• Molecules and Cells
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.204-210
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• 2016

DNA damage responses are important for the maintenance of genome stability and the survival of organisms. Such responses are activated in the presence of DNA damage and lead to cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and DNA repair. In Caenorhabditis elegans, double-strand breaks induced by DNA damaging agents have been detected indirectly by antibodies against DSB recognizing proteins. In this study we used a comet assay to detect DNA strand breaks and to measure the elimination of DNA strand breaks in mitotic germline nuclei of C. elegans. We found that C. elegans brc-1 mutants were more sensitive to ionizing radiation and camptothecin than the N2 wild-type strain and repaired DNA strand breaks less efficiently than N2. This study is the first demonstration of direct measurement of DNA strand breaks in mitotic germline nuclei of C. elegans. This newly developed assay can be applied to detect DNA strand breaks in different C. elegans mutants that are sensitive to DNA damaging agents.

• Current Applied Physics
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• 제18권11호
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• pp.1294-1299
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• 2018

In this paper, we demonstrate the feasibility of constructing DNA nanostructures (i.e. DNA rings and double-crossover (DX) DNA lattices) with appropriate doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) concentration and reveal significant characteristics for specific applications, especially in the fields of biophysics, biochemistry and medicine. DOX-intercalated DNA rings and DX DNA lattices are fabricated on a given substrate using the substrateassisted growth method. For both DNA rings and DX DNA lattices, phase transitions from crystalline to amorphous, observed using atomic force microscopy (AFM) occurred above a certain concentration of DOX (at a critical concentration of DOX, $30{\mu}M$ of $[DOX]_C$) at a fixed DNA concentration. Additionally, the coverage percentage of DNA nanostructures on a given substrate is discussed in order to understand the crystal growth mechanism during the course of annealing. Lastly, we address the significance of optical absorption and photoluminescence characteristics for determining the appropriate DOX binding to DNA molecules and the energy transfer between DOX and DNA, respectively. Both measurements provide evidence of DOX doping and $[DOX]_C$ in DNA nanostructures.

• 한국정보과학회논문지:소프트웨어및응용
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• 제34권12호
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• pp.1056-1064
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• 2007

생체분자 컴퓨팅은 DNA와 같은 생체 분자를 이용하여 정보를 표현하고 처리하는 새로운 컴퓨팅 패러다임이다. 작은 부피에 존재하는 무수히 많은 분자와 화학 반응에 내재된 대규모 병렬성은 새로운 개념의 고성능 계산 기법에 영감을 주었고 이를 바탕으로 다양한 계산 모델 및 문제 해결을 위한 분자알고리즘이 개발되었다. 한편 생체 분자를 이용한 정보처리라는 특징은 생물학 문제에 적용될 수 있는 가능성을 시사한다. 유전자 발현 패턴과 같은 생화학적 분자 정보의 분석을 위한 도구로서의 가능성을 가지고 있는 것이다. 이러한 맥락에서 DNA 컴퓨팅 기반의 생체분자 퍼셉트론 모델이 제안되었고 그 실험적 구현 결과가 제시된 바 있다. 생체분자 퍼셉트론의 핵심인 가중치 표현 및 가중치-합 연산은 입력 분자와 가중치를 표현하는 프로브 분자간의 경쟁적 혼성화 반응에 기반하고 있다. 그러나 그 혼성화 반응에서 열역학적 대칭성을 가정하고 있기 때문에 사용하는 프로브에 따라 가중치 표현의 오차가 있을 수 있다. 본 논문에서는 비대칭적인 열역학적 특성을 고려하여 일반화된 혼성화 반응 모델을 제시하고, 이를 바탕으로 신뢰성 있는 생체 분자 퍼셉트론의 구현을 위한 가중치 코딩 방법을 제안한다. 그리고 본 논문에서 제시한 가중치 표현 방법의 정확성을 이전 모델과 컴퓨터 시뮬레이션을 통해 비교하고 한계 오차를 만족하기 위한 조건을 제시한다.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.735-742
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• 2013

Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) that bind to complementary nucleic acid sequences with extraordinarily high affinity and sequence specificity can be used as antisense oligonucleotides against microRNAs, namely antagomir PNAs. However, methods for efficient cellular delivery must be developed for effective use of PNAs as therapeutic agents. Here, we demonstrate that antagomir PNAs can be delivered to hepatic cells by complementary DNA oligonucleotide and cationic liposomes containing galactosylated ceramide and a novel cationic lipid, DMKE (O,O'-dimyristyl-N-lysyl glutamate), through glycoprotein-mediated endocytosis. An antagomir PNA was designed to target miR-122, which is required for translation of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome in hepatocytes, and was hybridized to a DNA oligonucleotide for complexation with cationic liposome. The PNA-DNA hybrid molecules were efficiently internalized into hepatic cells by complexing with the galactosylated cationic liposome in vitro. Galactosylation of liposome significantly enhanced both lipoplex cell binding and PNA delivery to the hepatic cells. After 4-h incubation with galactosylated lipoplexes, PNAs were efficiently delivered into hepatic cells and HCV genome translation was suppressed more than 70% through sequestration of miR-122 in cytoplasm. PNAs were readily released from the PNA-DNA hybrid in the low pH environment of the endosome. The present study indicates that transfection of PNA-DNA hybrid molecules using galactosylated cationic liposomes can be used as an efficient non-viral carrier for antagomir PNAs targeted to hepatocytes.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권9호
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• pp.750-758
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• 2015

Genomic instability and altered metabolism are key features of most cancers. Recent studies suggest that metabolic reprogramming is part of a systematic response to cellular DNA damage. Thus, defining the molecules that fine-tune metabolism in response to DNA damage will enhance our understanding of molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis and have profound implications for the development of strategies for cancer therapy. Sirtuins have been established as critical regulators in cellular homeostasis and physiology. Here, we review the emerging data revealing a pivotal function of sirtuins in genome maintenance and cell metabolism, and highlight current advances about the phenotypic consequences of defects in these critical regulators in tumorigenesis. While many questions should be addressed about the regulation and context-dependent functions of sirtuins, it appears clear that sirtuins may provide a promising, exciting new avenue for cancer therapy.

• BMB Reports
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.1-10
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• 1996

The binding interaction of ethidium to a series of synthetic deoxyoligonucleotides containing a B-Z junction between left-handed Z-DNA and right-handed B-DNA, was studied. The series of deoxyoligonucleotides was designed so as to vary a dinucleotide step immediately adjacent to a B-Z junction region. Ethidium binds to the right-handed DNA forms and hybrid B-Z forms which contain a B-Z junction, in a highly cooperative manner. In a series of deoxyoligonucleotides, the binding affinity of ethidium with DNA forms which were initially hybrid B-Z forms shows over an order of magnitude higher than that with any other DNA forms, which were entirely in B-form DNA The cooperativity of binding isotherms were described by an allosteric binding model and by a neighbor exclusion model. The binding data were statistically compared for two models. The conformation of allosterically converted DNA forms under binding with ethidium is found to be different from that of the initial B-form DNA as examined by CD spectra. The ratio of the binding constant was interestingly correlated to the free energy of base unstacking and the conformational conversion of the dinucleotide. The more the base stacking of the dinucleotide is unstable, or the harder the conversion of B to A conformation, the higher the ratio of the binding constant of ethidium with the allosterically converted DNA forms and with the initial B-Z hybrid forms. DNA sequence around a B-Z junction region affects the binding affinity of ethidium. The results in this study demonstrate that ethidium could preferentially interact with unusual DNA structures.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제7권3호
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• pp.323-326
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• 2002

Ionizing radiation can be used to sanitize herbs contaminated by various microorganisms. However, health concerns related to irradiation damage to complex molecules in plants necessitate that methods be developed to monitor such damage. To elucidate DNA damage of herbs caused by irradiation, the DNA comet assay was used for Astragalus membranaceus Bunge and Havenia dulcis Thumb, irradiated at 1, 5, 7, and 10 kGy. With increasing irradiation doses, the tails of comets became longer with average tail length increasing from 17 (non-irradiated) to 124 (10 kGy) $\mu$m in Astragalus membranaceus Bunge. Above 7 kGy, some of the tails were separated from the heads of comets. Distribution patterns of the tail length of In comets selected randomly in the irradiated herbs were analyzed to quantify the DNA damage. These results clearly suggest that the DNA comet assay is an effective and inexpensive tool for the detection of irradiation damage to DNA in herbs.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.167-176
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• 1988

Extrachromosomal circular DNA complexes from erythrocytes and splenocytes isolated from Carassius carassius were examined by mica-press-absorption method. The method was described that released small polydisperse circular DNA molecules in situ from the erythrocytes and the splenocytes and that allows selective observation of the small circular DNA complexes bound to cellular components. The released polydisperse circular DNA complexes were absorbed preferentially on mica in a divalent cation-free medium then processed for electron microscopy. Small circular DNAs showed a heterogeneous size distribution of $2{\sim}10{\mu}m$ with a mean contour length of $4.3{\mu}m$ for the circulating erythrocytes and that of $0.7{\sim}3.6{\mu}m$ with a mean contour of length $2.04{\mu}m$ for the splencytes. Cells contained $100{\sim}300$ copies and $300{\sim}700$ copies obtained from the erythrocytes and the splenocytes, repectively. Possible biological functional implications for size distribution of extrachromosomal circular DNAs are discussed.

• BMB Reports
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• 제43권10호
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• pp.683-687
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• 2010

Previous studies have shown that one of the primary causes of increased iron content in the brain may be the release of excess iron from intracellular iron storage molecules such as ferritin. Free iron generates ROS that cause oxidative cell damage. Carnosine and related compounds such as endogenous histidine dipetides have antioxidant activities. We have investigated the protective effects of carnosine and homocarnosine against oxidative damage of DNA induced by reaction of ferritin with $H_2O_2$. The results show that carnosine and homocarnosine prevented ferritin/$H_2O_2$-mediated DNA strand breakage. These compounds effectively inhibited ferritin/$H_2O_2$-mediated hydroxyl radical generation and decreased the mutagenicity of DNA induced by the ferritin/$H_2O_2$ reaction. Our results suggest that carnosine and related compounds might have antioxidant effects on DNA under pathophysiological conditions leading to degenerative damage such as neurodegenerative disorders.

• BMB Reports
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.143-148
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• 1995

In E. coli, chromosomal DNA associated with proteins is condensed into an organized structure known as nucleoid. Using a nitrocellulose filter binding assay to identify proteins forming nucleoid, a 21 kDa protein was purified from E. coli. The molecular weight of the purified protein was 21 kDa on SDS-polyactylamide gel electrophoresis and 24 kDa on gel permeation chromatography. A molecular weight of 21 kDa on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis is unique among known proteins which are believed to be involved in the formation of nucleoid in E. coli. The 21 kDa protein nonspecifically binds to both double-stranded and single-stranded DNA. Sedimentation in a sucrose gradient revealed that the protein induced significant condensation of both supercoiled plasmid DNA and linear bacteriophage $\lambda$ DNA On the basis of quantitative Western-blot analysis, approximately 40,000 molecules of the protein were estimated to exist in an E. coli. The biochemical properties and cellular abundance of the 21 kDa protein suggest that this protein participates in the formation of nucleoid in E. coli.