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Biomedical subjects

Y Li

Publications and source records attributed to Y Li.

At least 397 records · Page 22Linked to original sources

Synthesis of porphobilinogen via a novel ozonide cleavage reaction.

Porphobilinogen lactam methyl ester (3a) has been prepared in seven steps, and approximately 20-30% overall yield, beginning with furfurylamine (4a).(24) Hydrolysis of 3a following the literature procedure then gave porphobilinogen (1). A key intermediate in our synthesis of 3a is the 7-oxonorbornene derivative 7a, which was derived from 4a utilizing a tandem Johnson ortho ester Claisen rearrangement followed by intramolecular Diels-Alder cyclization (five steps, 55-65%).(24) Interesting steric accelerating effects were observed in this sequence. Conversion of 7a to 3a was then accomplished employing a novel ozonide cleavage/oxidation reaction, which generated tetrahydrofurans 16a, 32, and 33 in the proper oxidation state for direct aminolysis to pyrrole 3a. A mechanism is proposed for the ozonide cleavage/oxidation that accounts for the observed stereoselectivity of this step.

Ozone↗

Neural representation of alpha-oriented moving light bars in the cortex: a neural network study.

A neural computational model is suggested in this paper for investigating the stimulus dependence of spiking patterns and the neural representation of alpha-oriented moving light bars in the cortex. In this model, a stimulus-directed cortical developing algorithm is introduced for training the neural network. Three classes of computer simulations concerned with the orientation of the stimulus are carried out. The simulation results show that the fine temporal structure of spiking patterns of single units depends on the alpha orientation of the two moving light bars, and the fine temporal structure of their combinatorial spiking patterns are also context dependent. They also show that the neural representation of an alpha-oriented moving light bar is determined not only by the stimulus itself but also the architecture of the matured network. In the end, we propose a possible neural coding mechanism underlying the temporal cell subassemblies in the cortex, which could be spontaneously and dynamically organized into a dynamical cell assembly by synchronized activity of these subassemblies.

Algorithms↗

[Isolation and study of one novel full-length gene related to human glioma].

OBJECTIVES: To obtain differentially expressed genes related to human glioma using cDNA microarray and make a preliminary study of one novel full-length gene. METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from human glioma tissues and normal brain tissues, and mRNA was used to make probes. After hybridization and washing procedure, the results of hybridization were scanned using computer system. One gene named 507E08 clone was subsequently analyzed by northern blotting, in situ hybridization, bioinformatics and radiation hybridization. RESULTS: Fifteen differentially expressed novel genes related to human glioma were obtained through four times of hybridization and scanning. Northern blotting and in situ hybridization confirmed that 507E08 clone was lowly expressed in normal human brain tissue and over-expressed in human glioma tissue. BLASTn and BLASTx analysis showed that the clone 507E08 was a novel full-length gene with the length of 2002 bp. This gene, called human ribosomal protein 14.22 gene, codes 203 amino acids and is located on chromosome 14 between D14S1066 Marker and D14S265 Marker. CONCLUSION: cDNA microarray technology can be successfully applied to identify differentially expressed genes with small amount of specimen, high quality, high speed, and high sensitivity. The novel full-length human ribosomal protein 14.22 gene may correlate with formation of human glioma.

Adult↗

The synthesis of nanocrystalline anatase and rutile titania in mixed organic media.

The synthesis of anatase and rutile titania could be achieved in mixed organic media with the variation of alcohols in the media under mild conditions. Although a nonhydrolytic process cannot be excluded, it is suggested that the formation of titania in these systems is based mainly on the hydrolytic process initiated by the water generated as a result of an esterification reaction between the alcohols and acetic acid. It has been found that the phase of the TiO2 produced depends on the choice of alcohols and temperature. Partial morphology and size are also affected by these factors. It is proposed that the viscosity and pressure of the reaction media influence the particle size. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and UV-visible adsorption spectroscopy were employed to characterize the final products.

Journal Article↗

Astrocyte-derived VEGF mediates survival and tube stabilization of hypoxic brain microvascular endothelial cells in vitro.

Chronic sublethal hypoxia has been associated with changes in neurovascular behavior, mediated, in part, by induction of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A(165)). In this report we demonstrate that RBE4 cells (derived from rodent cerebral microvasculature), when cultured in three-dimensional collagen gels: (1) Are induced to undergo increased tube formation in response to VEGF-A(165) in a dose-dependent manner; (2) undergo apoptosis under mild hypoxic conditions; (3) are rescued from the effects of hypoxia by the addition of exogenous VEGF-A(165) in a dose-dependent and inhibitable manner or by co-culture with primary newborn rat astrocytes, which are induced to express increased amounts of VEGF-A in hypoxic conditions. Further, we demonstrate that: (4) The observed astrocyte-produced, VEGF-mediated protection from apoptosis (survival) is inhibitable with soluble recombinant VEGF receptor-1 (sFlt), and is associated with a robust induction of MAPK tyrosine phosphorylation. These findings illustrate the importance of VEGF in the process of neurovascular survival in response to injury in developing brain and provide insight into the signaling pathways involved.

Animals↗

A20 inhibits NF-kappa B activation downstream of multiple Map3 kinases and interacts with the I kappa B signalosome.

A20, a TNF inducible gene, inhibits TNF-mediated apoptosis as well as NF-kappa B induced by this cytokine. Reporter assay experiments revealed that A20 is a very effective inhibitor of NF-kappa B signaling induced by TRAFs and several Map3 kinases, including NIK, MEKK1, COT, and TAK1. Similarly, the NF-kappa B inducing activity of TAX, an activator of the I kappa B kinase complex, is also abrogated by A20. Inhibition of NF-kappa B is specific as A20 has no effect on TNF-alpha-induced JNK activation. These results suggest that the molecular target of A20 is more distal to the receptor than TRAFs as previously proposed. A20 inhibits NF-kappa B-dependent transcription without a concomitant decrease in nuclear NF-kappa B DNA binding activity or nuclear translocation of p65. This apparent discrepancy between transcriptional readout and gel shift experiments is observed with a variety of stimuli, including expression of IKK beta. Therefore, in addition to the phosphorylation of I kappa B, another signal is needed for transcriptional activation of NF-kappa B. A20 inhibits this non-redundant signal. The observation that A20 associates with IKK alpha and is phosphorylated upon IKK beta co-expression may suggest that A20 interferes with some aspects of signalosome function.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

An antagonist IL-15/Fc protein prevents costimulation blockade-resistant rejection.

IL-15 is a powerful T cell growth factor (TCGF) with particular importance for the maintenance of CD8(+) T cells. Because costimulation blockade does not result in universal tolerance, we hypothesized that "escape" from costimulation blockade might represent a CD8(+) and IL-15/IL-15R(+)-dependent process. For this analysis, we have used an IL-15 mutant/Fcgamma2a protein, a potentially cytolytic protein that is also a high-affinity receptor site specific antagonist for the IL-15Ralpha receptor protein, as a therapeutic agent. The IL-15-related fusion protein was used as monotherapy or in combination with CTLA4/Fc in murine islet allograft models. As monotherapies, CTLA4/Fc and an IL-15 mutant/Fcgamma2a were comparably effective in a semiallogeneic model system, and combined treatment with IL-15 mutant/Fcgamma2a plus CTLA4/Fc produced universal permanent engraftment. In a fully MHC-mismatched strain combination known to be refractory to costimulation blockade treatment, combined treatment with both fusion proteins proved to be highly effective; >70% of recipients were tolerized. The analysis revealed that the IL-15 mutant/Fc treatment confers partial protection from both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell graft infiltration. In rejections occurring despite CTLA4/Fc treatment, concomitant treatment with the IL-15 mutant/Fcgamma2a protein blocked a CD8(+) T cell-dominated rejection processes. This protection was linked to a blunted proliferative response of alloreactive T cells as well silencing of CTL-related gene expression events. Hence, we have demonstrated that targeting the IL-15/IL-15R pathway represents a new and potent strategy to prevent costimulation blockade-resistant CD8(+) T cell-driven rejection.

Abatacept↗

Cortactin potentiates bone metastasis of breast cancer cells.

Gene amplification of the chromosome 11q13 in breast cancer and squamous carcinomas in the head and neck results in frequent overexpression of cortactin, a prominent substrate of Src-related tyrosine kinases in the cell cortical areas. To investigate the role of cortactin in tumor progression, we analyzed MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells overexpressing green fluorescent protein-tagged murine cortactin (GFP-cortactin) and a cortactin mutant deficient in tyrosine phosphorylation under the control of a retroviral vector. Injection of MDA-MB-231 cells overexpressing GFP-cortactin into nude mice through cardiac ventricles caused bone osteolysis at a frequency approximately 85% higher than that of cells expressing the vector alone, whereas injection of cells overexpressing the mutant deficient in tyrosine phosphorylation induced 74% fewer osteolytic metastases as compared with the control group. Interestingly, the cells expressing either GFP-cortactin or the mutant did not show significant differences in growth in vitro or when injected m.f.p. in vivo. On the other hand, the cells overexpressing GFP-cortactin but not the mutant acquired a >60% enhanced capability for transendothelial invasion and endothelial cell adhesion. These data suggest that cortactin contributes to tumor metastasis by enhancing the interaction of tumor cells with endothelial cells and the invasion of tumor cells into bone tissues.

Animals↗

Tetrakis(mu-2,3-dimethoxybenzoato)bis[(2,2'-bipyridine)(2,3-dimethoxybenzoato)lanthanum(III)].

The title compound, tetrakis(mu-2,3-dimethoxybenzoato)-kappa(4)O:O';kappa(6)O,O':O'-bis[(2,2'-bipyridine-N,N')(2,3-dimethoxybenzoato-O,O')lanthanum(III)], [La(2)(2,3-DMOBA)(6)(2,2'-bpy)(2)], where 2,3-DMOBA is 2,3-dimethoxybenzoate (C(9)H(9)O(4)) and 2,2'-bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine (C(10)H(8)N(2)), is a dimer with a centre of inversion between the La atoms bridged by four carboxylate ligands. The central La atom is ennea-coordinated and has a distorted monocapped square-antiprism geometry.

Journal Article↗

Suppression of the transcriptional activity and DNA binding of nuclear factor-kappa B by a paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration-associated antigen.

Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) associated with gynecological malignancies is a disorder in which an autoimmune mechanism has been suggested, and both antibody- and cell-mediated immune responses exist against pcd17/cdr2, a neural protein expressed in cerebellar Purkinje neurons and brainstem neurons. In this report, we describe that pcd17 can suppress the basal or activated NF-kappaB-dependent transcriptional activity in a co-transfection study. The DNA binding of constitutive NF-kappaB complexes decreased in the nucleus of TNF-alpha-stimulated neuroblastoma cells, though pcd17 does not bind to classical NF-kappaB consensus site. These data indicate that pcd17 is a potential repressor for NF-kappaB-dependent gene transcription in neurons.

Animals↗

A hepatocellular carcinoma-specific adenovirus variant, CV890, eliminates distant human liver tumors in combination with doxorubicin.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer death in the world. Tumor resection remains the only curative treatment but is often not possible because of advanced stage and frequently unsuccessful because of intrahepatic or distant tumor recurrence. alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP), a tumor marker currently used for the diagnosis and management of HCC, is an oncofetal protein expressed in a majority of HCCs but rarely in normal hepatocytes. Because AFP gene expression is tightly regulated at the level of transcription, AFP transcriptional regulatory elements (TRE) are excellent candidates for generating HCC-specific oncolytic adenoviruses. We devised a new strategy for the AFP TRE to control an artificial E1A-IRES-E1B bicistronic cassette in an adenovirus 5 vector (Ad5) and constructed an HCC-specific oncolytic virus, CV890. In vitro, CV890 expression of the E1A and E1B genes, virus replication, and cytopathic effects were examined by Northern blot, Western blot, virus yield assay, and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay in AFP-producing cell lines (HepG2, Huh7, Hep3B, PLC/PRF/5, and SNU449), non-AFP-producing cell lines (Sk-Hep-1, Chang liver cell, LNCaP, HBL-100, PA-1, UM-UC-3, SW 780, Colo 201, and U118 MG), and non-AFP-producing human primary cells (lung fibroblast, bladder smooth muscle, and mammary epithelial). CV890 efficiently replicates in and destroys AFP-producing HCC cells as well as wild-type Ad5, but replication is highly attenuated in non-AFP-producing HCC cells or non-HCC cells. CV890 produced 5,000-100,000-fold less virus than wild-type Ad5 in non-AFP-producing cells. CV890 was attenuated 100-fold more than CV732, a virus containing the AFP TRE driving the E1A gene alone, in non-AFP-producing cells. These studies demonstrated that expression of both E1A and E1B genes under the control of a bicistronic AFP-E1A-IRES-E1B cassette yielded improvements in virus specificity equivalent to driving the E1A and E1B genes with two independent TREs yet requires only one TRE thereby conserving genomic space within the virus. Significantly, CV890 produced nearly the same yield of virus in cells that produced AFP over a 75-fold range, from a low of 60 ng AFP/10(6) cells/10 days to as high as 4585 ng AFP/10(6) cells/10 days. In vivo, antitumor efficacy of CV890 was examined in BALB/c-nu/nu mice containing large s.c. HepG2 or Hep3B tumor xenografts. Tumor volume of distant xenografts dropped below baseline 4 weeks after a single i.v. injection. Combination of CV890 with doxorubicin demonstrated synergistic antitumor efficacy, yielding complete elimination of distant Hep3B tumors 4 weeks after a single i.v. administration of both compounds. Our results support the clinical development of CV890 as an antineoplastic agent for the treatment of localized or metastatic HCC.

Adenoviridae↗

The mechanism of the growth-inhibitory effect of coxsackie and adenovirus receptor (CAR) on human bladder cancer: a functional analysis of car protein structure.

The coxsackie and adenovirus receptor (CAR) is identified as a high-affinity receptor for adenovirus type 5. We observed that invasive bladder cancer specimens had significantly reduced CAR mRNA levels compared with superficial bladder cancer specimens, which suggests that CAR may play a role in the progression of bladder cancer. Elevated CAR expression in the T24 cell line (CAR-negative cells) increased its sensitivity to adenovirus infection and significantly inhibited its in vitro growth, accompanied by p21 and hypophosphorylated retinoblastoma accumulation. Conversely, decreased CAR levels in both RT4 and 253J cell lines (CAR-positive cells) promoted their in vitro growth. To unveil the mechanism of action of CAR, we showed that the extracellular domain of CAR facilitated intercellular adhesion. Furthermore, interrupting intercellular adhesion of CAR by a specific antibody alleviates the growth-inhibitory effect of CAR. We also demonstrated that both the transmembrane and intracellular domains of CAR were critical for its growth-inhibitory activity. These data indicate that the cell-cell contact initiated by membrane-bound CAR can elicit a negative signal cascade to modulate cell cycle regulators inside the nucleus of bladder cancer cells. Therefore, the presence of CAR cannot only facilitate viral uptake of adenovirus but also inhibit cell growth. These results can be integrated to formulate a new strategy for bladder cancer therapy.

Adenoviridae↗

MARCKS protein is a key molecule regulating mucin secretion by human airway epithelial cells in vitro.

Hypersecretion of airway mucin characterizes numerous respiratory diseases. Although diverse pathological stimuli can provoke exocytotic release of mucin from secretory cells of the airway epithelium, mechanisms involved remain obscure. This report describes a new paradigm for the intracellular signaling mechanism regulating airway mucin secretion. Direct evidence is provided that the myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) is a central regulatory molecule linking secretagogue stimulation at the cell surface to mucin granule release by differentiated normal human bronchial epithelial cells in vitro. Down-regulation of MARCKS expression or disruption of MARCKS function in these cells inhibits the secretory response to subsequent stimulation. The intracellular mechanism controlling this secretory process involves cooperative action of two separate protein kinases, protein kinase C and cGMP-dependent protein kinase. Upon stimulation, activated protein kinase C phosphorylates MARCKS, causing translocation of MARCKS from the plasma membrane to the cytoplasm, where it is then dephosphorylated by a protein phosphatase 2A that is activated by cGMP-dependent protein kinase, and associates with both actin and myosin. Dephosphorylated cytoplasmic MARCKS would also be free to interact with mucin granule membranes and thus could link granules to the contractile cytoskeleton, mediating their movement to the cell periphery and subsequent exocytosis. These findings suggest several novel intracellular targets for pharmacological intervention in disorders involving aberrant secretion of respiratory mucin and may relate to other lesions involving exocytosis of membrane-bound granules in various cells and tissues.

Actins↗

Discovery of potent antagonists of leukocyte function-associated antigen-1/intercellular adhesion molecule-1 interaction. 3. Amide (C-ring) structure-activity relationship and improvement of overall properties of arylthio cinnamides.

The interaction of LFA-1 and ICAM-1 plays an important role in the cell adhesion process. On the basis of previously reported SAR and structural information on the binding of our p-arylthiocinnamide series to LFA-1, we have identified the cyclic amide (C-ring) as a site for modification. Improvement in potency and, more importantly, in the physical properties and pharmacokinetic profiles of the leading compounds resulted from this modification. One of the best compounds (11f) is also shown to reduce myocardial infarct size in rat.

Amides↗

Spring, a novel RING finger protein that regulates synaptic vesicle exocytosis.

The synaptosome-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25) interacts with syntaxin 1 and vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP2) to form a ternary soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex that is essential for synaptic vesicle exocytosis. We report a novel RING finger protein, Spring, that specifically interacts with SNAP-25. Spring is exclusively expressed in brain and is concentrated at synapses. The association of Spring with SNAP-25 abolishes the ability of SNAP-25 to interact with syntaxin 1 and VAMP2 and prevents the assembly of the SNARE complex. Overexpression of Spring or its SNAP-25-interacting domain reduces Ca(2+)-dependent exocytosis from PC12 cells. These results indicate that Spring may act as a regulator of synaptic vesicle exocytosis by controlling the availability of SNAP-25 for the SNARE complex formation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Crystal structure of histidinol phosphate aminotransferase (HisC) from Escherichia coli, and its covalent complex with pyridoxal-5'-phosphate and l-histidinol phosphate.

The biosynthesis of histidine is a central metabolic process in organisms ranging from bacteria to yeast and plants. The seventh step in the synthesis of histidine within eubacteria is carried out by a pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent l-histidinol phosphate aminotransferase (HisC, EC 2.6.1.9). Here, we report the crystal structure of l-histidinol phosphate aminotransferase from Escherichia coli, as a complex with pyridoxamine-5'-phosphate (PMP) at 1.5 A resolution, as the internal aldimine with PLP, and in a covalent, tetrahedral complex consisting of PLP and l-histidinol phosphate attached to Lys214, both at 2.2 A resolution. This covalent complex resembles, in structural terms, the gem-diamine intermediate that is formed transiently during conversion of the internal to external aldimine.HisC is a dimeric enzyme with a mass of approximately 80 kDa. Like most PLP-dependent enzymes, each HisC monomer consists of two domains, a larger PLP-binding domain having an alpha/beta/alpha topology, and a smaller domain. An N-terminal arm contributes to the dimerization of the two monomers. The PLP-binding domain of HisC shows weak sequence similarity, but significant structural similarity with the PLP-binding domains of a number of PLP-dependent enzymes. Residues that interact with the PLP cofactor, including Tyr55, Asn157, Asp184, Tyr187, Ser213, Lys214 and Arg222, are conserved in the family of aspartate, tyrosine and histidinol phosphate aminotransferases. The imidazole ring of l-histidinol phosphate is bound, in part, through a hydrogen bond with Tyr110, a residue that is substituted by Phe in the broad substrate specific HisC enzymes from Zymomonas mobilis and Bacillus subtilis. Comparison of the structures of the HisC internal aldimine, the PMP complex and the HisC l-histidinol phosphate complex reveal minimal changes in protein or ligand structure. Proton transfer, required for conversion of the gem-diamine to the external aldimine, does not appear to be limited by the distance between substrate and lysine amino groups. We propose that the tetrahedral complex has resulted from non-productive binding of l-histidinol phosphate soaked into the HisC crystals, resulting in its inability to be converted to the external aldimine at the HisC active site.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Solution NMR determination of the seating(s) of meso-nitro-etioheme-1 in myoglobin: implications for steric constraints to meso position access in heme degradation by coupled oxidation.

The highly stereoselective cleavage of hemin in myoglobin by coupled oxidation has been attributed to steric barriers that leave more space near the alpha- than the other meso-positions. The steric barriers near meso positions in myoglobin have been investigated by establishing the thermodynamics and dynamics of possible seatings in the pocket of horse myoglobin of a four-fold symmetric etioheme I modified with a bulky nitro group at a single meso position. The cyanomet complex of this reconstituted myoglobin exhibits three sets of (1)H NMR resonances that are linked dynamically and occur in approximate populations ratios of 0.82:0.10:0.08. Two dimensional (1)H NMR has been used to assign the hemin and heme pocket resonances in the major isomer in solution and to determine that the hemin is oriented with the nitro group at the canonical gamma-meso position of native hemin. The dominance of this isomer is attributed to the solvent exposure of this portion of the hemin which stabilizes the highly polar nitro group. Using a combination of magnetization transfer among methyl groups of the three isomers due to "hopping" of the hemin about its normal, the assigned resonances of an isoelectronic, bis-cyano complex of meso-nitro-etioheme I, and the known essentially constant rhombic perturbation of heme pocket sites on the hyperfine shifts of heme methyl (Kolczak, U.; Hauksson, J. B.; Davis, N. L.; Pande, U.; de Ropp, J. S.; Langry, K. C.; Smith, K. M.; LaMar, G. N. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1999, 121, 835-843); the two minor isomers are shown to place their bulky nitro group at the canonical delta-meso (8%) and alpha-meso positions (10%). The comparable population of the isomers with nitro groups at the hydrophobic alpha- and delta-meso positions dictates that, while the static crystal structure finds more room near the alpha-meso position, the deformation at minimal energetic expense near the alpha- and delta-meso positions is comparable. These results argue that factors other than simple steric influences control the selectivity of the ring cleavage in myoglobin.

Animals↗

A malignant phenotype of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy caused by Arg719Gln cardiac beta-myosin heavy-chain mutation in a Chinese family.

Mutations of the cardiac beta-myosin heavy-chain (beta-MHC) gene cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Recent genotype-phenotype correlation studies have shown that mutations carry prognostic significance. We studied five unrelated Chinese families with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Exons 3-27 and 40 of the beta-MHC gene were screened with both the polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) method and the cycle sequencing of the PCR products. A previously reported heterozygous mutation Arg719Gln (arginine-->glutamine in codon 719) in exon 19 was found in one family. The proband is a 30-year-old female diagnosed at age of 25 years when she presented with symptoms of chest pain, palpitations, and frequent incidents of dizziness and syncope. A two-dimensional echocardiogram showed moderate asymmetrical septal hypertrophy with left atrial enlargement. There was no obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT). The patient also developed atrial fibrillation. The proband's mother and one of her sisters had similar clinical manifestations and both died suddenly at the age of 38 years. In addition, two silent nucleotide substitutions (ACT63ACC, TTT244TTC) in the cardiac beta-MHC gene were identified in the other four families. These synonymous mutations did not cosegregate with the disease in the families and they were also present in the 60 healthy and age-matched control subjects. Of the five families studied, we did not find any missense mutation in the remaining four families. The missense mutation Arg719Gln found in the Chinese family is associated with a malignant phenotype of severe clinical symptoms and poor survival prognosis. This mutation also causes atrial enlargement and atrial fibrillation. Our study provides further evidence that the mutation, which alters the charge of the myosin heavy chain, is associated with a serious clinical outcome.

Adult↗