• Molecules and Cells
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.196-200
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• 2005

The neurofibromatosis type2 (NF2) tumor suppressor gene product, merlin, is structurally related to the ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) family of proteins that anchor the actin cytoskeleton to specific membrane proteins and participate in cell signaling. However, the basis of the tumor suppressing activity of merlin is not well understood. Previously, we identified a role of merlin as an inhibitor of the Ras-ERK signaling pathway. Recent studies have suggested that phosphorylation of merlin, as of other ERM proteins, may regulate its function. To determine whether phosphorylation of merlin affects its suppression of Ras-ERK signaling, we generated plasmids expressing full-length merlin with substitutions of serine 518, a potential phosphorylation site. A substitution that mimics constitutive phosphorylation (S518D) abrogated the ability of merlin to suppress effects of the Ras-ERK signaling pathway such as Ras-induced SRE transactivation, Elk-mediated SRE transactivation, Ras-induced ERK phosphorylation and Ras-induced focus formation. On the other hand, an S518A mutant, which mimics nonphosphorylated merlin, acted like wild type merlin. These observations show that mimicking merlin phosphorylation impairs not only growth suppression by merlin but also its inhibitory action on the Ras-ERK signaling pathway.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.398-407
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• 2017

BTG1 (B-cell translocation gene 1)은 APRO family (anti-proliferative protein family)에 속하며, 이들은 공통의 생물학적 기능은 세포증식을 억제하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서, 굴의 gill cDNA library를 random sequencing을 통한 EST 분석과정에서 BTG1 clone을 확보하였으며, 분자생물학적 특성을 조사하였다. 굴의 BTG1은 182 개의 아미노산으로 구성되며, zebrafish와 57%, human과 56%의 상동성을 나타냈으며, 사람이나 설치류와 달리 ORF (open reading frame) 내에 intron이 존재하지 않았다. Genomic DNA walking을 통해 굴의 BTG1의 predicted promoter를 확인하였으며, 분석결과 AP-1 element와 SRE (serum response element) 부위가 존재하였으며, 5'flanking region에 cAMP response element (CRE) 부위가 확인되었다. 굴의 BTG1의 조직별 유전자발현 수준을 확인하기 위해 real-time PCR을 수행하였으며, 6 개 조직 모두에서 BTG1의 유전자발현이 나타났으며, 그 중에서 heart와 mantle에서 높은 수준의 mRNA 발현을 확인할 수 있었다.

• BMB Reports
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.17-22
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• 2010

In this study, a novel member of BTB-kelch proteins, named KBTBD7, was cloned from a human embryonic heart cDNA library. The cDNA of KBTBD7 is 3,008 bp long and encodes a protein product of 684 amino acids (77.2 kD). This protein is highly conserved in evolution across different species. Western blot analysis indicates that a 77 kD protein specific for KBTBD7 is wildly expressed in all embryonic tissues examined. In COS-7 cells, KBTBD7 proteins are localized to the cytoplasm. KBTBD7 is a transcription activator when fused to GAL4 DNA-binding domain. Deletion analysis indicates that the BTB domain and kelch repeat motif are main regions for transcriptional activation. Overexpression of KBTBD7 in MCF-7 cells activates the transcriptional activities of activator protein-1 (AP-1) and serum response element (SRE), which can be relieved by siRNA. These results suggest that KBTBD7 proteins may act as a new transcriptional activator in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.443-453
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• 2008

The Bric-a-brac, Tramtrack, Broad-complex (BTB) domain is a protein-protein interaction domain that is found in many zinc finger transcription factors. BTB containing proteins play important roles in a variety of cellular functions including regulation of transcription, regulation of the cytoskeleton, protein ubiquitination, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. Here, we report the cloning and characterization of a novel human gene, KLHL31, from a human embryonic heart cDNA library. The cDNA of KLHL31 is 5743 bp long, encoding a protein product of 634 amino acids containing a BTB domain. The protein is highly conserved across different species. Western blot analysis indicates that the KLHL31 protein is abundantly expressed in both embryonic skeletal and heart tissue. In COS-7 cells, KLHL31 proteins are localized to both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. In primary cultures of nascent mouse cardiomyocytes, the majority of endogenous KLHL31 proteins are localized to the cytoplasm. KLHL31 acts as a transcription repressor when fused to GAL4 DNA-binding domain and deletion analysis indicates that the BTB domain is the main region responsible for this repression. Overexpression of KLHL31 in COS-7 cells inhibits the transcriptional activities of both the TPA-response element (TRE) and serum response element (SRE). KLHL31 also significantly reduces JNK activation leading to decreased phosphorylation and protein levels of the JNK target c-Jun in both COS-7 and Hela cells. These results suggest that KLHL31 protein may act as a new transcriptional repressor in MAPK/JNK signaling pathway to regulate cellular functions.