Phenotypic instability of transgenic tobacco plants and their progenies expressing Arabidopsis thaliana small GTP-binding protein genes

Chimeric genes consisting of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter, a cDNA encoding a small GTP-binding protein from Arabidopsis thaliana (ara-2 or ara-4) and the terminator of the nopaline synthase gene were cloned into a binary vector. Tobacco leaf tissues were transformed with this plasmid via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Transgenic plants possessing either ara-2 or ara-4 occasionally showed morphological abnormalities in leaves and other organs. However, such alterations were not always associated with co-transferred characters, such as kanamycin tolerance, and they arose in no more than 10% of the transgenic plants. Such phenomena were also observed in the progenies of the primary transgenic plants. Despite such unusual inheritance of the phenotypic abnormalities, GTP-binding activity of the inserted ara gene products was detected in all plants tested.

Mammalian tissue trypsin-like enzymes: substrate specificity and inhibitory potency of substituted isocoumarin mechanism-based inhibitors, benzamidine derivatives, and arginine fluoroalkyl ketone transition-state inhibitors

Amino acid and peptide thioesters which contained Arg or Lys in the P1 position were tested as substrates for rat skin tryptase, and the kinetic constants Kcat/KM for the better substrates such as Z-Aba-Arg-SBzl, and Z-Gly-Arg-SBzl were over 5,000,000 M-1 s-1. The inhibitory potency of arginine fluoroalkyl ketones, benzamidine derivatives, and substituted isocoumarins containing basic functional groups was studied with rat skin tryptase, human lung tryptase, human skin tryptase, and bovine trypsin. 1-Naphthoyl-Arg-CF3 was the best arginine fluoroalkyl ketone reversible inhibitor for rat skin tryptase with a KI of 0.9 microM. 1-(4-Amidino-phenyl)-3-(4-phenoxyphenyl) urea showed competitive inhibition against bovine trypsin and rat skin tryptase with KI values of 2 and 4 microM, respectively. Isocoumarin derivatives with isothioureidoalkoxy substituents at the 3 position were potent irreversible inhibitors of these three tryptases with Kobs/[I] values of 10(4)-10(5) M-1 s-1. 4-Chloro-3-(2-isothioureido)ethoxy-7-phenylcarbamoylaminoisocou marin and 7-benzylcarbamoylamino-4-chloro-3-(3-isothioureido)propox yisocoumarin inactivated trypsin and formed stable trypsin-inhibitor complexes which regained less than 8% of activity upon standing in the pH 7.5 buffer and regained 30-75% of activity in the presence of 0.3 M NH2OH after 1 day. In contrast, the complexes with rat skin tryptase regained activity rapidly, indicating differences in the inhibition mechanism and active site structures of these related enzymes.

Effective renaturation of reduced lysozyme by gentle removal of urea

To increase the folding yield of concentrated reduced lysozyme, we developed a renaturation method by means of dialysis from concentrated urea with redox agents. After lysozyme was incubated in the reducing buffer (8 M urea solution) with oxidized glutathione, renaturation of reduced lysozyme was started by dialysis against the dialyzing buffer containing 8 M urea with redox agents. The urea concentration of the dialyzing bottle was gradually diluted with dialyzing buffer without urea at a flow rate of 0.1 ml/min by high pressure pump. Using this systematic dialysis, a concentration as high as 5 mg/ml of reduced lysozyme could be renaturated in 80% yield, while the folding yield was < 5% even at a concentration of 1 mg/ml using a conventional rapid dilution method [Goldberg et al. (1991) Biochemistry, 30, 2790-2797]. Therefore, it was concluded that gentle removal of urea from denatured proteins, dissolved in concentrated urea solution, by means of dialysis should be useful to renature denatured proteins effectively.

[Effect of copper and copper binding protein on the CT attenuation value of liver: experimental study in rats]

We analyzed the effect of copper and copper binding protein on CT attenuation value in a rat model. CT attenuation values of the liver were compared with hepatic copper content and grade of orcein-positive granules, which are thought to be a counterpart of polymerized methalothionein in lysosomes. The difference between hepatic copper and CT attenuation value was not statistically significant (R = 0.056, p = 0.96). CT value had a positive correlation with the grade of orcein-positive granules (Rho = 0.755, p = 0.0001). We concluded that the CT attenuation value of liver can be elevated by rich polymerized methalothionein (copper binding protein) in lysosomes.

[Renal cell carcinoma in a patient with malignant lymphoma: a case report]

This is a case report of a 51-year-old male in the late stage of malignant lymphoma who presented with pathological fracture renal cell carcinoma secondary to metastatic. He underwent right nephrectomy followed by immunotherapy consisting of interferon alpha and some cytokines. According to his condition and extension of the disease, OK-432, interleukin-2 and interferon gamma were combined. He was also given irradiation to the bone metastases. He died of progressive disease 8 years and 6 months after the initiation of interferon alpha therapy. The autopsy revealed evidence of pancreatic involvement with renal cell carcinoma and malignant lymphoma as well. Malignant lymphoma also infiltrated into the mesentery and left femur. We reviewed other reports regarding multiple malignant tumors associated with renal cell carcinoma and discussed the occurrence of malignant lymphoma in renal cell carcinoma patients.

Evaluation of portal circulation through the superior mesenteric vein with an enteric capsule of [123I]iodoamphetamine

We report a method by which the contribution of the superior mesenteric vein to the portal blood flow can be evaluated noninvasively. An enteric-coated capsule containing [123I]iodoamphetamine is given by mouth 3h before the examination. The data obtained are treated by computer to calculate the portal shunt index (SI) through the superior mesenteric vein. The SI was higher for more severe liver disorders, Increasing in the order of chronic persistent hepatitis, chronic aggressive hepatitis, and cirrhosis. The SI was higher in cirrhotic patients than in chronic hepatitis patients or healthy volunteers (both, P < 0.0001). The SI was higher in cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices than in such patients without varices (P < 0.05). The SI was higher in cirrhotic patients with ascites than in such patients without ascites (P < 0.001). The SI was higher in cirrhotic patients with encephalopathy than in those without encephalopathy (P < 0.01). Correlation was significant between the SI and classical indicators of functional reserve. This method is clinically useful.

Phylogeny of Sym plasmids of rhizobia by PCR-based sequencing of a nodC segment

To understand the host specificity of rhizobia and the relationship between the evolution of Sym plasmids and that of host plants, we determined partial nodC sequences of 10 representative rhizobium strains and then constructed an evolutionary tree for the deduced amino acid sequences with four published sequences. These coding sequences yield a phylogenetic tree similar to that for leghemoglobin of host plants, suggesting that the evolution of common nodulation genes may be linked to host legume evolution and speciation.

Clearance of surfactant protein A from rabbit lungs

Surfactant protein A (SP-A) is a major surfactant protein with multiple biophysical, metabolic, and host defense functions. To further characterize its metabolism in vivo, we measured clearance of SP-A from adult rabbit lungs. Trace amounts of [125I]SP-A radiolabeled by the Bolton-Hunter method and mixed with [3H]dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) were given intratracheally via a bronchoscope to rabbits. Groups of five to six animals were studied 10 min to 16 h after labeled surfactant administration. After collection of alveolar washes, lamellar bodies were isolated from lung tissue. Macrophages also were isolated from alveolar washes. [125I]SP-A was cleared more rapidly than DPPC from the airspaces. Both [125I]SP-A and [3H]DPPC were lost exponentially from the total lungs, with half-life values of 6.5 h for SP-A and 12 h for DPPC (P < 0.01). In macrophages, the highest radioactivities for SP-A and DPPC were at 10 to 45 min and the radiolabels subsequently disappeared similarly. In lamellar bodies, 125I and 3H radioactivities per mumol saturated phosphatidylcholine (Sat PC) increased in parallel and were highest at 2 h. Whereas radiolabeled lipids were recovered in lamellar bodies for up to 16 h, iodinated SP-A was lost, indicating less recycling of SP-A than DPPC. We previously showed independent pathways of SP-A and Sat PC secretion in rabbits. These results demonstrate the different clearance kinetics of these two principle components of surfactant.

The influence of unilateral vertebral artery occlusion on bilateral inner ear blood flow in rats

We investigated the influence of unilateral vertebral artery (VA) occlusion on bilateral inner ear blood flow in rats using laser Doppler flowmetry for the measurement of bilateral cochlear blood flow (CBF) and photochemically initiated thrombosis for VA occlusion. BP and CBF showed little change by unilateral VA occlusion alone. However, subsequent hypotension induced by venesection not only reduced CBF but also caused imbalance between bilateral CBF reduction rates. CBF changed independently of BP, indicating the existence of a local CBF regulatory system.

Clinical application of ultrasonic blood rheography for vertigo

The blood flow in the vertebral artery was measured in 507 patients with vertigo using ultrasonic blood rheography. In 150 of the 507 cases (32%), abnormal findings including laterality and decreased flow were detected. Twenty-one cases whose clinical course was observed showed a decrease in the differences in velocity between sides as vertigo improved. VBI (vertebro-basilar insufficiency) showed a worse prognosis in patients with laterality compared with those without and a positive correlation was demonstrated between side differences and fluctuating blood pressure or serum lipids. Some anti-vertiginous drugs improved the difference between sides by increasing the velocity.

Treatment of advanced hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma with a combination of etoposide, pirarubicin and cisplatin

A total of 20 patients with hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma entered a pilot study of combination chemotherapy based on the EAP (etoposide, Adriamycin and cisplatin) regimen, in which Adriamycin was replaced by pirarubicin, a less cardiotoxic derivative of Adriamycin. The response was assessed by criteria modified from those of the National Prostatic Cancer Project: prostate-specific antigen was employed instead of acid phosphatase. Of 18 evaluable patients, 6 achieved a partial response, 5 had stable disease, and in 7 the disease had progressed during therapy; thus, the overall response rate was 33.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) 11.5-55.1%]. Significant pain alleviation and performance status improvement were obtained in 5 of 12 patients (41.7%; CI 13.8-69.6%) and 3 of 13 patients (23.1%; CI 0.2-46.0%), respectively. Although myelosuppression was moderate to severe, no chemotherapy-related deaths or bacteriologically documented sepsis occurred; nor was there any clinical cardiotoxicity. All the responding patients received maintenance chemotherapy with etoposide thereafter. At present, the median duration of response is 33 weeks (range: 23-91 weeks) and the median survival period for all patients is 42 weeks (range: 27(+)-136 weeks), with 12 deaths. In spite of the small number of patients treated, these results suggest that this chemotherapy regimen is active in advanced hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma.

Comparative mapping of the imprinted U2afbpL gene on mouse chromosome 11 and human chromosome 5

The genetic map location of the recently discovered imprinted gene U2afbpL has been verified and refined in several mouse crosses. RI strain analysis had previously shown that the gene is located on mouse chromosome 11. This assignment has been verified using interspecific backcrosses. Moreover, the location of the gene relative to a fixed order of markers in the proximal region of mouse chromosome 11 has been established. The location of the gene on mouse chromosome 11 corresponds to a homologous linkage group that is conserved on human chromosome 5q. The location of the human homologue has been determined using both somatic cell hybrid genetic analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization. These analyses have mapped the human locus U2AFBPL to human chromosome 5q23-->q31.

Ultraviolet action spectra for peroxide generation in human and pig epidermal keratinocytes loaded with dihydrorhodamine 123

We developed a new and simple method for measuring peroxides in a single living cell, and the generation of peroxides upon ultraviolet (UV) irradiation was measured in human and pig epidermal keratinocytes. The method was based on the fact that the non-fluorescent dye, dihydrorhodamine 123, reacts in the presence of peroxides, such as H2O2, and changes into the fluorescent rhodamine 123, and hence the fluorescence intensity is proportional to the amount of reacted peroxide. The epidermal keratinocytes were loaded with the dihydrorhodamine under a fluorescence microscope and exposed to UV radiation. Taking C as the content of peroxides generated within the cell and I as the increase in fluence (radiation intensity x time = photons/cm2), the following empirical relationship was established: C = Cs (1-exp(-kI)), where Cs is the content of peroxides at the saturation state, and k is a kinetic parameter. The dependence of the two parameters on wavelength in the range 280-400 nm was studied. In human keratinocytes Cs had a peak at 310 nm and a small peak (shoulder) at 380 nm, while k increased gradually toward shorter wavelengths. In pig keratinocytes, on the other hand, k had a peak around 380 nm and a shoulder at 330 nm, while Cs remained unchanged. Aminotriazole, an inhibitor of catalase, and low temperatures increased the stationary levels of peroxide generation in pig keratinocytes upon UV irradiation, indicating that the reaction used for measuring intracellular peroxides is competitive with the intrinsic reactions in scavenging peroxides.

Clinical application of ultrasonic blood rheography in vertebral artery for vertigo

In 507 vertigo cases in which circulatory velocity in the vertebral artery was determined, using ultrasonic blood rheography, the results in 150 cases (32%) were abnormal, falling appropriately into a 'laterality' group and a 'lower' group. Twenty-one patients whose clinical course was followed up showed a decrease in the side difference of their circulatory velocity, with consequent improvement in their vertigo. VBI demonstrated a poorer prognosis for the laterality group than for the normals, thus indicating a positive correlation between side difference and the effect of fluctuating blood pressure on serum lipids. Certain antivertiginous drugs had a beneficial effect on side difference, increasing the circulatory velocity.

Quantitative description of morphologic changes effected by antileukemic agents in L1210 leukemia cells

The effect of antileukemic agents is explained mainly by the inhibition of DNA synthesis, which may reflect the structural alteration of the target cells. To identify such cellular alterations, in particular morphologic changes associated with the exposure to antileukemic agents were investigated in the murine leukemic L1210 cell line using flow cytometry and image analysis. Cells were cultured with eight kinds of antileukemic agents in cytostatic concentrations which are clinically achievable. Living cells were observed in culture without fixation or staining. Two parameters related to cell size and shape were measured simultaneously by the image analysing computer. These parameters provided us with different criteria for characterizing the antimetabolites, DNA-strand-damage inducers and other agents tested. Such morphologic studies may make it possible to estimate the characteristics of various antileukemic agents.

The risk of cancer in rheumatoid patients in Japan

In order to clarify the risk of cancer development in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the incidence of malignant tumors during a follow-up period was investigated in RA patients at the Center for Adult Diseases, Osaka, Japan. Six hundred and fifty-five eligible rheumatoid patients (131 males, 524 females) who were admitted to our institute between 1980 and 1989 were matched against the files of the Osaka Cancer Registry. Among them, a total of 26 patients (5 males, 21 females) were noted to have developed some kinds of cancer. The female RA patients demonstrated a significantly higher incidence of all cancers than the general population, with an observed/expected (O/E) ratio of 1.71 (95% confidence interval = 1.06-2.62). Cancer of the buccal cavity/pharynx and thyroid cancer also showed a higher incidence in female RA patients, with O/E ratios of 12.93 and 2.74, respectively.

Electron microscopic study of endogenous peroxidase activity in human liver macrophages

We evaluated the conditions of fixation for ultrastructurally demonstrating the endogenous peroxidase (PO) activity of macrophages in biopsied human liver. The application of microwaving and immersion fixation with tannic acid and aldehydes allowed excellent visualization of PO activity in the nuclear envelope (NE), rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER), and cytoplasmic granules (CG), with good preservation of cellular ultrastructures. The macrophages with PO activity showed one of the following five patterns of PO localization: positive in both the NE and rER but negative in the CG (type 1); negative in both the NE and rER but positive in the CG (type 2); negative in the NE but positive in both the rER and CG (type 3); positive in all three (type 4); PO negative (type 5). The type 1 cells resembled typical Kupffer cells, type 2 cells monocytes, and type 3 and 4 cells the exudate-resident macrophages considered to be a transitional form between exudate and resident macrophages. Type 5 cells may also be a transitional form between the exudate and resident macrophage, or an end-stage macrophage derived from exudate macrophages which have lost their PO activity. Tannic-acid-aldehyde immersion fixation with microwaving may be a useful method in the study of the PO activities of macrophages in biopsied human liver specimens.

Fetal corticosteroid and T4 treatment effects on lung function of surfactant-treated preterm lambs

Three groups of sheep fetuses at 125 or 126 d gestational age randomly received a single ultrasound-guided intramuscular injection of saline, 0.5 mg/kg betamethasone, or 0.5 mg/kg betamethasone plus 50 micrograms/kg thyroxine (T4). Forty-eight hours later the fetuses were delivered, treated with a pulmonary surfactant preparation, and ventilated for 3 h. Corticosteroids alone and in combination with T4 increased FRC, compliance, and lung volumes, and decreased the protein leak into the airspace. Saturated phosphatidylcholine pool sizes recovered by alveolar washing were not changed after hormone treatment. To evaluate the function of surfactant recovered from the lambs in vivo, we treated preterm rabbits at 27 d gestational age with the large-aggregate surfactant from alveolar washes. Large-aggregate surfactants and the pulmonary surfactant preparation increased compliances and maximal lung volumes relative to those in untreated preterm rabbits. Large-aggregate surfactants improved compliance more than did the pulmonary surfactant preparation. We conclude that ultrasound-guided single fetal corticosteroid treatment followed by postnatal surfactant improved postnatal lung function in preterm lambs. Addition of T4 did not augment corticosteroid effects. The function of the exogenous surfactant was improved in premature lamb lungs independently of the fetal treatment modality.

A UGU sequence in the anticodon loop is a minimum requirement for recognition by Escherichia coli tRNA-guanine transglycosylase

Escherichia coli tRNA-guanine transglycosylase is an enzyme which catalyzes replacement of guanine (G34) of tRNA(Asp), tRNA(Asn), tRNA(His) and tRNA(Tyr) by free guanine or free preQ1 base by a base exchange reaction in the biosynthesis of queuosine (Q) (Okada, N., and Nishimura, S. (1979) J. Biol. Chem. 254, 3061-3066). The gene encoding for this enzyme was amplified from the E. coli genome by polymerase chain reaction and inserted into an overexpression vector, pJLA503. The enzyme was overexpressed by heat induction in E. coli transformed by this recombinant plasmid and purified to homogeneity by two column chromatographies. The sequence requirement in tRNA for recognition by this enzyme was investigated using minihelices corresponding to the anti-codon arm of E. coli tRNA(His). Two uridine residues (U33, U35) were found to be prerequisite for such recognition by this enzyme. Position 32 required pyrimidines, because the enzyme activity toward the minihelices was markedly reduced or entirely lost when this residue was replaced by purines or was deleted. Adenosine at position 37 and the G30-C40 base pair were not essential despite their conservation. Our results suggest that the enzyme recognizes the U33-G34-U35 sequence in the anti-codon loop and not the tertiary structure of tRNA itself.

Higher-order structure of bovine mitochondrial tRNA(SerUGA): chemical modification and computer modeling

On the basis of enzymatic probing and phylogenetic comparison, we have previously proposed that mammalian mitochondrial tRNA(sSer) (anticodon UGA) possess a slightly altered cloverleaf structure in which only one nucleotide exists between the acceptor stem and D stem (usually two nucleotides) and the anticodon stem consists of six base pairs (usually five base pairs) [Yokogawa et al. (1991) Nucleic Acids Res. 19, 6101-6105]. To ascertain whether such tRNA(sSer) can be folded into a normal L-shaped tertiary structure, the higher-order structure of bovine mitochondrial tRNA(SerUGA) was examined by chemical probing using dimethylsulfate and diethylpyrocarbonate, and on the basis of the results a tertiary structure model was obtained by computer modeling. It was found that a one-base-pair elongation in the anticodon stem was compensated for by multiple-base deletions in the D and extra loop regions of the tRNA(SerUGA), which resulted in preservation of an L-shaped tertiary structure similar to that of conventional tRNAs. By summarizing the findings, the general structural requirements of mitochondrial tRNAs necessary for their functioning in the mitochondrial translation system are considered.

The A-domain of beta 2 integrin CR3 (CD11b/CD18) is a receptor for the hookworm-derived neutrophil adhesion inhibitor NIF

The A-domain is a approximately 200-amino acid peptide present within structurally diverse proadhesive proteins including seven integrins. A recombinant form of the A-domain of beta 2 integrins CR3 and LFA-1 has been recently shown to bind divalent cations and to contain binding sites for protein ligands that play essential roles in leukocyte trafficking to inflammatory sites, phagocytosis and target cell killing. In this report we demonstrate that the neutrophil adhesion inhibitor, NIF produced by the hookworm Ancyclostoma caninium is a selective CD11b A-domain binding protein. NIF bound directly, specifically and with high affinity (Kd of approximately 1 nM) to recombinant CD11b A-domain (r11bA). The binding reaction was characterized by rapid association and very slow dissociation, and was blocked by an anti-r11bA monoclonal antibody. No binding was observed to rCD11aA. The NIF-r11bA interaction required divalent cations, and was absent when the mutant r11bA D140GS/AGA (that lacks divalent cation binding capacity) was used. The NIF binding site in r11bA was mapped to four short peptides, one of which being an iC3b binding site. The interaction of NIF with CR3 in intact cells followed similar binding kinetics to those with r11bA, and occurred with similar affinity in resting and activated human neutrophils, suggesting that the NIF epitope is activation independent. Binding of NIF to CR3 blocked its ability to bind to its ligands iC3b, fibrinogen, and CD54, and inhibited the ability of human neutrophils to ingest serum opsonized particles. NIF thus represents the first example of a disintegrin that targets the integrin A-domain, and is likely to be used by the hookworm to evade the host's inflammatory response. The unique structure of NIF, which lacks a disintegrin motif, emphasizes basic structural differences in antagonists targeting A+ and A- integrins, that should be valuable in drug design efforts aimed at generating novel therapeutics. Identification of the region in NIF mediating A-domain binding should also be useful in this regard, and may, as in the case of disintegrins, unravel a new structural motif with cellular counterparts mediating important physiologic functions.

[Voiding dysfunction after abdominal radical hysterectomy. Comparison between patients with and without adjuvant irradiation therapy]

We evaluated 59 patients with voiding dysfunction after abdominal radical hysterectomy for uterine cancer. Of 59 patients, 45 underwent the surgery alone, and the other 14 underwent surgery and postoperative radiotherapy. Irradiation (mean dose, 60 Gy) was performed in bilateral commoni iliac regions excluding the bladder. In principle, the indwelling urethral catheter was removed 4 days after operation. All patients were followed up at the gynecological department until the onset of the voiding dysfunction. The mean interval between operation and the onset of voiding dysfunction was significantly longer (P < 0.01) in the group treated by surgery alone (7.9 years) than in the group treated by surgery in combination with radiotherapy (3.8 years). Voiding dysfunction developed earlier as the age at the time of operation was higher. No differences were observed in the volume of residual urine, the detrusor function, or the incidence of urinary tract infection between the two groups. These results suggest that aged patients develop voiding dysfunction earlier after radical hysterectomy than young patients, and postoperative radiotherapy shortens the interval between operation and the onset of postoperative voiding dysfunction.

Influence of idarubicinol on the antileukemic effect of idarubicin

We investigated the antileukemic potency of idarubicinol (IDAol), a 13-dihydro (13-OH) metabolite of idarubicin (IDA), on the HL60 line of human leukemia cells. In contrast to daunorubicinol (DNRol) and to doxorubicinol (DOXol), IDAol showed an extensive accumulation in HL60 cells. The high affinity for DNA and the strong DNA cleavage activity of IDAol were comparable to values for IDA; consequently, IDAol was strongly cytotoxic against HL60 cells. IDAol may play an important role in the clinical efficacy of IDA in patients with acute leukemia, particularly since it persists in the blood for prolonged periods after the administration of IDA.