• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.4671-4676
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• 2014

Background: MicroRNA-200a (miR-200a) has been reported to regulate tumour progression in several tumours but little is known about its role in neuroblastoma. Our aim was to investigate the potential role and mechanism of miR-200a in neuroblastomas. Materials and Methods: Expression levels of miR-200a in tissues were determined using RT-PCR. The effect of miR-200a and shAP-$2{\gamma}$ on cell viability was evaluated using MTS assays, and target protein expression was determined using Western blotting and RT-PCR. Luciferase reporter plasmids were constructed to confirm direct targeting. Results were reported as mean${\pm}$S.E.M and differences were tested for significance using the 2-tailed Students t-test. Results: We determined that miR-200a expression was significantly lower in neuroblastoma tumors than the adjacent non-cancer tissue. Over-expression of miR-200 are reduced cell viability in neuroblastoma cells and inhibited tumor growth in mouse xenografts. We identified AP-$2{\gamma}$ as a novel target for miR-200a in neuroblastoma cells. Thus miR-200a targets the 3'UTR of AP-$2{\gamma}$ and inhibits its mRNA and protein expression. Furthermore, our result showed that shRNA knockdown of AP-$2{\gamma}$ in neuroblastoma cells results in significant inhibit of cell proliferation and tumor growth in vitro, supporting an oncogenic role of AP-$2{\gamma}$ in neuroblastoma. Conclusions: Our study revealed that miR-200a is a candidate tumor suppressor in neuroblastoma, through direct targeting of AP-$2{\gamma}$. These findings re-enforce the proposal of AP-$2{\gamma}$ as a therapeutic target in neuroblastoma.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.3 s.76
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• pp.540-545
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• 2006

T-DNA-mediated transformation is a common method for generating transgenic plants with insertional mutagenesis. In order to identify important genes involved in shoot development, a system of promoter trap insertional mutagenesis was employed in Arabidopsis thaliana. For this system, an efficient promoter trap vector, pFGL561 was developed. The pFGL561 includes a basta-resistant gene, an intron with multiple splicing donor and acceptor sites, and a promoter-less GFP reporter gene. Using floral-dipping method, we made total 300 $T_1$ promoter-trap lines which were screened for GFP expression. GFP signals in the $T_1$ plants were detected with high frequency, 26.7%, and the signals were reconfirmed in $T_2$ plants. To isolate the genes that are involved in shoot development, phenotypes were analyzed in $T_2$ plants of the 19 $T_1$ lines that had GFP signals in shoot apex, and 6 $T_1$ lines were selected that had abnormal shoot development. These lines will be very useful for the investigation of shoot development.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.218-222
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• 2007

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) were screened for estrogenic activity using a recombinant yeast screening system consisted with estrogen receptors and ${\beta}-galactosidase$ as reporter gene. The chemicals showed estrogenic activity in ranges of $1{\times}10^{-10}\;to\;1{\times}10^{-7}M(DEHP)\;and\;of\;1{\times}10^{-9}M\;to\;1{\times}10^{-6}M(DBP)$ respectively. $17{\beta}-estradiol$, as a positive control of, showed maximal activity at $1{\times}10^{-9}M$. The concentration of half-maximal estrogenic activity was $1{\times}10^{-9}M$ for both chemicals. However, the concentration of maximal estrogenic activity was $1{\times}10^{-7}M$ for DEHP and $1{\times}10^{-8}M$ M for DBP. These results suggested that DBP was higher in relative potencies and more sensitive than DEHP. In conclusion, DEHP and DBP were both estrogenic, even though DBP was more reactive to estrogen receptor.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.481-489
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• 2010

Introduction: TLR-5, a member of the toll-like receptor (TLR) family, is a element of the type I transmembrane receptors, which are characterized by an intracellular signaling domain homolog to the interleukin-1 receptor. These receptors recognize microbial components, particularly bacterial flagellin. All-trans retinoic acid (atRA, tretinoin), a natural metabolite of vitamin A, acts as a growth and differentiation factor in many tissues, and is also needed for immune functions. In this study, THP-1 human macrophage-monocytes were used to examine the mechanisms by which atRA regulated the expression of TLR-5. Because the molecular mechanism underlying this regulation at the transcriptional level is also unclear, this study examined which putative transcription factors are responsible for TLR-5 expression by atRA in immune cells. Materials and Methods: This study examined whether atRA induces the expression of TLR-5 in THP-1 cells using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and which transcription factors are involved in regulating the TLR-5 promoter in RAW264.7 cells using a reporter assay system. Western blot analysis was used to determine which signal pathway is involved in the expression of TLR-5 in atRA-treated THP-1 cells. Results: atRA at a concentration of 10 nM greatly induced the expression of TLR-5 in THP-1 cells. Human TLR-5 promoter contains three Sp-1/GC binding sites around -50 bp and two NF-kB binding sites at -380 bp and -160 bp from the transcriptional start site of the TLR-5 gene. Sp-1/GC is primarily responsible for the constitutive TLR-5 expression, and may also contribute to NF-kB at -160 bp to induce TLR-5 after atRA stimulation in THP-1 cells. The role of NF-kB in TLR-5 expression was further confirmed by inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) experiments, which greatly reduced the TLR-5 transcription by 70-80%. Conclusion: atRA induces the expression of the human TLR-5 gene and NF-kB is a critical transcription factor for the atRA-induced expression of TLR-5. Accordingly, it is conceivable that retinoids are required for adequate innate and adaptive immune responses to agents of infectious diseases. atRA and various synthetic retinoids have been used therapeutically in human diseases, such as leukemia and other cancers due to the antiproliferative and apoptosis inducing effects of retinoids. Therefore, understanding the molecular regulatory mechanism of TLR-5 may assist in the design of alternative strategies for the treatment of infectious diseases, leukemia and cancers.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.61-88
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to explore the work experiences of hospital-based child protection team staffs who had intervened the child abuse cases resulting in death. In order to gather the relevant data, all 62 child protection teams registered nationwide were contacted and 5 teams which had actually experienced at least one child abuse deaths were found. The staffs (hospital social workers and doctors) who belonged to these teams were intensively interviewed, and the interviewed materials were thoroughly analyzed by qualitative research methodology. The result showed that treatment delay was the most important obstacle to prevent unnecessary deaths of the victims. Some abused victims were sent to the hospital only after their physical condition had so gravely deteriorated. In other cases, custodians' bland denial or refusal to treatment made impossible the timely intervention to save the child lives. Nevertheless, child protection team staffs' reasonable suspicion and active intervention could sometimes uncover the hidden truth that child abuse was the actual cause of death. These incidents were regarded as a team's meaningful accomplishments by team members. Meanwhile, lack of awareness and excessive burden about the role and responsibility of mandated reporter precluded medical staffs' active involvement. Also, substantiating the abuse suspicion by securing positive evidences was found to be a facilitatory factor for the rapid public intervention. On the basis of these results, several practice and policy implications were discussed to improve the early detection process, securing evidence and uncovering the actual cause of death in child abuse deaths.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.121-127
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• 2004

Cytochrome P4501B1(CYP1B1) is known to be inducible by xenobiotic compounds such as policyclic aromatic hydrocarbon(PAH) and dioxins such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin(TCDD). And these induction of CYP1B1 is also regulated by many categories of chemicals. In order to investigate the effects of several chemicals on CYP1B1 gene expression in Hepa-I and MCF-7 cells, 5' flanking DNA of human CYP1B1 was cloned into pGL3 basic vector containing luciferase gene, and then transfected into these cells. After treatment of chemicals, the luciferase activity was measured. CYP1B1 enzyme metabolize PAHs and estradiol. CYP1B1 metabolize estradiol to 4-hydrozyestradiol that is considered as carcinogenic metabolite. Luciferase activity was induced about 20 folds over that control by 1 nM TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachloto-p-dioxin). Recent industrialized society, human has been widely been exposed to widespread environmental contaminants such as PAHs(polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) that are originated from the imcomplete combustion of hydrocarbons. PAHs are known to be ligands of the AhR(aryl hydrocarbon receptor). Induction of cytochrome P4501B1(CYP1B1) in cell culture is widely used as a biomarker for PAHs. Therefore we have studied the effect of PAHs in the human breast cancer cells MCF-7 to evaluate bioactivity of PAHs. We have used the United State of America EPA selected 13 different PAHs, PAHs mixtures and extracts from environmental samples to evaluate the bioassay system. We examined effects of PAHs on the CYP1B1-luciferase reporter gene and CYP1B1 mRNA level. Benzo(k)fluoranthene and dibenzo(a, h)anthracene showed strong response to CYP1B1 promoter activity stimulation, and also CYP1B1 mRNAs increase in MCF-7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Acenaphthene, anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, fluorene, fluoranthene, anphthanlene, pyrene, phenanthrene and carbazole were weak responders in MCF-7 cells. RT-PCR analysis indicated that PAHs significantly up-regulate the level of CYP1B1 mRNA.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.61-71
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• 2000

By screening a cDNA library of auxin-treated mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) hypocotyls, we have isolated two full-length cDNA clones, pVR-ACS6 and pVR-ACS7, for 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) synthase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the ethylene biosynthetic pathway. While PVR-ACS6 corresponds to the previously identified PCR fragment pMBA1, pVR-ACS7 is a new cDNA clone. A comparison of deduced amino acid sequences among auxin-induced ACC synthases reveal that these enzymes share a high degree of homology (65-75%) to VR-ACS6 and VR-ACS7 polypeptides, but only about 50% to VR-ACS1 polypeptide. ACS6 and ACS7 are specifically induced by auxin, while ACS1 is induced by cycloheximide, and to lesser extent by excision and auxin treatment. Results from nuclear run-on transcription assay and RNA gel blot studies revealed that all three genes were transcriptionally active displaying unique patterns of induction by IAA and various hormones in etiolated hypocotyls. Particularly, 24-epibrassinolide (BR), an active brassinosteroid, specifically enhanced the expression of VR-ACS7 by distinct temporal induction mechanism compared to that of IAA. In addition, BR synergistically increased the IAA-induced VR-ACS6 and VR-ACS7 transcript levels, while it effectively abolished both the IAA- and kinetin-induced accumulation of VR-ACS1 mRNA. In light-grown plants, VR-ACS1 was induced by IAA in roots, whereas W-ACS6 in epicotyls. IAA- and BR-treatments were not able to increase the VR-ACS7 transcript in the light-grown tissues. These results indicate that the expression of ACC synthase multigene family is regulated by complex hormonal and developmental networks in a gene- and tissue-specific manner in mung bean plants. The VR-ACS7 gene was isolated, and chimeric fusion between the 2.4 kb 5'-upstream region and the $\beta$-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene was constructed and introduced into Nicotiana tobacum. Analysis of transgenic tobacco plants revealed the VR-ACS7 promoter-driven GUS activity at a highly localized region of the hypocotyl-root junction of control seedlings, while a marked induction of GUS activity was detected only in the hypocotyl region of the IAA-treated transgenic seedlings where rapid cell elongation occurs. Although there was a modest synergistic effect of BR on the IAA-induced GUS activity, BR alone failed to increase the GUS activity, suggesting that induction of VR-ACS7 occurs via separate signaling pathways in response to IAA and BR.

• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.29-57
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• 2006

While a number of studies have recognized the importance of environment of channel systems and consequences of changed environment, only limited studies have dealt with this issue theoretically and practically. The purpose of this study is to empirically validate whether one dimension of environment, called dynamism, has an influence on the relationship characteristics such as transaction specific investment opportunism and conflict or not: further, it is designed to delve into whether these relationship characteristics have any influence on one crucial relationship quality, 'trust' and its two constituent dimensions - credibility and benevolence. In order to provide empirical validation, a survey was conducted to 163 sales office managers at a major newspaper publisher in Korea. An analysis of the data retrieved from this survey indicated that while environmental dynamism has a positive influence on the publisher's opportunism and conflict perceived by the sales office managers, it did not show a direct influence on the transaction specific investment made by the publisher. Furthermore, while publisher's transaction specific investment had a positive influence on the credibility and the benevolence respectively, publisher's opportunism and level of sales office conflict had a negative influence on the credibility and the benevolence respectively. Currently, a publisher is facing an unprecedentedly dynamic environment. This study should provide ample implications for the publisher in establishing trust, which is a crucial condition in developing and maintaining a long-term successful relationship with its sales offices.

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.123-128
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• 2011

Leucine-rich repeat containing protein 10 (LRRC10) is characterized as a cardiac-specific gene, suggesting a role in heart development and disease. A severe cardiac morphogenic defect in zebrafish morphants was recently reported but a contradictory result was found in mice, suggesting a more complicated molecular mechanism exists during mouse embryonic development. To elucidate how LRRC10 is regulated, we analyzed the 5'enhancer region approximately 3 kilo bases (kb) upstream of the Lrrc10 start site using luciferase reporter gene assays. Our characterization of the Lrrc10 promoter indicates it possesses complicated cis-and trans-acting elements. We show that GATA4 and MEF2C could both increase transcriptional activity of Lrrc10 promoter individually but that they do not act synergistically, suggesting that there exists a more complex regulation pattern. Surprisingly, knockout of Gata4 and Mef2c binding sites in the 5’enhancer region (-2,894/-2,889) didn't change the transcriptional activity of the Lrrc10 promoter and the likely GATA4 binding site identified was located in a region only 100 base pair (bp) upstream of the promoter. Our data provides insight into the molecular regulation of Lrrc10 expression, which probably also contributes to its tissue-specific expression.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.293-298
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• 2004

Microinjection of DNA is a general method for generating transgenic animals, but the rate of transgenesis in chickens is very low. So it was carried out to investigate the efficiency of liposome-mediated gene transfer in stage one cell of chicken embryo with GFP expression vector. In order to determine efficiency and duration of the introduced foreign gene, it was microinjected DNA with liposome or naked DNA into the germinal disc of stage one cell or stage-X chicken embryo. Analysis of reporter gene expression in day-4 embryos showed that GFP expression was observed only in the liposome-mediate embryo groups and detectable up to day-8 embryos. The results suggest that stable integration of the introduced gene using liposome is a rare event. Nevertheless the liposome-mediated gene transfer may be a useful method to transfer a foreign gene into the stage one cell of chicken embryos.