• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.38 no.5
• /
• pp.402-408
• /
• 2015

Protein O-GlcNAcylation, dictated by cellular UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) levels, plays a crucial role in posttranslational modifications. The enzyme GlcNAc kinase (NAGK, E.C. 2.7.1.59) catalyzes the formation of GlcNAc-6-phosphate, which is a major substrate for the biosynthesis of UDP-GlcNAc. Recent studies have revealed the expression of NAGK in different types of cells especially in neuronal dendrites. Here, by immunocytochemistry (ICC) and immunonucleochemistry (INC) of cultured rat hippocampal neurons, HEK293T and GT1-7 cells, we have showed that NAGK immuno-reactive punctae being present in the nucleoplasm colocalized with small nuclear ribonucleoprotein-associated protein N (snRNPN) and p54NRB, which are speckle and paraspeckle markers, respectively. Furthermore, NAGK IR cluster was also found to be colocalized with GTF2H5 (general transcription factor IIH, polypeptide 5) immuno reactive punctae. In addition, relative localization to the ring of nuclear lamin matrix and to GlcNAc, which is highly enriched in nuclear pore complexes, showed that NAGK surrounds the nucleus at the cytoplasmic face of the nuclear outer membrane. By in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) we confirmed the colocalization of NAGK with snRNPN in the nucleus and in dendrites, while we also verified the interactions of NAGK with p54NRB, and with GTF2H5 in the nucleus. These associations between NAGK with speckle, paraspeckle and general transcription factor suggest its regulatory roles in gene expression.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.43 no.6
• /
• pp.581-589
• /
• 2020

Neurons have multiple dendrites and single axon. This neuronal polarity is gradually established during early processes of neuronal differentiation: generation of multiple neurites (stages 1-2); differentiation (stage 3) and maturation (stages 4-5) of an axon and dendrites. In this study, we demonstrated that the neuron-specific n-glycosylated protein NELL2 is important for neuronal polarization and axon growth using cultured rat embryonic hippocampal neurons. Endogenous NELL2 expression was gradually increased in parallel with the progression of developmental stages of hippocampal neurons, and overexpression of NELL2 stimulated neuronal polarization and axon growth. In line with these results, knockdown of NELL2 expression resulted in deterioration of neuronal development, including inhibition of neuronal development progression, decreased axon growth and increased axon branching. Inhibitor against extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) dramatically inhibited NELL2-induced progression of neuronal development and axon growth. These results suggest that NELL2 is an important regulator for the morphological development for neuronal polarization and axon growth.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.134-145
• /
• 1998

Facial hyperpigmentation in women, which is considered to be a serious cosmetic disability and a cause of mental distress, requires proper management. Melanocyte dendricity is a crucial factor affecting epidermal pigmentation. We found that BQ-788, the endothelin-B (ETB) receptor antagonist, blocks the formation of multi-dendricity which is induced by cocultured keratinocytes. Melanocytes in vivo show numerous dendrites which are in close contact with multiple keratinocytes, forming the epidermal-melanin unit. While melanocytes transfer their melanosomes into the neighboring keratinocytes via dendrites, keratinocytes secrete many growth factors and cytokines that influence viability, morphology, and melanin formation of melanocytes. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), prostaglandin E2(PGE2), and leukotriene-C4 (LT-C4) have been suggested as the candidates for increasing dendricity. Other reports suggested that ET-1 has stimulatory effects on proliferation and melanin formation of melanocytes in vitro. In the present study, using type-specific ET receptor antagonists, we observed how the morphology of melanocytes could be modulated in a coculture system. In addition, the roles of ET-1 for morphology and proliferation on melanocytes were evaluated in different culture media. We suggest that ET-1 increases dendricity and proliferation of melanocytes, and that its dendrite-inducing effect and mitogenic effect are regulated independently.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.43 no.9
• /
• pp.821-830
• /
• 2020

Altered dendritic morphology is frequently observed in various neurological disorders including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), but the cellular and molecular basis underlying these pathogenic dendritic abnormalities remains largely unclear. In this study, we investigated dendritic morphological defects caused by dipeptide repeat protein (DPR) toxicity associated with G4C2 expansion mutation of C9orf72 (the leading genetic cause of ALS and FTD) in Drosophila neurons and characterized the underlying pathogenic mechanisms. Among the five DPRs produced by repeat-associated non-ATG translation of G4C2 repeats, we found that arginine-rich DPRs (PR and GR) led to the most significant reduction in dendritic branches and plasma membrane (PM) supply in Class IV dendritic arborization (C4 da) neurons. Furthermore, expression of PR and GR reduced the number of Golgi outposts (GOPs) in dendrites. In Drosophila brains, expression of PR, but not GR, led to a significant reduction in the mRNA level of CrebA, a transcription factor regulating the formation of GOPs. Overexpressing CrebA in PR-expressing C4 da neurons mitigated PM supply defects and restored the number of GOPs, but the number of dendritic branches remained unchanged, suggesting that other molecules besides CrebA may be involved in dendritic branching. Taken together, our results provide valuable insight into the understanding of dendritic pathology associated with C9-ALS/FTD.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
• /
• v.47 no.7
• /
• pp.440-446
• /
• 2009

Co base superalloys have been widely used for the parts of gas turbine due to their excellent strength, thermal fatigue, oxidation resistance and weldability at high temperature. In this study, directional solidifications were carried out at various solidification rates, including $0.5{\sim}300{\mu}m/s$ in the Co base superalloy FSX-414. The cellular interface were formed at a low solidification rate, $1{\mu}m/s$, and the dendritic interface was found at higher solidification rates, $5{\sim}300{\mu}m/s$. As the spacing of dendrite structure decreased, the size and spacing of eutectics decreased. Dendrite arm spacing decreased with increasing solidification rates and temperature gradient. It was interesting to find the $M_{23}C_{6}$ eutectic microstructure formed between $\gamma$ dendrites. Composition analysis showed that Cr and W were segregated severely between the dendrites, which resulted in the formation of Cr-rich $M_{23}C_{6}$ and W-rich MC carbides.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.12-21
• /
• 2022

Directed energy deposition (DED) was adopted as a metal additive manufacturing method to develop a mold for the hot stamping process. The test piece was machined from Heatvar laminate material, and results were obtained through microstructure and defect observations, as well as hardness, tensile strength, and joint strength tests. 1) Spherical pores and irregular-shaped cavities were observed as lamination defects, and columnar dendrites formed in the structure, which tended to become coarse upon heat treatment. 2) The hardness of the heat-treated material (480HV) was slightly lower than that of the non-heat-treated material (500HV). 3) In the tensile test, the maximum tensile stress and strain of the heat-treated material were 1392 MPa and 15%, respectively, which were slightly higher than the values of 1381 MPa and 13%, respectively, for the non-heat-treated material. 4) In the case of the early final fracture in the tensile test, in most cases, pores or irregularly shaped cavities were observed at the fracture surface or near the surface. 5) In the joint strength test, most of the specimens finally fractured in the laminated metal area, and the fracture surface was intragranular. In addition, dimples formed over the entire area on the fracture surface of the fractured specimen after sufficient elongation.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
• /
• v.1 no.3
• /
• pp.145-150
• /
• 1991

Crystallization and embrittlement of $Fe_{78}B_{13}Si_{9}$ amorphous alloy was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The crystallization comprizes two exothermic processes. In the first crystallization stage, $\alpha$-(Fe, Si) dendrites are formed from the amorphous state, and in the second crystallization, $Fe_2B$ compounds are formed. An abrupt decrease of the fracture strain of the ribbon started from amorphous started annealed at about $340^{\circ}C$

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
• /
• v.5 no.4
• /
• pp.258-270
• /
• 1985

The structures and mechanical properties of undirectionally solidified Sn-Zn eutectic alloys have been examined over the growth range 7mm/h to 6,000mm/h. The structures of unidirectionally solidified Sn-Zn eutectic alloys were primarily broken-lamellar at growth rates below 760mm/h and became fibrous at higher growth rates above that. At a growth rate 3,084mm/h the structures were fibrouse only. There is no dendrites at any growth rates, but occasionally ribbon-like morphologies were seen. The under cooling increased parabolically with growth rate increase. The hardness of specimes increased with growth rates increase but heat-treated specimen decreased after growth rates 760mm/h and became constant value. The effect of heat-treatment was good at lower growth rate. At room temperature tensile strength increased with growth rates up to R=990mm/h and then tensile strength became near-constant value. The effect of heat-treatment was well at lower growth rate.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.27 no.7
• /
• pp.961-971
• /
• 2006

Shape controlled synthesis of inorganic nanocrystals is one of the important issues in materials chemistry due to their novel shape dependent properties. Although various shapes of nanocrystals have been developed, a systematic account on the shape control of these nanocrystals still remains an important subject in materials chemistry. In this article, we will overview the recent developments in the geometrical shape evolution of semiconductor and metal oxide nanocrystals obtained by nonhydrolytic synthetic methods. Many structurally unprecedented motifs have appeared as zero-dimesional (D) polyhedrons, one-D rods and wires, two-D plates and prisms, and other advanced shapes such as branched rods, stars, and inorganic dendrites. Important parameters which determine the geometrical shapes of nanocrystals are also illustrated. In addition, as a possible application of such nanocrystals for biomedical sciences, we further describe their utilizations for cancer diagnosis through nanocrystal-assisted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.43 no.5
• /
• pp.344-348
• /
• 2010

Messenger ribonucleoprotein particles (mRNPs) are used to transport mRNAs along neuronal dendrites to their site of translation. Staufen2 is an mRNA-binding protein expressed in the cell bodies and cellular processes of different brain cells. It is notably involved in the transport of dendritic mRNAs along microtubules. Its knockdown expression was shown to change spine morphology and impair synaptic functions. However, the identity of Staufen2-bound mRNAs in brain cells is still completely unknown. As a mean to identify these mRNAs, we immunoprecipitated Staufen2-containing mRNPs from embryonic rat brains and used a genome wide approach to identify Staufen2-associated mRNAs. The genome wide approach identified 1780 mRNAs in Staufen2-containing mRNPs that code for proteins involved in cellular processes such as post-translational protein modifications, RNA metabolism, intracellular transport and translation. These results represent an additional and important step in the characterization of Staufen2- mediated neuronal functions in rat brains.