• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제22권5호
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• pp.414-419
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• 2014

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc-dependent endopeptidases that regulate cell-matrix composition and are also involved in processing various bioactive molecules such as cell-surface receptors, chemokines, and cytokines. Our group recently reported that MMP-3, -8, and -9 are upregulated during microglial activation and play a role as proinflammatory mediators (Lee et al., 2010, 2014). In particular, we demonstrated that MMP-8 has tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$)-converting enzyme (TACE) activity by cleaving the prodomain of TNF-${\alpha}$ and that inhibition of MMP-8 inhibits TACE activity. The present study was undertaken to compare the effect of MMP-8 inhibitor (M8I) with those of inhibitors of other MMPs, such as MMP-3 (NNGH) or MMP-9 (M9I), in their regulation of TNF-${\alpha}$ activity. We found that the MMP inhibitors suppressed TNF-${\alpha}$ secretion from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglial cells in an order of efficacy: M8I>NNGH>M9I. In addition, MMP inhibitors suppressed the activity of recombinant TACE protein in the same efficacy order as that of TNF-${\alpha}$ inhibition (M8I>NNGH>M9I), proving a direct correlation between TACE activity and TNF-${\alpha}$ secretion. A subsequent pro-TNF-${\alpha}$ cleavage assay revealed that both MMP-3 and MMP-9 cleave a prodomain of TNF-${\alpha}$, suggesting that MMP-3 and MMP-9 also have TACE activity. However, the number and position of cleavage sites varied between MMP-3, -8, and -9. Collectively, the concurrent inhibition of MMP and TACE by NNGH, M8I, or M9I may contribute to their strong anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.349-360
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• 2018

Autophagy has been studied as a therapeutic strategy for cardiovascular diseases. However, insufficient studies have been reported concerning the influence of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) through autophagy regulation. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of VSMCs on the regulation of autophagy under in vitro conditions similar to vascular status of the equipped micro-tubule target agent-eluting stent and increased release of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB). Cell viability and proliferation were measured using MTT and cell counting assays. Immunofluorescence using an $anti-{\alpha}-tubulin$ antibody was performed to determine microtubule dynamic formation. Cell apoptosis was measured by cleavage of caspase-3 using western blot analysis, and by nuclear fragmentation using a fluorescence assay. Autophagy activity was assessed by microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-II (LC-II) using western blot analysis. Levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured using $H_2DCFDA$. The proliferation and viability of VSMCs were inhibited by microtubule regulation. Additionally, microtubule-regulated and PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMCs increased the cleavage of caspase-3 more than only the microtubule-regulated condition, similar to that of LC3-II, implying autophagy. Inhibitory autophagy of microtubule-regulated and PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMCs resulted in low viability. However, enhancement of autophagy maintained survival through the reduction of ROS. These results suggest that the apoptosis of conditioned VSMCs is decreased by the blocking generation of ROS via the promotion of autophagy, and proliferation is also inhibited. Thus, promoting autophagy as a therapeutic target for vascular restenosis and atherosclerosis may be a good strategy.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.8-15
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• 2021

More and more available fungal genome sequence data reveal a large amount of secondary metabolite (SM) biosynthetic 'dark matter' to be discovered. Heterogeneous expression is one of the most effective approaches to exploit these novel natural products, but it is limited by having to clone entire biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) without errors. So far, few effective technologies have been developed to manipulate the specific large DNA fragments in filamentous fungi. Here, we developed a fungal BGC-capturing system based on CRISPR/Cas9 cleavage in vitro. In our system, Cas9 protein was purified and CRISPR guide sequences in combination with in vivo yeast assembly were rationally designed. Using targeted cleavages of plasmid DNAs with linear (8.5 kb) or circular (8.5 kb and 28 kb) states, we were able to cleave the plasmids precisely, demonstrating the high efficiency of this system. Furthermore, we successfully captured the entire Nrc gene cluster from the genomic DNA of Neosartorya fischeri. Our results provide an easy and efficient approach to manipulate fungal genomic DNA based on the in vitro application of Cas9 endonuclease. Our methodology will lay a foundation for capturing entire groups of BGCs in filamentous fungi and accelerate fungal SMs mining.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제7권4호
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• pp.392-401
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• 1997

폴리오바이러스는 바이러스들 중에서도 특히 커기가 작은 바이러스로서 피막(coat)을 둘러싸는 막(envelop) 이 없다. 폴리오바이러스는 (+) 가닥의 단일 RNA 게놈을 갖는데 이는 한 개의 해독판 (open reading frame)을 이용하여 다단백전구체를 만든 후 바이러스 자체의 단백질분해효소에 의해 스스로 잘라져서 궁극적으로느 특이한 기능을 갖는 여러개의 단백질이 된다. P1 다단백질전구체로부터 만들어지는 단백질들은 바이러스의 피막을 구성하는 성분이다. 단백질분해효소인 2A에 의한 최초의 절단은 구조단백질 P1 전구체와 구조단백질이 아닌 P2-P3간을 분리시켜준다. 단백질분해효소 2A는 진핵세포 판독개시인자(translation initiation factor) 4F의 한 subunit인 숙주단백질 p220의 절단에 간접으로 참여한다. 이 단백질의 절단은 캡(cap)에 의존하는 숙주세포의 대부분의 판독을 차단하게 되며 이는 판독에 사용되는 숙주세포의 모든 기구들을 캡에 의존하지 않는 폴리오바이러스 NA 특유의 판독을 위해 전적으로 사용할 수 있게 해준다. 2B, 2C, 2BC 단백질의 기능에 대해서는 많이 알려져 있지 않다. 2B, 2C, 2BC와 3CD 단백질들은 바이러스로 인해 만들어지는 소낭(vesicle)의 복제복합체에 함유되어 있으므로 바이러스의 RNA 복제시 중요한 역할을 함을 암시해준다. 새로이 만들어진 모든 바이러스 RNA는 VPg와 공유결합으로 연결되어 있다. VPg는 3AB로부터 만들어진 아미노산 22개 짜리의 폴리펩타이드이다. 3C와 3CD는 단백질분해소로 다단백질 전구체의 대부분의 절단부위를 잘라준다. 3C단백질은 숙주의 전사인자를 불활성화 시킴으로써 RNA polymer II와 III에 의한 전사를 저해한다. 3D는 RNA의존선RNA 중합효소이다. 폴리오바이러스는 (+)가닥 RNA 바이러스의 일반적인 복제양식을 따른다. 즉 (+) 가닥 RNA는 이와 상보적인 (-)가닥 RNA로 전사되고 이는 다시 (+)가닥 RNA의 합성을 위한 주형으로 사용된다. 폴리오바이러스의 RNA 합성은 세포내막에서 일어나는 데 RNA 복제에 요구되는 주형 RNA와 이때 필요한 단백질들이 어떤 방법으로 세포내막에서 모일 수 있는지는 아직 밝혀진 것이 적다. 바이러스입자의 형성은 세포막의 RNA 복제가 들어가는 데 피막단백질이 (+)가닥 RNA을 인식하는 표지 즉 packaging singal에 대해서는 거의 알려져 있지 않다. 폴리오바이러스 감염 후 첫 바이러스입자가 만들어지기 까는 약 6시간이 소요된다.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.219-224
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to develop transgenic cell line expressing targeted human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (hGCSF) and green fluorescence protein (GFP) genes as well as production of Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) embryos derived from co-expressed transgenic donor cells. Constructed pPiggy-mWAP-hGCSF-EF1-GFP vector was chemically transfected into bovine fetus cells and then, only GFP expressed cells were selected as donor cells for SCNT. Cleavage and blastocyst rates of parthenogenetic, SCNT embryos using non-TG cell and hGCSF-GFP dual expressed SCNT embryos were examined (cleavage rate: $78.0{\pm}2.8$ vs. $73.1{\pm}3.2$ vs. $70.4{\pm}4.3%$, developmental rate: $27.2{\pm}3.2$ vs. $21.9{\pm}3.1$ vs. $17.0{\pm}2.9%$). Result indicated that cleavage and blastocyst rates of TG embryos were significantly lower (P<0.05) than those of parthenogenetic and non-TG embryos, respectively. In this study, we successfully produced hGCSF-GFP dual expressed SCNT embryos and cryopreserved to produce transgenic cattle for bioreactor system purpose. Further process of our research will transfer of transgenic embryos to recipients and production of hGCSF secreting cattle.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제31권5호
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• pp.658-671
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• 2018

Objective: Nandrolone decanoate (ND) is an anabolic-androgenic steroid frequently used for clinical treatment. However, the inappropriate use of ND results in the reduction of serum testosterone level and sperm production. The suppressive effect of ND on testosterone production has not been investigated in detail. The present study was designed to examine the effect of ND on the expression of steroidogenic enzymes in the rat testis. Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats at 50 days of age were subcutaneously administrated with either 2 or 10 mg of ND/kg body weight/week for 2 or 12 weeks. The changes of transcript and protein levels of steroidogenic enzymes in the testis were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting analyses, respectively. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis was employed to determine the changes of immunostaining intensity of these enzymes. The steroidogenic enzymes investigated were steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage enzyme, $17{\alpha}-hydroxylase$, $3{\beta}-hydroxysteroid$ dehydrogenase, and cytochrome P450 aromatase. Results: The treatment of ND resulted in depletion of Leydig cells and sloughing of germ cells in the testis. The ND treatment caused significant expressional decreases of steroidogenic enzymes at transcript and protein levels, and the destructive effects of ND on the testis were more apparent with a higher dose and a longer period of the treatment. Evident reduction of immunostaining intensity present in Leydig cells was clearly detected by the ND treatment. Conclusion: The exposure to ND in young male results not only in histological changes of the testis but also in aberrant gene expression of testicular steroidogenic enzymes, consequently leading into the reduction of testosterone production in the testis and thus likely disruption of spermatogenesis.

• 한국동물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국동물학회 1998년도 한국생물과학협회 학술발표대회
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• pp.360-360
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• 1998

C11, a chloride-containing VK3 analog, acts as a mediator of programmed cell death in SK-Hep-1 cell lines, but its molecular mechanisms linked to cell death are not understood. In this study, we investigated the expression of p21 gene and its relationship to apoptosis induced by C11. In SK -hep-1 cells, the addition of C11 resulted in time-dependent growth suppression and DNA fragmentation characteristics of apoptosis. p21 protein was induced during this process, while the protein level of p53 was not changed at the same condition. This apoptotic cell death with p21 induction was also observed in the Hep3B cells lacking functional p53 after treatment of C11. These results suggest that C11-induced apoptosis is associated with up-regulation of p21 protein in p53-independent pathway. Next, in order to confirm whether the p53-independent p21 induction is required for C11-induced apoptosis, we introduced the p21 gene into Hep3B. Overexpression of p21 did not affect the expression of the bcl-2 gene, but DNA fragmentation and PARa cleavage were significantly increased. These data indicate that p21 is involved in C11-induced apoptosis. Although Bcl-2 has been implicated to interfere with an essential signaling molecule involved in the apoptosis pathway, its molecular mechanism and target molecule are poorly understood. To determine the effects of bcl-2 overexpression on apoptosis and to investigate whether BcI-2 interfers with the p53-independent p21 pathway, we transfected the bcl-2 expression vector into SK - Hep-1 cels. Overexpression of Bcl-2 prevented C11-induced apoptosis. Taken together, C11-induced apoptosis is regulated by p52-independent p21 pathway and bcl-2 may inhibit functional activity of p21, therebe may inhibit the C11-induced apoptosis.ptosis.

• 생약학회지
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• 제32권4호통권127호
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• pp.274-279
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• 2001

Ailanthus altissima belonging to the family Simaroubaceae has been used to settle an upset stomach, to combat a fever, and as an insecticide. Apoptosis is an active process, which is a critical feature of the regulated development of multicellular organisms. We investigated whether the extract of A. altissima induced apoptotic cell death in Jurkat T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells. Upon treatments with the extract, the dose-dependent inhibitions of cell viability were observed. It also caused apoptosis as measured by cell morphology and DNA fragmentation. The capability of the extract to induce apoptosis was associated with proteolytic cleavage of specific target protein such as poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) protein, suggesting the possible involvement of the activations of caspases. Further study showed that Bcl-2 protein levels were not changed in all treated groups compared to control group. These results suggest that A. altissima induces Bcl- 2-independent apoptosis in Jurkat T cells.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.563-569
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• 2004

The DNA sequence of the chitosanase gene (choK) from $\beta$-Proteobacterium KNU3 showed an 1,158-bp open reading frame that encodes a protein of 386 amino acids with a novel 74 signal peptide. The degenerated primers based on the partial deduced amino acid sequences from MALDI- TOF MS analyses yielded the 820 bp of the PCR product. Based on this information, double inverse PCR cloning experiments, which use the two specific sets of PCR primers rather than single set primers, identified the unknown 1.2 kb of the choK gene. Subsequently, a 1.8 kb of full choK gene was cloned from another PCR cloning experiment and it was then subcloned into pGEM T-easy and pUC18 vectors. The recombinant E. coli clone harboring recombinant pUC18 vector produced a clear halo around the colony in the glycol chitosan plates. The recombinant ChoK protein was secreted into medium in a mature form while the intracellular ChoK was produced without signal peptide cleavage. The activity staining of PAGE showed that the recombinant ChoK protein was identical to the chitosanase of wild-type. The comparison of deduced amino acid sequences of choK revealed that there is 92% identity with that of Sphingobacterium multivorum chitosanase. Judging from the conserved module in other bacterial chitosanases, chitosanase of KNU3 strain (ChoK) belongs to the family 80 of glycoside hydrolases.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.38-43
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• 2020

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is caused by enterovirus 71 (EV71) in infants and children under six years of age. HFMD is characterized by fever, mouth ulcers, and vesicular rashes on the palms and feet. EV71 also causes severe neurological manifestations, such as brainstem encephalitis and aseptic meningitis. Recently, frequent outbreaks of EV71 have occurred in the Asia-Pacific region, but currently, no effective antiviral drugs have been developed to treat the disease. In this study, we investigated the antiviral effect of salvianolic acid B (SalB) on EV71. SalB is a major component of the Salvia miltiorrhiza root and has been shown to be an effective treatment for subarachnoid hemorrhages and myocardial infarctions. HeLa cells were cultured in 12-well plates and treated with SalB (100 or 10 ㎍/ml) and 10⁶ PFU/ml of EV71. SalB treatment (100 ㎍/ml) significantly decreased the cleavage of the eukaryotic eIF4G1 protein and reduced the expression of the EV71 capsid protein VP1. In addition, SalB treatment showed a dramatic decrease in viral infection, measured by immunofluorescence staining. The Akt signaling pathway, a key component of cell survival and proliferation, was significantly increased in EV71-infected HeLa cells treated with 100 ㎍/ml SalB. RT-PCR results showed that the mRNA for anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and the cell cycle regulator Cyclin-D1 were significantly increased by SalB treatment. These results indicate that SalB activates Akt/PKB signaling and inhibits apoptosis in infected HeLa cells. Taken together, these results suggest that SalB could be used to develop a new therapeutic drug for EV71-induced HFMD.