• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.79-83
• /
• 2013

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been known to affect to cell migration, proliferation, morphogenesis and apoptosis by degrading the extracellular matrix. In the previous studies, undifferentiated mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) were successfully proliferated inside the extracellular matrix (ECM) analog-conjugated three-dimensional (3D) poly ethylene glycol (PEG)-based hydrogel. However, there is no report about MMP secretion in ESCs, which makes it difficult to understand and explain how ESCs enlarge space and proliferate inside 3D PEG-based hydrogel constructed by crosslinkers containing MMP-specific cleavage peptide sequence. Therefore, we investigated what types of MMPs are released from undifferentiated ESCs and how extracellular signals derived from various niche conditions affect MMP expression of ESCs at the transcriptional level. Results showed that undifferentiated ESCs expressed specifically MMP2 and MMP3 mRNAs. Transcriptional up-regulation of MMP2 was caused by the 3D scaffold, and activation of integrin inside the 3D scaffold upregulated MMP2 mRNAs synergistically. Moreover, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) on 2D matrix and 3D scaffold induced upregulation of MMP3 mRNAs, and activation of integrins through conjugation of extracellular matrix (ECM) analogs with 3D scaffold upregulated MMP3 mRNAs synergistically. These results suggest that successful proliferation of ESCs inside the 3D PEG-based hydrogel may be caused by increase of MMP2 and MMP3 expression resulting from 3D scaffold itself as well as activation of integrins inside the 3D PEG-based scaffold.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.49 no.5
• /
• pp.463-469
• /
• 2006

Sodium is the major cation of the extracellular fluid and the primary determinant of extracellular osmolality. Therefore, hypernatremia causes water movement out of cells, while hyponatremia causes water movement into cells, resulting in cellular shrinkage and cellular swelling, respectively. Serious central nervous system symptoms may complicate both conditions. Since hypernatremia and hyponatremia are accompanied by abnormalities in water balance, it is essential to understand the mechanisms regulating extracellular osmolality and volume as well as the pathophysiology of hypernatremia and hyponatremia, in order to manage both conditions with swiftness and safety.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.92-93
• /
• 2001

Bacillus sp. KYJ 963, which was isolated from Korean salt-fermented anchovy (anchovy-jeot), produces an extracellular ${\beta}$-amylase. The analysis of the digestion products of substrates by thin layer chromatography from the purified protein revealed that the enzyme could not hydrolyze maltose or ${\alpha}$-cyclodextrin. In the amino acid composition analysis, the major characteristic of the ${\beta}$-amylase was the high proportion of amino acids that possess short side chain such as glycine and alanine.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.213-222
• /
• 2011

The native extracellular matrix (ECM) consists of an integrated fibrous protein network and proteoglycan-based ground (hydrogel) substance. We designed a novel electrospinning technique to engineer a three dimensional fiber-hydrogel composite that mimics the native ECM structure, is injectable, and has practical macroscale dimensions for clinically relevant tissue defects. In a model system of articular cartilage tissue engineering, the fiber-hydrogel composites enhanced the biological response of adult stem cells, with dynamic mechanical stimulation resulting in near native levels of extracellular matrix. This technology platform was expanded through structural and biochemical modification of the fibers including hydrophilic fibers containing chondroitin sulfate, a significant component of endogenous tissues, and hydrophobic fibers containing ECM microparticles.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.23-26
• /
• 2009

During operations, neurosurgeons usually perform multiple temporary occlusions of parental artery, possibly resulting in the neuronal damage. It is generally thought that neuronal damage by cerebral ischemia is associated with extracellular concentrations of the excitatory amino acids. In this study, we measured the dynamics of extracellular glutamate release in 11 vessel occlusion(VO) model to compare between single occlusion and repeated transient occlusions within short interval. Changes in cerebral blood flow were monitored by laser-Doppler flowmetry simultaneously with cortical glutamate level measured by amperometric biosensor. From real time monitoring of glutamate release in 11 VO model, the change of extracellular glutamate level in repeated transient occlusion group was smaller than that of single occlusion group, and the onset time of glutamate release in the second ischemic episode of repeated occlusion group was delayed compared to the first ischemic episode which was similar to that of single 10 min ischemic episode. These results suggested that repeated transient occlusion induces less glutamate release from neuronal cell than single occlusion, and the delayed onset time of glutamate release is attributed to endogeneous protective mechanism of ischemic tolerance.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.30 no.6
• /
• pp.507-513
• /
• 1992

Serratia marecescens RH1 isolated from soil samples produced large amount of extracellular proteases. One of the genes encoding an extracellular protease form S. marcescens RH1 was cloned in Escherichia coli by shot gun cloning method. The cloned protease, SSP, was stably expressed by its own promoter and excreted into the extracellular medium from E. coli host (ORF) of 3.135 nucleotides corresponding to 1.045 amino acids (112 kDa). The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence of SSP showed high overall homology (88%) to one of the S. marcescens protease (27), but low homology to other serine protease families. The optimal pH and temperature of the enzyme were pH 9.0 and 45.deg.C respectively. The activity of protease was inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), which suggests that the enzyme is a serine protease.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.19-25
• /
• 2015

Objectives: Capsaicin (CAP) is the chief pungent principle found in the hot red peppers and the chili peppers that have long been used as spices, food additives and drugs. This study investigated the anticancer potential of CAP through its ability to modify extracellular matrix components and proteases during mice lung carcinogenesis. Methods: Swiss albino mice were treated with benzo(a) pyrene (50 mg/kg body weight dissolved in olive oil) orally twice a week for four successive weeks to induce lung cancer at the end of $14^{th}$ week. CAP was administrated (10 mg/kg body weight dissolved in olive oil) intraperitoneally. Extracellular matrix components were assayed; Masson's trichome staining of lung tissues was performed. Western blot analyses of matrix metalloproteases 2 and 9 were also carried out. Results: In comparison with the control animals, animals in which benzo(a)pyrene had induced lung cancer showed significant increases in extracellular matrix components such as collagen (hydroxy proline), elastin, uronic acid and hexosamine and in glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronate, chondroitin sulfate, keratan sulfate and dermatan sulfate. The above alterations in extracellular matrix components were effectively counteracted in benzo(a)pyrene along with CAP supplemented animals when compared to benzo(a) pyrene alone supplemented animals. The results of Masson's trichome staining for collagen and of, immunoblotting analyses of matrix metalloproteases 2 and 9 further supported the biochemical findings. Conclusion: The apparent potential of CAP in modulating extracellular matrix components and proteases suggests that CAP plays a chemomodulatory and anti-cancer role working against experimentally induced lung carcinogenesis.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.110-115
• /
• 2013

A microorganism (strain AR1) producing an extracellular lipolytic enzyme was isolated from hot springs located in Beppu, Japan. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rDNA sequence and biochemical studies indicated that AR1 belongs to the genus Geobacillus. This study focused on novel strategies to increase extracellular lipolytic enzyme production by this novel Geobacillus sp. AR1. Cultures of the AR1 strain grew within a wide temperature range (from 35 to $75^{\circ}C$); the optimum temperature was $65^{\circ}C$. The pH for optimal growth was 6.5, whereas the optimum pH for lipolytic enzyme production was 8.5. The presence of oils in the culture medium led to improvements in lipolytic enzyme activity. Soybean oil was the most efficient inducer, and it yielded better results when added in the exponential phase. On the other hand, the addition of chemical surfactants led to lipolytic enzyme production. Their addition to the culture could affect the location of the enzyme activity. The addition of Tween 20 in the stationary phase significantly increased the proportion of the extracellular enzyme activity. According to the results, following the addition of soybean oil and Tween 20 in the exponential and stationary phases, the extracellular lipolytic activity was increased 2.4-fold compared with that of a control.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.242-249
• /
• 2016

A balance between production and degradation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is critical for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Increased levels of ROS during oxidative stress are associated with disease conditions. Antioxidant enzymes, such as extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD), in the extracellular matrix (ECM) neutralize the toxicity of superoxide. Recent studies have emphasized the importance of EC-SOD in protecting the brain, lungs, and other tissues from oxidative stress. Therefore, EC-SOD would be an excellent therapeutic drug for treatment of diseases caused by oxidative stress. We cloned both the full length (residues 1-240) and truncated (residues 19-240) forms of human EC-SOD (hEC-SOD) into the donor plasmid pFastBacHTb. After transposition, the bacmid was transfected into the Sf9-baculovirus expression system and the expressed hEC-SOD purified using FLAG-tag. Western blot analysis revealed that hEC-SOD is present both as a monomer (33 kDa) and a dimer (66 kDa), as detected by the FLAG antibody. A water-soluble tetrazolium (WST-1) assay showed that both full length and truncated hEC-SOD proteins were enzymatically active. We showed that a potent superoxide dismutase inhibitor, diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC), inhibits hEC-SOD activity.

• Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.156-159
• /
• 2004

In general, the salinity of the ocean is close to 3.5％ and marine vibrios possess the respiratory chain-linked Na$\^$+/ pump. The influence of sodium chloride and the proton conductor carbonylcyanide m-chlo-rophenylhydrazone (CCCP) on the production of extracellular proteases in a marine Vibrio strain was examined. At the concentration of 0.5 M, sodium chloride minimally inhibited the activity of extra-cellular proteases by approximately 16％, whereas at the same concentration, the producton of extra-cellular proteases was severely inhibited. On the other hand, the production of extracellular proteases was completely inhibited by the addition of 2 ${\mu}$M CCCP at pH 8.5, where the respiratory chain-linked Na$\^$+/ pump functions.