• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.20 no.5
• /
• pp.547-556
• /
• 2016

Myometrial relaxation of mouse via expression of two-pore domain acid sensitive (TASK) channels was studied. In our previous report, we suggested that two-pore domain acid-sensing $K^+$ channels (TASK-2) might be one of the candidates for the regulation of uterine circular smooth muscles in mice. In this study, we tried to show the mechanisms of relaxation via TASK-2 channels in marine myometrium. Isometric contraction measurements and patch clamp technique were used to verify TASK conductance in murine myometrium. Western blot and immunehistochemical study under confocal microscopy were used to investigate molecular identity of TASK channel. In this study, we showed that TEA and 4-AP insensitive non-inactivating outward $K^+$ current (NIOK) may be responsible for the quiescence of murine pregnant longitudinal myometrium. The characteristics of NIOK coincided with two-pore domain acid-sensing $K^+$ channels (TASK-2). NIOK in the presence of $K^+$ channel blockers was inhibited further by TASK inhibitors such as quinidine, bupivacaine, lidocaine, and extracellular acidosis. Furthermore, oxytocin and estrogen inhibited NIOK in pregnant myometrium. When compared to non-pregnant myometrium, pregnant myometrium showed stronger inhibition of NIOK by quinidine and increased immunohistochemical expression of TASK-2. Finally, TASK-2 inhibitors induced strong myometrial contraction even in the presence of L-methionine, a known inhibitor of stretch-activated channels in the longitudinal myometrium of mouse. Activation of TASK-2 channels seems to play an essential role for relaxing uterus during pregnancy and it might be one of the alternatives for preventing preterm delivery.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.598-606
• /
• 2013

Anther is the major organ of flower in responsible to reproduction and outward appearance. From anther-specific cDNA library of Lilium Oriental Hybrid 'Acapulco', 2000 expressed sequence tags were selected randomly. Differential slot blot analysis with cDNA probes from the anther and leaf was used to get anther-expressed clone and 570 non-redundant ESTs were obtained and sequenced. Compared to the GenBank database using BLASTX algorithm, 191 clones showed significant similarity but others (66.5%) did not measured to known sequence. Functional categories according to gene ontology (GO) annotation included sequence representing a significant portion of protein in cell and cell part respectively. A transcriptional analysis at 7 different organs and developmental stage was performed using northern blot with thirty ESTs as putative anther specific gene. This report suggest that selection of anther expressed clone using differential slot blot was considered as very effective tool and our current study can provide fundamental information on the lily anther including pollen furthermore.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.457-467
• /
• 2022

Electron bombardment to silicate glass during electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) causes outward migration of Na from the excitation volume and subsequent decrease in the measured X-ray count rates of Na. To acquire precise Na₂O content of silicate glass, one should use proper analytical technique to avoid or minimize Na migration effect or should correct for decreases in the measured Na X-ray counts. In this study, we analyzed 8 silicate glass standard samples using automated Time Dependent Intensity (TDI) correction method of Probe for EPMA software that can calculate zero-time intercept by extrapolating X-ray count changes over analysis time. We evaluated an accuracy of TDI correction for Na measurements of silicate glasses with EPMA at 15 kV acceleration voltage and 20 nA probe current electron beam, which is commonly utilized analytical condition for geological samples. Results show that Na loss can be avoided with 20 ㎛-sized large beam (<0.1 nA/㎛²), thus silicate glasses can be analyzed without TDI correction. When the beam size is smaller than 10 ㎛, Na loss results in large relative errors up to -55% of Na₂O values without correction. By applying TDI corrections, we can acquire Na₂O values close to the reference values with relative errors of ~ ±10%. Use of weighted linear-fit can reduce relative errors down to ±6%. Thus, quantitative analysis of silicate glasses with EPMA is required for TDI correction for alkali elements such as Na and K.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
• /
• v.30 no.2 s.79
• /
• pp.197-204
• /
• 2000

[$K^+$]-selective ion channels were studied in excised inside-out membrane patches from human osteoblast-like cells (G292). Three classes of $K^+$channels were present and could be distinguished on the basis of conductance. Conductances were $270\pm27\;pS,\;113\pm12\;pS,\;48\pm8\;pS$ according to their approximate conductances in symmetrical 140 mM KCl saline at holding potential of -80 mV It was found that the small conductance (48 pS) $K^+$channel activation was dependent on membrane voltage. In current-voltage relationship, small conductance $K^+$channel showed outward rectification, and it was activated by the positive potential inside the membrane. In recordings, single channel currents were activayed by a negative pressure outside the membrane. The membrane pressure increased $P_{open}$ of the $K^+$ channel in a pressure-dependent manner. In the excised-patch clamp recordings, G292 osteoblast-like cells have been shown to contain three types of $K^+$ channels. Only the small conductance (48 pS) $K^+$channel is sensitive to the membrane stretch. These findings suggest that a hyperpolarizing current, mediated in part by this channel, may be associated with early events during the mechanical loading of the osteoblast. In G292 osteoblast-like cells, $K^+$channel is sensitive to membrane tension, and may represent a unique adaptation of the bone cell membrane to mechanical stress.