• BMB Reports
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.121-126
• /
• 2015

Here we report a new chemical inhibitor against HIV-1 with a novel structure and mode of action. The inhibitor, designated as A1836, inhibited HIV-1 replication and virus production with a 50% inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) of $2.0{\mu}M$ in an MT-4 cell-based and cytopathic protection antiviral assay, while its 50% cytotoxic concentration ($CC_{50}$) was much higher than $50{\mu}M$. Examination of the effect of A1836 on in vitro HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) and integrase showed that neither were molecular targets of A1836. The characterization and re-infection assay of the HIV-1 virions generated in the presence of A1836 showed that the synthesis of early RT products in the cells infected with the virions was inhibited dose-dependently, due in part to abnormal protein formation within the virions, thus resulting in an impaired infectivity. These results suggest that A1836 might be a novel candidate for the development of a new type of HIV-1 inhibitor.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.39 no.6
• /
• pp.737-742
• /
• 2006

Open reading frame 60 of Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (Bm60) is located between 56,673 and 57,479 bp in the BmNPV genome which encodes 268 amino acid residues with predicted molecular weight of 31.0 kDa. Bm60 and its homologues have been identified in 11 completely sequenced lepidopteran NPVs. The transcript of Bm60 was detected by RT-PCR at 18-72 h post-infection (p.i.), while the corresponding protein could be detected at 24-72 h p.i. in BmNPV-infected BmN cells by Western blot analysis using a polyclonal antibody against Bm60. The expression of Bm60 was inhibited in the presence of Ara-c, an inhibitor of viral DNA synthesis. These results together indicated that Bm60 was a late gene. The size of Bm60 product was found to be a 31 kDa in BmNPV-infected BmN cells, consistent with predicted molecular weight. Immuno-fluoresence analysis showed that the Bm60 product was first detected in the cytoplasm at 24 h p.i and also located in nucleus during later infection. In conclusion, the available data suggest that Bm60 is a functional ORF of BmNPV and encodes a 31kDa protein expressed in the later stage of infection cycle.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.285-287
• /
• 1999

Changes in the expression level of splenocyte $IFN-{\gamma}$mRNA of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats infected with Paragonimus westermani were analyzed by competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) followed by southern blot. The template RNA was extracted from the splenocytes of rats infected with 20 metacercariae of P. westermani. The products of competitive RT-PCR were subjected to southern blot and enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL), and analyzed with a densitometer. In comparison with that of uninfected control rat splenocytes (value of 1), the levels of mRNA expression of $IFN-{\gamma}$had changed to 0.747 at 1 week post infection (PI), 0.00175 at 2 week PI, 0.0217 at 3 week PI, 0.194 at 4 week PI and then to 0.537 at 5 week PI. The level at 7 week PI had returned to 1.25, comparable with that of uninfected rats. These results show that, when infected with p. westermani, the levels of $IFN-{\gamma}$ mRNA of SD rat splenocytes were remarkably reduced by more than 500 times at 2 week PI and restored to normal level at 7 week PI.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
• /
• v.18 no.6
• /
• pp.342-344
• /
• 2002

Apple scar skin viroid (ASSVd) has been one of the most destructive diseases in Korean apple orchards. Symptoms of the scar skin viroid disease were detected in various apple cultivars, namely, Sansa, Fuji, Chukwang, Miki-Life, Hongro, and Songbongeum cultivated in the southern part of Korea. The RNA molecules were extracted from the apples bearing dapple apple symptoms with the application of CF-11 RNA extraction method. The purified RNAs were used for the synthesis of cDNA with RT-PCR. The PCR products were cloned and sequenced. The viroid RNA molecules from the six different cultivars bearing the dapple symptos showed the same nucleotide sequences as that of the Korean strain of ASSVd（ASSVd-K). ASSVd-K was detected from apple orchards in Kunwi, Sangju, Uiseong, Yeong-yang, Andong, and Youngduk in Gyeongbuk Province in 2001, and in Muju in Jeonbuk Province in 2002. As the viroid disease could be propagated vegetatively, it can be widely transmitted gradually in Korea.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.64-69
• /
• 2006

Gap junctional channels, allowing rapid intercellular communication and synchronization of coupled cell activities, play crucial roles in many signaling processes, including a variety of cell activities. Consequently, a modulation of the gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) should be a potential pharmacological target. In the present, the GJIC of a epithelial-derived rat mammary cells (BICR-M1Rk) was assessed in the presence of ginseng saponin, by using an established method of scrape-loading dye transfer assay. The transfer of Lucifer yellow (diameter: 1.2 nm) among the neighboring BICR-M1Rk cells, in which connexin43 (Cx43) is a major gap junction channel-forming protein, was significantly retarded at a concentration of $10{\mu}g/ml$ ginseng saponin. By using both methods of RT-PCR and Western blotting, it was demonstrated that ginseng saponin modulated neither the mRNA synthesis of Cx43 nor the translational process of Cx43. This ginseng saponin-induced modification of GJIC was a similar phenomenon observed under the $\beta$-glycyrrhetinic acid treatment, a well-known gap junction channel blocker. Taken together, it is reasonable to conclude that the ginseng saponin inhibits GJIC only by modulating the gating property of gap junction channels.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.197-206
• /
• 2003

hFSH (human follicle stimulating hormone) is heterodimer consisting of $\alpha$ and $\beta$ subunits. Since assembly of the both subunits in the cell is often the rate-limiting step in production of functional hormone, single-chain hormones have been engineered by genetically linking two different cDNA fragments with a linker sequence. Using retrovirus vector system, the resulting recombinant hFSH gene was transferred in CHO cells and chicken embryos, and the expression of the gene was investigated. In CHO cells, protein synthesis from the single-chain FSH gene was 17 fold higher than that from the heterodimeric counterpart. In the study of transgenic chickens, ten of the eleven chicks hatched from 62 embryos manupulated with recombinant retrovirus stock was determined to carry transgenic genes. RT-PCR analyses confirmed transcription of the single-chain FSH gene, however, no recombinant FSH was detected from the blood samples.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
• /
• v.25 no.8
• /
• pp.584-592
• /
• 2012

Room temperature powder spray in vacuum process, so called Aerosol deposition (AD) is a room temperature (RT) process to fabricate thick and dense ceramic films, based on collision of solid ceramic particles. This technique can provide crack-free dense thin and thick films with thicknesses ranging from sub micrometer to several hundred micrometers with very fast deposition rates at RT. In addition, this technique is using solid particles to form the ceramic films at RT, thus there is few limitation of the substrate and easy to control the compositions of the films. In this article, we review the progress made in synthesis of piezoelectric thin/thick films, multi-layer structures, NTC thermistor thin/thick films, oxide electrode thin films for actuators or sensor applications by AD at Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) during the last 4 years.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.20 no.6
• /
• pp.929-933
• /
• 2010

We tried to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from a silkworm, Bombyx mori, involved in fungal (Aspergillus niger) infection. A total RNA purified from fungal-induced and normal B. mori ($5^{th}$ instar larvae) was used for the cDNA synthesis. Differentially expressed genes were screened by annealing control primer (ACP)-based PCR technique. Comparing the gene expression profiles between fungal infection and control silkworm, we detected 10 genes that were differentially expressed in fungal induction and performed molecular cloning and nucleotide sequencing of the 10 genes. We confirmed the expression patterns of 3 DEGs by RT-PCR. The 3 DEGs over-expressed in fungal infection were identified as lysozyme, enbocin and an unknown gene. They were first identified to be genes induced by fungal infection. Although the detailed functions of 3 genes and their products remain to be determined, the genes will provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of insect-immune systems induced by fungal infection.

• Journal of Aquaculture
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.79-85
• /
• 2000

The effects of estrogen and androgens on Vg gene expression were examined in primary hepatocyte culture and livers of the immature male trout. Specific primers of Vg cDNA were designed with already reported Vg gene nucleotide sequences. PCR product was sequenced and verified with Vg cDNA of rainbow trout. Total RNA was extracted from the cultured hepatocytes and livers of steroid-treated rainbow trout and then it was analyzed by reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. The Vg mRNA and Vg protein synthesis were increased in rainbow trout in vivo and in vitro with E$_2$ and methyltestosterone (MT) There were dose and time-related effects of E$_2$ and MT on vitellogesis. Androgens such as progesterone androsterone and testosterone also stimulated Vg mRNA expression in vitro. The results show that androgens as well as E$_2$ can induce expression of Vg mRNA in trout in vivo and in vitro.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.8.1-8.9
• /
• 2020

Background: The present study investigates the potent skin whitening ability of ethanol extract from the brown alga, Padina boryana (PBE) which was collected in the shores of Fulhadhoo Island, the Maldives, and its specific pathways of action. The effect of PBE which contains a rich amount of polyphenols was evaluated using B16F10 murine melanoma cells and provides insight to the underlying mechanisms with reference to the inhibition of melanin formation. Methods: Melanin synthesis and cellular tyrosinase inhibition were assessed in the α-MSH-stimulated melanocytes. Melanogenic pathway-related protein expressions were investigated via Western blotting. ERK 42/44 was particularly examined considering its involvement in the melanogenic pathway. Further, RT-qPCR techniques were involved in gene expression analysis. Results: PBE dose-dependently inhibited the cellular melanin synthesis and tyrosinase levels. Western blotting revealed the potential of PBE to downregulate microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, and tyrosinase-related protein-1 and protein-2 (TRP-1 and TRP-2). Moreover, results explained the phosphorylation of ERK was sustained via PBE and hence declined the ultimate melanin synthesis. Gene expression analysis reinforced the results obtained. Conclusions: The study provides substantial evidence to express the potential of PBE to inhibit B16F10 melanoma cell melanin synthesis. Concisely, results suggest the ability of PBE to be involved in medicinal and cosmeceutical applications.