• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.646-650
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• 2001

In this study, we investigated the thermotropic behavior of Daucus carota L. (DCS) extracts in phosphatidylcholine(PC) liposomes using high-sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry (nano-DSC). We used dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayers which made most stable liposomes among the other phosphatidylcholine. The sample DCS was extracted and fractionated to four different types, hexane(DCSMH), ethylacetate (DCSMEA), butanol (DCSMB) and aqueous(DCSMA) fractions. Compared to the other fractions of Daucus carota L., the DCSMH and DCSMEA fractions markedly affected the thermotropic properties of DPPC liposomes, broadened and shifted the thermograms of transition to lower temperatures. The incorporation of DCSMH and DCSMEA in DPPC liposomes were preferentially located in the hydrophobic core of DPPC bilayers, where it reduced the lipid packing orderness (cooperative unit) in the gel state compared to it in the liquid-crystalline state. These results suggest that the activities of the Daucus carota L. extracts to enhance the fluidity of the liposomal membrane have implication in their biological activities.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.189-197
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• 2009

Two-pore domain $K^+(K_{2P})$ channels contribute to setting the resting membrane potential in excitable and nonexcitable cells. However, the cellular or tissue distribution and function of $K_{2P}$ channels expressed in mammalian germ cells and reproductive organs have not yet been reviewed by researchers. In this review, we focus on expression, localization and expected properties of $K_{2P}$ channels in germ cells and reproductive organs. The $K_{2P}$ channels are expressed in human cytotrophoblast cells, myometrium, placental vascular system, uterine smooth muscle, and pregnant term tissue, suggesting that $K_{2P}$ channels might be involved in the processes of pregnance. The $K_{2P}$ channels are also expressed in mouse zygotes, monkey sperm, ovary, testis, germ cells, and embryos of Korean cattle. Interestingly, $K_{2P}$ channels are modulated by changes in temperature and oxygen concentration which play an important role in embryonic development. Also, $K_{2P}$ channels are responsible for $K^+$ efflux during apoptotic volume decreases in mouse zygotes. These expression patterns and properties of the $K_{2P}$ channels in reproductive organs and germ cells are likely to help the understanding of ion channel-related function in reproductive physiology.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.10
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• pp.1317-1323
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• 2009

In the present study, we investigated the anti-proliferation activity of Citrus grandis Osbeck peel (CGP) in HL60 (human promyelocytic leukemia) cells. It was found that 80% ethanol extract of CGP could inhibit the cell growth in a dose-dependent manner ($250{\sim}1,000{\mu}g/mL$), which was associated with morphological changes and apoptotic cell death such as depolarized mitochondrial membrane, formation of apoptotic bodies and increased populations of apoptotic sub-G1 phase. The results indicate that CGP extract inhibits the growth of HL60 cancer cells by the induction of apoptosis, which may be mediated by its ability to change the Bcl family proteins and increase the activation of caspase-3 and PARP. Therefore, it is suggested that CGP has the potential to provide a remarkable natural defense against the proliferation of HL60 cells.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.151-162
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• 2009

착상, 태반생성 및 임신 유지 등 생식과정에서 semi-allograft인 배아 및 태아가 생존하기 위해서는 모체 면역계의 면역관용이 요구된다. 면역관용은 분자 생물학적으로 염증반응과 항염증반응의 적절한 균형을 유지하는 인식되고 있으며, 생식과정에서 모체 면역계의 T 림프구, 자연살해세포, 수지상 세포, 대식세포 등 여러 면역세포의 유기적인 협조하에 이루어진다. 면역세포들은 특정 항원 및 사이토카인의 자극에 따라 정반대의 성질을 가진 사이토카인을 생산, 분비할 수 있는 특성을 가지고 있어 각각을 염증성 또는 항염증성 면역세포로 명확히 구분할 수 없으며 면역세포의 이러한 특성에 의해 생산 및 분비되는 사이토카인의 종류에 따라 Th0 형 (Th 0 cell, Tc 0 cell, NK 0 cell), Th1형 (Th 1 cell, Tc 1 cell, NK 1 cell), Th2 형 (Th 2 cell, Tc 2 cell, NK 2 cell), Th3 형 세포 (Th 3 cell, Tc 3 cell, NK 3 cell)로 분류하기도 한다. 즉, 착상 시기에 혈관신생 및 영양막의 자궁 내 침투를 위한 적절한 염증성 사이토카인(inflammatory cytokine)의 분비 및 임신의 지속을 위한 항염증성 (anti-inflammatory) 사이토카인의 분비 등 생식과정에서 수반되는 염증성과 항염증성 면역반응의 적절한 균형을 유지하는 기전은 특정 면역세포만의 작용으로 결론 지을 수 없으며 면역 세포간 network의 산물이라 할 수 있다 (Figure 5). 면역세포 중 최근 그 존재가 알려진 면역조절 T림프구 (T reg cell)는 여러 연구자들에 의해 면역관용에 관여함이 일관되게 보고되고 있어 자궁 내모체-태아간 접촉면에서 면역세포들 간의 network에 중추적인 역할을 할 것으로 인식되고 있으나 작용기전으로 제시되고 있는 가설들을 뒷받침 할 만한 객관적인 연구가 필요한 실정이다. 본 고찰에서는 착상과 임신 유지 등 생식과정에 수반되는 면역세포 및 그 세포들의 작용기전중 T 림프구의 역할에 중점을 두고 그 분류 및 기능에 대해 정리해 보았다. 결론적으로 착상과 임신의 유지 등 생식과정에서 T 림프구는 면역관용과 거부에 적극적으로 작용하며 착상부전, 습관성유산 등 면역학적 병인이 유사한 생식장애 (poor reproductive performance)들의 발병에 중요한 역할을 하는 것은 의심할 여지가 없다. 하지만 향후 T 림프구 및 그와 연관된 면역세포들의 작용에 대한 확실한 분자학적 규명이 요구된다.

• The Zoological Society Korea : Newsletter
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.17-50
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• 1999

시상하부에 극히 적은 수로 존재하는 신경분비세포인 성선자극호르몬-방출호르몬(gonadotropin-releasing hormone; GnRH) 뉴런은인간을 포함한 포유동물의 생식과 발생 과정에 있어 중요한 역할을 담당하고 있다. GnRH 뉴런은 배아 발생과정 중에 후판에서 유래하여 시상하부의 여러 영역으로 이동하며, 생후와 사춘기를 거치면서 분화를 계속한다. GnRH 뉴런에서 합성, 분비되는 10개의 아미노산으로 이루어진 작은 신경호르몬인 GnRH는 맥동적으로 분비되어 뇌하수체 성선자극 세포막에 존재하는 GnRH 수용체와 결합한 후 일련의 신호전달과정을 거쳐 성선자극호르몬의 합성과 분비를 제어하게 된다. GnRH의 합성과 분비는 글루탐산, 노르에피네프린, GABA와 같은 각종 신경입력과 스테로이드 호르몬에 의한 액성 피드백 신호에 의해 조절되나 이들의 GnRH 유전자 발현에 미치는 영향은 최근에 연구되고 있는 실정이다. GnRH 뉴런의 분화와 발생에는 다양한 신경영양인자들이 영향을 미치나 그 분자생물학적 기작은 아직 밝혀져 있지 않다. 본 논단에서는 신경호르몬인 GnRH와 그 수용체에 관하여 최근 연구성과를 중심으로 살펴보고자 한다.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.133-136
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• 2000

To evaluate the biological effects of dykellic acid, a novel apoptosis inhibitor, isolated from microorganism on the plant cells, the cell growth, protein contents, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were investigated in suspension cultures of tobacco photomixotrophic cultured (PM) cells on 12 days after different concentration of chemical treatment. The cells were cultured in MS medium containing 0.7 mg/L 2,4-D, 0.3 mg/L kinetin, 30 g/L sucrose and 200 mM NaCl at $25^{\circ}C$ in the light (100 rpm). Dykellic acid strongly inhibited the cell growth by evaluating the cell fresh wt and the ion conductivity in the medium ($IC_{50}$/, about 20 $\mu$M). The results as inhibition of cell growth and cell wall damage were same. The compound significantly increased the protein contents and the SOD specific activity in proportion with the dosage. The results suggested that dykellic acid may have biological activity in plant cells and tobacco PM cells may be suitable biomaterials for in vitro evaluation of the biological activity of natural products.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.494-499
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• 1993

The morphological and histochemical observation of the lectin binding to intestine in vivo or in vitro was investigated. Our finding demonstrates the validity of semi-quantitative estimates of lectin binding to mouse intestine. The fluorescence patterns obtained after treatment of intestine sections with FITC-conjugated lectin revealed that Kintoki bean lectin (KBL) and Taro tuber lectin (TTL) were localized on the cell membrane, especially the top and upper sites of the villi and showed that KBL was more strongly located than TTL under various conditions. In the reverted intestine of mice fed lectin, the villi were considerably disordered and conspicuously disrupted.

• Feed Journal
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• v.4 no.5 s.33
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• pp.107-112
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• 2006

동물영양에 있어 광물질은 동물체의 골격을 구성 할 뿐만 아니라 체액의 삼투압 및 산 엽기 평형상태 조절, 세포막의 투과성 조절, 신경 근육 간 자극전달매개, 각종 효소의 구성 및 활성촉진, 에너지 발생작용 조절 등 매우 중요한 역할을 하는 영양소이다. 체내 기능을 중심으로 한 전통적인 분류방법은 크게 필수 광물질, 준 필수 광물질, 비 필수 광물질 및 중독광물질로 구별하는데, 각각의 광물질은 연구결과에 의해 소속 군이 변화되거나 경계가 불분명해지기도 하나, 대부분 양적인 요구량 측면에서 다량 광물질(칼슘, 인, 나트륨, 염소, 마그네슘, 칼륨 및 황)과 미량광물질(구리, 철, 망간, 몰리브덴, 아연, 크롬, 불소, 셀레늄, 실리콘)로 나뉘어 진다. 최근 이러한 영양생리학적 요구수준과 결부된 분류 외에 약리학적 또는 특수 기능적 측면을 중심으로 일정 광물질에 대한 관심이 확대되고 있으며, 친환경농업과 관련되어 환경에 대한 부담을 최대한 경감시킬 수 있는 광물질 제재의 개발과 연구가 활발하게 진행되고 있는 실정이다.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.169-179
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• 2014

Intracellular antioxidants include low molecular weight scavengers of oxidizing species, and enzymes which degrade superoxide and hydroperoxides. Such antioxidants systems prevent oxidative damage to cellular component by scavenging free radicals and activated oxygen species. Hydrophobic scavengers are found in cell membrane where they interrupt chain reactions of lipid peroxidation. The three major lipophilic antioxidant classes for human health are carotenoids, vitamin E and coenzyme Q10. The biofortification of staple crops with these lipid soluble antioxidants is an attractive strategy to increase the nutritional quality of human food. Here, we have summarized the biosynthetic pathways of three lipid soluble antioxidants in plants and current status of genetic engineered plants for elevated levels of each lipophilic antioxidant.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.10
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• pp.762-770
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• 2022

Hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes can be alleviated by promoting cellular glucose uptake. Betulinic acid (3β,-3-hydroxy-lup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid) is a pentacyclic lupane-type triterpenoid compound. Although there have been studies on the antidiabetic activity of betulinic acid, studies on cellular glucose uptake are lacking. We investigated the effects of betulinic acid on glucose uptake and its mechanism of action in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Betulinic acid significantly stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by increasing the phosphorylation of the insulin receptor substrate 1-tyrosine (IRS-1tyr) in the insulin signaling pathway, which in turn stimulated the activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt). The activation of PI3K and Akt by betulinic acid translocated glucose transporter 4 to the plasma membrane (PM-GLUT4), thereby increasing the expression of PM-GLUT4 and thus stimulating cellular glucose uptake. Betulinic acid also significantly increased the phosphorylation/activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase. The activation of PI3K and AMPK by betulinic acid was confirmed using the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin and the AMPK inhibitor compound C. The increase in glucose uptake induced by betulinic acid was significantly decreased by wortmannin and compound C in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These results suggest that betulinic acid stimulates glucose uptake by activating PI3K and AMPK in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.