• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.351-356
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• 2004

Holographic quantitative structure activity relationships (HQSAR) as 2D QSAR between the herbicidal activities against root and shoot of rice plant (Orysa sativa L.) and barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli), and structures of A=3,4,5,6-tetra-hydrophthalimino, B = 3-chloro-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-2H-indazolyl and C = 3,4-dimethylmaleimino substituents in 1-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazolin-5-yl)methoxy-2-chloro-4-fluorobenzene derivatives were studied and discussed. The statistical results of four HQSAR models for the herbicidal activities against root and shoot of the two plants showed the best predictability of the herbicidal activities based on the cross-validated $r^2\;_{cv}\;(q^2=\;0.760{\sim}0.924)$, non cross-validated conventional coefficient $(r^2\;_{ncv}\;=\;0.868{\sim}0.970)$ and PRESS values $(0.123{\sim}0.261)$. The results indicated that the qualities of HQSAR models for barnyardgrass were slightly higher than that of rice plant. And also, the predictability of HQSAR models were higher $(q^2\;=\;HQSAR\;>\;CoMFA)$ than CoMFA but the conventional coefficients of HQSAR models lower $(r^2\;=\;HQSAR\;<\;CoMFA)$ than CoMFA. Moreover, from the contribution maps, it was founded that the selectivity between the two plants depends upon the 2-fluoro-4-chloro-5-alkoxyanilino and $R_3$ substituent on the C-phenyl ring. These features suggest where to modify a molecular structure in order to improve its selective of herbicidal activities against barnyardgrass.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.170-177
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• 2002

The herb, Chrysanthemum zawadskii var, latilobum commonly known as Gu-Jul-Cho in Korea, used in traditional medicine to treat pneumonia, bronchitis, cough, common cold, pharyngitis, bladder-related disorders, gastroenteric disorders, and hypertension. Linarin is the main active compound and the biological mechanisms of its activity are unclear. It is believed that effects of this herb may be exerted through the pluripotent effectors of linarin due to its ability to treat a variety of afflictions. In this study, the effects of linarin on the mouse macrophages cell line, RAW 264.7, were investigated. It was found that linarin could activate macrophages by producing cytokines. Monocytes and tissue macrophages produce at least two groups of protein mediators of inflammation, interleukin 1 (IL-1 ) and the tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Recent studies have shown that TNF and IL-1 modulate the inflammatory function of endothelial cells, leukocytes, and fibroblasts. $TNF-{\alpha}$ production by macrophages treated with linarin occured in a dose dependent manner However, IL-1 production was largely unaffected by this natural product. This study demonstrated the ability of linarin to activate macrophages both directly and indirectly. Linarin also affect both cytosine production and nitric oxide inhibition, in addition to the expression of some surface molecules. Nitric oxide (NO), derived from L-argin-ine, is produced by two forms(constitutive and inducible) of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). The NO produced in large amounts by inducible NOS is known to be responsible for the vasodilation and hypotension observed in septic shock. Linarin was found to inhibit NO production in the LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells. Linarin may be a useful candidate as a new drug for treating endotoxemia and the inflammation accompanied by NO overproduction. The linarin-treated total Iymphocytes exhibited cytotoxicity in a dose dependent manner between $20{\;}{\mu}g/ml{\;}and{\;}40{\;}{\mu}g/ml$. These results suggest that linarin may function through macrophage activation.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.212-218
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• 1998

An obligately methylotrophic bacterium which produces extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) was isolated through methanol-enrichment culture technique. The isolate was aerobic, nonmotile, and gram negative rod and exibited catalase, but no oxidase, activity. Plasmid, carotenoid, and poly-${\beta}$-hydroxybutyric acid were not found. The guanine plus cytosine content of DNA was 52-56%. The isolate was found to grow only on methanol and monomethylamine. Growth was optimal ($t_d=2.4h$) at $35^{\circ}C$ and pH 6.5 in a mineral medium containing 0.5% (v/v) methanol, 25 mM phosphate, and 0.212% ammonium sulfate. Methanol was assimilated through the ribulose monophosphate pathway. Maximun amount of EPS was produced in cells growing at the mid-stationary growth phase at $30^{\circ}C$ in a mineral medium (PH 6.5) containing 1.0% (v/v) methanol in the CIN ratio of 54.7. Thin-layer chromatographic and high performance liquid chromatographic analysis revealed that the EPS was composed of glucose and galactose. EPS which was not treated with ethanol (Pbe) exhibited stable viscosity under various concentrations of salts and temperatures hut showed high viscosity at low pH. EPS precipitated with ethanol (Pae) was found to be more stable in viscosity than the Pbe at various salt concentrations, temperatures, and pH. The Pae also exhibited higher viscosity than the Pbe and xanthan gum. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the lyophilized Pbe and Pae have a multi-layered structure and a structure of thick fibers, respectively.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.639-652
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• 2006

Objective : The etiology of chronic prostatitis is likely multifactorial, resulting from either a cascade of events after an initiating factor or from a variety of etiologic mechanisms. There is substantiating evidence to support the role of the inflammatory responses in its pathogenesis, and the clinical value in the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy. Forsythiae Frucus has been traditionally used in treatment of inflammatory diseases, including of prostatitis and urinary tract inflammation. In this study, we investigated the effects of Forsythiae Frucus on inflammatory cytokines and cyto-pathological alternation in the rat model of chronic non-bacterial prostatitis induced by castration and $17{\beta}$-estradiol treatment. Methods : Two-month-old rats were treated with $17{\beta}$-estradiol after castration for induction of experimental non-bacterial prostatitis. which is similar to human chronic prostatitis in histopathological profiles. Forsythiae Frucus as an experimental specimen, and testosterone as a positive control, were administered orally. The prostates were evaluated by histopathologlcal parameters including the epithelial score and epithelio-stromal ratio for glandular damage. and the expression of inflammatory cytokine genes including interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-5, IL-12, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$. eotaxin, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2(cox-2). Results : While prostates of control rats revealed severe acinar gland atrophy and stromal proliferation. the rats treated with Forsythiae Frucus showed a diminished range of tissue damage. Epithelial score was improved in the Forsythiae Frucus group over that of the control (P<0.05). The epithelia-stromal ratio was lower in the Forsythiae Frucus group when compared to that of the control (P<0.05). In the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of inflammatory cytosine genes. Forsythiae Frucus inhibited the expression of IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-$\alpha$, iNOS, cox-2 genes, while it modulated the expression of IL-5, which is an anti-inflammatory cytokine. Conclusions : These findings suggest that Forsythiae Frucus may protect the glandular epithelial cells and also inhibit stromal proliferation in association with the immune modulation including the suppression of inflammatory cytokines and increase of anti-inflammatory cytokines. From theses results. we suggest that Forsythiae Frucus could be a useful remedy agents for treating chronic non-bacterial prostatitis.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.81-81
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• 2003

DNA methylation is a covalent modification of DNA that can modulate gene expression and is now recognized as a major component of the epigenome. During evolution, the dinucleotide CpG has been progressively eliminated from the genome of higher eukaryotes and is present at only 5% to 10% of its predicted frequency. Approxymately 80% of the remaining CpG sites contain methylated cytosines in most vertebrates and they are distributed in a pattern that is unique in each tissue and is inversely correlated with gene expression. The pattern of methylation is faithfully maintained during cell division by the enzyme Dnmt1, the maintenance DNA methyltransferase, which catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosyl-methionine to the 5'-position of the cytosine ring. We have been identified bovine Dnmt1 cDNA full-length recently (AY173048) Little is known on the functions of Dnmt1 in bovine preimplantation embryos. Thus, we analyzed the specific pattern of Dnmt1 in in vitro derived/nuclear transfer bovine and in vivo derived mouse embryos to monitor the epigenetic reprogramming process. We investigated these process by using indirect immunofluresence with an antibody to Dnmt1. According to other studies, Dnmt1 accumulates in nuclei of early growing oocytes but is sequestered in the cytoplasm of mature oocytes. In 2-cell and 4-cell embryos, Dnmt1 is cytoplasmic, but at the 8-cell stage, it is present only in the nucleus. By the blastocyst stage, Dnmt1o is again found only in the cytoplasm. Thus, nuclear localization of Dnmt1o in preimplantation embryos is limited to the 8-cell stages After implantation, Dnmt1 is localized in the nucleus in mouse. However, we have found different patterns of Dnmt1 nuclear localization. Though we used the common antibody, immune-localization data revealed that Dnmt1 antibody have been detected at the nucleus in 1-cell to blastocyst embryos. Therefore, maybe we think that the functions of Dnmt1 between bovine and mice are different. In order to Identify the mechanisms that regulate DNA methylation in bovine preimplantation embryo, we have plans on using bovine oocyte and somatic specific Dnmt1 antibodies.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.558-568
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• 2023

Vibrio vulnificus is an aquatic bacterium causing septicemia and wound infection in humans. To understand this pathogen at the genomic level, it was performed whole genome sequencing of a cefoxitin-resistant strain, V. vulnificus 1908-10 possessing virulence-related genes (vvhA, viuB, and vcgC) isolated from Gadeok island coastal seawater in South Korea. The genome of V. vulnificus 1908-10 consisted of two circular contigs and no plasmid. The total genome size was estimated to be 5,018,425 bp with a guanine-cytosine (GC) content of 46.9%. We found 119 tRNA and 34 rRNA genes respectively in the genome, along with 4,352 predicted protein sequences. Virulence factor (VF) analysis further revealed that V. vulnificus 1908-10 possess various virulence genes in classes of adherence, antiphagocytosis, chemotaxis and motility, iron uptake, quorum sensing, secretion system, and toxin. In the comparison of the presence/absence of virulence genes, V. vulnificus 1908-10 had fur, hlyU, luxS, ompU, pilA, pilF, rtxA, rtxC, and vvhA. Of the 30 V. vulnificus comparative strains, 80% of the C-genotype strains have all of these genes, whereas 40% of the E-genotype strains have all of them. In particular, pilA were identified in 80% of the C-type strains and 40% of the E-type strains, showing more difference than other genes. Therefore, V. vulnificus 1908-10 had similar VF characteristics to those of type C strains. Multifunctional-autoprocessing repeats-in-toxin (MARTX) toxin of V. vulnificus 1908-10 contained 8 A-type repeats (GXXGXXXXXG), 25 B.1-type repeats (TXVGXGXX), 18 B2-type repeats (GGXGXDXXX), and 7 C-type repeats (GGXGXDXXX). The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) showed that the RtxA protein of V. vulnificus 1908-10 had the effector domain in the order of cross-liking domain (ACD)-C58_PaToxP-like domain- α/β hydrolase-C58_PaToxP-like domain.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.82-88
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• 2005

3D QSAR studies for the fungicidal activities against resistive phytophthora blight (RPC; 95CC7303) and sensitive phytophthora blight (Phytopthora capsici) (SPC; 95CC7105) by a series of new 2-alkoxyphenyl-3-phenylthioisoindoline-1-one derivatives (X: A=propynyl & B=2-chloropropenyl) were studied using comparative molecular field analyses (CoMFA) methodology. The CoMFA models were generated from the two different alignment, atom based fit (AF) alignment and field fit (FF) alignment. The atom based alignment exhibited a higher statistical results than that of field fit alignment. The best models, A3 and A7 using combination fields of H-bond field, standard field, LUMO and HOMO molecular orbital field as additional descriptors were selected to improve the statistic of the present CoMFA models. The statistical results of the two models showed the best predictability of the fungicidal activities based on the cross-validated value $q^2\;(r^2_{cv.}=RPC:\;0.625\;&\;SPC:\;0.834)$, non cross-validated value $(r^2_{ncv.}=RPC:\;0.894\;&\;SPC:\;0.915)$ and PRESS value (RPC: 0.105 & SPC: 0.103), respectively. Based on the findings, the predictive ability and fitness of the model for SPC was better than that of the model for RPC. The fugicidal activities exhibited a strong correlation with steric $(66.8{\sim}82.8%)$, electrostatic $(10.3{\sim}4.6%)$ and molecular orbital field (SPC: HOMO, 12.6% and RPC: LUMO, 22.9%) factors of the molecules. The novel selective character for fungicidal activity between two fungi depend on the positive charge of ortho, meta-positions on the N-phenyl ring and size of hydrophilicity of a substituents on the S-phenyl ring.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology Conference
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• 1995.06b
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• pp.77-96
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• 1995

To obtain basic informations for the improvement of seed potato production in Korea, some etiological properties of potato virus Y(PVY) distributed in the major seed potato production area(Daekwanryeong) were characterized, and the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the coat protein gene of the PVY strains isolated were analyzed. PVY strains in Daekwonryeong, an alpine area, were identified to be two strains, PVYo and PVYN by symptoms of indicator plants, and their distribution in potato fields was similar. Major symptom on potato varieties by PVY was grouped as either mosaic alone or mosaic accompanied with veinal necrosis in the lower leaves. The symptom occurrence of the two symptoms was similar with Irish Cobbler, but Superior showed a higher rate of mosaic symptom than the other. The PVY strain which was isolated from potato cv. Superior showing typical mosaic symptoms produced symptoms of PVY-O on the indicator plants of Chenopodium amaranticolor, Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi nc and Physalis floridana, but no symptom o Capsicum annum cv. Ace. Moreover, results from the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies showed that the isolated PVY reacts strongly with PYV-O antibodies but does not react specifically with PVY-T antibodies. The purified virus particles were flexious with a size of 730$\times$11nm. On the basis of the above characteristics, the strain was identified to be a PVY-O and named as of PVY-K strain. The flight of vector aphids was observed in late May, however, the first occurrence of infected plants was in mid June with the bait plants surrounded with PVY-infected potato plants and early July with the bait plants surrounded with PVY-free potato plants. PVY infection rates by counting symptoms on bait plants (White Burley) were 1.1% with the field surrounded with PVY-free potato plants and 13.7% the fields surrounded with PVY-infected potato plants, showing the effect of infection pressure. The propagated PVY-K strain on tobacco(N. sylvestris) was purified, and the RNA of the virus was extracted by the method of phenol extraction. The size of PVY-K RNA was measured to be 9, 500 nucleotides on agarose gel electrophoresis. The double-stranded cDNAs of PVY-K coat protein(CP) gene derived by the method of polymerase chain reaction were transformed into the competent cells of E. coli JM 109, and 2 clones(pYK6 and pYK17) among 11 clones were confirmed to contain the full-length cDNA. Purified plasmids from pYK17 were cut with Sph I and Xba I were deleted with exonuclease III and were used for sequencing analysis. The PVY-K CP gene was comprised of 801 nucleotides when counted from the clevage site of CAG(Gln)-GCA(Ala) to the stop codon of TGA and encoded 267 amino acids. The molecular weight of the encoded polypeptides was calculated to be 34, 630 daltons. The base composition of the CP gene was 33.3% of adenine, 25.2% of guanine, 20.1% of cytosine and 21.4% of uracil. The polypeptide encoded by PVY-K CP gene was comprised of 22 alanines, 20 threonines, 19 glutamic acids and 18 glycines in order. The homology of nucleotide sequence of PVY-K CP gene with those of PVY-O(Japan), PVY-T(Japan), PVY-TH(Japan), PVYN(the Netherlands), and PVYN(France) was represented as 97.3%, 88.9%, 89.3%, 89.6% and 98.5%, respectively. The amino acid sequence homology of the polypeptide encoded by PVY-K CP gene with those encoded by viruses was represented as 97.4%, 92.5%, 92.9%, 92.9%, and 98.5%, respectively.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.414-421
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• 2004

3D QSAR studies for protox inhibition activities against root and shoot of the rice plant (Orysa sativa L.) and barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) by a series of new 1-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazolin-5-yl)methoxy-2-chloro-4-fluorobenzene derivatives were conducted based on the results (Sung, N. D. et al.'s, (2004) J. Korean Soc. Appl. Biol. Chem. 47(3), 351-356) using comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) methodology. Four CoMSIA models, without hydrogen bond donor field for the protox inhibition activities against root and shoot of the two plants, were derived from the combination of several fields using steric field, hydrophobic field, hydrogen bond acceptor field, LUMO molecular orbital field, dipole moment (DM) and molar refractivity (MR) as additional descriptors. The predictabilities and fitness of CoMSIA models for protox inhibition activities against barnyard-grass were higher than that of rice plant. The statistical results of these models showed the best predictability of the protox inhibition activities against barnyard-grass based on the cross-validated value $r^2\;_{cv}\;(q^2=0.635{\sim}0.924)$, non cross-validated, conventional coefficient $r^2\;_{ncv.}$ value $(r^2=0.928{\sim}0.977)$ and PRESS value $(0.255{\sim}0.273)$. The protox inhibition activities exhibited a strong correlation with the steric $(5.4{\sim}15.7%)$ and hydrophobic $(68.0{\sim}84.3%)$ factors of the molecules. Particularly, the CoMSIA models indicated that the groups of increasing steric bulk at ortho-position on the C-phenyl ring will enhance the protox inhibition activities against barnyard-grass and subsequently increase the selectivity.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.275-284
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• 2002

Background : Gemcitabine is a new anti-cancer agent for treating non-small cell lung cancer. Functioning as an antimetabolite, it induces anti-cancer effects by suppressing DNA synthesis after being incorporated into the DNA as a cytosine arabinoside analogue. When Gemcitabine is incorporated into the DNA, the p53 gene may be activated by induction of the DNA defect. However, there are a few studies on the molecular mechanisms of Gemcitabine-induced cell death. This study examined the role of p53 in Gemcitabine-induced cell death. Methods : A549 and NCl-H358 lung cancer cells were used in this study. The cell viability test was done using a MTT assay at Gemcitabine concentrations of 10nM, 100nM, 1uM, 10uM and 100uM. A FACScan analysis with propium iodide staining was used for the cell cycle analysis. Western blot analysis was done to investigate the extent of p53 activation. For the functional knock-out of p53, stable A549-E6 cells and H358-E6 cells were transfected pLXSN-16E6SD which is over expresses the human papilloma virus E6 protein that constantly degrades p53 protein. The functional knock out of p53 was confirmed by Western blot analysis after treatment with a DNA damaging agent, doxorubicine. Results : Gemcitabine exhibited cell toxicity in dose-dependent fashion. The cell cycle analysis resulted in an S phase arrest. Western blot analysis significant p53 activation in time-dependent manner. Gemcitabine-induced cytotoxicity was reduced by 20-30% in the A549-E6 cells and the 30-40% in H358-E6 cells when compared with the A549-neo and H358-neo control cells. Conclusion : Gemcitabine induces an S phase arrest, as expected for the anti-metabolite, and activates the p53 gene, Furthermore, p53 might play an important role in Gemcitabine-induced cell death. Further investigation into the molecular mechanisms on how Gemcitabine activates the p53 gene and its signaling pathway are recommended.