• Animal cells and systems
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.27-32
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• 2004

Endothellial cells are subjected to hemodynamic shear stress, the dragging force generated by blood flow. Shear stress regulates endothelial cell shape, structure, and function, including gene expression. Since endothelial cells must be anchored to their extracellular matrices(ECM) for their survival and growth, we hypothesized that ECMs are crucial for shear-dependent activation of extracellular signalactivated regulated kinase(ERK) that is important for cell proliferation. Shear stress-dependent activation of ERK was observed in cells plated on two different matrices, fibronectin and vitronectin(the two most physiologically relevant ECM in endothelial cells). We then treated bovine aortic endothelial cells(BAECs) with Arg-Gly-Asp(RGD) peptides that block the functional activation of integrin binding to fibronectin and vitronectin, and a nonfunctional peptide as a control. Treatment of cells with the RGD peptides, but not the control peptide, significantly inhibited ERK activity in a concentration-dependent manner. This supports the idea that integrin adhesion to the ligands, fibronectin and vitronectin, mediates shear stress-dependent activation of ERK. Subsequently, whereas antagonists of vitronectin(LM 609, an antibody for integrin ${\alpha}_{\gamma}$/${\beta}_3$ and XT 199, an antagonist specific for integrin ${\alpha}_{\gamma}$/${\beta}_3$) did not have any effect on shear-dependent activation of ERK, antagonists of fibronectin(a neutralizing antibody for integrin ${\alpha}_5$/${\beta}_1$or ${\alpha}_4$${\beta}_1$ and SM256) had an inhibitory effect. These results clearly demonstrate that mechanoactivation of ERK requires anchoring of endothelial cells to fibronectin through integrins.

• 한국작물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국작물학회 2007년도 춘계학술발표회
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• pp.65-73
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• 2007

The objective of this study is to understand how regulatory mechanisms respond to sugar status for more efficient carbon utilization and source-sink regulation in plants. So, we need to identify and characterize many components of sugar-response pathways for a better understanding of sugar responses. For this end, genes responding change of sugar status were screened using Arabidpsis cDNA arrays, and confirmed thirty-six genes to be regulated by sucrose supply in detached leaves by RNA blot analysis. Eleven of them encoding proteins for amino acid metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism were repressed by sugars. The remaining genes induced by sugar supply were for protein synthesis including ribosomal proteins and elongation factors. Among them, I focused on three hydrolase genes encoding putative $\beta$-galactosidase, $\beta$-xylosidase, and $\beta$-glucosidase that were transcriptionally induced in sugar starvation. Homology search indicated that these enzymes were involved in hydrolysis of cell wall polysaccharides. In addition to my results, recent transcriptome analysis suggested multiple genes for cell wall degradation were induced by sugar starvation. Thus, I hypothesized that enzyme for cell wall degradation were synthesized and secreted to hydrolyze cell wall polysaccharides producing carbon source under sugar-starved conditions. In fact, the enzymatic activities of these three enzymes increased in culture medium of Arabidopsis suspension cells under sugar starvation. The $\beta$-galactosidase encoded by At5g56870 was identified as a secretory protein in culture medium of suspension cells by mass spectrometry analysis. This protein was specifically detected under sugar-starved condition with a specific antibody. Induction of these genes was repressed in suspension cells grown with galactose, xylose and glucose as well as with sucrose. In planta, expression of the genes and protein accumulation were detected when photosynthesis was inhibited. Glycosyl hydrolase activity against galactan also increased during sugar starvation. Further, contents of cell wall polysaccharides especially pectin and hemicellulose were markedly decreased associating with sugar starvation in detached leaves. The amount of monosaccharide in pectin and hemicellulose in detached leaves decreased in response to sugar starvation. These results supported my idea that cell wall has one of function to supply carbon source in addition to determination of cell shape and physical support of plant bodies.

• 한국식품영양학회지
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.176-182
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• 2006

Sorghum bicolor L. Moench(Sorghum, Su-Su) is a major cereal food crop used in many parts of the world. It is used as a human food resource and folk medicines in Asia and Africa. The stem of sorghum has been used as a digestive aid and an anti-diarrheal agent. Sorghum hybrids contain high levels of diverse phenolic compounds that may provide health benefits. High levels of polyflavanols, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, and other antioxidant compounds have been reported in sorghums, which have also been shown to possess various biological activities such as anti-mutagenic, anti-carcinogenic, and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activities. In an in vitro experiment, we examined mice splenocyte proliferation and production of three types of cytokine($IL-1{\beta},\;IL-6,\;TNF-{\alpha}$) by peritoneal macrophages cultured with ethanol and water extracts of Sorghum bicolor L. Moench. A single cell suspension of splenocytes was prepared and the cell proliferation of the splenocytes was examined by MTT assay. The splenocyte proliferation was increased when water extracts of Sorghum bicolor L. Moench were used as supplements in all concentrations investigated. The production of cytokine($IL-1{\beta},\;IL-6,\;TNF-{\alpha}$) by activated peritoneal macrophage was detected by ELISA using the cytokine kit. $IL-1{\beta},\;IL-6,\;and\;TNF-{\alpha}$ production by activated macrophages were increased by supplementation with Sorghum bicolor L. Moench water extracts. This study suggests that supplementation of with Sorghum bicolor L. Moench water extracts may enhance immune function by regulating the splenocyte proliferation and enhancing the cytokine production by activated macrophages in vitro.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.177-188
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• 2002

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the immunohistological effect of Buthus martensi Karsch Herbal-acupuncture in treating the arthritis, performed several experimental items : those are paw edema, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $PGE_2$. Methods : All the male Sprague Dawley rats used in this study were bred and maintaned in our pathogen-free rat colony and were 8 weeks of age at the start of to experiment. The experimental model of arthritis was induced by injection of $50{\mu}g/{\mu}{\ell}$ adjuvant(mineral oil mixed Mycobacterium butyricum). Buthus martensi Karsch Herbal-acupuncture was injected into ST36(足三里) of rats daily for 21 days. Immunohistological analysis was carried out to assess paw edema, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $PGE_2$ expression in synovial membrane and sera Buthus martensi Karsch Herbal-acupuncture injected. Results : Buthus martensi Karsch Herbal-acupuncture group showed a decrease with statistical significance, in paw edema, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $PGE_2$ in synovial membrane and sera compared with control group. Conclusion : Buthus martensi Karsch Herbal-acupuncture stimulation inhibited the development of immunity to adjuvant induced arthritis in rats. Thus, Buthus martensi Karsch Herbal-acupuncture may have preventive effects on autoimmune inflammatory joint diseases as arthritis. The effect of Buthus martensi Karsch Herbal-acupuncture on the immune function and the disease activity in patients with arthritis warrants further investigation.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.60-67
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• 2002

Paeonia japonica var. pilosa $N_{AKAI}$, (PJ; Baek-Jak-Yak) is a medicinal plant which has been widely used as a component or blood-building decoctions. This study was performed to investigate the immunomodulative effects of PJ in mice, using in vitro and in vivo experiments. The immunomodulative effects were studied in vitro by determining the proliferation or mice splenocytes and the production of three kinds of cytokines (IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$) by mire peritoneal macrophages which were cultured with sequential fractions of PJ methanol extract (methanol, hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate, butanol and water). In an in vivo experiment using mice, different concentrations of PJ water extract were orally administrated every other day for two weeks. The production of cytokines (IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$) secreted by activated macrophages, and the proliferation of mice splenocytes, were used as indices for immunocompetence. In vitro supplementation using a hexane fraction of PJ in the range of 1 to 100 $\mu$ g/ml enhanced splenocyte proliferation by 1.8 to 12%, and by 10-15% using an aqueous fraction, compared to the control. IL-l$\beta$ production was significantly increased with the supplementation of butanol, hexane and water extracts of PJ Higher levels of IL-6 production were detected with supplementation of chloroform or water extracts. However, there were no significant differences in the production of TNF-$\alpha$ among the treated groups and the control. From the in vivo study, the highest proliferation of splenocytes was seen in the mice orally administrated with the PJ water extract at the concentration of 500 mg/kg body weight. In the case of cytosine production, IL-1-$\beta$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$ released by activated peritoneal macrophages were augmented by the oral administration of a PJ water extract. These results indicate that Pl may enhance the immune function by regulating splenocyte proliferation and cytokine production capacity in mice.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제37권8호
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• pp.585-591
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• 2014

The ${\beta}_2$ adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) is a G protein-coupled transmembrane receptor expressed in the human respiratory tract and widely recognized as a pharmacological target for treatments of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). Although a number of ADRB2 agonists have been developed for use in asthma therapy, indacaterol is the only ultra-long-acting inhaled ${\beta}_2$-agonist (LABA) approved by the FDA for relieving the symptoms in COPD patients. The precise molecular mechanism underlying the pharmacological effect of indacaterol, however, remains unclear. Here, we show that ${\beta}$-arrestin-2 mediates the internalization of ADRB2 following indacaterol treatment. Moreover, we demonstrate that indacaterol significantly inhibits tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$)-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activity by reducing levels of both phosphorylated-IKK and -$I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, thereby decreasing NF-${\kappa}B$ nuclear translocation and the expression of MMP-9, an NF-${\kappa}B$ target gene. Subsequently, we show that indacaterol significantly inhibits TNF-${\alpha}$/NF-${\kappa}B$-induced cell invasiveness and migration in a human cancer cell line. In conclusion, we propose that indacaterol may inhibit NF-${\kappa}B$ activity in a ${\beta}$-arrestin2-dependent manner, preventing further lung damage and improving lung function in COPD patients.

• 미생물학회지
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.28-34
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• 1999

본 연구에서는 Yeast Artificial Chromosome을 효율적으로 조작하고 유유전자의 기능을 보다 더 용이하게 분석하기 위해 EMCV 바이러스의 IRES 염기서열과 $\beta$-galactosidase를 포함하는 새로운 bicistronic fragmentation vector를 제조하였다. 이 벡터의 폴리클로닝 site에 네 개의희귀한 제한효소 부위를 도입하여 DNA를 용이하게 클로닝할 수 있게 만들었다. 그러므로 원하는 어떤 YAC도 효모세포에서 쉽게 상동 재조함에 의해 절편할 수 있는 장점이 있다. 이 bicistronic fragmentation vector 시스템을 이용하면하나의 메시지로부터 연구하고자 하는 유전자와 $\beta$-galactosidase를 동시에 한 세포에서 발현할 수 있기 때문에 유전자의 발현양상을 쉽게 분석할 수 있는 새로운 도구로 이용할 수 있다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.49-58
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• 1997

Engralied 5.7kb upstream sequence와 E. colilacZ의 융합 유전자를 가진 P[en-lacZ] 인자를 jumpstart 기법을 이용하여, ryXho25 strain의 초파리 48A 염색체 위치로부터 새로운 위치로 삽입하였다. 총 3315의 유전적 교배를 통해서, P[en-lacZ] 가 다른 염색체 상으로 삽인된 113 계통을 얻었다. X-gal 염색으로 이들 113 계통의 3령기 유충 조직에서의 $\beta$-galactosidase 발현을 조사하였다. 도한 113 계통 중 7계통이 열성치사돌연변이인 것으로 동정되었다. 이들 7 계통 중 초기 배발생 과정에서 치사하는 것으로 조사된 #1119의 초기 배발생 과정에서의 ${\beta}$-galactosidase 발현과 핵의 이동 및 세포화 양상을 조사하였다. 본 연구에서 얻어진 P[en-lacZ] 삽입 돌연변이체들은 앞으로 Drosophila 발생에 관련된 유전자들의 구조와 기능을 연구하는데 활용될 수 있을 것이다.

• 대한전기학회논문지:전기물성ㆍ응용부문C
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• 제49권7호
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• pp.394-399
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• 2000

The mechanical and electrical properties of pressed and annealed $\beta-SiC-TiB_2$ electroconductive ceramic composites were investigated as a function of the liquid forming additives of $Al_2O_3+Y_2O_3$. Phase analysis of composites by XRD revealed $\alpha$-SiC(6H), TiB2, and (Al5Y3O12). Reaction between Al2O3 and $Y_2O_3$ formed YAG but the relative density decreased with increasing $Al_2O_3+Y_2O_3$ contents. The Flexural strength showed the value of 458.9 MPa for composites added with 4 wt% $Al_2O_3+Y_2O_3$ additives at room temperatures. Owing to crack deflection and crack bridging, the fracture toughness showed 6.2, 6.0 and 6.6 MPa.m1/2 for composites added with 4, 8 and 12 wt% Al2O3+Y2O3 additives respectively at room temperature. The resistance temperature coefficient showed the value of $3.6\times10^{-3},\; 2.9\times10^{-3}\; and\; 3.0\times10^{-3} /^{\circ}C$$^{\circ}C$ for composite added with 4, 8 and 12 wt% $Al_2O_3+Y_2O_3$additives respectively at room temperature. The electrical resistivity of the composites was all positive temperature coefficient resistance(PTCR) in the temperature range of $25^{\circ}C\; to\; 700^{\circ}$.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.376-384
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• 2008

The glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is traditionally used as a marker for astrocytes of the brain, and more recently for the hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) of the liver. Several GFAP splice variants have been previously reported in the astrocytes of the CNS and in the non-myelinating Schwann cells of the PNS. In this study, we investigate whether GFAP splice variants are present in the HSCs and their expression as a function of HSCs activation. Furthermore, the regulation of these transcripts upon treatment with interferon gamma ($IFN-{\gamma}$) will be explored. Using semi-quan-titative RT-PCR and real-time PCR, we examine the expression and regulation of GFAP splice variants in HSCs as well as their respective half-life. We discover that most of the GFAP splice variants ($GFAP{\alpha}$, ${\beta}$, ${\delta}$, ${\varepsilon}$ and $\kappa$) found in the neural system are also expressed in quiescent and culture-activated primary HSCs. Interestingly, $GFAP{\alpha}$ is the predominant form in quiescent and culture-activated primary HSCs, while $GFAP{\beta}$, predominates in the SV40-immortalized activated HSC-T6. $GFAP{\delta}$, ${\varepsilon}$ and ${\kappa}$ have similar half-lives of 10 hours, while $GFAP{\beta}$ has a half-life of 17 hours. Treatment of HSC-T6 with $IFN-{\gamma}$ results in a significant 1.29-fold up-regulation of $GFAP{\alpha}$ whereas the level of the other transcripts remains unchanged. In summary, $GFAP{\alpha}$, ${\beta}$, ${\delta}$, ${\varepsilon}$ and $\kappa$ are present in HSCs. They are differentially regulated on the transcription level, implying a role of the 5' and 3' untranslated regions.