• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.465-472
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• 2021

Background: Ginseng can help regulate brain excitability, promote learning and memory, and resist cerebral ischemia in the central nervous system. Ginsenosides are the major effective compounds of Ginseng, but their protein targets in the brain have not been determined. Methods: We screened proteins that interact with the main components of ginseng (ginsenosides) by affinity chromatography and identified the 14-3-3 ζ protein as a potential target of ginsenosides in brain tissues. Results: Biolayer interferometry (BLI) analysis showed that 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD), a ginseng saponin metabolite, exhibited the highest direct interaction to the 14-3-3 ζ protein. Subsequently, BLI kinetics analysis and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) assay showed that PPD specifically bound to the 14-3-3 ζ protein. The cocrystal structure of the 14-3-3 ζ protein-PPD complex showed that the main interactions occurred between the residues R56, R127, and Y128 of the 14-3-3 ζ protein and a portion of PPD. Moreover, mutating any of the above residues resulted in a significant decrease of affinity between PPD and the 14-3-3 ζ protein. Conclusion: Our results indicate the 14-3-3 ζ protein is the target of PPD, a ginsenoside metabolite. Crystallographic and mutagenesis studies suggest a direct interaction between PPD and the 14-3-3 ζ protein. This finding can help in the development of small-molecular compounds that bind to the 14-3-3 ζ protein on the basis of the structure of dammarane-type triterpenoid.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.187-194
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• 1995

This study was carried out to obtain fundamental data on the metabolism of hibernant fish loach, Misgurnus mizolepis. Main focus was on the compositon of muscle components and its changes in fresh - water loach before and after spawning season and before and after hibernation. Distributional changes of carbohydrate, protein and lipid in the muscle tissues were also investigated. Change patterns of miosture and crude protein, and moisture and crude lipid were in inversely proportional, i.e. : moisture amount showed the lowest value after spawnig season, the highest just after hibernation, but crude protein and crude lipid were the highest values after spawning season, and the lowest just after hibernation. Carbohydrate showed the highest value just before hibernation and tended to decrease thereafter. Muco layer of epidermis and muscle cell of hypodermis layer in loach were remarkable in its PAS dyeing degree after sapwning season, and it was presumed to include high percentage of protein or carbohydrate. Dermis layer became thinner before spawning hibernation. Lipid component in female tended to distribute relatively widely in the muscle cell layer before spawning season, but in case of male mainly in muco layer and epidermis layer. It appeared that lipid was spreaded mainly in epidermis and hypodermis tissue after spawning season, while it prevailed in almost all tissues but tended to decrease after hibernation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.6165-6171
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• 2013

This study aimed to analyze the expression and clinical significance of cyclin G2 (CCNG2) in thyroid carcinoma and the biological effects of CCNG2 overexpression in a cell line. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to analyze CCNG2 protein expression in 63 cases of thyroid cancer and normal tissues to allow the relationship with clinical factors to be assessed. CCNG2 lentiviral and empty vectors were transfected into the thyroid cancer K1 cell line. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were applied to detect the mRNA and protein levels of CCNG2. MTT assay and cell cycle were also conducted to assess the influence of up-regulated expression of CCNG2 on K1 cell biology. The level of CCNG2 protein expression was found to be significantly lower in thyroid cancer tissue than normal tissues (P<0.05). Western blot: The relative amount of CCNG2 protein in thyroid cancer tissue was respectively found to be significantly lower than in normal tissues (P<0.05), correlating with lymph node metastasis, clinic stage and histological grade (P<0.05), but not gender, age or tumor size (P>0.05). Loss of CCNG2 expression correlated significantly with poor overall survival time on Kaplan-Meier analysis (P<0.05). The results for biological functions showed that K1 cell transfected CCNG2 had a lower survival fraction, a greater percentage in the G0/G1 phases, and lower cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) protein expression compared with K1 cells non-transfected with CCNG2 (P<0.05). CCNG2 expression decreased in thyroid cancer and correlated significantly lymph node metastasis, clinic stage, histological grade and poor overall survival, suggesting that CCNG2 may play important roles as a negative regulator in thyroid cancer K1 cells by promoting degradation of CDK2.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 1997

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) E2 protein is known to be one of putative envelope proteins. To develop a sensitive detection method for HCV infected tissues and cells, monoclonal antibodys (MAbs) to the E2 protein of HCV were prepared from mice immunized with recombinant baculovirus-expressing E2 protein (Bac-E2). Several hybridoma clones secreting various levels of MAb were isolated and isotypes of these MAb were determined. One clone (L.2.3.3) was used for ascites production and the E2-MAb was purified and characterized. The L.2.3.3 reacted well with both Bac-E2 and E. coli expressed glutathione-S-transferase-E2 (GST-E2) fusion proteins. Using HCV patient sera, E2 envelope protein was found to be localized in the cell membrane boundary both in CHO cells and insect cells which express HCV E2 protein. Similar result was obtained when same cells were treated with the MAb L.2.3.3. These results demonstrated that Bac-E2 protein is capable of eliciting high titer antibody production in mice.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.51-57
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• 2009

To investigate expression patterns of chitinase, ${\beta}$-1,3-glucanase and peroxidase involved in biological control of phytopathogens, three oil seed rapes (Capitol, Pollen and Saturnin) were used. Activities of the enzymes in old leaves were $9.7{\sim}11.8$ unit/mg protein in chitinase, $11.1{\sim}17.3$ unit/mg protein in ${\beta}$-1,3-glucanase and $0.6{\sim}1.7$ unit/mg protein in peroxidase. Activities of the enzymes in roots were $39.2{\sim}49.0$ unit/mg protein in chitinase, $49.9{\sim}62.0$ unit/mg protein in ${\beta}$-1,3-glucanase and $2.4{\sim}3.8$ unit/mg protein in peroxidase. Chitinase and ${\beta}$-1,3-glucanase activity were the highest level in Saturnin leaves and in Capitol roots while activities of those were the lowest level in Capitol leaves. Also, chitinase and ${\beta}$-1,3-glucanase and peroxidase activity were the lowest level in Saturnin roots. Active bands of chitinase isoform in leaves (73, 51, 40, 34, and 29 kDa) and in roots (100, 57 34, and 29 kDa) tissues showed in the SDS-PAGE gel. Active bands of ${\beta}$-1,3-glucanase isoform in leaves and roots (75 and 55 kDa) tissues showed on the SDS-PAGE gel. Active staining of peroxidase showed the strongest level in leaves and roots of Pollen. Active bands of peroxidase isoform in leaves (122, 114, and 93 kDa) and in roots (135, 122, 114, and 93 kDa) tissues showed on the Native-PAGE gel. These results indicated that establishment of expression pattern of enzymes in rape tissues could play as an important role with respect to resistance of plant pathogens in rape.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.81-84
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• 2004

The 150 kDa protein of cyst fluid (CF) of Taenia solium metacestodes was purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation and Superose 6 HR gel filtration chromatography. The purified protein consisted of three subunits (15, 10 and 7 kDa proteins), which were analyzed with the use of a 7.5-15％ gradient sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SOS-PAGE). Immunofluorescence study was carried out by using immunize specific polyclonal antibody. Positive reactions were noticed at bladder walls, calcareous corpuscles, granules of cyst fluid and some host tissue surrounding the bladder wall of the metacestodes. These results suggest that the 150 kDa protein was secreted into host tissues, inducing immune responses in the host, and it may play important roles in the cellular physiology of the parasites.

• Proceedings of the Botanical Society of Korea Conference
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• 1987.07a
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• pp.283-307
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• 1987

Glycinin and $\beta$-conglycinin are the most abundant storage protein in soybean. These proteins are known to be synthesized predominantly during germination and cell expansion phase of seed development for short period, and synthesized not in other tissues. Genes encoding these storage proteins are useful system to study the mechanism of development stage and tissue specific gene expression in eukaryotes, especially plants, at the molecular level. The cDNA and genomic clones coding for glycinin have been isolated and regulation mechanism of the gene expression has been studied. Initially, development and tissue-specific expression of the glycinin gene is regulated at the level of transcription. Post-transcriptional processing is also responsible for delayed accumulation of the mRNA. Translational control of the storage protein gene has not been reported. Post-translational modification is another strategic point to regulate the expression of the gene. It is possible to identify positive and/or negative reguratory clements in vivo by producing transgenic plants agter gene manipulation. Elucidation of activation and repression mechanism of soybean storage protein genes will contribute to the understanding of the other plant and eukaryotic genes at molecular level.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.337-343
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• 2010

Fenofibrate, an agonist of $PPAR{\alpha}$, plays an important role in activating many proteins catalyzing lipid metabolism, and it also has a considerable effect on improvement of insulin sensitivity in the diabetic condition. To investigate fenofibrate-dependent expression of peripheral tissue proteins in diabetes, we analyzed whole muscle or fat proteins of fenofibrate-fed OLETF rats, an animal model of type II diabetes, using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis. We found that many proteins were specifically expressed in a fenofibrate-dependent manner in these diabetic rats. In particular, a functionally unknown C11orf59 protein was differentially expressed in the muscle tissues (about 5-fold increase) in fenofibrate-fed OLETF rats as compared to control rats. Additionally, the signal proteins phosphatidylethanolamine binding protein and IkB interacting protein were differentially regulated in the fenofibrate-treated adipose tissues. We suggest here that these proteins might be involved in controlling lipid or carbohydrate metabolism in diabetes via $PPAR{\alpha}$ activation.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.737-748
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• 1995

Osteoblast(OBL) cells were isolated from ICR Swiss neonatal mouse calvarial tissues and cultured in a CO2 incubator with minimum essential medium (MEM) containing 0.25g BSA. The cells were cultured for 7 days and were treated with bovine parathyroid hormone (bPTH, 1-34) and calcitonin(CT). Enzyme activities related to mineral metabolism and other biochemical actions within the bone cells including protein phosphorylation were investigated. In other experiments using cultured calvarial bone tissues, hormones were treated for 24, 48, 72 or 96 hours. The activities of $\beta$-glucuronidase enzymes involved in bone collagen synthesis and mineral deposits were increased by 8% with bPTH and were inhibited with CT treatment, while those were 67% increase treated with bPTH and CT together. On the other hand, alkaline phophatase(AP) activities were inhibited by PTH hormone at all the time courses observed. Protein phosphorylation reaction in OBL was mediated by bPTH, cAMP and ionized Ca. Phosphorylation was observed in different cell fractions including homogenate, membrane and cytosol. The number of proteins phosphorylated by PTH, cAMP, and Ca were 10, 5, and 9, respectively. Most of the protein kinases(PKs) were existed in cytosolic compartment. In membrane fractions, two bPTH-dependent-PKs (70K, 50K Da) were observed of which 70K Da protein was also Ca-dependent. Most of the cAMP-dependent PKs were regulated via bPTH. 70K, 50K, 5K, 19K, 16K, 10.5K phosphoproteins regulated by Ca share the same pathways as those by bPTH-dependent proteins. Ca seems to regulate PK activities differently from cAMP.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.4001-4005
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• 2012

Backgrouds: The hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is composed of patched (PTCH) and smoothened (SMO), two transmembrane proteins, and downstream glioma-associated oncogene homolog (Gli) transcription factors. Hh signaling plays a pathological role in the occurrence and development of various cancers. Methods: To investigate the expression of SMO protein in colon cancer and its association with clinicopathological parameters and postoperative liver metastasis, immunohistochemistry was performed with paraffin-embedded specimens of 96 cases. Relationships between SMO protein expression and clinicopathological parameters, postoperative liver metastasis were analyzed. Results: IHC examination showed that SMO protein expression was significantly increased in colon cancer tissues compared to normal colon tissues (P = 0.042), positively related to lymph node metastases (P = 0.018) and higher T stages (P = 0.026). Postoperative live metastasis-free survival was significantly longer in the low SMO expression group than in those with high SMO expression ($48.7{\pm}8.02$ months vs $28.0{\pm}6.86$ months, P=0.036). Multivariate analysis showed SMO expression level to be an independent prognostic factor for postoperative live metastasis-free survival (95% confidence interval [CI] =1.46-2.82, P = 0.008). Conclusions: Our results suggest that in patients with colon cancer, the SMO expression level is an independent biomarker for postoperative liver metastasis, and SMO might play an important role in colon cancer progression.