• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.490-496
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• 1996

Naphtodianthrone hypericin produced a potent antitumor activity in vitro against several tumor cells. However, it did not show any cytotoxicity on normal cells such as Macaccus rheus monkey kidney cells (MA-104) and primary cultured rat hepatocytes up to $500{\mu}M$ concentration. Hypericin added to A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cell membrane inhibited the autophosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and the tyrosine phosphorylation of RR-SRC peptide catalyzed by an EGF-receptor. Similarly, treatment of the A431 cells with hypericin inhibited the tyrosine phosphorylation of EGF-dependent endogenous EGF-receptor by western blotting analysis. Hypericin also inhibited the T cell PTK, $P56^{lck}$, in a dose-dependent fashion with an $IC_{50}=5{\mu}M$. The tyrosine phosphorylation, on RR-SRC peptide and EGF-induced receptor autophosphorylation, either in vitro or in intact cells was inhibited by hypericin at the same concentration as that in A431 cell proliferation. These data suggest that hypericin directly inhibits EGF-receptor and $P56^{lck}$ PTK activity in vitro and can mediate such action in vivo.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.463-468
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• 2002

We have previously reported on the identification of the endogenous transmethylation inhibitor oligosaccharide-linked acyl carrier protein (O-ACP), In this study, the role of the transmethylation reaction on cell cycle progression was evaluated using various transmethylase inhibitors, including O-ACP. O-ACP significantly inhibited the growth of various cancer cell lines, including NIH3T3, ras-transformed NIH3T3, MDA-MB-231, HT-1376, and AGS. In addition, exposure of ras-transformed NIH3T3 to O-ACP caused cell cycle arrest at the $G_0/G_1$ phase, which led to a decrease in cells at the S phase, as determined by flow cytometry. In contrast, transmethylase inhibitors did not affect the expression of $p21^{WAF1/Cip1}$, a well known inhibitor of cyclin dependent kinase, indicating that the cell cycle arrest by transmethylase inhibitors might be mediated by a $p21^{WAF1/Cip1}$-independent mechanism. Therefore, O-ACP, a novel transmethylase inhibitor, could be a useful tool for elucidating the novel role of methylation in cell proliferation and cell cycle progression.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1855-1866
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• 2017

The synergistic activation mediator (SAM) system can robustly activate endogenous gene expression by a single-guide RNA. This transcriptional modulation has been shown to enhance gene promoter activity and leads to epigenetic changes. Human $interferon-{\gamma}$ is a common natural glycoprotein involved in antiviral effects and inhibition of cancer cell growth. Large quantities of high-purity $interferon-{\gamma}$ are important for medical research and clinical therapy. To investigate the possibility of employing the SAM system to enhance endogenous human $interferon-{\gamma}$ with normal function in innate immunity, we designed 10 single-guide RNAs that target 200 bp upstream of the transcription start sites of the $interferon-{\gamma}$ genome, which could significantly activate the $interferon-{\gamma}$ promoter reporter. We confirmed that the system can effectively and highly activate $interferon-{\gamma}$ expression in several humanized cell lines. Moreover, we found that the $interferon-{\gamma}$ induced by the SAM system could inhibit tumorigenesis. Taken together, our results reveal that the SAM system can modulate epigenetic traits of non-immune cells through activating $interferon-{\gamma}$ expression and triggering JAK-STAT signaling pathways. Thus, this strategy could offer a novel approach to inhibit tumorigenesis without using exogenous $interferon-{\gamma}$.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.794-800
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• 2004

Deer Antler has been known for its traditional oriental medicinal properties and has been widely used to promote growth, boost immune function, treat blood loss and chronic joint pain. Recent study showed imported (New Zealand) Deer Antler was beneficial in reducing the side effects of cancer treatments. However, there was no intervention study conducted on the effect of Korean Deer Antler on reducing the oxidative stress to patients with diabetes. One of the sensitive ways to measure endogenous oxidative stress is by measuring cellular DNA damage using single cell gel electrophoresis (COMET assay). This study was conducted to investigate the possible beneficial effect of commercial Deer Antler drink (provided by Chung-yang Deer Farm) on lymphocyte DNA damage and blood glucose of diabetic patients. Ten patients (4 men, 6 women) participated in the study and consumed 2 pouches of Deer Antler drink every day for 20 days. Blood was collected on the morning before and after the intervention for lymphocyte isolation and blood glucose analysis. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure showed a tendency to decrease but did not reach statistical significance after the trial. Blood glucose level was not affected by the supplementation. After the intervention, over 50% reduction were noted in the cellular DNA damage, expressed as tail length (TL) and tail moment (TM: tail length ${\times}$ percent tail DNA) . Although we did not obtain beneficial effect on lowering blood glucose levels in the patients, this results suggest that Deer Antler may initially act in protecting endogenous DNA damage in short-term experiment.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1597-1606
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• 2020

Transcription factor engineering to regulate multiple genes has shown promise in the field of microalgae genetic engineering. Here, we report the first use of transcription factor engineering in Chlorella sp. HS2, thought to have potential for producing biofuels and bioproducts. We identified seven endogenous bZIP transcription factors in Chlorella sp. HS2 and named them HSbZIP1 through HSbZIP7. We overexpressed HSbZIP1, a C-type bZIP transcription factor, in Chlorella sp. HS2 with the goal of enhancing lipid production. Phenotype screening under heterotrophic conditions showed that all transformants exhibited increased fatty acid production. In particular, HSbZIP1 37 and 58 showed fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) yields of 859 and 1,052 mg/l, respectively, at day 10 of growth under heterotrophic conditions, and these yields were 74% and 113% higher, respectively, than that of WT. To elucidate the mechanism underlying the improved phenotypes, we identified candidate HSbZIP1-regulated genes via transcription factor binding site analysis. We then selected three genes involved in fatty acid synthesis and investigated mRNA expression levels of the genes by qRT-PCR. The result revealed that the possible HSbZIP1-regulated genes involved in fatty acid synthesis were upregulated in the HSbZIP1 transformants. Taken together, our results demonstrate that HSbZIP1 can be utilized to improve lipid production in Chlorella sp. HS2 under heterotrophic conditions.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.265-271
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• 2018

We investigated the effect of paclobutrazol (PB) and prohexadione-Ca (PC) on seed yield, and the content of oils and endogenous gibberellin in flax grown in a greenhouse. Flax seedlings were cultivated in a greenhouse with average ambient temperature ranging from $35^{\circ}C$ to $38^{\circ}C$ during the growing period, and then PB and PC were applied on the leaves. The height of flax plants was reduced significantly by the foliar application of PB and PC. The highest ripening seed rate recorded was 94.5% with 2000 ppm PC; a 10.3% increase compared with that of the control. Both PB and PC markedly increased the fructification of flax seed. The application of two plant growth retardants resulted in higher seed production in flax seedlings grown in open field than in those grown in a greenhouse. The highest oil content was observed in flax treated with PC, whereas, the lowest oil content was observed in flax treated with PB. The oil content and ratio of unsaturated fatty acids were higher in flax seedlings grown in greenhouse than in those grown in open field. The level of two endogenous bioactive gibberellins ($GA_1$ and $GA_4$) in flax seeds decreased with the application of PB and PC. The flax plants treated with PB and PC presented higher secoisolariciresinol diglucoside content than that of the control. The optimal concentration of PC was found to be 2000 ppm. In conclusion, the foliar application of 2000 ppm PC might be useful in increasing oil content and seed production in flax plants.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.153-153
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• 2017

Potato (Solanum tubersosum L.) is susceptible to various environmental stresses such as frost, high temperature, and drought. Enhancement of potato drought tolerance can reduce yield loss under drought that has negative effect on potato tuber growth. Genetic engineering can be utilized to achieve this goal, but such approaches using endogenous potato genes have rarely been applied. Since unpredictable global weather changes cause more severe and frequent water limiting conditions, improvement of potato drought tolerance can minimize such adverse effects under drought and can impact on sustainable potato production. Genetic engineering can be utilized to improve potato drought tolerance, but such approaches using endogenous potato genes have rarely been applied. We were obtained AtbZIP28 gene transgenic potato plants. It is identified transcript levels at various stress conditions, polyethylene glycol (PEG), NaCl, abscisic ${\underline{acid}}$ (ABA). Also, For identification to regulate ER stress response genes in AtbZIP28 gene transgenic potato plant, we screened seven potato genes from RNA-seq analysis under TM treatment. Five and two genes were up- and down-regulated by TM, respectively. Their expression patterns were re-examined at stress agents known to elicit TM, DTT, DMSO and salt stress.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Sciences Society Conference
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• 2002.05b
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• pp.468-471
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• 2002

The present study was undertaken to Investigate the effects of low temperature and salicylic acid (SA) on chilling tolerance In acclimated and nonacclimated cucumber seedlings. Acclimation significantly affected survival and shoot dry weights. Injuries of acclimated seedlings at the third leaf stage were on the average smaller by half than those of the nonacclimated ones. Chilling caused a large increase in free proline levels, regardless of acclimation status. Exogenous treatment with SA resulted in improvement in growth and survival of acclimated, chilled seedlings, indicating SA and acclimation have common effects. Cycloheximide treatment In the presence of SA restored acclimation-induced chilling tolerance. An elevated proline level was observed in cold-treated and SA- treated plants and the level was more pronounced in the light than in the dark at chilled temperature, indicating that endogenous proline may play a role in chilling tolerance.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.14-18
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• 1976

Inhibition of flowering in Lemna perpusilla 6746 by 30 mM sucrose was reversed by the addition of acetylcholine (>$10^{-4}M) supplemented with 10^{-4}M$ ascorbic acid to 1/10-strength Hunter's growth medium. The reversible effect of acetylcholine was found to be greater at early stages of flowering than in the later period. Promotive effects of both acetylcholine ($10^{-3}M) and eserine(10^{-5}M$) on flowering in the short-day plant under various photoperiodic conditions were studied. It was indicated that the application decreased length of the critical dark period for the floral induction, and it was also shown that the endogenous status of acetylcholine was involved in the floral response which had a correlation with phytochrome. Interruption of inductive dark periods by red irradiation (1min) immediately followed by far-red light (1 min) completely inhibited flowering, while the addition of acetylcholine and eserine to the medium under the same condition slightly promoted flowering, indicating possible involvement of phytochrome system in acetylcholine activity for photoperiodic sensitivity of floral response in Lemna perpusilla 6746.

• Proceedings of the Safety Management and Science Conference
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• 2009.04a
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• pp.337-350
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• 2009

Using the Malmquist productivity index, this paper compares the productivity of Korean manufacturing industries from 1999 to 2006. The malmquist productivity index has more advantages than previous methods such as solow model, endogenous growth theory. The malmquist productivity index can be decomposed productivity into two parts. The first part is an index of the technical efficiency change. This index has high value when the elements of production is used more efficiently. The second part is an index of technical change. This index has high value if the advent of new technology and process innovation occur.