• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.735-742
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• 2013

Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) that bind to complementary nucleic acid sequences with extraordinarily high affinity and sequence specificity can be used as antisense oligonucleotides against microRNAs, namely antagomir PNAs. However, methods for efficient cellular delivery must be developed for effective use of PNAs as therapeutic agents. Here, we demonstrate that antagomir PNAs can be delivered to hepatic cells by complementary DNA oligonucleotide and cationic liposomes containing galactosylated ceramide and a novel cationic lipid, DMKE (O,O'-dimyristyl-N-lysyl glutamate), through glycoprotein-mediated endocytosis. An antagomir PNA was designed to target miR-122, which is required for translation of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome in hepatocytes, and was hybridized to a DNA oligonucleotide for complexation with cationic liposome. The PNA-DNA hybrid molecules were efficiently internalized into hepatic cells by complexing with the galactosylated cationic liposome in vitro. Galactosylation of liposome significantly enhanced both lipoplex cell binding and PNA delivery to the hepatic cells. After 4-h incubation with galactosylated lipoplexes, PNAs were efficiently delivered into hepatic cells and HCV genome translation was suppressed more than 70% through sequestration of miR-122 in cytoplasm. PNAs were readily released from the PNA-DNA hybrid in the low pH environment of the endosome. The present study indicates that transfection of PNA-DNA hybrid molecules using galactosylated cationic liposomes can be used as an efficient non-viral carrier for antagomir PNAs targeted to hepatocytes.

• 미생물학회지
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.91-97
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• 1990

생체내의 유해산소를 제거하는 superoxide dismutase (superoxide : superoxide oxidoreductase E.C.1.15.1.1) 중 세포질내에서 그 활성을 지니는 인체의 세포질 superoxide dismuta~ie (SODl) 유전자를 사람의 간 cDNA library로부터 동위원소로 표지된 oligonucleotide probe를 이용, in situ plaque hybridization 방법으로 선별 분리하여 내장균 벡터로 클로닝하였다. 이 클론은 SOD1 유전자의 5"L"TR과 3’UTR을 포함한 1.6 kb 정도의 cDNA였다 SOD1 구조유전자만을 선택적으로 분리하기 위해서 ATG를 포함하는 sense strand primer와 3’UTR 부위의 antisense strand primer를 이용하여 중합효소연쇄반응(Polymerase Chain Reaction) 방법을 써서 SOD1 구조유전자 부위만을 선택적으로 증폭시켰다. Taq DNA polymerase에 의해 증폭된 DNA를 벡터 pUCl9의 multiple cloning site (MCS) 내의 Hinc II 위치에 넣였으며 이 insert DNA를 M13 mp19으로 옮겨 dideoxy chain termination 방법으로 sequenase를 사용하여 염기서열을 결정하였다. 클론닝된 cDNA는 153개의 아미노산을 포함하고 있는 하나의 open reading frame (ORF)을 가셨다. 중합효소연쇄반응에 의해 이때 증폭된 SOD1 구조유전자를 $\lambda P_{L}$ 프로모터를 포함하고 있는 발현 벡터 pUPL에 옮긴 후 대장균에서 대량으로 발현시켰다. 이때 발현된 단백질 SOD1은 고유의 효소활성을 가지고 있었다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권6호
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• pp.580-586
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• 2015

While increasing evidence indicates the important function of histone methylation during development, how this process influences cardiac development in vertebrates has not been explored. Here, we elucidate the functions of two histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methylation enzymes, SMYD3 and SETD7, during zebrafish heart morphogenesis using gene expression profiling by whole mount in situ hybridization and antisense morpholino oligonucleotide (MO)-based gene knockdown. We find both smyd3 and setd7 are highly expressed within developing zebrafish heart and knock-down of these genes led to severe defects in cardiac morphogenesis without altering the expressions pattern of heart markers, including cmlc2, vmhc, and amhc. Furthermore, double knock-down by coinjection of smyd3 and setd7 MOs caused the synergistic defects in heart development. As similar to knock-down effect, overexpression of these genes also caused the heart morphogenesis defect in zebrafish. These results indicate that histone modifying enzymes, SMYD3 and SETD7, appear to function synergistically during heart development and their proper functioning is essential for normal heart morphogenesis during development.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.143-151
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• 2004

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are capable of degrading extracellular matrix, a process that is necessary for angiogenesis, tumor invasion and metastasis. Platelet-activating factor (PAP) increases angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis through nuclear factor (NF)-$\kappa$B activation. Based on these facts, the involvement of MMPs in PAF-induced pulmonary metastasis was investigated in murine sarcoma cells, MMSV-BALB/3T3. Messenger RNA expression and enzymatic activity of MMP-9 were assessed by RT-PCR and zymography, and cell migration and metastasis were done for the detection of MMP-9 functional activity. PAP induced mRNA expression and enzymatic activity of MMP-9, and its effects were either inhibited by the PAP antagonist, WEB 2170 or by the NF-$\kappa$B inhibitor, parthenolide, or p65 antisense oligonucleotide in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, PAF induced promoter activity of MMP-9, which was inhibited by WEB 2170, phenanthroline, NAC, PDTC. These results indicate that PAF induces mRNA expression and enzymatic activity of MMP-9 in NF-$\kappa$B dependent manner. Cell migration assay showed that PAF induced MMSV-BALB/3T3 migration, and its effect was significantly inhibited by treatment with phenanthroline. PAF enhanced pulmonary metastasis of murine sarcoma cells, MMSV-BALB/3T3 was also reduced by phenanthroline. These results suggest that PAF-enhanced cell migration and pulmonary metastasis is mediated through the expression of MMP. In conclusion, It is suggested that PAF enhances pulmonary metastasis by inducing MMP-9 expression via the activation of NF-$\kappa$B.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.323-330
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• 2004

Estrogen may promote osteoblast/osteocyte viability by limiting apoptotic cell death. We hypothesize that hsp27 is an estrogen- regulated protein that can promote osteoblast viability by increasing osteoblast resistance to apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of estrogen treatment and heat shock on $TNF{\alpha}$ - induced apoptosis in the MC3T3-E1 cell line. Cells were treated with 0 - 100 nM $17{\beta}$ estradiol (or ICI 182780) for 0 - 24 hours before heat shock. After recovery, apoptosis was induced by treatment with 0 - 10 ng/ml TNF${\alpha}$. Hsp levels were evaluated by Northern and Western analysis using hsp27, hsp47, hsp70c and hsp70i - specific reagents. Apoptosis was revealed by in situ labeling with Terminal Deoxyribonucleotide Transferase (TUNEL). A 5 - fold increase in hsp27 protein and mRNA was noted after 5 hours of treatment with 10 - 20 nM $17{\beta}$ estradiol prior to heat shock. Increased abundance of hsp47, hsp70c or hsp70i was not observed. TUNEL indicated that estrogen treatment also reduced (50%) MC3T3-E1 cell susceptibility to $TNF{\alpha}$ - induced apoptosis. Treatment with hsp27-specific antisense oligonucleotides prevented hsp27 protein expression and abolished the protective effects of heat shock and estrogen treatment on $TNF{\alpha}$- induced apoptosis. Hsp27 is a determinant of osteoblast apoptosis, and estrogen treatment increases hsp27 levels in cultured osteoblastic cells. Hsp27 contributes to the control of osteoblast apoptosis and may be manipulated by estrogenic or alternative pathways for the improvement of bone mass.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제28권6호
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• pp.521-527
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• 2009

Previously, we have reported tissue- and stage-specific expression of miR-372 in human embryonic stem cells and so far, not many reports speculate the function of this microRNA (miRNA). In this study, we screened various human cancer cell lines including gastric cancer cell lines and found first time that miR-372 is expressed only in AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line. Inhibition of miR-372 using antisense miR-372 oligonucleotide (AS-miR-372) suppressed proliferation, arrested the cell cycle at G2/M phase, and increased apoptosis of AGS cells. Furthermore, AS-miR-372 treatment increased expression of LATS2, while over-expression of miR-372 decreased luciferase reporter activity driven by the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) of LATS2 mRNA. Over-expression of LATS2 induced changes in AGS cells similar to those in AGS cells treated with AS-miR-372. Taken together, these findings demonstrate an oncogenic role for miR-372 in controlling cell growth, cell cycle, and apoptosis through down-regulation of a tumor suppressor gene, LATS2.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제37권11호
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• pp.777-784
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• 2014

Epidemiologic studies have shown that low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a strong risk factor, whilst high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) reduces the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Therefore, strategies to manage dyslipidemia in an effort to prevent or treat CHD have primarily attempted at decreasing LDL-C and raising HDL-C levels. Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) mediates the exchange of cholesteryl ester for triglycerides between HDL and VLDL and LDL. We have published the first report indicating that a group of Japanese patients who were lacking CETP had extremely high HDL-C levels, low LDL-C levels and a low incidence of CHD. Animal studies, as well as clinical and epidemiologic evidences, have suggested that inhibition of CETP provides an effective strategy to raise HDL-C and reduce LDL-C levels. Four CETP inhibitors have substantially increased HDL-C levels in dyslipidemic patients. This review will discuss the current status and future prospects of CETP inhibitors in the treatment of CHD. At present anacetrapib by Merck and evacetrapib by Eli Lilly are under development. By 100mg of anacetrapib HDL-C increased by 138%, and LDL-C decreased by 40%. Evacetrapib 500 mg also showed dramatic 132% increase of HDL-C, while LDL-C decreased by 40%. If larger, long-term, randomized, clinical end point trials could corroborate other findings in reducing atherosclerosis, CETP inhibitors could have a significant impact in the management of dyslipidemic CHD patients. Inhibition of CETP synthesis by antisense oligonucleotide or small molecules will produce more similar conditions to human CETP deficiency and may be effective in reducing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events. We are expecting the final data of prospective clinical trials by CETP inhibitors in 2015.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.13-25
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• 1999

P. endodontalis which was known to be associated with the infected root canals and periapical lesions is very difficult to detect by culture methods or traditional methods. Detection of bacteria using polymerase chain reaction(PCR) for 16S ribosomal DNA(rDNA) is fast, simple, and accurate with relatively small amount of target cells. 16S rDNA consist of conserved regions those are same to all species, and variable regions which represent species specificity. The 16S rDNA sequences of P. endodontalis and P. gingivalis were aligned and two highly variable regions were selected as a pair of species specific oligonucleotide primers for P. endodontalis. And then the pair of primers for PCR amplification was synthesized to identify P. endodontalis. The sequences of the species specific primers for the 16S rDNA of P. endodontalis were as follows ; sense primer[endo1]: 5'-CTATATTCTTCTTTCTCCGCATGGAGGAGG-3' antisense primer[endo2]: 5'-GCATACCTTCGGTCTCCTCTAGCATAT-3' In this study, for the identification of P. endodontalis without culture from the mixed clinical samples, PCR was done with species specific primers for the 16S rDNA sequences of P. endodontalis. The results were as follows : 1. The species specificity of the primers for the 16S rDNA of P. endodntalis was determined by the PCR methods. About 490bp amplicon which was specific only for P. endodntalis was produced with P. endodontalis. No amplicon was produced by PCR with other strains similar to P. endodontalis. 2. The synthesized species specific primers reacted with conventionally identified P. endodontalis which we have in conservative dentistry laboratory. 3. The identification of P. endodontalis using PCR technique with samples collected from infected root canals or periapical lesions was more sensitive than that of culture methods. 4. Seven samples revealed including P. endodontalis by PCR technique. Five of them were related with pains, two of them with sinus tract, three of them with foul odor, and three of them with purulent drainage. P. endodontalis was shown to have great relation with pains.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.1-5
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• 2007

Dietary flavonoids have antioxidant and antitumor promoting effects. Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) is a flavonoid-rich herbal medicine and has long been used as a food additive and an antitumor agent in Korea. Previous study demonstrated that a purified flavonoid fraction prepared from RVS, herein named RCMF (the RVS chloroform-methanol fraction), exhibited growth inhibition and induced apoptosis in human osteosarcoma(HOS) cells. This study evaluated if p53-mediated pathway is associated with the RCMF-induced apoptosis in HOS cells. RCMF was shown to be capable of inducing apoptosis of the cells, as expected, and transparently increased p53 expression in the cells. However, the RCMF-induced cytotoxicity was suppressed by transfecting the cells with antisense p53 oligonucleotide, which also inhibited the decrease of Bcl-2 and the increase of Bax in mitochondria, and the release of cytochrome c into cytosol. This finding suggests that p53-mediated mitochondrial stress is required for RCMF-induced apoptosis in HOS cells.