• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.122-131
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• 1995

Five human cancer cell lines (HeLa S3, Hep 3B, KATO III, Hs 683, HeLa MR) and one human normal cell line (WI-38) were examined cell viability, northern blot analysis, western blot analysis, and in situ hybridization for the expression $O_{6}$ -methylguanine-DNAmethyltransferase (MGMT), which can repair $O_{6}$ -methylguanine produced in DNA by alkylating agents. In cell viability test, the lethal sensitivities of each strain against anti-tumor drug N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)- N-nitrosourea (BCNU) were counted, and both BCNU treated and untreated cell extracts were examined for their MGMT inducibility by RNA dot blot analysis. Cell lines did not show MGMT induction by BCNU pretreatment. Tlle MGMT activity was assayed by measuring the $^3$H radioactivity transferred from the substrate DNA containing [methyl-$^3$H)-O$_{6}$ -methylguanine to acceptor molecules in the cell extracts. Extracts from the majority of tumor strains and normal cells contained substantial MGMT activity of varying degree, while the known Mer$^{[-10]}$ cell (lacked or severely depleted in MGMT activity) Hela MR, and Hs 683 (proved to be Mer$^{[-10]}$ ) were much more sensitive to BCNU than the rest of tumor strains, as measured by cell viability test. Overall results above, KATO III showed the highest expression level of MGMT among the strains examined. Furthermore, with all the tumor and normal strains tested, a good correlation was observed between MGMT expression and cellular resistance to BCNU. The varying levels of expression of MGMT in human cancer cells found in this study should provide a molecular basis for MGMT expression among tumor strains from different tissue origin, the information of antitumor agents selection for chemotherapy of cancers.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.506-512
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• 2011

This study was conducted to validate the theoretical feasibility of a technique to identify biomarkers in Korean native black pig (KNP) and a commercial Landrace breed. Using two-dimensional electrophoresis, we found six proteins (NADH dehydrogenase Fe-S protein 1, an unnamed protein product, similar to T-complex protein 1, annexin V = CaBP33 isoform, fatty acid-binding protein, and catechol O-methyltransferase), which appeared in KNP alone. We raised polyclonal antibodies (used as the primary antibody) for Western blotting to confirm the characteristics of the six KNP proteins. As a result, catechol O-methyltransferase, annexin V = CaBP33 isoform, and the unnamed protein product presented thicker bands in KNP than those in Landrace. Moreover, catechol O-methyltransferase was shown to be more feasible as a biomarker for KNP. However, cross-reactivity was observed with the polyclonal antibodies for KNP and the other three proteins (NADH dehydrogenase, a protein similar to T-complex protein 1, and fatty acid-binding protein). This study only showed limited results from a limited number of animals; however, our research suggests possibilities for future studies.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.435-439
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• 2000

Explants of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) were cocultured with A. tumefaciens LBA 4404 harboring ${\gamma}$-tocopherol methyltransferase (${\gamma}$-TMT) gene from Arabidopsis thaliana. These explants were transferred to MS medium supplemented with 50 mg/L kanamycin, 500 mg/L carbenicillin, 0.1 mg/L NAA and 0.5 mg/L BA. After 4 weeks, kanamycin resistant shoots were obtained from the explants on the selection medium. The putative transgenic shoots were transferred to rooting MS medium supplemented with 50 mg/L kanamycin and 250 mg/L carbenicillin. Stable incorporation of the Arabidopsis ${\gamma}$-TMT cDNA into lettuce genomic DNA was confirmed by PCR and Southern analysis. HPLC analysis showed that $\alpha$- to ${\gamma}$-tocopherol ratio increased over four fold in a transgenic lettuce line indicating successful expression of the transgenic Arabidopsis ${\gamma}$-TMT in lettuce.

• Plant Biotechnology Reports
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2011

Jasmonates control diverse plant developmental processes, such as seed germination, flower, fruit and seed development, senescence and tuberization in potato. To understand the role of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) in potato tuberization, the Arabidopsis JMT gene encoding jasmonic acid carboxyl methyltransferase was constitutively overexpressed in transgenic potato plants. Increases in tuber yield and size as well as in vitro tuberization frequency were observed in transgenic plants. These were correlated with JMT mRNA level-- the higher expression level, the higher the tuber yield and size. The levels of jasmonic acid (JA), MeJA and tuberonic acid (TA) were also higher than those in control plants. Transgenic plants also exhibited higher expression of jasmonate-responsive genes such as those for allene oxide cyclase (AOC) and proteinase inhibitor II (PINII). These results indicate that JMT overexpression induces jasmonate biosynthesis genes and thus JA and TA pools in transgenic potatoes. This results in enhanced tuber yield and size in transgenic potato plants.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2207-2212
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• 2012

Overexpression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) has been detected in many cancers. Tobacco exposure is known to induce genetic and epigenetic changes in the pathogenesis of malignancy. 4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) is an important carcinogen present in tobacco smoke; however the detailed molecular mechanism of how NNK induces esophageal carcinogenesis is still unclear. We found that DNMT1 was overexpressed in ESCC tissues compared with paired non-cancerous tissues, the overexpression being correlated with smoking status and low expression of $RAR{\beta}$. The latter could be upregulated by NNK treatment in Het-1A cells, and the increased DNMT1 expression level reflected promoter hypermethylation and downregulation of retinoic acid receptor ${\beta}$($RAR{\beta}$). RNA interference mediated knockdown of DNMT1 resulted in promoter demethylation and upregulation of $RAR{\beta}$ in KYSE30 and TE-1 cells. 3-(4,5-Dimethyl-thiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that NNK treatment in Het-1A cells could enhance cell proliferation and inhibit cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, DNMT1 overexpression is correlated with smoking status and low expression of $RAR{\beta}$ in esophageal SCC patients. NNK could induce $RAR{\beta}$ promoter hypermethylation through upregulation of DNMT1 in esophageal squamous epithelial cells, finally leading to enhancement of cell proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.819-824
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• 2001

The principal DNA modification systems of the amino-acid-producing bacteria Corynebacterium glutamicum AS019, Brevibacterium flavum BF4, and B. lactofermentum BL1 was investigated using two approaches; digestion of plasmid DNA isolated from these species TseI and Fnu4HI, and sequence analysis of the putative methyltransferase target sites following the derivatization of DNA using metabisulfite treatment. The C. glutamicum and B. flavum strains showed similar digestion patterns to the two enzymes, indicating that the target for cytidine methyltransferase recognizes 5'-GCSGC-3'(where S is either G or C). Mapping the methylated cytidine sites by bisulfite derivatization, followed by PCR amplification and sequencing, was only possible when the protocol included an additional step eliminating any underivatized DNA after PCR amplification, thereby indicating that the derivatization was not $100\%$ efficient. This may have been due to the high G0C content of this genus. It was confirmed that C. glutamicum AS019 and B. flavum BF4 methylated the cytidine in the $Gm^5CCGC$ sequences, yet there were no similar patterns of methylation in B. lactofermentum, which was consistent with the distinctive degradation pattern seen for the above enzymes. These findings demonstrate the successful application of a modified bisulfite derivatization method with the Corynebacterium species for determining methylation patterns, and showed that different species in the geneus contain distinctive restriction and modification systems.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.184-193
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• 2012

Gastric cancer is ranked as the most common cancer in Koreans. A recent molecular biological study about the folate pathway gene revealed the correlation with a couple of cancer types. In the folate pathway, several genes are involved, including methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase reductase (MTRR), and methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase (MTR). The MTHFR gene has been reported several times for the correlation with gastric cancer risk. However, the association of the MTRR or MTR gene has not been reported to date. In this study, we investigated the association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the MTHFR, MTRR, and MTR genes and the risk of gastric cancer in Koreans. To identify the genetic association with gastric cancer, we selected 17 SNPs sites in folate pathway-associated genes of MTHFR, MTR, and MTRR and tested in 1,261 gastric cancer patients and 375 healthy controls. By genotype analysis, estimating odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI), rs1801394 in the MTRR gene showed increased risk for gastric cacner, with statistical significance both in the codominant model (odds ratio [OR], 1.39; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.85) and dominant model (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.75). Especially, in the obese group (body mass index ${\geq}25kg/m^2$), the codominant (OR, 9.08; 95% CI, 1.01 to 94.59) and recessive model (OR, 3.72; 95% CI, 0.92 to 16.59) showed dramatically increased risk (p < 0.05). In conclusion, rs1801394 in the MTRR gene is associated with gastric cancer risk, and its functional significance need to be validated.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2005

A cDNA encoding ${\gamma}-tocopherol$ methyltransferase (${\gamma}-TMT$) from Arabidopsis thaliana was overexpressed in lettuce (Latuca sativa L.) to improve the tocopherol composition. Seven lines of lettuce ($T_0$) containing the ${\gamma}-TMT$ transgene were produced by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The inheritance and expression of the transgene were confirmed by DNA and RNA gel blot analyses as well as quantification of tocopherols and ${\gamma}-TMT$ activities. The ratio of ${\alpha}-/{\gamma}-tocopherol$ content (TR) varied from 0.6 to 1.2 in non-transformed plants, while the $T_0$ plants had ratios of 0.8 to 320. The ratio ranged from 0.4 to 544 in 41 $T_1$ progenies of the $T_0$ transgenic line gTM3, and the phenotypic segregation indicated monogenic inheritance of the transgene (i.e., 3:1 = dominant:wild-type classes). There was a tight relationship between the TR phenotype and ${\gamma}-TMT$ activity, and enzyme activities were affected by the copy number and transcript levels of the transgene. The TR phenotype was stably expressed in $T_2$ progenies of $T_1$ plants. The results from this study indicated that a stable inheritance and expression of Arabidopsis ${\gamma}-TMT$ transgene in lettuce results in a higher enzyme activity and the conversion of the ${\gamma}-tocopherol$ pool to ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ in transgenic lettuce.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.206-216
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• 2004

The functional role of protein carboxylmethylation (PCM) has not yet been clearly elucidated in the tissue level. The biochemical feature of PCM in porcine spleen was therefore studied by investigating the methyl accepting capacity (MAC) of natural endogenous substrate proteins for protein carboxyl O-methyltransferase (PCMT) in various conditions. Strong acidic and alkaline-conditioned (at pH 11.0) analyses of the MAC indicated that approximately 65％ of total protein methylation seemed to be mediated by spleen PCMT. The hydrolytic kinetics of the PCM products, such as carboxylmethylesters (CMEs), under mild alkaline conditions revealed that there may be three different kinds of CMEs [displaying half-times (T$_{1}$2/) of 1.1 min (82.7％ of total CMEs), 13.9 min (4.6％), and 478.0 min (12.7％)], assuming that the majority of CME is base-labile and may be catalyzed by class I PCMT. In agreement with these results, several natural endogenous substrate proteins (14, 31 and 86 kDa) were identified strikingly by acidic-conditioned electrophoresis, and their MAC was lost upon alkaline conditions. On the other hand, other proteins (23 and 62 kDa) weakly appeared under alkaline conditions, indicating that PCM mediated by class II or III PCMT may be a minor reaction. The MAC of an isolated endogenous substrate protein (23-kDa) was also detected upon acidic-conditioned electrophoresis. Therefore, our date suggest that most spleen PCM may be catalyzed by class I PCMT, which participates in repairing aged proteins.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.192-195
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• 2006

For the development of a qualitative PCR detection method for genetically modified perilla (Perilla frutescens), perilla species-specific gene, KAS-I (Beta-ketoacyl-ACP synthase I), was selected and validated as suitable for the use as an endogenous reference gene in perilla. Primer specificity was first tested by the means of qualitative PCR analysis. The primer pair Pfru3-F/R amplifying the perilla endogenous gene, KAS-I, gave rise to an amplicon 95 bp. No amplified product was observed when DNA samples from 15 different plants were used as templates. Qualitative PCR detection method was assayed with vitamin E-enriched GM Perilla developed in Korea. For the qualitative PCR detection method, the construct-specific detection primer pairs were constructed. The primer pair TMTO-F/R amplifying the junction region of TMT (${\gamma}$-tocopherol methyltransferase) gene and OCS (Octopine synthase) terminator introduced in GM perilla gave rise to an amplicon 148 bp.