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Jianping Zheng

Publications and source records attributed to Jianping Zheng.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Double cohesion in structural DNA nanotechnology.

Double cohesion has proved to be a useful tool to assemble robust 2D arrays of large tiles. Here we present a variety of examples showing the utility of this approach. We apply this principle to the 3 types of 2D lattice sections of arrays whose individual tiles are inherently 3 dimensional, because they contain three vectors that span 3-space. This application includes motifs which are based on the tensegrity triangle, the six-helix bundle motif and on three skewed triple crossover molecules. All of these designs have the potential to form 3 dimensional structures if all three directions of propagation are allowed. If one direction is blunted, 2D arrays form, and all 3 combinations are presented here. In addition, a large parallelogram array that was not attainable previously using single duplex cohesion was also constructed using double cohesion. For comparison, arrays which use another type of double cohesion, double paranemic (PX) cohesion are also presented. Double cohesion of sticky ends proved to be the more effective tool to assemble large motifs into arrays.

DNA↗

Molecular cloning and characterization of a human AIF-like gene with ability to induce apoptosis.

In this study, we cloned and characterized a human gene homologous to the apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), which is named AIF-like (AIFL). Human AIFL has 598 amino acids, with a characteristic Rieske domain and a pyridine nucleotide-disulfide oxidoreductase domain (Pyr_redox). AIFL shares 35% homology with AIF, mainly in the Pyr_redox domain. Reverse transcriptase-PCR analysis showed the expression of AIFL mRNA in all tissues tested, i.e. brain, colon, heart, kidney, liver, lung, muscle, ovary, pancreas, placenta, small intestine, and testis. We developed antibodies against human AIFL using fusion proteins as antigens. The antibodies specifically recognized the antigen and heterologously expressed AIFL proteins. The expression of AIFL proteins in human tissues was also ubiquitous, demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in tissue array slides. Subcellular fractionation and immunofluorescence staining studies revealed that AIFL is predominantly localized to the mitochondria. Similar to AIF, overexpression of AIFL induced apoptosis, as shown by increased cytoplasmic nucleosomes and subdiploid cell populations in AIFL-transfected cells. The segment 1-190 containing the Rieske domain induced apoptosis, whereas the segment containing the Pyr_redox domain did not contribute to the pro-apoptotic function. The mitochondrial membrane potential of cells transfected with AIFL was significantly more depolarized than that of the control. AIFL transfection-induced cytochrome c release and cleavage of caspase 3. Furthermore, the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk inhibited AIFL induced apoptosis. In summary, AIFL induces apoptosis in a caspase-dependent manner when heterologously expressed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Solvent effects on infrared spectra of methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate in pure organic solvents and in ethanol/CCl4 binary solvents.

Infrared spectroscopy studies of methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (MHB) in 17 different organic solvents and in ethanol/CCl4 binary solvent were undertaken to investigate the solvent-solute interactions. The frequencies of carbonyl stretching vibration nu(C=O) of MHB in single solvents were correlated with the solvent acceptor number (AN) and the linear solvation energy relationships (LSER). The assignments of the two bands of nu(C=O) of MHB in alcohols and the single one of that in non-alcoholic solvents were discussed. The shifts of nu(C=O) of MHB in ethanol/CCl4 binary solvents showed that several kinds of solute-solvent hydrogen bonding interactions coexisted in the mixture solvents, with a change in the mole fraction of ethanol in the binary solvents.

Alcohols↗

Solvent effect on infrared spectra of methyl methacrylate in CCl4/C6H14, CHCl3/C6H14 and C2H5OH/C6H14 binary solvent systems.

Research of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in three kinds of binary solvent systems (CCl4/C6H14, CHCl3/C6H14 and C2H5OH/C6H14) on the infrared (IR) spectra was reported. Two types of carbonyl stretching vibration bands for MMA in CHCl3/C6H14 or C2H5OH/C6H14 mixtures were found with the changing of the mole fraction of CHCl3 (XCHCl3) or C2H5OH (XC2H5OH). The carbonyl stretching vibration bands at lower frequencies in the above two mixtures were attributed to the formation of hydrogen bonding between MMA and CHCl3 or C2H5OH. While in CCl4/C6H14 mixtures there was only one type of carbonyl stretching vibration band of MMA. Good linear correlations between the frequencies of C=O or C=C stretching vibration band of MMA and XCCl4, XCHCl3 or XC2H5OH were found, respectively. The solute-solvent interactions in the three different binary solvent systems were discussed in detail.

Carbon Tetrachloride↗

Infrared study on solvent-solute interactions of 2-acetylthiophene in binary mixtures.

The infrared absorption spectra of the carbonyl stretching vibrations of 2-acetylthiophene (AcTh) have been investigated in cyclo-hexane/alcohol mixtures (C6(12/C2H5OH; (6H12/n-C4H9OH; C6H12/i-C3H7OH and C6H12/t-C5H11OH). Five types of carbonyl stretching vibration bands for AcTh are found with the change of the mole fraction of the aprotic solvent C6H12 (x(C6H12)) in binary solvent mixtures. The dependencies of the frequencies of carbonyl stretching vibrations (nu(C=O)) on x(C6H12) allow a distinction and assignment of all species resulting from the solvent-solute interactions. Linear correlations between the nu(C=O) of each species and x(C6H12) are found. The influence on the transformation of some species caused by the self association of alcohols is discussed.

Alcohols↗

AFM studies of DNA structures on mica in the presence of alkaline earth metal ions.

As counterions of DNA on mica, Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Sr(2+) and Ba(2+) were used for clarifying whether DNA molecules equilibrate or are trapped on mica surface. End to end distance and contour lengths were determined from statistical analysis of AFM data. It was revealed that DNA molecules can equilibrate on mica when Mg(2+), Ca(2+) and Sr(2+) are counterions. When Ba(2+) is present, significantly crossovered DNA molecules indicate that it is most difficult for DNA to equilibrate on mica and the trapping degree is different under different preparation conditions. In the presence of ethanol, using AFM we have also observed the dependence of B-A conformational transition on counterion identities. The four alkaline earth metal ions cause the B-A transition in different degrees, in which Sr(2+) induces the greatest structural transition.

Adsorption↗

The structural transition of DNA-Tris(1,10-phenanthroline) cobalt(III) complexes in ethanol-water solution.

The interaction of DNA with Tris(1,10-phenanthroline) cobalt(III) was studied by means of atomic force microscopy. Changes in the morphologies of DNA complex in the presence of ethanol may well indicate the crucial role of electrostatic force in causing DNA condensation. With the increase of the concentration of ethanol, electrostatic interaction is enhanced corresponding to a lower dielectric constant. Counterions condense along the sugar phosphate backbone of DNA when epsilon is lowered and the phosphate charge density can thus be neutralized to the level of DNA condensation. Electroanalytical measurement of DNA condensed with Co(phen)(3)(3+) in ethanol solution indicated that intercalating reaction remains existing. According to both the microscopic and spectroscopic results, it can be found that no secondary structure transition occurs upon DNA condensing. B-A conformation transition takes place at more than 60% ethanol solution.

Circular Dichroism↗

Construction and control of plasmid DNA network.

The influences of different cations on plasmid DNA network structures on a mica substrate were investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Interactions between the DNA strands and mica substrate, and between the DNA strands themselves were more strongly influenced by the complex cations (Fe(phen)3(2+), Ni(phen)3(2+), and Co(phen)3(3+)) than by the simple cations (Mg2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Ca2+, Co3+). The mesh height of the plasmid DNA network was higher when the complex cations were added to DNA samples. The mesh size decreased with increasing DNA concentration and increased with decreasing DNA concentration in the same cation solution sample. Hence, plasmid DNA network height can be controlled by selecting different cations, and the mesh size can be controlled by adjusting plasmid DNA concentration.

Animals↗