• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.315-322
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• 2006

TALP-32 is highly basic protein with a molecular weight of 32 kDa purified from human term placenta. Some basic proteins such as defensins and cecropins are known to induce cell death by increasing membrane permeability and some of them are under development as an anticancer drug especially targeting multi-drug resistant cancers. Therefore, we investigated cytotoxic effect and mechanism of TALP-32 When HeLa cell was incubated with TALP-32, cytotoxicity was increased in time and dose dependent manner. As time goes by, HeLa cells became round and plasma membrane was ruptured. Increase of plasma membrane permeability was determined with LDH release assay. Also in transmission electron microscopy, typical morphology of necrotic cell death, such as cell swelling and intracellular organelle disruption was observed, but DNA fragmentation and caspase activation was not. And necrotic cell death was determined with Annexin V/Pl staining. The cytotoxicity of TALP-32 was minimal and decreased or RBC and Hep3B respectively. These data suggests that TALP-32 induces necrosis on rapidly growing cells but not on slowly growing cells implicating the possibility of its development of anticancer peptide drug.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.418-427
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• 2006

Ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) are ligand-gated nonselective cation channels that mediate fast excitatory neurotransmission. Although homologues of the iGluRs have been identified in higher plants, their roles are largely unknown. In this work we isolated a full-length cDNA clone (RsGluR) encoding a putative glutamate receptor from small radish. An RsGluR:mGFP fusion protein was localized to the plasma membrane. In Arabidopsis thaliana overexpressing the fulllength cDNA, glutamate treatment triggered greater $Ca^{2+}$ influx in the root cells of transgenic seedlings than in those of the wild type. Transgenic plants exhibited multiple morphological changes such as necrosis at their tips and the margins of developing leaves, dwarf stature with multiple secondary inflorescences, and retarded growth, as previously observed in transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing AtGluR3.2 [Kim et al. (2001)]. Microarray analysis showed that jasmonic acid (JA)-responsive genes including defensins and JA-biosynthetic genes were up-regulated. RsGluR overexpression also inhibited growth of a necrotic fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea possibly due to up-regulation of the defensins. Based on these results, we suggest that RsGluR is a glutamate-gated $Ca^{2+}$ channel located in the plasma membrane of higher plants and plays a direct or indirect role in defense against pathogen infection by triggering JA biosynthesis.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.3243-3248
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• 2013

The tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) inhibits matrix metalloproteinases activity and modulates cellular proliferation and apoptosis. The human serum albumin-TIMP-2 with folic acid conjugate (termed HT2-folate) was synthesized to promote uptake through folate receptors (FRs), and a corresponding radio-labeled compound was prepared for tumor diagnosis by positron emission tomography (PET). $^{68}Ga$-NOTA-HT2-folate was synthesized from $^{68}Ga$ and the NOTA chelator with HT2-folate. The fusion protein was identified using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The radioligand was prepared with a high radiochemical yield. Cell-surface association of $^{68}Ga$-NOTA-HT2-folate significantly increased over time in FR-positive tumor cells. In animal PET and biodistribution studies, tumor uptake was very high as early as 1 h after radioligand injection. Folate conjugation enhanced the selective receptor-targeting efficacy of HT2 in FRexpressing tumors, and its radioligand will be useful as an in vitro tool and for in vivo tumor diagnosis by PET imaging.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.11
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• pp.925-935
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• 2015

DNA methylation is a well-characterized epigenetic modification that plays central roles in mammalian development, genomic imprinting, X-chromosome inactivation and silencing of retrotransposon elements. Aberrant DNA methylation pattern is a characteristic feature of cancers and associated with abnormal expression of oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes or repair genes. Ten-eleven-translocation (TET) proteins are recently characterized dioxygenases that catalyze progressive oxidation of 5-methylcytosine to produce 5-hydroxymethylcytosine and further oxidized derivatives. These oxidized methylcytosines not only potentiate DNA demethylation but also behave as independent epigenetic modifications per se. The expression or activity of TET proteins and DNA hydroxymethylation are highly dysregulated in a wide range of cancers including hematologic and non-hematologic malignancies, and accumulating evidence points TET proteins as a novel tumor suppressor in cancers. Here we review DNA demethylation-dependent and -independent functions of TET proteins. We also describe diverse TET loss-of-function mutations that are recurrently found in myeloid and lymphoid malignancies and their potential roles in hematopoietic transformation. We discuss consequences of the deficiency of individual Tet genes and potential compensation between different Tet members in mice. Possible mechanisms underlying facilitated oncogenic transformation of TET-deficient hematopoietic cells are also described. Lastly, we address non-mutational mechanisms that lead to suppression or inactivation of TET proteins in cancers. Strategies to restore normal 5mC oxidation status in cancers by targeting TET proteins may provide new avenues to expedite the development of promising anti-cancer agents.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.135-140
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• 2003

Bacillus sp. secretes high levels of extracellular enzymes into the culture medium. The signal recognition particle (SRP) and the SRP receptor play a central role in targeting pre secretory proteins to the translocase. By the analysis of the DNA microarray of B. lentimorbus WJ5, it was detected that WJ5m12, antifungal activity deficient mutant induced by gamma radiation, had a down-regulated expression of the SRP receptor gene (B. subtitis srb homologue, srbL). To determine the relationship of SRP receptor to antifungal activity, srbL of B. lentimorbus WJ5 was amplified by PCR and ligated into pQE30 vector, and then transferred into WJ5m12. The transformant, WJ5m12::srbL, recovered the antifungal activity. From the 2-DE analysis, the several presecretory proteins accumulated in the mutant cell and decreased to a level of the wild type in WJ5m12::srbL. It seems that the srbL could play an important role in the secretion of the antifungal activity related proteins of B. lentimorbus WJ5.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.1288-1299
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• 2017

Composting is widely used to transform waste into valuable agricultural organic fertilizer. Anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing (anammox) bacteria play an important role in the global nitrogen cycle, but their role in composting remains poorly understood. In the present study, the community structure, diversity, and abundance of anammox bacteria were analyzed using cloning and sequencing methods by targeting the 16S rRNA gene and the hydrazine oxidase gene (hzo) in samples isolated from compost produced from cow manure and rice straw. A total of 25 operational taxonomic units were classified based on 16S rRNA gene clone libraries, and 14 operational taxonomic units were classified based on hzo gene clone libraries. The phylogenetic tree analysis of the 16S rRNA gene and deduced HZO protein sequences from the corresponding encoding genes indicated that the majority of the obtained clones were related to the known anammox bacteria Candidatus "Brocadia," Candidatus "Kuenenia," and Candidatus "Scalindua." The abundances of anammox bacteria were determined by quantitative PCR, and between $2.13{\times}10^5$ and $1.15{\times}10^6$ 16S rRNA gene copies per gram of compost were found. This study provides the first demonstration of the existence of anammox bacteria with limited diversity in cow manure composting.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.1401-1411
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• 2018

The serine-threonine kinase AKT plays a pivotal role in tumor progression and is frequently overactivated in cancer cells; this protein is therefore a critical therapeutic target for cancer intervention. We aimed to identify small molecule inhibitors of the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of AKT to disrupt binding of phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3), thereby downregulating AKT activity. Liposome pulldown assays coupled with fluorescence spectrometry were used to screen flavonoids for inhibition of the AKT PH-PIP3 interaction. Western blotting was used to determine the effects of the inhibitors on AKT activation in cancer cells, and in silico docking was used for structural analysis and optimization of inhibitor structure. Several flavonoids showing up to 50% inhibition of the AKT PH-PIP3 interaction decreased the level of AKT activation at the cellular level. In addition, the modified flavonoid showed increased inhibitory effects and the approach would be applied to develop anticancer drug candidates. In this study, we provide a rationale for targeting the lipid-binding domain of AKT, rather than the catalytic kinase domain, in anticancer drug development.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.12
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• pp.706-711
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• 2019

Cisplatin (Cis-DDP) is one of the most widely used anti-cancer drugs. It is applicable to many types of cancer, including lung, bladder, and breast cancer. However, its use is now limited because of drug resistance. p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (p90RSK) is one of the downstream effectors in the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) pathway and high expression of p90RSK is observed in human breast cancer tissues. Therefore, we investigated the role of p90RSK in the Cis-DDP resistance-related signaling pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in breast cancer cells. First, we discovered that MDA-MB-231 cells exhibited more Cis-DDP resistance than other breast cancer cells, including MCF-7 and BT549 cells. Cis-DDP increased p90RSK activation, whereas the inactivation of p90RSK using a small interfering RNA (siRNA) or dominant-negative kinase mutant plasmid overexpression significantly reduced Cis-DDP-induced cell proliferation and migration via the inhibition of matrix metallopeptidase (MMP)2 and MMP9 in MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, p90RSK activation was involved in EMT via the upregulation of mRNA expression, including that of Snail, Twist, ZEB1, N-cadherin, and vimentin. We also investigated NF-κB, the upstream regulator of EMT markers, and discovered that Cis-DDP treatment led to NF-κB translocation in the nucleus as well as its promoter activity. Our results suggest that targeting p90RSK would be a good strategy to increase Cis-DDP sensitivity in triple-negative breast cancers.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 2018

microRNA (miR)-612 shows anticancer activity in several types of cancers, yet its function in melanoma is still unclear. This study was undertaken to investigate the expression of miR-612 and its biological relevance in melanoma cell growth, invasion, and tumorigenesis. The expression and prognostic significance of miR-612 in melanoma were examined. The effects of miR-612 overexpression on cell proliferation, colony formation, tumorigenesis, and invasion were determined. Rescue experiments were conducted to identify the functional target gene(s) of miR-612. miR-612 was significantly downregulated in melanoma tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. Low miR-612 expression was significantly associated with melanoma thickness, lymph node metastasis, and shorter overall, and disease-free survival of patients. Overexpression of miR-612 significantly decreased cell proliferation, colony formation, and invasion of SK-MEL-28 and A375 melanoma cells. In vivo tumorigenic studies confirmed that miR-612 overexpression retarded the growth of A375 xenograft tumors, which was coupled with a decline in the percentage of Ki-67-positive proliferating cells. Mechanistically, miR-612 targeted Espin in melanoma cells. Overexpression of Espin counteracted the suppressive effects of miR-612 on melanoma cell proliferation, invasion, and tumorigenesis. A significant inverse correlation (r = -0.376, P = 0.018) was observed between miR-612 and Espin protein expression in melanoma tissues. In addition, overexpression of miR-612 and knockdown of Espin significantly increased the sensitivity of melanoma cells to doxorubicin. Collectively, miR-612 suppresses the aggressive phenotype of melanoma cells through downregulation of Espin. Delivery of miR-612 may represent a novel therapeutic strategy against melanoma.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.771-780
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• 2018

Angiogenesis must be precisely controlled because uncontrolled angiogenesis is involved in aggravation of disease symptoms. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) signaling is a key pathway leading to angiogenic responses in vascular endothelial cells (ECs). Therefore, targeting VEGF/VEGFR-2 signaling may be effective at modulating angiogenesis to alleviate various disease symptoms. Oleanolic acid was verified as a VEGFR-2 binding chemical from anticancer herbs with similar binding affinity as a reference drug in the Protein Data Bank (PDB) entry 3CJG of model A coordination. Oleanolic acid effectively inhibited VEGF-induced VEGFR-2 activation and angiogenesis in HUVECs without cytotoxicity. We also verified that oleanolic acid inhibits in vivo angiogenesis during the development and the course of the retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) model in the mouse retina. Taken together, our results suggest a potential therapeutic benefit of oleanolic acid for inhibiting angiogenesis in proangiogenic diseases, including retinopathy.