노재숙 교수

Calcitonin, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), adrenomedullin (ADM), and amylin belong to a unique group of peptide hormones important for homeostasis in diverse tissues. Calcitonin is essential for calcium balance, whereas CGRP and ADM are important for neurotransmission and cardiovascular and respiratory regulation. Based on phylogenetic analysis, we identified intermedin as a novel member of the calcitonin/CGRP peptide family. Analysis of intermedin expression indicated that intermedin i

Ovarian inhibin production is stimulated by FSH and several TGFbeta family ligands including activins and bone morphogenetic proteins. Growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9) derived by the oocyte is a member of the TGFbeta/activin family, and we have previously shown that GDF-9 treatment stimulates ovarian inhibin-alpha content in explants of neonatal ovaries. However, little is known about GDF-9 regulation of inhibin production in granulosa cells and downstream signaling proteins activated by

Prenatal caffeine exposure adversely affects the development of the reproductive organs of male rat offspring. Thus, it is conceivable that peripubertal caffeine exposure would also influence physiologic gonadal changes and function during this critical period for sexual maturation. This study investigated the impact of high doses of caffeine on the testes of prepubertal male rats. A total of 45 immature male rats were divided randomly into three groups: a control group and 2 groups fed 120 and

In the ovary, the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge suppresses the proliferation and induces the luteinization of preovulatory granulosa cells (GCs), which is crucial for the survival of terminally-differentiated GCs. Krüppel-like factor 4 (Klf4) has been shown to play a role in regulating the cell cycle and apoptosis in various cell types. The rapid induction of Klf4 expressions by LH was observed in preovulatory GCs. To evaluate whether Klf4 affects GC proliferation and survival, primary rat GCs

Abstract We showed previously that caffeine adversely affects longitudinal bone growth and disrupts the histomorphometry of the growth plate during the pubertal growth spurt. However, little attention has been paid to the direct effects of caffeine on chondrocytes. Here, we investigated the direct effects of caffeine on chondrocytes of the growth plate in vivo and in vitro using a rapidly growing young rat model, and determined whether they were related to the adenosine receptor signaling pathwa

Caffeine adversely affects endochondral ossification during fetal skeletal growth, and results in increased incidence of delayed and abnormal fetal skeletal development. Chronic caffeine intake also decreases growth hormone secretion. Thus, it is conceivable that caffeine may disrupt bone growth during the peripubertal period. This study aimed to investigate the impact of high-caffeine consumption on bone growth throughout puberty. A total of 51 male rats (21 days old) were divided randomly into

This is to investigate the cervical cytological abnormalities associated with Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium, and Ureaplasma urealyticum infections on routine screen. A total of 714 subjects who had undergone cervical Pap smears and concomitant analyses for cervical infections were included by a retrospective search. The frequencies of reactive cellular change (RCC) and squamous epithelial abnormalities were significantly higher in Chlamydia positive subjects th

BACKGROUND: The important role of WT1 in early folliculogenesis was evident from its restricted expression pattern in immature follicles and from its involvement in transcriptional control of inhibin-α and FSH receptor. There is also considerable evidence that WT1 is a potent inhibitor of apoptotic cell death in the developing kidney and male germ cells, suggesting that it could play a role in the regulation of follicle survival. Therefore, we evaluated if WT1 involves in cell survival of granul

Krüppel-like factor 4 (Klf4) plays an important role in the transition from proliferation to differentiation in a wide variety of cells. Previous studies demonstrated its critical role in the luteal transition of preovulatory granulosa cells (GCs). This study used cultured rat preovulatory GCs to investigate the mechanism by which luteinizing hormone (LH) regulates Klf4 gene expression. Klf4 mRNA and protein were rapidly and transiently induced by LH treatment, reaching peak levels after 45 min

The transition from granulosa cell (GC) to luteal cell involves a change from estrogen production to predominantly progesterone production. We analyzed the role of Krüppel-like factor 4 ( Klf4), a transcriptional repressor used to generate pluripotent cells, in that transition. After luteinizing hormone (LH)/human chorionic gonadotropin treatment of preovulatory follicles, a major but transient increase in Klf4 transcript levels was detected. Therefore, we enquired whether Klf4 is involved in th

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the frequencies of CYP1A2 gene polymorphisms, analyze Linkage disequilibrium (LD) blocks and haplotypes in a Korean population, and compare them with those in African, European, Japanese and Chinese populations. METHODS: We searched across diverse studies conducted in Korea and the Knowledge Base for Korean Pharmacogenomics Research Network operated by Seoul National University to determine the frequency of single nucleotide polymo

The consumption of high levels of dietary caffeine has increased in children and adolescents. Human and animal studies have shown that chronic intake of high doses of caffeine affects serum glucocorticoid levels. Given that glucocorticoids play a role in peripubertal organ growth and development, chronic high doses of caffeine during puberty might impair maturation of the adrenal glands. To evaluate any effects of caffeine exposure on growing adrenal glands, 22-day-old male (n = 30) and female S