Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Gao

Publications and source records attributed to M Gao.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

The C-terminal 25 amino acids of the protease and its substrate ICP35 of herpes simplex virus type 1 are involved in the formation of sealed capsids.

The herpes simplex virus type 1 protease and its substrate, ICP35, are involved in the assembly of viral capsids. Both proteins are encoded by a single open reading frame from overlapping mRNAs. The protease is autoproteolytically processed at two sites. The protease cleaves itself at the C-terminal site (maturation site) and also cleaves ICP35 at an identical site, releasing a 25-amino-acid (aa) peptide from each protein. To determine whether these 25 aa play a role in capsid assembly, we constructed a mutant virus expressing only Prb, the protease without the C-terminal 25 aa. Phenotypic analysis of the Prb virus in the presence and absence of ICP35 shows the following: (i) Prb retains the functional activity of the wild-type protease which supports virus growth in the presence of ICP35; (ii) in contrast to the ICP35 null mutant delta ICP35 virus, the Prb virus fails to grow in the absence of ICP35; and (iii) trans-complementation experiments indicated that full-length ICP35 (ICP35 c,d), but not the cleaved form (ICP35 e,f), complements the growth of the Prb virus. The most striking phenotype of the Prb virus is that only unsealed aberrant capsid structures are observed by electron microscopy in mutant-infected Vero cells. Our results demonstrate that the growth of herpes simplex virus type 1 requires the C-terminal 25 aa of either the protease or its substrate, ICP35, and that the C-terminal 25 aa are involved in the formation of sealed capsids.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[A clinicopathological study of cor pulmonale with coronary heart disease].

The necropsy findings of 18 patients with cor pulmonale and coronary heart disease (CHD) were compared with those of a control group of 30 patients with cor pulmonale alone. The results showed that there was no significant statistical difference between the two groups on average heart weight and average left and right ventricular thickness (P > 0.05). The results suggest that at the end stage of cor pulmonale left ventricule may be involved whether there are complicating left ventricular disease or not. In this study, cor pulmonale and CHD were both accurately diagnosed in 33.3%, CHD failed to be diagnosed in 38.9% and cor pulmonale failed to be diagnosed in 27.8% of the patients. Single diagnostic factor analysis for cor pulmonale with CHD indicated that age, history of hypertension, history of angina pectoris, history of MI, accentuation A2, presence of bundle branch block, abnormal Q wave and left axis or normal deviation, Cheng Xiansheng diagostic criteria and Selvester MI screening criteria are of significance (P < 0.05). Multiple factor logistic regression analysis indicated that independent prognostic factors including history of angina pectoris, Selvester MI screening criteria and Cheng Xiansheng diagnostic criteria are of help for diagnosis (P < 0.03-0.000). The above-mentioned diagnostic methods are, however, not so specific. At present the best method for diagnosis of CHD is coronary arteriography.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Altered oxidative stress responses in nickel-resistant mammalian cells.

BALB 3T3 cells exposed to NiCl2 acquired resistance to concentrations as high as 200 microM and retain resistance for many generations in the absence of nickel. This resistance was not due to alterations in uptake or to metallothionein overexpression. The nickel-resistant B200 cell line was found to also exhibit cross-resistance to hydrogen peroxide and menadione. These nickel-resistant cells had 1.8 times higher basal levels of glutathione compared to wild-type cells. Studies with the glutathione synthesis inhibitor buthionine sulfoximine showed that while glutathione turnover was more rapid in the nickel-resistant cells, its depletion following NiCl2 treatment of the parental BALB 3T3 cell line was greater than in the nickel-resistant B200 cells. The reduced level of binding of NFkB and AP-1 transcription factors to their DNA consensus sequences in B200 cells compared to wild-type cells, and their more reactive response following treatment of resistant cells with H2O2 or buthionine sulfoximine, strengthens the hypothesis that nickel resistance is closely allied to oxidative stress responses.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1994

The protease of herpes simplex virus type 1 is essential for functional capsid formation and viral growth.

The herpes simplex virus type 1 protease and related proteins are involved in the assembly of viral capsids. The protease encoded by the UL26 gene can process itself and its substrate ICP35, encoded by the UL26.5 gene. To better understand the functions of the protease in infected cells, we have isolated a complementing cell line (BMS-MG22) and constructed and characterized a null UL26 mutant virus, m100. The mutant virus failed to grow on Vero cells and required a complementing cell line for its propagation, confirming that the UL26 gene product is essential for viral growth. Phenotypic analysis of m100 shows that (i) normal amounts of the c and d forms of ICP35 were produced, but they failed to be processed to the cleaved forms, e and f; (ii) viral DNA replication of the mutant proceeded at near wild-type levels, but DNA was not processed to unit length or encapsidated; (iii) capsid structures were observed in thin sections of m100-infected Vero cells by electron microscopy, but assembly of VP5 into hexons of the capsid structure was conformationally altered; and (iv) nuclear localizations of the protease and ICP35 are independent of each other, and the function(s) of Na, at least in part, is to direct the catalytic domain N(o) to the nucleus.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Phenotype of the herpes simplex virus type 1 protease substrate ICP35 mutant virus.

The herpes simplex virus type 1 ICP35 assembly protein is involved in the formation of viral capsids. ICP35 is encoded by the UL26.5 gene and is specifically processed by the herpes simplex virus type 1 protease encoded by the UL26 gene. To better understand the functions of ICP35 in infected cells, we have isolated and characterized an ICP35 mutant virus, delta ICP35. The mutant virus was propagated in complementing 35J cells, which express wild-type ICP35. Phenotypic analysis of delta ICP35 shows that (i) mutant virus growth in Vero cells was severely restricted, although small amounts of progeny virus was produced; (ii) full-length ICP35 protein was not produced, although autoproteolysis of the protease still occurred in mutant-infected nonpermissive cells; (iii) viral DNA replication of the mutant proceeded at wild-type levels, but only a very small portion of the replicated DNA was processed to unit length and encapsidated; (iv) capsid structures were observed in delta ICP35-infected Vero cells by electron microscopy and by sucrose sedimentation analysis; (v) assembly of VP5 into hexons of the capsids was conformationally altered; and (vi) ICP35 has a novel function which is involved in the nuclear transport of VP5.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Use of molecular epidemiological techniques in a pilot study on workers exposed to chromium.

OBJECTIVES: Molecular epidemiological techniques, capable of detecting damage to DNA, were used to see if such damage occurred in the lymphocytes of a group of workers exposed to chromium. The two aims of this pilot study were to see if these new techniques might make useful biological monitoring tools for workers exposed to chromium and also, to help assess whether the current occupational exposure limit for chromium (VI) was sufficiently protective in this specific working situation. METHODS: Volunteer groups of 10 workers exposed to chromium and 10 non-exposed workers provided urine and blood samples towards the end of the working week. Chromium concentrations were measured in whole blood, plasma, lymphocytes, and urine. Lymphocytes were used to examine two forms of DNA damage in the two groups; these were the level of DNA strand breakage and, the production of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine. RESULTS: Chromium concentration in whole blood, plasma, and urine of workers exposed to chromium was significantly raised (P < 0.01) compared with non-exposed controls, but in isolated lymphocytes, there was only a modest but significant (P < 0.05) increase in chromium in the group exposed to chromium. There was no difference in the levels of DNA strand breaks or 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine between the groups. Air monitoring for chromium was not undertaken but current levels for the group exposed to chromium were reported to be around 0.01 mg/m3, which is 20% of the current United Kingdom occupational exposure limit. CONCLUSIONS: We were unable to detect any damage in lymphocytic DNA due to exposure to chromium. This may have been due to the low chromium exposure (< 20% of the United Kingdom occupational exposure limit), the ability of plasma to detoxify chromium (VI) to chromium (III) before it reached the lymphocytes, or perhaps the insensitivity of the molecular techniques used. It is now important to test these and other such techniques on groups exposed to levels closer to the United Kingdom occupational exposure limit.

8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine↗
PubMed1993

Hexavalent chromium produces DNA strand breakage but not unscheduled DNA synthesis at sub-cytotoxic concentrations in hepatocytes.

Rat hepatocytes were used to investigate the possible induction of unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) and the extent of DNA strand breaks induced by sodium dichromate (a representative chromium(VI) compound) and chromium acetate hydroxide (chromium(III)) in vitro. Cytotoxicity, measured using tetrazolium salt (MTT) reduction assay, was found at a much higher dose of chromium(III), (> 50 microM), compared to that of chromium(VI), (> 2.5 microM), in cultured hepatocytes over 20 h treatment at 37 degrees C. Chromium(VI), but not chromium(III), stimulated minimal UDS in hepatocytes at sub-cytotoxic concentrations. A positive UDS response was only observed at cytotoxic concentration. DNA strand breaks in hepatocytes were induced by chromium(VI) following incubation at 37 degrees C for 1 h at doses of 10, 20 and 40 microM sodium dichromate. The subsequent ligation of such strand breaks in hepatocytes treated with 40 microM chromium(VI) for 1 h at 37 degrees C was demonstrated. The majority of strand breaks was repaired within 30 min following removal of the chromate. In conclusion, chromate-induced DNA strand breakage, possibly involving the formation of oxygen radicals and lack of significant UDS have some analogy to those produced by ionizing radiation.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

The C-terminal third of UL42, a HSV-1 DNA replication protein, is dispensable for viral growth.

UL42 is the herpes simplex virus type 1 DNA polymerase (Pol) accessory protein and is required for viral DNA replication and growth. Previous results from this laboratory demonstrated that the N-terminal two thirds of the protein contains all of the biochemical activities of the protein which can be measured in vitro. These activities include dsDNA-binding, association with DNA polymerase, and stimulation of polymerase activity. To better understand the functions of UL42 in infected cells, we have isolated and characterized two viral recombinants, UL42lacZ and n338. In the mutant virus UL42lacZ, the UL42 gene was disrupted by insertion of the Escherichia coli lacZ gene, while in the mutant virus n338, a termination codon was introduced after amino acid position 338. Analysis of the mutant phenotypes suggest that (1) the first 338 residues of UL42 retain all the functions necessary for viral DNA replication and growth in lytic infection, (2) localization of UL42 to the cell nucleus is independent of Pol, and (3) localization of ICP8 (ssDNA-binding protein) to prereplication sites is independent of functional UL42.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Intragenic complementation of herpes simplex virus ICP8 DNA-binding protein mutants.

The major DNA-binding protein, or infected-cell protein 8 (ICP8), of herpes simplex virus is required for viral DNA synthesis and normal regulation of viral gene expression. Previous genetic analysis has indicated that the carboxyl-terminal 28 residues are the only portion of ICP8 capable of acting independently as a nuclear localization signal. In this study, we constructed a mutant virus (n11SV) in which the carboxyl-terminal 28 residues of ICP8 were replaced by the simian virus 40 large-T-antigen nuclear localization signal. The n11SV ICP8 localized into the nucleus and bound to single-stranded DNA in vitro as tightly as wild-type ICP8 did but was defective for viral DNA synthesis and viral growth in Vero cells. Two mutant ICP8 proteins (TL4 and TL5) containing amino-terminal alterations could complement the n11SV mutant but not ICP8 gene deletion mutants. Cell lines expressing TL4 and TL5 ICP8 were isolated, and in these cells, complementation of n11SV was observed at the levels of both viral DNA replication and viral growth. Therefore, complementation between n11SV ICP8 and TL4 or TL5 ICP8 reconstituted wild-type ICP8 functions. Our results demonstrate that (i) the carboxyl-terminal 28 residues of ICP8 are required for a function(s) involved in viral DNA replication, (ii) this function can be supplied in trans by another mutant ICP8, and (iii) ICP8 has multiple domains possessing different functions, and at least some of these functions can complement in trans.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Monitoring of total chromium in rat fluids and lymphocytes following intratracheal administration of soluble trivalent or hexavalent chromium compounds.

1. Intratracheal instillation of sodium dichromate (CrVI) and chromium acetate hydroxide (CrIII) to male Wistar rats gave rise to increased chromium concentrations in whole blood, plasma and urine up to 72 h post exposure; peak concentrations were reached at 6 h after exposure. 2. The ratio of whole blood chromium to plasma chromium concentrations was significantly different for Cr(VI) and Cr(III) treatments. Both blood chromium and plasma chromium assays should therefore be used for the assessment of chromium exposure. 3. Chromium was also detected in peripheral lymphocytes. Cr(VI), but not Cr(III) accumulated significantly in the lymphocytes after treatment. These cells have potential to be used for biomarkers of the assessment of exposure to chromium compounds.

Acetates↗
PubMed1993

Preliminary report on cardiovascular responses to urapidil during intubation and extubation.

Urapidil (Ebrantil), a new antihypertensive agent with central and peripheral sites of action, has proven effective in the management of both chronic and acute hypertension. This study investigates its effects on cardiovascular responses during intubation and extubation under general anesthesia. Thirty normotensive patients (ASA I-II) were randomized into control (I, without urapidil, n = 10); lower dose (II, 0.4 mg/kg, n = 10); and higher dose (III, 0.6 mg/kg, n = 10) groups. A significant fall of blood pressure was observed in all patients within 1 min after urapidil administration (P < 0.05), and the magnitude of the decrease was related to blood pressure before treatment. However, no transient drop of blood pressure to hypotensive values was observed. The results suggest that urapidil could be used under general anesthesia in patients to control fluctuating blood pressure during intubation and extubation. The increased heart rate (P < 0.05) seen for several minutes after urapidil administration may have been due to the patients' hypovolemic state.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Production of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in isolated DNA by chromium(VI) and chromium(V).

Chromium(VI) and Cr(V) compounds increased the concentration of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (oh8dG) in isolated DNA, whereas no such increase was seen with Cr(III). Furthermore, incubating DNA with H2O2 and Cr(VI) or Cr(V) potentiated the formation of oh8dG above levels observed with either chromium compound alone. In the presence of catalase, the increase in DNA oxidation observed with Cr(VI) was inhibited, the base oxidation observed being equivalent to background levels, and this indicated involvement of H2O2 in the mechanism. Glutathione did not enhance chromium-induced formation of this oxidized base. These results help to explain a mechanism of chromium-induced DNA oxidation involving H2O2 via a Fenton-type reaction.

8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine↗
PubMed1992

Association between the herpes simplex virus major DNA-binding protein and alkaline nuclease.

Herpes simplex virus encodes seven proteins which have been shown to be both necessary and sufficient for in vitro replication of origin-containing plasmids. We have shown previously that one of these proteins, the major DNA-binding protein mDBP, forms a complex with alkaline nuclease, which is not one of the seven essential proteins. In this study, we have employed immunological reagents and a series of deletion mutants to investigate this complex further. We have determined the regions of mDBP which are important in the formation of this complex, and we have shown that the intranuclear locations of alkaline nuclease and major DNA-binding protein overlap.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Distal protein sequences can affect the function of a nuclear localization signal.

The major DNA-binding protein, or infected-cell protein 8 (ICP8), encoded by herpes simplex virus can localize to the cell nucleus independently of other viral proteins. To define the nuclear localization signals within ICP8, we performed several forms of mutagenesis on the cloned ICP8 gene. Deletion analysis of the ICP8 gene showed that several portions of ICP8 are involved in its nuclear localization. To determine whether these regions were independent localization signals, we introduced various portions of the ICP8 gene into a series of cassette plasmids which allowed expression of fusion proteins containing pyruvate kinase, normally a cytoplasmic protein, fused to various portions of ICP8. These results showed that the carboxyl-terminal 28 residues are the only portion of ICP8 capable of targeting protein kinase into the nucleus. However, inclusion of certain additional regions of ICP8 into the fusion protein led to an inhibition of nuclear localization. Therefore, the carboxyl-terminal 28 residues of ICP8 can act independently as a nuclear localization signal, but certain conformational constraints or folding or assembly requirements in the remainder of the protein can affect the nuclear localization of the protein. Our results demonstrate that sequences distant from a nuclear localization signal can affect its ability to function. A set of fusion vectors has been isolated which should be of general use for making 5' or 3' fusions in any reading frame to rapidly map localization signals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Induction of DNA strand breaks in peripheral lymphocytes by soluble chromium compounds.

1. Incubation of human lymphocytes with sodium dichromate (CrVI) at 37 degrees C for 3 h resulted in a dose-dependent increase in DNA strand breaks without concurrent cytotoxicity. In contrast, chromium acetate hydroxide (CrIII) failed to induce DNA strand breaks at sub-cytotoxic concentrations. 2. DNA strand breaks were also detected in the peripheral lymphocytes of Wistar rats, 24 h after intratracheal instillation of sodium dichromate (1.3 and 2.5 mg kg-1). Instillation of chromium acetate hydroxide (up to 21.8 mg kg-1) failed to induce DNA strand breaks in peripheral lymphocytes. In accord with previous studies, hexavalent chromium was found to be more readily absorbed from the lungs into the peripheral blood than chromium in its trivalent form. 3. The results of this study indicate that fluorometric analysis of DNA unwinding (FADU) in peripheral lymphocytes might be a convenient method of measuring an important biological effect of chromium in occupationally-exposed workers.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Microvascular geometry of the rat heart. Arteriolar and venular capillary regions.

The importance of realistic data regarding microvascular geometry for the understanding of oxygen transport to tissue cannot be underestimated. The purpose of the present investigation was therefore to determine the pattern of capillarization in rat myocardium. The histochemical method used in this study was novel in that it allowed for the discrimination of arteriolar capillary (AC) and venular capillary (VC) regions on the basis of color. Our preeminent finding was that systematic differences exist in microvascular geometry from arteriolar to venular capillary regions in normal rat myocardium. Specifically, VC regions are characterized by greater capillary density; more uniform capillary spacing; shorter segment lengths; and increased capillary diameter. These differences translate to significantly greater capillary length, surface and volume densities on the venular side of the capillary bed. In the face of lower PO2 values towards venules, this distinctive geometry would serve to provide advantageous geometric conditions for oxygen diffusion.

Animals↗