Ell3 enhances differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition and apoptosis.

Ell3 is a testis-specific RNA polymerase II elongation factor whose cellular function is not clear. The present study shows that Ell3 is activated during the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Furthermore, Ell3 plays a critical role in stimulating lineage differentiation of mESCs by promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and suppressing apoptosis.

Sprouty1 regulates neural and endothelial differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells.

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling is implicated in the control of pluripotency and lineage differentiation of both human and mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). FGF4 dependent stimulation of ERK1/2 signaling triggers transition of pluripotent ESCs from self-renewal and lineage commitment. In this study, Sprouty 1 (Spry1) expression was observed in undifferentiated mESCs, where it modulated ERK1/2 activity.

Adiponectin concentrations: a genome-wide association study.

Adiponectin is associated with obesity and insulin resistance. To date, there has been no genome-wide association study (GWAS) of adiponectin levels in Asians. Here we present a GWAS of a cohort of Korean volunteers.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) inhibits neurite outgrowth in differentiating human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells.

TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin), a highly toxic environmental pollutant, is known to induce neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral deficits. However, the underlying mechanism of TCDD-mediated neurotoxicity has remained unclear. We have studied TCDD inhibition of neurite outgrowth using human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells induced to differentiate by all-trans-retinoic acid (RA).

The association between adiponectin and diabetes in the Korean population.

As indicators of obesity, waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), and adiponectin are well-known risk factors for diabetes mellitus. The objectives of this study were to measure the independent association between these obesity indicators and diabetes and to examine the combined effect of these indicators on diabetes in a Korean population. The WC, BMI, and serum adiponectin were measured in 4459 healthy Koreans and were classified into tertile groups for men and women.