MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'BMB Reports' source. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:31:36 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5636681&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22281005%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kang BH Abstract Hsp90 is one of the most conserved molecular chaperones ubiquitously expressed in normal cells and over-expressed in cancer cells. A pool of Hsp90 was found in cancer mitochondria and the expression of the mitochondrial Hsp90 homolog, TRAP1, was also elevated in many cancers. The mitochondrial pool of chaperones plays important roles in regulating mitochondrial integrity, protecting against oxidative stress, and inhibiting cell death. Pharmacological inactivation of the chaperones induced mitochondrial dysfunction and concomitant cell death selectively in cancer cells, suggesting they can be target proteins for the development of cancer therapeutics. Several drug candidates targeting TRAP1 and Hsp90 in the mitochondria have been developed and have shown st... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5636681 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5636681 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5636680&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22281006%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Gao Q, Frohman MA Abstract Phospholipase D (PLD), a superfamily of signaling enzymes that most commonly generate the lipid second messenger Phosphatidic Acid (PA), is found in diverse organisms from bacteria to man and functions in multiple cellular pathways. A fascinating member of the family, MitoPLD, is anchored to the mitochondrial surface and has two reported roles. In the first role, MitoPLD-generated PA regulates mitochondrial shape through facilitating mitochondrial fusion. In the second role, MitoPLD performs a critical function in a pathway that creates a specialized form of RNAi required by developing spermatocytes to suppress transposon mobilization during meiosis. This spermatocyte-specific RNAi, known as piRNA, is generated in the nuage, an electron-dense acc... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5636680 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5636680 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5636679&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22281007%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rashamuse K, Sanyika W, Brady D Abstract A feruloyl esterase encoding gene (designated fae6), derived from a leachate metagenomic library, was cloned and the nucleotide sequence of the insert DNA determined. Translational analysis revealed that fae6 consists of a 515 amino acid polypeptide, encoding a 55 kDa pre-protein. The Fae6 primary structure contained the G-E-S-A-G sequence, which corresponds well with a typical catalytic serine sequence motif (G-x-S-x-G). The fae6 gene was successfully over-expressed in E. coli and the recombinant protein was purified to 8.4 fold enrichment with 17% recovery. The KM data showed Fae6 has a high affinity to methyl sinapate while thermostability data indicated that fae6 was thermolabile with a half life (T(1/2)) ＜ 30 min at 50oC. Hig... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5636679 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5636679 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5636678&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22281008%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cheng X, Li J, Deng J, Li Z, Meng S, Wang H Abstract The present study aimed to investigate the function of translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) in the regulation of Oct4 in mouse embryonic carcinoma P19 cells and mouse J1 embryonic stem (ES) cells. The mRNA level of endogenous TCTP in somatic cells was 2-4 folds higher than that in pluripotent P19 and J1 ES cells. Overexpression of TCTP in mouse pluripotent cells not only reduced the level of Oct4 transcription, but also decreased the pluripotency of stem cells. The N-terminal end of TCTP (amino acids 1-60) played an important role in suppressing the Oct4 promoter. Moreover, overexpression of TCTP in P19 cells suppressed the Oct4 promoter activity in a dose- and a time-dependent manner. In addition, knockdown o... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5636678 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5636678 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5636677&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22281009%26dopt%3DAbstract This study suggests that TRIM72 can be dynamically converted by various stimuli. The results of this study also provide insight into the role of TRIM72 in the repair of sarcolemma damage. [BMB reports 2012; 45(1): 26-31]. PMID: 22281009 [PubMed - in process] (Source: BMB Reports) BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5636677 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5636677 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5636676&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22281010%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study we quantified the relative abundance of IL-6 mRNA isoforms in a panel of mouse tissues and in C2C12 cells during myoblast differentiation or after treatment with the Ca(2+) ionophore A23187, the AMP-mimetic AICAR and TNF-α. The two mouse IL-6 isoforms identified, IL-6δ5 (deletion of the first 58 bp of exon 5) and IL-6δ3 (lacking exon 3), were not conserved in rat and human, did not exhibit tissue specific regulation, were expressed at low levels and their abundance closely correlated to that of full-length IL-6. Species-specific features of the IL-6 sequence, such as the presence of competitive 3' acceptor site in exon 5 and insertion of retrotransposable elements in intron 3, could explain the production of IL-6δ5 and IL-6δ3. Our results argued against biological signif... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5636676 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5636676 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5636675&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22281011%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yang BC, Lee SH, Hwang S, Lee HC, Im GS, Kim DH, Lee DK, Lee KT, Jeon IS, Oh SJ, Park SB Abstract We investigated phenotypic differences in Hanwoo cattle cloned from somatic cells of a single adult. Ten genetically identical Hanwoo were generated by somatic cell nuclear transfer from a single adult. Weights at birth, growing pattern, horn and noseprint patterns were characterized to investigate phenotypic differences. The weights of clones at 6 and 12 months were slightly heavier than that of the donor. A horn pattern analysis revealed that seven clones had exactly the same horn pattern as the donor cow, whereas three were different. Although similarities such as general appearance can often be used to identify individual cloned animals, no study has characterized noseprin... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5636675 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5636675 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5636674&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22281012%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hong CB, Kim YJ, Moon S, Shin YA, Go MJ, Kim DJ, Lee JY, Cho YS Abstract Recent advances in high-throughput genotyping technologies have enabled us to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on a large cohort. However, analyzing millions of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is still a difficult task for researchers conducting a GWAS. Several difficulties such as compatibilities and dependencies are often encountered by researchers using analytical tools, during the installation of software. This is a huge obstacle to any research institute without computing facilities and specialists. Therefore, a proper research environment is an urgent need for researchers working on GWAS. We developed BioSMACK to provide a research environment for GWAS that requires no confi... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5636674 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5636674 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5636673&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22281013%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hong CB, Kim YJ, Moon S, Shin YA, Cho YS, Lee JY Abstract The International HapMap Project and the Human Genome Diversity Project (HGDP) provide plentiful resources on human genome information to the public. However, this kind of information is limited because of the small sample size in both databases. A Genome-Wide Association Study has been conducted with 8,842 Korean subjects as a part of the Korea Association Resource (KARE) project. In an effort to build a publicly available browsing system for genome data resulted from large scale KARE GWAS, we developed the KARE browser. This browser provides users with a large amount of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) information comprising 1.5 million SNPs from population-based cohorts of 8,842 samples. KAREBrowser was bas... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5636673 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5636673 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5636672&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22281014%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim JW, Sun C, Jeon SY, You YH, Shin JY, Lee SH, Cho JH, Park CG, Yoon KH Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of duration and timing of glucocorticoid treatment on the expansion and differentiation of porcine neonatal pancreas cell clusters (NPCCs) into β-cells. After transplantation of NPCCs, the ductal cyst area and β-cell mass in the grafts both showed positive and negative correlations with duration of dexamethasone (Dx) treatment. Pdx-1 and HNF-3β gene expression was significantly downregulated following Dx treatment, whereas PGC-1α expression increased. Pancreatic duct cell apoptosis significantly increased following Dx treatment, whereas proliferation did not change. Altogether, transdifferentiation of porcine NPCCs into β-cells was ... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5636672 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5636672 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5544494&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22189678%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kang JG, Ko JH, Kim YS Abstract Cancer treatment has been stratified by companion biomarker tests that serve to provide information on the genetic status of cancer patients and to identify patients who can be expected to respond to a given treatment. This stratification guarantees better efficiency and safety during treatment. Cancer patients, however, marginally benefit from the current companion biomarker-aided treatment regimens, presumably because companion biomarker tests are dependent solely on the mutation status of several genes status quo. In the true sense of the term, "personalized medicine", cancer patients are deemed to be identified individually by their molecular signatures, which are not necessarily confined to genetic mutations. Glycosylation is tremendous... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5544494 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5544494 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5544493&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22189679%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Taniguchi N, Korekane H Abstract Branched N-glycans are produced by a series of glycosyltransferases including N-acetylglucosaminyltransferases and fucosyltransferases and their corresponding genes. Glycans on specific glycoproteins, which are attached via the action of glycosyltransferases, play key roles in cell adhesion and signaling. Examples of this are adhesion molecules or signaling molecules such as integrin and E-cadherin, as well as membrane receptors such as the EGF and TGFβ receptors. These molecules also play pivotal roles in the underlying mechanism of a variety of disease such as cancer metastasis, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD ). Alterations in the structures of branched N-glycans are also hall marks and are useful for cancer bi... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5544493 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5544493 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5544492&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22189680%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim JJ, Lee MY Abstract Aberrant GAPDH expression following S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO ) treatment was compared in HepG2 cells, which express functional p53, and Hep3B cells, which lack functional p53. The results of Western blotting and fluorescent immunocytochemistry revealed that nuclear translocation and accumulation of GAPDH occur in both HepG2 and Hep3B cells. This finding suggests that p53 may not be necessary for the GSNO-induced translocation of GAPDH to the nucleus during apoptotic cell death in hepatoma cells. [BMB reports 2011; 44(12): 782-786]. PMID: 22189680 [PubMed - in process] (Source: BMB Reports) BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5544492 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5544492 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5544491&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22189681%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim DW, Hwang HS, Kim DS, Sheen SH, Heo DH, Hwang G, Kang SH, Kweon H, Jo YY, Kang SW, Lee KG, Park KW, Han KH, Park J, Eum WS, Cho YJ, Choi HC, Choi SY Abstract We investigated whether silk fibroin peptide derived from the silkworm, Bombyx mori, could inhibit inflammation and enhance the anti-inflammatory activity of Tat-superoxide dismutase (Tat-SOD ), which was previously reported to effectively penetrate various cells and tissues and exert anti-oxidative activity in a mouse model of inflammation. Inflammation was induced by topical treatment of mouse ears with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol- 13-acetate (TPA ). Histological, Western blot, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction data demonstrated that silk fibroin peptide or Tat-SOD alone could suppress elevated l... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5544491 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5544491 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5544490&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22189682%26dopt%3DAbstract We examined whether this manipulation led to cellular or behavioral changes, possibly through processes involving the transformation of NS cells into pluripotent cells. The Oct4 lentivirus-infused group and the green fluorescent protein lentivirus-infused group showed a similar thickness of the DG and a comparable level of synaptophysin expression in the DG. Furthermore, our behavioral analyses did not show any differences between the groups concerning exploratory activity, anxiety, or memory abilities. This first trial for pluripotency induction in vivo, despite negative results, provides implications and information for future studies on in vivo cellular reprogramming. [BMB reports 2011; 44(12): 793-798]. PMID: 22189682 [PubMed - in process] (Source: BMB Reports) BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5544490 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5544490 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5544489&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22189683%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, the ST8Sia5 gene was transfected into mESCs and then differentiated into neuronal cells. Interestingly, ST8Sia5 gene transfected mESCs expressed GQ1b by HPTLC and immunofluorescence analysis. To investigate the effects of GQ1b over-expression in neurogenesis, neuronal cells were differentiated from GQ1b expressing mESCs in the presence of retinoic acid. In GQ1b expressing mESCs, increased EBs formation was observed. After 4 days, EBs were co-localized with GQ1b and nestin, and GFAP. Moreover, GQ1b co-localized with MAP-2 expressing cells in GQ1b expressing mESCs in 7-day-old EBs. Furthermore, GQ1b expressing mESCs increased the ERK1/2 MAP kinase pathway. These results suggest that the ST8Sia5 gene increases ganglioside GQ1b and improves neuronal differentiation via the ERK1/... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5544489 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5544489 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5544488&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22189684%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we isolated a novel MSRA (SlMSRA2 ) from Micro-Tom (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Micro-Tom ) and characterized it by subcloning the coding sequence into a pET expression system. Purified recombinant protein was assayed by HPLC after expression and refolding. This analysis revealed the absolute specificity for methionine-S-sulfoxide and the enzyme was able to convert both free and protein-bound MetSO to Met in the presence of DTT. In addition, the optimal pH, appropriate temperature, and Km and Kcat values for MSRA2 were observed as 8.5, 25oC, 352 ± 25 μM, and 0.066 ± 0.009 S(-1), respectively. Disk inhibition and growth rate assays indicated that SlMSRA2 may play an essential function in protecting E. coli against oxidative damage. [BMB reports 2011; 44(12): 805-810]. ... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5544488 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5544488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5544487&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22189685%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wei D, Bu Z, Yu A, Li F Abstract Inhalational anthrax is caused by B. anthracis, a virulent sporeforming bacterium which secretes anthrax toxins consisting of protective antigen (PA ), lethal factor (LF ) and edema factor (EF ). LF is a Zn-dependent metalloprotease and is the main determinant in the pathogenesis of anthrax. Here we report the identification of a lead small-molecule inhibitor of anthrax lethal factor by screening an available synthetic small-molecule inhibitor library using fluorescence-based high-throughput screening (HTS ) approach. Seven small molecules were found to have inhibitory effect against LF activity, among which SM157 had the highest inhibitory activity. All theses small molecule inhibitors inhibited LF in a noncompetitive inhibition mode. SM15... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5544487 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5544487 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5544486&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22189686%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim KP, Yu JH, Park SM, Koo HJ, Hong CB Abstract There is a broad range of different small heat shock proteins (sHSPs ) that have diverse structural and functional characteristics. To better understand the functional role of mitochondrial sHSP, NtHSP24.6 was expressed in Escherichia coli with a hexahistidine tag and purified. The protein was analyzed by non-denaturing PAGE, chemical cross-linking and size exclusion chromatography and the H6NtHSP24.6 protein was found to form a dimer in solution. The in vitro functional analysis of H6NtHSP24.6 using firefly luciferase and citrate synthase demonstrated that this protein displays typical molecular chaperone activity. When cell lysates of E. coli were heated after the addition of H6NtHSP24.6, a broad range of proteins from 10 ... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5544486 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5544486 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5470963&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22118534%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Trouillon R, O'Hare D, Chang SI Abstract Nitric oxide (NO) is a critical biological mediator involved in numerous diseases. However, the short lifetime of this molecule in biological conditions can make its study in situ complicated. Here, we review some recent results on the role of NO in angiogenesis, obtained using a biocompatible microelectrode array. This simple system allowed for the quick and easy quantification of NO released from cells grown directly on the surface of the sensor. We have used this technology to demonstrate that angiogenin induces NO release, and to partially elucidate its intracellular transduction pathway. [BMB reports 2011; 44(11): 699-704]. PMID: 22118534 [PubMed - in process] (Source: BMB Reports) BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5470963 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5470963 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5470962&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22118535%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cho S, Kang DK, Choo J, Demello AJ, Chang SI Abstract Advances in the fields of proteomics and genomics have necessitated the development of high-throughput screening methods (HTS) for the systematic transformation of large amounts of biological÷ chemical data into an organized database of knowledge. Microfluidic systems are ideally suited for high-throughput biochemical experimentation since they offer high analytical throughput, consume minute quantities of expensive biological reagents, exhibit superior sensitivity and functionality compared to traditional micro-array techniques and can be integrated within complex experimental work flows. A range of basic biochemical and molecular biological operations have been transferred to chip-based microfluidic formats over the ... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5470962 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5470962 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5470961&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22118536%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, both SITA and PIO appear to exert some beneficial effects on the islet structure in addition to glycemic control via different mechanisms that involve Β-cell dynamics in Akita and db/db mice. [BMB reports 2011; 44(11): 713-718]. PMID: 22118536 [PubMed - in process] (Source: BMB Reports) BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5470961 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5470961 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5470960&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22118537%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we cloned a Sec61α subunit from Penicillium ochrochloron (PoSec61α). Sequence and 3D structural model analysis showed that PoSec61α conserved the typical characteristics of eukaryotic and prokaryotic Sec61α subunit homologues. The pore ring known as the constriction point of the channel is formed by seven hydrophobic amino acids. Two methionine residues from transmembrane α-helice 7 (TM7) contribute to the pore ring formation and projected notably to the pore area and narrowed the pore compared with the superposed residues at the corresponding positions in the crystal structures or the 3D models of the Sec61α subunit homologues in archaea or other eukaryotes, respectively. Results reported herein indicate that the pore ring residues differ among Sec61α subunit homolog... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5470960 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5470960 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5470959&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22118538%26dopt%3DAbstract This study reveals the disease-causing mechanism of this splicing mutation, and emphasizes the need for functional studies using RNA samples for the accurate interpretation of detected splicing variant. This is the first reported case of a CDH1 mutation in a Korean patient. [BMB reports 2011; 44(11): 725-729]. PMID: 22118538 [PubMed - in process] (Source: BMB Reports) BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5470959 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5470959 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5470958&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22118539%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we investigated the protective effects of the Chana series against neurodegenerative changes in vitro and in vivo. Among the Chana series, Chana 30 showed the highest free radical scavenging activity (90.7%) in the 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl assay. Chana 30 also protected against AΒ-induced neural cell injury in vitro. Furthermore, Chana 30 reduced the learning and memory deficits of AΒ(1-42)-peptide injected mice. Taken together, these results suggest that Chana 30 may be a promising candidate as a potent therapeutic agent against neurodegenerative diseases. [BMB reports 2011; 44(11): 730-734]. PMID: 22118539 [PubMed - in process] (Source: BMB Reports) BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5470958 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5470958 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5470957&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22118540%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jang WG, Kim EJ, Koh JT Abstract Tunicamycin, an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inducer, specifically inhibits N-glycosylation. The cyclic AMP (cAMP) response element-binding protein H (CREBH) was previously shown to be regulated by UPR-dependent proteolytic cleavage in the liver. On the other hand, the role of CREBH in other tissues is unknown. In the present study, tunicamycin increased the level of CREBH activation (cleavage) as well as mRNA expression in osteoblast cells. Adenoviral (Ad) overexpression of CREBH suppressed BMP2-induced expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OC). Interestingly, the BMP2-induced OASIS (structurally similar to CREBH, a positive regulator of osteoblast differentiation) expression was also inhibited by CREBH overexpress... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5470957 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5470957 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5470956&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22118541%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Paik SH, Kim HJ, Lee S, Im SW, Ju YS, Yeon JH, Jo SJ, Eun HC, Seo JS, Kim JI, Kwon OS Abstract Tanning ability is important, because it represents the ability of the skin to protect itself against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Here, we sought to determine genetic regions associated with tanning ability. Skin pigmentation was measured at the outer forearm and buttock areas to represent facultative and constitutive skin color, respectively. In our study population consisting of isolated Mongolian subjects, with common histories of environmental UV exposure during their nomadic life, facultative skin color adjusted by constitutive skin color was used to indicate tanning ability. Through linkage analysis and family-based association tests of 345 Mongolian subjects, we identified... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5470956 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5470956 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5470955&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22118542%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nan YH, Shin SY Abstract To investigate the effects of disulphide bond position on the salt resistance and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-neutralizing activity of α-helical homo-dimeric antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), we synthesized an α-helical model peptide (K6L4W1) and its homo-dimeric peptides (di-K(6)L(4)W(1)-N, di-K(6)L(4)W(1)-M, and di-K(6)L(4)W(1)-C) with a disulphide bond at the N-terminus, the central position, and the C-terminus of the molecules, respectively. Unlike (6)L(4)W(1) and di-K(6)L(4)W(1)-M, the antimicrobial activity of di-K(6)L(4)W(1)-N and di-K(6)L(4)W(1)-C was unaffected by 150 mM NaCl. Both di-K(6)L(4)W(1)-N and di-K(6)L(4)W(1)-C caused much greater inhibitory effects on nitric oxide (NO) release in LPS-induced mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells, compare... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5470955 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5470955 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5470954&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22118543%26dopt%3DAbstract This study provides the first evidence that HO-1 plays an important role in DMSO-induced HL-60 cell differentiation. [BMB reports 2011; 44(11): 753-757]. PMID: 22118543 [PubMed - in process] (Source: BMB Reports) BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5470954 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5470954 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5470953&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22118544%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim D, Kwon S, Ahn CS, Lee Y, Choi SY, Park J, Kwon HY, Kwon HJ Abstract Immunostimulatory CpG-DNA targeting TLR9 is one of the most extensively evaluated vaccine adjuvants. Previously, we found that a particular form of natural phosphodiester bond CpG-DNA (PO-ODN) encapsulated in a phosphatidyl-Β-oleoyl- γ-palmitoyl ethanolamine (DOPE) : cholesterol hemisuccinate (CHEMS) (1 : 1 ratio) complex (Lipoplex(O)) is a potent adjuvant. Complexes containing peptide and Lipoplex(O) are extremely useful for B cell epitope screening and antibody production without carriers. Here, we showed that IL-12 production was increased in bone marrow derived dendritic cells in a CpG sequence-dependent manner when PO-ODN was encapsulated in Lipoplex(O), DOTAP or lipofectamine. However, the eff... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5470953 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5470953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5358267&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22026994%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jeong JH, Choi JY Abstract Two key molecules in skeletal tissues are bone formation master transcription factor Runx2 and the steroid hormone estrogen. It is well known that these two molecules play pivotal roles in bone homeostasis; however, the functional interaction between Runx2 and estrogen synthesis in skeletal tissues is largely unknown. Recent studies have indicated that there is a positive relationship between Runx2 and the estrogen biosynthesis pathway. In this review, a possible functional link between Runx2 and estrogen synthesis pathway in skeletal tissues will be discusses as well as the biological significance of this interaction. [BMB reports 2011; 44(10): 613-618]. PMID: 22026994 [PubMed - in process] (Source: BMB Reports) BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5358267 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5358267 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5358266&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22026995%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim M, Choe S Abstract Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling in diseases is the subject of an overwhelming array of studies. BMPs are excellent targets for treatment of various clinical disorders. Several BMPs have already been shown to be clinically beneficial in the treatment of a variety of conditions, including BMP-2 and BMP-7 that have been approved for clinical application in nonunion bone fractures and spinal fusions. With the use of BMPs increasingly accepted in spinal fusion surgeries, other therapeutic approaches targeting BMP signaling are emerging beyond applications to skeletal disorders. These approaches can further utilize next-generation therapeutic tools such as engineered BMPs and ex vivo- conditioned cell therapies. In this review, we focused to pro... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5358266 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5358266 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5358265&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22026996%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cox DH Abstract Due to its high external and low internal concentration the Ca(2+) ion is used ubiquitously as an intracellular signaling molecule, and a great many Ca(2+)-sensing proteins have evolved to receive and propagate Ca(2+) signals. Among them are ion channel proteins, whose Ca(2+) sensitivity allows internal Ca(2+) to influence the electrical activity of cell membranes and to feedback-inhibit further Ca(2+) entry into the cytoplasm. In this review I will describe what is understood about the Ca(2+) sensing mechanisms of the three best studied classes of Ca(2+)-sensitive ion channels: Large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels, small-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels, and voltage- gated Ca(2+) channels. Great strides in mechanistic understanding ha... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5358265 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5358265 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5358264&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22026997%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we examined whether imipramine could stimulate the transduction efficiency of PEP-1 fused proteins into astrocytes. PEP-1-catalase (PEP-1- CAT) was transduced into astrocytes in a time- and dose-dependent manner, reducing cellular toxicity induced by H(2)O(2). Additionally, the group of PEP-1-CAT (+) imipramine showed enhancement of transduction efficiency and therefore increased cellular viability than that of PEP-1-CAT alone. In the gerbil ischemia models, PEP-1-CAT displayed significant neuroprotection in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. Interestingly, PEP-1-CAT (+) imipramine prevented neuronal cell death and lipid peroxidation more markedly than PEP-1-CAT alone. Therefore, our results suggest that imipramine can be used as a drug to enhance the transduction of PEP-1 f... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5358264 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5358264 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5358263&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22026998%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ellouze OE, Loukil S, Marzouki MN Abstract Sclerotinia sclerotiorum fungus has three endoxylanases induced by wheat bran. In the first part, a partial xylanase sequence gene (90 bp) was isolated by PCR corresponding to catalytic domains (β 5 and β 6 strands of this protein). The high homology of this sequence with xylanase of Botryotinia f.eliana has permitted in the second part to amplify the XYN1 gene. Sequence analysis of DNA and cDNA revealed an ORF of 746 bp interrupted by a 65 bp intron, thus encoding a predicted protein of 226 amino acids. The mature enzyme (20.06 kDa), is coded by 188 amino acid (pI 9.26). XYN1 belongs to G/11 glycosyl hydrolases family with a conserved catalytic domain containing E(86) and E(178) residues. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that t... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5358263 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5358263 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5358262&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22026999%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim do Y, Jung MS, Park YG, Yuan HD, Quan HY, Chung SH Abstract As part of the search for biologically active anti-osteoporotic agents that enhance differentiation and mineralization of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells, we identified the ginsenoside Rh2(S), which is an active component in ginseng. Rh2(S) stimulates osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization, as manifested by the up-regulation of differentiation markers (alkaline phosphatase and osteogenic genes) and Alizarin Red staining, respectively. Rh2(S) activates p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in time- and concentration-dependent manners, and Rh2(S)-induced differentiation and mineralization of osteoblastic cells were totally inhibited in the presence of the p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580. In addition, pre... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5358262 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5358262 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5358261&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22027000%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Asghari SM, Khajeh K, Dalfard AB, Pazhang M, Karbalaei-Heidari HR Abstract In order to clarify the impact of Ca-binding sites (Ca1 and 2) on the conformational stability of neutral proteases (NPs), we have analyzed the thermal, pH and organic solvent stability of a NP variant, V189P/A195E/G203D/A268E (Q-mutant), from Salinovibrio proteolyticus. This mutant has shown to bind calcium more tightly than the wild-type (WT) at Ca1 and to possess Ca2. Q-mutant was resisted against autolysis, thermoinactivation and pH denaturation in a Ca-dependent manner and exhibited better activity in organic solvents compared to the WT enzyme. These results imply that Ca1 and Ca2 are important for the conformational stability of NPs. [BMB reports 2011; 44(10): 665-668]. PMID: 22027000 [Pub... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5358261 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5358261 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5358260&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22027001%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim Y, Kwak GH, Lee C, Kim HY Abstract Human methionine sulfoxide reductase B3A (hMsrB3A) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) reductase that catalyzes the stereospecific reduction of methionine-R-sulfoxide to methionine in proteins. In this work, we identified an antimicrobial peptide from hMsrB3A protein. The N-terminal ER-targeting signal peptide (amino acids 1-31) conferred an antimicrobial effect in Escherichia coli cells. Sequence and structural analyses showed that the overall positively charged ER signal peptide had an Argand Pro-rich region and a potential hydrophobic α-helical segment that contains 4 cysteine residues. The potential α-helical region was essential for the antimicrobial activity within E. coli cells. A synthetic peptide, comprised of 2-26 amino acids... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5358260 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5358260 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5358259&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22027002%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kunthic T, Promdonkoy B, Srikhirin T, Boonserm P Abstract Bacillus sphaericus produces mosquito-larvicidal binary toxin composed of BinA and BinB. While BinB is expected to bind to a specific receptor on the cell membrane, BinA interacts to BinB or BinB receptor complex and translocates into the cytosol to exert its activity via unknown mechanism. To investigate functional roles of aromatic cluster in BinA, amino acids at positions Y213, Y214, Y215, W222 and W226 were substituted by leucine. All mutant proteins were highly produced and their secondary structures were not affected by these substitutions. All mutants are able to insert into lipid monolayers as observed by Langmuir-Blodgett trough and could permeabilize the liposomes in a similar manner as the wild type. Howe... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5358259 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5358259 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5358258&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22027003%26dopt%3DAbstract In this report, we mined 20 AHL genes (OsAHLs) from the rice genome database using AtAHL genes as queries and characterized their molecular features. A phylogenetic tree revealed that OsAHL proteins can be classified into 2 evolutionary clades. Tissue expression pattern analysis revealed that all of the OsAHL genes might be functionally expressed genes with 3 distinct expression patterns. Nuclear localization analysis using transgenic Arabidopsis showed that several OsAHL proteins are exclusively localized in the nucleus, indicating that they may act as architectural transcription factors to regulate expression of their target genes during plant growth and development. [BMB reports 2011; 44(10): 680-685]. PMID: 22027003 [PubMed - in process] (Source: BMB Reports) BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5358258 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5358258 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5358257&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22027004%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chung HK, Kim SW, Byun SJ, Ko EM, Chung HJ, Woo JS, Yoo JG, Lee HC, Yang BC, Kwon M, Park SB, Park JK, Kim KW Abstract Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a cytokine secreted by stromal cells and plays a role in the differentiation of bone marrow stem cells and proliferation of neutrophils. Therefore, G-CSF is widely used to reduce the risk of serious infection in immunocompromised patients; however, its use in such patients is limited because of its non-persistent biological activity. We created an N-linked glycosylated form of this cytokine, hG-CSF (Phe140Asn), to assess its biological activity in the promyelocyte cell line HL60. Enhanced biological effects were identified by analyzing the JAK2/STAT3/survivin pathway in HL60 cells. In addition, mutant hG-CSF... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5358257 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5358257 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5358256&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22027005%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Dai C, Wang MH Abstract To investigate the pathways of oxidoreductases in plants, 2 key components in thioredox systems i.e. thioredoxin h (Trx h) and NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reductase (NTR) genes were first isolated from tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum). Subsequently, the coding sequences of Trx h and NTR were inserted into pET expression vectors, and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. In the UV-Visible spectra of the purified proteins, tomato Trx h was shown to have a characteristic 'shoulder' at -290 nm, while the NTR protein had the 3 typical peaks unique to flavoenzymes. The activities of both proteins were demonstrated by following insulin reduction, as well as DTNB reduction. Moreover, both NADPH and NADH could serve as substrates in the NTR reduction system, but... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5358256 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5358256 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5272712&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21944247%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Son YK, Hong da H, Kim DJ, Firth AL, Park WS Abstract Protein kinase C (PKC) is a central enzyme that modulates numerous biological functions. For this reason, specific PKC inhibitors/ activators are required to study PKC-related signaling mechanisms. To date, although many PKC inhibitors have been developed, they are limited by poor selectivity and nonspecificity. In this review, we focus on the nonspecific actions of PKC inhibitors on cardiovascular ion channels in addition to their PKC-inhibiting functions. The aim of this paper is to urge caution when using PKC inhibitors to block PKC function. This information may help to better understand PKC-related physiological/biochemical studies. [BMB reports 2011; 44(9): 559-565]. PMID: 21944247 [PubMed - in process] (Sourc... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5272712 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5272712 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5272711&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21944248%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lee SB, Oh YJ, Chung JK, Jeong JH, Lee SD, Park DK, Park KH, Ko JS, Kim DS Abstract Although the phospholipase C (PLC)Β-1 isoform is associated with spontaneous seizure and distinctively expressed in the telencephalon, the distribution of PLCΒ-1 expression in the epileptic gerbil hippocampus remains controversial. Therefore, we determined whether PLCΒ-1 is associated with spontaneous seizure in an animal model of genetic epilepsy. In the present study, PLCΒ-1 immunoreactivity was down-regulated in seizure-sensitive (SS) gerbils more than in seizure-resistant (SR) gerbils. The expression of PLCΒ-1 within calretinin (CR)- positive neurons was rarely detected within the dentate hilar region of SS gerbils. PLCΒ-1 immunoreactivity in the hippocampus was significantly elev... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5272711 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5272711 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5272710&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21944249%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lee YH, Uhm JS, Yoon SH, Kang JY, Kim EK, Kang BS, Min DS, Bae YS Abstract Elevated phospholipase D (PLD) expression prevents cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. However, the roles of PLD isoforms in cell proliferation and apoptosis are incompletely understood. Here, we investigated the physiological significance of the interaction between PLD2 and protein kinase CKII (CKII) in HCT116 human colorectal carcinoma cells. PLD2 interacted with the CKIIΒ subunit in HCT116 cells. The C-terminal domain (residues 578-933) of PLD2 and the N-terminal domain of CKIIΒ were necessary for interaction between the two proteins. PLD2 relocalized CKIIΒ to the plasma membrane area. Overexpression of PLD2 reduced CKIIΒ protein level, whereas knockdown of PLD2 led to an increase in CKIIΒ expr... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5272710 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5272710 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5272709&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21944250%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim HY, Byun MJ, Kim H Abstract Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) are biochemical markers used to test for liver diseases. Copy number variation (CNV) plays an important role in determining complex traits and is an emerging area in the study various diseases. We performed a genome-wide association study with liver function biomarkers AST and ALT in 407 unrelated Koreans. We assayed the genome-wide variations on an Affymetrix Genome-Wide 6.0 array, and CNVs were analyzed using HelixTree. Using single linear regression, 32 and 42 CNVs showed significance for AST and ALT, respectively (Pvalue 〈 0.05). We compared CNV-based genes between the current study (KARE2; AST-140, ALT-172) and KARE1 (AST-1885, ALT-773) using NetBox. Results showed 9 ... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5272709 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5272709 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5272708&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21944251%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Park BH, Lee YH Abstract The mammalian ste20-like kinase (MST) pathway is important in the regulation of apoptosis and cell cycle and emerges as a novel tumor suppressor pathway. MST-induced phosphorylation of Salvador homolog 1 (SAV1), which is a scaffold protein, has not been evaluated in detail. We performed a mass spectrometric analysis of the SAV1 protein that was co-expressed with MST2. Phosphorylation was detected at Thr-26, Ser-27, Ser-36 and Ser-269. Although single or double mutations had little effects, the mutation of all four residues in SAV1 to Ala (SAV1-4A) had inhibitory effects on the MST pathway. MST2-mediated induction of SAV1-4A protein levels, SAV1-4A interaction with MST2 and the self-dimerization of SAV1-4A were weaker compared to those of wild-type ... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5272708 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5272708 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5272707&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21944252%26dopt%3DAbstract This study concerns the potential of Citrobacter freundii expressing the Vitreoscilla hemoglobin gene (vgb) for the methionine γ- liyase production. Methionine γ- liyase production by Citrobacter freundii and its vgb(?) and vgb(+) bearing recombinant strain was studied in shake-flasks under 200 rpm agitation, culture medium and 30oC in a time-course manner. The vgb(+) and especially the carbon type had a dramatic effect on methionine γ- liyase production. The vgb(+) strain of C. freundii had about 2-fold and 3.1-fold higher levels of MGL than the host and vgb(?) strain, respectively. [BMB reports 2011; 44(9): 590-594]. PMID: 21944252 [PubMed - in process] (Source: BMB Reports) BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5272707 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5272707 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5272706&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21944253%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zong X, Yang H, Yu Y, Zou D, Ling Z, He X, Meng X Abstract Pax 6, a member of the paired box (Pax) family, has been implicated in oncogenesis. However, its therapeutic potential has been never examined in breast cancer. To explore the role of Pax6 in breast cancer development, a lentivirus based short hairpin RNA (shRNA) delivery system was used to knockdown Pax6 expression in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive (MCF-7) and ER-negative (MDA-MB-231) breast cancer cells. Effect of Pax6 silencing on breast cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenesis was analyzed. Pax6-RNAi-lentivirus infection remarkably downregulated the expression levels of Pax6 mRNA and protein in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Accordingly, the cell viability, DNA synthesis, and colony formation were strongly sup... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5272706 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5272706 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5272705&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21944254%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhao M, Yang M, Yang L, Yu Y, Xie M, Zhu S, Kang R, Tang D, Jiang Z, Yuan W, Wu X, Cao L Abstract HMGB1 is associated with human cancers and is an activator of autophagy which mediates chemotherapy resistance. We here show that the mRNA levels of HMGB1 are high in leukemia cells and it is involved in the progression of childhood chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). HMGB1 decreases the sensitivity of human myeloid leukemia cells K562 to anti-cancer drug induced death through up-regulating the autophagy pathway, which is confirmed by the observation with an increase in fusion of autophagosomes and autophagolysosomes. When overexpressing HMGB1, both mRNA levels of Beclin-1, VSP34 and UVRAG which are key genes involved in mammalian autophagy and protein levels of p-Bcl-2 and LC3-II... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5272705 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5272705 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5272704&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21944255%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we showed that encapsulation with phosphatidyl-Β-oleoyl-Γ-palmitoyl ethanolamine (DOPE): cholesterol hemisuccinate (CHEMS) complex enhances the immunostimulatory activity of CpG DNA and the binding of CpG-DNA to TLR9. We also examined involvement of myeloid differentiation protein (MyD88) and NF-ΚB activation in liposome-encapsulated CpG-DNA-induced IL-8 promoter activation. In this manuscript, the natural phosphodiester bond CpG-DNA encapsulated by DOPE : CHEMS complex is designated as Lipoplex(O). Importantly, we successfully screened B cell epitopes of envelope protein (E protein) of hepatitis C virus (HCV-E) and attachment glycoprotein G of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV-G) by immunization with complexes of several peptides and Lipoplex(O) without carriers. T... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5272704 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5272704 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5187225&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21871172%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Park JG, Oh GT Abstract Reactive oxygen species (ROS), which include superoxide anions and peroxides, induce oxidative stress, contributing to the initiation and progression of cardiovascular diseases involving atherosclerosis. The endogenous and exogenous factors hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and shear stress induce various enzyme systems such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) oxidase, xanthine oxidase, and lipoxygenase in vascular and immune cells, which generate ROS. Besides inducing oxidative stress, ROS mediate signaling pathways involved in monocyte adhesion and infiltration, platelet activation, and smooth muscle cell migration. A number of antioxidant enzymes (e.g., superoxide dismutases, catalase, glutathione peroxidases, and pe... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5187225 Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5187225 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5187224&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21871173%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hwang SK, Kim HH Abstract Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase and that forms two multiprotein complexes known as the mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2). mTOR regulates cell growth, proliferation and survival. mTORC1 is composed of the mTOR catalytic subunit and three associated proteins: raptor, mLST8/GβL and PRAS40. mTORC2 contains mTOR, rictor, mLST8/GβL, mSin1, and protor. Here, we discuss mTOR as a promising anti-ischemic agent. It is believed that mTORC2 lies down-stream of Akt and acts as a direct activator of Akt. The different functions of mTOR can be explained by the existence of two distinct mTOR complexes containing unique interacting proteins. The loss of TSC2, which is upstream of mTOR, activates S6K1, promotes ... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5187224 Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5187224 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5187223&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21871174%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we introduced the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene into SV40T-DPC and established an immortalized human DP cell line. The cell line, SV40T-hTERT-DPC, did not induce tumors when inoculated into nude mice. SV40T-hTERT-DPC maintained morphology of early passage DPCs, expressed markers of DPCs, and retained responses to Wnt/β-catenin and bone morphogenic protein (BMP) signaling pathways known to be required for hair-inducing activity of DPCs. The data strongly suggest that SV40T-hTERT-DPC retains many characteristics of human DPCs in vivo without malignant transformation. [BMB reports 2011; 44(8): 512-516]. PMID: 21871174 [PubMed - in process] (Source: BMB Reports) BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5187223 Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5187223 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5187222&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21871175%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Park SJ, Shin JH, Kang H, Hwang JJ, Cho DH Abstract Mitochondrial dynamics not only involves mitochondrial morphology but also mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial distribution, and cell death. To identify specific regulators to mitochondria dynamics, we screened a chemical library and identified niclosamide as a potent inducer of mitochondria fission. Niclosamide promoted mitochondrial fragmentation but this was blocked by down-regulation of Drp1. Niclosamide treatment resulted in the disruption of mitochondria membrane potential and reduction of ATP levels. Moreover, niclosamide led to apoptotic cell death by caspase-3 activation. Interestingly, niclosamide also increased autophagic activity. Inhibition of autophagy suppressed niclosamide-induced cell death. Therefore... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5187222 Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5187222 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5187214&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21871176%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim JH, Kim TW, Kim SJ Abstract To identify novel genes that are regulated by promoter methylation, a combinational approach involving in silico mining followed by molecular assay was performed. From the expression microarray data registered in the European bioinformatics institute (EBI), genes showing downregulation in breast cancer cells were initially screened and then selected by e-Northern analysis using the Unigene database. A series of these in silico methods identified CAMK2B and ARFGEF1 as candidates, and the two genes were revealed to be hypermethylated in breast cancer cell lines and hypomethylated in normal breast cell lines. Additionally, cancer cell lines showed downregulated expression of these genes. Furthermore, treatment of the cancer cell lines with a de... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5187214 Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5187214 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5187197&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21871177%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yoon IS, Chung JH, Hahm SH, Park MJ, Lee YR, Ko SI, Kang LW, Kim TS, Kim J, Han YS Abstract Ribosomal protein S3 (rpS3) is a multifunctional protein involved in translation, DNA repair, and apoptosis. The relationship between rpS3 and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) involved in cell cycle regulation is not yet known. Here, we show that rpS3 is phosphorylated by Cdk1 in G2/M phase. Co-immunoprecipitation and GST pull-down assays revealed that Cdk1 interacted with rpS3. An in vitro kinase assay showed that Cdk1 phosphorylated rpS3 protein. Phosphorylation of rpS3 increased in nocodazole-arrested mitotic cells; however, treatment with Cdk1 inhibitor or Cdk1 siRNA significantly attenuated this phosphorylation event. The phosphorylation of a mutant form of rpS3, T221A, was sign... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5187197 Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5187197 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5187168&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21871178%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim HR, Han RX, Diao YF, Park CS, Jin DI Abstract Reprogramming errors, which appear frequently in cloned animals, are reflected by aberrant gene expression. We previously reported the aberrant expression of TIMP-2 and PBEF in cloned placenta and differential expression of PBEF genes during pregnancy. To examine the epigenetic modifications that regulate dynamic gene expression in developing placentae, we herein analyzed the mRNA and protein expression levels of PBEF and TIMP-2 in the placentae of normal mice during pregnancy and then examined potential correlations with epigenetic modifications. DNA methylation pattern analysis revealed no difference, but ChIP assays using antibodies against H3-K9/K14 and H4-K5 histone acetylation revealed that the H3-K9/K14 acetylation l... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5187168 Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5187168 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5187163&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21871179%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Liu SL, Ni B, Wang XW, Huo WQ, Zhang J, Tian ZQ, Huang ZM, Tian Y, Tang J, Zheng YH, Jin FS, Li YF Abstract It is generally accepted that spermatozoa capacitation is associated with protein kinase A-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation. In our previous study, we identified the fibrous sheath CABYR binding protein (FSCB), which was phosphorylated by PKA. However, the phosphorylation status of FSCB protein during spermatozoa capacitation should be further investigated. To this aim, in this study, we found that phosphorylation of this 270-kDa protein occurred as early as 1 min after mouse spermatozoa capacitation, which increased over time and remained stable after 60 min. Immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that the tyrosine and Ser/Thr phosphorylation of FSCB occurred duri... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5187163 Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5187163 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5187156&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21871180%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cui X, Xu D, Lv C, Qu F, He J, Chen M, Liu Y, Gao Y, Che J, Yao Y, Yu H Abstract MED19 is a member of the Mediator that plays a key role in the activation and repression of signal transduction or the regulation of transcription in carcinomas. To tested the functional role of MED19 in human prostate cancer, we downregulated MED19 expression in prostate cancer cells (PC-3 and DU145) by lentivirus-mediated short hairpin (shRNA), and analyzed the effect of inhibition of MED19 on prostate cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. The in vitro prostate cancer cell proliferation, colony formation, and in vivo tumor growth in nude mice xenografts was significantly reduced after the downregulation of MED19. Knockdown of MED19 caused S-phase arrest and induced apoptosis via modul... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5187156 Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5187156 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5187148&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21871181%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we investigated a potential regulatory role for NF-Y in the transcription of Cyclin A and other cell cycle regulatory genes. Gel-shift assays demonstrate that NF-Y binds to CCAAT sequences in the Cyclin A promoter, as well as to those in the promoters of cell cycle G2 regulators such as CDC2, Cyclin B and CDC25C. Furthermore, expression of Cyclin A increases NF-Y's affinity for CCAAT sequences in the CDC2 promoter; however, Cyclin A's induction of CDC2 transcription is antagonized by p21, an inhibitor of CDK2/Cyclin A. These results suggest a model wherein NF-Y binds to and activates transcription from the Cyclin A promoter, increasing cellular levels of Cyclin A/CDK2 and potentiating NF-Y's capacity for transcriptional transactivation, and imply a positive feedback loop bet... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5187148 Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5187148 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5089323&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21777512%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chang M A female hormone, estrogen, is linked to breast cancer incidence. Estrogens undergo phase I and II metabolism by which they are biotransformed into genotoxic catechol estrogen metabolites and conjugate metabolites are produced for excretion or accumulation. The molecular mechanisms underlying estrogen-mediated mammary carcinogenesis remain unclear. Cell proliferation through activation of estrogen receptor (ER) by its agonist ligands and is clearly considered as one of carcinogenic mechanisms. Recent studies have proposed that reactive oxygen species generated from estrogen or estrogen metabolites are attributed to genotoxic effects and signal transduction through influencing redox sensitive transcription factors resulting in cell transformation, cell cycle, migration,... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5089323 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5089323 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5089322&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21777513%26dopt%3DAbstract In this report, we will review current animal models with respect to the two proposed progenitor cells for serous ovarian cancer, the ovarian surface epithelium and the fallopian tube epithelium. [BMB reports 2011; 44(7): 435-445]. PMID: 21777513 [PubMed - in process] (Source: BMB Reports) BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5089322 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5089322 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5089321&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21777514%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim HN, Min WK, Jeong JH, Kim SG, Kim JR, Kim SY, Choi JY, Park BC The conversion of fibroblasts into osteoblasts requires the activation of key signaling pathways, including the BMP pathway. Although Runx2 is known to be a component of the BMP pathway, the combination of Runx2 and BMP2 has not yet been examined with respect to the conversion of fibroblasts into osteoblasts. Here, human ligamentum flavum (LF) fibroblast- like cells from six patients were tested for their conversion into osteoblasts using adenoviruses expressing Runx2 or BMP2. The forced expression of Runx2 or BMP2 in primary cultured LF cells resulted in a variety of proliferation and differentiation behaviors. Combined treatment of BMP2 plus Runx2 resulted in better osteoblastic differentiation than treatment... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5089321 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5089321 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5089320&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21777515%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim JH, Jeong IY, Lim Y, Lee YH, Shin SY The Egr-1 is an immediate early response gene encoding a transcription factor that functions in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. Estrogen has diverse physiological effects, including cellular proliferation and neuroprotection against brain injury. There are two types of estrogen receptors (ERs), ERα and ERΒ. ERα-induced Egr-1 expression has been extensively studied; however, the role of ERΒ is yet not known. In the present study, we investigated whether or not ERΒ induces Egr-1 expression in C6 rat glioma cells, which express ERΒ but not ERα. Our results show that ERΒ promoted up-regulation of Egr-1 expression via a non-genomic mechanism involving the Raf/MEK1/Erk/Elk-1 signaling cascade. [BMB repor... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5089320 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5089320 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5089319&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21777516%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we used shift in the emission spectrum of GD(4)K-conjugated 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin (GD(4)K-AMC) as a fluorogenic method to measure enteropeptidase activity. The kinetic analysis revealed that enteropeptidase has a K(M) of 0.025 mM and a k(cat) of 65 sec(-1) for GD(4)K-AMC, whereas it has a KM of 0.5 to 0.6 m(M) and a k(cat) of 25 sec(-1) for GD(4)K-NA. The optimum pH of GD(4)K-AMC hydrolysis was pH 8.0. Our data indicate that GD(4)K-AMC is more suitable as a substrate for enteropeptidase than GD(4)K-NA. [BMB reports 2011; 44(7): 458-461]. PMID: 21777516 [PubMed - in process] (Source: BMB Reports) BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5089319 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5089319 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5089318&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21777517%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we examined the effect of a cell-permeable superoxide dismutase (Tat-SOD) on TNF-α-induced MMP-9 expression in human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT). When Tat-SOD was added to the culture medium of HaCaT cells, it rapidly entered the cells in dose- and time-dependent manners. Tat-SOD decreased TNF-α-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Tat-SOD also inhibited TNF-α-induced NF-κB DNA binding activity. Treatment of HaCaT cells with Tat-SOD significantly inhibited TNF-α-induced mRNA and protein expression of MMP-9, as measured by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. In addition, Tat-SOD suppressed TNF-α-induced gelatinolytic activity of MMP-9. Taken together, our results indicate that Tat-SOD can suppress TNF-α-induced MMP-9 expression via ROS-NF-κB-dependent mechan... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5089318 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5089318 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5089317&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21777518%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Park SJ, Park HJ, Kim SJ, Shin HJ, Min IS, Koh KO, Kim DY, Youn HS Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pattern recognition receptors that recognize molecular structures derived from microbes and initiate innate immunity. TLRs have two downstream signaling pathways, the MyD88- and TRIF-dependent pathways. Dysregulated activation of TLRs is closely linked to increased risk of many chronic diseases. Previously, we synthesized fumaryl pyrrolidinone, (E)-isopropyl 4-oxo-4-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1- yl)-2-butenoate (IPOP), which contains a fumaric acid isopropyl ester and pyrrolidinone, and demonstrated that it inhibits the activation of nuclear factor kappa B by inhibiting the MyD88-dependent pathway of TLRs. However, the effect of IPOP on the TRIF-dependent pathway remains unknown. Here, we r... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5089317 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5089317 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5089316&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21777519%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lee JH, Choi YJ, Heo SH, Lee JM, Cho JY Periodontitis is a very prevalent disease. Therefore, biomarkers for the early and standard diagnoses of periodontitis are urgently needed. TACE is a membrane-bound metalloprotease. Although a recent study suggested that TACE levels in GCF are elevated during periodontal disease, the levels of TACE in GCF at different stages of chronic periodontitis have not been determined. Here, we analyzed the protein levels of TACE in GCF from periodontal disease subjects and confirmed that the protein levels of TACE were higher in the moderate periodontitis groups. TACE is known to be a NF-κB ligand that stimulates RANKL secretion in osteoblasts. To understand the effects of TACE on RANKL and OPG in osteoblasts, we treated MG63 cells with TACE. We ... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5089316 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5089316 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5089315&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21777520%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Choi JH, Kim BK, Kim JK, Lee HY, Park J, Yoon SK Hairless (HR), a transcriptional cofactor, is highly expressed in the skin and brain. To characterize the effects of HR expression in the skin, we examined its capacity for transcriptional regulation of its target genes in mouse skin and keratinocytes. We found that Foxe1 mRNA expression was suppressed in HR-overexpressing skin, as well as in HR-expressing keratinocytes. In turn, Msx1 expression was downregulated contingent on Foxe1 downregulation in skin and keratinocytes. We also found that expression of Sfrp1 was also correlated with that of Foxe1. Further investigation of the mechanisms involved in the transcriptional regulation of these genes will facilitate our understanding of the relationship among genes involved in hair... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5089315 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5089315 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5089314&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21777521%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lee SH, Kim DW, Back SS, Hwang HS, Park EY, Kang TC, Kwon OS, Park JH, Cho SW, Han KH, Park J, Eum WS, Choi SY Annexin-1 (ANX1) is an anti-inflammatory protein as well as an important modulator in inflammation. However, the precise action of ANX1 remains unclear. To elucidate the protective effects of ANX1 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine macrophage Raw 264.7 cells, we constructed a cell-permeable Tat-ANX1 protein. The transduced Tat-ANX1 protein markedly inhibited the expression of cyclooxygenase-2, production of prostaglandin E(2), and generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the cells. Furthermore, transduced Tat-ANX1 protein caused a significant reduction in the activation of nuclear factor- kappa B (NF-kB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). The resu... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5089314 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5089314 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5089313&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21777522%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ren K, Xian S, He F, Zhang W, Ding X, Wu Y, Yang L, Zhou J, Gao X, Zhang J Transcription factor AP-2α involves in the process of mammalian embryonic development and tumorigenesis. Many studies have shown that AP-2α functions in association with other interacting proteins. In a two-hybrid screening, the regulatory subunit Β of protein casein kinase 2 (CK2Β) was identified as an interacting protein of AP-2α; we confirmed this interaction using in-vitro GST pull-down and in-vivo co-immunoprecipitation assays; in an endogenous co-immunoprecipitation experiment, we further found the catalytic subunit α of protein casein kinase 2 (CK2α) also exists in the complex. Phosphorylation analysis revealed that AP-2α was phosphorylated by CK2 kinase majorly at the site of Ser429, and... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5089313 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5089313 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4995095&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21699747%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Park EY, Woo YM, Park JH Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a common genetic disorder in which extensive epithelial-lined cysts develop in the kidneys. In previous studies, abnormalities of polycystin protein and its interacting proteins, as well as primary cilia, have been suggested to play critical roles in the development of renal cysts. However, although several therapeutic targets for PKD have been suggested, no early diagnosis or effective treatments are currently available. Current developments are active for treatment of PKD including inhibitors or antagonists of PPAR-γ, TNF-α, CDK and VEGF. These drugs are potential therapeutic targets in PKD, and need to be determined about pathological functions in human PKD. It has recently been reported that the alteration of ep... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4995095 Tue, 31 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4995095 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4995094&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21699748%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jun Y, Ahn K MHC-I molecules play a critical role in immune surveillance against viruses by presenting peptides to cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Although the mechanisms by which MHC-I molecules assemble and acquire peptides in the ER are well characterized, how MHC-I molecules traffic to the cell surface remains poorly understood. To identify novel proteins that regulate the intracellular transport of MHC-I molecules, MHC-I-interacting proteins were isolated by affinity purification, and their identity was determined by mass spectrometry. Among the identified MHC-I-associated proteins was Tmp21, the human ortholog of yeast Emp24p, which mediates the ER-Golgi trafficking of a subset of proteins. Here, we show that Tmp21 binds to human classical and non-classical MHC-I molecules. The... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4995094 Tue, 31 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4995094 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4995093&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21699749%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kudan S, Kuttiyawong K, Pichyangkura R Bacillus licheniformis SK-1 naturally produces chitinase 72 (CHI72) with two truncation derivatives at the C-terminus, one with deletion of the chitin binding domain (ChBD), and the other with deletions of both fibronectin type III domain (FnIIID) and ChBD. We constructed deletions mutants of CHI72 with deletion of ChBD (CHI72ΔChBD) and deletions of both FnIIID and ChBD (CHI72ΔFnIIIDΔChBD), and studied their activity on soluble, amorphous and crystalline substrates. Interestingly, when equivalent amount of specific activity of each enzyme on soluble substrate was used, the product yield from CHI72- ΔChBD and CHI72ΔFnIIIDΔChBD on colloidal chitin was 2.5 and 1.6 fold higher than CHI72, respectively. In contrast, the product yield fro... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4995093 Tue, 31 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4995093 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4995092&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21699750%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Shi T, Xie J, Xiong Y, Deng W, Guo J, Wang F, Ma D In the present study, we characterized the function of HS1-binding protein 3 (HS1BP3), which is mutated in essential tremor and may be involved in lymphocyte activation. We found that HS1BP3 localized to the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum partially. Overexpression of HS1BP3 induced apoptosis in HEK293T and HeLa cell lines. When these cell lines were transfected with HS1BP3, they exhibited nuclear DNA condensation, externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS), and cleavage of poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP). Furthermore, suppression of HS1BP3 or HS1 expression attenuates HS1BP3 induced apoptosis. In addition, HS1BP3 enhanced activator protein 1 (AP-1)-mediated transcription in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, we conc... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4995092 Tue, 31 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4995092 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4995091&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21699751%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim W, Bae S, Kim A, Park K, Lee S, Choi Y, Han S, Park Y, Koh Y To investigate the molecular scavenging capabilities of the larvae of Hermetia illucens, two serine proteases (SPs) were cloned and characterized. Multiple sequence alignments and phylogenetic tree analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences of Hi-SP1 and Hi-SP2 were suggested that Hi-SP1 may be a chymotrypsin- and Hi-SP2 may be a trypsin-like protease. Hi-SP1 and Hi-SP2 3-D homology models revealed that a catalytic triad, three disulfide bonds, and a substrate-binding pocket were highly conserved, as would be expected of a SP. E. coli expressed Hi-SP1 and Hi-SP2 showed chymotrypsin or trypsin activities, respectively. Hi-SP2 mRNAs were consistently expressed during larval development. In contrast, the expressio... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4995091 Tue, 31 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4995091 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4995090&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21699752%26dopt%3DAbstract This study analyzed the effects of two developmental hormones, juvenile hormone (JH) and ecdysteroid, on the viral replication of Cotesia plutellae bracovirus (CpBV). All 23 CpBV segments identified contained a conserved excision/rejoining site ('AGCTTT') from their proviral segments. Using quantitative real-time PCR based on this excision/rejoining site marker, initiation of CpBV replication was determined to have occurred on day 4 on the pupal stage. Pyriproxyfen, a JH agonist, significantly inhibited adult emergence of C. plutellae, whereas RH5992, an ecdysteroid agonist, had no inhibitory effect. Although RH5992 had no effect dose on adult development, it significantly accelerated viral replication. The results of immunoblotting assays against viral coat proteins support the effects of... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4995090 Tue, 31 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4995090 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4995089&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21699753%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, powder of Orostachys japonicus A. Berger (O. japonicus) was extracted with 95% ethyl alcohol and fractionated using a series of organic solvents, including n-hexane (hexane), dichloromethane (DCM), ethylacetate (EtOAc), n-butanol (BuOH), and water (H(2)O). We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of these O. japonicus extracts on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Their effects on the expression of inflammatory mediators and transcription factors were analyzed by Western blotting. DCM fraction significantly inhibited formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as nitric oxide (NO) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Phosphorylation of the pro-inflammatory transcription factor complex nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 and expression of inducible... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4995089 Tue, 31 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4995089 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4995088&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21699754%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Song N, Kim SJ, Kwon HY, Son SW, Kim KS, Ahn HB, Lee YC The present study demonstrated that valproic acid (VPA) transcriptionally regulates human GM3 synthase (hST3Gal V), which catalyzes ganglioside GM3 biosynthesis in ARPE-19 human retinal pigment epithelial cells. For this, we characterized the promoter region of the hST3Gal V gene. Functional analysis of the 5'-flanking region of the hST3Gal V gene revealed that the -177 to -83 region functions as the VPA-inducible promoter and that the CREB/ATF binding site at -143 is crucial for VPA-induced expression of hST3Gal V in ARPE-19 cells. In addition, the transcriptional activity of hST3Gal V induced by VPA in ARPE-19 cells was inhibited by SP600125, a c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor. In summary, our results identified ... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4995088 Tue, 31 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4995088 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4995087&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21699755%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bak EJ, Park HG, Lee C, Lee TI, Woo GH, Na Y, Yoo YJ, Cha JH Chana series are new chalcone derivatives. To evaluate the possibility of Chana series as therapeutic agents of type 2 diabetes, the inhibitory effects of Chana series on the activities of α-glucosidase and DPP-4 were investigated using in vitro enzyme assays, and their effects on adipocyte differentiation were investigated in C3H10T1/2 cells. Chana 1 and Chana 7 among the Chana series showed significant inhibition of α-glucosidase activity. In DPP-4 enzyme assay, Chana 1 exhibited the highest inhibitory activity while Chana 7 did not. In MTT assay, Chana 1 did not show significant cytotoxicity up to a concentration of 250 μM, whereas cytotoxicity was observed with Chana 7 at a concentration of 300 μM. In additio... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4995087 Tue, 31 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4995087 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4995086&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21699756%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, glucosamine, a product of glucose influx via the HBP in a diabetic state, increases vascular contraction, at least in part, through activation of the RhoA/Rho kinase pathway, which may be due to O-GlcNAcylation. [BMB reports 2011; 44(6): 415-420]. PMID: 21699756 [PubMed - in process] (Source: BMB Reports) BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4995086 Tue, 31 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4995086 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4946023&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21615982%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Park SK Aging is one of the most complicated biological processes in all species. A number of different model organisms from yeast to monkeys have been studied to understand the aging process. Until recently, many different age-related genes and age-regulating cellular pathways, such as insulin/IGF-1-like signal, mitochondrial dysfunction, Sir2 pathway, have been identified through classical genetic studies. Parallel to genetic approaches, genome-wide approaches have provided valuable insights for the understanding of molecular mechanisms occurring during aging. Gene expression profiling analysis can measure the transcriptional alteration of multiple genes in a genome simultaneously and is widely used to elucidate the mechanisms of complex biological pathways. Here, current gl... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4946023 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4946023 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4946022&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21615983%26dopt%3DAbstract Mitochondrial superoxide anion (O(2)(-)) inducible "mev-1" animal models for aging research. BMB Rep. 2011 May;44(5):298-305 Authors: Ishii T, Miyazawa M, Hartman PS, Ishii N Most intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), especially superoxide anion (O(2)(-)) that is converted from oxygen, are overproduced by excessive electron leakage from the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Intracellular oxidative stress that damages cellular components can contribute to lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and arteriosclerosis, and age-related diseases such as cancer and neuronal degenerative diseases. We have previously demonstrated that the excessive mitochondrial O(2)(-) production caused by SDHC mutations (G71E in C. elegans, I71E in Drosophila and V69E in mouse) results in pr... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4946022 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4946022 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4946021&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21615984%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Park DK, Park KH, Ko JS, Kim DS Although NCX-3 is highly expressed in the brain, the distribution of NCX-3 in the epileptic hippocampus is still controversial. Therefore, to assess the distribution and pattern of NCX-3 expression in epileptic hippocampus, we performed a comparative analysis of NCX-3 immunoreactivities in the hippocampus of seizure-resistant (SR) and seizure-sensitive (SS) gerbils. In SR gerbils, NCX-3 immunoreactivity was higher than pre-seizure SS gerbils, particularly in the pavalbumin (PV)-positive interneurons. Three h post-ictal, NCX-3 immunoreactivity in the SS gerbil hippocampus was markedly elevated to the level of SR gerbils. Six h post-ictal, the expression of NCX-3 was reduced to the level of pre-seizure SS gerbils. Therefore, the results of the pre... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4946021 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4946021 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4946020&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21615985%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we examined the role of IDPc in cellular defense against MPP(+) -induced oxidative injury using PC12 cells transfected with IDPc small interfering RNA (siRNA). Our results demonstrate that MPP(+) -mediated disruption of cellular redox status, oxidative damage to cells, and apoptotic cell death were significantly enhanced by knockdown of IDPc. [BMB reports 2011; 44(5): 312-316]. PMID: 21615985 [PubMed - in process] (Source: BMB Reports) BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4946020 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4946020 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4946019&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21615986%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wei W, Liu F, Liu L, Li Z, Zhang X, Jiang F, Shi Q, Zhou X, Sheng W, Cai S, Li X, Xu Y, Nan P Hereditary non-polyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC) is an autosomal dominant inheritance syndrome. HNPCC is the most common hereditary variant of colorectal cancer (CRC), which accounts for 2-5% CRCs, mainly due to hMLH1 and hMSH2 mutations that impair DNA repair functions. Our study aimed to identify the patterns of hMSH2 and hMLH1 mutations in Chinese HNPCC patients. Ninety-eight unrelated families from China meeting Amsterdam or Bethesda criteria were included in our study. Germline mutations in MLH1 and MSH2 genes, located in the exons and the splice-site junctions, were screened in the 98 probands by direct sequencing. Eleven mutations were found in ten patients (11%), with six in... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4946019 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4946019 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4946018&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21615987%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhou Z, Peng D, Zheng J, Guo G, Tian L, Yu Z, Sun M We screened four B. thuringiensis strains whose parasporal inclusions contained the S-layer protein (SLP), and cloned two slp genes from each strain. Phylogenetic analysis indicated these SLPs could be divided into two groups, SLP1s and SLP2s. To confirm whether SLPs were present in the S-layer or as a parasporal inclusion, strains CTC and BMB1152 were chosen for further study. Western blots with whole-cell associated proteins from strains CTC and BMB1152 in the vegetative phase showed that SLP1s and SLP2s were constituents of the S-layer. Immunofluorescence utilizing spore-inclusion mixtures of strains CTC and BMB1152 in the sporulation phase showed that SLP1s and SLP2s were also constituents of parasporal inclusions. When h... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4946018 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4946018 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4897772&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21615988%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we investigated the effect of levosulpiride on the transduction of PEP-1 ribosomal protein S3 (PEP-1-rpS3), and examined its influence on the stimulation of the therapeutic properties of PEP-1-rpS3. PEP-1-rpS3 transduction into HaCaT human keratinocytes and mouse skin was stimulated by levosulpiride in a manner that did not directly affect the cell viability. Following 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol- 13-acetate (TPA)-induced inflammation in mice, levosulpiride alone was ineffective in reducing TPA-induced edema and in inhibiting the elevated productions of inflammatory mediators and cytokines, such as cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin-6 and -1β, and tumor necrosis factor- α. Anti-inflammatory activity by PEP-1-rpS3 + levosulpiride was significantly ... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4897772 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4897772 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4897735&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21615989%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we attempted to isolate novel mast cell-stimulating molecules from Staphylococcus aureus. Water-soluble extract of S. aureus cell lysate strongly induced human interleukin- 8 in human mast cell line-1 and mouse interleukin-6 in mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells. The active molecule was purified to homogeneity through a C(18) reverse phase HPLC column. By determination of its structure by MALDITOF and (1)H- and (13)C-NMR, adenosine was revealed to be responsible for the observed cytokine induction activities. Further studies using 8-sulfophenyl theophylline, a selective adenosine receptor blocker, verified that purified adenosine can induce interleukin-8 production via adenosine receptors on mast cells. Moreover, adenosine was purified from S. aureusengulfed RAW264.7 cells... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4897735 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4897735 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4897729&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21615990%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we analyzed the effect of CaCl(2), NaCl and NH(4)NO(3) salts in combination with the pH and nucleotide cofactor effect on the ssDNA-binding activity of RecA. The studies revealed that, in addition to the inhibitory effect, these salts exert also a stimulatory effect on RecA. These effects occur only under very strict conditions, and the presence or absence and the type of nucleotide cofactor play here a major role. It was observed that in contrast to ATP, ATPγS prevented the inhibitory effect of NaCl and NH(4)NO(3), even at very high salt concentration. These results indicate that ATPγS most likely stabilizes the structure of RecA required for DNA binding, making it resistant to high salt concentrations. [BMB reports 2011; 44(5): 341-346]. PMID: 21615990 [PubMed - in p... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4897729 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4897729 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4897720&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21615991%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we performed a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis on 1,196 mouse testis proteins screened from public protein database. Integrated function and pathway analysis were performed through Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) and ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA), and significant features were clustered. Protein membrane organization and gene density on chromosomes were analyzed and discussed. The enriched bioinformatics analysis could provide clues and basis to the development of diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for infertility and male contraception. [BMB reports 2011; 44(5): 347-351]. PMID: 21615991 [PubMed - in process] (Source: BMB Reports) BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4897720 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4897720 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4897715&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21615992%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hahm SH, Park JH, Ko SI, Lee YR, Chung IS, Chung JH, Kang LW, Han YS The effect of human MutY homolog (hMYH) on the activation of checkpoint proteins in response to hydroxyurea (HU) and ultraviolet (UV) treatment was investigated in hMYH-disrupted HEK293 cells. hMYH-disrupted cells decreased the phosphorylation of Chk1 upon HU or UV treatment and increased the phosphorylation of Cdk2 and the amount of Cdc25A, but not Cdc25C. In siMYH-transfected cells, the increased rate of phosphorylated Chk1 upon HU or UV treatment was lower than that in siGFP-transfected cells, meaning that hMYH was involved in the activation mechanism of Chk1 upon DNA damage. The phosphorylation of ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3- related protein (ATR) upon HU or UV treatment was decreased in hMYH-disrupted... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4897715 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4897715 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4798060&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21524346%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jin HT, Jeong YH, Park HJ, Ha SJ T cell exhaustion develops under conditions of antigenpersistence caused by infection with various chronic pathogens, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB), or by the development of cancer. T cell exhaustion is characterized by stepwise and progressive loss of T cell function, which is probably the main reason for the failed immunological control of chronic pathogens and cancers. Recent observations have detailed some of the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influence the severity of T cell exhaustion. Duration and magnitude of antigenic activation of T cells might be associated with up-regulation of inhibitory receptors, which is a major intrinsic factor of T cell exhaustion. Extrinsic factors might ... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4798060 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4798060 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4798059&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21524347%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chang J Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is a major cause of upper and lower respiratory tract illness in infants and young children worldwide. Despite its importance as a respiratory pathogen, there is currently no licensed vaccine for prophylaxis of HRSV infection. There are several hurdles complicating the development of a RSV vaccine: 1) incomplete immunity to natural RSV infection leading to frequent re-infection, 2) immature immune system and maternal antibodies of newborn infants who are the primary subject population, and 3) imbalanced Th2-biased immune responses to certain vaccine candidates leading to exacerbated pulmonary disease. After the failure of an initial trial featuring formalin-inactivated virus as a RSV vaccine, more careful and deliberate efforts ... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4798059 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4798059 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4798058&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21524348%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim JY, Park HS, Lim D, Jang HC, Park HS, Lee KT, Kim JS, Oh SI, Kweon MS, Kim TH, Choi BH We generated 16,993 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from two libraries containing full-length cDNAs from the brain and liver of the Korean Jindo dog. An additional 365,909 ESTs from other dog breeds were identified from the NCBI dbEST database, and all ESTs were clustered into 28,514 consensus sequences using StackPack. We selected the 7,305 consensus sequences that could be assembled from at least five ESTs and estimated that 12,533 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were present in 97,835 putative SNPs from the 7,305 consensus sequences. We identified 58 Jindo dog-specific SNPs in comparison to other breeds and predicted seven synonymous SNPs and ten non-synonymous SNPs... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4798058 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4798058 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4798057&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21524349%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Choi HJ, Song SY, Yoon JB, Liu LK, Cho JY, Cha SH The quality of a phage-displayed antibody library deteriorates with clonal variations, which are caused by differentially expressed Escherichia coli antibody genes. Using the human Fab SP114 against the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex-E2 (PDCE2), we created four E. coli TOP10F' clones with a pCMTG phagemid encoding Fab-pIII (pCMTG-Fab), Fd (V(H)+C(H1))-pIII (pCMTG-Fd), or light chain (L) (pCMTG-L), or the vector only (pCMTG-'Fab) to investigate the effect of clonal variations in a defined manner. Compared to the others, the E. coli clone with pCMTG-Fab was growth retarded in liquid culture, but efficiently produced phage progenies by Ex12 helper phage superinfection. Our results suggest that an antibody library must be cultured ... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4798057 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4798057 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4798056&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21524350%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Paik H, Ryu T, Heo HS, Seo SW, Lee D, Hur CG In multicellular organisms, including humans, understanding expression specificity at the tissue level is essential for interpreting protein function, such as tissue differentiation. We developed a prediction approach via generated sequence features from overrepresented patterns in housekeeping (HK) and tissue-specific (TS) genes to classify TS expression in humans. Using TS domains and transcriptional factor binding sites (TFBSs), sequence characteristics were used as indices of expressed tissues in a Random Forest algorithm by scoring exclusive patterns considering the biological intuition; TFBSs regulate gene expression, and the domains reflect the functional specificity of a TS gene. Our proposed approach displayed better perfor... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4798056 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4798056 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4798055&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21524351%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lee TH, Choi SH, Kim HY PEP-1 peptide has been used for transduction of native protein into mammalian cells. This work describes the findings that the fusion of PEP-1 to target proteins led to protein truncation likely in a non-protein-specific manner. Approximately 75% of PEP-1-MsrA fusion protein was truncated in the N-terminal region of MsrA between Lys-27 and Val-28 during expression in Escherichia coli and purification. This large protein truncation was also observed in another PEP-1 fused protein, PEP-1- MsrB2, in the N-terminal region of MsrB2. The full-length PEP-1-MsrA protein was rapidly transduced into keratinocyte cells within 15 min. The transduced PEP-1-MsrA was functionally active and could protect skin cells against oxidative stressand ultraviolet radiation-ind... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4798055 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4798055 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4798054&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21524352%26dopt%3DAbstract This study is the first investigation published in Korea of strains that included both aac(6')-Ib and aac(6')-Ib-cr variant. [BMB reports 2011; 44(4): 262-266]. PMID: 21524352 [PubMed - in process] (Source: BMB Reports) BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4798054 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4798054 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4798053&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21524353%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Shin DH, Park KW, Wu LC, Hong JW ZAS3 is a large zinc finger transcription repressor that binds the ϰB-motif via two signature domains of ZASN and ZASC. A loss-of-function study showed that lack of ZAS3 protein induced accelerated cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. Conversely, gain-of-function studies showed that ZAS3 repressed NFϰB-activated transcription by competing with NFϰB for the ϰB-motif. Based on these observations, we hypothesize that ZAS3 promotes apoptosis by interrupting anti-apoptotic activity of NFϰB. Here, we present evidence that upon TNFα stimulation, ZAS3 inhibits NFϰB-mediated cell survival and promotes caspase-mediated apoptosis. The inhibitory effect of ZAS3 on NFϰB activity is mediated by neither direct association with NFϰB nor disrupting nu... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4798053 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4798053 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4798052&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21524354%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Park BK, Kim D, Cho S, Seo JN, Park JB, Kim YS, Choi IG, Kwon HY, Lee Y, Kwon HJ Destruction of the skin barrier by thermal injury induces microbial invasion, which can lead to the development of systemic infection and septic shock. Microbial pathogens possess pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), which are recognized by conserved receptors. To understand the role of PAMPs in thermal injury-induced mice, LPS or CpG-DNA were topically applied to dorsal skin after thermal injury. We observed an increase in the number of inflammatory cell infiltrates as well as thickening in the dermis upon treatment with LPS or CpG-DNA. We also found that expression of IL-1β, MIP-2, and RANTES induced by thermal injury was enhanced by LPS or CpG-DNA. In addition, the proportions of CD... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4798052 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4798052 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4798051&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21524355%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Park DW, Kim SS, Nam MK, Kim GY, Kim J, Rhim H The glutathione S-transferase (GST) system is useful for increasing protein solubility and purifying soluble GST fusion proteins. However, purifying half of the GST fusion proteins is still difficult, because they are virtually insoluble under non-denaturing conditions. To optimize a simple and rapid purification condition for GST-pyruvate kinase muscle 2 (GST-PKM2) protein, we used 1% sarkosyl for lysis and a 1:200 ratio of sarkosyl to Triton X-100 (S-T) for purification. We purified the GST-PKM2 protein with a high yield, approximately 5 mg/L culture, which was 33 times higher than that prepared using a conventional method. Notably, the GST-high-temperature requirement A2 (GST-HtrA2) protein, used as a model protein for function... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4798051 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4798051 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4798050&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21524356%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Li Y, Paik YK Caenorhabditis elegans undergoes a developmental molting process that involves a coordinated interplay among diverse intracellular pathways. Here, we investigated the functions of two fatty acid biosynthesis genes; pod-2, encoding acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and fasn-1, encoding fatty acid synthase, in the C. elegans molting process. Although both the pod-2 and fasn-1 genes were expressed at constant levels throughout C. elegans development, knockdown of the proteins encoded by these genes using RNA interference produced severe defects in triglyceride production, molting, and reproduction that were coupled to suppression of NAS-37, a metalloprotease. An assessment of the structure and integrity of the cuticle using a COL-19::GFP marker and Hoechst 33258 staining show... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4798050 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4798050 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4633613&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21429291%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kang MK, Han SJ The meiotic process from the primordial stage to zygote in female germ cells is mainly adjusted by post-transcriptional regulation of pre-existing maternal mRNA and post-translational modification of proteins. Several key proteins such as the cell cycle regulator, Cdk1/cyclin B, are post-translationally modified for precise control of meiotic progression. The second messenger (cAMP), kinases (PKA, Akt, MAPK, Aurora A, CaMK II, etc), phosphatases (Cdc25, Cdc14), and other proteins (G-protein coupled receptor, phosphodiesterase) are directly or indirectly involved in this process. Many proteins, such as CPEB, maskin, eIF4E, eIF4G, 4E-BP, and 4E-T, post-transcriptionally regulate mRNA via binding to the cap structure at the 5' end of mRNA or its 3' untranslated re... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4633613 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4633613 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4633612&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21429292%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lim SK, Llaguno SR, McKay RM, Parada LF Gliomas are the most frequently occurring primary malignancies in the central nervous system, and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and most aggressive of these tumors. Despite vigorous basic and clinical studies over past decades, the median survival of patients with this disease remains at about one year. Recent studies have suggested that GBMs contain a subpopulation of tumor cells that displays stem cell characteristics and could therefore be responsible for in vivo tumor growth. We will summarize the major oncogenic pathways abnormally regulated in gliomas, and review the recent findings from mouse models that our laboratory as well as others have developed for the study of GBM. The concept of cancer stem cells in GBM... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4633612 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4633612 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4633611&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21429293%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we assessed the modification of ferritin induced by H(2)O(2). When ferritin was incubated with H(2)O(2), the degradation of ferritin L-chain increased with the H(2)O(2) concentration whereas ferritin H-chain was remained. Free radical scavengers, azide, thiourea, and N-acetyl-(L)-cysteine suppressed the H(2)O(2)-mediated ferritin modification. The iron specific chelator, deferoxamine, effectively prevented H(2)O(2)-mediated ferritin degradation in modified ferritin. The release of iron ions from ferritin was increased in H(2)O(2) concentration-dependent manner. The present results suggest that free radicals may play a role in the modification and iron releasing of ferritin by H(2)O(2). It is assumed that oxidative damage of ferritin by H(2)O(2) may induce the increase of iro... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4633611 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4633611 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4633610&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21429294%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jeong J, Ha TS, Kim J We identified a bovine B(12) trafficking chaperone bCblC in Bos taurus that showed 88% amino acid sequence identity with a human homologue. The protein bCblC was purified from E. coli by over-expression of the encoding gene. bCblC bound cyanocobalamin (CNCbl), methylcobalamin (MeCbl) and adenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl) in the base-off states and eliminated the upper axial ligands forming aquo/hydroxocobalamin (OH(2)/OHCbl) under aerobic conditions. A transition of OH(2)/OHCbl was induced upon binding to bCblC. Interestingly, bCblC-bound OH(2)/OHCbl did not react with reduced glutathione (GSH), while the reaction of free OH(2)/OHCbl with GSH resulted in the formation of glutathionylcobalamin (GSCbl) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG). Furthermore we found that bC... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4633610 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4633610 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4633609&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21429295%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Park JA, Kim YE, Seok HJ, Park WY, Kwon HJ, Lee Y Inhibiting histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity modulates the epigenetic status of cells, resulting in an alteration of gene expression and cellular function. Here, we investigated the effects of HDAC inhibitors on mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. The HDAC inhibitors trichostatin A, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, sodium butyrate, and valproic acid induced early differentiation of mouse ES cells and triggered induction of heatshock protein (HSP)70. In contrast, class III HDAC inhibitors failed to induce differentiation or HSP70 expression. Transcriptional upregulation of HSP70 was confirmed by mRNA expression analysis, an inhibitor study, and chromatin immunoprecipitation. HSP70 induction was dependent on the SAPK/ JNK, p38, an... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4633609 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4633609 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4633608&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21429296%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Song EJ, Yoo YS Exogenous stimuli such as nerve growth factor (NGF) exert their effects on neurite outgrowth via Trk neurotrophin receptors. TrkA receptors are known to be ubiquitinated via proteasome inhibition in the presence of NGF. However, the effect of proteasome inhibition on neurite outgrowth has not been studied extensively. To clarify these issues, we investigated signaling events in PC12 cells treated with NGF and the proteasome inhibitor MG132. We found that MG132 facilitated NGF-induced neurite outgrowth and potentiated the phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen- activated protein kinase (ERK/MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol- 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathways and TrkA receptors. MG132 stimulated internalization of surface TrkA receptor and s... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4633608 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4633608 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4633607&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21429297%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Meng F, Kang M, Liu L, Luo L, Xu B, Guo X TGF-Β activated kinase-1 (TAK1) plays a pivotal role in developmental processes in many species. Previous research has mainly focused on the function of TAK1 in model organisms, and little is known about the function of TAK1 in hymenoptera insects. Here, we isolated and characterized the TAK1 gene from Apis cerana cerana. Promoter analysis of AccTAK1 revealed the presence of transcription factor binding sites related to early development. Real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry experiments revealed that AccTAK1 was expressed at high levels in fourth instar larvae, primarily in the abdomen, in the intestinal wall cells of the midgut and in the secretory cells of the salivary glands. In addition, AccTAK1 expression in fourth... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4633607 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4633607 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4633606&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21429298%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cho EK, Choi IS, Choi YJ The chitinase-producing strain SC081 was isolated from Korean traditional soy sauce and identified as Bacillus atrophaeus based on a phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rDNA sequence and a phenotypic analysis. A gene encoding chitinase from B. atrophaeus SC081 was cloned in Escherichia coli and was named SCChi-1 (GQ360078). The SCChi-1 nucleotide sequences were composed of 1788 base pairs and 596 amino acids, which were 92.6, 89.6, 89.3, and 78.9% identical to those of Bacillus subtilis (ABG57262), Bacillus pumilus (ABI15082), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (ABO15008), and Bacillus licheniformis (ACF40833), respectively. A recombinant SCChi-1 containing a hexahistidine tag at the amino- terminus was constructed, overexpressed, and purified in E. coli to chara... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4633606 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4633606 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4633605&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21429299%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kamata T, Bong YS, Mood K, Park MJ, Nishanian TG, Lee HS Ephrin signaling is involved in various morphogenetic events, such as axon guidance, hindbrain segmentation, and angiogenesis. We conducted a yeast two-hybrid screen using the intracellular domain (ICD) of EphrinB1 to gain biochemical insightinto the function of the EphrinB1 ICD. We identified the transcriptional co-repressor xTLE1/Groucho as an EphrinB1 interacting protein. Whole-mount in situ hybridization of Xenopus embryos confirmed the co-localization of EphrinB1 and a Xenopus counterpart to TLE1, xTLE4, during various stages of development. The EphrinB1/xTLE4 interaction was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation experiments. Further characterization of the interaction revealed that the carboxy-terminal PDZ binding mo... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4633605 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4633605 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4633604&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21429300%26dopt%3DAbstract This study was conducted to determine if cAMP affects the antiapoptotic activity of insulin and the activity of PI3K and ERK in CHO cells expressing human insulin receptors (CHO-IR). Insulin-stimulated ERK activity was completely suppressed by cAMP-elevating agents like as pertussis toxin (Ptx) and cholera toxin (Ctx) after 4 h treatment. Insulin-stimulated PKB/Akt activity was not affected at all. Ptx treatment together with insulin increased the number of apoptotic cells and the degree of DNA fragmentation. Ctx or 8-brcAMP treatment also increased the number of apoptotic cells and stimulated the cleavage of caspase-3 and the hydrolysis of PARP. Taken together, cAMP antagonizes the antiapoptotic activity of insulin and the main target molecule of cAMP in this process is likely ERK, not PI... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4633604 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4633604 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4633603&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21429301%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: An SH, Kang JH, Kim DH, Lee MS Vitamin C (VC) is an important antioxidant and enzyme co-factor that works by stimulating the immune system and protecting against infections. It is well known that melanoma cells are more susceptible to VC than any other tumor cells. However, the role of VC in the treatment of colon cancer has not been studied. Cisplatin (CDDP) is a DNA damaging agent and is widely used for treating cancer, while the role of p53 in CDDP-induced cell death has been stressed. Using cell growth assays, morphological methods, Western blotting, flow cytometry, and DNA fragmentation analysis, we measured the expression of p53 level involved in the effect of VC on CDDP-induced apoptosis of HCT116, a human colon cancer cell line. CDDP plus VC treatment resulted in signi... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4633603 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4633603 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4571361&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21345305%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lee SY, Lee J, Chang JH, Lee JH Over the years, nanostructures have been developed to enable to support enzyme usability to obtain highly selective and efficient biocatalysts for catalyzing processes under various conditions. This review summarizes recent developments in the nanostructures for enzyme supporters, typically those formed with various inorganic materials. To improve enzyme attachment, the surface of nanomaterials is properly modified to express specific functional groups. Various materials and nanostructures can be applied to improve both enzyme activity and stability. The merits of the incorporation of enzymes in inorganic nanomaterials and unprecedented opportunities for enhanced enzyme properties are discussed. Finally, the limitations encountered with nanomate... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4571361 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4571361 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4571360&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21345306%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fang Y, Huang XJ, Chen PC, Xu ZK Enzymatic catalysis has been pursued extensively in a wide range of important chemical processes for their unparalleled selectivity and mild reaction conditions. However, enzymes are usually costly and easy to inactivate in their free forms. Immobilization is the key to optimizing the in-service performance of an enzyme in industrial processes, particularly in the field of non-aqueous phase catalysis. Since the immobilization process for enzymes will inevitably result in some loss of activity, improving the activity retention of the immobilized enzyme is critical. To some extent, the performance of an immobilized enzyme is mainly governed by the supports used for immobilization, thus it is important to fully understand the properties of support... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4571360 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4571360 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4571359&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21345307%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Song HO, Ahnn J Calcineurin is a serine/threonine protein phosphatase controlled by Ca(2+) and calmodulin that has been implicated in various signaling pathways. Previously, we reported that calcineurin regulates coelomocyte endocytosis in Caenorhabditis elegans. So far, simple and powerful in vivo approaches have been developed to study various endocytic processes in C. elegans. Using these in vivo assays, we further analyzed the endocytic phenotypes of calcineurin mutants. We observed that the calcineurin mutants were defective in apical endocytosis in the intestine as well as synaptic vesicle recycling in the nerve cord. However, we found that calcineurin mutants displayed normal receptor-mediated endocytosis in oocytes. Therefore, our results suggest that calcineurin may r... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4571359 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4571359 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4571358&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21345308%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Khalifeh K, Ranjbar B, Alipour BS, Hosseinkhani S Thermodynamic stability and refolding kinetics of firefly luciferase and three representative mutants with depletion of negative charge on a flexible loop via substitution of Glu by Arg (ER mutant) or Lys (EK mutant) as well as insertion of another Arg in ER mutants (ERR mutant) was investigated. According to thermodynamic studies, structural stability of ERR and ER mutants are enhanced compared to WT protein, whereas, these mutants become prone to aggregation at higher temperatures. Accordingly, it was concluded that enhanced structural stability of mutants depends on more compactness of folded state, whereas aggregation at higher temperatures in mutants is due to weakening of intermolecular repulsive electrostatic interaction... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4571358 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4571358 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4571357&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21345309%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lee S, Kim B, Kim H, Lee H, Yu U We have developed a biologist-friendly, stand-alone Java GUI application, IdBean, for ID conversion. Our tool integrated most of the widely used ID conversion services that provide programmatic access. It is the first GUI ID conversion application that supports the direct merging as well as comparison of conversion results from multiple ID conversion services without manual effort. This tool will greatly help biologists who handle multiple ID types for the analyses of gene or gene product lists. By referring to multiple conversion services, the number of failed IDs can be reduced. By accessing ID conversion service online, it will potentially provide the most up-to-date conversion results. The application was developed in modular form; however,... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4571357 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4571357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4571356&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21345310%26dopt%3DAbstract In this report, enhancer trap assay was used to modify various EphA7 BAC clones and screen a large genomic region spanning 570 kb downstream of the EphA7 gene. We found that the dorsal midline-specific EphA7 enhancer resides on the 457D20 EphA7 BAC clone and is localized to a 35 kb genomic region in between +345.7 kb to +379.8 kb downstream of the EphA7 transcription start site. Identification of the EphA7 BAC clone containing a long-range dorsal midline enhancer may constitute a useful tool for investigating the biological functions of EphA7 in vivo. [BMB reports 2011; 44(2): 113-117]. PMID: 21345310 [PubMed - in process] (Source: BMB Reports) BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4571356 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4571356 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4571355&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21345311%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Park SY, Yoo MJ, Shin J, Cho KH Most widely used secondary structure assignment methods such as DSSP identify structural elements based on N-H and C=O hydrogen bonding patterns from X-ray or NMR-determined coordinates. Secondary structure assignment algorithms using limited Cα information have been under development as well, but their accuracy is only ~80% compared to DSSP. We have hereby developed SABA (Secondary Structure Assignment Program Based on only Alpha Carbons) with~90% accuracy. SABA defines a novel geometrical parameter, termed a pseudo center, which is the midpoint of two continuous Cαs. SABA is capable of identifying α-helices, 3(10)-helices, and β-strands with high accuracy by using cut-off criteria on distances and dihedral angles between two or more pseudo... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4571355 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4571355 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4571354&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21345312%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fan X, Yang Q, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Wang J, Yuan J, Li Y, Wang Y, Deng Y, Yuan W, Mo X, Wan Y, Ocorr K, Yang X, Wu X Leucine-rich repeat containing protein 10 (LRRC10) is characterized as a cardiac-specific gene, suggesting a role in heart development and disease. A severe cardiac morphogenic defect in zebrafish morphants was recently reported but a contradictory result was found in mice, suggesting a more complicated molecular mechanism exists during mouse embryonic development. To elucidate how LRRC10 is regulated, we analyzed the 5'enhancer region approximately 3 kilo bases (kb) upstream of the Lrrc10 start site using luciferase reporter gene assays. Our characterization of the Lrrc10 promoter indicates it possesses complicated cis-and trans-acting elements. We show that GATA4 ... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4571354 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4571354 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4571353&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21345313%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we observed that LTi cells expressed TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA as well as TLR2 protein and upregulated OX40L, CD30L, and TRANCE expression after stimulation with the TLR2 ligand zymosan or TLR4 ligand LPS. The expression of tumor necrosis factor superfamily (TNFSF) members was significantly upregulated when cells were cocultured with DCs, suggesting that upregulated TNFSF expression may contribute to antigen-specific adaptive immune responses. [BMB reports 2011; 44(2): 129-134]. PMID: 21345313 [PubMed - in process] (Source: BMB Reports) BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4571353 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4571353 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4571352&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21345314%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we hypothesized that chronic ethanol consumption is associated with pathological processing of APP in AD. To investigate the relationship between chronic alcohol consumption and Aβ production, brain samples from rats fed an alcohol liquid diet for 5 weeks were analyzed. We show that the expression levels of APP, BACE1, and immature nicastrin were increased in the cerebellum, hippocampus, and striatum of the alcohol-fed group compared to the control group. Total nicastrin and PS1 levels were induced in the hippocampus of alcohol-fed rats. These data suggest that the altered expression of APP and Aβ-producing enzymes possibly contributes to the chronic alcohol consumption-mediated pathogenesis of AD. [BMB reports 2011; 44(2): 135-139]. PMID: 21345314 [PubMed - in process... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4571352 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4571352 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4571351&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21345315%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim SY, Kim S, Kim JM, Jho EH, Park S, Oh D, Yun-Choi HS Impaired responsiveness of platelets to epinephrine (epi) and other catecholamines (CA) has been reported in approximately 20% of the healthy Korean and Japanese populations. In the present study, platelet aggregation induced by epi was potentiated by RO 31-8220 (RO) or Gø 6983 (Gø). Phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) was very low in epi-stimulated PRP from CA-hypo-responders (CA-HY), whereas it was detected in those from CA-good responders (CA-GR). RO and Gø increased p-Akt, one of the major downstream effectors of phosphoinositol-3 kinase (PI3K), in epi-stimulated PRP from both groups. Wortmannin, a PI3K inhibitor, attenuated the RO or Gø-induced potentiation of p-Akt in epi-stimulated PRP, suggesting positive effects for ... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4571351 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4571351 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4460303&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21266100%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mitchell RJ, Lee SK, Kim T, Ghim CM Inter-cellular communication via diffusible small molecules is a defining character not only of multicellular forms of life but also of single-celled organisms. A large number of bacterial genes are regulated by the change of chemical milieu mediated by the local population density of its own species or others. The cell density-dependent "autoinducer" molecules regulate the expression of those genes involved in genetic competence, biofilm formation and persistence, virulence, sporulation, bioluminescence, antibiotic production, and many others. Recent innovations in recombinant DNA technology and micro-/nano-fluidics systems render the genetic circuitry responsible for cell-to-cell communication feasible to and malleable via synthetic biolog... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4460303 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4460303 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4460302&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21266101%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jost D, Nowojewski A, Levine E During the last decade small regulatory RNA (srRNA) emerged as central players in the regulation of gene expression in all kingdoms of life. Multiple pathways for srRNA biogenesis and diverse mechanisms of gene regulation may indicate that srRNA regulation evolved independently multiple times. However, small RNA pathways share numerous properties, including the ability of a single srRNA to regulate multiple targets. Some of the mechanisms of gene regulation by srRNAs have significant effect on the abundance of free srRNAs that are ready to interact with new targets. This results in indirect interactions among seemingly unrelated genes, as well as in a crosstalk between different srRNA pathways. Here we briefly review and compare the major srRNA p... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4460302 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4460302 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4460301&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21266102%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jeon WB A series of elastin-like proteins, SKGPG[V(VKG)(3)VKVPG](n)-(ELP1-90)WP (n = 1, 2, 3, and 4), were biosynthesized based on the hydrophobic and lysine linkage domains of tropoelastin. The formation of self-assembled hydrophobic aggregates was monitored in order to determine the influence of cationic segments on phase transition properties as well as the sensitivity to changes in salt and pH. The thermal transition profiles of the proteins fused with only one or two cationic blocks (n = 1 or 2) were similar to that of the counterpart ELP1-90. In contrast, diblock proteins that contain 3 and 4 cationic blocks displayed a triphasic profile and no transition, respectively. Upon increasing the salt concentration and pH, a stimulus-induced phase transition from a soluble conf... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4460301 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4460301 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4460300&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21266103%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yang B, Guo H, Zhang Y, Dong S, Ying D MicroRNAs are potential key regulators in mesenchymal stem cells chondrogenic differentiation. However, there were few reports about the accurate effects of miRNAs on chondrogenic differentiation. To investigate the mechanisms of miRNAs-mediated regulation during the process, we performed miRNAs microarray in MSCs at four different stages of TGF-β3-induced chondrogenic differentiation. We observed that eight miRNAs were significantly up-regulated and five miRNAs were downregulated. Interestingly, we found two miRNAs clusters, miR-143/145 and miR-132/212, kept on down-regulation in the process. Using bioinformatics approaches, we analyzed the target genes of these differentially expressed miRNAs and found a series of them correlated with ... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4460300 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4460300 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4460299&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21266104%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Davami F, Sardari S, Majidzadeh-A K, Hemayatkar M, Barkhordari F, Enayati S, Adeli A, Mahboudi F Resistance to PAI-1 is a factor which confers clinical benefits in thrombolytic therapy. The only US FDA approved PAI-1 resistant drug is Tenecteplase®. Deletion variants of t-PA have the advantage of fewer disulfide bonds in addition to higher plasma half lives. A new variant was developed by deletion of the first three domains in t-PA in addition to substitution of KHRR 128-131 amino acids with AAAA in truncated t-PA. The specific activity of this new variant, 570 IU/μg, was found to be similar to those found in full length t-PA (Alteplase®), 580 IU/μg. A 65% and 85% residual activity after inhibition by rPAI-1 was observed for full length and truncated-mutant form, respectiv... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4460299 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4460299 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4460298&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21266105%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jeon B, Kim BH, Lee YS, Kim S, Yoon JB, Kim TY Extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) is an antioxidant enzyme that protects cells and tissues from extracellular damage by eliminating superoxide anion radicals produced during metabolism. Two different forms of EC-SOD exist, and their different enzyme activities are a result of different disulfide bond patterns. Although only two folding variants have been discovered so far, five folding variants are theoretically possible. Therefore, we constructed five different mutant EC-SOD expression vectors by substituting cysteine residues with serine residues and evaluated their expression levels and enzyme activities. The mutant EC-SODs were expressed at lower levels than that of wild-type EC-SOD, and all of the mutants exhibited ... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4460298 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4460298 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4460297&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21266106%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we investigated the effect of Neuroguidin/CANu1 depletion on the response of osteosarcoma cells to doxorubicin. In normal circumstances, Neuroguidin/CANu1 is localized at nucleoli, which translocates to nuclear foci in the presence of doxorubicin. shRNA knockdown of Neuroguidin/CANu1 did not affect cell viability in the absence of doxorubicin, but led to enhanced cytotoxicity in doxorubicin-treated cells. Doxorubicin increased the population of apoptotic cells by 3-fold in Neuroguidin/CANu1-depleted cells compared to that in control cells. Depletion of Neuroguidin/CANu1 mRNA induced the expression of p21 and the cleavage of PARP, leading to increased caspase-3/7 activity. Together, these results suggest that Neuroguidin/CANu1 is required for maintaining cellular homeostasis ... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4460297 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4460297 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4460296&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21266107%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chandrasekharaiah M, Thulasi A, Bagath M, Kumar DP, Santosh SS, Palanivel C, Jose VL, Sampath KT Termites play an important role in the degradation of dead plant materials and have acquired endogenous and symbiotic cellulose digestion capabilities. The feruloyl esterase enzyme (FAE) gene amplified from the metagenomic DNA of Coptotermes formosanus gut was cloned in the TA cloning vector and subcloned into a pET32a expression vector. The Ft3-7 gene has 84% sequence identity with Clostridium saccharolyticum and shows amino acid sequence identity with predicted xylanase/chitin deacetylase and endo-1,4-beta-xylanase. The sequence analysis reveals that probably Ft3-7 could be a new gene and that its molecular mass was 18.5 kDa. The activity of the recombinant enzyme (Ft3-7) produce... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4460296 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4460296 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4460295&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21266108%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wang Y, Ye X, Zhou J, Wan Y, Xie H, Deng Y, Yan Y, Li Y, Fan X, Yuan W, Mo X, Wu X Zinc finger (ZNF) proteins play a critical role in cell growth, proliferation, apoptosis, and intracellular signal transduction. In this paper, we cloned and characterized a novel human KRAB-related zinc finger gene, ZNF425, which encodes a protein of 752 amino acids. ZNF425 is strongly expressed in the three month old human embryos and then is almost undetectable in six month old embryos and in adult tissues. An EGFP-ZNF425 fusion protein can be found in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. ZNF425 appears to act as a transcription repressor. Over-expression of ZNF425 inhibits the transcriptional activities of SRE, AP-1, and SRF. Deletion analysis indicates that the C2H2 domain is the main region... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4460295 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4460295 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4460294&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21266109%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Guida V, Criscuolo G, Tamburino R, Malorni L, Parente A, Maro AD A peroxidase (PD-cP; 0.47 mg/100 g leaves) was purified from autumn leaves of Phytolacca dioica L. and characterized. PD-cP was obtained by acid precipitation followed by gel-filtration and cation exchange chromatography. Amino acid composition and N-terminal sequence of PD-cP up to residue 15 were similar to that of Spinacia oleracea (N-terminal pairwise comparison showing four amino acid differences). PD-cP showed a molecular mass of approx. 36 kDa by SDS-PAGE, pH and temperature optima at 3.0 and 50.0°C, respectively and seasonal variation. The Michaelis-Menten constant (K(M)) for H(2)O(2) was 5.27 mM, and the velocity maximum (V(max)) 1.31 nmol min(-1), while the enzyme turnover was 0.148 s(-1). Finally, the... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4460294 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4460294 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4460293&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21266110%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Gao X, Wang Q, Li W, Yang B, Song H, Ju W, Liu S, Cheng J Nucleolar and coiled-body phosphoprotein 1 (NOLC1) is a phosphoprotein that transiently associates with the mature nucleolar H/ACA and C/D box small nucleolar ribonucleoproteins (snoRNPs). Several lines of evidence indicate that NOLC1 plays an important role in the synthesis of rRNA and the biosynthesis of ribosomes. In the present study, we examined the transcriptional regulation mechanisms that govern the expression of NOLC1. We first performed functional dissection of the NOLC1 promoter. We demonstrated that transcription factors NF-κB and CREB could bind to the minimal NOLC1 promoter. This was demonstrated by electrophoretic mobility shift assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation. Mutagenesis and overexpression ass... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4460293 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4460293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4392873&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21189152%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kaneda Y Cancers are still difficult targets despite recent advances in cancer therapy. Due to the heterogeneity of cancer, a single-treatment modality is insufficient for the complete elimination of cancer cells. Therapeutic strategies from various aspects are needed. Gene therapy has been expected to bring a breakthrough to cancer therapy, but it has not yet been successful. Gene therapy also should be combined with other treatments to enhance multiple therapeutic pathways. In this view, gene delivery vector itself should be equipped with intrinsic anti-cancer activities. HVJ (hemagglutinating virus of Japan; Sendai virus) envelope vector (HVJ-E) was developed to deliver therapeutic molecules. HVJ-E itself possessed anti-tumor activities such as the generation of anti-tumor ... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4392873 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4392873 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4392872&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21189153%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kang E, Yun CO An often overlooked issue in the field of adenovirus (Ad)-mediated cancer gene therapy is its limited capacity for effective systemic delivery. Although primary tumors can be treated effectively with intralesional injection of conventional Ad vectors, systemic metastasis is difficult to cure. Systemic administration of conventional naked Ads leads to acute accumulation of Ad particles in the liver, induction of neutralizing antibody, short blood circulation half-life, non-specific biodistribution in undesired organs, and low selective accumulation in the target disease site. Versatile strategies involving the modification of viral surfaces with polymers and nanomaterials have been designed for the purpose of maximizing Ad anti-tumor activity and specificity by s... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4392872 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4392872 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4392871&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21189154%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wang M, Sun H, Jiang F, Han J, Ye F, Wang T, Su Y, Zou Z A novel gene, designated mgt-6, containing four splicing variants, was isolated from a gene trap clone library of C3H/10T1/2 cells transfected with retroviral promoterless gene-trap vector, ROSAFARY. The transcript variants were differentially expressed in murine tissues and cell lines and differentially responded to diverse stimuli including TGF-β1 and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors. The mgt-6 gene encoded a protein of 37 or 11 amino acid residuals with cytoplasmic distribution. However, when C3H/10T1/2 cells were treated with 5-azacytidine, the protein translocated into cell nucleus as indicated by fused LacZ or C-terminally tagged EGFP. Our preliminary results suggest that further study on the rol... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4392871 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4392871 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4392870&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21189155%26dopt%3DAbstract This study reports a new function for HIP1r in mitosis. Green fluorescent protein-fused HIP1r localizes to the mitotic spindles. Depletion of HIP1r by RNA interference induces misalignment of chromosomes and prolonged mitosis, which is associated with decreased proliferation of HIP1r-deficeint cells. Chromosome misalignment leads to missegregation and ultimately production of multinucleated cells. Depletion of HIP1r causes persistent activation of the spindle checkpoint in misaligned chromosomes. These findings suggest that HIP1r plays an important role in regulating the attachment of spindle microtubules to chromosomes during mitosis, an event that is required for accurate congression and segregation of chromosomes. This finding may provide new insights that improve the understanding of v... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4392870 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4392870 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4392869&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21189156%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhang R, Cui Y, Zhang X, Yang Z, Zhao Y, Song Y, Wu C, Zhang J The existence of glycine residues in long-chain scorpion toxins has been well documented. However, their role as analgesics has not been evaluated. To address this issue, we investigated the functional role of glycines in the C-terminal end of Chinese-scorpion toxin from Buthus martensii Karsch (BmK AGP-SYPU2) using site-directed mutagenesis and analgesic activity assays. Recombinant BmK AGP-SYPU2 and its mutants were efficiently expressed in E. coli and purified to homogeneity using immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) and cation exchange chromatography. The mouse-twisting test was used to detect the analgesic activity of BmK AGP-SYPU2 and its mutants. As a result, we identified glycines at the C-t... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4392869 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4392869 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4392868&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21189157%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hong JW, Wu LC NFκB and ZAS3 are transcription factors that control important cellular processes including immunity, cell survival and apoptosis. Although both proteins bind the κB-motif, they produce opposite physiological consequences; NFκB activates transcription, promotes cell growth and is often found to be constitutively expressed in cancer cells, while ZAS3 generally represses transcription, inhibits cell proliferation and is downregulated in some cancers. Here, we show that ZAS3 inhibits NFκB-dependent transcription by competing with NFκB for the κB-motif. Transient transfection studies show that N-terminal 645 amino acids is sufficient to repress transcription activated by NFκB, and that the identical region also possesses intrinsic repression activity to inhib... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4392868 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4392868 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4392867&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21189158%26dopt%3DAbstract This study examined the effects of exogenous fluridone and ABA on the development of the stem cell niche in Arabidopsis root. We show that fluridone promoted the division of stem cells in the quiescent centre, whereas exogenous ABA suppressed quiescent centre division. Furthermore, we established a novel regulatory function for fluridone by demonstrating that it plays an important role in postembryonic development. [BMB reports 2010; 43(12): 813-817]. PMID: 21189158 [PubMed - in process] (Source: BMB Reports) BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4392867 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4392867 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4392866&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21189159%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lan H, Zhu J, Ai Q, Yang Z, Ji Y, Hong S, Song F, Bu Y Plk 1 is overexpressed in many human malignancies including laryngeal carcinoma. However, its therapeutic potential has been never examined in laryngeal carcinoma. In the present study, a simple cellular morphology-based strategy was firstly proposed for rapidly screening the effective siRNAs against Plk1. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of Plk1 depletion via a novel identified effective siRNA against Plk1, Plk1 siRNA-607, on human laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 cells. The results indicated that Plk1 siRNA-607 transfection resulted in a significant inhibition in Plk1 expression in cells, and subsequently caused a dramatic mitotic cell cycle arrest followed by massive apoptotic cell death, and eventually resulted in a s... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4392866 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4392866 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4392865&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21189160%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Park SY, Kim YH, Kim YH, Park G, Lee SJ Melanin synthesis is regulated by melanocyte specific enzymes and related transcription factors. β-carboline alkaloids including harmaline and harmalol are widely distributed in the environment including several plant families and alcoholicbeverages. Presently, melanin content and tyrosinase activity were increased in melanoma cells by harmaline and harmalol in concentration- and time-dependent manners. Increased protein levels of tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1), and TRP-2 were also evident. In addition, immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses revealed harmaline and harmalol increased cAMP response element binding protein phosphorylation and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor expression. In addition to ... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4392865 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4392865 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4392864&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21189161%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cheong HS, Lee HC, Park BL, Kim H, Jang MJ, Han YM, Kim SY, Kim YS, Shin HD Epigenetic modification of the genome through DNA methylation is the key to maintaining the differentiated state of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), and it must be reset during differentiation by retinoic acid (RA) treatment. A genome-wide methylation/gene expression assay was performed in order to identify epigenetic modifications of RA-treated hESCs. Between undifferentiated and RA-treated hESCs, 166 differentially methylated CpG sites and 2,013 differentially expressed genes were discovered. Combined analysis of methylation and expression data revealed that 19 genes (STAP2, VAMP8, C10orf26, WFIKKN1, ELF3, C1QTNF6, C10orf10, MRGPRF, ARSE, LSAMP, CENTD3, LDB2, POU5F1, GSPT2, THY1, ZNF574, MSX1, SCM... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4392864 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4392864 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4305687&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21189162%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Paik H, Lee E, Lee D In the era of personal genomics, predicting the individual response to drug-treatment is a challenge of biomedical research. The aim of this study was to validate whether interaction information between genetic and transcriptional signatures are promising features to predict a drug response. Because drug resistance÷susceptibilities result from the complex associations of genetic and transcriptional activities, we predicted the inter-relationships between genetic and transcriptional signatures. With this concept, captured genetic polymorphisms and transcriptional profiles were prepared in cancer samples. By splitting ninety-nine samples into a trial set (n = 30) and a test set (n = 69), the outperformance of relationship- focused model (0.84 of area under ... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4305687 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4305687 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214780&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21110913%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim DH, Sim T Kinomics is an emerging and promising approach for deciphering kinomes. Chemical kinomics is a discipline of chemical genomics that is also referred to as "chemogenomics", which is derived from chemistry and biology. Chemical kinomics has become a powerful approach to decipher complicated phosphorylation-based cellular signaling networks with the aid of small molecules that modulate kinase functions. Moreover, chemical kinomics has played a pivotal role in the field of kinase drug discovery as it enables identification of new molecular targets of small molecule kinase modulators and/or exploitation of novel functions of known kinases and has also provided novel chemical entities as hit/lead compounds. In this short review, contemporary chemical kinomics technolog... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214780 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4214780 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214779&cid=s_37276_60_f&fid=37276&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21110914%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Grant MM The small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) proteins have been implicated in the pathology of a number of diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases. The conjugation machinery for SUMOylation consists of a number of proteins which are redox sensitive. Here, under oxidative stress (100 μM hydrogen peroxide), antioxidant (100 μM ascorbate) or control conditions 169 proteins were identified by electospray ionisation fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. The majority of these proteins (70%) were found to contain SUMOylation consensus sequences. From the remaining proteins a small number (12%) were found to contain possible SUMO interacting motifs. The proteins identified included DNA and RNA binding proteins, structural proteins and proteasomal p... BMB Reports journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214779 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4214779