• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.34 no.11
• /
• pp.3405-3409
• /
• 2013

The activation of heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) can be induced by the changes in environmental pH, but the mechanism of HSF1 activation by acidification is not completely understood. This paper reports that a low pH (pH~6.0) can trigger human HSF1 activation. Considering the involvement of the imidazole group of histidine residues under acid pH stress, an in vitro EMSA experiment, Trp-fluorescence spectroscopy, and protein structural analysis showed that the residue, His83, is the essential for pH-dependent human HSF1-activation. To determine the roles of His83 in the HSF1-mediated stress response affecting the cellular acid resistance, mouse embryo fibroblasts with normal wild-type or mutant mouse HSF1 expression were preconditioned by heating or pH stress. The results suggest that His83 is essential for HSF1 activation or the HSF1-mediated transcription of heat shock proteins, in protecting cells from acid pH stress.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.16 no.6
• /
• pp.1052-1059
• /
• 2006

The heat shock response is induced by environmental stress, pathophysiological state and non-stress conditions and wide spread from bacteria to human. Although translations of most proteins are stopped under a heat shock response, heat shock proteins (HSPs) are produced to protect cell from stress. When heat shock response is induced, conformation of HSF1 was changed from monomer to trimer and HSF1 specifically binds to DNA, which was called a heat shock element(HSE) within the promoter of the heat shock genes. Human HSF1(hHSFl) contains five cysteine(Cys) residues. A thiol group(R-SH) of Cys is a strong nucleophile, the most readily oxidized and nitrosylated in amino acid chain. This consideration suggests that Cys residues may regulate the change of conformation and the activity of hHSF1 through a redox-dependent thiol/disulfide exchange reaction. We want to construct role of five Cys residues of hHSF by redox reagents. According to two studies, Cys residues are related to trimer formation of hHSF1. In this study, we want to demonstrate the correlation between structural change and DNA-binding activity of HSF1 through forming disulfide bond and trimerization. In this results, we could deduce that DNA binding activity of DNA binding domain wasn't affected by redox for always expose outside to easily bind to DNA. DNA binding activity of wild-type HSF's DNA binding domain was affected by conformational change, as conformational structure change (trimerization) caused DNA binding domain.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.39 no.6
• /
• pp.477-483
• /
• 2016

Heat shock factors (Hsfs) are central regulators of abiotic stress responses, especially heat stress responses, in plants. In the current study, we characterized the activity of the Hsf gene HsfA3 in Arabidopsis under oxidative stress conditions. HsfA3 transcription in seedlings was induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS), exogenous hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$), and an endogenous $H_2O_2$ propagator, 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl-p-benzoquinone (DBMIB). HsfA3-overexpressing transgenic plants exhibited increased oxidative stress tolerance compared to untransformed wild-type plants (WT), as revealed by changes in fresh weight, chlorophyll fluorescence, and ion leakage under light conditions. The expression of several genes encoding galactinol synthase (GolS), a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs), which function as antioxidants in plant cells, was induced in HsfA3 overexpressors. In addition, galactinol levels were higher in HsfA3 overexpressors than in WT under unstressed conditions. In transient transactivation assays using Arabidopsis leaf protoplasts, HsfA3 activated the transcription of a reporter gene driven by the GolS1 or GolS2 promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that GolS1 and GolS2 are directly regulated by HsfA3. Taken together, these findings provide evidence that GolS1 and GolS2 are directly regulated by HsfA3 and that GolS enzymes play an important role in improving oxidative stress tolerance by increasing galactinol biosynthesis in Arabidopsis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.18 no.5
• /
• pp.403-409
• /
• 2014

The Bis protein is known to be involved in a variety of cellular processes including apoptosis, migration, autophagy as well as protein quality control. Bis expression is induced in response to a number of types of stress, such as heat shock or a proteasome inhibitor via the activation of heat shock factor (HSF)1. We report herein that Bis expression is increased at the transcriptional level in HK-2 kidney tubular cells and A172 glioma cells by exposure to oxidative stress such as $H_2O_2$ treatment and oxygen-glucose deprivation, respectively. The pretreatment of HK-2 cells with N-acetyl cysteine, suppressed Bis induction. Furthermore, HSF1 silencing attenuated Bis expression that was induced by $H_2O_2$, accompanied by increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Using a series of deletion constructs of the bis gene promoter, two putative heat shock elements located in the proximal region of the bis gene promoter were found to be essential for the constitutive expression is as well as the inducible expression of Bis. Taken together, our results indicate that oxidative stress induces Bis expression at the transcriptional levels via activation of HSF1, which might confer an expansion of antioxidant capacity against pro-oxidant milieu. However, the possible role of the other cis-element in the induction of Bis remains to be determined.

• Advances in concrete construction
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.35-43
• /
• 2022

The experimental investigations into hooked-end round steel fibers (HSF) effect on the age-dependent strengths of high volume fly ash (HVFA) concrete is studied. The concrete was prepared with class F fly ash used as partial cement replacement varied from 0% to 70% on an equal weight basis. Two percentages of HSF (i.e., 0.5% and 1.5% by volume fraction) of 50 mm length were added in plain, and 50% fly ash concrete mixes. The compressive and flexural tensile strength was determined at 7, 28, 56, and 90 days. The strength results of fly ash concrete mixes with and without steel fibers were compared with the plain concrete strength. The test results indicated that the strength of fly ash concrete is comparable with the plain concrete strength and further increases with an increase in the percentage of steel fibers. The maximum flexure strength of HVFA concrete is found with 0.5% steel fibers. It is concluded that the HVFA concrete with steel fibers of 50 mm length can effectively be used in concrete construction. The analytical models are proposed to predict the age-dependent compressive and flexural tensile strength of HVFA concrete with and without HSF. The compressive and tensile strength of HVFA concrete with HSF can be predicted using these models when the 28-day compressive strength of plain concrete is known. The present study will be helpful in the design and construction of reinforced and pre-stressed concrete structures made with HVFA and HSF.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.75-82
• /
• 2019

Objectives : In this study, various biological effects of Curcuma longa L. have been studied, however, beneficial effect of Curcuma longa L. in skin health remain still unclear. In this study, Curcuma longa L. water extract (CLE) was prepared. Inhibitory effect of CLE on melanin accumulation of B16F10 cells and expression levels of skin fibril-related proteins of human skin fibroblasts (HSF) were evaluated. Methods : The cytotoxic effect of CLE in B16F10 cells and HSF were examined by MTT assay. Inhibitory effect of CLE on the ${\alpha}-MSH-$ and IBMX-induced melanin accumulation and tyrosinase activity were evaluated in B16F10 cells. The expression levels of connective tissue growth factor (CCN2), Smad2, procollagen $1{\alpha}2$, collagen $1{\alpha}2$, and fibronectin in CLE-treated HSF were analyzed by western blotting. Results : The CLE treatment (concentrations 10 to $400{\mu}g/ml$) for 72 h did not affect to the B16F10 viability. However, 200 and $400{\mu}g/ml$ of CLE treatment for 24 h showed cytotoxic effect in HSF. Therefore, the concentrations 10, 50, and $100{\mu}g/ml$ of CLE were chosen in this study. The CLE treatment for 72 h dose dependently and significantly suppressed melanin accumulation and tyrosinase activity of B16F10 cells. In addition, the CLE treatment up-regulated expression levels of skin fibril-related proteins such as CCN2, Smad2, procollagen $1{\alpha}2$, collagen $1{\alpha}2$, and fibronectin. Conclusions : In conclusion, these results suggest that the CLE could be used as a natural material for skin health.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.41-46
• /
• 2016

Objectives : The Skin is composed of multiple layers, including the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. It provides a vital barrier structure that protects vertebrates from external environmental antigens, solvents, ultraviolet light, microorganisms, toxins, and weather conditions. Although several biological effects of Mori Follium have been reported, beneficial effects of Mori Follium in skin health remain unclear. In this study, we prepared water extract of Mori Follium (MLE) and evaluated the effects on melanin accumulation and expression levels of skin fibril-related proteins.Methods : The cytotoxicities of MLE in B16F10 melanoma and human skin fibroblasts (HSF) were examined by MTT assay. Inhibitory effect of MLE on the α-MSH- and IBMX-induced melanosis in B16F10 melanoma was examined. The expression levels of fibronectin, collagen 1α2, and CCN2 in MLE-treated HSF were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymer chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting.Results : The MLE treatment for 24 h did not affect to the B16F10 and HSF at concentrations of 1, 10, 50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 ㎍/ml. The MLE treatment for 72 h significantly and dose dependently suppressed melanin accumulation in B16F10 melanoma. In addition, the MLE treatment up-regulated expression levels of skin fibril-related genes such as fibronectin, collagen 1α2, and CCN2 in HSF. Our western blot analysis revealed MLE-induced up-regulation of skin fibril-related genes required the activation of CCN2 protein.Conclusions : In conclusion, these findings suggest that the MLE could be used in development of cosmetic natural material of maintaining healthy skin.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.49-56
• /
• 2007

One of the goals of stem cell technology is to control the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), thereby generating large numbers of specific cell types for many applications including cell replacement therapy. Although individual hESC lines resemble each other in expressing pluripotency markers and telomerase activity, it is not clear whether they are equivalent in their developmental potential in vitro. We compared the developmental competence of three hESC lines (HSF6, Miz-hES4, and Miz-hES6). All three generated the three embryonic germ layers, extraembryonic tissues, and primordial germ cells during embryoid body (EB) formation. However, HSF6 and Miz-hES6 readily formed neuroectoderm, whereas Miz-hES4 differentiated preferentially into mesoderm and endoderm. Upon terminal differentiation, HSF6 and Miz-hES6 produced mainly neuronal cells whereas Miz-hES4 mainly formed mesendodermal derivatives, including endothelial cells, leukocyte progenitors, hepatocytes, and pancreatic cells. Our observations suggest that independently-derived hESCs may differ in their developmental potential.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.33 no.6
• /
• pp.1839-1844
• /
• 2012

We have investigated binding between wild-type and mutant Heat Shock Factor (HSF) DNA binding domains (DBDs) with 17-bp HSE containing a central 5'-NGAAN-3' element by equilibrium analytical ultracentrifugation using multi-wavelength technique. Our results indicate that R102 plays critical role in HSE recognition and the interactions are characterized by substantial negative changes of enthalpy (${\Delta}H^0_{\theta}=-9.90{\pm}1.13kcal\;mol^{-1}$) and entropy (${\Delta}S^0_{\theta}=-12.46{\pm}3.77cal\;mol^{-1}K^{-1}$) with free energy change, ${\Delta}G^0_{\theta}$ of $-6.15{\pm}0.03kcal\;mol^{-1}$. N105 plays minor role in the HSE interactions with ${\Delta}H^0_{\theta}$ of $-2.54{\pm}1.65kcal\;mol^{-1}$, ${\Delta}S^0_{\theta}$ of $19.28{\pm}5.50cal\;mol^{-1}K^{-1}$ and ${\Delta}G^0_{\theta}$ of $-8.35{\pm}0.05kcal\;mol^{-1}$, which are similar to those observed for wild-type DBD:HSE interactions (${\Delta}H^0_{\theta}=-3.31{\pm}1.86kcal\;mol^{-1}$, ${\Delta}S^0_{\theta}=17.38{\pm}6.20cal\;mol^{-1}K^{-1}$ and ${\Delta}G^0_{\theta}=-8.55{\pm}0.06kcal\;mol^{-1}$) indicating higher entropy contribution for both wild-type and N105A DBD bindings to the HSE.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.59 no.3
• /
• pp.263-281
• /
• 2014

Transcription factors are essential for the regulation of gene expression in plant. They are binding to either enhancer or promoter region of DNA adjacent to the gene and are related to basal transcription regulation, differential enhancement of transcription, development, response to intercellular signals or environment, and cell cycle control. The mechanism in controlling gene expression of transcription can be understood through the assessment of the complete sequence for the maize genome. It is possible that the maize genome encodes 4,000 or more transcription factors because it has undergone whole duplication in the past. Previously, several transcription factors of maize have been characterized. In this review article, the transcription factors were selected using Pfam database, including many family members in comparison with other family and listed as follows: ABI3/VP1, AP2/EREBP, ARF, ARID, AS2, AUX/IAA, BES1, bHLH, bZIP, C2C2-CO-like, C2C2-Dof, C2C2-GATA, C2C2-YABBY, C2H2, E2F/DP, FHA, GARP-ARR-B, GeBP, GRAS, HMG, HSF, MADS, MYB, MYB-related, NAC, PHD, and WRKY family. For analyzing motifs, each amino acid sequence has been aligned with ClustalW and the conserved sequence was shown by sequence logo. This review article will contribute to further study of molecular biological analysis and breeding using the transcription factor of maize as a strategy for selecting target gene.