• Integrative Medicine Research
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.204-210
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• 2014

The aim of this review was to understand the effects of ${\beta}$-adrenergic stimulation on oxidative stress, structural remodeling, and functional alterations in the heart and cerebral artery. Diverse stimuli activate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased levels of catecholamines. Long-term overstimulation of the ${\beta}$-adrenergic receptor (${\beta}AR$) in response to catecholamines causes cardiovascular diseases, including cardiac hypertrophy, stroke, coronary artery disease, and heartfailure. Although catecholamines have identical sites of action in the heart and cerebral artery, the structural and functional modifications differentially activate intracellular signaling cascades. ${\beta}AR$-stimulation can increase oxidative stress in the heart and cerebral artery, but has also been shown to induce different cytoskeletal and functional modifications by modulating various components of the ${\beta}AR$ signal transduction pathways. Stimulation of ${\beta}AR$ leads to cardiac dysfunction due to an overload of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ in cardiomyocytes. However, this stimulation induces vascular dysfunction through disruption of actin cytoskeleton in vascular smooth muscle cells. Many studies have shown that excessive concentrations of catecholamines during stressful conditions can produce coronary spasms or arrhythmias by inducing $Ca^{2+}$-handling abnormalities and impairing energy production in mitochondria, In this article, we highlight the different fates caused by excessive oxidative stress and disruptions in the cytoskeletal proteome network in the heart and the cerebral artery in responsed to prolonged ${\beta}AR$-stimulation.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2019

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) are multipotent stromal cells that have great potential to differentiate into a variety of cell types such as osteocytes, chondrocytes, and myocytes. Although there have been many studies on their clinical availability, little is known about how intracellular signals can be modulated by topographic features of the extracellular matrix (ECM). In this study, we investigated whether and how microwavy-patterned extracellular matrix (ECM) could affect the signaling activity of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a key cellular adhesion protein. The fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based FAK biosensor-transfected cells are incubated on microwavy-patterned surfaces and then platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) are treated to trigger FAK signals, followed by monitoring through live-cell FRET imaging in real time. As a result, we report that PDGF-induced FAK was highly activated in cells cultured on microwavy-patterned surface with L or M type, while inhibited by H type-patterned surface. In further studies, PDGF-induced FAK signals are regulated by functional support of actin filaments, microtubules, myosin-related proteins, suggesting that PDGF-induced FAK signals in hMSC upon microwavy surfaces are dependent on cytoskeleton (CSK)-actomyosin networks. Thus, our findings not only provide new insight on molecular mechanisms on how FAK signals can be regulated by distinct topographical cues of the ECM, but also may offer advantages in potential applications for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.

• ALGAE
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.389-404
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• 2020

Red algal fertilization is unusual and offers a different model to the mechanism of intracellular transport of nuclei and polyspermy blocking. A female carpogonium (egg) undergoes plasmogamy with many spermatia (sperm) simultaneously at the receptive structure, trichogyne, which often contains numerous male nuclei. The pattern of selective transport of a male nucleus to the female nucleus, located in the cell body of the carpogonium, remain largely unknown. We tracked the movement of spermatial nuclei and cell organelles in the trichogyne after plasmogamy using time-lapse videography and fluorescent probes. The fertilization process of Bostrychia moritziana is composed of five distinctive stages: 1) gamete-gamete binding; 2) mitosis in the attached spermatia; 3) formation of a fertilization channel; 4) migration of spermatial nuclei into the trichogyne; and 5) cutting off of the trichogyne cytoplasm from the rest of the cell after karyogamy. Our results showed that actin microfilaments were involved in the above steps of fertilization, microtubules are involved only in spermatial mitosis. Time-lapse videography showed that the first ("primary") nucleus which entered to trichogyne moved quickly to the base of carpogonium and fused with the female nucleus. The transport of the primary male nucleus to the egg nucleus was complete before its second nucleus migrated into the trichogyne. Male nuclei from other spermatia stopped directional movement soon after the first one entered the carpogonial base and oscillated near where they entered trichogyne. The cytoplasm of the trichogyne was cut off at a narrow neck connecting the trichogyne and carpogonial base after gamete nuclear fusion but gamete binding and plasmogamy continued on the trichogyne. Spermatial organelles, including mitochondria, entered the trichogyne together with the nuclei but did not show any directional movement and remained close to where they entered. These results suggest that polyspermy blocking in B. moritziana is achieved by the selective and rapid transport of the first nucleus entered trichogyne and the rupture of the trichogyne after gamete karyogamy.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.311-323
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• 2023

Beef consumers valued meat quality traits such as texture, tenderness, juiciness, flavor, and meat color that determining consumers' purchasing decision. Most research on meat quality has focused on marbling, a key characteristic related to meat eating quality. However, other important traits such as meat texture, tenderness, and color have not much studied in cattle. Among these traits, meat tenderness and texture of cattle are among the most important factors affecting quality evaluation of consumers. Collagen is the main component of connective tissues.It greatly affects meat tenderness. The objective of this study was to determine significant variants and candidate genes associated with collagen contents trait (total collagen) through genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Phenotypic and genomic data from 135 Hanwoo were used. The BLUPF90 family program and GRAMMAR method for GWAS were applied in this study. A total of 73 potential single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) showed significant associations with collagen content. They were located in or near 108 candidate genes. TMEM135 and ME3 genes were identified to have the most significant SNPs associated with collagen contents trait. Data indicated that these genes were related to collagen. Biological processes and pathways for the prediction of biological functions of candidate genes were confirmed. We found that candidate genes were involved in positive regulation of CREB transcription factor activity and actin cytoskeleton related to tenderness and texture of beef. Three genes (CRTC3, MYO1C and MYLK4) belonging to these biological functions were related to tenderness. These results provide a basis for improving genomic characteristics of Hanwoo for the production of tender beef. Furthermore, they could be used they could be used as an index to select desired traits for consumers.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.61-73
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• 2024

Objective: The main objective of this study was to define molecular mechanisms associated with thermal stress responses of chickens from commercial broilers (BR, Ross 308), Thai native chickens (NT) and crossbreeds between BR×NT (H75). Methods: Twenty days before reaching specific market age, chickens from each breed were divided into control and thermal-stressed groups. The stressed groups were exposed to a cyclic thermal challenge (35℃±1℃ for 6 h, followed by 26℃±1℃ for 18 h) for 20 days. Control group was raised under a constant temperature of 26℃±1℃. Pectoralis major (n = 4) from each group was collected for transcriptome analysis using HiSeq Illumina and analysis of glycogen and lactate. Gene expression patterns between control and thermal-stressed groups were compared within the same breeds. Results: Differentially expressed transcripts of 65, 59, and 246 transcripts for BR, NT, and H75, respectively, were revealed by RNA-Seq and recognized by Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes database. Pathway analysis underlined altered glucose homeostasis and protein metabolisms in all breeds. The signals centered around phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling, focal adhesion, and MAPK signaling in all breeds with slight differences in molecular signal transduction patterns among the breeds. An extensive apoptosis was underlined for BR. Roles of AMPK, MAPK signaling and regulation of actin cytoskeleton in adaptive response were suggested for H75 and NT chickens. Lower glycogen content was observed in the breast muscles of BR and NT (p<0.01) compared to their control counterparts. Only BR muscle exhibited increased lactate (p<0.01) upon exposure to the stress. Conclusion: The results provided a better comprehension regarding the associated biological pathways in response to the cyclic thermal stress in each breed and in chickens with different growth rates.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.37 no.sup2
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• pp.447-463
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• 2007

Periodontal ligament (PDL) cells have been known as multipotential cells, and as playing an important rolesin periodontal regeneration. The PDL cells are composed of heterogeneous cell populations which have the capacity to differentiate into either cementoblasts or osteoblasts, depending on needs and conditions. Therefore, PDL cells have the capacity to produce mineralized nodules in vitro in mineralization medium which include ascorbic acid, ${\beta}$-glycerophosphate and dexamethasone. In spite of these well-known osteoblast like properties of PDL cells, very little is known about the molecules involved in the formation of the mineralized nodules in the PDL cells. In the present study, we analysed gene-expression profiles during the mineralization process of cultured PDL cells by means of a cDNA microarray consisting of 3063 genes. Nodules of mineralized matrix were strongly stained with alizarin red S on the PDL cells cultured in the media with mineralization supplements. Among 3,063 genes analyzed, 35 were up-regulated more than two-fold at one or more time points in cells that developed matrix mineralization nodules, and 38 were down-regulated to less than half their normal level of expression. In accord with the morphological change we observed, several genes related to calcium-related or mineral metabolism were induced in PDL cells during osteogenesis, such as IGF-II and IGFBP-2. Proteogycan 1, fibulin-5, keratin 5, ,${\beta}$-actin, ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin and capping protein, and cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix proteins were up-regulated during mineralization. Several genes encoding proteins related to apoptosis weredifferentially expressed in PDL cells cultured in the medium containing mineralization supplements. Dkk-I and Nip3, which are apoptosis-inducing agents, were up-regulated, and Btf and TAXlBP1, which have an anti-apoptosis activity, were down-regulated during mineralization. Also periostin and S100 calciumbinding protein A4 were down-regulated during mineralization.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1199-1206
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• 2017

The lymphotoxin ${\beta}$ receptor ($LT{\beta}R$), a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family, plays an important role in lymphoid tissue's architecture and organogenesis. We found that $LT{\beta}R$ stimulation induced changes in stress fibers (SFs) in fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs). MLCK and ROCK play critical roles in the regulation of SF formation in cells. The present study was performed to investigate the antifibrotic effects on SF regulation of $LT{\beta}R$ signaling, with a focus on MLCK inhibition. The effect of $LT{\beta}R$ on the SF change was analyzed using immunoblot and fluorescence assays and agonistic $anti-LT{\beta}R$ antibody-treated FRCs. In addition, we checked the level of Rho-guanosine diphosphate (GDP)/guanosine triphosphate (GTP) exchange activity with FRC lysate. Phospho-ezrin proteins acting as membrane-cytoskeleton linkers completely de-phosphorylated in agonistic $anti-LT{\beta}R$ antibody-treated FRCs. The actin bundles rearranged into SFs, where phospho-myosin light chain (p-MLC) co-localized in FRCs. ML7-treated FRCs completely blocked SFs and showed retraction and shrinkage processes comparable to those observed in agonistic $anti-LT{\beta}R$ antibody-treated cells. Inhibition of ROCK activity induced changes in the actin cytoskeleton organization; however, some SFs remained in the cells, while they were completely disrupted by MLCK inhibition with ML7. We showed that the phosphorylation of MLC was completely abolished with $LT{\beta}R$ stimulation in FRCs. When $LT{\beta}R$ was stimulated with the agonistic $anti-LT{\beta}R$ antibody, the Rho-GDP/GTP exchange activity was reduced, however, the activity was not completely abolished. Collectively, the results illustrated that MLCK was potently responsible for the SF regulation triggered via $LT{\beta}R$ signaling in FRCs.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.73-79
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• 2006

Nebulin is a giant ($600{\sim}900$ kDa), modular sarcomeric protein proposed to regulate the assembly, and to specify the precise lengths of actin filamints in vertebrate skeletal muscles. Recently, There is an evidence that the nebulin also expressed in non muscle tissue, brain and liver. We identified a new isoform of nebulin from adult brain library by PCR screening. It contains two simple-repeats exon 165, 166 and linker-repeats exon $154{\sim}161$ except exon 159. The nebulin modules M160 to M170 (exon 150 to exon 161) has been shown to bind desmin. In mature striated muscle, desmin intermediate filaments surround Z-discs and link individual myofibrils laterally at their Z-discs and to other intracellular structures, including the costameres and the intercalated discs of the sarcolemma, sarcoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, T-tubules, and nuclei. Therefore, it is an interesting possibility that the differential splice pathways within the linker region of nebulin modify the affinity of nebulin's interaction with desmin. The specific interactions of nebulin and desmin were confirmed in vivo by yeast two hybrid experiments. To verify in the cellular level the interaction between nebulin isoform and desmin, we transfected COS-7 cell with EGFP-tagged nebulin and DsRed-tagged desmin. Based on evidence showing that despite exon 159 was deleted, the new isoform of nebulin was interact with desmin. This suggest that nebulin in brain may interact with another intermediate filament. The conservation of these ligand-binding capacity in brain and skeletal nebulins suggest that nebulins may have conserved roles in brain and skeletal muscle.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.13
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• pp.5437-5442
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• 2014

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most malignancies with a poor prognosis. The phospholipase $C{\varepsilon}$ gene (PLCE1) encodes a novel ras-related protein effector mediating the effects of R-Ras on the actin cytoskeleton and membrane protrusion. However, molecular mechanisms pertinent to ESCC are unclear. We therefore designed PLCE1-special small interfering RNA and transfected to esophageal squamous cell (EC) 9706 cells to investigat the effects of PLCE1 gene silencing on the cell cycle and apoptosis of ESCC and indicate its important role in the development of ESCC. Esophageal cancer tissue specimens and normal esophageal mucosa were obtained and assayed by immunohistochemical staining to confirm overexpression of PLCE1 in neoplasias. Fluorescence microscopy was used to examine transfection efficiency, while the result of PLCE1 silencing was examined by reverse transcription (RT-PCR). Flow cytometry and annexin V apoptosis assays were used to assess the cell cycle and apoptosis, respectively. Expression of cyclin D1 and caspase-3 was detected by Western-blotting. The level of PLCE1 protein in esophageal cancer tissue was significantly higher than that in normal tissue. After transfection, the expression of PLCE1 mRNA in EC 9706 was significantly reduced, compared with the control group. Furthermore, flow cytometry results suggested that the PLCE1 gene silencing arrested the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase; apoptosis was significantly higher than in the negative control group and mock group. PLCE1 gene silencing by RNAi resulted in decreased expression of cyclin D1 and increased expression of caspase-3. Our study suggests that PLCE1 may be an oncogene and play an important role in esophageal carcinogenesis through regulating proteins which control cell cycling and apoptosis.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.266-273
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• 2014

Purpose: We previously reported that human serum significantly reduces the invasion of various oral bacterial species into gingival epithelial cells in vitro. The aims of the present study were to characterize the serum component(s) responsible for the inhibition of bacterial invasion of epithelial cells and to examine their effect on periodontitis induced in mice. Methods: Immortalized human gingival epithelial (HOK-16B) cells were infected with various 5- (and 6-) carboxy-fluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester-labeled oral bacteria, including Fusobacterium nucleatum, Provetella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Treponiema denticola, in the absence or presence of three major serum components (human serum albumin [HSA], pooled human IgG [phIgG] and ${\alpha}1$-antitrypsin). Bacterial adhesion and invasion were determined by flow cytometry. The levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of small GTPases were examined. Experimental periodontitis was induced by oral inoculation of P. gingivalis and T. denticola in Balb/c mice. Results: HSA and phIgG, but not ${\alpha}1$-antitrypsin, efficiently inhibited the invasion of various oral bacterial species into HOK-16B cells. HSA but not phIgG decreased the adhesion of F. nucleatum onto host cells and the levels of intracellular ROS in HOK-16B cells. N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), a ROS scavenger, decreased both the levels of intracellular ROS and invasion of F. nucleatum into HOK-16B cells, confirming the role of ROS in bacterial invasion. Infection with F. nucleatum activated Rac1, a regulator of actin cytoskeleton dynamics. Not only HSA and NAC but also phIgG decreased the F. nucleatum-induced activation of Rac1. Furthermore, both HSA plus phIgG and NAC significantly reduced the alveolar bone loss in the experimental periodontitis induced by P. gingivalis and T. denticola in mice. Conclusions: NAC and the serum components HSA and phIgG, which inhibit bacterial invasion of oral epithelial cells in vitro, can successfully prevent experimental periodontitis.