• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.137-141
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• 2011

A previous data was provided information for tissuespecific expression genes by means of whole-genome oligonucleotide microarray in the silkworm. We analyzed the tissue-specific expression patterns in the hemocyte tissue on 5 days of 5th instar larvae during the development of $B.$ $mori$. Total 5 candidates pick out from the $Bombyx$ $mori$ Microarray Database (BmMDB; http://silkworm.swu.edu.cn/microarray). To verify the hemocyte-specific expression, we analyzed by semi-quantitative and real-time quantitative RT-PCR using the highly expressed endogenous $Actin$ RNA as an intrinsic reference. In this study, we confirmed that one gene-sw17255- out of 5 candidates expressed in the hemocyte tissue, which was consistent with the previous data. Circulating hemocytes in the body fluid of the $B.$ $mori$ are most powerful target organ for producing biomaterials. We need further studies to find hemocyte-specific promoter region from sw17255 gene. Finally, this result can be applied in creating transgenic silkworms as a biomedical insect.

• BMB Reports
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• 제55권11호
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• pp.571-576
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• 2022

Advancements in the field of proteomics have provided opportunities to develop diagnostic and therapeutic strategies against various diseases. About half of the world's population remains at risk of malaria. Caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium, malaria is one of the oldest and largest risk factors responsible for the global burden of infectious diseases with an estimated 3.2 billion persons at risk of infection. For epidemiological surveillance and appropriate treatment of individuals infected with Plasmodium spp., timely detection is critical. In this study, we used combinations of depletion of abundant plasma proteins, 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE), image analysis, LC-MS/MS and western blot analysis on the plasma of healthy donors (100 individuals) and vivax and falciparum malaria patients (100 vivax malaria patients and 8 falciparum malaria patients). These analyses revealed that α1-antichymotrypsin (AACT) protein levels were elevated in vivax malaria patient plasma samples (mean fold-change ± standard error: 2.83 ± 0.11, based on band intensities), but not in plasma from patients with other mosquito-borne infectious diseases. The results of AACT immunoblot analyses showed that AACT protein was significantly elevated in vivax and falciparum malaria patient plasma samples (≥ 2-fold) compared to healthy control donor plasma samples, which has not been previously reported.

• 대한화학회지
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• 제59권5호
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• pp.466-470
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• 2015

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.125-129
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• 2018

Megaselia scalaris, also known as the scuttle fly, has a humpbacked morphology and was categorized as an insect undergoing complete metamorphosis. Megaselia scalaris was reported to be found in diverse environments. Recently, the scuttle fly has been a focus of studies by forensic scientists, geneticists, and developmental biologists. However, detailed research into scuttle fly development is still unclear. Therefore, the current study has been performed to elucidate the development of Megaselia scalaris. The scuttle fly undergoes four distinct stages of development: egg, larva, pupa and adult fly. After mating, the scuttle fly eggs hatch within one day and become larvae. The newly generated larvae go through 1, 2, and 3 instar stages within a period of 5~10 days. The instar stage 1 takes 1~2 days, instar stage 2 takes 1~2 days, and instar stage 3 takes 3~5 days. Depending on the environmental temperature, the pupae stage takes approximately 10~15 days to complete. The pupa stage can be divided into five sub-stages: 1~3 days, 4~6 days, 7~9 days, 10~12 days and 13~15 days. After molting, the newly formed adult scuttle fly can fly after one day. The morphological characteristics of the scuttle fly during each stage of development was detailed within this study.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.487-492
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• 2005

The baculovirus/insect cell expression system is of great value in the study of structure-function relationships in mammalian glucose-transport proteins by site-directed mutagenesis and for the large-scale production of these proteins for mechanistic and biochemical studies. Spodoptera frugiperda Clone 21 (Sf2l) cells grow well on TC-100 medium that contains $0.1\%$ D-glucose as the major carbon source, strongly suggesting the presence of endogenous glucose transporters. However, very little is known about the properties of the endogenous sugar transporter(s) in Sf2l cells, although a saturable transport system for hexose uptake has been previously revealed in the Sf cells. In order to further examine the substrate and inhibitor recognition properties of the Sf2l cell transporter, the ability of hexoses to inhibit 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2dGlc) transport was investigated by measuring inhibition constants $(K_i)$. The $K_i's$ for reversible inhibitors were determined from plots of uptake versus inhibitor concentration. Transport was effectively inhibited by D-mannose and D-glucose. Of the hexoses tested, L-glucose had the least effect on 2dGlc transport in the Sf2l cells, indicating that the transport is stereoselective. Unlike the human HepG2 type glucose transport system, D-mannose had a somewhat greater affinity for the Sf2l cell transporter than D-glucose, implying that the hydroxyl group at the C-2 position is not necessary for strong binding. However, epimerization at the C-4 position of D-glucose (D-galactose) resulted in a dramatic decrease in affinity of the hexose for the Sf2l cell transporter. Such a lowering of affinity might be the result of the involvement of the C-4 hydroxyl in hydrogen bonding. It is therefore suggested that Sf2l cells were found to contain an endogenous sugar transport activity that in several aspects resembles the human HepG2 type glucose transporter, although the insect and human transporters do differ in their affinity for cytochalasin B.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.201-206
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• 2010

In order to develop procedures for the rapid isolation of recombinant sugar transporter in functional form from away from the endogenous insect cell transporter, gene fusion techniques were exploited. Briefly, BamH1-digested human HepG2 type glucose transport protein cDNA was first cloned into a transfer vector pBlueBacHis, containing a tract of six histidine residues. Recombinant baculoviruses including the human cDNA were then generated by allelic exchange following transfection of insect cells with wild-type BaculoGold virus DNA and the recombinant transfer vector. Plaque assay was then performed to obtain and purify recombinant viruses expressing the human transport protein. All the cell samples that had been infected with viruses from the several blue plaques exhibited a positive reaction in the immnuassay, demonstrating expression of the glucose transport protein. In contrast, no color development in the immunoassay was observed for cells infected with the wild-type virus or no virus. Immunoblot analysis showed that a major immunoreactive band of apparent Mr 43,000~44,000 was evident in the lysate from cells infected with the recombinant baculovirus. Following expression of the recombinant fusion protein with the metal-binding domain and enterokinase cleavage site, the fusion protein was recovered by competition with imidizole using immobilized metal charged resin. The leader peptide was then removed from the fusion protein by cleavage with porcine enterokinase. Final separation of the recombinant protein of the interest was achieved by passage over $Ni^{2+}$-charged resin under binding conditions. The expressed transport protein bound cytochalasin B and demonstrated a functional similarity to its human counterpart.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제59권5호
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• pp.513-518
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• 2021

The incidence of vivax malaria in Korea was reduced to a low plateau. For successful elimination of vivax malaria, socio-behavioral changes in the communities are essential. This study aimed to figure out awareness of the inhabitants on the vivax malaria endemicity. The 407 participants including vivax malaria patients and uninfected inhabitants in Gimpo- and Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do, known as high-risk areas in Korea. We used a community-based study design and non-probability sampling method using primary data. Except for the perception about the public health facilities' capability to cope with anti-malaria programs, the 2 groups of participants shared the same level of awareness about public promotional and educational measures and opinions for malaria elimination from the community. Thus, our future goals for malaria prevention and elimination are to develop more active and well-organized community-based education and evaluation programs collaborating with the community healthcare authorities and local governments.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제59권6호
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• pp.595-605
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• 2021

An understanding of the knowledges, attitudes and perceptions of different populations is key for public health policy makers. Here, a survey was performed on knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about malaria diagnosis, prevention, control, and treatment. The 407 survey participants included both uninfected inhabitants and patients from 2 cities (Gimpo- and Paju-si) of Northern Gyeonggi-do, known as high-risk areas for vivax malaria. We used community-based study design and non-probability sampling method using the primary data. Association between variables were tested using χ²-tests. In general, the information on malaria reported by the participants in this study was unsystematic and included inaccurate details. The knowledge of malaria symptoms, identified as headache, chills and fever, was high, but the surveyed community lacks knowledge of the specific medications used for malaria treatment, with a large number of respondents having no knowledge of any form of medication. Survey questions with high correct answer rates included questions about easy treatment of malaria in Korea, the high daytime activity of malaria-borne mosquitoes, and the infection risk posed by outdoor activities. However, a large portion of the respondents was unable to provide simple medical and biological information about the disease. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practical behavior of the surveyed community with respect to malaria and the implications reported here could be applicable to other malaria endemic areas in Korea.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권10호
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• pp.911-917
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• 2015

Citronellal, a well-known plant-derived mosquito repellent, was previously reported to repel Drosophila melanogaster via olfactory pathways involving but not directly activating Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 (TRPA1). Here, we show that citronellal is a direct agonist for Drosophila and human TRPA1s (dTRPA1 and hTRPA1) as well as Anopheles gambiae TRPA1 (agTRPA1). Citronellal-induced activity is isoform-dependent for Drosophila and Anopheles gambiae TRPA1s. The recently identified dTRPA1(A) and ag-TRPA1(A) isoforms showed citronellal-provoked currents with EC50s of $1.0{\pm}0.2$ and $0.1{\pm}0.03mM$, respectively, in Xenopus oocytes, while the sensitivities of TRPA1(B)s were much inferior to those of TRPA1(A)s. Citronellal dramatically enhanced the feeding-inhibitory effect of the TRPA1 agonist N-methylmaleimide (NMM) in Drosophila at an NMM concentration that barely repels flies. Thus, citronellal can promote feeding deterrence of fruit flies through direct action on gustatory dTRPA1, revealing the first isoform-specific function for TRPA1(A).

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.267-274
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• 2020

The larva of Protaetia brevitarsis Lewis (P. brevitarsis), edible insect, is traditionally consumed as alternative source of nutrients and has various health benefits. However, the exact pharmaceutical effects of P. brevitarsis on inflammatory response are still not well understood. Thus, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of P. brevitarsis in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. We investigated the effects of P. brevitarsis on the expression levels of inflammatory-related genes, including inflammatory cytokines, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. To understand the anti-inflammatory mechanism of P. brevitarsis, we explored the regulatory effect of P. brevitarsis on nuclear factor (NF)-κB and caspase-1 activation. The findings of this study demonstrated that P. brevitarsis inhibits the LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine and PGE2 levels, as well as COX-2 and iNOS expression. Moreover, we confirmed that the anti-inflammatory effect of P. brevitarsis occurs via suppression of the activation of NF-κB and caspase-1. Conclusively, these findings provide experimental evidence that P. brevitarsis may be useful candidate for the treatment of inflammatory-related diseases.