• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.130-134
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• 2011

Paprika (Capsicum annuum L.), a colored bell-type sweet pepper, is one of the most important money making vegetable crops in Korea. The cultivation area, total production, and exports of paprika are gradually getting increased, but the paprika cultivars used in Korea are all imported. It was well-known that the genic male sterility (GMS) is the main way to produce paprika hybrid seeds. However, it is little known that how many and what kinds of ms genes are used for breeding of paprika $F_1$ varieties. In this study, eight paprika cultivars ('Special', 'Debla', 'Plenty', 'Fiero', 'Boogie', 'Fiesta', 'Derby', and 'Minibell'), popularly cultivated in Korea and three different genic male sterile lines ('GMSP', 'GMS3', and 'GMSK') were used. For allelism test among the $F_1$ cultivars, half diallel crosses were performed. The result demonstrated that the most of the GMS in paprika cultivars except for 'Minibell' were same allele. To identify which GMS gene(s) were used for paprika $F_1$ cultivars, top crosses between previously known GMS lines and the $F_1$ cultivars were performed. As a result, we found that the $ms_k$ and the $ms_p$ genes were alleles for the GMS of 'Minibell' and for the other cultivars, respectively. We also confirmed that the GMS gene identification using GMSK-CAPS marker linked to the $ms_k$ gene and the PmsM1-CAPS marker linked to the $ms_p$ gene in $F_2$ progenies of 'Minibell' and 'Fiesta' and 'Derby' cultivars, respectively. In addition, we developed the PmsM2-CAPS marker for 'Plenty', 'Fiero', and 'Boogie' cultivars. We expect that these markers will be very useful for breeding new maternal (male sterile) line of paprika.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.498-506
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• 2018

Purpose: Lycopene, a carotenoid with anti-oxidant properties, occurs naturally in tomatoes and pink grapefruit. Although the beneficial effects of lycopene on various disorders have been established, little attention has been paid to the possible anti-diabetic effects of lycopene focusing on ${\beta}$-cells. Therefore, this study investigated the potential of lycopene to protect ${\beta}$-cells against apoptosis induced by a cytokine mixture. Methods: For toxicity experiments, the cells were treated with 0.1 ~ 10 nM of lycopene, and the cell viability in INS-1 cells (a rat ${\beta}$-cell line) was measured using a MTT assay. To induce cytokine toxicity, the cells were treated with a cytokine mixture (20 ng/mL of $TNF{\alpha}$ + 20 ng/mL of IL-$1{\beta}$) for 24 h, and the effects of lycopene (0.1 nM) on the cytokine toxicity were measured using the MTT assay. The expression levels of the apoptotic proteins were analyzed by Western blotting, and the level of intracellular reactive oxidative stress (ROS) was monitored using a DCFDA fluorescent probe. The intracellular ATP levels were determined using a luminescence kit, and mRNA expression of the genes coding for anti-oxidative stress response and mitochondrial function were analyzed by quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR. Results: Exposure of INS-1 cells to 0.1 nM of lycopene increased the cell viability significantly, and protected the cells from cytokine-induced death. Lycopene upregulated the mRNA and protein expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and reduced the expression of the Bcl-2 associated X (Bax) protein. Lycopene inhibited apoptotic signaling via a reduction of the ROS, and this effect correlated with the upregulation of anti-oxidative stress response genes, such as GCLC, NQO1, and HO-1. Lycopene increased the mRNA expression of mitochondrial function-related genes and increased the cellular ATP level. Conclusion: These results suggest that lycopene reduces the level of oxidative stress and improves the mitochondrial function, contributing to the prevention of cytokine-induced ${\beta}$-cell apoptosis. Therefore, lycopene could potentially serve as a preventive and therapeutic agent for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.945-954
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• 2018

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (${\omega}3$-fatty acid) have been found to possess anticancer properties in a variety of cancer cell lines and animal models, but their effects in human tongue squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) remain unclear. This study was designed to examine the effect of ${\omega}3$-fatty acid desaturase (fat-1) gene expression on invasion and tumorigenicity in human tongue SCC cells and the molecular mechanism of its action. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) treatment inhibited in vitro invasion in a dose-dependent manner. In zymography, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and Matrix metallopeptidase-2 (MMP-2) activities were reduced, and MMP-9 and MMP-2 promoter activities were inhibited by the DHA treatment. In addition, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promoter reporter activities were inhibited in SCC-4 and SCC-9 cells after the DHA treatment. To investigate the effect of a high level of endogenous ${\omega}3$ fatty acids, a stable SCC-9 cell line expressing the ${\omega}3$-desaturase gene (fSCC-9sc) was generated. The growth rate and colony-forming capacity of fSCC-9sc were remarkably decreased as compared with those of fSCC-9cc. Likewise, the tumor size and volume of fSCC-9sc implanted into nude mice were significantly inhibited, with increases in the cell death index. Furthermore, a transwell chamber invasion assay showed a reduction in cell invasion of the fSCC-9sc lines when compared with that of the fSCC-9cc line. These findings suggested that fat-1 gene expression inhibited tumorigenicity, as well as invasion in human tongue SCC cells. Thus, utilization of ${\omega}3$ fatty acids may represent a promising therapeutic approach for chemoprevention and the treatment of human tongue SCCs.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.271-277
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• 2020

Toxicities to many organs caused by humidifier disinfectants have been reported. Recently, humidifier disinfectants have been reported to cause cardiovascular, embryonic, and hepatic toxicities. This study was designed to investigate the toxic mechanism of humidifier disinfectants and compare toxicity in a cellular model and a zebrafish animal model. Because brain toxicity and skin toxicity have been less studied than other organs, we evaluated toxicity in a human dermal cell line and zebrafish under various concentrations of humidifier disinfectants that included polyhexamethyleneguanidine phosphate (PHMG), oligo-[2-(2-ethoxy)-ethoxyethyl-guanidinium-chloride] (PGH) and methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (CMIT/MIT). A human dermal fibroblast cell line was treated with disinfectants (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 16 mg L^-1) to compare their cytotoxicity. The fewest PHMG-treated cells survived (up to 33%), while 49% and 40% of the PGH- and CMIT/MIT-treated cells, respectively, survived. The quantification of oxidized species in the media revealed that the PHMG-treated cells had the highest MDA content of around 28 nM, while the PGH- and CMIT/MIT-treated cells had 13 and 21 nM MDA, respectively. As for brain toxicity, treatment of the zebrafish tank water with CMIT/MIT (final 40 mg L^-1) for 30 min resulted in a 17-fold higher production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) than in the control. Treatment with PGH or PHMG (final 40 mg L^-1) resulted in 15- and 11-fold higher production, respectively. The humidifier disinfectants (PHMG, PGH, and CMIT/MIT) showed severe dermal cell toxicity and brain toxicity. These toxicities may be relevant factors in understanding why some children have language disorders, motor delays, and developmental delays from exposure to humidifier disinfectants.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2000

Purpose :The effect of PTK inhibitors (herbimycin A and genistein) on the induction of radiation-induced apoptosis in Ph-positive KS62 leukemia cell line was investigated. Materials and Methods :K562 cells in exponential growth phase were irradiated with a linear accelerator at room temperature. For 6 MV X-ray irradiation and drug treatment, cultures were initiated at 2×106 cells/mL. The cells were irradiated with 10 Gy. Stock solutions of herbimycin A and genistein were prepared in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO). After incubation at 37$^{\circ}C$ for 0$\~$48 h, the extent of apoptosis was determined using agarose gel electrophoresis and TUNEL assay. The progression of cells through the cell cycle after irradiation and drug treatment was also determined with flow cytometry. Western blot analysis was used to monitor bel-2, bel-X$_{L}$ and bax protein levels. Results :Treatment with 10 Gy X-irradiation did not result in the induction of apoptosis. The HMA alone (500 nM) also failed to induce apoptosis. By contrast, incubation of K562 cells with HMA after irradiation resulted in a substantial induction of nuclear condensation and fragmentation by agarose gel electro-phoresis and TUNEL assay. Genistein failed to enhance the ability of X-irradiation to induce DNA fragmentation. Enhancement of apoptosis by HMA was not attributable to downregulation of the bel-2 or bel-X$_{L}$ anti-apoptotic proteins. When the cells were irradiated and maintained with HMA, the percentage of cells in G2/M phase decreased to 30$\~$40$\%$ at 48 h. On the other hand, cells exposed to 10 Gy X-irradiation alone or maintained with genistein did not show marked cell cycle redistribution. Conclusion : We have shown that nanomolar concentrations of the PTK inhibitor HMA synergize with X-irradiation in inducing the apoptosis in Ph (+) K562 leukemia cell line. While, genistein, a PTK inhibitor which is not selective for p210$^{bcr/abl}$ failed to enhance the radiation induced apoptosis in KS62 cells. It is unlikely that the ability of HMA to enhance apoptosis in K562 cells is attributable to bel-2 family. It is plausible that the relationship between cell cycle delays and cell death is essential for drug development based on molecular targeting designed to modify radiation-induced apoptosis.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.287-293
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• 2009

Purpose: This study is to evaluate rib fractures on bone scan in breast cancer patients treated with breast cancer surgery and radiation therapy and to evaluate its relation with radiation therapy and operation modality. Materials and Methods: Two hundred seventy cases that underwent serial bone scan after breast cancer surgery and radiation therapy were enrolled. Bone scan and chest a findings of rib fracture were analyzed. Results: The rib uptake was seen in 74 of 270 cases (27.4%) on bone scan and 50 cases (18.5%) were confirmed to have rib fracture by chest CT. The rate of modified radical mastectomy in patients with rib fracture was significantly higher than that in patients without rib fracture (66.0% vs. 27.0%, p = 0.000). The rate of additional radiation therapy to axillar or supraclavicular regions in patients with rib fracture was significantly higher than that in patients without rib fracture (62.0% vs. 28.6%, p =0.000). Rib fracture was seen most frequently at 1-2 years after radiation therapy (51.9%) and single rib fracture was seen most frequently (55.2%). Of total 106 rib fractures, focal rib uptake was seen in 94 ribs (88.7%) and diffuse rib uptake was seen in 12 ribs (11.3%). On one year follow-up bone scan, complete resolution of rib uptake was seen in 15 ribs (14.2%). On chest a, the rate of fracture line in ribs with intense uptake was significantly higher than that in ribs with mild or moderate uptake (p = 0.000). The rate of presence of fracture line in ribs with focal uptake was significantly higher than that in ribs with diffuse uptake (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Rib fracture in breast cancer patients after radiation therapy was related to radiation portal and operation modality. It should be interpreted carefully as a differential diagnosis of bone metastasis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.797-806
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• 1999

Background: About 20% of small cell lung cancer(SCLC) patients have bone marrow(EM) metastasis at the time of diagnosis and the remaining patients are also considered with micrometastasis. In an attempt to detect EM micrometastasis, we used cytokeratin(CK)-20 as a molecular marker, which is specific for epithelial cells. Method: A sensitive RT-PCR assay was used to compare CK-20 expression both in SCLC cell line H209 and normal leukocyte and to evaluate EM aspirates of 28 SCLC patients. Result: H209 cell line showed CK-20 expression but normal leukocyte did not, suggesting CK-20 expression is lung tissue-specific. Of 28 patients(11 limited disease, 17 extensive disease), only 2(1/11, 1/17) samples tested revealed positive signal for CK-20. Two patients with CK-20 expression had EM metastasis or multiple bone involvement during follow-up. Conclusion: Although circulating tumor cells were detected in EM of small portion of patients with bone metastasis, CK-20 doesn't seem to be a reliable marker for the detection of micrometastasis in SCLC. This study emphasizes that identification of more specific marker for micrometastsis is mandatory prior to clinical application.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.245-251
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• 2001

Prupose : The genes involved on the suppression or radiation-induced apoptosis by genistein in K562 leukemia cell line was investigated. Materials and methods : K562 cells in exponential growth phase were irradiated with a linear accelerator at room temperature. For X-ray irradiation and drug treatment, cultures were prepared at $2\times10^5\;cells/mL$. The cells were irradiated with 10 Gy (Clinac 1800C, Varian, USA), Stock solutions of herbimycin A (HMA, Calbiochem, UK) and genistein (Calbiochem, UK) were prepared in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO, Sigma, UK). After incubation at $37^{\circ}C$ for 24 h, PCR-select cDNA subtractive hybridization, dot hybridization, DNA sequencing and Northern hybridization were examined. Results : Smad6 gene was identified from the differentially expressed genes in K562 cells incubated with genistein which had been selected by PCR-select cDNA subtractive hybridization. The mRNA expression of Smad6 in K562 cells incubated with genistein was also higher than control group by Northern hybridization analysis. Conclusion : We have shown that Smad6 involved on the suppression of radiation-induced apoptosis by genistein in K562 leukemia cell line. It is plausible that the relationship between Smad6 and the suppression of radiation-induced apoptosis is essential for treatment development based on molecular targeting designed to modify radiation-induced apoptosis.

• ANNALS OF ANIMAL RESOURCE SCIENCES
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.150-157
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• 2018

The Zygote arrest 1 (ZAR1) gene is known to affect early embryonic development in various vertebrates. In this study, we performed the association analysis to check whether there is any significant relationship between semen kinematic characteristics and the ZAR1 gene. To determine semen kinematic characteristics, we measured motility (MOT), straight-line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL), average path velocity (VAP), linearity (LIN), straightness (STR), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), and beat cross frequency (BCF) of spermatozoa in boars. In order to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we extracted genomic DNA from multiple Duroc boars, and then subsequently used them in sequencing reactions. As a result, three SNPs were detected in the intronic region of ZAR1 gene (g.2435T>C in intron 2, g.2605G>A and g.4633A>C in intron 3 ). SNPs g.2435T>C and g.2605G>A were significantly associated with MOT (p<0.01) and VSL (p<0.05), and g.4633A

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Tobacco Science Conference
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• 1997.10a
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• pp.134-152
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• 1997

Plant viruses of tobacco including tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and potato virus Y (PVY) cause severe economic losses in leaf-tobacco production. Cultural practices do not provide sufficient control against the viruses. Use of valuable resistant cultivars is most recommendable for the control of the viruses. However, conventional breeding programs are not always proper for the development of virus-resistant plants mostly owing to the frequent lack of genetic sources and introduction of their unwanted properties. Therefore, we tried to develop virus-resistant tobacco plants by transforming commercial tobacco cultivars, NC 82 and Burley 21, with coat protein (CP) or replicase (Nlb) genes of TMV and PVY necrosis strain (PVY-VN) with or without untranslated region (UTR) and with or without mutation. Each cDNA was cloned and inserted in plant expression vectors with 1 or 2 CaMV 35S promotors, and introduced into tobacco leaf tissues by Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA 4404. Plants were regenerated in kanamycin-containing MS media. Regenerated plants were tested for resistance to TMV and PVY In these studies, we could obtain a TMV-resistant transgenic line transformed with TMV CP and 6 genetic lines with PVY-VN cDNAs out of 8 CP and replicase genes. In this presentation, resistance rates, verification of gene introduction in resistant plants, stability of resistance through generations, characteristics of viral multiplication and translocation in resistant plants, and resistance responses relative to inoculum potential and to various PVY strains will be shown. Yield and quality of leaf tobacco of a promising resistant tobacco line will be presented.