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Biomedical subjects

Lin Gao

Publications and source records attributed to Lin Gao.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Multiple splice variants of Par3 and of a novel related gene, Par3L, produce proteins with different binding properties.

The partitioning-defective 3 (par3) gene encodes a protein with three postsynaptic density90/DiscslargeA/ZO-1 (PDZ) domains that is required for cell polarity establishment in metazoans. Par3 is a component of a protein complex that can include Cdc42-GTP, Par6 and atypical protein kinase Cs (aPKCs). We now describe the identification of a related human gene, Par3L. Both Par3L and Par3 are expressed as numerous alternatively spliced variants. Although Par3 expression appears to be ubiquitous, that of Par3L is more restricted. Multiple variants are often expressed simultaneously within a specific cell type or tissue. Although all of the Par3L/Par3 isoforms can associate with tight junctions in epithelial cells, they show different binding properties. No Par3L isoforms and only a subset of Par3 isoforms detectably bind aPKCs. These data suggest that aPKC binding or phosphorylation is not required for targeting of Par3/Par3L to cell-cell contacts. Par3L isoforms also show differential binding to Par6. Despite these differences, the N-terminal region of Par3L, like that of Par3, can disrupt the formation of tight junctions when ectopically expressed in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Cloning and functional characterization of HDAC11, a novel member of the human histone deacetylase family.

We have cloned and characterized a human cDNA that belongs to the histone deacetylase family, which we designate as HDAC11. The predicted HDAC11 amino acid sequence reveals an open reading frame of 347 residues with a corresponding molecular mass of 39 kDa. Sequence analyses of the putative HDAC11 protein indicate that it contains conserved residues in the catalytic core regions shared by both class I and II mammalian HDAC enzymes. Putative orthologues of HDAC11 exist in primate, mouse, Drosophila, and plant. Epitope-tagged HDAC11 protein expressed in mammalian cells displays histone deacetylase activity in vitro. Furthermore, HDAC11's enzymatic activity is inhibited by trapoxin, a known histone deacetylase inhibitor. Multiple tissue Northern blot and real-time PCR experiments show that the high expression level of HDAC11 transcripts is limited to kidney, heart, brain, skeletal muscle, and testis. Epitope-tagged HDAC11 protein localizes predominantly to the cell nucleus. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments indicate that HDAC11 may be present in protein complexes that also contain HDAC6. These results indicate that HDAC11 is a novel and unique member of the histone deacetylase family and it may have distinct physiological roles from those of the known HDACs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Assembly of epithelial tight junctions is negatively regulated by Par6.

Epithelial cells display apical-basal polarity, and the apical surface is segregated from the basolateral membranes by a barrier called the tight junction (TJ). TJs are constructed from transmembrane proteins that form cell-cell contacts-claudins, occludin, and junctional adhesion molecule (JAM)-plus peripheral proteins such as ZO-1. The Par proteins (partitioning-defective) Par3 and Par6, plus atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) function in the formation or maintenance of TJs and more generally in metazoan cell polarity establishment. Par6 contains a PDZ domain and a partial CRIB (Cdc42/Rac interactive binding) domain and binds the small GTPase Cdc42. Here, we show that Par6 inhibits TJ assembly in MDCK II epithelial cells after their disruption by Ca(2+) depletion but does not inhibit adherens junction (AJ) formation. Transepithelial resistance and paracellular diffusion assays confirmed that assembly of functional TJs is delayed by Par6 overexpression. Strikingly, the isolated, N-terminal fragment of PKCzeta, which binds Par6, also inhibits TJ assembly. Activated Cdc42 can disrupt TJs, but neither a dominant-negative Cdc42 mutant nor the CRIB domain of gammaPAK (p21-activated kinase), which inhibits Cdc42 function, observably inhibit TJ formation. These results suggest that Cdc42 and Par6 negatively regulate TJ assembly in mammalian epithelial cells.

Adherens Junctions↗

CTLA-4 gene A/G polymorphism associated with diabetes mellitus in Han Chinese.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) gene A/G polymorphism with susceptibility to diabetes mellitus in Han Chinese. METHODS: An A/G transition at position 49 of exon 1 was analyzed in 31 patients with type 1 diabetes, 31 patients with type 2 diabetes, and 36 controls were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. RESULTS: A highly significant increase in the frequency of the G allele was seen in patients with type 1 diabetes compared with controls (66.1 % vs. 34.7%, respectively; P < 0.0005; OR = 3.670) . This reflected an increase in the GG genotype in patients (48.4% vs. 22.2%, respectively; P =0.025; OR =3.281) and a significant decrease in the AA genotype (16.1 % vs. 52.8%, respectively; P = 0.002). The allele frequencies of A and G in patients with type 2 diabetes were not significantly different from controls(A/G, 50.0/50.0% vs. 65.3/34.7%; P = not significant) . The distribution of genotype, however, differed significantly. This difference reflected an increase in the AG genotype in patients (54.8% vs.25.0%, respectively; P=0.012; OR=3.643) and a decrease in the AA genotype (22.6% vs. 52.8%, respectively; P=0.011). CONCLUSIONS: CTLA-4 49 AA is protective from diabetes mellitus, whereas, CTLA-4 49 G allele (both as homozygotes and as heterozygotes ) confers an increased risk of diabetes mellitus.

Abatacept↗

Dysfunction of myocardial taurine transport and effect of taurine supplement in rats with isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury.

AIM: To study the alterations of myocardial taurine transport function, taurine transporter (TAUT), and cysteine sulfinate decarboxylase (CSD) mRNA as well as effect of exogenous taurine in rats with isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiomegaly. METHODS: [3H]-Taurine uptake and release on myocardium were determined. Binding sites of [3H]-taurine for myocardial sarcolemma were measured. TAUT and CSD mRNA levels were assayed using competitive quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: ISO group as compared with control group, myocardial taurine uptake markedly reduced, taurine release obviously increased; Bmax value of [3H]-taurine binding on cardiac sarcolemma reduced by 42% (P<0.05); TAUT and CSD mRNA levels decreased by 40% and 38% (P<0.05), respectively. ISO+taurine group as compared with ISO-treated group, the amounts of taurine uptake and TAUT mRNA returned to normal; taurine release reduced; Bmax increased by 92% (P<0.01), and CSD mRNA content augmented by 23% (P<0.05). There were no statistical differences of Kd values among the four groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The data indicate that the failure to generate sufficient TAUT on myocardial sarcolemma may be the fundamental abnormality in ISO-induced cardiac injury. The mechanism by which administration of taurine considerably improves ISO-induced cardiac damage is probably to increase the expression of TAUT gene and recover taurine transport function.

Animals↗

[An observation of taurine transport alterations in calcification of myocardial cells in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the alterations of taurine transport, taurine transporter (TAUT) and cysteine sulfinate decarboxylase (CSD) mRNA in the calcification of myocardial cells in vitro. METHODS: 3H-taurine measured the amount of taurine uptake. TAUT and CSD mRNA consents were measured using competitive quantitative RT-PCR in cultured and calcified myocardial cells. RESULTS: In calcification of myocardial cells, taurine concentration was decreased by 27% (P < 0.05), taurine uptake was markedly reduced, Vmax reduced by 39% (P < 0.01), there were no statistical significance of Km values between the two groups. TAUT mRNA decreased by 45% (P < 0.01), but CSD mRNA increased by 25% (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that there were impediment of taurine transport in calcification of myocardial cells, as TAUT mRNA level was decreased, but CSD mRNA concentration was improved.

Animals↗

DNA sequence design based on template strategy.

In DNA based computation and DNA nanotechnology, the design of proper DNA sequences has turned out to be an elementary problem. This paper takes a further look at the template strategy proposed in work by Frutos, A. G. et al. (Nucleic Acids Res. 1997, 25, 4748-4757). The H-measure proposed by Garzon et al. (Proceedings of the Second Annual Genetic Programming Conference, 1997; pp 472-487) is combined in this strategy to optimize the template and map sets obtained. Finally we describe a constructing method that can still produce more sequences by the results obtained in this paper.

Algorithms↗

Solving the 3-SAT problem based on DNA computing.

The 3-SAT problem is an NP-complete problem, and many algorithms based on DNA computing have been proposed for solving it since Adleman's pioneering work. This paper presents a new algorithm based on the literal string strategy proposed by Sakamoto et al. Simulation results show that the maximal number of literal strings produced during the computing process is greatly reduced. Moreover, the length of the literal strings is also reduced from m to n at most.

Algorithms↗