Biomedical subjects

Jun Yu

Publications and source records attributed to Jun Yu.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

Promoter hypermethylation of tumor-related genes in gastric intestinal metaplasia of patients with and without gastric cancer.

Promoter hypermethylation is an alternative mechanism of gene silencing in human cancers including gastric cancer. While intestinal metaplasia (IM) is generally regarded as a precancerous lesion of the stomach, our study examines the presence of gene promoter hypermethylation in IM of patients with and without gastric cancer. We examined 31 samples of gastric cancer, 36 gastric IM (21 associated with gastric cancer and 15 from noncancer patients) and 10 normal gastric biopsies. Tissues containing foci of IM were carefully microdissected from paraffin-embedded section. Bisulfite-modified DNA was examined for gene promoter hypermethylation in DAP-kinase, E-cadherin, GSTP1, p14, p15, p16, RASSF1A and hMLH1 by methylation-specific-PCR. None of the control gastric tissues had hypermethylation detected, but gene promoter hypermethylation was frequently detected in gastric cancer and IM. The mean number of methylated genes in cancer and IM was 3.0 and 1.4, respectively (p < 0.0001). Methylation in IM from cancer patients was all associated with concurrent methylation in the corresponding tumor samples. The numbers of methylated genes were similar in IM obtained from cancer and noncancer patients. By examining the methylation patterns of these genes, 3 differential methylation patterns were recognized: hypermethylation was more frequent in cancer than in IM (DAP-kinase, p14, p15 and p16); comparable frequencies of methylation in cancer and IM (E-cadherin and hMLH1); and no methylation (GSTP1). Aberrant methylation in tumor-related genes is frequently detected in gastric IM of both cancer and noncancer patients, suggesting their early involvement in the multistep progression of gastric carcinogenesis.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Genome sequence of Shigella flexneri 2a: insights into pathogenicity through comparison with genomes of Escherichia coli K12 and O157.

We have sequenced the genome of Shigella flexneri serotype 2a, the most prevalent species and serotype that causes bacillary dysentery or shigellosis in man. The whole genome is composed of a 4 607 203 bp chromosome and a 221 618 bp virulence plasmid, designated pCP301. While the plasmid shows minor divergence from that sequenced in serotype 5a, striking characteristics of the chromosome have been revealed. The S.flexneri chromosome has, astonishingly, 314 IS elements, more than 7-fold over those possessed by its close relatives, the non-pathogenic K12 strain and enterohemorrhagic O157:H7 strain of Escherichia coli. There are 13 translocations and inversions compared with the E.coli sequences, all involve a segment larger than 5 kb, and most are associated with deletions or acquired DNA sequences, of which several are likely to be bacteriophage-transmitted pathogenicity islands. Furthermore, S.flexneri, resembling another human-restricted enteric pathogen, Salmonella typhi, also has hundreds of pseudogenes compared with the E.coli strains. All of these could be subjected to investigations towards novel preventative and treatment strategies against shigellosis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

Role of prostaglandin E(2) EP receptors and cAMP in the expression of connective tissue growth factor.

Wild-type (WT) Rat-1 fibroblasts express undetectable quantities of the prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) EP1, EP2, and EP3 receptor types and detectable amounts of the EP4 receptor. In the WT Rat-1, PGE(2) enhances connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNA. PGE(2) does not stimulate cAMP production in these cells. However, forskolin induces cAMP production and ablates TGF beta-stimulated increases in CTGF mRNA. A similar pattern of CTGF expression in response to PGE(2) and forskolin is observed in neonatal rat primary smooth muscle cell cultures. When WT Rat-1 cells are stably transfected with the EP2 receptor, PGE(2) causes a sizable elevation in intracellular cAMP and ablates the TGF beta-stimulated increase in CTGF mRNA. PGE(2) does not have this effect on cells expressing the EP1, EP3, or EP4 receptor subtypes. These results demonstrate the importance of the EP2 receptor and cAMP in the inhibition of TGF beta-stimulated CTGF production and suggest a role for PGE(2) in increasing CTGF mRNA levels in the absence of the EP2 receptor. Involvement of inositol phosphate in this upregulation of CTGF expression by PGE(2) is doubtful. None of the cell lines containing the four EP transfectants nor the WT Rat-1 cells responded to PGE(2) with inositol phosphate production.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Inhibitor of apoptosis protein survivin regulates vascular injury.

Survivin (also termed Birc5) belongs to the family of genes known as inhibitors of apoptosis, and it has been implicated in both prevention of cell death and control of mitosis. The survivin pathway is exploited in cancer, but its potential role in vascular injury is unknown. Here, we show that balloon-mediated arterial injury in rabbits resulted in expression of survivin in vascular cells. Serum or PDGF-AB stimulated survivin expression in cultured smooth-muscle cells (SMCs), which suppressed apoptosis and prevented caspase activation. Adenoviral delivery of a phosphorylation-defective survivin mutant reversed the cytoprotective effect of PDGF in SMCs without affecting mitotic progression, suppressed neointimal formation in wire-injured mouse femoral arteries, and induced vascular cell apoptosis in vivo. These data identify survivin as a critical regulator of SMC apoptosis after acute vascular injury. Disrupting the survivin pathway may provide a novel therapy to limit pathological vessel-wall remodeling.

Adenoviridae↗

PubMed2002

Functional reconstitution of endothelial nitric oxide synthase reveals the importance of serine 1179 in endothelium-dependent vasomotion.

Phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) at serine 1179 can activate the enzyme, leading to NO release. Because eNOS is important in regulating vascular tone, we investigated whether phosphorylation of this residue is involved in vasomotion. Adenoviral transduction of endothelial cells (ECs) with the phosphomimetic S1179DeNOS markedly increased basal and vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF)-stimulated NO release compared with cells transduced with wild-type virus. Conversely, adenoviral transduction of ECs with the non-phosphorylatable S1179AeNOS suppressed basal and stimulated NO release. Using a novel method for luminal delivery of adenovirus, transduction of the endothelium of carotid arteries from eNOS knockout mice with S1179DeNOS completely restored NO-mediated dilatation to acetylcholine (ACh), whereas vasomotor responses in arteries transduced with S1179AeNOS were significantly attenuated. Basal NO release was also significantly reduced in arteries transduced with S1179AeNOS, compared with S1179DeNOS. Thus, our data directly demonstrate that phosphorylation of eNOS at serine 1179 is an important regulator of basal and stimulated NO release in ECs and in intact blood vessels.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed2002

Genomic organization, transcript variants and comparative analysis of the human nucleoporin 155 (NUP155) gene.

Nucleoporin 155 (Nup155) is a major component of the nuclear pore complex (NPC) involved in cellular nucleo-cytoplasmic transport. We have acquired the complete sequence and interpreted the genomic organization of the Nup155 orthologos from human (Homo sapiens) and pufferfish (Fugu rubripes), which are approximately 80 and 8 kb in length, respectively. The human gene is ubiquitously expressed in many tissues analyzed and has two major transcript variants, resulted from an alternative usage of the 5' cryptic or consensus splice donor in intron 1 and two polyadenylation signals. We have also cloned DNA complementary to RNAs of the Nup155 orthologs from Fugu and mouse. Comparative analysis of the Nup155 orthologs in many species, including H. sapiens, Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus, F. rubripes, Arabidopsis thaliana, Drosophila melanogaster, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has revealed two paralogs in S. cerevisiae but only a single gene with increasing number of introns in more complex organisms. The amino acid sequences of the Nup155 orthologos are highly conserved in the evolution of eukaryotes. Different gene orders in the human and Fugu genomic regions harboring the Nup155 orthologs advocate cautious interpretation of synteny in comparative genomic analysis even within the vertebrate lineage.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2002

Structural insight into the role of the second intracellular loop of the bradykinin 2 receptor in signaling and internalization.

The second cytoplasmic loop (IC2) of the bradykinin B2 receptor plays a vital role in its dynamic life cycle including the activation, internalization, desensitization, and resensitization of this receptor. Here, we probe the structure and function of the IC2, with particular emphasis on threonine-137, which is crucial for signal transduction and internalization. Mutation of this threonine to proline (T137P) produces wild type (WT) signaling and complete inhibition of internalization. Incorporation of aspartate (T137D) leads to a marked reduction in receptor signaling but with WT receptor uptake. The T137D mutation coupled with serine to alanine substitution of S335 and S341 within the distal C-terminus recovers signaling, leading to an actually enhanced arachidonic acid release and phosphoinositide turnover compared to WT bradykinin B2 receptor (BKB2R). To provide a structural basis for the actions of this mutant, the conformational features of IC2 (both WT and mutant) were investigated by high-resolution NMR. The NMR analysis illustrated two prominent alpha-helices at the N- (L123-M138) and C-termini (A149-I156) of the IC2 receptor domain. Incorporating these structural characteristics into a model of BKB2R, we determined that the entire N-terminal helix of IC2 is incorporated as TM3, placing Y131 1.5 helical turns into TM3 and T137 at the membrane surface. The NMR data indicated no structural changes upon substitution of T137D. These results suggest that the altered signaling of the T137D mutant can be attributed to the introduction of a negative charge, indicating that phosphorylation of this residue takes place and participates in the life cycle of this receptor. Additionally, the return to WT signal capacity of the mutation T137D/S335A/S341A, to overcome the deleterious T137D substitution points to a functional interaction between the IC2 and the C-terminus.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

A draft sequence of the rice genome (Oryza sativa L. ssp. indica).

We have produced a draft sequence of the rice genome for the most widely cultivated subspecies in China, Oryza sativa L. ssp. indica, by whole-genome shotgun sequencing. The genome was 466 megabases in size, with an estimated 46,022 to 55,615 genes. Functional coverage in the assembled sequences was 92.0%. About 42.2% of the genome was in exact 20-nucleotide oligomer repeats, and most of the transposons were in the intergenic regions between genes. Although 80.6% of predicted Arabidopsis thaliana genes had a homolog in rice, only 49.4% of predicted rice genes had a homolog in A. thaliana. The large proportion of rice genes with no recognizable homologs is due to a gradient in the GC content of rice coding sequences.

Arabidopsis↗

PubMed2002

[Inhibition of moderate hypoxia-induced protein synthesis by vasonatrin peptide in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes].

The present work was to investigate the effects of vasonatrin peptide (VNP) on cardiomyocyte protein synthesis induced by moderate hypoxia. In cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, MTT methods, total protein measurement and (3)H-leucine incorporation were used to calculate the cell number and measure the protein synthesis of cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, radioimmunoassay was undertaken to observe the effects of VNP on the intracellular levels of cAMP, cGMP and the concentration of endothelin (ET) in the culture medium. The results showed that both the cell number and protein synthesis decreased with severe hypoxia for 24 h. In contrast, under moderate hypoxia, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy developed; the protein synthesis as evidenced by total protein content and 3H-eucine incorporation increased significantly. VNP reduced cardiomyocyte protein synthesis induced by moderate hypoxia in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, VNP increased the intracellular level of cGMP and decreased the concentration of ET in the culture medium under moderate hypoxia, but had no effect on the level of cAMP. These results suggest that VNP inhibits moderate hypoxia-induced protein synthesis in cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes. This effect is mediated, at least in part, by an increase in intracellular cGMP, a reduction in synthesis, and/or a release in ET of cardiomyocytes.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Global chimeric exchanges within the intracellular face of the bradykinin B2 receptor with corresponding angiotensin II type Ia receptor regions: generation of fully functional hybrids showing characteristic signaling of the AT1a receptor.

The intracellular (IC) face of the G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR), bradykinin (BK) B2 and angiotensin (AT) 1a, is similar in sequence homology and in size. Both receptors are known to link to Galphai and Galphaq but differ markedly in a number of physiologic actions, particularly with respect to their hemodynamic action. We made single as well as multiple, global replacements within the IC of BKB2R with the corresponding regions of the AT1aR. When stably transfected into Rat-1 cells, these hybrid receptors all bound BK with high affinity. Single replacement of the intracellular loop 2 (IC2) or the distal 34 residues of the C-terminus (dCt) with the corresponding regions of AT1aR resulted in chimera, which turned over phosphotidylinositol (PI) and released arachidonic acid (ARA) as WT BKB2R. In contrast, incorporation of the AT1aR IC3 in a single replacement abolished signal transduction. However, the simultaneous exchange of IC2 and IC3 of BKB2R with AT1aR resulted in a receptor responding to BK with PI turnover and ARA release approximately 4-fold greater than WT BKB2R. Likewise, the simultaneous replacement of IC2 and dCt resulted in a 2.8- and 1.6-fold increase in PI turnover and ARA release, respectively. In contrast, the dual replacement of IC3 and dCt could not overcome the deleterious effects of the IC3 replacement, resulting in very low PI activation and ARA release. Replacement of all three IC domains (IC2, IC3, and dCt) resulted in PI closer to that of AT1aR than BKB2R. The uptake of the receptor chimeras was similar to that of WT BKB2R with the exception of the IC3/dCt dual mutant, which exhibited very poor internalization (18% at 60'). When transfected into Rat-1 cells, the AT1aR markedly increased the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNA, while BK slightly decreased it. The dual IC2/dCt and triple IC2/IC3/dCt hybrids both upregulated CTGF mRNA in response to BK. These results show that the IC face of the BKB2R can be exchanged with that of AT1aR, producing hybrid receptors, which take on the functional characteristics of AT1aR. The characterization of the chimera with stepwise replacement of the IC domains should allow for assignment of specific roles to the individual loops and C-terminus in the signaling and internalization of the BKB2R and facilitate the generation of a receptor with BKB2R binding and AT1aR function.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Expression of trefoil peptides (TFF1, TFF2, and TFF3) in gastric carcinomas, intestinal metaplasia, and non-neoplastic gastric tissues.

Trefoil factor family (TFF) domain peptides consist of three members that play a role in intestinal mucosal defence and repair, and in tumourigenesis. The role of the three TFF members in the gastric carcinogenesis cascade remains poorly defined. This study examined seven gastric cell lines, 50 gastric cancers and their adjacent non-cancer tissues, and tissues from 40 non-cancer patients, in order to elucidate the chronology of TFF expression in various stages of gastric carcinogenesis. TFF expression was determined by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and western blot. Aberrant expression of TFF1, TFF2, and TFF3 was frequently detected in gastric cell lines. Specifically, TFF1 was detected in all non-cancer patients, but was detected in only 50% of gastric cancer and 66% of adjacent normal tissues. TFF2 expression was demonstrated in 87.5% of non-cancer patients, 34% of gastric carcinomas, and 58% of adjacent non-cancer tissues. There was a significant correlation between TFF1 and TFF2 expression in gastric cancer and adjacent non-cancer tissues (p<0.001). By contrast, TFF3 was detected in 25% of non-cancer patients and showed a predilection for areas with intestinal metaplasia (p=0.005). Sixty-two per cent of gastric cancers and 24% of neighbouring non-cancer tissues showed TFF3 expression. Immunoreactivity against TFF3 was demonstrated in goblet cells of intestinal metaplasia and within the cytoplasm and nuclei of tumour cells. Progressive loss of TFF1 and TFF2, together with the induction of TFF3, is likely to be involved in the early stage of the multi-step gastric carcinogenesis pathway.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Identification of a novel gene on chromosome 7q11.2 interrupted by a translocation breakpoint in a pair of autistic twins.

We report here the identification and characterization of a novel gene (AUTS2) that spans the 7q11.2 breakpoint in a monozygotic twin pair concordant for autism and a t(7;20) (q11.2; p11.2) translocation. AUTS2 is 1.2 Mb and has 19 exons. The predicted protein is 1295 amino acids and does not correspond to any known protein. DNA sequence analysis of autism subjects and controls revealed 22 biallelic polymorphic sites. For all sites, both alleles were observed in both cases and controls. Thus no autism-specific mutation was observed. Association analysis with two exonic polymorphic sites and linkage analysis of four dinucleotide repeat markers, two within and two flanking AUTS2, was negative. Thus, although it is unlikely that AUTS2 is an autism susceptibility gene for idiopathic autism, it may be the gene responsible for the disorder in the twins studied here.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

Hybrid formation between the intracellular faces of the bradykinin B2 and angiotensin II AT1 receptors and signal transduction.

Most frequently, the physiologic functions of the angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 receptor (AT1R) and bradykinin B2 receptor (BKB2R) are antagonistic, particularly with respect to the regulation of vascular tone. Despite major differences in their physiologic actions, the receptors share sequence similarities. Both link to Galpha(i) and Galpha(q) and transduce very similar signal paths, not only those relating to the traditional G-protein associated second messengers, but also those involved in transactivation mechanisms involving receptor tyrosine kinases. With respect to these paths, some differences in signaling may be accounted for by cell type specificity. However, alternative signal cascades for these two receptors are becoming increasingly evident. One such is the recruitment of signaling molecules upon receptor translocation and internalization. The AT1R translocates into clathrin-coated pits and internalizes upon recruitment of beta-arrestin 2 which then recruits ASK1 and JNK3. The BKB2R translocates and internalizes mainly via caveolae. Another signaling divergence may be due to the direct activation of small G-proteins by both receptors. AT1R activates the RhoA, Rac1, Cdc42 while BKB2R couples only with Rac1 and Cdc42. Both receptors may serve as docking stations for intracellular proteins. One such example is the YIPP motif within the C-terminus of the ATIR which associates with the JAK/STAT pathway. Another potential alternative is the activation of tyrosine/serine kinase phosphatases by BK. This mechanism may directly oppose some of the protein tyrosine/ serine kinase paths activated by AT1R. These alternative mechanisms in sum are potentially responsible for the diversion in signal transduction between these two receptors. Regardless of the route of action, our results suggest that in Rat-1 fibroblasts stably transfected with BKB2R, BK slightly decreases connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNA level while in ATIR transfected cells Ang II increases CTGF mRNA markedly. To determine whether mutant hybrids can be formed between these two receptors which encompass some of the function of the donor receptor but bind the ligand of the recipient receptor, a series of hybrids were formed with BKB2R the recipient and AT1R the donor receptor. Some of these hybrids show resistance to exchanges with the AT1R and form receptors which either do not bind (IC1 exchanges) or demonstrate poor function but normal internalization (proximal C-terminus exchanges). However, other hybrids have proven very functional. For example, the IC2, IC3 and distal C-terminus of the BKB2R IC face can be replaced simultaneously with the AT1R resulting in an hybrid which binds BK, continues to signal, is internalized and resensitized. Formation of this and other less extensive hybrids is discussed. Some of these hybrids possess the capacity to function as the AT1R as exemplified by their ability to upregulate CTGF expression as wild-type (WT) AT1R.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

Expression of G1 phase cyclins in human gastric cancer and gastric mucosa of first-degree relatives.

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of D-type cyclins and cyclin E in gastric cancer patients (N = 34), in healthy first-degree relatives of gastric cancer patients (N = 29), and in control subjects (N = 18). Expression of cyclins D1, D2, D3, and E was determined by RT-PCR. Localization of cyclin expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. Expression of cyclins D2, D3, and E was more frequently detected in tumor tissue compared with tumor-free gastric mucosa (P < 0.05) and was associated with the presence of intestinal metaplasia. In contrast, cyclin D1 was frequently expressed in both tumor- and tumor-free tissue. Cyclin D3 expression was more frequently detected in the antrum mucosa of first-degree relatives compared to controls (P < 0.01) and was associated with the presence of Helicobacter pylori. Our data suggest that deregulation of G1 phase cyclins may play a role in gastric carcinogenesis, and may point to the presence of molecular alterations in individuals at an increased risk for gastric cancer.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Increased beta-catenin mRNA levels and mutational alterations of the APC and beta-catenin gene are present in intestinal-type gastric cancer.

Beta-catenin is critical for intercellular adhesion and also plays a role as a transcription activating protein in the Wnt signalling pathway. Increased protein levels and mutation of the beta-catenin gene have been demonstrated in various cancers; however, the role of beta-catenin in gastric cancer remains largely unknown. Using gastric cancer tissues and normal adjacent gastric mucosa obtained from 20 patients with gastric cancer (eight diffuse-type, 12 intestinal-type) undergoing gastric resection or endoscopy, we assessed the expression of beta-catenin by immunohistochemistry and quantitative PCR analysis. Furthermore, the tumour suppressor gene APC, which down-regulates the beta-catenin levels was analysed for mutations. Overall mRNA levels of beta-catenin were significantly increased in the tumour samples compared with the matched normal gastric mucosa (P < 0.05). Increased beta-catenin mRNA levels were significantly more frequent in intestinal-type gastric cancers as compared to diffuse-type gastric cancers (P < 0.01). Six out of 20 tumours exhibited >6-fold increased beta-catenin mRNA levels as compared with normal mucosa. APC gene mutations were found in four cases. A beta-catenin gene mutation was identified only in one intestinal-type gastric cancer exhibiting a massive overexpression of beta-catenin mRNA in the tumour. In intestinal-type gastric cancers beta-catenin mRNA levels are greatly enhanced. APC and beta-catenin gene mutations are also present primarily in intestinal-type gastric cancers. These findings support the hypothesis that in intestinal-type gastric cancers the accumulation of beta-catenin protein may result from impaired degradation of the beta-catenin protein due to alterations of the beta-catenin and APC genes, as well as from enhanced beta-catenin transcription which is present in the great majority of intestinal-type gastric cancers.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Nitric oxide-releasing aspirin decreases vascular injury by reducing inflammation and promoting apoptosis.

Endothelial dysfunction, defined as a deficit in the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO), occurs as sequelae of many vascular diseases; however, the utility of supplementing NO to obviate the extent of disease is understudied. Here, we examined if prolonged treatment with an NO-releasing form of aspirin (NO-ASA) can influence neointimal remodeling of femoral arteries of hypercholesterolemic ApoE (-/-) mice. Treatment of ApoE (-/-) mice with NO-ASA, but not aspirin (ASA), improved neointimal remodeling post-injury. NO-ASA treatment increased lumen diameters and reduced intimal-to-medial ratios of injured femoral arteries compared with ASA- or vehicle-treated mice. The reduction in lumen diameter in NO-ASA-treated mice was associated with a marked reduction in CD45-positive inflammatory cells and an increased number of TUNEL-positive cells. Thus, NO-ASA, by virtue of releasing NO, can reduce vascular inflammation and promote apoptosis during vascular remodeling associated with neointimal thickening.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

RePS: a sequence assembler that masks exact repeats identified from the shotgun data.

We describe a sequence assembler, RePS (repeat-masked Phrap with scaffolding), that explicitly identifies exact 20mer repeats from the shotgun data and removes them prior to the assembly. The established software is used to compute meaningful error probabilities for each base. Clone-end-pairing information is used to construct scaffolds that order and orient the contigs. We show with real data for human and rice that reasonable assemblies are possible even at coverages of only 4x to 6x, despite having up to 42.2% in exact repeats.

Cloning, Molecular↗

PubMed2002

Compositional gradients in Gramineae genes.

In this study, we describe a property of Gramineae genes, and perhaps all monocot genes, that is not observed in eudicot genes. Along the direction of transcription, beginning at the junction of the 5'-UTR and the coding region, there are gradients in GC content, codon usage, and amino-acid usage. The magnitudes of these gradients are large enough to hinder the annotation of the rice genome and to confound the detection of protein homologies across the monocot-eudicot divide.

Amino Acids↗