• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.73-79
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• 2017

Transplantation is considered to be a very useful approach to improve human welfare and to prolong life-span. Heterologous organ transplantation using pig organs which are similar to human beings and easy to make mass-production has known as one of the alternatives. To ensure potential usage of the pig organ for transplantation application, it is essentially required to generate transgenic pig modifying immuno-related genes. Previously, we reported production of heterozygous ${\alpha}1,3$-galactosyltransferase (GalT) knock-out and human membrane cofactor protein (MCP) expressing pig ($GalT^{-MCP/+}$), which is enforced for suppression of hyperacute and acute immunological rejection. In this study, we reported generation of homozygous pig ($GalT^{-MCP/-MCP}$) by crossbreeding $GalT^{-MCP/+}$ pigs. Two female founders gave birth to six of $GalT^{-MCP/-MCP}$, and seven $GalT^{-MCP/+}$ pigs. We performed quantitative real-time PCR, western blot, and flow cytometry analyses to confirm GalT and MCP expression. We showed that fibroblasts of the $GalT^{-MCP/-MCP}$ pig do not express GalT and its product Gal antigen, while efficiently express MCP. We also showed no expression of GalT, otherwise expression of MCP at heart, kidney, liver and pancreas of transgenic pig. Taken together, we suggest that the $GalT^{-MCP/-MCP}$ pig is a useful candidate to apply xenotransplantation study.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.929-936
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• 2021

In the present study, we screened candidate natural compounds which possess the strong anti-proliferative effects on human colorectal HCT116 cells using the commercial natural product library (Selleckchem, L1400) based on cell viability assay. Human colorectal cancer HCT116 cells were incubated with 50 μM of each compound from the natural product library, and then cell viability was measured by MTT assay. From the first screening, five different kinds of natural products (chrysin, diosmetin, emodin, piperlongumine, and tanshinone I) were selected based on cell viability assay in HCT116 cells and commercial availability. All selected natural products significantly decreased cell viabilities in HCT116 cells, whereas pro-apoptotic protein NAG-1 is strongly induced by chrysin or emodin treatment. Chrysin and emodin decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, chrysin and emodin increased the expression of pro-apoptotic NAG-1 protein in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, PARP cleavage induced by chrysin or emodin was recovered in part by the transfection of NAG-1 siRNA indicating that NAG-1 may be one of the genes responsible for apoptosis induced by chrysin or emodin. Overall, our findings may provide basic screening data on natural products which possess anti-proliferative activities and may help to understand the molecular mechanisms of anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities mediated by chrysin and emodin.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.141-150
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• 2019

Despite the development of assisted reproduction technologies (ART) including in vitro fertilization (IVF), the poor ovarian response and endometrial receptivity remains clinically a major unmet need. Although these problems are difficulties to solve in infertility treatment, there are no good therapeutic option yet. Traditional herbal remedies and acupuncture, therefore are being proposed as alternative treatment. Our group found that traditional herbal medicines such as Paeonia lactiflora L.(PL, 芍藥), Cyperus rotundus L.(CR, 香附子), and Perilla frutescens (PF, 紫蘇葉) could improve endometrial receptivity. In this study, we found out Yeosin-san (如神散) as an optimal herbal formula via combination of the previously established herbal medicines. Yeosin-san is a traditional Korean medical formula which was established by Ziming Jin (陳自明) and recorded in Furendaiquanliangfang (婦人大全良方) at first. The formula traditionally used for treating abnormal uterine bleeding and leukorrhea. It showed a highest effect on leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) expression and on the adhesion between trophoblastic cells and endometrial cells. In addition, it has been shown that the Yeosin-san not only increases the endometrial receptivity to improve the embryo implantation but also enhances the ovary function by expressing the angiogenesis-related genes. Here we suggest that Yeosin-san could be a novel and effective candidate for treating female infertility.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.04a
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• pp.62-62
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• 2019

Bacterial leaf blight(BLB), caused by X. oryzae pv. oryzae(Xoo), is one of the most destructive diseases of rice due to its high epidemic potential. Understanding BLB resistance at a genetic level is important to further improve the rice breeding that provides one of the best approaches to control BLB disease. In the present investigation, a collection of 192 accessions was used in the genome-wide association study (GWAS) for BLB resistance loci against four Korean races of Xoo that were represented by the prevailing BLB isolates under Xoo differential system. A total of 192 accessions of rice germplasm were selected on the basis of the bioassay using four isolated races of Xoo such as K1 and K2. The selected accessions was used to prepare 384-plex genotyping by sequencing (GBS) libraries and Illumina HiSeq 2000 pairedend read was used for GBS sequencing. GWAS was conducted using TASSEL 5.0. The TASSEL program uses a mixed linear model (MLM). The results of the bioassay using a selected set of 192 accessions showed that a large number of accessions (93.75%) were resistant to K1 race and K2 resistant germplasm proportion remained between 66.67. The genotypic data produced SNP matrix for a total of 293,379 SNPs. After imputation the missing data was removed, which exhibited 34,724 SNPs for association analysis. GWAS results showed strong signals of association at a threshold of [-log10(P-value)] more than 5 (K1 and K2) for nine of the 39 SNPs, which are plausible candidate loci of resistance genes. These SNP loci were positioned on rice chromosome 2, 9, and 11 for K1 and K2 races. The significant loci detected have also been illustrated and make the CPAS markers for NBS-LRR type disease resistance protein, SNARE domain containing protein, Histone deacetylase 19, NADP-dependent oxidoreductase, and other expressed and unknown proteins. Our results provide a better understanding of the distribution of genetic variation of BLB resistance to Korean pathogen races and breeding of resistant rice.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2022

Glioblastoma is one of the highly aggressive central nervous system tumors and it is difficult to treat owing its anatomical location. Peptides are novel class of drugs which has the potential to cross the blood brain barrier and exerts its anti-tumor activity. Here, we discovered a novel peptide from abalone (Haliotis discus hannai) next generation sequencing (NGS) data and tested its anticancer effect on glioblastoma cell line SNU-489. The anticancer activity was measured using a cytotoxicity assay in a time and dose-dependent manner. A concentration and time dependent increase in the cytotoxicity was seen in cells treated with the novel peptide. The highest cytotoxicity rate of about 67% was observed in SNU-489 cells treated with 200 µM peptide for 48 hrs. However, the cytotoxic effect was not or less observed in a normal skin cell line HaCaT at similar concentration, thus, evident of peptide's cell specific anticancer activity. In addition, the gene expression level of necroptosis-related genes was analyzed by qRT-PCR to elucidate the anticancer mechanism of the novel peptide. RIPK3 expression was significantly increased by 9.6-fold in 200 µM of novel peptide treatment group, and MLKL expression level was significantly elevated by 2-fold in 100 µM treated group compared to the control group. Therefore, this study confirmed that the novel abalone-derived peptide has anticancer potency, and it causes cancer cell death through the necroptosis mechanism. Collectively, these results suggest that the novel peptide could be candidate anticancer agent for the treatment of glioblastoma in the future.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.750-758
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• 2022

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a transitional condition between normality and dementia. Ginseng is known to have effects on attenuating cognitive deficits in neurogenerative diseases. Ginsenosides are the main bioactive component of ginseng, and their protein targets have not been fully understood. Furthermore, no thorough analysis is reported in ginsenoside-related protein targets in MCI. Methods: The candidate protein targets of ginsenosides in brain tissues were identified by drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) coupled with label-free liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. Network pharmacology approach was used to collect the therapeutic targets for MCI. Based on the above-mentioned overlapping targets, we built up a proteineprotein interaction (PPI) network in STRING database and conducted gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis. Finally, we assessed the effects of ginseng total saponins (GTS) and different ginsenosides on mitochondrial function by measuring the activity of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex and performing molecular docking. Results: We screened 2526 MCI-related protein targets by databases and 349 ginsenoside-related protein targets by DARTS. On the basis of these 81 overlapping genes, enrichment analysis showed the mitochondria played an important role in GTS-mediated MCI pharmacological process. Mitochondrial function analysis showed GTS, protopanaxatriol (PPT), and Rd increased the activities of complex I in a dose-dependent manner. Molecular docking also predicted the docking pockets between PPT or Rd and mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I. Conclusion: This study indicated that ginsenosides might alleviate MCI by targeting respiratory chain complex I and regulating mitochondrial function, supporting ginseng's therapeutic application in cognitive deficits.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.876-886
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• 2023

In some cases of head and neck cancers (HNC), surgical interventions may result in the loss of organs and/or changes to their functions, thereby significantly affecting the patient's quality of life. As a result, the surgical treatment of HNC patients is often limited to specific cases, and alternative treatment modalities, such as chemotherapy, are considered. However, serious adverse effects caused by chemotherapy, such as severe nausea and vomiting, necessitate the need for the development of adjunctive methods to minimize patient suffering. Chuanxiong, Ligusticum chuanxiong (L. chuanxiong), is a natural herb used in Eastern medicine to treat cerebrovascular disorders and headaches. This study aimed to predict the effect and potential of L. chuanxiong as an auxiliary anticancer drug through network-based pharmacology and molecular docking analysis. The study results showed that 40 out of 41 genes of L. chuanxiong shared common targets of HNC and their proteins could be used to target HNC cells to prevent cancer progression. The results of the functional enrichment analysis confirmed that L. chuanxiong is associated with the neuroactive-ligand metabolism and neurotransmitter pathways, indicating its potential medicinal value as an adjuvant in HNC treatment. Lastly, our findings demonstrated that the active ingredient of L. chuanxiong, (Z)-Ligustilide, has the ATP binding site of heat shock protein 90, a protein known to promote the activation of cancer cells. These results suggest that L. chuanxiong is a promising candidate for developing auxiliary anticancer drugs, and further research could potentially lead to the discovery of newer and safer anti-cancer agents.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.287-295
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• 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies. The chemotherapeutic agents used to treat HCC patients are toxic and have serious side effects. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy of anticancer drugs that reduce side effects by targeting tumor cells without causing cytotoxicity in healthy hepatocytes. Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid derived from plant compounds, has emerged as a potential candidate for cancer treatment due to its diverse pharmacological properties. The effect of berberine on HepG2 cell viability was determined using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. HepG2 cell proliferation was determined through a colony-forming assay. The effects of berberine on HepG2 cell migration were evaluated using a wound-healing assay. Berberine inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells, as well as colony formation and migration. Berberine treatment increased the expression of autophagy-related genes and proteins, including Beclin-1 and LC3-II, and elevated the activities and mRNA expression of Caspase-9 and Caspase-3. Additionally, in experiments utilizing the Cell-Derived Xenograft animal model, berberine treatment reduced tumor size and weight in a concentration-dependent manner. These results demonstrate the potential of berberine as a versatile anticancer agent with efficacy in both cellular and animal models of hepatocellular carcinoma. The findings herein shed light on berberine's efficacy against HCC, presenting opportunities for targeted and personalized therapeutic interventions.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.394-403
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• 2023

In the pursuit of sustainable and environmentally-friendly agricultural practices, we conducted an extensive study on the rhizosphere bacteria inhabiting soils that have been devoid of chemical fertilizers for an extended period exceeding 40 years. Through this investigation, we isolated a total of 80 species of plant growth-promoting rhizosphere bacteria and assessed their potential to enhance plant growth. Among these isolates, Burkholderia cepacia CD2 displayed remarkable plant growth-promoting activity, making it an optimal candidate for further analysis. Burkholderia cepacia CD2 exhibited a range of beneficial characteristics conducive to plant growth, including phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, denitrification, nitrate utilization, and urease activity. These attributes are well-known to positively influence the growth and development of plants. To validate the taxonomic classification of the strain, 16S rRNA gene sequencing confirmed its placement within the Burkholderia genus, providing further insights into its phylogenetic relationship. To delve deeper into the potential mechanisms underlying its plant growth-promoting properties, we sought to confirm the presence of specific genes associated with plant growth promotion in CD2. To achieve this, whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed by Plasmidsaurus Inc. (USA) utilizing Oxford Nanopore technology (Abingdon, UK). The WGS analysis of the genome of CD2 revealed the existence of a subsystem function, which is thought to be a pivotal factor contributing to improved plant growth. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that Burkholderia cepacia CD2 has the potential to serve as a microbial fertilizer, offering a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers.

• 한국균학회소식:학술대회논문집
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• 2015.05a
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• pp.53-53
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• 2015

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation(ATMT) of Flammulina velutipes was used to produce a diverse number of transformants to discover the functions of gene that is vital for its variation color, spore pattern and cellulolytic activity. Futhermore, the transformant pool will be used as a good genetic resource for studying gene functions. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation was conducted in order to generate intentional mutants of F. velutipes strain KACC42777. Then Agrobacterium tumefaciens AGL-1 harboring pBGgHg was transformed into F. velutipes. This method is use to determine the functional gene of F. velutipes. Inverse PCR was used to insert T-DNA into the tagged chromosomal DNA segments and conducting sequence analysis of the F. velutipes. But this experiment had trouble in diverse morphological mutants because of dikaryotic nature of mushroom. It needed to make monokaryotic fruiting varients which introduced genes of compatible mating types. In this study, next generation sequencing data was generated from 28 strains of Flammulina velutipes with different phenotypes using Illumina Hiseq platform. Filtered short reads were initially aligned to the reference genome (KACC42780) to construct a SNP matrix. And then we built a phylogenetic tree based on the validated SNPs. The inferred tree represented that white- and brown- fruitbody forming strains were generally separated although three brown strains, 4103, 4028, and 4195, were grouped with white ones. This topological relationship was consistently reappeared even when we used randomly selected SNPs. Group I containing 4062, 4148, and 4195 strains and group II containing 4188, 4190, and 4194 strains formed early-divergent lineages with robust nodal supports, suggesting that they are independent groups from the members in main clades. To elucidate the distinction between white-fruitbody forming strains isolated from Korea and Japan, phylogenetic analysis was performed using their SNP data with group I members as outgroup. However, no significant genetic variation was noticed in this study. A total of 28 strains of Flammulina velutipes were analyzed to identify the genomic regions responsible for producing white-fruiting body. NGS data was yielded by using Illumina Hiseq platform. Short reads were filtered by quality score and read length were mapped on the reference genome (KACC42780). Between the white- and brown fruitbody forming strains. There is a high possibility that SNPs can be detected among the white strains as homozygous because white phenotype is recessive in F. velutipes. Thus, we constructed SNP matrix within 8 white strains. SNPs discovered between mono3 and mono19, the parental monokaryotic strains of 4210 strain (white), were excluded from the candidate. If the genotypes of SNPs detected between white and brown strains were identical with those in mono3 and mono19 strains, they were included in candidate as a priority. As a result, if more than 5 candidates SNPs were localized in single gene, we regarded as they are possibly related to the white color. In F. velutipes genome, chr01, chr04, chr07,chr11 regions were identified to be associated with white fruitbody forming. White and Brown Fruitbody strains can be used as an identification marker for F. veluipes. We can develop some molecular markers to identify colored strains and discriminate national white varieties against Japanese ones.