• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.11.1-11.20
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• 2022

Vibrio harveyi belongs to the Vibrio genus that causes vibriosis in marine and aquatic fish species through double-stranded DNA virus replication. In humans, around 12 Vibrio species can cause gastroenteritis (gastrointestinal illness). A large amount of virus particles can be found in the cytoplasm of infected cells, which may cause death. Despite these devastating complications, there is still no cure or vaccine for the virus. As a result, we used an immunoinformatics approach to develop a multi-epitope vaccine against most pathogenic hemolysin gene of V. harveyi. The immunodominant T- and B-cell epitopes were identified using the hemolysin protein. We developed a vaccine employing three possible epitopes: cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, helper T-lymphocytes, and linear B-lymphocyte epitopes, after thorough testing. The vaccine was developed to be antigenic, immunogenic, and non-allergenic, as well as having a better solubility. Molecular dynamics simulation revealed significant structural stiffness and binding stability. In addition, the immunological simulation generated by computer revealed that the vaccination might elicit immune reactions in the actual life after injection. Finally, using Escherichia coli K12 as a model, codon optimization yielded ideal GC content and a higher codon adaptation index value, which was then included in the cloning vector pET2+ (a). Altogether, our experiment implies that the proposed peptide vaccine might be a good option for vibriosis prophylaxis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.16-24
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• 2021

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome P-encoded protein HBV DNA polymerase (Pol) has long been known as a reverse transcriptase during HBV replication. In this study, we investigated the impact of HBV Pol on host cellular processes, mainly apoptosis, and the underlying mechanisms. We showed a marked reduction in apoptotic rates in the HBV Pol-expressed HepG2 cells compared to controls. Moreover, a series of assays, i.e., yeast two-hybrid, GST pull-down, co-immunoprecipitation, and confocal laser scanning microscopy, identified the host factor eEF1A2 to be associated with HBV Pol. Furthermore, knockdown of eEF1A2 gene by siRNA abrogated the HBV Pol-mediated anti-apoptotic effect with apoptosis induced by endoplasmatic reticulum (ER) stress-inducer thapsigargin (TG), thus suggesting that the host factor eEF1A2 is essential for HBV Pol's anti-apoptosis properties. Our findings have revealed a novel role for HBV Pol in its modulation of apoptosis through integrating with eEF1A2.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제54권4호
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• pp.335-341
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• 2021

Purpose: Muscle mitochondria play a key role in regulating fatty acid and glucose metabolism. Dysfunction of muscle mitochondria is associated with metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Isorhamnetin (ISOR), also known as 3-O-methylquercetin, a quercetin metabolite, is a naturally occurring flavonoid in many plants. This study evaluated the effects of ISOR on the regulation of the mitochondrial function of C2C12 muscle cells. Methods: C2C12 muscle cells were differentiated for 5 days, and then treated in various concentrations of ISOR. Cytotoxicity was determined by assessing cell viability using the water-soluble tetrazolium salt-8 assay principle at different concentrations of ISOR and time points. Levels of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content and gene expression were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The citrate synthase (CS) activity was quantified by the enzymatic method. Results: ISOR at a concentration of 10 µM did not show any cytotoxic effects. ISOR increased the mtDNA copy number in a time- or dose-dependent manner. The messenger RNA levels of genes involved in mitochondrial function, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α, and uncoupling protein 3 were significantly stimulated by the ISOR treatment. The CS activity was also significantly increased in a time- or dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: These results suggest that ISOR enhances the regulation of mitochondrial function, which was at least partially mediated via the stimulation of the mtDNA replication, mitochondrial gene expression, and CS activity in C2C12 muscle cells. Therefore, ISOR may be useful as a potential food ingredient to prevent metabolic diseases-associated muscle mitochondrial dysfunction.

• 미생물학회지
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• 제46권1호
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• pp.15-20
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• 2010

돼지를 이용한 이종간 장기이식은 인간 세포주를 감염시킬 수 있는 것으로 알려진 돼지 내인성 레트로바이러스의 존재로 인해 실제 적용에 어려움이 있다. PERV (Porcine Endogenous Retrovirus: PERV)-A와 PERV-B는 in vitro 상에서 인간 세포주와 돼지 세포주를 동시에 감염시킬 수 있으나 PERV-C는 단지 돼지 세포주만 감염시킬 수 있다. 또한 PERV-A와 PERV-B 또는 PERV-A와 PERV-C사이에 재조합이 일어나 새로운 위험한 바이러스가 출현할 가능성이 있다. 최초의 재조합 바이러스인 PERV-A14/220은 대부분 PERV-C의 유전자로 구성 되어있으며 수용체와 결합하는 부위만 PERV-A의 외막 유전자로 재조합이 되어 있는데 PERV-A보다 500배 이상 높은 감염가를 가진다. PERV-A14/220의 경우 PERV-A 외막 단백질 140 번째 아미노산과 PERV-C 외막 PRR (proline rich region) 부위가 높은 감염가에 관여하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 막 융합에 관여하는 PERV-C의 세포질쪽 C-말단 부위 또한 재조합 바이러스의 높은 감염가에 관여하는지 알아보기 위해 PERV-A/C의 재조합 외막 당단백질을 가진 pseudotype 바이러스를 만들어 사람 세포주에서 감염가를 측정하였는데 PERV-A 보다 재조합 바이러스가 10배 이상 높은 감염가를 나타내었다. 이러한 연구 결과는 PERV-C의 C-말단 막당단백질에 존재하는 양친매성 부위가 재조합 바이러스의 높은 감염가에 관여한 것으로 판단된다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제42권2호
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• pp.175-182
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• 2018

Background: The impact of fungicide azoxystrobin, applied as foliar spray, on the physiological and biochemical indices and ginsenoside contents of ginseng was studied in ginseng (Panax ginseng Mey. cv. "Ermaya") under natural environmental conditions. Different concentrations of 25% azoxystrobin SC (150 g a.i./ha and 225 g a.i./ha) on ginseng plants were sprayed three times, and the changes in physiological and biochemical indices and ginsenoside contents of ginseng leaves were tested. Methods: Physiological and biochemical indices were measured using a spectrophotometer (Shimadzu UV-2450). Every index was determined three times per replication. Extracts of ginsenosides were analyzed by HPLC (Shimadzu LC20-AB) utilizing a GL-Wondasil $C_{18}$ column. Results: Chlorophyll and soluble protein contents were significantly (p = 0.05) increased compared with the control by the application of azoxystrobin. Additionally, activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, peroxidase, and ginsenoside contents in azoxystrobin-treated plants were improved, and malondialdehyde content and $O_2^-$ contents were reduced effectively. Azoxystrobin treatments to ginseng plants at all growth stages suggested that the azoxystrobin-induced delay of senescence was due to an enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity protecting the plants from harmful active oxygen species. When the dose of azoxystrobin was 225 g a.i./ha, the effect was more significant. Conclusion: This work suggested that azoxystrobin played a role in delaying senescence by changing physiological and biochemical indices and improving ginsenoside contents in ginseng leaves.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.327-332
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• 2005

Sf21 cells become popular as the host permissive cell line to support the baculovirus AcNPV replication and protein synthesis. The cells grow well on TC-100 medium that contains $0.1\%$ D-glucose as the major carbon source, strongly suggesting the presence of endogenous glucose transporters. However, unlike human glucose transporters, very little is known about the characteristics of the endogenoussugar transporter(s) in Sf21 cells. Thus, some kinetic properties of the sugar transport system were investigated, involving the uptake of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2dG1c). In order to obtain a true measure of the initial rate of uptake, the uptake of $[^3H]2dGlc$ from both low $(100{\mu}M)$ and high (10 mM) extracellular concentrations was measured over periods ranging from 30 sec to30 min. The data obtained indicated that the uptake was linear for at least 2 min at both concentrations, suggesting that measurements made over a 1min time course would reflect initial rates of the jexpse uptake. To determine $K_m\;and\;V_{max}$ of the endogenous glucose transporter(s) in Sf21 cells, the uptake of 2dG1c was measured over a range of substrate concentrations $(50{\mu}M\~10mM)$ 2dG1c uptake by the Sf21 cells appeared to involve both saturable and non-saturable (or very low affinity) components. A saturable transport system for 2dG1c was relatively high, the $K_m$ value for uptake being < 0.45 mM. The $V_{max}$ value obtained for 2dG1c transport in the Sf21 cells was about 9.7-folds higher than that reported for Chinese hamster ovary cells, which contain a GLUT1 homologue. Thus, it appeared that the transport activity of the Sf21 cells was very high. In addition, the Sf21 glucose transporter was found to have very low affinity for cytochalasin B, a potent inhibitor of human erythrocyte glucose transporter

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제32권7호
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• pp.918-926
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• 2022

Proteins related to DNA replication have been proposed as cancer biomarkers and targets for anticancer agents. Among them, minichromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins, often overexpressed in various cancer cells, are recognized both as notable biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and as targets for cancer treatment. Here, we investigated the activity of cedrol, a single compound isolated from Juniperus chinensis, in reducing the expression of MCM proteins in human lung carcinoma A549 cells. Remarkably, cedrol also strongly inhibited the expression of all other MCM protein family members in A549 cells. Moreover, cedrol treatment reduced cell viability in A549 cells, accompanied by cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase, and enhanced apoptosis. Taken together, this study broadens our understanding of how cedrol executes its anticancer activity while demonstrating that cedrol has potential application in the treatment of human lung cancer as an inhibitor of MCM proteins.

• 한국가금학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국가금학회 2002년도 가을 학술발표논문집
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• pp.133-135
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• 2002

DE와 GE의 급여가 어린 병아리의 골격발달에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위해 1일령된 Hy-Line Brown 수평아리 4처리$\times$4반복$\times$5수/반복 100마리에게 3주간 대조군으로 IF 함량이 매우 낮은 SPC를 급여했다. 실험군은 DE와 GE를 1. 0, 2.0mM 두 수준으로 첨가 급여하였다. 이때 사료의 Ca 수준은 골격발달에 좀더 민감한 반응을 나타낼 수 있도록 요구량의 50% 수준으로 했으며, Phosphate는 정상수준으로 급여하였다. 식이섭취량과 체중증가량은 군간에 차이를 보이지 않았고, ALP activity는 GE군과 대조군에 비해 DE군에서 유의하게 감소하였으나(p〈0.05) 첨가수준간에는 차이가 없었다. 경골의 회분 %는 대조군에 비해 DE, GE군에서 유의하게 증가하였으나(P〈0.05), 두 IF간 및 첨가수준 간에는 차이가 없었다. 경골의 파괴강도는 모든 처리군에서 유의차를 보이지 않았다. 즉 DE의 급여가 GE에 비해 ALP를 유의적으로 감소시켰지만, 경골의 회분 %와 경골 파괴강도에 있어서는 DE와 GE군 간에 급여수준에 따른 차이를 보이지 않아 이에 대한 연구가 더 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.101-115
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• 2001

Objective : To characterize the antitumorigenic potential of Apamin, one of the major components of bee venom, its effects on cell proliferation and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction pathway were characterized using the human melanoma cell line SK-MEL-2. Methods & Results : Cell counting analysis for cell death demonstrated that consistent with a previous results, SK-MEL-2 cells treated with $0.5-2.0{\mu}g/ml$ of Apamin showed no recognizable cytotoxic effect whereas detectable induction of cell death was identified at concentrations over $5.0{\mu}g/ml$. [3H]thymidine incorporation assay for cell proliferation demonstrated that DNA replication of SK-MEL-2 cells is inhibited by Apamin in a dose- and time-dependent manner. To explore whether Apamin-induced growth suppression is associated with the MAPK signaling pathway, phosphorylation of Erk, a function mediator of MAPK growth-stimulating signal, was examined Western blot assay using a phospho-specific Erkl/2 antibody. A significant increase of Erkl/2 phosphorylation level was observed in Apamin-treated cells compared with untreated control cells. Qantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that Apamin inhibit expression of MAPK downstream genes such as c-Jun, c-Fos, and cyclin D1 but not expression of MAPK pathway component genes including Ha-Ras, c-Raf-1, MEK1, and Erk. Conclusion : It is strongly suggested that the antitumorigenic activity of Apamin might result in part from its inhibitory effect on the MAPK signaling pathway in human melanoma cells SK-MEL-2.

• BMB Reports
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.337-343
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• 2000

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), transactivator of transcription (Tat), is one of the viral gene products that is essential for HIV-1 replication. The HIV-l Tat protein regulates transcription from an HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR) and affects the gene expression of cellular proteins during infection. In order to develop an expression system to overexpress and simply purify HIV-1 Tat proteins, the HIV-1 Tat coding sequences that contain one or two exons were amplified using PCR and cloned into a pET vector, which contains a consecutive stretch of six histidine residues at the amino-terminus. The reconstituted vectors were overexpressed in the E. coli strain and the soluble recombinant proteins were purified to be homogeneity in a single step by $Ni^{+2}-nitrilotriacetic$ acid Sepharose chromatography under nondenaturing conditions. Recombinant HIV-1 Tat proteins were shown to transactivate the HIV-1 LTR promoter in a dose-dependent manner when introduced into mammalian cells. In addition, treatment of human endothelial cells with purified Tat proteins resulted in a significant increase in the level of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression. These results indicate that the recombinant HIV-1 Tat proteins are active in transactivating viral and cellular promoters. The expression and purification system described in this study will facilitate in characterizing the biological functions of the Tat proteins.