• BMB Reports
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• 제42권12호
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• pp.788-793
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• 2009

TLX2 is an orphan homeodomain transcription factor whose expression is mainly associated with tissues derived from neural crest cells. Recently, we have demonstrated that PHOX2A and PHOX2B are able to enhance the neural cell-type specific expression of human TLX2 by binding distally the 5' -flanking region. In the present work, to deepen into the TLX2 transcription regulation, we have focused on the proximal 5'-flanking region of the gene, mapping the transcription start site and identifying a minimal promoter necessary and sufficient for the basal transcription in cell lines from different origin. Site-directed mutagenesis has allowed to demonstrate that the integrity of this sequence is crucial for gene expression, while electrophoretic mobility shift assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments have revealed that such an activity is dependent on the binding of a PBX factor. Consistent with these findings, such a basal promoter activity has resulted to be enhanced by the previously reported PHOX2-responding sequence.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.379-384
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• 2012

Lhx8 (LIM homeobox 8) gene encodes a LIM homeodomain transcriptional regulator that is preferentially expressed in germ cells and critical for mammalian folliculogenesis. However, Lhx8 DNA binding sequences are not characterized yet. We aimed to identify and characterize a cis-acting sequence of germ-cell specific transcriptional factor, Lhx8. To identify Lhx8 DNA binding element, Cyclic Amplification of Sequence Target (CAST) Analysis was performed. Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) was processed for the binding specificity of Lhx8. Luciferase assay was for the transcriptional activity of Lhx8 through identified DNA binding site. We identified a putative cis-acting sequence, TGATTG as Lhx8 DNA binding element (LBE). In addition, Lhx8 binds to the LBE with high affinity and augments transcriptional activity of luciferase reporter driven by artificial promoter containing the Lhx8 binding element. These findings indicate that Lhx8 directly regulates the transcription of genes containing Lhx8 binding element in oocytes during early folliculogenesis.

• BMB Reports
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• 제32권6호
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• pp.594-598
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• 1999

The Jun and Fos families of eukaryotic transcription factors form heterodimers capable of binding to their cognate DNA enhancer elements. We are interested in searching for inhibitors or antagonists of the binding of the Jun-Fos heterodimer to the activator protein-1 (AP-1) site. The basic-region leucine zipper (bZIP) domain of c-Fos was expressed as a fusion protein with glutathione S-transferase, and allowed to form a heterodimer with the bZIP domain of c-Jun. The heterodimer was bound to glutathione-agarose, to which were added radiolabeled AP-1 nucleotides. After thorough washing, the gel-bound radioactivity was counted. The assay is faster than the coventional electrophoretic mobility shift assay because the gel electrophoresis step and the autoradiography step are eliminated. Moreover, the assay is very sensitive, allowing the detection of picomolar quantities of nucleotides, and is not affected by up to 50% dimethylsulfoxide, a solvent for hydrophobic inhibitors. Curcumin and dihydroguaiaretic acid, recently known inhibitors of Jun-Fos-DNA complex formation, were applied to this Jun-GST-fused Fos system and revealed to decrease the dimer-DNA binding.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.103-107
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• 2006

We demonstrate that paclitaxel, an antitumor agent derived from yew tree, inhibits LPS-induced expression of iNOS gene in RAW 264.7 cells. Previously, paclitaxel has been known to induce iNOS gene expression in macrophages. However, in this report we described that the pre-treatment of macrophages with paclitaxel ($0.1{\mu}M$) for 8 h inhibited LPS-induced iNOS gene expression. Pretreatment of RAW 264.7 cells with paclitaxel significantly inhibited LPS-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production. Western immunoblot of iNOS and RT-PCR analysis showed that the decrease of NO was due to the inhibition of iNOS gene expression in RAW 264.7 cells. Immunocytochemical staining of iNOS further confirmed that pretreatment of macrophages with paclitaxel inhibited macrophage activation. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that paclitaxel inhibited $NF-_{\kappa}/Rel$ DNA binding. Collectively, these series of experiments indicate that paclitaxel inhibits iNOS gene expression by blocking $NF-_{\kappa}B/Rel$ activation.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.64-72
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• 2000

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) on the apoptosis induced by withdrawal of neurotrophic support. Methods : PCl2 pheochromocytoma cells have been used extensively as a model for studying the cellular and molecular effects of neuronal cells. The viability of cells was measured by MTT assay. We used DNA fragmentation and caspase 3-like protease activation assay. Results : The water extract of Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) significantly showed protective effects on serum and glucose deprivation-induced apoptotic death. Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) also prevents DNA fragmentation and caspase 3-like protease activation, representing typical neuronal apoptotic phenomena in PCl2 pheochromocytoma cells and induces tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins around 44 kDa, which was identified as ERK1 with electrophoretic gel mobility shift by Western blot. In addition, MAPK kinase(MEK) inhibitor PD98059 and Ras inactivator, ${\alpha}-hydroxyfarnesylphosphonic$ acid attenuated the neuroprotective effects of Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) in serum-deprived PCl2 cells. Conclusions : These results indicate that Ras/MEK/ERK signaling pathway plays a key role in neuroprotective effects of Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) in serum-deprived PCl2 cells. Taken together, we suggest the possibility that Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) might provide a neurotrophic-like activity in PCl2 cells.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.116-122
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• 2004

Background: LIGHT (TNFSF14) is a member of tumor necrosis factor superfamily and is the ligand for TR2 (TNFRSF14/HVEM). LIGHT is known to have proinflammatory roles in atherosclerosis. Methods: To find out the expression pattern of LIGHT in atherosclerotic plaques, immunohistochemical analysis was performed on human carotid atherosclerotic plaque specimens. LIGHT induced atherogenic events using human monocytic cell line THP-1 were also investigated. Results: Immunohistochemical analysis revealed expression of LIGHT and TR2 in foam cell rich regions in the atherosclerotic plaques. Double immunohistochemical analysis further confirmed the expression of LIGHT in foam cells. Stimulation of THP-1 cells, which express TR2, with either recombinant LIGHT or immobilized anti-TR2 monoclonal antibody induced interleukin-8 and matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-9. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay demonstrated that LIGHT induces nuclear localization of transcription factor, nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$. LIGHT induced activation of MMP-9 is mediated by $NF-{\kappa}B$, since treatment of THP-1 cells with the $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor PDTC (pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate) completely blocked the activation of MMP-9. Conclusion: These data indicate that LIGHT is expressed in foam cells in atherosclerotic plaques and is involved in atherogenesis through activation of pro-atherogenic cytokine IL-8 and destabilization of plaque by inducing matrix degrading enzyme.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제42권2호
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• pp.57-60
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• 2004

A highly specific antigenic protein of 31 kDa from plerocercoid of Spirometra mansoni (sparganum) was obtained by gelatin affinity and Mono Q anion-exchange column chromatography. The purified 31 kDa protein was subjected to N-glycan enzymatic digestion for structural analysis. The relative electrophoretic mobility was analyzed by SDS-PAGE, before and after digestion. On SDS-PAGE after enzymatic digestion, the 31 kDa protein showed a molecular shift of approximately 2 kDa, which indicated the possession of complex N-linked oligosaccharides (N-glycosidase F sensitive) but not of high-mannose oligosaccharides (endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H, non-sensitive). Chemically periodated 31 kDa protein showed statistically non-significant changes with human sparganosis sera by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Therefore, the dominant epitopes of the 31 kDa molecule in human sparganosis were found to be mainly polypeptide, while N-glycans of the antigenic molecule in sparganum was minimal in anti-carbohydrate antibody production.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제6권4호
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• pp.234-240
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• 1996

PKR인산화효소의 억제인자로서 밝혀진 이중선RNA결합단백질 (RBF)의 RNA결합특이성을 정기영도에 의한 RNA 이동변화실험과 여과막결합도실험에 의해 측정하였다. RBF는 바이러스RNA나 stem/loop구조를 지니는 합성 RNA들에 대한 다양한 친화력을 지니는 것으로 나타났으며 충분한 GC가 포함된 11염기쌍으로 이루어진 RNA stem helix RBF가 결합하기 위한 최소한의 RNA구조로 제시되고 있다. 자연적 RNA구조에 대한 RBF의 결합은 poly(I) : poly(C)의 첨가에 의해 반전되었으며 E. coli 5S RNA경우는 효과를 거의 나타내지 않았다.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제2권4호
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• pp.489-493
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• 1998

Various heterodimers of the thyroid hormone receptor (TR) with other nuclear hormone receptors confer a wide range of transcriptional activities on thyroid hormone response elements (TREs) in the presence of the thyroid hormone ($T_3$). The present study analyzed the potential roles of retinoid X receptor (RXR) isoforms $\alpha$ and $\beta$ in $T_3$-mediated transcription on a well characterized TRE, a direct repeat of AGGTCA separated by four nucleo-tides (DR4), using electrophoretic mobility shift assays and transient transfection in CV-1 cells. We demonstrated that RXR$\alpha$ supressed liganded $TR_{\alpha}$-induced transcription while $RXR_{\beta}$ did not although both $TR_{\alpha}/RXR_{\alpha}$ and $TR_{\alpha}/RXR_{\beta}$ heterodimers were the predominant forms bound to the TRE-DR4 in the presence of $T_3$. We further demonstrated using Scatchard analysis that the two heterodimers had similar affinities for the TRE-DR4. All these observations suggest that the TRE-DR4 accomodates different types of TR/RXR heterodimers for a more finely tuned transcriptional response to $T_3$.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.75-80
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• 2012

$Potato$ $virus$ $X$ (PVX) contains $cis$-acting elements including stem-loop 1 (SL1) RNA at the 5' region; SL1 is conserved among all potexviruses. The SL1 at the positive-sense RNA, SL1(+), is required for PVX RNA replication, cell-to-cell movement, and translation. Previous research demonstrated that SL1(+) RNA also serves as the origin of assembly for encapsidation of PVX RNA. To identify the essential sequences and/or regions for capsid protein (CP) subunit recognition within SL1(+) RNA, we used electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA), UV cross-linking, and yeast three-hybrid analyses. The EMSA and UV cross-linking analyses with PVX CP subunits and RNA transcripts corresponding to the SL1(+) RNA showed that the SL1(+) RNA formed complexes with CP subunits. We also conducted EMSA and yeast three-hybrid analyses with RNAs containing various mutations of SL1(+) RNA elements. These analyses indicated that SL1(+) RNA is required for the interaction with PVX CP and that the RNA sequences located at the loop C and tetra loop of the SL1(+) are crucial for CP binding. These results indicate that, in addition to being important for RNA accumulation, the SL1(+) RNA from the 5' region of the PVX genome is also required for specific binding of PVX CP.