• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제10권3호
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• pp.197-202
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• 2006

어류의 체내에서 성분화를 유도하는 물질이 성스테로이드호르몬(sex steroid hormone)이라는 사실이 잘 밝혀져 있으며, 성스테로이드 생합성 효소의 하나인 aromatase도 성분화에 직접적인 역할을 하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 유전적으로 암컷인 틸라피아 자어(larvae) 집단을 aromatase 저해제(aromatase inhibitor, AI)인 Fadrozole로 침지 처리하여 초기 발생단계 중 어느 시기에 aromatase가 성분화 유도 작용을 하는 지를 조사하였다. Fadrozole 처리 유무 및 처리 농도의 차이는 부화 자어의 생존율에 유의한 차이를 유발하지 않았다. 하지만, 부화후 11일과 13일째에 고농도의 Fadrozole로 처리한 실험군의 자어는 유전적인 성이 암컷임에도 불구하고 유의하게 높은 비율의 자어가 수컷으로 분화하였다. 이 결과는 틸라피아 부화 자어가 스테로이드 생합성 효소의 저해에 아주 민감하게 반응하며, 이 종에서 aromatase의 주된 작용시기가 예상보다 훨씬 빠른 부화 후 11일 전후라는 사실을 보여준다. 또한 이상의 결과는 단 3시간의 AI 침지 처리가 유전적으로 설정되어 있는 성과 반대방향으로의 성분화를 유도하기에 충분할 정도로 강력함을 의미한다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제20권5호
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• pp.459-466
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• 2016

Adipogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is critical for metabolic homeostasis and nutrient signaling during development. However, limited information is available on the pivotal modulators of adipogenic differentiation of MSCs. Adaptor protein Lnk (Src homology 2B3 [SH2B3]), which belongs to a family of SH2-containing proteins, modulates the bioactivities of different stem cells, including hematopoietic stem cells and endothelial progenitor cells. In this study, we investigated whether an interaction between insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) and Lnk regulated IGF-1-induced adipogenic differentiation of MSCs. We found that wild-type MSCs showed greater adipogenic differentiation potential than $Lnk^{-/-}$ MSCs. An ex vivo adipogenic differentiation assay showed that $Lnk^{-/-}$ MSCs had decreased adipogenic differentiation potential compared with wild-type MSCs. Interestingly, we found that Lnk formed a complex with IGF-1R and that IGF-1 induced the dissociation of this complex. In addition, we observed that IGF-1-induced increase in the phosphorylation of Akt and mammalian target of rapamycin was triggered by the dissociation of the IGF-1R-Lnk complex. Expression levels of a pivotal transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR-{\gamma}$) and its adipogenic target genes (LPL and FABP4) significantly decreased in $Lnk^{-/-}$ MSCs. These results suggested that Lnk adaptor protein regulated the adipogenesis of MSCs through the $IGF-1/Akt/PPAR-{\gamma}$ pathway.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제17권12호
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• pp.1709-1716
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• 2007

본 연구에서는 몇 가지 암세포를 대상으로 마늘 열수추출물(WEAS)의 항암활성을 조사하였으며, 비교적 높은 감수성을 보인 백혈병세포를 대상으로 세포증식억제가 apoptosis 유도와 연관성이 있음을 제시하였다. WEAS에 의한 U937 세포의 apoptosis 유도는 세포주기 G2/M arrest와 연관성이 있었으며, 다양한 apoptosis조절 유전자들의 발현 변화를 동반하였음을 확인하였다. 이러한 apoptosis조절 인자들의 발현변화는 미토콘드리아 막 전위의 소실과 연관성이 있었으며, WEAS에 의한 암세포의 G2/M arrest에 의한 apoptosis 유발에 ROS가 중요한 조절자로 작용함을 알 수 있었다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제27권5호
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• pp.474-483
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• 2019

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a pivotal role in pathologic ocular neovascularization and vascular leakage via activation of VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2). This study was undertaken to evaluate the therapeutic mechanisms and effects of the tetrapeptide Arg-Leu-Tyr-Glu (RLYE), a VEGFR2 inhibitor, in the development of vascular permeability and choroidal neovascularization (CNV). In cultured human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs), treatment with RLYE blocked VEGF-A-induced phosphorylation of VEGFR2, Akt, ERK, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), leading to suppression of VEGF-A-mediated hyper-production of NO. Treatment with RLYE also inhibited VEGF-A-stimulated angiogenic processes (migration, proliferation, and tube formation) and the hyperpermeability of HRMECs, in addition to attenuating VEGF-A-induced angiogenesis and vascular permeability in mice. The anti-vascular permeability activity of RLYE was correlated with enhanced stability and positioning of the junction proteins VE-cadherin, ${\beta}$-catenin, claudin-5, and ZO-1, critical components of the cortical actin ring structure and retinal endothelial barrier, at the boundary between HRMECs stimulated with VEGF-A. Furthermore, intravitreally injected RLYE bound to retinal microvascular endothelium and inhibited laser-induced CNV in mice. These findings suggest that RLYE has potential as a therapeutic drug for the treatment of CNV by preventing VEGFR2-mediated vascular leakage and angiogenesis.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.351-361
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• 2019

In our previous study, pyrrolnitrin produced in Pseudomonas chlororaphis G05 plays more critical role in suppression of mycelial growth of some fungal pathogens that cause plant diseases in agriculture. Although some regulators for pyrrolnitrin biosynthesis were identified, the pyrrolnitrin regulation pathway was not fully constructed. During our screening novel regulator candidates, we obtained a white conjugant G05W02 while transposon mutagenesis was carried out between a fusion mutant $G05{\Delta}phz{\Delta}prn::lacZ$ and E. coli S17-1 (pUT/mini-Tn5Kan). By cloning and sequencing of the transposon-flanking DNA fragment, we found that a vfr gene in the conjugant G05W02 was disrupted with mini-Tn5Kan. In one other previous study on P. fluorescens, however, it was reported that the deletion of the vfr caused increased production of pyrrolnitrin and other antifungal metabolites. To confirm its regulatory function, we constructed the vfr-knockout mutant $G05{\Delta}vfr$ and $G05{\Delta}phz{\Delta}prn::lacZ{\Delta}vfr$. By quantifying ${\beta}-galactosidase$ activities, we found that deletion of the vfr decreased the prn operon expression dramatically. Meanwhile, by quantifying pyrrolnitrin production in the mutant $G05{\Delta}vfr$, we found that deficiency of the Vfr caused decreased pyrrolnitrin production. However, production of phenazine-1-carboxylic acid was same to that in the wild-type strain G05. Taken together, Vfr is required for pyrrolnitrin but not for phenazine-1-carboxylic acid biosynthesis in P. chlororaphis G05.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.115-125
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• 2022

Objective: Intramuscular fat (IMF) is a critical economic indicator of pork quality. Studies on IMF among different pig breeds have been performed via high-throughput sequencing, but comparisons within the same pig breed remain unreported. Methods: This study was performed to explore the gene profile and identify candidate long noncoding RNA (lncRNAs) and mRNAs associated with IMF deposition among Laiwu pigs with different IMF contents. Based on the longissimus dorsi muscle IMF content, eight pigs from the same breed and management were selected and divided into two groups: a high IMF (>12%, H) and low IMF group (<5%, L). Whole-transcriptome sequencing was performed to explore the differentially expressed (DE) genes between these two groups. Results: The IMF content varied greatly among Laiwu pig individuals (2.17% to 13.93%). Seventeen DE lncRNAs (11 upregulated and 6 downregulated) and 180 mRNAs (112 upregulated and 68 downregulated) were found. Gene Ontology analysis indicated that the following biological processes played an important role in IMF deposition: fatty acid and lipid biosynthetic processes; the extracellular signal-regulated kinase cascade; and white fat cell differentiation. In addition, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-protein kinase B, and mammalian target of rapamycin pathways were enriched in the pathway analysis. Intersection analysis of the target genes of DE lncRNAs and mRNAs revealed seven candidate genes associated with IMF accumulation. Five DE lncRNAs and 20 DE mRNAs based on the pig quantitative trait locus database were identified and shown to be related to fat deposition. The expression of five DE lncRNAs and mRNAs was verified by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The results of qRT-PCR and RNA-sequencing were consistent. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that the different IMF contents among pig individuals may be due to the DE lncRNAs and mRNAs associated with lipid droplets and fat deposition.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.126-137
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• 2022

Objective: Efficient gene editing technology is critical for successful knock-in in domestic animals. RAD51 recombinase (RAD51) gene plays an important role in strand invasion during homologous recombination (HR) in mammals, and is regulated by checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) and CHK2 genes, which are upstream elements of RAD51 recombinase (RAD51). In addition, mismatch repair (MMR) system is inextricably linked to HR-related pathways and regulates HR via heteroduplex rejection. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated 9 (CRISPR/Cas9)-mediated knock-in efficiency of human lactoferrin (hLF) knock-in vector in the bovine β-casein gene locus can be increased by suppressing DNA MMR-related genes (MSH2, MSH3, MSH6, MLH1, and PMS2) and overexpressing DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair-related genes (RAD51, CHK1, CHK2). Methods: Bovine mammary epithelial (MAC-T) cells were transfected with a knock-in vector, RAD51, CHK1, or CHK2 overexpression vector and CRISPR/sgRNA expression vector to target the bovine β-casein gene locus, followed by treatment of the cells with CdCl₂ for 24 hours. After 3 days of CdCl₂ treatment, the knock-in efficiency was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The mRNA expression levels of DNA MMR-related and DNA DSB repair-related genes were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Results: Treatment with CdCl₂ decreased the mRNA expression of RAD51 and MMRrelated genes but did not increase the knock-in efficiency in MAC-T cells. Also, the overexpression of DNA DSB repair-related genes in MAC-T cells did not significantly affect the mRNA expression of MMR-related genes and failed to increase the knock-in efficiency. Conclusion: Treatment with CdCl₂ inhibited the mRNA levels of RAD51 and DNA MMR-related genes in MAC-T cells. However, the function of MMR pathway in relation to HR may differ in various cell types or species.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제32권7호
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• pp.927-937
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• 2022

To confirm the therapeutic effect of the water extract from Ecklonia cava (WEE) against PM_2.5 induced systemic health damage, we evaluated gut health with a focus on the microbiota and metabolites. Systemic damage in mice was induced through PM_2.5 exposure for 12 weeks in a whole-body chamber. After exposure for 12 weeks, body weight and food intake decreased, and WEE at 200 mg/kg body weight (mpk) alleviated these metabolic efficiency changes. In addition, PM_2.5 induced changes in the length of the colon and fecal water content. The administration of the WEE at 200 mpk oral dose effectively reduced changes in the colon caused by PM_2.5 exposure. We also attempted to confirm whether the effect of the WEE is mediated via regulation of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in mice with PM_2.5 induced systemic damage. We examined changes in the fecal microbiota and gut metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and kynurenine metabolites. In the PM_2.5 exposed group, a decrease in the abundance of Lactobacillus (Family: Lactobacillaceae) and an increase in the abundance of Alistipes (Family: Rikenellaceae) were observed, and the administration of the WEE showed a beneficial effect on the gut microbiota. In addition, the WEE effectively increased the levels of SCFAs (acetate, propionate, and butyrate). Furthermore, kynurenic acid (KYNA), which is a critical neuroprotective metabolite in the gut-brain axis, was increased by the administration of the WEE. Our findings suggest that the WEE could be used as a potential therapeutic against PM_2.5 induced health damage by regulating gut function.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.123-132
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• 2023

Background: Pseudotyped virus systems that incorporate viral proteins have been widely employed for the rapid determination of the effectiveness and neutralizing activity of drug and vaccine candidates in biosafety level 2 facilities. We report an efficient method for producing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pseudovirus with dual luciferase and fluorescent protein reporters. Moreover, using the established method, we also aimed to investigate whether Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), a valuable Korean herbal medicine, can attenuate infectivity of the pseudotyped virus. Methods: A pseudovirus of SARS-CoV-2 (SARS-2pv) was constructed and efficiently produced using lentivirus vector systems available in the public domain by the introduction of critical mutations in the cytoplasmic tail of the spike protein. KRG extract was dose-dependently treated to Calu-3 cells during SARS2-pv treatment to evaluate the protective activity against SARS-CoV-2. Results: The use of Calu-3 cells or the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in HEK293T cells enabled SARS-2pv infection of host cells. Coexpression of transmembrane protease serine subtype 2 (TMPRSS2), which is the activator of spike protein, with ACE2 dramatically elevated luciferase activity, confirming the importance of the TMPRSS2-mediated pathway during SARS-CoV-2 entry. Our pseudovirus assay also revealed that KRG elicited resistance to SARS-CoV-2 infection in lung cells, suggesting its beneficial health effect. Conclusion: The method demonstrated the production of SARS-2pv for the analysis of vaccine or drug candidates. When KRG was assessed by the method, it protected host cells from coronavirus infection. Further studies will be followed for demonstrating this potential benefit.

• 공연문화연구
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• 제42호
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• pp.291-319
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• 2021

본고에서는 통영오광대와 동래야류의 문둥과장, 양반과장, 영노과장, 할미·영감과장에서 웃음이 나타나는 부분을 찾아보고 그 부분의 의미가 무엇인지 고찰하였다. 민속극에서의 웃음은 인간의 부정과 어리석음에 대해 보다 관대한 태도를 갖게 했다. 비판적인 내용을 부드럽게 했고 감춰야만 하는 것으로 생각했던 것을 자연스럽게 드러냈다. 짤막하고 소란한 플롯을 통해 대립하는 세력, 문둥이의 내적 갈등, 양반과 말뚝이, 영감과 할미, 영노와 양반 사이를 사실적이고 현실감 있도록 보여줬다. 리얼리즘 구조를 만들어 내는 세계관은 전형적으로 회의적이고 아이러닉한 것이고 웃음과 관련되는 희극적 구조를 만들어 내는 세계관은 통합과 하모니에 근거하여 새로운 질서의 궁극적 출현을 지향한다. 민속극은 후자에서 전자로 나아가는 단계의 작품으로 생각된다. 그래서 민속극에서의 웃음은 한국예술사상이 리얼리즘적인 세계관을 갖는데 중요한 매개물로 작용한 것으로 판단된다. 웃음을 유발하는 여러 가지 표현방법들이 부정을 드러내고 당대 가치관의 허상을 알게 하고 구속과 금기 억압을 자연스럽게 폭로하는데 작용하고 있기 때문이다. 민속극에 통속적이고 거친 언사가 들어 있어도 시대를 인식하는 매개가 있고 실천을 유도하는 연희 예술의 특성을 온전히 가지고 있다. 이런 해석이 가능한 이유는 웃음이 작품을 구설하는 장치였기 때문이다. 웃음 안에는 여러 요소를 융합하여 인식을 전환시키는 통로가 있는 것이다. 새로운 인식으로 가는 통로 끝에 리얼리즘이 있었던 것이다.