• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.243-251
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• 2011

The gene bolA was discovered in the 80's, but unraveling its function in the cell has proven to be a complex task. The BolA protein has pleiotropic effects over cell physiology, altering growth and morphology, inducing biofilm formation, and regulating the balance of several membrane proteins. Recently, BolA was shown to be a transcription factor by repressing the expression of the mreB gene. The present report shows that BolA is a transcriptional regulator of the dacA and dacC genes, thus regulating both DD-carboxypeptidases PBP5 and PBP6 and thereby demonstrating the versatility of BolA as a cellular regulator. In this work, we also demonstrate that reduction of cell growth and survival can be connected to the overexpression of the bolA gene in different E. coli backgrounds, particularly in the exponential growth phase. The most interesting finding is that overproduction of BolA affects bacterial growth differently depending on whether the cells were inoculated directly from a plate culture or from an overnight batch culture. This strengthens the idea that BolA can be engaged in the coordination of genes that adapt the cell physiology in order to enhance cell adaptation and survival under stress conditions.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.819-822
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• 2010

Purpose: Basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS), also known as Gorlin syndrome, is a rare autosomal dominant disorder. It is characterized by complex neoplastic syndrome with multisystemic manifestations, involving six major features. This article presents a rare genetic disorder and usage of the author's methods for odontogenic keratocyst, developed in the maxillary sinus. Methods: A 67-year-old man was presented with large calcified maxillary mass and multisystemic manifestations and findings that matched with basal cell nevus syndrome. The calcified maxillary mass was removed via the versatile maxillary window and maxillary bone segment was repositioned. Results: Histopathologic findings revealed that maxillary and mandibular lesions were odontogenic keratocysts and the skin lesions were basal cell carcinoma. Conclusion: Basal cell nevus syndrome is a rare genetic disease that requires surveillance and care for basal cell carcinoma and multisystemic problems. The author's method was satisfactory for maxillary odontogenic keratocyst in the aspect of the approach and reconstruction.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.389-394
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• 2000

The Tcf-1 (1-cell factor-1) protein binds to the T-cell specific enhancer sequences and plays an architectural role in the assembly of transcriptional machinery. One of the Tcf family proteins, Tcf-4, was found to be an important regulator for colon cancer development where it activates specific genes upon binding to $\beta$-catenin following Wnt signaling. We were interested in the transcriptional regulatory activities of Tcf-1 and Tcf-4 proteins in T-cells and colon cancer cells. Transactivation assay was developed using a reporter plasmid containing luciferase gene under the control of Tcf responsive elements. Luciferase activity was determined following co-transfection of the reporter along with Tcf-1 and/or $\beta$-catenin expressing plasmids. Transcription was significantly induced by $\beta$-catenin expression in all cells. Tcf-1 by itself did not induce transcription in the mature T-cell lines, but overexpressed Tcf-1 greatly activated transcription in the immature T-cell line. In addition, transfected $\beta$-catenin induced apoptosis, but co-transfected Tcf-1 suppressed apoptosis in HEK293 cells. These results suggest that Tcf-1 and $\beta$-catenin differently regulate transcription and apoptosis.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.173-183
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• 1995

This paper was carried out to investigate changes in chromatograms of polysacctatides and soluble pectins on Sephadex G-50 and non-cellulosic neutral sugars of polysaccharides isolated from cell wall of persimmon fruits treated with polygalacturonase and $\beta$-galactosidase in vitro. The chromatogram pattern of soluble pectins extracted from cell wall treated with $\beta$-galactosidase on Sephacryl S-500 column were similar to those of untreatment, but contents of soluble pectins treated with $\beta$-galactosidase were different from those of untreatment. The patterns of chromatograms In soluble pectins extracted from cell wall treated with polygalacturonase were more complex and lower molecular polymer than those of other cell wall-degrading enzyme treatments. Non-cellulosic neutral sugar of polysaccharides in fraction I of soluble material treated with polygalacturonase was rhamnose, those in fraction II were similar to those in fraction III and contents of arabinose, xylose and glucose were higher than contents of other non-cellulosic neutral sugars. Non-cellulosic neutral sugars of polysaccharides in fraction I in soluble material by $\beta$-galactosidase treatment were rhamnose, arabinose, galactose and mannose. Content of glucose of polysaccharides in fraction II was higher than that in fraction I . Non-cellulosic neutral sugars treated with mixed enzyme were rhamnose, fucose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, galactose and glucose. Compositions of non-cellulosic neutral sugars of polysaccharides in fraction I were similar to those in fraction II and III.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.7
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• pp.424-433
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• 2019

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental monogenic disorder with a strong genetic influence. Idiopathic autism could be defined as a type of autism that does not have a specific causative agent. Among signalling cascades, mTOR signalling pathway plays a pivotal role not only in cell cycle, but also in protein synthesis and regulation of brain homeostasis in ASD patients. The present review highlights, underlying mechanism of mTOR and its role in altered signalling cascades as a triggering factor in the onset of idiopathic autism. Further, this review discusses how distorted mTOR signalling pathway stimulates truncated translation in neuronal cells and leads to downregulation of protein synthesis at dendritic spines of the brain. This review concludes by suggesting downstream regulators such as p70S6K, eIF4B, eIF4E of mTOR signalling pathway as promising therapeutic targets for idiopathic autistic individuals.

• Oncology Reports
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.358-367
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• 2020

The thioredoxin (Trx) system is an important enzymatic complex involved in cellular redox homeostasis. Arsenic trioxide (ATO; As2O3) is known to trigger cell death in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) via oxidative stress. In the present study, the effects of changes in thioredoxin 1 (Trx1) and Trx reductase1 (TrxR1) on cell growth, death, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and glutathione (GSH) levels were evaluated in ATO-treated human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs). ATO inhibited growth and induced cell death in the HPASMCs at 24 h. Overexpression of Trx1 and TrxR1 using adenoviruses attenuated cell growth inhibition caused by ATO and partially prevented cell death. ATO increased ROS levels including the mitochondrial superoxide anion (O2•-) at 5 min. Administration of adTrx1 or adTrxR1 reduced the increased mitochondrial O2•- level in these cells. HPASMCs treated with Trx1 or TrxR1 siRNA showed increases in ROS levels with or without treatment of ATO at 5 min. Although ATO transiently increased GSH levels at 5 min, Trx1 and TrxR1 siRNAs reduced the increased GSH levels in these cells. In addition, PX-12 (a Trx1 inhibitor) and auranofin (a TrxR1 inhibitor) diminished the cellular metabolism in HPASMCs at 4 h, accompanied by an increase in ROS level and a decrease in GSH level. In conclusion, upregulation of Trx1 and TrxR1 somewhat decreased cell growth inhibition and death in ATO-treated HPASMCs, which was accompanied by reduced oxidative stress.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.151-165
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• 1985

The morphological changes of the midgut epithelium during the metamorphosis of pine caterpillar are observed with light and electron microscope, being divided into 5 stages from the 8th instar larva to just after pupation. The midgut epithelium of 8th instar larva is composed of columnar cell, goblet cell, regenerative cell, and endocrine cell. The secretorials are arranged on the nuclear membrane in the columnar cell of the midgut epithelium in the 8th instar larva, and lysosomes are augmented in the apical portion. Cytoplasmic extrusions are observed in the apical surface of columnar cell but they have no cell organells. Nucleus, mitochondria, rER, Golgi complex, and free ribsomes are observed in the regenerative cell. Regenerative cells are differentiated into the form of goblet cell, and vacuoles are gradually increased in the cytoplasm. Just pupa stage, the materials, which appears to be mainly composed of Ca, are observed in the circular form and goblet cavity of regenerative cell are detached to lumen. As a result, it reflects the process of the degeneration of the midgut epithelium that lysosomes are gradually augmented in the columnar cell, that nuclear materials are removed to cytoplasm, and that cytoplasmic extrusions are observed in the apical surface. And though regenerative cells are differentiated into the form of the goblet cell, it is believed that goblet cavity is detached from regenerative cell to the lumen and midgut epithelium of pupa stage is formed.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.2083-2086
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• 2011

• Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference
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• 1998.04a
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• pp.62.2-62.2
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• 1998

• Toxicological Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1995

Fumonisins are a family of mycotoxins produced by the fungus Fusarium moniliforme which is a common contaminant in corn. Fumonisins are potent inhibitors of sphingosine and sphinganine N-acyltransferase (ceramide synthase), key enzymes in sphingolipid metabolism. The purpose of this study was to provide the evidence that the elevated levels of free sphingoid bases (primarily sphinganine) and depletion of complex sphingolipids were closely related to the inhibition of cell growth in LLC-$PK_1$ cells exposed to fumonisin $B_1$$(\leq 35 {\mu}M)$. Concentrations of fumonisin $B_1$ between 10 and $35 {\mu}M$ were known to inhibit cell growth without cytotoxicity in $LLC-PK_1$ cells (Yoo et al. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 114, 9-15, 1992). Cells exposed to 35$\mu M$ fumonisin B$_1$ for 48 and 72 hr developed a fibroblast-like (elongated and spindle-shaped) appearance and were less confluent than normal cells. At between 24 and 48 hr after exposure to fumonisin $B_1$ cells were beginning to show the inhibition of cell growth and at 72 hr the number of viable cells in fumonisin-treated cultures was about 50% of concurrent control cultures. During the 24 hr lag period preceding inhibition of cell growth, the free sphinganine levels in cells exposed to $35 {\mu}M$ fumonisin $B_1$ were highly elevated (approximately 230 fold higher than normal cells). The elevated levels of free sphinganine were $435\pm14$$pmoles/{10^6}$ cells at 48 hr and approximately TEX>$333\pm11$$pmoles/{10^6}$ cells in cells exposed to $35{\mu}M$ fumonisin$B_1$ at 72 hr, while the levels of free sphinganine in normal cells were less than 2$pmoles/{10^6}$ cells. Under the same condition, depletion of intracellular complex sphingolipids as a consequence of fumonisin inhibition of de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis and turnover pathway was appeared. Content of free sphingold bases in dividing cells was more elevated than in confluent cells at 24-48 hr after cells were exposed to $20{\mu}M$ fumonisin $B_1$. The dividing cells were showing the inhibition of cell growth at 48-72 hr and $20{\mu}M$ fumonisin $B_1$. The results of this study support the hypothesis that the inhibition of cell growth is very well related to the disruption of sphingolipid metabolism in $LLC-PK_1$ cells.