• Molecules and Cells
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.241-246
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• 2005

PDK-1 activates PI3-kinase/Akt signaling and regulates fundamental cellular functions, such as growth and survival. NF-${\kappa}B$ is involved in the induction of a variety of cellular genes affecting immunity, inflammation and the resistance to apoptosis induced by some anti-cancer drugs. Even though the crucial involvement of the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway in the anti-apoptotic activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ is well known, the exact role of PDK-1 as well as PI3-kinase/Akt in NF-vactivation is not understood. Here we demonstrate that PDK-1 plays a pivotal role in transcriptional activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ by dissociating the transcriptional co-repressor HDAC1 from the p65 subunit of NF-${\kappa}B$. The association of CBP with p65 was not directly modulated by PDK-1 or by PI3-kinase. Etoposide activated NF-${\kappa}B$ through PI3-kinase/Akt, and the transcription activation domain (TAD) of p65 was further activated by wild-type PDK-1. Overexpression of a dominant negative PDK-1 mutant decreased etoposide-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ transcription and further down-regulated the ectopic HDAC1-mediated decrease in NF-${\kappa}B$ transcriptional activity. Thus activation of PDK-1 relieves the HDAC1-mediated repression of NF-${\kappa}B$ that may be related to basal as well as activated transcription by NF-${\kappa}B$. This effect may also explain the role of the PI3-kinase/PDK-1 pathway in the anti-apoptotic function of NF-${\kappa}B$ associated with the chemoresistance of cancer cells.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.746-757
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• 2020

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is the major pathogenic E. coli that causes diarrhea and edema in post-weaning piglets. In this study, we describe the morphology and characteristics of ØCJ19, a bacteriophage that infects ETEC, and performed genetic analysis. Phage ØCJ19 belongs to the family Myoviridae. One-step growth curve showed a latent phase of 5 min and burst size of approximately 20 phage particles/infected cell. Phage infectivity was stable for 2 h between 4℃ and 55℃, and the phage was stable between pH 3 and 11. Genetic analysis revealed that phage ØCJ19 has a total of 49,567 bases and 79 open reading frames (ORFs). The full genomic sequence of phage ØCJ19 showed the most similarity to an Escherichia phage, vB_EcoS_ESCO41. There were no genes encoding lysogeny, toxins, virulence factors, or antibiotic resistance in this phage, suggesting that this phage can be used safely as a biological agent to control ETEC. Comparative genomic analysis in terms of the tail fiber proteins could provide genetic insight into host recognition and the relationship with other coliphages. These results showed the possibility to improve food safety by applying phage ØCJ19 to foods of animal origin contaminated with ETEC and suggests that it could be the basis for establishing a safety management system in the animal husbandry.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1 s.61
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• pp.85-92
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• 2005

Objective: A number of candidate genes have been in implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity in humans. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha $(TNF-{\alpha})$ is expressed primarily in adipocytes, and elevated levels of this cytokine have been linked to obesity and insulin resistance. Recently, the A allele of a polymorphism at position 308 in the promoter region of $TNF-{\alpha}$ (G-308A) has been shown to increase transcription of the gene in adipocytes. Therefore, we designed this study to test whether obese and non-obese subjects differ in $TNF-{\alpha}$ genotype distribution, and how the genotypes affect anthropometric parameters, including degrees of body mass index (BMI). Methods : The study included 153 obese but otherwise healthy women ($BMI{\geq}kg/m^2$, range 25-54.7, age range 15-40 years) and 82 non-obese healthy women ($BMI, age range 15-40 years). Total fat mass and percent body fat were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Genomic DNA was extracted and used for Ncol restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) based genotyping of $TNF-{\alpha}$. Results: No differences were observed for allelic and genotype frequencies between the obese ($BMI{\geq}25$) and non-obese women. Also, no association of TNF-(l polymorphism was observed with body mass index (BMI) for genotype in obese women. In addition, age, pertent body fat, BMI, and cholesterol levels did not differ by $TNF-{\alpha}$ genotype. However, waist-to­hip ratio (WHR) was significantly lower in subjects with $TNF-{\alpha}$ GA or AA genotype (0.94 0.07 vs. 0.920.03, P<0.005). Conclusion: These results suggest that $TNF-{\alpha}$ promoter polymorphism at position-308 is not a significant factor for BMI, but affects the WHR in obese healthy women from Koreans.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.597-604
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• 2011

Using 108 strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolated from seawater, we investigated ampicillin-resistance profiles and the genetic characterization of ${\beta}$-lactamase (VPA0477). All of the strains studied, except one strain, were resistant to ampicillin. However, the strain that was susceptible to ampicillin had the same ${\beta}$-lactamase gene as the ampicillin-resistant strains. We compared ${\beta}$-lactamase promoter region sequences among five strains, including both ampicillin-resistant and -susceptible strains. In the susceptible strain, a nucleotide at position -19 in the methionine initiation codon for ${\beta}$-lactamase was not present in the ampicillin-resistant strains. The genes in the region containing the gene VPA0477 were present in all of the tested strains, and LA-PCR analysis showed that the distance between VPA0474 and VPA0479 in all of the V. parahaemolyticus samples was precisely 5.7 kb. In V. parahaemolyticus ${\beta}$-lactamase, four important structural features that are conserved in Class A ${\beta}$-lactamases were present in the deduced amino acid sequences. Taken together, our study demonstrates that V. parahaemolyticus ${\beta}$-lactamase is included in the Class A ${\beta}$-lactamase group, and some nucleotides within the promoter region are of particular importance for ${\beta}$-lactamase activity.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.99-104
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• 2012

Otitis externa (OE) is a frequent disease in the ear canals of dogs. To identify the pathogens causing OE in dogs and to determine their antimicrobial resistances, specimens were collected from animal hospitals in Daejeon. The isolates were examined by morphological and biochemical tests, 16S rRNA analysis and antimicrobial susceptibility tests. We analyzed correlation between the isolated pathogens and external factors of dogs such as breed, age, gender, ear mite, hair in ears and experience with antibiotic therapy. Thirty three strains of bacteria were isolated from 26 of the 68 heads of dogs with OE. The most isolated bacteria were Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (Sta. aureus), Sta. pseudointermedius, E. faecium, E. avium and Streptococcus canis (Strep. canis) in order of frequency of occurrence. Isolation frequency of Enterococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. were 51.5% and 45.5%, respectively. E. faecalis and E. faecium isolates showed VanB phenotype, which is resistant to vancomycin but sensitive to teicoplanin were 58% and 25%, respectively. Nine isolates among total twelve isolates of E. faecalis were isolated from the dogs treated with antibiotics. There was no methicillin-resistant Sta. aureus (MRSA), but were MR-Sta. pseudointermedius (MRSP) (57.1%) and vancomycin-resistant (VR)-Sta. pseudointermedius (14.3%) (VRSP) showing VanB phenotype. However, vanA, vanB and vanC genes were not detected in VR isolates from the dogs. Taken together, VR-Enterococcus spp. (VRE) is one of the major pathogens in domestic animals, as well as community-and hospital-acquired infection.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.30-39
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• 2017

This study was performed to produce succinic acid from biomass by developing mutants of Cellulomonas flavigena in which the succinate dehydrogenase gene (sdh) is deleted. For development of succinate producing mutants, the upstream and downstream regions of sdh gene from C. flavigena and antibiotic resistance gene (neo, bla) were inserted into pKC1139, and the recombinant plasmids were transformed into Escherichia coli ET12567/pUZ8002 which is a donor strain for conjugation. C. flavigena was conjugated with the transformed E. coli ET12567/pUZ8002 to induce the deletion of sdh in chromosome of this bacteria by double-crossover recombination. Two mutants (C. flavigena H-1 and H-2), in which sdh gene was deleted in the chromosome, were constructed and confirmed by PCR. To estimate the production of succinic acid by the two mutants when the culture broth was fermented with biomass such as CMC, xylan, locust gum, and rapeseed straw; the culture broth was analyzed by HPLC analysis. The succinic acid in the culture broth was not detected as a fermentation products of all biomass. One of the reasons for this may be the conversion of succinic acid to fumaric acid by sdh genes (Cfla_1014 - Cfla_1017 or Cfla_1916 - Cfla_1918) which remained in the chromosomal DNA of C. flavigena H-1 and H-2. The other reason could be the conversion of succinyl-CoA to other metabolites by enzymes related to the bypass pathway of TCA cycle.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.312-319
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• 2018

Background: Previous studies have shown that both ginseng root and ginseng berry exhibit antiobesity and antidiabetic effects. However, a direct comparison of the efficacy and mechanisms between the root and the berry after oral administration remains to be illuminated. Methods: In this study, we observed the effects of fermented ginseng root (FGR) and fermented ginseng berry (FGB) on obesity and lipid metabolism in high-fat diet induced obese mice. Results: FGR and FGB significantly inhibited the activity of pancreatic lipase in vitro. Both FGR and FGB significantly suppressed weight gain and excess food intake and improved hypercholesterolemia and fatty liver, while only FGR significantly attenuated hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. Both FGR and FGB significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of Ldlr and Acsl1 while FGR also significantly inhibited expression of Cebpa and Dgat2 in liver. FGR significantly decreased the epididymal fat weight of mice while FGB significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of genes Cebpa, Fas, Hsl, Il1b, and Il6 in adipose tissue. Conclusion: Saponin from both FGR and FGB had a beneficial effect on high-fat diet-induced obesity. Compared to FGB, FGR exhibited more potent antihyperglycemic and antiobesity effect. However, only FGB significantly inhibited mRNA expression of inflammatory markers such as interleukins $1{\beta}$ and 6 in adipose tissue.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.24 no.2 s.63
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• pp.79-83
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• 1985

Plant damages and yields of the different rice cultivars to brown planthopper (BPR), Nilaparvata lugens S., were observed for the evaluation of varietal resistance in paddy fields. Twenty nine Korean cultivas were transplanted in paddy fields with three plots of no insecticide, no insecticide and fungicide, and no fungicide at Haenam, southern coastal area in 1983. Among 6 varieties with BPR resistant genes, Samgang, Gaya, Hangangchal, and Cheongcheong showed very low populations of BPR and no damages on all treatments. Milyang 30 and Wonpung among them had considerable populations of BPR. Seokwang and 23 others showed high populations and serious damages. Yield increasea(%) with insecticides were low on Gaya(12%), Samgang(29%) and Hangangchal(35%), but very high on Bongkwang(260%), Palgueum(223%), Songjeon(200%), and Guanauk(200%).

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.242-250
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• 2016

Veterinary antibiotics (VAs) has been used to treat animal disease and to increase animal weight as growth promoter. However, abused usage of VAs can cause production of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment and additionally, residual of VAs in soil can be transferred into crops. Therefore, main objective of this research was to examine bioaccumulation of VAs in sprouts (red cabbage, Brassica Olearacea L. var. Capitata f. rubra and red radish, Raphanus sativus) with hydroponic method. Total of 7 VAs in 2 different classes of VAs (tetracyclcines: tetracycline, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, sulfonamides: sulfamethoxazole, sulfamethazine, sulfamethiazole, macrolides: tylosin) were evaluated and experiment was conducted with solid phase extraction (SPE)/high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS). Initial spiked concentration of 7 VAs was $5mg\;L^{-1}$ and cultivation period was 8 days. Result showed that growth of sprouts was inhibited about 23-27% when VAs was introduced. Amount of bioaccumulated VAs was also differed depending on class of VAs. The highest amount of bioaccmulated VAs was tetracycline and sulfamethoxazole in each class with a concentration of 4.05, $7.73mg\;kg^{-1}$ respectively. Calculated transfer ratio of VAs into crops was also ranged 0.38-54.27%. Overall, bioaccumulation of VAs in crops can be varied depending on crop species and class of VAs. However, further research should be conducted to verify bioaccumulation of VAs in crops in the soil environment.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.242-248
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• 2014

This study was conducted to establish an efficient transformation system by using somatic embryogenesis in an important Korean native conifer, Korean fir (Abies koreana). Embryogenic masses were induced from mature zygotic embryos of the Korean fir on Schenk and Hildebrandt medium, which was supplemented with thidiazuron. For genetic transformation, the embryogenic masses were co-cultivated with a disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain C58/pMP90 containing the plasmid vector pBIV10 or LBA4404 containing the plasmid vector MP90. Both vectors contain the kanamycin resistance and beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter genes. A total of 48 lines of embryogenic masses were selected on mLV medium containing $50{\mu}g/mL$ of kanamycin after 4 weeks of culture, following 3 days of co-cultivation with A. tumefaciens strain C58/pMP90 carrying pBIV10 (none of the lines was cultivated with strain LBA4404 carrying MP90). Quantitative real-time PCR was performed, and high levels of GUS transcripts were observed in the 48 putative transgenic lines; however, the control (non-transgenic line) showed negative results. Results of histochemical staining showed that the expression of the GUS reporter gene was observed in somatic embryos that developed from the embryogenic masses of all 48 lines. Stably transformed cultures were successfully produced by co-cultivation with A. tumefaciens strain C58/pMP90 carrying pBIV10 in Korean fir. Here, we have reported an Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer protocol via somatic embryogenesis that may be helpful in developing breeding and conservation strategies for the Korean fir.