• Macromolecular Research
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.134-138
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• 2008

A novel acrylol borate was designed and synthesized by reacting acrylate monomer and boric acid. The obtained acrylol borate was used as both gelator and anion receptor for the liquid electrolyte in a lithium secondary battery. It was found that the ionic conductivity of the gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) was as high as that of the liquid electrolyte, and the thermal stability of GPE was increased when only 2 wt% acrylol borate was incorporated into the liquid electrolyte. These results suggest that acrylol borate can be used as an effective additive to enhance the thermal stability of the electrolyte without adversely affecting its conductivity. It is believed that the strong complex formation between boron in the gelator and the anion of the salt is responsible for the enhanced thermal stability of the electrolyte solution and the increased ionic conductivity.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.63-68
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• 2003

Until recently, interest in human complement receptor type I (CR1) has focused on immune complex processing, which contributed to our understanding of regulatory mechanism of complement activation. However, the promoter structure and transcriptional regulation of human CR1 gene has not been clear. To study the unique regulation of human CR1 gene expression, we assessed promoter activity of the $5^1$-flanking region of human CR1 gene using transient transfection and gel mobility shift assays. In this study we demonstrated that NF-Y binds to the inverted CCAAT element and that the functional interaction with protein(s) which bind to the GC-rich motif may be necessary for optimal transcription of human CR1 gene. We also show that sequence elements which located at-95/58 and +45/+50 are important for optimal transcription of CR1 gene.

• BMB Reports
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.2-11
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• 2021

Antibody-based therapeutics targeting the inhibitory receptors PD-1, PD-L1, or CTLA-4 have shown remarkable clinical progress on several cancers. However, most patients do not benefit from these therapies. Thus, many efforts are being made to identify new immune checkpoint receptor-ligand pathways that are alternative targets for cancer immunotherapies. Nectin and nectin-like molecules are widely expressed on several types of tumor cells and play regulatory roles in T- and NK-cell functions. TIGIT, CD226, CD96 and CD112R on lymphoid cells are a group of immunoglobulin superfamily receptors that interact with Nectin and nectin-like molecules with different affinities. These receptors transmit activating or inhibitory signals upon binding their cognate ligands to the immune cells. The integrated signals formed by their complex interactions contribute to regulating immune-cell functions. Several clinical trials are currently evaluating the efficacy of anti-TIGIT and anti-CD112R blockades for treating patients with solid tumors. However, many questions still need to be answered in order to fully understand the dynamics and functions of these receptor networks. This review addresses the rationale behind targeting TIGIT, CD226, CD96, and CD112R to regulate T- and NK-cell functions and discusses their potential application in cancer immunotherapy.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.307-313
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• 2021

Traf4 (Tumor necrosis factor Receptor Associated Factor 4) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) - associated factors (TRAFs) family. TRAF4 is overexpressed in tumor cells such as breast cancer and associated with cytoskeleton and membrane fraction. Interestingly, TRAF4 was localized with tight junctions (TJs) proteins including OCLN and TJP1 in mammary epithelial cells. However, the expression patterns and biological function of Traf4 were not examined in preimplantation mouse embryos although Traf4-deficient mouse showed embryonic lethality or various dramatic malformation. In this study, we examined the temporal and spatial expression patterns of mouse Traf4 during preimplantation development by qRT-PCR and immunostaining, and its biological function by using siRNA injection. We found upregulation of Traf4 from the 8-cell stage onwards and apical region of cell - cell contact sites at morula and blastocyst embryos. Moreover, Traf4 knockdown led to defective TJs without alteration of genes associated with TJ assembly but elevated p21 expression at the KD morula. Taken together, Traf4 is required for TJs assembly and cell proliferation during morula to blastocyst transition.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.598-606
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• 2022

With the advancement of industry, the use of various sustainable energy sources and solutions to problems affecting the environment are being actively requested. From this point of view, it is intended to directly burn unused biogas to use it as energy and to solve environmental problems such as greenhouse gases. In this study, a new type of cavity matrix combustor capable of low-emission complete combustion without complex facilities such as separation or purification of biogas produced in small and medium-sized facilities was proposed, and CFD numerical calculation was performed to understand the performance characteristics of this combustor. The cavity matrix combustor consists of a burner with a rectangular porous microwave receptor at the center inside a 3D cavity that maintains a rectangular parallelepiped shape composed of a porous plate that can store heat in the combustor chamber. As a result of numerical calculation, the biogas supplied to the inlet of the combustor is converted to CO and H₂, which are intermediate products, on the surface of the 3D matrix porous burner. And then the optimal combustion process was achieved through complete combustion into CO₂ and H₂O due to increased combustibility by receiving heat energy from the microwave heating receptor.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.165-174
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• 2022

Three proteins [myosin heavy chain (MHC), filamin-C fragment (FIL-C), and actin 2 (ACT2)] were identified in adductor muscle from diploid and triploid Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) and the relationship between the condition index (CI) and mRNA expression of these genes was investigated, together with the mRNA expression of molluscan insulin-related peptide (MIP), C. gigas insulin receptor-related receptor (CIR), and insulin-like growth factor binding protein complex acid labile subunit (IGFBP-ALS). Monthly changes in the CI were similar to the changes in the tissue weight rate in both groups. ACT2 and MHC mRNA expression was statistically higher in the triploid than the diploid, while FIL-C mRNA expression was significantly higher in the diploid (p<0.05). The MIP, CIR, and IGFBP-ALS mRNA expression of the diploid oysters were all significantly higher in July than in other months (p<0.05). The MIP, CIR, and IGFBP-ALS mRNA expression in the triploid oysters was high in July, but there were no significant differences (p>0.05). Changes in the expression levels of the genes investigated in this study could be used as intrinsic indicators of the annual growth, maturity, and spawning period of cultured diploid and triploid C. gigas in Tongyeong, Korea.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.403-423
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• 2024

The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract houses a diverse microbial community, known as the gut microbiome comprising bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining the body's equilibrium and has recently been discovered to influence the functioning of the central nervous system (CNS). The communication between the nervous system and the GI tract occurs through a two-way network called the gut-brain axis. The nervous system and the GI tract can modulate each other through activated neuronal cells, the immune system, and metabolites produced by the gut microbiome. Extensive research both in preclinical and clinical realms, has highlighted the complex relationship between the gut and diseases associated with the CNS, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This review aims to delineate receptor and target enzymes linked with gut microbiota metabolites and explore their specific roles within the brain, particularly their impact on CNS-related diseases.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.2083-2086
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• 2009

Human vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (hVEGFR2) is an important signaling protein involved in angiogenesis and attractive drug target in cancer therapy. It has been reported that flavonols, a class of flavonoids, have anti-angiogenic activity in various cancer cell lines. We performed receptor-oriented pharmacophore based in silico screening for identification of hVEGFR2 inhibitors from flavonol database. By comparing with three X-ray complex structures of hVEGFR2 and its inhibitors, we evaluated the specific interactions between inhibitors and receptors and determined a single pharmacophore map. This map consisted of four features, a hydrogen bonding acceptor (HBA) on Cys917, two hydrogen bonding donors on Glu917 (HBD1) and Glu883 (HBD2), and one hydrophobic interaction (Lipo) with Val846, Ala864, Val897, Val914 and Phe1045 of hVEGFR2. Using this map, we searched a flavonol database including 9 typical flavonols and proposed that five flavonols, kaempferol, quercetin, fisetin, morin, and rhamnetin can be potent inhibitors of hVEGFR2. 3-OH of C-ring and 4’-OH of B-ring of flavonols are the essential features for hVEGFR2 inhibition. This study will be helpful for understanding the mechanism of inhibition of hVEGFR2 by natural products.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.53-58
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• 1997

$[Lys^7$]dermorphin, abbreviated K7DA, which has structural features similar to a metabolically stable $\mu$-opioid peptide agonist $[D-Arg^2, Lys^4$]dermorphin analogue (DALDA), but is intrinsically more potent with respect to binding to the $\mu$-opioid peptide receptor. The present studies report on attempts to enhance brain uptake of systemically administered K7DA by conjugation to a complex of streptavidin (SA) and the OX26 murine monoclonal antibody to the rat transferrin receptor, which undergoes receptor-mediated transcytosis through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). SA-OX26 conjugate mediates BBB transport of biotinylated therapeutics. The K7DA is monobiotinylated at the $\varepsilon$-amino group of the $[Lys^7$] residue with cleavable linker using NHS-SS-biotin. The brain uptake of $^{125}I$ labeled biotinylated K7DA ($^{125}I$-bio-SSa-K7DA) was very small and rapidly metabolized after intravenous injection. The brain uptake, expressed as percent of injected dose delivered per gram of brain, of the $^{125}I$-bio-55-K7DA bound to the SA-OX26 conjugate $^{125}I$-bio-SS-K7DA/SA-OX26) was 0.14$\pm$0.01, a level that is 2-fold greater than the brain uptake of morphine. The cleavability of the disulfide linker in vivo in rat plasma and brain was assessed with gel filtration HPLC and intravenous injection of labeled opioid chimeric peptides. The disulfide linker is stable in plasma in vivo but is cleaved in rat brain in vivo. In conclusion, these studies show that delivery of these potential opioid peptides to the brain may be improved by coupling them to vector-mediated BBB drug delivery system.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.3.1-3.8
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• 2020

Background: The IGF system plays important roles in controlling growth, development, reproduction, and aging of organisms. Methods: To estimate maturation of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas, we investigated the expression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system components and sex-specific genes. To determine the role of the IGF system in the growth and spawning period of female and male oysters, we examined mRNA expression levels of the C. gigas insulin receptor-related receptor (CIR), IGF binding protein complex acid labile subunit (IGFBP_ALS), and molluscan insulin-related peptide (MIP), as well as those of vitellogenin (Vg) and receptor-type guanylate cyclase (Gyc76C) in gonads of C. gigas collected between April and October, when sex can be determined visually in this species. Results: We found that MIP, IGFBP_ALS, and CIR mRNA expression levels were dependent on sex and month and were greater in males than in females. CIR and Vg mRNA expression levels were very similar among females, whereas IGF system components and Gyc76C were very similarly expressed among males. The highest expression values were observed in May, when oysters are mature; CIR and Vg mRNA expression levels were highest in females, and those of MIP, IGFBP_ALS, CIR, and Gyc76C were highest in males. Interestingly, we observed a 1:1 proportion of females to males during this period. Conclusion: Our results suggest that IGF system components, as well as Vg and Gyc76C, are associated with sexual maturation in C. gigas.