• Laboraroty Animal Research
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.257-263
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• 2018

Trefoil factor 1 (TFF1, also known as pS2) is strongly expressed in the gastrointestinal mucosa and plays a critical role in the differentiation of gastric glands. Since approximately 50% of all human gastric cancers are associated with decreased TFF1 expression, it is considered a tumor suppressor gene. Tff1 deficiency in mice results in histological changes in the antral and pyloric gastric mucosa, with severe hyperplasia and dysplasia of epithelial cells, resulting in the development of antropyloric adenoma. Here, we generated Tff1-knockout (KO) mice, without a neomycin resistant ($Neo^R$) cassette, using the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated nuclease 9 (CRSIPR/Cas9) system. Though our Tff1-KO mice showed phenotypes very similar to the previous embryonic stem (ES)-cell-based KO mice, they differed from the previous reports in that a reduction in body weight was observed in males. These results demonstrate that these newly established Tff1-KO mice are useful tools for investigating genetic and environmental factors influencing gastric cancer, without the effects of artificial gene insertion. Furthermore, these findings suggest a novel hypothesis that Tff1 expression influences gender differences.

• BMB Reports
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• 제55권4호
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• pp.192-197
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• 2022

Cell signals for growth factors depend on the mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding the cells. Microtubule acetylation is involved in the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation in the soft ECM. However, the mechanism of activation of α-tubulin acetyltransferase 1 (α-TAT1), a major α-tubulin acetyltransferase, in the soft ECM is not well defined. Here, we found that casein kinase 2 (CK2) is required for the TGF-β-induced activation of α-TAT1 that promotes microtubule acetylation in the soft matrix. Genetic mutation and pharmacological inhibition of CK2 catalytic activity specifically reduced microtubule acetylation in the cells cultured on a soft matrix rather than those cultured on a stiff matrix. Immunoprecipitation analysis showed that CK2α, a catalytic subunit of CK2, directly bound to the C-terminal domain of α-TAT1, and this interaction was more prominent in the cells cultured on the soft matrix. Moreover, the substitution of alanine with serine, the 236th amino acid located at the C-terminus, which contains the CK2-binding site of α-TAT1, significantly abrogated the TGF-β-induced microtubule acetylation in the soft matrix, indicating that the successful binding of CK2 and the C-terminus of α-TAT1 led to the phosphorylation of serine at the 236th position of amino acids in α-TAT1 and regulation of its catalytic activity. Taken together, our findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the TGF-β-induced activation of α-TAT1 in a soft matrix.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.368-379
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• 2022

Hyaluronic acid (HA), a ligand of CD44, accumulates in some types of tumors and is responsible for tumor progression. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2 (NRF2) regulates cytoprotective genes and drug transporters, which promotes therapy resistance in tumors. Previously, we showed that high levels of CD44 are associated with NRF2 activation in cancer stem like-cells. Herein, we demonstrate that HA production was increased in doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer MCF7 cells (MCF7-DR) via the upregulation of HA synthase-2 (HAS2). HA incubation increased NRF2, aldo-keto reductase 1C1 (AKR1C1), and multidrug resistance gene 1 (MDR1) levels. Silencing of HAS2 or CD44 suppressed NRF2 signaling in MCF7-DR, which was accompanied by increased doxorubicin sensitivity. The treatment with a HAS2 inhibitor, 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU), decreased NRF2, AKR1C1, and MDR1 levels in MCF7-DR. Subsequently, 4-MU treatment inhibited sphere formation and doxorubicin resistance in MCF7-DR. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data analysis across 32 types of tumors indicates the amplification of HAS2 gene is a common genetic alteration and is negatively correlated with the overall survival rate. In addition, high HAS2 mRNA levels are associated with increased NRF2 signaling and poor clinical outcome in breast cancer patients. Collectively, these indicate that HAS2 elevation contributes to chemoresistance and sphere formation capacity of drug-resistant MCF7 cells by activating CD44/NRF2 signaling, suggesting a potential benefit of HAS2 inhibition.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제26권6호
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• pp.457-468
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• 2022

It has been demonstrated that APPL1 (adaptor protein, phosphotyrosine interacting with PH domain and leucine zipper 1) is involved in the regulation of several growth-related signaling pathways and thus closely associated with the development and progression of some cancers. Diallyl trisulfide (DAT), a garlic-derived bioactive compound, exerts selective cytotoxicity to various human cancer cells through interfering with pro-survival signaling pathways. However, whether and how DAT affects survival of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells remain unclear. Herein, we tested the hypothesis of the involvement of APPL1 in DAT-induced cytotoxicity in HCC HepG2 cells. We found that Lys 63 (K63)-linked polyubiquitination of APPL1 was significantly decreased whereas phosphorylation of APPL1 at serine residues remained unchanged in DAT-treated HepG2 cells. Compared with wild-type APPL1, overexpression of APPL1 K63R mutant dramatically increased cell apoptosis and mitigated cell survival, along with a reduction of phosphorylation of STAT3, Akt, and Erk1/2. In addition, DAT administration markedly reduced protein levels of intracellular TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6). Genetic inhibition of TRAF6 decreased K63-linked polyubiquitination of APPL1. Moreover, the cytotoxicity impacts of DAT on HepG2 cells were greatly attenuated by overexpression of wild-type APPL1. Taken together, these results suggest that APPL1 polyubiquitination probably mediates the inhibitory effects of DAT on survival of HepG2 cells by modulating STAT3, Akt, and Erk1/2 pathways.

• Mycobiology
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.46-54
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• 2022

Although Apiospora Sacc. has previously been considered a sexual morph of Arthrinium species on the basis of phylogenetic, morphological, and ecological diagnoses, a recent study delimited these as different species. Recently, 14 species, including eight new species, of marine Arthrinium have been reported from Korea. Six known species have previously been renamed as species in the genus Apiospora (A. arundinis, A. marii, A. piptatheri, A. rasikravindrae, A. sacchari, and A. saccharicola). However, the eight new species of marine Arthrinium (Ar. agari, Ar. arctoscopi, Ar. fermenti, Ar. koreanum, Ar. marinum, Ar. pusillispermum, Ar. sargassi, and Ar. taeanense) are yet to be studied, and thus the taxonomic status of these species remains to be clarified. In this study, we conducted phylogenetic analyses using the internal transcribed spacer, 28S large subunit ribosomal RNA gene, translation elongation factor 1-alpha, and beta-tubulin regions to confirm the phylogenetic position of these eight species. Based on these analyses, we re-identified the eight Arthrinium species as new combinations in Apiospora. Additionally, among the six known Apiospora species, two (A. piptatheri and A. rasikravindrae) have not previously been recorded in Korea. On the basis of morphological and molecular analyses, we report these as new species in Korea. Herein, we present scanning electron micrographs detailing the morphologies of these species, along with phylogenetic trees and detailed descriptions.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.23-36
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• 2022

Pharyngeal pouches, a series of outgrowths of the pharyngeal endoderm, are a key epithelial structure governing facial skeleton development in vertebrates. Pouch formation is achieved through collective cell migration and rearrangement of pouch-forming cells controlled by actin cytoskeleton dynamics. While essential transcription factors and signaling molecules have been identified in pouch formation, regulators of actin cytoskeleton dynamics have not been reported yet in any vertebrates. Cofilin1-like (Cfl1l) is a fish-specific member of the Actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF)/Cofilin family, a critical regulator of actin cytoskeleton dynamics in eukaryotic cells. Here, we report the expression and function of cfl1l in pouch development in zebrafish. We first showed that fish cfl1l might be an ortholog of vertebrate adf, based on phylogenetic analysis of vertebrate adf and cfl genes. During pouch formation, cfl1l was expressed sequentially in the developing pouches but not in the posterior cell mass in which future pouch-forming cells are present. However, pouches, as well as facial cartilages whose development is dependent upon pouch formation, were unaffected by loss-of-function mutations in cfl1l. Although it could not be completely ruled out a possibility of a genetic redundancy of Cfl1l with other Cfls, our results suggest that the cfl1l expression in the developing pouches might be dispensable for regulating actin cytoskeleton dynamics in pouch-forming cells.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제46권7호
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• pp.420-429
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• 2023

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness in elderly individuals. However, the currently used intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor are invasive, and repetitive injections are also accompanied by a risk of intraocular infection. The pathogenic mechanism of AMD is still not completely understood, but a multifactorial mechanism that combines genetic predisposition and environmental factors, including cellular senescence, has been suggested. Cellular senescence refers to the accumulation of cells that stop dividing due to the presence of free radicals and DNA damage. Characteristics of senescent cells include nuclear hypertrophy, increased levels of cell cycle inhibitors such as p16 and p21, and resistance to apoptosis. Senolytic drugs remove senescent cells by targeting the main characteristics of these cells. One of the senolytic drugs, ABT-263, which inhibits the antiapoptotic functions of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, may be a new treatment for AMD patients because it targets senescent retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. We proved that it selectively kills doxorubicin (Dox)-induced senescent ARPE-19 cells by activating apoptosis. By removing senescent cells, the expression of inflammatory cytokines was reduced, and the proliferation of the remaining cells was increased. When ABT-263 was orally administered to the mouse model of senescent RPE cells induced by Dox, we confirmed that senescent RPE cells were selectively removed and retinal degeneration was alleviated. Therefore, we suggest that ABT-263, which removes senescent RPE cells through its senolytic effect, has the potential to be the first orally administered senolytic drug for the treatment of AMD.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제33권7호
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• pp.586-592
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• 2023

돼지 정액을 저장하는 동안 산화스트레스의 발생은 정자의 질과 생존에 영향을 미치는 중요한 인자이다. 정액의 저장은 온도 변화, 동결보호제 등의 다양한 스트레스 인자에 노출되어 있다. 이러한 정자 내에서의 산화스트레스는 활성산소종의 생성에 의해 발생되며, 이는 지질, 단백질, DNA와 같은 세포를 구성하는 물질에 산화적으로 손상을 일으킨다. 활성산소종과 항산화물질의 균형있는 체계는 정자의 생존과 그 기능을 유지하는 데 중요한 역할을 한다. 정액을 장기간 보존하게 되면 활성산소종의 수준이 증가하여 정자의 운동성, 막 온전성, DNA 온전성에 영향을 미치게 된다. 또한, 활성산소종에 의해 유도된 지질과산화 반응은 정자막의 유동성과 안정성에 영향을 미쳐 정자의 운동성을 감소시킨다. 그리고, DNA의 산화적 손상은 DNA 단편화를 일으켜 정자의 DNA 온전성을 손상시킬 수 있다. 결론적으로, 정액을 보관하는 동안 발생되는 산화스트레스는 정자의 질과 기능을 유지하는 데 중요하다. 따라서, 산화스트레스의 기본적인 메커니즘과 정자의 기능에 미치는 영향을 이해하는 것은 산화스트레스로부터의 손상을 최소화하고, 효율적이고 기능적인 정자의 저장 방법을 개선하기 위한 효과적인 전략과 연구 개발을 위해 중요할 것으로 판단된다.

• 한국식생활문화학회지
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• 제23권5호
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• pp.655-661
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• 2008

The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) in children has increased dramatically in recent years. Although AD has genetic determinants, this rapid increase is most likely due to changes in environmental influences--for example, dietary changes. The purpose of this case-control study was to assess the relationship between the risk of developing AD and dietary factors, including eating habits, food intake, and the consumption of various functional foods in children at ages of 7 or 8 years. 143 AD patients and 335 healthy children participated in this study. A mini-dietary assessment was utilized to evaluate the food intake and dietary patterns of the children, and other information, including demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, eating habits, and the frequency of functional food use was collected using a questionnaire. The results demonstrated that, among the demographic and socioeconomic factors assessed in this study, female gender, mother's employment, and the family history of AD significantly increased the risk of AD. However, no differences in dietary habits and specific food intake between AD patients and healthy controls were identified. On the other hand, the frequencies of taking multivitamin supplements, Spirulina, or gamma-linoleic acid were significantly higher in AD patients than in the controls. These data indicate that alterations in eating habits and the intake of certain foods may not be a critical cause associated with the risk of AD in school-age children, and caution should be taken in recommending food elimination diets for the purpose of preventing AD. Further studies are required in order to determine whether the intake of specific nutrients could contribute to the increase or prevention of the development of AD in school-age children.

• 한국작물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국작물학회 2022년도 추계학술대회
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• pp.285-285
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• 2022

Recent unpredictable climate change is a major cause of rice yield loss. In particular, methane is a key factor in global warming. Therefore rice breeders are trying to breed the reducing-methane gas emission rice using the crossbreeding method. However, the traditional crossbreeding method takes 8 to 10 years to breed a cultivar, and the anther culture method developed to shorten the breeding cycle also takes 6 to 7 years. On the other hand, CRISPR/Cas9 accurately edits the target trait and can rapidly breed rice cultivars by editing the target trait as a homozygous in 2-3 years. In addition, exogenous genetic elements such as Cas9 can be isolated from the G₁ generation. Therefore, the flowering time was regulated by applying CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and OsCKq1 genome-editing (OsCKq1-G) rice with early flowered and high yield was bred in the field. Genome-editing of OsCKq1 applied CRISPR/Cas9 technology up-regulates the expression of the flowering promotion gene Ehd1 under long-day conditions induces early flowering and increases the yield by increasing the 1,000-grain weight. And as the generations advanced, each agricultural trait indicated a low coefficient of variation. As a result, indicated that OsCKq1 plays an important role in regulating the flowering time and is related to the trait determining yield. Therefore, OsCKq1-G can suggest a breeding strategy for the Net-Zero national policy for reducing-methane gas emission rice by shortening the breeding cycle with the early flowered, and high-yield rice. CRISPR/Cas9 technology is a rapid and accurate breeding technology for breeding rice cultivars with important characteristics.