• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.253-260
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• 2007

To examine the differential protein expression pattern in the 11.5 day post-coitus (dpc) and 18.5 dpc placenta of mouse, we have used the global proteomics approach by 2-D gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and MALDI-TOF-MS. The differential protein patterns of 3 placentae at the 11.5 dpc and 18.5 dpc from nature mating mice were analyzed. Proteins within isoelectric point range of $3.0{\sim}10.0$, separately were analyzed in 2DE with 3 replications of each sample. A total of approximately 1,600 spots were detected in placental 2-D gel stained with Coomassie-blue. In the comparison of 11.5 dpc and 18.5 dpc placentae, a total of 108 spots were identified as differentially expressed proteins, of which 51 spots were up-regulated proteins such as alpha-fetoprotein, mKIAA0635 protein and transferrin, annexin A5, while 48 spots were down-regulated proteins such as Pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor l(PBEF), aldolase 1, A isoform, while 4 spots were 11.5 dpc specific proteins such as chaperonin and Acidic ribosomal phosphoprotein P0, while 3 spots were 18.5 dpc specific proteins such as aldo-keto reductase family 1, member B7 and CAST1/ERC2 splicing variant-1. Most identified proteins in this analysis appeared to be related with catabolism, cell growth, metabolism and regulation. Our results revealed composite profiles of key proteins involved in mouse placenta during pregnancy.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.483-488
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• 2015

This report describes the molecular characterization of the Tc8.2 gene of Trypanosoma cruzi. Both the Tc8.2 gene and its encoded protein were analyzed by bioinformatics, while Northern blot and RT-PCR were used for the transcripts. Besides, immunolocalization of recombinant protein was done by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. Analysis indicated the presence of a single copy of Tc8.2 in the T. cruzi genome and 2-different sized transcripts in epimastigotes/amastigotes and trypomastigotes. Immunoblotting showed 70 and 80 kDa polypeptides in epimastigotes and trypomastigotes, respectively, and a differential pattern of immunolocalization. Overall, the results suggest that Tc8.2 is differentially expressed during the T. cruzi life cycle.

• BMB Reports
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.278-283
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• 2021

Our understanding of the differential effects between specific omega-3 fatty acids is incomplete. Here, we aimed to evaluate the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on T-helper type 1 (Th1) cell responses and identify the pathways associated with these responses. Naïve CD4⁺ T cells were co-cultured with bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs) in the presence or absence of palmitate (PA), DHA, or EPA. DHA or EPA treatment lowered the number of differentiated IFN-γ-positive cells and inhibited the secretion of IFN-γ, whereas only DHA increased IL-2 and reduced TNF-α secretion. There was reduced expression of MHC II on DCs after DHA or EPA treatment. In the DC-independent model, DHA and EPA reduced Th1 cell differentiation and lowered the cell number. DHA and EPA markedly inhibited IFN-γ secretion, while only EPA reduced TNF-α secretion. Microarray analysis identified pathways involved in inflammation, immunity, metabolism, and cell proliferation. Moreover, DHA and EPA inhibited Th1 cells through the regulation of diverse pathways and genes, including Igf1 and Cpt1a. Our results showed that DHA and EPA had largely comparable inhibitory effects on Th1 cell differentiation. However, each of the fatty acids also had distinct effects on specific cytokine secretion, particularly according to the presence of DCs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.1901-1906
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• 2012

Background: The discovery that microRNA (miRNA) regulates metastasis provide a principal molecular basis for tumor heterogeneity. A characteristic of solid tumors is their heterogenous distribution of blood vessels, with significant hypoxia occurring in regions (centers of tumor) of low blood flow. It is necessary to discover the mechanism of breast cancer metastasis in relation to the fact that there is a differential distribution of crucial microRNA in tumors from centers to edges. Methods: Breast tissues from 48 patients (32 patients with breast cancer) were classified into the high invasive and metastatic group (HIMG), low invasive and metastatic group (LIMG), and normal group. Samples were collected from both the centers and edges of all tumors. The first six specimens were detected by microRNA array, and the second ten specimens were detected by real-time qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses. Correlation analysis was performed between the miRNAs and target proteins. Results: The relative content of miR-20a and miR-20b was lower in the center of the tumor than at the edge in the LIMG, lower at the edge of the tumor than in the center in the HIMG, and lower in breast cancer tissues than in normal tissues. VEGF-A and HIF-1alpha mRNA levels were higher in the HIMG than in the LIMG, and levels were higher in both groups than in the normal group; there was no difference in mRNA levels between the edge and center of the tumor. VEGF-A and HIF-1alpha protein levels were higher in the HIMG than in the LIMG, and protein levels in both groups were higher than in the normal group; there was a significant difference in protein expression between the edge and center of the tumor. Correlation analysis showed that the key miRNAs (miR-20a and miR-20b) negatively correlated with the target proteins (VEGF-A and HIF-1alpha). Conclusions: Our data suggest that miR-20a and miR-20b are differentially distributed in breast cancer, while VEGF-A and HIF-1alpha mRNA had coincident distributions, and VEGF-A and HIF-1alpha proteins had uneven and opposing distributions to the miRNAs. It appears that one of the most important facets underlying metastatic heterogeneity is the differential distribution of miR-20a and miR-20b and their regulation of target proteins.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.32 no.1 s.55
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• pp.7-15
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• 2006

In this study, the effect of oligopeptide ($Oligosproutin^{(R)}$) from sprouted black rice was evaluated for possible improvement in skin elasticity. We examined the changes in gene expression on oligopeptide-treated HaCaT cells using DNA microarray analysis. As a result, oligopeptide treatment showed a differential expression ratio of more than 2-fold : 745 genes were activated and 1011 genes were repressed. One of the most interesting findings is a 2-fold increase in hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS 2) gene expression by oligopeptide. We also found that oligopeptide increased cell proliferation, HAS2 mRNA expression and intracellular ROS scavenging activity in HaCaT cells. A human clinical study which oil-in-water emulsion with oligopeptide was topically applied showed significant increase in skin elasticity. These results suggest that the sprouted black rice oligopeptide ($Oligosproutin^{(R)}$) can be effective anti-aging ingredient for cosmetics.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.460-469
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• 2017

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are induced as a self-defense mechanism of cells when exposed to various external stresses, such as high fever, infection, free radicals, and heavy metals. They affect the prognosis in the process of tumor formation. HSP is classified into four families: HSP27, HSP60, HSP90, and HSP100, depending on molecular weight. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), a molecular chaperone, plays an important role in the cellular protection against various stressful stimuli and in the regulation of cell cycle progression and apoptosis. In the present study, we assessed the differential expression of HSP90 family proteins in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and the correlation of their expression levels with clinicopathologic factors and patient survival rates. The result of this study can be summarized as follows; $HSP90{\alpha}$ showed higher expression in patients with no lymphovascular invasion (p=0.014). $HSP90{\beta}$ showed a higher expression of squamous cell carcinoma (p=0.003), and an over expression of glucose-related protein (GRP94) was significantly associated with poor differentiation (p=0.048). However, none of the HSP90 proteins showed a significant association with the survival status in patients with NSCLC. This study also indicates that $HSP90{\alpha}$ might contribute more to the carcinogenesis of NSCLC than $HSP90{\beta}$, and GRP94 and isoform selectivity should be considered when HSP90 inhibitors are studied or utilized in the treatment of NSCLC.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.467-473
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• 2009

Our previous study suggested that OsBWMK1, a gene which encodes a member of the rice MAP kinase family, generates transcript variants which show distinct expression patterns in response to environmental stresses. The transcript variants are generated by alternative splicing and by use of alternative promoters. To test whether the two alternative promoters, pOsBWMK1L (promoter for the OsBWMK1L splice variant) and pOsBWMK1S (promoter for the OsBWMK1S splice variant), are biologically functional, we analyzed transgenic plants expressing GUS fusion constructs for each promoter. Both pOsBWMK1L and pOsBWMK1S are biologically active, although the activity of pOsBWMK1S is lower than that of pOsBWMK1L. Histochemical analysis revealed that pOsBWMK1L is constitutively active in most tissues at various developmental stages in rice and Arabidopsis, whereas pOsBWMK1S activity is spatially and temporally restricted. Furthermore, the expression of pOsBWMK1S::GUS was upregulated in response to hydrogen peroxide, a plant defense signaling molecule, in both plant species. These results suggest that the differential expression of OsBWMK1 splice variants is the result of alternative promoter usage and, moreover, that the mechanisms controlling OsBWMK1 gene expression are conserved in both monocot and dicot plants.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.567-572
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• 2014

Extracts of Platycodon grandiflorum have been reported to show anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-metastatic, and hepato-protective effects. This study was designed to evaluate T-cell activation and M1/M2 differential macrophage activation by extracts of P. grandiflorum or P. grandiflorum containing various medicinal herbs. Using real-time RT-PCR, we analyzed expression levels of c-fos, and CD40L (T-cell activation markers) in splenocytes and iNOS, Ym1, and ARG1 in RAW 246.7 cells after treatment of CC (hot water extract of P. grandiflorum), MAEK (hot water extract of P. grandiflorum [82%] and six different plants), and HWAL (hot water extract of P. grandiflorum [7%] and eight different plants. The results showed that MAEK significantly elevated the expression of T-cell activation markers of splenocytes, with the c-fos gene activated more than 10-fold and the CD40L gene activated more than 6-fold. Although CD40L was significantly increased by CC and HWAL, the increase was only about 2-fold. In addition, CC and HWAL did not significantly activate the expression of the c-fos gene. On the other hand, CC elevated the M1 activation marker iNOS, and HWAL elevated the M2 activation marker Ym1 and ARG1 gene expression. In conclusion, MAEK could be used as an immune stimulant because of its ability to activate T cells (elicited c-fos and CD40L gene expression), whereas HWAL could serve as an anti-inflammatory agent because of its differential activation of M2 macrophages.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.1090-1095
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• 2008

Marbling (intramuscular fat) is an important factor in determining meat quality in Korean beef market. A grain based finishing system for improving marbling leads to inefficient meat production due to an excessive fat production. Identification of intramuscular fat-specific gene might be achieved more targeted meat production through alternative genetic improvement program such as marker assisted selection (MAS). We carried out ddRT-PCR in 12 and 27 month old Hanwoo steers and detected 300 bp PCR product of the inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER) gene, showing highly gene expression in 27 months old. A 1.5 kb sequence was re-sequenced using primer designed base on the Hanwoo EST sequence. We then predicted the open reading frame (ORF) of ICER gene in ORF finder web program. Tissue distribution of ICER gene expression was analysed in eight Hanwoo tissue using realtime PCR analysis. The highest ICER gene expression showed in Small intestine followed by Longissimus dorsi. Interestingly, the ICER gene expressed 2.5 time higher in longissimus dorsi than in same muscle type, Rump. For gene expression analysis in high- and low marbled individuals, we selected 4 and 3 animal based on the muscle crude fat contents (high is 17-32%, low is 6-7% of crude fat contents). The ICER gene expression was analysed using ANOVA model. Marbling (muscle crude fat contents) was affected by ICER gene (P=0.012). Particularly, the ICER gene expression was 4 times higher in high group (n=4) than low group (n=3). Therefore, ICER gene might be a functional candidate gene related to marbling in Hanwoo.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2010

Follicular cystic ovary (FCO) is one of the major causes of reproductive failure in cattle. Genetic alterations affect the function of diverse cells and/or tissues, which could be present in cystic ovaries. A microarray analysis was performed to screen differential gene expressions in follicular cystic follicles of cattle. In this study, we hypothesized that follicular cysts may be induced by changes in ion- and transporter-related gene expression. Microarray data showed that fibrinogen-gamma (FGG) and low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 8 (LRP8) were up-regulated, while choline transporter-like protein 4 (SLC44A4), very long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase homolog 2 (SLC27A5), annexin 8 (ANXA8), and aquaporin 4 were down-regulated in follicular cystic follicles. A semi-quantitative RT-PCR was carried out to validate DEGs altered in follicular cystic follicles. Of six DEGs, three DEGs (FGG, SLC44A4, and aquaporin 4) showed a positive correlation between microarray and semi-quantitative PCR data. We focused on FGG, among three DEGs, which was highly up-regulated in follicular cystic follicles. The FGG mRNA was upregulated by 8.4-fold and by 1.7-fold in the bovine follicular cystic follicles as judged by microarray and RT-PCR analysis, respectively. However, there was no significant changes in the expression level of FGG protein in both follicular cystic follicles and granulosa cells isolated from follicular cystic follicles by Western blot analysis. Although this study does not reveal a positive correlation between the mRNA and protein level, FGG appears to be an important biomarker in the discrimination of follicular cyst from normal ovary.