• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.209-216
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• 2008

A monoclonal antibody against Toxoplasma gondii of Tg556 clone (Tg556) blotted a 29 kDa protein, which was localized in the dense granules of tachyzoites and secreted into the parasitophorous vacuolar membrane (PVM) after infection to host cells. A cDNA fragment encoding the protein was obtained by screening a T. gondii cDNA expression library with Tg556, and the full-length was completed by 5'-RACE of 2,086 bp containing an open reading frame (ORF) of 669 bp. The ORF encoded a polypeptide of 222 amino acids homologous to the revised GRA3 but not to the first reported one. The polypeptide has 3 hydrophobic moieties of an N-terminal stop transfer sequence and 2 transmembrane domains (TMD) in posterior half of the sequence, a cytoplasmic localization motif after the second TMD and an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retrival motif in the C-terminal end, which suggests GRA3 as a type III transmembrane protein. With the ORF of GRA3, yeast two-hybrid assay was performed in HeLa cDNA expression library, which resulted in the interaction of GRA3 with calcium modulating ligand (CAMLG), a type II transmembrane protein of ER. The specific binding of GRA3 and CAMLG was confirmed by glutathione S-transferase (GST) pull-down and immunoprecipitation assays. The localities of fluorescence transfectionally expressed from GRA3 and CAMLG plasmids were overlapped completely in HeLa cell cytoplasm. In immunofluorescence assay, GRA3 and CAMLG were shown to be co-localized in the PVM of host cells. Structural binding of PVM-inserted GRA3 to CAMLG of ER suggested the receptor-ligand of ER recruitment to PVM during the parasitism of T. gondii.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.163-167
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• 2004

The effects of sucrose concentration on the secretion of hGM-CSF, total protein and protease into the medium were investigated in transgenic tobacco cells. The dry cell weight (11.22 g/L), hGM-CSF (181.53 $\mu\textrm{g}$/L) and total protein (66.8 mg/L) were detected as highest at 30 g/L sucrose and protease activity (2660 U/L) was highest at 120 g/L sucrose after 5-day culture. However after 10-day culture, the maximum dry cell weight (28.36 g/L) was found at 60 g/L sucrose while the maximum hGM-CSF (95 $\mu\textrm{g}$/L) was appeared at 150 g/L sucrose. The total protein and protease activity was secreted as 52.28mg/L and 3430 U/L, respectively in the same culture.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.257-261
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• 2009

Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (A. actinomycetemcomitans) is an important pathogen casuing aggressive periodontitis. The present study was designed to investigate the chemokines expression regulated by A. actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Chemokines genes expression profiling was performed in Raw 264.7 cells by analyses of microarray and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Microarray results showed that the induction of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein-$1{\alpha}$ (MIP-$1{\alpha}$), MIP-$1{\beta}$, MIP-$1{\gamma}$, regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), and interferon-${\gamma}$ inducible protein 10 (IP 10) by A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS was increased to 12.5, 1.53, 9.09, 17.3, 2.82, 16.1, and 18.1 folds at 18 h, respectively. To check these chemokines expression by A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS, we examined gene expressions by RT-PCR, and found that the expression of MIP-$1{\beta}$, MIP-$1{\gamma}$, RANTES, MIP-2, and IP 10 was increased 107.1, 93.6, 106.8, 86.5, and 162.0 folds at 18 h, respectively. These results indicate that A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS stimulates the several chemokines expressions (MIP-$1{\alpha}$, MIP-$1{\beta}$, MIP-$1{\gamma}$, RANTES, MIP-2, and IP 10) in Raw 264.7 cells.

• Annals of dermatology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.645-652
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• 2018

Background: Adiponectin, an adipokine secreted from adipocytes, affects energy metabolism and also shows anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory properties. Recent studies have reported that adiponectin plays a role in regulating skin inflammation. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of adiponectin on the expression of filaggrin (FLG) in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs). Methods: NHEKs were serum-starved for 6h before being treated with adiponectin. Afterward, cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. We also treated with calcium, interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-13 to provide positive and negative comparative controls, respectively. Gene mRNA expression was quantified using real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and protein expression was evaluated using Western blot. To evaluate the relationship among mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), activator protein 1 (AP-1), and FLG, we also treated cells with inhibitors for MAPKs JNK, p38, and ERK1/2. Results: FLG and FLG-2 mRNA expression in NHEKs significantly increased after treatment with $10{\mu}g/ml$ adiponectin. Adiponectin also restored FLG and FLG-2 mRNA expression that was otherwise inhibited by treatment with IL-4 and IL-13. Adiponectin induced FLG expression via AP-1 and MAPK signaling. Conclusion: Adiponectin positively regulated the expression of FLG and could be useful as a therapeutic agent to control diseases related to disrupted skin barrier function.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.406-422
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• 2023

Sarcopenia is an age-related, progressive skeletal muscle disorder involving the loss of muscle mass and strength. Previous studies have shown that γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) from fermented oysters aids in regulatory T cells (Tregs) cell expansion and function by enhancing autophagy, and concomitantly mediate muscle regeneration by modulating muscle inflammation and satellite cell function. The fermentation process of oysters not only increases the GABA content but also enhances the content of branched amino acids and free amino acids that aid the level of protein absorption and muscle strength, mass, and repair. In this study, the effect of GABA-enriched fermented sarco oyster extract (FSO) on reduced muscle mass and functions via Treg modulation and enhanced autophagy in aged mice was investigated. Results showed that FSO enhanced the expression of autophagy markers (autophagy-related gene 5 [ATG5] and GABA receptor-associated protein [GABARAP]), forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3) expression, and levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-10 and transforming growth factor [TGF]-β) secreted by Tregs while reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-17A and interferon [IFN]-γ). Furthermore, FSO increased the expression of IL-33 and its receptor IL-1 receptor-like 1 (ST2); well-known signaling pathways that increase amphiregulin (Areg) secretion and expression of myogenesis markers (myogenic factor 5, myoblast determination protein 1, and myogenin). Muscle mass and function were also enhanced via FSO. Overall, the current study suggests that FSO increased autophagy, which enhanced Treg accumulation and function, decreased muscle inflammation, and increased satellite cell function for muscle regeneration and therefore could decrease the loss of muscle mass and function with aging.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.100004.1-100004.11
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• 2024

Insulin is essential for maintaining normoglycemia and is predominantly secreted in response to glucose stimulation by β-cells. Incretin hormones, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, also stimulate insulin secretion. However, as obesity and type 2 diabetes worsen, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide loses its insulinotropic efficacy, whereas GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists continue to be effective owing to its signaling switch from Gs to Gq. Herein, we demonstrated that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induced a transition from Gs to Gq in GLP-1R signaling in mouse islets. Intriguingly, chemical chaperones known to alleviate ER stress, such as 4-PBA and TUDCA, enforced GLP-1R's Gq utilization rather than reversing GLP-1R's signaling switch induced by ER stress or obese and diabetic conditions. In addition, the activation of X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) or activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), 2 key ER stress-associated signaling (unfolded protein response) factors, promoted Gs utilization in GLP-1R signaling, whereas Gq employment by ER stress was unaffected by XBP1 or ATF6 activation. Our study revealed that ER stress and its associated signaling events alter GLP-1R's signaling, which can be used in type 2 diabetes treatment.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2024

Microalgae have great potential in the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries as a new type of bioreactor that can produce proteins for specific purposes, including recombinant proteins, pharmaceuticals, and industrial enzymes. Despite the production advantages and importance of microalgae-based expression systems, studies on secretion efficiency are limited. In this study, for stable expression and efficient secretion of the heterologous protein (human SCF and human INFγ) in Chlorella vulgaris, we constructed SP:hSCF:His and SP:hINFγ:His plant binary vectors using the signal peptide (SP) of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, and we obtained stable transformants through the effective agrobacterium-mediated transformation of these vectors. Transformants with accurately inserted hSCF and hINFγ demonstrated stably increased mRNA and protein expression using RT-PCR and western blotting under the same culture conditions. Following the analysis of the proteins secreted into the culture medium using ELISA, it was confirmed that hINFγ was effectively produced in the transformed C. vulgaris culture medium. The overall findings indicate that the combination of heterologous protein and SP may be crucial for ensuring the expression and secretion of recombinant proteins in Chlorella culture systems.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.393-402
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• 1995

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the nutritive values of supplemental L-lysine, liquid and powder type, and DL-methionine in weanling pigs. For feeding trial, 165 weanling pigs were treated in 2 controls; 18 and 16% CP, 6 supplementations of lysine alone to 16% CP diets; 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4% of liquid and powder type each, and 3 supplementations of lysine + methionine to 15% CP diets; 0.05 + 0.025, 0.1 + 0.05 and 0.2 + 0.1%. Pigs were fed for 5 week to investigate the protein sparing effect of supplemental amino acid, and the optimal supplemental level. A metabolic trial included the measurements of digestibilities of dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, energy, phosphorus and amino acids. The liver acinar cell culture was conducted for the protein synthesis activity of the pigs fed each experimental diet. Supplementation of both type of L-lysine in 16% CP diet showed improved daily weight gain and feed efficiency which were compatible with those of pigs fed 18% CP diet. Groups fed liquid lysine did not differ from those fed powder type in growth performance. Supplementation of lysine and methionine to 15% CP diet did not improve growth performance of pigs to the extent that 18% CP diet was fed. In nutrient digestibility, 16% CP control diet showed significantly (p < 0.05) lower crude protein digestibility than any other treatments. Digestibilities of 16% CP diets with lysine supplementation were equal to that of 18% CP control, while digestibilities of 15% CP diets with the supplementation of lysine + methionine was inferior to that of 18% CP control. Supplementation of lysine alone reduced the nitrogen excretion compared to the none supplemented control groups. However, addition of lysine + methionine excreted more nitrogen than controls. Pigs fed diet supplemented with lysine alone, or lysine + methionine excreted less fecal phosphorus than those fed none supplemetation. Retained protein from liver tissue of pigs fed 18% diet was significantly (p < 0.05) greater than those fed 16% CP diet. A significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in physical type of lysine. Feeding of powder type showed less secreted protein and greater retained protein in the culture of liver acinar cell. It is concluded that supplementation of lysine at the level of 0.1 to 0.2% can spare 2% of dietary protein and reduce nitrogen excretion by 19.3%. Also, no difference in nutritional values was observed between liquid and powder lysine in weanling pigs.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.791-807
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• 2017

The type II secretion system (T2SS), which transports selected periplasmic proteins across the outer membrane, has rarely been studied in nonpathogens or in organisms classified as Betaproteobacteria. Therefore, we studied Cupriavidus metallidurans (Cme), a facultative chemilithoautotroph. Gel analysis of extracellular proteins revealed no remarkable differences between the wild type and the T2SS mutants. However, enzyme assays revealed that native extracellular alkaline phosphatase is a T2SS substrate, because activity was 10-fold greater for the wild type than a T2SS mutant. In Cme engineered to produce three Ralstonia solanacearum (Rso) exoenzymes, at least 95% of their total activities were extracellular, but unexpectedly high percentages of these exoenzymes remained extracellular in T2SS mutants cultured in rich broth. These conditions appear to permit an alternative secretion process, because neither cell lysis nor periplasmic leakage was observed when Cme produced a Pectobacterium carotovorum exoenzyme, and wild-type Cme cultured in minimal medium secreted 98% of Rso polygalacturonase, but 92% of this exoenzyme remained intracellular in T2SS mutants. We concluded that Cme has a functional T2SS despite lacking any abundant native T2SS substrates. The efficient secretion of three foreign exoenzymes by Cme is remarkable, but so too is the indication of an alternative secretion process in rich culture conditions. When not transiting the T2SS, we suggest that Rso exoenzymes are probably selectively packaged into outer membrane vesicles. Phylogenetic analysis of T2SS proteins supports the existence of at least three T2SS subfamilies, and we propose that Cme, as a representative of the Betaproteobacteria, could become a new useful model system for studying T2SS substrate specificity.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.93-98
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• 2006

Biosynthetic processing of fibrillar procollagens is essential for producing mature collagen monomers that polymerize into fibrils by a self-assembly process. The metalloproteinase ADAMTS-2 is the major enzyme that processes the N-propeptide of type I procollagen in the skin and also of type II and type III procollagens. Mutations in the ADAMTS-2 gene cause dermatospraxis in animals and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome VIIC in humans, both of which are characterized by the accumulation of type I pN-collagen and the formation of abnormal collagen fibrils in the skin. Despite its importance in procollagen processing, little is known about the regulation of ADAMTS-2 expression. Here, we demonstrate that ADAMTS-2 can be regulated by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, an inducer of type I procollagen synthesis. This steroid hormone induced ADAMTS-2 mRNA ${\sim}3-fold$ in MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells and MC3T3-E1 murine osteoblastic cells. This induction was dose- and time-dependent in MG-63 cells. In contrast, secreted ADAMTS-2 protein was increased only 1.4-fold with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Finally, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in the presence of ascorbate increased levels of secreted ADAMTS-2 1.9-fold over ascorbate treatment alone, which did not appreciably change ADAMTS-2 expression. These data indicate that the regulation of ADAMTS-2 is coupled with the synthesis of type I procollagen through 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 signaling and may involve translational or posttranslational control.