• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.87-95
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• 2005

Cadmium is well known as a toxic metal and has insulin mimicking effects in rat adipose tissue. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of CdCl₂ on glucose transport and its mechanism in 3T3 - L1 adipocytes. CdCl₂ exhibits respectively 2.2 and 2.8 fold increases in the 2-deoxyglucose uptake when exposed to 10 and 25 μM of CdCl₂ for 12 hr. To investigate the stimulating mechanism of glucose transport induced by CdCl₂. Wortmannin and PD98059 were used respectively as PI3K inhibitor and MAPK inhibitor, which did not affect 2-DOG uptake. This results suggest that induced 2-deoxy-(l-3H)-D-glucose (2-DOG) uptake by CdCl₂ may not be concerned with the insulin signalling pathway. Whereas nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker inhibited the 2- DOG uptake stimulated by CdCl₂. In addition, we also measured the increased production of Reactive oxygen substances (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) level in 3T3-L1 adipocytes to investigate correlation between the glucose uptake and increased production of ROS with H2DCFDA. CdCl₂ increased production of ROS. Induced 2-DOG uptake and increased production of ROS by CdCl₂ were decreased by N-acetylcystein (NAC). And L-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) a potent inhibitor of γ-GCS, decreased of 2-DOG uptake. Also NAC and BSO changed the cellular GSH level, but GSH/GSSG ratio remained unchanged at 10, 25 μM of CdCl₂.

• BMB Reports
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.194-198
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• 2002

Eukaryotic replication protein A (RPA) is a single-stranded(ss) DNA binding protein with multiple functions in DNA replication, repair, and genetic recombination. The 70-kDa subunit of eukaryotic RPA contains a conserved four cysteine-type zinc-finger motif that has been implicated in the regulation of DNA replication and repair. Recently, we described a novel function for the zinc-finger motif in the regulation of human RPA's ssDNA binding activity through reduction-oxidation (redox). Here, we show that yeast RPA's ssDNA binding activity is regulated by redox potential through its RPA32 and/or RPA14 subunits. Yeast RPA requires a reducing agent, such as dithiothreitol (DTT), for its ssDNA binding activity. Also, under non-reducing conditions, its DNA binding activity decreases 20 fold. In contrast, the RPA 70 subunit does not require DTT for its DNA binding activity and is not affected by the redox condition. These results suggest that all three subunits are required for the regulation of RPA's DNA binding activity through redox potential.

• 고려인삼학회:학술대회논문집
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• 고려인삼학회 1978년도 학술대회지
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• pp.43-49
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• 1978

This study was devised to observe the cytotoxic activity of extracts of Panax ginseng root against some cancer cells and to purify the crude extract. Three kinds of cancer cells(leukemic cells L5178Y, HeLa cells and Sarcoma 180 cells) and mouse embryo cells (as normal cells) were used for this study. The ginseng roots were extracted with petroleum ether in soxhlet apparatus, and the crude extracts were purified by the silicic acid column chromatography and thin-layer chromatography methods. The results obtained are summarized as follows; 1. Eight to ten mg of the petroleum ether extract (crude extract) were obtained from 1 g of Panax ginseng root, and its activities per mg were about 1,000 units. 2. Doubling time of the L5178Y cells was increased to two fold by 24 hours incubation in culture medium containing about one ${\mu}g$ of extract per ml, and eight and ten folds higher concentration of ginseng extract were required for the Sarcoma 180 cells and HeLa cells, respectively, than for the leukemic cells(L5178Y) to inhibit the cellular growth to the same degree. 3. When the L5178Y cells were exposed to medium containing various concentration of the extract for 24 hours before initiation of the soft agar cloning procedure, about $99\%$ of the L5178Y cells were killed at concentration of 8 units per ml. 4. The growth rate of mouse embryo cell (as normal cell) was not affected by the culture with media containing various amounts (1.45 to 30.0 ${\mu}g/ml$) of the extract. 5. The crude extract could be purified about four times by silicic acid column chromatography using several solvent systems, and one spot of active compound could be obtained on the thin-layer chromatogram. 6. In the Swiss mice inoculated with Sarcoma 180 cells, a survival time of the experimental group (injection group of active compound) was extended more. 1.5 to 2.0 times than the control group's(no injection group).

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.155-161
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• 2005

The inherent instability of metabolite production in plant cell culture-based bioprocessing is a major problem hindering its commercialization. To understand the extent and causes of this instability, this study was aimed at understanding the variability of anthocyanin accumulation during long-term subcultures, as well as within subculture batches, in Vitis vinifera cell cultures. Therefore, four cell line suspensions of Vitis vinifera L. var. Gamay Freaux, A, B, C and D, originated from the same callus by cell-aggregate cloning, were established with starting anthocyanin contents of $2.73\;\pm\;0.15,\;1.45\;\pm\;0.04,\;0.7\;\pm\;0.024\;and\;0.27\;\pm\;0.04$CV (Color Value)/g-FCW (fresh cell weight), respectively. During weekly subculturing of 33 batches over 8 months, the anthocyanin biosynthetic capacity was gradually lost at various rates, for all four cell lines, regardless of the significant difference in the starting anthocyanin content. Contrary to this general trend, a significant fluctuation in the anthocyanin content was observed, but with an irregular cyclic pattern. The variabilities in the anthocyanin content between the subcultures for the 33 batches, as represented by the variation coefficient (VC), were 58, 57, 54, and $84\%$ for V. vinifera cell lines A, B, C and D, respectively. Within one subculture, the VCs from 12 replicate flasks for each of 12 independent subcultures were averaged, and found to be $9.7\%$, ranging from 4 to $17\%$. High- and low-producing cell lines, VV05 and VV06, with 1.8-fold differences in their basal anthocyanin contents, exhibited different inducibilities to L-phenylalanine feeding, methyl jasmonate and light irradiation. The low-producing cell line showed greater potential in enhanced the anthocyanin production.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.217-223
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• 2004

A cathepsin L-like cysteine protease, v-cath, encoded by the baculovirus has been shown to playa role in host liquefaction. We have identified a v-cath gene in the silkworm virus, Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV) K1 strain. The 969 bp v-cath has an open reading frame of 323 amino acids. A putative cleavage site and catalytic sites were conserved in BmNPV-K1 v-cath. The predicted three-dimensional structure of BmNPV-K1 v-cath revealed that the overall fold of BmNPV-K1 v-cath is similar to that of other proteases of the papain family. The deduced amino acid sequence of BmNPV-K1 v-cath showed 98% and 97% protein sequence identity to BmNPV T3 strain and to Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus, respectively. The BmNPV-K1 v-cath differed at 4 amino acid positions from BmNPV T3. The v-cath gene in BmNPV-K1 genome is located on the EcoRV 6 kb and XhoI 9 kb fragments. Northern hybridization analysis of BmNPV K1 v-cath gene revealed that it is expressed late in infection.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.107-114
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• 2010

For stable germline transformation, the promoter of Bombyx mori cytoplasmic actin gene (BmA3) has been used for ubiquitous expression of transgenes. So far, no strong promoter is available for ubiquitous expression in B. mori, excluding BmA3 promoter. To identify more powerful promoter than previously reported BmA3 promoter, we isolated 9 clones that show stronger signal compared to BmA3 by a dot blot hybridization. Among these 9 clones, we focused on one clone which has high amino acid homology (85%) with hypothetical protein 32 gene of Lonomia obliqua. This clone, named bHp32 (B. mori hypothetical protein 32) was ubiquitously expressed in all tissues and developmental stage of fifth instar B. mori larvae. As result of promoter assay using dual luciferase assay system, we found the highest transcription activity region (-1,200/+220) in the 5'-flanking region of bHp32 gene, which has 42-fold more intensive promoter activity than BmA3 promoter. Moreover, the bHp32 promoter was normally regulated in Bm5, Sf9, and S2 cells. Therefore, we suggest that bHp32 promoter may be used more powerful and effectively for transgene expression in various insects containing B. mori as a universal promoter.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.259-266
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• 1991

폐흡충 성충의 인산완충액 추출액을 원심분리하여 만든 세포질 현탁액을 조효소(조효소)로 사용하여 Xanthine- zanthine oxidase system으로 superoxide digmutase 환성을 측정한 결과 비활성도(비활성도: specific activity)는 4.3 units/mg이었다. 이 효소의 활성도를 30∼85% ammonium sulfate 침전 및 DEAE-Trisacryl M anion exchange chromatography와 Sephadex G-100 column chromatography를 통과시키면서 측정하는 방법으로 superoxide dismutase를 정제하고, 정제한 효소의 생화학적 특성을 관찰하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1. 정제과정을 통해 세포질 내 superoxide dismutase를 150배 정제하였다. Sephadex G-100 gel filtration에 의해 계산한 이 효소의 분자량은 34kDa이었고 환원성 SDS-PAGE상 subunit가 17 kDa이었다. 따라서 이 효소는 subunit 두개로 구성된 중항체로 판단하였다. 3. 이 효소는 1 mM 이상의 cyanide 농도에서는 효소 황성이 100% 억제되었고, 5mM 농도의 azide에서는 11.1%, 10mM azide에서는 22.2% 그 환성이 각각 억제되었다. 3. 이 효소는 완충액의 pH가 10.0일 때 효소 황성이 5.4배 증가되었다. 이상의 결과로 폐흡충의 세포질 내에 존재하는 superoxide dismutase는 구리와 아연을 함유한 superoxide dismutase라고 판단할 수 있었다.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.199-208
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• 1987

The chemotherapeutic efficacy of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole ($Bactrim^{\circledR}$) in mice experimentally infected with Toxoplasma gcndii was evaluated. The average survival days and survival rate of mice infected intraperitoneally with $1{\times}10^5$ trophozoites and treated with $Bactrim^{\circledR}$ were compared with those of untreated group. The hematologic findings of blood samples of experimental mice were observed for comparison of side elects between $Bactrim^{\circledR}$ and pyrimethamine ($Daraprim^{\circledR}$), the latter of which has been one of the favorable drugs for the treatment of toxoplasmosis. The results are summarized as follows: 1. $Bactrim^{\circledR}$ showed a strong evidence of potent anti-Toxoplasma activity. The survival rate of mice administered with 24 mg of $Bactrim^{\circledR}$ per mouse per day for 7 days, was 83.3%, and the rate was increased to 100% in mice administered with two-fold concentrated dose of the drug. 2. The average numbers of white blood cells (W.B.C.) in the mouse groups treated with $Bactrim^{\circledR}$ or $Daraprim^{\circledR}$ were more increased than those only infected with T. gondii. The mice treated with $Daraprim^{\circledR}$ however, showed remarkably decreased numbers of W.B.C. as compared with those treated with $Bactrim^{\circledR}$ . 3. The average numbers of red blood cells (R.B.C.) and platelets both in the drug-treated and untreated T. gondii-infected mice were decreased as compared with normal mice. The numbers of R. B. C. in $Daraprim^{\circledR}-treated$ mice, however, were more decreased than in $Bactrim^{\circledR}-treated$ mice. 4. The average levels of hemoglobin both in the drug.treated and untreated T. gondii-infected mice were decreased, compared with normal mice. But there was no difference in the levels of hemoglobin between $Bactrim^{\circledR}$ and $Daraprim^{\circledR}-treated$ groups. In conclusion, trimethoprim.sulfamethoxasole ($Bactrim^{\circledR}$) was proven to be effective and safe for the treatment of murine toxoplasmosis. The efficacy was comparable with pyrimethamine ($Daraprim^{\circledR}$), but bone marrow depression was less severe with $Bactrim^{\circledR}$ treatment.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.493-497
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• 2011

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of amlodipine on the pharmacokinetics of warfarin after oral and intravenous administration of warfarin in rats. Warfarin was administered orally (0.2 mg/kg) or intravenously (0.05 mg/kg) without or with oral administration of amlodipine (0.1 or 0.4 mg/kg) in rats. The effect of amlodipine on the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) as well as cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 activity was also evaluated. Amlodipine inhibited CYP3A4 enzyme activity with 50% inhibition concentration ($IC_{50}$) of 9.1 ${\mu}M$. Compared to those animals in the oral control group (warfarin without amlodipine), the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of warfarin was significantly greater (0.1 mg/kg, p<0.05; 0.4 mg/kg, p<0.01) by 26.5-53.5%, and the peak plasma concentration ($C_{max}$) was significantly higher (0.4 mg/kg, p<0.05) by 26.2% after oral administration of warfarin with amlodipine, respectively. Consequently, the relative bioavailability of warfarin increased by 1.26- to 1.53-fold and the absolute bioavailability of warfarin with amlodipine was significantly greater by 61.7-72.5% compared to that in the control group (47.4%). In contrast, amlodipine had no effect on any pharmacokinetic parameters of warfarin given intravenously. Therefore, the enhanced oral bioavailability of warfarin may be due to inhibition of CYP 3A4-mediated metabolism in the intestine and/or liver rather than renal elimination and P-gp by amlodipine.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.639-642
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• 2006

The root extract of Scilla scilloides (which has been used as a traditional folk medicine in Korea) was evaluated with regard to antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative activities. The roots of S. scilloides were minced and extracted with 95% ethanol (root:ethanol=25:75, w/v). The inhibitory effects of S. scilloides root extract on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 35556, Salmonella enteritidis ATCC 12021, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Candida parapsilosis KCCM 35428 were tested. The results indicate that the antimicrobial effects of both 0.1 and 1.0% extract of S. scilloides were greater against the growth of S. aureus ATCC 35556 and C. parapsilosis KCCM 35428 than the growth of S. enteritidis ATCC 12021 and E. coli O157:H7. The anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated by measurement of the inhibition of hyaluronidase activity in vitro. It appears that both 0.1 and 1.0% concentrations of extract have inhibitory effects on hyaluronidase relative to the control. Finally, the anti-oxidative effect of 1.0 and 10% extract solutions were measured according to the thiocyanate method and were compared with 1.0% BHT. The results indicate that the anti-oxidative effect of 10% S. scilloides root extract (anti-oxidative index (AOI); $72.3{\pm}4.2$) is not significantly different from that of 1.0% BHA (AOI; $76.8{\pm}3.5$) (p<0.05). However, it appears that the anti-oxidative effect of S. scilloides root extract is at least three-fold greater than that of BHA when accounting for the amount of dissolved solids in each.