• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.204-212
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• 2016

To understand the responses of grapevines in response to cold stress causing the limited growth and development, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened through transcriptome analysis of shoots from 2 grapevine cultivars ('Campbell Early' and 'Muscat Baily A') kept at -$2^{\circ}C$ for 4 days. In gene ontology analysis of DEGs from 'Campbell Early', there were 17,424 clones related with biological process, 28,954 with cellular component, and 6,972 with molecular function genes in response to freezing temperature. The major induced genes included dehydrin xero 1, K-box region and MADS-box transcription factor family protein, and MYB domain protein 36, and inhibited genes included light-harvesting chlorophyll B-binding protein 3, FASCICLIN-like arabinoogalactan 9, and pectin methylesterase 61 in 'Campbell Early' grapevines. In gene ontology analysis of DEGs from 'Muscat Baily A', there were 1,157 clones related with biological process, 1,350 with cellular component, and 431 with molecular function gene. The major induced genes of 'Muscat Baily A' included NB-ARC domain-containing disease resistance protein, fatty acid hydrozylase superfamily, and isopentenyltransferase 3, and inhibited genes included binding, IAP-like protein 1, and pentatricopeptide repeat superfamily protein. All major DEGs were shown to be expressed differentially by freezing temperature in real time-PCR analysis. Protein domain analysis using InterPro Scan revealed that ubiquitin-protein ligase was redundant in both tested grapevines. Transcriptome profile of shoots exposed to cold can provide new insights into the molecular basis of tolerance to low-temperature in grapevines, and can be used as resources for development new grapevines tolerant to coldness.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.23
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• pp.10151-10156
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• 2015

4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) is a stable end product of lipid peroxidation, which has been shown to play an important role in cell signal transduction, while increasing cell growth and differentiation. 4-HNE could inhibit phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) activity in hepatocytes and increased levels have been found in human invasive breast cancer. Here we report that 4-HNE increased the cell growth of breast cancer cells as revealed by colony formation assay. Moreover, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression was elevated, while protein levels of hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-$1{\alpha}$) were up-regulated. Sirtuin-3 (SIRT3), a major mitochondria NAD+-dependent deacetylase, is reported to destabilize HIF-$1{\alpha}$. Here, 4-HNE could inhibit the deacetylase activity of SIRT3 by thiol-specific modification. We further demonstrated that the regulation by 4-HNE of levels of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and VEGF depends on SIRT3. Consistent with this, 4-HNE could not increase the cell growth in SIRT3 knockdown breast cancer cells. Additionally, 4-HNE promoted angiogenesis and invasion of breast cancer cells in a SIRT3-dependent manner. In conclusion, we propose that 4-HNE promotes growth, invasion and angiogenesis of breast cancer cells through the SIRT3-HIF-$1{\alpha}$-VEGF axis.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.121-132
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• 2023

Objectives We aimed to confirm whether Humulus japonicus Extract Powder can enhance child height growth significantly and safely compared with a placebo. Methods A total of 150 children between the 3rd and 25th percentiles in height and between the ages of 6 and 9 years will be recruited to participate in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The participants will be randomly assigned to the treatment or placebo group. Participants in the treatment group will take one pack per day (700 mg of Humulus japonicus Extract Powder) for 24 weeks. Participants in the placebo group will take one package of placebo per day (0 mg of Humulus japonicus Extract Powder) for 24 weeks. The primary outcome will be a change in height after 12 weeks, and the secondary outcomes will be the height after 24 weeks, growth rate, height standard deviation, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), and osteocalcin after 12 and 24 weeks. Results This protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the Korean Medicine Hospital of Busan University (IRB No. PNUKHIRB-2023-03-002). Research participants will be recruited from June 2023 to December 2023. Conclusions The results of this study provide clinical information regarding the effectiveness and safety of the Humulus japonicus Extract Powder in increasing child height.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1708-1714
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• 2005

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) functions in epithelial growth and differentiation in many tissues and organs. KGF is expressed in the uterine endometrial epithelial cells during the estrous cycle and pregnancy in pigs, and receptors for KGF (KGFR) are expressed by conceptus trophectoderm and endometrial epithelia. KGF has been shown to stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of conceptus trophectoderm. However, the role of KGF on the endometrial epithelial cells has not been determined. Therefore, this study determined the effect of KGF on proliferation and differentiation of endometrial epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo using an immortalized porcine luminal epithelial (pLE) cell line and KGF infusion into the uterine lumen of pigs between Days 9 and 12 of estrous cycle. Results showed that KGF did not stimulate proliferation of uterine endometrial epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo determined by the $^3$H]thymidine incorporation assay and the proliferating cell nuclear antigen staining, respectively. Effects of KGF on expression of several markers for epithelial cell differentiation, including integrin receptor subunits $\alpha$4, $\alpha$5 and $\beta$1, plasmin/trypsin inhibitor, uteroferrin and retinol-binding protein were determined by RT-PCR, Northern and slot blot analyses, and immunohistochemisty, and KGF did not affect epithelial cell differentiation in vitro and in vivo. These results show that KGF does not induce epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation, suggesting that KGF produced by endometrial epithelial cells acts on conceptus trophectoderm in a paracrine manner rather than on endometrial epithelial cells in an autocrine manner.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.242-247
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• 2008

In the fungal pathogen Candida albicans, the yeast-to-hyphal transition occurs in response to a broad range of environmental stimuli and is considered to be a major virulence factor. To address whether the zinc homeostasis affects the growth or pathogenicity of C. albicans, we functionally characterized the zinc-finger protein Csr1 during filamentation. The deduced amino acid sequence of Csr1 showed a 49% similarity to the zinc-specific transcription factor, Zap1 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Sequential disruptions of CSR1 were carried out in diploid C. albicans. The csr1/csr1 mutant strain showed severe growth defects under zinc-limited growth conditions and the filamentation defect under hypha-inducing media. The colony morphology and the germ-tube formation were significantly affected by the csr1 mutation. The expression of the hyphae-specific gene HWP1 was also impaired in csr1/csr1 cells. The C. albicans homologs of ZRTl and ZRT2, which are zinc-transporter genes in S. cerevisiae, were isolated. High-copy number plasmids of these genes suppressed the filamentation defect of the csr1/csr1 mutant strain. We propose that the filamentation phenotype of C. albicans is closely associated with the zinc homeostasis in the cells and that Csr1 plays a critical role in this regulation.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.816-831
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• 1998

Bony fixation of implants during the early phase of healing is important in order to get secondary stability of the implant assuring the success of the treatment. Because the successful placement of the implant is limited by the quality and quantity of bone, other agents which stimulate bone formation in the peri-implant spaces has been illustrated. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) has been shown to regulate DNA and protein synthesis in bone cells in vitro and to interact synergistically to enhance soft tissue wound healing in vivo. The purpose of this study was to evaluate bone promotion around implants which were augmented with sagittal split osteotomy or autogenous veneer bone graft using the platelet derived growth factor(PDGF). After placement of newly designed twenty four screw-type implants, which were 12mm in length and 4mm in diameter in 6 dogs. $4{\mu}g$ of PDGF B/B was applied with surgicel carriers. The dogs were sacrificed at 3 days, 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 weeks after implantation. Specimens were examined clinically, radiographically, histologically, and histomorphometrically. The results were as follows: 1. Clinically and radiologically, there was no significant difference in bone formation and healing pattern between experimental and control group. 2. In autogenous veneer bone graft group, bone formation was observed at 1st week in the experimental groups but 2nd week in the control groups. At 3rd week, the expeimental groups showed more bone formation comparing to the control groups. 3. In sagittal split osteotomy group, bone formation was observed at 1st week in both groups. But the experimental groups showed more bone formation comparing to the control groups after 2nd week. 4. The bone growth rate of experimental group was more rapid than that of control group. These results indicated that PDGF did not affect the initiation of new bone formation, but it accelerated the bone formation at the early period.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.469-478
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• 2006

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, a major regulator for angiogenesis, binds and activates two tyrosine kinase receptors, VEGFR1 (Flt-1) and VEGFR2 (KDR/Flk-1). These receptors regulate physiological as well as pathological angiogenesis. VEGFR2 has strong tyrosine kinase activity, and transduces the major signals for angiogenesis. However, unlike other representative tyrosine kinase receptors which use the Ras pathway, VEGFR2 mostly uses the Phospholipase-$C{\gamma}$-Protein kinase-C pathway to activate MAP-kinase and DNA synthesis. VEGFR2 is a direct signal transducer for pathological angiogenesis including cancer and diabetic retinopathy, thus, VEGFR2 itself and the signaling appear to be critical targets for the suppression of these diseases. VEGFR1 plays dual role, a negative role in angiogenesis in the embryo most likely by trapping VEGF-A, and a positive role in adulthood in a tyrosine kinase-dependent manner. VEGFR1 is expressed not only in endothelial cells but also in macrophage-lineage cells, and promotes tumor growth, metastasis, and inflammation. Furthermore, a soluble form of VEGFR1 was found to be present at abnormally high levels in the serum of preeclampsia patients, and induces proteinurea and renal dysfunction. Therefore, VEGFR1 is also an important target in the treatment of human diseases. Recently, the VEGFR2-specific ligand VEGF-E (Orf-VEGF) was extensively characterized. Interestingly, the activation of VEGFR2 via VEGF-E in vivo results in a strong angiogenic response in mice with minor side effects such as inflammation compared with VEGF-A, suggesting VEGF-E to be a novel material for pro-angiogenic therapy.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.120-127
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• 1998

Peroxisome proliferators induce hepatic peroxisome proliferation and hepatic tumors in rodents. These chemicals increase the expression of the peroxisomal $\beta$-oxidation pathway and the cytochrome P-450 4A family, which metabolizes lipids, including eicosanoids. Peroxisome proliferators transiently induce increased cell proliferation in vivo. However, peroxisome proliferators are weakly mitogenic and are not co-mitogenic with epidermal growth factor (EGF) in cultured hepatocytes. Earlier study found that the peroxisome proliferator ciprofibrate is cornitogenic with eicosanoids. In order to study possible mechanisms of the comitogenicity of peroxisome proliferator ciprofibrate and eicosanoids' we hypothesized that the co-mitogenicity may result from synergistic or additive increases of second messengers in mitogenic signal pathways. We therefore examined the effect of the peroxisome proliferator ciprofibrate, prostaglandin $F_2_{\alpha}$($PGF_2{\alpha}$) and the combination of ciprofibrate and $PGF_2{\alpha}$ with or without growth factors on the protein kinase C (PKC) activity, and inositol-1, 4, 5-triphosphate ($IP_{3-}$) and intracellular calcium ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) concentrations in cultured rat hepatocytes. The combination of ciprofibrate and $PGF_2{\alpha}$ significantly increased particulate PKC activity. The combination of ciprofibrate and $PGF_2{\alpha}$ also significantly increased EGF, transforming growth factor-$\alpha$ ($TGF_2{\alpha}$) and hepatic growth factor (HGF)-induced particulate PKC activity. The combination of ciprofibrate and $PGF_2_\alpha$greatly increased $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. However, the increases of PKC activity and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ by ciprofibrate and $PGF_2{\alpha}$ alone were much smaller. Neither ciprofibrate or $PGF_2{\alpha}$ alone nor the combination of ciprofibrate and $PGF_2{\alpha}$ significantly increased the formation of $IP_3$. The combination of ciprofibrate and $PGF_2{\alpha}$, however, blocked the inhibitory effect of $TGF-{\beta}$ on particulate PKC activity and formation of $IP_3$ induced by EGF. These results show that co-mitogenicity of the peroxisome proliferator ciprofibrate and eicosanoids may result from the increase in particulate PKC activity and intracellular calcium concentration but not from the formation of $IP_3$.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.224-230
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• 2010

Growth hormone (GH) is known as one of the main osmoregulators in euryhaline teleosts during seawater (SW) adaptation. Many of the physiological actions of GH are mediated through insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and the GH/IGF-I axis is associated with osmoregulation of fish during SW acclimation. However, little information is available on the response of fish IGF-II to hyperosmotic stress. Here we present the first cloned IGF-I and IGF-II cDNAs of marine medaka, Oryzias dancena, and an analysis of the molecular characteristics of the genes. The marine medaka IGF-I cDNA is 1,340 bp long with a 257-bp 5' untranslated region (UTR), a 528 bp 3' UTR, and a 555-bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a propeptide of 184 amino acid (aa) residues. The full-length marine medaka IGF-II cDNA consists of a 639 bp ORF encoding 212 aa, a 109 bp 5' UTR, and a 416 bp 3' UTR. Homology comparison of the deduced aa sequences with other IGF-Is and IGF-IIs showed that these genes in marine medaka shared high structural homology with orthologs from other teleost as well as mammalian species, suggesting high conservation of IGFs throughout vertebrates. The IGF-I mRNA level increased following transfer of marine medaka from freshwater (FW) to SW, and the expression level was higher than that of the control group, which was maintained in FW. This significantly elevated IGF-I level was maintained throughout the experiment (14 days), suggesting that in marine medaka, IGF-I is deeply involved in the adaptation to abrupt salinity change. In contrast to IGF-I, the increased level of marine medaka IGF-II mRNA was only maintained for a short period, and quickly returned a level similar to that of the control group, suggesting that marine medaka IGF-II might be a gene that responds to acute stress or one that produces a supplemental protein to assist with the osmoregulatory function of IGF-I during an early phase of salinity change.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.421-426
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• 2015

The increased potential for vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth is a key abnormality in the development of atherosclerosis and post-angioplasty restenosis. Abnormally high activity of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is believed to play a central role in the etiology of these pathophysiological situations. Here, we investigated the anti-proliferative effects and possible mechanism(s) of murrayafoline A, a carbazole alkaloid isolated from Glycosmis stenocarpa Guillamin (Rutaceae), on PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMCs. Murrayafoline A inhibited the PDGF-BB-stimulated proliferation of VSMCs in a concentration-dependent manner, as measured using a non-radioactive colorimetric WST-1 assay and direct cell counting. Furthermore, murrayafoline A suppressed the PDGF-BB-stimulated progression through $G_0/G_1$ to S phase of the cell cycle, as measured by [$^3H$]-thymidine incorporation assay and cell cycle progression analysis. This anti-proliferative action of murrayafoline A, arresting cell cycle progression at $G_0/G_1$ phase in PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMCs, was mediated via down-regulation of the expression of cyclin D1, cyclin E, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)2, CDK4, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and the phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (pRb). These results indicate that murrayafoline A may be useful in preventing the progression of vascular complications such as restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and atherosclerosis.