• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.46-53
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• 2014

Inorganic arsenic (iAs) is a toxic metalloid found ubiquitously in the environment. In humans, exposure to iAs can result in toxicity and cause toxicological manifestations. Arsenic trioxide ($As_2O_3$) has been used in the treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia. The kidney is the critical target organ of trivalent inorganic As ($iAs^{III}$) toxicity. We examine if oral administration of astaxanthin (AST) has protective effects on nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by $As_2O_3$ exposure (via intraperitoneal injection) in rats. Markers of renal function, histopathological changes, $Na^+-K^+$ ATPase, sulfydryl, oxidative stress, and As accumulation in kidneys were evaluated as indicators of $As_2O_3$ exposure. AST showed a significant protective effect against $As_2O_3$-induced nephrotoxicity. These results suggest that the mechanisms of action, by which AST reduces nephrotoxicity, may include antioxidant protection against oxidative injury and reduction of As accumulation. These findings might be of therapeutic benefit in humans or animals suffering from exposure to $iAs^{III}$ from natural sources or cancer therapy.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.159-165
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• 2003

Ankyrins are a ubiquitously expressed family of intracellular adaptor proteins involved in targeting diverse proteins to specialized membrane domains in both the plasma membrane and the endoplasmic reticulum. Recently, the studies with C-terminus of ankyrins have identified that ankyrin-B is capable of interacting with Hsp40 and sAnkl is capable of interacting with obscurin and titin, but the function of C-terminal domain of ankyrin-G remains unknown. To identify proteins interacting C-terminus of ankyrin-G, we used the C-terminus of ankyrin-G as a bait for a yeast two-hybrid screen of brain cDNA library. Approximately 1.33$\times$l0$^6$ transformants were screened, of which 13 positive clones were obtained as determined by activation of HIS3, ADE2 and MELl reporter genes. Sequence analyses of these 13 plasmids revealed that cDNA inserts of 13 colonies showed highly homologous to 11 genes, including 5 known (i.e., Na$^+$/K$^+$ ATPase $\beta$1, SERBPl, UTF2, cytochrome C oxidase and collagen IV $\alpha$2) and 6 unknown genes. The evaluation of the proteins that emerge from these experiments provides a rational approach to investigate the those proteins significant in interaction with ankyrin-G.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.13 no.1_2
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• pp.13-22
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• 1979

Studies have been conducted using isolated surviving skin of Rana temporalia in an attempt to evaluate the effect of N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) on the epithelial $Na^+$ transport. Active transport of $Na^+$ across the skin was estimated by measuring short circuit current (SCC). NEM administered to the outside surface of the skin in concentration of $0.5{\times}10^{-4}-2.5{\times}10^{-4}M$ induced $20{\sim}40%$ increase during the first 30 mintues, followed by a gradual reduction in SCC. With NEM above $4{\times}10^{-4}M$, SCC was inhibited from the beginning. Qualitatively similar results were obtained when NEM was added to the inside bathing medium. However, the concentration of NEM for a similar effect was much higher with the drug in the inside bathing medium than in the outside bathing medium. The oxygen consumption of the skin was inhibited by NEM of above $10^{-4}M$, the effect being of approximately the same magnitude as that on SCC. The activity of $Na^+-K^+$ ATPase of the skin was not inhibited by NEM below $10^{-3}M$, but it was dramatically reduced with $1.2{\times}M$ NEM. The effects of NEM $(10^{-4}M)$ on the SCC and oxygen consumption could be eliminated by adding cysteine $(10^{-4}-10^{-3}M)$ in the medium, indicating that the SH group is involved in the action of NEM in the frog skin. On the basis of these results, the mode of action of NEM on the $Na^+$ transport across the frog skin was discussed.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 2004

It is widely accepted that smooth muscle contraction is triggered by intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) released from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ stores such as sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and from the extracellular space, The increased $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ can phosphorylate the 20-kDa myosin light chain ($MLC_{20}$) by activating MLC kinase (MLCK), and this initiates smooth muscle contraction. In addition to the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$-MLCK-tension pathway, a number of intracellular signal molecules, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), protein kinase C (PKC), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and Rho-associated coiled coil-forming protein kinase (ROCK), play important roles in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction. However, the mechanisms regulating contraction of caldesmon (CaD), actin-binding protein, are not entirely elucidated in the presence of $Ca^{2+}$. It is known that CaD tightly interacts with actin and inhibits actomyosin ATPase activity. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the roles of $Ca^{2+}$-dependent CaD in smooth muscle contraction. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), G-protein coupled receptor agonist and vasoconstrictor, increased both vascular smooth contraction and phosphorylation of CaD in the presence of $Ca^{2+}$. These results suggest that ET-1 induces contraction and phosphorylation of CaD in rat aortic smooth muscle, which may he mediated by the increase of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.311-316
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• 2010

It is well-known that electrical field stimulation (EFS)-induced contraction is mediated by a cholinergic mechanism and other neurotransmitters. NO, ATP, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and substance P are released by EFS. To investigate the purinergic mechanism involved in the EFS-induced contraction, purinegic receptors antagonists were used. Suramine, a non-selective P2 receptor antagonist, reduced the contraction induced by EFS. NF023 ($10^{-7}{\sim}10^{-4}M$), a selective P2X antagonist, inhibited the contraction evoked by EFS. Reactive blue ($10^{-6}{\sim}10^{-4}M$), selective P2Y antagonist, also blocked the contraction in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, P2X agonist ${\alpha}$,${\beta}$-methylene 5'-adenosine triphosphate (${\alpha}{\beta}MeATP$, $10^{-7}{\sim}10^{-5}M$) potentiated EFS-induced contraction in a dose-dependent manner. P2Y agonist adenosine 5'-[${\beta}$-thio]diphosphate trilithium salt ($ADP{\beta}S$, $10^{-7}{\sim}10^{-5}M$) also potentiated EFS-induced contractions in a dose-dependent manner. Ecto-ATPase activator apyrase (5 and 10 U/ml) reduced EFS-induced contractions. Inversely, 6-N,$N$-diethyl-D-${\beta}$,${\gamma}$- dibromomethylene 5'-triphosphate triammonium (ARL 67156, $10^{-4}M$) increased EFS-induced contraction. These data suggest that endogenous ATP plays a role in EFS-induced contractions which are mediated through both P2X-receptors and P2Y-receptors stimulation in cat esophageal smooth muscle.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.278-288
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• 2013

Objectives : Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has a cephalosporin and beta-lactam antibiotic-resistant strains. MRSA is one of the major pathogens causing hospital infection and the isolation ratio of MRSA has gradually increased. Consequently, increased resistance to antibiotics is causing serious problems in the world. Therefore, there is a need to develop alternative antimicrobial drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases. Methods : The antibacterial activities of Ipyo-san were evaluated against 2 strains of MRSA and 1 standard Methicillin-susceptible staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) strain by using the disc diffusion method, minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) assay, colorimetric assay using MTT test, checkerboard dilution test and time-kill assay performed under dark. Results : The MIC of Ipyo-san water extract against S. aureus strains ranged from 1000 to $2,000{\mu}g/ml$, so we confirmed that it had a strong antibacterial effect. Also, the combinations of Ipyo-san water extract and conventional antibiotics exhibited improved inhibition of MRSA with synergy effect. We suggest that Ipyo-san water extract against MRSA has antibacterial activity so it has potential as alternatives to antibiotic agents. For the combination test, we used Triton X-100 (TX) and DCCD for measurement of membrane permeability and inhibitor of ATPase. As a result, antimicrobial activity of Ipyo-san water extract was affected by the cell membrane. Conclusions : We suggest that the Ipyo-san water extract lead the treatment of bacterial infection to solve the resistance and remaining side-effect problems that are the major weak points of traditional antibiotics.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.32-42
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• 2009

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of dihydrexidine, a full $D_1$ receptor agonist, on the secretion of catecholamines (CA) from the perfused model of the rat adrenal gland, and to establish its mechanism of action. Dihydrexidine (10-100 ${\mu}M$), perfused into an adrenal vein for 60 min, relatively produced dose- and time-dependent inhibition in the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh (5.32 mM), high $K^+$ (56 mM), DMPP (100 ${\mu}M$) and McN-A-343 (100 ${\mu}M$). Dihydrexidine itself did fail to affect basal CA output. Also, in adrenal glands loaded with dihydrexidine (30 ${\mu}M$), the CA secretory responses evoked by Bay-K-8644 (10 ${\mu}M$), an activator of L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels, cyclopiazonic acid (10 ${\mu}M$), an inhibitor of cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase, and veratridine, an activator of voltage-dependent $Na+$ channels (10 ${\mu}M$), were also markedly inhibited, respectively. However, in the simultaneous presence of dihydrexidine (30 ${\mu}M$) and R (+)-SCH23390 (a selective antagonist of $D_1$ receptor, 3 ${\mu}M$), the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high K+, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644, cyclopiazonic acid and veratridine were considerably recovered to the extent of the corresponding control secretion compared with the inhibitory responses by dihydrexidinetreatment alone. In conclusion, these experimental results suggest that dihydrexidine significantly inhibits the CA secretion evoked by cholinergic stimulation (both nicotinic and muscarinic receptors) and membrane depolarization from the rat adrenal medulla. It seems that this inhibitory effect of dihydrexidine may be mediated by inhibiting influx of both $Ca^{2+}$ and $Na^+$ into the cytoplasm as well as by suppression of $Ca^{2+}$ release from cytoplasmic calcium store through activation of dopaminergic $D_1$ receptors located on the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.375-382
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• 2009

The 26S proteasome is a 2-MDa complex with a central role in protein turn over. The 26S proteasome is comprised of one 20S core particle and two 19S regulatory particles (RPs). The RPN12a protein, a non-ATPase subunit of the 19S RP, was previously shown to be involved in cytokinin signaling in Arabidopsis. To further investigate cellular roles of RPN12a, RNAi transgenic plants of RPN12a were constructed. As expected, the 35S:RNAi-RPN12a plants showed cytokinin signaling defective phenotypes, including abnormal formation of leaves and inflorescences. Furthermore, RNAi knock-down transgenic plants exhibited additional unique phenotypes, including concave and heart-shape cotyledons, triple cotyledons, irregular and clustered guard cells, and defects in phyllotaxy, all of which are typical for defective cytokinin signaling. We next examined the mRNA level of cytokinin signaling components, including type-A ARRs, type-B ARRs, and CRFs. The expression of type-A ARRs, encoding negative regulators of cytokinin signaling, was markedly reduced in 35S:RNAi-RPN12a transgenic plants relative to that in wild type plants, while type-B ARRs and CRFs were unaffected. Our results also indicate that in vivo stability of the ARR5 protein, a negative regulator of cytokinin signaling, is mediated by the 26S proteasome complex. These results suggest that RPN12a participates in feedback inhibitory mechanism of cytokinin signaling through modulation of the abundance of ARR5 protein in Arabidopsis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.2 s.69
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• pp.192-196
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• 2005

The SNF2/SW12 family comprises proteins from a variety of species with in vivo functions, such as transcriptional regulation, maintenance of chromosome stability during mitosis, and various types of DNA repair. This study was shown the characterization of hrp2+ gene which was isolated by PCR amplification using the conserved domain of SNF2 motifs. Sequence analysis of hrp2+ gene showed striking evolutionary conservation among the SNF2 family of proteins. The transcript of hrp2+ gene was found to be a 4.7 kb as identified by Northern hybridization. To investigate the inducibility of hrp2+ gene, transcript levels were examined after treating the cells to various DNA damaging agents. The transcripts of hrp2+ were induced by UV-irradiation. But the transcripts were not induced by treatment of $ 0.25\%$ Methylmethane sulfonate (MMS). These results implied that the effects of damaging agents are complex and different regulatory pathways exist for the induction of this gene. Hrp2 protein was purified near homogeneity by combination of affinity chromatography. We tested the purified Hrp2 protein for the helicase activity in an oligonucleotide release assay. However we were unable to detect any helicase activity associated with the Hrp2 protein, indicating that the helicase motifs in Hrp2 are merely indicators of a broader DNA-dependent ATPase activity.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.35 no.3 s.138
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• pp.250-254
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• 2004

Helicobacter pylori (H. pyroli) infection it associated with type B gastritis, peptic uler disease, and gastric cancer. The vacuolation of cells induced by H. pylori is thought to be essential for the initiation and maintenance of gastric infection. The roles of H. pylori cytotoxin, urease, and ammonia in the vacuolation of HeLa cells were determined. H. pylori toxin induced vacuolation of HeLa cells. Korean and Japanese radishes significantly prevented the vacuolation of HeLa cells induced by H. pylori toxin. The urease activity in vacuolated cells was also decreased with Korean and Japanese radishes. H. Pylori toxin-induced vacuolation was inhibited by vacuolar type ATPase inhibitors (bafilomycin and N-ethylmaleimide). However, further investigation is required to determine the mechanisms of radish for the inhibition of vacuole formation of eukaryotic cells in response to the H. pylori toxin.