• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
• /
• 제27권2호
• /
• pp.219-227
• /
• 2013

The purpose of this study was to quickly and effectively identify the Nosema disease of bumblebees in Gangwon Province in Korea. Bumblebees are crucial pollinators of various crops, and microsporidia are the critical pathogens of these hosts. When bumblebees are infected with Nosema bombi, their abdomens can become distended. Paralyzed and infected workers often become sluggish and die early. We have identified the morphology of the microsporidium by light and electron microscopy, and found it to have fairly small oval spores, as has been described previously in many other articles. For the specific and sensitive diagnosis of the microsporidian parasite N. bombi in bumblebees, we have developed an improved method of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for expeditious diagnosis. Two pairs of primers were tested on N. bombi and the related microsporidia Nosema apis and Nosema sp., both of which infect Bombus ignitus and Bombus hypocrita sapporoensis. Furthermore, we have verified and analyzed the 16SrRNA sequence data of N. bombi in bumblebees by using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) server at the National Center for Biotechnology Information.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• 제34권2호
• /
• pp.399-405
• /
• 2013

Two series of new green phosphorescent polymers bearing a bis(2-phenyl-pyridine)iridium(III)(dibenzoylmethane) [$(ppy)_2Irdbm$] complex were designed and synthesized. Poly-carbazole (PCbz) derivative or polyfluorene with pendant carbazole groups (PFCbz) were employed as host polymers for the iridium complex. The iridium complex monomer was copolymerized with the host monomers using varying monomer ratios via a Yamamoto coupling reaction. Efficient energy transfer from host to dopant unit was observed by increasing the ratio of the iridium guest in the copolymers. Electroluminescent devices with the configuration ITO/PEDOT:PSS/polymer/BmPyPB/LiF/Al were fabricated and characterized. The phosphorescent polymers composed of the iridium complex guest and polyfluorene with carbazole pendants as a host performed better than the polymers composed of the same guest and the main chain polycarbazole host. A maximum external quantum efficiency of 0.73%, a luminous efficiency of 1.21 cd/A, and a maximum luminance of 372 $cd/m^2$ were obtained from a device fabricated using one of the synthesized copolymers.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제41권3호
• /
• pp.419-427
• /
• 2017

Background: Glycosylation of natural compounds increases the diversity of secondary metabolites. Glycosylation steps are implicated not only in plant growth and development, but also in plant defense responses. Although the activities of uridine-dependent glycosyltransferases (UGTs) have long been recognized, and genes encoding them in several higher plants have been identified, the specific functions of UGTs in planta remain largely unknown. Methods: Spatial and temporal patterns of gene expression were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription (qRT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and GUS histochemical assay. In planta transformation in heterologous Arabidopsis was generated by floral dipping using Agrobacterium tumefaciens (C58C1). Protein localization was analyzed by confocal microscopy via fluorescent protein tagging. Results: PgUGT72AL1 was highly expressed in the rhizome, upper root, and youngest leaf compared with the other organs. GUS staining of the promoter: GUS fusion revealed high expression in different organs, including axillary leaf branch. Overexpression of PgUGT72AL1 resulted in a fused organ in the axillary leaf branch. Conclusion: PgUGT72AL1, which is phylogenetically close to PgUGT71A27, is involved in the production of ginsenoside compound K. Considering that compound K is not reported in raw ginseng material, further characterization of this gene may shed light on the biological function of ginsenosides in ginseng plant growth and development. The organ fusion phenotype could be caused by the defective growth of cells in the boundary region, commonly regulated by phytohormones such as auxins or brassinosteroids, and requires further analysis.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• 제38권10호
• /
• pp.876-885
• /
• 2015

N-acetyl-D-glucosamine kinase (NAGK) plays an enzyme activity-independent, non-canonical role in the dendritogenesis of hippocampal neurons in culture. In this study, we investigated its role in axonal development. We found NAGK was distributed throughout neurons until developmental stage 3 (axonal outgrowth), and that its axonal expression remarkably decreased during stage 4 (dendritic outgrowth) and became negligible in stage 5 (mature). Immunocytochemistry (ICC) showed colocalization of NAGK with tubulin in hippocampal neurons and with Golgi in somata, dendrites, and nascent axons. A proximity ligation assay (PLA) for NAGK and Golgi marker protein followed by ICC for tubulin or dynein light chain roadblock type 1 (DYNLRB1) in stage 3 neurons showed NAGK-Golgi complex colocalized with DYNLRB1 at the tips of microtubule (MT) fibers in axonal growth cones and in somatodendritic areas. PLAs for NAGK-dynein combined with tubulin or Golgi ICC showed similar signal patterns, indicating a three way interaction between NAGK, dynein, and Golgi in growing axons. In addition, overexpression of the NAGK gene and of kinase mutant NAGK genes increased axonal lengths, and knockdown of NAGK by small hairpin (sh) RNA reduced axonal lengths; suggesting a structural role for NAGK in axonal growth. Finally, transfection of 'DYNLRB1 (74-96)', a small peptide derived from DYNLRB1's C-terminal, which binds with NAGK, resulted in neurons with shorter axons in culture. The authors suggest a NAGK-dynein-Golgi tripartite interaction in growing axons is instrumental during early axonal development.

• Genomics & Informatics
• /
• 제13권2호
• /
• pp.45-52
• /
• 2015

Acute myeloid leukemia is a well characterized blood cancer in which the unnatural growth of immature white blood cell takes place, where several genes transcription is regulated by the micro RNAs (miRNAs). Argonaute (AGO) protein is a protein family that binds to the miRNAs and mRNA complex where a strong binding affinity is crucial for its RNA silencing function. By understanding pattern recognition between the miRNAs-mRNA complex and its binding affinity with AGO protein, one can decipher the regulation of a particular gene and develop suitable siRNA for the same in disease condition. In the current work, HOXA9 gene has been selected from literature, whose deregulation is well-established in acute myeloid leukemia. Four miRNAs (mir-145, mir-126, let-7a, and mir-196b) have been selected to target mRNA of HOXA9 (NCBI accession No. NM_152739.3). The binding interaction between mRNAs and mRNA of HOXA9 gene was studied computationally. From result, it was observed mir-145 has highest affinity for HOXA9 gene. Furthermore, the interaction between miRNAs-mRNA duplex of all chosen miRNAs are docked with AGO protein (PDB ID: 3F73, chain A) to study their interaction at molecular level through an in silico approach. The residual interaction and hydrogen bonding are inspected in Discovery Studio 3.5 suites. The current investigation throws light on understanding of AGO-assisted miRNA based gene silencing mechanism in HOXA9 gene associated in acute myeloid leukemia computationally.

• 대한약침학회지
• /
• 제18권1호
• /
• pp.19-26
• /
• 2015

Objectives: Quercetin, a flavonoid compound, has been reported to induce apoptosis in cancer cells, but its anti-inflammatory effects, which are also closely linked with apoptosis, if any, on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have not so far been critically examined. In this study, we tried to determine if quercetin had any demonstrable anti-inflammatory potential, which also could significantly contribute to inducing apoptosis in a NSCLC cell line, A549. Methods: In this context, several assays, including cytotoxicity, flow cytometry and fluorimetry, were done. Gene expression was analyzed by using a western blot analysis. Results: Results revealed that quercetin could induce apoptosis in A549 cells through mitochondrial depolarization by causing an imbalance in B-cell lymphoma 2/Bcl2 Antagonist X (Bcl2/Bax) ratio and by down-regulating the interleukine-6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (IL-6/STAT3) signaling pathway. An analysis of the data revealed that quercetin could block nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-${\kappa}B$) activity at early hours, which might cause a down-regulation of the IL-6 titer, and the IL-6 expression, in turn, could inhibit p-STAT3 expression. Down-regulation of both the STAT3 and the NF-${\kappa}B$ expressions might, therefore, cause down-regulation of Bcl2 activity because both are major upstream effectors of Bcl2. Alteration in Bcl2 responses might result in an imbalance in the Bcl2/Bax ratio, which could ultimately bring about mitochondria mediated apoptosis in A549 cells. Conclusion: Overall, the finding of this study indicates that a quercetin induced anti-inflammatory pathway in A549 cells appeared to make a significant contribution towards induction of apoptosis in NSCLC and, thus, may have a therapeutic use such as a strong apoptosis inducer in cancer cells.

• 한국염색가공학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국염색가공학회 2005년도 춘계학술발표회 논문집
• /
• pp.213-215
• /
• 2005

The metal complexes can be influenced not only by the central metal atoms and the substituent groups, but also by the native of the chelating atoms. For example, near-infrared absorbing chromophores were synthesized by the reaction of phenylenediamine derivatives with a solution of pottassium hydroxide followed by the addition of nickel(II) chloride. These dyes provide absorbing infrared light over 780-840 nm with an extinction coefficient of $2.5-6.0{\times}10^4$. By introduction of alkyl, alkoxyl, cyano, and other functional group into the parent dye, these dyes greatly improved the solubility in organic solvent. New near-infrared absorbing donor-acceptor chromophores have been investigated by varying the electron donating and accepting strength of the two halves of the molecule. The cyanine chromophores permit the simplest way of obtaining systems that absorb well into the near-infrared region of the spectrum. Cyanine dyes possess high extinction coefficients that initially increase with Increasing chain length. These chromophores could be useful in near-infrared optical materials.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제21권7호
• /
• pp.719-727
• /
• 2011

Botulism is a neuroparalytic disease caused by Clostridium botulinum, which produces seven (A-G) antigenically diverse neurotoxins (BoNTs). BoNTs are the most poisonous substances known to humans, with a median lethal dose ($LD_{50}$) of approximately 1 ng/kg of body weight. Owing to their extreme potency and lethality, they have the potential to be used as a bioterrorism agent. The mouse bioassay is the gold standard for the detection of botulinum neurotoxins; however, it requires at least 3-4 days for completion. Attempts have been made to develop an ELISA-based detection system, which is potentially an easier and more rapid method of botulinum neurotoxin detection. The present study was designed using a synthetic gene approach. The synthetic gene encoding the catalytic domain of BoNT serotype B from amino acids 1-450 was constructed with PCR overlapping primers (BoNT/B LC), cloned in a pQE30 UA vector, and expressed in an E. coli M15 host system. Recombinant protein production was optimized at 0.5 mM IPTG final concentration, 4 h post induction, resulting in a maximum yield of recombinant proteins. The immunogenic nature of the recombinant BoNT/B LC protein was evaluated by ELISA. Antibodies were raised in BALB/c mice using various adjuvants. A significant rise in antibody titer (p<0.05) was observed in the Alum group, followed by the Titermax Classic group, Freund's adjuvant, and the Titermax Gold group. These developed high-titer antibodies may prove useful for the detection of botulinum neurotoxins in food and clinical samples.

• 대한의용생체공학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 대한의용생체공학회 1996년도 춘계학술대회
• /
• pp.91-96
• /
• 1996

광반응을 이용하여 fibrinolytic 활성을 보이는 LK (lumbrokinase)를 생체재료인 PU (polyurethane) 표면에 고정화하는 방법에 관하여 연구하였다. 먼저 PU표면에 amino 작용기를 도입하기 위하여 side chain 작용기로 phenylazide 와 amino작용기를 갖는 AzPhPAL을 이용하였으며 광반응은 266nm 이상의 UV light을 약 1분간 조사시키는 방법을 이용하였다. LK를 amino작용기가 유도된 PU 표면에 공유결합시키기 위하여 amide결합 형성시 사용되는 수용성 carbodiimide인 EDC를 이용하였다. ESCA측정시, AzPhPAL으로 공유결합시킨 경우 반응하지 않은 PU표면에 비하여 N/C가 0.1717로, LK 고정시 S/C가 0.0043로 증가된것을 알 수 있었다. 이것으로부터 AzPhPAL과 LK가 PU표면에 공유결합된 것을 확인할 수 있었으며 static contact angle 측정으로 표면개질된 PU표면이 소수성에서 친수성으로 변화된 것을 확인 할 수 있었다. 또한 공유결합된 LK의 활성을 확인하기 위하여 fibrin plate test를 실시하였는데 그 결과 고정화된 후에도 LK의 활성이 존재함을 알 수 있었다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제22권3호
• /
• pp.349-360
• /
• 2018

Autophagy has been studied as a therapeutic strategy for cardiovascular diseases. However, insufficient studies have been reported concerning the influence of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) through autophagy regulation. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of VSMCs on the regulation of autophagy under in vitro conditions similar to vascular status of the equipped micro-tubule target agent-eluting stent and increased release of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB). Cell viability and proliferation were measured using MTT and cell counting assays. Immunofluorescence using an $anti-{\alpha}-tubulin$ antibody was performed to determine microtubule dynamic formation. Cell apoptosis was measured by cleavage of caspase-3 using western blot analysis, and by nuclear fragmentation using a fluorescence assay. Autophagy activity was assessed by microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-II (LC-II) using western blot analysis. Levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured using $H_2DCFDA$. The proliferation and viability of VSMCs were inhibited by microtubule regulation. Additionally, microtubule-regulated and PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMCs increased the cleavage of caspase-3 more than only the microtubule-regulated condition, similar to that of LC3-II, implying autophagy. Inhibitory autophagy of microtubule-regulated and PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMCs resulted in low viability. However, enhancement of autophagy maintained survival through the reduction of ROS. These results suggest that the apoptosis of conditioned VSMCs is decreased by the blocking generation of ROS via the promotion of autophagy, and proliferation is also inhibited. Thus, promoting autophagy as a therapeutic target for vascular restenosis and atherosclerosis may be a good strategy.