• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제75권1호
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• pp.9-17
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• 2013

Background: In cancer cells, autophagy is generally induced as a pro-survival mechanism in response to treatment-associated genotoxic and metabolic stress. Thus, concurrent autophagy inhibition can be expected to have a synergistic effect with chemotherapy on cancer cell death. Monensin, a polyether antibiotic, is known as an autophagy inhibitor, which interferes with the fusion of autophagosome and lysosome. There have been a few reports of its effect in combination with anticancer drugs. We performed this study to investigate whether erlotinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor, or rapamycin, an mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, is effective in combination therapy with monensin in non-small cell lung cancer cells. Methods: NCI-H1299 cells were treated with rapamycin or erlotinib, with or without monensin pretreatment, and then subjected to growth inhibition assay, apoptosis analysis by flow cytometry, and cell cycle analysis on the basis of the DNA contents histogram. Finally, a Western blot analysis was done to examine the changes of proteins related to apoptosis and cell cycle control. Results: Monensin synergistically increases growth inhibition and apoptosis induced by rapamycin or erlotinib. The number of cells in the sub-$G_1$ phase increases noticeably after the combination treatment. Increase of proapoptotic proteins, including bax, cleaved caspase 3, and cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, and decrease of anti-apoptotic proteins, bcl-2 and bcl-xL, are augmented by the combination treatment with monensin. The promoters of cell cycle progression, notch3 and skp2, decrease and p21, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, accumulates within the cell during this process. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that concurrent autophagy inhibition could have a role in lung cancer treatment.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 한국독성학회 2002년도 국제심포지움
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• pp.88.2-98
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• 2002

A wide arry of naturally occurring substances particularly those present in dietary and medicinal plants, have been reported to possess substantial cancer chemopreventive properties. Certain phytochemicals retain strong antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties which appear to contribute to their chemopreventive or chemoprotective activities. Inducible cyclooxygenase(COX-2) and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) are important enzymes that mediate inflammatory processes. There is some evidence that expression of both COX-2 and iNOS is co-regulated by the eukaryotic transcription factor NF-$textsc{k}$B. Increased expression of COX-2 and/or iNOS has been associated with pathophysiology of certain types of human cancers as well as inflammatory diseases. Since inflammation is closely linked to tumor promotion, substances with potent anti-inflammatory activies are anticipated to exert chemopreventive effects on carcinogenesis, particularly in the promotion stage. An example is curcumin, a yellow pigment of turmeric (Curcuma longa L., Zingiberaceae), that strongly occurring diaryl heptanoids structurally related to curcumin have substantial anti-tumor promotional activities in two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis. Thus, yakuchinone A [1-(4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)-7-phenyl-3heptanone] and yakuchinone B [1-(4'-hydroxy-3'methoxyphenyl)-7-phenylhept-1-en-3-one] present in Alpinia oxyphylla Miquel (Zingiberacease) attenuate phorbol ester-induced inflammation and papilloma formation in female ICR mice. These diarylheptanoids also suppressed phorbol ester-induced activation of epdermal ornithine decarboxylase and its mRNA expression when applied onto shaven backs of mice. Yakuchinone A and B as well as curcumin inhibited phorbol ester-induced expression of COX-2 and iNOS and their mRNA in mouse skin via inactivation of NF-$textsc{k}$B. Capsaicin, a major pungent ingredient of red pepper also attenuated phorbol ester-induced NF-$textsc{k}$B activation. Similar suppression of COX-2 and iNOS and down-regulation of NF-$textsc{k}$B activation for its DNA binding were observed with the ginsenosied Rg3 and the ethanol extract of Artemisia asiatica. We have also found that certain anti-inflammatory phytochemicals exert inhibitory effects on phorbol ester-induced COX-2 expression and NF-$textsc{k}$B activation in immortalized human breast epithelial (MCF-10A) cells in culture. One of the plausible mechanisms undelying inhibition by aforementioned phytochemicals of phorbol ester-induced NF-$textsc{k}$B activation involves interference with degragation of the inhibitory unit, I$textsc{k}$Ba, which blocks subsequent nuclear translocation of the functionally active p65 subunit of NF-$textsc{k}$B. the activation of epidermal NF-$textsc{k}$B by phorbol ester and subsequent induction of COX-2 hence appear to play an important role in intracellular signaling pathwasy leading to tumor promotion and targeted inhibition of NF-$textsc{k}$B may provide a new promising cancer chemopreventive strategy.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.55-59
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• 2007

The study was carried out to develop transformants resisting to Phyophthora blight disease in the domestic pepper cultivar Subicho. In transforming of syn600 promoter with elicitin gene using Agrobacterium (LBA4404/pBI101 syn600-syn${\alpha}$-elicitin) to cotyledons of pepper, rate of shoot formation in 'Subicho' was 11.1% in medium containing 3 mg/L zeatin and 0.05 mg/L NAA, and also 12.8% in medium containing combination of 4 mg/L zeatin and 0.05 mg/L MAA. For PCR reaction using elicitin gene primer of transformants regenerated from cotyledons, we detected a specific band of 536 bp, and also showed strong signal at position of 536 bp in accordance with NPTII gene used as probe in Southern blot. Transformants pepper shown resistance to blight fungus was inoculated to seedlings of the $T_{1}\;and\;T_{2}$ transformants by concentration (density: zoo spore $10^{3}/mL$).

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.95-104
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• 2007

The mechanism of acacetin-induced apoptosis of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells was investigated. Acacetin caused 50% growth inhibition ($IC_{50}$) of MCF-7 cells at $26.4{\pm}0.7{\mu}M$ over 24 h in the MTT assay. Apoptosis was characterized by DNA fragmentation and an increase of sub-G1 cells and involved activation of caspase-7 and PARP (poly-ADP-ribose polymerase). Maximum caspase 7 activity was observed with $100{\mu}M$ acacetin for 24 h. Caspase 8 and 9 activation cascades mediated the activation of caspase 7. Acacetin caused a reduction of Bcl-2 expression leading to an increase of the Bax:Bcl-2 ratio. It also caused a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential that induced release of cytochrome c and apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) into the cytoplasm, enhancing ROS generation and subsequently resulting in apoptosis. Pretreatment of cells with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) reduced ROS generation and cell growth inhibition, and pretreatment with NAC or a caspase 8 inhibitor (Z-IETD-FMK) inhibited the acacetin-induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and release of cytochrome c and AIF. Stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun $NH_4$-terminal kinase 1/2 (SAPK/JNK1/2) and c-Jun were activated by acacetin but extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) nor p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were not. Our results show that acacetin-induced apoptosis of MCF-7 cells is mediated by caspase activation cascades, ROS generation, mitochondria-mediated cell death signaling and the SAPK/JNK1/2-c-Jun signaling pathway, activated by acacetin-induced ROS generation.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.396-401
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• 2009

Microorganisms or their toxins can be transferred to eggs and cause food poisoning in humans. Therefore, this study was conducted to detect microbial contamination of eggs and to identify microorganisms in any contaminated eggs. Four different brands of eggs were collected from hypermarkets in the northern Gyeonggi area. The total bacterial counts on the shells of the eggs varied greatly between brands. In addition, various bacterial species including Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas mendocina, Alcaligenes xylosoxidans, Alcaligenes faecalis, and Enterobacter cloacae were identified on eggshells. Furthermore, mean of total bacterial counts of four brands was $3.4{\times}10^4 cfu/m{\ell}$ and E. coli was detected on the eggshell of one brand egg. However, Salmonella was not identified on all brands of collected eggs. We also demonstrated that the E. coli isolated from the eggshell was not pathogenic based on the absence of pathogen-specific gene expression patterns. Taken together, the result of this study indicate that strict quality control and improved distribution controls are required to decrease microbial contamination and improve human health.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권12호
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• pp.6155-6157
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• 2012

Background: Mutations in the MAPK (Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase) signaling pathway - EGFR/Ras/RAF/MEK have been associated with the development of several carcinomas. ERK2, a downstream target of the MAPK pathway and a founding member of the MAPK family is activated by cellular signals emanating at the cell membrane. Activated ERK2 translocates into the nucleus to transactivate genes that promote cell proliferation. MKP - a dual specific phosphatase - interacts with activated ERK2 via the common docking (CD) domain of the later to inactivate (dephosphorylate) and effectively terminate further cell proliferation. A constitutively active form of ERK2 carrying a single point mutation - E322K in its CD domain, was earlier reported by our laboratory. In the present study, we investigated the prevalence of this CD domain E322K mutation in 88 well differentiated OSCC tissue samples. Materials and Method: Genomic DNA specimens isolated from 88 oral squamous cell carcinoma tissue samples were amplified with primers flanking the CD domain of the ERK2 gene. Subsequently, PCR amplicons were gel purified and subjected to direct sequencing to screen for mutations. Results: Direct sequencing of eighty eight OSCC samples identified an E322K CD domain mutation in only one (1.1%) OSCC sample. Conclusions: Our result indicates that mutation in the CD domain of ERK2 is rare in OSCC patients, which suggests the role of genetic alterations in other mitogenic genes in the development of carcinoma in the rest of the patients. Nevertheless, the finding is clinically significant, as the relatively rare prevalence of the E322K mutation in OSCC suggests that ERK2, being a common end point signal in the multi-hierarchical mitogen activated signaling pathway may be explored as a viable drug target in the treatment of OSCC.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.80-89
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• 1996

The expression and secretion of human lactoferrin (hLf) in Sacclnromyces diastaticus were performed. 1. For the secretion of hLf in yeast, recombinant plasmid pYEGLf was constructed using promoter, secretion signal sequence of glucoamylase I gene (STA1) and transcriptional terminator of GAL7 gene. 2. Each correct recombinant plasmid was selected by mini-preparation of plasmid DNA from E coli transformant and restriction enzyme digestion analysis. The selected plasmids, pYEGLf, were transformed into S. diastaticus YIY345 as a expression host, respectively. 3. Western blot analysis using rabbit anti-hLf was carried out to identify expressed hLf. Positive signals were shown in culture supernatant of pYEGLf transformant. 4. About $100{\mu}g-1mg$ of concentrated culture supernatant of positive clone were loaded on paper disc and tested for the antimicrobial activity against E coli. However, no activity was observed. We concluded that this fact results from low concentration of hLf secreted from yeast, compared with the fact that MIC of hLf is as high as $3mg/m{\ell}$. Therefore, the purification of secreted hLf may be require to investigate the antimicrobial activity. From this study, the feasibility of low-cost production of sufficient quantities of human lactofferin for nutritional and therapeutical applications were suggested.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.141-147
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• 2004

Objective: To investigate the association between endometriosis and polymorphisms of N-acetyl transferase 2 (NAT2), glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1), and cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 genes in Korean infertile patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 303 infertile patients who had undertaken diagnostic laparoscopy during January, 2001 through December, 2003 at Samsung Cheil Hospital enrolled in this study. The patients were grouped according to laparoscopic findings: minimal to mild endometriosis (group I: n=147), moderate to severe endometriosis (group II: n=57), normal pelvic cavity (n=99). Peripheral blood was obtained and genomic DNA was extracted. The genotypes of each genes were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). For NAT2, RFLP was used to detect the wild type (wt) and mutant (mt) alleles, enabling classification into slow (mt/mt) or fast (wt/wt or wt/mt) acetylation genotypes. For GSTM1, PCR was used to distinguish active (+/- or +/+) from null (-/-) genotypes. For CYP1A1, MspI digestion was used to detect the wild type (A1A1), heterozygote (A1A2) or mutant (A2A2) genotypes. Result: The genotype frequencies of NAT2 slow acetylator was 12.8%, 10.9%, 12.8% in group I, group II and control, respectively. The genotype frequencies of GSTM1 null mutation was 55.3%, 41.8%, 53.2% in group I, group II and control, respectively. The genotype frequencies of CYP1A1 MspI polymorphism was 16.3%, 9.1%, 18.1% in group I, group II and control, respectively. No significant difference was observed between endometriosis and normal controls in the genotype frequencies of the NAT2, GSTM1, CYP1A1 MspI polymorphism. Conclusion: The NAT2, GSTM1, CYP1A1 gene polymorphism may not be associated with the susceptibility of endometriosis in Korean women.

• Development and Reproduction
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.21-27
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• 1998

The present study was performed to analyze the gene expressions of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide(PACAP) and its receptor in the rat uterus, a candidate for novel extrahypothalamic source and target. The PACAP cDNA fragments corresponding to the common exon region which is found in both the rat hypothalamus and testis were produced from all tissue samples including the rat uterus by reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). No PCR product was amplified from the rat hypothalamic, pituitary, ovarian and uterine samples when the 5' primer corresponding to the testis-specific exon 1 region was used, while the predicted size of product was detected from the testis sample. RT-PCR using the uterine RNA and specific primers for the PACAP receptor yielded products with predicted sizes. Transcripts for the rat uterine PACAP receptor were identified as type I isoforms with hip-hop and hip- or hop-type inserts. After pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (15 IU) treatment of immature rats (day 25), the level of PACAP mRNA was increased in 24 h and 48 h group, and was declined to the lowest in 72 h group. The present study shows the presence of transcripts for PACAP and its receptor isoform in the rat uterus. These finding ssuggest that the uterine PACAP ight act as a novel autocrine and/or paracrine factor via its specific receptors on the reglulation of rat uterine function and physiology during the reproductive cycle.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.175-182
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• 1998

We investigated the rate of hepatitis G virus infection among 50 patients who were not infected with the hepatitis C virus but showed symptoms of hepatitis. Viral RNA was extracted from the patients' sera and cDNA was synthesized and amplified by RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) using random hexamer and 5 primers (470-20-1-77F, 470-20-1-211R, 470-20-1-211R-biotin, GV57-4512MF, GV57-4657MR). The amplified PCR products were confirmed by electrochemiluminescence (ECL), liquid hybridization (LH) and Southern blotting (SB). Among the 50 PCR products, by means of ECL, we found 4 samples to be positive and 5 samples to be indeterminate. The GV45-89M probe (5'-CYCGCTGRTITGGGGTGTACfGGAAGGC-3') was end-labelled with gamma-$^{32}P$ ATP and used for liquid hybridization with the PCR products. By using liquid hybridization, we detected specific bands from 4 positive sera and also from one indeterminate serum as determined by ECL. An 1.5% agarose gel electrophoresis of the 9 PCR products which were HGV positive or indeterminate as determined by ECL showed a 160bp band from 4 positive and one indeterminate serum. The 5 PCR products proved to be positive when SB was applied with the GV45-89M probe as well as when LH was applied. LH and SB were shown to have higher sensitivity and specificity than ECL. Two cases among 5 positive cases had relatively high SGOT, SGPT, ALP values when compared with other 48 cases. In summary, we confirmed hepatitis G virus infection in 5 cases among 50 Korean patients showing symptoms of viral hepatitis.