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Biomedical subjects

Q Zhou

Publications and source records attributed to Q Zhou.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Estrogen action and male fertility: roles of the sodium/hydrogen exchanger-3 and fluid reabsorption in reproductive tract function.

Estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha) is essential for male fertility. Its activity is responsible for maintaining epithelial cytoarchitecture in efferent ductules and the reabsorption of fluid for concentrating sperm in the head of the epididymis. These discoveries and others have helped to establish estrogen's bisexual role in reproductive importance. Reported here is the molecular mechanism to explain estrogen's role in fluid reabsorption in the male reproductive tract. It is shown that estrogen regulates expression of the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger-3 (NHE3) and the rate of (22)Na(+) transport, sensitive to an NHE3 inhibitor. Immunohistochemical staining for NHE3, carbonic anhydrase II (CAII), and aquaporin-I (AQP1) was decreased in ER alpha knockout (alpha ERKO) efferent ductules. Targeted gene-deficient mice were compared with alpha ERKO, and the NHE3 knockout and CAII-deficient mice showed alpha ERKO-like fluid accumulation, but only the NHE3 knockout and alpha ERKO mice were infertile. Northern blot analysis showed decreases in mRNA for NHE3 in alpha ERKO and antiestrogen-treated mice. The changes in AQP1 and CAII in alpha ERKO seemed to be secondary because of the disruption of apical cytoarchitecture. Ductal epithelial ultrastructure was abnormal only in alpha ERKO mice. Thus, in the male, estrogen regulates one of the most important epithelial ion transporters and maintains epithelial morphological differentiation in efferent ductules of the male, independent of its regulation of Na(+) transport. Finally, these data raise the possibility of targeting ER alpha in developing a contraceptive for the male.

Absorption↗
PubMed2001

Ablation of Cypher, a PDZ-LIM domain Z-line protein, causes a severe form of congenital myopathy.

Cypher is a member of a recently emerging family of proteins containing a PDZ domain at their NH(2) terminus and one or three LIM domains at their COOH terminus. Cypher knockout mice display a severe form of congenital myopathy and die postnatally from functional failure in multiple striated muscles. Examination of striated muscle from the mutants revealed that Cypher is not required for sarcomerogenesis or Z-line assembly, but rather is required for maintenance of the Z-line during muscle function. In vitro studies demonstrated that individual domains within Cypher localize independently to the Z-line via interactions with alpha-actinin or other Z-line components. These results suggest that Cypher functions as a linker-strut to maintain cytoskeletal structure during contraction.

Actinin↗
PubMed2001

Quinone methide phosphodiester alkylations under aqueous conditions.

A detailed analysis of the alkylation of phosphodiesters with a p-quinone methide under aqueous conditions has been accomplished. The relative rates of phosphodiester alkylation and hydrolysis have been examined by (1)H NMR analysis of the reaction of 2,6-dimethyl-p-quinone methide in a buffered diethyl phosphate/acetonitrile solution (1:9 v/v, pH 4.0). The rate of hydrolysis of the quinone methide was confirmed by UV analysis in 28.5% solutions of aqueous inorganic phosphate in acetonitrile at pH 4.0 and 7.0. Similarly, the rate of phosphodiester alkylations by the quinone methide was also confirmed by UV analysis in 28.5% solutions of aqueous dibenzyl, dibutyl, or diethyl phosphate in acetonitrile at pH 4.0 and 7.0. These kinetic studies further establish that the phosphodiester alkylation reactions are acid-catalyzed, second-order processes. The rate constant for phosphodiester alkylation was found to range from approximately 370-3700 times the rate constant of quinone methide hydrolysis with diethyl and dibenzyl phosphate, respectively (pH 4.0, 28.5% aqueous acetonitrile).

Acetonitriles↗
PubMed2001

The involvement of HAb18G/CD147 in regulation of store-operated calcium entry and metastasis of human hepatoma cells.

The present study examined the effect of hepatoma-associated antigen HAb18G (homologous to CD147) expression on the NO/cGMP-regulated Ca(2+) mobilization and metastatic process of human hepatoma cells. HAb18G/CD147 cDNA was transfected into human 7721 hepatoma cells to obtain a cell line stably expressing HAb18G/CD147, T7721, as demonstrated by Northern blot and immunocytochemical studies. 8-Bromo-cGMP (cGMP) inhibited the thapsigargin-induced Ca(2+) entry in a concentration-dependent manner in 7721 cells. The cGMP-induced inhibition was abolished by an inhibitor of protein kinase G, KT5823 (1 microm). However, expression of HAb18G/CD147 in T7721 cells decreased the inhibitory response to cGMP. A similar concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on the Ca(2+) entry was observed in 7721 cells in response to a NO donor, (+/-)-S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP). The inhibitory effect of SNAP on the thapsigargin-induced Ca(2+) entry was significantly reduced in HAb18G/CD147-expressing T7721 cells, indicating a role for HAb18G/CD147 in NO/cGMP-regulated Ca(2+) entry. Experiments investigating metastatic potentials demonstrated that HAb18G/CD147-expressing T7721 cells attached to the Matrigel-coated culture plates and invaded through Matrigel-coated permeable filters at the rate significantly greater than that observed in 7721 cells. Both the attachment and invasion rates could be suppressed by SNAP, and the inhibitory effect of SNAP could be reversed by NO inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester. The sensitivity of the attachment and invasion rates to cGMP was significantly reduced in T7721 cells as compared with 7721 cells when cells were pretreated with thapsigargin. The difference in the sensitivity between the two cells could be abolished by a Ca(2+) channel blocker, Ni(2+) (3 mm). These results suggest that HAb18G/CD147 enhances metastatic potentials in human hepatoma cells by disrupting the regulation of store-operated Ca(2+) entry by NO/cGMP.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed2001

Rapid and transient reduction in circulating thyroid hormones following systemic antigen priming: implications for functional collaboration between dendritic cells and thyroid.

The thyroid hormones T(3) (tri-iodothyronine) and T(4) (thyroxine) are disseminated throughout the body via the circulation and are maintained across a range of physiological concentrations under the control of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). T(3) (and T(4) after conversion to T(3)) influences many biological activities, including gene expression and protein synthesis, though little is known about the nature of pituitary-thyroid immune interactions. In the present study we show that serum T(3) and T(4) levels are sharply but transiently reduced during the first 24 h of systemic antigen exposure and that this is followed by suppressed levels of free T(4), after which there is rapid recovery to normal levels. Splenic dendritic cells, depending upon the stage of maturation/activation, were found to be a rich source of TSH, and CD11c(+) cells with dendritic cell morphology were present in the thyroid 1-3 days after antigen exposure. Moreover, antigen priming of hypophysectomized mice that are unable to make pituitary-derived TSH resulted in significant increases in circulating T(4), implying that compensation in the drop in thyroid hormones can be regulated from extrapituitary sources. These findings thus identify a novel set of immune-endocrine interactions that transpire during the early phase of antigen exposure, and they suggest that under appropriate conditions the immune system directly participates in the process of maintaining physiological homeostasis by contributing to the regulatory control of thyroid hormone activity.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

The bHLH transcription factor Olig2 promotes oligodendrocyte differentiation in collaboration with Nkx2.2.

Olig2, a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor, is expressed in a restricted domain of the spinal cord ventricular zone that sequentially generates motoneurons and oligodendrocytes. Just prior to oligo-dendrocyte precursor formation, the domains of Olig2 and Nkx2.2 expression switch from being mutually exclusive to overlapping, and Neurogenins1 and 2 are extinguished within this region. Coexpression of Olig2 with Nkx2.2 in the spinal cord promotes ectopic and precocious oligodendrocyte differentiation. Both proteins function as transcriptional repressors in this assay. This effect is blocked by forced expression of Neurogenin1. By contrast, misexpression of Olig2 alone derepresses Neurogenins and promotes motoneuron differentiation. Olig2 therefore functions sequentially in motoneuron and oligodendrocyte fate specification. This dual action is enabled by spatio-temporal changes in the expression domains of other transcription factors with which Olig2 functionally interacts.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[18F-FDG PET cerebral imaging for localizing epileptogenic foci and its relation to predicting operative outcome].

OBJECTIVE: To find out the relationship between FDG PET image pattern and epileptogenic focus localization and predict prognosis by comparing pre- and post-surgical FDG images with operative effects. METHODS: 72 patients with epilepsy who underwent surgery (49M, 23F, aged 24.3 years on average) were studied with pre-surgical FDG PET cerebral imaging and followed up (av. 15 months, 3-24 months) for assessment of seizure control. 20 of them were studied with post-surgical FDG PET. The accuracy of localization of epileptogenic foci of FDG PET was compared with that of VEEG and MRI. The relationship between pre- and post-surgical FDG metabolic image pattern and surgical outcome was evaluated. RESULTS: (1) 71 patients showed pre-surgical interictal focal hypometabolism. 1 patient with continuous seizure showed ictal hypermetabolic focus. (2) FDG PET could localize the seizure foci in patients whose EEG showed bilateral or no definite epileptoform discharge. The rate of detection of epileptogenic foci with FDG PET was much higher than that with MRI. Since hypometabolic foci were non-specific, not all hypometabolic foci were epileptogenic. The correlation between postoperative FDG PET and surgical effect could help determine the nature of metabolic focus. (3) Hypometabolism of ipsilateral thalamus and/or contralateral cerebellum with temporal lobe lesion was secondary functional change. (4) The patternization of cerebral images was helpful to surgical planning and helped predict operative outcome. CONCLUSION: Comparison of pre-surgical with post-surgical FDG PET images help determine the nature of hypometabolic foci. The patternization of FDG PET images help the surgeon select patients, plan type of operation and predict surgical effect.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Chromium(VI) reduction by hydrogen sulfide in aqueous media: stoichiometry and kinetics.

The objective of this work was to investigate the reaction stoichiometry, kinetics, and mechanism for Cr(VI) reduction by hydrogen sulfide in the aqueous phase. Batch experiments with excess [Cr(VI)] over [H2S]T indicated that the molar amount of sulfide required for the reduction of 1 M Cr(VI) was 1.5, suggesting the following stoichiometry: 2CrO4(2-) + 3H2S + 4H+-->2Cr(OH)3(s) + 3S(s) + 2H2O. Further study with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed that chromium hydroxide and elemental sulfur were the stable products. The kinetics of Cr(VI) reduction by hydrogen sulfide was measured under various initial concentrations of Cr(VI) and sulfide as well as pH values controlled by HEPES, phosphate, and borate buffers. Results showed that the overall reaction was second-order, i.e., first-order with respect to Cr(VI) and first-order to sulfide. The reaction rate increased as pH was decreased, and the pH dependence correlated well with the fraction of fully protonated sulfide (H2S) in the pH range of 6.5-10. The nature of buffers did not influence the reaction rate significantly in the homogeneous system. The reaction kinetics could be interpreted by a three-step mechanism: formation of an inner-sphere chromate-sulfide intermediate complex ((H2O4CrVIS)2-), intramolecular electron transfer to form Cr(IV) species, and subsequent fast reactions leading to Cr(III).

Chromium↗
PubMed2001

Morphine decreases the levels of the gene transcripts of growth hormone receptor and growth hormone binding protein in the male rat hippocampus and spinal cord.

In this study we have characterized the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA for the growth hormone receptor (GHR) and examined the effects of morphine on the gene transcripts for GHR as well as GH binding protein (GHBP) in the male rat hippocampus and spinal cord. Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction followed by cloning and sequencing, we found that the entire coding region of the GHR mRNA in the spinal cord is identical to that previously described in liver. A similar observation was made for the partially sequenced GHR cDNA from hippocampus. Northern blot analysis showed that in both tissues the levels of the transcripts for both GHR and GHBP were significantly decreased 4 h after a single dose of morphine. After 24 h the level of both transcripts did not significantly differ from that of control animals. This result indicates that the opiate does not only affect the receptor protein as shown earlier by binding studies, but also reduces the expression or turnover of the GHR as well as GHBP at the transcription level.

Analgesics, Opioid↗
PubMed2001

Morphological analysis of endocytosis in efferent ductules of estrogen receptor-alpha knockout male mouse.

Lack of estrogen receptor (ER) results in fluid accumulation and dilation of the efferent ductules, suggesting that the role of estrogen and ER in the male reproductive tract is related to fluid reabsorption in the ductules. In the present study, endocytosis of the nonciliated cells of the efferent ductules was compared morphologically between wild type (WT) and estrogen receptor-alpha knockout (alpha ERKO) male mice. The epithelial cells lining the WT efferent ductules were tall columnar in shape, whereas those of the alpha ERKO were low columnar. Immunocytochemically, the nonciliated cells of both genotypes showed positive reactions of sulfated glycoprotein-2, but the reaction products were reduced in amount in the alpha ERKO. Electron microscopy revealed that the nonciliated cells of the WT had numerous organelles for endocytosis such as coated pits and vesicles, tubules, endosomes, multivesicular bodies and lysosomes in the apical cytoplasm. These organelles were less developed in the nonciliated cells of the alpha ERKO. Morphometric analysis indicated that there was a significant reduction in area of endocytotic apparatus in the nonciliated cells of the alpha ERKO compared with that of the WT. A tracer study using gold particles demonstrated that the nonciliated cells of both WT and alpha ERKO efferent ductules were capable of taking up luminal contents. These results suggest that reabsorption of the luminal contents via endocytosis takes place in the efferent ductules but is greatly reduced in amount in the absence of ER alpha.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Kainate receptors depress excitatory synaptic transmission at CA3-->CA1 synapses in the hippocampus via a direct presynaptic action.

Kainate receptor activation depresses synaptic release of neurotransmitter at a number of synapses in the CNS. The mechanism underlying this depression is controversial, and both ionotropic and metabotropic mechanisms have been suggested. We report here that the AMPA/kainate receptor agonists domoate (DA) and kainate (KA) cause a presynaptic depression of glutamatergic transmission at CA3-->CA1 synapses in the hippocampus, which is not blocked by the AMPA receptor antagonist GYKI 53655 but is blocked by the AMPA/KA receptor antagonist CNQX. Neither a blockade of interneuronal discharge nor antagonists of several neuromodulators affect the depression, suggesting that it is not the result of indirect excitation and subsequent release of a neuromodulator. Presynaptic depolarization, achieved via increasing extracellular K(+), caused a depression of the presynaptic fiber volley and an increase in the frequency of miniature EPSCs. Neither effect was observed with DA, suggesting that DA does not depress transmission via a presynaptic depolarization. However, the effects of DA were abolished by the G-protein inhibitors N-ethylmaleimide and pertussis toxin. These results suggest that KA receptor activation depresses synaptic transmission at this synapse via a direct, presynaptic, metabotropic action.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Structural basis for the inhibition of caspase-3 by XIAP.

The molecular mechanism(s) that regulate apoptosis by caspase inhibition remain poorly understood. The main endogenous inhibitors are members of the IAP family and are exemplified by XIAP, which regulates the initiator caspase-9, and the executioner caspases-3 and -7. We report the crystal structure of the second BIR domain of XIAP (BIR2) in complex with caspase-3, at a resolution of 2.7 A, revealing the structural basis for inhibition. The inhibitor makes limited contacts through its BIR domain to the surface of the enzyme, and most contacts to caspase-3 originate from the N-terminal extension. This lies across the substrate binding cleft, but in reverse orientation compared to substrate binding. The mechanism of inhibition is due to a steric blockade prohibitive of substrate binding, and is distinct from the mechanism utilized by synthetic substrate analog inhibitors.

Carrier Proteins↗
PubMed2001

Contribution of cytoskeleton to the internalization of AMPA receptors.

Trafficking of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors (AMPARs) at synapses has been suggested to play an important role in the expression of synaptic plasticity. Both the regulated and the constitutive trafficking of synaptic AMPARs are thought to involve the insertion and removal of receptors by means of an exocytotic and endocytotic process, respectively. In contrast, N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (NMDARs), which are colocalized with AMPARs at excitatory synapses, appear to be much less dynamic. Here, we present evidence supporting the idea that synaptic AMPARs turn over through a constitutive endocytotic process and that glutamate application greatly enhances this turnover of AMPARs. The glutamate-induced internalization of AMPARs requires a rise in postsynaptic Ca(2+). The AMPAR internalization is mimicked by latrunculin A, a drug that selectively depolymerizes actin and is blocked by jasplakinolide, a drug which stabilizes actin filaments. The rate of endocytosis is not altered by glutamate application, whereas a clear enhancement is observed with insulin application. We propose a model in which the glutamate-induced dissociation of AMPARs from their anchor on the postsynaptic membrane involves actin depolymerization, which allows the released AMPARs to segregate from the NMDARs and diffuse to a presumably perisynaptic site, where they become available to an endocytotic machinery and are selectively internalized.

Actins↗
PubMed2001

AsMamDB: an alternative splice database of mammals.

The objective of database AsMamDB is to facilitate the systematic study of alternatively spliced genes of mammals. Version 1.0 of AsMamDB contains 1563 alternatively spliced genes of human, mouse and rat, each associated with a cluster of nucleotide sequences. The main information provided by AsMamDB includes gene alternative splicing patterns, gene structures, locations in chromosomes, products of genes and tissues where they express. Alternative splicing patterns are represented by multiple alignments of various gene transcripts and by graphs of their topological structures. Gene structures are illustrated by exon, intron and various regulatory elements distributions. There are 4204 DNAs, 3977 mRNAs, 8989 CDSs and 126 931 ESTs in the current database. More than 130 000 GenBank entries are covered and 4443 MEDLINE records are linked. DNA, mRNA, exon, intron and relevant regulatory element sequences are provided in FASTA format. More information can be obtained by using the web-based multiple alignment tool Asalign and various category lists. AsMamDB can be accessed at http://166.111.30.65/ASMAMDB.html.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed2001

Substance P endopeptidase-like activity is altered in various regions of the rat central nervous system during morphine tolerance and withdrawal.

In this study the level of a substance P endopeptidase (SPE)-like activity was measured in different regions of the rat central nervous system (CNS) after chronic administration of morphine. Male rats (200-220 g) were randomly divided into four groups. Two groups were injected (s.c.) with morphine (10 mg/kg) twice daily, whereas the other two received saline under identical conditions. After 8 days, when animals were completely tolerant to morphine, one of the morphine-treated groups and one group of saline-injected rats were given naloxone (s.c. 2 mg/kg). Withdrawal signs were observed and recorded. The enzyme activity was measured in extracts of the various CNS tissues by following the conversion of synthetic substance P (SP) to its N-terminal fragment SP(1-7) using a radioimmunoassay detecting this product. In discrete CNS areas including periaqueductal grey, spinal cord, substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area (VTA) a significant increase in enzyme activity was observed in the withdrawal group, while tolerant rats exhibited decreased SPE-like activity in the striatum (see Table 1). The enhanced enzyme activity during withdrawal is in agreement with our previous observation that the levels of SP(1-7) in rat brain are affected following naloxone precipitated withdrawal. In some tissues, including VTA, a correlation between the SPE-like activity and the intensity of the opioid abstinence was observed. Our result suggests that the elevated SPE-like activity is responsible for enhanced release of SP(1-7) in rats during morphine withdrawal, affirming a modulatory or regulative role of this enzyme in this state of opioid dependence.

Animals↗