• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권18호
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• pp.8197-8201
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• 2016

Background: To investigate the expression of the fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and its clinical significance. Materials and Methods: The level of expressed FHIT mRNA in peripheral blood from 50 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and in 50 peripheral blood samples from healthy volunteers was measured via RT-PCR. Correlation analyses between FHIT gene expression and clinical characteristics (gender, age, white blood count, immunophenotype of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and percentage of blast cells) of the patients were performed. Results: The FHIT gene was expressed at $2.49{\pm}7.37$ of ALL patients against $14.4{\pm}17.9$ in the healthy volunteers. The difference in the expression levels between ALL patients and healthy volunteers was statistically significant. The rate of gene expression did not significantly vary with immunophenotype subtypes. Gene expression was also found to be correlated with increase of total leukocyte and decrease in platelets, but not with age, gender, immunophenotyping or percentage of blast cells. Conclusions: FHIT gene expression is low in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and could be a useful marker to monitor minimal residual disease. This gene is also a candidate target for the immunotherapy of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.144-151
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• 2014

Increasing the gene copy number has been commonly used to enhance the protein expression level in the yeast Pichia pastoris. However, this method has been shown to be effective up to a certain gene copy number, and a further increase of gene dosage can result in a decrease of expression level. Evidences indicate the gene dosage effect is product-dependent, which needs to be determined when expressing a new protein. Here, we describe a direct detection of the gene dosage effect on protein secretion through expressing the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene under the direction of the ${\alpha}$-factor preprosequence in a panel of yeast clones carrying increasing copies of the EGFP gene (from one to six copies). Directly examined under fluorescence microscopy, we found relatively lower levels of EGFP were secreted into the culture medium at one copy and two copies, substantial improvement of secretion appeared at three copies, plateau happened at four and five copies, and an apparent decrease of secretion happened at six copies. The secretion of EGFP being limiting at four and five copies was due to abundant intracellular accumulation of proteins, observed from the fluorescence image of yeast and confirmed by western blotting, which significantly activated the unfolded protein response indicated by the up-regulation of the BiP (the KAR2 gene product) and the protein disulfide isomerase. This study implies that tagging a reporter like GFP to a specific protein would facilitate a direct and rapid determination of the optimal gene copy number for high-yield expression.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제48권1호
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• pp.1-6
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• 2005

Analysis of chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence implicated treatment of 40 mM NaCl decreased maximal photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) (Fv/Fm), actual quantum yield of PSII (${\Phi}_{PSII}$), and photochemical quenching (qP) in rice, but increased non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). Decreases in Fv/Fm, ${\Phi}_{PSII}$, and qP were significantly alleviated by $30\;{\mu}M$ jasmonic acid (JA), while NPQ increase was enhanced. Transcription levels of antioxidant isoenzyme genes were differentially modulated by NaCl treatment. Expression of cCuZn-SOD2 gene increased, while those of cAPXb, CATb, and CATc genes decreased. JA prevented salt-induced decrease of pCuZn-SOD gene expression, but caused greater decrease in mRNA levels of cAPXa and Chl_tAPX genes. Investigation of vacuolar $Na^+/H^+$ exchanger (NHX2) and 1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (P5CS) gene expressions revealed transcription level of NHX2 gene was increased by JA, regardless of NaCl presence, while that of P5CS gene slightly increased only in co-presence of JA and NaCl. Unlike JA, ${\gamma}$-radiation rarely affected expressions of antioxidant isoenzyme, NHX2, and P5CS genes, except for increase in mRNA level of Chl_tAPX and decrease in that of pCuZn-SOD. These results demonstrate enhanced salt-tolerance in JA-treated rice seedlings may be partly due to high transcription levels of pCuZn-SOD, NHX2, and P5CS genes under salt stress.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.25-39
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• 2010

Background : At high glucose levels in $\beta$-cells, cell viability and insulin secretion are decreased by glucotoxicity. Sopyung-tang(SPT) had an effect on blood glucose level decrease and antioxidant enzyme activities in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Objectives : This study performed a series of experiment to verify the effects of SPT extract on the cell viability, antioxidant enzyme activities, insulin secretion and insulin mRNA expression at hyperglycemic states of RIN-m5F. Methods : After treatment at various concentrations of SPT added to the RIN-m5F cells, cell viability by MTT assay, free radical-scavenging activity, SOD activity and insulin secretion were measured. Additionally, insulin-related gene expression was measured using real-time RT-PCR. Results : Compared to the control group, SPT extract showed considerable effects on RIN-m5F cell viability, DPPH radical-scavenging activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, insulin secretion and insulin-related gene expression. Conclusions : This study showed that SPT extract has an effect on $\beta$-cell cell viability, insulin secretion and insulin-related gene expression. Thus, SPT extract may be used for treatment of diabetes and its complications. Further mechanism studies of SPT seem to be necessary on the glucotoxicity and oxidative stress.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.21-27
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• 2008

The expression of heat shock protein genes (Hsp 70, Hsp 40, Hsp 20.8 and Hsp 20.4) against thermal stress in silkworm Bombyx mori was performed through semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Upon exposure of silkworm to two temperature regimes ($38^{\circ}C$ and $42^{\circ}C$), significant change in the expression of Hsp gene was observed as compared to the control. Hsp 70 and Hsp 40 showed increased expression than the small heat shock protein genes Hsp 20.8 and Hsp 20.4. The Hsp 70 showed increased expression during the recovery period as compared to 1 hr thermal treatments ($38^{\circ}C$/1 hr and $42^{\circ}C$/1 hr). Whereas, Hsp 40, Hsp 20.8 and Hsp 20.4 genes showed higher expression level at initial stages that later gradually decrease during recovery period. Tissue specific expression of Hsp 70 showed variation in the level of expression amongst the tissues. The mid gut and fat body tissues showed higher expression than the cuticle and silk gland tissue. The Hsp 70, Hsp 40 gene expression was analyzed in thermotolerant (Nistari) and thermo susceptible silk worm strain (NB4D2) and results showed significant variation in their expression level. The Nistari showed higher expression of Hsp 70 and Hsp 40 genes than the NB4D2. These findings provide a better understanding of cellular protection mechanisms against environmental stress such as heat shock, as these Hsps are involved in an organism thermotolerance.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.120-125
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• 1995

.betha.-galactosidase activity of Escherichia coli cells containing operon fusion nhaA'-'lacZ was monitored to study the regulation of expression of nhaA gene under various conditions. The expression of the fusion was enhanced only by chemicals containing Na$^{+}$ or Li$^{+}$. This Na$^{+}$ or Li$^{+}$. This Na$^{+}$(Li$^{+}$)-specific enhancement of .betha.-galactosidase activity represented the increase in the rate of synthesis of .betha.-galactosidase rather than the decrease in the breakdown rate. The induction pattern was influenced by copy numbers of the gene. Induction by Na$^{+}$ or Li$^{+}$ was concentration and time dependent, reaching maximum 5-6 fold induction after 2 hours at 0.4-0.5 M for Na$^{+}$ or at 0.25-0.35 M for Li$^{+}$, Although the expression was induced at much lower concentration of Na$^{+}$ at alkaline pH values than at neutral pH in the presence of Na$^{+}$, alkaline pH itself did ot induced the expression of the fusion in the absence of Na$^{+}$. Temperature shift and growth phase of culture did not affect the level of induction.he level of induction.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.85-96
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• 2009

The differentiation of neural precursor cells (NPCs) into neurons and astrocytes is a process that is tightly controlled by complicated and ill-defined gene networks. To extend our knowledge to gene networks, we performed a temporal analysis of gene expression during the differentiation (2, 4, and 8 days) of spinal cord-derived NPCs using oligonucleotide microarray technology. Out of 32,996 genes analyzed, 1878 exhibited significant changes in expression level (fold change>2, p<0.05) at least once throughout the differentiation process. These 1878 genes were classified into 12 groups by k-means clustering, based on their expression patterns. K-means clustering analysis revealed that the genes involved in astrogenesis were categorized into the clusters containing constantly upregulated genes, whereas the genes involved in neurogenesis were grouped to the cluster showing a sudden decrease in gene expression on Day 8. Functional analysis of the differentially expressed genes indicated the enrichment of genes for Pax6- NeuroD signaling.TGFb-SMAD and BMP-SMAD.which suggest the implication of these genes in the differentiation of NPCs and, in particular, key roles for Nova1 and TGFBR1 in the neurogenesis/astrogenesis of mouse spinal cord.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제4권3호
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• pp.190-197
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• 2004

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by chronic synovial inflammation which leads to joint destruction. Gene therapy of RA targets the players of inflammation or articular destruction. However, viral vectors have safety problems and side effects, while non-viral vectors suffer from inefficient gene transfer and fast loss of gene expression. To overcome the limits of non-vial vectors, an EBV-based plasmid which is known to exert prolonged high level gene expression can be used. Methods: pEBVGFP, pEBVIL-10, and pEBVvIL-10 were constructed by cloning GFP, IL-10, and vIL-10 genes into an EBV-based plasmid, respectively. The pGFP was used as a control plasmid. Each constructs were lipofected into HIG-82 rabbit synoviocytes. The expression of GFP was monitored by FACS and confocal microscopy. IL-10 and vIL-10 expressions were measured by ELISA. Results: GFP expression 2 days after transfection was achieved in 33.2% of cells. GFP-expressing cells transfected with pGFP decreased rapidly from 4 days after transfection and disappeared completely by 11 days. Cells transfected with pEBVGFP began to decrease slowly from 4 days. But GFP expression was detected for over 35 days. In addition, HIG-82 cells transfected with pEBVIL-10 ($44.6{\pm}1.5ng/ml$) or pEBVvIL-10 ($51.0{\pm}5.7ng/ml$) secreted these cytokines at high levels. High level cytokine production by hygromycin selection was maintained at least for up to 26 days after transfection. Conclusion: These results suggest that the EBV-based plasmid has a potential to improve non-viral gene transfer system and may be applicable to treat RA without the drawbacks of viral vectors.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.9-19
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• 2007

Objective : The study was done to investigate Scrophularia buergeriana Miquel's effects in the genomic level, by measuring gene expression in hyperthyroid induced rats using cDNA micro array. Methods : Spargue-Dawley rats were separated into three groups(each with 10 rats). Except normal group, the other two groups were treated with Sodium levothyroxine $160{\mu}g$/kg/days for 5 days by oral administration. After 2 hours of the last intake of Sodium levothyroxine on two experimental group, one group was treated Scrophularia buergeriana Miquel extract 1.0g/kg/days for 3 days. The other groups(normal group, administration group) was treated normal saline 1.0g/kg/days for 3 days. Gene expression of hyperthyroid rats were measured after medication of solid extract of Scrophularia buergeriana Miquel with cDNA microarray. Results : In thyroid tissue, the numbers of the genes showed over twice increase and decrease in the control group compared to the normal group were 296, in the Scrophularia buergeriana Miquel administration group compared to the normal group were 859 and in the hypothalamus, the numbers of the genes showed over twice increase and decrease in the control group compared to the normal group were 416, in the Scrophularia buergeriana Miquel administration group compared to the normal group were 391. Conclusion : According to the above results, it is suggested that Scrophulari buergeriana Miquel suppress hyperthyroidism effectively and regulate the gene expression in the thyroid and brain.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제29권10호
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• pp.866-873
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• 2006

When patients with cancers are treated with chemotherapeutic agents a long time, some of the cancer cells develop the multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype. MDR cancer cells are characterized by the overexpression of multidrug resistance1 (MDR1) gene which encodes P-glycoprotein (Pgp), a surface protein of tumor cells that functions to produce an excessive efflux and thereby an insufficient intracellular concentration of chemotherapeutic agents. A variety of studies have sought potent MDR modulators to decrease MDR1 gene expression in cancer cells. Our previous study has shown that curcumin exhibits characteristics of a MDR modulator in KB-V1 multidrug-resistant cells. The aim of this study was to further investigate the effect of curcumin on MDR1 gene expression in patient leukemic cells. The leukemic cells were collected from 78 childhood leukemia patients admitted at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand, in the period from July 2003 to February 2005. There were 61 cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), 14 cases of acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML), and 3 cases of chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML). There were 47 males and 31 females ranging from 1 to 15 years old. Bone marrows were collected. The leukemic cells were separated and cultured in the presence or absence of $10{\mu}M$ curcumin for 48 hours. MDR1 mRNA levels were determined by RT-PCR. It was found that curcumin reduced MDR1 gene expression in the cells from 33 patients (42%). Curcumin affected the MDR1 gene expression in 5 of 11 relapsed cases (45%), 10 of 26 cases of drug maintenance (38%), 7 of 18 cases of completed treatment (39%), and 11 of 23 cases of new patients (48%). The expression levels of MDR1 gene in leukemic patient cells as compared to that of KB-V1 cells were classified as low level (1-20%) in 5 of 20 cases (25%), medium level (21-60%) in 14 of 32 cases (44%), and high level (61-100%) in 14 of 20 cases (70%). In summary, curcumin decreased MDR1 mRNA level in patient leukemic cells, especially in high level of MDR1 gene groups. Thus, curcumin treatment may provide a lead for clinical treatment of leukemia patients in the future.