• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.43-49
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• 2010

Enterococcus faecalis, a gram-positive bacterium, has been implicated in endodontic infections, particularly in chronic apical periodontitis. Proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$), are involved in the pathogenesis of these apical lesions. E. faecalis has been reported to stimulate macrophages to produce TNF-$\alpha$. The present study investigated the mechanisms involved in TNF-$\alpha$ production by a murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7 in response to exposure to E. faecalis. Both live and heat-killed E. faecalis induced high levels of gene expression and protein release of TNF-$\alpha$. Treatment of RAW 264.7 cells with cytochalasin D, an inhibitor of endocytosis, prevented the mRNA up-regulation of TNF-$\alpha$ by E. faecalis. In addition, antioxidant treatment reduced TNF-$\alpha$ production to baseline levels. Inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase also significantly attenuated E. faecalis-induced TNF-$\alpha$ expression by RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ and AP-1 in RAW 264.7 cells was also stimulated by E. faecalis. These results suggest that the phagocytic uptake of bacteria is necessary for the induction of TNF-$\alpha$ in E. faecalis-stimulated macrophages, and that the underlying intracellular signaling pathways involve reactive oxygen species, ERK, p38 MAP kinase, NF-${\kappa}B$, and AP-1.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.10
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• pp.695-701
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• 2022

Homeostatic regulation of meristematic stem cells accomplished by maintaining a balance between stem cell self-renewal and differentiation is critical for proper plant growth and development. The quiescent center (QC) regulates root apical meristem homeostasis by maintaining stem cell fate during plant root development. Cell cycle checkpoints, such as anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome/cell cycle switch 52 A2 (APC/C^CCS52A2), strictly control the low proliferation rate of QC cells. Although APC/C^CCS52A2 plays a critical role in maintaining QC cell division, the molecular mechanism that regulates its activity remains largely unknown. Here, we identified SCF^FBS1, a ubiquitin E3 ligase, as a key regulator of QC cell division through the direct proteolysis of CCS52A2. FBS1 activity is positively associated with QC cell division and CCS52A2 proteolysis. FBS1 overexpression or ccs52a2-1 knockout consistently resulted in abnormal root development, characterized by root growth inhibition and low mitotic activity in the meristematic zone. Loss-of-function mutation of FBS1, on the other hand, resulted in low QC cell division, extremely low WOX5 expression, and rapid root growth. The 26S proteasome-mediated degradation of CCS52A2 was facilitated by its direct interaction with FBS1. The FBS1 genetically interacted with APC/C^CCS52A2-ERF115-PSKR1 signaling module for QC division. Thus, our findings establish SCF^FBS1-mediated CCS52A2 proteolysis as the molecular mechanism for controlling QC cell division in plants.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.79-84
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• 2010

A morphological and ultrastructural study on the prostate of a land snail Nesiohelix samarangae was conducted. The prostate of Nesiohelix samarangae is a tubular gland connected with the large hermaphrodite duct. The lining of the prostate tubules possesses two distinct types of epithelial cells, one secretory and the other non-secretory. The secretory cells contained numerous secretory granules in various sizes and electron density. Most of the secretory granules showed light electron density but some of them showed heavy density. The ciliated cells were non-secreting cells situated only toward the lumen of the tubules and appeared as ordinary epithelial lining cells. The ciliated cells of the epithelium extensively interdigitate with each other and their apical surfaces had numerous cilia and microvilli. The bases of the ciliated cells did not reach the basal region of the secretory cells.

• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
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• 2001.06a
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• pp.27-27
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• 2001

In exocrine acinar cells, $Ca^{2＋}$ -activated Cl$^{[-10]}$ channels in the apical membrane are essential for fluid secretion, but it is unclear whether such channels are important for Cl$^{[-10]}$ uptake at the base. Whole cell current recording, combined with local uncaging of caged $Ca^{2＋}$, was used to reveal the Cl$^{[-10]}$ channel distribution in mouse pancreatic acinar cells, where ~90％ of the current activated by $Ca^{2＋}$ in response toacetylcholine was carried by Cl$^{[-10]}$ .(omitted)

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.335-342
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• 2010

Bioactive components involved in the tight junction stabilization of intestinal epithelial cells from Korean red ginseng were studied by analyzing transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) values of the Caco-2 cell monolayer between the apical and basolateral sides for 96 hr. The treatment with less than $20\;{\mu}g/mL$ of the Korean red ginseng extract to the apical side of Caco-2 cell monolayer gave higher TEER values than the control. However, the treatment with more than $130\;{\mu}g/mL$ of the Korean red ginseng extract drastically decreased the TEER values, and these effects were not due to its cytotoxicity. When fractions of low molecular weight compounds, polysaccharides, proteins, saponins, and polyphenols derived from Korean ginseng were applied to the apical side of the Caco-2 cell monolayer, polyphenols showed high tight junction stabilizing activity and saponins showed low activity, but the others showed no significant activity. These results suggest that Korean red ginseng might be useful for the prevention of food allergy by stabilizing the tight junction of intestinal epithelial cells leading to hindering absorption of food allergens.

• ALGAE
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.111-120
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• 2014

Polysiphonia sensu stricto is characterized by having 4 ecorticate pericentral cells, rhizoids in open connection with the pericentral cells, four-celled carpogonial branches, spermatangial branches replacing the whole trichoblast, and tetrasporangia arranged in straight series. Polysiphonia ulleungensis sp. nov. is newly described from Sadongri, Ulleung Island, Korea, based on morphological and molecular evidence. It is mainly characterized by having ecorticate axes with 4 pericentral cells, apical cells transversely or obliquely divided, unicellular rhizoids in open connection with pericentral cells, very scarce trichoblasts and scar cells, procarps with a four-celled carpogonial branch, and spermatangial branches replacing the whole trichoblast. Polysiphonia ulleungensis is closely similar in morphology to P. atlantica sensu lato. We concluded that materials of P. atlantica sensu Nam and Kang from Korea correspond to P. ulleungensis. By contrast, the new species differs morphologically from the Atlantic specimens of P. atlantica as well as from P. atlantica sensu Kim and Lee from Korea. Morphological characteristics and rbcL sequence analyses support the taxonomic placement of P. ulleungensis within Polysiphonia sensu stricto.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2007

A new cyclopoid species belonging to the genus Acanthocyclops is described from several mountain springs in South Korea. This species is allied to A. kieferi species group in sharing 11-segmented antennules, but is, clearly distinguished from them by its single apical spine on the third endopodal segment of leg 4 and an extra spine on the distal segment of leg 5 in both sexes.

• ALGAE
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.239-248
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• 2009

Fluorescence and electron microscopy were used to examine epidermal shedding in the fucoid alga, Ascophyllum nodosum. Mature meristoderm cells are ca. 50-100 x 30-40 ${\mu}m$ and highly polarized, with a single nucleus and chloroplasts near the base of the cell. Nuclei in these cells undergo mitosis when they are dividing to form a new cortical cell towards the middle of the frond, or anticlinal divisions as part of frond elongation. However, cytokinesis also occurs regularly in these cells when a new periclinal wall is deposited at about 30% of the cell length from the apical end. The newly formed distal cells are anucleate and without chloroplasts. Following cytokinesis the tangential walls then break at the thinnest point. The whole process is synchronous in adjoining epidermal cells across large areas of the frond surface, and this layer dehisces from the thallus. This is the only known plant or algal system in which cytokinesis regularly occurs in the absence of mitosis. We consider this process a novel form of programmed cell death.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.295-307
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• 1992

In order to study the differentiation of the epithelial cells during the development of fetal rat lung tissue, histological changeB in organotypic culture and in vivo were examined. Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to analvre the histological change in rat lung from the 15th nary of gestation to the 111th nary after birth. In organotypic culture system, the pulmonary epithelial cell differentiation was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The results obtained from this study were as follows. 1. During deveiopment of lung, the glandular stage lasted from the Isth day to the lsth naut of gestation; the canalicular stage from the 17th nay to the 19th naut of gestation; the saccuiar stage from 20th nary to the birth. Alveolar stage was observed at the 3rd nary of postnatal rat lung. 2. In organotvpic culture of fetal rat lung cells organized alveolar-like structures resembling those of in uiuo state were observed on the gelatin matrix. In contrast with in vivo state, fetal lung cells formed group of type ll pneumocytes predominently along the contours of the matrix. These cells have large apical surface, short microvilli and secreted materials which may be sunactant. These results suggested that an orsanotypic culture retaining epithelial- -mesenchvmal relationships is appropriate culture model to study the pulmonary epithelial cell (especially type ll pneumocvte) differentation.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.175-180
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• 2000

Cotyledonary somatic embryos after being cultured in a liquid MS medium for 1 week were subcultured on a solid MS medium and then the embryos germinated at a rate of 92%, but the rate was lowered by extending the culture period of the embryos on a liquid medium: 26% germination on a liquid medium culture for 4 weeks. Somatic embryos subcultured on the liquid medium showed the normal elongation of hypocotyl and radicle but in part showed secondary embryogenesis on hypocotyl and callus formation on and around the root-hypocotyl juncture. Through observation of scanning electron microscope, apical meristem in plumule showed the loose arrangement of cells, and abnormal leaf primordium formation and growth arrest of the primordium or no leaf primordium formation. Therefore, it is suggested that the germination arrest of carrot somatic embryos on liquid medium culture is due to the structural abnormality of the apical meristem in plumule.