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Biomedical subjects

H Zhao

Publications and source records attributed to H Zhao.

At least 577 records · Page 32Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Enzymatic diagnosis of Morquio A syndrome with a new fluorimetric substrate.

We synthesized a new fluorimetric substrate for the enzymatic assay of galactose 6-sulphate sulphatase (Gal-6S), an enzyme which is deficient in Morquio A syndrome. Our synthetic 4-methylumbelliferyl-galactoside 6-sulphate (4Mu-Gal-6S) proved highly effective and sensitive in the postnatal, prenatal and retrospective diagnosis of Morquio A syndrome as compared to the commonly used radiolabelled substrate. With 4Mu-Gal-6S as substrate and dialyzed supernatant as the enzyme source, we defined the optimal assay conditions for Gal-6S, determined the normal control values for all available materials, and successfully performed postnatal and prenatal diagnosis of Morquio A syndrome.

Chondroitinsulfatases↗
PubMed1990

Inhibition of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-mediated Ca2+ release by Ca2+ in cells from peripheral tissues.

Permeabilized cells attached to culture plates were used to evaluate the inhibition of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-mediated release (IPMCR) by Ca2+. In AR42J cells, a pancreatic acinar cell line, when permeabilization and Ca2+ uptake were carried out at low ionized Ca2+ (0.06 microM), Ca2+ had little effect on IPMCR. On the other hand, when permeabilization and Ca2+ uptake were performed at 5 microM Ca2+, IPMCR was inhibited by Ca2+ with an apparent affinity of 0.24 microM. This inhibition could be modified by exposing the cytosol of permeabilized cells to low Ca2+. Hence, permeabilizing the cells in the presence of 5 microM Ca2+ and then exposing them to Ca2+ concentrations between 0.01 and 5 microM before washing and Ca2+ uptake in the presence of 5 microM Ca2+ resulted in a Ca2(+)-dependent loss of inhibitory activity. The loss of inhibitory activity occurred with an apparent affinity for Ca2+ of 0.21 microM. A similar phenomenon with a comparable apparent dissociation constant for Ca2+ was found with three other cell types from peripheral tissues: the osteosarcoma cell line UMR-106-01, the kidney inner medullary cell line IMCD, and primary culture of urinary bladder smooth muscle cells. The properties of inhibition of IPMCR by Ca2+ in cells from peripheral tissues differ from those previously described in neuronal tissues and suggest that a different factor(s) mediates the inhibition of IPMCR by Ca2+ in cells from peripheral and neuronal tissues.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Regulation of intracellular Ca2+ oscillation in AR42J cells.

Recordings of [Ca2+]i in single AR42J cells loaded with Fura 2 were used to study regulation of [Ca2+]i oscillation. Continuous stimulation with the cholecystokinin analogue, (t-butyloxycarbonyl-Tyr-(SO3)-norleucine-Gly-Trp-Nle-Asp-2-phenylethyl ester) or carbachol evoked long lasting oscillation in [Ca2+]i. Removal of CCK-JMV-180 after brief stimulation did not abruptly stop the oscillation. Rather, removal of CCK-JMV-180 resulted in time-dependent reduction in amplitude with little change in frequency of oscillation. The patterns of [Ca2+]i oscillation were affected by activation of protein kinase C and protein kinase A. However, down-regulation of protein kinase C activity did not prevent stimulation of [Ca2+]i oscillation. Hence, we conclude that an active protein kinase C pathway is not crucial for [Ca2+]i oscillation in this cell line. Variation in extracellular Ca2+ concentration (Ca2+out) was used to further characterize the oscillation. Reducing Ca2+out to approximately 10 microM resulted in a time dependent inhibition of [Ca2+]i oscillation. Subsequent step increases in Ca2+out up to 2-3 mM resulted in increased amplitude and frequency of oscillation. Further increase in Ca2+out or an increase in plasma membrane permeability to Ca2+, brought about by an increase in pHo, resulted in increased amplitude, decreased frequency, and modified shape of the [Ca2+]i spikes. These observations point to the existence of regulatory mechanisms controlling the duration of Ca2+ release and entry during [Ca2+]i oscillation.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗
PubMed1990

Agonist-mediated Ca2+ release in permeabilized UMR-106-01 cells. Transport properties and generation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate.

Permeabilized and intact UMR-106-01 cells attached to culture plates or coverslips were used to evaluate compartmentalized generation and the effective concentration of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (In-1,4,5-P3) during agonist-mediated Ca2+ release. In permeabilized cells, Ca2+ release had the following characteristics. In-1,4,5-P3 released approximately 65% of the Ca2+ incorporated into intracellular stores. Prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha), endothelin, or GTP(gamma S) alone released a small amount or no Ca2+. However, the agonists together with GTP(gamma S) were as effective as In-1,4,5-P3 in releasing Ca2+. Both agonist- and In-1,4,5-P3-mediated Ca2+ release required the presence of permeable ion. Agonists, like In-1,4,5-P3, stimulated 45Ca uptake from low Ca2+ medium devoid of permeable ions into Ca2(+)-loaded intracellular stores. The permeabilized cell system was then used to evaluate compartmentalized generation and action of In-1,4,5-P3 during agonist stimulation. Mass measurement shows that in intact resting cells In-1,4,5-P3 concentration was 1.4 microM and was reduced to 0.05 microM following permeabilization. Stimulation with agonists increases In-1,4,5-P3 concentration from 0.05 to 0.34 microM. Ca2+ release by this concentration of In-1,4,5-P3 evenly distributed in the cytosol can account for only part of the agonist-mediated Ca2+ release. However, the effects of saturating In-1,4,5-P3 concentration and agonists were blocked by the specific inhibitor heparin. Measurement of heparin dependency of In-1,4,5-P3-mediated Ca2+ release was used to calculate an affinity for In-1,4,5-P3 of 0.39 microM. Similar measurements with agonists show that In-1,4,5-P3 concentration at the site of Ca2+ release during agonist stimulation is 11.2 microM. Hence, the total increase in In-1,4,5-P3 is reflected in considerably higher localized concentrations. This is interpreted to suggest compartmentalized generation and action of In-1,4,5-P3 during agonist stimulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

A fluorimetric enzyme assay for the diagnosis of Morquio disease type A (MPS IV A).

4-Methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside-6-sulphate was synthesized and used for the determination of galactose-6-sulphate sulphatase activity. Fibroblasts and leucocytes from 12 different Morquio A patients, showed 0.0-2.7% of mean normal galactose-6-sulphate sulphatase activity. Heterozygotes showed intermediate activities. The enzymatic liberation of the fluorochrome from 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside-6-sulphate requires the sequential action of galactose-6-sulphate sulphatase and beta-galactosidase. Normal beta-galactosidase activity caused nearly complete hydrolysis of non-fluorescing 4-methylumbelliferyl-galactoside, formed during incubation. In cell extracts with a beta-galactosidase deficiency however, a second incubation in the presence of excess beta-galactosidase is needed to avoid underestimation of galactose-6-sulphate sulphatase activity.

Chondroitinases and Chondroitin Lyases↗
PubMed1990

Prenatal diagnosis of Morquio disease type A using a simple fluorometric enzyme assay.

A new fluorogenic substrate, 4 methylumbelliferyl beta-D-6-sulphogalactoside, was used for the assay of galactose-6-sulphate sulphatase activity in chorionic villi, cultured villus cells, and amniocytes. The fluorometric assay is much more convenient than the conventional assay using radiolabelled, sulphated oligosaccharides. Both types of substrate were used in the prenatal diagnosis of three pregnancies at risk for Morquio type A disease using amniocytes. These enzyme tests, as well as electrophoresis of glycosaminoglycans in the amniotic fluid, indicated affected fetuses in two pregnancies and a non-affected fetus in one.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1990

Effects of estrogens on the ultrastructural characteristics of female rat prolactin cells as evaluated by in situ hybridization in combination with immunogold staining technique.

We have recently reported that, in the rat pituitary, prolactin (PRL) is synthesized and stored in two different cell types: the typical PRL cell characterized by the presence of large irregular secretory granules and another cell type containing small round secretory granules. Since the secretion of PRL is stimulated by estrogens, we decided to investigate the effect of gonadectomy and estradiol (E2) replacement therapy in female rats on both cell types using a combination of in situ hybridization and immunostaining. Gonadectomy induced a marked decrease in hybridization signal and an almost complete disappearance of the classical PRL cells. The most abundant PRL cells were the small-granule-containing cells and other PRL cells characterized by the presence of both small and large granules. These changes in the PRL cell population were completely prevented by E2 administration to castrated animals. These studies indicate that E2 cannot only regulate PRL mRNA but also induce important morphological changes in PRL cell types.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Investigation on the immunoprotection of monoclonal antibodies against outer envelopes of serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar lai strain 017 leptospires].

BALB/c mice were immunized intraperitoneally with outer envelopes of serogroup icterohaemorrhagiae lai serovar strain 017 leptospires. Monoclonal antibodies against outer envelopes (IgG, agglutinating titre 1:25,600) were produced by hybridoma technique. The monoclonal antibodies ascites (diluted 1:100) 1 ml administered intraperitoneally 1 hour before the intraperitoneal injection of 2 x 10(8) leptospires of strain 017 and the subsequent daily administration of McAb in similar doses for five days protected 80% of guinea pigs. Survival rates of three control groups which received physiological saline, ascites of BALB/c mouse myeloma cell lines SP2/0, and monoclonal antibodies against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in place of monoclonal antibodies against outer envelopes of strain 017 leptospires were 10%, 20% and 10% respectively. When killed 20 days after challenge, guinea pigs of experiment group were normal at autopsy. Old pulmonary haemorrhage were present in the animals of three control groups. Passive immunoprotection experiments have demonstrated immunoprotection of monoclonal antibodies against outer envelopes of strain 017 leptospires. It will be valuable for separating protective antigen fraction of outer envelopes and studying new vaccine of leptospira.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Regulation of intracellular calcium in epithelial cells.

The role of [Ca2+]i as a second messenger in non-excitable cells has been appreciated for almost 3 decades. The advent of fluorescent Ca2+ indicators has allowed the monitoring of Ca2+ signalling in suspensions of these cells. Agonist mediated changes in [Ca2+]i usually show an initial Ca2+ transient followed by a maintained increase. The former has been shown to be due to Ca2+ release from one or more intracellular stores, the latter due to activation of receptor operated Ca2+ entry (ROCE). More recently it has been recognized that many cells show distinct maintained oscillatory behavior when examined by single cell optical methods. It is proposed here that these oscillations are the consequence of IP3 and Ca2+ stimulation of Ca2+ release and ligand activation of ROCE followed by Ca2+ inhibition of Ca2+ and ROCE as Ca2+ pumps are activated. These oscillations allow more exact regulation of a pump/leak controlled second messenger such as [Ca2+]i.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Study on protein polymorphism of Chinese KM subcolonies].

This paper presents the results of study on 24 protein markers by means of electrophoresis in 4KM subcolonies maintained in Beijing, Shanghai and Changcun, and compares it with that of one NIH colony introduced from U.S.A. in 1982. The results revealed that: (1) There were few genetic variants on allelic constitutions of Chinese KM mouse colonies, and the genetic distance among KM subcolonies is 0.008-0.027 positively related with the time the colony closed; (2) The unique position of S: KM mouse was shown in phylogenetic diagram of 4 KM subcolonies, which agrees with the result from mandible analysis; (3) The allelic constitutions of KM mice differs from NIH mice a Swiss derivative colony at Es-3, Es-10, Glo-1, Gpt-1, Got-2 and Mpi-1 loci and the average genetic distance between KM and NIH colonies is 0.131 + 0.011, which indicates that Chinese KM mice is one of non-Swiss derivative subspecies.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Study on the characteristics of agglutination reaction of McAb with Leptospira interrogans outer envelope].

Three McAb were produced against an outer envelope preparation from Leptospira, interrogans, serovar Lai by fusion of SP2/0 myeloma cells with immune BALB/c mice spleen cells. The fusion rate was 96% and the antibody positive rate was 50%. One of the hybridomas, E4B11C9, reacted with 13 of the 13 serovars of the Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup in microscopic agglutination test (MAT) but did not react with the 18 representative serovars of L. interrogans and L. biflexa serovar patoc and Leptonema illini. For all non-reactive serovars the MAT titres were greater than 1:25. The McAb, E4B7G5, reacted similarly with all serovars except smithi and tonkini. E4B7D4 reacted also similarly with all serovars except serovars birkini, ndambari, bogvere, smithi and tonkini. Therefore, 3 McAb showed serogroup specificity and partial serogroup specificity by agglutination. The agglutination titres were high and hybridomas were stable, so it might be useful in providing a simple, rapid method for the classification and identification of clinical isolates such as pathogenic L. interrogans in place of the complicated and time-consuming conventional methods.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1989

Crystallographic mapping of beta-lactams bound to a D-alanyl-D-alanine peptidase target enzyme.

X-ray crystallography has been used to examine the binding of three members of the beta-lactam family of antibiotics to the D-alanyl-D-alanine peptidase from Streptomyces R61, a target of penicillins. Cephalosporin C, the monobactam analog of penicillin G and (2,3)-alpha-methylene benzylpenicillin have been mapped at 2.3 A resolution in the form of acyl-enzyme complexes bound to serine 62. On the basis of the positions of these inhibitors, the binding of a tripeptide substrate for the enzyme, L-lysyl-D-alanyl-D-alanine, has been modeled in the active site. The binding of both inhibitors and substrate is facilitated by hydrogen-bonding interactions with a conserved beta-strand (297-303), which is antiparallel to the beta-lactam's acylamide linkage or the substrate's peptide bond. The active site is similar to that in beta-lactamases.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1989

Studying enzyme-beta-lactam interactions using X-ray diffraction.

The interaction of representative beta-lactam antibiotics with a bacterial enzyme target has been mapped in three dimensions using X-ray diffraction data to 2.25 A resolution. Examination of complexes of cephalosporin C, benzylmonobactam, and alpha-(2,3)-methylenepenicillin G with the D-alanyl-D-alanine transpeptidase-carboxypeptidase from Streptomyces R61 shows that the enzyme's reactive serine has acylated the beta-lactam ring of each inhibitor. The known half-lives of the three acyl complexes can be correlated with the distance of the drug's carboxylate (or sulfonate) group from complementary groups on the DD-peptidase.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1989

Epinephrine versus methoxamine in survival postventricular fibrillation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation in dogs.

Previous studies have indicated that methoxamine (an alpha adrenergic receptor agonist) may provide an advantage compared to epinephrine (a mixed alpha and beta adrenergic agonist) during cardiac arrest and CPR. To test this theory, we compared the effects of bolus injections of epinephrine vs. methoxamine on survival, hemodynamic variables, blood gases, and blood lactate concentrations during ventricular fibrillation and CPR in 12 dogs. Each dog underwent a 3-min fibrillatory arrest followed by 10 min of fibrillation and CPR, at which time the animals were defibrillated. Epinephrine (0.05 mg/kg, n = 6) or methoxamine (2 mg/kg, n = 6) was administered at the start of CPR. Both epinephrine and methoxamine produced identical survival rates (5/6) with no differences in coronary perfusion pressure gradients or blood gases (aortic, venous, or great cardiac venous pH, PaO2, or PaCO2) during CPR. Also, there were no differences between the two study groups in myocardial lactate or oxygen extraction ratios during CPR. We conclude that in the dosages tested in our experimental model, epinephrine and methoxamine produce similar results in the variables which we measured.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Enhancer and silencerlike sites within the transcribed portion of a Ty2 transposable element of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The Ty2-917 element is a member of the Ty2 class of retroviruslike transposable elements of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We showed that regions downstream of the Ty2-917 transcription start site modulate its transcription. One region was located downstream of the transcription initiation site (position 240) and within the first 559 base pairs of the element. This region had a dramatic effect, causing an approximately 1,000-fold increase in steady-state levels of RNA. The region stimulated transcription when placed in either orientation upstream of a heterologous gene, HIS4, lacking its own upstream activation sequence (UAS). We termed this positively acting region an enhancer, by analogy to sites described in higher cells, to distinguish it from yeast UASs which do not function when placed within the transcribed portion of the gene. Though, like some higher eucaryotic enhancers, the Ty2-917 enhancer is located within the transcribed region, it is unlike them in that it occurs within a coding region rather than in an intron. The Ty2-917 enhancer and the Ty2-917 UAS had a synergistic effect on transcription, together stimulating transcription 15-fold over the predicted additive effect. We also identified a site which decreases RNA accumulation, located about 750 base pairs into the element. This site functioned in only one orientation when inserted upstream of the UAS-less heterologous gene. The site was similar to silencers, or negative enhancers, in that it acted to repress transcription from outside the transcribed region, but was distinct in that the function of a canonical silencer was independent of orientation.

Base Sequence↗