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Biomedical subjects

S K Wu

Publications and source records attributed to S K Wu.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Use of polymerized mixed liposomes to study interactions of phospholipase A2 with membranes.

Polymerized liposomes of thiol-based phospholipids, 1,2-bis[12-(lipoyloxy)dodecanoyl]-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (BLPC) and -phosphoglycerol (BLPG) were used to study interactions of several phospholipases A2 (PLA2) with membranes. Large liposomes (an average diameter of 100 +/- 10 nm) prepared from BLPC or BLPG were readily hydrolyzed by PLA2. Once polymerized, however, these liposomes were resistant to the PLA2 hydrolysis. When liposomes were prepared from a mixture of 1-hexadecanoyl-2-(1-pyrenyldecanoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (pyrene-PC) (5 mol%) and BLPC, fluorescence measurements of resulting polymerized mixed liposomes showed that the pyrene-PC molecules exist solely as monomers without forming a patch and were selectively hydrolyzed by PLA2. Progress of the hydrolysis can be readily monitored by measuring the change in fluorescence emission at 380 nm in the presence of bovine serum albumin. Rapid and selective hydrolysis of inserted phospholipids in polymerized mixed liposomes supports the notion that facile migration of a phospholipid substrate from membrane to the active site of enzyme is a critical step in the catalysis of PLA2. On the basis of these findings, various combinations of polymerized mixed liposomes were prepared and their hydrolysis by PLA2 measured. When compared to the substrate specificity of PLA2s determined using Triton X-100/phospholipid mixed micelles, results from polymerized mixed liposomes indicate that electrostatic interactions between the interfacial binding site of PLA2 and membrane surfaces play an important role in the determination of substrate specificity of PLA2 and in the regulation of PLA2 activities.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Catalysis↗
PubMed1993

A 300 bp 5'-upstream sequence of a differentiation-dependent rabbit K3 keratin gene can serve as a keratinocyte-specific promoter.

Keratinocytes of the suprabasal compartment of many stratified epithelia synthesize as a major differentiation product a keratin pair, consisting of an acidic and a basic keratin, which accounts for 10-20% of the newly synthesized proteins. While genes of several differentiation-related keratins have been cloned and studied, relatively little is known about the molecular basis underlying their tissue-specific and differentiation-dependent expression. We have chosen to study, as a prototype of these genes, the gene of K3 keratin, which has the unique property of being expressed in the majority of corneal epithelial basal cells but suprabasally in peripheral cornea, the site of corneal epithelial stem cells. Using a monoclonal antibody, AE5, specific for K3 keratin, and a fragment of human K3 gene as probes, we have isolated several cDNA and genomic clones of rabbit K3 keratin. One genomic clone has been sequenced and characterized, and the identity of its coding sequence with that of cDNAs indicates that it corresponds to the single, functional rabbit K3 gene. Transfection assays showed that its 3.6 kb 5'-upstream sequence can drive a chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) reporter gene to express in cultured corneal and esophageal epithelial cells, but not in mesothelial and kidney epithelial cells or fibroblasts, all of rabbit origin. Serial deletion experiments narrowed this keratinocyte-specific promoter to within -300 bp upstream of the transcription initiation site. Its activity is not regulated by the coding or 3'-noncoding sequences that have been tested so far. This 300 bp 5'-upstream sequence of K3 keratin gene, which can function in vitro as a keratinocyte-specific promoter, contains two clusters of partially overlapping motifs, one with an NFkB consensus sequence and another with a GC box. The combinatorial effects of these multiple motifs and their cognate binding proteins may play an important role in regulating the expression of this tissue-restricted and differentiation-dependent keratin gene.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

The effects of heavy eccentric contractions on serum creatine kinase levels.

Post-exercise serum creatine kinase (CK) has been frequently used to evaluate muscle damage. The purpose of present study was to examine the effects of 45 eccentric contraction on serum creatine kinase levels during laboratory tests. Using a Lido isokinetic dynamometer, thirteen subjects (five distance runners and eight PE students), average age = 24.0 (yrs), height = 172.5 (cm), weight = 66.5 (kg), and percent body fat = 15.3 (%), completed 5 and 40 eccentric contractions at speed of 60 degrees C/s and 120 degrees/s, respectively. Blood sample was drawn before and 18, 42, 66, 90 hours after exercise protocol. Result indicated that PE students have a significant increase in serum CK levels post-exercise 18 hours (p less than 0.05) only. Both groups in absolute muscular strength or corrected strength have found non-significant difference (p greater than 0.05). Resulting findings showed that training effect may be an important factor for CK leakage rather than lean body mass. In the light of results, it is seem safe to say that the exercise protocol for distance runners using by this study would not contribute to severe CK elevations in blood. This testing protocol can be recommended as an appropriate test for students and distance runners with similar fitness level. Due to large variations occurred during CK testing, follow-up study should try to establish baseline serum CK level by repeated enzyme tests.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Full-length DQ beta cDNA sequences of HLA-DR2/DQw1 subtypes: genetic interactions between two DQ beta loci generate human class II HLA diversity.

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of DQ molecules from three different Dw subtypes (Dw2, Dw12, and Dw21/FJO) of the HLA-DR2/DQw1 haplotype reveals that one alpha beta heterodimer of DQ molecule is expressed by each subtype and the DQ beta chain is electrophoretically variable among the three DR2/DQw1 subtypes. We have constructed cDNA libraries from the same homozygous typing cells used in the two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analyses (HTC VYT for Dw2, HTC DHO for Dw12, and HTC FJO for Dw21/FJO) and isolated DQ beta cDNA clones with full-length coding sequences for each subtype. The deduced amino acid sequences show that the DQ beta chains of these three DR2/DQw1 subtypes are highly polymorphic and confirm their electrophoretic heterogeneity: for a mature protein of 229 amino acids, they differ with each other by 10-17 amino acids in the first domain and by 3-7 residues in the C-terminal sequence. Comparison among the available DQ beta sequences representing the four major DQ specificities (DQw1, DQw2, DQw3, and DQw4) in the DQ subregion as defined by serologic method suggests that (1) DR2,Dw2,DQw1 and DR3,DQw2 haplotypes probably interact with each other to generate the DQw3 and DQw4 beta alleles and (2) an evolutionary scheme may be proposed to relate the various beta alleles of the four major DQ specificities.

Alleles↗
PubMed1988

Molecular studies of a rare DR2/LD-5a/DQw3 HLA class II haplotype. Multiple genetic mechanisms in the generation of polymorphic HLA class II genes.

A cDNA library was constructed from a homozygous B lymphoblastoid cell line (REM) obtained from an individual of a long isolated American Indian tribe, the Warao. The REM cell line expresses serologically defined determinants, DR2 and DQw3, and the T lymphocyte-defined (Dw/LD) specificity, LD-5a. T cells can recognize differences between FJO (a DR2/DQw1 cell line that expresses the Dw specificity MN2) and REM for both DR and DQ molecules. cNDA clones encoding the polymorphic DR beta 1-, DR beta 2-, DQ beta-, and DQ alpha-chains were sequenced and compared with other DR and DQ gene sequences. The DR beta 1-sequence of REM is identical to the DR beta 1-sequence of FJO; the DR beta 2-sequence is also identical to that of FJO except for one amino acid difference at position 67 in the polymorphic first domain (Leu in REM, Phe in FJO) due to a single point mutation. The DQ beta-sequence is identical to that of DR4/DQw3 haplotype; the DQ alpha is different from the DQ alpha of DR4/DQw3 haplotype and identical to the DQ alpha of both the DR3/DQw2 haplotype of a Raji cell line and the DR5/DQw3 haplotype in deduced amino acid sequence. Taken together, these findings suggest that: 1) a single amino acid difference (position 67) in the third hypervariable region of the first domain of the DR beta 2-chain in the DR2 haplotype is apparently sufficient for stimulating T cell responses; 2) the DQw3 serologic specificity may be defined mainly by the DQ beta-rather than DQ alpha-chain; and 3) multiple genetic events have probably occurred to generate the rarely found REM (DR2/LD-5a/DQw3) haplotype.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1987

cDNA cloning and sequencing reveals that the electrophoretically constant DR beta 2 molecules, as well as the variable DR beta 1 molecules, from HLA-DR2 subtypes have different amino acid sequences including a hypervariable region for a functionally important epitope.

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) of DR molecules from three different Dw subtypes (Dw2, Dw12, and FJO) of the HLA-DR2 haplotype reveals that at least two DR beta genes are expressed. Protein mixing experiments demonstrate that one of the two expressed DR beta molecules is electrophoretically variable (referred to as DR beta 1), and the other (DR beta 2) migrates constantly among DR2 subtypes. We have constructed cDNA libraries from Dw12 and FJO homozygous typing cells (HTC DHO for Dw12 and HTC FJO for FJO) and isolated DR beta cDNA clones. Four of these clones (FJO-13, DHO-8, FJO-6, and DHO-7) were sequenced, and the deduced amino acid sequences were compared with each other and with two published amino acid sequences for the DR beta molecules derived from a DR2-Dw2HTC. Prediction of the migration patterns on 2D-PAGE from the amino acid sequences of these and other DR beta molecules allows the tentative designation of the two full-length cDNA (DHO-8 and FJO-13) as coding for DR beta 2 molecules and the other two cDNA (DHO-7 and FJO-6) for DR beta 1 molecules. Amino acid sequence comparisons also show that the constantly migrating DR beta 2 molecules, as well as the electrophoretically variable DR beta 1 molecules, from Dw2, Dw12, and FJO have different primary amino acid sequences, including a clustered difference in the third hypervariable region of the polymorphic first domain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1987

Comparison of DR beta 1 alleles from diabetic and normal individuals.

Insulin-dependent diabetes (IDD) is positively associated with HLA-D proteins. A critical question is whether or not sequence differences within the HLA-D coding region are the same or different in diabetics and normal individuals of the same haplotype. We have isolated both DR beta 1 alleles from a Dw4/LD MN2 cDNA library and compared them to DR beta 1 genes isolated from normal individuals of the same Dw phenotype. We found no nucleotide differences in the coding region between the normal and diabetic alleles of DR beta 1 suggesting to us that DNA differences other than the DR beta 1 coding region may account for the observed association of HLA-D and diabetes.

Alleles↗
PubMed1984

Induction of hepatocyte stimulating activity by T3 and appearance of the activity despite inhibition of DNA synthesis by adriamycin.

A hepatocyte stimulating activity (HSA) has been extracted from rats that had received an injection of a pharmacological dose of T3 20 hours earlier. The injection of HSA from T3-treated rats into different recipient rats that had previously had 40% of their liver removed resulted in a significant increase in hepatic DNA synthesis. The injection of saline or HSA from normal rat liver had little or no effect on hepatic DNA synthesis in recipient rats. HSA from the T3-treated rats also stimulated DNA synthesis in Novikoff hepatoma cells and primary hepatocytes in culture, and in isolated normal rat liver nuclei in a nuclear incorporating system. In further experiments in which the increased DNA synthesis that follows partial hepatectomy was blocked by adriamycin, HSA appeared in these non-regenerating livers. This latter observation had indicated that the development of HSA is not merely an accompaniment of DNA synthesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Estrogen binding protein activity in Morris hepatoma 7777 compared with normal rat liver.

Estrogen binding protein activities were determined in the cytosol from adult male Buffalo rat liver and Morris hepatoma 7777. Estrogen receptors were prepared using the protamine sulfate precipitation technique of Chamness. The ability of various unlabeled steroids competing with [3H]estradiol was examined to establish the binding specificity. Estradiol binding in Morris hepatoma 7777 cytosol was greatly decreased compared with that present in hepatic cytosol prepared from normal rat liver. The receptor concentration expressed as femtomoles per milligram of cytoplasmic protein was 31.1 +/- 2.9 SD for normal rat liver and 0.41 +/- 0.88 SD for the hepatoma. Gel filtration chromatography revealed the presence of an estrogen binder in hepatoma cytosol which was not present in either normal liver or in the protamine sulfate precipitates of hepatoma cytosol. The molecular weight, binding specificity, and precipitation of this protein by specific antiserum suggests that it is alpha-fetoprotein.

Animals↗