• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제45권3호
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• pp.273-278
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• 2018

We performed an analysis of the effect of postharvest treatment of rhizomes of Aconitum septentrionale Koelle with the biological preparation of Bacispecin based on a cytokinin producing strain of Paenibacillus ehimensis IB-739 on the content of alkaloid lappaconitine in rhizomes. The total alkaloid content was assayed based on exhaustive extraction method. The lappaconitine content was measured by HPLC. The efficiency of the preparation was dependant on either the concentration or intensity of the growth processes in rhizomes. Both parameters varied depending on the stage of development of plants and the amount of precipitation. In the years with normal precipitation, concentrations of Bacispecin ranging from 5 to 10 g/l were found to be most effective for increasing lappaconitine content in rhizomes of A. septentrionale. Whereas, under local drought conditions, the concentration of preparation should be less than 2 g/l.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제19권10호
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• pp.1508-1513
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• 2006

Myostatin (MSTN) and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are a known inhibitor and stimulators of proliferation and differentiation of muscle cells, respectively. The present study was performed to investigate the relationship of MSTN-induced growth inhibition to expression of the IGF system components and myogenin, a muscle cell-specific transcription factor, in rat L6 myoblasts. The L6 cells transfected with a green fluorescent protein-MSTN plasmid expression construct had a 47% less cell number than mock-transfected cells after 3-d serum-free culture, accompanied by delayed differentiation which was suggested by inhibited aggregation of cells. Moreover, cells transfected with the expression construct had decreased expression of IGF-II and myogenin genes, but not IGF-I or its receptor genes, as examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The reduced mitosis of the L6 cells transfected with the MSTN-expression construct increased following an addition of either IGF-I or IGF-II to the culture medium, but not to the level of mock-transfected cells. By contrast, myogenin gene expression in these cells increased after the addition of either IGF to the level of mock-transfected cells. Collectively, these results suggest that the inhibitory effect of MSTN on L6 cell proliferation and differentiation is likely to be partly mediated by serially suppressed expression of IGF-II and myogenin genes, not IGF-I gene.

• BMB Reports
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• 제55권12호
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• pp.633-638
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• 2022

Liver regeneration is a well-known systemic homeostatic phenomenon. The N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) modification pathway has been associated with liver regeneration and hepatocellular carcinoma. m⁶A methyltransferases, such as methyltransferase 3 (METTL3) and methyltransferase 14 (METTL14), are involved in the hepatocyte-specific-regenerative pathway. To illustrate the role of METTL14, secreted from non-parenchymal liver cells, in the initiation phase of liver regeneration, we performed 70% partial hepatectomy (PH) in Mettl14 heterozygous (HET) and wild-type (WT) mice. Next, we analyzed the ratio of liver weight to body weight and the expression of mitogenic stimulators derived from non-parenchymal liver cells. Furthermore, we evaluated the expression of cell cycle-related genes and the hepatocyte proliferation rate via MKI67-immunostaining. During regeneration after PH, the weight ratio was lower in Mettl14 HET mice compared to WT mice. The expressions of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, mitogens derived from non-parenchymal liver cells that stimulate the cell cycle, as well as the expressions of cyclin B1 and D1, which regulate the cell cycle, and the number of MKI67-positive cells, which indicate proliferative hepatocyte in the late G1-M phase, were significantly reduced in Mettl14 HET mice 72 h after PH. Our findings demonstrate that global Mettl14 mutation may interrupt the homeostasis of liver regeneration after an acute injury like PH by restraining certain mitogens, such as HGF and TNF-α, derived from sinusoidal endothelial cells, stellate cells, and Kupffer cells. These results provide new insights into the role of METTL14 in the clinical treatment strategies of liver disease.

• 한국초지조사료학회지
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.175-179
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• 2018

Humic substances that can be obtained from coal resources such as leonardite in a bulk scale have been employed as crop stimulators and soil conditioners. The polymeric organics containing a variety of aromatic and aliphatic structures are known to activate plants in a multifunctional way, thus resulting in enhanced germination rate and abiotic stress resistance concomitant with induction of numerous genes and proteins. Although detailed structural-functional relationship of humic substances for plant stimulations has not been deciphered yet, cutting-edge analytical tools have unraveled critical features of humic architectures that could be linked to the action mechanisms of their plant stimulations. In this review article, we introduce key findings of humic structures and related biological functions that boost plant growth and abiotic stress resistance. Oxygen-based functional groups and plant hormone-like structures combined with labile and recalcitrant carbon backbones are believed to be critical moieties to induce plant stimulations. Some proteins such as HIGH-AFFINITY $K^+$ TRANSPORTER 1, phospholipase A2 and $H^+$-ATPase have been also recognized as key players that could be critically involved in humic substance-driven changes in plant physiology.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제78권3호
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• pp.210-217
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• 2015

Background: Adenophora triphylla var. japonica is empirically used for controlling airway inflammatory diseases in folk medicine. We evaluated the gene expression and production of mucin from airway epithelial cells in response to lupenone, lupeol and taraxerol derived from Adenophora triphylla var. japonica. Methods: Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with lupenone, lupeol or taraxerol for 30 minutes and then stimulated with tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) for 24 hours. The MUC5AC mucin gene expression and production were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Additionally, we examined whether lupenone, lupeol or taraxerol affects MUC5AC mucin production induced by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), the other 2 stimulators of airway mucin production. Results: Lupenone, lupeol, and taraxerol inhibited the gene expression and production of MUC5AC mucin induced by TNF-${\alpha}$ from NCI-H292 cells, respectively. The 3 compounds inhibited the EGF or PMA-induced production of MUC5AC mucin in NCI-H292 cells. Conclusion: These results indicated that lupenone, lupeol and taraxerol derived from Adenophora triphylla var. japonica regulates the production and gene expression of mucin, by directly acting on airway epithelial cells. In addition, the results partly explain the mechanism of of Adenophora triphylla var. japonica as a traditional remedy for diverse inflammatory pulmonary diseases.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제27권9호
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• pp.1059-1063
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• 2017

혈관신생과정은 종양 형성과 이동에 필수적인 과정으로 촉진제와 저해제에 의하여 조절되며, 이러한 혈관신생과정의 저해는 새로운 항암치료 기법으로 이용하고 있다. 최근, 한약재와 식료품으로부터 추출한 천연물을 새로운 치료 물질로 널리 이용하고 있으며, 실제 in vitro 뿐만 아니라 in vivo 상에서도 항암 효과가 나타나는 것을 확인하였다. 그 중 도라지는 아시아에서 한약재와 식료품으로 오랫동안 사용 되어왔다. 본 연구에서는 도라지 추출물이 in vitro 상에서 인간 제대 정맥 내피 세포의 혈관신생을 억제하는 효과에 대해 조사하였다. 도라지 추출물은 세포독성 없이, 혈관 형성 및 이동, 침윤 현상을 모두 억제하는 효과를 보였다. 특히, 세포 이동은 80% 정도 감소 시켰으며 침윤 현상이 거의 나타나지 않는 것을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과를 토대로 도라지 추출물은 혈관신생 억제제로 이용할 수 있으며, 더 나아가 항암제로 개발될 수 있을 것이라 사료된다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.482-489
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• 2021

Background: Asthma is an incurable hyper-responsive disease of the pulmonary system that is caused by various allergens, including indoor and outdoor stimulators. According to the Global Asthma Network, 339 million people suffered from asthma in 2018, with particularly severe forms in children. Numerous treatments for asthma are available; however, they are frequently associated with adverse effects such as growth retardation, neurological disorders (e.g., catatonia, poor concentration, and insomnia), and physiological disorders (e.g., immunosuppression, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and osteoporosis). Methods: Korean Red Ginseng has long been used to treat numerous diseases in many countries, and we investigated the anti-asthmatic effects and mechanisms of action of Korean Red Ginseng. Eighty-four BALB/c mice were assigned to 6 treatment groups: control, ovalbumin-induced asthma group, dexamethasone treatment group, and 3 groups treated with Korean Red Ginseng water extract (KRGWE) at 5, 25, or 50 mg/kg/day for 5 days. Anti-asthmatic effects of KRGWE were assessed based on biological changes, such as white blood cell counts and differential counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, serum IgE levels, and histopathological changes in the lungs, and by examining anti-asthmatic mechanisms, such as the cytokines associated with Th1, Th2, and Treg cells and inflammation pathways. Results: KRGWE affected ovalbumin-induced changes, such as increased white blood cell counts, increased IgE levels, and morphological changes (mucous hypersecretion, epithelial cell hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration) by downregulating cytokines such as IL-12, IL-4, and IL-6 via GATA-3 inactivation and suppression of inflammation via NF-κB/COX-2 and PGE₂ pathways. Conclusion: KRGWE is a promising drug for asthma treatment.

• 대한치과교정학회지
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.627-640
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• 1998

골 성장 및 개조에 관여하는 전신적 조절인자인 $1,25-(OH)_2D_3$와 국소적 조절인자인 $TGF-{\beta}$가 사람의 치주인대세포 기능에 미치는 영향을 관찰하고자 그 인자들을 단독 혹은 복합적으로 치주인대세포에 가하여 그 활성 변화를 측정하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1. 10ng/m1 농도의 vitamin $D_3$를 치주인대세포에 가한 후 배양 1, 2, 3일째의 활성은 대조군과 차이가 없었으나, 50ng/ml 농도로 가한 후 배양 3째일에는 대조군에 비해 유의하게 증가하였으며, 100ng/m1 농도에서는 배양 1, 2, 3일째에 유의하게 증가하였다. 2. 0.1ng/ml 농도의 $TGF-{\beta}$를 치주인대세포에 가한 후 배양 1, 2, 3일째의 활성은 대조군과 유의한 차이가 없었으나, 1ng/ml나 5ng/ml농도의 $TGF-{\beta}$를 가한 경우 배양 3일째에 유의하게 증가되었으며 10ng/ml농도의 경우에는 배양 2, 3일째에 유의하게 증가하였다. 3. 1ng/ml 농도의 $TGF-{\beta}$와 다양한 농도의 vitamin $D_3$를 혼합투여한 경우, 100ng/m1 농도의 vitamin $D_3$로 배양 3일째에 유의한 활성 증가를 볼 수 있었다. 4. 5ng/ml 농도의 $TGF-{\beta}$와 다양한 농도의 vitamin $D_3$를 혼합투여한 경우, 10, 50, 100ng/m1의 vitamin $D_3$에서 공히 배양 2일째부터 유의한 활성 증가를 보였으나 10ng/ml에서는 배양 3일째에 그 활성이 유지되지 못하였다. 5. 10ng/ml농도의 $TGF-{\beta}$와 다양한 농도의 vitamin $D_3$를 혼합투여한 경우, 50ng/ml의 vitamin $D_3$에서는 배양 2일째부터 100ng/m1의 vitamin $D_3$에서는 1일째부터 유의한 활성 증가를 보였다.