👤 Myung-Sunny Kim

We previously reported that specific oxysterols stimulate osteogenic differentiation of pluripotent bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) through activation of hedgehog (Hh) signaling and may serve as potential future therapies for intervention in osteopenia and osteoporosis. In this study we report that the osteogenic oxysterol 20(S)-hydroxycholesterol (20S) induces the expression of genes associated with Notch signaling. Using M2-10B4 (M2) MSCs, we found that 20S significantly induced HES-1, HEY-1, and HEY-2 mRNA expression compared with untreated cells, with maximal induction after 48 hours, whereas the nonosteogenic oxysterols did not. Similar observations were made when M2 cells were treated with sonic hedgehog (Shh), and the specific Hh pathway inhibitor cyclopamine blocked 20S-induced Notch target gene expression. 20S did not induce Notch target genes in Smo(-/-) mouse embryonic fibroblasts, further confirming the role of Hh signaling in 20S-induced expression of Notch target genes. Despite the inability of liver X-receptor (LXR) synthetic ligand TO901317 to induce Notch target genes in M2 cells, LXR knockdown studies using siRNA showed inhibition of 20S-induced HEY-1 but not HES-1 expression, suggesting the partial role of LXR signaling in MSC responses to 20S. Moreover, 20S-induced Notch target gene expression was independent of canonical Notch signaling because neither 20S nor Shh induced CBF1 luciferase reporter activity or NICD protein accumulation in the nucleus, which are hallmarks of canonical Notch signaling activation. Finally, HES-1 and HEY-1 siRNA transfection significantly inhibited 20S-induced osteogenic genes, suggesting that the pro-osteogenic effects of 20S are regulated in part by HES-1 and HEY-1. Show less

The dynamic exchange of histone lysine methylation status by histone methyltransferases and demethylases has been previously implicated as an important factor in chromatin structure and transcriptional regulation. Using immunoaffinity TAP analysis, we purified the WHISTLE-interacting protein complexes, which include the heat shock protein HSP90α and the jumonji C-domain harboring the histone demethylase JMJD1C. In this study, we demonstrate that JMJD1C specifically demethylates histone H3K9 mono- and di-methylation, and mediates transcriptional activation. We also provide evidence suggesting that both WHISTLE and JMJD1C performs functions in the development of mouse testes by regulating the expression of the steroidogenesis marker, p450c17, via SF-1-mediated transcription. Furthermore, we demonstrate that WHISTLE is recruited to the p450c17 promoter via SF-1 and represses the transcription of prepubertal stages of steroidogenesis, after which JMJD1C replaces WHISTLE and activates the expression of target genes via SF-1-mediated interactions. Our results demonstrate that the histone methylation balance mediated by HMTase WHISTLE and demethylase JMJD1C perform a transcriptional regulatory function in mouse testis development. Show less

Mounting evidence points to lipid accumulation in the diseased kidney and its contribution to progression of nephropathy. We recently found heavy lipid accumulation and marked dysregulation of lipid metabolism in the remnant kidneys of rats with chronic renal failure (CRF). Present study sought to determine efficacy of niacin supplementation on renal tissue lipid metabolism in CRF. Kidney function, lipid content, and expression of molecules involved in cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism were determined in untreated CRF (5/6 nephrectomized), niacin-treated CRF (50 mg/kg/day in drinking water for 12 weeks) and control rats. CRF resulted in hypertension, proteinuria, renal tissue lipid accumulation, up-regulation of scavenger receptor A1 (SR-A1), acyl-CoA cholesterol acyltransferase-1 (ACAT1), carbohydrate-responsive element binding protein (ChREBP), fatty acid synthase (FAS), acyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), liver X receptor (LXR), ATP binding cassette (ABC) A-1, ABCG-1, and SR-B1 and down-regulation of sterol responsive element binding protein-1 (SREBP-1), SREBP-2, HMG-CoA reductase, PPAR-alpha, fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP), and CPT1A. Niacin therapy attenuated hypertension, proteinuria, and tubulo-interstitial injury, reduced renal tissue lipids, CD36, ChREBP, LXR, ABCA-1, ABCG-1, and SR-B1 abundance and raised PPAR-alpha and L-FABP. Niacin administration improves renal tissue lipid metabolism and renal function and structure in experimental CRF. Show less

The oxysterol nuclear receptors, LXRα (liver X receptor α; NR1H3) and LXRβ (NR1H2), coordinately regulate the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism, anti-inflammation, and cholesterol transport. Previous studies have demonstrated that ligands of LXRα are important in the maintenance of the normal epidermal barrier function and keratinocyte differentiation. In this study, we examined whether LXRα and its ligands regulate lipid synthesis in HaCaT cells, a spontaneously transformed human keratinocyte cell line. When HaCaT cells were treated with the LXRα ligand TO901317, lipid droplets accumulated in the majority of cells, which were stained by Oil Red O. A luciferase reporter construct containing the LXR response element was activated about fourfold in HaCaT cells by TO901317 treatment, suggesting that LXR has a role in lipid synthesis in these cells. The expression of LXRα target genes, such as those encoding sterol regulatory binding protein and fatty acid synthase, were induced time dependently by TO901317, as measured by RT-PCR and western blotting. The expression of PPAR-α, -β, and -γ which regulate lipid metabolism, was also increased by TO901317 treatment. In contrast, TO901317 reduced the lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of cyclooxygenase 2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase in HaCaT cells. These results indicate that LXRα activation leads to lipogenesis in keratinocytes, which may enhance the epidermal barrier function of the skin. Show less

Isoliquiritigenin (ILQ), a flavonoid obtained from Glycyrrhizae species, has an antioxidant effect. This study investigated the potential of ILQ for inhibiting liver X receptor-α (LXRα)-mediated lipogenesis and steatosis in hepatocytes and its underlying molecular basis. Treatment with ILQ antagonized the ability of an LXRα agonist (T0901317) to activate sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), thereby repressing transcription of fatty acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, ATP-binding cassette transporter-A1, and stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1. ILQ treatment inhibited activating phosphorylation of JNK1 elicited by palmitate or TNFα. JNK1, but not JNK2, increased LXRα phosphorylation at serine residues, promoting LXRα activation. The ability of ILQ to inhibit JNK1 downstream of ASK1-MKK7 led to the repression of T0901317-inducible LXRα and SREBP-1c activation. In mice fed a high-fat diet, ILQ treatment inhibited hepatic steatosis, as shown by a decrease in fat accumulation and repression of lipogenic genes. The results of blood biochemistry and histopathology confirmed attenuation of high-fat diet-induced liver injury by ILQ. Moreover, ILQ inhibited oxidative stress, as indicated by decreases in thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance formation, iNOS and COX2 induction, and nitrotyrosinylation. Our results demonstrate that ILQ has the ability to repress LXRα-dependent hepatic steatosis through JNK1 inhibition and protect hepatocytes from oxidative injury inflicted by fat accumulation. Show less

Organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1) is a liver-enriched transporter involved in the hepatocellular uptake of many endogenous molecules and several structurally divergent drugs in clinical use. Although OATP1B1 coding region polymorphisms are known to make an impact on substrate drug disposition in humans, little is known regarding the mechanisms underlying the transcriptional regulation of this transporter. In this study, we note that messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of OATP1B1 in a large human liver bank exhibited marked interindividual variability that was not associated with coding region polymorphisms. Accordingly, we hypothesized that such variability in expression is reflective of nuclear receptor-mediated transcriptional regulation of this transporter. We tested prototypical ligands for the nuclear receptors pregnane X receptor (PXR), constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), liver X receptor (LXR) α, and farnesoid X receptor (FXR) in a human hepatoma-derived cell line and noted induction of OATP1B1 mRNA when the cells were treated with LXRα or FXR ligands. To confirm a direct role for LXRα and FXR to OATP1B1 expression, we performed detailed promoter analysis and cell-based reporter gene assays resulting in the identification of two functional FXR response elements and one LXRα response element. The direct interaction between nuclear receptors with the identified response elements was assessed using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Using isolated primary human hepatocytes, we show that LXRα or FXR agonists, but not PXR or CAR agonists, are capable of OATP1B1 induction. We note that OATP1B1 transcriptional regulation is under dual nuclear receptor control through the oxysterol sensing LXRα and the bile acid sensor FXR. Accordingly, the interplay between OATP1B1 and nuclear receptors may play an important and heretofore unrecognized role during cholestasis, drug-induced liver injury, and OATP1B1 induction-related drug interactions. Show less

Gallbladder cancer is a highly aggressive disease with poor prognosis that is two to six times more frequent in women than men. The development of gallbladder cancer occurs over a long time (more than 15 y) and evolves from chronic inflammation to dysplasia/metaplasia, carcinoma in situ, and invasive carcinoma. In the present study we found that, in female mice in which the oxysterol receptor liver X receptor-beta (LXRbeta) has been inactivated, preneoplastic lesions of the gallbladder developed and evolved to cancer in old animals. LXRbeta is a nuclear receptor involved in the control of lipid homeostasis, glucose metabolism, inflammation, proliferation, and CNS development. LXRbeta(-/-) female gallbladders were severely inflamed, with regions of dysplasia and high cell density, hyperchromasia, metaplasia, and adenomas. No abnormalities were evident in male mice, nor in LXRalpha(-/-) or LXRalpha(-/-)beta(-/-) animals of either sex. Interestingly, the elimination of estrogens with ovariectomy prevented development of preneoplastic lesions in LXRbeta(-/-) mice. The etiopathological mechanism seems to involve TGF-beta signaling, as the precancerous lesions were characterized by strong nuclear reactivity of phospho-SMAD-2 and SMAD-4 and loss of E-cadherin expression. Upon ovariectomy, E-cadherin was reexpressed on the cell membranes and immunoreactivity of pSMAD-2 in the nuclei was reduced. These findings suggest that LXRbeta in a complex interplay with estrogens and TGF-beta could play a crucial role in the malignant transformation of the gallbladder epithelium. Show less

DAX-1 (dosage-sensitive sex reversal adrenal hypoplasia congenital critical region on X chromosome, gene 1) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily that can repress diverse nuclear receptors and has a key role in adreno-gonadal development. Our previous report has demonstrated that DAX-1 can inhibit hepatocyte nuclear factor 4alpha transactivity and negatively regulate gluconeogenic gene expression (Nedumaran, B., Hong, S., Xie, Y. B., Kim, Y. H., Seo, W. Y., Lee, M. W., Lee, C. H., Koo, S. H., and Choi, H. S. (2009) J. Biol. Chem. 284, 27511-27523). Here, we further expand the role of DAX-1 in hepatic energy metabolism. Transfection assays have demonstrated that DAX-1 can inhibit the transcriptional activity of nuclear receptor liver X receptor alpha (LXRalpha). Physical interaction between DAX-1 and LXRalpha was confirmed Immunofluorescent staining in mouse liver shows that LXRalpha and DAX-1 are colocalized in the nucleus. Domain mapping analysis shows that the entire region of DAX-1 is involved in the interaction with the ligand binding domain region of LXRalpha. Competition analyses demonstrate that DAX-1 competes with the coactivator SRC-1 for repressing LXRalpha transactivity. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that endogenous DAX-1 recruitment on the SREBP-1c gene promoter was decreased in the presence of LXRalpha agonist. Overexpression of DAX-1 inhibits T7-induced LXRalpha target gene expression, whereas knockdown of endogenous DAX-1 significantly increases T7-induced LXRalpha target gene expression in HepG2 cells. Finally, overexpression of DAX-1 in mouse liver decreases T7-induced LXRalpha target gene expression, liver triglyceride level, and lipid accumulation. Overall, this study suggests that DAX-1, a novel corepressor of LXRalpha, functions as a negative regulator of lipogenic enzyme gene expression in liver. Show less

Sauchinone, as an AMP-activated kinase (AMPK)-activating lignan in Saururus chinensis, has been shown to prevent iron-induced oxidative stress and liver injury. Sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) plays a key role in hepatic steatosis, which promotes oxidative stress in obese subjects. Previously, we identified the role of AMPK in liver X receptor-alpha (LXRalpha)-mediated SREBP-1c-dependent lipogenesis. Because sauchinone as an antioxidant has the ability to activate AMPK, this study investigated its effects on SREBP-1c-dependent lipogenesis in hepatocytes and in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis and oxidative injury. Sauchinone prevented the ability of an LXRalpha agonist (T0901317) to activate SREBP-1c, repressing transcription of the fatty acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1, ATP-binding cassette transporter A1, and LXRalpha genes. Consistent with this, an HFD in mice caused fat accumulation in the liver with SREBP-1c induction, which was attenuated by sauchinone treatment. Also, sauchinone had the ability to inhibit oxidative stress as shown by decreases in thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance formation, nitrotyrosinylation, and 4-hydroxynonenal production. Moreover, it prevented not only the liver injury, but also the AMPK inhibition elicited by HFD feeding. These results demonstrate that sauchinone has the capability to inhibit LXRalpha-mediated SREBP-1c induction and SREBP-1c-dependent hepatic steatosis, thereby protecting hepatocytes from oxidative stress induced by fat accumulation. Show less

There are few efficient promoters for use with stress-inducible gene expression in plants, and in particular for monocotyledonous crops. Here, we report the identification of six genes, Rab21, Wsi18, Lea3, Uge1, Dip1, and R1G1B that were induced by drought stress in rice microarray experiments. Gene promoters were linked to the gfp reporter and their activities were analyzed in transgenic rice plants throughout all stages of plant growth, from dry seeds to vegetative tissues to flowers, both before and after drought treatments. In fold induction levels, Rab21 and Wsi18 promoters ranged from 65- and 36-fold in leaves to 1,355- and 492-fold in flowers, respectively, whereas Lea3 and Uge1 were higher in leaves, but lower in roots and flowers, as compared with Rab21 and Wsi18. Dip1 and R1G1B promoters had higher basal levels of activity under normal growth conditions in all tissues, resulting in smaller fold-induction levels than those of the others. In drought treatment time course, activities of Dip1 and R1G1B promoters rapidly increased, peaked at 2 h, and remained constant until 8 h, while that of Lea3 slowly yet steadily increased until 8 h. Interestingly, Rab21 activity increased rapidly and steadily in response to drought stress until expression peaked at 8 h. Thus, we have isolated and characterized six rice promoters that are all distinct in fold induction, tissue specificity, and induction kinetics under drought conditions, providing a variety of drought-inducible promoters for crop biotechnology. Show less

Whereas the relation between apolipoprotein A5 (APOA5) gene polymorphisms and triglycerides (TG) levels is well established, the associations between apoA5 concentrations, TG and coronary artery disease (CAD) remain controversial. Therefore, we investigated these relations in the setting of a case-control study involving Korean males. ApoA5, TG, insulin, free fatty acid (FFA) and lipoprotein profiles were determined using a cross-sectional design in 777 healthy controls and 367 CAD patients. Plasma apoA5 concentration was lower in CAD patients than controls (192.7+/-5.2 vs. 237.2+/-3.7ng/ml, P<0.001). Values in the second and top tertiles of apoA5 were associated with a decreased odds ratio (OR) for CAD when compared with values in the bottom tertile; OR for apoA5 top tertile was 0.33 (95% CI, 0.23-0.47) in the age- and BMI-adjusted model and 0.35 (95% CI, 0.23-0.56) following additional adjustments for smoking, drinking status, blood pressure, TG and HDL-cholesterol. After adjustment for age and BMI, plasma apoA5 concentration was negatively correlated with serum TG (r=-0.188, P<0.001) and insulin (r=-0.185, P<0.001) in normotriglyceridemic controls (TG<150mg/dL, n=509) whereas apoA5 was positively correlated with serum TG in hypertriglyceridemic controls (TG> or =150mg/dL, n=268) (r=0.246, P<0.001) and total CAD patients (r=0.177, P<0.01). Regardless of TG levels and CAD status, apoA5 concentration was positively correlated with HDL-cholesterol and FFA levels. Our data supports an inverse association between plasma apoA5 concentrations and CAD risk, probably due to the observed negative correlations of apoA5 with TGs and insulin, although these correlations were affected by TG levels. Show less

The association between -1131T>C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the apolipoprotein A5 gene (APOA5) and hypertriglyceridemia raised the possibility that this SNP could be related to coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. Therefore, we investigated the association of this APOA5 -1131T>C SNP with circulating concentrations of APOA5, triglyceride and CAD in Koreans. CAD patients (n=741) and age-, sex-matched healthy controls (n=741) were genotyped for the APOA5 -1131T>C SNP. The main outcome measures were the odds ratio (OR) on CAD risk and lipid variables, APOA5 concentration and LDL particle size. The presence of the minor allele at the -1131T>C SNP was associated with an increased risk of CAD [OR 1.34 (95% CI, 1.09-1.65), P=0.007] after adjusting for BMI, alcohol consumption, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. There was an association between the APOA5 concentration and the -1131T>C genotype in controls (T/T: 245+/-7 ng/ml, T/C: 220+/-6, C/C: 195+/-12; P=0.001) and CAD patients (T/T: 218+/-8 ng/ml, T/C: 185+/-7, C/C: 169+/-12; P<0.001). Subjects with T/C or C/C in control and CAD patient groups showed higher triglyceride than those with T/T genotype. Also, the -1131T>C polymorphism was associated with LDL particle size (P=0.003), with the T/C or C/C controls having smaller size than the T/T controls. The APOA5 -1131C allele is associated with reduced APOA5 concentration and with increased CAD risk. This is consistent with the observed association between the -1131C SNP, increased triglycerides as well as small LDL particle size. Show less

Wnt signaling is known to be important for diverse embryonic and post-natal cellular events and be regulated by the proteins Dishevelled and Axin. Although Dishevelled is activated by Wnt and involved in signal transduction, it is not clear how Dishevelled-mediated signaling is turned off. We report that guanine nucleotide binding protein beta 2 (Gnb2; Gbeta2) bound to Axin and Gbeta2 inhibited Wnt mediated reporter activity. The inhibition involved reduction of the level of Dishevelled, and the Gbeta2gamma2 mediated reduction of Dishevelled was countered by increased expression of Axin. Consistent with these effects in HEK293T cells, injection of Gbeta2gamma2 into Xenopus embryos inhibited the formation of secondary axes induced either by XWnt8 or Dishevelled, but not by beta-catenin. The DEP domain of Dishevelled is necessary for both interaction with Gbeta2gamma2 and subsequent degradation of Dishevelled via the lysosomal pathway. Signaling induced by Gbeta2gamma2 is required because a mutant of Gbeta2, Gbeta2 (W332A) with lower signaling activity, had reduced ability to downregulate the level of Dishevelled. Activation of Wnt signaling by either of two methods, increased Frizzled signaling or transient transfection of Wnt, also led to increased degradation of Dishevelled and the induced Dishevelled loss is dependent on Gbeta1 and Gbeta2. Other studies with agents that interfere with PLC action and calcium signaling suggested that loss of Dishevelled is mediated through the following pathway: Wnt/Frizzled-->Gbetagamma-->PLC-->Ca(+2)/PKC signaling. Together the evidence suggests a novel negative feedback mechanism in which Gbeta2gamma2 inhibits Wnt signaling by degradation of Dishevelled. Show less

Axin is a negative regulator of canonical Wnt signaling, which promotes the degradation of beta-catenin, the major effector in this signaling cascade. While many protein-binding domains of Axin have been identified, their significance has not been evaluated in vivo. Here, we report the generation and analysis of mice carrying modified Axin alleles in which either the RGS domain or the six C-terminal amino acids (C6 motif) were deleted. The RGS domain is required for APC-binding, while the C6 motif has been implicated in the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase, but is not required for the effects of Axin on the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway, in vitro. Both mutant Axin alleles caused recessive embryonic lethality at E9.5-E10.5, with defects indistinguishable from those caused by a null allele. As Axin-DeltaRGS protein was produced at normal levels, its inability to support embryogenesis confirms the importance of interactions between Axin and APC. In contrast, Axin-DeltaC6 protein was expressed at only 25-30% of the normal level, which may account for the recessive lethality of this allele. Furthermore, many Axin(DeltaC6/DeltaC6) embryos that were heterozygous for a beta-catenin null mutation survived to term, demonstrating that early lethality was due to failure to negatively regulate beta-catenin. Show less

Human infection by Campylobacter jejuni is mainly through the consumption of contaminated poultry products, which results in gastroenteritis and, rarely, bacteremia and polyneuropathies. In this study, six C. jejuni-specific bacteriophages (CPS1-6) were isolated by the spot-on-the-lawn technique from chicken samples in Korea and characterized for potential use as biocontrol agents. All isolated bacteriophages exhibited a high specificity, being able to lyse only C. jejuni, but not other Gram-negative bacteria, including C. coli, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Gram-positive bacteria. Bacteriophages contain an icosahedral head and a contractile tail sheath in transmission electron microscopy, and possess ds-DNA with an average genome size of approximately 145 kb; therefore, all bacteriophages are categorized into the Myoviridae family. Bacterial lysis studies in liquid media revealed that CPS2 could be used to control the growth of C. jejuni. Show less

Fatty acid desaturase 1 and 2 (FADS1 and FADS2) code for the key desaturase enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in mammals. FADS3 shares close sequence homology to FADS1 and FADS2 but the function of its gene product remains unknown. Alternative transcripts (AT) generated by alternative splicing (AS) are increasingly recognized as an important mechanism enabling a single gene to code for multiple gene products. We report the first AT of a FADS gene, FADS3, generated by AS. Aided by ORF Finder, we identified putative coding regions of eight AT for FADS3 with 1.34 kb (classical splicing), 1.14 (AT1), 0.77 (AT2), 1.25 (AT3), 0.51 (AT4), 0.74 (AT6), and 1.11 (AT7). In addition we identified a 0.51 kb length transcript (AT5) that has a termination codon within intron 8-9. The expression of each AT was analyzed in baboon neonate tissues and in differentiated and undifferentiated human SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells. FADS3 AT are expressed in 12 neonate baboon tissues and showed reciprocal increases and decreases in expression changes in response to human neuronal cell differentiation. FADS3 AT, conserved in primates and under metabolic control in human cells, are a putative mediator of LCPUFA biosynthesis and/or regulation. Show less

Androgen deprivation is commonly used in the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. The (-)-gossypol enantiomer has been demonstrated as an effective inhibitor of Bcl-2 in the treatment of prostate cancer. However, the mechanism of gossypol as an inhibitor of androgen biosynthesis is not clear. The present study compared (+)- and (-)-gossypols in the inhibition of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) and 17beta-HSD isoform 3 (17beta-HSD3) in human and rat testes. Gossypol enantiomers were more potent inhibitors of rat 3beta-HSD with IC(50)s of approximately 0.2microM compared to 3-5microM in human testes. However, human 17beta-HSD3 was more sensitive to inhibition by gossypol enantiomers, with IC(50)s of 0.36+/-0.09 and 1.13+/-0.12 for (-)- and (+)-gossypols, respectively, compared to 3.43+/-0.46 and 10.93+/-2.27 in rat testes. There were species- and enantiomer-specific differences in the sensitivity of the inhibition of 17beta-HSD3. Gossypol enantiomers competitively inhibited both 3beta-HSD and 17beta-HSD3 by competing for the cofactor binding sites of these enzymes. Gossypol enantiomers, fed orally to rats (20mg/kg), inhibited 3beta-HSD but not 17beta-HSD3. This finding was consistent with the in vitro data, in which rat 3beta-HSD was more sensitive to gossypol inhibition than rat 17beta-HSD3. As the reverse was true for the human enzymes, gossypol might be useful for treating metastatic prostate cancer. Show less

This study was conducted to evaluate the protective mechanisms of Nelumbinis semen (NS) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced activation of BV-2 microglial cells. The anti-inflammatory effects of NS were determined by analyzing nitric oxide production and proinflammatory cytokines using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mechanism was evaluated in BV-2 cells with or without NS treated with LPS for various lengths of time using oligonucleotide microarray and real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The oligonucleotide microarray analysis revealed that mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway-related genes such as Fgfr3, Fgf12, Rasal2, Nfkb2, Map2k5, Mapk1, Map3k7, and NFatc2 were down-regulated in LPS activated BV-2 cells by pretreatment with NS. In addition, significant decreases in Nos1ap gene expression were observed with NS pretreatment. Cluster linked pathway analysis using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database revealed that the effects of NS were closely associated with the regulation of mitochondria functions. These results suggested that NS can affect the MAPK signaling pathway and mitochondrial functions in BV-2 cells activated with LPS. Show less

To unravel the roles of LXRs in inflammation and immunity, we examined the function of LXRs in development of IFN-gamma-mediated inflammation using cultured rat brain astrocytes. LXR ligands inhibit neither STAT1 phosphorylation nor STAT1 translocation to the nucleus but, rather, inhibit STAT1 binding to promoters and the expression of IRF1, TNFalpha, and IL-6, downstream effectors of STAT1 action. Immunoprecipitation data revealed that LXRbeta formed a trimer with PIAS1-pSTAT1, whereas LXRalpha formed a trimer with HDAC4-pSTAT1, mediated by direct ligand binding to the LXR proteins. In line with the fact that both PIAS1 and HDAC4 belong to the SUMO E3 ligase family, LXRbeta and LXRalpha were SUMO-conjugated by PIAS1 or HDAC4, respectively, and SUMOylation was blocked by transient transfection of appropriate individual siRNAs, reversing LXR-induced suppression of IRF1 and TNFalpha expression. Together, our data show that SUMOylation is required for the suppression of STAT1-dependent inflammatory responses by LXRs in IFN-gamma-stimulated brain astrocytes. Show less

Recent evidence suggests that the liver X receptor (LXR) is a potential anticancer target in prostate carcinoma. There is little characterization, however, of which of the two LXR isoforms, LXRalpha or LXRbeta, regulates the LXR-responsive genes ATP-binding cassette subfamily members A1 (ABCA1) and G1 (ABCG1) in transformed prostatic epithelial cells. In this study, small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to determine whether LXRalpha or LXRbeta is involved in regulating ABCA1 and ABCG1 mRNA expression in LNCaP and PC-3 cells. Treatment of both cell lines with the synthetic LXR ligand T0901317 and oxysterols: 25-hydroxycholesterol (25HC) and 24(S), 25-epoxycholesterol (24,25EC), resulted in more than a 10-fold increase of ABCA1 and ABCG1 mRNA expression. Transfection of LNCaP cells with siRNA against either LXRbeta or LXRalpha failed to inhibit T0901317 and 25HC-mediated increase of ABCA1 mRNA. siRNA silencing of LXRbeta did, however, inhibit ABCA1 mRNA expression in 24,25EC-treated LNCaP cells. In contrast, LXRbeta siRNA inhibited T0901317, 25HC, and 24,25EC induction of ABCA1 mRNA in PC-3 cells and ABCG1 mRNA in both LNCaP and PC-3 cells. Additional experiments revealed that T0901317 and 25HC induction of ABCA1 mRNA expression was significantly inhibited by the p38 stress kinase antagonist SB202190 and PKA inhibitor H89. Our study is the first to show that LXRbeta, but not LXRalpha, is the major regulatory isoform of ABCG1 mRNA expression in LNCaP and PC-3 cells. Our study also reveals that ABCA1 gene expression is differentially regulated by synthetic and natural LXR ligands, possibly involving kinase mediated signal transduction. Show less

Dithiolethiones, a novel class of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activators, prevent insulin resistance through AMPK-dependent p70 ribosomal S6 kinase-1 (S6K1) inhibition. There is no known effect of S6K1 for liver X receptor-alpha (LXRalpha)-mediated lipogenic gene expression and steatosis, a cause of chronic liver disease. This study investigated the role of S6K1 in LXRalpha activation and the effects of oltipraz (prototype) and other dithiolethiones on LXRalpha-dependent lipogenesis in hepatocytes and high-fat diet animal model. Oltipraz prevented the ability of LXRalpha agonist (T0901317) to activate sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), inhibiting its own mRNA and protein induction. Impaired SREBP-1c activity by oltipraz caused inhibition of LXRalpha-induced transcription of the fatty acid synthase, LXRalpha, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1, and adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter A1 genes. S6K1 activation antagonized the inhibitory effect of oltipraz on SREBP-1c activation, whereas dominant negative (DN) mutant S6K1 and rapamycin inhibited the T0901317-induced SREBP-1c expression. Oltipraz impaired LXRalpha DNA binding activity and LXR agonist-induced CYP7A1-LXRE-luciferase (CYP7A1) transactivation. Moreover, in vitro S6K1 directly phosphorylated LXRalpha at serine residues for gene transactivation, which was antagonized by its DN mutant. S6K1 inhibition antagonized CYP7A1 induction promoted by AMPK inhibition, whereas AMPK activation abrogated S6K1-dependent CYP7A1 induction, supporting the opposing role of S6K1 and AMPK in LXR activity. Finally, oltipraz was found to inhibit hepatic triglyceride accumulation and lipogenic gene induction in mice fed a high-fat diet. Other dithiolethiones also inhibited SREBP-1c induction by T0901317. Our findings showing the role of AMPK-S6K1 pathway in LXR activity and S6K1-dependent inhibition of LXRalpha-induced lipogenic gene transactivation by a novel class of dithiolethiones led to the identification of S6K1 as a particularly attractive target for intervention in hepatic steatosis. Show less

Liver glucokinase (LGK) plays an essential role in controlling blood glucose levels and maintaining cellular metabolic functions. Expression of LGK is induced mainly regulated by insulin through sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) as a mediator. Since LGK expression is known to be decreased in the liver of liver X receptor (LXR) knockout mice, we have investigated whether LGK might be directly activated by LXRalpha. Furthermore, we have studied interrelationship between transcription factors that control gene expression of LGK. In the current studies, we demonstrated that LXRalpha increased LGK expression in primary hepatocytes and that there is a functional LXR response element in the LGK gene promoter as shown by electrophoretic mobility shift and chromatin precipitation assay. In addition, our studies demonstrate that LXRalpha and insulin activation of the LGK gene promoter occurs through a multifaceted indirect mechanism. LXRalpha increases SREBP-1c expression and then insulin stimulates the processing of the membrane-bound precursor SREBP-1c protein, and it activates LGK expression through SREBP sites in its promoter. LXRalpha also activates the LGK promoter by increasing the transcriptional activity and induction of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma, which also stimulates LGK expression through a peroxisome proliferator-responsive element. This activation is tempered through a negative mechanism, where a small heterodimer partner (SHP) decreases LGK gene expression by inhibiting the transcriptional activity of LXRalpha and PPARgamma by directly interacting with their common heterodimer partner RXRalpha. From these data, we propose a mechanism for LXRalpha in controlling the gene expression of LGK that involves activation through SREBP-1c and PPARgamma and inhibition through SHP. Show less

Liver X receptor (LXR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that plays important roles in cholesterol and lipid homeostasis. However, ligand-induced posttranslational modification of LXR is largely unknown. Here, we show that ligand-free LXRalpha is rapidly degraded by ubiquitination. Without ligand, LXRalpha interacts with an ubiquitin E3-ligase protein complex containing breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility 1 (BRCA1)-associated RING domain 1 (BARD1). Interestingly, LXR ligand represses ubiquitination and degradation of LXRalpha, and the interaction between LXRalpha and BARD1 is inhibited by LXR ligand. Consistently, T0901317, a synthetic LXR ligand, increased the level of LXRalpha protein in liver. Moreover, overexpression of BARD1/BRCA1 promoted the ubiquitination of LXRalpha and reduced the recruitment of LXRalpha to the target gene promoters, whereas BARD1 knockdown reversed such effects. Taken together, these data suggest that LXR ligand prevents LXRalpha from ubiquitination and degradation by detaching BARD1/BRCA1, which might be critical for the early step of transcriptional activation of ligand-stimulated LXRalpha through a stable binding of LXRalpha to the promoters of target genes. Show less

With specific liver X receptor alpha and beta (LXRalpha and LXRbeta) antibodies, we found that LXRalpha is strongly expressed in the luminal and basal cells of prostatic epithelium. The ventral prostates (VP) of LXRalpha(-/-) mice are characterized by the presence of smooth-muscle actin-positive stromal overgrowth around the prostatic ducts and by numerous fibrous nodules pushing into the ducts and causing obstruction, so that most of the ducts were extremely dilated. BrdU labeling and Ki67 staining revealed epithelial and stromal proliferation in the fibrous nodules. However, the dense stroma surrounding the ducts was not positive for proliferation markers. There was no detectable difference between WT and LXRalpha(-/-) mice VP in the expression of the androgen receptor, but there was an increase in nuclear expression of Snail and Smad 2/3, indicating enhanced TGF-beta signaling. Upon treatment of WT mice for 3 months with the LXR agonist T2320 or for 3 weeks with beta-sitosterol, LXRalpha was downregulated, and a VP phenotype similar to that of LXRalpha(-/-) mice resulted. We conclude that in rodents, LXRalpha seems to control VP stromal growth and that LXRalpha(-/-) mice may be a useful model to study prostatic stromal hyperplasia. Because LXRalpha is expressed in the epithelium, the excessive stromal growth in LXRalpha(-/-) mice indicates that LXRalpha is essential for epithelial stromal communication. Show less

To compare plasma protein expression between patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix and normal controls. Plasma samples from patients with benign gynecological disease (normal cervix, n=6) and cervical cancer (SCC, n=6) were subjected to plasma proteomic analysis using two dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectroscopy (MALDI-MS). Western blotting and immunoturbidimetric assay were performed to validate the results of 2-DE. Eight proteins showed differential expression between controls and SCC patients; six (ceruloplasmin, complement C3, afamin precursor, alpha-1-B-glycoprotein, transferrin, alpha-fibrinogen precursor) were up-regulated, while two (chain A, crystal structure of antithrombin and apolipoprotein A-IV precursor) were down-regulated in the plasma of SCC patients. Western blotting analysis revealed significant elevation of ceruloplasmin, complement C3, afamin, and alpha-1-B-glycoprotein in the plasma of SCC patients in comparison to controls. Immunoturbidimetric assay of a larger group confirmed the results of 2-DE and Western blotting, and showed that ceruloplasmin and complement C3 were significantly elevated in the plasma of SCC patients in comparison with controls and patients with carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the uterine cervix. Plasma protein expression determined using 2-DE and MALDI-MS will give a chance to identify tumor-specific biomarkers for SCC of the cervix. Show less

To find differentially expressed protein spots using two-dimensional electrophoresis proteomic analysis, we took blood serum samples from 40 purebred Yorkshire pigs at 12, 18, 24, and 30 weeks. Each growth stage contained 10 male pigs having half-sib pedigrees. With the pooled serum samples, two interesting spots, differentially expressed in the growth stages, were identified using MALDI-TOF-TOF MS/MS analysis as haptoglobin alpha 1S (Hp) and apolipoprotein A-IV (APOA4) gene products. The Hp was down-regulated from 12 to 30 weeks, and APOA4 was not expressed much before 18 weeks but was highly expressed in the late growth stages. There may be an inverse relationship between the Hp and APOA4 genes. Four segments for the Hp and APOA4 genes were successfully amplified with sizes around 500 bp. The porcine Hp and APOA4 genes were screened in the 40 purebred Yorkshire pigs and a random cross population (90 pigs), resulting in the location of 6 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the coding regions. The mutations resulted in amino acid changes in segments of Hp627, Hp742, and APOA41203. Further investigation of the function of the Hp and APOA4 genes with SNPs will be necessary to understand fully the different expression profiles and association studies. Show less

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Recently, abnormal activation of the Wnt pathway has been found to be involved in the carcinogenesis of HCC. However, the relationship between genetic changes in the Wnt pathway-associated genes and its protein expression has not been studied in patients with HCC and cirrhotic nodules. The purpose of this study is to explore the contribution of inappropriate activation of the Wnt pathway in liver carcinogenesis. Somatic mutation in exons 3-5 of AXIN1 and exon 3 of beta-catenin were analyzed by direct sequencing and expression of axin and beta-catenin proteins by immunohistochemistry in a series of 36 patients with HCC and cirrhosis. The AXIN1 and beta-catenin gene mutations were observed in 25% (9/36) and 2.8% (1/36) of HCCs, respectively. All mutations detected in AXIN1 and beta-catenin genes were missense point mutations. Abnormal nuclear expression of beta-catenin was observed in 11 of 36 cases of HCCs (30.6%), but not in cirrhotic nodules. Reduced or absent expression of axin was seen in 24 of 36 HCCs (66.7%). The abnormal expression of beta-catenin and axin proteins was closely correlated with mutations of AXIN1 and beta-catenin (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.008, respectively). These data suggest that mutation of AXIN1 gene is a frequent and late event for HCC associated with cirrhosis, and is correlated significantly with abnormal expression of axin and beta-catenin. Therefore, activation of Wnt signaling through AXIN1 rather than beta-catenin mutation might play an important role in liver carcinogenesis. Show less

Joubert syndrome (JS) is a developmental brain disorder characterized by cerebellar vermis hypoplasia, abnormal eye movement, ataxia and mental retardation. Mutations in CEP290 mutations are responsible for the cerebello-oculo-renal subtype of JS that includes kidney cysts and retinal degeneration, two phenotypes commonly linked to ciliopathies. CEP290 mutations are also associated with Meckel-Gruber syndrome and Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS). Here we demonstrate that CEP290 interacts with a centriolar satellite protein PCM-1, which is implicated in BBS4 function. CEP290 binds to PCM-1 and localizes to centriolar satellites in a PCM-1- and microtubule-dependent manner. The depletion of CEP290 disrupts subcellular distribution and protein complex formation of PCM-1. In accord with PCM-1's role in microtubule organization, CEP290 knockdown causes the disorganization of the cytoplasmic microtubule network. Moreover, we show that both CEP290 and PCM-1 are required for ciliogenesis and are involved in the ciliary targeting of Rab8, a small GTPase shown to collaborate with BBS protein complex to promote ciliogenesis. Our results suggest that PCM-1 is a potential mediator that may link CEP290 with BBS proteins in common molecular pathways. Show less

In selecting a method to produce a recombinant protein, a researcher is faced with a bewildering array of choices as to where to start. To facilitate decision-making, we describe a consensus 'what to try first' strategy based on our collective analysis of the expression and purification of over 10,000 different proteins. This review presents methods that could be applied at the outset of any project, a prioritized list of alternate strategies and a list of pitfalls that trip many new investigators. Show less

HBV (hepatitis B virus) is a primary cause of chronic liver disease, which frequently results in hepatitis, cirrhosis and ultimately HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma). Recently, we showed that HBx (HBV protein X) expression induces lipid accumulation in hepatic cells mediated by the induction of SREBP1 (sterol-regulatory-element-binding protein 1), a key regulator of lipogenic genes in the liver. However, the molecular mechanisms by which HBx increases SREBP1 expression and transactivation remain to be clearly elucidated. In the present study, we demonstrated that HBx interacts with LXRalpha (liver X receptor alpha) and enhances the binding of LXRalpha to LXRE (LXR-response element), thereby resulting in the up-regulation of SREBP1 and FAS (fatty acid synthase) in the presence or absence of the LXR agonist T0901317 in the hepatic cells and HBx-transgenic mice. Furthermore, HBx also augments the ability to recruit ASC2 (activating signal co-integrator 2), a transcriptional co-activator that controls liver lipid metabolic pathways, to the LXRE with LXRalpha. These studies place LXRalpha in a key position within the HBx-induced lipogenic pathways, and suggest a molecular mechanism through which HBV infection can stimulate the SREBP1-mediated control of hepatic lipid accumulation. Show less