• Animal Bioscience
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• 제35권7호
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• pp.989-998
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• 2022

Objective: This study investigated the effects of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) during late pregnancy on the cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation in ovine fetal thymuses. Methods: Eighteen time-mated Mongolian ewes with singleton fetuses were allocated to three groups at d 90 of pregnancy: restricted group 1 (RG1, 0.18 MJ ME/body weight [BW]^0.75/d, n = 6), restricted group 2 (RG2, 0.33 MJ ME/BW^0.75/d, n = 6) and control group (CG, ad libitum, 0.67 MJ ME/BW^0.75/d, n = 6). Fetuses were recovered at slaughter on d 140. Results: The G0/G1 phase cell number in fetal thymus of the RG1 group was increased but the proliferation index and the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were reduced compared with the CG group (p<0.05). Fetuses in the RG1 group exhibited decreased growth hormone receptor (GHR), insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor (IGF-2R), and their mRNA expressions (p<0.05). For the RG2 fetuses, there were no differences in the proliferation index and PCNA expression (p>0.05), but growth hormone (GH) and the mRNA expression of GHR were lower than those of the CG group (p<0.05). The thymic mRNA expressions of cyclin-dependent protein kinases (CDKs including CDK1, CDK2, and CDK4), CCNE, E2-factors (E2F1, E2F2, and E2F5) were reduced in the RG1 and RG2 groups (p<0.05), and decreased mRNA expressions of E2F4, CCNA, CCNB, and CCND were occurred in the RG1 fetuses (p<0.05). The decreased E-cadherin (E-cad) as a marker for epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was found in the RG1 and RG2 groups (p<0.05), but the OB-cadherin which is a marker for activated fibroblasts was increased in fetal thymus of the RG1 group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results indicate that weakened GH/IGF signaling system repressed the cell cycle progression in G0/G1 phase in IUGR fetal thymus, but the switch from reduced E-cad to increased OB-cadherin suggests that transdifferentiation process of EMT associated with fibrogenesis was strengthened. The impaired cell growth, retarded proliferation and modified differentiation were responsible for impaired maturation of IUGR fetal thymus.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.99-105
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• 2014

In this study, to further understand the mechanism of animal growth and to develop a miniature transgenic animal model, we constructed and tested tetracycline-inducible RNAi system using shRNA targeting the mRNA of mouse insulin-like growth factor (mIGF-1) or mouse growth hormone receptor (mGHR) gene. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis of mouse liver cell (Hepa1c1c7) cells transfected with these vectors showed 85% or 90% of expression inhibition effect of IGF-1 or GHR, respectively. In ELISA analysis, the protein level of IGF-1 in the cells expressing the shRNA targeting IGF-1 mRNA was reduced to 26% of non-transformed control cells. Unexpectedly, in case of using shRNA targeting GHR, the IGF-1 protein level was decreased to 75% of control cells. Further experiments are needed to explain the lower interference effect of GHR shRNA in IGF-1 protein. Accumulated knowledge of this approach could be applicable to a variety of related biological area including gene function study, gene therapy, development of miniature animals, etc.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제7권4호
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• pp.281-286
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• 2013

We examined the effect of parental folate deficiency on the folate content, global DNA methylation, folate receptor-alpha (FR${\alpha}$), insulin-like-growth factor-2 (IGF-2) and -1 receptor (IGF-1R) in the liver and plasma homocysteine in the postnatal rat. Male and female rats were randomly fed a folic acid-deficient (paternal folate-deficient, PD and maternal folate-deficient, MD), or folic acid-supplemented diet (paternal folate-supplemented, PS and maternal-folate-supplemented, MS) for four weeks. They were mated and grouped accordingly: $PS{\times}MS$, $PS{\times}MD$, $PD{\times}MS$, and $PD{\times}MD$. Pups were killed on day 21 of lactation. The hepatic folate content was markedly reduced in the $PD{\times}MD$ and $PS{\times}MD$ and $PD{\times}MS$ as compared with the $PS{\times}MS$ group. The hepatic global DNA methylation was decreased in the $PD{\times}MS$ and $PS{\times}MD$ groups as much as in the $PD{\times}MD$ group, and all the three groups were significantly lower as compared to the $PS{\times}MS$ group. There were no significant differences in the hepatic FR${\alpha}$, IGF-2 and IGF-1R expressions among the groups. Positive correlations were found between the hepatic folate content and global DNA methylation and protein expressions of FR${\alpha}$, IGF-2 and IGF-1R, whereas an inverse correlation was found between hepatic folate content and plasma homocysteine level in the 3-week-old rat pup. The results of this study show that both paternal and maternal folate deficiency at mating can influence the folate content and global DNA methylation in the postnatal rat liver.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제19권9호
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• pp.1200-1208
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• 2009

Tight junctions (TJs)은 인접된 세포 사이의 전해질 및 거대분자 확산 조절에 관여하는 paracellular permeability의 장벽 역할을 한다. 본 연구에서는 MCF-7 및 MDA-MB-231 인체유방암세포에서 대두의 대표적인 생리활성물인 genistein에 의한 암세포의 침윤 억제에서 TJs의 견고성 및 투과성과의 연관성을 조사하였다. 본 연구의 결과에 의하면 genistein에 의한 유방암세포의 증식 억제, 암세포 이동성의 저하 및 침윤성의 억제는 TJs의 증가된 견고성과 연관이 있었으며, 이를 transepithelial electrical resistance의 증가 및 paracellular permeability의 감소로 확인하였다. Genistein은 두 유방암세포에서 TJs의 주요 조절 단백질로서 paracellular transport 조절에 중요한 역할을 하는 claudin-3 및 claudin-4의 발현을 억제시켰다. 그리고 genistein은 암세포의 전이 조절 관련 유전자들인 like growth factor-1 receptor 및 snail의 발현을 억제하였으며, thrombospondin-1 및 E-cadherin의 발현은 증가시켰다. 또한 small interfering RNA를 이용하여 genistein의 유방암세포의 침윤 억제에서 claudin-3단백질의 중요성을 확인하였다. 결론적으로 genistein이 TJs의 견고성 증가를 통하여 암세포의 침윤성을 억제할 수 있었으며, 이 과정에서 아마도 claudin 단백질의 발현 증가가 중요한 역할을 하고 있음을 알 수 있었다. 본 연구의 결과는 genistein이 종양 전이억제를 효과적으로 차단할 수 있음을 보여주는 것이다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제18권7호
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• pp.931-939
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• 2008

본연구는 정상으로 단백질을 급여한 거세면양에 있어서 에너지 첨가가 GHRP-2투여에 대한 IGF-1 및 IGFBPs에 대한 반응과, 고에너지 급여에 따른 GHRP-2투여가 hepatic GH 수용체에 미치는 영향을 검증하기 위하여 실시하였다. 시험 결과 HENP (CP 0.34 kg, TDN 1.83 kg/day DM intake)처리기간 동안 혈장 IGF-1 과 39-42kDa IGFBP-3수준은 LENP (CP 0.32 kg, TDN 0.87 kg/day DM intake)기간에 비하여 높게 나타났으나 (P<0.05), 혈장 34 kDa IGFBP-2와 24 kDa IGFBP-4는 영양처리에 의해 영향을 받지 않았다. 각 영양처리 기간동안 GHRP-2 ($12.5\;{\mu}g/kg$ body weight/day)투여는 혈장 GH 반응이 촉진되었으며(P<0.05), 혈장 GH 평균 함량과 AUC증가에 있어서는 LENP처리 기간에 비하여 HENP처리기간에서 유의적으로 높게 나타났다(P<0.01). 특히 HENP에서 7일간 GHRP-2투여에 의한 일중 혈장 IGF-1 변화양상을 조사한 결과 투여 2, 6 및 7일에서 뚜렷한 증가양상이 보였다(P<0.05). 이에 반하여 LENP에서는 오직 투여 3일째에서 Saline구에 비하여 유의적인 증가를 확인하였다(P<0.05). IGFBPs의 ligand blotting 결과 HENP구에서 혈장 39-43 kDa IGFBP-3의 수준의 증가가 투여 6일과 7일에서 관찰되었으나 혈장 IGFBP-2수준은 두 영양처리시기에서 유의적인 차이를 관찰하지 못했다. 아울러 HENP구에 있어서 간세포막에 $^{125}I-oGH$의 결합력을 측정한 결과 GHRP-2투여에 의한 영향은 관찰되지 않았다. 이와 같은 결과는 거세면양에 있어서 단백질과 에너지 사이에 영양적 균형은 내인성 GH/IGF-1 axis는 물론 혈장 IGFBP-3수준의 변화에 영향을 미치고 있음을 시사한다.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.138-148
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• 2018

Objective: Fusarium mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN), common contaminants in the feed of farm animals, cause immune function impairment and organ inflammation. Consequently, the main objective of this study was to elucidate DON and ZEN effects on the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and other immune related genes in the kidneys of piglets. Methods: Fifteen 6-week-old piglets were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments for 4 weeks: control diet, and diets contaminated with either 8 mg DON/kg feed or 0.8 mg ZEN/kg feed. Kidney samples were collected after treatment, and RNA-seq was used to investigate the effects on immune-related genes and gene networks. Results: A total of 186 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened (120 upregulated and 66 downregulated). Gene ontology analysis revealed that the immune response, and cellular and metabolic processes were significantly controlled by these DEGs. The inflammatory stimulation might be an effect of the following enriched Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway analysis found related to immune and disease responses: cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, chemokine signaling pathway, toll-like receptor signaling pathway, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), tuberculosis, Epstein-Barr virus infection, and chemical carcinogenesis. The effects of DON and ZEN on genome-wide expression were assessed, and it was found that the DEGs associated with inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 10 receptor, beta, chemokine [C-X-C motif] ligand 9, CXCL10, chemokine [C-C motif] ligand 4), proliferation (insulin like growth factor binding protein 4, IgG heavy chain, receptor-type tyrosine-protein phosphatase C, cytochrome P450 1A1, ATP-binding cassette sub-family 8), and other immune response networks (lysozyme, complement component 4 binding protein alpha, oligoadenylate synthetase 2, signaling lymphocytic activation molecule-9, ${\alpha}$-aminoadipic semialdehyde dehydrogenase, Ig lambda chain c region, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, isozyme 4, carboxylesterase 1), were suppressed by DON and ZEN. Conclusion: In summary, our results indicate that high concentrations of DON and ZEN suppress the inflammatory response in kidneys, leading to potential effects on immune homeostasis.

• BMB Reports
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• 제42권10호
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• pp.655-660
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• 2009

The potential anti-metastasis and anti-invasion activities of early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1) and claudin-3, a tight junction (TJ)-related protein, were evaluated using histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors in human hepatocarcinoma cells. The results of wound healing and Transwell assays showed that HDAC inhibitors such as trichostatin A and sodium butyrate inhibited cell migration and invasion. HDAC inhibitors markedly induced Egr-1 expression during the early period, after which expression levels decreased. In addition, the down-regulation of snail and type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) in HDAC inhibitor- treated cells induced the upregulation of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), E-cadherin and claudin-3. Cells transfected with Egr-1 and claudin-3 siRNA displayed significant blockage of HDAC inhibitor-induced anti-invasive activity. Collectively, these findings indicate that the up-regulation of Egr-1 and claudin-3 are crucial steps in HDAC inhibitor-induced anti-metastasis and anti-invasion.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제37권8호
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• pp.1345-1354
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• 2024

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify candidate genes that play important roles in skeletal muscle development in ducks. Methods: In this study, we investigated the transcriptional sequencing of embryonic pectoral muscles from two specialized lines: Liancheng white ducks (female) and Cherry valley ducks (male) hybrid Line A (LCA) and Line C (LCC) ducks. In addition, prediction of target genes for the differentially expressed mRNAs was conducted and the enriched gene ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes signaling pathways were further analyzed. Finally, a protein-to-protein interaction network was analyzed by using the target genes to gain insights into their potential functional association. Results: A total of 1,428 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with 762 being up-regulated genes and 666 being down-regulated genes in pectoral muscle of LCA and LCC ducks identified by RNA-seq (p<0.05). Meanwhile, 23 GO terms in the down-regulated genes and 75 GO terms in up-regulated genes were significantly enriched (p<0.05). Furthermore, the top 5 most enriched pathways were ECM-receptor interaction, fatty acid degradation, pyruvate degradation, PPAR signaling pathway, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis. Finally, the candidate genes including integrin b3 (Itgb3), pyruvate kinase M1/2 (Pkm), insulin-like growth factor 1 (Igf1), glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (Gpi), GABA type A receptor-associated protein-like 1 (Gabarapl1), and thyroid hormone receptor beta (Thrb) showed the most expression difference, and then were selected to verification by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The result of qRT-PCR was consistent with that of transcriptome sequencing. Conclusion: This study provided information of molecular mechanisms underlying the developmental differences in skeletal muscles between specialized duck lines.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.236-245
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• 2017

Objective: The study was to investigate the effects of alanyl-glutamine (Ala-Gln) and glutamine (Gln) supplementation on the intestinal mucosa barrier in piglets. Methods: A total of 180 barrows with initial weight $10.01{\pm}0.03kg$ were randomly allocated to three treatments, and each treatment consisted of three pens and twenty pigs per pen. The piglets of three groups were fed with control diet [0.62% alanine (Ala)], Ala-Gln diet (0.5% Ala-Gln), Gln diet (0.34% Gln and 0.21% Ala), respectively. Results: The results showed that in comparison with control diet, dietary Ala-Gln supplementation increased the height of villi in duodenum and jejunum (p<0.05), Gln supplementation increased the villi height of jejunum (p<0.05), Ala-Gln supplementation up-regulated the mRNA expressions of epidermal growth factor receptor and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor in jejunal mucosa (p<0.05), raised the mRNA expressions of Claudin-1, Occludin, zonula occludens protein-1 (ZO-1) and the protein levels of Occludin, ZO-1 in jejunal mucosa (p<0.05), Ala-Gln supplementation enlarged the number of goblet cells in duodenal and ileal epithelium (p<0.05), Gln increased the number of goblet cells in duodenal epithelium (p<0.05) and Ala-Gln supplementation improved the concentrations of secretory immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin G in the jejunal mucosa (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results demonstrated that dietary Ala-Gln supplementation could maintain the integrity of small intestine and promote the functions of intestinal mucosa barriers in piglets.

• BMB Reports
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• 제33권5호
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• pp.396-401
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• 2000

A differential display method is used to identify novel genes whose expression is affected by treatment with ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) or desferrioxamine (DFO), an iron chelating agent in the human hepatoblastoma cell line (HepG2). These chemicals are known to deplete or increase the intracellular concentration of iron, respectively. Initially, we isolated seventeen genes whose expressions are down- or up regulated by the treatment of the chemicals, as well as their four differentially expressed genes that are designated as clone-1, -2, -3, and -4. These are further characterized by cDNA sequencing and Northern blot analysis. Through the cDNA sequencing, as well as comparing them to genes published using the NCBI BLAST program, we identified the sequence of the clone-1 that is up-regulated by the treatment of DFO. It is identical to the human insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1). This suggests that the IGFBP-1 gene in the HepG2 cell is up-regulated by an iron depletion condition. Also, the expression of the clone-3 and -4 is up-regulated by FAC treatment and their eDNA sequences are identical to the human ferritin-fight chain and human NADH-dehydrogenase, respectively. However, the sequence of the clone-2 has no significant homology to any other known gene. Therefore, we suggest that changes of the cellular iron level in the HepG2 cell affects the transcription of cellular genes. This includes human IGFBP-1, ferritin-fight chain, and NADH-dehydrogenase. Regulation of these gene expressions may have an important role in cellular functions that are related to cellular iron metabolism.