• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.6 s.67
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• pp.1023-1027
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• 2004

The RAD3 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is essential for the incision step of UV-induced excision repair. An yeast RAD3 gene has been previously isolated by functional complementation. In order to identify the RAD3 homologous gene from fungus Coprinus cinereus, we have constructed cosmid libraries from electrophoretically separated chromosomes of the C. cinereus. The 13 C. cinereus chromosomes were resolved by pulse-field gel electrophoresis, hybridized with S. cerevisiae RAD3 DNA, and then isolated RAD3 homologous DNA from C. cinereus chromosome. The RAD3 homolog DNA was contained in 3.2 kb DNA fragment. Here, we report the results of characterization of a fungus C. cinereus homolog to the yeast RAD3 gene. Southern blot analysis confirmed that the C. cinereus chromosome contains the RAD3 homolog gene and this gene exists as a single copy in C. cinereus genome. When total RNA isolated from the C. cinereus cells were hybridized with the 3.4 kb PvuII DNA fragment of the S. cerevisiae RAD3 gene, transcripts size of 2.8 kb were detected. In order to investigate whether the increase of the amount of transcripts by DNA damaging agent, transcript levels were examined after treating agents to the cells. The level of transcripts were not increased by untraviolet light (UV). This result indicated that the RAD3 homologous gene is not UV inducible gene. Gene deletion experiments indicate that the HRD3 gene is essential for viability of the cells and DNA repair function. These observations suggest an evolutionary conservation of other protein components with which HRD3 interacts in mediating its DNA repair and viability functions.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.325-332
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• 2018

The mechanism of the previously reported antidiabetic effect of Basella alba is unknown. This study investigated the role of B. alba aqueous leaf extract in the modulation of inflammatory cytokines and islet morphology in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Forty male Wistar rats, between 8 and 10 weeks old, were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10) and administered the following treatments: Healthy control (H-c) and Diabetic control (D-c) animals received normal saline 0.5 mL/100 g body weight daily, while Healthy Treatment (H-Ba) and Diabetic Treatment (D-Ba) rats received the plant extract 200 mg/kg body weight daily. All treatments were administered by oral gavage. Diabetes was induced in D-c and D-Ba rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg body). The body weight and fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels were recorded every week for 4 weeks, after which the rats were euthanized and samples collected for further analysis. After the experiment, FBS level was significantly reduced (p < 0.0001) in rats in the D-Ba group, but increased (p < 0.001) in rats in the D-c group. The absolute (H-c and H-Ba vs D-c, p < 0.05) and relative (D-Ba vs H-c, p < 0.05; D-Ba vs H-Ba, p < 0.005) weights of the pancreases were significantly higher after the experiment. The rats in the D-c group had significantly higher levels of serum interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (p < 0.001 vs H-c; p < 0.05 vs H-Ba and D-Ba) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (p < 0.0001), but lower levels of interleukin-10 (p < 0.05) in comparison with the other groups. Histopathological examination revealed severe interstitial congestion, reduced islet area (p < 0.0001), and increased islet cell density in the D-c group compared with those in the D-Ba group. From these findings, it was concluded that the aqueous extract of B. alba stimulates the recovery of beta-islet morphology in streptozotocininduced diabetic rats by modulating the peripheral production of inflammatory cytokines.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.155-161
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• 2017

A gene coding for the xylanase predicted from the partial genomic sequence of Paenibacillus woosongensis was cloned by PCR amplification and sequenced completely. This xylanase gene, designated xyn11B, consisted of 1,071 nucleotides encoding a polypeptide of 356 amino acid residues. Based on the deduced amino acid sequence, Xyn11B was identified to be a modular enzyme, including a single carbohydrate-binding module besides the catalytic domain, and was highly homologous to xylanases belonging to glycosyl hydrolase family 11. The SignalP4.1 server predicted a stretch of 26 residues in the N-terminus to be the signal peptide. Using DEAE-Sepharose and Phenyl-Sepharose column chromatography, Xyn11B was partially purified from the cell-free extract of recombinant Escherichia coli carrying a copy of the P. woosongensis xyn11B gene. The partially purified Xyn11B protein showed maximal activity at $50^{\circ}C$ and pH 6.5. The enzyme was more active on arabinoxylan than on oat spelt xylan and birchwood xylan, whereas it did not exhibit activity towards carboxymethylcellulose, mannan, and para-nitrophenyl-${\beta}$-xylopyranoside. The activity of Xyn11B was slightly increased by $Ca^{2+}$ and $Mg^{2+}$, but was significantly inhibited by $Cu^{2+}$, $Ni^{2+}$, $Fe^{3+}$, and $Mn^{2+}$, and completely inhibited by SDS.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.20-25
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• 2015

Objectives: Recently, thread-embedding therapy (TET) has been widely applied in Korean medicine for cosmetic purposes such as reducing skin wrinkles. An inserted thread was reported to have induced continuous stimulation, followed by support for connective tissue regeneration. However, the potential role of TET in hair-growth has not yet been reported. Methods: We designed this study to evaluate whether TET has a hair-growth-promoting effect. C57 black 6 (C57BL/6) mice were divided into three groups: normal saline-treated, minoxidil-treated, and thread-embedded groups. Normal saline or 5% minoxidil was topically sprayed on the dorsal skin of the mice once a day for 16 days. Medical threads were embedded into the dorsal skin of the mice in a single application. Hair growth activity was evaluated by using dermoscopic and microscopic observations. Sections of the dorsal skin were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Expressions of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), fibroblast growth factor-7 (FGF-7), and fibroblast growth factor-5 (FGF-5) were detected by using immunohistochemical staining. A reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis was adopted to measure the messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of FGF-7 and FGF-5. Results: TET enhanced anagen development in the hair follicles of C57BL/6 mice. The expressions of BrdU and PCNA, both of which imply active cellular proliferation, were increased by using TET. Moreover, TET increased the expression of FGF-7, an anagen-inducing growth factor, while decreasing the expression of FGF-5, an anagen-cessation growth factor, both at the protein and the mRNA levels. Conclusion: TET enhanced hair re-growth in C57BL/6 mice. TET regulated the expressions of anagen-associated growth factors and activated the proliferation of hair follicular cells in depilated skin lesions. Considering its long-lasting effect, TET may be a good alternative therapeutic for the treatment of alopecia.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.28-47
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the effects of Angelicae gigantis Radix (AGR) which is one of the most useful herbal-drug to treat patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in Oriental medicine on gene expression of ovary tissue. Methods: The effects of AGR on gene expression of ovary tissue resected from PCOS induced rats using single injection of $\ss$-Estradiol 17-valerate (EV) was measured using microarray technique, and the functional analysis on these genes was conducted. Results: Total 2,812 genes were up-regulated or down-regulated, 1,421 genes were up-regulated, 1,391 genes were down-regulated by induction of PCOS. Up-regulated genes were mainly involved in biological function such as cell signalling pathways and inflammatory response. Expression levels of 1,442 genes were restored to those of naive animals by administration of AGR. 558 genes were restored to those of naive animals, which were lowered by induction of PCOS. 884 genes were lowered to naive levels, which were elevated by induction of PCOS. The functions of restored genes were partially involved in the restoration of expression levels, which were changed by induction of PCOS. Especially, up-regulated gene by induction of PCOS were mainly involved in these changes. These results mean restorative effects of AGR on damaged functions by induction of PCOS. The network of total protein interactions was measured using cytoscape program, and some key molecules, such as IRS2, MCM10, ORC2L related in up-regulated genes, CTBP2, CD44, RHOA, related in down-regulated genes that can be used for elucidation of therapeutical mechanism of medicine in future were identified. Conclusion: Restored genes by AGR were thought to have common pathways related in regulation of gene expressions. Especially, genes in restored expression levels by AGR, which were up-regulated by induction of PCOS, were regulated by 9 of common transcription factors, genes in restored expression levels by AGR, which were down-regulated by induction of PCOS, were involved in 25 of common transcription factors.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.4215-4218
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• 2015

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies in the world. It is the first cause of cancer deaths in both sexes In Iranian population. Circulating insulin-like growth factor-one (IGF-1) levels have been associated for gastric cancer. IGF-1 protein has central roles involved in the regulation of epithelial cell growth, proliferation, transformation, apoptosis and metastasis. Single nucleotide polymorphism in IGF-1 regulatory elements may lead to alter in IGF-1expression level and GC susceptibility. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of IGF-1 gene polymorphism (rs5742612) on risk of GC and clinicopathological features for the first time in Iranian population. In total, 241 subjects including 100 patients with GC and 141 healthy controls were recruited in our study. Genotypes were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay with DNA from peripheral blood. The polymorphism was statistically analyzed to investigate the relationship with the risk of GC and clinicopathological properties. Logistic regression analysis revealed that there was no significant association between rs5742612 and the risk of GC. In addition, no significant association between genotypes and clinicopathological features was observed (p value>0.05). The frequencies of the CC, CT, and TT genotypes were 97%, 3%, and 0%, respectively, among the cases, and 97.9%, 2.1%, and 0%, respectively, among the controls. CC genotype was more frequent in cases and controls. The frequencies of C and T alleles were 98.9% and 1.1% in controls and 98.5% and 1.5% in patient respectively. Our results provide the first evidence that this variant is rare in Iranian population and it may not be a powerful genetic predisposing biomarker for prediction GC clinicopathological features in an Iranian population.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2018

Objective: The aim of the study was to isolate gossypol-degrading bacteria and to assess its potential for gossypol degradation. Methods: Rumen liquid was collected from fistulated cows grazing the experimental pasture. Approximately 1 mL of the rumen liquid was spread onto basal medium plates containing 2 g/L gossypol as the only source of carbon and was then cultured at $39^{\circ}C$ to isolate gossypol-degrading bacteria. The isolated colonies were cultured for 6 h and then their size and shape observed by microscope and scanning electron microscope. The 16S rRNA gene of isolated colonies was sequenced and aligned using National Center for Biotechnology Information-Basic Local Alignment Search Tool. The various fermentation conditions, initial pH, incubation temperature, inoculum level and fermentationperiod were analyzed in cottonseed meal (CSM). The crude protein (CP), total gossypol (TG), and free gossypol (FG) were determined in CSM after fermentation with isolated strain at $39^{\circ}C$ for 72 h. Results: Screening results showed that a single bacterial isolate, named Rumen Bacillus Subtilis (RBS), could use gossypol as a carbon source. The bacterium was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing as being 98% homologous to the sequence of Bacillus subtilis strain GH38. The optimum fermentation conditions were found to be 72 h, $39^{\circ}C$, pH 6.5, moisture 50%, inoculum level $10^7cell/g$. In the optimum fermentation conditions, the FG and TG content in fermented CSM decreased 78.86% and 49% relative to the control. The content of CP and the essential amino acids of the fermented CSM increased respectively, compared with the control. Conclusion: The isolation of a gossypol-degrading bacterium from the cow rumen is of great importance for gossypol biodegradation and may be a valuable potential source for gossypol-degradation of CSM.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.95-101
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• 2018

The epidermis which is stratified by epithelial tissue renewal based on keratinocyte differentiation protects the organism from various environmental insults by forming a physical barrier. Autophagy is a mechanism which mediates lysosomal delivery and degradation of protein aggregates, damaged organelles and intracellular microorganisms. Recent reports have shown that autophagy has critical roles for proper terminal differentiation to stratum corneum via removing metabolic organelles and nuclei. However, whether increasing autophagy can activate epidermal differentiation is unknown. Here, we screened a library of natural single compounds and discovered that betaine specifically increased the LC3 positive cytosolic punctate vesicles and LC3-I to LC3-II conversion in HaCaT human keratinocyte cell line, indicating increased autophagy flux. mTOR pathway, which negatively regulates autophagy, was not affected by betaine treatment, suggesting betaine-induced autophagy through an mTOR-independent pathway. Betaine-induced autophagy was also observed in primary human keratinocyte and skin equivalent. Furthermore, epidermal thickness was increased in skin equivalent under betaine treatment. Overall, our finding suggests that betaine as a novel regulator of autophagy may induce epidermal turnover and improve the skin barrier abnormality of the aged epidermis.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2006

In 'solid-phase' PEGylation, the conjugation reaction occurs as the proteins are attached to a solid matrix, and thus it can have distinct advantages over the conventional, solution-phase process. We report a case study: rhIFN-${\alpha}$-2a was first adsorbed to cation exchange resin and then N-terminally PEGylated by aldehyde mPEG of 5, 10, and 20 kD through reductive alkylation. After the PEGylation, salt gradient elution efficiently recovered the mono-PEGylate in a purified form from the unwanted species such as unmodified IFN, unreacted PEG, and others. The mono-PEGylation and its purification were integrated in a single chromatographic step. Depending on the molecular weight of the mPEG aldehyde used, the mono-PEGylation yield ranged 50-64%. We could overcome the major problems of random, or uncontrollable, multi-PEGylation and the post-PEGylation purification difficulties associated with the solution-phase process. N-terminal sequencing and MALDI-TOF MS confirmed that a PEG molecule was conjugated only to the N-terminus. Compared with the unmodified IFN, the mono-PEGylate showed the reduced anti-viral activity as measured by the cell proliferation assay. The bioactivity was reduced more as the higher molecular weight PEG was conjugated. Immunoreactivity, evaluated indirectly by antibody binding activity using a surface plasmon resonance biosensor, also decreased. Nevertheless, trypsin resistance as well as thermal stability was considerably improved.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.82 no.3
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• pp.227-233
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• 2019

Background: Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), a transmembrane protein, binds to the programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor, and anti-PD-1 therapy enables immune responses against tumors. This study aimed to assess clinical characteristics of PD-L1 expression using immunohistochemistry among Korean patients with lung cancer. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients with pathologically proven lung cancer from a single institution. PD-L1 expression determined by Tumor Proportion Score (TPS) was detected using 22C3 pharmDx (Agilent Technologies) and SP263 (Ventana Medical Systems) assays. Results: From July 2016 to July 2017, 267 patients were enrolled. The main histologic type was adenocarcinoma (69.3%). Most participants were smokers (67.4%) and had clinical stage IV disease (60.7%). In total, 116 (42%) and 58 (21%) patients had TPS ${\geq}1%$ and ${\geq}50%$, respectively. The patients were significantly older in TPS ${\geq}1%$ group than in TPS <1% group ($64.83{\pm}9.38years$ vs. $61.73{\pm}10.78years$, p=0.014), not in TPS ${\geq}50%$ cutoff value ($64.69{\pm}9.39$ vs. $62.36{\pm}10.51$, p=0.178). Regarding histologic grade, higher proportions of poorly differentiated tumor were observed in the TPS ${\geq}1%$ (40.8% vs. 25.8%, p=0.020) and TPS ${\geq}50%$ groups (53.2% vs. 27.2%, p=0.004). Among 34 patients examined with 22C3 and SP263 assays, 27 had positive results in both assays, with a cutoff of TPS ${\geq}1%$ (r=0.826; 95% confidence interval, 0.736-0.916). Conclusion: PD-L1 expression, defined as TPS ${\geq}1%$, was related to older age and poorly differentiated histology. There was a similar distribution of PD-L1 expression in both 22C3 and SP263 results.