• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.248-255
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• 2005

To understand the response of cancer cells to anticancer drugs at the gene expression level, we examined the gene expression changes in response to five anticancer drugs, 5-fluorouracil, cytarabine, cisplatin, paclitaxel, and cytochalasin D in NCI-H460 human lung cancer cells. Of the five drugs, 5-fluorouracil had the most distinctive gene expression signature. By clustering genes whose expression changed significantly, we identified three clusters with unique gene expression patterns. The first cluster reflected the up-regulation of gene expression by cisplatin, and included genes involved in cell death and DNA repair. The second cluster pointed to a general reduction of gene expression by most of the anticancer drugs tested. A number of genes in this cluster are involved in signal transduction that is important for communication between cells and reception of extracellular signals. The last cluster represented reduced gene expression in response to 5-fluorouracil, the genes involved being implicated in DNA metabolism, the cell cycle, and RNA processing. Since the gene expression signature of 5-fluorouracil was unique, we investigated it in more detail. Significance analysis of microarray data (SAM) identified 808 genes whose expression was significantly altered by 5-fluorouracil. Among the up-regulated genes, those affecting apoptosis were the most noteworthy. The down-regulated genes were mainly associated with transcription-and translation-related processes which are known targets of 5-fluorouracil. These results suggest that the gene expression signature of an anticancer drug is closely related to its physiological action and the response of caner cells.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.910-917
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• 2007

The aim of this study is to determine the anti-obesity effects of genistein and exercise, separately and in combination, in mice. Fifty male C57BL/6J mice were divided into 5 treatment groups: normal diet (ND), high fat diet (HD), high fat diet with exercise (HD+Ex), high fat diet with 0.2% genistein (HD+G), high fat diet with 0.2% genistein, and exercise (HD+G+Ex). They were allowed free access to feed and water, and exercised mice engaged in swimming on a regular basis for 12 weeks. Genistein supplemented mice gained less weight, had lower energy intake, better lipid profiles, and lower leptin than the HD mice. Furthermore, when genistein was combined with exercise (HD+G+Ex) the effects were even greater. HD, HD+Ex, and HD+G mice exhibited increased hepatic CPT-1 mRNA expression. Therefore, genistein and exercise has anti-obesity effects, as shown by changes in body weight, fat accumulation, energy intake, and leptin levels.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2012

Kisspeptin has been implicated in the process of puberty onset in various animal groups. This peptide is encoded by a gene, Kiss1 in avian and mammalian species. Contrary to these higher vertebrates, however, fish appeared to have another gene, Kiss2 that also codes for the precursor peptide of kisspeptin. To figure out biological significance of this gene during the puberty onset in fish, the expression profile of Kiss2 gene was investigated in the brain of Nile tilapia together with genes of GPR54, GnRH receptorI (rGnRHI) and GTH subunits ($LH{\beta}$ and $FSH{\beta}$). Expression of Kiss2 mRNA significantly increased at 2 weeks post hatch (wph) and 13 wph ($P$<0.05). This increase coincided with the increases of GPR54 and rGnRH I gene expression. Detection of $LH{\beta}$ and $FSH{\beta}$ subunit gene expression was possible later than 13 wph, indicating the activation of gonadotrophs in the pituitary. Data obtained from this study strongly suggest that, in addition to Kiss1 gene, Kiss2 gene is deeply associated with the onset of puberty by the activation of hypothalamus pituitary gonadal axis in Nile tilapia.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.512-520
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• 2014

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to assess the surface characteristics and the biocompatibility of zirconium (Zr) coating on Ti-6Al-4V alloy surface by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering method. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The zirconium films were developed on Ti-6Al-4V discs using RF magnetron sputtering method. Surface profile, surface composition, surface roughness and surface energy were evaluated. Electrochemical test was performed to evaluate the corrosion behavior. Cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and gene expression of mineralized matrix markers were measured. RESULTS. SEM and EDS analysis showed that zirconium deposition was performed successfully on Ti-6Al-4V alloy substrate. Ti-6Al-4V group and Zr-coating group showed no significant difference in surface roughness (P>.05). Surface energy was significantly higher in Zr-coating group than in Ti-6Al-4V group (P<.05). No difference in cell morphology was observed between Ti-6Al-4V group and Zr-coating group. Cell proliferation was higher in Zr-coating group than Ti-6Al-4V group at 1, 3 and 5 days (P<.05). Zr-coating group showed higher ALP activity level than Ti-6Al-4V group (P<.05). The mRNA expressions of bone sialoprotein (BSP) and osteocalcin (OCN) on Zr-coating group increased approximately 1.2-fold and 2.1-fold respectively, compared to that of Ti-6Al-4V group. CONCLUSION. These results suggest that zirconium coating on Ti-6Al-4V alloy could enhance the early osteoblast responses. This property could make non-toxic metal coatings on Ti-6Al-4V alloy suitable for orthopedic and dental implants.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.68-76
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• 2020

Objective: Since sperm abnormalities are known to be a major reason for recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), any defects in DNA structure and chromatin condensation can place embryos at risk in the early stage of development and implantation. As antioxidants such as vitamin C may play a protective role against the destruction of protamine genes in sperm chromatin, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of vitamin C on chromatin and the expression of protamine genes in the male partners of couples with RPL. Methods: Twenty male partners of couples with RPL were selected as the intervention group and received vitamin C supplementation (250 mg daily for 3 months). Healthy fertile men (n = 20) were included as controls. Sperm chromatin, DNA integrity, and the expression levels of protamine genes were evaluated before and after treatment. Results: Significant differences were found in sperm morphology, protamine deficiency, and apoptosis between the two groups and before and after vitamin C administration. A significant change was found in mRNA levels of PRM1, PRM2, and the PRM1/PRM2 ratio after treatment. Conclusion: Daily oral administration of vitamin C may improve human sperm parameters and DNA integrity by increasing protamine gene expression levels in the male partners of couples with RPL. The beneficial effects of vitamin C supplementation as an antioxidant for the male partners of couples with RPL could lead to improved pregnancy outcomes in these cases.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.435-443
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate eco-friendly measures to manage major diseases which cause heavy economic damages to ginseng. Morphological, physicochemical, and molecular biological species identification was carried out after isolating useful antagonistic bacteria from ginseng fields. In addition, optimal conditions for mass culture were established, and he efficacy of the bacteria in the prevention of the diseases was verified in the field. The results showed that about 150 bacteria were extracted from 150 ginseng fields in the whole county. Among them, B. pyrrocinia LA101 was finally selected, which had a strong antagonistic potency against Alternaria panax, Botrytis cinerea, Rhizoctonia solani, and Cylindrocarpon destructans on agar media. The B. pyrrocinia LA101 is a baculiform gram-negative bacterium identified as Burkholderia pyrrocinia according to results from an API(Analytical Profile Index) kit, 16S rRNA, and gyrase gene sequencing analysis. It was donated to the microbe bank of the Agricultural Genetic Resources Center at the National Academy of Agriculture Science under the Rural Development Administration on September 28, 2011 (Donation No. KACC91663P). A patent for the mass culture technology was granted in August 2012 (Patent No. 10-1175532).

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.245-253
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• 2013

A radioresistant cell line was established by fractionated ionizing radiation (IR) and assessed by a clonogenic assay, flow cytometry, and Western blot analysis, as well as zymography and a wound healing assay. Microarray was performed to profile global expression and to search for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in response to IR. H460R cells demonstrated increased cell scattering and acidic vesicular organelles compared with parental cells. Concomitantly, H460R cells showed characteristics of increased migration and matrix metalloproteinase activity. In addition, H460R cells were resistant to IR, exhibiting reduced expression levels of ionizing responsive proteins (p-p53 and ${\gamma}$-H2AX); apoptosis-related molecules, such as cleaved poly(ADP ribose) polymerase; and endoplasmic reticulum stress-related molecules, such as glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) and C/EBP-homologous protein compared with parental cells, whereas the expression of anti-apoptotic X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein was increased. Among DEGs, syntrophin beta 2 (SNTB2) significantly increased in H460R cells in response to IR. Knockdown of SNTB2 by siRNA was more sensitive than the control after IR exposure in H460, H460R, and H1299 cells. Our study suggests that H460R cells have differential properties, including cell morphology, potential for metastasis, and resistance to IR, compared with parental cells. In addition, SNTB2 may play an important role in radioresistance. H460R cells could be helpful in in vitro systems for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of and discovering drugs to overcome radioresistance in lung cancer therapy.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.379-387
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• 2015

Melon necrotic spot virus (MNSV) was recently identified on watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris) in Korea, displaying as large necrotic spots and vein necrosis on the leaves and stems. The average occurrence of MNSV on watermelon was found to be 30-65% in Hapcheon and Andong City, respectively. Four isolates of the virus (MNSV-HW, MNSV-AW, MNSV-YW, and MNSV-SW) obtained from watermelon plants in different areas were non-pathogenic on ten general indicator plants, including Chenopodium quinoa, while they infected systemically six varieties of Cucurbitaceae. The virus particles purified by 10-40% sucrose density gradient centrifugation had a typical ultraviolet spectrum, with a minimum at 245 nm and a maximum at 260 nm. The morphology of the virus was spherical with a diameter of 28-30 nm. Virus particles were observed scattered throughout the cytoplasm of watermelon cells, but no crystals were detected. An ELISA was conducted using antiserum against MNSV-HW; the optimum concentrations of IgG and conjugated IgG for the assay were $1{\mu}l/ml$ and a 1:8,000-1:10,000 dilutions, respectively. Antiserum against MNSV-HW could capture specifically both MNSV-MN from melon and MNSV-HW from watermelon by IC/RT-PCR, and they were effectively detected with the same specific primer to produce product of 1,172 bp. The dsRNA of MNSV-HW had the same profile (4.5, 1.8, and 1.6 kb) as that of MNSV-MN from melon. The nucleotide sequence of the coat protein of MNSV-HW gave a different phylogenetic tree, having 17.2% difference in nucleotide sequence compared with MNSV isolates from melon.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.167-171
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• 2004

We constructed an oligo-d(T) primed directional cDNA library from the Bombyx mandarina whole larvae. In an effort to isolate genes expressed in the B. mandarina, 227 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were generated by single-pass sequencing from the cDNA library. Sequence analysis showed that 107 clones (47.1%) were classified into known genes and 120 clones (52.9%) were novel transcripts, which are unknown for their function. Of the 107 known genes, the most abundant gene was found to be actin and followed by serine protease in the expression profile. Among these clones, a serine protease homolog (BmSP) which is a class of proteolytic enzymes isolated. Full-length sequence of the BmSP cDNA clone was 922 bp in length and has an open reading frame of 276 amino acids. The conserved histidine, aspatic acid and serine residues forming the catalytic center as well as cysteine residues contributing to three disulphide bonds also were found in Bmsp gene. mRNA expression analysis revealed a high and specific expression of the gene only in midgut tissue, suggesting that BmSP gene is closely associated with the expression of digestive enzyme.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2020

We investigated the genotypes of Leptospira spp. detected in symptomatic dogs in Thailand. During April to December 2012, 6 out of 41 client-owned dogs were diagnosed with leptospirosis based on polymerase chain reaction tests. All of the infected dogs showed clinical symptoms related to leptospirosis. Direct genotyping of the causative agent of the canine leptospirosis was conducted from the archival DNA samples extracted from urine or blood of those 6 infected dogs. Sequencing of the partial 16S rRNA and lipL32 genes from all samples identified Leptospira (L.) interrogans as the infecting species. Multilocus sequence typing tests were successful for 2 out of 6 samples. The sequence type (ST) was identified as ST50 for both samples where the profile corresponded to L. interrogans species and Bataviae serogroup. The presence of this genotype of Leptospira has never been reported in Thailand. Thus, our findings showed the existence of ST50 L. interrogans serogroup Bataviae and the ability to cause leptospirosis in dogs in Thailand.