• 대한소아치과학회지
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.391-405
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• 2003

두개봉합부의 조기융합으로 일컬어지는 craniosynostosis는 두개봉합부에서의 골아세포의 조기분화 및 석회화의 결과로 나타나는 선천성 발육이상이다. 최근 유전학적 연구에 의하면 homeobox gene인 Msx2의 변이에 의해 Boston-type craniosynostosis가 야기되며, 또한 Dlx5 homozygote mutant mouse의 표현형에서 두개골의 골화지연을 포함한 다양한 두개안면부위의 이상을 발견하였다는 보고가 있었다. 게다가 Msx2와 Dlx5 homeodomain protein의 상호작용에 의해 성숙골아세포의 표지자인 osteocalcin의 전사를 조절할 수 있다는 사실이 알려져 있다. 이러한 일련의 결과들은 Msx2 Dlx5 및 osteocalcin 유전자들이 두개골의 골화과정과 두개봉합부의 형태발생에 중요한 역할을 담당하고 있음을 제시해주고 있다. 두개골의 성장과 두개봉합부의 형태발생시 이러한 유전자들의 기능을 알아보기위해 mouse의 태생기 (E15-E18) 동안 osteocalcin, Msx2, 및 Dlx5 유전자들의 발현양상을 조사하였다. Osteocalcin은 E15부터 두정골의 골막에서 관찰되었으며, 발생시기가 후기일수록 강한 발현양상을 나타내었다. Msx2는 시상봉합부의 미분화간엽조직과 osteogenic front에서 강하게 발현되었으며 경막과 hair follicle에서도 관찰되었다. Dlx5는 osteogenic front를 포함한 두정골의 골막에서 강하게 발현되었으나 시상봉합부의 미분화간엽조직 에서는 발현되지 않아, Msx2와는 발현양상의 차이를 나타내었다. 두개골과 두개봉합부의 발육과정에서의 Msx2와 Dlx5의 기능을 좀더 심도깊게 분석하기위해, 여러 가지 signaling molecule들의 protein을 사용하여 in vitro 실험을 시행하였다. BMP-2, -4 protein의 overexpression은 bead 주위로 Msx2 유전자의 발현을 유도하였으나, 다른 $TGF{\beta}$ superfamily인 $TGF{\beta}1$, GDF-6, -7 bead들 주위로는 Msx2를 관찰할 수 없었다. 또한 FGF, Shh protein 역시 bead주위로 Msx2의 발현을 유도하지않았다. 흥미롭게도 BMP-2, -4 protein의 overexpression은 bead 주위로 Dlx5 유전자의 발현을 유도하였으나, 다른 $TGF{\beta}$ superfamily, FGF, Shh bead주위로는 Dlx5를 관찰할 수 없어, Msx2와 동일한 결과를 나타내었다 이 결과들을 종합해볼 때, Msx2와 Dlx5 유전자는 두개골과 두개봉합부의 성장발육과정에 중요한 역할을 담당하고 있으며, BMP signaling은 이 두 전사조절인자들을 조절하므로써 두개골의 골화과정과 두개봉합부의 형태발생 및 유지에 관여하고 있음을 제시해주고 있다. 특히 BMP signaling에 specific downstream gene인 Msx2 및 Dlx5의 발현양상의 차이는 골아세포의 분화시 이들 유전자가 각각의 독특한 기능을 가지고 있음을 시사해주고 있다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.217-223
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• 2004

Objective: To evaluate the effects of recombinant FSH (rFSH) and urinary FSH (uFSH) on the gene expressions of human endometrial stromal cells in vitro. Methods: Endometrial tissue was obtained from a pre-menopausal women undergoing hysterectomy. Primary endometrial stromal cells were isolated and in vitro cultured with FBS-free DMEM/F-12 containing 0, 10, 100, and 1, 000 mIU/ml of rFSH and uFSH for 48 hours, respectively. Total RNA was extracted from the cultured cells and subjected to real time RT-PCR for the quantitative analysis of progesterone receptor (PR), estrogen receptor $\alpha/\beta$ (ER-$\alpha/\beta$), cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox-2), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), homeobox A10-1 and -2 (HoxA10-1/-2). Results: Both hormone treatments slightly increased (< 3 folds) the expressions of PR, ER-$\beta$ and HoxA10-1/-2 gene. However, ER-$\alpha$ expression was increased up to five folds by treatments of both FSH for 48 hours. The LIF expression by the 10 mIU/ml of uFSH for 12 hours was significantly higher than that of rFSH (p<0.01). After 24 hours treatment of two kinds of hormones, the expression patterns of LIF were similar. The 100 and 1, 000 mIU/ml of rFSH induced significantly higher amount of Cox-2 expression than those of uFSH, respectively (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study represents no adversely effect of exogeneous gonadotropins, rFSH and uFSH, on the expression of implantation related genes. We suggest that rFSH is applicable for the assisted reproductive technology without any concern on the endometrial receptivity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제31권8호
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• pp.1103-1109
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• 2018

Objective: This study aimed to screen and identify the target genes of miR-375 in pig Sertoli (ST) cells and to elucidate the effect of miR-375 on the proliferation of ST cells. Methods: In this study, bioinformatics software was used to predict and verify miR-375 target genes. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the relationship between miR-375 and its target genes in ST cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of rearranged L-myc fusion (RLF) and hypoxia-induced gene domain protein 1A (HIGD1A) was performed on porcine ST cells, which were transfected with a miR-375 mimics and inhibitor to verify the results. Dual luciferase reporter gene assays were performed to assess the interactions among miR-375, RLF, and HIGD1A. The effect of miR-375 on the proliferation of ST cells was analyzed by CellTiter 96 AQueous One Solution Cell Proliferation Assay (MTS). Results: Five possible target genes of miR-375, including RLF, HIGD1A, colorectal cancer associated 2, POU class 3 homeobox 1, and WW domain binding protein 1 like, were found. The results of quantitative PCR suggested that mRNA expression of RLF and HIGD1A had a negative correlation with miR-375, indicating that RLF and HIGD1A are likely the target genes of miR-375. The ELISA results revealed that RLF and HIGD1A were negatively correlated with the miR-375 protein level. The luminescence results for the miR-375 group cotransfected with wild-type RLF and HIGD1A vector were significantly lower than those of the miR-375 group co-transfected with the blank vector or mutant RLF and HIGD1A vectors. The present findings suggest that RLF and HIGD1A are target genes of miR-375 and that miR-375 inhibits ST cell proliferation according to MTS analysis. Conclusion: It was speculated that miR-375 affects cell proliferation through its target genes, which play an important role in the development of testicular tissue.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.249-255
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• 2015

Diabetes mellitus, the most common metabolic disorder, is divided into two types: type 1 and type 2. The essential treatment of type 1 diabetes, caused by immune-mediated destruction of ${\beta}-cells$, is transplantation of the pancreas; however, this treatment is limited by issues such as the lack of donors for islet transplantation and immune rejection. As an alternative approach, stem cell therapy has been used as a new tool. The present study revealed that bone marrowderived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) could be transdifferentiated into pancreatic cells by the insertion of a key gene for embryonic development of the pancreas, the pancreatic and duodenal homeobox factor 1 (PDX1). To avoid immune rejection associated with xenotransplantation and to develop a new cell-based treatment, BM-MSCs from ${\alpha}$-1,3-galactosyltransferase knockout (GalT KO) pigs were used as the source of the cells. Transfection of the EGFP-hPDX1 gene into GalT KO pig-derived BM-MSCs was performed by electroporation. Cells were evaluated for hPDX1 expression by immunofluorescence and RT-PCR. Transdifferentiation into pancreatic cells was confirmed by morphological transformation, immunofluorescence, and endogenous pPDX1 gene expression. At 3~4 weeks after transduction, cell morphology changed from spindle-like shape to round shape, similar to that observed in cuboidal epithelium expressing EGFP. Results of RT-PCR confirmed the expression of both exogenous hPDX1 and endogenous pPDX1. Therefore, GalT KO pig-derived BM-MSCs transdifferentiated into pancreatic cells by transfection of hPDX1. The present results are indicative of the therapeutic potential of PDX1-expressing GalT KO pig-derived BM-MSCs in ${\beta}-cell$ replacement. This potential needs to be explored further by using in vivo studies to confirm these findings.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.159-168
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• 2008

Nanog is a newly identified member of the homeobox family of DNA binding transcription factors that functions to maintain the undifferentiated state of stem cells. However, molecular mechanisms underlying the function of Nanog remain largely unknown. To elucidate the regulatory roles of Nanog involved in maintenance of P19 embryonal carcinoma (EC) stem cells, we transfected three small interfering RNA (siRNA) duplexes targeted against different regions of the Nanog gene into P19 cells. The Nanog siRNA-100 duplexes effectively decreased the expression of Nanog up to 30.7% compared to other two Nanog siRNAs, the Nanog siRNA-400 (67.9 %) and -793 (53.0%). When examined by RT-PCR and real-time PCR, the expression of markers for pluripotency such as Fgf4, Oct3/4, Rex1, Sox1 and Yes was downregulated at 48 h after transfection with Nanog siRNA-100. Furthermore, expression of the ectodermal markers, Fgf5 and Isl1 was reduced by Nanog knockdown. By contrast, the expression of other markers for pluripotency such as Cripto, Sox2 and Zfp57 was not affected by Nanog knockdown at this time. On the other hand, the expression of Lif/Stat3 pathway molecules and of the endoderm markers including Dab2, Gata4, Gata6 and the germ cell nuclear factor was not changed by Nanog knockdown. The results of this study demonstrated that the knockdown of Nanog expression by RNA interference in P19 cells was sufficient to modulate the expression of pluripotent markers involved in the self-renewal of EC stem cells. These results provide the valuable information on potential downstream targets of Nanog and add to our understanding of the function of Nanog in P19 EC stem cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권9호
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• pp.3817-3825
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• 2015

Background: The human protein methyl-transferase DOT1L catalyzes the methylation of histone H3 on lysine 79 (H3K79) at homeobox genes and is also involved in a number of significant processes ranging from gene expression to DNA-damage response and cell cycle progression. Inhibition of DOT1L activity by shRNA or small-molecule inhibitors has been established to prevent proliferation of various MLL-rearranged leukemia cells in vitro, establishing DOT1L an attractive therapeutic target for mixed lineage leukemia (MLL). Most of the drugs currently in use for the MLL treatment are reported to have low efficacy, hence this study focused on various natural compounds which exhibit minimal toxic effects and high efficacy for the target receptor. Materials and Methods: Structures of human protein methyl-transferase DOT1L and natural compound databases were downloaded from various sources. Virtual screening, molecular docking, dynamics simulation and drug likeness studies were performed for those natural compounds to evaluate and analyze their anti-cancer activity. Results: The top five screened compounds possessing good binding affinity were identified as potential high affinity inhibitors against DOT1L's active site. The top ranking molecule amongst the screened ligands had a Glide g-score of -10.940 kcal/mol and Glide e-model score of -86.011 with 5 hydrogen bonds and 12 hydrophobic contacts. This ligand's behaviour also showed consistency during the simulation of protein-ligand complex for 20000 ps, which is indicative of its stability in the receptor pocket. Conclusions: The ligand obtained out of this screening study can be considered as a potential inhibitor for DOT1L and further can be treated as a lead for the drug designing pipeline.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.58-65
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• 2020

Fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene helps to regulate energy homeostasis in mammals by controlling energy expenditure. In addition, FTO functions in the regulation of obesity and adipogenic differentiation; however, a role in osteogenic differentiation is unknown. This study investigated the effects of FTO on osteogenic differentiation of C3H10T1/2 cells and the underlying mechanism. Expression of osteogenic and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers were characterized by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining was performed to assess ALP activity. BMP2 treatment increased mRNA expression of osteogenic genes and FTO. Overexpression of FTO increased expression of the osteogenic genes distal-less homeobox5 (Dlx5) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2). Activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) increased FTO expression, and there was a positive feedback loop between FTO and p-AMPK. p-AMPK and FTO induced mild ER stress; however, tunicamycin-induced severe ER stress suppressed FTO expression and AMPK activation. In summary, FTO induces osteogenic differentiation of C3H10T1/2 cells upon BMP2 treatment by inducing mild ER stress via a positive feedback loop with p-AMPK. FTO expression and AMPK activation induce mild ER stress. By contrast, severe ER stress inhibits osteogenic differentiation by suppressing FTO expression and AMPK activation.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.79-82
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• 2014

Mowat-Wilson syndrome is an extremely rare genetic disease that is characterized by intellectual disability, facial dysmorphism, Hirschsprung's disease, and other congenital anomalies. This disorder is caused by heterozygous mutations or deletions in the zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox-2 gene (ZEB2). Thus far, approximately 200 cases of Mowat-Wilson syndrome have been reported worldwide. In Korea, only one case with a 2q22 deletion, which also affects ZEB2, has been previously reported. Here, we describe a patient with Mowat-Wilson syndrome who presented with developmental delays, typical facial dysmorphism, and Hirschsprung's disease. Molecular analysis of ZEB2 identified a novel heterozygous mutation at c.190dup ($p.S64Kfs^*6$). To our knowledge, this is the second report of a Korean patient with Mowat-Wilson syndrome that has been confirmed genetically.

• Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.234-240
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• 2017

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, for which smoking is considered as the primary risk factor. The present study was conducted to determine whether genetic alterations induced by radon exposure are associated with the susceptible risk of lung cancer in never smokers. Methods: To accurately identify mutations within individual tumors, next generation sequencing was conduct for 19 pairs of lung cancer tissue. The associations of germline and somatic variations with radon exposure were visualized using OncoPrint and heatmap graphs. Bioinformatic analysis was performed using various tools. Results: Alterations in several genes were implicated in lung cancer resulting from exposure to radon indoors, namely those in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), tumor protein p53 (TP53), NK2 homeobox 1 (NKX2.1), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 7 (CHD7), discoidin domain receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (DDR2), lysine methyltransferase 2C (MLL3), chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 5 (CHD5), FAT atypical cadherin 1 (FAT1), and dual specificity phosphatase 27 (putative) (DUSP27). Conclusions: While these genes might regulate the carcinogenic pathways of radioactivity, further analysis is needed to determine whether the genes are indeed completely responsible for causing lung cancer in never smokers exposed to residential radon.

• 대한소아치과학회지
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.217-228
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• 2003

뇌와 두개골의 조화로운 성장 발육은 성장 중인 두개골과 이 뼈들을 연결하는 두개봉합부들 그리고 발육중인 뇌사이의 일련의 상호작용에 의해 이루어진다. 두개봉합부의 조기융합으로 알려진 craniosynostosis는 이러한 상호균형적인 관계가 파괴될 때 야기될 수 있다. Bone morphogenetic protein의 하나인 Bmp2는 골 각각의 형태와 골격의 상대적인 비례성을 조절하는데 관여하고 있으며, Bmp의 하부 유전자로 알려져 있는 Msx2 homeobox 유전자의 돌연변이는 Boston-type craniosynostosis를 야기한다 이와 함께 Dlx5 homozygote mutant mouse의 표현형은 두개골 골화의 지연을 포함한 다양한 두개안면의 이상을 나타낸다. 이러한 사실들은 Bmp2, Msx2, Dlx5 유전자들이 두개봉합부의 형태발생과정에 중요하게 작용할 수 있음을 시사하고 있다. Mouse 두개봉합부의 초기형태발생과정에 위 유전자들의 기능을 알아보기 위해, 태생기 동안의 시상봉합부에서의 Bmp2, Msx2, Dlx5 유전자들의 발현양상을 in situ hybridization 방법을 이용하여 분석하였다. Bmp2 mRNA는 osteogenic front에서 강하게 발현되었으며, parietal bone의 골막에서도 관찰되었다. Msx2 mRNA는 시상봉합부의 미분화 간엽조직에서 강하게 발현되었으며, osteogenie front 및 dura mater에서도 관찰되었다. Dlx5 mRNA는 osteogenic front와 parietal bone에서 강하게 발현되었다. 두개봉합부에서의 Bmp signaling의 역할을 알아보기 위해 태생 15.5일 mouse의 두개골을 이용하여 in vitro 실험을 시행하였다. Bmp2-soaked beads를 osteogenic fronts에 올려놓고 48시간 기관배양한 결과 BSA 대조군에 비해 Bmp2 beads 주위 조직의 두께와 세포수가 증가하였으며 Msx2와 Dlx5 유전자들의 발현을 유도하였다. 그러나 FGF2 beads주위로는 이들 유전자들의 발현이 관찰되지 않았다. 이러한 결과들을 종합해 볼 때, Bmp2 유전자는 두개골 성장과 두개봉합부의 초기 형태발생을 조절하는데 중요한 역할을 담당하고 있으며, Bmp signaling은 Msx2, Dlx5 유전자들을 조절함으로써 두개골의 골화와 두개봉합부의 유지에 관여하고 있음을 제시해 주고 있다.