Gho, Yong Song, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Department of Life Science
Division of Molecular and Life Sciences
Intercellular Communication Network

Profile |  Research Interests |  Selected Publications

Profile

Research Interests

In multicellular organisms, including humans, intercellular communication is an essential process. Cells release a variety of intercellular communication molecules into their surroundings that execute intracellular (e.g. signal transduction) and intercellular communication via binding to their cognate receptors.

1. EMV, an extracellular organelle

My research group is focusing on systemic study of extracellular membrane vesicles (EMVs). To communicate with each other, cells secrete not only variable kinds of soluble intercellular communication molecules, such as growth factors and cytokines, but also EMVs, composed of various kinds of proteins and lipids. EMV is an extracellular organelle that modulates immune response as well as promotes tumor invasion. These observations suggest that EMVs could be regulators of intercellular communication, playing diverse roles compared with those of soluble intercellular communication molecules. However, the biological functions of EMVs are generally unclear. We have discovered that EMVs from tumor cells promote angiogenesis via sphingomyelin and modulate VEGF action on endothelial cells. And we will demonstrate that EMVs act as multifunctional intercellular communicators through systemic research on the diversity and multiple roles of EMVs as well as on the mechanisms of EMV biogenesis. It is expected that our research help us develop novel cancer diagnostics and identify novel targets that are involved in pathogenesis of diseases.

2. Plasma Membrane Proteins

We are also interested in systemic study of plasma membrane proteins. Cells constantly monitor and respond to a myriad of extracellular signals mainly via plasma membrane proteins. These initial signal responses monitored by the cognate receptors are typically amplified and diversified via intracellular signal transduction. Up to 30% of the human genome may encode plasma membrane proteins such as G protein-coupled receptors, receptor tyrosine kinases, ion channels, ion pumps, and cell adhesion molecules, etc. Although they currently account for about 70% of all known pharmaceutical drug targets, plasma membrane proteins should remain mine of major druggable targets. In spite of growing interest in plasma membrane proteins especially in the filed of pathogenesis of several diseases, systemic research on them has yet to come.

3. Intercellular Communication Network

Aged humans experience higher rates of cancer, Alzheimer's disease and atherosclerosis. The pathogenesis of these diseases is not known at the molecular level. Since disregulation in the biogenesis of intercellular communication molecules and/or disfunction in the intercellular/intracellular communication networks could lead to progression of several diseases, many groups have been involved in this field. However, worldwide studies have only focused on soluble intercellular communication molecules and intracellular communication. Therefore, the systemic studies on EMVs and cell surface receptors are critical for understanding the intercellular communication network that is essential for decoding the secrets of life and elucidating the exact causes of many diseases.

Selected Publications

1. Park KS, Choi KH, Kim YS, Hong BS, Kim OY, Kim JH, Yoon CM, Koh GY, Kim YK*, Gho YS*. Outer membrane vesicles derived from Escherichia coli induce systemic inflammatory response syndrome. PLoS One. 28;5(6), 2010 (*co-corresponding authors)
2. Kim JW, Kim TD, Hong BS, Kim OY, Yoon WH, Chae CB, Gho YS. A serum-stable branched dimeric anti-VEGF peptide blocks tumor growth via anti-angiogenic activity. Exp Mol Med., 31;42(7):514-23, 2010.
3. Lee HM, Choi EJ, Kim JH, Kim TD, Kim YK, Kang C, Gho YS. A membranous form of ICAM-1 on exosomes efficiently blocks leukocyte adhesion to activated endothelial cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 25;397(2):251-6, 2010.
4. Shin TS, Kim JH, Kim YS, Jeon SG, Zhu Z, Gho YS*, Kim YK*. Extracellular vesicles are key intercellular mediators in the development of immune dysfunction to allergens in the airways. Allergy. 65(10):1256-65, 2010 (*co-corresponding authors)
5. Moon HG, Kim YS, Choi JP, Choi DS, Yoon CM, Jeon SG, Gho YS*, Kim YK*.. Aspirin attenuates the anti-inflammatory effects of theophylline via inhibition of cAMP production in mice with non-eosinophilic asthma. Exp Mol Med 42(1):47-60 , 2010 (*co-corresponding authors)
6. Hong BS, Cho JH, Kim H, Choi EJ, Rho S, Kim J, Kim JH, Choi DS, Kim YK, Hwang D*, Gho YS*. Colorectal cancer cell-derived microvesicles are enriched in cell cycle-related mRNAs that promote proliferation of endothelial cells. BMC Genomics, 10:556, 2009 (*co-corresponding authors)
7. Lee EY, Choi DY, Kim DK, Kim JW, Park JO, Kim S, Kim SH, Desiderio DM, Kim YK, Kim KP, Gho YS. Gram-positive bacteria produce membrane vesicles: proteomics-based characterization of staphylococcus aureus-derived membrane vesicles. Proteomics. 9(24):5425-36, 2009
8. Yoon CM, Hong BS, Moon HG, Lim S, Suh PG, Kim YK, Chae CB and Gho YS. Sphingosine-1-phosphate promotes lymphangiogenesis by stimulating S1P1/Gi/PLC/Ca2+ signaling pathways. Blood, 112(4):1129-1138, 2008
9. Lee EY, Choi DS, Kim KP and Gho YS. Proteomics in gram-negative bacterial outer membrane vesicles. Mass Spectrom Rev., 27(6): 535-555, 2008.
10. Choi DS, Lee JM, Park GW, Lim HW, Bang JY, Kim YK, Kwon KH, Kwon HJ, Kim KP and Gho YS. Proteomic analysis of microvesicles derived from human colorectal cancer cells. J. Proteome Res., 12 6(12):4646-455, 2007.
11. Lee EY, Bang JY, Park GW, Choi DS, Kang JS, Kim HJ, Park KS, Lee JO, Kim YK, Kwon KH, Kim KP and Gho YS. Global proteomic profiling of native outer membrane vesicles derived from Escherichia coli. Proteomics, 7(17):3143-3153, 2007. [cover story]
12. Han KY, Hong BS, Yoon YJ, Yoon CM, Kim YK, Kwon YG and Gho YS. Polyphosphate blocks tumour metastasis via anti-angiogenic activity. Biochem. J., 406(1):49-55, 2007.
13. Kim YK, Park HW, Yang JS, Oh SY, Chang YS, Shin ES, Lee JE, Kim SU, Gho YS*, Cho SH, Min KU and Kim YY. Association and functional relevance of E237G, a polymorphism of the high-affinity IgE-Receptor beta chain gene, to airway hyperresponsiveness. Clin. Exp. Allergy, 37(4):592-598, 2007. (corresponding authors)

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