• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.1137-1140
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• 2008

M1 RNA, the catalytic subunit of Escherichia coli RNase P, is an essential ribozyme that processes the 5' leader sequence of tRNA precursors (ptRNAs). Using KS2003, an E. coli strain generating only low levels of M1 RNA, which showed growth defects, we examined whether M1 RNA is involved in polycistronic mRNA processing or degradation. Microarray analysis of total RNA from KS2003 revealed six polycistronic operon mRNAs (acpP-fabF, cysDNC, flgAMN, lepAB, phoPQ, and puuCBE) showing large differences in expression between the adjacent genes in the same mRNA transcript compared with the KS2001 wild type strain. Model substrates spanning an adjacent pair of genes for each polycistronic mRNA were tested for RNase P cleavage in vitro. Five model RNAs (cysNC, flgMN, lepAB, phoPQ, and puuBE) were cleaved by RNase P holoenzyme but not by M1 RNA alone. However, the cleavages occurred at non-ptRNA-like cleavage sites, with much less efficiency than the cleavage of ptRNA. Since cleavage products generated by RNase P from a polycistronic mRNA can have different in vivo stabilities, our results suggest that RNase P cleavage may lead to differential expression of each cistron.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.11
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• pp.830-842
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• 2021

When perceiving microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) or plant-derived damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), plants alter their root growth and development by displaying a reduction in the root length and the formation of root hairs and lateral roots. The exogenous application of a MAMP peptide, flg22, was shown to affect root growth by suppressing meristem activity. In addition to MAMPs, the DAMP peptide PEP1 suppresses root growth while also promoting root hair formation. However, the question of whether and how these elicitor peptides affect the development of the vascular system in the root has not been explored. The cellular receptors of PEP1, PEPR1 and PEPR2 are highly expressed in the root vascular system, while the receptors of flg22 (FLS2) and elf18 (EFR) are not. Consistent with the expression patterns of PEP1 receptors, we found that exogenously applied PEP1 has a strong impact on the division of stele cells, leading to a reduction of these cells. We also observed the alteration in the number and organization of cells that differentiate into xylem vessels. These PEP1-mediated developmental changes appear to be linked to the blockage of symplastic connections triggered by PEP1. PEP1 dramatically disrupts the symplastic movement of free green fluorescence protein (GFP) from phloem sieve elements to neighboring cells in the root meristem, leading to the deposition of a high level of callose between cells. Taken together, our first survey of PEP1-mediated vascular tissue development provides new insights into the PEP1 function as a regulator of cellular reprogramming in the Arabidopsis root vascular system.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.354-360
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• 2021

Background: Protopanaxatriol (PPT) is a secondary intestinal metabolite of ginsenoside in ginseng. Although the effects of PPT have been reported in various diseases including cancer, diabetes and inflammatory diseases, the skin protective effects of PPT are poorly understood. Methods: HaCaT cells were treated with PPT in a dose-dependent manner. mRNA and protein levels which related to skin barrier and hydration were detected compared with retinol. Luciferase assay was performed to explore the relative signaling pathway. Western blot was conducted to confirm these pathways and excavated further signals. Results: PPT enhanced the expression of filaggrin (FLG), transglutaminase (TGM)-1, claudin, occludin and hyaluronic acid synthase (HAS) -1, -2 and -3. The mRNA expression levels of FLG, TGM-1, HAS-1 and HAS-2 were suppressed under NF-κB inhibition. PPT significantly augmented NF-κB-luc activity and upregulated Src/AKT/NF-κB signaling. In addition, PPT also increased phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) ERK, JNK and p38 and upstream MAPK activators (MEK and MKK). Furthermore, transcriptional activity of AP-1 and CREB, which are downstream signaling targets of MAPK, was enhanced by PPT. Conclusion: PPT improves skin barrier function and hydration through Src/AKT/NF-κB and MAPK signaling. Therefore, PPT may be a valuable component for cosmetics or treating skin disorders.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.115-125
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• 2022

Background: Ginsenosides (GS) have potential value as cosmetic additives for prevention of skin photoaging. However, their protective mechanisms against skin barrier damage and their active monomeric constituents are unknown. Methods: GS monomer types and their relative proportions were identified. A UVB-irradiated BALB/c hairless mouse model was used to assess protective effects of GS components on skin epidermal thickness and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Skin barrier function, reflected by filaggrin (FLG), involucrin (IVL), claudin-1 (Cldn-1), and aquaporin 3 (AQP3) levels and MAPK phosphorylation patterns, were analyzed in UVB-irradiated hairless mice or HaCaT cells. Results: Total GS monomeric content detected by UPLC was 85.45% and was largely attributed to 17 main monomers that included Re (16.73%), Rd (13.36%), and Rg1 (13.38%). In hairless mice, GS ameliorated UVB-induced epidermal barrier dysfunction manifesting as increased epidermal thickness, increased TEWL, and decreased stratum corneum water content without weight change. Furthermore, GS treatment of UVB-irradiated mice restored protein expression levels and epidermal tissue distributions of FLG, IVL, Cldn-1, and AQP3, with consistent mRNA and protein expression results obtained in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells (except for unchanging Cldn-1 expression). Mechanistically, GS inhibited JNK, p38, and ERK phosphorylation in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells, with a mixture of Rg2, Rg3, Rk3, F2, Rd, and Rb3 providing the same protective MAPK pathway inhibition-associated upregulation of IVL and AQP3 expression as provided by intact GS treatment. Conclusion: GS protection against UVB-irradiated skin barrier damage depends on activities of six ginsenoside monomeric constituents that inhibit the MAPK signaling pathway.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.08a
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• pp.113-113
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• 2011

Impressive optical properties of graphene have been attracting the interest of researchers, and, recently, the photovoltaic effects of a heterojunction structure embedded with few layer graphene (FLG) have been demonstrated. Here, we show the direct dependence of open-circuit voltage (Voc) on numbers of graphene layers. After unavoidably adsorbed contaminants were removed from the FLGs, by means of in situ annealing, prepared by layer-by-layer transfer of the chemically grown graphene layer, the work functions of FLGs showed a sequential increase as the graphene layers increase, despite of random interlayer-stacking, resulting in the modulation of photovoltaic behaviors of FLGs/Si interfaces.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.301-309
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• 2022

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) establishes infection in the human gastric mucosa for a long time and causes severe gastric diseases such as peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. When H. pylori is exposed to the antibacterial agents or inhibitors, the expression of pathogenic associated genes could be altered. In this study, we analyzed the transcriptional changes of H. pylori genes induced by zerumbone treatment. RNA expression changes were analyzed using next-generation sequencing (NGS), and then reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to verify the results. As a result of NGS analysis, a total of 23 out of 1,632 genes were differentially expressed by zerumbone treatment. RT-PCR confirmed that zerumbone treatment regulated the expression level of 14 genes. Among the genes associated with DNA replication, transcription, virulence factors and T4SS components, 10 genes (dnaE, dnaQ, rpoA, rpoD, secA, flgE, flhA, virB5, virB8 and virB9) were significantly down-regulated and 4 genes (flaA, flaB, virB4 and virD4) were up-regulated. The results of our current study imply that zerumbone might be a potential therapeutic agent for H. pylori infection by regulating factors related to various H. pylori pathogenicity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.482-499
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• 2017

Allergic diseases have increased over the past several decade worldwide including developing countries. Allergic inflammatory responses are caused by Th (T helper)2 immune responses, triggered by allergen ingestion by antigen presenting cells such as dendritic cells (DCs). Intestinal microorganisms control the metabolism and physiological functions of the host, contribute to early immune system maturation during the early life, and homeostasis and epithelial integrity during life. Bifidobacteria have strain-specific immunostimulatory properties in the Th1/Th2 balance, inhibit TSLP (thymic stromal lymphopoietin) and IgE expression, and promote Flg (Filaggrin) and FoxP3 (Treg) expression to alleviate allergies. In addition, unmethylated CpG motif ODN (oligodeoxynucleotides) is recognized by TLR (toll-like receptors)9 of B cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) to induce innate and adaptive immune responses, while the butyrate produced by Clostridium butyricum activates the GPR (G-protein coupled receptors)109a signaling pathway to induce the expression of anti-inflammatory gene of pDCs, and directly stimulates the proliferation of thymically derived regulatory T (tTreg) cells through the activation of GPR43 or inhibits the activity of HADC (histone deacetylase) to differentiate naive $CD4^+$ T cells into pTreg cells through the histone H3 acetylation of Foxp3 gene intronic enhancer.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.745-754
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and verify the effectiveness of sustainable cosmetic raw materials developed from Gynostemma pentaphyllum, a plant native to Ulleungdo, in improving the skin barrier function and treating atopic dermatitis. Cells were derived from adult Gynostemma pentaphyllum plants, and suitable conditions for mass culture of the cells were established in a bioreactor. DNA components and amino acids extracted from this mass culture were identified from the HPLC fraction. In the in vitro efficacy evaluation results, changes in the expression levels of skin barrier-related proteins such as filaggrin (FLG) and Zonula occludens-1 (Zo-1) were insignificant. It was confirmed that the expression levels of the proteins thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and interleukin-33 (IL-33) were significantly reduced. These results lead to the conclusion that Gynostemma pentaphyllum cell extracts have significant anti-inflammatory effects and that these extracts can be widely used as sustainable, nature-friendly active material in cosmetics with anti-inflammatory effects and targeted at improving atopic dermatitis.They may find use in anti-aging cosmetic products as well.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.226-231
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• 2018

Chijabaegpi-tang (CHG) is an oriental herbal medicine that has been used for its various pharmacological effects, which include anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and immunoregulation activities. In the present study, we investigated which skin inflammations are involved in the $TNF-{\alpha}/IFN{\gamma}$-induced HaCaT cells. We investigated the suppressive effect of CHG on $TNF-{\alpha}/IFN{\gamma}$-induced HaCaT cell production of the following chemokines: macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC)/CCL22; regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES)/CCL5; and interleukin-8 (IL-8); thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC)/CCL17. The pre-treatment of HaCaT cells with CHG suppressed $TNF-{\alpha}/IFN{\gamma}$-induced nuclear transcription factor kappa-B ($NF-{\kappa}B$). In addition, CHG inhibited $TNF-{\alpha}/IFN{\gamma}$-induced phosphorylation of ERK and p38. $TNF-{\alpha}/IFN{\gamma}$ suppressed the expression of skin barrier proteins, including filaggrin (FLG), Involucrin (IVL) and loricrin (LOR). By contrast, CHG restored the expression of FLG, IVL and LOR. Taken together, our findings suggest that CHG could be a therapeutic agent for prevention of skin disease, including atopic dermatitis.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.440-448
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• 2021

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) establishes long-term infections associated with severe gastric diseases such as peptic ulceration and gastric cancer. Exposure to an antibacterial agent can help regulate the expression levels of its pathogenic genes. In this study, we analyzed the transcriptional changes in H. pylori genes induced by β-caryophyllene. We used next-generation sequencing (NGS) to analyze RNA expression changes, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed as required to verify the results. The NGS results showed that 30 out of 1,632 genes were expressed differentially by β-caryophyllene treatment. Eleven genes associated with DNA replication, virulence factors, and T4SS components were significantly downregulated. RT-PCR confirmed that treatment reduced the expression levels of 11 genes. RT-PCR showed the reduced expression of 11 genes (dnaE, dnaN, holB, gyrA, cagA, vacA, secA, flgE, virB2, virB4, and virB8) following β-caryophyllene treatment. These results suggest that β-caryophyllene can modulate various H. pylori pathogenic determinants and be a potential therapeutic agent for H. pylori infection.