• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.11
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• pp.830-842
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• 2021

When perceiving microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) or plant-derived damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), plants alter their root growth and development by displaying a reduction in the root length and the formation of root hairs and lateral roots. The exogenous application of a MAMP peptide, flg22, was shown to affect root growth by suppressing meristem activity. In addition to MAMPs, the DAMP peptide PEP1 suppresses root growth while also promoting root hair formation. However, the question of whether and how these elicitor peptides affect the development of the vascular system in the root has not been explored. The cellular receptors of PEP1, PEPR1 and PEPR2 are highly expressed in the root vascular system, while the receptors of flg22 (FLS2) and elf18 (EFR) are not. Consistent with the expression patterns of PEP1 receptors, we found that exogenously applied PEP1 has a strong impact on the division of stele cells, leading to a reduction of these cells. We also observed the alteration in the number and organization of cells that differentiate into xylem vessels. These PEP1-mediated developmental changes appear to be linked to the blockage of symplastic connections triggered by PEP1. PEP1 dramatically disrupts the symplastic movement of free green fluorescence protein (GFP) from phloem sieve elements to neighboring cells in the root meristem, leading to the deposition of a high level of callose between cells. Taken together, our first survey of PEP1-mediated vascular tissue development provides new insights into the PEP1 function as a regulator of cellular reprogramming in the Arabidopsis root vascular system.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.26 no.1 s.54
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• pp.83-94
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• 1996

Substance P is one of the neuropeptide which presents highly in tension site of periodontal ligament during the orthodontic tooth movement. It has bnn also hon as one of the neuropeptides which cause neurogenic inflammation in various tissues and organs. However, there is no report about the effect of substance P on major extracellular matrix protein, collagen production. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the collagen production by substance P in human periodontal ligament cell. The collagenase-digestion method was used to evaluate collagen production and also used Northern blot hybridization for the evaluation of collagen mRNA level. This study also Included in terms of prostanglandins and gelatinase production with respect to collagen production. For the collagen degradation, zymography was used to estimate denatured collagen degradation. Dose-dependent effect of substance P on noncollagen protein, collagen, and percent collagen was that substance P increased noncollagen protein synthesis, but decreased collagen sytnsis. So the percent collagen, which determined by relative collagen production against total protein production, w3s decreased from $7\%\;to\;3.6\%$. This inhibitory effect of substance P on collagen production was disappeared when cells were treated concomitantly with indomethacin. It means that substance P-induced inhibitory effect on collagen production was due at least in part to the production of prostaglandins. To evaluate whether substance P-induced inhibitory effect on collagen production is correspond to the steady-state levels of procollagen mRNA, Northern blot hybridization was performed and it showed that substance P has no effect on the steady-slate level of ${\alpha}1(I)$ procollagen mRNA. It means that the inhibitory effect of substance P on collagen production was due to the change of a certain mechanism after posttranscription. In this context, gelatinase production by substance P in periodontal ligament cells was evaluated by zymography. Zymogram showed that substance P has no effect on gelatinase production in periodontal ligament cells. To explore wheter substance P-induced inhibitory effect on collagen production is selevtive in periodontal ligament cells or not, MC3T3-E1 cells which originated from mouse calvaria was used. It showed that substance P has no effect on collagen production in MC3T3-E1 cells. Taken together, substance P inhibits collagen production in human periodontal ligament cells. This effect was not due to the change of the steady-state level of procollagen mRNA and gelatinase production, but due at least in part to the change of prostaglandins production.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.143-152
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• 2010

Conditions for artificial culture of Lemna Paucicostata and its nutritional values were examined in this study. Lemna P. was cultured using artificial wastewater and a bioreactor (total volume $2,630\;cm^3$, working volume $2,240\;cm^3$) was operated at conditions of 6,250 lux and $28^{\circ}C$. Water flow affected the growth of Lemna P.: growth rate was very high (more than $1.1\;d^{-1}$) at a condition of no-water movement, but it was very low (less than $0.15\;d^{-1}$) when water moved slowly. The growth of Lemna P. was higher in $16h\;d^{-1}$ light cycle than in Sand $24h\;d^{-1}$, and it was also severely affected by the initial $NH_4$-N levels of wastewater. The growth rate of Lemna P. was high in lower $NH_4$-N level, indicating that the growth rate is in inverse proportion to $NH_4$-N concentration in wastewater. However, the contents of crude protein (CP) of Lemna P. were proportional to the initial $NH_4$-N concentration. The CP contents of Lemna P. cultured at 2, 10, 50 and 100 $NH_4$-N mg $L^{-1}$ was 18, 24, 37, 43%, respectively, showing the Lemna P. cultured at 50 and $100\;mg\;L^{-1}$ had similar protein contents to linseed (CP 35%), cottonseed (CP 38%) and soybean (CP 45%). Fat, protein, fiber, NDF and ADF contents of Lemna P. harvested at conditions of $16h\;d^{-1}$ light cycle and less than $2\;mg\;L^{-1}$ of $NH_4$-N level was 2.8, 18, 27, 20, 41 and 65.7%, respectively. Since the growth rate of Lemna P. was very high (more than $1.1\;d^{-1}$) at those conditions, it was convinced that mass production of valuable protein and fiber sources are feasible. In particular, since the Lemna P. has unsaturated fatty acids found mainly in animal fat as well as beneficial fatty acids to health such as C18:ln9c, C18:2n6c, C20:5n3 and C22:2, the Lemna P. biomass would be a highly valuable alternative feed source to grains.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-35
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• 1997

Fertilized egg, by successive cell divisions, differentiates into different tissues and organs with various structures and functions. Different cells and tissues contain different proteins, products of selective gene expression. Not all the genes in any genomes are equally active, temporal and spatial gene expression being the general rule. Present paper attempts to review the tanscriptional mechanisms or the initiations of transcription from several angles. In some of the organisms the genes in the process of transcription or the genes in the inactive state can be seen under the light microscope. Some bands of Drosophila polytene chromosomes may exhibit a swollen or puff appearance under certain conditions. A puff, unfolded or decondensed form of chromomere, represents sets of intense transcriptional activity or RNA synthesis. The heterochromatic X chromosome whose genes remain inactive in the female mammals can be visualized as a dark staining structure called Barr body, Configuration of chromatin differs between transcribed and nontranscribed chromatin. Modification to the chromatin facilitates RNA synthesis. The movement of large polymerase molecule along the DNA would probably be facilitated if some modifications of the chromatin configuration is effected. Methylation of cytosines in CG sequences is associated with inactive genes. Methylation can play a role in determination of mammalian cells during embryogenesis. Demethylation is necessary for the gene to be expressed during development A histone modification that is also known to be correlated with transcriptional capacity of chromatin is acetylation of the lysine residues of the core histones. Chromatin containing a high level of histone acetylation is very sensitive to DNase 1. For the transcription to occur TBP must first bind to the TATA box. Another TF, TF IIB, then binds to the promoter-TBP complex, facilitating the access of RNA polymerase to the transcription initiation site. As recently as eight years ago researchers assumed that histones were irrelevant to the regulation of gene expression. Histones combine with the DNA to form nucleosome of the chromatin. Histones are vital participant in gene regulation. Histone and basal factors compete for access to TATA box. When DNA is exposed to basal factors before histones are introduced, the basal factors assemble on TATA boxes preventing the access of histones, allowing transcription to occur, for transcription to begin, activator protein at the upstream activation sequence or enhancer must interact with the tail of histone H4 at TATA box and cause the histone role particle to dissociate from the TATA box leading to partial breakup of the histone core particle and allowing the basal factors to bind to the TATA box. New concept of genomic flux in contrast to the old concept of static genome has been developed based on the powerful new molecular techniques. Genomic changes such as repetitive DNAs and transposable elements, it is assumed but not yet proved, may affect some of the developmental patterns that characterize particular cells, tissues, organs, and organisms. In the last decade or so remarkable achievement have been made in the researches of the structures and functions of TFs and the specific target sequences located in promoters or enhancers where these TFs bind. TFs have independent domains that bind DNA and that activate transcription. DNA binding domain of TFs serves to bring the protein into the right location. There are many types of DNA binding domains. Common types of motifs can be found that are responsible for binding to DNA. The motifs are usually quite short and comprise only a small part of the protein structure. Steroid receptors have domains for hormone binding, DNA binding, and activating transcription. The zinc finger motif comprises a DNA binding domain. Leucine zipper consist of a stretch of amino acids with a leucine residue in every seventh position Two proteins form a dimer because they interact by means of leucine zippers on similar α-helical domain. This positions their DNA binding basic domains for interaction with the two halves of a DNA sequence with dyad symmetry of TGACTCA, ACTGAGT.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.187-208
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• 2000

By the activation of ovary hormone, many morphological changes occur in the epithelial cell lines and muscle cells in rat uterus. These two cells in uterus are important to the implantation of embryo, maintaining pregnancy and starting parturition. One important change associated with the morphological change of these two cells in uterus is the change on prostaglandin(PG) metabolism. Its presence and synthesis in endometriurn and myometrium in uterus affects estrous cycle and the start of embryo implantation in uterus. It also performs as an important modulator in parturition. So the abnormally weak expression of PG causes difficulty during labor and over-expression causes pre-term labor. PG biosynthesis starts from either free or liberated arachidonic acids from membrane phospholipid by phospholipase. Such arachidonic acids are converted into PG catalyzed by Cyclooxygenase. Under normal physiological condition, Cyclooxygenase-1(COX-1) having 602 units of amino acids controls the synthesis of PG. It acts as a local hormone regulating vasomodulation of blood flow, flexible muscle movement, increasing the blood permeability and contributing the protective role in preserving integrity of the stomach lining and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is induced by the inflammation, pregnancy and increased its expression until parturition. Lipid metabolite like PG is located in uterine and expression of COX-2 increased with pregnancy. Increased expression of COX proteins in epithelial cells and myometrial cells are told to increase the muscle contractility in uterus but decreased right after the labor in rat. It is a good sign indicating that COX proteins are deeply related to the start of labor. Currently, Several studies report the use of PG and COX-2 inhibitor as medication for controlled abortion or to prevent pre-term labor but they entail various side-effects. Our study proposed to suggest use of acupuncture as an another mediator to control abortion or pre-term labor without causing unnecessary side-effects by those medicines. Two acupuncture sites, LI-4 & SP-6 were selected due to their known efficacy. From the immunohistochemical staining of COX-2, normal expression of COX-2 protein in nonpregnant SD rat's uterus revealed that COX-2 protein was primarily detected in the lumina epithelial lining and in the epithelial cell lining contacting the stromal cells. High resolution optical microscopic scanning revealed distinguishable staining in the myometrial mucosa. LI-4 acupuncture administered nonpregnant rat's uterus showed strong expression for COX-2 in endometrium contacted with lumina epithelial lining of rat uterus and in myometrial mucosa. Stromal cells showed more staining than untreated nonpregnant rat's uterus and stronger staining in stromal cells contacting myometrial layer compared to untreated nonpregnant rat's uterus. SP-6 acupuncture administered nonpregnant rat's uterus showed weak expression for COX-2 in myometrial layers and stromal cells but no staining was visible in lumina epitheliai and glandular epithelial cells. Few stromal cells and myometrial mucosa were positively stained for COX-2. Pregnant SD rat's uterus was also immunostained for COX-2 expression after 18 days of pregnancy. Unlike to untreated nonpregnant rat's uterus, luminal epithelial cells were not positively stained for COX-2 but stronger staining for COX-2 was revealed in stromal cells. LI-4 acupunctured SD rat's uterus had very strong expression of COX-2 in luminal epithelial lining. Few stromal cells showed stronger positive COX-2 staining and myometrial layers also showed more expression than untreated pregnant rat. SP-6 acupuncture administered pregnant SD rat's uterus showed positive expression of COX-2 in epithelial cells of luminal mucosa layer but weaker than that of LI-4 acupuncture treatment's case. However, strong positive staining was revealed in stromal mucosa and myometrial layers. Virgin SD rat's uterus motility index during LI-4 acupuncture was 66.52 % (Prob〉T = 0.0197) compared to its motility before the acupuncture treatment but the motility index was slighdy elevated up to 79.58 % (Prob〉T = 0.1175) after the acupuncture. During the SP-6 acupuncture treatment for 30 minutes, uterus motility index was 90.52 % (Prob〉T = 0.1832) showing lesser decrement but consequently reached similar motility index decreasal to 79.95 % (Prob〉T = 0.0215) after the acupuncture treatment as LI-4 showed. LI-4 acupuncture tend to be a quick treatment to reducing the uterus motility in a virgin rat but eventually both two acupuncture administration created very similar reduction of uterus motility seeing the index after the both acupunctures. The uterus movement monitored during the LI-4 acupuncture administered for 30 minutes, Pregnant SD rat showed decreased motility down to 77.90 % (Prob〉 T = 0.0076) compared to uterus motility before the acupuncture and it continuously decreased down to 71.81 %(Prob〉T = 0.0214) after the removal of needle. The statistical analysis using paired t-test showed significance difference for both two motility indexs at =0.05. SP-6 acupuncture administered to pregnant SD rat also had similar pattern of decreasing uterus motility index down to 74.70 % (Prob〉T = 0.1730) during the initial 30 minutes acupuncture administration and it was continuously lowered to 71.52 % (Prob〉T = 0.0155) after the acupuncture. The paired t-test resuit for SP-6 suggest prompt response of uterus motility index to the SP-6 acupuncture treatment but consequently reached same level of inducing the motility reduction as LI-4 at =0.05 level.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.28 no.5 s.70
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• pp.699-716
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• 1998

This study was designed to evaluate the expression of non-collagenous protein in periodontal tissue during the experimental movement of rat incisors, by LSAB(labelled streptavidine biotin) immunohistochemical staining for osteonectin and osteocalcin. Twenty seven Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a control group(3 rats) and 6 experimental groups(24 rats) where 75g of force was applied from helical springs across the maxillary incisors. Rats of experimental groups were sacrificed at 12 hours, 1, 4, 7, 14 and 28 days after force application, respectively. And the tissues of a control group and experimental groups were studied immunohistochemically and histologically. The results were as follows : 1. Until 28 days after force application, periodontal fibers had been strectched on tension side and compressed in pressure side of all the experimental groups, and the arrangement of periodontal fibers had not been recovered yet. 2. The expression of osteonectin in control group was rare in dentin, cementum and osteocyte, and was mild in odontoblasts and matrix of alveolar bone. 3. The expression of osteocalcin in control group was negative in gingiva, osteoblasts, osteocyte and cementum, and was rare in predentin, capillaries in pulp and periodontal ligament and the matrix of alveolar bone. 4. There was no difference in the expression of osteocalcin or osteonectin in dentin, cementum, pulp, odontoblasts, between of control and of experimental groups. 5. The expression of osteonectin in intermaxillary suture got the peak in 7-day and was declined after 14-day. The expression of osteocalcin remained in a same degree since it became mild in 14-day. 6. The expression of osteonectin in pressure side of periodontal ligament of experimental group was rare, which was similar to control group. But in tension side, it was increased until 14-day aftrer which it was declined. 7. The expression of osteocalcin in periodntal ligament was rare in 12-hour to 14-day, but became severe in 28-day, which was greater in tension side than in pressure side, and in the periodontal fiber next to alveolar bone than to tooth surface. 8. The expression of osteocalcin in alveolar bone was rare until 14-day in pressure side, but became moderate in 28-day. The expression of osteonectin was increased from 7-day by time dependency, which was greater in tension side than in pressure side.

• 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.8
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• pp.953-959
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• 2015

Optogenetics is the combination of optical and molecular strategies to control designated molecular and cellular activities in living tissues and cells using genetically encoded light-sensitive proteins. It involves the use of light to rapidly gate the membrane channels that allows for ion movement. Optogenetics began with the placing of light-sensitive proteins from green algae inside specific types of brain cells. The cells can then be turned on or off with pulses of blue and yellow light. Using the naturally occurring algal protein Channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2), a rapidly gated light-sensitive cation channel, the number and frequency of action potentials can be controlled. The ChR2 provides a way to manipulate a single type of neuron while affecting no others, an unprecedented specificity. This technology allows the use of light to alter neural processing at the level of single spikes and synaptic events, yielding a widely applicable tool for neuroscientists and biomedical engineers. An improbable combination of green algae, lasers, gene therapy and fiber optics made it possible to map neural circuits deep inside the brain with a precision that has never been possible before. This will help identify the causes of disorders like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, addiction, sleep disorder, and autism. Optogenetics could improve upon existing implanted devices that are used to treat Parkinson’s disease, obsessive-compulsive disorder and other ailments with pulses of electricity. An optogenetics device could hit more specific subsets of brain cells than those devices can. Applications of optogenetic tools in nonneuronal cells are on the rise.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.159-165
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• 2015

Input signals originating from baroreceptors and vestibular receptors are integrated in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) to maintain blood pressure during postural movement. The contribution of baroreceptors and vestibular receptors in the maintenance of blood pressure following hypotension were quantitatively analyzed by measuring phosphorylated extracellular regulated protein kinase (pERK) expression and glutamate release in the RVLM. The expression of pERK and glutamate release in the RVLM were measured in conscious rats that had undergone bilateral labyrinthectomy (BL) and/or sinoaortic denervation (SAD) following hypotension induced by a sodium nitroprusside (SNP) infusion. The expression of pERK was significantly increased in the RVLM in the control group following SNP infusion, and expression peaked 10 min after SNP infusion. The number of pERK positive neurons increased following SNP infusion in BL, SAD, and BL+SAD groups, although the increase was smaller than seen in the control group. The SAD group showed a relatively higher reduction in pERK expression when compared with the BL group. The level of glutamate release was significantly increased in the RVLM in control, BL, SAD groups following SNP infusion, and this peaked 10 min after SNP infusion. The SAD group showed a relatively higher reduction in glutamate release when compared with the BL group. These results suggest that the baroreceptors are more powerful in pERK expression and glutamate release in the RVLM following hypotension than the vestibular receptors, but the vestibular receptors still have an important role in the RVLM.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.507-519
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• 1999

The ultimate objective of periodontal treatment is to stop disease progression and to regenerate destroyed periodontal tissues and thereby regain normal function. Growth factors are naturally found polypetides which stimulate many cellular activities pertaining to wound healing by acting as signal molecule in controlling cell movement, proliferation, and matrix production. Platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) is 28,000-35,000 Da molecular weight dimeric protein with 2 long positively charged polypeptide chains connected by sulfide bonds. The purpose of this study is to evaluate histologically the initial guided tissue regeneration in a periodontal defect f a beagle dog treated with a biodegradable membrane formed with polylactic acid (poly-L-lactic acid) and polyglycolic acid loaded with 200ng/$cm^2$ platelet derived growth factor. 2 beagle dogs were used in he experiment. $5mm{\times}6mm$ alveolar bone defect was formed in upper and lower canines and third premolars and a reference notch was placed. PDGF-BB non-containing membrane was used as control. Each defect was randomly assigned to the test roup or the control group. The dogs were sacrificed 3 weeks after membrane placement. Toluidine blue and multiple staining was done for histological analysis. In the 3 week specimen in the control group, no new one formation could be seen. Small amount f bone resorption below the notch could be seen. In the notch, loose connective tissue with infiltration of inflammatory cells could be seen. Also thin discontinuous new cementum could be seen and the membrane still retained its structure. Where PDGF-BB containing membrane was used, new bone formation could be seen in the notch at weeks and also continuous thin cementum could be seen. PDL cells were observed between new bone and new cementum and some were attached to bone and cementum. These results suggest that new bone and cementum formation seen when PDGF-BB loaded membrane was used was due to inhibition of downgrowth of epithelial cells and also due to continuous release of the growth factor. Further study on the resorption characteristics of the membrane nd the release characteristics of the PDGF-BB is necessary. Also, development of a membrane easier to use clinically is necessary.