• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.12
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• pp.846-851
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• 2008

This study was conducted to identify marbling-related candidate genes in M. longissimus dorsi of high- and low-marbled Hanwoo. The longissimus dorsi muscles were selected for gene expression from eight Hanwoo steer carcasses based on crude fat content. In the analysis of variance, gene expression of five candidate genes, FABP4, SCD, $PPAR\gamma$, Titin and Nebulin was determined to be significantly different between high- and low-marbled Hanwoo steers (P < 0.0001). The Pik-4 and CaMK II genes were also shown to have a significant effect on crude fat content (P < 0.01). In the analysis of the differential expression between high- and low marbled groups, FABP4 gene expression was approximately 2 times higher in the high marbled group relative to the low marbled group. However, the $PPAR\gamma$ and SCD gene were highly expressed in the low marbled group. In addition, Titin and Nebulin were highly expressed in the low marbled group when placed under relatively high shear force. Finally, the Pik-4 and CaM K II gene also displayed a high expression pattern in the low marbled group.

• BMB Reports
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.201-206
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• 2013

Sulforaphane [1-isothiocyanato-4-(methylsulfinyl)-butane] is an isothiocyanate found in some cruciferous vegetables, especially broccoli. Sulforaphane has been shown to display anti-cancer properties against various cancer cell lines. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), which degrades the extracellular matrix (ECM), plays an important role in cancer cell invasion. In this study, we investigated the effect of sulforaphane on 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion in MCF-7 cells. TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion were decreased by sulforaphane treatment. TPA substantially increased NF-${\kappa}B$ and AP-1 DNA binding activity. Pre-treatment with sulforaphane inhibited TPA-stimulated NF-${\kappa}B$ binding activity, but not AP-1 binding activity. In addition, we found that sulforaphane suppressed NF-${\kappa}B$ activation, by inhibiting phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B $ in TPA-treated MCF-7 cells. In this study, we demonstrated that the inhibition of TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion by sulforaphane was mediated by the suppression of the NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway in MCF-7 cells.

• BMB Reports
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.263-268
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• 2017

${\beta}$-Agarase cleaves the ${\beta}$-1,4 linkages of agar to produce neoagarooligosaccharides (NAO), which are associated with various physiological functions. However, the immunological functions of NAO are still unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that ${\beta}$-agarase DagA-produced neoagarohexaose (DP6), an NAO product, promoted the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) by Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). DP6 directly and indirectly enhanced the activation of natural killer (NK) cells in a TLR4-dependent manner in vitro and in vivo. Finally, the antitumor activity of DP6 against B16F1 melanoma cells was inhibited in NK cell-depletion systems by using NK-cell depleting antibodies in vivo. Collectively, the results indicated that DP6 augments antitumor immunity against B16F1 melanoma cells via the activation of DC-mediated NK cells in a TLR4-dependent manner. Thus, DP6 is a potential candidate adjuvant that acts as an immune cell modulator for the treatment of melanoma.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.323-328
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• 2020

Matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), a calcium-dependent zinccontaining collagenase, is involved in the initial degradation of native fibrillar collagen. Tissue necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that is rapidly produced by dermal fibroblasts, monocytes/macrophages, and keratinocytes and regulates inflammation and damaged-tissue remodeling. MMP-1 is induced by TNFα and plays a critical role in tissue remodeling and skin aging processes. However, the regulation of the MMP1 gene by TNFα is not fully understood. We aimed to find additional cis-acting elements involved in the regulation of TNFα-induced MMP1 gene transcription in addition to the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and activator protein 1 (AP1) sites. Assessments of the 5'-regulatory region of the MMP1 gene, using a series of deletion constructs, revealed the requirement of the early growth response protein 1 (EGR-1)-binding sequence (EBS) in the proximal region for proper transcription by TNFα. Ectopic expression of EGR-1, a zinc-finger transcription factor that binds to G-C rich sequences, stimulated MMP1 promoter activity. The silencing of EGR-1 by RNA interference reduced TNFα-induced MMP-1 expression. EGR-1 directly binds to the proximal region and transactivates the MMP1 gene promoter. Mutation of the EBS within the MMP1 promoter abolished EGR-1-mediated MMP-1 promoter activation. These data suggest that EGR-1 is required for TNFα-induced MMP1 transcriptional activation. In addition, we found that all three MAPKs, ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 kinase, mediate TNFα-induced MMP-1 expression via EGR-1 upregulation. These results suggest that EGR-1 may represent a good target for the development of pharmaceutical agents to reduce inflammation-induced MMP-1 expression.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.112-117
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• 2015

In order to establish the quality control on patient safety following the guideline presented by American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) TG-100 committee, we aim to analyze the modes based on errors occurred during treatment of patients at the radiation oncology department at Yeungnam University Hospital and establish a quality control guideline for patient safety when patient-centered radiation treatment is conducted. We aim to analyze the errors that can occur during radiation treatment at the radiation department, and assess the frequency of error, the severity of error affecting patients, and probability of proceeding without noticing error, with scores. The places where errors can take place were divided into CT simulation treatment room, treatment planning room, and treatment room for the analysis. In CT simulation treatment room, an error from using the immobilization device showed the highest Risk Priority Number (RPN) value of 60, and an error from simulation treatment information input showed the lowest of 6. In treatment planning room, an error from selecting the radiation dose calculation model showed the highest RPN value of 168, and an error of patient treatment start date showed the lowest of 36. In treatment room, a Table Bar error showed the highest RPN value of 252, a weight change error showed 190, and a Pillow error showed the lowest of 24.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 1998

This study was performed to determine the effects of nitric oxide on human sperm cell function. Semen samples were obtained from normal healthy volunteers. Motile spermatozoas collected by swim-up method were incubated up to 24 hours in Ham's F-10 medium supplemented with a various concentration of sodium nitroprusside (nitric oxide releasing agent). Sperm motility, hyperactivation, acrosome reaction rate, and acrosin activity were determined. The results are as follows; 1. 1mM of SNP resulted in a significant decrease in sperm motility ($44.8%{\pm}8.9%:78.1%{\pm}6.3%$, and hyperactivation $(10.4%{\pm}6.4%:47.7%:{\pm}9.5%)$ after incubation for 3 hours compared with the control group (Ham's F-10 alone), but had no effect on acrosome reaction. 2. At $100{\mu}M$ SNP, sperm motility was reduced after incubation for 6 hours $(54.8%{\pm}3.2%)$ compared with that of the control group $(82.7%{\pm}8.9%)$, but hyperactivation and acrosome reaction were not affected. 3. However, a lower concentration (less than $10{\mu}M$) of SNP had no effect on sperm motility and hyperactivation for 8 hours of incubation but significantly decreased them when incubation periods were increased up to 24 hours compared with the control group. On the other hand, $1{\mu}M$ and $10{\mu}M$ SNP significantly increased the acrosome reaction rate in both acrosomal status ($17.3%{\pm}5.2%$, $23.5%{\pm}4.7%$, respectively) and acrosin activity ($34.3{\mu}IU{\pm}10.5{\mu}IU,\;45.6{\mu}IU{\pm}5.6{\mu}IU$, respectively) as compared with the control group $(7.0%{\pm}4.0%,\;9.5{\mu}IU{\pm}3.4{\mu}IU)$. These results indicate that SNP, NO releasing agent, has a dose-dependent effects on the sperm cell function. Therefore it may positively affect the fertilization by promoting acrosomal reaction at a lower concentration (less than $10{\mu}M$).

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.319-328
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• 1993

All vertebrates other than lampreys exhibit multiple loci encoding lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27,LDH). From the result shown by cellulose acetate and starch gel electrophoresis, the lampreys were-reported to have only one isozyme. However in our results the LDH of skeletal muscle, heart and kidney in Lampetra japonica were separated into three isozymes and that of liver was separated into two isozymes by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The LDH of skeletal muscle and heart were separated into four isozymes and that of liver was separated into two isozymes by polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing (PAGlEF). The LDH of skeletal muscle were separated into four isozymes through the chromatofocusing. The molecular weight of LDH isozymes in skeletal muscle was approximately estimated to be 140,000 by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration. The LDH isozymes of skeletal muscle, heart and liver were inhibited by pyruvate to the nearly similar degree. And the degree of inhibition by pyruvate showed the value between LDH A$_4$and LDH B$_4$isozyme. And the LDH isozymes in heart, liver and skeletal muscle were thermostable. The results mentioned above indicate that the LDH isozyme in lamprey (Lampetra japonica) has not one isozyme but isozymes. And it is also found out that the two structures of their subunits are similar each others.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.337-351
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• 1996

Melatonin Is a multifunctional hormone secreted from the pineal gland in the middle of cerebrum and cerebellum. Its synthesis and release reflect photopedod;Photopedod is a yearly predictable ambient factor that most animals utilize as an environmental cue for maximum survival. Hamsters maintaln reproductive activity in summer during which day length exceeds night time. Upon the advent of autumnal equinox they undergo gonadal regression. The photoperiodic effects are prevented by removal of the pineal gland and restored by the timed repiacument of melatonin. The results suggest that melatonin constitutes part of control mechanism whereby environmental information is transduced to neuroendocrine signal responsIble for the functional integrity of the reproductive system. From the studies for the action site of melatonin following the treatment of photopedod or melatonin in the lesion of a spedflc portion of hypothalamus, suprachiasmatic nuclei and pars tuberalis are shown to be a consensus site for melatonIn. The action of melatonin. In the regulation of reproduction is largely unknown. It is mainly due to the lack of acute effect of melatonin on gonadotropin secretion. However, reduction of the gonadotropln release and augmentation of the hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) content by long-term treatment of melatonln Indicate that constant presence of melatonln may partidpate in the regulation of sexual activity via the GnRH neuronal system. The action mechanism by which melatonin exerts Its effect on GnRH neuron needs to be eluddated. The inability of opiold analogues to affect the reproductive hormones in sexually regressed animals by inhibftory photopedod and melatonin suggests that the opioldergic neuron may be a prime intervening mediator. Recent cloning of melatonin receptor will contribute to investigate its anatomical Identification and the action mechanism of melatonin on target tissues at the molecular level.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.426-436
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• 1996

In previous studies, we have shown that lysosomal add phosphatase (LAP) activity increases at the dedifferentiation stage in the regenerating larval limbs of salamander, Hynobius leechii. Monoclonal antibodies against LAP were generated to determIne the spatial and temporal distribution of the protein In the regenerates.A total of 22 monoclonal antihodies recognizIng different epftopes of the protein were obtained, of which five strongly stained the regenerating limb by imunohistochemistry. in LAP immunohistochemical examination, LAP showed distribution coincident with the state of dedifferentiation, both spatially and temporally, in the limb regenerates. When unfractioned protein of regenerating salamander limbs were separated by gel electrophoresis and immunoblotted, the antibodies recognized a single protein band of 53 kl)a, which comigrates with a monomerlc subunit of IAR Using the anti-IAP antibodIes as probe, we investigated the cross-reactivities of LAPs from other sources. The immunoreadive bands on Western blots appeared to be the same In molecular mass-53 kl)a in axoloti and Xenopus, but no protein band was detected in mouse, Drosophila, or C. elegans.These results show that the antibodies generated in this study spedfically recognize Hynoblus leeclili IAp and that IAPs may be highiy conserved among amphibians. Furthermore, the distdbution of the protein is consistent with a role for LAP in the dedifferentiation process of limb regeneration.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.469-477
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• 2012

Ostrinia larvae feed the pods and stem of red bean and seriously damage the bean production from farmers. In this study we investigated biological and developmental characteristics including field collection, host feeding preference, artificial rearing diet, morphological and molecular taxonomical identification, and pheromone analysis for an Ostrinia sp. in Korea. The male adults have massive tibia in the middle legs and 3-lobed uncus in the genitalia. The partial nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and II (COII) were not corresponded to those DNA sequences from other Ostrinia species reported previously in Japan and China. Host plants for this species are also different from the previous species reported. In the gas chromatography (GC) analyses, (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate was not detected from the pheromone gland of our species while the component as a sex pheromone was found in O. zaguliaevi and O. zealis, With taken results, we conclude this Ostrinia species in Korea is Ostrinia scapulalis or closely related species. When larvae collected in a fall were incubated in the outdoor condition, they emerged to adult between June and July in the next year. The result indicates that the winter diapause could be started in late larval stage. In addition, we developed a semi-synthetic artificial diet adopted for mass rearing of the O. scapulalis in laboratory.