• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.274-282
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• 2019

Mercury-resistant ($Hg^R$) bacteria were isolated from heavy metal polluted wastewater and soil collected near to tanneries of district Kasur, Pakistan. Bacterial isolates AZ-1, AZ-2 and AZ-3 showed resistance up to $40{\mu}g/ml$ against mercuric chloride ($HgCl_2$). 16S rDNA ribotyping and phylogenetic analysis were performed for the characterization of selected isolates as Bacillus sp. AZ-1 (KT270477), Bacillus cereus AZ-2 (KT270478) and Bacillus cereus AZ-3 (KT270479). Phylogenetic relationship on the basis of merA nucleotide sequence confirmed 51-100% homology with the corresponding region of the merA gene of already reported mercury-resistant Gram-positive bacteria. The merE gene involved in the transportation of elemental mercury ($Hg^0$) via cell membrane was cloned for the first time into pHLV vector and transformed in overexpressed C43(DE3) E. coli cells. The recombinant plasmid (pHLMerE) was expressed and the native MerE protein was obtained after thrombin cleavage by size exclusion chromatography (SEC). The purification of fusion/recombinant and native protein MerE by Ni-NTA column, dialysis and fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC/SEC) involved unfolding/refolding techniques. A small-scale reservoir of wastewater containing $30{\mu}g/ml$ of $HgCl_2$ was designed to check the detoxification ability of selected strains. It resulted in 83% detoxification of mercury by B. cereus AZ-2 and B. cereus AZ-3, and 76% detoxification by Bacillus sp. AZ-1 respectively (p < 0.05).

• Mycobiology
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.243-248
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• 2011

The ubiquitin-proteasome system is one of the major protein turnover mechanisms that plays important roles in the regulation of a variety of cellular functions. It is composed of E1 (ubiquitin-activating enzyme), E2 (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme), and E3 ubiquitin ligases that transfer ubiquitin to the substrates that are subjected to degradation in the 26S proteasome. The Skp1, Cullin, F-box protein (SCF) E3 ligases are the largest E3 gene family, in which the F-box protein is the key component to determine substrate specificity. Although the SCF E3 ligase and its F-box proteins have been extensively studied in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, only limited studies have been reported on the role of F-box proteins in other fungi. Recently, a number of studies revealed that F-box proteins are required for fungal pathogenicity. In this communication, we review the current understanding of F-box proteins in pathogenic fungi.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.164-172
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• 2002

유방암세포는 여러 종류의 성장인자 수용체를 가지며, 이를 통해 성장신호를 전달한다. 따라서, 이러한 수용체들의 신호전달 경로에 있는 공통적인 2차전달자들의 조절기작을 밝히는 것이 중요하다. 이 연구는 MCF-7 cell에 있어서, 에스트로젠과 TGF-$\alpha$ , EGF와 같은 성장인자의 mitogenic signal을 전달하는 second messenger에 폴리아민이 어떤 영향을 미치는지, 또 membrane-associated proteins의 인산화에 폴리아민이 어떤 조절기작을 가지는지를 알아보고자 한다. 폴리아민 생합성 억제제인 DFMO는 154, 134, 116, 104 kDa의 membrane-associated proteins의 인산화를 억제하였고, DFMO에 의해 억제된 단백질 인산화는 폴리아민 첨가로 다시 회복 되었다. $E_2$, TGF-$\alpha$, EGF, DFMO는 모두 단백질의 타이로신 인산화에는 크게 영향을 미치지 않았으나, 처리해준 폴리아민에 의해 154, 134, 116 kDa의 단백질의 타이로신 인산화는 급격히 증가하였다. 또한 $E_2$, TGF-$\alpha$, EGF는 모두 같은 단백질에서 유사하게 인산화를 유도하였다. 이러한 결과로 볼 때, $E_2$와 TGF-$\alpha$, EGF와 같은 성장촉진인자의 signaling pathway는 154, 134, 116, 104 kDa 단백질을 기질로 하는 여러 가지 다양한 종류의 protein kinase를 통해서 서로 cross-talk하고 있으며, 폴리아민은 154, 134, 116, 104 kDa와 같은 여러 가지 membrane-associated proteins의 인산화를 조절함으로서 이러한 cross-talk pathway에 관여하고 있는 것으로 사려된다.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.77-82
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• 2012

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an important cellular fuel sensor. Its activation requires phosphorylation at Thr-172, which resides in the activation loop of the ${\alpha}1$ and ${\alpha}2$ subunits. Several AMPK upstream kinases are capable of phosphorylating AMPK at Thr-172, including LKB1 and CaMKK${\beta}$ ($Ca^{2+}$/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase${\beta}$). AMPK has been implicated in the regulation of physiological signals, such as in the inhibition of cholesterol fatty acid, and protein synthesis, and enhancement of glucose uptake and blood flow. AMPK activation also exhibits several salutary effects on the vascular function and improves vascular abnormalities. AMPK is modulated by numerous hormones and cytokines that regulate the energy balance in the whole body. These hormone and cytokines include leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin, and even thyroid hormones. Moreover, AMPK is activated by several drugs and xenobiotics. Some of these are in being clinically used to treat type 2 diabetes (e.g., metformin and thiazolidinediones), hypertension (e.g., nifedipine and losartan), and impaired blood flow (e.g., aspirin, statins, and cilostazol). I reviewed the precise mechanisms of the AMPK activation pathway and AMPK-modulating drugs.

• 한국조리학회지
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.24-30
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• 2018

This study investigated the quality of characteristics of high-protein RTD coffee using domestic and imported skim milk powder with different heat treatment. Skim milk powders (A, B) had high-heat treatment, C had medium-heat, and D and E had low-heat treatment. The transmittance of A and B were higher than that of C, and that of C were higher than that of D and E (p<0.05). The precipitate attached on bottom of container of RTD coffee using A and B were 2.993~3.053% and higher than those (0.753~0.803%) of RTD coffee using C, D and E (p<0.05), but there was no difference between those of RTD coffee using C, D and E (p<0.05). The centrifuged precipitate of RTD coffee using A and B were 1.987~2.040% and higher than those (0.820~0.830%) of RTD coffee using C, D and E (p<0.05), but there was no difference between those of RTD coffee using C, D and E (p<0.05). The proximate composition of precipitate attached on bottom of container of RTD coffee using A, which showed the highest amount of precipitate, showed 65.7% of carbohydrate, 19.0% of protein, 4.8% of fat and 4.8% of ash in dry basis, that of RTD coffee being 72.7%, 15.1%, 7.9% and 4.3% in dry basis respectively. Protein and fat content of precipitate were lower and protein and ash content were higher than those of RTD coffee. But seeing that the most increased portion was protein, precipitation of RTD coffee appears to be attributed to heat-denatured proteins.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.47-56
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• 2021

Plants protect against viruses through passive and active resistance mechanisms, and in most cases characterized thus far, natural recessive resistance to potyviruses has been mapped to mutations in the eukaryotic initiation factor eIF4E or eIF(iso)4E genes. Five eIF4E copies and three eIF(iso)4E copies were detected in Brassica rapa. The eIF4E and eIF(iso)4E genes could interact with turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) viral protein linked to the genome (VPg) to initiate virus translation. From the yeast two-hybrid system (Y2H) and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays, the TuMV-CHN2/CHN3 VPgs could not interact with BraA.eIF4E.a/c or BraA.eIF(iso)4E.c, but they could interact with BraA.eIF(iso)4E.a in B. rapa. Further analysis indicated that the amino acid substitution L186F (nt T556C) in TuMV-UK1 VPg was important for the interaction networks between the TuMV VPg and eIF(iso)4E proteins. An interaction model of the BraA. eIF(iso)4E protein with TuMV VPg was constructed to infer the effect of the significant amino acids on the interaction of TuMV VPgs-eIF(iso)4Es, particularly whether the L186F in TuMV-UK1 VPg could change the structure of the TuMV-UK1 VPg protein, which may terminate the interaction of the BraA.eIF(iso)4E and TuMV VPg protein. This study provides new insights into the interactions between plant viruses and translation initiation factors to reveal the working of key amino acids.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.377-388
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• 1998

목적 : 방사선조사에 의한 apoptosis에서 나타나는 각종 세포주기관련 유전자들의 발현 양상을 RNA와 단백 수준에서 분석하여 방사선조사에 의한 apoptosis에서의 세포주기 조절의 변화를 규명함으로서 방사선치료의 기전에 대한 분자생물학적 이해를 도모하고자 본 연구를 시행하였다. 대상 및 방법 : promyelocytic leukemia 세포주인 HL60 세포주를 배양하여 선형가속기(6MV X-선)로 세포에 8Gy의 방사선을 조사하였다. 조사후 다양한 시간 간격으로 Apoptotic DNA Fragmentation Assay법을 이용하여 apoptosis를 확인하고 동시에 세포주기관련 유전자들(cyclinA, cyclin B, cyclin C, cyclin Dl, cyclin E, cdc2, CDK2, CDK4, $p16^{INK4a}$, $p21^{WAF1}$, $p27^{KIP1}$, E2F, PCNA와 Rb)을 단백질과 RNA 수준에서 분석하기위해 western blot analysis와 반정량적 RT-PCR을 시행하였다. 결과: 8 Gy의 방사선 조사에 의해 HL60세포에서 apoptosis가 관찰 되었다. 방사선 조사군에서 cyclin A단백은 조사후 48시간까지 시간이 갈수록 증가하였으며, cyclin E, E2F, CDK2 및 Rb 단백은 증가되었다가 다시 감소를 보였다. Rb단백의 증가는 대부분 비활성형인 ppRb (phosphorylated Rb protein)의 양적변화에 의한 것이었다. cyclin Dl, PCNA, COC2, CDK4, $p16^{INK4a}$단백은 발현의 차이를 보이지 않았으며 $p21^{WAF1}$과 $p27^{KIP1}$ 단백은 검출되지 않았다. cyclin A, B, C mRNA는 방사선 조사 직후 감소하였다가 12시간부터 발현이 증가되었으며 cyclin Dl mRNA는 조사후 바로 증가하여 48시간에 다시 감소하였다. cyclin E mRNA는 조사 후 시간이 경과함에 따라 감소하였다. CDK2 mRNA는 3시간째는 감소하다가 6시간부터 많은 증가를 보였으며 CDK4 mRNA는 조사후 6-12시간에 급격한 발현증가를 보였다. $p16^{INK4a}$ RNA는 발현의 변화가 없었으며, $p21^{WAF1}$ 및 $p27^{KIP1}$ RNA의 발현은 관찰되지 않았다. 결론 : 이상의 결과로 미루어볼 때, 방사선 조사에 의한 HL60세포의 apoptosis와 세포의 Gl/S transition는 밀접한 관계가 있는 것으로 생각되며 Rb단백의 증가와 활성형 Rb단백의 감소 현상도 관련이 있는 것으로 사료된다. 이는 E2F의 비정상적인 과발현 및 cyclin E/CDK2의 발현 증가와 관련이 있는 것으로 추측된다. 또한 $p21^{WAF1}$ 및 $p27^{KIP1}$는 방사선에 의한 apoptosis에는 관여되지 않는 것으로 사료된다.

• 산업식품공학
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.138-142
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• 2017

소금의 과량 섭취가 성인병, 생활습관병 등 여러 건강상에 문제가 있다는 보고에 의해 이를 해결하기 위한 다양한 연구가 진행되고 있다. 우리나라도 전통적인 식생활 습관에 의해 많은 소금을 섭취하고 있어 이를 개선하기 위한 범국가적으로 노력하고 있다. 최근 콩단백질을 활용한 우리나라의 발효 식품인 간장 등이 짠맛을 증진한다는 보고가 있어 이에 대한 연구가 활발히 이루어지고 있다. 본 연구에서는 간장의 주원료인 콩단백질을 가수분해하여 얻어진 효소가수분해(eHISP)의 짠맛 증진 효과에 대해 살펴보았다. 동일한 소금농도의 용액에 eHISP의 첨가량을 달리하였을 때 첨가량이 증가할수록 짠맛 증진효과도 증가하여, 50 mmol/L의 용액에 2%의 eHISP를 첨가하였을 경우 $70.13%{\pm}5.45%$의 짠맛 강도를 인지하였으며, 용액의 소금농도가 낮을수록 eHISP의 첨가에 따른 짠맛 증진효과가 더 크게 나타났다. 이러한 짠맛 증진효과는 콩단백질의 주요 아미노산 성분인 glutamic acid, aspartic acid와 효소가 수분해에 포함되어 있는 arginyl dipeptide와 같은 저분자량의 펩타이드 등의 상호작용에 의한 것으로 보인다. 0.1%에서 2%까지 eHISP의 첨가량을 달리하였을 경우 최소 2%에서 최대 39%의 짠맛 증진 효과를 나타내어 분리대두단백질의 효소가수분해물이 짠맛 증진물질로서 활용 가능성이 있는 것으로 판단된다.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.41-50
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• 2008

Purpose: Bone morphogenetic protein-2(BMP-2) has been shown to possess significant osteoinducitve potential. There have been attempts to overcome a limitation of mass production, and economical efficiency of BMP. The aim of this study was to produce recombinant human BMP-2(rhBMP-2) from E. coli in a large scale and evaluate its biological activity. Materials and Methods: The E.coli strain BL21(DE3) was used as a host for rhBMP-2 production. Dimerized rhBMP-2 was purified by affinity chromatography using Heparin column. To determine the physicochemical properties of the rhBMP-2 expressed in E. coli, we examined the HPLC profile and performed Western blot analysis. The effect of the purified rhBMP-2 dimer on osteoblast differentiation was examined by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and representing morphological change using C2C12 cell. Results: E. coli was genetically engineered to produce rhBMP-2 in a non-active aggregated form. We have established a method which involves refolding and purifying a folded rhBMP-2 dimer from non-active aggregates. The purified rhBMP-2 homodimer was characterized by SDS-PAGE as molecular weight of about 28kDa and eluted at 34% acetonitrile, 13.27 min(retention time) in the HPLC profile and detected at Western blot. The purified rhBMP-2 dimer stimulated ALP activity and induced the transformation from myogenic differentiation to osteogenic differentiation. Conclusion: rhBMP-2 was produced in E. coli using genetic engineering. The purified rhBMP-2 dimer stimulated ALP activity and induced the osteogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.60-67
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• 2015

The leading cause of cancer mortality globally amongst the women is due to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. There is need to explore anti-cancerous drugs against this life-threatening infection. Traditionally, different natural compounds such as withaferin A, artemisinin, ursolic acid, ferulic acid, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, berberin, resveratrol, jaceosidin, curcumin, gingerol, indol-3-carbinol, and silymarin have been used as hopeful source of cancer treatment. These natural inhibitors have been shown to block HPV infection by different researchers. In the present study, we explored these natural compounds against E6 oncoprotein of high risk HPV18, which is known to inactivate tumor suppressor p53 protein. E6, a high throughput protein model of HPV18, was predicted to anticipate the interaction mechanism of E6 oncoprotein with these natural inhibitors using structure-based drug designing approach. Docking analysis showed the interaction of these natural inhibitors with p53 binding site of E6 protein residues 108-117 (CQKPLNPAEK) and help reinstatement of normal p53 functioning. Further, docking analysis besides helping in silico validations of natural compounds also helped elucidating the molecular mechanism of inhibition of HPV oncoproteins.