• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.67 no.1
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• pp.41-52
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• 2022

As a cultivar of Korean wheat, 'Keumgang' wheat variety has a fast growth period and can be grown stably. Hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum) has moderately high salt tolerance compared to tetraploid wheat (Triticum turgidum L.). However, the molecular mechanisms related to salt tolerance of hexaploid wheat have not been elucidated yet. In this study, the candidate genes related to salt tolerance were identified by investigating the genes that are differently expressed in Keumgang variety and examining salt tolerant mutation '2020-s1340.'. A total of 85,771,537 reads were obtained after quality filtering using NextSeq 500 Illumina sequencing technology. A total of 23,634,438 reads were aligned with the NCBI Campala Lr22a pseudomolecule v5 reference genome (Triticum aestivum). A total of 282 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the two Triticum aestivum materials. These DEGs have functions, including salt tolerance related traits such as 'wall-associated receptor kinase-like 8', 'cytochrome P450', '6-phosphofructokinase 2'. In addition, the identified DEGs were classified into three categories, including biological process, molecular function, cellular component using gene ontology analysis. These DEGs were enriched significantly for terms such as the 'copper ion transport', 'oxidation-reduction process', 'alternative oxidase activity'. These results, which were obtained using RNA-seq analysis, will improve our understanding of salt tolerance of wheat. Moreover, this study will be a useful resource for breeding wheat varieties with improved salt tolerance using molecular breeding technology.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.196-210
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• 2024

Purpose: This study investigated the anti-obesity effects of a combination of Syzygium aromaticum L. and Sorbus commixta Hedl. (SS) in vitro and in vivo. Methods: The extracts of Syzygium aromaticum extract (SA) and Sorbus commixta extract (SC) were prepared individually using distilled water. They were mixed in a 1:2 ratio for use in the experiment. To assess the anti-obesity potential of SS in vitro, we examined cell proliferation, cellular triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) levels, as well as lipogenesis and β-oxidation in 3T3-L1 cells. To confirm its anti-obesity potential in vivo, C57BL/6J mice were fed a 60% high-fat diet (HFD) to induce obesity. SA alone, SC alone, and their combination compound, SS (at a dosage of 200 mg/kg) were orally administered for 6 weeks. Thereafter, to conduct a comparative evaluation, serum analysis, western blotting of liver tissues, and histopathological analysis were performed. Results: Both SS200 and SS400 significantly inhibited the cellular TG and TC contents in the 3T3-L1 cells. Furthermore, treatment of the cells with SS (at a dose 200 and 400 ㎍/mL) also led to a noticeable regulation of key lipogenic and β-oxidation factors. Treatment of obese mice with SS resulted in a greater reduction in serum leptin and TG levels compared to treatment with the individual compounds (SA and SC). Furthermore, activation of AMP-activated protein kinase α by SS treatment resulted in the suppression of sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP)-1, leading to the inhibition of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) expression. Conclusion: Our results suggest that SS may have the potential to prevent obesity through a reduction in the TG and TC levels and regulation of lipogenesis and β-oxidation.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.130-148
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• 2008

Objective : This study was designed to investigate the effect of the water extract of Gamisamgibopae-tang(GMSGBPT), an oriental herbal formulation, on the growth of NCI-H460 and A549 human non-small-cell lung cancer cell lines. Methods : Cytotoxicity and cell morphology were evaluated by MTT assay and inverted microscope, respectively. Apoptosis was detected using agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometer. The expression levels of mRNAs and proteins of target genes were determined by RT-PCR and western blot analyses, respectively Result and Conclusion : We found that exposure of A549 cells to GMSGBPT resulted in the growth inhibition in a dose-dependent manner as measured by MTT assay, but GMSGBPTdid not affect the growth of NCI-H460 cells. The anti-proliferative effect of GMSGBPT treatment in A549 cells was associated with morphological changes, formation of apoptotic bodies and DNA fragmentation, and flow cytometry analysis confirmed that GMSGBPT treatment increased the populations of apoptotic-sub G1 phase. Growth inhibition and apoptotic cell death by GMSGBPT were connected with a up-regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 (WAF1/CIP1) mRNA and protein in a tumor suppressor p53-independent fashion. However GMSGBPT treatment did not affect other growth regulation-related genes such as early growth response-1 (Egr-1), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-activated gene-1 (NAG-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenases (COXs), telomere-regulatory factors in A549 orNCI-H460 cells. Taken together, these findings partially provide novel insights into the possible molecular mechanism of the anti-cancer activity of GMSGBPT.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.521-527
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• 1998

An important property of the intestine is the ability to secrete fluid. The intestinal secretion is regulated by a number of substances including vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), ATP and different inflammatory mediators. One of the most important secretagogues is adenosine during inflammation. However, the controversy concerning the underlying mechanism of adenosine-stimulated $Cl^-$ secretion in intestinal epithelial cells still continues. To investigate the effect of adenosine on $Cl^-$ secretion and its underlying mechanism in the rabbit colon mucosa, we measured short circuit current ($I_{SC}$) under automatic voltage clamp with DVC-1000 in a modified Ussing chamber. Adenosine, when added to the basolateral side of the muocsa, increased $I_{SC}$ in a dose-dependent manner. The adenosine-stimulated $I_{SC}$ response was abolished when $Cl^-$ in the bath solution was replaced completely with gluconate. In addition, the $I_{SC}$ response was inhibited by a basolateral Na-K-Cl cotransporter blocker, bumetanide, and by apical $Cl^-$ channel blockers, dephenylamine-2-carboxylate (DPC), 5-nitro-2-(3-phenyl-propylamino)-benzoate (NPPB), glibenclamide. Amiloride, an epithelial $Na^+$ channel blocker, and 4,4-diisothiocyanato-stilbene-2,2-disulphonate (DIDS), a $Ca^{2+}-activated$ $Cl^-$ channel blocker, had no effect. In the mucosa pre-stimulated with forskolin, adenosine did not show any additive effect, whereas carbachol resulted in a synergistic potentiation of the $I_{SC}$ response. The adenosine response was inhibited by 10 ${\mu}M$ H-89, an inhibitor of protein kinase A. These results suggest that the adenosine-stimulated $I_{SC}$ response is mediated by basolateral to apical $Cl^-$ secretion through a cAMP-dependent $Cl^-$ channel. The rank order of potencies of adenosine receptor agonists was $5'-(N-ethylcarboxamino)adenosine(NECA)＞N^6-(R-phenylisopropyl)adenosine(R-$ PIA)＞2-[p-(2-carbonylethyl)-phenyl-ethylamino]-5'-N-ethylcarboxaminoadenosine(CGS21680). From the above results, it can be concluded that adenosine interacts with the $A_{2b}$ adenosine receptor in the rabbit colon mucosa and a cAMP-dependent signalling mechanism underlies the stimulation of $Cl^-$ secretion.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 2014

A1E is an extract from traditional Asian medicinal plants that has therapeutic activities against cancers, metabolic disease, and other intractable conditions. However, its mechanism of action on cervical cancer has not been studied. In order to ascertain if A1E would have pronounced anti-cervical cancer effect, cervical cancer cells were incubated with A1E and apoptosis was detected by nuclear morphological changes, annexin V-FITC/PI staining, cell cycle analysis, western blotting, Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential. Expression of human papiloma virus E6 and E7 oncogenes was down-regulated in A1E-treated cervical cancer cells, while p53 and retinoblastoma protein levels were enhanced. A1E also perturbed cell cycle progression at sub-G1 and altered cell cycle regulatory factors in SiHa cervical cancer cells. A1E activated apoptotic intrinsic pathway markers such as caspase-9, caspase-3 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase, and down-regulated expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl. A1E induced mitochondrial membrane potential collapse and cytochrome c release, and inhibited phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, key factors involved in cell survival signaling. Taken all these results, A1E induced apoptosis via activation of the intrinsic pathway and inhibition of the PI3K/Akt survival-signaling pathway in SiHa cervical cancer cells. In conclusion, A1E exerts anti-proliferative action growth inhibition on cervical cancer cells through apoptosis which demonstrates its anti-cervical cancer properties.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.203-213
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• 2022

Abeliophyllum distichum (A. distichum, Korean endemic plant) is one genus and one species in the Oleaceae family. According to the color variation of petals and calyx, A. distichum is classified as A. distichum (white flower), A. distichum for. lilacinum (pink flowers), A. distichum for. eburneum (ivory flowers), and Okhwang 1 (golden flowers). In previous studies, bioactivities (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer) of A. distichum have been reported. We conducted a comparison of the differences in bioactive compounds and the anti-inflammatory effects on macrophages among four flowers of A. distichum (FAD). The identification and quantification of glycosides were analyzed by HPLC/PDA and LCMS. These results were shown FAD has rutin, hirsutrin, and acteoside. Antioxidant activity of FAD significantly decreased reactive oxygen species. In addition, FAD reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators (nitric oxide, iNOS, and COX-2) in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 cells. For further study, we investigated the regulation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. In conclusion, FAD may exert anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing inflammatory mediators via regulations of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. Therefore, these findings suggest that FAD is a potential resource as a preventative or therapeutic agent for inflammation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.6
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• pp.783-796
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• 1997

The relaxation induced by stimulation of the inhibitory non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (iNANC) nerve is mediated by the release of iNANC neurotransmitters such as nitric oxide (NO), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The mechanisms of NO, VIP or ATP-induced relaxation have been partly determined in previous studies, but the detailed mechanism remains unknown. We tried to identify the nature of iNANC neurotransmitters in the smooth muscle of guinea pig ileum and to determine the mechanism of the inhibitory effect of nitric oxide. We measured the effect of NO-donors VIP and ATP on the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration$([Ca^{2+}]_i)$, by means of a fluorescence dye(fura 2) and tension simultaneously in the isolated guinea pig ileal smooth muscle. Following are the results obtained. 1. Sodium nitroprusside $(SNP:10^{-5}\;M)$ or S -nitro-N-acetyl-penicillamine $(SNP:10^{-5}\;M)$ decreased resting $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ I and tension of muscle. SNP or SNAP also inhibited rhythmic oscillation of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and tension. In 40mM $K^+$ solution or carbachol ($(CCh:10^{-6}\;M)$-induced precontracted muscle, SNP decreased muscle tension. VIP did not change $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and tension in the resting or precontracted muscle, but ATP increased resting $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and tension in the resting muscle. 2. 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazol(4,3-a)quinoxalin-1-one $(ODQ:1\;{\mu}M)$, a specific inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase, limited the inhibitory effect of SNP 3. Glibenclamide $(10\;{\mu}M)$, a blocker of $K_{ATP}$ channel, and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP:5 mM), a blocker of delayed rectifier K channel, apamin $(0.1\;{\mu}M)$, a blocker of small conductance $K_{Ca}$ channel had no effect on the inhibitory effect of SNP. Iberiotoxin $(0.1\;{\mu}M)$, a blocker of large conductance $K_{Ca}$ channel, significantly increased the resting $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, and tension, and limited the inhibitory effect of SNP. 4. Nifedipine $(1\;{\mu}M)$ or elimination of external $Ca^{2+}$ decreased not only resting $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and tension but also oscillation of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and tension. Ryanodine $(5\;{\mu}M)$ and cyclopiazonic acid $(10\;{\mu}M)$ decreased oscillation of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and tension. 5. SNP decreased $Ca^{2+}$ sensitivity of contractile protein. In conclusion, these results suggest that 1) NO is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the guinea pig ileum, 2) the inhibitory effect of SNP on the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and tension of the muscle is due to a decrease in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ by activation of the large conductance $K_{Ca}$ channel and a decrease in the sensitivity of contractile elements to $Ca^{2+}$ through activation of G-kinase.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1649-1656
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• 2015

Gene expression profiling has offered new insights into postmortem molecular changes associated with meat quality. To acquire reliable transcript quantification, high quality RNA is required. The objective of this study was to analyze integrity of RNA isolated from chicken skeletal muscle (pectoralis major) and its capability of serving as the template in quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) as a function of postmortem intervals representing the end-points of evisceration, carcass chilling and aging stages in chicken abattoirs. Chicken breast muscle was dissected from the carcasses (n = 6) immediately after evisceration, and one-third of each sample was instantly snap-frozen and labeled as 20 min postmortem. The remaining muscle was stored on ice until the next rounds of sample collection (1.5 h and 6 h postmortem). The delayed postmortem duration did not significantly affect $A_{260}/A_{280}$ and $A_{260}/A_{230}$ ($p{\geq}0.05$), suggesting no altered purity of total RNA. Apart from a slight decrease in the 28s:18s ribosomal RNA ratio in 1.5 h samples (p<0.05), the value was not statistically different between 20 min and 6 h samples ($p{\geq}0.05$), indicating intact total RNA up to 6 h. Abundance of reference genes encoding beta-actin (ACTB), glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT), peptidylprolylisomerase A (PPIA) and TATA box-binding protein (TBP) as well as meat-quality associated genes (insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase isozyme 4 (PDK4), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARD) were investigated using qPCR. Transcript abundances of ACTB, GAPDH, HPRT, and PPIA were significantly different among all postmortem time points (p<0.05). Transcript levels of PDK4 and PPARD were significantly reduced in the 6 h samples (p<0.05). The findings suggest an adverse effect of a prolonged postmortem duration on reliability of transcript quantification in chicken skeletal muscle. For the best RNA quality, chicken skeletal muscle should be immediately collected after evisceration or within 20 min postmortem, and rapidly preserved by deep freezing.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.330-338
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• 2019

Chronic infection with intracellular Brucella abortus (B. abortus) in livestock remains as a major problem worldwide. Thus, the search for an ideal vaccine is still ongoing. In this study, we evaluated the protective efficacy of a combination of B. abortus recombinant proteins; superoxide dismutase (rSodC), riboflavin synthase subunit beta (rRibH), nucleoside diphosphate kinase (rNdk), 50S ribosomal protein (rL7/L12) and malate dehydrogenase (rMDH), cloned and expressed into a pMal vector system and $DH5{\alpha}$, respectively, and further purified and applied intraperitoneally into BALB/c mice. After first immunization and two boosters, mice were infected intraperitoneally (IP) with $5{\times}10^4CFU$ of virulent B. abortus 544. Spleens were harvested and bacterial loads were evaluated at two weeks post-infection. Results revealed that this combination showed significant reduction in bacterial colonization in the spleen with a log protection unit of 1.31, which is comparable to the average protection conferred by the widely used live attenuated vaccine RB51. Cytokine analysis exhibited enhancement of cell-mediated immune response as IFN-${\gamma}$ is significantly elevated while IL-10, which is considered beneficial to the pathogen's survival, was reduced compared to control group. Furthermore, both titers of IgG1 and IgG2a were significantly elevated at three and four-week time points from first immunization. In summary, our in vivo data revealed that vaccination with a combination of five different proteins conferred a heightened host response to Brucella infection through cell-mediated immunity which is desirable in the control of intracellular pathogens. Thus, this combination might be considered for further improvement as a potential candidate vaccine against Brucella infection.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.266-279
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• 2021

The present study examined the cytotoxic effects of a Smilax china L. extract (SCLE) in human cancer (A-549, MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, U87-MG, AGS, MKN-74, and SNU-601) and normal MRC-5 fibroblasts, as well as in mesenchymal stem cells derived from dental tissue (DSC). The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for SCLE were significantly (p<0.05) lower in the cancer cell lines (A-549, MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, U87-MG, AGS, MKN-74 and SNU-601) than in the MRC-5 and DSC cells. Cell growth was significantly (p<0.05) more inhibited in the cancer cell lines treated with 200 ㎍/ml SCLE than in the normal MRC-5 and DSC, and anoikis-like floating cell morphology was observed in the SCLE-treated cancer cells. The cells detached by SCLE treatment were retrieved daily and assayed for viability and telomerase activity. Cells retrieved at 4 days showed significantly decreased viability and telomerase activity (p<0.05), as well as apoptosis-like abnormal morphology, when compared to cells retrieved in the previous 3 days. The ratio of apoptosis and cells in the G1 phase was significantly (p<0.05) increased in the A-549, AGS, and MCF-7 cancer cells treated with SCLE for 4 days compared to untreated controls. However, after SCLE treatment, cell adhesion was not increased by application of an inhibitor of the associated protein kinase (ROCK) that mainly contributes to the increase in cell attachment. This suggests that the cellular detachment by SCLE is probably controlled by a Rho-independent mechanism(s). These observations indicate that SCLE readily induces anoikis in cancer cells and could serve as a potent agent for cancer chemotherapy.