• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.126-131
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• 2023

The abnormal accumulation and aggregation of the misfolded α-synuclein protein is the neuropathological hallmark of all α-synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease. The secreted proteins known as netrins (netrin-1, netrin-3, and netrin-4) are related to laminin and have a role in the molecular pathway for axon guidance and cell survival. Interestingly, only netrin-1 is significantly expressed in the substantia nigra (SN) of healthy adult brains and its expression inversely correlates with that of α-synuclein, which prompted us to look into the role of α-synuclein and netrin-1 molecular interaction in the future of dopaminergic neurons. Here, we showed that netrin-1 and α-synuclein directly interacted in pre-formed fibrils (PFFs) generation test, real time binding assay, and co-immunoprecipitation with neurotoxin treated cell lysates. Netrin-1 deficiency appeared to activate the dopaminergic neuronal cell death signal pathway via α-synuclein aggregation and hyperphosphorylation of α-synuclein S129. Taken together, netrin-1 can be a promising therapeutic molecule in Parkinson's disease.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.225-230
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• 2008

Netrins are secreted molecules and involved in axon guidance, cell migration and tumor development. Recent studies revealed that netrins perform novel functions in such processes as epithelial development and angiogenesis without operating through the classical netrin receptors, DCC (Deleted in Colorectal Cancer) and Unc5h. In the present study, we investigated the roles of netrin-1 and its receptors in cell spreading of human glioblastoma cells, and found that netrin-1 haptotactically enhanced fibronectin-induced cell spreading and focal adhesion formation in U373 glioblastoma cells. Netrin-1 binding to the U373 cell membrane was blocked by an antibody against ${\alpha}v$ integrin subunit, but not by an anti-DCC or anti-Unc5h antibody. In addition, enhancement of the fibronectin response by netrin-1 was abrogated by a function blocking antibody against integrin ${\alpha}v{\beta}3$. Since the ${\alpha}v$ subunit of the integrin family plays an important role in the pathophysiological aspects of cell migration, including tumor angiogenesis and metastasis, our data provide important insight into the molecular mechanism of netrin function.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.8
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• pp.514-519
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• 2019

Osteoclasts are multinucleated giant cells derived from myeloid progenitors. Excessive bone resorption by osteoclasts can result in serious clinical outcomes for which better treatment options are needed. Here, we identified fibronectin leucine-rich transmembrane protein 2 (Flrt2), a ligand of the Unc5 receptor family for neurons, as a novel target associated with the late/maturation stage of osteoclast differentiation. Flrt2 expression is induced by stimulation with receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand (RANKL). Flrt2 deficiency in osteoclasts results in reduced hyper-multinucleation, which could be restored by RNAi-mediated knockdown of Unc5b. Treatment with Netrin1, another ligand of Unc5b which negatively controls osteoclast multinucleation through down regulation of RANKL-induced Rac1 activation, showed no inhibitory effects on Flrt2-deficient cells. In addition, RANKL-induced Rac1 activation was attenuated in Flrt2-deficient cells. Taken together, these results suggest that Flrt2 regulates osteoclast multinucleation by interfering with Netrin 1-Unc5b interaction and may be a suitable therapeutic target for diseases associated with bone remodeling.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.143-153
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• 2021

Objective: To explore the molecular mechanisms of fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) in laying hens, an experiment was conducted to reveal the differences in histopathological observation and gene expression between FLHS group and normal group. Methods: We compared the histopathological difference using hematoxylin and eosin staining and proceeded with RNA sequencing of adipose tissue to search differentially expressed genes and enriched biological processes and pathways. Then we validated the mRNA expression levels by real-time polymerase chain reaction and quantified protein levels in the circulation by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: We identified 100 differentially expressed transcripts corresponding to 66 genes (DEGs) were identified between FLHS-affected group and normal group. Seven DEGs were significantly enriched in the immune response process and lipid metabolic process, including phospholipase A2 group V, WAP kunitz and netrin domain containing 2, delta 4-desaturase sphingolipid 2, perilipin 3, interleukin-6 (IL-6), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3). And these genes could be the targets of immune response and be involved in metabolic homeostasis during the process of FLHS in laying hens. Based on functional categories of the DEGs, we further proposed a model to explain the etiology and pathogenesis of FLHS. IL-6 and SOCS3 mediate inflammatory responses and the satiety hormone of leptin, induce dysfunction of Jak-STAT signaling pathway, leading to insulin resistance and lipid metabolic disorders. Conversely, CNTF may reduce tissue destruction during inflammatory attacks and confer protection from inflammation-induced insulin resistance in FLHS chickens. Conclusion: These findings highlight the therapeutic implications of targeting the JAK-STAT pathway. Inhibition of IL6 and SOCS3 and facilitation of CNTF could serve as a favorable strategy to enhance insulin action and improve glucose homoeostasis, which are of importance for treating obesity-related disorders for chickens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.36-42
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• 2016

Milk-related traits (milk yield, fat and protein) have been crucial to selection of Holstein. It is essential to find the current selection trends of Holstein. Despite this, uncovering the current trends of selection have been ignored in previous studies. We suggest a new formula to detect the current selection trends based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). This suggestion is based on the best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) and the Fisher's fundamental theorem of natural selection both of which are trait-dependent. Fisher's theorem links the additive genetic variance to the selection coefficient. For Holstein milk production traits, we estimated the additive genetic variance using SNP effect from BLUP and selection coefficients based on genetic variance to search highly selective SNPs. Through these processes, we identified significantly selective SNPs. The number of genes containing highly selective SNPs with p-value <0.01 (nearly top 1% SNPs) in all traits and p-value <0.001 (nearly top 0.1%) in any traits was 14. They are phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B), serine/threonine kinase 40 (STK40), collagen, type XI, alpha 1 (COL11A1), ephrin-A1 (EFNA1), netrin 4 (NTN4), neuron specific gene family member 1 (NSG1), estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), neurexin 3 (NRXN3), spectrin, beta, non-erythrocytic 1 (SPTBN1), ADP-ribosylation factor interacting protein 1 (ARFIP1), mutL homolog 1 (MLH1), transmembrane channel-like 7 (TMC7), carboxypeptidase X, member 2 (CPXM2) and ADAM metallopeptidase domain 12 (ADAM12). These genes may be important for future artificial selection trends. Also, we found that the SNP effect predicted from BLUP was the key factor to determine the expected current selection coefficient of SNP. Under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium of SNP markers in current generation, the selection coefficient is equivalent to $2^*SNP$ effect.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.1529-1539
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• 2017

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the DNA methylation profile in the longissimus dorsi muscle between Small Tailed Han and Dorper${\times}$Small Tailed Han crossbred sheep which were known to exhibit significant difference in meat-production. Methods: Six samples (three in each group) were subjected to the methylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeDIP-seq) and subsequent bioinformatics analyses to detect differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between the two groups. Results: 23.08 Gb clean data from six samples were generated and 808 DMRs were identified in gene body or their neighboring up/downstream regions. Compared with Small Tailed Han sheep, we observed a tendency toward a global loss of DNA methylation in these DMRs in the crossbred group. Gene ontology enrichment analysis found several gene sets which were hypomethylated in gene-body region, including nucleoside binding, motor activity, phospholipid binding and cell junction. Numerous genes were found to be differentially methylated between the two groups with several genes significantly differentially methylated, including transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGFB3), acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 1 (ACSL1), ryanodine receptor 1 (RYR1), acyl-CoA oxidase 2 (ACOX2), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma2 (PPARG2), netrin 1 (NTN1), ras and rab interactor 2 (RIN2), microtubule associated protein RP/EB family member 1 (MAPRE1), ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 2 (ADAMTS2), myomesin 1 (MYOM1), zinc finger, DHHC type containing 13 (ZDHHC13), and SH3 and PX domains 2B (SH3PXD2B). The real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction validation showed that the 12 genes are differentially expressed between the two groups. Conclusion: In the current study, a tendency to a global loss of DNA methylation in these DMRs in the crossbred group was found. Twelve genes, TGFB3, ACSL1, RYR1, ACOX2, PPARG2, NTN1, RIN2, MAPRE1, ADAMTS2, MYOM1, ZDHHC13, and SH3PXD2B, were found to be differentially methylated between the two groups by gene ontology enrichment analysis. There are differences in the expression of 12 genes, of which ACSL1, RIN2, and ADAMTS2 have a negative correlation with methylation levels and the data suggest that DNA methylation levels in DMRs of the 3 genes may have an influence on the expression. These results will serve as a valuable resource for DNA methylation investigations on screening candidate genes which might be related to meat production in sheep.