Base-pair opening dynamics of the microRNA precursor pri-miR156a affect temperature-responsive flowering in Arabidopsis

Kim, Hee-Eun,Kim, Wanhui,Lee, Ae-Ree,Jin, Suhyun,Jun, A.Rim,Kim, Nak-Kyoon,Lee, Joon-Hwa,Ahn, Ji Hoon Academic Press 2017 Biochemical and biophysical research communication Vol. No.

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Internal and environmental cues, including ambient temperature changes, regulate the timing of flowering in plants. Arabidopsis miR156 represses flowering and plays an important role in the regulation of temperature-responsive flowering. However, the molecular basis of miR156 processing at lower temperatures remains largely unknown. Here, we performed nuclear magnetic resonance studies to investigate the base-pair opening dynamics of model RNAs at 16 °C and investigated the <I>in vivo</I> effects of the mutant RNAs on temperature-responsive flowering. The A9C and A10CG mutations in the B5 bulge of the lower stem of pri-miR156a stabilized the C15∙G98 and U16∙A97 base-pairs at the cleavage site of pri-miR156a at 16 °C. Consistent with this, production of mature miR156 was severely affected in plants overexpressing the A9C and A10CG constructs and these plants exhibited almost no delay in flowering at 16 °C. The A10G and A9AC mutations did not strongly affect C15∙G98 and U16∙A97 base-pairs at 16 °C, and plants overexpressing A10G and A9AC mutants of miR156 produced more mature miR156 than plants overexpressing the A9C and A10CG mutants and showed a strong delay in flowering at 16 °C. Interestingly, the A9AC mutation had distinct effects on the opening dynamics of the C15∙G98 and U16∙A97 base-pairs between 16 °C and 23 °C, and plants expressing the A9AC mutant miR156 showed only a moderate delay in flowering at 16 °C. Based on these results, we propose that fine-tuning of the base-pair stability at the cleavage site is essential for efficient processing of pri-miR156a at a low temperature and for reduced flowering sensitivity to ambient temperature changes.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> A mutation in pri-miR156a B5 affected base-pairing stability at the cleavage site. </LI> <LI> Mutations in the B5 bulge increased base-pair stabilities and decreased miR156. </LI> <LI> The A9AC mutation affected opening dynamics between 16 and 23 °C. </LI> <LI> Cleavage site base-pair stabilities reflected miR156 levels and flowering time. </LI> </UL> </P>

Base-pair opening dynamics of primary miR156a using NMR elucidates structural determinants important for its processing level and leaf number phenotype in <i>Arabidopsis</i>

Kim, Wanhui,Kim, Hee-Eun,Lee, Ae-Ree,Jun, A Rim,Jung, Myeong Gyo,Ahn, Ji Hoon,Lee, Joon-Hwa Oxford University Press 2017 Nucleic acids research Vol.45 No.2

<P>MicroRNAs originate from primary transcripts containing hairpin structures. The levels of mature miR156 influence the leaf number prior to flowering in the life cycle of plants. To understand the molecular mechanism of biogenesis of primary miR156a (pri-miR156a) to mature miR156, a base-pair opening dynamics study was performed using model RNAs mimicking the cleavage site of wild type and B5 bulge-stabilizing mutant pri-miR156a constructs. We also determined the mature miR156 levels and measured leaf numbers at flowering of plants overexpressing the wild type and mutant constructs. Our results suggest that the stabilities and/or opening dynamics of the C15·G98 and U16·A97 base-pairs at the cleavage site are essential for formation of the active conformation and for efficient processing of pri-miR156a, and that mutations of the B5 bulge can modulate mature miR156 levels as well as miR156-driven leaf number phenotypes via changes in the base-pair stability of the cleavage site.</P>

숙지황 분말을 첨가한 국수의 품질 특성 및 항산화성

민아영(A Young Min),손아영(Ah Young Son),김현정(Hyun Jeong Kim),신숙경(Suk Kyung Shin),김미리(Mee Ree Kim) 한국식품영양과학회 2015 한국식품영양과학회지 Vol.44 No.3

본 연구는 숙지황 분말을 이용한 기능성 면류를 제조하기 위해서 숙지황 분말을 밀가루에 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5% 첨가하여 제조한 국수의 품질 특성 및 항산화성을 조사하였다. 숙지황분말 첨가가 증가함에 따라 국수의 중량, 부피, 함수율은 감소하였고 탁도는 증가하였다. 색도는 숙지황 분말의 첨가량이 증가할수록 L값과 b값은 감소하고 a값은 증가하는 경향을 나타내었다. 수분 함량은 숙지황 분말의 첨가량이 증가할 수록 감소하였다. 숙지황 분말 첨가량이 증가할수록 국수의 경도는 증가하였고, 탄력성, 응집성, 검성 및 씹힘성은 감소하였다. 숙지황 분말의 첨가 농도가 증가함에 따라 아밀로그래프상의 호화개시 온도는 증가하였고, 최고 점도와 최종점도는 감소하였다. 숙지황 분말 첨가 농도가 높아질수록 polyphenol 함량은 증가하였고, DPPH radical 소거능에서 IC50값이 감소하였으므로 숙지황 분말 첨가량이 증가할수록 항산화능이 높아지는 것을 알 수 있었다. 관능검사 결과 숙지황 분말 2.5% 첨가 국수가 전체적인 기호도 및 구입의사에서 가장 높게 평가되었다. 이상의 결과로 볼 때 숙지황 분말을 첨가한 기능성 국수의 개발이 가능하였고 기능성을 고려하였을 때는 숙지황 분말 7.5% 첨가가 가장 그 항산화 활성이 우수하였다. 하지만 제품 개발 특성상 관능적 특성을 크게 고려하였을 때, 숙지황 분말을 2.5% 첨가하여 국수를 제조하는 것이 가장 적합한 것으로 사료된다. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality characteristics and antioxidant activities of noodles added with Rehmanniae Radix Preparata powder (RP). Wheat flour noodles were prepared with four levels of RP (0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5%). Moisture absorption of RP added noodles was somewhat greater than that of control. The turbidity of RP noodles decreased according to addition of RP. Hunter L (lightness) and b (yellowness) values of RP added noodles decreased according to addition of RP amount. Textural properties (measured by a texture analyzer), hardness, and springiness of RP noodles up to 5% were not significantly different from those of control. Antioxidant activity of RP added noodles increased according to addition of RP: IC50 values of DPPH radical scavenging activity for raw noodles was 3.77 mg/g, whereas values of raw noodles with RP 2.5 and 7.5% were 3.69 mg/g and 2.47 mg/g, respectively. Polyphenol content increased according to addition of RP. Amylogram showed that RP addition increased initial gelatinization temperature, decreased breakdown, and reduced setback and consistency, which indicates protection against retrogradation. The sensory preference test revealed that cooked noodles with added 2.5% RP showed the highest scores for color, odor, taste, and overall preference. It is suggested that RP up to 2.5% could be substituted for wheat flour to improve noodle quality.

항생제 사용량 변화에 따른 그람음성균주의 항생제내성률의 변화 양상

김서희 ( Seo Hee Kim ),유리나 ( Ree Nar Yoo ),이진아 ( Jin A Lee ) 대한소아감염학회 2015 Pediatric Infection and Vaccine Vol.22 No.3

목적: 국내 소아 그람음성균혈증에서 항생제 내성변화 및 항생제 사용량과의 관계를 분석하였다. 방법: 최근 10년간 18세 이하 입원 환자의 혈액에서 분리된 그람음성균의 항생제 내성률 변화 및 항생제 사용량과의 관계를 분석하였다. 결과: 폐렴막대균, 대장균, 녹농균, 아시네토박터 바우마니의 분리율은 연간 혈액배양 1,000건당 각각 4.6례, 3.5례, 3.4례 및 2.2례였다. 폐렴막대균에서 광범위 세팔로스포린에 대한 내성변화는 없었으나 2010년부터 카바페넴 내성 폐렴막대균이 동정된 후 점차 빈도가 증가하였다. 대장균의 광범위 세팔로스포린 내성이 10%에서 50%로 아시네토박터 바우마니의 카바페넴 내성이 11%에서 71%로 크게 증가하였다(P for trend <0.01). 녹농균은 여러 항생제에 높은 내성을 보였으나 유의한 내성변화를 보이지 않았다. 대장균의 cefepime 내성과 cefepime 사용량 사이에 유의한 양의 상관관계를 보였다(r=0.900, P =0.037). 결론: 국내 소아에서 발생한 그람음성균 균혈증 분석시 카바페넴 및 광범위 세팔로스포린 내성이 증가하였고 일부에서 항생제 사용량과의 관련성을 확인하였다. 이는 원내 경험적 항생제 결정시 중요한 고려 사항이며 추후에도 지속적인 원내 항생제 사용량 및 내성률에 대한 감시가 필요하겠다. Purpose: We investigated trends in antibiotic pressure and the antibiotic susceptibility of gram negative bacteria isolated from Korean children over 10 consecutive years. Methods: From January 2004 to December 2013, the antibiotic susceptibility of Klebsiella pneumoniae , Escherichia coli , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Acinetobacter baumannii blood isolates obtained from children <18 years of age was determined according to the 2009 Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Antibiotic consumption data were also analyzed. Results: The prevalence of K. pneumoniae , E. coli , P. aeruginosa , and A. baumannii bacteremia was 4.6, 3.5, 3.4, and 2.2 cases/1,000 blood cultures/year, respectively. In K. pneumoniae , resistance to the third and fourth cephalosporin did not increase significantly. However, carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae first appeared in 2010, and the resistance rate increased to 9% between 2012 and 2013. Resistance to 3rd and 4th cephalosporin increased from 10% to 50% in E. coli , and resistance to carbapenem rose abruptly from 11% to 71% in A. baumannii (P for trend <0.01). However, such an increase of resistance was not observed in P. aeruginosa . There is a positive correlation between the resistance rate of cefepime in E. coli and the consumption of cefepime (r=0.900, P =0.037). Conclusion: The significant burden of antibiotic consumption and the high prevalence of antibiotic resistance to gram negative pathogen isolated from bacteremic children were observed. Empirical antibiotics should be wisely selected, and continued efforts to decrease the overall antibiotic pressure are mandatory, especially in highly resistant situations.

숙지황을 첨가한 쌀 쿠키의 품질특성 및 항산화성

신숙경,민아영,김현정,이수진,심은경,이근종,이보담,김미리,Shin, Suk Kyung,Min, A Young,Kim, Hyun Jeong,Lee, Su Jin,Sim, Eun Kyoung,Lee, Kun Jong,Lee, Bo Dam,Kim, Mee Ree 한국식품조리과학회 2015 한국식품조리과학회지 Vol.31 No.2

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality characteristics and anti-oxidative activities in the rice cookies with R. glutinosa Preparata (0%, 4%, 8%, 12%) and bean flour (10%). The moisture of cookies was increased depending on amount of R. glutinosa Preparata (RRP). The pH of cookies with RRP was lower than that of the control cookies. Sugar content and reducing sugar of cookies were increased according to the amount of RRP. L-value and b-value of cookies with 12% RRP were lower than the control, whereas a-value was higher than the control. Spread factor of cookies with RRP was lower than the control, and hardness of cookies was increased depending on amount of RRP added. The antioxidant activity such as DPPH radical and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity was significantly increased in the cookies with RRP, compared with that of the control. Also, total phenol content of cookies was increased according to the amount of RRP. In sensory test, cookies with 8% RRP received the highest score for overall preference. As a result, the optimum amount of RRP concentrate to be added in the cookies was found to be 8%.

생맥산 농축액의 양을 달리하여 제조한 젤리의 품질 특성 및 항산화성

김현정(Hyun Jeong Kim),홍슬기(Seul Kee Hong),민아영(A Young Min),신숙경(Suk Kyung Shin),심은경(Eun Kyoung Sim),윤준화(Jun Hwa Yoon),김미리(Mee Ree Kim) 한국식품영양과학회 2015 한국식품영양과학회지 Vol.44 No.3

본 연구는 생맥산 농축액을 기호도가 높고 먹기 편리한 젤리에 첨가하여 젤라틴 젤리를 제조한 후 품질 특성 및 항산화성 분석을 실시하였다. 생맥산 젤리의 pH는 생맥산 농축액의 첨가량이 증가할수록 유의적으로 낮아졌고(P<0.05), 산도는 유의적으로 높아졌다(P<0.05). 가용성 고형물 함량은 대조군이 46.8°Brix였고, 환원당은 생맥산 농축액 첨가군이 대조군에 비하여 높았다(P<0.05). 색도에서 명도값(L값)과 황색도(b값)는 대조군에 비해 생맥산 농축액의 첨가량이 많아질수록 감소하였으며(P<0.05), 적색도(a값)는 증가하였다(P<0.05). 경도와 씹힘성은 생맥산 농축액 첨가군이 대조군에 비하여 유의적으로 감소하였다(P<0.05). 부서짐성은 대조군에서 가장 높게 나타났으며 생맥산 농축액 첨가량이 증가할수록 점차 낮아지는 경향을 보였다. 탄력성은 생맥산 농축액 첨가량이 증가할수록 점차 증가하는 경향을 보였다. 탄성은 대조군에 비해 생맥산 농축액 첨가군이 높았다. DPPH radical 소거능 및 hydroxyl radical 소거능 측정 결과 생맥산 농축액 첨가량이 증가할수록 항산화 활성이 증가하였다. 총 phenol 함량의 경우 생맥산 농축액 첨가량이 증가할수록 높았다. 관능검사에서 강도 특성 및 기호도 평가 결과, 전체적인 기호도에서 생맥산 농축액 농도 50% 첨가군이 가장 높은 점수를 받았다. 위와 같은 결과들을 종합해보면 젤리 제조 시 생맥산으로 인해 항산화능이 우수할 것으로 기대되며, 기호도 검사와 강도 검사를 고려할 때 생맥산 25~50% 첨가군이 가장 적합한 것으로 결정되었다. In this study, antioxidant activities and quality characteristics of gelatin jelly prepared with different amounts (0, 25, 50, and 75%) of saengmaegsan concentrate (SC) were investigated. As the concentration of SC increased, the pH level of SC-added jelly decreased while acidity increased. Hunter a (redness) value of jelly increased as the amount of SC increased, whereas L (lightness) and b (yellowness) values decreased. Texture properties for springiness and resilience were higher in the SC-added groups compared to those of control. Moreover, antioxidant activities such as DPPH radical and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities increased according to increase of SC amount. Total phenol content was the highest in 75% SC-added jelly. Regarding overall preference of sensory properties, 50% SC-added jelly showed the highest scores among all treatments. From these results, the optimal amount of SC was 50% for preparation of high quality jelly.

Roles of Calcium-Binding Proteins, S100A8 and S100A9, in Invasive Phenotype of Human Gastric Cancer Cells

Yong, Hae-Young,Moon, A-Ree 대한약학회 2007 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.30 No.1

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignancies and is a frequent cause of cancer related death in Korea. Cure rate of gastric cancer is quite low because of local invasion and metastasis. S100 proteins are calcium-binding proteins which exert various calcium-mediated cellular functions including cell growth, differentiation, migration and signal transduction. S100A8 and S100A9 are overexpressed in many human tumors and have been shown to be implicated in tumor development or progression. In the present study, we investigated the role of S100A8 and S100A9 in invasive phenotype of a human gastric cancer cell line, SNU484. Expression of S100A8 and S100A9 were detected in SNU484 cells. When the expression of these proteins was suppressed by small-interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting S100A8 or S100A9, the invasive and migratory phenotypes of SNU484 cells were significantly inhibited. The siRNAs for S100A8 and S100A9 inhibited matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 expression in SNU484 cells as evidenced by gelatin zymogram assay, immunoblot analysis and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. These results demonstrate that S100A8 and S100A9 are required for transcriptional activation of MMP-2 gene in SNU484 cells. Taken together, this study revealed a functional contribution of S100A8 and S100A9 proteins to processes required for malignant progression including invasion, migration and proteinase expression in SNU484 human gastric cancer cells.

Review : Roles of Leptin in Cancer Progression

( A Ree Moon ),( Yu Jin Kang ) 한국응용약물학회 2010 Biomolecules & Therapeutics(구 응용약물학회지) Vol.18 No.4

Growing evidence suggests a prominent role for leptin in human cancer progression. The intricate pattern of leptin cross-talk with other associated signaling pathways is a critical area of research that will ultimately contribute to comprehending the role of leptin in cancer progression. This review summarizes a portion of the current understanding of leptin signaling, with a critical focus on its contribution to tumor cell invasion and metastasis. Five topics are addressed in this review: (1) Leptin receptor, (2) Leptin signaling, (3) Leptin and cancer, and (4) Leptin and tumor invasion. Due to the complex cellular effects of leptin, a more precise understanding of leptin signaling pathways must still be elucidated. Leptin is clearly a major factor for stimulating tumor progression through a complex spectrum of interplay and cross-talk among various signaling molecules. An understanding of the role of leptin in invasion and metastasis will provide valuable information for establishing strategies to modulate leptin signaling, which should be a high priority for the development of anti-cancer therapeutics.

High‐Performance n‐Channel Thin‐Film Field‐Effect Transistors Based on a Nanowire‐Forming Polymer

Hahm, Suk Gyu,Rho, Yecheol,Jung, Jungwoon,Kim, Se Hyun,Sajoto, Tissa,Kim, Felix S.,Barlow, Stephen,Park, Chan Eon,Jenekhe, Samson A.,Marder, Seth R.,Ree, Moonhor WILEY‐VCH Verlag 2013 Advanced functional materials Vol.23 No.16

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>A new electrontransport polymer, poly{[<I>N,N′</I>‐dioctylperylene‐3,4,9,10‐bis(dicarboximide)‐1,7(6)‐diyl]‐<I>alt</I>‐[(2,5‐bis(2‐ethyl‐hexyl)‐1,4‐phenylene)bis(ethyn‐2,1‐diyl]} (PDIC8‐EB), is synthesized. In chloroform, the polymer undergoes self‐assembly, forming a nanowire suspension. The nanowire's optical and electrochemical properties, morphological structure, and field‐effect transistor (FET) characteristics are investigated. Thin films fabricated from a PDIC8‐EB nanowire suspension are composed of ordered nanowires and ordered and amorphous non‐nanowire phases, whereas films prepared from a homogeneous PDIC8‐EB solution consist of only the ordered and amorphous non‐nanowire phases. X‐ray scattering experiments suggest that in both nanowires and ordered phases, the PDIC8 units are laterally stacked in an edge‐on manner with respect to the film plane, with full interdigitation of the octyl chains, and with the polymer backbones preferentially oriented within the film plane. The ordering and orientations are significantly enhanced through thermal annealing at 200 °C under inert conditions. The polymer film with high degree of structural ordering and strong orientation yields a high electron mobility (0.10 ± 0.05 cm<SUP>2</SUP> V<SUP>−1</SUP> s<SUP>−1</SUP>), with a high on/off ratio (3.7 × 10<SUP>6</SUP>), a low threshold voltage (8 V), and negligible hysteresis (0.5 V). This study demonstrates that the polymer in the nanowire suspension provides a suitable material for fabricating the active layers of high‐performance n‐channel FET devices via a solution coating process.</P>

Effect of Glycyrrhizae Radix on the Expression of UDP- Glueuronosyltransferase-1A1 (UGT1A1) in Rat Liver

Moon, A Ree,Lee, Song Deuck 한국응용약물학회 1996 Biomolecules & Therapeutics(구 응용약물학회지) Vol.4 No.3

Licorice has been widely used in combination with other herbs or synthetic drugs for various disorders. In an effort to study the effect of licorice roots (Glycyrrhizae Radix, GR) and glycyrrhizin on the hepatic glucuronidation, we have previously found that the pretreatment of GR or glycyrrhizin for 6 days resulted in a marked increase in the enzymatic activity of 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC)-inducible hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) isozyme that has high affinity toward phenolic substrates (p-nitrophenol form, UGT1A) in Sprague-Dawley rats. As an approach to elucidate the mechanism for the enzyme activation by licorice in rat liver, we examined the levels of hepatocellular mRNAs for UGT1A upon the treatment of GR or glycyrrhizin. The hepatic mRNAs were extracted from Sprague-Dawley rats and Wistar rats after the treatment of the methanol extract of GR (1 g/kg, p.o.), glycyrrhizin (23 mg/kg, p.o.) for 6 days, or 3-MC (40 mg/kg, i.p.) for 3 days. Using the UGT1A1 cDNA as a probe, we found that the mRNAs for the enzyme were induced by 3-MC treatment while those were influenced neither by GR nor by glycyrrhizin in both strains of rats. These results indicate that the activation of rat liver UGT1A by licorice and glycyrrhizin was not due to the induction of mRNAs for the enzyme.