Rapid and Selective Discrimination of Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria by Boronic Acid-Modified Poly(amidoamine) Dendrimer

There is an urgent need to develop a rapid and selective method for the detection of bacteria because delayed diagnosis and the overuse of antibiotics have triggered drug resistance in bacteria. To this end, we prepared boronic acid-modified poly(amidoamine) generation 4 (B-PAMAM(G4)) dendrimer as cross-linking molecules that form aggregates with bacteria. Within 5 min of adding B-PAMAM(G4) dendrimer solution to a bacterial suspension, large aggregates were observed. Interestingly, the aggregate formation with various bacteria was pH-dependent. In basic pH, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria formed aggregates, but in neutral pH, only Gram-positive bacteria formed aggregates. We revealed that this bacteria-selective aggregation involved the bacterial surface recognition of the phenylboronic acid moiety of B-PAMAM(G4) dendrimer. In addition, we demonstrated that the spherical structure of B-PAMAM(G4) was one of the important factors for the formation of large aggregates. The aggregation was also observed in the presence of ≤10 mM fructose. B-PAMAM(G4) dendrimer is expected to be a powerful tool for the rapid and selective discrimination between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Mechanism of oocyte maturation and ovulation and its application to seed production in the Japanese eel

Reduction in eel resources and catches of glass eels as seedlings for aquaculture have been a serious concern in recent years in both Europe and East Asia. Thus, technical advancement to produce eel seeds for artificial cultivation is most desired. Fundamental information on oocyte maturation and ovulation and its application to artificial induction of sexual maturation are needed to produce good quality seeds of the Japanese eel. This review introduces hormonal mechanisms of cytoplasmic maturation (such as hydration, lipid coalescence, and clearing of the ooplasm) and the maturational competence (the ability to respond to maturation-inducing steroid) and nuclear maturation (germinal vesicle breakdown). In addition, previous and newly developed methods for induction of spawning have been described.

Pro32Thr polymorphism of inosine triphosphate pyrophosphatase gene predicts efficacy of low-dose azathioprine for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

We evaluated the relationship between the efficacy of low-dose azathioprine (AZA) therapy and the inosine triphosphate pyrophosphatase (ITPA) 94C>A (Pro32Thr) polymorphism in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We performed a multiple regression analysis to assess the influence of various factors on the reduction in SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) scores. The ITPA 94C>A polymorphism had the highest correlation with the change in SLEDAI score (r = 0.354, P = 0.006).

Changes in apparent systemic clearance of propofol during transplantation of living related donor liver

BACKGROUND

Propofol is used during living-related donor liver transplantation because its metabolism is not greatly affected by liver failure. However, the pharmacokinetics of propofol during liver transplantation have not been fully defined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the apparent systemic clearance of propofol during the dissection, anhepatic and reperfusion phases of living-related donor liver transplantation, and to estimate the role of the small intestine and lung as extrahepatic sites for propofol disposition.

METHODS

Ten patients scheduled for living-related donor liver transplantation were enrolled in the study. Anaesthesia was induced with vecuronium 0.1 mg kg(-1) and propofol 2 mg kg(-1), and then maintained by 60% air, 0.5-1.5% isoflurane in oxygen and a constant infusion of propofol at 2 mg kg(-1) h(-1). Apparent systemic clearance during the dissection, anhepatic and reperfusion phases was calculated from the pseudo-steady-state concentration for each phase. Disposition in the small intestine was determined by measuring arteriovenous blood concentration in 10 liver transplantation donors. Pulmonary disposition was determined by measuring the arteriovenous blood concentration in 10 recipients during the anhepatic phase. The data are expressed as mean (sd).

RESULTS

Apparent systemic clearances in the dissection, anhepatic and reperfusion phases were 1.89 (sd 0.48) litre min(-1), 1.08 (0.25) litre min(-1) and 1.53 (0.51) litre min(-1), respectively. The concentration of propofol in the portal vein was lower than in the radial artery. The intestinal extraction ratio calculated from the concentration in the radial artery and portal vein was 0.24 (0.12). There were no significant differences in propofol concentrations between the radial and pulmonary arteries.

CONCLUSION

Apparent systemic clearance was decreased by approximately 42 (10)% during the anhepatic phase compared with the dissection phase. After reperfusion, liver allografts rapidly began to metabolize propofol. The small intestine also participates in the metabolism of propofol.

Suppression of Hall-term effects by gyroviscous cancellation in steady collisionless magnetic reconnection

The formation of an ion-dissipation region, in which motions of electrons and ions decouple and fast magnetic reconnection occurs, is demonstrated during a steady state of two-dimensional collisionless driven reconnection by means of full-particle simulations. The Hall-term effect is suppressed due to the gyroviscous cancellation at scales between the ion-skin depth and ion-meandering-orbit scale, and thus ions are tied to the magnetic field. The ion frozen-in constraint is strongly broken by nongyrotropic pressure tensor effects due to ion-meandering motion, and thus the ion-dissipation region is formed at scales below the ion-meandering-orbit scale. A similar process is observed in the formation of an electron-dissipation region. These two dissipation regions are clearly observed in an out-of-plane current density profile.

Mucopolysaccharidosis with special reference to Scheie syndrome

Three patients with Scheie syndrome are reported on. They were suspected to be suffering from mucopolysaccharidosis because of clinical, histological and electron microscopic observations. The Scheie syndrome diagnosis was based on urinary GAG analysis. Chase experiments with cultured fibroblasts from one of the patients showed retarded degradation of 35SO4-labeled intracellular GAG. In addition, the pathogenesis of mucopolysaccharidoses in connection with cellular GAG metabolism is discussed.

Protective effects of nef-deleted SHIV or that having IFN-? against disease induced with a pathogenic virus early after vaccination

To clarify the involvement of primitive non-specific immune responses in the protective effects of a live, attenuated virus, each two rhesus macaques were intravenously immunized with an attenuated chimeric simian and human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) in which the nef gene was deleted (SHIV-NI) or a SHIV having human IFN-gamma inserted into the deleted nef region (SHIV IFN-gamma). These immunized monkeys were intravenously challenged with a heterologous pathogenic SHIV (SHIV-C2/1) at four weeks post immunization (wpi). After vaccination, one of each SHIV-NI- or SHIV IFN-gamma-immunized monkeys showed a low level of SIV Gag-specific lymphocyte proliferative response but did not have neutralizing antibodies to both the parental and challenge viruses. After the challenge, the plasma viral RNA loads of the challenge virus were suppressed in all the immunized monkeys and the severe CD4+ T cell loss observed in the unimmunized monkeys was not found. Thus, both SHIV IFN-gamma and SHIV-NI infections could prevent from disease progression by a pathogenic virus early after immunization, suggesting that primitive non-specific immune response elicited by attenuated virus infection, in addition to highly acquired virus-specific immunity, contributes to the protective effect against a pathogenic virus.

Ion dynamics in steady collisionless driven reconnection

Steady collisionless driven reconnection in an open system is investigated by means of a new two-dimensional full-particle simulation. The reconnection rate is controlled by an external driving electric field. Ion-meandering motion plays an important role in ion dynamics which controls the spatial structures of ion quantities. Although the electric current is predominantly carried by electrons, the current layer has the half-width of the ion-meandering orbit scale because the density profile is controlled by massive-ion motion. Thus, the global dynamic behavior of reconnection is dominantly controlled by ion dynamics. An electrostatic field generated through the finite-Larmor-radius effect leads to electron acceleration in the equilibrium current direction in the ion-dissipation region and ion heating by intensifying meandering motion. Our results are in agreement with the recent experimental results of Yamada et al. [Phys. Plasmas 7, 1781 (2000)] and of Hus et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 3859 (2000)].

Acute cholestatic hepatitis caused by a probable allergic reaction to paracetamol in an adolescent

We reported on an adolescent who suffered from cholestatic hepatitis after taking a low dose of paracetamol. It was suspected that the condition was brought about by an allergic reaction to paracetamol. Paracetamol is one of the representative intrinsic hepatotoxic drugs. There have been only a few reports on liver damage due to an allergic reaction to paracetamol. There is a need to call attention to this particular reaction.

Xenopus cytosolic thyroid hormone-binding protein (xCTBP) is aldehyde dehydrogenase catalyzing the formation of retinoic acid

Amino acid sequencing of an internal peptide fragment derived from purified Xenopus cytosolic thyroid hormone-binding protein (xCTBP) demonstrates high similarity to the corresponding sequence of mammalian aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) (Yamauchi, K., and Tata, J. R. (1994) Eur. J. Biochem. 225, 1105-1112). Here we show that xCTBP was co-purified with ALDH and 3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) binding activities. By photoaffinity labeling with [125I]T3, a T3-binding site in the xCTBP was estimated to reside in amino acid residues 93-114, which is distinct from the active site of the enzyme but present in the NAD+ binding domain. The amino acid sequences deduced from the two isolated xALDH1 cDNAs (xALDH1-I and xALDH1-II) were 94.6% identical to each other and very similar to those of mammalian ALDH1 enzymes. The two recombinant xALDH1 proteins exhibit both T3 binding activity and ALDH activity converting retinal to retinoic acid (RA), which are similar to those of xCTBP. The mRNAs were present abundantly in kidney and intestine of adult female Xenopus. Interestingly, their T3 binding activities were inhibited by NAD+ and NADH but not by NADP+ and NADPH, whereas NAD+ was required for their ALDH activities. Our results demonstrate that xCTBP is identical to ALDH1 and suggest that this protein might modulate RA synthesis and intracellular level of free T3.

Alterations in the enzyme activity and protein contents of protein disulfide isomerase in rat tissues during fasting and refeeding

Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) is an enzyme that participates in the formation of disulfide bonds. It is also known to be the subunits of some enzymes and the membrane-associated thyroid hormone-binding protein. In this study, we measured the quantitative distribution of PDI protein in rat tissues and examined the relationship between protein level and enzyme activity in PDI during fasting and refeeding. Western blotting with specific anti-PDI antiserum detected the PDI protein band of 55 kd. Among several tissues, liver contained the largest amount of PDI protein, followed by kidney and fat, in which one-third to one-fourth of the hepatic PDI protein existed. The PDI protein band was also detected in heart and muscle. Fasting for 3 days decreased PDI protein levels in rat liver by 40%; control levels were recovered after 3 days of refeeding. The same change was observed in kidney. PDI activity, measured by the scrambled ribonuclease method, did not show the parallel alteration to PDI protein level in liver and kidney. Isomerase activity decreased to 50% of control values during fasting, but did not recover by refeeding. Thyroidal status did not affect either PDI protein level or isomerase activity. These findings show that fasting and refeeding affect PDI protein and enzyme activity, and that PDI protein level does not always reflect PDI activity.

Effects of OK-432 (picibanil) on the estrogen receptors of MCF-7 cells and potentiation of antiproliferative effects of tamoxifen in combination with OK-432

OK-432 (picibanil), a streptococcal preparation, has a strong biological response modifier (BRM) function and is expected to produce clinical improvement and prolongation of survival in treated cancer patients in Japan. We were interested in whether OK-432 augments estrogen receptor (ER) levels in breast cancer. To investigate the effect of the BRMs on cellular growth and the characteristics of ER and progesterone receptors (PgR) in the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7, we used OK-432, Krestin (PSK), a protein-bound polysaccharide extracted from Coriolus versicolor, and lentinan, a fungal branched (1...3)-beta-D-glycan. OK432 and PSK dose dependently inhibited DNA synthesis of MCF-7 cells, and the 50% inhibitory concentrations of OK-432 and PSK were 1.2 KE (klinische Einheit, clinical unit)/ml and 200 micrograms/ml, respectively. Lentinan showed no direct anticancer effect in vitro. We found that OK-432 induced a 2-fold increase in ER levels in MCF-7 cells at 0.005 KE/ml, but not in PgR. Lentinan and low-dose PSK did not change ER or PgR levels, but high-dose PSK decreased ER and PgR. We also studied the combined effect of OK-432 and antiestrogens, tamoxifen (TAM) and DP-TAT-59. The combined treatment with OK-432 and TAM showed an additive inhibitory effect on MCF-7 cells. These results suggest that OK-432 may augment the therapeutic effect of TAM in breast cancer.

Rat hepatoma Reuber H-35 cells produce factors that promote the hatching of mouse embryos cultured in vitro

The effects of coculture and conditioned medium of rat hepatoma Reuber H-35 cells on the subsequent in vitro development and hatching of mouse 2-cell embryos were examined. The hatching of embryos obtained from CD-1 mice was accelerated by coculture with Reuber H-35 cells in the presence of 3 mg/ml BSA. The promoting effect on complete hatching from zona pellucida was evident even in cell-conditioned medium containing 60 micrograms/ml BSA. In the presence of 60 micrograms/ml BSA, more than 20% of embryos completely hatched, whereas none hatched in the control culture. The promoting activity was also found in both the M(r) < 10,000 and the M(r) > 10,000 subfractions of the conditioned medium separated by ultrafiltration. The cell number per blastocyst was increased to 1.1- to 1.3 times the control by culturing embryos from the 2-cell stage with the conditioned medium or its subfractions. The effective target of promoting factors for complete hatching was after the morula stage, and blastocysts hatched completely even when incubated in conditioned medium for 6 h. Inhibitors of DNA polymerase alpha, protein synthesis, and protein kinase partially reduced (40-90% inhibition) the promoting effect of the conditioned medium. On the other hand, protease inhibitors showed no effect. In a caseinolytic assay, protease activity was undetectable in the conditioned medium. Incubating the 125I-labeled proteins derived from the M(r) > 10,000 fraction with blastocysts revealed that at least 9 proteins with apparent molecular masses of 76, 60, 49, 38, 34, 31, 24, 22, and 18 kDa specifically bound to or accumulated in the embryos. Moreover, reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction showed that Reuber H-35 cells expressed mRNAs for epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factors alpha and beta 1, and stem cell factor. These results indicated that embryonic development and the process of zona hatching was accelerated by factors synthesized by Reuber H-35 cells. This and other studies demonstrated that Reuber H-35 cells exert positive (later than 2-cell stage) and negative (at 2-cell stage) effects upon the development of mouse embryos at different embryonic stages. These factors will serve as valuable tools to clarify the proliferating and differentiating mechanisms of the preimplantation embryo.

Rat hepatoma reuber H-35 cells produce a 2-cell stage-specific inhibitor of the cleavage of mouse embryos

We purified an embryonic stage-specific inhibitor produced by rat hepatoma Reuber H-35 cells against cleaving mouse 2-cell embryos and defined its biological properties. Zygotes obtained from CD-1 mice (a strain that shows a 2-cell block in vitro) or C57BL/6 and B6C3F1 mice (strains that do not) were cultured in media with and without 50 microM EDTA, respectively. The development of the zygotes from all strains was arrested at the 2-cell stage when zygotes were cocultured with Reuber H-35 cells. However, the embryos from C57BL/6 and B6C3F1 were less sensitive than those from CD-1 against the inhibitory effects of development. This inhibitory effect was also evident in medium conditioned with the Reuber H-35 cells. The factor from the conditioned medium was separated into its < 10 000 M(r) fraction by ultrafiltration and was further purified in fraction B-25 as a single peak by reverse-phase column chromatography. An incubation as short as 3-h during the late 2-cell stage (G2 phase) with fraction B-25 suppressed cleavage in 61.5% of the CD-1 embryos (30.3% in control culture). Although the inhibitory effect was reversible, embryos that cleaved again either degenerated or were retarded at various stages in their subsequent development. Additionally, a long-term incubation of developing zygotes with the inhibitory factor caused a significant reduction in [3H]thymidine (TdR) incorporation into the DNA of CD-1 2-cell embryos as well as developmental arrest at the interphase of the 2-cell stage. These results indicated that this factor will serve as a valuable tool with which to clarify the proliferating mechanism of the preimplantation embryo.

A novel action of epidermal growth factor in rat granulosa cells: its potentiation of gonadotrophin action

It is well known that epidermal growth factor (EGF) induces down-regulation of LH receptors and desensitization to gonadotrophin stimulation in gonadal cells, including granulosa cells. In a previous study we showed that EGF receptor levels in rat granulosa cells were increased up to fourfold after 96 h of culture with human GH in the presence of FSH, and the present study has evaluated the action of EGF on these cells. The induced EGF receptors were identical in size to the pre-existing receptors as assessed by affinity labelling with 125I-EGF. After 48 h in culture, various amounts of EGF (0.5-10 ng) were added and the cells were cultured for a further 48 h. The addition of EGF caused down-regulation of LH receptors in cells expressing high levels of EGF receptors. However, this down-regulation was less than that in control cells. After the cells were washed, cAMP synthesis in response to human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) increased by two to three times the control value and this increase was closely correlated with an increase in EGF receptor content. However, stimulation with cholera toxin or forskolin showed no such augmentation, indicating that it may not be due to quantitative alterations in G proteins and their effector systems. Induction of EGF potentiation required long-term exposure to EGF, for at least more than 24 h. In addition, progesterone synthesis was sensitive to stimulation with lower doses of hCG. These findings indicate that the activation of hGH-induced EGF receptors may potentiate gonadotrophin action in granulosa cells.

Sialyllactose-mediated cell interaction during granulosa cell differentiation. Identification of its binding proteins

The present study was designed to prove the carbohydrate-binding proteins interacting with cell surface sialyllactosylceramide (GM3, NeuAc alpha 2-->3Gal beta 1-->4Glc beta 1-->1'Cer), which is highly expressed during differentiation of rat ovarian granulosa cells. As a specific ligand for the sialyllactose (SL)-binding proteins on granulosa cells, we used a radioiodinated multivalent SL-linked albumin (Alb-(SL)17). The specific association of the ligand to the putative proteins on the intact cells was competitively inhibited by GM3 more effectively than other gangliosides, sialyllactotetraosylceramide, sialylneolactotetraosylceramide, and several glycoproteins with N-linked oligosaccharides. However, the proteins had no specificity for the side chain (N-acetyl or N-glycolyl forms) of sialic acid in GM3. Scatchard analysis of Alb-(SL)17 binding showed high (Kd = 6.4 x 10(-10)M) and low (Kd = 3.1 x 10(-8)M) affinity population of binding sites. By direct binding of 125I-Alb-(SL)17 to SL-binding proteins on Western blots, the putative proteins with molecular masses of 35, 18, and 14 kDa were detected. The interaction of the multivalent derivative with these binding proteins was differently modulated by Ca2+ and Mn2+. The SL-binding proteins occurred in immature granulosa cells and progressively decreased during differentiation, whereas their endogenous ligand GM3 increased. These results indicate that relatively low molecular weight SL-binding proteins exist on the surface of immature granulosa cells and that they may serve as receptor sites for newly synthesized GM3 during differentiation.

Actions of 3,5,3'-tri-iodothyronine on the synthesis and secretion of major plasma proteins by a human hepatoblastoma cell line (Hep G2)

We have elucidated the action of tri-iodothyronine (T3) on the synthesis and secretion of seven major plasma proteins in a human hepatoblastoma cell line, Hep G2, and established an in vitro experimental model of human liver cells for the study of the mechanism of the action of thyroid hormone. Hep G2 cells cultured in serum-free medium were treated with various concentrations of T3. During the first 24 h of T3 treatment, accumulation of alpha-fetoprotein in the medium was decreased in a dose-dependent manner (10(-11)-10(-8) M), and the inhibitory effect was enhanced during the second 24 h of T3 treatment. On the other hand, alpha 1-antitrypsin accumulation in the medium during the second 24 h of hormone treatment was decreased by T3 (10(-9)-10(-8) M), although no change in accumulation was observed during the first 24 h of T3 treatment. The newly synthesized [35S]Met-labelled alpha 1-acid glycoprotein was increased by T3 and reached 3.4-fold within 37 h of 10(-8) M T3 treatment. The stimulatory effect increased time-dependently (4.6-fold after 61 h). In contrast, the synthesis of alpha-fetoprotein was reduced to half of that of the control after T3 treatment for 37 h. Although the content of newly synthesized [35S]alpha 1-antitrypsin was not affected by 10(-8) M T3 treatment during 3 days of hormone treatment, the accumulation of alpha 1-antitrypsin in the medium decreased to 87%; in contrast, total cellular newly synthesized alpha 1-antitrypsin increased to 105-130% of that of the control.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Human growth hormone augmentation of epidermal growth factor binding sites on rat granulosa cells

The effect of human GH (hGH) on the regulation of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor was investigated during differentiation of FSH-treated rat granulosa cells, which has been reported to be mediated by a cAMP-dependent mechanism. By measuring the binding of [125I]iodo-EGF to the intact cells, FSH was shown to cause increases in the number of EGF binding sites after culture for 72 h. When granulosa cells were cultured with hGH, the number of FSH-induced EGF binding sites was augmented, with a half-maximal effect at about 10 micrograms hGH/l and a maximal stimulatory concentration of 100 micrograms/l. The stimulatory effect of hGH was absolutely dependent on insulin which by itself showed stimulatory effects on EGF binding sites. Scatchard analysis of EGF binding sites indicated that treatment with hGH increased the number of EGF binding sites (17,200 sites/cell after treatment with FSH; 31,700 sites/cell after FSH plus hGH), but did not alter the binding affinity. The augmentation was observed after culturing for 48 h and increased progressively with time, reaching 280% of the level after FSH treatment by 120 h. Although progesterone synthesis was increased by hGH, the markers of cell differentiation such as cAMP synthesis and LH binding sites were suppressed, indicating hGH inhibition of the cAMP-mediated signal. The action of hGH on the EGF binding sites was not accompanied by cell proliferation. These findings indicate that hGH has a novel action on the regulation of rat granulosa cell EGF binding sites and that the granulosa cell may possess both cAMP-dependent and -independent mechanisms for expression of EGF binding sites.

Basic fibroblast growth factor induces luteinizing hormone receptor expression in the presence of insulin-like growth factor-I in ovarian granulosa cells

Effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the expression of receptors for luteinizing hormone (LH), a marker of differentiation, was studied using estrogen-primed rat ovarian granulosa cells in primary culture. bFGF had no effect by itself but dose-dependently induced expression of functional LH receptors in the presence of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). The effect of a combination of bFGF and IGF-I was delayed in onset and the magnitude of the response was smaller when compared to the action of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Scatchard analysis revealed that dissociation constant (Kd) and number of LH receptors induced by bFGF and IGF-I were 0.47 nM and 6.48 fmol/10(6) cells, respectively. Unlike FSH, bFGF plus IGF-I did not cause an immediate increase in cAMP release, however, considerable amount of cAMP release was observed in cells incubated for 72 h with bFGF plus IGF-I. Indomethacin, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, attenuated both LH receptor expression and cAMP release induced by bFGF plus IGF-I but had little effect on the action of FSH. Finally, a combination of bFGF and IGF-I increased production of prostaglandin E2 in granulosa cells. These results indicate that bFGF is capable of inducing LH receptor in the presence of IGF-I by a mechanism involving production of prostaglandin E2.

Co-ordinate actions of FSH and insulin-like growth factor-I on LH receptor expression in rat granulosa cells

The actions of FSH and Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) were studied in cultured rat ovarian granulosa cells. Cells became differentiated and expressed LH receptors when they were incubated for 72 h with 200 micrograms FSH/l (high FSH) but not 20 micrograms FSH/l (low FSH). Treatment with high but not low FSH increased the release of both immunoreactive and bioactive IGF-I into the medium. A combination of low FSH and IGF-I reproduced the effect of high FSH on LH receptor expression. We then examined the critical time when low FSH and IGF-I exerted their effects. In the presence of continuous low FSH, IGF-I was capable of inducing LH receptor expression even when added 24 h after the addition of low FSH. However, when IGF-I was added at 36 h, LH receptor expression measured at 72 h was greatly reduced. In contrast to the action of IGF-I, continuous exposure to low FSH was required for LH receptor expression, and IGF-I had no effect when FSH was not included for the entire 72 h of culture. DNA synthesis as assessed by both [3H]thymidine incorporation and nuclear bromodeoxyuridine labelling was moderate at the beginning of culture and markedly reduced at 24 h both in the presence and absence of either high FSH or low FSH plus IGF-I. In the presence of either high FSH or a combination of low FSH plus IGF-I, DNA synthesis remained decreased for up to 72 h whereas it began to increase in the absence of either high FSH or a combination of low FSH plus IGF-I.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Modulation of adriamycin resistance in human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells in vitro and in vivo by medroxyprogesterone acetate

The combination effect of adriamycin (ADM) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) was examined in vitro against human breast carcinoma MCF-7 and its ADM-resistant line (MCF-7/ADM). MCF-7 cells, which are positive for estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors and high-affinity MPA-binding activity, were more susceptible to the growth-inhibitory activity of ADM or MPA than MCF-7/ADM cells. A combination effect of ADM and MPA was observed against MCF-7/ADM cells, which are negative for steroid receptors, and furthermore against human nasopharynx carcinoma KB and its ADM-resistant line KB-A1. This combination effect of ADM and MPA against MCF-7/ADM cells was demonstrated to be synergistic by using the median effect plot method. The activity of MPA was almost equivalent to that of chlormadinone acetate or tamoxifen, greater than that of progesterone, and less than that of verapamil. The accumulation of ADM in MCF-7/ADM cells was enhanced by treatment with 10 microM MPA as well as 10 microM verapamil. The efflux of accumulated ADM from MCF-7/ADM cells was also partially inhibited by treatment with MPA or verapamil. MPA augmented the growth-inhibitory activity of ADM against MCF-7/ADM tumors inoculated into nude mice, although statistical significance was not observed. It is suggested that the clinical advantage of the combination of MPA with ADM against advanced breast cancers may be partly explained by the modulation of ADM resistance by MPA.

[Molecular cloning and multifunctions of membrane-associated 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine binding protein with protein disulfide isomerase activity]

The protein or cDNA sequencing revealed that the membrane-associated 3,5,3'-triiodo-thyronine binding protein (T3BP) acts as a multifunctional protein:protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) catalyzing isomerization of intra- and inter-molecular disulfide bridge in the proteins, beta-subunit of prolyl 4-hydroxylase catalyzing the formation of 4-hydroxyproline in collagen molecules, glycosylation site binding protein which is a component of oligosaccharyl transferase transferring oligosaccharide chains to the asparagine residues of Asn-X-Ser/Thr site in nascent polypeptide, and a component of triglyceride transfer protein complex involved in the transfer unit of triglyceride, cholesteryl ester and phosphatidylcholine between biomembranes. The functions of 55 k-T3BP/PDI, mainly involved in important post-translational modifications, are discussed in relation to the domain structure of the molecule.

Production of human protein disulfide isomerase by Bacillus brevis

Human protein disulfide isomerase (PDI; EC 5.3.4.1) was expressed and secreted into the culture medium using Bacillus brevis as host and pNU200 which codes the promoter and signal sequence of major cell wall protein of B. brevis as vector. The accumulation of recombinant human PDI (rhPDI) reached about 5 mg l-1 in the late exponential phase of the bacterial growth. The purified rhPDI was found to be exactly processed at the carboxyl terminus of the signal sequence. It was as active as natural PDI derived from human placenta as determined by its ability to reactivate scrambled ribonuclease that was a fully oxidized mixture containing randomly formed disulfide bonds. The activity was significantly accelerated in the presence of dithiothreitol or a mixture of reduced and oxidized glutathione. These indicate that the characteristics of rhPDI are similar to those reported for mammalian PDI and that it can be used for refolding inactive proteins having incorrect disulfide bonds.

Granulosa cell luteinizing hormone receptor expression is modulated by ganglioside-specific ligands

The ganglioside GM1 (Gal beta 1-->3GalNAc beta 1-->4[NeuAc alpha 2-->3] Gal beta 1-->4Glc beta 1-->1Cer) was synthesized during granulosa cell development in vitro, and the effect of the interaction between cell-surface GM1 and its ligands on the luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor expression was investigated. GM1 synthesis, demonstrated by metabolic labeling of glycosphingolipids with [3H]galactose and binding studies using the 125I-B-subunit of cholera toxin, a specific ligand for GM1, was increased in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-treated granulosa cells. When granulosa cells were cultured for 72 h in a medium containing the B-subunit of cholera toxin, FSH-induced LH-receptor contents determined by measuring the binding of 125I-deglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin to intact cells, was augmented. The stimulatory effect of the B-subunit was dependent on the FSH concentration and culture duration. The augmentation was observed after culture for 48 h, and marked increases were evident after 72 h, which coincided with an increase of the 125I-B-subunit binding capacity. Scatchard analysis of the LH-receptor binding indicated that treatment with the B-subunit increased the number of LH-binding sites (6580 sites/cell after treatment with 20 ng/ml FSH; 11,290 sites/cell after FSH plus 100 ng/ml B-subunit), but did not alter the binding affinity. A specific antibody against GM1 mimicked the stimulatory effect of the B-subunit. The augmentation was not accompanied by granulosa cell proliferation. These findings suggest that binding of exogenous or possible endogenous ligands to cell-surface GM1 produces signals and modulates the cellular behavior during granulosa cell development.

Identification of protein disulfide isomerase and calreticulin as autoimmune antigens in LEC strain of rats

Long Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rats, showing spontaneous hereditary hepatitis and hepatic carcinoma, were found to possess autoimmune antibodies to liver microsomal proteins, particularly to proteins with the molecular weight of 56kD and 55kD. The antibodies occurred in association with acute lethal hepatitis in the LEC rats in our previous study. Two-dimensional immunoblot analysis of the antigenic proteins revealed that the 56kDa and 55kDa proteins showed 4.2 and 4.0 pI values and were estimated to be protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and calreticulin, respectively, from NH2-terminal amino acid sequence analysis. These proteins were further identified by immunoblot analyses using purified proteins and specific antibodies. PDI was a major autoimmune antigenic protein.

Purification and characterization of a 3,5,3'-L-triiodothyronine-specific binding protein from bullfrog tadpole plasma: a homolog of mammalian transthyretin

We analyzed the nature of the thyroid hormone-binding proteins in bullfrog plasma using N-bromoacetyl-[125I]T3 as an affinity labeling probe. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under nondenaturing conditions of the bullfrog N-bromoacetyl-[125I]T3-labeled plasma proteins revealed two proteins with specific binding to T3. A labeled protein that migrated faster than albumin (T-T3BP) was detected only in plasma obtained from tadpoles at stages earlier than, but not at the end of, metamorphic climax. Another protein that migrated more slowly than albumin appeared in the plasma at the late climax stage and was present in the adult stage. To study the function of T-T3BP during metamorphosis, it was purified from tadpole plasma to the single protein. The molecular mass of this protein was estimated to be 56 kilodaltons by gel filtration, but only 16 kilodaltons by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, which indicates that the molecule comprised four identical subunits. The amino acid composition of T-T3BP and the amino acid sequence of its N-terminal portion were highly homologous with those of mammalian transthyretins. These molecular features indicate that T-T3BP is a homolog of mammalian transthyretins. However, in contrast to mammalian transthyretins, the affinity of bullfrog transthyretin for T3 was 360 times higher than that for T4. Scatchard analysis revealed that T-T3BP possessed a single class of T3-binding site, with a Kd of 0.67 nM at 0 C. These results suggest that bullfrog transthyretin may play an important role in transporting T3 in the blood during metamorphosis.

[Effect of medroxyprogesterone acetate on the anticellular activity of 5-fluorouracil against human breast and stomach cancer cells]

As 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) has been known to show clinically antitumor effects against both breast and stomach carcinomas. We compared the combined effects of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) with 5-FU on the growth of cultured human breast and stomach carcinoma cells. MPA inhibited the growth of estrogen-dependent human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells at the low concentrations and exhibited an additive effect in combination with 5-FU. MPA also inhibited the growth of human stomach carcinoma MKN-45 cells at relatively high concentrations and exhibited an additive effect in combination with 5-FU. Human stomach carcinoma MKN-28 cells were rather insensitive to MPA, but, an additive combination effect of MPA and 5-FU was observed. These three cell lines were found to have MPA-binding proteins which may be distinct from the nuclear progesterone receptor, suggesting the correlation with growth-inhibitory activity of MPA.

Enhancement of ganglioside GM3 synthesis in okadaic-acid-treated granulosa cells

Okadaic acid is a potent inhibitor of type-2A (PP2A) and type-1 (PP1) protein phosphatases and has been proved to be a valuable tool for studies on the protein phosphorylation. We have investigated the effects of okadaic acid on rat granulosa cells in order to determine whether the regulation of ganglioside synthesis involves protein phosphorylation via inhibition of PP2A and PP1. Granulosa cells expressed luteinizing hormone (LH) receptors, measured as the binding of 125I-deglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to intact cells, and synthesized the gangliosides NeuAc alpha 2-->3Gal beta 1-->4Glc beta 1-->1Cer (GM3) and Gal beta 1-->3GalNAc beta 1-->4[NeuAc alpha 2-->3]Gal beta 1-->4Glc beta 1-->1Cer (GM1), demonstrated by metabolic labeling of glycosphingolipids with [3H]galactose, in response to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). When FSH-stimulated granulosa cells were treated with 10 nM okadaic acid for 15 h, down-regulation of LH receptors, dissociation of LH receptor-effector coupling and significant decreases of intracellular and extracellular 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels were observed. The okadaic acid-induced desensitization to gonadotropin in granulosa cells was accompanied by increased ganglioside synthesis. The amount of 3H-labeled ganglioside GM3, the major ganglioside (about 95% of the total) synthesized by mature granulosa cells, was enhanced in okadaic acid-desensitized cells (to 215% of the control value) and in those desensitized by hCG (by 354%), forskolin (by 190%) and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (by 143%). The results of this study suggest that an increase in the phosphorylation state of cells is accompanied by enhancement of ganglioside synthesis.

Biphasic effects of exogenous ganglioside GM3 on follicle-stimulating hormone-dependent expression of luteinizing hormone receptor in cultured granulosa cells

The major ganglioside NeuAc alpha 2-->3Gal beta 1-->4Glc beta 1-->1Cer (GM3) present in cultured rat granulosa cells was examined for potential function in the expression of luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor on the cell surface in response to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Synthesis of GM3 was stimulated concentration-dependently by FSH, and the stimulation was enhanced synergistically by insulin, as revealed by metabolic labeling of glycosphingolipids with [3H]galactose. When granulosa cells were cultured in the media containing GM3 (0.2-20 microM), biphasic changes in FSH-dependent expression of LH receptor were observed, as measured by the binding of 125I-deglycosylated human choriogonadotropin to the intact cells. Exogenous GM3 suppressed expression of LH receptor in the cells treated with a low dose of FSH (20 ng/ml), which was characterized by a low GM3 level, to 30% of control at 10 microM, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 8 microM. In contrast, in the cells treated with a high dose of FSH (100 ng/ml) and insulin, which was characterized by a high GM3 level, expression of LH receptor was enhanced by exogenous GM3, to 148% of control at 10 microM, with a half-maximal effective concentration of 2 microM. Exogenous GM3 produced concomitant changes in the levels of extracellular cAMP. These effects of exogenous GM3 were not accompanied by changes in granulosa cell proliferation. Exogenous GM3 also modulated the LH receptor expression by the synergistic action of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate with insulin, with no significant changes in cellular DNA contents, suggesting that exogenous GM3 does not modulate directly the action of FSH at its receptor sites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with ophthalmoplegia and multisystem degeneration in patients on long-term use of respirators

We describe two patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), who had developed progressive external ophthalmoplegia of a predominantly supranuclear type while they survived on respirators, and displayed histopathological abnormalities both typical and atypical of ALS. Patient 1 was a 43-year-old man with ALS of 5-year duration, who had initially exhibited fulminant ALS, and remained on a respirator for 4 years. Patient 2 was a 51-year-old man with ALS of 13-year duration, who remained on a respirator for 8 years. Both patients died in a "totally locked-in state". Autopsy of both patients revealed not only histopathological abnormalities consistent with ALS, but also multisystem degeneration which involved the pontine tegmentum, substantia nigra, Clarke's dorsal nuclei and spinocerebellar tracts. In addition, Patient 2 displayed intracytoplasmic neuronal basophilic inclusion bodies which exhibited marked immunoreactivity to anti-ubiquitin antibodies. Our case reports indicate that the longer survival which is possible through the use of respirators may make one subgroup of ALS patients prone to develop atypical clinical and neuropathological features which are not observed during the natural course of ALS.

1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3, hypercalcemia, and growth suppression of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced rat mammary tumors

1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 [1 alpha(OH)D3] was administered to female Sprague-Dawley rats with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary tumors. 1 alpha(OH)D3 suppressed the growth of the rat mammary tumors dose-dependently, and in the high dose groups treated with 0.5-1.0 micrograms/kg of 1 alpha(OH)D3, significant inhibition of tumor growth was observed. But daily oral administration of 1 alpha(OH)D3 for four consecutive weeks caused side effects such as hypercalcemia and weight loss. We compared 0.5 microgram/kg of 1 alpha(OH)D3 three times weekly with the same dose six times weekly to discover whether or not the side effects can be reduced by treatment schedule. Both groups showed a significant oncostatic effect, compared with the control group, while the side effects were relieved in the three times weekly group. Regarding estrogen receptors (ER) in the tumors, there was no significant difference among the groups. These results suggested that the antitumor effect of 1 alpha(OH)D3 on DMBA-induced mammary tumors was not related to ER status. Combined use of 1 alpha(OH)D3 with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) was also examined. No significant augmentation of the antitumor effect was seen in the two combinations, although the combined therapy with MPA showed a significant inhibition of weight loss in the rats.

Intersite variation of estrogen receptors in human breast cancers and response to endocrine therapy. Which section of a large tumor is the best for estrogen receptor assay?

Estrogen receptor (ER) assays were performed by sucrose gradient centrifugation method at multiple sites in large breast cancers. Intersite variation of ER in a tumor was observed in 24 out of 35 cases. 16 tumors with relatively low ER levels showed different ER status with multiple assays. The results suggest that an assay performed on a small random part of a large tumor may not yield the true ER status. ER value at the largest cross-section was almost the same as the average ER values in each tumor. In addition, 21 cases were examined in relation to ER values at multiple sites in the large tumors and response to endocrine therapy. As the ER value at the largest cross-section was highly correlated with the therapeutic response to endocrine therapy of breast cancer, it would represent true ER status and level. The results suggest that the ER assay at the largest cross-section of a large tumor is an appropriate method to predict response to endocrine therapy.

Tumor-promoting phorbol ester acts synergistically with insulin to induce lutropin receptor expression in rat granulosa cells

Lutropin (LH) receptors in rat granulosa cells are expressed by activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase in response to follitropin (FSH). In the present study, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) could cause a dose-dependent expression of LH receptors in the presence of insulin, but not in the absence of insulin, as measured by binding of 125I-deglycosylated human choriogonadotropin (DGhCG). The synergistic action of TPA with insulin was achieved at 1 nM and 10 mIU/ml, respectively. The receptor expression induced by this synergistic action was accompanied by cAMP accumulation which was detected after a lag time of 6 h following exposure to TPA. However, a synthetic diacylglycerol and non-protein kinase C activating phorbol derivatives did not mimic the effect of TPA on the receptor expression. In addition, insulin modulated the inhibitory effect of TPA in FSH-induced LH receptor expression, indicating a peculiar action of insulin in the receptor expression. Indomethacin treatment led to a dose-dependent inhibition in the receptor expression in the cells treated with TPA plus insulin more than that in the cells with FSH plus insulin, suggesting that the synergistic action was dependent upon cyclooxygenase and/or phospholipase A2 activity. It was shown by Scatchard analysis of LH receptors and kinetic studies of hCG-stimulated cAMP formation that the synergistic action of TPA with insulin led to expression of functional LH receptors coupled with the adenylate cyclase system in cultured granulosa cells.

Antitumor effects of a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor (CGS 16949A) on 7, 12-dimethylbenz[alpha]anthracene-induced mammary tumors in rats

The effects of a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor, CGS 16949A, on female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with 7, 12-dimethylbenz[alpha]anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary cancers were examined in relation to estrogen receptors (ER). Rat tumor sizes in each treated group were significantly smaller (P less than 0.05) and rat body weights in most treated groups were significantly increased (P less than 0.05) compared to those in the control group (no treatment) at all measurement points during treatment. Rat uterine weights in each treated group decreased significantly compared with those in the control group (P less than 0.05). There was no significant difference between ER-positive and ER-negative groups in tumor size, body weight or uterine weight. At increased doses of CGS 16949A in the experiment, further increases in testosterone levels and further decreases in estradiol levels were shown to occur. The results suggest the mechanisms of CGS 16949A action not to be influenced by the presence or absence of ER, but to be due to its potent aromatase inhibition of the conversion of androgens to estrogens.

Effects of sequential and combined immuno-endocrine therapies using OK-432 (Picibanil) and tamoxifen on the growth of 7,12-dimethylbenz [alpha] anthracene-induced rat mammary carcinoma

Effects of sequential and combined immuno-endocrine therapies using OK-432 (Picibanil) and tamoxifen (TAM) on the growth of 7,12-dimethylbenz [alpha] anthracene (DMBA)-induced carcinoma were examined in 128 female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The rats were divided into six groups: control (no treatment), tamoxifen, OK-432, simultaneous immuno-endocrine OK-432 and TAM (OK-432 + TAM) therapy, two types of sequential immuno-endocrine therapy of the OK-432 and TAM groups [OK-432 (1 wk)----TAM (4 wk) and OK-432 (2 wk)----TAM (3 wk)]. Each group was treated consecutively for five weeks. The response rates in the TAM alone group, the [OK-432 (1 wk)----TAM (4 wk)] group and the [OK-432 + TAM (5 wk)] group were significantly higher than in the control group. When the results among the treated groups were compared, the response rate in the [OK-432 (1 wk)----TAM (4 wk)] group was significantly higher than in the OK-432 alone or TAM alone groups. The response rate in the [OK-432 (2 wk)----TAM (3 wk)] group, however, was lower than in the TAM alone group. The response rate in the OK-432 + TAM group was, moreover, not significantly superior to that in the TAM alone group. These results suggest OK-432 not to potentiate the antitumor effect of TAM since the response rate of the combined OK-432/TAM therapy was not always significantly superior to that of the TAM treatment.

Thyroid hormone binding protein contains glycosylation site binding protein activity

Several lines of evidence provided by other workers indicate that within the same species thyroid hormone binding protein, the beta-subunit of prolyl hydroxylase, and protein disulfide isomerase are the same protein. We sought to determine if glycosylation site binding protein, a lumenal protein of the endoplasmic reticulum, also has the same primary structure. To accomplish this the level of glycosylation site binding protein (GSBP) activity, measured by photolabeling with a glycosylation site peptide probe, was carried out in preparations of 3T3 cells and in E. coli transformed with human thyroid hormone binding protein cDNA. The results strongly support the idea that GSBP is identical to these other lumenal proteins of the endoplasmic reticulum.

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver. Clinicopathologic study and review of the literature

Clinicopathologic analysis of nine patients with inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver was reported. The age of the patients varied from 22 to 83 years old, with a male to female ratio of 8 to 1. They complained of intermittent fever and abdominal pain, and laboratory data on admission suggested an inflammatory process. The solitary or multiple, well-defined space-occupying lesions were displayed by recently advanced imaging techniques. Partial hepatectomy, laparotomy, needle biopsy, or autopsy was performed in all nine patients with diagnoses of hepatocellular carcinoma, metastatic liver tumor, or liver abscess. Histologically, these lesions were composed of dense hyalinized fibrosis and/or infiltrating inflammatory cells constituting large numbers of foamy histiocytes, lymphocytes, and plasma cells. Obliterating phlebitis of relatively large branches of the portal vein was found, thus providing a diagnostic clue to distinction from the primary hepatic cancer by imagings. Considering the clinicopathologic features and the patients' histories, in which four patients had been in the Southeast Asian countries or India, it is possible that infection of microorganisms through the portal vein could participate in these lesions as a cause. Two patients died of causes probably related to this lesion, indicating poor prognosis in some patients, in contrast to the generally fair prognosis of previously published cases.

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver. Clinicopathologic study and review of the literature

Clinicopathologic analysis of nine patients with inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver was reported. The age of the patients varied from 22 to 83 years old, with a male to female ratio of 8 to 1. They complained of intermittent fever and abdominal pain, and laboratory data on admission suggested an inflammatory process. The solitary or multiple, well-defined space-occupying lesions were displayed by recently advanced imaging techniques. Partial hepatectomy, laparotomy, needle biopsy, or autopsy was performed in all nine patients with diagnoses of hepatocellular carcinoma, metastatic liver tumor, or liver abscess. Histologically, these lesions were composed of dense hyalinized fibrosis and/or infiltrating inflammatory cells constituting large numbers of foamy histiocytes, lymphocytes, and plasma cells. Obliterating phlebitis of relatively large branches of the portal vein was found, thus providing a diagnostic clue to distinction from the primary hepatic cancer by imagings. Considering the clinicopathologic features and the patients' histories, in which four patients had been in the Southeast Asian countries or India, it is possible that infection of microorganisms through the portal vein could participate in these lesions as a cause. Two patients died of causes probably related to this lesion, indicating poor prognosis in some patients, in contrast to the generally fair prognosis of previously published cases.

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver. Clinicopathologic study and review of the literature

Clinicopathologic analysis of nine patients with inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver was reported. The age of the patients varied from 22 to 83 years old, with a male to female ratio of 8 to 1. They complained of intermittent fever and abdominal pain, and laboratory data on admission suggested an inflammatory process. The solitary or multiple, well-defined space-occupying lesions were displayed by recently advanced imaging techniques. Partial hepatectomy, laparotomy, needle biopsy, or autopsy was performed in all nine patients with diagnoses of hepatocellular carcinoma, metastatic liver tumor, or liver abscess. Histologically, these lesions were composed of dense hyalinized fibrosis and/or infiltrating inflammatory cells constituting large numbers of foamy histiocytes, lymphocytes, and plasma cells. Obliterating phlebitis of relatively large branches of the portal vein was found, thus providing a diagnostic clue to distinction from the primary hepatic cancer by imagings. Considering the clinicopathologic features and the patients' histories, in which four patients had been in the Southeast Asian countries or India, it is possible that infection of microorganisms through the portal vein could participate in these lesions as a cause. Two patients died of causes probably related to this lesion, indicating poor prognosis in some patients, in contrast to the generally fair prognosis of previously published cases.