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C X Zhang

Publications and source records attributed to C X Zhang.

63 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Altered expression of two Epstein-Barr virus early genes localized in BamHI-A in nonproducer Raji cells.

The Epstein-Barr virus-carrying lymphoblastoid cell line Raji has two major genomic deletions and is incapable of virus production. Two cDNA clones, c70 and c55, were constructed from early mRNA of P3HR-1 cells and localized, respectively, in BALF-2 and BARF-1 open reading frames where one of the major genomic deletion in Raji cells is situated. These were used to search the different early viral transcripts in producer P3HR-1 and nonproducer Raji lines. c70 and c55 hybridized with their corresponding mRNAs only in producer lines. Analysis with in vitro-synthesized RNA probes showed quite a different transcriptional profile in Raji cells than in P3HR-1 cells. In the P3HR-1 line, BALF-2 encodes a 3.4-kilobase (kb) mRNA during the early phase and a 3.3-kb mRNA during the late phase, and in the Raji line, the probe corresponding to BALF-2 hybridized with three mRNAs of 5.0, 3.1, and 2.4 kb; in P3HR-1 cells, BARF-1 encodes a group of 3'-conterminal transcripts (0.8, 1.2, 1.7, 2.7, 3.2, and 5.0 kb) during both the early and late stages; in Raji cells, however, 0.8-, 1.2-, and 1.7-kb mRNAs are absent, the only mRNAs transcribed being upstream of the deletion and of 5.0, 2.6, and 2.0 kb in size. In vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that the BALF-2 open reading frame encodes an early 135-kilodalton (kDa) protein which possesses DNA-binding ability and can be recognized by a herpes simplex virus ICP-8 antiserum. The BARF-1 open reading frame encodes in vitro a 26- to 33-kDa early protein recognized by anti-EA serum. The proteins of both two genes expressed in psi AM 22b cells were localized in nuclei. According to their properties, both proteins, particularly the BALF-2-encoded 135-kDa DNA-binding protein, could play a role in virus replication.

Cell Line↗

Laboratory and field assessment of molluscicidal activity of B-2 against Oncomelania hupensis, the vector snail of schistosomiasis in China.

Molluscicidal activity of B-2 (sodium 2,5-dichloro-4-bromophenol; called as Phebrol and registered in WHO as OMS 3012) was evaluated in a laboratory and the field trials were performed in two different localities in Yueyang city, China, for control of Oncomelania hupensis. B-2 was effective against O. hupensis both in the laboratory and in the field. A dosage of 50 g/m2 in 10% granular form or 20 ml/m2 in 25% liquid form of B-2 would be recommendable as a standard mollusciciding dose for control of O. hupensis.

Animals↗

Identification of an Epstein-Barr virus-specific desoxyribonuclease gene using complementary DNA.

We have recently obtained 18 distinct cDNA clones representing different genes expressed in the early phase of EBV infection. One of them, c37, which is situated at the position 12907-122451 in the B95-8 viral genome, is shown here to code for a viral desoxyribonuclease [DNase]. Cell free translation of c37-selected messenger RNA yielded a protein of about 52 KDa which was immunoprecipitated by a high EA titer serum from nasopharyngeal carcinoma patient. This protein showed a DNase activity which was resistant to high salt concentrations (150 to 300 mM KCl) and was specifically neutralized by EA positive serum. These properties are typical of the EBV-specific DNase activity that we recently described in chemically induced EBV-transformed lymphoid cells. The same results were obtained on cell-free translation of the native RNA synthesized in vitro from pGEM-37 plasmid containing the entire c37 cDNA sequence (1.53 Kb). These data indicate that the BGLF5 open reading frame contained in c37 encodes for the EBV-specific DNase.

Base Sequence↗

Lung cancer risk at low doses of alpha particles.

A survey of inhabitant exposures arising from the inhalation of 222Rn and 220Rn progeny, and lung cancer mortality has been carried out in two adjacent areas in Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China, designated as the "high background" and the "control" area. Annual exposure rates are 0.38 working level months (WLM) per year in the high background, and 0.16 WLM/yr in the control area. In 14 yr of continuous study, from 1970 to 1983, age-adjusted mortality rates were found to be 2.7 per 10(5) living persons of all ages in the high background area, and 2.9 per 10(5) living persons in the control area. From this data, we conclude that we are unable to determine excess lung cancers over the normal fluctuations below a cumulative exposure of 15 WLM. This conclusion is supported by lung cancer mortality data from Austrian and Finnish high-background areas. A theoretical analysis of epidemiological data on human lung cancer incidence from inhaled 222Rn and 220Rn progeny, which takes into account cell killing as competitive with malignant transformation, leads to the evaluation of a risk factor which is either a linear-exponential or a quadratic-exponential function of the alpha-particle dose. Animal lung cancer data and theoretical considerations can be supplied to support either hypothesis. Thus we conclude that at our current stage of knowledge both the linear-exponential and the quadratic-exponential extrapolation to low doses seem to be equally acceptable for Rn-induced lung cancer risk, possibly suggesting a linear-quadratic transformation function with an exponential cell-killing term, or the influence of risk-modifying factors such as repair or proliferation stimuli.

China↗

Lung cancer incidence in a Chinese high background area--epidemiological results and theoretical interpretation.

A survey of inhabitant exposures arising from the inhalation of radon and thoron daughters, and lung cancer mortality has been carried out in two adjacent areas in Guangdong province, China, designated as the "high background" and the "control" area. Annual exposure rates are 0.38 WLM/yr in the high background, and 0.16 WLM/yr in the control area, while age-adjusted mortality rates are 2.7 per 10(5) living people of all ages in the high background, and 2.9 per 10(5) in the control area. From this data we conclude that we are unable to determine the excess lung cancer rate over normal fluctuations below a cumulative exposure of about 15 WLM. This conclusion is supported by lung cancer mortality data from an Austrian high background area.

China↗

Construction and use of cDNA clones for the mapping and identification of Epstein-Barr virus early P3HR-1 mRNAs.

cDNA clones, specific for early Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) RNAs, were constructed from total cytoplasmic RNA of P3HR-1 TK- cells. From 10,000 cDNA clones screened, 22 virus-specific cDNA clones were selected by hybridization with a total EBV DNA. These clones were then precisely mapped on the EBV genome and the corresponding mRNAs were identified by Northern blot hybridizations. Most of them are clearly related to some of the open reading frames described by Baer et al. (Nature [London] 310:207-211, 1984). They represent at least 18 different genes active during the early viral cycle. The transcriptional activity of the virus during the early stage was also studied by dot blot hybridization of total early cDNA probe to EBV genomic fragments. Three main regions showed very strong hybridization with the cDNA probe: BamHI a, M, and L fragments, BamHI K, B, and G fragments, and BamHI B1 fragment (deleted in strain B95-8) and the adjacent right end of the DNA molecule. Seventeen of the cDNA clones were localized in these highly transcribed regions. The five others were dispersed all along the EBV genome.

Animals↗