Dong‐Kun Lee

The androgen-androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway plays a key role in proper development and function of male reproductive organs, such as prostate and epididymis, as well as nonreproductive organs, such as muscle, hair follicles, and brain. Abnormalities in the androgen-AR signaling pathway have been linked to diseases, such as male infertility, Kennedy's disease, and prostate cancer. Regulation of AR activity can be achieved in several different ways: modulation of AR gene expression, andr

Abstract Coastal areas have been affected by hazards such as floods and storms due to the impact of climate change. As coastal systems continue to become more socially and environmentally complex, the damage these hazards cause is expected to increase and intensify. To reduce such negative impacts, vulnerable coastal areas and their associated risks must be identified and assessed. In this study, we assessed the flooding risk to coastal areas of South Korea using multiple machine learning algori

Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARC) respond to numerous hormonal and neural signals, resulting in changes in food intake. Here, we demonstrate that ARC POMC neurons express capsaicin-sensitive transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 receptor (TRPV1)-like receptors. To show expression of TRPV1-like receptors in ARC POMC neurons, we use single-cell reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry, electrophysiology, TRP

Countermeasures to urban flooding should consider long-term perspectives, because climate change impacts are unpredictable and complex. Urban green spaces have emerged as a potential option to reduce urban flood risks, and their effectiveness has been highlighted in notable urban water management studies. In this study, flooded areas in Seoul, Korea, were divided into four flooded area types by cluster analysis based on topographic and physical characteristics and verified using discriminant ana

Although stem cells from mice deficient of FGF2 have been reported to display enhanced capacity for adipogenesis, the literature using in vitro cell culture system has so far reported conflicting results on the role of FGF2 in adipogenesis. We here demonstrate that FGF2, depending on concentration, can function as either a positive or negative factor of in vitro adipogenesis by regulating activation of the ERK signaling pathway. FGF2 at concentrations lower than 2 ng/ml enhanced in vitro adipoge

Phenology-based multi-index with the random forest (RF) algorithm can be used to overcome the shortcomings of traditional deforestation mapping that involves pixel-based classification, such as ISODATA or decision trees, and single images. The purpose of this study was to investigate methods to identify specific types of deforestation in North Korea, and to increase the accuracy of classification, using phenological characteristics extracted with multi-index and random forest algorithms. The map

Regulation of GABAergic inhibitory inputs and alterations in POMC neuron activity by nutrients and adiposity signals regulate energy and glucose homeostasis. Thus, understanding how POMC neurons integrate these two signal molecules at the synaptic level is important. Here we show that leptin's action on GABA release to POMC neurons is influenced by glucose levels. Leptin stimulates the JAK2-PI3K pathway in both presynaptic GABAergic terminals and postsynaptic POMC neurons. Inhibition of AMPK act

DNA-binding studies with Saccharomyces cerevisiae TFIID point mutants indicated that TFIIA interacts with the basic repeat region of TFIID and induces structural changes. The latter was shown by the ability of TFIIA to compensate for TFIID point mutants defective for DNA binding. Interaction with TFIIA also rendered TFIID binding temperature independent, thus mimicking the effect of removing the nonconserved N terminus of TFIID. In addition, N-terminal truncation of the TFIID point mutants defec

The hypothalamus is a key element of the neural circuits that control energy homeostasis. Specific neuronal populations within the hypothalamus are sensitive to a variety of homeostatic indicators such as circulating nutrient levels and hormones that signal circulating glucose and body fat content. Central injection of apelin secreted by adipose tissues regulates feeding and glucose homeostasis. However, the precise neuronal populations and cellular mechanisms involved in these physiological pro

Abnormal degradation of matrix components due to dysregulated expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in macrophages has been linked to progression of acute cerebral ischemia and atherosclerosis. We report that lithium chloride (LiCl) or CHIR99021, inhibitors of Wnt signaling pathway, enhance phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta and suppress lipopolysaccharide-mediated upregulation of MMP-9 expression in murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Suppression