Biomedical subjects

S Wang

Publications and source records attributed to S Wang.

At least 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Identification and characterization of differentially expressed genes in the early response phase during liver regeneration.

It has been suggested that the early response was a critical regulator of the remaining quiescent liver cells reentering the cell cycle after partial hepatectomy. The identification of genetic factors and function important in the early response phase during liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy will help in understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms of hepatic injuries. Through the application of complementary DNA representational difference analysis (RDA), we have identified genes that are up-regulated in early response phase during liver regeneration. Results from slot blot and Northern blot analysis confirmed that the RDA products were truly differentially expressed. In addition to well-characterized up-regulated genes during liver regeneration, including IGFBP-1, LRF-1, and metallothionein, we demonstrate the differential expression of at least 6 genes previously not known to be associated with liver regeneration. PC3 and TEC genes were identified as immediate-early response genes and were dramatically increased following partial hepatectomy. Ribosomal protein L6, ribosomal protein S7, chaperonin 10, and cytochrome oxidase I were identified to be up-regulated 4- to 5-fold after 70% partial hepatectomy. In addition to the known genes, 7 novel genes were isolated. Among them, two genes showed their up-regulation in liver regeneration by Northern blot analysis. One was exclusively expressed in liver, and no expression was observed in other tissues. Peak expression, 30-fold above baseline, occurred 60 min after 70% hepatectomy. Cycloheximide pretreatment could not suppress the induction of this gene, indicating that this gene as a novel immediate-early response gene following partial hepatectomy. The novel gene, which was represented three times in the differential clones, may be one of the highly up-expressed genes in regenerating liver. Its transcript is undetectable in normal liver; its level of mRNA increased by 0.5 h after 2/3 partial hepatectomy, reaching a maximum at 2 h. This gene is similar to human alpha-1-beta-glycoprotein (40%). These results suggest a role of these genes in the early response phase of liver regeneration.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Role of LXRs in control of lipogenesis.

The discovery of oxysterols as the endogenous liver X receptor (LXR) ligands and subsequent gene targeting studies in mice provided strong evidence that LXR plays a central role in cholesterol metabolism. The identification here of a synthetic, nonsteroidal LXR-selective agonist series represented by T0314407 and T0901317 revealed a novel physiological role of LXR. Oral administration of T0901317 to mice and hamsters showed that LXR activated the coordinate expression of major fatty acid biosynthetic genes (lipogenesis) and increased plasma triglyceride and phospholipid levels in both species. Complementary studies in cell culture and animals suggested that the increase in plasma lipids occurs via LXR-mediated induction of the sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP-1) lipogenic program.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Blue-luminescent/electroluminescent Zn(II) compounds of 7-azaindole and N-(2-pyridyl)-7-azaindole: Zn(7-azaindole)2(CH3COO)2, Zn(NPA)(CH3COO)2, and Zn(NPA)((S)-(+)-CH3CH2CH(CH3)COO)2 (NPA = N-(2-pyridyl)-7-azaindole).

A new 7-azaindole zinc(II) compound, Zn(7-azaindole)2(CH3COO)2 (1), a new ligand N-(2-pyridyl)-7-azaindole (NPA), and two NPA zinc(II) complexes, Zn(NPA)(CH3COO)2 (2) and Zn(NPA)((S)-(+)-CH3CH2CH(CH3)COO)2 (3), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Compound 1 has a tetrahedral geometry, whereas compounds 2 and 3 have irregular six-coordinate geometry. The NPA ligand in compounds 2 and 3 functions as a bidentate chelate to the zinc center. Compound 1 has a blue luminescence in the solution and the solid state. Compounds 2 and 3 emit a blue color in the solid state. In solution, compounds 2 and 3 are fluxional, as established by 1H NMR experiments. Compound 1 is thermally stable, whereas compounds 2 and 3 undergo decomposition when heated in the solid state. A blue electroluminescent device using compound 1 as the emitting layer has been fabricated. Crystal data: NPA, monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 13.993(5) A, b = 8.456(3) A, c = 16.886(5) A, beta = 104.666(12) degrees, V = 1932.9(11) A3; 1, triclinic, P1, a = 9.5114(18) A, b = 10.460(7) A, c = 11.002(3) A, alpha = 117.18(3) degrees, beta = 103.287(18) degrees, gamma = 90.94(2) degrees, V = 938.3(7) A3; 2, monoclinic, C2/c, a = 13.234(6) A, b = 9.373(3) A, c = 13.956(7) A, beta = 113.24(3) degrees, V = 1590.7(12) A3; 3, monoclinic, P2(1), a = 11.047(7) A, b = 15.343(9) A, c = 13.785(8) A, beta = 100.123(9) degrees, V = 2300(2) A3.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

RNA polymerase-cNMP-ligated cAMP receptor protein (CRP) mutant interactions in the enhancement of transcription by CRP mutants.

The enhancement of the transcription of three synthetic promoters by cNMP-ligated cAMP receptor protein (CRP)/mutant complexes was determined from the transcription yields of a short AAUU transcript in an abortive initiation in vitro transcription assay. The cNMP-ligated CRP and mutants were cAMP, cGMP, and cIMP ligated with CRP, T127L CRP, S128A CRP, and T127L/S128A CRP. The transcriptional activation of a 152-base pair lacUV5 promoter (synlac promoter) with a CRP consensus binding site sequence (syncon promoter) was enhanced by an average factor of 12.3 +/- 0.5 with the cAMP-ligated complexes of CRP/mutants and cGMP-ligated T127L, although their promoter binding site affinities varied by a factor of 5. However, in the presence of bound RNA polymerase, the binding affinities only ranged from 0.8 +/- 0.2 x 10(7) m(-)(1) for cAMP-ligated CRP* to 1.8 +/- 0. 3 x 10(7) m(-)(1) for cAMP-ligated CRP, indicating that the CRP/mutant interacts with the bound RNA polymerase, which would account for the near constancy of the enhancement factors. The corresponding enhancement factors for the synlac promoter and a promoter with a different CRP binding site sequence (syngal promoter) were also nearly the same, 7.2 +/- 0.7 and 6 +/- 1, respectively. The binding reaction of the syncon promoter to the RNA polymerase is exothermic, with a binding constant (K(b)) = 2.1 +/- 0. 2 x 10(7) m(-1).

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2000

Green fluorescent protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: real-time studies of the GAL1 promoter.

Green fluorescent protein (GFP) was used to study the regulation of the galactose-inducible GAL1 promoter in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. GFP was cloned into the pGAL110 vector and transformed into the yeast strains. Time course studies comparing culture fluorescence intensity and GFP concentration were conducted along with on-line monitoring of GFP expression. Our results demonstrated that GFP fluorescence could be used as a quantifiable on-line reporter gene in yeast strains. The effect of an integrated GAL10p-GAL4 transcription cassette was investigated. Induction time studies showed that there was no significant difference in GFP expression level by adding galactose at different culture times. A wide range of galactose concentrations was used to study the initial galactose concentration effect on GFP expression kinetics. A minimum of 0.05 g/L galactose doubled the GFP fluorescence signal as compared to the control, whereas 0.1 g/L gave the highest specific GFP yield. A simple analytical model was proposed to describe GFP expression kinetics based on the experimental results. In addition, this GFP-based approach was shown to have potential use for high-throughput studies. The use of GFP as a generic tool provided important insights to the GAL expression system and has great potential for further process optimization applications.

Blotting, Western↗

PubMed2000

Essential role of NAT1/p97/DAP5 in embryonic differentiation and the retinoic acid pathway.

NAT1/p97/DAP5 is a newly identified protein that shares homology with the translation initiation factor eIF4G. Studies in vitro and in transfected cells indicated that NAT1 might suppress global translation, thereby repressing cellular proliferation. Here we studied the functions of NAT1 in vivo by disrupting its gene in mice. NAT1(-/-) embryos died during gastrulation, indicating a crucial role for NAT1 in embryogenesis. Undifferentiated NAT1(-/-) embryonic stem cells were normal in morphology, proliferation, global translation and gene expression profile. However, NAT1(-/-) cells exhibited an impaired ability to differentiate: they were resistant to differentiation induced by retinoic acid, and teratomas derived from them consisted of undifferentiated and poorly differentiated tissues. The expression of retinoic acid-responsive genes, such as the cell-cycle inhibitor p21(WAF1), was selectively impaired in NAT1(-/-) cells. Transcription from synthetic retinoic acid-responsive elements was also impaired. These data demonstrated that this translation initiation factor homolog controls specific gene expression pathways required for cellular differentiation.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Sulfonation of poly(N-vinylcarbazole) studied by combined time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

A series of sulfonated poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) samples have been systematically studied by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Negative TOF-SIMS results provided unambiguous evidence that sulfonate groups are chemically attached to the carbazole moiety of PVK. The positive SIMS spectrum of PVK was, however, little affected by the sulfonation reaction. The degree of sulfonation was quantitatively determined by XPS. Therefore, the combination of TOF-SIMS and XPS is useful to follow the sulfonation reaction, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The SIMS intensities of some characteristic fragments are linearly related to the degree of sulfonation, suggesting that quantitative analysis is possible from TOF-SIMS data.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

Costimulation of T cells by B7-H2, a B7-like molecule that binds ICOS.

This report describes a new human B7-like gene designated B7-H2. Cell surface expression of B7-H2 protein is detected in monocyte-derived immature dendritic cells. Soluble B7-H2 and immunoglobulin (Ig) fusion protein, B7-H2Ig, binds activated but not resting T cells and the binding is abrogated by inducible costimulator Ig (ICOSIg), but not CTLA4Ig. In addition, ICOSIg stains Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with B7-H2 gene. By suboptimal cross-linking of CD3, costimulation of T-cell proliferation by B7-H2Ig is dose-dependent and correlates with secretion of interleukin (IL)-2, whereas optimal CD3 ligation preferentially stimulates IL-10 production. The results indicate that B7-H2 is a putative ligand for the ICOS T-cell molecule. (Blood. 2000;96:2808-2813)

Abatacept↗

PubMed2000

Parallel analyses of nociceptive neurones in rat superior colliculus by using c-fos immunohistochemistry and electrophysiology under different conditions of anaesthesia.

Multiple sensory inputs to the superior colliculus (SC) play an important role in guiding head and eye movements toward or away from biologically significant stimuli. Much is now known about the visual, auditory, and somatosensory response properties of SC neurones that mediate these behavioural reactions. Rather less is known about the responses of SC neurones to noxious stimuli, and thus far, most of this information has been obtained in anaesthetised animals. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to use the c-fos immunohistochemical technique and standard extracellular electrophysiology as parallel measures of nociceptive activity in the SC under different conditions of anaesthesia. In unanaesthetised animals, experimental and control treatments induced a qualitatively similar pattern of Fos-like immunoreactivity (FLI) in the SC, which was quantitatively related to the severity or biologic salience of the treatment; thus, baseline control < control injections of saline < a nonpainful stressor (immobilisation) < noxious injections of formalin. Compared with baseline levels, urethane and avertin anaesthesia induced FLI expression in the SC intermediate layers, although the FLI response to both noxious stimulation and control conditions was differentially suppressed in different layers of the SC by anaesthesia. Parallel electrophysiologic recordings found that anaesthesia was associated with high levels of spontaneous activity in the SC intermediate layers, often in neurones which were also nociceptive. High rates of background spike activity were also induced in the SC intermediate layers by noxious stimulation in chronically recorded awake animals. Although these results point to some differences between the nociceptive responses of SC neurones in anaesthetised and unanaesthetised animals, both data sets support the view that there are different populations of nociceptive neurones in the rodent SC that may be related to different adaptive functions of pain.

Anesthesia↗

PubMed2000

Accessory protein facilitated CFTR-CFTR interaction, a molecular mechanism to potentiate the chloride channel activity.

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene encodes a chloride channel protein that belongs to the superfamily of ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters. Phosphorylation by protein kinase A in the presence of ATP activates the CFTR-mediated chloride conductance of the apical membranes. We have identified a novel hydrophilic CFTR binding protein, CAP70, which is also concentrated on the apical surfaces. CAP70 consists of four PDZ domains, three of which are capable of binding to the CFTR C terminus. Linking at least two CFTR molecules via cytoplasmic C-terminal binding by either multivalent CAP70 or a bivalent monoclonal antibody potentiates the CFTR chloride channel activity. Thus, the CFTR channel can be switched to a more active conducting state via a modification of intermolecular CFTR-CFTR contact that is enhanced by an accessory protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2000

In vitro assembly of bacteriophage P4 procapsids from purified capsid and scaffolding proteins.

Bacteriophage P4 is a satellite virus of bacteriophage P2, which has acquired the ability to utilize the structural gene products of P2 to assemble its own capsid. The normal P2 capsid has a T = 7 icosahedral structure comprised of the gpN-derived capsid protein, whereas the capsid produced under the control of P4 has a smaller, T = 4 structure. The protein responsible for this size determination is the P4-coded gene product Sid, which forms an external scaffold on the P4 procapsid. Using an in vitro assembly system, we show that gpN and Sid can coassemble into procapsid-like particles, indistinguishable from those produced in vivo, in the absence of any other gene products. The fidelity of the assembly reaction is enhanced by the inclusion of PEG and has a pH optimum between 8.0 and 8.5. Analysis of the assembly properties of truncated versions of Sid and gpN suggests that the amino-terminal part of Sid is involved in gpN binding, while the carboxyl-terminal part forms trimeric Sid-Sid interactions, and that the first 31 amino acids of gpN are required for binding to Sid as well as for size determination.

Bacteriophages↗

PubMed2000

Role for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha in oxidized phospholipid-induced synthesis of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and interleukin-8 by endothelial cells.

The attraction, binding, and entry of monocytes into the vessel wall play an important role in atherogenesis. We have previously shown that minimally oxidized/modified LDL (MM-LDL), a pathogenically relevant lipoprotein, can activate human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) to produce monocyte chemotactic activators. In the present study, we demonstrate that MM-LDL and oxidation products of 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PAPC) activate endothelial cells to synthesize monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-8 (IL-8). Several lines of evidence suggest that this activation is mediated by the lipid-dependent transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha), the most abundant member of the PPAR family in HAECs. Treatment of transfected CV-1 cells demonstrated activation of the PPARalpha ligand-binding domain by MM-LDL, Ox-PAPC, or its component phospholipids, 1-palmitoyl-2-oxovalaroyl-sn-glycero-phosphocholine and 1-palmitoyl-2-glutaroyl-sn-glycero-phosphocholine; these lipids also activated a consensus peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor response element (PPRE) in transfected HAECs. Furthermore, activation of PPARalpha with synthetic ligand Wy14,643 stimulates the synthesis of IL-8 and MCP-1 by HAECs. By contrast, troglitazone, a PPARgamma agonist, decreased the levels of IL-8 and MCP-1. Finally, we demonstrate that unlike wild-type endothelial cells, endothelial cells derived from PPARalpha null mice do not produce MCP-1/JE in response to Ox-PAPC and MM-LDL. Together, these data demonstrate a proinflammatory role for PPARalpha in mediation of the activation of endothelial cells to produce monocyte chemotactic activity in response to oxidized phospholipids and lipoproteins.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Wood smoke particles generate free radicals and cause lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, NFkappaB activation and TNF-alpha release in macrophages.

The present study investigated the generation of free radicals by wood smoke and cellular injuries caused by these radicals. Wood smoke was collected after thermolysis of western bark. Electron spin resonance (ESR) techniques were used to measure both carbon-centered radicals and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by wood smoke. Wood smoke, in the presence of H(2)O(2), was found to be able to generate hydroxyl radical (.OH). DNA strand breakage was measured by exposing wood smoke to lambda Hind III fragments using gel electrophoresis. Wood smoke combined with H(2)O(2) caused DNA damage. Sodium formate, an .OH radical scavenger, or deferoxamine, a metal chelator, inhibited the DNA damage. Cellular DNA damage was also measured in cultured RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells by the single cell gel (SCG) electrophoresis assay. Cells were exposed to wood smoke samples for various times and significant DNA damage was observed. Elemental analysis was performed on the filter samples and the presence of Fe was noteworthy. Wood smoke is also able to cause lipid peroxidation, activate nuclear transcription factor, NFkappaB, and enhance the release of TNF-alpha from RAW 264. 7 cells. The results indicate that the free radicals generated by wood smoke through the reaction of Fe with H(2)O(2) are able to cause DNA and cellular damage and may act as a fibrogenic agent.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

High-sensitivity stark spectroscopy obtained by surface plasmon resonance measurement.

The effect (Stark effect) of an applied electric field on the electronic states of molecular adsorbates was studied by measuring surface plasmon resonance (SPR) as a function of the wavelength of the incident light that excites the SPR. Using the Kramers-Kronig relation, Stark spectra comparable to those obtained with conventional methods were extracted from the electric field-induced SPR angular shift for several organic adsorbates. Because this method relies on detecting the SPR angular shift that can be measured precisely, high-sensitivity Stark spectroscopy can be achieved. In addition, the adsorbate coverage information can be determined from the SPR angular shift upon molecular adsorption.

Electricity↗

PubMed2000

The PDZ-interacting domain of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator is required for functional expression in the apical plasma membrane.

Polarization of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a cAMP-activated chloride channel to the apical plasma membrane in epithelial cells is critical for vectorial chloride transport. Previously, we reported that the C terminus of CFTR constitutes a PDZ-interacting domain that is required for CFTR polarization to the apical plasma membrane and interaction with the PDZ domain-containing protein EBP50 (NHERF). PDZ-interacting domains are typically composed of the C-terminal three to five amino acids, which in CFTR are QDTRL. Our goal was to identify the key amino acid(s) in the PDZ-interacting domain of CFTR with regard to its apical polarization, interaction with EBP50, and ability to mediate transepithelial chloride secretion. Point substitution of the C-terminal leucine (Leu at position 0) with alanine abrogated apical polarization of CFTR, interaction between CFTR and EBP50, efficient expression of CFTR in the apical membrane, and chloride secretion. Point substitution of the threonine (Thr at position -2) with alanine or valine had no effect on the apical polarization of CFTR, but reduced interaction between CFTR and EBP50, efficient expression of CFTR in the apical membrane as well as chloride secretion. By contrast, individual point substitution of the other C-terminal amino acids (Gln at position -4, Asp at position -3 and Arg at position -1) with alanine had no effect on measured parameters. We conclude that the PDZ-interacting domain, in particular the leucine (position 0) and threonine (position -2) residues, are required for the efficient, polarized expression of CFTR in the apical plasma membrane, interaction of CFTR with EBP50, and for the ability of CFTR to mediate chloride secretion. Mutations that delete the C terminus of CFTR may cause cystic fibrosis because CFTR is not polarized, complexed with EBP50, or efficiently expressed in the apical membrane of epithelial cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Reduction of neuromuscular activity is required for the rescue of motoneurons from naturally occurring cell death by nicotinic-blocking agents.

Spinal motoneurons (MNs) in the chick embryo undergo programmed cell death coincident with the establishment of nerve-muscle connections and the onset of synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction. Chronic treatment of embryos during this period with nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)-blocking agents [e.g., curare or alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-BTX)] prevents the death of MNs. Although this rescue effect has been attributed previously to a peripheral site of action of the nAChR-blocking agents at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), because nAChRs are expressed in both muscle and spinal cord, it has been suggested that the rescue effect may, in fact, be mediated by a direct central action of nAChR antagonists. By using a variety of different nAChR-blocking agents that target specific muscle or neuronal nAChR subunits, we find that only those agents that act on muscle-type receptors block neuromuscular activity and rescue MNs. However, paralytic, muscular dysgenic mutant chick embryos also exhibit significant increases in MN survival that can be further enhanced by treatment with curare or alpha-BTX, suggesting that muscle paralysis may not be the sole factor involved in MN survival. Taken together, the data presented here support the argument that, in vivo, nAChR antagonists promote the survival of spinal MNs primarily by acting peripherally at the NMJ to inhibit synaptic transmission and reduce or block muscle activity. Although a central action of these agents involving direct perturbations of MN activity may also play a contributory role, further studies are needed to determine more precisely the relative roles of central versus peripheral sites of action in MN rescue.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

3-(Hydroxymethyl)-bearing phosphatidylinositol ether lipid analogues and carbonate surrogates block PI3-K, Akt, and cancer cell growth.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) phosphorylates the 3-position of phosphatidylinositol to give rise to three signaling phospholipids. Binding of the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of Akt to membrane PI(3)P's causes the translocation of Akt to the plasma membrane bringing it into contact with membrane-bound Akt kinase (PDK1 and 2), which phosphorylates and activates Akt. Akt inhibits apoptosis by phosphorylating Bad, thus promoting its binding to and blockade of the activity of the cell survival factor Bcl-x. Herein we present the synthesis and biological activity of several novel phosphatidylinositol analogues and demonstrate the ability of the carbonate group to function as a surrogate for the phosphate moiety. Due to a combination of their PI3-K and Akt inhibitory activities, the PI analogues 2, 3, and 5 proved to be good inhibitors of the growth of various cancer cell lines with IC(50) values in the 1-10 microM range. The enhanced Akt inhibitory activity of the axial hydroxymethyl-bearing analogue 5 compared to its equatorial counterpart 6 is rationalized based upon postulated differences in the H-bonding patterns of these compounds in complex with a homology modeling generated structure of the PH domain of Akt. This work represents the first attempt to examine the effects of 3-modified PI analogues on these two crucial cell signaling proteins, PI3-K and Akt, in an effort to better understand their cell growth inhibitory properties.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed2000

Evaluation of CD8(+) T-cell frequencies by the Elispot assay in healthy individuals and in patients with metastatic melanoma immunized with tyrosinase peptide.

The lack of reproducible, quantitative assays for T-cell responses has been a limitation in the development of cancer vaccines to elicit T-cell immunity. We utilized the Elispot assay, which allows a quantitative and functional assessment of T cells directed against specific peptides after only brief in vitro incubations. CD8(+) T-cell reactivity was determined with an interferon (IFN)-gamma Elispot assay detecting T cells at the single cell level that secrete IFN-gamma. We studied both healthy individuals and patients with melanoma. Healthy HLA-A*0201-positive individuals showed a similar mean frequency of CD8(+) cells recognizing a tyrosinase peptide, YMDGTMSQV, when compared with melanoma patients prior to immunization. The frequencies of CD8(+) cells recognizing the tyrosinase peptide remained relatively constant over time in healthy individuals. Nine HLA-A*0201-positive patients with stage IV metastatic melanoma were immunized intradermally with the tyrosinase peptide together with the immune adjuvant QS-21 in a peptide dose escalation study with 3 patients per dose group. Two patients demonstrated a significant increase in the frequency of CD8(+) cells recognizing the tyrosinase peptide during the course of immunization, from approx. 1/16,000 CD8(+) T cells to approx. 1/4,000 in the first patient and from approx. 1/14,000 to approx. 1/2,000 in the second patient. These results demonstrate that modest expansion of peptide-specific CD8(+) T cells can be generated in vivo by immunization with peptide plus QS-21 in at least a subset of patients with melanoma.

Adult↗