• Animal cells and systems
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.175-182
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• 2006

A new halacarid species, Agaue laeviunguis n. sp. from Youngil Bay, Pohang City, South Korea is described. In sharing the character combination of three dorsal setae on PE, lacking dorsal seta anterior to insertion of leg IV, three ventral setae on PE, female PGS adjacent to GF, telofemora devoid of fovea, well developed smooth cerotegumental lamella on all telofemora, presence of accessory process on all lateral claws, long gnathosoma, and a smooth seta on P2 in both sexes, this species resembles A. subglabra Bartsch from Australia. The species, however, is clearly distinguished from A. subglabra by its larger body, claws of tarsi II-IV without ventral pecten, and much more PGS in female. Description of proto- and deutonymphs are also provided.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.315-321
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• 1998

Two new marine gastrotrichs of the family Thaumastodermatidae are described from South Korea. Tetranchyroderma gracilium n. sp. bears pestle organs, tetrancres, and two pairs of large dorsolateral tubes. It seems most closely related to T. massiliense Swedmark, T. heterotubulatum Hummon, Todaro and Tongiorgi, and T. boreale Clausen. Thaumastoderma copiophorum n. sp. has five pairs of dorsal cirrata, the overall picture of which differs clearly from that of all known species. In the presence of accessory cirrata, it relates to T. appendiculatum Chang, Lee and Clausen.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.364-369
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• 2002

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is remarkably efficient at establishing chronic infection. One of the reasons for this appears to be the suppression of the accessory cell function of professional antigen presenting cells. In the present study, the immunosuppressive activity of HCV protein was examined on dendritic cells (DCs) generated from mouse bone marrow progenitor cells in vitro. We found that the DCs forced to express HCV protein have defective allostimulatory ability. DCs expressing HCV protein were phenotypically indistinguishable from normal DCs. However, they were unable to produce IL-12 effectively when stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. The functional domain of the HCV protein essential for immunosuppression was determined using a series of ${NH_2}-and$ C-terminal deletion mutants of HCV core protein. We found that amino acid residues residing between the 21 st and the 40th residues from the ${NH_2}-terminus$ of HCV core protein are required for immunosuppression. These findings suggest that HCV core protein suppresses the elicitation of protective Th1 responses by the inhibition of IL-12 production by DCs.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.126-134
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• 2001

Background : Paeonia japonica Miyabe is a medicinal plant which has been widely used as a component of blood-building decoctions (Chinese medicinal concept : Bu-Xie). The immunopharmacological characteristics of the extract of Paeonia japonica (PJ) were investigated. Methods : The effects of fractions of PJ extract on lymphocyte proliferation were measured by $H^3$-thymidine incorporation assay. The proliferated lymphocyte subsets were analyzed in flow cytometry. The subset cell populations of spleen cells were separated by magnetic cell separation system, and their proliferation by the extract were investigated. The effect of the extract on antibody production was determined in mice challenged with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) using hemolytic plaque forming cell assay. Results : Spleen cells were proliferated by water extract of PJ. Polysaccharide fraction (PJ-P) of the extract was most active in the proliferation. It was found in flow cytometry that the lymphocyte subset proliferated by PJ-P was B cell population. Among the separated subset cell populations, T cell-depleted cell population and macrophage-depleted cell population were most proliferated by PJ-P. However, positively selected populations of B cells and T cells were not proliferated by PJ-P. These results indicate that B cell proliferation by PJ-P may require the assistance of macrophages or T cells. These results suggest that firstly PJ-P may stimulate macrophages or T cells, and then B cells are activated. The number of antibody-secreting cells was increased by administration of PJ-P in mice immunized with SRBC as a T-dependent antigen. Conclusion : These results suggest that macrophages and accessory cells are directly activated by PJ-P and then helper T cells and B cells are indirectly activated. As the results, immune responses might be coordinately improved. In conclusion, PJ-P, a polysaccharide of P. japonica, may be a characteristic immunostimulator, which is analogous to polysaccharides such as lentinan, PSK and ginsan.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.269-279
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• 2010

Some characteristics of germ cell differntiations and the function of accessory cells during spermatogenesis, and mature sperm ultrastructure in male Protothaca (N.) jedoensis were investigated by transmission electron microscope observations. The morphology of the spermatozoa of this species has a primitive type and is similar to those of other species in the subclass Heterodonta. Accessory cells, which are connected to adjacent germ cells, are involved in the supplying of the nutrients for germ cell development. The morphologies of the sperm nucleus and the acrosome of this species are the cylindrical type and cap shape, respectively. Spermatozoa are approximately $46{\sim}50{\mu}m$ in length including a long sperm nucleus (about $2.44{\mu}m$ in length), an acrosome (about $0.45{\mu}m$ in length), and tail flagellum (about $42{\sim}46{\mu}m$). The axoneme of the sperm tail shows a 9+2 structure. As some characteristics of the acrosomal vesicle structures, the basal and lateral parts of basal rings show electron opaque part (region), while the anterior apex part of the acrosomal vesicle shows electron lucent part (region). These characteristics of the acrosomal vesicle were found in the family Veneridae and other several families in the subclass Heterodonta. These common characteristics of the acrosomal vesicle in the subclass Heterodonta can be used for phylogenetic and systematic analysis as a taxonomic key or a significant tool. The number of mitochondria in the midpiece of the sperm of this species are four, as one of common characteristics appear in most species in the family Veneridae and other families in the subclass Heterodonta. However, exceptionally, only three species in Veneridae of the subclass Heterodonta contain 5 mitochondria. The number of mitochondria in the sperm midpiece can be used for the taxonomic analysis of the family or superfamily levels as a systematic key or an important tool.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.273-279
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• 2011

Epigenetic regulation is a phenomenon that changes the gene function without changing the underlying DNA sequences. Epigenetic status of chromosome is regulated by mechanisms such as histone modification, DNA modification, and RNAi silencing. In this review, we focused on histone methylation for epigenetic regulation in ES cells. Two antagonizing multiprotein complexes regulate methylation of histones to guide expression of genes in ES cells. The Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), including EED, EZH2, and SUZ12 as core factors, contributes to gene repression by increasing trimethylation of H3K27 (H3K27me3). In contrast, the Trithorax group (TrxG) complex including MLL is related to gene activation by making H3K4me3. PRC2 and TrxG accompany a variety of accessory proteins. Most prominent feature of epigenetic regulation in ES cells is a bivalent state in which H3K27me3 and H3K4me3 appear simultaneously. Concerted regulation of PRC2, TrxG complex, and H3K4- or H3K27-specific demethylases activate expression of pluripotency-related genes and suppress development-related genes in ES cells. Modified balance of the regulators also enables ES cells to efficiently differentiate to a variety of cells upon differentiating signals. More detailed insights on the epigenetic regulators and their action will lead us to better understanding and use of ES cells for future application.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 2000

Monospecific red tide by a toxic dinoflagellate belonging to the genus Alexandrium occurred at Chindong Bay in the southern coast of Korea and continued from April 6th to 15th in 1997. The ratio of its cell number to total phytoplankton cell number was much higher than $95\%$. This organism was identified as Alexandrium tamarense, although slight morphological differences were found comparing to the original and successive descriptions of the species. We found neither anterior nor posterior attachment pores in these cells of the bloom population. The occurrence of red tide caused by A. tamarense was first reported in Korea. Its plate formula is Po, Pc, 4', 6"c, 8s, 5"' and 2"". Thecal plates are thin with pore-like ornamentation. In those plates, the anterior part of the first apical plate (1') is narrower and its posterior end has sometimes a block-like accessory, but this variation was considered within the range of the morphological variability of this taxon. The cell density during the red tide exhibited a wide range of variation by the depth of water column, ranging from $2\times10^6$ cells$l^{-1}$ to $5\times10^6$ cells·$l^{-1}$. Water temperature varied from 11.8 to $12.3^{\circ}C$. Toxicity of A. tamarense during red tide was measured as $8.8\times10^5$. $MU\;\cdot\;cell^{-1}$ by mouse bioassay.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1994.11a
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• pp.69-80
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• 1994

Although ureases play important roles in microbial nitrogen metabolism and in the pathogenesis of several human diseases, little is known of the mechanism of metallocenter biosynthesis in this Ni-Containing enzyme. Klebsiella aerogenes urease apo-protein was purified from cells grown in the absence of Ni. The purified apo-enzyme showed the same native molecular weight, charge, and subunit stoichiometry as the holo-enzyme. Chemical modification studies were consistent with histidinyl ligation of Ni. Apo-enzyme could not be activated by simple addition of Ni ions suggesting a requirement for a cellular factor. Deletion analysis showed that four accessory genes (ureD, ureE, ureF, and ureG) are necessary for the functional incorporation of the urease metallocenter. Whereas the $\Delta$ureD, $\Delta$ureF, and $\Delta$ureG mutants are inactive and their ureases lack Ni, the $\Delta$ureE mutants retain partial activity and their ureases possess corresponding lower levels of Ni. UreE and UreG peptides were identified by SDS-polyacrylamide gel comparisons of mutant and wild type cells and by N-terminal sequencing. UreD and UreF peptides, which are synthesized at ve교 low levels, were identified by using in vitro transcription/translation methods. Cotransformation of E. coli cells with the complementing plasmids confirmed that ureD and ureF gene products act in trans. UreE was purified and characterized. immunogold electron microscopic studies were used to localize UreE to the cytoplasm. Equilibrium dialysis studies of purified UreE with $^{63}$ NiC1$_2$ showed that it binds ～6 Ni in a specific manner with a $K_{d}$ of 9.6 $\pm$1.3 $\mu$M. Results from spectroscopic studies demonstrated that Ni ions are ligated by 5 histidinyl residues and a sixth N or O atom, consistent with participation of the polyhistidine tail at the carboxyl termini of the dimeric UreE in Ni binding. With these results and other known features of the urease-related gene products, a model for urease metallocenter biosynthesis is proposed in which UreE binds Ni and acts as a Ni donor to the urease apo-protein while UreG binds ATP and couples its Hydrolysis to the Ni incorporation process.ouples its Hydrolysis to the Ni incorporation process.s.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2002

Background: CTLA-4 (Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte associated Antigen 4, CD152) has been known as a homologue of CD28, an accessory molecule providing a key costimulatory signal for successful antigen-driven activations of T lymphocyte. Most of biochemical and cell biological characteristics of the CD152 protein remain unknown while those of CD28 have been characterized in detail. Methods: In this study CD152 expression in both $CD4^+$ and $CD8^+$ PBLs was studied by using flow cytometry. And intracellular CD152 multiprotein complex was purified and used for generating antibodies recognizing proteins composing of intracellular CTLA-4 multi protein complex. Results: Level of surface expression of this molecule was peaked at 2 days of PHA stimulation in flow cytometric analysis. 40~45% of PHA blast cells were $CD152^+$ in both of two subsets at this stage and the level of expression were equivalent in both two subsets. Contrary to this surface expression, intracellular expression was peaked at day 3 and it was preferentially induced in $CD8^+$ cells and about 60% of $CD8^+$ cells were $CD152^+$ at this stage. High molecular weight (>350 kD) intacellular CD152 protein complex purified by using preparative electrophoresis were immunized into rabbits and then 3 different anti-P34PC4, anti-P34PC7 and anti-P34PC8 antibodies were obtained. Using these 3 antibodies two unknown antigens associated with intracellular CD152 multiprotein complex were found and their molecular weights were 54 kD and 75 kD, respectively. Among these, the former was present as 110 kD homodimer in non-reducing condition. Conclusion: It seemed that 34 kD intracellular CD152 molecule forms high molecular weight multiprotein complex at least with 2 proteins of 75 kD monomer and 110 kD homodimer.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.363-377
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• 1998

After the investigation on the eye of Incilaria fruhstorieri with light and electron microscopes, the following results were obtained. The eye of Incilaria fruhstorferi comprises cornea, lens, vitreous body, retina, and optic nerve inward from the outside. Cornea is composed of squamous, cuboid, columnar and irregular cells, which appear to be light due to their low electron density. In their cytoplasms, glycogen granules, multivesicular body, and nucleus were observed. Vitreous body, located behind non-cellular transparent lens, is filled with long and short microvilli protruding from the retinal epithelia. Retinal epithelium, the organ to perceive objects, is divided into four parts; microvillar layer pigment layer, nuclear layer, and neutrophils layer, from the apical portion. Microvillar layer consists of the type-I photoreceptor cells and pigmented granule cells. In the apical portion of their cytoplasms, long microvilli (length, $19{\mu}m$) , short microvilli (length, $8{\mu}m$), and rolled microvilli grow thick in the irregular and mixed forms. Photoreceptor cells are classified into type-I and type-II, according to their structures. The type-I cell has the apical portion rising roundly like a fan and the lower part which looks like the helve of a fan. In the cytoplasm of the apical portion, there are clear vesicles, cored vesicles, ovoid mitochondria, and microfilaments, and in the cytoplasm of the lower part, photic vesicles with their diameters about 60nm aggregate densely. The type-II photoreceptor cell, located at the lower end of the type-I cells, has a very large ovoid nucleus 3nd no microvilli. In the cytoplasm of the type-II cell, the photic vesicles with sizes 60nm aggregate more densely than in the cytoplasm of the type-I cell. Pigmented cells are classified into type-A and type-B, according to their structures. The type-A is identified to be a large cell containing round granules (diameter, $0.5{\mu}m$) of very high electron density, while the type-B is identified as a small cell where the irregular granules (diameter, $0.6{\mu}m$) of a little lower electron density amalgamate. Nuclear layer ranges from the bottom of pigment layer to the top of the capsule, and contains three kinds of nuclei (nuclei of the type-II photoreceptor cell, pigmented granule cell, and accessory neuron). The capsules covering the outmost part of the eyeball are composed of collagenous fiber and three longitudinal muscle layers (the thickness of each longitudinal muscle layer, $0.4{\mu}m$) and thick circular muscle layer (thickness, $0.3{\mu}m$). Around the capsules, there is a neurophile layer consisting of neurons and nerve fibers. Each neuron has a relatively large ovoid nucleus for its cytoplasm, and in the karyosome, large lumps of keterochromatin form a wheel nucleus.