• Development and Reproduction
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.279-291
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• 2021

Hair loss is one of the most common chronic diseases, with a detrimental effect on a patient's psychosocial life. Hair loss results from damage to the hair follicle (HF) and/or hair regeneration cycle. Various damaging factors, such as hereditary, inflammation, and aging, impair hair regeneration by inhibiting the activation of hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) and dermal papilla cells (DPCs). Formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2) regulates the inflammatory response and the activity of various types of stem cells, and has recently been reported to have a protective effect on hair loss. Given that stem cell activity is the driving force for hair regeneration, we hypothesized that FPR2 influences hair regeneration by mediating HFSC activity. To prove this hypothesis, we investigated the role of FPR2 in hair regeneration using Fpr2 knockout (KO) mice. Fpr2 KO mice were found to have excessive hair loss and abnormal HF structures and skin layer construction compared to wild-type (WT) mice. The levels of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) and β-catenin, which promote HF regeneration, were significantly decreased, and the expression of bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp)2/4, an inhibitor of the anagen phase, was significantly increased in Fpr2 KO mice compared to WT mice. The proliferation of HFSCs and DPCs was significantly lower in Fpr2 KO mice than in WT mice. These findings demonstrate that FPR2 impacts signaling molecules that regulate HF regeneration, and is involved in the proliferation of HFSCs and DPCs, exerting a protective effect on hair loss.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.7
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• pp.517-528
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• 2021

A recent genetic study with Brucella abortus revealed the secretion activator gene A (SagA) as an autolysin component creating pores in the peptidoglycan (PGN) layer for the type IV secretion system (T4SS) and peptidoglycan hydrolase inhibitor A (PhiA) as an inhibitor of SagA. In this study, we determined the crystal structures of both SagA and PhiA. Notably, the SagA structure contained a PGN fragment in a space between the N- and C-terminal domains, showing the substrate-dependent hinge motion of the domains. The purified SagA fully hydrolyzed the meso-diaminopimelic acid (DAP)-type PGN, showing a higher activity than hen egg-white lysozyme. The PhiA protein exhibiting tetrameric assembly failed to inhibit SagA activity in our experiments. Our findings provide implications for the molecular basis of the SagA-PhiA system of B. abortus. The development of inhibitors of SagA would further contribute to controlling brucellosis by attenuating the function of T4SS, the major virulence factor of Brucella.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.118-126
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• 2010

The fibrous material fraction as a by-product from the commercial aloe vera gel processing was obtained and freeze dried. The physicochemical characteristics such as the proximate composition, crystalline/surface structures and several physical functionalities including the water holding capacity (WHC), swelling capacity (SW), oil holding capacity (OHC), emulsion/foam properties and viscosity properties of this powdered sample (100 mesh) were investigated and analyzed by comparison with commercial $\alpha$-cellulose as a reference sample. The total dietary fiber content of powdered sample was very high as much as 87.5%, and the insoluble dietary and soluble dietary fiber content ratios were 77.6 and 22.4%, respectively. The FT-IR spectrum of powdered sample showed a typical polysaccharide property and exhibited a x-ray diffraction pattern for cellulose III and IV like structure. SW (8.24${\pm}$0.15 mL/g), WHC(6.40${\pm}$0.19 g water/g solid) and OHC(10.32${\pm}$0.29 g oil/g solid) of freeze dried aloe cellulose were about 3.3, 1.4 and 2 times higher than those of commercial $\alpha$-cellulose, respectively. Aloe cellulose (~2%, w/v) alone had no foam capacity while improved the foam stability of protein solution (1% albumin+0.5% $CaCl_{2}$) by factor of 300%. Emulsion capacity of 2%(w/v) aloe cellulose was about 70% level of 0.5%(w/v) xanthan gum, but its emulsion stability was about 1.2 times higher than that of xanthan gum. Also, aloe cellulose containing CMC (carboxyl methyl cellulose) of 0.3%(w/v) showed a very good dispersity. Aloe cellulose dispersion of above 1%(w/v) exhibited higher pseudoplasticity and concentration dependence than those of $\alpha$-cellulose dispersion, indicating the viscosity properties for new potential usage such as an excellent thickening agent.

• Biodesign
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.84-91
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• 2018

Spo0F is a response regulator that modulates sporulation, undergoes phosphorylation for phosphorelay signal transduction, and interacts with various regulatory proteins; however, the mechanisms through which phosphorylation induces structural changes and regulates interactions with binding partners remain unclear. Here, we determined the unphosphorylated crystal structure of Spo0F from the psychrophilic bacterium Paenisporosarcina sp. TG-14 (PaSpo0F) and established a phosphorylation-state structural model. We found that PaSpo0F underwent structural changes (Lys54 and Lys102) by phosphorylation and generated new interactions (Lys102/Gln10 and Lys54/Glu84) to stabilize the ${\beta}4/{\alpha}4$ and ${\beta}1/{\alpha}1$ loop structures, which are important target-protein binding sites. Analysis of Bacillus subtilis Spo0 variants revealed movement by BsSpo0F Thr82 and Tyr84 residues following interaction with BsSpo0B, providing insight into the movement of corresponding residues in PaSpo0F (Thr80 and Tyr82), with further analysis of BsSpo0F/BsRapH interaction revealing alterations in the ${\beta}4/{\alpha}4$ loop region. These results suggest that phosphorylation-induced structural rearrangement might be essential for PaSpo0F activation and expand the understanding of Spo0F-specific activation mechanisms during sporulation.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.136-142
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• 2020

Apolipoprotein B-100 (apo B-100), the main protein component that makes up LDL (Low density lipoprotein), consists of 4,536 amino acids and serves to combine with the LDL receptor. The oxidized LDL peptides by malondialdehyde (MDA) or acetylation in vivo were act as immunoglobulin (Ig) antigens and peptide groups were classified into 7 peptide groups with subsequent 20 amino acids (P1-P302). The biomimetic peptide P99 (KGTYG LSCQR DPNTG RLNGE) out of B-group peptides carrying the highest value of IgM antigens were selected for structural studies that may provide antigen specificity. Circular Dichroism (CD) spectra were measured for peptide secondary structure in the range of 190-260 nm. Experimental results show that P99 has pseudo α-helice and random coil structure. Homonuclear (COSY, TOCSY, NOESY) 2D-NMR experiments were carried out for NMR signal assignments and structure determination for P99. On the basis of these completely assigned NMR spectra and proton distance information, distance geometry (DG) and molecular dynamic (MD) were carried out to determine the structures of P99. The proposed structure was selected by comparisons between experimental NOE spectra and back-calculated 2D NOE results from determined structure showing acceptable agreement. The total Root-Mean-Square-Deviation (RMSD) value of P99 obtained upon superposition of all atoms were in the set range. The solution state P99 has mixed structure of pseudo α-helix and β-turn(Gln[9] to Thr[13]). These NMR results are well consistent with secondary structure from experimental results of circular dichroism. Structural studies based on NMR may contribute to the prevent oxidation studies of atherosclerosis and observed conformational characteristics of apo B-100 in LDL using monoclonal antibodies.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.191-210
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• 2021

To compare the antifungal effect of two nanomaterials (NMs), nanoparticles of zinc oxide were synthesized by a chemical route and zinc oxide-based nanobiohybrids were obtained using green synthesis in an extract of garlic (Allium sativum). The techniques of X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Infrared (IR) and Ultraviolet Visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopies and Scanning (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopies (TEM) were used to determine the characteristics of the nanomaterials synthesized. The results showed that the samples obtained were of nanometric size (< 100 nm). To compare their antifungal capacity, their effect on Cercospora sp. was evaluated. Test results showed that both nanomaterials had an antifungal capacity. The nanobiohybrids (green route) gave an inhibition of fungal growth of ~72.4% while with the ZnO-NPs (chemical route), inhibition was ~87.1%. Microstructural studies using High Resolution Optical Microscopy (HROM) and ultra-structural analysis using TEM carried out on the treated strains demonstrated the effect of the nanofungicides on the vegetative and reproductive structures, as well as on their cell wall. To account for the antifungal effect presented by ZnO-NPs and ZnO nanobiohybrids on the fungi tested, effects reported in the literature related to the action of nanomaterials on biological entities were considered. Specifically, we discuss the electrical interaction of the ZnO-NPs with the cell membrane and the biomolecules (proteins) present in the fungi, taking into account the n-type nature of the ZnO semiconductor and the electrical behavior of the fungal cell membrane and that of the proteins that make up the protein crown.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.31-39
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• 2003

The enzymatic isolation of residual lignins obtained from spruce and beech pulps (obtained by sulfite, kraft, ASAM and soda/AQ/MeOH pulping processes) and their characterization was described in previous publications. Here, the residual lignins have been submitted to potassium permanganate oxidation (KMnO₄ degradation), and 9 aromatic carboxylic acids (3 of them are dimeric) were identified after methylation with diazomethane by GC/MS. The analytical challenge during qantification by the internal standard methods was the partly high protein content of the samples, which resulted in elevated anisic acid yields in the degradation mixture of sulfite residual lignins. The results are compared with the KMnO₄ degradation of the corresponding MWLs and discussed in terms of S/G ratios and degrees of condensation. The latter was calculated as a quotient between the aromatic carboxylic acids derived from condensed and non-condensed lignin structures. Typical degradation patterns for the various processes have been observed. Among other parameter, the relative compositions between iso-hemipinic acid (which is for condensation in pos. 5 of the aromatic ring) and meta-hemipinic acid and 3,4,5-trimethoxyphthalic acid (both are for condensation in pos. 6 of the aromatic ring) was found to be process specific. Kraft and soda/AQ/MeOH residual lignins yielded higher amounts of iso-hemipinic acid. In contrast, the relative yields of meta-hemipinic acid and 3,4,5-trimethoxyphthalic acid (the latter in beech lignins) are higher in sulfite and particularly in ASAM residual lignin. In case of beech residual lignins the amount of acids originated from non-condensed syringyl type lignin units was surprisingly high. The condensation degree of residual lignins was shown to be generally higher than that of MWLs. This was especially true for the G units. ASAM residual lignin exhibited very high S/G ratios and degrees of polymerization. Causality between condensation degree and total yield of degradation products was demonstrated.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.9.1-9.15
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• 2020

Regenerative therapy holds great promise in the development of cures of some untreatable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, and pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) including induced PSCs (iPSCs) are the most important regenerative seed cells. Recently, differentiation of human PSCs into functional tissues and cells in vitro has been widely reported. However, although porcine reports are rare they are quite essential, as the pig is an important animal model for the in vitro generation of human organs. In this study, we reprogramed porcine embryonic fibroblasts into porcine iPSCs (piPSCs), and differentiated them into cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31)-positive endothelial cells (ECs) (piPSC-derived ECs, piPS-ECs) using an optimized single-layer culture method. During differentiation, we observed that a combination of GSK3β inhibitor (CHIR99021) and bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) promoted mesodermal differentiation, resulting in higher proportions of CD31-positive cells than those from separate CHIR99021 or BMP4 treatment. Importantly, the piPS-ECs showed comparable morphological and functional properties to immortalized porcine aortic ECs, which are capable of taking up low-density lipoprotein and forming network structures on Matrigel. Our study, which is the first trial on a species other than human and mouse, has provided an optimized single-layer culture method for obtaining ECs from porcine PSCs. Our approach can be beneficial when evaluating autologous EC transplantation in pig models.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.58-63
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• 2021

Apolipoprotein B-100 (apo B-100), the main protein component that makes up LDL (Low density lipoprotein), consists of 4,536 amino acids and serves to combine with the LDL receptor. The oxidized LDL peptides by malondialdehyde (MDA) or acetylation in vivo act as immunoglobulin (Ig) antigens and peptide groups were classified into 7 peptide groups with subsequent 20 amino acids (P1-P302). The biomimetic peptide P143 (IALDD AKINF NEKLS QLQTY) out of C-group peptides carrying the highest value of IgG antigens were selected for structural studies that may provide antigen specificity. Experimental results show that P143 has β-sheet in Ile[1]-Asn[9] and α-helice in Gln[16]-Tyr[20] structure. Homonuclear 2D-NMR (COSY, TOCSY, NOESY) experiments were carried out for NMR signal assignments and structure determination for P143. On the basis of these completely assigned NMR spectra and proton distance information, distance geometry (DG) and molecular dynamic (MD) were carried out to determine the structures of P143. The proposed structure was selected by comparisons between experimental NOE spectra and back-calculated 2D NOE results from determined structure showing acceptable agreement. The total Root-Mean-Square-Deviation (RMSD) value of P143 obtained upon superposition of all atoms were in the set range. The solution state P143 has a mixed structure of pseudo α-helix and β-turn(Phe[10] to Glu[12]). These results are well consistent with calculated structure from experimental data of NOE spectra. Structural studies based on NMR may contribute to the prevent oxidation studies of atherosclerosis and observed conformational characteristics of apo B-100 in LDL using monoclonal antibodies.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.33-43
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• 2022

Labeled graphs are used to represent entities, their relationships, and their structures in real data such as knowledge graphs and protein interactions. With the rapid development of IT and the explosive increase in data, there has been a need for a subgraph matching technology to provide information that the user is interested in. In this paper, we propose an approximate Top-k labeled subgraph matching scheme that considers the semantic similarity of labels and the difference in graph structure. The proposed scheme utilizes a learning model using FastText in order to consider the semantic similarity of a label. In addition, the label similarity graph(LSG) is used for approximate subgraph matching by calculating similarity values between labels in advance. Through the LSG, we can resolve the limitations of the existing schemes that subgraph expansion is possible only if the labels match exactly. It supports structural similarity for a query graph by performing searches up to 2-hop. Based on the similarity value, we provide k subgraph matching results. We conduct various performance evaluations in order to show the superiority of the proposed scheme.