• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1996.04a
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• pp.182-182
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• 1996

Annexin I is a member of the annexin family of calcium dependent phospholipid binding proteins and has anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting phospholipase A$_2$ (PLA$_2$). Recent X-ray crystallographic study of annexin I identified six Ca$\^$2+/ binding bites, which was different types (type II, III) from the well-known EF-hand motif (type I). In this work, the structure of annexin I was studied at atomic level by using $^1$H, $\^$15/N and $\^$l3/C NMR(nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy, and the effect of Ca$\^$2+/ binding on the structure of annexin I was studied, and compared with that of Mg$\^$2+/ binding, When Ca$\^$2+/ was added to annexin I, NMR peak change was occured in high- and low-field regions of $^1$H-NMR spectra. NMR peak change by Ca$\^$2+/ binding was different from that by Mg$\^$2+/ binding. Because annexin I is a larger protein with 35 kDa molecular weight, site-specific (amide-$\^$15/N, carbonyl-$\^$l3/C) labeling technique was also used. We were able to detect methionine, tyrosine and phenylalanine peaks respectively in $\^$13/C-NMR spectra, and each residue was able to be assigned by the method of doubly labeling annexin I with [$\^$13/C] carbonyl-amino acid and [$\^$15/N] amide-amino acid. In $\^$l3/C-NMR spectra of [$\^$13/C] carbonyl-Met labeled annexin I, we observed that methionine residues spatially located near Ca$\^$2+/ binding Sites Were Significantly effected by Ca$\^$2+/ binding. From UV spectroscopic data on the effect of Ca$\^$2+/ binding, we knew that Ca$\^$2+/ binding sites of annexin I have cooperativity in Ca$\^$2+/ binding. The interaction of annexin I with PLA$_2$ also could be detected by using heteronuclear NMR spctroscopy. Consequently, we expect that the anti-inflammatory action mechanism of annexin I may be a specific protein-protein interaction. The residues involved in the interaction with PLA$_2$ can be identified as active site by assigning NMR peaks effected by PLA$_2$ binding.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.435-447
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• 1999

The localization of substance P(SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP) and three calcium binding proteins, calbindin D-28k(CB), calretinin(CR) and parvalbumin(PA) was immunohistochemically examined in the myenteric and submucous plexuses of Korean native goat duodenum. In the neurons of myenteric and submucous plexuses of duodenum, immunoreactivities of SP, CGRP and CB were confirmed in both nerve cell bodies and fibers. In contrast, CR immunoreactivity was found only in nerve fibers of myenteric plexuses, while PA immunoreactivity was found only in nerve cell bodies of submucous plexuses. In the inner circular muscle layer, dense SP-like immunoreactive fibers were prominent but only a few CGRP-like immunoreactivities were observed. Most of SP- and CGRP-like immunoreactive neurons of both plexuses colocalized with CB. This result showed that SP and CGRP may have a important role for the movement of small intestine. The colocalizations of CB with SP or CGRP in myenteric and submucous plexuses suggest that CB may serve neuromodulatory role for SP- and CGRP-immunoreacted neurons on the movement of intestinal wall.

• BMB Reports
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• v.54 no.12
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• pp.614-619
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• 2021

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is a highly aggressive cancer. HBV X protein (HBx), one of four HBV gene products, plays pivotal roles in the development and metastasis of HCC. It has been reported that HBx induces liver cancer cell migration and reorganizes actin cytoskeleton, however the molecular basis for actin cytoskeleton reorganization remains obscure. In this study, we for the first time report that HBx promotes actin polymerization and liver cancer cell migration by regulating calcium modulated protein, calmodulin (CaM). HBx physically interacts with CaM to control the level of phosphorylated cofilin, an actin depolymerizing factor. Mechanistically, HBx interacts with CaM, liberates Hsp90 from its inhibitory partner CaM, and increases the activity of Hsp90, thus activating LIMK1/cofilin pathway. Interestingly, the interaction between HBx and CaM is calcium-dependent and requires the CaM binding motif on HBx. These results indicate that HBx modulates CaM which plays a regulatory role in Hsp90/LIMK1/cofilin pathway of actin reorganization, suggesting a new mechanism of HBV-induced HCC metastasis specifically derived by HBx.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.146-154
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• 2024

Purpose: Infection by the intracellular apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii has serious clinical consequences in humans and veterinarians around the world. Although about a third of the world's population is infected with T. gondii, there is still no effective vaccine against this disease. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a multimeric vaccine against T. gondii using the proteins calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK)1, CDPK2, CDPK3, and CDPK5. Materials and Methods: Top-ranked major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I and MHC-II binding as well as shared, immunodominant linear B-cell epitopes were predicted and linked using appropriate linkers. Moreover, the 50S ribosomal protein L7/L12 (adjuvant) was mixed with the construct's N-terminal to increase the immunogenicity. Then, the vaccine's physicochemical characteristics, antigenicity, allergenicity, secondary and tertiary structure were predicted. Results: The finally-engineered chimeric vaccine had a length of 680 amino acids with a molecular weight of 74.66 kDa. Analyses of immunogenicity, allergenicity, and multiple physiochemical parameters indicated that the constructed vaccine candidate was soluble, non-allergenic, and immunogenic, making it compatible with humans and hence, a potentially viable and safe vaccine candidate against T. gondii parasite. Conclusion: In silico, the vaccine construct was able to trigger primary immune responses. However, further laboratory studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness and safety.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.319-324
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• 2010

A family of calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) is a unique enzyme which plays crucial roles in intracellular calcium signaling in plants, algae, and protozoa. CDPKs of malaria parasites are known to be key regulators for stage-specific cellular responses to calcium, a widespread secondary messenger that controls the progression of the parasite. In our study, we identified a gene encoding Plasmodium vivax CDPK4 (PvCDPK4) and characterized its molecular property and cellular localization. PvCDPK4 was a typical CDPK which had well-conserved N-terminal kinase domain and C-terminal calmodulin-like structure with 4-EF hand motifs for calcium-binding. The recombinant protein of EF hand domain of PvCDPK4 was expressed in Echerichia coli and a 34 kDa product was obtained. Immunofluorescence assay by confocal laser microscopy revealed that the protein was expressed at the mature schizont of P. vivax. The expression of PvCDPK4-EF in schizont suggests that it may participate in the proliferation or egress process in the life cycle of this parasite.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.125-136
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• 1994

To characterize the SR Ca-release channel protein complex of crustacean, $^{45}Ca-release,\;[^3H]ryanodine$ binding, and immunoblot studies were carried out in the crayfish and/or lobster skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum. Bmax and affinity of crayfish SR to ryanodine were lower than those of lobster SR. AMP (5mM) increased $[^3H]ryanodine$ binding significantly in both vesicles (P<0.05). $Mg^{2+}$(5mM) or tetracaine(1mM) inhibited $[^3H]ryanodine$ binding significantly in both vesicles (P<0.001), but ruthenium red $(10\;{\mu}M)$ inhibited it moderately. In SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis of crayfish SR vesicles, there was a high molecular weight band that showed similar mobility with Ca-release channel protein of lobster skeletal SR, but more rapid mobility (HMWBr) than that of rabbit skeletal SR (HMWBS). Immunoblot analysis showed that polyclonal Ab to lobster skeletal SR Ca-release channel protein was react with HMWBr of crayfish skeletal SR, but not with that of HMWBs of rabbit skeletal SR. ^{45}Ca-release from crayfish skeletal SR vesicles was increased by the increase of extravesicular calcium from $1{\mu}M$ to 1mM. This Ca-release phenomenon was similar, but more sensitive in the low concentration of $Ca^{2+}$, compared to that from lobster SR vesicles. AMP (5mM) or caffeine (10mM) did not affect to $^{45}Ca-release.\;^{45}Ca-release$ was inhibited slightly ($3{\sim}8%\;by\;Mg^{2+}$) (5mM) or tetracaine (1mM), and moderately (23%) by high concentration of ruthenium red $(300\;{\mu}M)$. From the above results, it is suggested that SR Ca-release channel protein of crustacean has different properties from that of the rabbit, and similar properties between crayfish and lobster in functional and immunological aspects, but Ca-release via crayfish channel may be more sensitive to calcium.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.109-112
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• 2002

The signal pathways involved in the regulation of AP-1 DNA binding activity in long-term nicotine stimulated bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin (BAMC) cells have not been well characterized. To understand the involvement of second messengers in the regulation of AP-1 DNA binding activity, the present study was designed to define the time-course for inhibition of nicotine-induced responses by cholinergic antagonists, $Ca^{2+}$ and calmodulin (CaM) antagonists, and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) II inhibitor using electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Nicotine $(10{\mu}M)$ stimulation increased AP-1 DNA binding activity at 24 hr after treatment. Posttreatment with hexamethonium (1 mM) plus atropine $(1{\mu}M)$ (HA), nimodipine $(1{\mu}M),$ or calmidazolium $(1{\mu}M)$ at 0.5, 3, and 6 hr after the nicotine treatment significantly inhibited the AP-1 DNA binding activity increased by long-term nicotine stimulation. However, posttreatment with HA, nimodipine, or calmidazolium at 9 or 12 hr after the nicotine treatment did not affect the nicotine-induced increase of AP-1 DNA binding activity. The pretreatment of BAMC cells with various concentrations of KN-62 inhibited the increase of AP-1 DNA binding activity induced by nicotine in a concentration-dependent manner. KN-62 $(10{\mu}M)$ posttreatment beginning at 0.5, 3, or 6 hr after the nicotine treatment significantly inhibited the increase of AP-1 DNA binding activity. However, KN-62 posttreatment beginning at 9 or 12 hr after the nicotine treatment did not affect the increase of AP-1 DNA binding activity. This study suggested that stimulation (for at least 6 hr) of nicotinic receptors on BAMC cells was necessary for increase of AP-1 DNA binding activity, and activation of $Ca^{2+},$ CaM, and CaMK II up to 6 hr at least seemed to be required for the increase of nicotine-induced AP-1 DNA binding activity.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Life Science Conference
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• 2007.10a
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• pp.57.1-57.1
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• 2007

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• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.8
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• pp.287-291
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• 2019

Fecal calprotectin (FC) is a calcium- and zinc-binding protein of the S100 family, mainly expressed by neutrophils and released during inflammation. FC became an increasingly useful tool both for gastroenterologists and for general practitioners for distinguishing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from irritable bowel syndrome. Increasing evidences support the use of this biomarker for diagnosis, follow-up and evaluation of response to therapy of several pediatric gastrointestinal diseases, ranging from IBD to nonspecific colitis and necrotizing enterocolitis. This article summarizes the current literature on the use of FC in clinical practice.

• ALGAE
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.315-326
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• 2021

Ion channels are membrane protein complexes mediating passive ion flux across the cell membranes. Every organism has a certain set of ion channels that define its physiology. Dinoflagellates are ecologically important microorganisms characterized by effective physiological adaptability, which backs up their massive proliferations that often result in harmful blooms (red tides). In this study, we used a bioinformatics approach to identify homologs of known ion channels that belong to 36 ion channel families. We demonstrated that the versatility of the dinoflagellate physiology is underpinned by a high diversity of ion channels including homologs of animal and plant proteins, as well as channels unique to protists. The analysis of 27 transcriptomes allowed reconstructing a consensus ion channel repertoire (channelome) of dinoflagellates including the members of 31 ion channel families: inwardly-rectifying potassium channels, two-pore domain potassium channels, voltage-gated potassium channels (K_v), tandem K_v, cyclic nucleotide-binding domain-containing channels (CNBD), tandem CNBD, eukaryotic ionotropic glutamate receptors, large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels, intermediate/small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels, eukaryotic single-domain voltage-gated cation channels, transient receptor potential channels, two-pore domain calcium channels, four-domain voltage-gated cation channels, cation and anion Cys-loop receptors, small-conductivity mechanosensitive channels, large-conductivity mechanosensitive channels, voltage-gated proton channels, inositole-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors, slow anion channels, aluminum-activated malate transporters and quick anion channels, mitochondrial calcium uniporters, voltage-dependent anion channels, vesicular chloride channels, ionotropic purinergic receptors, animal volage-insensitive cation channels, channelrhodopsins, bestrophins, voltage-gated chloride channels H⁺/Cl^- exchangers, plant calcium-permeable mechanosensitive channels, and trimeric intracellular cation channels. Overall, dinoflagellates represent cells able to respond to physical and chemical stimuli utilizing a wide range of G-protein coupled receptors- and Ca²⁺-dependent signaling pathways. The applied approach not only shed light on the ion channel set in dinoflagellates, but also provided the information on possible molecular mechanisms underlying vital cellular processes dependent on the ion transport.