• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.844-855
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• 2017

Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) have the ability to dissolve insoluble phosphate and enhance soil fertility. However, the growth and mineral phosphate solubilization of PSB could be affected by exogenous soluble phosphate and the mechanism has not been fully understood. In the present study, the growth and mineral phosphate-solubilizing characteristics of PSB strain Burkholderia multivorans WS-FJ9 were investigated at six levels of exogenous soluble phosphate (0, 0.5, 1, 5, 10, and 20 mM). The WS-FJ9 strain showed better growth at high levels of soluble phosphate. The phosphate-solubilizing activity of WS-FJ9 was reduced as the soluble phosphate concentration increased, as well as the production of pyruvic acid. Transcriptome profiling of WS-FJ9 at three levels of exogenous soluble phosphate (0, 5, and 20 mM) identified 446 differentially expressed genes, among which 44 genes were continuously up-regulated when soluble phosphate concentration was increased and 81 genes were continuously down-regulated. Some genes related to cell growth were continuously up-regulated, which would account for the better growth of WS-FJ9 at high levels of soluble phosphate. Genes involved in glucose metabolism, including glycerate kinase, 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase, and sugar ABC-type transporter, were continuously down-regulated, which indicates that metabolic channeling of glucose towards the phosphorylative pathway was negatively regulated by soluble phosphate. These findings represent an important first step in understanding the molecular mechanisms of soluble phosphate effects on the growth and mineral phosphate solubilization of PSB.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.1-12
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• 2007

Objectives : Aconitine is one of the toxic components of aconitum species. This study was carried out to evaluate gene expressions of herbal prescriptions containg aconitum species and oriental medicinal plants of aconitum species. Methods : We have measured gene expressions in the liver of aconitine, Aconitum carmichaeli DEBX., Aconitum ciliare DC. Yong Ho Whan using Sprague-Dawley rat. Gene expression in rat liver has been analyzed using codelink 10k microarray. Results : 1. Genes up-regulated over than 4 fold were 118 and down-regulated less than 4 fold were 91 in aconitine 50 ${\mu}g/kg/day$ over control. 2. Genes up-regulated of over than 4 fold were 124 and down-regulated less than 4 fold were 98 in Aconitum ciliare DC. 4g/kg/day and 169 of over than 4 fold, and 110 of less than 4 fold for Aconitum carmichaeli DEBX. 4g/kg/day, respectively. 3. Regulated genes in treatment group of Aconitum carmichaeli DEBX, Aconitum ciliare DC. and aconitine was only 2 different genes, Sulfotransferase family 4A, member 1 and Lin-7 homolog b (C. elegans). Conclusions : Gene expression profiles in liver were different among aconitine, Aconitum carmichaeli DEBX., Aconitum ciliare DC. and herbal prescription YongHo-whan. Furthermore, we can find many new genes related with effects of aconitum species.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.3.1-3.12
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• 2022

Background: Domestic yaks are the most important livestock species on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Adult female yaks normally breed in the warm season (July to September) and enter anestrous in the cold season (November to April). Nevertheless, it is unclear how ovarian activity is regulated at the molecular level. Objectives: The peculiarities of yak reproduction were assessed to explore the molecular mechanism of postpartum anestrus ovaries in yaks after pregnancy and parturition. Methods: Sixty female yaks with calves were observed under natural grazing in Haiyan County, Qinghai Province. Three yak ovaries in pregnancy and postpartum anestrus were collected. RNA sequencing and quantitative proteomics were employed to analyze the pregnancy and postpartum ovaries after hypothermia to identify the genes and proteins related to the postpartum ovarian cycle. Results: The results revealed 841 differentially expressed genes during the postpartum hypoestrus cycle; 347 were up-regulated and 494 genes were down-regulated. Fifty-seven differential proteins were screened: 38 were up-regulated and 19 were down-regulated. The differential genes and proteins were related to the yak reproduction process, rhythm process, progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathway categories. Conclusions: Transcriptome and proteomic sequencing approaches were used to investigate postpartum anestrus and pregnancy ovaries in yaks. The results confirmed that BHLHE40, SF1IX1, FBPX1, HSPCA, LHCGR, BMP15, and ET-1R could affect postpartum hypoestrus and control the state of estrus.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.389-394
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• 1997

We examined the effect of modulation of PKA isozymes on the growth of human ovarian cancer cells. Three ovarian cancer cell lines, 2774, SK-OV-3, and OVCAR-3, were examined in this study. The treatment of 5 uM 8-CI-cAMP, which has been known to down-regulate RI (or type 1 PKA) and up-regulate RII (or type II PKA), markedly inhibited the growth of all cell lines (50-80% at day 6). To test whether alteration in PKA regulatory subunits level can change the growth characteristics of ovarian cancer cells, we introduced RIIB- expression construct and Rla antisense-expression construct into 2774 cells. The overexpression of RIIB down-regulated Rla protein, and the antisense-expression of Rla up-regulated RIIB protein, showing that the intracellular levels of RI and RII are reciprocally regulated. In both cases, cell growth was reduced by 30% at day 2. These results indicate that the growth of ovarian cancer cells is controlled by the signals from PKA isozymes, and the modulation of PKA isozymes can be employed for the human ovarian cancer therapy.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.814-824
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• 2007

Liver cirrhosis (LC) is defined as comprising diffuse fibrosis and regenerating nodules of the liver. The biochemical and anatomical dysfunction in LC results from both reduced liver cell number and portal vascular derangement. Although several studies have investigated dysregulated genes in cirrhotic nodules, little is known about the genes implicated in the pathophysiologic change of LC or about their relationship with the degree of decompensation. Here, we applied cDNA microarray analysis using 38 HBsAg-positive LC specimens to identify the genes dysregulated in HBV-associated LC and to evaluate their relation to disease severity. Among 1063 known cancer- and apoptosis-related genes, we identified 104 genes that were significantly up- (44) or down- (60) regulated in LC. Interestingly, this subset of 104 genes was characteristically correlated with the degree of decompensation, called the Pugh-Child classification (20 Pugh-Child A, 10 Pugh-Child B, and 8 Pugh-Child C). Patient samples from Pugh-Child C exhibited a distinct pattern of gene expression relative to those of Pugh-Child A and B. Especially in Pugh-Child C, genes encoding hepatic proteins and metabolizing enzymes were significantly down-regulated, while genes encoding various molecules related to cell replication were up-regulated. Our results suggest that subsets of genes in liver cells correspond to the pathophysiologic change of LC according to disease severity and possibly to hepatocarcinogenesis.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.103-107
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• 2017

Angelica koreana is an important medicinal plant for some locals in East Asia including Korea. A few reports have shown the efficacy of its phytochemical constituents. We have isolated and purified one compound falcarindiol (FAL) from the methanolic extract of A. koreana roots. At concentrations from to $1{\mu}M$ to $25{\mu}M$, the FAL isolated from the roots of A. koreana exerted no significant cytotoxicity and down-regulated LPS-stimulated pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-8 in colon epithelial cells, while up-regulating anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. In addition, the FAL decreased the expression of LPS-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 protein by Western blot analysis. Colon epithelial cells play pivotal roles in regulating the colon immune system and thus FAL is expected to be candidate agent as therapeutic potential for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by modulating LPS-induced inflammation in colon epithelial cells.

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.28-33
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• 2011

MicroRNAs are potential key regulators in mesenchymal stem cells chondrogenic differentiation. However, there were few reports about the accurate effects of miRNAs on chondrogenic differentiation. To investigate the mechanisms of miRNAs-mediated regulation during the process, we performed miRNAs microarray in MSCs at four different stages of TGF-${\beta}3$-induced chondrogenic differentiation. We observed that eight miRNAs were significantly up-regulated and five miRNAs were downregulated. Interestingly, we found two miRNAs clusters, miR-143/145 and miR-132/212, kept on down-regulation in the process. Using bioinformatics approaches, we analyzed the target genes of these differentially expressed miRNAs and found a series of them correlated with the process of chondrogenesis. Furthermore, the qPCR results showed that the up-regulated (or down-regulated) expression of miRNAs were inversely associated with the expression of predicted target genes. Our results first revealed the expression profiles of miRNAs in chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs and provided a new insight on complicated regulation mechanisms of chondrogenesis.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.176-176
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• 2003

Methylmercury is known to have devastating effects on the mammalian nervous system. When human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells were treated with methylmercury at sublethal concentrations (6.25 uM), up-regulated genes (39) ＆ down-regulated genes (19) were identified by human 8k cDNA microarray. These genes are related with microtubule process, signal transduction pathway and cell death (apoptosis), Apoptosis-associated genes, HSP70, CDK inhibitor 1, FOS-like antigen were up-regulated and microtubule related genes like villin and dynein down-regultaed. To confirm the presence of apoptosis in cultured SH-SY5Y cells treated 6.25 and 1 uM methylmercury, we applied Annexin V-FITC assay followed by flow cytometric measurements after 6 and 24h. Studies on transcriptional and molecular effect by methylmercury may provide an insight into the neurotoxic effects of methylmercury in human neuronal cells and a possibility to develop more efficient and exact monitoring system of heavy metals as ubiquitous environmental pollutants.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.12
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• pp.658-663
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• 2020

The N-myc downstream regulated gene (NDRG) family members are dysregulated in several tumors. Functionally, NDRGs play an important role in the malignant progression of cancer cells. However, little is known about the potential implications of NDRG4 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The aim of the current study was to elucidate the expression pattern of NDRG4 in PDAC and evaluate its potential cellular biological effects. Here, we firstly report that epigenetic-mediated silencing of NDRG4 promotes PDAC by regulating mitochondrial function. Data mining demonstrated that NDRG4 was significantly down-regulated in PDAC tissues and cells. PDAC patients with low NDRG4 expression showed poor prognosis. Epigenetic regulation by DNA methylation was closely associated with NDRG4 down-regulation. NDRG4 overexpression dramatically suppressed PDAC cell growth and metastasis. Further functional analysis demonstrated that up-regulated NDRG4 in SW1990 and Canpan1 cells resulted in attenuated mitochondrial function, including reduced ATP production, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and increased fragmented mitochondria. However, opposite results were obtained for HPNE cells with NDRG4 knockdown. These results indicate that hypermethylation-driven silencing of NDRG4 can promote PDAC by regulating mitochondrial function and that NDRG4 could be as a potential biomarker for PDAC patients.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.137-143
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Mulberry leaves contain quercetin derivatives, which have the effects of reducing obesity and improving lipid and glucose metabolism in mice with obesity. It is not clear whether or not mulberry leaves can directly affect metabolic disorders, in the presence of obesity, because of the interaction between obesity and metabolic disorders. The aim of the current study was to assess the direct action of quercetin derivatives on metabolic disorders in non-obese conditions in short-term high-fat diet fed mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: C57BL/6N mice were fed a high-fat diet, supplemented with either 0% (control), 1%, or 3% mulberry leaf powder (Mul) or 1% catechin powder for five days. Anthropometric parameters and blood biochemistry were determined, and hepatic gene expression associated with lipid and glucose metabolism was analyzed. RESULTS: Body and white fat weights did not differ among the four groups. Plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, and free fatty acids in the 1%, 3% Mul and catechin groups did not differ significantly from those of the controls, however, plasma glucose and 8-isoprostane levels were significantly reduced. Liver gene expression of gp91phox, a main component of NADPH oxidase, was significantly down-regulated, and PPAR-${\alpha}$, related to ${\beta}$-oxidation, was significantly up-regulated. FAS and GPAT, involved in lipid metabolism, were significantly down-regulated, and Ehhadh was significantly up-regulated. Glucose-metabolism related genes, L-PK and G6Pase, were significantly down-regulated, while GK was significantly up-regulated in the two Mul groups compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the Mul quercetin derivatives can directly improve lipid and glucose metabolism by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing ${\beta}$-oxidation. The 1% Mul and 1% catechin groups had similar levels of polyphenol compound intake ($0.4{\times}10^{-5}$ vs $0.4{\times}10^{-5}$ mole/5 days) and exhibited similar effects, but neither showed dose-dependent effects on lipid and glucose metabolism or oxidative stress.