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Han-Jung Lee

Publications and source records attributed to Han-Jung Lee.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Transactivation of the proximal promoter of human oxytocin gene by TR4 orphan receptor.

The human testicular receptor 4 (TR4) shares structural homology with members of the nuclear receptor superfamily. Some other members of this superfamily were able to regulate the transcriptional activity of the human oxytocin (OXT) promoter by binding to the first DR0 regulatory site. However, little investigation was conducted systematically in the study of the second dDR4 site of OXT proximal promoter, and the relationship between the first and the second sites of OXT promoter. Here, we demonstrated for the first time that TR4 could increase the proximal promoter activity of the human OXT gene via DR0, dDR4, and OXT (both DR0 and dDR4) elements, respectively. TR4 might induce OXT gene expression through the OXT element in a dose-dependent manner. However, there is no synergistic effect between DR0 and dDR4 elements during TR4 transactivation. Taken together, these results suggested that TR4 should be one of important regulators of OXT gene expression.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2006

Transcriptional regulation of the human TR2 orphan receptor gene by nuclear factor 1-A.

The human testicular receptor 2 (TR2), a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily, has no identified ligand yet. Previous evidence demonstrated that a 63bp DNA fragment, named the promoter activating cis-element (PACE), has been identified as a positive regulatory region in the 5' promoter region of the human TR2 gene. In the present report, the human nuclear factor 1-A (NF1-A) was identified as a transcriptional activator to recognize the center of the PACE, called the PACE-C. NF1-A could bind to the 18bp PACE-C region, and enhance about 13- to 17-fold of the luciferase reporter gene activity via the PACE-C in dose-dependent and orientation-independent manners. This transcriptional activation was further confirmed by real-time RT-PCR assay. In conclusion, our results indicated that NF1-A transcription factor plays an important role in the transcriptional activation of the TR2 gene expression via the PACE-C in the minimal promoter region.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Arginine-rich intracellular delivery peptides noncovalently transport protein into living cells.

Plasma membranes of plant or animal cells are generally impermeable to peptides or proteins. Many basic peptides have previously been investigated and covalently cross-linked with cargoes for cellular internalization. In the current study, we demonstrate that arginine-rich intracellular delivery (AID) peptides are able to deliver fluorescent proteins or beta-galactosidase enzyme into animal and plant cells, as well as animal tissue. Cellular internalization and transdermal delivery of protein could be mediated by effective and nontoxic AID peptides in a neither fusion protein nor conjugation fashion. Therefore, noncovalent AID peptides may provide a useful strategy to have active proteins function in living cells and tissues in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Cellular internalization of fluorescent proteins via arginine-rich intracellular delivery peptide in plant cells.

The protein delivery across cellular membranes or compartments is limited by low biomembrane permeability because of the hydrophobic characteristics of cell membranes. Usually the delivery processes utilize passive protein channels or active transporters to overcome the membrane impediment. In this report, we demonstrate that arginine-rich intracellular delivery (AID) peptide is capable of efficiently delivering fused fluorescent proteins unpreferentially into different plant tissues of both tomato (a dicot plant) and onion (a monocot plant) in a fully bioactive form. Thus, cellular internalization via AID peptide can be a powerful tool characterized by its simplicity, non-invasion and high efficiency to express those bioactive proteins in planta or in plant cells in vivo. This novel method may alternatively provide broader applications of AID chimera in plants without the time-consuming transgenic approaches.

Allium↗
PubMed2005

Dye-free protein molecular weight markers.

Protein molecular weight markers are widely used in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blotting. Here, we describe novel protein molecular weight markers in which a prestaining procedure is no longer needed. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) is stable and resistant to denaturing agents/conditions. Various histidine-tagged GFP fusion proteins were overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified by metal affinity chromatography. The minimal amount of each protein marker needed for analysis in SDS-PAGE and Western blot under visible light was 62.5 and 125 ng, respectively. Under ultraviolet (UV) ray, the minimal amount of each protein marker needed for analysis in SDS-PAGE and Western blot was half of those amounts used under visible light, respectively. Collectively, the accuracy, sensitivity, ease, economy, and flexibility of our strategy may reinforce the application of GFP in molecular biology.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed2002

Recent advances in the TR2 and TR4 orphan receptors of the nuclear receptor superfamily.

The human testicular receptor 2 (TR2) and TR4 orphan receptors are two evolutionarily related proteins belonging to the nuclear receptor superfamily. Numerous TR2 and TR4 variants and homologs have been identified from different species, including vertebrates (e.g. human, murine, rabbit, fish, and amphibian) and invertebrates (e.g. Drosophila, sea urchin, and nematode) since TR2 was initially isolated over a decade ago. Specific tissue distribution, genomic organization, and chromosomal assignment of both orphan receptors have been investigated. In order to reveal the physiological functions played by both TR2 and TR4, upstream modulators of TR2 and TR4 gene expression, their downstream target gene regulation, feedback mechanisms, and differential modulation mediated by the recruitment of other nuclear receptors and coregulators have been investigated. Studies summarized in the present report have provided unexpected insights into the TR2 and TR4 functions in a variety of biological processes. The essential and difficult tasks of identifying orphan receptor ligands, agonist/antagonist assignment, their physiological functions, and mechanisms of action will continue to challenge nuclear receptor researchers in the future.

Animals↗