• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.408-417
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• 2005

Increasing numbers of value added chemicals are being produced using microbial fermentation strategies. Computational modeling and simulation of microbial metabolism is rapidly becoming an enabling technology that is driving a new paradigm to accelerate the bioprocess development cycle. In particular, constraint-based modeling and the development of genome-scale models of industrial microbes are finding increasing utility across many phases of the bioprocess development workflow. Herein, we review and discuss the requirements and trends in the industrial application of this technology as we build toward integrated computational/experimental platforms for bioprocess engineering. Specifically we cover the following topics: (1) genome-scale models as genetically and biochemically consistent representations of metabolic networks; (2) the ability of these models to predict, assess, and interpret metabolic physiology and flux states of metabolism; (3) the model-guided integrative analysis of high throughput 'omics' data; (4) the reconciliation and analysis of on- and off-line fermentation data as well as flux tracing data; (5) model-aided strain design strategies and the integration of calculated biotransformation routes; and (6) control and optimization of the fermentation processes. Collectively, constraint-based modeling strategies are impacting the iterative characterization of metabolic flux states throughout the bioprocess development cycle, while also driving metabolic engineering strategies and fermentation optimization.

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.107-112
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• 2011

We have developed a biologist-friendly, stand-alone Java GUI application, IdBean, for ID conversion. Our tool integrated most of the widely used ID conversion services that provide programmatic access. It is the first GUI ID conversion application that supports the direct merging as well as comparison of conversion results from multiple ID conversion services without manual effort. This tool will greatly help biologists who handle multiple ID types for the analyses of gene or gene product lists. By referring to multiple conversion services, the number of failed IDs can be reduced. By accessing ID conversion service online, it will potentially provide the most up-to-date conversion results. The application was developed in modular form; however, it can be re-packaged into plug-in form. For the development of a bioinformatics analysis tool, the module can be used as a built-in ID conversion component. It is available at http://neon.gachon.ac.kr/IdBean/.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.9
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• pp.417-428
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• 2022

Herbal medicine, a multi-component treatment, has been extensively practiced for treating various symptoms and diseases. However, its molecular mechanism of action on the human body is unknown, which impedes the development and application of herbal medicine. To address this, recent studies are increasingly adopting systems pharmacology, which interprets pharmacological effects of drugs from consequences of the interaction networks that drugs might have. Most conventional network-based approaches collect associations of herb-compound, compound-target, and target-disease from individual databases, respectively, and construct an integrated network of herb-compound-target-disease to study the complex mechanisms underlying herbal treatment. More recently, rapid advances in high-throughput omics technology have led numerous studies to exploring gene expression profiles induced by herbal treatments to elicit information on direct associations between herbs and genes at the genome-wide scale. In this review, we summarize key databases and computational methods utilized in systems pharmacology for studying herbal medicine. We also highlight recent studies that identify modes of action or novel indications of herbal medicine by harnessing drug-induced transcriptome data.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.425-431
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• 2005

The systems-level analysis of microbes with myriad of heterologous data generated by omics technologies has been applied to improve our understanding of cellular function and physiology and consequently to enhance production of various bioproducts. At the heart of this revolution resides in silico genome-scale metabolic model, In order to fully exploit the power of genome-scale model, a systematic approach employing user-friendly software is required. Metabolic flux analysis of genome-scale metabolic network is becoming widely employed to quantify the flux distribution and validate model-driven hypotheses. Here we describe the development of an upgraded MetaFluxNet which allows (1) construction of metabolic models connected to metabolic databases, (2) calculation of fluxes by metabolic flux analysis, (3) comparative flux analysis with flux-profile visualization, (4) the use of metabolic flux analysis markup language to enable models to be exchanged efficiently, and (5) the exporting of data from constraints-based flux analysis into various formats. MetaFluxNet also allows cellular physiology to be predicted and strategies for strain improvement to be developed from genome-based information on flux distributions. This integrated software environment promises to enhance our understanding on metabolic network at a whole organism level and to establish novel strategies for improving the properties of organisms for various biotechnological applications.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.214-223
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• 2018

Oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) protein family is the major interferon (IFN)-stimulated genes responsible for the activation of RNase L pathway upon viral infection. OAS-like (OASL) is also required for inhibition of viral growth in human cells, but the loss of one of its mouse homolog, OASL1, causes a severe defect in termination of type I interferon production. To further investigate the antiviral activity of OASL1, we examined its subcellular localization and regulatory roles in IFN production in the early and late stages of viral infection. We found OASL1, but not OASL2, formed stress granules trapping viral RNAs and promoted efficient RLR signaling in early stages of infection. Stress granule formation was dependent on RNA binding activity of OASL1. But in the late stages of infection, OASL1 interacted with IRF7 transcripts to inhibit translation resulting in down regulation of IFN production. These results implicate that OASL1 plays context dependent functions in the antiviral response for the clearance and resolution of viral infections.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.203-211
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• 2010

Advancements in the field of proteomics have provided great opportunities for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic tools against human diseases. In this study, we analyzed haptoglobin and amyloid A protein levels of vivax malaria patients with combinations of depletion of the abundant plasma proteins, 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE), image analysis, and mass spectrometry in the plasma between normal healthy donors and vivax malaria patients. The results showed that the expression level of haptoglobin had become significantly lower or undetectable in the plasma of vivax malaria patients due to proteolytic cleavage when compared to healthy donors on 2-DE gels. Meanwhile, serum amyloid A protein was significantly increased in vivax malaria patient's plasma with high statistical values. These 2 proteins are common acute phase reactants and further large scale evaluation with a larger number of patient's will be necessary to establish the possible clinical meaning of the existential changes of these proteins in vivax malaria patients. However, our proteomic analysis suggests the feasible values of some plasma proteins, such as haptoglobin and serum amyloid A, as associating factor candidates for vivax malaria.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.161-179
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• 2015

Plant have developed sophisticated defence mechanisms against microbial pathogens. The recent accumulated information allow us to understand the nature of plant immune responses followed by recognition of microbial factors/determinants through cutting-edge genomics and multi-omics techniques. However, the practical approaches to sustain plant health using enhancement of plant immunity is yet to be fully appreciated. Here, we overviewed the general concept and representative examples on the plant immunity. The fungal, bacterial, and viral determinants that was previously reported as the triggers of plant immune responses are introduced and described as the potential protocol of biological control. Specifically, the role of chitin, glucan, lipopolysaccharides/extracellular polysaccharides, microbe/pathogen-associated molecular pattern, antibiotics, mimic-phytohormones, N-acyl homoserine lactone, harpin, vitamins, and volatile organic compounds are considered. We hope that this review stimulates scientific community and farmers to broaden their knowledge on the microbial determinant-based biological control and to apply the technology on the integrated pest management program.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.12
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• pp.1111-1117
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• 2015

Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) is a specific receptor for microbial flagellin and is one of the most well-known receptors in the TLR family. We reported previously that TLR5 signaling is well maintained during aging and that caveolin-1 may be involved in TLR5 signaling in aged macrophages through direct interactions. Therefore, it is important to clarify whether caveolin-1/TLR5 interactions affect TLR5 expression during aging. To assess the effect of caveolin-1 on TLR5, we analyzed TLR5 expression in senescent fibroblasts and aged tissues expressing high levels of caveolin-1. As expected, TLR5 mRNA and protein expression was well maintained in senescent fibroblasts and aged tissues, whereas TLR4 mRNA and protein were diminished in those cells and tissues. To determine the mechanism of caveolin-1-dependent TLR5 expression, we examined TLR5 expression in caveolin-1 deficient mice. Interestingly, TLR5 mRNA and protein levels were decreased dramatically in tissues from caveolin-1 knockout mice. Moreover, overexpressed caveolin-1 in vitro enhanced TLR5 mRNA through the MAPK pathway and prolonged TLR5 protein half-life through direct interaction. These results suggest that caveolin-1 may play a crucial role in maintaining of TLR5 by regulating transcription systems and increasing protein half-life.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.239-244
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• 2013

Somatic mutation is a major cause of cancer progression and varied responses of tumors against anticancer agents. Thus, we must obtain and characterize genome-wide mutational profiles in individual cancer subtypes. The Cancer Genome Atlas database includes large amounts of sequencing and omics data generated from diverse human cancer tissues. In the present study, we integrated and analyzed the exome sequencing data from ~3,000 tissue samples and summarized the major mutant genes in each of the diverse cancer subtypes and stages. Mutations were observed in most human genes (~23,000 genes) with low frequency from an analysis of 11 major cancer subtypes. The majority of tissue samples harbored 20-80 different mutant genes, on average. Lung cancer samples showed a greater number of mutations in diverse genes than other cancer subtypes. Only a few genes were mutated with over 5% frequency in tissue samples. Interestingly, mutation frequency was generally similar between non-metastatic and metastastic samples in most cancer subtypes. Among the 12 major mutations, the TP53, USH2A, TTN, and MUC16 genes were found to be frequent in most cancer types, while BRAF, FRG1B, PBRM1, and VHL showed lineage-specific mutation patterns. The present study provides a useful resource to understand the broad spectrum of mutation frequencies in various cancer types.

• Plant Breeding and Biotechnology
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.371-389
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• 2017

Supplying sufficient rice to growing populations is a global challenge. Hybrid indica rice varieties exploiting heterosis have increased yields, but inter-subspecific crosses between indica and japonica varieties are hampered by sterility. Examination and genetic understanding of yield heterosis in indica/japonica crosses addressing yield barriers are basic requirements. In this study, QTLs for heterosis of yield traits were identified in indica-japonica recombinant inbred lines (RILs) using a total of 178 RILs originating from Dasanbyeo (indica) ${\times}$ TR22183 (japonica) (DT-RILs) and their backcrossed populations. Nine of sixty-six major quantitative trait loci (QTLs) identified in DT-RILs exhibited heterosis. Heterosis QTLs clustered with other traits on chromosomes 1, 4, and 8, and clusters were conserved between different RILs. The clusters contained several known yield enhancement genes/QTLs. Specific heterotic allele combinations contributed to four major heterosis QTLs, particularly for panicle and spikelet number traits. Heterosis for yield and yield-related traits was explained by the harmonized effects of overdominance, dominance, and epistatic interactions in inter-subspecific breeding populations.