toxin genes diverged from a common ancestor through two types of evolutionary pathways (long and short types), early in the course of evolution. At a later stage of evolution in each gene, the accumulation of mutations in the exons, especially exon II, by accelerated evolution may have caused the increased diversification in their functions. It was also revealed that the putative MAR sequence found in the LsIII gene was integrated into the gene after the species-level divergence.

Xenopus Zic4: Conservation and diversification of expression profiles and protein function among theXenopus Zicfamily

We compared the expression and function of Xenopus Zic4 with those of the other four Xenopus laevis Zic family members (Zic1, Zic2, Zic3, and Zic5). Zic4 expression was detected mainly in the neural plate border, dorsal neural tube, and somites, and was similar to that of Zic1, which is adjacent to Zic4 on the same chromosome. Injection of wild-type or mutant Zic4 RNA caused the induction of neural crest marker gene expression, hyperplastic neural tissue, and ectopic pigment cell formation, indicating that Zic4 can induce neural and neural crest tissue, as can other Xenopus Zic genes. Deletion analysis showed that the zinc-finger domain is critical for many Zic4 functions, but the C-terminal region is differently involved in induction of two neural crest markers, Slug and Sox10. The protein function as determined by the animal cap explant assay was similar to that of Zic5, but different from those of Zic1, Zic2, and Zic3, suggesting that Xenopus Zic genes can be divided into two groups based on function. These results indicate that the five Xenopus Zic genes cooperatively regulate both neural and neural crest development, despite significantly diverged expression profiles and functions.

Calcium treatment of essential hypertension in elderly patients evaluated by 24 H monitoring

We used 24-h monitoring of blood pressure (BP) to evaluate the effect of calcium supplementation on mild to moderate essential hypertension in elderly hospitalized patients for the first time in a controlled crossover study. The mean systolic and diastolic BP over a period of 24 h declined by 13.6 mm Hg (P less than .005) and 5.0 mm Hg (P less than .05) respectively in patients whose diet was supplemented with 1 g of elemental calcium in the form of oystershell electrolysate (AA calcium). Serum ionized calcium and urinary calcium and sodium excretion increased (serum Ca2+ 0.16 +/- 0.03 mEq/L, P less than .05; FECa 0.5 +/- 0.2%, P less than .05; FENa 0.4 +/- 0.1%, P less than .05) and plasma parathyroid hormone was suppressed (12.2 +/- 2.3 pg/mL, P less than .005). These data suggest that supplementation of dietary calcium may contribute to a reduction of BP in elderly patients with essential hypertension.

Nucleotide sequence of phospholipase A(2) gene expressed in snake pancreas reveals the molecular evolution of toxic phospholipase A(2) genes

We have cloned two phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) DNA complementary to RNA that contained nucleotide sequences encoding pancreas loop by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction cloning procedure using messenger RNA isolated from Laticauda semifasciata pancreas. Additionally, a gene clone encoding PLA(2) with the pancreatic loop sequence was isolated from a L. semifasciata genomic library. Subsequent sequence analysis revealed that PLA(2) clones encoding group IB" PLA(2). Comparative analysis of group IA and IB" PLA(2) genes revealed that the exon-intron organization is conserved in the genes of both groups. The invaded sequences in the second intron were very similar to those of the L. semifasciata group IA gene. This observation suggested that the integration of the invaded sequences occurred before the divergence of groups IA and IB" during the evolution of PLA(2) gene. The comparative analysis revealed that the arising of group IA PLA(2) occurred by the deletion and substitution of nucleotide sequences in exon III region during the process of accelerated evolution.

A comparative analysis of invaded sequences from group IA phospholipase A(2) genes provides evidence about the divergence period of genes groups and snake families

Two phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) genes classified into group IA were cloned from the genomic library of the sea snake Laticauda semifasciata. Eight clones were obtained by PCR cloning procedure from genomic DNA of Laticauda laticaudata (four clones) and Laticauda colubrina (four clones). The genes were 3.6-4.4kbp in length. Intron and exon organization of the group IA PLA(2) genes was the same as that of Naja sputatrix group IA PLA(2) genes (four exons and three introns). There were two kinds of repetitive sequences in the first and second introns of all sequenced PLA(2) genes. The differences in the length of these genes were derived from the length of their repetitive sequences. The chicken repeat-1 (CR1)-like long interspersed repeated DNA (LINE) sequences, different from the above repetitive sequences, were also found in all sequenced Laticauda PLA(2) genes. A comparative analysis of groups IA, IA' and IIA PLA(2)s genes suggests a period of CR1-like LINE integration during molecular and family evolution. The integration of CR1-like LINE into PLA(2) genes occurred after the divergence of groups I and II PLA(2)s but before the divergence of groups, IA and IA' PLA(2)s. These integration events occurred before the family divergence of Naja and Laticauda. The presence of CR1-like LINE and a comparison of intron and exon organization showed that the divergence of Naja and Bungarus occurred before the divergence of Laticauda and Naja.

Molecular evolution of toxin genes in Elapidae snakes

The venom of the sea krait, Laticauda semifasciata, consists primarily of two toxic proteins, phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) and a three-finger-structure toxin. We have cloned both toxic protein genes, including the upstream region. PLA(2) genes contain three types of inserted sequences: an AG-rich region, a chicken repeat 1-like long interspersed nucleotide element sequence and an intron II 3' side repeat sequence. The molecular divergence of L. semifasciata PLA(2) genes was defined on the basis of the inserted sequences and their sequence homology. The length of intron I in the three-finger-structure toxin genes differs from species to species. The alignment analysis of intron I of the three-finger-structure toxin genes revealed that the intron I sequence of the ancestral gene comprised ten genetic regions. A hypothetical evolutionary process for the three-finger-structure toxin genes has also been developed.

Parathyroid hormone degradation by chymotrypsin-like endopeptidase in the opossum kidney cell

Cathepsin-D has been previously reported to cleave intact PTH into PTH-(1-34) and -(35-84) in membranous fractions of rat and bovine kidney. Whether PTH degradation occurs by intact kidney cells, however, has not been examined in detail. We have, therefore, examined this possibility using an opossum kidney (OK) cell line which possesses the characteristics of proximal renal tubules and responds to PTH. PTH radioimmunoreactivity recovered in trichloroacetic acid-soluble products and in fractions eluted from reverse phase HPLC was measured using an antibody directed to the midregion and C-terminus of PTH. In this study, intact OK cells, but not extracellular enzymes, cleaved human (h) PTH-(1-84) into three discrete fragments which were released into the medium in a time- and temperature-dependent fashion. Half-maximal velocity of PTH-degrading activity (PTHDA) was observed at 9 nM hPTH-(1-84). A 1000-fold molar excess of PTH antagonists [hPTH-(3-34) and [Tyr34]hPTH-(7-34)amide] markedly inhibited PTHDA, whereas ACTH, glucagon, or big gastrin did not suppress it, suggesting an involvement of the PTH receptor in PTHDA. This PTHDA was strongly inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride and chymostatin, but not by trypsin inhibitor, elastatinal, or inhibitors of aspartic, cysteine, or metalloproteinases, suggesting that it is due to a seryl chymotrypsin-like endopeptidase. Analysis of chymotrypsin-digested products of hPTH-(1-84) eluted from HPLC exhibited five fragments detected by UV absorbance (210 nm), three of which were measurable by PTH RIA, and each corresponded to the three PTH fragments produced by OK cells. All three fragments were predominantly suppressed in the presence of chymostatin, suggesting that chymotrypsin-like activity is solely responsible for PTHDA in intact OK cells. To further explore the cleavage sites of PTH by chymotrypsin, amino acid analysis of chymotrypsin-cleaved products was performed. The results strongly support the conclusion that a chymotrypsin-like enzyme in OK cells cleaved the hormone between residues 23-24, and 34-35 to produce, at least, hPTH-(24-84) and -(35-84). Lysosomal blockers (chloroquine, ammonium chloride, or monensin) did not affect this PTHDA. Our present study indicates that chymotrypsin-like endopeptidase, but not other endopeptidase or lysosomal enzymes, is responsible for the limited hydrolysis of PTH by intact OK cells.

Complete nucleotide sequences of cDNAs encoding long chain alpha-neurotoxins from sea krait, Laticauda semifasciata

This paper presents the nucleotide sequences of the cDNAs encoding two long chain alpha-neurotoxins from Laticauda semifasciata venom gland. The deduced amino acid sequences are Ls-III and its iso-neurotoxin.

Topographical analyses of proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts in micro- and macropores of apatite-fiber scaffold

A variety of calcium phosphates have been used for bone tissue-engineering applications. We developed porous hydroxyapatite (HAp) ceramics by firing green compacts consisting of spherical carbon beads and HAp fiber. The apatite-fiber scaffold (AFS) forms a three-dimensional network of fibers with two different pore sizes (micro- and macropores). In this study, we investigated cell distribution and fine cell structure in AFS by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Osteoblastic cells were permeated homogenously throughout the scaffold under static culture conditions and grew three-dimensionally in macropores of AFS. Cells penetrated into micropores when they were capable of cell-cell formations. Cell proliferation and differentiation were also evaluated by biochemical and molecular biological approaches. The expression levels of early-phase osteogenic genes in AFS increased immediately, and those of middle-phase genes were maintained during the 2-week study period. Furthermore, the expression of late-phase markers increased gradually during the incubation period. These data indicate that macropores provide sufficient space for cell growth and proliferation and that micropores facilitate cell differentiation via cell-cell networks. This study provides evidence for the effectiveness of three-dimensional culture systems comprising AFS, which mimics the microenvironment of bone cells.

Comparative analysis of gene expression mechanisms between group IA and IB phospholipase A2 genes from sea snake Laticauda semifasciata

Phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) genes expressed in the venom glands of the sea snake, Laticauda semifasciata, were investigated. Both mRNAs, encoding group IA (without a pancreatic loop) and group IB (with pancreatic loop), were detected from venom glands by Northern blot hybridization analysis and RT-PCR. The results of quantitative PCR analysis indicated that the expression amount of group IA genes was around 100-300 times greater than that of group IB genes. Sequence analysis of 5'-upstream regions and a reporter gene assay of the genes (groups IA and IB) previously cloned showed that the functional sequence (411 bp) was inserted in the 5'-flanking region of the group IA PLA(2) genes. It seemed that the contribution of the inserted sequence to the amount of transcribed mRNAs was greater than that of number of genes present in the genome. Comparative analysis of the 5'-flanking sequences from several snake genes encoding toxic PLA(2)s revealed that this sequence was probably inserted into an ancestral gene of PLA(2) with a pancreatic loop. After the duplication of the gene, which contained the inserted sequence, the PLA(2) gene without a pancreatic loop evolved from one of the duplicate genes. This inserted sequence might determine the future of the genes expressed in the venom glands.

Alpha-1 antichymotrypsin is involved in astrocyte injury in concert with arginine-vasopressin during the development of acute hepatic encephalopathy

Background and aims

We developed a bio-artificial liver (BAL) using a radial-flow bioreactor and rescued mini-pig models with lethal acute liver failure (ALF). The point of the rescue is the recovery from hepatic encephalopathy (HE). HE on ALF has sometimes resulted in brain death following brain edema with astrocyte swelling. Several factors, including ammonia and glutamine, have been reported to induce astrocyte swelling and injury. However, many clinicians believe that there are any other factors involved in the development of HE. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify novel HE-inducible factors, particularly those inducing astrocyte dysfunction.

Methods

Mini-pig plasma samples were collected at three time points: before the administration of toxins (α-amanitin and LPS), when HE occurred after the administration of toxins, and after treatment with extracorporeal circulation (EC) by the BAL. To identify the causative factors of HE, each plasma sample was subjected to a comparative proteome analysis with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. To assess the direct effects of candidate factors on the astrocyte function and injury, in vitro experiments with human astrocytes were performed.

Results

Using a proteome analysis, we identified alpha-1 antichymotrypsin (ACT), which was increased in plasma samples from mini-pigs with HE and decreased in those after treatment with EC by BAL. In in vitro experiments with human astrocytes, ACT showed growth-inhibitory and cytotoxic effects on astrocytes. In addition, the expression of water channel protein aquaporin-4, which is induced in injured astrocytes, was increased following ACT treatment. Interestingly, these effects of ACT were additively enhanced by adding arginine-vasopressin (AVP) and were canceled by adding an AVP receptor antagonist.

Conclusions

These results suggest that ACT is involved in astrocyte injury and dysfunction in concert with AVP during the development of acute HE.

Direct inhibitory effect of amino-terminal parathyroid hormone fragment [PTH(1-34)] on PTH secretion from bovine parathyroid primary cultured cells in vitro

We have examined the possibility of direct inhibitory effect of PTH(1-34) on PTH secretion in bovine parathyroid cells. As low as 10(-12) M PTH(1-34) completely inhibited low calcium (0.5 mM Ca2+)-stimulated PTH secretion by these cells. In the presence of 1.25 mM Ca2+, 10(-12) M PTH(1-34) inhibited PTH secretion by about 14.3% of the basal value, while 10(-11) M or higher concentration of PTH(1-34) showed potent inhibitory effects equivalent to the inhibitory action of high calcium concentration (2.5 mM Ca2+) on PTH secretion. At 2.5 mM Ca2+, as much as 10(-9) M PTH(1-34) failed to inhibit PTH secretion further. These results suggest that PTH(1-34) might directly, not via calcium concentration, inhibit PTH secretion by parathyroid cells and that a cooperative mechanism could exist between calcium and PTH(1-34) to inhibit PTH secretion.

Proline Decreases the Suppressive Effect of Histidine on Food Intake and Fat Accumulation

We recently suggested that proline might decrease the suppressive effect of histidine on food intake. Our purpose in the present study was to investigate the influence of proline on the suppressive effect of histidine on food intake and accumulation of body fat. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups and allowed free access to the following diets for 3 wk: control (C), 5% proline (P), 5% histidine (H), or 5% histidine plus 10% proline (HP) diets. Food intake for 7 d and retroperitoneal fat tissue weight at the end of the experimental period of the HP diet group were greater than those of the H diet group, whereas no significant difference existed between the HP diet group and the C diet group. Our results indicate that proline inhibits the influence of histidine on food intake and accumulation of body fat.

Degrading activity for human parathyroid hormone [PTH-(1-84)] in rat osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cell line UMR106

The degrading activity for human parathyroid hormone [hPTH-(1-84)] was studied in a rat osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cell line UMR106. At 37 C,UMR106 cells degraded hPTH-(1-84) into fragments in a time-dependent manner, which was shown by a radioimmunoassay with the use of antibody recognizing the C-terminal and middle regions of PTH molecule, whereas the degradation was completely suppressed at 4 C and failed to occur in the absence of the cells. The Lineweaver-Burk plot of this degrading activity at 37 C showed a fairly good linearity and gave a Km value of 5.1 X 10(-7) M. Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of immunoreactive PTH fragments in the medium disclosed two peaks aside from intact PTH, indicating a limited PTH-hydrolyzing activity of UMR106 cells cleaving the molecule between at least two separate positions. This study suggests the possible involvement of osteoblasts on the metabolism of intact PTH.

Possible involvement of protein kinase C in parathyroid hormone degradation by osteoblast-like rat osteosarcoma cell line UMR106

The effects of 12-O-tetraadecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-glycerol (OAG), and 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7) on the parathyroid hormone (PTH) degrading activity in a PTH-responsive osteoblast-like rat osteosarcoma cell line UMR106 were investigated to assess the role of Ca2+-activated. Phospholipid dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) on the degradation of hormones. TPA and OAG, activators of protein kinase C, enhanced the PTH degrading activity dose-dependently, whereas H-7, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition on this activity. These data suggest that protein kinase C activation may enhance PTH degrading activity by UMR106 cells as a possible regulator of PTH degradation.

Parathyroid hormone degradation by chymotrypsin-like endopeptidase in the clonal osteogenic UMR-106 cell

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) -degrading activity was studied using osteoblast-like UMR-106 cells. PTH-degrading activity was assessed by the amount of PTH fragments produced in the medium after exposure of intact human PTH-(1-84) to UMR-106 cells. PTH immunoreactivity recovered in trichloroacetic acid-soluble products of the medium and in fractions eluted from reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was measured by radioimmunoassay using an antibody specific for the mid-region and C-terminus of PTH. In this study, intact UMR-106 cells but not extracellular enzymes cleaved human PTH(1-84) into fragments which were released into the medium (in a time- and temperature-dependent fashion). HPLC analysis of the PTH fragments depicted three immunoreactive peaks (peaks 1, 2 and 3) besides intact PTH, indicating a limited PTH-hydrolyzing activity of the cells. Furthermore, a 1000-fold molar excess of either hPTH-(3-34) or [Nle8,Nle18,Tyr34]hPTH-(3-34)amide inhibited PTH-degrading activity by 63% and 80% of control, respectively, whereas neither calcitonin, vasopressin nor growth hormone suppressed it. Additionally, HPLC analysis of the samples treated with [Nle8,Nle18,Tyr34]hPTH-(3-34)amide showed a reduction of the three peaks, suggesting an involvement of PTH receptor in the production of PTH fragments. This PTH-degrading activity was strongly inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and chymostatin, but not by soybean trypsin inhibitor, elastatinal or inhibitors of cysteine, aspartic or metalloproteinases, indicating that it is due to a seryl chymotrypsin-like endopeptidase. Chymotrypsin-like activity seems to be solely responsible for PTH-degrading activity in intact UMR-106 cells, since all three PTH fragments were predominantly suppressed in the presence of chymostatin. Further analysis of chymotrypsin-digested products of hPTH-(1-84) eluted from HPLC exhibited five fragments detected by ultraviolet absorbance at 210 nm, three of which were measurable by PTH radioimmunoassay, each corresponding to the three PTH fragments produced by UMR-106 cells. To explore the cleavage sites of PTH further, amino acid analysis of chymotrypsin-cleaved products was performed. The results strongly support the view that the chymotrypsin-like enzyme in UMR-106 cells cleaved the hormone between residues 23-24 and 34-35, to produce, at least, hPTH-(24-84) and -(35-84). Our present study indicates that a chymotrypsin-like endopeptidase is solely responsible for limited hydrolysis of PTH by intact UMR-106 cells.

Gene Expression and Histochemical Analyses in the Fatty Livers of Rats Fed a Histidine-Excess Diet

Triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol accumulation are known to occur in the liver of rats fed a histidine-excess (5%) diet, but there are few studies reporting histochemical and molecular biological analyses of the rat liver. The aim of this study was to elucidate the molecular basis of this lipid-accumulation mechanism. Lipid accumulations, tissue section images, and gene expression levels were compared in the livers of rats fed a control or histidine-excess diet for 5 wk (n=8/group). Serum levels of TGs, free fatty acids, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, albumin, and the enzyme activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were also analyzed. In the livers of rats fed a histidine-excess diet, histochemical analyses showed what appeared to be a preliminary stage of nonalcoholic fatty liver, characterized by lipid accumulation around the central vein area and minor fibrosis. However, there were no changes in serum TG or free fatty acid levels. Quantitative PCR analyses showed the up-regulation of FAT/CD36, which is related to the uptake of fatty acids into cells, and the downregulation of two apolipoprotein genes, ApoC3 and ApoE. The mRNA levels of PPARγ, LXRα, and AMPKα in the liver were also reduced by excess histidine intake. The results of this study suggest that steatosis caused by excess histidine intake may be the result of an imbalance between lipid transport from the liver and the uptake of free fatty acids into hepatocytes.

The coordinated action of lecithin:retinol acyltransferase and cellular retinol-binding proteins for regulation of vitamin A esterification

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin required for many physiological functions. The intracellular transport of vitamin A is assisted by proteins called cellular retinol-binding proteins (CRBP I/II). The absorption, storage and usage of vitamin A are regulated by a protein called lecithin:retinol acyltransferase (LRAT), a retinol-related enzyme that transfers an acyl group derived from an sn-1 position of phosphatidylcholine to retinol. LRAT is a member of the protein family which includes HRAS-like tumor suppressors (HRASLS). However, the HRASLS proteins never use retinol as an acyl acceptor. The mechanisms underlying the different substrate specificities between LRAT and HRASLS proteins are unknown. We propose in this report that LRAT physically interacts with CRBP and the LRAT-CRBP complex represents the binding pockets for both an acyl group and retinol, thus assuring the substrate specificity of LRAT.

Xanthogranuloma of the rectum

A 46-year-old man with a suspected malignant submucosal tumor received a transabdominoperineal rectal amputation. The histologic diagnosis was xanthogranuloma. The differentiation of xanthogranuloma from malignant fibrous histiocytoma and other histiocytic tumors is difficult in the preoperative stage. Malignant fibrous histiocytoma can be diagnosed histologically by the presence of pleomorphism, mitotic activity, hyperchromatism, and a storiform pattern of cell arrangement. Moreover, some xanthogranulomas are also thought to have malignant potentiality and surgical resection is regarded as the preferred treatment. As for prognosis, the patient has lived for three years after the operation but further follow-up is thought to be necessary.

Investigation of the effects of urea cycle amino acids on the expression of ALB and CEBPB in the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line FLC-4

Cell lines are powerful tools for research into liver function at the molecular level. However, they are generally unsuitable for rigorously assessing the effects of amino acid composition, because many lines require serum-containing medium for their maintenance. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of ornithine and arginine, which are included in the characteristic metabolic process in hepatocyte, on a human hepatoma-derived cell line (FLC-4) that can be cultured in serum-free medium. FLC-4 cells were cultured under the following three conditions: + ornithine/ – arginine, – ornithine/ – arginine, and –ornithine/ + arginine. Albumin expression evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and showed no obvious differences based on the presence of ornithine or arginine. However, the mRNA levels of two liver-enriched transcription factors (CEBPB and HNF1A), which are involved in regulating albumin expression, were significantly higher in cells grown in medium-containing arginine than that in cells grown in ornithine-containing medium. Western blotting showed that the levels both activating and inhibitory C/EBPβ isoforms were significantly increased in cells grown in arginine medium. Furthermore, we have found that depletion of both ornithine and arginine, the polyamine sources, in the medium did not cause polyamine deficiency. When ornithine and arginine were depleted, albumin production was significantly reduced at the mRNA level, CEBPB mRNA levels were increased, and the level of activating form of C/EBPβ was increased. The results of this study suggest that in hepatocyte, these two amino acids might have different functions, and because of which they elicit disparate cellular responses.

Solubility Properties of a 65-kDa Peptide Prepared by Restricted Digestion of Myosin with Astacin-like Squid Metalloprotease

Substructure of the myosin rod and its correlation to filament formation is largely based on studies of proteolytic digests and expressed proteins. However, tryptic digestion of myosin always produces polymorphous peptides. Consequently, it is difficult to determine the relation between myosin substructure and filament formation. Similarly, filament formation with recombinant myosin protein is also difficult to interpret because it is never clear whether the recombinant protein folds like the native protein. We recently reported a novel metal protease isolated from squid liver, astacin-like squid metalloprotease (ALSM), which can specifically hydrolyze in vitro myosin heavy chain. In the present study, we examined the solubility properties of the 65-kDa peptide and light meromyosin (LMM) prepared by ALSM isoform II and trypsin digestion, respectively. The 65-kDa peptide is much less soluble than LMM under physiological conditions, even though the length of 65-kDa peptide is shorter than that of LMM. These results suggest that a novel substructure of myosin drives filament assembly.