Le Gengyun. / Thesis submitted in: December 2002. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 161-182). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Abbreviations --- p.v / Acknowledgements --- p.vii / Publications --- p.viii / Table of Contents --- p.ix / Chapter Chapter 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1. --- Vasoconstrictors --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- An overview of vascular smooth muscle contraction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Strong and weak vasoconstrictors --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Mechanisms involved in TP receptor vasoconstriction --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.1.1 --- Brief introduction to the TP receptor --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.1.2 --- Second messenger systems --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.1.3 --- G-protein-linked pathways --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.1.3.1 --- G proteins --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.1.3.2 --- G-protein-linked TP receptor signal transduction --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Mechanisms involved in α1-adrenoceptor vasoconstriction --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.2.1 --- Brief introduction to the α1-adrenoceptor --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.2.2 --- Second messenger systems --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.2.3 --- G-protein-linked α-adrenoceptor signal transduction --- p.9 / Chapter 1.3 --- Prostanoid EP3 receptor agonists (weak vasoconstrictors) --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Prostanoids --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3.1.1 --- Biochemical characteristics of prostanoids --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3.1.1.1 --- Biosynthesis of prostanoids --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3.1.1.2 --- Metabolism of prostanoids --- p.11 / Chapter 1.3.1.2 --- Prostanoid receptors --- p.13 / Chapter 1.3.1.2.1 --- Structures --- p.13 / Chapter 1.3.1.2.2 --- Current Status of Classification --- p.14 / Chapter 1.3.1.2.3 --- Signal transduction --- p.16 / Chapter 1.3.1.2.4 --- Distribution --- p.18 / Chapter 1.3.1.2.5 --- Physiological functions --- p.18 / Chapter 2. --- Interactions between vasoconstrictors --- p.19 / Chapter 2.1 --- Cross-talk between G-protein-coupled receptors --- p.19 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Cross-talk between different receptor families --- p.19 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Cross-talk between subtypes of the same receptor family --- p.21 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Cross-talk at the effector level --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2 --- Proposed pathways involved in synergistic interactions --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Rho and Rho-associated kinase --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.1.1 --- Rho family and its identification --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.1.2 --- Mechanism(s) of Rho contribution in vasoconstriction --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.1.3 --- Interactions between Rho and other pathways --- p.26 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Receptor tyrosine kinases --- p.29 / Chapter 2.2.2.1 --- RTK family --- p.29 / Chapter 2.2.2.2 --- Activation of RTKs --- p.29 / Chapter 2.2.2.3 --- Mechanism(s) of RTK contribution in vasoconstriction --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2.2.4 --- Interactions between RTKs and MAPKs --- p.31 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Mitogen-activated protein kinase --- p.34 / Chapter 2.2.3.1 --- p38 MAPK --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.3.2 --- JNK MAPK --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.3.3 --- ERK MAPK --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.3.4 --- Interactions between MAPK and GPCRs --- p.37 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- FORCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM --- p.41 / Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.41 / Chapter 2. --- Materials --- p.41 / Chapter 2.1 --- Drugs --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2 --- Chemicals --- p.41 / Chapter 2.3 --- Solutions --- p.46 / Chapter 3. --- Methods --- p.46 / Chapter 3.1 --- Isolated smooth muscle preparations and organ bath set-up --- p.46 / Chapter 3.2 --- Data analysis --- p.47 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- VASOCONSTRICTORS AND THEIR INTERACTIONS --- p.48 / Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.48 / Chapter 2. --- Materials and Methods --- p.48 / Chapter 2.1 --- Materials --- p.48 / Chapter 2.2 --- Methods --- p.51 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Isolated tissue preparations --- p.51 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Experimental protocols --- p.51 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.52 / Chapter 3. --- Results --- p.55 / Chapter 3.1 --- Typical vasoconstrictor profiles of agonists --- p.55 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Sulprostone contraction --- p.55 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- U-46619 contraction --- p.55 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Phenylephrine contraction --- p.56 / Chapter 3.2 --- Synergistic interactions between sulprostone and strong vasoconstrictors --- p.58 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Enhancement of U-46619 response by sulprostone --- p.58 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Enhancement of phenylephrine response by sulprostone --- p.58 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Enhancement of sulprostone response by phenylephrine --- p.58 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- INVESTIGATION OF PATHWAYS INVOLVED IN EP3 AGONIST- INDUCED VASOCONSTRICTION --- p.64 / Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.64 / Chapter 2. --- Materials and methods --- p.65 / Chapter 2.1 --- Materials --- p.65 / Chapter 2.2 --- Methods --- p.65 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Isolated tissue preparations --- p.65 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Experimental protocols --- p.65 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.69 / Chapter 3. --- Results --- p.70 / Chapter 3.1 --- Effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors --- p.70 / Chapter 3.2 --- Effects of MAPK inhibitors --- p.82 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Effects of MAPK inhibitors on U-46619 responses --- p.82 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Effects of MAPK inhibitors on sulprostone responses --- p.91 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Effects of MAPK inhibitors on phenylephrine responses --- p.100 / Chapter 3.3 --- Effects of Rho-kinase inhibitors --- p.104 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- TRANSFECTED CELL LINE SYSTEM --- p.111 / Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.111 / Chapter 2. --- Materials and methods --- p.114 / Chapter 2.1 --- Materials --- p.114 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Plasmids and vectors --- p.114 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Radioactive agents --- p.114 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Chemicals --- p.114 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Restriction digest enzymes --- p.115 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- "Culture media, buffers and solutions" --- p.115 / Chapter 2.1.5.1 --- Culture media / Chapter 2.1.5.2 --- Buffers and solutions --- p.115 / Chapter 2.2 --- Methods --- p.116 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Transfected cell lines --- p.116 / Chapter 2.2.1.1 --- Subcloning of hEP3-1 receptor and hTP receptor cDNA --- p.116 / Chapter 2.2.1.1.1 --- Plasmid recovery / Chapter 2.2.1.1.2 --- Preparation of competent cells --- p.116 / Chapter 2.2.1.1.3 --- Transformation of competent cells --- p.117 / Chapter 2.2.1.1.4 --- Extraction of DNA by QIAGEN Plasmid Mini Kit --- p.117 / Chapter 2.2.1.1.5 --- Restriction enzymes digestion and dephosphorylation --- p.117 / Chapter 2.2.1.1.6 --- DNA recovery and ligation / Chapter 2.2.1.1.7 --- Positive recombinant DNA selection --- p.119 / Chapter 2.2.1.2 --- Cell culture --- p.119 / Chapter 2.2.1.3 --- Transient transfection of CHO cells --- p.121 / Chapter 2.2.1.4 --- Mesurement of adenylate cyclase activity --- p.121 / Chapter 2.2.1.4.1 --- Preparation of columns --- p.121 / Chapter 2.2.1.4.2 --- [3H]-cAMP assays --- p.122 / Chapter 2.2.1.5 --- Measurement of phospholipase C activity --- p.122 / Chapter 2.2.1.5.1 --- Preparation of columns --- p.123 / Chapter 2.2.1.5.2 --- [3H]-inositol phosphate assay --- p.123 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Data analysis --- p.124 / Chapter 3. --- Results --- p.125 / Chapter 3.1 --- Subcloning of hEP3-1and hTPα receptor cDNA into expression vectors --- p.125 / Chapter 3.2 --- Measurement of cAMP and IP production in transfected CHO cells --- p.133 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Effect of varying receptor cDNA concentration on agonist-stimulated [3H]-cAMP and [3H]-IP production in transiently transfected CHO cells --- p.133 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Effect of agonists on intracellular [3H]-IP or [3H]-cAMP productionin CHO cells transfected with hTPα or hEP3-1 --- p.133 / Chapter 3.3 --- Summary --- p.134 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- GENERAL DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS --- p.137 / Chapter 1. --- Vasoconstrictors and their interactions --- p.137 / Chapter 1.1 --- Vasoconstrictors --- p.137 / Chapter 1.2 --- Synergism --- p.138 / Chapter 2. --- Investigation of possible pathways --- p.140 / Chapter 2.1 --- Rho-associated kinase --- p.140 / Chapter 2.2 --- Receptor tyrosine kinase --- p.147 / Chapter 2.3 --- Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) --- p.151 / Chapter 3. --- Effect of vehicles --- p.155 / Chapter 4. --- Biochemical studies in transfected CHO cells --- p.157 / Chapter 5. --- Conclusions --- p.158 / Appendix I --- p.159 / Buffers and Solutions used in transfected system --- p.159 / Chapter 1. --- Buffers --- p.159 / Chapter 2. --- Solutions --- p.159 / REFERENCES --- p.161

shum Wai Chi. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 259-279). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

Hung Hoi Yan. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 138-160). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.i / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.v / PUBLICATIONS BASED ON THE WORK IN THIS THESIS --- p.vi / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.vii / ABBREVIATIONS --- p.ix / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Prostanoids and vasoconstriction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- EP3 receptors --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- EP1 receptors --- p.16 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- FP receptors --- p.23 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- TP receptors --- p.30 / Chapter 1.2 --- Role of Ca2+ in vascular smooth muscle contraction --- p.36 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Ca2+ as second messenger --- p.36 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Ca2+ sensitization --- p.41 / Chapter 1.3 --- Aim of study --- p.48 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- METHODS AND MATERIALS --- p.49 / Chapter 2.1 --- Experiments with rat femoral artery --- p.49 / Chapter 2.2 --- Experiments with guinea-pig trachea --- p.56 / Chapter 2.3 --- Materials --- p.59 / Chapter 2.4 --- Data analysis --- p.61 / Chapter 2.5 --- Measurement of rat knee joint blood flow --- p.62 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- RESULTS --- p.68 / Chapter 3.1 --- Effects of EP3 agonists and other vasoactive agents on the rat femoral artery preparation --- p.68 / Chapter 3.2 --- Interactions between EP3 agonists and other vasoactive agents --- p.69 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Interactions with phenylephrine --- p.69 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Interactions with KCl --- p.71 / Chapter 3.3 --- Effect of nifedipine --- p.72 / Chapter 3.4 --- Effects of Rho-kinase inhibitors --- p.73 / Chapter 3.5 --- Effect of EP1 receptor antagonist --- p.76 / Chapter 3.6 --- Other properties of the rat femoral artery --- p.77 / Chapter 3.8 --- Effect of sulprostone on blood flow of rat knee joint --- p.79 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- DISCUSSION --- p.118 / Chapter 4.1 --- Effect of PGE analogues on rat femoral artery --- p.118 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Prostanoid receptor (s) responsible for the contractile effects --- p.118 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Prostanoid Receptors involved in the synergism --- p.122 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Synergism models --- p.124 / Chapter 4.2 --- Mechanisms of synergistic contractions --- p.126 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Role of Ca2+ influx --- p.126 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Role of Ca2+ sensitization --- p.127 / Chapter 4.3 --- Effect of sulprostone in vivo --- p.132 / Chapter 4.4 --- Conclusion --- p.136 / REFERENCES --- p.138