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Baltussen MG, de Jong TJ, Duez Q, Robinson WE, Huck WTS. Chemical reservoir computation in a self-organizing reaction network. Nature 2024; 631:549-555. [PMID: 38926572 PMCID: PMC11254755 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07567-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Chemical reaction networks, such as those found in metabolism and signalling pathways, enable cells to process information from their environment1,2. Current approaches to molecular information processing and computation typically pursue digital computation models and require extensive molecular-level engineering3. Despite considerable advances, these approaches have not reached the level of information processing capabilities seen in living systems. Here we report on the discovery and implementation of a chemical reservoir computer based on the formose reaction4. We demonstrate how this complex, self-organizing chemical reaction network can perform several nonlinear classification tasks in parallel, predict the dynamics of other complex systems and achieve time-series forecasting. This in chemico information processing system provides proof of principle for the emergent computational capabilities of complex chemical reaction networks, paving the way for a new class of biomimetic information processing systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu G Baltussen
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Thijs J de Jong
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Quentin Duez
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - William E Robinson
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Wilhelm T S Huck
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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2
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Faustino M, Lourenço T, Strobbe S, Cao D, Fonseca A, Rocha I, Van Der Straeten D, Oliveira MM. OsTH1 is a key player in thiamin biosynthesis in rice. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13591. [PMID: 38866808 PMCID: PMC11169455 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62326-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Thiamin is a vital nutrient that acts as a cofactor for several enzymes primarily localized in the mitochondria. These thiamin-dependent enzymes are involved in energy metabolism, nucleic acid biosynthesis, and antioxidant machinery. The enzyme HMP-P kinase/thiamin monophosphate synthase (TH1) holds a key position in thiamin biosynthesis, being responsible for the phosphorylation of HMP-P into HMP-PP and for the condensation of HMP-PP and HET-P to form TMP. Through mathematical kinetic model, we have identified TH1 as a critical player for thiamin biofortification in rice. We further focused on the functional characterization of OsTH1. Sequence and gene expression analysis, along with phylogenetic studies, provided insights into OsTH1 bifunctional features and evolution. The indispensable role of OsTH1 in thiamin biosynthesis was validated by heterologous expression of OsTH1 and successful complementation of yeast knock-out mutants impaired in thiamin production. We also proved that the sole OsTH1 overexpression in rice callus significantly improves B1 concentration, resulting in 50% increase in thiamin accumulation. Our study underscores the critical role of OsTH1 in thiamin biosynthesis, shedding light on its bifunctional nature and evolutionary significance. The significant enhancement of thiamin accumulation in rice callus upon OsTH1 overexpression constitutes evidence of its potential application in biofortification strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Faustino
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
- Laboratory of Functional Plant Biology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, K. L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000, Gent, Belgium
| | - Tiago Lourenço
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Simon Strobbe
- Laboratory of Functional Plant Biology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, K. L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000, Gent, Belgium
- University of Geneva, Quai E. Ansermet 30, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Da Cao
- Laboratory of Functional Plant Biology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, K. L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000, Gent, Belgium
| | - André Fonseca
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Isabel Rocha
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Dominique Van Der Straeten
- Laboratory of Functional Plant Biology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, K. L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000, Gent, Belgium.
| | - M Margarida Oliveira
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal.
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3
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de Leeuw M, Matos MRA, Nielsen LK. Omics data for sampling thermodynamically feasible kinetic models. Metab Eng 2023; 78:41-47. [PMID: 37209863 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2023.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Kinetic models are key to understanding and predicting the dynamic behaviour of metabolic systems. Traditional models require kinetic parameters which are not always available and are often estimated in vitro. Ensemble models overcome this challenge by sampling thermodynamically feasible models around a measured reference point. However, it is unclear if the convenient distributions used to generate the ensemble produce a natural distribution of model parameters and hence if the model predictions are reasonable. In this paper, we produced a detailed kinetic model for the central carbon metabolism of Escherichia coli. The model consists of 82 reactions (including 13 reactions with allosteric regulation) and 79 metabolites. To sample the model, we used metabolomic and fluxomic data from a single steady-state time point for E. coli K-12 MG1655 growing on glucose minimal M9 medium (average sampling time for 1000 models: 11.21 ± 0.14 min). Afterwards, in order to examine whether our sampled models are biologically sound, we calculated Km, Vmax and kcat for the reactions and compared them to previously published values. Finally, we used metabolic control analysis to identify enzymes with high control over the fluxes in the central carbon metabolism. Our analyses demonstrate that our platform samples thermodynamically feasible kinetic models, which are in agreement with previously published experimental results and can be used to investigate metabolic control patterns within cells. This renders it a valuable tool for the study of cellular metabolism and the design of metabolic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina de Leeuw
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Marta R A Matos
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Lars Keld Nielsen
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark; Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, 4072, Brisbane QLD, Australia.
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4
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Dai Z, Pomraning KR, Deng S, Kim J, Campbell KB, Robles AL, Hofstad BA, Munoz N, Gao Y, Lemmon T, Swita MS, Zucker JD, Kim YM, Burnum-Johnson KE, Magnuson JK. Metabolic engineering to improve production of 3-hydroxypropionic acid from corn-stover hydrolysate in Aspergillus species. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2023; 16:53. [PMID: 36991437 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-023-02288-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fuels and chemicals derived from non-fossil sources are needed to lessen human impacts on the environment while providing a healthy and growing economy. 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) is an important chemical building block that can be used for many products. Biosynthesis of 3-HP is possible; however, low production is typically observed in those natural systems. Biosynthetic pathways have been designed to produce 3-HP from a variety of feedstocks in different microorganisms. RESULTS In this study, the 3-HP β-alanine pathway consisting of aspartate decarboxylase, β-alanine-pyruvate aminotransferase, and 3-hydroxypropionate dehydrogenase from selected microorganisms were codon optimized for Aspergillus species and placed under the control of constitutive promoters. The pathway was introduced into Aspergillus pseudoterreus and subsequently into Aspergillus niger, and 3-HP production was assessed in both hosts. A. niger produced higher initial 3-HP yields and fewer co-product contaminants and was selected as a suitable host for further engineering. Proteomic and metabolomic analysis of both Aspergillus species during 3-HP production identified genetic targets for improvement of flux toward 3-HP including pyruvate carboxylase, aspartate aminotransferase, malonate semialdehyde dehydrogenase, succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase, oxaloacetate hydrolase, and a 3-HP transporter. Overexpression of pyruvate carboxylase improved yield in shake-flasks from 0.09 to 0.12 C-mol 3-HP C-mol-1 glucose in the base strain expressing 12 copies of the β-alanine pathway. Deletion or overexpression of individual target genes in the pyruvate carboxylase overexpression strain improved yield to 0.22 C-mol 3-HP C-mol-1 glucose after deletion of the major malonate semialdehyde dehydrogenase. Further incorporation of additional β-alanine pathway genes and optimization of culture conditions (sugars, temperature, nitrogen, phosphate, trace elements) for 3-HP production from deacetylated and mechanically refined corn stover hydrolysate improved yield to 0.48 C-mol 3-HP C-mol-1 sugars and resulted in a final titer of 36.0 g/L 3-HP. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study establish A. niger as a host for 3-HP production from a lignocellulosic feedstock in acidic conditions and demonstrates that 3-HP titer and yield can be improved by a broad metabolic engineering strategy involving identification and modification of genes participated in the synthesis of 3-HP and its precursors, degradation of intermediates, and transport of 3-HP across the plasma membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyu Dai
- DOE Agile Biofoundry, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA.
- Energy and Environment Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA.
| | - Kyle R Pomraning
- DOE Agile Biofoundry, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
- Energy and Environment Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Shuang Deng
- DOE Agile Biofoundry, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
- Energy and Environment Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Joonhoon Kim
- DOE Agile Biofoundry, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
- Energy and Environment Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Kristen B Campbell
- Energy and Environment Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Ana L Robles
- DOE Agile Biofoundry, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
- Energy and Environment Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Beth A Hofstad
- DOE Agile Biofoundry, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
- Energy and Environment Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Nathalie Munoz
- DOE Agile Biofoundry, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
- Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Yuqian Gao
- DOE Agile Biofoundry, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
- Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Teresa Lemmon
- Energy and Environment Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Marie S Swita
- Energy and Environment Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Jeremy D Zucker
- DOE Agile Biofoundry, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
- Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Young-Mo Kim
- DOE Agile Biofoundry, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
- Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Kristin E Burnum-Johnson
- DOE Agile Biofoundry, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
- Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Jon K Magnuson
- DOE Agile Biofoundry, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA.
- Energy and Environment Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA.
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Scown CD. Prospects for carbon-negative biomanufacturing. Trends Biotechnol 2022; 40:1415-1424. [PMID: 36192249 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Biomanufacturing has the potential to reduce demand for petrochemicals and mitigate climate change. Recent studies have also suggested that some of these products can be net carbon negative, effectively removing CO2 from the atmosphere and locking it up in products. This review explores the magnitude of carbon removal achievable through biomanufacturing and discusses the likely fate of carbon in a range of target molecules. Solvents, cleaning agents, or food and pharmaceutical additives will likely re-release their carbon as CO2 at the end of their functional lives, while carbon incorporated into non-compostable polymers can result in long-term sequestration. Future research can maximize its impact by focusing on reducing emissions, achieving performance advantages, and enabling a more circular carbon economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne D Scown
- Energy Technologies Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Biosciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Life-Cycle, Economics and Agronomy Division, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA; Energy and Biosciences Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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Discovery of a novel acrylic acid formation pathway in Gluconobacter oxydans and its application in biosynthesis of acrylic acid from glycerol. Process Biochem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2022.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Molina-Vega M, Picón-César MJ, Gutiérrez-Repiso C, Fernández-Valero A, Lima-Rubio F, González-Romero S, Moreno-Indias I, Tinahones FJ. Metformin action over gut microbiota is related to weight and glycemic control in gestational diabetes mellitus: A randomized trial. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 145:112465. [PMID: 34844107 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metformin, which is known to produce profound changes in gut microbiota, is being increasingly used in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The aim of this study was to elucidate the differences in gut microbiota composition and function in women with GDM treated with metformin compared to those treated with insulin. METHODS From May to December 2018, 58 women with GDM were randomized to receive insulin (INS; n = 28) or metformin (MET; n = 30) at the University Hospital Virgen de la Victoria, Málaga, Spain. Basal visits, with at least 1 follow-up visit and prepartum visit, were performed. At the basal and prepartum visits, blood and stool samples were collected. The gut microbiota profile was determined through 16S rRNA analysis. RESULTS Compared to INS, women on MET presented a lower mean postprandial glycemia and a lower increase in weight and body mass index (BMI). Firmicutes and Peptostreptococcaceae abundance declined, while Proteobacteria and Enterobacteriaceae abundance increased in the MET group. We found inverse correlations between changes in the abundance of Proteobacteria and mean postprandial glycemia (p = 0.023), as well as between Enterobacteriaceae and a rise in BMI and weight gain (p = 0.031 and p = 0.036, respectively). Regarding the metabolic profile of gut microbiota, predicted metabolic pathways related to propionate degradation and ubiquinol biosynthesis predominated in the MET group. CONCLUSION Metformin in GDM affects the composition and metabolic profile of gut microbiota. These changes could mediate, at least in part, its clinical effects. Studies designed to assess how these changes influence metabolic control during and after pregnancy are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Molina-Vega
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, Málaga, Spain; Laboratory of the Biomedical Research Institute of Málaga, Virgen de la Victoria University Hospital, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - María J Picón-César
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, Málaga, Spain
| | - Carolina Gutiérrez-Repiso
- Laboratory of the Biomedical Research Institute of Málaga, Virgen de la Victoria University Hospital, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrea Fernández-Valero
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, Málaga, Spain
| | - Fuensanta Lima-Rubio
- Laboratory of the Biomedical Research Institute of Málaga, Virgen de la Victoria University Hospital, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Stella González-Romero
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital Regional Universitario Carlos Haya, Málaga, Spain
| | - Isabel Moreno-Indias
- Laboratory of the Biomedical Research Institute of Málaga, Virgen de la Victoria University Hospital, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Francisco J Tinahones
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, Málaga, Spain; Laboratory of the Biomedical Research Institute of Málaga, Virgen de la Victoria University Hospital, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Lee Y, Kim AH, Kim E, Lee S, Yu KS, Jang IJ, Chung JY, Cho JY. Changes in the gut microbiome influence the hypoglycemic effect of metformin through the altered metabolism of branched-chain and nonessential amino acids. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2021; 178:108985. [PMID: 34329692 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2021.108985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Although metformin has been reported to affect the gut microbiome, the mechanism has not been fully determined. We explained the potential underlying mechanisms of metformin through a multiomics approach. METHODS An open-label and single-arm clinical trial involving 20 healthy Korean was conducted. Serum glucose and insulin concentrations were measured, and stool samples were collected to analyze the microbiome. Untargeted metabolomic profiling of plasma, urine, and stool samples was performed by GC-TOF-MS. Network analysis was applied to infer the mechanism of the hypoglycemic effect of metformin. RESULTS The relative abundances of Escherichia, Romboutsia, Intestinibacter, and Clostridium were changed by metformin treatment. Additionally, the relative abundances of metabolites, including carbohydrates, amino acids, and fatty acids, were changed. These changes were correlated with energy metabolism, gluconeogenesis, and branched-chain amino acid metabolism, which are major metabolic pathways related to the hypoglycemic effect. CONCLUSIONS We observed that specific changes in metabolites may affect hypoglycemic effects through both pathways related to AMPK activation and microbial changes. Energy metabolism was mainly related to hypoglycemic effects. In particular, branched-chain amino acid metabolism and gluconeogenesis were related to microbial metabolites. Our results will help uncover the potential underlying mechanisms of metformin through AMPK and the microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujin Lee
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Hospital, Seoul 03080, South Korea.
| | - Andrew HyoungJin Kim
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Eunwoo Kim
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Hospital, Seoul 03080, South Korea.
| | - SeungHwan Lee
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Hospital, Seoul 03080, South Korea.
| | - Kyung-Sang Yu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Hospital, Seoul 03080, South Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, South Korea.
| | - In-Jin Jang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Hospital, Seoul 03080, South Korea.
| | - Jae-Yong Chung
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Hospital, Seoul 03080, South Korea; Clinical Trials Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea.
| | - Joo-Youn Cho
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Hospital, Seoul 03080, South Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, South Korea.
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