• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1887-1892
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• 2008

Novel poly(aspartic acid) derivatives conjugated with L-lysine moieties and their amphiphilic analogs were synthesized and characterized. The chemical structures of these polymers were confirmed using FT-IR and $^1HNMR$ spectroscopy. The physicochemical properties of amphiphilic copolymers were characterized using an electrophonetic light scattering spectrophotometer (ELS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These results indicated a stable nanoparticle formation within aqueous media. These polymers have potential applications in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields as delivery vehicles for bioactive molecules.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2002.04a
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• pp.411-414
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• 2002

Acylated homoserine lactones (AHLs) are membrane-permeant signal molecules responsible for biofilm formation of gram-negative bacteria via a unique mechanism known as quorum sensing. A target specific bioassay employing the AHL-responsive Agrobacterium tumefaciens reporter strain has been developed to identify new AHL-like compounds from natural products, which could be developed into antifouling compounds. By varying the X-gal concentration, incubation time, solvent for sample preparation and the sample loading procedure, it was possible to detect low level AHLs up to $10^1nM$. The length of the acyl chain of the AHLs was found to affect the sensitivity of this bioassay.

• Proceedings of the Botanical Society of Korea Conference
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• 1985.08b
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• pp.23-33
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• 1985

Plant cell culture is emerging to express bioactive foreign proteins because it has several advantages in that it is safe, economical, genetically stable and eukaryotic expression system comparing with other expression systems. However several limitations such as slow growth rate, low expression level and lack of well established down stream process need to be answered. As a preliminary approach to produce the immunologically interested molecules through the plant cell culture, we tested if granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factors (GM-CSFs) from both murine (mGM-CSF) and human (hGM-CSF) are produced as a biologically active form through plant cell culture. The murine and human GM-CSF genes were cloned into the plant expression vector, pBI121, and Ti-plasmid mediated transformation of tobacco leaves was conducted using Agrobacterium tumefaciens harboring both recombinant GM-CSF (rGM-CSF) genes. Cell suspension culture was established from the leaf-derived calli of transgenic tobacco plant. Northern blot analysis indicated the expression of the introduced mGM-CSF gene in both transgenic plant and cell suspension cultures. In addition, the biological activities of both murine and human GM-CSF from plant cell culture were confirmed by measuring the proliferation of the GM-CSF dependent FDC-PI and TF-1 cells, respectively.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.107-107
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• 2013

Many nanomaterials are being harnessed as critical components in various systems for biomedical applications including diagnosis, imaging, and drug delivery. Those systems necessitate biocompatibility and low toxcity within effective dose range while achieving enough efficacy. Even though many nanomaterials enjoy successful demonstrations in bioapplications, lack of biocompatibility and high cytotoxicity often become hurdles for practical bioapplications. On the other hand, it is important to achieve enough efficiency based on chemically well-defined systems with efforts to understand mechanism at molecular level. Here, we developvarious biocompatible nanomaterials based on simple procedure using dextran as both reducing agent and surface coating. Dextran is one of the popular biocompatible polymers that have been used for drug delivery and biosensors. Dextran coated nanomaterials showed excellent colloidal stability, flexible surface chemistry for conjugation of bioactive molecules and low cytotoxicity with successful demonstrations in various bioapplications.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.26-36
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• 2016

Emerging trends for cardiac tissue engineering are focused on increasing the biocompatibility and tissue regeneration ability of artificial heart tissue by incorporating various cell sources and bioactive molecules. Although primary cardiomyocytes can be successfully implanted, clinical applications are restricted due to their low survival rates and poor proliferation. To develop successful cardiovascular tissue regeneration systems, new technologies must be introduced to improve myocardial regeneration. Electrospinning is a simple, versatile technique for fabricating nanofibers. Here, we discuss various biodegradable polymers (natural, synthetic, and combinatorial polymers) that can be used for fiber fabrication. We also describe a series of fiber modification methods that can increase cell survival, proliferation, and migration and provide supporting mechanical properties by mimicking micro-environment structures, such as the extracellular matrix (ECM). In addition, the applications and types of nanofiber-based scaffolds for myocardial regeneration are described. Finally, fusion research methods combined with stem cells and scaffolds to improve biocompatibility are discussed. [BMB Reports 2016; 49(1): 26-36]

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.211-215
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• 2009

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a critical role in sensing microbial components and inducing innate immune and inflammatory responses by recognizing invading microbial pathogens. Lipopolysaccharide-induced dimerization of TLR4 is required for the activation of downstream signaling pathways including nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$). Therefore, TLR4 dimerization may be an early regulatory event in activating ligand-induced signaling pathways and induction of subsequent immune responses. Here, we report biochemical evidence that 6-shogaol, the most bioactive component of ginger, inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced dimerization of TLR4 resulting in the inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2. Furthermore, we demonstrate that 6-shogaol can directly inhibit TLR-mediated signaling pathways at the receptor level. These results suggest that 6-shogaol can modulate TLR-mediated inflammatory responses, which may influence the risk of chronic inflammatory diseases.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2015

The current investigation was carried out to explore the possibility of submerged fermentation of Saccharina japonica as sole substrate using Aspergillus oryzae. In this study we used 2% S. japonica powder as fermentation media for A. oryzae. Fermentation period was optimized by monitoring the fermented sample at regular intervals for a period of 7 days. Results found that a fermentation period of 5 days was effective with maximum desirable characteristics such as total sugar, total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Under optimum fermentation period, fermented extracts showed enhanced antioxidant activity as determined by different assays such DPPH radical scavenging, ABTS scavenging and phosphomolydenum assay. This study provides the information for the enhancement of bioactive molecules in an eco-friendly manner and also paves way towards the development of wide range of seaweed-based functional foods.

• Endocrinology and Metabolism
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2016

Immoderate energy intake, a sedentary lifestyle, and aging have contributed to the increased prevalence of obesity, sarcopenia, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. There is an urgent need for the development of novel pharmacological interventions that can target excessive fat accumulation and decreased muscle mass and/or strength. Adipokines, bioactive molecules derived from adipose tissue, are involved in the regulation of appetite and satiety, inflammation, energy expenditure, insulin resistance and secretion, glucose and lipid metabolism, and atherosclerosis. Recently, there is emerging evidence that skeletal muscle and the liver also function as endocrine organs that secrete myokines and hepatokines, respectively. Novel discoveries and research into these organokines (adipokines, myokines, and hepatokines) may lead to the development of promising biomarkers and therapeutics for cardiometabolic disease. In this review, I summarize recent data on these organokines and focus on the role of adipokines, myokines, and hepatokines in the regulation of insulin resistance, inflammation, and atherosclerosis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 2019

The study of the genus Streptomyces is of particular interest because it produces a wide array of clinically important bioactive molecules. The genomic sequencing of many Streptomyces species has revealed unusually large numbers of cytochrome P450 genes, which are involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Many macrolide biosynthetic pathways are catalyzed by a series of enzymes in gene clusters including polyketide and non-ribosomal peptide synthesis. In general, Streptomyces P450 enzymes accelerate the final, post-polyketide synthesis steps to enhance the structural architecture of macrolide chemistry. In this review, we discuss the major Streptomyces P450 enzymes research focused on the biosynthetic processing of macrolide therapeutic agents, with an emphasis on their biochemical mechanisms and structural insights.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.213.1-213.1
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• 2003

Sphingolipids and their metabolites are highly bioactive molecules that affect various cellular functions including differentiation, cellular senescence, apoptosis, and proliferation when added exogenously, or elevated intracellularly by turnover of complex sphingolipids or synthesis from de novo pathway. We are investigating the relationship of sphingolipids cycle in apoptosis early events. A new column liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) in combination with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) method was developed for the rapid, simultaneous and quantitative determination of unambiguous detecting sphingolipids in cells. (omitted)