The regulation of IL-12: its role in infectious, autoimmune, and allergic diseases.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Animals↗
Biomedical subjects
C Y Wu
Publications and source records attributed to C Y Wu.
Molecular cloning and heterologous expression of a glutathione S-transferase involved in insecticide resistance from the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella.
Four glutathione S-transferase (GST, EC 2.5.1.18) isozymes have been characterized in the larvae of the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella L., a cosmopolitan insect pest of crucifiers. This work aimed at cloning and heterologously expressing the cDNA of DBM GST-3, an isozyme involved in this insect resistance to some organophosphorus insecticides, and studying the molecular basis for its increased expression in the resistant strains. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using midgut mRNA from a methyl parathion resistant MPA strain and degenerate primers complimentary to the N-terminal and internal amino acid sequences of GST-3 generated a 128 bp DNA product. A clone of 809 bp, obtained by screening a midgut cDNA library of MPA strain using this PCR product as probe, encoded a protein of 216 amino acids (calculated Mr 24,083 and pI 8.50). This GST of DBM, PxGST3, shared the highest (46.3%) amino acid sequence identity, among insects, to MsGST1 of Manduca sexta. PxGST3 mRNA level was considerably higher in MPA than in susceptible strains, and Southern blots suggested that gene amplification was probably not involved in the increased expression of this GST isozyme. Enzymatically active PxGST3 expressed heterologously in E. coli exhibited similar biochemical and toxicological properties as GST-3 purified from DBM larvae. It is the first cloned GST with a well-defined role in insecticide resistance.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Primary ethmoid sinus craniopharyngioma: a case report.
A seven-year-old boy complained of intermittent epistaxis for several months. Computerized tomography (CT) scans showed increased soft tissue density over the left ethmoid sinus. Endoscopic sinus surgery was used to remove the mass completely. The pathological report was craniopharyngioma. No other focus of lesion was found, and he continues to do well.
Child↗
The GCN4 motif in a rice glutelin gene is essential for endosperm-specific gene expression and is activated by Opaque-2 in transgenic rice plants.
The GCN4 motif is conserved in a number of seed storage protein genes, and promoter fragments containing this motif have been shown to be involved in controlling seed-specific expression of the genes studied. All genes encoding the rice seed storage protein glutelin contain the GCN4 motif at similar sites in their 5' flanking regions. Using a stable homologous transgenic system, we have analysed the promoter of the rice glutelin gene GluB-1 and demonstrated that the GCN4 motif functions as an essential cis-element for endosperm-specific gene expression. Moreover, a 21 bp GluB-1 promoter fragment spanning the GCN4 motif, as a multimer, directed GUS gene expression in endosperm of transgenic rice plants, when fused directly to the core promoter (-46) of CaMV 35S. In transiently transfected rice protoplasts, over a hundred-fold transactivation was observed from the 21 bp sequence by the bZIP type transcriptional activator Opaque-2 (O2) co-expressed under a CaMV 35S promoter. The transactivation was also evident in transgenic plants containing both O2 and the 21 bp sequence/GUS fusion. The O2-mediated activation requires binding of O2 to an intact GCN4 motif. Our results suggest that a bZIP protein functionally similar to O2 may exist in rice and participate in controlling the endosperm-specific expression of GluB-1 through the GCN4 motif.
Artificial Gene Fusion↗
Control of toxic metal emissions from combustors using sorbents: a review.
This paper constitutes a review of the control of toxic metal emissions using sorbents. The objective of sorbent-injection methods is to effectively capture the metal species (preferably transform it to an environmentally benign form) and to suppress the fraction in the submicrometer mode. The design of an effective sorbent-injection methodology thus requires an understanding of the fate of the metallic species and its transformation pathways (transfer to the gas phase, subsequent chemistry at high temperatures, and aerosol formation and growth dynamics) in the combustor. Several different sorbent methodologies used for metals capture are discussed, and a mechanistic description is provided. The need for further experimentation and pilot scale testing is also emphasized.
Adsorption↗
Rice MYB protein OSMYB5 specifically binds to the AACA motif conserved among promoters of genes for storage protein glutelin.
Binding analyses revealed that the AAC--A sequence in glutelin gene promoters is the target site of OSMYB5 protein and that both the distal and proximal AACA motifs are recognized by this protein. These results suggest that the OSMYB5 protein functions as a trans-acting factor for glutelin gene expression.
Base Sequence↗
Effects of task goal on movement kinematics and line bisection performance in adults without disabilities.
OBJECTIVE: This study investigated (a) whether the kinematic profile of a reaching-for-an-object movement would differ depending on the goal of the reaching task and (b) the effect of task goal on attentional carryover. METHOD: Twenty-four adults without disabilities performed a horizontal line bisection task under three conditions: (a) a natural condition (pressing the ringing lever of a desk bell), (b) an impoverished condition (touching the ringing lever of a desk bell), and (c) a control condition (bisecting a line only). Only the natural and impoverished conditions used the reaching task (i.e., pressing or touching the ringing lever of the desk bell). The kinematic profile of reaching for the bell was established with the OPTO-TRAK system, a quantitative kinematic analysis measure. The line bisection task was performed immediately after the reaching task, which was located adjacent to the left of the line to be bisected. RESULTS: The natural condition elicited better quality of reaching movement than did the impoverished condition. It produced significantly shorter movement time and higher peak velocity. A less impressive effect was found for percentage of reach where peak velocity occurs. Bisection performance under the two experimental conditions was leftward biased relative to the control condition, and the magnitude of leftward bias in the natural condition was greater than that for the impoverished condition. CONCLUSION: Results supported one core assumption of occupational therapy: goal-directed and functional tasks can be used to enhance human performance. If the results hold for clinical populations, manipulations of functional goals may enhance movement performance of persons with disabilities and remediate left neglect often seen in clients who have had a stroke.
Adult↗
[Local injection of dexamethasone to prevent swelling after extraction of impacted mandibular third molar with high speed turbine drill]
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Journal Article↗
Intraluminal mucin pool in mucinous gastric adenocarcinoma: a case report.
Mucinous gastric carcinoma is a rare pathologic subtype of gastric adenocarcinoma. Whether the mucin behaves aggressively as in mucinous colorectal carcinoma is still controversial. Most mucinous gastric carcinomas are diagnosed from surgical specimens. The mucinous gastric carcinoma in this case report was discovered preoperatively according to its characteristic presentation. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination showed a round protruding tumor of greater than 4 cm in size on the mid-body of the stomach; it had an uneven, friable and shiny surface. The surface was coated with a sticky layer of mucin-like substance, which persisted even after the aspiration of the gastric juice. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) revealed a large heterogeneous hyperechoic tumor mass, originating from the mucosal and submucosal layers, on the body of the stomach. The mass was covered with a thick layer of hypoechoic amorphous substance. Hence, a mucin-producing tumor was suspected. Subsequent surgical biopsy proved the mass to be a moderately differentiated mucinous adenocarcinoma. This case illustrates the first endoscopic ultrasonographic report of an intraluminal mucin pool as a hypoechoic substance, which is quite different from the hyperechoic presentation of intramural mucin lakes. In preoperative evaluation, EUS is not only important for determining the depth of tumor invasion, but it is also useful in differentiating mucinous gastric carcinoma from nonmucinous gastric carcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗
Identification of the transcription start site for the spinach chloroplast serine tRNA gene.
Deleting part of the 3' end of the spinach chloroplast serine tRNA coding region, which destroyed the proper folding of its RNA transcript and resulted in the inhibition of tRNA processing, allowed the detection of a serine tRNA primary transcript. The transcription start site for this primary transcript, synthesized from the internal promoter, was mapped to -12 upstream from the mature tRNA coding region. Transcription analysis with various 5' deletion mutants suggested that the AT-rich region between -31 and -11, immediately upstream of the serine tRNA transcription start site, affects the transcription efficiency, and possibly the selection of transcription start site. Identification of the transcription start site for the spinach chloroplast serine tRNA gene in this study represents the first example of 5' end mapping of a tRNA precursor transcribed from chloroplast tRNA genes containing an internal promoter.
Base Sequence↗
Cloning and expression of five myb-related genes from rice seed.
Three elements in the promoter of rice glutelin genes are important for their endosperm specific expression. One of these, an AACA motif, has been shown to be a negative regulator in non-seed tissues and has a similarity to the barley gibberellin responsive element recognized by MYB-like DNA binding proteins. A cDNA library constructed from immature rice seed was screened using two types of myb gene probes to isolate cDNA clones representing genes encoding MYB-like DNA binding proteins that may recognize the AACA motif in rice glutelin gene promoter. We obtained four cDNA clones encoding MYB-related proteins, Oryza sativa MYB (OSMYB) 1-4, using the maize C1 probe. Another myb-like clone, Osmyb5, was obtained by screening a rice seed cDNA library with probes designed to recognize the AACA-like binding domain in GAMYB and PHMYB3. RT-PCR was used to analyze Osmyb expression during rice seed development and their presence in other rice tissues, as it was not possible to detect these mRNAs by conventional Northern analysis. RT-PCR analysis showed that Osmyb2, Osmyb3 and Osmyb5 genes were expressed in all tissues examined. In seed, the mRNA levels of Osmyb1 and Osmyb4 genes reached a maximum at 14 days after flowering (DAF), suggesting that these genes may play a role in seed maturation. As Osmyb5 exhibits a high similarity to the regions in both GAMYB and PHMYB3, which can bind to the AACA motif, there is a possibility that the OSMYB5 protein may bind to the AACA motif of glutelin genes.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
The role of the N-terminal leucine residue in snake venom cardiotoxin II (Naja naja atra).
The N-terminal leucine residue of snake venom cardiotoxin II (CTX II) (Naja naja atra) was systematically replaced with D-leucine (CTXII-L1-D-L), glycine (CTXII-L1G) or deleted [CTXII-(2-60)] to study the role of leucine residue in CTX II molecule. CTX II, CTXL1-D-L, CTXL1G and CTX(2-60) were produced by chemical synthesis method and purified by high performance liquid chromatography. Owing to folding problem in CTXII-(2-60), only CTX II, CTXII-L1-D-L and CTXII-L1G were produced in a pure form and characterized by amino acid analysis, mass spectrometry and peptide mapping. In the structural aspect, changing the Leu-1 by D-Leu or Gly causes a drastic alteration in the whole CTX II structure as detected by circular dichroism, 1-anilino-naphthalene-8-sulfonate (ANS) fluorescence assay. In the functional aspect, both CTXII-L1-D-L and CTXII-L1G are still retained substantial biological activity of CTX II. Therefore, the results indicate that both the chirality and the side-chain of the N-terminal leucine residue of CTX II are important elements in maintaining the whole CTX II structure. In addition, this study is the first report in elucidating the reason why the first N-terminal residue of most CTXs (90.3%) is leucine residue.
Amino Acids↗
Differential associations between the cytoplasmic regions of the interleukin-12 receptor subunits beta1 and beta2 and JAK kinases.
The role of the cytoplasmic regions of interleukin-12 receptors (IL-12R) beta1 and beta2 in stimulating proliferation was examined. The transmembrane and cytoplasmic regions of IL-12Rbeta1 or IL-12Rbeta2 were fused to the extracellular domain of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, yielding chimeric receptors E12R1 and E12R2, respectively. These chimeras were stably transfected into BaF3 cells, a factor-dependent murine pro-B cell line. Only E12R2 or E12R1+E12R2 transfectants were capable of EGF-dependent proliferation. EGF-dependent phosphorylation of E12R2, JAK2, Tyk2, and STAT3 was observed. JAK2 was phosphorylated in E12R1-, E12R2-, and E12R1+E12R2-expressing cells. However, direct associations were detectable only between E12R2 and JAK2. Tyk2 phosphorylation was observed only in cells expressing E12R1 or E12R1+E12R2. In parallel with this activation pattern, direct interactions only between Tyk2 and E12R1 were demonstrable. Phosphorylation of STAT3 was observed in cells expressing E12R1, E12R2, and E12R1+E12R2. The expression levels of STAT4 protein in BaF3 cells are undetectable by the methods employed here; therefore, STAT4 phosphorylation was not observed. Taken together, the data indicate that differential interactions take place between the cytoplasmic regions of the two IL-12R subunits and JAK2/Tyk2 and that the cytoplasmic region of IL-12Rbeta2 alone is capable of delivering a proliferative signal.
Barium Compounds↗
Acute effects of nitric oxide blockade with L-NAME on arterial haemodynamics in the rat.
1. We employed the technique of impedance spectral analysis to investigate the role of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) in the regulation of steady and pulsatile haemodynamics in Wistar Kyoto rat (WKY). 2. A total of 12 WKYs was anaesthetized with pentobarbitol sodium (40 mg kg-1, i.p.) and artificially ventilated with an animal respirator. The aortic pressure wave was monitored with a high fidelity Millar sensor, and aortic flow wave with an electromagnetic flow probe. The pressure and flow waves were subjected to Fourier transform for the analysis of impedance spectra. 3. The baseline cardiovascular parameters were mean arterial pressure (APm) 95 +/- 9 mmHg, heart rate (HR) 338 +/- 9 b.p.m., stroke volume (SV) 0.23 +/- 0.01 ml, cardiac output (CO) 77.8 +/- 1.6 ml min-1, total peripheral resistance (TPR) 98 +/- 11 (x10(3)) dyne s cm-5, characteristic impedance (Zc) 2046 +/- 141 dyne s cm-5, arterial compliance at mean AP (Cm) 3.78 +/- 0.22 microliters mmHg-1 and backward pulse wave (Pb) 12.9 +/- 0.6 mmHg. 4. An NO synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine monomethyl ester (L-NAME) was administered at graded intravenous doses. This agent caused dose-dependent increases in AP and TPR with decreases in HR. At an accumulative dose of 10 mg kg-1, APm was increased by 29 +/- 3 mmHg (+31%) and TPR by 49 +/- 6 (x10(3)) dyne s cm-5 (+50%), while HR was reduced by 37 +/- 5 b.p.m. (-11%) and CO by 10.4 +/- 0.8 ml min-1 (-14%). The pulsatile haemodynamics including Zc and Pb were slightly increased by 14-15%. Cm was decreased by 1.09 microliters mmHg-1 (-29%). L-NAME also did not significantly affect the ventricular work including the steady, oscillatory and total work. 5. Aminoguanidine, a specific inhibitor for inducible NO synthase (iNOS), in dose 10-60 mg kg-1 i.v. did not alter the AP, HR and other parameters. The result indicated that blockade of constitutive NOS, but not iNOS is involved in these changes. 6. Angiotensin II (Ang) in various infusion doses was used to produce a profile of AP increase similar to that caused by L-NAME. Ang remarkably increased Zc, while TPR was moderately elevated. The pattern of haemodynamic changes was different from that following L-NAME. 7. The results suggest that blockade of the endogenous NO affects predominantly the arterial pressure and peripheral resistance. The Windkessel functions such as arterial impedance and pulse wave reflection are slightly increased. Ventricular works are not significantly altered.
Animals↗
Kinetic studies of the inhibitory effects of propeptides subtilisin BPN' and Carlsberg to bacterial serine proteases.
The propeptides of bacterial subtilisin BPN' and Carlsberg were synthesized to investigate their inhibitory function on the enzymes. Kinetically, pro-BPN' inhibits the proteolytic activities of subtilisin BPN' and Carlsberg separately in a slow binding mode. Pro-Carlsberg behaves as a typical rapid equilibrium competitive inhibitor for these two proteases. Functionally, pro-Carlsberg inhibits the subtilisins with moderate selectivity. The inhibition constant Ki of pro-BPN' to subtilisin BPN' is 5.0 nM, and 6.1 nM to subtilisin Carlsberg. The on-rate of pro-BPN' to subtilisin BPN' is 5.8 x 10(5) M(-1)s(-1), and the off-rate 2.9 x 10(-3) s(-1). Similarly, the on-rate of pro-BPN' to subtilisin Carlsberg is 2.2 x 10(5) M(-1)s(-1), and the off-rate 1.3 x 10(-3) s(-1). On the other hand, the Ki of pro-Carlsberg to subtilisin BPN' gives 1.3 x 10(2) nM, and 88 nM to subtilisin Carlsberg. Based on the key features of the interactions between pro-BPN' and subtilisin from X-ray crystallographic results (Gallagher et al., 1995), the correlation between the sequence of subtilisin propeptides and their inhibition abilities on the proteases are compared and discussed.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
A functional interleukin 12 receptor complex is composed of two beta-type cytokine receptor subunits.
We have identified a cDNA from a human phytohemagglutinin-activated lymphoblast library encoding a protein that binds 125I-labeled human interleukin 12 (125I-huIL-12) with a Kd of about 5 nM when expressed in COS-7 cells. When coexpressed in COS-7 cells with the previously identified IL-12 beta receptor (IL-12R beta) protein, two classes of 125I-huIL-12 binding sites were measured with Kds of about 55 pM and 8 nM, corresponding to the high- and low-affinity binding sites seen on phytohemagglutinin-activated lymphoblasts. This newly identified huIL-12R subunit is a member of the cytokine receptor superfamily, with closest resemblance to the beta-type cytokine receptor gp130 and the receptors for leukemia inhibitory factor and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Consequently, we have reclassified the previously identified IL-12R beta subunit as huIL-12R beta 1 and designated the newly identified subunit as huIL-12R beta 2. huIL-12R beta 2 is an 862-amino acid type I transmembrane protein with a 595-amino-acid-long extracellular domain and a cytoplasmic tail of 216 amino acids that contains three tyrosine residues. A cDNA encoding the mouse homolog of the huIL12R beta 2 protein has also been isolated. Human and mouse IL-12R beta 2 proteins show a 68% amino acid sequence identity. When expressed in COS-7 cells, huIL-12R beta 2 exists as a disulfide-linked oligomer with an apparent monomeric molecular weight of 130 kDa. Coexpression of the two identified IL-12R subunits in Ba/F3 cells conferred IL-12 responsiveness, and clones of these cotransfected Ba/F3 cells that grew continuously in the presence of IL-12 were isolated and designated LJM-1 cells. LJM-1 cells exhibited dose-dependent proliferation in response to huIL-12, with an ED50 of about 1 pM huIL-12. Interestingly, Ba/F3 cells transfected with IL-12R beta 2 alone proliferated in response to huIL-12 with an ED50 of about 50 pM, although a role for endogenous mouse IL-12R beta 1 in IL-12 signal transduction in these transfectants cannot be ruled out. These results demonstrate that the functional high-affinity IL-12R is composed of at least two beta-type cytokine receptor subunits, each independently exhibiting a low affinity for IL-12.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
IL-12-deficient mice are defective but not devoid of type 1 cytokine responses.
Interleukin-12 (IL-12) has been described as a pivotal molecule in the immune response based in part on its ability to influence the differentiation of T helper (Th) cells into a type 1 (Th1) phenotype. This event is crucial in that appropriate differentiation of naive T cells can determine susceptibility or resistance to given pathogens by influencing the balance between cellular and humoral immunity. In order to further delineate the role of IL-12 in the immune response, we generated mice deficient for this cytokine. IL-12 knockout mice were viable, fully fertile, and displayed no obvious developmental abnormalities. Upon immunological analysis, these mice demonstrated an impaired ability to effect a Th1 response as well as an impaired ability to produce interferon-gamma in response to endotoxin in vivo. These data establish an essential role for IL-12 in the generation of optimal Th1 responses in vivo, but weak responses can occur independently of IL-12.
Animals↗
Role of interleukin-12 in the maturation of naive human CD4 T cells.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Antigen-Presenting Cells↗