• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.90.1-90
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• 2003

Colonization of Pseudomonas chlororaphis O6, a nonpathogenic rhizobacterium, on the roots induced systemic resistance in cucumber plants against tai-get leaf spot, a foliar disease caused by Corynespora cassiicola. A cDNA library was constructed using mRNA extracted from the cucumber leaves 12 h after inoculation with C. cassiicola, which roots had been previously treated with O6. To identify the genes involved in the O6-mediated induced systemic resistance (ISR), we employed a subtractive hybridization method using mRNAs extracted from C cassiicola-inoculated cucumber leaves with and without previous O6 treatment on the plant roots. Differential screening of the cDNA library led to the isolation of 5 distinct genesencoding a GTP-binding protein, a putative senescence-associated protein, a galactinol synthase, a hypersensitive-induced reaction protein, and a putative aquaporin. Expressions of these genes are not induced by O6 colonization alone. Before challenge inoculation, no increase in the gene transcriptions could be detected in previously O6-treated and untreated plants but, upon subsequent inoculation with the pathogenic fungus, transcription levels in O6-treated plants rose significantly faster and stronger than in untreated plants. Therefore, the O6-mediated ISR may be associated with an enhanced capacity for the rapid and effective activation of cellular defense responses which becomes apparent only after challenge inoculation on the distal, untreated plant parts, as suggested by Conrath et al. (2002). This work was supported by a grant R11-2001-092-02006-0 from the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation through the Agricultural Plant Stress Research Center at Chonnam National University.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose is to discuss the clinical applications of Orungsan(Goreisan: 五苓散) as an alternative management for increased intracranial pressure in the field of neurosurgery in Japan. Methods and Results : Attention has focused on Kampo medicine(traditional Japanese medicine) for some cerebral disease including chronic subdural hematoma(CSDH) and cerebral infarction in Japan. Orungsan and one of its classes, Sirungtang(Saireto: 柴苓湯) are well known their effects on brain edema. After some studies of Orungsan has the anti-edemic effects by the inhibition of aquaporin, this herbal medicine has been used widely in the neurosurgery field in Japan. It is high time to think about where we are and we go ahead for the progress and the integration in medicine. We have reviewed the studies using Orungsan or Sirungtang, that was reported at the 20th annual meeting of 'the Japan society for Kampo medicine and neurological surgery' was held on November 5, 2011 in Tokyo. Fifteen studies related with Orungsan or Sirungtang were reported among all 32 studies at the meeting. Orungsan in ten, and Sirungtang in five among 14 studies contained specific clinical case. In the aspects of disease, thirteen papers were related with SDH, including CSDH(11), SSDH(1), aneurism clipping for SDH prevention(1), and one was acute cerebral infarction and one was multiple metastatic brain tumor. In the report style, case control study was 7(mostly retrospective), and the case report was 8. Conclusions : Orungsan may be plausible to be an alternative method to reduce brain edema after SDH and other brain injury in the field of neurosurgery.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.640-647
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• 2023

The skin, the largest organ in the body, undergoes age-related changes influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The primary external factor is photoaging which causes hyperpigmentation, uneven skin surface, deep wrinkles, and markedly enlarged capillaries. In the human dermis, it decreases fibroblast function, resulting in a lack of collagen structure and also decreases keratinocyte function, which compromises the strength of the protective barrier. In this study, we found that treatment with γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) had no toxicity to skin fibroblasts and GABA enhanced their migration ability, which can accelerate skin wound healing. UVB radiation was found to significantly induce the production of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), but treatment with GABA resulted in the inhibition of MMP-1 production. We also investigated the enhancement of filaggrin and aquaporin 3 in keratinocytes after treatment with GABA, showing that GABA can effectively improve skin moisturization. In vivo experiments showed that oral administration of GABA significantly improved skin wrinkles and epidermal thickness. After the intake of GABA, there was a significant decrease observed in the increase of skin thickness measured by calipers and erythema. Additionally, the decrease in skin moisture and elasticity in hairless mice exposed to UVB radiation was also significantly restored. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of GABA as functional food material for improving skin aging and moisturizing.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.171-180
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• 2024

Background: Epimers of ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) have a low bioavailability and are prone to deglycosylation, which produces epimers of ginsenoside Rh2 (S-Rh2 and R-Rh2) and protopanaxadiol (S-PPD and R-PPD). The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and potency of these molecules as anti-cancer agents. Methods: Crystal violet staining was used to study the anti-proliferatory action of the molecules on a human epithelial breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and compare their potency. Cell death and cell cycle were studied using flow cytometry and mode of cell death was studied using live cell imaging. Anti-angiogenic effects of the drug were studied using loop formation assay. Molecular docking showed the interaction of these molecules with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) and aquaporin (AQP) water channels. VEGF bioassay was used to study the interaction of Rh2 with VEGFR2, in vitro. Results: HUVEC was the more sensitive cell line to the anti-proliferative effects of S-Rh2, S-PPD and R-PPD. The molecules induced necroptosis/necrosis in MDA-MB-231 and apoptosis in HUVEC. S-Rh2 was the most potent inhibitor of loop formation. In silico molecular docking predicted a good binding score between Rh2 or PPD and the ATP-binding pocket of VEGFR2. VEGF bioassay showed that Rh2 was an allosteric modulator of VEGFR2. In addition, SRh2 and PPD had good binding scores with AQP1 and AQP5, both of which play roles in cell migration and proliferation. Conclusion: The combination of these molecules might be responsible for the anti-cancer effects observed by Rg3.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.517-528
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• 2010

Rice seed maturation and germination involve drastic changes in water and nutrient transport, in which tonoplast aquaporins may play an important role. In the present study, gene expression profiles of 10 tonoplast intrinsic proteins (TIP) from rice were investigated by RT-PCR during seed development and germination. OsTIP3;1 and OsTIP3;2 were specifically expressed in mature seeds. Their transcript level rapidly decreased after onset of seed germination and gene expression was induced by ABA treatment. In contrast, expression of OsTIP2;1 and OsTIP4;3 was not seed specific as transcripts were found in vegetative tissues as well. Their respective transcript levels decreased at an early stage of seed development, whereas they increased at a later stage of seed germination and elongation of embryonic roots and shoots. When seed germination was inhibited by various stress conditions and ABA, expression of OsTIP2;1 and OsTIP4;3 was completely suppressed. In contrast, the expression level of OsTIP2;2 rapidly increased after seed imbibition and the transcript level was maintained under conditions inhibiting seed germination. These results implicate that tissue specific and developmental transcriptional regulation of OsTIPs in rice seeds depends on their specific function. In addition, OsTIPs can be discriminated by different potential phosphorylation and methylation sites in their protein structures. OsTIP3;1 and OsTIP3;2 possess unique phosphorylation signatures at their N-terminal domain, loop B and loop E, respectively. OsTIP2;1 and OsTIP4;3 have a potential methylation site at their Nterminal domain. This suggests that activity of specific tonoplast aquaporins may be regulated by post-translational modification as well as by transcriptional control.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.555-564
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• 2023

In this study, the anti-oxidant activity, elastase inhibitory activity, and skin moisturizing effect of mixed extracts of Acanthopanax senticosus and Citrus unshiu fermented with Bovista plumbea (B-MEAC) were evaluated to verify the availability as a material for inner beauty. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of B-MEAC was showed in a dose-dependent manner (SC₅₀=156.1±0.82 ㎍/ml). Also, B-MEAC inhibited the elastase activity in a concentration-dependent manner (p<0.001). To study the effect of B-MEAC on mouse skin hydration, skin moisture content and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) measured. As a result, skin moisture content increased (p<0.001) and TEWL decreased (p<0.01) compared to the dry-induced control group. The effect on the change of collagen fibers in the dry-induced mouse skin was examined through Masson's trichrome staining. In the group administered with B-MEAC, the amount of collagen relatively increased compared to the control group, and the intensity of blue color increased. The effect on the moisturizing function of the dry-induced mouse skin was examined by Western blot method. In the group administered with B-MEAC, the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) protein decreased compared to the control group. In addition, the expression level of collagen1A1 (COL1A1), hyaluronan synthase-2 (HAS2), filaggrin, and aquaporin-3 (AQP3) recovered (p<0.001). Therefore, these results suggest the potential of B-MEAC as a skin hydration agent for inner beauty.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.343-349
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• 2016

Many minerals and nutrient salts are abundant in Jeju lava sea water. The objective of this study was to evaluate the skin hydration effects of Jeju lava sea water. The skin barrier serves as a protective barrier that prevents the loss of moisture. The water holding capacity and water transport of the epidermis have been proposed to be important determinants of skin hydration. Jeju lava sea water increased the mRNA expression of filaggrin and caspase-14 which is related to natural moisturizing factor (NMF) formation. Aquaporins 3 (AQP3) are proteins that facilitate the transport of water across cell membranes. Jeju lava sea water increased the mRNA expression and protein expression of AQP3. We employed a skin equivalent model to assess the efficacy of Jeju lava sea water. In a skin equivalent model, Jeju lava sea water increased the CD44 (hyaluronic acid receptor) which is related to skin hydration. From these results, we found out Jeju lava sea water maybe help to skin hydration.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.197-202
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• 2008

In our previous publication we compared the gene expression profiles on hepatotoxicants exposure to assess the comparability between in vivo and in vitro test systems. We investigated global gene expression from both mouse liver and mouse hepatic cell line treated with thioacetamide (TAA) and identified several common genes. In this study, we selected genes to validate them as potential biomarkers for hepatotoxicity on the relevance of in vitro and in vivo system. Three up-regulated, aquaporin 8 (Aqp8), glutathione peroxidase 1 (Gpx1), succinate-CoA ligase, GDP-forming, alpha subunit (Suclg1) and two down-regulated, DnaJ (Hsp40) homolog subfamily C member 5 (Dnajc5) and tumor protein D52 (Tpd52) genes were tested for their effects in vitro. For characterization of gene function, short interfering RNA (siRNA) for each gene was synthesized and transfected in mouse hepatic cell line, BNL CL.2. Cell viability, mRNA expression level and morphological alterations were investigated. We confirmed siRNA transfection against selected five genes induced down-regulation of respective mRNA expression. siRNA transfection in general decreased cell viability in different degrees and induced morphological changes such as membrane thickening and alterations of intracellular structures. This suggests that these genes could be associated with TAA-induced toxicity. Furthermore, these genes may be used in the investigation of hepatotoxicity for better understanding of its mechanism.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.35-35
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• 2017

How do plants take up water from soils especially when water is scarce in soils? Plants have a strategy to respond to water deficit to manage water necessary for their survival and growth. Plants regulate water transport inside them. Water flows inside the plant via (i) apoplastic pathway including xylem vessel and cell wall and (ii) cell-to-cell pathway including water channels sitting in cell membrane (aquaporins). Water transport across the root and leaf is explained by a composite transport model including those pathways. Modification of the components in those pathways to change their hydraulic conductivity can regulate water uptake and management. Apoplastic barrier is modified by producing Casparian band and suberin lamellae. These structures contain suberin known to be hydrophobic. Barley roots with more suberin content from the apoplast showed lower root hydraulic conductivity. Root hydraulic conductivity was measured by a root pressure probe. Plant root builds apoplastic barrier to prevent water loss into dry soil. Water transport in plant is also regulated in the cell-to-cell pathway via aquaporin, which has received a great attention after its discovery in early 1990s. Aquaporins in plants are known to open or close to regulate water transport in response to biotic and/or abiotic stresses including water deficit. Aquaporins in a corn leaf were opened by illumination in the beginning, however, closed in response to the following leaf water potential decrease. The evidence was provided by cell hydraulic conductivity measurement using a cell pressure probe. Changing the hydraulic conductivity of plant organ such as root and leaf has an impact not only on the speed of water transport across the plant but also on the water potential inside the plant, which means plant water uptake pattern from soil could be differentiated. This was demonstrated by a computer simulation with 3-D root structure having root hydraulic conductivity information and soil. The model study indicated that the root hydraulic conductivity plays an important role to determine the water uptake from soil with suboptimal water, although soil hydraulic conductivity also interplayed.

• Journal of Chitin and Chitosan
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.262-266
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• 2018

Even though the saps have been consumed as beverage in Korea, however a little research has been conducted on the chemical composition. We determined free sugars, mineral in the sap from Juglans mandshurica Maxim. collected from BongHwa region. The contents of glucose, sucrose, and fructose in the sap from J. mandshurica were 0.15, 2.73, and 0.09%, respectively. The prominent minerals in the sap from J. mandshurica were calcium and potassium. The contents of Ca, K, Mg, Fe, and Mn of sap from J. mandshurica were 0.61, 0.57, 0.12, 0.002, and 0.014 ppm, respectively. The sap from J. mandshurica show inhibitory effect on elastase. And real-time RT-PCR showed that sap from J. mandshurica increased mRNA level of AQP3 and HAS2 gene and increased hyaluronic acid production in HaCaT cells. These results indicated that the sap from J. mandshurica can potentially be used for developing cosmetic ingredient for skin moisturizing and anti-aging.