• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2008

Radiotherapy would be the choice of treatment for human cancers, because of high cost-effectiveness. However, a certain population of patients shows a resistance to radiotherapy and recurrence. In an effort to increase the efficacy of radiotherapy, many efforts were driven to find the genes causing the unresponsiveness to ionizing radiation. In this paper, we compared the gene expression profiles of two lung cancer cell lines, H460 and H1299, which showed differential responses to ionizing radiations. Each cell were irradiated at 2 Gy, and harvested after 0, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours to examine the expressions. Two-way ANOVA analysis on time-series experiments of two cells could select 2863 genes differentially expressed upon ionizing radiation among 32,321 genes in microarray (p<0.05). We classified these genes into 21 clusters by SOM clustering according to the interaction between cell types and time. Two SOM clusters were enriched with apoptosis-related genes in pathway analysis. One cluster contained higher levels of phosphatidyl inositol 3-phosphate kinase (PI3K) subunits in H1299, radio-resistant cells than H460, radiosensitive cells. TRAIL receptors were expressed in H460 cells while the decoy receptor for TRAIL was expressed in H1299 cells. From these results, we could characterize the differential responsiveness to ionizing radiation according to their differential expressions of apoptosis-related genes, which might be the candidates to increase the power of radiotherapy.

• BMB Reports
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.308-317
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• 2017

Bone morphogenetic protein type 2 receptor (BMPR2) is one of the transforming growth $factor-{\beta}$ ($TGF-{\beta}$) superfamily receptors, performing diverse roles during embryonic development, vasculogenesis, and osteogenesis. Human BMPR2 consists of 1,038 amino acids, and contains functionally conserved extracellular, transmembrane, kinase, and C-terminal cytoplasmic domains. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) engage the tetrameric complex, composed of BMPR2 and its corresponding type 1 receptors, which initiates SMAD proteins-mediated signal transduction leading to the expression of target genes implicated in the development or differentiation of the embryo, organs and bones. In particular, genetic alterations of BMPR2 gene are associated with several clinical disorders, including representative pulmonary arterial hypertension, cancers, and metabolic diseases, thus demonstrating the physiological importance of BMPR2. In this mini review, we summarize recent findings regarding the molecular basis of BMPR2 functions in BMP signaling, and the versatile roles of BMPR2. In addition, various aspects of experimentally validated pathogenic mutations of BMPR2 and the linked human diseases will also be discussed, which are important in clinical settings for diagnostics and treatment.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1675-1681
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• 2016

The aim of this study was to detect positional candidate genes located within the support interval (SI) regions based on the results of red blood cell, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin quantitative trait locus (QTL) in Sus scrofa chromosome 13, and to verify the correlation between specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in the exonic region of the positional candidate gene and the three genetic traits. The flanking markers of the three QTL SI regions are SW38 and S0215. Within the QTL SI regions, 44 genes were located, and runt-related transcription factor 1, dual-specificity tyrosine-(Y)-phosphorylation regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A), and potassium inwardly-rectifying channel, subfamily J, member 15 KCNJ15-which are reported to be related to the hematological traits and clinical features of Down syndrome-were selected as positional candidate genes. The ten SNPs located in the exonic region of the three genes were detected by next generation sequencing. A total of 1,232 pigs of an $F_2$ resource population between Landrace and Korean native pigs were genotyped. To investigate the effects of the three genes on each genotype, a mixed-effect model which is the considering family structure model was used to evaluate the associations between the SNPs and three genetic traits in the $F_2$ intercross population. Among them, the MCV level was highly significant (nominal $p=9.8{\times}10^{-9}$) in association with the DYRK1A-SNP1 (c.2989 G$F_2$ intercross, our approach has limited power to distinguish one particular positional candidate gene from a QTL region.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.227-237
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• 2007

Microglial cell activation is known to contribute to neuropathic pain following spinal sensory nerve injuries. In this study, I investigated its mechanisms in the case of trigeminal sensory nerve injuries by which microglial cell and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) activation in the medullary dorsal horn (MDH) would contribute to the facial pain hypersensitivity following mandibular nerve transection (MNT). And also investigated the changes of trigeminal ganglion neurons and ERK, p38 MAPK manifestations. Activation of microglial cells was monitored at 1, 3, 7, 14, 28 and 60 day using immunohistochemical analyses. Microglial cell activation was primarily observed in the superficial laminae of the MDH. Microglial cell activation was initiated at postoperative 1 day, maximal at 3 day, maintained until 14 day and gradually reduced and returned to the basal level by 60 days after MNT. Pain hypersensitivity was also initiated and attenuated almost in parallel with microglial cell activation pattern. To investigate the contribution of the microglial cell activation to the pain hypersensitivity, minocycline, an inhibitor of microglial cell activation by means of p38 MAPK inhibition, was administered. Minocycline dose-dependently attenuated the development of the pain hypersensitivity in parallel with inhibition of microglial cell and p38 MAPK activation following MNT. Mandibular nerve transection induced the activation of ERK, but did not p38 MAPK in the trigeminal ganglion. These results suggest that microglial cell activation in the MDH and p38 MAPK activation in the hyperactive microglial cells play an important role in the development of facial neuropathic pain following MNT. The results also suggest that ERK activation in the trigeminal ganglion contributes microglial cell activation and facial neuropathic pain.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.379-389
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• 2018

A nucleobase adenine is a fundamental component of nucleic acids and adenine nucleotides. Various biological roles of adenine have been discovered. It is not produced from degradation of adenine nucleotides in mammals but produced mainly during polyamine synthesis by dividing cells. Anti-inflammatory roles of adenine have been supported in IgE-mediated allergic reactions, immunological functions of lymphocytes and dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis. However adenine effects on Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated inflammation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a cell wall component of Gram negative bacteria, is not examined. Here we investigated anti-inflammatory roles of adenine in LPS-stimulated immune cells, including a macrophage cell line RAW264.7 and bone marrow derived mast cells (BMMCs) and peritoneal cells in mice. In RAW264.7 cells stimulated with LPS, adenine inhibited production of pro-inflammatory cytokines $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 and inflammatory lipid mediators, prostaglandin $E_2$ and leukotriene $B_4$. Adenine impeded signaling pathways eliciting production of these inflammatory mediators. It suppressed $I{\kappa}B$ phosphorylation, nuclear translocation of nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$), phosphorylation of Akt and mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) JNK and ERK. Although adenine raised cellular AMP which could activate AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK), the enzyme activity was not enhanced. In BMMCs, adenine inhibited the LPS-induced production of $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6 and IL-13 and also hindered phosphorylation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and Akt. In peritoneal cavity, adenine suppressed the LPS-induced production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 by peritoneal cells in mice. These results show that adenine attenuates the LPS-induced inflammatory reactions.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.336-342
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• 2015

Propyl gallate (PG) used as an additive in various foods has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Although the functional roles of PG in various cell types are well characterized, it is unknown whether PG has effect on stem cell differentiation. In this study, we demonstrated that PG could inhibit adipogenic differentiation in human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) by decreasing the accumulation of intracellular lipid droplets. In addition, PG significantly reduced the expression of adipocyte-specific markers including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-${\gamma}$ (PPAR-${\gamma}$), CCAAT enhancer binding protein-${\alpha}$ (C/EBP-${\alpha}$), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein 2 (aP2). PG inhibited adipogenesis in hAMSCs through extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. Decreased adipogenesis following PG treatment was recovered in response to ERK blocking. Taken together, these results suggest a novel effect of PG on adipocyte differentiation in hAMSCs, supporting a negative role of ERK1/2 pathway in adipogenic differentiation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.212-218
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• 2010

Korean red ginseng (KRG) has been shown to enhance endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in experimental animals; however, little is known about its pharmacological effects on vascular stiffness in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial was carried out to determine whether KRG has beneficial effects on arterial stiffness, cardiovascular risk factors such as plasma lipid profiles and blood pressure (BP), and Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) activity. Twenty patients (mean age, 62.5 years) with stable angina pectoris were given KRG (2.7 g/day) and a placebo alternatively for 10 weeks. Blood biochemical analysis and pulse wave velocity (PWV) recording were performed on day 0 and after the completion of each treatment. ROCK activity was assessed based on the level of phospho-$Thr^{853}$ in the myosin-binding subunit of myosin light chain phosphatase, determined by Western blot analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. KRG significantly decreased the systolic BP, brachial ankle PWV, and heart femoral PWV in the patients (all p<0.05), but did not significantly alter the serum lipid profiles, including triglycerides and total, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The ROCK activity tended to decrease (p=0.068) following KRG treatment. The placebo did not significantly alter any of the variables. In conclusion, KRG decreased systolic BP and arterial stiffness, probably via the inhibition of ROCK activity, in patients with CAD, but had a neutral effect on serum lipid profiles. Our data suggest that KRG has a therapeutic effect on CAD.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.465-470
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• 2005

Octacosanol is known to enhance endurance activities, control cholesterol in body and improve the function of cardiopulmonary. Citrulline, which is main compound of watermelon, is known to improve angiectasia through stimulating production of nitric oxide. To improve endurance activity swimming test on rats was carried out using four samples such as 1$\%$ octacosanol, citrulline, the extracts of barks of watermelon and products, mixture of 1$\%$ octacosanol and the extracts of barks of watermelon (6 : 4). Biochemical assays on the liver and serum of tested rats were also performed using commercial analysis kits. In result, it was shown that swimming time of III group increased by 26$\%$ and that of V group was increased by 22$\%$ at the swimming test. As a result of biological assays on the liver and serum of tested rats it was possible to confirm stability of toxicity When compared with creatine kinase of control group (549.11$\pm$39.15 U/l) citrulline (644.11 $\pm$50.67 U/l) and products group (646.00$\pm$46.99 U/l) were largely increased. When compared with inorganic phosphate of control group (12.01$\pm$0.75 mg/이), citrulline (13.03$\pm$0.94 mg/dl) and products group (12.90$\pm$0.55 mg/dl) showed similar results. Also, when compared with lactic acid and glucose of control group (152.91 $\pm$ 13.45, 103.00$\pm$ 8.69 mg/dl), citrulline (125.53$\pm$15.54, 83.75$\pm$7.29 mg/dl) and products group (135.26$\pm$11.50, 78.57$\pm$9.79 mg/dl) were largely decreased. As these test results, it was determined that 1$\%$ octacosanol and extracts of barks of watermelon had some effect of improving endurance activity. Futhermore, it was thought that it could be used as source of functional food.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.17-20
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• 2004

PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog) is a dual specific phosphatase antagonizing phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity, and has first been cloned as a tumor suppressor for glioma. Although the role of PTEN as a tumor suppressor has been well studied, little is known about signaling mechanisms regulating expression and/or activity of PTEN in the central nervous system. In this study, we investigated whether PTEN expression is regulated by sensory deprivation. P5 rat pups were unilaterally naris-closed, and olfactory bulbs were immunohistochemically analyzed with PTEN antibody at the $7^{th}$ day after naris closure. PTEN immunoreactivity was found to be down-regulated in both glomerular, external plexiform and subependymal cell layers, suggesting that odor deprivation signals down-regulate expression of PTEN in the olfactory bulb. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to suggest that PTEN expression is regulated by sensory deprivation signals in neonatal rats.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.317-322
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• 2010

Purpose: There is no clear evidence of the original cause of hypertrophic scar, and the effective method of treatment is not yet established. Recently the steps of searching in gene and molecular level are proceeding. we are trying to recognize the difference between keratinocytes of hypertrophic scar and normal skin. Then we do support the comprehension of the scar formation mechanism and scar management. Methods: Total RNAs were extracted from cultured keratinocytes from 4 hypertrophic scars and normal skins. The cDNA chips were prepared. A total of 3063 cDNAs from human cDNA library were arrayed. And the scanning data were analyzed. Results: On microarray, heat shock protein, pyruvate kinase, tumor rejection antigen were more than 2 fold intensity genes. Among them, heat shock 70 kd protein showed the strongest intensity difference. Conclusion: In this study, it can be concluded that heat shock proteins play an important role in the process of wound healing and scar formation. This study provides basic biologic information for scar research. The new way of the prevention and treatment of scar formation would be introduced with further investigations.