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Biomedical subjects

Y Xu

Publications and source records attributed to Y Xu.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

KIFC3, a microtubule minus end-directed motor for the apical transport of annexin XIIIb-associated Triton-insoluble membranes.

We have identified and characterized a COOH-terminal motor domain-type kinesin superfamily protein (KIFC), KIFC3, in the kidney. KIFC3 is a minus end-directed microtubule motor protein, therefore it accumulates in regions where minus ends of microtubules assemble. In polarized epithelial cells, KIFC3 is localized on membrane organelles immediately beneath the apical plasma membrane of renal tubular epithelial cells in vivo and polarized MDCK II cells in vitro. Flotation assay, coupled with detergent extraction, demonstrated that KIFC3 is associated with Triton X-100-insoluble membrane organelles, and that it overlaps with apically transported TGN-derived vesicles. This was confirmed by immunoprecipitation and by GST pulldown experiments showing the specific colocalization of KIFC3 and annexin XIIIb, a previously characterized membrane protein for apically transported vesicles (Lafont, F., S. Lecat, P. Verkade, and K. Simons. 1998. J. Cell Biol. 142:1413-1427). Furthermore, we proved that the apical transport of both influenza hemagglutinin and annexin XIIIb was partially inhibited or accelerated by overexpression of motor-domainless (dominant negative) or full-length KIFC3, respectively. Absence of cytoplasmic dynein on these annexin XIIIb-associated vesicles and distinct distribution of the two motors on the EM level verified the existence of KIFC3-driven transport in epithelial cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Synthesis of L-4,4-difluoroglutamic acid via nucleophilic addition to a chiral aldehyde.

Fluorine-containing derivatives of amino acids are assuming increasing importance as probes of biological function and enzyme mechanism. We now report a new, flexible route to enantiomerically pure L-4,4-difluoroglutamic acid that exploits the addition of difluorinated nucleophiles to configurationally stable alpha-aminoaldehydes. Conversion of the difluorinated adducts to L-4,4-difluoroglutamic acid can be accomplished in three steps by Barton-McCombie dehydroxylation and acid hydrolysis.

Aldehydes↗
PubMed2001

Polymorphisms of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and risk of gastric cancer in a Chinese population: a case-control study.

Low dietary folate intake has been associated with increased risk of gastric cancer. The 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) involved in folate metabolism has 2 variants, C677T and A1298C, that result in decreased MTHFR activity and lower plasma folate levels. Therefore, we hypothesized that these 2 variants play a role in gastric carcinogenesis. We tested this hypothesis in a Chinese population-based case-control study of 187 histopathologically confirmed gastric cancer cases and 166 healthy controls frequency-matched by age (+/-5 years), gender and residential area. The 677TT genotype was associated with increased risk for gastric cancer [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.00-3.48] compared to the 677CC genotype. This association was more pronounced for gastric cardia cancer (adjusted OR = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.14-5.32). However, no evidence was found for risk associated with the MTHFR A1298C polymorphism. Our findings support the hypothesis that MTHFR C677T variants contribute to gastric carcinogenesis, particularly in gastric cardia. Larger studies incorporating dietary folate intake and serum levels are needed to confirm our findings.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2001

Li2AlB5O10.

A new compound, dilithium aluminium pentaborate, Li(2)AlB(5)O(10), has been synthesized by solid-state reaction and its structure determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. This compound is composed of [B(5)O(10)](5-) groups linked by AlO(4) tetrahedra. The [B(5)O(10)](5-) group consists of two hexagonal B-O rings perpendicular to each other connected by tetracoordinated boron. All the B-O rings in this structure can be divided into two groups, with one group approximately parallel and the other perpendicular to the c axis.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Sphingosylphosphorylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine are ligands for the G protein-coupled receptor GPR4.

Sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC) and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) are bioactive lipid molecules involved in numerous biological processes. We have recently identified ovarian cancer G protein-coupled receptor 1 (OGR1) as a specific and high affinity receptor for SPC, and G2A as a receptor with high affinity for LPC, but low affinity for SPC. Among G protein-coupled receptors, GPR4 shares highest sequence homology with OGR1 (51%). In this work, we have identified GPR4 as not only another high affinity receptor for SPC, but also a receptor for LPC, albeit of lower affinity. Both SPC and LPC induce increases in intracellular calcium concentration in GPR4-, but not vector-transfected MCF10A cells. These effects are insensitive to treatment with BN52021, WEB-2170, and WEB-2086 (specific platelet activating factor (PAF) receptor antagonists), suggesting that they are not mediated through an endogenous PAF receptor. SPC and LPC bind to GPR4 in GPR4-transfected CHO cells with K(d)/SPC = 36 nm, and K(d)/LPC = 159 nm, respectively. Competitive binding is elicited only by SPC and LPC. Both SPC and LPC activate GPR4-dependent activation of serum response element reporter and receptor internalization. Swiss 3T3 cells expressing GPR4 respond to both SPC and LPC, but not sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), PAF, psychosine (Psy), glucosyl-beta1'1-sphingosine (Glu-Sph), galactosyl-beta1'1-ceramide (Gal-Cer), or lactosyl-beta1'1-ceramide (Lac-Cer) to activate extracellular signal-regulated kinase mitogen-activated protein kinase in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. SPC and LPC stimulate DNA synthesis in GPR4-expressing Swiss 3T3 cells. Both extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation and DNA synthesis stimulated by SPC and LPC are pertussis toxin-sensitive, suggesting the involvement of a G(i)-heterotrimeric G protein. In addition, GPR4 expression confers chemotactic responses to both SPC and LPC in Swiss 3T3 cells. Taken together, our data indicate that GPR4 is a receptor with high affinity to SPC and low affinity to LPC, and that multiple cellular functions can be transduced via this receptor.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed2001

Complexation of trivalent lanthanide cations by D-ribose in the solid state. The crystal structure and FT-IR study of PrCl3-alpha-D-ribopyranose-5H2O.

The crystal structure of praseodymium chloride.alpha-D-ribopyranose pentahydrate, PrCl3-C5H10O5-5 H2O, M(r)=487.47, a=9.1989(8), b=8.8214(7), c=9.8233(9) A, beta=94.060(3) degrees, V=795.2(1) A(3), Z=2, mu=0.71073 A and R=0.0418 for 1923 observed reflections and 172 parameters has been determined. The sugar provides three hydroxyl groups, ax-eq-ax for coordination. The Pr(3+) ion is nine-coordinated with five Pr-O bonds from water molecules, three from hydroxyl groups and one from chloride. The OH, CO stretching vibrations and COH bending vibrations are shifted in the complex IR spectrum and the hydroxyl groups, water molecules, chloride ions form an extensive hydrogen-bond network.

Crystallization↗
PubMed2001

Binding of Sp1/Sp3 to the proximal promoter of the hMOR gene is enhanced by DAMGO.

The major binding site for morphine is the mu opioid receptor (MOR), which mediates morphine's analgesic and euphoric effects. The MOR gene is highly regulated at the level of transcription. The present study examined DNA-protein interactions in the human MOR (hMOR) -500 to -292 promoter region, and tested whether chronic opioid drug treatment could modulate these DNA-protein interactions. 5'-deletion and transient transfection assays in SK-N-SH cells revealed four regions that activated hMOR gene transcription. A 60 bp sequence (-351 to -292) upstream of the proximal transcription initiation site (-252) contained cis-elements required for basal promoter activity. Sp1 and Sp3 bound to this 60 bp region, which was confirmed by electromobility shift assays using a Sp1 consensus oligo as competitor and specific antibodies against Sp1 and Sp3. Methylation interference analysis localized the Sp1 binding site to the sequence CCCTCCTCCC (-310 to -301) and also suggested that additional transcription factors, other than Sp1-related proteins, contacted the -321 to -301 sequence. Moreover, the binding of Sp1/Sp3 to the hMOR promoter was significantly enhanced by chronic exposure to [D-Ala(2), N-Me-Phe(4), Gly(5)-ol] enkephalin (DAMGO), a selective MOR agonist, and this effect was attenuated specifically by pretreatment with a MOR antagonist, naloxone. Taken together, the present studies demonstrated, for the first time, that the binding of Sp1/Sp3 to the hMOR proximal promoter could be modulated by chronic DAMGO treatment. Such enhanced binding of Sp1/Sp3 to the promoter may lead to a functional change in hMOR gene transcription.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Structure of an active soluble mutant of the membrane-associated (S)-mandelate dehydrogenase.

The structure of an active mutant of (S)-mandelate dehydrogenase (MDH-GOX2) from Pseudomonas putida has been determined at 2.15 A resolution. The membrane-associated flavoenzyme (S)-mandelate dehydrogenase (MDH) catalyzes the oxidation of (S)-mandelate to give a flavin hydroquinone intermediate which is subsequently reoxidized by an organic oxidant residing in the membrane. The enzyme was rendered soluble by replacing its 39-residue membrane-binding peptide segment with a corresponding 20-residue segment from its soluble homologue, glycolate oxidase (GOX). Because of their amphipathic nature and peculiar solubilization properties, membrane proteins are notoriously difficult to crystallize, yet represent a large fraction of the proteins encoded by genomes currently being deciphered. Here we present the first report of such a structure in which an internal membrane-binding segment has been replaced, leading to successful crystallization of the fully active enzyme in the absence of detergents. This approach may have general application to other membrane-bound proteins. The overall fold of the molecule is that of a TIM barrel, and it forms a tight tetramer within the crystal lattice that has circular 4-fold symmetry. The structure of MDH-GOX2 reveals how this molecule can interact with a membrane, although it is limited by the absence of a membrane-binding segment. MDH-GOX2 and GOX adopt similar conformations, yet they retain features characteristic of membrane and globular proteins, respectively. MDH-GOX2 has a distinctly electropositive surface capable of interacting with the membrane, while the opposite surface is largely electronegative. GOX shows no such pattern. MDH appears to form a new class of monotopic integral membrane protein that interacts with the membrane through coplanar electrostatic binding surfaces and hydrophobic interactions, thus combining features of both the prostaglandin synthase/squaline-hopine cyclase and the C-2 coagulation factor domain classes of membrane proteins.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed2001

Cloning and characterization of F-LANa, upregulated in human liver cancer.

Differentially expressed genes between normal liver and hepatocellular carcinomas were investigated using differential display. Consequently, we identified a fragment cDNA upregulated in tumor tissues. We screened the liver library and cloned the full-length cDNA, named F-LANa. Increased expression of F-LANa was confirmed by Northern blot analysis in 10 of 14 (71%) cases of hepatocellular carcinomas. Human F-LANa gene maps to chromosome 17p at D17S1828-D17S786, spans at least 11.8 kb, and contains 7 exons. This gene encodes a 239 aa protein exhibiting 97.9% similarity to the mouse ortholog gene, identified later by in silico cloning. Homology analysis was carried out in various species and showed that F-LANa was evolutionarily conserved from yeast to human. In addition, F-LANa antisense oligonucleotide suppressed F-LANa expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma BEL-7404 cells and significantly inhibited cell growth. Together, our data demonstrate that overexpression of evolutionarily conserved F-LANa occurs frequently and may play an important role in proliferation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Model for the three-dimensional structure of vitronectin: predictions for the multi-domain protein from threading and docking.

The structure of vitronectin, an adhesive protein that circulates in high concentrations in human plasma, was predicted through a combination of computational methods and experimental approaches. Fold recognition and sequence-structure alignment were performed using the threading program PROSPECT for each of three structural domains, i.e., the N-terminal somatomedin B domain (residues 1-53), the central region that folds into a four-bladed beta-propeller domain (residues 131-342), and the C-terminal heparin-binding domain (residues 347-459). The atomic structure of each domain was generated using MODELLER, based on the alignment obtained from threading. Docking experiments between the central and C-terminal domains were conducted using the program GRAMM, with limits on the degrees of freedom from a known inter-domain disulfide bridge. The docked structure has a large inter-domain contact surface and defines a putative heparin-binding groove at the inter-domain interface. We also docked heparin together with the combined structure of the central and C-terminal domains, using GRAMM. The predictions from the threading and docking experiments are consistent with experimental data on purified plasma vitronectin pertaining to protease sensitivity, ligand-binding sites, and buried cysteines.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

RETRACTED: Lysophosphatidylcholine as a ligand for the immunoregulatory receptor G2A.

Although the biological actions of the cell membrane and serum lipid lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) in atherosclerosis and systemic autoimmune disease are well recognized, LPC has not been linked to a specific cell-surface receptor. We show that LPC is a high-affinity ligand for G2A, a lymphocyte-expressed G protein-coupled receptor whose genetic ablation results in the development of autoimmunity. Activation of G2A by LPC increased intracellular calcium concentration, induced receptor internalization, activated ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase, and modified migratory responses of Jurkat T lymphocytes. This finding implicates a role for LPC-G2A interaction in the etiology of inflammatory autoimmune disease and atherosclerosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Development of specific CXCR4 inhibitors possessing high selectivity indexes as well as complete stability in serum based on an anti-HIV peptide T140.

We previously reported a truncated polyphemusin peptide analogue, T140, which efficiently inhibits infection of target cells by T-cell line-tropic strains of HIV-1 (X4-HIV-1) through its specific binding to a chemokine receptor, CXCR4. We have found that T140 is not stable in feline serum due to the cleavage of the C-terminal Arg,(14) indispensable for anti-HIV activity. On the other hand, a C-terminally amidated analogue of T140, TZ14004, has been found to be completely stable in incubation in the serum for 2 days. The C-terminal amide is thought to be needed for stability in serum. However, TZ14004 does not have fairly strong anti-HIV activity, but has relatively strong cytotoxicity, probably due to an increase by +1 charge from total +7 charges of T140. In our previous study, the number of total +6 charges seemed to be a suitable balance between activity and cytotoxicity. In this study, we have conducted a double-L-citrulline (Cit)-scanning study on TZ14004 based on the C-terminally amidated form in due consideration of the total net charges in the whole molecule to find novel effective CXCR4 inhibitors, TN14003 ([Cit(6)]-T140 with the C-terminal amide) and TC14012 ([Cit(6), D-Cit(8)]-T140 with the C-terminal amide), which possess high selectivity indexes (SIs) and complete stability in feline serum.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

COMO: a program for combined molecular replacement.

The combined molecular-replacement protocol uses a limited six-dimensional search to solve a structure by the molecular-replacement method, with the sampling of the rotational degrees of freedom guided by the rotation function. This protocol therefore automatically combines the information on the rotational and translational parameters of the search model. The combined molecular-replacement protocol has been implemented in a new computer program, COMO. The calculation of the Patterson correlation translation function has been optimized to improve its speed performance. A packing check is implemented that automatically removes impossible solutions and thereby increases the signal in the calculation. A family of atomic models can be used as the search model; the program will automatically select the model that gives the best result. The command interface is well organized and requires the definition of only a few critical parameters by the user. In addition, a graphical user interface has been constructed for the program. The program has been used to solve several difficult molecular-replacement problems. A case is presented where the program automatically determined the orientation and position of five copies of a search model in a high-symmetry space group.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed2001

Efficacy of antitumoral photodynamic therapy with hypericin: relationship between biodistribution and photodynamic effects in the RIF-1 mouse tumor model.

We investigated the hypericin-mediated PDT effects on the tumor and normal skin and in correlation with its biodistribution. These studies were carried out on C3H mice bearing RIF-1 tumors. The hypericin distribution and PDT effects were recorded at different intervals (0.5-24 hr) after intravenous injection of a 5-mg/kg dose of hypericin. After administration, rapid biphasic exponential decay was observed in the plasma drug concentration. It was found that hypericin was preferentially bound to the plasma lipoproteins. The tumor drug levels increased rapidly over the first few hours and reached a maximum around 6 hr after injection. In contrast, PDT efficacy was maximal when irradiation was performed at 0.5 hr after hypericin administration, which led to 100% cure. The PDT efficacy decreased rapidly as the administration-irradiation interval was prolonged. No tumor cure was obtained at the 6-hr interval, even though it was at this time that the tumor drug level peaked. Fluorescence microscopic studies showed that hypericin was mainly confined within the tumor vasculature at 0.5 hr after injection, whereupon it rapidly diffused to the surrounding tumor tissue. At 6 hr, a strong hypericin fluorescence was observed in the tumor tissue with only faint fluorescence within the vasculature, whereas at 24 hr the fluorescence in the tumor also decreased and became more diffused, and no fluorescence could be seen in the tumor vasculature. Like the tumor response, skin reactions were also found to be much more dramatic at short administration-irradiation intervals. Hypericin distribution and PDT response studies revealed a close correlation between the plasma drug level and the PDT effects, which suggests that vascular damage is the primary effect of hypericin-mediated PDT in this tumor model.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Regional mu opioid receptor regulation of sensory and affective dimensions of pain.

The endogenous opioid system is involved in stress responses, in the regulation of the experience of pain, and in the action of analgesic opiate drugs. We examined the function of the opioid system and mu-opioid receptors in the brains of healthy human subjects undergoing sustained pain. Sustained pain induced the regional release of endogenous opioids interacting with mu-opioid receptors in a number of cortical and subcortical brain regions. The activation of the mu-opioid receptor system was associated with reductions in the sensory and affective ratings of the pain experience, with distinct neuroanatomical involvements. These data demonstrate the central role of the mu-opioid receptors and their endogenous ligands in the regulation of sensory and affective components of the pain experience.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Angiopoietin-1, unlike angiopoietin-2, is incorporated into the extracellular matrix via its linker peptide region.

Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) affect angiogenesis differently during embryogenesis and tumorigenesis. In an attempt to understand the molecular basis underlying the distinct roles of those two homologous molecules, we investigated the association of Ang-1 and Ang-2 with the extracellular matrix (ECM). TA3 murine mammary carcinoma (TA3) and Lewis lung carcinoma cells expressing v5 epitope-tagged Ang-1 and Ang-2 were used in our studies. The results indicated that Ang-1 is secreted and incorporated into the ECM of the tumor cells, whereas Ang-2 is not associated with the ECM. The mutagenesis study indicated the domain that is responsible for the ECM association of Ang-1 is the linker peptide region between the coiled-coil and the fibrinogen-like domains. A weak binding between the coiled-coil domain of Ang-1 and the ECM was observed. Immunocytochemistry study revealed a distinct ECM distribution pattern of Ang-1, which is quite different from that of fibronectin, laminin, and collagen types I and IV. The ECM-associated Ang-1 proteins are released, and Tie-2 receptors are phosphorylated upon the adhesion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Implications of the difference in the ECM association of Ang-1 and Ang-2, which are related to the regulation of angiopoietin activity and their roles in local versus distant angiogenesis during tumor metastasis, are discussed.

Angiopoietin-1↗