• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.442-446
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• 2010

Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) is a second messenger responsible for a multitude of cellular responses. In this study, we utilized $\beta$-cyclodextrin ($\beta$-CD) as an artificial receptor with a hydrophobic cavity to elucidate the inclusion kinetics of cAMP in a hydrophobic environment using the ultrasonic relaxation method. The results revealed that the interaction of cAMP with $\beta$-CD followed a single relaxation curve as a result of host-guest interactions. The inclusion of cAMP into the $\beta$-CD cavity was found to be a diffusion-controlled reaction. The dissociation of cAMP from the $\beta$-CD cavity was slower than that of adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP). The syn and anti glycosyl conformations of adenine nucleotides are considered to play an important role in formation of the inclusion complex. Taken together, our findings indicate that hydrophobic interactions are involved in the inclusion complex formation of cAMP with $\beta$-CD and provide insight into the interactions of cAMP with cAMP-binding proteins.

• Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.237-242
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• 2007

Genome duplication(i.e. polyploidy) is a common phenomenon in the evolution of plants. The objective of this study was to achieve a comprehensive understanding of genome duplication for SNP discovery by Thymine/Adenine(TA) cloning for confirmation. Primer pairs were designed from 793 EST contigs expressed in the roots of a supernodulating soybean mutant and screened between 'Pureunkong' and 'Jinpumkong 2' by direct sequencing. Almost 27% of the primer sets were failed to obtain sequence data due to multiple bands on agarose gel or poor quality sequence data from a single band. TA cloning was able to identify duplicate genes and the paralogous sequences were coincident with the nonspecific peaks in direct sequencing. Our study confirmed that heterogeneous products by the co-amplification of a gene family member were the main cause of obtaining multiple bands or poor quality sequence data in direct sequencing. Counts of amplified bands on agarose gel and peaks of sequencing trace suggested that almost 27% of nonrepetitive soybean sequences were present in as many as four copies with an average of 2.33 duplications per segment. Copy numbers would be underestimated because of the presence of long intron between primer binding sites or mutation on priming site. Also, the copy numbers were not accurately estimated due to deletion or tandem duplication in the entire soybean genome.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.296-300
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• 2004

We investigated feasibility of using the formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue to study mitochondrial mutations in the case that fresh or frozen tissue, or blood samples are not available. Four paraffin blocks of muscle biopsies in Korean MELAS (mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes) patients were chosen. Total DNA was extracted from these blocks for PCR/RFLP analysis, and sequencing was performed to study the most common mutation, A to G transition at nucleotide position 3243 underlying MELAS in the mitochondrial tRN $A^{Leu(UUR)}$ gene. We could identify the A to G mutation at nt.3243 in three MELAS patients. Our results show that the mitochondrial genome of our paraffin blocks is presumably in good condition. Our results are in accordance with the previous findings by other investigators that PCR allows molecular genetic analysis of paraffin-embedded tissues stored in most histopathology laboratories.s.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.7-20
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• 2006

The major event in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection is the death of many cells related to host immune response. The demise of these cells is normally explained by cell suicide mechanism, apoptosis. Interestingly, the decrease in the number of immune cells, such as non-CD4+ cells as well as CD4+ T cells, in HIV infection usually occurs in uninfected bystander cells, not in directly infected cells. It has, therefore, been suggested that several soluble factors, including viral protein R (Vpr), are released from the infected cells and induce the death of bystander cells. Some studies show that Vpr interacts directly with adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT) to induce mitochondrial membrane permeabilization (MMP). The MMP results in release of some apoptogenic factors such as cytochrome-c (cyt-c) and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF). Vpr also has indirect effect on mitochondria through enhancing the level of caspase-9 transcription and suppressing nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$). The involvement of p53 in Vpr-induced apoptosis remains to be studied. On the other hand, low level of Vpr expression has anti-apoptotic effect, whereas it's high level of expression induces apoptosis. Extracellular Vpr also exhibits cytotoxicity to uninfected bystander cells through apoptotic or necrotic mechanism. The facts that Vpr has cytotoxic effect on both infected cells and bystander cells, and that it exhibits both proand anti-apoptotic activity may explain its role in viral survival and disease progression.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.48 no.12
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• pp.1135-1144
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• 2018

Background and Objectives: Mitochondria play a key role in the pathophysiology of heart failure and mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) play a critical role in cell death and a critical target for cardioprotection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of cyclosporine A (CsA), one of MPTP blockers, and morphological changes of mitochondria and MPTP related proteins in monocrotaline (MCT) induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Methods: Eight weeks old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to control, MCT (60 mg/kg) and MCT plus CsA (10 mg/kg/day) treatment groups. Four weeks later, right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) and morphological changes of right ventricle (RV) were done. Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for MPTP related protein were performed. Results: In electron microscopy, CsA treatment prevented MCT-induced mitochondrial disruption of RV. RVH was significantly increased in MCT group compared to that of the controls but RVH was more increased with CsA treatment. Thickened medial wall thickness of pulmonary arteriole in PAH was not changed after CsA treatment. In western blot, caspase-3 was significantly increased in MCT group, and was attenuated in CsA treatment. There were no significant differences in voltage-dependent anion channel, adenine nucleotide translocator 1 and cyclophilin D expression in western blot and RT-PCR between the 3 groups. Conclusions: CsA reduces MCT induced RV mitochondrial damage. Although, MPTP blocking does not reverse pulmonary pathology, it may reduce RV dysfunction in PAH. The results suggest that it could serve as an adjunctive therapy to PAH treatment.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.152-155
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• 2009

The old-gold-crimson ($og^c$) fruit color mutation produces deep red tomato fruit with high lycopene content. age is a null mutation allele of lycopene-${\beta}$-cyclase (Crt-b) gene (B locus) that converts lycopene to ${\beta}$-carotene in the cartenoid biosynthesis pathway in tomato. Breeding of high lycopene tomato cultivars can be accelerated by marker-assisted selection (MAS) for introgression of $og^c$ allele by using a gene-based DNA marker. In order to develop a marker, single nucleotide deletion of adenine(A) with. in a poly-A repeat that has been known to be responsible for frame-shift mutation of $og^c$ was confirmed by resequencing mutant allele and wild-type allele at B locus of several tomato lines. For allele discrimination and detection of $og^c$, derived CAPS (dCAPS) approach was used by designing a primer that artificially introduced restriction enzyme recognition site of Hin fI in PCR products from $og^c$ allele. This dCAPS marker is co-dominant gene-based PCR marker that can be efficiently used for MAS breeding program aiming the development of high lycopene tomato.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.40
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• pp.387-411
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• 2007

The analysis of ancient DNA (aDNA) has become increasingly considerable anthropological, archaeological, biological and public interest. Although this approach is complicated by the natural damage and exogenous contamination of a DNA, archaeologists and biologists have attempted to understand issues such as human evolutionary history, migration and social organization, funeral custom and disease, and even evolutionary phylogeny of extinct animals. Polymerase chain reaction(PCR) is powerful technique that analyzes DNA sequences from a little extract of an ancient specimen. However, deamination and fragmentation are common molecular damages of aDNA and cause enzymatic inhibition in PCR for DNA amplification. Besides, the deamination of a cytosine residue yielded an uracil residue in the ancient template, and results in the misincorporation of an adenine residue in PCR. This promotes a consistent substitution (cytosine thymine, guanine adenine) to original nucleotide sequences. Contamination with exogenous DNA is a major problem in aDNA analysis, and causes oversight as erroneous conclusion. This report represents serious problems that DNA modification and contamination are the main issues in result validation of aDNA analysis. Now, we introduce several criterions suggested to authenticate reliance of aDNA analysis by many researchers in this field.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.499-511
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• 2020

Echinostome metacercariae were investigated in freshwater snails from 26 districts in 7 provinces of upper northern Thailand. The species identification was carried out based on the morphologies of the metacercariae and adult flukes harvested from experimental hamsters, and on nucleotide sequences of internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) genes. Twenty-four out of 26 districts were found to be infected with echinostome metacercariae in freshwater snails with the prevalence of 40.4%. The metacercariae were found in all 6 species of snails, including Filopaludina martensi martensi (21.9%), Filopaludina doliaris (50.8%), F. sumatrensis polygramma (61.3%), Bithynia siamensis siamensis (14.5%), Bithynia pulchella (38.0%), and Anenthome helena (4.9%). The echinostome metacercariae found in these snails were identified as Echinostoma revolutum (37-collar-spined) and Echinostoma macrorchis (45-collar-spined) morphologically and molecularly. The 2-week-old adult flukes of E. revolutum revealed unique features of the cirrus sac extending to middle of the ventral sucker and smooth testes. E. macrorchis adults revealed the cirrus sac close to the right lateral margin of the ventral sucker and 2 large and elliptical testes with slight indentations and pointed posterior end of the posterior testis. The ITS2 and nad1 sequences confirmed the species identification of E. revolutum, and the sequences of E. macrorchis have been deposited for the first time in GenBank. The presence of the life cycle of E. macrorchis is a new record in Thailand and the snail F. doliaris as their second intermediate host seems to be new among the literature.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.666-672
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• 2024

Plants recognize pathogens through intracellular receptors that trigger defense signaling. Nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) proteins within a cell specifically recognize pathogenic molecules (effectors), leading to signal transduction that ultimately triggers the cell death pathway, thereby inducing effector-triggered immunity in plants. NLR proteins are broadly categorized into two types based on their N-terminal domains: coiled-coil domain NLRs (CNLs) and toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain NLRs (TNLs) are defined by their unique N-terminal domains. The TIR domain, which is responsible for activates nicotinamide adenine dinucleoside hydrolases (NADases), is crucial for the degradation of the NAD+ cofactor. TNL-dependent immune signaling involves lipase-like proteins known as Enhanced Disease Susceptibility 1 (EDS1) and its partners Phytoalexin Deficient 4 (PAD4) and Senescence-Associated Gene 101 (SAG101). This immune system also requires helper NLR subfamilies, such as activated disease resistance 1 (ADR1) and N requirement gene 1 (NRG1). The catalytic activity of TIR domain proteins generates various small molecules reported to activate plant's immune responses. These small molecules bind to specific sites on EDS1-PAD4 and EDS1-SAG101, inducing structural changes in the EP domain, and subsequently enabling interaction with ADR1 or NRG1. Here, we will discuss the characteristics of these small molecules and describe their relationships with protein complexes based on their structural and biochemical characteristics. We will also discuss how these small molecules can activate immune pathways.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.333-343
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• 2008

This study was conducted to investigate the compositional properties by different cut of Hanwoo steer beef. 10 cuts [Abjin (short plate), Bosup (top sirloin), Cheggt (striploin), Dngsim (Ioin), Guri (chuck tender), Hongduke (eye of round), Moksim (chuck roll), Sulgit (bottom round), Udoon (top round), Yangji (brisket)] were prepared from 10 Hanwoo steers ($24{\sim}28$ mon old) were used for the experiment. Calorie contents were $2,205{\sim}3713.20\;cal/g$ and loin, striploin, short plate were significantly higher than the other cuts (p<0.05). Loin was highest in cholesterol content, whereas top round and eye of round were lowest among 10 cuts (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in soluble and insoluble collagen contents although chuck tender, chuck roll and bottom round contained significantly higher total collagen and loin and striploin contained significantly lower total collagen contents than the other cuts (p<0.05). The result from the analysis of free amino acids showed that glutamate and alanine contents were $275.99{\sim}536.04\;mg/100g$, $130.63{\sim}175.23\;mg/100g$, respectively and followed by arginine ($7.00{\sim}10.49\;mg/100g$), phenylalanine ($4.70{\sim}13.88\;mg/100g$), and leucine ($5.98{\sim}10.26\;mg/100g$) in 10 cuts. $1^{++}$ grade Hanwoo steer beef had significantly higher IMP (Inosine monophosphate) and inosine in eye of round (30.04% and 6.25%) and top round (33.44% and 6.28%), while hypoxanthine contents were significantly higher in chuck tender than the other cuts (p<0.05). In fatty acid analysis, there were not significantly differences in fatty acid composition among 10 cuts only except for C16:1n7, C20:3n6, and C20:4n6 (p>0.05).