• Animal cells and systems
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.93-98
• /
• 2007

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), synthesized in the hypothalamus, plays a pivotal role in the regulation of vertebrate reproduction. Since molecular isoforms of GnRH and their receptors (GnRHR) have been isolated in a broad range of vertebrate species, GnRH and GnRHR provide an excellent model for understanding the molecular co-evolution of a peptide ligand-receptor pair. Vertebrate species possess multiple forms of GnRH, which have been created through evolutionary mechanisms such as gene/chromosome duplication, gene deletion and modification. Similar to GnRHs, GnRH receptors (GnRHR) have also been diversified evolutionarily. Comparative ligand-receptor interaction studies for non-mammalian and mammalian GnRHRs combined with mutational mapping studies of GnRHRs have aided the identification of domains or motifs responsible for ligand binding and receptor activation. Here we discuss the molecular basis of GnRH-GnRHR co-evolution, particularly the structure-function relationship regarding ligand selectivity and signal transduction of mammalian and non-mammalian GnRHRs.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.44 no.7
• /
• pp.423-434
• /
• 2011

A female hormone, estrogen, is linked to breast cancer incidence. Estrogens undergo phase I and II metabolism by which they are biotransformed into genotoxic catechol estrogen metabolites and conjugate metabolites are produced for excretion or accumulation. The molecular mechanisms underlying estrogen-mediated mammary carcinogenesis remain unclear. Cell proliferation through activation of estrogen receptor (ER) by its agonist ligands and is clearly considered as one of carcinogenic mechanisms. Recent studies have proposed that reactive oxygen species generated from estrogen or estrogen metabolites are attributed to genotoxic effects and signal transduction through influencing redox sensitive transcription factors resulting in cell transformation, cell cycle, migration, and invasion of the breast cancer. Conjuguation metabolic pathway is thought to protect cells from genotoxic and cytotoxic effects by catechol estrogen metabolites. However, methoxylated catechol estrogens have been shown to induce ER-mediated signaling pathways, implying that conjugation is not a simply detoxification pathway. Dual action of catechol estrogen metabolites in mammary carcinogenesis as the ER-signaling molecules and chemical carcinogen will be discussed in this review.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.235-239
• /
• 2000

The effects of several compounds related to signal transduction cascade were determined to induce the production of alizarin and purpurin in the hairy root culture system of Rubia cordifolia var. pratensis. It was found that out of five tested compounds jasmonic acid(1 mg/l) and methyl jasmonate(1 mg/l) stimulated strongly the biosynthesis of the pigments while linolenic acid(1 mg/l) induced no significant increase of the product. Yeast extract(600 mg/l) and arachidonic acid(1 mg/l) showed relatively mild inducing effects on production of alizarin. The effects of jasmonic acid and methyl jasmonate were reduced by treatment with cycloheximide(2.8 mg/l).

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
• /
• 2003.10a
• /
• pp.83-83
• /
• 2003

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
• /
• 2002.05a
• /
• pp.44-64
• /
• 2002

Embryonic prostaglandin H synthases (PHSs) and lipoxygenases bioactivate xenobiotics (phenytoin, thalidomide, benzo[a]pyrene) to free radical intermediates that initiate reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, which oxidatively damage cellular macromolecules and/or alter signal transduction.(omitted)

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.37 no.6
• /
• pp.635-641
• /
• 2004

Interferons regulate a number of biological functions including control of cell proliferation, generation of antiviral activities and immumodulation in human cells. Studies by several investigators have identified a number of cellular signaling cascades that are activated during engagement of interferon receptors. The activation of multiple signaling cascades by the interferon receptors appears to be critical for the generation of interferon mediated biological functions and immune surveillance. The present review summarizes the existing knowledge on the multiple signaling cascades activated by Type I interferons. Recent developments in this research area are emphasized and the implications of these new discoveries on our understanding of interferon actions are discussed.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.7-12
• /
• 2004

An important recent advance in the field of plant-microbe interactions has been the cloning of genes that confer resistance to specific viruses, bacteria, fungi or insects. Disease resistance (R) genes encode proteins with predicted structural motifs consistent with them having roles in signal recognition and transduction. Plant disease resistance is the result of an innate host defense mechanism, which relies on the ability of plant to recognize pathogen invasion and efficiently mount defense responses. In tomato, resistance to the pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato is mediated by the specific recognition between the tomato serine/threonine kinase Pto and bacterial protein AvrPto or AvrPtoB. This recognition event initiates signaling events that lead to defense responses including an oxidative burst, the hypersensitive response (HR), and expression of pathogenesis- related genes.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.180-183
• /
• 2003

Crystal structure of TRAF6 in complex with TRAF6-binding sites from CD40 was previously determined. The structure revealed a distinct TRAF6-binding groove of CD40, the key structural determinant of interaction. The structural information leads to a proposed TRAF6-binding motif. This allows the identification of TRAF6-binding sequences in the hIRAK protein, whose functional requirement in IL-1/Toll-like receptor superfamilies-mediated signal transduction is further demonstrated using site-directed mutagenesis. The mutational effects of hIRAK on the down-stream NF-kB signaling shows the importance of the TRAF6 interface for signaling by IL-1/Toll-like receptor superfamilies.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.41 no.5
• /
• pp.588-594
• /
• 1997

N-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)-O-(dicyanoethylthiophosphono)-L-tyrosine(7), the key intermediate for the synthesis of thiophosphotyrosine-containing peptide derivat ives, was prepared. For the phosphorylation, we used t-Boc-tyrosine and phosphoramidite in the presence of 1H-tetrazol. For the protection of thiophosphate moiety, cyanoethyl protecting group was used. Thiophosphotyrosine-containing peptides could be used as tools for the elucidation of mechanism of signal transduction pathway and also prepared as PTK inhibitors, PTPase inhibitors and cytosolic protein binding blockers. It may be contributed for the development of potential anticancer agents.

• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
• /
• 1999.06a
• /
• pp.13-13
• /
• 1999

"Two-component" phosphorelay signal transduction systems constitute a potential target for antibacterial and antifungal agents, since they are found exclusively in prokaryotes and lower eukaryotes (yeast, fungi, slime mold, and plants) but not in mammalian organisms.(omitted)