• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.8
• /
• pp.3519-3524
• /
• 2014

Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a common cancer with poor prognosis. It has been hypothesized that Oct4 positive radioresistant stem cells may be responsible for tumor recurrence. Hence, we evaluated Oct4 expression in ESCC in pre-treatment, post neo-adjuvant residual and post-surgical recurrent tumours. Materials and Methods: Endoscopic mucosal biopsies were used to study Oct4 expression and the observations were correlated with histological tumor grades, patient data and clinical background. Results: All patients presented with dysphagia with male predominance and a wide age range. Majority of the patients had intake of mixed diet, history of alcohol and tobacco intake was documented in less than half of the patients. Oct 4 expression was significantly higher in poorly differentiated (PDSCC) and basaloid (BSCC) subtypes than the other better differentiated tumor morphology. Oct4 was also expressed by adjoining esophageal mucosa showing low grade dysplasia and basal cell hyperplasia (BCH). Biopsies in PDSCC and BSCC groups were more likely to show a positive band for Oct4 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Dysplasia and BCH mucosa also showed Oct4 positivity by PCR. All mucosal biopsies with normal morphology were negative for Oct4. Number of tissue samples showing Oct4 positivity by PCR was higher than that by the conventional immunohistochemistry (p>0.05). Oct4 expression pattern correlated only with tumor grading, not with other parameters including the clinical background or patient data. Conclusions: Our observations highlighted a possible role of Oct4 in identifying putative cancer stem cells in ESCC pathobiology and response to treatment. The implications are either in vivo existence of Oct4 positive putative cancer stem cells in ESCC or acquisition of cancer stem cell properties by tumor cells as a response to treatment given, resulting ultimately an uncontrolled cell proliferation and treatment failure.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.63-75
• /
• 2006

The 5′-region of Potato virus X (PVX) RNA, which contains an AC-rich, single-stranded region and stem-loop structure 1 (SL1), affects RNA replication and assembly. Using Systemic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (SELEX) and the electrophoretic mobility shift assay, we demonstrate that SL1 interacts specifically with tobacco protoplast protein extracts (S100). The 36 nucleotides that correspond to the top region of SL1, which comprises stem C, loop C, stem D, and the tetra loop (TL), were randomized and bound to the S100. Remarkably, the wild-type (wt) sequence was selected in the second round, and the number of wt sequences increased as selection proceeded. All of the selected clones from the fifth round contained the wt sequence. Secondary structure predictions (mFOLD) of the recovered sequences revealed relatively stable stem-loop structures that resembled SL1, although the nucleotide sequences therein were different. Moreover, many of the clones selected in the fourth round conserved the TL and C-C mismatch, which suggests the importance of these elements in host protein binding. The SELEX clone that closely resembled the wt SL1 structure with the TL and C-C mismatch was able to replicate and cause systemic symptoms in plants, while most of the other winners replicated poorly only on inoculated leaves. The RNA replication level on protoplasts was also similarly affected. Taken together, these results indicate that the SL1 of PVX interacts with host protein(s) that play important roles related to virus replication.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.130-138
• /
• 2001

This study was conducted to compare volatile components from the ten kinds of basils cultivated in Korea. The ten kinds of basils were separated flower, leaf, and stem part from whole plants, respectively. All sample separated were extracted by simultaneous steam distillation-extraction method(SDE) and were analyzed by gas chromatography(GC) and mass selective detector(MSD). Total 42 components were identified in essential oils including 11 alcohols, 6 carbonyls, 20 hydrocarbons and 5 esters components. The major components were linalool, methyl chavicol, eugenol, trans-methyl cinnamate, ${\beta}-cubebene$ and 1,8-cineole. The content of linalool was high significantly in the flower$(31.8{\sim}53.0%)$, the leaf and stem showed $21.8{\sim}35.8%$ and $3.5{\sim}22.4%$, respectively. Especially, the content of methyl chavicol was high relatively in the leaf$(0.4{\sim}32.9%)$, the flower and stem showed $0.2{\sim}24.1%$ and $0{\sim}2.2%)$, respectively. Articock, figz, glove, and greek basils were rich in eugenol$(18.8{\sim}48.7%)$ and poor in methyl chavicol$(0{\sim}5.4%)$ when compared with others kinds of basils. The composition of the components identified showed quite difference between kinds of basils, and the number of components identified in stem was much less than that in flower and leaf

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
• /
• v.4 no.3
• /
• pp.255-260
• /
• 1996

This study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of aboveground plants and red ginseng of polystem ginseng in 6 years of age having two or more stems in a plant. Total leaf weight and area of polystem ginseng were larger, while its stem diameter, and the leaf weight and area of the big­gest stem in each plant were decreased with increase the stem numbers in a plant. The ratio of shoot weight to root weight in the polystem ginseng with three or more stems was higher than that in the monos­tem ginseng and the polystem ginseng with two stems, In ginseng plants with no more than 2 stems, there were positive correlations between root weight and total leaf weight, and leaf area, but not between leaf weight and area of the biggest stem. Inner cavity and inner white, limiting factors for redginseng quality grade, occurred more in tri-stem ginseng than mono- and di-stem one. Percentages of Heaven (1st grade) and Earth (2nd grade) red ginseng in tri-stem ginseng were decreased compared with mono stem and di-stem ginseng.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.139-143
• /
• 2008

Enzyme activity and expression of cytochrome P450 gene involved in the pathway of capsidiol biosynthesis were compared in five different solanaceae plants such as red pepper, green pepper, tobacco, potato and egg plant. Base on genomic DNA and/or RT-PCR results, four solanaceae plants such as red pepper, green pepper, tobacco and egg plant possess P450 gene in the genome and specifically expressed by elicitor treatment. However, potato was appeared to have neither P450 nor cyclase gene in the genome. P450 genes did not show any expression in the plants under normal condition, but showed highly specific expression under elicitation condition in various organs and tissue such as leaf, root, stem and culture cells.

• The Journal of Natural Sciences
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.33-37
• /
• 1998

Cytokinin is one of major growth regulators in plants. In this study, the gene isopentenyl transferase (jpt) which encodes a key enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of the growth regulator cytokinin isolated from Agrobacterium tumefaciens was introduced ito tobacco plant via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The jpt gene was modulated using the proteinase inhibitor II (PI-IIK) promotor. In general, this promoterlipt gene fusion resulted in overproduction of cytokinins throughout the transgenic plants. The overproduction of cytokinin caused dramatic changes in morphology of the plant, including stem thickness and reduced root development. The studies reported in this paper were initiated to examine the consequences of overproduction of cytokinin in plant.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.89-93
• /
• 1998

Tomato phenylalanine ammonia-lyase 5 (tPAL5) was identified that alternate initiation sites were utilized differentially in response to environmental stimuli (Lee et al, 1992b). In this study, we tried to look into tissue -or cell- specific expression pattern of tPAL5 gene by fusing with ${\beta}-glucuronidase$ (GUS) gene in transgenic tobacco plants. In transgenic plants, root and stem extracts contained 8~12 fold higher levels of GUS activity than petiole or leaf tissue while the highest levels of induction was observed from leaf tissue by mechanical wounding (5~11 fold). In trans-sections of stems and petioles, GUS activity was restricted to phloem cells(outer region) of developing vascular bundle and mainly at apical tip region in the root tissues. The levels of GUS activity was drastically reduced (10~12 fold reduction) when the 5'-upstream region of tPAL5 gene (-1151bp from ATG codon) was deleted up to -665. The levels of GUS expression, however, raised up by 6~8 fold when deleted up to -455. Therefore, we conclude that there are positive cis-elements at the region -1151 to -1008 and at -455 to -195 while the negative cis-element is at -1008 to -455.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
• /
• 1990.06a
• /
• pp.175-189
• /
• 1990

Nitrogen compounds of Panax ginseng and their biological activities in plant and animal were reviewed. Major nitrogen compounds found in P. ginseng are free amino acids. Water solilble proteins, indouble proteins and peptides. Minor nitrogen compounds are dencichine. Glycolyroteins, amines, alkaloides, methoxy or alkyl pyrazine derivatives, free nucleosides and nucleic acid bases. 4-methyl-i-thiazoltethanol and pyroglutamic acid the contents of total nitrogen and protein in root Increased until 13 years old which was the highest age tinder investigation. Soluble protein content increased with the root weight and was higher in xylem pith than cortex-epidermis indicating the close relation with root growth. Arginine, which covered 58% of total free amino acids, may serve as storage nitrogen. Arginine seems to be changed into proline in rhizome. threonine in stem and again threonine and arginine in leaf. The greater the root weight the higher the polyamine stimulated Polyamine stimlllated the growth of root callus. Physiological roles of other minor nitrogen compounds are unknown although content is relatively high ((1.if) 6.w). Biochemical and pharmacological activities of some nitrogen compounds for animal were more investigated than physiological role there plant itself. Radiation and U.V protective function (heat stable protein). insulin-like activity in lipogenesis and livolysis (adenosine and pyroglutamic acid), depression of blood sugar content (glycopevtide). htmostatic and nellrotoxic activity (dencichine) and, sedative and hypnotic activity (4-methyl-i-thiazoleethanol) are reported. Heat stable protein increased with root age. The traditional quality criteria appear to be well in accordance with biological activities of nitrogen compounds. Chemical studies of nitrogen compounds seem relatively rare, probably due to difficulty of isolation, subsequently the investigations of biological activities are little.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.32-37
• /
• 1985

Effects of straw mulching on growth of shoot and root of Panax ginseng, soil physical and chemical characteristics were investigated. Straw mulching increased root yield, stem length, leaf area and decreased defoliated plant rate and missing root rate. Percent solid phase and soil hardness decreased, and porosity, percent air phase and percent liquid phase increased under straw mulch. It increased soil water content and decreased soil temperature especially in the rear side of the bed. Available soil phosphorus (very harmfully in some case), exchangeable potassium, organic matter increased while exchangeable calcium decreased and the lowering of pH was retarded under mulch. Straw mulching greatly reduced need population, prevented soil covering on the lower side of leaves and eliminated solings to plants, bed sides and on bed top.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.317-331
• /
• 1990

Nitrogen compounds of Panax ginseng and their biological activities in plant and animal were reviewed. Major nitrogen combounds found in P. ginseng are free amino acids, Water soluble teins, insoluble proteins and peptides. Minor nitrogen compounds are dencichine. glycol)roteins. amines, alkaloides, methoxy or alkyl pyrazine derivatives. free nucleosides and nllrleir arid bases. 4-me- thymi-5-thiazoleethanol and pyroglutamic acid. The contents of total nitrogen and protein in root increased until 13 years old rvhich was the highest age tinder investigation. Soluble protein content increased With the root weight and was higher in xylem pith than cortex-epidermis indicating the rlosc relation with root growth. Arginine which covered 58% of total free amino aroids may serve as a storage nitrogen. Arginine seems to be changed into proline in rhizome, threonine in stem and again threoning and arginine in leaf. The greater the root weight the higher the polyaminc content. Polyamine stimulated the growth of root callus. Physiological roles of other minor nitrogen compounds are unknown although dencichine content is relatively high (0.5% d.w.). biochemical and pharmatological activities of some nitrogen compounds for animal were more investigated than physiological roll iota plant itself. Radiation and U.V. protective function (heat stable protein), insulin-like activity in lipogenesis and lipolysis (adenosine and pyroglutamic acid), depression of blood sugar content (glycopeptide). hemostatir and nellrotoxic activity (denrichine) and. sedative and hypnotic activity (4-methyl-5-thiazoleethilnol) are reported. Heat stable protein increased with root age. The traditional quality critsria appear to be well in accordance with biological activities of nitrogen compounds. Chemical stlldies of nitrogen compounds seem relatively rare, probably dole to difficulty of isolation, subsequently the investigations of biological activities are little.