• 약학회지
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• 제57권2호
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• pp.125-131
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• 2013

Biologically active peptides, including growth factors and cytokines, participate in various biological processes in human skin. They could provide a great advantage of maintaining healthy skin. Many peptide growth factors like epidermal growth factor (EGF) and human growth hormone (hGH) have been used in cosmetic formulations. The delivery of peptide growth factors across the Stratum corneum, however, seems not sufficient because of their physical properties such as high molecular weight and hydrophilicity. So increasing the penetration of growth factors of interest into skin would be a major concern for ensuring their maximum biological efficacy. In this study, we have identified several skin penetration-enhancing peptides which facilitate delivery of growth factors, when fused at N-terminus of the target protein, into skin. For efficient and rapid screening, we constructed a skin-penetrating assay system using Franz cell and porcine skin. Next, we carried out phage display screening using M-13 bacteriophage with random 12 -amino acid library on its coat protein P3 on that system. After several selection rounds, peptide sequences facilitate the penetration of phages through the porcine skin were identified from a large population of phages. We found that phages with the most potent peptide (S3-2, NGSLNTHLAPIL) could penetrate the porcine skin eight times more than those with control peptide (12 mino acids scrambled peptide). Furthermore, growth factors conjugated with S3-2 peptide penetrate porcine skin three to five times efficiently than non-conjugated growth factors. In conclusion, our data shows that the skin penetration-enhancing peptide we have characterized could increase the delivery of growth factors and is useful for cosmeceutical application.

• 한국진공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국진공학회 2014년도 제46회 동계 정기학술대회 초록집
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• pp.361.1-361.1
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• 2014

PbVO3 (PVO), a polar magnetic material considered as a candidate of multiferroic, has ferroelectricity along the c-axis and 2-dimensional antiferromagnetism lying in the in-plane through epitaxial growth [1,2]. PVO thin films were grown on LaAlO3 (001) substrates under reduction atmosphere from a stable Pb2V2O7 sintered target using pulsed laser deposition method. Epitaxial growth of the PVO films is possible only under Ar atmospheren with no oxygen partial pressure. X-ray diffraction was used to investigate the phase formation and texture of the films. We confirmed epitaxial growth of the PVO films with crystalline relationship of PbVO3[001]//LaAlO3[001] and PbVO3[100]//LaAlO3[100]. In addition, surface morphology of the films displays drastic changes in accordance with the growth conditions. Elongated PVO grains are related to the Pb2V2O7 pyrochlore structure. The relation between structural deformation and ferroelectricity in the PVO films was examined by local measurement of piezoresponse force microscopy.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• 제35권5호
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• pp.393-405
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• 2019

Survival factor 1 (Svf1) is a protein involved in cell survival pathways. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Svf1 is required for the diauxic growth shift and survival under stress conditions. In this study, we characterized the role of FgSvf1, the Svf1 homolog in the homothallic ascomycete fungus Fusarium graminearum. In the FgSvf1 deletion mutant, conidial germination was delayed, vegetative growth was reduced, and pathogenicity was completely abolished. Although the FgSvf1 deletion mutant produced perithecia, the normal maturation of ascospore was dismissed in deletion mutant. The FgSvf1 deletion mutant also showed reduced resistance to osmotic, fungicide, and cold stress and reduced sensitivity to oxidative stress when compared to the wild-type strain. In addition, we showed that FgSvf1 affects glycolysis, which results in the abnormal vegetative growth in the FgSvf1 deletion mutant. Further, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulated in the FgSvf1 deletion mutant, and this accumulated ROS might be related to the reduced sensitivity to oxidative stress and the reduced resistance to cold stress and fungicide stress. Overall, understanding the role of FgSvf1 in F. graminearum provides a new target to control F. graminearum infections in fields.

• 한국해양바이오학회지
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.115-122
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• 2020

Eisenia bicyclis, a perennial macroalga is a primary producer of in the ocean, It has been identified as a key species that plays a vital role in maintaining the ecosystem stability. Also, it is an important target in marine afforestation projects and useful marine organisms. In addition, E. bicyclis is used as a health food for humans. This study investigated the effect of water temperature, light (photon irradiance), and duration of light (photoperiod) on the growth of gametophytes and young sporophytes of E. bicyclis. The germination and growth of the zoospores of E. bicyclis were examined at five temperatures (5℃, 10℃, 15℃, 20℃ and 25℃), four intensities of photon irradiance (10, 20, 40, and 80 μmol m-2s-1), and photoperiods (14:10 and 10:14 light/dark cycles). The zoospores released from mature plant germinated into the gametophytes under all experimental conditions. The gametophytes were able to grow at water temperature 5℃-25℃ and mature at 10℃-20℃. The optimal range of water temperature for the maturation of the gametophyte was 15℃-20℃. At 25℃, E. bicyclis gametophytes grew rapidly but did not mature. The optimal culture conditions for the growth of young sporophytes grew slowly in low temperature and photon irradiances.

• BMB Reports
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• 제56권9호
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• pp.496-501
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• 2023

Elongation of most bones occur at the growth plate through endochondral ossification in postnatal mammals. The maturation of chondrocyte is a crucial factor in longitudinal bone growth, which is regulated by a complex network of paracrine and endocrine signaling pathways. Here, we show that a phytochemical sulfuretin can stimulate hypertrophic chondrocyte differentiation in vitro and in vivo. We found that sulfuretin stabilized nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), stimulated its transcriptional activity, and induced expression of its target genes. Sulfuretin treatment resulted in an increase in body length of zebrafish larvae and induced the expression of chondrocyte markers. Consistently, a clinically available Nrf2 activator, dimethyl fumarate (DMF), induced the expression of hypertrophic chondrocyte markers and increased the body length of zebrafish. Importantly, we found that chondrocyte gene expression in cell culture and skeletal growth in zebrafish stimulated by sulfuretin were significantly abrogated by Nrf2 depletion, suggesting that such stimulatory effects of sulfuretin were dependent on Nrf2, at least in part. Taken together, these data show that sulfuretin has a potential use as supporting ingredients for enhancing bone growth.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.835-840
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• 2013

Accumulating evidence has shown that microRNAs are involved in cancer development and progression. However, it remains unknown about the potential role of miR-19a in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer. Here, we report that suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) is a novel target of miR-19a in gastric cancer cells and that miR-19a expression is inversely correlated with SOCS1 expression in gastric cancer cells and a subset of gastric cancer tissues. Ectopic expression of miR-19a dramatically promoted proliferation and tumorigenicity of gastric cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we showed that silencing of SOCS1 promoted cell growth and colony formation resembling that of miR-19a overexpression, whereas re-introduction of SOCS1 (without the 3'-UTR) attenuated the pro-tumorigenic functions. Taken together, our findings suggest that the SOCS1 gene is a direct target of miR-19a, which functions as an oncogenic miRNA in gastric cancer by repressing the expression of tumor suppressor SOCS1.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.119-126
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• 2018

microRNA (miR)-612 shows anticancer activity in several types of cancers, yet its function in melanoma is still unclear. This study was undertaken to investigate the expression of miR-612 and its biological relevance in melanoma cell growth, invasion, and tumorigenesis. The expression and prognostic significance of miR-612 in melanoma were examined. The effects of miR-612 overexpression on cell proliferation, colony formation, tumorigenesis, and invasion were determined. Rescue experiments were conducted to identify the functional target gene(s) of miR-612. miR-612 was significantly downregulated in melanoma tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. Low miR-612 expression was significantly associated with melanoma thickness, lymph node metastasis, and shorter overall, and disease-free survival of patients. Overexpression of miR-612 significantly decreased cell proliferation, colony formation, and invasion of SK-MEL-28 and A375 melanoma cells. In vivo tumorigenic studies confirmed that miR-612 overexpression retarded the growth of A375 xenograft tumors, which was coupled with a decline in the percentage of Ki-67-positive proliferating cells. Mechanistically, miR-612 targeted Espin in melanoma cells. Overexpression of Espin counteracted the suppressive effects of miR-612 on melanoma cell proliferation, invasion, and tumorigenesis. A significant inverse correlation (r = -0.376, P = 0.018) was observed between miR-612 and Espin protein expression in melanoma tissues. In addition, overexpression of miR-612 and knockdown of Espin significantly increased the sensitivity of melanoma cells to doxorubicin. Collectively, miR-612 suppresses the aggressive phenotype of melanoma cells through downregulation of Espin. Delivery of miR-612 may represent a novel therapeutic strategy against melanoma.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.117-125
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• 2019

Mebendazole (MBZ), a microtubule depolymerizing drug commonly used for the treatment of helminthic infections, has recently been noted as a repositioning candidate for angiogenesis inhibition and cancer therapy. However, the definite anti-angiogenic mechanism of MBZ remains unclear. In this study, we explored the inhibitory mechanism of MBZ in endothelial cells (ECs) and developed a novel strategy to improve its anti-angiogenic therapy. Treatment of ECs with MBZ led to inhibition of EC proliferation in a dose-dependent manner in several culture conditions in the presence of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or FBS, without selectivity of growth factors, although MBZ is known to inhibit VEGF receptor 2 kinase. Furthermore, MBZ inhibited EC migration and tube formation induced by either VEGF or bFGF. However, unexpectedly, treatment of MBZ did not affect FAK and ERK1/2 phosphorylation induced by these factors. Treatment with MBZ induced shrinking of ECs and caused G2-M arrest and apoptosis with an increased Sub-G1 fraction. In addition, increased levels of nuclear fragmentation, p53 expression, and active form of caspase 3 were observed. The marked induction of autophagy by MBZ was also noted. Interestingly, inhibition of autophagy through knocking down of Beclin1 or ATG5/7, or treatment with autophagy inhibitors such as 3-methyladenine and chloroquine resulted in marked enhancement of anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of MBZ in ECs. Consequently, we suggest that MBZ induces autophagy in ECs and that protective autophagy can be a novel target for enhancing the anti-angiogenic efficacy of MBZ in cancer treatment.

• 아태비즈니스연구
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.169-184
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• 2020

Purpose - This research is intended to analyze the current status and problems of tax benefits in the R&D sector and suggest ways to improve tax credit for research and manpower development expenses when various countries fiercely develop efforts to enhance national competitiveness through increased investment in R&D Design/methodology/approach - This study will examine the current status of the tax support system for domestic and foreign R&D, and suggest improvement measures to expand research and development activities in the future. Findings - First, a plan may be considered to abolish and perpetuate the sunset deadline for tax credit for research and manpower development expenses as in the case of the United States and Japan. This perpetuation can be a proactive measure to actively support long-term R & D investment in companies facing economic decisions under uncertainty. Second, it should be revised to raise the tax credit rate of large corporations, which are shrinking every year, compared to SMEs, so that both large corporations and SMEs can improve their international competitiveness and secure excellent technologies through R & D. Finally, the target technologies for each new growth engine and source technology should be expanded to various fields, including national cybersecurity enhancement technology, aviation engine technology, carbon emission and global cooling technologies, which are areas of interest in major overseas R&D countries, to help active R&D and investment in these areas. Research implications or Originality - This study can find a contribution in comparing and analyzing the national R&D tax support system and presenting improvement measures at a time when the benefits of tax credit for research and manpower development expenses of large companies are decreasing due to frequent tax law revisions and the government's factors of increasing tax revenues. In addition, recent research and development items and research technologies of foreign countries were analyzed by Nature's top 10 major science and technology issues, and advanced technologies that should be applied to target technology areas by new growth engine and source technology were specifically investigated and presented.

• International Journal of Oncology
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• 제55권1호
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• pp.320-330
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• 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate the underlying mechanisms responsible for the anticancer effects of lupeol on human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MTT assay and Trypan blue exclusion assay were used to evaluate the cell viability. DAPI staining and flow cytometric analysis were used to detect apoptosis. Molecular docking and western blot analysis were performed to determine the target of lupeol. We found that lupeol suppressed the proliferation and colony formation of NSCLC cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, lupeol increased chromatin condensation, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage, sub-G1 cell populations, and the proportion of Annexin V-positive cells, indicating that lupeol triggered the apoptosis of NSCLC cells. Notably, lupeol inhibited the phosphorylation of epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR). A docking experiment revealed that lupeol directly bound to the tyrosine kinase domain of EGFR. We observed that the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), a downstream molecule of EGFR, was also dephosphorylated by lupeol. Lupeol suppressed the nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity of STAT3 and downregulated the expression of STAT3 target genes. The constitutive activation of STAT3 by STAT3 Y705D overexpression suppressed lupeol-induced apoptosis, demonstrating that the inhibition of STAT3 activity contributed to the induction of apoptosis. The anticancer effects of lupeol were consistently observed in EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-resistant H1975 cells (EGFR L858R/T790M). Taken together, the findings of this study suggest that lupeol may be used, not only for EGFR TKI-naïve NSCLC, but also for advanced NSCLC with acquired resistance to EGFR TKIs.