• Title/Summary/Keyword: Molecular Characteristics

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Blood-neural barrier: its diversity and coordinated cell-to-cell communication

  • Choi, Yoon-Kyung;Kim, Kyu-Won
    • BMB Reports
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    • v.41 no.5
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    • pp.345-352
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    • 2008
  • The cerebral microvessels possess barrier characteristics which are tightly sealed excluding many toxic substances and protecting neural tissues. The specialized blood-neural barriers as well as the cerebral microvascular barrier are recognized in the retina, inner ear, spinal cord, and cerebrospinal fluid. Microvascular endothelial cells in the brain closely interact with other components such as astrocytes, pericytes, perivascular microglia and neurons to form functional 'neurovascular unit'. Communication between endothelial cells and other surrounding cells enhances the barrier functions, consequently resulting in maintenance and elaboration of proper brain homeostasis. Furthermore, the disruption of the neurovascular unit is closely involved in cerebrovascular disorders. In this review, we focus on the location and function of these various blood-neural barriers, and the importance of the cell-to-cell communication for development and maintenance of the barrier integrity at the neurovascular unit. We also demonstrate the close relation between the alteration of the blood-neural barriers and cerebrovascular disorders.

Proteomic analysis of androgen-independent growth in low and high passage human LNCaP prostatic adenocarcinoma cells

  • Youm, Yun-Hee;Kim, Se-Yoon;Bahk, Young-Yil;Yoo, Tag-Keun
    • BMB Reports
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    • v.41 no.10
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    • pp.722-727
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    • 2008
  • The present study compared the proteomic characteristics of a low passage number (L-33) and high passage number (H-81) LNCaP cell clone. Marked differences in protein expression were noted in the response of L-33 and H-81 cells to androgens. To investigate if regulation of these proteins was androgen-dependent, expression of the androgen receptor was silenced via small interfering RNA. Consistent with the proteomic data, abrogation of androgen receptor production in H-81 cells resulted in the reversed expression level into L-33 cells compared with non-treated H-81 LNCaP cells. The results clarify the progression into an androgen-independent phenotype.

Comparison of structure, function and regulation of plant cold shock domain proteins to bacterial and animal cold shock domain proteins

  • Chaikam, Vijay;Karlson, Dale T.
    • BMB Reports
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    • v.43 no.1
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    • pp.1-8
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    • 2010
  • The cold shock domain (CSD) is among the most ancient and well conserved nucleic acid binding domains from bacteria to higher animals and plants. The CSD facilitates binding to RNA, ssDNA and dsDNA and most functions attributed to cold shock domain proteins are mediated by this nucleic acid binding activity. In prokaryotes, cold shock domain proteins only contain a single CSD and are termed cold shock proteins (Csps). In animal model systems, various auxiliary domains are present in addition to the CSD and are commonly named Y-box proteins. Similar to animal CSPs, plant CSPs contain auxiliary C-terminal domains in addition to their N-terminal CSD. Cold shock domain proteins have been shown to play important roles in development and stress adaptation in wide variety of organisms. In this review, the structure, function and regulation of plant CSPs are compared and contrasted to the characteristics of bacterial and animal CSPs.

Effect of Vertical Clearance Between a Rotor and Stater of a Disk-Type Drag Pump on the Performance (원판형 드래그펌프 회전자와 고정자 사이의 간극이 성능에 미치는 영향)

  • Kwon, Myoung-Keun;Hwang, Young-Kyu
    • Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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    • v.28 no.12
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    • pp.1501-1510
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    • 2004
  • The pumping characteristics of a single-stage disk-type drag pump (DTDP) are calculated for the variation of the vertical clearance between a rotor and stator by the three-dimensional direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method. The gas flow mainly belongs to the molecular transition flow region. Spiral channels of a DTDP are cut on the both the upper and lower sides of a rotating disk, but a stationary disk is planar. The interaction between molecules is described by the variable hard-sphere model. The no time counter method is used as a collision sampling technique. The vertical clearance has a significant effect on the pumping performance. Experiments are performed under the outlet pressure range of 0.4∼533 Pa. When the numerical results are compared with the experimental data, the numerical results agree well quantitatively

Solution-processed Organic Trilayer Solar Cells Incorporating Conjugated Polyelectrolytes

  • Cha, Myoung Joo;Walker, Bright;Seo, Jung Hwa
    • Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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    • 2014.02a
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    • pp.192.1-192.1
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    • 2014
  • We report solution-processed organic trilayer solar cells consisting of poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), a conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE) and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), wherein the effect CPE layer thickness on device properties was investigated. The current-voltage characteristics under illumination and dark as well as photoluminescence were characterized using various concentrations (0.02, 0.1, and 0.3wt%) of to deposit the CPE interlayer between the donor and acceptor layers. We also investigated the influence of molecular dipole moments in the trilayer solar cells by external stimuli. These results provide an experimental approach for investigating the influence of interfacial dipoles on solar cell parameters when placed between the donor and acceptor and allow us to obtaining fundamental information about the donor/acceptor interface in organic solar cells.

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Characteristics of the Amylase and its Related Enzymes Produced by Ectomycorrhizal Fungus Tricholoma matsutake

  • Hur, Tae-Chul;Ka, Kang-Hyun;Joo, Sung-Hyun;Terashita, Takao
    • Mycobiology
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    • v.29 no.4
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    • pp.183-189
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    • 2001
  • Extracellular amylase properties were examined with the mycelium of Tricholoma matsutake isolated from ectomycorrhizal roots of Pinus densiflora. The molecular weights of $\alpha$-amylase and glucoamylase were estimated as 34.2 kD and 11.5 kD, respectively, after eluted through Superdex 75 column. The optimum pH of the purified enzyme was found in a range of pH $5.0{\sim}6.0$, with a peak at pH 5.0. The activities of these enzymes were stable from $4^{\circ}C\;to\;30^{\circ}C$. The $\alpha$-amylase of T. matsutake readily hydrolyzed soluble starch and amylose-B, while it weakly hydrolyzed glycogen, dextrin, amylose and amylose-A. The main products of hydrolysis were confirmed to be glucose, maltose and maltotriose on the basis of the similarities in the thin layer chromatographic mobility.

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Occurrence of Sooty Blotch and Flyspeck Disease on Sweet Persimmon in Korea

  • Kwon, Jin-Hyeuk;Kim, Jin-Woo;Choi, Ok-Hee;Gang, Guen-Hye;Kwak, Youn-Sig
    • Mycobiology
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    • v.40 no.3
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    • pp.210-213
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    • 2012
  • Sooty blotch and flyspeck (SBFS), a disease caused by a complex of fungi, results in substantial economic losses for commercial growers of sweet persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) in Korea. However, many species causing SBFS in Korea have not been identified and sources of inoculum are uncertain. Based on mycological characteristics, pathogenicity, and molecular data, the causal fungi were identified as Dissoconium sp. and Zygophiala wisconsinensis. This is the first report of SBFS of sweet persimmon in Korea.

Soft Rot of Rhizopus oryzae as a Postharvest Pathogen of Banana Fruit in Korea

  • Kwon, Jin-Hyeuk;Ryu, Jae-San;Chi, Tran Thi Phuong;Shen, Shun-Shan;Choi, Ok-Hee
    • Mycobiology
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    • v.40 no.3
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    • pp.214-216
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    • 2012
  • Soft rot on banana fruit caused by Rhizopus oryzae was identified for the first time in Korea. Colonies were white to light brown and formed numerous sporangiospores. Optimum temperature for mycelial growth was $30^{\circ}C$. Sporangia were globose and $30{\sim}200{\mu}m$. Sporangiophores were usually straight, $8{\sim}20{\mu}m$, and rhizoids usually in groups of 3~5. Columella were globose to sub-globose and $90{\sim}110{\mu}m$. Sporangiospores were sub-globose or oval and $4{\sim}10{\mu}m$. Based on its mycological characteristics, molecular analysis, and pathogenicity to host plants, this fungus was identified as Rhizopus oryzae Went & Prisen Geerligs. This is the first report of soft rot on banana caused by Rhizopus oryzae in Korea.

Four Unrecorded Wood Decay Fungi from Seoul in Korea

  • Jang, Yeong-Seon;Lee, Sung-Wook;Jang, Seok-Yoon;Lim, Young-Woon;Lee, Jin-Sung;Kim, Jae-Jin
    • Mycobiology
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    • v.40 no.3
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    • pp.195-201
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    • 2012
  • During the investigation of Korean indigenous fungi from Seoul, three genera-Fuscoporia, Porostereum, and Trametopsis, and four species-Fuscoporia senex, Phlebia acerina, Porostereum spadiceum, and Trametopsis cervina were found. Their morphological characteristics were examined and their identification was confirmed by molecular analysis based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA region sequences. These fungi are new to Korea and registered here with descriptions.

First Report of Rhytisma sp. Associated with Tar Spots on Ilex cornuta

  • Jung, Bok-Nam;Park, Ji-Hyun;Lee, Sang-Hyun;Shin, Hyeon-Dong
    • The Korean Journal of Mycology
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    • v.48 no.1
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    • pp.63-67
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    • 2020
  • Tar spots have been observed on Ilex cornuta in Korea since 2015. Based on morphological and molecular analyses, the fungus responsible was determined to be a Rhytisma species, with characteristics similar to R. ilicis-latifoliae observed on Ilex latifolia from Japan. Herein, we document the first report of Rhytisma sp. on I. cornuta.