Cloning and expression analysis of cathepsin D in the olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus.

We isolated a homolog of cathepsin D from the cDNA library of the olive flounder kidney. The olive flounder cathepsin D transcript consisted of 1,733 bp that encoded a polypeptide of 396 amino acids. The overall similarity between olive flounder cathepsin D and other cathepsin Ds was very high, with the highest amino acid sequence identity to barramundi perch (89%).

An immune responsive complement factor D/adipsin and kallikrein-like serine protease (PoDAK) from the olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus.

The cDNA encoding of a complement factor D/adipsin and kallikrein-like serine protease, designated PoDAK, was isolated from the olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. PoDAK cDNA encodes a polypeptide with 277 amino acids containing conserved catalytic triad residues of serine proteases. The amino acid sequence of PoDAK showed high similarity to the kallikrein-like protein of medaka, mammalian adipsin/complement factor D and tissue kallikrein homolog, KT-14 of trout, complement factor D of zebrafish, and shared 31.

Cloning and characterization of hypusine-containing protein eIF5A from the olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus.

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A) is the only protein in eukaryotic cells that contains the unusual amino acid hypusine (N(epsilon)-(4-amino-2(R)-hydroxybutyl)-lysine). We isolated a 1385-bp eIF5A cDNA containing an open reading frame (ORF) of 468 bp, which encodes a protein of 155 amino acids with a conserved hypusine modification site, from the olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. Pairwise alignments revealed that flounder eIF5A had a high sequence identity with those of other known species including mammals.

Oral supplementation of Lithospermum erythrorhizon prevents the development of atopic dermatitis with reducing ceramide degradation in the epidermis of NC/Nga mice.

Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. et Zucc. (LE) is widely used in the treatment of abnormal skin conditions, but its systemic efficacy, especially in atopic dermatitis (AD), is not clear.

Identification and characterization of the prepro-vasoactive intestinal peptide gene from the teleost Paralichthys olivaceus.

The gene encoding the prepro form of a vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) was cloned, and its structural organization and expression profiles were determined in the teleost Paralichthys olivaceus. The prepro-VIP encodes both a VIP and a peptide-histidine-isoleucine (PHI). The VIP gene comprises six exons with two distinct peptides encoded on separate exons, i.

Molecular cloning of Kazal-type proteinase inhibitor of the shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis.

Proteinase inhibitors play important roles in host defence systems involving blood coagulation and pathogen digestion. We isolated and characterized a cDNA clone for a Kazal-type proteinase inhibitor (KPI) from a hemocyte cDNA library of the oriental white shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis. The KPI gene consists of three exons and two introns.

Identification of two differentially expressed forms of progranulin mRNA in the teleost fish Paralichthys olivaceus.

Two forms of progranulin mRNA were isolated from kidney and spleen cDNA libraries of the olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. The 3'-untranslated regions (3'-UTRs) of these flounder progranulin (f-pgrn) mRNAs differed in a 20-nucleotide sequence element (5'-AACTGATTACGTTCAACAAC-3') that was present in one mRNA (designated f-pgrn type II) and not in the other (designated f-pgrn type I). Both mRNA sequences contained an open reading frame encoding a 289-amino-acid polypeptide of approximately 33 kDa.

The polarity protein Par6 induces cell proliferation and is overexpressed in breast cancer.

The polarity protein complex Par6/atypical protein kinase (aPKC)/Cdc42 regulates polarization processes during epithelial morphogenesis, astrocyte migration, and axon specification. We, as well as others, have shown that this complex is also required for disruption of apical-basal polarity during the oncogene ErbB2-induced transformation and transforming growth factor beta-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of mammary epithelial cells. Here, we report that expression of Par6 by itself in mammary epithelial cells induces epidermal growth factor-independent cell proliferation and development of hyperplastic three-dimensional acini without affecting apical-basal polarity.

Generation of expressed sequence tags for immune gene discovery and marker development in the sea squirt, Halocynthia roretzi.

Expresssed sequence tag (EST) analysis was developed from three cDNA libraries constructed from cells of the digestive tract, gonad, and liver of sea squirt. Randomly selected cDNA clones were partially sequenced to generate a total of 922 ESTs, in which 687 unique ESTs were identified respectively. Results of BLASTX search showed that 612 ESTs (89%) have homology to genes of known function whereas 75 ESTs (11%) were unidentified or novel.

A C-type lectin like-domain (CTLD)-containing protein (PtLP) from the swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus.

C-type lectins play important roles in the non-self innate immune system of invertebrates. In this study, we isolated the full-length cDNA of the C-type lectin like-domain (CTLD)-containing protein, designated PtLP, from the hepatopancreas of the swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus, one of the most common edible crabs of East Asia. The PtLP cDNA consists of 923 bp and encodes a polypeptide of 164 amino acids containing a well-conserved C-type lectin like-domain (CTLD).

Parameniscal cyst formation after arthroscopic meniscal repair with biodegradable meniscal arrow: a case report.

A 22-year-old male underwent an arthroscopic meniscal repair, using meniscal arrows, due to bucket-handle medial meniscus tear. Magnetic resonance images (MRI) at 3 years revealed a large parameniscal cyst protruding into the extra-capsular popliteal space. Arthroscopic partial cystectomy, removing only the intra-articular portion of the cyst was performed, leaving the extra-articular part of the cyst.

Identification and molecular characterization of two hepcidin genes from black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii).

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are important mediators of the immune response against bacteria and cysteine-rich peptide hepcidin is a 20-26 residues member with functions in iron regulation and antimicrobial activity. Here, we have identified two different types of hepcidin cDNA from the Black rockfish, Sebastes schlegelii, by EST analysis. Both hepcidin genes (hepcidin I and II) consist of two introns and three exons that encode a prepropeptide (88 amino acids).

Ductal carcinoma in situ and the emergence of diversity during breast cancer evolution.

Purpose: Human invasive breast cancers (IBC) show enormous histologic and biological diversity. This study comprehensively evaluated diversity in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), the immediate precursors of IBCs.

Experimental Design: The extent of diversity for conventional histologic grade and standard prognostic biomarkers assessed by immunohistochemistry was evaluated in a series of pure DCIS (n = 200) compared with a contemporaneous series of IBCs (n = 200).

Cloning, characterization and expression analysis of the gene for a putative lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-alpha factor of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas.

Lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-alpha factor (LITAF) is an important transcription factor that mediates the expression of inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-alpha, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced processes. In the present study, the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas LITAF (Cg-LITAF) gene was cloned and characterized. The full-length Cg-LITAF cDNA consists of 906bp and encodes a polypeptide of 115 amino acids.

Alterations of gene expression in the development of early hyperplastic precursors of breast cancer.

Enlargement of normal terminal duct lobular units (TDLUs) by hyperplastic columnar epithelial cells is one of the most common abnormalities of growth in the adult female human breast. These hyperplastic enlarged lobular units (HELUs) are important clinically as the earliest histologically identifiable potential precursor of breast cancer. The causes of the hyperplasia are unknown but may include estrogen-simulated growth mediated by estrogen receptor-alpha, which is highly elevated in HELUs and may be fundamental to their development.

Cooperation of Ha-ras and Bcl-2 during multistep skin carcinogenesis.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in the United States. Deregulation of bcl-2 and ras family members is commonly observed in NMSC. It has been previously demonstrated that simultaneous bcl-2 and Ha-ras gene expression in keratinocytes results in disordered differentiation and resistance to cell death induced by ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Radiofrequency and 585-nm pulsed dye laser treatment of striae distensae: a report of 37 Asian patients.

Background: Various lasers have recently been reported as effective treatment modalities for striae distensae, but pigmentary alterations are a major concern to the darker skin type. The Thermage (Therma Cool TC; Thermage Inc, Hayward, CA) is a radiofrequency device for the lifting of face and neck, and there is no report of using it for striae distensae.

Objective: The purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Thermage in combination with pulsed dye laser.

Effect of genistein with carnitine administration on lipid parameters and obesity in C57Bl/6J mice fed a high-fat diet.

Soy products are mainly composed of proteins, phytochemicals such as isoflavones, soy lipids, and carbohydrates. It is unclear whether an individual component alone or a combined effect of multiple bioactive compounds contributes to the beneficial properties of soy. We investigated the effect of dietary genistein (the principal soy isoflavone) alone and combined with L-carnitine to evaluate possible synergistic effects on the intentionally induced prediabetic state characterized by insulin resistance and obesity in C57Bl/6J mice fed a high-fat diet (HD).

Hair restoration surgery in patients with pubic atrichosis or hypotrichosis: review of technique and clinical consideration of 507 cases.

Background: Pubic atrichosis or hypotrichosis is a common condition in Korean women of Mongolian origin. This results in many patients receiving hair restoration surgery, which is currently thought to be the only definitive therapy.

Objective: To pursue more natural and realistic-appearing results, to define patient characteristics, and to estimate the survival rate of transplanted pubic hair through restoration surgery, we examined our cases of pubic hair restoration surgery with single-hair grafts.

Hormones, receptors, and growth in hyperplastic enlarged lobular units: early potential precursors of breast cancer.

Introduction: The hyperplastic enlarged lobular unit (HELU) is a common alteration in adult female human breast and is the earliest histologically identifiable lesion with premalignant potential. Growth and differentiation in normal epithelium are regulated by estrogen and progesterone, whose effects are mediated through estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha and progesterone receptor (PR). We assessed correlations between growth (proliferation and apoptosis), endogenous hormone levels (using age as a surrogate for menopausal/estrogen status), and ER-alpha/PR expression in HELUs versus adjacent normal terminal duct lobular units (TDLUs) to gain insight into potentially premalignant hyperplasia.

Molecular cloning of the phytase gene from Citrobacter braakii and its expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The gene, appA, encoding phytase was cloned from a size-selected genomic library of Citrobacter braakii YH-15 by Southern hybridization using a degenerate probe based on the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the phytase. The deduced amino acid sequence of appA contained the N-terminal RHGXRXP motif and the C-terminal HD motif, which are common in histidine acid phosphatases. It also had significant homology (60% identity) with phytase from Escherichia coli, while the physical mapping analysis of appA revealed that gene organization near appA in C.

Insulin acutely decreases hepatic fatty acid synthase activity.

Insulin is viewed as a positive regulator of fatty acid synthesis by increasing fatty acid synthase (FAS) mRNA transcription. We uncover a new mechanism by which insulin acutely reduces hepatic FAS activity by inducing phosphorylation of the carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) and its interaction with FAS. Ceacam1 null mice (Cc1(-/-)) show loss of insulin's ability to acutely decrease hepatic FAS activity.

Molecular cloning and expression analysis of two hepcidin genes from olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus.

Hepcidin is a cysteine-rich cationic antimicrobial peptide central to iron metabolism. We report a comparative analysis of the sequences, gene organization and expression of two hepcidin genes from olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. Both consist of two introns and three exons that encode a prepropeptide (81 amino acids for hepcidin I and 89 amino acids for hepcidin II).

Synergistic effect between catechin and ciprofloxacin on chronic bacterial prostatitis rat model.

Background: Chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) is the most common urological disease in adult men. Antibiotic therapy is the gold standard of treatment. However, long-term therapy resulted in many side-effects and bacterial resistance.