• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.89-93
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• 2011

Asthma is an inflammatory airway disease and is characterized by the releases of inflammatory mediators including chemokines. They are mainly associated with the recruitment, activation and dysregulation of specific inflammatory cells, especially neutrophils in neutrophilic asthma. CC chemokines bind to CC chemokine receptors (CCRs) in the surface of their target cells. The aims of this study are to examine the CCR expression in neutrophils of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of asthmatic patients and to determine the alternation of migration and apoptosis of neutrophils by the BALF. We demonstrate that CCR3 strongly expresses in BALF neutrophils of asthmatic patients as compared to other CCRs and increases during apoptosis of the BALF neutrophils. The migration of asthmatic blood neutrophils increases in response to asthmatic BALF as compared to BALF of normal volunteer. In addition, asthmatic BALF includes the higher levels of IL-8 protein than normal BALF and it has no effect on apoptosis of asthmatic blood neutrophils. Taken together, our results indicate that CCR3 expression may be associated with unknown function of asthmatic BALF neutrophils and BALF may be involved in the recruitment of neutrophils into the airway, but not in the neutrophils apoptosis.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.31-36
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• 2019

Streptococcus mutans is one of the important bacteria that forms dental biofilm and cause dental caries. Virulence genes in S. mutans can be classified into the genes involved in bacterial adhesion, extracellular polysaccharide formation, biofilm formation, sugar uptake and metabolism, acid tolerance, and regulation. The genes involved in bacterial adhesion are gbps (gbpA, gbpB, and gbpC) and spaP. The gbp genes encode glucan-binding protein (GBP) A, GBP B, and GBP C. The spaP gene encodes cell surface antigen, SpaP. The genes involved in extracellular polysaccharide formation are gtfs (gtfB, gtfC, and gtfD) and ftf, which encode glycosyltransferase (GTF) B, GTF C, and GTF D and fructosyltransferase, respectively. The genes involved in biofilm formation are smu630, relA, and comDE. The smu630 gene is important for biofilm formation. The relA and comDE genes contribute to quorumsensing and biofilm formation. The genes involved in sugar uptake and metabolism are eno, ldh, and relA. The eno gene encodes bacterial enolase, which catalyzes the formation of phosphoenolpyruvate. The ldh gene encodes lactic acid dehydrogenase. The relA gene contributes to the regulation of the glucose phosphotransferase system. The genes related to acid tolerance are atpD, aguD, brpA, and relA. The atpD gene encodes $F_1F_0$-ATPase, a proton pump that discharges $H^+$ from within the bacterium to the outside. The aguD gene encodes agmatine deiminase system and produces alkali to overcome acid stress. The genes involved in regulation are vicR, brpA, and relA.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.158-167
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• 2022

Ubiquitin (Ub) is post-translationally modified by Ub itself or Ub-like proteins, phosphorylation, and acetylation, among others, which elicits a variety of Ub topologies and cellular functions. However, N-terminal (Nt) modifications of Ub remain unknown, except the linear head-to-tail ubiquitylation via Nt-Met. Here, using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and an Nt-arginylated Ub-specific antibody, we found that the detectable level of Ub undergoes Nt-Met excision, Nt-deamination, and Nt-arginylation. The resulting Nt-arginylated Ub and its conjugated proteins are upregulated in the stationary-growth phase or by oxidative stress. We further proved the existence of Nt-arginylated Ub in vivo and identified Nt-arginylated Ub-protein conjugates using stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC)-based tandem mass spectrometry. In silico structural modeling of Nt-arginylated Ub predicted that Nt-Arg flexibly protrudes from the surface of the Ub, thereby most likely providing a docking site for the factors that recognize it. Collectively, these results reveal unprecedented Nt-arginylated Ub and the pathway by which it is produced, which greatly expands the known complexity of the Ub code.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.176-182
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• 2016

CCR3 is a chemokine receptor that mediates the accumulation of allergic inflammatory cells, including eosinophils and Th2 cells, at inflamed sites. The regulatory sequence of the CCR3 gene, contains two Runt-related transcription factor (RUNX) 1 sites and two PU.1 sites, in addition to a functional GATA site for transactivation of the CCR3 gene. In the present study, we examined the effects of the cis-acting elements of RUNX1 and PU.1 on transcription of the gene in EoL-1 eosinophilic cells and Jurkat T cells, both of which expressed functional surface CCR3 and these two transcription factors. Introduction of RUNX1 siRNA or PU.1 siRNA resulted in a modest decrease in CCR3 reporter activity in both cell types, compared with transfection of GATA-1 siRNA. Cotransfection of the two siRNAs led to inhibition in an additive manner. EMSA analysis showed that RUNX1, in particular, bound to its binding motifs. Mutagenesis analysis revealed that all point mutants lacking RUNX1- and PU.1-binding sites exhibited reduced reporter activities. These results suggest that RUNX1 and PU.1 participate in transcriptional regulation of the CCR3 gene.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.1005-1011
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• 2010

$\gamma$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. GABA transporters (GATs) control extracellular GABA levels by reuptake of released GABA from the synaptic cleft. However, how GATs are regulated has not yet been elucidated. Here, we used the yeast two-hybrid system to identify the specific binding protein(s) that interacts with the carboxyl (C)-terminal region of GAT1, the major isoform in the brain and find a specific interaction with the ubiquitin-specific protease 14 (Usp14), a deubiquitinating enzyme. Usp14 protein bound to the tail region of GAT1 and GAT2 but not to other GAT members in the yeast two-hybrid assay. The C-terminal region of Usp14 is essential for interaction with GAT1. In addition, these proteins showed specific interactions in the glutathione S-transferase (GST) pull-down assay. An antibody to GAT1 specifically co-immunoprecipitated Usp14 from mouse brain extracts. These results suggest that Usp14 may regulate the number of GAT1 at the cell surface.

• Proceedings of the Korea Environmental Mutagen Society Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.14-40
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• 2002

15-Deoxy-${\Delta}^{12, 14}$-prostaglandin $J_2$ (15-deoxy-$PGJ_2$), a naturally occurring ligand activates the peroxisome proliferator-activated $receptor-{\gamma}(PPAR-{\gamma}$). Activation of $PPAR-{\gamma}$ has been found to induce cell differentiation such as adipose cell and macrophage. Here it was investigated whether 15-deoxy-$PGJ_2$ has neuronal cell differentiation and possible underlying molecular mechanisms. Dopaminergic differentiating PC 12 cells treated with 15-deoxy-$PGJ_2$ (0.2 to 1.6 ${\mu}M$) alone showed measurable neurite extension and expression of neurofilament, markers of cell differentiation. However much greater extent of neurite extension and expression of neurofilament was observed in the presence of NGF (50 ng/ml). In parallel with its increasing effect on the neurite extension and expression of neurofilament, 15-deoxy-$PGJ_2$ enhanced NGF-induced p38 MAP kinase expression and its phosphorylation in addition to the activation of transcription factor AP-1 in a dose dependent manner. Moreover, pretreatment of SD 203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase inhibited the promoting effect of 15-deoxy-$PGJ_2$(0.8 ${\mu}M$) on NGF-induced neurite extension. This inhibition correlated well with the ability of SB203580 to inhibit the enhancing effect of 15-deoxy-$PGJ_2$ on the expression of p38 MAP kinase and activation of AP-1, The promoting ability of 15-deoxy-$PGJ_2$ did not occur through $PPAR-{\gamma}$, as synthetic PPAR-${\gamma}$ agonist andantagonist did not change the neurite promoting effect of 15-deoxy-PGJ$_2$. In addition, contrast to other cells (embryonic midbrain and SK-N-MC cells), $PPAR-{\gamma}$ was not expressed in PC-12 cells. Other structure related prostaglandins, PGD$_2$ and $PGE_2$ acting via a cell surface G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) did not increase basal or NGF-induced neurite extension. Moreover, GPCR (EP and DP receptor) antagonists did not alter the promoting effect of f 5-deoxy-$PGJ_2$ on neurite extension and activation of p38 MAP kinase, suggesting that the promoting effect of 15-deoxy-$PGJ_2$ may not be mediated GPCR. These data demonstrate that activation of p38 MAP kinase in conjunction with AP-1 single pathway may be important in the promoting activity of 15-deoxy-$PGJ_2$ cells.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2002.11b
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• pp.14-40
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• 2002

15-Deoxy- Δ$\^$12,14/-prostaglandin J$_2$ (15-deoxy-PGJ$_2$), a naturally occurring ligand activates the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-${\gamma}$ (PPAR-${\gamma}$). Activation of PPAR-y has been found to induce cell differentiation such as adipose cell and macrophage. Here it was investigated whether 15-deoxy-PGJ$_2$ has neuronal cell differentiation and possible underlying molecular mechanisms. Dopaminergic differentiating PC 12 cells treated with 15-deoxy-PGJ$_2$ (0.2 to 1.6 ${\mu}$M) alone showed measurable neurite extension and expression of neurofilament, markers of cell differentiation. However much greater extent of neurite extension and expression of neurofilament was observed in the presence of NGF (50 ng/$m\ell$). In parallel with its increasing effect on the neurite extension and expression of neurofilament, 15-deoxy-PGJ$_2$ enhanced NGF-induced p38 MAP kinase expression and its phosphorylation in addition to the activation of transcription factor AP-1 in a dose dependent manner. Moreover, pretreatment of SD 203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase inhibited the promoting effect of 15-deoxy-PGJ$_2$ (0.8 ${\mu}$M) on NGF-induced neurite extension. This inhibition correlated well with the ability of SB203580 to inhibit the enhancing effect of 15-deoxy-PGJ$_2$ on the expression of p38 MAP kinase and activation of AP-1. The promoting ability of 15-deoxy-PGJ$_2$ did not occur through PPAR-${\gamma}$, as synthetic PPAR-${\gamma}$ agonist and antagonist did not change the neurite promoting effect of 15-deoxy-PGJ$_2$. In addition, contrast to other cells (embryonic midbrain and SK-N-MC cells), PPAR-${\gamma}$ was not expressed in PC-12 cells. Other structure related prostaglandins, PGD$_2$ and PGE$_2$ acting via a cell surface G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) did not increase basal or NGF-induced neurite extension. Moreover, GPCR (EP and DP receptor) antagonists did not alter the promoting effect of 15-deoxy-PGJ$_2$ on neurite extension and activation of p38 MAP kinase, suggesting that the promoting effect of 15-deoxy-PGJ$_2$ may not be mediated GPCR. These data demonstrate that activation of p38 MAP kinase in conjunction with AP-1 signal pathway may be important in the promoting activity of 15-deoxy-PGJ$_2$ on the differentiation of PC12 cells.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.75 no.3
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• pp.104-110
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• 2013

Background: Osteopontin (OPN) and carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX), which are expressed on the surface of tumor cells, are associated with hypoxia during tumor development and progression. However, the roles of these proteins in the plasma of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are poorly understood. Herein, we hypothesized that plasma OPN and CAIX levels could be used as diagnostic and prognostic tumor markers in patients with NSCLC. Methods: Fifty-three patients with NSCLC and 50 healthy control subjects were enrolled. We selected controls without malignancy and matched them with NSCLC patient cases according to age and gender. Blood samples were collected at the time of diagnosis; the plasma levels of OPN and CAIX were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results: The plasma levels of OPN in the patients with NSCLC were significantly elevated as compared to those in the controls (p=0.016). However, there was no difference in the plasma level of CAIX between the NSCLC patients and controls. NSCLC patients with a distant metastasis had a remarkable increase in plasma OPN compared with patients without metastasis (p=0.026), but no such correlation was found for CAIX. There was no difference in overall survival rates according to the plasma level of OPN between the two groups (by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis). Conclusion: Plasma OPN levels were elevated in patients with NSCLC as compared with the controls, with greater elevation of OPN levels in the advanced stages of disease. Therefore, plasma OPN may have utility as a diagnostic, but not prognostic, biomarker of advanced NSCLC.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.224-228
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• 2010

The encapsulation of bacteria may be used to harness them for longer periods of time in order to make them viable, whereas antibiotic treatment would result in controlled release of therapeutic molecules. Encapsulated Escherichia coli GFP (green fluorescent protein) (E. coli GFP) was used here as a model for therapeutic substance - GFP fragments release (model of bioactive substances). Our aim was to evaluate the performance of bacteria encapsulated in hollow fibers (HFs) treated with antibiotic for induction of cell death. The polypropylene-surface-modified HFs were applied for E. coli encapsulation. The encapsulated bacteria were treated with tetracycline in vitro or in vivo during subcutaneous implantation into mice. The HF content was evaluated in a flow cytometer, to assess the bacteria cell membrane permeability changes induced by tetracycline treatment. It was observed that the applied membranes prevented release of bacteria through the HF wall. The E. coli GFP culture encapsulated in HF in vitro proved the tetracycline impact on bacteria viability and allows the recognition of the sequence of events within the process of bacteria death. Treatment of the SCID mice with tetracycline for 8 h proved the tetracycline impact on bacteria viability in vivo, raising the necrotic bacteria-releasing GFP fragments. It was concluded that the bacteria may be safely enclosed within the HF at the site of implantation, and when the animal is treated with antibiotic, bacteria may act as a local source of fragments of proteins expressed in the bacteria, a hypothetical bioactive factor for the host eukaryotic organism.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.51-56
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• 2015

A 8-week trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of photoperiod manipulation on the growth performance and hematological parameters of juvenile Caspian roach, Rutilus rutilus caspicus (average weight $1.46{\pm}0.12g$ mean${\pm}$SD) reared under five photoperiods (24 h Light, 24L; 18 h Light & 6 h Dark, 18L:6D; 12 h Light & 12 h Dark, 12L:12D; 6 h Light & 18 h Dark, 6L:18D; 24 h Dark, 24D) with constant light intensity 1,500 lx on the water surface. Triplicate of 20 fish were allocated into each of 15 fiberglass tanks of 50 L capacity and they were fed three times per day with the commercial feed (SFK, Co., Sari - Iran) contains 50.0% protein and 10.5% lipid. At the end of experimental period, final body weight, weight gain and specific growth rates of fish exposed to 24L were significantly higher than those of fish exposed to 12L:12D, 6L:18D and 24D (P < 0.05). Red blood cell and hemoglobin of fish exposed to 24L were significantly higher than those of fish exposed to 24D. No significant difference observed in hematocrit, white blood cell and plasma glucose among the different treatments groups. Therefore, these results demonstrated that the growth performance of juvenile Caspian roach can be significantly stimulated by using 24L and 18L:6D photoperiods without any measurable significant stress response such as plasma glucose concentration.