• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2001

Synthetic pulmonary surfactants consisting of a mixture of phospholipids with synthetic peptides based on human surfactant-associated protein SP-B were prepared. These surfactants were analyzed f3r their secondary structures by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and NMR spectroscopy. Two synthetic peptides (SP-B(3), SP-B(4)) combined with the phospholipid mixture displayed significant surfactant properties. The CD spectra showed that the u-helical propensities of the peptides in DPC micelles. In the NMR spectroscopy, the tertiary structures of SP-B(3) show that it has $\alpha$-helical structure from Gln5 to Arg13 in DPC micelle and SP-B(4) show that they have $\alpha$-helical structure from Gln5 to Leu12 in DPC micelle. Based on these structures, truncated peptides originated from SP-B protein, can be designed as effective synthetic surfactants for clinical use.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.167-174
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• 2009

Genistein has been reported to potentiate glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Inhibitory activity on tyrosine kinase or activation of protein kinase A (PKA) was shown to play a role in the genistein-induced potentiation effect on GSIS. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the mechanism of genistein-induced potentiation of insulin secretion. Genistein augmented insulin secretion in INS-1 cells stimulated by various energygenerating nutrients such as glucose, pyruvate, or leucine/glutamine (Leu/Gln), but not the secretion stimulated by depolarizing agents such as KCl and tolbutamide, or $Ca^{2+}$ channel opener Bay K8644. Genistein at a concentration of $50{\mu}M$ showed a maximum potentiation effect on Leu/Gln-stimulated insulin secretion, but this was not sufficient to inhibit the activity of tyrosine kinase. Inhibitor studies as well as immunoblotting analysis demonstrated that activation of PKA was little involved in genistein-induced potentiation of Leu/Gln-stimulated insulin secretion. On the other hand, all the inhibitors of $Ca^{2+}$/calmodulin kinase II tested, significantly diminished genistein-induced potentiation. Genistein also elevated the levels of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and phospho-CaMK II. Furthermore, genistein augmented Leu/Gln-stimulated insulin secretion in CaMK II-overexpressing INS-1 cells. These data suggest that the activation of CaMK II played a role in genistein-induced potentiation of insulin secretion.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.2811-2819
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• 2016

Multiple genetic and environmental factors have been reported to play key role in the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Here, we investigated interactions of XRCC1 Arg399Gln and XRCC2 Arg188His polymorphisms and environmental factors in modulating susceptibility to NPC in Northeast India. One-hundred NPC patients, 90 first-degree relatives of patients and 120 controls were enrolled in the study. XRCC1 Arg399Gln and XRCC2 Arg188His polymorphisms were determined using PCR-RFLP, and the results were confirmed by DNA sequencing. Logistic regression (LR) and multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) approaches were applied for statistical analysis. The XRCC1 Gln/Gln genotype showed increased risk (OR=2.76; P<0.024) of NPC. However, individuals with both XRCC1 and XRCC2 polymorphic variants had 3.2 fold elevated risk (P<0.041). An enhanced risk of NPC was also observed in smoked meat (OR=4.07; P=0.004) and fermented fish consumers (OR=4.34, P=0.001), and tobacco-betel quid chewers (OR=7.00; P=0.0001) carrying XRCC1 polymorphic variants. However, smokers carrying defective XRCC1 gene showed the highest risk (OR = 7.47; P<0.0001). On MDR analysis, the best model for NPC risk was the five-factor model combination of XRCC1 variant genotype, fermented fish, smoked meat, smoking and chewing (CVC=10/10; TBA=0.636; P<0.0001); whereas in interaction entropy graphs, smoked meat and tobacco chewing showed synergistic interactions with XRCC1. These findings suggest that interaction of genetic and environmental factors might increase susceptibility to NPC in Northeast Indian populations.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.219-223
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the body composition, biochemical parameters, and consumption of convenience foods according to leptin receptor polymorphism in university students. A survey was conducted on a total of 418 students - 271 males and 147 females. Based on a self-reporting method, questionnaires were administered for over 20 minutes, and leptin receptor and blood samples were analyzed. The genotype frequencies of leptin receptor polymorphism were Gln/Arg heterozygote (64.8%) and Gln/Gln homozygote (35.2%). Leptin polymormphism showed no significant association with biochemical parameters(ALT, cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and hemoglobin) and body composition. GG homozygote was associated with a higher risk of visceral fat obesity compared to those with GA heterozygote (odd ratio 1.758, 95% confidence intervals 0.812~3.803). Leptin polymorphism appeared to be a genetic risk factor for visceral fat obesity. This study suggests that leptin polymorphism has a causative role to body fat distribution in Korean.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1133-1140
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• 2014

Altered DNA repair capacity can result in increased susceptibility to cancer. The base excision repair (BER) pathway effectively removes DNA damage caused by ionizing radiation and reactive oxidative species (ROS). In the current study, we analyzed the possible relation of polymorphisms in BER genes, including 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1), apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1), and X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 protein (XRCC1), with breast cancer risk in Chinese Han women. This case-control study examined 194 patients with breast cancer and 245 cancer-free hospitalized control subjects. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of OGG1 (Ser326Cys), XRCC1 (Arg399Gln), and APE1 (Asp148Glu and -141T/G) were genotyped and analyzed for their association with breast cancer risk using multivariate logistic regression models. We found that XRCC1 Arg399Gln was significantly associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Similarly, the XRCC1 Gln allele was significantly associated with an elevated risk in postmenopausal women and women with a high BMI (${\geq}24kg/m^2$). The OGG1 Cys allele provided a significant protective effect against developing cancer in women with a low BMI (< $24kg/m^2$). When analyzing the combined effects of these alleles on the risk of breast cancer, we found that individuals with ${\geq}2$ adverse genotypes (XRCC1 399Gln, APE1 148Asp, and OGG1 326Ser) were at a 2.18-fold increased risk of breast cancer (P = 0.027). In conclusion, our data indicate that Chinese women with the 399Gln allele of XRCC1 have an increased risk of breast cancer, and the combined effects of polymorphisms of BER genes may contribute to tumorigenesis.

• Rapid Communication in Photoscience
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.59-62
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• 2015

We investigated photo-induced electron transfer (PET) in a dye-labeled peptide, fluorophore-Ala-Gly-Gln-Tyr, employing time-resolved fluorescence. As an effort to develop new functional dyes, we studied an acriflavine derivative for the electron-acceptor in the excited state from tyrosine, an electrondonor in the ground-state. The pH dependence of the fluorescence lifetime of the model peptide indicates that electron transfer between the excited dye and tyrosine occurs when the tyrosine is deprotonated. The proton-coupled electron transfer appears to be sequential rather than concerted. We also report direct time measurements on the end-to-end loop formation processes of the peptide in water.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.556-564
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• 2007

Purpose : We hypothesized that the persisting bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) of adolescents with asthma remission may be controlled mainly by genetic factors, and the BHR of symptomatic asthma by airway inflammation. ${\beta}_2$-adrenoceptor gene is considered to be a candidate gene in the development of BHR. Thus, ${\beta}_2$-adrenoceptor gene polymorphism may be associated with the BHR of adolescents with asthma remission, but not with the BHR of symptomatic asthma. To evaluate this hypothesis, ${\beta}_2$-adrenoceptor gene polymorphism at 2 sites (Arg16-Gly, Gln27-Glu) were examined. Methods : Two hundred two adolescents with BHR ($PC_{20}<18\;mg/mL$) and long term remission (neither asthma-related symptoms nor medication during the previous 2 years) of their asthma (remission group), 182 adolescents with symptomatic asthma (symptomatic group), and 200 healthy adolescents (control group) were studied. Asthma phenotypes were determined using methacholine bronchial provocation test and skin prick test. Genotypes of ${\beta}_2$-adrenoceptor polymorphism were evaluated by PCR-based methods. Results : Gly/Gly allele and Gly16-Gln27 haplotype were more prevalent in the remission group than in the control group (P=0.01, P=0.02), although there was no difference between the symptomatic group and the control group. In the remission group, there was significant difference in geometric mean of $PC_{20}$ among the 3 groups subdivided by the number of Gly16-Gln27 haplotype, showing that the Gly16-Gln27 haplotype was positively associated with BHR. However, no association was found between Gly16-Gln27 haplotype and BHR in the symptomatic group. Conclusion : This study demonstrates that ${\beta}_2$-adrenoceptor polymorphism at amino acid 16 and 27 was associated with BHR persisting in adolescents with asthma remission.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2541-2545
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• 2012

Objective: To investigate any association between XRCC1 and XRCC3 polymorphisms and outcome of platinum-based chemotherapy in ovarian cancer patients. Methods: With a prospective study design was cases were consecutively collected from January 2005 to January 2007. All 310 included patients were followed-up until the end of January 2010. Genotyping of XRCC1 and XRCC3 polymorphisms was conducted by TaqMan Gene Expression assays. Results: A total of 191 patients died during follow-up. Our study showed a lower survival rate in XRCC1 399 Arg/Arg genotype than Gln/Gln, with a significant increased risk of death (HR=1.69, 95%CI=1.07-2.78). Similarly, those carrying XRCC3 Thr/Thr genotype had a increased risk as compare to the Met/Met genotype, with a HR (95% CI) of 1.90 (1.12-3.41). There was no significant association between XRCC1 Arg194Trp and XRCC1Arg280His gene polymorphisms and ovarian cancer death. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that polymorphisms in DNA repair genes have roles in the susceptibility and survival of ovarian cancer patients.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.723-727
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• 2005

Ghrelin is a novel growth-hormone-releasing acylated peptide, which has been purified and identified in rat stomach. In the present study, the full-length sequence of bovine ghrelin cDNA was cloned by RT-PCR. The bovine ghrelin cDNA sequence derived in the present study included a 348 bp open reading frame and a 137 bp 3'UTR. The putative amino acid sequence of bovine prepro-ghrelin consisted of 116 amino acids, which contained the 27-amino acid ghrelin. The sequence analysis of the bovine ghrelin gene revealed that an intron existed between Gln$^{13}$ and Arg$^{14}$ of ghrelin. This exon-intron boundary matched the GT-AG rule of the splicing mechanism. Compared with rats, which have two tandem CAG sequences in the 3'end of intron, bovine ghrelin genome has only one CAG sequence. Therefore, although rats can produce 28 amino acid-ghrelin and 27 amino acid-des-Gln$^{14}$-ghrelin by alternative splicing, ruminant species, including bovines, might be able to produce only one type of ghrelin peptide, des-Gln$^{14}$-ghrelin. The influence of aging on plasma ghrelin concentration was also examined. Plasma ghrelin concentration increased after birth to approximately 600 days of age, and then remained constant.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.5007-5010
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• 2012

Objective: We conducted a prospective study to test the association between three amino acid substitution polymorphismic variants of DNA repair genes, XRCC1 (Arg194Trp), XRCC1(Arg280His) and XRCC1 (Arg399Gln), and clinical outcome of ovarian cancer patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods: 195 patients with primary advanced ovarian cancer and treated by adjuvant chemotherapy were included in our study. All were followed-up from Jan. 2007 to Jan. 2012. Genotyping of XRCC1 polymorphisms was conducted by TaqMan Gene Expression assays. Results: The XRCC1 194 Trp/Trp genotype conferred a significant risk of death from ovarian cancer when compared with Arg/Arg (HR=1.56, 95%CI=1.04-3.15). Similarly, those carrying the XRCC1 399 Gln/Gln genotype had a increased risk of death as compared to the XRCC1 399Arg/Arg genotype with an HR (95% CI) of 1.98 (1.09-3.93). Conclusion: This study is the first to provide evidence that XRCC1 gene polymorphisms would well be useful as surrogate markers of clinical outcome in ovarian cancer cases undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy.