The gep oncogenes, Gα₁₂ and Gα₁₃, upregulate the transforming growth factor-β1 gene

Lee, S J,Yang, J W,Cho, I J,Kim, W D,Cho, M K,Lee, C H,Kim, S G Macmillan Publishers Limited 2009 Oncogene Vol.28 No.9

Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) plays a role in neoplastic transformation and transdifferentiation. Gα<SUB>12</SUB> and Gα<SUB>13</SUB>, referred to as the gep oncogenes, stimulate mitogenic pathways. Nonetheless, no information is available regarding their roles in the regulation of the TGFβ1 gene and the molecules linking them to gene transcription. Knockdown or knockout experiments using murine embryonic fibroblasts and hepatic stellate cells indicated that a Gα<SUB>12</SUB> and Gα<SUB>13</SUB> deficiency reduced constitutive, auto-stimulatory or thrombin-inducible TGFβ1 gene expression. In contrast, transfection of activated mutants of Gα<SUB>12</SUB> and Gα<SUB>13</SUB> enabled the knockout cells to promote TGFβ1 induction. A promoter deletion analysis suggested that activating protein 1 (AP-1) plays a role in TGFβ1 gene transactivation, which was corroborated by the observation that a deficiency of the G-proteins decreased the AP-1 activity, whereas their activation enhanced it. Moreover, mutation of the AP-1-binding site abrogated the ability of Gα<SUB>12</SUB> and Gα<SUB>13</SUB> to induce the TGFβ1 gene. Transfection of a dominant-negative mutant of Rho or Rac, but not Cdc42, prevented gene transactivation and decreased AP-1 activity downstream of Gα<SUB>12</SUB> and Gα<SUB>13</SUB>. In summary, Gα<SUB>12</SUB> and Gα<SUB>13</SUB> regulate the expression of the TGFβ1 gene through an increase in Rho/Rac-dependent AP-1 activity, implying that the G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-Gα<SUB>12</SUB> pathway is involved in the TGFβ1-mediated transdifferentiation process.Oncogene (2009) 28, 1230–1240; doi:10.1038/onc.2008.488; published online 19 January 2009

Full-length genomic analysis of porcine G9P[23] and G9P[7] rotavirus strains isolated from pigs with diarrhea in South Korea

Kim, H.H.,Matthijnssens, J.,Kim, H.J.,Kwon, H.J.,Park, J.G.,Son, K.Y.,Ryu, E.H.,Kim, D.S.,Lee, W.S.,Kang, M.I.,Yang, D.K.,Hyun, B.H.,Park, S.I.,Park, S.J.,Cho, K.O. Elsevier Science 2012 INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION Vol.12 No.7

Group A rotaviruses (RVAs) are agents causing severe gastroenteritis in infants and young animals. G9 RVA strains are believed to have originated from pigs. However, this genotype has emerged as the fifth major human RVA genotype worldwide. To better understand the relationship between human and porcine RVA strains, complete RVA genome data are needed. For human RVA strains, the number of complete genome data have grown exponentially. However, there is still a lack of complete genome data on porcine RVA strains. Recently, G9 RVA strains have been identified as the third most important genotype in diarrheic pigs in South Korea in combinations with P[7] and P[23]. This study is the first report on complete genome analyses of 1 G9P[7] and 3 G9P[23] porcine RVA strains, resulting in the following genotype constellation: G9-P[7]/P[23]-I5-R1-C1-M1-A8-N1-T1-E1-H1. By comparisons of these genotype constellations, it was revealed that the Korean G9P[7] and G9P[23] RVA strains possessed a typical porcine RVA backbone, similar to other known porcine RVA strains. However, detailed phylogenetic analyses revealed the presence of intra-genotype reassortments among porcine RVA strains in South Korea. Thus, our data provide genetic information of G9 RVA strains increasingly detected in both humans and pigs, and will help to establish the role of pigs as a source or reservoir for novel human RVA strains.

Power supply system for KSTAR neutral beam injector

Cho, W.,Bae, Y.S.,Han, W.S.,Jeong, J.H.,Kim, J.S.,Park, H.T.,Yang, H.L.,Oh, Y.K.,Kwak, J.G. Elsevier 2015 Fusion engineering and design Vol.96 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The power supply system in KSTAR neutral beam injector consists of low voltage and high current DC power supplies for plasma generator of ion source and high voltage and high current DC power supply for accelerator grid system. The arc discharge is initiated by an arc power supply supplying the arc voltage between the chamber wall and 12 filaments which are heated by individual filament power supply. The negative output of arc power supply is common to each positive output of 12 filament power supplies. To interrupt the arc discharging for the fault condition of the arc current unbalance, DCCT current monitor is placed at the positive output cable of the filament power supply. The plasma grid (G1) power supply has the maximum capability of 120kV/70A which consists of low voltage regulator with IGBT-switched chopper array system for the voltage control in unit of 600V and the high voltage rectified transformers to supply DC voltage of 20kV, 30kV, and 50kV. The output voltage of the G1 power supply is also connected to the input of the voltage divider system which supplies the gradient voltage to the gradient grid (G2) in the range of 80–90% of G1 voltage by changing tap of winding resistors in unit of 1%. The charged G1 voltage is turned on and off by the high voltage switch (HVS) system consisting of MOSFET fast semiconductor switches which can immediately be opened less than 1μs when the ion source grid breakdown occurs. The decelerating grid (G3) power supply is inverter system using capacitor-charge power supply to supply maximum −5kV/5A. The important component in power supply system is the surge absorber near the ion source to limit the arc energy deposited to accelerator grid. This paper presents configuration and features of power supply system, main controller, and interlock system of KSTAR NBI.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> The power supply system in KSTAR NBI consists of DC power supplies for ion source. </LI> <LI> For operation NBI, DC High Voltage based on the low voltage transformer with chopper. </LI> <LI> The surge absorber near the ion source limit the energy deposited to accelerator grid. </LI> </UL> </P>

Identification of Novel SNPs in Bovine Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3 (IGFBP3) Gene

Kim, J.Y.,Yoon, D.H.,Park, B.L.,Kim, L.H.,Na, K.J.,Choi, J.G.,Cho, C.Y.,Lee, H.K.,Chung, E.R.,Sang, B.C.,Cheong, I.J.,Oh, S.J.,Shin, Hyoung Doo Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2005 Animal Bioscience Vol.18 No.1

The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), their receptors, and their binding proteins play key roles in regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP3, OMIM #146732) is one of the proteins that bind to the IGFs. IGFBP3 is a modulator of IGF bioactivity, and direct growth inhibitor in the extravascular tissue compartment. We identified twenty-two novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IGFBP3 gene in Korean cattle (Hanwoo, Bos taurus coreanae) by direct sequencing of full gene including -1,500 bp promoter region. Among the identified SNPs, five common SNPs were screened in 650 Korean cattle; one SNP in promoter (IGFBP3 G-854C), one in 5'UTR region (IGFBP3 G-100A), two in intron 1 (IGFBP3 G+421T, IGFBP3 T+1636A), and one in intron 2 (IGFBP3 C+3863A). The frequencies of each SNP were 0.357 (IGFBP3 G-854C), 0.472 (IGFBP3 G-100A), 0.418 (IGFBP3 G+421T), 0.363 (IGFBP3 T+1636A) and 0.226 (IGFBP3 C+3863A), respectively. Haplotypes and their frequencies were estimated by EM algorithm. Six haplotypes were constructed with five SNPs and linkage disequilibrium coefficients (|D'|) between SNP pairs were also calculated. The information on SNPs and haplotypes in IGFBP3 gene could be useful for genetic studies of this gene.

라임병(Lyme disease : Borrelia burgdorferi) 매개진드기 (Ixodidae)에 대한 조사연구(Ⅲ)

심재철,윤영희,조양벽,이주연,신이현,양영철,박정은,이욱교,유효석,박경희 국립보건연구원 1994 국립보건원보 Vol.31 No.1

작은빨간집모기(Culex tritaeniorhynchus)의 개체군 밀도와 일본뇌염환자 발생 예찰

심재철,윤영희,조양벽,이주연,신이현,양영철,박정은,이욱교,김정림,이원자 국립보건연구원 1994 국립보건원보 Vol.31 No.1

Genetic diversity of the VP7, VP4 and VP6 genes of Korean porcine group C rotaviruses

Jeong, Y.J.,Matthijnssens, J.,Kim, D.S.,Kim, J.Y.,Alfajaro, M.M.,Park, J.G.,Hosmillo, M.,Son, K.Y.,Soliman, M.,Baek, Y.B.,Kwon, J.,Choi, J.S.,Kang, M.I.,Cho, K.O. Elsevier Scientific Pub. Co 2015 Veterinary microbiology Vol.176 No.1

Porcine group C rotaviruses (RVCs) are considered important pathogens due to their economic impact on pig industry and may also cross the host species barrier toward humans. Unlike RVA, however, genetic and phylogenetic data on RVCs from pigs and other host species are scarce. In the present study, full-length ORF sequences of 26 VP7, 9 VP4 and 9 VP6 genes of Korean porcine RVC strains were compared with those of other known RVC strains by phylogenetic analyses and pairwise identity frequency graphs. Applying the established 85% nucleotide identity cut-off value for RVC VP7 classification, the 26 Korean porcine RVC strains belonged to the G1, G3, G6 and G7 genotypes. Although more complete RVC VP4 sequences are warranted before a definitive cut-off value could be determined, a provisional 83% nucleotide cut-off value proposed for RVC VP4 classification resulted in 7 P-genotypes, 5 of which possessed porcine RVC strains. A 90% nucleotide cut-off value for VP6 divided RVC strains into 7 I-genotypes, 5 of which had porcine RVC strains. G/P/I-genotype comparisons suggested the occurrence of rather frequent reassortment events among Korean porcine RVC strains, and strong geographical differences in the distribution of RVC G-genotypes worldwide. Our data indicate that a large genetic diversity exists among porcine RVC strains. For the final genotype determination of each gene segment, more intensified epidemiological studies on animal and human RVC strains throughout the world are needed.

Interleukin-18, transforming growth factor-β, and vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to primary glomerulonephritis

Choi, H.-J.,Cho, J.-H.,Kim, J.-C.,Seo, H.-J.,Hyun, S.-H.,Kim, G.-H.,Choi, J.-Y.,Choi, H.-J.,Ryu, H.-M.,Cho, J.-H.,Park, S.-H.,Kim, Y.-L.,Han, S.,Kim, C.-D. Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2010 Tissue antigens Vol.76 No.4

<P>Several studies have showed an association of gene polymorphisms with the development of glomerulonephritis (GN). We investigated the effects of gene polymorphisms on the development of GN by analyzing polymorphisms in the interleukin (IL)-18, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) genes in Korean patients with primary GN. The study included 146 normal subjects (controls) and 100 patients diagnosed with primary GN by kidney biopsy. The gene polymorphisms A-607C and G-137C in <I>IL-18</I>, C-509T and T869C in <I>TGF-</I>β<I>1</I>, and C-2578A and C405G in <I>VEGF</I> were investigated in DNA extracted from peripheral blood. Significant differences were observed between the GN and control groups in the genotype and allele frequencies of A-607C <I>IL-18</I> and C405G <I>VEGF</I>. The frequencies of the <I>IL-18</I>−607CC genotype [<I>P</I> = 0.001, odds ratio (OR) = 2.473] and the <I>VEGF</I> 405GG genotype (<I>P</I> = 0.001, OR = 2.473) were significantly increased in the GN group. The combination of <I>IL-18</I>−607CC+ and <I>VEGF</I> 405GG+ genotypes had a higher risk for developing GN in comparison with the combination of <I>IL-18</I>−607CC− and <I>VEGF</I> 405GG− genotypes (<I>P</I> < 0.001, OR = 8.642). In the haplotype analysis of the <I>IL-18</I> gene, the CG haplotype was significantly more frequent in the GN group than the control group (61.5% <I>vs</I> 46.9%, <I>P</I> = 0.002). These results show that the −607CC genotype of the <I>IL-18</I> gene and the 405GG genotype of the <I>VEGF</I> gene are associated with susceptibility to and the development of primary GN.</P>

Ecotoxicological evaluation of tributyltin toxicity to the equilateral venus clam, Gomphina veneriformis (Bivalvia: Veneridae)

Park, K.,Kim, R.,Park, J.J.,Shin, H.C.,Lee, J.S.,Cho, H.S.,Lee, Y.G.,Kim, J.,Kwak, I.S. Academic Press 2012 Fish & shellfish immunology Vol.32 No.3

Tributyltin (TBT) is the most common pesticide in marine and freshwater environments. To evaluate the potential ecological risk posed by TBT, we measured biological responses such as growth rate, gonad index, sex ratio, the percentage of intersex gonads, filtration rate, and gill abnormalities in the equilateral venus clam (Gomphina veneriformis). Additionally, the biochemical and molecular responses were evaluated in G. veneriformis exposed to various concentrations of TBT. The growth of G. veneriformis was significantly delayed in a dose-dependent manner after exposure to all tested TBT concentrations. After TBT was administered to G. veneriformis, the gonad index decreased and the sex balance was altered. The percentage of intersex gonads also increased significantly in treated females, whereas no intersex gonads were detected in the solvent control group. Additionally, intersex gonads were detected in male G. veneriformis specimens exposed to relatively high TBT concentrations (20 μg L<SUP>-1</SUP>). The filtration rate was also reduced in a dose-dependent manner in TBT-exposed G. veneriformis. We also noted abnormal gill morphology in TBT-exposed G. veneriformis. Furthermore, increases in antioxidant enzyme activities were observed in TBT-exposed G. veneriformis clams, regardless of dosage. Vitellogenin gene expression also increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner in G. veneriformis exposed to TBT. These results provide valuable information regarding our understanding of the toxicology of TBT in G. veneriformis. Moreover, the responses of biological and molecular factors could be utilized as information for risk assessments and marine monitoring of TBT toxicity.

Simulation of single grid-based phase-contrast x-ray imaging (g-PCXI)

Lim, H.W.,Lee, H.W.,Cho, H.S.,Je, U.K.,Park, C.K.,Kim, K.S.,Kim, G.A.,Park, S.Y.,Lee, D.Y.,Park, Y.O.,Woo, T.H.,Lee, S.H.,Chung, W.H.,Kim, J.W.,Kim, J.G. Elsevier BV * North-Holland 2017 Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research. Vol. No.

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Single grid-based phase-contrast x-ray imaging (g-PCXI) technique, which was recently proposed by Wen et al. to retrieve absorption, scattering, and phase-gradient images from the raw image of the examined object, seems a practical method for phase-contrast imaging with great simplicity and minimal requirements on the setup alignment. In this work, we developed a useful simulation platform for g-PCXI and performed a simulation to demonstrate its viability. We also established a table-top setup for g-PCXI which consists of a focused-linear grid (200-lines/in strip density), an x-ray tube (100-μm focal spot size), and a flat-panel detector (48-μm pixel size) and performed a preliminary experiment with some samples to show the performance of the simulation platform. We successfully obtained phase-contrast x-ray images of much enhanced contrast from both the simulation and experiment and the simulated contract seemed similar to the experimental contrast, which shows the performance of the developed simulation platform. We expect that the simulation platform will be useful for designing an optimal g-PCXI system.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> It is proposed for the single grid-based phase-contrast x-ray imaging (g-PCXI) technique. </LI> <LI> We implemented for a numerical simulation code. </LI> <LI> The preliminary experiment with several samples to compare is performed. </LI> <LI> It is expected to be useful to design an optimal g-PCXI system. </LI> </UL> </P>