• Mycobiology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.102-107
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• 2010

We identified a gene for $\beta$-1,3-glucan synthesis (GBG1), a nonessential gene whose disruption alters cell wall synthesis enzyme activities and cell wall composition. This gene was cloned by functional complementation of defects in $\beta$-1,3-glucan synthase activity of the the previously isolated Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant LP0353, which displays a number of cell wall defects at restrictive temperature. Disruption of the GBG1 gene did not affect cell viability or growth rate, but did cause alterations in cell wall synthesis enzyme activities: reduction of $\beta$-1,3-glucan synthase and chitin synthase III activities as well as increased chitin synthase I and II activities. GBG1 disruption also showed altered cell wall composition as well as susceptibility toward cell wall inhibitors such as Zymolyase, Calcofluor white, and Nikkomycin Z. These results indicate that GBG1 plays a role in cell wall biogenesis in S. cerevisiae.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.29-33
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• 2010

KGD1 gene was cloned by functional complementation of defects in $\beta$-1,3-glucan synthase activity of the previously isolated Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant LP0353, which displays a number of cell wall defects at restrictive temperature. We performed the gene disruption experiment to characterize the function of KGD1 gene, which encodes $\beta$-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, in cell wall biosynthesis. The disruption of KGD1 showed the decreased growth rate, the increase of chitin synthases activity, alterations in cell wall composition, and increase of susceptibility to cell wall inhibitors such as Calcofluor white and Nikkomycin Z. These results suggested that KGD1 might be involved in cell wall biogenesis, especially the biosynthesis of $\beta$-1,6-glucan and chitin in S. cerevisaie.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.10
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• pp.758-769
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• 2021

Calcium homeostasis modulator 1 (CALHM1) is a membrane protein with four transmembrane helices that form an octameric ion channel with voltage-dependent activation. There are four conserved cysteine (Cys) residues in the extracellular domain that form two intramolecular disulfide bonds. We investigated the roles of C42-C127 and C44-C161 in human CALHM1 channel biogenesis and the ionic current (I_CALHM1). Replacing Cys with Ser or Ala abolished the membrane trafficking as well as I_CALHM1. Immunoblotting analysis revealed dithiothreitol-sensitive multimeric CALHM1, which was markedly reduced in C44S and C161S, but preserved in C42S and C127S. The mixed expression of C42S and wild-type did not show a dominant-negative effect. While the heteromeric assembly of CALHM1 and CALHM3 formed active ion channels, the co-expression of C42S and CALHM3 did not produce functional channels. Despite the critical structural role of the extracellular cysteine residues, a treatment with the membrane-impermeable reducing agent tris(2-carboxyethyl) phosphine (TCEP, 2 mM) did not affect I_CALHM1 for up to 30 min. Interestingly, incubation with TCEP (2 mM) for 2-6 h reduced both I_CALHM1 and the surface expression of CALHM1 in a time-dependent manner. We propose that the intramolecular disulfide bonds are essential for folding, oligomerization, trafficking and maintenance of CALHM1 in the plasma membrane, but dispensable for the voltage-dependent activation once expressed on the plasma membrane.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.766-777
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• 2021

Bezafibrate, a fibrate drug used as a lipid-lowering agent to treat hyperlipidemia, is a pan-agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha. It can enhance mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, oxidative phosphorylation, and mitochondrial biogenesis. After ovulation, oocytes may get arrested at the metaphase II (MII) stage until fertilization beyond optimal timing, which is termed as post-ovulatory aging. Post-ovulatory aging is a disease that degrades DNA, mitochondria, and oxidative system, and has a negative impact on embryo development and quality; however, the impact of bezafibrate during post-ovulatory aging has not been fully defined. In the present study, we assessed the ability of bezafibrate to prevent the progression of aging in in vitro conditions as well as the underlying mechanisms in pigs. An appropriate concentration of this drug (50 µM) was added, and then oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species downstream, mitochondrial biogenesis, and mitochondrial function were analyzed via immunofluorescence staining and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Bezafibrate significantly alleviated reactive oxygen species and ameliorated glutathione production simultaneously in oocytes and embryos. Moreover, it diminished H2A.X and attenuated CASPASE 3 expression produced by oxidative stress in oocytes and embryos. Furthermore, bezafibrate remarkably improved the mitochondrial function and blastocyst quality as well as markedly reduced the mitochondria/TOM20 ratio and mtDNA copy number. The elevated PARKIN level indicated that mitophagy was induced by bezafibrate treatment after post-ovulatory aging. Collectively, these results suggest that bezafibrate beneficially affects against porcine post-ovulatory oocyte aging in porcine by its antioxidant property and mitochondrial protection.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.1110-1119
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• 2022

Fe-S clusters are versatile and essential cofactors that participate in multiple and fundamental biological processes. In Escherichia coli, the biogenesis of these cofactors requires either the housekeeping Isc pathway, or the stress-induced Suf pathway which plays a general role under conditions of oxidative stress or iron limitation. In the present work, the Fe-S cluster assembly Isc and Suf systems of acidophilic Bacteria and Archaea, which thrive in highly oxidative environments, were studied. This analysis revealed that acidophilic microorganisms have a complete set of genes encoding for a single system (either Suf or Isc). In acidophilic Proteobacteria and Nitrospirae, a complete set of isc genes (iscRSUAX-hscBA-fdx), but not genes coding for the Suf system, was detected. The activity of the Isc system was studied in Leptospirillum sp. CF-1 (Nitrospirae). RT-PCR experiments showed that eight candidate genes were co-transcribed and conform the isc operon in this strain. Additionally, RT-qPCR assays showed that the expression of the iscS gene was significantly up-regulated in cells exposed to oxidative stress imposed by 260 mM Fe₂(SO₄)₃ for 1 h or iron starvation for 3 h. The activity of cysteine desulfurase (IscS) in CF-1 cell extracts was also upregulated under such conditions. Thus, the Isc system from Leptospirillum sp. CF-1 seems to play an active role in stressful environments. These results contribute to a better understanding of the distribution and role of Fe-S cluster protein biogenesis systems in organisms that thrive in extreme environmental conditions.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.99-107
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• 2019

Objective : The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of Chaenomelis Fructus (CF) on the regulation of biogenesis in C2C12 mouse skeletal muscle cells. Methods : C2C12 myoblasts were differentiated into myotubes in 2% horse serum-containing medium for 5 days, and then treated with CF extract at different concentrations for 48 hr. The expression of muscle differentiation markers, myogenin and myosin heavy chain (MHC) and mitochondrial biogenesis-regulating factors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1alpha (PGC1α), sirtuin1 (Sirt1), nuclear respiratory factor1 (NRF1) and transcription factor A, mitochondrial (TFAM), and the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) were determined in C2C12 myotubes by reverse transcriptase (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot, respectively. The cellular glucose levels and total ATP contents were measured by cellular glucose uptake and ATP assays, respectively. Results : Treatment with CF extract (0.01, 0.02, and 0.05 mg/㎖) significantly increased the expression of MHC protein in C2C12 myotubes compared with non-treated cells. CF extract significantly increased the expression of PGC1α and TFAM in the myotubes. Also, CF extract significantly increased glucose uptake levels and ATP contents in the myotubes. Conclusion : CF extract can stimulate C2C12 myoblasts differentiation into myotubes and increase energy production through upregulation of the expression of mitochondrial biogenetic factors in C2C12 mouse skeletal muscle cell. This suggests that CF can help to improve skeletal muscle function with stimulation of the energy metabolism.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.298-313
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The effectiveness of natural compounds in improving athletic ability has attracted attention in both sports and research. Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) leaves are used to make traditional herbal medicines in Asia. The active components of G. pentaphyllum, dammarane saponins, or gypenosides, possess a range of biological activities. On the other hand, the anti-fatigue effects from G. pentaphyllum extract (GPE) and its effective compound, gypenoside L (GL), remain to be determined. MATERIALS/METHODS: This study examined the effects of GPE on fatigue and exercise performance in ICR mice. GPE was administered orally to mice for 6 weeks, with or without treadmill training. The biochemical analysis in serum, glycogen content, mRNA, and protein expressions of the liver and muscle were analyzed. RESULTS: The ExGPE (exercise with 300 mg/kg body weight/day of GPE) mice decreased the fat mass percentage significantly compared to the ExC mice, while the ExGPE showed the greatest lean mass percentage compared to the ExC group. The administration of GPE improved the exercise endurance and capacity in treadmill-trained mice, increased glucose and triglycerides, and decreased the serum creatine kinase and lactate levels after intensive exercise. The muscle glycogen levels were higher in the ExGPE group than the ExC group. GPE increased the level of mitochondrial biogenesis by enhancing the phosphorylation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) protein and the mRNA expression of nuclear respiratory factor 1, mitochondrial DNA, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-δ, superoxide dismutase 2, and by decreasing the lactate dehydrogenase B level in the soleus muscle (SOL). GPE also improved PGC-1α activation in the SOL significantly through AMPK/p38 phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that GPE supplementation enhances exercise performance and has anti-fatigue activity. In addition, the underlying molecular mechanism was elucidated. Therefore, GPE is a promising candidate for developing functional foods and enhancing the exercise capacity and anti-fatigue activity.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 1996

To investigate the structure and function of photosystem I, cartridge mutagenesis technique was used to inactivate the psaB gene of photosystem I. From the screen, many strains which have potential defects in photosystem I were generated. Biochemical analysis revealed that B2, one of the mutant, had a reduced amount of chlorophyll. Electron transfer activitx from photosystem II to photosystem I as oxygen uptake was the rate of 64 % of wild type. Also B2 showed a decreased photosystem I activity when measured by 77 K fluorescence emission spectrum. Particularly, immunodetection analysis showed that the B2 had reduced amount of PsaA/PsaB, but a normal range of PsaC and PsaD. Here we present a photoheterotrophic mutant for psaB gene as a unique model strain for future study of structural/functional relationship and biogenesis of photosystem I.

• BMB Reports
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• v.47 no.8
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• pp.417-423
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• 2014

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a large family of post-transcriptional regulators, which are 21-24 nt in length and play a role in a wide variety of biological processes in eukaryotes. The past few years have seen rapid progress in our understanding of miRNA biogenesis and the mechanism of action, which commonly entails a combination of target degradation and translational repression. The target degradation mediated by Argonaute-catalyzed endonucleolytic cleavage exerts a significant repressive effect on target mRNA expression, particularly during rapid developmental transitions. This review outlines the current understanding of the mechanistic aspects of this important process and discusses several different experimental approaches to identify miRNA cleavage targets.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.243-253
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• 2017

Eukaryotic cilia are organelles that project from the surface of cells to fulfill motility and sensory functions. In vertebrates, the functions of both motile and immotile cilia are critical for embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis. Importantly, a multitude of human diseases is caused by abnormal cilia biogenesis and functions which rely on the compartmentalization of the cilium and the maintenance of its protein composition. The transition zone (TZ) is a specialized ciliary domain present at the base of the cilium and is part of a gate that controls protein entry and exit from this organelle. The relevance of the TZ is highlighted by the fact that several of its components are coded by ciliopathy genes. Here we review recent developments in the study of TZ proteomes, the mapping of individual components to the TZ structure and the establishment of the TZ as a lipid gate.