A SFPQ/S100A8 Complex Is Formed by Activation of mTOR-p70S6K Pathway in Psoriasis

Yujin Hong,In Sik Kim 대한의생명과학회 2026 대한의생명과학회지 Vol.32 No.1

Objectives: Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that causes a rash with itchy and scaly patches. Splicing factor proline- and glutamine-rich (SFPQ) and S100 calcium-binding protein A8 (S100A8) are multifunctional proteins involved in a variety of cellular processes. They are related to neurodegenerative and allergic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism involved in the formation of a SFPQ/S100A8 complex. Methods: Human keratinocytic HaCaT cells were treated with imiquimod (IMQ) to induce a psoriatic like inflammation. Cytokine levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Protein expression and phosphorylation levels in control and IMQ-treated groups were analyzed by western blot. Immunocytochemistry was performed to examine colocalization of SFPQ and S100A8. Results: IMQ treatment markedly increased the expression of S100A8 and the translocation of SFPQ in the cytoplasm of HaCaT cells. It also increased the number of SFPQ/S100A8 complexes in the cytoplasm and the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-17A, and IL-22 in supernatants of HaCaT cells. Pretreatment with rapamycin (RAPA) suppressed the formation of the SFPQ/S100A8 complex by inhibiting the mTOR signaling pathway. It also reduced cytokine expression and promoted the recovery of filaggrin expression. Conclusion: Findings of this study suggest that the SFPQ/S100A8 complex is formed through activation of the mTOR-p70S6K pathway. The complex and mTOR might be a pathogenic factor and a potential drug candidate for psoriasis, respectively.

Analysis of Factors Affecting Mental Health and College Life Adaptation in Freshmen: Focused on A University

Yun Jung Kang,Hun Hee Park,Sung Yul Yu 대한의생명과학회 2025 대한의생명과학회지 Vol.31 No.2

Objectives: This study aims to identify the characteristics and needs of freshmen students in the 2023 academic year through a survey of freshmen students at University A and to gain implications for university management. Methods: The survey was conducted from March 20 to April 30, 2023 with 1,422 freshmen and analyzed using SPSS. Results: The findings are as follows: First, universities should explore ways to support students financially to ensure their financial stability. Second, universities should strengthen communication by increasing the use of university websites. Third, it is necessary to expand and activate programmes to prepare for employment and obtaining certifications, and to provide various support measures to address students’ needs and concerns during university life. Fourth, a specific counseling system should be established to ensure the psychological well-being of freshmen students. Conclusion: The significance of this study is that it identified the characteristics and needs of university freshmen and sought to improve future freshman programs and systems.

Optimizing Sample Preparation Methods and Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Universal Primers for Invasive Insects Detection

Myeong Gwan Kim,Soobin Choi,Seoyeon Jang,Ahee Cho,Sang Rae Kim,Sang-Hyun Park,Jaewon Lim 대한의생명과학회 2025 대한의생명과학회지 Vol.31 No.2

Objectives: Molecular biological analysis of invasive insect species has increased lately, but little is known about the impact on DNA from the preparation of single insect samples during column-based Nucleic acid isolation techniques. This study evaluates the efficiency of various insect nucleic acid isolation techniques, focusing on non-cryogenic techniques and modifications to column-based DNA extraction protocols. Methods: DNA was extracted from 21 single insect samples, including two invasive species and 19 other species. Samples were prepared using four methods: crushing with dry ice with a mortar, a bead beater, a homogenizer, and cutting. The DNA was then recovered following the kit’s protocol and analyzed using a spectrophotometry and real-time polymerase chain reaction with internal control. Results: The DNA from samples prepared with dry ice and a mortar showed the highest efficiency, but there was no significant difference compared to other preparation methods. Conclusion: While preparation with dry ice and a mortar and homogenizing are efficient for DNA extraction from single insect samples, the choice of preparation method should be tailored to the experimental conditions and environment.

핵 내에서 분리한 Mitogen-Activated Protein (MAP) Kinase의 Transcription Factor에 대한 인산화

김윤석(Yoon-Suk Kim),김소영(So-Young Kim),김태우(Tae-Ue Kim) 대한의생명과학회 1996 Biomedical Science Letters Vol.2 No.2

모든 진핵세포에 존재하며 세포의 성장 및 분화에 주로 관계되는 신호전달물질의 하나인 Mitogen-activated protein(MAP) kinase의 mitogen에 의한 핵내 활성화와 기질 인산화에 대해 알아보기 위해 본 실험을 수행하였다. P388 세포를 10% fetal bovine serum이 첨가된 DMEM 배지에 배양한 후, 혈청이 들어있지 않은 배지에서 24시간 더 배양하고 serum 및 PMA를 농도별로 처리하여 세포성장을 위한 최적농도를 확인한 결과 serum은 5-20% 농도에서 세포성장을 촉진시켰고 PMA는 실험한 모든 농도에서 세포성장을 거의 촉진시키지 못하는 경향을 확인하였다. 이어 P388 세포를 serum 및 PMA로 10 분간 활성화하여 파쇄한 후 세포질분획과 핵분획으로 분리하여 각 분획을 10% gel상에서 전기영동 하여 nitrocellulose paper에 옮긴 후 anti-ERK1 antibody를 이용해 확인해본 결과 serum, PMA로 처리된 세포 모두에서 MAP kinase의 핵내 이동이 관찰되었으며 특히 세포질 내에 주로 존재하는 42, 44 Kd의 MAP kinase isoform중 42 Kd의 isoform이 주로 핵내로 이동되는 것이 관찰 되었다. MAP kinase의 기질인산화실험을 위해 serum으로 활성화시킨 세포를 파쇄하여 SP-sephadex C-50, Phenyl superose, Mono Q column의 순서로 chromatography를 시행하여 MAP kinase를 부분분리 하였다. 이와 같이 얻은 MAP kinase를 가지고 면역 T 세포에 존재하는 tyrosine kinase인 p56<SUP>lck</SUP>대의 N-terminal peptide로 구성된 GST-fusion protein에 대한 인산화를 확인하였다. 또한 세포에서 분리한 MAP kinase를 가지고 transcription factor의 하나인 c-Jun protein에 대한 인산화실험을 실시한 결과 MAP kinase에 의해 인산화 됨이 확인되었다. 이상의 결과를 통해 P388 세포는 (1)세포 성장시 외부 신호를 G-protein-coupled receptor/protein kinase C/MAP kinase의 경로보다는 주로 tyrosine kinase receptor protein/Ras/MAP kinase의 경로를 이용하여 핵으로 전달하는 것으로 추측되며 (2) mitogen의 처리로 활성화된 MAP kinase중 주로 42 Kd isoform 핵내로 이동하고, 분리한 MAP kinase가 GST-fusion protein과 transcription factor인 c-Jun을 모두 인산화 시키는 결과로 보아 MAP kinase의 isoform에 따라 표적 compartment가 다르고 결과적으로 표적 기질에 차이가 있을지 모른다고 간접적으로 추론 할 수 있다. The mitogen-activated protein(MAP) kinase signal transduction pathway represents an important mechanism by which mitogen, such as serum and PMA, regulate cell proliferation and differentiation. Target substrates of the MAP kinase are located within several compartments containing plasma membranes and nucleus. We now report that serum addition induces proliferation of the P388 murine leukemia cell, but PMA does not, while both serum and PMA treatment cause translocation of the MAP kinase, mainly p42<SUP>mapk</SUP> isoform, from cytosol into the nucleus, which was monitored by immunoblot analysis using polyclonal anti-ERK1 antibodies. We investigated whether the MAP kinase was capable of phosphorylating c-Jun protein and GST-fusion proteins, the P56<SUP>lck</SUP>N-terminal peptides (1-77 or 1-123 domain) of the T cell tyrosine kinase, using the partially purified MAP kinase by SP-sephadex C-50, phenyl superose and Mono Q column chromatography. We found that the partially purified MAP kinase was able to phosphorylate c-Jun protein and the GST-fusion protein expressed using E.coli DH5α which is transformed with pGEX-3Xb plasmid vector carrying of p56<SUP>lck</SUP> N-terminal peptide-encoding DNA. These results imply that tyrosine kinase receptor/Ras/Raf/MAP kinase pathway is a major mechanism for mitogen-induced cell proliferation in P388 murine leukemia cell and that the various MAP kinase isoforms may have their own target substrates located in distinct subcellular compartments.

Performance Analysis of Human Papillomavirus Viruses Genotype Detection Kit Using ZIP Nucleic Acid

Ji-Hoi Kim,Soonmog So,Kwangmin Park,Dong Hyeok Kim,Baek-Hui Kim,Hyunwoo Jin,Kyung Eun Lee 대한의생명과학회 2025 대한의생명과학회지 Vol.31 No.2

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the analytical and clinical performance of the MolecuTechⓇ Real HPV 16/18/HR kit, a ZIP nucleic acid (ZNA)-based c real-time polymerase chain reaction assay, for detecting human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes linked to cervical cancer, and to confirm its reliability and enhanced annealing temperature (Tm) stability compared to the Anyplex II HPV28 Detection kit. Methods: Standard HPV DNA and 692 clinical samples from Korean hospitals were tested for limit of detection (LoD), reproducibility, specificity, sensitivity, and concordance with Anyplex II HPV28 Detection. The kit targets HPV 16, 18, and 12 highrisk genotypes (31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, and 68) using ZNA-enhanced primers and probes. Analytical validation used SiHa and HeLa cell lines, with reproducibility assessed over 60 replicates. Cohen’s kappa was calculated for concordance. Results: The LoD was 50 copies/reaction for HPV 16/18 and 100 copies/reaction for the 12 high-risk genotypes, with 40 cells/ mL (SiHa) and 8 cells/mL (HeLa) for cellular samples. Reproducibility showed a coefficient of variation <10% across 60 replicates, and specificity was 100% against 18 non-HPV microbes and 27 non-target HPV subtypes. Clinical sensitivity and specificity were 100% (95% confidence interval: 0.89–1.00 and 0.95–1.00, respectively), with 100% concordance (kappa >0.8) versus Anyplex II HPV28 Detection. Conclusion: The MolecuTechⓇ Real HPV 16/18/HR kit offers high sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility, outperforming traditional assays in Tm stability due to ZNA technology, making it a reliable tool for HPV genotyping in clinical settings.

대한의생명과학회 투고논문에 대한 점검사항 외

편집부(편집자) 대한의생명과학회 2000 Biomedical Science Letters Vol.6 No.4

Recent Trends in the Use of Rodent Models in Kidney Fibrosis Research

Hyunsik Kim,Sungryul Yu,Jung-Yoon Yoo 대한의생명과학회 2025 대한의생명과학회지 Vol.31 No.2

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) includes a variety of chronic kidney conditions, including IgA nephropathy, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, minimal change disease, diabetic nephropathy, and lupus nephropathy. These diseases have different pathogenesis mechanisms, but they all typically lead to glomerular sclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Renal fibrosis is characterized by pathological features such as excessive extracellular matrix protein accumulation, which is a key pathogenic mechanism in CKD. Therefore, various animal models have been developed to elucidate the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis and evaluate the efficacy of therapies. In particular, surgical models such as unilateral ureteral obstruction and ischemia-reperfusion injury offer high reproducibility and experimental stability and are widely used. On the other hand, pharmacological models such as streptozotocin, angiotensin II, and adenine models can more accurately mimic specific human disease pathologies and have been increasingly utilized in recent studies. In this review, we introduced nine widely used models of renal fibrosis and analyzed PubMed-listed renal fibrosis studies from 2014 to 2024 to investigate the utilization rates and trends of key animal models. This review provides important insights into understanding the latest trends in renal fibrosis research and provides practical guidance in the selection and application of appropriate animal models for different research purposes, with the aim of further enhancing the efficiency and clinical relevance of renal fibrosis research.

Applications of Recombinase Polymerase Amplification in Forensic Science

Jeongyong Kim,Jin-Seok Jung,Sungkyeong Lee,Jung-Yoon Yoo 대한의생명과학회 2025 대한의생명과학회지 Vol.31 No.2

In forensic science, genetic analysis techniques are widely applied for personal identification, species identification, body fluid identification, and age estimation. However, crime scene samples often contain limited or degraded nucleic acids, complicating data analysis. Obtaining accurate results from such dose-limited or low-quality samples is critical for ensuring the reliability of forensic investigations. Furthermore, as analytical techniques advance, there is an increasing demand for methods that are not only time-efficient but also capable of being utilized directly at crime scenes. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) is a promising technique capable of amplifying nucleic acids within 20 minutes under isothermal conditions near body temperature. This offers significant advantages over conventional polymerase chain reaction-based methods, particularly in terms of speed and operational simplicity. RPA has been actively applied in the medical field for simple diagnostic methods such as pathogen detection. Recently, it has also gained attention in forensic science, where it is being studied for applications such as body fluid identification and species identification. This review outlines the principles and detection methods of RPA, highlighting its current and potential applications in forensic science. Prospects for integration into forensic workflows via RPA are also discussed.

Hesperetin Induces Apoptosis of Human Gastric Adenocarcinoma Cells

Ji Yeong Yang,Hyun Woo Kim,Hyun Jun Woo,Jongyoul Kim,Min Park,Sa-Hyun Kim 대한의생명과학회 2025 대한의생명과학회지 Vol.31 No.2

Objectives: Hesperetin is a major flavanone component contained in citrus fruits. It has been reported to possess anti-oxidant and anti-cancer effects. The objective of this study was to identify the anti-gastric cancer effect of hesperetin and investigate the mechanism involved in such effect. Methods: To confirm the effect of hesperetin on the survival of AGS gastric cancer cell lines, WST cell viability assay, Annexin V and propidium iodide (PI) staining, and Western blot were performed. To identify the mechanisms involved, protein expressions were confirmed by performing Western blot using cell lysate obtained after treatment of hesperetin at different concentrations and times in AGS cells. Results: Decreased cell viability by hesperetin was due to the induction of apoptosis mediated by activation of caspases 3, 7, 8, and 9. Expression levels of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) and survivin were reduced by hesperetin. In addition, the ratio of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) to Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) was increased by hesperetin. Furthermore, activities of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), and serine/threonine kinase (AKT) were decreased while that of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) was increased by hesperetin, thereby confirming that the activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) was inhibited. Additionally, hesperetin inhibited the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and its transcription factor c-Myc. Conclusion: These results indicate that hesperetin can inhibit gastric cancer cells by inducing apoptosis, which could be mediated by activation of caspases and inhibition of proteins related to mitochondrial apoptosis, FAK, PI3K, AKT, AMPK, mTOR pathway, and STAT3 signaling.

대한의생명과학회 투고논문에 대한 점검사항 외

편집부(편집자) 대한의생명과학회 2000 Biomedical Science Letters Vol.6 No.1