Based on Himawari-8 satellite observations, the mesoscale convective system (MCS) behaviors of two successive but distinct warm-sector rainfall episodes (EP1 and EP2) 6–7 May 2018 over southeastern China were compared, with latter episode being a record-breaking event. Results showed that MCSs played dominant role in EP2, not EP1, by contributing 80% extreme total all 10-min rainfalls 20 mm. MC...

A cDNA clone encoding the human prostaglandin (PG) E2 receptor EP2 subtype has been isolated from a human lung cDNA library. The 1.9-kilobase pair cDNA, hEP2, encodes for a 488-amino acid protein with a predicted molecular mass of 53,115 and has the seven putative transmembrane domains characteristic of G protein-coupled receptors. The specific binding of [3H]PGE2 to COS cell membranes transfec...

Airway remodeling is a main pathological characteristic of asthma, and strongly associated with migration and proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells. E-prostanoid (EP) receptor can regulate airway remodeling. This study established a rat model of asthma and evaluated EP changes in airway smooth muscle cells under the asthmatic state so as to provide theoretical evidence for developing EP d...

OBJECTIVE We recently demonstrated that inducible cyclooxygenase/PGE synthase-1 (COX-2/mPGES-1) are overexpressed in symptomatic plaques in association with PGE2-dependent metalloproteinase (matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]) biosynthesis and plaque rupture. However, it is not known which of the 4 PGE2 receptors (EP1-4) mediates macrophage metalloproteinase generation. The aim of this study was to...

The glycoside hydrolase LXYL-P1-2 from Lentinula edodes can specifically hydrolyze 7-β-xylosyltaxanes to form 7-β-hydroxyltaxanes for the semi-synthesis of paclitaxel. In order to improve the catalytic properties of the enzyme, we performed error-prone PCR to construct the random mutant library of LXYL-P1-2 and used the methanol-induced plate method to screen the mutants with improved catalytic...

The actions of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the kidney are mediated by G protein-coupled E-prostanoid (EP) receptors, which affect renal growth and function. This report examines the role of EP receptors in mediating the effects of PGE2 on Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell growth. The results indicate that activation of Gs-coupled EP2 and EP4 by PGE2 results in increased growth, while EP1 act...

CONTEXT The root cause of preeclampsia in the human lies in the placenta, where a subpopulation of cytotrophoblast cells called extravillous trophoblasts (EVT), known to be involved in the invasion of the uterine endometrium and utero-placental arteries, become less invasive, resulting in poor perfusion of maternal blood into placenta. OBJECTIVES Because EVT migrate into the prostaglandin (PG...

Nasrallah R, Xiong H, Hébert RL. Renal prostaglandin E2 receptor (EP) expression profile is altered in streptozotocin and B6-Ins2 type I diabetic mice. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 292: F278–F284, 2007. First published September 5, 2006; doi:10.1152/ajprenal.00089.2006.—The homeostatic function of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is dependent on a balance of EP receptormediated events. A disruption in thi...

The prostacyclin analogues, iloprost and treprostinil are extensively used in treating pulmonary hypertension. Their binding profile and corresponding biochemical cellular responses on human prostanoid receptors expressed in cell lines, have now been compared. Iloprost had high binding affinity for EP1 and IP receptors (Ki 1.1 and 3.9 nM, respectively), low affinity for FP, EP3 or EP4 receptors...