Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

X Peng

Publications and source records attributed to X Peng.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Deletion of a conserved juxtamembrane sequence in Trk abolishes NGF-promoted neuritogenesis.

Deletion of a conserved juxtamembrane sequence (KFG) in the Trk NGF receptor resulted in impaired neurite outgrowth, somatic hypertrophy, and induction of c-fos, c-jun, and TIS1 immediate-early genes. In contrast, these receptors retained the ability to mediate NGF-promoted survival and TIS8 and TIS11 immediate-early gene induction. The mutated receptor also mediated unimpaired autophosphorylation; SHC, PLC-gamma 1, and ERK tyrosine phosphorylation; and PI-3 kinase and ERK activation. However, SNT protein tyrosine phosphorylation, which wild-type receptors mediate via a ras-independent pathway, was undetectable. These findings indicate that the KFG sequence is indispensable for activating a ras-independent NGF signaling pathway involved in promoting neuronal differentiation and highlight potential roles of non-tyrosine-containing receptor domains in growth factor signal transduction.

1-Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase↗

High pressure 2H-NMR study of the order and dynamics of selectively deuterated dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine in multilamellar aqueous dispersions.

High pressure 2H multipulse NMR techniques were used to investigate the effects of pressure on the structure and dynamics of selectively deuterated 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) multilamellar aqueous dispersions. The samples were deuterated on both chains at positions 2, 9, or 13. The deuterium lineshapes, the spin-lattice relaxation times, T1, and the spin-spin relaxation times, T2, were measured as a function of pressure from 1 bar to 5 kbar at 50 degrees C for the three deuterated DPPC samples. This pressure range permitted us to explore the phase behavior of DPPC from the liquid-crystalline (LC) phase through various gel phases such as the Gel I (P beta), Gel II (L beta), Gel III, Gel X, and the interdigitated, Gel i, gel phase. Pressure had an ordering effect on all chain segments both in the LC phase and various high pressure gel phases as indicated by the increase in SCD bond order parameter and the first moment, M1, with pressure. Compared with the adjacent gel phases, the Gel i phase had the highest order. Also, in all gel phases the carbon-9 segment of the chains had the most restricted motions in contrast to the LC phase, where the carbon-2 segment was the most restricted. In the LC phase, T1 and T2 values for all segments decreased with pressure, indicative of the fast correlation time regime. Similarly, T1 decreased with pressure in the Gel I and the interdigitated Gel i gel phases but changed to the slow correlation time regime at the Gel i/Gel II phase transition. For T2, which reflects slow motions, the transition to the slow correlation time regime occurred already at LC/Gel I phase transition. Considering the various motions which contribute to relaxation, the behavior of T1 and T2 in the Gel 11 through Gel X phases showing discontinuities and slope changes at the phase transitions was, as expected, quite complex.In addition we found a straight line relationship for T-1 vs. S2D, and T-1 vs. S2CD for the deuterons in the 9 and 13 positions in the LC phase in the pressure range investigated.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗

A new multipurpose CO2 laser therapy instrument.

A new multipurpose CO2 laser therapy instrument has been developed. It is a highly efficient medical instrument. By use of high laser power density to coagulate, evaporate, and cut body tissue on the nidus, the operation can be controlled and has obvious curative effects. Unlike other kinds of CO2 laser therapy instruments, this device has an advanced switching power supply (SPS) and red guiding light system. With an overcurrent protective device, an overvoltage protective device, and a high-voltage shield device, it provides efficiency, stability, reliability, and low loss. The plastic casing does not leak electricity and the film switches are designed for clinical practice convenience. Additionally, the laser power is numerically displayed and can be set prior to the procedure. The distinct visible guiding light of the laser output makes the operation more convenient and accurate. Because of this unique design and properties, it is a leading model in China. The instrument can be widely used for surgery, gynecology, dermatology, and otolaryngology. The radiation therapy of low laser power density has the effect of being antiinflamatory, analgesic, and antipruritic, and promotes cure of the epithelium. Moreover, it is effective to treat all sorts of sprains, scapulohumeral periarthritis, arthritis, sciatica, and surface ulcers.

Carbon Dioxide↗

Genetic enhancement of RNA-processing defects by a dominant mutation in B52, the Drosophila gene for an SR protein splicing factor.

SR proteins are essential for pre-mRNA splicing in vitro, act early in the splicing pathway, and can influence alternative splice site choice. Here we describe the isolation of both dominant and loss-of-function alleles of B52, the gene for a Drosophila SR protein. The allele B52ED was identified as a dominant second-site enhancer of white-apricot (wa), a retrotransposon insertion in the second intron of the eye pigmentation gene white with a complex RNA-processing defect. B52ED also exaggerates the mutant phenotype of a distinct white allele carrying a 5' splice site mutation (wDR18), and alters the pattern of sex-specific splicing at doublesex under sensitized conditions, so that the male-specific splice is favored. In addition to being a dominant enhancer of these RNA-processing defects, B52ED is a recessive lethal allele that fails to complement other lethal alleles of B52. Comparison of B52ED with the B52+ allele from which it was derived revealed a single change in a conserved amino acid in the beta 4 strand of the first RNA-binding domain of B52, which suggests that altered RNA binding is responsible for the dominant phenotype. Reversion of the B52ED dominant allele with X rays led to the isolation of a B52 null allele. Together, these results indicate a critical role for the SR protein B52 in pre-mRNA splicing in vivo.

Alleles↗

Comparative pharmacology of epibatidine: a potent agonist for neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

Pharmacological properties of the (+)- and (-)-isomers of synthetic epibatidine, exo-2-(6-chloro-3-pyridyl)-7-azabicyclo-[2.2.1]heptane, were compared with nicotine and acetylcholine on several subtypes of chicken and human nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs). Both isomers of epibatidine behaved as extremely potent full agonists on chicken (alpha 3 beta 2, alpha 3 beta 4, alpha 4 beta 2, alpha 7, and alpha 8) and human (alpha 3 beta 2, alpha 3 beta 4, and alpha 7) neuronal AChRs expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Currents induced by epibatidine were effectively blocked by the nicotinic antagonists hexamethonium and mecamylamine. Apparent affinity was 100 to 1000-fold higher for epibatidine than for nicotine or acetylcholine. EC50 values ranged from 1 nM (for homomeric chicken alpha 8) to 2 microM (for homomeric chicken alpha 7). Epibatidine showed comparatively lower affinity for muscle-type AChRs from Torpedo and humans (EC50 values, 1.6 and 16 microM respectively). In binding assays, epibatidine was used on AChR subtypes immunoisolated from chicken brain and retina (alpha 4 beta 2, alpha 7, and alpha 8), the human neuronal cell line SH-SY5Y (alpha 3 and alpha 7), Torpedo electric organ (alpha 1 beta 1 gamma delta), or the human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line TE671 (alpha 1 beta 1 gamma delta). Both isomers of epibatidine exhibited extremely high affinity for all neuronal AChRs tested, with KI values ranging from 0.6 pM (human alpha 3 AChRs) to 0.6 microM (chicken alpha 7 AChRs). In contrast, epibatidine had lower affinity for Torpedo muscle-type AChRs (KI approximately 5 microM). Racemic [3H]epibatidine was an effective labeling reagent for human alpha 3 beta 2 AChRs, exhibiting a KD (0.14 nM) similar to the KI values observed for unlabeled (+)-epibatidine (0.23 nM) or (-)-epibatidine (0.16 nM).

Animals↗

[Treatment of recurrent carcinoma of the uterine cervix].

One hundred thirty seven patients with recurrent carcinoma of the uterine cervix were treated from 1964 through 1985. The primary treatment was surgery in 64 cases and radiation of 73 cases. Treatment consisted of surgery (n = 13) radiotherapy with or without Chinese medicine (n = 92), chemotherapy (n = 26), and chemotherapy plus radiation (n = 6). The mean 5-year survival rate of this series was 40.9%. One patient survived 28 year without tumor. Seven of 13 surgically treated patients were alive and free of disease for 5 to 28 years with an average 5-year survival rate of 53.8%. Thirty recurrent cases following radiotherapy were again treated by radiation, 11 of them (36.7%) were alive for 5 years.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

cDNA cloning and sequence analysis of NIb gene of soybean mosaic virus.

cDNA of soybean mosaic virus (Beijing isolate, SMV-BJ) has been synthesized, using viral genomic RNA as a template and random hexanucleotides as primers. Based on the sequences of SMV-BJ coat protein (CP) gene as well as SMV- and WMV-II-related regions, oligonucleotides were made as primers for polymerase chain reaction (PCR). NIb gene of SMV-BJ was amplified by PCR, and cloned into pBluescript SK. The complete sequence was determined. The comparison of NIb genes between SMV-BJ and WMV-II (USA) shows that similarities for nucleotide sequence reach 80.3%; and the deduced amino acid sequence, 91.3%. In consideration of the high identities in between the CP gene and the 3'-non-coding region between them, WMV-II might be considered as a watermelon strain of SMV. Besides, some unexpected sequences were found in the 3'-region of 2 NIb gene clones. Following modification and splicing, a binary vector of NIb gene has been constructed for its expression in higher plant for the purpose of studying the possible replicase-mediated resistance in polyviruses.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effects of daurisoline on cytosolic free calcium in fetal rat cerebral cells.

Cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) was measured in dissociated cerebral cells isolated from fetal rats with the fluorescent indicater fura-2. Increase in [Ca2+]i occurred rapidly following exposure of the cells to 50 mmol/L KCl, 10(-7) mol/L Bay K 8644 or 200 mumol/L glutamate (Glu). [Ca2+]i elevated by K(+)-depolarization was attenuated by pretreatment with 10(-7), 10(-6) mol/L daurisoline (Dau). The response of [Ca2+]i to K(+)-depolarization did not change when 10(-8) mol/L Dau was added. When 10(-8)-10(-6) mol/L Dau was added to the cell suspensions prior to exposure to Glu, the Glu-stimulated rises in [Ca2+]i were reduced significantly. However, Dau (10(-6), 10(-7) and 10(-8) mol/L) did not alter the response to Bay K 8644. These results indicate that Dau can inhibit the increase of [Ca2+]i in fetal rat cerebral cells induced by certain Ca2+ agonists, especially Glu, suggesting that this drug may have a protective effect against cerebral cellular injury.

Alkaloids↗

Studies on high salt tolerance of transgenic tobacco.

With E. coli mtlD gene (encoding mannitol 1-phosphate dehydrogenase) and gutD gene (encoding glucitol 6-phosphate dehydrogenase) cloned, plant expression vector pBIGM had been obtained by inserting mtlD and gutD genes into binary vector pBin438. Tobacco was transformed with A. tumefaciens LBA4404 containing pBIGM. Results of molecular hybridization of transformed plants indicated that mtlD and gutD genes had integrated into the genomic DNA of tobacco plants. Experiments of salt tolerance and analysis of sugar alcohols showed that the accumulation of different sugar alcohols in transgenic tobacco plants had increased salt tolerance of tobacco.

Blotting, Southern↗

The effect of anisodamine on cerebral resuscitation of rats in acute cerebral ischemia from cardiac arrest.

In order to investigate the mechanisms of acute cerebral ischemia, and to look for effective drugs on cerebral resuscitation, we made a model of acute complete global brain ischemia, reperfusion and resuscitation on rats according to Garavilla's method. Our results showed that the event of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury could result in the increase of total brain calcium content, and anisodamine has the same reducing brain calcium contents as diltiazem's, while improving neurological outcome and alleviating injury to neurons.

Animals↗

[Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy].

Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) is an autosomal dominant inherited disease. The developmental abnormality of retinal vessels is the basis of various lesions in FEVR. 11 affected members (21 eyes) from 5 families with FEVR were studied. The emphasis was placed on describing the changes of fundus and fundus fluorescein angiography of the disease. Argon laser photocoagulation was performed on 8 patients (14 eyes) and they were followed for 5 approximately 14 months. The diagnosis, differential diagnosis, complications and treatment of FEVR were discussed with some materials in this paper.

Adolescent↗

Immunocytochemical localization of the alpha 7 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in the rat central nervous system.

Previous molecular cloning studies have revealed that alpha-bungarotoxin binding proteins present in the brain are members of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene family. The alpha 7 subunit is structurally related to the agonist binding subunits present in the central and peripheral nervous systems and, when expressed in Xenopus oocytes, forms functional channels blockable by alpha-bungarotoxin. In the present study, three different monoclonal antibodies raised against the alpha 7 subunit were used to map its distribution throughout the central nervous system of the rat. Immunohistochemical localization revealed that the alpha 7 subunit is expressed in most regions of the brain, being, overall, well correlated with previous "in situ" localization of alpha 7 transcripts and alpha-bungarotoxin autoradiographic binding studies. Particularly strong immunoreactivity was observed in several sensory and motor nuclei of the brainstem as well as the red nucleus. At the cellular level, alpha 7 immunostaining was usually found both in somata and dendrites, whereas axonal and terminal labeling was not observed. The widespread distribution of the alpha 7 subunit polypeptide is consistent with immunoprecipitation data demonstrating that it is a component of the predominant subtype of brain alpha-bungarotoxin-sensitive nicotinic receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

High-pressure NMR study of the dissociation of Arc repressor.

Different denatured states of Arc repressor were characterized by one-dimensional and two-dimensional NMR and by fluorescence spectroscopy. Increasing pressure promoted sequential changes in the structure of Arc repressor: from the native dimer through a predissociated state to a denatured molten globule monomer. A compact state (molten globule) of Arc repressor was obtained in the dissociation of Arc repressor by pressure whereas high temperature and urea induced dissociation and unfolding to less structured conformations. The NMR spectra of the monomer under pressure (up to 5.0 kbar) are typical of a molten globule, and they are considerably different from those of the native dimer and the thermally or chemically denatured monomer. The substantial line broadening and overlap of many resonances in the NMR spectra at high pressures indicate that there is interconversion between a number of different conformations of the molten globule at an intermediate exchange rate. The two-dimensional NOE spectra show that the pressure-denatured monomer retains substantial secondary structure. The presence of NOEs in the beta-sheet region in the dissociated state suggests that the intersubunit beta-sheet (residues 6-14) in the native-dimer is replaced by an intramonomer beta-sheet. Changes in 2D NMR spectra prior to dissociation indicate the existence of a predissociated state that may represent an intermediate in the folding and subunit association pathway of Arc repressor.

Macromolecular Substances↗

[Cloning of T7 lysozyme gene and construction of the vector for transgenic plants resistant to bacterial infection].

DNA were extracted from bacteriophage T7 and digested partially with Ava II. T7 lysozyme gene was obtained by PCR. DNA sequence analysis showed that the nucleotide sequence of T7 lysozyme gene was 99.5% homologous with the reported sequence and its deduced amino acid sequence was the same as reported. DNA fragment encoding the signal peptide of the pathogenesis-related protein 1b(PR-1b) from tobacco and cecropin (Shiva-I) gene cloned in pUC19 were modified by PCR. The PR-1b signal peptide gene was fused respectively to the 5' terminals of T7 lysozyme gene and expression vector, so that T7 lysozyme gene and Shiva-I gene could express simultaneously in transgenic plants and the two gene products could be secreted to extracellular space.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Study on replicase (subunit) gene of papaya ringspot virus cloning, sequencing and construction of higher plant expression vector.

The ds-cDNA was synthesized using genomic RNA of papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) as template. The blunt-ended cDNA was cloned into the EcoRV site of vector pBluescript SK. From the recombinants, the NIb gene of PRSV was obtained, and its complete sequence was also determined. After the NIb gene was modified through PCR, a binary vector of PRSV-NIb gene was constructed for its expression in higher plants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗