• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.530-536
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• 2006

Thermal conformational changes of human serum albumin (HSA) in phosphate buffer, 10 mM at pH = 7 are investigated using differential scanning calorimetric (DSC), circular dichroism (CD) and UV spectroscopic methods. The results indicate that temperature increment from $25^{\circ}C$ to $55^{\circ}C$ induces reversible conformational changes in the structure of HSA. Conformational change of HSA are shown to be a three-step process. Interestingly, melting temperature of the last domain is equal to the maximum value of fever in pathological conditions, i.e. $42^{\circ}C$. These conformational alterations are accompanied by a mild alteration of secondary structures. Study of HSA-SDS (sodium dodecyl sulphate) interaction at $45^{\circ}C$ and $35^{\circ}C$ reveals that SDS affects the HSA structure at least in three steps: the first two steps result in more stabilization and compactness of HSA structure, while the last one induces the unfolding of HSA. Since HSA has a more affinity for SDS at $45^{\circ}C$ compared to $35^{\circ}C$, It is suggested that the net negative charge of HSA is decreased in fever, which results in the decrease of HSA-associated cations and plasma osmolarity, and consequently, heat removal via the increase in urine volume.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.252-259
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• 2006

Gap junctions are distributed within various cells and function as electrical synapses by freely exchanging small molecules. In the retina, the practical role of gap junctions in an animal's motion detection has not been investigated very much. In this study, optometer response (OMR) was used to Investigate the effects of drugs which modulate electrical synapses between retinal ceils. An Injection of carbenoxolone, 8-Br-cAMP, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) or 8-Br-cGMP decreased goldfish's OMR in both light and dark conditions. In light conditions, an intravitreal injection of dopamine, SKF-38393 or eticlopride decreased OMR and that of SCH-23390 increased it. In dark conditions, the injections produced opposite results: dopamine, SKF-38393 and eticlopride increased OMR and SCH-23390 caused OMR to decrease. These results indicate that gap junctions between retinal cells have an Important role in goldfish's motion detection.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.413-421
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• 2001

An impaired smooth muscle cell (SMC) relaxation of coronary artery by alteration of $K^+$ channels would be the most potential explanation for reduced coronary reserve in left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), however, this possibility has not been investigated. We performed morphometrical analysis of the coronary artery under electron microscopy and measured $Ca^{2+}-activated\;K\;(K_{Ca})$ currents and delayed rectifier K $(K_{dr})$ currents by whole-cell and inside-out patch-clamp technique in single coronary arterial SMCs from rabbits subjected to isoprenaline-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Coronary arterial SMCs underwent significant changes in ultrastructure. The unitary current amplitude and the open-state probability of $K_{Ca}$ channel were significantly reduced in hypertrophy without open-time and closed-time kinetic. The concentration-response curve of $K_{Ca}$ channel to $Ca^{2+}$ is shifted to the right in hypertrophy. The reduction in the mean single channel current and increase in the open channel noise of $K_{Ca}$ channel by TEA were more sensitive in hypertrophy. $K_{dr}$ current density is significantly reduced in hypertrophy without activation and inactivation kinetics. The sensitivity of $K_{dr}$ current on 4-AP is significantly increased in hypertrophy. This is the first study to report evidence for alterations of $K_{Ca}$ channels and $K_{dr}$ channels in coronary SMCs with LVH. The findings may provide some insight into mechanism of the reduced coronary reserve in LVH.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.41-48
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• 1997

The plasma membrane and microsomes, isolated from the cells treated with hematoporphyrm derivative (HpD) for 1 and 24 h, accumulated the aggregated porphyrin. The quantity of aggregated porphyrin was same in the plasma membrane and microsomes after isolating them from cells treated with HpD for 1 h whereas the microsomes accumulated higher quantity of aggregated porphyrin when cells were treated with HpD for 24 h. Photodynamic action of aggregated porphyrin on plasma membrane and microsomes was investigated using lipid specific fluorescent probes: 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatrine (DPH) and 1-(4-trimethylammonium), 6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatrine(TMA-DPH). The time dependent anisotropy of these probes in the membranes was measured and the decay of anisotropy was analyzed using wobbling in cone model. Upon irradiation both the plasma membrane and the microsomes showed an increase in the limiting anis~)tropy and order parameter and a decrease in the cone angle of the lipid probes. The increase in the limiting anisotropy was pronounced in membranes isolated from the cells treated with HpD for 24 h. Photoinduced change in the limiting anisotropy was dependent on the duration of incubation of cells with HpD before isolating the membranes. In both the membranes. the membrane core was affected more as compared to the outer leaflet. In addition to the structural changes, a decrease in Na$^+$-K$^+$-ATPase and NADPH cyt c reductase activity was also observed upon irradiation of HpD treated cells. Inhibition in NADPH cyt c reductase was more when cells were treated with HpD for 24 h, however, Na$^+$-K$^+$-ATPase activity did not depend on the duration of the treatment of cells with HpD before irradiation. Our results suggest that the extent of photoinduced perturbations in the membranes varies as a function of duration of the treatment of cells with HpD and the membrane core is more susceptible to the photodynamic action of aggregated porphyrin.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.435-441
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• 2005

Classical transient receptor potential channels (TRPCs) are thought to be candidates for the nonselective cation channels (NSCCs) involved in pacemaker activity and its neuromodulation in murine stomach smooth muscle. We aimed to determine the role of TRPC4 in the formation of NSCCs and in the generation of slow waves. At a holding potential of -60 mV, $50{\mu}M$ carbachol (CCh) induced $I_{NSCC}$ of amplitude [$500.8{\pm}161.8pA$ (n = 8)] at -60 mV in mouse gastric smooth muscle cells. We investigated the effects of commercially available antibodies to TRPC4 on recombinant TRPC4 expressed in HEK cells and CCh-induced NSCCs in gastric smooth muscle cells. TRPC4 currents in HEK cells were reduced from $1525.6{\pm}414.4pA$ (n = 8) to $146.4{\pm}83.3pA$ (n = 10) by anti-TRPC4 antibody and $I_{NSCC}$ amplitudes were reduced from $230.9{\pm}36.3pA$ (n = 15) to $49.8{\pm}11.8pA$ (n = 9). Furthermore, $I_{NSCC}$ in the gastric smooth muscle cells of TRPC4 knockout mice was only $34.4{\pm}10.4pA$ (n = 8) at -60 mV. However, slow waves were still present in the knockout mice. Our data suggest that TRPC4 is an essential component of the NSCC activated by muscarinic stimulation in the murine stomach.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.81-89
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• 1995

The effects of prolactin and vasopressin on the regulation of amniotic fluid (AF) volume and its $Na^{+}$ concentration $([Na^{+}])$ through the membrane surrounding the AF during increase in AF volume due to fetal urination were studied. About 70% of AF volume was replaced with normal isotonic saline solution. Isotonic saline solution (0.5 ml) containing Censored and LiCl was introduced into each amniotic sac. Vasopressin (25 ng/ml) or prolactin (1 mg/ml) of AF was then injected into experimental amniotic sac. The concentrations of Congored, $Li^{+}$, and $Na^{+}$ were measured at 30 and 60 min intervals after injection. Af samples with decreased Censored concentration ([CR]) during the period of 30 - 60 min were analyzed. The percentage change of $[Na^{+}]$ and the rate of $Li^{+}$ movement during this period were calculated, and the effects of vasopressin and prolactin on them were evaluated. Fellowing results were obtained: 1. The rate of reduction of [CR] in the AF was retarded by vasopressin or prolactin injection. 2. The rate of reduction of $[Li^{+}]$ in the AF was also retarded by vasopressin or prolactin injection. 3. The rate of reduction of $[Li^{+}]$ in the AF was less retarded by vasopressin than that of [CR]. 4. $[Na^{+}]$ changed to approach to the normal level, but this was markedly retarded by prolactin injection. 5. Direction of $Li^{+}$ movement was correlated with the change in $[Na^{+}]$ but it always moved out of the amniotic sac even when the $[Na^{+}]$ increased in vasopressin injected AF. From the above results, it is suggested that vasopressin in the AF triggers the fetus to urinate, and then the membranes surrounding the AF regulate osmolarity by efflux of $Na^{+}$. We suggest that prolactin facilitates water outflow across the amniotic membrane during increase in AF volume, in contrast to a constant volume, whereas regulation of $[Na^{+}]$ is partly restricted by prolactin.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.313-322
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• 1998

In a myocyte freshly isolated from rabbit cerebral artery, the characteristics of $Ca^{2+}$ release by histamine or caffeine were studied by microspectrofluorimetry using a $Ca^{2+}-binding$ fluorescent dye, fura-2. Histamine (5 ${\mu}M$) or caffeine (10 mM) induced a phasic rise of cytoplasmic free $Ca^{2+}$ concentration $([Ca^{2+}]_C)$ which could occur repetitively with extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ but only once or twice in $Ca^{2+}-free$ bathing solution. Also, the treatment with inhibitor of sarcoplasmic reticulum $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ suppressed the rise of $[Ca^{2+}]_C$ by histamine or caffeine. In $Ca^{2+}-free$ bathing solution, short application of caffeine in advance markedly attenuated the effect of histamine, and vice versa. In normal $Ca^{2+}-containing$ solution with ryanodine (2 ${\mu}M$), the caffeine-induced rise of $[Ca^{2+}]_C$ occurred only once and in this condition, the response to histamine was also suppressed. On the other hand, in the presence of ryanodine, histamine could induce repetitive rise of $[Ca^{2+}]_C$ while the amplitude of peak rise became stepwisely decreased and eventually disappeared. These results suggest that two different $Ca^{2+}-release$ mechanisms (caffeine-sensitive and histamine-sensitive) are present in rabbit cerebral artery myocyte and the corresponding pools overlap each other functionally. Increase of $[Ca^{2+}]_C$ by histamine seems to partially activate ryanodine receptors present in caffeine-sensitive pool.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.267-274
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• 2008

Since first discovered in chick skeletal muscles, stretch-activated channels (SACs) have been proposed as a probable mechano-transducer of the mechanical stimulus at the cellular level. Channel properties have been studied in both the single-channel and the whole-cell level. There is growing evidence to indicate that major stretch-induced changes in electrical activity are mediated by activation of these channels. We aimed to investigate the mechanism of stretch-induced automaticity by exploiting a recent mathematical model of rat atrial myocytes which had been established to reproduce cellular activities such as the action potential, $Ca^{2+}$ transients, and contractile force. The incorporation of SACs into the mathematical model, based on experimental results, successfully reproduced the repetitive firing of spontaneous action potentials by stretch. The induced automaticity was composed of two phases. The early phase was driven by increased background conductance of voltage-gated $Na^+$ channel, whereas the later phase was driven by the reverse-mode operation of $Na^+/Ca^{2+}$ exchange current secondary to the accumulation of $Na^+$ and $Ca^{2+}$ through SACs. These results of simulation successfully demonstrate how the SACs can induce automaticity in a single atrial myocyte which may act as a focus to initiate and maintain atrial fibrillation in concert with other arrhythmogenic changes in the heart.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.67-75
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• 2013

ATP synthase produces ATP, a major energy source for metabolic processes in organisms, from ADP and inorganic phosphate in cellular membranes. ATP synthase is known as a rotary motor, in which the c-subunit ring functions as a rotor. In this work, we have tried to develop a more general preparation procedure of thermophilic $F_oc$-ring ($TF_oc$-ring) for NMR measurements. The expression of $TF_oF_1$ is easily affected by various experimental conditions such as temperature, shape and size of a flask, a volume of medium, and shaking rate of an incubator. Accordingly, we have tried to optimize the expression conditions of $TF_oF_1$. $TF_oc$-rings were purified from $TF_oF_1$ according to a reported method. We modified purification procedures to improve purity and yield of $TF_oc$. On top of them, we found a new combination of detergents for the purification at anion-exchange column chromatography. To examine the effect of lipid environments on the structure, the $TF_oc$-rings were reconstituted into two kinds of lipid bilayers, namely, saturated and unsaturated lipid ones. Then, we have compared characteristics of the $TF_oc$-ring structures in these membranes with solid-state NMR.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.56-62
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• 2003

The liver progenitor cells could form a potential target cell population fore both tumor-initiating and -promoting chemicals. Induction of drug-metabolizing and antioxidant enzymes, including AhR-dependent CYP1A1, NQO-1 and AKR1C9, was detected in the rat liver epithelial WB-F344 "stem-like" cells. Additionally, WB-F344 cells express a functional, wild-type form of p53 protein, a biomarker of genotoxic events, and connexin 43, a basic structural unit of gap junctions forming an important type of intercellular communication. In this cellular model, two complementary assays have been established for detection of the modes of action associated with tumor promotion: inhibition of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) and proliferative activity in confluent cells. We found that the PAHs and PCBs, which are AhR agonists, released WB-F344 cells from contact inhibition, increasing both DNA synthesis and cell numbers. Genotoxic effects of some PAHs that lead to apoptosis and cell cycle delay might interfere with the proliferative activity of PAHs. Contrary to that, the nongenotoxic low-molecular-weight PAHs and non-dioxin-like PCB congeners, abundant in the environment, did not significantly affect cell cycle and cell proliferation; however both groups of compounds inhibited GJIC in WB-F344 cells. The release from contact inhibiton by a mechanism that possibly involves the AhR activation, inhibition of GJIC and genotoxic events induced by environmental contaminants are three important modes of action that could play an important role in carcinogenic effects of toxic compounds. The relative potencies to inhibit GJIC, to induce AhR-mediated activity, and to release cells from contact inhibition were determined for a large series of PAHs and PCBs and their metabolites. In vitro bioassays based on detection of events on cellular level (deregulation of GJIC and/or proliferation) or determination of receptor-mediated activities in both ?$stem-like^{\circ}{\times}$ and hepatocyte-like liver cellular models are valuable tools for detection of modes of action of polyaromatic hydrocarbons. They may serve, together with concentration data, as a first step in their risk assessment.