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L H Guo

Publications and source records attributed to L H Guo.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Cloning and analyzing of members of excitatory amino acid transporter family from neonatal mouse brain].

Excitatory amino acid transporter family (EAAT) contains several structure-related membrane proteins. They are essential for the removal of glutamate released from pre-synaptic terminal to terminate its action of synaptic transduction and maintaining the normal concentration of neurotransmitters in nerve system. To study these proteins in single animal model, we cloned several members of EAAT family, named mGLAST-1, mGLT-1, mEAAC1 and mASCT1, from a neonatal mouse brain cDNA library. The cDNA sequence of mASCT1 was firstly reported in mouse, it is composed of 3787 bp which has an open reading frame (ORF) encoding a protein of 532 amino acid residues. The mASCT1 protein was expressed in Xenopus oocyte and the function was characterized by 3H-Ser uptaking. The homology between human ASCT1 and mouse ASCT1 is 89.3%. The DNA sequence data shows the variance in length and composition exists in the sequence of 5'UTR and 3'UTR of mRNA in the family members of EAAT. This phenomenon may indicate a post-transcription regulation mechanism might exist in the gene expression of mouse EAAT family members.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Modulation of the secretion of active renin in human decidual cells by progesterone].

Uterine decidua is a major source of renin, both active and inactive. Active renin cleaves angiotensinogen to produce angiotensin I and exerts its effect on the expression of angiotensin II in the local tissue. Our experiments showed that (1) in the decidua of early pregnancy the contents of active renin increased gradually with advancing pregnancy, and at 8th week of gestation the level of active renin reached to a maximum (63.37 +/- 12.84) AI ng/gww.h(-1); (2) active renin accounted for about 1/4 of the total renin; and (3) the synthesis and secretion of active renin were regulated by progesterone in incubated decidual cells. These data indicate that a high level of active renin in decidual tissue at early pregnancy plays an important role in the uterine renin-angiotensin system during pregnancy.

Cells, Cultured↗

[Study on the interaction between the 5' proximal region of mGAT-1 and nuclear proteins by the method of SPR].

The DNA fragment (named F182) corresponding the position of -1775(-)-1594 in the mouse GABA transporter 1 (mGAT-1) 5' proximal region was amplified by PCR. Then the DNA was immobilized to the surface of sensor chip SA5 via biotin-streptavidin linkage. The interaction between the F182 on SA5 and nuclear proteins from mouse liver and kidney was studied by the method of SPR with Biosensor of BIAcore-1000 respectively. The Binding between F182 and two nuclear proteins was definitely and specifically and both with the apparent dissociation rate of about 1.4E-5/s. Competitive experiment revealed that a conserved sequence within F182 had the main contribution to the binding event.

Acyltransferases↗

Nuclear proteins from liver and kidney bind a 37 bp sequence in the 5' upstream region of the mGAT1 gene.

The mouse GABA transporter (mGAT1) gene has been shown to be exclusively expressed in brain by Northern and Western blot analyses. The interactions between the 5' flanking region of the mGAT1 gene and nuclear proteins from different mouse tissues were studied by means of gel-shift assay. Our results show that nuclear protein factors from non-nervous tissues can specifically recognize a 37 bp sequence that is conserved in the 5' flanking region between the human and mouse GAT1 genes. Similar nuclear protein factors were also found to exist in rat, rabbit and pig.

Animals↗

Analysis of the 5' flanking sequence of the human norepinephrine transporter gene.

The human norepinephrine transporter (NET) gene was cloned and structurally analyzed. The far 5' fragment containing exon 1 (a non-coding exon) and exon 2 was sequenced. The transcription start site of the gene in human brain stem tissue was determined by primer extension analysis. It was found that the gene could be transcribed from multiple starting points. The 5' flanking sequence contains a proximal G-C rich region, one possible GSG element and several SP1 sites. However it does not contain TATA box and CAAT box motifs. Gel shift analysis with nuclear extracts from different tissues of mouse shows that the G-C rich region may be involved in tissue specific expression of the gene.

Animals↗

Val 70, Phe 72 and the last seven amino acid residues of C-terminal are essential to the function of norepinephrine transporter.

The norepinephrine transporter(NET) is a member of the Na+/Cl- dependent neurotransmitter transporter family and constitutes the target of several clinically important antidepressants. To delineate the critical amino acid residues and the function of C-terminal in regulating transport activity of NET, here we constructed two site mutants (V70F, F72V; V70I, F72V) and one C-terminal truncated mutant (delta 611-617). The wild type and mutants of NET were expressed in Xenopus oocytes by injection of their cRNA. We found that all of these mutants lost their transport activity. These results indicate that the amino acid residues of V70 and F72, and the last seven amino acids of C-terminal are essential to the transport activity of NET.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of 5'-proximal sequence of mouse GABA transporter gene (GAT-1).

The cDNA molecule encoding the mouse GABA transporter gene (GAT-1) was used as probe for selecting GAT-1 gene from mouse genomic library. A positive clone, harboring the whole open reading frame of the GAT-1 protein and designated as MGABAT-G, was fished out from the library, the 5' proximal region and intron 1 were sequenced and analysed, and low homology was found in the above region between GAT-1 genes from mouse and human except some short conserved sequences. The DNA-protein interactions between DNA fragments containing the conserved sequences in the 5' proximal region and nuclear proteins from different tissues of mouse were studied by means of gel-shift assay, and Southern-Western blot. The results indicate a possible positive-negative regulation mode controlling the expression of the mouse GAT-1 gene.

Animals↗

[Cell-specific expression of AFP gene is dependent on some nuclear proteins].

AFP is an oncodevelopmental protein. Its level decreases abruptly after birth and reaches almost undetectable level during normal adult life. However, reexpression of the gene can be observed during hepatocarcinogenesis. To further understand mechanism of regulating AFP expression, we checked several restriction enzyme map of 5' terminal and flanking sequences of AFP gene. There are no differences among adult rat liver, fetal liver and hepatoma cells. Using +2(-)-255 bp sequence probe of AFP gene to do southwestern blotting assay, the result showed that the gene-active cells, such as hepatoma cells, contained binding-proteins which were apparently lacking in adult rat liver, lung, spleen, heart and kidney cells. While the fractions of nuclear proteins from adult rat liver cells were devoid of any stimulatory effect on transcription, those of binding-proteins from hepatoma stimulated the transcription of AFP gene in vitro. The hepatoma binding-proteins can rescue transcription activity of fraction of nuclear proteins from adult rat liver cells. These results indicate that cell-specific expression of AFP gene is regulated by protein-factors.

Animals↗

[Preparation of antibodies against zip product and the distribution of zip protein in Drosophila embryos].

Zip gene is required during the late neurogenesis of Drosophila. Molecular analysis of zip gene revealed that it encodes an integral membrane glycoprotein, functioning as a cellular recognition and/or adhesion molecule. It has been cloned into an expression plasmid pWR 590. By expression of this plasmid in E. coli, a fusion protein of zip with lacZ has been purified and used to prepare polyclonal antibodies from rabbits. After being identified by West blotting, antibodies were used to react with the whole mount embryos of Drosophila. The results of this antibody labelling experiment showed that zip proteins are fundamentally synthesized after germ band shortening, supporting our previous predication that zip gene is involved in the late neurogenesis and that antibodies against zip recognize lateral neural fascicles as well as neurons in CNS, proving that zip protein expressed in CNS may play a role in the establishment and maintenance of neural fasciculation.

Animals↗

Molecular cloning and structure of the human (GABATHG) GABA transporter gene.

A cDNA molecule encoding the human GABA transporter was synthesized by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique and used as probe for selecting a human genomic DNA fragment encoding GABA transporter. A positive clone harboring the whole gene was obtained from a human lymphocyte genomic library through utilizing the genomic 'walking' technique. The clone, designated as pHGAT, harbours a DNA fragment of about 39 kb in length inserted into the BamHI site in cosmid pWE15. The gene covers about 25 kb in length and is constituted by four EcoRI restricted fragments which are 13.7 kb, 3.1 kb, 4.2 kb and 7.2 kb long, respectively. The genomic clone contains 15 introns, including two introns prior to the initiator methionine (i.e., the translation start site is in exon 3). Eleven exons encode the twelve transmembrane regions in the transporter protein. Thus as in the case for a number of other membrane proteins, there appears to be a strong tendency for the putative transmembrane domains to be encoded by separate exons. It is noted that the structure of the human GABA transporter gene reported here differs from the mouse gene which is contains 12 introns.

Base Sequence↗

[Studies on genetic engineering of human insulin-purification and characterization of human proinsulin and insulin].

E. coli DH 5 alpha cells harboring a plasmid pWR 590-BCA 4 for fused human proinsulin production were cultured. The fused human proinsulin was isolated from the fermented cells and then subjected it to cleavage with BrCN. The cleaved product was then converted to crude proinsulin-S-sulfonate using oxidative sulfitolysis. The isolation of human proinsulin-S-sulfonate was accomplished by ion exchange chromatography on QAE-sephadex A-25, followed by gel filtration on sephadex G-50. The purified human proinsulin-S-sulfonate was folded using a disulfide interchange method. The folding mixture was then chromatographed on sephadex G-50 and purified proinsulin was obtained. The proinsulin was then converted to human insulin and C-peptide by a combination cleavage with trypsin and carboxypeptidase B. The total yield of human insulin was about 5 mg/L The Zinc insulin crystals were obtained with amorphous human insulin using citrate method. The amino acid composition N-terminal sequences as well as C-terminal amino acid residues are in agreement with expected results. The hypoglycemic activity of purified human insulin is 26-27 U/mg, as judged by mouse convulsion assay, and the RIA activity is about 99% of that of porcine insulin.

Cloning, Molecular↗

[Synthesis cloning and expressions in E coli of human insulin A and B chain genes].

Human insulin A and B chain genes were designed and synthesized by using a rapid and simple method. The synthesized A and B chain genes were cloned separately. The expression (plasmids) pWR 590-HIA and pWR 590-HIB were constructed, and the two plasmids can direct the synthesis of the approximately 590 amino acid-long truncated beta-galactosidases fused to human insulin A or B chains. The fused A or B chain proteins were isolated from the fermented cells and cleaved with BrCN. The resulting mixtures were sulfonated and the sulfonated A and B chains were purified. Human insulin was obtained by using an A and B chain combination method.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Studies on the function of Ser579 and Arg580 in beta-subunit of penicillin G acylase with the method of site-specific mutagenesis].

According to the comparison of amino acid sequence between PGA (Penicillin G Acylase) and PBPs (Penicillin Binding Protein), We suggest that No. 565-595 peptide fragment in beta-subunit of PGA may be a substrate-binding site of enzyme. Plasmid pTZGA was constructed by cloning the 2.6 kb PGA gene of pWGA into phagemid pTZ18U The technique of site-specific mutagenesis was used to study the role of residue No. 579 (Ser) and No. 580 (Arg) of PGA. Four kinds of mutants were obtained (Ser579-->Gly579, Arg580-->Gly580, Arg580-->Glu580, Arg580-->Lys580), both Glu580 and Gly580 mutants showed no activity of enzyme and Lys580 mutant remained 30% and Gly579 mutant kept 70% activity of wilde type. The same protein expression of four mutants according to the results of ELISA indicate that mutation does not affect the expression of PGA, but Arg580 residue may be essential for substrate-binding or catalysis of PGA.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Direct electrochemistry of proteins. Investigations of yeast cytochrome c mutants and their complexes with cytochrome b5.

Direct electrochemistry of site-specific mutants of yeast iso-1-cytochrome c (cyt c) and their complexes with bovine cytochrome b5 (cyt b5) has been investigated at edge-plane pyrolytic graphite (EPG) and bis(4-pyridyl)-disulphide-modified gold electrodes. Structure/function relationships have been investigated with the particular aim of clarifying the factors controlling the interactions of proteins at electrode/electrolyte interfaces and the determinants for direct electrochemistry in ternary protein/protein/electrode adducts, e.g. cyt c/cyt b5/EPG. Investigations of the cyt c mutants alone revealed a variety of electrochemical responses: all the mutants show similar voltammetric reversibility at modified gold electrodes, whereas at EPG electrodes the reversibility follows the order: Asn52Ile-Cys102Thr greater than Cys102Thr greater than Asn52Ala-Cys102Thr. Mid-point potentials follow the order: Arg13Ile (+60 +/- 5 mV vs. standard calomel electrode) greater than Cys102Thr (+40 +/- 5 mV) greater than Lys27Gln (+30 +/- 5 mV) approximately Lys72Asp (+30 +/- 5 mV) greater than Asn52Ala-Cys102Thr (+15 +/- 5 mV) greater than Asn52Ile-Cys102Thr (-10 +/- 5 mV). The structural basis for these differences is briefly discussed. When these mutants are bound to cyt b5, the differences in electrochemical response are greatly enhanced in the ternary cyt c/cyt b5/EPG adducts. A minimal analysis of these differences supports a model of multiple overlapping binding and recognition domains on cyt c which may be finely tuned to allow ternary complex formation so that a single-site variation could modify or abolish direct electrochemistry in the ternary adduct.

Animals↗

[Effect of mutagenesis at Ser 177 residue in penicillin G acylase on activity of the enzyme].

The technique of cassette and site-specific mutagenesis were used to study the role of residue No. 177 in penicillin G acylase (PGA, EC 3.5.1.11). Ser is conserved at residue No. 177 in all penicillin binding proteins. We got a series of mutants in which the amino acid at residue No. 177 was replaced by other amino acids through the site-specific and cassette mutagenesis, and we characterized the mutants by colony hybridization, NIPAB paper test and DNA sequence analysis. These mutants all show no activity of enzyme, even if the Ser residue was replaced by Thr, Gly and Ala respectively. The results show that Ser residue may be essential for substrate-binding or catalysis of PGA.

Escherichia coli↗

[Effect of temperature on the expression of penicillin G acylase gene at the level of post-translational processing].

The expression of penicillin G acylase (PGA) gene is sensitive to temperature. Cells of E. coli DH 5 alpha harboring a plasmid pWGA carrying a gene for PGA produce active PGA at low level at 37 degrees C, but can synthesize significant amount of the enzyme below 30 degrees C. Active PGA is formed from a 94 KD precursor processed through remove of a signal peptide and a spacer peptide to yield an enzyme that contain a 23 KD (alpha) and 65 KD (beta) subunit. This paper reported the effect of temperature on transcription, translation, and post-translational processing of PGA gene expression. We detected the transcription of PGA gene by Northern blot, and found the amount of PGA mRNA at 37 degrees C much more than that 30 degrees C when the cells of DH 5 alpha (pWGA) were cultured. It is evident that the precursor processing step(s) is sensitive to temperature.

Enzyme Precursors↗