• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• 제34권5호
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• pp.412-425
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• 2018

The Hfq protein is a global small RNA chaperone that interacts with regulatory bacterial small RNAs (sRNA) and plays a role in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. The roles of Hfq in the virulence and pathogenicity of several infectious bacteria have been reported. This study was conducted to elucidate the functions of two hfq genes in Burkholderia glumae, a causal agent of rice grain rot. Therefore, mutant strains of the rice-pathogenic B. glumae BGR1, targeting each of the two hfq genes, as well as the double defective mutant were constructed and tested for several phenotypic characteristics. Bacterial swarming motility, toxoflavin production, virulence in rice, siderophore production, sensitivity to $H_2O_2$, and lipase production assays were conducted to compare the mutant strains with the wild-type B. glumae BGR1 and complementation strains. The hfq1 gene showed more influence on bacterial motility and toxoflavin production than the hfq2 gene. Both genes were involved in the full virulence of B. glumae in rice plants. Other biochemical characteristics such as siderophore production and sensitivity to $H_2O_2$ induced oxidative stress were also found to be regulated by the hfq1 gene. However, lipase activity was shown to be unassociated with both tested genes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to elucidate the functions of two hfq genes in B. glumae. Identification of virulence-related factors in B. glumae will facilitate the development of efficient control measures.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.301-307
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• 2011

Purpose: If the tooth structure is damaged, then it is impossible to regenerate the tooth. The materials used to restore the tooth structure are not related to the composition of the tooth. The materials used to restore the structure can't replace the natural tooth because they just fill the defective structure. Calcium phosphate cement remineralizes the dentin and almost replaces the natural tooth, but there are some disadvantages. We conducted basic tests with Biomimetic CPC (Bio-CPC) to make sure of the possibility of the biomaterial to remineralize the defective tooth structure. Methods: In this study, the bioactivity and biocompatibility of Bio-CPC were evaluated for its potential value as the bio-material for regeneration of damaged tooth structure by conducting a cell toxicity assay (WST-1 assay), a cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay, a chromosomal aberration test, total RNA extraction and RT-PCR on MDPC-23 mouse odontoblast-like cells. Results: The in vitro cytotoxicity test showed that the Bio-CPC was fairly cytocompatible for the MDPC-23 mouse odontoblast-like cells. Conclusion: Bio-CPC has a possibility to be a new biomaterial and further study of Bio-CPC is needed.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.375-382
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• 2009

The 26S proteasome is a 2-MDa complex with a central role in protein turn over. The 26S proteasome is comprised of one 20S core particle and two 19S regulatory particles (RPs). The RPN12a protein, a non-ATPase subunit of the 19S RP, was previously shown to be involved in cytokinin signaling in Arabidopsis. To further investigate cellular roles of RPN12a, RNAi transgenic plants of RPN12a were constructed. As expected, the 35S:RNAi-RPN12a plants showed cytokinin signaling defective phenotypes, including abnormal formation of leaves and inflorescences. Furthermore, RNAi knock-down transgenic plants exhibited additional unique phenotypes, including concave and heart-shape cotyledons, triple cotyledons, irregular and clustered guard cells, and defects in phyllotaxy, all of which are typical for defective cytokinin signaling. We next examined the mRNA level of cytokinin signaling components, including type-A ARRs, type-B ARRs, and CRFs. The expression of type-A ARRs, encoding negative regulators of cytokinin signaling, was markedly reduced in 35S:RNAi-RPN12a transgenic plants relative to that in wild type plants, while type-B ARRs and CRFs were unaffected. Our results also indicate that in vivo stability of the ARR5 protein, a negative regulator of cytokinin signaling, is mediated by the 26S proteasome complex. These results suggest that RPN12a participates in feedback inhibitory mechanism of cytokinin signaling through modulation of the abundance of ARR5 protein in Arabidopsis.

• 식물병연구
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.148-156
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• 2024

Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum은 토양과 물에서 오랫동안 생존하고, 가지과 작물에 심각한 풋마름병을 일으키는 식물병원세균이다. Simga S는 세균의 스트레스 환경에서 반응 또는 정지기 동안 유전자 발현을 조절하는 RNA 중합효소 복합체의 일부인 단백질이다. 본 연구는 스트레스 조건에서 R.pseudosolanacearum의 sigma S의 역할을 조사하기 위해서, R.pseudosolanacearum의 GMI1000 균주의 sigma S를 암호화하는 rpoS 유전자 변이체를 준비하여 야생형 균주와 세균의 특징을 비교하였다. 아울러 rpoS 유전자 역할은 원래 유전자를 변이체에 도입하여 rpoS 유전자 표현형 회복을 확인하였다. 야생형 균주와 rpoS 결여 변이체는 생장 속도, 외피다당류 생산, 식물체에서 병원성, 식물 세포벽 분해 효소 활성에서 차이를 보이지 않았다. 그러나 야생형 균주는 영양분결핍 조건에서 변이체보다 더 민감하게 반응하였고 과산화수소가 첨가된 조건에서 변이체보다 덜 민감하게 반응하였다. 흥미롭게도 영양분결핍 조건에서 rpoS 결여 변이체에서는 장기간 생균수를 유지하지만, 같은 조건에서 야생형 균주 생균수는 빠르게 감소하였다. 그리고 두 균주 배양액 pH를 측정한 결과, 야생형 균주와 변이체 간에 상당한 차이가 나타났다. 야생형 균주는 생장하면서 빠르게 배지의 pH가 감소하여 산성화되었다. 그러므로 야생형 균주의 빠른 사멸은 배지가 산성화되면서 정지기 상태 세균의 산성 pH에 대한 민감도 때문일 것이다. Biolog 분석으로 rpoS 변이체는 acetic acid, D-alanine, D-trehalose, L-histidine을 이용하지 못함을 확인하였다. 본 연구 결과는 R. pseudosolanacearum 세균의 sigma S가 영양분결핍 조건에서 정지기 동안 유기산 생산 또는 이용을 조절하며 정지기 세포사멸도 조절하는 것을 보여준다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제43권5호
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• pp.469-478
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• 2020

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) propagation is highly dependent on cellular proteins. To identify the host factors involved in HCV propagation, we previously performed protein microarray assays and identified the LIM and SH3 domain protein 1 (LASP-1) as an HCV NS5A-interacting partner. LASP-1 plays an important role in the regulation of cell proliferation, migration, and protein-protein interactions. Alteration of LASP-1 expression has been implicated in hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the functional involvement of LASP-1 in HCV propagation and HCV-induced pathogenesis has not been elucidated. Here, we first verified the protein interaction of NS5A and LASP-1 by both in vitro pulldown and coimmunoprecipitation assays. We further showed that NS5A and LASP-1 were colocalized in the cytoplasm of HCV infected cells. NS5A interacted with LASP-1 through the proline motif in domain I of NS5A and the tryptophan residue in the SH3 domain of LASP-1. Knockdown of LASP1 increased HCV replication in both HCV-infected cells and HCV subgenomic replicon cells. LASP-1 negatively regulated viral propagation and thereby overexpression of LASP-1 decreased HCV replication. Moreover, HCV propagation was decreased by wild-type LASP-1 but not by an NS5A binding-defective mutant of LASP-1. We further demonstrated that LASP-1 was involved in the replication stage of the HCV life cycle. Importantly, LASP-1 expression levels were increased in persistently infected cells with HCV. These data suggest that HCV modulates LASP-1 via NS5A in order to regulate virion levels and maintain a persistent infection.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제55권9호
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• pp.337-343
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• 2012

Purpose: Leptin has been considered a link between metabolic state and reproductive activity. Defective reproductive function can occur in leptin-deficient and leptin-excessive conditions. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of centrally injected leptin on the hypothalamic KiSS-1 system in relation to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) action in the initial stage of puberty. Methods: Leptin (1 ${\mu}g$) was injected directly into the ventricle of pubertal female mice. The resultant gene expressions of hypothalamic GnRH and KiSS-1 and pituitary LH, 2 and 4 hours after injection, were compared with those of saline-injected control mice. The changes in the gene expressions after blocking the GnRH action were also analyzed. Results: The basal expression levels of KiSS-1, GnRH, and LH were significantly higher in the pubertal mice than in the prepubertal mice. The 1-${\mu}g$ leptin dose significantly decreased the mRNA expression levels of KiSS-1, GnRH, and LH in the pubertal mice. A GnRH antagonist significantly increased the KiSS-1 and GnRH mRNA expression levels, and the additional leptin injection decreased the gene expression levels compared with those in the control group. Conclusion: The excess leptin might have suppressed the central reproductive axis in the pubertal mice by inhibiting the KiSS-1 expression, and this mechanism is independent of the GnRH-LH-estradiol feedback loop.

• 대한바이러스학회지
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.235-245
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• 1999

HIV-1 Tat, a strong transactivator, is essential for the HIV-1 replication and AIDS progression. The Tat function is markedly inhibited by human p53 anti-oncogene. However, the detail mechanism has not yet been clearly revealed. In our previous report, we have addressed that p53 is unlikely to interact directly with HIV-1 Tat. In the consecutive experiments, Tat-phosphorylation was found to increase in proportional to the amounts of transfected p53. This work was initiated to identify the signaling factor that is involved in the p53-mediated Tat suppression. Several protein kinases were tested for the phosphorylation of Tat, and we found that PKR is likely to be involved in the p53-mediated Tat suppression. PKR was co-immunoprecipitated by anti-Tat antibody in the Tat-expressing Jurkat cell lysates only when the cells were transfected by p53, indicating that PKR-Tat interaction depends on the p53 activity. The interaction seems to result in PKR-mediated Tat-phosphorylation. Tat function was not blocked by p53 when co-transfected trasiently with antisense-PKR. We have generated PKR-knock out Jurkat cell clone. The PKR defective Jurkat cells didn't show the p53-mediated Tat suppression. These data indicate that p53-mediated Tat suppression is strongly associated with PKR. PKR-mediated Tat phosphorylation experiments are now under investigation by kinase assay and co-immunoprecipitation in the presence or absence of p53.

• 한국식품위생안전성학회지
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• 제35권6호
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• pp.561-566
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• 2020

참돔은 등쪽에 푸른 반점이 흩어져 있고, 홍민어는 꼬리 쪽에 검은 점이 있어 원물 형태는 쉽게 구분할 수 있다. 그러나 횟감이나 필렛으로 이용 시 참돔과 홍민어를 구분하기 어려워, 참돔의 종 특이 primer를 개발 및 검증하고 모니터링을 통해 참돔의 위변조 사례를 조사하고자 하였다. 시료에서 gDNA를 추출하여 PCR을 진행하였으며 참돔 primer의 product size는 468 bp, 홍민어 primer의 product size는 181 bp으로 설계하였다. Multiplex PCR 결과 참돔과 홍민어에 대한 종 특이적 증폭이 확인되었다. 또한, 참돔과 홍민어 PCR 민감도 실험 결과 참돔 primer는 1 ng, 홍민어 primer는 0.1 ng 까지 밴드가 확인되었다. 모니터링 결과 참돔으로 구매한 시료 19건 모두 참돔으로 판정되었다. 따라서 본 연구에서 제작된 참돔과 홍민어 종에 대한 종 특이적 primer는 횟감 등 수산물에도 적용할 수 있어 현재 유통 및 판매되고 있는 참돔 및 홍민어 판별에 적합성을 확인하였다.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.710-719
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• 2023

Objective: The present study investigated whether protodioscin (PD), a steroidal saponin mainly found in rhizome of Dioscorea species, alleviates oxidative stress-induced damage of porcine oocytes during in vitro maturation. Methods: Oocytes were treated with different concentrations of PD (0, 1, 10, 100, and 200 µM) in the presence of 200 µM H₂O₂ during in vitro maturation. Following maturation, spindle morphology and mitogen-activated protein kinase activity was assessed along with reactive oxygen species level, GSH activity, and mRNA expression of endogenous antioxidant genes at the MII stage. On the day 7 after parthenogenetic activation, blastocyst formation rate was calculated and the quality of embryo and mRNA expression of development-related genes was evaluated. Results: Developmental competence was significantly poorer in the 0 µM PD-treated (control) group than in the non-treated (normal) and 10 µM PD-treated (10PD) groups. Although the reactive oxygen species level did not significantly differ between these three groups, the glutathione level and mRNA expression of antioxidant genes (superoxide dismutase 1 [SOD1], SOD2, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 [Nrf2], and hemo oxygenase-1 [HO-1]) were significantly higher in the normal and 10PD groups than in the control group. In addition, the percentage of oocytes with defective spindle and abnormal chromosomal alignment was significantly lower and the ratio of phosphorylated p44/42 to total p44/42 was significantly higher in the normal and 10PD groups than in the control group. The total cell number per blastocyst was significantly higher in the 10PD group than in the control group. The percentage of apoptotic cells in blastocysts was highest in the control group; however, the difference was not significant. mRNA expression of development-related genes (POU domain, class 5, transcription factor 1 [POU5F1], caudal type homeobox 2 [CDX2], Nanog homeobox [NANOG]) was consistently increased by addition of PD. Conclusion: The PD effectively improves the developmental competence and quality of blastocysts by protecting porcine oocytes against oxidative stress.

• BMB Reports
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.259-264
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• 2012

Accumulation of modified nucleotides is defective to various cellular processes, especially those involving DNA and RNA. To be viable, organisms possess a number of (deoxy)nucleotide phosphohydrolases, which hydrolyze these nucleotides removing them from the active NTP and dNTP pools. Deamination of purine bases can result in accumulation of such nucleotides as ITP, dITP, XTP and dXTP. E. coli RdgB has been characterised as a deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate pyrophosphohydrolase that can act on these nucleotides. S. cerevisiae homologue encoded by YJR069C was purified and its (d)NTPase activity was assayed using fifteen nucleotide substrates. ITP, dITP, and XTP were identified as major substrates and kinetic parameters measured. Inhibition by ATP, dATP and GTP were established. On the basis of experimental and published data, modelling and simulation of ITP, dITP, XTP and dXTP metabolism was performed. (d)ITP/(d)XTPase is a new example of enzyme with multiple substrate-specificity demonstrating that multispecificity is not a rare phenomenon