The coat color of mammals is determined by the melanogenesis pathway, which is responsible for maintaining the balance between black-brown eumelanin and yellow-reddish pheomelanin. The melanogenesis-associated genes controlling pigmentation act as a complex and interact with each other to cause phenotypic and genotypic variations in cattle. That the MC1R genotype of Korean native cattle with dark muzzle was e/e or E+/e, while the genotype of Korean native cattle with light muzzle was E+/E+, which is a variant of the MC1R genotype in the Korean native cattle. Especially, the MC1R expression type is shows how much pigmentation, important factor in deciding its status in the coat and nose colours. However, information regarding the coat or nose colours-associated gene regulation of korean cattle is not yet unknown. Therefore, in this study was to investigate the expression patterns of melanogenesis-associated genes in black dot nose(korea brindle cattle) and normal nose(korea native cattle). Using microarray clustering and real-time polymerase chain reaction techniques, we analysed that the expression of genes involved in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Wnt signaling pathways is distinctively regulated in the dark and light muzzle tissues. Differential expression of tyrosinase was also noticed, although the difference was not as distinct as those of MAPK and Wnt. We hypothesize that emphasis on the MAPK pathway in the Korea brindle cattle induces eumelanin synthesis through the activation of cAMP response elementbinding protein and tyrosinase, while activation of Wnt signaling counteracts this process and raises the amount of pheomelanin in the native cattle. Regarding the increasing interest in the genetic diversity of cattle stocks, genes we identified for differential expression in the brindle cattle vs. native cattle may serve as novel markers for genetic diversity among cows based on the coat and muzzle color phenotype.

Human tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) is responsible for fibrin-specific plasminogen activation and plays a key role in fibrinolysis thereby aiding breakdown of blood clots in the vasculature. In the present study, in order to develop a system for production of recombinant st-PA and t- PAHis6 proteins in transgenic rice seeds, a DNA fragment encoding t-PA gene was selected and cloned to a plant binary vector (pMJ21) harboring a rice GluB1 promoter, an N-terminal signal peptide of the rice glutelin B1 protein and a Pin II terminator. The constructed plasmid was transformed into Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404 (pSB1) to facilitate introduction into rice callus. The insertion of the st-PA and t-PAHis6 genes into the genome of transgenic rice seeds and their transcripts were confirmed using PCR, and Southern blot as well as RT-PCR, respectively. The highest level of recombinant st-PA expression as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was found to be 2,916 ng/total soluble protein (mg) in transgenic rice seeds. The amount of recombinant proteins expressed in transgenic plants was estimated to range from 634 ~ 2,916 ng/TSP mg (st-PA) and 925 ~ 2,640 ng/TSP mg(t- PAHis6), respectively. Immuno-blot analysis of transgenic rice seeds revealed single bands of approximately 68-kDa representing recombinant st-PA and t-PAHis6 proteins. These results demonstrate the expression and in vivo activity of recombinant st-PA and t-PAHis6 in transgenic rice seeds. This study is a promising endeavor for production of recombinant pharmaceutical proteins using rice seed system.

We have identified novel ricin-type (R-type) lectin by sequencing of random clones from cDNA library of the coleopteran beetle, T.molitor. The cDNA sequence is comprised of 495 bp encoding a protein of 164 amino acid residues and shows 49% identity with galectin of Tribolium castaneum. Bioinformatics analysis shows that the amino acid residues from 35 to 162 belong to ricin-type β-trefoil structure. The transcript was significantly upregulated after early hours of injection with peptidoglycans derived from Gram (+) and Gram (-) bacteria, beta-1, 3 glucan from fungi and an intracellular pathogen, L. monocytogenes suggesting putative function in innate immunity.

The T-cell receptor (TCR) engages with an antigen and initiates a signaling cascade that leads to the activation of transcription factors. Roquin, a protein encoded by the RC- 3H1 gene and characterized as an immune regulator, was recently identified as a novel RING-type ubiquitin ligase family member, but the mechanisms by which Roquin regulates T-cell responses are unclear. We used the EL-4 murine lymphoma cell line to elucidate the role of Roquin in vitro. Roquin-overexpressing EL-4 cells became hyper-responsive after anti-CD3/CD28 stimulation in vitro and were a major source of the cytokines IL-2 and TNF-α. Upon activation, these cells showed particularly enhanced production of IL-2 and TNF-α. To clarify the important role played by Roquin in T-cell responses ex vivo, we generated T-cell-specific Roquin transgenic (Tg) mice. Roquin-Tg CD4+ T-cells showed enhanced production of IL-2 and TNF-α in response to TCR stimulation with anti-CD28 co-stimulation. Further studies are necessary to investigate the role of Roquin in the regulation of primary T-cell activation, survival, and differentiation.

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator(uPA) bound to urokinase plasminogen activator receptor(uPAR) expression is strongly correlated with the metastatic potential of various tumors by enhancing ECM degradation through plasminogen and matrix metallopreotease activation. But expression of uPA/uPAR in human malignant salivary gland tumors has been rarely reported. The purpose of this study were to investigate mRNA expression and cytologic concentration of uPAR in SGT cell line compared to various cancer cell lines by RT-PCR and ELISA method, and to study migration and adhesion assay. These results would be to apply the pathogenesis and prognosis of malignant salivary gland tumors. All the cell lines(SGT, HN 4, SCC 25, and HeLA) were cultured under DMEM with 10% FBS at 37℃ in a 5% CO2 incubator. We studied a possible association between mRNA expression and cytosolic concentrations of uPAR in SGT cell line compared to various cancer cell lines using RT-PCR and an enzyme-linked immunoassay( ELISA) method. And also cell adhesion and migration assay were done in all the cell lines. In migration assay SGT cell line was about 2.5-4 folds higher than another cell lines. In adhesion assay SGT cell line was about 1.1-2 folds higher than another cell lines. uPAR cytosolic concentrations of SGT cell line was about 3.4-10 folds by ELISA, while mRNA expression was about 2.5-5 folds by RT-PCR. Oral Scc cell lines showed the lowest value. uPAR protein and mRNA expression were correlated with migration and adhesion assay. From the aboving results, high cytosolic concentrations and mRNA expression of uPAR were correlated with migration and adhesion assay. It suggested that this might be a specific marker for malignant potential of SGT cell line and would be contributed to pathogenesis and prognosis of human salivary gland adenocarcinoma

Several types of white blood cells, such as T cells, B cells, and macrophages, are involved in the immune response. In particular, the processes of T-cell activation play a crucial role in an adaptive immune response, whereby the T-cell receptor (TCR) engages with an antigen and signals a cascade that leads to the activation of transcription factors (AP-1, NF-κB, and NFAT) that are critically involved in cytokine production. Roquin, encoded by the RC3H1 gene and characterized as an immune regulator, was recently identified as a novel RING-type ubiquitin ligase family member, but the mechanisms by which Roquin proteins regulate T-cell responses are unclear. To elucidate the role of Roquin in vitro, murine lymphoma EL-4 cells were used. Roquin overexpressing Tcells became hyper-responsive upon anti-CD3/CD28 stimulation in vitro and were a major source of cytokines such as IL-2, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10. Upon activation, these cells showed preferentially enhanced production of IL-2 and TNF-α, but not IFN-γ. To clarify the important role of Roquin in the T-cell response ex vivo, we generated T-cell-specific Roquin-transgenic (Tg) mice having a higher expression of Roquin in T cells as compared to wild-type mice. Using Roquin-Tg mice, we studied whether immune responses are affected ex vivo. Roquin-Tg CD4+ T cells showed enhanced production of IL-2 or TNF-α to TCR stimulation with anti-CD28 costimulation via up-regulation of CD28. T-cell proliferation also increased in Roquin-Tg CD4+ T cells after anti-CD3/CD28 treatment. Further studies on the role of Roquin in the regulation of primary T-cell activation, survival, and differentiation may be anticipated.

Porcine Circovirus Type2 (PCV2), a single-stranded DNA virus associated with Postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome(PMWS) of swine, has two major open reading frames, ORF1 and ORF2. The genomic size and molecular weight of ORF2 is respectively 699bp, 28kDa. ORF2 encodes the capsid protein (structural protein) that has type-specific epitopes and is very immunogenic and associated with the induction of neutralizing antibodies, suggesting its potential use in diagnostic assays as well as vaccine development. For efficient production of the capsid proteins, we expressed the PCV2 ORF2 gene with baculovirus in the insect cells. In this study, PCV2 ORF2 was appropriately ligated into the baculovirus transfer vector, pBacPAK9 and pB9-Acpol19-110-EK. Sf21 cells were transfected with a mixture of the purified recombinant transfer vector and bAcGOZA. We generated and purified recombinant viruses containing PCV2 ORF2, and named rAc-B9-PCV2ORF2 and rAc-B9-19-110-EK-PCV2ORF2, respectively. Expression levels of capsid fusion proteins with a partial polyhedrin region of AcNPV more increased than recombinant proteins from non-fusion expressed. Also, expression efficiency increased over time and differed at MOI. As a results, fusion expression of porcine circovirus type2 ORF2 using baculovirus could be utilized as an alternative expression method to produce recombinant antigen against PCV2 infection and is worthy of further investigation.

Tumor cell biological factors, such as urokinase plasminogen activator(uPA) and its inhibitor plasminogen activator inhibitor- 1(PAI-1) play a role in tumor invasion, metastasis, and proliferation. These factors in patients with primary oral squamous cell carcinoma(Oral SCC) will be evaluated and correlated with clinicopathologic variables. However, relatively rarely has been known in oral squamous cell carcinoma in vivo and in vitro study . The purpose of this study were to investigate the protein expression of uPA and PAI-1 in oral SCC cell lines cell line compared to NHOK and to study migration and adhesion assay. All the cell lines were cultured under KBM bullet kit at 37℃ in a 5% CO2 incubator. We studied a possible association between cytosolic uPA and PA-1 concentrations in oral SCC cell line compared to NHOK using an enzyme-linked immunoassay(ELISA). Cell adhesion and migration assay were done in all the cell l ines. In migration assay oral SCC cell lines were about 70 folds higher than NHOK. In adhesion assay oral SCC cell line were about 7-12 folds higher than NHOK. uPA cy tosolic concentrations was about 15-19 folds and PAI-1 was 3 to 4.5 folds than that of NHOK. Both uPA and PAI-1 concentrations were correlated with migration and adhesion assay. High cytosolic concentrations o f uPA and PAI-1 were correlated with migration and adhesion assay . It suggested that these markers might be specific for oral SCC cell line and these results would be contributed to treatment and prognosis of human oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is associated with porcine circovirus diseases (PCVD), of which postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome is considered to cause considerable economic losses in pig industry worldwide. As the virus-like particle (VLP) is a highly effective type of subunit vaccine and has unique advantages in terms of safety and immunogenicity, this study aimed to develop PCV2-like particles, which matched currently circulating Korean PCV2 and were applicable as vaccines. The ORF2 genes encoding PCV2 capsid protein were amplified from the PCV2 subgroup 1A/B Korean C275 isolate and the subgroup 2E C94 isolate by PCR assay with primer pair specific to PCV2 ORF2 gene, and were cloned into baculovirus transfer vector. Recombinant baculovirus was generated by cotransfection with the transfer vector and linear baculovirus DNA into the Sf9 cells, and then by plaque purification. Expression of PCV2 capsid protein was determined by the indirect immunofluorescence and Western blotting assays, and electron microscopy. By both immunological assays, PCV2 capsid antigen was detected in the Sf9 cells infected with the recombinant baculoviruses. The formation of empty virus particles, characteristic of VLP, was detected in the lysate of Sf9 cells infected with the recombinant baculoviruses by negative electron microscopy. From these results, VLPs of two genogroups of PCV2 were successfully expressed and generated in a baculovirus expression system. It is expected that the expressed VLPs of two genotypic groups can be used for control of PCV2 infection as good vaccine candidates.

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen activator type 1 (PAI-1) inhibitor contribute to the invasiveness of many carcinomas. It will be helpful to study clinical behavior of patients with malignant tumor by analysis of their expression. Expression of uPA and PAI-1 in human salivary gland tumors has been rarely reported in vitro. The purpose of this study were to investigate the protein expression of uPA and PAI-1 in SGT cell line compared to oral SCC and HeLa cell lines and to study migration and adhesion assay. All the cell lines were cultured under DMEM with 10% FBS at at 37oC in a 5% CO2 incubator. We studied a possible association between cytosolic uPA and PA-1 concentrations in SGT cell line compared to any other cell lines through cell migration and adhesion assay, and enzyme-linked immunoassay(ELISA). In migration assay SGT cell line was about 2 .5-4 folds higher than another cell lines. In adhesion assay SGT cell line was about 1.1-2 folds higher than another cell lines. uPA cytosolic concentrations of SGT cell line was about 3-10 folds, while PAI-1 was about 2.5-10 folds. Oral SCC cell lines were the lowest value. Both uPA and PAI-1 concentrations were correlated with migration and adhesion assay. High cytosolic concentrations of uPA and PAI-1 was correlated with migration and adhesion assay. It suggested that these markers might be specific marker for SGT cell line and would be contributed to treatment and prognosis of human salivary gland adenocarcinoma

This study aims to discuss the type and characteristics of primitivism in the modern fashion of the 21st century and, as a research method, the concept of primitivism as well as the transition of the patterns of primitivism expressed in modern art have been considered and reviewed through a variety of references. In particular, an empirical analysis of the works that have been created from 2000 to 2009 has been performed using domestic and overseas fashion and collection magazines. The characteristics of primitivism in modern fashion possess the following types of expression: First, Sensuality can be cited as one of the characteristics, either by using direct or indirect exposure of the human body, a silhouette which fits tightly to the body, or creating the effect of sensual beauty using animal fur or bird feathers. Second, Incantation: Masks symbolizing primitive incantation are used to cover the human face or primitive incantation is incorporated as a theme of hair accessories or fashion trinkets, etc. In addition, such decorations as tattoos and the body colorations of ancient tribes are reproduced in modern fashion by means of body painting, printing or other accessories, emphasizing the image of occult primitiveness. Third, Naturalness can be cited as one of the characteristics. Naturalness is emphasized in modern fashion not through artificial decorations and processing, but rather through different patterns of exposure by which natural purity can be felt or through the use of non-artificial materials which recalls primitive civilization. Forth, Playfulness is expressed in the form of graffiti or abstract letters and paintings, and the character of the play is often expressed by the use of grotesque images based on various distortions and exaggerations of the human body, the utilization of symbols of primitive incantation and body and/or facial painting. Fifth, Lastly ‘folkishness is emphasized. Folk-like objects, facial decorations, exposure of the body and intense color contrasts typically represent the folkish characteristics.

Amino acid transporters play an important role in supplying organic nutrient to cells. The expression profile of L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) and its subunit 4F2 heavy chain (4F2hc) on different differentiation stages in 4-NQO induced rat tongue carcinogenesis was examined using immunohistochemical analysis. The gradually increasing LAT1 and 4F2hc expression detected during the multistep progressive change shows that the protein may have an important role i n the multistep tongue c arcinogenesis. Conclusively, LAT1 and 4F2 hc c an b e a useful b iomarker f or a better understanding of multistep tongue carcinogenesis, while the specific inhibition o f LAT1 and 4F2 hc would be a new rationale for suppressing tumor cell growth in tongue cancer.

Mutations in DLX3 are associated with both autosomal dominant hypoplastic hypomaturation amelogenesis imperfecta (ADHHAI) and tricho-dento-osseous (TDO) syndrome. ADHHAI is caused by a c.561_562delCT (2bp-del DLX3) mutation whereas TDO syndrome is associated with a c.571_574delGGGG (4bp-del DLX3) mutation. However, although the causal relationships between DLX3 and an enamel phenotype have been established, the pathophysiological role of DLX3 mutations in enamel development has not yet been clarified. In our current study, we prepared expression vectors for wild type and deletion mutant DLX3 products (4bp-del DLX3, 2bp-del DLX3) and examined the effects of their overexpression on the expression of the enamel matrix proteins and proteases. Wild type DLX3 enhanced the expression of matrix metalloprotease 20 (MMP20) mRNA and protein in murine ameloblast-like cells. However, neither a 4bp-del nor 2bp-del DLX3 increased MMP20 expression. Wild type DLX3, but not the above DLX3 mutants, also increased the activity of reporters containing 1.5 kb or 0.5 kb of the MMP20 promoter. An examination of protein stability showed that the half-life of wild type DLX3 protein was less than 12 h whilst that of both deletion mutants was longer than 24 h. Endogenous Dlx3 was also found to be continuously expressed during ameloblast differentiation. Since inactivating mutations in the gene encoding MMP20 are associated with amelogenesis imperfecta, the inability of 4bp-del or 2bp-del DLX3 to induce MMP20 expression suggests a possible involvement of such mutations in the enamel phenotype associated with TDO syndrome or ADHHAI.