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H Deng

Publications and source records attributed to H Deng.

191 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

A study of the Schiff base mode in bovine rhodopsin and bathorhodopsin.

We have obtained the resonance Raman spectra of bovine rhodopsin, bathorhodopsin, and isorhodopsin for a series of isotopically labeled retinal chromophores. The specific substitutions are at retinal's protonated Schiff base moiety and include -HC = NH+-, -HC = ND+-, -H13C = NH+-, and -H13C = ND+-. Apart from the doubly labeled retinal, we find that the protonated Schiff base frequency is the same, within experimental error, for both rhodopsin and bathorhodopsin for all the substitutions measured here and elsewhere. We develop a force field that accurately fits the observed ethylenic (C = C) and protonated Schiff base stretching frequencies of rhodopsin and labeled derivatives. Using MINDO/3 quantum mechanical procedures, we investigate the response of this force field, and the ethylenic and Schiff base stretching frequencies, to the placement of charges close to retinal's Schiff base moiety. Specifically, we find that the Schiff base frequency should be measurably affected by a 3.0-4.5-A movement of a negatively charged counterion from the positively charged protonated Schiff base moiety. That there is no experimentally discernible difference in the Schiff base frequency between rhodopsin and bathorhodopsin suggests that models for the efficient conversion of light to chemical energy in the rhodopsin to bathorhodopsin photoconversion based solely on salt bridge separation of the protonated Schiff base and its counterion are probably incorrect. We discuss various alternative models and the role of electrostatics in the rhodopsin to bathorhodopsin primary process.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Resonance raman spectroscopy of an ultraviolet-sensitive insect rhodopsin.

We present the first visual pigment resonance Raman spectra from the UV-sensitive eyes of an insect, Ascalaphus macaronius (owlfly). This pigment contains 11-cis-retinal as the chromophore. Raman data have been obtained for the acid metarhodopsin at 10 degrees C in both H2O and D2O. The C = N stretching mode at 1660 cm-1 in H2O shifts to 1631 cm-1 upon deuteriation of the sample, clearly showing a protonated Schiff base linkage between the chromophore and the protein. The structure-sensitive fingerprint region shows similarities to the all-trans-protonated Schiff base of model retinal chromophores, as well as to the octopus acid metarhodopsin and bovine metarhodopsin I. Although spectra measured at -100 degrees C with 406.7-nm excitation, to enhance scattering from rhodopsin (lambda max 345 nm), contain a significant contribution from a small amount of contaminants [cytochrome(s) and/or accessory pigment] in the sample, the C = N stretch at 1664 cm-1 suggests a protonated Schiff base linkage between the chromophore and the protein in rhodopsin as well. For comparison, this mode also appears at approximately 1660 cm-1 in both the vertebrate (bovine) and the invertebrate (octopus) rhodopsins. These data are particularly interesting since the absorption maximum of 345 nm for rhodopsin might be expected to originate from an unprotonated Schiff base linkage. That the Schiff base linkage in the owlfly rhodopsin, like in bovine and in octopus, is protonated suggests that a charged chromophore is essential to visual transduction.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Epstein-Barr virus seroepidemiology in China.

Since 1978 more than 300,000 sera from normal individuals were screened serologically in NPC high risk areas and prospective studies were carried out. Many patients were diagnosed in early stage. For example, in Wuzhou city, 20,726 persons over 40 years of age were screened; 1,138 persons were found to have IgA VCA antibody. Among them 18 NPC cases were detected; an additional 21 NPC patients were found within 5 year follow-up studies. Altogether there were 39 NPC patients. As compared to the patients in outpatient clinics, the frequency of NPC in stage I increased from 1.7% to 38.5% and in early stage (I + II) increased from 32% to 92.3%. IgA VCA antibody can be detected 5 years before the diagnosis of NPC in early stage was made. The detection rate of NPC from IgA VCA antibody-positive persons is 38-374 times the incidence rate of NPC in the general population of the same age group. Follow-up studies on the change of IgA VCA antibody titer in antibody-positive and antibody-negative groups were also carried out for years. 10.9% of antibody-positive individuals became antibody negative and 5.4% seronegative persons converted to positive within 4 years. Eighty-eight per cent of NPC patients were detected in the group of no change of antibody titer or in the group of increasing antibody titer. No NPC patients were found in the original antibody negative group.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Scrapie strain infection in vitro induces changes in neuronal cells.

PC12 cells, in the presence of nerve growth factor (NGF), support replication of the mouse-derived scrapie strains 139A and ME7, with the former yielding 100-1000-fold higher levels of infectivity. Infectivity remained cell-associated and cells did not show any gross morphological alterations, although changes were observed by electron microscopy in the form of an increased number of lipid droplets in 139A-infected cultures. Analysis of phospholipid metabolism in 139A infected cells indicated that scrapie replication did not change the inositol phosphate levels, but did stimulate phosphoinositide synthesis. Replication was not detected in PC12 cells infected with either the hamster-derived 263K or rat-derived 139R scrapie strains. Since scrapie-infected cultures did not exhibit cell death or any gross changes, any scrapie-induced effects would probably be manifested in nonvital cellular functions. When compared to controls, infection with the 139A scrapie strain resulted in decreased activity of the cholinergic pathway-related enzymes, as well as the GABA synthetic pathway; however, the adrenergic pathway was unaffected by scrapie infection. The effects of the 139A scrapie strain on the cholinergic system appeared to be dose-dependent and were first detected prior to the detection of scrapie agent replication in these cells. No neurotransmitter-related enzymatic changes were detected in 263K- or 139R-infected PC12 cells. The enzymatic changes observed in ME7-infected PC12 cells and in Chandler agent-infected mouse neuroblastoma cells suggest that the significant changes in neurotransmitter levels in cultures exhibiting low infectivity titers must involve factors other than, but not excluding, replication of the agent. The role of additional factors is also suggested in studies of protein kinase C activity in 139A- and 139R-infected PC12 cells. These studies emphasize the value of the PC12 cell model system in examining the scrapie strain-host cell interaction and, in addition, support the concept of variation among scrapie strains.

Acetylcholinesterase↗