• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.72-78
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• 2015

Recently, noninvasive prenatal test (NIPT) has been adopted as a primary screening tool for fetal chromosomal aneuploidy. The principle of NIPT lies in isolating the fetal fraction of cell-free DNA in maternal plasma and analyzing it with bioinformatic tools to measure the amount of gene from the target chromosome, such as chromosomes 21, 18, and 13. NIPT will contribute to decreasing the need for unnecessary invasive procedures, including amniocentesis and chorionic villi sampling, for confirming fetal aneuploidy because of its higher positive predictive value than that of the conventional prenatal screening method. However, its greater cost than that of the current antenatal screening protocol may be an obstacle to the adoption of this innovative technique in clinical practice. Digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) is a novel approach for detecting and quantifying nucleic acid. dPCR provides real-time diagnostic advantages with higher sensitivity, accuracy, and absolute quantification than conventional quantitative PCR. Since the groundbreaking discovery that fetal cell-free nucleic acid exists in maternal plasma was reported, dPCR has been used for the quantification of fetal DNA and for screening for fetal aneuploidy. It has been suggested that dPCR will decrease the cost by targeting specific sequences in the target chromosome, and dPCR-based noninvasive testing will facilitate progress toward the implementation of a noninvasive approach for screening for trisomy 21, 18, and 13. In this review, we highlight the principle of dPCR and discuss its future implications in clinical practice.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.418-427
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• 2006

Ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) are ligand-gated nonselective cation channels that mediate fast excitatory neurotransmission. Although homologues of the iGluRs have been identified in higher plants, their roles are largely unknown. In this work we isolated a full-length cDNA clone (RsGluR) encoding a putative glutamate receptor from small radish. An RsGluR:mGFP fusion protein was localized to the plasma membrane. In Arabidopsis thaliana overexpressing the fulllength cDNA, glutamate treatment triggered greater $Ca^{2+}$ influx in the root cells of transgenic seedlings than in those of the wild type. Transgenic plants exhibited multiple morphological changes such as necrosis at their tips and the margins of developing leaves, dwarf stature with multiple secondary inflorescences, and retarded growth, as previously observed in transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing AtGluR3.2 [Kim et al. (2001)]. Microarray analysis showed that jasmonic acid (JA)-responsive genes including defensins and JA-biosynthetic genes were up-regulated. RsGluR overexpression also inhibited growth of a necrotic fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea possibly due to up-regulation of the defensins. Based on these results, we suggest that RsGluR is a glutamate-gated $Ca^{2+}$ channel located in the plasma membrane of higher plants and plays a direct or indirect role in defense against pathogen infection by triggering JA biosynthesis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.190-201
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• 2024

Background: Deposition of immune complexes drives podocyte injury acting in the initial phase of lupus nephritis (LN), a process mediated by B cell involvement. Accordingly, targeting B cell subsets represents a potential therapeutic approach for LN. Ginsenoside compound K (CK), a bioavailable component of ginseng, possesses nephritis benefits in lupus-prone mice; however, the underlying mechanisms involving B cell subpopulations remain elusive. Methods: Female MRL/lpr mice were administered CK (40 mg/kg) intragastrically for 10 weeks, followed by measurements of anti-dsDNA antibodies, inflammatory chemokines, and metabolite profiles on renal samples. Podocyte function and ultrastructure were detected. Publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing data and flow cytometry analysis were employed to investigate B cell subpopulations. Metabolomics analysis was adopted. SIRT1 and AMPK expression were analyzed by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence assays. Results: CK reduced proteinuria and protected podocyte ultrastructure in MRL/lpr mice by suppressing circulating anti-dsDNA antibodies and mitigating systemic inflammation. It activated B cell-specific SIRT1 and AMPK with Rhamnose accumulation, hindering the conversion of renal B cells into plasma cells. This cascade facilitated the resolution of local renal inflammation. CK facilitated the clearance of deposited immune complexes, thus reinstating podocyte morphology and mobility by normalizing the expression of nephrin and SYNPO. Conclusions: Our study reveals the synergistic interplay between SIRT1 and AMPK, orchestrating the restoration of renal B cell subsets. This process effectively mitigates immune complex deposition and preserves podocyte function. Accordingly, CK emerges as a promising therapeutic agent, potentially alleviating the hyperactivity of renal B cell subsets during LN.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.162-169
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• 2018

Many cytoplasmic proteins are targeted to the cytoplasmic membrane of the trans-Golgi network (TGN) via an N-terminal short helix. We previously showed that the 20 N-terminal amino acids of Aplysia phosphodiesterase 4 (ApPDE4) long form are sufficient for its targeting to the plasma membrane and the TGN. The N-terminus of the ApPDE4 long form binds to PI4P and sulfatide in vitro. Therefore, in order to decipher the roles of sulfatide in Golgi complex targeting, we examined the cellular localization of sulfatide-binding peptides. In this study, we found that enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fused to the C-terminus of modified sulfatide- and heparin-binding peptides (mHSBP-EGFP) was localized to the TGN. On the other hand, its mutant, in which tryptophan was replaced with an alanine, leading to the impairment of heparin and sulfatide binding, was localized to cytosol. We also found that the TGN targeting of mHSBP-EGFP is impaired by the treatment of antimycin A, phenylarsine oxide (PAO), and adenosine but not a high concentration of wortmannin. These results suggest that PAO and adenosine-sensitive kinases, including phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase II, may play key roles in the recruitment of mHSBP-EGFP.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.591-597
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• 1992

The organ distribution of $[^3H]$-methotrexate-lactosaminated bovine serum albumin conjugates ($[^3H]$-MTX-LBSA) was investigated to examine their role as a liver-specific anticancer drug. Synthesis of lactosaminated bovine serum albumin(LBSA) with BSA, lactose and sodium cyanoborohydride through reductive amination was followed by its conjugation with methotrexate (MTX) and 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC), thereby synthesizing [$[^3H]$-MTX-LBSA conjugates. Organ distribution and plasma elimination profiles were studied in male Wistar rats after intravenous injection of [$[^3H]$-MTX-LBSA conjugates. The fates of $[^3H]$-MTX and the $[^3H]$-MTX-BSA conjugates´fates were also investigated for comparison. The results showed that the plasma level of $[^3H]$-MTX-LBSA conjugates declined more rapidly than those of $[^3H]$-MTX-BSA and their liver concentration was significantly higher than those of other treatment (p<0.01). In addition, their uptake compared to the amount taken up by the liver (1 : 33.1 at 10 min, 1 : 24.1 at 120 min). All these suggested that MTX-LBSA conjugate is one of the drug delivery system (DDS) that is advanced in concentrating MTX in the liver and minimizing the renal toxicity of MTX.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.315-322
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• 2006

TALP-32 is highly basic protein with a molecular weight of 32 kDa purified from human term placenta. Some basic proteins such as defensins and cecropins are known to induce cell death by increasing membrane permeability and some of them are under development as an anticancer drug especially targeting multi-drug resistant cancers. Therefore, we investigated cytotoxic effect and mechanism of TALP-32 When HeLa cell was incubated with TALP-32, cytotoxicity was increased in time and dose dependent manner. As time goes by, HeLa cells became round and plasma membrane was ruptured. Increase of plasma membrane permeability was determined with LDH release assay. Also in transmission electron microscopy, typical morphology of necrotic cell death, such as cell swelling and intracellular organelle disruption was observed, but DNA fragmentation and caspase activation was not. And necrotic cell death was determined with Annexin V/Pl staining. The cytotoxicity of TALP-32 was minimal and decreased or RBC and Hep3B respectively. These data suggests that TALP-32 induces necrosis on rapidly growing cells but not on slowly growing cells implicating the possibility of its development of anticancer peptide drug.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.2527-2533
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• 2016

Sensitising cancer cells and at the same time desensitizing normal cells is a double task in cancer management. Agents which can combat the debilitating side effects of cancer therapeutics and simultaneously synergize with anticancer agents in specifically targeting cancer cells are needed. Selenium, a proven anticarcinogen, gains due importance in terms of its efficacy to combat the side effects of cancer therapy. This study is a comparative analysis of the chemoprotective effects of selenium compounds, methyl selenol (generated from organic selenomethionine (5mmol/L ; METase 40U/L)) and sodium selenite (inorganic form)($30{\mu}M$) in peripheral blood human lymphocytes exposed to cisplatin and mitomycin. Biochemical alterations occurring in many cells during apoptosis include loss of plasma membrane phospholipid asymmetry, DNA fragmentation, and activation of caspase-3. The present study demonstrated that the selenium metabolite and selenite are efficient in protecting lymphocytes undergoing DNA damage and exerted their activity by reducing caspase 3 expression. Interestingly organic methylselenol (MeSe) was found to offer more protective effects compared to inorganic selenite (SeL), by reducing the induction of apoptosis by the cytotoxic agents. This suggests that MeSe and to a lesser extent selenite might have potential for assessment in clinical trials and could be considered as strong candidates in pharmacogenomics or in the nutriprotective arena.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.203-210
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• 2008

One of cell surface receptor proteins, human folate receptor (hFR) involves in the uptake of folates through cell membrane into cytoplasm, and is anchored to the plasma membrane by a fatty acid linkage, which has been identified in some cells as a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-tailed protein with a molecular mass of about 40 kDa. The hFR is released by phosphatidylinositol phospholipase C (PI-PLC) because it contains fatty acids and inositol on the GPI tail. Caveolin decorates the cytoplasmic surface of caveolae and has been proposed to have a structural role in maintaining caveolae. It is unknown whether caveolin is involved in targeting, and is necessary for the function of GPI-tailed proteins. To compare the ability of folic acid binding, internalization and expression of hFR, and the effect of caveolin at the both apical and basolateral side of cell surfaces in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) clone cells overexpressed the hFR and/or caveolin. Our present results suggest a possibility that the overexpression of caveolin does not be involved in expression of hFR, but plays a role as a factor in PI-PLC releasing kinetics, and for a regulation of formation, processing and function of hFR in CHO clone cells overexpressed cavcolin.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.51-67
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• 2008

In this study, we devoted to kinetic measurement of the catalytic oxidation of iron-containing flame soot particles and better understanding the role of catalytic particles on carbon oxidation in particular at low temperature, targeting on autothermal regeneration of diesel particulate filter by diesel exhaust gas. Carbon-based Fe-containing particles generated by spraying ferrocene-doped diesel fuel in an oxy-hydrogen flame are tested and compared with a commercial carbon black powder for thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Induced coupled plasma-Atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), and High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). As a result, we found that a small amount of the ferrocene addition led to significant reductions in a on-set temperature and an activation energy of the carbon oxidation as well. An oxygenated surface complex forming at the particle surface could be thought as active species that would be readily consumed in particular at low temperature.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.303-310
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• 2006

Ankyrins are a ubiquitously expressed family of intracellular adaptor proteins involved in targeting diverse proteins to specialized membrane domains in both the plasma membrane and the endoplasmic reticulum. We described here that the C-terminal domain of ankyrin-B interact specifically with Z-line portion of titin in yeast two-hybrid analysis, in vitro pull-down assays and localization experiments in COS-7 cells. In this study we provide the first experimental evidence that Z-line portion of titin is necessary for the localization of ankyrin-B and ankyrin-B links between the sarcolemma and the myofibril in costameres.