Pheophorbide a-mediated photodynamic therapy induces autophagy and apoptosis via the activation of MAPKs in human skin cancer cells

YOON, HYO-EUN,OH, SEONE-HEE,KIM, SOO-A,YOON, JUNG-HOON,AHN, SANG-GUN Spandidos Publications 2014 Oncology reports Vol.31 No.1

Pheophorbide a (Pa), a chlorophyll derivative, is a photosensitizer that can induce significant antitumor effects in several types of tumor cells. The present study investigated the mechanism of Pa-mediated photodynamic therapy (Pa-PDT) in the human skin cancer cell lines A431 and G361. PDT significantly inhibited the cell growth in a Pa-concentration-dependent manner. We observed increased expression of Beclin-1, LC3B and ATG5, which are markers of autophagy, after PDT treatment in A431 cells but not in G361 cells. In G361 cells, Pa-PDT strongly induced PARP cleavage and subsequent apoptosis, which was confirmed using Annexin V/Propidium iodide double staining. Pa-PDT predominantly exhibited its antitumor effects via activation of ERK1/2 and p38 in A431 and G361 cells, respectively. An in vivo study using the CAM xenograft model demonstrated that Pa-PDT strongly induced autophagy and apoptosis in A431-transplanted tumors and/or apoptosis in G361-transplanted tumors. These results may provide a basis for understanding the underlying mechanisms of Pa-PDT and for developing Pa-PDT as a therapy for skin cancer.

Identification and Characterization of a Bacteriocin from the Newly Isolated Bacillus subtilis HD15 with Inhibitory Effects against Bacillus cereus

홍성욱,Kim Jong-Hui,Cha Hyun A,정건섭,Bae Hyo Ju,Park Won Seo,Ham Jun-Sang,Park Beom-Young,Oh Mi-Hwa 한국미생물·생명공학회 2022 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.32 No.11

Natural antimicrobial substances are needed as alternatives to synthetic antimicrobials to protect against foodborne pathogens. In this study, a bacteriocin-producing bacterium, Bacillus subtilis HD15, was isolated from doenjang, a traditional Korean fermented soybean paste. We sequenced the complete genome of B. subtilis HD15. This genome size was 4,173,431 bp with a G + C content of of 43.58%, 4,305 genes, and 4,222 protein-coding genes with predicted functions, including a subtilosin A gene cluster. The bacteriocin was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, Diethylaminoethanol-Sepharose chromatography, and Sephacryl gel filtration, with 12.4-fold purification and 26.2% yield, respectively. The purified protein had a molecular weight of 3.6 kDa. The N-terminal amino acid sequence showed the highest similarity to Bacillus subtilis 168 subtilosin A (78%) but only 68% similarity to B. tequilensis subtilosin proteins, indicating that the antimicrobial substance isolated from B. subtilis HD15 is a novel bacteriocin related to subtilosin A. The purified protein from B. subtilis HD15 exhibited high antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes and Bacillus cereus. It showed stable activity in the range 0–70°C and pH 2–10 and was completely inhibited by protease, proteinase K, and pronase E treatment, suggesting that it is a proteinaceous substance. These findings support the potential industrial applications of the novel bacteriocin purified from B. subtilis HD15.

Cytological analysis of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A expression in porcine neonatal testis

Ji-youn Kim,Keon Bong Oh,Sung June Byun,Sun-A Ock,Hwi-Cheul Lee,황성수,SangHyun Park,Wootae Ha,Jae-Seok Woo,Hyuk Song 한국수정란이식학회 2018 한국동물생명공학회지 Vol.33 No.3

The identification of biomarkers of a living tissues is essentially required to understand specific functions of the cells. In previous study, we reported IGFBP 3 as one of the putative biomarkers, by showing specific expression at porcine spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) of early stage of porcine testis. In this study, we analyzed the expression of seven members of IGFBP family (IGFBPs) in SSCs and histological expression pattern of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), which plays a role on the growth promoting enzyme by cleavage of IGFBPs in testis of 5 days old pig. RT-PCR analysis showed that IGFBP 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 were expressed at high level specifically in porcine SSCs compared with whole testis. We performed immunohisotochemical staining of testis sections with PAPP-A and protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5) which are the known biomarkers for SSCs. We were not able to find co-expression of PAPP-A and PGP9.5; PAPP-A was expressed only in Sertoli cells and PGP9.5 expression was confirmed in spermatogonium. Additionally, we were able to confirm the GATA4 expression in Sertoli and Leydig cells as a regulator of Sertoli cell function was not detected PGP9.5 expressing cells, indicating indirect evidence of that cytolocalization of PAPP-A expression is limited in Sertoli cells. These results suggested that the PAPP-A expressed in Sertoli cells may play role on regulation of development and differentiation of testicular cells through the IGF axis in neonatal porcine testis.

디지털 방식의 인접면 접촉강도 측정장치의 개발 및 평가

최우진,김경화,김진아,강동완,오상호,Choi, Woo-Jin,Kim, Kyung-Hwa,Kim, Jin-A,Kang, Dong-Wan,Oh, Sang-Ho 대한치과보철학회 2007 대한치과보철학회지 Vol.45 No.5

Statement of problem: The proper contact relation between adjacent teeth in each arch plays an important role in the stability and maintenance of the integrity of the dental arches. Proximal contact has been defined as the area of a tooth that is in close association, connection, or touch with an adjacent tooth in the same arch. Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop a digital device for measuring the proximal tooth contact tightness by pulling a thin stainless steel strip (2mm wide, 0.03mm thick) inserted between proximal tooth contact. Material and method: This device consists of measuring part, sensor part, motor part and body part. The stainless steel strip was connected to a stain gauge. The strain gauge was designed to convert the frictional force into a compressive force. This compressive force was detected as a electrical signal and the electrical signal was digitalized by a A/D converter. The digital signals were displayed by a micro-processor. The pulling speed was 8mm/s. Results: For testing reliability of the device in vivo, two healthy young adults (A, B) participated in this experiment. The tightness of proximal tooth contact between the second premolar and the first molar of mandible (subject A) and maxilla (subject B) was measured fifteen times for three days at rest. We double-checked the accuracy of the device with a Universal Testing Machine. Output signals from the Universal Testing Machine and the measuring device were compared. Regression analysis showed high linearity between these two signals. In vivo test, no significant differences were found between measurements. Conclusion: This device has shown to he capable of producing reliable and reproducible results in measuring proximal tooth contact. Therefore, it was considered that this device was appropriate to apply clinically.

Expression of cucumber <i>LOX</i> genes in response to powdery mildew and defense-related signal molecules

Oh, Sang-Keun,Jang, Hyun A.,Kim, Jungeun,Choi, Doil,Park, Youn-Il,Kwon, Suk-Yoon Canadian Science Publishing 2014 Canadian journal of plant science Vol.94 No.5

<P> Oh, S.-K., Jang, H. A., Kim, J., Choi, D., Park, Y.-I. and Kwon, S.-Y. 2014. Expression of cucumber LOX genes in response to powdery mildew and defense-related signal molecules. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 845-850. The cucumber genome contains 23 lipoxygenase (LOX) genes. The expression of seven type-I and six type-II LOX genes was induced when cucumber leaves were challenged with Sphaerotheca fuliginea and treated with salicylic acid, methyl jasmonate, and abscisic acid. These 13 CsLOX genes were differentially regulated during biotic and abiotic stresses. </P>

Identification of Albula sp. (Albulidae: Albuliformes) Leptocephalus Collected from the Southern Coastal Waters of Korea using Cytochrome b DNA Sequences

Kim, Byung-Jik,Kim, Sung,Seo, Hyun-Seok,Oh, Jin-A The Korean Society of Oceanography 2008 Ocean science journal Vol.43 No.2

A single specimen of Albula leptocephalus (55.7 mm SL) was collected from the southern coastal waters of Korea using an aquatic lamp. It is characterized by having a ribbon-like body with a small head and a well-forked caudal fin. Although the general appearance was similar to the leptocephalus of A. vulpes including myomere counts and fin ray counts, the melanophore deposition was different from that of A. vulpes. This leptocephalus specimen was confirmed with A. forsteri using the cytochrome b mtDNA (Cytb) analysis. The genetic distance of Cytb between the present leptocephalus and A. forsteri is 0.006-0.038, which falls into the cutoff point separating Albula species into eight deep lineages including the four valid species. Its genetic characteristic have more similarities to those of Fiji than those of Hawaii and the Northern territory of Australia.

Characterization of the autophosphorylating kinase, PkaF, in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) M130

Oh, Eun A.,Chi, Won-Jae,Kim, Mi-Soon,Kang, Sang Sun,Chun, Jaesun,Hong, Soon-Kwang Springer-Verlag 2011 Archives of microbiology Vol.193 No.12

<P>Streptomyces coelicolor, the model species for morphologically complex actinomycete bacteria, has unique characteristics such as morphological and physiological differentiation, which are controlled by various factors and several protein kinases. From the whole genomic sequence of S. coelicolor A3(2), 44 putative serine/threonine (Ser/Thr) protein kinases were identified, and the pkaF gene was chosen as the best-conserved protein for typical Ser/Thr protein kinases. pkaF encodes a 667-amino acid protein with a predicted N-terminal Ser/Thr kinase domain and four repeated C-terminal penicillin-binding domains and Ser/Thr kinase-associated (PASTA) domains. Based on PCR, a pkaF gene was cloned and heterologously expressed. PkaF expressed in Escherichia coli had the bigger molecular size than the expected value (75 kDa) and was further purified by Ni2+-NTA agarose affinity column chromatography to homogeneity. The purified PkaF was autophosphorylated through the transfer of the gamma-phosphate group of ATP. The extent of phosphorylation was proportional to the amount of PkaF, and the phospho-PkaF was dephosphorylated by the addition of the cell lysate of S. coelicolor A3(2). Although no change was observed in the pkaF disruptant, overexpression of pkaF induced severe repression of morphogenesis and actinorhodin production, but not undecylprodigiosin production, implying that PkaF specifically regulates morphogenesis and actinorhodin production in S. coelicolor.</P>

Anti-allergic effects of Perilla frutescens var. acuta Kudo 30% ethanol extract powder

Oh, Hyun-A,Kim, Sung-Hoon,Cha, Wung-Seok,Kim, Hyung-Min,Jeong, Hyun-Ja Kyung Hee Oriental Medicine Research Center 2010 Oriental pharmacy and experimental medicine Vol.10 No.3

Perilla frutescens var. acuta Kudo (PF) is a traditional Korean medicinal herb for allergic reaction regulation. In the present study, we investigated the effect of 30% ethanol extract powder of PF (EPPF) and rosmarinic acid (RA), the active compound of EPPF on various allergic reactions using in vivo and in vitro models. EPPF and RA significantly inhibited compound 48/48-induced systemic anaphylactic reaction and histamine release (P < 0.05). In addition, EPPF and RA significantly inhibited passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). These effects were stronger than those of disodium cromoglycate, the reference drug tested. EPPF and RA also significantly inhibited production of inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-a interleukin (IL)-6, and vascular endothelial growth factor on the PCA reaction and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated human mast cell line, HMC-1 cells (P < 0.05). Moreover, EPPF and RA showed an inhibitory effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced IL-4 production from whole spleen cells. Finally, EPPF and RA significantly decreased IL-4-dependent IgE production by LPS-stimulated whole spleen cells (P < 0.05). In conclusion, these results indicate that EPPF has potent anti-allergic activities.

A Driving Method of Pixel Circuit Using a-IGZO TFT for Suppression of Threshold Voltage Shift in AMLED Displays

Woo-Sul Shin,Hyun-A Ahn,Jun-Seok Na,Seong-Kwan Hong,Oh-Kyong Kwon,Ji-Hun Lee,Jae-Gwang Um,Jin Jang,Sung-Hwan Kim,Jeong-Soo Lee IEEE 2017 IEEE electron device letters Vol.38 No.6

<P>A driving method of pixel circuit using amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide (a-IGZO) thin-film transistor (TFT) is proposed to improve the image quality of active matrix light-emitting diode displays. The proposed pixel circuit employs a diode-connected structure to compensate for variation in threshold voltage (V-th) of the a-IGZO TFT. In addition, the proposed driving method adopts negative bias annealing to suppress the V-th shift. The annealing time is optimized based on the experimental observation of the minimum V-th shift. After a stress time of 30 000 s, the measurement results showthat the (Vth) shift is reducedby 29.6%, using an optimized annealing time of 5% of one frame time. In addition, the maximum deviation in the emission current using the proposed driving method wasmeasured to be less than 4.32% after a stress time of 30 000 s.</P>

<i>SlPMEI</i>, a pollen-specific gene in tomato

Kim, Woong Bom,Lim, Chan Ju,Jang, Hyun A.,Yi, So Young,Oh, Sang-Keun,Lee, Ha Yeon,Kim, Hyun A.,Park, Youn-Il,Kwon, Suk-Yoon Canadian Science Publishing 2014 Canadian journal of plant science. Revue canadienn Vol.94 No.1

<P> Kim, W. B., Lim, C. J., Jang, H. A., Yi, S. Y., Oh, S.-K., Lee, H. Y., Kim, H. A., Park, Y.-I. and Kwon, S.-Y. 2014. SlPMEI, a pollen-specific gene in tomato. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 73-83. Pectin is one of the main components of plant cell walls, and its biosynthesis is controlled by pectin methylesterase (PME). Pectin methylesterase inhibitors (PMEIs) are key regulators of PME. We report here the cloning and characterization of a novel Solanum lycopersicum L. PMEI gene, SlPMEI. RT-PCR studies of leaf, seed, fruit, flower, and flower organs confirmed that SlPMEI is expressed specifically in pollen. Promoter analysis of SlPMEI revealed pollen-specific cis-acting elements (pollen lat52 and g10). In addition, SlPMEI is expressed independently of abiotic stress, pathogen exposure, and growth stage in tomato, and a histochemical analysis of promoter activity revealed pollen-specific expression in both Arabidopsis and tomato. Under the microscope, we observed pollen-specific GUS expression in the stamen of transgenic tomato plant. These results indicate that the promoter of SlPMEI has strong pollen-specific activity, and could therefore be useful for development of industrially and agronomically important transgenic plants. </P>