• Molecules and Cells
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.114-123
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• 2005

Nitropyrene, the predominant nitropolycyclic hydrocarbon found in diesel exhaust, is a mutagenic and tumorigenic environmental pollutant that requires metabolic activation via nitroreduction and ring oxidation. In order to determine the role of ring oxidation in the mutagenicity of 1-nitropyrene, its oxidative metabolites, 1-nitropyrene 4,5-oxide and 1-nitropyrene 9,10-oxide, were synthesized and their mutation spectra were determined in the coding region of hprt gene of CHO cells by a PCR amplification of reverse-transcribed hprt mRNA, followed by a DNA sequence analysis. A comparison of the two metabolites for mutation frequencies showed that 1-nitropyrene 9,10-oxide was 2-times higher than 1-nitropyrene 4,5-oxide. The mutation spectrum for 1-nitropyrene 4,5-oxide was base substitutions (33/49), one base deletions (11/49) and exon deletions (5/49). In the case of 1-nitropyrene 9,10-oxide, base substitutions (27/50), one base deletions (15/50), and exon deletions (8/50) were observed. Base substitutions were distributed randomly throughout the hprt gene. The majority of the base substitutions in mutant from 1-nitropyrene 4,5-oxide treated cells were $A{\rightarrow}G$ transition (15/33) and $G{\rightarrow}A$ transition (8/33). The predominant base substitution, $A{\rightarrow}G$ transition (11/27) and $G{\rightarrow}A$ transition (8/27), were also observed in mutant from 1-nitropyrene 9,10-oxide treated cells. The mutation at the site of adenine and guanine was consistent with the previous results, where the sites of DNA adduct formed by these compounds were predominant at the sites of purines. A comparison of the mutational patterns between 1-nitropyrene 4,5-oxide and 1-nitropyrene 9,10-oxide showed that there were no significant differences in the overall mutational spectrum. These results indicate that each oxidative metabolite exhibits an equal contribution to the mutagenicity of 1-nitropyrene, and ring oxidation of 1-nitropyrene is an important metabolic pathway to the formation of significant lethal DNA lesions.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.356-361
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• 2015

Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with insulin resistance and diabetes. We previously showed that retinoid X receptor ${\alpha}$ ($RXR{\alpha}$) played an important role in transcriptional regulation of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) genes in cells with mitochondrial dysfunction caused by mitochondrial DNA mutation. In this study, we investigated whether mitochondrial dysfunction induced by incubation with OXPHOS inhibitors affects insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) mRNA and protein levels and whether $RXR{\alpha}$ activation or overexpression can restore IRS1 expression. Both IRS1 and $RXR{\alpha}$ protein levels were significantly reduced when C2C12 myotubes were treated with the OXPHOS complex inhibitors, rotenone and antimycin A. The addition of $RXR{\alpha}$ agonists, 9-cis retinoic acid (9cRA) and LG1506, increased IRS1 transcription and protein levels and restored mitochondrial function, which ultimately improved insulin signaling. $RXR{\alpha}$ overexpression also increased IRS1 transcription and mitochondrial function. Because $RXR{\alpha}$ overexpression, knock-down, or activation by LG1506 regulated IRS1 transcription mostly independently of mitochondrial function, it is likely that $RXR{\alpha}$ directly regulates IRS1 transcription. Consistent with the hypothesis, we showed that $RXR{\alpha}$ bound to the IRS1 promoter as a heterodimer with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\delta}$ ($PPAR{\delta}$). These results suggest that $RXR{\alpha}$ overexpression or activation alleviates insulin resistance by increasing IRS1 expression.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2010.10a
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• pp.14-14
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• 2010

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an essential component for collagen biosynthesis and also for the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system in humans. Unlike most of the animals, humans lack the ability to synthesize ascorbic acid on their own due to a mutation in the gene encoding the last enzyme of ascorbate biosynthesis. As a result, vitamin C must be obtained from dietary sources like plants. In this study, we have developed two different kinds of transgenic potato plants (Solanumtuberosum L. cv. Taedong Valley) overexpressing strawberry GalUR and mouse GLoase gene under the control of CaMV 35S promoter with increased ascorbic acid levels. Integration of the these genes in the plant genome was confirmed by PCR and Southern blotting. Ascorbic acid(AsA) levels in transgenic tubers were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). The over-expression of these genes resulted in 2-4 folds increase in AsA intransgenic potato and the levels of AsA were positively correlated with increased geneactivity. The transgenic lines with enhanced vitamin C content showed enhanced tolerance to abiotic stresses induced by methyl viologen(MV), NaCl or mannitol as compared to untransformed control plants. The leaf disc senescence assay showed better tolerance in transgenic lines by retaining higher chlorophyll as compared to the untransformed control plants. Present study demonstrated that the over-expression of these gene enhanced the level of AsA in potato tubers and these transgenics performed better under different abiotic stresses as compared to untransformed control. We have also investigated the mechanism of the abiotic stress tolerance upon enhancing the level of the ascorbate in transgenic potato. The transgenic potato plants overexpressing GalUR gene with enhanced accumulation of ascorbate were investigated to analyze the antioxidants activity of enzymes involved in the ascorbate-glutathione cycle and their tolerance mechanism against different abiotic stresses under invitro conditions. Transformed potato tubers subjected to various abiotic stresses induced by methyl viologen, sodium chloride and zinc chloride showed significant increase in the activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD, EC 1.15.1.1), catalase, enzymes of ascorbate-glutathione cycle enzymes such as ascorbate peroxidase(APX, EC 1.11.1.11), dehydroascorbate reductase(DHAR, EC 1.8.5.1), and glutathione reductase(GR, EC 1.8.1.7) as well as the levels of ascorbate, GSH and proline when compared to the untransformed tubers. The increased enzyme activities correlated with their mRNA transcript accumulation in the stressed transgenic tubers. Pronounced differences in redox status were also observed in stressed transgenic potato tubers that showed more tolerance to abiotic stresses when compared to untransformed tubers. From the present study, it is evident that improved to lerance against abiotic stresses in transgenic tubers is due to the increased activity of enzymes involved in the antioxidant system together with enhanced ascorbate accumulated in transformed tubers when compared to untransformed tubers. At moment we also investigating the role of enhanced reduced glutathione level for the maintenance of the methylglyoxal level as it is evident that methylglyoxal is a potent cytotoxic compound produced under the abiotic stress and the maintenance of the methylglyoxal level is important to survive the plant under stress conditions.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.74-83
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• 2016

Bacillus subtilis SRCM 101269 having safety and amo gene isolated from Korean traditional fermented food and their investigated characterization to apply the cow manure such as cellulase and xylanase activities, 16S rRNA sequencing, and ability of removal of livestock manure odor. Cow manure application results for the removal of livestock manure odor, the ammonia gas was reduced more than two-folder compared to the control group after 6 days, and reduced to less than 10 ppm after 9 days. In the case of cow manure added fowl droppings and other wood-based mixture components, ammonia gas maintained constant after 3 days of fermentation. However, in the case of sample inoculated B. subtilis SRCM 101269, ammonia gas reduced in course of fermentation time, and concentration of hydrogen sulfide also reduced for 65 ppm. Changes of nitrite concentration according to fermentation time no showed different for cow manure, however nitrite concentration in mixed livestock manure increased when compared to control. And then sulfate concentration in cow manure decreased, and no showed different when compared to the initial fermentation. No apparent change of sulfate concentration in mixed livestock manure detected. Through the previously studies, B. subtilis SRCM 101269 has high potential in industrial application manufacturing the cow manure as removal of livestock manure odor.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 2002

In this study, the bacterial communities distributed in sea water of the whitening areas of Gangjeong and Seongsan, Jeju-do have been analysed using the PCR amplification of 16S rRNA to obtain fundamental data and information on relationship of the whitening phenomenon and microbial ecosystem. In Gangjeong, diverse bacteria such as Alcanivorax, Paracoccus, Damselae, Pseudomonas, Rhodowlum, Silicibacter, Suiftobacter, and Roseobacter have been found, and Alcanivorax was the most abundant clone. The most abundant clone from Seongsan was Pseudomonas, of which Pseudomonas tolaasii and Pseudomonas mandeli were most abundantly occurred in the frequency of approx44% and 24%, respectively. Approx4% of the bacterial clones closest to Verrucomicrobiales and other unidentified clones were also fecund in Seongsan, suggesting there is a great discrepancy between bacterial communities from the whitening areas of Seongsan and Gangjeong. The mean temperature, chlorine concentration, pH, and dissolved oxygen (DO) of the sea water of Gangieong and Seongsan in August of 2001 (sampling period) was $27^{\circ}C$~$27.5^{\circ}C$, 30.24~30.60%, pH 8.23~8.36,7 .20~7.28 mg/ι, suggesting other environmental factors except far the factors mentioned above might result in difference of bacterial communities distributed in both areas.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.91-108
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• 2010

Background & Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of P. radix on the inflammatory related gene expression in IL-$1{\beta}$-stimulated primary human gingival fibroblast using Whole Transcript Sense Target (WT-ST). Method: Human gingival fibroblast was incubated with P. radix [100 or $200\;{\mu}g/ml$], and IL-$1{\beta}$ [$1ng/m{\ell}$] added an hour later. After 24h, total RNA was extracted using RNeasy Mini Kit and the whole gene expression patterns were performed using WT-ST Labeling $Assay^{(R)}$. Result: In the DEG results, 782 genes were up-regulated in the IL-$1{\beta}$-treated group as compared to control and among those, 43 genes were associated with inflammation. 981 genes were down-regulated after treatment with IL-$1{\beta}$ and of those 7 genes were associated with inflammation. 1439 genes were up-regulated after treatment with P. radix plus IL-$1{\beta}$-treated when compared to IL-$1{\beta}$-treated alone group and 1225 genes were down-regulated in the same condition. Among the down-regulated genes, 5 were associated with inflammation- and inhibitor genes such as GDF15 and LIF. In the analysis of the P. radix plus IL-$1{\beta}$-treated group, the most significant pathways were the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, toll-like receptor signaling, JAK-STAT signaling and tyrosine metabolism. The gene expression patterns in the P. radix $200{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ plus IL-$1{\beta}$-treated group appear to be more involved in the metabolism-related pathways than in the $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ plus IL-$1{\beta}$-treated group. Conclusion & Discussion: By microarray analysis of gene expression data, we are able to identify gene expression patterns associated with not only anti-inflammation effect but also transcription function of P. radix.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.283-289
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• 2015

This study surveys the improvement characteristics in old-aged muscular mitochondria by bio-active materials coated fabric (BMCF). To observe the effects, the fabric (10 and 30%) was worn to old-aged rat then the oxygen consumption efficiency and copy numbers of mitochondria, and mRNA expression of apoptosis- and mitophagy-related genes were verified. By wearing the BMCF, the oxidative respiration significantly increased when using the 30% materials coated fabric. The mitochondrial DNA copy number significantly decreased and subsequently recovered in a dose-dependent manner. The respiratory control ratio to mitochondrial DNA copy number showed a dose-dependent increment. As times passed, Bax, caspase 9, PGC-$1{\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$-actin increased, and Bcl-2 decreased in a dose-dependent manner. However, the BMCF can be seen to have had no effect on Fas receptor. PINK1 expression did not change considerably and was inclined to decrease in control group, but the expression was down-regulated then subsequently increased with the use of the BMCF in a dose-dependent manner. Caspase 3 increased and subsequently decreased in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that the BMCF invigorates mitophagy and improves mitochondrial oxidative respiration in skeletal muscle, and in early stage of apoptosis induced by the BMCF is not related to extrinsic death-receptor mediated but mitochondria-mediated signaling pathway.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.407-412
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• 2014

A number of Saccharomycopsis fibuligera strains that can hydrolyse and utilize starch as a carbon source were isolated from nuruk, a traditional Korean starter for rice wine fermentation, and their specific growth rates on starch-containing medium were compared to choose the prominent strain. S. fibuligera strain MBY1320 showed a higher growth rate at $42^{\circ}C$ than that of strain S. fibuligera KCTC7806, indicating that S. fibuligera MBY1320 has more thermo-tolerant machinery for starch hydrolysis and utilization than KCTC7806. Although the activity of ${\alpha}$-amylase at $30^{\circ}C$ was significantly lower for S. fibuligera MBY1320 than KCTC7806 (3,812.5 U vs. 14,878.5 U), S. fibuligera MBY1320 showed a much higher glucoamylase activity at $42^{\circ}C$ than S. fibuligera KCTC7806 (5,048.9 U vs. 13,152.3 U). Thus, a new S. fibuligera strain, with a higher starch-hydrolysing activity at elevated temperatures than that of other types of strain, this study reports.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.351-358
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• 2014

Pumpkin seed oil (PSO) was investigated for its parasite elimination activity and efficacy in treating disorders of the prostate gland and urinary bladder. We confirmed the composition of PSO and identified its ability to improve vessels. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometric (GC-MS) system was used for PSO composition analysis. Cytotoxicity and cell proliferation were confirmed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Nitric oxide(NO) production was measured with Griess reagent, and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 mRNA expression levels were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). As a result, PSO revealed the presence of several components such as linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid. Cytotoxic effects of PSO were not observed, and PSO increased nitric oxide production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Additionally, TNF-${\alpha}$-induced cell proliferation and ICAM-1 expression in HUVEC were inhibited by PSO treatment, whereas VCAM-1 expression was not significantly reduced. Taken together, these results show that PSO is worthy of study as a candidate food material for improvement of vascular disease.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.1-19
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• 2006

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities and mechanisms of Acanthopanax senticosus (AS) herbal acupuncture. Methods : Anti-diabetic and anti-steatotic activity of the AS herbal acupuncture was investigated on C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. After random grouping at the age of 9 weeks, the herbal acupuncture groups were injected subcutaneously at the left and right Gansu (BL18) corresponding acupuncture points alternately on exactly the same time every day with 0.1ml of either 400 mg/kg or 800 mg/kg of AS (AS400 and AS800) for 8-week period. As a positive control, metformin was administrated at a dose of 300 mg/kg (MT300). Body weights were measured weekly, and on every other week blood was collected for blood glucose analysis. At the end of study, blood was also collected for determination of plasma insulin and lipid levels, after which they were killed and periepidydimal fat, liver, muscle, and pancreas were immediately removed. The removed tissues were instantly soaked in liquid nitrogen and stored at $-70^{\circ}C$ for morphological examination and mRNA analysis. Results : The AS herbal acupuncture significantly prevented weight gain on C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. The AS herbal acupuncture lowered blood glucose and improved glucose tolerance in C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. The increase of insulin response during the OGTT was inhibited by the AS herbal acupuncture. Insulin sensitivity of skeletal tissue was enhanced. Plasma lipid levels were significantly improved in the AS herbal acupuncture groups. The AS herbal acupuncture decreased hepatic lipogenesis and hepatic triglyceride production, and increased fatty acid (FA) transporter that involves in FA uptake. The AS herbal acupuncture inhibited the increase of liver mass by prevention of the accumulation of TG but did not inhibit weight gain of fat tissue on C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. Conclusion : In summary, we have demonstrated several unique properties of the AS herbal acupuncture in decreasing body weight, and reversing insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice. This AS herbal acupuncture acts as an insulin sensitizer and specifically decreases circulating glucose and lipids, and suppresses hepatic lipogenesis.