• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Bioinformatics Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.13-16
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• 2000

Microorganisms have been widely employed for the production of useful bioproducts including primary metabolites such as ethanol, succinic acid, acetone and butanol, secondary metabolites represented by antibiotics, proteins, polysaccharides, lipids and many others. Since these products can be obtained in small quantities under natural condition, mutation and selection processes have been employed for the improvement of strains. Recently, metabolic engineering strategies have been employed for more efficient production of these bioproducts. Metabolic engineering can be defined as purposeful modification of cellular metabolic pathways by introducing new pathways, deleting or modifying the existing pathways for the enhanced production of a desired product or modified/new product, degradation of xenobiotics, and utilization of inexpensive raw materials. Metabolic flux analysis and metabolic control analysis along with recombinant DNA techniques are three important components in designing optimized metabolic pathways, This powerful technology is being further improved by the genomics, proteomics, metabolomics and bioinformatics. Complete genome sequences are providing us with the possibility of addressing complex biological questions including metabolic control, regulation and flux. In silico analysis of microbial metabolic pathways is possible from the completed genome sequences. Transcriptome analysis by employing ONA chip allows us to examine the global pattern of gene expression at mRNA level. Two dimensional gel electrophoresis of cellular proteins can be used to examine the global proteome content, which provides us with the information on gene expression at protein level. Bioinformatics can help us to understand the results obtained with these new techniques, and further provides us with a wide range of information contained in the genome sequences. The strategies taken in our lab for the production of pharmaceutical proteins, polyhydroxyalkanoate (a family of completely biodegradable polymer), succinic acid and me chemicals by employing metabolic engineering powered by genomics, proteomics, metabolomics and bioinformatics will be presented.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.480-484
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• 2010

AfsR2 is a global regulatory protein that stimulates antibiotic biosynthesis in both Streptomyces lividans and S. coelicolor. Previously, various afsR2-dependent genes including a putative abaA-like regulatory gene, SCO4677, were identified through comparative DNA microarray analysis. To further identify the putative SCO4677-dependent proteins, the comparative proteomics-driven approach was applied to the SCO4677-overexpressing strains of S. lividans and S. coelicolor along with the wild-type strains. The 2D gel electrophoresis gave approximately 277 protein spots for S. lividans and 207 protein spots for S. coelicolor, showing different protein expression patterns between the SCO4677-overexpressing strains and the wild-type strains. Further MALDI-TOF analysis revealed that only 18 proteins exhibited similar expression patterns in both S. lividans and S. coelicolor, suggesting that the SCO4677 could encode an abaA-like regulator that controls a few cross-species common proteins as well as many species-specific proteins in Streptomyces species.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.13.1-13.8
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• 2021

Ranked in the topmost position among the deadliest diseases in the world, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a global burden with alterations in heart and blood vessels. Early diagnostics and prognostics could be the best possible solution in CVD management. OMICS (genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics) approaches could be able to tackle the challenges against CVDs. Genome-wide association studies along with next-generation sequencing with various computational biology tools could lead a new sight in early detection and possible therapeutics of CVDs. Human cardiac proteins are also characterized by mass spectrophotometry which could open the scope of proteomics approaches in CVD. Besides this, regulation of gene expression by transcriptomics approaches exhibits a new insight while metabolomics is the endpoint on the downstream of multi-omics approaches to confront CVDs from the early onset. Although a lot of challenges needed to overcome in CVD management, OMICS approaches are certainly a new prospect.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.2489-2493
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• 2015

Background: Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosomal regions is crucial in tumor progression and this study aimed to identify genome-wide LOH in pancreatic cancer. Materials and Methods: Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) profiling data GSE32682 of human pancreatic samples snap-frozen during surgery were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database. Genotype console software was used to perform data processing. Candidate genes with LOH were screened based on the genotype calls, SNP loci of LOH and dbSNP database. Gene annotation was performed to identify the functions of candidate genes using NCBI (the National Center for Biotechnology Information) database, followed by Gene Ontology, INTERPRO, PFAM and SMART annotation and UCSC Genome Browser track to the unannotated genes using DAVID (the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integration Discovery). Results: The candidate genes with LOH identified in this study were MCU, MICU1 and OIT3 on chromosome 10. MCU was found to encode a calcium transporter and MICU1 could encode an essential regulator of mitochondrial $Ca^{2+}$ uptake. OIT3 possibly correlated with calcium binding revealed by the annotation analyses and was regulated by a large number of transcription factors including STAT, SOX9, CREB, NF-kB, PPARG and p53. Conclusions: Global genomic analysis of SNPs identified MICU1, MCU and OIT3 with LOH on chromosome 10, implying involvement of these genes in progression of pancreatic cancer.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.185-192
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• 2020

The global carbon storage regulator (Csr) system is conserved in bacteria and functions as a regulator in the exponential and stationary phases of growth in batch culture. The Csr system plays a role in the central carbon metabolism, virulence, motility, resistance to oxidative stress, and biofilm formation. Although the Csr was extensively studied in Gram negative bacteria, it has been reported only in the control of motility in Bacillus subtilis among Gram positive bacteria. The goal of this study was to explore the role of the csrA gene of Bacillus licheniformis M2-7 on motility and the bacterial ability to use hydrocarbons as carbon source. We deleted the csrA gene of B. licheniformis M2-7 using the plasmid pCsr-L, harboring the spectinomycin cassette obtained from the plasmid pHP45-omega2. Mutants were grown on culture medium supplemented with 2% glucose or 0.1% gasoline and motility was assessed by electron microscopy. We observed that CsrA negatively regulates motility by controlling the expression of the hag gene and the synthesis of flagellin. Notably, we showed the ability of B. licheniformis to use gasoline as a unique carbon source. Our results demonstrated that CsrA is an indispensable regulator for the growth of B. licheniformis M2-7 on gasoline.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3213-3222
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• 2016

Background: Methyl donor status influences DNA stability and DNA methylation although little is known about effects on DNA methyltransferases. The aim of this study was to determine whether methyl-donor status influences DNA methyltransferase (Dnmt) gene expression in cervical cancer cells, and if so, whether there are associated effects on global DNA methylation. Materials and Methods: The human cervical cancer cell line, C4-II, was grown in complete medium and medium depleted of folate (F-M+) and folate and methionine (F-M-). Growth rate, intracellular folate, intracellular methionine and homocysteine in the extracellular medium were measured to validate the cancer cell model of methyl donor depletion. Dnmt expression was measured by qRT-PCR using relative quantification and global DNA methylation was measured using a flow cytometric method. Results: Intracellular folate and methionine concentrations were significantly reduced after growth in depleted media. Growth rate was also reduced in response to methyl donor depletion. Extracellular homocysteine was raised compared with controls, indicating disturbance to the methyl cycle. Combined folate and methionine depletion led to a significant down-regulation of Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b; this was associated with an 18% reduction in global DNA methylation compared with controls. Effects of folate and methionine depletion on Dnmt3a and 3b expression were reversed by transferring depleted cells to complete medium. Conclusions: Methyl donor status can evidently influence expression of Dnmts in cervical cancer cells, which is associated with DNA global hypomethylation. Effects on Dnmt expression are reversible, suggesting reversible modulating effects of dietary methyl donor intake on gene expression, which may be relevant for cancer progression.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.442-447
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• 2010

We investigated anti-cancer and anti-proliferative activity of allicin and analyzed global gene expression changes by allicin treatment in human colorectal HCT116 cells. As a result, allicin decreased cell viabilities in a dose and time-dependent manner and induced apoptosis. Oligo DNA microarray analysis, we found that 7,840 genes were up-regulated more than 2-folds, whereas 10,010 genes were down-regulated more than 2-folds by $50\;{\mu}M$ allicin treatment. To confirm specific gene expressions, we performed RT-PCR. Consistent with the results of DNA microarray analysis, allicin dramatically induced ATF3 and NAG1 gene expression. Interestingly, NAG-1 protein expression was dependent on p53 presence. Taken together, our present results increase the knowledge of the molecular mechanism of anti-cancer and anti-proliferative activity mediated by allciin in human colorectal cancer cell.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.438-445
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• 2009

We investigated global gene expression from both mouse liver and mouse hepatic cell lines treated with acetaminophen (APAP) in order to compare in vivo and in vitro profiles and to assess the feasibility of the two systems. During our analyses of gene expression profiles, we picked up several down-regulated genes, such as the cytochrome P450 family 51 (Cyp51), sulfotransferase family cytosolic 1C member 2 (Sult1c2), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-Coenzyme A synthase 1 (Hmgcs1), and several genes that were up-regulated by APAP, such as growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible 45 alpha (Gadd45a), transformation related protein 53 inducible nuclear protein 1 (Trp53inp1) and zinc finger protein 688 (Zfp688). For validation of gene function, synthesized short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) for these genes were transfected in a mouse hepatic cell line, BNL CL.2, for investigation of cell viability and mRNA expression level. We found that siRNA transfection of these genes induced down-regulation of respective mRNA expression and decreased cell viability. siRNA transfection for Cyp51 and others induced morphological alterations, such as membrane thickening and nuclear condensation. Taken together, siRNA transfection of these six genes decreased cell viability and induced alteration in cellular morphology, along with effective inhibition of respective mRNA, suggesting that these genes could be associated with APAP-induced toxicity. Furthermore, these genes may be used in the investigation of hepatotoxicity, for better understanding of its mechanism.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6631-6636
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• 2013

Through years of effort, researchers have made notable progress in gene and microRNA fields about retinoblastoma morbidity. However, experimentally validated data for genes, microRNAs (miRNAs) and transcription factors (TFs) can only be found in a scattered form, which makes it difficult to conclude the relationship between genes and retinoblastoma systematically. In this study, we regarded genes, miRNAs and TFs as elements in the regulatory network and focused on the relationship between pairs of examples. In this way, we paid attention to all the elements macroscopically, instead of only researching one or several. To show regulatory relationships over genes, miRNAs and TFs clearly, we constructed 3 regulatory networks hierarchically, including a differentially expressed network, a related network and a global network, for analysis of similarities and comparison of differences. After construction of the three networks, important pathways were highlighted. We constructed an upstream and downstream element table of differentially expressed genes and miRNAs, in which we found self-adaption relations and circle-regulation. Our study systematically assessed factors in the pathogenesis of retinoblastoma and provided theoretical foundations for gene therapy researchers. In future studies, especial attention should be paid to the highlighted genes and miRNAs.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.249-261
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• 2020

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) have stemness characteristics, including germ cell-specific imprints that allow them to form gametes. Spermatogenesis involves changes in gene expression such as a transition from expression of somatic to germ cell-specific genes, global repression of gene expression, meiotic sex chromosome inactivation, highly condensed packing of the nucleus with protamines, and morphogenesis. These step-by-step processes finally generate spermatozoa that are fertilization competent. Dynamic epigenetic modifications also confer totipotency to germ cells after fertilization. Primordial germ cells (PGCs) in embryos do not enter meiosis, remain in the proliferative stage, and are referred to as gonocytes, before entering quiescence. Gonocytes develop into SSCs at about 6 days after birth in rodents. Although chromatin structural modification by Polycomb is essential for gene silencing in mammals, and epigenetic changes are critical in spermatogenesis, a comprehensive understanding of transcriptional regulation is lacking. Recently, we evaluated the expression profiles of Yin Yang 1 (YY1) and CP2c in the gonads of E14.5 and 12-week-old mice. YY1 localizes at the nucleus and/or cytoplasm at specific stages of spermatogenesis, possibly by interaction with CP2c and YY1-interacting transcription factor. In the present article, we discuss the possible roles of YY1 and CP2c in spermatogenesis and stemness based on our results and a review of the relevant literature.