• Applied Microscopy
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.35-48
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• 1986

Ultrastructures of the cutaneous xanthophores and formation of pigment granules in the goldfish, Carassius auratus L., are studied with electron microscope. The cutaneous xanthophores are observed only in dermis and pigment granules of these pigment cells are pterinosomes and carotenoid vesicles. By the differentiated level, pterinosomes are subdivided into 3 types; while type I pterinosomes have clear limiting membranes and contain some amorphous fine fibrous structures, type II pterinosomes have thick and densely aggregated fibrous materials. Type III pterinosomes have concentric lamellar structures in the granules. Pigment granules of the xanthophores are originated from the Golgi complexes and pinocytotic vesicles of plasma membrane as well as rER-rich cells among the chromatophores are presumed to be associated with the accumulation of pigment materials.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.291-297
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• 2022

Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a type of progressive blindness that is primarily due to dysfunction and the loss of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The accumulation of N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine (A2E), a by-product of the visual cycle, causes RPE and photoreceptor degeneration that impairs vision. Genes associated with dry AMD have been identified using a blue light model of A2E accumulation in the retinal pigment epithelium and transcriptomic studies of retinal tissue from patients with AMD. However, dry macular degeneration progresses slowly, and current approaches cannot reveal changes in gene transcription according to stages of AMD progression. Thus, they are limited in terms of identifying genes responsible for pathogenesis. Here, we created a model of long-term exposure to identify temporally-dependent changes in gene expression induced in human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19) exposed to blue light and a non-cytotoxic dose of A2E for 120 days. We identified stage-specific genes at 40, 100, and 120 days, respectively. The expression of genes corresponding to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) during the early stage, glycolysis and angiogenesis during the middle stage, and apoptosis and inflammation pathways during the late stage was significantly altered by A2E and blue light. Changes in the expression of genes at the late stages of the EMT were similar to those found in human eyes with late-stage AMD. Our results provide further insight into the pathogenesis of dry AMD induced by blue light and a novel model in vitro with which relevant genes can be identified in the future.

• BMB Reports
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• 제56권2호
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• pp.84-89
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• 2023

The implications of nutrient starvation due to aging on the degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is yet to be fully explored. We examined the involvement of AMPK activation in mitochondrial homeostasis and its relationship with the maintenance of a healthy mitochondrial population and epithelial characteristics of RPE cells under nutrient starvation. Nutrient starvation induced mitochondrial senescence, which led to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in RPE cells. As nutrient starvation persisted, RPE cells underwent pathological epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via the upregulation of TWIST1, a transcription regulator which is activated by ROS-induced NF-κB signaling. Enhanced activation of AMPK with metformin decelerated mitochondrial senescence and EMT progression through mitochondrial biogenesis, primed by activation of PGC1-α. Thus, by facilitating mitochondrial biogenesis, AMPK protects RPE cells from the loss of epithelial integrity due to the accumulation of ROS in senescent mitochondria under nutrient starvation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제17권6호
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• pp.1024-1030
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• 2007

We investigated the human apolipoprotein E2 (apoE2) transgenic mouse as an animal model system for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Transgenic mice expressing human apoE2 and C57BL/6J mice were fed normal chow or a high-fat diet for 4 weeks. Eyes were collected from the mice and lipid deposits in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) were assessed using electron microscopy. The expressions of apoE, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and pigment-epithelium derived factor (PEDF), which are molecular markers for angiogenesis, were assessed with immunohistochemistry. Eyes from apoE2 mice, regardless of diet, contained lipid accumulation in RPE under electron microscopy, whereas control C57BL/6J eyes did not. Lipid accumulation was found predominantly in the RPE and the Bruch's membrane and increased in the eyes of apoE2 mice after one month of a high-fat diet ($8{\pm}2\;per\;50{\mu}m^2$ for normal chow and $11{\pm}2\;per\;50\;{\mu}m^2,\;p<0.05)$. ApoE expression was similar in the apoE2 and control mice; however, VEGF and bFGF were overexpressed in the retinal pigment epithelium of apoE2 eyes compared with control eyes, and PEDF expression was slightly decreased. These expression patterns of VEGF, bFGF, and PEDF suggest angiogenesis is progressing in apoE2 eyes. In conclusion, the eyes of apoE2 mice develop typical lipid accumulations, a common characteristic of AMD, making them a suitable animal model for AMD. The expression profile of VEGF and bFGF on the retinal pigment epithelium suggests that apoE2 may induce neovascularization by altering angiogenic cytokines.

• 식물조직배양학회지
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.59-64
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• 1995

포도의 현탁배양계에서 안토시안닌 색소의 축적에 미치는 salicylic acid (SA)의 영향을 알아보기 위하여 다양한 농도의 SA를 계대배양시에 함께 처리한 결과 1 $\mu$M 이하의 낮은 농도에서는 세포의 생장 및 색소의 축적에 있어서 어떤 영향을 미치지 않았다. 그러나, 5 $\mu$M와 10 $\mu$M의 농도에서는 세포의 생장은 일시적으로 억제되지만 색소의 축적은 크게 증가한다. 또한 20 $\mu$M의 고농도에서는 세포의 생장은 완전히 억제되어 세포가 죽기까지 하는 결과를 나타내었다. 암배양 상태의 세포서도 SA을 처리해 주면, 암배양에 의한 안토시아닌 색소 생합성능의 저하는 회복되어, SA처리없이 광처리만 해준 세포보다도 더 높은 색소의 축적을 보였다. 5 $\mu$M의 SA를 계대배양후 시일별로 처리한 결과, 처리후 24 시간 이후에 급격한 색소의 축적을 나타내었지만 계대배양 후 2일째에 처리한 세포에서 가장 높은 색소의 축적를 보였으며, 처리후 5일째가 되면 SA는 무처리구의 암배양세포(7일째 세포)에 비해 4배 이상의 색소의 축적을 보였다.

• Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.257-264
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• 2007

Rice is one of the world's staple crops and is a major source of carbohydrate. Rice is exported from several countries, providing a major source of income. There are many documents reporting that rice is a salt-sensitive crop in its developmental stages. The objective of this investigation is to evaluate the effective salt-tolerance defense mechanisms in aromatic rice varieties. Pathumthani 1(PT1), Jasmine(KDML105), and Homjan(HJ) aromatic rice varieties were chosen as plant materials. Rice seedlings photoautotrophically grown in-vitro were treated with 0, 85, 171, 256, 342, and 427 mM NaCl in the media. Data, including sodium ion$(Na^+)$ and potassium ion$(K^+)$ accumulation, osmolarity, chlorophyll pigment concentration, and the fresh and dry weights of seedlings were collected after salt-treatment for 5 days. $Na^+$ in salt-stressed seedlings gradually accumulated, while $K^+$ decreased, especially in the 342-427 mM NaCl salt treatments. The $Na^+$ accumulation in both salt-stressed root and leaf tissues was positively related to osmolarity, leading to chlorophyll degradation. In the case of the different rice varieties, the results showed that the HJ variety was identified as being salt-tolerant, maintaining root and shoot osmolarities as well as pigment stabilization when exposed to salt stress or $Na^+$ enrichment in the cells. On the other hand, PT1 and KDML105 varieties were classified as salt-sensitive, determined by chlorophyll degradation using Hierarchical cluster analysis. In conclusion, the HJ-salt tolerant variety should be further utilized as a parental line or genetic resource in breeding programs because of the osmoregulation defensive response to salt-stress.

• BMB Reports
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• 제52권3호
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• pp.196-201
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• 2019

The Alu element, the most abundant transposable element, is transcribed to Alu RNA. We hypothesized that the PIWI protein regulates the expression of Alu RNA in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, where accumulated Alu RNA leads to macular degeneration. Alu transcription was induced in RPE cells treated with $H_2O_2$. At an early stage of oxidative stress, PIWIL4 was translocated into the nucleus; however, subsequently it was sequestered into cytoplasmic stress granules, resulting in the accumulation of Alu RNA. An elevated amount of Alu RNA was positively correlated with the disruption of the epithelial features of RPE via induction of mesenchymal transition. Therefore, we suggest that oxidative stress causes Alu RNA accumulation via PIWIL4 sequestration into the cytoplasmic stress granules.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.273-279
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• 1990

PHB 생산을 위하여 메탄올을 기질로 한 선별배지에서 토양, 하천수, 퇴비 등으로부터 분홍색 색소를 가지는 PHB 축적 facultative methylotroph를 분리하여, 균주의 특성을 검토하였다. 분리균주의 최적 생육조건과 PHB 축적을 위한 배양조건을 조사한 결과 균체의 생육은 메탄올 농도 1.0(v/v), 질소원인$ NH_4C$ 농도 1.0g/l, 즉 C/N ratio 13.2 일때 그리고 pH 7.0과'$30^{\circ}C$에서 가장 좋았으며, PHB는 C/N ratio가 50.8, 즉 메탄올 농도 1.0(v/v )$NH_4CL$ 0.26g/l 일때, 그리고 pH 6.0일 때 건조중량의 약 40까지 축적되었다. 고농도 메탄올에 의한 생육저해를 극복하기 위하여 기질을 간헐적으로 계속 공급해주는 fed-batch 배양을 시도한 결과 균체량은 14g/l, PHB 축척량은 5.5g/l까지 증가시킬 수 있었다. 생산된 PHB를 분리.정제하여 IR과 $^I H-NMR$로 구조를 분석한 결과 3-hydroxybutyric acid 의 homopolymer임이 확인되었다. 또한 균주의 pink-pigment를 추출하여 absorption spectrum를 조사하여 그 특성을 규명하였다.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.446-452
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• 2012

The effect of heavy metals on seedling growth and pigment levels was studied in Arabidopsis using essential (Cu, Mn, and Zn) and non-essential metals (Pb and Hg). Generally increasing the concentrations of the metals resulted in a gradual decrease in root and shoot lengths, a decrease in chlorophylls, an increase in anthocyanins and a fluctuation in carotenoid content depending on the metal types. The toxicity of the metals decreased in the following order: Cu > Hg > Pb > Zn > Mn. Among the five metals, Cu was exceptionally toxic and the most potent inducer of anthocyanins. Pb induced the smallest quantity of anthocyanins but it was the strongest inducer of carotenoids. It suggests that the Cu-stressed Arabidopsis may use anthocyanins as its main antioxidants while the Pb-stressed Arabidopsis use carotenoids as its main protectants. All of the five metals induced an accumulation of anthocyanins. The consistent increase in anthocyanin content in the metal-stressed Arabidpsis indicates that anthocyanins play a major role in the protection against metal stresses.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.71-86
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• 1997

상처치유과정중 관상어류 피부 색소체계의 재분화경로를 규명하기 위하여 외부 색채가 화려한 담수산 금붕어 (Carassius auratus L.)를 실험재료로 하여 피부의 일정부위에 인위적인 상처를 유도한 후, 시간 경과에 따른 조직과 색소 체계의 치유과정을 고배율의 투과 전자현미경으로 관찰하였다. 금붕어 피부 색소세포는 정상조직에서 황색소세포, 백색소세포 그리고 혹색소세포 등 세 종류의 진피성 색소세포로 이루어져 있었다. 황색소세포에는 pterinosome과 carotenoid vesicle 등 두 종류의 색소과립이 분포되어 있었고, 백색소세포와 혹색소세포에는 무정형 색소결정인 leucosome과 전자밀도가 높은 구형의 색소과립인 melamosome이 각각 함유되어 있었다. 초기 상처치유반응은 상처 유도직 후에 표면 손상부위로 전이되는 상피세포와 혈구세포에 의하여 수행되었다. 상처 유도후 $5\sim7$일이 경과된 조직의 표본에서는 조면소포체가 특이하게 발달되어 진피성 색소세포의 공통 원기로 추정되는 세포의 출현이 확인되었다. 또한 재생된 조직내에서 재분화된 색소세포는 상처유도 후 3주가 경과된 표본에서 처음 관찰되었다. 색소과립의 재분화 경로는 세포 내에서의 색소과립 형성 과정과 마찬가지로 색소세포내에 잘 발달된 조면소포체와 골지체를 경유한 후, 분비소포의 형태로 생성림이 확인되었다. 그리고 재분화된 색소세포로 유입되는 색소 원기물질은 음세포과립을 통하여 수송되었는데, 특히 조면소포체가 풍부한 원기세포와 연접된 색소세포의 원형질막에서 매우 활발한 물질의 수송이 관찰되었다. 한편, 각 색소세포의 일차적인 재분화과정은 상처 유도후 4주가 경과되어 피부 상처가 치유되는 시점을 전후하여 완료되었으나, 재분화된 색소세포의 수나 분포밀도는 충분한 체색발현을 위한 상태에 비해 크게 미달되는 것으로 분석되었다. 따라서 특별한 환경의 변화가 없는 한, 상처유도 이전의 색소체계와 동일한 상태로의 복구에는 적어도 3개월 이상이 소요되는 것으로 확인되었다.