• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.319-326
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• 2009

Extracellular ATP elicits diverse physiological effects by binding to the G-protein-coupled P2Y receptors on the plasma membrane. In addition to the short-term effects of extracellular nucleotides on cell functions, there is evidence that such purinergic signalling can have long-term effects on cell proliferation, differentiation and death. The 3T3-L1 cell line derived from mouse embryo is a well-established and commonly utilized in vitro model for adipocytes differentiation and function. However, the distributions and roles of P2Y subtypes are still unknown in the preadipocyte. In this study, we identified the distributions and roles of P2Y subtypes in preadipocyte using $Ca^{2+}$ imaging and realtime PCR. ATP increased the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ in a concentration-dependent manner. ATP increased $Ca^{2+}$ in absence and/or presence of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$. Suramin, non-selective P2Y blocker, largely blocked the ATP-induced $Ca^{2+}$ response. U73122, a PLC inhibitor, completely inhibited $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization in 3T3-L1 cells. The mRNA expression by realtime PCR of P2Y subtypes was $P2Y_2:P2Y_5:P2Y_6=1.0:12.5:0.3$. In conclusion, we showed that $P2Y_5$ receptor is a dominant purinergic receptor in preadipocytes, and multiple P2Y receptors could involve in differentiation and migration via regulating of intracellular calcium concentration.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.151-157
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• 2003

Calretinin is thought to play roles in calcium buttering. Its site of expression has been extensively studied in the central nervous system. We previously reported (Hong et at.,2002, Neurosci. Res.,44: 325-335) calretinin expression in the superficial layers of the cat superior colliculus (SC). In the present study, we studied the distribution of calretinin in the intermediate and deep layers by immunocytochemistry. We found striking differences in calretinin immunoreactivity among the superficial, intermediate, and deep layers. In contrast to the superficial layers, the intermediate and deep layers contained many calretinin-immunoreactive (IR) neurons. They formed two laminar tiers. The first tier, which was very distinctive, was found within the upper intermediate gray layers and formed clusters of labeled neurons in many sections. The second tier of calretinin-IR neurons was found in the deep gray layer. However, the second tier was not distinctive compared to the first tier and the labeled neurons did not form any clusters. Calretinin-IR neurons in the intermediate and deep layers varied dramatically in morphology and included vortical fusiform, pyriform, and stellate neurons. Neurons with varicose dendrites were also labeled. Most of the labeled neurons were small to medium in size. Enucleation appeared to have no effect on the distribution of calretinin immunoreactivity in the contralateral intermediate and deep layers of the SC. The results indicate that calretinin is present in various neurons, at different locations. These results should be applicable for better understanding of the functional organization of the SC.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.343-348
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• 1995

Human lipocorin-I(LCI) is a calcium ion-dependent and phospholipid-binding protein which exhibits an anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting phospholipase A2 activity. In this study, the LCI gene containing its own terminator region was joined to GAL10 promoter-ppL (prepro-leader sequence of mating factor a). An ATG start codon of LCI gene was placed at downstream with KR endoprotease recognition site(Lys-Arg) of ppL. Recombinant S. cerevisiae harboring the LCI expression/secretion vector, pYGLPT5, was aerobicall grown on a liquid YPDG medium al $30^{\circ}C$ for 72hys. The whole cell and culture supernatant were separated after centrifugation, and the expressed LCI was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and western blotting methods. A majority fraction of the expressed LCI was found to be accumulated in the intracellular fraction, resulting in very low secretion efficiency of about 7.4%. About $500mg/\ell$ of LCI was extracellularly produced by the fed-batch culture employing the controlledfeeding of glucose and galactose. The secreted LCI was purified by ultrafiltration and hydroxylapatite column chromatography, and a purity of more than 99% was obtained.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.387-395
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• 2022

Background: Fermentation may alter the bioavailability of certain compounds, which may affect their efficacy and pharmacological responses. This study investigated the antiplatelet effects of red ginseng extract (RGE) and fermented red ginseng extract (FRG). Methods: A rodent model was used to evaluate the antiplatelet and antithrombotic effects of the extracts. Rats were orally fed with human equivalent doses of the extracts for 1 week and examined for various signaling pathways using standard in vivo and ex vivo techniques. Light transmission aggregometry was performed, and calcium mobilization, dense granule secretion, integrin α_IIbβ₃-mediated signaling molecules, cyclic nucleotide signaling events, and various protein molecules were evaluated ex vivo in collagen-stimulated washed platelets. Furthermore, antithrombotic properties were evaluated using a standard acute pulmonary thromboembolism model, and the effects on hemostasis were investigated using rat and mice models. Results: Both RGE and FRG significantly inhibited platelet aggregation, calcium mobilization, and dense granule secretion along with integrin-mediated fibrinogen binding and fibrinogen adhesion. cAMP levels were found to be elevated in RGE-treated rat platelets. Ginseng extracts did not exert any effect on prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time. RGE-treated mice showed significantly better survival under thrombosis than FRG-treated mice, with no effects on hemostasis, whereas FRG-treated mice exhibited a slight increment in bleeding time. Conclusion: Both extracts, especially RGE, are remarkable supplements to maintain cardiovascular health and are potential candidates for the treatment and prevention of platelet-related cardiovascular disorders.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.323-328
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• 2020

Matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), a calcium-dependent zinccontaining collagenase, is involved in the initial degradation of native fibrillar collagen. Tissue necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that is rapidly produced by dermal fibroblasts, monocytes/macrophages, and keratinocytes and regulates inflammation and damaged-tissue remodeling. MMP-1 is induced by TNFα and plays a critical role in tissue remodeling and skin aging processes. However, the regulation of the MMP1 gene by TNFα is not fully understood. We aimed to find additional cis-acting elements involved in the regulation of TNFα-induced MMP1 gene transcription in addition to the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and activator protein 1 (AP1) sites. Assessments of the 5'-regulatory region of the MMP1 gene, using a series of deletion constructs, revealed the requirement of the early growth response protein 1 (EGR-1)-binding sequence (EBS) in the proximal region for proper transcription by TNFα. Ectopic expression of EGR-1, a zinc-finger transcription factor that binds to G-C rich sequences, stimulated MMP1 promoter activity. The silencing of EGR-1 by RNA interference reduced TNFα-induced MMP-1 expression. EGR-1 directly binds to the proximal region and transactivates the MMP1 gene promoter. Mutation of the EBS within the MMP1 promoter abolished EGR-1-mediated MMP-1 promoter activation. These data suggest that EGR-1 is required for TNFα-induced MMP1 transcriptional activation. In addition, we found that all three MAPKs, ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 kinase, mediate TNFα-induced MMP-1 expression via EGR-1 upregulation. These results suggest that EGR-1 may represent a good target for the development of pharmaceutical agents to reduce inflammation-induced MMP-1 expression.

• Oncology Letters
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.3464-3474
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• 2019

The EF-hand calcium binding protein tescalcin (TESC) is highly expressed in various human and mouse cancer tissues and is therefore considered a potential oncogene. However, the underlying mechanism that governs TESC expression remains unclear. Emerging evidence suggests that TESC expression is under epigenetic regulation. In the present study, the relationship between the epigenetic modification and gene expression of TESC in gastric cancer was investigated. To evaluate the relationship between the methylation and expression of TESC in gastric cancer, the methylation status of CpG sites in the TESC promoter was analyzed using microarray with the Illumina Human Methylation27 BeadChip (HumanMethylation27_270596_v.1.2), gene profiles from the NCBI Dataset that revealed demethylated status were acquired, and real-time methylation-specific PCR (MSP) in gastric cancer cells was conducted. In the present study, it was demonstrated that the hypermethylation of TESC led to the downregulation of TESC mRNA/protein expression. In addition, 5-aza-2c-deoxycytidine (5'-aza-dC) restored TESC expression in the tested gastric cancer cells except for SNU-620 cells. ChIP assay further revealed that the methylation of the TESC promoter was associated with methyl-CpG binding domain protein (MBD)1, histone deacetylase (HDAC)2, and Oct-1 and that treatment with 5'-aza-dC facilitated the dissociation of MBD1, HDAC2, and Oct-1 from the promoter of TESC. Moreover, silencing of TESC increased MBD1 expression and decreased the H3K4me2/3 level, thereby causing transcriptional repression and suppression of cell survival in NCI-N87 cells; conversely, overexpression of TESC downregulated MBD1 expression and upregulated the H3K4me2 level associated with active transcription in SNU-638 cells. These results indicated that the differential expression of TESC via the modification status of the promoter and histone methylation controled cell survival in gastric cancer cells. Overall, the present study provided a novel therapeutic strategy for gastric cancer.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.12-17
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• 2016

Neuroinflammation is one of important allostatic loads contributory to the various psychiatric illness. It is mediated mainly by glial cells, which produce both proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines, and the balance of them determines the inflammatory process in the central nervous system. S100 calcium-binding protein B, which is used as an inflammatory marker is also released by glial cells. In the molecular level, oxidative stress contributes to the neuroinflammation. Their disturbances have been revealed in the psychiatric illness and related with the dysregulation of the glutamatergic and monoaminergic systems. There is a possibility to use them as disease markers. The approach for inflammation using antiinflammatory drugs and antioxidants could be connected to the development of disease-modifying treatments. Also, a searching examination about specific subtypes who are vulnerable to inflammation in the patients is required to confirm their efficacy clearly.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 1996

Effects on feed intake, liveweight gain and economic benefits of supplementing lambs with urea molasses blocks, were studied. Forty eight crossbred lambs were divided into 6 groups and assigned randomly to grazing on native pasture (CONT) or along with supplements of Commercial ration (COM) and urea molasses blocks (UMBs) containing two levels of cement and calcium oxide as a binding agent. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant (p<0.01) differences in dry matter (DMI, g/day), crude protein (CPI, g/day) and metabolizable energy (MEI, MJ/day) intakes. Differences in liveweight gain (LWG, g/day), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and net economic benefit of supplementation were also highly variable. The intake of DM, CP and ME varied from 974 to 1002, 66-70 and 7.6-8.4 in lambs supplemented with UMBs, significantly (p<0.01) greater than 848, 52.5 and 5.6 in lambs supplemented with COM or FCR and net economic benefits (54.3; 57.8; 17.1 and 1.96; 2.4) in lambs supplemented with COM and UMB-2, were CONT or supplemented with UMB-1, UMB-3 and UMB-4 respectively. Factors responsible for differences in feed intake, liveweight gain and economic benefits, are discussed.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.173-186
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• 2003

The transition metal cadmium is a serious occupational and environmental toxin. To inhibit cadmium-induced damage, cells respond by increasing the expression of genes that encode stress-responsive proteins. The metal-regulatory transcription factor 1 (MTF-1) is a key regulator of heavy-metal induced transcription of metallothionein-I and II and other genes in mammals and other metazoans. Transcriptional activation of genes by MTF-1 is mediated through binding to metal-responsive elements in the target gene promoters. Phosphorylation of MTF-1 plays a critical role in the cadmium-inducible transcriptional activation of metallothionein and other responses. Studies using inhibitors indicate that multiple kinases and signal transduction cascades, including those mediated by protein kinase C, tyrosine kinase and casein kinase II, are essential for cadmium-mediated transcriptional activation. In addition, calcium signaling is also involved in regulating metal-activated transcription. In several species, cadmium induces heat shock genes. Recently much progress has been made in elucidating the cellular machinery that regulates this metal-inducible gene expression. This review summarizes these recent advances in understanding the role of some known cadmium-responsive genes and the molecular mechanisms that activate metal-responsive transcription factor, MTF-1.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.219-227
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• 2005

Purkinje cell degeneration (pcd) mice are characterized by death of virtually all cerebellar Purkinje cells by postnatal day 30. In this study, we used DNA microarray analysis to investigate differences in gene expression between the brains of wild type and pcd mice on postnatal day 20, before the appearance of clear-cut phenotypic abnormalities. We identified 300 differentially expressed genes, most of which were involved in metabolic and physiological processes. Among the differentially expressed genes were several calcium binding proteins including calbindin-28k, paravalbumin, matrix gamma-carboxyglutamate protein and synaptotagamins 1 and 13, suggesting the involvement of abnormal $Ca^{2+}$ signaling in the pcd phenotype.