• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제33권10호
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• pp.1579-1589
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• 2020

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the roles of LIM kinases (LIMK1 and LIMK2) during porcine early embryo development. We checked the mRNA expression patterns and localization of LIMK1/2 to evaluate their characterization. We further explored the function of LIMK1/2 in developmental competence and their relationship between actin assembly and cell junction integrity, specifically during the first cleavage and compaction. Methods: Pig ovaries were transferred from a local slaughterhouse within 1 h and cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected. COCs were matured in in vitro maturation medium in a CO2 incubator. Metaphase II oocytes were activated using an Electro Cell Manipulator 2001 and microinjected to insert LIMK1/2 dsRNA into the cytoplasm. To confirm the roles of LIMK1/2 during compaction and subsequent blastocyst formation, we employed a LIMK inhibitor (LIMKi3). Results: LIMK1/2 was localized in cytoplasm in embryos and co-localized with actin in cell-to-cell boundaries after the morula stage. LIMK1/2 knockdown using LIMK1/2 dsRNA significantly decreased the cleavage rate, compared to the control group. Protein levels of E-cadherin and β-catenin, present in adherens junctions, were reduced at the cell-to-cell boundaries in the LIMK1/2 knockdown embryos. Embryos treated with LIMKi3 at the morula stage failed to undergo compaction and could not develop into blastocysts. Actin intensity at the cortical region was considerably reduced in LIMKi3-treated embryos. LIMKi3-induced decrease in cortical actin levels was attributed to the disruption of adherens junction and tight junction assembly. Phosphorylation of cofilin was also reduced in LIMKi3-treated embryos. Conclusion: The above results suggest that LIMK1/2 is crucial for cleavage and compaction through regulation of actin organization and cell junction assembly.

• 통합자연과학논문집
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• 제8권4호
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• pp.285-292
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• 2015

LIM kinases belong to the serine/Threonine kinase family. The members of the LIM kinase (LIMK) family include LIMK 1 and 2 which are involved in the regulation of actin polymerisation and microtubule disassembly. LIMK1 was shown to be involved in cancer metastasis, while LIMK2 activation promotes cells cycle progression. Since LIMK2 plays a vital role in many disease conditions such as pulmonary hypertension, cancer and viral diseases, and till date there are not much selective inhibitors been reported, LIMK2 becomes an interesting therapeutic target among the kinases. 3D QSAR study was carried out on a series of pyrrolopyrimidines based derivatives as LIMK2 inhibitors. A reasonable CoMFA ($q^2$=0.888; ONC=3; $r^2$=0.974) with good statistical values was developed. The developed model was validated using 1000 runs of boostrapping and was found to be predictable. The results of CoMFA contour map analysis suggested that the bulky substitution at $R_4$ and $R_5$ position are highly desirable to increase the activity. Similarly, positive substitution at $R_3$ position is also required to increase the activity. It is also noted that bulky substitution at $R_1$ position must be avoided. Our results could provide valuable information to enhance the activity of the LIMK2 inhibitors and to design potent pyrrolopyrimidines derivatives.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.159-165
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• 2012

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC) are the major histological types of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Although both SCCs and ACs have been characterized histologically and clinically, the precise mechanisms underlying their migration and invasion are not yet known. Here, we address the involvement in NSCLC of the p21-associated kinase1 (Pak1)/LIM kinase1 (LIMK1)/cofilin pathway, which recently has been reported to play a critical role in tumor migration and invasion. The Pak1/LIMK1/cofilin pathway was evaluated in tumors from SCC (n=35) and AC (n=35) patients and in SCC- and AC-type cell lines by western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and in vitro migration and invasion assays. The levels of phosphorylated Pak1, LIMK1, and cofilin in lung tumor tissues from SCC patients were increased as compared to normal tissues. In addition, immunohistochemistry showed greater expression of phosphorylated cofilin in SCC tissues. Expression of phosphorylated Pak1 and LIMK1 proteins was also significantly higher in SCC-type cells than in AC-type cells. Moreover, migration and invasion assays revealed that a higher percentage of SCC type cells exhibited migration and invasion compared to AC type cells. Migration was also decreased in LIMK1 knockdown SK-MES-1 cells. These findings suggest that the activation of the Pak1/LIMK1/cofilin pathway could preferentially contribute to greater tumor migration and invasion in SCC, relative to that in AC.

• BMB Reports
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• 제54권12호
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• pp.614-619
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• 2021

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is a highly aggressive cancer. HBV X protein (HBx), one of four HBV gene products, plays pivotal roles in the development and metastasis of HCC. It has been reported that HBx induces liver cancer cell migration and reorganizes actin cytoskeleton, however the molecular basis for actin cytoskeleton reorganization remains obscure. In this study, we for the first time report that HBx promotes actin polymerization and liver cancer cell migration by regulating calcium modulated protein, calmodulin (CaM). HBx physically interacts with CaM to control the level of phosphorylated cofilin, an actin depolymerizing factor. Mechanistically, HBx interacts with CaM, liberates Hsp90 from its inhibitory partner CaM, and increases the activity of Hsp90, thus activating LIMK1/cofilin pathway. Interestingly, the interaction between HBx and CaM is calcium-dependent and requires the CaM binding motif on HBx. These results indicate that HBx modulates CaM which plays a regulatory role in Hsp90/LIMK1/cofilin pathway of actin reorganization, suggesting a new mechanism of HBV-induced HCC metastasis specifically derived by HBx.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제21권10호
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• pp.1401-1406
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• 2011

면역세포는 외부 병원체 감염, 자연적 순환에 대하여 형태변화를 수반한다. T세포는 염증, 면역 감시, 이동, 그리고 혈관통과를 위해 uropod, filopodia, lamellipodia, 및 microvilli를 생산한다. 짧고 손가락 처럼 생긴 microvilli는 순환하고 있는 포유동물 면역세포 표면을 덮고 있다. 단핵세포와 호중구의 세포표면은 많이 다른데 membrane ruffle을 함유하고 있다. 본 연구는, T세포의 microvilli에 대하여 actin cytoskeleton과의 연관성에 대하여 탐구하였다. Actin 파괴자인 cytochalasin D 처리 후 SEM관찰을 통해서, Jurkat T세포의 microvilli를 보면 빠르게 사라지는 것을 알 수 있었다. 이와는 대조적으로 RhoA의 activator인 PMA는 LIMK와 cofilin 신호 전달을 통해서 microvilli 두께가 확장되는 것을 관찰 하였다. 또한, cytochalasin D 처리는 EL4 T세포의 극성을 사라지게 하는 것으로 보아 F-actin은 T세포의 극성 유지에도 영향을 미친다. 이상의 결과는 Actin cytoskeleton은 T세포에서 microvilli와 극성 유지에 관여하고 있는 것을 제시한다.

• 한국식물병리학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국식물병리학회 2003년도 정기총회 및 추계학술발표회
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• pp.88.1-88
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• 2003

Antogonistic bacteria against Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium spp., causing serious damage to golf course grasses, were isolated from the top soil of several golf courses in Korea. The isolate of Limk0102 was selected as the biological agent by characterization of antifungal activity, large scale preparation, fungicides tolerance and ecological fitness to the targe environment. The isolate was identified as Bacillus subtilis by biochemical and physiological characterization, and 165 rDNA sequence analysis. The bacterial agent was formulated as a granule type by seeding it on fine sand. The formulated agent showed high recovery rate (more than 10$\^$8/ cells/g sand) even after 6 month-storage at room temperature with similar antifungal activity with that of original cells. In vitro, the biological agent successfully exhibited antagonistic performance on bentgrass inoculated with R. solani or Pythium spp. isolated from the diseased grasses on golf courses. Field evaluation on disease control activity and ecological fitness of the agent is now under going on several golf courses.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.31-44
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• 2008

The forced swim test (FST) is the most widely used model for assessing potential antidepressant activity. Although it has been shown that lateral septum is involved with the FST-related behavior, it is not clear whether antidepressant treatments could alter the FST-induced gene expression profile in the lateral septum. In the present study, the gene expression profiles in response to FST and reboxetine pretreatment were observed in the lateral septum of rats. Reboxetine is known as a most selective serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. In addition, we compared the changes in gene expression profile between reboxetine response and nonresponse groups, which were determined by counting FST-related behavior. After FST, lateral septum from controls and reboxetine pretreated group were dissected and gene expression profiles were assessed using an Affymetrix microarray system containing 15,923 genes. Various genes with different functions were changed in reboxetine response group compared with reboxetine nonresponse group, In particular, pleiotrophin, orexin receptor 2, serotonin 2A receptor, neuropeptide Y5 receptor and thyroid hormone receptor $\beta$ were decreased in reboxetine response group, but Lim motif-containing protein kinase 1 (Limk1) and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) were increased. Although further studies are required for direct roles of these genes in reboxetine response, the microarray may provide tools to find out potential target genes and signaling pathways in antidepressant response.

• 한국정보처리학회논문지
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• 제7권10호
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• pp.3210-3218
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• 2000

IS-95 셀룰라 시스템에서는 다른 역방향 사용자들의 통화로 인한 간섭 레벨(level)이 이미 정해져 있는 레벨 이상이 되었을 때 통화 블럭킹(blocking)이 일어난다. 본 논문에서는 이동 무선채널을 전파음영(shadowing) 채널로 가정하고 불완전 전력제어된 IS-95 셀룰라 시스템의 역방향 링크에 대한 얼랑용량(Erlag capacity)을 산출한다. 블록킹 확률(blocking probability)은 로그노말 근사(lognormal approximation)를 사용하여 유도하고 가우시안 근사와 로그노말 근사의 결과들을 서로 비교 분석한다. 데이터율 $R_b$=9.6kbps 와 $R_b$=14.4kbps에서 1% 블록킹 확률을 가정하면, 로그노말 근사를 사용한 얼랑용량은 각각 13.68 얼랑과 7.08 얼랑으로 가우시안 근사가 약 24,4%와 40.4% 의 근사한 오차를 발생시킨다는 것을 알 수 있다. 또한 전력제어가 완벽하게 된다면 얼랑용량은 전력제어 오차가 2.5㏈인 불완전 전력제어보다 6.99 얼랑과 4.21 얼랑 증가하고, 음성활동율을 40%로 간주하면 음성활동을 고려하지 않은 경우보다 8.21 얼랑과 4.25 얼랑이 각각 증가함을 알 수 있다.