• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.4 s.84
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• pp.593-598
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• 2007

Amino acids of histone tail are covalently modified in eukaryotic cells. Lysine residues in histone H3 and H4 are methylated at three levels; mono-, di- or trimethylation. Methylation in histones is related with transcription of the genes in distinct pattern depending on lysine residues and methylated levels. Relation between transcription and methylation has been relatively well understood at three lysines H3K4, H3K9 and H3K36. H3K4 is methylated in active or potentially active chromatin and its methylation associates with active transcription. H3K9 is generally methylated in heterochromatin or repressed gene, but trimethylation of this lysine occur in actively transcribed genes also. Methylation at H3K36 generally correlates with active chromatin/transcription, but the correlation of its dimethylation with transcription is controversial. All together methylation patterns of individual lysine residues in histone relate with activation or repression of transcription and may provide distinctive roles in transcriptional regulation of the eukaryotic genes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.713-721
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• 2020

Adipogenesis as a model system is needed to understand the molecular mechanisms of human adipocyte biology and the pathogenesis of obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic syndromes. Many relevant studies have been conducted with a focus on gene expression regulation and intracellular signaling relating to Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), which are master adipogenic transcription factors. However, epigenome regulation of adipogenesis by epigenomic modifiers or histone mutations is not fully understood. Histone methylation is one of the major epigenetic modifications on gene expression in mammals, and histone H3 lysine methylation (H3Kme) in particular implicates cell differentiation during various tissue and organ development. During adipogenesis, cell type-specific enhancers are marked by histone H3K4me1 with the active enhancer mark H3K27ac. Mixed-lineage leukemia 4 (MLL4) is a major H3K4 mono-methyltransferase on the adipogenic enhancers of PPARγ and C/EBPα loci. Thus, MLL4 is an important epigenomic modifier for adipogenesis. The repressive mark H3K27me3 is mediated by the enzymatic subunit Enhancer zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) of the polycomb repressive complex 2. EZH2-mediated H3K27 tri-methylation on the Wnt gene increases adipogenesis because WNT signaling is a negative regulator of adipogenesis. This review summarizes current knowledge about the epigenomic regulation of adipogenesis by histone H3 lysine methylation which fundamentally regulates gene expression.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.487-494
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• 2016

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Paf1 complex consists of five proteins, and they are structurally and functionally well conserved in yeast, fruit fly, plants, and human. With binding to RNA polymerase II from transcription start site to termination site, Paf1 complex functions as a platform for recruiting many types of transcription factors to RNA polymerase II. Paf1 complex contributes to H2B ubiquitination and indirectly influences on H3K4 di- and tri-methylation by histone crosstalk. But the individual effects of five components in Paf1 complex on these two histone modifications including H2B ubiquitination and H3K4 methylation largely remained to be identified. In this study, we constructed the single-gene knockout mutants of each Paf1 complex component and observed H3K4 mono-, di-, and trimethylation as well as H2B ubiquitination in these mutants. Interestingly, in each ${\Delta}paf1$, ${\Delta}rtf1$, and ${\Delta}ctr9$ strain, we observed the dramatic defect in H3K4 monomethylation, which is independent of H2B ubiquitination, as well as H3K4 di- and trimethylation. However, the protein level of Set1, which is methyltransferase for H3K4, was not changed in these mutants. This suggests that Paf1 complex may directly influence on H3K4 methylation by directly regulating the activity of Set1 or the stability of Set1 complex in an H2B ubiquitination independent manner.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.273-279
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• 2011

Epigenetic regulation is a phenomenon that changes the gene function without changing the underlying DNA sequences. Epigenetic status of chromosome is regulated by mechanisms such as histone modification, DNA modification, and RNAi silencing. In this review, we focused on histone methylation for epigenetic regulation in ES cells. Two antagonizing multiprotein complexes regulate methylation of histones to guide expression of genes in ES cells. The Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), including EED, EZH2, and SUZ12 as core factors, contributes to gene repression by increasing trimethylation of H3K27 (H3K27me3). In contrast, the Trithorax group (TrxG) complex including MLL is related to gene activation by making H3K4me3. PRC2 and TrxG accompany a variety of accessory proteins. Most prominent feature of epigenetic regulation in ES cells is a bivalent state in which H3K27me3 and H3K4me3 appear simultaneously. Concerted regulation of PRC2, TrxG complex, and H3K4- or H3K27-specific demethylases activate expression of pluripotency-related genes and suppress development-related genes in ES cells. Modified balance of the regulators also enables ES cells to efficiently differentiate to a variety of cells upon differentiating signals. More detailed insights on the epigenetic regulators and their action will lead us to better understanding and use of ES cells for future application.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.514-519
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• 2008

We developed a convenient synthetic route to 3-alkylated 2-phenyl-4-quinolone derivatives (4a-h and 5a-c), which were expected to retain antitumor activity. A series of 2,3-dihydro-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-4-quinolones (3a-h) was synthesized through dehydration, dealcoholation and hydration using acid-catalyzed one-pot reaction from anilines and ethyl benzoylacetates. 3-Methyl (or 3,3-dimethyl)-2-phenyl-4-quinolone derivatives 4 and 5 were synthesized from 3a-h through the methylation using methyl iodide. Formation of quinolone nucleus was undertaken with p-toluenesulfonic acid (p-TSA) at $90{\sim}110^{\circ}C$ in toluene for 3${\sim}$7.5 hr over the Dean-Stark apparatus. The key intermediates in these preparations are ${\beta}$-ketoesters 2a-h, which can be readily obtained from the corresponding anilines 1a-e by reaction with ethyl bezoylacetates.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.50-55
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• 2003

Background: An aberrant function of the mismatch repair system has been reported to underlie carcinogenesis in several tumors, including colorectal and gastric carcinomas, and to induce the typical genotype of microsatellite instability (MSI). Purpose: We aimed to determine the frequency of MSI in early-onset sporadic gastric carcinoma and elucidate the role of promoter methylation in hMLH1 as the mechanism of MSI. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six early-onset sporadic gastric carcinomas were analyzed to determine the status of MSI and the frequency of methylation of the promoter region in hMLH1. MSI was determined using five markers recommended by NCI: MSI-H (high), MSI-L (low), and MSS (Microsatellite stable). Methylation specific PCR (MSP) and direct automated genomic sequencing analysis with DNA modified by sodium bisulfite have been performed to confirm promoter region methylation. All the data were analyzed regarding characteristics of molecular changes, and clinicopathologic variables. Results: The microsatellite status was determined as MSI-H in five cases ($13.8\%$), MSI-L in 13 cases ($36.1\%$), and MSS in 18 cases ($50.0\%$). hMLH1 was methylated in seven cases ($19.4\%$). In all cases of MSI-H, promoter of hMLH1 was methylated, and in two of the 13 cases of MSI-L, hMLH1 promoter methylation was identified. Methylation was not found in any cases of MSS. Promoter methylation in hMLH1 was significantly correlated with MSI status (P<0.001). We could not find any relationship between MSI and clinicopathologic parameters. Conclusion: These results suggest that an abnormal function of the mismatch repair system may be associated with gastric carcinogenesis in more than $10\%$ of early-onset gastric carcinomas and MSI appeared to be closely related to the promoter methylation in hMLH1.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.286-291
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• 2017

In eukaryotic cells, histone modification is an important mechanism to regulate the chromatin structure. The methylation of the fourth lysine on histone H3 (H3K4) by Set1 complex is one of the various well-known histone modifications. Set1 complex has seven subunits including Swd2, which is known to be important for H2B ubiquitination dependent on H3K4 methylation. Swd2 was reported to regulate Set1's methyltransferase activity by binding to near RNA recognition motif (RRM) domain of Set1 and to act as a component of CPF (Cleavage and Polyadenylation Factors) complex involved in RNA 3' end processing. According to the recent reports, two functions of Swd2 work independently of each other and the lethality of Swd2 knockout strain was known to be caused by its function as a component of CPF complex. In this study, we found that Swd2 could influence the Set1's stability as well as histone methyltransferase activity through the association with RRM domain of Set1. Also, we found that ${\Delta}swd2$ mutant bearing truncated-Set1, which cannot interact with Swd2, lost its lethality and grew normally. These results suggest that the dual functions of Swd2 in H3K4 methylation and RNA 3' end processing are not independent in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.66-76
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• 2017

Purpose: Oral wound healing requires gingival fibroblasts to respond to local growth factors. Epigenetic silencing through DNA methylation can potentially decrease the responsiveness of gingival fibroblasts to local growth factors. In this study, our aim was to determine whether the inhibition of DNA methylation sensitized gingival fibroblasts to transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ (TGF-${\beta}1$). Methods: Gingival fibroblasts were exposed to 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza), a clinically approved demethylating agent, before stimulation with TGF-${\beta}1$. Gene expression changes were evaluated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. DNA methylation was detected by methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes and PCR amplification. Results: We found that 5-aza enhanced TGF-${\beta}1$-induced interleukin-11 (IL11) expression in gingival fibroblasts 2.37-fold (P=0.008). 5-aza had no significant effects on the expression of proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) and NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4). Consistent with this, 5-aza caused demethylation of the IL11 gene commonly next to a guanosine (CpG) island in gingival fibroblasts. The TGF-${\beta}$ type I receptor kinase inhibitor SB431542 impeded the changes in IL11 expression, indicating that the effects of 5-aza require TGF-${\beta}$ signaling. 5-aza moderately increased the expression of TGF-${\beta}$ type II receptor (1.40-fold; P=0.009), possibly enhancing the responsiveness of fibroblasts to TGF-${\beta}1$. As part of the feedback response, 5-aza increased the expression of the DNA methyltransferases 1 (DNMT1) (P=0.005) and DNMT3B (P=0.002), which are enzymes responsible for gene methylation. Conclusions: These in vitro data suggest that the inhibition of DNA methylation by 5-aza supports TGF-${\beta}$-induced IL11 expression in gingival fibroblasts.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.67-75
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• 2011

The faulty regulation of imprinting gene lead to the abnormal development of reconstructed embryo after nuclear transfer. However, the correlation between the imprinting status of donor cell and preimplantation stage of embryo development is not yet clear. In this study, to determine this correlation, we used the porcine spermatogonial stem cell (pSSC) and fetal fibroblast (pFF) as donor cells. As the results, the isolated cells with laminin matrix selection strongly expressed the GFR ${\alpha}$-1 and PLZF genes of SSCs specific markers. The pSSCs were maintained to 12 passages and positive for the pluripotent marker including OCT4, SSEA1 and NANOG. The methylation analysis of H19 DMR of pSSCs revealed that the zinc finger protein binding sites CTCF3 of H19 DMRs displayed an androgenic imprinting pattern (92.7%). Also, to investigate the reprogramming potential of pSSCs as donor cell, we compared the development rate and methylation status of H19 gene between the reconstructed embryos from pFF and pSSC. This result showed no significant differences of the development rate between the pFFs ($11.2{\pm}0.8%$) and SSCs ($13.3{\pm}1.1%$). However, interestingly, while the CTCF3 methylation status of pFF-NT blastocyst was decreased (36.3%), and the CTCF3 methylation status of pSSC-NT blastocyst was maintained. Therefore, this result suggested that the genomic imprinting status of pSSCs is more effective than that of normal somatic cells for the normal development because the maintenance of imprinting pattern is very important in early embryo stage.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.83-90
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• 2007

Insulin-like growth factor II (IGF2) and H19 genes are mutually imprinted genes which may be responsible for abnormalities in the cloned fetuses and offspring. This study was performed to identify putative differentially methylated regions (DMRs) of porcine H19 locus and to explore its genomic imprinting in in vitro fertilized (IVF) and somatic cell nuclear transferred (SCNT) embryos. Based on mice genomic data, we identified DMRs on H19 and found porcine H19 DMRs that included three CTCF binding sites. Methylation patterns in IVF and SCNT embryos at the 2-, 4-, $8{\sim}16$-cells and blastocyst stages were analyzed by BS (Bisulfite Sequencing)-PCR. The CpGs in CTCF1 was significantly unmethylated in the 2-cell stage IVF embryos. However, the 4- (29.1%) and $8{\sim}16$-cell (68.2%) and blastocyst (48.2%) stages showed higher methylation levels (p<0.01). On the other hand, SCNT embryos were unmethylayted ($0{\sim}2%$) at all stages of development. The CpGs in CTCF2 showed almost unmethylation levels at the 2-,4- and $8{\sim}16$-cell and blastocyst stages of development in both IVF ($0{\sim}14.1%$) and SCNT ($0{\sim}6.4%$) embryos. At all stages of development, CTCF3 was unmethylated in IVF ($0{\sim}17.3%$) and SCNT ($0{\sim}1.2%$) embryos except at the blastocyst stage (54.5%) of IVF embryos. In conclusion, porcine SCNT embryos showed an aberrant methylation pattern comprised to IVF embryos. Therefore, we suggest that the aberrant methylation pattern of H19 loci may be a reason for increased abnormal fetus after embryo transfer of porcine SCNT embryos.