• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.146-159
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• 2021

DNA methylation, and consequent down-regulation, of tumour suppressor genes occurs in response to epigenetic stimuli during cancer development. Similarly, human oncoviruses, including human papillomavirus (HPV), up-regulate and augment DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) activities, thereby decreasing tumour suppressor genes (TSGs) expression. Ubiquitin-like containing PHD and RING finger domain 1 (UHRF1), an epigenetic regulator of DNA methylation, is overexpressed in HPV-induced cervical cancers. Here, we investigated the role of UHRF1 in cervical cancer by knocking down its expression in HeLa cells using lentiviral-encoded short hairpin (sh)RNA and performing cDNA microarrays. We detected significantly elevated expression of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), a known TSG, in UHRF1-knockdown cells, and this gene is hypermethylated in cervical cancer tissue and cell lines, as indicated by whole-genome methylation analysis. Up-regulation of UHRF1 and decreased TXNIP were further detected in cervical cancer by western blot and immunohistochemistry and confirmed by Oncomine database analysis. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation, we identified the inverted CCAAT domain-containing UHRF1-binding site in the TXNIP promoter and demonstrated UHRF1 knockdown decreases UHRF1 promoter binding and enhances TXNIP expression through demethylation of this region. TXNIP promoter CpG methylation was further confirmed in cervical cancer tissue by pyrosequencing and methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. Critically, down-regulation of UHRF1 by siRNA or UHRF1 antagonist (thymoquinone) induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7), which stabilises and promotes UHRF1 function, is increased by HPV viral protein E6/E7 overexpression. These results indicate HPV might induce carcinogenesis through UHRF1-mediated TXNIP promoter methylation, thus suggesting a possible link between CpG methylation and cervical cancer.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2000

The chloroform and methanol (2;1, v/v) extract from an edible plant, Actinidia arguta Planchon, appeared to possess antitumor activity against human leukemias Jurkat T and U937 cells through inducing apoptosis. The substance in the solvent extract was purified by silica gel column chromatography, preparative TLC, and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Characteristics of the substance analyzed by UV scanning analysis, $^1H$ and $^{13}C$ NMR spectra suggested that the substance belongs to the chlorophyll derivatives-like group. The $IC_{50}$ value of the chlorophyll derivative (Cp-D) determined by MTT assay was $15\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ for Jurkat, $10\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ for U937, and $11.4\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ for HL-60m and was more toxic to these leukemias than to solid tumors or normal fibroblast. In order to elucidate cellular mechanisms underlying the cytotoxicity, the effect of the Cp-D on Jurkat T cells was investigated. When cells were treated with the Cp-D at a concentration of $15\mu\textrm{g}/ml$, [3H]thymidine incorporation declined rapidly and wa undetectable in 1h. However, no significant changes were made in the cell cycle distribution of the cells by 24h. The sub-Gl peak representing apoptotic cells began to be detectable in 36h, at which time apoptotic DNA fragmentation was also detected on agarose gel electrophoresis, demonstrating that the cytotoxic effect of the Cp-D is attributable to the induced apoptosis. Under the same conditions, although the protein level of cyclin-dependent kinases such as cdc4, csk6, cdk2, and cdc2 was not significantly changed until 24h, the kinase activity of all c안 rapidly declined and reached a minimum level within 1-6h and then recovered to the initial level by 12h and sustained until 24h. These results suggest that inactivation of cdks at an inappropriate time during the cell cycle progression in jurkat T cells following a treatment with the Cp-D leads to induction of apoptotic cell death.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.12
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• pp.3532-3534
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• 2014

In theoretical simulations of proton transfer in DNA, environmental factors nearly have not been considered. In our calculations, using QM/MM method on the basis of CP2K, proton transfer on adenine-thymine base pair is studied in water, at wide scope temperature, and under the external electric field. Our results indicate that the external electric field induces the proton transfer at room temperature, and its intensity and temperature have some effect on hole localization and proton transfer.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.109-113
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• 2000

Somatic hybrids were produced by electrofusion between embryogenic callus protoplasts of 'Syougun' mandarin and leaf protoplasts of grapefruit. Hybridity of the two plants was confirmed by leaf morphological characteristics and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. The cpDNA analysis using PCR-RFLP could not distinguish those of both parents. These plants showed normal growth and had chromosome number of 27. These unexpected triploid somatic hybrids might be derived from fused cells between diaploid protoplast of embryogenic calli and diploid protoplast of leaf, because polysomaty, a mixture of haploid cells and diploid cells was observed in the lactose medium-pretreated embryogenic calli of 'Syougun' by flow cytomehy analysis.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.143-148
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• 2005

The coat protein mediated resistance to potato virus Y is assessed here in transgenic potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L., cv Claustar). Therefore, the corresponding cDNA from tunisian isolate of the virus was cloned into Agrobacterium tumefaciens binary vector. The transgenic lines were subsequently analysed for the presence and expression of the transgene. The CP cDNA copy number was determined for kanamycin resistant plants. Three selected transgenic lines and their S1 progeny resulting from tuber germination showed a high protection level against the virus. These data appear to support the hypothesis that the virus resistance is mediated by the translated viral coat protein expressed in transgenic potato lines.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.152-152
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• 2003

Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) is constitutively and inducibly expressed preferentially in liver of mice, but the molecular mechanisms underlying the expression of CYP1A2 have not yet been fully clarified. In this study, CpG sites of the Cyp1a2 promoter in liver were found to be hypomethylated in a site-specific pattern compared to those in lung and kidney.(omitted)

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2022.09a
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• pp.50-50
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• 2022

비짜루과 둥굴레속(Asparagaceae: Polygonatum)은 전 세계적으로 약 90여 종이 알려져 있으며, 유럽, 북아메리카, 아시아 등 북반구 온대 지역에 집중적으로 분포한다. 국내 둥굴레속 분류군은 총 16분류군이며, 이중 잎이 호생하고, 난형에서 타원형 모양의 엽질성 포를 가지며, 화피통 내부에 털이 없고, 수술대 표면에 돌기가 나있는 분류군들은 용둥굴레열(series. Bracteata)에 속한다. 그러나 이들은 종간 교잡 또는 주요 기관의 형질 변이가 다양하여 중간형질을 보이는 개체군들에 대한 종 식별에 많은 어려움이 있었다. 경남 창원시에서 채집된 목포용둥굴레(P. cryptanthum) 변이 개체집단는 기존의 목포용둥굴레와 달리 식물체 높이와 화경·소화경이 길며, 포 부착위치의 변이 폭이 넓으며, 포가 타원형이고 밖으로 말리는 습성으로 형태적 차이가 나타났다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 명확한 분류학적 실체를 구명하고자 분자생물학적 계통분석(nrDNA ITS + cpDNA matK, trnK-rps16, rps16, rbcL) 연구를 진행중에 있다.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.66-76
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• 2017

Purpose: Oral wound healing requires gingival fibroblasts to respond to local growth factors. Epigenetic silencing through DNA methylation can potentially decrease the responsiveness of gingival fibroblasts to local growth factors. In this study, our aim was to determine whether the inhibition of DNA methylation sensitized gingival fibroblasts to transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ (TGF-${\beta}1$). Methods: Gingival fibroblasts were exposed to 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza), a clinically approved demethylating agent, before stimulation with TGF-${\beta}1$. Gene expression changes were evaluated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. DNA methylation was detected by methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes and PCR amplification. Results: We found that 5-aza enhanced TGF-${\beta}1$-induced interleukin-11 (IL11) expression in gingival fibroblasts 2.37-fold (P=0.008). 5-aza had no significant effects on the expression of proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) and NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4). Consistent with this, 5-aza caused demethylation of the IL11 gene commonly next to a guanosine (CpG) island in gingival fibroblasts. The TGF-${\beta}$ type I receptor kinase inhibitor SB431542 impeded the changes in IL11 expression, indicating that the effects of 5-aza require TGF-${\beta}$ signaling. 5-aza moderately increased the expression of TGF-${\beta}$ type II receptor (1.40-fold; P=0.009), possibly enhancing the responsiveness of fibroblasts to TGF-${\beta}1$. As part of the feedback response, 5-aza increased the expression of the DNA methyltransferases 1 (DNMT1) (P=0.005) and DNMT3B (P=0.002), which are enzymes responsible for gene methylation. Conclusions: These in vitro data suggest that the inhibition of DNA methylation by 5-aza supports TGF-${\beta}$-induced IL11 expression in gingival fibroblasts.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.489-496
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• 2014

Polygonatum is a genus placed in the family Liliaceae, distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere and 16 of the species are grown naturally in Korea. In oriental medicine, the rhizomes of Polygonatum have been used as two different medicines, Okjuk (Polygonati odorati Rhizoma) and Hwangjeong (Polygonati Rhizoma). However, it is difficult to identify the morphological and chemical differences between the medicinal groups and thus easy to confuse the one with the other. Therefore, a clear classification standard needs to be established so as to be able to discriminate between them. In the study, the morphological characteristics of the plants, Polygonatum spp., were examined. Then, the differences in SNPs among the DNA sequences of 7 of the Polygonatum spp. and 1 of the Disporum spp. were analyzed by DNA barcoding with rpoC1, rpoB2, matK, and psbA-trnH of the cpDNA region. In the results, three regions, rpoC1, rpoB2, and matK were useful for discriminating the species, P. stenophyllum and P. sibiricum. Furthermore, it was possible to discriminate the individual germplasm within the species by using the combination of the results obtained from rpoB2, rpoC1, and matK.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.428-436
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• 2014

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique relies on autocycling strand displacement DNA sysnthesis without template denaturation steps under isothermal conditions. LAMP has more advantages than modern PCR, as it requires only basic laboratory equipment like an isothermal water bath, oven, and heating cabinet. Hence, in this study, five random primers were designed with Streptococcus parauberis, shikimate kinase Arok gene sequences (Genbank accession number: CP0024711). Two primers were selected based on the ladder pattern. Other optimum reaction conditions like temperature, time, and sensitivity were established and confirmed with conventional SYBR-green PCR. Results confirmed that the designed random primers were species specific, without any non-target DNA amplification under isothermal conditions. Hence, this study suggests that LAMP techniques could be used in the diagnosis of fish pathogen, specifically S. parauberis.