• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.134-142
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• 2018

Organ growth is fundamental to animal development. One of major mechanisms for growth control is mediated by the conserved Hippo signaling pathway initially identified in Drosophila. The core of this pathway in Drosophila consists of a cascade of protein kinases Hippo and Warts that negatively regulate transcriptional coactivator Yorkie (Yki). Activation of Yki promotes cell survival and proliferation to induce organ growth. A key issue in Hippo signaling is to understand how core kinase cascade is activated. Activation of Hippo kinase cascade is regulated in the upstream by at least two transmembrane proteins Crumbs and Fat that act in parallel. These membrane proteins interact with additional factors such as FERM-domain proteins Expanded and Merlin to modulate subcellular localization and function of the Hippo kinase cascade. Hippo signaling is also influenced by cytoskeletal networks and cell tension in epithelia of developing organs. These upstream events in the regulation of Hippo signaling are only partially understood. This review focuses on our current understanding of some upstream processes involved in Hippo signaling in developing Drosophila organs.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2008.11b
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• pp.2688-2691
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• 2008

This study addresses a microfluidic method to uniformly form diacetylene (DA) liposomes and control their size. DA liposomes are biochemical sensor materials with a unique property such that when they are polymerized to polydiacetylene (PDA) they exhibit non-fluorescent blue to fluorescent red phase transition upon chemical or thermal stress. The liposome size and distribution are important because they significantly affect the phase transition. So far, DA Liposomes, have been prepared by mixing of bulk phases leading to heterogeneous, polydisperse distribution in size. Therefore, additional post-processes are required such as sonication or membrane extrusion to obtain an appropriate size of liposomes. Here, we report a novel strategy using a microfluidic chip and hydrodynamic focusing to form DA liposomes and control their size. Preliminary results obtained by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) show that the microfluidic strategy generates more monodispersed liposomes than a bulk method.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.323-333
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• 2015

As sessile organisms, plants are exposed to persistently changing stresses and have to be able to interpret and respond to them. The stresses, drought, salinity, chemicals, cold and hot temperatures, and various pathogen attacks have interconnected effects on plants, resulting in the disruption of protein homeostasis. Maintenance of proteins in their functional native conformations and preventing aggregation of non-native proteins are important for cell survival under stress. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) functioning as molecular chaperones are the key components responsible for protein folding, assembly, translocation, and degradation under stress conditions and in many normal cellular processes. Plants respond to pathogen invasion using two different innate immune responses mediated by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) or resistance (R) proteins. HSPs play an indispensable role as molecular chaperones in the quality control of plasma membrane-resident PRRs and intracellular R proteins against potential invaders. Here, we specifically discuss the functional involvement of cytosolic and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) HSPs/chaperones in plant immunity to obtain an integrated understanding of the immune responses in plant cells.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.600-614
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• 2011

Classical methods which used for removal of heavy metals from contaminated water are adsorption, precipitation, coagulation, ion exchange resin, evaporation, and membrane processes. Microbial biosorption can be used for the removal of contaminated waters with pollutants such as heavy metals and dyes which are not easily biodegradable. Microbial biosorbents are inexpensive, eco friendly and more effective for the removal of toxic metals from aqueous solution. In this review, the bacterial and fungal abilities for heavy metals ions removal are emphasized. Environmental factors which affect biosorption process are also discussed. A detailed description for the most common isotherm and kinetic models are presented. This article reviews the achievements and the current status of bacterial and fungal biosorption technology for heavy metals removal and provides insights for further researches.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.96-107
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• 2009

Lactophoricin (LPcin-I) is a cationic amphipathic peptide with 23-mer peptide, and corresponds to the carboxy terminal 113-135 region of Component-3 of proteose-peptone. LPcin-I is a good candidate as a peptide antibiotic, because it has an antibacterial activity, but no hemolytic activity. On the other hand, its shorter analog (LPcin-II), which corresponds to the 119-135 region of PP3, has no antibacterial activity. In order to understand the structure-activity relationship under the membrane environments, we succeed to produce large amounts of LPcin-I and LPcin-II peptides. Peptides were over expressed in the form of fusion protein in Escherichia coli, and purified with several chromatography techniques. In this paper, we introduce the optimizing processes of purification and NMR measurement.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.1258-1267
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• 1997

Corbon dioxide id effective for extending the shelf-life of perishable foods by retarding microbial growth. The overall effect of carbon dioxide is to increase both the lag phase and generation time of microorganisms. However, the role of carbon dioxide in affecting the growth and metabolism of any given microorganisms is not clear yet, although its inhibitory effect is generally found at moderate to high concentrations. Systematic studies of the effects of carbon dioxide on microorganisms are therefore warranted. It is also necessary to understand the role of carbon dioxide in the preservation of foods as well as the control by carbon dioxide of fermentations of biotechnological importance. In this review, the antimicrobial effect of carbon dioxide on microorganisms is investigated in terms of its gas and solution properties, inhibition of microbial growth and specific metabolic processes, perturbation of membrane structure.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.73-78
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• 2020

Cancer incidence has been increasing steadily and is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Gastric cancer is still most common malignancy in Korea. Cancer initiation and progression are multistep processes involving various growth factors and their ligands. Among these growth factors, we have studied hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which is associated with cell proliferation and invasion, leading to cancer and metastasis, especially in gastric cancer. We explored the intercellular communication between HGF and other surface membrane receptors in gastric cancer cell lines. Using complimentary deoxyribonucleic acid microarray technology, we found new genes associated with HGF in the stomach cancer cell lines, NUGC-3 and MKN-28, and identified their function within the HGF pathway. The HGF/N-methyl-N'-nitroso-guanidine human osteosarcoma transforming gene (c-MET) axis interacts with several molecules including E-cadherin, urokinase plasminogen activator, KiSS-1, Jun B, and lipocalin-2. This pathway may affect cell invasion and metastasis or cell apoptosis and is therefore associated with tumorigenesis and metastasis in gastric cancer.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.160-164
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• 1998

The NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase (NCBR), a mitochondrial external electron carrier, was purified from bovine heart and turnip and their properties were examined. The mitochondrial outer membranes separated were subjected to NCBR isolation through DEAE-Cellulose ion exchange, DEAE-Sephadex gel chromatography, and hydroxyapatite adsorption chromatography. These processes yielded the purification folds of 88 and 42 and the recovery percentages of 0.2%, 5.67% for turnip and bovine heart, respectively. The molecular weight of the NCBR from the two sources was estimated to be 35,000 using SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The Michaelis constant Km and maximum velocity Vmax were determined by measuring the NADH-ferricyanide redox system as well as the NADPH-ferricyanide redox system. The kinetics showed that both NCBRs had higher affinities for NADH than artificial electron-acceptor substrate ferricyanide. Although NADPH had a lower affinity for the enzymes than NADH, this study showed the 2'-phosphate dinucleotide could be used as a substrate.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.102.1-102.1
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• 2003

Phospholipase A$_2$(PLA$_2$) catalyzes the hydrolysis of the sn-2 position of membrane glycerophospholipids to liberate arachidonic acid(AA), a precursor of eicosanoids including prostaglandins(PGs) and leukotrienes (LTs). The same reaction also produces lyso-phospholipids. So far, at least 19 enzymes that possess PLA2 activity have been identified, consists of low-molecular-weight, Ca$\^$2+/-requiring, secretory enzymes that have been implicated in a number of biological processes, such as modification of eicosanoid generation, inflammation, host defense, and atherosclerosis. (omitted)

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.226.2-226.2
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• 2003

.The healing of a bone defect is complex, and involves a wide range of cellular, molecular, physiological, and biological processes. The main effect of bone substitute is to promote wound healing by induce cell proliferation. Bone defect sites usually are localized below the original bone surface; therefore, space production and maintenance between the membrane and the original bone surface is essential. As a result, membranes must have proper mechanical strength to prevent the collapse of the soft tissue and maintain wound space that permits membranes of poly (L-lactide) (PLLA) were fabricated to provide and maintain sufficient space for bone growth. (omitted)