• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition Conference
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• 2001.12a
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• pp.22-37
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• 2001

Melatonin is secreted during the hours of darkness and is thought to influence the circadian and seasonal timing of a variety of physiological processes. Serotonin N-acetyltransferase (AA-NAT) which is found to be expressed in pineal gland, retina, and various tissues, catalyses the conversion of serotonin to N-acetylserotonin and is known as the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of melatonin. The compounds that modulate the activity of AA-NAT can be used to treat serotonin-and melatonin-related diseases such as insomnia, depression and seasonal affective disorders (SAD). Several assay methods have been developed by which to measure AA-NAT activity. We have also developed a simple, rapid and sensitive AA-NAT assay method that takes advantage of differences in the organic solubilities between acetyl CoA and N-acetyltryptamine. We screened modulators of AA-NAT activity from the water extracts of the medicinal plants. We found MNP1005 which strongly inhibited the activity of AA-NAT ($IC_{50}$=2.2$\mu$M). Enzyme inhibitory kinetic studies revealed that MNP1005 exhibited a noncompetitive inhibition toward tryptamine. The antidepressant effect of MNP1005 was investigated on behavioral despair test so called forced swimming test (FST). MNP1005 significantly increased swimming behavior by reducing immobility with treatment of 10 mg/kg when compared to the vehicle-treated control group (P < 0.05). This suggests that MNP1005 possesses antidepressant activity. The influence of chronic MNP1005 treatment on the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was examined by in situ hybridization and Northern blot. Chronic treatment of MNP1005 blocked the downregulation of BDNF mRNA in the frontal cortex and other cortex regions in response to restraint stress.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.85-91
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• 1998

To investigate the effects of antioxidative vitamins in combination with various fatty acids on breast cancer cell proliferation, MDA-MB231 human breast cancer cells were cultured for 3 days in the serum-free Iscove's modified Dulbecco's medium (IMDM) supplemented with 1.25mg/ml delipidized bovine serum albumin and 10㎍/ml insulin. Alpha-tocopherol, ascorbic acid or both vitamins were added to the medium at the concentrations of 10 and 50μM in the presence of 3μg/ml of oletic(Oa), linoleic(LA) α-linoleinic(LNA) and docosahexaenoic acid(DHA). Cell growth was reduced significantly by α-tocopherol in a dose-dependent manner, but not affected by ascorbic aicd. The four different fatty acids did not have significant effects on cell growth, although DHA exerted inhibitory effect on the growth after 1 day. However, the each fatty acid was well incorporated into celluar lipid as such or elongated forms. Addition of α-tocopherol remarkably increased its celluar contents and reduced cellular levels of thiobarbituric acid substances (TBARS) that were elevated notably in the presence of DHA in the culture media. But ascorbic acid addition did not change much of either cellular α-tocopherol or TBARS contents. northern blot hybridization showed that tumor supressor gene ρ53 was most highly expressed by the combination of ρ-tocopherol and DHA in 8 hours of cell culture. In conclusion , the growth inhibitory effect of vitamin E suggests that breast cancer cell proliferation is reduced by the mechanism other than cytotoxicity of lipid peroxide and it is related to expressionof tumor supprosser gene p53, that can be increased by both vitamin E and n-3 fatty acid, DHA.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.89-111
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• 2001

In order to investigate the effects of GamiTakliSodocyum(GTS) on wound healing, migration of epidermis, formation of granulation tissue and number of capillary within the granulation tissue were measured in diabetic mice by local application and NZW rabbits by local application and prescription of medicine in vivo, and proliferation of human epidermal keratinocytes and human dermal fibroblasts and composition of extracellular matrix were measured in vitro. The results were summerized as follows. 1. $2\%,\;10\%$ GTS remarkably increased migration of epidermis in diabetic mice by local application. 2. $2\%,\;10\%$ GTS remarkably increased formation of granulation tissue, number of neovascularization within the granulation tissue in diabetic mice by local application. 3. 5\%,\;10\%$ GTS remarkably increased migration of epidermis in NZW rabbits by local application. 4. $5\%,\;10\%$ GTS remarkably increased fonnation of granulation tissue, number of neovascularization within the granulation tissue in NZW rabbits by local application. 5. $5\%,\;10\%$ GTS increased migration of epidennis in NZW rabbits by prescription of medicine. 6. $5\%,\;10\%$ GTS increased formation of granulation tissue, number of neovascularization within the granulation tissue in NZW rabbits by prescription of medicine. 7. GTS didn't show effect on the proliferation of human epidermal keratinocytes. 8. GTS increased the proliferation of cultured human dermal fibroblasts. 9. GTS increased the expression of procoliagen ${\alpha}1(I) mRNA in cultured human dermal fibroblasts. 10. GTS increased the expression of fibronectin mRNA in cultured human dennal fibroblasts according to dosage of GTS using northern blot hybridization but didn't increase, using RT-PCR. From the above results, it is conclude that GTS might use on wound healing.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.295-301
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• 1999

Many of plant defense responses are consequence of transcriptional activation of related genes. We have developed a modified differential screening procedure to isolate tobacco genes that are involved in the defense responses against TMV infection. A cDNA library was constructed from Nicotiana glutinosa leaves infected by TMV under temperature shift conditions. Each of plasmid DNA in the library was hybridized on a set of slot blots to a pool of cDNA probes prepared from either TMV-infected or mock-treated tobacco leaves. Among 900 plasmid DNAs, 81 clones exhibiting significantly enhanced or reduced level of hybridization to either probe were selected for nucleotide sequencing. The clones were listed into 61 genes considering redundancy between the sequences. The genes were identified to be defense-related genes including PR-genes and genes involved in primary or secondary metabolisms. This results supports the implication that plant defense process entails a major shift in total cellular metabolisms rather than activation of a limited number of defense-related genes. Expression patterns of a number of defense-related genes. Expression patterns of a number of selected genes were examined in northern blot analyses. It is notable that the clone 630 of unknown function exhibits expression pattern similar to those of previously known PR-genes. Experiments to elucidate the roles in defense mechanism of a couple of genes newly identified in this study are in progress.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 2003

Objectives: Bok, Bcl-2-related ovarian killer, is a proapoptotic Bcl-2 family protein identified in the ovary based on its dimerization with the antiapoptotic protein Mcl-1. The present study examined the hormonal regulation and localization of Bok messenger RNA levels in the mouse ovary during the follicle development. Methods: The animals were implanted subcutaneously with Silastic brand capsules containing the synthetic estrogen, DES at $21{\sim}23$ days of age. Ovaries were collected $1{\sim}3$ days after implantation for RNA analysis and in situ hybridization. Some mice were removed capsule for $1{\sim}2$ days to induce ovarian follicle apoptosis. Ovaries were also collected from 26 day-old immature mice at various times after treatment with 10 IU PMSG. Some mice received a single intraperitoneal injection of 10 IU hCG to induce ovulation, and ovaries were obtained at different time intervals for Northern blot and in situ hybridization analysis, respectively. Results: Treatment of immature mice with diethylstilbestrol (DES) for $24{\sim}48$ h increased ovarian Bok mRNA levels. Bok mRNA was remained the same levels in mice removed DES for $24{\sim}48$ h to induce apoptosis. High signals of Bok mRNA after DES treatment were detected in granulosa cells of early antral follicles. Treatment of immature mice with PMSG for 12 h increased markedly ovarian Bok mRNA expression which was detected mainly in preantral and atretic follicles. Interestingly, low levels of Bok mRNA were also expressed in granulosa cells of preovulatory follicles. Treatment of PMSGprimed mice with hCG stimulated strongly ovarian Bok mRNA expression at $6{\sim}9$ h. At that time, Bok mRNA was expressed in granulosa cells of atretic and small growing follicles. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that Bok is one of proapoptotic Bcl-2 members expressed in early growing and atretic follicles during the ovarian follicular development. Gonadotropins induce a transient increase of Bok gene expression in granulosa cells of preantral and preovulatory follicles indicating some role in the ovulatory process.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.181-187
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• 2001

Seasonal changes and circadian rhythm of plasma prolactin(PRL) concentration in mammals are mediated by melatonin. Pinealectomy or denervation of the pineal gland produces an increase in plasma PRL level. In the rat placenta several members of the PRL family gene are expressed during the late pregnancy. However, the full spectrum of their expression mechanisms and regulatory factors are not elucidated yet. Present study aimed to investigate the local expression of the melatonin receptor la(Me $l_{la}$ ) gene and the effect of melatonin on expression of prolactin-like protein A(PLP-A), a member of the PRL-family gene in the rat placenta. According to the RT-PCR, northern blot and in situ hybridization experiments, Me $l_{la}$ gene was locally expressed in the rat placenta, Me $l_{la}$ mRNA was localized mainly in the placental junctional and labyrinth zones. Interestingly, junctional zone of the placenta showed strong expression of Me $l_{la}$ at daytime(16:00) than at nighttime(22:00). Melatonin agonist, chlorornelatonin decreased the PLP-A mRNA levels in the rat placenta. These results suggest that melatonin coupled with Me $l_{la}$ , may act as a regulation factor that mediates the expression of the PLP-A gene in the rat placenta.

• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2001.03a
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• pp.195-205
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• 2001

태반 영양배엽 (trophoblast)은 포유동물의 발생과정 중 가장 먼저 분화되는 세포로서, 자궁환경내에서 배아가 착상, 발생, 및 분화하기 위해서 반드시 필요한 태반을 형성하는 색심적인 세포이다. 영양배엽 세포의 분화과정중의 결함은 배아의 사산이나 임신질환 등의 치명적 결과를 초래한다. 하지만, 영양배엽 세포의 분화를 조절하는 분자생물학적인 메카니즘은 아직 규명되지 않고 있다. 영양배엽 세포의 분화를 조절하는 경로를 규경하기 위한 선결과제는 분화된 영양배엽 세포에서만 발현하는 많은 유전자들이 밝혀져야만 한다. 본 연구팀은 최근에 분화된 영양배엽 세포에서만 발현하는 두 종류의 새로운 유전자들을 찾았다. 한 종류는 homeobox를 보유하고 있는 조절 유전자 Psx이고, 다른 한 종류는 임신호르몬인 태반 프로락틴 라이크 단백질 유전자 PLP-C${\beta}$이다. 본 연구과제의 목표는 이들 유전자의 기능과 조절 메카니즘을 규명함으로써, 영양배엽 세포의 분화를 조절하는 조절경로를 밝히는 것이다. 이를 위하여 다음과 같은 일련의 연구를 수행할 것이다. 1) Psx 유전자가 분화된 영양배엽 세포에서만 발현케 하는 조절 메카니즘을 규명하기 위해 functional assays, in vitro footprinting, gel mobility shift assays, 생쥐형질전화, UV crosslinking, Southwestern blot 등의 방법을 통해 Psx 유전자의 cis-acting 요인과 trans-acting factor를 밝혀 분석한다. 2) 영양배엽 세포의 분화조절 경로를 규명하기 위해 random oligonuclotide library screening, DD-PCR, subtractive screening 등의 방법을 이용하여 Psx 유전자에 의해 조절되는 하부유전자를 밝힌다. 3) Psx 유전자를 knock-out시켜 영양배엽 세포가 발달 및 분화하는데 미치는 역할을 밝힌다. 4) Yeast two-hybrid screening방법을 이용하여 태반 프로락틴 유전자의 수용체를 찾아 이들의 신호전달 기전을 밝힌다. 제1차년 연구결과로서, mouse와 rat으로부터 각각 Psx 유전자의 genomic DNA를 클로닝하여, 유전자 구조를 비교한 결과, mouse Psx (mPsx2)는 4개의 exons으로 이루어져 있는 반면에, rat Psx (Psx3)는 3개의 exons으로 구성되어 있었다. 즉, rPsx3는 mPsx2의 exon1이 없었다. Notrhern blot과 in situ hybridization 분석에 의해 mouse와 rat에서 Psx 유전자가 다르게 발현 조절되는 현상을 밝혔다. 실제로 mPsx2와 rPsx3의 5'-flanking지역을 클로닝하여 염기서열 분석 결과 전혀 homology를 찾을 수 없었다. 또한, 이들 각각 promoter의 activity를 luciferase reporter를 이용하여 조사한 결과 Rcho-1 trophoblast cells에서 각기 다른 activity를 보여 주는 것을 발견하였다. Psx 유전자의 transcription start sites는 Primer extension에 의해 밝혔다. 또한 Psx2 유전자를 knock-out 시키기 위해 targeting vector를 Osdupde1에 제작하였다. 본 과제를 시작할 때 새로운 프로락틴 유전자 하나를 클로닝하여 이 유전자를 PLP-I라고 이름을 붙였다. 이 후 이 유전자 (PLP-I)는 PLP-C${\beta}$라고 이름을 붙이게 되었다. Mouse PLP-C${\beta}$ 유전자의 counterpart를 rat에서 찾아 염기서열을 비교한 결과 mouse와 rat에서 PLP-C${\beta}$유전자의 homology는 약 79% (amino acid level)였다. 본 연구과정을 통해 또 하나의 새로운 PLP-C subfamily member를 mouse로부터 클로닝 하였고, 이 유전자를 PLP-C${\gamma}$라 하였다. PLP-C${\beta}$와 PLP-C${\gamma}$의 발현 유형은 Northern blot과 in 냐셔 hybridization 분석에 의해 태반의 제한된 spongitrophoblast와 trophoblast giant cells에서만 발현하는 것을 밝혔다. 놀랍게도 이들 두 새로운 유전자는 alternative splicing에 의해 두 종류의 isoform이 있음을 밝혔다. PLP family member 유전자로서 splicing에 의한 isoforms을 보여 주는 유전자로는 PLP-C${\beta}$와 PLP-C${\gamma}$가 최초이다. 이들 isoform mRNAs의 발현 유형은 RT-PCR 방법을 이용하여 규명하였다. 또 하나의 새로운 발견은 PLP-C${\beta}$와 PLP-C${\gamma}$가 독특한 유전자 구조를 갖고 있었다. 즉, PLP-C${\beta}$는 exon3의 alternative splicing에 의해 5개 혹은 6개의 exons을 갖는 two isoforms이 생긴다. 반면에 PLP-C${\gamma}$는 exon2가 alternative splcing이 되면서 7개의 exons을 갖거나 6개의 exons을 갖는 isoforms을 만든다. 그리고, PLP-C${\gamma}$의 promoter activity를 trophoblast Rcho-l${\gamma}$ 세포주를 이용하여 PLP-C${\gamma}$ 의 1.5 kb 5'-flanking 지역이 trophoblast-specific promoter activity를 갖고 있음을 밝혔다. PLP-C${\gamma}$ 유전자의 transcription start site는 Primer extension에 의해 밝혔다. 제 1차 년도의 연구결과를 토대로, 2차년에서는 다음단계의 연구를 수행하고자 한다. 즉, 1) mPsx2와 rPsx3의 promoter를 비교분석 함으로서 mouse와 rat에서 Psx 유전자가 다르게 조절되는 메카니즘 규명, 2) Psx와 PLP-C 유전자의 promoter에 있는 cis-acting elements 탐색, 3) Psx2와 Psx3의 단백질을 이용하여 이들이 binding하는 target sequence 규명, 4) 제작한 Psx2 targeting vector를 이용하여 ES cells에서 Psx2 유전자 knock-out, 5) Psx 유전자를 과발현시키는 세포주를 만들고 Psx에 의해 조절되는 유전자 탐색, 6) 새로 밝히 PLP-C members 유전자들의 조절기전을 Rcho-1 세포주를 이용하여 여러 거지 성장인자와 다른 호르몬에 대한 반응을 탐색, 7) Psx와 PLP-C${\gamma}$ 유전자의 chromosomal mapping 등을 밝힐 것이다.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.44-49
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• 2015

We characterized tissue specific-expressed genes in the posterior silk gland of Bombyx mori using by the Annealing Control Primer based differential display-PCR manner. In this study, we isolated 34 differentially expressed PCR amplicons, which one of these was identified as a novel transcript named as ACP-16 (366 bp), its expression was observed only in the posterior silk glands by Northern blot analysis. To determine promoter region of the ACP-16, we isolated and analyzed a phage DNA having 1.7 kb-long genome DNA including the open reading flame and 5'- upstream untranslated region of the ACP-16 gene from a genomic DNA library. We have estimated a promoter region of the ACP-16 gene by a web promoter prediction engine, which locates -750 ~ -165 from translation initiation site (ATG, +1). ACP-16 gene is necessary to more studies about critical biological role in order to apply the silkworm's transgenic system.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.451-463
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• 2001

목적 - Inflammatory cytokine으로 알려진 interleukin 1$\beta$, tumor necrosis factor $\alpha$는 치수 및 치근단질환에서 주요한 역할을 하며, 골흡수를 자극하고 골형성을 방해하는 것으로 알려져 왔다. 이들 cytokine은 주로 단핵세포/대식세포가 형성하는 것으로 알려져 왔으나 최근 연구에 의하면, PMN도 또한 이 런 cytokine들을 형성할 수 있다는 것이 보고되었다. 오랫동안 염증반응이나 면역반응에서 PMN의 역할이 주로 포식작용 을 통해 병원균을 제거하는 것이라고만 생각되어져 왔던 것을 생각하면, 새로운 발견이라 할 수 있다. 또, PMN은 IL-1ra도 생성하는 것으로 보고되었는데, IL-1ra란 IL-1의 생물학적 작용을 방해하는 인자이므로, IL-1과 밀접한 관련을 가지는 질환의 발전에 있어서 IL-1과 IL-1ra의 balance가 매우 중요한 역할을 할 것으로 생각된다 즉, IL-1ra는 IL-1$\beta$의 proinflammatory effect를 제한할 수 있는 negative feedback mechanism이라고 할 수 있다. 이 연구의 목적은 치수 및 치근단 조직의 감염에 있어서 주요 원인균인 Porphyromonas endodontalis의 LPS가 PMN의 IL-1$\beta$, TNF-$\alpha$, IL-1ra생성에 미치는 영향을 단백질과 mRNA 수준에서 관찰하는 것이다. 잘 알려진 non-oral bacterium인 E. coli의 LPS를 positive control로 사용하였으며, IL-1ra가 IL-1$\beta$의 생물학적 작용을 방해하는 작용을 관찰하기 위해, IL-1의 biological assay도 시행하였다. 방법 - P. endodontalis ATCC 35406을 혐기성 조건에서 배양하고, hot phenol-water extraction의 방법으로 LPS를 추출(crude LPS)한 후, 제조회사로부터 구입한 E. coli의 crude LPS와 함께 정제하였다. 건강한 자원자들을 대상으로 말초혈액을 채취한 후 dextran sedimentaion을 거쳐 Lymphoprep을 이용하여 PMN층을 분리하였다. 얻어진 세포들은 RPMI 1640 (supplemented with fetal bovine serum antibiotics)에 5$\times$$10^{6}$cells/ml이 되도록 resuspend시킨 후 각기 다른 농도 (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10$\mu$g/ml)의 LPS를 처리하여, 각기 다른 시간(Northern blot : 1, 2, 4시간 ELISA : 2, 6, 12, 18시간)동안 37$^{\circ}C$ in 5% $CO_2$ 의 조건으로 배양하였다. 상층액은 -7$0^{\circ}C$에 보관하였다가 추후에 ELISA를 이용한 단백질 농도 측정과 IL-1 biological assay에 사용되어졌으며, 배양된 세포로부터 RNA를 추출하여 Northern hybridization을 통해 mRNA expression을 관찰하였다. (중략)

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.650-656
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• 2004

Oryza grandiglumis (CCDD, 2n=48), one of the wild rice species, has been known to possess fungal-,bacterial-, and insect-resistance against sheath blight, rice blast, bacterial leaf blight and brown plant hopper (Nilaparvata lugens). To rapidly isolate differentially expressed genes responding to fungal and wounding stress, wounding and yeast extract were treated to O. grandiglumis for 24 hrs. Suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) method was used to obtain differentially expressed genes from yeast extract and wounding treated plants. Seven hundreds and seventy six clones were obtained by subcloning PCR product, and colony array and screening were carried out using radio-isotope labeled cDNA probes prepared from the wounding and yeast extract treated plants. One hundred and fifteen colonies were confirmed as true positive ones. Average insert size of the clones were ranged from 400 bp to 700 bp and all the inserts were sequenced. To decide the identity of those clones, sequences were analyzed by sequence homology via GenBank database. The homology search result showed that 68 clones were matched to the genes with known function; 16 were related to primary metabolism, 5 to plant retrotransposons, 5 to defense related metallothionein-like genes. In addition to that, others were matched to various genes with known function in amino acid synthesis and processing, membrane transport, and signal transduction, so on. In northern blot analysis, induced expressions of ogwfi-161, ogwfi-646, ogwfi-663, and ogwfi-695 by wounding and yeast extract treatments were confirmed. The result indicates that SSH method is very efficient for rapid screening of differentially expressed genes.