• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제5권4호
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• pp.237-246
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• 2005

Background: Little information is available on the identification and characterization of the upstream regulators of the signal transduction cascades for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tbc)-induced ERK 1/2 activation and chemokine expression. We investigated the signaling mechanisms involved in expression of CCL3 /MIP-1 and CCL4/MIP-1 in human primary monocytes infected with M. tbc. Methods: MAP kinase phosphorylation was determined using western blot analysis with specific primary antibodies (ERK 1/2, and phospho-ERK1/2), and the upstream signaling pathways were further investigated using specific inhibitors. Results: An avirulent strain, M. tbc H37Ra, induced greater and more sustained ERK 1/2 phosphorylation, and higher CCL3 and CCL4 production, than did M. tbc H37Rv. Specific inhibitors for mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase (MEK; U0126 and PD98059) significantly inhibited the expression of CCL3 and CCL4 in human monocytes. Mycobactetia-mediated expression of CCL3 and CCL4 was not inhibited by the Ras inhibitor manumycin A or the Raf-1 inhibitor GW 5074. On the other hand, phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor (U73122) and protein kinase C (PKC)specific inhibitors ($G\ddot{o}6976$ and Ro31-8220) significantly reduced M. tbc-induced activation of ERK 1/2 and chemokine synthesis. Conclusion: These results are the first to demonstrate that the PLC-PKC-MEK-ERK, not the Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK, pathway is the major signaling pathway inducing M. tbc-mediated CCL3 and CCL4 expression in human primary monocytes.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제80권3호
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• pp.247-254
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• 2017

Background: Airway epithelial cells are the first line of defense, against pathogens and environmental pollutants, in the lungs. Cellular stress by cadmium (Cd), resulting in airway inflammation, is assumed to be directly involved in tissue injury, linked to the development of lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We had earlier shown that ACN9 (chromosome 7q21), is a potential candidate gene for COPD, and identified significant interaction with smoking, based on genetic studies. However, the role of ACN9 in the inflammatory response, in the airway cells, has not yet been reported. Methods: We first checked the anatomical distribution of ACN9 in lung tissues, using mRNA in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry. Gene expression profiling in bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B), was performed, after silencing ACN9. We further tested the roles of ACN9, in the intracellular mechanism, leading to Cd-induced production, of proinflammatory cytokines in BEAS-2B. Results: ACN9 was localized in lymphoid, and epithelial cells, of human lung tissues. ACN9 silencing, led to differential expression of 216 genes. Pathways of sensory perception to chemical stimuli, and cell surface receptor-linked signal transduction, were significantly enriched. ACN9 silencing, further increased the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, in BEAS-2B after Cd exposure. Conclusion: Our findings suggest, that ACN9 may have a role, in the inflammatory response in the airway.

• 대기
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.425-441
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• 2013

This study investigates the projections of water cycle, budget and river discharge over land in the world at the end of twenty-first century simulated by atmosphere-ocean climate model of Hadley Centre (HadGEM2-AO) and total runoff integrating pathways (TRIP) based on the RCP scenario. Firstly, to validate the HadGEM2-AO hydrology, the surface water states were evaluated for the present period using precipitation, evaporation, runoff and river discharge. Although this model underestimates the annual precipitation about 0.4 mm $mon^{-1}$, evaporation 3.7 mm $mon^{-1}$, total runoff 1.6 mm $mon^{-1}$ and river discharge 8.6% than observation and reanalysis data, it has good water balance in terms of inflow and outflow at surface. In other words, it indicates the -0.3 mm $mon^{-1}$ of water storage (P-E-R) compared with ERA40 showing -2.4 mm $mon^{-1}$ for the present hydrological climate. At the end of the twenty-first century, annual mean precipitation may decrease in heavy rainfall region, such as northern part of South America, central Africa and eastern of North America, but for increase over the Tropical Western Pacific and East Asian region. Also it can generally increase in high latitudes inland of the Northern Hemisphere. Spatial patterns of annual evaporation and runoff are similar to that of precipitation. And river discharge tends to increase over all continents except for South America including Amazon Basin, due to increased runoff. Overall, HadGEM2-AO prospects that water budget for the future will globally have negative signal (-8.0~-0.3% of change rate) in all RCP scenarios indicating drier phase than the present climate over land.

• BMB Reports
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• 제49권7호
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• pp.382-387
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• 2016

Reactive oxygen species generated under oxidative stress are involved in neuronal diseases, including ischemia. Glutathione S-transferase pi (GSTpi) is a member of the GST family and is known to play important roles in cell survival. We investigated the effect of GSTpi against oxidative stress-induced hippocampal HT-22 cell death, and its effects in an animal model of ischemic injury, using a cell-permeable PEP-1-GSTpi protein. PEP-1-GSTpi was transduced into HT-22 cells and significantly protected against H2O2-treated cell death by reducing the intracellular toxicity and regulating the signal pathways, including MAPK, Akt, Bax, and Bcl-2. PEP-1-GSTpi transduced into the hippocampus in animal brains, and markedly protected against neuronal cell death in an ischemic injury animal model. These results indicate that PEP-1-GSTpi acts as a regulator or an antioxidant to protect against oxidative stress-induced cell death. Our study suggests that PEP-1-GSTpi may have potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of ischemia and a variety of oxidative stress-related neuronal diseases.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.50-57
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• 2018

Millettia erythrocalyx는 콩과(Fabaceae)에 속하는 식물로 중국, 태국, 인도 등 열대 아열대 지역에 분포하며, 항바이러스 활성을 보유하고 있다는 보고가 있으나 항산화능과 항암활성 등에 관한 연구는 보고된 바가 없다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 M. erythrocalyx의 에탄올 추출물(EEME)을 사용하여 항산화능을 측정하고, 인체간암세포주인 HepG2에 대한 항암활성과 그 분자적 기전에 관하여 분석하였다. 먼저 DPPH radical scavenging activity를 통해 분석한 결과, EEME의 $IC_{50}$는 $2.74{\mu}g/ml$로 뛰어난 항산화능을 보유하였음을 확인하였다. 또한 EEME 농도 의존적으로 HepG2 세포의 성장을 억제하였다. EEME의 HepG2 세포 사멸 효과의 기전을 분석하기 위하여 세포주기를 분석한 결과, EEME 농도의존적으로 SubG1 세포가 증가하였으며, Annexin V 염색과 DAPI 염색을 통해 apoptotic 세포 및 apoptotic body가 증가됨을 확인하였다. 또한 apoptosis 관련 단백질들의 발현변화를 분석한 결과, EEME 처리에 의해 사멸수용체인 Fas와 pro-apoptotic 단백질인 Bax의 발현이 증가되었으며, caspase-3, -8, -9가 활성화되고 최종적으로 PARP가 분해되어 apoptosis가 유도되었음을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과들로부터 EEME는 내인성 및 외인성 경로를 통한 apoptosis 유도에 의하여 HepG2 세포의 증식을 억제하는 항암활성을 보유하였음을 확인하였다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.1711-1714
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• 2014

Objective: To explore the effect of Withaferin A on A549 cellular proliferation and apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods: NSCLC cell line A549 was selected to explore the effect of Withaferin A on A549 cellular proliferation, apoptosis and the PI3K/Akt signal pathway capable of regulating tumor biological behavior by assessment of cellular proliferation, cellular apoptotic rates and cellular cycling as well as by immuno-blotting. Results: Withaferin A could inhibit A549 cellular proliferation and the control rate was dosage-dependent (P<0.05), which also increased time-dependently with the same dosage of Withaferin A (P<0.05). The apoptotic indexes in A549 cells treated with 0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 ${\mu}mol{\cdot}L^{-1}$ Withaferin A for 48 h were significantly different (P<0.05). In addition, the apoptotic rates of each group in both early and advanced stages were higher than those in 0 ${\mu}mol{\cdot}L^{-1}$ (P<0.05), which were evidently higher after 48 h than those after 24 h (P<0.05). A549 cells treated by Withaferin A for 48 h were markedly lower in Bcl-2 level and obviously higher in Bax and cleaved caspase-3 levels than those treated by 0 ${\mu}mol{\cdot}L^{-1}$ Withaferin A (P<0.05), and there were significant differences among 5, 10 and 20 ${\mu}mol{\cdot}L^{-1}$ Withaferin A (P<0.05). The ratios of A549 cells treated by Withaferin A for 48 h in G0/G1 stage were higher than those in 0 ${\mu}mol{\cdot}L^{-1}$, while those in S and G2/M stages were obviously lower than those in G2/M stage, and there were significant differences in 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 ${\mu}mol{\cdot}L^{-1}$ Withaferin A (P<0.05). Additionally, p-Akt/Akt values were in reverse association with dosage, and the differences were significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Withaferin A can inhibit the proliferation and apoptosis of A549 cells by suppressing activation of the PI3K/Akt pathways.

• 한국작물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국작물학회 2017년도 9th Asian Crop Science Association conference
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• pp.140-140
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• 2017

Nutritious and functional foods from crop have received great attention in recent years. Colored-grain wheat contains high phenolic compound and a large number of flavonoid. The anthocyanin and polyphenolic synthesis and accumulation is generally stimulated in response to biotic or abiotic stresses. Here, we analyzed genome wide transcripts in seedling of colored-grain wheat response to ABA and PEG treatment. About 900 and 1500 transcripts (p-value < 0.05) from ABA and PEG treatment were aligned to IWGSC1+popseq DB which is composed of over 110,000 transcripts including 100,934 coding genes. NR protein sequences of Poaceae from NCBI and protein sequence of transcription factors originated from 83 species in plant transcription factor database v3.0 were used for annotation of putative transcripts. Gene ontology analysis were conducted and KEGG mapping was performed to show expression pattern of biosynthesis genes related in flavonoid, isoflavonoid, flavons and anthocyanin biopathway. DroughtDB (http://pgsb.helmholtz-muenchen.de/droughtdb/) was used for detection of DEGs to explain that physiological and molecular drought avoidance by drought tolerance mechanisms. Drought response pathway, such as ABA signaling, water and ion channels, detoxification signaling, enzymes of osmolyte biosynthesis, phospholipid metabolism, signal transduction, and transcription factors related DEGs were selected to explain response mechanism under water deficit condition. Anthocyanin, phenol compound, and DPPH radical scavenging activity were measured and antioxidant activity enzyme assays were conducted to show biochemical adaptation under water deficit condition. Several MYB and bHLH transcription factors were up-regulated in both ABA and PEG treated condition, which means highly expressed MYB and bHLH transcription factors enhanced the expression of genes related in the biosynthesis pathways of flavonoids, such as anthocyanin and dihydroflavonols in colored wheat seedlings. Subsequently, the accumulation of total anthocyanin and phenol contents were observed in colored wheat seedlings, and antioxidant capacity was promoted by upregulation of genes involved in maintaining redox state and activation of antioxidant scavengers, such as CAT, APX, POD, and SOD in colored wheat seedlings under water deficit condition. This work may provide valuable and basic information for further investigation of the molecular responses of colored-grain wheat to water deficit stress and for further gene-based studies.

• 한국수정란이식학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국수정란이식학회 2002년도 국제심포지엄
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• pp.98-98
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• 2002

Recruitment of primordial follicles(PMF) is crucial for female fertility. however, factors and mechanisms that regulate this process is poorly understood. The present study was conducted to obtain an inclusive view of the gene expression and to identify novel factors and their pathways of regulating PMF arrest and/or growth initiation. Ovaries from one-day neonatal(consists of oocyte and PMF) and five-day old(consists of PMF and primary follicles, PRIF) mice were collected, either total RNA or mRNA was isolated, and suppression subtractive hybridization(SSH) was used to isolate and clone genes that differentially expressed in day 1 and day 5 ovaries. Confirmation that some of these genes are differentially expressed in PMF and/or in PRIF was accomplished by using laser captured microdissection(LCM), RT-PCR. in situ hybridization(ISH) and/or immunohistochemistry(IHC). In toto, 357 clones were sequenced and analyzed by BLAST and RIKEN program. Sequences of 330 clones significantly matched database entries while 27 clones were novel. Forty-two and 47 different genes were identified as differentially expressed in day 1 and day 5 ovaries, respectively, while 7 genes were expressed in both stages of ovaries. Day 5-subtracted library included several genes known as markers far growing follicles, such as ZP2, MATER, and fetuin. Among the genes with assigned functions, 23.8% was associated with cell cycle/apoptosis regulation, 7.1% with cellular structure, 11.9% with metabolism, 26.2% with signal transduction, and 31.0% with gene/protein expression in day 1; while 10.6%, 17.0%, 23.5%, 25.5%, and 23.4% in day 5, respectively. Genes such as GDF-8, Lats2, Septin2, and Weel were the highly expressed genes in PMF, while HSP84, Laminin2, MATER, MTi7, PTP, and Wrn were highly expressed genes in PRIF. We have successfully discovered list of genes expressed in day 1 and day 5 ovaries and confirmed that some of them are differentially expressed in PMF and/or PRIF. Gene expression profile from the present study would provide insight for the future study on the mechanism(s) involved in primordial-primary follicular transition. This work was Supported by Korean Health 21 RND Project, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea (01-PJ10-PG6-01GN13-0002).

• BMB Reports
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• 제37권6호
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• pp.741-748
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• 2004

The hepatitis C virus is associated with the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinomas. Among the 10 polyproteins produced by the virus, no function has been clearly assigned to the non-structural 5A (NS5A) protein. This study was designed to identify the hepatocellular proteins that interact with NS5A of the HCV. Yeast two-hybrid experiments were performed with a human liver cDNA prey-library, using five different NS5A derivatives as baits, the full-length NS5A (NS5A-F, amino acid (aa) 1~447) and its four different derivatives, denoted as NS5A-A (aa 1~150), -B (aa 1~300), -C (aa 300~447) and D (aa 150~447). NS5A-F, NS5A-B and NS5A-C gave two, two and 10 candidate clones, respectively, including an AHNAK-related protein, the secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (SFRP4), the N-myc downstream regulated gene 1 (NDRG1), the cellular retinoic acid binding protein 1 (CRABP-1), ferritin heavy chain (FTH1), translokin, tumor-associated calcium signal transducer 2 (TACSTD2), phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase (PI4K) and $centaurin{\delta}$ 2 ($CENT{\delta}2$). However, NS5A-A produced no candidates and NS5A-D was not suitable as bait due to transcriptional activity. Based on an in vitro binding assay, CRABP-1, PI4K, $CENT{\delta}2$ and two unknown fusion proteins with maltose binding protein (MBP), were confirmed to interact with the glutathione S-transferase (GST)/NS5A fusion protein. Furthermore, the interactions of CRABP-1, PI4K and $CENT{\delta}2$ were not related to the PXXP motif (class II), as judged by a domain analysis. While their biological relevance is under investigation, the results contribute to a better understanding of the possible role of NS5A in hepatocellular signaling pathways.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.129-137
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• 2009

$Ca^{2+}$은 다양한 자극과 빛, biotic, abiotic 스트레스, 호르몬 등의 반응에 대한 세포내 2차 신호전달물질로써 중요한 역할을 한다. $Ca^{2+}$의 반응자들은 특정 물질과 경로를 활성화함으로써 신호전달 기능을 한다고 알려져 있는 $Ca^{2+}$ 결합 단백질들이다. 이들 단백질 중, calmidulin (CaM)은 식물과 동물의 특정 단백질의 활성을 조절하는 것으로 잘 알려져 왔다. 특히, 식물은 다양한 CaM 유전자와 특징적인 protein kinase와 전사인자를 포함한 많은 종류의 CaM 관련 단백질들을 가지고 있다. 이로 인해서 식물은 주변의 여러 가지 신호등을 인지할 수 있을 뿐만 아니라 변화된 환경에 적응할 수 있는 것이다. 하지만, 대부분의 CaM이나 이들과 관련된 단백질들의 기능은 최근 활발히 연구되고 있지만 아직 많은 작용 기작이 연구의 대상이 되고 있다. 따라서 CaM의 기능을 좀 더 이해한다면 식물의 환경적 자극에 대한 반응과 식물의 성장과 발달에 있어서 CaM의 역할을 규명하는데 도움을 줄 수 있을 것으로 기대된다. 본 논문은 $Ca^{2+}$-CaM의 신호전달 시스템과, CaM과 관련된 단백질들, 그리고 식물의 biotic, abiotic 스트레스에 대한 외부 자극의 반응에 있어서 CaM의 작용에 대해 기술하였다.