• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2006

KIT encodes a mast/stem cell growth factor receptor and is known as a possible candidate gene responsible for dominant white coat color in mammals. To investigate the genetic variation of KIT gene in Korean wild boars(Sus scrofa coreanus), we carried out PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing for three exons(exons 17, 19, and 20) and intron 19 of the KIT gene in Korean wild boars. PCR-RFLP results using NlaⅢ restriction enzyme in the breakpoint region between exon 17 and intron 17 and AciⅠ restriction enzyme in exon 19 indicate that Korean wild boars did not have previously identified white coat color related splicing mutation and missense mutation, respectively. These results also indicate matings between Korean wild boars could not give white coat color offsprings. We also found new SNPs in exons 19(C2661T) and 20(A2760G). Of these, the SNP in exon 20 is a missense mutation which might induce the change of amino acid iso-leucine to valine. However, no relationship was identified with this missense mutation and coat color. In this study, breed specific new SNPs were identified in exons 19, 20 and intron 19 and these results will give important information for genetic variation of porcine KIT gene.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.359-369
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• 2023

Dependence receptors are a group of receptor proteins with shared characteristics of transducing two different signals within cells. They can transduce a positive signal of survival and differentiation in the presence of ligands. On the other hand, dependence receptors can transduce an apoptosis signal in the absence of ligands. The function of these receptors depends on the availability of their ligands. Several receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) have been reported as dependence receptors. When cells undergo apoptosis by dependence receptors, the intracellular domain of some RTKs is cleaved by the caspases. Among the RTKs that belong to dependence receptors, we focused on eight RTKs (RET, HER2, MET, ALK, TrkC, EphA4, EphB3, and c-KIT) that are cleaved by caspases. In this review, we describe the features of the receptors, their cleavage sites, and the fate of the cleaved products, as well as recent implications on them being used as potential therapeutics for cancer treatment.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.81-87
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• 2024

Background: Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα) is essential for various biological processes, including fetal Leydig cell differentiation. The PDGFRα^EGFP mouse model, which expresses an eGFP fusion gene under the native Pdgfrα promoter, serves as a valuable resource for exploring PDGFRα's expression and function in vivo. This study investigates PDGFRα expression in adult testicular cells using PDGFRα^EGFP mouse model. Methods: Genotyping PCR and gel electrophoresis were used to confirm the zygosity of PDGFRα^EGFP mice. Histological examination and fluorescence imaging were used to identify PDGFRα expression within testicular tissue. Immunohistochemical analysis assessed the co-expression of PDGFRα with c-Kit, ANO-1, and TASK-1 in testicular cells. Results: Genotyping confirmed the heterozygous status of the mice, which is crucial for studies due to the embryonic lethal phenotype observed in homozygotes. Histological and fluorescence imaging revealed that PDGFRα⁺ cells were primarily located in the interstitial spaces of the testis, specifically within Leydig cells and peritubular myoid cells (PMCs). Immunohistochemical results showed PDGFRα co-localization with c-Kit and ANO-1 in Leydig cells and a complete co-localization with TASK-1 in both Leydig cells and PMCs. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate specific expression of PDGFRα in Leydig cells and PMCs in adult testicular tissue. The co-expression of PDGFRα with c-Kit, ANO-1, and TASK-1 suggests complex regulatory mechanisms, possibly influencing testicular function and broader physiological processes.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.71-75
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• 2007

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common primary mesenchymal tumors of the digestive tract. They have been commonly observed in adults but have been rarely described in children. They arise typically from the intestinal wall and rarely in the mesentery, omentum, or retroperitoneum. GISTs originate from the interstitial cell of Cajal and are characterized by overexpression of the receptor tyrosine kinase c-kit. Up to 94% of these tumors express the CD117 on immunohistochemical stain. Surgery is the main modality of treatment for primary resectable GIST. Completely resectable GIST with low risk has excellent prognosis after primary surgical intervention, with over 90% of the 5-year survival. We report a case of 10-year-old girl presenting with an upper gastrointestinal bleeding caused by gastrointestinal stromal tumor.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.218-226
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• 2012

Dopamine is an enteric neurotransmitter that regulates gastrointestinal motility. This study was done to investigate whether dopamine modulates spontaneous pacemaker activity in cultured interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) from mouse using whole cell patch clamp technique, RT-PCR and live $Ca^{2+}$ imaging analysis. ICCs generate pacemaker inward currents at a holding potential of -70 mV and generate pacemaker potentials in current-clamp mode. Dopamine did not change the frequency and amplitude of pacemaker activity in small intestinal ICCs. On the contrary dopamine reduced the frequency and amplitude of pacemaker activity in large intestinal ICCs. RT-PCR analysis revealed that Dopamine2 and 4-receptors are expressed in c-Kit positive ICCs. Dopamine2 and 4 receptor agonists inhibited pacemaker activity in large intestinal ICCs mimicked those of dopamine. Domperidone, dopamine2 receptor antagonist, increased the frequency of pacemaker activity of large intestinal ICCs. In $Ca^{2+}$-imaging, dopamine inhibited spontaneous intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ oscillations of ICCs. These results suggest that dopamine can regulate gastrointestinal motility through modulating pacemaker activity of large intestinal ICCs and dopamine effects on ICCs are mediated by dopamine2 receptor and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ modulation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.154-162
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• 2018

Objective: The fallopian tubes play a critical role in the early events of fertilization. The rapid innate immune defense is an important part of the fallopian tubes. Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), as a part of the innate immune system, plays an important role in detecting viral infections. In this basic and experimental study, the effect of sex hormones on the function of TLR3 in the OE-E6/E7 cell line was investigated. Methods: The functionality of TLR3 in this cell line was evaluated by cytokine measurements (interleukin [IL]-6 and IL-1b) and the effects of sex hormones on TLR3 were tested by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Additionally, TLR3 small interfering RNA (siRNA) and a TLR3 function-blocking antibody were used to confirm our findings. Results: The production of IL-6 significantly increased in the presence of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) as the TLR3 ligand. Using a TLR3-siRNA-ransfected OE-E6/E7 cell line and function-blocking antibody confirmed that cytokine production was due to TLR3. In addition, 17-${\beta}$ estradiol and progesterone suppressed the production of IL-6 in the presence and absence of poly(I:C). Conclusion: These results imply that sex hormones exerted a suppressive effect on the function of TLR3 in the fallopian tube cell line when different concentrations of sex hormones were present. The current results also suggest that estrogen receptor beta and nuclear progesterone receptor B are likely to mediate the hormonal regulation of TLR3, as these two receptors are the main estrogen and progesterone receptors in OEE6/E7 cell line.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.207-216
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• 2005

Objective: To understand the crucial requirement for the normal early folliculogenesis, we evaluated molecular as well as physiological differences during in vitro ovarian culture. Among the important regulators for follicle development, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and FSH Receptor (FSHR) have been known to be expressed in the cuboidal granulosa cells. Meanwhile, it is known that c-kit is germ cell-specific and GDF-9 is also oocyte-specific regulator. To evaluate the functional requirement for the competence of normal follicular development, we investigated the differential mRNA expression of several factors secreted from granulosa cells and oocytes between in vivo and in vitro developed ovaries. Materials and Methods: Ovaries from ICR neonates (the day of birth) were cultured for 4 days (for primordial to primary transition) or 8 days (for secondary follicle formation) in ${\alpha}$-MEM glutamax supplemented with 3 mg/ml BSA without serum or growth factors. The mRNA levels of the several factors were investigated by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Freshly isolated 0-, 4-, and 8-day-old ovaries were used as control. Results: The mRNA of AMH and FSHR as granulosa cell factors was highly increased according to the ovarian development in both of 4- and 8-day-old control. However, the mRNA expression was not induced in both of 4- and 8-day in vitro cultured ovaries. The mRNA expression of GDF-9 known to regulate follicle growth as an oocyte factor was different between in vivo and in vitro developed ovaries. In addition, the transcript of GDF-9 was expressed in the primordial follicles of mouse ovaries. The mRNA expression of c-kit was not significantly different during the early folliculogenesis in vitro. Conclusion: This is the first report regarding endogenous AMH and FSHR expression during the early folliculogenesis in vitro. In conclusion, it will be very valuable to evaluate cuboidal granulosa cell factors as functional marker(s) for normal early folliculogenesis in vitro.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.421-425
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to improve the detection limit of rapid detection kit for Salmonella Typhimurium by image analysis system. The rapid detection kit was comprised of four elements: sample pad, conjugate pad, nitrocellulose pad and absorbent pad. Gold nanoparticle and Salmonella antibody were used as a tag and a receptor. Salmonella antibody and goat rabbit IgG antibody were used as test and control lines on nitrocellulose membrane. The color intensity of test line began to increase from $10^5CFU/mL$ of Salmonella sample. A multiple linear regression analysis was employed to explain the relationship between predicted and measured number of Salmonella cells. The developed model could successfully predict the cell number of Salmonella with validation against extra-experimental result.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.59-64
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• 2017

It has been reported that $^{64}Cu$ was radiolabeled with bombesin (BBN) peptide binding to the gastrin releasing peptide receptor expressed in human prostate cancer cells (PC3), confirming tumor target efficacy in mouse model. In this study, we developed the kit for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer that can be used clinically using bombesin peptide available of $^{64}Cu$ and $^{177}Lu$ radioisotope labeling. The NODAGA-galacto-BBN peptide containing the NODAGA chelator and galactose was dispensed into a sterilized glass vial and lyophilized to prepare a kit. The stability of the kit after long-term storage in the $4^{\circ}C$ cold chamber and the radiolabeling efficiency after $^{64}Cu$ or $^{177}Lu$ labeling were confirmed by thin layer chromatography. When labeling with $^{64}Cu$ at the initial stage of storage, labeling efficiency of NODAGA-galacto-BBN peptide kit was over 96%, labeling efficiency was over 90% when $^{177}Lu$ was labeled. At 11 months after storage, the radiolabeling efficiency of kit against $^{64}Cu$ and $^{177}Lu$ was each over 95% and 90%. The cell viability was significantly reduced in the $^{177}Lu$-NODAGA-galacto-BBN treated group compared with the control and $^{177}Lu$ alone treated group in clonogenic assay. In conclusion, the NODAGA-galacto-BBN kit prepared by the lyophilization showed high stability over time and high yield of radioisotope labeling. Also $^{177}Lu$-NODAGA-galacto-BBN confirmed high cytotoxicity to prostate cancer cells. Therefore, the NODAGA-galacto-bombesin kit is expected to be useful for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.14
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• pp.5667-5672
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• 2014

Folate receptor alpha ($FR{\alpha}$) mediates folate uptake by endocytosis, and while folate is essential to DNA methylation and synthesis and may have an important role in proliferating cells. $FR{\alpha}$ is known to be expressed in rapidly proliferating cells, including many cancer cell lines, but there has been no systematic assessment of expression in cervical cancer cell lines. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of $FR{\alpha}$ on proliferation and apoptosis of cervical cells and correlation mechanism. In this study, we investigated the biological function of $FR{\alpha}$ in Hela cells using RNA interference. Cell proliferation was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay, while cell cycling and apoptosis were assessed by flow cytometry, mRNA levels by real time-PCR and protein levels of $FR{\alpha}$, c-Fos and c-Jun by Western blotting. The results revealed that $FR{\alpha}$ was highly expressed in Hela cells and its silencing with a small interfering RNA (siRNA) inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis, arresting the cell cycle in G0/G1 stages while decreasing the proportion in S and G2/M stages, and suppressed the expression levels of c-Fos and c-Jun. In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that $FR{\alpha}$ down-regulation might be capable of suppressing cervical cancer cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis. It suggested that $FR{\alpha}$ might be a novel therapeutic target for cervical cancer.