• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.291-299
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• 2006

The experiments investigated whether early exposure to testosterone propionate (TP) during prepuberty alters testis development in Sprague-Dawley male rats. We performed Hershberger assay using the stimulated weanling male rats by OECD protocols, cDNA microarray, and Western blot. TP was subcutaneously injected to uncastrated Sprague-Dawley male rat of 22 days old for 10 consecutive days at doses of 0.4, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.6 mg/kg per day. At necropsy, the following tissues were removed and weighed: combined testes, epididymides (Epi), Cowper's glands (COW), levator am, and bulbocavernosus muscles (LABC), seminal vesicles, together with coagulating gland (SV) and ventral prostate (VP). We found that TP increased the weights of Epi, VP, SV, COW, and LABC, while testis was decreased in a dose-dependent manner. In cDNA microarray analysis of testis, there were significant reductions in the expression of cytochrome P450 11A (CYP11A), the rate-limiting enzyme of steroidogenesis. Taken together these results, TP exposure before puberty in male rats may produce the delay in testis development by inhibiting the CYP11A gene expression.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제28권5호
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• pp.479-487
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• 2009

Glutathione reductase (GR) is an enzyme that recycles a key cellular antioxidant molecule glutathione (GSH) from its oxidized form (GSSG) thus maintaining cellular redox homeostasis. A recombinant plasmid to overexpress a GR of Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis (BrGR) in E. coli BL21 (DE3) was constructed using an expression vector pKM260. Expression of the introduced gene was confirmed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, immunoblotting and enzyme assays. Purification of the BrGR protein was performed by IMAC method and indicated that the BrGR was a dimmer. The BrGR required NADPH as a cofactor and specific activity was approximately 458 U. The BrGR-expressing E. coli cells showed increased GR activity and tolerance to $H_2O_2$, menadione, and heavy metal ($CdCl_2$, $ZnCl_2$ and $AlCl_2$)-mediated growth inhibition. The ectopic expression of BrGR provoked the co-regulation of a variety of antioxidant enzymes including catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Consequently, the transformed cells showed decreased hydroperoxide levels when exposed to stressful conditions. A proteomic analysis demonstrated the higher level of induction of proteins involved in glycolysis, detoxification/oxidative stress response, protein folding, transport/binding proteins, cell envelope/porins, and protein translation and modification when exposed to $H_2O_2$ stress. Taken together, these results indicate that the plant GR protein is functional in a cooperative way in the E. coli system to protect cells against oxidative stress.

• 한국어병학회지
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.137-146
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• 2009

The black rockfish Sebastes schlegelii neutrophil cytosolic factor components p47 phox (phagocyte oxidase) cDNA was cloned. The sequence of the cDNA showed that rockfish p47 phox cDNA consisted of 1,952 bp contained open reading frame encoding predicted polypeptide of 420 amino acids. Additionally analysis of the p47 phox amino acid sequence showed two potential SH3 domains. The functional domains are highly conserved in many animals, though the sequence of the components of the black rockfish showed low homology with that of mammals. The deduced amino acid sequence of the black rockfish p47 phox was similar to those of the carp (60.4%), zebrafish (59,2%), rainbow trout (68.5%), xenopus (55.2%), mouse (54.2%), rabbit (54.5%), rat (53.7%), and chicken (50.9%). The expression of the rockfish p47 phox molecule was induced in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) from 1 to 12 h following LPS stimulation, with a peak at 6 h after the stimulation, and which increased at 1, 3, and 12 h after treated with Poly I:C compared with the control. The rockfish p47 phox gene was expressed in various tissues of healthy fish. The level of p47 phox expression was high in the PBLs, kidney and spleen.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제27권6호
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• pp.570-576
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• 2019

Particulate matter (PM), which refers to the mixture of particles present in the air, can have harmful effects. Damage to cells by PM, including disruption of organelles and proteins, can trigger autophagy, and the relationship between autophagy and PM has been well studied. However, the cellular regulators of PM-induced autophagy have not been well characterized, especially in keratinocytes. The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) is expressed in the epidermis and is activated by PM. In this study, we investigated the role of the AhR in PM-induced autophagy in HaCaT cells. Our results showed that PM led to AhR activation in keratinocytes. Activation of the AhR-target gene CYP1A1 by PM was reduced by co-treatment with ${\alpha}$-naphthoflavone (${\alpha}-NF$), an AhR inhibitor. We also evaluated activation of the autophagy pathway in PM-treated keratinocytes. In HaCaT cells, treatment with PM treatment led to the induction of microtubules-associated proteins light chain 3 (LC3) and p62/SQSTM1, which are essential components of the autophagy pathway. To study the role of the AhR in mediating PM-induced autophagy, we treated cells with ${\alpha}-NF$ or used an siRNA against AhR. Expression of LC3-II induced by PM was decreased in a dose dependent manner by ${\alpha}-NF$. Furthermore, knockdown of AhR with siAhR diminished PM-induced expression of LC3-II and p62. Together, these results suggest that inhibition of the AhR decreases PM-induced autophagy. We confirmed these results using the autophagy-inhibitors BAF and 3-MA. Taken together, our results indicate that exposure to PM induces autophagy via the AhR in HaCaT keratinocytes.

• 한국육종학회지
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.401-407
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• 2008

딸기 국내 육성 신품종을 정확히 판별할 수 있는 DNA표지를 개발하고자 실험을 수행하였다. 딸기 유전정보를 이용하여 품종 판별이 가능한 CAPS 표지 15종을 개발하였고, 그 중에서 6종은 품종 특이적인 표지였다. CAPS 표지 중에서 ANR-MspI, ANR-BamHI, ACO-HinfI, DFR-AseI, FGT-MspI의 최소 5종의 표지를 이용하여 '매향'과 '선홍'을 제외한 국내 육성 품종 판별이 가능하였다. 15종의 CAPS 표지를 보완하기 위해 SRAP 분석을 통해 품종 간 다형성을 나타내는 15종의 표지를 선발하였고, 그 중에서 me1/em5-460bp 표지를 이용하여 '매향'과 '선홍'의 구별이 가능하였다. 따라서 5종의 CAPS 표지와 1종의 SRAP 표지를 이용하여 19종의 국내 육종 품종과 일본 품종의 판별이 가능하였으며, 금후 이 연구결과는 딸기 국내 육성 품종 식별을 위해 효과적으로 이용될 수 있을 것으로 판단되었다.

• 농업과학연구
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.583-590
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• 2018

Genus Typha L. (Typhaceae; Cattail in common) is one of the hydrophytic plants found in semi-aquatic regions. About nine to 18 species of the genus exist all over the world. In Korea, the most commonly found cattail species are T. laxmanni and T. angustifolia. The aim of this study was to prepare a cDNA library and sequences and analyze expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from these species, T. laxmanni and T. angustifolia. In the case of T. laxmanni, we observed that 715 out of 742 ESTs had high quality sequences, whereas the remaining 27 ESTs were low quality sequences. In this study, we identified 77 contigs, 393 unassembled clones and 65.7% singletons. Furthermore, in the case of T. angustifolia, we recorded 992 high quality EST sequences, and by excluding 28 low quality sequences from among them, we retrieved 120 contigs, 348 unassembled clones and 48.9% singletons. The basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) database results enabled us to identify the functional categories, i.e., molecular function (16.5%), biological process (22.2%) and cellular components (61.3%). In addition, between these two species, the no hits and anonymous genes were 4.2% and 11.7% and 6.2% and 11.2% in T. laxmanni and T. angustifolia, respectively, based on the BLAST results. The study concluded that they have certain species-specific genes. Hence, the results of this study on these two species could be a valuable resource for further studies.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제42권9호
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• pp.646-660
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• 2019

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a phytohormone essential for seed development and seedling growth under unfavorable environmental conditions. The signaling pathway leading to ABA response has been established, but relatively little is known about the functional regulation of the constituent signaling components. Here, we present several lines of evidence that Arabidopsis Raf-like kinase Raf10 modulates the core ABA signaling downstream of signal perception step. In particular, Raf10 phosphorylates subclass III SnRK2s (SnRK2.2, SnRK2.3, and SnRK2.6), which are key positive regulators, and our study focused on SnRK2.3 indicates that Raf10 enhances its kinase activity and may facilitate its release from negative regulators. Raf10 also phosphorylates transcription factors (ABI5, ABF2, and ABI3) critical for ABA-regulted gene expression. Furthermore, Raf10 was found to be essential for the in vivo functions of SnRK2s and ABI5. Collectively, our data demonstrate that Raf10 is a novel regulatory component of core ABA signaling.

• 융합정보논문지
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.144-152
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• 2022

본 연구에서는 생태교란종으로 지정되어 대량으로 방제되는 영국갯끈풀의 에탄올 추출물을 활용하여 여러가지 생리활성을 평가하고 화장품 원료로서의 활용 가능성을 확인하고자 하였다. 항산화 활성은 라디컬 소거법인 DPPH와 ABTS assay 및 환원력을 통한 FRAP과 같은 화학적 방법으로 조사한 결과, 영국갯끈풀 지상부 에탄올 추출물의 항산화 활성이 우수하였다. 각 추출물 농도 0.5 mg/mL 이하 조건에서 RAW264.7 cell과 NHDF cell에 대한 세포독성은 관찰되지 않았다. LPS로 활성화 된 RAW264.7 세포에서 증가된 염증매개물질 NO와 사이토카인 생성량은 지하부 에탄올 추출물에 의해 뚜렷하게 감소되었다. 또한 NHDF cell을 지상부와 지하부 두 추출물로 처리하여 collagen 합성과 피부 수분 유전자 발현을 조사한 결과 높은 항주름 및 보습 효능을 나타냈다. 이와 같은 결과를 통하여 영국갯끈풀 에탄올추출물은 기능성화장품의 생리활성 물질에 대한 유용한 바이오 자원으로서의 활용 가능성이 우수함을 확인하였다.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.247-261
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• 2024

Objectives : Zuojin Pill, recognized as an effective herbal remedy, has undergone investigation for its potential in alleviating symptoms like indigestion, vomiting, and abdominal distension. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of digestive function activation through network pharmacology, particularly focused on improving functional dyspepsia. Methods : The two components, Coptidis Rhizoma and Evodiae Fructus, constituting Zuojin Pill were analyzed based on broad information on chemical and pharmacological properties, confirming 40 active compounds and 115 digestive-related molecular targets. Concentration analysis revealed impacts on various pathways related to digestive functions. Results : According to network pharmacological analysis of Zuojin Pill, quercetin and beta-sitosterol were exhibited relatively numerous targets, suggesting their potential significance in the therapeutic activity of Zuojin Pill and by a Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network, JUN, RELA, MAPK1, HSP90AA1, TP53, TNF, AKT1, IL6, MAPK14, ESR1, FOS, MYC were identified. Also, berberine exhibited the highest contribution index (92.58%), indicating that this compound may be a major contributor to the digestive activity of Zuojin Pill. Additionally, functional interaction analysis by GeneMANIA indicated that targets of Zuojin Pill could functionally interact through various mechanisms, implying similarities in pharmacological roles. Conclusions : These findings contribute valuable insights into the digestive function activation mechanism and highlight the therapeutic potential of Zuojin Pill in improving functional dyspepsia.

• 생물정신의학
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.218-236
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• 1995

The author studied prognostic indicators of sixty Korean male alcoholics in psychological, social and biological aspects who were divided into abstinent and drinking groups. Thirty patients were assigned to each group. They were controlled in age and sex. Both groups were compared in terms of the demographic characteristics, past drinking history, treatment history, famaily history, ego strength and personality factors differences and distribution of dopamine $D_2$ receptor gene Al allele. Also the author studied relation of clinical course, alcoholic family history and dopamine $D_2$ receptor gene Al allele in both groups. The results were as follows; 1) The abstinent group had higher rate of married state, higher economic status, longer education years and maintained more stable job than the drinking group. But made no differences in occupation and religion. 2) The abstinent group showed higher rate of living with family members than the drinking group, and wives and fellows of the alcoholics anonymous were important factors for maintenance of abstinence. Family loading and parent's characters were not different. 3) The abstinent group had longer maximal length of abstinence but mean amount of alcohol consumption per day were larger than the drinking group. But there were no differences in duration of past drinking, drinking pattern, main drinking time, first drinking age and preference of the kind of alcoholic beverage in the past drinking history. 4) The abstinent group showed stronger treatment motivation, absolute abstinence in treatment goal, more voluntary adimission and maintained longer therapeutic relationship otter discharge than the drinking group. But both groups showed negative attitude toward antabuse therapy. 5) The abstinent group had higher mean score in ego strength scale than the drinking group. 6) In the personality factor questionnaire, the abstinent group showed strong laugh poise and the trait of praxernia, conservatism personality but the drinking group showed tough poise, the trait of weak ego strength(unstableness) and tough mindedness personality. 7) In comparision of dopamine $D_2$ receptor gene A1 allele, the prevalence of A1 allele was seventy percent and the frequency was 0.38 in the abstinent group. The prevalence of A1 allele was sixty percent and the frequency was 0.42 in the drinking group. Both groups were not significantly different in A1 allele prevalence and frequency. 8) In comparision of dopamine $D_2$ receptor gene A1 allele according to alcoholic family history, the prevalence of A1 allele was seventy percent and the frequency was 0.43 in the family history positive group. The prevalence of A1 allele was sixty-one percent and the frequency was 0.38 in the family history negative group. Both groups were not significantly different in A1 allele prevalence and frequency. In comparision of past drinking history according to alcoholic family history, the family history positive group showed earlier first drinking and problem drinking, but the family history negative group hod longer duration of past drinking. The mean amount of alcohol consumption per day, the longest duration of abstinence and Alcoholism Screening Test of Seoul Natoinal Mental Hospital(NAST) results were not significant. In conclusion, the results suggest that successful prognostic indicators of Korean alcoholics are married state, higher economic status, longer education years, stable job, living with family members, longer abstinence during past drinking history, strong treatment motivation, absolute abstinence in treatment goal, voluntary adimission, maintained therapeufic relationship, strong ego strength and the trait of praxernia, conservatism personality. But occupation, religion, alcoholic family history, parent's characters, duration of past drinking, drinking pattern, main drinking time, first drinking age, preference of the kind of alcoholic beverage, attitude to antabuse therapy and distribution of dopamine $D_2$ receptor A1 allele were not significantly related to the prognostic indicators of Korean alcoholics.