• Molecules and Cells
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• 제37권9호
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• pp.672-684
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• 2014

The exact causes of cell death in Parkinson's disease (PD) remain unknown despite extensive studies on PD.The identification of signaling and metabolic pathways involved in PD might provide insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying PD. The neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ($MPP^+$) induces cellular changes characteristic of PD, and $MPP^+$-based models have been extensively used for PD studies. In this study, pathways that were significantly perturbed in $MPP^+$-treated human neuroblastoma SH-EP cells were identified from genome-wide gene expression data for five time points (1.5, 3, 9, 12, and 24 h) after treatment. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein processing pathway showed significant perturbation at all time points. Perturbation of each of these pathways resulted in the common outcome of upregulation of DNA-damage-inducible transcript 3 (DDIT3). Genes involved in ER protein processing pathway included ubiquitin ligase complex genes and ER-associated degradation (ERAD)-related genes. Additionally, overexpression of DDIT3 might induce oxidative stress via glutathione depletion as a result of overexpression of CHAC1. This study suggests that upregulation of DDIT3 caused by perturbation of the MAPK signaling pathway and ER protein processing pathway might play a key role in $MPP^+$-induced neuronal cell death. Moreover, the toxicity signal of $MPP^+$ resulting from mitochondrial dysfunction through inhibition of complex I of the electron transport chain might feed back to the mitochondria via ER stress. This positive feedback could contribute to amplification of the death signal induced by $MPP^+$.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.229-238
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• 2012

Cyclooxygenase(COX-2) is an inducible enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of prostaglandins (PGs) from arachidonic acid. Over-expression of COX-2 has been reported to be associated with progressive hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatic C infection and rat liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride($CCl_4$). Recently, it is well known that mast cell products can stimulate the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells and key players in liver fibrosis. But little is known regarding their role in $CCl_4$-induced liver fibrosis in rat. Our aim was to investigate the relation between COX-2 expression and mast cells during liver fibrosis after $CCl_4$ treatment. Thirty Wistar rats were divided into five groups (non-treated 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8-week after $CCl_4$-treatment). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry were used to assess the expression of ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin (${\alpha}$-SMA), collagen-1 and COX-2 in liver tissue from $CCl_4$-treated rats. The density of collagen and mast cells were determined using a computerized image analysis system in liver sections stained with picrosirius red and toluidine blue, respectively. The expression levels of ${\alpha}$-SMA, collagen-1 and COX-2 mRNA were significantly higher at 2 wk in $CCl_4$-treated groups than non-treated group. The number of mast cells in liver tissues increased gradually from 2 wk to 6 wk depending on the fibrosis severity but decreased abruptly at 8 wk. The significant increase of collagen-1 and ${\alpha}$-SMA mRNA expression in $CCl_4$-treated rats was continued until 6 wk while the COX-2 mRNA was significantly decreased at 8 wk. These results suggest that increased mast cells are closely associated with COX-2 over-expression during hepatic fibrogenesis of $CCl_4$-treated rats.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.260-264
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• 1996

Cymbidium속 난의 형질전환계를 확립하기 위해서, microprojectile bombardment 방법을 이용하여 춘란(Cymbidium virescence)의 rhizome 조직세포에 외래 유전자를 도입하는 조건을 검토하였다. 각 parameter별 적정조건으로서 텅스텐 입자의 크기는 $1.11\;{\mu}m$, He 가스 압력은 $77.33kg/cm^2$, gap distance는 6.35mm, target distance는 7.0cm 이었다. DNA피복입자를 투사한 $400{\mu}m$ 두께의 rhizome 절편을 2개월간 배양한 뒤 GUS 활성을 조사한 결과 이 유전자가 발현되는 세포들이 관찰되었다. Kanamycin (100 mg/L)을 첨가한 배지에서 6개월 동안 선택배양을 통해 얻은 rhizome의 DNA를 PCR로 분석한 결과 nptII 유전자의 삽입을 확인할 수 있었다.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.233-240
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• 2014

The early growth response protein 1 (Egr-1) is a widely reported zinc finger protein and a well known transcription factor encoded by the Egr-1 gene, which plays key roles in many aspects of vertebrate embryogenesis and in adult vertebrates. The Egr-1 expression is important in the formation of the gill vascular system in flounders, which develops during the post-hatching phase and is essential for survival during the juvenile period. However, the complete details of Egr-1 expression during embryo development in olive flounder are not available. We assessed the expression patterns of Egr-1 during the early development of olive flounders by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. Microscopic observations showed that gill filament formation corresponded with the Egr-1 expression. Thus, we showed that Egr-1 plays a vital role in angiogenesis in the gill filaments during embryogenesis. Further, Egr-1 expression was found to be strong at 5 days after hatching (DAH), in the development of the gill vascular system, and this strong expression level was maintained throughout all the development stages. Our findings have important implications with respect to the biological role of Egr-1 and evolution of the first respiratory blood vessels in the gills of olive flounder. Further studies are required to elucidate the Egr-1-mediated stress response and to decipher the functional role of Egr-1 in developmental stages.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.171-180
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• 2016

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most prevalent liver diseases associated with an altered lifestyle, besides genetic factors. The control and management of NAFLD mostly depend on lifestyle modifications, due to the lack of a specific therapeutic approach. In this context, we assessed the effect of carrot juice on the development of high fructose-induced hepatic steatosis. For this purpose, male weanling Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups, fed either a control (Con) or high fructose (HFr) diet of AIN93G composition, with or without carrot juice (CJ) for 8 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, plasma biochemical markers, such as triglycerides, alanine aminotransferase, and ${\beta}$-hydroxy butyrate levels were comparable among the 4 groups. Although, the liver injury marker, aspartate aminotransferase, levels in plasma showed a reduction, hepatic triglycerides levels were not significantly reduced by carrot juice ingestion in the HFr diet-fed rats (HFr-CJ). On the other hand, the key triglyceride synthesis pathway enzyme, hepatic stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1), expression at mRNA level was augmented by carrot juice ingestion, while their protein levels showed a significant reduction, which corroborated with decreased monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), particularly palmitoleic (C16:1) and oleic (C18:1) acids. Notably, it also improved the long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6) content of the liver in HFr-CJ. In conclusion, carrot juice ingestion decreased the SCD1-mediated production of MUFA and improved DHA levels in liver, under high fructose diet-fed conditions. However, these changes did not significantly lower the hepatic triglyceride levels.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• 제58권1호
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• pp.122-126
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• 2020

본 연구에서는 폴리디메틸실록산(PDMS)과 모세관-미세몰딩(MIMIC) 기술을 활용하여 마이크로패턴 채널 시스템을 제작하고, 단일 세포 수준에서 극성화 패턴으로 형성되는 분자 신호를 고해상도 세포 이미징을 통해 분석하였다. 이 과정에서 혈소판유래성장인자(PDGF)가 처리된 세포에서는 세포 이동에 중요한 세 종류의 신호인 포스포이노시티드 3-인산화효소(PI3K), Rac 및 액틴(Actin) 신호가 선두(front)영역에서 후미(rear)영역에 비해 강하게 활성화 하는 데 반해, 마이오신 경쇄(MLC) 신호는 비특이적 경향성을 보여주었다. 본 연구 결과는 향후 마이크로패턴의 미세환경에서 세포 극성화 신호와 세포 이동과의 상관 관계를 연구하는 데 중요한 도움이 될 것으로 사료된다.

• 한국경제지리학회지
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.624-631
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• 2014

본 논문은 정부의 정책기조로서 주목받고 있는 창조경제와 관련된 개념을 고찰하고, 창조경제와 지역발전 이슈를 경제지리학적 시각에서 검토하는 것을 목적으로 한다. 연구의 주요 결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 창조산업은 다양한 산업 부문이 복합적으로 연결된 가치사슬 구조를 나타내며, 상당히 장소 특수적인 성격을 가지고 있다. 둘째, 창조경제가 성장하기 위해서는 물리적 하부구조 및 관련 산업과 인력의 존재(하드 인프라), 사회적 하부구조, 상부구조, 정책 거버넌스의 4가지 제도적 조건이 갖추어져 있어야 한다. 셋째, 창조산업은 다른 산업에 비해 관련 다양성의 영향을 크게 받으며, 관련 다양성이 크게 나타나는 소수의 대도시 지역에 집중될 가능성이 크다. 따라서 창조산업 육성 정책은 지역에 따라 선별적으로 이루어져야 하며, 지역 특성을 고려하여 신중하게 접근해야 할 필요가 있다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.211-219
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• 2016

Background: Panax ginseng root is used in traditional oriental medicine for human health. Its main active components such as saponins and polysaccharides have been widely evaluated for treating diseases, but secondary active components such as oligosaccharides have been rarely studied. This study aimed to assess the impact of water-soluble ginseng oligosaccharides (WGOS), which were isolated from the warm-water extract of Panax ginseng root, on scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in mice and its antineuroinflammatory mechanisms. Methods: We investigated the impact of WGOS on scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in mice by using Morris water maze and novel object recognition task. We also analyzed the impact of WGOS on scopolamine-induced inflammatory response (e.g., the hyperexpression of proinflammatory cytokines IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 and astrocyte activation) by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) immunohistochemical staining. Results: WGOS pretreatment protected against scopolamine-induced learning and memory deficits in the Morris water maze and in the novel object recognition task. Furthermore, WGOS pretreatment downregulated scopolamine-induced hyperexpression of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 mRNA and astrocyte activation in the hippocampus. These results indicate that WGOS can protect against scopolamine-induced alterations in learning and memory and inflammatory response. Conclusion: Our data suggest that WGOS may be beneficial as a medicine or functional food supplement to treat disorders with cognitive deficits and increased inflammation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제26권11호
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• pp.1933-1942
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• 2016

A novel ${\alpha}-glucoside$ hydrolase (named PspAG97A) from glycoside hydrolase family 97 (GH97) was cloned from the deep-sea bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. K8, which was screened from the sediment of Kongsfjorden. Sequence analysis showed that PspAG97A belonged to GH97, and shared 41% sequence identity with the characterized ${\alpha}-glucoside$ BtGH97a. PspAG97A possessed three key catalytically related glutamate residues. Mutation of the glutamate residues indicated that PspAG97A belonged to the inverting subfamily of GH97. PspAG97A showed significant reversibility against changes in salt concentration. It exhibited halophilic ability and improved thermostability in NaCl solution, with maximal activity at 1.0 M NaCl/KCl, and retained more than 80% activity at NaCl concentrations ranging from 0.8 to 2.0 M for over 50 h. Furthermore, PspAG97A hydrolyzed not only ${\alpha}-1,4-glucosidic$ linkage, but also ${\alpha}-1,6-$ and ${\alpha}-1,2-glucosidic$ linkages. Interestingly, PspAG97A possessed high catalytic efficiency for long-chain substrates with ${\alpha}-1,6-linkage$. These characteristics are clearly different from other known ${\alpha}-glucoside$ hydrolases in GH97, implying that PspAG97A is a unique ${\alpha}-glucoside$ hydrolase of GH97.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.335-341
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• 2017

The complexity of the bacterial recombination system is a barrier for the construction of bacterial mutants for the further functional investigation of specific genes. Several protocols have been developed to inactivate genes from the genus Pseudomonas. Those protocols are complicated and time-consuming and mostly do not enable easy construction of multiple knock-ins/outs. The current study describes a single and double crossover-recombination system using an optimized vector-free allele-exchange protocol for gene disruption and gene replacement in a single species of the family Pseudomonadaceae. The protocol is based on self-ligation (circularization) for the DNA cassette which has been obtained by overlapping polymerase chain reaction (Fusion-PCR), and carries an antibiotic resistance cassette flanked by homologous internal regions of the target locus. To establish the reproducibility of the approach, three different chromosomal genes (ncRNA31, rpoN, rpoS) were knocked-out from the root-associative bacterium Pseudomonas stutzeri A1501. The results showed that the P. stutzeri A1501 mutants, which are free of any plasmid backbone, could be obtained via a single or double crossover recombination. In order to optimize this protocol, three key factors that were found to have great effect on the efficiency of the homologous recombination were further investigated. Moreover, the modified protocol does not require further cloning steps, and it enables the construction of multiple gene knock-in/out mutants sequentially. This work provides a simple and rapid mutagenesis strategy for genome editing in P. stutzeri, which may also be applicable for other gram-negative bacteria.