• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.32-40
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• 2013

Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have enormous potential in the biomedical sciences because they can grow continuously and differentiate into any kind of cell in the body. However, for future application in regenerative medicine, it is still a challenge to control the differentiation of PSCs without using genetic materials. To control the differentiation of PSCs, small molecules might be the best substitute for genetic materials considering the following advantages: small size, which enables penetration of plasma membrane; easy-to-modify structure; and low chance of genetic recombination in treated cells. Herein, we introduce small molecules that induce the neuroectodermal differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). The small molecules were identified via ESC-based consecutive screenings of small-molecule libraries composed of 324 natural compounds or 93 selected drugs. The natural compounds discovered in the first screening were used to select 93 structurally similar drugs out of 1,200 approved drugs. In the second screening, among the 93 compounds, we found 4 drugs that induced the neuroectodermal differentiation of ESCs. These drugs were progesteroneor corticoid-derivatives. Our results suggest that small molecules targeting the progesterone receptor or glucocorticoid receptor could be used as chemical tools to induce the differentiation of PSCs into a specific germ lineage.

• 한국전산유체공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국전산유체공학회 2008년도 학술대회
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• pp.208-214
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• 2008

The equilibrium molecular-dynamic simulations have been performed to estimate the properties of the three kinds of fluids (the Lennard-Jones fluid, water and aqueous sodium-chloride solution) confined between two plates that are separated by 1.086 nm; included in the equilibrium properties are the density distribution and the static structure, and the diffusivity in the dynamic property. Three kinds of fluids considered in this study are. The water molecules are modeled by using the SPC/E model and the ions by the charged Lennard-Jones particle model. To treat the water molecules, we combined the quaternion coordinates with Euler angles. We also proposed a plausible algorithm to assign the initial position and direction of molecules. The influence of polarization of water molecules as well as the presence of ions in the solution on the properties will be addressed in this study. In addition, we performed the non-equilibrium molecular-dynamic simulation to compute the flow velocity for the case with the gravitational force acting on molecules.

• 한국전산유체공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국전산유체공학회 2008년 추계학술대회논문집
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• pp.208-214
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• 2008

The equilibrium molecular-dynamic simulations have been performed to estimate the properties of the three kinds of fluids (the Lennard-Jones fluid, water and aqueous sodium-chloride solution) confined between two plates that are separated by 1.086 nm; included in the equilibrium properties are the density distribution and the static structure, and the diffusivity in the dynamic property. Three kinds of fluids considered in this study are. The water molecules are modeled by using the SPC/E model and the ions by the charged Lennard-Jones particle model. To treat the water molecules, we combined the quaternion coordinates with Euler angles. We also proposed a plausible algorithm to assign the initial position and direction of molecules. The influence of polarization of water molecules as well as the presence of ions in the solution on the properties will be addressed in this study. In addition, we performed the non-equilibrium molecular-dynamic simulation to compute the flow velocity for the case with the gravitational force acting on molecules.

• 한국전산유체공학회지
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.24-34
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• 2009

The equilibrium molecular-dynamic simulations have been performed to estimate the properties of the three kinds of fluids confined between two plates that are separated by 1.086 nm; included in the statical properties are the density distribution and the static structure, and the autocorrelation velocity function in the dynamic property. Three kinds of fluids considered in this study are the Lennard-Jones fluid, water and aqueous sodium-chloride solution. The water molecules are modeled by using the SPC/E model and the ions by the charged Lennard-Jones particle model. To treat the water molecules, we combined the quaternion coordinates with Euler angles. We also proposed a plausible algorithm to assign the initial position and direction of molecules. The influence of polarization of water molecules as well as the presence of ions in the solution on the properties will be addressed in this study. In addition, we performed the non-equilibrium molecular-dynamic simulation to compute the flow velocity for the case with the gravitational force acting on molecules.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.211-221
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• 2012

The process of embryo implantation requires physical contact and physiological communication between the conceptus trophectoderm and the maternal uterine endometrium. During the peri-implantation period in pigs, the conceptus undergoes significant morphological changes and secretes estrogens, the signal for maternal recognition of pregnancy. Estrogens secreted from the conceptus act on uterine epithelia to redirect $PGF_2{\alpha}$, luteolysin, secretion from the uterine vasculature to the uterine lumen to prevent luteolysis as well as to induce expression of endometrial genes that support implantation and conceptus development. In addition, conceptuses secrete cytokines, interferons, growth factors, and proteases, and in response to these signals, the uterine endometrium produces hormones, protease inhibitors, growth factors, transport proteins, adhesion molecules, lipid molecules, and calcium regulatory molecules. Coordinated interactions of these factors derived from the conceptus and the uterus play important roles in the process of implantation in pigs. To better understand mechanism of implantation process in pigs, this review provides information on signaling molecules at the conceptus-uterine interface during early pregnancy, including recently reported data reported.

• 대한화학회지
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• 제20권5호
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• pp.374-379
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• 1976

요소, 1,3-디메틸요소(DMU)및 1,1,3,3-테트라메틸요소(TMU)의 $25^{\circ}C$에서의 겉보기 몰랄부피를 dimethylsulfoxide와 메탄올용액에서 밀도측정으로 얻었다. Dimethylsulfoxide에서 요소는 특히 묽은 용액에서 자체회합성을 보이고, DMU와 TMU는 용질-용매상호작용을 함을 알았다. 한편, 양성자성 용매인 메탄올에서 위의 3가지 용질분자는 모두 용질-용매상호작용을 우세하게 일으키고 있음을 알았다.

• BMB Reports
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• 제44권6호
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• pp.369-374
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• 2011

MHC-I molecules play a critical role in immune surveillance against viruses by presenting peptides to cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Although the mechanisms by which MHC-I molecules assemble and acquire peptides in the ER are well characterized, how MHC-I molecules traffic to the cell surface remains poorly understood. To identify novel proteins that regulate the intracellular transport of MHC-I molecules, MHC-I-interacting proteins were isolated by affinity purification, and their identity was determined by mass spectrometry. Among the identified MHC-I-associated proteins was Tmp21, the human ortholog of yeast Emp24p, which mediates the ER-Golgi trafficking of a subset of proteins. Here, we show that Tmp21 binds to human classical and non-classical MHC-I molecules. The Tmp21-MHC-I complex lacks ${\beta}_2$-microglobulin, and the number of the complexes is increased when free MHC-I heavy chains are more abundant. Taken together, these results suggest that Tmp21 is a novel protein that preferentially binds to ${\beta}_2$-microglobulin-free MHC-I heavy chains.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.119-123
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• 2009

The two dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationships (2D-QSARs) models concerning the binding affinity constants ($p[Od.]_{50}$) between 2-cyclohexyltetrahydropyrane and 2-cyclohexyltetrahydrofurane analogues as substrates, and bovine odorant binding protein (bOBP) as receptor were derived by multiple regression analyses method and discussed. The statistical quality of the optimized 2D-QSAR model (5) was good (r=0.907). From the model, the binding affinity constants ($p[Od.]_{50}$) were dependent upon the optimal value ($(TL)_{opt.}$=2.737) of total lipole (TL) of substrate molecules. Based on these findings, the high active compounds predicted by optimized 2D-QSAR model (5) were 2-(dimethylcyclohexyl)tetrahydropyrane molecule and their isomer molecules. The binding affinity constants regarding bOBP of the tetrahydrofuryl-2-yl family compounds were dependent upon the hydrophobicity (logP) of whole substrate molecules. In any case of porcine odorant-binding proteins (pOBP), the constants were dependent upon the hydrophobicity (${\pi}x={\log}P_X-{\log}P_H$) of substituents (R) in substrate molecules. Also, from the optimal values of hydrophobic constant, the hydrophobicity for bOBP influenced ca. twice time bigger (bOBP>pOBP) than that for pOBP.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제17권8호
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• pp.700-706
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• 1996

We present the results of molecular dynamics simulations of monolayers of long-chain alkyl thiol [S(CH2)15CH3] molecules on an air-solid interface using the extended collapsed atom model for the chain-molecule and a gold surface for the solid surface. Several molecular dynamics simulations have been performed on monolayers with areas per molecule ranging from 18.30 to 32.10 Å2/molecule. It is found that there exist three possible transitions: a continuous transition characterized by a change in molecular configuration without change in lattice structure, a sudden transition characterized by the distinct lattice defects and perfect islands, and a third transition characterized by the appearance of a random, liquid-like state. The analysis of probability distributions of the segments shows that the structure of the chain-molecules at the air-solid interface is completely different from that at the air-water interface in the view of the degree of overlap of the probability distributions of the neighbor segments. The calculated diffusion coefficients of the chain-molecules on the monolayers seem to be not directly related to any one of the three transitions. However, the large diffusion of the molecules enhanced by the increment of the area per molecule may induce the second transition.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.7.1-7.27
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• 2023

The mammalian intestines harbor trillions of commensal microorganisms composed of thousands of species that are collectively called gut microbiota. Among the microbiota, bacteria are the predominant microorganism, with viruses, protozoa, and fungi (mycobiota) making up a relatively smaller population. The microbial communities play fundamental roles in the maturation and orchestration of the immune landscape in health and disease. Primarily, the gut microbiota modulates the immune system to maintain homeostasis and plays a crucial role in regulating the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of inflammatory, neuronal, and metabolic disorders. The microbiota modulates the host immune system through direct interactions with immune cells or indirect mechanisms such as producing short-chain acids and diverse metabolites. Numerous researchers have put extensive efforts into investigating the role of microbes in immune regulation, discovering novel immunomodulatory microbial species, identifying key effector molecules, and demonstrating how microbes and their key effector molecules mechanistically impact the host immune system. Consequently, recent studies suggest that several microbial species and their immunomodulatory molecules have therapeutic applicability in preclinical settings of multiple disorders. Nonetheless, it is still unclear why and how a handful of microorganisms and their key molecules affect the host immunity in diverse diseases. This review mainly discusses the role of microbes and their metabolites in T helper cell differentiation, immunomodulatory function, and their modes of action.