Publications by authors named "Pei-Wen Pan"

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) comprise a family of zinc-containing enzymes that catalyze the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide. CAs contribute to a myriad of physiological processes, including pH regulation, anion transport and water balance. To date, 16 known members of the mammalian alpha-CA family have been identified.

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Our previous microarray study showed that the non-specific cytotoxic cell receptor protein 1 (Nccrp1) transcript is significantly upregulated in the gastric mucosa of carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX)-deficient (Car9(-/-)) mice. In this paper, we aimed to characterize human NCCRP1 and to elucidate its relationship to CA IX. Recombinant NCCRP1 protein was expressed in Escherichia coli, and a novel polyclonal antiserum was raised against the purified full-length protein.

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Article Synopsis
  • Carbonic anhydrase VI (CA VI) plays a role in protecting tooth enamel from cavities by being secreted from salivary glands, and its lower levels are linked to higher cavity rates in humans.
  • Research using Car6(-/-) mice, which lack CA VI, showed these mice had unexpectedly fewer caries than normal mice after exposure to the cavity-causing bacteria Streptococcus mutans.
  • The study suggests CA VI may actually contribute to cavity development by influencing the oral microbiota and producing acids in dental plaque.
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Preliminary observations have suggested mild behavioral changes and a morphological disruption of brain histology in 1.5-year-old carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX)-deficient (Car9 (-/-)) mice. These findings led us to design a 1-year follow-up study in which the behavior and brain histology of Car9 (-/-) and wild-type mice were monitored.

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Carbonic anhydrase VI (CAVI) is the only secreted isozyme of the α-carbonic anhydrase family, which catalyzes the reversible reaction [Formula in text]. It appears that CAVI protects teeth and gastrointestinal mucosa by neutralizing excess acidity. However, the evidence for this physiological function is limited, and CAVI may have additional functions that have yet to be discovered.

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The harderian gland is located within the orbit of the eye of most terrestrial vertebrates. It is especially noticeable in rodents, in which it synthesises lipids, porphyrins, and indoles. Various functions have been ascribed to the harderian gland, such as lubrication of the eyes, a site of immune response, and a source of growth factors.

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Background: S100P is a Ca2+ binding protein overexpressed in a variety of cancers, and thus, has been considered a potential tumor biomarker. Very little has been studied about its normal expression and functions.

Methods: We examined S100P expression in normal human tissues by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry.

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Background: Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are physiologically important enzymes which participate in many gastrointestinal processes such as acid and bicarbonate secretion and metabolic pathways including gluconeogenesis and ureagenesis. The genomic data suggests that there are thirteen enzymatically active members of the mammalian CA isozyme family. In the present study, we systematically examined the mRNA expression levels of all known CA isozymes by quantitative real-time PCR in eight tissues of the digestive system of male and female mice.

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Adipose tissue triacylglycerols are the quantitatively most important source of stored energy in animals. Hormone-sensitive lipase encoded by hormone-sensitive lipase gene (Hsl) is a multifunctional enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of triacylglycerol stored in adipose tissue and cholesterol esters in the adrenals, ovaries, testes and macrophages. Using pig Hsl gene inserted into pBS labeled by the radioactive isotope and the digoxigenin as the probes respectively one band, 11.

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A novel expressed sequence tag (ESThp9-1, GenBank accession number: B1596262) was isolated from pig skeletal muscular tissue by using the mRNA differential display technique. BLAST analysis revealed that the 196 bp long EST (ESThp9-1) was not homologous to any of the known porcine genes in the database but similar to rat U3A small nuclear RNA (87% identity over 93 nucleotides) and mouse U3B.4 small nuclear RNA (85% identity over 96 nucleotides).

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