• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.8-16
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• 2010

The phytopathogenic fungus Magnaporthe oryzae is a major limiting factor in rice production. To understand the genetic basis of M. oryzae pathogenic development, we previously analyzed a library of T-DNA insertional mutants of M. oryzae, and identified ATMT0879A1 as one of the pathogenicity-defective mutants. Molecular analyses and database searches revealed that a single TDNA insertion in ATMT0879A1 resulted in functional interference with an annotated gene, MGG00056, which encodes a short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR). The mutant and annotated gene were designated as $MoSDR1^{T-DNA}$ and MoSDR1, respectively. Like other SDR family members, MoSDR1 possesses both a cofactor-binding motif and a catalytic site. The expression pattern of MoSDR1 suggests that the gene is associated with pathogenicity and plays an important role in M. oryzae development. To understand the roles of MoSDR1, the deletion mutant ${\Delta}Mosdr1$ for the gene was obtained via homology-dependent gene replacement. As expected, ${\Delta}Mosdr1$ was nonpathogenic; moreover, the mutant displayed pleiotropic defects in conidiation, conidial germination, appressorium formation, penetration, and growth inside host tissues. These results suggest that MoSDR1 functions as a key metabolic enzyme in the regulation of development and pathogenicity in M. oryzae.

• BMB Reports
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.397-402
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• 1997

A thiol-specific spin label was attached to cysteine-102 of yeast cytochrome c and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra were measured as a function of added cytochrome c oxidase concentration. The intensity decreased due to line broadening as cytochrome c formed a complex with cytochrome c oxidase and reached a minimum when the ratio of cytochrome c to cytochrome c oxidase became one. Replacement of either Lys-72 or Lys-87 of cytochrome c by Glu did not result in a significant change in binding affinity. Interestingly the K72E mutant, unlike K87E, had a much lower rate of electron transfer than the wild type. These results indicate that many positively charged residues as a group participate in complex formation but Lys-72 might be important for cytochrome c to be locked in an orientation for an efficient electron transfer. A stoichiometry of 1 was also confirmed by optical absorption of the cytochrome c-cytochrome c oxidase complex which had been run through a gel chromatography cloumn to remove unbound cytochrome c. The EPR spectrum of this 1:1 complex, however, was a mixture of two components. This explains a biphasic kinetics for a single binding site on cytochrome c oxidase without invoking conformational transition.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.259-269
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• 2012

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), a family of serine/threonine protein phosphatases, plays an important role in balancing the phosphorylation status of cellular proteins for regulating diverse biological functions in eukaryotic organisms. Despite intensive studies in mammals, limited information on its role is available in filamentous fungi. Here, we investigated the functional roles of genes for a putative B' delta regulatory subunit (FgPP2AR) and a catalytic subunit (FgPP2AC) of PP2A in a filamentous ascomycete, Fusarium graminearum. Molecular characterization of an insertional mutant of this plant pathogenic fungus allowed us to identify the roles of FgPP2AR. Targeted gene replacement and complementation analyses demonstrated that the deletion of FgPP2AR, which was constitutively expressed in all growth stages, caused drastic changes in hyphal growth, conidia morphology/germination, gene expression for mycotoxin production, sexual development and pathogenicity. In particular, overproduction of aberrant cylindrical-shaped conidia is suggestive of arthroconidial induction in the ${\Delta}FgPP2AR$ strain, which has never been described in F. graminearum. In contrast, the ${\Delta}FgPP2AC$ strain was not significantly different from its wild-type progenitor in conidiation, trichothecene gene expression, and pathogenicity; however, it showed reduced hyphal growth and no perithecial formation. The double-deletion ${\Delta}FgPP2AR;{\Delta}FgPP2AC$ strain had more severe defects than single-deletion strains in all examined phenotypes. Taken together, our results indicate that both the putative regulatory and catalytic subunits of PP2A are involved in various cellular processes for fungal development in F. graminearum.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.373-382
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• 2020

Candidatus Carsonella ruddii is an endosymbiont that resides in specialized cells within the body cavity of plant sap-feeding insects called psyllids. The establishment of symbiotic associations is considered one of the key factors for the evolutionary success of psyllids, as it may have helped them adapt to imbalanced food resources like plant sap. Although C. ruddii is defined as a psyllid primary symbiont, the genes for some essential amino acid pathways are absent. Complete genome sequences of several C. ruddii strains have been published. However, in-depth intra-species comparison of C. ruddii strains has not yet been done. This study therefore aimed to perform a comparative genome analysis of six C. ruddii strains, allowing the interrogation of phylogenetic group, functional category of genes, and biosynthetic pathway analysis. Accordingly, overall genome size, number of genes, and GC content of C. ruddii strains were reduced. Phylogenetic analysis based on the whole genome proteomes of 30 related bacterial strains revealed that the six C. ruddii strains form a cluster in same clade. Biosynthetic pathway analysis showed that complete sets of genes for biosynthesis of essential amino acids, except tryptophan, are absent in six C. ruddii strains. All genes for tryptophan biosynthesis are present in three C. ruddii strains (BC, BT, and YCCR). It is likely that the host may depend on a secondary symbiont to complement its deficient diet. Overall, it is therefore possible that C. ruddii is being driven to extinction and replacement by new symbionts.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.9
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• pp.677-684
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• 2017

Postmenopausal atrophic vagina (PAV) is the thinning of the walls of the vagina and decreased lugae of the vagina. PAV is caused by decreased estrogen levels in postmenopausal women. However, the harmful effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have resulted in considerable caution in its use. Various estrogen agonist treatment options are available. Vitamin D is influences the regulation of differentiation and proliferation of various cells, especially tissues lining stratified squamous epithelium, such as the vaginal epithelium. In this study, we hypothesized that vitamin D could provide an alternative and a safe treatment option for PAV by promoting the proliferation and differentiation of the vaginal epithelium. Thirty six patients were enrolled in this case-control study. Vitamin D associated proteins in a vitamin D and sex hormone treated vaginal epithelial cell line as well as normal and PAV tissues were measured. To confirm of cell-to-cell junction protein expression, cell line and tissue studies included RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry staining, and immunoblot analyses. The expression of cell-to-cell junction proteins was higher in women with symptoms of atrophic vagina tissue compared to women without the symptoms. Vitamin D stimulated the proliferation of the vaginal epithelium by activating p-RhoA and Erzin through the vitamin D receptor (VDR). The results suggest that vitamin D positively regulates cell-to-cell junction by increasing the VDR/p-RhoA/p-Ezrin pathway. This is the first study to verify the relationship of the expression of RhoA and Ezrin proteins in vaginal tissue of PAV.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.173-173
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• 2003

With the introduction of DNA microarrays, a high throughput analysis of gene expression is now possible as a replacement to the traditional time-consuming Southern-blot analysis. This cDNA microarray should be ahighly favored technology in the area of molecular toxicology or analysis of environmental stresses.In this study, therefore, we developed a novel cDNA microarray for analyzing stress-specific responses in japanese Medaka fish. In the design and fabrication of this stress specific functional cDNA microarray, 123 different genes in Medaka fish were selected from eighteen different stress responsive groups and spotted on a 25${\times}$75 mm glass surface. After exposure of the fish to bisphenol A which is the one of the well-known endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), over 1 or 10 days, the responses of the DNA chip were found to show distinct expression patterns according to the mode of toxic actions from environmental toxicants. As a results, they showed specific gene expression pattern to bisphenol A, additionally, the chemical spesific biomarkers could be suggested based on the chip analysis data. Therefore, this chip can be used to monitor stress responses of unknown and/or known toxic chemicals using Medaka fish and may be used for the further development of biomarkers by utilizing the gene expression patterns for known contaminants.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.86-90
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• 2003

An 8-month-old male infant presented with persistent, gross, orange-colored crystals in his urine. His physical and neurological development was normal. Laboratory study showed hyperuricemia, hyperuricosuria and urate crystaluria. He was determined to have partial hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase(HPRT) deficiency. The molecular genetic analysis revealed a missense mutation in the patient's HPRT gene. By sequencing the patient's cDNA, we identified an A-to-G transition at nucleotide 239, resulting in the replacement of Aspartate with Glycine at amino acid 80 in the HPRT. To our knowledge, this mutation has not previously been reported. Our patient is now being placed on allopurinol therapy, and has had no problem since. Partial HPRT deficiency has been known to cause recurrent acute renal failure without the phenotypic features of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. Therefore, we think that early diagnosis and treatment are very crucial in preventing acute renal failure.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.08a
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• pp.189-189
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• 2011

인공관절은 노인성 질환이나 자가 면역질환, 신체적인 외상 등으로 인하여 발생하는 관절의 손상 부위를 대체하기 위해 고안된 관절의 인공 대용물이다. 인공 관절 중 인공 고관절의 경우 관절 운동을 하는 라이너(Liner)와 헤드(Head) 부분이 인공관절의 수명을 결정하게 되는데, 헤드 부분에 메탈소재와 라이너 부분에 고분자 소재를 사용하는 MOP (metal on polymer) 구조의 인공관절은 충격흡수의 장점이 있는 반면 wear debris에 의한 골용해로 인하여 관절이 느슨해지는 문제점이 발생하여 재 시술의 주요 원인이 되고 있다. 또한 메탈 헤드의 마모로 인한 금속이온의 용출은 세포 독성의 문제를 야기하여 인공관절의 수명을 낮추는 또 하나의 요인이 되고 있다. 따라서 인공관절의 수명을 늘리기 위해 DLC, ZrO, TiN 등의 높은 경도 값을 갖는 박막을 금속 헤드 위에 증착하여 상대재인 인공관절용 고분자 소재의 마모량을 줄이고자 하는 연구가 활발하게 진행 되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 PIII&D (Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation & Deposition)공정을 이용하여 Co-Cr-Mo 합금 소재 niobium nitride (NbN) 박막을 증착하여 상대제인 UHMWPE (ultra high molecular polyethylene)의 마모를 줄이고자 하는 연구를 진행하였다. 마모량을 감소시키기 위하여, 박막 증착전에 질소를 이온주입하는 pre-ion implantation 공정을 도입하였으며, 또한 Co-Cr 합금과 NbN박막 사이의 접착력을 증가시키기 위하여 박막의 증착 초기에 이온주입과 증착을 동시에 수행하는 dynamic ion mixing공정을 수행하였다. NbN 박막의 특성을 평가하기 위해 XRD, XPS, AFM 등의 분석을 수행하였으며, 상대재인 초고분자량 폴리에틸렌의 마모량을 측정하기 위해 Pin-on-disk tester를 이용하여 마모 실험을 진행하였다. 마모 실험 결과, pre-ion implantation 공정을 도입한 경우 현재 상용화 되어있는 Co-Cr 합금에 비하여 마모량을 2배 이상 감소시키는 것을 확인 할 수 있었으며, dynamic ion mixing 공정을 도입한 경우 장시간의 마모 시험에 대한 마모 특성이 향상 되는 것을 확인 할 수 있었다.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.6-16
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• 1998

Ceramides are currently emerging as the major skin care ingredients due to !heir barrier properties in the stratum corneum of the human skin. Thus, major cosmetic companies have developed synthetic ceramide analogs for their own use. In this study, several ceramide mimic compounds , new skin barrier lipids, were designed and synthesized, and their physical and biological properties were investigated to evaluate their skin care capability. Several structures were designed from the variation of hydrophobic alkyl chain and hydrophilic moiety by the use of molecular modeling software. The selected targets were synthesized, and their properties and activities were studied as the pure form, in the emulsion, or in the lamellar mixture containing cholesterol and fatty acid. Some compounds, such as 1,3-bis(N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-palmitoylamino)-2-hydroxypropane, enhanced the restoration of skin barrier damaged by SDS(sodium dodecyl sulfate), and by acetone treatment. The rate of restoration was comparable to that of natural ceramides. The synthesized compounds alleviated SDS induced skin irritation and facilitated lamellar phase liquid crystal formation. The treatment of 1,3-Dis(N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-palmitoylam ino)-2-hyd roxypropane on the acetone damaged skin revealed that the compound promoted the recovery of intercellular lipid lamellar structure of stratum corneum layer. The replacement of palmitoyl groups of the compound with shorter alkyl chain gave lower emulsion viscosity and liquid crystal density, suggesting easier formulation and poorer barrier activity. Most of the synthesized compounds were non-irritable in various toxicological tests proving that they can be safely introduced to the skin care formulations.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.165-173
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• 1994

In this paper we have described the structural characterization of recombinant bovine somatotropin produced in Escherichia coli. Recombinant bovine somatotropin consists of 191 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular weight of 21,802 Da. For fragmentation of recombinant bovine somatotropin, we have used trypsin, Staphylococcus aureus V8 pretease, CNBr, and mild acid hydrolysis method. Digestion and cleavage with these proteases and chemicals yielded peptides of various size for amino acid sequence determination. The N-terminal sequence analysis was carried out up to thirty residues. Because the design of the recombinant bovine somatotropin gene for expression was such that the coding sequence begins with an initiation codon, AUG, before Ala, the first amino acid of bovine somatotropin, we could expect the initial amino acid as N-formyl Met. But the first amino acid of this protein, expressed in E. coli cells as inclusion bodies, was Ala. And the amino acid composition of RP-HPLC purified recombinant bovine somatotropin was determined and no essencial difference was observed. The amino acid sequence of the recombinant bovine somatotropin was identical to that predicted from its recombinant gene. There was no processing or replacement of amino acid residues in recombinant bovine somatotropin expressed in E. coli. The hydropathy plot of recombinant bovine somatotropin revealed a hydrophobic region at the NH2-terminus and hydrophilic region at the COOH-terminus. The E. coli expression system is thought to be valuable for the expression of recombinant bovine somatotropin because protein was processed to remove the N-terminal Met residue by methionyl-aminopeptidase autonomously.