• 미생물학회지
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.235-241
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• 2003

제1형 인간 면역결핍 바이러스 (human immunodeficiency virus type 1, HIV-1)의 Rev 단백질에 대하여 야생형보다 10배 더 잘 결합하도록 시험관에서 선택된 RRE40라 명명된 RNA aptamer가 과연 임상적으로 유용한지 알기 위하여 인체의 CD4^+ peripheral blood lymphocytes 세포에서 레트로바이러스 벡터를 이용하여 RRE40 RNA를 발현한 후에 그 세포에서의 HIV-1 증식 현상을 관찰하였다. 그 결과 대조군인 tRNA를 발현하는 유전자가 전달된 세포에 비해 RRE40 RNA를 발현하는 세포에서 보다 더 효과적으로 HIV-1의 증식이 억제되었다. 그러나 바이러스의 증식이 완전히 억제되지는 못 하였고 일시적 또는 감소된 형태로 바이러스 증식이 억제되었다. 이러한 결과는 RRE40 RNA가 decoy로서 세포에서의 HIV-1 증식 억제에 유용함을 시사하지만 RNA decoy를 HIV-1 감염 환자의 치료에 이용하기 위해선 보다 효과적인 유전자 전달방법 및 보다 개선된 RNA decoy의 개발 등이 필요할 것이다.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.176-183
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• 2021

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) metastasis is characterized by distant metastasis and local recurrence. Combined chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil is routinely used to treat patients with OSCC, and the combined use of gefitinib with cytotoxic drugs has been reported to enhance the sensitivity of cancer cells in vitro. However, the development of drug resistance because of prolonged chemotherapy is inevitable, leading to a poor prognosis. Therefore, understanding alterations in signaling pathways and gene expression is crucial for overcoming the development of drug resistance. However, the altered characterization of Ca²⁺ signaling in drug-resistant OSCC cells remains unclear. In this study, we investigated alterations in intracellular Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i) mobilization upon the development of gefitinib resistance in human tongue squamous carcinoma cell line (HSC)-3 and HSC-4 using ratiometric analysis. This study demonstrated the presence of altered epidermal growth factor- and purinergic agonist-mediated [Ca²⁺]_i mobilization in gefitinib-resistant OSCC cells. Moreover, Ca²⁺ content in the endoplasmic reticulum, store-operated calcium entry, and lysosomal Ca²⁺ release through the transient receptor potential mucolipin 1, were confirmed to be significantly reduced upon the development of apoptosis resistance. Consistent with [Ca²⁺]_i mobilization, we identified modified expression levels of Ca²⁺ signaling-related genes in gefitinib-resistant cells. Taken together, we propose that the regulation of [Ca²⁺]_i mobilization and related gene expression can be a new strategy to overcome drug resistance in patients with cancer.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제55권4호
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• pp.249-255
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• 2013

Intercellular interactions are important for the proper development and regulation of tissue function. This is especially necessary in the epididymis, a part of male reproductive tract where sperm become mature and acquire their fertilizing capacity. The caput region of the epididymis consists of several types of cells, including principal, basal, and apical cells. Direct intercellular communication is thus required to precisely regulate the functions of the caput epididymis. In this regard, connexin (Cx) is a molecule that forms channels, which allow the direct exchange of small molecules between cells, enabling intercellular communication. In this study, the expression of Cx isoforms in the caput epididymis at different postnatal ages was determined by using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Nine of 13 Cx isoforms were detected. The transcript levels of Cx30.3, 31, 31.1, 32, and 40 were highest at 45 days of age, while the expression of Cx43 and 45 gradually decreased with age. A substantial fluctuation of Cx26 expression was detected, with significant decreases before and during puberty, followed by a transient increase at adult-hood and rapid decreases at an old age. A significant increase in Cx37 transcript was observed at 25 days of age, followed by gradual decreases at adult and old ages. These results indicate the significant differential expression of various Cx isoforms in the caput epididymis during postnatal development. It further suggests that the functional regulation and developmental maturation of the caput epididymis are highly related to the postnatal age-related differential expression of Cx isoforms.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제30권9호
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• pp.1981-1984
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• 2009

Subcellular localization of protein kinase often plays an important role in determining its activity and specificity. Protein kinase C (PKC), a family of multi-gene protein kinases has long been known to be translocated to the particular cellular compartments in response to DAG or its analog phorbol esters. We used C-terminal green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion proteins of PKC isoforms to visualize the subcellular distribution of individual PKC isoforms. Intracellular localization of PKC-GFP proteins was monitored by fluorescence microscopy after transient transfection of PKC-GFP expression vectors in the HeLa cells. In unstimulated HeLa cells, all PKC isoforms were found to be distributed throughout the cytoplasm with a few exceptions. PKC$\theta$ was mostly localized to the Golgi, and PKC$\gamma$, PKC$\delta$ and PKC$\eta$ showed cytoplasmic distribution with Golgi localization. DAG analog TPA induced translocation of PKC-GFP to the plasma membrane. PKC$\alpha$, PKC$\eta$ and PKC$\theta$ were also localized to the Golgi in response to TPA. Only PKC$\delta$ was found to be associated with the nuclear membrane after transient TPA treatment. These results suggest that specific PKC isoforms are translocated to different intracellular sites and exhibit distinct biological effects.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.500-504
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• 2006

합토글로빈(Hp)은 조직손상이나 감염 등의 염증시에 혈중 농도가 증가하는 급성기반응단백질로서 주로 간에서 생합성되지만 염증을 동반한 폐에서도 발현됨이 보고되었다. 폐에서 합성되는 Hp이 염증반응에 어떤 영향을 주는지를 조사하고자, Hp을 과발현하는 폐상피세포를 사용하여 COX-2 및 염증관련 cytokine들의 발현을 조사하였다. Stable transfection 또는 transient transfection된 A549 세포에서 Hp이 잘 발현되고 있음을 확인한 후 COX-2의 발현을 측정한 결과, Hp의 과발현에 의해 COX-2 합성이 현저히 증가함을 확인할 수 있었다. 또한 Hp을 과발현하는 A549세포에 LPS ($1{\mu}g/ml$) 또는 $IL-1{\beta}$ (100 U/ml)를 각각 24시간 동안 처치하였을 때, Hp에 의한 COX-2 발현 증가는 LPS또는 $IL-1{\beta}$자극에 의해 협동적으로 증가하였다. ACP-based PCR 방법으로 염증관련 cytokine들의 발현을 측정한 결과, Hp에 의해 SPARC의 발현이 현저히 저하되는 반면에 IL-4 및 S100A1 유전자 발현은 약간 증가함을 알 수 있었다. 이러한 결과들은 폐상피세포에서 Hp이 염증반응을 활성화시키는 기전으로 작용함을 시사한다.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제38권5호
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• pp.387-392
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• 1995

대두 glycinin 유전자의 조직 특이적이고 분화 발달 특이적인 발현 조절 메카니즘을 연구하기 위하여 Gy2 유전자의 5' upstream 부위 염기서열을 조사한 결과, glycinin 유전자의 발현을 조절하는 인자로 여겨지는 여러 가지 조절 인자들을 발견하였다. 진핵세포 유전자에 공통적으로 존재하는 TATA box와 AGGA box가 존재하고, 종자 저장 단백질에서 공통적으로 발견되는 embryo factor binding sequence, RY repeat CACA sequence, ${\beta}$-conglycinin enhancer 와 유사한 sequence 등이 발견되었다. 이러한 조절 요소들이 Gy2 유전자의 발현 조절에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위해 Gy2유전자의 5' upstream부위를 Exo III nuclease와 여러가지 제한효소를 이용하여 일련의 deletion mutants를 제조한 후 GUS 유전자와 결합시켰다. 이들 여러가지 chimeric constructs를 대두 원형질체에 전입하고 원형질체로부터 추출물을 분리하여 GUS 활성을 조사한 결과, $-28l{\sim}-223$ 혹은 $-l70{\sim}-122$ 부위를 포함하였을 경우 활성이 감소하였고, $-223{\sim}-170$ 혹은 $-l22{\sim}-16$ 부위를 포함하였을 경우 활성이 높게 나타났다. 이러한 Gy2 유전자의 이중적인 발현 양상은 glycinin 유전자의 발현조절에 음성 조절 요소와 양성 조절 요소가 관여하고있다는 사실을 제시해 주고 있다. 또한 이들 여러가지 chimeric constructs로 형질 전환된 담배의 종자와 잎에서 GUS활성을 조사한 결과, CaMV promoter를 포함하는 chimeric construct는 종자와 잎에서 모두 활성을 나타냈으나, Gy2 Promoter를 포함하는 chimeric constructs는 종자에서만 GUS 활성을 나타내고 잎에서는 활성이 나타나지 않는 조직 특이적인 발현 양상을 나타내었다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제28권12호
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• pp.1432-1437
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• 2018

클라라 세포에 의해 생산되는 클라라 세포 분비 단백질(CCSP)은 폐를 염증으로부터 보호하는데 중요한 역할을 한다. 이 연구는 CCSP 유전자 발현에 관여하는 프로모터 부위에서 repressor에 결합할 수 있는 cis-element를 밝히는데 있다. DNaseI footprinting법을 사용하여 mCCSP 프로모터의 -812에서 -768 bp (45 bp) 사이에서 3 개의 보호된 motif를 찾았고, 그 중 하나인 D3 모티프(GCCTGGGAA)는 다른 3 가지 동물들과 염기서열이 100% 일치하였다. 45 bp를 사용한 EMSA 분석에서 D3 모티프(GGCCTGGGAA)는 45 bp에 높은 경쟁을 보였으나, 변이된 D3 모티프가 ($G{\underline{AA}}TG{\underline{TT}}AA$)를 사용되었을 때, 경쟁은 상당히 감소되었다. 이는 mCCSP 프로모터의 45 bp의 D3 모티프가 단백질과 DNA 상호 작용을 위한 중요한 element임을 시사한다. -756-Luc과 -812-Luc을 이용한 transient transfection 분석 결과, -756-Luc은 -812-Luc보다 CCSP의 발현이 현저하게 감소되었다. 이는 mCCSP 프로모터의 45 bp부위가 repressor의 결합 부위로서 기능을 할 수 있음을 의미한다. -812-Luc에 KLF4를 co-transfection 한 결과, KLF4는 CCSP 발현을 현저하게 저해(repression)함을 밝혔다. 그러나 -768-Luc이 사용되었을 때 KLF4에 의한 repression은 관찰되지 않았다. 이것은 KLF4가 CCSP 유전자의45 bp에 결합할 수 있고, 전사 억제자 역할을 하여 mCCSP 발현을 억제 할 수 있음을 명확히 보여 준다. 또한 이는 45 bp 중, D3 모티프가 KLF4의 결합에 강하게 관여 함을 시사한다. 이 반응에 KLF4에 대한 항체가 첨가되었을 때는 super-shifted 밴드가 관찰되었으나, SP1에 대한 항체가 사용되었을 때는 관찰되지 않았다. 이는 KLF4가 CCSP 프로모터의 45 bp 영역에 결합하여 repressor기능 할 수 있고, D3 모티프가 KLF4의 특이적 결합에 관여 할 수 있음을 시사한다.

• 한국응용약물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국응용약물학회 1994년도 춘계학술대회 and 제3회 신약개발 연구발표회
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• pp.178-178
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• 1994

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is a DNA virus with a 3.2kb partially double-stranded genome. The life cycle of the virus involves a reverse transcription of the greater than genome length 3.5kb mRNA. This pegenomic RNA contains all the genetic information encoded by the virus and functions as an intermediate in viral replication. Tumor suppressor p53 has previously been shown to interact with the X-gene product of the HBV, which led us to hypothesize that p53 may act as a negative regulator of HBV replication and the role of the X-gene product is to overcome the p53-mediated restriction. As a first step to prove the above hypothesis, we tested whether p53 represses the propagation of HBV in in vitro replication system. By transient cotransfection of the plasmid containing a complete copy of the HBV genome and/or the plasmid encoding p53, we found that the replication of HBV is specifically blocked by wild-type p53. The levels of HBV DNA, HBs Ag and HBc/e Ag secreted in cell culture media were dramatically reduced upon coexpresion of wild-type p53 but not by the coexpression of the mutants of p53 (G154V and R273L). Furthermore, levels of RNAs originated from HBV genome were repressed more than 10 fold by the cotransfection of the p53 encoding plasmid. These results clearly states that p53 is a nesative regulator of the HBV replication. Next, to addresss the mechanism by which p53 represses the HBV replication, we performed the transient transfection experiments employing the pregenomic/core promoter-CAT(Chloramphenicol Acetyl Transferase) construct as a reporter. Cotransfection of wild-type p53 but not the mutant p53 expression plasmids repressed the CAT activity more than 8 fold. Integrating the above results, we propose that p53 represses the replication of HBV specifically by the down-regulation of the pregenomic/core promoter, which results in the reduced DNA synthesis of HBV. Currently, the mechanism by which HBV overcomes the observed p53-mediated restriction of replication is tinder investigation.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.168-175
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• 2020

Runx2 is an essential transcription factor for skeletal development. It is expressed in multipotent mesenchymal cells, osteoblast-lineage cells, and chondrocytes. Runx2 plays a major role in chondrocyte maturation, and Runx3 is partly involved. Runx2 regulates chondrocyte proliferation by directly regulating Ihh expression. It also determines whether chondrocytes become those that form transient cartilage or permanent cartilage, and functions in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Runx2 is essential for osteoblast differentiation and is required for the proliferation of osteoprogenitors. Ihh is required for Runx2 expression in osteoprogenitors, and hedgehog signaling and Runx2 induce the differentiation of osteoprogenitors to preosteoblasts in endochondral bone. Runx2 induces Sp7 expression, and Runx2, Sp7, and canonical Wnt signaling are required for the differentiation of preosteoblasts to immature osteoblasts. It also induces the proliferation of osteoprogenitors by directly regulating the expression of Fgfr2 and Fgfr3. Furthermore, Runx2 induces the proliferation of mesenchymal cells and their commitment into osteoblast-lineage cells through the induction of hedgehog (Gli1, Ptch1, Ihh), Fgf (Fgfr2, Fgfr3), Wnt (Tcf7, Wnt10b), and Pthlh (Pth1r) signaling pathway gene expression in calvaria, and more than a half-dosage of Runx2 is required for their expression. This is a major cause of cleidocranial dysplasia, which is caused by heterozygous mutation of RUNX2. Cbfb, which is a co-transcription factor that forms a heterodimer with Runx2, enhances DNA binding of Runx2 and stabilizes Runx2 protein by inhibiting its ubiquitination. Thus, Runx2/Cbfb regulates the proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes and osteoblast-lineage cells by activating multiple signaling pathways and via their reciprocal regulation.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.361-365
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• 2005

In this study, we chronicle the establishment of a novel transformation system for the unicellular marine green alga, Dunaliella salina. We introduced the CaMV35S promoter-GUS construct into D. salina with a PDS1000/He micro-particle bombardment system. Forty eight h after transformation, via histochemical staining, we observed the transient expression of GUS in D. salina cells which had been bombarded under rupture-disc pressures of 450 psi and 900 psi. We observed no GUS activity in either the negative or the blank controls. Our findings indicated that the micro-particle bombardment method constituted a feasible approach to the genetic transformation of D. salina. We also conducted tests of the cells' sensitivity to seven antibiotics and one herbicide, and our results suggested that 20 ${\mu}g$/ ml of Basta could inhibit cell growth completely. The bar gene, which encodes for phosphinothricin acetyltransferase and confers herbicide tolerance, was introduced into the cells via the above established method. The results of PCR and PCR-Southern blot analyses indicated that the gene was successfully integrated into the genome of the transformants.