• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.3517-3522
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• 2015

Background: Glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78) is a type of molecular chaperone. It is a possible candidate protein that contributes to development of drug resistance. We first examined the involvement of GRP78 in chemotherapy-resistance in human ovarian cancer cell. Materials and Methods: The expression of GRP78 mRNA and protein were examined by RT-PCR and western blotting, respectively, in human ovarian cancer cells line (HO-8910). Sensitivity of HO-8910 to paclitaxel was determined with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT). Suppression of GRP78 expression was performed using specific small-interfering RNA (siRNA) in HO-8910 cells, and cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 15.0 statistical package. Results: HO-8910 cells, with high basal levels of GRP78, exhibited low sensitivity to paclitaxel. The mRNA and protein levels of GRP78 were dramatically decreased at 24h, 48h and 72h after transfection and the sensitivity to paclitaxel was increased when the GRP78 gene was disturbed by specific siRNA transfection. Conclusions: The results suggested that high GRP78 expression might be one of the molecular mechanisms causing resistance to paclitaxel, and therefore siRNA of GRP78 may be useful in tumor-specific gene therapy for ovarian cancer.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.91-110
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• 2007

Purpose : These experiments were undertaken to evaluate the effect of administration of Palmultang on ovarian functions and differential gene expressions related cell viabilities caspase-3, MAPK and MPG in female mice. Materials and Methods : We administered the Palmultang to 6-week-old female ICR mice for 4, 8, or 12 days. The female mice were injected PMSG and hCG for ovarian hyperstimulation. And then recovered ovaries were minced and extracted mRNA and analyzed cell viability related gene expression. We chose the caspase-3 for cell apoptosis, MAPK and MPG genes for cell viability and DNA repair. To compare the differences, we set a control group treated with plain water at the same volume by the same way. Results : In case of administration of Palmultang, the mean number of total ovulated oocytes and the number of morphologically normal oocytes increased significantly compared to a control group. We were also examined the embryonic developmental competence in vitro. The administration of Palmultang in a concentration with 10 and 100 mg/ml were beneficial effect of embryonic development in preimplantation period. The administration of Palmultang play a role of prevention of cell apoptosis and DNA damages and also increased cell proliferation resulted in ovarian functions. Conclusion : From our results suggested that the medication of Palmultang has beneficial effect on reproductive functions of female mice via prevention of cell apoptosis and DNA damaging and promotion of cell proliferation.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.183-188
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• 2021

In vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes is the procedure where the immature oocytes are cultivated in a laboratory until they are mature. Since IVM oocytes generally have low developmental competence as compared to those matured in vivo, development of an optimal IVM culture system by fine-tuning culture conditions is crucial to maintain high quality. In-depth knowledge and a deep understanding of the in vivo physiology of oocyte maturation are pre-requisites to accomplish this. Within ovarian follicles, various signaling pathways that drive oocyte development and maturation regulate interaction between oocytes and surrounding somatic cells. This review discusses the sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway, which has been demonstrated to be intimately involved in folliculogenesis and oocyte maturation. Advances in elucidating the role of the SHH signaling pathway in oocyte maturation will aid attempts to improve the current inferior in vitro oocyte maturation system.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.117-126
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• 2022

Bromodomain-containing protein 7 (BRD7) participates in many cellular processes and embryo development. BRD7 is down-regulated in various cancers and evidence of its tumor suppressor function has been accumulating. Here, we identified transforming stimulated clone 22 (TSC-22) as a novel BRD7 interacting protein and show its novel function as a positive regulator of BRD7. We found that TSC-22 expression potentiated the inactivation of the extracellular signal-regulate kinase (ERK) pathway by BRD7. Our data establishes TSC-22 as a modulator of BRD7 and unravels the molecular mechanisms that drive the synergistic tumor-suppressing effects of TSC-22 and BRD7. Our findings may open new avenues for developing novel molecular therapies for tumors exhibiting down-regulated BRD7 and/or TSC-22.

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
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• 1998.10b
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• pp.215.2-215
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• 1998

No Abstract, See Full Text

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
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• 1996.10a
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• pp.135.2-135
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• 1996

No Abstract, See Full Text

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.51-56
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• 2014

This study describes the developmental process of gonads in chameleon goby, Tridentiger trigonocephalus from the stage of hatching to 100 days after hatching (DAH). Based on histological observation, the primordial germ cells were observed in mesentery between mesonephric duct and gut at 15 DAH (total length, TL: $6.8{\pm}0.2mm$). At 20 DAH (TL: $7.9{\pm}0.1mm$), the primordial gonad began to protrude into peritoneal cavity and developed between mesonephric duct and gut. Initial ovarian differentiation was identified by the presence of ovarian cavity and oogonia in the gonads at 55 DAH (TL: $21.1{\pm}1.3mm$). Testicular differentiation started at 65 DAH (TL: $23.7{\pm}0.9mm$) with appearance of spermatogonial cells in the gonads. These findings indicate that sex differentiation in T. trigonocephalus occurs earlier in females than males, suggesting that this species can be classified as an undifferentiated gonochorist.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.1000-1006
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• 2010

Phosducin (PDC) is a photoreceptor cell-specific protein that is phosphorylated by cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinase. PDC and PDC-like proteins (PDCL, PDCL2, and PDCL3) are members of a conserved family of small thioredoxin-like proteins that modulate the ${\beta}$- and ${\gamma}$-subunits of G-proteins. In mammals, Pdc, Pdcl, and Pdcl3 genes show ubiquitous expression; however, Pdcl2 gene expression is limited to the testis and ovary. The aim of the present study was to examine the expression patterns of chicken Pdcl2 (cPdcl2) during testicular and ovarian development. Protein sequence comparisons performed using the CLUSTAL X program revealed that the amino acid sequences and potential phosphorylation sites of cPDCL2 and mammalian PDCL2 proteins were highly conserved. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that cPdcl2 was differentially expressed in the testis and ovary. Specifically, cPdcl2 expression was detected at low levels in the ovary at all time points. In the testis, cPdcl2 expression was detected at low levels until 5 weeks of age. At 8 weeks of age, however, cPdcl2 showed increased expression levels in the testis. Using in situ hybridization, we detected high levels of cPdcl2 expression in the testis, particularly in the spermatocytes and round spermatids. In summary, our data describe expression patterns of germ cell-specific Pdcl2 during testicular and ovarian development in chickens.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.126-131
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• 2017

Objective: Oocyte degeneration often occurs after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and the risk factor is low-quality oocytes. The follicular fluid (FF) provides a crucial microenvironment for oocyte development. We investigated the relationships between the FF volume aspirated from individual follicles and oocyte retrieval, oocyte maturity, oolemma stretchability, fertilization, and development. Methods: This retrospective study included data obtained from 229 ICSI cycles. Ovarian stimulation was performed according to a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist protocol. Each follicle was individually aspirated and divided into six groups according to FF volume ( < 1.0, 1.0 to < 2.0, 2.0 to < 3.0, 3.0 to < 4.0, 4.0 to < 5.0, and ${\geq}5.0mL$). Oolemma stretchability during ICSI was evaluated using a mechanical stimulus for oolemma penetration, that is, the stretchability was assessed by oolemma penetration with aspiration (high stretchability) or without aspiration (low stretchability). Results: Oocyte retrieval rates were significantly lower in the < 1.0 mL group than in the ${\geq}1.0mL$ groups (46.0% [86/187] vs. 67.5%-74.3% [172/255 to 124/167], respectively; p< 0.01). Low oolemma stretchability was significantly more common in the < 1.0 mL group than in the ${\geq}1.0mL$ groups during ICSI (22.0% [13/59] vs. 5.8%-9.4% [6/104 to 13/139], respectively; p= 0.018). There was a relationship between FF volume and oolemma stretchability. However, there were no significant differences in the rates of fertilization, cleavage, ${\geq}7$ cells at day 3, and blastocyst development among all groups. Conclusion: FF volume is potentially associated with the stretchability of metaphase II oolemma during ICSI. Regarding oolemma stretchability, ensuring a uniform follicular size during ovarian stimulation is crucial to obtain good-quality oocytes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.135-141
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• 2011

Objective: Ovarian angiogenesis plays an important role in folliculogenesis. However, little is known about the expression of angiogenic factors during follicular development according to female age. Stromal cell derived factor-$1{\alpha}$ (SDF-$1{\alpha}$) plays a role in granulosa cell survival and embryo quality as an angiogenic chemokine. Leptin is also involved in folliculogenesis and angiogenesis. This study examined expression of SDF-$1{\alpha}$ and leptin, and their effects on the expression of angiogenic factors in the ovary during follicular development according to female age. Methods: Ovaries were collected from C57BL mice of two age groups (6-9 weeks and 24-26 weeks) at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after 5 IU pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) injection. The expression of ovarian SDF-$1{\alpha}$ and leptin mRNA was evaluated by RT-PCR. In the organ culture experiment, the ovaries were cultured in transwell permeable supports with Waymouth's medium treated with various doses of SDF-$1{\alpha}$(50-200 ng/mL) or leptin (0.01-1 ${\mu}g$/mL) for 7 days. Then, mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and visfatin were examined in the cultured ovaries. Results: Expression of SDF-$1{\alpha}$ and leptin in the ovary was significantly lower in the aged mouse group compared to the young mouse group ($p$ <0.05). Expression of these two factors increased with follicular development after PMSG administration. SDF-$1{\alpha}$ treatment stimulated visfatin expression in a dose-dependent manner, while leptin treatment significantly increased eNOS expression. Conclusion: These results suggest that decrease of ovarian SDF-$1{\alpha}$ and leptin expression may be associated with aging-related reduction of ovarian function. SDF-$1{\alpha}$ and leptin may play a role in follicular development by regulating the expression of angiogenic factors in mouse ovaries.