• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2007

Mechanisms of insecticide resistance found in insects may include three general categories. Modified behavioral mechanisms can let the insects avoid the exposure to toxic compounds. The second category is physiological mechanisms such as altered penetration, rapid excretion, lower rate transportation, or increased storage of insecticides by insects. The third category relies on biochemical mechanisms including the insensitivity of target sites to insecticides and enhanced detoxification rate by several detoxifying mechanisms. Insecticides metabolism usually results in the formation of more water-soluble and therefore more readily eliminated, and generally less toxic products to the host insects rather than the parent compounds. The representative detoxifying enzymes are general esterases and monooxygenases that catalyze the toxic compounds to be more water-soluble forms and then secondary metabolism is followed by conjugation reactions including those catalyzed by glutathione S-transferases (GSTs). However, a change in the resistant species is not easily determined and the levels of mRNAs do not necessarily predict the levels of the corresponding proteins in a cell. As genomics understands the expression of most of the genes in an organism after being stressed by toxic compounds, proteomics can determine the global protein changes in a cell. In this present review, it is suggested that the environmental proteomic application may be a good approach to understand the biochemical mechanisms of insecticide resistance in insects and to predict metabolomic changes leading to physiological changes of the resistant species.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1515-1518
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• 2012

Aim: We conducted a prospective study in an Chinese population to detect the association between GSTM, GSTT and GSTP gene polymorphisms and survival of gastric cancer. Methods: A prospective follow-up study with 317 gastric cancer patients was conducted between January 2003 and January 2005. GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 genotyping was performed using ABI TaqMan Gene Expression assays. Results: Of 317 patients, 5 were lost to follow-up due to migration, while the remaining 302 patients completed the study. The median follow-up time was 34.2 months (range: 2 to 60 months), during which a total of 120 (39.1%) died of gastric cancer. The GSTT1-null genotype showed a significant increased risk of death from gastric cancer, with an HR (95% CI) of 1.59 (1.04-3.58). Moreover, we found individuals carrying null-GSTM1 and null-GSTT1 had a moderate higher risk of death from gastric cancer, with an HR of 1.92 (1.05-3.65). Conclusion: This study reported the carriage of null GSTT1 and null GSTM1 might be linked to the higher death risk from gastric cancer in Chinese population.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.71-76
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• 1993

It has been reported that d-limonene inhibits chemical-induced rat mammary cancer by the mechanism of increases in detoxification enzymes such as glutathione S-transferases and that cineole fails to exhibit significant suppressive effect on chemical-induced carcinogenesis. The present study was designed to compare the effects of d-limonene and cineole on the benzo(a)pyrene (BP)-induced mutagenicity, BP metabolism and lipid peroxidation. Modified Ames assay was employed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of d-limonene and cineole on the BP-induced mutagenicity. The number of revertant-bearing wells was decreased by 44~77% in the presence of both BP and d-limonene compared with that of BP alone whereas cineole decreased the number of revertant-bearing wells by 28~45% at the concentrations between $2{\mu}m$m.TEX> and 2 mM. d-Limonene suppressed BP metabolism by 16, 54 and 67% at 1, 10 and 100 mM, respectively while cineole inhibited the metabolism by 16, 26 and 55% at the same concentrations. The $EC_{50}$ values for d-limonene and cineole in inhibiting lipid peroxidation were 2.0 mM and 16 mM respectively, as assayed by thiobarbituric acid method. The present study showed that d-limonene and cineole have common antimutagenic effects although d-limonone appeared to be more effective than cineole in suppressing mutation and lipid peroxidation. The results suggest that the antimutagenic effects of d-limonene and cineole may be associated with alternation in enzyme activities and with inhibition of lipid peroxidation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.870-875
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• 2001

A DNA fragment, pCKB13, containing two genes encoding Coenzyme a transferase, was isolated from a genomic DNA library of S. marcescens KCTC 2172. The complete nucleotide sequence of the 2,081-bp BamHI fragment on pCKB13 was determined. Sequencing of the fragment led to the identification of two open reading frames showing high homology with two Coenzyme A (CoA) transferases, Acetoacetyl-CoA transferase (Acot) and Succinyl-CoA transferase (Scot), enzymes catalyzing the reversible transfer of CoA from one carboxylic acid to another. The enzyme activity of Coenzyme A transferase increased after introducing the multicopy of the cloned gene in E. coli. The recombinant protein, overexpressed by multicopy and induction with IPTG, was a polypeptide of 42 kDa, as confirmed by SDS-PAGE. The protein was purified to homogeneity through three sequential chromatographic procedures including ion-exchanged DEAE-sepharose, CM-sepharose, and Mono Q.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.273-279
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• 2010

Follicular cystic follicles (FCFs) show delayed regression with persistent follicle growth. However, the mechanism by which follicles are persistently grown remains unclear. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are drug-metabolizing and detoxification enzymes that are involved in the intracellular transport and metabolism of steroid hormones. In this study, a proteomic analysis was performed to identify whether GST expression is changed in bovine FCFs and to predict the interactions between GST and other proteins. Normal follicles and FCFs were classified based on their sizes (5 to 10 mm and 25 mm). In bovine follicles, GST mu 1 (GSTM1) was detected as a differentially expressed protein (DEP) and significantly up-regulated in FCFs compared to normal follicles (p<0.05). Consistent with the proteomic results, semi-quantitative PCR data and western blot analysis revealed an up-regulation of GSTM1 in FCFs. Expression levels of aromatase and dehydrogenase proteins were changed in FCFs. These results show that the up-regulation of GSTM1 that is observed in bovine FCFs is likely to be responsible for the persistent follicle growth in FCFs as the activity of aromatase and the dehydrogenases.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.320-324
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• 1995

Pretreatment of Glycyrrhizae Radix(GR) to male Sprague-Dawley rats was demonstrated to increase excretion of acetaminophen-glucuronide ocnjugate when bile nad urine were assayed after administration of acetaminophen. In order to study the effect of GR on the glucuronidation in rats, we examined enzymatic activities of hepatic UDP-glucuronosyl-transferases (UDP-GT1 and UDP-GT2) and intracellular concentrations of hepatic UDP-glucuronic acid (UDP-GA), upon the administration of GR (1 g/kg body weight, p.o.) or glycyrrhizin (23 mg/kg body weight, p.o.) a major component of GR, for 6 days. GR and glycyrrhizin caused increases in specific activities of UDP-GT2 111% and 96% respectively. Specific activity of UDP-GT1 was increased 25% by GR treatment whereas it was not significantly increased by glycyrrhizin. Concentrations of UDP-GA were increased 257% by GR and 484% by glycyrrhizin. These data indicate that GR activated glucuronidation and thus suggest the possibility that GR may influence detoxification of xenobiotics in rat liver.

• BMB Reports
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.139-143
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• 2004

The antioxidant responsive element (ARE) is a cis-acting regulatory element of genes encoding phase II detoxification enzymes and antioxidant proteins, such as NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1, glutathione S-transferases, and glutamate-cysteine ligase. Interestingly, it has been reported that Nrf2 (NF-E2-related factor 2) regulates a wide array of ARE-driven genes in various cell types. Nrf2 is a basic leucine zipper transcription factor, which was originally identified as a binding protein of locus control region of ss-globin gene. The DNA binding sequence of Nrf2 and ARE sequence are very similar, and many studies demonstrated that Nrf2 binds to the ARE sites leading to up-regulation of downstream genes. The function of Nrf2 and its downstream target genes suggests that the Nrf2-ARE pathway is important in the cellular antioxidant defense system. In support of this, many studies showed a critical role of Nrf2 in cellular protection and anti-carcinogenicity, implying that the Nrf2-ARE pathway may serve as a therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases and cancers, in which oxidative stress is closely implicated.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.69-80
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• 2017

In this study, cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) producer isolates genome were compared with genome of pathogenic and commensal Escherichia coli strains. Conserved genomic signatures among different types of CDT producer E. coli strains were assessed. It was shown that they could be used as biomarkers for research purposes and clinical diagnosis by polymerase chain reaction, or in vaccine development. cdt genes and several other genetic biomarkers were identified as signature sequences in CDT producer strains. The identified signatures include several individual phage proteins (holins, nucleases, and terminases, and transferases) and multiple members of different protein families (the lambda family, phage-integrase family, phage-tail tape protein family, putative membrane proteins, regulatory proteins, restriction-modification system proteins, tail fiber-assembly proteins, base plate-assembly proteins, and other prophage tail-related proteins). In this study, a sporadic phylogenic pattern was demonstrated in the CDT-producing strains. In conclusion, conserved signature proteins in a wide range of pathogenic bacterial strains can potentially be used in modern vaccine-design strategies.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.160-167
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• 2020

Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) is a key transcription factor for bone formation and osteoblast differentiation. Various signaling pathways and mechanisms that regulate the expression and transcriptional activity of RUNX2 have been thoroughly investigated since the involvement of RUNX2 was first reported in bone formation. As the regulation of Runx2 expression by extracellular signals has recently been reviewed, this review focuses on the regulation of post-translational RUNX2 activity. Transcriptional activity of RUNX2 is regulated at the post-translational level by various enzymes including kinases, acetyl transferases, deacetylases, ubiquitin E3 ligases, and prolyl isomerases. We describe a sequential and linear causality between post-translational modifications of RUNX2 by these enzymes. RUNX2 is one of the most important osteogenic transcription factors; however, it is not a suitable drug target. Here, we suggest enzymes that directly regulate the stability and/or transcriptional activity of RUNX2 at a post-translational level as effective drug targets for treating bone diseases.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.228-235
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• 2021

The amino acids found in plants play important roles in protein biosynthesis, signaling processes, and stress responses, and as components in other biosynthesis pathways. Amino acid degradation helps maintain plant cells' energy states under certain carbon starvation conditions. Branched-chain amino acid transferases (BCATs) play an essential role in the metabolism of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) such as isoleucine, leucine and valine. In this paper, we performed genome-wide RNA-seq analysis using CsBCAT7-overexpressing Arabidopsis plants. We observed significant changes in genes related to flowering time and genes that are germination-responsive in transgenic plants. RNA-seq and RT-qPCR analyses revealed that the expression levels of some BCAA catabolic genes were upregulated in these same transgenic plants, and that this correlated with a delay in their senescence phenotype when the plants were placed in extended darkness conditions. These results suggest a connection between BCAT and the genes implicated in BCAA catabolism.