Urinary concentration of transforming growth factor-&bgr;-inducible gene-h3(&bgr;ig-h3) in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Cha, D. R.,Kim, I. S.,Kang, Y. S.,Han, S. Y.,Han, K. H.,Shin, C.,Ji, Y. H.,Kim, N. H. Blackwell Science Ltd 2005 Diabetic medicine Vol.22 No.1

<P>Abstract</P><P>Aims </P><P>The expression of TGF&bgr;-inducible gene h3(&bgr;ig-h3) has been used to assess the biological activity of TGF&bgr; in the kidney. In this study, we investigated whether the urinary concentration of &bgr;ig-h3 is associated with diabetic nephropathy in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. We also evaluated the relationship between the urinary concentration of &bgr;ig-3 and proteinuria and microalbuminuria (AER) in a normal healthy population and in Type 2 diabetes patients.</P><P>Methods </P><P>Four hundred and seventy-nine Type 2 diabetic patients without non-diabetic kidney diseases and 528 healthy control subjects were enrolled. The study subjects were divided into five groups: a non-diabetic healthy control group with normal ACR (<I>n</I> = 443), a non-diabetic healthy control group with microalbuminuria (<I>n</I> = 85), a normoalbuminuric diabetic group (<I>n</I> = 198), a microalbuminuric diabetic group (<I>n</I> = 155) and an overt proteinuria group (<I>n</I> = 126). Urinary levels of &bgr;ig-h3 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</P><P>Results </P><P>(i) Urinary excretion of &bgr;ig-h3 was significantly higher in the diabetic groups than in the controls, even in the normoalbuminuric stage (25.02 ± 8.84 vs. 18.67 ± 6.56, <I>P</I> = 0.03). In diabetic patients, urinary &bgr;ig-h3 levels increased significantly as diabetic nephropathy advanced (25.02 ± 8.84 vs. 34.06 ± 24.55 vs. 169.63 ± 57.33, <I>P</I> < 0.001). (ii) Proteinuria was found to be significantly correlated with urinary &bgr;ig-h3 (healthy control; <I>r</I> = 0.137, <I>P</I> = 0.019, diabetic patients; <I>r</I> = 0.604, <I>P</I> < 0.001). ACR was also found to be significantly related with urinary &bgr;ig-h3 in diabetic patients (<I>r =</I> 0.383, <I>P</I> = 0.006). (iii) In diabetic patients, urinary &bgr;ig-h3 was significantly related with systolic and diastolic blood pressure (systolic blood pressure: <I>r</I> = 0.436, <I>P</I> = 0.024; diastolic blood pressure, <I>r</I> = 0.365, <I>P</I> = 0.042), total cholesterol and HbA<SUB>1c</SUB> (cholesterol: <I>r</I> = 0.169, <I>P</I> = 0.03, HbA<SUB>1c</SUB>; <I>r</I> = 0.387, <I>P</I> = 0.044). Logistic regression analyses showed that urinary &bgr;ig-h3 was associated with a significant increase in the risk of microalbuminuria and proteinuria in diabetic patients.</P><P>Conclusions </P><P>Longitudinal monitoring of urinary &bgr;ig-h3 may improve the likelihood of detecting diabetic nephropathy at an earlier stage and &bgr;ig-h3 could be a sensitive marker of diabetic kidney disease progression.</P>

Oxygen-dependent enhancement of hydrogen production by engineering bacterial hemoglobin in Escherichia coli

Jo, B.H.,Kim, J.Y.H.,Seo, J.H.,Cha, H.J. Pergamon Press ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2014 International journal of hydrogen energy Vol.39 No.20

H<SUB>2</SUB> production under aerobic conditions has been proposed as an alternative method to overcome the fundamentally low yield of H<SUB>2</SUB> production by fermentative bacteria by maximizing the number of electrons that are available for H<SUB>2</SUB>. Here, we engineered Vitreoscilla hemoglobin (VHb) in Escherichia coli to study the effects of this versatile oxygen (O<SUB>2</SUB>)-binding protein on oxic H<SUB>2</SUB> production in a closed batch system that was supplemented with glucose. The H<SUB>2</SUB> yields that were obtained with the VHb-expressing E. coli were greatly enhanced in comparison to the negative control cells in culture that started with high O<SUB>2</SUB> tensions. The formate hydrogen lyase (FHL) activity of oxically cultured, VHb-expressing cells was also much higher than that of the negative control cells. Through inhibitor studies and time-course experiments, VHb was shown to contribute to the improved H<SUB>2</SUB> yield primarily by increasing the efficiency of cellular metabolism during the aerobic phase before the onset of H<SUB>2</SUB> production and not by working as an O<SUB>2</SUB>-scavenger during H<SUB>2</SUB> production. This new approach allowed more substrate to remain to be further utilized for the production of more H<SUB>2</SUB> from limited resources. We expect that VHb can be successfully engineered in potential aerobic H<SUB>2</SUB>-producing microbial systems to enhance the overall H<SUB>2</SUB> production yield. In addition, the remarkably high FHL activity of oxically grown, VHb-expressing cells may make this engineered strain an attractive whole-cell biocatalyst for converting formate to H<SUB>2</SUB>.

Expression and N-glycan analysis of human 90K glycoprotein in Drosophila S2 cells

Kim, K.R.,Kim, Y.K.,Cheong, H.,Kim, J.Y.H.,Cha, H.J. IPC Science and Technology Press ; Elsevier Scienc 2013 Enzyme and microbial technology Vol.53 No.3

Human 90K (h90K; Mac-2-binding protein) glycoprotein is a potential pharmaceutical due to its inhibitory activity against cancer metastasis and expansion. Here, h90K glycoprotein was produced in insect Drosophila S2 cell system, and its N-glycan pattern was analyzed. A plasmid encoding h90K gene, fused with a hexahistidine tag under the control of Drosophila metallotionein promoter, was stably transfected into S2 cells. After copper sulfate induction, transfected S2 cells secreted recombinant h90K at a good expression level of 28mg/L in a 150-mL spinner flask culture. The purified recombinant h90K showed an apparent molecular weight of ~78kDa which was much smaller than that (~97kDa) of the natural h90K. Because de-N-glycosylated h90K appeared at ~60kDa protein band, it was suggested that the recombinant h90K from S2 cells has small N-glycans with about half the molecular weight (~18kDa) of N-glycans of the natural h90K. Through detail analyses using high-performance liquid chromatography and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, the S2-derived recombinant h90K was confirmed that it has simple paucimannosidic structures containing two or three mannose residues with core fucose as the major (~79%) N-glycans.

Escherichia coli-based expression of functional novel DNA-binding histone H1 from Carassius auratus

Wei, Q.,Jung, H.J.,Hwang, D.S.,Hwang, B.H.,Gim, Y.,Cha, H.J. IPC Science and Technology Press ; Elsevier Scienc 2007 Enzyme and microbial technology Vol.40 No.6

Histones are DNA-binding proteins that assist in DNA packaging and protection. Here, we, for the first time, cloned a novel histone H1 cDNA (638bp) from the goldfish, Carassius auratus. Sequencing revealed that this histone H1 shared 68.1% amino acid identity and 73.9% similarity with that from the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri. We successfully expressed a full-length recombinant version (∼20kDa) and a truncated C-terminal fragment (∼6kDa; 61 amino acids) of this histone H1 as a partially soluble form using a maltose binding protein (MBP) fusion strategy in an Escherichia coli expression system. Our results revealed that both these recombinant histone H1 versions had DNA binding and protection functions, and MBP fusion system was an effective way to produce biological functional recombinant histone proteins in E. coli. This novel recombinant histone H1 protein and/or its C-terminal peptide could be used as potential mediators for efficacious gene delivery.

Production of biohydrogen by heterologous expression of oxygen-tolerant Hydrogenovibrio marinus [NiFe]-hydrogenase in Escherichia coli

Kim, J.Y.H.,Jo, B.H.,Cha, H.J. Elsevier Science Publishers 2011 Journal of biotechnology Vol.155 No.3

Oxygen sensitivity of hydrogenase is a critical issue in efficient biological hydrogen production. In the present study, oxygen-tolerant [NiFe]-hydrogenase from the marine bacterium, Hydrogenovibrio marinus, was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli, for the first time. Recombinant E. coli BL21 expressing H. marinus [NiFe]-hydrogenase actively produced hydrogen, but the parent strain did not. Recombinant H. marinus hydrogenase required both nickel and iron for biological activity. Compared to the recombinant E. coli [NiFe]-hydrogenase 1 described in our previous report, recombinant H. marinus [NiFe]-hydrogenase displayed 1.6- to 1.7-fold higher hydrogen production activity in vitro. Importantly, H. marinus [NiFe]-hydrogenase exhibited relatively good oxygen tolerance in analyses involving changes of surface aeration and oxygen proportion within a gas mixture. Specifically, recombinant H. marinus [NiFe]-hydrogenase produced ∼7- to 9-fold more hydrogen than did E. coli [NiFe]-hydrogenase 1 in a gaseous environment containing 5-10% (v/v) oxygen. In addition, purified H. marinus [NiFe]-hydrogenase displayed a hydrogen evolution activity of ∼28.8nmol H<SUB>2</SUB>/(minmg protein) under normal aerobic purification conditions. Based on these results, we suggest that oxygen-tolerant H. marinus [NiFe]-hydrogenase can be employed for in vivo and in vitro biohydrogen production without requirement for strictly anaerobic facilities.

Ethanol extract of Prunus mume fruit attenuates hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis involving Nrf2/HO-1 activation in C2C12 myoblasts

Kang, J.S.,Kim, D.J.,Kim, G.Y.,Cha, H.J.,Kim, S.,Kim, H.S.,Park, C.,Hwang, H.J.,Kim, B.W.,Kim, C.M.,Choi, Y.H. Sociedade Brasileira de Farmacognosia 2016 Revista brasileira de farmacognosia Vol.26 No.2

<P>The fruit of the Prunus mume (Siebold) Siebold & Zucc., Rosaceae (Korean name: Maesil) has long been used as a health food or valuable medicinal material in traditional herb medicine in Southeast Asian countries. In this study, we determined the potential therapeutic efficacy of the ethanol extract of P. mume fruits (EEPM) against H2O2-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in the murine skeletal muscle myoblast cell line C2C12, and sought to understand the associated molecular mechanisms. The results indicated that exposure of C2C12 cells to H2O2 caused a reduction in cell viability by increasing the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species and by disrupting mitochondrial membrane permeability, leading to DNA damage and apoptosis. However, pretreatment of the cells with EEPM before H2O2 exposure effectively attenuated these changes, suggesting that EEPM prevented H2O2-induced mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. Furthermore, the increased ex-pression and phosphorylation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and up-regulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a phase II antioxidant enzyme, were detected in EEPM-treated C2C12 cells. We also found that zinc protoporphyrin IX, an HO-1 inhibitor, attenuated the protective effects of EEPM against H2O2-induced reactive oxygen species accumulation and cytotoxicity. Therefore, these results indicate that the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway might be involved in the protection of EEPM against H2O2-induced cellular oxidative damage. In conclusion, these results show that EEPM contributes to the prevention of oxidative damage and could be used as a nutritional agent for oxidative stress-related diseases. (C) 2016 Sociedade Brasileira de Farmacognosia. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.</P>

Protective Effect of 3,4-Dihydroxybenzoic Acid Isolated from Cladophora wrightiana Harvey Against Ultraviolet B Radiation-Induced Cell Damage in Human HaCaT Keratinocytes

Cha, J. W.,Piao, M. J.,Kim, K. C.,Zheng, J.,Yao, C. W.,Hyun, C. L.,Kang, H. K.,Yoo, E. S.,Koh, Y. S.,Lee, N. H. HUMANA PRESS INC 2014 Applied biochemistry and biotechnology Vol.172 No.5

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the protective properties of 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DBA) isolated from Cladophora wrightiana Harvey (a green alga) against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced damage to human HaCaT keratinocytes. DBA exhibited scavenging actions against the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical, the superoxide anion, and the hydroxyl radical. Furthermore, DBA decreased the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species generated by hydrogen peroxide or UVB treatment of the cells. DBA also decreased the UVB-augmented levels of phospho-histone H2A.X and the extent of comet tail formation, which are both indications of DNA damage. In addition, the compound safeguarded keratinocytes from UVB-induced injury by reversing the production of apoptotic bodies, overturning the disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, increasing the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein, B-cell lymphoma 2, and decreasing the expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins, Bcl-2-associated X and cleaved caspase-3. Taken together, these results demonstrate that DBA isolated from a green alga protects human keratinocytes against UVB-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Y염색체 장완 결실을 동반한 무정자증 1례

남윤성,김현주,이숙환,곽인평,윤태기,차광열,Nam, Y.S.,Kim, H.J.,Lee, S.H.,Kwak, I.P.,Yoon, T.K.,Cha, K.Y. 대한생식의학회 1999 Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine Vol.26 No.2

Different Y mutation in Yq11 occurring de novo in sterile males were first described 19 years ago. Since the phenotype of the patients was always associated with azoospermia or severe oligospermia, it was postulated that these mutations interrupt a Y spermatogenesis locus in the euchromatic Y region (Yq11) called azoospermia factor (AZF). Recently, it became possible to map AZF mutations to different subregions in Yq11by molecular deletion mapping. This indicated that azoospermia is possibly caused by more than one Y gene in Yq11 and the Yq11 chromatin structure. The frequency of AZF mutations in idiopathic sterile males $(5{\sim}20%)$ may indicate a need for a general screening programme for its analysis in infertility clinic. We have experienced a case of deletion distal to Yq11 region in azoospermic patient. So we report this case with a brief review of literatures.

운송하역 향상을 위한 Y/T 정차유도 프로토타입 장치 연구

김동훈(D. H. Kim),송준엽(J. Y. Song),차석근(S. K. Cha),강일용(I. Y. Kang),이승호(S. H. Lee) 한국정밀공학회 2009 한국정밀공학회 학술발표대회 논문집 Vol.2009 No.10월

Photo-catalytic activity of hydrophilic-modified TiO₂ for the decomposition of methylene blue and phenol

Cha, B.J.,Woo, T.G.,Park, E.J.,Kim, I.H.,An, J.E.,Seo, H.O.,Kim, Y.D. Elsevier 2017 CURRENT APPLIED PHYSICS Vol.17 No.11

<P>We applied hydrophilic surface modification to P-25 TiO2 nanoparticles via thermal deposition of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), followed by annealing at 800 degrees C under vacuum conditions. This process yielded a thin layer consisting of hydrophilic organic functional groups (e.g., -C = O) as well as SiOx structures on the surface of TiO2. Compared to bare TiO2, the surface-modified TiO2 showed a higher adsorption capacity and photo-catalytic decomposition rate toward methylene blue. However, regarding the photo-catalytic decomposition of phenol, total mineralization of phenol was more complete when bare TiO2 was used as a photo-catalyst, whereas partial oxidation of phenol (i.e., into hydroquinone) was more dominant and total oxidation of phenol was supressed in the presence of surface-modified TiO2. Overall, one cannot simply say that hydrophilic modification of TiO2 leads to a higher affinity to H2O molecules with a higher yield of strongly-oxidizing agents (OH radicals) to increase the photo-catalytic activity in aqueous solutions. Our results imply that a subtle balance of the adsorption energy or rates of H2O, reactants, and reaction intermediates can be important factors for determining the photo-catalytic reaction rate. Different types of photo-catalyst surface modification can be beneficial or detrimental depending on the reaction. It is highlighted that one should be wary of evaluating the overall photocatalytic activities of dissimilar catalysts based on the results of only a couple of reactions. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</P>