• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.119-134
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• 2004

Human exposure to highly nickel-polluted environments, such as those associated with nickel refining, electroplating, and welding, has the potential to produce a variety of pathologic effects. Among them are skin allergies, lung fibrosis, and cancer of the respiratory tract. The exact mechanisms of nickel-induced carcinogenesis are not known and have been the subject of numerous epidemiologic and experimental investigations. This review provides the evidence of the current state for the genotoxic and mutagenic activity of Ni (II) particularly at high doses. Such doses are best delivered into the cells by phagocytosis of sparingly soluble nickel-containing dust particles. Ni (II) genotoxicity may be aggravated through the generation of DNA-damaging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the inhibition of DNA repair by this metal. The epigenetic effects of nickel includes alteration in gene expression resulting from DNA hypermethylation and histone hypoacetylation, as well as activation some signaling pathways and subsequent transcrziption factors.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.251-259
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• 2004

Xenoestrogens are chemicals with diverse structure that mimic estrogen. Bisphenol A, a monomer of polycarbonate and epoxy resins, has been detected in canned food and human saliva. Bisphenol A stimulate cell proliferation and induce expression of estrogen -response genes in vitro. The purpose of the this study was to evaluate cell proliferation of bisphenol A in the presence of a rat liver 59 mix contaning cytochrome P450 enzymes and Cu (II). The fragmentation of intact DNA, a parameter of apoptotic cell death, was evaluated quantitatively by diphenylamine reaction method. Bisphenol A induced apoptotic cell death in a dose-dependent manner The effect of radical scavenger on the apoptotic cell death induced bisphenol A was investigated. The DNA fragmentation induced by bisphenol A was significantly inhibited by addition of radical scavenger to the culture medium. This indicated that elevated oxidative stress caused by imbalance between the production and removal of free radicals occurred in cells. Taken together, these results suggest that free radical reacts with Cu (II) leading oxidative stress.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.225-230
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• 2003

본 연구는 DNA 상해유도기작을 규명하기 위하여 하등 진핵생물인 분열형 효모 Schizosaccharomyces Pombe로부터 subtraction hybridization방법을 이용하여 자외선 유도 유전자인 UVI-180을 분리하고 그 유전자 구조와 발현양상을 조사하였다. UVI-180유전자의 발현양상을 Northern hybridization 방법으로 살펴본 결과 자외선(ultraviolet-light)조사 1시간 후에 최대의 발현 증가를 나타내었다. 반면 알킬화제인 MMS(methyl methanesulfonate)처리에 의해서는 전혀 발현이 증가되지 않았다. 이 결과 UVI-180유전자는 DNA상해에 따라 각기 다른 발현양상을 나타냄을 알 수 있었다. 유전자의 기능을 알기 위하여 null-mutant세포 주를 제조하여 그 특성을 살펴본 결과 이 유전자는 세포의 성장에 필수적인 유전자임을 알 수 있었다.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.21 no.1 s.52
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• pp.21-26
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• 2006

본 연구는 DNA 상해유도기작을 규명하기 위하여 하등 진핵생물인 분열형 효모 Schizosaccharomyces pombe로부터 subtraction hybridization방법을 이용하여 자외선 유도 유전자인 UV150과 UV200을 분리하고 그 유전자 구조와 발현양상을 조사하였다. 분리한 유전자의 발현양상을 Northern hybridization 방법으로 살펴본 결과 자외선 조사 1시간 후부터 발현이 증가되었다. 또한 알킬화제인 Methyl Methanesulfonate (MMS) 처리에 의해서도 발현이 증가되었다. 이 결과 다른 UV-inducible유전자와는 다르게 분리한 UV150유전자는 UV에 UV200유전자는 MMS에 의하여 발현이 증가됨을 알 수 있었다. 유전자의 기능을 알기 위하여 URA4 유전자를 이용하여 null-mutant 세포주를 제조하여 그 특성을 살펴본 결과 분리한 UV150 유전자는 세포의 성장에 필수적인 유전자임을 알 수 있었다.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.479-486
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• 2013

The DNA-binding protein from starved cells (DPS), originally identified as a DNA binding protein in Escherichia coli, is known to play an important role in DNA protection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional roles of DPS in E. coli against various kinds of external stresses by comparing the properties of wild-type E. coli cells and dps knockout mutant E. coli (${\Delta}dps$) cells. Under various stress conditions, we measured the cell growth of the wild-type E. coli and the dps knockout mutant E. coli (${\Delta}dps$) cells using a UV spectrophotometer. The growth rate of the cells was compared to investigate the functional roles of the DPS protein in E. coli. In comparison to the properties of the wild-type E. coli cells, the dps knockout mutant E. coli (${\Delta}dps$) cells showed highly sensitive phenotypes under various stress conditions, such as heat shock, acidic pH, nutrient deficiency, and different concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS), suggesting that DPS plays key roles in E. coli in combating diverse external stresses. The DPS DNA-binding protein in E. coli plays crucial roles in bacterial cell growth and in the protection of the cells from environmental stresses by tightly binding and preserving their DNA molecules.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.137-141
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• 2002

The SNF2/SW12 family comprises proteins from a variety of species with in vivo functions, such as transcriptional regulation, maintenance of chromosome stability during mitosis, and various types of DNA repair. This study was shown the characterization of hrp2+ gene which was isolated by PCR amplification using the conserved domain of SNF2 motifs. Sequence analysis of hrp2+ gene showed striking evolutionary conservation among the SNF2 family of proteins. The transcript of hrp2+ gene was found to be a 4.7 kb as identified by Northern hybridization. In addition, to determine the transcription initiation site of hrp2+ gene, primer extension analysis was performed. This result showed the band of 64 bp. The transcriptional start point was mapped to a position of 47 base pair from the first ATG codon of translational initiation codon. In order to investigate the inducibility of hrp2+ gene, transcript levels were examined after treating the cells to various DNA damaging agents. The transcripts of hrp2+ were induced by UV-irradiation. But the transcripts were not induced by treatment of 0.25% Methylmethane sulfonate (MMS). These results implied that the effects of damaging agents are complex and different regulatory pathways exist for the induction of this gene.

• Proceedings of KOSOMES biannual meeting
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.187-188
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• 2007

The fluctuations of biochemical and molecular activities III the harmful dinoflagellate, Cochlodinium polykrikoides, depending on water temperatures, were studied. In genomic DNA concentration, a similar value of 0.6 was shown at $12^{\circ}C$ and $15^{\circ}C$, but significantly increasing DNA from $18^{\circ}C$ (p<0.05), with a maximum of 1.8 at $24^{\circ}C$. After$24^{\circ}C$, the DNA significantly decreased to 0.6. Likely, the concentrations of RNA and total protein were at their highest values of 1.7 and 0.07 g $mL^1$ at $24^{\circ}C$, respectively. In contrast to ONA, RNA and total protein began to increase at $15^{\circ}C$. Oxygen availability between lower and higher temperatures was significantly different and increased from $18^{\circ}C$ according to light intensity, regardless of wavelengths (p<0.05). At $24^{\circ}C$, the highest value of the maximum electron transport rate (ETRmax), ranging from 537.9 (Ch 1) to 602.5 mol electrons $g^{-1}$ Ch1 a $s^{-1}$ (Ch 4), was also shown. Nitrate reductase (NR) and ATPase activities were at their highest values of 0.11 mol $NO_2^-g^{-1}$ Ch1 a $h^{-1}$ and 0.78 pmol 100 $mg^{-1}$ $at^2$ $4^{\circ}C$, respectively. When the cells cultured at $15^{\circ}C$, NR and ATPase activities significantly increased compared to $12^{\circ}C$ (p<0.05). In an analysis of CHN, the concentration of C and N also significantly increased (p<0.05). However, at $27^{\circ}C$, most of the molecular and biochemical movements were much lower, compared to $24^{\circ}C$. These results suggest that C. polykrikoides is very sensitive biochemical and molecular activities depending on water temperatures. Possibly, it is desirable to estimate at $18^{\circ}C$ the initiation of the massive blooming development of C. polykrikoides. In nature, it will be very difficult to maintain the massive blooms after $24^{\circ}C$ because of the possibility of significantly decreasing the molecular movement and activity of C. polykrikoides.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.126-133
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• 1998

Effects of B(a)P on preimplantation mouse embryos in vitro were studied. Preimplantation mouse embryos were exposed to a concentration of 0.3, 1, 3 and 10 $\mu$M B(a)P for 72 hrs. The toxicological effects of B(a)P were evaluated by morphological observation of embryos up to the blastocyst stage, and by measuring DNA, RNA and protein synthesis by radioactive precursor incorporation. At 1 $\mu$M B(a)P did not affect preimplantation development but interfered with hatching and ICM formation. Suppressing effect of ICM formation was dose dependent. At the eight cell stage, the developmental rate was decreased at above 3 $\mu$M of B(a)P. At the blastocyst stage, attachment and trophoblast outgrowth were diminished at the 10 $\mu$M of B(a)P and ICM formation was decreased at 1 $\mu$M of B(a)P. Inner cell number of blastocyst was decreased dose dependently. So, number of ICM was one of the most sensitive and toxicological end point. The RNA incorporation rate of 0.1 $\mu ^3$H-uridine was dosedependent and the protein incroporation of 0.5 $\mu Ci ^{35}$S-methionine showed a significant decrease after 48 hrs. But the DNA incorporation rate of methyl-$^3$H thymidine was not affected. Our results suggested that B(a)P did not affect the DNA replication but transcription was inhibited by dose dependent manner. There delay of development during the blastocyst stage was mainly due to the inhibition of RNA synthesis followed by protein synthesis.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.467-477
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• 2017

Objectives: Oxidative stress and DNA damage have been proposed as mechanisms linking pesticide exposure to health effects such as cancer and neurological diseases. We investigated whether protective measures could significantly reduce the levels of biomarkers for oxidative stress and DNA damage in agricultural workers. Methods: In the present study, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), biomarkers related to oxidative stress and DNA damage, respectively, were analyzed in urine samples collected from agricultural workers in two provinces of Korea (n=60). The influence of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and performing protective behaviors on the levels of these two biomarkers was also evaluated. Results: The median urinary levels of MDA and 8-OHdG were 10.45 nmol/mg creatinine and 14.42 ng/mg creatinine in subjects living in region A, while they were 6.25 nmol/mg creatinine and 24.77 ng/mg creatinine in subjects living in region B, respectively. The levels of MDA and 8-OHdG were higher in male farmers. Farmers wearing greater numbers of PPE and performing more protective behaviors had significantly lower levels of MDA. Greater numbers of protective behaviors was significantly associated with lower levels of 8-OHdG. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that pesticide exposure could induce oxidative stress and DNA damage in agricultural workers, and that protective measures are important for mitigating pesticide exposure.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.369-378
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• 2010

Microorganisms are key-role player for stabilization of landfill sites. In order to evaluate the availability of T-RFLP(Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) for monitoring microbial community variations during stabilization of landfill sites, the phylogenic diversity of microbial community in the leachate from 4 different full-scale landfills was characterized by T-RFLP based on bacterial 16S rDNA. Main population of microbial community analyzed by T-RFLP was significantly similar with that of microbial community analyzed by clone library analysis. The results of T-RFLP analysis for main population of microbial community in the leachate from landfills with different landfill structures, waste types and landfill ages showed apparently different microbial diversity and structures. Therefore, long-term monitoring of microbial community in leachate from landfill sites by using T-RFLP is expected to be available for evaluation of landfill stability.