Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Plant natriuretic peptides (PNPs) are a novel class of extracellular, systemically mobile molecules that elicit a number of plant responses important in homeostasis and growth. Natriuretic peptides were first identified in vertebrates where they play a role in the regulation of salt and water balance. Subsequent experimental investigations have identified the presence of a natriuretic peptide hormone system in plants. While PNPs have been implicated in various physiological responses such as stomatal guard cell movements and regulation of net water uptake, its biological role has remained elusive. Here we have used co-expression and promoter content analysis tools to understand the biological role of the Arabidopsis thaliana PNP (AtPNP-A). The analysis of AtPNP-A and its co-expressed genes revealed that genes annotated as part of the systemic acquired resistance (SAR) pathway were over-represented, thus suggesting that AtPNP-A may function as a component of plant defense responses and specifically, SAR. The results further show that AtPNP-A shares many characteristics with pathogenesis related (PR) proteins in that its transcription is strongly induced in response to pathogen challenges, thus implying a newly described role for AtPNP-A in pathogen attack. Additional tissue expression analysis also indicated distinct localization of PNP activity in sepals and transcriptional meta-analysis showed that AtPNP-A may play a role in starch breakdown. Therefore, together with the finding that AtPNP-A plays a role in regulating phloem transport, we also hypothesize that AtPNP-A may play a role in phloem unloading in sepals to assist processes such as seed formation in plants. In plants, the second messenger, guanosine 3’,5’-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) mediates a whole range of important processes including salinity tolerance, disease resistance, drought tolerance and responses to light. Since PNPs regulate water and salt homeostasis via a cGMP-dependent signaling pathways, it is thus important to analyse the transcriptome induced by the second messenger (cGMP) in Arabidopsis thaliana to give a better understanding of its mechanism of action. This study was also supplemented by the analysis of the gibberellic acid (GA) dependent transcriptome, since cGMP also plays a role its transcription pathway. This data analysis, together with promoter content investigation, revealed that genes upregulated after cGMP treatment and down-regulated in the GA insensitive mutant (ga1-3) were enriched with a GA response element (GARE), while no GARE enrichment were observed in genes up-regulated in the ga1-3 mutant. These findings suggest that GARE is indicative of GA-induced and cGMP-dependent transcriptional up-regulation. Gene ontology analysis confirmed previous reports that cGMP is involved in ion homeostasis and indicated that the transcriptional cGMP response is bi-polar in the sense that both genes up- and down-regulated in response to cGMP is involved in cation transport. Additionally, ab initio analysis of genes transcriptionally dependent on cGMP identified CHX8 as a hub gene and promoter content of CHX8 co-expressed genes show enrichment of the GARE motif. The fact that CHX8 has its highest expression levels during male gametogenesis and pollen tube growth, together with our findings, suggest that GA-induced and cGMP- dependent genes may play a key role in ion and water homeostasis in the male gametophyte. Finally, we propose that the type of analysis undertaken here can yield new insights into gene regulation networks and inform experimental strategies to unravel complex transcription regulatory systems under different developmental and stimulus specific conditions. / South Africa

Plant natriuretic peptides (PNP) are novel peptides which, like in vertebrates, have been shown to have a function associated with water and salt homeostasis. Two PNP-encoding genes have been identified and isolated from Arabidopsis thaliana, namely; AtPNP-A and AtPNP-B. In this study, the focus was on PNP-B, which has not been extensively studied. Bioinformatic analysis was done on the AtPNP-B gene. This included the bioinformatic study of its primary structure, secondary structure, tertiary structure, transcription factor binding sites (TFBS) and its relation to other known proteins. The AtPNP-B gene was shown to be a 510 bp long, including a predicted 138 bp intron. AtPNP-B was also shown to have some sequence similarity with AtPNP-A and CjBAp12. The TFBS for AtPNP-B and OsJPNP-B were compared and they comprised of TFBS that are related to water homeostasis and pathogenesis. This suggested two possible functions; water stress and homeostasis and a pathogenesis related function for PNP-B. Following bioinformatic analysis, the heterologous expression of the AtPNP-B was attempted to investigate whether the AtPNP-B gene encoded a functional protein and to determine the functional role of PNP-B. However, expression was unsuccessful. An evolutionary study was then carried out which revealed that there were some plants without the intron such as, rice, leafy spurge, oilseed rape, onion, poplar, sugar cane, sunflower and tobacco. These plants would therefore be used for expression and functional studies in the future. The evolutionary studies also revealed that PNP-B had a relationship with expansins and the endoglucanase family 45. Other PNP-B related molecules were also obtained from other plant genomes and therefore used in the construction of a phylogenetic tree. The phylogenetic tree revealed that AtPNP-B clustered in the same group as CjBAp12 while AtPNP-A had its own cluster group. There were also other PNP-B like molecules that clustered in the same group as expansins (α- and β-). Thus, we postulate that, like PNP-A, PNP-B also has a possible function in water and salt homeostasis. However, due to the clustering iii of AtPNP-B into the same group as CjBAp12, a possible role of PNP-B in pathogenesis-related response is also postulated.

No description available.

Bioinformatic searching on the zebrafish genome indicates that there are five members of this hormone family (namely GH, SLalpha, SLbeta, PRL1 and PRL2) and four receptors (namely GHR1, GHR2, PRLR1 and PRLR2). However, it should be noted that these ligands and receptors are only named according to their sequence homology with those in other species. There is so far no systematic study to unravel the relationship among the ligands and receptors. The last point is particularly relevant as some of the ligands and receptors are duplicated in the fish genome. In addition, there is much controversy regarding whether one of the two GHRs is in fact the receptor for SL. A systematic study on the interaction among the ligands and receptors in zebrafish would help to resolve these issues. / In fish, growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL) and somatolactin (SL) are members of a gene family of polypeptide hormones which share homology in protein sequence and structure. To date, numerous functions have been attributed to this family of hormones such as growth, immune response, protein metabolism and ion regulation. The biological functions of GHlPRL are mediated through binding of the ligands on their respective receptors. It is believed that this gene family arose as the result of multiple gene duplications and subsequent divergent evolution, co-evolving with their corresponding receptors. Despite the above mentioned similarities in their structures, their cognate receptors and their signaling mechanisms, important differences among this gene family of polypeptide hormones can be recognized in their biological functions. / In the present study, the luciferase reporter assay, His-tag pulldown assay and signaling pathway activation were employed to investigate the interaction among the ligands and their receptors. It was shown that recombinant zebrafish GH, PRLI and PRL2 could only interact with their cognate receptors, i.e. GHRl, GHR2, PRLRI and PRLR2 respectively. In comparison, zebrafish SLalpha and SLbeta could neither interact with GHR1, GHR2, PRLR1 and PRLR2 in the binding study, nor could these two SLs activate the receptor-mediated downstream signaling and transcriptional activities of the four receptors in zebrafish. These data argue against the hypothesis that GHRI is the SL receptor. / The role of PRLR in early development of zebrafish was also explored. Whole mount in situ hybridization (WISH) study showed that PRLR1 was mainly expressed in the pancreas and pronephric duct, while PRLR2 was expressed in the pronephric duct only. In the PRLR1 morpholino (MO) knockdown embryos, the yolk extension (YE), the formation of which was reported to be associated with pronephric duct development, disappeared at 24 hours post fertilization. This phenotype could not be observed in the PRLR2 MO knockdown or control embryos. Real time quantitative RT-PCR and WISH data revealed that several genes expressed in the pronephric duct were up or down-regulated. The protein expression pattern of pronephric duct marker atplal was also affected in the embryos injected with PRLRI MO. In addition, histological studies showed that structure of the pronephric duct was destroyed in the PRLRI MO embryos. These results suggest that PRLRI plays an important role in the development of the pronephric duct in zebrafish embryos. / Chen, Mingliang. / "October 2010." / Adviser: Cheung Wing-Tai. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-04, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 140-179). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

published_or_final_version / Biological Sciences / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / abstract / Biological Sciences / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Investigators have suggested that opiate peptide hormones released during exercise stress may play an important role in athletic performance or perceived effort. Their enzymatic inactivation in the periphery is of considerable interest since the opiate peptides may be regulated by enkephalin hydrolyzing enzyme (EHA). In this study, the relationship between maximal aerobic capacity (VO_2max) and EHA activity was examined in two distinct fitness groups. When the metabolic capacity was evaluated in whole blood, the unfit subjects metabolized the peptides significantly faster than their fit counterparts. Since the total enzyme activity of the two groups is similar, the difference in metabolism must result from circulating factors in the trained athletes, which slow the rate of peptide inactivation.

O estradiol (E2) exerce papel fundamental no desencadeamento da luteólise nos ruminantes. A redução das concentrações de E2 que se segue a ablação dos folículos retarda a luteólise enquanto que aplicações de E2 no final da fase luteínica estimulam a secreção de prostaglandina-F2α (PGF2α), induzindo a luteólise. O E2 pode preparar bioquimicamente o endométrio de forma que a progesterona (P4) possa estimular a secreção de PGF2α. Para esse trabalho foi utilizado um antagonista de P4 (RU486) no intuito de se estudar efeitos da P4 em associação com o E2 na produção de PGF2α. Foram conduzidos 2 experimentos com vacas holandesas em final da fase luteínica. No primeiro experimento, 2 grupos (n=4) receberam respectivamente RU486 (3mg/kg)+E2 (3mg) e placebo+E2. O uso do RU486 não inibiu a produção de PGFM (metabólito da PGF2α) e sim aumentou-a. O E2 estimulou a produção de PGFM. Verificou-se também que o etanol (ETOH) utilizado como solvente para o RU486 provocou forte pico de liberação de PGFM. No experimento 2 fez-se necessário checar a efetividade da ação do ETOH nos resultados obtidos. Animais foram divididos em 3 grupos (n=3) que receberam 0,00; 0,03 e 0,06mL de ETOH/kg de peso vivo. Uma hora após a aplicação do ETOH todos receberam E2 (3mg). O ETOH e o E2 voltaram a estimular a produção de PGFM. A baixa especificidade do RU486, a possível ativação de receptores de P4 pelo próprio RU486 e/ou ação do LH associado ao E2 podem ter estimulado a liberação de PGFM. Porém pouco pôde-se concluir sobre o pico de PGFM ocasionado pelo ETOH. / Estradiol (E2) is essential for triggering luteolysis in ruminants. The low E2 concentrations after follicular ablation prolongs luteolysis instead of E2 injections in late luteal phase stimulate prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and luteolysis. The E2 could act in endometrium avoiding progesterone (P4 ) to stimulate PGF 2α secretion. A P4 antagonist (RU486) was used for it. Holstein cows in late luteal phase where used for those 2 experiments. First experiment, 2 groups (n=4) received respectively RU486 (3mg/kg)+E2 (3mg) and placebo+E2 Ru486 increased PGFM (PGF2α metabolite). E2 stimulated PGFM production. Ethanol (ETOH) used as a RU486 vehicle strongly stimulated PGFM. In experiment 2 the effectivity of ETOH was studied. Animals were share into 3 groups (n=3) receiving 0,00; 0,03 e 0,06mL of ETOH/kg. All animals received E2 (3mg) 1hour after ETOH injection. Once more, both ETOH and E2 stimulated PGFM releasing. The low RU486 specificity, the possible P4 receptor activation by the RU486 itself and/or the LH/E2 association could be able to stimulate PGFM release. The PGFM stimulus by the ETOH injection is not well understood.

Lai Kit Ching Jan. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-141). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / 摘要 --- p.iv / Acknowledgements --- p.vi / List of abbreviations --- p.vii / List of figures --- p.ix / Table of contents --- p.xi / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- "The structure, function and regulation of growth hormone" --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Historical perspective of growth hormone secretagogues --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3 --- Ghrelin and growth hormone secretagogue receptor --- p.7 / Chapter 1.4 --- Calcium signalling of growth hormone secretagogues --- p.12 / Chapter 1.5 --- Pancreas and functions of exocrine pancreas --- p.15 / Chapter 1.6 --- Regulation of exocrine pancreatic function --- p.22 / Chapter 1.7 --- Functions of ghrelin in pancreas --- p.32 / Chapter 1.8 --- Aims of study --- p.34 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Materials and methods --- p.35 / Chapter 2.1 --- Experimental animal and cell line models --- p.35 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Rat model --- p.35 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Isolation of pancreatic lobules and acinar cells --- p.35 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Omeprazole-induced gastric acid inhibition --- p.36 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis --- p.37 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- Starvation rat model --- p.37 / Chapter 2.1.6 --- AR42J cell line --- p.38 / Chapter 2.2 --- Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction --- p.39 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Total RNA extraction and quantification --- p.39 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Reverse transcription --- p.40 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Polymerase chain reaction --- p.40 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Gel electrophoresis --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Optimization of semi-quantitative RT-PCR --- p.42 / Chapter 2.3 --- Western blot analysis --- p.43 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Extraction of total protein and quantification --- p.43 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Sodium Dodecyl-sulphate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) --- p.43 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Tricine Sodium Dodecyl-sulphate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (Tricine-SDS-PAGE) --- p.44 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Electroblotting and immunodetection of proteins --- p.45 / Chapter 2.4 --- Immunocytochemistry --- p.47 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Preparation of isolated acinar cells for paraffin sections --- p.47 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Preparation of AR42J cells slices --- p.47 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Immunofluorescent double staining --- p.47 / Chapter 2.5 --- Functional studies of digestive enzyme secretion from pancreatic isolated acini and lobules --- p.49 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Incubation of pancreatic isolated acini and lobules with different peptides --- p.49 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Quantification of protein content --- p.50 / Chapter 2.5.3 --- Measurement of a-amylase secretion by α-amylase assay --- p.50 / Chapter 2.6 --- Spectrofluorimetric measurement --- p.52 / Chapter 2.6.1 --- Incubation of AR42J cells with Fluo-4/AM --- p.52 / Chapter 2.6.2 --- Pretreatment of antagonist or blockers and Ca2+-free treatment --- p.52 / Chapter 2.6.3 --- Calcium mobilization assay --- p.53 / Chapter 2.7 --- Statistics and data analysis --- p.54