• Animal cells and systems
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.305-313
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• 2010

Pacific abalone Haliotis discus discus is an important fisheries resource in Jeju, Korea. For basic information about its current genetic status in relation to stock enhancement, the level and distribution of genetic variation between wild and released stocks of Pacific abalone in Jeju were examined at nine cross-species microsatellite markers including the use of two novel primers. High levels of polymorphism were observed between the two populations. A total of 146 different alleles were found at all loci, with some alleles being unique. The allelic variability ranged from five to 27 in the wild population and from four to 16 in the released sample. The average observed and expected heterozygosities were estimated to be 0.74 and 0.84 in the wild sample and 0.70 and 0.78 in the released sample, respectively. Although a considerable loss of rare alleles was observed in the released sample, no statistically significant reductions were found in heterozygosity or allelic diversity in the released sample compared to the wild population. Low but significant genetic differentiation was found between the wild and released populations. These results suggest that the intensive breeding practices for stock enhancement may have resulted in a further decrease in genetic diversity, and that the cross-species microsatellite markers used in this study represent a potentially efficient means for further genetic studies, providing beneficial information for the protection and management of H. discus discus.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.261-266
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• 2010

PC12 cells were differentiated into the cells of chromaffin phenotype by butyrate treatment. Cells were aggregated and formed tight cell adhesion. To investigate the molecular change in this differentiation, we examined expression levels of cell adhesion proteins and extracellular proteins during butyrate induced-differentiation of PC12 cells. Integrin ${\beta}1$, integrin ${\alpha}7$, E cadherin, VCAM, collagen-I, fibronectin, desmoglein and connexin were increased during differentiation. The levels of clusterin and secreted clusterin were also increased. These increased levels of cell adhesion proteins and extracellular proteins appear to induce cell aggregation and tight cell adhesion. The levels of p21, p27 and p16 were increased probably because of differentiation-related growth arrest during differentiation. Prolonged incubation of butyrate up to 1 day was required for differentiation. Signal transduction pathways for this differentiatiom could not be identified since various inhibitors had no effect. The results showed that butyrateinduced differentiation of PC12 cells to chromaffin cells involves tight cell adhesion and induction of extracellular proteins and cell adhesion proteins.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제41권8호
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• pp.742-752
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• 2018

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive degeneration of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons, particularly in the substantia nigra (SN). Although circadian dysfunction has been suggested as one of the pathophysiological risk factors for PD, the exact molecular link between the circadian clock and PD remains largely unclear. We have recently demonstrated that $REV-ERB{\alpha}$, a circadian nuclear receptor, serves as a key molecular link between the circadian and DAergic systems. It competitively cooperates with NURR1, another nuclear receptor required for the optimal development and function of DA neurons, to control DAergic gene transcription. Considering our previous findings, we hypothesize that $REV-ERB{\alpha}$ may have a role in the onset and/or progression of PD. In the present study, we therefore aimed to elucidate whether genetic abrogation of $REV-ERB{\alpha}$ affects PD-related phenotypes in a mouse model of PD produced by a unilateral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the dorsal striatum. $REV-ERB{\alpha}$ deficiency significantly exacerbated 6-OHDA-induced motor deficits as well as DAergic neuronal loss in the vertebral midbrain including the SN and the ventral tegmental area. The exacerbated DAergic degeneration likely involves neuroinflammation-mediated neurotoxicity. The $REV-erb{\alpha}$ knockout mice showed prolonged microglial activation in the SN along with the over-production of interleukin $1{\beta}$, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, in response to 6-OHDA. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates for the first time that genetic abrogation of $REV-ERB{\alpha}$ can increase vulnerability of DAergic neurons to neurotoxic insults, such as 6-OHDA, thereby implying that its normal function may be beneficial for maintaining DAergic neuron populations during PD progression.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.151-157
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• 2010

보리 맥아로부터 발견된 서로 다른 알파아밀라제 동질효소(AMY1, AMY2)는 80%에 달하는 높은 아미노산 서열의 상동성을 보이지만, 효소적 특성은 서로 매우 다르다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 staggered extension process(StEP) 기술을 이용하여 AMY1과 AMY2 유전자가 조합된 5종의 chimera 효소를 제조하고, 각각의 특성을 비교하여 총 8개 부위(I~VIII)의 영향을 확인하였다. 결과적으로, AMY-D2, D8, E12 chimera 효소의 경우, AMY1과 AMY2의 중간적 칼슘의존성을 보였으며, BASI(barley $\alpha$-amylase/subtilisin inhibitor) 단백질에 의한 저해효과는 AMY-E10 효소에서만 관찰되었다. 한편 AMY-C6의 경우, AMY1과 유사한 효소특성을 보였으며, AMY-E10은 AMY2 형태의 칼슘의존성을 나타내었다. 따라서 보리 아밀라제의 제 II, III, IV부위가 BASI와의 상호작용에 중요한 역할을 담당하며, 제 III, V, VI, VII부위는 칼슘의존성에 부분적인 영향을 미치는 것으로 판단하였다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제30권9호
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• pp.1420-1429
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• 2020

Corynebacterium glutamicum, an important industrial strain, has a relatively slower reproduction rate. To acquire a growth-boosted C. glutamicum, a descendant strain was isolated from a continuous culture after 600 generations. The isolated descendant C. glutamicum, JH41 strain, was able to double 58% faster (t_d=1.15 h) than the parental type strain (PT, t_d=1.82 h). To understand the factors boosting reproduction, the transcriptomes of JH41 and PT strains were compared. The mRNAs involved in respiration and TCA cycle were upregulated. The intracellular ATP of the JH41 strain was 50% greater than the PT strain. The upregulation of NCgl1610 operon (a putative dyp-type heme peroxidase, a putative copper chaperone, and a putative copper importer) that presumed to role in the assembly and redox control of cytochrome c oxidase was found in the JH41 transcriptome. Plasmid-driven expression of the operon enabled the PT strain to double 19% faster (t_d=1.82 h) than its control (t_d=2.17 h) with 14% greater activity of cytochrome c oxidase and 27% greater intracellular ATP under the oxidative stress conditions. Upregulations of genes those might enhance translation fitness were also found in the JH41 transcriptome. Plasmid-driven expressions of NCgl0171 (encoding a cold-shock protein) and NCgl2435 (encoding a putative peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase) enabled the PT to double 22% and 32% faster than its control, respectively (empty vector: t_d=1.93 h, CspA: t_d=1.58 h, and Pth: t_d=1.44 h). Based on the results, the factors boosting growth rate in C. gluctamicum were further discussed in the viewpoints of cellular energy state, oxidative stress management, and translation.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.163-169
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• 2009

Many biological systems are regulated by an intricate set of feedback loops that oscillate with a circadian rhythm of roughly 24 h. This circadian clock mediates an increase in body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol secretion early in the day. Recent studies have shown changes in the amplitude of the circadian clock in the hearts and livers of streptozotocin (STZ)-treated rats. It is therefore important to examine the relationships between circadian clock genes and growth factors and their effects on diabetic phenomena in animal models as well as in human patients. In this study, we sought to determine whether diurnal variation in organ development and the regulation of metabolism, including growth and development during the juvenile period in rats, exists as a mechanism for anticipating and responding to the environment. Also, we examined the relationship between changes in growth factor expression in the liver and clock-controlled protein synthesis and turnover, which are important in cellular growth. Specifically, we assessed the expression patterns of several clock genes, including Per1, Per2, Clock, Bmal1, Cry1 and Cry2 and growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and -2 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}1$ in rats with STZ-induced diabetes. Growth factor and clock gene expression in the liver at 1 week post-induction was clearly increased compared to the level in control rats. In contrast, the expression patterns of the genes were similar to those observed after 5 weeks in the STZ-treated rats. The increase in gene expression is likely a compensatory change in response to the obstruction of insulin function during the initial phase of induction. However, as the period of induction was extended, the expression of the compensatory genes decreased to the control level. This is likely the result of decreased insulin secretion due to the destruction of beta cells in the pancreas by STZ.

• 한국물환경학회지
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.375-381
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• 2018

The monitoring of phytoplankton biomass and community structure is essential as a first step to control the harmful cyanobacterial blooms in freshwater systems, such as seen in rivers and lakes, due to the process of eutrophication and climate change. In order to quantify the biomass of phytoplankton with a wide range in size and shape, the measurement of cell biovolume along with cell density is required for a comprehensive review on this issue. However, most routine monitoring programs preserve the gathered phytoplankton samples before analysis using chemical additives, because of the constraint of time and the number of samples. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cell biovolume change characteristics of six cyanobacterial species, which are common bloom-causing cyanobacteria in the Nakdong River, after the preservation with Lugol's iodine solution. All species showed a statistically significant difference after the addition of Lugol's iodine solution compared to the live cell biovolume, and the cell biovolume decreased to the level of 34.0 ~ 56.3 % at maximum in each species after the preservation. The nonlinear regression models for determining the shrinkage ratio by a preservation period were derived by using the cell biovolume measured until 180 days preservation of each target species, and the equation to convert the cell biovolume measured after preservation for a certain period to the cell biovolume of viable cell was derived using that formula. The conversion equation derived from this study can be used to estimate the actual cell biovolume in the natural environment at the time of sampling, by using the measured biovolume after the preservation in the phytoplankton monitoring. Moreover this is expected to contribute to the final interpretation of the water quality and aquatic ecosystem impacts due to the cyanobacterial blooms.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제15권6호
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• pp.916-922
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• 2005

E3 ligase로 알려진 Parkin은 protein quality control에서 중요한 역할을 할 뿐만 아니라, 이런 quality control system의 이상으로 나타나는 퇴행성 뇌질환에도 밀접한 연관성이었다. 이와 같이 생체의 필수적인 업무를 담당하는 Parkin의 기능을 생화학적 측면에서 연구하기 위해서는 고 순도의 단백질을 다량 정제할 수 있는 시스템이 필요하나, 아직까지 Parkin의 발현 양상과 정제법에 관한 연구가 미흡한 상태이다. 본 연구에서는 pCEX system을 이용하여 Parkin을 대장균에서 overexpression시켜 단일 스텝으로 정제할 수 있는 방법을 정립하였다. 저온의 배양조건에서 0.01 mM의 IPTC로 발현을 유도한 결과 $90\%$ 이상의 순도를 가지는 완전한 크기의 Parkin을 정제할 수 있었다. 또한, 여러 tag을 갖는 Parkin plasmid를 제작하였을 뿐만 아니라, 이들을 HEK293 세포에 transfection하여 Parkin의 발현 양상을 비교 분석하였다. 그 결과 Parkin의 N-말단에 pretense에 민감한 절단 부위가 존재한다는 사실을 확인하였다. 본 연구에서 정립한 Parkin 정제법과 포유류 세포에서 Parkin의 발현 양상에 대한 결과는 Parkin의 기질을 탐색하고,그들이 Parkin의 효소 활성 및 기능에 미치는 영향을 조사하기 위한 다양한 연구에 활용할 수 있을 것이다.

• 한국식품과학회지
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• 제42권2호
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• pp.198-203
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• 2010

보리 맥아에는 2종의 $\alpha$-amylase isozyme(AMY1, AMY2)이 존재하며, 이들 효소는 80% 이상의 높은 아미노산 서열 상동성을 보이지만, calcium 의존성 등 효소의 작용특성은 서로 매우 다르다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 AMY2의 활성부위 중 2번째 $\beta\rightarrow\alpha$ loop에 존재하는 42번째 alanine 잔기를 saturation mutagenesis를 이용하여 다양한 아미노산으로 치환하고, 전분 분해활성이 증가한 돌연변이를 선발하였다. 결과적으로 alanine이 proline으로 치환된 AMY2-A42P의 경우에서만 발현도가 2배 증가하는 것을 확인하였으며, 특히 정제 과정에서의 회수율 또한 4배 증가하므로 향후 효소의 생산 및 활용에 유리할 것으로 판단하였다. 이 돌연변이 효소의 calcium 의존성 및 pH 안정성 등은 AMY2와 유사한 것으로 나타났으나, 각종 전분에 대한 기질특이성은 AMY1과 AMY2의 중간적인 특성으로 변화되었다. 결국 42번째 아미노산 잔기의 proline 치환에 의해 상대적으로 발현율이 높고 기질특이성이 변화된 AMY2 유사효소의 생산이 가능하였으며, 향후 이를 이용하여 분자진화기술 등 최신 효소공학적 방법론을 적용한 다양한 연구가 가능할 것으로 기대한다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.477-484
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• 2000

Objective : Despite advances in the understanding of tumor biology and the tumor immunology, there has been no effective treatment. The Intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) has been shown to be important in interaction involving cells of the immune system and to be upregulated in a number of cell culture systems by cytokines, including immune interferon($IFN-{\gamma}$) and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$($TNF-{\alpha}$). ICAM-1 has been identified as one of the ligands for lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1(LFA-1). The effectiveness of various cytokines to ICAM-1 induction on cultured human glioblastoma cell lines and potential efficacy of immunotherapy were studied. Method : Human glioblastoma cell lines, U-251 MG, U-373 MG were trypsinized and suspended at $1{\times}10^5cells/ml$ and grown on 8 well chamber slide, the cells were incubated in 0.3ml medium alone or medium containing $IFN-{\gamma}$(1000U/ml) or $TNF-{\alpha}$(250U/ml) or $IFN-{\gamma}$ plus $TNF-{\alpha}$ for 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours. The coverslip were then removed and stained with a 1/30 dilution of anti-ICAM-1 antibody. Result : Surface antigen expression of ICAM-1 was increased by incubating glioblastoma cell lines with $IFN-{\gamma}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$. Combined effect of $IFN-{\gamma}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$ has induced more ICAM-1 expression on glioblastoma cell lines. Upregulation of ICAM-1 expression in an established glioblastoma cell line was of greater magnitude and more rapid following incubation with $IFN-{\gamma}$ plus $TNF-{\alpha}$. Surface antigen expression of ICAM-1 was increased for up to 48 hours after cytokine treatment on both cell lines(p<0.05). There was no difference on both cell lines(p>0.05). Conclusion : The results of the present study indicate that ICAM-1 expression in glioblastoma cell lines, U-251 MG and U-373 MG, are induced and enhanced after treatment with $IFN-{\gamma}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$. Combined effect of $IFN-{\alpha}$ and $TNF-{\gamma}$ is stronger and more rapid than $IFN-{\gamma}$ or $TNF-{\alpha}$ alone.