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Biomedical subjects

H T Liu

Publications and source records attributed to H T Liu.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Antisense expression of protein kinase C alpha improved sensitivity to anticancer drugs in human lung cancer LTEPa-2 cells.

AIM: To study the role of protein kinase C alpha (PKC alpha) in sensitivity to some clinical anticancer drugs in human lung cancer LTEPa-2 cells. METHODS: Human lung cancer cell model expressing antisense PKC alpha was established and characterized by gene transfection and immunoblotting. Northern blotting was used to analyze the expression of multiple drug resistance (mdr-1) gene and antisense PKC alpha mRNA. IC50 for some anticancer drugs in cultured cells were measured. RESULTS: Expression of antisense PKC alpha mRNA inhibited mdr-1 gene expression in lung cancer cells and improved sensitivity to anticancer drugs (harringtonine, carboplatin, bleomycin A5, vincristine and doxorubicin) in lung cancer cells. IC50 for harringtonine, carboplatin, bleomycin A5, vincristine, and doxorubicin was decreased by 46.4%, 42.1%, 79%, 69.9%, and 61.6% respectively. CONCLUSION: PKC alpha plays an important regulation role of mdr-1 gene expression and drug sensitivity in human lung cancer cells.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Prenatal molecular diagnosis of RET proto-oncogene mutation in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A.

We report a case of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN 2A) diagnosed prenatally at 16 weeks gestation. The 35-year-old mother is a MEN 2A patient. She had had three prior pregnancies: one resulted in a stillbirth; one produced a genetically unaffected boy; and the third was terminated in the first trimester owing to a diagnosis of blighted ovum. Autopsy did not reveal the cause of death of the stillborn infant, who was also found to be affected with MEN 2A by molecular study of paraffin-embedded tissue. Because of poor obstetric history and the patient's age, amniocentesis for cytogenetic and molecular studies was performed at 16 weeks' gestation during the pregnancy under discussion. As with other affected members in the mother's family, the missense mutation of TGC to TTC at codon 634 of the RET proto-oncogene was found in amniotic fluid cells. Analysis of DNA extracted from the lymphocytes of the infant's blood at birth confirmed the diagnosis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of prenatal diagnosis of MEN 2A.

Adult↗

Sequences and comparisons of duck mitochondrial DNA control regions.

In this study, the nucleotide sequences of the displacement loop (D-loop) and the ribosomal RNA genes of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were determined from a representative each of two genera of ducks, Cainina muschata and Anas platyrhynchos. The duck mtDNA shows a specific gene order at 5' upstream of D-loop (5'ND6-tRNA(Glu)-D-loop3') that is identical to chick mtDNA but is different from that of mammalian or amphibian (5' cytochrome b-tRNA(Thr)-tRNA(Pro)-D-loop3'). Nucleotide diversity is greatest in the D-loop while being most conserved in the 12S rRNA gene, as indicated from a sequence comparison between duck and chick mtDNA. A consensus sequence in the D-loop region, which may play influential roles in the regulation of transcription and replication of mtDNA, was found in both CSB-1 and repeated sequences of birds. Sequences of four tRNA genes in this region are also reported. Among them, tRNA(Glu) shows the greatest sequence divergence when different order of birds are compared.

Animals↗

[The construction of 2 BS cell lines overexpressing PKC beta I isoform and the priliminary analysis of the relationship between expression of PKC beta I and cell proliferation].

Using gene transfection technique, we have constructed a series of human embryonic lung cell lines that overexpress stably a full length cDNA encoding the beta I isoform of PKC for the first time. BS-PKC 3 is a cell line containing about 3 fold greater PKC activity than parental cell lines or control cells that carry an integrated vector lacking the cDNA inset. In comparison with control cells and parental cells, these cells exhibit significantly enhanced growth rate. The expression of oncogene c-myc which is relating closely to cell proliferation is also increased obviously in BS-PKC 3 cell. We have firstly evidence that the overexpression PKC beta I affect the level of the expression of c-myc in the 2 BS cells. It seems that there may be one of the molecular mechanisms of the effect on the proliferation in the 2 BS cells by PKC beta I.

Cell Division↗

[The regulation of calmodulin in the cell cycle].

In order to study the role of calmodulin (CaM) in the cell cycle, RC 3 cells carring the CaM expression vectors which was constructed by joining the CaM cDNA with a plasmid of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV), were used in this experiment. The CaM expression vectors transcription is regulated by a dexamethasone (DXM) inducible MMTV LTR promoter. Upon addition of DXM, cells have transiently increased CaM mRNA and protein levels. Increased CaM caused a acceleration of proliferation. Flow cytometric analysis showed that progression though G1, G2 and metaphase was accelerated by increase in CaM levels, while treatment with the CaM antagonist trifluoperazine (TFP) blocked cell cycle progression at G1/S boundary and during G2/M and metaphase. The studies have shown that CaM is important in controlling progression at three points in the cell cycle: (1) The G1/S boundary to permit the initiation of DNA synthesis; (2) The G2/M boundary to permit the initiation of mitosis; (3) At the metaphase/anaphase transition of mitosis to permit chromosome segration and the completion of mitosis. This study indicates that the RC 3 cell is a useful experimental cell model for studing the effect of a transient increase of intracellular CaM levels on control of cell cycle.

3T3 Cells↗

Inhibition of 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclases.

Monocyclic and tricyclic compounds possessing a nitrogen atom situated at a position corresponding to the carbenium ion of high energy intermediates or transition states involved during cyclization of 2,3-oxidosqualene to tetra- and pentacyclic triterpenes have been synthesized. These compounds were tested as inhibitors of 2,3-oxidosqualene cycloartenol, lanosterol-, and beta(alpha)-amyrin-cyclases in vitro and in vivo, and their affinity was compared to that of formerly synthesized 8-aza-bicyclic compounds [Taton et al. (1986) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 138, 764-770]. A monocyclic N-alkyl-hydroxypiperidine was shown to be the strongest inhibitor of the series upon cycloartenol-cyclase (I50 = 1 microM) from maize embryos but was much less effective on the beta(alpha)-amyrin-cyclases from Rubus fruticosus suspension cultures or pea cotyledons. In contrast, 13-aza-tricyclic derivatives displayed little inhibition on 2,3-oxidosqualene cycloartenol-, lanosterol-, and beta(alpha)-amyrin-cyclases. The obtained data exemplify the differences existing in the cyclization process between cycloartenol- (lanosterol-) cyclases on one hand and beta(alpha)-amyrin-cyclases on the other. The results are discussed with respect to current mechanisms postulated for 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclization. Because of its activity in vivo and in vitro the monocyclic N-alkyl-hydroxypiperidine appears to be a potent and promising tool to study sterol biosynthesis regulation.

Animals↗

Skin-visceral divergent projection of cholecystokinin-containing dorsal root ganglion neurons: a tri-labelling study with fluorescent tracers and immunohistochemistry.

Skin-visceral divergent projections of cholecystokinin (CCK)-containing dorsal root ganglion neurons were studied by combined technique of fluorescent double-labelling and immunohistochemistry. Fast blue (FB) and nuclear yellow (NY) were injected into the coeliac ganglion and the cutaneous branches of left 9th-11th intercostal nerves, respectively. Three kinds of neurons labelled with fluorescein were observed in T9-11 dorsal root ganglia: FB-labelled neurons with blue-fluorescent cytoplasm; NY-labelled neurons with yellow-fluorescent nucleus and double-labelled neurons with blue cytoplasm and yellow nucleus. The double-labelled neurons were found to account for 2.8% of total labelled neurons. The sections containing neurons labelled with fluorescein were stained by CCK-immunohistochemical procedure. Four kinds of neurons could be identified: NY-neurons with CCK-immunoreactivity (NY+CCK); FB-neurons with CCK-immunoreactivity (FB+CCK); NY+FB neurons with CCK-immunoreactivity (NY+FB+CCK); and neurons only CCK-positive. NY+FB+CCK tri-labelled neurons accounted for approximately 11.5% of NY+FB double-labelled neurons, and for 0.4% of all CCK-positive neurons. The findings clearly indicated that the peripheral processes of some sensory dorsal root ganglion neurons divergently project to both skin and visceral structure and contain CCK.

Animals↗

[Pilomatricoma-a clinicopathological analysis of 22 cases, including 2 cases of bullous pilomatricoma].

Twenty-two patients with pilomatricoma seen from January 1986 to October 1990 were analyzed retrospectively. The incidence of pilomatricoma in our dermatopathologic material is 1 in every 50 cases of skin tumors. Male to female ratio is 1:2. Half of the tumors appeared before the age of 30. Most of the tumors develop in the head, neck and upper extremities. Two pilomatricomas appeared with overlying bullae. Pathologically, multiple dilated lymphatics in the dermis were found above the typical nests of shadow cells and basophilic cells. Clues to clinical diagnosis are summarized below. The stony hard, deep-seated tumor, covered by normal skin, is usually located in the upper extremity. Tumors with blue-red discoloration, firm or elastic, frequently found in eyelid and face, are located more superficially, clinically they should be differentiated from epidermal cysts. Erythematous protruding tumors occur in the scalp or face. Bullous pilomatricoma is characteristically manifested as a flaccid, thick-walled bulla with an underlying palpable hard nodule, usually seen in the shoulder, upper arm or the head.

Adolescent↗

[The effect of db-cAMP on the gene expression of calmodulin and cytoskeleton in the transformed cells].

We have demonstrated that the distribution of microtubules (MT), microfilaments (MF) and fibronectin (FN) were diminished, while the gene expression of the calmodulin and c-fos enhanced in the transformed C3 H10 T1/2 cells. After treatment with 1 mM db-cAMP for 1 hr. and 2 hrs., there was an early and rapidly reduced in gene expression of calmodulin and c-fos respectively. After db-cAMP treatment for 4-5 days, the number of Capping cells of ConA binding decreased significantly and the cell surface microvilli decreased also. The growth of treated cells was inhibited markedly. By using 4F1 cDNA probe, which is preferentially expressed in G1 phase, we have found that the db-cAMP treated cells were accumulated at G1 phase. Of particular interest is the fact that the distribution of microtubules, microfilaments and fibronectin were recovered after treatment with 1 mM db-cAMP for 6 days. It is suggested that the inhibition of proliferation, alteration of phenotype and recovery of cytoskeleton in transformed cells after treatment with db-cAMP are related to the inhibition of gene expression of calmodulin.

Animals↗

[The effect of depolymerization of cytoplasmic microtubules on initiation of DNA synthesis by growth factors in cells].

PPP (platelet-poor plasma) alone can not stimulate DNA synthesis in Go C3H/10T1/2 cells.50 ng/ml of EGF promoted partial Go cells to enter S phase. However, there was an apparent synergic effect of simultaneous treatment with 50 ng/ml EGF and 5%PPP, their synergic effect to stimulate DNA synthesis in Go cells was the same as 10% calf serum. Taxol can resist the depolymerization of microtubules. After treatment with taxol (10 mumol/L), the progression from Go to S phase in C 3 H 10 T 1/2 cells was inhibited. This inhibition was especially exhibited at early stage of transition from Go to S phase. The result indicated that Go cells can not enter S phase without the depolymerization of microtubules. It showed that DNA synthesis was stimulated by the simultaneous treatment with colcemid (0.1 microgram/ml) and growth factors (50 ng/ml EGF + 5% PPP or 10% Calf serum). But without the stimulation of growth factors, the unique effect of depolymerization of microtubules can not stimulate DNA synthesis. The results present evidence indicating that the depolymerization of microtubules has the potency to elevate DNA synthesis in Go cells stimulated by growth factors. This potency was also appeared at early stage of progression from Go to S phase. We suggest that the depolymerization of cytoplasmic microtubules and synergic effect of growth factors are involved in account for the transition from Go to S phase in C 3 H 10 T 1/2 cells.

Alkaloids↗

Volume calculation by means of SPECT: analysis of imaging acquisition and processing factors.

To assess the effect of image acquisition and processing factors on the volume calculated from single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images, the authors evaluated technical factors including image matrix size, size of the region of interest (ROI), activity concentration in the region, amount of background subtraction, type of reconstruction filter, section thickness, and number of projections. They found that the percentage of background subtraction was the single most important factor affecting volume calculation. The smaller the volume, the greater the amount of background subtraction needed before the ROI is drawn. As an acceptable means to circumvent the varying percentage of background subtraction for different volumes, a calibration curve was constructed relating the true volume with the calculated volume for a fixed percentage of background subtraction. The use of a 128 X 128 acquisition matrix and zooming of the reconstructed images were necessary for accurate calculation of volumes smaller than 300 mL.

Humans↗

Expression of thymidine kinase and dihydrofolate reductase genes in mammalian ts mutants of the cell cycle.

Thymidine kinase and dihydrofolate reductase mRNA levels and enzyme activities were determined in two temperature-sensitive cell lines, tsAF8 and ts13, that growth arrest in the G1 phase of the cell cycle at the restrictive temperature. The levels of thymidine kinase mRNA and enzyme activity increased markedly in both cell lines serum stimulated from quiescence at the permissive temperature. At the nonpermissive temperature, the levels of thymidine kinase mRNA and enzyme activity remain at the low levels of quiescent G0 cells. The levels of dihydrofolate reductase mRNA as well as the enzyme activity also increase when both cell lines are serum stimulated at the permissive temperature. When ts13 cells are serum stimulated at the nonpermissive temperature dihydrofolate reductase enzyme activity declines rapidly and dihydrofolate reductase mRNA is below detectable levels. On the contrary, when tsAF8 cells are serum stimulated at the nonpermissive temperature dihydrofolate reductase enzyme activity increases and mRNA levels are detectable slightly above G0 levels, even though the cells are blocked in the G1 phase. Studies with 2 other cDNA clones (one with an insert whose expression is cell cycle dependent and the other with an insert whose expression is not cell cycle dependent) indicate that the results are not due to aspecific toxicity or the effect of temperature. We conclude that the expression of different genes is affected differently by the ts block in G1, even when these genes are all growth-related.

Animals↗

Adenovirus type 2 activates cell cycle-dependent genes that are a subset of those activated by serum.

We have studied a panel of 10 genes and cDNA sequences that are expressed in a cell cycle-dependent manner in different types of cells from different species and that are inducible by different mitogens. These include five sequences (c-myc, 4F1, 2F1, 2A9, and KC-1) that are preferentially expressed in the early part of the G1 phase, three genes (ornithine decarboxylase, p53, and c-rasHa) preferentially expressed in middle or late G1, and two genes (thymidine kinase and histone H3) preferentially expressed in the S phase of the cell cycle. We have studied the expression of these genes in nonpermissive (tsAF8) and semipermissive (Swiss 3T3) cells infected with adenovirus type 2. Under the conditions of these experiments, adenovirus type 2 infection stimulates cellular DNA synthesis in both tsAF8 and 3T3 cells. However, four of the five early G1 genes (c-myc, 4F1, KC-1, and 2A9) and one of the late G1 genes (c-ras) are not induced by adenovirus infection, although they are strongly induced by serum. The other sequences (2F1, ornithine decarboxylase, p53, thymidine kinase, and histone H3) are activated by both adenovirus and serum. We conclude that the cell cycle-dependent genes activated by adenovirus 2 are a subset of the cell cycle-dependent genes activated by serum. The data suggest that the mechanisms by which serum and adenovirus induce cellular DNA synthesis are not identical.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

Transforming potential of deletion mutants of the SV40 T antigen coding gene in Syrian hamster cells.

Thymidine kinase-deficient syrian hamster cells were cotransfected with recombinant plasmids containing the thymidine kinase (TK) gene of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1, and either intact or partially deleted SV40 T antigen-coding genes. The transformants were selected by their ability to grow in gHAT medium. After selection and cloning, the TK-positive transformants that also expressed T antigen were tested for the extent of their transformation with respect to a number of characteristics, which included saturation density, ability to grow in soft agar, resistance to butyrate and to dibutyryl-cAMP, and plating efficiency. The combined results of these various tests indicate that cells containing partially deleted SV40 T antigen-coding genes are less transformed than cells containing an intact SV40 T antigen-coding gene. However, the amounts of T antigen are lower in cells transformed by deletion mutants than in cells transformed by wild-type T antigen-coding gene. Our data indicate that both the quantity and the quality of T antigen may be important in determining the degree of transformation in Syrian hamster cells.

Agar↗