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Biomedical subjects

W Zhou

Publications and source records attributed to W Zhou.

At least 397 records · Page 22Linked to original sources

Decolorization of industrial effluents containing reactive dyes by actinomycetes.

Actinomycete strains have been identified which decolorize effluents containing different types of reactive dyes. Adsorption of anthraquinone, phthalocyanine and azo dyes to the cells of some of the strains resulted in the decolorization of the effluents, but no degradation of the dyes was observed. In contrast, effluents containing an azo-copper complex and a formazan-copper complex dye were almost completely decolorized by several of the strains without adsorption to the cells. The observed changes in the visible spectra indicated a degradation during incubation with the strains.

Actinomycetales↗

Ca(2+)-dependent stimulation of retinoblastoma gene product phosphorylation and p34cdc2 kinase activation in serum-stimulated human fibroblasts.

In serum-deprived human fibroblasts IMR-90 and WI-38 cells, the addition of fetal calf serum or basic fibroblast growth factor stimulates DNA synthesis in an extracellular Ca(2+)-dependent manner; the effect of serum on [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA is 4-16-fold greater at 2.0 mM CaCl2 as compared with that at 0.03 mM CaCl2. By contrast, in SV40 virus-transformed WI-38 (SV-WI-38) cells DNA synthesis is essentially independent of the extracellular calcium concentration ([Ca]out) and serum growth factors. To explore the role of Ca2+ in mitogenic signal transduction through G1 to S phase cell cycle progression, we studied and compared the effect of [Ca]out on phosphorylation of RB protein, the product of a tumor suppressor retinoblastoma gene. In IMR-90 and WI-38 cells, serum or basic fibroblast growth factor induces an increase in the amount of hyperphosphorylated forms of RB protein in a manner strictly dependent on [Ca]out. In sharp contrast, in SV-WI-38 cells, the extent of RB phosphorylation is little affected by [Ca]out or the presence or absence of serum growth factors. In addition, potent calmodulin antagonists W-7 and calmidazolium, but not an inactive analogue W-12 or W-5, strongly inhibit serum-induced increases in DNA synthesis and RB phosphorylation in IMR-90 and WI-38 cells, whereas in SV-WI-38 cells, the inhibitory effect is much more limited. Under the same treatment conditions, we measured histone H1 kinase activity associated with anti-p34cdc2 immunoprecipitate and found that the serum-induced increase in p34cdc2 kinase activity is strongly dependent on [Ca]out and is potently inhibited by the active calmodulin antagonists in IMR-90 and WI-38 cells, but not in SV-WI-38 cells. In IMR-90 cells that have been incubated with serum in 0.03 mM [Ca]out for 24 h, restoration of [Ca]out to 2.0 mM results in initiation of DNA synthesis after 13 h and concomitant increases in RB phosphorylation and p34cdc2 histone H1 kinase activity. These results suggest that in human fibroblasts, Ca2+/calmodulin regulates the signaling cascade leading to cdc2 kinase activation, RB protein phosphorylation, and DNA synthesis and that this Ca(2+)-dependent regulation is abrogated in SV40-transformed cells.

Blood↗

Interferon-gamma regulation of C4 gene expression in cultured human glomerular epithelial cells.

The fourth component of human complement is mainly produced in liver, but extrahepatic gene expression has been reported in human renal tissue and other tissues, and is thought to contribute to the inflammatory reaction in local tissue. To identify the cellular origin of C4 synthesis in human kidney, we studied C4 gene expression and regulation by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and C4 protein biosynthesis in isolated glomerular epithelial cells. cDNA/polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that C4 transcripts are present in glomerular epithelial cells (GEC), and that gene expression is up-regulated by IFN-gamma. Metabolic labeling studies showed that GEC synthesize and secrete C4 as three polypeptide chains of approximately 90, 70, and 30 kDa, which correspond to the bands produced by hepatoma cells. These results suggest that the fourth component of complement is produced by GEC. The GEC has an important role in the maintenance of glomerular barrier function, which is lost in a number of complement-dependent conditions; glomerular epithelial synthesis of C4 could have a bearing on the possible physiological or pathological roles of complement under different circumstances.

Base Sequence↗

Effects of fire ant venom alkaloids on platelet and neutrophil function.

About 95% of venom of the imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta is composed of dialkyl piperidines. These alkaloids produce a distinct pustule at the site of injection. The formation of this pustule may involve the activation of platelets and neutrophils. The purpose of this paper was to characterize the effects of fire ant venom alkaloids (FAVA) on certain physiological and biochemical functions of human platelets and neutrophils. In platelets, FAVA caused a rise in intracellular [Ca2+], secretion of dense granules as measured by ATP release, and aggregation as measured by light transmission through a suspension of platelets. Aggregation response was less complete with FAVA than with thrombin or PAF. However, secretion response was greater with FAVA than thrombin. One of our most significant findings was that pretreatment of platelets with subthreshold concentrations of FAVA produced enhanced PAF-induced increase in [Ca2+]cyt, suggesting that synergism between the two agonists might play an important role in the physiological response to FAVA. In neutrophils, FAVA produced a rise in intracellular [Ca2+] and aggregation, although the responses were more moderate than those observed in platelets. These results suggest that FAVA activation of platelets and neutrophils may occur in vivo as a response to stings by red fire ants.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Cephalosporin C production by a highly productive Cephalosporium acremonium strain in an airlift tower loop reactor with static mixers.

The production of cephalosporin C (CPC) and its precursors penicillin N (PEN N), deacetoxycephalosporin C (DAOC) and deacetylcephalosporin C (DAC), with a highly productive strain of Cephalosporin acremonium, was investigated in an 80-1 airlift tower loop reactor with four static mixer modules (Type SMV, Sulzer) (ATLRM) on a complex medium containing 50 g l-1 peanut flour (PF). The most important key parameters such as glucose concentration and cell mass concentration were monitored during a fed-batch cultivation process. The concentrations of products CPC, PEN N, DAOC an DAC were determined on line by HPLC. The influences of four motionless mixers on the dissolved oxygen concentration (DOC), oxygen transfer rate, the cell growth and the CPC production, as well as the reactor performance, were evaluated. The results were compared with the performance of an airlift tower loop reactor (ATLR) without static mixers as well as with a stirred tank reactor (STR). A comparison of cultivations in the ATLRM and ATLR with 50 g l-1 PF indicates that the obtained maximal CPC concentration and the (CPC + DAC + DAOC) concentration were 7% and 22% higher in the ATLRM (4.96 and 7.46 g l-1) than in the ATLR (4.63 and 6.13 g l-1) respectively. The maximal CPC volumetric productivity in the ATLRM (55.1 mg l-1 h-1) was also considerably higher than that in the ATLR (48.5 mg l-1 h-1). The specific power input was reduced from 2.36 to 1.5 kW m-3, the specific productivity pertaining to the power input was improved from 1.96 to 3.31 g W-1. On the other hand, cultivation in the ATLRM had a lower maximum CPC concentration and volumetric productivity than those in STR (7.2 g l-1 and 71.2 mg l-1 h-1) with the same medium due to the lower shear stress levels and the lower specific power input (1.5 vs. 3.0 kW m-3); but the specific power imput-based yield coefficient was in the ATLRM (3.31 g W-1) higher than in the STR (2.40 g W-1). By increasing the amount of PF, it was possible to enhance the CPC concentration and volumetric productivity in the STR. However, the performance of the ATLRM was limited to using a medium containing maximal 50 g l-1 PF because of the high viscosity of the medium, the limited energy input and thus the limited oxygen supply.

Acremonium↗

Cloning and characterization of the human GnRH receptor.

A cDNA encoding the human GnRH receptor (GnRHR) has been cloned and functionally expressed in both Xenopus oocytes and COS-1 cells. The 2160 bp cDNA encodes a 328 amino acid protein with a predicted amino acid sequence that is 90% identical to that of the mouse GnRHR (Tsutsumi et al. (1992) Mol. Endocrinol. 6, 1163-1169). Injection of synthetic RNA transcript into oocytes led to the development of a depolarizing response to agonists when assayed by voltage-clamp electrophysiology. Consistent with the expression of a mammalian GnRHR, the response was blocked by GnRH antagonists. Following expression of the human GnRHR in COS-1 cells, agonists and an antagonist displaced [125I]GnRH agonist from membrane isolates with nanomolar range dissociation constants similar to those described for displacement from human pituitary membranes. Transfected COS-1 cells manifested a GnRH-stimulated increase in phosphoinositol turnover, with an EC50 of approximately 3 nM, which was inhibited by GnRH antagonists. Northern blot analysis revealed a single band of approximately 4.7 kb expressed in human pituitary which was not detected in testis. The predicted structure of the human GnRHR is similar to that previously reported for the mouse receptor. Although the mammalian GnRHR is a seven transmembrane domain receptor, it differs from other G-protein coupled receptors in several respects, most notably the lack of a cytoplasmic C-terminal domain. The present study demonstrates that the cDNA isolated encodes the human GnRHR and suggests that several unique features conserved among mammalian GnRHRs may be essential for receptor function and/or regulatory control.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Overexpression of messenger RNA for cholecystokinin-A receptor and novel expression of messenger RNA for gastrin (cholecystokinin-B) receptor in azaserine-induced rat pancreatic carcinoma.

Using receptor binding assays, we have previously demonstrated the overexpression of the high-affinity cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor and the novel expression of the gastrin (CCK-B) receptor in the azaserine-induced rat pancreatic carcinoma DSL-6. Since cDNA of both the CCK-A receptor (classical pancreatic CCK receptor) coding region and the CCK-B receptor coding region have recently been cloned and sequenced, we investigated the expression of messenger RNA of these receptors in DSL-6 pancreatic carcinoma. Our results showed that the 32P-labelled cDNA probe of the CCK-A receptor coding region hybridized with an approximately 2.7 kb mRNA from both DSL-6 pancreatic carcinoma and normal rat pancreas. However, the relative expression of the CCK-A receptor mRNA in DSL-6 pancreatic carcinoma was approximately 8-fold of that in normal rat pancreas. The 32P-labelled cDNA probe of the CCK-B receptor coding region hybridized with an approximately 2.7 kb mRNA from DSL-6 pancreatic carcinoma; no hybridizing mRNA could be identified from normal rat pancreas. In summary, the CCK-A receptor mRNA is overexpressed approximately 8-fold and the gastrin (CCK-B) receptor mRNA is novelly expressed in DSL-6 pancreatic carcinoma as compared to normal rat pancreas. These results further confirm our previous findings based on receptor binding assays. The gene overexpression of the CCK-A receptor and the novel gene expression of the gastrin (CCK-B) receptor may be generated by alterations in gene regulation during carcinogenesis, and may play an important role in promoting tumor growth.

Animals↗

Effect of streptozotocin diabetes on development of nitrosamine-induced pancreatic carcinoma when diabetes induction occurs after nitrosamine exposure.

Diabetes mellitus has been suggested as a possible risk factor for the development of pancreatic cancer in humans. Previous studies in our laboratory have shown, however, that streptozotocin (STZ) diabetes inhibits the development of cancer of the exocrine pancreas in hamsters when STZ is administered prior to treatment with the pancreatic carcinogen N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP). It has been reported by others that the concurrent administration of BOP and STZ enhances pancreatic carcinogenesis in hamsters. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of STZ diabetes on the development of BOP-induced pancreatic carcinoma when STZ is given following exposure to BOP. Groups of Syrian golden hamsters were treated with either BOP only (single s.c. injection, 40 mg/kg body wt at week 0), BOP (single s.c. injection, 40 mg/kg body wt at week 0) plus STZ (50 mg/kg body wt x3 daily i.p. doses at weeks 10, 20 or 30), STZ only (50 mg/kg body wt x3 daily i.p. doses at weeks 10, 20 or 30), or neither BOP nor STZ. The experiment was terminated at 40 weeks after BOP treatment. No significant difference was seen in the incidence of pancreatic cancer between those animals receiving BOP only at week 0 and those receiving BOP at week 0 plus STZ at weeks 10, 20 or 30 of the study. The results would appear to indicate that STZ diabetes, established after BOP tumor initiation, plays no apparent role in the modulation of pancreatic carcinogenesis.

Animals↗

Temporal expression of the gastrin (CCK-B) receptor during azaserine-induced pancreatic carcinogenesis.

Cholecystokinin (CCK-A) and gastrin (CCK-B) receptors have been demonstrated in the azaserine-induced rat pancreatic carcinoma DSL-6. In order to determine at what stage in azaserine-induced pancreatic carcinogenesis gastrin (CCK-B) receptors are first expressed, we examined the binding of [125I]gastrin-I to normal rat pancreas, azaserine-induced premalignant pancreatic nodules, grossly normal internodular pancreas, and DSL-6 carcinoma. We observed that specific gastrin binding was absent in normal pancreas, premalignant nodules, and internodular pancreas, and also reconfirmed our previous report of marked overexpression of gastrin (CCK-B) receptors in the DSL-6 carcinoma. Specific cholecystokinin (CCK) binding was present in all pancreatic tissue types tested. Therefore, we conclude that the presence of gastrin (CCK-B) receptors in the azaserine-induced pancreatic carcinoma DSL-6, in contrast to their absence in premalignant nodules, suggests that the expression of the gastrin (CCK-B) receptor may be important in the transformation from premalignant nodules to pancreatic cancer.

Animals↗

C3 and C4 gene expression and interferon-gamma-mediated regulation in human glomerular mesangial cells.

The glomerular mesangial cell (GMC) plays a key role in the maintenance of glomerular structure and function and in the mediation of glomerular injury. To explore the potential of this cell to produce complement and react to local inflammatory signals, we studied the synthesis and regulation of the third and fourth components of complement in cultured human GMC. Using metabolic labelling and immunoprecipitation, we found that C3 and C4 polypeptide chains were synthesized and secreted by GMC. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) led to an increase in C4 protein synthesis, but not C3 synthesis. There was a corresponding increase in C4 mRNA in IFN-gamma-activated cells, but no increase in C3 mRNA, as determined by semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) estimation. These results demonstrate that human GMC can synthesize C3 and C4 proteins, and that regulation of expression of the C4 gene is mediated by IFN-gamma. We hypothesize that GMC production of complement could influence the clearance of immune aggregates by the kidney and the mediation of glomerular injury.

Base Sequence↗

Field evaluation of bednets impregnated with deltamethrin for malaria control.

Trials were undertaken in a hypoendemic area of malaria in an area bordering Vietnam, in Napo County of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. The aim was to compare the relative cost effectiveness of DDT residual spraying and of bednets impregnated with deltamethrin in the malaria control program. The trials were divided into three subgroups: (1) two farming areas and one coal mining area with a total population > 20,000, where the trial consisted of mass bednets impregnated with deltamethrin 15 mg/m2 net surface once a year, (2) one farming area with a population of approximately 3,600 where DDT residual spraying at 2g/m2 was carried out twice a year in May and August; (3) one farming area and one coal mining village with a population of > 4,000 were used as a control. The malaria vector population consisted mainly of Anopheles minimus and An. anthropophagus with a small contribution from An. sinensis. After bednets were impregnated with deltamethrin the mosquitos resting on the surface of the bednets decreased significantly, although there was less effect on the total vector population. The results showed that malaria incidence decreased significantly both in areas where impregnated bednets were used and in areas where residual spraying was undertaken. The positive IFAT rates of residents who slept under impregnated bednets decreased significantly in farming areas, especially in that area where bednet impregnation as a vector control measure had been undertaken for two years, but there was no change in the IFAT rate in DDT sprayed or control areas.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bedding and Linens↗

[Heterogeneity of the immunoreactivity of A14, A19, B16 and B26- (125I) monoiodoinsulin to different species of anti-insulin immuno sera].

By using lactoperoxidase oxidation with 6 mol. urea in the reaction medium, the four tyrosine residues contained in insulin molecule were iodinated as monoiodoinsulins. These tracers, namely A14, A19, B16 and B26- (125I) monoiodoinsulins were separated with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis+QAE-Sephadex A25 chromatography. The present study demonstrated that the radiochemical purity of these tracers was high (> 98%) and the specific radioactivity also high. The binding of these tracers to surplus insulin antibody was more than 95%. These our tracers were tested in two RIA systems against 35 species of guinea-pig anti-insulin immuno sera to compare their immunoreactivity (Ka, Scatchard analysis) to each immunoserum. The two RIA systems were antibody dilution and self displacement, and in both of them, only iodinated insulin and insulin antibody were present in the reaction fluid. The results showed that for 16 antiinsulin immuno sera, Ka for A14, A19, B16 or B26-monoiodoinsulin were significantly different, and for the rest 19 immuno sera no significant difference could be detected. The possible mechanism and implication of this phenomenon were discussed.

Animals↗

Induction of diabetes mellitus in Syrian golden hamsters using stored equilibrium solutions of streptozotocin.

Streptozotocin (STZ), a compound composed of a mixture of alpha and beta anomers, is used experimentally for the chemical induction of diabetes mellitus in numerous animal species. It is routinely recommended that STZ be administered rapidly following dissolution because of its alleged instability in solution. In the present study, we examined the effect of varying the length of time from dissolution to administration on the ability of STZ to induce diabetes mellitus in male Syrian golden hamsters and examined STZ stability and state of equilibrium by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Effective diabetes induction was determined by monitoring plasma glucose concentrations 2 and 9 days after STZ treatment. Diabetes was successfully induced with solutions of STZ (50 mg/kg body weight given intraperitoneally on three consecutive days) used either immediately (24 degrees C), 2 hours (24 degrees C), or 5 to 7 days (6 degrees C) after dissolution in 0.1 M acetate buffer at pH 4.4 (storage temperature indicated in parentheses). Mean plasma glucose concentration was significantly higher in all STZ treatment groups at both time points when compared with acetate buffer-treated controls. There was no significant difference in plasma glucose concentration between STZ treatment groups. High-pressure liquid chromatography analysis demonstrated that the alpha- to beta-anomeric ratio of STZ had reached equilibrium in 84 minutes at 24 degrees C and by 26 hours at 6 degrees C following dissolution. Recovery of STZ was greater in solutions stored at 6 degrees C than at room temperature (24 degrees C).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

The study of relationships between the damage of visual function and hemorrheology, ocular rheography, as well as other related factors in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).

Researches of glaucoma visual function damage, hemorheology, ocular rheography and other related multiplex factors, with computed multifactorial stepwise regression analysis, indicate that the elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) is not the only factor to induce visual impairment. POAG patients are shown to have markedly reduced diastolic perfusion pressure in ophthalmic artery, besides prolonged filling time of the retinal artery and vein, diminished erythrocyte deformability and increased platelet adhesion rate. The characteristic of ocular rheographic changes in POAG patients of controlled IOP suggest that the abnormal changes of hemorheology be responsible for the damage of visual function. The abnormal changes of plasma viscosity, blood apparent viscosity, blood viscoelasticity, hematocrit, mean red cell volume etc could be found in addition to the reduction of PO2, SO2% and trace elements (Cr, Zn, Mg, Fe) in patients with POAG. Computed multiply stepwise regression analysis and Bayes discrimination were made among the deteriorate rate of quantitative visual field and 28 factors from the combined investigation. Only the hemorrheological index could be introduced into the multiply regression equations. The more the damage of visual function in POAG patients, the more accurate the discriminatory effect. Based upon the results, and the reports of articles published as well as the search of 1982-1989 Compact Combridge MEDLINE Medical data base, the new clinical concept could be presented that POAG might belong to the scope of blood hyperviscosity syndromes. When IOP elevation and the decrease of ocular artery pressure existed, the damage of visual function in POAG patients should be deteriorated.

Adult↗

Complement C3 gene expression and regulation in human glomerular epithelial cells.

Extra-hepatic synthesis of complement is thought to mediate local tissue inflammatory injury. To investigate this phenomenon in the glomerular epithelial cell (GEC), we examined the biosynthesis and regulation of gene expression of the third component of complement in isolated human GEC derived from normal tissue. Metabolic labelling and immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that C3 protein was synthesized, processed and secreted by GEC under basal conditions. The secreted C3 alpha and beta polypeptide chains had identical electrophoretic mobilities with those of hepatic C3. Examination of cellular RNA using semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed that C3 gene expression was present in unstimulated GEC and was increased by stimulation with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), while mediating an increase in monocyte U937 C3 expression, revealed no evidence of regulation of GEC C3 gene expression. These results indicate that human GEC spontaneously express the C3 gene and that increased gene expression is regulated by IFN-gamma. These observations may reflect part of a wider mechanism of protection against or mediation of local, immune-mediated tissue injury.

Cells, Cultured↗

Platelet-activating factor: a mediator of pancreatic inflammation during cerulein hyperstimulation.

Hyperstimulation of the exocrine pancreas with cerulein causes acute pancreatitis, characterized by intensive interstitial edema, acinar vacuolization, leukocytic infiltration, and hyperamylasemia. Whereas the pathogenesis of cerulein-induced pancreatitis is not well-defined, a local inflammatory response may contribute to the full expression of acute pancreatitis. Platelet-activating factor (PAF) seems to be an important mediator of the inflammatory response. The present evidence includes: 1) pancreatic PAF levels increased in rats in which cerulein-induced pancreatitis was initiated, concomitant with an increase in calcium concentrations in the pancreatic tissue; 2) treatment of rats exposed to cerulein with WEB2170, a PAF receptor antagonist, was shown to reduce inflammatory injury, as demonstrated by decreases in pancreatic weight, Evan's blue extravasation, and myeloperoxidase activity and an improvement in pancreatic histology. In an idealized in vitro experiment mimicking cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis, in which pancreatic acini were employed, cerulein induced amylase release, an increase in [Ca2+]i, and an increase in PAF synthesis. Whereas amylase release was induced by low concentrations of cerulein (10(-11) mol/L), relatively high concentrations of cerulein (10(-9) mol/L) were required for the observed increases in PAF synthesis and the [Ca2+]i, indicating that these two responses may not occur under physiological conditions. The present study suggests that the pancreatic accumulation of PAF coupled with Ca2+ overload are important biochemical components of the pathophysiology of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis. In fact, PAF production may serve as a primary mediator of inflammation observed during pancreatic hyperstimulation. This is an important observation that will allow a more detailed characterization of the molecular basis of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis.

Animals↗

Novel expression of gastrin (cholecystokinin-B) receptors in azaserine-induced rat pancreatic carcinoma: receptor determination and characterization.

Many reports have emphasized the role of gastrin as a growth factor for normal gastrointestinal mucosa and gastrointestinal cancers. Recent studies have pointed out that this peptide acts also as a growth factor for the pancreatic cancer cell line AR42J. This effect is mediated by gastrin [cholecystokinin (CCK)-B] receptors. In the present study, we investigated gastrin (CCK-B) receptor expression in the azaserine-induced rat pancreatic carcinoma DSL-6, comparing it to normal rat pancreas, and we also characterized CCK receptor subtypes in this tumor. The results showed that there is extensive gastrin binding to the DSL-6 pancreatic carcinoma. No evidence of specific gastrin binding to normal pancreas was found. Analysis of the ability of gastrin-17-I to inhibit 125I-gastrin-I binding demonstrated that gastrin bound to a single class of receptors with a Kd of 0.21 +/- 0.04 nM and a binding capacity of 184 +/- 29 fmol/mg protein. 125I-Gastrin-I binding was inhibited by the specific CCK-B receptor antagonist L365,260 approximately 40 times more effectively than by the specific CCK-A receptor antagonist L364,718. Analysis of the ability of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) to inhibit 125I-Bolton-Hunter-CCK-8 binding revealed two CCK binding sites, i.e., a high affinity site and a low affinity site. The observed binding affinities of CCK-8 were then introduced into the computer analysis of the dose-inhibition curve of the ability of gastrin-17-I to inhibit binding of 125I-Bolton-Hunter-CCK-8, which was significantly better fit by a three-site model than by a two-site model. The three sites meet the criteria for CCK-B, high affinity CCK-A, and low affinity CCK-A receptors. The binding capacity of CCK-B receptors constitutes 34% of the total high affinity CCK binding sites. This study demonstrated that DSL-6 pancreatic carcinoma expresses three subtypes of CCK receptors. Gastrin (CCK-B) receptors, which were not detected in normal rat pancreas, constitute about one third of the total high affinity CCK receptors. We suggest that novel expression of gastrin (CCK-B) receptors may be generated by gene mutation or amplification during carcinogenesis and may play an important role in promoting tumor growth.

Animals↗