• 한국수산과학회지
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• 제54권1호
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• pp.16-22
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• 2021

This study investigated the reduction in human norovirus (HNV) GII. 4 count in pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas using electron beam irradiation. Infectious HNV GII. 4 was detected using RT-qPCR (real time reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction) with PMA (propidium monoazide)/sarkosyl. At electron beam doses 1, 5, 7, and 10 kGy, the count of HNV GII. 4 was 2.74, 2.37, 2.06, and 1.55 log copies/μL (control, 3.01 log copy/μL), respectively, confirming that as the irradiation dose increased, norovirus count reduced significantly (P<0.05). After PMA/sarkosyl treatment, the counts further reduced at the same irradiation dose, and 10 kGy showed significant differences between the non-treated and PMA/sarkosyl-treated samples (P<0.05). The Ed (decimal reduction dose of electron beam) value based on the first-order kinetic model was 7.33 kGy (R2=0.98). No significant difference was observed in the pH values of the control (6.2) and electron beam-irradiated samples at all doses (6.1). For sensory evaluation, the non-treated sample scored the highest in all categories (5.25-6.17), while the samples treated with 10 kGy showed the lowest score (4.67-5.33), although without statistical significance (P>0.05). Overall, our results suggest that 7 kGy electron beam is sufficient for the non-thermal sterilization of oysters without causing significant changes in quality.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제31권11호
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• pp.1508-1518
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• 2021

Hsa_circ_0001947 is associated with multiple cancers, but its function in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is ambiguous and needs further research. The targeting relationship among circ_0001947, miR-661, and downstream of tyrosine kinase 7 (DOK7) was predicted by database and further verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay, while their expressions in cancer tissues and cells were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). After transfection, cell biological behaviors and expressions of miRNAs, miR-661 and DOK7 were determined by cell function experiments and qRT-PCR, respectively. Circ_0001947 was low-expressed in NSCLC tissues and cells. Circ_0001947 knockdown intensified cell viability and proliferation, induced cell cycle arrest at S phase, suppressed apoptosis and evidently enhanced miR-510, miR-587, miR-661 and miR-942 levels, while circ_0001947 overexpression did the opposite. MiR-661 was a target gene of circ_0001947 that participated in the regulation of circ_0001947 on cell biological behaviors. Furthermore, DOK7, the target gene of miR-661, partly participated in the regulation of miR-661 on cell viability. Hsa_circ_0001947 acts as a sponge of miR-661 to repress NSCLC development by elevating the expression of DOK7.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제36권9호
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• pp.1367-1375
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• 2023

Objective: Pigment production and distribution are controlled through multiple proteins, resulting in different coat color phenotypes of sheep. Methods: The expression distribution of vimentin (VIM) and transthyretin (TTR) in white and black sheep skins was detected by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem MS (LC-ESI-MS/MS), gene ontology (GO) statistics, immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to evaluate their role in the coat color formation of sheep. Results: LC-ESI-MS/MS results showed VIM and TTR proteins in white and black skin tissues of sheep. Meanwhile, GO functional annotation analysis suggested that VIM and TTR proteins were mainly concentrated in cellular components and biological process, respectively. Further research confirmed that VIM and TTR proteins were expressed at significantly higher levels in black sheep skins than in white sheep skins by Western blot, respectively. Immunohistochemistry notably detected VIM and TTR in hair follicle, dermal papilla, and outer root sheath of white and black sheep skins. qRT-PCR results also revealed that the expression of VIM and TTR mRNAs was higher in black sheep skins than in white sheep skins. Conclusion: The expression of VIM and TTR were higher in black sheep skins than in white sheep skins and the transcription and translation were unanimous in this study. VIM and TTR proteins were expressed in hair follicles of white and black sheep skins. These results suggested that VIM and TTR were involved in the coat color formation of sheep.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.522-535
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• 2024

Objective: Transition period is considered from 3 weeks prepartum to 3 weeks postpartum, characterized with dramatic events (endocrine, metabolic, and physiological) leading to occurrence of production diseases (negative energy balance/ketosis, milk fever etc). The objectives of our study were to analyze the periodic concentration of serum beta-hydroxy butyric acid (BHBA), glucose and oxidative markers along with identification, and validation of the putative markers of negative energy balance in buffaloes using in-silico and quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay. Methods: Out of 20 potential markers of ketosis identified by in-silico analysis, two were selected and analyzed by qRT-PCR technique (upregulated; acetyl serotonin o-methyl transferase like and down regulated; guanylate cyclase activator 1B). Additional two sets of genes (carnitine palmotyl transferase A; upregulated and Insulin growth factor; downregulated) that have a role of hepatic fatty acid oxidation to maintain energy demands via gluconeogenesis were also validated. Extracted cDNA (complementary deoxyribonucleic acid) from the blood of the buffaloes were used for validation of selected genes via qRTPCR. Concentrations of BHBA, glucose and oxidative stress markers were identified with their respective optimized protocols. Results: The analysis of qRT-PCR gave similar trends as shown by in-silico analysis throughout the transition period. Significant changes (p<0.05) in the levels of BHBA, glucose and oxidative stress markers throughout this period were observed. This study provides validation from in-silico and qRT-PCR assays for potential markers to be used for earliest diagnosis of negative energy balance in buffaloes. Conclusion: Apart from conventional diagnostic methods, this study improves the understanding of putative biomarkers at the molecular level which helps to unfold their role in normal immune function, fat synthesis/metabolism and oxidative stress pathways. Therefore, provides an opportunity to discover more accurate and sensitive diagnostic aids.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제31권6호
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• pp.784-793
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• 2021

Previous studies have uncovered the role of circ_0000144 in various tumors. Here, we investigated the function and mechanism of circ_0000144 in gastric cancer (GC) progression. The expression of circ_0000144 in GC tissues and cells was detected through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) method. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments including colony formation, wound healing and transwell assays were performed to examine the role of circ_0000144 in GC cells. Furthermore, western blot was conducted to determine the expressions of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins. The interaction between circ_0000144 and miR-217 was analyzed by bioinformatic analysis and luciferase reporter assays. The circ_0000144 expression was obviously upregulated in GC tissues and cells. Silencing of circ_0000144 inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion of GC cells, but ectopic expression of circ_0000144 showed the opposite results. Moreover, circ_0000144 sponged miR-217, and rescue assays revealed that silencing miR-217 expression reversed the inhibitory effect of circ_0000144 knockdown on the progress of GC. Our findings reveal that circ_0000144 inhibition suppresses GC cell proliferation, migration and invasion via absorbing miR-217, providing a new biomarker and potential therapeutic target for treatment of GC.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.43-50
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• 2023

Fungal keratitis is a refractory kind of keratopathy. We attempted to investigate the antiinflammatory role of thymol on Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) keratitis. Wound healing and fluorescein staining of the cornea were applied to verify thymol's safety. Mice models of A. fumigatus keratitis underwent subconjunctival injection of thymol. The anti-inflammatory roles of thymol were verified by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, slit lamp observation, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and Western blotting. In contrast with the DMSO group, more transparent corneas and less inflammatory cells infiltration were detected in mice treated with 50 ㎍/ml thymol. Thymol downregulated the synthesis of TLR4, MyD88, NF-kB, IL-1β, NLRP3, caspase 1, caspase 8, GSDMD, RIPK3 and MLKL. In summary, we proved that thymol played a protective part in A. fumigatus keratitis by cutting down inflammatory cells aggregation, downregulating the TLR4/ MyD88/ NF-kB/ IL-1β signal expression and reducing necroptosis and pyroptosis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제46권5호
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• pp.690-699
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• 2022

Background: Few studies reported the therapeutic effect of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) in lung inflammatory diseases. However, the anti-inflammatory role and underlying molecular in cadmium-induced lung injury have been poorly understood, directly linked to chronic lung diseases (CLDs): chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer etc. Therefore, in this study we aim to investigate the therapeutic activities of water extract of KRG (KRG-WE) in mouse cadmium-induced lung injury model. Method: The anti-inflammatory roles and underlying mechanisms of KRG-WE were evaluated in vitro under cadmium-stimulated lung epithelial cells (A549) and HEK293T cell line and in vivo in cadmium-induced lung injury mouse model using semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), luciferase assay, immunoblotting, and FACS. Results: KRG-WE strongly ameliorated the symptoms of CdSO4-induced lung injury in mice according to total cell number in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and severity scores as well as cytokine levels. KRG-WE significantly suppressed the upregulation of inflammatory signaling comprising mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and their upstream enzymes. In in vitro study, KRG-WE suppressed expression of interleukin (IL)-6, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and IL-8 while promoting recovery in CdSO₄-treated A549 cells. Similarly, KRG-WE reduced phosphorylation of MAPK and c-Jun/c-Fos in cadmium-exposed A549 cells. Conclusion: KRG-WE was found to attenuate symptoms of cadmium-induced lung injury and reduce the expression of inflammatory genes by suppression of MAPK/AP-1-mediated pathway.

• 한국가금학회지
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2017

본 연구는 한국재래계(KNC)와 백색레그혼(WLH)에서 lipopolysaccharide(LPS)감염 스트레스가 닭의 품종간 스트레스 연관 유전자들의 발현에 미치는 영향을 비교 분석하고자 실시되었다. 공시계를 대상으로 생리식염수(대조구)와 LPS(처리구)를 복강에 투여한 후, 시간(0, 48 hr) 및 처리별 각 개체로부터 간 조직을 취하고, microarray 및 quantitative RT-PCR(qRT-PCR) 분석을 하였다. 처리에 따른 유전자 발현차이를 보면, KNC(대조구)와 KNC에 LPS를 처리한 경우(KNC-LPS)를 비교한 결과, 대조구 대비 2배 이상 유전자의 발현이 증가한 유전자의 수는 1,044개, 발현이 감소한 유전자의 수는 1,000개였다. WLH(대조구)를 WLH-LPS와 비교한 경우, 유전자의 발현이 증가한 유전자의 수는 1,193개, 발현이 감소한 유전자의 수는 1,072개였다. LPS 처리에 따른 스트레스 연관 유전자들의 microarray 발현에서 스트레스연관 유전자들의 발현은 두 품종 모두에서 감소하였으며, 품종 간 차이는 없는 것으로 나타났다. Microarray의 결과를 바탕으로 HSP90, HMGCR, ATF4, SREBP1, XBP1 등의 유전자 발현을 qRT-PCR을 이용하여 검증한 결과, 대조구와 LPS 감염구 간에 유의적 차이를 나타내었다(P<0.05). 세포 수준의 스트레스(ER 스트레스)에서 ATF4, XBP1, SREBP1은 화이트레그혼에서 microarray와 qRT-PCR에서와 같이 이들 유전자들의 발현이 억제되는 것을 보여주었다. 그러나 한국 재래계에서는 ATF4를 제외한 유전자들은 LPS에 의해 영향을 받지 않거나(XBP1), 오히려 증가(SREBP)하는 양상을 보였다. ER-stress 연관 유전자들의 발현 양상으로 볼 때, KNC이 WLH에 비하여 LPS 감염에 더 민감하게 반응하는 것으로 보인다. HMGCR은 두 품종간에 LPS에 의한 상호작용이 없는 것으로 보아, HMGCR 발현에 의한 감염 차이점을 찾을 수 없었다. 한국재래계에서 HSP70은 LPS 처리 후에 대조구에 비하여 약 2.5배 이상 높은 발현을 보였으나, 백색 레그혼에서는 낮은 발현 양상을 나타내었다. 스트레스 지표 유전자들의 종류뿐만 아니라, 스트레스 종류(예: 환경스트레스, 감염스트레스)에 따라 유전자들의 발현 반응에 차이가 있음을 보여주었다. LPS 감염스트레스에 따른 스트레스연관 유전자 발현연구는 닭의 품종별 질병 저항성 및 동물복지 관련 지표의 탐색에 기여할 것으로 사료된다.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제56권2호
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• pp.135-145
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• 2018

Due to the critical location and physiological activities of the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell, it is constantly subjected to contact with various infectious agents and inflammatory mediators. However, little is known about the signaling events in RPE involved in Toxoplasma gondii infection and development. The aim of the study is to screen the host mRNA transcriptional change of 3 inflammation-related gene categories, PI3K/Akt pathway regulatory components, blood vessel development factors and ROS regulators, to prove that PI3K/Akt or mTOR signaling pathway play an essential role in regulating the selected inflammation-related genes. The selected genes include PH domain and leucine- rich-repeat protein phosphatases (PHLPP), casein kinase2 (CK2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCL), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1). Using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), we found that T. gondii up-regulates PHLPP2, $CK2{\beta}$, VEGF, GCL, GST and NQO1 gene expression levels, but down-regulates PHLPP1 and PEDF mRNA transcription levels. PI3K inhibition and mTOR inhibition by specific inhibitors showed that most of these host gene expression patterns were due to activation of PI3K/Akt or mTOR pathways with some exceptional cases. Taken together, our results reveal a new molecular mechanism of these gene expression change dependent on PI3K/Akt or mTOR pathways and highlight more systematical insight of how an intracellular T. gondii can manipulate host genes to avoid host defense.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제32권8호
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• pp.1095-1103
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• 2019

Objective: Among stress responses, the unfolded protein response (UPR) is a well-known mechanism related to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. ER stress is induced by a variety of external and environmental factors such as starvation, ischemia, hypoxia, oxidative stress, and heat stress. Inositol requiring enzyme $1{\alpha}$ ($IRE1{\alpha}$)-X-box protein 1 (XBP1) is the most conserved pathway involved in the UPR and is the main component that mediates $IRE1{\alpha}$ signalling to downstream ER-associated degradation (ERAD)- or UPR-related genes. XBP1 is a transcription factor synthesised via a novel mechanism called 'frame switch splicing', and this process has not yet been studied in the horse XBP1 gene. Therefore, the aim of this study was to confirm the frame switch splicing of horse XBP1 and characterise its dynamics using Thoroughbred muscle cells exposed to heat stress. Methods: Primary horse muscle cells were used to investigate heat stress-induced frame switch splicing of horse XBP1. Frame switch splicing was confirmed by sequencing analysis. XBP1 amino acid sequences and promoter sequences of various species were aligned to confirm the sequence homology and to find conserved cis-acting elements, respectively. The expression of the potential XBP1 downstream genes were analysed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: We confirmed that splicing of horse XBP1 mRNA was affected by the duration of thermal stress. Twenty-six nucleotides in the mRNA of XBP1 were deleted after heat stress. The protein sequence and the cis-regulatory elements on the promoter of horse XBP1 are highly conserved among the mammals. Induction of putative downstream genes of horse XBP1 was dependent on the duration of heat stress. We confirmed that both the mechanisms of XBP1 frame switch splicing and various binding elements found in downstream gene promoters are highly evolutionarily conserved. Conclusion: The frame switch splicing of horse XBP1 and its dynamics were highly conserved among species. These results facilitate studies of ER-stress in horse.