• BMB Reports
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.15-20
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• 2014

Intracellular lipid-binding proteins (LBPs) impact fatty acid homeostasis in various ways, including fatty acid transport into mitochondria. However, the physiological consequences caused by mutations in genes encoding LBPs remain largely uncharacterized. Here, we explore the metabolic consequences of lbp-5 gene deficiency in terms of energy homeostasis in Caenorhabditis elegans. In addition to increased fat storage, which has previously been reported, deletion of lbp-5 attenuated mitochondrial membrane potential and increased reactive oxygen species levels. Biochemical measurement coupled to proteomic analysis of the lbp-5(tm1618) mutant revealed highly increased rates of glycolysis in this mutant. These differential expression profile data support a novel metabolic adaptation of C. elegans, in which glycolysis is activated to compensate for the energy shortage due to the insufficient mitochondrial ${\beta}$-oxidation of fatty acids in lbp-5 mutant worms. This report marks the first demonstration of a unique metabolic adaptation that is a consequence of LBP-5 deficiency in C. elegans.

• BMB Reports
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• 제46권10호
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• pp.507-512
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• 2013

Invasion of trophoblasts into maternal uterine tissue is essential for establishing mature feto-maternal circulation. The trophoblast invasion associated with placentation is similar to tumor invasion. In this study, we investigated the role of KAI1, an anti-metastasis factor, at the maternal-fetal interface during placentation. Mouse embryos were obtained from gestational days 5.5 (E5.5) to E13.5. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that KAI1 was expressed on decidual cells around the track made when a fertilized ovum invaded the endometrium, at days E5.5 and E7.5, and on trophoblast giant cells, along the central maternal artery of the placenta at E9.5. KAI1 in trophoblast giant cells was increased at E11.5, and then decreased at E13.5. Furthermore, KAI1 was upregulated during the forskolin-mediated trophoblastic differentiation of BeWo cells. Collectively, these results indicate that KAI1 is differentially expressed in decidual cells and trophoblasts at the maternal-fetal interface, suggesting that KAI1 prevents trophoblast invasion during placentation.

• BMB Reports
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.80-85
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• 2014

Altered acetylcholine (Ach) homeostasis is associated with loss of viability in flies, developmental defects in mice, and cognitive deficits in human. Here, we assessed the importance of Ach in Caenorhabditis elegans development, focusing on the role of Ach during dauer formation. We found that dauer formation was disturbed in choline acetyltransferase (cha-1) and acetylcholinesterase (ace) mutants defective in Ach biosynthesis and degradation, respectively. When examined the potential role of G-proteins in dauer formation, goa-1 and egl-30 mutant worms, expressing mutated versions of mammalian $G_o$ and $G_q$ homolog, respectively, showed some abnormalities in dauer formation. Using quantitative mass spectrometry, we also found that dauer larvae had lower Ach content than did reproductively grown larvae. In addition, a proteomic analysis of acetylcholinesterase mutant worms, which have excessive levels of Ach, showed differential expression of metabolic genes. Collectively, these results indicate that alterations in Ach release may influence dauer formation in C. elegans.

• 약학회지
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• 제42권5호
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• pp.487-493
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• 1998

In the previous study we described the antitumor effect of GLB, a protein-polysaccharide fraction separated from the growing tips of Ganoderma lucidum, against sarcoma 18 0 solid tumor in ICR mice. In this study, we separated an acidic protein-polysaccharide fraction, GLB-A, and a basic protein-polyaccharide fraction, GLB-B, from GLB by differential precipitation, and elucidated their antitumor and immunomodulatory activities. When ip injected at the dose of 50mg/kg/day into the ICR mice, GLB-A and GLB-B inhibited the growth of ip implantated sarcoma 180 cells by 32.4% and 21.0%, respectively. Of these, GLB-A increased the % lymphoblast in the spleen of the tumor-bearing and the normal mice by 20.9% and 123.0%, and the CD4/CD8 ratio by 73.3% and 22.4%, respectively. GLB-A also increased the expression of CD25 (IL-2 receptor alpha ch0ain) in normal mice by 82.0%. These results strongly suggest that GLB-A is a promising candidate for antitumor immunomodulatory medicine.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.267-274
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• 2010

The decrease in sperm quality under heat stress causes a great loss in animal husbandry production. In order to reveal the mechanism underlying the sperm quality decrease caused by heat stress, we first established a mild heat-treated mouse model. Then, the sperm quality was identified. Further, the testicular proteome profile was mapped and compared with the control using 2D electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Finally, the differential expressed proteins involved in the heat stress response were identified by real-time PCR and Western blotting. The results showed that heat stress caused a significant reduction in mouse sperm quality (P<0.05). Further, 52 protein spots on the 2D gel were found to differ between the heat-shocked tissues and the control. Of these spots, some repair proteins which might provide some explanation for the influence on sperm quality were found. We then focused on Bag-1, Hsp40, Hsp60 and Hsp70, which were found to be differently expressed after heat shock (P<0.05). Further analysis in this heat-shocked model suggests numerous potential mechanisms for heat shock-induced spermatogenic disorders.

• 대한화학회지
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• 제57권6호
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• pp.769-777
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• 2013

The effect of operating conditions (temperature and the partial pressures of H2 and CO) on the reaction rate of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) were investigated by carrying out experiments according to a Box-Behnken design (BBD), and were mathematically modeled by using response surface methodology (RSM). The catalyst used was a nano-structured cobalt/manganese oxide catalyst, which was prepared by thermal decomposition. The rate of synthesis was measured in a fixed-bed micro reactor with $H_2/CO$ molar feed ratio of 0.32-3.11 and reactor pressure in the range of 3-9.33 bar at space velocity of $3600h^{-1}$ and a temperature range of 463.15-503.15 K, under differential conditions (CO conversion below 2%). The results indicated that in the present experimental setup, the temperature and the partial pressure of CO were the most significant variables affecting reaction rate. Based on statistical analysis the quadratic model of reaction rate of FTS was highly significant as p-value 0.0002.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.275-284
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• 2006

The molecular components that generate and maintain circadian rhythms of physiology and behavior in mammals are present both in the brain (suprachiasmatic nucleus; SCN) and in peripheral tissues. Examination of mice with targeted disruptions of either mPer1 or mPer2 has shown that these two genes have key roles in the SCN circadian clock. Here we show that loss of the clock gene mPer2 affects forced locomotor performance in mice without altering muscle contractility. A proteomic analysis revealed that the anterior tibialis muscles of the mPer2 knockout mice had higher levels of glycolytic enzymes such as triose phosphate isomerase and enolase than those of either the wild type or mPer1 knockout mice. In addition, the level of expression of HSP90 in the mPer2 mutant mice was also significantly higher than in wildtype mice. These results suggest that the reduced locomotor endurance of the mPer2 knockout mice reflects a greater dependence on anaerobic metabolism under stress conditions, and that the two canonical clock genes, mPer1 and mPer2, play distinct roles in the physiology of skeletal muscle.

• 한국조경학회지
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• 제35권6호
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• pp.84-96
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• 2008

This research investigated the landscape characteristics of the skyline and the cognitive characteristics of Mt. Mudeung (1,186m) from various viewpoints. Mt. Mudeung, the representative landscape of Gwangju City, has been recognized as a natural landmark and theme of paintings. By analyzing the perspective from 32 points with a digital terrain model, some landscape indices of the skyline were derived and the relationships are discussed. Assessment of the semantic differential scale with 21 adjective variables and representativeness to 15 landscape photographs of the mountain were accomplished. 1. Through regression analysis of the skyline indices, significant relationships were found between them the angle from the visual axis and number of skyline jumps, the vertical angle fluctuation and number of jumps per degree, the visual depth fluctuation and vertical angle fluctuation of skyline, and between the vertical angle mean and number of jumps per degree. Meaningful relations were found between the number of jumps of skyline to number of jumps per degree and the angle from visual axis to visual distance. However, in the representative assessment no difference was found on the angle from visual axis of viewpoints. On the other hand, it seemed to relate representativeness with visual clarity based on visual distance. 2. We found 4 factors "familiarity", "fluctuation of skylines", "openness", and "feeling of texture" in the results of factor analysis of semantic differential assessment. When considering the results of assessment for representativeness, adjective words for familiarity and openness seemed to have a close assessment. Specifically, the research showed that the landscape representation was highly assessed in a view which could be seen from the higher parts to the lower part of hills. This result indicates that the management of viewpoints which could get a scene from intermediate to distant, and locating a high elevation is important. 3. In the picturesque expression of Mt. Mudeung, various impressions from the different points, a skyline based on the top of Mt. Mudeung and a mono structure by overlapping hills were common characteristics. These common characteristics were also partially found through the analysis of topographical landscape indices and landscape images. Therefore, the viewpoints for the representative landscape management should be selected in natural or open spaces.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.61-71
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• 2000

By screening a cDNA library of auxin-treated mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) hypocotyls, we have isolated two full-length cDNA clones, pVR-ACS6 and pVR-ACS7, for 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) synthase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the ethylene biosynthetic pathway. While PVR-ACS6 corresponds to the previously identified PCR fragment pMBA1, pVR-ACS7 is a new cDNA clone. A comparison of deduced amino acid sequences among auxin-induced ACC synthases reveal that these enzymes share a high degree of homology (65-75%) to VR-ACS6 and VR-ACS7 polypeptides, but only about 50% to VR-ACS1 polypeptide. ACS6 and ACS7 are specifically induced by auxin, while ACS1 is induced by cycloheximide, and to lesser extent by excision and auxin treatment. Results from nuclear run-on transcription assay and RNA gel blot studies revealed that all three genes were transcriptionally active displaying unique patterns of induction by IAA and various hormones in etiolated hypocotyls. Particularly, 24-epibrassinolide (BR), an active brassinosteroid, specifically enhanced the expression of VR-ACS7 by distinct temporal induction mechanism compared to that of IAA. In addition, BR synergistically increased the IAA-induced VR-ACS6 and VR-ACS7 transcript levels, while it effectively abolished both the IAA- and kinetin-induced accumulation of VR-ACS1 mRNA. In light-grown plants, VR-ACS1 was induced by IAA in roots, whereas W-ACS6 in epicotyls. IAA- and BR-treatments were not able to increase the VR-ACS7 transcript in the light-grown tissues. These results indicate that the expression of ACC synthase multigene family is regulated by complex hormonal and developmental networks in a gene- and tissue-specific manner in mung bean plants. The VR-ACS7 gene was isolated, and chimeric fusion between the 2.4 kb 5'-upstream region and the $\beta$-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene was constructed and introduced into Nicotiana tobacum. Analysis of transgenic tobacco plants revealed the VR-ACS7 promoter-driven GUS activity at a highly localized region of the hypocotyl-root junction of control seedlings, while a marked induction of GUS activity was detected only in the hypocotyl region of the IAA-treated transgenic seedlings where rapid cell elongation occurs. Although there was a modest synergistic effect of BR on the IAA-induced GUS activity, BR alone failed to increase the GUS activity, suggesting that induction of VR-ACS7 occurs via separate signaling pathways in response to IAA and BR.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.293-300
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• 1998

Previous studies have shown that the heterocycles including thiazoles are efficacious in inducing phase phase II metabolizing enzyme as well as certain cytochrome P450s and that the inductin of these matabolizing enzymes by the heterocyclic agents is highly associated with their hepatotoxicity. In the present study, the effects of benzylisothiazole (BIT), which has a isothiazole moiety, on the expression of microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH), major glutathione S-transerases and cytochrome P450s were studied in the rat liver in association with its hepatotoxicity. Treatment of rats with BIT(1.17 mmol/kg, 1~3d) resulted in substantial increases in the mEH. rGSTA2, rGSTA2, rGSTM1 and rGSTM2 mRNA levels, whereas rGSTA3 and rGSTA5 mRNA levels were increased to much lesser extents. A time-course study showed that the mRNA levels of mEH and rGSTs were greater at 24hr after treatment than those after 3 days of consecutive treatment. Relative changes in mEH and rGST mRNA levels were consistent with those in the proteins, as assessed by Western immunoblot analysis. Hepatic cytochrom P450 levels were monitored after BIT treatment under the assumption that metabolic activation of BIT may affect expression of the enzymes in conjunction with hepatotoxicity. Immunoblot analysis revealed that cytochrome P450 2B1/2 were 3-to 4-fold induced in rats teatd with BIT(1.17 mmol/kg/day.3days), whereas P450 1A2, 2C11 and 3A1/2 levels were decreased to 20~30% of those in unteatd rats. P450 2E1 was only slightly decreased by BIT. Thus, the levels of several cytochrome P450s were suppressed by BIT treatment. Rats treated with BIT at the dose of 1.17mmol/kg for 3 days exhibited extensive multifocal nodular necrosis with moderate to extensive diffuse liver cell degeneration. No notable toxicity was observed in the kidney. These results showed that BIT induces mEH and rGSTs in the liver with increases in the mRNA levels, whereas the agent significantly decreased major cytochrome P450s. The changes in the detoxifying enzymes might be associated with the necrotic liver after consecutive treatment.