Jinok Choi

CCN1 is a matricellular protein involved in normal vascular development and tissue repair. CCN1 exhibits cell- and context-dependent activities that are reflective of its tetramodular structure phylogenetically linked to four domains found in various matrix proteins. Here, we show that vitreal fluids from patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) were enriched with a two-module form of CCN1 comprising completely or partially the insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP) and

Myrf is a key transcription factor for oligodendrocyte differentiation and central nervous system myelination. We and others have previously shown that Myrf is generated as a membrane protein in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and that it undergoes auto-processing to release its N-terminal fragment from the ER, which enters the nucleus to work as a transcription factor. These previous studies allow a glimpse into the unusual complexity behind the biogenesis and function of the transcription fact

Mapping enhancers to genes is a fundamental goal of modern biology. We have developed an innovative strategy that maps enhancers to genes in a principled manner. We illustrate its power by applying it to Myrf. Despite being a master regulator of oligodendrocytes, oligodendrocyte enhancers governing Myrf expression remain elusive. Since chromatin conformation capture studies have shown that a gene and its enhancer tend to be found in the same topologically associating domain (TAD), we started wit

BACKGROUND: Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with alpha-galactosidase A (alpha-Gal A) is currently the most effective therapeutic strategy for patients with Fabry disease, a lysosomal storage disease. However, ERT has limitations of a short half-life, requirement for frequent administration, and limited efficacy for patients with renal failure. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector-mediated gene therapy for a Fabry disease mouse model and com

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the roles of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) on the protective effects of astrocytes on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Methods: Primary RGCs were isolated from neonatal rats. Oxidative stress was induced, and the effects of co-culture with astrocytes and CNTF treatment on RGCs were evaluated. The pathways commonly altered by astrocytes and CNTF were investigated. Effects of each pathway were investigated using pathway inhibitors against PI

Myrf is a newly discovered membrane-bound transcription factor that plays an essential role in as diverse organisms as human, worm, and slime mold. Myrf is generated as a type-II membrane protein in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). It forms homo-oligomers to undergo auto-cleavage that releases Myrf N-terminal fragment from the ER membrane as a homo-trimer. The homo-trimer of Myrf N-terminal fragments enters the nucleus and binds the Myrf motif to activate transcription. Despite its prominent role

Spinal solitary fibrous tumors are extremely rare neoplasms and of those, intradural extramedullary location is even rarer. A 64-year-old male presented to the emergency department with worsening right leg pain over 1 month. Whole spine magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-circumscribed mass with low T1 and markedly low T2 signal intensity at the level of T1-2. Spine computed tomography showed no evidence of calcification or acute hemorrhage. Surgical removal was performed and the final di

This study investigates the effects of bevacizumab, a common vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor, in treating ocular neovascular disorders, with a focus on its impact on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival. Given that bevacizumab has been associated with adverse effects on RGCs, we aimed to validate these reports, identify an alternative VEGF inhibitor with similar antiangiogenic efficacy but without detrimental effects on RGCs, and explore the underlying mechanisms. Using prima

PURPOSE: This study investigated the changes in gene expression in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) following ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) treatment to elucidate the underlying mechanisms contributing to its neuroprotective effects. METHODS: RGCs isolated from Sprague-Dawley rat pups were treated with recombinant CNTF. Gene expression was analyzed via microarray. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were defined as those with a fold change greater than 2 or less than -2. The DEGs were furthe

Entrevista a Lía Rodríguez de la Vega, Secretaria General de ALADAA Internacional La actual Secretaria General de la Asociación Latinoamericana de Estudios de Asia y Africa (ALADAA) es experta en Hinduismo Yoga, Licenciada en Estudios Orientales y Dra. en Relaciones Internacionales (USAL, Argentina). Posee estudios postdoctorales en la Universidad Federal de Rio Grande do Sul (Brasil, 2009) y en el Departamento de Estudios Germánicos y Romances, Universidad de Delhi (India, 2016). Paralelamente

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inherited metabolic disorder caused by a deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase. The accumulation of phenylalanine leads to severe mental and psychomotor retardation. Phenylalanine restriction diet can prevent irreversible damage if instituted from birth. Recently, we reported the cognitive outcome of biochemical and phenotypic reversal of PKU mouse model, Pah enu2 , by the AAV 2‐mediated gene delivery of a human PAH transgene (Pediatr Res 56:–284, 2004). However, th

Background: Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with α-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) is currently the most effective therapeutic strategy for patients with Fabry disease, a lysosomal storage disease. However, ERT has limitations of a short half-life, requirement for frequent administration, and limited efficacy for patients with renal failure. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector-mediated gene therapy for a Fabry disease mouse model and compared it

This research was proceeded to find out the influence of regular spinning exercise to risk factors of metabolic syndrome and plasma visfatin concentration of adult male subjects with obesity. 50 minutes of spinning exercise was carried out 3 times a week for 8 weeks by 9 male test subjects with more than 25% body fat. The results acquired from the adult male test subjects with obesity after applying 8 weeks of spinning exercise, risk factors of metabolic syndrome such as, waist circle measuremen

이 연구는 칠레 한인들의 이주와 정착 과정에서 칠레 한인들이 칠레 사회와 어떻게 상 호작용을 하는지에 초점을 두고 분석하였다. 칠레 한인들은 이주 과정에서 칠레를 최종 목적지로 규정하지 않는 비정착성을 드러낸다. 그리고 칠레 주류 사회에 안착하는 것을 최우선으로 계획하지도 않는다. 즉, 이주자이면서도, 현지 사회에서 안정된 정착과 미래 를 계획하지는 않는 ‘현재형’의 삶을 살고 있다. 이주 초기부터 큰 어려움 없이 빠르게 경제적 상류층으로 진입하기 때문에, 칠레 한인들은 여느 이주자들과 달리 칠레 사회에 정착하려고 애를 쓰지 않는다. 그리고 칠레 한인들을 둘러 싼 세 가지 사회, 이주해 현재 살고 있는 칠레 사회, 떠나온 곳이자 이주자의 과거가 남아 있는 한국 사회, 그리고 이 두 사회의 혼합이라고 할 수 있는 칠레 내 한인 사회 안에서, 각 사회들과 연결과 단절이 반복되는 갇힌 삶을 영위하고 있다. 이러한 상황은, 정착할 마음은 없어도 막상 떠나지 는 않는 복잡한 심경의 칠레 한인