• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.33-40
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• 2017

X-chromosome inactivation is one of the most complex events observed in early embryo developments. The epigenetic changes occurred in female X-chromosome is essential to compensate dosages of X-linked genes between males and females. Because of the relevance of the epigenetic process to the normal embryo developments and stem cell studies, X-chromosome inactivation has been focused intensively for last 10 years. Initiation and regulation of the process is managed by diverse factors. Especially, proteins and non-coding RNAs encoded in X-chromosome inactivation center, and a couple of transcription factors have been reported to regulate the event. In this review, we introduce the reported factors, and how they regulate epigenetic inactivation of X-chromosomes.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.16-21
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• 2014

A 31-year-old woman, who was pregnant with twins, underwent chorionic villus sampling because of increased nuchal translucency in one of the fetuses. Cytogenetic analysis showed a normal karyotype in the fetus with increased nuchal translucency. However, the other fetus, with normal nuchal translucency, had a derivative X chromosome (der(X)). For further analysis, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and additional molecular studies including fragile X analysis were performed. FISH analysis confirmed that the Y chromosome was the origin of extra segment of the der(X). The X-chromosome breakpoint was determined to be at Xq27 by FMR1 CGG repeat analysis, and the Y-chromosome breakpoint was determined to be at Yq11.23 by the Y chromosome microdeletion study. To predict the fetal outcome, the X-inactivation pattern was examined, and it revealed non-random X inactivation of the der(X). To the best of our knowledge, the identification of an unbalanced Xq;Yq translocation at prenatal diagnosis has never been reported. This study was performed to identify precise breakpoints and the X-inactivation pattern as well as to provide the parents with appropriate genetic counseling.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.187-195
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• 2011

X chromosome inactivation (XCI) is a process that enables mammalian females to ensure the dosage compensation for X-linked genes. Investigating the mechanism of XCI might provide deeper understandings of chromosomal silencing, epigenetic regulation of gene expressions, and even the course of evolution. Studies on mammalian XCI conducted with mice have revealed many fundamental findings on XCI. However, difference of murine and human XCI necessitates the further investigation in human XCI. Recent success in reprogramming of differentiated cells into pluripotent stem cells showed the reversibility of XCI in vitro, X chromosome reactivation (XCR), which provides another tool to study the change in X chromosome status. This review summarizes the current knowledge of XCI during early embryonic development and describes recent achievements in studies of XCI in reprogramming process.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.30-35
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• 2004

To investigate the XIST gene expression and its effect in a Klinefelter's patient, we used Klinefelter's syndrome (XXY) patient with azoospermia and also used a normal male (XY) and a normal female (XX) as the control, We were performed cytogenetic analysis, Y chromosomal microdeletion assay (Yq), semi-quantitative RT-PCR, and the Northern blot for Klinefelter's syndrome (KS) patient, a female and a male control, We extracted total RNA from the KS patient, and from the normal cells of the female and male control subjects using the RNA prep kit (Qiagen), cDNA microarray contained 218 human X chromosome-specific genes was fabricated. Each total RNA was reverse transcribed to the first strand cDNA and was labeled with Cy-3 and Cy-5 fluorescein, The microarray was scanned by ScanArray 4000XL system. XIST transcripts were detected from the Klinefelters patient and the female by RT-PCR and Northern blot analysis, but not from the normal male, In the cDNA microarray experiment, we found 24 genes and 14 genes are highly expressed in KS more than the normal male and females, respectively. We concluded that highly expressed genes in KS may be a resulted of the abnormal X inactivation mechanism.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.139-144
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• 2008

무정자증을 보이는 40세 남성과 3대에 걸쳐 정상 생식력과 표현형을 보이는 38세 산모의 가계에서 동원체를 포함한 X 염색체의 역위를 경험한 바, 이를 문헌고찰과 함께 보고하고자 한다. 첫 번째 증례의 남성 환자는 정상범위의 LH, prolactin, estradiol, testosterone 혈중농도를 보였으나 FSH는 20 mIU/mL을 보여 정상수치보다 높았다. 조직학적 소견으로는 정소 내 제 1, 제 2 정모세포의 발달이 정지되어 있었지만 Y 염색체의 sY84, sY129, sY134, sY254, sY255, SRY 부위에 대한 미세결실은 없었다. 그 외 특이할 만한 임상적 소견은 보이지 않았다. 환자의 말초혈액으로부터 세포유전학적 검사로 GTL-분염법 판독을 한 결과, 46,Y,inv(X)(p22.1q27)로 나타났다. 두 번째 증례의 산모와 그 태아는 각각 46,X,inv(X)(p22.11q27.2), 46,X,inv(X)(p22.1q27)의 핵형이 관찰되었다. 이 산모의 가계는 본 연구실에서 친언니의 산전진단 시 언니, 언니의 태아, 환자의 아버지가 각각 46,X,inv(X)(p22.11q27.2), 46,Y,?inv(X), 46,Y,inv(X)(p22.11q27.2)의 형태로 inv(X)가 관찰된 기록이 있었고 대상자 모두 inv(X)로 인한 특징적인 임상적 증상은 보이지 않았다. 또한 RBG-분염법을 통해 관찰한 X 염색체의 비활성화는 언니의 inv(X) 비활성화 비율이 4.1%, 환자는 69.5%로 혈액세포 내에서의 X 염색체의 비활성화 비율은 서로 다르게 관찰되었다. 따라서 이 가계의 inv(X)는 특정 유전자의 손상이 없는 균형적 역위이며, X염색체의 역위현상으로 인한 비정상 표현형이나 생식기능의 결함은 관찰되지 않았다. 그러나 증례 1의 남성의 경우 세포유전학적으로 동일한 위치에 절단점을 가졌으나 생식세포의 발달과정의 결함이 관찰되었으며, 절단점 주변에 위치한 중요한 유전인자들의 손상 가능성이 제기되었다.

• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한생식의학회 2007년도 제53차 추계학술대회 초록집
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• pp.102.1-102.1
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• 2007

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권11호
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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.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.150-160
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• 1999

연구배경: CREST 증후군은 전신성 경화증의 이형으로 전신성 경화증에 비교하여 병의 진행이 늦은 것으로 알려져 있다. 하지만 CREST 증후군 환자의 약 50%에서 폐나 심장질환의 증거 없이 폐고혈압이 발생하며, 이러한 환자들의 이년 생존률은 40%로 폐고혈압이 없는 환자에 비해 예후가 매우 나쁘다. 그러나 CREST 증후군에 동반되는 폐고혈압의 원인과 병리기전에 대해서는 전혀 알려진 바 없으며 막연히 원발성 폐고혈압의 이형(variant form) 또는 이차성 폐고혈압으로 분류되고 있다. 총상병변(plexiform lesion) 내 증식된 내피세포의 클론성 검증은 폐고혈압을 원발성과 이차성으로 나누는 기준이 되고 있다. 이에 저자들은 CREST 증후군이 동반된 폐고혈압 환자의 총상병변 내피세포의 클론성을 분석함으로써 CREST 동반된 폐고혈압이 원발성인지 이차성인지를 알아보고자 하였다. 방법: 폐고혈압을 동반한 CREST 증후군 여자환자에서 얻은 폐조직의 파라핀 block을 사용하여 microdissection 방법으로 총상병변내에 증식된 내피세포를 분리한후 X-염색체의 methylation pattern을 이용하여 클론성 분석을 시행하였다. 같은 방법으로 중막 비후를 보이는 혈관의 혈관 평활근과 폐실질의 클론성도 분석하였다. 결과: 14개 총상병변의 '증식된 내피세포'의 클론성 모두 다클론성 이었다. 또한 중막비후가 현저한 5개 폐동맥의 평활근세포 클론성도 모두 다클론성 이었다. 결론: 이상의 결과는 CREST 증후군에 동반되는 폐고혈압이 원발성 폐고혈압과는 다른 병리 기전을 갖는 이차성 폐고혈압임을 시사한다.