• BMB Reports
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.405-410
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• 1996

Previous studies have shown that transforming growth factor beta ($TGF-{\beta}$) is a potent regulator of cell growth and differentiation. To study the effects of $TGF-{\beta}$ on cell morphology and cytoskeleton reorganization, we conducted a survey using Mv1Lu mink lung epithelial cells with antibodies to cytoskeletal proteins and an extracellular matrix protein. While the untreated cells showed a cuboidal shape of typical epithelia, the Mv1Lu cells displayed a drastic shape change in the presence of $TGF-{\beta}$. This alteration was most prominent when near-confluent cells were treated with $TGF-{\beta}$. Since the morphology alteration is known to be accompanied by the reorganization of cytoskeletal proteins in other cell types, we investigated the intracellular distribution of the three major cytoskeletal structures: microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. In the microfilament system, $TGF-{\beta}$ induced new stress fiber formation, which was caused primarily by the polymerization of cytoplasmic G-actin. However, $TGF-{\beta}$ appeared not to induce any significant changes in microtubular structures and vimentin filaments as determined by indirect fluorescence microscopy. Finally we confirmed the rapid accumulation of fibronectin by immunoblot analysis and chased the protein locations by immunofluorescence microscopy.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.730-736
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• 1999

The roundnose flounder's (Eopsetta grigorjewi) spermiogenesis and fine structure of the spermatozoon were examined by means of the scanning and transmission electron microscopy, During the spermiogenesis, the chromatin of the spermatid became fine granular form, and progressively condensed into many large globules, finally homogeneously condensed in the spermatozoan head. The main characteristics of the spermiogenesis were the disappearanre of Golgi complex, the appearance of microfilament the reduction of mitochondria and the appearance of Iysosome in the cytoplasm. A spermatozoon consisted of head and tail, but the acrosome was absent. The cytoplasmic collar containing seven mitochondria was observed in the posterior part of the head. The well-developed axonemal lateral fins were observed in the tail. The cross section of the axial filament showed '9+2' axonemal structure of microtubules, and the numerous vesicles were observed in the cytoplasm.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.229-236
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• 2002

Objective : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Cytochalasin B (CCB) on the cytoskeletal stability of mouse oocyte frozen by vitrification. Methods : Mouse oocytes retrieved from cycle stimulated by PMSG and hCG were treated by CCB and then vitrified in EFS-30. These oocytes were placed onto an EM grid and submerged immediately in liquid nitrogen. Thawing of the oocytes was carried out at room temperature for 5 seconds, then the EM grid was placed into 0.75 M, 0.5 M and 0.25 M sucrose at $37^{circ}C$ for 3 minutes, each. These oocytes were fixed in 4% formaldehyde for an hour and then washed in PPB for 15 minutes 3 times, then incubated in PPB containing anti-tubulin monoclonal antibody at $4^{circ}C$ overnight. And then, the oocytes were incubated with FITC-conjugated anti-mouse IgG and propidium iodide (PI) for 45 minutes. Pattern of microtubules and microfilaments of oocytes were evaluated with a confocal microscope. Results: The rate of oocytes containing normal microtubules and microfilaments was significantly decreased after vitrification. The rate of oocyte containing normal microtubules in CCB treated group was higher than those in non-treated group (53.7% vs. 48.9%), but the difference was not significant. The rate of oocyte containing normal microfilaments in CCB treated group was significantly higher than those in non-treated group (64.5% vs. 38.3%, p<0.05). Conclusion: Microfilaments stability could be improved by CCB treatment prior to vitrification. It is suggested that CCB treatment prior to vitrification improve stability of cytoskeleton and then increase success rate in IVF-ET program using vitrification and thawing oocyte.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 1990

The gastro-endocrine cells were examined in the fundic region of stomach of the frog, Rana rugosa, by transmission electron microscope. In the present paper, at least three kinds of cell type distributed in this region were idendfted according to their morphological charactedstics based on the size, shape and electron density of the secretory granules. Type I cells were characterized by the presence of round or oval granules (300-5OOnm in diameter) with high electron density. The granules showed a wide lucent between the contents and the limiting membrane. This cell was reminiscent of the ECL cell in the human alimentary mucosa. Type II cells were characterized by the presence of spherical or oval granules (11O-230nm in diameter) with low or high electron density. The granules showed a clear halo between the homogenous contents and the limiting membrane. This cell was reminiscent of the G cell in the human alimentary mucosa. Type Ill cells were characterized by the presence of elongated oval or pheomorphic granules (50-2OOnm in diameter) with low or moderate electron density and abundant microfilament bundles in the cytoplasm. The granules contained a very thin halo.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.628-634
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• 2002

A microfilament-based motility in Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) Is involved in host cell invasion, yet the exact mechanism has not yet been determined. Accordingly, the current study examined the localization of actin and tubulin in T gondii using immunofluorescent (IF) and immunogold staining for electron microscopy. Indirect immunofluorescence (IF) staining using anti-actin and anti-tubulin monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) revealed localization of fluorescence on the entire surface of the tachyzoites. The actin in T. gondii was observed by immunogold staining, and the gold particles were seen on the surface, especially at the anterior end and in the cytoplasm of the parasite. However, there were no gold particles in the nucleus, rhoptries, and dense granules. The tubulin in T gondii was located on the surface and in the cytoplasm of the tachyzoites in the extracellular parasite, compared with anterior part of tachyzoites in the intracellular parasite. The antigens of T gondii recognized by anti-actin mAb were 107 kDa, 50 kDa, 48 kDa, and 40 kDa proteins, while those recognized by anti-tubulin mAb were 56 kDa, 52 kDa, and 34 kDa proteins. Tachyzoites of T gondii pretreated with the actin inhibitor, cytochalasin D (20 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml), and tubulin inhibitor, colchicine (2$\times$10$\^$-6/ M), for 30 min at 37$\^{C}$ were used to infect the isolated mouse macrophages (tachyzo ites:macrophage=2:1). Pretreatment with the inhibitors resulted in lower multiplication of tachyzoites within the macrophages than in the untreated group 18 h post infection (p<0.05). Therefore, the present results suggest that actin and tubulin appear to be involved in the invasion of and multiplication in host cells.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.25-34
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• 1986

The endocrine cells of the stomach and duodenum of the pond tortoise (Amyda sinensis) have been studied by electron microscopy. At least six types of endocrine cells could be identified in these regions. Type I cells were characterized by having pleomorphic or medium sized granules ($100{\sim}430nm$ in diameter, mean; 290 nm) which were moderate in electron density. Type II cells were characterized by having pleomorphic or medium sized granules ($190{\sim}430nm$ in diameter, mean; 280 nm) which were high in electron density. Type III cells were characterized by having large oval or irregular granules($170{\sim}650nm$, mean: 430 nm) with wide vesicular halo which were high in electron density. Type IV cells were characterized by having round or medium sized granules($140{\sim}370nm$, mean; 240 nm) which were low to moderate in electron density and showed a very thin halo. Type V cells were characterized by having large round or oval granules($300{\sim}600nm$, mean; 410 nm) which were low to moderate in electron density and showed a dense core and a wide clear halo. Microfilaments were also found in the cytoplasm. Type VI cells were characterized by having round and small granules($100{\sim}220nm$, mean; 160 nm) which were low to moderate in electron density and showed a very thin halo or crystalline structure of the contents. Many microfilament bundles were also found in the cytoplasm.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.31 no.1 s.57
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• pp.85-93
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• 1995

In order to examine the effect of testosterone of the cell growth, using a primary rabbit kidney proximal tubule cell culture system, we observed the effect of 3 growth factors and testosterone supplementation on the growth of primary rabbit kidney proximal tubule cells in the serum-free medium. 1 nM of testosterone showed a potentiation of the effect on the growth of the proximal tubule cell in serum-free medium, but higher concentration (>10 nM) of testosterone indeed inhibited the growth. In the absence of hydrocortisone as a growth supplement in serum-free medium, testosterone caused to potentiate the growth of the cell. In the presence of hydrocortisone, testosterone also potentiated the grwoth of the proximal tubule cells. According to the Northern analysis, testosterone increased significantly the level of ${\beta}-actin$ mRNA in proximal tubular cells of rabbit kidney. Consequently we may suggest that growth stimulatory effect of testosterone on the primary rabbit kidney proximal tubule cell in serum-free and hormonally defined media ascribed to increase the synthesis of ${\beta}-actin$, which is an important protein consisting of cellular microfilament.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.227-234
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• 1998

Actin and tropomyosin of Cryptosporidium muris were localized by immunogold labeling. Two kinds of antibodies for actin labeling were used. The polyclonal antibody to skeletal muscle (chicken back muscle) actin was labeled on the pellicle and cytoplasmic vacuoles of parasites. The feeder organelle has showed a small amount of polyclonal actin antibody labeling as well. Whereas the monoclonal antibody to smooth muscle (chicken gizzard muscle) actin was chiefly labeled on the filamentous cytoplasm of parasites. The apical portion of host gastric epithelial cell cytoplasm was also labeled by smooth muscle actin together. The polyclonal antibody to tropomyosin was much more labeled at C. muris than host cells, so it could be easily identified even with low magnification (${\times}2,000$). The tropomyosin was observed along the pellicle, cytoplasmic vacuoles, and around the nucleus also. The skeletal muscle type actin seems to play a role in various celluar functions with tropomyosin in C. muris; on the other hand, the smooth muscle type actin was located mainly on the filamentous cytoplasm and supported the parasites firm attachment to host cells. Tropomyosin on the pellicle was thought to be able to stimulate the host as a major antigen through continuous shedding out by the escape of sporozoites or merozoites from their mother cells.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.73-83
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• 1993

In order to examine the effect of ${\beta}-estradiol$ on the cell growth, using a primary rabbit kidney poximal tubule cell culture system. We investigated the effect of ${\beta}-estradiol$ on alpha 1 (IV) collagen and ${\beta}-actin$ mRNA levels from primary rabbit kidney cell cultures, and also the effects of 3 growth factors and ${\beta}-estradiol$ supplementation on the growth of primary rabbit kidney proximal tubule cells in the serum-free medium. 1 nM of ${\beta}-estradiol$ showed a sizable potentiation effect on the growth of the proximal tubule cell in serum-free medium, but higher concentration (> 10 nM) of estradiol indeed inhibited the growth. In the absence of hydrocortisone as a growth supplement in serum-free medium, ${\beta}-estradiol$ caused to potentiate the growth of the cell. In the presence of hydrocortisone, ${\beta}-estradiol$ also potentiated the growth of the proximal tubule cells. According to the Northern analysis, ${\beta}-estradiol$ increased the level of ${\beta}-actin$ mRNA, although mRNA level of the alpha I(IV) collagen was not changed significantly.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.363-368
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• 1999

This study was to confirm whether the vitrification method using EFS40 freezing solution has detrimental effect on the cytoskeleton and chromosome constitution of the immature mouse oocytes by indirect immunocytochemistry and chromosome analysis. Immature mouse oocytes were vitrified using EFS40 (40% EG, 18% ficoll, 0.5 M sucrose diluted in M2 medium), thawed and then survived oocytes were in vitro matured for 16 hr. When the microtubule morphology and micro filament distribution in vitrified-thawed immature mouse oocytes were examined, normal percentage of two cytoskeleton in vitrified group (93.9 and 100.0%) was not significantly different from that in control (100.0 and 100.0%) and exposed group (94.4 and 100.0%). The rate of oocytes containing a normal chromosome number in vitrified group was 65.8%, this result was not significantly different from that in control (79.6%) and exposed group (69.0%). These results indicated that exposure to cryoprotectant or freezing has not effect on the alteration of cytoskeleton morphology and the chromosome constitution of mouse oocytes and that our vitrification methods using EFS40 freezing solution was suitable for the cryopreservation of immature mouse oocytes.