• Development and Reproduction
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 2002

Dopamine(DA), norepinephrine(NE), and epinephrine(E) belong to a class of neurotransmitters known as catecholamine (CA) which are synthesized and secreted by mammalian brain and adrenal medulla. CA regulate several behavior patterns connected with breeding, and regulate GnRH-gonadotropin hormone axis' vitality between hypothalamus-pituitary gland linking with reproduction freeze. The present study examined effects of sex steroid hormone on the transcriptional activities of CA biosynthesis enzymes, tyrosine hydroxylase(TH), dopamine $\beta$ -hydroxylase(DBH), and phenylethaolamine-N-methyl transferase(PNMT). Mature female rats were ovariectomized(OVX) and implanted with 17 $\beta$-estradiol(E$_2$: 500 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml) or sesame oil. Forty-eight hours after implantation all the animals were sacrificed. Total RNAs were extracted immediately and were applied to semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). The expression level of TH was appeared by hypothalamus > SNc> adrenal medulla orders in OVX＋Oil group, and by SNc > hypothalamus) adrenal medulla orders in OVX+E$_2$ group. Treatment with E$_2$ significantly increased TH expression in SNc and adrenal medulla but in hypothalamus, the reduced TH expression was observed. The expression level of DBH was appeared by adrenal medulla > SNc > hypothalamus orders in OVX＋Oil group and in OVX＋E$_2$ group. Administration of E$_2$ significantly reduced DBH expression in SNc, and increased in adrenal medulla. Two cDNA products, large(PNMT1) and small(PMNTs) species of 110bp difference, were amplified in SNc and hypothalamus, but only PNMTs was observed in adenal medulla. The PNMTs expression level was in the order of adrenal medulla > hypothalamus > SNc in both OVX＋Oil and OVX＋E$_2$ group. The PNMTs expression in SNc and adrenal medulla was significantly increased byE$_2$. The present report demonstrated that estrogen effects on transcriptional activities for CA biosynthethic enzymes were tissue specific in adrenal medulla as well as different region of brain. These results suggest that it might be crucial relationship between the type of estrogen receptor and CA enzyme gene expression.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.325-330
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• 2016

T-complex protein 10A homolog 2 (TCP10L) was previously demonstrated to be a potential tumor suppressor in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, little is known about the molecular mechanism. MAX dimerization protein 1 (MAD1) is a key transcription suppressor that is involved in regulating cell cycle progression and Myc-mediated cell transformation. In this study, we identified MAD1 as a novel TCP10L-interacting protein. The interaction depends on the leucine zipper domain of both TCP10L and MAD1. TCP10L, but not the interaction-deficient TCP10L mutant, synergizes with MAD1 in transcriptional repression, cell cycle G1 arrest and cell growth suppression. Mechanistic exploration further revealed that TCP10L is able to stabilize intracellular MAD1 protein level. Consistently, the MAD1-interaction-deficient TCP10L mutant exerts no effect on stabilizing the MAD1 protein. Taken together, our results strongly indicate that TCP10L stabilizes MAD1 protein level through direct interaction, and they cooperatively regulate cell cycle progression.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.88-95
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• 2020

Using a random arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction, messenger RNA expression levels were assessed after exposure to 10% (v/v) toluene for 8 hr in solvent-tolerant Pseudomonas sp. BCNU 106. Among the 100 up-expressed products, 50 complementary DNA fragments were confirmed to express repeatedly; these were cloned and then sequenced. Blast analysis revealed that toluene stimulated an adaptive increase in the gene expression level in association with transcriptions such as LysR family of transcriptional regulators and RNA polymerase factor sigma-32. The expression of catalase and Mn2+/Fe2+ transporter genes functionally associated with inorganic ion transport and metabolism increased, and the increased expression of type IV pilus assembly PilZ and multi-sensor signal transduction histidine kinase genes, functionally categorized into signal transduction and mechanisms, was also demonstrated under toluene stress. The gene expression level of beta-hexosaminidase in association with carbohydrate transport and metabolism increased, and those of DNA polymerase III subunit epsilon, DNA-3-methyladenine glycosylase II, DEAD/DEAH box helicase domain-containing protein, and ABC transporter also increased after exposure to toluene in DNA replication, recombination, and repair, and even in defense mechanism. In particular, the RNAs corresponding to the ABC transporter, Mn2+/Fe2+ transporter, and the β-hexosaminidase gene were confirmed to be markedly induced in the presence of 10% toluene. Thus, defense mechanism, cellular ion homeostasis, and biofilm formation were shown as essential for toluene tolerance in Pseudomonas sp. BCNU 106.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.299-306
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• 2017

The transcriptional activator AphB has been implicated in acid resistance and pathogenesis in the food borne pathogens Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio cholerae. To date, the full-length AphB crystal structure of V. cholerae has been determined and characterized by a tetrameric assembly of AphB consisting of a DNA binding domain and a regulatory domain (RD). Although acidic pH and low oxygen tension might be involved in the activation of AphB, it remains unknown which ligand or stimulus activates AphB at the molecular level. In this study, we determine the crystal structure of the AphB RD from V. vulnificus under aerobic conditions without modification at the conserved cysteine residue of the RD, even in the presence of the oxidizing agent cumene hydroperoxide. A cysteine to serine amino acid residue mutant RD protein further confirmed that the cysteine residue is not involved in sensing oxidative stress in vitro. Interestingly, an unidentified small molecule was observed in the inter-subdomain cavity in the RD when the crystal was incubated with cumene hydroperoxide molecules, suggesting a new ligand-binding site. In addition, we confirmed the role of AphB in acid tolerance by observing an aphB-dependent increase in cadC transcript level when V. vulnificus was exposed to acidic pH. Our study contributes to the understanding of the AphB molecular mechanism in the process of recognizing the host environment.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.81-89
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• 2006

The ischemia-responsive 94 gene (irp94) encoding a 94 kDa endoplasmic reticulum resident protein was investigated its molecular properties associated with unfoled protein responses. First, the expression of irp94 mRNA was tested after the reperfusion of the transient forebrain ischemia induction at the central nervous system in three Mongolian gerbils. Second, irp94 expression in PC12 cells, which are derived from transplantable rat pheochromocytoma cultured in the DMEM media, was tested at transcriptional and translational levels. The half life of irp94 mRNA was also determined In PC12 cells. Last, the changes of irp94 mRNA expression were investigated by the addition of various ER stress inducible chemicals (A23187, BFA, tunicamycin, DTT and $H_2O_2$) and proteasome inhibitors, and heat shock. High level expression of irp94 mRNA was detected after 3 hours reperfusion in the both sites of the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the gerbil brain. The main regulation of irp94 mRNA expression in PC 12 cells was determined at the transcriptional level. The half life of irp94 mRNA in PC12 cells was approximately 5 hours after the initial translation. The remarkable expression of irp94 mRNA was detected by the treatment of tunicamycin, which blocks glycosylation of newly synthesized polypeptides, and $H_2O_2$, which induces apoptosis. When PC12 cells were treated with the cytosol proteasome inhibitors such as ALLN (N-acetyl-leucyl-norleucinal) and MG 132 (methylguanidine), irp94 mRNA expression was increased. These results indicate that expression of irp94 was induced by ER stress including oxidation condition and glycosylation blocking in proteins. Expression of irp94 was increased when the cells were chased after heat shock, suggesting that irp94 may be involved in recovery rather than protection against ER stresses. In addition, irp94 expression was remarkably increased when cytosol proteasomes were inhibited by ALLN and MG 132, suggesting that irp94 plays an important role for maintaining the ERAD (endoplasmic reticulum associated degradation) function.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.259-266
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• 2000

Objectives : The effects of aqueous extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae (a traditional medicine for cancer treatment in oriental medicine) on the induction of apoptotic cell death were investigated in human liver origm hepatoma cell lines, HepG2. Methods : The death of HepG2 cells was markedly induced by the addition of extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae in a dose-dependent manner. The apoptotic characteristic ladder pattern of DNA strand break was not observed in cell death of HepG2. In addition, it was not shown nucleus chromatin condensation and fragmentation under hoechst staining. However, by the using annexin V staining assay, externalizations of phosphatidylserine in HepG2 cell which were treated with Cortex ulmi pumilae extracts were detected in the early time (at 9 hr after extract treatment). Furthermore, LDH release was not detected in this early stage. Therefore, Cortex ulmi pumilae extracts-induced cell death of HepG2 cells is mediated by apoptotic death signal processes. Result : The activity of caspase 3-like proteases remained in a basal level in HepG2 cells which treated with the extract of Cordyceps sinensis. However, it was markedly increased in HepG2 cells which treated with two extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae (C.U.P.-C, C.U.P.-K) which were differently extracted (respectively, 2.3 and 3.3 fold). On a while, the phosphotransferase activities of JNK1 was markedly induced in HepG2 cells which were treated with two extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae. On the contrary, the activation of transcriptional activator, activating protein1(AP-1) and NF-kB were severely decreased by these two extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae (C.U.P.-C, C.U.P.-K). In addition, antioxidants (GSH and NAC) and intracellular $Ca2^+$ level regulator (Bapta/AM and Thapsigargin) did not affect Cortex ulmi pumilae extracts-induced apoptotic death of HepG2 cells. Conclusions : In conclusion, our results suggest that two extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae (C.U.P.-C, C.U.P.-K) induces the apoptotic death of human liver origin hepatoma HepG2 cells via activation of caspase 3-like proteases as well as JNK1, and inhibition of transcriptional activators, AP-1 and $NK-{\kappa}B$.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.231-239
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• 2016

To study the transcript levels of epigenetically regulated genes in tobacco, we have developed a transgenic line OX1 overexpressing NtROS2a gene encoding cytosine DNA demethylation and a RNAi plant line RNAi13. It has been reported that salt- and $H_2O_2$-stress tolerance of these transgenic lines are enhanced with various phenotypic characters (Lee et al. 2015). In this paper, we conducted microarray analysis with Agilent Tobacco 4 x 44K oligo chip by using overexpression line OX1, RNAi plant line RNAi 13, and wild type plant WT. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to metabolism, nutrient supply, and various stressed were up-regulated by approximately 1.5- to 80- fold. DEGs related to co-enzymes, metabolism, and methylation functional genes were down-regulated by approximately 0.03- to 0.7- fold. qRT-PCR analysis showed that the transcript levels of several candidate genes in OX1 and RNAi lines were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those in WT, such as genes encoding KH domain-containing protein, MADS-box protein, and Zinc phosphodiesterase ELAC protein. On the other hand, several genes such as those encoding pentatricopeptide (PPR) repeat-containing protein, histone deacetylase HDAC3 protein, and protein kinase were decreased by approximately 0.4- to 1.0- fold. This study showed that NtROS2a gene encoding DNA glycosylase related to demethylation could regulate adaptive response of tobacco at transcriptional level.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.397-405
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• 2001

The ryanodine receptor, a $Ca^{2+}$ release channel of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), is responsible for the rapid release of $Ca^{2+}$ that activates cardiac muscle contraction. In the excitation-contraction coupling cascade, activation of SR $Ca^{2+}$ release channel is initiated by the activity of sarcolemmal $Ca^{2+}$ channels, the dihydropyridine receptors. Previous study showed that the relaxation defect of diabetic heart was due to the changes of the expressional levels of SR $Ca^{2+}$ATPase and phospholamban. In the diabetic heart contractile abnormalities were also observed, and one of the mechanisms for these changes could include alterations in the expression and/or activity levels of various $Ca^{2+}$ regulatory proteins involving cardiac contraction. In the present study, underlying mechanisms for the functional derangement of the diabetic cardiomyopathy were investigated with respect to ryanodine receptor, and dihydropyridine receptor at the transcriptional and translational levels. Quantitative changes of ryanodine receptors and the dihydropyridine receptors, and the functional consequences of those changes in diabetic heart were investigated. The levels of protein and mRNA of the ryanodine receptor in diabetic rats were comparable to these of the control. However, the binding capacity of ryanodine was significantly decreased in diabetic rat hearts. Furthermore, the reduction in the binding capacity of ryanodine receptor was completely restored by insulin. This result suggests that there were no transcriptional and translational changes but functional changes, such as conformational changes of the $Ca^{2+}$ release channel, which might be regulated by insulin. The protein level of the dihydropyridine receptor and the binding capacity of nitrendipine in the sarcolemmal membranes of diabetic rats were not different as compared to these of the control. In conclusion, in diabetic hearts, $Ca^{2+}$ release processes are impaired, which are likely to lead to functional derangement of contraction of heart. This dysregulation of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration could explain for clinical findings of diabetic cardiomyopathy and provide the scientific basis for more effective treatments of diabetic patients. In view of these results, insulin may be involved in the control of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ in the cardiomyocyte via unknown mechanism, which needs further study.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.187-193
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• 2007

Ethane 1,2-dimethane sulfonate(EDS), a Leydig cell specific toxicant, has been widely used to create the reversible testosterone withdrawal rat model. Though the maintenance of epididymal structure and function is highly dependent on the testosterone secreted from testis, its derivatives, dihydroxytestosterone(DHT) and estrogen, might have crucial roles. The aim of present study was to monitor the expression patterns of sex steroid receptors, cytochrome P450 aromatase(P450arom) and $5{\alpha}$-reductase in the rat epididymis up to 7 weeks after EDS injection. Adult male rats($350{\sim}400g$) were injected with a single does of EDS(75 mg/kg i.p.) and sacrificed on weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. The transcriptional activities of the target genes were evaluated by semi-quantitative RT-PCRs. The transcript level of estrogen receptor alpha($ER{\alpha}$) in EDS group was significantly higher than control level on week 1(P<0.01). After week 2, there was no significant difference in $ER{\alpha}$ levels between EDS group and control. The transcript level of estrogen receptor beta($ER{\beta}$) in EDS group was significantly higher than control level on week 1(P<0.05), lowered on weeks 2 and 3(P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively), fluctuated during weeks 4 and 6, and elevated on week 7(P<0.05). The androgen receptor (AR) message levels increased significantly week 2(P<0.01), then returned to control level on week 3. In contrast, expression of cytochrome P450 aromatase(P450arom) decreased sharply during weeks $1{\sim}3$(P<0.01 on weeks 1 and 2; P<0.05 on week 3), then went back to control level on week 4. The mRNA level of $5{\alpha}$-reductase type 2($5{\alpha}$-RT2) increased significantly on week 4(P<0.01), then returned to control level. The present study indicated that EDS administration could induce reversible alterations in the transcriptional activities of sex steroid hormone receptors and androgenconverting enzymes in rat epididymis. EDS injection model will be useful to clarify the regulation mechanism of mammalian epididymal physiology.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.37-41
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• 2001

The ecdysteroid UDP-glucosyltransferase (egt) gene isolated from Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV) K1 strain was compared to its homologue from Autographa californica NPV (AcNPV) and Bm NPV T3. The egt gene of BmNPV-K1 encoded 506 amino acid open reading frame, and was 99.6% identical at the amino acid level and 99.2% identical at the nucleotide level to BmNPV T3. The BmNPV-K1 egt gene showed highly identity to AcNPV and BmNPV T3 strain. The BmNPV-K1 egt gene was different from amino acid sequence at 2 positions, 19 and 72, in BmNPV T3. The genomic location of egt gene in the BmNPV-K1 was confirmed by Southern blot analysis and its expression patterns at the transcriptional level in the infected cells were confirmed by Northern hybridization analysis. Transcripts of the egt of Bm NPV-K1 peaked around 12 hrs postinfection (p.i.) and reduced at 24 hrs p.i.