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Chao-Jun Li

Publications and source records attributed to Chao-Jun Li.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Cellular inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B by uncharged thioxothiazolidinone derivatives.

As important regulators of cellular signal transduction, members of the protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) family are considered to be promising drug targets. However, to date, the most effective in vitro PTP inhibitors have tended to be highly charged, thus limiting cellular permeability. Here, we have identified an uncharged thioxothiazolidinone derivative (compound 1), as a competitive inhibitor of a subset of PTPs. Compound 1 effectively inhibited protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) in two cell-based systems: it sensitized wild-type, but not PTP1B-null fibroblasts to insulin stimulation and prevented PTP1B-dependent dephosphorylation of the FLT3-ITD receptor tyrosine kinase. We have also tested a series of derivatives in vitro against PTP1B and proposed a model of the PTP1B-inhibitor interaction. These compounds should be useful in the elucidation of cellular PTP function and could represent a starting point for development of therapeutic PTP inhibitors.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

hRpn13/ADRM1/GP110 is a novel proteasome subunit that binds the deubiquitinating enzyme, UCH37.

The 26S proteasome catalyzes the degradation of most proteins in mammalian cells. To better define its composition and associated regulatory proteins, we developed affinity methods to rapidly purify 26S proteasomes from mammalian cells. By this approach, we discovered a novel 46-kDa (407 residues) subunit of its 19S regulatory complex (previously termed ADRM1 or GP110). As its N-terminal half can be incorporated into the 26S proteasome and is homologous to Rpn13, a 156-residue subunit of the 19S complex in budding yeast, we renamed it human Rpn13 (hRpn13). The C-terminal half of hRpn13 binds directly to the proteasome-associated deubiquitinating enzyme, UCH37, and enhances its isopeptidase activity. Knockdown of hRpn13 in 293T cells increases the cellular levels of ubiquitin conjugates and decreases the degradation of short-lived proteins. Surprisingly, an overproduction of hRpn13 also reduced their degradation. Furthermore, transfection of the C-terminal half of hRpn13 slows proteolysis and induces cell death, probably by acting as a dominant-negative form. Thus in human 26S proteasomes, hRpn13 appears to be important for the binding of UCH37 to the 19S complex and for efficient proteolysis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Calmodulin is essential for angiogenesis in response to hypoxic stress in endothelial cells.

Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels that is regulated by hypoxia, is a critical process for the growth and spread of tumors. Multiple phases of this process, including migration, adhesion, and formation of new capillary tubes, are needed for optimal tumor growth. Here, a new regulatory function for Ca2+-CaM in the vascular endothelium is described. Ca2+-CaM activation induced by hypoxia in endothelial cells is essential for angiogenic cellular responses. Inhibition of Ca2+-CaM activity suppressed endothelial cell migration, adhesion on collagen I substrate, invasion and impaired in vitro endothelial cell differentiation into tube-like structures. We also reported that CaM is co-distributed with the actin structures in the lamellipodia in migrating cells, whereas the actin cytoskeleton rearrangement induced by hypoxia was disrupted and HIF-1 transcriptional activity was decreased when treated with CaM antagonists into cultures. These data indicate that Ca2+-CaM activation is more closely associated with the regulation of angiogenic key events, especially in response to hypoxic stress.

Actins↗
PubMed2006

Polo-like kinase 1 regulates mitotic arrest after UV irradiation through dephosphorylation of p53 and inducing p53 degradation.

Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation can result in cell cycle arrest. The reactivation of Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is necessary for cell cycle reentry. But the mechanism of how Plk1 regulates p53 in UV-induced mitotic arrest cells remained elusive. Here we find that UV treatment leads HEK293 cells to inverse changes of Plk1 and p53. Over-expression of Plk1 rescue UV-induced mitotic arrest cells by inhibiting p53 activation. Plk1 could also inhibit p53 phosphorylation at Ser15, thus facilitates its nuclear export and degradation. Further examination shows that Plk1, p53 and Cdc25C can form a large complex. Plk1 could bind to the sequence-specific DNA-binding domain of p53 and active Cdc25C by hyperphosphorylation. These results hypothesize that Plk1 and Cdc25C participate in recovery the mitotic arrest through binding to the different domain of p53. Cdc25C may first be actived by Plk1, and then its phosphatase activity makes p53 dephosphorylated at Ser15.

Cell Cycle Proteins↗
PubMed2005

An annulation toward fused bicyclolactones.

The combination of Lewis and Bronsted acids catalyzed the addition of beta-ketoesters to cyclic diene. Lactonization occurs in situ to afford fused bicyclic lactones directly. The catalysis provides an expedient route to bicylic lactones via a zip-process.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Organic chemistry in water.

Water has emerged as a versatile solvent for organic chemistry in recent years. Water as a solvent is not only inexpensive and environmentally benign, but also gives completely new reactivity. The types of organic reactions in water are broad including pericyclic reactions, reactions of carbanion equivalent, reactions of carbocation equivalent, reactions of radicals and carbenes, transition-metal catalysis, oxidations-reductions, which we discuss in this tutorial review. Aqueous organic reactions have broad applications such as synthesis of biological compounds from carbohydrates and chemical modification of biomolecules.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Phosphine-triggered complete chemo-switch: from efficient aldehyde-alkyne-amine coupling to efficient aldehyde-alkyne coupling in water.

[reaction: see text] A phosphine ligand served as a remarkable chemo-switch for the silver-catalyzed reaction of alkynes with aldehydes in the presence of amines in water. Exclusive aldehyde-alkyne-amine coupling product was observed in the absence of phosphine, whereas in the presence of a phosphine ligand, exclusive aldehyde-alkyne coupling product was obtained.

Journal Article↗