• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.181-191
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• 2006

NFI-C null mice demonstrated aberrant odontoblast differentiation and thus abnormal dentin formation while other tissues/organs in the body, including ameloblasts, appear to be unaffected and normal. However little is known about the mechanism of NFI-C function in odontoblast differentiation and dentin formation. Odontoblasts are tall, highly polarized cells that are responsible for formation and maintenance of the predentin and dentin. An indication of their polarity is the acquisition of specialized intercellular junctions. As preodontoblasts differentiate into odontoblasts, they are Joined and attached at the apical end by well developed terminal webs of cytoskeletal actins, and associated tight as well as adherent njunctions. In this study, in order to investigate if disruption of the NFI-C gene interferes with formation of a specific or other structural proteins of the intercellular junctions, we examined morphological characteristic of the aberrant odontoblast in NFI-C null mice using light and electron microscope. In addition, we determined the expression of major structural proteins of intercellular junctions, ZO-1 and occludin, during the differentiation of odontoblasts using immunohitochemistry. The results were as follows : 1. In light microscopy, abnormal odontoblasts of incisors of the NFI-C null mice were round in shape, lost their polarity, and trapped in osteodentin-like mineralized tissue. Mutant molars have relatively normal crowns, but short and abnormal differentiating adontoblasts in root formation area. 2. Electron microscopy of abnormal odontoblasts revealed the dissociation of the round osteoblast-like cells, the loss of their cellular polarity, and the absence of an intercellular junctional complex known as the tight junctions. 3. A mutant incisor showed labeling for ZO-1 at the proximal and distal ends of secreting ameloblasts, while staining for ZO-1 was not observed in the abnormal odontoblasts. 4. A normal incisor showed immunoreactivity for occludin in the differentiating odontoblasts. However, staining for occludin was not observed in the abnormal odontoblasts of mutant incisor. These results suggest that NFI-C gene causes dissociation of odontoblast and thus abberant odontoblast differentiation and abnormal dentin formation by interfering with the formation of intercellular junctions.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.14-19
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• 2012

Introduction: This study was conducted to evaluate ssrA expression resulting from adaptation of Escherichia coli (E. coli) to oral pathogens through signal exchange. Materials and Methods: Human cell lines Hep2 and HT29, wild-type E. coli (WT K-12), ssrA knock-out E. coli (${\Delta}K$-12), and Scleropages aureus (S. aureus) were used. A single culture consisting of Hep2, HT29, WT K-12, and ${\Delta}K$-12, and mixed cultures consisting of Hep2 and WT K-12, Hep2 and ${\Delta}K$-12, WT K-12 and S. aureus, ${\Delta}K$-12 and S. aureus, and Hep2, WT K-12, and S. aureus were prepared. For HT29, a mixed culture was prepared with WT K-12 and with WT K-12 and S. aureus. Total RNA was extracted from each culture with the resulting expression of ssrA, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-${\kappa}B$), and p53 was evaluated by Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: The expression of ssrA in a single culture of WT K-12 was lower than that observed in the mixed culture of WT K-12 with S. aureus. Greater ssrA expression was observed in the mixed culture of WT K-12 with Hep2 than in the single culture of WT K-12. The expression of NF-${\kappa}B$ was higher in the mixed culture of Hep2 with ${\Delta}K$-12 than that in the mixed culture of Hep2 with WT K-12, and was lowest in the single culture of Hep2. The expression of ssrA was higher in the mixed culture of WT K-12 with Hep2 and S. aureus than in the mixed culture of WT K-12 with Hep2. Conclusion: These results suggest that ssrA plays an important role in the mechanism of E. coli adaptation to a new environment.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.1149-1155
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• 2011

Myostatin (MSTN) belongs to the transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ superfamily or growth and differentiation factor 8 (GDF-8), and functions as a negative regulator of skeletal muscle development and growth. Previous studies in mammals have suggested that myostatin knock-out increased muscle mass and decreased fat content compared to those of the wide type. Recently, several studies on myostatin have beenconducted on the block myostatin signal pathway with myostatin antagonists and the MSTN regulation with RNAi to control myostatin function. This study was performed to analyze growth and muscle alteration of Oncorhychus masou by treatment with recombinant myostatin prodomains derived from fish. We designed myostatin prodomains derived from P. olivaceus (pMALc2x-poMSTNpro) and S. schlegeli (pMALc2x-sMSTNpro) in a pMALc2x expression vector, and then purified the recombinant proteins using affinity chromatography. The purified recombinant proteins were treated in O. masou through an immersion method. Recombinant protein treated groups did not show a significant difference in weight, protein, or lipid composition compared to the control. However, there was a difference in the average number and area for histological analyses in the muscle fiber. At twelve and twenty-two weeks from the initial treatment, there were differences in averagefiber number and area between the 0.05 mg/l treated-group and the control, but the numbers were similar to those of the control during the same time period. At twelve weeks, however, 0.2 mg/l treated-group had an increase in average fiber number and decrease in average fiber area compared to the control. At twenty-two weeks, the pMALc2x-sMSTNpro 0.2 mg/l treated-group was induced and showed a decrease in average fiber number and increase in average fiber area. The results between twelve and twenty-two weeks showed that the fiber numbers had decreased, whereas average fiberarea had increased due to sMSTNpro. It is understood that the sMSTNpro induced only hyperplasia at twelve weeks, after which it induced hypertrophy. Recombinant myostatin prodomains derived from fish may induce hyperplasia and hypertrophy in O. masou depending upon the time that has elapsed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.271-278
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• 2024

Redox factor (Ref)-1, a ubiquitously expressed protein, acts as a modulator of redox-sensitive tran- scription factors and as an endonuclease in the repair pathway of damaged DNA. However, the function of Ref-1 in the differentiation of monocytes into macrophages has not been defined. In this study, we investigated the effects of Ref-1 on the monocyte differentiation process using the human monocytic cell line THP-1. The differentiation agent PMA increased cell adhesion over time and showed a sig- nificant increase in phagocytic function but decreased the intracellular amount of Ref-1. Ref-1 inhibitor E3330 and Ref-1 knockdown using the siRNA technique reduced cell adhesion and the expression of differentiation markers, such as CD14, ICAM-1, and CD11b, by PMA stimulation. This means that the role of Ref-1 is absolutely necessary in the initial process of differentiating THP-1 cells stimulated by PMA. Next, the distribution of Ref-1 was examined in the cytoplasm and nucleus of THP-1 cells stimulated with PMA. Surprisingly, PMA stimulation resulted in the rapid translocation of Ref-1 to the nucleus. To prove that movement of Ref-1 to the nucleus is required for monocyte differentiation, a Ref-1 vector with the nuclear localization sequence (NLS) deleted was used. As a result, overexpression of ∆NLS Ref-1, which restricted movement to the nucleus, suppressed the expression of differentiation markers and notably reduced phagocytic function in PMA-stimulated THP-1 cells. In conclusion, these data suggest that the differentiation of monocytic THP-1 cells requires Ref-1 nuclear translocation during the initial process of biochemical events following stimulation from PMA.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1091-1097
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• 2015

We have isolated and characterized an ascorbate peroxidase (APx) gene, OsAPx1 from rice. Northern and Western blot analyses indicated that at young seedling stage, OsAPx1 mRNA was expressed highly in root, shoot apical meristem (SAM) and leaf sheath than leaf. In mature plant, OsAPx1 gene expressed highly in root, stem and flower but weakly in leaf. OsAPx1 gene and protein expression level was induced in leaves inoculated with Magnaporthe oryzae (M. oryzae) and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo). Phytohormones treatment showed that OsAPx1 was up-regulated by jasmonic acid (JA), but was down regulated by ABA and SA co-treatments with JA, resulting that they have antagonistic effect on pathogen responsive OsAPx1 expression. Phylogenetic analysis illustrated that Arabidopsis AtAPx1 has a close relationship with OsAPx1. In AtAPx1 knock out lines, the accumulation of O₂^- and H₂O₂ are all highly detected than wild type, revealing that the high concentration of exogenous H₂O₂ cause the intercellular superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide accumulation in AtAPx1 knockout plant. These results suggested that OsAPx1 gene may be associated with the pathogen defense cascades as the mediator for balancing redox state by acting ROS scavenger and is associated with response to the pathogen defense via Jasmonic acid signaling pathway.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.203-209
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• 2006

Ethane 1,2-Dimethane sulfonate(EDS), a toxin which specifically kills Leydig cells(LC), has been widely used to prepare the reversible testosterone(T) depletion rat model. Previous studies including our own clearly demonstrated that the dramatic weight loss of the T-dependent accessory sex organs such as epididymis and seminal vesicle in this 'LC knock-out' rats. These weight loss could be derived from massive and abrupt death of the cells via apoptotic process. The present study was performed to test the effect of EDS administration on the expression of some apoptotic genes in the rat epididymis. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats($300{\sim}350$ g B.W.) were injected with single dose of EDS(75 mg/kg, i.p.) and sacrificed on Weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Tissue weights and the numbers of the epididymal sperm were measured. The transcriptional activities of the bcl-2, bax, Fas and Fas ligand(Fas-L) were evaluated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. As expected, the weights and the sperm counts of epididymis declined progressively after the EDS treatment during Week 1 and 2. These decrements were discontinued with a gradual return towards normal during Weeks $5{\sim}7$, although the maximal recoveries of the epididymal weights(71%) and sperm count(38%) were subnormal on Week 7. The initial level of bcl-2 transcripts persisted to Week 6 then elevated significantly on Week 7. The level of bax transcripts significantly decreased on Week 6, and no remarkable change was found in the rest of the experimental period. The transcripts for the Fas in epididymis elevated during Weeks $1{\sim}2$, returned to normal on Week 3, and the level persisted to the Week 7. Similarly, the level of Fas-L transcripts elevated during Weeks $1{\sim}3$ and returned to normal after Week 4. Our results demonstrated the transient T depletion by EDS administration could induce the changes in expression of the apoptotic genes in rat epididymis. The activation of Fas and Fas-L in the epididymis of EDS-treated rats might be responsible for the initial apototic process and consequently the tissue damage and the sperm loss. Future studies will attempt to determine the precise molecular mechanism(s) of apoptosis in the rat epididymis.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.105-114
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• 2009

Ethane 1,2-dimethane sulfonate (EDS) is a well-known alkylating agent used as selective Leydig cell (LC) toxicant to create a testicular dysfunction model. Previous studies including our own clearly demonstrated the dramatic weight loss of the androgen dependent accessory sex organs such as epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate gland in this 'LC knock-out' rats. The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of EDS administration on histological changes of the epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate in adult rats. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (350$\sim$400 g B.W.) were injected with a single dose of EDS (75 mg/kg, i.p.) and sacrificed on weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Tissue weights (testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate gland) were measured. The histological changes of tissue were observed by a light microscopy using hematoxylin & eosin staining. Weights of the reproductive and accessory organs progressively declined after the EDS treatments (weeks 1, 2 and 3). After this, the decrease was stopped, then gradually returned to the normal levels. There was a partial (about 60%) recovery of the epididymis weight during weeks $6{\sim}7$. The cross section of epididymis revealed an increase in thickness of the epithelium during weeks $1{\sim}3$. In contrast, considerable reduction of epithelial thickness in seminal vesicle was observed during same period. Similarly, a reduction in thickness of prostate epithelial layer was found during weeks $1{\sim}3$, then it was back to normal thickness after week 4. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that the temporally induced androgen-deficiency by EDS treatment could result the prominent alterations in histology of the accessory sex organs. Further studies on the physiological and molecular regulation of these androgen-sensitive organs using EDS model will be helpful to understand the normal and pathological development and differentiation mechanism of these organs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2022

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors have received considerable attention regarding their involvement in glutamate-induced neuronal excitotoxicity. Resveratrol has been shown to exhibit neuroprotective effects against this kind of overactivation, but the underlying cellular mechanisms are not yet clearly understood. In this study, HT-22 neuronal cells were treated with NMDA in Mg²⁺-free buffer and subsequently used as an experimental model of glutamate excitotoxicity to elucidate the mechanisms of resveratrol-induced neuroprotection. We found that NMDA treatment causes a drop in MTT reduction ability, disrupts inside-negative transmembrane potential of mitochondria, depletes cellular ATP levels, and stimulates intracellular ROS production. Double fluorescence imaging studies demonstrated an increased formation of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pores accompanied by apoptotic cell death, while cobalt protoporphyrin and bilirubin showed protective effects against NMDA-induced mitochondrial injury. On the other hand, zinc protoporphyrin IX significantly attenuated the protective effects of resveratrol which was itself shown to enhance heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mRNA and protein expression levels. In cells transfected with HO-1 small interfering RNA, resveratrol failed to suppress the NMDA-induced effects on MTT reduction ability and MPT pore formation. The present study suggests that resveratrol may prevent mitochondrial injury in NMDA- treated HT-22 cells and that enhanced expression of HO-1 is involved in the underlying cellular mechanism.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.833-840
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• 2022

Chronic inflammation has been shown to be closely associated with tumor development and progression. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is composed of a family of five transcription factors. NF-κB signaling plays a crucial role in the inflammatory response and is often found to be dysregulated in various types of cancer, making it an attractive target in cancer therapeutics. In this study, CDC-like kinase 3 (CLK3) was identified as a novel kinase that regulates the NF-κB signaling pathway. Our data demonstrate that CLK3 inhibits the canonical and non-canonical NF-κB pathways. Luciferase assays following the transient or stable expression of CLK3 indicated that this kinase inhibited NF-κB activation mediated by Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) and Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), which are known to activate NF-κB signaling via the canonical pathway. Consistent with data on the ectopic expression of CLK3, CLK3 knockdown using shRNA constructs increased NF-κB activity 1.5-fold upon stimulation with TNFα in HEK293 cells compared with the control cells. Additionally, overexpression of CLK3 suppressed the activation of this signaling pathway induced by NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) or CD40, which are well-established activators of the non-canonical pathway. To further examine the negative impact of CLK3 on NF-κB signaling, we performed Western blotting following the TNFα treatment to directly identify the molecular components of the NF-κB pathway that are affected by this kinase. Our results revealed that CLK3 mitigated the phosphorylation/activation of transforming growth factor-α-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), inhibitor of NF-κB kinase alpha/beta (IKKα/α), NF-κB p65 (RelA), NF-κB inhibitor alpha (IκBα), and Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2-Mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK1/2-MAPK), suggesting that CLK3 inhibits both the NF-κB and MAPK signaling activated by TNFα exposure. Further studies are required to elucidate the mechanism by which CLK3 inhibits the canonical and non-canonical NF-κB pathways. Collectively, these findings reveal CLK3 as a novel negative regulator of NF-κB signaling.

• Archives of design research
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• v.19 no.4 s.66
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• pp.133-144
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• 2006

According to the latest report by the Customer Protection Board, those who moved into newly constructed buildings are complaining about unidentified pains, asking for more careful selection of constructive materials for prevention of such potential problems. It is internationally recognized today that ecological materials can serve a significant factor for users' health, environmental protection and better industrial competitiveness. This study examined eco-design aspects of each interior material through web site search, in order to help customers learn about and capitalize on eco materials in a proper manner. As a result, 1. It turned out that the domestic industry are giving an impetus to releasing new eco items focusing on lower VOCs emission or addition of functional components as part of the marketing strategy. However, it is recommended that company understand significance of life cycle, and produce eco-concept materials. 2. The reliable standard for choosing the domestic material is EL, HB, GR marks. It is desirable to enhance recycling technologies and expand the sustainable consumption. customer class, since many recycled items are not developed. 3. The sourcing is a vulnerable part in terms of the concept of being environment-friendly material. Therefore, many manufacturers should design the easy knock-down products and produce the good items using recycled materials instead of new raw materials. Also solutions for making the energy from burning material should be studied. 4. The guidebook or manual with correct information about eco-materials is required to promote production and consumption with sustainable concept. 5. Many manufacturers are emphasizing ecological materials for customers, but some of them intended to disrupt customers' proper selection by promoting even unverified items to be environment-friendly.