Toru Arino

Affinity purification of mammalian RNA polymerase I. Identification of an associated kinase.

Overlapping cDNA clones encoding the two largest subunits of rat RNA polymerase I, designated A194 and A127, were isolated from a Reuber hepatoma cDNA library. Analyses of the deduced amino acid sequences revealed that A194 and A127 are the homologues of yeast A190 and A135 and have homology to the β′ and β subunits of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase I. Antibodies raised against the recombinant A194 and A127 proteins recognized single proteins of approximately 190 and 120 kDa on Western blots of total cellular proteins of mammalian origin. N1S1 cell lines expressing recombinant His-tagged A194 and FLAG-tagged A127 proteins were isolated. These proteins were incorporated into functional RNA polymerase I complexes, and active enzyme, containing FLAG-tagged A127, could be immunopurified to approximately 80% homogeneity in a single chromatographic step over an anti-FLAG affinity column. Immunoprecipitation of A194 from 32P metabolically labeled cells with anti-A194 antiserum demonstrated that this subunit is a phosphoprotein. Incubation of the FLAG affinity-purified RNA polymerase I complex with [γ-32P]ATP resulted in autophosphorylation of the A194 subunit of RPI, indicating the presence of associated kinase(s). One of these kinases was demonstrated to be CK2, a serine/threonine protein kinase implicated in the regulation of cell growth and proliferation.

Myocardial contractility and ventricular myosin isoenzymes as influenced by cardiac hypertrophy and its regression.

SummaryChanges in myocardial contractility and ventricular myosin isoenzymes were examined during pressure-overloaded cardiac hypertrophy in rats. Effects of regression of cardiac hypertrophy were also examined. Cardiac hypertrophy was induced by abdominal aortic constriction in 7-week-old male Wistar rats. Regression of cardiac hypertrophy was obtained by opening the aortic band. Myocardial contractility was estimated by measuring isometrically developed tension and maximum rate of tension rise (+dT/dtmax) in isolated left-ventricular papillary muscles perfused with Tyrode solution (32°C, pH 7.4, bubbled with 95% O2·5% CO2, stimulation frequency: 0.2 Hz). Left-ventricular myosin isoenzymes were separated by pyrophosphate gel electrophoresis and the isoenzyme pattern was determined by densitometry. Isometrically developed tension (T) in hypertrophic myocardium remained unchanged, but ±dT/dtmax decreased as compared with hearts of normal rats. Decreased ±dT/dtmax recovered near to the level in normal rats by regression of cardiac hypertrophy. Leftventricular myosin isoenzyme pattern shifted towards VM-3 in hypertrophied myocardium and shifted again toward VM-1 by regression of cardiac hypertrophy. In conclusion, myocardial contractility and ventricular myosin isoenzymes were changed in pressure-overloaded hypertrophy in rats and these changes were reversible to a normal level by regression of cardiac hypertrophy.

Abnormalities of ADP/ ATP carrier protein in J-2-N cardiomyopathic hamsters

ADP/ATP carrier protein (AAC) is located in the mitochondrial inner membrane and has an important function in mitochondrial energy supply. This protein transports ATP to the cytoplasm and counter transports ADP into the mitochondria. J-2-N cardiomyopathic hamsters were investigated to determine the AAC content in cardiac mitochondria. After recording an electrocardiogram and collecting blood, the cardiac mitochondria were isolated. The mitochondrial membranes were labelled with eosin-5-maleimide (EMA) and separated on SDS polyacrylamide gels. The position of the AAC component was identified by exposing the gel under UV light, and the AAC content was determined by densitometry after staining with Coomassie blue. The AAC content ratio was significantly decreased in both 10-week-old and 1-year survived J-2-N hamsters when compared to control Golden hamster. Among 10-week-old J-2-N hamsters, the decrease in the AAC content ratio was more marked for the animals with more severe myocardial damage. The H+-ATPase activities of mitochondrial membrane were higher in 10-week-old J-2-N hamsters than in control hamsters. These results suggest that the decrease of AAC in J-2-N hamster plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy in J-2-N hamsters.

Regulation of Ribosomal DNA Transcription During Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy

Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, induced by norepinephrine, endothelin-I, and contraction, is associated with increased rates of protein synthesis and reexpression of genes associated with the fetal gene program. The signal transduction pathways that link these stimuli to alterations in phenotype and protein accumulation are poorly understood. The increased rate of protein synthesis associated with cardiac hypertrophy is facilitated by an increase in the rate of transcription of the ribosomal genes (rDNA).We have demonstrated that norepinephrine or contraction-induced changes in the expression of an rDNA transcription factor, UBF, can account for the increased rates of rDNA transcription. Endothelin-1 stimulated the phosphorylation of UBF but not the cellular content of UBF. These results suggest that norepinephrine or contraction and endothelin-1 modulate both ribosome biogenesis and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy via different signal transduction pathways.

A Case of Terminal Ileum Lipoma Treated by Endoscopic Polypectomy

Abstract: This study reports on the case of a 71‐year‐old man who complained of repeated episodes of right lower abdominal pain. A barium enema and colonoscopy revealed a 20 times 20 times 15 mm smooth‐surfaced polypoid tumor (Yamada type III) located in the terminal ileum.