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Y H Chen

Publications and source records attributed to Y H Chen.

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

Mutation analysis of the human NR4A2 gene, an essential gene for midbrain dopaminergic neurogenesis, in schizophrenic patients.

Recent studies have revealed that an orphan receptor gene of the steroid/thyroid hormone nuclear receptor superfamily, the Nurr1 gene, is essential for the neurogenesis and differentiation of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain of mice. Transgenic mice lacking the Nurr1 gene soon die after birth and are devoid of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain. Heterozygous mice survive postnatally without obvious locomotor deficits; however, they have increased vulnerability to dopaminergic neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). In view of the importance of dopamine neurotransmission in brain function, we were interested to know if the human homologous gene of murine Nurr1, the NR4A2 gene, may play a role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. We systematically sequenced all the exons of the human NR4A2 gene to search for molecular variants in a cohort of Chinese schizophrenic patients from Taiwan. Two molecular variants were identified: a G-insertion in intron 6 (designated IVS6 + 17 [see text] + 18insG), and a G-deletion in the untranslated exon 1 (designated c.-469delG). The IVS6 + 17 [see text] + 18insG is a polymorphic one; further case control study, however, did not reveal association of this polymorphism with schizophrenia. The c.-469delG is a rare variant found in two unrelated patients among 177 schizophrenic patients, but not in 130 nonpsychotic controls. The result suggests that the c.-469delG and possibly other variants of the NR4A2 gene may be of relevance to the complex factors involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

DNA↗
PubMed2001

Pulsatility of ascending aorta and restenosis after coronary angioplasty in patients >60 years of age with stable angina pectoris.

A recent study has demonstrated that the pulsatility of the ascending aorta is a strong predictive factor for restenosis after coronary angioplasty. However, whether the pulsatility of the ascending aorta is still a significant predictor for restenosis in elderly patients with a stiffer aorta is unknown. We investigated the relation between arterial pulsatility in the ascending aorta and restenosis after coronary angioplasty in patients aged > 60 years. Eighty-seven consecutive patients (80 men, aged 72.5 +/- 5.1 years) with stable angina were included. Before angioplasty, the arterial systolic, diastolic, and mean pressure waveforms of the ascending aorta were measured. We used fractional pulse pressure (PPf, the ratio of pulse pressure to mean pressure) and pulsatility index (PI, the ratio of pulse pressure to diastolic pressure) to estimate the pulsatility of the ascending aorta. Angiographic restenosis occurred in 39 patients. Pulse pressure, PPf, and PI were significantly higher in patients with restenosis after coronary angioplasty (restenosis vs without restenosis: pulse pressure, 77.6 +/- 12.2 vs 66.1 +/- 15.4 mm Hg [p < 0.001]; PPf, 0.80 +/- 0.09 vs 0.69 +/- 0.11 [p < 0.001]; PI, 1.19 +/- 0.20 vs 0.98 +/- 0.21 [p < 0.001]). After multivariate stepwise adjustment of risk factors of restenosis and using receiver-operating characteristic analysis, the odds ratio (OR) of restenosis was: pulse pressure > 66 mm Hg, OR 5.88 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.17 to 15.93); PPf > 0.72, OR 13.71 (95% CI 4.81 to 39.05); PI > 1.06, OR 13.56 (95% CI 4.67 to 39.38). Moreover, among patients aged > 70 years (n = 60), the predictive values of PPf and PI were even higher than those in patients aged < or = 70 years (n = 27). Thus, in elderly patients with stable angina, the pulsatility of the ascending aorta is a powerful predictor of restenosis after coronary angioplasty.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Geometric parameters of the in vivo tissues at the lumbosacral joint of young Asian adults.

STUDY DESIGN: Magnetic resonance images (MRIs) were used to determine the geometry of the tissues studied. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the geometric parameters of tissues around the lumbosacral joint. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Cross-sectional area (CSA), moment arms, and line of action of the tissues located at lumbosacral joint (L5-S1), which are important in the study of spinal mechanics and models for the investigation of low back pain. It was insufficient information to describe the relative dimension of spinal tissues except muscles around the lumbar spine. METHODS: MRIs from eight asymptomatic young Taiwanese male adults were collected to present CSA, moment arms, and line of action of the tissues located at lumbosacral joint (L5-S1). Four pairs of trunk muscles, erector spinae, rectus abdominis, abdominal oblique externus, and psoas muscles, ligamentum flavum, and facet joints at the bilateral sides were studied. RESULTS: Spinal tissues at the level of lumbosacral joint were determined. The CSAs of the spinal elements at the L5-S1 normalized by the CSA of trunk ranged from 5.42% (the erector spinae) to 0.14% (the ligamentum flavum). The moment arm of the spinal elements relative to the trunk width and depth ranged from 40.91% (rectus abdominis at the y direction) to 0.38% (ligamentum flavum at the x direction). The profile of geometric elements of lumbosacral joint in the Asian male subjects was similar to the data collected from the white population. The data also showed that right-left symmetry in the aforementioned dimension. CONCLUSION: Normalized data of the CSA, moment arm, and line of action of the spinal tissues at the L5-S1 joint were reported in vivo through the MRI techniques. The profile of geometric elements of lumbosacral joint in the Asian male subjects did not differ from the white population. In addition to muscles, the geometry of facet joint and ligament was determined, which would be important to the calculation of force distribution on the lumbosacral joint.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Upstream stimulatory factors regulate aortic preferentially expressed gene-1 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells.

The phenotypic modulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) plays a central role in the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis. Aortic preferentially expressed gene-1 (APEG-1), a VSMC-specific gene, is expressed highly in differentiated but not in dedifferentiated VSMC. Previously, we identified an E-box element in the mouse APEG-1 proximal promoter, which is essential for VSMC reporter activity. In this study, we investigated the role of upstream stimulatory factors (USF) in the regulation of APEG-1 transcription via this E-box element. By electrophoretic mobility shift assays, recombinant USF1 and USF2 homo- and heterodimers bound specifically to the APEG-1 E-box. Nuclear extracts prepared from primary cultures of rat aortic smooth muscle cells exhibited specific USF1 and USF2 binding to the APEG-1 E-box. To investigate the binding properties of USF during VSMC differentiation, nuclear extracts were prepared from the neural crest cell line, MONC-1, which differentiates into VSMC in culture. Maximal USF1 and USF2 protein levels and binding to the APEG-1 E-box occurred 3 h after the differentiation of MONC-1 cells was initiated. Co-transfection experiments demonstrated that dominant negative USF repressed APEG-1 promoter activity, and USF1, but not USF2, transactivated the APEG-1 promoter. Our studies demonstrate that USF factors contribute to the regulation of APEG-1 expression and may influence the differentiation of VSMC.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Purification, sequencing, and phylogenetic analyses of novel Lys-49 phospholipases A(2) from the venoms of rattlesnakes and other pit vipers.

Basic phospholipase A(2) homologs with Lys49 substitution at the essential Ca(2+)-binding site are present in the venom of pit vipers under many genera. However, they have not been found in rattlesnake venoms before. We have now screened for this protein in the venom of rattlesnakes and other less studied pit vipers. By gel filtration chromatography and RP-HPLC, Lys49-phospholipase-like proteins were purified from the venoms of two rattlers, Crotalus atrox and Crotalus m. molossus, and five nonrattlers, Porthidium nummifer, Porthidium godmani, Bothriechis schlegelii, Trimeresurus puniceus, and Trimeresurus albolabris. Their N-terminal amino acid sequences were shown to be characteristic for this phospholipase subfamily. The purified basic proteins from rattlesnakes caused myonecrosis and edema in experimental animals. We have also cloned the cDNAs and solved the complete sequences of four novel Lys49-phospholipases from the venom glands of C. atrox, P. godmani, B. schlegelii, and Deinagkistrodon acutus (hundred-pace). Phylogenetic analyses based on the amino acid sequences of 28 Lys49-phospholipases separate the pitviper of the New World from those of the Old World, and the arboreal Asiatic species from the terrestrial Asiatic species. The implications of the phylogeny tree to the systematics of pit vipers, and structure-function relationship of the Lys49-phospholipases are discussed.

Amino Acid Substitution↗
PubMed2001

Role of macrophage-expressed adipocyte fatty acid binding protein in the development of accelerated atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic mice.

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease process associated with elevated levels of plasma cholesterol, especially low-density lipoproteins. The latter become trapped within the arterial wall and are oxidized and taken up by macrophages to form foam cells. This process is an initiating event for atherosclerosis. Fatty acid binding proteins (FABP) are involved in fatty acid metabolism and cellular lipid transport, and adipocyte FABP (aP2) is also expressed in macrophages. We recently generated mice lacking both apolipoprotein (Apo)E and aP2 (ApoE-/-aP2-/-) and found that these mice, compared with ApoE-/- mice, developed markedly smaller atherosclerotic lesions that contained fewer macrophages. Here we investigated the mechanism(s) responsible for this prevention of atherosclerotic lesion formation. Bone marrow transplantations were performed in ApoE-/- mice, receiving cells from either ApoE-/- or ApoE-/-aP2-/- mice. The lack of aP2 in donor marrow cells led to the development of smaller (5.5-fold) atherosclerotic lesions in the recipient mice. No differences were found in plasma cholesterol, glucose, or insulin levels between recipients of bone marrow cells from ApoE-/- or ApoE-/-aP2-/- mice. However, the expression of chemoattractant and inflammatory cytokines was decreased in macrophages from ApoE-/-aP2-/- mice compared with ApoE-/- mice, which may contribute to the decrease in atherosclerotic lesion formation. Taken together, we demonstrate the importance of macrophage aP2 in the development of atherosclerotic lesions.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

E1A inhibition of radiation-induced NF-kappaB activity through suppression of IKK activity and IkappaB degradation, independent of Akt activation.

Activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) has been implicated in the protection of cells from apoptosis. We have shown previously that the adenovirus type 5 E1A sensitizes cells to radiation-induced apoptosis by inhibiting NF-kappaB activity. However, the exact mechanism of inhibition is not known. In this study, we compared the activity of inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappaB (IkappaB) kinase (IKK) and the degradation of IkappaBalpha in E1A transfectants and parental human cancer cells after ionizing radiation treatment. We found that radiation-induced IKK activity and IkappaBalpha degradation were inhibited in the E1A transfectants. Recently, Akt has been implicated in NF-kappaB activation. To test whether Akt is regulated by E1A and is involved in radiation-induced NF-kappaB activity, we examined the phosphorylation status of Akt in the E1A transfectants and parental cells and in irradiated cells. The results indicated that radiation induced Akt phosphorylation and that E1A inhibited basal but not radiation-induced Akt phosphorylation. We additionally examined radiation-induced NF-kappaB activity in cells stably transfected with a dominant-negative, inactive Akt and in parental cancer cells treated with a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor, wortmannin. We found that dominant-negative Akt and wortmannin did not block radiation-induced NF-kappaB activity. Thus, our results suggest that inhibition of IKK activity and IkappaB degradation is the predominant mechanism for E1A-mediated inhibition of radiation-induced NF-kappaB activity and that radiation-induced Akt activation cannot be inhibited by E1A and is likely independent of radiation-induced NF-kappaB activity.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2001

Molecular cloning, developmental expression, and hormonal regulation of zebrafish (Danio rerio) beta crystallin B1, a member of the superfamily of beta crystallin proteins.

The cDNA sequence of beta crystallin B1 was determined from zebrafish (Danio rerio) and compared to the corresponding genes of bovine, rat, chicken, human, and Xenopus. Multispecies comparison of superfamily diversity demonstrated beta crystallin B1 homology between zebrafish, bovine, chicken, and rat, but large distances to beta crystallin B2 and B3. Zebrafish cDNA has a size of 943 nucleotides and encodes a polypeptide of 233 amino acids. Zebrafish beta crystallin B1 shares 71.30, 75.86, and 71.00% similarities with bovine, chicken, and rat beta crystallin B1, respectively. Northern blot analysis revealed a single 0.9-kb beta crystallin B1 transcript which was expressed and progressively increased in the first 20 h of zebrafish embryogenesis. Whole-mount in situ hybridization revealed that the beta crystallin B1 transcript was only specifically expressed in the lens region of the eye. A starvation experiment revealed no variation in mRNA levels after 14 and 21 days. An experiment in which hormone was injected showed that the beta crystallin B1 transcript first increased 24 h after the injection of insulin-like growth factor I, insulin-like growth factor II, or growth hormone, then decreased 48 h after injection. The beta crystallin B1 transcript continuously increased after insulin was injected. Taken together, our results identify the early specific expression of beta crystallin B1 within the lens. Despite small differences, these results indicate that both the structure of the beta crystallin B1 protein and its involvement with regulation by growth factors appear to have been remarkably conserved.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Epitope-vaccine as a new strategy against HIV-1 mutation.

An effective vaccine is urgently needed to stop AIDS-epidemic. Up to now none of the candidate HIV-vaccines has been developed to prevent HIV-1 infection. A few neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1 enveloping proteins proved to be highly effective to neutralize different strains in vitro. Unfortunately, these antibodies are rare in infected humans, and have never yet been raised by a vaccine. The multiple sequential and antigenic variability of HIV-1 led to unprecedented difficulties in development of effective vaccines and anti-viral drugs. More and more experimental evidences indicated that HIV-1 mutants resulted in immune evasion may be a grave challenge for conventional strategy to prepare effective vaccines. We suggested that epitope-vaccine could be a new strategy to induce high levels of neutralizing antibodies with predefined epitope-specificity against HIV-1. Several candidate epitope-vaccines including mono-epitope-vaccine, multi-epitope-vaccine, epitope-vaccines in combination, were prepared and systematically studied in animal experiments. These studies provided experimental evidences that epitope-vaccine could be a new strategy to develop effective vaccines for prevention and immunotherapy against viral infection of HIV-l or other viruses.

AIDS Vaccines↗
PubMed2001

Systematic search for mutations in the human tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 (TIMP-3) gene on chromosome 22 and association study with schizophrenia.

Several linkage studies have suggested that chromosome 22q12-q13 is a putative region for schizophrenic genes. In this study, the human tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP-3) gene was investigated as positional candidate gene for schizophrenia because of its regulatory function on extracellular matrix proteins, cell adhesion molecules, and neural cell adhesion molecules in the brain. We systematically searched for the nucleotide variants by sequencing all the exons and their flanking intronic sequences in a sample of Chinese schizophrenic patients from Taiwan. Two silent mutations in the exon 3 were identified: c.249T-->C at codon 83 (His) and c.261C-->T at codon 87 (Ser). However, no mutations causing amino acid alteration or aberrant splicing of transcripts were observed. Hence, it is unlikely that the TIMP-3 gene itself may play an important role in the genetic susceptibility to schizophrenia. Further case control association study revealed a significant difference of genotype distribution of the c.249T-->C between schizophrenic patients and control. This finding supports that 22q12 is a schizophrenia susceptible region, and it is likely that there might be other genetic mutations in the neighborhood of the TIMP-3 gene locus that may contribute to the susceptibility of schizophrenia.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Differential regulation of placental and germ cell alkaline phosphatases by glucocorticoid and sodium butyrate in human gastric carcinoma cell line TMK-1.

The expression and regulation of alkaline phosphatase (AP) was studied in the human gastric cancer cell line TMK-1. Biochemical analysis, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and Northern blot analysis demonstrated that the cells express placental, germ cell, and intestinal AP isozymes constitutively. Dexamethasone (Dex), a synthetic glucocorticoid, was shown to specifically induce the placental AP activity to about 10-fold and sodium butyrate (NaBu) induced germ cell AP activity to about 4-fold, respectively. In contrast, these two agents showed little effect on the level of intestinal isozymes. Dex and NaBu also differentially induced the mRNA levels of the placental and germ cell APs. Northern blot analysis of the placental AP transcript in the presence of the transcription inhibitor, 5, 6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl benzimidazole, revealed that the half-life of placental AP mRNA is about 27 h for both the Dex-treated and untreated cells. Nuclear run-on transcription analysis indicated an apparent increase in the rate of placental AP gene transcription in Dex-treated cells. These results indicated that the effect of Dex occurred primarily by activation of the placental AP gene transcription in the cells. In order to study the direct Dex and NaBu effect on AP gene expression, the proximal promoter regions of AP genes were fused to luciferase reporter vectors. Despite the high similarity in nucleotide sequences of these two genes, transient transfection analysis demonstrated that Dex and NaBu exerted a specific stimulation only through the respective placental and germ cell AP gene promoter. Taken together, this study indicates that the expression of PAP and GCAP isozymes have specific regulatory mechanisms that can be differentially controlled by signals including glucocorticoid and NaBu.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed2001

Differential expression and geographic variation of the venom phospholipases A2 of Calloselasma rhodostoma and Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus.

To investigate the geographic variations in venoms of two medically important pitvipers, we have purified and characterized the phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) from the pooled venoms of Calloselasma rhodostoma from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, as well as the individual venom of Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus collected from both North and South Taiwan. Enzymatic and pharmacological activities of the purified PLA2s were also investigated. The complete amino acid sequences of the purified PLA2s were determined by sequencing the corresponding cDNAs from the venom gland and shown to be consistent with their molecular weight data and the N-terminal sequences. All the geographic venom samples of C. rhodostoma contain a major noncatalytic basic PLA2-homolog and two or three acidic PLA2s in different proportions. These acidic PLA2s contain Glu6-substitutions and show distinct inhibiting specificities toward the platelets from human and rabbit. We also found that the T. mucrosquamatus venoms from North Taiwan but not those from South Taiwan contain an Arg6-PLA2 designated as TmPL-III. Its amino acid sequence is reported for the first time. This enzyme is structurally almost identical to the low- or nonexpressed Arg6-PLA2 from C. rhodostoma venom gland, and thus appears to be a regressing venom component in both of the Asian pitvipers.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Further characterization of Escherichia coli brain microvascular endothelial cell invasion gene ibeA by deletion, complementation, and protein expression.

The ibeA gene (ibe10) previously identified by TnphoA mutagenesis is part of a 50-kDa full-length open-reading frame (ORF) encoded by a 1.37-kb DNA fragment. An isogenic in-frame deletion mutant of ibeA (ZD1) was constructed by chromosomal gene replacement with a suicide plasmid pCVD442 carrying a 2.1-kb DNA fragment with an ibeA deletion. Similar to the previously described TnphoA insertion mutant of ibeA, the isogenic ibeA deletion mutant ZD1 was significantly less invasive in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) than the parent strain. The mutant ZD1 was fully complemented by the ibeA ORF. The ibeA gene was subcloned into pET28a(+) and was expressed as a recombinant protein with an N-terminal histidine tag. The recombinant IbeA protein had much greater activity (50 times) in blocking the invasion of BMECs by Escherichia coli K1 than did the partial protein fragment, which provides further evidence that ibeA is an important determinant for E. coli K1 invasion of BMECs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

N- and C-domains of HIV-1 gp41: mutation, structure and functions.

Recent studies demonstrated that the N- and C-domains of HIV-1 gp41 is involved in virus-mediated membrane fusion resulting in HIV-entry into the target cells. Up to now, viral mutation baffled many scientists to develop effective vaccines and drugs against HIV-1. To acquire more information of mutation of gp41 and to reveal the relationship of structure and function of the N- and C-domains, we compared and analyzed amino acid sequences of the gp41 ectodomain (aa 512-681) of 862 isolates from most HIV-1 clades (including A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J and O clades). A consensus sequence of the ectodomain with the highest frequency emerging on each position is constituted. The fusion domain and the N-domain belong to the most conserved regions in gp41, and most variable residues assemble partial to the C terminal of gp41. The hydrophobicity of each position is also calculated. The a and d positions in the N-domain for maintaining stabilization of the trimeric coiled coil interactions are highly conservative, and the e and g positions in the C-domain to retain the interaction show also highly conservative. The strange high conservation of the c residues may have an implication in the coiled coil structure. The highly conserved residues form the lining of the hydrophobic cavity and the deep cavity is an ideal target for small molecular inhibitors. On the C-terminal of the C-domain there is a highly conserved segment GIVQQQ. They are intimately involved in forming the three interfaces between neighboring helices. The function of the N- and C-domains, such as binding to the potential cellular receptor and inducing protective activities, are also discussed. These studies on the mutation, structure and functions of the N- and C-domains suggested that both domains become a new focus to develop effective vaccine and antiviral drugs in the new strategies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

ELNKWA-epitope specific antibodies induced by epitope-vaccine recognize ELDKWA- and other two neutralizing-resistant mutated epitopes on HIV-1 gp41.

Based on the fact that monoclonal antibody (mAb) 2F5 recognizing ELDKWA-epitope on HIV-1 gp41 separately or in combination with other mAbs showed potent neutralizing activity to a wide range of primary HIV-1 isolates in vivo and in vitro, but this epitope undergoes restricted mutation. ELNKWA is a neutralizing-resistant mutated epitope. We induced ELNKWA-epitope-specific polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies and studied the interaction of the antibodies with ELDKWA-epitope and other two neutralizing-resistant mutated epitopes. The candidate ELNKWA-epitope-vaccine induced a high level of antibodies to the ELNKWA-epitope-peptide. The ELNKWA-epitope-specific polyclonal antibodies bound not only the ELNKWA-, but also ELDKWA-, ELEKWA- and ELDEWA-epitope-peptides in ELISA-assay. Moreover, the antibodies also recognized four C-domain-peptides (P5, P6, P7, P8) which contain these four epitopes, respectively. Interestingly, an ELNKWA-epitope-specific monoclonal antibody (TH-Ab1) induced by the candidate ELNKWA-epitope-vaccine could also recognize the four C-domain-peptides containing ELNKWA-, ELDKWA-, ELEKWA- and ELDEWK-epitopes. These results indicate that the candidate ELNKWA-epitope-vaccine could induce high levels of antibodies, which recognize the neutralizing epitope ELDKWA and three neutralizing-resistant mutated epitopes, suggesting that the candidate ELNKWA-epitope-vaccine may help to overcome the problem of viral escape from neutralization through mutation at D or K position, and may be developed as an effective vaccine with a broad neutralizing activity against HIV-1.

AIDS Vaccines↗
PubMed2001

On-line identification of trans- and cis-resveratrol by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis/fluorescence spectroscopy at 77 K.

This work presents a novel method for the accurate determining trans- and cis-resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis/fluorescence spectroscopy at 77 K. The proposed method permits not only the separation of resveratrol isomers, but also ensures that on-line spectra are readily distinguishable and unambiguously assigned. The experimental results also indicate that the effect of nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis buffer and low-temperature technique increase the detection limit by more than 150-fold.

Acetates↗
PubMed2001

Molecular structure, dynamic expression, and promoter analysis of zebrafish (Danio rerio) myf-5 gene.

We isolated a 1,438 bp cDNA fragment that encoded Myf-5 myogenic factor of zebrafish. The deduced amino acid contained 237 residues, including the basic helix-loop-helix domain that is conserved in all known Myf-5. The zebrafish myf-5 transcripts were first detectable at 7.5 hpf, increased substantially until 16 hpf, and then declined gradually to an undetectable level by 26 hpf. During somitogenesis, zebrafish myf-5 transcripts were distributed mainly in the somites and segmental plates. Prominent signals occurred transiently in adaxial cells in two parallel rows but did not extend beyond the positive-signal somites. Various lengths of upstream region of zebrafish myf-5 fused with EGFP gene were used to carry out transgenic analysis. Results showed that a small, 82 bp (nucleotide positions from -82 to -1), regulatory cassette is sufficient to control the somite- and stage-specific expression of zebrafish myf-5 during early development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗