• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.54-54
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• 2003

Prostate gland contains neuroendocrine cells (PNECs) are playing important roles in physiological and pathophysiological processes of the prostate gland. Here, we investigated the role of purinoceptors in PNECs freshly isolated from rat ventral prostate (RPNECs) that show immunoreactivity to chromogranin A. Fura-2 ratiometry revealed that ATP evokes both fast Ca$\^$2+/ influx and store Ca$\^$2+/ release in RPNECs. A whole-cell patch clamp study demonstrated fast inactivating cationic current activated by ATP or by ${\alpha}$,${\beta}$-MeATP, which was blocked by ATP-TNP. The activation of P2X inward current was tightly associated with a sharp increase in [Ca$\^$2+/]$\sub$c/. The presence of P2X1/3 subtypes were proved by RT-PCR analysis. For the stored Ca$\^$2+/ release, ATP and UTP showed similar effects, suggesting the dominant role or P2Y2 subtypes, also confirmed by RT-PCR. Both P2X (${\alpha}$,${\beta}$-MeATP) and P2Y (UTP) stimulation induced changes in the cell morphology (initial shrinkage and blob formation on the surface) reversibly. Exocytotic membrane trafficking events were monitored with the membrane-bound fluorescent dye, FM1-43 using confocal microscopy. In spite of the similar Ca$\^$2+/ responses, UTP was far less effective in triggering exocytosis than ${\alpha}$,${\beta}$ -MeATP. Since serotonin is reportedly stored in the secretory granule of PNECs, we directly examined whether the aforementioned agonists elicit release of serotonin using carbon fiber electrode-amperometry. In accordance with the results of FM1 -43 experiments, ${\alpha}$,${\beta}$-MeATP efficiently evoke serotonin secretion while not with UTP. In summary, the P2X-mediated Ca$\^$2+/ influx plays crucial roles in the exocytosis of RPNECs. Although a global increase in [Ca$\^$2+]$\sub$c/ might be related with the morphological changes, a sharp rise of [Ca$\^$2+/]$\sub$c/ in the putative sub-plasmalemmal ‘microdomains’ might be a decisive factor for the exocytosis.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.209-215
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• 2020

Debates over the ecological and public health impacts of aerial pesticide sprays are increasing. This is particularly true for controlling Monochamus beetles, which are vector insects of pinewood nematodes. In 2017, adult female orb-web spiders, Trichonephila clavata, were sampled from pine forests in Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea, where the aerial pesticide spray, fenitrothion or thiacloprid, was used for several decades. The biological traits of the spiders (body weight, body length, carapace width, and total hind leg length) were compared among treatment sites (no-spray, sprayed three times, and sprayed five times), and differences were observed. The body length, carapace width, and total hind leg length of the spiders in the sprayed areas were significantly shorter than in the no-spray area, but there were no differences between the area sprayed three or five times. These results indicate that repeated exposures to an aerial pesticide spray can alter morphological parameters, which influences population-level fitness. Future studies should monitor the spider long-term responses to pesticides (a direct effect) and prey availability (an indirect effect).

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.365-372
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• 2015

Aripiprazole (ARI) is a commonly prescribed medication used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. To date, there have been no studies regarding the molecular pathological and immunotoxicological profiling of aripiprazole. Thus, in the present study, we prepared two different formulas of aripiprazole [Free base crystal of aripiprazole (ARPGCB) and cocrystal of aripiprazole (GCB3004)], and explored their effects on the patterns of survival and apoptosis-regulatory proteins under acute toxicity and cytotoxicity test conditions. Furthermore, we also evaluated the modulatory activity of the different formulations on the immunological responses in macrophages primed by various stimulators such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), pam3CSK, and poly(I:C) via toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), TLR2, and TLR3 pathways, respectively. In liver, both ARPGCB and GCB3004 produced similar toxicity profiles. In particular, these two formulas exhibited similar phospho-protein profiling of p65/nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$, c-Jun/activator protein (AP)-1, ERK, JNK, p38, caspase 3, and bcl-2 in brain. In contrast, the patterns of these phospho-proteins were variable in other tissues. Moreover, these two formulas did not exhibit any cytotoxicity in C6 glioma cells. Finally, the two formulations at available in vivo concentrations did not block nitric oxide (NO) production from activated macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells stimulated with LPS, pam3CSK, or poly(I:C), nor did they alter the morphological changes of the activated macrophages. Taken together, our present work, as a comparative study of two different formulas of aripiprazole, suggests that these two formulas can be used to achieve similar functional activation of brain proteins related to cell survival and apoptosis and immunotoxicological activities of macrophages.

• Mycobiology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.297-311
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• 2017

Saprolegniasis is one of the most devastating oomycete diseases in freshwater fish which is caused by species in the genus Saprolegnia including Saprolegnia parasitica. In this study, we isolated the strain of S. parasitica from diseased rainbow trout in Korea. Morphological and molecular based identification confirmed that isolated oomycete belongs to the member of S. parasitica, supported by its typical features including cotton-like mycelium, zoospores and phylogenetic analysis with internal transcribed spacer region. Pathogenicity of isolated S. parasitica was developed in embryo, juvenile, and adult zebrafish as a disease model. Host-pathogen interaction in adult zebrafish was investigated at transcriptional level. Upon infection with S. parasitica, pathogen/antigen recognition and signaling (TLR2, TLR4b, TLR5b, NOD1, and major histocompatibility complex class I), pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin $[IL]-1{\beta}$, tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-8, interferon ${\gamma}$, IL-12, and IL-10), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP9 and MMP13), cell surface molecules ($CD8^+$ and $CD4^+$) and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase) related genes were differentially modulated at 3- and 12-hr post infection. As an anti-Saprolegnia agent, plant based lawsone was applied to investigate on the susceptibility of S. parasitica showing the minimum inhibitory concentration and percentage inhibition of radial growth as $200{\mu}g/mL$ and 31.8%, respectively. Moreover, natural lawsone changed the membrane permeability of S. parasitica mycelium and caused irreversible damage and disintegration to the cellular membranes of S. parasitica. Transcriptional responses of the genes of S. parasitica mycelium exposed to lawsone were altered, indicating that lawsone could be a potential anti-S. parasitica agent for controlling S. parasitica infection.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.256-259
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• 2016

An obligate plant pathogenic fungus Puccinia zoysiae Dietel, the causal agent of rust disease, which is implicated in the damage of zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) in Korea. The fungus is one of the important pathogens, which attacks and colonizes susceptible zoysiagrass. Zoysia rust disease was observed in Jangseong, Hoengseong and Hapcheon in 2014 and 2015, Korea. The typical symptoms of the disease appeared first as small white spots on the leaf and stem of zoysiagrass plants, and turn brownish, dark brown spores revealed on the lesions. Uredospores were light brown in color, ellipsoid or spherical in shape and $22.0{\sim}25.0{\times}15.0{\sim}17.5{\mu}m$ in size. On the basis of the morphological characteristics, the fungus was identified as P. zoysiae. Pathogenicity of the fungus was proved by artificial inoculation on Z. japonica. The rust disease firstly appeared approx. early or middle June and then increased middle of October in Korea. In field, Z. matrella ecotypes were more resistant than Z. japonica ecotypes against the pathogen. Disease response against the pathogen was different among ecotypes of each species, respectively.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1321-1331
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to separate the photosensitizer that induces apoptosis of U937 and SK-HEP-1 cells from Nostoc commune. Dried N. commune was extracted with $CH_2Cl_2/MeOH$ (1:1) to separate the photosensitizer using various chromatographic techniques. The isolated compound was identified as pheophytin a ($C_{55}H_{74}N_4O_5$) with a molecular weight of 870. Its photodynamic activities were assessed under different irradiation conditions (light and non-light) at the same concentration range of $1.15-23.0{\mu}M$. The apoptosis inducing activity in U937 or SK-HEP-1 cells appeared only in the light. The mechanisms underlying the pheophytin a-mediated photodynamic inhibition of cancer cells were further investigated by examining cell morphology changes, cytotoxicity, caspase-3/7 activity, fluorescence staining, flow cytometry analysis, and DNA fragmentation in these two cell lines. The positive control and the light irradiation group showed typical apoptotic responses, including morphological changes, cytotoxicity, caspase activity, nucleus shrinkage owing to chromatin condensation, DNA laddering, and the presence of apoptotic bodies. Cytotoxicity markedly increased in a dose-dependent manner after a 12 hr exposure. Caspase-3/7 activity was higher in U937 cells than in SK-HEP-1 cells. Apoptosis induction therefore appeared to be both concentration- and light-dependent. In conclusion, pheophytin a, isolated from the blue green alga N. commune, had a photodynamic apoptosis-inducing effect on U937 and SK-HEP-1 cells. The findings reported here can be used as basic data for the development of next-generation photosensitizers from N. commune.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.189-195
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• 1993

This study was conducted to obtain the .basic informations for developing soybean varieties and mechanizing cultivation at the Crop Experiment Station, Rural Development Administration, Suwon, Korea in 1990. Two determinate soybean varieties, Hwangkeurnkong and Jangyeobkong, and two indeterminate soybean varieties, Clark and Williams were planted at three planting densities (33,22,16 plants / $m^2$). Number of branches and number of nodes on branches per unit area ($m^2$) were greater in determinate varieties than in indeterminate ones, and number of nodes on mainstem were greater in indeterminate varieties than in determinate ones. The higher planting density increased those characters. Seed weight per unit area ($m^2$) was higher in determinate varieties than in indeterminate ones, and it was great at the higher planting density. Indeterminate varieties showed greater mainstem dependence rate for yield components than determinate ones did. Harvest index was higher in indeterminate varieties than in determinate ones. The lower planting density increased harvest index. Stem dry weight per unit area($m^2$) was greater in determinate varieties than in indeterminate ones, and it was greater at the higher planting density. Variations among plants were great in the order of branch-related yield characters > total plant-re-lated yield characters > mainstem-related yield characters > morphological characters of mainstem and 100 seed weight. Difference between determinate and indeterminate varieties was significant in branch-related characters. Indeterminate varieties showed greater variations than determinate ones did in branch-related yield characters at different planting densities.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.279-285
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• 2024

The zonula occludens (ZO) protein serves as a scaffolding protein, providing structural support at the junctions between cells and the cytoplasmic surface. It acts as a bridge between integral membrane proteins and the cytoskeleton. Besides its structural role, it also participates in regulating cell growth and proliferation. Recent studies have highlighted the involvement of ZO protein in various diseases, including cancer. Specifically, research has indicated that ZO protein influences the cancer microenvironment surrounding cancer cells, thereby facilitating their growth and development. ZO proteins exert diverse functions in the cancer microenvironment, impacting processes such as angiogenesis, inflammatory responses, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and interactions with mesenchymal stem cells. The specific mechanisms vary depending on the type of cancer and environmental conditions. Recent research unveiled several signaling pathways involving ZO protein, which could potentially impede cancer progression in the tumor microenvironment. Consequently, these insights open avenues for novel treatment strategies. While the numerous physiological, structural, and morphological roles of ZO protein have been observed at the cellular and in vivo levels, understanding the signaling mechanisms it operates in vivo and how these mechanisms influence the cancer microenvironment remains a challenge. In this review, we delineate the characteristics and regulatory mechanisms of ZO protein in the context of the cancer microenvironment. Additionally, we propose leveraging the properties of ZO protein to devise defense mechanisms within the cancer cell environment and provide an overview of its in vivo role.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.300-307
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• 1997

The effects of Aster scaber and Ixeris dentata on cadiovascular system in hyperlipidemic rats were examined. Five groups of thirty Sprague Dawley rats were fed with the diet contained 1% cholesterol, 0.25% sodium cholate, 10% coconut oil and 5% lard(control group) for 4 weeks. Each experimental diet group was added with 5% plant powder or extract of the 5% plant powder by dry weight. Contractile or relaxation responses in the isolated artria and thoracic aortae were measured and the morphological changes of the aortic endotherium from the rats fed the experimental diet were inspected. In response to isoproterenol, the number of right atrial spontaneous beat was significantly lower in Cham chyi powder group$(PP_{1})$ and Sumbagui powder group$(PP_{2})$ than control at $10^(-8)M$ concentration. The contraction forces by injection of phenylephrine and calcium in isolated thoracic aorta were significantly low in each experimental groups compared with the control. The relaxation rates by acetylcholine represented comparatively higher value in $PP_{1}$ than control. The morphological changes of endothelial cell surface was a little in $PP_{1}$ and $PP_{2}$ compared with control, while the damages were considerably advanced in Cham chyi and Sumgbagui extract diet group$(PE_{1},\;PE_{2})$.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.193-200
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• 2010

This experiment was performed to evaluate the morphological responses of the duodenal epithelial cells of the mouse, inoculated with Ehrlich carcinoma cells in the inguinal area, following administration of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). In the experimental groups, each mouse was inoculated with $1{\times}10^7$ Ehrlich carcinoma cells subcutaneously in the inguinal area. From next day after inoculations, 0.2 mL of saline or BCG (0.5 mL/25 g B.W.: $0.03{\times}10^8\sim0.32{\times}10^8$ CFU) were injected subcutaneously to the animals every other day, respectively. The day following the 7th injection of saline or BCG, each mouse was injected with a single dose of $0.7{\mu}Ci$/g of methyl-$^3H$-thymidine (25 Ci/mmol, Amersham Lab, England) through tail vein. Seventy minutes after the thymidine injection, animals were sacrificed, and duodenal tissues were taken and fixed in 10% neutral formalin. Deparaffinized sections were coated with autoradiographic emulsion EM-1 (Amersham Lab, England) in a dark room and dried and were placed in a light-tight box. The number of labeled epithelial cells in the duodenal mucosae (mean number of labeled epithelial cells per 3.5 mm length of mucosa) were observed and calculated. On the light microscopic study, duodenal mucosae had no severe morphological changes following the injection of BCG. In the tumor control and BCG treated groups, a number of small lymphocytes and eosinophile leucocytes are slightly increased as compared with those of the normal control ones. On the autoradiographic study, number of the labeled cells of normal control, tumor control and BCG-treated mice were 632.3 (${\pm}14.47$), 761.7 (${\pm}27.65$) and 505.0 (${\pm}17.09$) respectively. From the above results, BCG may suppress the DNA synthesis of the duodenal epithelial cells, but does not results severe structural defect on the duodenal mucosae. And it is suggested that BCG may greatly improve the anticancer therapy on certain kind of cancer.