• BMB Reports
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• 제40권5호
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• pp.805-813
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• 2007

Although MCM2 is obviously important for the initiation of eukaryotic DNA replication, its role in $O_2$ dependent regulation of replicon initiation is poorly understood. In this report, I analysed the changes of MCM2 during the transition from hypoxically suppressed replicon initiation to the burst of initiation triggered by reoxygenation in T24 cells. A high level of chromatin bound and nucleosolic MCM2 was found under the hypoxic replicon arrest. In contrast low cytosolic MCM2 was noticed. Recovery of $O_2$ induced phosphorylation and diminution of chromatin bound MCM2, whereas cytosolic MCM2 increased. The level of chromatin bound Cdc7 did not change significantly upon reoxygenation. However, after reoxygenation, significant phosphorylation of Cdc7 and an increase of coimmunoprecipitation with its substrate (MCM2) were observed. This provides a hint that reoxygenation may promote the kinase activity of Cdc7. These changes might be the critical factors in $O_2$ dependent regulation of replicon initiation. Moreover, phosphorylation of Cdc7 by Cdk2 can be observed in vitro, but seems to fail to regulate the level of chromatin bound Cdc7 as well as the changes of MCM2 in response to reoxygenation of hypoxically suppressed cells.

• BMB Reports
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.154-160
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• 1999

A calcium-independent phospholipase $A_2$ ($iPLA_2$) was identified from the cytosolic fraction of rat liver cells. On gel filtration chromatography, the $iPLA_2$ activity was eluted as broad peaks of 150 to 500 kDa. The enzyme was maximally active at pH 7.5, retained 75% of its original activity after heating at $50^{\circ}C$ for 5 h, and was inhibited by $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, and $Zn^{2+}$ ions, but was not affected by $Na^+$ and $K^+$ ions. The enzymatic activity was increased up to 150% by 1 to 4 mM DTT and was inhibited up to 25% by 0.1 to 1 mM PMSF. The $iPLA_2$ activity had preference for the head group of phospholipids, where phosphatidylethanolamine was preferred to phosphatidylcholine. The results suggest that the $iPLA_2$ may be a novel enzyme distinct from the previously reported $iPLA_2s$.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.115-121
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• 2007

Root nodule formation is controlled by plant hormones such as auxin. Auxin-repressed protein (ARP) genes have been identified in various plant species but their functions are not clear. We have isolated a full-length cDNA clone (EuNOD-ARP1) showing high sequence homology to previously identified ARP genes from root nodules of Elaeagnus umbellata. Genomic Southern hybridization showed that there are at least four ARP-related genes in the genome of E. umbellata. The cDNA clone encodes a polypeptide of 120 amino acid residues with no signal peptide or organelle-targeting signals, indicating that it is a cytosolic protein. Its cytosolic location was confirmed using Arabidopsis protoplasts expressing a EuNOD-ARP1:smGFP fusion protein. Northern hybridization showed that EuNOD-ARP1 expression was higher in root nodules than in leaves or uninoculated roots. Unlike the ARP genes of strawberry and black locust, which are negatively regulated by exogenous auxin, EuNOD-ARP1 expression is induced by auxin in leaf tissue of E. umbellata. In situ hybridization revealed that EuNOD-ARP1 is mainly expressed in the fixation zone of root nodules.

• BMB Reports
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.275-281
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• 2004

Rhodanese was isolated and purified from the cytosolic fraction of liver tissue homogenate of the fruit bat, Eidolon helvum, by using ammonium sulphate precipitation and CM-Sephadex C-50 ion exchange chromatography. The specific activity was increased 130-fold with a 53% recovery. The $K_m$ values for KCN and $Na_2S_2O_3$ as substrates were $13.5{\pm}2.2\;mM$ and $19.5{\pm}0.7\;mM$, respectively. The apparent molecular weight was estimated by gel filtration on a Sephadex G-100 column to be 36,000 Da. The optimal activity was found at a high pH (pH 9.0) and the temperature optimum was $35^{\circ}C$. An Arrhenius plot of the heat stability data consisted of two linear segments with a break occurring at $35^{\circ}C$. The apparent activation energy values from these slopes were 11.5 kcal/mol and 76.6 kcal/mol. Inhibition studies on the enzyme with a number of cations showed that $Mg^{2+}$, $Mn^{2+}$, $Ca^{2+}$, and $Co^{2+}$ did not affect the activity of the enzyme, but $Hg^{2+}$ and $Ba^{2+}$ inhibited the enzyme.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.347-355
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• 1992

The precise mechanism of the Excitation-Contraction Coupling is still uncertain. But the concept that Ca2+ induced Ca2+ release [CICR] from the Ryanodine receptor in the sarcoplasmic reticulum [foot structure] may play a major role in E-C coupling has been widely accepted since 1970`s. It is believed that increased cytosolic Ca2+ followed by CICR is main contributor for E-C coupling of striated muscle. Resulting phenomena of ischemic /post-reperfusion myocyte is increased cytosolic Ca2+, even to the absence of Ca2+ in reperfusate. So intracellular inhibitor to CICR might prevent the ischemic and reperfusion damage of myocardial cells. The relatively purified foot protein, especially heavy sarcoplasmic reticulum rich, of the skeletal muscle was incorporated into the black lipid bilayer [Phosphatidyl ethanolamine: Phosphatidyl serine=l: 1]. Under the steady state of membrane potential [+20 mV], ionic current through Ryanodine receptor was measured with Cs+ as charge carrier. In the cis chamber [Cytoplasmic side], Mg2+ strongly inhibited CICR of Ryanodine receptor[Kd=6.2 nM]. In conclusion, naturally existing intracellular free Mg2+ can inhibit CICR from intracellular Ca2+ reservior [heavy SR]. So post-ischemic or post-reperfusing myocardium could be preserved using additional free Mg2+ in cardioplegic solution or reperfusate, otherwise the optimal concentration is undetermined.

• BMB Reports
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• 제38권6호
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• pp.633-638
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• 2005

Biosynthesis of prostanoids is regulated by three sequential enzymatic steps, namely phospholipase $A_2$ enzymes, cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, and various lineage-specific terminal prostanoid synthases. Prostaglandin E synthase (PGES), which isomerizes COX-derived $PGH_2$ specifically to $PGE_2$, occurs in multiple forms with distinct enzymatic properties, expressions, localizations and functions. Two of them are membrane-bound enzymes and have been designated as mPGES-1 and mPGES-2. mPGES-1 is a perinuclear protein that is markedly induced by proinflammatory stimuli, is down-regulated by anti inflammatory glucocorticoids, and is functionally coupled with COX-2 in marked preference to COX-1. Recent gene targeting studies of mPGES-1 have revealed that this enzyme represents a novel target for anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer drugs. mPGES-2 is synthesized as a Golgi membrane-associated protein, and the proteolytic removal of the N-terminal hydrophobic domain leads to the formation of a mature cytosolic enzyme. This enzyme is rather constitutively expressed in various cells and tissues and is functionally coupled with both COX-1 and COX-2. Cytosolic PGES (cPGES) is constitutively expressed in a wide variety of cells and is functionally linked to COX-1 to promote immediate $PGE_2$ production. This review highlights the latest understanding of the expression, regulation and functions of these three PGES enzymes.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.95-100
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• 2008

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), a main enzyme in the glycolytic pathway, is involved in cellular energy production and regarded as a housekeeping gene. Previously, cytosolic GAPDH was selected as the most significantly abundant gene in EST library of sweetpotato suspension cells. In this study, a full-length of cDNA clone (IbGAPDH) encoding GAPDH was isolated from suspension-cultured cells of sweetpotato (Ipomoea babatas), and its expression was investigated with a view to understanding the physiological function of GAPDH in relation to environmental stresses. IbGAPDH encoded a 36.9 kDa polypeptide consisting of 337 amino acids. When the deduced amino acid of IbGAPDH was compared with other higher plants, IbGAPDH showed high homology with cytosolic GAPDH. The mRNA level of IbGAPDH significantly increased under environmental stresses, such as $H_2O_2$, MV and cold treatments. Among them, the transcript level of IbGAPDH gene was the highest under cold stress. Further investigation of the transcription level under $10^{\circ}C$ or $15^{\circ}C$ was performed with different tissues of sweetpotato. The transcription of IbGAPDH was increased by cold stress with tissue-specificity, moreover, showed different patterns according to temperature.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.222-227
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• 1998

The activities of enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism have been determinated in the host cytosolic and bacteroid fractions of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) nodules formed with B. japonicum I 16 and in roots of nodulated cowpeas. The host cytosolic fraction of the nodules contained the enzymes of glycolytic pathway and the pentose phosphate pathway, whereas the bacteroids had only limited capacity for carbohydrate metabolism and appeared to be insufficient for the complete glycolytic pathway as well as starch synthesis and degradation. In a time-course study, using plants grown in a glasshouse, the acetylene-reducing activity (ARA) of the nodules increased in parallel with the total N content of plants and protein of the nodules until approximately 8 weeks after planting. Subsequently, the weight and size of the nodules and the weight of the plants continued to increase, but there was a sharp decrease in the ARA and the total N content of the plants.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제42권1호
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• pp.12-18
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• 1999

Sucrose synthase (EC 2.4.1.13) has been purified from the plant cytosolic fraction of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L. cv. Amethyst) nodules. The native enzyme had a molecular mass of $356{\pm}15kD$. The subunit molecular mass was $87{\pm}2kD$, and a tetrameric structure is proposed for sucrose synthase of chickpea nodule. Optimum activities in the sucrose cleavage and synthesis directions were at pH 6.5 and 9.0, respectively. The purified enzyme displayed typical hyperbolic kinetics with substrates in cleavage and synthesis reactions. Chickpea nodules sucrose synthase had a high affinity for UDP ($K_m$, $8.0{\mu}M$) and relatively low affinities for ADP ($K_m$, 0.23 mM), CDP ($K_m$, 0.87 mM), and GDP ($K_m$, 1.51 mM). The $K_m$ for sucrose was 29.4 mM. In the synthesis reaction, UDP-glucose ($K_m$, $24.1{\mu}M$) was a more effective glucosyl donor than ADP-glucose ($K_m$, 2.7 mM), and the $K_m$ for fructose was 5.4 mM. Divalent cations, such as $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, and $Mn^{2+}$, stimulated the enzyme activity in both the cleavage and synthesis directions, and the enzyme was very sensitive to inhibition by $HgCl_2$ and $CuSO_4$.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제41권6호
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• pp.447-450
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• 1998

Spraque-Dawley계 수컷랫트에 계통분획한 단풍취의 각 분획물을 경구투여하고 혈청 ethanol농도와 간의 ADH활성에 미치는 효과를 검색 추적한 결과 알코올대사를 촉진시키는 성분은 주로 에탄올가용부에, 억제시키는 성분은 에탄올불용부에 주로 존재함을 추정할 수 있었고 현재 활성성분을 분리중에 있다.