• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.77-84
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• 2006

Since the long-term exposure of mutans streptococci to xylitol is known to select for xylitol-resistant $(X^R)$ natural mutants, the occurrence and survival of such $(X^R)$ strains were performed in batch culture methods. The aim of the study was to compare the differentiation and quantification of mRNA expression of the gtf genes of $X^R\;and\;X^S$ mutans streptococci. Using a real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, the expression of each gtf was determined. In $X^R$ strains, the relative levels of transcription of gtfB and gtfC were decreased while that of gtfD was increased, suggesting the presence of independent promoters. It also suggested that mutation related to production of glucosyltransferase occurred under the exposure of xylitol could explain the caries-preventive mechanisms of xylitol.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.579-590
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• 2001

Background : The aging process may be induced, at least in part, by reactive oxygen species(ROS). It has been thought that the lung could be a good source of ROS because it has a high oxygen tension. In the present study, we invetigated the inducibility of the first and last lines against oxidative stress, superoxide dismutases(CujZn-SOD and Mn-SOD) as a scavenger of ${O_2}^-\;{\cdot}$ and metallothionein(MT) as a scavenger of $OH{\cdot}$, respectively, in mouse lungs with age. Methods : Oxidative stress was induced by paraquat, an intracellular superoxide generator, at 1, 4, 8, and 12 months of age and then SODs and MT mRNAs were determined by RT-PCR method. Results : The steady-state level of Mn-SOD mRNA increased from 1 to 8 months but decreased thereafter. However, Mn-SOD mRNA was not induced by paraquat after 1 month. On the other hand, there was no change in the steady-state level of Cu/Zn-SOD mRNA, which decreased abruptly at 12 months of age. Additionally, Cu/Zn-SOD mRNA was not induced by paraquat at any age. There was no change in the steady-state level of MT mRNA with age whereas its inducibility by paraquat was intact at all ages. Conclusion : These results indicate that lack of induction of SODs with age may be one of the causative factors in the aging process while induction of MT may play an important role in the defense against oxidative stress. It is therefore implicated that the tissue antioxidant/prooxidant balance could be one of determinants of mean life span.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.355-360
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• 2013

Withaferin A is an active component of Withania somnifera, and has anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and immune modulatory effects. However, the effects of withaferin A on metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression and activity have not been investigated. In this study, we investigated the ability of withaferin A to inhibit MMP-9 expression and activity in PMA-treated human cervical carcinoma Caski cells. Withaferin A markedly inhibited the PMA-induced MMP-9 activity in a dose-dependent manner. Withaferin A decreased not only PMA-induced MMP-9 promoter activity but also PMA-mediated MMP-9 mRNA and protein expression in Caski cells. NF-${\kappa}B$ promoter activity, which is important in MMP-9 expression, was also decreased in combined treatment with withaferin A and PMA. Furthermore, withaferin A markedly suppressed the ability of PMA-mediated migration in Caski cells. Our findings suggest that withaferin A might inhibit PMA-induced migration through the down-regulation of MMP-9 expression and activity.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.91-98
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• 1997

The transgene, pFV4CAT, containing CAT reporter gene regulated by carp $\beta$-actin promoter, was expressed in independent transgenic mud loach germ lines, determined by reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). Expression of the transmitted transgene was found to be tissue-specific in F1 and F2 generations. Tissue specificity of the expression was dependent on each transgenic line with reproducible patterns. Liver and spleen did express the transgene more frequently than other tissues tested, and muscle and heart revealed the higher amount of CAT than other tissues, while testes showed the lowest expression level. The highest level of CAT expression in muscle from a transgenic F1 line was corresponding to 68-fold compared to the basal levels of controls.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.143-153
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• 2010

Purpose: Recently, massive proteinuria has been observed in some transplant patients after switching cyclosporine A (CsA) to sirolimus. To evaluate the pathogenesis of sirolimus-associated proteinuria, we investigated the early changes in slit diaphragm molecules by various administrative conditions of sirolimus and CsA. Methods: In vitro-Mouse podocytes were incubated with buffer (C), sirolimus ($10\;{\mu}g/mL$) after CsA ($10\;{\mu}g/mL$) (C-S), sirolimus only (S) and CsA and sirolimus simultaneously (C+S) for 12, 24, and 48 hours. In vivo- twenty four SPF female Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups buffer (C), sirolimus after 2 weeks of CsA (C-S), sirolimus only (S) and CsA and sirolimus simultaneously (C+S). All groups were treated by intraperitoneal injection every other day for 4 weeks (CsA: 25 mg/kg, sirolimus: 0.5 mg/kg). The changes in mRNA of slit diaphragm molecules were examined by RT-PCR. Results: The mRNA of nephrin was significantly decreased in group C-S and C+S in vitro. In vivo, the mRNA of nephrin in all groups using sirolimus and the mRNA of podocin in group C-S and C+S were decreased. Microscopically, group C-S and C+S showed small vacuolization and calcification in proximal tubular epithelial cells. Immunohistochemistry using nephrin and podocin antibodies did not show remarkable decrease of staining along the glomerular capillaries. Electron-microscopically, focal fusion of foot processes was seen in group C-S and C+S. Conclusion: This study suggests the decrease of slit diaphragm molecules (nephrin and podocin) in podocyte may be one of the causes of sirolimus associated proteinuria, and podocyte injury by sirolimus may need a primary hit by CsA to develop the proteinuria.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.183-187
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• 2008

This study was conducted to analyze the expression pattern of inhibitor of DNA binding proteins (Id)1 and Id2 mRNA on folliculogenesis in rat ovary. The ovaries were obtained from 27 days old Sprague-Dawley rat, fixed, dehydrated, and paraffin embedded. For in situ hybridization, anti-sense and sense Idl and Id2 cRNA probes were prepared and applied to the ovarian section. The ovarian sections were coated with NTB-2 emulsion. After that, the slides were developed and counterstained with hematoxylin and eosin staining. In oocytes, the hybridizational signals of Id1 mRNA were strong in primordial and primary follicles, however, there were no signals in that of atretic or preovulatory follicles. The Id2 mRNA signals were also strong in the oocytes of primordial, primary and secondary follicles. Interestingly, the Id2 mRNA was expressed specifically granulosa cells, but nor in oocyte or theca cells in dominant and preovulatory follicles. Based on these results, Id1 and Id2 mRNA was expressed specifically at follicle stages and follicular tissue and might be closely related with follicle development.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.37 no.1 s.106
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• pp.122-129
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• 2004

In an effort to develop the biomarker for monitoring the contamination of xenoestrogen in the freshwater environment of Korea, reverse transcription-polymerasechain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of vitellogenin (VTG) gene expression was optimized in Hearisarsus Iaseo, Based on the homology of the VTG cDNA sequences between the common carp and zebra fish, a set of PCR primers for VTG mRNA amplification for H; labo was designed. VTG mRNA level in livers from female and male fishes was analyzed by RT-PCR following single injection of 17 beta estradiol($E_2$ 10 mg $kg^{-1}$ B.W.). As an internal control, beta actin mRNA was amplified. One us of total liver RNA was subjected to RT-PCR. In female the amount of PCR productof VfC gradually increased in the range from 16 to 34 cycles of amplification. On the contrary, in control male, PCR product first detected at 32 cycles of amplification and linearly increased up to 40 cycles of amplification. In $E_2$ injected male liver, the VTC mRNA level was similar to that in the female. Taken together, this result suggests that liver of male H. labo expresses minute amount of VTG mRNA which are2-l6 equivalent of female and that induction of VTG mRNA occurs in male liver after estrogen treatment. In conclusion, the optimized protocol for RT-PCR analysis of VTG mRNA expression in liver of male H. labo will provide the environmental monitoring method for the xenoestrogen contamination in the rivers in Korea.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.99-103
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• 2011

Transducin-like enhancer protein 1(TLE-1) is protein associated with cell proliferation. This study analyzed change of TLE-1 mRNA expression during in vivo and in vitro maturation in porcine oocytes. Oocytes and granulose cells were collected from follicles of <2 mm, 2~6 mm and >6 mm in diameter in slaughtered pig's ovaries. Oocytes collected from follicles of 2~6 mm in diameter were used after in vitro maturation for 0, 10, 20 and 44 h. Cumulus cells and granulose cells were collected after treatment with hyaluronidase. In results, TLE-1 mRNA expression in oocytes collected from follicle >6 mm in diameter is increased, TLE-1 RNA expression in cumulus cells and granulosa cells from follicles <2 mm, 2 mm 6 mm and >6 mm in diameter. However, there is no significant difference. On the other hand, TLE-1 mRNA expression from oocytes cultured for 10 hand 44 h is increased, TLE-1 mRNA in cumulus cells cultured for 10 h is significant increased(p<0.05) than other culture periods. In conclusion, these results show that TLE-1 is expressed in all cell types of oocytes, cumulus cells and granulose cells, and associated with oocyte maturation.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.19-24
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• 1996

To investigate the genes which is related to immune reaction of Bombyx mori, differential screening was carried out using naive and induced B. mori mRNA probe. To begin with, we constructed the cDNA library with mRNA isolated from fifth instar larvae injected with E. coli(4 X 106 cells/larva) using Uni ZAP XR vector kit. Thirty-two inducible cDNAs showing higher intensity on the induced mRNA probing membranes were selected. Partial nucleotide sequences of 29 clones were determined and their expessed sequence tags (ESTs) were produced. Nineteen ESTs in 29 ESTs were matched in GenBank database and the rest of them were found to be unknown. These unmatched ESTs were presumed to be novel genes. The nineteen ESTs contained variable genes related to biological process in Bombyx mori and four classes immune genes. Four clones, BmInc 6, 8, 18 and 27 were similar to two antibacterial peptide genes, hemolin gene and transferrin gene, respectively.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.75-81
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• 2013

Chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) is a natural flavonoid found in various plants and foods such as propolis and honey. It has been reported that chrysin has various biological effects including antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer. In this study, we investigated the effect of chrysin on the transcriptional activity of VDR in human epidermal keratinocytes by performing dual-luciferase assay. Chrysin significantly induced the transcriptional activity of VDR in a concentration-dependent manner. The VDR mRNA expression was investigated by quantitative real time PCR and chrysin increased the VDR mRNA expression in normal human epidermal keratinocytes. We also found that chrysin increased the expression of keratinocyte differentiation markers such as keratin 10, involucrin and filaggrin. Therefore, the results suggest that chrysin can stimulate the differentiation of human keratinocytes by increasing transcriptional activity of VDR.