• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.343-348
• /
• 1995

Human lipocorin-I(LCI) is a calcium ion-dependent and phospholipid-binding protein which exhibits an anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting phospholipase A2 activity. In this study, the LCI gene containing its own terminator region was joined to GAL10 promoter-ppL (prepro-leader sequence of mating factor a). An ATG start codon of LCI gene was placed at downstream with KR endoprotease recognition site(Lys-Arg) of ppL. Recombinant S. cerevisiae harboring the LCI expression/secretion vector, pYGLPT5, was aerobicall grown on a liquid YPDG medium al $30^{\circ}C$ for 72hys. The whole cell and culture supernatant were separated after centrifugation, and the expressed LCI was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and western blotting methods. A majority fraction of the expressed LCI was found to be accumulated in the intracellular fraction, resulting in very low secretion efficiency of about 7.4%. About $500mg/\ell$ of LCI was extracellularly produced by the fed-batch culture employing the controlledfeeding of glucose and galactose. The secreted LCI was purified by ultrafiltration and hydroxylapatite column chromatography, and a purity of more than 99% was obtained.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.79-86
• /
• 2006

Objectives : The aim of this study was to observe prevention of allergic reactions of Sweet Bee Venom (removing enzyme components from Bee Venom). Methods: Content analysis of Sweet Bee Venom and Bee Venom was rendered using HPLC method and characterization of Anti-Sweet Bee Venom in Rabbit Serum. Clinical observation was conducted for inducement of allergic responses to Sweet BV. Results : 1. Analyzing melittin content using HPLC, Sweet BV contained 34.9% more melittin than Bee venom pharmacopuncture at same concentration. 2. Observing chromatogram of HPLC, removal of the enzyme was successfully rendered on Sweet BV. 3. The anti-serum of Sweet BV showed high titers against melittin and bee venom and relatively low titer against phospholipase A2. 4. After conducting approximately 3,000 cases of Sweet BV administration, not a single case of generalized anaphylatic reaction occurred in clinical observation. 5. Mild compared to the bee venom pharmacopuncture, Sweet BV showed some acute hypersensitive reactions of edema, itchiness, and aching locally. 6. Sweet BV was administered on six patients with previous history of suffering from generalized acute hypersensitive reactions with the bee venom. None of the patients showed allergic reactions with Sweet BV, suggesting it can effectively prevent anaphylatic shock which may occur after the bee venom pharmacopuncture procedure. Conclusion : Summarizing above results, Sweet Bee Venom appears to be an effective measurement against allergic reactions from the bee venom pharmacopuncture especially against anaphylatic shock.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.10 no.2 s.23
• /
• pp.81-86
• /
• 2007

Objectives : This study was conducted to carry out quantitative evaluation and safety of Sweet Bee Venom. Methods : Content analysis was done using HPLC, measurement of LD$^{50}$ was conducted intravenous, subcutaneous, and intramuscular injection to the ICR mice. Results : 1. According to HPLC analysis, removal of the enzymes containing phospholipase A2 was successfully rendered on Sweet Bee Venom. And analyzing melittin content, Sweet Bee Venom contained 12% more melittin than Bee Venom. 2. LD$^{50}$ of ICR mice with Sweet Bee Venom was more than 20mg/kg in subcutaneous injection and intravenous injection, between 15mg/kg and 20mg/kg in muscular injection. 3. LD$^{50}$ of ICR mice with Bee Venom was between 6 and 9mg/kg in subcutaneous injection and intravenous injection, and more than 9mg/kg in muscular injection. Conclusion : Above results indicate that Sweet Bee Venom was more safe than Bee Venom and the process of removing enzymes was well rendered in Sweet Bee Venom.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.31-35
• /
• 2008

Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), a metabolite of membrane phospholipids by phospholipase $A_2$, has been considered responsible for the development of abnormal vascular reactivity during atherosclerosis. $Ca^{2+}$ influx was shown to be augmented in atherosclerotic artery which might be responsible for abnormal vascular reactivity. However, the mechanism underlying $Ca^{2+}$ influx change in atherosclerotic artery remains undetermined. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of LPC on L-type $Ca^{2+}$ current $(I_{Ca(L)})$ activity and to elucidate the mechanism of LPC-induced change of $I_{Ca(L)}$ in rabbit portal vein smooth muscle cells using whole cell patch clamp. Extracellular application of LPC increased $I_{Ca(L)}$ through whole test potentials, and this effect was readily reversed by washout. Steady state voltage dependency of activation or inactivation properties of $I_{Ca(L)}$ was not significantly changed by LPC. Staurosporine (100 nM) or chelerythrine $(3{\mu}M)$, which is a potent inhibitor of PKC, significantly decreased basal $I_{Ca(L)}$, and LPC-induced increase of $I_{Ca(L)}$ was significantly suppressed in the presence of PKC inhibitors. On the other hand, application of PMA, an activator of PKC, increased basal $I_{Ca(L)}$ significantly, and LPC-induced enhancement of $I_{Ca(L)}$ was abolished by pretreatment of the cells with PMA. These findings suggest that LPC increased $I_{Ca(L)}$ in vascular smooth muscle cells by a pathway that involves PKC, and that LPC-induced increase of $I_{Ca(L)}$ might be, at least in part, responsible for increased $Ca^{2+}$ influx in atherosclerotic artery.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.1019-1030
• /
• 2003

Platycodi Radix, the root of Platycodon grandiflorum, commonly known as Doraji, is used as a traditional oriental medicine. Extracts from the roots of P. grandiflorum have been reported to have wide ranging health benefits. In the present study, we investigated the effects of an aqueous extract from the roots of P. grandiflorum (AEPG) on the growth of human lung carcinoma A549 cells. Results obtained are as fellow; AEPG treatment resulted in the inhibition of the cell viability of A549 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Upon treatment with AEPG, A549 cells developed many of the hallmark features of apoptosis, including condensation of chromatin. Flow cytometry analysis confirmed that AEPG increased populations of apoptotic-sub G1 phase. Western blot and RT-PCR analyses indicated that the expressions of Bcl-2 was down-regulated but Bax was up-regulated in AEPG-treated A549 cells. AEPG-induced apoptotis of A549 cells was associated with rroteolytic cleavage and activation of caspase-3, release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into cytosol and down-regulation of Akt and phospho-Akt proteins in a dose-dependent manner. Induction of apoptosis by AEPG treatment was associated with inhibition and/or degradation of apoptotic target proteins such as poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, β-catenin and phospholipase C-γ 1. AEPG treatment inhibited the levels of cyclooxygenases protein of A549 cells, which was associated with the inhibition of prostaglandin E2 accumulation in a concentration-dependent fashion. Taken together, these findings suggest that P. grandiflorum has strong potential for development as an agent for prevention against human lung cancer.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.20 no.6
• /
• pp.1584-1592
• /
• 2006

Houttuynia cordata Thunb, well known as 'E-Sung-Cho' in Korea, is traditional medicinal plant generally used in Oriental medicine therapy. We previously reported that the water extract of H. cordata inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in human breast carcinoma cells. In the present study, we investigated the biochemical mechanisms of anti-proliferative effects by the methanol extract of H. cordata (MEHC) in human lung carcinoma A549 cells. It was found that MEHC could inhibit the cell growth in a dose-dependent manner, which was associated with morphological change and apoptotic cell death as determined by formation of apoptotic bodies, DNA fragmentation and increased populations of apoptotic-sub G1 phase cells. Apoptosis of A549 cells by MEHC was also connected with a down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) expression. MEHC treatment induced the proteolytic activation of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9, and a concomitant inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), ${\beta}$-catenin and phospholipase (PLC)-${\gamma}$1 protein expression. Taken together, these findings provide important new insights into the possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer activity of H. cordata.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.227-233
• /
• 1999

The effects of 2-bromo-3-(3,5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxylphenyl)-1,4-naphthalenedione(TPN2), a synthetic vitamin K derivative, on platelet aggregation and its action mechanisms were investigated in rat platelet. TPN2 inhibited the platelet aggregation induced by collagen($10\mu\textrm{g}$/ml), thrombin(0.1 U/ml), A23187($10\mu\textrm{M}$) and arachidonic acid($100\mu\textrm{M}$) in concentration-dependent manner with $IC_{50}$ values of 6.5$\pm$1.3, 59.3$\pm$4.5, 13.0$\pm$2.37 and 2.9$\pm$$1.0\mu\textrm{M}$, respectively. Collagen-induced serotonin release was significantly reduced by TPN2. The elevation of intracellular free $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ([$Ca^{2+}$]i) by collagen stimulation was greatly decreased by the pretreatment of TPN2, which was due to the inhibition of calcium release from intracellular store and influx from outside of the cell. TPN2 also significantly reduced the thromboxane $A_2$($TXA_2$) formation in a concentration-dependent manner. The collagen-induced arachidonic acid (AA) release in [$^3H$]-AA incorporated platelet, an indicative of the phospholipase $A_2$ activity, was decreased by TPN2 pretreatment. TPN2 significantly inhibited the activity of thromboxane synthase, but did not affect the cyclooxygenase activity. From these results. it is suggested that TPN2 exert its antiplatelet activity through the inhibition of the intra-cellular $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization and the decrease of the $TXA_2$ synthesis.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.417-422
• /
• 2009

Lipoxygenase (LO) metabolites are generated in inflamed tissues. However, it is unclear whether the inhibition of the LO activity regulates the expression of c-Fos protein, a pain marker in the spinal cord. Here we used a carrageenan-induced inflammation model to examine the role of LO in the development of c-Fos expression. Intradermally injected carrageenan caused elevated number of cells exhibiting Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-LI) in the spinal dorsal horn, and decreased the thermal and mechanical threshold in Hargreaves and von Frey tests. Pretreatment with an inhibitor of phospholipase A2, that generates the LO substrate, prior to the carrageenan injection significantly reduced the number of Fos-(+) cells. A general LO inhibitor NDGA, a 5-LO inhibitor AA-861 and a 12-LO inhibitor baicalein also exhibited the similar effects. Moreover, the LO inhibitors suppressed carrageenan-induced thermal and mechanical hyperalgesic behaviors, which inidcates that the changes in Fos expression correlates with those in the nociceptive behaviors in the inflamed rats. LO products are endogenous TRPV1 activators and pretreatment with BCTC, a TRPV1 antagonist inhibited the thermal but not the mechanical hypersensitivity. Overall, our results from the Fos-LI and behavior tests suggest that LO products released from inflamed tissues contribute to nociception during carrageenan-induced inflammation, indicating that the LO pathway is a possible target for modulating inflammatory pain.

• Journal of fish pathology
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.81-91
• /
• 2008

Vibrio harveyi, one of the major causal agent of vibriosis, affects a diverse range of marine vertebrates and invertebrates over a wide geographical area. The aims of this study were to investigate the characteristics of extracellular products (ECPs) from an isolate of the pathogenic non‐luminous V. harveyi and the luminous V. harveyi. And ECPs of V. harveyi were examined the pathogenicity to the black rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli, and histopathological traits of internal organs injected by ECPs. Four strains of V. harveyi cultures produced ECPs showing various enzymatic activites (caseinase, gelatinase, phospholipase, lipase, haemolysin). The ECPs showed strong cytotoxicity on macrophages of black rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli and olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Especially, the virulence of ECPs from the isolate of V. harveyi FR 2 was higher in the intraperitoneally injected black rockfish. Also, the ECPs of V. harveyi FR 2 caused the expansion of sinusoids in the liver, the activation of ellipsoid in the spleen and the sloughing of the epidermal cell in the intestine. It was suggested that the ECPs from V. harveyi play an important role in the pathogenicity process of the V. harveyi.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.249-254
• /
• 1999

Enzymatic conversion of brain glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked alkaline phosphatase (GPI-AP), amphiphilic, was examined. When GPI-AP was incubated with glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D (GPI-PLD), a negligible conversion of GPI-AP to hydrophilic form was observed. The inclusion of monoacylglycerols enhanced the enzymatic conversion, although the action of monoacylglycerols differed greatly according to the size of acyl group; the enzymatic conversion was enhanced considerably in the presence of monoacylglycerols possessing acyl group of longer chain length ($C_{10-}C_{18}$), which monoacylglycerols with acyl moiety of shorter length ($C_{4-}C_{8}$) did fail to augment the enzymatic conversion. Noteworthy, monooleoylglycerol was much more effective than the other monoacylglycerols in promoting the enzymatic conversion, indicating a beneficial role of the unsaturation in acyl chain. Meanwhile, ionic amphiphiles such as monohexadecyllysophosphatidylcholoine and palmitoyl-carnitine decreased the enzymatic conversion of GPI-AP in a concentration-dependent manner, with monohexadecyllysophosphatidylcholine and palmitoyl-carnitine deceased the enzymatic conversion of GPI-AP in a concentration-dependent manner, with monohexadecyllysophosphatidylcholoine being more inhibitory than palmitoylcarnitine. Separately when GPI-AP was exposed to various oxidants prior to the incubation with GPI-PLD, a remarkable decrease of the enzymatic conversion was observed with hypochlorite and peroynitrite generators, but not $H_{2}O_{2}$. In further study, hypochlorite was found to inactivate GPI-PLD at low concentrations ($3~100{\mu}M$). From these results, it is suggested that the enzymatic conversion of GPI-AP by GPI-PLD may be regulated in vivo system.