Project description:To determined the effects of KK and KKP on the phosphorylation levels of proteins in PAO1, we overexpressed KK and KKP separately in PAO1 cells via pHERD20T based plasmids.
Project description:A QTL intercross was performed bewteen C57BL/6J and KK/HIL for albuminurea, asthma and cardiovascular related phenotypes. Several QTL were identified for most phenotypes. We performed microarray analysis from liver samples to identify genes differentially expressed between the parental strains. The results helped us narrow down the QTL and identify the candidate genes based on differential expression between the parental strains. At 8 weeks of age, the large lobe of the liver from 3 male and 3 females C57BL/6J and KK/HIJ (12 mice total) was collected. The mice were separated individuallly for 3 days and fasted for 4 hours prior to the tissue collection. The mice were sacrificed by cervically dislocation and perfused with PBS prior to the liver collection.
Project description:Failure to achieve complete elimination of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) stem cells after adjuvant therapy is associated with poor outcomes. Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) is a marker of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), and its enzymatic activity regulates tumor stemness. Identifying upstream targets to control ALDH+ cells may facilitate TNBC tumor suppression. Here, we show that KK-LC-1 determines the stemness of TNBC ALDH+ cells via binding with FAT1 and subsequently promoting its ubiquitination and degradation. This compromised the Hippo pathway and led to nuclear translocation of YAP1 and ALDH1A1 transcription. These findings identified the KK-LC-1-FAT1-Hippo-ALDH1A1 pathway in TNBC ALDH+ cells as a therapeutic target. To reverse the malignancy due to KK-LC-1 expression, we employed a novel computational approach and discovered Z839878730 (Z8) as an small-molecule inhibitor which may disrupt KK-LC-1 and FAT1 binding. We demonstrate that Z8 suppressed TNBC tumor growth via a mechanism that reactivated the Hippo pathway and decreased TNBC ALDH+ cell stemness and viability.
Project description:We have shown in a previous study that the intake of persimmon peel (PP) extract altered hepatic gene expression of insulin signaling and enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptors in nonobese type 2 diabetic Goto–Kakizaki rats. We also showed the alteration of gene expression in fatty acid synthesis and metabolism. To evaluate the effect of PP extract on obese diabetic KK-Ay mice, we fed them a diet mixed with 0.1% of the extract for 8 weeks. The plasma total ketone bodies level of the treated mice were significantly lower than that of the untreated mice. The hepatic gene expression profiles of treated mice indicated upregulation of fatty acid biosynthesis-associated gene expression. Hepatic nonesterified palmitic acid content was higher in treated mice than in untreated mice. These results suggest that the intake of PP extract enhances hepatic fatty acid biosynthesis of KK-Ay mice, reducing their plasma total ketone bodies level.