• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.26-35
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• 2019

Background: Dysregulation of hepatic glucose production (HGP) contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Telmisartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB), has various ancillary effects in addition to common blood pressure-lowering effects. The effects and mechanism of telmisartan on HGP have not been fully elucidated and, therefore, we investigated these phenomena in hyperglycemic HepG2 cells and high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Methods: Glucose production and glucose uptake were measured in HepG2 cells. Expression levels of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose-6-phosphatase ${\alpha}$ ($G6Pase-{\alpha}$), and phosphorylation levels of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and protein kinase C ${\zeta}$ ($PKC{\zeta}$) were assessed by western blot analysis. Animal studies were performed using HFD-fed mice. Results: Telmisartan dose-dependently increased HGP, and PEPCK expression was minimally increased at a $40{\mu}M$ concentration without a change in $G6Pase-{\alpha}$ expression. In contrast, telmisartan increased phosphorylation of IRS-1 at Ser302 ($p-IRS-1-Ser^{302}$) and decreased $p-IRS-1-Tyr^{632}$ dose-dependently. Telmisartan dose-dependently increased $p-PKC{\zeta}-Thr^{410}$ which is known to reduce insulin action by inducing IRS-1 serine phosphorylation. Ectopic expression of dominant-negative $PKC{\zeta}$ significantly attenuated telmisartan-induced HGP and $p-IRS-1-Ser^{302}$ and -inhibited $p-IRS-1-Tyr^{632}$. Among ARBs, including losartan and fimasartan, only telmisartan changed IRS-1 phosphorylation and pretreatment with GW9662, a specific and irreversible peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) antagonist, did not alter this effect. Finally, in the livers from HFD-fed mice, telmisartan increased $p-IRS-1-Ser^{302}$ and decreased $p-IRS-1-Tyr^{632}$, which was accompanied by an increase in $p-PKC{\zeta}-Thr^{410}$. Conclusion: These results suggest that telmisartan increases HGP by inducing $p-PKC{\zeta}-Thr^{410}$ that increases $p-IRS-1-Ser^{302}$ and decreases $p-IRS-1-Tyr^{632}$ in a $PPAR{\gamma}$-independent manner

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.9
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• pp.584-589
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• 2011

The mammalian ste20-like kinase (MST) pathway is important in the regulation of apoptosis and cell cycle and emerges as a novel tumor suppressor pathway. MST-induced phosphorylation of Salvador homolog 1 (SAV1), which is a scaffold protein, has not been evaluated in detail. We performed a mass spectrometric analysis of the SAV1 protein that was co-expressed with MST2. Phosphorylation was detected at Thr-26, Ser-27, Ser-36 and Ser-269. Although single or double mutations had little effects, the mutation of all four residues in SAV1 to Ala (SAV1-4A) had inhibitory effects on the MST pathway. MST2-mediated induction of SAV1-4A protein levels, SAV1-4A interaction with MST2 and the self-dimerization of SAV1-4A were weaker compared to those of wild-type SAV1. SAV1-4A inhibited MST2- and K-RasG12V-induced cell death of MCF7 cells. These results suggest that MST-mediated phosphorylation of four residues within SAV1 may be important in the induction of cell death by the MST pathway.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.235-240
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• 2002

Streptomycetes is a group of Gram-positive soil bacteria that growas a branching vegetative mycelium leading to the formation of spores, and display a physiological differenti-ation related to the synthesis of many secondary metabolites including antibiotics. Their complex life cycle and multicellular differentiation require various levels of regulation and types of signal transduction systems including eukaryotic-type serine/threonine protein kinases and prokaryotic-type histidine/aspartic acid protein kinases. Akt kinase that was found in cells is a sorine/threonine kinase controlling signal pathway for multi-tude of important cellular events. The activation or inactivation of Akt kinase in the cell is one of the critical regulatory points to deliver cell proliferation, differentiation, survival or apoptosis signal. To find the regula-tory protein homologous to Akt in Streptomyces, the fluorescien-labeled synthetic peptide (FITC-TRRSR-TESIT) was designed from the consensus sequence of target proteins for Akt kinase. From the difference of the mobility between the nonphosphorylated and phosphorylated synthetic peptides on Agarose gel electro-phoresis, the Akt-phosphorylating activity was monitored. The cell-free extract prepared from Streptomyces griseus IFO 13350 and the Akt homologous protein was purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation and many steps of column chromatographies such as, DEAE-Sepharose, Mono Q, Resource Phenyl-Soporose and Gel permeation column chromatographies. As a result, the protein phosphorylating the fluorescien-labeled Akt substrate was identified and it's molecular weight was estimated as 39 kDa on SDS-PAGE.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.8
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• pp.1197-1203
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• 2013

This study investigated the effects of endurance exercise and ginsenoside $Rb_1$ on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) protein expression and glucose uptake in the skeletal muscle of rats. A total of 32 rats were randomly divided into four groups: CON (Control group, n=8), Ex (Exercise group; 25 m/min for 1 h, 6 days/week, 2 weeks, n=8), $Rb_1$ (Ginsenoside $Rb_1$ group; n=8), and $Rb_1/Ex$ ($Rb_1$+Exercise group, n=8). The $Rb_1$ and $Rb_1/Ex$ groups were incubated in ginsenoside $Rb_1$ (KRBP buffer, $100{\mu}g/mL$) for 60 min after a 2-week experimental treatment. After 2 weeks, the expression of phosphorylated $AMPK{\alpha}$ $Thr^{172}$, total $AMPK{\alpha}$, the p85 subunit of PI3K, pIRS-1 $Tyr^{612}$, and pAkt $Ser^{473}$ were determined in the soleus muscle. Muscle glucose uptake was measured using 2-deoxy-D-[$^3H$] glucose in epitroclearis muscle. Muscle glucose uptake was significantly higher in the three experimental groups (Ex, $Rb_1$, $Rb_1/Ex$) compared to the CON group (P<0.05). The expression of $tAMPK{\alpha}$ and $pAMPK{\alpha}$ $Thr^{172}$ was significantly higher in the Ex, $Rb_1$, and $Rb_1/Ex$ groups compared to the CON group (P<0.05). The expression of pAkt $Ser^{473}$ was significantly higher in the $Rb_1$ group compared to the CON and EX groups. However, the expression of pIRS-1 $Tyr^{612}$ and the p85 subunit of PI3K were not significantly different between the four groups. Overall, these results suggest that ginsenoside $Rb_1$ significantly stimulates glucose uptake in the skeletal muscle of rats through increasing phosphorylation in the AMPK pathway, similar to the effects of exercise.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.510-518
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• 2014

Chronic (>24 h) exposure of arsenite, an environmental toxicant, has shown the decreased nitric oxide (NO) production in endothelial cells (EC) by decreasing endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) expression and/or its phosphorylation at serine 1179 ($eNOS-Ser^{1179}$ in bovine sequence), which is associated with increased risk of vascular diseases. Here, we investigated the acute (<24 h) effect of arsenite on NO production using bovine aortic EC (BAEC). Arsenite acutely increased the phosphorylation of $eNOS-Thr^{497}$, but not of $eNOS-Ser^{116}$ or $eNOS-Ser^{1179}$, which was accompanied by decreased NO production. The level of eNOS expression was unaltered under this condition. Treatment with arsenite also induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and pretreatment with a ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) completely reversed the observed effect of arsenite on $eNOS-Thr^{497}$ phosphorylation. Although protein kinase C (PKC) and protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) were reported to be involved in $eNOS-Thr^{497}$ phosphorylation, treatment with PKC inhibitor, Ro318425, and overexpression of various PKC isoforms did not affect the arsenite-stimulated $eNOS-Thr^{497}$ phosphorylation. In contrast, treatment with PP1 inhibitor, calyculin A, mimicked the observed effect of arsenite on $eNOS-Thr^{497}$ phosphorylation. Lastly, we found decreased cellular PP1 activity in arsenite-treated cells, which was reversed by NAC. Overall, our study demonstrates firstly that arsenite acutely decreases NO production at least in part by increasing $eNOS-Thr^{497}$ phosphorylation via ROS-PP1 signaling pathway, which provide the molecular mechanism underlying arsenite-induced increase in vascular disease.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.152-157
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• 2019

Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is crucial regulator of cell cycle progression during mitosis. It is known to highly overexpress in many different tumor types, and has been implicated as a potential antimitotic cancer target. The phosphopeptide, Pro-Leu-His-Ser-p-Thr (PLHSpT), was shown a high level of affinity and specificity for the polo-box domain (PBD) of Plk1. However, the peptide has the limitation of cell permeability. We designed the derivatives to enhance the limitation of PLHSpT using drug delivery system. In addition, we synthesized and evaluated its radiotracer for tumor diagnosis. This review discusses the derivative and radiotracer that are suitable for tumor treatment and diagnosis for PBD of Plk1.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.30-36
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• 2016

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are essential plant steroid hormones required for cell elongation, plant growth, development and abiotic and biotic stress tolerance. BRs are recognized by BRI1 receptor kinase that is localized in the plasma membrane, and the BRI1 protein will eventually autophosphorylate in the intracellular domain and transphosphorylate BAK1, which is a co-receptor in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, little is known of the role OsBRI1 receptor kinase plays in Oryza sativa, monocotyledonous plants, compared to that in Arabidopsis thaliana, dicotyledonous plants. As such, we have studied OsBRI1 receptor kinase in vitro and in vivo with recombinant protein and transgenic plants, whose phenotypes were also investigated. A OsBRI1 cytoplasmic domain (CD) recombinant protein was induced in BL21 (DE3) E.coli cells with IPTG, and purified to obtain OsBRI1 recombinant protein. Based on Western blot analysis with phospho-specific pTyr and pThr antibodies, OsBRI1 recombinant protein and OsBRI1-Flag protein were phosphorylated on Threonine residue(s), however, not on Tyrosine residue(s), both in vitro and in vivo. This is particularly intriguing as AtBRI1 protein was phosphorylated on both Ser/Thr and Tyr residues. Also, the OsBRI1 full-length gene was expressed in, and rescued, bri1-5 mutants, such as is seen in normal wild-type plants where AtBRI1-Flag rescues bri1-5 mutant plants. Root growth in seedlings decreased in Ws2, AtBRI1, and 3 independent OsBRI1 transgenic seedlings and had an almost complete lack of response to brassinolide in the bri1-5 mutant. In conclusion, OsBRI1, an orthologous gene of AtBRI1, can mediate normal BR signaling for plant growth and development in Arabidopsis thaliana.

• BMB Reports
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.362-369
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• 1997

Multiple phosphorylation of the carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) of the largest subunit in RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) is thought to play an important role in the transcription cycle. The preinitiation complex in a partially purified complete transcription system suggested that RNA polymerase IIA containing unphosphorylated CTD is involved in complex assembly, whereas RNA polymerase IIO containing Ser and Thr phosphorylated CTD is not involved in preinitiation complex assembly. Recently a minimal transcription system was developed which requires chemically defined minimal components for its transcription: TBP, TFIIB, TFIIF, RNAP II and a supercoiled adenovirus-2 major late promoter (Ad-2 MLP). It would be using interesting to determine the consequence of CTD phosphorylation on preinitiation complex formation using the minimal transcription system. Contrary to the results from the partially purified complete transcription system, both RNA polymerase IIA and IIO are equally recruited in the preinitiation complex formation. The discrepancy may result from the two different assays used to determine complex formation, the use of chemically undefined complete and defined minimal transcription systems. This implicates that some factors in the complete transcription system are involved in the distinction between RNAP IIA and IIO in complex assembly. In addition multiple tyrosine phosphorylation of the CTD of RNAP II was prepared with c-Abl kinase and its recruiting ability in the preinitiation complex was examined. Compare with Ser and Thr phosphorylated RNAP IIO, Tyr phosphorylated RNAP IlOy forms a stable preinitiation complex in both the minimal and complete transcription systems. Based on these results, it seems that tyrosine phosphorylation of the CTD is important in the transcription cycle on the special subset of class-II promoter or has a different role in the transcription process.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.48-49
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• 2001

The carcinogens 2-amino-3-methylimidazo［4, 5-f］quinoline (IQ) and 1, 2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) induce colon tumors in the Fisher 344 rat that contain mutations in Ctnnbl, the gene for b-catenin, but the pattern of mutation differs from that found in human colon cancers. In both species, mutations affect the glycogen synthase kinase 3$\beta$ (GSK-3$\beta$) consensus region of $\beta$-catenin, but whereas they directly substitute critical Ser/Thr phosphorylation sites in human colon cancers, the majority of mutations cluster around Ser$_{33}$ in the rat tumors.(omitted)d)

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2001.10b
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• pp.5-6
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• 2001

The carcinogens 2-arnioo-3-methylimidazo［4,5-f］quinoline (IQ) and 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) induce colon tumors in the Fisher 344 rat that contain mutations in Ctnnb1, the gene for b-catenin, but the pattern of mutation differs from that found in human colon cancers. in both species, mutations affect the glycogen synthase kinase 3$\beta$ (GSK-3$\beta$) consensus region of $\beta$-catenin, but whereas they directly substitute critical Ser/Thr phosphorylation sites in human colon cancers, the majority of mutations cluster around Ser$^{33}$ in the rat tumors.(omitted)