• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.7-10
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• 2006

We performed comprehensive SNP validation and linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis of the c-fos induced growth factor (Figf) gene in Korean population. Out of 32 SNPs, only 9 SNPs were polymorphic in Korean population. Validated SNPs formed a single extended haplotype block with strong LD through the entire length of the gene. Tagging SNP analysis picked only 2 SNPs to represent most of the genetic variation information of the Figf gene. Our results demonstrate the utility of LD block and tagging SNP analysis for an efficient way of performing a candidate gene based association study.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.76-81
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• 2006

Tubulin is synthesized in the cell body and must be delivered to the axon to support axonal growth. However, the exact form in which these proteins, in particular tubulin, move within the axon remains contentious. According to the "polymer transport model", tubulin is transported in the form of microtubules. In an alternative hypothesis, the "short oligomer transport model", tubulin is added to existing, stationary microtubules along the axon. In this study, we measured the translocation of microtubule plus ends in soma segments, the middle of axonal shafts and the growth cone areas, by expressing GFP-EB3 in cultured Xenopus embryonic spinal neurons. We found that none of the microtubules in the three compartments were transported rapidly as would be expected from the polymer transport model. These results suggest that microtubules are stationary in most segments of the axon, thus supporting the model according to which tubulin is transported in nonpolymeric form in rapidly growing Xenopus neurons.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.150-165
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to evaluate bacteriocin activity against human flora. Lactobiocin, a bacteriocin produced by Lactococcus sp. HY 449, inhibited the growth of Starphylococcus epidermidis, Starphylococcus aureus, Streptoccoccus pyogenes and Propionibacterium acnes. When crude bacteriocin was added to indicator cells during logarithmic growth, the optical density(O.D 650nm) of cells without bacteriocin increase after 5h of incubation. Whereas in the presence of bacteriocin, the O.D of cell suspensions decreased. The similar patterns were observed for absorbance readings at 280 nm and 260 nm. The release of cellular components when cell were treated with Lactobiocin suggests some degree of membrane damage or cell lysis. Scanning electron microscopy of cells following treatments with Lactobiocin in PBS buffer revealed disruptures of cell morphology. These results indicate that bacteriocin appears to cause cell lysis of tested strains. In cytotoxicity on human fibroblast, LD$\_$50/ of Lactobiocin was ca. 50 mg/ml and no change was observed cell proliferation at the same concentration. Any irritation and allergic reaction did not observed when evaluated by human patch test for Lactobiocin.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.356-362
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• 2021

An increasing number of studies have revealed an interaction between gut microbiota and tumors. The enrichment of specific bacteria strains in the intestines has been found to modulate tumor growth and influence the mechanisms of tumor treatment. Various bacteria are involved in modulating the effects of chemotherapeutic drugs currently used to treat patients with cancer, and they affect not only gastrointestinal tract tumors but also distant organ tumors. In addition, changes in the gut microbiota are known to be involved in the antitumor immune response as well as the modulation of the intestinal immune system. As a result, the gut microbiota plays an important role in modulating the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Therefore, gut microbiota could be considered as an adjuvant treatment option with other cancer treatment or as another marker for predicting treatment response. In this review, we examine how gut microbiota affects cancer treatments.

• Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.162-169
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• 2018

$TGF-{\beta}$ signaling plays a tumor suppressive role in normal and premalignant cells but promotes tumor progression during the late stages of tumor development. The $TGF-{\beta}$ signaling pathway is tightly regulated at various levels, including transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms. Ubiquitination of signaling components, such as receptors and Smad proteins is one of the key regulatory mechanisms of $TGF-{\beta}$ signaling. Tripartite motif (TRIM) family of proteins is a highly conserved group of E3 ubiquitin ligase proteins that have been implicated in a variety of cellular functions, including cell growth, differentiation, immune response, and carcinogenesis. Recent emerging studies have shown that some TRIM family proteins function as important regulators in tumor initiation and progression. This review summarizes current knowledge of TRIM family proteins regulating the $TGF-{\beta}$ signaling pathway with relevance to cancer.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.12
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• pp.1045-1051
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• 2018

The developmentally regulated GTP binding protein 2 (DRG2) is involved in the control of cell growth and differentiation. Here, we demonstrate that DRG2 regulates microtubule dynamics in HeLa cells. Analysis of live imaging of the plus-ends of microtubules with EB1-EGFP showed that DRG2 deficiency (shDRG2) significantly reduced the growth rate of HeLa cells. Depletion of DRG2 increased 'slow and long-lived' subpopulations, but decreased 'fast and short-lived' subpopulations of microtubules. Microtubule polymerization inhibitor exhibited a reduced response in shDRG2 cells. Using immunoprecipitation, we show that DRG2 interacts with tau, which regulates microtubule polymerization. Collectively, these data demonstrate that DRG2 may aid in affecting microtubule dynamics in HeLa cells.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.279-293
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• 2023

This study investigates network effects to measure how strongly the early adopters affect the brand choice of the potential consumer. By using the Gumbel-Hougaard (GH) copula, this study checks the magnitude of network effects varied from country to country. To consider consumer heterogeneity and network effects in the growth market, this study proposes the multi-brand Gamma/Shifted-Gompertz (m-G/SG) model based on the GH copula. Out of eighteen Western European cellular phone market data and South Korea smartphone data sets, the m-G/SG model provides an improvement in the estimation accuracy over the Libai, Muller, and Peres model. The results show that network effects enhance (i) the polarization of brand choice probabilities as time elapses; (ii) the dominance of the more preferred and the earlier entered brand; and (iii) the deceleration of category-level diffusion. Potential followers can analyze their relationship with earlier entrants through the m-G/SG model and also establish an optimal market entry strategy.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.581-589
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• 2020

Neurons have multiple dendrites and single axon. This neuronal polarity is gradually established during early processes of neuronal differentiation: generation of multiple neurites (stages 1-2); differentiation (stage 3) and maturation (stages 4-5) of an axon and dendrites. In this study, we demonstrated that the neuron-specific n-glycosylated protein NELL2 is important for neuronal polarization and axon growth using cultured rat embryonic hippocampal neurons. Endogenous NELL2 expression was gradually increased in parallel with the progression of developmental stages of hippocampal neurons, and overexpression of NELL2 stimulated neuronal polarization and axon growth. In line with these results, knockdown of NELL2 expression resulted in deterioration of neuronal development, including inhibition of neuronal development progression, decreased axon growth and increased axon branching. Inhibitor against extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) dramatically inhibited NELL2-induced progression of neuronal development and axon growth. These results suggest that NELL2 is an important regulator for the morphological development for neuronal polarization and axon growth.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.115-120
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• 2012

Retinoic acid plays an important role in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation. In our present study, we evaluated the effects of all-trans retinoic acid (RA) on cell proliferation and on the cell cycle regulation of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). Cell proliferation was assessed using the MTT assay. Cell cycle analysis was performed by flow cytometry, and cell cycle regulatory proteins were determined by western blot. Cell proliferation was increased in the presence of a 0.1 nM to 1 ${\mu}M$ RA dose range, and maximal growth stimulation was observed in cells exposed to 1 nM of RA. Exposure of HGFs to 1 nM of RA resulted in an augmented cell cycle progression. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying cell cycle regulation by RA, we measured the intracellular levels of major cell cycle regulatory proteins. The levels of cyclin E and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 2 were found to be increased in HGFs following 1 nM of RA treatment. However, the levels of cyclin D, CDK 4, and CDK 6 were unchanged under these conditions. Also after exposure to 1 nM of RA, the protein levels of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ and $p16^{INK4A}$ were decreased in HGFs compared with the control group, but the levels of p53 and pRb were similar between treated and untreated cells. These results suggest that RA increases cell proliferation and cell cycle progression in HGFs via increased cellular levels of cyclin E and CDK 2, and decreased cellular levels of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ and $p16^{INK4A}$.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.130-136
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• 2011

Five strains of Actinomyces were isolated from freshwater sponges, Baikalospongia and Lubomirskia, in Lake Baikal. By 16S rRNA sequencing, isolates were identified as Streptomyces griseoplanus, S. halstedii, S. violascens, S. flavovirens, and S. microflavus. Isolates had different characteristics of growth temperature, carbon utilization, enzyme activity, and cellular fatty acid composition. Optimum growth conditions of isolates were $30-37^{\circ}C$, pH 8-9, and 0-1.5% salt concentrations. Major fatty acid compositions were anteiso-$C_{15:0}$, iso-$C_{15:0}$, and iso-$C_{16:0}$. Strain ATS-BA-19 had DNase and chitinase activities and strain ATS-BA-16 had cellulase and protease activities. Colonies of strain ATS-BA-15 and ATS-BA-19 made inhibition zone of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.