• Bioinformatics and Biosystems
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.62-65
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• 2007

We present here the strategy of data integration for inference of genetic regulatory modules. First, we construct all possible combinations of regulators of genes using chromatin-immunoprecipitation(ChIP)-chip data. Second, hierarchical clustering method is employed to analyze mRNA expression profiles. Third, integration method is applied to both of the data. Finally, we construct a genetic regulatory module which is involved in the function of ribosomal protein synthesis.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.26 no.12
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• pp.2033-2037
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• 2005

In vitro selection was used to isolate $Mg^{2+}$-dependent self-cleaving ribozymes with cis-cleavage activity from a pre-tRNA library having 40-mer random sequences attached to 5'-end of E. coli $tRNA^{Phe}$. After 8 rounds of SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment), RNA molecules which can self-cleave at the high concentration of $Mg^{2+}$ were isolated. The selected ribozymes can carry out the self-cleavage reaction in the presence of 100 mM $Mg^{2+}$ but not in 10 mM $Mg^{2+}$. The cleavage sites of the ribozymes are located at +3 and +4 of $tRNA^{Phe}$, compared with +1 position of 5'-end cleavage site of pre-tRNA by RNase P. New RNA constructs deprived of its D stem-loop, anticodon stem-loop, variable loop and T stem-loop, respectively showed the cleavage specificity identical to a ribozyme having the intact tRNA structure. Also, the new ribozyme fused with both a ribozyme and $tRNA^{Leu}$ showed the cleavage activities at the various sites within its sequences, different from two sites of position +3 and +4 observed in the ribozyme with $tRNA^{Phe}$. Our results suggest that the selected ribozyme is not structural-specific for tRNA.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.71-78
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• 2009

We investigated the pathogenesis of liver tissue damage during the lipid peroxidation and fibrogenesis with the observation of correlations between the parameters of collagen synthesis (and deposition) and lipid peroxidation in liver fibrosis (cirrhosis) rats. Rats were randomly divided into two groups, normal and $CCl_4$-thiopental sod. intoxicated group. And the one group was treated intragastrically with the mixture of $CCl_4$-thiopental sod. 3 times per week for 3 weeks. The liver tissue and sera were used for the measurement of hydroxyproline (HYP), malonedialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Biochemical parameters such as aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total-bilirubin and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured. Additionally, the expression of collagen ${\alpha}1$(III) and $\beta$-actin mRNA was observed by RTPCR. The histological change in liver tissue was also observed by Masson's trichrome and H&E staining. Correlation analysis was carried by Spearman's rho method. All biochemical parameters except total-bilirubin were significantly higher in the $CCl_4$-thiopental sod. treated group than that of the normal group (p < 0.01). In the $CCl_4$-thiopental sod. treated group, Hyp as a parameter of collagen synthesis (deposition) and MDA as a metabolite of lipid peroxidation, were significantly elevated by 1.98 and 2.11 times higher than that of the normal group (p < 0.001) respectively. The activity of SOD in the $CCl_4$-thiopental sod. treated group is decreased significantly by 44.8% (p < 0.001). And collagen ${\alpha}1$(III) mRNA was more expressed in the $CCl_4$-thiopental sod. treated group than that of the normal group. However, the expression of $\beta$-actin mRNA is showed similar in both of groups. A good correlation was observed between the content of hyp and MDA concentration (r = 0.70, n = 40) in the two groups. And the correlation between the levels of hyp and SOD (r = -0.71, n = 25) is also reliable. However, no correlation were observed between MDA concentration and SOD (r = -0.40, n = 25) in the two groups. Elevated levels of MDA in $CCl_4$-thiopental sod. treated rats indicated enhancement of lipid peroxidation, which is accompanied by a decrease in SOD activity. Moreover, we could confirm that the parameters of collagen synthesis (and deposition) is in good correlation with the metabolite of lipid peroxidation (MDA) and the lipid peroxidation antagonizing enzyme (SOD). Hence, we propose that (1) lipid peroxidation and collagen synthesis (and deposition) could be enhanced by intragastrically application of $CCl_4$-thiopental sod. during a short terms. And (2) the intoxication of $CCl_4$-thiopental sod. could be used for monitoring of lipid peroxidation and collagen synthesis (and deposition) for test of antioxidant and antifibrotic agent.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.107-121
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• 2021

Skin hypopigmentation, which is observed in albinism or vitiligo, occurs when melanin synthesis is decreased by genetic, epigenetic, and other factors. To identify drug candidates that can promote melanin synthesis in cells, we screened an epigenetic modulator library consisting of 141 cell-permeable, small molecule drugs. B16/F10 murine melanoma cells were treated with each drug at 0.1 𝜇M and melanin synthesis and cell viability were subsequently monitored. As a result, (-)-neplanocin A, 3-deazaneplanocin A (DZNep), and DZNep hydrochloride were found to increase cellular melanin synthesis without causing cytotoxicity. Because these three structurally related drugs exhibited similar dose-dependent effects on melanin synthesis and cell viability, DZNep was selected as a representative drug for additional experiments. DZNep increased intracellular melanin content and tyrosinase (TYR) activity. DZNep also induced the expression of TYR, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1), and dopachrome tautomerase (DCT) at the mRNA and protein levels. DZNep also induced the mRNA and protein expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), a key regulator of melanin synthesis. DZNep is a specific inhibitor of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase and it caused the accumulation of S-adenosylhomocysteine that inhibits histone methyltransferases in cells. This study suggests that melanogenesis can be modulated by targeting S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase in certain cellular contexts.

• ALGAE
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.123-127
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• 2004

A more rapid and efficient method to extract RNA from Ecklonia cava Kjellman (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) was introduced in this study. Each step of the procedure was evaluated and the optimal concentration of each chemical in the lysis solution was determined. Tissue pulverization with PVPP and β-mercaptoethanol in the lysis solution were not essential for RNA extraction of this species. The highest yield and purity of E. cava RNA were obtained by the lysis solution containing 1% CTAB, 1 M NaCl, 0.7% PVP, 10mM EDTA and 100mM Tris-Cl (pH 9.0). Approximately 8μg of RNA was obtained from 200 mg of ground tissue. The ratios of the absorbance at 260 nm and 280 nm were from 1.6 to 1.8 and those of at 230 nm and 260 nm were from 1.8 to 2.0. The extracted RNAs obtained in this study turned out to have a sufficient quality for cDNA synthesis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.1291-1299
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• 2014

Recently, multifunctional nanomaterials have been developed as nanotherapeutic agents for cellular imaging and targeted cancer treatment because of their ease of synthesis and low cytotoxicity. In this study, we developed a multifunctional, two-component nanorod consisting of gold (Au) and nickel (Ni) blocks that enables dual-fluorescence imaging and the targeted delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) to improve cancer treatment. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) peptides were attached to the surface of a Ni block via a histidine-tagged LHRH interaction to specifically bind to a breast cancer cell line, MCF-7. The Au block was modified with TAMRA-labeled thiolated siRNA in order to knock down the vascular endothelial growth factor protein to inhibit cancer growth. These two-component nanorods actively targeted and internalized into MCF-7 cells to induce apoptosis through RNA interference. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using two-component nanorods as a potential theranostic in breast cancer treatment, with capabilities in dual imaging and targeted gene delivery.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.152-157
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• 1998

The diversity of RNA functions ranges from storage and propagation of genetic information to enzymatic activity during RNA processing and protein synthesis. This diversity of functions requires an equally diverse arrays of structures, and, very often, the formation of functional RNA-protein complexes. Recognition of specific RNA signals by RNA-binding proteins is central to all aspects of post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. We will describe how NMR is being used to understand at the atomic level how these important biological processes occur.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.599-605
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• 2000

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is responsible for the tissue injury that occurs following the invasion of multicelluar organisms by Gram-negative microbes. The effect of LPS on IFN-$\gamma$-induced chemokine Mig gene expression in mouse peritoneal macrophages was investigated. Very little Mig mRNA was detectable upon exposure to LPS without IFN-$\gamma$. Although LPS alone is only minimally effective, LPS plus IFN-$\gamma$ synergized to produce a high level of Mig mRNA in the peritoneal macrophages. This synergy was not dependent on a new protein synthesis, and was not controlled at the level of the gene transcription. Futhermore, LPS did not increase IFN-$\gamma$-induced Mig mRNA stability. Accordingly, it is suggested the LPS may synergize the expression of IFN-$\gamma$-induced Mig mRNA through a process that depends on a pretranscriptional level or concurrent Mig mRNA translation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1443-1448
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• 2004

The present study was conducted to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of Dangguijakyak-san(당귀작약산). We investigated the effects of cell proliferation in mouse spleen cell and RAW 264.7 macrophages cells. Dangguijakyak-san enhanced mitogenic activity in the dose-response manner in mouse spleen cells and RAW 264.7 macrophages cells. In nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and iNOS mRNA expression by Dangguijakyak-san, Dangguijakyaksan alone had an effect on NO synthesis and iNOS mRNA expression in RAW 264.7 cells. NO production and iNOS mRNA expression which is excessively induced by LPS decreased after treatment of Dangguijakyak-san. The expressions of cytokine gene by Dangguijakyak-san investigated using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In RT-PCR, IL-1α, IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA expressions induced in Dangguijakyak-san-treated RAW 264.7 cells. These data indicate that 1) Dangguijakyak-san can modulate various immune response and 2) the immunomodulatory effects of Dangguijakyak-san may be, in part, associated with the regulation of NO synthesis, the expressions of these cytokine as well as the mitogenic effect on spleen cells and macrophages cells.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.126-133
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• 1998

Effects of B(a)P on preimplantation mouse embryos in vitro were studied. Preimplantation mouse embryos were exposed to a concentration of 0.3, 1, 3 and 10 $\mu$M B(a)P for 72 hrs. The toxicological effects of B(a)P were evaluated by morphological observation of embryos up to the blastocyst stage, and by measuring DNA, RNA and protein synthesis by radioactive precursor incorporation. At 1 $\mu$M B(a)P did not affect preimplantation development but interfered with hatching and ICM formation. Suppressing effect of ICM formation was dose dependent. At the eight cell stage, the developmental rate was decreased at above 3 $\mu$M of B(a)P. At the blastocyst stage, attachment and trophoblast outgrowth were diminished at the 10 $\mu$M of B(a)P and ICM formation was decreased at 1 $\mu$M of B(a)P. Inner cell number of blastocyst was decreased dose dependently. So, number of ICM was one of the most sensitive and toxicological end point. The RNA incorporation rate of 0.1 $\mu ^3$H-uridine was dosedependent and the protein incroporation of 0.5 $\mu Ci ^{35}$S-methionine showed a significant decrease after 48 hrs. But the DNA incorporation rate of methyl-$^3$H thymidine was not affected. Our results suggested that B(a)P did not affect the DNA replication but transcription was inhibited by dose dependent manner. There delay of development during the blastocyst stage was mainly due to the inhibition of RNA synthesis followed by protein synthesis.