• Title/Summary/Keyword: N-lR

Search Result 1,989, Processing Time 0.034 seconds

Biological Functions of N- and O-linked Oligosaccharides of Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin and Lutropin/Chorionicgonadotropin Receptor

  • Min, K. S.
    • Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
    • /
    • 2000.10a
    • /
    • pp.10-12
    • /
    • 2000
  • Members of the glycoprotein family, which includes CG, LH, FSH and TSH, comprise two noncovalently linked $\alpha$- and $\beta$-subunits. Equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), known as PMSG, has a number of interesting and unique characteristics since it appears to be a single molecule that possesses both LH- and FSH-like activities in other species than the horse. This dual activity of eCG in heterologous species is of fundamental interest to the study of the structure-function relationships of gonadotropins and their receptors. CG and LH $\beta$ genes are different in primates. In horse, however, a single gene encodes both eCG and eLH $\beta$-subunits. The subunit mRNA levels seem to be independently regulated and their imbalance may account for differences in the quantities of $\alpha$ - and $\beta$ -subunits in the placenta and pituitary. The dual activities of eCG could be separated by removal of the N-linked oligosaccharide on the $\alpha$-subunit Asn 56 or CTP-associated O-linked oligosaccharides. The tethered-eCG was. efficiently secreted and showed similar LH-like activity to the dimeric eCG. Interestingly, the FSH-like activity of the tethered-eCG was increased markedly in comparison with the native and wild type eCG. These results also suggest that this molecular can implay particular models of FSH-like activity not LH-like activity in the eCG/indicate that the constructs of tethered molecule will be useful in the study of mutants that affect subunit association and/or secretion. A single-chain analog can also be constructed to include additional hormone-specific bioactive generating potentially efficacious compounds that have only FSH-like activity. The LH/CG receptor (LH/CGR), a membrane glycoprotein that is present on testicular Leydig cells and ovarian theca, granulosa, luteal, and interstitial cells, plays a pivotal role in the regulation of gonadal development and function in males as well as in nonpregnant and pregnant females. The LH/CGR is a member of the family of G protein-coupled receptors and its structure is predicted to consist of a large extracellular domain connected to a bundle of seven membrane-spanning a-helices. The LH/CGR phosphorylation can be induced with a phorbol ester, but not with a calcium ionophore. The truncated form of LHR also was down-regulated normally in response to hCG stimulation. In contrast, the cell lines expressing LHR-t63I or LHR-628, the two phosphorylation-negative receptor mutant, showed a delay in the early phase of hCG-induced desensitization, a complete loss of PMA-induced desensitization, and an increase in the rate of hCG-induced receptor down-regulation. These results clearly show that residues 632-653 in the C-terminal tail of the LHR are involved in PMA-induced desensitization, hCG-induced desensitization, and hCG-induced down-regulation. Recently, constitutively activating mutations of the receptor have been identified that are associated with familial male-precocious puberty. Cells expressing LHR-D556Y bind hCG with normal affinity, exhibit a 25-fold increase in basal cAMP and respond to hCG with a normal increase in cAMP accumulation. This mutation enhances the internalization of the free and agonist-occupied receptors ~2- and ~17-fold, respectively. We conclude that the state of activation of the LHR can modulate its basal and/or agonist-stimulated internalization. Since the internalization of hCG is involved in the termination of hCG actions, we suggest that the lack of responsiveness detected in cells expressing LHR-L435R is due to the fast rate of internalization of the bound hCG. This statement is supported by the finding that hCG responsiveness is restored when the cells are lysed and signal transduction is measured in a subcellular fraction (membranes) that cannot internalize the bound hormone.

  • PDF

Difference in Electrophoretic Phenotypes of Rice Cultivars Selected to Oxyfluorfen (Oxyfluorfen에 대한 내성(耐性) 및 감수성(感受性) 수도품종(水稻品種)의 전기영동(電氣泳動) 표현형(表現型) 차이(差異))

  • Kuk, Y.I;Guh, J.O.;Lee, D.J.;Kim, Y.J.
    • Korean Journal of Weed Science
    • /
    • v.8 no.2
    • /
    • pp.199-207
    • /
    • 1988
  • The study was intended to know any relations between the rice tolerance to oxyfluorfen and varietal speciation in seed protein composition or any enzymatical allelies with or without chemical treatment. Rice varieties used were Chokoto, Aichiasahi, Agabyeo, IR 3941 and Tablei as the tolerant group, and Mushakdanti, Weld Pally, HP 1033, HP 857, and HP 907 as the susceptible, respectively. Electrophoretic methods used were SDS-PAGE for seed protein, 7% PAGE for isozymes (acid phosphatase and peroxidase from rice seedling) and changes in isoenzyme activity (malate dehydrogenase, peroxidase and esterase) as affected by oxyfluorfen treatment ($10^{-4}M$) was also studied. The results are summarized as follows. -Among 19 bands separated in seed proteins, two different rice groups selected in terms of tolerance were clustered in dissimilarity. This was based on 2 facts in that G band was not present in susceptible varieties and that less activity of H, N, O, P, Q, Rand S band was shown. -Among 4 bands separated in acid phosphatase, the presence of (band and lower activity of B band was specific for tolerant varieties. For 4 minor bands separated in peroxidase, the tolerant varieties had no activity in B band and higher activity in A, C, D bands. -Time-course study of isozymes as affected by $10^{-4}M$ oxyfluorfen showed that Chokoto, the tolerant varieties, had little activity in A band and consistently higher activities in Band C bands for malate dehydrogenase. For 5 bands separated in peroxidase, B band was not found in Chokoto while A, C, D, and E bands were consistently present. Esterase was separated into about 4 bands in which Chokoto had maintained higher activities in A, C and D bands.

  • PDF

Application of the QUAL2E Model and Risk Assessment for Water Quality Management in Namyang Stream in Hwaong Polder (화옹유역 남양천의 수질관리를 위한 QUAL2E적용과 위해성 평가)

  • Jang, Jae-Ho;Jung, Kwang-Wook;Kim, Hyung-Chul;Yoon, Chun-Gyeong
    • Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
    • /
    • v.39 no.1 s.115
    • /
    • pp.110-118
    • /
    • 2006
  • The Namyang Stream in Hwaong polder was planned for several water uses including recreation, where people can contact the water and consume some amount during the recreational activity. A human health risk was assessed from exposure to E. coli in the Namyang Stream, which receives partially treated wastewater from watershed. The QUAL2E model was applied to simulate stream water quality, and this model was calibrated and verified with field monitoring data. The calibration result showed a high correlation coefficient of greater than 0.9. The mean concentration of E. coli in the Namyang Stream from the QUAL2E output was in the range of 5,000 ${\sim}$ 8,000 MPN 100 mL^{-1}$, which exceeded national and international guidelines. The Beta-Poisson was used to estimate the microbial risk of pathogens ingestion and the Monte-Carlo analysis (10,000 trials) was used to estimate the risk characterization of uncertainty. The Microbial risk assessment showed that the risk ranged from 7.9 ${\times}\;10^{-6}\;to\;9.4\;{\times}10^{-6}$. Based on USEPA guidelines, the range of $10^{-6}\;to\;10^{-8}$ was considered reasonable levels of risk for communicable disease transmission from environmental exposure, and the risk above $10^{-4}$ was considered to be in the danger of infection. Therefore, water quality of the Namyang Stream might not be in the danger of infection although it exceeded national and international guidelines. However, it was in the range of communicable disease transmission, and thorough wastewater collection and treatment at the source is recommended to secure safe recreation water quality.

Sensitization of TNFα and Agonistic FAS/CD95 Antibody-Induced Apoptosis by INFγ on Neuroblastoma Cells (신경모세포종에서 IFNγ에 의한 TNFα와 길항적 FAS/CD95항체 유도성 세포고사의 감작화)

  • Bang, Ho Il;Kim, Jong Duck;Choi, Du Young
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
    • /
    • v.46 no.7
    • /
    • pp.702-709
    • /
    • 2003
  • Purpose : $IFN{\gamma}$ sentitizes many tumor cells to $TNF{\alpha}$ and FASL-mediated apoptosis by enhancing the expression of TNF or FAS/CD95 receptor and modulating the activation of caspase and Bcl-2 family. It has been reported that $IFN{\gamma}$ and $TNF{\alpha}$ synergistically caused differentiation and growth inhibition of neuroblastoma cells. Even though some neuroblastoma cell express FASR/FASL on the cell surface, they could not induce apoptosis by ligation of the FAS/CD95 receptor. But the treatment of $IFN{\gamma}$ is reported to induce apoptosis in some neuroblastoma cell lines through the CD95/CD95L autocrine circuit. In this study, we examined whether $IFN{\gamma}$ could affect $TNF{\alpha}$ and agonistic FAS/CD95 antibody(CH-11)-induced apoptosis against neuroblastoma cell lines that had shown diverse drug sensitivity and resistance. Methods : CHLA-15, CHLA-90 and LA-N-2 neuroblastoma cells were cultured in IMDM and treated with recombinant $IFN{\gamma}$, $TNF{\alpha}$ and CH-11 antibody. Cell viability was measured by DIMSCAN with a fluorescent calcein-AM. Apoptosis was analyzed through flow cytometry using Annexin V-PE and 7-ADD staining and confirmed by pancaspase and caspase-8 blocking experiments. The expression of TNF RI and FAS/CD95 receptor was evaluated by flow cytometry using the corresponding antibody and PE-conjugated secondary antibody. Results : $IFN{\gamma}$ or $TNF{\alpha}$ alone had no demonstrable cytotoxic effects, whereas both cytokines in combination induced apoptosis synergistically in CHLA-15 and CHLA-90 cells. Although there was no cytotoxicity with the ligation of CH-11 alone in CHLA-90 cells, pretreatment of $IFN{\gamma}$ increased the sensitivity of CH-11-mediated apoptosis. The expression of TNFRI and FAS/CD95R were non-specifically enhanced after treatment of $IFN{\gamma}$ without relation to sensitivity to $TNF{\alpha}$ and CH-11. This finding suggest up-regulation of both receptors may contribute to sensitization of $TNF{\alpha}$ and CH-11-mediated apoptosis by $IFN{\gamma}$ in only sensitive cell lines. Conclusion : $IFN{\gamma}$ induced sensitization of $TNF{\alpha}$ and agonistic FAS/CD95 antibody-mediated apoptosis on some neuroblastoma cells through up-regulation of TNFRI and FAS/CD95 receptor.

Relationship between Light Environment and Crop Growth under Various Nitrogen Application Rates Condition in Rice Plant Canopy (질소(窒素) 시비수준(施肥水準)에 따른 벼 군락내(群落內) 광환경변화(光環境變化)와 생육(生育)과의 관계(關係)에 관(關)한 연구(硏究))

  • Lee, Jeong-Taek;Kazuo, Kobayashi
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
    • /
    • v.8 no.2
    • /
    • pp.128-135
    • /
    • 1989
  • To find the effects of solar energy into the rice canopy and its balance on the rice plant growth, a Tongil type rice, Raekyeong and a japonica rice, Koganebare were used with four levels of nitrogen fertilizer application, 6, 10, 14, and 18kg $l0a^{-1}$ in Chigugo, Japan. The micrometerosological data, the solar radiation and absorbed solar radiation by the rice plants, and leaf area index on cardinal growth stage of the rice community were measured. The results are as follows : Raekyeong showed increased LAI by increased nitrogen fertilizer application rates, and larger LAI than Koganebear. 1. There was no difference in total dry weight till 20 days after transplanting regardless of nitrogen levels in the same variety, after that, however, Raekyeong showed higher dry matter productions for the same durations than Koganebare. 2. In early growth stage of transplanting rice, reflection ratio of solar radiation above the crop canogy was about 6%, however, it was increased up to 20% by the increased LAI at heading date. 3. In high levels of nitrogen application plots, LAI were increased so that values were decreased. 4. Relationship between the amount of absorbed radiation by plants and its dry matter production was linearly significant. Higher levels of nitrogen application produced higher dry matter in Raekyeong, however, in lower level, the dry matter production pattern was almost similar between both rice cultivars.

  • PDF

Effect of Crop Rotation on the Growth of Sesame(Sesamum indicum L.) and Soil Properties (윤작이 참깨의 생육과 토양의 이화학성에 미치는 영향)

  • Kim, Dong-Hwi;Seo, Jong-Ho;Kim, Chung-Guk;Choi, Seong-Ho;Ko, Mun-Hwan;Heo, Il-Bong
    • Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
    • /
    • v.31 no.3
    • /
    • pp.216-224
    • /
    • 1998
  • The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of sesame monoculture and sesame in rotation (SR) with maize. soybean. barley or rye on reduction of injury by continous cropping in sesame. Field studies were conducted for 3-years (1995~1997) at the experimental field of the Crop Experiment Station. Compared to CS (continuous sesame). SR treatments turned out to keep more organic matter and higher exchangeable cation concentrations in soils. BS (barley and sesame in a 1-year rotation) and RS (rye and sesame in a 1-yea r rotation) treatments had significantly greater available $P_2O_5$ contents in soils than CS, MS (maize and sesame in a 3-year rotation) and SbS (soybean a nd sesame in a 3-year rotation). The pH of the soils under different treatments were not significantly different. SR treatments exhibited significantly lower bulk density and higher pore space than CS. Soil microbial biomass C (SMBC) and N (SMBN) were determined by the chloroform fumigation-extraction method. SMBC and SMBN were significantly higher in soils under BS and RS than those under CS, but only during the 1 year of monitoring. MS and SbS treatments resulted in higher SMBC and SMBN than CS. The occurrence of injury by disease of sesame is the important primary factor of injury by continous cropping, but the disease occurrence with rotation did not decrease in th is experiment. Under CS treatment, the growth and grain of sesame was significantly lower than those under other treatments. Compared to CS, the increments of grain yield of sesame were 68, 63, 57 and 51% for MS, RS, SbS and BS, respectively in the first harvest. In the second harvest, they were 24% for MS, 28% for RS, 20% for SbS and 19% for BS. The average increase ratios during the two years were 41, 41, 34, and 33% for MS, RS, SbS and BS, respectively.

  • PDF

Establishment of an Analytical Method for Determination of Fungicide Oxathiapiprolin in Agricultural Commodities using HPLC-UV Detector (HPLC-UVD를 이용한 농산물 중 살균제 Oxathiapiprolin의 잔류분석법 확립)

  • Jang, Jin;Kim, Heejung;Do, Jung Ah;Ko, Ah-Young;Lee, Eun Hyang;Ju, Yunji;Kim, Eunju;Chang, Moon-Ik;Rhee, Gyu-Seek
    • Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
    • /
    • v.31 no.3
    • /
    • pp.186-193
    • /
    • 2016
  • An analytical method was developed for the determination of oxathiapiprolin in agricultural commodities. Oxathiapiprolin is a new oomycide (fungicide of piperidinyl thiazole isoxazoline class) which controls downy mildew in cucurbits caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis (oomycete plant pathogen). Agricultural commodities were extracted with acetonitrile and partitioned with dichloromethane to remove the interference, adjusting pH between 9 and 10 by 1 N sodium hydroxide. After purification by silica SPE cartridge to clean up the interference of organic compounds, they were finally quantified by HPLC-UVD (high performance liquid chromatograph ultraviolet detector) using a wavelength at 260 nm and confirmed by LC-MS (liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer) in electro-spray ionization positive ion mode. The standard calibration curve was linear with coefficients of determination ($r^2$) 1.00 over the calibration ranges (0.025-2.5 mg/L). Recoveries were ranged between 86.7 to 112.7%, with relative standard deviations less than 10% at three concentration levels (LOQ, 10LOQ, and 50LOQ) performing five replicates. The overall results were determined and estimated according to the CODEX guidelines (CAC/GL40). The proposed method for determination of oxathiapiprolin residues in agricultural commodities can be used as an official method.

Biological Functions of N- and O-linked Oligosaccharides of Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin and Lutropin/Chorionic Gonadotropin Receptor

  • Min, K.S.
    • Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
    • /
    • v.24 no.4
    • /
    • pp.357-364
    • /
    • 2000
  • Members of the glycoprotein family, which includes CG, LH, FSH and TSH, comprise two noncovalently linked $\alpha$- and $\beta$-subunits. Equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), known as PMSG, has a number of interesting and unique characteristics since it appears to be a single molecule that possesses both LH- and FSH-like activities in other species than the horse. This dual activity of eCG in heterologous species is of fundamental interest to the study of the structure-function relationships of gonadotropins and their receptors. CG and LH $\beta$ genes are different in primates. In horse, however, a single gene encodes both eCG and eLH $\beta$ -subunits. The subunit mRNA levels seem to be independently regulated and their imbalance may account for differences in the quantities of $\alpha$ - and $\beta$-subunits in the placenta and pituitary. The dual activities of eCG could be separated by removal of the N-linked oligosaccharide on the $\alpha$-subunit Asn 56 or CTP-associated O-linked oligosaccharides. The tethered-eCG was efficiently secreted and showed similar LH-like activity to the dimeric eCG. Interestingly, the FSH-like activity of the tethered-eCG was increased markedly in comparison with the native and wild type eCG. These results also suggest that this molecular can implay particular models of FSH-like activity not LH-like activity in the eCG/indicate that the constructs of tethered molecule will be useful in the study of mutants that affect subunit association and/or secretion. A single-chain analog can also be constructed to include additional hormone-specific bioactive generating potentially efficacious compounds that have only FSH-like activity. The LH/CG receptor (LH/CGR), a membrane glycoprotein that is present on testicular Leydig cells and ovarian theca, granulosa, luteal, and interstitial cells, plays a pivotal role in the regulation of gonadal development and function in males as well as in nonpregnant and pregnant females. The LH/CGR is a member of the family of G protein-coupled receptors and its structure is predicted to of a large extracellular domain connected to a bundle of seven membrane-spanning a-helices. The LH/CGR phosphorylation can be induced with a phorbol ester, but not with a calcium ionophore. The truncated form of LHR also was down-regulated normally in response to hCG stimulation. In contrast, the cell lines expressing LHR-t631 or LHR-628, the two phosphorylation-negative receptor mutant, showed a delay in the early phase of hCG-induced desensitization, a complete loss of PMA-induced desensitization, and an increase in the rate of hCG-induced receptor down-regulation. These results clearly show that residues 632~653 in the C-terminal tail of the LHR are involved in PMA-induced desensitization, hCG-induced desensitization, and hCG-induced down-regulation. Recently, constitutively activating mutations of the receptor have been identified that are associated with familial male-precocious puberty. Cells expressing LHR-D556Y bind hCG with normal affinity, exhibit a 25-fold increase in basal cAMP and respond to hCG with a normal increase in cAMP accumulation. This mutation enhances the internalization of the free and agoinst-occupied receptors ~2- and ~17- fold, respectively. We conclude that the state of activation of the LHR can modulate its basal and/or agonist-stimulated internalization. Since the internalization of hCG is involved in the termination of hCG actions, we suggest that the lack of responsiveness detected in cells expressing LHR-L435R is due to the fast rate of internalization of the bound hCG. This statement is supported by the finding that hCG responsiveness is restored when the cells are lysed and signal transduction is measured in a subcellular fraction (membranes) that cannot internalize the bound hormone.

  • PDF

A study on simple nursing activities for the registered nurses and nurse aides in the hospital (단순간호활동에 관한 간호사 및 간호조무사의 태도조사연구)

  • Lee Jung-Hee
    • Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
    • /
    • v.4 no.1
    • /
    • pp.37-55
    • /
    • 1990
  • Every country in the world has been trying to expand the basic health right for the peoples as W.H.O has established the goal 'health for AU' by the year of 2000. Related to this goal, our government authority has establish the policy 'the insurance of health for all' into effect from July 198\). Recently hospitalshave been making a ceaseless effort for the plan for the rationalization of its management the academic World is making it a subject of discussion by doing the secure of manpower at a resonable level and the increase of productivity by the manpower. As a result of the efforts the study was established to secure the numbers of nursing manpower at a resonable level and use the unskilled persons at the utilizing field and seek the possible area of their activity for more efficient service through the investigation of ablity of simple nursing activities of regiestered nurses and nurse aides for rational function according to the educational levels and talents. The method of study was established by the registered nurses and nurse and nurse aides(R.N 229, N.A 226) who are working in 15 hospitals with over 200 beds. This surrey was conducted from Mar 29, 1989 to April 8, 1989. The method to test the degree of importance, difficulties, and the abillity of performance of a simple nursing activities was classified into 35 activities on the basis of references on this field. The degree of importance was composed from point l(Not so important) to 5(Very important). the degree of difficulties. was composed as follows; very easy - Point 1 very difficult and complicated - Point 5. and the ability of performance was composed from point 1 to 5. The materials gathered through the survey were analyzed with frequency, mean standard deviation, percentage. t-test, Anova, pearson's coefficient of correlation, stepwise multiple regression. factor analysis, discriminant analysis. The obtained results are summarized as follows: 1. The recognition values of the simple nursing activities of each group of registered nurse and nurse aides show; The degree of importance; 4.04 and 4.26 The degree of difficulties; 2.72 and 2.94 The ability of performance; 2.07 and 2.38 The brief summary shows there are little differences between who two groups the simple nursing activities turned out to be easy and simple work. 2. Regardless of the degree of importance, and difficulties, the ability of performance the important in fluencing of the degree of the simple nursing activities between the registered nurses and nurse aides was the order of educational level, hospital career, working career in wards and ages of the registered nurses and ages and hospital creer of nurse aides. The result was that the simple nursing activities could easily be familiar through the training of their working environment and period of experience. 3. Among the 35 simple nursing activities the items capable of resonable entrusting to the nurse aides are 5 that is helping bed-bathing, 8itz Bath, using bed pan, care while delivering patient, accompaying patient when visitor's check. There wasn't and differences between RN and nurse aides in performing the above 5 items. In anywhere. so we can say obviosuly that this nursing activities should be performed under the nursing system of which chief of nurse are supposed to supervise nurse aides as a possible function to be entrusted. In view of the above mentioned results, therefore, this partial functional job of the simple nursing activities can able be entrusted to the nurse aides through the regular training course. In case of these functional activities could be entrusted under, the responsibility of registered nurse, we can able suggest to for that there are the following advantages: 1.. In the nursing activities-affairs, the qualified guarantee of the nursing services can be kept and increased or promotoed with accommodation of the required nursing service and roles being expanded presently. 2. In the productivity of the hospital manpower, therefore, we have comt to view and consider in favourly that when an automational administration times would be come in the near future time to hospital affairs as a reality, to utilize the existing nures aides is better rather than investing so as to develop the other source manpowers or seek its for the efficient business management in the operational strategy or its policy.

  • PDF

Effects of Ginsenosides and Their Metabolites on Voltage-dependent Ca2+ Channel Subtypes

  • Lee, Jun-Ho;Jeong, Sang Min;Kim, Jong-Hoon;Lee, Byung-Hwan;Yoon, In-Soo;Lee, Joon-Hee;Choi, Sun-Hye;Lee, Sang-Mok;Park, Yong-Sun;Lee, Jung-Ha;Kim, Sung Soo;Kim, Hyoung-Chun;Lee, Boo-Yong;Nah, Seung-Yeol
    • Molecules and Cells
    • /
    • v.21 no.1
    • /
    • pp.52-62
    • /
    • 2006
  • In previous reports we demonstrated that ginsenosides, active ingredients of Panax ginseng, affect some subsets of voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channels in neuronal cells expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. However, the major component(s) of ginseng that affect cloned $Ca^{2+}$ channel subtypes such as ${\alpha}_{1C}$(L)-, ${\alpha}_{1B}$(N)-, ${\alpha}_{1A}$(P/Q)-, ${\alpha}_{1E}$(R)- and ${\alpha}_{1G}$(T) have not been identified. Here, we used the two-microelectrode voltage clamp technique to characterize the effects of ginsenosides and ginsenoside metabolites on $Ba^{2+}$ currents ($I_{Ba}$) in Xenopus oocytes expressing five different $Ca^{2+}$ channel subtypes. Exposure to ginseng total saponins (GTS) induced voltage-dependent, dose-dependent and reversible inhibition of the five channel subtypes, with particularly strong inhibition of the ${\alpha}_{1G}$-type. Of the various ginsenosides, $Rb_1$, Rc, Re, Rf, $Rg_1$, $Rg_3$, and $Rh_2$, ginsenoside $Rg_3$ also inhibited all five channel subtypes and ginsenoside $Rh_2$ had most effect on the ${\alpha}_{1C}$- and ${\alpha}_{1E}$-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels. Compound K (CK), a protopanaxadiol ginsenoside metabolite, strongly inhibited only the ${\alpha}_{1G}$-type of $Ca^{2+}$ channel, whereas M4, a protopanaxatriol ginsenoside metabolite, had almost no effect on any of the channels. $Rg_3$, $Rh_2$, and CK shifted the steady-state activation curves but not the inactivation curves in the depolarizing direction in the ${\alpha}_{1B}$- and ${\alpha}_{1A}$-types. These results reveal that $Rg_3$, $Rh_2$ and CK are the major inhibitors of $Ca^{2+}$ channels in Panax ginseng, and that they show some $Ca^{2+}$ channel selectivity.