• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.236-244
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• 2014

The gene encoding ${\alpha}-\small{L}$-arabinofuranosidase (AFase) from Paenibacillus sp. DG-22 was cloned, sequenced, and expressed in Escherichia coli. The AFase gene (abfA) comprises a 1,509 bp open reading frame encoding 502 amino acids with a molecular mass of 56,520 daltons. The deduced amino acid sequence of the gene shows that AbfA is an enzyme consisting of only a catalytic domain, and that the enzyme has significant similarity to AFases classified into the family 51 of the glycosyl hydrolases. abfA was subcloned into the pQE60 expression vector to fuse it with a six-histidine tag and the recombinant AFase (rAbfA) was purified to homogeneity. The specific activity of the recombinant enzyme was 96.7 U/mg protein. Determination of the apparent molecular mass by gel-filtration chromatography indicated that AbfA has a tetrameric structure. The optimal pH and temperature of the enzyme were 6.0 and $60^{\circ}C$, respectively. The enzyme activity was completely inhibited by 1 mM $HgCl_2$. rAbfA was active only towards p-nitrophephenyl ${\alpha}-\small{L}$-arabinofuranoside and exhibited $K_m$ and $V_{max}$ values of 3.5 mM and 306.1 U/mg, respectively. rAbfA showed a synergistic effect in combination with endoxylanase on the degradation of oat spelt xylan and wheat arabinoxylan.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.46-54
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• 1997

Sporulation in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe has been regarded as an important model of cellular development and differentiation. S. pombe cells proliferate by mitosis and binary fission on growth medium. Deprivation of nutrients especially nitrogen sources, causes the cessation of mitosis and initiates sexual reproduction by malting between two sexually compatible cell types. Meiosis is then followed in a diploid cell in the absence of nitrogen source. DNA fragment complemented with the mutations of sporulation gene was isolated from the S. pombe gene library constructed in the vector, pDB 248' and designated as pDB (spo 5)1. We futher analyzed six recombinant plasmids, pDB (spo 5)2, pDB(spo 5)3, pDB(spo 5)4, pDB(spo 5)5, pDB(spo 5)6, pDB(spo 5)7, and found each plasmids is able to rescue the spo 5-2, spo 5-3, spo 5-4, spo 5-5, spo 5-6, spo 5-7, mutations, respectively. Mapping of the integrated plasmid into the homologous site of the S. pombe chromosomes demonstrated that pDB (spo 5)1, and pDB (spo 5)R1 contained the spo 5 gene. Transcipts of spo 5 gene were analyzed by Northern hybridization. Two transcripts of 3.2 kb and 25 kb were detected with 5 kb Hind III fragment containing a part of the spo 5 gene as a probe. The small mRNA (2.5 kb) appeared only when a wild-type strain was cultured in the absence of nitrogen source in which condition the large mRNA (3.2 kb) was produced constitutively. Appearance of a 2.5 kb spo 5-mRNA depends upon the function of the mei1, mei2 and mei3 genes.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.121-129
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• 2022

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 (hnRNPA2/B1) is an N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A) RNA modification regulator and a key determinant of prem-RNA processing, mRNA metabolism and transportation in cells. Currently, m⁶A reader proteins such as hnRNPA2/B1 and YTHDF2 has functional roles in mice embryo. However, the role of hnRNPA2/B1 in porcine embryogenic development are unclear. Here, we investigated the developmental competence and mRNA expression levels in porcine parthenogenetic embryos after hnRNPA2/B1 knock-down. HhnRNPA2/B1 was localized in the nucleus during subsequent embryonic development since zygote stage. After hnRNPA2/B1 knock-down using double stranded RNA injection, blastocyst formation rate decreased than that in the control group. Moreover, hnRNPA2/B1 knock-down embryos show developmental delay after compaction. In blastocyste stage, total cell number was decreased. Interestingly, gene expression patterns revealed that transcription of Pou5f1, Sox2, TRFP2C, Cdx2 and PARD6B decreased without changing the junction protein, ZO1, OCLN, and CDH1. Thus, hnRNPA2/B1 is necessary for porcine early embryo development by regulating gene expression through epigenetic RNA modification.

• Mycobiology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.251-257
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• 2009

We isolated and identified a strain of Eurotium rubrum from Meju that has not been reported in Korea. This fungus is yellowish brown; reverse dark brown on CYA and PDA while yellow on 2% MEA at $25{^{\circ}C}$. Cleistothecia are first bright yellow and gradually turned brown. Mycerial growth on CYA attained a diameter of 30 mm at $20{^{\circ}C}$, 37 mm at $25{^{\circ}C}$ and 32 mm at $30{^{\circ}C}$ after 15 days. The isolate grew slower on 2% MEA ($<$ 20 mm 15 days at $25{^{\circ}C}$) compared to CYA and PDA ($<$ 40 mm 15 days at $25{^{\circ}C}$). Cleistothecia are superficial, yellow to light brown, globose to subglobose, 40~75 ${\mu}m$ in diameter. Asci are 8-spored and globose to subglobose 8~11 ${\mu}m$. Ascospores are disciform, 4.0~5.0 ${\mu}m$ in length and 4.2~4.5 ${\mu}m$ in width. Conidia are ovate or bacillar, finely roughened to densely spinulose, 4.6~6.0 ${\mu}m$ in length and 3.0~4.3 ${\mu}m$ in width. Compared to known Eurotium rubrum, the Korean isolate showed 99% sequence similarity in ITS rDNA (554 bp) and calmodulin (750 bp) gene and 100% in $\beta$-tubulin (1016 bp) gene. The E. rubrum isolate also had weak $\beta$-glucosidase and protease activities.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.81-85
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• 1997

Ceramide has been suggested as an important mediator of the effects of extracellular agonists on cell growth inhibition, differentiation, apoptosis. However the biochemical sign aling mechanism involved in transducing the effects of ceramide on leukemia cell differentiation is still unclear. In these respects, we examined the regulatory effects of ceramide on c-jun gene expression during differentiation. In U-937 cells. ceramide increased c-jun mRNA levels in a time-dependent manner. The half life, of c-jun mRNA was 30 min. In contrast, inhibition of protein synthesis with cycloheximide in the absence, of transcription with actinomycin D increased the half-life of c-jun mRNA in ceramide-treated U-937 cells to more than 90 min. In order to examine whether ceramide-inhibited c-jun gene expression is regulated through ceramide-activated protein phosphatase (CAPP), a direct target for the action of ceramide, okadaic acid were treated to the cells. Okadaic acid inhibited enhancement of c-jun mRNA induced by C2-ceramide in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggested that ceramide increases c-jun mRNA level during differentiation in U-937 cells and regulates the gene expression on posttranscriptional level. In addition, we provide the evidence that CAPP is involved in ceramide-induced c-jun gene expression in U-937 cells.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.566-570
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• 2006

Exposure to ultraviolet B(UVB) radiation causes skin inflammation such as pigmentation and the induction of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) gene expression. In this study, we investigated the effect of natural extracts from Tea, EGb 761 and Korean red ginseng(KRG), on the pigmentation and expression of COX-1 and COX-2 mRNA in UVB-irradiated C57BL/6 mice. Before UVB irradiation, the skin color was significantly showed the lightening effect by topical application of natural compounds (p<.05). In the case of UVB irradiated mice, we observed a decrease in pigmentation by compounds (p<.05). In irradiated skin, COX-1 mRNA expression is not changed following UVB irradiation, but COX-2 gene increases. Also, natural compounds lowered mRNA levels of COX-2. Therefore, these results suggest that COX-2 mRNA increases by UVB irradiation. Also, Tea, EGb 761 and KRG as a topical application may inhibit skin pigmentation and modulate COX-2 mRNA level.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.5-11
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• 2000

Three cDNA clones encoding rice calmodulin (CaM) isoforms (OsCaM-1, OsCaM-2, and OsCaM-3) were isolated from a rice cDNA library constructed from suspension-cultured rice cells treated with fungal elicitor. The coding regions of OsCaM-1 and O.sCaM-2 were 89% homologous at DNA Ievel, whereas the 5' and 3' untranslated regions were highly divergent. The polypeptides encoded by OsCaM-1 and OsCaM-2 was identical except two conservative substitution at position 8 and 75. The coding region of OsCaM-3 was consist of a typical conserved CaM domain and an additional C-terminal extension. The amino acid sequence of conserved CaM domain of OsCaM-3 shared only 86% identity with that OsCaM-1. The OsCaM-3 cDNA is belongs to a novel group of calmodulin gene due to its C-terminal extension of 38 amino acids, a large number of which are positively charged. The extension also contains a C-terminal CaaX-box prenylation site (CVlL). Genomic Southern analysis revealed at least six copies of CaM or CaM-related genes, suggesting that calmodulin may be represented by a small multigene family in the rice geneme. Expression of OsCaM gene was examined through Northern blot analysis. Transcript level of OsCaM-3 was increased by treatment with a fungal elicitor, whereas the OsCaM-1 and OsCaM-2 genes did not respond to the fungal elicitor. The expression of OsCaM-3 gene was remarkable inhibited in the rice cells treated with cyclosporine A, calcinurin inhibitor.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.7
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• pp.421-426
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• 2009

Glucocorticoids regulate multiple physiological processes such as metabolic homeostasis and immune response. Mouse Pon2 (mPon2) acts as an antioxidant to reduce cellular oxidative stress in cells. In this present study, we investigated the transcriptional regulation of mPon2 by glucocorticoids. In the presence of glucocorticoid analogue dexamethasone, the expression of mPon2 mRNA in cells was increased, whereas the expression was inhibited by a transcription inhibitor actinomycin D. Glucocorticoid receptors bound to the putative glucocorticoid response elements located between -593 bp and -575 bp of the mPon2 promoter. Transcriptional activity was completely blocked when the putative element was mutated. Taken together, these results suggest that the expression of the mPon2 gene is directly regulated by glucocorticoid-glucocorticoid receptor complexes.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.116-124
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• 2013

Purpose: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ is thought to contribute to pulmonary hypertension. We aimed to investigate the effect of infliximab (TNF-${\alpha}$ antagonist) treatment on pathologic findings and gene expression in a monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension rat model. Methods: Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated to 3 groups: control (C), single subcutaneous injection of normal saline (0.1 mL/kg); monocrotaline (M), single subcutaneous injection of monocrotaline (60 mg/kg); and monocrotaline + infliximab (M+I), single subcutaneous injection of monocrotaline plus single subcutaneous injection of infliximab (5 mg/kg). The rats were sacrificed after 1, 5, 7, 14, or 28 days. We examined changes in pathology and gene expression levels of TNF-${\alpha}$, endothelin-1 (ET-1), endothelin receptor A (ERA), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2, and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP). Results: The increase in medial wall thickness of the pulmonary arteriole in the M+I group was significantly lower than that in the M group on day 7 after infliximab treatment (P<0.05). The number of intraacinar muscular arteries in the M+I group was lower than that in the M group on days 14 and 28 (P<0.05). Expression levels of TNF-${\alpha}$, ET-1, ERA, and MMP2 were significantly lower in the M+I group than in the M group on day 5, whereas eNOS and TIMP expressions were late in the M group (day 28). Conclusion: Infliximab administration induced early changes in pathological findings and expression levels of TNF-${\alpha}$, and MMP2 in a monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension rat model.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.4 no.5
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• pp.355-359
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• 2000

Cocaine induces immediate early gene expression and behavioral changes by blocking dopamine transporters in the terminals of nigrostriatal neurons in the striatum. The pharmacological role of serotonin 2/1C (5HT2/1C) receptors in cocaine-induced expression of zif268 (NGFI-A, egr1 and Krox-24) mRNA, a member of the zinc finger, was investigated using quantitative in situ hybridization histochemistry in vivo. Behavioral alterations induced by cocaine were also monitored in relation with blockade of the receptors. Systemic injection of ritanserin (1 mg/kg, s.c.), a 5HT2/1C receptor antagonist, did not reverse behavioral alterations and zif268 mRNA gene expression induced by 15 mg/kg cocaine, i.p., in the dorsal and ventral striatum. These data indicate that ritanserin-sensitive 5HT2/1C receptors are not necessary for cocaine-induced behavioral alterations and zif268 mRNA gene expression in the striatum.