• Molecules and Cells
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• 제43권2호
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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.

• BMB Reports
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• 제55권3호
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• pp.142-147
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• 2022

Human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have been utilized as a promising source in regenerative medicine. However, the risk of teratoma formation that comes with residual undifferentiated PSCs in differentiated cell populations is most concerning in the clinical use of PSC derivatives. Here, we report that a monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting PSCs could distinguish undifferentiated PSCs, with potential teratoma-forming activity, from differentiated PSC progeny. A panel of hybridomas generated from mouse immunization with H9 human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) was screened for ESC-specific binding using flow cytometry. A novel mAb, K312, was selected considering its high stem cell-binding activity, and this mAb could bind to several human induced pluripotent stem cells and PSC lines. Cell-binding activity of K312 was markedly decreased as hESCs were differentiated into embryoid bodies or by retinoic acid treatment. In addition, a cell population negatively isolated from undifferentiated or differentiated H9 hESCs via K312 targeting showed a significantly reduced expression of pluripotency markers, including Oct4 and Nanog. Furthermore, K312-based depletion of pluripotent cells from differentiated PSC progeny completely prevented teratoma formation. Therefore, our findings suggest that K312 is utilizable in improving stem cell transplantation safety by specifically distinguishing residual undifferentiated PSCs.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.86-90
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• 2008

Caspase-3 (CASP3) plays a key role in apoptosis. In this study, HAX-1 was identified as a new substrate of CASP3 during apoptosis. HAX-1 was cleaved by CASP3 during etoposide-(ETO) induced apoptosis, and this event was inhibited by a CASP3-specific inhibitor. The cleavage site of HAX-1, at $Asp^{127}$, was located using N-terminal amino acid sequencing of in vitro cleavage products of recombinant HAX-1. Overexpression of HAX-1 inhibited ETO-induced apoptotic cell death. It also inhibited CASP3 activity. Together, these results suggest that HAX-1, a substrate of CASP3, inhibits the apoptotic process by inhibiting CASP3 activity.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.236-238
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• 2009

• BMB Reports
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• 제52권2호
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• pp.113-118
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• 2019

The small ubiquitin-related modification molecule (SUMO), one of the post-translational modification molecules, is involved in a variety of cellular functions where it regulates protein activity and stability, transcription, and cell cycling. Modulation of protein SUMOylation or deSUMOylation modification has been associated with regulation of carcinogenesis in breast cancer. In the dynamic processes of SUMOylation and deSUMOylation in a variety of cancers, SUMO proteases (SENPs), reverse SUMOylation by isopeptidase activity and SENPs are mostly elevated, and are related to poor patient prognosis. Although underlying mechanisms have been suggested for how SENPs participate in breast cancer tumorigenesis, such as through regulation of target protein transactivation, cancer cell survival, cell cycle, or other post-translational modification-related machinery recruitment, the effect of SENP isoform-specific inhibitors on the progression of breast cancer have not been well evaluated. This review will introduce the functions of SENP1 and SENP2 and the underlying signaling pathways in breast cancer for use in discovery of new biomarkers for diagnosis or therapeutic targets for treatment.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.261-267
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• 2007

Apoptotic signals are typically accompanied by activation of aspartate-specific cysteine proteases called caspases, and caspase-3 and -7 play crucial roles in the execution of apoptosis. Previously, using the proteomic approach, protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) was found to be a candidate substrate of caspase-7. This abundant 55 kDa protein introduces disulfide bonds into proteins (via its oxidase activity) and catalyzes the rearrangement of incorrect disulfide bonds (via its isomerase activity). PDI is abundant in the ER but is also found in non-ER locations. In this study we demonstrated that PDI is cleaved by caspase-3 and -7 in vitro. In addition, in vivo experiment showed that it is cleaved during etoposide-induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells. Subcellular fractionation showed that PDI was also present in the cytosol. Furthermore, only cytosolic PDI was clearly digested by caspase-3 and -7. It was also confirmed by confocal image analysis that PDI and caspase-7 partially co-localize in both resting and apoptotic MCF-7 cells. Overexpression of cytosolic PDI (ER retention sequence deleted) inhibited cell death after an apoptotic stimulus. These data indicate that cytosolic PDI is a substrate of caspase-3 and -7, and that it has an anti-apoptotic action.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제5권4호
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• pp.199-204
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• 2005

Background: ADP-ribosyl pyrophosphatases (ADPRase) has been known to catalyze the hydrolysis of ADP-ribose to ribose-5-phosphate and AMP. The role of ADPRase has been suggested to sanitize the cell by removing potentially toxic ADP-ribose. In this study, we examined the effect of nitric oxide on ADPRase activity in macrophages. Methods: ADPRase activity was measured in NO-inducing J774 cells. For in vitro experiments, recombinant human ADPRase was prepared in bacteria. Results: ADPRase activity was increased by the treatment of exogenous NO generating reagent, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), in J774 cells. The increased ADPRase activity was mediated by the post-translational modification, likely to cause cADP-ribosylation via nitrosylation of cysteine residue on the enzyme. The stimulation with endogeneous NO inducers, $TNF-{\alpha}/IFN-{\gamma}$, also increased ADPRase activity through NO synthesis. Futhermore, ADPRase activity may be mediated by the post-translational modification of ADPRase, ADP-ribosylation. Conclusion: These results indicate that NO synthesized by macrophage activation plays a critical role in the increase in ADPRase activity following ADP-ribose metabolism.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제33권6호
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• pp.2063-2066
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• 2012

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.39-46
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• 2023

Pumilio (Pum) is an RNA-binding protein and translational repressor important to diverse biological processes. In the Drosophila ovary, Pum is expressed in female germline stem cells (GSCs), wherein it acts as an intrinsic stem cell maintenance factor via repressing target mRNAs that are as yet mostly unknown. Pum recognizes the Pum binding sequence (PBS) in the mRNA 3'UTR through its C-terminus Puf domain. Translational repression is mediated through its N-terminal domain, but the molecular mechanism remains largely unknown. We previously showed that Bag-of-marbles, a critical differentiation-promoting factor of female GSCs, physically interacts with the N-terminus of Pum. We further showed that this interaction is critical to Bam inhibition of Pum repressive action in cultured cells, but the physiological relevance was not addressed. Here we design an in vivo GFP translational reporter bearing the PBS in its 3'UTR and show that GFP expression is reduced in cells wherein Pum is known to be active. Furthermore, we demonstrate in pum mutant ovary that this GFP repression requires Pum, and also that the sensor faithfully monitors Pum activity. Finally, we show that forced expression of Bam inhibits Pum-mediated repression, validating that Bam inhibits Pum activity in vivo.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제41권3호
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• pp.224-227
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• 1998

철의 대사과정에 관여하는 ferritin 단백질의 발현은 ferritin transcript의 5'-untranslated region에 위치한 iron-responsive element (IRE)와 철 농도 조절 단백질의 결합에 의해 조절된다. 이러한 ferritin의 생성에 관여하는 구조적인 요소를 밝히기 위해, RNA 이차구조인 IRE의 bulge 부분을 다른 염기로 변환시켜 철 농도 조절단백질에 의한 RNA 결합력과 ferritin 단백질의 생성의 저해정도를 비교 측정하였다. 측정된 결과로부터 IRE의 bulge 부분의 시토신 염기배열만이 RNA 이차구조의 형성에 중요한 작용을 하여 ferritin 합성을 조절할 수 있는 것을 보였다.