In vitro hair growth-promoting effect of Lgr5-binding octapeptide in human primary hair cells.

Background: Hair loss occurs due to various biological and environmental causes, which can have psychosocial consequences. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling is well-known for its role in hair growth and regeneration, as it induces the proliferation and differentiation of hair cells. When the leucine-rich G protein-coupled receptor 5 (Lgr5) interacts with the R-spondins, the frizzled receptor (FZD), a Wnt receptor, becomes stabilized, resulting in an increased β-catenin activity.

Whitening effect of novel peptide mixture by regulating melanosome biogenesis, transfer and degradation.

Peptides are short chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. They are widely used as effective and biocompatible active ingredients in cosmetic industry. In this study, we developed novel peptide mixture and identified its anti-pigmentation effect on melanocytes and keratinocytes.

Ubiquitin specific protease 19 involved in transcriptional repression of retinoic acid receptor by stabilizing CORO2A.

Deubiquitination via deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) has been emerged as one of the important post-translational modifications, resulting in the regulation of numerous target proteins. In this study, we screened new protein biomarkers for adipogenesis, and related studies showed that ubiquitin specific protease 19 (USP19) as a DUB is gradually decreased during adipogenesis and it regulates coronin 2A (CORO2A) as one of the components for the nuclear receptor co-repressor (NCoR) complex in some studies. The regulation of CORO2A through the deubiquitinating activity of USP19 affected the transcriptional repression activity of the retinoic acid receptor (RAR), suggesting that USP19 may be involved in the regulation of RAR-mediated adipogenesis.

Lys-63-specific deubiquitination of SDS3 by USP17 regulates HDAC activity.

SDS3 is a key component of the histone deacetylase (HDAC)-dependent Sin3A co-repressor complex, serving to maintain its HDAC activity. Here, we report both exogenous and endogenous functional interaction between deubiquitinating enzyme USP17 and human SDS3 by MALDI-TOF-MS, co-immunoprecipitation assay, and GST pull-down assay. In this study, we demonstrated that SDS3 readily undergoes endogenous polyubiquitination, which is associated specifically with Lys-63-branched polyubiquitin chains and not with Lys-48-branched polyubiquitin chains.

Association study for single nucleotide polymorphisms in the CYP17A1 gene and polycystic ovary syndrome.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are characterized by excess androgen secretion and anovulatory infertility as a cause of follicular maturation arrest, and they are also associated with insulin resistance and obesity. Recently, it was suggested that one of the etiologies for PCOS is an abnormality of steroid hormones, and excessive secretion of androgen. The endoplasmic reticular cytochrome P450, 17alpha-hydroxylase (CYP17A), plays a key role in the mechanism of steroid hormones such as adrenal and gonadal steroid biosynthesis.

A single nucleotide polymorphism in exon 7 of sorbin and SH3-domain-containing-1 (SORBS1) in Korean PCOS patients.

Patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are characterized by high levels of androgens, irregular or no menstrual cycle and increased hair growth. In addition, insulin resistance and glucose tolerance are caused in patients with PCOS. It was recently reported that PCOS in women is associated with a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of genes, including the sorbin and SH3-domain-containing-1 (SORBS1) gene involved in insulin resistance and glucose uptake.

Association study between single nucleotide polymorphisms in the VEGF gene and polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: To investigate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene that have significant associations with the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in a Korean population.

Design: Case-control study.

Setting: University-based hospital.

A novel single nucleotide polymorphism of INSR gene for polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: To investigate several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the insulin receptor (INSR) gene that have significant associations with pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in a Korean population.

Design: Case-control study.

Setting: University-based hospital.

Recurrent pregnancy loss: the key potential mechanisms.

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), which occurs in 0.5%-1% of total pregnancies, is usually defined as three or more consecutive spontaneous abortions before 20 weeks of gestation. Although an immunology-based etiology underlying unexplained RPL has been demonstrated, the exact molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood.

Single nucleotide polymorphism in exon 17 of the insulin receptor gene is not associated with polycystic ovary syndrome in a Korean population.

Objective: To assess the association between the single nucleotide polymorphism of the insulin receptor (INSR) gene and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in a Korean population.

Design: Case-control study.

Setting: University-based hospital.

Molecular cloning of rHAUSP encoding a deubiquitinating enzyme in rat testis.

The tumor suppressor protein p53 is stabilized by the herpes-virus-associated ubiquitin-specific protease (HAUSP), a deubiquitinating enzyme. We previously isolated and characterized a mouse orthologue of HAUSP, mHAUSP. In this study, we have identified a rat orthologue of HAUSP, rHAUSP, from the rat testis by RT-PCR using primers used for cloning mHAUSP.