• BMB Reports
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.739-747
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• 2005

Full-length cDNA sequences of four novel SPATA4 genes in chimpanzee, cow, chicken and ascidian were identified by bioinformatic analysis using mouse or human SPATA4 cDNA fragment as electronic probe. All these genes have 6 exons and have similar protein molecular weight and do not localize in sex chromosome. The mouse SPATA4 sequence is identified as significantly changed in cryptorchidism, which shares no significant homology with any known protein in swissprot databases except for the homologous genes in various vertebrates. Our searching results showed that all SPATA4 proteins have a putative conserved domain DUF1042. The percentages of putative SPATA4 protein sequence identity ranging from 30% to 99%. The high similarity was also found in 1 kb promoter regions of human, mouse and rat SPATA4 gene. The similarities of the sequences upstream of SPATA4 promoter also have a high proportion. The results of searching SymAtlas (http://symatlas.gnf.org/SymAtlas/) showed that human SPATA4 has a high expression in testis, especially in testis interstitial, leydig cell, seminiferous tubule and germ cell. Mouse SPATA4 was observed exclusively in adult mouse testis and almost no signal was detected in other tissues. The pI values of the protein are negative, ranging from 9.44 to 10.15. The subcellular location of the protein is usually in the nucleus. And the signal peptide possibilities for SPATA4 are always zero. Using the SNPs data in NCBI, we found 33 SNPs in human SPATA4 gene genomic DNA region, with the distribution of 29 SNPs in the introns. CpG island searching gives the data about CpG island, which shows that the regions of the CpG island have a high similarity with each other, though the length of the CpG island is different from each other.This research is a fundamental work in the fields of the bioinformational analysis, and also put forward a new way for the bioinformatic analysis of other genes.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 1997

Large scale production of cloned embryos requires the technology of multiple generational nuclear transfer(NT) by using NT embryos itself as the subsequent donor nuclei. In this work we investigated comparatively the effects of enucleated oocytes treated with ionomycin and 6-DMAP on the electrofusion rate and in vitro developmental potential in the first and second NT embryos. The embryos of 16-cell stage were collected from the mated does by flushing oviducts with Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline(D-PBS) containing 10% fetal calf serum(FCS) at 47 hours after hCG injection. The recipient cytoplasms were obtained by removing the nucleus and the first polar body from the oocytes collected at 15 hours after hCG injection. The enucleated oocytes were pre-activated by 5 min incubation in 5$\mu$M ionomycin and 2 hours incubation in 2 mM 6-DMAP at 19~20 hours post-hCG before microinjection. In the first and second generation NT, the unsynchronized 16-cell stage embryos were used as nuclear donor. The separated donor blastomeres were injected into the enucleated activated recipient oocytes by micromanipulation and were electrofused by electrical stimulation of single pulse for 60 $\mu$sec at 1.25kV/cm in $Ca^2$+, $Mg^2$+ - free 0.28 M mannitol solution. In the non-preactivation group, the electrofusion and electrical stimulation was given 3 pulses for 60 $\mu$sec at 1.25 kV/cm in 100$\mu$M $Ca^2$+, $Mg^2$+ 0.28 M mannitol solution. The fused oocytes were co-cultured with a monolayer of rabbit oviductal epithelial cells in TCM-199 solution containing 10% FCS for 120 hours at 39$^{\circ}C$ in a 5% $CO_2$ incubator. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. In the first generational NT embryos, the electrofusion rate of preactivated and non-activated oocytes(80.4 and 87.8%) was not significantly different, but in the second generational NT embryos, the electrofusion rate was significantly(P<0.05) higher in the non-activated oocytes(85.7%) than in the preactivated oocytes(70.1%). 2) In the first and second generational NT embryos, the developmental potential to biastocyst stage was significantly(P<0.05) higher in the preactivated oocytes(39.3 and35.7%) than in the non-preactivated oocytes(16.0 and 13.3%). No significant difference in the developmental potential was shown between the first and second generational NT embryos derived from the preactivated oocytes. In conclusion, it may be efficient to use the oocytes preactivated with ionomycin and 6-DMAP for the multiple production of cloned embryos by recycling nuclear transfer.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.85-92
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• 2020

One of the omega-3 essential fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is a significant constituent of the cell membrane and the precursor of several potent lipid mediators. These mediators are considered to be important in preventing or treating several diseases. Resolvin D5, an oxidized lipid mediator derived from DHA, has been known to exert anti-inflammatory effects. However, the detailed mechanism underlying these effects has not yet been elucidated in human monocytic THP-1 cells. In the present study, we investigated the effects of resolvin D5 on inflammation-related signaling pathways, including the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway. Resolvin D5 downregulated the production of interleukin (IL)-6 and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5). Additionally, these inhibitory effects were found to be modulated by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and NF-κB in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated THP-1 cells. Resolvin D5 inhibited the LPS-stimulated phosphorylation of ERK and translocation of p65 and p50 into the nucleus, resulting in the inhibition of IL-6 and CCL5 production. These results revealed that resolvin D5 exerts anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-treated THP-1 cells by regulating the phosphorylation of ERK and nuclear translocation of NF-κB.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.512-519
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential of a novel tissue engineering approach to regenerate intervertebral disc. In this study, thermosensitive scaffold (chitosan-Pluronic hydrogel) and nanofiber were used to replace the nucleus pulposus (NP) and annulus fibrosus of a degenerated intervertebral disc, leading to an eventual regeneration of the disc using the minimally invasive surgical procedure and organ culture. In preliminary study, disc cells were seeded into the scaffolds and cellular responses were assessed by MTT assay and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Based on these results, we could know that tissue engineered scaffolds might provide favorable environments for the regeneration of tissues. Organ culture was performed in fresh porcine spinal motion segments with endplates on both sides. These spinal motion segments were classified into three groups: control (Intact), injured NP (Defect), and inserting tissue engineered scaffolds (Insert). The specimens were cultivated for 7 days, subsequently structural stability, cell proliferation and morphological changes were evaluated by the relaxation time, quantity of DNA, GAG and histological examination. In these results, inserting group showed higher relaxation time, reduced decrement of DNA contents, and accumulated GAG amount. Consequently, the tissue engineered scaffolds used in this study seen to be a promising base scaffolds for regenerative intervertebral disc due to its capacity to absorb external dynamic loading and the possible ideal environment provided for disc cell growing.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.179-184
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• 2014

Chemoresistance of breast cancer to doxorubicin is mediated mainly through activation of NF-kB and over expression of HER2. Curcumin and its analogues (PGV-0 and PGV-1) exert cytotoxic effects on T47D breast cancer cells. Suppression of NF-kB activation is suggested to contribute to this activity. The present study aimed to explore the effects of curcumin, PGV-0, and PGV-1 singly and in combination with doxorubicin on MCF-7/Dox cells featuring over-expression of HER2. In MTT assays, curcumin, PGV-0, and PGV-1 showed cytotoxicity effects against MCF-7/Dox with IC50 values of $80{\mu}M$, $21{\mu}M$, and $82{\mu}M$ respectively. These compounds increased MCF-7/Dox sensitivity to doxorubicin. Cell cycle distribution analysis exhibited that the combination of curcumin and its analogues with Dox increased sub G-1 cell populations. Curcumin and PGV-1 but not PGV-0 decreased localization of p65 into the nucleus induced by Dox, indicating that activation of NF-kB was inhibited. Molecular docking of curcumin, PGV-0, and PGV-1 demonstrated high affinity to HER2 at ATP binding site. This interaction were directly comparable with those of ATP and lapatinib. These findings suggested that curcumin, PGV-0 and PGV-1 enhance the Dox cytotoxicity to MCF-7 cells through inhibition of HER2 activity and NF-kB activation.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.118-151
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• 1997

Allergic contact dermatitis is a common skin disease resulting from specific immumologic sensitization to topically applied various allergen. Purpose of this study was to investigate skin morphologic chganges by light microscopic, changes of protein band by SDS-PAGE in the skin treated on the surfactant. Furthermore, lectin histochemistry is used to know the chagnges of the terminal sugar of the glycoconjugate in the skin treated on the surfactant. The results were as follows : The 1 day of treated group was indicated the enlargement of capillary, the 3 days of treated group was showed that the cytoplasm was eosinophlic by the pyknotic of nucleus. The 6 days of treated group was observed hyperkeratinoid, increased of inflammation cells to epithelium. The 9 days of treated group was appeares that serum crust was sheded and formed a acanthosis. But dermis layer was cytoplasmic vaculation and enlargement of intercellular space. The 12 days treated group made up new epidermis layer of seven layer and of observed an decreased in quantity of inflammation cells. The mast cell of degranulated type was increased in treated surfactnat. It was secreating granules hold histamin, serotonin and heparin. Accordingly, protein band of electrophortic phase was observed a sudden changes since 3 days treated group. At observeation of the cell-surface glycoconjugates, LCA, PNA, SBA and WGA lectin positive cells but inducated lectin negative cells in Con-A. Furthermore, PNA and SBA showed stroger positive reaction as treated surfactant group.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.770-776
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and anti-cancer activities of squash leaf extract (SLE) in vitro. The total polyphenol and flavonoid levels of SLE were 263.4 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g and 73.6 mg quercetin equivalent/100 g, respectively. The radical-scavenging activity of SLE at the concentration of 300 ${\mu}g/mL$ was 69.4%. SLE significantly inhibited human cancer cell growth (by 60.6-87.9% in HCT116 colon cancer cells and by 73.4-86.4% in H1299 lung cancer cells at the concentrations of 37.5, 75, and 150 ${\mu}g/mL$) and attachment (by 28.4% in HCT116 and by 16.8% in H1299 at the concentration of 150 ${\mu}g/mL$). SLE also altered nucleus morphology and increased nuclear staining intensity (by 42.8-58.2% in HCT116 and by 25.5-32.9% in H1299 at the concentrations of 37.5 and 75 ${\mu}g/mL$), indicating its apoptosis-inducing activity. These results demonstrate the antioxidant and anti-cancer activities of SLE in vitro.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.79-86
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• 1997

Toxoplasmn gonnii, an intracellular protozoan infecting many kinds of eukaryotic cells, has been used to experimentally infect macrophages, epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and various cancer cells, but rarely T and B Iymphocytes or granulocytes. The present study was performed to determine the susceptibility of murine (BALB/c or CBA) splenic T and B llrnphocytes, and granulocytes to infection trio T. gondii RH tachyzoites. The ultrastructure of the infected host cells was observed by TEM, and the degree of intracellular parasite proliferation was quantified using 3H-uracil uptake assay. At 24 hrs post-culture, the host cell cytoplasm was found to contain 1 or 2, or a maximum of 7-8 tachyzoites. Infected T Iymphocytes demonstrated a peripherally displaced nucleus, a parasitophorous vacuole enveloping the parasite, and an increased number of mitochondria. In B Iymphocytes infected with tachyzoites, RER was not well developed compared to uninfected B Iymphocytes. Uninfected granulocytes contained many electron dense granules, but T. gondii-infected granulocytes demonstrated a decreased number of granules. Based on the 3H-uracil uptake assay. the susceptibility of T and B Iymphocytes, and granulocytes, to infection with T. gonnii tachyzoites was fairly high irrespective of cell type and strain of mouse. This strongly suggests deterioration in the functioning of infected host immune cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.125-131
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• 2015

Currently, taxol is mainly extracted from the bark of yews; however, this method can not meet its increasing demand on the market because yews grow very slowly and are a rare and endangered species belonging to first-level conservation plants. Recently, increasing efforts have been made to develop alternative means of taxol production; microbe fermentation would be a very promising method to increase the production scale of taxol. To determine the activities of the taxol extracted from endophytic fungus N. sylviforme HDFS4-26 in inhibiting the growth and causing the apoptosis of cancer cells, on comparison with the taxol extracted from the bark of yew, we used cellular morphology, cell counting kit (CCK-8) assay, staining (HO33258/PI and Giemsa), DNA agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry (FCM) analyses to determine the apoptosis status of breast cancer MCF-7 cells, cervical cancer HeLa cells and ovarian cancer HO8910 cells. Our results showed that the fungal taxol inhibited the growth of MCF-7, HeLa and HO8910 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner. IC50 values of fungal taxol for HeLa, MCF-7 and HO8910 cells were $0.1-1.0{\mu}g/ml$, $0.001-0.01{\mu}g/ml$ and $0.01-0.1{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The fungal taxol induced these tumor cells to undergo apoptosis with typical apoptotic characteristics, including morphological changes for chromatin condensation, chromatin crescent formation, nucleus fragmentation, apoptotic body formation and G2/M cell cycle arrest. The fungal taxol at the $0.01-1.0{\mu}g/ml$ had significant effects of inducing apoptosis between 24-48 h, which was the same as that of taxol extracted from yews. This study offers important information and a new resource for the production of an important anticancer drug by endofungus fermentation.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.212-218
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• 2010

Zinc finger-containing transcription factors are the largest single family of transcriptional regulators in mammals, which play an essential role in cell differentiation, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and neoplastic transformation. Here we have cloned a novel KRAB-related zinc finger gene, ZNF424, encoding a protein of 555aa. ZNF424 gene consisted of 4 exons and 3 introns, and mapped to chromosome 19p13.3. ZNF424 gene was ubiquitously expressed in human embryo tissues by Northern blot analysis. ZNF424 is conserved across species in evolution. Using a GFP-labeled ZNF424 protein, we demonstrate that ZNF424 localizes mostly in the nucleus. Transcriptional activity assays shows ZNF424 suppresses transcriptional activity of L8G5-luciferase. Overexpression of ZNF424 in HEK-293 cells inhibited the transcriptional activity of NFAT and p21, which may be silenced by siRNA. The results suggest that ZNF424 protein may act as a transcriptional repressor that suppresses NFAT and p21 pathway to mediate cellular functions.