• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.197-203
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• 2011

Lactobacilli are normal constituents of the intestinal microbiota, and some strains show the capacity to bind to extracellular matrix proteins and components of the mucosal layer, which represents an adaptation to persist in this niche. A shotgun phage-display library of Lactobacillus casei BL23 was constructed and screened for peptides able to bind to fibronectin and collagen. Clones showing binding to these proteins were isolated, which encoded overlapping fragments of a putative transcriptional regulator (LCABL_29260), a hypothetical protein exclusively found in the L. casei/rhamnosus group (LCABL_01820), and a putative phage-related endolysin (LCABL_13470). The construction of different glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusions confirmed the binding activity and demonstrated that the three identified proteins could interact with fibronectin, fibrinogen, and collagen. The results illustrate the utility of phage display for the isolation of putative adhesins in lactobacilli. However, it remains to be determined whether the primary function of these proteins actually is adhesion to mucosal surfaces.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.8-16
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• 2006

The regulators of the G protein signaling (RGS) proteins are responsible for the rapid acceleration of the GTPase-activity intrinsic to the heterotrimeric G protein alpha subunits. As GTPase-activating proteins (GAP), the RGS proteins negatively regulate the G-protein signals. Recently, the RGS proteins are known to be one of the important regulators of opioid signal transduction and the development of tolerance. The aim of this study was to review the recent discovery and understanding of the role of RGS proteins in opioid signaling and the development of tolerance. This information will be useful for medical personnel, particularly those involved in anesthesia and pain medicine, by helping them improve the effective use of opioids and develop new drugs that can prevent opioid tolerance.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.115-118
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• 2006

Cyclin B1 is known to reflect the M-phase promoting factor (MPF), a universal regulator of G2/M-phase transition, activity during the process of oocytes maturation. To investigate whether culture condition affects the maturation rate and the expression of cyclin B1 protein, bovine immature oocytes are stimulated and cultured according to the following protocols: Experiment 1: denuded oocytes (denude) only, COC only, denuded oocytes+granulosa cells (denude+GCs) and COC+GCs; Experiment 2: no-activation (control), 7% ethanol for 5 min and $10{\mu}l/ml$ ionomycin for 5 min at immediately before maturation. The maturation rates of denude and no-activation group were significantly lower in both experiments (P<0.05), respectively. Co-culture or stimulation method in bovine immature oocytes culture increases the cyclin B1 expression significantly in both experiments (P<0.05). Based on these results, culture condition affects the maturation rate and the expression of cyclin B1 protein during the first meiotic maturation in bovine immature oocytes.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.323.3-324
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• 2002

Histone deacetylases (HDAC) activity is associated generally with transcriptional repression. We have reported previously that apicidin. a histione deacetylase inhibitor. inhibited the proliferation of tumor cells via induction of p21 WAF/C1P1. We extended our study to identify the effect of apicidin on the expression of other cell cycle regulatory protein. such as cyclin E. a critical regulator of the transition from G1 into S phase. (omitted)

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.327-333
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• 2009

Heterotrimeric GTP binding proteins, G-proteins, mediate signal transduction generated by neurotransmitters and hormones. Among G-proteins, Go proteins are the most abundant in brain and classified as a member of Gi family. Ras-like protein in all tissues (Rit), one of the small GTPases, is a member of a Ras superfamily and identified as an important regulator of neuronal differentiation and cell transformation. Recently, we have reported that Rit functioned as a candidate downstream effector for alpha subunit of Go proteins ($Go{\alpha}$) and regulated neurite outgrowth triggered by $Go{\alpha}$ activation. In this study, we showed that the GTPase domain of $Go{\alpha}$ contributed to the direct interaction with Rit. We also demonstrated that $Go{\alpha}$ could lead to an increase of Rit activity suggesting that Rit play a role as a downstream effector of $Go{\alpha}$.

• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.261-262
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• 2018

Aurora B is an important kinase involved in dynamic cellular events in mitosis. Aurora B activity is controlled by several post-translational modifications (PTMs). Among them, E3 ubiquitin ligase-mediated ubiquitination plays crucial roles in controlling the relocation and degradation of Aurora B. Aurora B, ubiquitinated by different E3 ligases, moves to the exact site for its mitotic function during metaphase-anaphase transition and is then degraded for cell cycle progression at the end of mitosis. However, how the stability of Aurora B is maintained until its degradation has been poorly understood. Recently, we have found that USP35 acts as a deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) for Aurora B and affects its stability during cell division, thus being involved in the regulation of mitosis. In this review, we discuss the USP35-mediated deubiquitination of Aurora B and the regulation of mitotic progression by USP35.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.7
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• pp.357-358
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• 2016

Merlin, encoded by the NF2 gene, is a tumor suppressor that exerts its function via inhibiting mitogenic receptors at the plasma membrane. Although multiple mutations in Merlin have been identified in Neurofibromatosis type II (NF2) disease, its molecular mechanism is not fully understood. Here, we show that Merlin interacts with LRP6 and inhibits LRP6 phosphorylation, a critical step for the initiation of Wnt signaling. We found that treatment of Wnt3a caused phosphorylation of Merlin by PAK1, leading to detachment of Merlin from LRP6 and allowing the initiation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. A higher level of β-catenin was found in tissues from NF2 patients. Enhanced proliferation and migration caused by knockdown of Merlin in glioblastoma cells were inhibited by suppression of β-catenin. Conclusively, these results suggest that sustained Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity induced by abrogation of Merlin-mediated inhibition of LRP6 phosphorylation might be a cause of NF2 disease.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.8
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• pp.587-593
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• 2016

As sessile organisms, plants must be able to adapt to the environment. Plants respond to the environment by adjusting their growth and development, which is mediated by sophisticated signaling networks that integrate multiple environmental and endogenous signals. Recently, increasing evidence has shown that a bHLH transcription factor PIF4 plays a major role in the multiple signal integration for plant growth regulation. PIF4 is a positive regulator in cell elongation and its activity is regulated by various environmental signals, including light and temperature, and hormonal signals, including auxin, gibberellic acid and brassinosteroid, both transcriptionally and post-translationally. Moreover, recent studies have shown that the circadian clock and metabolic status regulate endogenous PIF4 level. The PIF4 transcription factor cooperatively regulates the target genes involved in cell elongation with hormone-regulated transcription factors. Therefore, PIF4 is a key integrator of multiple signaling pathways, which optimizes growth in the environment. This review will discuss our current understanding of the PIF4-mediated signaling networks that control plant growth.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.56-66
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• 1982

The effects of various dehiscent application such as dehiscent materials (big chaffs, vermiculite etc.), growth regulators and agricultural chemicals (plant protector.) on stimulation of dehiscence and shortening of dehiscent period were investigated Results obtained were as follows : 1. The moisture content of endosperm and seed coat at 10 day after dehiscent application amounts between 40% and 50%. 2. Endosperm diameter was increased with time of stratification, and the embryo growth showed in linear function, 3. Non-dehiscent seed showed also normally development of embryo, and the property of dehiscence dependent from physico-chemical nature of ginseng seed coat. 4. The best dehiscent materials were big chaffs and followed vermiculite, sand and sand with big chaffs. 5. The effect of dehiscence of ginseng seed showed higher activity in fungi than in bacteria in general. 6. Agricultural chemicals ( plant Protector) reduced the dehiscent rate of ginseng seed 7. The best timing of dehiscent treatment was between August 1 and August 10 but the smaller amount of dehiscent rate after August 10 dehiscent appllication indicated that big chaffs and growth regulator treatment may be controlled shortening of dehiscent period of ginseng seed.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.87-96
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• 2005

[ $p16^{INK4a}$ ] is a tumor suppressor that belongs to the INK4 family of the cyclin D-dependent kinases (cdk) inhibitors. It plays regulatory roles in cell proliferation and in tumorigenesis by interacting with Rb signaling. Abnormally elevated $p16^{INK4a}$ protein expression causes cell cycle arrest (G1/S transition) and loss of cyclin-cdk activity. In many cancers, $p16^{INK4a}$ is altered by mutation, deletion, and promoter methylation. This review summarizes the function of p16 as an important regulator of cancer pathobiology and a promising target fer developing cancer therapeutic and chemopreventive agents.