• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• 제1권3호
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• pp.172-178
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• 2005

[ $21{\alpha}$ ]- and ${\beta}$-Methylmelianodiol were isolated as the inhibitor of IL-5 bioactivity from Poncirus tripoliata. To develope as an anti-septic drug, the genotoxicity of $21{\alpha}\;-and\;{\beta}-methylmelianodiol$ was subjected to high throughput toxicity screening (HTTS) because they revealed strong IL-5 inhibitory activity and limitation of quantity. Mouse lymphoma thymidine kinase ($tk^{+/-}$) gene assay (MOLY), single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assay in mammalian cells and Ames reverse mutation assay in bacterial system were used as simplified, inexpensive, short-term in vitro screening tests in our laboratory. These compounds are not mutagenic in S. typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains both in the presence and absence of metabolic activation. Before performing the comet assay, $IC_{20}$ of $21{\alpha}-methylmelianodiol$ was determined the concentration of $25.51\;{\mu}g/mL\;and\;21.99\;{\mu}g/mL$ with and without S-9, respectively. Also $21{\beta}-methylmelianodiol$ was determined the concentration of $24.15\;{\mu}g/mL\;and\;\;22.46\;{\mu}g/mL$ with and without S-9, respectively. In the comet assay, DNA damage was not observed both $21{\alpha}-methylmelianodiol\;and\;21{\beta}-methylmelianodiol$ in mouse lymphoma cell line. Also, the mutant frequencies in the treated cultures were similar to the vehicle controls, and none of $21{\alpha}\;-and\;{\beta}-methylmelianodiol$ with and without S-9 doses induced a mutant frequency over. twice the background. It is suggests that $21{\alpha}\;-and\;{\beta}-methylmelianodiol$ are non-mutagenic in MOLY assay. The results of this battery of assays indicate that $21{\alpha}\;-and\;{\beta}-methylmelianodiol$ have no genotoxic potential in bacterial or mammalian cell systems. Therefore, we suggest that $21{\alpha}\;-and\;{\beta}-methylmelianodiol$, as the optimal candidates with both no genotoxic potential and IL-5 inhibitory effects must be chosen.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제42권6호
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• pp.480-494
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• 2019

Aggregates of disease-causing proteins dysregulate cellular functions, thereby causing neuronal cell loss in diverse neurodegenerative diseases. Although many in vitro or in vivo studies of protein aggregate inhibitors have been performed, a therapeutic strategy to control aggregate toxicity has not been earnestly pursued, partly due to the limitations of available aggregate models. In this study, we established a tetracycline (Tet)-inducible nuclear aggregate (${\beta}23$) expression model to screen potential lead compounds inhibiting ${\beta}23$-induced toxicity. High-throughput screening identified several natural compounds as nuclear ${\beta}23$ inhibitors, including peucedanocoumarin III (PCIII). Interestingly, PCIII accelerates disaggregation and proteasomal clearance of both nuclear and cytosolic ${\beta}23$ aggregates and protects SH-SY5Y cells from toxicity induced by ${\beta}23$ expression. Of translational relevance, PCIII disassembled fibrils and enhanced clearance of cytosolic and nuclear protein aggregates in cellular models of huntingtin and ${\alpha}$-synuclein aggregation. Moreover, cellular toxicity was diminished with PCIII treatment for polyglutamine (PolyQ)-huntingtin expression and ${\alpha}$-synuclein expression in conjunction with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) treatment. Importantly, PCIII not only inhibited ${\alpha}$-synuclein aggregation but also disaggregated preformed ${\alpha}$-synuclein fibrils in vitro. Taken together, our results suggest that a Tet-Off ${\beta}23$ cell model could serve as a robust platform for screening effective lead compounds inhibiting nuclear or cytosolic protein aggregates. Brain-permeable PCIII or its derivatives could be beneficial for eliminating established protein aggregates.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.552-558
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• 2023

Levulinic acid (LA) is a valuable chemical used in fuel additives, fragrances, and polymers. In this study, we proposed possible biosynthetic pathways for LA production from lignin and poly(ethylene terephthalate). We also created a genetically encoded biosensor responsive to LA, which can be used for screening and evolving the LA biosynthesis pathway genes, by employing an LvaR transcriptional regulator of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 to express a fluorescent reporter gene. The LvaR regulator senses LA as a cognate ligand. The LA biosensor was first examined in an Escherichia coli strain and was found to be non-functional. When the host of the LA biosensor was switched from E. coli to P. putida KT2440, the LA biosensor showed a linear correlation between fluorescence intensity and LA concentration in the range of 0.156-10 mM LA. In addition, we determined that 0.156 mM LA was the limit of LA detection in P. putida KT2440 harboring an LA-responsive biosensor. The maximal fluorescence increase was 12.3-fold in the presence of 10 mM LA compared to that in the absence of LA. The individual cell responses to LA concentrations reflected the population-averaged responses, which enabled high-throughput screening of enzymes and metabolic pathways involved in LA biosynthesis and sustainable production of LA in engineered microbes.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제67권5호
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• pp.510-520
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• 2024

Objective : Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases, characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The treatment of PD aims to alleviate motor symptoms by replacing the reduced endogenous dopamine. Currently, there are no disease-modifying agents for the treatment of PD. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have emerged as an effective tool for new drug discovery and screening in the age of translational research. The neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is known to cause a similar loss of dopaminergic neurons in the human midbrain, with corresponding Parkinsonian symptoms. L-type calcium channels (LTCCs) have been implicated in the generation of mitochondrial oxidative stress, which underlies the pathogenesis of PD. Therefore, we investigated the neuro-restorative effect of LTCC inhibition in an MPTP-induced zebrafish PD model and suggested a possible drug candidate that might modify the progression of PD. Methods : All experiments were conducted using a line of transgenic zebrafish, Tg(dat:EGFP), in which green fluorescent protein (GFP) is expressed in dopaminergic neurons. The experimental groups were exposed to 500 μmol MPTP from 1 to 3 days post fertilization (dpf). The drug candidates : levodopa 1 mmol, nifedipine 10 μmol, nimodipine 3.5 μmol, diethylstilbestrol 0.3 μmol, luteolin 100 μmol, and calcitriol 0.25 μmol were exposed from 3 to 5 dpf. Locomotor activity was assessed by automated tracking and dopaminergic neurons were visualized in vivo by confocal microscopy. Results : Levodopa, nimodipine, diethylstilbestrol, and calcitriol had significant positive effects on the restoration of motor behavior, which was damaged by MPTP. Nimodipine and calcitriol have significant positive effects on the restoration of dopaminergic neurons, which were reduced by MPTP. Through locomotor analysis and dopaminergic neuron quantification, we identified the neuro-restorative effects of nimodipine and calcitriol in zebrafish MPTP-induced PD model. Conclusion : The present study identified the neuro-restorative effects of nimodipine and calcitriol in an MPTP-induced zebrafish model of PD. They restored dopaminergic neurons which were damaged due to the effects of MPTP and normalized the locomotor activity. LTCCs have potential pathological roles in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Zebrafish are highly amenable to high-throughput drug screening and might, therefore, be a useful tool to work towards the identification of disease-modifying treatment for PD. Further studies including zebrafish genetic models to elucidate the mechanism of action of the disease-modifying candidate by investigating Ca2+ influx and mitochondrial function in dopaminergic neurons, are needed to reveal the pathogenesis of PD and develop disease-modifying treatments for PD.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.1200-1206
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• 2015

신약 개발의 주요 표적이 되는 G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR)은 대부분의 생리적 활동에 관여하며 다양한 질병과 질환들에 관련되어 있다. GPCR을 타겟으로 하는 의약개발 연구에서 필수적인 실험방법으로 많이 활용되고 있는 세포기반 스크리닝 기술들은 사용되는 세포의 상태에 따라 데이터의 질이 좌우되는데 최근, 실험에 사용할 세포를 매번 배양하면서 소모되는 비용과 데이터의 변동을 줄이기 위해 냉동보관 세포를 적용하는 추세이다. 이에 본 연구에서는 단일 세포를 많은 양으로 배양하고 냉동 보관한 다음 사용되는 세포의 반응을 최적화하기 위하여 칼슘 검출을 위한 광 단백질이 포함된 세포주에 calcium sensing receptor와 urotensin II receptor가 안정적으로 발현되는 안정화 세포를 제작하고 $-80^{\circ}C$에서 보관한 다음 7 일 간격으로 실험했을 때 효능제와 길항제 반응을 비교하였다. 실험결과 보관기간이 증가함에 따라 세포 신호 값이 감소하였지만 $EC_{50}$와 $IC_{50}$ 값의 변화는 나타나지 않았다($EC_{50}:3.46{\pm}1.36mM$, $IC_{50}:0.49{\pm}0.15{\mu}M$). 그러나 액체질소에서 보관한 세포의 경우에서는 비냉동 세포와 비교하여 세포 신호 값이 감소했지만 보존기간에 따른 변화가 나타나지 않았으며 기간에 따른 $IC_{50}:0.49{\pm}0.15{\mu}M$와 $IC_{50}$의 변화도 없었다. 보관기간이 경과 될수록 세포의 신호 값이 감소하는 것은 세포 손상도 증가가 원인인 것으로 판단되며, 이러한 결과들로부터 장기간 냉동 보관을 위해서는 액체질소를 이용하는 것이 가장 효과적이고 한 달 이내 단기간 사용의 목적으로는 $-80^{\circ}C$ 보관조건도 가능할 것으로 판단된다. 이와 같이 냉동세포의 적극적인 활용을 통하여 초기 스크리닝 과정에서 나타나는 실험 유동성을 감소시킬 수 있을 것으로 예상된다.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제54권3호
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• pp.253-259
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• 2016

In the era of (pre) elimination setting, the prevalence of malaria has been decreasing in most of the previously endemic areas. Therefore, effective cost- and time-saving validated pooling strategy is needed for detection of malaria in low transmission settings. In this study, optimal pooling numbers and lowest detection limit were assessed using known density samples prepared systematically, followed by genomic DNA extraction and nested PCR. Pooling strategy that composed of 10 samples in 1 pool, $20{\mu}l$ in 1 sample, was optimal, and the parasite density as low as $2p/{\mu}l$ for both falciparum and vivax infection was enough for detection of malaria. This pooling method showed effectiveness for handling of a huge number of samples in low transmission settings (<9% positive rate). The results indicated that pooling of the blood samples before DNA extraction followed by usual nested PCR is useful and effective for detection of malaria in screening of hidden cases in low-transmission settings.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2004

프로테오믹스(proteomics, 단백질체학이라고도 함)의 잠재적 중요성은 간질환, 심장질환, 몇몇 종류의 암 등의 의학, 생식 독성, 발생 독성, 생체 독성 연구 분야에서도 명백하게 제시되었다. 그러나 단백질을 대상으로 연구하여 유전자 기능을 연구하는 프로테오믹스 연구를 각각의 분야에 접목시키려는 노력은 아직까지 빈약하다. 프로테오믹스는 기능을 갖는 단백질들의 발현을 종합적이고 정량적으로 측정하는 가장 직접적인 수단이고, 질병, 약물투여, 쇼크, 내분비계 장애물질 등 생물학적인 동요(perturbation)에 의하여 변하는 단백질들의 발현 양상 변화를 정확하게 관찰할 수 있게 한다. 그리고 생체내 유전자 발현의 궁극적인 양상을 규명할 수 있으며, 또한 유전자, 단백질 및 질병간의 연결고리를 제공한다. 기존의 biomarker는 다른 질병 표지자와 연관성이 높아 직접적인 biomaker와 정확한 연관을 판정하기 어렵다. 따라서 대량 발굴 탐색(high-throughput screening)이 가능한 2차원 전기 영동 분석과 MALDI-TOF또는 protein chip array와 SELDI-TOF에 의한 단백질 분자 구조 분석 기술 및 이들을 지원하는 생물정보학(bioinformatics)의 발전을 이용하여, 생식학 연구에 이용할 수 있는 표적 단백질 발굴 및 정성 정량적 연구에 적절한 이용이 가능할 것이다. 이러한 연구는 생식과정 중 배아 발생 및 조직 기관 발생 중 유전자 발현의 변화, 내분비계 장애물질 등 호르몬 및 독성 물질의 작용 기전, ecotoxicogenomics지표 marker의 변동 분석, 중간대사물질체학(metabolomics)에의 이용 등등의 연구에 필수적인 방법으로 발전할 것이다.

• 한국응용곤충학회지
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.31-36
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• 2006

퇴행성 뇌질환은 뇌에 존재하는 면역세포인 소교세포의 염증반응이 발병 요인 중의 하나로 알려져 있다. 이에 본 연구는 초고속자동화시스템(high throughput screening: HTS)을 이용하여 약용곤충추출물로부터 항산화와 항염증 기능이 있다고 알려진 무당벌레 추출물로부터 염증발생인자인 nitric oxide의 생성에 어떠한 영향을 주는지 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 소교세포인 BV-2세포에 대한 무당벌레 추출물의 세포독성은 물과 메탄올, DMSO 추출물에서는 100 ng/ml 까지는 거의 없었으나 에탄올 추출물은 1 ng/ml에서도 세포독성이 있었다. 물과 메탄을 추출물(50 ng/ml)은 LPS로 활성화된 BV-2세포에서 $TNF-{\alpha}$와 $IL-1{\beta}$의 발생을 35-60% 가량 억제 하였다. LPS로 유도된 NO의 생성은 물과 메탄올 추출물을 처리했을 때 각각 55%, 76% 억제되었다. 또한, MeOH 추출물을 처리했을 경우 LPS에 의한 iNOS 발현 정도를 단백질 수준과 mRNA 수준에서 현저하게 억제시킴을 확인하였다.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제19권6호
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• pp.111-124
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• 2002

A line of study reported that electroacupuncture(EA) modulate natural killer cell(NK Cell) activities. One report suggested that EA enhanced splenic interferon-gamma($IFN-{\gamma}$), interleukin-2(IL-2), and NK cell activity in Sprague-Dawley rats. Another study suggested that $IFN-{\gamma}$ mediates the up-regulation of NK cell activity, and endogenous ${\beta}$-endorphin secretion also play a role in the up-regulation of NK cell activity induced by EA stimulation. In order to better understand the molecular regulation underlying the activation of NK cell induced by EA, we have utilized cDNA microarray to elucidate how EA alters program of gene expression of spleen in rats. First, we divided three groups, group I was EA group treated with EA in restriction holder, group II was sham group with only holder stress, and last group III was control group with no treatment. We measured NK cell activity after EA stimulation three times for 2 days using $^{51}Cr$ release assay. Second, Biotin-labeled cDNA probes synthesized from EA group and sham group, were competitively hybridized to the microarray that contained variable genes. Such high-throughput screening has identified a number of EA-responsive gene candidates. Of these, we found that EA induced a subset of genes of genes that functionally could modulatory effects on NK cell activity. Genes(vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, protein-tyrosine kinase, CD94 mRNA) related to boost NK cell activity, were increased by EA And, genes(protein-tyrosine-phospatase mRNA, protein-tyrosine phosphatase(SHP-1) mRNA) related to inhibit NK cell activity, were decreased by EA. These EA-responsive genes may provide key insights from which to understand mechanisms of activation of NK cell induced by EA.

• 환경생물
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.107-115
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• 2016

전 세계적으로 원자력 발전소는 442기가 가동 중이며, 62기가 충원될 예정이다. 원자력 발전소의 증가에 따라 방사성 폐기물 유출에 대한 위험성도 증가하였다. 이러한 이유 때문에, 방사성 폐기물의 처리는 인간, 동물, 식물을 포함하는 자연 생태계를 보전하는 관점에서 중요하다. 또한, 방사성 폐기물 유출은 그 지역뿐만 아니라 전 세계적으로 심각한 문제를 야기한다. 본 연구는 입체 배양세포에 방사성 핵종원소(세슘, 스트론튬, 코발트)를 처리하였고 이에 대한 영향력을 확인하였다. 입체 배양 구조체는 아가로오스 하이드로겔을 이용하여 제작했으며 암세포 및 정상세포 (HeLa, HepG2, COS-7)를 사용하여 입체 배양을 실시 하였다. 입체 형태로 세포를 배양한 후 세슘, 스트론튬, 코발트 농도 변화에 따라 세포 생존능력을 분석하였다. 이때 입체 배양세포에서 생존능력이 단층 배양세포 보다 최대 42% 우수한 것을 확인하였다. 입체 배양구조체는 세포가 형태 및 생리학적으로 in vivo환경인 조직과 비슷하게 배양을 가능하게 하였다. 따라서, 입체 배양구조체는 기존의 단층 배양 한계점인 in vivo 환경에 적용시킬 수 없다는 한계를 극복하였다. 본 입체 배양 기술이 중금속 독성평가 및 단시간 내에 다수의 물질 분석을 수행하는 고속 대량 스크리닝 기술에 활용될 것으로 기대한다.