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Biomedical subjects

H Sun

Publications and source records attributed to H Sun.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Confirmation of susceptibility gene loci on chromosome 1 in northern China Han families with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To confirm previous effort to identify type 2 diabetes susceptibility genes in a Northern Chinese population by conducting a new genome scan with both an increased number of type 2 diabetes families and a new set of microsatellite markers within the previously localized regions. METHODS: A genome scan method was applied. After multiplexed PCR, electrophoreses, genescan and genotyping analysis, we obtained size information for all loci, and then a further study was done by both parametric and non-parametric linkage analysis to investigate the P values and Z values of these loci. RESULTS: We surveyed 34 microsatellite markers which distributed within 5 regions along chromosome 1, and a total of 12,000 genotypes were screened. Evidence of linkage with diabetes was identified for 8 of the 34 loci. All P values of the 8 loci were lower than 0.05, and the highest Z value was 2.17. A very interesting finding is that all 5 markers at the p- terminal 1p36.3-1p36.23 region, spanning a long range of 16.9 cM, were identified to have a low P value of less than 0.05, which suggests that this region may contain multiple susceptibility genes. Regions 4 and 5 also confirmed the previous findings, and we narrowed these two regions to a 2.7 cM and 2.5 cM regions, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We further confirmed the results gained in the previous genome-wide scan using an increased number of NIDDM families and a new set of microsatellite markers lying within the initially localized regions. The fact that all 5 loci at the p- terminal region displayed a low P value of less than 0.05 suggests that more than 1 susceptibility gene may reside in this region.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1↗
PubMed2001

[Specific amplification of the coding sequences of BBTV III, IV, I and their application in BBTV detection].

Banana bunchy top virus disease (BBTD) is a disastrous disease in bananas, and it is spreading in the world (including China) by the banana bunchy top virus(BBTV). At present, virus-free plantlets are used to prevent BBTD in banana production, therefore, it is very important to establish a method to detect BBTV quickly, sensitively and specifically. ELISA is now popularly used to detect BBTV. The sensitivity of this method is not high enough, and needs specific antiserum, otherwise, pseudo-positive results often occur. According to DNA coding sequences of component III, IV and I of BBTV isolates from Zhangzhou, China, three pairs of primers are designed to establish a PCR method to specifically amplify parts of coding sequences of the BBTV coat protein, movement protein and replicase-association. This method is also applicable to detect BBTV of bananas or cultured banana seedlings in other regions.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2001

[Relative bioavailability of effervescent tablet of potassium chloride in healthy volunteers].

AIM: To probe the approach by which the pharmacokinetics and relative bioavailability of endogenous medicinal substances can be studied. METHODS: A randomized three-crossover study was performed in 18 healthy male volunteers. In two of the three study periods, a single 2 g dose of either effervescent tablet or common tablet of potassium chloride was administered; whereas in one of three periods no drug treatment was given to allow the nondrug-related (endogenous) potassium in urine to be determined. In each period the urine samples were collected at the following intervals: 0-2, 2-4, 4-6, 6-8, 8-10, 10-12, 12-24, 24-48 h after dose. Urine potassium was determined and the cumulative urine potassium-time data were fitted to a one-compartment model with first-order absorption. Bioavailability was represented by cumulative amount of potassium excreted in urine during 48 hours after drug administration and the bioequivalence of the two formulations was evaluated by analysis of variance and two one-sided t-test. RESULTS: The pharmacokinetic parameters were as follows: effervescent tablet T1/2 ke = (6 +/- 5) h, T1/2 ka = (0.08 +/- 0.08) h, ku = (0.09 +/- 0.04) h-1, Xmax/f = (18 +/- 8) mmol; common tablet T1/2 ke = (8 +/- 5) h, T1/2 ka = (0.11 +/- 0.11) h, ku = (0.07 +/- 0.04) h-1, Xmax/f = (18 +/- 8) mmol. Relative bioavailability of effervescent tablet was 97.5% +/- 15.2% compared with common tablet. CONCLUSION: The two formulations were of bioequivalence. The methods used in this study might be applicable to other similar studies involving endogenous medicinal substances.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Comprehensive quality appraisal of "maidong"].

According to the contents of 14 kinds of constituents, 6 samples of Maidong from various habitats were comprehensively appraised by the weighted method with factor analysis and fuzzy mathematic method. The results showed that certified Maidong (Ophiopogon japonicus) was superior to its substitute Shanmaidong(Liriope spp.), and the sample from Xiaoshan county was the best in 3 samples of certified goods. Being consistent with the result of the traditional appraisal, the method used in this paper may provide a new means for appraising traditional medicinal materials.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal↗
PubMed2001

[A comparative observation preoperatively and postoperatively of nasal mucosa in chronic sinusitis treated with endoscopic sinus surgery].

OBJECTIVES: To study morphologic and functional mucosal changes both preoperatively and postoperatively in chronic sinusitis (CS) treated with endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). METHODS: 1. Saccharin test and light microscopic examination of nasal mucosa were taken preoperatively and postoperatively in 32 cases with CS and in 28 normal subjects as control. 2. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were performed to exam preoperatively and postoperatively the nasal mucosa in 10 cases with CS and in 2 normal cases as control. RESULTS: 1. The preoperative saccharin test time (STT) in patients with CS was significantly longer than that in the controls (P < 0.001), and the postoperative STT became significantly shorter than that in preoperative one(P < 0.001). 2. The pathological changes of nasal mucosa, such as infiltration in inflammatory cells, edema, polypoid formations and pathologic glands were observed preoperatively. The infiltration in inflammatory cells, edema and polypoid formations were significantly released (P < 0.01) at four months after operation, and there was no significant difference comparing with the controls (P > 0.05). However, the pathologic glands were not reduced even after four months postoperatively. 3. The examination of electron microscopy demonstrated that the ultrastructure of nasal mucosa was impaired preoperatively and almost completely recovered at four months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The normal structure and clearance function of nasal mucosa in patients with CS was impaired preoperatively, and the impaired structure and mucociliary clearing function of nasal mucosa were greatly improved after ESS and almost completely recovered at four months postoperatively. The pathologic glands and secretive function of nasal mucosa may need longer period for recovering.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Study on the energy transfer fluorescence quenching among combination of acridine yellow-PAR determination of trace iron].

An energy transfers technique between 4-(2-Pyridylazo) resorcinol(PAR) and acridine yellow is studied, and optimum experimental conditions of energy transfer is done as well. It is found that in the aqueous solution of sodium lauryl sulfate, NH3.H2O-NH4Cl buffer solution at pH = 9.2, the energy transfers from acridine yellow to iron(II)-PAR complexes. So a new method of fluorometric energy transfers determination of trace iron(II) by acridine yellow--PAR was described. The range of determination of iron is 0-10 micrograms.L-1. The detection limit for iron is 0.06 microgram.L-1. The method has been applied to the determination of iron in water sample and hair with satisfactory results.

Aminoacridines↗
PubMed2000

Characterization of an unusual variant mRNA of human lysosomal alpha-mannosidase.

Lysosomal alpha-mannosidase (EC 3.2.1.24) is an exoglycosidase in the glycoprotein degradation pathway and is encoded by a 3.0 kb cDNA. A 2.3 kb cDNA from a minor species of HeLa cell mRNA was discovered by RT-PCR cloning. Southern blotting and PCR analysis of the HeLa cell genomic DNA showed that the 2.3 kb message was encoded by the lysosomal alpha-mannosidase gene. Sequence comparison of the cDNA with the corresponding genomic DNA indicated that the 2.3 kb message was generated by an unusual intra-exonic joining event.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed2000

Sequence and analysis of chromosome 1 of the plant Arabidopsis thaliana.

The genome of the flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana has five chromosomes. Here we report the sequence of the largest, chromosome 1, in two contigs of around 14.2 and 14.6 megabases. The contigs extend from the telomeres to the centromeric borders, regions rich in transposons, retrotransposons and repetitive elements such as the 180-base-pair repeat. The chromosome represents 25% of the genome and contains about 6,850 open reading frames, 236 transfer RNAs (tRNAs) and 12 small nuclear RNAs. There are two clusters of tRNA genes at different places on the chromosome. One consists of 27 tRNA(Pro) genes and the other contains 27 tandem repeats of tRNA(Tyr)-tRNA(Tyr)-tRNA(Ser) genes. Chromosome 1 contains about 300 gene families with clustered duplications. There are also many repeat elements, representing 8% of the sequence.

Arabidopsis↗
PubMed2000

Competitive binding of bismuth to transferrin and albumin in aqueous solution and in blood plasma.

Several bismuth compounds are currently used as antiulcer drugs, but their mechanism of action is not well established. Proteins are thought to be target sites. In this work we establish that the competitive binding of Bi(3+) to the blood serum proteins albumin and transferrin, as isolated proteins and in blood plasma, can be monitored via observation of (1)H and (13)C NMR resonances of isotopically labeled [epsilon-(13)C]Met transferrin. We show that Met(132) in the I132M recombinant N-lobe transferrin mutant is a sensitive indicator of N-lobe metal binding. Bi(3+) binds to the specific Fe(3+) sites of transferrin and the observed shifts of Met resonances suggest that Bi(3+) induces similar conformational changes in the N-lobe of transferrin in aqueous solution and plasma. Bi(3+) binding to albumin is nonspecific and Cys(34) is not a major binding site, which is surprising because Bi(3+) has a high affinity for thiolate sulfur. This illustrates that the potential target sites for metals (in this case Bi(3+)) in proteins depend not only on their presence but also on their accessibility. Bi(3+) binds to transferrin in preference to albumin both in aqueous solution and in blood plasma.

Albumins↗
PubMed2000

Predicted Michaelis-Menten complexes of cocaine-butyrylcholinesterase. Engineering effective butyrylcholinesterase mutants for cocaine detoxication.

Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is important in cocaine metabolism, but it hydrolyzes (-)-cocaine only one-two thousandth as fast as the unnatural (+)-stereoisomer. A starting point in engineering BChE mutants that rapidly clear cocaine from the bloodstream, for overdose treatment, is to elucidate structural factors underlying the stereochemical difference in catalysis. Here, we report two three-dimensional Michaelis-Menten complexes of BChE liganded with natural and unnatural cocaine molecules, respectively, that were derived from molecular modeling and supported by experimental studies. Such complexes revealed that the benzoic ester group of both cocaine stereoisomers must rotate toward the catalytic Ser(198) for hydrolysis. Rotation of (-)-cocaine appears to be hindered by interactions of its phenyl ring with Phe(329) and Trp(430). These interactions do not occur with (+)-cocaine. Because the rate of (-)-cocaine hydrolysis is predicted to be determined mainly by the re-orientation step, it should not be greatly influenced by pH. In fact, measured rates of this reaction were nearly constant over the pH range from 5.5 to 8.5, despite large rate changes in hydrolysis of (+)-cocaine. Our models can explain why BChE hydrolyzes (+)-cocaine faster than (-)-cocaine, and they suggest that mutations of certain residues in the catalytic site could greatly improve catalytic efficiency and the potential for detoxication.

Butyrylcholinesterase↗
PubMed2000

Interaction between two isoforms of the NF2 tumor suppressor protein, merlin, and between merlin and ezrin, suggests modulation of ERM proteins by merlin.

The product of the neurofibromatosis type II (NF2) tumor suppressor gene, merlin, is closely related to the ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) family, a group of proteins believed to link the cytoskeleton to the plasma membrane. Mutation in the NF2 locus is associated with Schwann cell tumors (schwannomas). The two predominant merlin isoforms, I and II, differ only in the carboxy-terminal 16 residues and only isoform I is anti-proliferative. Merlin lacks an actin-binding domain conserved among ezrin, radixin and moesin. Because merlin, ezrin and moesin are co-expressed in Schwann cells, and all homodimerize, we have examined whether merlin and ezrin dimerize with one another. We found by immunoprecipitation and yeast two-hybrid assays that both merlin isoforms interact with ezrin. The interaction occurs in a head-to-tail orientation, with the amino-terminal half of one protein interacting with the carboxy-terminal half of the other. The two merlin isoforms behave differently in their interaction with ezrin. Isoform I binds only ezrin whose carboxy-terminus is exposed, whereas isoform II binds ezrin regardless of whether ezrin is in the open or closed conformation. The heterodimerization of merlin is a much stronger interaction than the interaction between either merlin isoform and ezrin, and can inhibit merlin-ezrin binding. This suggests that, in vivo, merlin dimerization could regulate merlin-ERM protein interaction, and could thus indirectly regulate other interactions involving ERM proteins.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

The juxtamembrane region of the epidermal growth factor receptor is required for phosphorylation of Galpha(s).

We have previously demonstrated that Galpha(s) associates with the juxtamembrane region of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) and that the EGFR can phosphorylate and activate this G protein (H. Poppleton et al., 1996, J. Biol. Chem. 271, 6947-6951; H. Sun et al., 1995, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92, 2229-2233). In this report, we have employed peptides EGFR-13 and EGFR-14 (corresponding to amino acids 645-657 and 679-692 in the EGFR, respectively) which disrupt the association of Galpha(s) with the EGFR to investigate whether or not this region of the EGFR is required for phosphorylation of the G protein. EGFR-13 increased the tyrosine phosphorylation of G(alpha)s by two-fold whereas EGFR-14 decreased the phosphorylation of the G protein. Phosphorylation of EGFR-13 on the threonine residue corresponding to Thr654 of the EGFR obliterated the ability of the peptide to increase Galpha(s) phosphorylation. EGFR-13 and EGFR-14, but not phospho-EGFR-13, competed for the association of the EGFR with Galpha(s). A peptide betaIII-2 corresponding to amino acids Arg259-Lys273 in the beta2-adrenergic receptor which competes for association of Galpha(s) with the EGFR and increases protein tyrosine kinase activity of the EGFR could mimic the effects of EGFR-13. Among the three peptides (EGFR-13, EGFR-14, and betaIII-2) that interfere with association of Galpha(s) to the EGFR, only EGFR-13 and betaIII-2 have been shown to activate the G protein. Polylysine which increases EGFR tyrosine kinase activity but does not interfere with association of Galpha(s) and EGFR also augmented phosphorylation of Galpha(s) by the EGFR. Phosphopeptide mapping demonstrated that EGFR-13 and polylysine increased phosphorylation of Galpha(s) by the EGFR on the same additional sites. Collectively, these data suggest that the interaction of Galpha(s) with residues 645-657 of the EGFR, or a peptide corresponding to this sequence alters the conformation of the G protein and/or the EGFR such that Galpha(s) is readily phosphorylated by the EGFR. The peptide EGFR-14, which does not activate Galpha(s), does not allow for the efficient phosphorylation of the G protein even though it does elevate the intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity of the EGFR. The hyperphosphorylation of Galpha(s) by EGFR is likely to require the contact of the G protein with EGFR-13 region (aa 645-657 in the EGFR) as well as augmentation of EGFR kinase activity.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed2000

Phenotypic analyses of frz and dif double mutants of Myxococcus xanthus.

Myxococcus xanthus is a Gram-negative gliding bacterium that aggregates and develops into multicellular fruiting bodies in response to starvation. Two chemosensory systems (frz and dif), both of which are homologous to known chemotaxis proteins, were previously identified through characterization of various developmental mutants. This study aims to examine the interaction between these two systems since both of them are required for fruiting body formation of M. xanthus. Through detailed phenotypic analyses of frz and dif double mutants, we found that both frz and dif are involved in cellular reversal and social motility; however, the frz genes are epistatic in controlling cellular reversal, whereas the dif genes are epistatic in controlling social motility. The study suggests that the integration of these two chemotaxis systems may play a central role in controlling the complicated social behaviors of M. xanthus.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed2000

TEP1, the yeast homolog of the human tumor suppressor gene PTEN/MMAC1/TEP1, is linked to the phosphatidylinositol pathway and plays a role in the developmental process of sporulation.

PTEN/MMAC1/TEP1 (PTEN, phosphatase deleted on chromosome ten; MMAC1, mutated in multiple advanced cancers; TEP1, tensin-like phosphatase) is a major human tumor suppressor gene whose suppressive activity operates on the phosphatidylinositol pathway. A single homologue of this gene, TEP1 (YNL128w), exists in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Yeast strains deleted for TEP1 exhibit essentially no phenotype in haploids; however, diploids exhibit resistance to the phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate kinase inhibitor wortmannin and to lithium ions. Although rates of cancer increase with age, neither tep1 haploids nor diploids have altered life spans. TEP1 RNA is present throughout the cell cycle, and levels are dramatically up-regulated during meiotic development. Although homozygous tep1 mutants initiate the meiotic program and form spores with wild-type kinetics, analysis of the spores produced in tep1 mutants indicates a specific defect in the trafficking or deposition of dityrosine, a major component of yeast spore walls, to the surface. Introduction of a common PTEN mutation found in human tumors into the analogous position in Tep1p produces a nonfunctional protein based on in vivo activity. These studies implicate Tep1p in a specific developmental trafficking or deposition event and suggest that Tep1p, like its mammalian counterpart, impinges on the phosphatidylinositol pathway.

Androstadienes↗
PubMed2000

Quantitative assessment of localization and colocalization of glutamate, aspartate, glycine, and GABA immunoreactivity in the chick retina.

We examined the posthatch chick retina for the frequency of occurrence of localization and colocalization of four amino acid transmitter candidates: glutamate (Glu), aspartate (Asp), gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glycine (Gly) using postembedding methods. We support previous studies of Glu, Asp, GABA, and Gly localization in the direct and indirect functional pathways of the chick retina and extend these studies with new qualitative and quantitative observations. We found that photoreceptors show distinct cellular immunoreactivity for both Glu (Glu+) and Asp+, but not for Gly (Gly-) or GABA. Moreover, there is compartmentalization of Glu and Asp staining within the photoreceptors. All horizontal cells react strongly with Asp and Glu, about three-fourths are GABA+ and three-fourths of these are Gly+. Bipolar cells are uniformly Glu+, heterogeneously Asp+, occasionally Gly+, but GABA-. A majority of amacrine cells stain heterogeneously with all antibodies: 90% are Gly+, slightly more than half colocalize Glu, GABA, and Gly. Furthermore, amacrine cells in the outer two or three rows of cells are more likely to be stained by Gly than Glu, Asp, or GABA. Confirming previous studies, ganglion cells were mostly immunoreactive for Glu and Asp with fewer reactive for GABA and Gly. Strong and distinctly cellular immunoreactivity was found in both central and peripheral retina. Our findings show: 1) there is extensive colocalization of Glu, Asp, GABA, and Gly among most retinal neurons, including some cells that contain all four; 2) cells of the direct functional pathway tend to be labeled by Glu and Asp generally to the exclusion of GABA and Gly, while those of the indirect pathway tend to be labeled by GABA+ and/or Gly+ in addition to Glu+ and Asp+; 3) different cell body layers have distinct patterns of colocalization; and 4) there is no qualitative difference in staining patterns between peripheral and central retina.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Phospholamban remains associated with the Ca2+- and Mg2+-dependent ATPase following phosphorylation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

We have used fluorescence and spin-label EPR spectroscopy to investigate how the phosphorylation of phospholamban (PLB) by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) modifies structural interactions between PLB and the Ca(2+)- and Mg(2+)-dependent ATPase (Ca-ATPase) that result in enzyme activation. Following covalent modification of N-terminal residues of PLB with dansyl chloride or the spin label 4-isothiocyanato-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl ('ITC-TEMPO'), we have co-reconstituted PLB with affinity-purified Ca-ATPase isolated from skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) with full retention of catalytic function. The Ca(2+)-dependence of the ATPase activity of this reconstituted preparation is virtually identical with that observed using native cardiac SR before and after PLB phosphorylation, indicating that co-reconstituted sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic-reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase 1 (SERCA1) and PLB provide an equivalent experimental model for SERCA2a-PLB interactions. Phosphorylation of PLB in the absence of the Ca-ATPase results in a greater amplitude of rotational mobility, suggesting that the structural linkage between the transmembrane region and the N-terminus is destabilized. However, whereas co-reconstitution with the Ca-ATPase restricts the amplitude of rotational motion of PLB, subsequent phosphorylation of PLB does not significantly alter its rotational dynamics. Thus structural interactions between PLB and the Ca-ATPase that restrict the rotational mobility of the N-terminus of PLB are retained following the phosphorylation of PLB by PKA. On the other hand, the fluorescence intensity decay of bound dansyl is sensitive to the phosphorylation state of PLB, indicating that there are changes in the tertiary structure of PLB coincident with enzyme activation. These results suggest that PLB phosphorylation alters its structural interactions with the Ca-ATPase by inducing structural rearrangements between PLB and the Ca-ATPase within a defined complex that modulates Ca(2+)-transport function.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

General route to 2,4,5-trisubstituted piperidines from enantiopure beta-amino esters. Total synthesis of pseudodistomin B triacetate and pseudodistomin F.

The Michael addition reaction of enantiopure beta-amino esters with methyl acrylate followed by Dieckmann condensation and enol silylation affords the enol ethers 6, which are hydrogenated with catalysis by Raney-Ni at 80 atm and 80 degrees C to provide 2,4, 5-trisubstituted piperidines with high diastereoselectivity. In this case Ni-H attacks the C-C double bond from the direction of the 2-alkyl group to provide the products in which 2,4,5-trisubstrited groups are all cis to each other. While hydrogenation of enol ether 13 without a N-Boc protecting group gives the product 15 in which the 4-hydroxy group and 5-ester moiety are trans to the 2-alkyl group. By using the diastereoselective hydrogenation products 9d and 9e as key intermediates, pseudodistomin B triacetate and pseudodistomin F are synthesized. The key steps for these transformations include Curtius rearrangement and Julia olefination.

Alkaloids↗