• BMB Reports
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• 제29권6호
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• pp.525-529
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• 1996

Ligand binding properties of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) were characterized by using filtration binding assays. Scatchard analysis using $[^{3}H]N-methylscopolamine$ ($[^{3}H]NMS$) showed that the dissociation constant ($K_d$) and the maximum binding value ($B_{max}$) were $3.3{\pm}0.8{\times}10^{10}$ M and $9.0{\pm}1.1$ fmol/mg protein, respectively. Binding competition experiments indicated that the affinities of C. elegans mAChRs to atropine, scopolamine, and oxotremorine were similar to those of mammalian mAChRs. Pirenzepine binding experiments revealed that the binding pattern of mAChRs in C. elegans closely resembled that of mAChRs in rat brain, suggesting that the receptors consist primarily of Ml subtype. The affinity of mAChRs for oxotrernorine was significantly affected by guanylylimidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p), a non hydrolyzable GTP analog, suggesting that mAChRs in C. elegans might be coupled to G proteins. The data presented here indicate the possibility that C. elegans provides a living animal model to study the action mode of the muscarinic cholinergic system.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제46권11호
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• pp.664-671
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• 2023

The proper maintenance of mRNA quality that is regulated by diverse surveillance pathways is essential for cellular homeostasis and is highly conserved among eukaryotes. Here, we review findings regarding the role of mRNA quality control in the aging and longevity of Caenorhabditis elegans, an outstanding model for aging research. We discuss the recently discovered functions of the proper regulation of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay, ribosome-associated quality control, and mRNA splicing in the aging of C. elegans. We describe how mRNA quality control contributes to longevity conferred by various regimens, including inhibition of insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) signaling, dietary restriction, and reduced mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling. This review provides valuable information regarding the relationship between the mRNA quality control and aging in C. elegans, which may lead to insights into healthy longevity in complex organisms, including humans.

• ALGAE
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.15-48
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• 2006

The genus Martensia (Delesseriaceae, Rhodophyta) is characterized by thalli composed of one to several blades that consist of proximal membranous sections and distal latticework. Nerves or veins are absent in the membranous sections. The life cycle of Martensia is accomplished by isomorphic alternation of generations. The gametophytes of Martensia are dioecious, and the male and female gametangial plants are morphologically similar. The type species of Martensia is M. elegans Hering. In this study, nine species were confirmed to occur in the subtidal regions of Jeju Island, Korea: M. albida sp. nov., M. australis Harvey, M. bibarii Y. Lee, M. elegans Hering, M. flammifolia sp. nov, M. fragilis Harvey, M. jejuensis Y. Lee, M. palmata Y. Lee, and M. projecta Y. Lee. Three of these, M. australis, M. fragilis, and M. elegans, are new records in the flora of Korea. The results of molecular analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1 region in the nrDNA showed that M. elegans is identical to M. australis, and M. fragilis coincides with M. bibarii. It may be a less effective tool for the species discrimination in Martensia.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제45권9호
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• pp.649-659
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• 2022

A long-term energy nutritional imbalance fundamentally causes the development of obesity and associated fat accumulation. Lysosomes, as nutrient-sensing and lipophagy centers, critically control cellular lipid catabolism in response to nutrient deprivation. However, whether lysosome activity is directly involved in nutrient-induced fat accumulation remains unclear. In this study, worm fat accumulation was induced by 1 mM glucose or 0.02 mM palmitic acid supplementation. Along with the elevation of fat accumulation, lysosomal number and acidification were also increased, suggesting that lysosome activity might be correlated with nutrient-induced fat deposition in Caenorhabditis elegans. Furthermore, treatments with the lysosomal inhibitors chloroquine and leupeptin significantly reduced basal and nutrient-induced fat accumulation in C. elegans. The knockdown of hlh-30, which is a critical gene in lysosomal biogenesis, also resulted in worm fat loss. Finally, the mutation of aak-2, daf-15, and rsks-1 showed that mTORC1 (mechanistic target of rapamycin complex-1) signaling mediated the effects of lysosomes on basal and nutrient-induced fat accumulation in C. elegans. Overall, this study reveals the previously undescribed role of lysosomes in overnutrition sensing, suggesting a new strategy for controlling body fat accumulation.

• 생태와환경
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• 제52권1호
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• pp.9-12
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• 2019

붉은귀거북 Trachemys scripta elegans은 전 세계적으로 가장 유명한 애완동물 중 하나이며, 가장 흔하게 거래된 종으로 국내에서는 생태계교란생물로 지정되어 관리 대상이된 외래생물이다. 현재까지 붉은귀거북의 자연적 혹은 인위적인 이동과 확산에 대한 사례는 보고된 바가 없다. 본 연구는 경북 경산시 남산면 경리에서 발견된 붉은귀거북 암컷 1개체에 대한 이동 경로 및 이동 가능 경로를 추정하였다. 발견된 암컷의 이동 경로를 바탕으로 예상 목적지를 추정한 결과, 약 282 m와 468 m 지점에 붉은귀거북의 서식이 가능한 하천이 확인되었다. 따라서 가까운 수계까지의 예상 이동거리는 최소 606 m에서 최대 792 m가 될 것으로 추정된다. 이와 같은 붉은귀거북의 자연 이동은 외래거북의 자연 확산 가능성을 뒷받침할 수 있는 사례라 할 수 있다. 따라서 본 연구 결과는 국내 유입되어 있는 외래생물에 대한 관리 및 대책 마련에 중요한 근거가 될 것이다.

• BMB Reports
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.249-253
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• 1998

The developmental regulation of Caenorhabditis elegans DNA topoisomerase I expression was examined using synchronized Caenorhabditis elegans cultures. Variations of the relative mRNA and protein levels of the enzyme during their development were measured by Northern and Western analyses, respectively. The mRNA level was the highest at the embryonic stage, decreasing rapidly to the one tenth level at the L1 stage, and then increasing by a few fold at the L4 and young adult stages. The protein level was the highest at the L1 stage, with gradual decreasing at the following stages until it showed a slight increase at the young adult stage. Based on our results of the expressional regulation, the possible roles of DNA topoisomerase I in the development of C. elegans are discussed.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.218-224
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• 2014

Objectives : Zizyphus jujuba fruits(ZJF), a traditional Korean medicine has various biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and neuro-protective effects. However, it is still unclear whether ZJF has any biological effect on anti-aging. In this study, we examined the effect of ZJF on lifespan and thermal stress in C. elegans. Methods and Results : ZJF water extracts were fermented for 7 days(F7-ZJF) and 14 days(F14-ZJF) by Laetiporus sulphureus to increase secondary metabolites such as aglycone of flavonoids and terpenoids. In the lifespan assay, ZJF water extracts and fermented ZJF were treated on the agar medium plate with age synchronized egg stage of C. elegans. Treatment of F7-ZJF-$200{\mu}g/mL$ with OP-50 E. coli and F14-ZJF-$200{\mu}g/mL$ with OP-50 E. coli significantly increased life span of C. elegans(N2) at thermal stress condition of $25^{\circ}C$. Moreover mRNA levels of lifespan associated HSP 16.1, HSP 70, and HSF-1 were increased at thermal stress condition of $25^{\circ}C$. However, in the equilibration temperature of $20^{\circ}C$ after stress condition of $35^{\circ}C$ for 2 hr, F-14-ZJF-$200{\mu}g/mL$ treatment decreased the levels of heat shock protein in hsp16.2/GFP C. elegans. Conclusions : Our study indicates that prolong role of fermented-ZJF in C. elegans is mediated by control HSPs production.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.25-36
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• 2000

The polychaeta fauna of the benthos and fouling of the northwestern part of the East Sea was studied during the period of 1971-1998. Three introduced species of polychaetes: Hydorides elegans (Haswell), Polydora limicola Annenkova, and Pseudopotamilla occelata Moore were found. H. elegans was discovered only on the artificial surfaces in Golden Horn Inlet (port Vladivostok), where this species may occur because of hermal pollution due to the discharge of warm waters of the water cooling system of Thermal-Electric Power Station-2 (TEPS-2) in Vladivostok which has been in function since 1971. The abundant population of H. elegans exists in the bay throughout the year and is capable of reproduction. The biomass of H. elegans may reach several $kg/m^2$ in August-September. P. limicola was found at the same time in the fouling of hydrotechnical structures of Vladivostok, Nakhodka, Holmsk and Uglegorsk ports with a biomass of $1-3kg/m^2$. Slow introduction of P. limicola occurs by coastal sail ships at present. The invasion of P. occelata into Peter the Great Bay may be an example of introduction and subsequent naturalization, which produced considerable changes in the structure of benthic communities. The three species of polychaetous sessile organisms and their invasion occurred by ocean and coasters sea-going ships (unintentional transport vectors). H. elegans and P. occelata were most probably transported to the northwestern part of the East Sea from Japan, and P.

• BMB Reports
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.138-146
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• 2000

In eukaryotes, chromosomes undergo a series of complex and coordinated movements during cell division. The kinesin motor proteins, such as the chicken Chromokinesin, are known to bind DNA and transport chromosomes on spindle microtubles. We previously cloned a family of retrograde C-terminus kinesins in Caenorhabditis elegans that mediate chromosomal movement during embryonic development. Here we report the cloning of a C. elegans klp-12 cDNA, encoding an ortholog of chicken Chromokinesin and mouse KIF4. The KLP-12 protein contains 1609 amino acid and harbors two leucine zipper motifs. The insitu RNA hybridization in embryonic stages shows that the klp-12 gene is expressed during the entire embryonic development. The RNA interference assay reveals that, similar to the role of Chromokinesin, klp-12 functions in chromosome segregation. These results support the notion that during mitosis both types, the anterograde N-terminus kinesins such as KLP-12 and the retrograde C-terminus kinesins, such as KLP-3, KLP-15, KLP-16, and KLP-17, may coordinate chromosome assembly at the metaphase plate and chromosomal segregation towards the spindle poles in C. elegans.

• Mycobiology
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.14-19
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• 2012

A $Mariannaea$ fungus was isolated during investigation of an elm tree infested with unidentified beetles. Based on morphological characteristics and molecular analysis of the internal transcribed spacer rDNA sequence, the fungus was identified as $Mariannaea$ $elegans$ var. $elegans$. Fungal growth was better on malt extract agar than on potato dextrose agar and oatmeal agar. Optimal temperature and pH for growth of the fungus were $30^{\circ}C$ and pH 7.0, respectively. The fungus was found to have the ability to produce extracellular enzymes such as amylase, ${\beta}$-glucosidase, cellulase, and protease. This is first report on $M.$ $elegans$ var. $elegans$ in Korea.