Changes in blood circulation of the contralateral Achilles tendon during and after acupuncture and heating.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of acupuncture and heating (application of hot pack) treatments on blood circulation in the contralateral Achilles tendon. During the treatments (10 min for acupuncture, 20 min for heating) and recovery period (40 min), the blood volume (THb) and oxygen saturation (StO2) of the treated and the non-treated tendons were measured using red laser lights. During both treatments, THb and StO2 of the treated tendon increased significantly from the resting level. The increased THb and StO2 of the treated tendon were maintained until the end of the recovery period after removal of the acupuncture needle, although these values decreased after removal of the hot pack. Although THb of the non-treated sides did not change during both acupuncture and heating treatments, it increased gradually after removal of the acupuncture needle or the hot pack. For both treatments, the amount of increase in THb of the non-treated tendon was significantly correlated to that of the treated tendon during the last phase of recovery period. These results obtained from the healthy subjects imply that blood circulation in the injured tendon in a plaster cast may be improved by applying acupuncture or heating treatments to the contralateral healthy limb.

Isolation of a new type of human papillomavirus (HPV52b) with a transforming activity from cervical cancer tissue.

Substantial evidence has implicated human papillomaviruses (HPVs) as etiological agents of human cervical cancer. We detected and cloned an unidentified HPV genome in cellular DNA extracted from a surgical specimen of a Japanese patient with cervical cancer. Hybridization studies suggested that this HPV was the most homologous to HPV33 among more than 51 types of HPV ever identified. A recently identified new HPV, isolated by W. Lancaster and designated HPV52, is also most homologous to HPV33 (W. Lancaster et al., unpublished data). Our HPV was found to be homologous but not identical to HPV52 and hence was designated HPV52b. By introducing it into NIH3T3 cells, we found that HPV52b DNA had growth-stimulating activity as HPV16 DNA. This newly identified HPV52b DNA was present as episomes in cervical cancer cells of two out of two specimens so far examined and the integrated copies were not detected. HPV52b was present in three out of 15 (20%) specimens in Japan. In addition, the presence of three additional unidentified HPV sequences homologous to HPV52b was detected in three other specimens. The results suggest that this group of HPV may be prevalent and involved in carcinogenesis of cervical cancer in Japan.

Purification and characterization of virus-like particles and pentamers produced by the expression of SV40 capsid proteins in insect cells.

Three capsid proteins of SV40 (VP1, VP2, and VP3) were expressed in insect cells using recombinant baculoviruses. When the VP1 capsid protein was expressed alone or co-expressed with VP2 and VP3, virus-like particles (VLP) were produced. In the latter case, the minor capsid proteins, VP2 and VP3, were incorporated into the VLP. VLPs with and without VP2 and VP3, and the wild type SV40 virions were indistinguishable under electron microscope. The sedimentation coefficient, S20,w' obtained for the VLP consisting of VP1 alone (VP1-VLP) was 170 S, and that for the VLP consisting of all of the capsid proteins (VP1/2/3-VLP) was 174 S. Treatment of the VP1-VLP with a calcium ion chelating agent and a reducing agent caused dissociation of the VP1-VLP. The dissociated and purified VP1 proteins were identified as pentamers of VP1 based on the molecular weight determination by sedimentation equilibrium. The pentamers were shown to possess the ability to re-assemble into VLP which had the S20,w of 141S. The results are discussed in relation to the morphogenesis of SV40.

Small-angle neutron scattering and dynamic light scattering studies of N- and C-terminal fragments of ovotransferrin.

In order to rationalize the physicochemical heterogeneities between the N- and C-lobes of ovotransferrin (OTf), we have analyzed the structural characteristics of the isolated fragments corresponding to the N- and C-terminal halves of OTf (OTf/2N and OTf/2C) with and without iron by means of small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) using the contrast variation method with solvents of various D2O/H2O mixtures, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. The analyses of the internal structural characteristics from SANS data revealed that the radius of gyration (Rg) for both fragments decreased to the same extent with iron binding, and the structural distortion of OTf/2C was smaller than that of OTf/2N, decreasing with iron uptake. The DLS studies showed that the change in the diffusion coefficient induced by iron binding to OTf/2C was greater than that to OTf/2N. It was inferred that the OTf/2C molecule tends to become more compact on the whole by iron binding as compared to the OTf/2N molecule.

Magainin 1-induced leakage of entrapped calcein out of negatively-charged lipid vesicles.

Effects of magainin 1, a novel antimicrobial peptide, on the permeability of lipid vesicles were investigated by using calcein as a trapped fluorescent marker. Magainin 1 induces the leakage of calcein specifically out of negatively-charged vesicles. The peptide binds to bovine brain phosphatidylserine sonicated vesicles according to the Langmuir isotherm with a binding constant of 3.8.10(5) M-1 and a binding-site number of 0.10 per lipid molecule. The leakage seems to occur at a critical binding number of approx. 0.03 per lipid molecule. A circular dichroism study revealed that magainin 1 conforms mainly to an unordered structure both in an aqueous solution and in the presence of egg yolk phosphatidylcholine vesicles, whereas to an amphiphilic helix with the phosphatidylserine vesicles. In conclusion, magainin 1 interacts with acidic lipids through electrostatic interactions followed by hydrophobic interactions to form an amphiphilic helix, inducing the leakage.

Carbohydrate analysis of porcine thyroglobulin isoforms with different iodine contents.

To further validate the relationship between thyroid hormone formation and the carbohydrate structure of thyroglobulin (Tg), we reinvestigated the relationship between the iodine content and the asparagine-linked oligosaccharide structures of porcine Tg. Purified porcine Tg was further separated into isoforms (Tg-F1, -F2 and -F3) with a DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange chromatography column. The iodine residues, neutral sugar and sialic acid were analyzed for the separated Tg isoforms and their asparagine-linked oligosaccharide structures were analyzed. The asparagine-linked oligosaccharides were released from Tg-F1, -F2 and -F3 by hydrazinolysis and each oligosaccharide was labeled with p-aminobenzoic acid octyl ester (ABOE). The ABOE-labeled oligosaccharides from Tg-F1, -F2 and -F3 were analyzed for their relative content in oligosaccharides of each structure type by chemical methods and DEAE- and ConA high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) columns. As a result, it was revealed that the Tg fraction eluted at higher ionic strength from a DEAE-cellulose column is apt to contain more of each iodoamino acid, as well as total content of iodine, larger negative zeta-potential, conforming to sialic acid content in the Tg molecule and to a higher content of di-sialo-bi-antennary complex and to high mannose type oligosaccharides. These results support the conclusion that iodine organification of the Tg molecule is correlated with asparagine-linked oligosaccharide completion.

cAMP enhances insulin secretion by an action on the ATP-sensitive K+ channel-independent pathway of glucose signaling in rat pancreatic islets.

Cyclic AMP potentiates glucose-stimulated insulin release by actions predominantly at a site, or sites, distal to the elevation of the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). Glucose also acts at a site, or sites, distal to the elevation of [Ca2+]i via the ATP-sensitive K+ channel (K+ATP channel)-independent signaling pathway. Accordingly, using rat pancreatic islets, we studied the location of the action of cAMP and its interaction with the glucose pathway. Forskolin, an activator of adenylyl cyclase, raised intracellular cAMP levels and enhanced KCl-induced (Ca2+ -stimulated) insulin release in the presence, but not in the absence, of glucose. Thus, cAMP has no direct effect on Ca2+ -stimulated insulin release. The interaction between cAMP and glucose occurs at a step distal to the elevation of [Ca2+]i because forskolin enhancement of KCl-induced insulin release, in the presence of glucose, was demonstrated in the islets treated with diazoxide, a K+ATP channel opener. The enhancement of insulin release was not associated with any increase in [Ca2+]i. Furthermore, the interaction between cAMP and glucose was unequivocally observed even under stringent Ca2+ -free conditions, indicating the Ca2+ -independent action of cAMP. This action of cAMP is physiologically relevant, because not only forskolin but also glucagon-like peptide 1, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, and pituitary adenylyl cyclase activating polypeptide exerted similar actions. In conclusion, the cAMP/protein kinase A pathway has no direct effect on Ca2+ -stimulated insulin exocytosis. Rather, it strongly potentiates insulin release by increasing the effectiveness of the K+ATP channel-independent action of glucose.

Augmentation of Ca2+-stimulated insulin release by glucose and long-chain fatty acids in rat pancreatic islets: free fatty acids mimic ATP-sensitive K+ channel-independent insulinotropic action of glucose.

Glucose augments Ca2+-stimulated insulin release from the pancreatic beta-cell in an ATP-sensitive K+ channel (K(ATP) channel)-independent manner. In studying the mechanisms underlying this action, we used rat pancreatic islets and examined the effects of exogenous free fatty acids (FFAs), which are precursors of long-chain acyl-CoA (LC-CoA), on KCl-induced Ca2+-stimulated insulin release. Myristate, palmitate, and stearate augmented insulin release induced by 50 mmol/l KCl in the presence of 2.8 mmol/l glucose. Added acutely, their potency was weak compared with that of glucose-induced augmentation. The FFA-induced augmentation became much greater, however, when islets were preincubated with FFAs under stringent Ca2+-free conditions (with 1 mmol/l EGTA) before the KCl stimulation. Under these conditions, 16.7 mmol/l glucose augmented 13-fold insulin release induced by 50 mmol/l KCl, whereas palmitate or myristate (both at a free concentration of 10 micromol/l) produced 5.8- and 5.2-fold augmentations. Effects of FFAs and glucose were concentration-dependent. The temporal profiles of augmentation induced by 11.1 mmol/l glucose and 10 micromol/l palmitate were similar. Glucose and palmitate caused almost identical augmentation patterns for the initial 10 min of stimulation; subsequently, glucose augmentation was better sustained than palmitate augmentation. This suggests the existence of a longer-term glucose-specific signaling moiety that cannot be mimicked by FFAs. Our results provide direct evidence that FFAs can mimic the K(ATP) channel-independent action of glucose. Taking these results together with previous results, we conclude that glucose augments Ca2+-stimulated insulin release, at least in part, by increasing malonyl-CoA and cytosolic LC-CoA. However, one or more other glucose-specific signaling molecules are required for the full expression of augmentation.

Cerulenin, an inhibitor of protein acylation, selectively attenuates nutrient stimulation of insulin release: a study in rat pancreatic islets.

Nutrients such as glucose stimulate insulin release from pancreatic beta-cells through both ATP-sensitive K+ channel-independent and -dependent mechanisms, which are most likely interrelated. Although little is known of the molecular basis of ATP-sensitive K+ channel-independent insulinotropic nutrient actions, mediation by cytosolic long-chain acyl-CoA has been implicated. Because protein acylation might be a sequel of cytosolic long-chain acyl-CoA accumulation, we examined if this reaction is engaged in nutrient stimulation of insulin release, using cerulenin, an inhibitor of protein acylation. In isolated rat pancreatic islets, cerulenin inhibited the glucose augmentation of Ca2+-stimulated insulin release evoked by a depolarizing concentration of K+ in the presence of diazoxide and Ca2+-independent insulin release triggered by a combination of forskolin and phorbol ester under stringent Ca2+-free conditions. Cerulenin inhibition of glucose effects was concentration dependent, with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 5 microg/ml and complete inhibition at 100 microg/ml. Cerulenin also inhibited augmentation of insulin release by alpha-ketoisocaproate, a mitochondrial fuel. Furthermore, cerulenin abolished augmentation of both Ca2+-stimulated and Ca2+-independent insulin release by 10 micromol/l palmitate, which causes palmitoylation of cellular proteins. In contrast, cerulenin did not attenuate insulin release elicited by nonnutrient secretagogues, such as a depolarizing concentration of K+, activators of protein kinases A and C, and mastoparan. Glucose oxidation, ATP content in islets, and palmitate oxidation were not affected by cerulenin. In conclusion, cerulenin inhibits nutrient augmentation of insulin release with a high selectivity. The finding is consistent with a prominent role of protein acylation in the process of beta-cell nutrient sensing.

Kassinin: stimulation of insulin and glucagon secretion in the rat.

The effect of the newly discovered tachykinin dodecapeptide kassinin on endocrine pancreatic function was examined in the rat and compared to that of substance P, a neuropeptide which is structurally closely related to kassinin. Kassinin, injected iv in graded doses 10, 20, and 30 min before blood collection, significantly increased both plasma insulin and plasma glucagon in a dose-related fashion. The largest dose examined (10 micrograms) increased plasma insulin by 275% and plasma glucagon by 77%. In contrast, iv injections of equimolar doses of substance P did not affect either hormone. However, both kassinin and substance P increased plasma glucose levels in a dose-dependent fashion. Kassinin appears to have biological actions on the endocrine pancreas which clearly can be distinguished from those of substance P. Should kassinin be present in mammalian tissue and show a distribution similar to that of other neuropeptides, it may play a role in the physiological regulation of carbohydrate metabolism.

Plasma pancreastatin-like immunoreactivity in various diseases.

Plasma pancreastatin (PST)-like immunoreactivity in normal subjects and patients with various diseases was estimated by a RIA, using antiserum raised against a synthetic C-terminal peptide of human PST deduced from the sequence of human chromogranin-A. The mean level +/- SEM was 13.2 +/- 0.6 pmol/L in normal subjects, but was significantly higher in patients with chronic renal failure (526.7 +/- 48.5). An immunoreactive form corresponding to a human PST-like sequence [human chromogranin-A-(250-301)] and a larger form were detected by gel filtration of plasma from these patients, suggesting accumulation of the larger molecular form in these patients. A significant increase in PST-like immunoreactivity was also found in patients with liver cirrhosis (20.8 +/- 3.0 pmol/L), but not in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, chronic pancreatitis, or pancreatic cancer. Elevated levels were found in 16 of the 21 patients with small cell lung carcinoma examined. High levels were also found in 3 of 11 patients with islet cell tumor.

Binding of the N-terminal 63 kDa portion of connectin/titin to alpha-actinin as revealed by the yeast two-hybrid system.

Connectin/titin is a 3000 kDa protein which links the myosin filament to the Z-line in vertebrate striated muscle sarcomeres. To search for the Z-line proteins to which connectin binds, the yeast two-hybrid system was applied using cDNA coding the N-terminal 63 kDa fragment of connectin. Two clones coding the C-terminal half region of alpha-actinin (amino acids, 343-897 and 446-897) were obtained. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay clearly demonstrated the interactions of alpha-actinin and the N-terminal 63 kDa fragment of connectin in vitro. Thus it is concluded that the N-terminal 63 kDa portion of connectin binds to alpha-actinin in the Z-line of myofibrillar sarcomeres.

Microenzyme immunoassay for the measurement of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)-like immunoreactivity in porcine plasma.

A sensitive and specific microenzyme immunoassay (EIA) procedure for porcine brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)-like immunoreactivity has been developed. Enzyme-labeled antigen was prepared by conjugation of synthetic BNP with beta-D-galactosidase using N-(epsilon-maleimidocaproyloxy)succinimide method. Using a second antibody-coated immunoplate, the minimum amount of BNP-like immunoreactivity (BNP-LI) detectable by this assay system was 1.6 fmol/well. When porcine BNP-LI in porcine plasma was assayed by the present method levels between 1 and 8 pmol/l were detected. Gel filtration of porcine plasma extracts on Sephadex G-25 revealed the presence of two immunoreactive peaks; one eluted at a position identical with that of BNP-26 and the other eluted earlier, close the position of BNP-32.

Tuftsin analogues: synthesis, structure-function relationships, and implications for specificity of tuftsin's bioactivity.

Thirteen analogues of the natural macrophage activator peptide tuftsin, ten of which are novel, were synthesized with the aim of exploring the relation between their biological potency and their capacity to attach specifically to cellular tuftsin's receptors. The analogues representing modifications and chain extensions at various parts of the parent tuftsin molecule can be classified as N-terminal analogues, C-terminal analogues, "within-chain" derivatives, or dimers of tuftsin and retrotuftsin. The various synthetic routes employed to prepare the analogues are described. A direct correlation was found between the ability of analogues to inhibit [3H-Arg4]tuftsin specific binding to mice peritoneal macrophages and their capacity to enhance phagocytosis or to inhibit tuftsin-mediated phagocytosis by the cells and to potentiate the cell's immune response.

Time-dependent potentiation of the beta-cell is a Ca2+-independent phenomenon.

When isolated rat pancreatic islets are treated with 16.7 mM glucose, a time-dependent potentiation (TDP) of insulin release occurs that can be detected by subsequent treatment with 50 mM KCl. It has been thought that TDP by glucose is a Ca2+-dependent phenomenon and only occurs when exposure to glucose is carried out in the presence of Ca2+. In contrast to this, we now demonstrate TDP under stringent Ca2+-free conditions (Ca2+-free buffer containing 1 mM EGTA). In fact, under these Ca2+-free conditions glucose caused an even stronger TDP than in the presence of Ca2+. TDP induced by glucose in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ was unaffected by inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC). However, cerulenin or tunicamycin, two inhibitors of protein acylation, eradicated TDP without affecting glucose metabolism. The TDP by glucose was not associated with an increase in the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) during subsequent treatment with high K+. Exposure of islets to forskolin under Ca(2+)-free conditions did not cause TDP despite a large increase in the cellular cAMP levels. In conclusion, glucose alone induces TDP under stringent Ca2+-free conditions when [Ca2+]i was significantly lowered. Protein acylation is implicated in the underlying mechanism of TDP.

Differences in cellular transport of tri-iodothyronine and thyroxine: cell cycle-dependent alteration of tri-iodothyronine uptake.

Cellular and nuclear uptake of tri-iodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) was examined using the cultured cell line derived from rat liver, clone 9, and rat hepatoma, dRLH-84. The saturable cellular uptake of T3 and T4 was demonstrated in these cells. First we examined the cell cycle-dependent alteration of thyroid hormone uptake. Cellular T3 uptake was minimal in the early G1 phase and increased in the late G1 phase, reaching a maximal level in the S phase. Alterations in nuclear T3 uptake were in accordance with the changes in cellular T3 uptake. On the other hand, cellular and nuclear T4 uptake was unchanged throughout the cell cycle, suggesting the T3 specificity of the cell cycle-dependent alteration of cellular hormone transport. Next we examined the effect of sodium butyrate on the cellular transport of thyroid hormones. After treatment with 5 mM sodium butyrate, cellular and nuclear uptake of T3 was increased, reaching a maximal level (four- to sevenfold increase) after 48 h. When cells were incubated for 48 h with various concentrations of sodium butyrate, T3 uptake was enhanced by 1 mM sodium butyrate, reaching a maximal level with 5 mM. Although cellular T4 uptake was also increased after treatment with sodium butyrate, the degree and time-course of the increase were different from those of T3. The maximal increase in cellular T4 uptake (two- to threefold increase) was attained 20 h after treatment. Despite the increase in cellular T4 uptake, nuclear T4 uptake was decreased after treatment with sodium butyrate. For both T3 and T4, the enhanced cellular uptake was due to the increased Vmax without changes in the Michaelis-Menten constant. These data indicate that cellular transport of T4 is different from that of T3 in rat hepatic cells.

Rapid oscillation of insulin release by the rat pancreatic islets under stringent Ca2+-free conditions.

Oscillation of insulin release by the pancreatic islets was evaluated under stringent Ca(2+)-free conditions for the first time. Isolated single rat islets were exposed to 16.7 mM glucose in the presence of 1.9 mM Ca(2+), or under the stringent Ca(2+)-free conditions (Ca(2+) omission with 1 mM EGTA, 6 microM forskolin and 100 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate). Fifteen minutes after the initiation of glucose stimulation, effluent was collected at a 6-s interval, insulin was determined in duplicate by a highly sensitive insulin radioimmunoassay, and oscillation and pulsatility of release statistically analyzed. Significant oscillation of insulin release was observed in all islets irrespective of presence and absence of Ca(2+). Significant pulsatility of release was detected in 7 of 11 islets in the presence of Ca(2+) and three of six isl! ets in the absence of Ca(2+). In conclusion, high glucose elicits oscillatory insulin release both in the presence and absence of extracellular Ca(2+).

Lanthanide ions for the first non-enzymatic formation of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate from adenosine triphosphate under physiological conditions.

Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) is formed from adenosine triphosphate at pH 8 and 50 degrees C by use of lanthanide ions. Pr3+ and La3+ are the most active. The cAMP formation is more efficient at higher pH, where the mixture is made homogeneous by the addition of beta-cyclodextrin. The potential functioning of lanthanide ions as the catalytic center of an artificial adenylate cyclase is indicated.

Motilin-antimotilin reaction reveals two antigenic determinants in motilin.

The reaction of motilin with four rabbit antimotilin sera raised by immunization with synthetic porcine motilin-bovine serum albumin conjugate was studied with respect to various binding parameters and specificity. All four antisera exhibited an extremely high degree of specificity and high affinity (K greater than 10(11) M-1) for porcine motilin. Studying the various synthetic motilin fragments. These antisera appeared to contain binding sites reacting strongly with the N-terminal sequence in which the first three amino acid residues are essential for high affinity binding. One of the antisera, R-3-6, appeared to contain approximately 20% of its binding sites with high affinity for C-terminus-containing fragments. These results suggest that motilin possesses two antigenic domains along its primary structure; one contains the N-terminal tripeptide and the other contains the C-terminal nanopeptide as essential parts. Thus, in addition to heterogeneity in affinity, a given antibody preparation may be heterogenous with respect to the specificity along the sequence of a peptide. Gel filtration studies of the methanol extracts of human and dog plasma indicated that an immunoreactive motilin-like material with a molecular size similar to natural porcine motilin was measured by our routine radioimmunoassay.