• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.387-393
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• 2000

The process by which Agrobacterium tumefaciens genetically transforms plants involves a complex series of reactions communicated between the pathogen and the plants. To identify plant factors involved in agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation, a large number of T-DNA inserted Arabidopsis thaliana mutant lines were investigated for susceptibility to Agrobacterium infection by using an in vitro root inoculation assay. Based on the phenotype of tumorigenesis, twelve T-DNA inserted Arabidopsis mutants(rat) that were resistant to Agrobacterium transformation were found. Three mutants, rat1, rat3, and rat4 were characterized in detail. They showed low transient GUS activity and very low stable transformation efficiency compared to the wild-type plant. The resistance phenotype of rat1 and rats resulted from decreased attachment of Agrobacterium tumefaciens to inoculated root explants. They may be deficient in plant actors that are necessary for bacterial attachment to plant cells. The disrupted genes in rat1, rat3, and rat4 mutants were coding a arabinogalactan protein, a likely cell wall protein and a cellulose synthase-like protein, respectively.

• Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.3-14
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• 2002

Functional genomics aims at uncovering useful information carried on genome sequences and at using it to understand the mechanisms of biological function. Elucidating the unknown biological functions of new genes based upon the genomics rationales will greatly speed up the extensive understanding of biocatalysis and biodegradation in biological world including microorganisms. DNA microarrays generate a system for the simultaneous measurement of the expression level of thousands of genes in a single hybridization assay. Their data mining (transcriptome) strategy has two categories: differential gene expression and coordinated gene expression. Furthermore, measurement of proteins (proteome) generates information on how the transcribed sequences end up as functional characteristics within the cell, and quantitation of metabolites yields information on how the functional proteins act to produce energy and process substrates (metabolome). Various composite functional genomics databases containing genetic, enzymatic and metabolic information have been developed and will contribute to the understanding of the life blue print and the new discoveries and practices in biocatalysis and biodegradation that could enrich their industrial and environmental applications.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.27-36
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• 1994

For establishing a transformation system of rice, an efficient introduction of foreign genes into embryogenic cell suspension by particle bombardment was conducted. The particle inflow gun based on the acceleration of DNA-coated tungsten particles using pressurized helium was constructed for delivery of DNA into rice cells. Several bombardment parameters were optimized using the transient expression of GUS gene. The conditions that gave the highest GUS gene expression of about 1000 blue spots per g fresh weight of bombarded cells include treatment of the cells with 0.5 M osmotic pressure, and use of the 410 kPa helium, 110 mm target distance, 13 mm syringe filter holder and 5 $\mu$L DNA/tungsten mixtures. It was also confirmed that rice actin promoter-intron construct gave the highest expression of all promoter-sequences studied. Eight weeks after the bombardment, stably transformed calluses were obtained on the selection medium containing 100 mg/L G418 and showed the strong activity in in situ GUS assay.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.340-345
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• 2012

Sarsasapogenin (SAR) is a steroidal sapogenin that is used as starting material for the industrial synthesis of steroids. It has various pharmacological benefits, such as antitumor and antidepressant activities. Since its effect on melanin biosynthesis has not been reported, we used murine melanocyte melan-a cells to investigate whether SAR influences melanogenesis. In this study, SAR significantly increased the melanin content of the melan-a cells from 1 to 10 ${\mu}M$. Based on an enzymatic activity assay using melan-a cell lysate, SAR had no effect on tyrosinase and DOPAchrome tautomerase activities. It also did not affect the protein expression of tyrosinase-related protein 1 and DOPAchrome tautomerase. However, protein levels of tyrosinase and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor were strongly stimulated by treatment with SAR. Therefore, our reports suggest that SAR treatment may induce melanogenesis through the stimulation of tyrosinase and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor expression in melan-a cells.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.602-607
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• 1994

Based upon the previous experiments showing that kidney and lung tissues of rat had relatively abundant bradykinin binding sites, we tried to characterize and determine the densities of the bradykinin binding sites in the rabbit kidney tissue and proximal tubular cells under different growing conditions. Among the kidney tissue renal medulla segments showed the highest bradykinin binding sites. To determine which growth factors are to add in the serum free culture medium to express selectively the bradykinin binding sites in the rabbit kidney proximal tubular cells, we tried so called hormone-deletion approach and in here insulin, hydrocortisone, transferrin, triiodothyronine and prostaglandin $E_1$ are examined. By performing receptor binding assay and determination of protein concentrations, we may conclude that the most required hormones in the expression for bradykinin binding sites are insulin and transferrin, and fetal bovine serum is shown to be less effective in this regard.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.734-737
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• 2004

5,8-Epidioxycholest-6-en-3-ol (1), cholesterol (2), glycerol 1-palmitate (3) and glycerol 1,3-dioleate-2-stearate (4) were isolated from the methanol extract of the sea urchin Diadema setosum, which was collected from the Halong sea, Vietnam. Chemical structures were established based on extensive 1D, 2D-NMR, FAB-MS, EI-MS spectroscopic data and GC-MS analysis. The NMR spectral data of compound 1 were reassigned by using HMQC and HMBC. Compound 1 was found to have strong cytotoxic effect against various cancer cell lines, such as KB ($IC_{50}$, 2.0 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL), FL($IC_{50}$, 3.93 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL), and Hep-2 ($IC_{50}$, 2.4 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL) by in vitro assay.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.354-360
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• 2022

This research was designed to evaluate the possible anti-inflammatory effects of Carex scabrifolia Steud. extract using RAW264.7 cells. The assessments of these effects were based on cell viability assay, mRNA expression levels of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), and levels of nitric oxide (NO)/prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂) production. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction showed that treatment with C. scabrifolia Steud. extract decreased the mRNA levels of iNOS, COX2, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα. Furthermore, from the production levels of PGE₂/NO, it can be inferred that C. scabrifolia Steud. extract exhibited anti-inflammatory properties. These results suggest that C. scabrifolia Steud. extract contains anti-inflammatory compound(s), and consequently, that it may have applications as a potent cosmeceutical material.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2000

Purpose :The effect of PTK inhibitors (herbimycin A and genistein) on the induction of radiation-induced apoptosis in Ph-positive KS62 leukemia cell line was investigated. Materials and Methods :K562 cells in exponential growth phase were irradiated with a linear accelerator at room temperature. For 6 MV X-ray irradiation and drug treatment, cultures were initiated at 2×106 cells/mL. The cells were irradiated with 10 Gy. Stock solutions of herbimycin A and genistein were prepared in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO). After incubation at 37$^{\circ}C$ for 0$\~$48 h, the extent of apoptosis was determined using agarose gel electrophoresis and TUNEL assay. The progression of cells through the cell cycle after irradiation and drug treatment was also determined with flow cytometry. Western blot analysis was used to monitor bel-2, bel-X$_{L}$ and bax protein levels. Results :Treatment with 10 Gy X-irradiation did not result in the induction of apoptosis. The HMA alone (500 nM) also failed to induce apoptosis. By contrast, incubation of K562 cells with HMA after irradiation resulted in a substantial induction of nuclear condensation and fragmentation by agarose gel electro-phoresis and TUNEL assay. Genistein failed to enhance the ability of X-irradiation to induce DNA fragmentation. Enhancement of apoptosis by HMA was not attributable to downregulation of the bel-2 or bel-X$_{L}$ anti-apoptotic proteins. When the cells were irradiated and maintained with HMA, the percentage of cells in G2/M phase decreased to 30$\~$40$\%$ at 48 h. On the other hand, cells exposed to 10 Gy X-irradiation alone or maintained with genistein did not show marked cell cycle redistribution. Conclusion : We have shown that nanomolar concentrations of the PTK inhibitor HMA synergize with X-irradiation in inducing the apoptosis in Ph (+) K562 leukemia cell line. While, genistein, a PTK inhibitor which is not selective for p210$^{bcr/abl}$ failed to enhance the radiation induced apoptosis in KS62 cells. It is unlikely that the ability of HMA to enhance apoptosis in K562 cells is attributable to bel-2 family. It is plausible that the relationship between cell cycle delays and cell death is essential for drug development based on molecular targeting designed to modify radiation-induced apoptosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1353-1365
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• 1997

Background : Tumor necrosis factor(TNF) has been considered as an important candidate for cancer gene therapy based on its potent anti-tumor activity. However, since the efficiency of current techniques of gene transfer is not satisfactory, the majority of current protocols is aiming the in vitro gene transfer to cancer cells and re-introducing genetically modified cancer cells to host. In the previous study, it was shown that TNF-sensitive cancer cells transfected with TNF-$\alpha$ cDNA would become highly resistant to TNF, and the probability was shown that the acquired resistance to TNF might be associated with synthesis of some protective protein. Understanding the mechanisms of TNF -resistance in TNF-$\alpha$ cDNA transfected cancer cells would be. an important step for improving the efficacy of cancer gene therapy as well as for better understandings of tumor biology. This study was designed to evaluate the role of MnSOD, an antioxidant enzyme, in the acquired resistance to TNF of TNF-$\alpha$ cDN A transfected cancer cells. Method : We transfected TNF-$\alpha$ c-DNA to WEHI164(murine fibrosarcoma cell line), NCI-H2058(human mesothelioma cell line), A549(human non-small cell lung cancer cell line), ME180(human cervix cancer cell line) cells using retroviral vector(pLT12SN(TNF)) and confirm the expression of TNF with PCR, ELISA, MIT assay. Then we determined the TNF resistance of TNF-$\alpha$ cDNA transfected cells(WEHI164-TNF, NCIH2058-TNF, A549-TNF, ME180-TNF) and the changes of MnSOD mRNA expressions with Northern blot analysis. Results : The MnSOD mRNA expressions of parental cells and genetically modified cells of WEHI164 and ME180 cells(both are naturally TNF sensitive) were not significantly different The MnSOD mRNA expressions of genetically modified cells of NCI-H2058 and A549(both are naturally TNF resistant) were higher than those of the parental cells, while those of parental cells with exogenous TNF were also elevated. Conclusion : The acquired resistance to TNF after TNF-$\alpha$ cDNA transfection may not be associated with the change in the MnSOD expression, but the difference in natural TNF sensitivity of each cell may be associated with the level of the MnSOD expression.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6191-6196
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• 2012

Aims and Background: Traditional chemotherapy strategies for human leukemia commonly use drugs based on cytotoxicity to eradicate cancer cells. One predicament is that substantial damage to normal tissues is likely to occur in the course of standard treatments. Obviously, it is urgent to explore therapies that can effectively eliminate malignant cells without affecting normal cells. Our previous studies indicated that ginsenoside $Rg_1$ ($Rg_1$), a major active pharmacological ingredient of ginseng, could delay normal hematopoietic stem cell senescence. However, whether $Rg_1$ can induce cancer cell senescence is still unclear. Methods: In the current study, human leukemia K562 cells were subjected to $Rg_1$ exposure. The optimal drug concentration and duration with K562 cells was obtained by MTT colorimetric test. Effects of $Rg_1$ on cell cycle were analyzed using flow cytometry and by SA-${\beta}$-Gal staining. Colony-forming ability was measured by colony-assay. Telomere lengths were assessed by Southern blotting and expression of senescence-associated proteins P21, P16 and RB by Western blotting. Ultrastructural morphology changes were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Results: K562 cells demonstrated a maximum proliferation inhibition rate with an $Rg_1$ concentration of $20{\mu}\;mol{\cdot}L^{-1}$ for 48h, the cells exhibiting dramatic morphological alterations including an enlarged and flat cellular morphology, larger mitochondria and increased number of lysosomes. Senescence associated-${\beta}$-galactosidase (SA-${\beta}$-Gal) activity was increased. K562 cells also had decreased ability for colony formation, and shortened telomere length as well as reduction of proliferating potential and arrestin $G_2$/M phase after $Rg_1$ interaction. The senescence associated proteins P21, P16 and RB were significantly up-regulated. Conclusion: Ginsenoside $Rg_1$ can induce a state of senescence in human leukemia K562 cells, which is associated with p21-Rb and p16-Rb pathways.