• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-35
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• 1997

Fertilized egg, by successive cell divisions, differentiates into different tissues and organs with various structures and functions. Different cells and tissues contain different proteins, products of selective gene expression. Not all the genes in any genomes are equally active, temporal and spatial gene expression being the general rule. Present paper attempts to review the tanscriptional mechanisms or the initiations of transcription from several angles. In some of the organisms the genes in the process of transcription or the genes in the inactive state can be seen under the light microscope. Some bands of Drosophila polytene chromosomes may exhibit a swollen or puff appearance under certain conditions. A puff, unfolded or decondensed form of chromomere, represents sets of intense transcriptional activity or RNA synthesis. The heterochromatic X chromosome whose genes remain inactive in the female mammals can be visualized as a dark staining structure called Barr body, Configuration of chromatin differs between transcribed and nontranscribed chromatin. Modification to the chromatin facilitates RNA synthesis. The movement of large polymerase molecule along the DNA would probably be facilitated if some modifications of the chromatin configuration is effected. Methylation of cytosines in CG sequences is associated with inactive genes. Methylation can play a role in determination of mammalian cells during embryogenesis. Demethylation is necessary for the gene to be expressed during development A histone modification that is also known to be correlated with transcriptional capacity of chromatin is acetylation of the lysine residues of the core histones. Chromatin containing a high level of histone acetylation is very sensitive to DNase 1. For the transcription to occur TBP must first bind to the TATA box. Another TF, TF IIB, then binds to the promoter-TBP complex, facilitating the access of RNA polymerase to the transcription initiation site. As recently as eight years ago researchers assumed that histones were irrelevant to the regulation of gene expression. Histones combine with the DNA to form nucleosome of the chromatin. Histones are vital participant in gene regulation. Histone and basal factors compete for access to TATA box. When DNA is exposed to basal factors before histones are introduced, the basal factors assemble on TATA boxes preventing the access of histones, allowing transcription to occur, for transcription to begin, activator protein at the upstream activation sequence or enhancer must interact with the tail of histone H4 at TATA box and cause the histone role particle to dissociate from the TATA box leading to partial breakup of the histone core particle and allowing the basal factors to bind to the TATA box. New concept of genomic flux in contrast to the old concept of static genome has been developed based on the powerful new molecular techniques. Genomic changes such as repetitive DNAs and transposable elements, it is assumed but not yet proved, may affect some of the developmental patterns that characterize particular cells, tissues, organs, and organisms. In the last decade or so remarkable achievement have been made in the researches of the structures and functions of TFs and the specific target sequences located in promoters or enhancers where these TFs bind. TFs have independent domains that bind DNA and that activate transcription. DNA binding domain of TFs serves to bring the protein into the right location. There are many types of DNA binding domains. Common types of motifs can be found that are responsible for binding to DNA. The motifs are usually quite short and comprise only a small part of the protein structure. Steroid receptors have domains for hormone binding, DNA binding, and activating transcription. The zinc finger motif comprises a DNA binding domain. Leucine zipper consist of a stretch of amino acids with a leucine residue in every seventh position Two proteins form a dimer because they interact by means of leucine zippers on similar α-helical domain. This positions their DNA binding basic domains for interaction with the two halves of a DNA sequence with dyad symmetry of TGACTCA, ACTGAGT.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2016

Purpose: We undertook this study to investigate discrepancies in C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) values, and variations following intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy in Kawasaki disease (KD). Methods: A total of 123 KD patients were retrospectively enrolled. Patients were treated with IVIG 2 g/kg at 2 to 9 days after disease onset. We obtained white blood cell (WBC) count, percentage of neutrophils (% neutrophils), CRP, ESR, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) values before and 48 to 72 hours after IVIG treatment. Discrepancy was defined as $CRP{\geq}10mg/dL$ and ESR <50 mm/hr (Group 1), or CRP <10 mg/dL and $ESR{\geq}50mm/hr$ (Group 2). Results: Thirty-six of 123 subjects (29.2%) had a discrepancy: 25 (20.3%) in Group 1 and 11 (8.9%) in Group 2. In Group 1, 15 patients (60%) had fever for <5 days (early presenter) and 10 (40%) had fever for ${\geq}5days$ (late presenter). There were six early presenters (55%) and five late presenters (45%) in Group 2. Late presenters had higher ESR than early presenters ($34.3{\pm}21.0mm/hr$ vs. $26.3{\pm}19.3mm/hr$, P=0.029). After IVIG treatment, elevated WBC count, % neutrophils, CRP, and NT-proBNP levels normalized. In contrast, ESR increased from $37.4{\pm}21.9mm/hr$ to $48.0{\pm}22.7mm/hr$ (n=36, P=0.051). Conclusions: A discrepancy may be related to the duration of fever. Due to discrepancies in CRP and ESR values in acute KD, both should be measured to assess the degree of inflammatory activity before IVIG treatment. After IVIG treatment, the ESR should not be used as a marker of response to therapy in KD.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.402-417
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• 2003

Purpose: To evaluate the use of monoclonal antibody (MoAb) as a carrier of the receptor-binding ligand the receptor mediated uptake into liver and subsequent metabolism of $^{111}In-labeled$ galactosylated MoAb-chelator conjugates were investigated and compared with those of $^{111}In$ labeled MoAb. Materials and Methods : T101 MoAb, $IgG_2$ against human lymphocytic leukemic cell, conjugated with cyclic DTPA dianhydride (DTPA) or 2-p-isothiocyanatobenzyl-6-methyl-DTPA (1B4M) was galactosylated with 2-imino-2-methoxyethyl-1-thio-${\beta}$-D-galactose and then radiolabeled with $^{111}In$. Biodistribution and metabolism study was peformed with two $^{111}In-conjugates$ in mice and rats. Results: $^{111}In-labeled$ T101 and its galactosylated conjugates were taken to the liver by the time, mostly within 10 min. However DTPA conjugate was retained longer in the liver than the 1B4M conjugate (55% vs 20% of injected dose at 44 hr). During this time, the radiornetabolite of DTPA conjugate was excreted similarly into urine (24%) and feces (17%). The radiometabolite of 1B4M was excreted primarily into feces (68%) rather than urine (8%). Size exclusion HPLC analysis of the bile and supernatant of liver homogenate showed two peaks the first (35%) with the retention time (Rt) identical to IgG and the second (65%) with Rt similar to free $^{111}In$ at 3 hr post-injection for the 1B4M conjugate, indicating that the metabolite is rapidly excreted through the biliary system. in contrast to DTPA conjugate, the small $^{111}In-DTPA-like$ metabolite was the major radioindium component (90%) in the liver homogenate as early as 3 hour post-injection, but the cumulative radioindium activity in feces was only 17% at 44 hour, indicating that the metabolite from DTPA conjugate does not clear readily through the biliary tract. Conclusion: The galactosylation of the MoAb conjugates resulted in higher hepatocyte uptake and enhanced metabolism, compared to those without galactosylation. Metabolism of the MoAb-conjugates is different between compounds radiolabled with different chelators due to different characteristics of radiometabolites generated in the liver.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.891-896
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• 2008

Total phenolics and flavonoids, and the antioxidant capacity of plum cultivar wines (Prunus salicina L. cv. Soldam and P. salicina L. cv. Formosa) were determined using spectrophotometric methods. The total phenolic and flavanoid contents of Soldam wine were $478.4\;{\pm}\;5.6\;mg$ GAE and $202.4\;{\pm}\;7.5\;mg$ CE per L,respectively, and in Formosa wine were $200.6\;{\pm}\;7.5\;mg$ GAE and $64.4\;{\pm}\;6.8\;mg$ CE per L, respectively. Neutral and acidic phenolics in Soldam wine were extracted with ethyl acetate and 0.01 N HCl, respectively. In the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay, neutral phenolics (64.5 EDA%) had $3{\sim}4$ times higher antioxidant activity than acidic phenolics (21.5 EDA%) and other related phenolic compounds such as chlorogenic acid (15.5 EDA%) and quercetin (24.6 EDA%) at a concentration of $100\;{\mu}g/mL$. The antiviral activities of neutral and acidic phenolics in Soldam wine were investigated in vitro using a virus-induced cytopathic effect (CPE) inhibition assay. Results showed that neutral and acidic phenolics at concentrations of $100\;{\mu}g/mL$ inhibited porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) replication at rates of 78.12% and 58.37%, respectively. The inhibition rate of 10 g/mL neutral phenolics (69.42%) was higher than that of ribavirin as an antiviral reagent (57.86%). At concentrations of $100\;{\mu}g/mL$ or less, neutral and acidic phenolics of Soldam wine had no cytotoxic effect against vero cells.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.649-656
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• 2008

The current study was undertaken to investigate the mechanism of action of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) on proliferation and differentiation of pig preadipocytes. The preadipocytes were isolated from the backfat of new-born female pigs and cultured in serum-deprived medium in the presence and absence of recombinant native IGFs or recombinant mutant IGFs that have reduced affinity for binding to both type-1 IGF receptors and insulin receptors. Fifty ng/ml of either IGF-I, [Leu60]IGF-I, IGF-Ⅱ or [Leu27]IGF-Ⅱ were included in the media in which preadipocytes were cultured for 4 days. IGF-I, [Leu60]IGF-I, IGF-Ⅱ and [Leu27]IGF-Ⅱ stimulated proliferation of pig preadipocytes by 39%, 8%, 25% and 2% respectively, as measured by increased numbers of cells. This indicates that both IGF-I and -II promote replication of pig preadipocytes by actions mediated either by type-1 IGF receptor or insulin receptor. IGF-I, [Leu60]IGF-I, IGF-Ⅱ and [Leu27]IGF-Ⅱ stimulated differentiation of pig preadipocytes by 50%, 17%, 37% and 30%, respectively, measured as glycerolphosphate dehydrogenase activity. Reducing the affinity of IGF-I for type-1 IGF receptors or insulin receptors significantly reduced the differentiation response. However, the differentiation response to [Leu27]IGF-II was not significantly different from the response to IGF-II. This shows that IGF-I and IGF-Ⅱ promote cell differentiation by different receptor-mediated mechanisms. IGF-II promotes differentiation of pig preadipocytes by actions that do not involve either type-1 IGF receptors or insulin receptors. These actions therefore appear to be mediated by binding of IGF-II to type-2 IGF receptors(also known as cation-independendent mannose-6-phosphate receptor[CIM6P/IGF2 receptor]). This is the first study to find evidence that IGF-II promotes differentiation of preadipocytes from any animal species by actions mediated by CIM6P/IGF2 receptors. In summary, this study shows that IGF-I and IGF-Ⅱ promote differentiation of pig preadipocytes by mechanisms that involve different cellular receptors.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.432-441
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• 2016

Machaerium cuspidatum, a canopy liana, is a species of genus legume in the Fabaceae family and contributes to the total species richness in the tropical rain forests. In the present study, we investigated the antioxidative and anti-cancer effects of M. cuspidatum and its mode of action. The methanol extract of M. cuspidatum (MEMC) exhibited anti-oxidative activity with an $IC_{50}$ value of $1.66{\mu}g/ml$, and this was attributable to its 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity. MEMC also exhibited a cytotoxic effect and induced morphological changes in a dose-dependent manner in several cancer cell lines including human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells, human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells, and human colon carcinoma HT29 cells. Moreover, MEMC treatment induced the accumulation of subG1 population, which is indicative of apoptosis in A549 and HepG2 cells. MEMC-induced apoptosis was confirmed by the increase in Annexin V-positive apoptotic cells and apoptotic bodies using Annexin-V staining and DAPI staining, respectively. Further investigation showed that MEMC-induced apoptosis was associated with the increase in p53 and Bax expression, and the decrease in Bcl-2 expression. In addition, MEMC treatment led to proteolytic activation of caspase-3, 8, and 9 and degradation of poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP). Taken together, these results suggest that MEMC may exert a beneficial anti-cancer effect by inducing apoptosis via both the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways in A549 and HepG2 cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 1983

$PGE_2$ and $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ are known to act similarly in a number of animal tissues. They both facilitate regression of corpus luteum(Poyser, 1972; Fuch et al, 1974; Coudert et at, 1974) and stimulate contraction of uterine muscle (Laudanski et al, 1977; Porter et al, 1979; Hollingsworth et al, 1980). It is, however, not known whether these two prostaglandins exert similar actions in osmotic fragility of erythrocytes (Rasmussen et al, 1975) and $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ alters conformation of membrane proteins (Meyers aud Swislocki, 1974). The former effect may not be mediated through changes in c- AMP concentration in the cell, since the adenylate cyclase activity in human erythrocyte is extremely low (Rodan et al, 1976; Sutherland et al, 1962) and the latter effect implies that physical state (or fluidity) of the membrane is altered by $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$. The present study was undertaken to elucidate mechanisms of action of $PGE_2$ and $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ on the human erythocyte membrane by examining their effects on osmotic fragility and $Ca^{++}$ binding to the membrane fragments. The results are summarized as follows: 1) $PGE_2$ and $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ increased osmotic fragility at concentrations above $10^{11}\;M$, the effect being similar for both hormones. The concentration of NaCl for 100% hemolysis was $1/16{\sim}1/17\;M$ in the presence of $10^{11}\;M\;PGE_2$ or $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ and 1/18 M in the absence of the hormone (control). 2) When erythrocytes were suspended in 1/15 M NaCl solution, $44.2{\pm}4.3%$ of cells were hemolyzed. Addition of $10^{12}\;M\;PGE_2$ or $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ did not increase hemolysis. When the concentration of the hormones was increased to $10^{11}\;M$, however the degree of hemolysis increased markealy to about 80%. No further increase in hemolysis was observed at concentration of the hormones above $10^{11}\;M$. 3) The additional hemolysis due to $10^{11}\;M\;PGE_2$ and $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ appeared to he identical regardless of absence or presence of $Ca^{++}\;(0.5{\sim}10\;mM)$ in the suspending medium. 4) In the absence of prostaglandin, the binding of $Ca^{++}$ to the erythrocyte membrane increased curvilinearly as the $Ca^{++}$ concentration increased up to 5 mM above which it leveled off. A similar dependence of $Ca^{++}$ binding on the $Ca^{++}$ concentration was observed in the presence of $10^{11}\;M\;PGE_2$ or $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$, however, the amount of $Ca^{++}$ bound at a given $Ca^{++}$ concentration was significantly higher than in the absence of the hormones. 5) As in the hemolysis, $PGE_2$ and $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ did not affect the $Ca^{++}$ binding at a concentration of $10^{12}\;M$, but increased it by about 100% at concentration above $10^{11}\;M$. These result indicate that both tile osmotic fragility of erythrocyte and the $Ca^{++}$ binding to the erythrocyte membrane are similarly enhanced by $PGE_2$ and $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$, but these two effects are not causally related. It is, therefore, concluded that the prostaglandin-induced hemolysis is not directly associated with alterations of the $Ca^{++}$ content in the membrane.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.205-211
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• 2018

Rebaudioside A is a natural sweetener isolated from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, one of the glycosides based on steviol. Recent studies have shown that rebaudioside A inhibits the inflammatory response by inhibiting cytokines secretion such as interleukin-$1{\alpha}/1{\beta}$ in activated RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cells by LPS. However, the inhibitory mechanism of inflammation by rebaudioside A in the presence of LPS has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, in this study, we tried to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of rebaudioside A at the protein level when RAW264.7 cells were stimulated by LPS. The inducible nitric oxide synthase protein expression level was reduced in the group treated with $250{\mu}M$ rebaudioside A compared to the LPS-treated group. In addition, the mRNA expression level of $NF-{\kappa}B$, which is a representative nuclear transcription factor by inflammatory signal, was also decreased as compared with that of LPS-treated group. In addition, $NF-{\kappa}B$ and inhibitor-${\kappa}B$ ($I-{\kappa}B$) complexes that are known to be dissociated by $I-{\kappa}B$ phosphorylation and ubiquitination were less phosphorylated than LPS treated group in the presence rebaudioside A. Finally, we could find that rebaudioside A was involved in the $NF-{\kappa}B$ pathway through reducing extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 phosphorylation in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that rebaudioside A might suppress inflammatory reaction through MAPK and $NF-{\kappa}B$ regulation in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.264-270
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• 2008

Phytic acid(PA) (Inositol hexaphosphate, $IP_6$) is a naturally occurring polyphosphorylated carbohydrate that is present in substantial amounts in almost all plants and mammalian cells. Recently PA has received much attention for its role in anticancer activity. In the present study, the preventive effects of PA on colon carcinogenesis were investigated. Six-week old Fisher 344 male rats were fed a AIN-93G purified diet and PA(0.5% or 2% PA in water) for 8 weeks. The animals received two ($1^{st}\;and\;2^{nd}$ week) injections of azoxymethane(AOM, 15 mg/kg b.w.) to induce colonic aberrant crypt foci(ACF). After sacrifice, the total numbers of aberrant crypts(AC) and ACF in colonic mucosa were examined after staining with methylene blue. Blood and serum were analyzed with a blood cell differential counter and an automatic serum analyzer. AOM induced the total numbers of $142.3{\pm}22.3$ ACF/colon and $336.6{\pm}55.1$ AC/colon. PA at the doses of 0.5 and 2% decreased the numbers of ACF and AC/colon in a dose-dependent manner. The numbers of ACF/colon and AC/colon by PA at the dose of 0.5% were $124.4{\pm}28.5\;and\;302.7{\pm}67.3$, respectively. PA at the dose of 2% significantly decreased the ACF and AC numbers to $109{\pm}18.1\;and\;254.8{\pm}50.6$, respectively(p<0.01). Especially, 2% PA significantly reduced the number of large ACF(${\geq}4$ AC/ACF) from $26.8{\pm}6.2$ ACF/colon to $15{\pm}6.7$ ACF/colon(p<0.01). Although some parameters in blood counts and serum chemistry were changed compared with the control, no specific toxicity was found. These findings suggest that phytic acid can be a chemopreventive agent for colon carcinogenesis resulting from inhibition of the development of ACF in the F344 rat.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.426-431
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• 2016

To compare the quality characteristics of commercial wasabi paste products, the physicochemical and microbial characteristics of 6 samples were analyzed. In addition, the contents of allyl isothiocyanate, which show unique flavor and antimicrobial activity in wasabi paste products, were compared. pH of commercial 6 wasabi products were ranged from $4.12{\pm}0.01$ to $4.90{\pm}0.01$, and titratable acidities of products distributed at cold temperature (CW) were higher $0.60{\pm}0.00{\sim}0.77{\pm}0.02%$ than those of products distributed at room temperature (RW). Salinities of RW were higher ($4.27{\pm}0.06{\sim}7.53{\pm}0.12%$) than those of CW ($2.20{\pm}0.00{\sim}3.60{\pm}0.10%$). Soluble solid and sorbitol contents of RW were higher ($33.00{\pm}1.00{\sim}44.67{\pm}2.08^{\circ}Brix$, $378.90{\pm}63.79{\sim}724.37{\pm}7.85mg%$) than those of CW ($22.00{\pm}1.73{\sim}27.00{\pm}1.00^{\circ}Brix$, $27.67{\pm}9.92{\sim}175.31{\pm}10.56mg%$), respectively. The viable cell counts of samples were $ND{\sim}3.65{\pm}0.23 log\;CFU/g$ without distribution method and packaging type, and yeasts and molds were not detected in 6 wasabi products. Allyl isothiocyanate contents of RW were higher ($53.35{\pm}0.08{\sim}159.76{\pm}0.81mg%$) than those of CW ($24.07{\pm}7.69{\sim}48.19{\pm}0.15mg%$).