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Biomedical subjects

C Zhang

Publications and source records attributed to C Zhang.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Stimulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade and tyrosine phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor by hepatopoietin.

Hepatopoietin (HPO) is a novel human hepatotrophic growth factor, which specifically stimulates proliferation of cultured primary hepatocytes in vitro and liver regeneration after liver partial hepatectomy in vivo. Recently, the identification of the mitogenic effect of HPO on hepatoma cell lines and the existence of HPO-specific receptors indicate that HPO acts via its specific cell surface receptor. However, the molecular mechanism of HPO action is not fully elucidated. In this report, we examined the signal transduction events induced by HPO in hepatoma cell line (HepG2). Our results demonstrated that HPO induces phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in a rapid and transient manner. HPO stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Furthermore, we observed that both MAPK activation and the mitogenic effect of HPO on HepG2 cells were completely blocked by AG1478, a specific inhibitor of EGFR tyrosine kinase activity. However, the effects of HPO were not antagonized by an EGFR-blocking antibody, mAb528, which blocks the interaction between epidermal growth factor and EGFR, indicating that stimulation of tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR by HPO was not mediated by epidermal growth factor. In contrast, genistein, a general tyrosine kinase inhibitor, significantly attenuated the tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR in response to HPO. In conclusion, our results suggest that tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR may play a critical role in MAPK activation and mitogenic stimulation by HPO.

Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Mature olfactory receptor neurons express connexin 43.

The expression of the gap junction subunit connexin 43 was studied in the olfactory epithelium of adult mice. In agreement with conclusions from previous immunohistochemical studies, we observed expression of mRNA encoding for connexin 43 in layers of the epithelium containing nuclei belonging to sustentacular cells. However, we also observed expression of connexin 43 mRNA in the layers containing nuclei belonging to mature olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs), immature ORNs, and basal cells. Connexin 43 mRNA expression was low in dorsomedial regions of the nasal cavity but higher ventrally. This differential regional distribution was consistent with expression in a transgenic mouse of a LacZ reporter gene driven by the proximal 6.5 kb of the connexin 43 promoter. LacZ was expressed in cells colabeled with antibody against olfactory marker protein (OMP), corroborating that mature ORNs express connexin 43. LacZ staining also was observed in sustentacular and basal cells and in immature ORNs. Double-label studies with antibodies against connexin 43 and OMP and expression of connexin 43 in the epithelium of bulbectomized mice were also consistent with expression of connexin 43 in mature ORNs. This is the first report of expression of a connexin subunit in mature ORNs. Our findings of connexin subunits in mature ORNs raise the novel possibility that gap junctions may play a fundamental role in information processing in the olfactory epithelium.

Age Factors↗

Homocysteine-responsive ATF3 gene expression in human vascular endothelial cells: activation of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase and promoter response element.

Activating transcription factor (ATF) 3 is a member of ATF/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-responsive element binding protein (ATF/CREB) family of transcription factors and functions as a stress-inducible transcriptional repressor. To understand the stress-induced gene regulation by homocysteine, we investigated activation of the ATF3 gene in human endothelial cells. Homocysteine caused a rapid induction of ATF3 at the transcriptional level. This induction was preceded by a rapid and sustained activation of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK), and dominant negative mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 and 7 abolished these effects. The effect of homocysteine appeared to be specific, because cysteine or homocystine had no appreciable effect, but it was mimicked by dithiothreitol and beta-mercaptoethanol as well as tunicamycin. The homocysteine effect was not inhibited by an active oxygen scavenger. Deletion analysis of the 5' flanking sequence of the ATF3 gene promoter revealed that one of the major elements responsible for the induction by homocysteine is an ATF/cAMP responsive element (CRE) located at -92 to -85 relative to the transcriptional start site. Gel shift, immunoprecipitation, and cotransfection assays demonstrated that a complex (or complexes) containing ATF2, c-Jun, and ATF3 increased binding to the ATF/CRE site in the homocysteine-treated cells and activated the ATF3 gene expression, while ATF3 appeared to repress its own promoter. These data together suggested a novel pathway by which homocysteine causes the activation of JNK/SAPK and subsequent ATF3 expression through its reductive stress. Activation of JNK/SAPK and ATF3 expression in response to homocysteine may have a functional role in homocysteinemia-associated endothelial dysfunction.

Activating Transcription Factor 3↗

Atrophin-1, the dentato-rubral and pallido-luysian atrophy gene product, interacts with ETO/MTG8 in the nuclear matrix and represses transcription.

Dentato-rubral and pallido-luysian atrophy (DRPLA) is one of the family of neurodegenerative diseases caused by expansion of a polyglutamine tract. The drpla gene product, atrophin-1, is widely expressed, has no known function or activity, and is found in both the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments of neurons. Truncated fragments of atrophin-1 accumulate in neuronal nuclei in a transgenic mouse model of DRPLA, and may underlie the disease phenotype. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, we identified ETO/MTG8, a component of nuclear receptor corepressor complexes, as an atrophin-1-interacting protein. When cotransfected into Neuro-2a cells, atrophin-1 and ETO/MTG8 colocalize in discrete nuclear structures that contain endogenous mSin3A and histone deacetylases. These structures are sodium dodecyl sulfate-soluble and associated with the nuclear matrix. Cotransfection of ETO/MTG8 with atrophin-1 recruits atrophin-1 to the nuclear matrix, while atrophin-1 and ETO/MTG8 cofractionate in nuclear matrix preparations from brains of DRPLA transgenic mice. Furthermore, in a cell transfection-based assay, atrophin-1 represses transcription. Together, these results suggest that atrophin-1 associates with nuclear receptor corepressor complexes and is involved in transcriptional regulation. Emerging links between disease-associated polyglutamine proteins, nuclear receptors, translocation-leukemia proteins, and the nuclear matrix may have important repercussions for the pathobiology of this family of neurodegenerative disorders.

Animals↗

Repression of TNF-alpha-induced E-selectin expression by PPAR activators: involvement of transcriptional repressor LRF-1/ATF3.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) activators were shown to inhibit the expression of E-selectin of human vascular endothelial cells in response to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Troglitazone, pioglitazone, alpha-clofibrate, and 15-deoxy-Delta12,14-prostaglandin J2 all inhibited the TNF-alpha-stimulated E-selectin gene transcription in reporter assay. To further clarify the underlying transcriptional regulation, nuclear factor(s) that binds to the nuclear factor-endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 (NF-ELAM1) site of the E-selectin gene promoter was investigated. The activators caused a significant induction of liver regenerating factor 1 (LRF1)/activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), which bound to the NF-ELAM1 site and repressed the TNF-alpha-induced E-selectin gene expression. From these data, the effect of PPAR activators was mediated, in part, through the induction of LRF1/ATF3. This might provide a novel molecular mechanism of anti-inflammatory effect of PPAR activators.

Activating Transcription Factor 3↗

A comprehensive analysis of the Greek key motifs in protein beta-barrels and beta-sandwiches.

The Greek key motifs are the topological signature of many beta-barrels and a majority of beta-sandwich structures. An updated survey of these structures integrates many early observations and newly emerging patterns and provides a better understanding of the unique role of Greek keys in protein structures. A stereotypical Greek key beta-barrel accommodates five or six strands and can have 12 possible topologies. All except one six-stranded topologies have been observed, and only one five-stranded topologies have been seen in actual structures. Of the representative beta-barrel structures analyzed here, half have left-handed Greek keys. This result challenges the empirical claim of the handedness regularity of Greek keys in beta-barrels. One of the five-stranded topologies that has not been observed in beta-barrels comprises two overlapping Greek keys. The two three-dimensional forms of this topology constitute a structural unit that is present in a vast majority of known beta-sandwich structures. Using this unit as the root, we have built a new taxonomy tree for the beta-sandwich folds and deduced a set of rules that appear to constrain how other beta-strands adjoin the unit to form a larger double-layered structure. These rules, though derived from a larger data set, are essentially the same as those drawn from earlier studies, suggesting that they may reflect the true topological constraints in the design of beta-sandwich structures. Finally, a novel variant of the Greek key motif (defined here as the twisted Greek key) has emerged which introduces loop crossings into the folded structures. Proteins 2000;40:409-419.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

The anatomy of protein beta-sheet topology.

Here, we present a systematic analysis of the open-faced beta-sheet topologies in a set of non-redundant protein domain structures; in particular, we focus on the topological diversity of four-stranded beta-sheet motifs. Of the 96 topologies that are possible for a four-stranded beta-sheet, 42 were identified in known protein structures. Of these, four account for 50% of the structures that we have studied. Two sets of the topologies that were not observed may represent the section of the topological space that is not readily accessible to proteins on either thermodynamic or kinetic grounds. The first set contains topologies with alternating parallel and antiparallel beta-ladders. Their rare occurrence reflects the expectation that it is energetically unfavorable to match different hydrogen bonding patterns. The polypeptide chains in the second set of topologies go through convoluted paths and are expected to experience great kinetic frustrations during the folding processes. A knowledge of the potential causes for the topological preference of small beta-sheets also helps us to understand the topological properties of larger beta-sheet structures which frequently contain four-stranded motifs. The notion that protein topologies can only be taken from a confined and discrete space has important implications for structural genomics.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Characterization of the mouse and human PRSS17 genes, their relationship to other serine proteases, and the expression of PRSS17 in developing mouse incisors.

The human PRSS17 (serine protease 17) gene, which is located on chromosome 19q in a cluster of genes encoding serine proteases, has been variously designated enamel matrix serine proteinase 1 (EMSP1), prostase, KLK4, and KLK-L1. We have cloned and characterized the mouse and human PRSS17 genes. Both have six exons and five introns. The mouse PRSS17 gene sequence is 10134bp; the human sequence is 7115bp. Computer analysis of the mouse PRSS17 gene sequence upstream of the translation initiation codon identified two potential transcription initiation sites, at nucleotides 2878 and 2336. The first nucleotide of the reported mouse PRSS17 cDNA sequence corresponds to position 2352 on the gene, only 16 bases downstream from one of the putative transcription initiation sites. Repetitive DNA sequences from the MSR1 family are found in both the mouse and human PRSS17 genes. Additionally, the human PRSS17 gene contains Tigger2, MER8, and Alu repetitive sequences. Phylogenetic analyses of human and rodent proteases suggest that the PRSS17 protein is not a member of the kallikrein family of serine proteases but that the PRSS17 gene may have originated prior to the divergence of the kallikrein and trypsin families of proteases. To better characterize the timing of PRSS17 expression in developing teeth, we performed in-situ hybridization on postnatal day 3 developing mouse mandibular incisors. PRSS17 mRNA was not detected in secretory stage ameloblasts but could be detected in odontoblasts, while transition-stage and maturation-stage ameloblasts were strongly positive. This pattern supports a role for the PRSS17 protein in the degradation of enamel proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Segregation analysis of esophageal cancer in a moderately high-incidence area of northern China.

In order to explore the mode of inheritance of esophageal cancer in a moderately high-incidence area of northern China, we conducted a pedigree survey on 225 patients affected by esophageal cancer in Yangquan, Shanxi Province. Segregation analysis was performed using the REGTL program of S.A.G.E. The results showed that Mendelian autosomal recessive inheritance of a major gene that influences susceptibility to esophageal cancer provided the best fit to the data. In the best-fitting recessive model, the frequency of the disease allele was.2039. There was a significant sex effect on susceptibility to the disease. The maximum cumulative probability of esophageal cancer among males with the AA genotype was 100%, but, among females, it was 63.5%. The mean age at onset for both men and women was 62 years. The age-dependent penetrances for males with the AA genotype by the ages of 60 and 80 years were 41.6% and 95.2%, respectively, whereas, for females, they were 26.4% and 60.5%, respectively. Incorporating environmental risk factors-such as cigarette smoking, pipe smoking, alcohol drinking, eating hot food, and eating pickled vegetables-into the models did not provide significant improvement of the fit of the models to these data. The results suggest a major locus underlying susceptibility to esophageal cancer with sex-specific penetrance.

Adult↗

Discovery and characterization of OC144-093, a novel inhibitor of P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance.

OC144-093 is a novel substituted diarylimidazole (Mr 495) generated using the OntoBLOCK system, a solid-phase combinatorial chemistry technology, in combination with high-throughput cell-based screening. OC144-093 reversed multidrug resistance (MDR) to doxorubicin, paclitaxel, and vinblastine in human lymphoma, breast, ovarian, uterine, and colorectal carcinoma cell lines expressing P-glycoprotein (P-gp) with an average EC50 of 0.032 microM. Inhibition of MDR by OC144-093 was reversible, but the effect persisted for at least 12 h after removal of compound from the culture medium. OC144-093 had no effect on the response to cytotoxic agents by cells in vitro lacking P-gp expression or expressing a multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP-1). OC144-093 was not cytotoxic by itself against 15 normal, nontransformed, or tumor cell lines, regardless of P-gp status, with an average cytostatic IC50 of >60 microM. OC144-093 blocked the binding of [3H]azidopine to P-gp and inhibited P-gp ATPase activity. The compound was >50% p.o. bioavailable in rodents and dogs and did not alter the plasma pharmacokinetics of i.v.-administered paclitaxel. OC144-093 increased the life span of doxorubicin-treated mice engrafted with MDR P388 leukemia cells by >100% and significantly enhanced the in vivo antitumor activity of paclitaxel in MDR human breast and colon carcinoma xenograft models, without a significant increase in doxorubicin or paclitaxel toxicity. The results demonstrate that OC144-093 is an orally active, potent, and nontoxic inhibitor of P-gp-mediated multidrug resistance that exhibits all of the desired properties for treatment of P-gp-mediated MDR, as well as for prevention of MDR prior to selection and/or induction of refractory disease.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Chromatin-independent nuclear envelope assembly induced by Ran GTPase in Xenopus egg extracts.

The nuclear envelope (NE) forms a controlled boundary between the cytoplasm and the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. To facilitate investigation of mechanisms controlling NE assembly, we developed a cell-free system made from Xenopus laevis eggs to study the process in the absence of chromatin. NEs incorporating nuclear pores were assembled around beads coated with the guanosine triphosphatase Ran, forming pseudo-nuclei that actively imported nuclear proteins. NE assembly required the cycling of guanine nucleotides on Ran and was promoted by RCC1, a nucleotide exchange factor recruited to beads by Ran-guanosine diphosphate (Ran-GDP). Thus, concentration of Ran-GDP followed by generation of Ran-GTP is sufficient to induce NE assembly.

Animals↗

Identification and characterization of CKIP-1, a novel pleckstrin homology domain-containing protein that interacts with protein kinase CK2.

The catalytic subunits of protein kinase CK2, CK2alpha and CK2alpha', are closely related to each other but exhibit functional specialization. To test the hypothesis that specific functions of CK2alpha and CK2alpha' are mediated by specific interaction partners, we used the yeast two-hybrid system to identify CK2alpha- or CK2alpha'-binding proteins. We report the identification and characterization of a novel CK2-interacting protein, designated CKIP-1, that interacts with CK2alpha, but not CK2alpha', in the yeast two-hybrid system. CKIP-1 also interacts with CK2alpha in vitro and is co-immunoprecipitated from cell extracts with epitope-tagged CK2alpha and an enhanced green fluorescent protein fusion protein encoding CKIP-1 (i.e. EGFP-CKIP-1) when they are co-expressed. CK2 activity is detected in anti-CKIP-1 immunoprecipitates performed with extracts from non-transfected cells indicating that CKIP-1 and CK2 interact under physiological conditions. The CKIP-1 cDNA is broadly expressed and encodes a protein with a predicted molecular weight of 46,000. EGFP-CKIP-1 is localized within the nucleus and at the plasma membrane. The plasma membrane localization is dependent on the presence of an amino-terminal pleckstrin homology domain. We postulate that CKIP-1 is a non-enzymatic regulator of one isoform of CK2 (i.e. CK2alpha) with a potential role in targeting CK2alpha to a particular cellular location.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Synthesis and degradation of cytochrome oxidase subunit mRNAs in neurons: differential bigenomic regulation by neuronal activity.

Cytochrome oxidase (CO) plays a key role in oxidative capacity of neurons and serves as a sensitive indicator of neuronal activity. The mechanism(s) involved in the regulation of this bigenomic-encoded mitochondrial enzyme is still not clearly understood. Previous studies have shown changes in the level of its subunit mRNAs encoded by the nuclear or mitochondrial genome in response to changing neuronal activity. Our goals in the present study were to determine whether such changes were due to RNA synthesis rate or stability or both. The level of CO activity of neurons in primary cultures assayed histochemically was increased after depolarizing KCl treatment. The steady-state levels of CO subunit II (CO II; mitochondrial-encoded) and IV (CO IV; nuclear-encoded) mRNAs were up-regulated in response to 5 hr of 20 mM KCl treatment. By using gene-specific probes, the relative rates of synthesis of CO II and IV mRNA were elevated significantly after KCl treatment (P < 0.05). The degradation of CO II and IV mRNAs was monitored by (3)H-uridine pulse-chase labeling, which revealed half-lives of 84 min for CO II mRNA and 50 min for CO IV mRNA. Under KCl treatment, the half-life of CO IV was increased to 102 min, but there was no statistically significant change in the half-life of CO II mRNA. These results indicate that mitochondrial subunit CO II mRNA is regulated mainly at the transcriptional level, whereas the nuclear subunit CO IV mRNA is regulated at both the synthetic and the degradative levels. Both subunits, however, are tightly governed by neuronal activity.

Animals↗

Low (Sub-1-volt) halfwave voltage polymeric electro-optic modulators achieved by controlling chromophore shape

Electro-optic (EO) modulators encode electrical signals onto fiber optic transmissions. High drive voltages limit gain and noise levels. Typical polymeric and lithium niobate modulators operate with halfwave voltages of 5 volts. Sterically modified organic chromophores have been used to reduce the attenuation of electric field poling-induced electro-optic activity caused by strong intermolecular electrostatic interactions. Such modified chromophores, incorporated into polymer hosts, were used to fabricate EO modulators with halfwave voltages of 0.8 volts (at a telecommunications wavelength of 1318 nanometers) and to achieve a halfwave voltage-interaction length product of 2.2 volt-centimeters. Optical push-pull poling and driving were also used to reduce halfwave voltage. This study, together with recent demonstrations of exceptional bandwidths (more than 110 gigahertz) and ease of integration (with very large scale integration semiconductor circuitry and ultra-low-loss passive optical circuitry) demonstrates the potential of polymeric materials for next generation telecommunications, information processing, and radio frequency distribution.

Journal Article↗

Environment-dependent residue contact energies for proteins.

We examine the interactions between amino acid residues in the context of their secondary structural environments (helix, strand, and coil) in proteins. Effective contact energies for an expanded 60-residue alphabet (20 aa x three secondary structural states) are estimated from the residue-residue contacts observed in known protein structures. Similar to the prototypical contact energies for 20 aa, the newly derived energy parameters reflect mainly the hydrophobic interactions; however, the relative strength of such interactions shows a strong dependence on the secondary structural environment, with nonlocal interactions in beta-sheet structures and alpha-helical structures dominating the energy table. Environment-dependent residue contact energies outperform existing residue pair potentials in both threading and three-dimensional contact prediction tests and should be generally applicable to protein structure prediction.

Algorithms↗

Characterization, chromosomal assignment, and tissue expression of a novel human gene belonging to the ARF GAP family.

We have identified and characterized a novel human ADP-ribosylation factor GTPase-activating protein (ARFGAP1) gene that is related to other members of the ARF GAP family. The full-length cDNA for human ARFGAP1 was cloned following the identification of an EST obtained by large-scale cDNA library sequencing through a Blast search of public databases. Structurally, ARFGAP1 encodes a polypeptide of 516 amino acids, which contained a typical GATA-1-type zinc finger motif (CXXCX(16)CXXC) with the four cysteine residues that are highly conserved among other members of the ARF GAP family. The conserved ARF GAP domain may emphasize the biological importance of this gene. The ARFGAP1 gene, which contained 16 exons ranging from 0.5 to 9.3 kb, was mapped to human chromosome 22q13.2-q13.3 using radiation hybridization and in silico analyses. ARFGAP1 is strongly expressed in endocrine glands and testis. Interestingly, the expression of ARFGAP1 in testis is about sixfold higher than that in ovary, indicating a possible role of ARFGAP1 in the physiological function of sperm. Expression of ARFGAP1 in four human fetal tissues and seven cancer cell lines was also detected.

ADP-Ribosylation Factors↗

Role of nitric oxide in lipopolysaccharide-induced oxidant stress in the rat kidney.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced renal oxidant injury and the role of nitric oxide (NO) were evaluated using the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor L-iminoethyl-lysine (L-NIL). One group of male rats received LPS (Salmonella minnesota; 2 mg/kg, i.v.). A second group received LPS plus L-NIL (3 mg/kg, i.p.). A third group received saline i.v. At 6 hr, iNOS protein was induced in the kidney cortex, and plasma nitrate/nitrite levels were increased from 4 +/- 2 nmol/mL in the Saline group to 431 +/- 23 nmol/mL in the LPS group. The value for the LPS + L-NIL group was reduced significantly to 42 +/- 9 nmol/mL. LPS increased blood urea nitrogen levels from 13 +/- 1 to 47 +/- 3 mg/dL. LPS + L-NIL reduced these levels significantly to 29 +/- 2 mg/dL. Plasma creatinine levels were unchanged in all groups. Tissue lipid peroxidation products in the kidney were increased from 0.16 +/- 0.01 nmol/mg in the Saline group to 0.30 +/- 0.03 nmol/mg in the LPS group. LPS + L-NIL reduced the values significantly to 0.22 +/- 0.02 nmol/mg. Intracellular glutathione levels were decreased in the kidneys from 1.32 +/- 0.1 nmol/mg in the Saline group to 0.66 +/- 0.08 nmol/mg in the LPS group. LPS + L-NIL increased the levels significantly to 0.99 +/- 0.13 nmol/mg. LPS increased the 3-nitrotyrosine-protein adducts in renal tubules as detected by immunohistochemistry, indicating the generation of peroxynitrite. L-NIL decreased adduct formation. These data indicated that LPS-induced NO generation resulted in peroxynitrite formation and oxidant stress in the kidney and that inhibitors of iNOS may offer protection against LPS-induced renal toxicity.

Animals↗

In vitro stability of plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite coatings on Ti-6Al-4V implants under cyclic loading.

The success of hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated Ti-6Al-4V implants relies on the long-term stability of HA coatings. In this study, the mechanical stability of plasma-sprayed HA coatings on Ti-6Al-4V implants under four-point cyclic bending was systematically investigated in both air and simulated body fluid (SBF) environments at room temperature. To have a clear view of the microscale damage evolution, the surface morphology change of HA coatings during cyclic loading was carefully examined by scanning electron microscopy at the same locations on the coating surfaces after four-point bending for 4, 6.5, 8.5, and 10 million cycles. Also, possible changes of other characteristics such as thickness, weight, crystallinity, and residual stress of HA coatings were measured as a function of loading cycles. Up to 10 million cycles of bending in air and SBF, we found no significant microcracking or coating spalling on the surface of coatings, and no significant changes in thickness, weight, crystallinity, or residual stress of the plasma-sprayed HA coatings. The experiment results indicate that thickness and crystallinity had no effects on the stability of the HA coatings. HA coating resistance to the cyclic four-point bending might result from the stress shielding effects of preexisting microcracks in the coatings.

Biocompatible Materials↗