• Molecules and Cells
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• 제39권6호
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• pp.495-500
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• 2016

We have solved the crystal structure of a predicted fructose-specific enzyme $IIB^{fruc}$ from Escherichia coli ($EcEIIB^{fruc}$) involved in the phosphoenolpyruvate-carbohydrate phosphotransferase system transferring carbohydrates across the cytoplasmic membrane. $EcEIIB^{fruc}$ belongs to a sequence family with more than 5,000 sequence homologues with 25-99% amino-acid sequence identity. It reveals a conventional Rossmann-like ${\alpha}-{\beta}-{\alpha}$ sandwich fold with a unique ${\beta}$-sheet topology. Its C-terminus is longer than its closest relatives and forms an additional ${\beta}$-strand whereas the shorter C-terminus is random coil in the relatives. Interestingly, its core structure is similar to that of enzyme $IIB^{cellobiose}$ from E. coli ($EcIIB^{cel}$) transferring a phosphate moiety. In the active site of the closest $EcEIIB^{fruc}$ homologues, a unique motif CXXGXAHT comprising a P-loop like architecture including a histidine residue is found. The conserved cysteine on this loop may be deprotonated to act as a nucleophile similar to that of $EcIIB^{cel}$. The conserved histidine residue is presumed to bind the negatively charged phosphate. Therefore, we propose that the catalytic mechanism of $EcEIIB^{fruc}$ is similar to that of $EcIIB^{cel}$ transferring phosphoryl moiety to a specific carbohydrate.

• Plant Biotechnology Reports
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• 제3권3호
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• pp.213-223
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• 2009

Lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) are widely distributed in the plant kingdom, but their functions remain elusive. The proteins AlLTP2-4 were isolated from three related Allium plants: garlic (A. sativum L.), Welsh onion (A. fistulosum L.), and Nanking shallot (A. ascalonicum L.). These novel proteins comprise a new class of LTPs associated with the Ace-AMP1 from onion (A. cepa L.). The AlLTP genes encode proteins harboring 132 common amino acids and also share a high level of sequence identity. Protein characteristics and phylogenetic analysis suggest that LTPs could be classified into five distinct groups. The AlLTPs were clustered into the most distantly related plant LTP subfamily and appeared to be restricted to the Allium species. In particular, the number of amino acids existing between the fourth and fifth Cys residue was suggested as a conserved motif facilitating the categorization of all the LTP-related proteins in the family. Unlike other LTPs, AlLTPs harboring both the putative C-terminal propeptide and N-terminal signal peptide were predicted to be localized to cytoplasmic vacuoles. When a chimeric GFP protein fused with both N-terminal and C-terminal AlLTP2 signal peptides was expressed in rice cells, the fluorescence signal was detected in the endomembrane compartments, thereby confirming that AlLTPs are an unprecedented intracellular type of LTP. Collectively, our present data demonstrate that AlLTPs are a novel type of LTP associated with the Allium species.

• 한국전통의학지
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.77-82
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• 2006

Lavandula vera is indispensable member of the herb family, used for perfumes and potpourri. Androgens have profound effects on the physiology of the sebaceous gland. Sebum is secreted due to the effect of androgen, which starts to be secreted at puberty. Using the human sebocyte cell line SZ95. the author investigated the inhibitory effect of Lavandula vera on the lipid production. Light microscopic finding were examined numerous cytoplasmic lipid droplets SZ95 cells by Oil red staining and lipid droplets were increased markedly by testosterone. On the other hand, combined treatment with Lavandula vera and testosterone resulted in a lower lipid droplets than with testosterone alone in a dose-dependent manner. These findings indicate that Lavandula vera acts antagonistically to testosterone and inhibits the lipid synthesis of SZ95 cells at the cellular level.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.13-25
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• 2021

Apoptosis and compensatory proliferation, two intertwined cellular processes essential for both development and adult homeostasis, are often initiated by the mis-regulation of centrosomal proteins, damaged DNA, and defects in mitosis. Fly Anastral spindle 3 (Ana3) is a member of the pericentriolar matrix proteins and known as a key component of centriolar cohesion and basal body formation. We report here that ana3m19 is a suppressor of lethality induced by the overexpression of Sol narae (Sona), a metalloprotease in a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin motif (ADAMTS) family. ana3m19 has a nonsense mutation that truncates the highly conserved carboxyl terminal region containing multiple Armadillo repeats. Lethality induced by Sona overexpression was completely rescued by knockdown of Ana3, and the small and malformed wing and hinge phenotype induced by the knockdown of Ana3 was also normalized by Sona overexpression, establishing a mutually positive genetic interaction between ana3 and sona. p35 inhibited apoptosis and rescued the small wing and hinge phenotype induced by knockdown of ana3. Furthermore, overexpression of Ana3 increased the survival rate of irradiated flies and reduced the number of dying cells, demonstrating that Ana3 actively promotes cell survival. Knockdown of Ana3 decreased the levels of both intra- and extracellular Sona in wing discs, while overexpression of Ana3 in S2 cells dramatically increased the levels of both cytoplasmic and exosomal Sona due to the stabilization of Sona in the lysosomal degradation pathway. We propose that one of the main functions of Ana3 is to stabilize Sona for cell survival and proliferation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.165-174
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• 2022

As the mechanism underlying glucose metabolism regulation by oxymatrine is unclear, this study investigated the effects of oxymatrine on pyroptosis in INS-1 cells. Flow cytometry was employed to examine cell pyroptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Cell pyroptosis was also investigated via transmission electron microscopy and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Protein levels were detected using western blotting and interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 secretion by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The caspase-1 activity and DNA-binding activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 protein (Nrf2) were also assessed. In the high glucose and high fat-treated INS-1 cells (HG + PA), the caspase-1 activity and LDH content, as well as Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3, Gsdmd-N, caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD, IL-1β, and IL-18 levels were increased. Moreover, P65 protein levels increased in the nucleus but decreased in the cytoplasm. Oxymatrine attenuated these effects and suppressed high glucose and high fat-induced ROS production. The increased levels of nuclear Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the HG + PA cells were further elevated after oxymatrine treatment, whereas cytoplasmic Nrf2 and Keleh-like ECH-associated protein levels decreased. Additionally, the elevated transcriptional activity of p65 in HG + PA cells was reduced by oxymatrine, whereas that of Nrf2 increased. The results indicate that the inhibition of pyroptosis in INS-1 cells by oxymatrine, a key factor in its glucose metabolism regulation, involves the suppression of the NF-κB pathway and activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.7.1-7.11
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• 2023

The gram-positive bacterium Listeria monocytogenes is an important foodborne intracellular pathogen that is widespread in the environment. The functions of hypothetical proteins (HP) from various pathogenic bacteria have been successfully annotated using a variety of bioinformatics strategies. In this study, a HP Imo0888 (NP_464414.1) from the Listeria monocytogenes EGD-e strain was annotated using several bioinformatics tools. Various techniques, including CELLO, PSORTb, and SOSUIGramN, identified the candidate protein as cytoplasmic. Domain and motif analysis revealed that the target protein is a PemK/MazF-like toxin protein of the type II toxin-antitoxin system (TAS) which was consistent with BLASTp analysis. Through secondary structure analysis, we found the random coil to be the most frequent. The Alpha Fold 2 Protein Structure Prediction Database was used to determine the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the HP using the template structure of a type II TAS PemK/MazF family toxin protein (DB ID_AFDB: A0A4B9HQB9) with 99.1% sequence identity. Various quality evaluation tools, such as PROCHECK, ERRAT, Verify 3D, and QMEAN were used to validate the 3D structure. Following the YASARA energy minimization method, the target protein's 3D structure became more stable. The active site of the developed 3D structure was determined by the CASTp server. Most pathogens that harbor TAS create a crucial risk to human health. Our aim to annotate the HP Imo088 found in Listeria could offer a chance to understand bacterial pathogenicity and identify a number of potential targets for drug development.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제45권2호
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• pp.183-191
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• 2002

목 적 : 본 연구에서는 임상적으로 XLA로 진단받고 현재 치료 중인 한가족 3명 환아의 가계를 대상으로 말초혈액 단핵구의 Btk 단백질 발현과 Btk 유전자 변이를 분석하고자 하였다. 방 법 : 환아 말초혈액 단핵구의 Btk 발현도를 항 Btk 항체를 이용한 유세포계측을 통해 분석하고 PCR-SSCP 및 직접 염기서열 분석에 의해 Btk 유전자 변이를 분석하였다. 결 과 : 유세포 계측 및 PCR-SSCP에 의하여 가계내의 환자 3명 및 보인자 4명을 확인하였으며 환아들의 단핵구의 Btk 발현도를 조사한 결과 2.7% 미만으로 건강인에 비해 매우 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 유전자 변이 분석 결과 Btk 유전자 exon 3에서 점돌연변이($T{\rightarrow}C$)가 발견되어 61번째 아미노산의 치환이 일어난 과오돌연변이를 확인할 수 있었다. 동일한 유전형을 지닌 3명의 환아들은 임상적으로 매우 다양한 표현형을 나타내었다. 특히 환아들의 혈청 IgG level이 낮을수록 임상 양상은 심한 소견을 보였다. 결 론 : 본 연구 결과를 종합해 볼 때 임상적으로 XLA로 진단된 환아와 가족에 대한 항 Btk 항체를 이용한 유세포계측 및 PCR-SSCP 방법은 XLA 환아 및 보인자의 진단에 매우 유용하며 신속하게 적용될 수 있는 기법으로 생각된다. 또한 분자유전학 기법을 이용하여 환아의 유전자 변이를 검색한 결과 Btk의 PH 도메인 내 한개의 과오돌연변이를 검색하여 XLA를 최종 확진할 수 있었다.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제45권3호
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• pp.302-310
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• 2002

목 적: 본 연구에서는 임상적으로 XLA로 진단받고 현재 치료 중인 국내 환아 세가족의 네명의 환아와 모친 등을 대상으로 말초혈액 단핵구의 Btk 단백질 발현과 Btk 유전자 변이를 분석하고자 하였다. 방 법: 말초혈액 단핵구의 Btk 발현도를 항 Btk 항체를 이용한 유세포측정을 통해 분석하고 직접 염기서열 분석에 의해 Btk 유전자 변이를 분석하였다. 결 과 : 환아들의 B 림프구의 발현은 2.1% 미만으로 정상인에 비해 매우 저하되어 있었으며 유세포 측정에 의한 환아 단핵구 유래 Btk 단백질 발현도 1.0% 이하로 정상인에 비해 매우 감소되었다. 유전자 변이 분석 결과 XLA 가족 1과 3에서는 각각 intron 18과 intron 1의 짜집기 공여 위치 부위에서 1개의 점 돌연변이가 발견되었으며 cDNA상 짜집기 오류 현상을 야기하였다. 그리고 XLA 가족 2의 경우 exon 10을 포함하는 980 bp의 유전자 결손(intron 9＋191T부터 intron 10-215C까지)이 발견되었으며 세계적으로 처음 보고되는 새로운 유전자 변이였다. 또한 가족 2의 경우 가족 중 환아에서 만 Btk 단백질 결핍 및 유전자 변이를 진단하여 국내 XLA의 환아 중 최초의 산발적인 발병 양상을 확인하였다. 결 론: 본 연구 결과를 종합해 볼 때 임상적으로 XLA로 진단된 환아와 가족에 대한 항 Btk 항체를 이용한 유세포측정 방법은 XLA 환아 및 보인자의 진단에 매우 유용한 방법으로 생각된다. 또한 분자유전학 기법을 이용하여 Btk의 noncoding region을 포함한 광범위한 유전자 영역의 염기서열 분석을 시행한 결과 새로운 1개의 유전자 결손 및 2개의 점돌연변이에 의한 짜집기 오류를 확인하여 XLA를 최종 확진할 수 있었다.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.107-113
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• 2005

[ $BARODON^{(R)}$ ] is a multi-purpose, high functional alkali solution made by mixing and liquid-ionizing silicon, calcium, sodium, borax, organic carbon chemicals and silver. In this study, we have investigated the apoptotic potential and mechanistic insights of $BARODON^{(R)}$ in human gastric cancer cell line (AGS cells). In MTT assay, $BARODON^{(R)}$ reduced cell viability in AGS cells. Morphological features of apoptosis with marked cytoplasmic vacuolation and appearance of apoptotic peaks in flow cytometry were observed in AGS cells with$BARODON^{(R)}$ treatment. In addition, $BARODON^{(R)}$ induced apoptosis of stomach cancer cell is related to bax up-regulation, caspase 7 protease activation and subsequent cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). These results suggest that BARODON can induce the apoptosis of AGS cells through modulation of bcl-2 family and the activation of intrinsic caspase cascades, indicating that it is potentially useful as a anti-cancer agent.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.411-419
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• 2002

사람의 위암 조직을 미세구조와 metallothionein (MT)에 대한 면역 조직 및 세포화학적 방법으로 조사하였던 바, 다음과 같은 결과를 얻어냈다. 위암 세포들은 핵 세포질비가 정상세포에 비해 크고, 불규칙한 핵과 이질염색질의 분포가 증가하였으며, 세포질내에서 유리리보솜의 분포가 뚜렷이 증가하였다. 면역 조직 및 세포화학적 방법으로 MT의 발현을 조사하였던 결과, 이 단백질은 위암조직의 암세포에서 반응성이 높게 나타났으며, 주로 핵 부위에 집중되는 경향을 보였으며, 특히 이질염색질과 인 부위에서 면역 금입자들이 주로 분포하는 것으로 관찰되었다. 이러한 결과들은 위암 세포의 미세구조가 미분화세포들이 나타내는 일반적인 특징과 비교되었으며, 위암 세포에서 MT가 증가하는 현상은 이 단백질이 세포질에서 합성되어 핵내로 수송된 후, 세포 증식을 위한 전사과정에 관여할 것임을 시사하는 것이다.