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B Jiang

Publications and source records attributed to B Jiang.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Similarity of the VP4 protein of human rotavirus strain 116E to that of the bovine B223 strain.

Rotavirus strain 116E was isolated from the fecal specimen of a newborn infant from New Delhi who had no symptoms of diarrhea. The strain could not be P typed using the PCR method recently developed in our laboratory so we have sequenced the 4th gene segment that encodes the VP4 protein using viral transcript RNA prepared in vitro. This gene is 2353 base pairs in length and codes for a protein 772 amino acids long which begins with a methionine initiation codon at nucleotides 11 to 13 and ends with a single termination codon at nucleotides 2327 to 2329. Northern blot analysis demonstrates that the VP4 protein of this strain is encoded by genome segment 4. This gene is closely related to the VP4 gene of the bovine B223 strain (P type 11) at both the nucleotide (90.8% identity) and amino acid (92.2% identity) levels, but is unique from those of strains from P types 1 to 10. The close relatedness of the VP4 proteins of strains 116E and B223 is demonstrated by the amino acid composition of the potential trypsin cleavage sites and their flanking sequences, the size of the cleavage fragments, and conservation of most cysteine and proline residues. Comparative amino acid analyses of the variable regions thought to be important in VP4 antigenicity are consistent with the hypothesis that strain 116E may represent the first reported human P type 11 strain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A mutational analysis of killer toxin resistance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae identifies new genes involved in cell wall (1-->6)-beta-glucan synthesis.

Recessive mutations leading to killer resistance identify the KRE9, KRE10 and KRE11 genes. Mutations in both the KRE9 and KRE11 genes lead to reduced levels of (1-->6)-beta-glucan in the yeast cell wall. The KRE11 gene encodes a putative 63-kD cytoplasmic protein, and disruption of the KRE11 locus leads to a 50% reduced level of cell wall (1-->6)-glucan. Structural analysis of the (1-->6)-beta-glucan remaining in a kre11 mutant indicates a polymer smaller in size than wild type, but containing a similar proportion of (1-->6)- and (1-->3)-linkages. Genetic interactions among cells harboring mutations at the KRE11, KRE6 and KRE1 loci indicate lethality of kre11 kre6 double mutants and that kre11 is epistatic to kre1, with both gene products required to produce the mature glucan polymer at wild-type levels. Analysis of these KRE genes should extend knowledge of the beta-glucan biosynthetic pathway, and of cell wall synthesis in yeast.

Alleles↗

Nucleotide sequence variation in Pneumocystis carinii strains that infect humans.

The nucleotide sequences of a portion of the large-subunit mitochondrial rRNA gene of Pneumocystis carinii derived from 12 patients were examined. Five sequences were found to be identical to the prototype sequence reported by Sinclair et al. (K. Sinclair, A. E. Wakefield, S. Banerji, and J. M. Hopkin, Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 45:183-184, 1991). Six sequences differed from the prototype sequence at one to three positions. The remaining sequence was markedly different from the prototype sequence and appeared to be a hybrid of the human and rat P. carinii sequences. The results of this study indicate the existence of multiple P. carinii strains infecting humans and suggest that coinfections of animal and human P. carinii strains in the same host are possible.

Base Sequence↗

Subgenomic RNA sequence of human astrovirus supports classification of Astroviridae as a new family of RNA viruses.

We report the sequence of the subgenomic RNA of human astrovirus serotype 2. This 2,484-nucleotide RNA contains a single open reading frame, which encodes a protein with a predicted molecular mass of 88 kDa. We propose that this protein is the 90-kDa capsid precursor observed in infected cells. The deduced protein sequence does not contain conserved amino acid patterns reported for the capsid proteins of picornaviruses or caliciviruses, consistent with the classification of astroviruses as a new family of RNA viruses, designated Astroviridae.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Absence of a growth hormone effect on rat soleus atrophy during a 4-day spaceflight.

The objectives of the present study were to determine the size and enzyme properties of soleus fibers of rats subjected to a 4-day spaceflight (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, STS-41) and the effects of exogenous growth hormone (GH) on the atrophic response of the muscle. Four groups of rats were studied: 1) control (Con), 2) Con plus GH treated (Con + GH), 3) flight (Fl), and 4) F1 plus GH treated (Fl + GH). Cross-sectional area and the activities of succinate dehydrogenase and myofibrillar adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) were determined in fibers identified in frozen serial cross sections. Fibers were categorized immunohistochemically as slow, fast, or slow-fast on the basis of their reaction with slow and fast myosin heavy-chain (MHC) monoclonal antibodies. Fibers also were categorized as light or dark on the basis of their staining for ATPase at pH 8.6. After the 4-day flight, mean body weight was significantly decreased compared with control. The absolute and relative (muscle wt/body wt) soleus weights were significantly smaller in the Fl and Fl + GH rats compared with their respective ground-based controls. In both flight groups, the cross-sectional area of the light ATPase fibers was significantly smaller (approximately 30%) than control. Three of 11 flight rats had a higher proportion of fibers expressing both slow and fast MHCs than expected on the basis of the fiber type distribution in the 11 control rats. Mean fiber succinate dehydrogenase and ATPase activities were similar among the four groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

[Studies on effective reversal of adriamycin-resistant Chinese hamster ovary cell line by verapamil].

A noncytotoxic dose of verapamil (Ver) 3 micrograms/ml was found to potentiate 10-fold the growth-inhibitory effects of adriamycin (ADM) in ADM-resistant Chinese hamster ovary cell line (RC1). Ver 3 micrograms/ml also reduced the IC50 value of ADM from 1.2 micrograms/ml to 0.08 microgram/ml in RC1 in clonogenic assay. The index of reversing resistance was 15-fold. In an attempt to elucidate the mechanism of the reversion of the multidrug resistance by Ver, Ver in combination with ADM was found to enhance intracellular ADM accumulation in RC1, and brought about more toxicity in RC1 than ADM alone; and Ver in combination with ADM was shown to retard RC1 in G2 + M phase by flow cytometry analysis.

Animals↗

Effects of beraprost sodium, a stable analogue of prostacyclin, on hyperplasia, hypertrophy and glycosaminoglycan synthesis of rat aortic smooth muscle cells.

The effects of beraprost sodium, a stable analogue of prostacyclin, on the syntheses of DNA, protein and glycosaminoglycans (GAG) of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) were studied. SMC were isolated from the thoracic aorta of male Wistar rats. The syntheses of DNA, protein and GAG of SMC were determined by incorporations of [3H]thymidine, [3H]leucine and [35S]sulfuric acid, respectively. Insulin at a concentration of 10(-6) M stimulated DNA synthesis 4 fold compared to control. Beraprost sodium suppressed the insulin-stimulated DNA synthesis dose-dependently at concentrations greater than 10(-7) M and suppressed it by 68% at 10(-5) M. Platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) at a concentration of 20 ng/ml stimulated DNA synthesis 6 fold compared to control. Beraprost sodium suppressed the PDGF-stimulated DNA synthesis dose-dependently at concentrations greater than 10(-7) M and suppressed it by 51% at 10(-5) M. Beraprost sodium suppressed GAG synthesis dose-dependently at concentrations greater than 10(-7) M and suppressed it by 49% at 10(-5) M. However, beraprost sodium at concentrations up to 10(-5) M did not affect protein synthesis. These results indicate that beraprost sodium suppressed the proliferation and GAG synthesis of SMC but did not affect hypertrophy. Beraprost sodium may be a potent antiarteriosclerotic agent through suppression of hyperplasia of SMC and modification of matrix protein.

Animals↗

A domestic cell bioreactor and its application in virus culture.

A cell culture bioreactor (CellCul-20) and its application in cell and virus culture are described in this paper. It has been evaluated with strict aseptic tests and one-year's operation shown that CellCul-20 bioreactor can keep its aseptic condition after being autoclaved. It can meet the requirement for the control of the main parameters for cell and virus culture and the finely adjustment of the main parameters to meet the changing conditions of the cultivation. A high cell density and a high level of virus titre were reached respectively for Vero cells and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) while they were cultured in this bioreactor. It is the first report on large-scale culture of JEV-infected Vero cells to prepare primary JEV vaccine. Some suggestions are made for the improvement of CellCul-20.

Animals↗

A scanning electron microscopic study on three-dimensional organization of human diaphragmatic lymphatics.

Three-dimensional organization of diaphragmatic lymphatics in five fetuses was studied by the lymphatic casts of scanning electron microscope. A new resin consisting of piperylene, acrylic ester and styrene was used instead of Mercox. The diaphragmatic lymphatics formed rich networks in the muscular portion. There were two layers of lymphatic networks, i.e. the submesothelial network and the deeper network and only one layer in the tendinous portion of the diaphragm. The lymphatic networks were more dense in the tendinous portion than these in the muscular portion. The lymphatics were mainly composed of main lymphatic vessels and anastomosing side branches. The side branches often communicated the submesothelial network with the deeper network in the muscular portion. The main lymphatics were connected at regular intervals by way of transverse side branches in the tendinous portion. Numerous constrictions and notches showing the presence of lymphatic valves were often found on the cast surface of the main lymphatic vessels and the side branches. The lymphatics extended as far as the terminal branches, i.e. the lymphatic lacunae recognized as broad, flattened and blind-ended. In the present study, three-dimensional organization of human diaphragmatic lymphatics was for the first time described. It was suggested that the passageway of the lymph flow out of the peritoneal cavity may be explained. From the peritoneal stomata, the lymph of the peritoneal cavity flowed into the channels under the peritoneum, then into the lymphatic lacunae and finally into the lymphatic networks under the diaphragmatic pleura.

Diaphragm↗

Enzyme and size profiles in chronically inactive cat soleus muscle fibers.

Spinal isolation (SI), i.e., the isolation of the lumbar spinal cord via a rostral and a caudal cord transection and bilateral dorsal rhizotomy, was used to determine the effects of chronic (6 months) inactivity on the size and metabolic properties of fibers in the cat soleus. Fibers were classified as dark or light, based on their staining reactions to myosin ATPase, alkaline preincubation, and immunohistochemically as expressing fast and/or slow myosin heavy chains (MHC). Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) activities were assessed histochemically. Following SI, both the light and the dark ATPase fibers in the SI cats were significantly smaller than the light ATPase fibers in the controls. Normally 100% of the fibers were light ATPase and reacted exclusively with the slow antibody. After SI, approximately 45% of the fibers were dark ATPase fibers, many reacting with both fast and slow MHC antibodies. The total amount and concentration of GPD were higher in the light and dark ATPase fibers in SI compared with light ATPase fibers in controls. In contrast, although the total amount of SDH per fiber was decreased, reflecting the decrease in fiber size, the mean SDH concentration per fiber was unchanged following SI. These data indicate that there is a close coordination in the regulation of GPD activity and the type of myosin. SDH activity, on the other hand, appears to be resistant to decreased levels of activity and unloading, i.e., there seems to be a minimum level of oxidative potential in the soleus that is independent of activity level. Fiber sizes, however, are very sensitive to less-than-normal amounts of neuromuscular activity and/or loading.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

ATP-sensitive K+ conductance in pancreatic zymogen granules: block by glyburide and activation by diazoxide.

The properties of transporters (or channels) for monovalent cations in the membrane of isolated pancreatic zymogen granules were characterized with an assay measuring bulk cation influx driven by a proton diffusion potential. The proton diffusion potential was generated by suspending granules in an isotonic monovalent cation/acetate solution and increasing the proton conductance of the membrane with a protonophore. Monovalent cation conductance had the sequence Rb+ > K+ > NA+ > Cs+ > LI+ > N-methyl glucamine+. The conductance could be inhibited by Ca2+, Mg2+, Ba2+, and pharmacological agents such as quinine, quinidine, glyburide and tolbutamide, but not by 5 mM tetra-ethyl ammonium or 5 mM 4-aminopyridine, when applied to the cytosolic surface of the granule membrane. Over 50% of K+ conductance could be inhibited by millimolar concentrations of ATP or MgATP. The inhibition by MgATP, but not by ATP itself, was reversed by the K+ channel opener diazoxide. The inhibitory effect is probably by a noncovalent interaction since it could be mimicked by nonhydrolyzable analogs of ATP and by ADP. The reversal of MgATP inhibition by diazoxide may be mediated by phosphorylation since it was not affected by dilution, and was blocked by the protein kinase inhibitor H7. The properties of the K+ conductance of pancreatic zymogen granule membranes are similar to those of ATP-sensitive K+ channels found in the plasma membrane of insulin-secreting islet cells, neurons, muscle, and renal cells.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to porcine group C rotaviruses cross-reactive with group A rotaviruses.

Five monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to porcine group (gp) C rotaviruses (Cowden and Ah strains) reactive with both gp A and C rotaviruses in cell culture immunofluorescence (CCIF) tests were produced and characterized. These MAbs reacted with three strains of gp A and two strains of gp C rotaviruses in a CCIF test and were classified into two groups based on their CCIF titers. The MAbs also reacted to various degrees with cell-culture-propagated porcine gp C rotavirus (Cowden) and bovine gp A rotavirus (NCDV) in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay by using the MAbs as capture antibodies. Fecal samples containing human, bovine, and porcine strains of gp A and C rotaviruses were positive when tested using one of the MAbs in this assay. The MAbs recognized VP6 of gp A rotavirus and the VP6 counterpart (41-kDa protein) of gp C rotavirus in a Western blot assay. Results of competitive binding assays on four MAbs indicated that gp A and gp C rotaviruses share three overlapping epitopes within a single antigenic domain. These results suggest that gp A and C rotaviruses share a common antigen located on the VP6 protein, which is recognized by certain MAbs in various serologic assays.

Animals↗

Nucleotide sequence of gene 5 encoding the inner capsid protein (VP6) of bovine group C rotavirus: comparison with corresponding genes of group C, A, and B rotaviruses.

To further study the molecular characteristics of group (gp) C rotaviruses, we produced, cloned, and sequenced cDNA to gene 5 of the Shintoku strain of bovine gp C rotavirus. The resulting clone was specific for gene 5 and was genetically related to the human and porcine gp C rotaviruses, as demonstrated by Northern blot hybridization analysis. The Shintoku gene 5 is 1352 nucleotides in length and has one open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of 395 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 44.5 kDa. Comparative sequence analysis indicated that: (i) the Shintoku gene 5 protein shared 88.4 to 90.6% homology with the VP6 of the human (Bristol and 88-220) and porcine (Cowden) strains of gp C rotaviruses, but only low homology with the VP6 of bovine gp A (RF) and human gp B (ADRV) rotaviruses (41.3 and 16.3%, respectively); (ii) the predicted secondary structure was highly conserved among the gene 5 proteins of the bovine, porcine, and human gp C rotaviruses; and (iii) seven highly conserved regions were identified for the first time in the deduced primary amino acid sequences of gene 5 of gp C and gene 6 of gp A rotaviruses. However, only three of these highly conserved areas were present in the regions of VP6, where the secondary structure was predicted to be similar for the rotavirus strains examined. These three regions may contribute to common epitopes between the two groups of rotaviruses. Our results, in comparison with data for other rotaviruses, indicate that gene 5 of the bovine gp C rotavirus codes for the major inner capsid protein (VP6).

Amino Acid Sequence↗