Kyoto University

About: Kyoto University is a education organization based out in Kyoto, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Catalysis. The organization has 85837 authors who have published 217215 publications receiving 6526826 citations. The organization is also known as: Kyōto University & Kyōto daigaku.

TAB1: An activator of the TAK1 MAPKKK in TGF-β signal transduction

Abstract: Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) regulates many aspects of cellular function. A member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK) family, TAK1, was previously identified as a mediator in the signaling pathway of TGF-β superfamily members. The yeast two-hybrid system has now revealed two human proteins, termed TAB1 and TAB2 (for TAK1 binding protein), that interact with TAK1. TAB1 and TAK1 were co-immunoprecipitated from mammalian cells. Overproduction of TAB1 enhanced activity of the plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 gene promoter, which is regulated by TGF-β, and increased the kinase activity of TAK1. TAB1 may function as an activator of the TAK1 MAPKKK in TGF-β signal transduction.

Regions of the skeletal muscle dihydropyridine receptor critical for excitation-contraction coupling.

Abstract: IT is thought that in skeletal muscle excitation–contraction (EC) coupling, the release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum is controlled by the dihydropyridine (DHP) receptor in the transverse tubular membrane, where it serves as the voltage sensor1–3. We have shown previously4 that injection of an expression plasmid carrying the skeletal muscle DHP receptor complementary DNA3 restores EC coupling and L-type calcium current that are missing in skeletal muscle myotubes from mutant mice with muscular dysgenesis5–9. This restored coupling resembles normal skeletal muscle EC coupling4, which does not require entry of extracellular Ca2+ (refs 10, 11). By contrast, injection into dysgenic myotubes of an expression plasmid carrying the cardiac DHP receptor cDNA12 produces L-type calcium current and cardiac-type EC coupling13, which does require entry of extracellular Ca2+ (refs 14–16). To identify the regions responsible for this important functional difference between the two structurally similar DHP receptors, we have expressed various chimaeric DHP receptor cDNAs in dysgenic myotubes. The results obtained indicate that the putative cytoplasmic region between repeats II and III of the skeletal muscle DHP receptor3 is an important determinant of skeletal-type EC coupling.

Autoantibodies to a 140-kd polypeptide, CADM-140, in Japanese patients with clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis

Abstract: Objective To identify novel autoantibodies specific for dermatomyositis (DM), especially those specific for clinically amyopathic DM (C-ADM). Methods Autoantibodies were analyzed by immunoprecipitation in 298 serum samples from patients with various connective tissue diseases (CTDs) or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Antigen specificity of the sera was further examined by immunoblotting and indirect immunofluorescence (IF). The disease specificity and clinical features associated with the antibody of interest were determined. Results Eight sera recognized a polypeptide of ∼140 kd (CADM-140 autoantigen) by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting. Immunoreactivity was detected in the cytoplasm, and indirect IF revealed a granular or reticular pattern. Anti–CADM-140 antibodies were detected in 8 of 42 patients with DM, but not in patients with other CTDs or IPF. Interestingly, all 8 patients with anti–CADM-140 antibodies had C-ADM. Among 42 patients with DM, those with anti–CADM-140 autoantibodies had significantly more rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (ILD) when compared with patients without anti–CADM-140 autoantibodies (50% versus 6%; P = 0.008). Conclusion These results indicate that the presence of anti–CADM-140 autoantibodies may be a novel marker for C-ADM. Further attention should be directed to the detection of rapidly progressive ILD in those patients with anti–CADM-140 autoantibodies.

Antibodies to adult t‐cell leukemia‐virus‐associated antigen (atla) in sera from patients with atl and controls in japan: A nation‐wide sero‐epidemiologic study

Abstract: A nation-wide sero-epidemiologic survey of adult T-cell leukemia virus (ATLV), detected es anti-ATLA (ATLV-associated antigen), was made in Japan. Sera from adult donors in 15 different locations were screened for anti-ATLA. High incidences (6 to 37%) of antibody-positive donors were found in seven regions, one in northern Japan, and the others in southwestern regions. These areas are ATLV-endemic areas corresponding to ATL-endemic areas. Examination of sera from healthy donors aged 6 to 80 years in ATL-endemic areas showed an age-dependent increase of seropositive donors with a maximum of about 30% at 40 years of age. Anti-ATLA was found in all but two of 142 patients with ATL. Anti-ATLA-positive patients with ATL were mainly found in ATLV-endemic areas, and only a few in ATL-nonendemic areas. Six patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in ATLV-nonendemic areas gave a negative reaction for anti-ATLA. The geometric mean titer of anti-ATLA of patients with ATL was higher than that of healthy donors.