• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.191-199
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• 2020

Fucoidan, a natural component of brown seaweed, has various biological activities such as anti-cancer activity, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory against various cancer cells. However, the fucoidan has been implicated in melanoma cells via apoptosis signaling pathway. Therefore, we investigated apoptosis with fucoidan in A2058 human melanoma cells with dose- and time-dependent manners. In our results, A2058 cells viability decreased at relatively short-time and low-concentration through fucoidan. This effects of fucoidan on A2058 cells appeared to be mediated by the induction of apoptosis, as manifested by morphological changes through DNA-binding dye Hoechst 33342 staining. When a dose of 80 ㎍/mL fucoidan was treated, the cells were observed: crescent or ring-like structure, chromatin condensation, and nuclear fragmentation. With the increase at 100 ㎍/mL fucoidan, the cell membrane is intact throughout the total process, including membrane blebbing and loss of membrane integrity as well as increase of sub-G1 DNA. Furthermore, to understand the exact mechanism of fucoidan-treated in A2058 cells, western blotting was performed to detect apoptosis-related protein expression. In this study, Bcl-2 family proteins can be regulated by fucoidan, suggesting that fucoidan-induced apoptosis is modulated by intrinsic pathway. Therefore, expression of Bcl-2 and Bax may result in altered permeability, activating caspase-3 and caspase-9. And the cleaved form of poly ADP-ribose polymerase was detected in fucoidan-treated A2058 cells. These results suggest that A2058 cells are highly sensitive to growth inhibition by fucoidan via apoptosis, as evidenced by activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases/p38/Bcl-2 family signaling, as well as alteration in caspase-9 and caspase-3.

• BMB Reports
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.381-385
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• 2005

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is an emerging infectious disease associated with a novel coronavirus (CoV) that was identified and molecularly characterized in 2003. Previous studies on various coronaviruses indicate that protein-protein interactions amongst various coronavirus proteins are critical for viral assembly and morphogenesis. It is necessary to elucidate the molecular mechanism of SARS-CoV replication and rationalize the anti-SARS therapeutic intervention. In this study, we employed an in vitro GST pull-down assay to investigate the interaction between the membrane (M) and the nucleocapsid (N) proteins. Our results show that the interaction between the M and N proteins does take place in vitro. Moreover, we provide an evidence that 12 amino acids domain (194-205) in the M protein is responsible for binding to N protein. Our work will help shed light on the molecular mechanism of the virus assembly and provide valuable information pertaining to rationalization of future anti-viral strategies.

• CELLMED
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.9.1-9.10
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• 2013

In traditional systems of medicine including homeopathy, the Condurango extract (Con) is often used to cure stomach cancer mainly, without having any scientific validation of its anti-cancer ability. Con has therefore been tested against non-small-cell lung cancer cells (NSCLC) A549 and NCI-H522 (H522) known to contain the KRAS mutation, making them resistant to most chemotherapeutic agents. As cancer cells generally defy cytotoxicity developed by chemopreventive agents and escape cell death, any drug showing the capability of preferentially killing cancer cells through apoptosis is worth consideration for judicious application. A549 and H522 cells were exposed to $0.35{\mu}g/{\mu}l$ and $0.25{\mu}g/{\mu}l$ of Con, respectively, for 48 h and analysed based on various protocols associated with apoptosis and DNA damage, such as MTT assay to determine cell viability, LDH assay, DNA fragmentation assay, comet assay, and microscopical examinations of DNA binding fluorescence stains like DAPI, Hoechst 33258 and acridine orange/ethidium bromide to determine the extent of DNA damage made in drug-treated and untreated cells and the results compared. Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential and the generation of reactive oxygen species were also documented through standard techniques. Con killed almost 50% of the cancer cells but spared normal cells significantly. Fluorescence studies revealed increased DNA nick formation and depolarized membrane potentials after drug treatment in both cell types. Caspase-3 expression levels confirmed the apoptosis-inducing potential of Con in both the NSCLC lines. Thus, overall results suggest considerable anticancer potential of Con against NSCLC in vitro, validating its use against lung cancer by practitioners of traditional medicine including homeopathy.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2008

We report the existence of new type of phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D (PLD), which has been characterized and partially purified in the scuticociliate, Uronema marinum. The enzyme from partial purification showed that it was existed in membrane fraction and was a neutral PLD, which catalyzed both transphosphatidylation and hydrolysis reaction. The activity of partially purified membrane-bound PLD was also found to be optimal at pH 7.0-7.5 for 2 hours at 37℃ and depended strictly on the presence of Ca2+ (2.5 mM) and Mg2+ (1.6 mM). Immunoblot analysis indicated that the enzyme was distinct from hPLD1 (human PLD1) and hPLD2 (human PLD2) because it was not recognized by a polyclonal antibody raised to the 12 terminal amino acid of these enzymes. We also found that the membrane-bound PLD is a PIP2-dependent PLD and that GTP-binding proteins are not implicated in the regulation of this enzyme: This enzyme activity is markedly stimulated by phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) but not by the small G-protein Arf and GTPrS. In addition, this enzyme was capable of hydrolyzing phosphatidylcholine (PC) but not phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), implying that PC was a preferred substrate.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.412-419
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• 1989

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) reacting with the plasmalemma of Amoeba proteus were produced. Specificity of the 3 MAbs was determined by transfer blotting of the SDS polvacryfamide gel. AMS antibody reacted with the mucopolysaccharide bands of the spacer gel, 220 KD and 50 KD proteins of the resolving gel. The maior glycoprotein bands (175 KD, 165 KD) and 50 KD protein of the plasmalemma were recognized by AUG antibody. A third, AMP antibody reacted with the 50 KD protein only. In immunofluorescence microscopy of the enzyme treated cells, the antigens of these MAbs were sensitive to proteases, but not sensitive to neuraminidase. In the assay of cell to substratum attachment after binding with the antibody, AMG and AMP antibodies exerted no effect, but AMS hindered the attachment and cell spreading. Thus the effective components of the plasmalemma in cell to substratum attachment appear to be the mucopolysaccharides and 220 KD protein. The membranes of latex particle infested phagosomes did not show any distinction from the plasmalemma in fluorescence microscopy. Phagosome membranes of amoebae appear to be derived from the plasma membrane without selection in terms of the antigen composition. Amoeba Proteus의 세포막과 반응하는 단세포군 항체를 생산하였다. SDS polyacrylamide gel을 transfer blotting하여 이들 항체의 반응 특이성을 조사해 본 결과 AMS 단항체는 PAS로 염색되는 spacer gel의 mucopolysaccharide 린드, resolving gel의 220 KD 및 50 KD 단백질과 반응하였으며, 세포막의 주요 당단백질인 175 KD 및 165 KD 빈드와 50 KD 단백질은 AMG 단항체에 의해서 인지되었다. 그리고 AMP단항체는 공통인 50 KD 단백질과 특이하게 반응하였다. 효소처리한 아메바의 면역형광칠미경적 조사에서 이들 항체에 대한 항원분자들은 모두 단백질분해효소에 민감하였으며 neuraminidase에 대해서는 변화가 없었다. 이들 항체를 결합시킨 아메바의 용기표면 부착 가능성을 분석한 결과 AMP 및 AMG 단항체는 아무런 영향을 미치지 못하였으며 AMS 단항체는 세포의 용기표면 부착 및 세포의 펴짐을 저해하였다. 따라서 아메바의 용기표면 부착은 mucopolysaccharide 및 220 KD 단백질에 의해서 매게되는 것으로 나타났다. 그리고 latex particle을 담고 있는 식포막은 면역형광형미경적 조사에서 세포막과 차이가 없었다. 따라서 겐포막은 항원 조성에 있어서 비 선택적으로 세포막에서 유도되는 것으로 나타났다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.99-106
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• 2008

A ligand - whether an endogenous hormone, neurotransmitter, exogenous toxin or synthetic drug - binds to plasma membrane proteins (e.g., ion channels, receptors or other functional proteins) to exert its physiological or pharmacological effects. Ligands can also have functional groups, showing stereospecificity for interaction sites on their counterpart plasma membrane proteins. Previous reports have shown that the ginsenoside Rg$_3$, a bioactive ginsenoside, meets these criteria in that: 1) an aliphatic side chain of $Rg_3$ plays a role as a functional group, 2) Rg$_3$ regulates voltage- and ligand-gated ion channels in a stereospecific manner with respect to carbon-20, and 3) $Rg_3$ regulates subsets of ligand-gated and voltage-gated ion channels through specific interactions with identified amino acid residues inside the channel pore, in the outer pore entryway, or in toxin binding sites. Rg$_3$, therefore, could be a candidate for a novel ginseng-derived glycosidic ligand regulating ion channels and receptors. This review will examine how Rg$_3$ regulates voltage-gated and ligand-gated ion channels through interactions with its target proteins in the plasma membrane. Hopefully, this review will advance understanding of ginseng pharmacology at the cellular and molecular levels.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 2005

The objectives of the current study were to develop polyclonal antibodies in sheep against adipocyte plasma membrane(APM) proteins isolated from swine, to investigate tissue specificity, and to determine cytotoxic effects of antiserum on swine adipocytes. Plasma membrane proteins from adipocyte, brain, heart, kidney, liver, and spleen were isolated using a 32% sucrose gradient. Adult male sheep was immunized three times at three week interval with the purified swine APM proteins. Antiserum was taken from immunized sheep at 10, 12, and 14 days after the third immunization. Antiserum expressed strong reactivity with APM proteins determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), and the reactivity could be detected at dilutions in excess of 1 : 81,000. Antiserum showed very low binding affinity with proteins isolated from brain, heart, kidney, liver, or spleen. Tissue specificity of the antiserum was reconfirmed by Western immunoblotting using anti-sheep immunoglobulin G•alkalinephosphatase conjugate as a secondary antibody. The reactivity of antiserum to the external surface of fixed swine adipocytes was confmned by an immunohistochemical technique using anti-sheep immunoglobulin G-FITC. Confluent swine adipocytes in culture were lysed by antiserum treatment and cytosolie lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) was released as a dose-dependent patterns while adipocytes treated with normal sheep serum maintained their integrity and expressed low level of LDH. These results implicate that fat contents in the pigs can be reduced by immunological methods.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2001.03a
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• pp.19-19
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• 2001

Mammalian urothelium undergoes unique membrane specialization by making the asymmetric unit membrane (AUM) that is covered with the apical cell surface during terminal differentiation. The AUM contains several major integral membrane proteins including uroplakin Ia, Ib, II and III. The genes for uroplakins have been cloned from humans and mice, but not from porcine. In this study, we report the cloning of the UPII genomic DNA, which codes for the full length open reading frame for the uroplakin II protein. The deduced amino acid sequence encodes of a hydrophobic NH$_2$-terminal peptide, a prosequence, and a mature protein. The prosequence contains three potential N-glycosylation sites and a RGRR cleavage site that may be involved in uroplakin II processing and maturation. Northern and immunohistochemistry analyses showed that the porcine UPII gene is only expressed in urothelium and that the protein was specifically localized in urothelial superficial cells. A 2kb of upstream in the promoter sequence contains multiple transcription factor binding sites, including GC-box, SPI, AP2, and GATA-box sites, but not for TATA or CAAT-box sequences. Comparison of the porcine UPII promoter sequence with that of the murine by MEME system presented two conserved motifs, suggesting a cis-acting regulatory role for the conserved sequences. Sequence homology between two species in motif A and B was 79% and 80% respectively, although their relative locations were different. During the gestation, mouse bladder at estrus stages and day 10 after parturition showed higher UPII expression, while showed lower expression at peri-implantation stage. Taken together, our results showed that the porcine UPII gene was expressed highly and specifically in the bladder urothelium and that steroid hormones for implantation changed the expression of UPII in the bladder, although the biological significance of UPII remains to be not determined.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.24-32
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• 2023

Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1), encoded by the polymorphic var multigene family, is a highly polymorphic antigen that plays a crucial role in the pathology of malaria. The contribution of the genetic diversity of var toward the immune escape of P. falciparum has not yet been fully elucidated. This study aimed to characterize the diversity of var repertoires by screening P. falciparum Duffy-binding-like α domain (PfDBLα) among field isolates from central Myanmar. Genetic analysis revealed that the D-H segments of var in Myanmar populations have an extensive polymorphic repertoire, with high numbers of unique sequence types in each individual. However, var genes from the global population, including Myanmar, shared close genetic lineages regardless of their geographic origins, indicating that they have not undergone rapid evolutionary changes.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.106-112
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• 2013

PDE plays an important role in cAMP-mediated cellular signaling within the cells. The proper targeting of each PDE is mediated by unique N-terminal of each PDE isoform. It has been recently reported that supershort-, short- and long-forms of PDE4 in Aplysia were cloned in Aplysia. Long-form of ApPDE4 was localized at plasma membrane and presynaptic terminal in Aplysia sensory neurons. However, it remains elusive which part of ApPDE4 is minimal region for the proper targeting and what are the effects on the cell functions. Here, we identified that N-terminal 13 amino acids of ApPDE4 long-form is minimal regions for the plasma membrane targeting. In addition, overexpression of ApPDE4(N20)-mRFP could induce morphological changes in HEK293T cells. Interestingly, mRFP-$PLC{\delta}1$(PH), which selectively binds to PI4,$5P_2$, could induce morphological changes in similar with that by ApPDE4(N20)-mRFP. These results suggested that binding of ApPDE4(N20) to lipids including PI4,$5P_2$ might be responsible for targeting of ApPDE4 to plasma membrane and morphological changes in HEK293T cells.