• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제61권4호
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• pp.455-462
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• 2023

Since 2015, countries in the Sahel region have implemented large-scale seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC). However, the mass use of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) plus amodiaquine impacts the genetic diversity of malaria parasites and their sensitivity to antimalarials. This study aimed to describe and compare the genetic diversity and SP resistance of Plasmodium falciparum strains in Mali and Niger. We collected 400 blood samples in Mali and Niger from children aged 3-59 months suspected of malaria. Of them, 201 tested positive (Niger, 111, 55.2%; Mali, 90, 44.8%). Polymorphism of merozoite surface protein 1 (msp1) genetic marker showed 201 allotypes. The frequency of the RO33 allotype was significantly higher in Niger (63.6%) than in Mali (39.3%). There was no significant difference in the frequency of the K1 and MAD20 allotypes between the 2 countries. The multiplicity of infection was 2 allotypes per patient in Mali and one allotype per patient in Niger. The prevalence of strains with the triple mutants Pfdhfr51I/Pfdhfr59R/Pfdhps436A/F/H and Pfdhfr51I/Pfdhfr59R/Pfdhps437G was 18.1% and 30.2%, respectively, and 7.7% carried the quadruple mutant Pfdhfr51I/Pfdhfr59R/Pfdhps436A/F/H/Pfdhps437G. Despite the significant genetic diversity of parasite populations, the level of SP resistance was comparable between Mali and Niger. The frequency of mutations conferring resistance to SP still allows its effective use in intermittent preventive treatment in pregnant women and in SMC.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.100005.1-100005.15
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• 2024

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a devastating neurodegenerative disease with a complex genetic basis, presenting both in familial and sporadic forms. The hexanucleotide (G₄C₂) repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene, which triggers distinct pathogenic mechanisms, has been identified as a major contributor to familial and sporadic Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cases. Animal models have proven pivotal in understanding these mechanisms; however, discrepancies between models due to variable transgene sequence, expression levels, and toxicity profiles complicate the translation of findings. Herein, we provide a systematic comparison of 7 publicly available Drosophila transgenes modeling the G₄C₂ expansion under uniform conditions, evaluating variations in their toxicity profiles. Further, we tested 3 previously characterized disease-modifying drugs in selected lines to uncover discrepancies among the tested strains. Our study not only deepens our understanding of the C9orf72 G₄C₂ mutations but also presents a framework for comparing constructs with minute structural differences. This work may be used to inform experimental designs to better model disease mechanisms and help guide the development of targeted interventions for neurodegenerative diseases, thus bridging the gap between model-based research and therapeutic application.

• 대한유전성대사질환학회지
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.48-54
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• 2017

목적: Fukuyama 선천성 근이영양증은 희귀한 열성 유전질환으로 영아 시기에 발병하는 근긴장 저하, 뇌 기형 및 dystroglycanopathy 특징들을 보인다. 선천성 근육병의 넓은 스펙트럼에 여러 질환들이 존재하여 Fukuyama 선천성 근이영양증 진단을 어렵게 하지만, 유전형과 표현형 상관관계를 파악하면 진단을 도울 수 있다. 이 연구에서는 분자유전학 분석을 통해 선정한 FKTN 유전자와 Fukuyama 선천성 근이영증의 표현형의 연관성에 대해 알아보았다. 방법: 이 연구는 후향적으로 9명의 대상자들로 진행하였다. 영아 시기에 발병하는 근긴장 저하의 증상 및 뇌 자기공명영상에서 기형 소견을 보인 환자들을 대상으로 선정하였다. 그리고 FKTN 유전자를 이용한 염기서열 검사를 통해 유전자를 분석하였다. 결과: 9명의 대상자들 중 남성이 4명(44.4%), 여성이 5명(55.5%) 였다. 첫 증상이 발병한 나이의 중간값은 3.1개월였다. 6명(66.7%) 에서 첫 증상이 발달지연으로 나타났다. 모든 환자들은 영아 시기에 근긴장 저하 및 전반적 발달 지연 소견을 보였다. 또한, 모든 환자들은 뇌 자기공명영상에서 뇌 피질 기형 소견을 보였다. 9명의 환자들 중 6명이 근육생검 검사를 실시하였고 그 중 4명(4/6; 66.7%)이 특이 소견을 보였다. Fukuyama 선천성 근이영양증을 일으키는 FKTN 유전자 돌연변이는 3명에서 발견되었다. 결론: 이 연구에서 FKTN 유전자 변이를 보인 3명의 대상자들은 모두 뇌 자기공명영상에서 큰뇌이랑증 및 소뇌 형성장애 소견들을 보였다. 이것을 통해 근육병 증상을 보이면서 뇌 자기공명영상에서 특징적인 소견들을 보일 시 Fukuyama 선천성 근이영양증을 진단할 가능성을 높일 수 있다는 것을 확인하였다.

• BMB Reports
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• 제51권11호
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• pp.584-589
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• 2018

Secondary prevention via earlier detection would afford the greatest chance for a cure in premalignant lesions. We investigated the exomic profiles of non-malignant and malignant changes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and the genomic blueprint of human papillomavirus (HPV)-driven carcinogenesis in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Whole-exome (WES) and whole-genome (WGS) sequencing were performed on peripheral blood and adjacent non-tumor and tumor specimens obtained from eight Korean HNSCC patients from 2013 to 2015. Next-generation sequencing yielded an average coverage of $94.3{\times}$ for WES and $35.3{\times}$ for WGS. In comparative genomic analysis of non-tumor and tumor tissue pairs, we were unable to identify common cancer-associated early mutations and copy number alterations (CNA) except in one pair. Interestingly, in this case, we observed that non-tumor tonsillar crypts adjacent to HPV-positive OPSCC appeared normal under a microscope; however, this tissue also showed weak p16 expression. WGS revealed the infection and integration of high-risk type HPV16 in this tissue as well as in the matched tumor. Furthermore, WES identified shared and tumor-specific genomic alterations for this pair. Clonal analysis enabled us to infer the process by which this transitional crypt epithelium (TrCE) evolved into a tumor; this evolution was accompanied by the subsequent accumulation of genomic alterations, including an ERBB3 mutation and large-scale CNAs, such as 3q27-qter amplification and 9p deletion. We suggest that HPV16-driven OPSCC carcinogenesis is a stepwise evolutionary process that is consistent with a multistep carcinogenesis model. Our results highlight the carcinogenic changes driven by HPV16 infection and provide a basis for the secondary prevention of OPSCC.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.55-63
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• 2008

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the selective death of motor neurons. Mutations in the SOD1 gene are responsible for a familial form of ALS (FALS). Although many studies suggest that mutant SOD1 proteins are cytotoxic, the mechanism is not fully understood. To investigate the role of mutant SOD1 in FALS, human SOD1 genes were fused with a PEP-1 peptide in a bacterial expression vector to produce in-frame PEP-1-SOD fusion proteins (wild type and mutants). The expressed and purified PEP-1-SOD fusion proteins were efficiently transduced into neuronal cells. Neurones harboring the A4V, G93A, G85R, and D90A mutants of PEP-1-SOD were more vulnerable to oxidative stress induced by paraquat than those harboring wild-type proteins. Moreover, neurones harboring the mutant SOD proteins had lower heat shock protein (Hsp) expression levels than those harboring wild-type SOD. The effects of the transduced SOD1 fusion proteins may provide an explanation for the association of SOD1 with FALS, and Hsps could be candidate agents for the treatment of ALS.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권8호
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• pp.4059-4062
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• 2016

Frequencies of polymorphisms of genes BRCA1 and ТР53 in breast cancer (BC) patients with a BC family history and radiation history were assessed and compared in the Semey region of Kazakhstan. The study included 60 women directly irradiated by the activities of the Semipalatinsk test site with a calculated effective equivalent dose of 500 mSv and their first generation descendants (group BC+Her+Exp); 65 women with family BC and absence of radiological history - the effective equivalent dose due to anthropogenic sources not exceeding 50 mSv (group BC+Her-Exp). The comparison group consisted of 65 women patients with breast cancer without family and radiological history (BC-Her-Exp). The control group comprised 60 women without breast cancer and without family and radiological history (nonBC). We carried out the genotyping of the polymorphisms c.2311T>C, c.4308T>C and 5382insC of the BRCA1 gene and rs1042522 of the ТР53 gene. The frequency of the polymorphism c.2311T>C was significantly higher in patients of the group BC+Her+Exp than in healthy women, and of the polymorphism 5382insC in BC+Her+Exp compared to all other groups. The frequency of the rs1042522 polymorphism of ТР53 was significantly higher in all groups of patients with breast cancer compared with the control group. Differences between groups of women with breast cancer were significant only in BC+Her+Exp vs. BC+Her-Exp. Combinations of polymorphisms of the genes BRCA1 and TP53 predominated in women with a family and radiological history.

• 한국식물생명공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국식물생명공학회 2005년도 추계학술대회 및 한일 식물생명공학 심포지엄
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• pp.95-105
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• 2005

Transposon-mediated insertional mutagenesis provides one of the most powerful tools for functional studies of genes in higher plants. This project has been performed to develop a large population of insertional mutations, and to construct databases of molecular information on Ds insertion sites in rice. Ultimate goals are to supply genetic materials and information to analyze gene function and to identify and utilize agronomically important genes for breeding purpose. Two strategies have been employed to generate the large scale of transposon population in a Japonica type rice, Dongjin Byeo; 1) genetic crosses between Ac and Ds lines and 2) plant regeneration from seeds carrying Ac and Ds. Our study showed that over 70% of regenerated plants generally carried independent Ds elements and high activity of transposition was detected only during regeneration period. Ds-flanking DNA amplified from leaf tissues of F2 and T1 (or T2) plants have been amplified via TAIL-PCR and directly sequenced. So far, over 65,000 Ds lines have been generated and over 9,500 Ds loci have been mapped on chromosomes by sequence analysis. Database of molecular information on Ds insertion sites has been constructed, and has been opened to the public and will be updated soon at http://www.niab.go.kr. Detailed functional analysis of more than 30 rice mutants has been performed. Several Ds-tagged rice genes that have been selected for functional analysis will be briefly introduced. We expect that a great deal of information and genetic resources of Ds lines would be obtained during the course of this project, which will be shared with domestic and international rice researchers. In addition to the Japonica rice, we have established the tagging system in an rice line of indica genetic background, MGRI079. MGRI079 (Indica/Japonica) was transformed with Agrobacteria carrying Ac and Ds T-DNA vectors. Among transgenic lines, we successfully identified single-copy Ds and Ac lines in MGR1079. These lines were served as ‘starter lines’ to mutagenize Indica genetic background. To achieve rapid, large scale generation of Ds transposant lines, MGR1079 transformants carrying homozygous Ac were crossed with ones with homozygous Ds, and $F_2$seeds were used for plant regeneration. In this year, over 2,000 regeneration plants were grown in the field. We are able to evaluate the tagging efficiency in the Indica genetic background in the fall.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.165-173
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• 2005

A potent demethylating agent, 5-Azacytidine (5-AzaC) has been widely used as in many studies on DNA methylation, regulation of gene expression, and cancer biology. The mechanisms of the demethylating activity were known to be formation of complex between DNA and DNA methyltransferase (MTase), which depletes cellular MTase activity. However, 5-AzaC can also induce hypermethylation of a transgene in a transgenic cell line, G12 cells and it was explained as a result of defense mechanisms to inactivate foreign gene(s) somehow. This finding evoked the question that whether the phenomenon of hypermethylation induced by 5-AzaC is limited to the transgene or it can be occurred in endogenous gene(s). In order to answer the question, mutagenicity test of 5-AzaC and molecular characterization of mutants obtained from the test were performed using an endogenous gene, thymidine kinase (tk) in Chinese hamster V79 cells. When V79 and V79-J3 subclone cells were treated with 1, 2.5 ,5, $10{\mu}M$ of 5-AzaC for 48 hours, their maximum mutant frequencies were revealed as $6\times10^{-3}\;at\;5{\mu}M$(350-fold induction over background) and $8\times10^{-3}\;at\;2.5{\mu}M$ (l,800-fold induction over background) respectively. Since the induction rates were too high to be induced by true mutations, many trifluorothymidine (TFT)-resistant $(TFT^R)$ cells were subjected to Northern blot analysis to check the presence of tk transcripts. Surprisingly, all clones tested possessed the transcripts in a similar level, that implicates the $TFT^R$ phenotype induced by 5-AzaC has not given rise to hypermethylation of the gene in spite of unusually high mutation frequency. In addition, it has shown that the TK activity in the pool of 5-AzaC-induced $TFT^R$ cells has about a half of that in spontaneously-induced $TFT^R$ cells or in non-selected parental V79-J3 cells. This result suggests that the mechanism(s) underlying the TFT-resistance between spontaneously occurred and 5-AzaC-induced cells may be different. These findings have shown that the $TFT^R$ phenotype induced by 5-AzaC has not given rise to hypermethylation of the tk gene, and 5-AzaC may be induced by one or combined pathways among many drug resistance mechanisms. The exact mechanisms for the 5-AzaC-induced $TFT^R$ phenotype remain to elucidate.

• BMB Reports
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• 제37권6호
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• pp.720-725
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• 2004

A number of signaling molecules contain small pleckstrin homology (PH) domains capable of binding phosphoinositides or proteins. Phospholipase C (PLC)-${\gamma}1$ has two putative PH domains, an $NH_2$-terminal (PH1) and a split PH domain ($nPH_2$ and $cPH_2$). We previously reported that the split PH domain of PLC-${\gamma}1$ binds to phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI(4)P) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)$P_2$) (Chang et al., 2002). To identify the amino acid residues responsible for binding with PI(4)P and PI(4,5)$P_2$, we used site-directed mutagenesis to replace each amino acid in the variable loop-1 (VL-1) region of the PLC-${\gamma}1$ $nPH_2$ domain with alanine (a neutral amino acid). The phosphoinositide-binding affinity of these mutant molecules was analyzed by Dot-blot assay followed by ECL detection. We found that two PLC-${\gamma}1$ nPH2 domain mutants, P500A and H503A, showed reduced affinities for phosphoinositide binding. Furthermore, these mutant PLC-${\gamma}1$ molecules showed reduced PI(4,5)$P_2$ hydrolysis. Using green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein system, we showed that both $PH_1$ and $nPH_2$ domains are responsible for membrane-targeted translocation of PLC-${\gamma}1$ upon serum stimulation. Together, our data reveal that the amino acid residues $Pro^{500}$ and $His^{503}$ are critical for binding of PLC-${\gamma}1$ to one of its substrates, PI(4,5)$P_2$ in the membrane.

• BMB Reports
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• 제42권3호
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• pp.136-141
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• 2009

Familial Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) is a progressive neurodegenetative disorder induced by mutations of the SOD1 gene. Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) is well-defined as a stress-inducible protein, however the its role in ALS protection has not yet been established. To investigate the role HSP27 may have in SOD1 mutant-mediated apoptosis, human SOD1 or HSP27 genes were fused with a PEP-1 peptide in a bacterial expression vector to produce a genetic in-frame fusion protein, which was then transduced into cells. We found the purified PEP-1-HSP27 fusion proteins can be transduced efficiently into neuronal cells and protect against cell death by enhancing mutant SOD1 activity. Moreover, transduced PEP-1-HSP27 efficiently prevents protein aggregation produced by oxidative stress. These results suggest that transduced HSP27 fusion protein may be explored as a potential therapeutic agent for FALS patients.