• Development and Reproduction
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.299-309
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• 2013

Transforming growth factor (TGF) family is well known to induce the chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). However, the precise signal transduction pathways and underlying factors are not well known. Thus the present study aims to evaluate the possible role of C2 domain in the chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells. To this end, 145 C2 domains in the adenovirus were individually transfected to hMSC, and morphological changes were examined. Among 145 C2 domains, C2 domain of protein kinase C eta ($PKC{\eta}$) was selected as a possible chondrogenic differentiation factor for hMSC. To confirm this possibility, we treated $TGF{\beta}3$, a well known chondrogenic differentiation factor of hMSC, and examined the increased-expression of glycosaminoglycan (GAG), collagen type II (COL II) as well as $PKC{\eta}$ using PT-PCR, immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis. To further evaluation of C2 domain of $PKC{\eta}$, we examined morphological changes, expressions of GAG and COL II after transfection of $PKC{\eta}$-C2 domain in hMSC. Overexpression of $PKC{\eta}$-C2 domain induced morphological change and increased GAG and COL II expressions. The present results demonstrate that $PKC{\eta}$ involves in the TGF-${\beta}3$-induced chondrogenic differentiation of hMSC, and C2 domain of $PKC{\eta}$ has important role in this process.

• BMB Reports
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• v.54 no.11
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• pp.551-556
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• 2021

In this study, we investigated how Staufen1 influences the HIV-1 production. The overexpression of Staufen1 increased virus production without any negative affect on the viral infectivity. This increase was not caused by transcriptional activation; but by influencing post-transcriptional steps. Using multiple Gag protein derivatives, we confirmed that the zinc-finger domains of the HIV-1 nucleocapsid (NC) are important for its interaction with Staufen1. We also found that Staufen1 colocalized in stress granules with the mature form of the HIV-1 NC protein.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.1716-1722
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• 2018

Immunosuppressive drugs are used to make the body less likely to reject transplanted organs or to treat autoimmune diseases. In this study, five immunosuppressive drugs including two glucocorticoids (dexamethasone and prednisolone), one calcineurin inhibitor (cyclosporin A), one non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (aspirin), and one antimetabolite (methotrexate) were tested for their effects on viral proliferation using feline foamy virus (FFV). The five drugs had different cytotoxic effects on the Crandell-Ress feline kidney (CRFK) cells, the natural host cell of FFV. Dexamethasone-pretreated CRFK cells were susceptible to FFV infection, but pretreatment with prednisolone, cyclosporin A, aspirin, and methotrexate showed obvious inhibitory effects on FFV proliferation, by reducing viral production to 29.8-83.8% of that of an untreated control. These results were supported by western blot, which detected viral Gag structural protein in the infected cell lysate. As our results showed a correlation between immunosuppressive drugs and susceptibility to viral infections, it is proposed that immune-compromised individuals who are using immune-suppressive drugs may be especially vulnerable to viral infection originated from pets.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.634-641
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• 2016

The objective of this research was to investigate the in vivo effects of treatment with mulberry extract complex (MEC) on cartilage degeneration and pain severity in an experimental model of rat degenerative arthritis. Monosodium iodoacetate ($2mg/50{\mu}L$) was injected into right knee joints of rats, followed by administration of MEC for 8 weeks at 400 mg/kg or 800 mg/kg of body weight. The experimental data show that treatment with MEC inhibited degradation of glycosaminoglycan and collagen in cartilage. On the other hand, concentrations of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, C-terminal telopeptide-2, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and MMP-13 in serum decreased in comparison with the control. The MEC at all dose levels could inhibit formation of xylene-induced ear edema. In this study, MEC demonstrated significant anti-arthritis activity, which is required for improvement of degenerative arthritis. Based on these results, MEC may be employed for the development of new health foods to ease symptoms of degenerative arthritis.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.69-76
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• 2008

${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, and its actions are mediated by subtypes of GABA receptors named as $GABA_A$, $GABA_B,\;and\;GABA_C,\;GABA_A$, receptor consisting of ${\alpha},\;{\beta},\;{\gamma}\;and\;{\delta}$ subunits is a heterooligomeric ligand-gated chloride channel. This study was performed to investigate regulation of $GABA_A$ receptor by protein kinase C(PKC). Ion currents were recorded using gramicidine-perforated patch and whole cell patch clamp. mRNA encoding the subunits of PKC expressed in major pelvic ganglion (MPG) neurons was detected by using RT-PCR. The GABA-induced inward current was increased by PKC activators and decreased by PKC inhibitors, respectively. These effects were not associated with intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ and GAG (1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol), a membrane permeable diacylglycerol (DAG) analogue. These results mean that the subfamily of PKC participating in activation of $GABA_A$ receptor would be an atypical PKC (aPKC). Among theses, ${\xi}$ isoform of aPKC was detected by RT-PCR. Taking together, we suggest that excitable $GABA_A$ receptor in sympathetic MPG neuron seemed to be regulated by aPKC, particular in ${\xi}$ isoform. The regulatory roles of PKC on excitatory $GABA_A$ receptors in sympathetic neurons of MPG may be an important factor to control the functional activity of various pelvic organs such as bowel movement, micturition and erection.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.1725-1731
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• 2020

Objective: An initial RNA-Sequencing study revealed that UDP-galactose-4-epimerase (GALE) was one of the most promising candidates for milk protein concentration in Chinese Holstein cattle. This enzyme catalyzes the interconversion of UDP-galactose and UDP-glucose, an important step in galactose catabolism. To further validate the genetic effect of GALE on milk protein traits, genetic variations were identified, and genotypes-phenotypes associations were performed. Methods: The entire coding region and the 5'-regulatory region (5'-UTR) of GALE were re-sequenced using pooled DNA of 17 unrelated sires. Association studies for five milk production traits were performed using a mixed linear animal model with a population encompassing 1,027 Chinese Holstein cows. Results: A total of three variants in GALE were identified, including two novel variants (g.2114 A>G and g.2037 G>A) in the 5'-UTR and one previously reported variant (g.3836 G>C) in an intron. All three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were associated with milk yield (p<0.0001), fat yield (p = 0.0006 to <0.0001), protein yield (p = 0.0232 to <0.0001) and protein percentage (p<0.0001), while no significant associations were detected between the SNPs and fat percentage. A strong linkage disequilibrium (D' = 0.96 to 1.00) was observed among all three SNPs, and a 5 Kb haplotype block involving three main haplotypes with GAG, AGC, and AGG was formed. The results of haplotype association analyses were consistent with the results of single locus association analysis (p<0.0001). The phenotypic variance ratio above 3.00% was observed for milk protein yield that was explained by SNP-g.3836G >C. Conclusion: Overall, our findings provided new insights into the polymorphic variations in bovine GALE gene and their associations with milk protein concentration. The data indicate their potential uses for marker-assisted breeding or genetic selection schemes.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.48-51
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• 2004

The occurrence of polyneuropathy in association with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is quite common. However, reports of MGUS associated cranial neuropathies are rare. A 63 year-old women was presented with diplopia and swallowing difficulty. Neurological examination showed limitation of abduction of right eye, right peripheral facial palsy, decreased hearing and gag reflex, left side deviation of uvula, and decreased DTR. Sensorimotor polyneuropathy were observed with elctrophysiological studies. Protein and immunoelectrophoresis revealed IgG ${\kappa}$monoclonal gammopathy. She was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and steroid, and her symptoms and signs were improved. This case suggested that she had sensorimotor polyneuropathy and multiple cranial neuropathies associated with IgG ${\kappa}$MGUS.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.349-354
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• 1998

The protease produced by Bacillus subtilis YG-95 was purified by precipitating with ammonium sulfate, DEAE-sepharose 6B and Sephadex G-100 column chromatogtaphies and its purified enzymological characteritics were investigated. The molecular weight of purified protease was estimated about 43kilodalton by SDS PAGE The optimum pH and temperature for the purified protease activity were pH 10.0 and $55^{\circ}C$, respectively. The enzyme was stable in broad range of pH 5.0 to 12.0. and at the below $45^{\circ}C$. The purified enzyme activty was inhibited by $Fe^{3+}$ and $Al^{3+}$. The activity was significantly inhibited more than 80% by O-Phenanthroline, PMSF and SDS. The $K_m$ value of the purified enzyme against Soy Protein Isolate as a substrate was 1.28 mg/ml.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.248-252
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• 2015

This study was conducted to compare the growth, inorganic components, and proximate components of Codonopsis lanceolata grown in 10 regions of Korea for selecting superior species and breeding by crossing. Among the all tested lines, the shortest plant height (217.12 cm) was observed from the Ulleungdo region line (No. 4) while the longest (273.9 cm) was observed from Hwasun region line (No. 9). In addition, the lines of central and northern region (No. 1~No. 7) tend to have shorter plant height than those of southern region (No. 8~No. 9) except Jejudo region line (No. 10). Flowering tends to be late towards southern region, and lines in central and northern regions were started flowering about 2 weeks earlier than those in southern regions. However, the heaviest root weight was 13.1 g, found in only Jejudo line (No. 10) whereas there was no significant difference found in the other regions which have a range of 8.3~11.0 g. The inorganic components were varied in each line, however, proportion of macroelements, such as K, Ca, and P, was the largest for every line. Especially for Heongseong region line (No. 2), had larger proportion of macroelements than the others. There was a difference of proximate compositions of Codonopsis lanceolata, except the moisture content, among all regions, however, it was generally shown that the content of crude protein (1.31~3.76%) and crude fiber (2.18~3.12%) was the highest.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.1303-1313
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• 2011

This study was conducted to provide the basic information to allow improved scientific assessment of velvet antler's quality by investigating the change of chemical composition during different antler growth stages in elk (Cervus elaphus canadensis). Twenty four antlers were harvested from elk stags (aged 4-5 years) on 65 days (VA65), 80 days (VA80) and 95 days (VA95) after button casting, and the chemical composition of each antler was determined in five sections (top, upper, middle, base, and bottom). Crude protein and ether extract content was the highest in the top section, whereas ash content was the highest in the bottom section in all groups (p<0.05). Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content was higher in the VA65 group than in the VA95 group in the upper section of antler (p<0.05). The collagen content was higher in the VA65 group compared to the VA95 group in the middle and bottom sections (p<0.05), and increased downward from the top to the bottom section. The proportions of certain amino acids, including aspartic acid, glutamic acid and isoleucine were higher (p<0.05), whereas proline and glycine were lower in the top section of antler compared to all other sections (p<0.05). The proportion of linoleic acid, 11,14,17-eicosatrienoic acid, total ${\omega}$-3 and ${\omega}$-6 fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) for all sections in the VA65 group was higher than in the VA95 group (p<0.05). These results suggested that the quality of velvet antler is strongly influenced by antler development stage.