• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.348-354
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• 2004

The expression and antibacterial. activity of recombinant human lactoferrin (hLf) was studied from meth­ylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. The gene encoding hLf, isolated from human breast cDNA library, was subcloned into the expression vector, pPIC3.5K under the control of AOX1 promoter. The gene was integrated into the host chromosome and was identified by Southern blotting. The expression of the integrated gene was investigated by RT-PCR, Northern blotting, SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. Discrete band corresponding to hLf was detected from the SDS-PAGE, which was confirmed by Western blotting. The expression was also confirmed by RT-PCR and Northern blotting. The antibacterial activity of the recombinant hLf (rhLf) was investigated using Staphy­lococcus aureus ATCC 6538P and Micrococcus flavus ATCC 10240 as test organisms. The rhLf showed strong antibacterial activities against the bacteria. Furthermore, many Gram-negative animal pathogens such as E.coli ATCC8739, 25922, and Salmonella typhimurium 114 and 115, Pseudomonas fluorescens ID 963 I, P. aeruginosa KCCM 11802, and Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus mesentericus were also inhibited in their growth by the rhLf.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.23
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• pp.10115-10119
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate effects of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) on radioresistance of breast cancer cells. Materials and Methods: MTT assays were used to detect any influence of AMSC supernatants on proliferation of breast cancer cells; cell migration assays were used to determine the effect of breast cancer cells on the recruitment of AMSCs; the cell survival fraction post-irradiation was assessed by clonogenic survival assay; ${\gamma}$-H2AX foci number post-irradiation was determined via fluorescence microscopy; and expression of IGF-1R was detected by Western blotting. Results: AMSC supernatants promoted proliferation and radioresistance of breast cancer cells. Breast cancer cells could recruit AMSCs, especially after irradiation. IGF-1 derived from AMSCs might be responsible for the radioresistance of breast cancer cells. Conclusions: Our results suggest that AMSCs in the tumor microenvironment may affect the outcome of radiotherapy for breast cancer in vitro.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.2777-2783
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• 2015

Background: Nestin is associated with neoplastic transformation. However, the mechanisms by which nestin contributes regarding invasion and malignancy of gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) remain unknown. Recent studies have shown that the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is important in invasion and migration of cancer cells. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the expression of nestin and its correlation with EMT-related proteins in GAC. Materials and Methods: The expression of nestin and EMT-related proteins was examined in GAC specimens and cell lines by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Clinicopathological features and survival outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Positive nestin immunostaining was most obviously detected in the cytoplasm, nucleus or both cytoplasm and nucleus of tumor cells in 19.2% (24/125) of GAC tissues, which was significantly higher than that in normal gastric mucosa tissues (1.7%, 1/60) (p=0.001). Nestin expression was closely related to several clinicopathological factors and EMT-related proteins (E-cadherin, vimentin and Snail) and displayed a poor prognosis. Interestingly, simultaneous cytoplasmic and nuclear nestin expression correlated with EMT-related proteins (E-cadherin, vimentin and Snail) (p<0.05) and lymph node metastasis (p=0.041) and a shorter survival time (p<0.05), but this was not the case with cytoplasmic or nuclear nestin expression. Conclusions: Nestin, particularly expression in both cytoplasm and nucleus, might be involved in regulating EMT and malignant progression in GAC, with potential as an unfavorable indicator in tumor diagnosis and a target for clinical therapy.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.792-799
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• 2022

As a vital problem in reproductive health, recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) affects about 1% of women. We performed this study with an aim to explore the molecular mechanism of interleukin-23 (IL-23) and find optimal or effective methods to improve RSA. First, ELISA was applied to evaluate the expressions of IL-23 and its receptor in HTR-8/SVneo cells after IL-23 treatment. CCK-8, TUNEL, wound healing and transwell assays were employed to assess the proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of HTR-8/SVneo cells, respectively. Additionally, the expressions of apoptosis-, migration-, epithelial-mesenchymal transition- (EMT-) and p38 MAPK signaling pathway-related proteins were measured by western blotting. To further investigate the relationship between IL-23 and p38 MAPK signaling pathway, HTR-8/SVneo cells were treated for 1 h with p38 MAPK inhibitor SB239063, followed by a series of cellular experiments on proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion, as aforementioned. The results showed that IL-23 and its receptors were greatly elevated in IL-23-treated HTR-8/SVneo cells. Additionally, IL-23 demonstrated suppressive effects on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion and EMT of IL-23-treated HTR-8/SVneo cells. More importantly, the molecular mechanism of IL-23 was revealed in this study; that is to say, IL-23 inhibited the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion and EMT of IL-23-treated HTR-8/SVneo cells via activating p38 MAPK signaling pathway. In conclusion, IL-23 inhibits trophoblast proliferation, migration, and EMT via activating p38 MAPK signaling pathway, suggesting that IL-23 might be a novel target for the improvement of RSA.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.2343-2347
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• 2013

Objective: This investigation aimed to determine effects of celecoxib on the cell cycle kinetics of the gastric cancer cell line MGC803 and the mechanisms involved by assessing expression of cytochrome C and caspase-9 at the protein level. Methods: Cell proliferation of MGC803 was determined by MTT assay after treatment with celecoxib. Apoptosis was assessed using fluorescence staining and cell cycle kinetics by flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of caspase-9 protein and of cytochrome C protein in cell cytosol and mitochondria. Results: Celecoxib was able to restrain proliferation and induce apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner, inducing G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, release of cytochrome C into the cytosol, and cleavage of pro-caspase-9 into its active form. Conclusion: Celecoxib can induce apoptosis in MGC803 cells through a mechanism involving cell cycle arrest, mitochondrial cytochrome C release and caspase activation.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.766-773
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• 2006

Fragile-X-syndrome (FXS) is the most common type of inherited cognitive impairment. The underlying molecular alteration consists of a CGG-repeat amplification within the FMR-1 gene. The phenotype is only apparent once a threshold in the number of repeats has been exceeded (full mutation). The aim of this study was to characterize the FMR-1 CGG-repeat status in Argentine patients exhibiting mental retardation. A total of 330 blood samples from patients were analyzed by PCR and Southern blot analysis. Initially, DNA from 78 affected individuals were studied by PCR. Since this method is unable to detect high molecular weight alleles, however, we undertook a second approach using the Southern blotting technique to analyze the CGG repeat number and methylation status. Southern blot analysis showed an altered pattern in 14 out of 240 (6%) unrelated patients, with half of them presenting a mosaic pattern. Eight out of 17 families (47%) showed a (suggest deleting highlight). The characteristic FXS pattern was identified in 8/17 families (47%), and in 4 of these families 25% of the individuals presented with a mosaic model. The expansion from pre-mutation to full mutation was shown to occur both at the pre and post zygotic levels. The detection of FXS mutations has allowed us to offer more informed genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis and reliable patient follow-up.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.309-314
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• 1996

Alcaligenes sp. SH-69 can synthesize poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) from a single carbon source such as glucose. To clone the phaC gene from Alcaligenes sp. SH-69, a polymerase chain reaction was performed using the oligomers synthesized based on the conserved regions of the phaC genes from other bacteria. A PCR product (550 bp) was partially sequenced and the deduced amino acid sequence was found to be homologous to that of the phaC gene from Alcaligenes eutrophus. Using the PCR fragment Southern blotting of Alcaligenes sp. SH-69 genomic DNA digested with several restriction enzymes was carried out. To prepare a partial genomic library, about 5-Kb genomic DNA fragments digested with EcoRI, which showed a positive signal in the Southern blotting, were eluted from an agarose gel, ligated with pUC19 cleaved with EcoRI, and transformed into Escherichia coli. The partial library was screened using the PCR fragment as a probe and a plasmid, named pPHA11, showing a strong hybridization signal was selected. Restriction mapping of the insert DNA in pPHA11 was performed. Cotransformation into E. coli of the plasmid pPHA11 and the plasmid pPHA21 which has phaA and phaB from A. eutrophus resulted in turbid E. coli colonies which are indicative of PHA accumulation. This result tells us that the Alcaligenes sp. SH-69 phaC gene in the pPHA11 is functionally active in E. coli and can synthesize PHA in the presence of the A. eutrophus phaA and phaB genes.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.139-144
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• 2011

The present study was performed to estimate the seroprevalence of larval Anisakis simplex infection among the residents health-examined in 3 hospitals in southern parts of Korea. A total of 498 serum samples (1 serum per person) were collected in 3 hospitals in Susan Metropolitan city, Masan city, and Geoje city in Gyeongsangnam-do (Province) and were examined by IgE-ELISA and IgE-western blotting with larval A. simplex crude extract and excretory-secretory products (ESP). The prevalence of antibody positivity was 5.0% and 6.6% with ELISA against crude extracts and ESP, respectively. It was also revealed that infection occurred throughout all age groups and higher in females than in males. A specific protein band of 130 kDa was detected from 10 patients with western blot analysis against crude extract and ESP among those who showed positive results by ELISA. Our study showed for the first time the seroprevalence of anisakiasis in Korea. The allergen of 130 kDa can be a candidate for serologic diagnosis of anisakiasis.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.173-177
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• 1997

Bacillus licheniformis 9945a releases a natural ${\gamma}-poly(glutamic\;acid)({\gamma}-PGA)$ into fermentation broth and shows a mucoid phenotype on the solid agar medium. Transformation of mucoid cells of Bacillus species has not been simple and straightforward. The transpositional activity of Tn10 in B. licheniformis also has not been own either. Thus, a spontaneous non-mucoid derivative of the B. licheniformis was obtained first. Shuttle vector pHV1248 containing mini-Tn10 was introduced into the non-mucoid derivative by the method of protoplast transformation. The resulting transformant was reverted to the wild mucoid phenotype, and then mutated randomly with the mini-transposon by heat induction. Auxotrophs requiring arginine, lysine, or tryptophan were isolated by replica plating method. Southern blotting and DNA-DNA hybridzation analysis showed that these auxotrophs were generated by mini-Tn10 insertion into the chromosomal DNA. This method of transformation and mutation using pHV1248 would be useful for the generation of diverse mutants of B. licheniformis 9945a.(Received January 24,1997; accepted March 10, 1997)

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.457-463
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• 1998

An expression vector, pUC19N6-luc, containing nuclear matrix attachment region(MAR) isolated from Misgurnus mizolepis liver and control expressino vector, pUC19-luc, were constructed. After these vectors were transferred into CHSE-214 cell line by electroporation, the expression rate of luckferase gens, copy number of vectors and chromosome integration of vectors were analyzed by using assay of luciferase activity, PCR and Southern blotting. While the expression pattern of luciferase gene of pUC19-luc was shown in typicla transient ecpression pattern, that of pUC19N6-luc was highly increased at the 5 days after transfectrion. Although the cope number of pUC19N6-luc vector was higher than that of pUC19-luc vector, these vectors were integrated into chromosome at the same time point in the transfected CHSE-214 cells. In conclusion, the increase of luciferase gene expression of pUC19N6-luc was resulted from not the maintaining of the high copy number but the formation of transcription-favorable structure by MAR effect after chromosomal integration.