• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.779-784
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• 2013

Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis of global concern caused by Leptospira interrogans. The availability of ligand libraries has facilitated the search for novel drug targets using chemogenomics approaches, compared with the traditional method of drug discovery, which is time consuming and yields few leads with little intracellular information for guiding target selection. Recent subtractive genomics studies have revealed the putative drug targets in peptidoglycan biosynthesis pathways in Leptospira interrogans. Aligand library for the murD ligase enzyme in the peptidoglycan pathway has also been identified. Our approach in this research involves screening of the pre-existing ligand library of murD with related protein family members in the putative drug target assembly in the peptidoglycan biosynthesis pathway. A chemogenomics approach has been implemented here, which involves screening of known ligands of a protein family having analogous domain architecture for identification of leads for existing druggable protein family members. By means of this approach, one murC and one murF inhibitor were identified, providing a platform for developing an anti-leptospirosis drug targeting the peptidoglycan biosynthesis pathway. Given that the peptidoglycan biosynthesis pathway is exclusive to bacteria, the in silico identified mur ligase inhibitors are expected to be broad-spectrum Gram-negative inhibitors if synthesized and tested in in vitro and in vivo assays.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.483-489
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• 2008

Nine newly isolated mushroom strains were tested to assess both their zinc tolerance and potential for zinc removal from an aqueous solution. Four strains of ectomycorrhizal fungi, namely Clavariadelphus truncatus (T 192), Rhizopogon roseolus (T 21), Lepista nuda (T 373), and Tricholoma equestre (T 174), along with five strains of white rot fungi, Lenzites betulina (S 2), Trametes hirsuta (T 587), Ganoderma spp. (T 99), Polyporus arcularius (T 438), and Ganoderma carnosum (M 88), were investigated using zinc-amended solid and liquid media. Their biosorption properties were also determined. The colony diameter and dry weight were used as tolerance indices for fungal growth. C. truncatus and T. equestre were not strongly inhibited at the highest concentrations of (225 mg/l) zinc in solid media. The most tolerant four strains with solid media, C. truncatus, G carnosum, T. hirsuta, and T. equestre, were then chosen for tolerance tests in liquid media. An ectomycorrhizal strain, C. truncatus, was also detected as the most tolerant strain in liquid media. However, the metal-tolerant strains demonstrated weak activity in the biosorption studies. In contrast, the highest biosorption activity was presented by a more sensitive strain, G. carnosum. In addition, seven different biosorbent types from G. carnosum (M 88) were compared for their Zn (II) biosorption in batch experiments.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.163-176
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• 1999

The nuclear transplantation technique is known as the most potential and efficient method for producing large numbers of genetically identical animals from a single embryo and somatic cells. After Dolly was introduced in 1997, many scientists were amazed. A possibility came to a reality that live offspring could be produced with differentiated somatic cells from an adult animal. On the other side, many in the press and the sensationalists focused on the socially, ethically and scientifically unacceptable sides of the technology. In this article, the history, current status and prospects of the technological development of nuclear transplantation in mammals and its application to the production of cloned animals are described. For the efficient and successful production of cloned embryos by nuclear transplantation, the right selection, preactivation and micromanipulation of oocytes as capacious recipient cytoplasm, the adequate and benefitial preparation of multiple totipotent embryonic and somatic cells as donor nuclei, fusion of them and in vitro production of cloned embryos are very critical. Recently the overall efficiency of production of cloned embryos and offspring in livestock has been much improved. Cloning will also be a more efficient, faster and useful way of creating transgenic fetuses for gene therapies, gene pharming, organs for xenotransplantation by preselection and mass production of transgenic embryos and consequently improving the production efficiency in transgenic animals. Further technical development of nuclear transplantation will enable large-scale production of cloned livestock and in near future the commercial cloning of animals will become a reality.

• 한국가축번식학회지
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.211-217
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• 1997

This experiment was carried out to determine the possibility of using FDA on the selection of viable bovine immature oocytes. The results obtained in these experiments were summarized as follows; 1. The rates of nuclear maturation (metaphase II) of bovine oocytes according to FDA concentration were 92.5% (37/40) in the control and those rates in the dilution on FDA to 1:400,000, 1:800,000 and 1:1,600,000 were 74.4% (67/90), 80.3% (38/46) and 71.1% (32/45), respectively. 2. The fertilization rate ( 2-cell) in the control was 72.2% (39/54) and those rates in the dilution of FDA to 1:400,000, 1:800,000 and 1:1,600,000 were 28.8% (23/80), 66.7% (32/48) and 62.2% (28/45), respectively. In these results, a, pp.opriate concentration of FDA to bovine immature oocytes was 1:800,000. 3. Effect of FDA treatment to the blastocyst development of bovine oocytes was indicated that control was 22.2% (18/81) and FDA treatment groups which were classified to strong, partial and weak were 21.4% (36/168), 14.5% (9/62) and 0% (0/15), respectively. This result suggested that in vitro development to the blastocyst was severely reduced except strong group according to the FDA fluorescent level (P<0.05) and that using FDA is possible to select of bovine oocytes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제27권6호
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• pp.540-552
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• 2019

To determine the chemopreventive potential of alyssin and iberin, the in vitro anticancer activities and molecular targets of isothiocyanates (ITCs) were measured and compared to sulforaphane in hepatocellular carcinoma cell HepG2. The SR-FTIR spectra observed a similar pattern vis-a-vis the biomolecular alteration amongst the ITCs-treated cells suggesting a similar mode of action. All of the ITCs in this study cause cancer cell death through both apoptosis and necrosis in concentration dependent manner ($20-80{\mu}M$). We found no interactions of any of the ITCs studied with DNA. Notwithstanding, all of the ITCs studied increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and suppressed tubulin polymerization, which led to cell-cycle arrest in the S and $G_2/M$ phase. Alyssin possessed the most potent anticancer ability; possibly due to its ability to increase intracellular ROS rather than tubulin depolymerization. Nevertheless, the structural influence of alkyl chain length on anticancer capabilities of ITCs remains inconclusive. The results of this study indicate an optional, potent ITC (viz., alyssin) because of its underlying mechanisms against hepatic cancer. As a consequence, further selection and development of effective chemotherapeutic ITCs is recommended.

• 대한화장품학회지
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.108-114
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• 1997

The skin permeation study has two meanings in cosmetics. One is how to promote the skin permeation of active meterials for improving their bioavailabilities and the other is how to decrease it of irritants for reducing their skin side effects. In this study, we selected methyl paraben, one of the preservatives, as a model irritant and tried to reduce the skin irritation by the decrease of skin permeation. Furthermore, the relationship between skin permeation and skin primary irritation was discussed. For in vitro skin permeation experiments, Franz type diffusion cells and the excised skin of female hairless mouse from 8 weeks old were used. The donor compartment was charged with oil only or O/W emulsion containing 0.3% MP. We selected 19 oils, including esters, triglycerides, plant oils, hydrocarbons, and alchols, which are broadly used in cosmetics. We evaluated with female guinea pig. The skin permeahility of MP from the oils showed following order: ester oils > triglycerides > plant oils > hydrocarbons > alcohols. We considered that this result was based on the different effect of each oil on the barrier function of stratum corneum. In O/W emulsion containing each oil, the skin permeability of MP decreased as the oil/water partition coefficient of MP increased. The skin primary irritation increased as the skin permeability of MP increased. In conclusion, we suggest that the skin irritation could be reduced by the decrease of skin permeability of MP, which may be obtained by the good selection of oils in cosmetic preparations.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.19-23
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• 2003

The Ac (activator) which is one of the well-characterized transposable elements from maize was examined for its transposition possibility to the heterologous plant (P.nigra x maximowiczii) genome via Agrobacterium tumefacience (LBA4404) mediated transformation system. A number of transgenic plants were successfully recovered after 30 weeks by amount reduction from 50 to 15 g/$m\ell$ kanamycin for in vitro selection to minimize phytotoxic effects and to increase callus growth and regeneration efficiency. Among transgenic plants, 62 out of 106 transgenic poplars (58.5%) showed abnormal phenotypes such as severe serrated leaves and light leaf coloration. Indigo staining with X-gluc proved indirectly the restoration of Gus enzyme function and the presence of Ac in poplar genome by PCR. Southern analysis indicated the transposition and existence of Ac element in poplar genomes. In this research, an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system in poplar species was developed and identified that Ac derived from maize can be excised and trans posed into other poplar genomes.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제19권5호
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• pp.400-405
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• 1996

In vitro studies were conducted to dertermine the frequency rate of spontaneous resistance to LB20304 and to dertermine whether cross-resistance to other antimicrobial agents develops. In eight strains of bacteria, the frequency of mutation to LB20304 at the concentrations of four and eight times the minimal inhibitory concentration(MIC) ranaged from less than 4.0 ${\times}$ $10^{-10}$ to 2.2 $\{times}$ $10^{-10}$ . These results were similar to those founf for other new fluoroquinolones. THe development of stepwise resistance was determined by repeated subculture in broth in the presence of increasing concentration of the compounds. Exposure of bacteria to increasing concentrations of LB20304 resulted in the selection of organisms with higher MICs. There were 4- to 128-fold increases in the MIC of LB20304 for bacterial strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, those strains selected after repeated exposure were well within the susceptibility range for LB20304 except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The resistant isolates selected with LB20304 showed cross-resistance when tested against ciprofloxacin and vice versa.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.331-337
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• 2009

Interleukin-13 (IL-13) has been proposed as a therapeutic target for bronchial asthma as it plays crucial roles in the pathogenesis of the disease. We developed an in vitro test system measuring transcriptional downregulatory activities on IL-13 as a primary screening method to select drug candidates from natural products. The promoter region of IL-13 (-2,048 to +1) was cloned into the upstream of a luciferase gene in the plasmid pGL4.14 containing the hygromycin resistance gene as a selection marker, generating pGL4.14-IL-13. The EL-4 thymoma and RBL-2H3 mast cells transiently expressing this plasmid highly produced the luciferase activities by responding to PI (PMA and ionomycin) stimulation up to 8-fold and 13-fold compared with the control, respectively, whereas cyclosporin A, a well-known antiasthmatic agent, significantly downregulated the activities. The BF1 clone of RBL-2H3 cells constitutively expressing pGL4.14-IL-13 was established by selecting surviving cells under a constant lethal dose of hygromycin treatment. The feasibility of this system was evaluated by measuring the downregulatory activities of 354 natural products on the IL-13 promoter using the BF1 clone. An extract from Morus bombycis (named TBRC 156) significantly inhibited PI-induced luciferase activities and IL-13 mRNA expression, but not the protein expression. Fisetin (named TBRC 353) inhibited not only PI-induced luciferase activities and mRNA expression, but also the IL-13 protein secretion, whereas myricetin (named TBRC 354) could not suppress the IL-13 expression at all. Our data indicated that this in vitro test system is able to discriminate the effects on IL-13 expression, and furthermore, that it might be suitable as a simple and time-saving primary screening system to select antiasthmatic agents by measuring transcriptional activities of the IL-13 promoter.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.19-25
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• 2004

본 연구는 돼지 체외수정란의 생산에 있어서 체외배양체계를 확립하기 위해 정액의 차이와 보관시간에 따른 체외성숙난자의 체외수정 및 체외발달율을 조사하였고, NCSU23와 G1.3/G2.3 배양액으로 체외배양 시 분할율과 체외발달율을 조사하였고, 체외배양액에 GSH를 첨가 시 배발달율을 조사하였다. 본 연구에서 얻은 결과는 다음과 같다. 1. 액상정액과 동결정액을 사용하여 정액에 따른 체외수정율은 각각 46.2 및 39.7%로써 액상정액을 이용한 것이 수정율이 높았지만 유의적(P<0.05)인 차이는 없었다. 한편 배반포로의 발달율은 액상정액이 동결정액보다 유의적으로 높았다.(P< 0.05) 2. 정소상체미부 정액을 day 1, 2, 3 보관후 체외수정을 유도하였을 때 수정율은 각각 60.5, 61.0 및 56.8%로서 2일 동안 보관후 사용하였을 때가 높았지만 유의적(P<0.05)인 차이가 없었다. 또한 상실배와 배반포기까지의 배발달율에서도 2일 동안 보관 후 사용하였을 때가 높았지만 유의적(P<0.05)인 차이는 없었다. 3. NCSU-23와 G1.3/G2.3으로 나눠 배양 시 분할율과 상실배기까지의 배발달율은 각각 52.8, 62.1%와 16.0, 28.9%로서 G1.3/G2.3에서 유의적(P<0.05)인 차이로 높았다. 그러나 배반포기로의 배발달율을 각각 11.6와 4.7%로서 NCSU-23에서 유의적으로 높았다.(P<0.05) 4. NCSU-23을 기본 배양액으로 하여 1 mM GSH가 첨가된 군의 분할율은 62.3%로서 GSH가 첨가되지 않은 군 53.5%보다 유의적(P<0.05)인 차로 높았지만, 상실배나 배반포기까지의 배발달율은 GSH가 첨가되지 않은 군보다 높았지만 유의적(P<0.05)인 차는 존재하지 않았다.ne을 처리하는 것이 수태율을 향상시키는 것으로 나타났다.25^{\circ}C$에서 발현되었고 이 중 79.1%가 3일령, 4일령과 5일령에 집중적으로 나타났다. 계분의 경우 $25^{\circ}C$ 처리구에서 35.12%(56.95mg/kg), $37^{\circ}C$에서 45.89%(74.40mg/kg)로 나타나 주로 $25^{\circ}C$ 이상에서 발현한 것으로 특징지어졌다. 우분의 경우 $10^{\circ}C$ 처리구에서 28.21%(43.86mg/kg), $25^{\circ}C$에서 49.30% (76.66mg/kg)로 나타나 주로 $25^{\circ}C$ 이하에서 발현한 것으로 나타났다. 3. 배양온도에서 검지 된 뷰틸산의 량은 6일 동안 돈분에서 1,463.87mg/kg, 계분에서 96.72mg/kg, 우분에서 129.18mg/kg이 발현되었으며 돈분의 경우 93.31%(1,365.95mg/kg)가 $25^{\circ}C$에서 발현되었고 이 중 87.92%가 3일령, 4일령과 6일령에 집중적으로 나타났다. 계분의 경우 $37^{\circ}C$ 처리구에서 76.60%(74.09 mg/kg)로 발현되었고 이 중 88%가 1일령, 2일령과 5일령에 집중적으로 나타났다. 우분의 경우 61.55%(79.51mg/kg)가 $25^{\circ}C$에서 발현되었고 이 중 89.6%가 1일령, 3일령과 4일령에 집중적으로 나타났다. 4. 배양온도에서 검지된 이소밸릭산의 량은 6일 동안 돈분에서 6,885.99mg/kg, 계분에서 307.47mg/kg,