Coronary vessel development is a crucial part of heart development requiring the interplay of the epicardial, myocardial and endocardial layers of the heart for proper formation. Coronary vascularization is regulated by a host of transcription factors further regulated by chromatin remodeling enzymes, including Histone Deacetylases (HDACs). To investigate the functions of HDACs in coronary vascular development, we have deleted Hdac3 in endocardial cells using Cre LoxP technology. Endocardial cell-­‐specific deletion of Hdac3 results in aberrant coronary vessel formation and complete postnatal lethality. We have thus shown that Hdac3 is a critical regulator of the coronary vascular development pathway.

Hox genes encode a conserved family of homeodomain containing transcription factors essential for metazoan development. The establishment of overlapping Hox expression domains specifies tissue identities along the anterior-posterior axis during early embryogenesis and is regulated by chromatin architecture and retinoic acid (RA). Here we present the role nucleosome positioning plays in hox activation during embryogenesis. Using four stages of early embryo development, we map nucleosome positions at 37 zebrafish hox promoters. We find nucleosome arrangement to be progressive, taking place over several stages independent of RA. This progressive change in nucleosome arrangement on invariant sequence suggests that trans-factors play an important role in organizing nucleosomes. To further test the role of trans-factors, we created hoxb1b and hoxb1a mutants to determine if the loss of either protein effected nucleosome positions at the promoter of a known target, hoxb1a. Characterization of these mutations identified hindbrain segmentation defects similar to targeted deletions of mouse orthologs Hoxa1 and Hoxb1 and zebrafish hoxb1b and hoxb1a morpholino (MO) loss-of-function experiments. However, we also identified differences in hindbrain segmentation as well as phenotypes in facial motor neuron migration and reticulospinal neuron formation not previously observed in the MO experiments. Finally, we find that nucleosomes at the hoxb1a promoter are positioned differently in hoxb1b-/- embryos compared to wild-type. Together, our data provides new insight into the roles of hoxb1b and hoxb1a in zebrafish hindbrain segmentation and reticulospinal neuron formation and indicates that nucleosome positioning at hox promoters is dynamic, depending on sequence specific factors such as Hox proteins.

The following work examines the mechanisms by which Tip60-p400 chromatin remodeling complex regulates gene expression in embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Tip60-p400 complex has distinct functions in undifferentiated and differentiated cells. While Tip60-p400 is often associated with gene activation in differentiated cells, its most prominent function in ESCs is to repress differentiation-related genes. I show that Tip60-p400 interacts with Hdac6 and other proteins to form a unique form of the complex in ESCs. Tip60-Hdac6 interaction is stem cell specific and is necessary for Tip60-p400 mediated gene regulation, indicating that Tip60- p400 function is controlled in part through the regulation of Hdac6 during development. Furthermore, I find that Hdac6 is required for the binding of Tip60- p400 to many of its target genes, indicating Hdac6 is necessary for the unique function of Tip60-p400 in ESCs. In addition to accessory proteins like Hdac6, Tip60-p400 also interacts with thousands of coding and noncoding RNAs in ESCs. I show that R-loops, DNA-RNA hybrids formed during transcription of many genes, are important for regulation of chromatin binding by at least two chromatin regulators (Tip60-p400 and PRC2). This finding suggests that transcripts produced by many genes in ESC may serve as a signal to modulate binding of chromatin regulators. However, R-loops might also function to regulate chromatin architecture in differentiated cells as well. Future studies based on this work will be necessary to understand the full repertoire of cell types and chromatin regulators regulated by these structures.

The CBFbeta-SMMHC fusion protein is expressed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) samples with the chromosome inversion inv(16)(p13;q22). This fusion protein binds the transcription factor RUNX with higher affinity than its physiological partner CBFbeta and disrupts the core binding factor (CBF) activity in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Studies in the Castilla laboratory have shown that CBFbeta-SMMHC expression blocks differentiation of hematopoietic progenitors, creating a pre-leukemic progenitor that progresses to AML in cooperation with other mutations. However, the combined function of cumulative cooperating mutations in the pre-leukemic progenitor cells that enhance their expansion to induce leukemia is not known. The standard treatment for inv(16) AML is based on the use of non-selective cytotoxic chemotherapy, resulting in a good initial response, but with limited long-term survival. Therefore, there is a need for developing targeted therapies with improved efficacy in leukemic cells and minimal toxicity for normal cells. Here, we used conditional Nras+/LSL-G12D; Cbfb+/56M; Mx1Cre knock-in mice to show that allelic expression of oncogenic N-RasG12D expanded the multi-potential progenitor (MPP) compartment by 8 fold. Allelic expression of Cbfbeta-SMMHC increased the MPPs and short-term hematopoietic stem cells (ST-HSCs) by 2 to 4 fold both alone and in combination with N-RasG12D expression. In addition, allelic expression of oncogenic N-RasG12D and Cbfbeta-SMMHC increases survival of pre-leukemic stem and progenitor cells. Differential analysis of bone marrow cells determined that Cbfb+/MYH11 and Nras+/G12D; vii Cbfb+/MYH11 cells included increased number of blasts, myeloblasts and promyelocytes and a reduction in immature granulocytes, suggesting that expression of N-RasG12D cannot bypass Cbfbeta-SMMHC driven differentiation block. N-RasG12D and Cbfbeta-SMMHC synergized in leukemia, in which Nras+/G12D; Cbfb+/MYH11 mice have a shorter median latency than Cbfb+/MYH11 mice. In addition, the synergy in leukemogenesis was cell autonomous. Notably, leukemic cells expressing N-RasG12D and Cbfbeta-SMMHC showed higher (over 100 fold) leukemia-initiating cell activity in vivo than leukemic cells expressing Cbfbeta-SMMHC (L-IC activity of 1/4,000 and 1/528,334, respectively). Short term culture and biochemical assays revealed that pre-leukemic and leukemic cells expressing N-RasG12D and Cbfbeta-SMMHC have reduced levels of pro-apoptotic protein Bim compared to control. The Nras+/G12D; CbfbMYH11 pre-leukemic and leukemic cells were sensitive to pharmacologic inhibition of MEK/ERK signaling pathway with increasing apoptosis and Bim protein levels but not sensitive to PI3K inhibitors. In addition, knock-down of Bcl2l11 (Bim) expression in Cbfbeta-SMMHC pre-leukemic progenitors decreased their apoptosis levels. In collaboration with Dr. John Bushweller’s and other research laboratories, we recently developed a CBFbeta-SMMHC inhibitor named AI-10-49, which specifically binds to CBFbeta-SMMHC, prevents its binding to RUNX proteins and restores CBF function. Biochemical analysis in human leukemic cells showed that AI-10-49 has significant specificity in reducing the viability of leukemic cells expressing CBFbeta-SMMHC (IC50= 0.83μM), and negligible toxicity in normal cells. Likewise, mouse Nras+/G12D; viii Cbfb+/MYH11 leukemic cells were sensitive to AI-10-49 (IC50= 0.93μM). By using the NrasLSL-G12D; Cbfb56M mouse model, we also show that AI-10-49 significantly prolongs the survival of mice bearing the leukemic cells. Preliminary mechanistic analysis of AI-10-49 activity has shown that AI-10-49 increased BCL2L11 transcript levels in a dose and time dependent manner in murine and human leukemic cells, suggesting that the viability through BIM-mediated apoptosis may be targeted by both oncogenic signals. My thesis study demonstrates that Cbfbeta-SMMHC and N-RasG12D promote the survival of pre-leukemic myeloid progenitors primed for leukemia by activation of the MEK/ERK/Bim axis, and define NrasLSL-G12D; Cbfb56M mice as a valuable genetic model for the study of inv(16) AML targeted therapies. For instance, the novel CBFbeta-SMMHC inhibitor AI-10-49 shows a significant efficacy in this mouse model. This small molecule will serve as a promising first generation drug for targeted therapy of inv(16) leukemia and also a very useful tool to understand mechanisms of leukemogenesis driving by CBFbeta-SMMHC.

Herpesviral infections are currently incurable and are associated with severe human diseases, such as cancer. Kaposi’s Sarcoma-associated Herpesvirus (KSHV), like all herpesviruses, undergoes a long-term, latent infection where few viral products are made as a mechanism to evade the host immune system. Recently, the KSHV latent genome was shown to have bivalent histone marks thought to keep the virus poised for replication. However, it is unclear how the virus prevents spurious leaky transcription from this primed state. The 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR) of transcripts is a common site of gene expression regulation, however less than half of the KSHV 3'-UTRs have been mapped and few studies have interrogated their role during infection. The work presented here is the first large-scale map and analysis of the KSHV 3'-UTRs. Four methods were used to identify the 3'-UTRs expressed by the ~85 KSHV genes, including prediction algorithms, 3'-RACE, DNA tiling array, and next generation deep sequencing analysis. The role of each KSHV 3'-UTR in gene expression was then examined using luciferase reporter assays and showed a surprising prevalence of negative regulation conveyed during latent infection. Sequential deletions across numerous 3'-UTRs indicated RNA structure is likely involved in this regulation. In addition, several KSHV 3'-UTRs conveyed an increase in translation during lytic infection through enhanced recognition by the cap-dependent translation initiation machinery activated via the MNK1 kinase. A second mechanism of KSHV gene regulation was identified through motifs encoded in the K7 3'-UTR. This work indicated that a previously characterized RNA element and a novel putative hairpin are both partially responsible for negative regulation conveyed by the K7 3'-UTR. We hypothesize that these structural motifs control expression of the K7 transcript by altering its sub-cellular location and/or via RNA stability. This work represents a broad 3'-UTR study that mapped the KSHV 3'-UTRs and is the first large-scale functional analysis of 3'-UTRs from a large genome virus. We have implicated post-transcriptional mechanisms, along with known transcriptional regulation, in viral evasion of the immune response during latency and the escape of viral-mediated host shutoff. These results identify new potential targets for therapeutic intervention of KSHV-associated disease. / text

No description available.

Chan Kai Man. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 109-119). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Title --- p.i / Thesis committee --- p.ii / Statement --- p.iii / Acknowledgement --- p.iv / Abbreviations --- p.v / Abstract (English) --- p.vii / Abstract (Chinese) --- p.ix / Table of contents --- p.xi / List of Figures --- p.xvi / Chapter Chapter 1: --- General Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Human Hemoglobin --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Hemoglobinopathies --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3 --- Hereditary Persistence of Fetal Hemoglobin (HPFH) and β - Thalassemias --- p.6 / Chapter 1.4 --- Globin Genes Switching --- p.7 / Chapter 1.5 --- Pharmaceutical Agents for γ-Globin Gene Reactivation --- p.9 / Chapter 1.6 --- Discovery of LC978: A Novel Fetal Hemoglobin Inducing Agent --- p.10 / Chapter 1.7 --- Aim of Study --- p.11 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- Specific Induction of Gamma Globin Gene Transcription in K562 Leukemia Cell Line by Lead Compound LC978 --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1 --- K562 Cell Line as a Model for Gamma Globin Gene Induction Studies --- p.12 / Chapter 2.2 --- LC978-Induced Fetal Hemoglobin Expression in K562 Cell Line --- p.12 / Chapter 2.3 --- Materials --- p.14 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- "Chemicals, Kits and Reagents" --- p.14 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Buffers and Solutions --- p.15 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Cell Line --- p.16 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Instruments and Equipments --- p.16 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Enzymes --- p.16 / Chapter 2.3.6 --- Nucleic Acids --- p.17 / Chapter 2.3.7 --- Oligo Primers --- p.17 / Chapter 2.4 --- Methods --- p.17 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- In vitro Bioassay for Total Hemoglobin Production --- p.17 / Chapter (a) --- Preparation of Treatment Cell Culture Plates --- p.17 / Chapter (b) --- Treatment of K562 Cells by LC978 --- p.18 / Chapter (c) --- Signal Development --- p.18 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Detection of Fetal Hemoglobin Production by HbF Sandwich ELISA --- p.18 / Chapter (a) --- Treatment of K562 Cells by LC978 --- p.18 / Chapter (b) --- Preparation of Capture Antibody-Coated and BSA-Blocked ELISA Plate --- p.19 / Chapter (c) --- Preparation of K562 Cell Lysates --- p.19 / Chapter (d) --- Antigen Capture and Signal Development --- p.19 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Detection of Gamma Globin mRNA Level by Real-time RT-PCR --- p.20 / Chapter (a) --- Treatment of K562 Cells by LC978 --- p.20 / Chapter (b) --- Preparation of K562 Cell Lysate in Guanidium Thiocyanate (GT) Solution --- p.20 / Chapter (c) --- Isolation of Total RNA from LC978-treated K562 Cells --- p.21 / Chapter (d) --- cDNA Synthesis from mRNA by Reverse Transcriptase (RT) --- p.22 / Chapter (e) --- Real-Time Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) --- p.23 / Chapter 2.5 --- Results --- p.24 / Chapter (a) --- In vitro Bioassay for Total Hemoglobin Production --- p.24 / Chapter (b) --- Fetal Hemoglobin Sandwich ELISA --- p.24 / Chapter (c) --- LC978-Induced Gamma Globin mRNA Accumulation --- p.25 / Chapter 2.6 --- Discussion --- p.31 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Construction of Promoter-Reporter Plasmid Constructs --- p.33 / Chapter 3.1 --- The Human Gamma Globin Gene Promoter --- p.33 / Chapter 3.2 --- SEAP as a Reporter Gene for Promoter Deletion Study --- p.34 / Chapter 3.3 --- Materials --- p.35 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- "Chemicals, Kits and Reagents" --- p.35 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Buffers and Solutions --- p.35 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Bacterial Strain --- p.36 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Cell Line --- p.36 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- Enzymes --- p.37 / Chapter 3.3.6 --- Nucleic Acids --- p.37 / Chapter 3.3.7 --- Oligo Primers --- p.37 / Chapter 3.4 --- Methods --- p.38 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Molecular Cloning of A-Gamma Globin Gene Promoter and 3' Enhancer into pBlueScript II SK (-) --- p.38 / Chapter (a) --- Design and Synthesis of Oligo Primers --- p.38 / Chapter (b) --- Isolation of Genomic DNA from K562 Cells --- p.39 / Chapter (c) --- PCR Amplification of Gamma Globin Gene Promoter and 3' Enhancer --- p.40 / Chapter (d) --- Ligation of PCR Fragments into EcoR V-cut pBlueScript II SK (-) --- p.41 / Chapter (e) --- Preparation of E coli DH5a Competent Cells --- p.43 / Chapter (f) --- Heat-Shock Transformation of E. coli DH5a Competent Cells --- p.44 / Chapter (g) --- PCR Screening and Plasmid Purification of Putative pBlu2SKM-γAP and pBlu2SKM-γAE --- p.44 / Chapter (h) --- Isolation of Putative pBlu2SKM-γAP and pBlu2SKM-γAE Plasmid DNA --- p.45 / Chapter (j) --- Nucleotide Sequencing of Putative pBlu2SKM-yAP and pBlu2SKM-γAE --- p.47 / Chapter (j) --- Graphical Summary of Section 3.6.1 Sub-cloning Procedures --- p.49 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Molecular Cloning of A-Gamma Globin Gene Promoter and 3' Enhancer into pSEAP2-Enhancer --- p.51 / Chapter (a) --- Sub-cloning of Promoter Fragment into pSEAP2-Enhancer --- p.51 / Chapter (b) --- Sub-cloning of 3' Enhancer Fragment into p 1224γAP-SEAP2 --- p.52 / Chapter (c) --- Graphical Summary of Section 3.6.2 Sub-cloning Procedures --- p.54 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Construction of p 1224γAP-SEAP2-γAE Promoter Deletions Constructs --- p.56 / Chapter (a) --- Restriction Digestion at 5' End of A-Gamma Promoter Deletions --- p.56 / Chapter (b) --- Restriction Digestion at 3' Ends of A-Gamma Promoter Deletions --- p.56 / Chapter (c) --- Blunting 5'-overhangs and Self-Ligation of Linearized Plasmid Constructs --- p.57 / Chapter (d) --- Graphical Summary of Section 3.6.3 5，Deletions Procedures --- p.58 / Chapter 3.5 --- Results --- p.59 / Chapter (a) --- Nucleotide Sequence Confirmed by Cycle Sequencing --- p.60 / Chapter (b) --- "Resulting Plasmid Constructs p 1224γAP-SEAP2-yAE, p754yAP-SEAP2-yAE and p205yAP-SEAP2-γAE" --- p.64 / Chapter 3.6 --- Discussion --- p.67 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- Mapping of LC978-Responsive Elements on Human A-Gamma Globin Gene Promoter --- p.69 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.69 / Chapter 4.2 --- pSV-β-Galactosidase as a Transfection Normalization Standard --- p.69 / Chapter 4.3 --- pSV-β-Galactosidase as a Transfection Normalization Standard --- p.70 / Chapter 4.4 --- Materials --- p.72 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- "Chemicals, Kits and Reagents" --- p.72 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Buffers and Solutions --- p.73 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Cell Line --- p.74 / Chapter 4.4.4 --- Nucleic Acids --- p.74 / Chapter 4.4.5 --- Instruments and Equipments --- p.74 / Chapter 4.5 --- Methods --- p.74 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Determination of Optimal Dose of Transfection Reagent for --- p.74 / Chapter (a) --- Sterilization of Plasmid DNA for Transfection --- p.74 / Chapter (b) --- Transient Transfection of K562 Cells by pEGFP-N 1 --- p.75 / Chapter (c) --- Examination of EGFP Expression Level --- p.76 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- β-Galactosidase as Normalization Standard for K562 Transfections --- p.76 / Chapter (a) --- Transient Transfection of K562 Cells by pSV-β-Gal --- p.76 / Chapter (b) --- Determination of β-Galactosidase Expression Level --- p.76 / Chapter 4.5.3 --- Mapping of LC978-Responsive Elements on Human Gamma Globin Gene Promoter --- p.77 / Chapter (a) --- Co-Transfection of K562 Cells by p1224/754/205γAP-SEAP2 -γAE and pSV-β-Gal --- p.77 / Chapter (b) --- Treatment of Co-Transfected K562 Cells by LC978 --- p.77 / Chapter (c) --- Determination of β-Galactosidase Expression Level --- p.78 / Chapter (d) --- Determination of Secreted Alkaline Phosphatase (SEAP) Expression Level --- p.78 / Chapter (e) --- Determination of Fetal Hemoglobin Expression Level --- p.79 / Chapter 4.5.4 --- Mapping of Hydroxyurea-Responsive Elements on Human Gammm Globin Gene Promoter --- p.80 / Chapter (a) --- Determination of Optimal Biological Dose (OBD) of Hydroxyurea --- p.80 / Chapter (b) --- Co-Transfection of K562 Cells and Subsequent Treatment by Hydroxyurea --- p.80 / Chapter (c) --- "Assay for β-Galactosidase (β-Gal), Secreted Alkaline Phosphatase (SEAP) and Fetal Hemoglobin (HbF) Expression Level" --- p.81 / Chapter 4.5.5 --- Sodium Butyrate-Induced SEAP Expression --- p.81 / Chapter (a) --- Determination of Optimal Biological Dose (OB(d) of Sodium Butyrate --- p.81 / Chapter (b) --- Co-Transfection of K562 Cells and Treatment by Sodium Butyrate --- p.82 / Chapter (c) --- "Assay for p-Galactosidase (β-Gal), Secreted Alkaline Phosphatase (SEAP) and Fetal Hemoglobin (HbF) Expression Level" --- p.83 / Chapter 4.5.6 --- Data Analysis --- p.83 / Chapter (a) --- "Data Processing, Normalization and Graphing" --- p.83 / Chapter (b) --- Statistical Analysis --- p.83 / Chapter 4.6 --- Results --- p.84 / Chapter 4.6.1 --- Optimal Dose of Transfection Reagent for K562 --- p.84 / Chapter 4.6.2 --- β-Galactosidase as Normalization Standard for K562 Transfections --- p.84 / Chapter 4.6.3 --- LC978 Induction on Co-Transfected K562 Cells --- p.84 / Chapter 4.6.4 --- Hydroxyurea Induction on Co-Transfected K562 Cells --- p.85 / Chapter 4.6.5 --- Sodium Butyrate Induction on Co-Transfected K562 Cells --- p.86 / Chapter 4.7 --- Discussion --- p.98 / Chapter 4.7.1 --- Theme Question to be Answered --- p.98 / Chapter 4.7.2 --- Optimal Dose of DMRIE-C Transfection Reagent on K562 Cell Line --- p.98 / Chapter 4.7.3 --- pSV-β-gal as an Internal Normalization Control --- p.99 / Chapter 4.7.4 --- Responsive Element Mapping --- p.99 / Chapter (a) --- LC978-Induced Response --- p.100 / Chapter (b) --- Hydroxyurea-Induced Response --- p.100 / Chapter (c) --- Sodium Butyrate-Induced Response --- p.101 / Chapter 4.7.5 --- LCR-Dependent Gamma Globin Gene Reactivation --- p.101 / Chapter 4.7.6 --- Induction of Gamma Globin by Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor --- p.104 / Chapter 4.7.7 --- Basal SEAP Expression Levels of the Promoter-Reporter Constructs --- p.105 / Chapter 4.7.8 --- Summary --- p.105 / Chapter Chapter 5: --- General Discussion --- p.106 / References Cited --- p.109

Chin Wai. / Original paper published on European Jouranl of cancer (vol. 34, no. 7, p. 1015-1022) inserted. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 70-77). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Dedication --- p.i / Vita --- p.ii / Acknowledgment --- p.iv / Abstract --- p.vii / Introduction --- p.1 / Hepatocellular carcinoma --- p.1 / Lung cancer --- p.3 / The role of suppressor gene PML in cancer --- p.5 / Principle of immunohistaining methods --- p.8 / Patients and methods --- p.21 / Patients and smaples --- p.21 / Slide preparing --- p.22 / Immunohistochemical staining --- p.23 / Cell culture --- p.30 / Determination of the population doubling times --- p.30 / Mtt assay --- p.35 / Results --- p.37 / "Altered expression of PML in normal liver, HCC and Secondary liver tumor" --- p.37 / Increased expression of PML in chronic hepatitis tissues --- p.38 / Differential expression of PML at the periphery and at the center of single-encapsulated lesion of HCC --- p.42 / Expression of PML in normal lung tissues --- p.43 / Suppression of PML expression in small cell lung cancer --- p.44 / Enhanced expression of PML in adenocarcinoma of the lung --- p.44 / Enhanced expression of PML in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung --- p.45 / Express of PML in metastatic lung cancer --- p.46 / Inverse correlation of the expression of PML and the proliferation marker Ki-67 in SCLC and SCC --- p.46 / Correlation of the expression of PML in macrophages with the macrophage-specific marker KP-1 --- p.47 / Expression of PML in Hela cells and Hela cells transfected with the gene --- p.48 / Altered morphology of the Hela-PML cell-clones --- p.49 / Altered growth rate in Hela-PML cells --- p.49 / Altered rate of cell-death in Hela-PML cells --- p.50 / Discussion --- p.51 / Further studies --- p.63 / References --- p.70 / Table --- p.78 / Figure legend --- p.81 / Appendix: Original paper published on European Journal of cancer --- p.106

by Chan Yick Bun. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 145-165). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgement --- p.II / Abstract --- p.IV / Contents --- p.VIII / Abbreviations --- p.XIV / List of Figures --- p.XVI / List of Tables --- p.XVII / Chapter Chapter One --- General introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Leukemia: an overview --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Background --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Classification of leukemia --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Origin of leukemia --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Treatment of leukemia --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2 --- Introduction of leukemia cell re-differentiation --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Introduction --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Inducers of cell differentiation --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Genes involved in myeloid leukemia cell differentiation --- p.11 / Chapter 1.2.3.1 --- Transcription factors --- p.11 / Chapter 1.2.3.2 --- Signal transduction cascades --- p.16 / Chapter 1.2.3.3 --- Receptors --- p.18 / Chapter 1.2.3.4 --- Cytokines --- p.19 / Chapter 1.3 --- Tumor necrosis factor alpha induced WEHI 3B JCS cell differentiation --- p.21 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Introduction --- p.21 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Tumor necrosis factor alpha --- p.21 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- WEHI 3B JCS cells --- p.23 / Chapter 1.4 --- Aims of study --- p.25 / Chapter Chapter Two --- Isolation of differentially expressed genes during TNF-α induced WEHI 3B JCS cell differentiation / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.26 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Overview of differential genes screening methods --- p.26 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Differential hybridization for analysis of gene expression profiles --- p.29 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Factors affect differential hybridization --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Cell line --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Mouse brain cDNA library --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- E.coli strains --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Kits --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Chemicals --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Solutions and buffers --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Enzymes and reagents --- p.37 / Chapter 2.3 --- Methods --- p.38 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Preparation of total RNA from TNF-a induced WEHI 3B JCS cells --- p.38 / Chapter 2.3.1.1 --- Preparation of cell lysates --- p.38 / Chapter 2.3.1.2 --- Extraction of total RNA --- p.38 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Preparation of cDNA clones from cDNA library --- p.39 / Chapter 2.3.2.1 --- Rescue of phagemids from cDNA library --- p.39 / Chapter 2.3.2.2 --- Preparation of plasmids --- p.39 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Primary differential hybridization --- p.40 / Chapter 2.3.3.1 --- Preparation of cDNA blots --- p.40 / Chapter 2.3.3.2 --- Preparation of cDNA probes --- p.40 / Chapter 2.3.3.3 --- Primary differential hybridization --- p.41 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Subcloning of putative differential cDNA clones --- p.42 / Chapter 2.3.4.1 --- Preparation of DH5a competent cells --- p.42 / Chapter 2.3.4.2 --- Transformation of cDNA clones --- p.42 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Secondary differential hybridization --- p.42 / Chapter 2.3.5.1 --- Preparation ofcDNA blots --- p.42 / Chapter 2.3.5.2 --- Secondary differential hybridization --- p.43 / Chapter 2.4 --- Results --- p.44 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Analysis of total RNA prepared from TNF-α induced WEHI 3B JCS cells --- p.44 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Spectrophotometric analysis of plasmid DNA --- p.46 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Primary differential hybridization --- p.48 / Chapter 2.4.4 --- Secondary differential hybridization --- p.58 / Chapter 2.4.5 --- Comparison of two rounds of differential hybridization --- p.61 / Chapter 2.5 --- Discussions --- p.63 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Study of gene expression profile by differential hybridization --- p.63 / Chapter 2.5.1.1 --- cDNA library --- p.63 / Chapter 2.5.1.2 --- Blots --- p.64 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Two rounds of differential hybridization --- p.66 / Chapter 2.5.3 --- Comparison of two rounds of differential hybridization --- p.68 / Chapter Chapter Three --- Sequence analysis of putative differentially expressed genes / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.70 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Basic structure of cDNA clones --- p.70 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Strategies for DNA sequencing --- p.71 / Chapter 3.1.2.1 --- Primer walking --- p.71 / Chapter 3.1.2.2 --- Restriction digestion and subcloning --- p.71 / Chapter 3.1.2.3 --- Nested deletion sets --- p.72 / Chapter 3.1.2.4 --- Shotgun sequencing --- p.72 / Chapter 3.1.2.5 --- Other sequencing strategies --- p.73 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Sequence alignment and database search --- p.74 / Chapter 3.1.3.1 --- Sequence database --- p.74 / Chapter 3.1.3.2 --- Sequence alignment --- p.74 / Chapter 3.1.3.3 --- BLAST algorithm --- p.75 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials --- p.76 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Kits --- p.76 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Restriction enzymes --- p.76 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Solutions and buffers --- p.76 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Enzymes and reagents --- p.77 / Chapter 3.3 --- Methods --- p.78 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Restriction digestion --- p.78 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Subcloning --- p.79 / Chapter 3.3.2.1 --- Gel purification --- p.79 / Chapter 3.3.2.2 --- Ligation --- p.79 / Chapter 3.3.2.3 --- Transformation --- p.80 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Shotgun sequencing --- p.80 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Sequencing reaction --- p.81 / Chapter 3.3.4.1 --- Preparation of sequencing gel --- p.81 / Chapter 3.3.4.2 --- Sequencing reaction --- p.81 / Chapter 3.4 --- Results --- p.83 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Restriction mapping of cDNA inserts --- p.83 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Sequencing results --- p.85 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Sequence analysis --- p.90 / Chapter 3.5 --- Discussions --- p.103 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Sequencing strategies --- p.103 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Sequence analysis --- p.104 / Chapter Chapter Four --- Characterization of the putative differentially expressed genes / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.107 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Midazolam induced WEHI 3B JCS cells differentiation --- p.107 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Gene expression profiles in embryogenesis --- p.108 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials --- p.110 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Mouse embryo multiple tissue Northern (MTN´ёØ) blot --- p.110 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Megaprime´ёØ DNA labelling system --- p.110 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Chemicals --- p.110 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Solutions and buffers --- p.111 / Chapter 4.3 --- Methods --- p.112 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Preparation of Northern blots --- p.112 / Chapter 4.3.1.1 --- Preparation of total RNA from midazolam induced WEHI 3B JCS cells --- p.112 / Chapter 4.3.1.2 --- Preparation of Northern blots --- p.112 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Preparation of DNA probes --- p.113 / Chapter 4.3.2.1 --- Preparation of DNA templates --- p.113 / Chapter 4.3.2.2 --- Preparation of 32P labelled probes --- p.114 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Northern blot analysis --- p.115 / Chapter 4.3.3.1 --- Northern hybridization --- p.115 / Chapter 4.3.3.2 --- Stripping of Northern blot --- p.115 / Chapter 4.4 --- Results --- p.117 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Analysis of midazolam induced JCS cells total RNA --- p.117 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Preparation of DNA templates for probe syntheses --- p.119 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Northern Hybridization --- p.121 / Chapter 4.4.4 --- Comparison of the results of differential hybridization and Northern hybridization --- p.126 / Chapter 4.5 --- Discussions --- p.127 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Northern hybridization --- p.127 / Chapter 4.5.1.1 --- Gene expression patterns under TNF-α induction --- p.127 / Chapter 4.5.1.2 --- Normalization of Northern hybridization --- p.129 / Chapter 4.5.1.3 --- Gene expression patterns under midazolam induction --- p.130 / Chapter 4.5.1.4 --- Gene expression pattern during embryo development --- p.133 / Chapter Chapter Five --- General discussion / Chapter 5.1 --- Identification of differentially expressed genes in TNF-α induced WEHI 3B JCS diffentiation --- p.135 / Chapter 5.2 --- Differentially expressed genes and myeloid leukemia cell differentiation --- p.137 / Chapter 5.3 --- Differentially expressed genes and embryogenesis --- p.142 / Chapter 5.4 --- Further studies --- p.144 / References --- p.145

Pang Yee Man Flora. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 111-128). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract (in English) --- p.ii / Abstract (in Chinese) --- p.iv / Acknowledgement --- p.v / Table of Contents --- p.vii / List of Figures --- p.xii / Symbols and Abbreviations --- p.xv / Scientific Names --- p.xvii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- General Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Vitellogenesis --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- Vitellogenin --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Structure --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Vitellogenin synthesis in the liver --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3 --- Regulation of vitellogenin synthesis --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Estradiol --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3.1.1 --- Mechanism of action --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3.1.2 --- Estradiol-stimulated vitellogenin expression --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3.1.3 --- Memory effects --- p.9 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Testosterone --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Cortisol --- p.13 / Chapter 1.3.4 --- Progesterone --- p.14 / Chapter 1.3.5 --- Growth Hormone --- p.14 / Chapter 1.3.6 --- Prolactin --- p.15 / Chapter 1.3.7 --- Thyroid hormone --- p.15 / Chapter 1.4 --- Growth factors --- p.16 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Activin --- p.16 / Chapter 1.4.1.1 --- Structure --- p.16 / Chapter 1.4.1.2 --- Functions --- p.17 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Epidermal growth factors (EGF) --- p.18 / Chapter 1.4.2.1 --- Structure --- p.18 / Chapter 1.4.2.2 --- Functions --- p.19 / Chapter 1.5 --- Objectives of the present study --- p.20 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Expression of Goldfish Vitellogenin in vivo and in vitro --- p.25 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.26 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Materials --- p.26 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Sequencing --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Cell culture --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- RNA extraction --- p.29 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Northern hybridization --- p.31 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Slot blot hybridization --- p.32 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Data analysis --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.8 --- SDS-PAGE analysis --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.9 --- in situ hybridization --- p.34 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results --- p.37 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Validation of vitellogenin mRNA detection --- p.37 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Basal and estradiol-stimulated vitellogenin expression and production invivo --- p.38 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Localization of vitellogenin expression in the liver --- p.39 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Expression of vitellogenin in vitro --- p.40 / Chapter 2.4 --- Discussion --- p.54 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Effects of Steroids on the Expression of Goldfish Vitellogenin in vitro --- p.60 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.60 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.62 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Materials --- p.62 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Animal --- p.62 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Primary culture of dispersed hepatic cells --- p.62 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Drug treatment --- p.64 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Total RNA isolation --- p.64 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Messenger RNA isolation --- p.65 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- Slot blot analysis --- p.66 / Chapter 3.2.8 --- Data analysis --- p.68 / Chapter 3.2.9 --- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) --- p.68 / Chapter 3.2.10 --- Cloning of aromatase cDNA --- p.69 / Chapter 3.2.11 --- Sequencing --- p.70 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.71 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Effect of 17-β estradiol on vitellogenin mRNA expression --- p.71 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Effect of testosterone on vitellogenin mRNA expression --- p.71 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Detection of aromatase mRNA expression in the liver by RT-PCR --- p.72 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Effect of aromatase inhibitors on testosterone-stimulated vitellogenin expression --- p.73 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.81 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Effects of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) and Activin on the Expression of Vitellogenin in the Goldfish Hepatic Cells in vitro --- p.86 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.86 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.88 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Materials --- p.88 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Primary culture of dispersed hepatic cells --- p.89 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Slot blot analysis --- p.91 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Data analysis --- p.91 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results --- p.92 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Effect of activin on vitellogenin mRNA expression --- p.92 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Effect of EGF and TGF-α on vitellogenin mRNA expression --- p.93 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.99 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- General Discussion --- p.104 / Chapter 5.1 --- Overview --- p.104 / Chapter 5.2 --- Contribution of the present study --- p.106 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Expression of goldfish vitellogenin in vivo and in vitro --- p.106 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Effects of steroids on the expression of goldfish vitellogenin in vitro --- p.106 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Effects of EGF and activin on the expression of vitellogenin in the goldfish hepatic cells in vitro --- p.107 / Chapter 5.3 --- Future prospects --- p.108