• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제8권4호
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• pp.201-205
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• 2010

The H1 histone family, member N, testis-specific (H1FNT) is exclusively expressed in the testis, and had its possible role for sperm chromatin formation. The purpose of this study is to investigate any genetic association of H1FNT gene with male infertility, especially at the promoter region. We examined the promoter single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of H1FNT gene which is located within transcription factor binding site for its association with male infertility. The statistical analysis showed that the -1129A>T polymorphism was present at a statistically significance in male infertility (p=0.0059 and 0.0349 for hetero and risk type, respectively). The dual-luciferase promoter assay was performed to examine the polymorphic effect of this promoter SNP by the cloning of promoter region (1700bp fragment) into pGL3-basic vector. In our plasmid based reporter system, there is no big difference between wild and risk type. In conclusion, H1FNT -1129A>T promoter SNP is statistically significant with male infertility, especially with subfertile (non-azoospermia) group. Further analysis of its functional polymorphic effect in vivo may provide the biological significance of testis-specific histone with spermatogenesis.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.153-158
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• 2008

형질 전환 동물 생산에는 조직 및 시기 특이적 발현 조절이 가능하다는 장점 때문에 유즙 내로 외부 유전자를 발현시키는 시스템이 널리 이용되고 있다. 유전자 발현 즉, 단백질 생산은 프로모터의 강도뿐만 아니라 mRNA의 안정성에 의해서도 조절된다. 특히, polyadenylation에 의한 poly A의 길이는 in vivo와 올 in vitro에서 mRNA 안정성 및 목적 유전자의 번역효율에 영향을 준다. 본 연구에서는 이러한 mRNA 안정성이 목적 유전자의 발현에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위해 3'-UTR 염기 서열을 분석하였다. 이 3'-untranslated region(UTR) 내의 poly A signal을 기준으로 putative cytoplasmic polyadenylation element(CPE) 부위와 downstream elements(DSE: U-rich, G-rich, GU-rich)의 염기 서열을 분석하고, 각각의 element를 기준으로 15 종의 luciferase reporter vector를 제작하여, 생쥐 유선 세포주(HC11)와 돼지 유선 세포주(PMGC)에 각각 transfection시킨 후 48시간 동안 배양하고 luciferase 발현량을 분석하였다. PMGC의 경우, luciferase의 발현은 exon 9의 CPE 2,3 및 DSE 1을 포함한 #6 construct에서 유의적으로 높은 발현량을 보였으며, exon 9의 CPE 2, 3과 DSE를 모두 포함하고 있는 #11 construct에서도 유의적으로 높은 발현량을 보였다. 이러한 결과는 형질 전환 돼지 생산에 있어 #6 및 11 construct의 사용은 목적의 유전자를 효과적으로 발현시키는데 기여할 것으로 사료된다.

• 대한약학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한약학회 2001년도 Proceedings of the Pharmaceutical Society of Korea
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• pp.48-55
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• 2001

When an elongating RNA polymerase encounters DNA damage on the template strand of a transcribed gene it can either be arrested by or be transcribed through the lesion. Lesions that arrest RNA polymerases are thought to be subject to transcription-coupled repair, whereas that damage that is bypassed can cause miscoding, resulting in mutations in the transcript (transcriptional mutagenesis). We have developed a technique using a plasmid-based luciferase reporter assay to determine the extent to which a particular type of DNA base modification is capable of causing transcriptional mutagenesis in vivo. The system uses Escherichia coli strains with different DNA repair backgrounds and is designed to detect phenotypic changes caused by transcriptional mutageneis under nongrowth conditions. In addition, this method is capable of indicating the extent to which a particular DNA repair enzyme (or pathway) suppresses the occurrence of transcriptional mutagenesis. Thus, this technique provides a tool with which the effects of various genes on non-replication-dependent pathways resulting in the generation of mutant proteins can be gauged.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.605-612
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• 2000

Green tea polyphenols (GTP) have been demonstrated to suppress tumorigenesis in several chemical-induced animal carcinogenesis models, and predicted as promising chemopreventive agents in human. Recent studies of GTP extracts showed the involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in the regulation of Phase II enzymes gene expression and induction of apoptosis. In the current work we compared the biological actions of five green tea catechins: (1) induction of ARE reporter gene, (2) activation of MAP kinases, (3) cytotoxicity in human hepatoma HepG2-C8 cells, and (4) caspase activation in human cervical squamous carcinoma HeLa cells. For the induction of phase IIgene assay, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and (-)-epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG) potently induced antioxidant response element (ARE)-mediated luciferase activity, with induction observed at 25 $\mu\textrm{m}$with EGCG. The induction of ARE reporter gene appears to be structurally related to the 3-gallate group. Comparing the activation of MAPK by the five polyphenols, only EGCG showed potent activation of all three MAPKs (ERK, JNK and p38) in a dose- and time-dependent manner, whereas EGC activated ERK and p38. In the concentration range of 25 $\mu\textrm{m}$ to 1 mM, EGCG and ECG strongly suppressed HepG2-ARE-C8 cell-growth. To elucidate the mechanisms of green tea polyphenol-induced apoptosis, we measured the activation of an important cell death protein, caspase-3 induced by EGCG, and found that caspase-3 was activated in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Interestingly, the activation of caspase-3 was a relatively late event (peaked at 16 h), whereas activation of MAPKs was much earlier (peaked at 2 h). It is possible, that at low concentrations of EGCG, activation of MAPK leads to ARE-mediated gene expression including phase II detoxifying enzymes. Whereas at higher concentrations of EGCG, sustained activation of MAPKs such as JNK leads to apoptosis. These mechanisms are currently under investigation in our laboratory. As the most abundant catechin in GTP extract, we found that EGCG potently induced ARE-mediated gene expression, activated MAP kinase pathway, stimulated caspase-3 activity, and induced apoptosis. These mechanisms together with others, may contribute to the overall chemopreventive function of EGCG itself as well as the GTP.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제34권6호
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• pp.957-966
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• 2021

Objective: Ovarian follicular development, which dependent on the proliferation and differentiation of granulosa cells (GCs), is a complex biological process in which miRNA plays an important role. Our previous study showed that miR-458b-5p is associated with ovarian follicular development in chicken. The detailed function and molecular mechanism of miR-458b-5p in GCs is unclear. Methods: The luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the targeting relationship between miR-458b-5p and catenin beta-1 (CTNNB1), which is an important transcriptional regulatory factor of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, flow cytometry with propidium iodide (PI) and annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeling were applied to explore the effect of miR-458b-5p on proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of chicken GCs. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels. Results: We demonstrated that the expression of miR-458b-5p and CTNNB1 showed the opposite relationship in GCs and theca cells of hierarchical follicles. The luciferase reporter assay confirmed that CTNNB1 is the direct target of miR-458b-5p. Using CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry with PI and Annexin V-FITC labeling, we observed that transfection with the miR-458b-5p mimics significantly reduced proliferation and has no effects on apoptosis of chicken GCs. In addition, miR-458b-5p decreased the mRNA and protein expression of CD44 molecule and matrix metallopeptidase 7, which are the downstream effectors of CTNNB1 in Wnt/β-Catenin pathway and play functional roles in cell proliferation. Conclusion: Taken together, the data indicate that miR-458b-5p regulates ovarian GCs proliferation through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by targeting CTNNB1, suggesting that miR-458b-5p and its target gene CTNNB1 may potentially play a role in chicken ovarian follicular development.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제24권7호
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• pp.798-803
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• 2014

Cathepsin D (CtsD)는 아스파르트산 단백질 분해효소로서 cytochrome C의 방출을 유도하여 apoptosis 기전을 활성화시킨다. 본 연구에서는 3T3-L1 지방전구세포에서 CtsD 발현 조절에 관여하는 microRNA에 대해 조사하였다. 먼저 지방전구세포 사멸시 CtsD 발현 변화를 관찰하기 위하여 DNA damage agent인 doxorubicin을 3T3-L1 세포주에 노출시켜 CtsD 발현이 증가함을 확인하였다. 또한 지방전구세포주에서 CtsD가 과발현되면 세포 생존율이 감소하였다. miRanda program을 이용하여 CtsD 유전자를 표적으로 하는 microRNA를 탐색하여 miR-145를 선발하였다. Luciferase reporter assay에 의해 miR-145가 CtsD 유전자의 3' UTR 부위에 결합하여 luciferase 활성을 감소시킴을 관찰하였다. 3T3-L1 세포주에 miR-145 mimic을 도입한 결과 CtsD mRNA 발현과 단백질 수준이 감소하였다. 또한 세포주에 doxorubicin을 처리한 결과 CtsD 유전자 발현 증가와 상반되게 miR-145 발현이 감소하였다. 이외에도 miR-145 inhibitor을 세포에 도입하면 세포 생존율이 감소하였다. 이러한 결과는 지방전구세포의 세포사멸에 CtsD가 관여할 수 있으며, miR-145에 의해 CtsD 발현이 직접 조절되고 있음을 나타낸다. 따라서, 지방전구세포의 사멸을 유도하기 위해서는 miR-145 발현 제어가 주요한 표적이 될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다. 본 연구결과는 향후 비만 예방 및 치료를 위한 지방세포 사멸기전 규명에 중요한 기초 자료를 제공할 수 있을 것으로 기대한다.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• 제42권5호
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• pp.383-393
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• 2008

목적: 조직 특이 프로모터를 이용하면 특정 암조직내에서만 원하는 치료유전자를 발현시킬 수 있다. 나트륨 옥소 공동 수송체(sodium iodide symporter: NIS) 유전자는 옥소를 섭취하는 특성을 가져 방사성옥소를 이용한 치료용 유전자로 사용될 수 있다. 광학 영상용 유전자인 luciferase (Luc) 유전자를 세포에 이입하면 비침습적으로 유전자가 이입된 세포의 상태를 평가할 수 있다. 본 연구는 간암 특이성을 나타내는 AFP 프로모터에 의해 발현이 조절되는 NIS유전자와 CMV프로모터에 의해 발현되는 Luc유전자를 간암세포에 이입하여 NIS유전자 이입에 의한 방사성옥소 유전자치료의 효과를 알아보고, 종양사멸 정도를 광학 리포터 유전자 발현으로 알아보고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: AFP enhancer와 GSTP 프로모터를 연결하여 AFP프로모터를 제작하였으며 이를 NIS유전자와 연결하였다. 또한 CMV 프로모터에 조절 받는 Luc 유전자를 동시에 삽입하여 AFP-NIS-CMV-Luc 유전자 발현 벡터를 생산하였다. 실험 대상 세포주로는 간암세포주인 HepG2와 Huh-7 세포와 사람 대장암세포주인 HCT-15 세포를 이용하였다. AFP-NIS-CMV-Luc 발현벡터를 Liposome을 이용해 실험대상 세포주 내로 이입하였으며, 방사성옥소 섭취율과 방사성옥소의 유출량을 측정하였다. 또한 Luciferase 발현 정도를 luminometer로 측정하였으며, clonogenic assay를 통하여 I-131에 대한 세포주에 따른 사멸효과 차이를 알아보았다. AFP-NIS-CMV-Luc 유전자 이입 세포주를 누드마우스에 대퇴부 피하에 주입하여 I-131 축적여부를 감마카메라 영상을 획득하였다. 결과: AFP-NIS-CMV-Luc 유전자 발현 벡터를 제작하였다. AFP-NIS-CMV-Luc 유전자가 이입된 HepG2와 Huh-7 세포의 방사성옥소 섭취율은 유전자 이입이 되지 않은 대조군 HepG2와 Huh-7 세포에 비하여 높았으며, $KClO_4$를 처리시 옥소 섭취가 저해되었다. 대장암 세포주인 HCT-15세포에 AFP-NIS-CMV-Luc유전자를 이입 시 방사성옥소의 섭취률은 증가되지 않았다. 30분간 방사성옥소를 섭취시킨 AFP-NIS-Luc 유전자가 이입된 HepG2와 Huh-7 세포에서의 방사성옥소의 유출반감기는 약 4분과 6분으로 각각 나타났다. AFP-NIS-CMV-Luc 유전자가 이입된 HepG2, Huh-7세포의 Luc 유전자의 발현은 241, 441 $RLU/2\;{\times}\;10^5$ cells로 나타났으며, 대조군 HepG2와 Huh구세포에서의 Luc 유전자의 발현은 74, $RLU/2\;{\times}\;10^5$ cells로 나타났다. HCT-15 세포는 AFP-NIS-CMV-Luc 유전자 이입에 따라 I-131에 의한 세포 사멸능이 증가되지 않았으나, HepG2 및 Huh-7 세포는 FP-NIS-CMV-Luc 유전자 이 입에 따라 I-131에 의한 세포 사멸능이 증가되었으며, Huh-7세포의 경우 0.5mCi의 I-131을 투여한 경우 모든 세포가 사멸하였다. AFP-NIS-CMV-Luc 유전자가 이입된 Huh-7 세포수가 많을수록 방사성옥소 섭취율이 증가하며 luciferase활성도도 높게 나타났다. AFP-NIS-CMV-Luc 유전자가 이입된 Huh-7 세포를 이식한 누드마우스에 I-131 감마카메라 영상에서 종양이식부위에 방사능 축적을 관찰 할 수 있었다. 결론: AFP프로모터의 의하여 NIS유전자가 발현되며, CMV프로모터에 의한 Luc 유전자가 발현되는 벡터를 제작하였으며, 이 벡터를 이입한 경우 간암세포에서만 I-131의 세포 독성이 증가하는 효과를 나타내었다. 또한 Luc유전자를 이용하여 비침습적인 광학 영상으로 세포사멸 효과를 확인할 수 있었다. 간암특이 프로모터에 조절되는 치료 유전자와 광학리포터 유전자를 한 벡터에 동시에 이입하면 간암 특이 유전자 치료와 그 치료효과를 비침습적으로 평가할 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제37권12호
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• pp.873-880
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• 2014

In our previous study, miRNA-183, a miRNA in the miR-96-182-183 cluster, was significantly over-expressed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In the present study, we explored the oncogenic roles of miR-183 in ESCC by gain and loss of function analysis in an esophageal cancer cell line (EC9706). Genome-wide mRNA micro-array was applied to determine the genes that were regulated directly or indirectly by miR-183. 3'UTR luciferase reporter assay, RT-PCR, and Western blot were conducted to verify the target gene of miR-183. Cell culture results showed that miR-183 inhibited apoptosis (p < 0.05), enhanced cell proliferation (p < 0.05), and accelerated G1/S transition (p < 0.05). Moreover, the inhibitory effect of miR-183 on apoptosis was rescued when miR-183 was suppressed via miR-183 inhibitor (p < 0.05). Western blot analysis showed that the expression of programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4), which was predicted as the target gene of miR-183 by microarray profiling and bioinformatics predictions, decreased when miR-183 was over-expressed. The 3'UTR luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-183 directly regulated PDCD4 by binding to sequences in the 3'UTR of PDCD4. Pearson correlation analysis further confirmed the significant negative correlation between miR-183 and PDCD4 in both cell lines and in ESCC patients. Our data suggest that miR-183 might play an oncogenic role in ESCC by regulating PDCD4 expression.

• BMB Reports
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• 제42권10호
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• pp.691-696
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• 2009

The E2F gene family appears to regulate the proliferation and differentiation of events that are required for adipogenesis. Pref-1 is a transmembrane protein that inhibits adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells. In this study, we found that the expression of pref-1 is regulated by the transcription factor E2F1. The expression of pref-1 and E2F1 was strongly induced in preadipocytes and at the late differentiation stage. Using luciferase reporter assay, ChIP assay and EMSA, we found that the -211/-194 region of the pref-1 promoter is essential for the binding of E2F1 as well as E2F1-dependent transcriptional activation. Knockdown of E2F1 reduced both pref-1 promoter activity and the level of pref-1 mRNA. Taken together, our data suggest that transcriptional activation of pref-1 is stimulated by E2F1 protein in adipocytes.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.207-212
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• 2012

The shortage of human organs for transplantation has induced the research on the possibility of using animal as porcine. However, pig to human transplantation as known as xeno-transplantation has major problem as immunorejection. Recently, the solutions of pig to human xenotransplantation are commonly mentioned as having a genetically modification which include alpha 1, 3 galatosyl transferase knockout (GTKO) and immune-suppressing gene transgenic model. Unfortunately, the expression level of transgenic gene is very low activity. Therefore, development of gene overexpression system is the most urgent issue. Also, the tissue specific overexpression system is very important. Because most blood vessels are endothelial cells, establishment of the endothelial-specific promoter is attractive candidates for the introduction of suppressing immunorejection. In this study, we focus the ICAM2 promoter which has endothelial-specific regulatory region. To detect the regulatory region of ICAM2 promoter, we cloned 3.7 kb size mini-pig ICAM2 promoter. We conduct serial deletion of 5' flanking region of mini-pig ICAM2 promoter then selected promoter size as 1 kb, 1.5 kb, 2 kb, 2.5 kb, and 3 kb. To analyze promoter activity, luciferase assay system was conducted among these vectors and compare endothelial activity with epithelial cells. The reporter gene assay revealed that ICAM2 promoter has critical activity in endothelial cells (CPAE) and 1 kb size of ICAM2 promoter activity was significantly increased. Taken together, our studies suggest that mini-pig ICMA2 promoter is endothelial cell specific overexpression promoter and among above all size of promoters, 1 kb size promoter is optimal candidate to overcome the vascular immunorejection in pig to human xenotransplantation.