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1.
Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi ; 41(8): 1328-1334, 2020 Aug 10.
Article in Chinese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32867445

ABSTRACT

Objective: To understand the characteristics and differences of diarrhea-related symptoms caused by different pathogens, and the clinical features of various pathogens causing diarrhea. Methods: Etiology surveillance program was conducted among 20 provinces of China from 2010 to 2016. The acute diarrhea outpatients were collected from clinics or hospitals. A questionnaire was used to survey demographics and clinical features. VFeces samples were taken for laboratory detection of 22 common diarrhea pathogens, to detect and analyze the clinical symptom pattern characteristics of the patient's. Results: A total of 38 950 outpatients were enrolled from 20 provinces of China. The positive rates of Rotavirus and Norovirus were the highest among the five diarrhea-causing viruses (Rotavirus: 18.29%, Norovirus: 13.06%). In the isolation and culture of 17 diarrhea-causing bacterial, Escherichia coli showed the highest positive rates (6.25%). The clinical features of bacterial diarrhea and viral diarrhea were mainly reflected in the results of fecal traits and routine examination, but pathogenic Vibrio infection was similar to viral diarrhea. Conclusion: Infectious diarrhea presents different characteristics due to various symptoms which can provide a basis for clinical diagnosis.


Subject(s)
Dysentery/microbiology , Dysentery/virology , Population Surveillance , China/epidemiology , Dysentery/epidemiology , Escherichia coli/isolation & purification , Feces/microbiology , Feces/virology , Humans , Norovirus/isolation & purification , Rotavirus/isolation & purification
2.
Genet Mol Res ; 15(2)2016 Jul 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27420991

ABSTRACT

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) can specifically identify pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by recognizing structural patterns in diverse microbial molecules, and can provide an effective defense against multiple microbial infectious. A variety of TLRs can be expressed on the surface of liver parenchymal as well as nonparenchymal cells. Kupffer cells are a type of hepatic nonparenchymal macrophage, and are positively associated with the severity of liver fibrosis. They play an important role in the synthesis and deposition of the extracellular matrix by upregulating the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases and downregulating the activity of matrix metalloproteinases. Cirrhosis, a chronic diffuse lesion usually accompanying extensive liver fibrosis and nodular regeneration, is caused by liver parenchymal cells repeating injury-repair following reconstruction of organizational structure in the hepatic lobules. Hepatocellular carcinoma is caused by repeated and persistent chronic severe liver injury, and partial hepatocytes can eventually transform into hepatoma cells. Multiple TLRs such as TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, and TLR9, as well as other receptors, can be expressed in cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. About 53 and 85% of hepatocellular carcinoma patients frequently express TLR3 and TLR9, respectively. The chronic and repeated liver injury caused by alcohol, and HBV, HCV, or other pathogens can be recognized by TLRs through the PAMP pathway, which directly increases the risk for hepatic cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In this review, we briefly present evidence that the novel cellular molecular mechanisms of TLRs may provide more information about new therapeutics targets of the anti-inflammatory immune response.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism , Liver Cirrhosis/metabolism , Liver Neoplasms/metabolism , Toll-Like Receptors/biosynthesis , Animals , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology , Humans , Liver Cirrhosis/pathology , Liver Neoplasms/pathology
3.
Phys Rev E ; 93(5): 053114, 2016 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27300985

ABSTRACT

Most of the existing numerical and theoretical investigations on the electrohydrodynamics of a viscous drop have focused on the creeping Stokes flow regime, where nonlinear inertia effects are neglected. In this work we study the inertia effects on the electrodeformation of a viscous drop under a DC electric field using a novel second-order immersed interface method. The inertia effects are quantified by the Ohnesorge number Oh, and the electric field is characterized by an electric capillary number Ca_{E}. Below the critical Ca_{E}, small to moderate electric field strength gives rise to steady equilibrium drop shapes. We found that, at a fixed Ca_{E}, inertia effects induce larger deformation for an oblate drop than a prolate drop, consistent with previous results in the literature. Moreover, our simulations results indicate that inertia effects on the equilibrium drop deformation are dictated by the direction of normal electric stress on the drop interface: Larger drop deformation is found when the normal electric stress points outward, and smaller drop deformation is found otherwise. To our knowledge, such inertia effects on the equilibrium drop deformation has not been reported in the literature. Above the critical Ca_{E}, no steady equilibrium drop deformation can be found, and often the drop breaks up into a number of daughter droplets. In particular, our Navier-Stokes simulations show that, for the parameters we use, (1) daughter droplets are larger in the presence of inertia, (2) the drop deformation evolves more rapidly compared to creeping flow, and (3) complex distribution of electric stresses for drops with inertia effects. Our results suggest that normal electric pressure may be a useful tool in predicting drop pinch-off in oblate deformations.

4.
Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi ; 37(5): 708-13, 2016 May.
Article in Chinese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27188368

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To understand genomic characteristics of 2 strains of influenza A(H9N2)virus isolated from human infection cases in Anhui province in 2015. METHODS: Two human infection with H9N2 virus were confirmed by national influenza surveillance laboratory network in Anhui through viral isolation in April and September, 2015, respectively. The full genomic sequences of the two viral isolates were analyzed in this study by using molecular bioinformatics software Mega 6.0. RESULTS: Human infection with H9N2 virus was first reported in Anhui province. The analysis of genomic sequence showed that the HA and NA genes of the two H9N2 isolates belonged to A/Chicken/Shanghai/F/98(H9N2)-like lineage, and shared high identity with H9N2 virus circulating in poultry in 2013. The PB2 and MP genes belonged to the A/quail/Hong Kong/G1/97-like lineage, and shared high homology with H7N9, H10N8 or H6N2 viruses. The amino acid sequence alignment results showed that several mutations for human infection tropism presented in the two virus strains, including Q226L, H183N and E190T in HA; S31N in M2; 63-65 deletion in NA. In addition, the H9N2 influenza virus strains possessed the PSRSSR\GL motif in HA. Meanwhile several human-like signatures, including PA-100A, PA-356R and PA-409N were also found in the two virus strains. CONCLUSION: The H9N2 viruses isolated from human infection cases in Anhui province belonged to a reassortant virus originated from different lineage H9N2 avian influenza virus. The virus has possessed several human susceptibility locus.


Subject(s)
Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype/genetics , Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype/isolation & purification , Influenza in Birds/virology , Influenza, Human/ethnology , Poultry Diseases/virology , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Chickens , China/epidemiology , Genome, Viral , Genomics , Humans , Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype , Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype/classification , Influenza, Human/diagnosis , Molecular Sequence Data , Phylogeny , Poultry , Reassortant Viruses , Viral Proteins/genetics
5.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26651631

ABSTRACT

Many eukaryotic cells undergo frequent shape changes (described as amoeboid motion) that enable them to move forward. We investigate the effect of confinement on a minimal model of amoeboid swimmer. A complex picture emerges: (i) The swimmer's nature (i.e., either pusher or puller) can be modified by confinement, thus suggesting that this is not an intrinsic property of the swimmer. This swimming nature transition stems from intricate internal degrees of freedom of membrane deformation. (ii) The swimming speed might increase with increasing confinement before decreasing again for stronger confinements. (iii) A straight amoeoboid swimmer's trajectory in the channel can become unstable, and ample lateral excursions of the swimmer prevail. This happens for both pusher- and puller-type swimmers. For weak confinement, these excursions are symmetric, while they become asymmetric at stronger confinement, whereby the swimmer is located closer to one of the two walls. In this study, we combine numerical and theoretical analyses.


Subject(s)
Amoeba/physiology , Models, Biological , Movement , Swimming
6.
Curr Mol Med ; 15(10): 944-51, 2015.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26592247

ABSTRACT

The protein serine/threonine phosphatases-1 and -2A are major cellular phosphatases, playing a fundamental role in organisms from prokaryotes to eukaryotes. They contribute to 90% dephosphorylation in eukaryote proteins. In the eye, both phosphatases are highly expressed and display important functions in regulating normal eye development. Moreover, they are implicated in pathogenesis through modulation of stress-induced apoptosis. Here we review the recent progresses on these aspects.


Subject(s)
Cataract/genetics , Eye/metabolism , Glaucoma/genetics , Protein Phosphatase 1/genetics , Protein Phosphatase 2/genetics , Protein Subunits/genetics , Animals , Apoptosis , Cataract/enzymology , Cataract/pathology , DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Eye/growth & development , Eye Proteins/genetics , Eye Proteins/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Glaucoma/enzymology , Glaucoma/pathology , Goldfish , Heat Shock Transcription Factors , Homeodomain Proteins/genetics , Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism , Humans , Isoenzymes/genetics , Isoenzymes/metabolism , Organogenesis/genetics , PAX6 Transcription Factor , Paired Box Transcription Factors/genetics , Paired Box Transcription Factors/metabolism , Protein Phosphatase 1/metabolism , Protein Phosphatase 2/metabolism , Protein Subunits/metabolism , Repressor Proteins/genetics , Repressor Proteins/metabolism , Signal Transduction , Transcription Factors/genetics , Transcription Factors/metabolism
7.
Curr Mol Med ; 15(6): 558-64, 2015.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26238368

ABSTRACT

Uveitis refers to a group of ocular inflammatory diseases that can lead to blindness. For years, researchers have been trying to decipher the underlying mechanisms and develop therapeutic strategies using the model of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU). Recently, αA-crystallin has been found to be upregulated in EAU and can even ameliorate its severity through different mechanisms, suggesting its use as a potent therapeutic factor against uveitis. Here we review the protective role of αA-crystallin and discuss its functional mechanisms in EAU.


Subject(s)
Autoimmune Diseases/immunology , Autoimmune Diseases/metabolism , Uveitis/immunology , Uveitis/metabolism , alpha-Crystallin A Chain/metabolism , Animals , Autoimmune Diseases/genetics , Cytochromes c/metabolism , Cytokines/genetics , Cytokines/metabolism , Disease Models, Animal , Gene Expression Regulation , Humans , Mitochondria/metabolism , Oxidative Stress , Photoreceptor Cells/immunology , Photoreceptor Cells/metabolism , Retina/immunology , Retina/metabolism , Retina/pathology , T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology , T-Lymphocyte Subsets/metabolism , Toll-Like Receptors/genetics , Toll-Like Receptors/metabolism , Uveitis/genetics , alpha-Crystallin A Chain/genetics
8.
Curr Mol Med ; 14(9): 1197-204, 2014.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25336329

ABSTRACT

The tumor suppressor, p53 regulates a large number of target genes to control cell proliferation and apoptosis. In addition, it is also implicated in the regulation of cell differentiation in muscle, the circulatory system and various carcinoma tissues. We have recently shown that p53 also controls lens differentiation. Regarding the mechanism, we reveal that p53 directly regulates several genes including c-Maf and Prox1, two important transcription factors for lens differentiation, and αA and ßA3/A1, the lens differentiation markers. In the present study, we present evidence to show that the γA-crystallin gene distal promoter and the first intron also contain p53 binding sites and are capable of mediating p53 control during mouse lens development. First, gel mobility shifting assays revealed that the p53 protein in nuclear extracts from human lens epithelial cells (HLE) directly binds to the p53 binding sites present in the γA-crystallin gene. Second, the exogenous wild type p53 induces the dose-dependent expression of the luciferase reporter gene driven by the basic promoter containing the γA-crystallin gene p53 binding site. In contrast, the exogenous dominant negative mutant p53 causes a dose-dependent inhibition of the same promoter. Third, ChIP assays revealed that p53 binds to the γA-crystallin gene promoter in vivo. Finally, in the p53 knockout mouse lenses, the expression level of the γAcrystallin gene was found attenuated in comparison with that in the wild type mouse lenses. Together, our results reveal that p53 regulates γA-crystallin gene expression during mouse lens development. Thus, p53 directly regulates all 3 types of crystallin genes to control lens differentiation.


Subject(s)
Lens, Crystalline/metabolism , Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/physiology , gamma-Crystallins/metabolism , Animals , Base Sequence , Binding Sites , Cells, Cultured , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Lens, Crystalline/embryology , Mice , Promoter Regions, Genetic , Protein Binding , gamma-Crystallins/genetics
9.
Curr Mol Med ; 13(8): 1376-84, 2013 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23826917

ABSTRACT

Protein serine/threonine phosphatase-2A (PP-2A) is one of the key enzymes responsible for dephosphorylation in vertebrates. PP-2A-mediated dephosphorylation participates in many different biological processes including cell proliferation, differentiation, transformation, apoptosis, autophage and senescence. However, whether PP-2A directly controls animal development remains to be explored. Here, we present direct evidence to show that PP-2A displays important functions in regulating eye development of vertebrates. Using goldfish as a model system, we have demonstrated the following novel information. First, inhibition of PP-2A activity leads to significant death of the treated embryos, which is derived from blastomere apoptosis associated with enhanced phosphorylation of Bcl-XL at Ser-62, and the survived embryos displayed severe phenotype in the eye. Second, knockdown of PP-2A with morpholino oligomers leads to significant death of the injected embryos. The survived embryos from PP-2A knockdown displayed clear retardation in lens differentiation. Finally, overexpression of each catalytic subunit of PP-2A also causes death of majority of the injected embryos and leads to absence of goldfish eye lens or severely disturbed differentiation. Together, our results provide direct evidence that protein phosphatase-2A is important for normal eye development in goldfish.


Subject(s)
Eye/embryology , Eye/metabolism , Organogenesis/genetics , Protein Phosphatase 2/genetics , Animals , Catalytic Domain/genetics , Cloning, Molecular , DNA, Complementary/chemistry , DNA, Complementary/genetics , Female , Gene Expression , Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects , Goldfish , Male , Morpholinos/administration & dosage , Morpholinos/pharmacology , Okadaic Acid/pharmacology , Organ Specificity/genetics , Organogenesis/drug effects , Protein Phosphatase 2/chemistry , Protein Phosphatase 2/metabolism , Protein Subunits/genetics , Vertebrates
10.
Curr Mol Med ; 13(6): 959-67, 2013 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23745584

ABSTRACT

The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) is one of the three major types of mitogen-activated protein kinases. Previous studies showed that ERKs mediate various signaling pathways for cell proliferation, differentiation, survival and transformation in mammals. In the present study, we use goldfish as a model system and demonstrate that ERK kinases play important roles in promoting embryonic survival and regulate development of eye and trunk in vertebrates. ERKs are highly expressed in multiple tissues including lens epithelial cells, lens fiber cells, retina, brain, muscle and heart of adult goldfish. Injection of the dominant negative ERK mutant (DNM-ERK) into the fertilized eggs of goldfish significantly inhibited ERK activity at blastula stage, and completely blocked ERK activity at gastrula and later stages. As a result, the blastula cells were induced into apoptosis, and majority of the injected embryos were lethal at embryonic stages. At the molecular level, inhibition of ERK activity by DNM-ERKs suppressed phosphorylation of Bad at Ser-112 to promote apoptosis. Similar results were observed when MEK activity was inhibited by U0126 treatment. The survived embryos display significant abnormality in the phenotypes of both eye and trunk. Associated with the abnormality in the eye development, phosphorylation in Pax-6 and expression of HSF4 were significantly decreased and expression of the ß-crystallin gene was also downregulated. These results provide novel information regarding the roles of ERKs in regulating vertebrate development.


Subject(s)
Embryo, Nonmammalian/enzymology , Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/metabolism , Eye/embryology , Eye/enzymology , Goldfish/embryology , MAP Kinase Signaling System , Animals , Apoptosis/drug effects , Blastula/drug effects , Blastula/metabolism , Blotting, Western , Butadienes/pharmacology , Dimethyl Sulfoxide/pharmacology , Embryo, Nonmammalian/abnormalities , Embryo, Nonmammalian/drug effects , Embryo, Nonmammalian/pathology , Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/genetics , Eye/drug effects , Gene Expression Profiling , Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic/drug effects , Genes, Dominant , MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects , Mutation/genetics , Nitriles/pharmacology , Phenotype , Phosphorylation/drug effects
11.
Curr Mol Med ; 13(6): 968-78, 2013 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23745585

ABSTRACT

It is well established that the tumor suppressor p53 plays major roles in regulating apoptosis and cell cycle progression. In addition, recent studies have demonstrated that p53 is actively involved in regulating cell differentiation in muscle, the circulatory system and various carcinoma tissues. We have recently shown that p53 also controls lens differentiation. Regarding the mechanism, we reveal that p53 directly regulates c-Maf and Prox1, two important transcription factors to control cell differentiation in the ocular lens. In the present study, we present further evidence to show that p53 can regulate lens differentiation by controlling expression of the differentiation genes coding for the lens crystallins. First, the αA and ßA3/A1 gene promoters or introns all contain putative p53 binding sites. Second, gel mobility shifting assays revealed that the p53 protein in nuclear extracts from lens epithelial cells directly binds to the p53 binding sites found in these crystallin gene promoters or introns. Third, exogenous wild type p53 induces dose-dependent expression of the luciferase reporter gene driven by different crystallin gene promoters and the exogenous dominant negative mutant p53 causes dose-dependent inhibition of the same crystallin genes. Fourth, ChIP assays revealed that p53 binds to crystallin gene promoters in vivo. Finally, in the p53 knockout mouse lenses, expression levels of various crystallins were found down-regulated in comparison with those from the wild type mouse lenses. Together, our results reveal that p53 directly regulates expression of different sets of genes to control lens differentiation.


Subject(s)
Cell Differentiation/genetics , Crystallins/genetics , Lens, Crystalline/cytology , Lens, Crystalline/metabolism , Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism , alpha-Crystallin A Chain/genetics , Animals , Base Sequence , Binding Sites , Chromatin Immunoprecipitation , Crystallins/metabolism , Down-Regulation/genetics , Epithelial Cells/metabolism , Genes, Reporter , Humans , Introns/genetics , Lens, Crystalline/embryology , Luciferases/metabolism , Mice , Models, Biological , Molecular Sequence Data , Mutant Proteins/metabolism , Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics , alpha-Crystallin A Chain/metabolism , beta-Crystallin A Chain
12.
Curr Mol Med ; 13(1): 220-7, 2013 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23176181

ABSTRACT

Protein serine/threonine phosphatases are important cellular signaling molecules and play major roles in regulating many different functions including cell proliferation, senescence, programmed cell death, and oncogenic cell transformation. Among different serine/threonine phosphatases, PP-1 and PP-2A contribute to more than 90% phosphatase activities in eukaryotes. While the functions of PP-2A in cell transformation and tumorigenesis have been well established, the role of PP-1 in carcinogenesis remains to be further explored. Moreover, PP-1 exists in different isoforms, whether these isoforms have differential functions in tumorigenesis remains to be examined. In the present study, we demonstrated that in lung cancer 1299 cells, PP1α and PP- 1 & γ exist in an antagonizing balance. In the parent H1299 cells, PP-1γ is dominant, about 4-fold higher than that of PP-1α. Overexpression of PP-1α significantly down-regulates PP-1γ at both mRNA and protein levels. In contrast, knockdown of PP-1α leads to upregulation of PP-1γ. Moreover, overexpression of PP-1α significantly attenuates the ability of the H1299 cells in promoting tumorigenicity as tested in immuno-deficient nude mice. This attenuation is derived from the halted cell cycle progression, which is largely attributed by the changed RB-E2F activity. Together, our results demonstrate that PP-1α and PP-1γ not only antagonize each other in lung cancer cells, but also display differential functions in tumorigenicity.


Subject(s)
Lung Neoplasms/metabolism , Protein Phosphatase 1/metabolism , Animals , Base Sequence , Cell Line, Tumor , Cyclin-Dependent Kinases/metabolism , Down-Regulation , Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic , Gene Knockdown Techniques , Humans , Isoenzymes/genetics , Isoenzymes/metabolism , Lung Neoplasms/genetics , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Mice , Mice, Nude , Molecular Sequence Data , Phosphorylation , Protein Phosphatase 1/genetics , Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
13.
Curr Mol Med ; 12(10): 1361-71, 2012 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23016590

ABSTRACT

Protein serine/threonine phosphatase-1 (PP-1) is one of the key enzymes responsible for dephosphorylation in vertebrates. Protein dephosphorylation via PP-1 is implicated in many different biological processes including gene expression, cell cycle control, transformation, neuronal transmission, apoptosis, autophage and senescence. However, whether PP-1 directly controls animal development remains to be investigated. Here, we present direct evidence to show that PP-1 plays an essential role in regulating eye development of vertebrates. Using goldfish as a model system, we have shown the following novel results. First, inhibition of PP-1 activity leads to death of a majority of the treated embryos, and the survived embryos displayed severe phenotype in the eye. Second, knockdown of each catalytic subunit of PP-1 with morpholino oligomers leads to partial (PP-lα knockdown) or complete (PP-lß or PP-lγ knockdown) death of the injected embryos. The survived embryos from PP-1α knockdown displayed clear retardation in lens differentiation. Finally, overexpression of each subunit of PP-1 also causes death of majority of the injected embryos and leads to abnormal development of goldfish eye. Mechanistically, Pax-6 is one of the major downstream targets mediating the effects of PP-1 function since the eye phenotype in Pax-6 knockdown fish is similar to that derived from overexpression of PP-1. Together, our results for the first time provide direct evidence that protein phosphatase-1 plays a key role in governing normal eye formation during goldfish development.


Subject(s)
Eye/metabolism , Goldfish/metabolism , Lens, Crystalline/metabolism , Phosphoprotein Phosphatases/metabolism , Animals , Cell Differentiation , Eye/embryology , Eye/enzymology , Eye Proteins/genetics , Eye Proteins/metabolism , Gene Knockout Techniques , Goldfish/genetics , Homeodomain Proteins/genetics , Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism , Lens, Crystalline/embryology , Lens, Crystalline/enzymology , Morpholinos/genetics , PAX6 Transcription Factor , Paired Box Transcription Factors/genetics , Paired Box Transcription Factors/metabolism , Phosphoprotein Phosphatases/antagonists & inhibitors , Phosphoprotein Phosphatases/genetics , Phosphorylation , Repressor Proteins/genetics , Repressor Proteins/metabolism
14.
Curr Mol Med ; 12(8): 982-94, 2012 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22827437

ABSTRACT

Protein phosphatase-2A (PP-2A) is a major serine/threonine phosphatase abundantly expressed in eukaryotes. PP-2A is a heterotrimer that contains a 65 kD scaffold A subunit, a 36 kD catalytic C subunit, and a regulatory B subunit of variable isoforms ranging from 54-130 kDs. The scaffold subunits, PP2A-Aα/ß, act as platforms for both the C and B subunits to bind, and thus are key structural components for PP-2A activity. Mutations in both genes encoding PP2A-Aα and PP2A-Aß lead to carcinogenesis and likely other human diseases. Our previous work showed that the gene coding for PP2A-Aα is positively regulated by multiple transcription factors including Ets-1, CREB, and AP-2α but negatively regulated by SP-1/SP-3. In the present study, we have functionally dissected the promoter of the mouse PP2A-Aß gene. Our results demonstrate that three major cis-elements, including the binding sites for Ets-1, SP1/SP3, and RXRα/ß, are present in the proximal promoter of the mouse PP2A-Aß gene. Gel mobility shifting assays reveal that Ets-1, SP1/SP3, and RXRα/ß all bind to PP2A-Aß gene promoter. In vitro mutagenesis and reporter gene activity assays demonstrate that while Ets-1 displays negative regulation, SP1/SP3 and RXRα/ß positively regulate the promoter of the PP2A-Aß gene. Co-expression of the cDNAs encoding Ets-1, SP1/SP3, or RXRα/ß and the luciferase reporter gene driven by PP2A-Aß promoter further confirm their control over the PP2A-Aß promoter. Finally, ChIP assays demonstrate that Ets-1, SP1/SP3, and RXRα/ß can all bind to the PP2A-Aß gene promoter. Together, our results reveal that multiple transcription factors regulate the PP2A-Aß gene. Moreover, our results provide important information explaining why PP2A-Aα and PP2A-Aß display distinct expression levels.


Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation , Protein Phosphatase 2/genetics , Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1/physiology , Retinoid X Receptor alpha/physiology , Retinoid X Receptor beta/physiology , Sp1 Transcription Factor/physiology , Sp3 Transcription Factor/physiology , Animals , Base Sequence , Binding Sites , Cell Line , Chromatin Immunoprecipitation , Genes, Reporter , Luciferases, Renilla/biosynthesis , Luciferases, Renilla/genetics , Mice , Molecular Sequence Data , Promoter Regions, Genetic , Protein Binding , Protein Phosphatase 2/metabolism , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Transcriptional Activation
15.
Curr Mol Med ; 12(9): 1164-73, 2012 Nov 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22804239

ABSTRACT

αA- and αB-crystallins, the major lens structure proteins and members of the small heat-shock proteins (sHSPs) family, play essential roles in maintaining normal cellular structure and physiology of both ocular and some non-ocular tissues. Mutations and abnormal expression of these sHSPs are associated with various human diseases such as cataract, neural disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, recent studies have revealed that the abnormal expressions and functions of both α-crystallins are associated with several types of tumors. In this regard, αA- and αB-crystallins seem to function differentially or even oppositely during tumorigenesis, and diverse molecular mechanisms have been proposed to explain their roles in cell apoptosis, cell proliferation and tumor metastasis. In this review, we have summarized the current status regarding the expression patterns and functions of αA- and αB-crystallins implicated in tumorigenesis, and discussed the possible mechanisms underlying their functions.


Subject(s)
Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/metabolism , alpha-Crystallins/metabolism , Animals , Apoptosis , Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/pathology , Humans , Mutation , Neoplasm Metastasis , Neoplasms/metabolism , Neoplasms/pathology , alpha-Crystallin A Chain/metabolism , alpha-Crystallin B Chain/metabolism
16.
Curr Mol Med ; 12(2): 177-87, 2012 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22280356

ABSTRACT

The small heat shock protein, α-crystallin, exists in two isoforms, αA and αB, and displays strong ability against stress-induced apoptosis. Regarding their functional mechanisms, we and others have demonstrated that they are able to regulate members in both caspase and Bcl-2 families. In addition, we have also shown that αA and αB may display differential anti-apoptotic mechanisms under certain stress conditions. While αA-crystallin regulates activation of the AKT signaling pathway, αB negatively regulates the MAPK pathway to suppress apoptosis induced by UV and oxidative stress. Although previous studies revealed that αA and αB could regulate members in both caspase and Bcl-2 families, the molecular mechanism, especially the in vivo regulation still waits to be elucidated. In the present communication, we present both in vitro and in vivo evidence to further demonstrate the regulation of caspase-3 and Bax by αA and αB. First, Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) and yeast two-hybrid selection analysis demonstrate that αA and αB directly bind to caspase-3 and Bax with differential affinities. Second, immunohistochemistry reveals that αA and αB regulate caspase-3 and Bax at different developmental stages of mouse embryo. Third, coimmunoprecipitation shows that αA and αB form in vivo interacting complexes with caspase-3 and Bax. Together, our results further confirm that αA and αB regulate caspase-3 and Bax in vitro and in vivo to regulate lens differentiation.


Subject(s)
Caspase 3/metabolism , Lens, Crystalline/embryology , Lens, Crystalline/metabolism , alpha-Crystallin A Chain/metabolism , alpha-Crystallin B Chain/metabolism , bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism , Animals , Antigens, Viral, Tumor/metabolism , Kinetics , Mice , Protein Binding , Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism
17.
Curr Mol Med ; 11(6): 465-80, 2011 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21663592

ABSTRACT

The Rho-family of small GTPase specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor, GEFT, is expressed at high levels in adult human excitable tissues including the brain, heart, and skeletal muscle. Previously, we demonstrated that GEFT is specifically expressed in the adult mouse hippocampus and cerebellum, and that overexpression of this protein can result in neurite and dendrite remodeling. This finding prompted us to explore the expression of GEFT in other tissues, which share common developmental ancestry to the nervous system, specifically the ocular system. Using immunohistochemical analysis specific for GEFT protein expression, we observed the highest ocular expression of GEFT occurring in the neuroblastic layer and differentiating lens fibers of the late-stage mouse embryo, and in the postnatal corneal epithelium, lens epithelium, and throughout the retina. Exogenous expression of GEFT in N/N1003A rabbit lens epithelial cells induced lens fiber differentiation as reflected by cell elongation and lentoid formation, as well as a strong increase in ß-crystallin and filensin expression. Moreover, transfection of lens epithelial cells with GEFT resulted in a Rac-1 mediated up-regulation of αA-, αB-, ßB-, γC-, or γF-crystallin promoter activities that is in part dependent on the nuclear localization of Rac1. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of Rac1 blocked GEFT-induced N/N1003A lens fiber differentiation and ßB-crystallin expression in ex vivo mouse lens explants. These results demonstrate for the first time a role for GEFT in lens cell differentiation and mouse eye development. Moreover, GEFT regulation of lens differentiation and eye development occurs through a Rac1-dependent mechanism.


Subject(s)
Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors/genetics , Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors/metabolism , Lens, Crystalline/cytology , Lens, Crystalline/embryology , Neuropeptides/metabolism , rac GTP-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Animals , Cell Differentiation , Cell Line , Crystallins/genetics , Crystallins/metabolism , Epithelium, Corneal/cytology , Epithelium, Corneal/growth & development , Epithelium, Corneal/metabolism , Eye Proteins/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Intermediate Filament Proteins/metabolism , Lens, Crystalline/growth & development , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Promoter Regions, Genetic , Rabbits , Retina/cytology , Retina/growth & development , Retina/metabolism , Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors , Signal Transduction , Up-Regulation , rac1 GTP-Binding Protein
18.
Appl Biochem Biotechnol ; 121-124: 289-301, 2005.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15917607

ABSTRACT

Accumulation of poly hydroxyalkanoate (PHA) from excess activated sludge (EAS) was monitored and controlled via the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) adjusting process. The ORP was adjusted and controlled by only regulating the gas-flow rate pumped into the cultural broth in which sodium acetate (C2) and propionate (C3) were used as carbon sources. Productivity of PHA and the PHA compositions at various C2 to C3 ratios were also investigated. When ORP was maintained at +30 mV, 35% (w/w) of PHA of cell dry weight obtained when C2 was used as sole carbon source. The PHA copolymer, poly-(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), accumulated by EAS with different 3-hydroxyvalarate (3HV) molar fractions ranged from 8% to 78.0% when C2 and C3 was used as sole carbon source, By using ORP to monitor and control the fermentation process instead DO meter, the ORP system provided more precise control to the PHA accumulation process from EAS under low dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations. Adjusting the C2 to C3 ratios in the media could control the composition such as the 3HV/3HB ratios of the PHBV. Furthermore, it might be an effective way to adjust the 3HV molar fractions in PHBV by controlling the DO concentration via the ORP monitoring system. The 3HV molar fractions in the PHBV declined with increasing ORP from -30 mV to +100 mV by adjusting the gas-flow rate (i.e. the DO concentration). It is concluded that the DO plays a very important role in the synthesis of 3HV subunits in PHBV co-polymer from the EAS. Therefore, a hypothetic metabolic model for PHA synthesis from EAS was proposed to try to explain the results in this study.


Subject(s)
Acetates/metabolism , Bacteria, Anaerobic/metabolism , Cell Culture Techniques/methods , Hydroxybutyrates/metabolism , Oxygen/metabolism , Polyesters/metabolism , Propionates/metabolism , Sewage/microbiology , Bacteria, Anaerobic/growth & development , Bioreactors/microbiology , Carbon/metabolism , Hydroxybutyrates/isolation & purification , Industrial Waste/prevention & control , Oxidation-Reduction , Pilot Projects , Polyesters/isolation & purification , Refuse Disposal/methods
19.
Environ Int ; 26(5-6): 369-75, 2001 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11392753

ABSTRACT

Tolo Harbour is a large eutrophic land-locked estuarine embayment in Hong Kong. The rapid urbanization, commercio-industrial activities and lack of legislative control around the Tolo catchment produced large quantities of untreated or partially treated municipal sewage, agricultural wastes and cottage industrial effluents which were discharged into Tolo Harbour via rivers and watercourses. Control measures were implemented to reduce the external nutrient loading into the harbour since the early 1980s. Nutrient data for the period 1982 to 1997 were analyzed for temporal trends. Over the period of observation, the total inorganic nitrogen and total phosphorus both show an increasing trend, despite a decade of efforts in reducing nutrient loading. The release rates of potentially mobile nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from the sediments collected from Tolo Harbour were determined by N and P release experiments under oxic conditions. The experimental results showed that the sediment released significant amount of nutrients, especially orthophosphates and ammonia nitrogen. The maximum release rates were 15.0 and 206.0 mg/m2/day, respectively. Although the external nutrient loading has been reduced, nutrients could gradually be released back into the water column from the contaminated sediments and delay improvement of the water quality.


Subject(s)
Eutrophication , Nitrogen/analysis , Oxygen/metabolism , Phosphorus/analysis , Refuse Disposal , Water Pollutants/analysis , Environmental Monitoring , Geologic Sediments/chemistry , Hong Kong , Sewage , Waste Disposal, Fluid , Water Movements
20.
Zhonghua Yan Ke Za Zhi ; 29(4): 216-7, 1993 Jul.
Article in Chinese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-8243192

ABSTRACT

14 patients (16 eyes) of Marfan's syndrome are reviewed with regard to retinal detachment. The patients aged a mean 25.1 years; 9 cases were of high myopia, and lens dislocation was found in all. Multiple atrophic retinal holes were detected in 11 eyes (68.8%), and the retina was totally detached in 12 eyes (75.0%). Scleral encircling with external compression performed in 15 eyes achieved retinal reattachment in 14 eyes. The predisposing factors for retinal detachment, the selection of the mode of surgery, the management of the pupil, and the prognosis are discussed.


Subject(s)
Marfan Syndrome/surgery , Retinal Detachment/surgery , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Marfan Syndrome/complications , Middle Aged , Prognosis , Retinal Detachment/complications , Scleral Buckling
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