• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.1659-1664
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• 2001

Several studies have been done regarding carcass traits and growth in pigs. Recently, these have progressed to examine increases in economic traits, including meat quality and meat quantity, by using candidate genes. One of them is the pituitary-specific protein PIT-1, a member of the POU (Pit-Oct-Unc) family of transcription factors playing an important regulatory role in developmental processes. In addition, muscle development is known to be regulated in part by growth factors and cytokines locally produced. Therefore, studies were performed to analyze PIT-1 genotypes and serum cytokines (IGF-I, IGF-II, TGF-${\beta}1$, EGF, cortisol, DHEA-S, IL-2, and IL-6) in castrated male pigs for their possible involvement in the development of carcass traits. The genotypes of PIT-1 gene were analyzed by PCR-RFLP with MspI restriction enzyme. But, only CD and DD genotypes, not CC genotype, have been detected. Based on PIT-1 genotyping, a significant difference in EGF expression beween CD type (78.8 ng/ml) and DD type (46.0 ng/ml) was detected (p<0.05), whereas other cytokines did not show any statistical significance depending on PIT-1 genotypes. Collectively, these results suggest the possibility that EGF could affect the formation of carcass traits.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5269-5273
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• 2013

Aim: We conducted a case-control matched study to investigate the role of IL-16 gene polymorphisms, rs4072111, rs1131445, rs4778889 and rs11556218, in the risk of gastric cancer in a Chinese population, also performing subgroup analysis by subsites. Methods: To test the hypothesis of involvement, we analyzed the four SNPs of IL16 in 347 cancer patients and 368 controls. Demographic data and other information were collected using a newly designed questionnaire. Genotyping of IL16 (rs4072111, rs1131445, rs4778889 and rs11556218) was performed in a 384-well plate format on the MassARRAY(R) platform. Results: In our study, we found the gastric cancer patients were more likely to be male and have a family history of cancer (P<0.05). We found the rs4778889 CC and rs11556218 GG genotype was significantly associated with 1.97 and 1.84-fold increased risk of non-cardia gastric cancer, while we did not find significant association between the four IL-16 SNPs and cardia gastric cancer. Conclusions: In conclusion, our study indicated that IL-16 rs4778889 CC and rs11556218 GG genotypes are associated with an increased risk of non-cardia gastric cancer in a Chinese population. Our results offer insights into the influence of IL-16 on development of gastric cancer.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1884-1889
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• 2008

The ${\beta}$-lactamase inhibitory protein, BLIP-II, found in the culture supernatant of Streptomyces exfoliatus SMF19, shows no discernible sequence identity with other ${\beta}$-lactamase inhibitory proteins identified in Streptomyces spp. A null mutant of the gene encoding BLIP-II (bliB::$hyg^r$) showed a bald appearance on solid media. Although BLIP-II was initially isolated from the supernatant of submerged cultures, sites of BLIP-II accumulation were seen in the cell envelope. Mutation of bliB was also associated with changes in the formation of septa and condensation of the chromosomal DNA associated with sporulation. The bliB mutant exhibited infrequent septa, showing dispersed chromosomal DNA throughout the mycelium, whereas the condensed chromosomes of the wild-type were separated by regularly spaced septa giving the appearance of a string of beads. Therefore, on the basis of these results, it is suggested that BLIP-II is a regulator of morphological differentiation in S. exfoliatus SMF19.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.33 no.1 s.128
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• pp.29-34
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• 2002

Albizzia julibrissin belonging to the family Leguminosae has been used for the treatment of contusion, sore throat, amnesia, and insomnia in Oriental traditional medicine. The water extract of A. julibrissin induced apoptosis in Jurkat T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells as measured by cell morphology. The capability of this herb medicine to induce apoptosis was associated with proteolytic cleavage of specific target protein such as beta-catenin protein suggesting the possible involvement of caspases. The purpose of the present study is also to investigate the effect of A. julibrissin on cell cycle progression. Our results showed that GI checkpoint related gene products (cyclin D1, cyclin dependent kinase 4, retinoblastoma, E2F1) were decreased in their protein levels in a dose-dependent manners after treatment of the extract. These results indicate that the increase of apoptotic cell death by A. julibrissin may be due to the inhibition of cell cycle progression in wild type p53-lacking Jurkat cells.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.64-72
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• 1989

Near full length cDNA clones encoding the rice seed storage protein, prolamine, were isolated and divided into two homology classes based on cross-hybridization and DNA sequencing analysis. These cDNA clones contain a single open reading frame encoding a putative rice prolamine precursor(M.W.=17,200) possessing atypical 14 amino acid signal peptide. Clones of these two homology classes diverge mainly by insertions/deletions of short nucleotide stretches and point mutations. The deduced primary structures of both types of prolamine polypeptides are devoid of any major tandem repetitive sequences, a feature prevalent in other cereal prolamines. No significant homology teas detected between the rice prolamine and other cereal prolamines, indicating that the rice gene evolved from a different ancestor that gave rise to other cereal prolamine genes. Developing wheat and rice endosperms were examined using ultrathin sections prepared from tissues harvested at various days after flowering. By immunocytochemical localization techniques, wheat prolamines are localized within vesicles from Golgi apparatus and in homogeneous regions of protein bodies. The involvement of the goli apparatus in the packaging of wheat prolamines into protein bodies indicates a pathway which differs from the mode of other cereal prolamines and resembles the mechanism employed for the storage of rice glutelin and legume globulins.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2016

Oxidative stress activates several intracellular signaling cascades that may have deleterious effects on neuronal cell survival. Thus, controlling oxidative stress has been suggested as an important strategy for prevention and/or treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we found that ginsenoside Rh1 inhibited hydrogen peroxide-induced reactive oxygen species generation and subsequent cell death in rat primary astrocytes. Rh1 increased the expression of phase II antioxidant enzymes, such as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1, superoxide dismutase-2, and catalase, that are under the control of Nrf2/ARE signaling pathways. Further mechanistic studies showed that Rh1 increased the nuclear translocation and DNA binding of Nrf2 and c-Jun to the antioxidant response element (ARE), and increased the ARE-mediated transcription activities in rat primary astrocytes. Analysis of signaling pathways revealed that MAP kinases are important in HO-1 expression, and act by modulating ARE-mediated transcriptional activity. Therefore, the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes by Rh1 may provide preventive therapeutic potential for various neurodegenerative diseases that are associated with oxidative stress.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.97-106
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• 2009

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a well-known antioxidant molecule, has been reported to cause hepatotoxicity when used in excess. However, the mechanism underlying EGCG-induced hepatotoxicity is still unclear. To better understand the mode of action of EGCG-induced hepatotoxicity, we examined the effect of EGCG on human hepatic gene expression in HepG2 cells using microarrays. Analyses of microarray data revealed more than 1300 differentially expressed genes with a variety of biological processes. Upregulated genes showed a primary involvement with protein-related biological processes, such as protein synthesis, protein modification, and protein trafficking, while downregulated genes demonstrated a strong association with lipid transport. Genes involved in cellular stress responses were highly upregulated by EGCG treatment, in particular genes involved in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, such as GADD153, GADD34, and ATF3. In addition, changes in genes responsible for cholesterol synthesis and lipid transport were also observed, which explains the high accumulation of EGCG-induced lipids. We also identified other regulatory genes that might aid in clarifying the molecular mechanism underlying EGCG-induced hepatotoxicity.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.237-241
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• 2009

Pathogens Burkholderia pseudomallei (Bp) and Burkholderia mallei (Bm) contain a large number (> 12,000) of Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs). To study the extent to which these features have contributed to the diversification of genes, we have conducted comparative studies with nineteen genomes of these bacteria. We found 210 genes with characteristic types of SSR variations. SSRs with nonamer repeat units were the most abundant, followed by hexamers and trimers. Amino acids with smaller and nonpolar R-groups are preferred to be encoded by the variant SSRs, perhaps due to their minimal impacts to protein functionality. A majority of these genes appears to code for surface or secreted proteins that may directly interact with the host factors during pathogenesis or other environmental factors. There also are others that encode diverse functions in the cytoplasm, and this protein variability may reflect an extensive involvement of phase variation in survival and adaptation of these pathogens.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.465-471
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• 2010

We assessed whether the cow1 mutant defects are associated with growth of Tos17 and T-DNA insertional rice in blue light (BL). Growth of oscow1 mutants which encoded a member of the YUCCA protein family was retarded in BL. Root to shoot ratios of the mutants were reduced about 2 times lower in the absence of NAA and about 2.5 times lower in the presence of NAA; the shoot growth was not significantly changed by NAA addition. Photosynthetic activity of the mutants was however inhibited in high light. Pigment analysis showed significant difference between wild-type (Chl a:b = 3.02) and mutants (3.84). Carotenoid contents of the mutants were also decreased considerably, implying the involvement of cow1 in pigment formation. These findings lead us to suggest that the growth retardation of oscow1 mutant plants by BL results from the difference of photosynthetic activity in part.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.157-169
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• 2023

Effects of culture supernatants of Lactobacillus reuteri MG5346 (CS-MG5346) on receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis were examined. CS-MG5346 treatment up to 400 ㎍/mL significantly reduced tartrate-resistant acid-phosphatase (TRAP) activity, the phenotype biomarker of osteoclast, without affecting cell viability. CS-MG5346 inhibited the expression of osteoclast specific transcriptional factors (c-fos and nuclear factor-activated T cells c1) and their target genes (TRAP, cathepsin, and matrix metallo-proteinase-9) in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05). The administration of L. reuteri MG5346 (2×10⁸ CFU/day) for 8 wks significantly improved furcation involvement, but no difference was observed in alveolar bone loss in ligature-induced experimental periodontitis rats. The elevated RANKL/osteoprotegerin ratio, the biomarker of periodontitis, was significantly lowered in the gingival tissue by administration of L. reuteri MG5346 (p<0.05). L. reuteri MG5346 showed excellent stability in simulated stomach and intestinal fluids and did not have antibiotic resistance. Based on the results, L. reuteri MG5346 has the potential to be a promising probiotic strain for oral health.