• Toxicological Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.5-9
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• 2012

It has been shown that the accumulation of prion in the cytoplasm can result in neurodegenerative disorders. Synthetic prion peptide 106-126 (PrP) is a glycoprotein that is expressed predominantly by neurons and other cells, including glial cells. Prion-induced chronic neurodegeneration has a substantial inflammatory component, and an increase in the levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) may play an important role in neurodegenerative development and progression. However, the expression of MMPs in PrP induced rat astrocytes and microglia has not yet been compared. Thus, in this study, we examined the fluorescence intensity of CD11b positive microglia and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) positive astrocytes and found that the fluorescent intensity was increased following incubation with PrP at 24 hours in a dose-dependent manner. We also observed an increase in interleukin-1 beta (IL-$1{\beta}$) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) protein expression, which are initial inflammatory cytokines, in both PrP induced astrocytes and microglia. Furthermore, an increase MMP-1, 3 and 11 expressions in PrP induced astrocytes and microglia was observed by real time PCR. Our results demonstrated PrP induced activation of astrocytes and microglia respectively, which resulted in an increase in inflammatory cytokines and MMPs expression. These results provide the insight into the different sensitivities of glial cells to PrP.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.3651-3657
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• 2014

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a relatively higher incidence in many countries of Asia. Globally, HCC has a high fatality rate and short survival. Epirubicin, a doxorubicin analogue, may be administered alone or in combination with other agents to treat primary liver cancer and metastatic diseases. However, the toxic effects of epirubicin to normal tissues and cells have been one of the major obstacles to successful cancer chemotherapy. Here, we investigated the effects of epirubicin in combination with kappa-selenocarrageenan on mice with H22 implanted tumors and HepG-2 cell proliferation, immune organ index, morphology, cell cycle and related protein expressions in vivo and in vitro with sequential drug exposure. The inhibitory rate of tumor growth in vivo was calculated. Drug sensitivity was measured by MTT assay, and the King's principle was used to evaluate the interaction of drug combination. Morphological changes were observed by fluorescent microscopy. Cell cycle changes were analyzed by flow cytometry. Expression of cyclin A, Cdc25A and Cdk2 were detected by Western blotting. In vivo results demonstrated that the inhibitory rate of EPI combined with KSC was higher than that of KSC or EPI alone, and the Q value indicated an additive effect. In addition, KSC could significantly raise the thymus and spleen indices of mice with H22 implanted tumors. In the drug sensitivity assay in vitro, exposure to KSC and EPI simultaneously was more effective than exposure sequentially in HepG-2 cells, while exposure to KSC prior to EPI was more effective than exposure to EPI prior to KSC. Q values showed an additive effect in the simultaneous group and antagonistic effects in the sequential groups. Morphological analysis showed similar results to the drug sensitivity assay. Cell cycle analysis revealed that exposure to KSC or EPI alone arrested the cells in S phase in HepG-2 cells, exposure to KSC and EPI simultaneously caused accumulation in the S phase, an effect caused by either KSC or EPI. Expression of cyclin A, Cdc25A and Cdk2 protein was down-regulated following exposure to KSC and EPI alone or in combination, exposure to KSC and EPI simultaneously resulting in the lowest values. Taken together, our findings suggest that KSC in combination with EPI might have potential as a new therapeutic regimen against HCC.

• BMB Reports
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.720-725
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• 2004

A number of signaling molecules contain small pleckstrin homology (PH) domains capable of binding phosphoinositides or proteins. Phospholipase C (PLC)-${\gamma}1$ has two putative PH domains, an $NH_2$-terminal (PH1) and a split PH domain ($nPH_2$ and $cPH_2$). We previously reported that the split PH domain of PLC-${\gamma}1$ binds to phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI(4)P) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)$P_2$) (Chang et al., 2002). To identify the amino acid residues responsible for binding with PI(4)P and PI(4,5)$P_2$, we used site-directed mutagenesis to replace each amino acid in the variable loop-1 (VL-1) region of the PLC-${\gamma}1$ $nPH_2$ domain with alanine (a neutral amino acid). The phosphoinositide-binding affinity of these mutant molecules was analyzed by Dot-blot assay followed by ECL detection. We found that two PLC-${\gamma}1$ nPH2 domain mutants, P500A and H503A, showed reduced affinities for phosphoinositide binding. Furthermore, these mutant PLC-${\gamma}1$ molecules showed reduced PI(4,5)$P_2$ hydrolysis. Using green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein system, we showed that both $PH_1$ and $nPH_2$ domains are responsible for membrane-targeted translocation of PLC-${\gamma}1$ upon serum stimulation. Together, our data reveal that the amino acid residues $Pro^{500}$ and $His^{503}$ are critical for binding of PLC-${\gamma}1$ to one of its substrates, PI(4,5)$P_2$ in the membrane.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.341-354
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• 1995

Fluorescence characteristic and amino acids composition of organic matter were determined from extracted seawater samples at eight stations in the East Sea of Korea. Organic compounds have been extracted onto C-18 Sep-Pak cartridges. Three dimensional excitation/emission fluorescence contouring of extracts showed two markedly distinct characterized fluoroscopies representing protein-like biomacromolecule and humic-like geomacromolecule. Protein-like biomacromolecule showing fluorescence maxima at 280 nm/330 nm (excitation/emission) were abundant in the surface mixed layer and then apparently decreased below the thermocline at most stations. It suggests that source of biomacromolecule is comely related with vigorous biological synthetic activity in the surface layer and bacteria decompose its biologically labile components near the thermocline and in the deeper layer. On the other hand, humiliate geomacromolecule showing fluorescence maxima at 330 nm/430 nm (excitation/emission) were low in the surface mixed layer implying photochemical oxidation and then increased below the thermocline at most stations. It suggests that geomacromolecule might be transformed by condensation of bio-refractoryorganic fraction after decomposition of biomacromolecule and particulate organic carbon derived from the surface mixed layer. HPLC measurements of amino acids showed similar composition between seawater and extracted organic macromolecule after hydrolysis. Glycine, serine and alanine were predominant, accounting for more than 50% of total amino acids. Dissolved free amino acids of seawater were more abundant in the surface layer(0.7∼1.8 uM) than the deeper layer (0.2∼0.4 uM). D/L racemic ratio of alanine of extracted organic matter showed lower value in the surface layer than the deeper layer. It suggests that biomacromolecule predominant in the surface layer is relatively young, rapidly recycling and biologically labile.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.24-39
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• 2000

Various methods and graft materials have been used to fill in the defect adjacent to the implants and considered as clinically acceptable. But it is not clear whether the regenerated bone increases the implant-bone contact and supports the implant. The purpose of this study is to evaluate regenerated bone surrounding implants using bone morphogenetic protein(BMP) and demineralized freeze-dried bone(DFDB), and the interfaces between implants and regenerated bone. bBMP was extracted and partially purified from the bovine bone matrix using heparine chromatography. Demineralized freeze-dried bone was made from the dog. Inactive insoluble collagenous bone matrix(IBM) of dog was used as carrier of bBMP. Interfaces of titanium coated epoxy resin implants were processed for demineralized section for transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and those of screw type implants were for nondemineralized section for light and fluoromicroscopic examination. Implants were inserted in the inferior border of mandible of adult dogs and artificial bony defects($3{\times}3{\times}4mm$) were made at the mesial and distal side of implants. Defects were filled with BMP(BMP group) and DFDB(DFDB group). For the fluoromicroscopic examination, the fluorescent dyes(oxytetracycline, calcein green, alizarin red) were injected 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 weeks after implantation. The experimental animals were sacrificed at the 6th and the 12th week and their mandible were extirpated and processed for examination with light microscopy, fluoromicroscopy and TEM. The obtained results were as follows : 1. By the light microscopic findings, the defects were filled with woven bone at the 6th week and compact bone at the 12th week, and the osseointegrations were seen in both groups. There was no histological difference between them. 2. On the basis of the histomorphometric analysis, BMP group(6th week: 40.25%, 12th week: 56.04%) had higher bony contact ratio than DFDB group(38.37%, 42.63%). There was significant difference between two groups at the 12th week(p<0.05). 3. The amount of bone formation in BMP group was more prominent than in DFDB group. Significant difference was noted among two groups at the 6th and the 8th week(p<0.05). 4. By the transmission electron microscopic findings, $0.4-2{\mu}m$ soft tissue layer was found in adjacent to the interfaces and over the collagen fibrils of bone at the 6th week. However, about 100nm amorphous layer was noted at the interface or collagen fibrils directly extended to the titanium surface at the 12th week. There was no significant difference between two groups. 5. These results suggest that BMP and DFDB can be used as good graft materials in the regeneration of bone adjacent to implant, and BMP is more valuable as a bone inducer than DFDB.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.413-422
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to investigated the mechanism of pharmacological action of local anesthetic and provide the basic information about the development of new effective local anesthetics. Fluorescent probe techniques were used to evaluate the effect of lidocaine HCl on the physical properties (transbilayer asymmetric lateral and rotational mobility, annular lipid fluidity and protein distribution) of synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicles (SPMV) isolated from bovine cerebral cortex, and liposomes of total lipids (SPMVTL) and phospholipids (SPMVPL) extracted from the SPMV. An experimental procedure was used based on selective quenching of 1,3-di(1-pyrenyl)propane (Py-3-Py) and 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) by trinitrophenyl groups, and radiationless energy transfer from the tryptophans of membrane proteins to Py-3-Py. Lidocaine HCl increased the bulk lateral and rotational mobility of neuronal and model membrane lipid bilayes, and had a greater fluidizing effect on the inner monolayer than the outer monolayer. Lidocaine HCl increased annular lipid fluidity in SPMV lipid bilayers. It also caused membrane proteins to cluster. The most important finding of this study is that there is far greater increase in annular lipid fluidity than that in lateral and rotational mobilities by lidocaine HCl. Lidocaine HCl alters the stereo or dynamics of the proteins in the lipid bilayers by combining with lipids, especially with the annular lipids. In conclusion, the present data suggest that lidocaine, in addition to its direct interaction with proteins, concurrently interacts with membrane lipids, fluidizing the membrane, and thus inducing conformational changes of proteins known to be intimately associated with membrane lipid.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.37-42
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• 2007

Lactoferrin, an ion-binding 80-kDa glycoprotein, has been suggested to have many biologic activities, such as facilitating ion absorption and having antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. Several of these activities are likely to only be facilitated by human lactoferrin because they depend on the binding of human lactoferrin to specific receptor. To produce recombinant human lactoferrin to animal foods using transgenic silkworm, Bombyx mori L, we have cloned and sequenced the cDNA encoding for a human lactoferrin (HLf) from the mRNA in mammary tumor line (GI-101). As a result, the 2.5-kb fragment of HLf gene was cloned with pGEM-T vector and then this fragment was sequenced. In the nucleotide sequence analysis, single open reading frame of the 2,136-bp encoding for a polypeptide of 712 amino acid residues was detected. On the other hand, we constructed a recombinant plasmid(pPT-HLf), containing human lactoferrin gene for germ line transformation of the silkworm using a piggyBac transposon-derived vector. A nonautonomous helper plasmid encodes the piggyBac transposase. Approximately 6.7% of individuals in the G0 silkworms expressed green fluorescent protein (GFP). PCR analyses of GFP-positive silkworms (G0 and G1) revealed that independent insertions occurred frequently. Furthermore, Western blot analysis showed that the recombinant HLf expressed in hemolymph has the same molecular weight (80 kDa) as a native protein. On the basis of these experiments, expression of HLf in next generation of transgenic silkworm is now in process.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2014

Background: Remifentanil, an ultra-short-acting mu-opioid receptor agonist, is unique from other opioids because of its esterase-based metabolism, minimal accumulation, and very rapid onset and offset of clinical action. Remifentanil can prevent the inflammatory response and can suppress inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in a septic mouse model. However, the effects of remifentanil on human keratinocyte and autophagy have yet to be fully elucidated during hypoxia-reoxygenation. Here we investigated whether remifentanil confers protective effect against hypoxia-reoxygenation in human keratinocyte and, if so, whether autophagy mediates this effect. Methods: The human keratinocytes were cultured under 1% oxygen tension. The cells were gassed with 94% $N_2$, and 5% $CO_2$ and incubated for 24 h at $37^{\circ}C$. To determine whether the administration of affects human keratinocytes hypoxia-reoxygenation injury, cells were then exposed to various concentrations of remifentanil (0.01, 0.1, 0.5 and 1 ng/ml) for 2 h. After remifentanil treatment, to simulate reoxygenation and recovery, the cells were reoxygenated for 12 h at $37^{\circ}C$. Control group did not receive remifentanil treatment. Normoxia group did not receive hypoxia and remifentanil treatment for 36 h. 3-MA group was treated 3-methyladenine (3-MA) for 1h before remifentanil treatment. Cell viability was measured using a quantitative colorimetric assay with MTT, showing the mitochondrial activity of living cells. Cells were stained with fluorescence and analyzed with Western blot analysis to find out any relations with activation of autophagy. Results: Prominent accumulation of autophagic specific staining MDC was observed around the nuclei in RPT group HaCaT cells. Similarly, AO staining, red fluorescent spots appeared in RPT group HaCaT cells, while the Normoxia, control and 3-MA groups showed mainly green cytoplasmic fluorescence. We here examined activation of autophagy related protein under H/R-induced cells by Western blotting analysis. Atg5, Beclin-1, LC3-II (microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 form II) and p62 was elevated in RPT group cells. But they were decreased when autophagy was suppressed by 3-MA (Fig. 5). Conclusions: Although the findings of this study are limited to an in vitro interpretation, we suggest that remifentanil may have a beneficial effect in the recovery of wound from hypoxia-reoxygenation injury.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.429-434
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• 2019

A lateral flow immunoassay platform utilizing antibody functionalized water soluble CdSe/ZnS semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) was developed for the analysis of human serum amyloid A-1 (hSAA1) in a buffer solution. hSAA1 was chosen as a target protein because it is regarded as a potential biomarker associated with early diagnosis and prognosis in patients of lung cancer. The immunoassay strip on a nitrocellulose membrane was fabricated by spraying two lines composed of a test line with a monoclonal antibody against hSAA1 (10G1) (anti hSAA1) and a control line of anti-chicken IgY. While the CdSe/ZnS QDs synthesized in an organic phase were transferred to a water phase by ligand exchange using carboxylic acid modified alkane thiol. The QDs was then conjugated to monoclonal antibody against hSAA1 (14F8) [anti hSAA1 (14F8)] and used as a fluorescent detection probe. The sequential lateral flow of hSAA1 in different concentration and QDs-anti hSAA1 (14F8) complex allowed to form the surface sandwich complex of anti hSAA1 (10G1)/hSAA1/QD-anti hSAA1 (14F8), which was then analyzed using fluorescence microscope. A 100 nM concentration of hSAA1 protein can be detected by naked eyes under an optimized lateral flow buffer condition with a sensing time of 5 mins.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2019.05a
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• pp.533-536
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• 2019

Recombinant baculoviruses are widely used to express heterologous genes in cultured insect cells. Recombinant baculoviruses can serve as gene-transfer vectors for expression of recombinant proteins in a wide range of mammalian cell types. Baculovirus system has significant benefits in view of safety, large-scale, and high level of gene expression. In this study, baculoviral vectors which were reconstructed from pOPINEneo-3C-GFP vector, were recombined with cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, green fluorescent protein (GFP), and p53 with NcoI and XhoI. These recombinant vectors were infected with various cells and cell lines. The baculovirus vector thus developed was analyzed by comparing the metastasis and expression of the recombinant genes with conventional vectors. These results suggest that the baculovirus vector has higher efficiency in metastasis and expression than the control vector. This work was supported by a grant from Mid-Career Researcher Program(NRF-2016R1A2B4016552) through the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning(MSIP).