• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.132-136
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• 2007

Zinc is essential metal and plays a role in a wide variety of physiological and biochemical processes. Prostate gland contains high level of zinc, generally 3-10 folds higher than other organs. Prostatic zinc uptake is resulted from the existence of zinc transporter (ZnT) protein families in membrane. In this study, we investigated the difference of zinc uptake efficiency of zinc-aspartate complex (Zn-Asp) into various organs compared with $ZnSO_4$. We observed that Plasma zinc concentration in both $ZnSO_4$ and Zn-Asp administrated group was increased progressively following administration, and reached a peak level at 2 hr. The increasing pattern of zinc concentration was similar to each groups, however the zinc concentration of Zn-Asp administrated group was higher than that of $ZnSO_4$ administrated group. We found that prostatic zinc level of Zn-Asp administrated group was higher than $ZnSO_4$ administrated group, and was increased approximately $\sim$2.7 fold and $\sim$4.2 fold at 4 and 8 hr after administration. From these observations, we suggest than Zn-Asp has high uptake efficiency of zinc into the prostate gland. Therefore, Zn-Asp is potentially useful treatment of many prostatic diseases.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.277-283
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• 2015

Plant genome analyses, including Arabidopsis thaliana showed a large gene family of plant receptor kinases with various extracellular ligand-binding domain. Now intensively studies to understand physiological and cellular functions for higher plant receptor kinases in diverse and complex biological processes including plant growth, development, ligands perception including steroid hormone and plant-microbe interactions. Brassinosteroids (BRs) as a one of well know steroid hormone are plant growth hormones that control biomass accumulation and also tolerance to many biotic and abiotic stress conditions and hence are of relevance to agriculture. BRI1 receptor kinase, which is localized in plasma membrane in the cell sense BRs and it bind to a receptor protein known as BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 1 (BRI1). Recently, we reported that BRI1 and its co-receptor, BRI1-ASSOCIATED KINASE (BAK1) autophosphorylated on tyrosine residue (s) in vitro and in vivo and thus are dual-specificity kinases. Other plant receptor kinases are also phosphorylated on tyrosine residue (s). Post-translational modifications (PTMs) can be studied by altering the residue modified by directed mutagenesis to mimic the modified state or to prevent the modification. These approaches are useful to not only characterize the regulatory role of a given modification, but may also provide opportunities for plant improvement.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.38 no.sup2
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• pp.317-324
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• 2008

Purpose: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans was associated with localized aggressive periodontitis, endocarditis, meningitis, and osteomyelitis. The cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) of A. actinomycetemcomitans was considered as a key factor of these diseases is composed of five open reading frames (ORFs). Among of them, An enzymatic subunit of the CDT, CdtB has been known to be internalized into the host cell in order to induce its genotoxic effect. However, CdtB can not be localized in host cytoplasm without the help of a heterodimeric complex consisting of CdtA and CdtC. So, some studies suggested that CdtC functions as a ligand to interact with GM3 ganglioside of host cell surface. The precise role of the CdtC protein in the mechanism of action of the holotoxin is unknown at the present time. The aim of this study was to generate recombinant CdtC proteins expression from A. actinomycetemcomitans, through gene cloning and protein used to investigate the function of Cdt C protein in the bacterial pathogenesis. Materials and Methods: The genomic DNA of A. actinomycetemcomitans Y4 (ATCC29522) was isolated using the genomic DNA extraction kit and used as template to yield cdtC genes by PCR. The amplifed cdtC genes were cloned into T-vector and cloned cdt C gene was then subcloned to pET28a expression vector. The pET28a-cdtC plasmid expressed in BL21 (DE3) Escherichia coli system. Diverse conditons were tested to opitimize the expression and purification of functional CdtC protein in E. coli. Results: In this study we reconstructed CdtC subunit of A. actinomycetemcomitans Y4 and comfirmed the recombinant CdtC expression by SDS-PAGE and Western Blotting. The expression level of the recombinant CdtC was about 2% of total bacterial proteins. Conclusion: The lab condition of procedure for the purification of functionally active recombinant CdtC protein is established. The active recombinant CdtC protein will serve to examine the role of CdtC proteins in the host recognition and enzyme activity of CDT and investigate the pathological process of A. actinomycetemcomitans in periodontal disease.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.440-451
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• 1997

This study was designed to prospect the $^{111}In$-labelled paclitaxel as tumor imaging agent. In order to provide a taxol molecule with a functional group which is able to chelate In-111, taxol-DTPA conjugate and 2'-hemisuccinyltaxol were synthesized by esterification of taxol at C-2'on C-13 carbon with DTPA anhydride and succinic anhydride, respectively. Synthesis yield of the taxol derivatives was 34% for taxol-DTPA and 80% for 2'-hemisuccinyltaxol. Cytotoxicity of the taxol derivatives were measured by MTT method toward cell lines HT29, B16, P388, and CT26. The cytotoxic activities of the taxol derivatives were maintained, although less active than taxol. Radiolabelling of the taxol derivatives were proceeded directly with $^{111}InCl_3$ or indirectly with $^{111}In$-citrate(ligand-exchange method). The ligand-exchange method was not suitable because some precipitates appeared during the reaction. On the contrary, by direct radiolabelling method, we were able to obtain taxol-DTPA-$^{111}In$ in 100% radiochemical yield. However, 2'-hemisuccinyltaxol was not labelled by both methods. Yield and radiochemical purity of the radiolabelled com-pound were determined by HPLC, paper chromatography and instant thin layer chromatography. Taxol-DTPA-$^{111}In$ was characterized to be hydrophilic by lipophilicity test, and nearly non-adhesive to HT29, B16, P388, and CT26 by cell binding affinity test. Binding affinity of the taxol-DTPA-$^{111}In$ complex to serum proteins was also examined by protein precipitation with 30% trichloroacetic acid. The results showed that 30% of the taxol-DTPA-$^{111}In$ complex binds with serum proteins.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.11
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• pp.821-826
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• 2016

The ${\beta}$-catenin functions as an adhesion molecule and a component of the Wnt signaling pathway. In the absence of the Wnt ligand, ${\beta}$-catenin is constantly phosphorylated, which designates it for degradation by the APC complex. This process is one of the key regulatory mechanisms of ${\beta}$-catenin. The level of ${\beta}$-catenin is also controlled by the E3 ubiquitin protein ligase SIAH-1 via a phosphorylation-independent degradation pathway. Similar to ${\beta}$-catenin, STAT3 is responsible for various cellular processes, such as survival, proliferation, and differentiation. However, little is known about how these molecules work together to regulate diverse cellular processes. In this study, we investigated the regulatory relationship between STAT3 and ${\beta}$-catenin in HEK293T cells. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report that ${\beta}$-catenin-TCF-4 transcriptional activity was suppressed by phosphorylated STAT3; furthermore, STAT3 inactivation abolished this effect and elevated activated ${\beta}$-catenin levels. STAT3 also showed a strong interaction with SIAH-1, a regulator of active ${\beta}$-catenin via degradation, which stabilized SIAH-1 and increased its interaction with ${\beta}$-catenin. These results suggest that activated STAT3 regulates active ${\beta}$-catenin protein levels via stabilization of SIAH-1 and the subsequent ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation of ${\beta}$-catenin in HEK293T cells.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.190-198
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• 2018

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease caused by microbial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), destroying gingival tissues and alveolar bone in the periodontium. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory and anti-osteoclastic effects of panduratin A, a chalcone compound isolated from Boesenbergia pandurata, in human gingival fibroblast-1 (HGF-1) and RAW 264.7 cells. Treatment of panduratin A to LPS-stimulated HGF-1 significantly reduced the expression of interleukin-$1{\beta}$ and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$), subsequently leading to the inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-8 compared with that in the LPS control ($^{**}p$ < 0.01). These anti-inflammatory responses were mediated by suppressing the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling and activator protein-1 complex formation pathways. Moreover, receptor activator of NF-${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells treated with panduratin A showed significant inhibition of osteoclastic transcription factors such as nuclear factor of activated T-cells c1 and c-Fos as well as osteoclastic enzymes such as tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and cathepsin K compared with those in the RANKL control ($^{**}p$ < 0.01). Similar to HGF-1, panduratin A suppressed osteoclastogenesis by controlling MAPK signaling pathways. Taken together, these results suggest that panduratin A could be a potential candidate for development as a natural anti-periodontitis agent.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2000

A series of transition metal complexes of 3,6-bis(6'-methyl-2'-pyridyl)pyridazine ($L^{1}$) and 3,6-bis(2'-pyridyl)pyridazine ($L^{2}$) as artificial nuclease, $1{\sim}8$ were synthesized. After determining of X-ray crystal structure, hydrolysis rate constants of phosphates, as DNA model compound and biological activities were confirmed. $L^{2}$-Zn(II) complex, 8 was shown the best hydrolysis rate constant. The $L^{2}$-Ni(II) complex, 5 and $L^{2}$-Co(II) complex, 6 showed the highest herbicidal activity against SCP (Scriptus Juncoids) with excellent tolerance to rice, ORY (Oryzae sativa L.). And the $L^{1}$-Co(II) complex, 2, $L^{1}$-Zn(II) complex, 4 and ligand ($L^{1}$ amp; $L^{2}$) displayed above 90% fungicidal activity against MAG (Magnaporthe grisea).

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.85-92
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• 2006

Progesterone(P4) is an important intermediate in the synthesis of androgens and estrogens. Furthermore, P4 itself plays a crucial role in ovulation, atresia and luteinization, and is essential for the continuation of early pregnancy in all mammalian species. In spite of the hormone's physiological importance, the exact action mechanism(s) of P4 in mammalian ovary has not been fully understood yet. In this context, a decades-long controversy regarding the identity of receptors that mediate non-genomic, transcription-independent cellular responses to P4 is presently attracting huge scientific interests. P4 may exert its action in mammalian ovary by several ways: 1) the well-documented genomic pathway, involving hormone binding to so-called classic cytosolic receptor(PGR) and subsequent modulation of gene expression by the ligand-receptor complex as transcription factor. 2) pathways are operating that do not act on the genome, therefore refered to as non-genomic actions. The prominent characteristics of the non-genomic P4 actions are: (i) rapid, (ii) insensitive to transcription inhibitors, (iii) transduced by membrane associated molecules. In particular, the non-genomic P4 actions could be mediated by: (a) classic genomic P4 receptor(PGR) that localizes at or near the plasma membrane, (b) a family of membrane progestin receptors(MPR $\alpha$, MPR $\beta$ and MPR $\gamma$), (c) progesterone receptor membrane component I(PGRMC1), and (d) a membrane complex composed of serpine I mRNA binding protein(SERBP1). The present review summarized these rapid signaling pathways of P4 in the mammalian ovary.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.429-434
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• 2019

A lateral flow immunoassay platform utilizing antibody functionalized water soluble CdSe/ZnS semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) was developed for the analysis of human serum amyloid A-1 (hSAA1) in a buffer solution. hSAA1 was chosen as a target protein because it is regarded as a potential biomarker associated with early diagnosis and prognosis in patients of lung cancer. The immunoassay strip on a nitrocellulose membrane was fabricated by spraying two lines composed of a test line with a monoclonal antibody against hSAA1 (10G1) (anti hSAA1) and a control line of anti-chicken IgY. While the CdSe/ZnS QDs synthesized in an organic phase were transferred to a water phase by ligand exchange using carboxylic acid modified alkane thiol. The QDs was then conjugated to monoclonal antibody against hSAA1 (14F8) [anti hSAA1 (14F8)] and used as a fluorescent detection probe. The sequential lateral flow of hSAA1 in different concentration and QDs-anti hSAA1 (14F8) complex allowed to form the surface sandwich complex of anti hSAA1 (10G1)/hSAA1/QD-anti hSAA1 (14F8), which was then analyzed using fluorescence microscope. A 100 nM concentration of hSAA1 protein can be detected by naked eyes under an optimized lateral flow buffer condition with a sensing time of 5 mins.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1410-1414
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• 2017

Escherichia coli tryptophan synthase (TS) contains ${\alpha}_2{\beta}_2$, which catalyzes the final two steps in Trp biosynthesis. A molecular tunnel exists between the two active sites of ${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$ subunits in TS. Via intersubunit communication, TS increases catalytic efficiency, including substrate channeling. The ${\beta}$ subunit of TS is composed of two domains, one of which, the COMM (communication) domain, plays an important role in intersubunit communication. The ${\alpha}$ subunit has a TIM barrel structure. This protein has functional regions at the C terminal of ${\beta}$ pleated sheets and in its loop regions. Three regions of the ${\alpha}$ subunit (${\alpha}L6$ [${\alpha}-loop$ L6], ${\alpha}L2$, and ${\alpha}L3$) are implicated in intersubunit communication. In the present study, conformational changes in ${\alpha}L6$ were monitored by measuring the sensitivity of mutant proteins in these regions to trypsin. The addition of a ${\alpha}$ subunit-specific ligand, D,L-${\alpha}$-glycerophosphate (GP), partially restored the sensitivity of mutant proteins to trypsin. In contrast, the addition of the ${\beta}$ subunit-specific ligand L-serine (Ser) resulted in varied sensitivity to trypsin, with an increase in PT53 (substitution of Pro with Thr at residue 53) and DG56, decrease in NS104 and wild type, and no change in GD51 and PH53. This finding may be related to several reaction intermediates formed under this condition. The addition of both GP and Ser led to a highly stable state of the complex. The present results are consistent with the current model. The method used herein may be useful for screening residues involved in intersubunit communication.