• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.759-769
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• 2004

Periodontal therapy has dealt primarily with attempts at arresting progression of disease, however, more recent techniques have focused on regenerating the periodontal ligament having the capacity to regenerate the periodontium. The effect of chitosan, a carbohydrate biopolymer extracted from chitin, on periodontal ligament regeneration is of particular interest. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of chitosan on the expression of extracellular matrix proteins in primary rat calvarial cells in Vitro. In the control group, cells was cultured with BGjb media. In the experimental groups, cells were cultured with chitosan in concentration of 0.01, 0.1, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/ml. Then each group was characterized by examining alkaline phosphatase activity at 3 and 7 days, and the ability to produce mineralized nodules of rat calvarial cells at 14 and 21 days. Synthesis of type I collagen (COL-I), osteocalcin (OCN), bone sialoprotein (BSP) was evaluated by RT-PCR at 14 days. The results were as follows: 1. Alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly higher in the concentration of chitosan 0.01mg/ml, 0.1mg/ml and 1.0mg/ml compared to control (p<0.05). 2. The percentage of mineralized bone nodule was more in the concentration of chitosan 0.1mg/ml and 1.0mg/ml than the control. 3. At 14 day culture, the expression of OCN was increased by chitosan in concentration of 1.0 mg/ml and 2.0 mg/ml. These results suggested that chitosan in concentration of 0.1 and 1,0 mg/ml stimulate the extracellular matrix of primary rat calvarial cells and may facilitate the formation of bone.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1938-1944
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• 2008

The procpb gene encoding human procarboxypeptidase B (proCPB, GeneBank access code AJ224866) was cloned and its Pichia expression plasmid, $pPIC9{\alpha}$/hproCPB (9.2 kb), was constructed, in which procpb was under the control of the AOXl promoter and connected to the downstream of the mating factor ${\alpha}$-1 ($MF{\alpha}1$) signal sequence. The plasmid was linearized by digestion with Sacl, and integrated into the genome of P. pastoris strain GS115. By culturing of Pichia transformant on methanol medium, the human proCPB was successfully expressed and secreted into the culture supernatant. Moreover, Western blot analysis of the extracellular proteins showed proCPB bands clearly at a molecular mass of 45 kDa, confirming the expression of proCPB with its right size. The CPB activity reached about 3.5 U/ml and 12.7 U/ml in the flask and fermentor batch cultures of Pichia transformant, respectively. No CPB enzyme activity was found in the intracellular fraction. When the fed-batch cultivation was performed with methanol and glycerol mixture as a feeding medium, the extracellular CPB activity was increased to 42.0 U/ml, which corresponds to a 3.3-fold higher level of CPB activity than that of batch culture. The $K_m$ and $k_{cat}$ values of recombinant human CPB enzyme for hippuryl-$_L$-Arg as a substrate were estimated to be 0.16 mM and $11.93\;sec^{-1}$, respectively.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.137-147
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• 2004

In order to evaluate the antitumor activity and immunomodulatory effects of Seoleosojong-tang(SST), studies were done. We measured the cytotoxic activity for various kinds of cancer cells, inhibitory effect on activity of DNA topoisomerase I, cell adhesion to complex extracellular matrix, survival time in ICR bearing S-180, pulmonary colonization and histological changes of lung in C57BL/6 injected i.v. with B16-F10, CAM assay, expression of CD4/sup +/, CD8/sup +/, B220/sup +/, cytokine gene in spleen cell. The results were obtained as follows: 1. In cytotoxicity against A549, HT1080, 816-F10, NCL-H661 was showed cytotoxicity as compared with control. 2. The inhibitory effect on adhesion of A549, 816-F10 to complex extracellular matrix was over 40% at 100 ㎍/㎖ of SST. 3. In DNA topoisomerase I assay, SST has inhibitory effect. 4. The T/C% was 120.8 in SST treated group in S-180 bearing ICR mice. 5. In pulmonary colonization assay, a number of colonies were decreased significantly and histological changes were showed that infiltration area of cancer cells were inhibited effectively in SST treated group. 6. In CAM Assay, SST has antiangiogenic effect. 7. On the expression of positive cell to CD4/sup +/, CD8/sup +/ and 8220/sup +/ in spleen cells, CD4/sup +/ cells were increased significantly in SST treated group. 8. Effect of SST on IL-1β gene expression in splenic cell was significantly increased as function of whole concentration. 9. The gene expression of IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-γ, TNF-α were increased in SST treated group. From above results SST could be usefully applied for antitumor activity and immunomodulatory effects, but further research of SST should be required.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.57-61
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• 2012

The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family is involved in the breakdown of the extracellular matrix during normal physiological processes such as embryonic development, reproduction, and tissue remodeling, as well as in disease processes such as pathological aging, arthritis, and metastasis. Oxidative conditions generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) (e.g., hydrogen peroxide [$H_2O_2$]) in cells, which subsequently induce the synthesis of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1). MMP-1, an interstitial collagenase, in turn stimulates an aging phenomenon. In this study, baicalein (5,6,7-trihydroxyfl avone) was investigated for its in vitro activity against $H_2O_2$-induced damage using a human skin keratinocyte model. Baicalein pretreatment signifi cantly inhibited $H_2O_2$-induced up-regulation of MMP-1 mRNA, MMP-1 protein expression and MMP-1 activity in cultured HaCaT keratinocytes. In addition, baicalein decreased the transcriptional activity of activator protein-1 (AP-1) and the expression of c-Fos and c-Jun, both components of the heterodimeric AP-1 transcription factor. Furthermore, baicalein reduced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), which are upstream of the AP-1 transcription factor. The results of this study suggest that baicalein is involved in the inhibition of oxidative stress-induced expression of MMP-1 via inactivation of the ERK/JNK/AP-1 signaling pathway.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.64-75
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• 2018

CCN3 (also known as NOV, Nephroblastoma overexpressed) proteins are involved in various pathologies during different developmental stages. We have previously shown that intracellular levels and normal extracellular secretion of CCN3 are important for neuronal differentiation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that a single amino acid in the CCN3 TSP-1 domain is important for extracellular secretion and that palmitoylation of CCN3 is required in this process. However, the effect of abnormal CCN3 accumulation on cells remains to be studied. Here, we found mutations in the TSP-1 domain of CCN3 that led to intracellular accumulation and abnormal aggregation of CCN3. It was observed that this mutation resulted in a phenomenon similar to neurodegeneration when overexpressed in the developing mouse cortex. This mutation also confirmed the activation of apoptotic gene expression in Neuro2a cells. In addition, we confirmed the in vivo transcriptional changes induced by this mutation using microarray analysis. We observed a significant increase in the expression of Anp32a, an apoptosis-related gene. Collectively, these results indicate that a single mutation in CCN3 can lead to abnormal cell death if it shows intracellular accumulation and abnormal aggregation.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2017

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) play important roles in various cellular functions including proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. We showed that MAPKs are developmentally regulated in the rat kidney. p38 MAPK (p38) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) were strongly expressed in the fetal kidney, whereas c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was detected predominantly in the adult kidney. The inhibition of p38 or ERK in organ culture resulted in reduced nephron formation with or without reduced kidney size. On the other hand, persistent fetal expression pattern of MAPKs, i.e., upregulation of p38 and ERK and downregulation of JNK, was observed in the cyst epithelium of human renal dysplasia, ovine fetal obstructive uropathy, and pcy mice, a model of polycystic kidney disease. Furthermore, activated p38 and ERK induced by cyclic stretch mediated proliferation and $TGF-{\beta}1$ expression in ureteric bud cells, probably leading to cyst formation and dysplastic changes. Inhibition of ERK slowed the disease progression in pcy mice. Finally, ERK and p38 were inactivated in the early embryonic kidney subjected to maternal nutrient restriction, characterized by reduced ureteric branching and nephron number. Thus, MAPKs mediate the development of normal and diseased kidney. Their modulation may result in novel therapeutic strategies against developmental abnormalities of the kidney.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.590-600
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• 2003

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of enzymes responsible for degrading connective tissue. MMPs catalyze the breakdown of collagen from the extracellular matrix, leading to wrinkle formation and accelerated skin aging. Furthermore, ultraviolet irradiation causes increased expression of certain MMPs. In the extracellular matrix turnover, MMPs are interacting with endogenous regulators named tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Using peptide substrate assays, it has been demonstrated that TIMP-MMP complexes interact highly specifically with $K_{i}$ values of 10$^{-9}$ -10$^{-16}$ M. Therefore applications for TIMP as inhibitor of collagen degradation are suggested for cosmetic anti-aging products to prevent wrinkle formation and loss of elasticity. To date four TIMP proteins (TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TIMP-3 and TIMP-4) have been identified which show a high degree in sequence similarity. The production of human TIMP-2, a 194-residue nonglycosylated protein, was performed by fed-batch culture of Escherichia coli. TIMP-2 accumulated in the bacterial cells in an insoluble form as inclusion bodies. The inclusion bodies were solubilized and the protein refolded to yield the native TIMP-2 in the active form. The integrity of the protein was confirmed by mass analysis, Edman sequencing and gel shift experiments with authentic samples. The inhibitory activity of the refolded and purified TIMP-2 was demonstrated with MMP-1 and MMP-2 assays using synthetic fluorogenic peptide substrates.s.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.104-117
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• 2009

Objective : Melanin is one of the most important facor in skin color. Melanin protects human skin from ultraviolet radiation otherwise it causes melanin pigmentation. So this experiment is carried out for test whether Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi(SBG) inhibits melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity in mouse B16 melanoma cells. Method : The melanin synthesis inhibition effects of SBG were examined by in vitro melanin production assay. We assessed inhibitory effects of SBG on melanin contents from B16F1 melanoma cell, on tyrosinase activity(cell and cell free system), effect of SBG on the expression tyrosinase, Microphthalmia-associated Transcription Factor(MITF), Extracellular signal-regulated Kinase(ERK). Result : SBG inhibited melanin synthesis induced $\alpha$-MSH($\alpha$-Melanin Stimulating Hormone) in B16F1. SBG inhibited tyrosinase activity and expression. And SBG down-regulates MITF and stimulated ERK activation in B16F1. Conclusion : According to above results, SBG was improved its suppression effect to the inhibition of melanin synthesis, tyrosinase activation, and tyrosinase promotor activation. So SBG is considered to be used for an strong source of skin whitening effect.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.753-759
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• 2002

$\beta$-Cyclodextrin glucanotransferase ($\beta$-CGTase) was overproduced extracellularly using recombinant E. coli by transforming the plasmid pECGT harboring a secretive signal peptide. The $\beta$-CGTase gene of alkalophilic Bacillus firmus var alkalophilus was inserted into the high expression vector pET20b(+) containing a secretive pelB signal peptide, and then transformed into E. coli BL2l(DE3)pLysS. The optimum culture conditions fer the overproduction of $\beta$-CGTase were determined to be TB medium containing 0.5% (w/v) soluble starch at post-induction temperature of $25^{\circ}C$. A significant amount of $\beta$-CGTase, up to 5.83 U/ml, which was nine times higher than that in the parent strain B. firmus var. alkalophilus, was overproduced in the extracellular compartment. A pH-stat fed-batch cultivation of the recombinant E. coli was also performed to achieve the secretive overproduction of $\beta$-CGTase at a high cell density, resulting in production of up to 21.6 U/ml of $\beta$-CGTase.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.313-318
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• 2006

A thermophilic bacterium producing the extracellular cellulase was isolated from soybean paste, and the isolate WL-12 has been identified as Bacillus licheniformis on the basis on its 16S rRNA sequence, morphology and biochemical properties. A gene encoding the cellulase of B. licheniformis WL-12 was cloned and its nucleotide sequence was determined. This cellulase gene, designated celA, consisted of 1,551 nucleotides, encoding a polypeptide of 517 amino acid residues. The gene product contained catalytic domain and cellulose binding domain. The deduced amino acid sequence was highly homologous to those of cellulases of B. licheniformis, B. subtilis and B. amytoliquefaciens belonging to the glycosyl hydrolase family 5. When the celA gene was highly expressed using a strong B. subtilis promoter, the extracellular cellulase was produced up to 7.0 units/ml in B. subtilis WB700.