• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.252-261
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• 2019

The omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is known to induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest via the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in many types of cancers. However, the roles of DHA in drug-resistant cancer cells have not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effects of DHA in cisplatin-resistant gastric cancer SNU-601/cis2 cells. DHA was found to induce ROS-dependent apoptosis in these cells. The inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor ($IP_3R$) blocker 2-aminoethyl diphenylboninate (2-APB) reduced DHA-induced ROS production, consequently reducing apoptosis. We also found that G-protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120), a receptor of long-chain fatty acids, is expressed in SNU-601/cis2 cells, and the knockdown of GPR120 using specific shRNAs alleviated DHA-mediated ROS production and apoptosis. GPR120 knockdown reduced the expression of ER stress response genes, similar to the case for the pre-treatment of the cells with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), an ROS scavenger, or 2-APB. Indeed, the knockdown of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), a transcription factor that functions under ER stress conditions, markedly reduced DHA-mediated apoptosis, indicating that CHOP plays an essential role in the anti-cancer activity of DHA. These results suggest that GPR120 mediates DHA-induced apoptosis by regulating $IP_3R$, ROS, and ER stress levels in cisplatin-resistant cancer cells, and that GPR120 is an effective chemotherapeutic target for cisplatin resistance.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.145-154
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• 2006

Heterotrimeric G proteins (G proteins) are conserved in all eukaryotes and are crucial components sensing and relaying external cues into the cells to elicit appropriate physiological and biochemical responses. Basic units of the heterotrimeric G protein signaling system include a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), a G protein composed of ${\alpha},\;{\beta},\;and\;{\gamma}$ subunits, and variety of effectors. Sequential sensitization and activation of these G protein elements translates external signals into gene expression changes, resulting in appropriate cellular behaviors. Regulators of G protein signaling (RGSs) constitute a crucial element of appropriate control of the intensity and duration of G protein signaling. For the past decade, G protein signaling and its regulation have been intensively studied in a number of model and/or pathogenic fungi and outcomes of the studies provided better understanding on the upstream regulation of vegetative growth, mating, development, virulence/pathogenicity establishment, and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in fungi. This review focuses on the characteristics of the basic upstream G protein components and RGS proteins, and their roles controlling various aspects of biological processes in the model filamentous ascomycete fungus Aspergillus nidulans. In particular, their functions in controlling hyphal proliferation, asexual spore formation, sexual fruiting, and the mycotoxin sterigmatocystin production are discussed.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.63-70
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• 2002

Cholinergic modulation of GABAergic spontaneous miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) by the activation of muscarine receptors was investigated in mechanically dissociated rat nucleus basalis of the Meynert neurons using the conventional whole-cell patch recording configuration. Muscarine $(10{\mu}M)$ reversibly and concentration-dependently decreased mIPSC frequency without affecting the current amplitude distribution. Muscarine action on GABAergic mIPSCs was completely blocked by $1{\mu}M$ methoctramine, a selective $M_2$ receptor antagonist, but not by $1{\mu}M$ pirenzepine, a selective $M_1$ receptor antagonist. NEM $(10{\mu}M),$ a G-protein uncoupler, attenuated the inhibitory action of muscarine on GABAergic mIPSC frequency. Muscarine still could decrease GABAergic mIPSC frequency even in the $Ca^{2+}-free$ external solution. However, the inhibitory action of muscarine on GABAergic mIPSCs was completely occluded in the presence of forskolin. The results suggest that muscarine acts presynaptically and reduces the probability of spontaneous GABA release, and that such muscarine-induced inhibitory action seems to be mediated by G-protein-coupled $M_2$ receptors, via the reduction of cAMP production. Accordingly, $M_2$ receptor-mediated disinhibition of nBM neurons might play one of important roles in the regulation of cholinergic outputs from nBM neurons as well as the excitability of nBM neurons themselves.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.52-57
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• 2007

Lysolipids such as lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), sphingosylphosphorylcholine (S PC), galactosylsphingosine (psychosine) have been matched as ligands for OGR1-subfamily G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR), consisted of OGR1, GPR4, G2A, and TDAG8. Recently, those members of GPCRS have been reported as proton-sensing GPCRs. We used Jurkat T cells, which express four members of OGR1 subfamily GPCRs endogenously to investigate effects of proton on lysolipid-induced several cellular events. We found no significant effect of proton on the lysolipid-induced $Ca^{2+}$ increase and ROS production in Jurkat T cells. Further investigation is necessary to clarify the relationship of lysolipid and proton on the OGR1-subfamily GPCRs.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.75-79
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• 2015

Thromboxane A2 receptors (TXA2-R) are the G protein coupled receptors localized on cell membranes and intracellular structures and play pathophysiological role in various thrombosis/hemostasis, modulation of the immune response, acute myocardial infarction, inflammatory lung disease, hypertension and nephrotic disease. TXA2 receptor antagonists have been evaluated as potential therapeutic agents for asthma, thrombosis and hypertension. The role of TXA2 in wide spectrum of diseases makes this as an important drug target. Hence in the present study, homology modeling of TXA2 receptor was performed using the crystal structure of squid rhodopsin and night blindness causing G90D rhodopsin. 20 models were generated using single and multiple templates based approaches and the best model was selected based on the validation result. We found that multiple template based approach have given better accuracy. The generated structures can be used in future for further binding site and docking analysis.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.198-199
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• 2003

Chronic inflammatory processes are associated with pathology of Alzheimer's disease(AD). The expression of both cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) and phospholipase A2(PLA2) appears to be strongly activated during AD, indicating the importance of inflammatory gene pathways as a response to brain injury. Stimulation of heterotrimeric G protein-coupled receptors including muscarinic receptors activates cytosolic PLA2 and receptor-mediated activation of PLA2 generates free fatty acids (i.e., arachidonic acid). (omitted)

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.265-275
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• 2009

G Protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) mediating wide ranges of physiological responses is one of the most attractive targets for drug development. Rhodopsin, a dim-light photoreceptor, has been extensively used as a model system for structural and functional study of GPCRs. Fish have rhodopsin finely-tuned to their habitats where the intensity and the wavelength of lights are changed depending on its water-depth. To study the detailed molecular characteristics of GPCR architecture and to understand the fishery light-sensing system, genes encoding rod opsins were isolated from fishes living under different photic environments. Full-length rod opsin genes were obtained by combination of PCR amplification and DNA walking strategy of genomic DNA isolated from olive flounder, P. olivaceus, Japanese eel, A. japonica, and Common carp C. carpio. Deduced amino acid sequences showed a typical feature of rod opsins including the sites for Schiffs base formation (Lys296) and its counter ion (Glu113), disulfide formation (Cys110 and Cys187), and palmitoylation (Cys322 and Cys323) although Cys322 is replaced by Phe in Japanese eel. Comparison of opsins by amino acid sequence alignment indicated the closest similarity between P. olivaceus and H. hippoglossus (94%), A. japonica and A. anguilla (98%), and C. carpio and C. auratus (95%), respectively.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2007

Rhodopsin, a dim-light receptor, is a model system for the study of G protein-coupled receptors that transduce extracellular signals into cells. To study the molecular mechanisms of visual systems in fish, the rod opsin gene of olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus was characterized. The full-length P. olivaceus opsin gene was obtained by PCR amplification of genomic DNA, as well as cDNA synthesis. A comparison of clones obtained from both methods indicated that the olive flounder rod opsin gene lacks introns. Sequence analysis of the opsin gene indicated that it contains a 1,056-bp open reading frame encoding 352 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence contains features of typical rod opsins, such as sites for Schiff's base formation (K296) and its counterion (E113), disulfide formation (C110 and C187), and palmitoylation (C322 and C323). An opsin sequence alignment showed the highest similarity between P. olivaceus and Solea solea (95.1%), followed by Hippoglossus hippoglossus (94.5%). An opsin phylogenetic tree revealed a close relationship between olive flounder and teleost rod opsins.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.169-176
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• 2022

A primary cilium, a hair-like protrusion of the plasma membrane, is a pivotal organelle for sensing external environmental signals and transducing intracellular signaling. An interesting linkage between cilia and obesity has been revealed by studies of the human genetic ciliopathies Bardet-Biedl syndrome and Alström syndrome, in which obesity is a principal manifestation. Mouse models of cell type-specific cilia dysgenesis have subsequently demonstrated that ciliary defects restricted to specific hypothalamic neurons are sufficient to induce obesity and hyperphagia. A potential mechanism underlying hypothalamic neuron cilia-related obesity is impaired ciliary localization of G protein-coupled receptors involved in the regulation of appetite and energy metabolism. A well-studied example of this is melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R), mutations in which are the most common cause of human monogenic obesity. In the paraventricular hypothalamus neurons, a blockade of ciliary trafficking of MC4R as well as its downstream ciliary signaling leads to hyperphagia and weight gain. Another potential mechanism is reduced leptin signaling in hypothalamic neurons with defective cilia. Leptin receptors traffic to the periciliary area upon leptin stimulation. Moreover, defects in cilia formation hamper leptin signaling and actions in both developing and differentiated hypothalamic neurons. The list of obesity-linked ciliary proteins is expending and this supports a tight association between cilia and obesity. This article provides a brief review on the mechanism of how ciliary defects in hypothalamic neurons facilitate obesity.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2012

Chemokine receptor antagonists have potential applications in field of drug discovery. Although the chemokine receptors are G-protein-coupled receptors, their cognate ligands are small proteins (8 to 12 kDa), and so inhibiting the ligand/receptor interaction has been challenging. The application of structure-based in-silico methods to drug discovery is still considered a major challenge, especially when the x-ray structure of the target protein is unknown. Such is the case with human CCR2 and CCR5, the most important members of the chemokine receptor family and also a potential drug target. Herein, we review the success stories of combined receptor modeling/mutagenesis approach to probe the allosteric nature of chemokine receptor binding by small molecule antagonists for CCR2 and CCR5 using Rhodopsin as template. We also urged the importance of recently available ${\beta}2$-andrenergic receptor as an alternate template to guide mutagenesis. The results demonstrate the usefulness and robustness of in-silico 3D models. These models could also be useful for the design of novel and potent CCR2 and CCR5 antagonists using structure based drug design.