• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권6호
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• pp.2445-2452
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• 2012

RNA interference has created a breakthrough in gene silencing technology and there is now much debate on the successful usage of RNAi based methods in treating a number of debilitating diseases. Cancer is often regarded as a result of mutations in genomic DNA resulting in faulty gene expression. The occurrence of cancer can also be influenced by epigenetic irregularities in the chromatin structure which leads to alterations and mutations in DNA resulting in cancer cell formation. A number of therapeutic approaches have been put forth to treat cancer. Anti cancer therapy often involves chemotherapy targeting all the cells in common, whereby both cancer cells as well as normal cells get affected. Hence RNAi technology has potential to be a better therapeutic agent as it is possible to deactivate molecular targets like specific mutant genes. This review highlights the successful use of RNAi inducers against different types of cancer, thereby paving the way for specific therapeutic medicines.

• BMB Reports
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• 제46권1호
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• pp.9-16
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• 2013

In mammalian cells, aberrant transcripts harboring a premature termination codon (PTC) can be generated by abnormal or inefficient biogenesis of mRNAs or by somatic mutation. Truncated polypeptides synthesized from these aberrant transcripts could be toxic to normal cellular functions. However, mammalian cells have evolved sophisticated mechanisms for monitoring the quality of mRNAs. The faulty transcripts harboring PTC are subject to nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), nonsense-mediated translational repression (NMTR), nonsense-associated alternative splicing (NAS), or nonsense-mediated transcriptional gene silencing (NMTGS). In this review, we briefly outline the molecular characteristics of each pathway and suggest mRNA quality control mechanisms as a means to regulate normal gene expression.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제37권7호
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• pp.511-517
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• 2014

MicroRNAs are non-coding short (~23 nucleotides) RNAs that mediate post-transcriptional regulation through sequence-specific gene silencing. The role of miRNAs in neuronal development, synapse formation and synaptic plasticity has been highlighted. However, the role of neuronal activity on miRNA regulation has been less focused. Neuronal activity-dependent regulation of miRNA may finetune gene expression in response to synaptic plasticity and memory formation. Here, we provide an overview of miRNA regulation by neuronal activity including high-throughput screening studies. We also discuss the possible molecular mechanisms of activity-dependent induction and turnover of miRNAs.

• 식물조직배양학회지
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.225-231
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• 1997

For genetic engineering to be commercially viable, an efficient transformation system is needed to produce transgenic plane from diverse genotypes ("generalized protocol"). Development of such a system requires optimization of a number of components such as gene transfer agent, plant tissues competent for both regeneration and transformation, and control of transgene expression. Although several novel gene transfer methods have been developed for plane, a majority of stably transformed plane express the introduced genes at low levels. Moreover, silencing of selectable marker genes shortly after their incorporation into plant chromosomes may result in low recovery of transgenic tissues from selection. Matrix attachment regions (MARs) are DNA sequences that bind to the cell's proteinaceous nuclear matrix to form DNA loop domains. MARs have been shown to increase transgene expression in tobacco cells, and reduce position in mature transgenic plants. Flanking an antibiotic resistance transgene with MARs should therefore lead to improved rates of transformation in a diversity of species, and may permit recalcitrant species and genotypes to be successfully transformed. Literature review and recent data from my laboratory suggest that MARs can serve as a transformation booster in recalcitrant plant species.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.22-29
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• 2004

Many important horticultural and field crops are susceptible to virus infections or may possess a degree of resistance to some viruses, but become infected by others. Plant viruses enter cells through the presence of wounds, and replicate intracellularly small genomes that encode genes required for replication, cell-to-cell movement and encapsidation. There are numerous evidences from specific virus-host interactions to require the involvement of host factors and steps during viral replication cycle. However, viruses should deal with host defense responses either by general or specific mechanisms, targeting viral components or genome itself. On the other hand, the host plants have also adapted to defend themselves against viral attack by operating different lines of resistance responses. The defense-related interactions provide new insights into the complex molecular strategies for hosts for defense and counter-defense employed by viruses.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.385-388
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• 2009

Objective : We analyzed the methylation status of the O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene promoter in World Health Organization (WHO) grade III gliomas in association with other molecular markers to evaluate their prevalence. Methods : The samples of a total of 36 newly WHO grade III glioma patients including 19 anaplastic oligodendrogliomas (AO), 7 anaplastic oligoastrocytomas (AOA), and 10 anaplastic astrocytomas (AA) were analyzed. The methylation status of the MGMT gene promoter was confirmed by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. The 1p/19q chromosomal deletion status and EGFR amplification were assessed by Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization. MGMT, EGFR, EGFRvlll, and p53 expression were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. Results : The MGMT gene promoter was methylated in 32 (88.9%) and unmethylated in 4 (11.2%) Among them, all of the AO and AOA had methylated MGMT gene promoter without exception. Significant associations between MGMT gene promoter hypermethylation and 1p/19q deletion was observed (p=0.003). Other molecular markers failed to show significant associations between MGMT gene promoter statuses. Conclusion : There was extensive epigenetic silencing of MGMT gene in high grade gliomas with oligodendroglial component. Together with frequent 1p/19q co-deletion in oligodendroglial tumors, this may add plausible explanations supporting the relative favorable prognosis in oligodendroglial tumors compared with pure astrocytic tumors.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제15권5호
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• pp.802-808
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• 2005

사람의 Disabled-2 (Dab2)는 정상세포에서 c-Fos의 발현을 억제하여 세포 성장을 조절하는 암억제 유전자로 추정되어 지고 있다. 많은 암세포에서 Dab2는 유방과 난소의 정상세포에서는 발현이 되지만, 약 $85\%$의 유방과 난소의 종양세포에서는 발현이 줄어들거나, 발현이 억제되는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 bisulfite 반응에 의한 염기서열 분석법과 MSP방법 등을 이용하여 유방암 세포주인 MDA MB-231세포에서 Dab2 유전자의 promoter상에 존재하는 Cpg island의 methylation된 상태를 분석하였다. 그 결과, 사람의 정상 자궁내막세포에서는 Dab2 promoter 부위가 완전하게 methylation되어 있지 않았다. 그러나 MDA MB-231세포에서는 TATA box 근처 의 CpG dinucleotide에서 비정상적으로 methylation되어 있었다. 이런 비정상적인 CpG dinucleotide의 methylation은 MDA MB-231세포를 5-azacytidine으로 처리하였을 때 methylation이 풀리고, Dab2의 발현이 회복되는 것으로 나타났다. 따라서 인간 유방암 세포주인 MBA MB-231세포에서 Dab2의 발현억제는 Dab2 유전자의 promoter부위의 CpG island의 비정상적인 methylation과 관련이 있는 것으로 여겨진다.

• 한국응용곤충학회지
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• 제56권2호
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• pp.153-164
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• 2017

이중나선형 RNA (dsRNA)를 이용한 유전자 발현 억제기술이 다양한 생명체에서 기능 유전체학을 연구하는 데 이용되고 있다. 이 기술의 원리는 전사후 단계에서 유전자 발현을 조절하는 RNA 간섭에 기인된다. dsRNA를 이용하여 특정 유전자의 발현 억제는 심각한 치사효과를 줄 수 있다. 이러한 분자기작을 해충 방제에 적용하여 특정 dsRNA를 이용한 새로운 살충제를 개발하고 있다. 본 종설은 dsRNA를 이용한 RNA간섭 원리를 설명하고 이를 이용한 해충 방제를 구현한 여러 예를 살펴본다. 그리고 해충방제를 실현시키기 위해 현재 이 기술이 담고 있는 한계를 고찰하고 이에 대한 대응 방안을 본 종설에서 제공하고자 한다.

• BMB Reports
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• 제42권11호
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• pp.747-751
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• 2009

Transcriptional silencing of subtelomeric genes is associated with telomere length, which is correlated with age. Long and short telomeres in young and old people, respectively, coincide with gene repression and activation in each case. In addition, differential location of genes with respect to telomeres causes telomere position effect. There is very little evidence of the manner in which age-related telomere length affects the expression of specific human subtelomeric genes. We analyzed the relationship between telomere length and gene expression levels in fibroblasts derived from human donors at ages ranging from 0-70 years. We studied three groups of genes located between 100 and 150 kb, 200 and 250 kb, and >300 kb away from telomeres. We found that the chromatin modifier-encoding genes Eu-HMTase1, ZMYND11, and RASA3 were overexpressed in adults. Our results suggest that short telomere length-related overexpression of chromatin modifiers could underlie transcriptional changes contributing to cellular senescence.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.65-73
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• 2004

I report that single-stranded antisense as a part of large circular (LC-) genomic DNA of recombinant M13 phage exhibits enhanced stability, sequence specific antisense activity, and no need for target site search. A cDNA fragment (708 bp) of rat TNF-$\alpha$ was inserted into a phagemid vector, and TNF-$\alpha$ antisense molecules (TNF$\alpha$-LCAS) were produced as single-stranded circular DNA. When introduced into a rat monocyte/macrophage cell line, WRT7/P2, TNF$\alpha$-LCAS was able to ablate LPS-induced TNF-$\alpha$ mRNA to completion. The antisense effect of TNF$\alpha$-LCAS was shown to be sequence-specific because expressions of three control genes ($\beta$-actin, GAPDH and IL-1$\beta$) were not significantly altered by the antisense treatment. Further, TNF$\alpha$-LCAS was found to be highly efficacious as only 0.1 $\mu$g (0.24 nM) of TNF$\alpha$-LCAS was sufficient to block TNF-$\alpha$ expression in 1$\times10^5$ WRT7/P2 cells. I have also observed specific antisense activity in reduction of NF-$\kappa$B gene expression. The results suggest that an antisense sequence as a part of single-stranded circular genomic DNA has a specific antisense activity.