• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.81-88
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• 2007

The sprC gene encodes Streptomyces griseus protease C (SGPC), a bacterial chymotrypsin-like serine protease. Because the published data on sprC was not complete, we cloned and analyzed a new DNA fragment spanning downstream to upstream of the sprC gene from S. griseus IFO13350. The cloned 2.3-kb DNA fragment was placed on a high-copy number plasmid and introduced into Streptomyces lividans TK24. Chymotrypsin activity of the transformant was 8.5 times higher than that of the control after 3 days of cultivation and stably maintained until 9 days of cultivation, which dearly indicated that the cloned 2.3-kb fragment contained the entire sprC gene with its own promoter. When the same construct was introduced in the S. griseus IFO13350 (wild strain) and its two mutant strains in the A-factor regulatory cascade, ${\Delta}adpA$ and HO1, the chymotrypsin activity increased fivefold only in the ${\Delta}adpA$ strain. Transcriptional analysis based on RT-PCR revealed that the sprC gene is normally transcribed in both strains; however, earlier transcription was observed in the wild strain compared with the ${\Delta}adpA$ strain. A gel mobility shift assay showed that the AdpA protein did not bind to the promoter region of sprC. All these data clearly indicate that the expression of sprC is not dependent on the AdpA protein, but is distinctly regulated from other chymotrypsin genes composing an AdpA regulon. Earlier morphological differentiation was observed in S. lividans TK24, and S. griseus IFO13350 and HO1, transformed with the expression vector. The transformant of S. griseus ${\Delta}adpA$ formed markedly larger colonies. Antisense repression of sprC resulted in severe decrease of chymotrypsin activity, down to one-third of the control, and delayed morphological differentiation. All these data suggest that SGPC is related to normal morphogenesis in S. griseus.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.227-231
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• 2014

Cimicifuga heracleifolia extract (CHE) was investigated for its effects on the release of nitric oxide (NO) and at the level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression in mouse macrophages. We found that C. heracleifolia elicited a dose-dependent increase in NO production and the level of iNOS mRNA. Since, iNOS transcription has been shown to be under the control of the transcription factor $NF-{\kappa}B$, the effects of CHE on $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation were examined. Transient expression assays with $NF-{\kappa}B$ binding sites linked to the luciferase gene revealed that the increased level of iNOS mRNA, induced by CHE, was mediated by the $NF-{\kappa}B$ transcription factor complex. By using DNA fragments containing the $NF-{\kappa}B$ binding sequence, CHE was shown to activate the protein/DNA binding of $NF-{\kappa}B$ to its cognate site, as measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. These results demonstrate that C. heracleifolia stimulates NO production and is able to up-regulate iNOS expression through $NF-{\kappa}B$ transactivation.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.129-133
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• 1993

The 44Md plasmid of Bacillus thruingiensis var. kurstaki HD-1(B. t k HD-1) was partially digested with Sau3AI and the fragments were cloned into E. coli HB101 on vector pBR322. Of 2, 950 clones with a recombinant pBR322, only one clone KC1 was determined to have the gene for crystal toxic proteins from the 44Md plasmid of B. t k HD-1 at the BamHI site of pBR322. The recombinant pBR322 was named pKC1 and its molecular size was 12kb. The KC1 produced a protein which was toxic to the silkworm and antigenically similar to the crystal toxic protein of B. t k HD-1. Also, electrophoretic mobility of the KC1 protein was apparently the same as that of the crystal toxic protein of B. t k HD-1.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.179-192
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• 2003

Objectives : Boyanghwanoh-tang (Buyanhaiwu-tang) has been used as a prescription for stroke, senile and vascular dementia, ischemic brain and heart damage in Oriental traditional medicine. However, there is little known about the mechanism by which the water extracts of Boyanghwanoh-tang (Buyanhaiwu-tang) rescue cells fromthese damages, and little is known about the protective mechanisms of Boyanghwanoh-tang (Buyanhaiwu-tang) on oxidative stress in neuronal cells. Therefore, we have investigated the role of Boyanghwanoh-tang (Buyanhaiwu-tang) on serum and glucose deprived apoptosis in PC12 cells. Methods : PC12 Cells have been used extensively as a model for studying the cellular and molecular effects of neuronal cells. The viability of cells was measured by MIT assay. We used DNA fragmentation and caspase 1, 2, 3, 6, 9-likeproteases activation assay. Transcriptional activation of NF-kB was assessed by using electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Results : Boyanghwanoh-tang (Buyanhaiwu-tang) rescued PC12 cells from apoptotic death by serum and glucose deprivation in a dose-dependent manner. The nuclear staining of PC12 cells clearly showed that Boyanghwanoh-tang (Buyanhaiwu-tang) attenuated nuclear condensation and fragmentation, which represent typical neuronal apoptotic characteristics. Boyanghwanoh-tang (Buyanhaiwu-tang) also prevents fragmentation of genomic DNA and activation of caspase 3-like protease in serum and glucose deprived PC12 cells. Furthermore, Boyanghwanoh-tang (Buyanhaiwu-tang) reduced the activation of NF-kB by serum and glucose-deprived apoptosis. Conclusions : These findings suggest that serum and glucose deprivation induces reduced glutathione (GSH) depletion, and consequently, apoptosis through endogenously produced reactive oxygen species in PC12 cells. Also, our data indicated that Boyanghwanoh-tang (Buyanhaiwu-tang) has protective effects against the serum and glucose deprived deaths of PC12 cells, which are mediated by the generation of GSH that, in turn, can reduce oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2017

Objectives : In this study, the roles of Interleukin (IL)-4 and Signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6), which have been reported to play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammation and cancer, were evaluated in snake venom toxin (SVT)-induced apoptosis. Methods : Inflammation was induced in human HaCaT kerationocytes, by lipopolysaccharide (LPS; $1{\mu}g/mL$) or tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), followed by treatment with SVT (0, 1, or $2{\mu}g/mL$). Cell viability was assessed by MTT assays after 24 h, and the expression of levels of IL-4, STAT6, and the apoptosis-related proteins p53, Bax, and Bcl-2 were evaluated by western blotting. Electro mobility shift assays (EMSAs) were performed to evaluate the DNA binding capacity of STAT6. Results : MTT assays showed that inflammation-induced growth of HaCaT cells following LPS or TNF-${\alpha}$ stimulation was inhibited by SVT. Western blot analysis showed that p53 and Bax, which promote apoptosis, were increased, whereas that of Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic protein, was decreased in a concentration-dependent manner in LPS- or TNF-${\alpha}$-induced HaCaT cells following treatment with SVT. Moreover, following treatment of HaCaT cells with LPS, IL-4 concentrations were increased, and treatment with SVT further increased IL-4 expression in a concentration-dependent manner. Western blotting and EMSAs showed that the phosphorylated form of STAT6 was increased in HaCaT cells in the context of LPS- or TNF-${\alpha}$-induced inflammation in a concentration-dependent manner, concomitant with an increase in the DNA binding activity of STAT6. Conclusion : SVT can effectively promote apoptosis in HaCaT cells in the presence of inflammation through a pathway involving IL-4 and STAT6.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.99-110
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• 1999

Effects of Chiyangtang(CYT) on H. pylori-induced increase of interleukin 8 and interleukin 1 gene expression was studied in Kato Ⅲ cell line, a human stomach epithelial cell line. Treatment of H. pylori to the cell culture signifant!y increased IL-8 and IL-1 mRNA synthesis. When CYT was added along with H. pylori, the increase of IL-8 and IL-1 mRNA synthesis was blocked. Activation of transcription factor $NF-{\kappa}B$ and AP-1 which were known to important in IL-8 and IL-1 gene expression was also studied using chloramphenicol acetyltransferase(CAT) assay. Treatment of H. pylori increased activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and AP-l and CYT effectively protected the activation. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay suggested that CYT effectively inhibited DNA binding of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and AP-l to their cognate site. These results suggested that CYT could prevent stomach diseases through the down regulation of IL -8 and IL-l gene expression which might be mediated by the inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and AP-1 activities and their binding to DNA.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.1769-1774
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• 2004

Jun/Fos, a crucial factor in transmitting the tumor-promoting signal from the extracellular environment to the nuclear transcription machinery, has a dimerization interface possessing several coiled structural properties. Jun and Fos can interact with the DNA regulatory region, AP-1 (Activator Protein-1), which is composed of 5'-TGAC/GTCA-3'.$^1$ Curcumin is a well-known anticancer and anti-inflammatory compound.$^{2,3}$ It also acts as an inhibitor of the Jun-Fos function. c-Fos and c-Jun with a bZIP region are overexpressed in BL21 E. coli and purified with an $Ni^{2+}$ affinity column. The inhibitors of Fos-Jun-AP-1 complex formation were searched through the EMSA (electrophoresis mobility shift assay) experiment, and new curcuminoids were synthesized and investigated as to their inhibitory effect on the same system. Two curcuminoids showed a stronger inhibitory effect than curcumin. This inhibitory activity was quantified with EMSA. 1,7-bis(4-methyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (BJC003) and 1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-5-methoxy-3-nitrophenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (BJC005) showed remarkably high inhibitory activities. $IC_{50}$ of 1,7-bis(4-methyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (BJC003) and 1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-5-methoxy-3-nitrophenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (BJC005) are 8.98 ${\mu}M$ and 5.40 ${\mu}M$, respectively. However, 1,7-bis(4-methyl-3-nitrophenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (BJC004) did not show inhibitory activity.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.369-374
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• 1997

An endochitosanase-producing bacterium was isolated from soil and identified as a strain of Bacillus sp. The isolate was gram positive, rod shape $(0.4-0.6{\times}1.6-2.2{\mu}m)$, endospore-forming, catalase positive, and mobility positive, and grown at pH 4.5-11.0 and upto $42^{\circ}C$ in the medium containing 2% NaCl. RAPD analysis of the DNA purified from the strain was also performed, and the chitosanase-producing strain was named as Bacillus sp. P16. The culture supernatant of the strain showed strong liquefaction activity and rapidly decreased viscosity of chitosan solution. By TLC and HPLC, chitooligosaccharides of DP 2-7 were separated and identified from the enzyme hydrolyzates of chitosan. The chitosanase from Bacillus sp. P16 was thus regarded as an endo-splitting type.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.570-576
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• 2006

Phytoestrogen biochanin A is an isoflavone derivative isolated from red clover Trifolium pratense with anticarcinogenic properties. This study examined the action of biochanin A with the carcinogen activation pathway that is mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells. Treating the cells with biochanin A alone caused the accumulation of CYP1A1 mRNA and an increase in CYP1A1-specific 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity in a dose dependent manner. A concomitant treatment with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and biochanin A markedly reduced the DMBA-inducible EROD activity and CYP1A1 mRNA level. In addition, the biochanin A treatment alone activated the DNA-binding capacity of the AhR for the dioxin-response element (DRE) of CYP1A1, as measured by the electrophoretic-mobility shift assay (EMSA). EMSA revealed that biochanin A reduced the level of the DMBA-inducible AhR-DRE binding complex. Furthermore, biochanin A competed with the prototypical AhR ligand, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), for binding to the AhR in an isolated rat cytosol. The biochanin A competitively inhibited the metabolic activation of DMBA, as measured by the formation of the DMBA-DNA adducts. These results suggest that biochanin A may thus be a natural ligand to bind on AhR. Therefore, biochanin A may be due to act an antagonist/agonist of the AhR pathway.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1350-1357
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• 2005

Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-$\kappa$B) regulates the expression of multiple cytokines, chemokines, and cell adhesion molecules that are involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. We investigated the anti-asthmatic effects and the mechanism of action of DA-9201, an extract of the black rice, in a mouse model of asthma. Mice immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) were administered with DA-9201 (30, 100 or 300 mg/kg) or dexamethasone (DEXA, 3 mg/kg) for 2 weeks and challenged with aerosolized OVA during the last 3 days. Anti-asthmatic effects were assessed by means of enhanced pauses, level of total lgE and Th2 cytokines in plasma or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), the percentage of eosinophils in BALF, and histopathological examination. The expression of NF-$\kappa$B in nuclear and cytoplasmic fraction and its DNA-binding activity in lung tissues were analyzed by means of Western blotting and electrophoretic gel mobility shift assay (EMSA), respectively. DA-9201 significantly reduced airway hyperrespon-siveness (AHR), total lgE level in plasma and BALF, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 levels in BALF, and the percentage of eosinophils in BALF. Tissue inflammation was significantly improved by DA­9201 treatment. In addition, DA-9201 dramatically suppressed the expression of NF-$\kappa$B and its DNA-binding activity. These results suggest that DA-9201 may be useful for the treatment of asthma and its efficacy is related to suppression of NF-$\kappa$B pathway.