• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.365-373
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• 2010

To monitor newly emerged influenza virus variants and to investigate the prevalence pattern, our laboratory performed isolation of the viruses from surveillance sentinel hospitals. In the present study, we analysed influenza A/H1N1, A/H3N2, B viruses isolated in Busan during the 2006/07 and 2007/08 seasons by sequence analysis of the hemagglutinin (HA1 subunit) and neuraminidase (NA) genes. The isolates studied here were selected by the stratified random sample method from a total of 277 isolates, in which 15 were A/H1N1, 16 were A/H3N2 and 29 were B. Based on the phylogenetic tree, the HA1 gene showed that A/H1N1 isolates had a 96.7% to 97.7% homology with the A/Brisbane/59/2007, A/H3N2 isolates had a 98.4% to 99.7% homology with the A/Brisbane/10/2007, and B isolates had a 96.5% to 99.7% homology with the B/Florida/4/2006(Yamagata lineage), which are all the vaccine strains for the Northern Hemisphere in 2008~2009 season. In the case of the NA gene, A/H1N1 isolates had 97.8% to 98.5% homologies, A/H3N2 isolates had 98.9% to 99.4% homologies, and B isolates had 98.9% to 100% homologies with each vaccine strain in the 2008~2009 season, respectively. Characterization of the hemagglutinin gene revealed that amino acids at the receptor-binding site and N-linked glycosylation site were highly conserved. These results provide useful information for the control of influenza viruses in Busan and for a better understanding of vaccine strain selection.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.430-436
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• 2010

In this study, the effects of dibenzocyclooctadiene on seed germination were investigated in pepper. Four $C_{18}$ dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans - schisandrin (1143.7 mg), schisandrin C (317.3 mg), gomisin A (261.4 mg) and gomisin N (213.4 mg) - were isolated from hexane extracts of the fruits of Schisandra chinensis. The molecular structures of the four lignans were elucidated based on spectroscopic analyses including 1D NMR experiments, and bi comparing their spectroscopic data with those of previous literatures. Seeds were immersed in $10^{-5}\;M$ schisandrin, $10^{-6}\;M$ schisandrin C and $10^{-7}\;M$ gomisin A and gomisin N for 1 hr and incubated at $25^{\circ}C$ in the dark for germination. Compared to untreated control, treatment with schisandrin C and gomisin A suppressed seed germination at 48 hrs after incubation, whereas treatment with gomisin N increased germination rate at 48 hrs after incubation. The results of the germination activity of the lignans from S. chinensis confirm their potential plant growth role, and the relative natural abundances of these metabolites suggest their potential use as natural plant growth regulators.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.389-398
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• 2013

Platycodin D is a major constituent of triterpene saponins, which is found in the root of Platycodon grandiflorum, Platycodi Radix, which is widely used in traditional Oriental medicine for the treatment of many chronic inflammatory diseases. Several pharmacological effects of this compound have been reported recently, such as anti-inflammation, immunogenicity, anti-adipogenesis, lowered cholesterol, and anti-cancer activity. However, the mechanism by which this action occurs is poorly understood. In this study, we found that platycodin D greatly increased the potential of the anti-proliferative effect in various cancer cell lines. Our data revealed that platycodin D treatment resulted in a time- and concentration-response growth inhibition of U937 cells by inducing apoptosis, as evidenced by the formation of apoptotic bodies, chromatin condensation, and the accumulation of cells in the sub-G1 phase. Apoptosis induction of U937 cells by platycodin D correlated with an increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caused the down-regulation of IAP family members. In addition, platycodin D treatment resulted in proteolytic activation of caspase-3, the concomitant degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases, and the collapse of the mitochondria membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}_m$). However, the cytotoxic effects induced by platycodin D treatment were significantly inhibited by z-DEVD-fmk, a caspase-3 inhibitor, which demonstrated the important role that caspase-3 played in the observed cytotoxic effect. These findings suggest that platycodin D may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for use in the control of human leukemia U937 cells. These findings also provided important new insights into possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer activity of platycodin D.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.238-246
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• 2001

Bone morphogenetic proteins(BMPs), members of the transforming growth factor $\beta$(TGF-$\beta$) superfamily were first identified as the factors that induce ectopic bone formation in vivo, when implanted into muscular tissue. Especially BMP-2 inhibits terminal differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts and converts them into osteoblast lineage cells. In the molecular mechanism of the signal transduction of TGF-$\beta$ and related factors, intracellular signaling proteins were identified as Smad. In previous study, it has been reported that Smad 1 and Smad 5, which belong to the R-Smad family mediate BMP signaling, were involved in the induction of osteoblast differentiation in C2C12 cells. To understnad the role of Smads involved in osteogenic transdifferentiation in C2C12 cell, in present study, after we stably transfected C2C12 cells with each. Smad(Smad 1,Smad 5) expression vector, cultured for 3 days and stained for alkaline phophatase activity. ALP activity positive cells appeared in the Smad 1, Smad 5 stably transfected cell even in the abscence of BMP. After transiently co-transfected C2C12 cells with each Smad expression vector and ALP promoter, it was examined that Smad 1 and Smad 5 expression vector had increased about 2 fold ALP promoter activity in the abscence of BMP. These result suggested that both Smad 1 and Smad 5 were involved in the intracellular BMP signals which induce osteoblast differentiation in C2C12 cells. The effect of BMP on C2C12 cells with Smad 1, Smad 5 transfected were studied by using northern blot analysis. the treatment of BMP upregulated ALP mRNA level in three groups, especially upregulation of ALP was larger in Smad 1, Smad 5 transfected cell than control group. Pretreatment with cycloheximide($10{\mu}g/ml$), a protein synthesis inhibitor resulted in blocking the ALP gene expression even in BMP(100ng/ml) treated cell. These results suggested that Smad increased the level of ALP mRNA via the synthesis of a certain transcriptional regulatory protein.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.251-263
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• 1997

Background : The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis presents a significant challange to the treatment and control of tuberculosis, and there is an urgent need to understand the mechanisms by which strains acquire multidrug resistance. Recent advances in molecular methods for the detection of M. tuberculosis genetic targets have approached the sensitivity of culture. Furthermore the prospect of determining resistance in mycobacteria at the nucleic acid level particulary to first-line drugs like rifampin, isoniazid has provided a glimps of the next generation of sensitivity test for M. tuberculosis. Previous studies in RMP resistant M. tuberculosis have shown that mutation in $\beta$subunit of RNA polymerase is main mechanism of resistance. Method : In this study, rpoB gene for the $\beta$subunit of RNA polymerase from M. tuberculosis of 42 cultured samples (32 were RMP resistant and 10 were sensitive cases) were isolated and characterised the mutations. Direct sequencing data were compared with the results of INNO-LiPA Line Probe Assay (LiPA, Innogenetics, Belgium), commercial RMP resistance detecting kit using reverse hybridization method. Results : All of the RMP resistant samples were revealed the presence of mutation by LiPA. In 22 samples (68.8%) out of 32 RMP resistant cases, the mutation types were confirmed by the positive signal at one of 4 mutation bands in the strip. The most frequent type was R5 (S531L) which were 17 cases (77.3%). Results of direct sequencing were identified the exact characteristics of 8 mutations which were not confirmed by LiPA. S522W type point mutation and 9 base pair deletion at codon 513~515 were new identified mutations for the first time. Conclusion : Mutations in rpoB gene is the main mechanism of RMP resistance in M. tuberculosis and LiPA is a very useful diagnostic tool for the early diagnosis of RMP resistance in M. tuberculosis.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.175-184
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• 2008

To screen highly active Bacillus thuringiensis isolates against Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), 46 B. thuringiensis was isolated from 115 samples obtained from several crop soils. Especially, B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki CAB133 and CAB162 isolates showed 100% mortality against S. litura. $LD_{50}$ values of CAB 133, CAB162 and HD-1 strains of B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki were 0.089, 3.144 and $0.513{\mu}g/ml$ against 2nd larva of S. litura, respectively. The weight of 3rd larva of S. litura which were fed crystal inclusion protein $(1.267{\mu}g/ml)$ with B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki CAB133 was about 30 times lass than control group. CAB133 and CAB 162 strains of B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki which were taken a highly toxity against S. litura were analyzed by SDS-PAGE, and estimated the molecular weight of the Cry proteins. Their serological identification by H serotypes were showed B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki (3abc) type.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.211-219
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• 2004

Yew (Taxus cuspidata Sieb.) chose that grow as medicine, food, decorative plant in Korea's Kyong-Gi province surroundings. Extracts of yew extracted leaf of 250g and stems of 300g with 1,3-butylene glycol (l,3-BG), propylene glycol (PG) and water. As results, external appearance of leaf extract of yew was slightly brown clear extract. The pH was 5.3${\pm}$0.5, and specific gravity was 1.012${\pm}$0.05, and refractive index was l.375${\pm}$0.05. Also, appearance of stem's extract was slightly brown clear extract, and the pH was 5.4${\pm}$0.5, and specific gravity was 1.016${\pm}$0.05, and refractive index was 1.358${\pm}$0.05. Oil of yew separated from seeds, and extracted polysaccharide high purity from fruits. As a result, specific gravity of oil was 0.987, and obtained 40.0% of yield. Total polyphenols amount of yew extract is detected 0.563% in leaves, 0.325% in stems, whereas total tannins amount contained 0.054% and 0.037% each in leaves and stems. As effect in cosmetics, the anti-oxidative effect by DPPH method is 75.0% in leaves, and stems was 64.0%. Collagen synthesis rate was shown high activity by 54.16% in stem's extract, 33.18% in leaves' extract. Also, PPE-inhibitory activities were 13.7% and 23.5% each in leaves and stems. Anti-inflammatory effect of yew seed oil displayed superior effect of 41% than control. Polysaccharide's molecular weight that is gotten from fruits was 5${\times}$10$^4$-3${\times}$10$\^$5/ dalton, and got 20.0${\pm}$5% of yield.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.207-216
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• 2010

Objective: This study was performed to clarify the role of HomeoboxA (HOXA) and its related signaling molecules in the decidualization of primary cultured endometrial cells. Methods: Human endometrial tissues were obtained by curettage of hysterectomy specimens from patients with conditions other than endometrial diseases. Tissues were minced and digested with Trypsin-EDTA for 20 min, $37^{\circ}C$. Cells were cultured with DMEM/F12 medium in $37^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$ incubator for 24 hrs. Cells were treated with HOXA10 siRNA and added transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}1$ (10 ng/mL) for 48 hrs to induces decidualization in vitro. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis was accomplished to observe the expression of HOXA10, prolactin, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor (PPAR)-$\gamma$, and wingless-type MMTV integration site family (Wnt). Results: HOXA10 expression was increased (1.8 fold vs. non-treated control) in TGF-${\beta}1$ treated cells. Decidualization marker, prolactin, was significantly increased in TGF-${\beta}1$ treated cells compared with HOXA10 siRNA treated cells. Endometrial cell differentiation marker, COX-2 was down-regulated by HOXA10 siRNA even if cells were treated with TGF-${\beta}1$. Wnt4 was down-regulated by treated with HOXA10 siRNA, this expression patters was not changed by TGF-${\beta}1$. Expression of PPAR-$\gamma$ was down regulated by TGF-${\beta}1$ in regardless of HOXA10 siRNA treatment. Conclusion: TGF-${\beta}1$ which is induced by progesterone in endometrial epithelial cells may induces stromal cell decidualization via HOXA10 and Wnt signaling cascade.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.686-693
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• 2014

Restricted supply of nutrients may affect genes at the molecular level as well as physiological functions. Understanding the cellular responses during starvation is necessary for developing strategies to reduce damage caused by starvation stress. After 1 h of starvation, Got1 gene expression was increased but its expression returned to the normal state after 24 h. Mat1 gene expression continuously increased with starvation from 1 h until 24 hr. Rats starved for 1-3 days showed significant changes in expression of the Got1 and Mat1 genes, which were significantly reduced in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum. In the lung, gene expression was increased by starvation for 1-2 days but decreased on the third day. No differences were observed in gene expression in the heart. Strong Got1 lung gene expression was seen in the starvation group one day after restoration of the food supply. Muscle mass was significantly reduced at the start of starvation and remained the same after two days of starvation and one day after the food supply was restored. The Mat1 gene expression did not change. The Got1 was induced by NaCl and showed strong expression in the lung and the thymus, but the apparent decrease of the remaining changes were not observed in male rats. The Mat1 gene was not as sensitive as the Got1 gene to induction by NaCl. However, differences in gene induction by NaCl were evident between males and females, indicating that diet control of gene expression is associated with hormones.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.261-268
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• 2004

Background : The resurgence of tuberculosis and outbreaks of multidrug resistant (MDR) tuberculosis have increased the emphasis for the development of new susceptibility testing of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis for the effective treatment and control of the disease. Conventional drug susceptibility testings, such as those using egg-based or agar-based media have some limits, such as the time required and difficulties in determining critical inhibitory concentrations, but these are still being used in many diagnostic laboratories because of no better lternatives, considering cost and accuracy. To overcome these limits, a rapid and simple method for new susceptibility testing, using live and dead assays, was applied for a bacterial cell viability assay to distinguish dead from live bacterial cells based on two-color fluorescence. Materials and Methods Strains : Forty strains were used in this study, 20 susceptible to all antituberculosis drugs and the other 20 resistant to the four first line antituberculosis drugs isoniazid, rifampicin, streptomycin and ethambutol. Antibiotics : The four antibiotics were dissolved in 7H9 broth to make the following solutions: $0.1{\mu}g\;isoniazid(INH)/m{\ell}$, $0.4{\mu}g\;rifampicin(RMP)/m{\ell}$, $4.0{\mu}g\;streptomycin(SM)/m{\ell}$ and $4.0{\mu}g\;ethambutol(EMB)/m{\ell}$. Results : Live and dead Mycobacterium tuberculosis cells fluoresced green and red with the acridin (Syto 9) and propidium treatments, respectively. These results are very well accorded with conventional drug susceptibility testing by proportional method on Lowensen-Jensen media (L-J) containing 4 drugs (INH, RMP, EMB and SM), showing a 93.7 % accordance rate in susceptible strains and 95% in resistant strains. Conclusion : The results of the drug susceptibility testing using the live and dead bacterial cell assay showed high accordance rates compared with the conventional proportion method on L-J. This finding suggests that the live and dead bacterial cell assay can be used as an alternative to conventional drug susceptibility testing for M. tuberculosis strains.