• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.15-19
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• 2012

A new cyclic peptide (six-membered amino acid), gamakamide-E (L-Leu-L-Met (SO)-L-Me-Phe-L-Leu-D-Lys-L-Phe), was isolated as a strongly bitter tasting compound from cultured oysters, Crassostrea gigas. The molecular formula of $C_{43}H_{61}N_7O_8S$ was deduced from high resolution fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (HR FAB-MS) ($[M+H]^+$ m/z 836.4356 ${\Delta}$= -2.4 mmu). Its unique structure including a hydantoin structure was firstly elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis. Stereochemistries of constituent amino acids were determined by chiral high performanced liquid chromatography analysis of natural and synthesized peptides.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.216-222
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• 2011

Background: The ligand for CD137 (CD137L; also called 4-1BBL) is mainly expressed on activated APCs such as dendritic cells, B cells and macrophages. Even though CD137L functions as a trigger of the CD137 signaling pathway for T cell activation and expansion, engagement of CD137L can deliver a signal leading to the production of proinflammatory cytokines in macrophages. Methods: We generated cell-permeable TAT-CD137L cytoplasmic domain fusion protein (TAT-CD137Lct) and examined its ability to initiate the CD137L reverse signaling pathway. Results: Treatment of TAT-CD137Lct induced the production of high levels of IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNAs and proteins in peritoneal macrophages. TAT-CD137Lct increased phosphorylation of Erk, p38 MAPK and Jnk, and activated transcription factors C/EBP and CREB. However, TAT-CD137Lct did not visibly affect the degradation of the inhibitor of NF-${\kappa}B$ ($IkB{\alpha}$). We further demonstrated that JNK activation was required for TAT-CD137Lct-induced production of TNF-${\alpha}$, while activation of Erk and p38 MAPK were involved in IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ production. Conclusion: Our results suggest that TATCD137Lct is an effective activator for the CD137L reverse signaling pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.599-607
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• 2017

Most normal cells express L-type amino acid transporter 2 (LAT2). However, L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) is highly expressed in many tumor cells and presumed to support their increased growth and proliferation. This study examined the effects of JPH203, a selective LAT1 inhibitor, on cell growth and its mechanism for cell death in Saos2 human osteosarcoma cells. FOB human osteoblastic cells and Saos2 cells expressed LAT1 and LAT2 together with their associating protein 4F2 heavy chain, but the expression of LAT2 in the Saos2 cells was especially weak. JPH203 and BCH, a non-selective L-type amino acid transporter inhibitor, potently inhibited L-leucine uptake in Saos2 cells. As expected, the intrinsic ability of JPH203 to inhibit L-leucine uptake was far more efficient than that of BCH in Saos2 cells. Likewise, JPH203 and BCH inhibited Saos2 cell growth with JPH203 being superior to BCH in this regard. Furthermore, JPH203 increased apoptosis rates and formed DNA ladder in Saos2 cells. Moreover, JPH203 activated the mitochondria-dependent apoptotic signaling pathway by upregulating pro-apoptotic factors, such as Bad, Bax, and Bak, and the active form of caspase-9, and downregulating anti-apoptotic factors, such as Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. These results suggest that the inhibition of LAT1 activity via JPH203, which may act as a potential novel anti-cancer agent, leads to apoptosis mediated by the mitochondria-dependent intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway by inducing the intracellular depletion of neutral amino acids essential for cell growth in Saos2 human osteosarcoma cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.19
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• pp.8197-8201
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• 2014

Background: Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and cleft lip and palate trans-membrane 1 like (CLPTM1L) genes located on chromosome 5p15.33 are known to influence the susceptibility to various cancers. Here, we examined the association of TERT and CLPTM1L single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: Genotyping of TERT SNP rs2736098 and CLPTM1L SNP rs401681 was performed using TaqMan allelic discrimination assays in a case-control study of 201 HCC cases and 210 controls in a Chinese male population. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using logistic regression analyses. Results: Both the rs2736098 T allele of TERT and the rs401681 T allele of CLPTM1L were associated with a significantly increased risk of HCC (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=1.605, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.164-2.213; adjusted OR=1.399, 95%CI=1.002-1.955, respectively). Individuals carrying both TERT and CLPTM1L risk genotypes had an even higher risk of HCC (adjusted OR=4.420, 95%CI= 2.319-8.425). The TERT rs2736098 T allele was also significantly associated with the level of the HCC clinical indicator alpha-fetoprotein (P=0.026). Conclusions: Our results show that genetic variants of TERT and CLPTM1L may contribute to HCC susceptibility in Chinese males.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.119-124
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• 2010

Objective : Disc herniations at the L1-L2 and L2-L3 levels are different from those at lower levels of the lumbar spine with regard to clinical characteristics and surgical outcome. Spinal canals are narrower than those of lower levels, which may compromise multiple spinal nerve roots or conus medullaris. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features and surgical outcomes of upper lumbar disc herniations. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the clinical features of 41 patients who had undergone surgery for single disc herniations at the L1-L2 and L2-3 levels from 1998 to 2007. The affected levels were L1-L2 in 14 patients and L2-L3 in 27 patients. Presenting symptoms and signs, patient characteristics, radiologic findings, operative methods, and surgical outcomes were investigated. Results : The mean age of patients with upper lumbar disc was 55.5 years (ranged 31 to 78). The mean follow-up period was 16.6 months. Most patients complained of back and buttock pain (38 patients, 92%), and radiating pain in areas such as the anterior or anterolateral aspect of the thigh (32 patients, 78%). Weakness of lower extremities was observed in 16 patients (39%) and sensory disturbance was presented in 19 patients (46%). Only 6 patients (14%) had undergone previous lumbar disc surgery. Discectomy was performed using three methods : unilateral laminectomy in 27 cases, bilateral laminectomy in 3 cases, and the transdural approach in 11 cases, which were performed through total laminectomy in 10 cases and unilateral laminectomy in 1 case. With regard to surgical outcomes, preoperative symptoms improved significantly in 33 patients (80.5%), partially in 7 patients (17%), and were aggravated in 1 patient (2.5%). Conclusion : Clinical features of disc herniations at the L1-L2 and L2-L3 levels were variable, and localized sensory change or pain was rarely demonstrated. In most cases, the discectomy was performed successfully by conventional posterior laminectomy. On the other hand, in large central broad based disc herniation, when the neural elements are severely compromised, the posterior transdural approach could be an alternative.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.315-322
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• 2006

This experiment was conducted to investigate the induction rate of callus and antioxidative activity of rosemary and lavender. Callus induction rate of rosemary was 92% and 94% at 0.5mg/L and 1.0mg/L of 2,4-D in the media, respectively. The antioxidative activities of rosemary appeared differently according to the callus cultured under various concentrations of plant growth regulators. The strongest effect was observed at 0.1mg/L of 2,4-D extract, with $43{\pm}1.5{\mu}g/mL$ of an RC50 value. Callus induction rate of lavender was 98% and 99% at 1.0mg/L of 2,4-D and 1.0mg/L of NAA in the media, respectively. The regeneration rate of roots lavender was 85% at 1.0mg/L of NAA in the media. Antioxidative activities of lavender appeared diffently according to the callus cultured under plant growth regulators. The strongest effect was observed in 0.1mg/L of 2,4-D extract, with $37.6{\pm}0.9{\mu}g/mL$ of an RC50 value, which could be compared with value of leaf.

• BMB Reports
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.452-458
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• 2002

Exposure to ultraviolet light (UV) induces apoptosis in mammalian cells, The caspase group of proteases is required for the appotosis. This pathway is initiated by a release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytosol. Several Bcl-2 family proteins can regulate the release of cytochrome c by stabilizing the mitochondrial membrane. Here we show that expression of the endogenous bcl-xL was strongly downregulated in NIH3T3 cells within 2 h after UV-C irradiation, and that of bax was upregulated from 8 h after irradiation. Apoptosis was induced in more than 50% of the NIH3T3 cells 48 h after irradiation. Constitutive overexpression of bcl-xL in NIH3T3 cells protected the UV-induced apoptosis by preventing the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and the activation of caspase 9. There results suggest that downregulation of Bcl-xL is relevant to UV-induced apoptosis of tibroblasts.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.190-195
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• 2008

The $\alpha$-amylase gene, amyL, from Bacillus licheniformis was expressed in Lactobacillus brevis 2.14 and Escherichia coli $DH5{\alpha}$ using two different shuttle vectors, pCW4 and pSJE. E. coli transformants (TFs) harboring either $pCW4T{\alpha}$ or $pSJET{\alpha}$ produced active $\alpha$-amylase but L. brevis TFs did not, as determined by enzyme assays and zymography. But amyL transcripts were synthesized in L. brevis TFs. In terms of plasmid stability, pSJE, a theta-type replicon, was more stable than pCW4, an RCR (rolling circle replication) plasmid, in L. brevis without antibiotic selection.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.325-330
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• 2016

T-complex protein 10A homolog 2 (TCP10L) was previously demonstrated to be a potential tumor suppressor in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, little is known about the molecular mechanism. MAX dimerization protein 1 (MAD1) is a key transcription suppressor that is involved in regulating cell cycle progression and Myc-mediated cell transformation. In this study, we identified MAD1 as a novel TCP10L-interacting protein. The interaction depends on the leucine zipper domain of both TCP10L and MAD1. TCP10L, but not the interaction-deficient TCP10L mutant, synergizes with MAD1 in transcriptional repression, cell cycle G1 arrest and cell growth suppression. Mechanistic exploration further revealed that TCP10L is able to stabilize intracellular MAD1 protein level. Consistently, the MAD1-interaction-deficient TCP10L mutant exerts no effect on stabilizing the MAD1 protein. Taken together, our results strongly indicate that TCP10L stabilizes MAD1 protein level through direct interaction, and they cooperatively regulate cell cycle progression.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.410-414
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• 2004

Fed-batch cultures of Enterococcus faecalis RKY1 were performed to maximize the L(+)-Iactic acid concentration in the bioreactor. The highest lactic acid concentration was obtained at around 225 g/L by intermittent feeding the concentrated glucose media containing 500 g/L of glucose and 15 g/L (or 75 g/L) of yeast extract. However, in all fed-batch cultures, volumetric productivities of lactic acid gradually decreased due to the inhibitory effect of lactic acid produced during the fermentation. The highest value of lactic acid concentration obtained in this work corresponded to around 1.5-fold increase compared with conventional batch fermentation.