• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.255-261
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• 2006

There are replete numbers of reports which have apparently shown that established patterns of methylation are critical for normal mammalian development. Here, we report expression of the DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts) family during mouse early development. Transcription of Dnmt1o occurs in one-cell and morula stage embryos, whereas Dnmtls transcripts were detectable in all cells and tissues examined during the study. Dnmt3a1 transcript was detected in all cells and Dnmt3a2 transcript was particularly detected in the oocyte and 1-cell stages. Low level Dnmt3b1 transcripts were expressed ubiquitously in oocyte, 1-cell, and preimplantation embryos except $2{\sim}4cell$ stages. Dnmt3b3 transcripts were only detected in E7.5 embryo and ovary. Furthermore, Dnmt31 transcripts were detectable in all cells and tissues examined. Unlike Dnmtl, both Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b proteins existed in the nucleus of preimplantation embryos till the morula stage. These Results suggest that differences Dnmts expression level exist and genomic DNA methylation patterns may be determined partly through differential expression of Dnmts during early development.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.796-804
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• 2004

We found previously that dietary high fat caused obesity, and levan supplementation to the regular diet reduced adiposity and serum lipids. In the present study, we examined the effects of levan [high-molecular-mass $\beta$-(2,6)-linked fructose polymer] supplement on the development of obesity and lipid metabolism in rats fed with high-fat diet. Thus, to determine whether the dietary levan may have the anti-obesity and hypolipidemic effects, 4-wk-old Sprague Dawley male rats were fed with high-fat diet for 6 wk to induce obesity, and subsequently fed with 0, 1, 5, or 10% levan supplemented high-fat diets (w/w) for another 4 wk. For the comparison, a normal control group was fed with AIN-76A diet. Supplementation with levan resulted in a significant reduction of high-fat-induced body weight gain, white fat (i.e., epididymal, visceral, and peritoneal fat) development, adipocyte hypertrophy, and the development of hyperinsulinemia and hyperlipidemia in a dose-dependent manner. Serum triglyceride and free fatty acid levels were greatly reduced by levan supplementation. Serum total cholesterol level was reduced, whereas the HDL cholesterol level was increased by dietary levan. The expression of uncoupling protein (UCP) was increased by dietary high fat, and was further induced by levan supplementation. The mRNA level of UCP1, 2, and 3 in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and UCP3 in skeletal muscle was upregulated in rats fed with dietary levan. In conclusion, upregulated UCP mRNA expression may contribute to suppression of development of obesity through increased energy expenditure. The present results suggest that levan supplementation to the diet is beneficial in suppressing diet-induced obesity and hyperlipidemia.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.311-317
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• 1999

Human T-cell leukemia virus Type-I (HTLV-I) is etiologically associated with rare adult T-cell leukemia, a malignant T-cell disorder. cDNAs encoding p24 (gag), gp21(env), and pXII of HTLV-I were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the genomic DNA extracted from HUT102 cell line as a template. The amplified cDNAs were cloned into the Escherichia coli expression vectors and over-expression of the recombinant proteins were achieved by adding IPTG into the culture media in order to induce the promoter. The molecular weights of the recombinant p24, gp21, and pXII, determined by SDS-PAGE, were found to be approximately 28 kDa, 23 kDa, and 15 kDa, respectively. Reactivity of the recombinant proteins with human sera was tested by the immunoblot assay. The gp21 and p24 reacted against the sera obtained from HTLV-I-infected individuals but not against the sera obtained from normal persons. These results suggest that the recombinant proteins expressed in E. coli were recognized by antibodies in sera from HTLV-I infected patients. These recombinant proteins would be applicable for detecting the presence of antibodies against HTLV-I in human blood samples.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1997 no.11
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• pp.87-90
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• 1997

Electrical stimulation has been used or diagnosis and treatment of impairment on the auditory system. Unfortunately, there were no standard methods or theoretical background or choosing stimulus conditions because of the lack of understanding on the current propagation through the auditory pathways. Nine guniea pigs, experimental group(A) and control group(B), were used for the experiment. ABR and ECochG were obtained under our experimental conditions, before tinnitus and 1, 6, 12 hours after tinnitus induction using salicylate. Electrical stimulations were applied to the group A, and the changes on ABR/ECochG's correlation coefficients were observed. Results showed that an electrical stimulation brings ABR waveform back to the normal states well in the group A compare to the group B, which proved the effectiveness of the stimulation. Based on the results of this experiment, establishment of an electrical model which provide the quantitative information regarding diagnosis and treatment of tinnitus could be achievied.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.131-142
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• 2003

We have studied mutant forms of Kir2.1 in which an aspartate residue (D172), important for gating by intracellular polyamines, is replaced by one of three basic residues (Arg, Lys or His). Such channels are highly selective for $K^+$, but show inward rectification that is a shallow function of voltage compared with that found in wild type. This inward rectification occurs with a reduced affinity for spermine and persists in the absence of polyamines. Though the unitary current-voltage relation shows some inward rectification, it is insufficient to account for that seen under whole cell recording. Channels open and shut under single channel recording, and changes of $P_{open}$ appear to generate inward rectification. In D172H, the reduction in affinity for spermine is greater when His is protonated at low $pH_i$. The effective valency for spermine is reduced from $3.09{\pm}0.07$ in wild type to $1.95{\pm}0.09$ in D172H at $pH_i$ 6.3. In the presence of dual mutants of Kir2.1, where E224 is also replaced, spermine affinity becomes undetectable. However, channels still show inward rectification and open and shut under hyper- and depolarisation, respectively. We suggest that Kir2.1 channel are able to undergo conformation changes; these changes may be important physiologically in generating inward rectification, the normal parameters of which are set by the binding of polyamines such as spermine.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.344-349
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• 2014

Background An abnormally obtuse cranial base angle, also known as platybasia, is a common finding in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS). Platybasia increases the depth of the velopharynx and is therefore postulated to contribute to velopharyngeal dysfunction. Our objective was to determine the clinical significance of platybasia in 22q11DS by exploring the relationship between cranial base angles and speech resonance. Methods In this retrospective chart review at a tertiary hospital, 24 children (age, 4.0-13.1 years) with 22q11.2DS underwent speech assessments and lateral cephalograms, which allowed for the measurement of the cranial base angles. Results One patient (4%) had hyponasal resonance, 8 (33%) had normal resonance, 10 (42%) had hypernasal resonance on vowels only, and 5 (21%) had hypernasal resonance on both vowels and consonants. The mean cranial base angle was $136.5^{\circ}$ (standard deviation, $5.3^{\circ}$; range, $122.3-144.8^{\circ}$). The Kruskal-Wallis test showed no significant relationship between the resonance ratings and cranial base angles (P=0.242). Cranial base angles and speech ratings were not correlated (Spearman correlation=0.321, P=0.126). The group with hypernasal resonance had a significantly more obtuse mean cranial base angle ($138^{\circ}$ vs. $134^{\circ}$, P=0.049) but did not have a greater prevalence of platybasia (73% vs. 56%, P=0.412). Conclusions In this retrospective chart review of patients with 22q11DS, cranial base angles were not correlated with speech resonance. The clinical significance of platybasia remains unknown.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.67-75
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• 2006

This Study is attempted to analyze Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory responses to Vertigo patients and remedial value of Oriental medicine treatment. Methods: 24 Vertigo patients and 28 control group were tested by MMPI and QSCCII. It is analyzed by cluster analysis, one-way ANOVA, chi-square test, t-test, Duncan method is used as ex-post test. Results and Conclusions: 1. The MMPI scores of Vertigo patients were elevated in Hs, Hy clinical scales, 1-3 profile type, it is profile of conversional neurosis. In this case body condition where the psychological problem will get conversion is a notable feature. 2. All of the profiles can be classified three types of profile. Group 1(33.3%) showed 1-3-2 profile type and elevated Pt. scale, suggesting mainly depressive neurosis in the department of neuropsychiatry. Group 2 (37.5%) showed a normal profile. Group 3(29.2%) showed 1-3 profile type it is profile of conversional neurosis. With this result it is indicated that 62.5% Vertigo patients are related to emotional difficulties. 3. There was to a remedial value for the Vertigo patients, before treating from VAS score 10.00 after treating at VAS score 4.13. From this study, we know the possibility the Oriental medicine register remedial value for the Vertigo patients.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1996.11a
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• pp.99-113
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• 1996

Taurine, a ${\beta}$-amino acid, plays an important role as a neuromodulator and is necessary for the normal development of the brain. Since de novo synthesis of taurine in the brain is minimal and in vivo studies suggest that taurine does not cross the blood-brain barrier, the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier is likely to play a role in taurine transport between the central nervous system and the systemic circulation. Therefore, we examined in vivo elimination of taurine from the CSF in the rat to characterize in vivo kinetics of elimination for taurine from the CSF is consistent with the in vitro study. Using a stereotaxic device, cannulaes were placed into the lateral ventricle and the cisterna magna of the rat. Radio-labelled taurine and inulin (a marker of CSF flow) were injected into the lateral ventricle, and the concentrations of the labelled compounds in the CSF were monitored for up to 3 hrs in the cisterna magna. The apparent clearance of taurine from CSF was greater than the estimated CSF flow (p<0.005), indicating that there is a clearance process in addition to the CSF flow. Taurine distribution into the choroid plexus was at least 10 fold higher than that found in other brain areas (e.g., cerebellum, olfactory bulb and cortex). When unlabelled taurine was co-administered with radio-labelled taurine, the apparent clearance of the labeled taurine was reduced (p<0.01), suggesting a saturable disposition of taurine from CSF. Distribution of taurine into the choroid plexus, cerebellum, olfactory bulb and cortex was similarly diminished, indicating that the saturable uptake of taurine into these tissues is responsible for the non-linear disposition. A pharmacokinetic model involving first order elimination and saturable distribution described these data adequately. The Michaelis-Menten rate constant estimated from in vivo elimination study is similar to that obtained in the in vitro uptake experiment Collectively, our results demonstrate that taurine is transported in the choroid plexus via a taurine is cleared from the CSF via a saturable process. This process may be functionally relevant to taurine homeostasis in the brain.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.211-218
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• 2017

Cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) acts as a hydroxylase for estrogen and activates potential carcinogens. Moreover, its expression in tumor tissues is much higher than that in normal tissues. Despite this association between CYP1B1 and cancer, the detailed molecular mechanism of CYP1B1 on cancer progression in HeLa cells remains unknown. Previous reports indicated that the mRNA expression level of Herc5, an E3 ligase for ISGylation, is promoted by CYP1B1 suppression using specific small interfering RNA, and that ISGylation may be involved in ubiquitination related to ${\beta}-catenin$ degradation. With this background, we investigated the relationships among CYP1B1, Herc5, and ${\beta}-catenin$. RT-PCR and western blot analyses showed that CYP1B1 overexpression induced and CYP1B1 inhibition reduced, respectively, the expression of $Wnt/{\beta}-catenin$ signaling target genes including ${\beta}-catenin$ and cyclin D1. Moreover, HeLa cells were treated with the CYP1B1 inducer $7,12-dimethylbenz[{\alpha}]anthracene$ (DMBA) or the CYP1B1 specific inhibitor, tetramethoxystilbene (TMS) and consequently DMBA increased and TMS decreased ${\beta}-catenin$ and cyclin D1 expression, respectively. To determine the correlation between CYP1B1 expression and ISGylation, the expression of ISG15, a ubiquitin-like protein, was detected following CYP1B1 regulation, which revealed that CYP1B1 may inhibit ISGylation through suppression of ISG15 expression. In addition, the mRNA and protein expression levels of Herc5 were strongly suppressed by CYP1B1. Finally, an immunoprecipitation assay revealed a direct physical interaction between Herc5 and ${\beta}-catenin$ in HeLa cells. In conclusion, these data suggest that CYP1B1 may activate $Wnt/{\beta}-catenin$ signaling through stabilization of ${\beta}-catenin$ protein from Herc5-mediated ISGylation for proteosomal degradation.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 2012

Osteoarthritis (OA) is an age-related joint disease characterized by degradation of articular cartilage and its association with chronic pain. Purified Bee venom (PBV) has been traditionally used to the treatment for inflammatory diseases. The purpose of the current study is to examine whether PBV regulates the pro-inflammation against a mouse model of knee OA induced by papain. We studied the effect of PBV on papain-induced OA in the knee joints of mice. Mice were split into following groups: normal control, papain induced OA, OA treated with PBV, OA treated with meloxicam as positive control. Proteoglycan deposition was analyzed by safranin O-fast green staining and H&E staining. Papain injection significantly degraded the proteoglycan in OA mice at 42 days. Cartilage proteoglycan density was significantly higher in PBV treated OA group than those of the positive control groups. These results demonstrate that PBV efficiently suppresses pathological processes in an OA model. Thus, PBV could be a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of OA.