• Title/Summary/Keyword: }ATPase$

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Expression Pattern of Skeletal-Muscle Protein Genes and Cloning of Parvalbumin mRNA in Dark-banded Rockfish (Sebastes inermis) (볼락(Sebastes inermis) 근육단백질 유전자의 성장단계별 발현 양상과 parvalbumin 유전자 클로닝)

  • Jang, Yo-Soon
    • Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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    • v.23 no.1
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    • pp.1-9
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    • 2011
  • Differentially Expressed Gene (DEG) was obtained from Differential Display Reverse Transcription (DDRT)-PCR using Annealing Control Primer (ACP) to search and clone genes related to developmental stages of Sebastes inermis. By using 120 ACPs, the nucleotide sequences obtained from 16 DEGs showing higher expression in 6-month-old skeletal muscle than 18-month-old ones and from 22 DEGs displaying stronger expression in 18-month-old than 6-month-old were analyzed and BLAST was conducted. The results identified that DEGs shared 69~95% homology with genes of parvalbumin (PVALB), nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDK) B, tropomyosin (TPM), troponin I (TnI), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), muscle-type creatine kinase (CKM2), small EDRK-rich factor 2 (SERF2), adenosine monophosphate deaminase (AMPD), Trimeric intracellular cation channel type A (TRICA), Rho GTPase-activating protein 15 (ARHGAP15), S-formylglutathione hydrolase (Esterase D; ESD), heat shock protein 70 (hsp70), type 1 collagen alpha 2 (COL1A2), glutathione S-transferase, Mid1-interacting protein 1 (Mid1lip1), myosin light chain 1 (MYL1), sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 1B (SERCA1B), and ferritin heavy subunit (FTH1). Expression pattern by developmental stage of DEG14 and PVALB exhibiting strong expression in 6-month-old skeletal muscle was investigated using real time PCR. Expression was reduced as Sebastes inermis grew. Expression of PVALB gene was extremely low after 6 months of age. Expression of CKM2 showed higher expression in 18-month-old skeletal muscle than in 6-month-old muscles, and increased continuously until 4 years old, after which CKM2 expression became gradually reduced. By analysis of tissue-specific expression patterns of DEG, DEG14 was expressed mainly in skeletal muscle, liver, kidney and spleen tissues, whereas PVALB expression was expressed in skeletal muscle and kidney, but not in liver and spleen tissues. CKM2 was expressed in skeletal muscle, kidney, and spleen tissues, but not in liver tissues. PVALB gene was composed of 110 amino acids, which constituted 659 bp nucleotides. The results reported here demonstrate that the expression patterns of parvalbumin and CKM2 could be used as molecular markers for selecting fishes exhibiting fast growth.

Relationship between RNA- and Protein-Synthesis and Cell Wall Acidification in Auxin-Mediated Elongation of Sunflower Hypocotyls (해바라기 하배축의 오옥신 유도 신장에서 RNA 및 단백질의 합성과 세포벽 산성화의 관계)

  • 조형택
    • Journal of Plant Biology
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    • v.35 no.2
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    • pp.107-116
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    • 1992
  • The roles of RNA- and protein-synthesis and $H^{+}$ excretion in 1AA ($10\;\mu\textrm{M}$)-induced elongation were investigated using abraded hypocotyl segments of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). The response of elongation initiated about 13 min after IAA treatment. Removal of cuticle, acting as diffusion barrier for inhibitors, by mechanical abrasion of hypocotyl segments enhanced the effect of inhibitors markedly, but the degree of abrasion for the saturated effect of inhibition was different among inhibitors. The elongation induced by 1M was completely inhibited when cycloheximide ($10\;\mu\textrm{M}$) was applied to abraded hypocotyl segments as shortly as 4 min before the onset of the growth response (= 10 min after administration of IAA). Cordycepin ($200\;\mu\textrm{M}$) prevented completely 1AA-induced elongation when applied as shortly as 19 min before the onset of the growth response (=5 min before administration of 1AA). Vanadate (1 mM) inhibited both lAA-induced elongation and medium acidification via lAA-induced $H^{+}$ excretion to apoplast. Cycloheximide and cordycepin also prevented lAA-induced $H^{+}$ excretion strongly. However, inhibition by cycloheximide of lAA-induced elongation was not alleviated by acidifying the cell wall to pH 4.5. The results indicate that, a few minutes before the initiation of growih, protein synthesis is demanded for the initiation of 1AA-induced elongation and the $H^{+}$ excretion to cell wall, and that the H+ excretion, even though it may be necessary for elongation, does not seem to bring about acid growth simply through acidifying cell wall.l wall.

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Proteomic Assessment of the Relevant Factors Affecting Pork Meat Quality Associated with Longissimus dorsi Muscles in Duroc Pigs

  • Cho, Jin Hyoung;Lee, Ra Ham;Jeon, Young-Joo;Park, Seon-Min;Shin, Jae-Cheon;Kim, Seok-Ho;Jeong, Jin Young;Kang, Hyun-sung;Choi, Nag-Jin;Seo, Kang Seok;Cho, Young Sik;Kim, MinSeok S.;Ko, Sungho;Seo, Jae-Min;Lee, Seung-Youp;Shim, Jung-Hyun;Chae, Jung-Il
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.29 no.11
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    • pp.1653-1663
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    • 2016
  • Meat quality is a complex trait influenced by many factors, including genetics, nutrition, feeding environment, animal handling, and their interactions. To elucidate relevant factors affecting pork quality associated with oxidative stress and muscle development, we analyzed protein expression in high quality longissimus dorsi muscles (HQLD) and low quality longissimus dorsi muscles (LQLD) from Duroc pigs by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based proteomic analysis. Between HQLD (n = 20) and LQLD (n = 20) Duroc pigs, 24 differentially expressed proteins were identified by LC-MS/MS. A total of 10 and 14 proteins were highly expressed in HQLD and LQLD, respectively. The 24 proteins have putative functions in the following seven categories: catalytic activity (31%), ATPase activity (19%), oxidoreductase activity (13%), cytoskeletal protein binding (13%), actin binding (12%), calcium ion binding (6%), and structural constituent of muscle (6%). Silver-stained image analysis revealed significant differential expression of lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) between HQLD and LQLD Duroc pigs. LDHA was subjected to in vitro study of myogenesis under oxidative stress conditions and LDH activity assay to verification its role in oxidative stress. No significant difference of mRNA expression level of LDHA was found between normal and oxidative stress condition. However, LDH activity was significantly higher under oxidative stress condition than at normal condition using in vitro model of myogenesis. The highly expressed LDHA was positively correlated with LQLD. Moreover, LDHA activity increased by oxidative stress was reduced by antioxidant resveratrol. This paper emphasizes the importance of differential expression patterns of proteins and their interaction for the development of meat quality traits. Our proteome data provides valuable information on important factors which might aid in the regulation of muscle development and the improvement of meat quality in longissimus dorsi muscles of Duroc pigs under oxidative stress conditions.

Effects of a traditional Chinese medicine formula and its extraction on muscle fiber characteristics in finishing pigs, porcine cell proliferation and isoforms of myosin heavy chain gene expression in myocytes

  • Yu, Qin Ping;Feng, Ding Yuan;He, Xiao Jun;Wu, Fan;Xia, Min Hao;Dong, Tao;Liu, Yi Hua;Tan, Hui Ze;Zou, Shi Geng;Zheng, Tao;Ou, Xian Hua;Zuo, Jian Jun
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.30 no.11
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    • pp.1620-1632
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    • 2017
  • Objective: This study evaluated the effects of a traditional Chinese medicine formula (TCMF) on muscle fiber characteristics in finishing pigs and the effects of the formula's extract (distilled water, ethyl acetate and petroleum ether extraction) on porcine cell proliferation and isoforms of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) gene expression in myocytes. Methods: In a completely randomized design, ninety pigs were assigned to three diets with five replications per treatment and six pigs per pen. The diets included the basal diet (control group), TCMF1 (basal diet+2.5 g/kg TCMF) and TCMF2 (basal diet+5 g/kg TCMF). The psoas major muscle was obtained from pigs at the end of the experiment. Muscle fiber characteristics in the psoas major muscle were analyzed using myosin ATPase staining. Cell proliferation was measured using 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) dye and cytometry. Isoforms of MyHC gene expression were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: The final body weight and carcass weight of finishing pigs were increased by TCMF1 (p<0.05), while the psoas major muscle cross-sectional area was increased by TCMF (p<0.05). The cross-sectional area and diameter of psoas major muscle fiber Ι, IIA, and IIB were increased by TCMF2 (p<0.05). The cross-sectional area and fiber diameter of psoas major muscle fiber IIA and IIB were increased by diet supplementation with TCMF1 (p<0.05). Psoas major muscle fiber IIA and IIB fiber density from the pigs fed the TCMF1 diet and the type IIB fiber density from the pigs fed the TCMF2 diet were lower compared to pigs fed the control diet (p<0.05). Pigs fed TCMF2 had a higher composition of type Ι fiber and a lower percentage of type IIB fiber in the psoas major muscle (p<0.05). The expression levels of MyHC Ι, MyHC IIa, and MyHC IIx mRNA increased and the amount of MyHC IIb mRNA decreased in the psoas major muscle from TCMF2, whereas MyHC Ι and MyHC IIx mRNA increased in the psoas major muscle from TCMF1 (p<0.05). Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ $coactivator-1{\alpha}$ and CaN mRNA expression in the psoas major muscle were up-regulated by TCMF (p<0.05). Porcine skeletal muscle satellite cell proliferation was promoted by $4{\mu}g/mL$ and $20{\mu}g/mL$ TCMF water extraction (p<0.05). Both $1{\mu}g/mL$ and $5{\mu}g/mL$ of TCMF water extraction increased MyHC IIa, MyHC IIb, and MyHC IIx mRNA expression in porcine myocytes (p<0.05), while MyHC Ι mRNA expression in porcine myocytes was decreased by $5{\mu}g/mL$ TCMF water extraction (p<0.05). Porcine myocyte MyHC Ι and MyHC IIx mRNA expression were increased, and MyHC IIa and MyHC IIb mRNA expression were down-regulated by $5{\mu}g/mL$ TCMF ethyl acetate extraction (p<0.05). MyHC Ι and MyHC IIa mRNA expression in porcine myocytes were increased, and the MyHC IIb mRNA expression was decreased by $1{\mu}g/mL$ TCMF ethyl acetate extraction (p<0.05). Four isoforms of MyHC mRNA expression in porcine myocytes were reduced by $5{\mu}g/mL$ TCMF petroleum ether extraction (p<0.05). MyHC IIa mRNA expression in porcine myocytes increased and MyHC IIb mRNA expression decreased by $1{\mu}g/mL$ in a TCMF petroleum ether extraction (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results indicated that TCMF amplified the psoas major muscle cross-sectional area through changing muscle fiber characteristics in finishing pigs. This effect was confirmed as TCMF extraction promoted porcine cell proliferation and affected isoforms of MyHC gene expression in myocytes.

Thermal-Denaturation of File Fish Myofibrillar Protein and Protective Effect of Sucrose, Sorbitol and Amino Acids (말쥐치 근원섬유단백질의 열안정성과 및 가지 첨가제의 영향)

  • CHOI Young-Joon;PYEUN Jae-Hyeung
    • Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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    • v.18 no.5
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    • pp.455-463
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    • 1985
  • Thermal-denaturation of myofibrillar protein of dorsal skeletal muscle from file fish was investigated by measuring denaturation constant($K_D$) and thermodynamic parameters at various temperatures. The protective effects of sucrose, sorbitol and amino acids when added individually or combined were also discussed. The denaturation rate as reflected in inactivation of myofibrillar protein Ca-ATPase was followed the first order reaction. The $K_D$ values at $25^{\circ}C,\;30^{\circ}C,\;and\;35^{\circ}C$ were $19.52{\times}10^{-5},\;112.25{\times}10^{-5},\;and\;247.20{\times}10^{-5}$, respectively. The activation energy of the reaction at $30^{\circ}C$ was 43 kcal/mole. The protective effects of sucrose, sorbitol, glycine, alanine and Na-glutamate were increased with the concentration but the effects of sorbitol and Na-glutamate decreased beyond 1.0 mole. Basic amino acids such as arginine and lysine did not revealed any protective effect on the thermal denaturation. In case of mixed addition, the effects of Na-glutamate to glycine, sorbitol to glycine, and sorbitol to sucrose or sorbitol to Na-glutamate were enhanced 1.2 to 7.0 times as much as that of control (ratio of mixing; 1:1, range of concentration; 0.5 to 1.25 mole). Under the frozen condition at $-20^{\circ}C$, two mixtures such as Na-glutamate to glycine and sorbitol to sucrose apparently revealed the protective effects.

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Identification of novel mutations of the ATP7A gene and prenatal diagnosis of Menkes disease by mutation analysis (DNA 분석을 이용한 ATP7A 유전자의 새로운 돌연변이 발견과 멘케스병의 산전 진단)

  • Choi, Jin-Ho;Kim, Gu-Hwan;Yoo, Han-Wook
    • Journal of Genetic Medicine
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    • v.4 no.1
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    • pp.38-44
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    • 2007
  • Purpose : Menkes disease is an X-linked recessively inherited disorder caused by the mutation of the ATP7A gene encoding copper-transporting P-type AT Pase. The phenotypic features are progressive neurological degeneration, mental retardation, loose skin, and vascular complications. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important for the prognosis of Menkes disease. Here, we describe nov el mutations of the ATP7A gene and prenatal diagnosis by mutation analysis. Methods : Five unrelated Korean Menkes patients were included in this study. They presented with depigmented wool-like hair, progressive neurologic deterioration, and hypotonia in infancy. Serum copper and ceruloplasmin levels w ere decreased. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed tortuous intracranial vessels. Mutation analysis has been carried out using cDNA from cultured skin fibroblasts or genomic DNA from peripheral leukocytes. Prenatal diagnosis was performed in two cases using chorionic villi samples or amniocytes. Results : Four novel mutations have been identified from four different families; c.3511+1G>A (p.E1099_N1171delinsMfsX 18), c.4005+5 G>A (p.V1268_R1335del), c.1870_2172del (p.S624_Q724del), and c.3352 G>A (p.G1118S). T he remaining one was previously reported (c.1933 C>T (p.V 1268_R1335del)). On prenatal DNA analysis, one w as diagnosed as normal, while the other turned out to be a female heterozygote with p.S624_Q724del mutation of the ATP7A gene. Conclusion : We identified 4 novel mutations of the ATP7A gene. Prenatal diagnosis in families at risk is critical in order to choose preventiv e options including an early treatment with copper-histidine therapy or therapeutic termination. Most mutations of the ATP7A gene were frame-shift mutations and prenatal diagnosis has been successfully carried out.

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Effects of Pinacidil, a Potassium-Channel Opener, on Biodistribution of Thallium-201 in Tumor-Bearing Mice ($K^+$ 통로개방제 Pinacidil이 종양이식 생쥐에서 Tl-201의 체내분포에 미치는 영향)

  • Lee, Jae-Tae;Chun, Kyung-Ah;Lee, Sang-Woo;Kang, Do-Young;Ahn, Byeong-Cheol;Jun, Soo-Han;Lee, Kyu-Bo;Ha, Jeoung-Hee
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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    • v.34 no.4
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    • pp.303-311
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    • 2000
  • Purpose: Thallium behaves similarly to potassium in vivo. Potassium channel opener (K-opener) opens ATP-sensitive $K^+$-channel located at cell membrane, resulting in potassium efflux from cytosol. We have previously reported that K-opener can alter biokinetics of Tl-201 in cultured cells and in vivo. Malignant tumor cells have high Na-K ATPase activity due to increased metabolic activities and dedifferentiation, and differential delineation of malignant tumor can be possible with Tl-201 imaging. K-opener may affect tumoral uptake of Tl-201 in vivo. To investigate the effects of pinacidil (one of the potent K-openers) on the localization of the tumor with Tl-201 chloride, we evaluated the changes in biodistribution of Tl-201 with pinacidil treatment in tumor-bearing mice. Materials and Methods: Baltic mice received subcutaneous implantation of murine breast cancer cells in the thigh and were used for biodistribution study 3 weeks later. $100{\mu}g$ of pinacidil dissolved in $200{\mu}l$ DMSO/PBS solution was injected intravenously via tail vein at 10 min after 185 KBq ($5{\mu}Ci$) Tl-201 injection. Percentage organ uptake and whole body retention ratio of Tl-201 were measured at various periods after injection, and values were compared between control and pinacidil-treated mice. Results: Pinacidil treatment resulted in mild decrease in blood levels of Tl-201, but renal uptakes were markedly decreased at 30-min, 1- and 2-hour, compared to control group. Hepatic, intestinal and muscular uptake were not different. Absolute percentage uptake and tumor to blood ratios of Tl-201 were lower in pinacidil treated mice than in the control group at all time points measured. Whole body retention ratio of Tl-201 was lower in pinacidil treated mice ($58{\pm}4%$ ), than in the control group ($67{\pm}3%$) at 24 hours after with injection of $100{\mu}g$ pinacidil. Conclusion: K-opener did not enhance, but rather decreased absolute tumoral uptake and tumor-to-blood ratios of Tl-201. Decreased whole body retention ratio and renal uptake were observed with pinacidil treatment in tumor-bearing mice.

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Intestinal segment and vitamin D3 concentration affect gene expression levels of calcium and phosphorus transporters in broiler chickens

  • Jincheng Han;Lihua Wu;Xianliang Lv;Mengyuan Liu;Yan Zhang;Lei He;Junfang Hao;Li Xi;Hongxia Qu;Chuanxin Shi;Zhiqiang Li;Zhixiang Wang;Fei Tang;Yingying Qiao
    • Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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    • v.65 no.2
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    • pp.336-350
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    • 2023
  • Two experiments were conducted in this research. Experiment 1 investigated the spatial expression characteristics of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) transporters in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of 21-day-old broilers provided with adequate nutrient feed. Experiment 2 evaluated the effects of dietary vitamin D3 (VD3) concentration (0, 125, 250, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 IU/kg) on growth performance, bone development, and gene expression levels of intestinal Ca and P transporters in 1-21-day-old broilers provided with the negative control diet without supplemental VD3. Results in experiment 1 showed that the mRNA levels of calcium-binding protein 28-kDa (CaBP-D28k), sodium-calcium exchanger 1 (NCX1), plasma membrane calcium ATPase 1b (PMCA1b), and IIb sodium-phosphate cotransporter (NaPi-IIb) were the highest in the broiler duodenum. By contrast, the mRNA levels of inorganic phosphate transporter 1 (PiT-1) and 2 (PiT-2) were the highest in the ileum. Results in experiment 2 showed that adding 125 IU/kg VD3 increased body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), bone weight, and percentage and weight of Ca and P in the tibia and femur of 1-21-day-old broilers compared with the negative control diet (p < 0.05). The rise in dietary VD3 levels from 125 to 1,000 IU/kg further increased the BWG, FI, and weights of the bone, ash, Ca, and P (p < 0.05). No difference in growth rate and leg bone quality was noted in the broilers provided with 1,000 and 2,000 IU/kg VD3 (p > 0.05). Supplementation with 125-2,000 IU/kg VD3 increased the mRNA abundances of intestinal Ca and P transporters to varying degrees. The mRNA level of CaBP-D28k increased by 536, 1,161, and 28 folds in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, respectively, after adding 1,000 IU/kg VD3. The mRNA levels of other Ca and P transporters (PMCA1b, NCX1, NaPi-IIb, PiT-1, and PiT-2) increased by 0.57-1.74 folds by adding 1,000-2,000 IU/kg VD3. These data suggest that intestinal Ca and P transporters are mainly expressed in the duodenum of broilers. Moreover, the addition of VD3 stimulates the two mineral transporter transcription in broiler intestines.

Establishment of Test Conditions and Interlaboratory Comparison Study of Neuro-2a Assay for Saxitoxin Detection (Saxitoxin 검출을 위한 Neuro-2a 시험법 조건 확립 및 실험실 간 변동성 비교 연구)

  • Youngjin Kim;Jooree Seo;Jun Kim;Jeong-In Park;Jong Hee Kim;Hyun Park;Young-Seok Han;Youn-Jung Kim
    • Journal of Marine Life Science
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    • v.9 no.1
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    • pp.9-21
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    • 2024
  • Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) including Saxitoxin (STX) is caused by harmful algae, and poisoning occurs when the contaminated seafood is consumed. The mouse bioassay (MBA), a standard test method for detecting PSP, is being sanctioned in many countries due to its low detection limit and the animal concerns. An alternative to the MBA is the Neuro-2a cell-based assay. This study aimed to establish various test conditions for Neuro-2a assay, including cell density, culture conditions, and STX treatment conditions, to suit the domestic laboratory environment. As a result, the initial cell density was set to 40,000 cells/well and the incubation time to 24 hours. Additionally, the concentration of Ouabain and Veratridine (O/V) was set to 500/50 μM, at which most cells died. In this study, we identified eight concentrations of STX, ranging from 368 to 47,056 fg/μl, which produced an S-shaped dose-response curve when treated with O/V. Through inter-laboratory variability comparison of the Neuro-2a assay, we established five Quality Control Criteria to verify the appropriateness of the experiments and six Data Criteria (Top and Bottom OD, EC50, EC20, Hill slop, and R2 of graph) to determine the reliability of the experimental data. The Neuro-2a assay conducted under the established conditions showed an EC50 value of approximately 1,800~3,500 fg/μl. The intra- & inter-lab variability comparison results showed that the coefficients of variation (CVs) for the Quality Control and Data values ranged from 1.98% to 29.15%, confirming the reproducibility of the experiments. This study presented Quality Control Criteria and Data Criteria to assess the appropriateness of the experiments and confirmed the excellent repeatability and reproducibility of the Neuro-2a assay. To apply the Neuro-2a assay as an alternative method for detecting PSP in domestic seafood, it is essential to establish a toxin extraction method from seafood and toxin quantification methods, and perform correlation analysis with MBA and instrumental analysis methods.

EFFECT OF OCTANOL, THE GAP JUNCTION BLOCKER, ON THE REGULATION OF FLUID SECRETION AND INTRACELLULAR CALCIUM CONCENTRATION IN SALIVARY ACINAR CELLS (흰쥐 악하선 세포에서 gap junction 봉쇄제인 octanol이 타액분비 및 세포내 $Ca^{2+}$ 농도 조절에 미치는 영향)

  • Lee, Ju-Seok;Seo, Jeong-Taeg;Lee, Syng-Il;Lee, Jong-Gap;Sohn, Heung-Kyu
    • Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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    • v.26 no.2
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    • pp.399-415
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    • 1999
  • From bacteria to mammalian cells, one of the most important mediators of intracellular signal transduction mechanisms which regulate a variety of intracellular processes is free calcium. In salivary acinar cells, elevation of intracellular calcium concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) is essential for the salivary secretion induced by parasympathetic stimulation. However, in addition to $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, gap junctions which couple individual cells electrically and chemically have also been reported to regulate enzyme secretion in pancreatic acinar cells. Since the plasma membrane of salivary acinar cells has a high density of gap junctions, and these cells are electrically and chemically coupled with each other, gap junctions may modulate the secretory function of salivary glands. In this respect, I planned to investigate the role of gap junctions in the modulation of salivary secretion and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, using mandibular salivary glands of rats. In order to measure the salivary flow rate, fluid was collected from the cannulated duct of the isolated perfused rat mandibular glands at 2 min intervals. $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, was measured from the cells loaded with fura-2 by spectrofluorometry. The results obtained were as follows: 1. CCh-induced salivary secretion was reversibly inhibited by 1 mM octanol, a gap junction blocker. 2. CCh-induced increase in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, was also reversed by the application of 1 mM octanol. 3. Octanol did not block the initial increase in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ caused by CCh, which suggested that the reduction of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, caused by gap junction blockade was not resulted from the inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ release from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ stores. 4. Addition of octanol during stimulation with $1{\mu}M$ thapsigargin, a potent microsomal ATPase inhibitor, reduced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, to the basal level. This suggested that inhibition of gap junction permeability closed plasma membrane $Ca^{2+}$ channels. 5. 2,5-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzohydroquinone (TBQ) generated $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ oscillations resulting from periodic influx of $Ca^{2+}$ via plasma membrane. The TBQ-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ oscillations were stopped by the application of 1mM octanol which implicated that gap junctions modulate the permeability of plasma membrane $Ca^{2+}$ channels. 6. Glycyrrhetinic acid, another well known gap junction blocker, also inhibited CCh-induced salivary secretion from rat mandibular glands. These results suggested that gap junctions play an important role in the modulation of fluid secretion from the rat mandibular glands and this was probably due to the inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ influx through the plasma membrane $Ca^{2+}$ channels.

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