• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.447-459
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• 2016

Many studies have been conducted to understand plant stress responses to salinity because irrigation-dependent salt accumulation compromises crop productivity and also to understand the mechanism through which some plants thrive under saline conditions. As mechanistic understanding has increased during the last decades, discovery-oriented approaches have begun to identify genetic determinants of salt tolerance. In addition to osmolytes, osmoprotectants, radical detoxification, ion transport systems, and changes in hormone levels and hormone-guided communications, the Salt Overly Sensitive (SOS) pathway has emerged to be a major defense mechanism. However, the mechanism by which the components of the SOS pathway are integrated to ultimately orchestrate plant-wide tolerance to salinity stress remains unclear. A higher-level control mechanism has recently emerged as a result of recognizing the involvement of GIGANTEA (GI), a protein involved in maintaining the plant circadian clock and control switch in flowering. The loss of GI function confers high tolerance to salt stress via its interaction with the components of the SOS pathway. The mechanism underlying this observation indicates the association between GI and the SOS pathway and thus, given the key influence of the circadian clock and the pathway on photoperiodic flowering, the association between GI and SOS can regulate growth and stress tolerance. In this review, we will analyze the components of the SOS pathways, with emphasis on the integration of components recognized as hallmarks of a halophytic lifestyle.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2017

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascades play critical roles in various cellular events in plants, including stress responses, innate immunity, hormone signaling, and cell specificity. MAPK-mediated stress signaling is also known to negatively regulate nitrogen-fixing symbiotic interactions, but the molecular mechanism of the MAPK signaling cascades underlying the symbiotic nodule development remains largely unknown. We show that the MtMKK5-MtMPK3/6 signaling module negatively regulates the early symbiotic nodule formation, probably upstream of ERN1 (ERF Required for Nodulation 1) and NSP1 (Nod factor Signaling Pathway 1) in Medicago truncatula. The overexpression of MtMKK5 stimulated stress and defense signaling pathways but also reduced nodule formation in M. truncatula roots. Conversely, a MAPK specific inhibitor, U0126, enhanced nodule formation and the expression of an early nodulation marker gene, MtNIN. We found that MtMKK5 directly activates MtMPK3/6 by phosphorylating the TEY motif within the activation loop and that the MtMPK3/6 proteins physically interact with the early nodulation-related transcription factors ERN1 and NSP1. These data suggest that the stress signaling-mediated MtMKK5/MtMPK3/6 module suppresses symbiotic nodule development via the action of early nodulation transcription factors.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.562-574
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• 2018

The tazarotene-induced gene 1 (TIG1) protein is a retinoidinducible growth regulator and is considered a tumor suppressor. Here, we show that DnaJ heat shock protein family member C8 (DNAJC8) is a TIG1 target that regulates glycolysis. Ectopic DNAJC8 expression induced the translocation of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) into the nucleus, subsequently inducing glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) expression to promote glucose uptake. Silencing either DNAJC8 or PKM2 alleviated the upregulation of GLUT1 expression and glucose uptake induced by ectopic DNAJC8 expression. TIG1 interacted with DNAJC8 in the cytosol, and this interaction completely blocked DNAJC8-mediated PKM2 translocation and inhibited glucose uptake. Furthermore, increased glycose uptake was observed in cells in which TIG1 was silenced. In conclusion, TIG1 acts as a pivotal repressor of DNAJC8 to enhance glucose uptake by partially regulating PKM2 translocation.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.205-214
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• 2000

The polyurethane resin was prepared by the reaction of tolylenediisocyanate(TDI) and polypropyleneglycol(PPG). Physical properties of the resin were investigated experimentally. Charging catalyst before TDI-dropping induced the rapid increase of viscosity. On the other hand, charging catalyst after TDI-dropping resulted in mild stability without immoderate generation of heat on reaction. The use of phosphoric acid as catalyst led to low viscosity by restraining side-reaction such as forming of branch-chain, buret reaction and allopanate reaction, but it showed low cross-link density and slow drying. The curing speed was more influenced by structures of molecules rather than NCO/OH ratio. Including PPG 400 over 30 wt % showed excellent adhesive strength due to increase of crosslink density.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.9
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• pp.637-645
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• 2019

Effector-triggered immunity (ETI) is an effective layer of plant defense initiated upon recognition of avirulence (Avr) effectors from pathogens by cognate plant disease resistance (R) proteins. In rice, a large number of R genes have been characterized from various cultivars and have greatly contributed to breeding programs to improve resistance against the rice blast pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae. The extreme diversity of R gene repertoires is thought to be a result of co-evolutionary history between rice and its pathogens including M. oryzae. Here we show that Pii is an allele of Pi5 by DNA sequence characterization and complementation analysis. Pii-1 and Pii-2 cDNAs were cloned by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction from the Pii-carrying cultivar Fujisaka5. The complementation test in susceptible rice cultivar Dongjin demonstrated that the rice blast resistance mediated by Pii, similar to Pi5, requires the presence of two nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat genes, Pii-1 and Pii-2. Consistent with our hypothesis that Pi5 and Pii are functionally indistinguishable, the replacement of Pii-1 by Pi5-1 and Pii-2 by Pi5-2, respectively, does not change the level of disease resistance to M. oryzae carrying AVR-Pii. Surprisingly, Exo70F3, required for Pii-mediated resistance, is dispensable for Pi5-mediated resistance. Based on our results, despite similarities observed between Pi5 and Pii, we hypothesize that Pi5 and Pii pairs require partially distinct mechanisms to function.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.11
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• pp.795-804
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• 2021

Memory T (T_M) cells play an important role in the long-term defense against pathogen reinvasion. However, it is still unclear how these cells receive the crucial signals necessary for their longevity and homeostatic turnover. To understand how T_M cells receive these signals, we infected mice with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and examined the expression sites of neural cadherin (N-cadherin) by immunofluorescence microscopy. We found that N-cadherin was expressed in the surroundings of the white pulps of the spleen and medulla of lymph nodes (LNs). Moreover, T_M cells expressing high levels of killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1), a ligand of N-cadherin, were co-localized with N-cadherin⁺ cells in the spleen but not in LNs. We then blocked N-cadherin in vivo to investigate whether it regulates the formation or function of T_M cells. The numbers of CD127^hiCD62L^hi T_M cells in the spleen of memory P14 chimeric mice declined when N-cadherin was blocked during the contraction phase, without functional impairment of these cells. In addition, when CD127^loKLRG1^hi T_M cells were adoptively transferred into anti-N-cadherin-treated mice compared with control mice, the number of these cells was reduced in the bone marrow and LNs, without functional loss. Taken together, our results suggest that N-cadherin participates in the development of CD127^hiCD62L^hi T_M cells and homing of CD127^loKLRG1^hi T_M cells to lymphoid organs.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.281-291
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• 2021

Tissue-resident macrophages play an important role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and innate immune defense against invading microbial pathogens. Brain-resident macrophages can be classified into microglia in the brain parenchyma and non-parenchymal brain macrophages, also known as central nervous system-associated or border-associated macrophages, in the brain-circulation interface. Microglia and non-parenchymal brain macrophages, including meningeal, perivascular, and choroid plexus macrophages, are mostly produced during embryonic development, and maintained their population by self-renewal. Microglia have gained much attention for their dual roles in the maintenance of brain homeostasis and the induction of neuroinflammation. In particular, diverse phenotypes of microglia have been increasingly identified under pathological conditions. Single-cell phenotypic analysis revealed that microglia are highly heterogenous and plastic, thus it is difficult to define the status of microglia as M1/M2 or resting/activated state due to complex nature of microglia. Meanwhile, physiological function of non-parenchymal brain macrophages remain to be fully demonstrated. In this review, we have summarized the origin and signatures of brain-resident macrophages and discussed the unique features of microglia, particularly, their phenotypic polarization, diversity of subtypes, and inflammasome responses related to neurodegenerative diseases.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.21.1-21.16
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• 2024

IL-1, a pleiotropic cytokine with profound effects on various cell types, particularly immune cells, plays a pivotal role in immune responses. The proinflammatory nature of IL-1 necessitates stringent control mechanisms of IL-1-mediated signaling at multiple levels, encompassing transcriptional and translational regulation, precursor processing, as well as the involvement of a receptor accessory protein, a decoy receptor, and a receptor antagonist. In T-cell immunity, IL-1 signaling is crucial during both the priming and effector phases of immune reactions. The fine-tuning of IL-1 signaling hinges upon two distinct receptor types; the functional IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) 1 and the decoy IL-1R2, accompanied by ancillary molecules such as the IL-1R accessory protein (IL-1R3) and IL-1R antagonist. IL-1R1 signaling by IL-1β is critical for the differentiation, expansion, and survival of Th17 cells, essential for defense against extracellular bacteria or fungi, yet implicated in autoimmune disease pathogenesis. Recent investigations emphasize the physiological importance of IL-1R2 expression, particularly in its capacity to modulate IL-1-dependent responses within Tregs. The precise regulation of IL-1R signaling is indispensable for orchestrating appropriate immune responses, as unchecked IL-1 signaling has been implicated in inflammatory disorders, including Th17-mediated autoimmunity. This review provides a thorough exploration of the IL-1R signaling complex and its pivotal roles in immune regulation. Additionally, it highlights recent advancements elucidating the mechanisms governing the expression of IL-1R1 and IL-1R2, underscoring their contributions to fine-tuning IL-1 signaling. Finally, the review briefly touches upon therapeutic strategies targeting IL-1R signaling, with potential clinical applications.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.10
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• pp.889-897
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• 2020

K-RAS is frequently mutated in human lung adenocarcinomas (ADCs), and the p53 pathway plays a central role in cellular defense against oncogenic K-RAS mutation. However, in mouse lung cancer models, oncogenic K-Ras mutation alone can induce ADCs without p53 mutation, and loss of p53 does not have a significant impact on early K-Ras-induced lung tumorigenesis. These results raise the question of how K-Ras-activated cells evade oncogene surveillance mechanisms and develop into lung ADCs. RUNX3 plays a key role at the restriction (R)-point, which governs multiple tumor suppressor pathways including the p14^ARF-p53 pathway. In this study, we found that K-Ras activation in a very limited number of cells, alone or in combination with p53 inactivation, failed to induce any pathologic lesions for up to 1 year. By contrast, when Runx3 was inactivated and K-Ras was activated by the same targeting method, lung ADCs and other tumors were rapidly induced. In a urethane-induced mouse lung tumor model that recapitulates the features of K-RAS-driven human lung tumors, Runx3 was inactivated in both adenomas (ADs) and ADCs, whereas K-Ras was activated only in ADCs. Together, these results demonstrate that the R-point-associated oncogene surveillance mechanism is abrogated by Runx3 inactivation in AD cells and these cells cannot defend against K-Ras activation, resulting in the transition from AD to ADC. Therefore, K-Ras-activated lung epithelial cells do not evade oncogene surveillance mechanisms; instead, they are selected if they occur in AD cells in which Runx3 has been inactivated.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.497-517
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• 1995

The cells associated with normal defense mechanism in inflammation release free oxygen radicals, hydroxy radicals, and various protease, all of which can damage the surrounding cells(fibroblasts) and matrix molecules(collagen). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of "scavenger" enzyme, superoxide dismutase(SOD). to periodontal ligament (PDL) cells. Human PDL cells were cultured from the teeth extracted for non-periodontal reason. Cultured PDL cells in vitro were treated with SOD and LPS according to dosage and culture times. Cellular activity was exaimed by Microtitration(MTT) assay. The quantitative expression of cellular proliferation by proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), collagen type I and fibronectin by indirect immunocytochemically stain in PDL cells were done. The results were as follows: 1. As only SOD treated group at 2 and 3 days, PDL cell activity was significantly increased at more than 150U(P<0.05). 2. When LPS(0.5, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) and SOD(more than 150U) were added together, it was significantly increased than LPS only treated and control groups at 2 days(P<0.05). 3. When LPS($5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) and SOD(150, 300U) were added together, PCNA index was significantly increased than LPS only treated and control groups at 2 and 3 days(P<0.05). 4. When LPS($5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) and SOD(150U) were added together, collagen type I was significantly increased than LPS only treated and control groups at 3 days(P<0.05). 5.When LPS($5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) and SOD(300U) were added together, fibronectin was significantly increased than LPS only treated and control groups at 3 days(P<0.05). On the above the results, the SOD in association with collagen type I, fibonectin, and PCNA may afford biological protection to oxy-radicals that were typically liberated during normal inflammatory response. Thus, the exogenous application of SOD may be effective in sthe treatment of the localized breakdown associated with chronic periodontal disease.