• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권12호
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• pp.4969-4976
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• 2014

Background: miR-152 is involved in the genesis and development of several malignancies. However, its role in HCC has not been fully clarified. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinicopathological significance of miR-152 and its effect on the malignant phenotype of HCC cells. Methods: miR-152 expression was detected using real-time quantitative RT-PCR in 89 pairs of HCC formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded and their adjacent tissues. Functionally, in vitro effects and mechanisms of action of miR-152 on proliferation, viability, caspase activity, apoptosis and motility were explored in HepG2, HepB3 and SNU449 cells, as assessed by spectrophotometry, fluorimetry, fluorescence microscopy, wound-healing and Western blotting, respectively. Results: miR-152 expression in HCC was downregulated remarkably compared to that in adjacent hepatic tissues. miR-152 levels in groups of advanced clinical stage, larger tumor size and positive HBV infection, were significantly lower than in other groups. A miR-152 mimic could suppress cell growth, inhibit cell motility and increase caspase activity and apoptosis in HCC cell lines. Furthermore, Western blotting showed that the miR-152 mimic downregulated Wnt-1, DNMT1, ERK1/2, AKT and TNFRS6B signaling. Intriguingly, inverse correlation of TNFRF6B and miR-152 expression was found in HCC and bioinformatics confirmed that TNFRF6B might be a target of miR-152. Conclusions: Underexpression of miR-152 plays a vital role in hepatocarcinogenesis and lack of miR-152 is related to the progression of HCC through deregulation of cell proliferation, motility and apoptosis. miR-152 may act as a tumor suppressor miRNA by also targeting TNFRSF6B and is therefore a potential candidate biomarker for HCC diagnosis, prognosis and molecular therapy.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제37권7호
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• pp.547-553
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• 2014

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most common brain malignancies and has a very poor prognosis. Recent evidence suggests that the presence of cancer stem cells (CSC) in GBM and the rare CSC subpopulation that is resistant to chemotherapy may be responsible for the treatment failure and unfavorable prognosis of GBM. A garlic-derived compound, Z-ajoene, has shown a range of biological activities, including anti-proliferative effects on several cancers. Here, we demonstrated for the first time that Z-ajoene specifically inhibits the growth of the GBM CSC population. CSC sphere-forming inhibition was achieved at a concentration that did not exhibit a cytotoxic effect in regular cell culture conditions. The specificity of this inhibitory effect on the CSC population was confirmed by detecting CSC cell surface marker CD133 expression and biochemical marker ALDH activity. In addition, stem cell-related mRNA profiling and real-time PCR revealed the differential expression of CSC-specific genes, including Notch, Wnt, and Hedgehog, upon treatment with Z-ajoene. A proteomic approach, i.e., reverse-phase protein array (RPPA) and Western blot analysis, showed decreased SMAD4, p-AKT, 14.3.3 and FOXO3A expression. The protein interaction map (http://string-db.org/) of the identified molecules suggested that the AKT, ERK/p38 and $TGF{\beta}$ signaling pathways are key mediators of Z-ajoene's action, which affects the transcriptional network that includes FOXO3A. These biological and bioinformatic analyses collectively demonstrate that Z-ajoene is a potential candidate for the treatment of GBM by specifically targeting GBM CSCs. We also show how this systemic approach strengthens the identification of new therapeutic agents that target CSCs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.2185-2193
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• 2016

Background: The pathogenesis of sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) is influenced by the patient genetic background and environmental factors. Based on prior understanding, these are classified in two major pathways of genetic instability. Microsatellite instability (MSI) and CPG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) are categorized as features of the hypermethylated prototype, and chromosomal instability (CIN) is known to be indicative of the non-hypermethylated category. Secreted frizzled related protein 2 (SFRP2), APC1A in WNT signaling pathway and the DNA repair gene, O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), are frequently hypermethylated in colorectal cancer. Detection of methylated DNA as a biomarker by easy and inexpensive methods might improve the quality of life of patients with CRC via early detection of cancer or a precancerous condition. Aim: To evaluate the rate of SFRP2 and MGMT hypermethylation in both polyp tissue and serum of patients in south Iran as compared with matched control normal population corresponding samples. Materials and Methods: Methylation-specific PCR was used to detect hypermethylation in DNA extracted from 48 polypoid tissue samples and 25 healthy individuals. Results: Of total polyp samples, 89.5% had at least one promoter gene hypermethylation. The most frequent methylated locus was SFRP2 followed by MGMT-B (81.2 and 66.6 percent respectively). Serologic detection of hypermethylation was 95% sensitive as compared with polyp tissue. No hypermethylation was detected in normal tissue and serum and its detection in patients with polyps, especially of serrated type, was specific. Conclusions: Serologic investigation for detection of MGMT-B, SFRP2 hypermethylation could facilitate prioritization of high risk patients for colonoscopic polyp detection and excision.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.338-343
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• 2008

An embryonic stem cell is a powerful tool for investigation of early development in vitro. The study of embryonic stem cell mediated neuronal differentiation allows for improved understanding of the mechanisms involved in embryonic neuronal development. We investigated expression profile changes using time course cDNA microarray to identify clues for the signaling network of neuronal differentiation. For the short time course microarray data, pattern analysis based on the quadratic regression method is an effective approach for identification and classification of a variety of expressed genes that have biological relevance. We studied the expression patterns, at each of 5 stages, after neuronal induction at the mRNA level of embryonic stem cells using the quadratic regression method for pattern analysis. As a result, a total of 316 genes (3.1%) including 166 (1.7%) informative genes in 8 possible expression patterns were identified by pattern analysis. Among the selected genes associated with neurological system, all three genes showing linearly increasing pattern over time, and one gene showing decreasing pattern over time, were verified by RT-PCR. Therefore, an increase in gene expression over time, in a linear pattern, may be associated with embryonic development. The genes: Tcfap2c, Ttr, Wnt3a, Btg2 and Foxk1 detected by pattern analysis, and verified by RT-PCR simultaneously, may be candidate markers associated with the development of the nervous system. Our study shows that pattern analysis, using the quadratic regression method, is very useful for investigation of time course cDNA microarray data. The pattern analysis used in this study has biological significance for the study of embryonic stem cells.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제63권4호
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• pp.934-953
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• 2021

Ciglitazone is a member of the thiazolidinedione family, and specifically binds to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), thereby promoting adipocyte differentiation. We hypothesized that ciglitazone as a PPARγ ligand in the absence of an adipocyte differentiation cocktail would increase adiponectin and adipogenic gene expression in bovine satellite cells (BSC). Muscle-derived BSCs were isolated from six, 18-month-old Yanbian Yellow Cattle. The BSC were cultured for 96 h in differentiation medium containing 5 µM ciglitazone (CL), 10 µM ciglitazone (CM), or 20 µM ciglitazone (CH). Control (CON) BSC were cultured only in a differentiation medium (containing 2% horse serum). The presence of myogenin, desmin, and paired box 7 (Pax7) proteins was confirmed in the BSC by immunofluorescence staining. The CL, CM, and CH treatments produced higher concentrations of triacylglycerol and lipid droplet accumulation in myotubes than those of the CON treatment. Ciglitazone treatments significantly increased the relative expression of PPARγ, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), C/EBPβ, fatty acid synthase, stearoyl-CoA desaturase, and perilipin 2. Ciglitazone treatments increased gene expression of Pax3 and Pax7 and decreased expression of myogenic differentiation-1, myogenin, myogenic regulatory factor-5, and myogenin-4 (p < 0.01). Adiponectin concentration caused by ciglitazone treatments was significantly greater than CON (p < 0.01). RNA sequencing showed that 281 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found in the treatments of ciglitazone. DEGs gene ontology (GO) analysis showed that the top 10 GO enrichment significantly changed the biological processes such as protein trimerization, negative regulation of cell proliferation, adipocytes differentiation, and cellular response to external stimulus. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis showed that DEGs were involved in the p53 signaling pathway, PPAR signaling pathway, biosynthesis of amino acids, tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and Wnt signaling pathway. These results indicate that ciglitazone acts as PPARγ agonist, effectively increases the adiponectin concentration and adipogenic gene expression, and stimulates the conversion of BSC to adipocyte-like cells in the absence of adipocyte differentiation cocktail.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권6호
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• pp.714-725
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• 2023

Background: Our previous investigation indicated that the preparation of Panax ginseng Meyer (P. ginseng) inhibited melanogenesis. It comprised salicylic acid (SA), protocatechuic acid (PA), p-coumaric acid (p-CA), vanillic acid (VA), and caffeic acid (CA). In this investigation, the regulatory effects of P. ginseng phenolic acid monomers on melanin production were assessed. Methods: In vitro and in vivo impact of phenolic acid monomers were assessed. Results: SA, PA, p-CA and VA inhibited tyrosinase (TYR) to reduce melanin production, whereas CA had the opposite effects. SA, PA, p-CA and VA significantly downregulated the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), cycle AMP (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), cycle AMP-response element-binding protein (CREB), microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) pathway, reducing mRNA and protein levels of TYR, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1), and TYRP2. Moreover, CA treatment enhanced the cAMP, PKA, and CREB pathways to promote MITF mRNA level and phosphorylation. It also alleviated MITF protein level in α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 cells, comparable to untreated B16F10, increasing the expression of phosphorylation glycogen synthase kinase 3β (p-GSK3β), β-catenin, p-ERK/ERK, and p-p38/p38. Furthermore, the GSK3β inhibitor promoted p-GSK3β and p-MITF expression, as observed in CA-treated cells. Moreover, p38 and ERK inhibitors inhibited CA-stimulated p-p38/p38, p-ERK/ERK, and p-MITF increase, which had negative binding energies with MC1R, as depicted by molecular docking. Conclusion: P. ginseng roots' phenolic acid monomers can safely inhibit melanin production by bidirectionally regulating melanin synthase transcription. Furthermore, they reduced MITF expression via MC1R/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway and enhanced MITF post-translational modification via Wnt/mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.342-355
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Osteoblasts are derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) and play important role in bone remodeling. While our previous studies have investigated the cell subtypes and heterogeneity in osteoblasts and BMMSCs separately, cell-to-cell communications between osteoblasts and BMMSCs in vivo in humans have not been characterized. The aim of this study was to investigate the cellular communication between human primary osteoblasts and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Methods and Results: To investigate the cell-to-cell communications between osteoblasts and BMMSCs and identify new cell subtypes, we performed a systematic integration analysis with our single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) transcriptomes data from BMMSCs and osteoblasts. We successfully identified a novel preosteoblasts subtype which highly expressed ATF3, CCL2, CXCL2 and IRF1. Biological functional annotations of the transcriptomes suggested that the novel preosteoblasts subtype may inhibit osteoblasts differentiation, maintain cells to a less differentiated status and recruit osteoclasts. Ligand-receptor interaction analysis showed strong interaction between mature osteoblasts and BMMSCs. Meanwhile, we found FZD1 was highly expressed in BMMSCs of osteogenic differentiation direction. WIF1 and SFRP4, which were highly expressed in mature osteoblasts were reported to inhibit osteogenic differentiation. We speculated that WIF1 and sFRP4 expressed in mature osteoblasts inhibited the binding of FZD1 to Wnt ligand in BMMSCs, thereby further inhibiting osteogenic differentiation of BMMSCs. Conclusions: Our study provided a more systematic and comprehensive understanding of the heterogeneity of osteogenic cells. At the single cell level, this study provided insights into the cell-to-cell communications between BMMSCs and osteoblasts and mature osteoblasts may mediate negative feedback regulation of osteogenesis process.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.45-57
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• 2020

동물의 근섬유는 배아기와 태아기를 거치며 형성하게 되며 출생 후에는 상처 치유를 위한 것 외에 근섬유 수를 늘리는 순수한 근섬유 형성은 없으며, 이미 존재하고 있는 근섬유의 비대로 근육의 성장이 이뤄진다. 따라서 태아기의 근육의 성장과 발달이 성체의 근육량 및 조성에 미치는 영향이 매우 크며 이 시기에 발현되는 유전자 및 기능을 구명하는 것은 최종적으로 육질, 육량에 개선시키기 위한기초 자료로 활용될 수 있을 것이다. 하지만 한우에서의 연구는 전무한 실정이다. 본 연구는한우 태아기 성장 단계별 근육의 성장과 발달에 관여하는 유전자를 찾기 위한 전사체 분석을 수행하였다. 한우 태아기 6, 9개월령 등심 조직 시료에서 생산한 전사체 자료를 대상으로 DESeq2와 edgeR을 활용하여 성장단계별 유전자의 발현량을 분석하여 차등발현유전자군을 추출했으며, 2개 소프트웨어서 공통적으로 추출된 유전자군(6개월령 특이 발현 유전자 913개, 9개월령 특이 발현 유전자 233개)을 차등발현유전자로 구명 하였다. 차등발현유전자군으로 분류하였다. 차등발현유전자군을 활용하여공발현 유전자 네트워크 분석을 구성하였으며, 유사한 발현 양상을 보이는 유전자들을 그룹화하여 6개월령 특이 발현 유전자군 5개, 9개월령 특이 발현 유전자군 2개의 모듈로 분류했다. 각 모듈은 Gene Ontology (GO) 및 KEGG pathway 분석으로 유의한 기능을 확인하였다. 그 결과, 한우 태아기 6, 9개월령 특이 발현 유전자 네트워크 중, 근육과 지방생성 대사회로와 관련된 2개의 모듈에 대해 네트워크 내에 허브 유전자를 선정할 수 있었다. STRING을 활용하여 단백질 상호작용 네트워크를 구성하고, MCC (maximal clique centrality) 점수를 활용하여 상위 10%의 유전자들을 공발현 분석의 모듈내 허브 유전자로 선정하였다. 그 결과 6개월령 특이 발현 유전자군의 모듈에서는 axin1(AXIN1) 유전자, 9개월령 특이 발현 유전자군 모듈에서는 succinate-CoA ligase ADP-forming beta subunit(SUCLA2) 유전자가 허브 유전자로 확인되었다. AXIN1 유전자는 선행 연구를 통해 6개월령에서 9개월령으로 넘어가면서 근섬유 수의 증식이 억제되고 지방생성이 활발히 이뤄지는 것에 핵심적인 역할을 하는 것으로 추정할 수 있었다. 또한, 시트르산 회로의 중요 요소인 SUCLA2 유전자는 소의 태아기 지방 조직 성장단계에 따라 유전자의 발현이 증가된다는 보고에 따라, 지방 대사와 관련된 유전자임을 알 수 있었다. 추후 한우 태아기 6, 9개월령에 특이적으로 발현된 유전자들을 대상으로 근육 및 지방 형성 관련 기능을 검증하는 후속 연구가 필요할 것이다.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.54-63
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• 2010

Flavonoid 계열의 한 종류인 baicalin은 항염증, 항암, 항바이러스, 항세균 등의 효능을 가진다. 본 연구진은 선행연구를 통한 이전의 보고에서 baiclain이 adipogenesis pathway(지방세포 형성 경로)의 anti-adipogenic(지방세포 형성억제)과 pro-adipogenic(지방세포 형성 유도) factor들을 조절함으로써 비만 및 adipogenesis를 억제함을 밝혔다. 본 연구에서는, microarray 기술을 이용하여 3T3-L1 세포에서 baiclain이 유도하는 지방세포 형성 억제 효과에 대한 분자적 기작을 보다 상세하게 연구하고자 하였다. 지방세포의 분화 시간(0일, 2일, 4일 및 7일)과 분화 시 baicalin의 처리 유무에 따라 유전자 발현 양상을 분석하기 위해 해당 시료들을 microarray에 적용하였다. Microarray 결과로부터 2배이상의 변화가 있는 3972개의 유전자를 확보하였다. 그 유전자들의 발현 양상을 좀 더 자세히 살펴보기 위해 hierarchical clustering 분석을 진행하였고 그 결과로 20개의 cluster를 분류할 수 있었다. 그들 중 4개의 cluster는 분화의 전반적인 기간에서 baicalin의 첨가에 의해 뚜렷하게 상승(cluster 8과 cluster 10)하거나 반대로 뚜렷하게 감소(cluster 12와 cluster 14)하는 양상을 보였다. Cluster 8과 cluster 10에는 CHOP(CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein), INSIG1(insulin induced gene 1), WISP2(WNT1 inducible signaling pathway protein 2), ADM(adrenomedullin), CCND2(cyclin D2), GRN(granulin) 및 TGFB3(transforming growth factor, beta 3)과 같은 세포 증식과 지방세포 형성 억제를 상승시키는 유전자들이 다수 포함되었다. 반대로 cluster 12와 cluster 14에는 세포 증식 억제, 세포 주기 억제 및 세포 성장 억제와 연관되거나 지방세포를 유도하는 유전자인 LTA(lympotoxin A), ACADSB(acyl-Coenzyme A dehydrogenase, short/branched chain), HMGCS2(3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-Coenzyme A synthase 2), IGFBP7(insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7), MERTK(c-merproto-oncogene tyrosine kinase), RASSF2(ras association(RalGDS/AF-6) domain family 2), RHOU(ras homolog gene family, member U) 및 SESN1(sestrin1) 등이 포함되었다. 결론적으로 baicalin은 세포 증식 및 지방세포 형성과 연관된 유전자들을 조절함으로써 지방세포의 분화를 억제하는 것으로 사료된다. 이러한 결과는 baicalin이 유도하는 지방세포 형성 억제 및 비만 억제 효과의 분자적 기작에 대한 중요한 정보를 제시한다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제20권7호
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• pp.1054-1065
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• 2010

생약복합물인 SH21B는 황금(Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi), 행인(Prunus armeniaca Maxim), 마황(Ephedra sinica Stapf), 석창포(Acorus gramineus Soland), 포황(Typha orientalis Presl), 원지(Polygala tenuifolia Willd), 하엽(Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner)의 혼합(비율 3:3:3:3:3:2:2)으로 이루어졌다. SH21B는 예로부터 한의학에서 비만의 치료에 사용되어 왔으나 자세한 분자적 메커니즘과 효능에 대한 연구는 이루어지지 않았다. 본 연구진은 선행연구를 통해 SH21B가 지방세포의 분화에서 adipogenesis (지방세포형성)와 관련된 유전자를 조절하여 중성지방의 축적을 억제함을 밝혔다. 본 연구에서는, microarray 기술을 이용하여 adipogenesis의 in vitro 모델인, 3T3-L1 세포에서 SH21B에 의한 지방세포형성 억제의 분자적 기작을 보다 상세하게 연구하고자 하였다. 전지방세포, 분화된 세포 그리고 SH21B에 의해 분화가 억제된 세포의 각각의 유전자 발현을 분석하기 위해 각 시료들에서 total RNA를 분리하여 cDNA를 합성한 후 microarray에 적용시켰다. 그 결과, 각각의 시료들의 비교에서 2배 이상의 유의한 발현 변화를 가지는 2,568개의 유전자를 확보하였다. 이 유전자들에 대해 Hierarchical clustering과 K-means clustering 분석을 진행하였고 서로 다른 양상을 가지는 9개의 군집(cluster)들을 분류하였다. 그 중, SH21B의 첨가에 의해 뚜렷하게 감소(cluster 4, cluster 6 및 cluster 9)하거나 반대로 뚜렷하게 증가(cluster 7와 cluster 8)하는 양상을 보이는 군집들을 따로 선별하여 그 군집들에 포함되어 있는 유전자들을 분석하였다. 선택 된 5개의 군집에는 지방세포형성과 세포증식에 관련된 유전자가 다수 포함되어 있었다. Cluster 4, cluster 6 그리고 cluster 9에는 peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma $\gamma$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein $\alpha$ (C/$EBP{\alpha}$), sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (SREBF1), adiponectin (ADIPOQ), fatty acid synthase (FASN), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) 등의 지방세포형성 유도 및 관련 인자와 B-cell leukemia/lymphoma6 (BCL6), retinoblastoma 1 (RB1), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2C (CDKN2c), ras homolog gene family, member B (RHOB) 등의 많은 세포증식 억제 유전자가 포함되었다. 이와는 반대로, cluster 7과 cluster 8에는 $\beta$-catenin, cyclin D1 (CCND1), WNT1 inducible signaling pathway protein 2 (WISP2) 등과 같은 지방 세포형성 억제 조절자와 MARCKS-like1 (MARCKSL1), colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF1), discoidin domain receptor family, member 2 (DDR2), leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR) 등의 세포증식을 유도하는 조절자가 다수 포함되었다. 결론적으로, 이러한 결과들은 SH21B가 지방세포형성과 관련된 조절자 및 세포증식과 관련 된 조절자들의 유전자 발현을 조절하여 지방세포형성을 억제함을 제시한다.