• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.357-364
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• 2017

In this study, we aimed to generate a series of versatile tagging plasmids that can be used in diverse molecular biological studies of the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. We constructed 12 plasmids that can be used to tag a protein of interest with a GFP, mCherry, $4{\times}FLAG$, or $6{\times}HA$, along with nourseothricin-, neomycin-, or hygromycin-resistant selection markers. Using this tagging plasmid set, we explored the adenylyl cyclase complex (ACC), consisting of adenylyl cyclase (Cac1) and its associated protein Aca1, in the cAMP-signaling pathway, which is critical for the pathogenicity of C. neoformans. We found that Cac1-mCherry and Aca1-GFP were mainly colocalized as punctate forms in the cell membrane and non-nuclear cellular organelles. We also demonstrated that Cac1 and Aca1 interacted in vivo by co-immunoprecipitation, using $Cac1-6{\times}HA$ and $Aca1-4{\times}FLAG$ tagging strains. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation further confirmed the in vivo interaction of Cac1 and Aca1 in live cells. Finally, protein pull-down experiments using $aca1{\Delta}$::ACA1-GFP and $aca1{\Delta}$::ACA1-GFP $cac1{\Delta}$ strains and comparative mass spectrometry analysis identified Cac1 and a number of other novel ACC-interacting proteins. Thus, this versatile tagging plasmid system will facilitate diverse mechanistic studies in C. neoformans and further our understanding of its biology.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.257-267
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• 1996

Diabetes mellitus is associated with a wide range of pathophysiologic changes in the kidney. This study was designed to examine the mechanisms by which glucose modulates the expression of polarized membrane transport functions in primary cultured rabbit renal proximal tubule cells. Results are as follows: The rate of 30 minute $Rb^{+}$ uptake was significantly higher($137.76{\pm}5.40%$) in primary renal tubular cell cultures treated with 20 mM glucose than that of 5 mM glucose. Not the level of mRNA for the ${\alpha}$ subunit of Na, K-ATPase but that of ${\beta}$ subunit was elevated in primary cultures treated with high glucose. The initial rate of methyl-${\alpha}$-D-glucopyranoside(${\alpha}$-MG) uptake was significantly lower($71.91{\pm}3.02%$) in monolayers treated with 20 mM glucose than that of 5 mM glucose. There was a tendency of an increase in phlorizin binding site in cells treated with 5 mM glucose. However, 3-O-methyl-D-glucose(3-O-MG) uptake was not affected by glucose concentration in culture media. TPA inhibited $Rb^{+}$ uptake by $63.61{\pm}1.94\;and\;45.80{\pm}1.36%$ and ${\alpha}$-MG uptake by $48.54{\pm}3.69\;and\;41.87{\pm}6.70%$ in the cells treated with 5 and 20 mM glucose, respectively. Also TPA inhibited mRNA expression of Na/glucose cotransporter in cells grown in 5mM glucose medium. cAMP significantly stimulated ${\alpha}$-MG uptake by $114.65{\pm}5.70%$ in cells treated with 5mM glucose, while it did not affect ${\alpha}$-MG uptake in cell treated with 20 mM glucose. However, cAMP inhibited $Rb^{+}$ uptake by $76.69{\pm}4.16\;and\;66.87{\pm}2.41%$ in cells treated with 5 and 20 mM glucose, respectively. In conclusion, the activity of the renal proximal tubular Na,K-ATPase is elevated in high glucose concentration. In contrast, the activity of the Na/glucose cotransport system is inhibited. High glucose may in part affect the activity of the Na,K-ATPase and the Na/glucose cotransport system by controlling the protein kinase C and/or A signal transduction pathway in primary cultured renal proximal tubule cells.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.355-363
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• 2009

Increased oxidative stress by abnormal mitochondrial function can damage cell signal transduction and gene expression, and induce insulin resistance or diabetes. Autophagy, however, improve insulin resistance by clearance of malfunctioning mitochondria. Exercise also recovers the muscle dysfunction and degeneration by activating mitochondrial biogenesis. As it seems that exercise and autophagy might act as an orchestrated network to induce mitochondrial biogenesis, we investigated whether autophagy is involved in AMPK signal pathway stimulated by exercise or AICAR to increase mitochondrial biogenesis. And it showed that PGC-1 and mtTFA, but not autophagy marker LC3 mRNA expression were significantly increased by 6 hr of acute exercise. On the other hand, PGC-1 and mtTFA mRNA expression were upregulated by AICAR treatment to C2C12 myotube. However these genes were not inhibited by LC3 siRNA transfection. These results provide the evidence that autopahgy affects on mitochondrial biogenesis through different signal pathway from AMPK signal transduction.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.100-111
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• 2003

Recently many efforts were focused to understand the mechanical insights of melanogenesis to develop the agents for hyper-pigmentation and hypo-pigmentation. In the melanin biosynthetic pathway, tyrosinase is the rate limiting enzyme, and ${\alpha}$-melanocyte stimulating hormone(MSH) or cAMP-elevating agents stimulate melanogenesis and enhance the melanin synthesis and the tyrosinase activity. The author has analyzed the effects of Rhizoma Bletillae on the basal melanogenic activities of B16 mouse melanoma cells. Rhizoma Bletillae alone markedly suppressed melanin content and tyrosinase activity in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment of the cells with Rhizoma Bletillae. The decrease in the tyrosinase activity was paralled by a decrease in the abundance of tyrosinase protein and tyrosinase promoter activity. These results suggest that Rhizoma Bletillae inhibits melanogenesis of B16 melanoma cells via suppression of tyrosinase activity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.413-423
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• 1997

The importance of the kidney in the development of hypertension was first demonstrated by Goldblatt and his colleagues more than fifty years ago. Many hormones and other regulatory factors have been proposed to play a major role in the development of hypertension. Among these factors angiotensia II (ANG II) is closely involved in renal hypertension development since it directly regulates $Na^+$ reabsorption in the renal proximal tubule. Thus the aim of the present study was to examine signaling pathways of low dose of ANC II on the $Na^+$ uptake of primary cultured rabbit renal proximal tubule cells (PTCs) in hormonally defined seum-free medium. The results were as follows: 1) $10^{-11}$ M ANG II has a significant stimulatory effect on growth as compared with control. Alkaline phosphatase exhibited significantly increased activity. However, leucine aminopeptidase and ${\gamma}-glutamyl$ transpeptidase activity were not significant as compared with control. In contrast to $10^{-11}$ M ANG II stimulated $Na^+$ uptake $(108.03{\pm}2.16% of that of control)$, $10^{-9}$ M ANG II inhibited ($92.42{\mu}2.23%$ of that of control). The stimulatory effect of ANG II on $Na^+$ uptake was amiloride-sensitive and inhibited by losartan (ANG II receptor subtype 1 antagonist) and not by PD123319 (ANG II receptor subtype 2 antagonist). 2) Pertussis toxin (PTX) alone inhibited $Na^+$ uptake by $85.52{\pm}3.52%$ of that of control. In addition, PTX pretreatment prevented the AMG II-induced stimulation of $Na^+$ uptake. 8-Bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP), forskolin, and isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) alone inhibited $Na^+$ uptake by $88.79{\pm}2.56,\;80.63{\pm}4.38,\;and\;84.47{\pm}4.74%$ of that of control, respectively, and prevented the ANG II-induced stimulation of $Na^+$ uptake. However, $10^{-11}$ M ANG II did not stimulate cAMP production. 3) The addition of 12-O-te-tradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA, 0.01 ng/ml) to the PTCs produced significant increase in $Na^+$ uptake ($114.43{\pm}4.05%$ of that of control). When ANG II and TPA were added together to the PTCs, there was no additive effect on $Na^+$ uptake. Staurosporine alone had no effect on $Na^+$ uptake, but led to a complete inhibition of ANG II- or TPA-induced stimulation of Na'uptake. ANG II treatment resulted in a $111.83{\mu}4.51%$ increase in total protein kinase C (PKC) activity. In conclusion, the PTX-sensitive PKC pathway is the main signaling cascade involved in the stimulatory effects of ANG II on $Na^+$ uptake in the PTCs.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.285-292
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• 1993

For the enzymatic conversion of 5'-XMP to 5'-GMP, partially purified XMP aminase from Escherichia coli was coupled with the yeast, Saccharomycrs cerevisiae, capable of ATP regeneration through glycolytic pathway. In order to elevate the level of XMP aminase in E. coli, $guaB^{-}(IMP\;dehydrogenase-less)$ mutant were introduced, and the yeast used as ATP supplier was treated by some method to increase its membrane permeability. The optimum conditions for efficient conversion reaction by energy-coupled system were investigated. As the results, a CH 41, $guaB^-$ mutant of E. coli K-12, showed 2.75 fold increase in the level of XMP aminase, compared with its parent cell. And the lyophylized yeast was the most effective at the ATP supplier. The optimum temperature and pH of conversion reaction were $40{\circ]C$ and pH 7.4, and the highest conversion ratio was shown under the reaction condition of 100 mM glucose, 100 mM inorganic phosphate and 6 mM AMP. When 36 units/ml XMP aminase used under the above conditions, the amount of 60 mg/ml yeast was sufficient to be used. Under the optimum condition, 71% of 1.8 mM(65.6 mg/100 ml) 5'-XMP was converted to 5'-GMP within 8 hr.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.209-225
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• 2001

Recently many efforts were focused to understand the mechanical insights of melanogenesis to develop the agents for hyper-pigmentation and hypo-pigmentation. In the melanin biosynthetic pathway, tyrosinase is the rate limiting enzyme, and ${\alpha}$-melanocyte stimulating hormone(MSH) or cAMP-elevating agents stimulate melanogenesis and enhance the melanin synthesis and the tyrosinase activity. The author has analyzed the effects of Radix Trichosanthis on the basal melanogenic activities of B16/F10 mouse melanoma cells, and on the ${\alpha}$-MSH or forskolin-induced melanogenesis. Radix Trichosanthis alone markedly suppressed melanin content and tyrosinase activity in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment of the cells with Radix Trichosanthis also suppressed the increase of ${\alpha}$-MSH (10 nM) or forskolin (20${\mu}M$)-induced melanin content and tyrosinase activity. The decrease in the tyrosinase activity was paralled by a decrease in the abundance of tyrosinase protein and tyrosinase promoter activity. Pretreatment of the cells with Radix Trichosanthis also inhibited the increase of forskolin($20{\mu}M$) induced the amount of tyrosinase protein and tyrosinase promoter activity. The results of DOPA staining revealed that pretreatment of the cells with Radix Trichosanthis showed less intensity than B16 melanoma cells stimulated with ${\alpha}$- MSH or forskolin. These results suggest that Radix Trichosanthis inhibits melanogenesis and abrogates ${\alpha}-MSH and cAMP-induced melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.82-93
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• 2004

Recently many efforts were focused to understanding the mechanical insights of melanogenesis to develop the agents for hyper-pigmentation and hypo-pigmentation. In the melanin biosynthetic pathway, tyrosinase is the rate limiting enzyme, and ${\alpha}$-melanocyte stimulating hormone(MSH) or cAMP-elevating agents stimulate melanogenesis and enhance the melanin synthesis and the tyrosinase activity. The author has analyzed the effects of Radix Trichosanthis on the basal Melanogenic activities of Bl6/F10 mouse melanoma cells, and on the ${\alpha}$-MSH or forskolin-induced melanogenesis. Radix Trichosanthis alone markedly suppressed melanin content and tyrosinase activity in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment of the cells with Radix Trichosanthis also suppressed the increase of ${\alpha}$-MSH(10 nM) or forskolin(20 ${\mu}$M)-induced melanin content and tyrosinase activity. The decrease in the tyrosinase activity was paralled by a decrease in the abundance of tyrosinase protein and tyrosinase promoter activity. Pretreatment of the cells with Radix Trichosanthis also inhibited the increase of forskolin(20 ${\mu}$M) induced the amount of tyrosinase protein and tyrosinase promoter activity. The results of DOPA staining revealed that pretreatment of the cells with Radix Trichosanthis showed less intensity than B16 melanoma cells stimulated with ${\alpha}$-MSH or forskolin. These results suggest that Radix Trichosanthis inhibits melanogenesis and abrogates ${\alpha}$-MSH and cAMP-induced melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2011

These experiments were designed to use typical makers from behaviors and molecular basis in addicted animals of morphine and cocaine. Morphine has been widely abused with a high physical dependence liability. Morphine withdrawal activates the intracellular cAMP signaling pathway and further leads to changes in the expression of the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), which may be important to the development and expression of morphine dependence. From these experiments, repeated morphine (10 mg/kg, twice per day for 7 days) developed physical dependence. Withdrawal signs were precipitated by naloxone and also increased the expression of the CREB. In addition, repeated exposure of cocaine (15 mg/kg) to mice develops locomotor sensitization and produced lasting behavioral sensitivity. Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide (CART) peptide was up-regulated by repeated administration of cocaine in the striatum. Therefore, repeated morphine induced the development of physical dependence and increased pCREB. In addition, repeated cocaine induced locomotor sensitization and over-expressed CART peptide. In conclusion, the development of physical dependence and pCREB for morphine, and locomotor sensitization and CART peptide over-expression for cocaine would be useful markers to predict the abuse potential of opioid analgesics and pychostimulant drugs in animals, respectively.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2018

Liquiritigenin (LQ) is a flavonoid that can be isolated from Glycyrrhiza radix. It is frequently used as a tranditional oriental medicine herbal treatment for swelling and injury and for detoxification. However, the effects of LQ on cognitive function have not been fully explored. In this study, we evaluated the memory-enhancing effects of LQ and the underlying mechanisms with a focus on the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) in mice. Learning and memory ability were evaluated with the Y-maze and passive avoidance tests following administration of LQ. In addition, the expression of NMDAR subunits 1, 2A, and 2B; postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95); phosphorylation of $Ca^{2+}$/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII); phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2); and phosphorylation of cAMP response element binding (CREB) proteins were examined by Western blot. In vivo, we found that treatment with LQ significantly improved memory performance in both behavioral tests. In vitro, LQ significantly increased NMDARs in the hippocampus. Furthermore, LQ significantly increased PSD-95 expression as well as CaMKII, ERK, and CREB phosphorylation in the hippocampus. Taken together, our results suggest that LQ has cognition enhancing activities and that these effects are mediated, in part, by activation of the NMDAR and CREB signaling pathways.