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Biomedical subjects

J Sun

Publications and source records attributed to J Sun.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

Sets of aldolase antibodies with antipodal reactivities. Formal synthesis of epothilone E by large-scale antibody-catalyzed resolution of thiazole aldol.

[formula: see text] Three monoclonal aldolase antibodies, generated against a beta-diketone hapten by reactive immunization, catalyzed rapid and highly enantioselective retro-aldol reactions of ent-8a-k, providing optically pure 8a-k by kinetic resolution. Compounds (+/-)-8a, (+/-)-8g, and (+/-)-8k have been resolved in multigram quantities using 0.003, 0.005, and 0.0004 mol% antibody catalysts, respectively. Resolved compounds 8a-k are useful synthons for the construction of epothilones A-E (2-6) and their analogues. Here, a formal synthesis of epothilone E, 6 has been achieved starting from compound 8g.

Antibodies, Catalytic↗

Unilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion through the right axillary artery provides uniform flow distribution to both hemispheres of the brain: A magnetic resonance and histopathological study in pigs.

BACKGROUND: Bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) has decreased in popularity over the past decade because of its complexity and the risk of cerebral embolism. We used magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion imaging to assess flow distribution in both hemispheres of the brain during unilateral ACP through the right carotid artery via a cannula placed in the right axillary artery in conjunction with hypothermic circulatory arrest. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twelve pigs were randomly exposed to 120 minutes of either bilateral ACP through both carotid arteries (n=6) or unilateral ACP through the right axillary artery (n=6) at pressures of 60 to 65 mm Hg at 15 degrees C, followed by 60 minutes of cardiopulmonary bypass at 37 degrees C. MR perfusion images were acquired every 30 minutes before, during, and after ACP. The brain was perfusion fixed for histopathology. During initial normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass, MR perfusion imaging showed a uniform distribution of flow in the brain. In both the bilateral and unilateral ACP groups, the same pattern was maintained, with an increase in regional cerebral blood volume during ACP and reperfusion. The changes in regional cerebral blood volume and mean transit time were similar in both hemispheres during and after unilateral ACP. No difference was observed between the 2 groups. Histopathology showed normal morphology in all regions of the brain in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both bilateral ACP and unilateral ACP provide uniform blood distribution to both hemispheres of the brain and preserve normal morphology of the neurons after prolonged hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Animals↗

Antitumor efficacy of a novel class of non-thiol-containing peptidomimetic inhibitors of farnesyltransferase and geranylgeranyltransferase I: combination therapy with the cytotoxic agents cisplatin, Taxol, and gemcitabine.

Ras malignant transformation requires posttranslational modification by farnesyltransferase (FTase). Here we report on the design and antitumor activity, in monotherapy as well as in combination therapy with cytotoxic agents, of a novel class of non-thiol-containing peptidomimetic inhibitors of FTase and the closely related family member geranylgeranyltransferase I (GGTase I). The non-thiol-containing FTI-2148 is highly selective for FTase (IC50, 1.4 nM) over GGTase I (IC50, 1700 nM), whereas GGTI-2154 is highly selective for GGTase I (21 nM) over FTase (IC50, 5600 nM). In whole cells, the corresponding methylester prodrug FTI-2153 is >3000-fold more potent at inhibiting H-Ras (IC50, 10 nM) than Rap1A processing, whereas GGTI-2166 is over 100-fold more selective at inhibiting Rap1A (IC50, 300 nM) over H-Ras processing. Furthermore, FTI-2153 was highly effective at suppressing oncogenic H-Ras constitutive activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and human tumor growth in soft agar. FTI-2148 suppressed the growth of the human lung adenocarcinoma A-549 cells in nude mice by 33, 67, and 91% in a dose-dependent manner. Combination therapy of FTI-2148 with either cisplatin, gemcitabine, or Taxol resulted in a greater antitumor efficacy than monotherapy. GGTI-2154 in similar antitumor efficacy experiments is less potent than FTI-2148 and inhibits tumor growth by 9, 27, and 46%. Combination therapy of GGTI-2154 with cisplatin, gemcitabine, or Taxol is also more effective. Finally, FTI-2148 and GGTI-2154 are 30- and 33-fold more selective and 30- and 16-fold more potent in whole cells than our previously reported thiol-containing FTI-276 and GGTI-297, respectively. Thus, our results demonstrate that this highly potent and selective novel class of non-thiol-containing peptidomimetics inhibits human tumor growth in whole animals and that combination therapy with cytotoxic agents is more beneficial than monotherapy.

3T3 Cells↗

[Leptin and the feedback regulation of body weight].

Body weight may be controlled by a negative feedback loop. Recent studies have identified that the ob gene product, leptin, apparently and exclusively expressed in adipose tissue, is a part of the negative feedback loop. Leptin is proposed to act as an afferent signal in the negative feedback loop to hypothalamus that limiting food-intake, controlling energy homeostasis and regulating the mass of adipose tissue. The dificiency of or resistance to leptin causes severe obesity.

Animals↗

Understanding protein lids: kinetic analysis of active hinge mutants in triosephosphate isomerase.

In previous work we tested what three amino acid sequences could serve as a protein hinge in triosephosphate isomerase [Sun, J., and Sampson, N. S. (1998) Protein Sci. 7, 1495-1505]. We generated a genetic library encoding all 8000 possible 3 amino acid combinations at the C-terminal hinge and selected for those combinations of amino acids that formed active mutants. These mutants were classified into six phylogenetic families. Two families resembled wild-type hinges, and four families represented new types of hinges. In this work, the kinetic characteristics and thermal stabilities of mutants representing each of these families were determined in order to understand what properties make an efficient protein hinge, and why all of the families are not observed in nature. From a steady-state kinetic analysis of our mutants, it is clear that the partitioning between protonation of intermediate to form product and intermediate release from the enzyme surface to form methylglyoxal (a decomposition product) is not affected. The two most impaired mutants undergo a change in rate-limiting step from enediol formation to dihydroxyacetone phosphate binding. Thus, it appears that k(cat)/K(m)'s are reduced relative to wild type as a result of slower Michaelis complex formation and dissociation, rather than increased loop opening speed.

Animals↗

Antibodies against human IFN-alpha and -beta recognized the immunosuppressive domain of HIV-1 gp41 and inhibit gp41-binding to the putative cellular receptor protein p45.

Sequence-comparison indicates existing sequence-similarity between receptor-binding regions of human type 1 IFNs (IFN-alpha, -beta and -omega) and HIV-1 gp41. Previous findings had suggested that the increased levels of antibodies against human IFN-alpha and -beta in HIV-1-infected individuals are associated with a common epitope on gp41, IFN-alpha and -beta. To clarify the relationship between human type I interferon and HIV-1 gp41 and the protective mechanism of an IFN-alpha-vaccine, we prepared antisera against human IFN-alpha, -beta and HIV-1 gp41, and examined crossreaction of these antisera and their inhibition of gp41 binding to its binding protein p45. Mouse antisera against IFN-alpha and -beta could recognize HIV-1 recombinant soluble (aa539-684) and gp41 immunosuppressive peptide (ISP, aa583-599), while normal mouse sera (pre-immune sera) did not. Mouse antisera to rsgp41 crossreacted with IFN-alpha and -beta. Besides, mouse antisera to IFN-alpha and beta, like mouse anti-rsgp41 antiserum, could inhibit gp41-binding to its putative cellular receptor protein p45, while normal mouse serum did not. These results indicate that antibodies crossreacting with gp41 ISP, IFN-alpha and -beta, could be induced by this common immunological epitope in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expression and purification of recombinant human granzyme B from Pichia pastoris.

Granzyme B is a cytotoxic lymphocyte granule serine proteinase that is pivotal in the induction of target cell apoptosis. Here we describe the expression of recombinant human granzyme B in Pichia pastoris as a chimeric zymogen comprising the alpha-factor signal sequence, a prodomain including an enterokinase cleavage site, and the mature granzyme B sequence followed by a hexahistidine tag. Inactive zymogen is purified from the medium by immobilized cobalt chelate affinity chromatography and then activated by enterokinase (final yield is approximately 1 mg per liter). The recombinant enzyme resembles native granzyme B in size and glycosylation, hydrolyzes the substrate Boc-Ala-Ala-Asp-thiobenzyl ester with equivalent efficiency (K(m) 82 microM; k(cat) 12 s(-1)), processes procaspase-3 to subunit form, and is inhibited by the cognate serpin PI-9. It efficiently induces DNA degradation and apoptosis of human cells. The availability of recombinant human granzyme B will facilitate further investigation of its structure and role in immune effector cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Loss of endothelial surface expression of E-selectin in a patient with recurrent infections.

Neutrophil accumulation at sites of inflammation is mediated by specific groups of cell adhesion molecules including the beta2 (CD18) integrins on leukocytes and the selectins (P- and E-selectin on the endothelium and L-selectin on the leukocyte). This is supported by studies of patients with leukocyte adhesion deficiency syndromes whose leukocytes are genetically deficient in the expression of beta2 integrins or selectin carbohydrate ligands (eg, sialyl-Lewis(x)). However, inherited deficiency or dysfunction of endothelial cell adhesion molecules involved in leukocyte recruitment has not been previously described. In this report we describe a child with recurrent infections and clinical evidence of impaired pus formation reminiscent of a leukocyte adhesion deficiency syndrome, but whose neutrophils were functionally normal and expressed normal levels of CD18, L-selectin, and sialyl-Lewis(x). In contrast, immunohistochemical staining of inflamed tissue from the patient showed the absence of E-selectin from the endothelium, although E-selectin mRNA was present. However, E-selectin protein was expressed as significantly elevated levels of circulating soluble E-selectin were detected, the molecular size of which was consistent with a proteolytically cleaved form of E-selectin. Gene sequencing failed to show evidence of a secreted mutant variant. These data represent, to our knowledge, the first description of a potentially inherited dysfunction of an endothelial cell adhesion molecule involved in leukocyte recruitment and provide additional human evidence of the importance of endothelial selectins in the inflammatory response.

Bacterial Infections↗

Oxidizing side of the cyanobacterial photosystem I. Evidence for interaction between the electron donor proteins and a luminal surface helix of the PsaB subunit.

Photosystem I (PSI) interacts with plastocyanin or cytochrome c6 on the luminal side. To identify sites of interaction between plastocyanin/cytochrome c6 and the PSI core, site-directed mutations were generated in the luminal J loop of the PsaB protein from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. The eight mutant strains differed in their photoautotrophic growth. Western blotting with subunit-specific antibodies indicated that the mutations affected the PSI level in the thylakoid membranes. PSI proteins could not be detected in the S600R/G601C/N602I, N609K/S610C/T611I, and M614I/G615C/W616A mutant membranes. The other mutant strains contained different levels of PSI proteins. Among the mutant strains that contained PSI proteins, the H595C/L596I, Q627H/L628C/I629S, and N638C/N639S mutants showed similar levels of PSI-mediated electron transfer activity when either cytochrome c6 or an artificial electron donor was used. In contrast, cytochrome c6 could not function as an electron donor to the W622C/A623R mutant, even though the PSI activity mediated by an artificial electron donor was detected in this mutant. Thus, the W622C/A623R mutation affected the interaction of the PSI complex with cytochrome c6. Biotin-maleimide modification of the mutant PSI complexes indicated that His-595, Trp-622, Leu-628, Tyr-632, and Asn-638 in wild-type PsaB may be exposed on the surface of the PSI complex. The results presented here demonstrate the role of an extramembrane loop of a PSI core protein in the interaction with soluble electron donor proteins.

Cyanobacteria↗

Estrogen receptor subtype-selective ligands: asymmetric synthesis and biological evaluation of cis- and trans-5,11-dialkyl- 5,6,11, 12-tetrahydrochrysenes.

We have recently reported that racemic 5,11-cis-diethyl-5,6,11, 12-tetrahydrochrysene-2,8-diol (THC, rac-2b) acts as an agonist on estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and as a complete antagonist on estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) (Sun et al. Endocrinology 1999, 140, 800-804). To further investigate this novel ER subtype-selective estrogenic activity, we have synthesized a series of cis- and trans-dialkyl THCs. cis-Dimethyl, -diethyl, and -dipropyl THCs 2a-c were prepared in a highly enantio- and diastereoselective manner by the acyloin condensation of enantiomerically pure alpha-alkyl-beta-arylpropionic esters, followed by a Lewis acid-mediated double cyclization under conditions of minimal epimerization. ERalpha and ERbeta binding affinity of both cis and trans isomers of dimethyl, diethyl, and dipropyl THCs was determined in competitive binding assays, and their transcriptional activity was determined in reporter gene assays in mammalian cells. Nearly all THCs examined were found to be affinity-selective for ERbeta. All these THCs are agonists on ERalpha, and THCs with small substituents are agonists on both ERalpha and ERbeta. As substituent size was increased, ERbeta-selective antagonism developed first in the (R,R)-cis enantiomer series and finally in the trans diastereomer and (S,S)-cis enantiomer series. The most potent and selective ligand was identified as (R,R)-cis-diethyl THC 2b, which mimicked the ERbeta-selective antagonist character of racemic cis-diethyl THC 2b. This study illustrates that the antagonist character in THC ligands for ERbeta depends in a progressive way on the size and geometric disposition of substituent groups and suggests that the induction of an antagonist conformation in ERbeta can be achieved with these ligands with less steric perturbation than in ERalpha. Furthermore, antagonists that are selectively effective on ERbeta can have structures that are very different from the typical antiestrogens tamoxifen and raloxifene, which are antagonists on both ERalpha and ERbeta.

Animals↗

Mice lacking complex gangliosides develop Wallerian degeneration and myelination defects.

Gangliosides are a family of sialic acid-containing glycosphingolipids highly enriched in the mammalian nervous system. Although they are the major sialoglycoconjugates in the brain, their neurobiological functions remain poorly defined. By disrupting the gene for a key enzyme in complex ganglioside biosynthesis (GM2/GD2 synthase; EC 2.4.1.92) we generated mice that express only simple gangliosides (GM3/GD3) and examined their central and peripheral nervous systems. The complex ganglioside knockout mice display decreased central myelination, axonal degeneration in both the central and peripheral nervous systems, and demyelination in peripheral nerves. The pathological features of their nervous system closely resemble those reported in mice with a disrupted gene for myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), a myelin receptor that binds to complex brain gangliosides in vitro. Furthermore, GM2/GD2 synthase knockout mice have reduced MAG expression in the central nervous system. These results indicate that complex gangliosides function in central myelination and maintaining the integrity of axons and myelin. They also support the theory that complex gangliosides are endogenous ligands for MAG. The data extend and clarify prior observations on a similar mouse model, which reported only subtle conduction defects in their nervous system [Takamiya, K., Yamamoto, A., Furukawa, K., Yamashiro, S., Shin, M., Okada, M., Fukumoto, S., Haraguchi, M., Takeda, N., Fujimura, K., et al. (1996) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93, 10662-10667].

Animals↗

IL-13 and IFN-gamma secretion by activated T cells in HIV-1 infection associated with viral suppression and a lack of disease progression.

The immunopathology of HIV-1 infection includes immune defects in T cell cytokine secretion, resulting in decreased Ag-specific responses. In this report, IL-13 and IFN-gamma were analyzed in progressive HIV-1 disease. Both cytokines exert positive effects on Ag presentation and inhibit HIV-1 infection of macrophages. Anti-CD3/anti-CD28-activated PBMC from HIV-1-infected individuals (n = 74) compared with uninfected subjects (n = 30) secreted significantly less IL-13 (median, 0.64 ng/ml vs 2.07 ng/ml; p < 0. 001) and IFN-gamma (median, 40.96 ng/ml vs 129.5 ng/ml; p < 0.005). Decreased IL-13 and IFN-gamma secretion in HIV infection was present in sorted CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets, and additional analysis determined concurrent deficiency at the protein and transcriptional level. Longitudinal analysis showed that cytokine secretion levels correlated positively with CD4 count and negatively with plasma HIV-1 viral load. Patients changing to suppressive antiretroviral therapy during the study showed increases in IL-13 and IFN-gamma secretion. Overall, results show a decline in IL-13 and IFN-gamma secretion in progressive HIV-1 infection and suggest a role for both cytokines as part of T cell adaptive responses associated with a lack of disease progression.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes↗

Surface Characterization of NH4PAA-Stabilized Zirconia Suspensions.

Ammonium polyacrylate (NH4PAA) stabilized yttria-doped (3 mol%) tetragonal zirconia (Y-TZP) aqueous suspensions were prepared. Surface chemistry of the suspension was investigated by a variety of techniques. Isotherm adsorption of dispersants on ZrO2 particles demonstrated an optimum coverage of 0.25 mg/g at pH 10. The isoelectric point (IEP) of ZrO2 suspensions was shifted to low pH regions with the presence of NH4PAA. Scanning auger microscopy (SAM) and FTIR and UV spectrophotometry were employed to determine the surface properties of ZrO2 suspensions, which confirmed that the surface Zr-O bonds were affected by the adsorbed polymers. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis indicated that the interactions between particles were evidently influenced by polymer dispersants. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗

Antigen-specific T cell activation and proliferation during oral tolerance induction.

One of several routes of achieving immunologic tolerance is through functional inactivation of Ag-specific T cells. Oral administration of Ag can allow survival of the Ag-specific T cells that are functionally anergic. The aim of this study was to investigate whether functional inactivation of Ag-specific T cells is directed through an activation process and to further define the differentiative pathways and functional characteristics of anergic T cells. Mice were transplanted with OVA-specific TCR-transgenic T cells and either fed OVA or immunized s.c. with the OVA peptide 323-339 in CFA. OVA-specific T cells from OVA-fed mice were unresponsive to restimulation in vitro within 48-72 h after treatment. In vivo, however, T cell proliferation was detected by 5, 6-carboxy-succinimidyl-fluoresceine-ester intensity changes in OVA-specific T cells. The mesenteric lymph nodes (LNs) from OVA-fed mice more frequently contained OVA-specific dividing cells in vivo than those in the peripheral LNs, and the reciprocal was observed following s.c. immunization of the OVA peptide in CFA. The induction of anergy in OVA-fed mice was accompanied by rapid up-regulation of CD69 and CTLA-4, later down-regulation of CD45RB on OVA-specific T cells, and a marked decrease in T cell secretion of IL-2, IL-10, and IFN-gamma after OVA restimulation in vitro. Results from this study indicate that the inductive phase of oral tolerance is preceded by Ag-specific T cell activation in vivo, proliferation in the regional draining LNs, and differentiation into a memory-like state. These results indicate that Ag-directed differentiation occurs as a part of T cell tolerance through anergy.

Administration, Oral↗

Type 1 and type 2 cytokine regulation of macrophage endocytosis: differential activation by IL-4/IL-13 as opposed to IFN-gamma or IL-10.

Cytokine regulation of endocytic activity in primary human macrophages was studied to define ultrastructural changes and mechanisms of pinocytic regulation associated with cytokines secreted by activated T cells. The effects of IFN-gamma (type 1) and IL-4/IL-13 and IL-10 (type 2) cytokines on fluid phase and mannose receptor-mediated endocytosis were assessed by horseradish peroxidase and colloidal gold-BSA uptake and computer-assisted morphometric analysis. IL-4 and IL-13 enhanced fluid phase pinocytosis and mannose receptor-mediated uptake by activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Inhibition of actin assembly showed that both cytokines exerted actin-dependent and -independent effects. Ultrastructurally, IL-4 and IL-13 increased tubular vesicle formation underneath the plasma membrane and at pericentriolar sites, concurrent with decreased particle sorting to lysosomes. By contrast, IL-10 or IFN-gamma decreased both fluid phase pinocytosis and mannose receptor-mediated uptake. IFN-gamma stimulated increased particle sorting to perinuclear lysosomes, while IL-10 decreased this activity. In summary, our data document differential effects on macrophage endocytic functions by type 1 or type 2 cytokines associated with induction and effector pathways in immunity.

Actins↗

Deduction of consensus binding sequences on proteins that bind IIAGlc of the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system by cysteine scanning mutagenesis of Escherichia coli lactose permease.

Mediated by the protein IIAGlc, the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system plays a role in the regulation of activity of other sugar transport systems in Escherichia coli. By using a direct binding assay, a collection of single-Cys replacement mutants in cytoplasmic loops of lactose permease were evaluated for their capacity to bind IIAGlc. Selected Cys replacements in loops IV/V or VI/VII result in loss of binding activity. Analysis of the mutagenesis results together with multiple sequence alignments of a family of proteins that interacts with IIAGlc provides the basis for developing two regions of consensus sequence in those partner proteins necessary for binding to IIAGlc. The requirement for two interaction regions is interpreted in the regulatory framework of a substrate-dependent conformational change that brings those two regions into an orientation optimal for binding IIAGlc.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cell shrinkage regulates Src kinases and induces tyrosine phosphorylation of cortactin, independent of the osmotic regulation of Na+/H+ exchangers.

The signaling pathways by which cell volume regulates ion transporters, e.g. Na+/H+ exchangers (NHEs), and affects cytoskeletal organization are poorly understood. We have previously shown that shrinkage induces tyrosine phosphorylation in CHO cells, predominantly in an 85-kDa band. To identify volume-sensitive kinases and their substrates, we investigated the effect of hypertonicity on members of the Src kinase family. Hyperosmolarity stimulated Fyn and inhibited Src. Fyn activation was also observed in nystatin-permeabilized cells, where shrinkage cannot induce intracellular alkalinization. In contrast, osmotic inhibition of Src was prevented by permeabilization or by inhibiting NHE-1. PP1, a selective Src family inhibitor, strongly reduced the hypertonicity-induced tyrosine phosphorylation. We identified one of the major targets of the osmotic stress-elicited phosphorylation as cortactin, an 85-kDa actin-binding protein and well known Src family substrate. Cortactin phosphorylation was triggered by shrinkage and not by changes in osmolarity or pHi and was abrogated by PP1. Hyperosmotic cortactin phosphorylation was reduced in Fyn-deficient fibroblasts but remained intact in Src-deficient fibroblasts. To address the potential role of the Src family in the osmotic regulation of NHEs, we used PP1. The drug affected neither the hyperosmotic stimulation of NHE-1 nor the inhibition of NHE-3. Thus, members of the Src family are volume-sensitive enzymes that may participate in the shrinkage-related reorganization of the cytoskeleton but are probably not responsible for the osmotic regulation of NHE.

Animals↗

The intracellular serpin proteinase inhibitor 6 is expressed in monocytes and granulocytes and is a potent inhibitor of the azurophilic granule protease, cathepsin G.

The monocyte and granulocyte azurophilic granule proteinases elastase, proteinase 3, and cathepsin G are implicated in acute and chronic diseases thought to result from an imbalance between the secreted proteinase(s) and circulating serpins such as alpha1-proteinase inhibitor and alpha1-antichymotrypsin. We show here that the intracellular serpin, proteinase inhibitor 6 (PI-6), is present in monocytes, granulocytes, and myelomonocytic cell lines. In extracts from these cells, PI-6 bound an endogenous membrane-associated serine proteinase to form an sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-stable complex. Using antibodies to urokinase, elastase, proteinase 3, or cathepsin G, we demonstrated that the complex contains cathepsin G. Native cathepsin G and recombinant PI-6 formed an SDS-stable complex in vitro similar in size to that observed in the extracts. Further kinetic analysis demonstrated that cathepsin G and PI-6 rapidly form a tight 1:1 complex (ka = 6.8 +/- 0.2 x 10(6) mol/L-1s-1 at 17 degrees C; Ki = 9.2 +/- 0.04 x 10(-10) mol/L). We propose that PI-6 complements alpha1-proteinase inhibitor and alpha1-antichymotrypsin (which control extracellular proteolysis) by neutralizing cathepsin G that leaks into the cytoplasm of monocytes or granulocytes during biosynthesis or phagocytosis. Control of intracellular cathepsin G may be particularly important, because it has recently been shown to activate the proapoptotic proteinase, caspase-7.

Cathepsin G↗