• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.263-272
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• 2007

Nebulin is a giant actin binding protein (600-900 kDa) which is specific to skeletal muscle. This protein is known to regulate thin filaments length in sarcomere as a molecular template. The C-terminus of nebulin is located in the Z-disc of muscle sarcomere and is bound to other proteins such like myopalladin, titin, archvillin, and desmin. The N-terminus of nebulin binds to tropomodulin at the pointed ends of the thin filaments. In recent research, nebulin not only found in brain but also expressed in heart, stomach, and liver. So, the roles of nebulin in non-muscle tissue have been studied. However, lack of information or studies on nebulin binding proteins and nebulin function in brain are available so far. Therefore, the current study have investigated a novel binding partner of Nebulin C-terminus by using yeast two-hybrid screening with human brain cDNA library. Nebulin C-terminus, containing simple repeats, serine rich and SH3 domain, interacts with osteonectin C-terminal region. The specific interaction of nebulin and osteonectin were confirmed in vitro by using GST pull-down assay and reconfirmed in vivo by using transfected COS-7 cells with EGFP-tagged nebulin and DsRed-tagged osteonectin. Consequently, this study identified SH3 domain in nebulin C-terminus specifically binds to extracellular Ca-binding (EeC domain in osteonectin. Also, nebulin C-terminus fusion protein colocalized with osteonectin EC domain fusion protein in transfected COS-7 cells. The current study found the interaction between nebulin and osteonectin in human brain for the first time and suggested the nebulin in brain may be associated with osteonectin, as a regulator of cell cycle progression and mitosis.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.145-150
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• 2015

Continuous intra- and extracellular stresses induce disorder of $Ca^{2+}$ homeostasis and accumulation of unfolded protein in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which results in ER stress. Severe long-term ER stress triggers apoptosis signaling pathways, resulting in cell death. Neural epidermal growth factor-like like protein 2 (NELL2) has been reported to be important in protection of cells from cell death-inducing environments. In this study, we investigated the cytoprotective effect of NELL2 in the context of ER stress induced by thapsigargin, a strong ER stress inducer, in Cos7 cells. Overexpression of NELL2 prevented ER stress-mediated apoptosis by decreasing expression of ER stress-induced C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and increasing ER chaperones. In this context, expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL was increased by NELL2, whereas NELL2 decreased expression of pro-apoptotic proteins, such as cleaved caspases 3 and 7. This anti-apoptotic effect of NELL2 is likely mediated by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling, because its inhibitor, U0126, inhibited effects of NELL2 on the expression of anti- and pro-apoptotic proteins and on the protection from ER stress-induced cell death.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.114-114
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• 2003

Ginseng is a medicinal herb widely used in Asian countries, and its pharmacological effects has been demonstrated in various systems such as cardiovascular, central nervous, and endocrine systems. Its effects are mainly attributed to the ginsenosides. We hypothesize that a component of Panax ginseng, ginsenoside-Rbl, acts by binding to estrogen receptor. We have investigated the estrogenic activity of ginsenoside-Rbl in a transient transfection system using estrogen receptors ${\alpha}$ or ${\beta}$ with estrogen -responsive luciferase plasmids in COS monkey kidney cells. Ginsenoside-Rbl activated both estrogen receptors ${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$ in a dose-dependent manner (0.5 -100 M ). Activation was inhibited by the specific estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780, indicating that the estrogenic effect of ginsenoside-Rbl is estrogen receptor dependent. Next, we evaluated the ability of ginsenoside-Rbl to induce estrogen-responsive progesterone receptor gene by semi-quantitative RT-PCR assays. MCF-7 cells treated with l7${\beta}$-estradiol or ginsenoside- Rb1 exhibited an increased expression of progesterone receptor mRNA. However, ginsenoside-Rbl failed to displace the specific binding of ［3H］17${\beta}$-estradiol to estrogen receptor in MCF-7 cells as examined by whole cell ligand binding assays, suggesting that there is no direct interaction of ginsenoside-Rbl with estrogen receptor. Our results indicate that estrogen-like activity of ginsenoside-Rbl is independent of direct estrogen receptor association.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.419-425
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• 2006

Phospholipase $C-{\gamma}1\;(PLC-{\gamma}1)$ is an important signaling molecule for cell proliferation and differentiation. $PLC-{\gamma}1$ contains two pleckstrin homology (PH) domains, which are responsible for protein-protein interaction and protein-lipid interaction. $PLC-{\gamma}1$ also has two Src homology (SH)2 domains and a SH3 domain, which are responsible for protein- protein interaction. To identity proteins that specifically binds to PH domain of $PLC-{\gamma}1$, we prepared and incubated the glutathione S-transferase(GST)-fused PH domains of $PLC-{\gamma}1$ with COS7 cell lysate. We found that 90 kDa protein specifically binds to PH domain of $PLC-{\gamma}1$. By matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight-mass spectrometry, the 90 kDa protein revealed to be heat shock protein (Hsp) $90{\beta}$. Hsp $90{\beta}$ is a molecular chaperone that stabilizes and facilitates the folding of proteins that are involved in cell signaling, including receptors for steroids hormones and a variety of protein kinases. To know whether Hsp $90{\beta}$ affects on $PLC-{\gamma}1$ activity, we performed $PIP_2$ hydrolyzing activity of $PLC-{\gamma}1$ in the presence of purified Hsp $90{\beta}$ in vitro. Our results show that the Hsp $90{\beta}$ dose-dependently inhibits the enzymatic activity of $PLC-{\gamma}1$ and further suggest that Hsp $90{\beta}$ regulates cell growth and differentiation via regulation of $PLC-{\gamma}1$ activity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.93-99
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• 2011

Amongst a number of potential nonviral vectors, cationic liposomes have been actively researched, with both gemini surfactants and bola amphiphiles reported as being in possession of good structures in terms of cell viability and in vitro transfection. In this study, a cholesterol-based diquaternary ammonium gemini surfactant (Chol-GS) was synthesized and assessed as a novel nonviral gene vector. Chol-GS was synthesized from cholesterol by way of four reaction steps. The optimal efficiency was found to be at a weight ratio of 1:4 of lipid:DOPE (1,2-dioleoyl-L-${\alpha}$- glycero-3-phosphatidylethanolamine), and at a ratio of between 10:1~15:1 of liposome:DNA. The transfection efficiency was compared with commercial liposomes and with Lipofectamine, 1,2-dimyristyloxypropyl-3-dimethylhydroxyethylammonium bromide (DMRIE-C), and N-[1-(2,3-dioleoyloxy)propyl]-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride (DOTAP). The results indicate that the efficiency of Chol-GS is greater than that of all the tested commercial liposomes in COS7 and Huh7 cells, and higher than DOTAP and Lipofectamine in A549 cells. Confirmation of these findings was observed through the use of green fluorescent protein expression. Chol-GS exhibited a moderate level of cytotoxicity, at optimum concentrations for efficient transfection, indicating cell viability. Hence, the newly synthesized Chol-GS liposome has the potential of being an excellent nonviral vector for gene delivery.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.83-99
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• 2000

A defective HIV-1 helper virus DNA, pHyPC, was assembled by deleting the RNA packaging signal, env, nef and the 3'LTR sequences. HIV-1 like virus particles that carry the HIV-1 receptor, CD4 were generated by co expression of pHyPC and plasmid DNAs encoding different chimeric CD4 proteins. The CD4 particles, sharing the CD4 ectodomain, precisely fused to different membrane anchors. CD4(+) particles specifically bound to HIV-1 Env expressing cells, but any signs of infection into these cells were not detected. Binding was only partially blocked by either polyclonal anti-CD4 antibodies or by high concentrations of soluble CD4. Surprisingly, CD4(+) particles also adsorbed to HeLa, CHO, NIH3T3 and COS-7 cells in the absence of HIV-1 Env expression. Adsorption was comparable in strength and speed to the highly specific CD4-Env interaction. CD4(-) particles exhibited only background levels of binding. Cell binding was CD4. dependent, but it was independent of the cell type from which the CD4(+) particles originated. Interestingly, CD4-dependent/Env-independent binding was only found when CD4 was present on virus particles. This suggests that the micro-environment of CD4 on virus particles uniquely expose this new cell binding activity. Its high affinity could explain in part why infection of Env(+) cells by CD4(+) particles was not detected. Further experiments will be required to evaluate whether this strong membrane interaction could represent one step in the multiple-step viral entry process.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.279-285
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• 2010

Endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) display various pharmacological effects including pain control, anti-inflammation, and neuroprotection. The synthesis and release of endocannabinoids are regulated under both physiological and pathological conditions. The main degrading enzyme of endocannabinoid is fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). Therefore we have developed the fluorescence-based assay system for FAAH. We established stable CosM6 cell lines expressing human FAAH. We also synthesized 2-oxo-2H-chromen-7-yl decanoate (DAEC) as a fluorogenic substrate for FAAH. When crude membrane extracts stably expressing FAAH was incubated with DAEC at $25^{\circ}C$, FAAH reacted specifically to DAEC and catalyzes the hydrolysis of DAEC into decanoic acid and highly fluorescent coumarin. Furthermore, the serin hydrolase inhibitor, phenylmethanesulfonylfluoride, inhibited the coumarin release to the reaction buffer in concentration dependent manner. This assay system is suitable for high-throughput screening since this system has simple experimental procedure and measurement method.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.17-19
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• 2000

Heterotrimeric G Proteins transduce ligand binding to a wide variety of seven transmembrane cell surface receptors into intracellular signals. The currently accepted model for the activation of G protein suggests that ligand-activated receptor accelerates GDP-GTP exchange reactions on the ${\alpha}$ subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein. At least seventeen distinct isoforms of the G${\alpha}$ subunit protein have been identified in mammalian organisms. Among them, the G${\alpha}$q family consists of five members whose ${\alpha}$ subunits show different expression patterns. G${\alpha}$q and G${\alpha}$11 seem to be almost ubiquitously expressed, whereas G${\alpha}$14 is predominantly expressed in spleen, lung, kidney and testis. G${\alpha}$16 and its murine counterpart G${\alpha}$15 are expressed in hematopoietic cells and has been shown to couple a wide variety of receptors to phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C activity. Beta-isoforms of phospholipase C were shown to be activated by all members of G${\alpha}$q family, i.e., G${\alpha}$q, G${\alpha}$11, G${\alpha}$l4 and G${\alpha}$16 subunits either in reconstitution system. or in experiments using cDNA transfection with intact Cos-7 cells.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.276-280
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• 2000

In order to identify the domains of the G$_{\alpha}$16 subunit G protein that are responsible for its activation by the Interleukin-8 receptor, a serious of chimeras between G$_{\alpha}$16 and G$_{\alpha}$11 were assessed for their abilities to be activated by these receptors. Co-expression of IL-8 receptor and chimeras in which the carboxyl-terminal regions of G$_{\alpha}$11 were replaced from 30 up to 156 amino acid residues with the corresponding regions of G$_{\alpha}$16 demonstrated that C-terminal 156 amino acid residues of the G$_{\alpha}$16 were not sufficient to confer IL-8 receptor interaction specificity. Testing of a reciprocal serious of chimeras composed of G$_{\alpha}$16 sequences at the amino terminus and G$_{\alpha}$11 sequences at the carboxyl terminals revealed that sequences extending from the amino tar- minus to amino acid 209 of G$_{\alpha}$16 were sufficient to 7ndow the chimera with 75-80% of interaction specificity for 7-8-induced activation. These results suggest th,.7t combined interactions of the C-terminal 30 amino acid residues and certain domains extending from the arts.ino terminus to amino acid 209 of Gal 6 protein may be involved in its couplings to IL-8 receptor.tain domains extending from the arts.ino terminus to amino acid 209 of Gal 6 protein may be involved in its couplings to IL-8 receptor.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1996.04a
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• pp.181-181
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• 1996

The (Na, K) ATPase is a membrane ion transporting ATPase composed of an ${\alpha}$ catalytic subunit and a ${\beta}$ glycoprotein subunit. The topology of the rat ${\alpha}$1 and ${\beta}$1 subunits has been studied by insertion of epitope(s) : at the NH2-terminus and COOH-terminus and between Glu117 and Glul18, Lys828 and Arg829, Gln900 and Trp901, and Va1939 and Phe940 of the ${\alpha}$ subunit; and at the NH2-terminus and COOH-terminus and between Glu228 and Tyr229 of the ${\beta}$ subunit. The epitope-tagged ${\alpha}$l, constructs were expressed in HeLa cells to select for stable cell lines expressing a functional (Na, K)ATPase. All constructs, except for the one tagged between Gln900 and Trp901, resulted in ouabain-resistant colonies indicating that modified proteins retained functional integrity. The epitope-tagged ${\beta}$ constructs were transiently expressed in Cos-7 cells. The orientation of the epitopes with respect to the cell membrane was revealed by indirect immunofluorescence performed on permeabilized and non-permeabilized cells expressing the (Na, K)ATPase chains. The results indicate that the ${\alpha}$ subunit has 4 transmembrane segments in the COOH terminal membrane bound domain between residues 760 and 938, and that both the NH2-terminus and the COOH-terminus are in the cytosol; it was not determined whether there are more transmembrane segments between residue 938 and the COOH-terminus. The ${\beta}$ subunit has only one transmembrane spanning region with the NH2-terminus in the cytosol and the COOH-terminus on the extracytoplasmic surface of the plasma membrane.