• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.1218-1225
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• 2009

Difractose anhydrides (DFAs) is studied as a sweetener for diabetics because of its structural property. DFAs have four types: DFA I, III, IV (degradation of levan) and V (degradation of inulin). Especially, DFA IV has been shown to enhance the absorption of calcium in experiments using rats. Levan fructotransferase is an enzyme for producing di-d-fructose-2,6':6,2-dianhydride (DFA IV). To identify structural characterization, we purified wild-type and mutants (D63A, D195N and N85S) of levan fructotransferase (LFTase) from Microbacterium sp. AL-210. These proteins were purified to apparent homogeneity by Ni-NTA affinity column, Q-sepharose ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography and detected by SDS-PAGE. They were also analyzed by circular dichroism (CD) measurements, JNET secondary structure prediction, activity measurements at various temperatures, and pH analysis. The optimum pH for the enzyme-catalyzed reaction was pH 7.5 and optimum temperature was observed at $55^{\circ}C$. Along with wild-type LFTase, mutants were analyzed by CD measurement, fluorescence analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). N85S showed less $\alpha$-helix and more $\beta$ strand than others. Also, N85S showed almost the same curve as wild-type in their steady-state fluorescence spectra, whereas mutant D63A and D195N showed higher intensity than wild-type. The amino acid sequence of wild-type LFTase was compared to the sequences of exo-inulinase from Aspergillus awamori, a plant fructan 1-exohydrolase from Cichorium intybus, and Thermotogo maritime (Tm) invertase and showed a high identity with Exo-inulinase from Aspergillus awamori.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.117-125
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• 2001

Vitrification of oocytes has been applied recently fur pigs, but remains elusive. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of vitrification in open pulled straws (OPS) on in vitro survival of porcine oocytes. When immature follicular oocytes frozen-thawed were cultured for in vitro maturation, maturation rates to metaphase-II stage were higher in oocytes with (25%) than without (15%) cumulus cells. After In vitro fertilization of oocytes frozen-thawed, the maturation rates were also significantly (P<0.05) higher in oocytes with (41%) that than without (17%) cumulus cells. However, the penetration rates were higher in oocytes without (19%) that than with (9%) cumulus. In another experiment, porcine oocytes matured in vitro were frozen and thawed for in vitro fertilization. The penetration rates were higher than in oocytes without (35%) that than with (26%) cumulus cells. However, the proportions of oocytes dead after in vitro fertilization were significantly (P<0.05) higher in oocytes with that than without cumulus cells. On the other hand, the rates of penetration and dead oocytes at 6 h after in vitro fertilization were not significant differences between oocytes with and without cumulus cells. However, the proportions of dead oocytes with (18%) and without (16%) cumulus cells were higher than in oocytes of control group (0%). These finding indicated the possible broader application for OPS, as they demonstrated that the maturation and fertilization in vitro by frozen-thawed oocytes may be accompained by cumulus cells and culture periods according to the requirements of the survival ability after freezing of mature and immature oocytes in pigs.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.311-321
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• 2008

In order to improve the insufficient protein content of Jeung-Pyun with respect to sitology, as well as its fermentation process, this study prepared Jeung-Pyun doughs containing 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 g of milk, respectively, and examined their mechanical and functional characteristics. The internal structure of the Jeung-Pyun was observed by SEM. With regard to color, the L-value increased with increasing amounts of added milk, and the highest value (65.43) occurred in the group containing 20 g of added milk; however, there were no significant differences among groups. The group containing 20 g of added milk also presented the highest a-value, and the samples with added milk had higher b-values than the control. At 8 hours of fermentation, the 10 g- and 15 g-added milk groups had viscosities of 5726.67 and 6600 respectively; viscosity increased with increasing amounts of milk, and the added-milk groups had significantly higher values than the control group. Hardness also increased with increasing amounts of added milk. However, there were no significant differences in resilience and cohesive power among the groups. The groups containing 5 and 10 g of added milk had the lowest cohesion and break values. For appearance, the group without added milk had the whitest color. Pore size decreased and showed less uniformity as the amount of added milk increased. The unique tackju aroma of Jeung-Pyun decreased significantly as the level of added milk increased, and the 20 g addition presented the lowest value. The 10 g-added milk group had the highest level of sweetness, and sourness increased with increasing amounts of added milk. For softness, the control group was estimated as slightly softer than the added-milk groups. The stickiest sample was generally preferred when considering taste, white color, and sweetness. Among the quality characteristics, having greater stickiness, resilience, moisture, and softness was better in terms of chewing. Overall, the size of the Jeung-Pyun containing 10 g of milk was even and well-developed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.833-838
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• 2015

Multidrug-resistant super bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infections are major health threaten pathogens. However, to overcome the present healthcare situation, among the leading alternatives to current drugs are antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are abundantly produced via various species in nature. AMPs, small host defense proteins, are in charge of the innate immunity for the protection of multicellular organisms such as fish, amphibian, reptile, plants and animals from infection. The number of AMPs identified per year has increased steadily since the 1980s. Over 2,000 natural AMPs from bacteria, protozoa, fungi, plants, and animals have been listed into the antimicrobial peptide database (APD). The majority of these AMPs (>86%) possess 11–50 amino acids with a net charge from 0 to +7 and hydrophobic percentages between 31–70%. This report classified AMP into several categories including biological source, biological functions, peptide properties, covalent bonding pattern, and 3D structure. AMP functions not only antimicrobial activity but facilitates cell biological activity such as chemotatic activity. In addition, fibroblastic reticular cell (FRC) originated from mouse lymph node stroma induced the expression of AMP in inflammatory condition. AMP induced from FRC contained whey acidic protein (WAP) domain. It suggests that the classification of AMP will be done by protein domain.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.182-189
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• 2013

Halophytes are unique land plants that are capable of thriving in a high-salt environment. They are attracting public attention due to their ability to synthesize bioactive substances such as UV protectants or antioxidizing agents. To achieve unaffected growth under high salinity, halophytes may take advantage of the activities of cell growth factors such as expansins. Expansins are well-known cell wall proteins that are responsible for cell enlargement. They loosen cell walls, thereby contributing to actual plant growth. This study aimed to identify positive roles of expansins in the growth of halophytes. Three expansin cDNA clones were isolated from seedlings of Suaeda japonica. Comparing the deduced amino acid sequences of the expansin genes of S. japonica with those of other plant species suggested that the cDNA clones isolated from S. japonica belong to the EXPA (${\alpha}$-expansin) gene family. A phylogenetic tree based on the deduced amino acid sequences revealed that the expansins of S. japonica share a close evolutionary relationship with those of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) and jujube (Ziziphus jujuba), both of which are woody dicots. SjEXPAs did not show any remarkable change in the gene expression level in different NaCl concentrations, providing a clue to the unaffected seedling growth of S. japonica in a high-salt environment. In conclusion, the present study presents the first report of expansin genes from halophytes and suggests a putative role for these genes in plant growth under high salinity.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.258-258
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• 2013

최근 건조 제품의 양질화, 고급화 및 편의화가 요구되어 이를 충족시키기 위한 새로운 건조방법이 계속 개발 되어 왔다. 이러한 방법들 중에서 저온과 진공하에서 건조가 이루어지는 진공 동결 건조는 가장 완벽한 건조 방법으로 최근 실용화 되고 있다. 진공동결건조란 건조의 한 종류로 수분을 함유한 시료를 동결시킨 후 진공펌프를 이용하여 수증기압을 3중점 이하로 낮추어 얼음을 직접 증기로 만드는 승화의 원리에 의해서 얻어진다. 분무진공동결건조의 특징은 (1) 물리적구조의 보존성, (2) 화학적인 안정성, (3) 생물학적인 활동의 보존성, (4) 제품의 높은 복원성 및 재생성이다. 따라서 분무진공동결건조 기술은 크게 진공, 분무, 동결, 건조, 멸균 등과 같은 요소기술의 복합기술이라 할 수 있다. 분말을 제조하기 위해서 진공동결건조 후 분쇄하는 방법을 사용하나 본 방법에서는 정밀화학품 제조를 위해서 분무진공동결건조 방식을 사용한다. 이를 통하여 적당한 크기인 5~10 um의 입경 제조가 가능하고, 공기동력학적인 입경이 기존 방식에 비해 작아서 허파까지의 운반효율이 1.5~2배 우수하다. 화학, 의학 분야에서의 분무동결 건조는 주로 민감한 제품, 즉 생물학적 고유성의 손상 없이 물을 제거하는데 사용되어 영구적으로 저장 가능한 상태로 보관할 수 있으며 물의 첨가로 원상태로 복구할 수 있어서 매우 각광을 받고 있다. 의약용 냉동건조 제품은 항생물질, 박테리아, 혈청, 백신, 검사 약물, 단백질을 포함하는 생물공학 제품들, 세포, 섬유, 화학제품 등이 있으며 주로 vial 또는 ampule 상태로 건조가 이루어진다.본 연구에서는 원료를 $-194^{\circ}C$의 액체질소에 분무시켜 동결된 미립자를 형성한 후 진공 및 저온상태에서얼음의 승화(sublimation)에 기반한 1차 건조와 수증기 탈착(desorption)에 기초한 2차 건조 과정으로 구성된 분무진공동결건조기를 개발하였다. 분무동결 과정의 해석을 통해 2유체식 노즐을 통해 분무된 미세 입경의 액적이 액체 질소 표면까지 도달하는 회수률, 분무 노즐의 위치, 운전 조건 및 용기의 설계의 최적화를 수행하였다. 초기 액적속도, 분무노즐의 높이, 흡입구 추가에 따른 액적 유동 및 회수의 특성을 제시하였으며 이를 통한 분사시스템 고도화 가능성을 제시하였다. 구형의 미세 입자가 적층된 제품의 동결건조 공정의 해석은 흡착승화 모델(sorption sublimation model)을 기반으로 다음과 같은 열전달, 물질전달, 상변화 모델을 고려하여 유도되었다. 분무노즐 및 냉동/진공 배기계 시작품을 개발하여, 표면의 고다공도를 갖춘 입경 3~20 m 정도의 시료를 얻을 수 있으며, 동역학적 입경 5 m 충족함을 확인하였다.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.241-253
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• 1999

Fertilization pattern of north temperate bats is known to be unique for their sperm storage in the female reproductive tract during hibernation (e.g. Korean greater horseshoe bats). They copulate in fall but their ejaculated spermatozoa survive until the next spring. In another words they can persist to survive during long hibernation under the cold condition $(8\sim13^{\circ}C)$ and are to be fertilized with the ovum ovulated in the next spring, so called delayed fertilization. The present study was designed to observe morphological and functional changes of spermatozoa plasma membrane of the bats, hamsters which are hibernators, and mice which are non-hibernators in the room and the cold (bat-hibernation) temperatures and to confirm influence of the temperature on spermatozoa; survival rate, acrosome reaction rate, protein distribution, $Na^+-K^+-ATPase$ activities and scanning electron microscopic histochemistry. Based on the experimental results obtained in the present study, there were no significant morphological and functional differences in the spermatozoa plasma membrane in both the room and cold (bat-hibernation) temperatures and such an absence of difference suggests that the spermatozoa plasma membrane might play a pertinent role as a protector for consistent fertilization during and after hibernation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.596-603
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• 2003

Cells respond to an accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by increasing transcription of genes encoding molecular chaperones and folding enzymes. The information is transmitted from the ER lumen to the nucleus by intracellular signaling pathway, called the unfolded protein response (UPR). To obtain genes related to UPR from B. mori, the cDNA library was constructed with mRNA isolated from Bm5 cell lines in which N-glycosylation was inhibited by tunicamycin treatment. From the cDNA library, we selected 40 clones that differentially expressed when cells were treated with tunicamycin. Among these clones, we have isolated ATFC gene showing similarity with Hac1p, encoding a bZIP transcription factor of 5. cerevisiae. Basic-leucine zipper (bZIP) domain in amino acid sequences of ATFC shared homology with yeast Hac1p. Also, ATFC is up-regulated by accumulation of unfolded proteins in the ER through the treatment of ER stress drugs. Therefore we suggest that ATFC represents a major component of the putative transcription factor responsible for the UPR leading to the induction of ER-localized stress proteins.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 1988

This study was carried out with two cultivars under two levels of pH and four levels of nitrogen fertilization in a field and nutri-culture experiments to obtain the information about the effects of pH and nitrogen fertilization on the growth and yield of soybean. Acidic condition suppressed the growth of soybean plants, and thus yield and yield components of soybean decreased under acidic condition. But they increased with increased nitrogen fertilization. Especially, these respones were more remarkable under acidic condition and in the variety Jangbaegkong. Grain yield of soybean were highly correlated with the content of allantoin and total nitrogen of soybean plants in the variety Jangbaegkong, but this was not in the variety Danyeobkong. The content of protein and fat of soybean seeds decreased under acidic condition, and more nitrogen fertilization increased the protein content, but decreased the fat content.

• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2001.03a
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• pp.195-205
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• 2001

태반 영양배엽 (trophoblast)은 포유동물의 발생과정 중 가장 먼저 분화되는 세포로서, 자궁환경내에서 배아가 착상, 발생, 및 분화하기 위해서 반드시 필요한 태반을 형성하는 색심적인 세포이다. 영양배엽 세포의 분화과정중의 결함은 배아의 사산이나 임신질환 등의 치명적 결과를 초래한다. 하지만, 영양배엽 세포의 분화를 조절하는 분자생물학적인 메카니즘은 아직 규명되지 않고 있다. 영양배엽 세포의 분화를 조절하는 경로를 규경하기 위한 선결과제는 분화된 영양배엽 세포에서만 발현하는 많은 유전자들이 밝혀져야만 한다. 본 연구팀은 최근에 분화된 영양배엽 세포에서만 발현하는 두 종류의 새로운 유전자들을 찾았다. 한 종류는 homeobox를 보유하고 있는 조절 유전자 Psx이고, 다른 한 종류는 임신호르몬인 태반 프로락틴 라이크 단백질 유전자 PLP-C${\beta}$이다. 본 연구과제의 목표는 이들 유전자의 기능과 조절 메카니즘을 규명함으로써, 영양배엽 세포의 분화를 조절하는 조절경로를 밝히는 것이다. 이를 위하여 다음과 같은 일련의 연구를 수행할 것이다. 1) Psx 유전자가 분화된 영양배엽 세포에서만 발현케 하는 조절 메카니즘을 규명하기 위해 functional assays, in vitro footprinting, gel mobility shift assays, 생쥐형질전화, UV crosslinking, Southwestern blot 등의 방법을 통해 Psx 유전자의 cis-acting 요인과 trans-acting factor를 밝혀 분석한다. 2) 영양배엽 세포의 분화조절 경로를 규명하기 위해 random oligonuclotide library screening, DD-PCR, subtractive screening 등의 방법을 이용하여 Psx 유전자에 의해 조절되는 하부유전자를 밝힌다. 3) Psx 유전자를 knock-out시켜 영양배엽 세포가 발달 및 분화하는데 미치는 역할을 밝힌다. 4) Yeast two-hybrid screening방법을 이용하여 태반 프로락틴 유전자의 수용체를 찾아 이들의 신호전달 기전을 밝힌다. 제1차년 연구결과로서, mouse와 rat으로부터 각각 Psx 유전자의 genomic DNA를 클로닝하여, 유전자 구조를 비교한 결과, mouse Psx (mPsx2)는 4개의 exons으로 이루어져 있는 반면에, rat Psx (Psx3)는 3개의 exons으로 구성되어 있었다. 즉, rPsx3는 mPsx2의 exon1이 없었다. Notrhern blot과 in situ hybridization 분석에 의해 mouse와 rat에서 Psx 유전자가 다르게 발현 조절되는 현상을 밝혔다. 실제로 mPsx2와 rPsx3의 5'-flanking지역을 클로닝하여 염기서열 분석 결과 전혀 homology를 찾을 수 없었다. 또한, 이들 각각 promoter의 activity를 luciferase reporter를 이용하여 조사한 결과 Rcho-1 trophoblast cells에서 각기 다른 activity를 보여 주는 것을 발견하였다. Psx 유전자의 transcription start sites는 Primer extension에 의해 밝혔다. 또한 Psx2 유전자를 knock-out 시키기 위해 targeting vector를 Osdupde1에 제작하였다. 본 과제를 시작할 때 새로운 프로락틴 유전자 하나를 클로닝하여 이 유전자를 PLP-I라고 이름을 붙였다. 이 후 이 유전자 (PLP-I)는 PLP-C${\beta}$라고 이름을 붙이게 되었다. Mouse PLP-C${\beta}$ 유전자의 counterpart를 rat에서 찾아 염기서열을 비교한 결과 mouse와 rat에서 PLP-C${\beta}$유전자의 homology는 약 79% (amino acid level)였다. 본 연구과정을 통해 또 하나의 새로운 PLP-C subfamily member를 mouse로부터 클로닝 하였고, 이 유전자를 PLP-C${\gamma}$라 하였다. PLP-C${\beta}$와 PLP-C${\gamma}$의 발현 유형은 Northern blot과 in 냐셔 hybridization 분석에 의해 태반의 제한된 spongitrophoblast와 trophoblast giant cells에서만 발현하는 것을 밝혔다. 놀랍게도 이들 두 새로운 유전자는 alternative splicing에 의해 두 종류의 isoform이 있음을 밝혔다. PLP family member 유전자로서 splicing에 의한 isoforms을 보여 주는 유전자로는 PLP-C${\beta}$와 PLP-C${\gamma}$가 최초이다. 이들 isoform mRNAs의 발현 유형은 RT-PCR 방법을 이용하여 규명하였다. 또 하나의 새로운 발견은 PLP-C${\beta}$와 PLP-C${\gamma}$가 독특한 유전자 구조를 갖고 있었다. 즉, PLP-C${\beta}$는 exon3의 alternative splicing에 의해 5개 혹은 6개의 exons을 갖는 two isoforms이 생긴다. 반면에 PLP-C${\gamma}$는 exon2가 alternative splcing이 되면서 7개의 exons을 갖거나 6개의 exons을 갖는 isoforms을 만든다. 그리고, PLP-C${\gamma}$의 promoter activity를 trophoblast Rcho-l${\gamma}$ 세포주를 이용하여 PLP-C${\gamma}$ 의 1.5 kb 5'-flanking 지역이 trophoblast-specific promoter activity를 갖고 있음을 밝혔다. PLP-C${\gamma}$ 유전자의 transcription start site는 Primer extension에 의해 밝혔다. 제 1차 년도의 연구결과를 토대로, 2차년에서는 다음단계의 연구를 수행하고자 한다. 즉, 1) mPsx2와 rPsx3의 promoter를 비교분석 함으로서 mouse와 rat에서 Psx 유전자가 다르게 조절되는 메카니즘 규명, 2) Psx와 PLP-C 유전자의 promoter에 있는 cis-acting elements 탐색, 3) Psx2와 Psx3의 단백질을 이용하여 이들이 binding하는 target sequence 규명, 4) 제작한 Psx2 targeting vector를 이용하여 ES cells에서 Psx2 유전자 knock-out, 5) Psx 유전자를 과발현시키는 세포주를 만들고 Psx에 의해 조절되는 유전자 탐색, 6) 새로 밝히 PLP-C members 유전자들의 조절기전을 Rcho-1 세포주를 이용하여 여러 거지 성장인자와 다른 호르몬에 대한 반응을 탐색, 7) Psx와 PLP-C${\gamma}$ 유전자의 chromosomal mapping 등을 밝힐 것이다.