Biomedical subjects

Xuemei Chen

Publications and source records attributed to Xuemei Chen.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2004

[The gene expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines and its role in hypopharyngeal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the mRNA expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines in hypopharyngeal neoplasms and to explore the pathogenesis of it. METHOD: The gene expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines in patients with hypopharyngeal neoplasms was detected by RT-PCR. RESULT: The cytokines expression of Th2 was significantly stronger than Th1 in tissue of hypopharyngeal carcinoma. CONCLUSION: The dominant expression of Th2 cytokines in hypopharyngeal neoplasms may inhibit the human immunity and enhance the growth and metastasis of hypopharyngeal carcinoma.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Alpha-phosphono lactone analogues of cytidine and cytosine arabinoside diphosphates: synthesis via ring closing metathesis.

alpha-Phosphono lactone derivatives of the nucleosides cytidine and cytosine arabinoside have been prepared from the corresponding nucleoside aldehydes. The stereochemical outcome of allylation reactions with these aldehydes was found to be dependent upon both the choice of protecting groups for the 2'- and 3'-hydroxyl groups and, to some extent, the nature of the Lewis acid catalyst employed. Ultimately, conditions were found that favored either the 5'R or 5'S diastereomer from different cytidine aldehydes, and gave some stereoselectivity in additions to an aldehyde derivative of ara-C. The resulting homoallylic alcohols were used as substrates in attempted Knovenagel and Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons condensations, but elimination was found to predominate over lactone formation under the conditions employed. The desired alpha-phosphono lactones could be prepared through a reaction sequence that included ring-closing metathesis on acrylate esters of the homoallylic alcohols, followed by reduction of the resulting alpha,beta-unsaturated lactones and carbon-phosphorus bond formation on enolates generated from the saturated lactones.

Arabinose↗

PubMed2003

Synthesis of 5'-amino-5'-phosphonate analogues of pyrimidine nucleoside monophosphates.

The 5'-amino-5'-phosphono derivatives of cytidine, cytosine arabinoside (ara-C), and uridine have been prepared via the corresponding nucleoside aldehydes. Phosphite addition to imines derived from the nucleoside aldehydes and p-methoxybenzylamine was efficient, and use of this amine allowed cleavage of the products to the parent amino phosphonic acids. The phosphite additions proved to be diastereoselective, with the cytidine and uridine derivatives favoring the 5'S stereochemistry and the ara-C derivative favoring the 5'R isomer. The stereochemistry of one cytidine derivative was established by single-crystal diffraction analysis, and detailed comparisons of the (13)C NMR data allowed assignments of the other amino phosphonates.

Chromatography, Thin Layer↗

PubMed2003

A microRNA as a translational repressor of APETALA2 in Arabidopsis flower development.

Plant microRNAs (miRNAs) show a high degree of sequence complementarity to, and are believed to guide the cleavage of, their target messenger RNAs. Here, I show that miRNA172, which can base-pair with the messenger RNA of a floral homeotic gene, APETALA2, regulates APETALA2 expression primarily through translational inhibition. Elevated miRNA172 accumulation results in floral organ identity defects similar to those in loss-of-function apetala2 mutants. Elevated levels of mutant APETALA2 RNA with disrupted miRNA172 base pairing, but not wild-type APETALA2 RNA, result in elevated levels of APETALA2 protein and severe floral patterning defects. Therefore, miRNA172 likely acts in cell-fate specification as a translational repressor of APETALA2 in Arabidopsis flower development.

Antisense Elements (Genetics)↗

PubMed2003

Arabidopsis HEN1: a genetic link between endogenous miRNA controlling development and siRNA controlling transgene silencing and virus resistance.

In animals, double-stranded short interfering RNA (siRNA) and single-stranded microRNA (miRNA) regulate gene expression by targeting homologous mRNA for cleavage or by interfering with their translation, respectively. siRNAs are processed from injected or transgene-derived, long, perfect double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), while miRNAs are processed from short, imperfect dsRNA precursors transcribed from endogenous intergenic regions. In plants, both siRNAs and miRNAs activate cleavage of homologous RNA targets, but little is known about the genes controlling their production or action. The SGS2/SDE1 protein contributes to produce transgene siRNA, while DCL1 and HEN1 contribute to endogenous miRNA accumulation. Here, we show that: i) SGS2, SGS3, AGO1, and HEN1 contribute to produce transgene siRNA involved in sense posttranscriptional gene silencing (S-PTGS); ii) HEN1, but not SGS2, SGS3, or AGO1, contributes to the accumulation of the endogenous miR171 miRNA and to the cleavage of Scarecrow target mRNA by miR171; iii) SGS2, SGS3, AGO1, and HEN1 contribute to resistance against cucumber mosaic virus, but not to siRNA and IR-PTGS triggered by hairpin transgenes directly producing perfect dsRNA; and iv) the actions of HEN1 in miRNA/development and siRNA/S-PTGS can be uncoupled by single-point mutations at different positions in the protein.

Arabidopsis↗

PubMed2003

Two RNA binding proteins, HEN4 and HUA1, act in the processing of AGAMOUS pre-mRNA in Arabidopsis thaliana.

AGAMOUS, a key player in floral morphogenesis, specifies reproductive organ identities and regulates the timely termination of stem cell fates in the floral meristem. Here, we report that strains carrying mutations in three genes, HUA1, HUA2, and HUA ENHANCER4 (HEN4), exhibit floral defects similar to those in agamous mutants: reproductive-to-perianth organ transformation and loss of floral determinacy. HEN4 codes for a K homology (KH) domain-containing, putative RNA binding protein that interacts with HUA1, a CCCH zinc finger RNA binding protein in the nucleus. We show that HUA1 binds AGAMOUS pre-mRNA in vitro and that HEN4, HUA1, and HUA2 act in floral morphogenesis by specifically promoting the processing of AGAMOUS pre-mRNA. Our studies underscore the importance of RNA processing in modulating plant development.

AGAMOUS Protein, Arabidopsis↗

PubMed2003

PAUSED, a putative exportin-t, acts pleiotropically in Arabidopsis development but is dispensable for viability.

Exportin-t was first identified in humans as a protein that mediates the export of tRNAs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Mutations in Los1p, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae exportin-t homolog, result in nuclear accumulation of tRNAs. Because no exportin-t mutants have been reported in multicellular organisms, the developmental functions of exportin-t have not been determined. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of two Arabidopsis exportin-t mutants, paused-5 and paused-6. The mutant phenotypes indicate that exportin-t acts pleiotropically in plant development. In particular, paused-5 and paused-6 result in delayed leaf formation during vegetative development. The two paused mutations also cause the transformation of reproductive organs into perianth organs in the hua1-1 hua2-1 background, which is partially defective in reproductive organ identity specification. The floral phenotypes of hua1-1 hua2-1 paused mutants resemble those of mutations in the floral homeotic gene AGAMOUS. Moreover, paused-5 enhances the mutant phenotypes of two floral meristem identity genes, LEAFY and APETALA1. The developmental defects caused by paused mutations confirm the important roles of exportin-t in gene expression in multicellular organisms. In addition, a paused null allele, paused-6, is still viable, suggesting the presence of redundant tRNA export pathway(s) in Arabidopsis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2003

A uniform system for microRNA annotation.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNA gene products about 22 nt long that are processed by Dicer from precursors with a characteristic hairpin secondary structure. Guidelines are presented for the identification and annotation of new miRNAs from diverse organisms, particularly so that miRNAs can be reliably distinguished from other RNAs such as small interfering RNAs. We describe specific criteria for the experimental verification of miRNAs, and conventions for naming miRNAs and miRNA genes. Finally, an online clearinghouse for miRNA gene name assignments is provided by the Rfam database of RNA families.

MicroRNAs↗

PubMed2002

Stereoselective synthesis of the 5'-hydroxy-5'-phosphonate derivatives of cytidine and cytosine arabinoside.

Both the (R)- and (S)-5'-hydroxy 5'-phosphonate derivatives of cytidine and cytosine arabinoside (ara-C) have been prepared via phosphite addition or a Lewis acid mediated hydrophosphonylation of appropriately protected 5'-nucleoside aldehydes. Phosphite addition to a cytosine aldehyde protected as the 2',3'-acetonide gave predominately the 5'R isomer, while phosphite addition to the corresponding 2',3'-bis TBS derivative favored the 5'S stereochemistry. In contrast, phosphite addition to the 2',3'-bis TBS protected aldehyde derived from ara-C gave only the 5'R adduct. However, TiCl(4)-mediated hydrophosphonylation of the same ara-C aldehyde favored the 5'S stereoisomer by a 2:1 ratio. Once all four of the diastereomers were in hand, the stereochemistry of these compounds could be assigned based on their spectral data or that obtained from their O-methyl mandelate derivatives. After hydrolysis of the phosphonate esters and various protecting groups, the four alpha-hydroxy phosphonic acids were tested for their ability to serve as substrates for the enzyme nucleoside monophosphate kinase and for their toxicity to K562 cells.

Cytarabine↗

PubMed2002

CARPEL FACTORY, a Dicer homolog, and HEN1, a novel protein, act in microRNA metabolism in Arabidopsis thaliana.

BACKGROUND: In metazoans, microRNAs, or miRNAs, constitute a growing family of small regulatory RNAs that are usually 19-25 nucleotides in length. They are processed from longer precursor RNAs that fold into stem-loop structures by the ribonuclease Dicer and are thought to regulate gene expression by base pairing with RNAs of protein-coding genes. In Arabidopsis thaliana, mutations in CARPEL FACTORY (CAF), a Dicer homolog, and those in a novel gene, HEN1, result in similar, multifaceted developmental defects, suggesting a similar function of the two genes, possibly in miRNA metabolism. RESULTS: To investigate the potential functions of CAF and HEN1 in miRNA metabolism, we aimed to isolate miRNAs from Arabidopsis and examine their accumulation during plant development in wild-type plants and in hen1-1 and caf-1 mutant plants. We have isolated 11 miRNAs, some of which have potential homologs in tobacco, rice, and maize. The putative precursors of these miRNAs have the capacity to form stable stem-loop structures. The accumulation of these miRNAs appears to be spatially or temporally controlled in plant development, and their abundance is greatly reduced in caf-1 and hen1-1 mutants. HEN1 homologs are found in bacterial, fungal, and metazoan genomes. CONCLUSIONS: miRNAs are present in both plant and animal kingdoms. An evolutionarily conserved mechanism involving a protein, known as Dicer in animals and CAF in Arabidopsis, operates in miRNA metabolism. HEN1 is a new player in miRNA accumulation in Arabidopsis, and HEN1 homologs in metazoans may have a similar function. The developmental defects associated with caf-1 and hen1-1 mutations and the patterns of miRNA accumulation suggest that miRNAs play fundamental roles in plant development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

HEN1 functions pleiotropically in Arabidopsis development and acts in C function in the flower.

Four classes of floral homeotic MADS domain proteins specify the identities of the four organ types in an Arabidopsis flower. While the activities of the MADS domain proteins are essentially confined to the flower or to the inflorescence, several genes, such as APETALA2, HUA1 and HUA2, also act outside the flower in addition to their organ identity functions inside the flower. We identified a new gene, HUA ENHANCER 1 (HEN1) from a sensitized genetic screen in the hua1-1 hua2-1 background that is compromised in floral homeotic C function. We showed that HEN1, like the C function gene AGAMOUS, acts to specify reproductive organ identities and to repress A function. HEN1 also shares AG's non-homeotic function in controlling floral determinacy. HEN1 may achieve these functions by regulating the expression of AG. hen1 single mutants exhibit pleiotropic phenotypes such as reduced organ size, altered rosette leaf shape and increased number of coflorescences, during most stages of development. Therefore, HEN1, like the A function gene AP2, plays multiple roles in plant development as well as acting in organ identity specification in the flower. HEN1 codes for a novel protein and is expressed throughout the plant.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

HUA ENHANCER2, a putative DExH-box RNA helicase, maintains homeotic B and C gene expression in Arabidopsis.

Reproductive organ identity in Arabidopsis is controlled by the B, C and SEPALLATA classes of floral homeotic genes. We have identified a recessive mutation in a novel gene, HUA ENHANCER2, which, when combined with mutations in two weak class C genes, HUA1 and HUA2, leads to the production of third whorl sepal-petal-stamens and fourth whorl sepal-carpels. Quadruple mutant analysis and in situ localization of A, B, C and SEPALLATA floral homeotic RNAs suggest that HUA ENHANCER2 is required for the maintenance of B and C gene expression in the reproductive whorls. In addition to its role in floral homeotic gene expression, HUA ENHANCER2 is required for normal spacing and number of perianth organ primordia. We show that HUA ENHANCER2 encodes a putative DExH-box RNA helicase that is expressed in specific patterns in the inflorescence meristem and developing flowers. As a possible ortholog of the yeast exosome-associated protein, Dob1p (Mtr4p), HUA ENHANCER2 may affect floral organ spacing and identity through the regulation of protein synthesis or mRNA degradation. Therefore, our studies on HUA ENHANCER2 not only demonstrate that B and C gene expression is established and maintained separately, but also implicate the existence of post-transcriptional mechanisms in the maintenance of B and C gene expression.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

Bilateral central retinal vein occlusions combined with artery occlusions in a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

PURPOSE: This is the first report of a bilateral nonischemic central retinal vein occlusions combined with artery occlusions in a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 22-year-old Chinese (male) with a positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection developed bilateral nonischemic central retinal vein occlusions combined with artery occlusions and severe vision loss. The manifestations of the fundus and fluorescein angiography were similar in both eyes. CONCLUSION: This case report provides the evidences that central retinal vein and artery occlusions are probably part of the spectrum of AIDS vascular diseases.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed2002

[Expression of transforming growth factor-betal (TGF-beta1) and its role in human laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the mRNA expression of transforming growth factor-betal (TGF-beta1) in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma, and to explore the pathogenesis of the two types neoplasms. METHOD: We examined the expression of TGF-beta1 mRNA in the tissue of human laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma from patients. The TGF-beta1 mRNA expression was determined by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULT: The TGF-beta1 mRNA expression was significantly stronger in 17 cases of 20 laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma. CONCLUSION: The result suggested that the expression level of TGF-beta1 in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma may inhibit the human immunity and enhance the growth and metastasis of the laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma.

Aged↗