• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.355-358
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• 1990

In order to investigate the cellular mechanisms of hypoglycemic of brazilin, hepatocyte monolayer culture was introduced and, glycogen synthesis rate and insulin binding were measured as parameters. Glycogen synthesis and insulin sensitivity were remarkably augmented by the treatment of brazilin. Brazilin slightely increased insulin binding. Scatchard analysis revealed that this increase in insulin binding was not due to increase in the binding capacity but in binding affinity. These results suggest that the augmentation of hepatic glycogenesis and insulin sensitivity by brazilin may play an important role in the improvement of hyperglycemia.

• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
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• 1996.07a
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• pp.9-9
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• 1996

The immunosuppressive and cell cycle arrest agent rapamycin works by binding together two proteins: the FK506 binding protein (FKBP12) and the FKBP-rapamycin associated protein (FRAP). A 2.7 $\AA$ resolution crystal structure of the triple complex of human FK506 binding protein (FKBP12), rapamycin, and FKBP12-rapamycin binding domain (FRB) of FRAP, reveals two proteins bound together through rapamycin' s ability to simultaneously occupy two different hydrophobic binding pockets. (omitted)

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.101-111
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• 1988

$[^3H]$ Quinuclidinyl benzilate(QNB) binding assays were performed in the dog ventricular sarcolemma fraction enriched approx. 32-fold in sarcolemma compared to the starting homogenate to elucidate the effect of antihistaminics on cardiac muscarinic receptor. Chlorpheniramine(CHP) inhibited specific binding of $[^3H]$QNB and delayed the equilibrium binding. The rate constants at $37^{\circ}C$ for formation and dissociation of the QNB receptor complex were $0.38{\times}10^9\;M^{-1}$ and $1.6{\times}10^{-2}\;min^{-1}$, respectively. The mean value for the dissociation constant from the pairs of the rate constants was 43. 2 pM and this value was similar to the value(44.8pM) determined from Scatchard analysis. CHP decreased association rate constant, indicating increase in $K_D$ value. Decrease in affinity without affecting the binding site concentration$(B_{max})$ for $[^3H]$QNB binding by CHP was also demonstrated by Scatchard analysis. $K_i$ values for $H_i$-blockers that inhibited specific $[^3H]$QNB binding were $0.02{\sim}4.8{\mu}M$. Cimetidine with $K_i$ value of $230{\mu}M$, however, was ineffective in displacing $[^3H]$QNB binding at concentration of $50{\mu}M$. The Hill coefficient for $H_1$-blockers were about one. The results indicate that $H_1$-antihistaminics inhibit $[^3H]$ QNB binding by interaction with myocardiac muscarinic cholinergic receptor and anticholinergic side effects of these drugs are mainly due to this receptor blocking mechanism.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.379-384
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• 2012

Lhx8 (LIM homeobox 8) gene encodes a LIM homeodomain transcriptional regulator that is preferentially expressed in germ cells and critical for mammalian folliculogenesis. However, Lhx8 DNA binding sequences are not characterized yet. We aimed to identify and characterize a cis-acting sequence of germ-cell specific transcriptional factor, Lhx8. To identify Lhx8 DNA binding element, Cyclic Amplification of Sequence Target (CAST) Analysis was performed. Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) was processed for the binding specificity of Lhx8. Luciferase assay was for the transcriptional activity of Lhx8 through identified DNA binding site. We identified a putative cis-acting sequence, TGATTG as Lhx8 DNA binding element (LBE). In addition, Lhx8 binds to the LBE with high affinity and augments transcriptional activity of luciferase reporter driven by artificial promoter containing the Lhx8 binding element. These findings indicate that Lhx8 directly regulates the transcription of genes containing Lhx8 binding element in oocytes during early folliculogenesis.

• BMB Reports
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.525-529
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• 1996

Ligand binding properties of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) were characterized by using filtration binding assays. Scatchard analysis using $[^{3}H]N-methylscopolamine$ ($[^{3}H]NMS$) showed that the dissociation constant ($K_d$) and the maximum binding value ($B_{max}$) were $3.3{\pm}0.8{\times}10^{10}$ M and $9.0{\pm}1.1$ fmol/mg protein, respectively. Binding competition experiments indicated that the affinities of C. elegans mAChRs to atropine, scopolamine, and oxotremorine were similar to those of mammalian mAChRs. Pirenzepine binding experiments revealed that the binding pattern of mAChRs in C. elegans closely resembled that of mAChRs in rat brain, suggesting that the receptors consist primarily of Ml subtype. The affinity of mAChRs for oxotrernorine was significantly affected by guanylylimidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p), a non hydrolyzable GTP analog, suggesting that mAChRs in C. elegans might be coupled to G proteins. The data presented here indicate the possibility that C. elegans provides a living animal model to study the action mode of the muscarinic cholinergic system.

• BMB Reports
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.305-309
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• 2001

MatR in Rhizobium trifolii is a malonate-responsive transcription factor that regulates the expression of genes, matABC, enabling decarboxylation of malonyl-CoA into acetyl-CoA, synthesis of malonyl-CoA from malonate and CoA, and malonate transport. According to an analysis of the amino acid sequence homology, MatR belongs to the GntR family The proteins of this family have two-domain folds, the N-terminal helix-turn-helix DNA-binding domain and the C-terminal ligand-binding domain. In order to End the malonate binding site and amino acid residues that interact with RNA polymerase, a site-directed mutagenesis was performed. Analysis of the mutant MatR suggests that Arg-160 might be involved in malonate binding, whereas Arg-102 and Arg-174 are critical for the repression activity by interacting with RNA polymerase.

• Plant Biotechnology Reports
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.293-299
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• 2009

Auxin-binding protein 57 ($ABP_{57}$), a soluble auxin-binding protein, acts as a receptor to activate plasma membrane (PM) $H^+-ATPase$. Here, we report the cloning of abp57 and the biochemical characterization of its protein expressed in E. coli. The analysis of internal amino acid sequences of $ABP_{57}$ purified from rice shoots enabled us to search for the corresponding gene in protein DB of NCBI. Further BLAST analysis showed that rice has four abp57-like genes and maize has at least one homolog. Interestingly, Arabidopsis seems to have no homolog. Recombinant $ABP_{57}$ expressed in E. coli caused the activation of PM $H^+-ATPase$ regardless of the existence of IAA. Scatchard analysis showed that the recombinant protein has relatively low affinity to IAA as compared to natural $ABP_{57}$. These results collectively support the notion that the cloned gene is responsible for $ABP_{57}$.

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.202.3-203
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• 2001

No Abstract, See Full Text

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.296-300
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• 2002

Bacterial cell surface components are the major factors responsible for pathogenesis and bioremediation. In particular, the surface of a Gram-negative bacterium cell has a variety of components compared to that of a Gram-positive cell. In our previous study, we isolated an isogenic mutant of Bradyrhizobium japonicum, which exhibited altered cell surface characteristics, including an increased hydrophobicity. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the mutant demonstrated that the O-polysaccharide part was completely absent. Meanwhile, a gel permeation chromatographic analysis of the exopolysaccharide (EPS) in the mutant demonstrated that it was unaltered. Since LPSs are known to have several anion groups that interact with various cation groups and metal ions, the mutant provided an opportunity to examine the direct role of LPS in metal binding by B. japonicum. Using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, it was clearly demonstrated that LPS was involved in metal binding. The binding capacity of the LPS mutant to various metal ions $(Cd^{2+},\;Cu^{2+},\;Pb^{2+},\;and\;Zn^{2+})$ was 50-70% lower than that of the wild-type strain. Also, through an EPS analysis and desorption experiment, it was found that EPS and centrifugal force had no effect on the metal binding. Accordingly, it would appear that LPS molecules on B. japonicum effect the properties, which precipitate more distinctly metal-rich mineral phase.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.328-333
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• 2008

A series of pep tides binding to the HCV NS5B polymerase was selected from phage display peptide libraries. A conserved motif of Ser-Arg-X-Arg/Leu was identified among the selected peptides, and Pep2 (Trp-Ser-Arg-Pro-Arg-Ser-Leu) was chosen for further characterization. The binding of Pep2 to HCV NS5B in vivo was shown by a yeast two-hybrid assay and by subcellular colocalization analysis using immunofluorescence confocal microscopy. The in vitro interaction was also confirmed by GST pulldown assay. The replication of the HCV 1b subgenomic replicon was efficiently inhibited by the presence of the peptide. By using a subtractive biopanning against Pep2, the binding site of the peptide was mapped at the pocket of Pro388 to Pro391 in the thumb subdomain of the polymerase. A yeast two-hybrid analysis using Pro388Ala and Pro391Ala mutants of NS5B confirmed the binding.