• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.194-209
• /
• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: High levels of plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol are an important determinant of atherosclerotic lesion formation. The disruption of cholesterol efflux or reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) in peripheral tissues and macrophages may promote atherogenesis. The aim of the current study was to examine whether bioactive ellagic acid, a functional food component, improved RCT functionality and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) function in diet-induced atherogenesis of apolipoproteins E (apoE) knockout (KO) mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Wild type mice and apoE KO mice were fed a high-cholesterol Paigen diet for 10 weeks to induce hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis, and concomitantly received 10 mg/kg ellagic acid via gavage. RESULTS: Supplying ellagic acid enhanced induction of apoE and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter G1 in oxidized LDL-exposed macrophages, facilitating cholesterol efflux associated with RCT. Oral administration of ellagic acid to apoE KO mice fed on Paigen diet improved hypercholesterolemia with reduced atherogenic index. This compound enhanced the expression of ABC transporters in peritoneal macrophages isolated from apoE KO mice fed on Paigen diet, indicating increased cholesterol efflux. Plasma levels of cholesterol ester transport protein and phospholipid transport protein involved in RCT were elevated in mice lack of apoE gene, which was substantially reduced by supplementing ellagic acid to Paigen diet-fed mice. In addition, ellagic acid attenuated hepatic lipid accumulation in apoE KO mice, evidenced by staining of hematoxylin and eosin and oil red O. Furthermore, the supplementation of 10 mg/kg ellagic acid favorably influenced the transcriptional levels of hepatic LDL receptor and scavenger receptor-B1 in Paigen diet-fed apoE KO mice. CONCLUSION: Ellagic acid may be an athero-protective dietary compound encumbering diet-induced atherogenesis though improving the RCT functionality.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.27 no.10
• /
• pp.1844-1854
• /
• 2017

Trichomonas vaginalis is a pathogen that triggers severe immune responses in hosts. T. vaginalis ${\alpha}$-actinin 2 ($Tv{\alpha}$-actinin 2) has been used to diagnose trichomoniasis. $Tv{\alpha}$-actinin 2 was dissected into three parts; the N-terminal, central, and C-terminal portions of the protein (#1, #2, and #3, respectively). Western blot of these $Tv{\alpha}$-actinin 2 proteins with pooled patients' sera indicated that #2 and #3, but not #1, reacted with those sera. Immunofluorescence assays of two different forms of T. vaginalis (trophozoites and amoeboid forms), using anti-$Tv{\alpha}$- actinin 2 antibodies, showed localization of $Tv{\alpha}$-actinin 2 close to the plasma membranes of the amoeboid form. Fractionation experiments indicated the presence of $Tv{\alpha}$-actinin 2 in cytoplasmic, membrane, and secreted proteins of T. vaginalis. Binding of fluorescence-labeled Trichomonas to vaginal epithelial cells and prostate cells was decreased in the antibody blocking experiment using anti-$Tv{\alpha}$-actinin 2 antibodies. Pretreatment of T. vaginalis with anti-$rTv{\alpha}$-actinin 2 antibodies also resulted in reduction in its cytotoxicity. Flow cytometry, ligand-binding immunoblotting assay, and observation by fluorescence microscopy were used to detect the binding of recombinant $Tv{\alpha}$-actinin 2 to human epithelial cell lines. Specifically, the truncated N-terminal portion of $Tv{\alpha}$-actinin 2, $Tv{\alpha}$-actinin 2 #1, was shown to bind directly to vaginal epithelial cells. These data suggest that ${\alpha}$-actinin 2 is one of the virulence factors responsible for the pathogenesis of T. vaginalis by serving as an adhesin to the host cells.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.439-451
• /
• 1993

Protein kinase C isozymes in a human prostate adenocarcinoma PC-3 cell line were characterized. Immunoreactive bands and immunocytochemical stains were obsenred in PC-3 cells with antibodies raised against protein kinase C ${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$, ${\gamma}$, $\delta$, $\varepsilon$, and ζ types, respectively. Protein kinase C ${\alpha}$ corresponded to a immunoreactive band at a molecular weight of 80,000-dalton, whereas molecular weights of other immunoreactive isozvmes of protein kinase C were detected at 68,000-dalton. Protein kinHse C $\delta$ and ζ antibodies detected additional bands at 55,000-dalton and 80,000-dalton, respectively Immunocvtochemical study confirmed the results of the immunoblotting experiments qualitatively: all six protein kinase C isozymes were detected in the cytoplasm of PC-3 cells. Translocation of protein kinase C in PC-3 cells were also examined with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), bryostatin 2, diolein, and 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl glycerol (OAG). Differential reactions of protein kinase C isozvmes to these activators were obsenred. When PC-3 cells were treated with 10mM bryostatin 2, protein kinase C isozyme u was translocated into the nucleus, whereas s type was translocated into the plasma membrane and the nucleus. Protein kinase C ${\alpha}$ and ζ types were translocated into the nucleus following the treatment with 101M diolein, whereas protein kinase C ${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$, ${\gamma}$, and $\varepsilon$ types were translocated into the nucleus by the treatment with 10mM OAG. Protein kinase C ${\alpha}$ and $\varepsilon$ types were translocated into the nucleus in the presence of 100nM PMA. Protein kinase C $\delta$ type was translocated to the nuclear membrane by these activators, however, only PMA-induced translocation was inhibited by protein kinase C inhibitor, 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyll-2-methvlpiperazine dihvdrochloride (H7) . H7 inhibited translocation of protein kinase C ${\alpha}$ type induced by PMA, ${\beta}$ type by OAG and s type by PMA and OAG, whereas it did not affect translocations induced by bryostatin and diolein, respectively. These results suggest that there exist six isoformes of protein kinase C (${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$, ${\gamma}$, $\delta$, $\varepsilon$ and ζ types) in PC-3 cells and that each of these isozvmes distinctivelv reacts to bryostatin, diolein, OAG and PMA, in part due to an altered molecular size and conceivably discrete binding site(s).

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.11-17
• /
• 2000

SNAP-25 was first investigated as a neuron-specific protein preferentially expressed in CA3 pyramidal neurons of mouse hippocampus. It is a presynaptic plasma membrane protein in the nerve cell and plays an important role in the synaptic vesicle membrane docking and fusion pathway. We have recently isolated SNAP-25 cDNA from a rat brain cDNA library using a probe of Z2 cDNA. It consisted of 2,101 bp and an open reading frame (ORF) was identified between nucleotides (nt) 209 and 827. The AUG codon (nt 209∼211) was surrounded by CTACCATGG, which corresponded to the consensus sequence of ribosomal binding site. The ORF was terminated by TAA (nt 827∼829) to encode a polypeptide of 206 amino acid residues. The 3'-untranslated region contained two extensive stretches of repeated (CA)28 and (CA)19 at positions 925∼980 and 1645∼1682. It is noteworthy that cysteine residues were clustered in the span of amino acid residues 84∼991 : Cys-Gly-Leu-Cys-Val-Cys-Pro-Cys. Rat SNAP-25 showed 88% and 97% identity in nucleotide sequences to that of human and mouse, respectively. Amino acid sequence of rat SNAP-25 showed 100% identity to that of mouse and human SNAP-21.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.524-531
• /
• 2002

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is characterized by widespread platelet thrombi in arterioles and capillaries. Unusually large or multimeric von Willebrand factor, as well as one or ore platelet-agglutinating factors, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of TTP. But, the actual mechanisms of platelet agglutination have not been satisfactorily explained. Recent studies suggested the 37-kDa platelet-agglutinating protein (PAP) p37 to be partially responsible for the formation of platelet thrombi in patients with TTP. We studied mobility in SDS-PAGE, the sequence of N-terminal amino acid residues, DNA and antigenic characteristics of PAP p37, which might be related to the pathogenesis of TTP. PAP p37 was purified from the plasma of a 31-year-old male Korean patient with acute TTP. The findings are as follows: (1) We compared PAP p37 with thrombin through the use of SDS-PAGE, either with or without $\beta$-mercaptoethanol. PAP p37 did not appear to be cleaved between the A- and B-chains of prethrombin 2. However, thrombin did cleave between those of prethrombin 2, but linked with disulfide bridge. (2) N-terminal 21 amino acid sequence of PAP p37 was T-F-G-S-G-E-A-D-X-G-L-R-P-L-F-E-K-K-S-L-E. It appeared to be identical to that of 285-305 amino acid residues of human prothrombin (prethrombin 2). (3) No prothrombin gene DNA mutation was revealed. (4). The antigenicity of PAP p37 was similar to thrombin, which was a result of the competitive binding against the anti-thrombin antibody. With these results, we conclude that PAP p37 has similar characteristics to prethrombin2.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.448-458
• /
• 2009

It has been well documented from animal and human studies that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has numerous beneficial effects on health. In chickens, CLA exerts many effects on performance ranging from egg quality and yolk lipids to meat quality. Although there are several CLA isomers available, not all CLA isomers have the same incorporation rates into egg yolk: cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 CLA isomers are more favorably deposited into egg yolk than other isomers investigated, but of the two isomers, the former has a higher incorporation rate than the latter. CLA alters the amounts and profiles of lipids in plasma, muscles and liver. Furthermore, increased liver weight was reported in chickens fed dietary CLA. As observed in egg yolk, marked reduction in intramuscular lipids as well as increased protein content was observed in different studies, leading to elevation in protein-to-fat ratio. Inconsistency exists for parameters such as body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, egg production rate and mortality, depending upon experimental conditions. One setback is that hard-cooked yolks from CLA-consuming hens have higher firmness as refrigeration time and CLA are increased, perhaps owing to alterations in physico-chemistry of yolk. Another is that CLA can be detrimental to hatchability when provided to breeders: eggs from these breeders have impaired development in embryonic and neonatal stages, and have increased and decreased amounts of saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), respectively. Thus, both problems can be fully resolved if dietary sources rich in MUFAs are provided together with CLA. Emerging evidence suggests that CLA exerts a critical impact on stress and immune functions as it can completely nullify some of the adverse effects produced by immune challenges and reduce mortality in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, CLA is a key regulator of genes that may be responsible for lipid metabolism in chickens. CLA down-regulates both expression of the gene encoding stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 and its protein activity in the chicken liver while up-regulating mRNA of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-l.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.42-48
• /
• 2013

Nystatin, a polyene antifungal antibiotic, is a cholesterol sequestering agent. The antifungal agent alters composition of the plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells, whereas its effects on cells are poorly investigated. In the current study, we investigated the question of whether nystatin was able to induce expression of macrophage inflammatory protein-1 (MIP-1). THP-1 cells rarely express MIP-$1{\alpha}$ and MIP-$1{\beta}$, however, upon exposure to nystatin, significantly elevated expression of MIP-$1{\alpha}$ and MIP-$1{\beta}$ was observed in a dose-dependent fashion at the messenger and protein levels. Cellular factors activated by nystatin as well as involved in nystatin-induced expression of MIP-1 proteins were identified in order to understand the molecular mechanisms of action of the anti-fungal agent. Treatment with nystatin resulted in enhanced phosphorylation of Akt, ERK, p38 MAPK, and JNK. Abrogation or significant attenuation of nystatin-induced expression of MIP-$1{\alpha}$ and MIP-$1{\beta}$ was observed by treatment with Akt inhibitor IV, LY294002, and SP6001250. Inhibition of ERK or p38MAPK using U0126 and SB202190 did not lead to attenuation of MIP-1 expression. In addition, inhibitors of protein kinase C, such as GF109203X and Ro-318220, also attenuated expression of MIP-1. These results indicate that nystatin is able to activate multiple cellular kinases and, among them, Akt and JNK play primary roles in nystatin-induced expression of MIP-1 proteins.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.22-28
• /
• 2022

Objective: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress engages the unfolded protein response (UPR) that serves as an important mechanism for modulating hepatic fatty acid oxidation and lipogenesis. Chronic fasting in mice induced the UPR activation to regulate lipid metabolism. However, there is no direct evidence of whether negative energy balance (NEB) induces ER stress in the liver of cows. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between the NEB attributed to feed deprivation and ER stress in bovine hepatocytes. Methods: Blood samples and liver biopsy tissues were collected from 6 non-lactating cows before and after their starvation for 48 h. The blood non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) and glucose level were analyzed. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to explore the regulation of genes associated with UPR and lipid metabolism. Results: The starvation increased the plasma BHBA and NEFA levels and decreased the glucose level. Additionally, the starvation caused significant increases in the mRNA expression level of spliced X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1s) and the protein level of phosphorylated inositol-requiring kinase 1 alpha (p-IRE1α; an upstream protein of XBP1) in the liver. The mRNA expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and its target fatty acid oxidation- and ketogenesis-related genes were significantly upregulated by the starvation-mediated NEB. Furthermore, we found that the mRNA expression levels of lipogenic genes were not significantly changed after starvation. Conclusion: These findings suggest that in the initial stage of NEB in dairy cows, the liver coordinates an adaptive response by activating the IRE1 arm of the UPR to enhance ketogenesis, thereby avoiding a fatty liver status.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.5 no.3
• /
• pp.284-291
• /
• 1997

The pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of DWP20367 (1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-8-chloro-7-(2, 7-diazabicyclo[3,3,0]tract-4-ene-7-yl)-1,4-dihydro-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid), a novel fluoroquinolone, were examined in rats and beagle dogs after a single intravenous and oral administration. Analysis of DWP20367 in plasma, tissue, and urine was determined by both HPLC and microbiological assay (bioassay). The plasma concentration-time curves of the drug in rats and beagle dogs were biexponentially declined. The terminal half-life (t$_{1}$2$\beta$/) of the drug in rats was about 60.1 $\pm$7.3 min (i.v.) and 61.3 $\pm$ 12.4 min (p.o.) in bioassay, and 86.3 $\pm$19.8 min (i.v.) and 50.9$\pm$ 14.9 min (p.o.) in HPLC. In beagle dogs, half-life of the drug determined by bioassay was about 121.8$\pm$6.2 min (i.v.) and 111.0$\pm$7.6 min (p.o.). The volume of distribution at steady-state (Vd$_{ss}$ ) was 243.8$\pm$74.1 ml/kg (bioassay) and 339.2$\pm$84.3 ml/kg (HPLC) in rats, and 1587.5 $\pm$536.9 ml/kg (bioassay) in beagle dogs. The total body clearance (Cl$_{t}$) of DWP20367 was 3.4 $\pm$ 0.4 ml/min/kg (bioassay) and 2.4$\pm$0.4 ml/min/kg (HPLC) in rats, and 12.3$\pm$ 1.0 ml/min/kg (bioassay) in beagle dogs, respectively. The extent of bioavailability after oral administration was 89.1%(bioassay) and 79.9% (HPLC) in rats, and 78.7% (bioassay) in beagle dogs. Urinary recovery (24-h) assayed by bioassay was 0.7% (p.o.) and 1.2% (i.v.) in rats, and 0.8% (p.o.) and 1.0% (i.v.) in beagle dogs. In rats, 24-h fecal recovery determined by bioassay was 11.2% (p.o.) and 0.1% (i.v.). Rat and human serum protein binding ratios at 2$\mu$g/ml were about 90~91%. This drug determined by bioassay was also distributed by the order of liver, kidney, lung, heart, spleen and muscle 30 min after oral administration.on.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.20 no.9
• /
• pp.1334-1341
• /
• 2007

This study identified hepatic differentially expressed genes (DEGs) affecting the marbling of muscle. Most dietary nutrients bypass the liver and produce plasma lipoproteins. These plasma lipoproteins transport free fatty acids to the target tissue, adipose tissue and muscle. We examined hepatic genes differentially expressed in a differential-display reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (ddRT-PCR) analysis comparing high- and low-marbled Hanwoo steers. Using 60 arbitrary primers, we found 13 candidate genes that were upregulated and five candidate genes that were downregulated in the livers of high-marbled Hanwoo steers compared to low-marbled individuals. A BLAST search for the 18 DEGs revealed that 14 were well characterized, while four were not annotated. We examined four DEGs: ATP synthase F0, complement component CD, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP3) and phosphatidylethanolamine binding protein (PEBP). Of these, only two genes (complement component CD and IGFBP3) were differentially expressed at p<0.05 between the livers of high- and low-marbled individuals. The mean mRNA levels of the PEBP and ATP synthase F0 genes did not differ significantly between the livers of high- and low-marbled individuals. Moreover, these DEGs showed very high inter-individual variation in expression. These informative DEGs were assigned to the bovine chromosome in a BLAST search of MS marker subsets and the bovine genome sequence. Genes related to energy metabolism (ATP synthase F0, ketohexokinase, electron-transfer flavoprotein-ubiquinone oxidoreductase and NADH hydrogenase) were assigned to BTA 1, 11, 17, and 22, respectively. Syntaxin, IGFBP3, decorin, the bax inhibitor gene and the PEBP gene were assigned to BTA 3, 4, 5, 5, and 17, respectively. In this study, the in silico physical maps provided information on the specific location of candidate genes associated with economic traits in cattle.