PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

J Hsuan

Publications and source records attributed to J Hsuan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Expression of Ret-, p75(NTR)-, Phox2a-, Phox2b-, and tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactivity by undifferentiated neural crest-derived cells and different classes of enteric neurons in the embryonic mouse gut.

Cells of the enteric nervous system are derived from the neural crest. Probes to a number of molecules identify neural crest-derived cells within the gastrointestinal tract of embryonic mice prior to their differentiation into neurons and glial cells. However, it is unclear whether the different markers are identifying all neural crest-derived cells. In this study the distribution of p75(NTR)-immunoreactivity was compared with that of Ret-, Phox2a-, Phox2b-, and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in undifferentiated neural crest-derived cells in the E10.5-E13.5 mouse intestine. Neural crest-derived cells colonise the embryonic mouse gut in a rostral-to-caudal wave between E9.5-E14, and differentiation into enteric neurons also occurs in a rostral-to-caudal wave. Thus, the most caudal neural crest-derived cells within the gut are undifferentiated. These most caudal neural crest-derived cells co-expressed p75(NTR)-, Phox2b- and Ret-immunoreactivity; at E10.5 a sub-population was also TH-positive. The most caudal cells did not show Phox2a-immunoreactivity at any stage. However, a sub-population of cells, which was rostral to the undifferentiated neural crest-derived cells, was Phox2a-positive, and these are likely to be cells beginning to differentiate along a neuronal lineage. The expression of Ret-, Phox2a-, Phox2b- and p75(NTR)-immunoreactivity by two classes of enteric neurons that differentiate prior to birth was also examined. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) neurons showed Phox2b and Ret immunoreactivity at all ages, and Phox2a and p75(NTR) immunoreactivity only transiently. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) neurons showed Phox2b and Ret-immunoreactivity, but not Phox2a immunoreactivity. It is concluded that all undifferentiated neural crest-derived cells initially express Phox2b, Ret, and p75(NTR); a sub-population of these cells also expresses TH transiently. Those cells that are beginning to differentiate along a neuronal lineage maintain their expression of Phox2b and Ret, and they start to express Phox2a, but down-regulate p75(NTR); those cells that differentiate along a glial lineage down-regulate Ret and maintain their expression of p75(NTR). Dev Dyn 1999;216:137-152.

Animals

Reflective meniscometry: a non-invasive method to measure tear meniscus curvature.

AIMS: To devise a method to measure tear meniscus curvature by a non-invasive specular technique. METHODS: A photographic system was devised. The system consisted of a camera and an illuminated target with a series of black and white stripes oriented parallel to the axis of the lower tear meniscus. The target was mounted on a flash gun close to the objective of a Brown macrocamera and calibrated using a graduated series of glass capillaries of known diameter, ground down to expose the inner wall. It was then applied to normal human eyes (n = 45) to measure the tear meniscus curvature. A video system was also assessed which provided qualitative online information about the tear meniscus. RESULTS: Using the photographic system, measured values for capillary radii were in excellent agreement with theoretical calculations (r2 = 0.996, p < 0.0001). The radii of curvature of lower tear menisci in normal human subjects (mean 0.365 (SD 0.153) mm, range 0.128-0.736; n = 45) were similar to those reported in the literature. Both systems demonstrated variations in meniscus shape. The video system provided stable images of human menisci over prolonged periods of time and promises to be useful for the analysis of dynamic changes in meniscus volume. CONCLUSIONS: Reflective meniscometry is a non-invasive technique providing quantitative information about tear meniscus shape and volume and of potential value in the study of ocular surface disease.

Calibration

The yeast and mammalian isoforms of phosphatidylinositol transfer protein can all restore phospholipase C-mediated inositol lipid signaling in cytosol-depleted RBL-2H3 and HL-60 cells.

The mammalian phosphatidylinositol transfer proteins (PITP) and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae PITP (SEC14p) that show no sequence homology both catalyze exchange of phosphatidylinositol (PI) between membranes compartments in vitro. In HL-60 cells where the cytosolic proteins are depleted by permeabilization, exogenously added PITPalpha is required to restore G protein-mediated phospholipase Cbeta (PLCbeta) signaling. Recently, a second mammalian PITPbeta form has been described that shows 77% identity to rat PITPalpha. We have examined the ability of the two mammalian PITPs and SEC14p to restore PLC-mediated signaling in cytosol-depleted HL-60 and RBL-2H3 cells. Both PITPalpha and PITPbeta isoforms as well as SEC14p restore G protein-mediated PLCbeta signaling with a similar potency. In RBL-2H3 cells, crosslinking of the IgE receptor by antigen stimulates inositol lipid hydrolysis by tyrosine phosphorylation of PLCgamma1. Permeabilization of RBL cells leads to loss of PLCgamma1 as well as PITP into the extracellular medium and this coincides with loss of antigen-stimulated lipid hydrolysis. Both PLCgamma1 and PITP were required to restore inositol lipid signaling. We conclude that (i) because the PI binding/transfer activities of PITP/SEC14p is the common feature shared by all three transfer proteins, it must be the relevant activity that determines their abilities to restore inositol lipid-mediated signaling and (ii) PITP is a general requirement for inositol lipid hydrolysis regardless of how and which isoform of PLC is activated by the appropriate agonist.

Animals

ARF and PITP restore GTP gamma S-stimulated protein secretion from cytosol-depleted HL60 cells by promoting PIP2 synthesis.

BACKGROUND: In many cell types, including neutrophils and HL60 cells, there is an absolute requirement for a GTP-dependent step to elicit Ca(2+)-regulated secretion. Neutrophils and HL60 cells secrete lysosomal enzymes from azurophilic granules; this secretion is inhibited by 1% ethanol, indicating that phosphatidate (PA) produced by phospholipase D (PLD) activity may be involved. PLD can use primary alcohols in preference to water during the hydrolytic step, generating the corresponding phosphatidylalcohol instead of PA, its normal product. As ARF (ADP-ribosylation factor) proteins regulate PLD activity and are implicated in constitutive vesicular traffic, we have investigated whether ARF is also required for GTP-dependent secretion in HL60 cells. RESULTS: We have used a cell-permeabilization protocol that allows HL60 cells to become refractory to stimulation with GTP gamma S plus 10 microM Ca2+ with regard to secretion and PLD activity. Permeabilization with streptolysin O for 10 minutes permitted the loss of freely diffusable cytosolic proteins, including ARF proteins. Fractions derived from brain cytosol, enriched in ARF proteins, restored secretory function and PLD activity. The major contaminating protein present in these ARF-enriched fractions was identified as phosphatidylinositol transfer protein (PITP). Unexpectedly, PITP was also found to restore GTP gamma S-dependent secretion. Restoration of secretory function was characterized using recombinant proteins, rARF1 and rPITP alpha and rPITP beta. The rARF1 protein restored both secretory function and PLD activity, whereas PITP only restored secretory function. However, both ARF and PITP were capable of stimulating phosphatidylinositol bis phosphate (PIP2) synthesis. CONCLUSIONS: ARF and PITP restore secretory function in cytosol-depleted cells when stimulated with GTP gamma S plus Ca2+. We have previously shown that PITP participates in the synthesis of PIP2. In comparison, ARF1 activates PLD, producing PA, which is a known activator of phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5 kinase, the enzyme responsible for PIP2 synthesis. We propose that ARF and PITP both restore exocytosis by a common mechanism-promoting PIP2 synthesis.

ADP-Ribosylation Factor 1

Interaction of Shc with adaptor protein adaptins.

The role of Shc as a substrate of receptors for growth factors and cytokines is well established. To gain further insight into the function of Shc in signal transduction, we used an affinity method to identify potential Shc-binding proteins. Incubation of bovine brain lysates with a glutathione S-transferase (GST)-Shc fusion protein immobilized on glutathione-Sepharose beads resulted in the binding of cellular proteins of approximately 115, 110, and 100 kDa as well as those of 50 and 17 kDa. Amino acid sequencing of tryptic peptides revealed that the 100-kDa protein was almost identical to beta-adaptin and that the 110- and 115-kDa proteins were almost identical to alphaA-adaptin. Using immunoblot analysis, anti-alpha-adaptin antibody recognized several proteins of 100 approximately 115 kDa, and anti-beta-adaptin antibody recognized a 100-kDa protein, suggesting that alphaA-, alphaC-, and beta-adaptins are bound to the GST-Shc fusion protein. Immunoblot analysis with anti-alpha-adaptin antibody revealed that alpha-adaptin was coimmunoprecipitated with Shc from PC12, KB, and COS cell lysates, suggesting a specific interaction of Shc and adaptins in intact cells. A binding study using mutant GST-Shc fusion proteins revealed that the collagen homologous region (amino acids 233-377) of Shc was required for adaptin binding. Conversely, the collagen homologous region of Shc inhibited the binding of adaptins to GST-Shc. In addition, adaptin was able to bind mutant fusion proteins containing amino acids 233-369, 233-355, 346-369, and 346-355 of Shc, but failed to bind a mutant containing amino acids 233-345, suggesting that amino acids 346-355 (RDLFDMKPFE) in the collagen homologous region of Shc are required for adaptin binding. Thus, this study indicates the specific interaction of Shc with alpha- and beta-adaptin components of plasma membrane adaptor proteins that are thought to be involved in receptor endocytosis.

Adaptor Protein Complex 2

Interleukin-1 activates a novel protein kinase cascade that results in the phosphorylation of Hsp27.

An IL-1-stimulated protein kinase cascade resulting in phosphorylation of the small heat shock protein hsp27 has been identified in KB cells. It is distinct from the p42 MAP kinase cascade. An upstream activator kinase phosphorylated a 40 kDa kinase (p40) upon threonine and tyrosine residues, which in turn phosphorylated a 50 kDa kinase (p50) upon threonine (and some serine) residues. p50 phosphorylated hsp27 upon serine. p40 and p50 were purified to near homogeneity. All three components were inactivated by protein phosphatase 2A, and p40 was inactivated by protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B. The substrate specificity of p40 differed from that of p42 and p54 MAP kinases. The upstream activator was not a MAP kinase kinase. p50 resembled MAPKAPK-2 and may be identical.

Amino Acid Sequence

An SH3 domain and proline-rich sequence mediate an interaction between two components of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase complex.

Neutrophils possess a multicomponent NADPH oxidase system capable of producing large quantities of superoxide in a process known as the respiratory burst (1). Upon stimulation of a phagocytic cell, two cytosolic components of the oxidase, p67phox and p47phox, associate with a membrane-bound flavocytochrome b and a small GTP-binding protein to form a functional enzyme complex. Each of the Phox proteins contains two src homology 3 (SH3) domains, which are of unknown function but are potential mediators of protein-protein interactions between components of the activated oxidase. We have isolated a 47-kDa protein from lysates of differentiated HL60 cells that specifically bound to the carboxyl-terminal SH3 domain of p67phox and not to any other SH3 domain tested. This protein was identified as p47phox, and the putative SH3 domain binding site was located to a carboxyl-terminal proline-rich region. Proline-rich synthetic peptides based on this carboxyl-terminal region specifically inhibited the binding of p47phox to the carboxyl-terminal SH3 domain of p67phox, and sequential truncation defined a unique minimal sequence, which, although similar, does not match the consensus sequence defined for other SH3-binding proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence

The GTPase dynamin binds to and is activated by a subset of SH3 domains.

Src homology 3 (SH3) domains have been implicated in mediating protein-protein interactions in receptor signaling processes; however, the precise role of this domain remains unclear. In this report, affinity purification techniques were used to identify the GTPase dynamin as an SH3 domain-binding protein. Selective binding to a subset of 15 different recombinant SH3 domains occurs through proline-rich sequence motifs similar to those that mediate the interaction of the SH3 domains of Grb2 and Abl proteins to the guanine nucleotide exchange protein, Sos, and to the 3BP1 protein, respectively. Dynamin GTPase activity is stimulated by several of the bound SH3 domains, suggesting that the function of the SH3 module is not restricted to protein-protein interactions but may also include the interactive regulation of GTP-binding proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence

Subconjunctival bupivacaine versus topical amethocaine in strabismus surgery.

A prospective study was performed to evaluate and compare the effect of subconjunctival bupivacaine and topical amethocaine on pain relief after strabismus surgery. A total of 40 children scheduled for elective operation were randomly allocated to receive either subconjunctival bupivacaine or topical amethocaine at the end of surgery. Post-operative pain was evaluated using a four-point assessment score. We show that both techniques provide good post-operative pain relief. We advocate that either could be used routinely in strabismus surgery although topical amethocaine is easier to administer.

Administration, Topical

Identification of a second neutrophil-chemoattractant cytokine generated during an inflammatory reaction in the rabbit peritoneal cavity in vivo. Purification, partial amino acid sequence and structural relationship to melanoma-growth-stimulatory activity.

The intraperitoneal injection of zymosan in the rabbit results in the generation of an inflammatory exudate containing oedema-forming and chemoattractant activities. Previous studies demonstrated the early appearance of the complement fragment C5a, followed by the generation of two mediators related to the cytokine interleukin-8 that were separable by cation-exchange h.p.l.c. N-Terminal amino acid sequencing identified one of these mediators as rabbit interleukin-8. This paper describes the purification of the second cytokine by cation-exchange, gel-filtration and reversed-phase h.p.l.c. The purified material had both oedema-forming and chemoattractant activity when assayed in rabbit skin in vivo. On SDS/PAGE a single 6-8 kDa band was observed and N-terminal amino acid sequencing of the reduced and alkylated protein positively identified 36 amino acids. This sequence revealed the rabbit homologue of melanoma-growth-stimulatory activity. The identification of these two cytokines in vivo will provide an opportunity to investigate the importance of their co-release in the inflammatory process.

Amino Acid Sequence

Purification and characterization of phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase from human erythrocyte membranes.

Two species of PtdIns 4-kinase with molecular masses of 50 kDa and 45 kDa were detected in human erythrocyte membranes using SDS/PAGE. These enzymes were purified to near homogeneity and found to display very similar enzymatic characteristics. The purification scheme consisted of solubilization from erythrocyte membranes in the presence of Triton X-100, followed by Cibacron-blue-Sephadex, phosphocellulose and Mono Q anion-exchange chromatography. The final step in the purification protocol was preparative SDS/PAGE, followed by electroelution and renaturation of the enzyme. This procedure afforded an about 4000-fold purification of the enzyme from erythrocyte membranes. Characterization of the [32P]PtdInsP products formed by the purified PtdIns kinases indicated that these enzymes specifically phosphorylated the D-4 position of the inositol ring. The Km values of both PtdIns 4-kinase species for PtdIns and ATP were found to be 0.2 mM and 0.1 mM, respectively. The enzymes are both activated by Mg2+, and inhibited by Ca2+ and by adenosine. The potential importance of these effectors for the regulation of PtdIns phosphorylation in cells is discussed.

1-Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase

Bcr encodes a GTPase-activating protein for p21rac.

More than thirty small guanine nucleotide-binding proteins related to the ras-encoded oncoprotein, termed Ras or p21ras, are known. They regulate many fundamental processes in all eukaryotic cells, such as growth, vesicle traffic and cytoskeletal organization. GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) accelerate the intrinsic rate of GTP hydrolysis of Ras-related proteins, leading to down-regulation of the active GTP-bound form. For p21ras, two GAP proteins are known, rasGAP and the neurofibromatosis (NF1) gene product. There is evidence that rasGAP may also be a target protein for regulation by Ras and be involved in downstream signalling. We have purified a GAP protein for p21rho, which is involved in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Partial sequencing of rhoGAP reveals significant homology with the product of the bcr (breakpoint cluster region) gene, the translocation breakpoint in Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukaemias. We show here that the carboxy-terminal domains of the bcr-encoded protein (Bcr) and of a Bcr-related protein, n-chimaerin, are both GAP proteins for the Ras-related GTP-binding protein, p21rac. This result suggest that Bcr could be a target for regulation by Rac and has important new implications for the role of bcr translocations in leukaemia.

Amino Acid Sequence

Characterization of two 85 kd proteins that associate with receptor tyrosine kinases, middle-T/pp60c-src complexes, and PI3-kinase.

Affinity-purified bovine brain phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) contains two major proteins of 85 and 110 kd. Amino acid sequence analysis and cDNA cloning reveals two related 85 kd proteins (p85 alpha and p85 beta), which both contain one SH3 and two SH2 regions (src homology regions). When expressed, these 85 kd proteins bind to and are substrates for tyrosine-phosphorylated receptor kinases and the polyoma virus middle-T antigen/pp60c-src complex, but lack PI3-kinase activity. However, an antiserum raised against p85 beta immunoprecipitates PI3-kinase activity. The active PI3-kinase complex containing p85 alpha or p85 beta and the 110 kd protein binds to PDGF but not EGF receptors. p85 alpha and p85 beta may mediate specific PI3-kinase interactions with a subset of tyrosine kinases.

Animals

Expression of epidermal-growth-factor receptor in the K562 cell line by transfection. Altered receptor biochemistry.

The epidermal-growth-factor (EGF) receptor was expressed in the human erythroleukaemic cell line K562 by transfection of the receptor cDNA. EGF-receptor biochemistry appears altered in the K562 transfectants. Autophosphorylation of the K562 receptor is not stimulated substantially by EGF. Tyrosine kinase activity of the receptor is high in the absence of EGF, whereas receptor affinity for EGF is low. K562 cells are shown to lack mRNA for transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha). Therefore autocrine stimulation of the K562 receptor, at least by TGF alpha, does not explain the observed receptor biochemistry. The K562 receptor is phosphorylated at a single major site in intact cells, a threonine residue that may be Thr-669. Possible mechanisms of regulation of the EGF receptor in the K562 transfectants are discussed.

DNA

A novel neutrophil chemoattractant generated during an inflammatory reaction in the rabbit peritoneal cavity in vivo. Purification, partial amino acid sequence and structural relationship to interleukin 8.

An inflammatory reaction was induced in vivo by injection of zymosan into the peritoneal cavity of the rabbit. The inflammatory exudate was found to contain oedema-inducing and neutrophil chemoattractant activity when assayed in rabbit skin in vivo, using 125I-albumin and 111In-neutrophils. This activity was additional to that of complement fragment C5a, which was removed by an affinity gel. Two chemoattractants were isolated by cation-exchange, gel-filtration and reversed-phase h.p.l.c. One of these, which ran as a single band of 6-8 kDa on SDS/PAGE, was subjected to N-terminal sequence analysis without reduction and alkylation of cysteine residues. Positive identification of 28 of the first 31 amino acids revealed a rabbit homologue of interleukin-8 (75% sequence identity with human interleukin-8). The demonstration of interleukin-8 as a major neutrophil chemoattractant in an inflammatory reaction in vivo provides the basis for further investigations into the role of this cytokine in the inflammatory process.

Amino Acid Sequence