• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6533-6535
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• 2013

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new type of tumor biomarker, eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2), in serum for the early diagnosis, confirmative diagnosis as well as assessment of treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: 130 patients with NSCLC and 50 healthy individuals undergoing physical examination in our hospital provided the observation and healthy control groups. An enzyme linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) method was applied to determine serum eEF2 levels. Serum neuron specific enolase (NSE) and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) levels in the observation group were assessed with an automatic biochemical analyzer. Results: The median levels of eEF2 in the serum of NSCLC patients was found to be significantly higher than the healthy control group (p < 0.01) and it was markedly higher in stages III, IV than stages I, II (p < 0.05). eEF2 was higher with tumor size ${\geq}2$ cm than <2 cm (P< 0.01). Furthermore, two weeks after surgery patients showed a significant trend for eEF2 decrease (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) has certain clinical values for early diagnosis, verification, and prognosis as well as classification of lung cancer patients.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.294-301
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• 2006

We have previously reported that phosphorylation of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) is related to the differentiation of chick embryonic muscle cells in culture. In the present study, we found that eEF2 phosphorylation declined shortly after induction of differentiation of L6 myoblasts, when the cells prepare for terminal differentiation by withdrawing from the cell cycle. This decrease in phosphorylation was prevented by inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) that strongly inhibit myoblast differentiation. We hypothesized that PI3-kinase plays an important role in myoblast differentiation by regulating eEF2 phosphorylation in the early stages of differentiation. To test this hypothesis, myoblasts were synchronized at in $G_2/M$ and cultured in fresh differentiation medium (DM) or growth medium (GM). In DM the released cells accumulated in $G_0$/$G_1$ while in GM they progressed to S phase. In addition, cyclin D1 was more rapidly degraded in DM than in GM, and eEF2 phosphorylation decreased more. Inhibitors of PI3-kinase increased eEF2 phosphorylation, but PI3-kinase became more activated when eEF2 phosphorylation declined. These results suggest that the regulation of L6 myoblast differentiation by PI3-kinase is related to eEF2 phosphorylation.

• BMB Reports
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 2000

Phosphorylation of the eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF-2) blocks the elongation step of translation and stops overall protein synthesis. Although the overall rate of protein synthesis in mitosis reduces to 20% of that in S phase, it is unclear how the protein translation procedure is regulated during the cell cycle, especially in the stage of peptide elongation. To delineate the regulation of the elongation step through eEF-2 function, the changes in phosphorylation of eEF-2, and in activity of corresponding $Ca^{2+}$/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein kinase III (CaMK-III) during the cell cycle of NIH 3T3 cells, were determined. The in vivo level of phosphorylated eEF-2 showed an 80% and 40% increase in the cells arrested at G1 and M, respectively. The activity of CaMK-III also changed in a similar pattern, more than a 2-fold increase when arrested at G1 and M. The activity change of the kinase during one turn of the cell cycle also demonstrated the activation at G1 and M phases. The activity change of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) was reciprocal to that of CaMK-III. These results indicated: (1) the activity of CaMK-III was cell cycle-dependent and (2) the level of eEF-2 phosphorylation followed the kinase activity change. Therefore, the elongation step of protein synthesis might be cell cycle dependently regulated.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.147-154
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• 2010

It is well-established that phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) regulates myogenesis by inducing transcription of myogenin, a key muscle regulatory factor, at the initiation of myoblast differentiation. In this study, we investigated the role of PI3-kinase in cells that have committed to differentiation. PI3-kinase activity increases during myogenesis, and this increase is sustained during the myogenic process; however, its function after the induction of differentiation has not been investigated. We show that LY294002, a PI3-kinase inhibitor, blocked myoblast fusion even after myogenin expression initially increased. In contrast to the inhibitory effects of LY294002 on myogenin mRNA levels during the initiation of differentiation, LY294002 blocked the accumulation of myogenin protein without affecting its mRNA level after differentiation was induced. Treatment with cycloheximide, a translation inhibitor, or actinomycin D, a transcription inhibitor, indicated that the stability of myogenin protein is lower than that of its mRNA. LY294002 inhibited the activities of several important translation factors, including eukaryotic elongation factor-2(eEF2), by altering their phosphorylation status. In addition, LY294002 blocked the incorporation of [$^{35}S$]methionine into newly synthesized proteins. Since myogenin has a relatively short half-life, LY294002-mediated inhibition of post-transcriptional processes resulted in a rapid depletion of myogenin protein. In summary, these results suggest that PI3-kinase plays an important role in regulating the expression of myogenin through post-transcriptional mechanisms after differentiation has been induced.

• BMB Reports
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.227-232
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• 2012

In vertebrates, there are two variants of eukaryotic peptide elongation factor 1A (eEF1A; formerly eEF-$1{\alpha}$), eEF1A1 and eEF1A2, which have three well-conserved domains ($D_I$, $D_{II}$, and $D_{III}$). In neurons, eEF1A1 is the embryonic type, which is expressed during embryonic development as well as the first two postnatal weeks. In the present study, EGFP-tagged eEF1A1 truncates were expressed in cortical neurons isolated from rat embryo (E18-19). Live cell images of transfected neurons showed that $D_{III}$-containing EGFP-fusion proteins (EGFP-$D_{III}$, -$D_{II-III}$, -$D_{I-III}$) formed clusters that were confined within somatodendritic domains, while $D_{III}$-missing ones (EGFP-$D_I$, -$D_{II}$, -$D_{I-II}$) and control EGFP were homogeneously dispersed throughout the neuron including axons. In dendrites, EGFP-$D_{III}$ was targeted to the heads of spine- and filopodia-like protrusions, where it was colocalized with $SynGAP{\alpha}$, a postsynaptic marker. Our data indicate that $D_{III}$ of eEF1A1 mediates formation of clusters and localization to spines.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.203-210
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• 2015

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key regulator of energy metabolism. Previous studies have shown that activation of AMPK results in suppression of cardiac myocyte hypertrophy via inhibition of the p70S6 kinase (p70S6K) and eukaryotic elongation factor-2 (eEF2) signaling pathways. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the major polyphenol found in green tea, possesses multiple protective effects on the cardiovascular system including cardiac hypertrophy. However, the molecular mechanisms has not been well investigated. In this study, we found that EGCG could significantly reduce natriuretic peptides type A (Nppa), brain natriuretic polypeptide (BNP) mRNA expression and decrease cell surface area in H9C2 cardiomyocytes stimulated with phenylephrine (PE). Moreover, we showed that AMPK is activated in H9C2 cardiomyocytes by EGCG, and AMPK-dependent pathway participates in the inhibitory effects of EGCG on cardiac hypertrophy. Taken together, our findings provide the first evidence that the effect of EGCG against cardiac hypertrophy may be attributed to its activation on AMPK-dependent signaling pathway, suggesting the therapeutic potential of EGCG on the prevention of cardiac remodeling in patients with pressure overload hypertrophy.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.260-270
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• 2012

Objectives : Hippocampus, a region of temporal lobe, plays an important role in the pathogenic mechanisms of brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, depression and temporal lobe epilepsy. This research is designed to investigate hippocampal changes after acupuncture stimulation at Shinmun(HT7) using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis(2-DE). Methods : On postnatal-day 15, rat pups were randomly devided into Normal(NOR) or HT7 group. All of Pups kept with their mothers for 7 days, but pups in HT7 group received acupuncture stimulation at HT7 daily. On postnatal-day 21, hippocampus of each rat pup was dissceted 30 minutes after last acupuncture stimulation and the protein expressions were investigated using 2-DE. Results : After acupuncture stimulation at HT7, expression of 20 proteins were significantly increased. Succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase-like, transketolase, aconitate hydratase and phosphoglucomutase-1 were related to glucose methabolism. Eukaryotic initiation factor(eIF) 4A-II, eIF 4A-III, mitochondrial Tu translation elongation factor and chain A of crystal structure of the 70-Kda heat shock cognate protein involve in the protein synthesis in ribosome. Tubulin ${\beta}$-4 chain, tubulin T ${\beta}$-15 and tubulin ${\alpha}$-1B chain comprise cytoskeleton. Glutathione S-transferase(GST) ${\omega}$-1, GST P and GST Yb-3 can reduce oxidative stress. ${\beta}$-soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein attachment protein is required for vesicular transport between the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase plays a major role in lipid biosynthesis, creatine kinase U-type catalyses the conversion of creatine and consumes adenosine triphosphate to create phosphocreatine and adenosine diphosphate. Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase IB subunit alpha and voltage depedent anion-selective channel protein 2 were also increased. Conclusions : The results suggest that acupuncture stimulation at HT7 may enhance glucose and lipid metabolism, protein synthesis, cytoskeletal substance and anti-oxidative stress in hippocampus.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.60-68
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• 2015

NecroX-7 is a novel small compound of the NecroX series based on the indole moiety, which has potent cytoprotective and antioxidant properties. We previously detected potential immune regulatory effects of NecroX-7 in immune related diseases like Graft-versus-Host Disease. However, the function and the underlying mechanisms of immunological effects of NecroX-7 in the immune system have not been well established. In this study, we investigated the immune response characterization of differentially expressed genes of NecroX-7 administration in $CD4^+$ T cells by microarray analysis. $CD4^+$ T cells stimulated with NecroX-7 ($40{\mu}M$) or vehicle for 72 hours resulted in the identification of 337 differentially expressed genes (1.5 fold, P<0.05) by expression profiling analysis. Twenty eight of the explored NecroX-7-regulated genes were related to immune system processes. These genes were validated by quantitative real-time PCR. The most significant genes were glutathione reductase, eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1, lymphotoxin-alpha, heat shock protein 9 and chloride intracellular channel protein 4. These findings demonstrate the strongly immune response of NecroX-7 in $CD4^+$ T cells, suggesting that cytoprotection and immune regulation may underlie the critical aspects of NecroX-7 exposure.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.241-246
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• 2003

Bambusae Caulis in Liquamen(BCL) has been used to relieve the cough and asthma, and remove the phlegm in traditional Oriental medicine. In recent years, it was studied for its antiinflammatory, antiallergenic, immune-modulating, and anticarcinogenic capabilities. This experiment was performed to evaluate the microarray profiles of CD genes in human mast cells before and after BCL treatment. The results are as follows: The expression of 51 of the genes studied was up-regulated in the Bel-treated group; they include the genes coding L apoferritin, beta-2-microglobulin, ferritin light polypeptide, CD63, monocyte chemotactic and activating fact, heme oxygenase 1, CD140a, integrin alpha M, colony stimulating factor 2 receptor, eukaryotic translation elongation factor, CD37, interleukin 18, NADH dehydrogenase 1 beta, CD48, 5-lipoxygenase activating protein, interleukin 4, ribosomal protein L5, GABA(A) receptor-associated protein, beta-tubulin, integrin beta 1, CD162, CD32, lymphotoxin beta, alpha-tublin, integrin alpha L, CD2, CD151, CD331, 90 kDa heat shock protein, CD59, CD3Z, microsomal glutathione S-transferase 2, CD33, CD162R, cyclophilinA, CD84, interleukin 9 receptor, interleukin 11, CD117, CD39-Like 2, and so forth. The expression of 7 of the genes studied was down-regulated in the BCL-treated group; they include the genes coding con, CD238, SCF, CD160, CD231, CD24, and CD130. Consequently, the treatment of BCL on the human mast cells increased the expression of 51 genes and decreased the expression of 7 genes. These data would provide a fundamental basis to the traditional applications of Bambusae Caulis in Liquamen.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.19-31
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• 2007

Objective: Pathogenesis of the endometriosis is very complex and the etiology is still unclear. Our hypothesis is that there may be some difference in gene expression patterns between eutopic endometriums with or without endometriosis. In this study, we analyzed the difference of gene expression profile with cDNA microarray. Methods: Endometrial tissues were gathered from patients with endometriosis or other benign gynecologic diseases. cDNA microarray technique was applied to screen the different gene expression profiles from early and late secretory phase endometria of those two groups. Each three mRNA samples isolated from early and late secretory phase of endometrial tissues of control were pooled and used as master controls and labeled with Cy3-dUTP. Then the differences of gene expression pattern were screened by comparing eutopic endometria with endometriosis, which were labeled with Cy5-dUTP. Fluorescent labeled probes were hybridized on a microarray of 4,800 human genes. Results: Twelve genes were consistently over-expressed in the endometrium of endometriosis such as ATP synthase H transporting F1 (ATP5B), eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1, isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (NADP+), mitochondrial ribosomal protein L3, ATP synthase H+ transporting (ATP5C1) and TNF alpha factor. Eleven genes were consistently down-regulated in the endometriosis samples. Many extracellular matrix protein genes (decorin, lumican, EGF-containing fibulin-like extracellular matrix protein 1, fibulin 5, and matrix Gla protein) and protease/protease inhibitors (serine proteinase inhibitor, matrix metalloproteinase 2, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1), and insulin like growth factor II associated protein were included. Expression patterns of selected eight genes from the cDNA microarray were confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR or real time RT-PCR. Conclusion: The result of this analysis supports the hypothesis that the endometrium from patients with endometriosis has distinct gene expression profile from control endometrium without endometriosis.