• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.475-482
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• 2019

Glioma is the most common brain tumor with a dismal prognosis. While temozolomide (TMZ) based chemotherapy significantly improves survival in glioma patients, resistance against this compound commonly leads to glioma treatment failure. Overexpression of long-noncoding RNA (LncRNA) FoxD2 adjacent opposite strand RNA 1 (FoxD2-AS1) was identified to promote glioma development, but the role in TMZ resistance remains unclear. In this paper, we found that FoxD2-AS1 was overexpressed in recurrent glioma, high FoxD2-AS1 expression was significantly correlated with poor patient outcome. Methylation of $O^6$-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) is significantly less frequent in high FoxD2-AS1 expression patients. Knockdown of FoxD2-AS1 decreased the proliferation, metastatic ability of glioma cells and promote the sensitivity to TMZ in glioma cells. Furthermore, knockdown of FoxD2-AS1 induced hypermethylation of the promoter region of MGMT. Our data suggested that FoxD2-AS1 is a clinical relevance LncRNA and mediates TMZ resistance by regulating the methylation status of the MGMT promoter region.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.3
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• pp.206-217
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• 2011

Background: Transcription factor FOXP3 characterizes the thymically derived regulatory T cells. FOXP3 is expressed by cancer cell itself and FOXP3 expression was induced by TGF-${\beta}$ treatment in pancreatic cancer cell line. However, the expression of FOXP3 expression is not well known in patients with lung cancer. This study was conducted to investigate the expression of FOXP3 in patients with lung cancer and to investigate the regulation of FOXP3 expression by the treatment of TGF-${\beta}$ and DNA methyltransferase inhibitor in lung cancer cell lines. Methods: FOXP3 expression in the tissue of patients with resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The regulation of FOXP3 expression was investigated by Western blot and RT-PCR after lung cancer cell lines were stimulated with TGF-${\beta}1$ and TGF-${\beta}2$. The regulation of FOXP3 expression was also investigated by RT-PCR and flow cytometry after lung cancer cell lines were treated with DNA methyltransferase inhibitor (5-AZA-dC). Results: FOXP3 expression was confirmed in 27% of patients with NSCLC. In NCI-H460 cell line, TGF-${\beta}2$ decreased FOXP3 mRNA and protein expressions. In A549 cell line, both TGF-${\beta}1$ and TGF-${\beta}2$ decreased FOXP3 mRNA and protein expressions. 5-AZA-dC increased FOXP3 mRNA expression in NCI-H460 and A549 cell lines. Moreover, 5-AZA-dC increased intracellular FOXP3 protein expression in A549 cell lines. Conclusion: It was shown that FOXP3 is expressed by cancer cell itself in patients with NSCLC. Treatment of TGF-${\beta}2$ and DNA methyltransferase inhibitor seems to be associated with the regulation of FOXP3 expression in lung cancer cell lines.

• BMB Reports
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• v.54 no.8
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• pp.413-418
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• 2021

ErbB3-binding protein 1 (EBP1) is a multifunctional protein associated with neural development. Loss of Ebp1 leads to upregulation of the gene silencing unit suppressor of variegation 3-9 homolog 1 (Suv39H1)/DNA (cytosine 5)-methyltransferase (DNMT1). EBP1 directly binds to the promoter region of DNMT1, repressing DNA methylation, and hence, promoting neural development. In the current study, we showed that EBP1 suppresses histone methyltransferase activity of Suv39H1 by promoting ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS)-dependent degradation of Suv39H1. In addition, we showed that EBP1 directly interacts with Suv39H1, and this interaction is required for recruiting the E3 ligase MDM2 for Suv39H1 degradation. Thus, our findings suggest that EBP1 regulates UPS-dependent degradation of Suv39H1 to govern proper heterochromatin assembly during neural development.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2005

A cDNA encoding ${\gamma}-tocopherol$ methyltransferase (${\gamma}-TMT$) from Arabidopsis thaliana was overexpressed in lettuce (Latuca sativa L.) to improve the tocopherol composition. Seven lines of lettuce ($T_0$) containing the ${\gamma}-TMT$ transgene were produced by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The inheritance and expression of the transgene were confirmed by DNA and RNA gel blot analyses as well as quantification of tocopherols and ${\gamma}-TMT$ activities. The ratio of ${\alpha}-/{\gamma}-tocopherol$ content (TR) varied from 0.6 to 1.2 in non-transformed plants, while the $T_0$ plants had ratios of 0.8 to 320. The ratio ranged from 0.4 to 544 in 41 $T_1$ progenies of the $T_0$ transgenic line gTM3, and the phenotypic segregation indicated monogenic inheritance of the transgene (i.e., 3:1 = dominant:wild-type classes). There was a tight relationship between the TR phenotype and ${\gamma}-TMT$ activity, and enzyme activities were affected by the copy number and transcript levels of the transgene. The TR phenotype was stably expressed in $T_2$ progenies of $T_1$ plants. The results from this study indicated that a stable inheritance and expression of Arabidopsis ${\gamma}-TMT$ transgene in lettuce results in a higher enzyme activity and the conversion of the ${\gamma}-tocopherol$ pool to ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ in transgenic lettuce.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.67-78
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• 2019

Methylation of HBV cccDNA has been detected in vivo and in vitro; however, the mechanism and its effects on HBV replication remain unclear. HBx derived from a 1.2-mer HBV replicon upregulated protein levels and enzyme activities of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), 3a, and 3b, resulting in methylation of the negative regulatory region (NRE) in cccDNA, while none of these effects were observed with an HBx-null mutant. The HBx-positive HBV cccDNA expressed higher levels of HBc and produced about 4-fold higher levels of HBV particles than those from the HBx-null counterpart. For these effects, HBx interrupted the action of NRE binding protein via methylation of the C-1619 within NRE, resulting in activation of the core promoter. Treatment with 5-Aza-2′dC or DNMT1 knock-down drastically impaired the ability of HBx to activate the core promoter and stimulate HBV replication in 1.2-mer HBV replicon and in vitro infection systems, indicating the positive role of HBx-mediated cccDNA methylation in HBV replication.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.105-109
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• 2009

We reported previously that overexpression of a salicylic acid (SA) methyltransferase1 gene from rice (OsBSMT1) or a SA glucosyltransferase1 gene from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtSAGT1) leads to increased susceptibility to Pseudomonas syringae due to reduced SA levels. To further examine their roles in the defense responses, we assayed the transcript levels of AtBSMT1 or AtSAGT1 in plants with altered levels of SA and/or other defense components. These data showed that AtSAGT1 expression is regulated partially by SA, or nonexpressor of pathogenesis related protein1, whereas AtBSMT1 expression was induced in SA-deficient mutant plants. In addition, we produced the transgenic Arabidopsis plants with RNAi-mediated inhibition of AtSAGT1 and isolated a null mutant of AtBSMT1, and then analyzed their phenotypes. A T-DNA insertion mutation in the AtBSMT1 resulted in reduced methyl salicylate (MeSA) levels upon P. syringae infection. However, accumulation of SA and glucosyl SA was similar in both the atbsmt1 and wild-type plants, indicating the presence of another SA methyltransferase or an alternative pathway for MeSA production. The AtSAGT1-RNAi line exhibited no altered phenotypes upon pathogen infection, compared to wild-type plants, suggesting that (an)other SA glucosyltransferase(s) in Arabidopsis plants may be important for the pathogenesis of P. syringae.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.197-203
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• 1998

DNA methylation seems to play an important regulatory role in gene expression and cell differentiation during postimplantation embryonic development. However, the significance of DNA methylation which is maintained by the DNA MTase during preimplantation embryonic development, is not fully understood. In order to study the role of DNA methylation in the preimplantation embryos, the expression of DNA MTase transcripts was monitored in the oocytes and preimplantation embryos. The mRNA of DNA MTase was detected in the oocytes and pleimplantation embryos. The relative mRNA levels of DNA MTase were high from the stages of GV-oocytes and pronuclear embryos, and thereafter decreased gradually. By the treatment of $\alpha$-amanitin, it was confirmed that the transcripts presented in pronuclear embryos was derived from the maternal genome. The presence of transcripts of DNA MTase in the oocytes and pronuclear embryos suggests that the maintenance of DNA methylation may be necessary and seems to play an important role in gene expression and cell differentiation during preimplantation embryonic develop-ment in mouse.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.98-116
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• 2024

Epigenetic writers including DNA and histone lysine methyltransferases (DNMT and HKMT, respectively) play an initiative role in the differentiation and development of eukaryotic organisms through the spatiotemporal regulation of functional gene expressions. However, the epigenetic mechanisms have long been suspected in helminth parasites lacking the major DNA methyltransferases DNMT1 and DNMT3a/3b. Very little information on the evolutionary status of the epigenetic tools and their role in regulating chromosomal genes is currently available in the parasitic trematodes. We previously suggested the probable role of a DNMT2-like protein (CsDNMT2) as a genuine epigenetic writer in a trematode parasite Clonorchis sinensis. Here, we analyzed the phylogeny of HKMT subfamily members in the liver fluke and other platyhelminth species. The platyhelminth genomes examined conserved genes for the most of SET domain-containing HKMT and Disruptor of Telomeric Silencing 1 subfamilies, while some genes were expanded specifically in certain platyhelminth genomes. Related to the high gene dosages for HKMT activities covering differential but somewhat overlapping substrate specificities, variously methylated histones were recognized throughout the tissues/organs of C. sinensis adults. The temporal expressions of genes involved in eggshell formation were gradually decreased to their lowest levels proportionally to aging, whereas those of some epigenetic tool genes were re-boosted in the later adult stages of the parasite. Furthermore, these expression levels were significantly affected by treatment with DNMT and HKMT inhibitors. Our data strongly suggest that methylated histones are potent epigenetic markers that modulate the spatiotemporal expressions of C. sinensis genes, especially those involved in sexual reproduction.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.287-295
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• 1998

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae MGMT gene encodes a O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase that protects cells from mutation or death by DNA alkylating agents. Using an in vitro transcription system, we analyzed its promoter region to find regulatory elements for transcription initiation. DNase I footprinting and a transcription assay showed that a functional TATA box, 5'-TGATATAGCA-3', is located in the region spanning from -25 to -34. We also found one upstream repressing sequence (URS), -333 to -213, by promoter deletion and competition analysis. Gel mobility shift assays and Southwestern blot analysis using URS region indicate specific complex formations. These results indicate that several cis-acting and trans-acting elements might be involved in the transcriptional regulation of the S. cerevisiae MGMT gene.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.243-249
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• 2010

Tissue engineered bone (TEB) can replace an autogenous bone graft requiring an secondary operation site as well as avoid complications like inflammation or infection from xenogenic or synthetic bone graft. Adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) for TEB are considered to have various ranges of differentiation capacity or multipotency by the donor site and age. This study examined the effect of age on proliferation capacity, differentiation capacity and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) responsiveness of human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSC) according to the age. In addition, to evaluate the effect on enhancement for osteoblast differentiation, the hBMSC were treated with Trichostatin A (TSA) and 5-Azacitidine (5-AZC) which was HDAC inhibitors and methyltransferase inhibitors respectively affecting chromatin remodeling temporarily and reversibly. The young and old group of hBMSC obtained from the iliac crest from total 9 healthy patients, showed similar proliferation capacity. Cell surface markers such as CD34, CD45, CD90 and CD105 showed uniform expression regardless of age. However, the young group showed more prominent transdifferentiation capacity with adipogenic differentiation. The osteoblast differentiation capacity or BMP responsiveness was low and similar between young and old group. TSA and 5-AZC showed potential for enhancing the BMP effect on osteoblast differentiation by increasing the expression level of osteogenic master gene, such as DLX5, ALP. More study will be needed to determine the positive effect of the reversible function of HDAC inhibitors or methyltransferase inhibitors on enhancing the low osteoblast differentiation capacity of hBMSC.