• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.190-197
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• 2005

Advanced glycation end products (AGE) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications including nephropathy. However, the role of AGE in the activation of mesangial cells cultured under high glucose has not been elucidated. The effects of aminoguanidine, which prevents formation of AGE and protein cross-linking, on the synthesis of $TGF-{\beta}1$ and fibronectin by rat mesangial cells cultured under high glucose for 2 weeks were examined and compared with the effects of $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (NAME), a selective nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, because aminoguanidine also inhibits the inducible nitric oxide synthase. Culture of mesangial cells in 30 mM (high) glucose for 2 weeks induced 1.5-fold (ELISA) and 1.9-fold (Western blot analysis) increase in AGE in the culture media compared to 5.6 mM (control) glucose. Northern blot analysis revealed 1.5-fold increase in $TGF-{\beta}1$ and 1.7-fold increase in fibronectin mRNA expression in cells cultured under high glucose compared to control glucose. Increases in mRNA expression were followed by increased protein synthesis. Mink lung epithelial cell growth inhibition assay revealed 1.4-fold increase in $TGF-{\beta}1$ protein in high glucose media compared to control. Fibronectin protein also increased 2.1-fold that of control glucose by Western blot analysis. Administration of aminoguanidine suppressed AGE formation in a dose dependent manner and at the same time suppressed $TGF-{\beta}1$ and fibronectin synthesis by mesangial cells cultured in both control and high glucose. In contrast, NAME did not affect high glucose-induced changes. These findings support a role for AGE in high glucose-induced upregulation of $TGF-{\beta}1$ and fibronectin synthesis by mesangial cells.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.185-194
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• 1999

Background: NF-$\kappa$B is a characteristic transcriptional factor whose functional activity is determined by post-translational modification of protein and subsequent change of subcellular localization. The involvement of the NF-$\kappa$B family of the transcription factors in the control of such vital cellular functions as immune response, acute phase reaction, replication of certain viruses and development and differentiation of cells has been clearly documented in many previous studies. Several recent observations have suggested that the NF-$\kappa$B might also be involved in the carcinogenesis of some hematological and solid tumors. Investigating the possibility that members of the NF-$\kappa$B family participate in the molecular control of malignant cell transformation could provide invaluable information on both molecular pathogenesis and cancer-related gene therapy. Method: To determine the expression patterns and functional roles of NF-$\kappa$B family transcription factors in human lung cancer cell lines NCI-H792, NCI-H709, NCI-H226 and NCI-H157 were analysed by western blot, using their respective antibodies. The nuclear and the cytoplasmic fraction of protein extract of these cell lines were subsequently obtained and NF-$\kappa$B expression in each fraction was again determined by western blot analysis. The type of NF-$\kappa$B complex present in the cells was determined by immunoprecipitation. To detect the binding ability of cell-line nuclear extracts to the KB consensus oligonucleotide, electrophoretic mobility shift assay(EMSA) was performed. Results: In the cultured human lung cancer cell lines tested, transcription factors of the NF-$\kappa$B family, namely the p50 and p65 subunit were expressed and localized in the nuclear fraction of the cellular extract by western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry. Immunoprecipitation assay showed that in the cell, the p50 and p65 subunits made NF-$\kappa$B complex. Finally it was shown by Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay(EMSA) that nuclear extracts of lung cancer cell lines are able to bind to NF-$\kappa$B consensus DNA sequences. Conclusion: These data suggest that in human lung cancer cell lines the NF-$\kappa$B p50/p65 complex might be activated. and strengthen the hypothesis that NF-$\kappa$B family transcription factors might be involved in the carcinogenesis of human lung cancer.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.275-284
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• 2002

Background : Gemcitabine is a new anti-cancer agent for treating non-small cell lung cancer. Functioning as an antimetabolite, it induces anti-cancer effects by suppressing DNA synthesis after being incorporated into the DNA as a cytosine arabinoside analogue. When Gemcitabine is incorporated into the DNA, the p53 gene may be activated by induction of the DNA defect. However, there are a few studies on the molecular mechanisms of Gemcitabine-induced cell death. This study examined the role of p53 in Gemcitabine-induced cell death. Methods : A549 and NCl-H358 lung cancer cells were used in this study. The cell viability test was done using a MTT assay at Gemcitabine concentrations of 10nM, 100nM, 1uM, 10uM and 100uM. A FACScan analysis with propium iodide staining was used for the cell cycle analysis. Western blot analysis was done to investigate the extent of p53 activation. For the functional knock-out of p53, stable A549-E6 cells and H358-E6 cells were transfected pLXSN-16E6SD which is over expresses the human papilloma virus E6 protein that constantly degrades p53 protein. The functional knock out of p53 was confirmed by Western blot analysis after treatment with a DNA damaging agent, doxorubicine. Results : Gemcitabine exhibited cell toxicity in dose-dependent fashion. The cell cycle analysis resulted in an S phase arrest. Western blot analysis significant p53 activation in time-dependent manner. Gemcitabine-induced cytotoxicity was reduced by 20-30% in the A549-E6 cells and the 30-40% in H358-E6 cells when compared with the A549-neo and H358-neo control cells. Conclusion : Gemcitabine induces an S phase arrest, as expected for the anti-metabolite, and activates the p53 gene, Furthermore, p53 might play an important role in Gemcitabine-induced cell death. Further investigation into the molecular mechanisms on how Gemcitabine activates the p53 gene and its signaling pathway are recommended.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.31 no.6 s.89
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• pp.579-587
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• 2001

Cleft palate has been studied with epidemiologic and molecular methods, and many etiologic factors have been examined closely Among the research methods, biologic molecule research has been the most important method for cleft palate formation study The $TGF-\beta$ played an important role in cell migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transdifferentiation, extracellular matrix synthesis and deposition. But there was not much research on the correlation cleft palate induced by beta-aminonitroproprionitrile(BAPN) and $TGF-\beta$ expression. The purpose of the present study was to examine how $TGF-\beta$ is expressed in cleft palate rats. 4 Timed-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were obtained on the 10th gestation day. On the 13th day of gestation, BAPN-monofumarate salts (${(C_3H_6N_2)}_2{\cdot}C_4H_4O_4$) were individually, ovally administered to 3 pregnant rats at a ratio of 1g/kg body weight. And 4 pregnant rats were sacrificed on day 20 post coitus (p.c.). The $TGF-\beta$ expression in the cleft formed rats fetuses showed the following patterns : 1. Osteoblast and mesenchymal cells of the cleft pa)ate rats were of low expression compared with those of the control rats. 2. The cleft palate rats didn't show uy difference in the $TGF-\beta$ expression of osteocyte item the control rats. 3. In western blot analysis, the thickness of band of $TGF-\beta$ in the cleft palate rats was thinner and more diluted than that of the control rats.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.142-149
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• 2000

It had been evaluated the recombinant Circumsporozoite(CS) protein of Plasmodium viva in serologic diagnosis of vivax malaria. Western blot was done to analyse the sera of malaria patients according to the days after onset. The sera which have the terms within 15 days were shown 43.8%(14/32) of positive rates and the sera over the 16 days were shown 94.4%(17/18) of positive rates. So the total positive rate was 62%(31/50). It was 22.6%(7/31) which was shown negative response in Western blot, even though they were shown positive response in Immuuofluorescent antibody test(1FAT) using whole blood stage antigens. The positive rate of non-epidemic area(Yechon-gun, Kyongsangbuk-do) was 10.7%(3/28), and epidemic area(Kangwha-gun, Inchon-shi) was 27.6%(13/47) in Western blot analysis using recombinant CS protein. In order to applicate the recombinant CS protein in seroepidemiological survey, blood samples of 422 inhabitants were collected who lived in malaria epidemic areas, Chosm-ri, Majeong-ri, Hyangyang-ri and Noejo-n in Paju-shi, Kyonggi-do. All of them were negative in microscopic examination and two(0.5%) of them were positive in Polymerase Chain Reaction. 42(10.0%) of them were seropositive in FAT using whole blood antigens and 71(16.8%) of them were seropositive in Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using recombinant CS protein. It was figured out the positive rates were much higher according to the distances of villages which were closed to the demilitalized zone(DMZ) in all kind of diagnostic methods, respectively.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.38-45
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• 1995

The expression of Aspergillus nidulans glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gpdA) and trpC promoters in A. oryzae were compared using E. coli lacZ gents fusions. The specific activities of the expressed E. coli $\beta$-galactosidase in A. oryzae transformants containing the A. nidulans gpdA promoter were around 2,000 units per ug of protein. The specific activities of transformants containing the A. nidulans trpC promoter were very low, ranging from 10.5 to 52.3 units per ug of protein. These results showed that the expression of the A. nidulans gpdA promoter in A. oryzae was approximately 70 times greater than the A. nidulans trpC promoter. In western blot analysis, immunoreactive bands of a imlilar molecular weight as the E. coli $\beta$-galactosidase were observed in A. oryzae carrying the gpdA-lacZ fusion and to a lesser intensity in those carrying the tvpC-lacZ fusion. Southern analysis showed that the higher expression of the gpdA-lacZ fusion as compared to the trpC-lacZ fusion was not due a greater number of integrated plasmids.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.96-105
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• 2002

To investigate expression of the artificial gene encoding a repeated tripeptide lysyl-glutamyl-tryptophan in tobacco plant, the plant binary vector, pART404 has been constructed, which contains the duplicated CaMV 35S promoter, an artificial gene coding for repetitive polymer (Lys-Glu-Trp)$_{64}$, and nopaline synthase (nos) terminator. The recombinant expression vector was introduced in Nicotiana tabacum (var. Xanthi) via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated trans-formation. The transgenic calli selected by kanamycin containing medium were then regenerated to whole plants. Southern blot analysis indicated that five transgenic plants (No. 1, 7, 9, 43, 45) showed the hybridizing signals at 1.1 kb of the expected size on EcoRI digestion and each of the transgenic plants contained 1 or 3 copies of the artificial gene inserted into its genome. By northern blot analysis, the size of the hybridized total RNA was estimated to be approximately 1.2 kb and the RNA appeared generally to have the integrity. Western blot indicated that the protein was detected at the position of 33 kDa and the expression level of the polypeptide in the transgenic plant (No. 45) was measured to approximately 0.1% of the total protein.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.186-189
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• 2003

Helicobacter pylori is the etiologic agent of human gastritis and peptic ulceration and produces urease as the major protein component on its surface. H. pylori urease is known to serve as a potent immunogen as well as major virulence factor. In order to express the recombinant urease in tobacco plants, a DNA fragment containing the minimal H. pylori urease gene cluster was subcloned into a plant expression vector. The recombinant vector was transformed to tobacco plants. The integration of the recombinant plasmids into tobacco chromosomal genome was verified by genomic PCR. Expression to mRNA was confirmed by Northern blot analysis, and expression to recombinant urease protein was observed by Western blot analysis. These results showed that the recombinant urease can be produced in tobacco plants and will be tested for immune response to use as an edible vaccine.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.263-269
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• 2006

In the genome of Helicoverpa armigera single-nucleocapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus, open reading frame 39 (Ha39) is the only gene predicted to encode an RNA recognition protein. Computer analysis revealed that Ha39 homologues were found in 15 NPVs, but not in GVs. Its transcripts were detected from 3 through 72 hours post infection (h p.i.) using RT-PCR and Northern blot analysis. The protein was detected in infected-cell lysates from 6 h p.i. Western blot assay of ODV and BV preparations revealed that Ha39 encodes a structural protein associated with BVs. Additionally, immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated that the protein was present within cytoplasm in virus-infected cells, but not in the nuclear region.