Biomedical subjects

Jong-Woo Kim

Publications and source records attributed to Jong-Woo Kim.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Association study of polymorphisms in N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B subunits (GRIN2B) gene with Korean alcoholism.

The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor 2B gene (GRIN2B) was studied as a candidate gene of alcoholism. This study aimed to investigate the association between each of the three GRIN2B polymorphisms (rs1806201, rs1805247, and rs1805502) and alcoholism. This study included 206 alcoholic patients and 189 unrelated control subjects of Korean origin. Associations between genotype, allele, and haplotype frequencies of the polymorphisms and alcoholism were investigated. The genotype frequencies of rs1806201 and the haplotype analysis of SNPs in this study show significantly differences between the case and controls. These findings suggest new candidate SNPs in GRIN2B for studying the genetic susceptibility to alcoholism.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

MUC5AC mucin gene regulation in pancreatic cancer cells.

MUC5AC is a secretory mucin normally expressed by the surface mucous cells of the human stomach and in the bronchial tract. It is absent from normal pancreas, but de novo expression of this mucin occurs in early-stage pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias and in the invasive ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, prompting this study of MUC5AC gene regulation in pancreatic cancer cells. Promoter deletion constructs and EMSA studies revealed that transcription factors Sp1 and AP-1 are both involved in basal transcription of the MUC5AC gene. Phorbol 12-myrisate 13-acetate (PMA) increased MUC5AC mRNA expression and transcriptional activities of MUC5AC promoter-reporter deletion constructs containing AP-1 consensus sites. EMSA studies showed that Fos/Jun binding to putative AP-1 sites is increased by PMA treatment. Western blot analysis showed that ERK, JNK and p38 are all activated by PMA treatment in SW1990 cells. Inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal regulated kinase (MEK), such as ERK inhibitor PD98059 and JNK inhibitors dicumarol and SP60015, but not p38 inhibitor SB203580, inhibited PMA-induced MUC5AC reporter activity. Our studies indicate that Sp1 is involved in basal MUC5AC promoter activity while AP-1 is involved in basal and PMA-induced MUC5AC promoter activation in pancreatic cancer cells. Furthermore, PMA-induced MUC5AC gene transcription appears to be mediated by activating Sp1, PKC/ERK/AP-1 and PKC/JNK/AP-1 pathways.

Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal↗

PubMed2005

Melatonin enhances NADPH-diaphorase activities in the hypothalamus of maternally-separated rats.

Maternal separation or social isolation is a risk factor in the development of mammalian species affecting both physical and mental growth, and food intake regulation. Melatonin has been known to regulate body weight on various species including rodents. We investigated the effect of melatonin treatment on the expression of nitric oxide synthase, which may involved in food intake regulation, in the brain of maternally separated-rats using nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemistry. Melatonin (10 mg/kg i.p.) was injected to 14-day-old maternally-separated rats for 7 days. Maternally-separated rats with melatonin administration showed significantly higher staining intensities of NADPH-d-positive neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and in lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) than maternally-separated without melatonin administration (P < 0.05). Body weight of melatonin treated rats significantly increased at the 6th and 7th day compared to that of rats without melatonin treatment (P < 0.05). These results indicate that melatonin may be associated with increase body weight via NOS in the hypothalamic areas in maternally-separated or socially isolated rats.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Analysis of the major patterns of B cell gene expression changes in response to short-term stimulation with 33 single ligands.

We examined the major patterns of changes in gene expression in mouse splenic B cells in response to stimulation with 33 single ligands for 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 h. We found that ligands known to directly induce or costimulate proliferation, namely, anti-IgM (anti-Ig), anti-CD40 (CD40L), LPS, and, to a lesser extent, IL-4 and CpG-oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG), induced significant expression changes in a large number of genes. The remaining 28 single ligands produced changes in relatively few genes, even though they elicited measurable elevations in intracellular Ca(2+) and cAMP concentration and/or protein phosphorylation, including cytokines, chemokines, and other ligands that interact with G protein-coupled receptors. A detailed comparison of gene expression responses to anti-Ig, CD40L, LPS, IL-4, and CpG indicates that while many genes had similar temporal patterns of change in expression in response to these ligands, subsets of genes showed unique expression patterns in response to IL-4, anti-Ig, and CD40L.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Epidermal growth factor gene polymorphism is different between schizophrenia and lung cancer patients in Korean population.

Low incidence of cancer in schizophrenia is one of the interesting puzzles in psychiatric field over decades. Analysis of genetic difference between schizophrenia and lung cancer might provide us with possible clues to understand molecular mechanisms of pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Epidermal growth factor (EGF), one of the potent growth promoting factors, has been studied for its roles in cancer development. EGF is also known to be involved in cognitive function. In order to analyze the genetic difference between schizophrenia and lung cancer, polymorphism of EGF gene was studied from 174 schizophrenia patients, 122 lung cancer patients and 132 controls in Korean population. Genotype frequency analysis of EGF gene (AluI restriction site, 5'-UTR, rs4444903) in the EGF gene was studied. The genotype and allele frequencies of the AluI polymorphism showed significant differences between schizophrenia and lung cancer patients [p<0.0001; p<0.0001, odds ratio (95% CI), 0.3690 (0.2600-0.5236)]. When compared with controls, schizophrenia patients showed no significant differences from controls in genotype and allele frequencies [p=0.5151; p=0.3516, odds ratio (95% CI), 0.8589 (0.6235-1.1830)]. However, lung cancer patients showed significant differences from controls in genotype and allele frequencies [p<0.0001; p<0.0001, odds ratio (95% CI), 2.3275 (1.6082-3.3687)]. These results indicate that schizophrenia is not associated with AluI polymorphism of EGF gene and EGF gene polymorphism is different between schizophrenia and lung cancer patients.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

PubMed2004

Current issues for DNA microarrays: platform comparison, double linear amplification, and universal RNA reference.

DNA microarray technology has been widely used to simultaneously determine the expression levels of thousands of genes. A variety of approaches have been used, both in the implementation of this technology and in the analysis of the large amount of expression data. However, several practical issues still have not been resolved in a satisfactory manner, and among the most critical is the lack of agreement in the results obtained in different array platforms. In this study, we present a comparison of several microarray platforms [Affymetrix oligonucleotide arrays, custom complementary DNA (cDNA) arrays, and custom oligo arrays printed with oligonucleotides from three different sources] as well as analysis of various methods used for microarray target preparation and the reference design. The results indicate that the pairwise correlations of expression levels between platforms are relative low overall but that the log ratios of the highly expressed genes are strongly correlated, especially between Affymetrix and cDNA arrays. The microarray measurements were compared with quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) results for 23 genes, and the varying degrees of agreement for each platform were characterized. We have also developed and tested a double amplification method which allows the use of smaller amounts of starting material. The added round of amplification produced reproducible results as compared to the arrays hybridized with single round amplified targets. Finally, the reliability of using a universal RNA reference for two-channel microarrays was tested and the results suggest that comparisons of multiple experimental conditions using the same control can be accurate.

Benchmarking↗

PubMed2004

[Development and effectiveness of a program for relieving 'Hwa-Byung' symptoms].

PURPOSE: This one group experimentation was designed to develop a program for relieving 'Hwa-Byung' (HB) symptoms and examine its effects on HB symptoms, pain threshold emotions like anger, anxiety and depression. METHOD: The program consisted of three components the change of the cognitive thoughts, the formation of a supportive network, and induction of mind-body relaxation. Sixteen middle-aged women with HB were divided into three groups for group dynamics according to the time of the recruitment. Data was collected for nine months at three time points, before, immediately after, and one month later of its application. RESULT: There were statistically significant differences in the severity level of state anger, state anxiety, depression, and HB symptoms according to the time interval. The means of state anger and state anxiety were reduced after the intervention, but it was slightly increased one month later. The means of depression and HB symptoms were continuously reduced after the intervention and one month later. CONCLUSION: This was the first management program for HB women in Korea. A future study must be done with the research design for methodological strength revision of the program.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Aberrant expression of MUC3 and MUC4 membrane-associated mucins and sialyl Le(x) antigen in pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia.

INTRODUCTION: Ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas has recently been suggested to arise from histologically identifiable ductal lesions known as pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanINs). Altered levels and patterns of mucin gene expression have been reported to occur in epithelial cancers. AIM: To examine the pattern of expression of membrane-associated mucins, MUC3 and MUC4, and a mucin-associated carbohydrate tumor antigen, sialyl Le(x), in these precursor lesions and ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. METHODOLOGY: A total of 144 PanIN lesions and 85 cases of ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas were examined by using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization methods. RESULTS: MUC3 showed a progressive increase in expression in PanINs of increasing dysplasia and was also highly expressed in ductal adenocarcinoma. In contrast, neoexpression of MUC4 and sialyl Le(x) antigen was observed, mainly in PanIN-3 and ductal adenocarcinoma. In addition, a decrease in the expression of MUC3 and MUC4 was correlated with the degree of de-differentiation of the tumor. CONCLUSION: Aberrant expression of membrane mucins MUC3 and MUC4 and of a mucin-associated carbohydrate tumor antigen Sialyl Le(x) in PanINs and adenocarcinoma further supports the progression model for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2002

Protective effect of Hypericum perforatum Linn (St. John's wort) against hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis on human neuroblastoma cells.

The medicinal plant Hypericum perforatum Linn, commonly known as St. John's wort, has been used as an antidepressant. To investigate whether St. John's wort possesses a protective effect against hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced cytotoxicity in neuronal cells, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay, flow cytometry analysis, DNA fragmentation assay, and caspase-3 enzyme assay were performed on SK-N-MC human neuroblastoma cells. Cells treated with H(2)O(2) exhibited several apoptotic features, while those pre-treated with St. John's wort prior to H(2)O(2) exposure showed a decreased occurrence of apoptotic features. In addition, pre-treatment with St. John's wort inhibited H(2)O(2)-induced increase in caspase-3 enzyme activity. These results suggest that St. John's wort may exert a protective effect against H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis in human neuroblastoma cells.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2002

Interaction of elongation factor-1alpha and pleckstrin homology domain of phospholipase C-gamma 1 with activating its activity.

The pleckstrin homology (PH) domain is a small motif for membrane targeting in the signaling molecules. Phospholipase C (PLC)-gamma1 has two putative PH domains, an NH(2)-terminal and a split PH domain. Here we report studies on the interaction of the PH domain of PLC-gamma1 with translational elongation factor (EF)-1alpha, which has been shown to be a phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase activator. By pull-down of cell extract with the glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins with various domains of PLC-gamma1 followed by peptide sequence analysis, we identified EF-1alpha as a binding partner of a split PH domain of PLC-gamma1. Analysis by site-directed mutagenesis of the PH domain revealed that the beta2-sheet of a split PH domain is critical for the interaction with EF-1alpha. Moreover, Dot-blot assay shows that a split PH domain specifically binds to phosphoinositides including phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate (PIP(2)). So the PH domain of PLC-gamma1 binds to both EF-1alpha and PIP(2). The binding affinity of EF-1alpha to the GST.PH domain fusion protein increased in the presence of PIP(2), although PIP(2) does not bind to EF-1alpha directly. This suggests that EF-1alpha may control the binding affinity between the PH domain and PIP(2). PLC-gamma1 is substantially activated in the presence of EF-1alpha with a bell-shaped curve in relation to the molar ratio between them, whereas a double point mutant PLC-gamma1 (Y509A/F510A) that lost its binding affinity to EF-1alpha shows basal level activity. Taken together, our data show that EF-1alpha plays a direct role in phosphoinositide metabolism of cellular signaling by regulating PLC-gamma1 activity via a split PH domain.

1-Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase↗

PubMed2002

Melatonin suppresses NO-induced apoptosis via induction of Bcl-2 expression in PGT-beta immortalized pineal cells.

In the present study, we investigated whether melatonin would prevent nitric oxide (NO)-induced apoptotic death of PGT-beta immortalized pineal cells. To examine the protective effect of melatonin, cytotoxicity assay, DNA fragmentation analysis, caspase-3 activity assay, and Western blotting for caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) were performed. Treatment of cells with S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), an NO donor, was shown to induce apoptotic cell death in a dose-dependent manner, and pretreatment with melatonin (0.1 mm) attenuated the occurrence of NO-induced apoptotic cell death. DNA fragmentation in response to NO was also arrested by melatonin. Caspase-3 activity induced by NO was decreased with melatonin treatment. Furthermore, the active fragments of caspase-3 and PARP were almost completely absent following exposure to melatonin. To elucidate the protective mechanisms of action of melatonin, Western blot analyses for Bcl-2 expression and cytochrome c release were carried out. Pretreatment with melatonin (0.1 mm) induced the expression of Bcl-2 and suppressed the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, thereby arresting NO-induced apoptotic cell death. These results suggest that the antiapoptotic effect of melatonin is associated with induction of Bcl-2 expression in PGT-beta cells, which in turn blocks caspase-3 activation and inhibits cytochrome c release into the cytosol.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

The conceptual structure of hwa-byung in middle-aged Korean women.

The term hwa-byung (HB) as a culture-bound syndrome of Koreans has been used to refer to certain types of symptom complexes. However, there is an ambiguity in relation to what sorts of experiences and personal attributes can be identified for describing HB. Our study was designed to reexamine the conceptual structure of HB through a qualitative analysis of interview data with six middle-aged women experiencing HB. The emerging common themes of HB were identified in three dimensions: (a) those related to personal attributes or life situations such as quick-temperedness, strong commitment to traditional values, a hard or unhappy life, and conflicted marital relationship; (b) those related to experiential accounts such as deep sorrow (hahn in Korean), a feeling of victimization, anger, and enduring; and (c) HB symptoms. "Enduring" as one of the core concepts of HB viewed as the only way of life for these women needs further examination.

Anger↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Association of polymorphisms in nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha 4 subunit gene (CHRNA4), mu-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1), and ethanol-metabolizing enzyme genes with alcoholism in Korean patients.

Findings obtained from several studies indicate that ethanol enhances the activity of alpha4beta2 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and support the possibility that a polymorphism of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha4 subunit gene (CHRNA4) modulates enhancement of nicotinic receptor function by ethanol. To identify the association between the CfoI polymorphism of the CHRNA4 and alcoholism, we examined distribution of genotypes and allele frequencies in Korean patients diagnosed with alcoholism (n = 127) and Korean control subjects without alcoholism (n = 185) with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. We were able to detect the association between the CfoI polymorphism of the CHRNA4 and alcoholism in Korean patients (genotype P = .023; allele frequency P = .047). The genotypes and allele frequencies of known polymorphisms in other alcoholism candidate genes, such as alcohol metabolism-related genes [alcohol dehydrogenase 2 (ADH2), aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), alcohol dehydrogenase 3 (ADH3), and cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1)] and mu-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1), were studied. The polymorphisms of ADH2, ALDH2, and CYP2E1 were significantly different in Korean patients with alcoholism and Korean control subjects without alcoholism, but ADH3 and OPRM1 did not differ between the two groups.

Adult↗