• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.343-354
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• 2009

Since Barker found associations between low birth weight and several chronic diseases later in life, the hypothesis of fetal origins of adult disease (aka, Barker Hypothesis) and epigenetics have been emerging as a new paradigm for geneenvironment interaction of chronic disease. Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes in gene silencing that occur without any change in DNA sequence. Gene expression can be regulated by several epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, which may be associated with chronic conditions, such as cancers, cardiovascular disease, and type-2 diabetes. One carbon metabolism which involves the transfer of a methyl group catalyzed by DNA methyltransferase is an important mechanism by which DNA methylation occurs in promoter regions and/or repetitive elements of the genome. Environmental factors may induce epigenetic modification through production of reactive oxygen species, alteration of methyltransferase activity, and/or interference with methyl donors. In this review, we introduce recent studies of epigenetic modification and environmental factors, such as heavy metals, environmental hormones, air pollution, diet and psychosocial stress. We also discuss epigenetic perspectives of early life environmental exposure and late life disease occurrence.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.349-353
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• 2005

This study reports the pharmacokinetics of a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor, SD-0542, in rats after i..v. and oral administration. SD-0542 was injected intravenously at doses of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg. The terminal elimination half-life $(t_{1/2})$, systemic clearance (Cl), and steady-state volume of distribution $(V_{ss})$ remained unaltered as a function of dose, with their values ranging from 2.0-2.5 hr, 157.2-214.1 ml/min/kg, and 11.1-17.5 L/kg, respectively, whereas, the initial serum concentration $(C_0)$ and AUC increased linearly as the dose was increased. Renal excretion of SD-0542 was minimal. Oral pharmacokinetic studies were conducted in rats at a dose of 20 mg/kg. The $T_{max}$, Cl/F, $V_{z}/F$, and $t_{1/2}$ were 2.0 hr, 92864 ml/min/kg, 16331 L/kg, and 2.0 hr, respectively. Taken together, SD-0542 showed linear pharmacokinetics over the i.v. bolus dose range studied. SD-0542 was poorly absorbed, with the absolute oral bioavailability of 0.9%.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.88-88
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• 2003

Cytochrome P-450 3A4 (CYP3A4) is major enzyme in human liver, the role of this is detoxification and metabolizing more than 50% clinical drugs in use. Expression of CYP3A4 is transciptionally regulated by the Pregnenolone X receptor (PXR), of which human form is Steroid and Xenobiotics receptor (SXR). SXR is activated by wide range of endogenous and exogenous compounds, and then induces CYP3A4 gene expression. In the previous study, it has been known that proximal promoter (-864 to +64) does not response to chemical inducers such as pregnenolone 16a-carbonitrile (PCN), Rifampicin, Estrogen in terms of transcription of CYP 3A4 in cultured cells. Here, we developed luciferase reporter gene assay system to detect SXR-based CYP 3A4 transcriptional activity. We have used CYP3A4-Luc plasmid that contains proximal promoter of human CYP3A4 gene upstream of the luciferase gene. We did transient transfection of 3A4-luciferase gene and SXR. In the HepG2 cells transfected with CYP3A4-Luc, when rifampicin treatment was combined with histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDAC Inhibitor), such as Trichostatin A, Hc-toxin and IN 2001 of the luciferase activity was induced 10-20 fold over control.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.18
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• pp.7913-7917
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• 2014

Apoptotic cell death plays a predominant role in histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor-induced cytotoxicity. Nuclear morphological changes and activation of apoptotic executors are involved in CTS203-induced cell death. However, emerging issues of HDAC inhibitor-resistance have been observed in patients. Herein, MCF-7 cells were continuously exposed to CTS203 until the derived cells could proliferate normally in its presence. The newly obtained CTS203-resistant cells were nominated as MCF-7/203R. Compared to MCF-7 original cells, the MCF-7/203R cells were less sensitive to CTS203-induced apoptosis, with a minimal 6-fold higher $IC_{50}$ value. In contrast, the expression of Beclin-1 was dramatically up-regulated, positively correlated to the acquisition of CTS203-resistance. Our results revealed the participation of autophagy in acquired HDAC inhibitor-resistance and further identified Beclin-1 as a promising target for anti-drug resistance.

• BMB Reports
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.517-525
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• 2001

Six renaturable protein kinases that utilize the myelin basic protein (MBP) as a substrate were activated during prolonged exposure of cardiac myocytes to okadaic acid (OA). We characterized the substrate preference and activation of these kinases, with particular emphasis on 3 novel kinases-MBPK-55, MBPK-62 and MBPK-87. The transcription factors c-Jun, Elk, ATF2, and c-Fos that are used to assess mitogen-activated protein kinase activation were all poor substrates for these three kinases. MAPKAPK2 was also not phosphorylated. In contrast, Histone IIIS was phosphorylated by MBPK-55 and MBPK-62. These protein kinases were activated in cultured cardiac fibroblasts, H9c2 cardiac myoblasts, and Cos cells. High concentrations (0.5 to $1\;{\mu}M$) of OA were essential for the activation of the protein kinases in all of the cell types examined, whereas calyculin A [an inhibitor of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and PP2A], cyclosporin A (a PP2B inhibitor), and an inactive OA analog all failed to activate these kinases. The high dose of okadaic acid that is required for kinase activation was also required for phosphatase inhibition, as assessed by immunoblotting whole cell lysates with anti-phosphothreonine antibodies. A variety of chemical inhibitors, including PD98059 (MEK-specific), genistein (tyrosine kinase-specific) and Bisindolylmaleimide I (protein kinase C-specific), failed to inhibit the OA activation of these kinases. Thus, MBPK-55 and MBPK-62 are also Histone IIIS kinases that are widely expressed and specifically activated upon exposure to high OA concentrations.

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.176-181
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• 2011

Inhibiting histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity modulates the epigenetic status of cells, resulting in an alteration of gene expression and cellular function. Here, we investigated the effects of HDAC inhibitors on mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. The HDAC inhibitors trichostatin A, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, sodium butyrate, and valproic acid induced early differentiation of mouse ES cells and triggered induction of heat-shock protein (HSP)70. In contrast, class III HDAC inhibitors failed to induce differentiation or HSP70 expression. Transcriptional upregulation of HSP70 was confirmed by mRNA expression analysis, an inhibitor study, and chromatin immunoprecipitation. HSP70 induction was dependent on the SAPK/JNK, p38, and PI3K/Akt pathways. Differentiation and induction of HSP70 by a subset of HDAC inhibitors was also examined in human ES cells, which suggests that the phenomenon generally occurs in ES cells. A better understanding of the effects of HDAC inhibitors may give more insight into their application in stem cell biology.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.10
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• pp.578-583
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• 2016

Special AT-rich sequence binding protein 1 (SATB1) is a nuclear matrix-associated DNA-binding protein that functions as a chromatin organizer. SATB1 is highly expressed in aggressive breast cancer cells and promotes growth and metastasis by reprograming gene expression. Through genome-wide cross-examination of gene expression and histone methylation, we identified SATB1 target genes for which expression is associated with altered epigenetic marks. Among the identified genes, long noncoding RNA urothelial carcinoma-associated 1 (UCA1) was upregulated by SATB1 depletion. Upregulation of UCA1 coincided with increased H3K4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) levels and decreased H3K27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) levels. Our study showed that SATB1 binds to the upstream region of UCA1 in vivo, and that its promoter activity increases with SATB1 depletion. Furthermore, simultaneous depletion of SATB1 and UCA1 potentiated suppression of tumor growth and cell survival. Thus, SATB1 repressed the expression of oncogenic UCA1, suppressing growth and survival of breast cancer cells.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.178-178
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• 2003

Cytochrome P-450 3A4 (CYP3A4) is major enzyme in human liver, the role of this Is detoxification and metabolizing more than 50% clinical drugs in use. Expression of CYP3A4 is transciptionally regulated by the Pregnenolone X receptor (PXR), of which human form is Steroid and Xenobiotics receptor (SXR). SXR is activated by wide range of endogenous and exogenous compounds, and then induces CYP3A4 gene expression. In the previous study, it has been known that proximal promoter (-864 to ＋64) does not response to chemical inducers such as pregnenolone 16a-carbonitrile (PCN), Rifampicin, Estrogen in terms of transcription of CYP 3A4 in cultured cells. Here, we developed luciferase reporter gene assay system to detect SXR-based CYP 3A4 transcriptional activity. We have used CYP3A4-Luc plasmid that contains proximal promoter of human CYP3A4 gene upstream of the luciferase gene. We did transient transfection of 3A4-luciferase gene and SXR. In the HepG2 cells transfected with CYP3A4-Luc, when rifampicin treatment was combined with histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDAC Inhibitor), such as Trichostatin A, Hc-toxin and IN 2001 of the luciferase activity was induced 10-20 fold over control.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.593-598
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• 2008

Differential display RT-PCR was used for screening the differentially expressed specific genes by Rhus verniciflua extract treatment to U937 cell, human leukemic monocyte. As a result, 19 clones differentially expressed were detected. Among the detected clones, one clone was confirmed to be over-expressed by R. verniciflua extract treatment in Northern blot analysis. Nucleotide sequence of the clone showed 100% homology with H2A histone family member Z gene. Therefore, it is concluded that the treatment of R. verniciflua extract to U937 cell specifically induces the expression of H2A.Z gene but its role should be elucidated by future works.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.59-81
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• 2016

It is well established that there is a heritable element of susceptibility to chronic human ailments, yet there is compelling evidence that some components of such heritability are transmitted through non-genetic factors. Due to the complexity of reproductive processes, identifying the inheritance patterns of these factors is not easy. But little doubt exists that besides the genomic backbone, a range of epigenetic cues affect our genetic programme. The inter-generational transmission of epigenetic marks is believed to operate via four principal means that dramatically differ in their information content: DNA methylation, histone modifications, microRNAs and nucleosome positioning. These epigenetic signatures influence the cellular machinery through positive and negative feedback mechanisms either alone or interactively. Understanding how these mechanisms work to activate or deactivate parts of our genetic programme not only on a day-to-day basis but also over generations is an important area of reproductive health research.