• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2012

$Toxoplasma$ $gondii$ penetrates all kinds of nucleated eukaryotic cells but modulates host cells differently for its intracellular survival. In a previous study, we found out that serine protease inhibitors B3 and B4 (SERPIN B3/B4 because of their very high homology) were significantly induced in THP-1-derived macrophages infected with $T.$ $gondii$ through activation of STAT6. In this study, to evaluate the effects of the induced SERPIN B3/B4 on the apoptosis of $T.$ $gondii$-infected THP-1 cells, we designed and tested various small interfering (si-) RNAs of SERPIN B3 or B4 in staurosporine-induced apoptosis of THP-1 cells. Anti-apoptotic characteristics of THP-1 cells after infection with $T.$ $gondii$ disappeared when SERPIN B3/B4 were knock-downed with gene specific si-RNAs transfected into THP-1 cells as detected by the cleaved caspase 3, poly-ADP ribose polymerase and DNA fragmentation. This anti-apoptotic effect was confirmed in SERPIN B3/B4 overexpressed HeLa cells. We also investigated whether inhibition of STAT6 affects the function of SERPIN B3/B4, and vice versa. Inhibition of SERPIN B3/B4 did not influence STAT6 expression but SERPIN B3/B4 expression was inhibited by STAT6 si-RNA transfection, which confirmed that SERPIN B3/B4 was induced under the control of STAT6 activation. These results suggest that $T.$ $gondii$ induces SERPIN B3/B4 expression via STAT6 activation to inhibit the apoptosis of infected THP-1 cells for longer survival of the intracellular parasites themselves.

• BMB Reports
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.252-257
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• 2013

Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a specific serine protease expressed in tumor stroma proven to be a stimulatory factor in the progression of some cancers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of FAP knockdown on tumor growth and the tumor microenvironment. Mice bearing 4T1 subcutaneous tumors were treated with liposome-shRNA complexes targeting FAP. Tumor volumes and weights were monitored, and FAP, collagen, microvessel density (MVD), and apoptosis were measured. Our studies showed that shRNA targeting of FAP in murine breast cancer reduces FAP expression, inhibits tumor growth, promotes collagen accumulation (38%), and suppresses angiogenesis (71.7%), as well as promoting apoptosis (by threefold). We suggest that FAP plays a role in tumor growth and in altering the tumor microenvironment. Targeting FAP may therefore represent a supplementary therapy for breast cancer.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.273-281
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• 2015

The follistatin (FST) gene encodes a monomeric glycoprotein that plays a role in binding and inhibiting the functions of members of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}$ superfamily. Thus, FST facilitates a wide variety of functions, ranging from muscle growth, to inflammation and immunity. In this study, we sought to characterize an FST counterpart, RbFST, which was identified from rock bream Oplegnathus fasciatus. The RbFST cDNA sequence (2,419 bp) contains a 933-bp open reading frame (ORF) that encodes a putative amino acid sequence for RbFST (35 kDa). The putative amino acid sequence contains a Kazal-type serine protease inhibitor domain (51-98 residues) and an EF-hand, calcium-binding domain (191-226 residues). Additionally, this sequence shares a high identity (98.7%) with the Siniperca chuatsi FST sequence, with which it also has the closest evolutionary relationship according to a phylogenetic study. Omnipresent distribution of RbFST transcripts were detected in the gill, liver, spleen, head kidney, kidney, skin, muscle, heart, brain, and intestine of healthy animals, with significantly higher expression levels in the heart, followed by the liver tissue. Under pathogenic stress caused by two bacterial pathogens, Streptococcus iniae and Edwardsiella tarda, RbFST transcription was found to be significantly up-regulated. Altogether, our findings suggest the putative role of RbFST in immune related responses against pathogenic infections, further prefiguring its significance in rock bream physiology.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.753-763
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• 2018

Cysteine cathepsins are lysosomal enzymes that belong to the papain family and can induce the degradation of damaged proteins through the endo-lysosomal pathway. It is highly upregulated in many cancers by regulating gene amplification and transcriptional, translational, and post-transcriptional modifications. Cathepsin S is part of the cysteine cathepsin family. Many studies have demonstrated that cathepsin S not only plays a specific role in MHC class II antigen presentation but also plays a crucial role in cancers. Cathepsin S is more stable at a neutral pH compared to other cysteine cathepsins, which supports the importance of cathepsin S in disease microenvironments. Therefore, the dysregulation of cathepsin S has participated in a variety of pathological processes, including cancer, arthritis, and cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, a decrease or depletion in the expression of cathepsin S has been implicated in the processes of tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Taken together, cathepsin S has been suggested as an attractive therapeutic target for cancer therapy. In this review, the known involvement of cathepsin S in diseases, particularly with respect to recent work indicating its role in cancer therapy, is examined. An overview of current literature on the inhibitors of cathepsin S as a therapeutic target for cancer is also provided.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.300-307
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• 2010

Photosensitized peroxidation of membrane lipids has been implicated in skin pathologies such as phototoxicity and premature aging. We have previously reported that syriacusin compounds isolated from Hibiscus Syriacus inhibited lipid peroxidation. Here, we investigated whether syriacusins could be effective inhibitor to skin aging using ultraviolet-irradiated human dermal fibroblast cells (HDFCs). Syriacusins A, B, and C inhibit the activity of human neutrophil elastase (HNE), a serine protease to degrade extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins including elastin, with $IC_{50}s$ of 8.0, 5.2, and $6.1\;{\mu}M$, respectively. No changes in cell viability were detected by syriacusins A and B in UV-B ($10\;mJ/cm^2$) irradiated HDFCs. Matrix metallo-proteinase (MMP)-1 expression in HDFCs was increased by UV-B irradiation. MMP-1 expression in UV-B irradiated HDFCs was decreased by $10\;{\mu}M$ and $20\;{\mu}M$ syriacusin A to 50% and 20% of untreated control, respectively. Syriacusin B treated with $20\;{\mu}M$ reduced MMP-1 expression in UV-B irradiated HDFCs to 60% of untreated control. Syriacusin A also inhibited MMP-2 expression accompanying the increase of type-I pro-collagen in UV-B irradiated HDFCs. These results demonstrate that syriacusin A could be a more effective compound to inhibit skin aging caused by UV irradiation. It suggests that syriacusins A and B might be developed as possible agents to treat or prevent skin aging.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.803-815
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• 1988

The present experiments were performed to confirm the hypothesis that xanthine oxidase[XOD], as a source and mechanism of oxygen radical production, plays an important role in the genesis of the reperfusion injury of ischemic myocardium. The experimental ischemic-reperfusion injury was induced in isolated, Langendorff preparations of rat hearts by 60 min. Of global ischemia with aortic clamping followed by 20 min. of reperfusion with oxygenated Krebs-Henseleit solution[pH 7.4, 37*C]. The results were as follows: 1. The releases of creatine phosphokinase and a lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde[MDA] into the coronary effluent were abruptly increased upon reperfusion of ischemic hearts. The increases of the enzyme and MDA were suppressed significantly in the hearts removed from rats pretreated with allopurinol, a specific XOD inhibitor[20mg/kg, oral, 24 hrs and 2 hrs before study]. This effect of allopurinol was comparable to that of oxygen radical scavengers, superoxide dismutase[5, 000U] and catalase[12, 500 U]. 2. The increased SOD-inhibitable reduction of ferricytochrome C, which was infused to the hearts starting with reperfusion, was significantly suppressed in allopurinol pretreated hearts. 3. Activities of myocardial XOD were compared in the normal control hearts and the ischemic ones. Total enzyme activities were not different in both hearts. However, comparing with the control, the ischemic ones showed higher activity in 0-form and lower activities in D-form and D/O-form. 4. In the ischemic hearts, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, a serine protease inhibitor, prevented significantly the increase of 0-form and the decreases of D and D/O-form, while thiol reagents did not affect the changes of the enzyme. 5. The increase of 0-form and the decreases of D and D/0-form were not significant in both calcium-free perfused and pimozide, a calmodulin inhibitor, treated ischemic hearts. 6. The SOD-inhibitable reduction of ferricytochrome C were suppressed by PMSF and pimozide treatment as well as by calcium-free perfusion. It is suggested from these results that in the ischemic rat myocardium, xanthine oxidase is converted to oxygen radical producing 0-form by calcium, calmodulin-dependent proteolysis and plays a contributing role in the genesis of ischemic-reperfusion injury by producing oxygen free radicals.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.159-172
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• 1998

사람 성장호르몬 수용체(hGHR) cDNA는 PCR방법에 의하여 fagment로서 보고되어진 바 있으나, liver cDNA로 부터 전장을 cloning한 보고는 없는 실정으로 본 연구에서는 기능을 가진 약 4.6kbp의 cDNA hGHR을 cloning 하는데 성공하였다. 먼저 cloning하기 위하여 human liver mRNA와 human breast cancer tissue로부터 회수한 mRNA를 RT-PCR방법에 의하여 human cDNA library와 cloning에 필요한 probe를 제작하였다. human library mRNA는 GT-PCR방법에 의하여 증폭하여 증폭되어진 산물은 λZAP Vector를 이용하여 cDNA library를 구축하였고,screeing을 위하여 임 보고 되어진 hGHR fragment native sequence를 기초로 N-terminal부분의 primer를 설계하여 950bp의 probe를 얻는데 성공하였다. 이 probe를 이용하여 준비된 human liver cDNA library로부터 2.5$\times$10 6개의 plaque로부터 6개의 positive clone을 획득하였고, 이들중 poly Asignal인 "AATAAA"를 포함하고 있는 가장 긴 약 3.8kbp의 clone을 sequencing한 결과 open reading frame을 포함하고 있었으나, 5'부분의 결손되어 있었다. 그리하여 이 부분은 human breast cancer tissue로 부터 회수한 mRNA를 RT-PCR에 의하여 증폭하였고, sequencing결과 이미 보고되어진 native hGHR와 비교한 결과 하나의 nucleotide가 silent mutation으로 판명되었다.한편 human liver cDNA library로부터 cloning한 3.8cp의 positive clone의 5'end의 결손된 부분에 silent mutation된 PCR 산물을 연결함으로써 native hGHR와 유사한 cDNA hGHR subcloning에 성공하였다. 이러한 cDNA hGHR의 clone이 function을 가지고 있는지를 검토하기 위하여 eukaryotic 발현 vector인 pCXN2에 의거 ligation한 후 chinese hamster ovary cell[CHO-KI]에 transfect를 실시하였다. Dexamethasone은 첨가하지 않고 hGH만의 존재하에서 이들 cell을 배양시키고 cell menbrane에서 발현 여부를 판정키 위하여 hGHR monocloual antibody를 사용하여 flow cytometery해석을 실시하는 한편 125I-hGH binding assay에 의하여 hGH binding activity를 측정하였다. 최종적으로 GH signal transduction의 target genedf으로 알려져 있는 serine protease inhibitor 2.1(Spi 2.1) gene의 promotor activity를 검토한 결과 hGHR을 transfect한 CHO Cell에 있어서 hGH의 농도에 의존적으로 증가되었다. 따라서 본 실험에서 cloning한 cDNA hGHR는 native hGHR와 같은 기능을 가지는 것으로 판명되었다.것으로 판명되었다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.9
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• pp.1482-1492
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• 2018

Fusarium oxysporum trypsin (FOT) is a fungal serine protease similar to mammal trypsin. The FOT could be successfully expressed in Pichiapastoris by engineering the natural propeptide APQEIPN. In this study, we constructed two recombinant enzymes with engineered amino acid sequences added to the N-terminus of FOT and expressed in P. pastoris. The N-terminal residues had various effects on the structural and functional properties of trypsin. The FOT, and the recombinants TE (with peptide YVEF) and TS (with peptide YV) displayed the same optimum temperature ($40^{\circ}C$) and pH (8.0). However, the combinants TE and TS showed significantly increased thermal stability at $40^{\circ}C$ and $50^{\circ}C$. Moreover, the combinants TE and TS also showed enhanced tolerance of alkaline pH conditions. Compared with those of wild-type FOT, the intramolecular hydrogen bonds and the cation ${\pi}$-interactions of the recombinants TE and TS were significantly increased. The recombinants TE and TS also had significantly increased catalytic efficiencies (referring to the specificity constant, $k_{cat}/K_m$), 1.75-fold and 1.23-fold than wild-type FOT. In silico modeling analysis uncovered that the introduction of the peptides YVEF and YV resulted in shorter distances between the substrate binding pocket (D174, G198, and G208) and catalytic triad (His42, Asp102, and Ser180), which would improve the electron transfer rate and catalytic efficiency. In addition, N-terminal residues modification described here may be a useful approach for improving the catalytic efficiencies and characteristics of other target enzymes.

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.7
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• pp.458-461
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• 2011

Enteropeptidase is a serine protease secreted by the pancreas and converts inactive trypsinogen to active trypsin. Enteropeptidase cleaves the C-terminal end of the substrate recognition sequence Asp-Asp-Asp-Asp-Lys ($D_4K$). The assay for enteropeptidase has utilized $GD_4K$-conjugated 2-naphthylamine ($GD_4K$-NA) as a fluorogenic probe over the last 30 years. However, no other $D_4K$-conjugated fluorogenic substrates of enteropeptidase have been reported. Furthermore, naphthalene is known as carcinogenic to humans. In this study, we used shift in the emission spectrum of $GD_4K$-conjugated 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin ($GD_4K$-AMC) as a fluorogenic method to measure enteropeptidase activity. The kinetic analysis revealed that enteropeptidase has a $K_M$ of 0.025 mM and a $k_{cat}$ of 65 $sec^{-1}$ for $GD_4K$-AMC, whereas it has a $K_M$ of 0.5 to 0.6 mM and a $k_{cat}$ of 25 $sec^{-1}$ for $GD_4K$-NA. The optimum pH of $GD_4K$-AMC hydrolysis was pH 8.0. Our data indicate that $GD_4K$-AMC is more suitable as a substrate for enteropeptidase than $GD_4K$-NA.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2010

Serpin peptidase inhibitor, Clade B (ovalbumin), Member 5 (SERPINB5), also known as maspin, is a potent tumor suppressor gene. It has correlations with many tumor cells, from pancreas cancer to breast cancer, so it is possible that it may also affect liver cancer. There has also been a report that SERPINB12, a gene placed right next to SERPINB5, is expressed in liver. For this study, 32 polymorphisms were identified in SERPINB5 by direct DNA sequencing, and 11 of them were selected to be tested with a larger scale subjects. The association of the 11 SERPINB5 polymorphisms with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) clearance, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurrence and the onset age of HCC were analyzed. There were no significant associations found between 11 SERPINB5 polymorphisms and HBV clearance. In the case of HCC occurrence, one of the haplotypes (ht) showed association with HCC occurrence (OR=2.26, p=0.005, $P^{Cor}=0.05$), albeit with a low statistical power (40.8%) and haplotype frequency (0.052). Further study with a bigger sample size will be needed to clearly verify the association between ht5 and HCC occurrence.