• Molecules and Cells
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.566-571
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• 2008

Calcineurin (Cn) is a calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine/threonine protein phosphatase that has diverse functions in different cell types and organisms. We screened proteins interacting with the C. elegans CnA homolog, TAX-6, by the yeast two-hybrid system. CNP-3 (Calcineurin interacting protein-3) is a novel protein that physically interacts with the catalytic domain of TAX-6. It is strongly expressed in the nuclei of intestine, hypodermis, dorsal uterine regions and spermatheca. Expression begins around the 60-cell stage and proceeds during all larval stages and the adult. To elucidate the biological function of cnp-3 we isolated a cnp-3 deletion mutant. Since CNP-3 binds CnA, we looked at factors associated with calcineurin loss-of-function mutants, such as brood size, body size, serotonin- and levamisole-mediated egg-laying behavior. The cnp-3(jh145) single mutant had no gross defects compared to wild-type animal. However, the phenotypes of the double mutants, tax-6(p675);cnp-3(jh145) and cnb-1(jh103);cnp-3(jh145), were more severe in terms of brood size, body size and serotonin-mediated egg-laying defects than tax-6(p675) and cnb-1(jh103), respectively. These results suggest that dysfunction of cnp-3 enhances certain calcineurin loss-of-function phenotypes in C. elegans.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.269-277
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• 2005

Objectives: Previously, we sought to compile a list of genes expressed during early folliculogenesis by using cDNA microarray to investigate follicular gene expression and changes during primordialprimary follicle transition and development of secondary follicles (Yoon et al., 2005). Among those genes, a group of genes related to the cell size growth was characterized during the ovarian development in the present study. Methods: We determined ovarian expression pattern of six genes related to the cell size growth (cyr61, emp1, fhl1, socs2, wig1 and wisp1) and extended into CCN family (${\underline{c}}onnective$ tissue growth factor/${\underline{c}}ysteine$-rich 61/${\underline{n}}ephroblastoma$-overexpressed), ctgf, nov, wisp2, wisp3, including cyr61 and wisp1 genes. Expression of mRNA and protein according to the ovarian developmental stage was evaluated by in situ hybridization, and/or semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results: Among 6 genes related to the cell size growth, cyr61 and wisp1 mRNA was detected only in oocytes in the postnatal day5 mouse ovaries. cyr61 mRNA expression was limited to the nucleolus of oocytes, while wisp1 was expressed in the cytoplasm and nucleolus of oocytes, except nucleus. cyr61 mRNA expression, however, was found in granulosa cells from secondary follicles. The rest 4 genes in the cell size growth group were detected in oocytes, granulosa and theca cells. Cyr61 and Wisp1 proteins were expressed in the oocyte cytoplasm from primordial follicle stage. Especially, Cyr61 protein was detected in pre-granulosa cells, Wisp1 protein was not. By using RT-PCR, we evaluated and decided that Cyr61 protein is produced by their own mRNA in pre-granulosa cells that was not detected by in situ hybridization. cyr61 and wisp1 genes are happen to be the CCN family members. The other members of CCN family were also studied, but their expression was detected in oocytes, granulose and theca cells. Conclusions: We firstly characterized the ovarian expression of genes related to the cell size growth and CCN family according to the early folliculogenesis. Cyr61 protein expression in the pre-granulosa cells is profound in meaning. Further functional analysis for cyr61 in early folliculogenesis is under investigation.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.1315-1320
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• 2011

Whey protein (WP) is a mixture of proteins, and is of high nutritional values. WP has become an important source of functional ingredients in various health-promoting foods. In this study, size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AsFlFFF) were used for separation and analysis of whey proteins. It was found that a lab-prepared WP from raw milk is mostly of ${\beta}$-lactoglobulin with small amount of higher molecular weight components, while a commercial whey protein isolate (WPI) powder contains relatively larger amount of components other than ${\beta}$-lactoglobulin, including IgG and protein aggregates. Results suggest that AsFlFFF provides higher resolution for the major whey proteins than SEC in their normal operation conditions. AsFlFFF could differentiate the BSA and Albumin, despite a small difference in their molecular weights, and also was able to separate much smaller amount of aggregates from monomers. It is noted that SEC was able to show the presence of low molecular weight components other than the major whey proteins in the WP samples, which AsFlFFF could not show, probably due to the partial loss of those low molecular weight species through the membrane.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.122-127
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• 2005

A size exclusion chromatography (SEC) process, in the presence of denaturant in the refolding buffer was developed to refold recombinant human $interferon-\gamma$ ($rhIFN-\gamma$) at a high concentration. The $rhlFN-\gamma$ was overexpressed in E. coli resulting in the formation of inactive inclusion bodies (IBs). The IBs were first solubilized in 8 M urea as the denaturant, and then the refolding process performed by decreasing the urea concentration on the SEC column to suppress protein aggregation. The effects of the urea concentration, protein loading mode and column height during the refolding step were investigated. The combination of the buffer-exchange effect of SEC and a moderate urea concentration in the refolding buffer resulted in an efficient route for producing correctly folded $rhIFN-\gamma$, with protein recovery of $67.1\%$ and specific activity up to $1.2\times10^7\;IU/mg$.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.332-340
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• 2016

Seed size traits are controlled by multiple genes in crops and determine grain yield, quality and appearance. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling the size of plant seeds remain unclear. We performed functional analysis of BrPATL4 encoding Sec14-like protein to determine the genetic architecture of seed size, shape and their association analyses. We used 60 $T_3$ transgenic rice lines to evaluate seed length, seed width and seed height as seed size traits, and the ratios of these values as seed shape traits. Pleiotropic effects on general architecture included small seed size, erect panicles, decreased grain weight, reduced plant height and increased sterility, which are common to other mutants deficient in gibberellic acid (GA) biosynthesis. To test whether BrPATL4 overexpression is deleterious for GA signal transduction, we compared the relative expression of GA related gene and the growth rate of second leaf sheath supplied with exogenous $GA_3$. Overexpression of BrPATL4 did not affect GA biosynthesis or signaling pathway, with the same response shown under GA treatment compared to the wild type. However, the causal genes for the small seed phenotype (D1, SRS1, and SRS5) and the erection of panicles showed significantly decreased levels in mRNA accumulation compared to the wild type. These results suggest that the overexpression of BrPATL4 can control seed size through the suppression of those genes related to seed size regulation. Although the molecular function of BrPATL4 is not clear for small seed and erect panicles of BrPALT4 overexpression line, this study provides some clues about the genetic engineering of rice seed architecture.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.113-125
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• 1969

These experiments were designed to study the influence of early protein undernutrition on growth, behaviors toward food, general attitude toward a new environment, brain size and body composition of the experimental rats. The following experimental groups were studied. Lactation period (3 weeks) (Diets of mother rats) 25% Casein diet 12% Casein diet 25% Casein diet 25% Casein diet 12% Casein diet 12% Casein diet After-weaning protein deprivation period None deprivation (25% Casein diet) None deprivation (25% Casein diet) 5% Casein diet (4 weeks) 5% Casein diet (8 weeks) 5% Casein diet (4 weeks) 5% Casein diet (8 weeks) After a long period of rehabilitation with 25% casein diet the following results were obtained. 1. Growth rate during lactation period is closely related with the protein levels of the diet for mother rats. The average body weight of offsprings of the mother rat fed 25% casein diet is 46.0 grams at 21 days old. However, that of the mother rat fed 12% casein diet is only 25.0 grams. 2. The group of protein undernutrition during lactation (S weeks) (offsprings of mother rat fed low protein diet, 12% casein diet) could never catch up with the normal group in its growth even after twenty-four (24) weeks of rehabilitation. 3. However, the groups of protein undernutrition during either four (4) or even eight (8) weeks after weaning could catch up with the normal group in their growth after long period of rehabilitation. 4. The absolute amounts of carcass protein and fat of the normal group are larger than those of the protein deficient groups. In terms of percent carcass, however, the normal group showed higher body fat and lower body protein than the early deficient groups. However, there is no difference between preweaning (3 weeks) and postweaning (8 weeks) deficient groups. It is assumed, from these differences in body composition, that there might be any differences in physiological and metabolic functions among these various groups, and also that the basic formation of various metabolic regulators (protein-nature) might be fixed mostly during lactation and postweaning period. 5. The groups of protein undernutrition during either three (3) weeks lactation or four (4) weeks after weaning are not so remarkably different from the normal group in their amounts of food intake and spillage. However, the groups of undernutrition during either eight (8) weeks postweaning or eleven (11) weeks (3 weeks lactation period plus 8 weeks postweaning period) showed higher amounts of food intake and spillage. In these respects, it seems that desire for food is closely related with the degree of early hunger in protein and also seems that the longer be deficient in early life the more food spillage is found. 6. Both preweaning and postweaning deficient groups showed generally nervous and restless. The normal group is staid and showed less mobilities. 7. The average size of the brains of the group subjected to protein deficiency during three (3) weeks lactation period is smaller than that of the group of the eight (8) weeks postweaning deficiency. This means that the development of the brain is made mostly during lactation period. The group of the eleven (11) weeks postnatal deficiency is significantly different from the normal group in its brain development. It is assumed, in connection with the results of various maze tests reported, that the brain size is closely related with the intellectual ability.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.173-179
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• 1996

The gene encoding gIII of bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) PQ strain was cloned and expressed in baculovirus. Although the gIII gene is located in Hind III I fragment as the case of the other BHV-1 strains, differences in size and restriction endonuclease site within the fragment were identified. The gIII expression was predominantly detected on the surface on insect cells by indirect immunofluoresecnce assay using monoclonal antibody. The western blotting analysis also revealed the presence of expressed protein of a similar molecular size to the original gIII protein. The immunogenicity of expressed protein were tested in guinea pigs. The immunized guinea pigs with expressed protein developed the neutralizing antibodies against BHV-1.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.509-514
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• 2003

We performed the experiment to determine the effective factors, such as the initial concentration of protein, pore size of air distributor, SAV (superficial air velocity), pH, salts and temperature related to foaming characteristics. The foam height in a foam generator was increased with the increase of the initial protein concentration and the decrease of pore size. As SAV was increased, the foam height was increased, and the optimum SAV was 0.84 cm/sec. The foam height was highest in the acid region and it was increased with the increase of salt concentration of NaCl and $NaHCO_3.$ The removal efficiencies of TSS (total suspended solid) and turbidity decreased with the increase of the initial protein concentration in the batch foam separator.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.63-71
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• 1995

Defatted sesame flour is the by-products obtained after oil extracting process. Although this flour has high quality and quantity of protein its use is limited only for animal feed and fertilization. Sesame seeds contain antinutrients such as oxalate, phytate and phenol compounds and these compounds lower their nutritive value. recently, ultrafiltration(UF) has been used to concentrate protein from various food sources. This study was carried out to examine the effects of UF with different membrane pore size on the components of sesame protein concentrates including antinutrients and to compare with that of conventional acid-precipitated sesame protein isolate. The protein contents of sesame protein concentrates prepared by JF using 10K, 30K, 100K were 84.2%, 82.7%, 76.4% and the protein yields were 36.44%, 34.69, 31.43% and the protein contents was 88.7% Alkali extraction process at pH 9.0 followed by UF technique reduced oxalate and phytate content. There were 85% and 94% reduction of oxalate and phytate content by UF with membrane pore size of 100K daltons, respectively. However, the content of total phenol compounds was not reduced by this method. About 99% of calcium and 50% of zinc were removed by UF with membrane of 100K daltons. total essential amino acid contents of sesame protein concentrates prepared by UF were decreased slightly when compared with acid-precipitated sesame protein concentrate.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the cerebral infarction size, antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation changes after 6 weeks of dietary soybean protein intake in a rat focal brain ischemia model. Method: Weaning Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with either modified AIN-93G diet containing casein 20% (control), 20% soybean protein isolate-based diet (S20), or 40% of soybean protein isolate-based diet (S40) for 6 weeks. The animals were subject to right middle cerebral artery occlusion for 2 hr. After 24 hr of recirculation, the rats were sacrificed. Antioxidant enzymes activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) level in the right brain were also measured. Result: There were no significant differences in the right cortical infarction volume, TBARS level, SOD and CAT activities among the three groups whereas the GPx activities of the S20 group were significantly higher than those of the control group (p=.02). Conclusion: Our results suggest that 20% of soybean protein may have a modulating effect on GPx and possibly have some protective effect against oxidative stress although it may enough to decrease cerebral infarction volume in rat focal brain ischemia model.