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Y C Zeng

Publications and source records attributed to Y C Zeng.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Aminoglycoside antibiotics affect hippocampal LTP: a comparative study with the N-type calcium antagonist omega-conotoxin-GVIA.

The in vitro activity of N-type calcium antagonists such as omega-conotoxin-GVIA and the aminoglycoside antibiotics neomycin and streptomycin was studied in rat hippocampal slices. The effects of the drugs were tested on basal CA1 synaptic transmission and on the hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) induced by tetanic electrical stimulation and by increasing (4mM) the calcium concentration. Omega-conotoxin-GVIA, neomycin and streptomycin were able to significantly reduce the amplitude of the CA1 population spike at 1 microM, 0.5 mM and 1 mM, respectively. In addition, the drugs affected the induction and maintenance of the CA1 tetanic and calcium-induced LTP at concentrations which did not modify the magnitude of the control CA1 population spike. Omega-conotoxin-GVIA (0.5 microM), neomycin (0.3 mM) and streptomycin (0.7 mM) perfused for 60 min, before inducing LTP, prevented the subsequent increase of the CA1 population spike in all the experiments. The same concentrations of these drugs perfused for 60-min after a previously established LTP significantly reduced the amplitude of the CA1 population spike. The results promote a role for the N-type calcium channels and for the release of neurotransmitters in both the induction and the maintenance of hippocampal LTP.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1991

In vitro depressant effects of U-54494A, an anticonvulsant related to kappa opioids, in the hippocampus.

The effects of cis-3,4 dichloro-N-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclo-hexyl-benzamide (U-54494A), an anticonvulsant related to kappa opioids, were studied in vitro on the extracellular electrical activity of the CA1 region of slices of hippocampus in the rat. The effects of U-54494A were compared to those of the kappa opioid agonist trans-3,4 dichloro-N-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclo-hexyl benzeneacetamide methane sulphonate (U-50488H). Both U-54494A and U-50488H, in concentrations of 50 and 100 microM, respectively, reduced the magnitude of the orthodromically evoked CA1 population spikes after electrical stimulation of the stratum radiatum (100-200 microA, 70 microseconds, 0.1 Hz). Naltrexone (25 microM), or the selective kappa opiate receptor antagonist, 1-cyclopenthyl-5-(1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydroxy-3,6,11-trimethyl-2 -6-methano-3- benzazocin)-3-pentatone methane sulphonate (WIN 44441-3) (25 microM), prevented the depressant activity of U-54494A (200 microM) on the CA1 population spikes. High calcium (+3mM) solutions prevented the depressant activity of increasing concentrations of both U-54494A and U-50488H on the amplitude of CA1 population spikes. Up to 200 microM, both drugs were ineffective in depressing the epileptiform bursting in CA1, due to 1 mM penicillin or to perfusion of the slice in absence of magnesium ions. The results demonstrate: (1) the inability of U-54494A to show antagonistic activity in two in vitro models of interictal epilepsy; (2) a depressant effect of U-54494A on basal synaptic transmission in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, which may be related to an influence on transneuronal calcium currents and which may be involved in the reported antagonism of ictal epileptic seizures by drugs.

3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cycloh↗
PubMed1991

Diversified electrophysiological properties of morphinan drugs in rats.

1. In in vivo and in vitro studies in rats, the effects of dextromethorphan (DM), dextrorphan (DX), and levorphanol (LV) were compared with those induced by kappa and sigma opiate agonists. 2. In rat hippocampal slices all the morphinans were able to pertubate the CAI hippocampal synaptic transmission, while only DX and LV affected the N-methyl-D-aspartate excitability through a possible interaction at sigma opiate receptors. 3. On the other hand EEG studies show that only DX appears to act as a full agonist at sigma opiate receptors. 4. Present data demonstrate diversified electrophysiological properties of morphinans both in in vitro and in vivo studies.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Cromakalim (BRL 34915) counteracts the epileptiform activity elicited by diltiazem and verapamil in rats.

1. The effects of BRL 34915 (cromakalim), a potassium channel opener, have been tested on the epileptiform activity elicited by high dose/concentrations of some calcium antagonists in in vivo (diltiazem) and in vitro (diltiazem and verapamil) experiments in rats. 2. Diltiazem (150-300 mg kg-1, i.p.) induced behavioural and electroencephalographic (EEG) seizures that were completely prevented by cromakalim (10 nmol/10 microliters, i.c.v.). Whereas, pentobarbitone (5-10 mg kg-1, i.p.) only prevented the behavioural component of the seizures. 3. In hippocampal slices, verapamil (1.5-2.0 mM) produced, within 30-60 min of perfusion, a CA1 epileptiform bursting in 80% of the experiments. This epileptiform activity was prevented by the cromakalim concentration (50 microM) that did not affect the control CA1 synaptic transmission per se. Pentobarbitone also prevented verapamil-induced epileptiform bursting only at the concentration (100 microM) that also reduced control CA1 synaptic transmission. 4. Diltiazem (1.5 mM) produced a biphasic excitatory-depressant effect within 60 min of perfusion. A CA1 epileptiform bursting appeared in 100% of the experiments within 30 min of perfusion. These excitatory effects were followed by a depression phase, characterized by a reduction of the magnitude of CA1 excitatory postsynaptic potentials (e.p.s.ps) and population spike. 5. The diltiazem-induced epileptiform bursting was prevented by cromakalim at a concentration (50 microM) that did not affect the control CA1 synaptic transmission per se. Pentobarbitone also prevented the diltiazem-induced epileptiform bursting only at a concentration (100 microM) that also reduced the control CA1 synaptic transmission. Both cromakalim (50 microM) and pentobarbitone (100 microM) failed to affect the depressant effects of diltiazem on CA1 hippocampal area. On the contrary, high (3.3mM) calcium solutions prevented both the excitatory and the depressant effects of 1.5 mm diltiazem within 60 min.6. These data indicate an involvement of potassium currents in the epileptiform activity elicited by high doses of diltiazem and verapamil.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

A block at Man5GlcNAc2-pyrophosphoryldolichol in intact but not disrupted castanospermine and swainsonine-resistant Chinese hamster ovary cells.

A mutation in glycoprotein processing inhibitor-resistant (PIR) Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells was previously shown to result in a block at the Man5GlcNAc2 stage of the dolichol-oligosaccharide biosynthetic pathway (Lehrman, M.A., and Zeng, Y. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 1584-1593). These cells had normal mannose-P-dolichol synthase activity and were able to transfer the Man5GlcNAc2 oligosaccharides to protein. We have now characterized the mutation in greater detail. In PIR cells, biosynthesis of GDP-mannose and mannose-P-dolichol was normal, and pulse-chase analysis indicated that the rate of Man5GlcNAc2-P-P-dolichol formation in vivo was similar to that in parental CHO cells but without subsequent formation of larger intermediates. Cell fusion studies demonstrated that the PIR genotype was recessive and that PIR cells could complement the mutation in B4-2-1 cells, which fail to synthesize mannose-P-dolichol. In contrast to the results obtained with intact cells, incubation of membrane preparations of PIR cells with GDP-[3H]mannose resulted in the synthesis of intermediates containing up to 9 mannose residues, indicating that the cells contained active mannosyltransferases VI to IX. With a simplified assay for the formation of intermediates containing 6 to 9 mannoses, it was shown that physical disruption of PIR cells was able to eliminate the block at the pentamannosyl stage. Furthermore, although the temperature requirements of the reactions for the control CHO and PIR membranes were similar, Man5GlcNAc2-elongating activity in CHO membranes was inhibited by alkaline pH treatment, whereas this treatment irreversibly stimulated the activity in PIR membranes. Taken together, these results suggest that the PIR cells have a recessive defect, and that the missing gene product is required by mannosyltransferase VI in vivo for proper utilization of either mannose-P-dolichol or Man5GlcNAc2-P-P-dolichol. Since the defect was manifested in vivo but not in vitro, this requirement appears necessary for intact cells but not for disrupted cells or isolated membranes.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1990

Retinal toxicity in albino rabbits induced by intravitreal injection of strophanthin-K.

Time course and extent of strophanthin-K induced disturbances of flash electroretinogram (F-ERG) has been observed in 12 albino rabbits treated by a single dose of 1, 3 and 9 ug/0.1 ml of intravitreal injection. A phenomenon of the dependence of a- and b-wave amplitude changes on dosage was demonstrated. A 9 ug/0.1 ml dose caused a flat a- and b-wave showing the F-ERG wave could be completely suppressed by larger dose of strophanthin-K. Two parameters of "attenuation kinetics" are proposed to identify the pharmacodynamics and toxic kinetics on retina as time profile is concerned: 1) B (the slope of attenuation curve); 2) Et1/2 (half attenuative time). B and Et1/2 are helpful in making a tentative identification of the target cells on retina and in demonstrating a synergism or antagonism between drugs if any. The a-wave of F-ERG, having a steeper slope, is more sensitive than b-wave in terms of strophanthin-K toxicity bringing forth a quantitative criterion in visual pharmacology. The attenuation of amplitude in a-wave may therefore be considered as an early response to this drug. The direct pupillary response test were also done pre- and post-strophanthin-K, and the results of this test support that of F-ERG.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Purification and properties of beta-glucosidase from Aspergillus phoenicis].

A beta-glucosidase has been purified to electrophoretically homogeneity from the wheat bran culture of Aspergillus phoenicis by PEG 6000-phosphate biphasic separation, column chromatography on Sephadex G-100, DEAE-Sephadex A-50 and SE-Sephadex C-50. The enzyme showed optimal activity at pH 5.0 and 60 degrees C. It was stable in the pH range of 4.0-7.5 and up to 55 degrees C. The enzyme activity was strongly inhibited by Ag+ and Hg2+. The molecular weight of the enzyme was 118000 as determined by SDS-PAGE and 195000 by gradient-PAGE. The isoelectric point was pI 3.95 as determined by PAGIF.

Aspergillus↗
PubMed1985

Inactivation of alpha-glucosidase by the active-site-directed inhibitor, conduritol B epoxide.

Conduritol B epoxide is an active-site-directed inhibitor of some glucosidases. The inactivation of alpha-glucosidase (alpha-D-glucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.20) from Monascus ruber by conduritol B epoxide is irreversible and first-order with respect to time and inhibitor concentration. The inactivation is prevented by the presence of the substrate maltose. The pH-dependence of Vmax for maltose indicated the participation of two dissociating groups with pK values of 4.1 and 5.8 in the enzyme-substrate complex. Modification of the alpha-glucosidase with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride led to loss of activity, which suggests that a carboxyl group(s) is located at the active site of alpha-glucosidase.

Binding Sites↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Age-related changes in the visual cortex: a review.

The main age related changes in visual cortex are reviewed. The visual cortex (occipital cortex, areas 17-19) undergoes a variety of anatomical, biochemical and functional changes with aging. From a morphological point of view the visual cortex loses nerve cells mainly in the last period of life. From a biochemical point of view cholinergic, serotonergic, and GABAergic neurotransmissions seem to be the most remarkably affected. In terms of functional correlates, a decline of several activities of the visual cortex has been documented in the elderly. Due to the importance of visual cortex in the realization of visual function, the influence of aging on this cerebrocortical area requires a more detailed analysis.

Journal Article↗