Yoshiko Saitoh

Cellular localization of adenosine A1 receptors in rat forebrain: immunohistochemical analysis using adenosine A1 receptor-specific monoclonal antibody.

Monoclonal antibodies were generated against the adenosine A1 receptor (A1R) purified from rat brain. In immunoblot analyses of purified or partially purified A1R preparations from rat brain, these antibodies recognized a solitary band, the size of which corresponded to that expected for A1R. These antibodies recognized not only the native form of A1R but also the deglycosylated form of A1R. Immunocytochemical analysis of Chinese hamster ovarian cells that were transfected stably with rat A1R cDNA showed that their cell bodies were stained intensely by these antibodies, whereas nontransfected Chinese hamster ovarian cells were not. These antibodies detected the A1R naturally present in the DDT1 MF‐2 smooth muscle cells. One of these antibodies (the 511CA antibody) was then used to examine the immunohistochemical distribution of A1Rs in rat forebrain. On light microscopy, A1R immunoreactivity was observed in the cerebral cortex, septum, basal ganglia, hippocampal formation, and thalamus. However, in some regions of the forebrain, regional differences in staining intensity were found as follows: In the cerebral cortex, the strongest immunoreactivity was found in the large pyramidal neurons of layer V. This immunoreactivity was detected in the pyramidal cell bodies, dendrites, and axon initial segments. In the hippocampus, A1R immunoreactivity was detected mainly in the stratum pyramidale. The pyramidal cells in fields CA2–CA3 of the hippocampus were stained more intensely or more clearly than those in field CA1 or the dentate gyrus. More intense A1R immunoreactivity of the apical dendrites was detected in field CA2 compared with other hippocampal fields and the dentate gyrus. Many interneurons of the hippocampus were stained by the 511CA antibody. The subcellular distribution of A1Rs in the forebrain was examined by using a digital deconvolution system and electron microscopy. In the cerebral cortex, the view obtained by removing the background haze by deconvolution revealed that the immunofluoresence‐labeled A1Rs were distributed on the surfaces of the cell bodies and dendrites and in the cytoplasm of layer V neurons as small spots. In field CA1, immunoreactivity was detected in the areas surrounding pyramidal cells. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of A1R‐immunoreactive products in both the presynaptic terminals and the postsynaptic structures. The specific cellular distribution of A1Rs is consistent with the physiological premise that endogeneously released adenosine exerts control over the excitability of forebrain neurons at both presynaptic and postsynaptic sites through A1Rs. J. Comp. Neurol. 411:301–316, 1999.

Sodium dodecyl sulfate-induced conformational and enzymatic changes of multicatalytic proteinase.

Chymotrypsin-like activity of the multicatalytic proteinase (MCP) purified from eggs of the ascidian Halocynthia roretzi was activated by the addition of SDS. Complete activation was achieved simultaneously at the time of SDS addition, and this activity decreased as a function of time. Autonomous fluorescence of MCP also increased rapidly at the time of SDS addition and then decreased at a rate that depended on the SDS concentration. The decrease of autonomous fluorescence induced by SDS preceded that of the activity. These results suggest that a rapid conformational change of MCP induced by SDS results in the enhancement of chymotrypsin-like activity, followed by the decrease of this activity because of the lability of the activated conformation.

Comparative studies on proteasomes (multicatalytic proteinases) isolated from spermatozoa and eggs of sea urchins.

1. Proteasomes (multicatalytic proteinases) have been purified from spermatozoa and eggs of sea urchins by successive chromatographies on DEAE-cellulose, hydroxylapatite, and Sepharose 6B. 2. The isolated sperm and egg proteasomes showed similar properties such as molecular weight (both 630,000) and multiple catalytic activity (pH optimum, substrate specificity, inhibitor-susceptibility and SDS-stimulation). 3. Distinct protein components were detected between sperm and egg proteasomes by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblot analysis using antibody against egg proteasome.

Physiological Functions of Proteasomes in Ascidian Fertilization and Embryonic Cell Cycle

Fertilization is initiated by sperm binding to the vitelline coat, a glycoprotein coat, of the eggs. After the sperm binding, sperm undergoes the acrosome reaction, an exocytosis of the acrosome. By this acrosome reaction, sperm proteases or lytic agents in the acrosome which allows sperm to penetrate through the vitelline coat are exposed and released. Subsequently, the sperm-egg membrane fusion occurs, which triggers a transient increase in intracellular calcium ions, leading to the exocytosis and the resumption of the meiotic division cycle, i.e., egg activation.