• 생명과학회지
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• 제28권9호
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• pp.1100-1117
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• 2018

Ras superfamily에 속하는 monomeric small GTPase는 현재까지 170여 종이 알려져 있으며 이들은 세포 신호전달에 있어서 분자 스위치(molecular switch)로 작용하고 있다. Ras GTPase는 guanosine diphosphate (GDP)와 결합하여 불활성화 되거나 혹은 guanosine triphosphate (GTP)와 결합하여 활성화되는 guanosine nucleotide 결합단백질로서 세포내의 수많은 생리작용을 조절하고 있다. 즉, 쉬고 있던 불활성화 상태의 Ras-GDP는 외부 신호에 반응하여 활성화 된 guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF)에 의하여 활성형인 Ras-GTP상태로 전환되어 그 하류로 신호를 전달하는 효과기로 작용하게 된다. 신호전달을 마친 Ras-GTP는 다시 불활성형인 Ras-GDP로 전환되어야 하는데 Ras 자체의 GTPase 활성이 미약하여 RasGTPase activating protein (RasGAP)의 도움을 받아야만 한다. 이와 같이 Ras GTPase는 GEF와 GAP의 활성으로 세포 안의 스위치를 켜고 끄게 된다. 현재까지 알려진 인간 암(cancer)의 30% 이상이 돌연변이를 포함하는 Ras switch의 비정상적인 작동에 기인한다는 점이 밝혀져 있으므로 Ras GTPase의 구조와 생리적 기능에 대한 최근의 연구결과들을 요약하였다. 나아가 GTPase activating protein으로서의 기능을 상실한 RasGAP분자의 돌연변이는 세포 안의 Ras 스위치를 계속 켜 두는 상태인 Ras-GTP 상태를 유발함으로서 종국에는 암의 발생을 촉발하게 된다. 이에, 본고에서는 최근에 와서 tumor suppressor로서 알려지면서 암의 치료 표적단백질로 떠오르게 된 RasGAP의 인체생리학적 기능을 고찰하였다. 인간 게놈 안에는 RASA1, NF1, GAP1 family 및 SynGAP family 등에 속하는 14종의 RasGAP 분자들이 존재하는데 이들 GAP분자들의 이상과 인간 질병의 연관성에 대한 최근의 연구결과들에 대해 고찰하였다.

• BMB Reports
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.95-101
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• 2001

Tissue transglutaminase (TGII, $G{\alpha}h$) belongs to a family of enzymes which catalyze post-translational modification of proteins by forming isopeptides via $Ca^{2+}$-dependent reaction. Although TGII-mediated formation of isopeptides has been implicated to play a role in a variety of cellular processes, the physiological function of TGII remains unclear. In addition to this Tease activity, TGII is a guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) which binds and hydrolyzes GTP It is now well recognized that the GTPase action of TGII regulates a receptor-mediated transmembrane signaling, functioning as a signal transducer of the receptor. This TGII function signifies that TGII is a new class of GTP-binding regulatory protein (G-protein) that differs from "Classical" heterotrimeric G-proteins. Regulation of enzyme is an important biological process for maintaining cell integrity. This review summarizes the recent development in regulation of TGII that may help for the better understanding of this unique enzyme. Since activation and inactivation of GTPase of TGII are similar to the heterotrimeric G-proteins, the regulation of heterotrimeric G-protein in the transmembrane signaling is also discussed.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제50권3호
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• pp.109-114
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• 2007

Sar1p is a ras-related GTP-binding protein that functions in intracellular protein transport between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the Golgi complex. The effector domain of Ras family proteins is highly conserved and this domain is functionally interchangeable in plant, yeast and mammalian Sar1. Using a recombinant Brassica sar1 protein (Bsar1p) harboring point mutations in its effector domain, we here investigated the ability of Sar1p to bind and hydrolyze GTP and to interact with the two sar1-specific regulators, GTPase activating protein (GAP) and guanine exchange factor (GEF). The T51A and T55A mutations impaired Bsar1p intrinsic GTP-binding and GDP-dissociation activity. In contrast, mutations in the switch domain of Bsar1 did not affect its intrinsic GTPase activity. Moreover, the P50A, P54A, and S56A mutations affected the interaction between Bsar1p and GAP. P54A mutant protein did not interact with two regulating proteins, GEF and GAP, even though the mutation didn't affect the intrinsic GTP-binding, nucleotide exchange or GTPase activity of Bsar1p.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제41권5호
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• pp.655-660
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• 2012

밭마늘과 논마늘(영천산)의 매운맛 차이를 알아보고자, 마늘의 매운맛 생성에 관여하는 주요 인자들인 alliin과 allcin 그리고 SAC의 함량을 HPLC로 분석하고, 이들 함함성분의 생성에 관여하는 효소인 alliinase와 GTPase(${\gamma}$-glutamyl trans peptidase) 활성 및 pyruvate 생성량과 일반성분을 분석하였다. 수분함량은 논마늘이 밭마늘에 비하여 높았으며, 조회분, 조지방, 조단백, 탄수화물 함량 역시 밭마늘이 논마늘에 비하여 높았다. 마늘의 주요 매운맛 성분인 allicin 함량은 밭마늘이 $2.83{\pm}0.03$ mg/g, 논마늘이 $2.22{\pm}0.02$ mg/g을 나타내어 밭마늘이 논마늘에 비하여 유의적으로 높았다. Allicin의 전구체인 alliin의 함량은 밭마늘이 $8.97{\pm}0.09$ mg/g, 논마늘이 $8.22{\pm}0.08$ mg/g으로 나타났다. SAC 함량은 밭마늘이 $1.74{\pm}0.17$ mg/g으로, 논마늘의 $1.04{\pm}0.14$ mg/g에 비하여 유의적으로 높았다. 한편, 효소 alliinase 활성도는 밭마늘이 $285{\pm}43{\mu}mole/mg$ protein, 논마늘이 $239{\pm}34{\mu}mole/mg$ protein을 나타내어 유의적인 차이는 없었으나, GTPase 활성은 밭마늘이 86.3 ${\mu}mole/mg$ protein으로 논마늘의 78.4 ${\mu}mole/mg$ protein에 비하여 높게 나타내었다. 이상의 결과를 토대로 밭마늘이 매운 맛이 강한 것은 본 연구결과로부터 allicin 함량이 논마늘에 비하여 높은 데 기인된 것으로 파악되었다. 밭마늘은 논마늘에 비하여 alliinase 활성은 유사하였으나 alliin의 함량이 높아 allicin 생성량이 많았으며, SAC가 높고 GTPase의 활성이 높아 alliin의 함량이 높은 것으로 생각되었다. 따라서, 마늘을 기능성 식품소재로의 활용을 극대화하고자 한다면 밭마늘이 논마늘보다 더 적합한 것으로 생각된다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.109-120
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• 2014

The epothilones are a class of microtubule inhibitors that exhibit a strong antitumor activity. UTD2 is a novel epothilone analog generated by genetic manipulation of the polyketide biosynthetic gene cluster. This study investigated the effects of UTD2 on the actin cytoskeleton and its critical regulators, and the signaling pathways which are essential for cell motility, growth and survival in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Results showed that UTD2 inhibited the cellular functions of actin cytoskeleton, such as wound-closure, migration and invasion, as well as adhesion. Our study further demonstrated that UTD2 suppressed Rac1 GTPase activation and reduced the activity of PAK1, which is a downstream effector of Rac1, while the activity of Cdc42 was not affected. Additionally, the phosphorylation of p38 and ERK were significantly inhibited, but the phosphorylation of JNK remained the same after UTD2 treatment. Moreover, UTD2 inhibited the activity and mRNA expression of MMP-2, which plays a key role in cell motility. UTD2 also reduced the phosphorylation of Akt, which is an important signaling kinase regulating the cell survival through Rac1. Furthermore, UTD2 interrupted the synergy between Rac1 and Raf in focus formation assays. Taken together, these results indicated that UTD2 exerted multiple effects on the actin cytoskeleton and signaling pathways associated with Rac1. This study provided novel insights into the molecular mechanism of the antineoplastic and antimetastatic activities of epothilones. Our findings also suggest that the signaling pathways regulated by Rac1 may be evaluated as biomarkers for the response to therapy in clinical trials of epothilones.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.251-260
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• 2006

During mitosis, genomic integrity is maintained by the proper coordination of anaphase entry and mitotic exit via mitotic checkpoints. In budding yeast, mitotic exit is controlled by a regulatory cascade called the mitotic exit network (MEN). The MEN is regulated by a small GTPase, Tem1p, which in turn is controlled by a two-component GAP, Bfa1p-Bub2p. Recent results suggested that phosphorylation of Bfa1p by the polorelated kinase Cdc5p is also required for triggering mitotic exit, since it decreases the GAP activity of Bfa1p-Bub2p. However, the dispensability of GEF Lte1p for mitotic exit has raised questions about regulation of the MEN by the GTPase activity of Tem1p. We isolated a Bfa1p mutant, $Bfa1p^{E438K}$, whose overexpression only partially induced anaphase arrest. The molecular and biochemical functions of $Bfa1p^{E438K}$ are similar to those of wild type Bfa1p, except for decreased GAP activity. Interestingly, in $BFA1^{E438K}$ cells, the MEN could be regulated with nearly wild type kinetics at physiological temperature, as well as in response to various checkpoint-activating signals, but the cells were more sensitive to spindle damage than wild type. These results suggest that the GAP activity of Bfa1p-Bub2p is responsible for the mitotic arrest caused by spindle damage and Bfa1p overproduction. In addition, the viability of cdc5-2 ${\Delta}bfa1 $ cells was not reduced by $BFA1^{E438K}$, suggesting that Cdc5p also regulates Bfa1p to activate mitotic exit by other mechanism(s), besides phosphorylation.

• BMB Reports
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• 제36권2호
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• pp.196-200
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• 2003

Previously, we reported the biochemical properties of RGA1 that is expressed in Escherichia coli (Seo et al., 1997). The activities of RGA1 that hydrolyzes and binds guanine nucleotide were dependent on the $MgCl_2$ concentration. The steady state rate constant ($k_{cat}$) for GTP hydrolysis of RGA1 at 2 mM $MgCl_2$ was $0.0075{\pm}0.0001\;min^{-1}$. Here, we examined the effects of pH and cations on the GTPase activity. The optimum pH at 2 mM $MgCl_2$ was approximately 6.0; whereas, the pH at 2 mM $NH_4Cl$ was approximately 4.0. The result from the cation dependence on the GTPase (guanosine 5'-triphosphatase) activity of RGA1 under the same condition showed that the GTP hydrolysis rate ($k_{cat}=0.0353\;min^{-1}$) under the condition of 2mM $NH_4Cl$ at pH 4.0 was the highest. It corresponded to about 3.24-fold of the $k_{cat}$ value of $0.0109\;min^{-1}$ in the presence of 2 mM $MgCl_2$ at pH 6.0.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.81-90
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• 2020

Objectives : This study was conducted to investigate the effects of major constituents of Epimedium koreanum Nakai (Icariin, epimedium A, epimedium B, and epimedium C) on melanin synthesis. Methods : We measured melanin contents, tyrosinase activity, and expression of Rab27a in B16F10 cells cultured with Epimedium koreanum Nakai ethanol extract (EKN) and their major constituents. After treatment with H89 and dibutyryl cAMP, which inhibit or promote the activation of PKA, we observed changes in melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity stimulated by EKN. Results : Among them, EKN and icariin enhanced tyrosinase activity and melanin contents. We confirmed that EKN augmented melanin synthesis via cAMP/PKA pathway. Icariin-induced tyrosinase activity and melanin content were attenuated by PKA inhibitor H89, while melanogenic effect of icariin was further augmented by cAMP analog, dbc AMP. However, icariin did not affect the expression of small GTPase Rab27a involved in melanosome transport. Conclusions : These results suggest that icariin promotes melanogenesis through cAMP/PKA pathway but does not affect small GTPase Rab27a.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.48-58
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• 2023

Interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) integrates both immunological and non-immunological inputs to control cell survival and death. Small GTPases are versatile functional switches that lie on the very upstream in signal transduction pathways, of which duration of activation is very transient. The large number of homologous proteins and the requirement for site-directed mutagenesis have hindered attempts to investigate the link between small GTPases and IRF3. Here, we constructed a constitutively active mutant expression library for small GTPase expression using Gibson assembly cloning. Small-scale screening identified multiple GTPases capable of promoting IRF3 phosphorylation. Intriguingly, 27 of 152 GTPases, including ARF1, RHEB, RHEBL1, and RAN, were found to increase IRF3 phosphorylation. Unbiased screening enabled us to investigate the sequence-activity relationship between the GTPases and IRF3. We found that the regulation of IRF3 by small GTPases was dependent on TBK1. Our work reveals the significant contribution of GTPases in IRF3 signaling and the potential role of IRF3 in GTPase function, providing a novel therapeutic approach against diseases with GTPase overexpression or active mutations, such as cancer.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.8-16
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• 2006

The regulators of the G protein signaling (RGS) proteins are responsible for the rapid acceleration of the GTPase-activity intrinsic to the heterotrimeric G protein alpha subunits. As GTPase-activating proteins (GAP), the RGS proteins negatively regulate the G-protein signals. Recently, the RGS proteins are known to be one of the important regulators of opioid signal transduction and the development of tolerance. The aim of this study was to review the recent discovery and understanding of the role of RGS proteins in opioid signaling and the development of tolerance. This information will be useful for medical personnel, particularly those involved in anesthesia and pain medicine, by helping them improve the effective use of opioids and develop new drugs that can prevent opioid tolerance.