• BMB Reports
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• 제47권11호
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• pp.599-608
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• 2014

As the prevalence of obesity has increased explosively over the last several decades, associated metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases, have been also increased. Thus, new strategies for preventing and treating them are needed. The nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are involved fundamentally in regulating energy homeostasis; thus, they have been considered attractive drug targets for addressing metabolic disorders. Among the PPARs, $PPAR{\gamma}$ is a master regulator of gene expression for metabolism, inflammation, and other pathways in many cell types, especially adipocytes. It is a physiological receptor of the potent anti-diabetic drugs of the thiazolidinediones (TZDs) class, including rosiglitazone (Avandia). However, TZDs have undesirable and severe side effects, such as weight gain, fluid retention, and cardiovascular dysfunction. Recently, many reports have suggested that $PPAR{\gamma}$ could be modulated by post-translational modifications (PTMs), and modulation of PTM has been considered as novel approaches for treating metabolic disorders with fewer side effects than the TZDs. In this review, we discuss how PTM of $PPAR{\gamma}$ may be regulated and issues to be considered in making novel anti-diabetic drugs that can modulate the PTM of $PPAR{\gamma}$.

• BMB Reports
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• 제51권2호
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• pp.59-64
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• 2018

The airway epithelium is the first place, where a defense mechanism is initiated against environmental stimuli. Mucociliary transport (MCT), which is the defense mechanism of the airway and the role of airway epithelium as mechanical barriers are essential in innate immunity. To maintain normal physiologic function, normal oxygenation is critical for the production of energy for optimal cellular functions. Several pathologic conditions are associated with a decrease in oxygen tension in airway epithelium and chronic sinusitis is one of the airway diseases, which is associated with the hypoxic condition, a potent inflammatory stimulant. We have observed the overexpression of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), an essential factor for oxygen homeostasis, in the epithelium of sinus mucosa in sinusitis patients. In a series of previous reports, we have found hypoxia-induced mucus hyperproduction, especially by MUC5AC hyperproduction, disruption of epithelial barrier function by the production of VEGF, and down-regulation of junctional proteins such as ZO-1 and E-cadherin. Furthermore, hypoxia-induced inflammation by HMGB1 translocation into the cytoplasm results in the release of IL-8 through a ROS-dependent mechanism in upper airway epithelium. In this mini-review, we briefly introduce and summarize current progress in the pathogenesis of sinusitis related to hypoxia. The investigation of hypoxia-related pathophysiology in airway epithelium will suggest new insights on airway inflammatory diseases, such as rhinosinusitis for clinical application and drug development.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.225-241
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• 2018

Taurine is an abundant, ${\beta}-amino$ acid with diverse cytoprotective activity. In some species, taurine is an essential nutrient but in man it is considered a semi-essential nutrient, although cells lacking taurine show major pathology. These findings have spurred interest in the potential use of taurine as a therapeutic agent. The discovery that taurine is an effective therapy against congestive heart failure led to the study of taurine as a therapeutic agent against other disease conditions. Today, taurine has been approved for the treatment of congestive heart failure in Japan and shows promise in the treatment of several other diseases. The present review summarizes studies supporting a role of taurine in the treatment of diseases of muscle, the central nervous system, and the cardiovascular system. In addition, taurine is extremely effective in the treatment of the mitochondrial disease, mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS), and offers a new approach for the treatment of metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, and inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis. The review also addresses the functions of taurine (regulation of antioxidation, energy metabolism, gene expression, ER stress, neuromodulation, quality control and calcium homeostasis) underlying these therapeutic actions.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제31권9호
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• pp.2627-2632
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• 2010

Hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) plays a major role in energy homeostasis and lipid metabolism. Several crystal structures of HSL-homolog proteins have been identified, which has led to a better understanding of its molecular function. HSL-homolog proteins exit as both monomer and dimer, but the biochemical and structural basis for such oligomeric states has not been successfully elucidated. Therefore, we determined the crystal structure of HSL-homolog protein EstE7 from a metagenome library at $2.2\;{\AA}$ resolution and characterized the oligomeric states of EstE7 both structurally and biochemically. EstE7 protein prefers the dimeric state in solution, which is supported by its higher enzymatic activity in the dimeric state. In the crystal form, EstE7 protein shows two-types of dimeric interface. Specifically, dimerization via the external ${beta}8$-strand occurred through tight association between two pseudosymmetric folds via salt bridges, hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions. This dimer formation was similar to that of other HSL-homolog protein structures such as AFEST, BEFA, and EstE1. We anticipate that our results will provide insight into the oligomeric state of HSL-homolog proteins.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.18-28
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• 1989

The purpose of this study is to emphasize the indispensability and generalization of ecological approach in landscape planning and design, by describing the main ecological principles and the process and method applying them to landscape planning and presenting the case study of ecological planning. Landscape architecture is the science dealing with nature and therefore ecological approach in it cannot be emphasized too much. The main ecological principles that must be considered in landscape planning and design are energy flow, food chains, biogeochemical cycles, limiting factors, carrying capacity and homeostasis, vegetational succession, ecotone and edge effect, ecological niche, etc.. The seven component factors of natural ecosystem are climate, geology, physiography, hydrology, soil, vegetation, wildlife. These seven factors are interrelated by the above mentioned ecological principles. In landscape planning and design process, it is necessary that landscape architect should interpret and assess not only the component factors of natural ecosystem but also the interrelationships and ecological principles immanent in them and apply the data to final plan.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.99-104
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• 2010

The potential ability of environmental temperature to enhance the effect of microwave radiation (7 GHz) was experimentally studied for rabbit heating after simultaneous application of both agents. The tested ambient temperatures (30 and $38^{\circ}C$) didn't exert a considerable influence upon rabbit heat homeostasis after the used duration of exposure (3 hours and 15 minutes, correspondingly). The synergistic interaction of microwave irradiation and ambient temperature was demonstrated for rabbit heating. Power flux density of microwave irradiation was shown to be a determinant of the synergistic interaction effectiveness. For the fixed ambient temperature ($30^{\circ}C$), the synergism was shown to be observed only within a definite power flux density ($0-100\;mW{\cdot}cm^{-2}$), inside of which there was an optimal intensity ($20\;mW{\cdot}cm^{-2}$), which maximized the synergistic effect. Any deviation of the power flux density from the optimal value resulted in a reduction of the synergy. It is concluded that any assessment of the health or environmental risks should take into account the synergistic interaction between ambient temperature and microwave radiation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제18권12호
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• pp.1895-1902
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• 2008

Adipose tissue is an important endocrine organ involved in the control of whole body energy homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. Considering the increased incidence of obesity and obesity-related disorders, including diabetes, it is important to understand thoroughly the process of adipocyte differentiation and its control. Therefore, we performed a differential proteome mapping strategy using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis combined with peptide mass fingerprinting to identify intracellular proteins that are differentially expressed during adipose conversion of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes in response to an adipogenic cocktail. In the current study, we identified 46 differentially expressed proteins, 6 of which have not been addressed previously in 3T3-L1 cell differentiation. Notably, we found that phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase (PRPS), a regulator of cell proliferation, was preferentially expressed in pre-adipocytes than in fully differentiated adipocytes. In conclusion, our results provide valuable information for further understanding of the adipogenic process.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권10호
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• pp.918-924
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• 2015

During T cell activation, mitochondrial content increases to meet the high energy demand of rapid cell proliferation. With this increase, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) also increases and causes the rapid apoptotic death of activated cells, thereby facilitating T cell homeostasis. Nicotinamide (NAM) has previously been shown to enhance mitochondria quality and extend the replicative life span of human fibroblasts. In this study, we examined the effect of NAM on $CD8^+$ T cell activation. NAM treatment attenuated the increase of mitochondrial content and ROS in T cells activated by CD3/CD28 antibodies. This was accompanied by an accelerated and higher-level clonal expansion resulting from attenuated apoptotic death but not increased division of the activated cells. Attenuation of ROS-triggered pro-apoptotic events and upregulation of Bcl-2 expression appeared to be involved. Although cells activated in the presence of NAM exhibited compromised cytokine gene expression, our results suggest a means to augment the size of T cell expansion during activation without consuming their limited replicative potential.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제41권6호
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• pp.603-611
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• 2018

Triglyceride homeostasis is a key process of normal development and is essential for the maintenance of energy metabolism. Dysregulation of this process leads to metabolic disorders such as obesity and hyperlipidemia. Here, we report a novel function of the Drosophila flightless-I (fliI) gene in lipid metabolism. Drosophila fliI mutants were resistant to starvation and showed increased levels of triglycerides in the fat body and intestine, whereas fliI overexpression decreased triglyceride levels. These flies suffered from metabolic stress indicated by increased levels of trehalose in hemolymph and enhanced phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha ($eIF2{\alpha}$). Moreover, upregulation of triglycerides via a knockdown of fliI was reversed by a knockdown of desat1 in the fat body of flies. These results indicate that fliI suppresses the expression of desat1, thereby inhibiting the development of obesity; fliI may, thus, serve as a novel therapeutic target in obesity and metabolic diseases.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.323-328
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• 2008

Eukaryotic cells continuously integrate intrinsic and extrinsic signals to adapt to the environment. When exposed to stressful conditions, cells activate compartment-specific adaptive responses. If these are insufficient, apoptosis ensues as an organismal defense line. The mechanisms that sense stress and set the transition from adaptive to maladaptive responses, activating apoptotic programs, are the subject of intense studies, also for their potential impact in cancer and degenerative disorders. In the former case, one would aim at lowering the threshold, in the latter instead to increase it. Protein synthesis, consuming energy for anabolic processes as well as for byproducts disposal, can be a significant source of stress, particularly when difficult-to-fold proteins are produced. Recent work from our and other laboratories on the differentiation of antibody secreting cells, revealed a regulatory circuit that integrates protein synthesis, secretion and degradation (proteostasis), into cell lifespan determination. The apoptotic elimination - after an industrious, yet short lifetime - of terminal immune effectors is crucial to maintain immune homeostasis. Linking proteostasis to cell death, this paradigm might prove useful for biotechnological purposes, and the design of novel anti-cancer therapies.