• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제17권11호
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• pp.1826-1832
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• 2007

We describe the fabrication of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEG-DA) hydrogel microstructures with a high aspect ratio and the use of hydrogel microstructures containing the enzyme ${\beta}$-galactosidase (${\beta}$-Gal) or glucose oxidase (GOx)/horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as biosensing components for the simultaneous detection of multiple analytes. The diameters of the hydrogel microstructures were almost the same at the top and at the bottom, indicating that no differential curing occurred through the thickness of the hydrogel microstructure. Using the hydrogel microstructures as microreactors, ${\beta}$-Gal or GOx/HRP was trapped in the hydrogel array, and the time-dependent fluorescence intensities of the hydrogel array were investigated to determine the dynamic uptake of substrates into the PEG-DA hydrogel. The time required to reach steady-state fluorescence by glucose diffusing into the hydrogel and its enzymatic reactions with GOx and HRP was half the time required for resorufin ${\beta}$-D-galactopyranoside (RGB) when used as the substrate for ${\beta}$-Gal. Spatially addressed hydrogel microarrays containing different enzymes were micropatterned for the simultaneous detection of multiple analytes, and glucose and RGB solutions were incubated as substrates. These results indicate that there was no cross-talk between the ${\beta}$-Gal-immobilizing hydrogel micropatches and the GOx/HRP-immobilizing micropatches.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제28권6호
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• pp.722-729
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• 2005

With the aim to improve the specificity and to reduce the cytotoxicity of polyethylenimine (PEI), we have synthesized the conjugates of the branched PEI (25 kDa) with transferrin. The trans-ferrin-PEI (TP) conjugates with five compositions were synthesized using periodate oxidation method and confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. The free amine contents of TP conjugates, which were able to condense and deliver DNA, increased as the amount of PEI increased. TP/DNA polyplexes were characterized by measuring gel elec-trophoresis, ethidium bromide fluorescence quenching, particle size and zeta potential of complexes. Complete complexation of the polyplexes was observed above the N/P ratio of 5 in TP/DNA, and above 3 in PEI/DNA, respectively. The zeta potential of the complexes decreased as the amount of transferrin in TP conjugates increased. Transfection efficiency of TP conjugates was evaluated in HeLa cell and Jurkat cell systems. Among the five compositions of TP conjugates, TP-2 system mediated a higher $\beta$-galactosidase gene expression than PEI system in Jurkat cell which was known to express elevated numbers of transferrin receptors. From the results of the cell viability based on MTT assay, TP conjugates showed lower cytotoxicity com-pared with the PEI system. We expect that the TP conjugate can be used efficiently as a non-viral gene delivery vector.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• 제5권4호
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• pp.263-270
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• 2002

The Pacific oysters, Crassostrea gigas, were stressed with different concentrations of benzo(a) pyrene and depurated to determine the hemocyte lysosomal membrane stability and hydrolytic enzymatic activity as a biomarker candidate to the chemical, using NRR (neutral red retention) and API ZYM System, respectively. The membrane damage measured as NRR decrease was significant with the increase of chemical concentration and exposure time (P<0.05), providing a possible tool for biomarker. Interestingly, the control showed intrinsic stress probably due to captive life in the laboratory, and a recovering trend was also found during the depuration. The benzo(a)pyrene-exposed oysters showed increased enzyme activities in alkaline phosphatase, esterase (C4), acid phosphatase, naphthol-AS-BI-phospho­hydrolase, $\beta$-galactosidase, $\beta$-glucuronidase, and N-acetyl- $\beta$-glucosaminidase. Of them, only two enzymes, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase, showed some potential available for the generation of enzymatic biomarker in the oyster. The results are suggestive of the potential availability of the cellular and enzymatic properties as a biomarker. However, considering that a robust biomarker should be insensitive to natural stress coming from normal physiological variation, but sensitive to pollutants, a concept of intrinsic stress the animal possesses should be taken into consideration. This reflects the necessity of further research on the intrinsic stress affecting the cellular and enzymatic properties of the chemical­stressed oysters prior to using the data as a biomarker.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제42권3호
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• pp.91-97
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• 2017

Although anti-aging activities of melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, have been reported in senescence-accelerated mouse models and several types of cells, its impact and mechanism on the senescence of human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) remains unknown. In this study, we examined the impact of melatonin on cellular premature senescence of HDPCs. Here, we found that melatonin markedly inhibited senescent characteristics of HDPCs after exposure to hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$), including the increase in senescence-associated ${\beta}$-galactosidase (SA-${\beta}$-gal)-positive HDPCs and the upregulation of p21 protein, an indicator for senescence. In addition, as melatonin attenuated $H_2O_2$-stimulated phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), while selective inhibition of JNK activity with SP600125 significantly attenuated $H_2O_2$-induced increase in SA-beta-gal activity. Results reveal that melatonin antagonizes premature senescence of HDPCs via JNK pathway. Thus, melatonin may have therapeutic potential to prevent stress-induced premature senescence, possibly correlated with development of dental pulp diseases, and to maintain oral health across the life span.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.252-259
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• 2009

We previously isolated Bacillus strains with high fibrinolytic activities (FAs) from cheonggukjang prepared by traditional ways. To test their potential as starters for cheonggukjang, soybean was fermented for 72 hr at $37^{\circ}C$ with each isolate and a control lab strain: B. subtilis CH3-25 (BS3-25), B. amyloliquefaciens CH51 (BA51), B. amyloliquefaciens CH86-1 (BA86-1), and B. subtilis 168 (BS168, control, lab strain). Viable cell numbers of all cheonggukjang samples rapidly increased and reached about $10^9$ CFU/g after 6 hr. During 72 hr, the initial pH of 6.3 rapidly increased to 8.1$\sim$8.2 for cheonggukjang fermented with BS3-25 or BA86-1, and 7.3 for those with BA51 or BS168. FAs and protease activities (acid, neutral, and alkaline) rapidly increased in cheonggukjang fermented with BS3-25, BA51, or BA86-1 during the first 12 hr. On the other hand, those of cheonggukjang fermented with BS168 slightly increased during the first 36 hr. There were significant changes in acid and neutral protease activities in cheonggukjang fermented with BA51 or BA86-1 during the 24 hr. Rapid increases of $\beta$-glucosidase activity corresponded well with rapid increases of $\alpha$-amylase and $\alpha$-galactosidase activities in addition to increases in antioxidant activities and the TPCs (total phenolic contents). The highest increase in the TPCs was observed in cheonggukjang fermented with BA86-1 while the least was that fermented with BS168.

• BMB Reports
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• 제47권10호
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• pp.575-580
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• 2014

In this study, we investigate whether arsenite-induced DNA damage leads to p53-dependent premature senescence using human glioblastoma cells with p53-wild type (U87MG-neo) and p53 deficient (U87MG-E6). A dose dependent relationship between arsenite and reduced cell growth is demonstrated, as well as induced ${\gamma}H2AX$ foci formation in both U87MG-neo and U87MG-E6 cells at low concentrations of arsenite. Senescence was induced by arsenite with senescence-associated ${\beta}$-galactosidase staining. Dimethyl- and trimethyl-lysine 9 of histone H3 (H3DMK9 and H3TMK9) foci formation was accompanied by p21 accumulation only in U87MG-neo but not in U87MG-E6 cells. This suggests that arsenite induces premature senescence as a result of DNA damage with heterochromatin forming through a p53/p21 dependent pathway. p21 and p53 siRNA consistently decreased H3TMK9 foci formation in U87M G-neo but not in U87MG-E6 cells after arsenite treatment. Taken together, arsenite reduces cell growth independently of p53 and induces premature senescence via p53/p21-dependent pathway following DNA damage.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.81-92
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• 1999

중추신경계의 미주신경동쪽핵(DMV)내 유사핵분열후 신경세포로 외래 유전자를 전달하는 매개체로서 pseudorabies 바이러스(PRV)의 유전자 조작기술은 흰쥐의 결장내로 PRV를 주입시킨 후 복잡한 신경로 추적에 관한 연구에서 하나의 바이러스에 의해 얻어지는 것보다 더욱 유용한 결과산출이 가능하게 하였다. 본 연구에서는 흰쥐의 생체내 실험모델로 하나의 바이러스 또는 이중 바이러스 주입에 PRV의 유전자 조작된 2종 바이러스를 사용하였다. 이 2종의 바이러스는 PRV의 Bartha 종에서 유래되었지만 면역조직화학적으로 검출할 수 있는 동일한 유전산물을 산출할 수 있도록 구성되었다. PRV-BaBlu는 PRV 게놈의 Us 구역 중 gC 자리에 lacZ 유전자를 삽입하여 산출되었는데 $\beta-galactosidase$ 발현은 이 바이러스에 감염된 신경원의 독특한 표시자로 나타났다. PRV-D는 2가지 단계에 의해 조성되었는데 첫째, PRV-Bartha의 Us 구역의 일부 유전자를 제거하고, 야생형인 PRV-Be DNA로 복구시켰는데 이로써 PRV-D는 PRV-Bartha 또는 PRV-Bablu에 존재하고 있지 않는 외피 당단백질인 gE와 gI를 지니게 되었다. 본 연구의 결과는 다음과 같았다. 첫째, PRV-D의 개별적 접종에 의해 얻어진 감염은 PRV-BaBlu에 의한 동일 신경회로의 감염보다 유의하게 빨랐다. 둘째, 유전자 조작된 PRV의 변이종은 변이종 상호간 및 부모 바이러스와 상이하였다. PRV-D는 PRV-Bartha 또는 PRV-BaBlu보다 감염독성이 더 강했고, PRV-BaBlu는 PRV-Bartha보다 감염독성이 약했다. 셋째, 결장을 지배하는 미주신경동쪽핵내 신경원은 변이종 바이러스들을 동시에 접종하였을 경우 이중감염을 나타내었다.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제29권12호
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• pp.1154-1157
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• 2006

The ermK gene from Bacillus lichenformis encodes an inducible rRNA methylase that confers resistance to the macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B antibiotics. The ermK mRNA leader sequence has a total length of 357 nucleotides and encodes a 14-amino acid leader peptide together with its ribosome binding site. The secondary structure of ermK leader mRNA and a leader peptide sequence have been reported as the elements that control expression. In this study, the contribution of specific leader peptide amino acid residues to induction of ermK was studied using the PCR-based megaprimer mutation method. ermK methylases with altered leader peptide codons were translationally fused to E. coli ${\beta}-galactosidase$ reporter gene. The deletion of the codons for Thr-2 through Ser-4 reduced inducibility by erythromycin, whereas that for Thr-2 and His-3 was not. The replacement of the individual codons for Ser-4, Met-5 and Arg-6 with termination codon led to loss of inducibility, but stop mutation of codon Phe-9 restored inducibility by erythromycin. Collectively, these findings suggest that the codons for residue 4, 5 and 6 comprise the critical region for induction. The stop mutation at Leu-7 expressed constitutively ermK gene. Thus, ribosome stalling at codon 7 appears to be important for ermK induction.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제29권12호
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• pp.1147-1153
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• 2006

Mizoribine (MZR) has been shown to possess immunosuppressive activity that selectively inhibits the proliferation of lymphocytes by interfering with inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase. The efficacy of MZR is not only in patients who have had renal transplantation, but also in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus nephritis, and primary nephritic syndrome. Because the exact mechanism of its immunosuppressive action is not clear, the object of this study was to examine the ability of MZR to regulate the antigen presenting cells (APCs), dendritic cells (DCs). In this work, we tested whether MZR ($1{\sim}10\;{\mu}g/mL$) could inhibit the cross-presentation of DCs. DC2.4 cells ($H-2K^{b}$) or bone marrow-derived DCs (BM-DCs) generated from BM cells of C57BL/6 mouse ($H-2K^{b}$) were cultured in the presence of MZR with OVA-microspheres, and the amount of OVA peptide-class I MHC complexes was measured by a T cell hybridoma, B3Z, that recognizes OVA (257-264 : SIINFEKL)-$H-2K^{b}$ complex and expresses-galactosidase. MZR profoundly inhibited the expression of SIINFEKL-$H-2K^{b}$ complexes. This inhibitory activity of MZR appeared to affect the phagocytic activity of DCs. MZR also decreased IL-2 production when we examined the effects of MZR on $CD4^{+}$ T cells. These results provide an understanding of the mechanism of immunosuppressive activity of MZR on the inhibition of MHC-restricted antigen presentation and phagocytic activity in relation to their actions on APCs.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제31권6호
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• pp.356-361
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• 2017

Houttuyniae Herba is widely used as a cosmetic for enhancing hair growth, and study on promoting mouse hair growth has also been reported. However, studies on the effects of the Houttuyniae Herba on dermal papilla (DP) cells, which play an important role in hair growth, are not well known. For this reason, we studied the effect of Houttuyniae Herba on DP cells. The strong antioxidant activity of Houttuyniae Herba was confirmed by ABTS assay. In the MTS assay, cell viability was reduced to 94.5% in DP cells by treatment of 2 mg/ml concentration of Houttuyniae Herb and cytotoxicity was not observed at 1 mg/ml concentration. The mRNA expression levels of Bone morphogenetic pretein (BMP6), fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7), FGF10, and ${\beta}$-galactosidase genes, which are involved in hair growth cycle and hair loss induction, were measured by quantitative RT-PCR after Houttuyniae Herbtreatment. Houttuyniae Herb did not significantly affect mRNA expression of BMP6, FGF7, FGF10, and ${\beta}$-catenin, which are important factors for regulating the hair cycle, including type 1 $5{\alpha}$-reductase. However, mRNA expression of type 2 $5{\alpha}$-reductase, the major cause of male hair loss, was significantly reduced to 56.1% by treatment of Houttuyniae Herbtreatment. Taken together, these results suggest that the Houttuyniae Herbtreatment can help to treat lair loss through removing free radicals and suppression of the expression level of type 2 $5{\alpha}$-reductase in DP cells.