• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.196-201
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• 2019

The Alu element, the most abundant transposable element, is transcribed to Alu RNA. We hypothesized that the PIWI protein regulates the expression of Alu RNA in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, where accumulated Alu RNA leads to macular degeneration. Alu transcription was induced in RPE cells treated with $H_2O_2$. At an early stage of oxidative stress, PIWIL4 was translocated into the nucleus; however, subsequently it was sequestered into cytoplasmic stress granules, resulting in the accumulation of Alu RNA. An elevated amount of Alu RNA was positively correlated with the disruption of the epithelial features of RPE via induction of mesenchymal transition. Therefore, we suggest that oxidative stress causes Alu RNA accumulation via PIWIL4 sequestration into the cytoplasmic stress granules.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.117-122
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: mRNA-based protein expression technology has been used to express functional proteins. We have previously generated dopamine neurons from rat-embryo derived neural precursor cells (NPCs) through repeated transfection of synthetic transcription factor mRNA encoding dopamine-inducible genes. However, NPCs began to die approximately 10 d post-transfection. In this study, we examined a long-term transfection protocol that did not affect cell viability. Methods and Results: Experiments were performed in eight groups sorted according to the start date of mRNA transfection. mRNA was transfected into NPCs daily for 21 d and live cell images of each group were recorded. NPCs which were differentiated for more than five days showed sustained gene expression and appreciable viability despite daily mRNA transfection for 21 d. Conclusions: Repeated mRNA transfection requires cells with a sufficient differentiation period.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2004

In order to understand the molecular basis of selective expression of stationary-phase genes by RNA polymerase containing$\sigma$$\^$38/ (E$\sigma$$\^$38/) in Escherichia coli, we examined transcription from the stationary-phase promoters, katEP, bo1AP, hdeABP, csgBAP, and mcbP, in vivo and in vitro. Although these pro-moters are preferentially recognized in vivo by E$\sigma$$\^$38/, they are transcribed in vitro by both E$\sigma$$\^$38/ and E$\sigma$$\^$70/ containing the major exponential $\sigma$, $\sigma$$\^$70/. In the presence of high concentrations of glutamate salts, how-ever, oldy E$\sigma$$\^$38/ was able to efficiently transcribe from these promoters, which supports the concept that the promoter selectivity of $\sigma$$\^$38/-containing RNA polymerase is observed only under specific reaction con-ditions. The examination of 6S RNA, which is encoded by the ssr1 gene in vivo, showed that it reduced E$\sigma$$\^$70/ activity during the stationary phase, but this reduction of activity did not result in the elevation of E$\sigma$$\^$38/ activity. Thus, the preferential expression of stationary-phase genes by E$\sigma$$\^$38/ is unlikely the con-sequence of selective inhibition of E$\sigma$$\^$70/ by 6S RNA.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.20-20
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• 2017

Plant genomes include heterochromatic loci that consist of repetitive sequences and transposable elements. LTR retrotransposon is the major class of transposons in advanced plants in terms of proportion in plant genome. The elements contribute not only to genome size but also to genome stability and gene expression. A number of cases have been reported transposon insertions near genic regions affect crop traits such as fruit pigments, stress tolerance, and yields. Functional LTR retrotransposons produce extrachromosomal DNA from genomic RNA by reverse transcription that takes place within virus-like-particles (VLPs). DECREASED DNA METHYLATION 1 (DDM1) plays important roles in maintaining DNA methylation of heterochromatin affecting all sequence contexts, CG, CHG, and CHH. Previous studies showed that ddm1 mutant exhibits massive transcription of retrotransposons in Arabidopsis, but only few of them were able to create new insertions into the genome. RNA-dependent RNA POLYMERASE 6 (RDR6) is known to function in restricting accumulation of transposon RNA by processing the transcripts into 21-22 nt epigenetically activated small interfering RNA (easiRNA). We purified VLPs and sequence cDNA to identify functional LTR retrotransposons in Arabidopsis ddm1 and ddm1rdr6 plants. Over 20 LTR copia and gypsy families were detected in ddm1 and ddm1rdr6 sequencing libraries and most of them were not reported for mobility. In ddm1rdr6, short fragments of ATHILA gypsy elements were detected. It suggests easiRNAs might regulate reverse transcription steps. The highest enriched element among transposon loci was previously characterized EVADE element. It has been reported that active EVADE element is more efficiently silenced through female germline than male germline. By genetic analyses, we found ddm1 and rdr6 mutation affect maternal silencing of active EVADE elements. DDM1-GFP protein accumulated in megaspore mother cell but was not found in mature egg cell. The fusion protein was also found in early embryo and maternal DDM1-GFP allele was more dominantly expressed in the embryo. We observed localization of DDM1-GFP in Arabidopsis and DDM1-YFP in maize and found the proteins accumulated in dividing zone of root tips. Currently we are looking at cell cycle dependency of DDM1 expression using maize system. Among 10 AGO proteins in Arabidopsis, AGO9 is specifically expressed in egg cell and shoot meristematic cells. In addition, mutation of AGO9 and RDR6 caused failure in maternal silencing, implying 21-22 nt easiRNA pathway is important for retrotransposon silencing in female gametophyte or/and early embryo. On the other hand, canonical 24 nt sRNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathways did not contribute to maternal silencing as confirmed by this study. Heat-activated LTR retrotransposon, ONSEN, was not silenced by DDM1 but the silencing mechanisms require RdDM pathways in somatic cells. We will propose distinct mechanisms of LTR retrotransposons in germline and somatic stages.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.97-97
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• 2017

Plant genomes include heterochromatic loci that consist of repetitive sequences and transposable elements. LTR retrotransposon is the major class of transposons in advanced plants in terms of proportion in plant genome. The elements contribute not only to genome size but also to genome stability and gene expression. A number of cases have been reported transposon insertions near genic regions affect crop traits such as fruit pigments, stress tolerance, and yields. Functional LTR retrotransposons produce extrachromosomal DNA from genomic RNA by reverse transcription that takes place within virus-like-particles (VLPs). DECREASED DNA METHYLATION 1 (DDM1) plays important roles in maintaining DNA methylation of heterochromatin affecting all sequence contexts, CG, CHG, and CHH. Previous studies showed that ddm1 mutant exhibits massive transcription of retrotransposons in Arabidopsis, but only few of them were able to create new insertions into the genome. RNA-dependent RNA POLYMERASE 6 (RDR6) is known to function in restricting accumulation of transposon RNA by processing the transcripts into 21-22 nt epigenetically activated small interfering RNA (easiRNA). We purified VLPs and sequence cDNA to identify functional LTR retrotransposons in Arabidopsis ddm1 and ddm1rdr6 plants. Over 20 LTR copia and gypsy families were detected in ddm1 and ddm1rdr6 sequencing libraries and most of them were not reported for mobility. In ddm1rdr6, short fragments of ATHILA gypsy elements were detected. It suggests easiRNAs might regulate reverse transcription steps. The highest enriched element among transposon loci was previously characterized EVADE element. It has been reported that active EVADE element is more efficiently silenced through female germline than male germline. By genetic analyses, we found ddm1 and rdr6 mutation affect maternal silencing of active EVADE elements. DDM1-GFP protein accumulated in megaspore mother cell but was not found in mature egg cell. The fusion protein was also found in early embryo and maternal DDM1-GFP allele was more dominantly expressed in the embryo. We observed localization of DDM1-GFP in Arabidopsis and DDM1-YFP in maize and found the proteins accumulated in dividing zone of root tips. Currently we are looking at cell cycle dependency of DDM1 expression using maize system. Among 10 AGO proteins in Arabidopsis, AGO9 is specifically expressed in egg cell and shoot meristematic cells. In addition, mutation of AGO9 and RDR6 caused failure in maternal silencing, implying 21-22 nt easiRNA pathway is important for retrotransposon silencing in female gametophyte or/and early embryo. On the other hand, canonical 24 nt sRNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathways did not contribute to maternal silencing as confirmed by this study. Heat-activated LTR retrotransposon, ONSEN, was not silenced by DDM1 but the silencing mechanisms require RdDM pathways in somatic cells. We will propose distinct mechanisms of LTR retrotransposons in germline and somatic stages.

• BMB Reports
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.194-200
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• 2017

Eukaryotic gene expression is precisely regulated at all points between transcription and translation. In this review, we focus on translational control mediated by the 3'-untranslated regions (UTRs) of mRNAs. mRNA 3'-UTRs contain cis-acting elements that function in the regulation of protein translation or mRNA decay. Each RNA binding protein that binds to these cis-acting elements regulates mRNA translation via various mechanisms targeting the mRNA cap structure, the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E)-eIF4G complex, ribosomes, and the poly (A) tail. We also discuss translation-mediated regulation of mRNA fate.

• Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.203-210
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• 2017

After transcription, RNAs are always associated with RNA binding proteins (RBPs) to perform biological activities. RBPs can interact with target RNAs in sequence- and structure-dependent manner through their unique RNA binding domains. In development and progression of carcinogenesis, RBPs are aberrantly dysregulated in many human cancers with various mechanisms, such as genetic alteration, epigenetic change, noncoding RNA-mediated regulation, and post-translational modifications. Upon deregulation in cancers, RBPs influence every step in the development and progression of cancer, including sustained cell proliferation, evasion of apoptosis, avoiding immune surveillance, inducing angiogenesis, and activating metastasis. To develop therapeutic strategies targeting RBPs, RNA interference-based oligonucleotides or small molecule inhibitors have been screened based on reduced RBP-RNA interaction and changed level of target RNAs. Identification of binding RNAs with high-throughput techniques and integral analysis of multiple datasets will help us develop new therapeutic drugs or prognostic biomarkers for human cancers.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.631-638
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• 2008

Tandem affinity purification (TAP) method combined with LC-MS/MS is the most accurate and reliable way to study the interaction of proteins or proteomics in a genome-wide scale. For the first time, we used a TAP-tag as a mutagenic tool to disrupt protein interactions at the specific site. Although lots of commonly used mutational tools exist to study functions of a gene, such as deletional mutations and site-directed mutagenesis, each method has its own demerit. To test the usefulness of a TAP-tag as a mutagenic tool, we applied a TAP-tag to RNA polymerase II, which is the key enzyme of gene expression and is controlled by hundreds of transcription factors even to transcribe a gene. Our experiment is based on the hypothesis that there will be interrupted interactions between Pol II and transcription factors owing to the TAP-tag attached at the C-terminus of each subunit of Pol II, and the abnormality caused by interrupted protein interactions can be observed by measuring a cell-cycle of each yeast strain. From ten different TAP-tagged strains, Rpb7- and Rpb12-TAP-tagged strains show severe defects in growth rate and morphology. Without a heterodimer of Rpb4/Rpb7, only the ten subunits Pol II can conduct transcription normally, and there is no previously known function of Rpb7. The observed defect of the Rpb7-TAP-tagged strain shows that Rpb7 forms a complex with other proteins or compounds and the interruption of the interaction can interfere with the normal cell cycle and morphology of the cell and nucleus. This is a novel attempt to use a TAP-tag as a proteomic tool to study protein interactions.

• BMB Reports
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.221-224
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• 1996

To examine the growth-phase dependent control of Escherichia coli rnpB gene we used a combination of Northern analysis for RNA determination and Southern analysis for plasmid DNA determination. The relative amounts of metabolically unstable transcript derived from the internally deleted rnpB gene harbored on a multicopy plasmid as well as the relative plasmid contents were measured by Northern analysis and Southern analysis, respectively, of total nucleic acids from E coli cells containing the plasmid. The relative transcription activity of the rnB was represented by a ratio of the relative amount of the transcript to that of the plasmid DNA during bacterial growth. The rnpB transcription increased rapidly with time during exponential growth, but started to decrease before the transition period of an exponential growing cell culture into the stationary phase. Although the expression pattern was similar to the changes of ${\beta}-galactosidase$ activity expressed from the lysogenic strain carrying the chromosomal rnpB-lacZ fusion which were shown in a previous work, the present data appears to represent a more actual growth-phase control of the rnpB transcription than the previous data by the ${\beta}-galactosidase$ assay. In addition the present method described for a direct analysis of both RNA and plasmid DNA provides a rapid and efficient method that can applied to an examination of transcription control by using a multicopy plasmid.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.501-508
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• 2011

Previous studies suggest that polyunsaturated fatty acids with long carbon chains such as eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid(DHA) have several health benefits. However metabolic consequences of these fatty acids themselves and their regulation of transcriptional activity involving glucose utilization are not well established. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate how EPA influx affects cellular lipid accumulation and gene expressions involving $de$ $novo$ lipogenesis in hepatocyte cultures. Compared to oleic acid treatment, EPA treatment showed remarkably decreased cellular TG conversion and accumulation, along with phospholipids at a lower extent. As expected, EPA increased mRNA expression involving fatty acid influx and lipid droplet formation, but did not affect mRNA expression involving glucose utilization. EPA increased transcriptional activity of PPAR-${\alpha}$ and glucose responsive transcription factor when transcription factor binding protein was activated. Taken together, these data suggest that EPA decreases lipid accumulation through increases of the ${\beta}$-oxidation pathway without interruption of glucose utilization.