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Biomedical subjects

X Zou

Publications and source records attributed to X Zou.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

The cell cycle-regulatory CDC25A phosphatase inhibits apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1.

CDC25A phosphatase promotes cell cycle progression by activating G(1) cyclin-dependent kinases and has been postulated to be an oncogene because of its ability to cooperate with RAS to transform rodent fibroblasts. In this study, we have identified apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) as a CDC25A-interacting protein by yeast two-hybrid screening. ASK1 activates the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal protein kinase-stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK) pathways upon various cellular stresses. Coimmunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that CDC25A physically associates with ASK1 in mammalian cells, and immunocytochemistry with confocal laser-scanning microscopy showed that these two proteins colocalize in the cytoplasm. The carboxyl terminus of CDC25A binds to a domain of ASK1 adjacent to its kinase domain and inhibits the kinase activity of ASK1, independent of and without effect on the phosphatase activity of CDC25A. This inhibitory action of CDC25A on ASK1 activity involves diminished homo-oligomerization of ASK1. Increased cellular expression of wild-type or phosphatase-inactive CDC25A from inducible transgenes suppresses oxidant-dependent activation of ASK1, p38, and JNK1 and reduces specific sensitivity to cell death triggered by oxidative stress, but not other apoptotic stimuli. Thus, increased expression of CDC25A, frequently observed in human cancers, could contribute to reduced cellular responsiveness to oxidative stress under mitogenic or oncogenic conditions, while it promotes cell cycle progression. These observations propose a mechanism of oncogenic transformation by the dual function of CDC25A on cell cycle progression and stress responses.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[Human cytomegalovirus inhibits the proliferation of CFU-MK in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) on the proliferation of colony forming unit-megakaryocyte (CFU-MK). METHODS: Semi-solid CFU-MK culture system was used to observe the effect of HCMV AD169 strain on CFU-MK growth of 20 cord blood samples. HCMV DNA and immediate early antigen (IEA) mRNA in CFU-MK were detected by in situ-polymerase chain reaction (IS-PCR) and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: HCMV AD169 suppressed the differentiation and proliferation of CFU-MK in vitro significantly. The suppression was in a dose-dependent fashion. HCMV DNA was successfully detected in colony cells from viral infection group, and did the expression of HCMV IEA mRNA. CONCLUSION: HCMV AD169 can directly infect megakaryocyte progenitor and suppress their proliferation and differentiation.

Cell Proliferation↗
PubMed2000

Data assimilation and its applications.

In data assimilation, one prepares the grid data as the best possible estimate of the true initial state of a considered system by merging various measurements irregularly distributed in space and time, with a prior knowledge of the state given by a numerical model. Because it may improve forecasting or modeling and increase physical understanding of considered systems, data assimilation now plays a very important role in studies of atmospheric and oceanic problems. Here, three examples are presented to illustrate the use of new types of observations and the ability of improving forecasting or modeling.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Enhanced phosphorylation of NMDA receptor 1 subunits in spinal cord dorsal horn and spinothalamic tract neurons after intradermal injection of capsaicin in rats.

The functional enhancement of NMDA receptors after peripheral tissue injury is proposed to contribute to the sensitization of spinothalamic tract (STT) cells and hyperalgesia. Protein phosphorylation is a major mechanism for the regulation of NMDA receptor function. In this study, Western blots, immunofluorescence double labeling, and the retrograde tracing method were used to examine whether phosphorylation of NMDA receptor 1 (NR1) subunits increases in spinal cord tissue and spinal dorsal horn neurons, especially in STT cells, after injection of capsaicin (CAP) into the glabrous skin of one hindpaw of anesthetized rats. Western blots showed that phosphorylated NR1 protein in spinal cord tissue was increased 30 min after CAP injection. Immunofluorescence double-labeling staining showed no significant difference in the number of the NR1-like immunoreactive neurons in laminae I-VII in the lumbosacral segments (L(4)-S(1)) on the ipsilateral and the contralateral sides 30 min after CAP or vehicle injection. However, the numbers of phospho-NR1-like immunoreactive neurons were significantly increased on the ipsilateral side compared with the vehicle injection group. STT cells were labeled by bilateral microinjections of the retrograde tracer fluorogold into the lateral thalamus, including the ventral-posterior lateral nucleus. Immunofluorescence staining was performed at 30, 60, and 120 min after CAP injection or at 30 min after vehicle injection. There was a significant increase in the proportion of STT cells with phosphorylated NR1 subunits compared either with the contralateral side 30 and 60 min after CAP injection or either side of animals after intradermal injection of vehicle. These results provide direct evidence that NMDA receptors in STT cells are phosphorylated after CAP injection.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Synthesis and crystal structure of a novel germanate: (NH4)4[(GeO2)3(GeO1.5F3)2].0.67H2O.

The novel microporous germanate (NH4)4[(GeO2)3(GeO1.5F3)2].0.67H2O was prepared from an aqueous solution containing germanium dioxide, pyridine, hydrofluoric acid, and 2,6-diaminopyridine as a template. The solution was kept at 165 degrees C in a Teflon-lined autoclave for 4 days. Large crystals were produced and studied by X-ray powder diffraction, FTIR, thermal analysis, and elemental analysis. The structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal is orthorhombic, space group Pbcn, with a = 7.0065(4) A, b = 11.7976(6) A, c = 19.5200(14) A, and Z = 4. The structure is a layered framework built up from GeO4 tetrahedral and GeO3F3 octahedral units. The polyhedral units are connected in such a way that they form a zeolite-like porous structure with three- and nine-membered rings. Half of the ammonium ions are located inside the nine-membered rings. The other half are above and below the three-membered rings. The connectivity of the germanium polyhedral units is interrupted along the c axis by ammonium ions and water molecules inserted between the layers.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

v-Abl utilizes multiple mechanisms to drive G1/S progression in fibroblasts.

Transformation of 3T3 fibroblasts by the v-Abl tyrosine kinase replaces mitogenic and adhesion signals normally required for cell cycle progression. A 3T3 cell line conditionally transformed with v-Abl has been used to study v-Abl's effects on cell cycle in the context of either serum depletion or absence of adhesion signals. We show that E2F-dependent mRNAs, encoding proteins required for cell cycle progression, are induced by v-Abl. In addition, we identify two previously unknown targets of v-Abl signaling: (1) cyclin D1 and D2 mRNAs are induced upon v-Abl activation; and (2) the CDK inhibitor p27 is decreased upon v-Abl activation.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed2000

Photoinduced dehydrogenation of defects in undoped a-si:H using positron annihilation spectroscopy.

We report changes in variable-energy positron annihilation spectroscopy measurements on undoped hydrogenated amorphous silicon films after light soaking. The change, seen predominantly in the high momentum band of the annihilation radiation, is not reversed by thermal annealing. We suggest, following recent models of the Staebler-Wronski effect, that light exposure induces hydrogen trapped in vacancylike defects to become mobile in the Si network. The observations place constraints on models of hydrogen motion fitting macroscopic Staebler-Wronski effect kinetics and may help to achieve a definitive description of metastability in a-Si:H.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

K2TiSi3O9.H2O

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

A three-dimensional open-framework germanate containing four-, five- and six-coordinated germanium

A new three-dimensional open-framework germanate, namely ethylenediamine bis(ethylenediammonium) tetrahydroxooctadecaoxononagermanate, (C(2)H(8)N(2))(C(2)H(10)N(2))(2)[Ge(9)O(18)(OH)(4)], has been synthesized hydrothermally and its structure determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The framework is built of [Ge(9)O(22)(OH)(4)] units formed by four-, five- and six-oxygen-coordinated germanium and templated by ethylenediamine. Three types of intersecting channels are formed in the framework, one by eight-membered rings running along the b axis and the other two by ten-membered rings running parallel to the a and c axes, respectively.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Structures of nanometre-size crystals determined from selected-area electron diffraction data.

The structure of a new modification of Ti2Se, the beta-phase, and several related inorganic crystal structures containing elements with atomic numbers between 16 and 40 have been solved by quasi-automatic direct methods from single-crystal electron diffraction patterns of nanometre-size crystals, using the kinematical approximation. The crystals were several thousand times smaller than the minimum size required for single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Atomic coordinates were found with an average accuracy of 0.2 A or better. Experimental data were obtained by standardized techniques for recording and quantifying electron diffraction patterns. The SIR97 program for solving crystal structures from three-dimensional X-ray diffraction data by direct methods was modified to work also with two-dimensional electron diffraction data.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

p53 deficiency increases transformation by v-Abl and rescues the ability of a C-terminally truncated v-Abl mutant to induce pre-B lymphoma in vivo.

Abelson murine leukemia virus (A-MuLV) is an acute transforming retrovirus that preferentially transforms early B-lineage cells both in vivo and in vitro. Its transforming protein, v-Abl, is a tyrosine kinase related to v-Src but containing an extended C-terminal domain. Many mutations affecting the C-terminal portion of the molecule block the pre-B-transforming activity of v-Abl without affecting the fibroblast-transforming ability. In this study we have determined the abilities of both wild-type and C-terminally truncated (p90) forms of v-Abl to transform cells from p53(-/-) mice. Lack of p53 increases the susceptibility of bone marrow cells to transformation by v-Abl by a factor of more than 7 but does not alter v-Abl's preference for B220(+) IgM(-) pre-B cells. p53-deficient mice have earlier tumor onset, more rapid tumor progression, and decreased survival time following A-MuLV infection, but all of the tumors are pre-B lymphomas. Thus, p53-dependent pathways inhibit v-Abl transformation but play no role in conferring preferential transformation of pre-B cells. Surprisingly, the C-terminally truncated form of v-Abl (p90) transforms pre-B cells very efficiently in mice lacking p53, thus demonstrating that the C terminus of v-Abl does not determine preB tropism but is necessary to overcome p53-dependent inhibition of transformation.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Adelta and C primary afferents convey dorsal root reflexes after intradermal injection of capsaicin in rats.

Antidromic activity was recorded in anesthetized rats from single afferent fibers in the proximal ends of cut dorsal root filaments at the L(4-6) level and tested for responses to acute cutaneous inflammation produced by intradermal injection of capsaicin. This antidromic activity included low-frequency spontaneous firing and dorsal root reflex (DRR) discharges evoked by applying von Frey hairs to the skin of the foot. DRRs could be recorded from both small myelinated (Adelta) and unmyelinated (C) afferent fibers, as well as from large myelinated (Abeta) fibers. After capsaicin was injected intradermally into the plantar skin of the foot, a significant enhancement of DRR activity was seen in Adelta and C fibers but not in Abeta fibers, and this increase lasted for approximately 1 h. This study supports the hypothesis that centrally mediated antidromic activity in Adelta and C primary afferent fibers contributes to the development of neurogenic inflammation, presumably by release of inflammatory substances in the periphery.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2000

[Preliminary isolation and identification of neurotrophic factors sensory neurons in spinal dorsal horn of embryonic chicken].

Our previous studies have demonstrated that the extract from dorsal horn of embryonic chicken can promote apparently the neurite growth of spinal ganglion during development. In this study, we investigated progressively the neurotrophic factors for primary sensory neurons in spinal dorsal horn. The tissues of spinal dorsal horn from five hundred Hamburger Stage-40 embryonic chickens were taken. After homogenization and centrifugation, the supernatant was subjected to SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) for analyzing the protein in dorsal horn. The simple protein band fishing by cell (SPBFC) technique was employed in finding the protein bands with neurons attached, and then such protein bands, were taken and transferred to nitric cellulose paper for Western hybridization analysis by antibody for NGF, BDNF, NT-3 and GDNF respectively. The results of SPBFC showed that some neurons were attached to gel within the scope of mobility relative front (Rf) 0.10-0.19, 0.30-0.35, 0.50-0.55, 0.60-0.67 and 0.90-0.94 respectively, indicating there were some neurotrophic factors for maintaining neuron survival in the above Rf scope. Moreover, the result of Western hybridization showed that the positive hybridization bands in each scope were that of NGF, BDNF, GDNF; NGF, BDNF, NT-3; NGF, BDNF, NT-3; NGF, NT-3 and BDNF, NT-3 respectively; indicating that the neurotrophic effect of spinal dorsal horn tissue on primary sensory neurons involves NGF, BDNF, NT-3 and GDNF. These also suggest that the neuronal survival effect in each Rf scope involves at least two or more neurotrophic factors.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[The alterations in vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-immune reaction positive neurons of cerebral tissues in epileptic rats induced by penicillin].

To further explore the action of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide(VIP) in epileptogenesis, we made an immunocytochemical analysis and observed the alterations in VIP-energic neurons of the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and amygdaloid in rats. The animals were divided into three groups: the control, the epileptic group in which seizure was induced by injected Penicillin(PNC) intraperitoneally, and the nimodipline(NIM) group in which seizure was impressed by giving PNC after NIM, a dihydropyridine calcium entry blocker, was injected. The results showed that the number of neurons of epileptic group increased, compared with that of control group (P < 0.01), the neuronic number of the epileptic group was higher than that of the NIM group(P < 0.01), whereas there was no significant difference in neuronic number between the control group and the NIM group(P > 0.05). These suggest that VIP and Ca2+ participate in the process of epileptogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[The expression of trkC in spared dorsal root ganglion following unilateral dorsal root rhizotomy].

This study sought to explore the expression of trkC in spared dorsal root ganglion(DRG) following unilateral dorsal root rhizotomy. 15 cats were divided into three groups: the intact group, the 3-day and 10-day groups after operation (unilaterral L1-L5 DRG and L7-S2 DRG were sectioned, but L6 DRG was spared). The animals were sacrificed on the 3rd day and 10th day after operation, respectively. The L6 DRG from the three groups were taken and cut into frozen sections (20 microns). The sections were stained using specific antiserum for trkC by the immunohistochemical ABC method. The numbers of large sized neurons (> 57 microns) and small sized neurons (< 42 microns) for trkC-IR were counted respectively. The results showed that the number of positive large sized neurons for trkC of the 10-day group after operation decreased significantly than that of the intact group and the 3-day group after operation, while the number of positive small sized neurons for trkC of the 10-day group increased apparently than that of the intact group and the 3-day group after operation (P < 0.05). This experiment demonstrated that unilateral partial dorsal root rhizotomy could change the expression of trkC might in large neurons and small sized neurons, and the results suggested that trkC might involve in the spinal cord plasticity following partial dorsal root rhizotomy.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Inhibition of v-Abl transformation by p53 and p19ARF.

Tumorigenesis is a multistep process that involves the activation of oncogenes and the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. The transforming activity of the v-Abl oncogene of Abelson murine leukemia virus (A-MuLV) in immortal cell lines has been well studied, while the effects of v-Abl in primary fibroblasts are less clear. Here we show that v-Abl causes cell cycle arrest in primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and elevated levels of both p53 and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21Cip. p53-/- or p19ARF-/- MEFs were resistant to v-Abl-induced cell cycle arrest. Although wild-type MEFs were resistant to v-Abl transforming activity, p53-/- or p19ARF-/- MEFs were susceptible. The results indicate that loss of p19ARF and p53 function plays an important role during the transformation of primary cells by v-Abl. We suggest that although v-Abl is a potent oncogene, its full potential transforming activity cannot be realized until the ARF-, and p53-dependent growth inhibitory pathway is disabled. We also show that p53 is not the mediator of v-Abl toxicity in immortal fibroblasts and does not determine the susceptibility of immortal fibroblasts to v-Abl transformation.

Abelson murine leukemia virus↗
PubMed1999

Antibody repertoires of four- and five-feature translocus mice carrying human immunoglobulin heavy chain and kappa and lambda light chain yeast artificial chromosomes.

We have produced mice that carry the human Ig heavy (IgH) and both kappa and lambda light chain transloci in a background in which the endogenous IgH and kappa loci have been inactivated. The B lymphocyte population in these translocus mice is restored to about one-third of normal levels, with preferential (3:1) expression of human lambda over human kappa. Human IgM is found in the serum at levels between 50 and 400 microg/ml and is elevated following immunization. This primary human Ab repertoire is sufficient to yield diverse Ag-specific responses as judged by analysis of mAbs. The use of DH and J segments is similar to that seen in human B cells, with an analogous pattern of N nucleotide insertion. Maturation of the response is accompanied by somatic hypermutation, which is particularly effective in the light chain transloci. These mice therefore allow the production of Ag-specific repertoires of both IgM,kappa and IgM,lambda Abs and should prove useful for the production of human mAbs for clinical use.

Animals↗