• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.330-339
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• 2023

Liver kinase B1 (LKB1) is a crucial tumor suppressor involved in various cellular processes, including embryonic development, tumor initiation and progression, cell adhesion, apoptosis, and metabolism. However, the precise mechanisms underlying its functions remain elusive. In this study, we demonstrate that LKB1 interacts directly with malic enzyme 3 (ME3) through the N-terminus of the enzyme and identified the binding regions necessary for this interaction. The binding activity was confirmed to promote the expression of ME3 in an LKB1-dependent manner and was also shown to induce apoptosis activity. Furthermore, LKB1 and ME3 overexpression upregulated the expression of tumour suppressor proteins (p53 and p21) and downregulated the expression of antiapoptotic proteins (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)). Additionally, LKB1 and ME3 enhanced the transcription of p21 and p53 and inhibited the transcription of NF-κB. Moreover, LKB1 and ME3 suppressed the phosphorylation of various components of the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway. Overall, these results suggest that LKB1 promotes pro-apoptotic activities by inducing ME3 expression.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.189-194
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• 2003

Rice seeds of 4 cultivars including Whachung-giant embryonic rice and Nampung-giant embryonic rice, as a group of the non-waxy rice cultivars, and Shinsunchal-giant embryonic rice and Whachungchal-giant embryonic rice, as that of the waxy rice cultivars, were germinated at $27^{\circ}C$ for 3 days to compare the changes in some physicochemical properties of the starch granules and the starch-hydrolysing enzyme activities during germination, respectively. ${\alpha}-Amylase$ activity of rices germinated for 3 days found to be higher than that of malt. Especially, Whachung-giant embryonic rice and Shinsunchal-giant embryonic rice were greater in activity than other rice cultivars and possessed the activities double that of malt. In contrast, ${\beta}-amylase$ of germinated rice found to be considerably less active than malt, although the giant embryonic rice group showed prevalent activity as compared o the normal rice group. With the starch granules, the amount of long glucose chains from amylose molecules were reduced in the non-waxy type giant embryonic rices, while the chain length increase was found in the waxy type giant embryonic rices. For the distribution profile of the glucose chain length from amylopectin molecules, we could observed that the chain length with DP (degree of polymerization) ranged 33 to 66 and 14 to 32 increased with the decreasing rate of that above 67 and below 13 regardless of starch waxiness. With non-waxy type of giant embryonic rices, susceptibility for glucoamylase were found to reduce along with germination, however, increase in susceptibility was observed with waxy rice types. In addition, we found the reduction in both initiation and termination temperature, and enthalpy for gelatinization.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.44-49
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• 2015

We characterized tissue specific-expressed genes in the posterior silk gland of Bombyx mori using by the Annealing Control Primer based differential display-PCR manner. In this study, we isolated 34 differentially expressed PCR amplicons, which one of these was identified as a novel transcript named as ACP-16 (366 bp), its expression was observed only in the posterior silk glands by Northern blot analysis. To determine promoter region of the ACP-16, we isolated and analyzed a phage DNA having 1.7 kb-long genome DNA including the open reading flame and 5'- upstream untranslated region of the ACP-16 gene from a genomic DNA library. We have estimated a promoter region of the ACP-16 gene by a web promoter prediction engine, which locates -750 ~ -165 from translation initiation site (ATG, +1). ACP-16 gene is necessary to more studies about critical biological role in order to apply the silkworm's transgenic system.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.18-23
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• 2009

This minireview provides the chosen examples of our recent discoveries in the polymerization of hydrosilanes, dihydrosilole, lactones, and vinyl derivatives using various catalysts. Hydrosilanes and lactones copolymerize to give poly(lactone-co-silane)s with $Cp_2MCl_2$/Red-Al (M = Ti, Zr, Hf) catalyst. Hydrosilanes (including dihydrosilole) reduce noble metal complexes (e.g., $AgNO_3$, $Ag_2SO_4$, $HAuCl_4$, $H_2PtCl_6$) to give nanoparticles along with silicon polymers such as polysilanes, polysilole, polysiloxanes (and silicas) depending on the reaction conditions. Interestingly, phenylsilane dehydrocoupled to polyphenylsilane in the inert nitrogen atmosphere while phenylsilane dehydrocoupled to silica in the ambient air atmosphere. $Cp_2M/CX_4$ (M = Fe, Co, Ni; X = Cl, Br, I) combination initiate the polymerization of vinyl monomers. In the photopolymerization of vinyl monomers using $Cp_2M/CCl_4$ (M = Fe, Co, Ni), the photopolymerization of MMA initiated by $Cp_2M/CCl_4$ (M = Fe, Co, Ni) shows while the polymerization yield decreases in the order $Cp_2Fe$ > $Cp_2Ni$ > $Cp_2Co$, the molecular weight decreases in the order $Cp_2Co$ > $Cp_2Ni$ > $Cp_2Fe$. For the photohomopolymerization and photocopolymerization of MA and AA, the similar trends were observed. The photopolymerizations are not living. Many exciting possibilities remain to be examined and some of them are demonstrated in the body of the minireview.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.311-317
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• 1999

Prolactin (PRL) was reported to be locally synthesized in many brain areas including the hypothalamus, thalamus (TH) and hippocampus (HIP). In the pituitary lactotrophs, PRL synthesis is dependent upon a pituitary-specific transcription factor, Pit-1. In the present study, we attempted to identify Pit-1 or Pit-1-like protein in brain areas known as the synthetic sites of PRL. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Northern blot analysis showed the same Pit-1 transcripts in brain areas such as the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH), preoptic area (POA), TH, and HIP with the Pit-1 transcripts in the anterior pituitary (AP). Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was run with nuclear protein extracts from brain tissues using a double strand oligomer probe containing a putative Pit-1 binding domain. Shifted bands were found in EMSA results with nuclear proteins from MBH, POA, TH and HIP. Specific binding of the Pit-1-like protein was further confirmed by competition with an unlabeled cold probe. Antisense Pit-1 oligodeoxynucleotide (Pit-1 ODN), which was designed to bind to the Pit-1 translation initiation site and block Pit-1 biosynthesis, was used to test Pit-1 dependent brain PRL transcription. Two nmol of Pit-1 ODN was introduced into the lateral ventricle of a 60-day old male rat brain. RNA blot hybridization and in situ hybridization indicated a decrease of PRL mRNA signals by the treatment of Pit-1 ODN. Taken together, the present study suggests that Pit-1 may play an important role in the transcriptional regulation of local PRL synthesis in the brain.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.74 no.6
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• pp.264-268
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• 2013

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a lethal pulmonary fibrotic disease. In general, the exaggerated activation of the coagulation cascade has been observed during initiation or maintenance of the fibrotic disease. In our recent study, immunohistochemical expression of protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2), which plays a key role in coagulation cascade, was observed in surgical specimen of IPF patients, and associated with poor clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the overexpression of PAR-2 in inflammatory cells from peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in IPF patients. Methods: From May 2011 to March 2012, IPF patients and controls were enrolled in Seoul National University Hospital. Peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were collected for analysis of PAR-2 expression. Flow cytometry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were used for PAR-2 receptor and mRNA assessment. Results: Twelve IPF patients and 14 controls were included in this study. Among them, flow cytometry analysis was conducted from 26 peripheral blood (patient group, 11; control group, 13) and 7 bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (patient group, 5; control group, 2). The expression of PAR-2 receptor was not different between patient and control groups (p=0.074). Among all 24 population, PAR-2 mRNA assessment was performed in 19 persons (patient group, 10; control group, 9). The mRNA expression of PAR-2 was not significant different (p=0.633). Conclusion: In IPF patients, PAR-2 receptor and mRNA expression were not different from control group.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Applied Microbiology Conference
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• 2004.06a
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• pp.278-281
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• 2004

The $\alpha$1,6-mannosyltransferase encoded by Saccharomyces cerevisiae OCH1 plays a key role for the outer chain initiation of the N-linked oligosaccharides. A search for Hansenula polymorpha genes homologous to S. cerevisiae OCHI (ScOCH1) has revealed seven open reading frames (ORF100, ORF142, ORF168, ORF288, ORF379, ORF576, ORF580). All of the seven ORFs are predicted to be a type II integral membrane protein containing a transmembrane domain near the amino-terminal region and has a DXD motif, which has been found in the active site of many glycosyltransferases. Among this seven-membered OCH1 gene family of H. polymorpha, we have carried out a functional analysis of H. polymorpha ORF168 (HpOCH2) showing the highest identity to ScOCH1. Inactivation of this protein by disruption of corresponding gene resulted in several phenotypes suggestive of cell wall defects, including hypersensitivity to hygromycin B and sodium deoxycholate. The structural analysis of N-glycans synthesized in HpOCH2-disrupted strain (Hpoch2Δ) and the in vitro $\alpha$1,6-mannosyltransferase activity assay strongly indicate that HpOch2p is a key enzyme adding the first $\alpha$1,6-mannose residue on the core glycan Man$_{8}$GlcNAc$_2$. The Hpoch2Δ was further genetically engineered to synthesize a recombinant glycoprotein with the human compatible N-linked oligosaccharide, Man$_{5}$GlcNAc$_2$, by overexpression of the Aspergillus saitoi $\alpha$1,2-mannosidase with the 'HDEL” ER retention signal.gnal.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.285-291
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• 1998

This study was designed to examine the effects of polyundaturated fatty acid(PUFA) from different sourecs on hepatic lipogenic enzyme and peroxisomal ${\beta}$-oxidation in murine hepatocarcinogenesis initiated by diethylnitrodamine (DEN). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed one of three diets containing 10%(w/w)fat; fish oil-corn oil blended(FO), corn oil-beef tallow-fish oil blended(CF), or corn oil-beef tallow-perilla oil blended (CP), from the gestation period. At 10 weeks, animals were received a single inraperitoneal injection of DEN (200mg/kg body weight), were subjected to two-thirds partial hepatectomy 3 weeks later and were sacrificed 8 weeks after DEN initiation. The areas of placental glutathione S-transferase (GST-P) positive foci were significantly smaller in rats fed fish oil containing diets (FO and CF) than those fed CP diet. Fish oil feeding significantly decreased th activities of lipogenic enzyme. Rats fed fish oil containing diets (FO, CF) exhibited the lower fatty acid synthase (FAS) activity than those fed CP diet and FAS activity was positively correlated with areas of GSP-P positivie foci. Glucose-6-phophate dehydrogenase activity was the lowest and peroxisomal ${\beta}$-oxidation was stimulated in rats fed FO diet compared to other groups. It was also found that serum cholesterol was decreased in FO group. Therefore, the preventive effect against hepatocarcinogenesis and hypolipidemic effect of fish oil can be explained partly by suppression of the hepatic lipogenesis and by increase of peroxisomal ${\beta}$-oxidation.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.217-221
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• 2010

When fully grown oocytes are removed from their follicles, they can resume meiosis and mature spontaneously under in vitro conditions. However, nuclear maturation under in vitro condition is not accompanied by complete cytoplasmic maturation, which is essential for successful fertilization and the initiation of zygotic development. This study analyzed change of proteins in follicular fluids during the porcine follicular development. Follicular fluids were collected from follicles of diameter 1~2 mm, 2~6 mm and 6~10 mm in ovary of slaughtered pigs. Total proteins were extracted from follicular fluids by M-PER Mammalian Protein Extraction Reagent. We confirmed totally 27 same spots, 1 spot from follicle fluid of 2~6 mm follicle and 5 spots from follicle fluid of 6~10 mm in diameter were analyzed by MALDI mass spectrometry and searched on NCBInr. In results, spot No. 28 from 2~6 mm follicle was Ig lambda chain C region, and spot No.32 and 33 from 6~10 mm was Apolipoprotein A-(APOA4). Spot No.29 and 31 were failed to analyze. These results indicate that the porcine oocyte during in vitro maturation depend on specific different expressed proteins may play an important roles in the sequence of molecular events in porcine oocyte maturation and follicular development.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.173-181
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• 1988

Various types of evidence suggest that some changes in cellular in cellular calcium may well signal the initiation of a chain of events leading to the physiological effects of the bone resorbing agents. The effects of 1,25-dihydorxycholecalciferol, $1.25\textrm{(OH)}_2\textrm{D}_3$, Ca ionophore A23187 and calcium antagonist, diltiazem on bone resprption and the cellular transport of Ca were investigated. Bone $^{45}\textrm{Ca}$ desaturation experiment was realized in isolated heterogenous rat bone cells after equilibrating the cells with $^{45}\textrm{Ca}$. Results of $^{45}\textrm{Ca}$ desaturation experiments were analysed by fitting the $^{45}\textrm{Ca}$ desaturation curve to a model of 2 exponential terms which indicated the presence of 2 exchangeable cellular calcium pools. $1.25\textrm{(OH)}_2\textrm{D}_3$ (0.5ng/$m\ell$) induced significantly bone resorption which was decreased by the physiological dose of diltiazeme(above 5nmol/$m\ell$) although it was ineffective alone. Ionophore A23187 (0.2$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$) decreased Ca release from bone but no additivity of effect with diltiazem(20nmol/$m\ell$) was observed. $1.25\textrm{(OH)}_2\textrm{D}_3$ (0.5ng/$10^{6}$ cells) had a moderate effect on the two kinetic phases of $^{45}\textrm{Ca}$ desaturation curve and these values were normalized when diltiazeme (20nmol/$10^{6}$ cells) was added along with $1.25\textrm{(OH)}_2\textrm{D}_3$. Ionophore($0.05\mu\textrm{g}$/$10^{6}$ cells) alone increased specifically the value of the slow turnover rate which was not affected by addition of diltiazem. The hypothesis concerning the involvement of calcium in bone resorption seems in fact to be verified in case of $1.25\textrm{(OH)}_2\textrm{D}_3$ but more unsettled for Ca inophore A23187.