• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.279-287
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• 2011

Transcriptional response patterns of mud loach (Misgurnus mizolepis; Cypriniformes) hepcidin, a potential ortholog to human hamp1, in response to experimental challenges with non-pathogenic and pathogenic bacterial species were analyzed based on the semi-quantitative reverse transcription-PCR assay. Mud loach hepcidin transcripts were much more preferentially induced by pathogenic bacterial species (Edwardsiella tarda and Vibrio anguillarum) causing apparent pathological symptoms than by non-pathogenic species (Escherichia coli and Bacillus thuringiensis) displaying neither clinical signs nor mortality. However in overall, the induced amounts of hepcidin transcripts were positively related with the number of bacterial cells delivered in both pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacterial species. Inducibility of hepcidin transcripts were variable among three tissues examined (liver, kidney and spleen) in which kidney and spleen were more responsive to the bacterial challenge than liver. Time course expression patterns of hepcidin mRNAs after challenge were different between groups challenged with pathogenic and non-pathogenic species, although the overall pattern of hepcidin expression was in accordance with that generally observed in battery genes appeared during early phase of inflammation. Fish challenged with E. coli (non-pathogenic) showed the significant induction of hepcidin transcripts within 24 hr post injection (hpi) but the level was rapidly declined to the basal level either at 48 or 96 hpi. On the other hand, hepcidin transcript levels in E. tarda (pathogenic)-challenged fish were continuously elevated until 48 hpi, then downregulated at 96 hpi, although the level at 96 hpi was still significantly higher than control level observed in non-challenged fish. This expression pattern was consistent in all the three tissues examined. Taken together, our data indicate that hepcidin is tightly in relation with pathological and/or inflammation status during bacterial challenge, consequently providing useful basis to extend knowledge on the host defensive roles of hepcidin under infectious conditions in bony fish.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.31-42
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• 2011

Three novel hepcidin isoforms were isolated and characterized from the perciform fish species Oplegnathus fasciatus. These hepcidin isoforms (designated rbhepc5, rbhepc6 and rbhepc7) were found to share a conserved, tripartite gene structure and a considerable sequence homology one another. A comparison of their mature peptide sequences with those of other perciform hepcidin orthologs indicated that these three hepcidin isoforms as well as four other isoforms previously identified in this species, appear to belong to the HAMP2 group of hepcidin genes. Analysis of the 5'-upstream sequences showed that the proximal non-coding regions of rbhepc5~7 do not possess canonical TATA signals; instead, they harbor several binding motifs for transcription factors involved in immune modulation. Reverse transcriptase-PCR analysis demonstrated that the rbhepc5~7 are expressed predominantly in the liver, and that the transcription of rbhepc5~7 is rapidly induced in the liver, but not in other tissues, by experimental challenge with any of three different bacterial species. However, transcription of rbhepc6 appeared to be negligible under both basal and stimulated conditions, as judged by the redundancy count of randomly chosen reverse transcriptase-PCR clones.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.721-728
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• 2008

Hepcidin is a peptide hormone produced by the liver, of which secretion is closely related to iron status in the body. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism(s) by which this peptide regulates body iron homeostasis. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of hepcidin treatment within the physiological concentration range on the expressions of two different iron transporter proteins-ferroportin (FPN) and divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1). Differentiated Caco-2 intestinal cells and macrophage J774 cells were treated with either synthetic hepcidin or hepcidin-rich fraction separated from human urine at the concentration of 10 nM and 100 nM for 24 hours. Results show that hepcidin treatment in differentiated Caco-2 cells or in J774 cells did not change the level of either FPN mRNA or DMT1 mRNA. On the other hand, hepcidin treatment at the dose of 100 nM significantly decreased the FPN protein levels and DMT1 protein levels in differentiated Caco-2 cells. Similarly, urinary hepcidin treatment (10 nM & 100 nM) also significantly decreased the levels of FPN and DMT1 proteins in J774 macrophage cells. These results showed that hepcidin might play an important role in the regulation of iron homeostasis by lowering the protein levels of iron transporter FPN and DMT1 both in enterocytes and in macrophage cells.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.93-104
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• 2011

Two hepcidin paralogs (ojhamp1 and ojhamp2) were isolated and characterized from a euryhaline Javanese ricefish (Oryzias javanicus: Beloniformes). The ojhamp1 cDNA encoded 90 or 91 amino acids (aa) of a typical HAMP1 preproprotein. This preproprotein is believed to cleave and yield the 66 or 67 aa-proprotein, followed by the 26 aa-mature peptide, composed of 8 conserved cysteine residues and the QSHL amino terminal motif. The ojhamp2 cDNA encoded 89 aa of HAMP2 preproprotein, cleaved to yield a 65 aa proprotein, and subsequently the 25 aa-mature peptide. The mature OJHAMP1 possessed a cationic isoelectric point (pI), whereas OJHAMP2 had an anionic charge. At the genomic level, both ojhamp1 and ojhamp2 share a conserved tripartite structure (three exons interrupted by two introns) with other vertebrate hepcidin genes. However, the ojhamp1 was shown to exist as two distinct mRNA species, encoding 90 or 91 aa, due to alternative splicing at the junction site between intron I and exon II. Both ojhamp1 and ojhamp2 transcripts were detected in a wide range of tissue types with varying levels of basal expression, although the highest expression was observed in the liver for both isoforms. Transcriptional response to bacterial challenge using Edwardsiella tarda showed that ojhamp1 was moderately upregulated in the liver but remained unchanged in the kidney. However, the ojhamp2 was significantly suppressed in both the kidney and liver, suggesting a potential diversification between the two paralogs.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.140-145
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• 2008

Expression of olive flounder hepcidin I (HepI) fused with truncated OmpA signal peptides ($OmpASP_{tr}$) as directional signals does not produce soluble fusion proteins. However, by inserting amino acid segments (xxx) varying in pI and hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity into a leader sequence containing a truncated OmpASP ($OmpASP_{tr}$) and a factor Xa cleavage site (Xa) [$OmpASP_{tr}{\mid}(xxx){\mid}Xa$], we were able in some cases to express soluble recombinant HepI. Soluble expression of the recombinant protein strongly correlated with (xxx) insertions of high pI and hydrophilicity. Therefore, we modified the $OmpASP_{tr}{\mid}(xxx){\mid}Xa$ sequence by inserting Arg and Lys into (xxx) to increase the hydrophilicity of the signal peptide region. These modifications enhanced the expression of soluble recombinant HepI. Hydropathic profile analysis of the $OmpASP_{tr}{\mid}(xxx){\mid}Xa$ HepI fusion proteins revealed that the transmembrane-like domains derived from the $OmpASP_{tr}{\mid}(xxx){\mid}Xa$ sequence were larger than the internal positively charged domain native to HepI. It should therefore be possible to overcome the obstacle of internal positively charged domains to obtain soluble expression of recombinant proteins by monitoring the hydrophilicity and hydropathic profile of the signal peptide region using a computer program.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.134-142
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• 2005

Liver cancer is a leading cause of tumor-related mortality, Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) is one of the most extensively studied hepatic carcinogens to date. In this study, the mRNA expression profile in DEN-induced liver tumors in mice was analyzed using DNA microarrays. We report increased expression of genes that participate in hypoxia response, including metallothionein 1 (Mt1), metallothionein 2 (Mt2), fatty acid synthase (Fasn), transferrin (Trf), adipose differentiation-related Protein (AdfP) and ceruloplasmin (CP), as well as those involved in predisposition and development of cancers, such as cytochrome P450 2A5 (Cyp2a5), alpha 2-HS-glycoprotein (Ahsg) and Jun-B oncogene (Junb). The hepatic iron regulatory peptide, hepcidin (Hampl), was downregulated in DEN-stimulated liver tumors. Expression of tumor suppressor genes, such as tripartite motif protein 13 (Trim13), was decreased under these conditions. The data collectively indicate that DEN-induced tumor development can be exploited as a possible model for liver cancer, since this process involves various genes with important functions in hepatic carcinogenesis.

• Journal of Sport and Applied Science
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.11-23
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• 2022

New insights into the aetiology of anaemia in athletes have been discovered in recent years. From hemodilution and redistribution, which are thought to commit to so-called "sports anaemia," to iron deficiency triggered by higher requirements, dietary requirements, decreased uptake, enhanced losses, hemolysis, and sequester, to genetic factors of different types of anaemia (some related to sport), anaemia in athletes necessitates a careful and multisystem methodology. Dietary factors that hinder iron absorption and enhance iron bioavailability (e.g., phytate, polyphenols) should be considered. Celiac disease, which is more common in female athletes, may be the consequence of an iron deficiency anaemia that is unidentified. Sweating, hematuria, gastrointestinal bleeding, inflammation, and intravascular and extravascular hemolysis are all ways iron is lost during strength training. In training, evaluating the iron status, particularly in athletes at risk of iron deficiency, may work on improving iron balance and possibly effectiveness. Iron status is influenced by a healthy gut microbiome. To eliminate hemolysis, athletes at risk of iron deficiency should engage in non-weight-bearing, low-intensity sporting activities.