• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• 제29권6호
• /
• pp.1137-1140
• /
• 2008

M1 RNA, the catalytic subunit of Escherichia coli RNase P, is an essential ribozyme that processes the 5' leader sequence of tRNA precursors (ptRNAs). Using KS2003, an E. coli strain generating only low levels of M1 RNA, which showed growth defects, we examined whether M1 RNA is involved in polycistronic mRNA processing or degradation. Microarray analysis of total RNA from KS2003 revealed six polycistronic operon mRNAs (acpP-fabF, cysDNC, flgAMN, lepAB, phoPQ, and puuCBE) showing large differences in expression between the adjacent genes in the same mRNA transcript compared with the KS2001 wild type strain. Model substrates spanning an adjacent pair of genes for each polycistronic mRNA were tested for RNase P cleavage in vitro. Five model RNAs (cysNC, flgMN, lepAB, phoPQ, and puuBE) were cleaved by RNase P holoenzyme but not by M1 RNA alone. However, the cleavages occurred at non-ptRNA-like cleavage sites, with much less efficiency than the cleavage of ptRNA. Since cleavage products generated by RNase P from a polycistronic mRNA can have different in vivo stabilities, our results suggest that RNase P cleavage may lead to differential expression of each cistron.

• Genomics & Informatics
• /
• 제15권4호
• /
• pp.147-155
• /
• 2017

Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) is an enzyme responsible for the initial step in the base excision repair pathway and is known to be a potential drug target for treating cancers, because its expression is associated with resistance to DNA-damaging anticancer agents. Although several inhibitors already have been identified, the identification of novel kinds of potential inhibitors of APE1 could provide a seed for the development of improved anticancer drugs. For this purpose, we first classified known inhibitors of APE1. According to the classification, we constructed two distinct pharmacophore models. We screened more than 3 million lead-like compounds using the pharmacophores. Hits that fulfilled the features of the pharmacophore models were identified. In addition to the pharmacophore screen, we carried out molecular docking to prioritize hits. Based on these processes, we ultimately identified 1,338 potential inhibitors of APE1 with predicted binding affinities to the enzyme.

• 한국복합재료학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국복합재료학회 2005년도 춘계학술발표대회 논문집
• /
• pp.261-264
• /
• 2005

Since the first discovery of carbon nanotube (CNT) in 1991, a window to new technological areas has been opened. One of the emerging applications of CNTs is the reinforcement of composite materials to overcome the performance limits of conventional materials. However, because of the difficulties in distributing CNTs homogeneously in metal or ceramic matrix by means of traditional composite processes, it has been doubted whether CNTs can really reinforce metals or ceramics. In this study, CNT reinforced Cu matrix nanocomposite is fabricated by a novel fabrication process named molecular level mixing process. This process produces CNT/Cu composite powders whereby the CNTs are homogeneously implanted within Cu powders. The CNT/Cu nanocomposite, consolidated by spark plasma sintering of CNT/Cu composite powders, shows to be 3 times higher strength and 2 times higher Young’s modulus than Cu matrix. This extra-ordinary strengthening effect of carbon nanotubes in metal is higher than that of any other reinforcement ever used for metal matrix composites.

• 소성∙가공
• /
• 제15권5호
• /
• pp.395-401
• /
• 2006

It is reported that semi-solid forming process takes many advantages over the conventional forming process, such as a long die life, good mechanical properties and energy saves. It is important to predict the deformation behavior for optimization of the forging process with semi-solid materials and to control liquid segregation for mechanical properties of materials. But rheology material has thixotropic, pseudo-plastic and shear-thinning characteristics. So, it is difficult for a numerical simulation of the rheology process to be performed because complicated processes such as the filling to include the state of the free surface and solidification in the phase transformation must be considered. General plastic or fluid dynamic analysis is not suitable for the analysis of the rheology material behavior. Recently, molecular dynamics is used for the behavior analysis of the rheology material and turned out to be suitable among several methods. In this study, molecular dynamics simulation was performed for the control of liquid segregation, forming velocity, and viscosity in compression experiment as a part of study on the analysis of rheology forming process.

• 한국환경과학회지
• /
• 제25권7호
• /
• pp.927-935
• /
• 2016

Dissolved oxygen is necessary for many biological processes as well as many industrial practices. Dissolved oxygen released from water in dissolved air flotation (DAF) systems can be have many different applications. However, DAF systems are very costly to operate. To develop more efficient DAF systems, a deeper understanding of the process of oxygen being released from water is required. In this study, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to simulate 100 oxygen molecules surrounded by 31002 water molecules at temperatures ranging from $0^{\circ}C$ to $100^{\circ}C$. Simulations were carried out for 10 ns, during which, in most cases, all the oxygen molecules were released from the water droplet. With MD simulations, visualization of the molecules escaping the water droplet was possible, which aided the understanding of the interactions between molecules at the nano-scale. The results showed that as the oxygen molecules moved near the edge of the water droplet that the oxygen molecules hesitated before escaping the water droplet or returned to the interior of the water droplet. This was because of the attractive forces between the water and oxygen molecules. Moreover, after most of the oxygen molecules were released from the droplet, some were found to return to the droplet's edge or even the interior of the droplet. It was also confirmed that oxygen molecules were released at a faster rate at higher temperatures.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
• /
• 제28권2호
• /
• pp.95-111
• /
• 2013

Worldwide there is concern about the continuing release of a broad range of environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals, including polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, phthalates, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and other halogenated organochlorines persistent organic pollutants (POPs) into the environment. They are condemned for health adverse effects such as cancer, reproductive defects, neurobehavioral abnormalities, endocrine and immunological toxicity. These effects can be elicited via a number of mechanisms among others include disruption of endocrine system, oxidation stress and epigenetic. However, most of the mechanisms are not clear, thus several number of studies are ongoing trying to elucidate them in order to protect the public by reducing these adverse effects. In this review, we briefly limited review the process, the impacts, and the potential mechanisms of dioxin/dioxin like compound, particularly, their possible roles in adverse developmental and reproductive processes, diseases, and gene expression and associated molecular pathways in cells.

• BMB Reports
• /
• 제47권11호
• /
• pp.609-618
• /
• 2014

DNA methylation at cytosines (5mC) is a major epigenetic modification involved in the regulation of multiple biological processes in mammals. How methylation is reversed was until recently poorly understood. The family of dioxygenases commonly known as Ten-eleven translocation (Tet) proteins are responsible for the oxidation of 5mC into three new forms, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), 5-formylcytosine (5fC) and 5-carboxylcytosine (5caC). Current models link Tet-mediated 5mC oxidation with active DNA demethylation. The higher oxidation products (5fC and 5caC) are recognized and excised by the DNA glycosylase TDG via the base excision repair pathway. Like DNA methyltransferases, Tet enzymes are important for embryonic development. We will examine the mechanism and biological significance of Tet-mediated 5mC oxidation in the context of pronuclear DNA demethylation in mouse early embryos. In contrast to its role in active demethylation in the germ cells and early embryo, a number of lines of evidence suggest that the intragenic 5hmC present in brain may act as a stable mark instead. This short review explores mechanistic aspects of TET oxidation activity, the impact Tet enzymes have on epigenome organization and their contribution to the regulation of early embryonic and neuronal development.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• 제1권1호
• /
• pp.71-81
• /
• 2000

High molecular weight water-insoluble chitosan alone has been previously shown to exhibit in vitro stimulatory effect on macrophages nitric oxide (NO) production. However, high molecular weight water-soluble chitosan (WSC) had no effect on NO production by itself. When WSC was used in combination with recombinant $interferon-{\gamma}\;(Rifn-{\gamma})$, there was a marked cooperative induction of NO synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. The optimal effect of WSC on NO synthesis was shown at 24 h after treatment with $rIFN-{\gamma}$. The increased production of NO from $rIFN-{\gamma}$ plus WSC-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages was decreased by the treatment with $N^G$ $monomethyl-_L-arginine$. The increase in NO synthesis was reflected, as an increased amounts of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) protein. Synergy between $rIFN-{\gamma}$ and WSC was mainly dependent on WSC-induced nuclear $factor-_KB$ activation. The present results indicate that WSC may provide various activities such as anti-microbial, anti-tumoral, and anti-viral. In addition, since NO has emerged as an important intracellular and intercellular regulatory molecule having functions as diverse as vasodilation, neural communication, cell growth regulation and host defense, it is tempting to hypothesize that this WSC is involved in the local control of the various fundamental processes such as cardiagra, cardiac infarction, impotence etc.

• 한국독성학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국독성학회 2003년도 춘계학술대회 논문집
• /
• pp.95.1-95
• /
• 2003

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Zingiberaceae) has a wide array of pharmacologic effects. Our previous studies have demonstrated that [6]-gingerol, a major pungent ingredient of ginger, inhibits mouse skin tumor promotion and anchorage-independent growth of cultured mouse epidermal cells stimulated with epidermal growth factor. In this study, we have investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying chemopreventive effects of [6]-gingerol on mouse skin carcinogenesis. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), a key enzyme in the formation of prostaglandins, has been recognized as a molecular target of many chemopreventive as well as anti-inflammatory agents. The murine COX-2 promoter contains several transcriptional elements, particularly those involved in regulating inflammatory processes. One of the essential transcription factors responsible for COX-2 induction is NF-kappa B. Topical application of [6]-gingerol inhibited the COX-2 expression through suppression of NF-kappa B activation in phorbol ester-treated mouse skin. [6]-Gingerol, through down-regulation of p38 MAPK, abrogated the DNA binding activity of NF-kappa B by blocking phosphorylation of p65/RelA at the Ser 536 residue. These findings suggest that [6]-gingerol exerts an anti-tumor promotional activity through inhibition of the p38 MAPK-NF-kappa B siganling cascade in mouse skin.

• 한국결정성장학회지
• /
• 제15권4호
• /
• pp.168-174
• /
• 2005

건조공정 중인 다공성 물질의 물성은 재료의 비균질성 즉 전위, 입자, 입계, 균열, 기공과 같은 미시적인 결함 인자들의 영향을 받는다. 따라서 다공성 물질의 건조공정을 전산 시뮬레이션하기 위해서는 연속체 스케일과 원자 스케일해석 그리고 스케일별 해석 한계 극복이 요구된다. 본 연구에서는 분자동역학 시뮬레이션으로 계산한 나노스케일 물성를 연속체 스케일 해석에 연계하는 계층적 멀티스케일 시스템을 구축하고, 다공성 세라믹 애자의 건조공정을 전산 시뮬레이션 하였다. 해석 결과, 온도, 습도, 변형률 그리고 응력 분포를 기존의 결과들과 비교하여 검증하였다.