• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1557-1561
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• 2012

Objective: To investigate the promoter methylation status of the E-cadherin gene in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its association with clinical pathological parameters, and to explore the relationship between downregulation of E-cadherin gene expression and the methylation status of its promoter region. Methods: Nested methylation-specific PCR was performed to examine CpG methylation within the 5' CpG island of the E-cadherin gene in lung cancer and para-cancerous tissue from 37 patients with primary non-small cell lung cancer. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to measure the level of E-cadherin mRNA. Results: Of thirty-seven cases, 12 (32.4%) samples showed aberrant CpG methylation in tumor tissues compared with the corresponding normal tissues. In addition, a reduction in E-cadherin mRNA levels was observed in 11 of the 12 (91.7%) tumor tissues carrying a methylated E-cadherin gene. However, only 10 (43.5%) cases displayed reduced mRNA levels in tumor tissues from the remaining 23 cases (excluding 2 samples from which mRNA was unavailable) without methylation events. Downregulation of E-cadherin gene expression significantly correlated with the promoter methylation status of this gene. Conclusion: These results provide strong evidence that the methylation status of E-cadherin gene contributes to a reduction in the expression of E-cadherin mRNA, and may play a role in the development and progression of NSCLC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1823-1829
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• 2014

Aims: Much evidence suggests that increased glucose metabolism in tumor cells might contribute to the development of acquired chemoresistance. However, the molecular mechanisms are not fully clear. Therefore, we investigated a possible correlation of mRNA expression of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and GLUT1 with chemoresistance in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Methods: Bone marrow samples were obtained from newly diagnosed and relapsed AML (M3 exclusion) cases. RNA interference with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) was used to stably silence GLUT1 or HIF-$1{\alpha}$ gene expression in an AML cell line and HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and GLUT1 mRNA expression was measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay (qPCR). Results: High levels of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and GLUT1 were associated with poor responsiveness to chemotherapy in AML. Down-regulation of the expression of GLUT1 by RNA interference obviously sensitized drug-resistant HL-60/ADR cells to adriamycin (ADR) in vitro, comparable with RNA interference for the HIF-$1{\alpha}$ gene. Conclusions: Our data revealed that over-expression of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and GLUT1 might play a role in the chemoresistance of AML. GLUT1 might be a potential target to reverse such drug resistance.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.391-399
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• 2012

We cloned cDNA-encoding arginine vasotocin (AVT) from the brain of the cinnamon clownfish Amphiprion melanopus, and that was predicted to encode a protein of 153 amino acids. We examined changes in the expression of AVT mRNA in the brain and arginine vasotocin receptor (AVTR) mRNA and osmotic stress transcription factor 1 (OSTF1) mRNA in the gills of the cinnamon clownfish using quantitative real-time PCR in an osmotically changing environment (seawater (35 psu) ${\rightarrow}$ brackish water (BW, 17.5 psu) and BW with prolactin [PRL]). The expression of AVT, AVTR, and OSTF1 mRNA in the brain and gills increased after transfer to BW, and the expression was repressed by PRL treatment. AVT-immunoreactive cells were almost consistently observed in the telencephalon. The plasma $Na^+$ and $Cl^-$ levels decreased in BW, but the level of this parameter increased in BW with PRL treatme during salinity change. These results suggest that AVT, AVTR, and OSTF1 play important roles in hormonal regulation in osmoregulation organs, and that PRL improves the hyperosmoregulatory ability of cinnamon clownfish in BW environment.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.151-159
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• 2016

Background: Ginsenoside-Rg3, the pharmacologically active component of red ginseng, has been found to inhibit tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis in various cancer models. Previously, we found that 20(R)-ginsenoside-Rg3 (Rg3) could inhibit angiogenesis. Since microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to affect many biological processes, they might play an important role in ginsenoside-mediated angiomodulation. Methods: In this study, we examined the underlying mechanisms of Rg3-induced angiosuppression through modulating the miRNA expression. In the miRNA-expression profiling analysis, six miRNAs and three miRNAs were found to be up- or down-regulated in vascular-endothelial-growth-factor-induced human-umbilical-vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) after Rg3 treatment, respectively. Results: A computational prediction suggested that mature hsa-miR-520h (miR-520h) targets ephrin receptor (Eph) B2 and EphB4, and hence, affecting angiogenesis. The up-regulation of miR-520h after Rg3 treatment was validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, while the protein expressions of EphB2 and EphB4 were found to decrease, respectively. The mimics and inhibitors of miR- 520h were transfected into HUVECs and injected into zebra-fish embryos. The results showed that overexpression of miR-520h could significantly suppress the EphB2 and EphB4 protein expression, proliferation, and tubulogenesis of HUVECs, and the subintestinal-vessel formation of the zebra fish. Conclusion: These results might provide further information on the mechanism of Rg3-induced angiosuppression and the involvement of miRNAs in angiogenesis.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.243-249
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• 2012

Hexokinase is the first enzyme in the hexose assimilation pathway; it acts as a sensor for plant sugar responses, and it is also important in determining the fruit sugar levels. The full-length cDNA of a hexokinase gene was isolated from loquat through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends, which was designated as EjHXK1. EjHXK1 is 1,839 bp long and contains an entire open reading frame encoding 497 amino acids. The predicted protein of EjHXK1 shares 72%-81% similarity with other plant hexokinases. Phylogeny analysis indicated that EjHXK1 is closely related to maize and rice hexokinases. Transient expression of the 35S: EjHXK1-GFP fusion protein was observed on the cell membrane and cytoplasm. Real-time RT-PCR indicated that EjHXK1 is expressed in loquat leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits. EjHXK1 transcripts were higher during early fruit development, but decreases before maturation, which is consistent with hexokinase enzyme activity during fruit development and conducive for hexose accumulation in mature fruits. These results imply that EjHXK1 may play important roles in the regulation of sugar flux during fruit ripening.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.95-102
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• 2009

Purpose: This study evaluates MCP-1 expression in the dorsal horn of a rat model of lumbar disc herniation by an autograft of the nucleus pulposus to the spinal nerve. Methods: After a coccygeal nucleus pulposus graft to the left $5^{th}$ lumbar spinal nerve, proximal to dorsal root ganglion, mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were assessed 1 day before surgery, and 1, 10, 20, 30 days after surgery. The mRNA of MCP-1 in the dorsal horn was assessed by real time PCR to compare the temporal pattern of neuropathic pain of the lumbar disc herniation model. Results: In the ipsilateral side of the lumbar disc herniation models, mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia reached a maximum at 10 days after surgery with significant difference from the control group. Pain was also provoked in the contralateral side of the lumbar disc herniation models with less intensity than the ipsilateral side. The level of MCP-1 mRNA expression in the dorsal horn reached a peak at 20 days after surgery. Conclusion: Mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia was induced by nucleus pulposus in a rat lumbar disc herniation model, similar to a previously reported peripheral nerve injury model. The level of MCP-1 expression was higher in the dorsal horn of the ipsilateral and contralateral sides. These results suggest that MCP-1 might play a role in the maintenance of neuropathic pain.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.20-24
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• 2015

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) play a pivotal role in regulating cellular hypoxic response. In this study, we cloned and characterized the genes encoding IGF-1 and IGFBP-1 to improve the current knowledge on their roles in highland Bos grunniens (Yak). We also compared their expression levels in the liver and kidney tissues between yaks and lowland cattle. We obtained full-length 465 bp IGF-1 and 792 bp IGFBP-1, encoding 154 amino acids (AA) IGF-1, and 263 AA IGFBP-1 protein, respectively using reverse transcriptase-polyerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technology. Analysis of their corresponding amino acid sequences showed a high identity between B. grunniens and lowland mammals. Moreover, the two genes were proved to be widely distributed in the examined tissues through expression pattern analysis. Real-time PCR results revealed that IGF-1 expression was higher in the liver and kidney tissues in B. grunniens than in Bos taurus (p<0.05). The IGFBP-1 gene was expressed at a higher level in the liver (p<0.05) of B. taurus than B. grunniens, but it has a similar expression level in the kidneys of the two species. These results indicated that upregulated IGF-1 and downregulated IGFBP-1 are associated with hypoxia adaptive response in B. grunniens.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.5807-5815
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• 2015

Background: Ovarian cancer is the most common gynecological malignancy and constitutes the fifth leading cause of female cancer death. Some biological parameters have prognostic roles in patients with advanced ovarian cancer and their expression may contribute to tumor progression. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential prognostic value of SKP2, genes P27Kip1, K-ras, c-Myc, COX2 and HER2 genes expression in ovarian cancer. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on two hundred formalin fixed paraffin embedded ovarian cancer and normal adjacent tissues (NAT). Gene expression levels were assessed using real time PCR and Western blotting. Results: Elevated expression levels of SKP2, K-ras, c-Myc, HER2 and COX2 genes were observed in 61.5% (123/200), 92.5% (185/200), 74% (148/200), 96 % (192/200), 90% (180/200) and 78.5% (157/200) of cancer tissues, respectively. High expression of SKP2 and down-regulation of P27 was associated with advanced stages of cancer. Conclusions: The association between high expression of c-Myc and SKP2 with low expression of P27 suggested that the Skp2-P27 pathway may play an important role in ovarian carcinogenesis. Reduced expression of P27 is associated with advanced stage of cancer and can be used as a biological marker in clinical routine assessment and management of women with advanced ovarian cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.13
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• pp.5137-5142
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• 2014

Adriamycin (ADR) is an important chemotherapeutic agent frequently used in treatment of breast cancer. However, resistance to ADR results in treatment failure in many patients. Recent studies have indicated that microRNAs (miRNAs) may play an important role in such drug-resistance. In the present study, microRNA-452 (miR-452) was found to be significantly down-regulated in adriamycin-resistant MCF-7 cells (MCF-7/ADR) compared with the parental MCF-7 cells by miRNA microarray and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). MiR-452 mimics and inhibitors partially changed the adriamycin-resistance of breast cancer cells, as also confirmed by apoptosis assay. In exploring the potential mechanisms of miR-452 in the adriamycin-resistance of breast cancer cells, bioinformatics analysis, RT-qPCR and Western blotting showed that dysregulation of miR-452 played an important role in the acquired adriamycin-resistance of breast cancer, maybe at least in part via targeting insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R).

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.5173-5177
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• 2016

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), one of the most prevalent leukemia types in adults, demonstrates great heterogeneity in molecular and clinical terms. Hence, there is a necessity to the mechanisms involved in AML generation in order to determine optimal treatment. This cross sectional study aimed to assess changes in BECN1 gene expression in with blood samples from 30 AML patients, compared with samples from 15 healthy persons. RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesized and Real Time PCR applied to determine BECN1 gene expression. The results showed no significant differences in BECN1 gene expression between patients with AML and normal controls (P > 0.05). It appears that expression of BECN1 does not play a significant role in genesis of AML leukemia.