• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.251-255
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• 2014

Background: Ginsenoside Rp1 (G-Rp1) is a novel ginsenoside derived from ginsenoside Rk1. This compound was reported to have anticancer, anti-platelet, and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we examined the molecular target of the antiproliferative and proapoptotic activities of G-Rp1. Methods: To examine the effects of G-Rp1, cell proliferation assays, propidium iodine staining, proteomic analysis by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, immunoblotting analysis, and a knockdown strategy were used. Results: G-Rp1 dose-dependently suppressed the proliferation of colorectal cancer LoVo cells and increased their apoptosis. G-Rp1 markedly upregulated the protein level of apolipoprotein (Apo)-A1 in LoVo, SNU-407, DLD-1, SNU-638, AGS, KPL-4, and SK-BR-3 cells. The knockdown of Apo-A1 by its small-interfering RNA increased the levels of cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and p53 and diminished the proliferation of LoVo cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that G-Rp1 may act as an anticancer agent by strongly inhibiting cell proliferation and enhancing apoptosis through upregulation of Apo-A1.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.246-249
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• 2000

We investigated the production of chitin oligosaccharides using food grade papain. A solution of commercial food grade papain (FGP) was dialyzed for 12 h before measuring its chitinolytic activity. The effects of enzyme concentration, reaction temperature, and pH on the endochitinase and $\beta$-N-acetylglucosaminidase activities and the thermostability of these enzymes were investigated. In adddition, the reaction products were analyzed with gel filtration on a Bio-Gel P2. The endochitinase activity was twentyfold higher than that of $\beta$-N-acetylglucosaminidase. The optimal endochitinase activity was at pH 3.0, while the maximal $\beta$-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity was at pH 6.0. The reaction product consisted mainly of the dimer of N -acetylglucosamine, with a small amount of its trimer. Under the experimental conditions, $120{\mu}g$ of chitin oligomers were obtained with 1 mg of FGP protein after an incubation of 2 h.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.207-218
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• 2017

Clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) in association with CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) is an adaptive immune system, playing a pivotal role in the defense of bacteria and archaea. Ease of handling and cost effectiveness make the CRISPR-Cas system an ideal programmable nuclease tool. Recent advances in understanding the CRISPR-Cas system have tremendously improved its efficiency. For instance, it is possible to recapitulate the chronicle CRISPR-Cas from its infancy and inaugurate a developed version by generating novel variants of Cas proteins, subduing off-target effects, and optimizing of innovative strategies. In summary, the CRISPR-Cas system could be employed in a number of applications, including providing model systems, rectification of detrimental mutations, and antiviral therapies.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.26.1-26.9
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• 2017

Fishes in genus Sardinella are small pelagic species, which plays an important role in marine ecosystem as the first consumer. Those species are also commercially important, whose total catch reaches 278,600 tons in 2011 in Indonesia, but their identification has been difficult for their morphological similarity. In this study, we reported Sardinella jussieu for the first time in Indonesian coastal area (Banten Bay, Indonesia, $6^{\circ}\;0^{\prime}\;50.00^{{\prime}{\prime}}\;S-106^{\circ}\;10^{\prime}\;21.00^{{\prime}{\prime}}\;E$). We were able to confirm the species by both its morphological characteristics including the black spot at dorsal fin origin, the dusky pigmentation at caudal fin, 31 total scute numbers, and DNA sequence identity in the GenBank database by the molecular analysis. Its total mitochondrial genome was determined by the combination of next-generation sequencing and typical PCR strategy. The total mitochondrial genome of Sardinella jussieu (16,695 bp) encoded 13 proteins, 2 ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs, and the putative control region. All protein-coding genes started with ATG and typical stop codon and ended with TAA or TAG except for ND4 in which AGA is used. Phylogenetic analyses of both COI region and full mitochondrial genome showed that S. jussieu is most closely related to Sardinella albella and Sardinella gibbosa

• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.41-41
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• 2003

Small conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (or SKCa channels) are potassium selective, voltage-independent, and activated by intracellular calcium concentration. These channels play important roles in excitable cells such as neuron in the central nervous system (Vergara et al., 1998). The activity of SKCa channels underlies the slow afterhyperpolarization that inhibits neuronal cell firing (Hille, 1991; Vergara et al.,1998). Until now, N-terminal region of rSK2 isn't characterized. To study the role of N-terminus, we constructed the N-terminal deletion mutant and characterized by electrophysiological means. Interestingly, N-terminal deletion mutant be trafficked to membrane couldn't evoke any ionic currents. Thus, N-terminal region has a role in functional rSK2 channel formation. To elucidate the function of N-terminal region, (His)6-conjugated protein was purified and filtrated by affinity column chromatography. Surprisingly, N-terminal region was shown in tetramer size that was supported by cross-linking result. Thus, we predicted that N-terminal region might be involved in the tetramerization of rSK2.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.223-230
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• 2019

Background: Small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have had major impacts on anticancer therapy by targeting the catalytic activities of dysregulated tyrosine kinases. TKIs have not presented traditional toxicities; however, some serious adverse effects, including hepatotoxicity, have been documented in clinical trials and post-marketing surveillance. Although TKI-induced hepatotoxicity can cause severe clinical complications in patients, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Methods: Studies on TKI-induced hepatotoxicity were identified by Pubmed search, and relevant articles were reviewed. Results: Immunoallergic reaction, cytochrome P (CYP) 450 polymorphisms, and formation of reactive metabolites are under consideration as mechanisms of TKI-induced hepatotoxicity. Host protein-drug metabolite conjugates are recognized as antigens by class II major histocompatibility complexes and are believed to cause liver injuries. Polymorphisms in CYP, which influences TKI metabolism, can slow TKI metabolism and may induce development of hepatotoxicity. The formation of reactive metabolites during drug metabolism can induce hepatotoxicity by directly causing cytotoxicity, leading to cell dysfunction, and indirect toxicity by mediating secondary immune reactions. Concurrent use of various medications with TKI can also cause hepatotoxicity by affecting drug transporter or enzyme activities. Conclusion: Periodic monitoring of patients taking TKIs and risk/benefit reassessments though post marketing surveillance are necessary to prevent hepatotoxicity.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.84-94
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• 1992

In an attempt to develop the immobilized biocatalysts based on immobilized Saccharomyces cerevisiae, immobilized yeast was investigated with respect to the conditions affected to ethanol productivities. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was immobilized in the form of the beads by magnetic-calcium alginate, non magnetic-calcium alginate and acrylamide polymerization. Magnetic immobilized yeast, nonmagnetic immobilized yeast and polyacrylamide immobilized yeast were compared in respect of their pH stability, thermostability, heat tolerance, the relation between the concetration of native yeast and retained activity of immobilized yeast, the activity depending on bead size of immobilized yeast, and the effects of magnesium and cobalt on the activities. The more small bead had retained the higher activity for the three kinds of immobilized yeast. In case of 1.0mm diameter of beads, the retained activity was 40~50% for the all groups. The pH stability profile for the immobilized yeast showed a broad range of optimun activity while the native yeast gave a sharp pick for its optimun pH value. The thermostability was at the range of 25~55$^{\circ}$C for the immobilized yeast groups. It was investigated that the influent magnesium and cobalt concentration, and the relative activity have an influent on heat tolerance at steady state. Both protein content released from immobilized yeast and activity of immobilized yeast were changed after activation of immobilized yeast cell.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.277-281
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• 2017

Plexiform angiomyxoid myofibroblastic tumor (PAMT) of the stomach is a very rare mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract. We report a case of asymptomatic gastric PAMT that was pathologically confirmed after surgical resection. The tumor had a multinodular plexiform growth pattern, bland-looking spindle cells, and an Alcian bluepositive myxoid stromal matrix rich in small blood vessels. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that the tumor cells of the PAMT were positive for smooth muscle actin (SMA) and negative for c-kit, CD34, S-100 protein, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), and desmin. PAMT should be differentiated from other submucosal tumors of the stomach by immunohistochemical findings. Considering the benign features of this tumor, observation without resection may be an option for the treatment of PAMT if the tumor is asymptomatic.

• BMB Reports
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.219-224
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• 2013

The cell-fate specification of the anchor cell (AC) and a ventral uterine precursor cell (VU) in Caenorhabditis elegans is initiated by a stochastic interaction between LIN-12/Notch receptor and LAG-2/Delta ligand in two neighboring Z1.ppp and Z4.aaa cells. Both cells express lin-12 and lag-2 before specification, and a small difference in LIN-12 activity leads to the exclusive expressions of lin-12 in VU and lag-2 in the AC, through a feedback mechanism of unknown nature. Here we show that the expression pattern of lag-1/CSL, a transcriptional repressor itself that turns into an activator upon binding of the intracellular domain of Notch, overlaps with that of lin-12. Site-directed mutagenesis of LAG-1 binding sites in lag-1 maintains its expression in the AC, and eliminates it in the VU. Thus, AC/VU cell-fate specification appears to involve direct regulation of lag-1 expression by the LAG-1 protein, activating its transcription in VU cells, but repressing it in the AC.

• BMB Reports
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• v.50 no.7
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• pp.345-354
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• 2017

Autophagy, a catabolic process necessary for the maintenance of intracellular homeostasis, has recently been the focus of numerous human diseases and conditions, such as aging, cancer, development, immunity, longevity, and neurodegeneration. However, the continued presence of autophagy is essential for cell survival and dysfunctional autophagy is thought to speed up the progression of neurodegeneration. The actual molecular mechanism behind the progression of dysfunctional autophagy is not yet fully understood. Emerging evidence suggests that basal autophagy is necessary for the removal of misfolded, aggregated proteins and damaged cellular organelles through lysosomal mediated degradation. Physiologically, neurodegenerative disorders are related to the accumulation of amyloid ${\beta}$ peptide and ${\alpha}-synuclein$ protein aggregation, as seen in patients with Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, respectively. Even though autophagy could impact several facets of human biology and disease, it generally functions as a clearance for toxic proteins in the brain, which contributes novel insight into the pathophysiological understanding of neurodegenerative disorders. In particular, several studies demonstrate that natural compounds or small molecule autophagy enhancer stimuli are essential in the clearance of amyloid ${\beta}$ and ${\alpha}-synuclein$ deposits. Therefore, this review briefly deliberates on the recent implications of autophagy in neurodegenerative disorder control, and emphasizes the opportunities and potential therapeutic application of applied autophagy.