PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Wei Zou

Publications and source records attributed to Wei Zou.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

eQTL Viewer: visualizing how sequence variation affects genome-wide transcription.

BACKGROUND: Expression Quantitative Trait Locus (eQTL) mapping methods have been used to identify the genetic basis of gene expression variations. To map eQTL, thousands of expression profiles are related with sequence polymorphisms across the genome through their correlated variations. These eQTL distribute in many chromosomal regions, each of which can include many genes. The large number of mapping results produced makes it difficult to consider simultaneously the relationships between multiple genomic regions and multiple expressional profiles. There is a need for informative bioinformatics tools to assist the visualization and interpretation of these mapping results. RESULTS: We have developed a web-based tool, called eQTL Viewer, to visualize the relationships between the expression trait genes and the candidate genes in the eQTL regions using Scalable Vector Graphics. The plot generated by eQTL Viewer has the capacity to display mapping results with high resolutions at a variety of scales, and superimpose biological annotations onto the mapping results dynamically. CONCLUSION: Our tool provides an efficient and intuitive way for biologists to explore transcriptional regulation patterns, and to generate hypotheses on the genetic basis of transcriptional regulations.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2007

PPARgamma ligands enhance TRAIL-induced apoptosis through DR5 upregulation and c-FLIP downregulation in human lung cancer cells.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) ligands are potential chemo-preventive agents. Many studies have shown that PPARy ligands induce apoptosis in various types of cancer cells including lung cancer cells. Some PPAR gamma ligands have been shown to downregulate c-FLIP expression and thus enhance tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis in some cancer cell lines. In the current study, we further show that PPARy ligands induced the expression of death receptor 5 (DR5) and increased DR5 distribution at the cell surface in addition to reducing c-FLIP levels in human lung cancer cells. These agents cooperated with TRAIL to enhance induction of apoptosis in human lung cancer cells. Both overexpression of c-FLIP and knockdown of DR5 abrogated PPARgamma ligand's ability to enhance TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Thus, it appears that not only c-FLIP downregulation but also DR5 upregulation contribute to PPARy ligand-mediated enhancement of TRAIL-induced apoptosis in human lung cancer cells. Both the PPARgamma antagonist GW9662 and silencing PPARgamma expression failed to diminish PPARgamma ligand-induced DR5 upregulation or c-FLIP downregulation, indicating that PPARy ligands modulate the expression of DR5 and c-FLIP through a PPARy-independent mechanism. Collectively, we conclude that PPARy ligands exert PPARy-independent effects on inducing DR5 expression and downregulating c-FLIP levels, leading to enhancement of TRAIL-induced apoptosis.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2006

Catalpol increases hippocampal neuroplasticity and up-regulates PKC and BDNF in the aged rats.

Rehmannia, a traditional Chinese medical herb, has a long history in age-related disease therapy. Previous work has indicated that catalpol is a main active ingredient performing neuroprotective effect in rehmannia, while the mechanism underlying the effect remains poorly understood. In this study, we attempt to investigate the effect of catalpol on presynaptic proteins and explore a potential mechanism. The hippocampal levels of GAP-43 and synaptophysin in 3 groups of 4 months (young group), 22-24 months (aged group) and catalpol-treated 22-24 months (catalpol-treated group) rats were evaluated by western blotting. Results clearly showed a significant decrease in synaptophysin (46.6%) and GAP-43 (61.4%) levels in the aged group against the young animals and an increase (45.0% and 31.8% respectively) in the catalpol-treated aged rats in comparison with the untreated aged group. In particular, synaptophysin immunoreactivity (OD) in the dentate granule layer of the hippocampus was increased 0.0251 in the catalpol-treated group as compared with the aged group. The study also revealed a catalpol-associated increase of PKC and BDNF in the hippocampus of the catalpol-treated group in comparison with the aged rats and highly correlated with synaptophysin and GAP-43. Such positive correlations between presynaptic proteins and signaling molecules also existed in the young group. These results suggested that catalpol could increase presynaptic proteins and up-regulate relative signaling molecules in the hippocampus of the aged rats. Consequently, it seemed to indicate that catalpol might ameliorate age-related neuroplasticity loss by "normalizing" presynaptic proteins and their relative signaling pathways in the aged rats.

Aging↗
PubMed2006

[Expression of caveolin-1 protein in the rat brain and its role in the discrimination learning].

Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is a marker protein for caveolae, and acts as scaffolding protein to regulate the activities of signaling molecules. Previous studies indicate that Cav-1 mainly locates at the base of axonal and dendritic terminals of mouse primary hippocampal neurons and plays an active role in the regulation of injury-induced synaptic and terminal remodeling in central nervous system. The aim of this study was to identify the expression profile of Cav-1 protein in the brains of rats at different ages and to investigate the role of Cav-1 in Y-maze bright-dark discrimination learning (BDL). Firstly, the expressions of Cav-1 in the brains of young (1-month), adult (3-month) and aged (22-month) rats were observed by Western blot. Higher expression in the hippocampus and lower expression in the cortex were shown in the adult rats. It was also found that the score of BDL was related with the expression level of Cav-1. Secondly, using open-field test for spontaneous locomotor activities (SLA) and BDL, the role of Cav-1 in the learning and memory was observed. Compared with that in the control adult group, the Cav-1 protein expression in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of Y-maze trained adult rats significantly increased, while no marked changes in the cerebellum. These results suggest that Cav-1 protein is involved in BDL and plays an important role in the plasticity of central nervous system.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2006

Inhibition of CD147 gene expression via RNA interference reduces tumor cell invasion, tumorigenicity and increases chemosensitivity to paclitaxel in HO-8910pm cells.

Overexpression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN or CD147), a member of the immunoglobulin family and a glycoprotein enriched on the surface of tumor cells, promotes invasion, metastasis, growth and survival of malignant cells, and confers resistance to some chemotherapeutic drugs. Here, we used a human U6 promoter-driven DNA template approach to induce short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-triggered RNA interference (RNAi) to block CD147 gene expression in the human ovarian cancer cell line HO-8910pm. Knockdown of CD147 by shRNA resulted in decrease of the HO-8910pm invasion activity in vitro and tumorigenicity in nude mice. The suppression of CD147 expression also sensitized cells to be more sensitive to paclitaxel. These results suggested that CD147 was an ovarian cancer-related gene and CD147 might be a potential target for therapeutic anti-cancer drugs.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

C-Branched pyrrolidines from 2-C-acetylmethyl-glycosylazides. Reduction of imines formed by monosaccharide ring opening.

Reduction of the protected 2-C-acetylmethyl-beta-glucopyranosyl azide derivative 1 produced the corresponding beta-glucosylamine 3. Rather than forming a conformationally strained 1,2-trans-fused bicyclic imine, we propose that the beta-glycosylamine underwent anomerization to an acyclic imine (4) followed by an intramolecular ring closure by the 5-hydroxy group. The resultant 2-C-acetylmethyl-alpha-glucopyranosylamine 5, which possesses the 1,2-cis-configuration was immediately converted to a bicyclic imine (2) in excellent yield. Attempts to selectively reduce the C=N double bond of 2 using sodium borohydride and cyanoborohydride failed to produce bicyclic amine 6. Instead, compound 6 underwent another ring-opening elimination and further reduction to produce a C-branched pyrrolidine (8) in good yield. Catalytic hydrogenation of 1 and 2 also provided the C-branched pyrrolidine (10).

Azides↗
PubMed2006

Structural elucidation of phosphoglycolipids from strains of the bacterial thermophiles Thermus and Meiothermus.

The structures of two major phosphoglycolipids from the thermophilic bacteria Thermus oshimai NTU-063, Thermus thermophilus NTU-077, Meiothermus ruber NTU-124, and Meiothermus taiwanensis NTU-220 were determined using spectroscopic and chemical analyses to be 2'-O-(1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho) -3'-O-(alpha-N-acetyl-glucosaminyl)-N-glyceroyl alkylamine [PGL1 (1)] and the novel structure 2'-O-(2-acylalkyldio-1-O-phospho)-3'-O-(alpha-N-acetylglucosaminyl)-N-glyceroyl alkylamine [PGL2 (2)]. PGL2 (2) is the first phosphoglycolipid identified with a 2-acylalkyldio-1-O-phosphate moiety. The fatty acids of the phosphoglycolipids are mainly iso-C(15:0), -C(16:0), and -C(17:0) and anteiso-C(15:0) and -C(17:0). The ratios of PGL2 (2) to PGL1 (1) are significantly altered when grown at different temperatures for three strains, T. thermophilus NTU-077, M. ruber NTU-124, and M. taiwanensis NTU-220, but not for T. oshimai NTU-063. Accordingly, the ratios of iso- to anteiso-branched fatty acids increase when grown at the higher temperature.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed2006

Vitamin C inactivates the proteasome inhibitor PS-341 in human cancer cells.

PURPOSE: PS-341 (bortezomib, Velcade), the first proteasome inhibitor approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with relapsed multiple myeloma, induces apoptosis in human cancer cell lines. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an essential water-soluble vitamin required for many normal physiologic functions and has to be obtained through diet or supplemental tablets in humans. Here we studied the potential effect of vitamin C on the anticancer activity of PS-341 in human cancer cell lines. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The effects of vitamin C on apoptosis induction by PS-341 alone and by PS-341 combined with tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand were studied. In addition, the effects of vitamin C and other antioxidants on PS-341-mediated proteasome inhibition were also examined. Finally, the direct chemical interaction between vitamin C and PS-341 was determined. RESULTS: Vitamin C abrogated the ability of PS-341 to induce apoptosis in various human cancer cell lines, to induce G(2)-M arrest, and to augment apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand. Moreover, vitamin C suppressed PS-341-mediated inhibition of proteasome activity. PS-341 itself did not induce generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species whereas other antioxidants failed to abrogate its biological activity. Importantly, we detected a direct chemical interaction between vitamin C and PS-341. CONCLUSION: Vitamin C directly binds to PS-431, thus inactivating PS-341 independent of its antioxidant activity. Our findings suggest that vitamin C may have a negative effect on PS-341-mediated anticancer activity.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2006

[Transfection of pemt-2-cDNA inhibits the expression of cell cycle related proteins in rat CBRH-7919 hepatoma cells].

OBJECTIVES: To unravel the molecular mechanism of proliferation inhibition induced by transfection of pemt2-cDNA into rat CBRH-7919 hepatoma cells. METHODS: We started with the highly expressed PEMT2 clone. Cell culture and Western blotting techniques were used to examine the expression of cyclinD1/CDK4, cyclinE/CDK2, phospho-Rb, caspase-3, c-jun and caveolins. RESULTS: Our results showed that CDK4, CDK2, phospho-Rb and c-jun were down regulated in the pemt2 highly expressed cell clone. The high expression clone of pemt2-transfected cells also showed over expression of caspase-3. CONCLUSION: The reductions of proliferation and apoptosis of pemt2 transfected cells could be related to the G1 phase arrest induced by down-regulation of the cell cycle-associated proteins.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

[Separation and purification of phosphatidylcholine in swine liver and its inhibition effect on proliferation of rat hepatoma cells].

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) in crude phospholipids from swine liver was separated and purified by using Al2O3 column chromatography with 95% alcohol as eluent. The purity was determined by thin layer chromatography on GF254 silica gel plate and with chloroform-methanol-water (65:25:4,v/v) as developing agent. The results showed that PC was completely separated from phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) by the elution with 95% alcohol, and its purity and yield reached more than 90% and 80% with a elution volume of 225 mL, and 87.6% and 87.3% with a elution volume of 425 mL respectively. The effect of the PC with different concentrations on the proliferation of rat hepatoma cell line (CBRH-7919) was determined by microculture tetrazolium (MTT) assays in vitro and was compared with that of human leukemia cell line K562. Result shows that the PC derived from the liver inhibited the growth of CBRH-7919 cells significantly. It suggested that PC derived from animal liver might function as a specific inhibitor for hepatoma cells in a concentration dependent manner.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

[Brain impairment induced by oral intake of lead and its effects on expression of Hoxa9 Gen in Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe effects of oral intake of lead on the expression of Hoxa9 gen and the ability of learning and memory and explore the the toxic molecular mechanisms of lead. METHODS: Thirty male Wistar rats were chosen and randomly divided into the low lead dosage group, the high lead dosage group and the control group, 10 rats in each group. The low lead dosage group and the high lead dosage group were given respectively 0.06%, 0.2% lead acetate orally while the control group was given distilled water orally. The Y-maze test was used to measure the ability of learning and memory, the graphite heat atomic absorption spectrum method to determine the lead concentration in blood and brain, and the in situ hybridization (ISH) method to determine the expression of Hoxa9 mRNA in brain. RESULTS: (1) The number of electric shocks of the lead poisoned rats were significantly increased over time. The number of electric shocks of the lead poisoning rats was much higher than that of the control group (P < 0.01) (at the end of the experiment, the low lead dosage group: 31.8 +/- 2.26; the high lead dosage group: 37.3 +/- 1.70; the control group: 18.4 +/- 1.51). (2) The brain of the lead poisoned rats including the hippocampus, the cerebellum and the cerebral cortex were significantly atrophic and the apoptosis and necrosis occurred in the cells of the brain. Purkinje's cells in the cerebellum showed significant necrosis and disappearance. The structure of brain in rats of the control group demonstrated no atrophy. (3) The expression of Hoxa9 mRNA in the lead poisoned rats was significantly decreased compared with the control group. There were few Hoxa9 positive cells in the brain of the lead poisoned rats, but many of them were observed in the control group. CONCLUSION: Lead may inhibit the expression of Hoxa9 and induce atrophy and necrosis of brain, which gives rise to a damage of learning and memory.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

1,2-migration of 2'-oxoalkyl group and concomitant synthesis of 2-C-branched O-, S-glycosides and glycosyl azides via 1,2-cyclopropanated sugars.

Treatment of 2'-oxoalkyl 2-O-Ms(Ts)-alpha-C-mannosides (4, 5, and 6) with base resulted in 1,2-cyclopropanation via an intramolecular SN2 reaction due to their 1,2-trans-diaxial configurations. The 1,2-cyclopropanated sugars (10 and 13) were reacted with various alcohols, thiols, and sodium azide to produce 2-C-branched O- and S-glycosides and glycosyl azides (11, 14-28) in good to excellent yields. In contrast, 1,2-cis 2'-oxoalkyl 2-O-Ms(Ts)-alpha-C-glucoside 9 formed an acyclic conjugated aldehyde (31) under basic conditions, which occurred by 1'-enolation followed by beta-elimination. An intramolecular Michael addition from 31 produced 2-O-Ms-beta-C-glucoside 30 as a major product. However, due to the electron-withdrawing effect exerted by 2-O-Ms compound 31 also undergoes a C2 epimerization to form 32. Thereafter, the intramolecular Michael addition led to the formation of both 1,2-trans 2'-oxoalkyl 2-O-Ms-alpha-C-mannoside 4 and its beta-anomer (33). Because beta-elimination/Michael addition and C2 epimerization are reversible reactions, equilibriums among 9, 31, 30, 32, 33, and 4 were established, which included the transformation of 1,2-cis C-glucoside 9 into 1,2-trans C-mannoside 4. The subsequent 1,2-cyclopropanation of 4 was an irreversible reaction yielding 1,2-cyclopropanated 10 and further conversion to 1,2-migration products (11 and 12).

Combinatorial Chemistry Techniques↗
PubMed2005

9-O-Sulfation on alpha-NeuAc-(2-->8)-NeuAc and inter-residue lactonization.

Treatment of alpha-NeuAc-(2-->8)-NeuAc (1) with SO3-pyridine (4 equiv) in DMF resulted in selective 9-O-sulfation on the nonreducing end residue and the formation of an inter-residual delta-lactone. The lactonization could result from the C-2 carboxylic acid of the nonreducing residue condensing with the hydroxyl group or/and sulfated group at C-9 of the reducing residue to form a six-membered ring between two adjacent sialic acid residues. When alpha-NeuAc-(2-->9)-NeuAc (5) was used as a sulfation substrate, only 9-O-sulfation on the nonreducing end residue was observed. According to capillary electrophoresis (CE) analysis, 9-O-sulfation on the disialic acid is a fast reaction, while sulfation on other hydroxyl groups is insignificant under the conditions used.

Disaccharides↗
PubMed2005

Synthesis of C-5-thioglycopyranosides and their sulfonium derivatives from 1-C-(2'-oxoalkyl)-5-S-acetylglycofuranosides.

1-C-(2'-oxoalkyl)-5-S-acetylglycofuranosides of L-arabinose, D-ribose, and D-xylose were converted to 1-C-(2'-oxoalkyl)-5-thioglycopyranosides by base treatment. The transformation was achieved through beta-elimination to an acyclic alpha,beta-conjugated aldehyde (ketone or ester), followed by an intramolecular hetero-Michael addition by the 5-thiol group. The cycloaddition was highly stereoselective in favor of an equatorial 1-C-substitution. The resultant C-5-thioglycopyranosides were further converted to the sulfonium salts by treatment with cyclic sulfate and methyl iodide. Two sulfonium isomers were obtained due to the presence of both S-axial and S-equatorial substitutions. We observed that the chemical shifts of both C-1 and C-5 in the S-axial substituted sulfonium sugars are always shifted up-field (5-10 ppm) in comparison to those in the S-equatorial substitutions (deltaC 49-53 ppm vs 42-45 ppm at C-1 and 37-42 ppm vs 32-35 ppm at C-5), which provides an easy way for determination of the stereochemistry.

Furans↗
PubMed2005

Modeling quantitative trait Loci and interpretation of models.

A quantitative genetic model relates the genotypic value of an individual to the alleles at the loci that contribute to the variation in a population in terms of additive, dominance, and epistatic effects. This partition of genetic effects is related to the partition of genetic variance. A number of models have been proposed to describe this relationship: some are based on the orthogonal partition of genetic variance in an equilibrium population. We compare a few representative models and discuss their utility and potential problems for analyzing quantitative trait loci (QTL) in a segregating population. An orthogonal model implies that estimates of the genetic effects are consistent in a full or reduced model in an equilibrium population and are directly related to the partition of the genetic variance in the population. Linkage disequilibrium does not affect the estimation of genetic effects in a full model, but would in a reduced model. Certainly linkage disequilibrium would complicate the detection of QTL and epistasis. Using different models does not influence the detection of QTL and epistasis. However, it does influence the estimation and interpretation of genetic effects.

Gene Frequency↗
PubMed2005

Dietary L-carnitine enhances the lymphatic absorption of fat and alpha-tocopherol in ovariectomized rats.

This study was conducted to determine whether the feeding of dietary L-carnitine (CN) improves the intestinal absorption of fat and alpha-tocopherol (alphaTOH) in ovariectomized (OX) rats. OX adult rats were weight-matched and assigned to 2 groups fed a modified AIN-93G diet containing alphaTOH-stripped soybean oil without (-CN) or with (+CN) supplemental CN at 150 mg/kg diet. At 5 wk, each rat with a lymph cannula was infused intraduodenally at 3.0 mL/h with a lipid emulsion consisting of 565 micromol triolein labeled with (14)C ((14)C-OA), 3.6 micromol alphaTOH, and 396 micromol sodium taurocholate in 24 mL PBS buffer. Lymph was collected hourly for 8 h and analyzed for lipids. The lymphatic absorption of alphaTOH for 8 h in +CN rats (899 +/- 201 nmol) was higher (P < 0.05) than in -CN rats (587 +/- 92 nmol). The absorption of (14)C-OA in +CN rats (53.5 +/- 4.0% dose/8 h) also was increased (P < 0.05) compared with -CN rats (47.6 +/- 5.0% dose/8 h). Lymph flow did not differ between the groups. When bile was diverted but with infusion of sodium taurocholate, the lymphatic absorption of lipids did not differ. The present study provides evidence that dietary CN enhances the rates and amounts of lymphatic absorption of alphaTOH and fat in OX rats. Our findings suggest that dietary CN may influence the process of lipid packaging and absorption by the enterocyte in OX rats, and may explain in part the increased status of alphaTOH in CN-fed animals.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

C-glycosides and aza-C-glycosides as potential glycosidase and glycosyltransferase inhibitors.

Glycosylation as one of most important post-translational modification of gene products is often critical to specific cellular biological functions. Since elevated glycoprocessing enzyme activities have been implicated in the development of various diseases including cancer metastasis, glycosidases and glycosyltransferases are considered as therapeutic targets. Azasugars, the first generation of enzyme inhibitors, have been extensively investigated and two azasugar-based drugs (Miglitol and Miglustat) have been approved. Aza-C-glycosides, molecules with an azasugar core and various C-aglycons attached at the pseudo anomeric center, have the potential to become the second-generation inhibitors with improved specificity and membrane permeability. In this review, C-glycosides, aza-C-glycosides, and aza-C-disaccharides are introduced as glycoprocessing enzyme inhibitors. The synthetic approaches toward those molecules are described based on the key reactions, which include reductive amination, nucleophilic ring opening of epoxides, nucleophilic addition to imines (C=N), and hetero-Michael additions. Aza-C-glycoside-based libraries are also described for the discovery of promising second-generation inhibitors.

Disaccharides↗