• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제25권6호
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• pp.473-480
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• 2022

Purpose: Low bone mineral density (BMD) is a complication in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). There are limited data evaluating dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as a screening tool for low BMD in children with IBD. We performed a single site retrospective analysis of DXA use. Methods: Children aged 5-18 years with IBD diagnosed between 2013 to 2017 at the Royal Children's Hospital, Australia, were included. Patient demographics, measures of disease activity, DXA scores, and factors related to BMD were collected. Results: Over a median follow up of 5.1 (4-6.4) years, 72/239 (30.1%) children underwent DXA, and 28/239 (11.7%) children had a second DXA. Our DXA practice differed to consensus guidelines regarding initial screening based on height and/or body mass index (BMI) z-score (8/17 [47.1%]), and repeat surveillance (13/42 [31.0%]). Children had a median lumbar spine (LS) z-score -0.80 (-1.65-0.075). Children with LS z-score≤-2.0 (n=14) had lower weight (6.57 [1.78-23.7] vs. 51.1 [26.5-68.7], p=0.0002) and height centiles (3.62 [1.17-17.1] vs. 42 [16.9-67.1], p=0.0001), and higher faecal calprotectin (FCP) (3041 [1182-4192] vs. 585 [139-2419], p=0.009) compared to children with LS z-score>-2.0. No fractures were reported. Of 28 children who underwent a second DXA 1.6 (1.1-2.2) years following initial DXA, no significant change in z-scores occurred. Conclusion: Children with IBD had low BMD. In addition to height centile and weight centile, FCP was associated with lower BMD, and should be considered in DXA screening guidelines. Greater clinician awareness of DXA consensus guidelines is required. Future prospective studies are required.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.67-78
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• 1989

Hybridization of DNA isolated from leaves of Russet Burbank potato with tomato cDNA as a probe revealed the presence of about ten inhibitor 1 genes in the genome. Screening of a genomic library of Russet Burbank potato resulted in isolation of seven different genomic clones carrying inhibitor I genes. One of the genomic clones, clone 2, contained two EcoRI fragments of 3.4 and 1.8 kb in size, respectively, which were hybridized with the probe. The nucleotide sequence of parts of the hybridizing EcoRI fragments revealed that they contain a complete gene which codes for an open reading frame of 107 amino acids. It is interrupted by two intervening sequences of 502 and 493 bp, situated at the positions of codons 17 and 43, respectively, of the open reading frame. Putative regulatory sequences, TATAAA and CCACT, were found at the 5' flanking region. In addition, a copy of a 100 bp repeat found at a tomato inhibitor I gene was identified.

• 대한후두음성언어의학회지
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.81-86
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• 2004

Background and Objectives : In general, ambulatory 24-hour pH monitoring is considered the current gold standard for larynogopharyngeal reflux(LPR). There is no validated instrument whose purpose is to document the physical finding and severity of laryngopharyngeal reflux. The purposes of this study are to revaluate the validity and reliability of the reflux finding score(RFS) and to quantify laryngoscopic findings using reflux finding score. Material and Methods : Thirty-three LPR patients confirmed by dual-probe pH monitoring and thirty patients of control were selected. The RFS was documented for each patient with telescopic laryngoscopy before treatment. For test-retest intraobserver reliability assessment, a blinded laryngologists determined the RFS on two separate occasions. To evaluate interobserver reliability assessment, the RFS was determined by t재 different blinded laryngologists. Results : The mean age of the cohort with pH-documented LPR was 45.8 years and the mean RFS was 11.4. The mean age of cotrol subjects was 52 years and the mean RFS was 5.4. The mean RFS for laryngologist no. 1 was 10.8 at the initial screening and 10.9 at the repeat evaluation. The mean FRS for laryngologist no.2 was 11.1 at the intial test and 10.9 at the repeat evaluation. The correlation coefficient for interobserver variability was 0.93 and intraobserver variability was 0.94. Conclusion : The RFS demonstrates excellent inter-and introaobserver reproducibility and is helpful for quantifying laryngeal finding in LPR. We can be 95% certain that an individual with a RFS greater than 7 has LPR.

• 한국생물물리학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국생물물리학회 2003년도 정기총회 및 학술발표회
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• pp.45-45
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• 2003

We isolated a novel ankyrin-repeat containing protein, rSIAP (rSlo Interacting Ankyrin-repeat Protein), as an interacting protein to the cytosolic domain of the alpha-subunit of rat large-conductance Ca$\^$2+/-activated K$\^$+/ channel (rSlo) by yeast two-hybrid screening. Affinity pull-down assay showed the direct and specific interaction between rSIAP and rSlo domain. The channel-binding proteins can be classified into several categories according to their functional effects on the channel proteins, i.e. signaling adaptors, scaffolding net, molecular tuners, molecular chaperones, etc. To obtain initial clues on its functional roles, we investigated the cellular localization of rSIAP using immunofluorescent staining. The results showed the possible co-localization of rSlo and rSIAP protein near the plasma membrane, when co-expressed in CHO cells. We then investigated the functional effects of rSIAP on the rSlo channel using electrophysiological means. The co-expression of rSIAP accelerated the activation of rSlo channel. These effects were initiated at the micromolar [Ca$\^$2+/]$\_$i/ and gradually increased as [Ca$\^$2+/]$\_$i/ raised. Interestingly, rSIAP decreased the inactivation kinetics of rSlo channel at micromolar [Ca$\^$2+/]$\_$i/, while the rate was accelerated at sub-micromolar [Ca$\^$2+/]$\_$i/. These results suggest that rSIAP may modulate the activity of native BK$\_$Ca/ channel by altering its gating kinetics depending on [Ca$\^$2+/]$\_$i/. To localize critical regions involved in protein-protein interaction between rSlo and rSIAP, a series of sub-domain constructs were generated. We are currently investigating sub-domain interaction using both of yeast two-hybrid method and in vitro binding assay.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.100005.1-100005.15
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• 2024

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a devastating neurodegenerative disease with a complex genetic basis, presenting both in familial and sporadic forms. The hexanucleotide (G₄C₂) repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene, which triggers distinct pathogenic mechanisms, has been identified as a major contributor to familial and sporadic Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cases. Animal models have proven pivotal in understanding these mechanisms; however, discrepancies between models due to variable transgene sequence, expression levels, and toxicity profiles complicate the translation of findings. Herein, we provide a systematic comparison of 7 publicly available Drosophila transgenes modeling the G₄C₂ expansion under uniform conditions, evaluating variations in their toxicity profiles. Further, we tested 3 previously characterized disease-modifying drugs in selected lines to uncover discrepancies among the tested strains. Our study not only deepens our understanding of the C9orf72 G₄C₂ mutations but also presents a framework for comparing constructs with minute structural differences. This work may be used to inform experimental designs to better model disease mechanisms and help guide the development of targeted interventions for neurodegenerative diseases, thus bridging the gap between model-based research and therapeutic application.

• Oncology Letters
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• 제42권5호
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• pp.2029-20238
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• 2019

In vitro culture of patient-derived tumor cells offers many advantages in the development of novel therapies for colorectal cancer. Although various culture systems have been developed, the long-term expansion of patient-derived tumor cells remains challenging. The present results suggested that tumor cells isolated from colorectal cancer patient-derived xenografts can be efficiently immortalized in conditioned medium from irradiated feeder cells containing Y-27632, a rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor. Patient-derived tumor cells proliferated rapidly, reaching 90-95% confluence in ~6 days. Short tandem repeat analysis suggested that these tumor tissues and cultured cells presented 13 identical short tandem repeat loci, including Amelogenin, Penta E, Penta D, D2S1338 and D19S433. Their epithelial phenotype was confirmed by staining for epithelial cell adhesion molecule and cytokeratin 20, whereas vimentin was used as a mesenchymal marker. When cells were transferred to 3D cultures, they continued to proliferate, forming well-defined tumor spheroids. Expression levels of human telomerase reverse transcriptase and C-Myc mRNA were increased in cultured cells. Finally, immortalized cells were used for the screening of 65 anticancer drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration, allowing the identification of gene-drug associations. In the present study, primary culture models of colorectal cancer were efficiently established using a ROCK inhibitor and feeder cells, and this approach could be used for personalized treatment strategies for patients with colorectal cancer.

• 한국식품위생안전성학회지
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.199-205
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• 2017

인수공통 감염증의 하나인 톡소포자충의 검출을 위해서는 대부분은 ELISA 법이 사용 되고 있으나, 충체가 사멸된 후에도 양성반응이 나타나는 등 사용에 제한이 있다. 반면 유전자 검출법은 현재 감염상태를 확인 할 수 있기 때문에 식중독 원인조사 등에 적합하다고 판단되어 이를 활용하여 본 연구를 진행하였다. 톡소포자충의 유전정보를 통해 529 repeat region의 염기서열을 얻고, 프라이머 및 TaqMan 프로브를 설계하여 real-time PCR을 이용한 검출법을 개발하였다. 검출한계(lower limit of detection) 및 적정곡선을 확인한 결과 10 genomic DNA copy가 검출한계로 확인되었고, 정량을 위한 곡선은 $10^1{\sim}10^6$ DNA copies까지 0.999의 $R^2$ 값을 나타내었다. 개발된 검출법의 증폭효율을 비교하기 위해 B1 gene 타겟 프라이머 세트와 타입별 검출한계를 비교한 결과, type 1, 2, 3 톡소포자충에서 같거나 더 나은 검출한계를 보였다. 또한 식품에서 주로 분리되는 식중독 세균 14종 및 원충 3종에 대해 특이도를 비교한 결과, 모두 음성으로 나타났다. 개발된 검출법을 식육검체에 적용하였을 때 type 1, 2, 3에서 모두 원활한 검출결과를 보여 증폭방해물질이 존재하지 않은 것으로 확인되었다. 본 연구를 통해 개발된 유전자검출법은 국내 유통 중인 식육에서 인수 공통감염 원충의 하나인 톡소포자충의 감염 여부를 확인하는 사전적 모니터링의 방법으로 활용될 예정이다.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.14-19
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• 2016

Purpose: We examined the prevalence and CGG/AGG repeat structure of expanded alleles of the FMR1 gene in preconceptional and pregnant Korean women. Materials and Methods: The CGG repeats in the FMR1 genes of 1,408 women were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis. To estimate the prevalence of expansion alleles, the individuals were divided into low risk and high risk group. Results: Within this population, 98.4% had normal alleles and 1.6% had abnormal alleles including intermediate (0.6%), premutation (0.5%), full mutation (0.1%), and hemizygous (0.4%) alleles. There were 2 premutation alleles (1:666, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1:250-1,776) in the low risk group and 5 premutation alleles (1:15, 95% 1:6-36) in the high risk group. There were 8 intermediate alleles (1:167, 95% CI 1:130-213) in the low risk group and 1 intermediate alleles (1:76, 95% CI 1:11-533) in the high group. Six of the 7 premutation alleles did not contain AGG interruptions within the repeats and 1 had a single AGG interruption. Four of the 9 intermediate alleles contained 2-3 AGG, 4 had a single AGG, and 1 had no AGG interruptions. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates the prevalence and CGG/AGG structure of expansion alleles in Korean women. The identified premutation prevalence is higher than that of other Asian populations and lower than that of Caucasian populations. Although our study is limited by size and population bias, our findings could prove useful for genetic counseling of preconceptional or pregnant women.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.127-138
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• 2023

Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) is an important serine/threonine kinase that implicates in multiple cellular processes and links with the neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, structure-based virtual screening was performed to search database for compounds targeting GSK-3β from Enamine's screening collection. Of the top-ranked compounds, 7 primary hits underwent a luminescent kinase assay and a cell assay using human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells expressing Tau repeat domain (Tau_RD) with pro-aggregant mutation ΔK280. In the kinase assay for these 7 compounds, residual GSK-3β activities ranged from 36.1% to 90.0% were detected at the IC₅₀ of SB-216763. In the cell assay, only compounds VB-030 and VB-037 reduced Tau aggregation in SH-SY5Y cells expressing ΔK280 Tau_RD-DsRed folding reporter. In SH-SY5Y cells expressing ΔK280 Tau_RD, neither VB-030 nor VB-037 increased expression of GSK-3α Ser21 or GSK-3β Ser9. Among extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT), mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (P38) and mitogenactivated protein kinase 8 (JNK) which modulate Tau phosphorylation, VB-037 attenuated active phosphorylation of P38 Thr180/ Tyr182, whereas VB-030 had no effect on the phosphorylation status of ERK, AKT, P38 or JNK. However, both VB-030 and VB-037 reduced endogenous Tau phosphorylation at Ser202, Thr231, Ser396 and Ser404 in neuronally differentiated SH-SY5Y expressing ΔK280 Tau_RD. In addition, VB-030 and VB-037 further improved neuronal survival and/or neurite length and branch in mouse hippocampal primary culture under Tau cytotoxicity. Overall, through inhibiting GSK-3β kinase activity and/or p-P38 (Thr180/Tyr182), both compounds may serve as promising candidates to reduce Tau aggregation/cytotoxicity for AD treatment.

• BMB Reports
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• 제39권6호
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• pp.709-716
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• 2006

Mammalian polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) acts at various stages in early and late mitosis. Plk1 localizes at the centrosome and maintains this position through mitosis. Thereafter Plk1 moves to the kinetochore and midbody region, important sites during chromosome separation and cytokinesis. The catalytic domain of Plk1 is in the N-terminus region, whereas the non-catalytic region in the C-terminus of Plk1 has a conserved motif, named the Polobox. This motif is critical for Plk localization. EGFP proteins fused with the N-terminus and C-terminus of Plk1 localize in the nucleus and centrosomes, respectively. The core sequences of the polo-box (50 amino acids) also localize in Plk1 target organelles. To screen for domain-specific target proteins of Plk1, we constructed an N-terminal domain and a tandem repeat polo-box motif, and used them as templates in a yeast two-hybrid screen. The HeLa cell cDNA library indicated several proteins including the centrosome/kinetochore components or regulators, to be characterized as positive clones. Through in vitro protein binding analyses, we confirmed an interaction between these proteins and Plk1. The data reported from this study indicate that the N- and C- termini of Plk1 may function through recruitment and/or activation of domain-specific target proteins in dividing cells. Additionally, tandem repeats of the conserved core motif of the polo-box are sufficient for targeting and may be useful as a centrosome/kinetochore-specific targeting peptide.