• Animal cells and systems
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.103-113
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• 1999

Many in-depth reviews related to regulations of prolactin secretion are available. We will, therefore, focus on controversial aspects using personal opinion in this review. The neuroendocrine control of prolactin secretion from the anterior pituitary gland involves multiple factors including prolactin-release inhibiting factor (PIF) and prolactin releasing factor (PRF). The PIF exerts a tonic inhibitory control in the physiological conditions. The PIF should be able to effectively inhibit prolactin release or a lifetime, but the inhibitory action of dopamine cannot be sustained for a long period of time. Perifusion of a high concentration of dopamine (l ,000 nM) could not sustain inhibitory action on prolactin release but when a small amount of ascorbic acid (0.1 mM) is added in a low concentration of dopamine (3 nM) solution, prolactin release was inhibited for a long period. Ascorbate is essential for dopamine action to inhibit prolactin release. We have, therefore, concluded that the PIF is dopamine plus ascorbate. The major transduction system for dopamine to inhibit prolactin release is the adenylyl cyclase system. Dopamine decreases cyclic AMP concentration by inhibiting adenylyl cyclase, and cyclic AMP stimulates prolactin release. However, the inhibitory mechanism of dopamine on prolactin release is much more complex than simple inhibition of CAMP production. The dopamine not only inhibits cyclic AMP synthesis but also inhibits prolactin release by acting on a link(s) after the CAMP event in a chain reaction for inhibiting prolactin release. Low concentrations of dopamine stimulate prolactin release. Lactotropes are made of several different subtypes of cells and several different dopamine receptors are found in pituitary. The inhibitory and stimulatory actions induced by dopamine can be generated by different subtype of receptors. The GH$_4$ZR$_7$ cells express only the short isoform (D$_{2s}$) of the dopamine receptor, as a result of transfecting the D$_{2s}$ receptors into GH$_4$C$_1$ cells which do not express any dopamine receptors. When dopamine stimulates or inhibits prolactin release in GH$_4$ZR$_7$ cells, it is clear that the dopamine should act on dopamine D$_{2s}$ receptors since there is no other dopamine receptor in the GH$_4$ZR$_7$. Dopamine is able to stimulate prolactin release in a relatively low concentration while it inhibits in a high concentration in GH$_4$ZR$_7$. These observations indicate that the dopamine D$_2$ receptor can activate stimulatory and/or inhibitory transduction system depending upon dopamine concentrations.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.502-507
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• 2009

In modern oriental medicine, bee venom therapy is being used for aqua-acupuncture to relieve pain and to cure inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and gout. Bee venom therapy has been processed and reported in many experimental studies, with regard to its effects on pain alleviation, anti-inflammation, removal of fever, anti-convulsion, suppression of tumor and immunity strengthening, etc., however, its mechanism of action, molecular targeting on prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production and telomere length regulation in human cancer remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of bee venom on the levels of cyclooxygenases (COXs) and telomere regulatory components of A549 human lung cancer cells. Bee venom-induced anti-proliferative effects of A549 cells were associated with the inhibition of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) as well as human telomerase RNA (hTR), transcription factor c-myc and the activity of telomerase. In addition, bee venom treatment markedly decreased the levels of COX-2 mRNA and protein expression without significant changes in the expression of COX-1, which was correlated with a decrease in $PGE_2$ synthesis. Taken together, these findings provide important new insights into the possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer activity of bee venom.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1184-1195
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• 2015

The zebrafish is an emerging vertebrate model organism in reproductive biology. The oocyte maturation of zebrafish is triggered by maturation inducing hormone (MIH, 17α,20β-Dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one). In almost all animals, the oocyte maturation is governed by activation of pre-MPF which consists of cyclinB and inactive Cdk1. In the oocyte of Xenopus and mice, the activity of Cdk1 is regulated in two ways, one is the interaction with cyclinB and the other is phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of T14/Y15 residues on the Cdk1 by Wee1 and Cdc25. Unlike Xenopus and mice that have a sufficient amount of pre-MPF, pre-MPF is absent in GV oocyte of most teleost including zebrafish. Therefore, the activation of MPF during zebrafish oocyte maturation might totally depend on de novo synthesis of cyclinB proteins. It is reported that the translation of maternal mRNA is regulated by combination of several RNA binding proteins such as CPEB, Dazl, Pum1/Pum2, and insulin-like growth factor2 mRNA-binding protein 3 in the zebrafish oocytes. However, the definitive mechanism of these proteins to regulate the translation of stored maternal mRNAs remains to be elucidated. Therefore, the investigation of the maturation process of the zebrafish oocyte will provide new information that can help identify the role of translational control in early vertebrate oocyte maturation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2015.08a
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• pp.65-65
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• 2015

In this talk, I will introduce two topics. The first topic is the polymer light emitting diodes (PLEDs) using graphene oxide quantum dots as emissive center. More specifically, the energy transfer mechanism as well as the origin of white electroluminescence in the PLED were investigated. The second topic is the facile synthesis of eco-friendly III-V colloidal quantum dots and their application to light emitting diodes. Polymer (organic) light emitting diodes (PLEDs) using quantum dots (QDs) as emissive materials have received much attention as promising components for next-generation displays. Despite their outstanding properties, toxic and hazardous nature of QDs is a serious impediment to their use in future eco-friendly opto-electronic device applications. Owing to the desires to develop new types of nanomaterial without health and environmental effects but with strong opto-electrical properties similar to QDs, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have attracted great interest as promising luminophores. However, the origin of electroluminescence (EL) from GQDs incorporated PLEDs is unclear. Herein, we synthesized graphene oxide quantum dots (GOQDs) using a modified hydrothermal deoxidization method and characterized the PLED performance using GOQDs blended poly(N-vinyl carbazole) (PVK) as emissive layer. Simple device structure was used to reveal the origin of EL by excluding the contribution of and contamination from other layers. The energy transfer and interaction between the PVK host and GOQDs guest were investigated using steady-state PL, time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Experiments revealed that white EL emission from the PLED originated from the hybridized GOQD-PVK complex emission with the contributions from the individual GOQDs and PVK emissions. (Sci Rep., 5, 11032, 2015). New III-V colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) were synthesized using the hot-injection method and the QD-light emitting diodes (QLEDs) using these CQDs as emissive layer were demonstrated for the first time. The band gaps of the III-V CQDs were varied by varying the metal fraction and by particle size control. The X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) results show that the crystal states of the III-V CQDs consist of multi-phase states; multi-peak photoluminescence (PL) resulted from these multi-phase states. Inverted structured QLED shows green EL emission and a maximum luminance of ~45 cd/m2. This result shows that III-V CQDs can be a good substitute for conventional cadmium-containing CQDs in various opto-electronic applications, e.g., eco-friendly displays. (Un-published results).

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2008

UV irradiation causes skin-aging involving coarse wrinkles, thickening, dyspigmentation, and rough skin surface. These phenomena in complex skin tissue is controlled with receptor of cell surface growth factor and cytokine receptors. The activation of receptors induces multiple downstream signaling pathways including expression of MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases). This study was aimed to elucidate the mechanism for anti-wrinkle activity of Korean red ginseng, Torilis fructus and Corni fructus mixture (KTNG0345). In this animal study, we have investigated decreasing effects of Korean red ginseng mixture on MMP-3 synthesis through diminishing $TNF-{\alpha}$ signaling that express MMP-1, -3, and -9. c-Jun and c-fos as a component of transcription factor AP-1 (activator protein-1) were analyzed the expression level using real time PCR and western blotting. c-Jun was decreased dose dependent manner both gene and protein level where as cfos was not changed. In upstream, JNK and PAK was not changed, but p38 was decreased in down stream. MMP-3, final product in this pathway was significantly decreased in dose dependent manner. These results suggest that Korean red ginseng mixture have a anti-wrinkle activity through $TNF-{\alpha}$ mediated MMPs expression pathway.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.204-219
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• 1997

The use of fluoride is one of the most effective methods for caries prevention. Fluoridation of public water supply has been recognized, for many years, as an effective way to reduce dental caries. The fluoride supplement has been recommended when the natural fluoride was unavailable or below the optimal range. However the mechanism of caries prevention by fluoride has not yet been clarified and it is well known that an overdose of fluoride results inacute and chronic toxicity, especially dental fluorosis. Fluoride mouthrinsing solution is widely used in dentistry due to its effectiveness in carrying anticariogenic action. Understanding the effects of fluoride mouthrinsing solution on human gingival fibroblasts will provide the safety rationale for its use during the caries preventive therapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of fluoride mouthrinsing solution on the human gingival fibroblast in vitro. The human gingival fibroblasts were cultured from healthy gingiva on the extracted deciduous teeth of children. Cells were inoculated into a 24-well plate with $1{\times}10^4cells/well$ of medium at $37^{\circ}C$, 100% humidity, 5% $CO_2$ incubator for 24 hours. And the cells were counted by using the hemocytometer at each designed study. Human gingival fibroblasts were cultured in growth medium after one minute application range of 0.02%-0.2% NaF solution and 0.1% $SnF_2$ solution. The cells used in this study were between fifth to eighth passage number. The cell morphology was examined by inverted microscope and cell proliferation was measured by incorporating $[^3H]$-thymidine into DNA. DNA synthesis by human gingival fibroblasts was assessed by $[^3H]$-thymidine uptake assays while the cell activity was measured by MTT assay. Each concentrated fluoride mouthrinsing solution was estimated for its biocompatability with fibroblasts by the tissue culture technique. The results of this study were as follows : 1. It was observed that at 0.05%, 0.2% NaF mouthrinsing solution the cytoplasmic processes became globular. When 0.1% $SnF_2$ mouthrinsing solution was applied, the cytoplasmic process and cell morphology were disappeared. 2. DNA synthetic activity was reduced regardless of the concentration of the fluoride mouthrinsing solution. However, the result is statistically insignificant except 0.1% $SnF_2$ mouthrinsing solution(p<0.05). 3. Our results indicate that 0.02%, 0.05% concentrations of NaF mouthrinsing solution caused minimal cytotoxicity. But 0.2% NaF and 0.1% $SnF_2$ concentration were a significant difference between the cell activity in the experimental group and control group (p<0.05). 4. After appling 0.05% & 0.02% NaF fluoride mouthrinsing solution, cell activity was restored to the control groups level according to incubating time. The results suggest that direct exposure to fluoride solution inhibits gingival fibroblast activity. Therefore, for the most effective use of fluoride use, lowering the concentration of fluoride mouthrinsing is advisable because it maintains biocompatability and free ion in the oral fluid.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.92-98
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• 1998

Poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (80:20) was synthesized from DL-lactide and glycolide, and the copolymers was made to micelles containing clonazepam for drug delivery system. The release experiments of the drug from micelles were operated at pH 7.4 phosphate buffer solution $37.0{\pm}0.05^{\circ}C$. The linearly-releasing time ranges of the drug from micelles prepared with the copolymer/drug weight ratio of 20:40, 20:20, and 40:20 (mg) were 50, 41, and 29 days, respectively. So the linearly-releasing time of drug showed the order of micelles 20/40 > micelles 20/20 > micelles 40/20. In short, the formulation allows polymeric micelles to suppress the burst effect of the drug release mechanism, which led to the controlled release pattern and the possibility of drug delivery system for veinous injection.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.355-362
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• 2013

This study was performed to assess the antioxidant activities and whitening effects of protopectinase enzymes and mechanical maceration from soybeans on melanin synthesis. The whitening effects of enzyme treatment and mechanical maceration were examined by an in vitro mushroom tyrosinase assay and by assessing markers in B16BL6 melanoma cells. We assessed inhibitory effects on the expression of melanogenic enzymes, including tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), and tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP-2) in B16BL6 cells. Inhibitory effects on free radical generation were determined by measuring DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities. In DPPH radical scavenging activity, enzyme treatment and mechanical maceration had a potent anti-oxidant activity in a dose-dependent manner and significantly inhibited tyrosinase activity in vitro and in B16BL6 melanoma cells. There was also an inhibition in the expression of tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2 in B16BL6 melanoma cells. Our results show that soybean protopectinase treatment inhibits melanogenesis, with the underlying mechanism possibly due to the inhibition of tyrosinase activity and tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2 expression. We suggest that soybean protopectinase should be contained as natural active ingredients for antioxidant and whitening cosmetics.

• BMB Reports
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.450-455
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• 2003

Antioxidant enzymes are scavenger reactive-oxygen intermediates and are involved in many cellular defense systems. We previously reported that a crude extract of Garnoderma lucidum, a medicinally potent mushroom, profoundly increased the catalase gene expression and enzyme activities in mouse livers (Park et al., J. Biochem. Mol. Biol. 34. 144-149, 2001). In this study, we elucidated the detailed mechanism whereby G. lucidum stimulates the catalase activity and expression. The major active fraction was isolated from G. lucidum and methyl linoleate was considered the most major component of the fraction. In order to determine whether methyl linoleate increases mRNA and protein synthesis of catalase, Northern and Western blot analyses were performed in vivo with methyl linoleate-treated mouse liver homogenate after feeding methyl linoleate to the mice. Northern and Western blot analyses of the crude liver homogenates in the mice that were administered methyl linoleate revealed that the expression catalase was significantly increased when compared to the untreated controls. In addition, the catalase protein levels and enzymatic activities increased in the mouse liver homogenates. These results suggest that methyl linoleate that is produced by G. lucidum stimulates the catalase expression at the transcription level.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.232-237
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• 2009

Sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c plays a crucial role in the regulation of lipogenic enzymes in the liver. We previously reported that an X-chromosome-linked RNA binding motif (RBMX) regulates the promoter activity of Srebp-1c. However, still unknown was how it regulates the gene expression. To elucidate this mechanism, we screened the cDNA library from mouse liver by yeast two-hybrid assay using RBMX as bait and identified scaffold attachment factor B1 (SAFB1). Immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated binding of SAFB1 to RBMX. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed binding of both SAFB1 and RBMX to the upstream region of Srebp-1c gene. RNA interference of Safb1 reduced the basal and RBMX-induced Srebp-1c promoter activities, resulting in reduced Srebp-1c gene expression. The effect of SAFB1 overexpression on Srebp-1c promoter was found only in the presence of RBMX. These results indicate a major role for SAFB1 in the activation of Srebp-1c through its interaction with RBMX.