• Molecules and Cells
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• 제37권7호
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• pp.547-553
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• 2014

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most common brain malignancies and has a very poor prognosis. Recent evidence suggests that the presence of cancer stem cells (CSC) in GBM and the rare CSC subpopulation that is resistant to chemotherapy may be responsible for the treatment failure and unfavorable prognosis of GBM. A garlic-derived compound, Z-ajoene, has shown a range of biological activities, including anti-proliferative effects on several cancers. Here, we demonstrated for the first time that Z-ajoene specifically inhibits the growth of the GBM CSC population. CSC sphere-forming inhibition was achieved at a concentration that did not exhibit a cytotoxic effect in regular cell culture conditions. The specificity of this inhibitory effect on the CSC population was confirmed by detecting CSC cell surface marker CD133 expression and biochemical marker ALDH activity. In addition, stem cell-related mRNA profiling and real-time PCR revealed the differential expression of CSC-specific genes, including Notch, Wnt, and Hedgehog, upon treatment with Z-ajoene. A proteomic approach, i.e., reverse-phase protein array (RPPA) and Western blot analysis, showed decreased SMAD4, p-AKT, 14.3.3 and FOXO3A expression. The protein interaction map (http://string-db.org/) of the identified molecules suggested that the AKT, ERK/p38 and $TGF{\beta}$ signaling pathways are key mediators of Z-ajoene's action, which affects the transcriptional network that includes FOXO3A. These biological and bioinformatic analyses collectively demonstrate that Z-ajoene is a potential candidate for the treatment of GBM by specifically targeting GBM CSCs. We also show how this systemic approach strengthens the identification of new therapeutic agents that target CSCs.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.75-80
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• 2007

The release of genetically modified organisms ($GMO_{s}$) into the environment has the potential risks regarding the possibility of gene transfer from $GMO_{s}$ to natural organisms and this needs to be evaluated. This study was conducted to monitor the possible horizontal gene transfer from herbicide-resistant zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) to indigenous microorganisms. We have first examined the effect of field-released GM zoysiagrass on the microbial flora in the gut of locust (Locusts mlgratoria). The microbial flora was analyzed through determining the 165 rDHA sequences of microorganisms. The comparison of the microbial flora in the gut of locusts that were captured at the field of GM zoysiagrass and of wild-type revealed that there is no noticeable difference between these two groups. This result indicates that the GM zoysiagrass does not have negative impact on microbial flora in the gut of locust. We then investigated whether the horizontal gene transfer occurred from GM zoysiagrass to microbes in soil, rhizosphere and faecal pellets from locusts by utilizing molecular tools such as Southern hybridization and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). When the total DNAs isolated from microbes in GM zoysiagrass and in wild-type zoysiagrass fields were hybridized with probes for bar or hpt gene, no hybridization signal was detected from both field isolates, while the probes were hybridized with DNA from the positive control. Absence of these genes in the FNAs of soil microorganisms as well as microbes in the gut of locust was further confirmed by PCR. Taken together, our data showed that horizontal gene transfer did not occur in this system. These results further indicate that frequencies of transfer of engineered plant DNA to bacteria are likely to be negligible.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권11호
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• pp.6427-6431
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• 2013

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers in the world and deeply threatens people's health, especially in China. Techniques of early diagnosis, prevention and prediction are still being discovered, among which the approaches based on single nucleotide polymorphisms in microRNA genes (miRNA SNPs) are newly proposed and show prospective potential. In particular, the association between SNPs in miRNA196a-2 (rs11614913) and miRNA146a (rs2910164) and HCC has been investigated. However, the conclusions made were conflicting, possibly due to insufficient sample size or population stratification. Further confirmations in well-designed large samples are still required. In this study, we verified the association between these two SNPs and the susceptibility to HCC by MassARRAY assay in a 2,000 large Chinese case-control sample. Significant association between rs11614913 and HCC was confirmed. Subjects with the genotype of CT+TT or T allele in rs11614913 were more resistant to HCC (CT+TT: OR (95% CI)=0.73 (0.57-0.92), P=0.01; T allele: OR (95% CI)=0.85 (0.75-0.97), P=0.02) and HBV-related HCC (CT+TT: OR (95% CI)=0.69 (0.53-0.90), P=0.01; T allele: OR (95% CI)=0.82 (0.71-0.95), P=0.01). The affected carriers of CT or TT also tended to have lower levels of serum AFP (P=0.01). This study demonstrated a role of rs11614913 in the etiology of HCC. Further research should focus on the clinical use of this miRNA SNP, so as to facilitate conquering HCC.

• 원예과학기술지
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.171-177
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• 2012

Sw5-2 SCAR 분자표지와 생물검정법을 이용하여 토마토 유전자원 94종의 $Tomato$ $spotted$ $wilt$ $virus$(TSWV) 저항성을 조사하였다. Sw5-2 SCAR 분자표지의 PCR 산물은 대략 574bp, 500bp, 462bp였는데, 크기가 가장 큰 PCR 산물이 Sw5-b 저항성 대립유전자와 연관되어 있었다. Sw5-b 저항성 대립유전자는 3개 수집종('Eureta', 10-318, 10-321)에서 관찰되었는데, 접종한 개체 가운데 이들 가운데 일부는 TSWV-pb1(토마토 분리주)에 일시적으로 감염되어 회복되거나 줄기에 괴사 병징을 보였다. ELISA 검사에서 음성으로 판명된 수집종 당 1개체씩 총 35개체를 선발하여 병징 발현 및 바이러스 감염 유무를 추가로 조사하였다. 접종 5개월 이후에 병징이 나타나지 않은 26개체를 대상으로 RT-PCR을 이용하여 TSWV 감염유무를 조사한 결과, 모든 개체에서 TSWV의 RT-PCR 산물이 약하게 증폭되었고, 이들 PCR 산물의 증폭 수준은 'Eureta'와 비슷하였다. 선발된 유전자원의 저항성은 조직 내 TSWV의 농도를 낮게 하는데 중요한 역할을 하고 이들은 Sw5를 포함한 여러 가지 유전자들에 의해 양적으로 조절되는 것으로 판단된다.

• 한국식물생명공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국식물생명공학회 2002년도 춘계학술대회
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• pp.69-75
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• 2002

Sterols play two major roles in plants: a bulk component in biological membranes and precursors of plant steroid hormones. Physiological effects of plant steroids, brassinosteroids (BRs), include cell elongation, cell division, stress tolerance, and senescence acceleration. Arabidopsis mutants that carry genetic defects in BR biosynthesis or its signaling display characteristic phenotypes, such as short robust inflorescences, dark-green round leaves, and sterility. Currently there are more than 100 dwarf mutants representing 7 genetic loci in Arabidopsis. Mutants of 6 loci, dwf1/dim1/cbb1, cpd/dwf3, dwf4, dwf5, det2/dwf6, dwf7 are rescued by exogenous application of BRs, whereas bri1/dwf2 shares phenotypes with the above 6 loci but are resistant to BRs. These suggest that the 6 loci are defective in BR biosynthesis, and the one locus is in BR signaling. Biochemical analyses, such as intermediate feeding tests, examining the levels of endogenous BR, and molecular cloning of the genes revealed that dwf7, dwf5, and dwf1 are defective in the three consecutive steps of sterol biosynthesis, from episterol to campesterol via 5-dehydroepisterol. Similarly, det2/dwf6, dwf4, and cpd/dwf3 were Shown to be blocked in $D^4$ reduction, 22a-hydroxylation, and 23 a-hydroxylation, respectively. A signaling mutant bri1/dwf2 carries mutations in a Leucine-rich repeat receptor kinase. Interestingly, the bri1 mutant was shown to accumulate significant amount of BRs, suggesting that signaling and biosynthesis are dynamically coupled in Arabidopsis. Thus it is likely that transgenic plants over-expressing the rate-limiting step enzyme DWF4 as well as blocking its use by BRI1 could dramatically increase the biosynthetic yield of BRs. When applied industrially, BRs will boost new sector of plant biotechnology because of its potential use as a precursor of human steroid hormones, a novel lead compound for cholesterol-lowering effects, and a various application in plant protection.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.139-144
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• 2002

Sterols play two major roles in plants: a bulk component in biological membranes and precursors of plant steroid hormones. Physiological effects of plant steroids, brassinosteroids (BRs), include cell elongation, cell division, stress tolerance, and senescence acceleration. Arabidopsis mutants that carry genetic defects in BR biosynthesis or its signaling display characteristic phenotypes, such as short robust inflorescences, dark-green round leaves, and sterility. Currently there are more than 100 dwarf mutants representing 7 genetic loci in Arabidopsis. Mutants of 6 loci, dwf1/dim1/cbb1, cpd/dwf3, dwf4, dwf5, det2/dwf6, dwf7 are rescued by exogenous application of BRs, whereas bri1/dwf2 shares phenotypes with the above 6 loci but are resistant to BRs. These suggest that the 6 loci are defective in BR biosynthesis, and the one locus is in BR signaling. Biochemical analyses, such as intermediate feeding tests, examining the levels of endogenous BR, and molecular cloning of the genes revealed that dwf7, dwf5, and dwf1 are defective in the three consecutive steps of sterol biosynthesis, from episterol to campesterol via 5-dehydroepisterol. Similarly, det2/dwf6, dwf4, and cpd /dwf3 were shown to be blocked in D$^4$reduction, 22a-hydroxylation, and 23 a-hydroxylation, respectively. A signaling mutant bril/dwf2 carries mutations in a Leucine-rich repeat receptor kinase. Interestingly, the bri1 mutant was shown to accumulate significant amount of BRs, suggesting that signaling and biosynthesis are dynamically coupled in Arabidopsis. Thus it is likely that transgenic plants over-expressing the rate-limiting step enzyme DWF4 as well as blocking its use by BRIl could dramatically increase the biosynthetic yield of BRs. When applied industrially, BRs will boost new sector of plant biotechnology because of its potential use as a precursor of human steroid hormones, a novel lead compound for cholesterol-lowering effects, and a various application in plant protection.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.384-391
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• 2009

Previously, two events (H15 and B20) of transgenic pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) that enhanced resistance to Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) by the introduction of CMV coat protein (CP) gene were constructed. Presently, a single copy number of the CP gene was revealed in H15 and B20 by Southern blot. To predict possible unintended effects due to transgene insertion in an endogenous gene, we carried out sequencing of the 5'-flanking region of the CP gene and a Blastbased search. The results revealed that insertion of the transgene into genes encoding putative proteins may occur in the H15 and B20 transgenic event. Mutiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for simultaneous detection and identification of transgenic pepper was conducted with a set of nine primers. Both transgenic event were differentiated from non-transgenic event by the presence of 267 bp and 430 bp PCR products indicative of CP gene specific primer pairs and primer pairs targeting the CP gene and 35S promoter. H15 and B20 uniquely possessed a 390 bp and 596 bp PCR product, respectively. The presence of a 1115 bp product corresponding to intrinsic pepper actin gene confirmed the use of pepper DNA as the PCR template. The primer set and PCR conditions used presently may allow the accurate and simple identification of CMV resistant transgenic pepper.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.39-45
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• 2006

This study is to examine the relationship between TGF-b1 expression and CTGF expression, and to evaluate the effect of Sp1 blockade on the expression of TGF-b1, CTGF and extracellular genes, clones of fibroblasts stably transfected with Sp1 decoy ODN. R-Sp1 decoy ODN was highly resistant to degradation by nucleases or serum, compared to the linear or phosphorothioated-Sp1 decoy ODN. Skin wounds were created on the back of 36 anesthetized rats. They were divided into four groups-the rats with normal skin, with wounded skin without decoy, with wounded skin injected with R-Sp1 decoy, and with wounded skin injected with mismatched R-Sp1 decoy, respectively. Skins were collected at 3rd, 5th, 7th, 14th day after wounding. Cellular RNA was extracted by RT-PCR analysis. TGF-${\beta}1$ and CTGF were deeply related with skin fibrosis during scar formation and it appeared that TGF-${\beta}1$ may cause the induction of CTGF expression. R-Sp1 decoy ODN inhibited TGF-${\beta}1$ and CTGF expression both in cultured fibroblasts and in the skin of rats. These results indicate that targeting Sp1 with R-type decoy efficiently blocks extracellular matrix gene expression, and suggest an important new therapeutic approach to control the scarring in normal wound healing and fibrotic disorders.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제19권12호
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• pp.1718-1723
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• 2009

Chromosomal 인 SHV-11 $\beta$-lactamase가 plasmid를 매개로 다른 균주로 전달 되는 현상은 흔하지 않다. 본 연구에서는 플라스미드성 SHV-11 $\beta$-lactamase를 동시에 가지고 있는 ESBL생성 두 균주를 검출하였다. 따라서 이들 균주에 대한 유전적 특성과 임상적 의의에 대해 알아보고자 하였다. Vitek system과 이중디스크확산법을 이용하여 ESBL생성균주를 검출하였고, PCR과 DNA 염기서열분석을 이용하여 SHV-11 $\beta$-lactamase를 가지고 있는 ESBL생성균주를 확인 하였다. 이들 균주를 교차접합실험과 형질전환실험을 이용하여 유전자전이를 확인하고 액체배지 희석법으로 3세대 cephalosphorin 항생제에 대한 최소억제농도를 측정하였다. 이들 균주의 유전형 분석결과는 SHV-11 $\beta$-lactamase 유전자와 CTX-M-15 ESBL 유전자를 동시에 가지고 있었다. 3세대 cephalosphorin 항생제에 대한 최소억제농도는 SHV-11 $\beta$-lactamase와 CTX-M-15 ESBL 유전자를 동시에 가지고 있는 균주에서 $64{\mu}g/ml$ 이상이었고, SHV-11 $\beta$-lactamase 만을 가지고 재조합 한 균주에서 $0.5{\mu}g/ml$ 이하로 나타났다.

• 한국식품과학회지
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• 제35권6호
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• pp.1155-1161
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• 2003

유전자재조합식품의 안전성과 표시에 관한 일반국민의 의식을 2000년부터 2002년까지 3년 동안 각각 750명, 979명과 1417명을 대상으로 설문조사 하였다. 평균 65.4%의 응답자가 유전자재조합식품에 관한 정보를 접한 경험이 있었다. 유전자재조합식품에는 90% 이상의 응답자가 표시하기를 바랐으며 구입하여 먹겠다는 사람은 18.5% 이었고 기다려보겠다는 관망형이 46.8%를 넘어서 표시를 희망하면서도 결정을 유보하는 사람의 비율이 많았다. 한편, 유전자재조합기술에 의해 생산되는 제초제 내성 콩에 대한 적절한 설명으로는 제초제에 견디는 유전자가 있지만 인체에 무해하다라고 답한 비율이 약 37.3%로 약 1/3정도 만이 내용을 제대로 이해하고 있는 것으로 나타났다. 유전자재조합기술로 개발된 제초제 내성 콩을 먹겠다는 사람보다 같은 방법으로 개발된 비타민 함량이 높은 콩을 먹겠다는 사람이 상대적으로 많은 것으로 보아 제품의 특성을 중시하지 유전자재조합 여부에는 큰 관심을 두지 않는 것으로 나타났다. 우리가 먹는 생물 유래의 식품에 유전자가 있다는 사실을 바르게 알고있는 응답자는 전체의 39% 정도였다. 유전자재조합식품이 위험할 것이라고 생각하는 사람은 지극히 적어서 응답자의 4%정도를 유지하였다.