• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제24권6호
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• pp.983-988
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• 2010

The present study aims to investigate a possible mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in the spinal dorsal horn that may underlie N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-associated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. The hot plate latency of the ipsilateral hindpaw of EA-treated rats was significantly decreased compared with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-injected ones. The expressions of NR1 and NR2B subuint mRNA of NMDA receptor in the whole L4-5 segments are decreased by CFA treatment, but NR2B subunit was significantly recovered by EA treatment. When we detected the expression of ERK, there were no significant difference between normal and CFA-treated rats with EA or NMDA receptor antagonist MK801. But phosphorylated ERK expressions were markedly induced by CFA, but these inductions were significantly modulated by EA treatment. Although hosphorylation of ERK was also arrested by MK801, these inductions of CFA-injected rats was markedly inhibited only by co-treatment with EA and MK801. Phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), ERK-related transcriptional factor, showed a significant increase in CFA-treated rats and this increase was slightly inhibited by EA and MK801 treatments. But immunoreaction for phosphorylated CREB were significantly increased by CFA treatment in the superficial laminae of the dorsal horn and these inductions were significantly arrested by co-treatment of EA and MK801. Consequently, the hyperalgesia induced by CFA are associated NMDA receptor and EA and MK801 may showed anti-hyperalgesia via same mechanism for inhibition of ERK and CREB phosphorylation in the dorsal horn.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.145-153
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• 2007

Elucidation of the roles of circadian associated factors requires a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of circadian rhythms, control of flowering time through photoperiodic pathways, and photosensory signal transduction. In Arabidopsis, the APRR1 quintet, APRRs 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9, are known as central oscillator genes. Other plants may share the molecular mechanism underlying the circadian rhythm. To identify and characterize these circadian response genes in Brassica crops whose genome was triplicated after divergence from Arabidopsis, we identified B. rapa BAC clones containing these genes by BLAST analysis of B. rapa BAC end sequences against the five corresponding Arabidopsis regions. Subsequent fingerprinting, Southern hybridization, and PCR allowed identification of five BAC clones, one for each of the five circadian-related genes. By draft shotgun sequencing of the BAC clones, we identified the complete gene sequences and cloned the five expressed B. rapa circadian-associated gene members, BrPRRs 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that each BrPRR was orthologous to the corresponding APRR at the sequence level. Northern hybridization revealed that the five genes were transcribed at distinct points in the 24 hour period, and Southern hybridization revealed that they are present in 2, 1, 2, 2, and 1 copies, respectively in the B. rapa genome, which was triplicated and then diploidized during the last 15 million years.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.29-42
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• 1998

$Mg^{2+}$ is one of the most abundant divalent cations in mammalian body(0.2~1.0mM) and the important physiological roles are : first, the cofactor of many enzyme activities, second, the regulator of glycolysis and DNA synthesis, third, the important role of bioenergetics by regulating of phosphorylation, fourth, the influence of cardiac metabolism and function. In this work we have investigated the regulation of the $Mg^{2+}$ induced by ${\alpha}_1-adrenoceptor$ stimulation in perfused guinea pig hearts and isolated myocytes. The $Mg^{2+}$ content of the perfusate or the supernatant was measured by atomic absorbance spectrophotometry. The elimination of $Mg^{2+}$ in the medium increased the force of contraction of right ventricular papillary muscles, and the left ventricular pressure. Phenylephrine also enhanced the force of contraction in the presence of $Mg^{2+}-free$ medium. ${\alpha}_1-Agonists$ such as phenylephrine and methoxamine were found to induce $Mg^{2+}$ efflux in both perfused hearts and myocytes. These effects were blocked by prazosin, an ${\alpha}_1-adrenoceptor$ antagonist. The $Mg^{2+}$ influx could also be induced by phenylephrine and R59022, a diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor. In the presence of protein kinase C(PKC) inhibitors, phenylephrine produced an increase in $Mg^{2+}$ efflux from perfused hearts. Furthermore, $Mg^{2+}$ efflux by phenylephrine was amplified by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate(PMA). This enhancement of $Mg^{2+}$ efflux by PMA was blocked by prazosin in perfused hearts. By contrast, the $Mg^{2+}$ influx could be induced by verapamil, nifedipine, ryanodine in perfused hearts, but not in myocytes. $W^7$, a $Ca^{2+}$/calmodulin antagonist, completely blocked the phenylephrine-induced $Mg^{2+}$ efflux in perfused hearts. In conclusion, $Mg^{2+}$ is responsible for the cardiac activity associated with ${\alpha}_1-adrenoceptor$ stimulation. The mobilization of $Mg^{2+}$ is decreased or increased by ${\alpha}_1-adrenoceptor$ stimulation in guinea pig hearts. These responses may be related specifically to the respective pathways of signal transduction. A decrease in $Mg^{2+}$ efflux by ${\alpha}_1-adrenoceptor$ stimulation in hearts can be through PKC dependent and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ levels.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제23권10호
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• pp.1216-1222
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• 2013

자연살상세포(NK cells)은 림프구계의 세포로서 외부 침임 병원균을 막고 체내 형질변환세포를 제거하는데 참여하고 있다. 이러한 자연살상세포의 활성은 특정한 항원이 필요 없고 활성화 신호와 억제성 신호의 균형에 의해 조절되고 있다. 자연살상세포의 중요한 활성화 신호 중의 하나는 NKG2D 수용체를 통한 것인데, 이 NKG2D 수용체를 통해 자연살상세포는 암세포에 있는 NKG2D 리간드를 인식할 수 있다. 지금까지 인간에서는 여덟개의 NKG2D 리간드가 밝혀져 있고 이러한 리간드의 발현은 다양한 기전을 엄격하게 조절되고 있다. 암세포는 암유전자(oncogenes)에 의해 세포내 다양한 유전자의 발현이 정상세포와 확연히 달라지는데, 이러한 암유전자에 의해서 NKG2D 리간드의 발현이 영향을 받을 것으로 생각되어 진다. 이 연구는 인간의 암세포에서 가장 자주 발현되는 세가지 암유전자 k-ras와 c-myc, wnt의 억제를 통해 NKG2D 리간드의 발현이 어떻게 변화되는 지를 알아보았다. k-ras와 c-myc의 억제는 NKG2D 리간드의 발현을 효과적을 증가시켰고 암세포가 자연살상세포에 더욱 잘 죽게 변화되었다. 그러나 wnt 억제는 MICA와 ULBP1의 전사를 감소시켰다. wnt 억제에 의한 NKG2D 리간드의 전사억제에도 불구하고 세포막의 단백질 발현은 변하지 않아서 암세포의 자연살상세포에 대한 감수성은 별다른 변화를 보이지 않았다. 따라서 k-ras와 c-myc, wnt 억제는 각각 다른 반응을 보였으며 최종적인 자연살상세포에 대한 감수성은 NKG2D 리간드의 세포표면단백질 발현정도에 의해 결정됨을 알 수 있었다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.385-391
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• 2005

As a first step towards identifying genes involving in the signal transduction pathways mediating rice blast resistance, we isolated 3 mutants lines that showed enhanced susceptibility to rice blast KJ105 (91-033) from a T-DNA insertion library of the japonica rice cultivar, Hwayeong. Since none of the susceptible phenotypes co-segregated with the T-DNA insertion we adapted a map-based cloning strategy to isolate the gene(s) responsible for the enhanced susceptibility of the Hwayeong mutants. A genetic mapping population was produced by crossing the resistant wild type Hwayeong with the susceptible cultivar, Nagdong. Chi-square analysis of the $F_2$ segregating population indicated that resistance in Hwayeong was controlled by a single major gene that we tentatively named Pi-hy. Randomly selected susceptible plants in the $F_2$ population were used to build an initial map of Pi-hy. The SSLP marker RM2265 on chromosome 2 was closely linked to resistance. High resolution mapping using 105 $F_2$ plants revealed that the resistance gene was tightly linked, or identical, to Pib, a resistance gene with a nucleotide binding sequence and leucine-rich repeats (NB-LRR) previously isolated. Sequence analysis of the Pib locus amplified from three susceptible mutants revealed lesions within this gene, demonstrating that the Pi-hy gene is Pib. The Pib mutations in 1D-22-10-13, 1D-54-16-8, and 1C-143-16-1 were, respectively, a missense mutation in the conserved NB domain 3, a nonsense mutation in the 5th LRR, and a nonsense mutation in the C terminus following the LRRs that causes a small deletion of the C terminus. These findings provide evidence that NB domain 3 and the C terminus are required for full activity of the plant R gene. They also suggest that alterations of the resistance gene can cause major differences in pathogen specificity by affecting interactions with an avirulence factor.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.174-186
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• 2005

Objectives : The water extract of Samul-tang (SMT) has traditionally been used for treatment of ischemic heart and brain damage in oriental medicine. However, little is known about the mechanism by which the water extract of SMT rescues cells from these damages. Methods: This study was designed to investigate the protective mechanisms of SMT on oxidative stress-induced toxicity in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells. Treatment with $H_2O_2$ markedly induced death of H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells in a dose-dependent manner. Results: The characteristics of H20z-induced death of H9c2 showed apparent apoptotic features such as DNA fragmentation and morphological change. However, SMT significantly reduced both H202-induced cell death and morphological change. The decrease of Bc-2 expression by High were inhibited by SMT. In addition, the increase of Bax expression was also inhibited by SMT. The cotreatment of SMT and $H_2O_2$ in H9c2 cells also induced the phosphorylation of ERK in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, PD98059, a specific inhibitor of ERK1/2 attenuated the protective effects of SMT on $H_2O_2-induced$ toxicity in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells. These results suggest that both ERK1/2 signaling pathways play important roles in the protective effects of SMT on $H_2O_2-induced$ apoptotic death of H9c2 cells. Also, the expression profile of proteins in $H_2O_2$ cardiomyoblast cells were screened by using two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis. Among 300 spots resolved in 2-D gels, the comparison of control versus apoptosis cells revealed that signal intensity of 17 spots increased and 11 spots decreased. Conclusions: Taken together, this study suggests that the protectiw effects of the water extract of SMT against oxidative damages may be mediated by the modulation of Bc1-2 and Bax expression via the regulation of the ERK signaling pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.83-91
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• 1999

Angiotensin II (ANG II) has a biphasic effect on $Na^+$ transport in proximal tubule: low doses of ANG II increase the $Na^+$ transport, whereas high doses of ANG II inhibit it. However, the mechanisms of high dose ANG II-induced inhibition on $Na^+$ uptake are poorly understood. Thus the aim of the present study was to investigate signal transduction pathways involved in the ANG II-induced inhibition of $Na^+$ uptake in the primary cultured rabbit renal proximal tubule cells (PTCs) in hormonally defined serum-free medium. ANG II $(10^{-9}\;M)-induced$ inhibition of $Na^+$ uptake was blocked by losartan $(10^{-8}\;M,\;AT_1\;antagonist),$ but not by PD123319 $(10^{-8}\;M,\;AT_2\;antagonist)$ (P<0.05). ANG II-induced inhibition of $Na^+$ uptake was also completely abolished by neomycin $(10^{-4}\;M,$ PLC inhibitor), W-7 $(10^{-4}\;M,$ calmodulin antagonist), and $AACOCF_3\;(10^{-6}\;M,\;PLA_2\;inhibitor)$ (P<0.05). ANG II significantly increased $[^3H]arachidonic$ acid (AA) release compared to control. The ANG II-induced $[^3H]AA$ release was blocked by losartan, $AACOCF_3,$ neomycin, and W-7, but not by PD123319. ANG II-induced $[^3H]AA$ release in the presence of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ was greater than in $Ca^{2+}-free$ medium, and it was partially blocked by TMB-8 $(10^{-4}\;M,$ intracelluar $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization blocker). However, in the absence of extracellular $Ca^{2+},$ it was completely blocked by TMB-8. In addition, econazole $(10^{-6}\;M,$ cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase inhibitor) and indomethacin $(10^{-6}\;M,$ cyclooxygenase inhibitor) blocked ANG II-induced inhibition of $Na^+$ uptake, but NGDA $(10^{-6}\;M,$ lipoxygenase inhibitor) did not affect it. In conclusion, $PLA_2-mediated$ AA release is involved in ANG II-induced inhibition of $Na^+$ uptake and is modulated by $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ in the PTCs.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.349-361
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• 2010

본 총설에서는 아미노산의 공업적 생산균인 Corynebacterium glutamicum의 탄소 대사 및 이와 관련된 총체적 조절 메커니즘에 대한 최근의 연구를 정리하였다. C. glutamicum의 산업적 발효을 위한 기질로서 사용되는 당밀은 주로 sucrose, glucose, fructose로 이루어져 있으며, 이들 당은 phosphotransferase system을 통해서 수송된다. C. glutamicum의 탄소 대사 특징은 glucose가 다른 당이나 유기산 등과 함께 존재할 때, glucose와 이러한 탄소원 들을 동시에 대사한다. 그러나 glucose/glutamate 혹은 glucose/ethanol 등의 혼합물에서 는 탄소원의 순차적 이용으로 인해 나타나는 diauxic growth 현상을 나타내며, 이러한 carbon catabolite repression(CCR) 현상은 E. coli나 B. subtilis 등에서 알려진 것과는 다른 독특한 분자적 메커니즘과 조절 circuits을 가지고 있음이 밝혀지고 있다. C. glutamicum의 CRP homologue인 GlxR은 acetate 대사를 포함하여 glycolysis, gluconeogenesis 및 TCA cycle 등을 포함하는 중심탄소대사 조절 뿐만 아니라, 다양한 세포 기능의 조절에 관여하는 총체적 조절 단백질로서의 역할이 제시되고 있다. C. glutamicum의 adenylate cyclase(AC)는 막과 결합된 class IIIAC 로서, 막 단백질의 특성상 아직 규명되어 있지 않은 세포 외부의 환경 변화에 대응하여 세포 내의 cAMP합성 수준을 조절할 수 있는 sensor로 추정할 수 있다. 특히 C. glutamicum의 경우 배지내 glucose 를 비롯한 탄소원과 cAMP 농도와의 관련성이 E. coli에서 알려진 교과서적 지식과는 상반되게 변화하는 경향을 보이고 있어, cAMP signaling에 의한 세포 내 regulatory network 등은 향후 풀어야 할 의문으로 남아있다. 탄소대사 조절의 최상위에 존재하며 global 조절자인 GlxRcAMP 복합체 이외에도 차상위 전사조절 단백질로서 RamB, RamA, SugR 등이 존재하여 다양한 탄소대사를 조절한다. 최근 들어서는 새로운 탄소원으로서 대두되고 있는 biomass 관련 기질들을 이용할 수 있는 C. glutamucum 균주 구축을 통하여 이용 기질의 범위를 확대시키고자 하는 연구 및 탄소 대사와 관련하여 L-lysine의 발효 수율 혹은 생산성을 향상시키고자 하는 다양한 분자적 균주 육종 연구 등이 수행되고 있다.

• 대한화장품학회지
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.87-92
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• 2007

본 연구에서는 천연 미백소재 개발을 위하여 제주도 연안에 서식하는 해조류 중 홍조류의 일종인 새발 추출물의 멜라닌 생성에 연관된 생리활성을 분석하였다. 그 결과, 새발 추출물의 폴리페놀 함량은 2.0 % 이하였고, 라디칼 소거활성(DPPH)은 $IC_{50}$값이 $2,000{\mu}g/mL$ 이상이었으며, 세포독성은 관찰되지 않았다. 그리고 생쥐의 B16/F10 흑색종 세포에서 멜라닌 생합성에 관련된 효소의 저해효과를 알아본 결과, 알파-멜라노사이트 자극 호르몬에 의해 유도된 extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2)의 활성화를 억제함으로써 티로시나제와 티로시나제 연관 단백질 1을 저해하는 것으로 확인되었다. 따라서 새발 추출물은 멜라닌 생합성에 필수적인 효소인 티로시나제의 저해활성과 티로시나제 연관 단백질 1의 발현억제 효과가 뛰어난 것으로 분석되었다. 그러므로 홍조류인 새발(Acanthopeltis japonica)의 추출물은 멜라닌 생성 자극제로 유도된 신호전달경로를 저해하는 미백 기능성 화장품 소재로서의 활용 가능성이 높을 것으로 사료된다.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.119-122
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• 2010

Interleukin-1${\beta}$ $(IL-1{\beta})$ is one of the key proinflammatory cytokines and it plays an important role for the antimycobacterial host defense mechanisms. In this study, we examined Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)-stimulated induction of IL-1${\beta}$ and evaluated the associated signal transduction pathways. In PMA-differentiated THP-1 cells, MTB infection increased mRNA expression of IL-$1{\beta}$ in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of IL-1${\beta}$ mRNA began to be induced at 1.5 h after infection, and induced expression of IL-1${\beta}$ was retained for 48 h after MTB infection. The increase in expression of IL-1${\beta}$ caused by MTB was reduced in cells treated with Ro-31-8425 (an inhibitor of PK$C{\alpha}$, ${\beta}I$, ${\beta}II$, ${\gamma}$, ${\varepsilon}$) or PD98059 (an inhibitor of MEK1), meanwhile, pre-treatment with $G\ddot{o}6976$ (an inhibitor of $Ca^{2+}$ dependent PK$C{\alpha}$ and PK$C{\beta}I$) or Rottlerin (an inhibitor of PK$C{\delta}$) has no effect on MTB-induced expression of $IL-1{\beta}$ mRNA. These results show that the expression of $IL-1{\beta}$ mRNA caused by MTB may be mediated via MEK1 and PKC isoforms including PK$C{\beta}II$, $PKC{\gamma}$, or $PKC{\varepsilon}$. Further studies are required to determine whether other PKC isoforms $(PKC {\eta},\;{\theta},\;{\varepsilon},\;and\;{\lambda}/{\iota})$, except $PKC{\delta}$, $PKC{\alpha}$, and $PKC{\beta}I$, are also involved in $IL-1{\beta}$ mRNA expression after mycobacterial infection.