• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.9
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• pp.669-679
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• 2016

N-acetyl-D-glucosamine kinase (GlcNAc kinase or NAGK) primarily catalyzes phosphoryl transfer to GlcNAc during amino sugar metabolism. Recently, it was shown NAGK interacts with dynein light chain roadblock type 1 (DYNLRB1) and upregulates axo-dendritic growth, which is an enzyme activity-independent, non-canonical structural role. The authors examined the distributions of NAGK and NAGK-dynein complexes during the cell cycle in HEK293T cells. NAGK was expressed throughout different stages of cell division and immunocytochemistry (ICC) showed NAGK was localized at nuclear envelope, spindle microtubules (MTs), and kinetochores (KTs). A proximity ligation assay (PLA) for NAGK and DYNLRB1 revealed NAGK-dynein complex on nuclear envelopes in prophase cells and on chromosomes in metaphase cells. NAGK-DYNLRB1 PLA followed by Lis1/NudE1 immunostaining showed NAGK-dynein complexes were colocalized with Lis1 and NudE1 signals, and PLA for NAGK-Lis1 showed similar signal patterns, suggesting a functional link between NAGK and dynein-Lis1 complex. Subsequently, NAGK-dynein complexes were found in KTs and on nuclear membranes where KTs were marked with CENP-B ICC and nuclear membrane with lamin ICC. Furthermore, knockdown of NAGK by small hairpin (sh) RNA was found to delay cell division. These results indicate that the NAGK-dynein interaction with the involvements of Lis1 and NudE1 plays an important role in prophase nuclear envelope breakdown (NEB) and metaphase MT-KT attachment during eukaryotic cell division.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.10
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• pp.876-885
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• 2015

N-acetyl-D-glucosamine kinase (NAGK) plays an enzyme activity-independent, non-canonical role in the dendritogenesis of hippocampal neurons in culture. In this study, we investigated its role in axonal development. We found NAGK was distributed throughout neurons until developmental stage 3 (axonal outgrowth), and that its axonal expression remarkably decreased during stage 4 (dendritic outgrowth) and became negligible in stage 5 (mature). Immunocytochemistry (ICC) showed colocalization of NAGK with tubulin in hippocampal neurons and with Golgi in somata, dendrites, and nascent axons. A proximity ligation assay (PLA) for NAGK and Golgi marker protein followed by ICC for tubulin or dynein light chain roadblock type 1 (DYNLRB1) in stage 3 neurons showed NAGK-Golgi complex colocalized with DYNLRB1 at the tips of microtubule (MT) fibers in axonal growth cones and in somatodendritic areas. PLAs for NAGK-dynein combined with tubulin or Golgi ICC showed similar signal patterns, indicating a three way interaction between NAGK, dynein, and Golgi in growing axons. In addition, overexpression of the NAGK gene and of kinase mutant NAGK genes increased axonal lengths, and knockdown of NAGK by small hairpin (sh) RNA reduced axonal lengths; suggesting a structural role for NAGK in axonal growth. Finally, transfection of 'DYNLRB1 (74-96)', a small peptide derived from DYNLRB1's C-terminal, which binds with NAGK, resulted in neurons with shorter axons in culture. The authors suggest a NAGK-dynein-Golgi tripartite interaction in growing axons is instrumental during early axonal development.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 2010

Redox-dependent conformational change of human 8-kDa Dynein light chain (LC8) plays important role in regulating NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathway. In this study we characterized the structural states of the oxidized and reduced forms of LC8 by using NMR spectroscopy. The $^1H-^{15}N$ 2D HSQC spectra of oxidized LC8 indicated that no significant change in tertiary structure of LC8 occurred upon oxidation. The chemical shift perturbations of LC8 upon oxidation suggest a redox-dependent quaternary structural change.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.383-388
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• 1988

Immotile cilia syndrome is a congenital structural abnormality of cilia. The structural abnormality is lack of dynein arm or defective radial spoke or microtubular transposition. In this syndrome, ciliary movement is completely absent or dyskinetic and half of this syndrome shows Kartagener`s triad. We report a 13-year-old girl who had immotile cilia syndrome with Kartagener`s triad. She had been suffering from frequent respiratory infection, hemoptysis, large amount of sputum, and sinusitis. Bronchography revealed tubular bronchiectasis in right lower lobe and that lobe was resected for treatment of bronchiectasis. Histological examination of resected bronchus showed chronic bronchiectasis and electronmicroscopically complete lack of both inner and outer dynein arms. Hospital course was uneventful and symptoms were much improved.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.457-462
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• 2002

Karagener's syndrome is an inherited condition characterized by triad of chronic paranasal sinusitis, situs inversus, and bronchiectasis, Since 1976, Afzelius found a lack of dynein arm in immotile spermatozoa by electron microscopy, numerous recent studies have focused on the ultrastructural defect in the cilia and reported that the variety type of ultrastructural defect in immotile cilia syndrome. We report a female patient who had the Katagener's triad with rare multiple ultrastructural defect of cilia in one patient. The electron microscopic examination showed partial dynein arm defect, loss of radial spoke, microtubular transposition, and giant cilia.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.480-485
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• 2003

Morphology of the spermatozoa from the testes of the catfish (Pseudobagrus brevicorpus) was studied by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The spermatozoa of P. brevicorpus are approximately $82.25\pm0.06\;{\mu}m$ in length and relatively simple cells composed of a spherical head, a short midpiece and a tail as in most teleost fish, The nucleus measuring about $2.00\pm0.02\;{\mu}m$ in length is depressed with a deep nuclear fossa of about $1.05\pm0.03\;{\mu}m$ in length three fifths of the nuclear length. The nuclear fossa contains the proximal and distal centrioles. The two centrioles are oriented approximately $150^{\circ}$ to each other. The mitochondria are arranged in two layers and their number is 12 or more. They are separated from the axoneme by the cytoplasmic canal. The axoneme is the 9+2 microtubular pattern and has inner but no outer dynein arms as in other bagrids. The axonemal fins were the closed to axonemal doublet 3 and 8. The axonemal fins and lost outer dynein arm are shared in Bagridae and the deep nuclear fossa is shared in Siluriformes. The axonemal fins observed in Bagridae and Amblycipitidae of Siluriformes might be the apomorphic character in Ostariophysi.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.609-619
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• 2024

Neurodegenerative diseases are marked by the accumulation of toxic misfolded proteins in neurons. Therefore, strategies for the effective prevention and clearance of aggregates are crucial for therapeutic interventions. Cytoplasmic dynein plays a crucial role in the clearance of aggregates by transporting them to the cell center, where lysosomes are enriched and the aggregates undergo extensive autophagic degradation. Previously, we reported evidence for the activation of dynein by N-acetylglucosamine kinase (NAGK) and Reln. In the present study, we explored the effects of NAGK and Reln upregulation on the clearance of aggregates. To upregulate NAGK and Reln genes in HEK293T cells (a human embryonic kidney cell line), CRISPR/dCas9 activation systems (CASs) were used with specific plasmids encoding target-specific 20 nt guide RNA. The effects of this genetic modulation were analyzed in Huntington's disease cellular models, including HEK293T cells and primary mouse cortical cells, where external mutant huntingtin (mHtt, Q74) aggregates were induced. The results showed that the CAS activation of NAGK or Reln, or their combination, significantly reduced the proportion of cells with Q74 aggregates (aggresomes). This effect was reversed by Ciliobrevin D (a dynein inhibitor) and chloroquine (an autophagy inhibitor), indicating the role of dynein-mediated autophagy in aggregate clearance. These findings provide the basis for therapeutic strategies aimed at enhancing neuronal health through targeted gene activation.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.849-856
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• 2008

The present study was undertaken to investigate specific immune response of Rubus coreanus Miquel (raspberry) in pig spleen lymphocytes and gene expression induced by the extracts of raspberry using gene chip technology. The 70% ethyl alcohol extracts of raspberry were treated to pig spleen lymphocytes. The extracts of raspberry stimulated the proliferation of splenocytes and increased the population of CD3 & CD4 T-cells and B-cells in pig spleen lymphocytes. The extracts of raspberry improved immune response by increasing the viability of splenocytes. In microarray study we found eight genes were significantly up- regulated by the extracts of raspberry in pig splenocytes, including genes known to be involved in cell structure and immune response, particularly microtubule-associated protein 4, cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain, tumor necrosis factor alpha, lymphotoxin-beta receptor precursor. However, ten genes were down- regulated by the extracts of raspberry treatment.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.81-86
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• 2018

Four isoforms of calcium binding proteins containing 2 EF hand motifs and a dynein light chain-like domain in the human liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini, namely OvCaBP1, 2, 3, and 4, were characterized. They had molecular weights of 22.7, 21.6, 23.7, and 22.5 kDa, respectively and showed 37.2-42.1% sequence identity to CaBP22.8 of O. viverrini. All were detected in 2- and 4-week-old immature and mature parasites. Additionally, OvCaBP4 was found in newly excysted juveniles. Polyclonal antibodies against each isoform were generated to detect the native proteins in parasite extracts by Western blot analysis. All OvCaBPs were detected in soluble and insoluble crude worm extracts and in the excretory-secretory product, at approximate sizes of 21-23 kDa. The ion-binding properties of the proteins were analyzed by mobility shift assays with the divalent cations $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Zn^{2+}$, and $Cu^{2+}$. All OvCaBPs showed mobility shifts with $Ca^{2+}$ and $Zn^{2+}$. OvCaBP1 showed also positive results with $Mg^{2+}$ and $Cu^{2+}$. As tegumental proteins, OvCaBP1, 2, and 3 are interesting drug targets for the treatment of opisthorchiasis.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.227-231
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• 2006

Micro-deletions at specific loci of the Y chromosome have been observed frequently in male infertility patients, suggesting that genes in these regions are involved in male germ cell development. DAZ is a representative male infertility gene at the AZFc locus of the Y chromosome. Since DAZ contains an RNA binding motif along with so-called a DAZ domain, it was proposed to participate in RNA metabolism during spermatogenesis. A mouse gene homologous to the human DAZ gene has been cloned and named Dazl (DAZlike). Dazl is autosomal and expressed in the testis and also at a low level in the ovary. Male mice homozygous for the Dazl null allele have small testes with a few spermatogonia and almost complete absence of germ cells beyond the spermatogonial stage, suggesting the requirement of Dazl for entry or progression through meiosis. However, its exact cellular functions have not been understood yet. In order to investigate cellular functions of Dazl, we decided to isolate candidate interacting protein genes of the mouse Dazl, using yeast two-hybrid screening. A number of candidate Dazlinteracting proteins have been isolated, such as Bprp, Acf, Hgs, Murr1, Nbak3 and Ranbp9, but dynein light chain 1 (Dlc1) was most predominant. A strong interaction of Dazl with Dlc1 suggests that Dazl might function as an mRNA adaptor to the dynein motor complex.