• BMB Reports
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.49-59
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• 2003

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a critical regulator of mesenchymal cell migration and proliferation. The vital functions of PDGFs for angiogenesis, as well as development of kidney, brain, cardiovascular system and pulmonary alveoli during embryogenesis, have been well demonstrated by gene knock-out approaches. Clinical studies reveal that aberrant expression of PDGF and its receptor is often associated with a variety of disorders including atherosclerosis, fibroproliferative diseases of lungs, kidneys and joints, and neoplasia. PDGF contributes to cancer development and progression by both autocrine and paracrine signaling mechanisms. In this review article, important features of the PDGF isoforms and their cell surface receptor subunits are discussed, with regards to signal transduction, PDGF-isoform specific cellular response, and involvement in angiogenesis, and tumorstromal interactions.

• BMB Reports
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.95-101
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• 2001

Tissue transglutaminase (TGII, $G{\alpha}h$) belongs to a family of enzymes which catalyze post-translational modification of proteins by forming isopeptides via $Ca^{2+}$-dependent reaction. Although TGII-mediated formation of isopeptides has been implicated to play a role in a variety of cellular processes, the physiological function of TGII remains unclear. In addition to this Tease activity, TGII is a guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) which binds and hydrolyzes GTP It is now well recognized that the GTPase action of TGII regulates a receptor-mediated transmembrane signaling, functioning as a signal transducer of the receptor. This TGII function signifies that TGII is a new class of GTP-binding regulatory protein (G-protein) that differs from "Classical" heterotrimeric G-proteins. Regulation of enzyme is an important biological process for maintaining cell integrity. This review summarizes the recent development in regulation of TGII that may help for the better understanding of this unique enzyme. Since activation and inactivation of GTPase of TGII are similar to the heterotrimeric G-proteins, the regulation of heterotrimeric G-protein in the transmembrane signaling is also discussed.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.207.3-208
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• 2003

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily, is a transcription factor activated by specific natural or synthetic ligands. It is involved in various cellular processes including adipogenesis, inflammation, cell cycle progression and carcinogenesis. Here, we report the production and characterization of a PPARgamma subtype-specific monoclonal antibody P${\gamma}$ 48.34A, which was raised against full-length human PPARgamma protein. (omitted)

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.343-348
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• 2006

Drosophila Sog and vertebrate Noggin play important roles during development. They function as antagonists against BMP4 signaling and induce neural ectoderm during embryogenesis. They are also engaged in appendage formation by inhibiting BMP4 signaling during late development. To understand further functions of Sog, Supersog, which is a more potent form of Sog, and Noggin BMP4 antagonists during development, I performed the molecular genetic analysis using Drosophila embryogenesis and wing formation as assay systems. In cellular blastoderm embryos, Sog inhibited Dpp signaling, Drosophila BMP4 signaling, whereas Supersog or Noggin did not block Dpp signaling. During wing formation, Sog inhibited Sax type I receptor of Dpp signaling whereas Noggin inhibited Tkv type I receptor of Dpp signaling. However, Supersog inhibited both Sax and Tkv type I receptors. These results suggest that functions of BMP4 antagonists are developmental stage dependent and indicate that each BMP4 antagonist inhibits BMP4 signaling by blocking different BMP4 receptors.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.125-132
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• 2020

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels comprise a diverse family of ion channels, the majority of which are calcium permeable and show sophisticated regulatory patterns in response to various environmental cues. Early studies led to the recognition of TRP channels as environmental and chemical sensors. Later studies revealed that TRP channels mediated the regulation of intracellular calcium. Mutations in TRP channel genes result in abnormal regulation of TRP channel function or expression, and interfere with normal spatial and temporal patterns of intracellular local Ca²⁺ distribution. The resulting dysregulation of multiple downstream effectors, depending on Ca²⁺ homeostasis, is associated with hallmarks of cancer pathophysiology, including enhanced proliferation, survival and invasion of cancer cells. These findings indicate that TRP channels affect multiple events that control cellular fate and play a key role in cancer progression. This review discusses the accumulating evidence supporting the role of TRP channels in tumorigenesis, with emphasis on prostate cancer.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2018

The cytoplasm in mammalian cells is a battlefield between the host and invading microbes. Both the living organisms have evolved unique strategies for their survival. The host utilizes a specialized autophagy system, xenophagy, for the clearance of invading pathogens, whereas bacteria secrete proteins to defend and escape from the host xenophagy. Several molecules have been identified and their structural investigation has enabled the comprehension of these mechanisms at the molecular level. In this review, we focus on one example of host autophagy and the other of bacterial defense: the autophagy receptor, NDP52, in conjunction with the sugar receptor, galectin-8, plays a critical role in targeting the autophagy machinery against Salmonella; and the cysteine protease, RavZ secreted by Legionella pneumophila cleaves the LC3-PE on the phagophore membrane. The structure-function relationships of these two examples and the directions of future research will be discussed.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 2007

In the course of novel TLR (Toll like receptor) 9 ligand, we found novel CpG ODN (Oligodeoxynucleotide) was active in augmenting antibody in mice. However, immune mechanism of new CpG ODNs is unclear. To clarify this, we examined immunoadjuvanticity by employing in vitro and in vivo immune profiles. In brief, in vitro treatment of novel CpG ODN upregulated the expression of TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6, and IL-12 mRNA in macrophages as well as that of IFN-$gamma$ mPNA in mouse splenocytes. In parallel, in vivo injection of novel CpG ODN directly activates macrophages and splenocytess, consequently upregulating MHC class II and CD86. Finally, we demonstrated anti-HBs antibody augmentation of novel CpG ODN. Collectively, this data indicates that novel CpG ODN is immunoadjuvant armed with Th1 typed immune machinery.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.12
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• pp.985-988
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• 2010

The innate immune response is the first line of defense against microbial infections. Innate immunity is made up of the surface barrier, cellular immunity and humoral immunity. In newborn, immunologic function and demands are different to adults. Neonatal innate immunity specifically suppresses Th1-type immune responses, and not Th2-type immune responses, which are enhanced. And the impaired response of macrophages is associated with the defective innate immunity in newborn period. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a key roles in the detection of invading pathogens and in the induction of innate immune responses. In newborn, the expression of TLRs is age dependent, so preterm has low expression of TLRs. Also, there are defects in signaling pathways downstream of TLRs. As a consequence, the defects of TLRs activity cause the susceptibility to infection in the neonatal period.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.310-315
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• 2016

Coumarin is a phenolic compound that mainly affects the liver due to its metabolization into a toxic compound. The deterrent and ovicidal activities of coumarin in insect models such as Drosophila melanogaster have been reported. Here we explore the molecular mechanisms by which these insects protect themselves and their eggs from this toxic plant metabolite. Coumarin was fatal to the flies in a dosage-dependent manner. However, coumarin feeding could be inhibited through activation of the aversive gustatory receptor neurons (GRNs), but not the olfactory receptor neurons. Furthermore, three gustatory receptors, GR33a, GR66a, and GR93a, functioned together in coumarin detection by the proboscis. However, GR33a, but not GR66a and GR93a, was required to avoid coumarin during oviposition, with a choice of the same substrates provided as in binary food choice assay. Taken together, these findings suggest that anti-feeding activity and oviposition to avoid coumarin occur via separate mechanisms.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.129-134
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• 2009

Legume plants develop root nodules to recruit nitrogen-fixing bacteria called rhizobia. This symbiotic relationship allows the host plants to grow even under nitrogen limiting environment. Since nodule development is an energetically expensive process, the number of nodules should be tightly controlled by the host plants. For this purpose, legume plants utilize a long-distance signaling known as autoregulation of nodulation (AON). AON signaling in legumes has been extensively studied over decades but the underlying molecular mechanism had been largely unclear until recently. With the advent of the model legumes, L. japonicus and M. truncatula, we have been seeing a great progress including isolation of the AON-associated receptor kinase. Here, we summarize recent studies on AON and discuss an updated view of the long-distance control of nodulation.