• Molecules and Cells
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.215-219
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• 2007

In mammals light input resets the central clock of the suprachiasmatic nucleus by inducing secretion of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) from retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). We previously showed that thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1), a homeodomain-containing transcription factor, specifically regulates PACAP gene expression in the rat hypothalamus. In the present study we examined the expression of TTF-1 in PACAP-synthesizing retinal cells. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) showed that it is abundantly expressed in RGCs of the superior region of the retina, but in only a small subset of RGCs in the inferior region. Double FISH experiments revealed that TTF-1 is exclusively expressed in PACAP-producing RGCs. These results suggest that TTF-1 plays a regulatory role in PACAP-expressing retinal ganglion cells.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.10
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• pp.577-588
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• 2019

DNA methylation at CpG sites is an essential epigenetic mark that regulates gene expression during mammalian development and diseases. Methylome refers to the entire set of methylation modifications present in the whole genome. Over the last several years, an increasing number of reports on brain DNA methylome reported the association between aberrant methylation and the abnormalities in the expression of critical genes known to have critical roles during aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Consequently, the role of methylation in understanding neurodegenerative diseases has been under focus. This review outlines the current knowledge of the human brain DNA methylomes during aging and neurodegenerative diseases. We describe the differentially methylated genes from fetal stage to old age and their biological functions. Additionally, we summarize the key aspects and methylated genes identified from brain methylome studies on neurodegenerative diseases. The brain methylome studies could provide a basis for studying the functional aspects of neurodegenerative diseases.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 2008

We characterized the human endogenous retrovirus (HERV-W) family in humans and primates. In silico expression data indicated that 22 complete HERV-W families from human chromosomes 1-3, 5-8, 10-12, 15, 19, and X are randomly expressed in various tissues. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis of the HERV-W env gene derived from human chromosome 7q21.2 indicated predominant expression in the human placenta. Several copies of repeat sequences (SINE, LINE, LTR, simple repeat) were detected within the complete or processed pseudo HERV-W of the human, chimpanzee, and rhesus monkey. Compared to other regions (5'LTR, Gag, Gag-Pol, Env, 3'LTR), the repeat family has been mainly integrated into the region spanning the 5'LTRs of Gag (1398 bp) and Pol (3242 bp). FISH detected the HERV-W probe (fosWE1) derived from a gorilla fosmid library in the metaphase chromosomes of all primates (five hominoids, three Old World monkeys, two New World monkeys, and one prosimian), but not in Tupaia. This finding was supported by molecular clock and phylogeny data using the divergence values of the complete HERV-W LTR elements. The data suggested that the HERV-W family was integrated into the primate genome approximately 63 million years (Myr) ago, and evolved independently during the course of primate radiation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7169-7174
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• 2014

Background: NPAS2 is a product of the circadian clock gene. It acts as a putative tumor suppressor by playing an important role in DNA damage responses, cell cycle control and apoptosis. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) appears to be an apoptosis related disorder and alteration in the NPAS2 gene might therefore be directly involved in the etiology of CLL. Here, the Ala394Thr polymorphism (rs2305160:G>A) in the NPAS2 gene was genotyped and melatonin concentrations were measured in a total of seventy-four individuals, including thirty-seven CLL cases and an equal number of age- and sex-matched healthy controls in order to examine the effect of NPAS2 polymorphism and melatonin concentrations on CLL risk in a Pakistani population. Materials and Methods: Genotyping of rs2305160:G>A polymorphism at NPAS2 locus was carried out by amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR). Melatonin concentrations were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software. Results: Our results demonstrated no association of the variant Thr genotypes (Ala/Thr and Thr/Thr) with risk of CLL. Similarly, no association of rs2305160 with CLL was observed in either females or males after stratification of study population on a gender basis. Moreover, when the subjects with CLL were further stratified into shift-workers and non-shift-workers, no association of rs2305160 with CLL was seen in either case. However, significantly low serum melatonin levels were observed in CLL patients as compared to healthy subjects (p<0.05). Also, lower melatonin levels were seen in shift-workers as compared to non-shift-workers (p<0.05). There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the melatonin levels across NPAS2 genotypes in all subjects, subjects with CLL who were either shift workers or non-shift-workers. General Linear Model (GLM) univariate analysis revealed no significant association (p>0.05) of the rs2305160 polymorphism of the NPAS2 gene with melatonin levels in any of the groups. Conclusions: While low melatonin levels and shift-work can be considered as one of the risk factors for CLL, the NPAS2 rs2305160 polymorphism does not appear to have any association with risk of CLL in our Pakistani population.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.183-190
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• 2021

Background: The circadian rhythm is the internal clock that controls sleep-wake cycles, metabolism, cognition, and several processes in the body, and its disruption has been associated with aging. The differentiated embryo chondrocyte (Dec) gene is related to circadian rhythm. To our knowledge, there are no reports of the relationship between dec gene expression and KRG effect. Therefore, we treated Dec gene knockout (KO) aging mice with KRG to study anti-aging related effects and possible mechanisms. Methods: We evaluated KRG and expression of Dec genes in an ototoxicity model. Dec genes expression in livers of aging mice was further analyzed. Then, we assessed the effects of DEC KO on hearing function in mice by ABR. Finally, we performed DNA microarray to identify KRG-related gene expression changes in mouse liver and assessed the results using KEGG analysis. Results: KRG decreased the expression of Dec genes in ototoxicity model, which may contribute to its anti-aging efficacy. Moreover, KRG suppressed Dec genes expression in liver of wild type indicating inhibition of senescence. ABR test indicated that KRG improved auditory function in aging mouse, demonstrating KRG efficacy on aging related diseases. Conclusion: Finally, in KEGG analysis of 238 genes that were activated and 158 that were inhibited by KRG in DEC KO mice, activated genes were involved in proliferation signaling, mineral absorption, and PPAR signaling whereas the inhibited genes were involved in arachidonic acid metabolism and peroxisomes. Our data indicate that inhibition of senescence-related Dec genes may explain the anti-aging efficacy of KRG.

• Journal of Engineering Education Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.77-89
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• 2018

The chromosomes of all the world are the same in all 24 pairs, but the key, skin color and appearance are different. Also, it is the resistance of adult disease, diabetes, cancer. In 1953, Watson, Crick of Cambridge University experimentally discovered a DNA double helix structure, and in 1962, They laureates the Nobel Prize. In 1964, Temin, University of Wisconsin, USA, experimentally identified the ability to copy gene information from RNA to DNA and received the Nobel Prize in 1975. In this paper, we analyzed 24 pairs of DNA chromosomes using mathematical matrices based on the combination order sequence of four groups, and designed the Taegeuk pattern genetic code for the first time in the world. In the case of normal persons, the middle Yin-Yang taegeuk is designed as a block circulant Jacket matrix in DNA, and the left-right and upper-lower pairs of east-west and north-south rulings are designed as pair complementary matrices. If (C U: A G) chromosomes are unbalanced, that is, people with disease or inheritance become squashed squirming patterns. In 2017, Professor Michel Young was awarded a Nobel by presenting a biological clock and experimentally explained the bio-imbalance through a yellow fruit fly experiment.This study proved mathematical matrices for balanced and unbalanced RNA.

• BMB Reports
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• v.47 no.9
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• pp.500-505
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• 2014

Colorectal cancer has become the third most common cancer and leads to high mortality worldwide. Although colorectal cancer has been studied widely, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. PER3 is related to tumor differentiation and the progression of colorectal cancer. High expression of miR-103 is associated with poor prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer. However, the relationship between miR-103 and PER3 in CRC cells remains unclear. In this study, we found that PER3 was downregulated in CRC tissues and CRC cell lines, whereas miR-103 was upregulated in CRC cell lines. We also found that PER3 promoted CRC cells apoptosis. These results indicate that PER3 plays a suppressive role in CRC cells. Moreover, we found that PER3 was targeted, at least partially, by miR-103. Taken together, we provide evidence to characterize the role of PER3 in CRC, which may be a new therapeutic target for CRC.

• Plant Biotechnology Reports
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.59-73
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• 2008

Several aspects of photoperception and light signal transduction have been elucidated by studies with model plants. However, the information available for economically important crops, such as Fabaceae species, is scarce. In order to incorporate the existing genomic tools into a strategy to advance soybean research, we have investigated publicly available expressed sequence tag (EST) sequence databases in order to identify Glycine max sequences related to genes involved in light-regulated developmental control in model plants. Approximately 38,000 sequences from open-access databases were investigated, and all bona fide and putative photoreceptor gene families were found in soybean sequence databases. We have identified G. max orthologs for several families of transcriptional regulators and cytoplasmic proteins mediating photoreceptor-induced responses, although some important Arabidopsis phytochrome-signaling components are absent. Moreover, soybean and Arabidopsis genefamily homologs appear to have undergone a distinct expansion process in some cases. We propose a working model of light perception, signal transduction and response-eliciting in G. max, based on the identified key components from Arabidopsis. These results demonstrate the power of comparative genomics between model systems and crop species to elucidate several aspects of plant physiology and metabolism.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.870-882
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obesity is a major risk factor for metabolic syndrome, a global public health problem. Mentha canadensis (MA), a traditional phytomedicine and dietary herb used for centuries, was the focus of this study to investigate its effects on obesity. MATERIALS/METHODS: Thirty-five male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 2 groups and fed either a normal diet (ND, n = 10) or a high-fat diet (HFD, n = 25) for 4 weeks to induce obesity. After the obesity induction period, the HFD-fed mice were randomly separated into 2 groups: one group continued to be fed HFD (n = 15, HFD group), while the other group was fed HFD with 1.5% (w/w) MA ethanol extract (n = 10, MA group) for 13 weeks. RESULTS: The results showed that body and white adipose tissue (WAT) weights were significantly decreased in the MA-supplemented group compared to the HFD group. Additionally, MA supplementation enhanced energy expenditure, leading to improvements in plasma lipids, cytokines, hepatic steatosis, and fecal lipids. Furthermore, MA supplementation regulated lipid-metabolism-related enzyme activity and gene expression, thereby suppressing lipid accumulation in the WAT and liver. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that MA has the potential to improve diet-induced obesity and its associated complications, including adiposity, dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and inflammation.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.550-556
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• 1995

The c-myc proto-oncogene is Involved In the control of normal cell proliferation and differentiation of many cell lineages. Although it has heen suggested that c-myc may play an important role in the mammalian early development, it Is unclear whether the embryonic c-myc mRNA is originated from zygotic gene expression or stored maternal message. Thus, we have construded expression vectors, In which the 5, flanking sequences including c-myc promoter region and a large non-coding exon I are fused 'sith E. coli lacZ gene that encedes $\beta$-galactosldase as a reporter. As c-myc exon I contains a modulatory sequence, we designed t, vo types of vectors (pcmyc.Gall and pcmyc-Ga12) to examine the role of exon I in c-myc expression. The former contains the complete exon I and the later has a deletion in 40 bp of modulator sequence located In the exon I of c-myc These vectors were microInjected into fertilized one-cell embryos and $\beta$-galactosidase activity was examined by X-gal staining during early embryogenesis. $\beta$-galactosidase activity derived from c-myc promoter was decreased at two-cell stage. The expression level directed by pcmyc- Ga12 was similar to that of pcmyc-Gal1, indicating that the medulatory sequence in exon I may not be Involved at least In the regulation of embryonic c-myc expression. In summary, the present study indicates that the c-myc promoter is functional at the early stage embryo, and the regulation of c-myc expression is under the control of "zygotic" clock of preimplantation mouse embryos.e embryos.