• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.211-217
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• 2013

In general, the mean silkmoth lifespan is around 8 days for female and 5 days for male. But, the duration of J037 strain's lifespan is remarkably long in both sexes. On the contrary, the Daizo(sdi) strain has a remarkably short lifetime. The differences in adult lifetime among various silkworm strains has been suggested that the adult lifetime may be genetically controlled. In this experiment, using J037 and Daizo strains we investigated genetic factors related to the adult lifetime of silkworm. We constructed the full-length cDNA library from the adult male of the J037 strain. A total of 2,688 clones were randomly selected, and we performed a differential display hybridization with cDNA probes generated from J037 and Daizo adult males. In conclusion, 193 clones were identified as differential expressed genes, and 154 unique genes were generated after the assembly of 193 clones. Of the 154 unique genes, the most abundant genes were cytochrome oxidase subunit-1 gene(9 times) and unknown(clone ID; 1-50) gene(5 times). The functional groups of these unique genes with matches in the AmiGo database were constructed according to their putative molecular functions. Among thirteen functional categories, the largest group was unclassified protein(24%). In addition, we analyzed the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the most highly occurred gene(1-50, EF434397), which consisted of 240 amino acids. However, it is confirmed yet that these genes really have an affected on the silkworms longevity. Further studies on these molecules biological roles will give us well-fined information about mechanisms of insect aging and/or scenesence.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.181-190
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• 2007

Compound K (CK), a protopanaxadiol ginsenoside metabolite, was previously shown to have immunomodulatory effects. In this study, we isolated the CK rich fractions (CKRF) from Korean Red Ginseng and investigated the regulation of CKRF-mediated inflammatory signaling during Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated cellular activation. Among various TLR ligands, CKRF considerably abrogated TLR4- or TLR9-induced inflammatory signaling. Both LPS and CpG-containing oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN) stimulation rapidly activates mitogen-activated protein kinases [MAPKs; extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 and p38], NF-${\kappa}B$, and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and interleukin-6 in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Of interest, pre-treatment of CKRF in either LPS/TLR4- or CpG-ODN/TLR9-stimulated macrophages substantially attenuated the LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine production and mRNA expressions, as well as MAPK and NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. To our knowledge, this is the first description of the inhibitory roles for CKRF in TLR4- or TLR9-associated signaling in BMDMs. Collectively, these results demonstrate that CKRF specifically modulates distinct TLR4 and TLR9-mediated inflammatory responses, and further studies are urgently needed for their in vivo roles for potential therapeutic uses, such as in systemic inflammatory syndromes.