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Biomedical subjects

C Y Peng

Publications and source records attributed to C Y Peng.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Identification of Miranda protein domains regulating asymmetric cortical localization, cargo binding, and cortical release.

An important question in cellular and developmental biology is how a cell divides to produce daughter cells with different fates. Drosophila neuroblasts are a model system for studying asymmetric cell division: at each division, neuroblasts retain stem cell-like features, whereas their sibling ganglion mother cell (GMC) has a more restricted fate. Establishing neuroblast/GMC differences involves the asymmetric localization of proteins (Inscuteable, Miranda, Prospero, and Staufen) and RNA (prospero). All of these factors are apically localized during interphase, and all except Inscuteable move to the basal cortex at mitosis prior to being partitioned solely into the GMC. In this study, we show that Miranda is colocalized with Staufen and Prospero in neuroblasts, and is required for the asymmetric cortical localization of both proteins. Analysis of miranda mutants reveals three functional domains within the Miranda protein: (1) an N-terminal domain (1-290 aa) sufficient for association of Miranda with the cell cortex and basal localization in mitotic neuroblasts; (2) a central domain (446-727 aa) necessary for apical localization in interphase neuroblasts as well as for "cargo binding" of Prospero, Staufen, and prospero mRNA; and (3) a C-terminal domain (727-830 aa) necessary for the timely degradation of Miranda and release of its cargo from the cortex of the newborn GMC. In addition, Miranda is asymmetrically localized in epithelial cells that lack Inscuteable and divide symmetrically; thus the mechanism regulating Miranda localization is common to epithelial cells and neuroblasts, and Inscuteable is not an obligate component. Finally, we define a C-terminal domain of Staufen sufficient for Miranda-dependent cortical localization in neuroblasts.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

C-TAK1 protein kinase phosphorylates human Cdc25C on serine 216 and promotes 14-3-3 protein binding.

Cdc25C is a dual-specificity protein kinase that controls entry into mitosis by dephosphorylating Cdc2 on both threonine 14 and tyrosine 15. Cdc25C is phosphorylated on serine 216 throughout interphase but not during mitosis. Serine 216 phosphorylation mediates the binding of 14-3-3 protein to Cdc25C, and Cdc25C/14-3-3 complexes are present throughout interphase but not during mitosis. Here we report the cloning of a human kinase denoted C-TAK1 (for Cdc twenty-five C associated protein kinase) that phosphorylates Cdc25C on serine 216 in vitro. C-TAK1 is ubiquitously expressed in human tissues and cell lines and is distinct from the DNA damage checkpoint kinase Chk1, shown previously to phosphorylate Cdc25C on serine 216. Cotransfection of Cdc25C with C-TAK1 resulted in enhanced phosphorylation of Cdc25C on serine 216. In addition, a physical interaction between C-TAK1 and Cdc25C was observed upon transient overexpression in COS-7 cells. Finally, coproduction of Cdc25C and C-TAK1 in bacteria resulted in the stoichiometric phosphorylation of Cdc25C on serine 216 and facilitated 14-3-3 protein binding in vitro. Taken together, these results suggest that one function of C-TAK1 may be to regulate the interactions between Cdc25C and 14-3-3 in vivo by phosphorylating Cdc25C on serine 216.

14-3-3 Proteins↗

Neural stem cells: from fly to vertebrates.

Our goal in this review is to explore the relationship between Drosophila and vertebrate neural stem cell development by comparing progress in each system with the aim of answering several central questions in stem cell biology: (a) How are stem cells formed? (b) Do stem cells divide symmetrically or asymmetrically? (c) How is stem cell fate maintained? (d) How is stem cell differentiation initiated? (e) How are different stem cell fates determined? (f) How "plastic" are different neural stem cell fates? (g) How do neural stem cells produce different progeny? and (h) What regulates stem cell proliferation versus quiescence? Not surprisingly, research in Drosophila and vertebrate systems each have their own biases, strengths, and weaknesses; we hope that by directly comparing progress in each field, new experiments and interpretations in both vertebrate and Drosophila research will become apparent. It has become increasingly clear that vertebrates and Drosophila share many fundamental mechanisms of neurogenesis, validating a comparative approach.

Animals↗

Mitotic and G2 checkpoint control: regulation of 14-3-3 protein binding by phosphorylation of Cdc25C on serine-216.

Human Cdc25C is a dual-specificity protein phosphatase that controls entry into mitosis by dephosphorylating the protein kinase Cdc2. Throughout interphase, but not in mitosis, Cdc25C was phosphorylated on serine-216 and bound to members of the highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed family of 14-3-3 proteins. A mutation preventing phosphorylation of serine-216 abrogated 14-3-3 binding. Conditional overexpression of this mutant perturbed mitotic timing and allowed cells to escape the G2 checkpoint arrest induced by either unreplicated DNA or radiation-induced damage. Chk1, a fission yeast kinase involved in the DNA damage checkpoint response, phosphorylated Cdc25C in vitro on serine-216. These results indicate that serine-216 phosphorylation and 14-3-3 binding negatively regulate Cdc25C and identify Cdc25C as a potential target of checkpoint control in human cells.

14-3-3 Proteins↗

Laboratory and field studies on the effects of the antibiotic tylosin on honey bee Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) development and prevention of American foulbrood disease.

Laboratory and field studies were conducted to determine the effectiveness of the antibiotic tylosin in preventing and controlling infections of American foulbrood disease (AFB) of honey bees. Studies conducted on immature worker bees maintained in the laboratory revealed that honey bee larvae could tolerate quite a range of doses of antibiotic in their diet. Intermediate doses of tylosin protected very young larvae from becoming infected by Bacillus larvae at a concentration of 1.5 x 10(8) spores/ml of diet. Antibiotic treatment had no measurable effects on larval or pupal developmental rates until the dose reached a lethal level. Bees in field colonies readily consumed tylosin in powered sugar, up to a level of 800 mg/7 g sugar. No negative colony effects were noted at any dosage rates. Protection against infection by American foulbrood was compared to results obtained with 200 mg Terramycin, the standard dose of the only substance currently registered for foulbrood control. Both 200 mg Terramycin and 100 mg tylosin protected the colonies for up to 3 weeks. A 200-mg dose of tylosin protected the colony for an additional week. Doses of 100 mg or more of tylosin were adequate to eliminate signs of AFB infection in overtly diseased colonies.

Animals↗

Cell cycle regulation of the p34cdc2 inhibitory kinases.

In cells of higher eukaryotic organisms the activity of the p34cdc2/cyclin B complex is inhibited by phosphorylation of p34cdc2 at two sites within its amino-terminus (threonine 14 and tyrosine 15). In this study, the cell cycle regulation of the kinases responsible for phosphorylating p34cdc2 on Thr14 and Tyr15 was examined in extracts prepared from both HeLa cells and Xenopus eggs. Both Thr14- and Tyr15- specific kinase activities were regulated in a cell cycle-dependent manner. The kinase activities were high throughout interphase and diminished coincident with entry of cells into mitosis. In HeLa cells delayed in G2 by the DNA-binding dye Hoechst 33342, Thr14- and Tyr15-specific kinase activities remained high, suggesting that a decrease in Thr14- and Tyr15- kinase activities may be required for entry of cells into mitosis. Similar cell cycle regulation was observed for the Thr14/Tyr15 kinase(s) in Xenopus egg extracts. These results indicate that activation of CDC2 and entry of cells into mitosis is not triggered solely by activation of the Cdc25 phosphatase but by the balance between Thr14/Tyr15 kinase and phosphatase activities. Finally, we have detected two activities capable of phosphorylating p34cdc2 on Thr14 and/or Tyr15 in interphase extracts prepared from Xenopus eggs. An activity capable of phosphorylating Tyr15 remained soluble after ultracentrifugation of interphase extracts whereas a second activity capable of phosphorylating both Thr14 and Tyr15 pelleted. The pelleted fraction contained activities that were detergent extractable and that phosphorylated p34cdc2 on both Thr14 and Tyr15. The Thr14- and Tyr15-specific kinase activities co-purified through three successive chromatographic steps indicating the presence of a dual-specificity protein kinase capable of acting on p34cdc2.

Animals↗

Cyclin A/CDK2 binds directly to E2F-1 and inhibits the DNA-binding activity of E2F-1/DP-1 by phosphorylation.

E2F-1, a member of the E2F transcription factor family, contributes to the regulation of the G1-to-S phase transition in higher eukaryotic cells. E2F-1 forms a heterodimer with DP-1 and binds to several cell cycle regulatory proteins, including the retinoblastoma family (RB, p107, p130) and cyclin A/CDK2 complexes. We have analyzed E2F-1 phosphorylation and its interaction with cyclin A/CDK2 complexes both in vivo and in vitro. In vitro, E2F-1 formed a stable complex with cyclin A/CDK2 but not with either subunit alone. DP-1 did not interact with cyclin A, CDK2, or the cyclin A/CDK2 complex. While the complex of cyclin A/CDK2 was required for stable complex formation with E2F-1, the kinase-active form of CDK2 was not required. However, E2F-1 was phosphorylated by cyclin A/CDK2 in vitro and was phosphorylated in vivo in HeLa cells. Two-dimensional tryptic phosphopeptide mapping studies demonstrated an overlap in the phosphopeptides derived from E2F-1 labeled in vitro and in vivo, indicating that cyclin A/CDK2 may be responsible for the majority of E2F-1 phosphorylation in vivo. Furthermore, an active DNA-binding complex could be reconstituted from purified E2F-1/DP-1 and cyclin A/CDK2. Binding studies conducted both in vitro and in vivo demonstrated that the cyclin A/CDK2-binding region resided within the N-terminal 124 amino acids of E2F-1. Because the stable association of E2F-1 with cyclin A/CDK2 in vitro and in vivo did not require a DP-1- or RB-binding domain and because the interactions could be reconstituted from purified components in vitro, we conclude that the interactions between cyclin A/CDK2 and E2F-1 are direct. Finally, we report that the DNA-binding activity of the E2F-1/DP-1 complex is inhibited following phosphorylation by cyclin A/CDK2.

CDC2-CDC28 Kinases↗

Isospora belli infection in a patient with Hodgkin's disease: report of a case.

A 42-year-old woman with a history of documented Hodgkin's disease for 1 year presented with watery diarrhea for 6 months. She developed watery diarrhea following recurrence of the underlying disease and use of herbs. After institution of chemotherapy, watery diarrhea persisted despite remission of the underlying disease. Stool cultures and examinations for several pathogens were negative. Later, oocysts of Isopora belli were identified in the stool. The immunological status was typical of patients with Hodgkin's disease. However, HTLV-1 seropositivity and an intact skin test for delayed hypersensitivity were noted. Institution of co-trimoxazole led to prompt resolution of the gastrointestinal symptoms within the ensuing 24 hours. Later she developed recurrent isosporiasis after chemotherapy for the underlying disease, but institution of co-trimoxazole again resolved the symptoms. She remains on maintenance therapy with co-trimoxazole. Isospora belli infection should be considered in opportunistic infections in patients with Hodgkin's disease.

Adult↗

A profile analysis approach to interpretation of the Carrow Auditory-Visual Abilities Test.

This paper describes a profile analysis procedure for use with the Carrow Auditory-Visual Abilities Test (CAVAT). The visual-auditory dichotomy, supported by factor analysis, is examined at one level of analysis. Critical values derived from the standard error of measurement of the difference (Sem/D) for each battery are provided allowing the identification of reliable and abnormal visual-auditory discrepancies. At another level of analysis, a procedure for profile analysis is outlined and critical values are included to facilitate the identification of relative strengths and weaknesses at the subtest level. Test results from 2 preschool children are examined and contrasted to illustrate the utility of the CAVAT in the identification of systematic modality preferences.

Auditory Perception↗

Modeling categorical variables by logistic regression.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the use of logistic regression in health care research. METHOD: Forward and backward stepwise logistic regression algorithms were systematically applied to a real-world data set comprising 301 cancer patients and a set of explanatory variables. RESULTS: Four variables were identified as effective predictors of pain reporting by cancer patients during chemotherapy: fatigue, depression, severity of colds or viral infections, and insomnia. The 4-predictor model was validated by (a) significance tests of regression coefficients at p<0.05, (b) significant improvement of this model over competing models, and (c) goodness of fit indices. CONCLUSIONS: Logistic regression is useful for health-related research in which outcomes of interest are often categorical.

Adolescent↗

Genetic alternations of p73 are infrequent but may occur in early stage hepatocellular carcinoma.

p73, a structural homologue of the tumor suppressor gene, p53, has recently been identified and mapped to chromosome 1p36, where genomic loss of heterozygosity (LOH) often occurs in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To determine whether p73 is involved in the development of HCC and whether there is an inverse correlation between the mutations of p73 and p53, we examined 22 paired tumors/noncancerous liver tissues for allelic expression, LOH and mutation of p73 and for mutation of p53. p73 was biallelically expressed in noncancerous liver tissues and in 7 out of the 8 informative tumors. One tumor tissue expressed only a single allele. LOH of p73 was found in 2 out of the 11 (18%) informative cases. A tumor-specific five-nucleotide deletion mutation causing a reading frameshift/early truncation of p73 DNA-binding domain was found, in which case no concomitant mutation in the DNA-binding domain of p53 was identified. Nine out of the 22 cases (41%) contained tumor-specific mutations in the DNA-binding domain of p53. Two of the three cases with p73 genetic alternations had a tumor size of less than 2 centimeters. These results suggest that p73 is a biallelically expressed gene in the liver and that allelic loss and mutation of p73 is infrequent and may occur early in HCC. p73 is unlikely to be the putative tumor suppressor gene located at chromosome 1p36 in HCC.

Adult↗