• BMB Reports
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.249-255
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• 2000

The Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) has been a major cause of bacterial meningitis in children who are less than two years old. The variable (V) region repertoire of adult Caucasian antibodies (Abs) to Hib polysaccharide (PS) has been characterized well. The majority of adult antibodies against Hib uses VL that is derived from the Vk gene A2 and have arginine at the N region. In order to explore the possibility those antibody responses to Hib-PS is variable in various age groups, we examined the VL regions of the antibodies to Hib-PS in Korean adults and children. We immunized Korean adults (n = 8) and children (n = 39) with Hib tetanus conjugated vaccines, isolated RNAs from the peripheral lymphocytes, and amplified the A2-derived VL regions by RT-PCR. The PCR products were subcloned and sequenced. Forty-seven out of 54 independent clones from children used the $J{\kappa}2$, or $J{\kappa}3$ gene in preference. The adults, however, used all of the $J{\kappa}$ genes evenly. With respect to the amino acid sequences of variable regions, adult $A2-J{\kappa}$ recombinants have a germline sequence. But, the 76th codon (AGC) of child $A2-J{\kappa}2$ recombinants was substituted with CGC (arginine) in most cases (88 %) and 77 percent of child clones using the $A2-J{\kappa}3$ genes have isoleucine-109 at the junction of $J{\kappa}-C{\kappa}$ instead of threonine that is found in a germline sequence. These results suggest that the mechanism of antibody production in young children is different from that of adults.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.6155-6158
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• 2015

Background: The human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) gene is highly expressed in cancer pathologies and is one strategy used by tumor cells to escape immune surveillance. A 14-bp insertion/deletion (InDel) polymorphism of the HLA-G gene has been suggested to be associated with HLA-G mRNA stability and the expression of HLA-G. The aim of present study was to assess any genetic association between this polymorphism and breast cancer among Iranian-Azeri women. Materials and Methods: In this study 227 women affected with breast cancer, in addition to 255 age-sex and ethnically matched healthy individuals as the control group, participated. Genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction and electrophoresis assays. The data were compiled according to the genotype and allele frequencies, compared using the Chi-square test. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Results: In this case-control study, no significant difference was found between the case and control groups at allelic and genotype levels, although there is a slightly higher allele frequency of HLA-G 14bp deletion in breast cancer affected group. However,when the stage I subgroup was compared with stage II plus stage III subgroup of affected breast cancer, a significant difference was seen with the 14 bp deletion allele frequency. The stage II-III subgroup patients had higher frequency of deletion allele (57.4% vs 45.8%) than stage I cases (${\chi}^2=4.16$, p-value=0.041). Conclusions: Our data support a possible action of HLA-G 14bp InDel polymorphism as a potential genetic risk factor for progression of breast cancer. This finding highlights the necessity of future studies of this gene to establish the exact role of HLA-G in progression steps of breast cancer.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.309-312
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• 2004

We performed exon trapping in order to locate functional genes on chicken chromosomes (GGA) and to identify functional gene sequences from chicken cosmids. Sequence analysis of 100 clones revealed 17 putative exons, five of which were identified with known sequences in a gene database search: thymopoietin beta (TMPO), U5 snRNP-specific 40 kDa protein (HPRP8BP), dihydropyridine receptor alpha 1 subunit (CACNL1A3), cystein string protein (CPS) and C15orf4. We attempted to map the genes to chicken chromosomes by using FISH and linkage analysis. The chromosomal localizations were GGA1 (TMPO), GGA10 (C15orf4), GGA23 (HPRP8BP) and GGA28 (CPS) by FISH and linkage analysis, while that of CACNL1A3 was predicted to be on a microchromosome by FISH but not by linkage analysis. Comparative mapping analyses between chickens and humans for the genes revealed both known and new synteny. The syntenic conservation between GGA1 and human chromosome (HSA) 12q23 (TMPO) and between GGA10 and HSA15q25 (C15orf4), were consistent with a recent publication, while two new syntenies were observed between GGA28 and HSA20q13.3 in CPS and between GGA23 and HSA1p34-35 in HPRP8BP. The information of presently mapped genes can contribute as anchor markers based on functional genes and the construction of a comparative map.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.377-384
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• 2008

The root of Vitis labrusca, is used as a source of health promoting drug in Korean traditional medicine. It has been reported that root of Vitis labrusca has antioxidant, anti lipid peroxidation and anti-reactive nitrogen species (RNS) activities. The aim of this study was to elucidate the molecular changes of apoptotic signaling pathways in phorbol 12-myristate 13 acetate (PMA)-induced human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (Hep G2). The root of Vitis labrusca, ethanol extract (RVLEE) was tested for cell viability on Hep G2 cell using the MTT assay. RVLEE exhibited weak cytotoxic activity. However, treatment of Hep G2 cells with RVLEE suppressed PMA-induced cell proliferation. Also, dramatic changes of cell death signals in cellular molecules such as Chk2/Cds1, CIDE-B, CLIMP-63, Bax, Bcl-xL, C-myc, Bcl-2, Bric-5, NIP-3, TRAF2 and BAR but not CIDE-B and DR4. Futhermore, our results showed that the treatment of Hep G2 cells with 25 and $50\; {\mu}g/ml$ of RVLEE suppressed PMA-induced COX-2 gene activity. These data suggest that RVLEE have inhibitory effect of cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis and, thus, may offer therapeutic potential in Hep G2.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.44-48
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• 2015

Townes-Brocks syndrome (TBS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by the classic triad of congenital anomalies of the anus, thumbs, and ears, with variable expressivity. Additionally, renal malformations, cardiac anomalies, and endocrine and eye abnormalities can accompany TBS, although less frequently. TBS is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion; however, about 50% of patients have a family history of TBS and the remaining 50% have de novo mutations. SALL1, located on chromosome 16q12.1, is the only causative gene of TBS. SALL1 acts as a transcription factor and may play an important role in inducing the anomalies during embryogenesis. Clinical features of TBS overlap with those of other multiple anomaly syndromes, such as VACTERL syndrome, Baller-Gerold syndrome, Goldenhar syndrome, cat eye syndrome, and Holt-Oram syndrome. Consequently, there are some difficulties in differential diagnosis based on clinical manifestations. Herein, we report a Korean family with two generations of TBS that was diagnosed based on physical examination findings and medical history. Although the same mutation in SALL1 was identified in both the mother and the son, they displayed different clinical manifestations, suggesting a phenotypic diversity of TBS.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.161-169
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• 2018

We previously demonstrated that epidermal growth factor (EGF) enhances cell migration and invasion of breast cancer cells in a SMAD ubiquitination regulatory factor 1 (SMURF1)-dependent manner and that SMURF1 induces degradation of ${\beta}-catenin$ in C2C12 cells. However, the relationship between EGF-induced SMURF1 and ${\beta}-catenin$ expression in breast cancer cells remains unclear. So, we investigated if EGF and SMURF1 regulate ${\beta}-catenin$ expression in MDAMB231 human breast cancer cells. When MDAMB231 cells were incubated with EGF for 24, 48, and 72 hours, EGF significantly increased expression levels of SMURF1 mRNA and protein while suppressing expression levels of ${\beta}-catenin$ mRNA and protein. Overexpression of SMURF1 downregulated ${\beta}-catenin$ mRNA and protein, whereas knockdown of SMURF1 increased ${\beta}-catenin$ expression and blocked EGF-induced ${\beta}-catenin$ downregulation. Knockdown of ${\beta}-catenin$ enhanced cell migration and invasion of MDAMB231 cells, while ${\beta}-catenin$ overexpression suppressed EGF-induced cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, knockdown of ${\beta}-catenin$ enhanced vimentin expression and decreased cytokeratin expression, whereas ${\beta}-catenin$ overexpression decreased vimentin expression and increased cytokeratin expression. These results suggest that EGF downregulates ${\beta}-catenin$ in a SMURF1-dependent manner and that ${\beta}-catenin$ downregulation contributes to EGF-induced cell migration and invasion in MDAMB breast cancer cells.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.79-90
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• 2010

Mouse models are crucial for the functional annotation of human genome. Gene modification techniques including gene targeting and gene trap in mouse have provided powerful tools in the form of genetically engineered mice (GEM) for understanding the molecular pathogenesis of human diseases. Several international consortium and programs are under way to deliver mutations in every gene in mouse genome. The information from studying these GEM can be shared through international collaboration. However, there are many limitations in utility because not all human genes are knocked out in mouse and they are not yet phenotypically characterized by standardized ways which is required for sharing and evaluating data from GEM. The recent improvement in mouse genetics has now moved the bottleneck in mouse functional genomics from the production of GEM to the systematic mouse phenotype analysis of GEM. Enhanced, reproducible and comprehensive mouse phenotype analysis has thus emerged as a prerequisite for effectively engaging the phenotyping bottleneck. In this review, current information on systematic mouse phenotype analysis and an issue-oriented perspective will be provided.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.16
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• pp.6627-6632
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• 2014

Purpose: The present study concerns molecular mechanisms involved in induction of apoptosis by a fungal taxol extracted from the fungus Cladosporium oxysporum in T47D human breast cancer cells. Materials and Methods: Apoptosis-induced by the fungal taxol was assessed by MTT assay, nuclear staining, DNA fragmentation, flow cytometry and pro- as well as anti-apoptotic protein expression by Western blotting. Results: Our results showed inhibition of T47D cell proliferation with an $IC_{50}$ value of $2.5{\mu}M/ml$ after 24 h incubation. It was suggested that the extract may exert its anti-proliferative effect on human breast cancer cell line by suppressing growth, arresting through the cell cycle, increase in DNA fragmentation as well as down-regulation of the expression of NF-${\kappa}B$, Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL and up-regulation of pro-apoptotic proteins like Bax, cyt-C and caspase-3. Conclusions: We propose that the fungal taxol contributes to growth inhibition in the human breast cancer cell through apoptosis induction via a mitochondrial mediated pathway, with possible potential as an anticancer therapeutic agent.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8187-8190
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• 2016

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are small, non-enveloped, double-stranded DNA viruses that infect epithelial tissues. Specific genotypes of human papillomavirus are the single most common etiological agents of cervical intraepithelial lesions and cervical cancer. Cervical cancer usually arises at squamous metaplastic epithelium of transformation zone (TZ) of the cervix featuring infection with one or more oncogenic or high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) types. A hospital-based study in a rural set up was carried out to understand the association of HR-HPV with squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) and cervical cancer. In the present study, HR-HPV was detected in 65.7% of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs), 84.6% of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) and 94% of cervical cancer as compared to 10.7% of controls. The association of HPV infection with SIL and cervical cancer was analyzed with Chi square test (p<0.001). The significant association found confirmed that detection of HR-HPV is a suitable candidate for early identification of cervical precancerous lesions and in the prevention of cervical cancer in India.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 2011

In the synthesis of nanoparticles, much attention has been paid to regulating the particle size. There has been a possible evident that using the central cavity (core) of the protein ferritin has a greatly significant influence on it because the core can generate the nanometer-sized mineral particles of variable metal ions. In this report, recombinant human L-ferritins produced from Saccharomyces cerevisiae were purified and their molecular properties were characterized. The cDNA for human ferritin L chain was also expressed in another host such as Escherichia coli, and the properties of recombinant L-ferritins were compared. From isoelectric focusing experiment, the L-ferritin from the recombinant yeast showed no indication of N-glycosylation. Some post-translational modifications other than N-glycosylation were speculated in the L-ferritins from yeast. A difference was made in the L-ferritins in their iron uptake rates and the initial rate of the L-ferritin from yeast was slightly increased. The reconstitution yield and size distribution of the core minerals were analyzed in the L-ferritins by transmission electron microscopy. The L-ferritin from yeast with higher reconstitution yield (54.5%) showed slightly larger sizes (mean 6.92 nm) with narrower size distribution than the L-ferritin from E. coli. It is, in conclusion, speculated that L-ferritin from yeast is relatively superior to the other, in view of the size of nanoparticle and its relative homogeneity.