• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.752-760
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• 2004

The function of the [4Fe-4S] cluster containing iron (Fe-) protein in nitrogenase catalysis is to serve as the nucleotide-dependent electron donor to the MoFe protein which contains the sites for substrate binding and reduction. The ability of the Fe protein to function in this manner is dependent on its ability to adopt the appropriate conformation for productive interaction with the MoFe protein and on its ability to change redox potentials to provide the driving force required for electron transfer. The MgADP-bound (or off) conformational state of the nitrogenase Fe protein structure described reveals mechanisms for long-range communication from the nucleotide-binding sites to control affinity of association with the MoFe protein component. Two pathways, termed switches I and II, appear to be integral to this nucleotide signal transduction mechanism. In addition, the structure of the MgADP bound Fe protein provides the basis for the changes in the biophysical properties of the [4Fe-4S] observed when Fe protein binds nucleotides. The structures of the nitrogenase Fe protein with defined amino acid substitutions in the nucleotide dependent signal transduction pathways of the Switch I and Switch II have been determined by X-ray diffraction methods. These two pathways have been also implicated by site directed mutagenesis studies, structural analysis and analogies to other proteins that utilize similar nucleotide dependent signal transduction pathways. We have examined the validity of the assignment of these pathways in linking the signals generated by MgATP binding and hydrolysis to macromolecular complex formation and intermolecular electron transfer. The results provide a structural basis for the observed biophysical and biochemical properties of the Fe protein variants and interactions within the nitrogenase Fe protein-MoFe protein complex.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.295-301
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• 1994

The Ru(Ⅲ), Ni(Ⅱ), Cu(Ⅱ), and Pd(Ⅱ) complexes of N$_4$-polydentate ligands(meso-Me$_6$-[14]-ane, rac-Me$_6$-[14]-ane, and cyclam) have been prepared and their catalytic activity and selectivity in the oxidation of olefins in the presence of oxidant such as NaOCl, H$_2$O$_2$, t-BuOOH, and PhIO studied. The oxidations of cyclohexene, 1-hexene, cyclooctene, 1-octene, and styrene as substrates have been investigated gas chromatographically. The Ru(Ⅲ)-N$_4$ complexes showed high selectivity for epoxide in the catalyzed oxidation of olefins with NaOCl. The catalytic activities of Ru(Ⅲ)-N$_4$ complexes were discussed in terms of the flexibility of N$_4$-polydentate ligands, the Ru(Ⅲ)-Cl bond interaction and the steric effect of oxidants. The oxidation of 1-octene using PhIO as oxidant was carried out to verify. The Pd(Ⅱ) complex turned out to be more active catalyst than the Ni(Ⅱ) complexes.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.36-36
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• 2017

Out of twenty common protein amino acids, there are many kinds of non protein amino acids (NPAAs) that exist as secondary metabolites and exert ecological functions in plants. Mimosine (Mim), one of those NPAAs derived from L. leucocephala acts as an iron chelator and reversely block mammalian cell cycle at G1/S phases. Cysteine (Cys) is decisive for protein and glutathione that acts as an indispensable sulfur grantor for methionine and many other sulfur-containing secondary products. Cys biosynthesis includes consecutive two steps using two enzymes-serine acetyl transferase (SAT) and O-acetylserine (thiol)lyase (OASTL) and appeared in plant cytosol, chloroplast, and mitochondria. In the first step, the acetylation of the ${\beta}$-hydroxyl of L-serine by acetyl-CoA in the existence of SAT and finally, OASTL triggers ${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$-elimination of acetate from OAS and bind $H_2S$ to catalyze the synthesis of Cys. Mimosine synthase, one of the isozymes of the OASTLs, is able to synthesize Mim with 3-hydroxy-4-pyridone (3H4P) instead of $H_2S$ for Cys in the last step. Thus, the aim of this study was to clone and characterize the cytosolic (Cy) OASTL gene from L. leucocephala, express the recombinant OASTL in Escherichia coli, purify it, do enzyme kinetic analysis, perform docking dynamics simulation analysis between the receptor and the ligands and compare its performance between Cys and Mim synthesis. Cy-OASTL was obtained through both directional degenerate primers corresponding to conserved amino acid region among plant Cys synthase family and the purified protein was 34.3KDa. After cleaving the GST-tag, Cy-OASTL was observed to form mimosine with 3H4P and OAS. The optimum Cys and Mim reaction pH and temperature were 7.5 and $40^{\circ}C$, and 8.0 and $35^{\circ}C$ respectively. Michaelis constant (Km) values of OAS from Cys were higher than the OAS from Mim. Inter fragment interaction energy (IFIE) of substrate OAS-Cy-OASTL complex model showed that Lys, Thr81, Thr77 and Gln150 demonstrated higher attraction force for Cys but 3H4P-mimosine synthase-OAS intermediate complex showed that Gly230, Tyr227, Ala231, Gly228 and Gly232 might provide higher attraction energy for the Mim. It may be concluded that Cy-OASTL demonstrates a dual role in biosynthesis both Cys and Mim and extending the knowledge on the biochemical regulatory mechanism of mimosine and cysteine.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.52-56
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• 2000

The influence of the 2-(4-(6-chloro-2-benzoxazolyloxy)phenoxy)-N-phenyl- propionamide derivatives on the herbicide activities against rice plant with pre-emergence and post-emergence in down land were examined and the structure activity relationship (SAR) were analyzed by Free-Wilson and Hansch method. In pre-emergence, the SAR approach is shown that the optimal, $({\pi})_{opt}=0.91$, hydrophobicity with electron donating effect of the ortho substituted mono substituents and 2,3,4-substituted three substituents were found to be contribute the herbicidal activity. Whereas, in post-emergence, the optimal, ({\pi})_{opt}=0.50$, hydrophobicity with electron withdrawing effect of meta substituted mono subsituents and 2,3-substituted two substituents were found to be contribute the herbicide activity. The herbicide activities with post-emergence more increase than that of pre-emergence. It is assumed from the SAR equations that the 2-methyl-3-methoxy-4-cyano group substituent is selected as the most lowest herbicide activity against rice plant with post-emergence in green house. The hydrolysis reaction was proceeded through nucleophilic addition-elimination (Ad_{Nu-E})$ with the orbital control between LUMO of substrate and HOMO of water molecule. And molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) of none (H) substituent was discussed.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.139-145
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• 2011

Parthenocissus tricuspidata is an epiphyte that lacks a main axial stem, but develops adhesive disks along the stem for climbing support. In this study, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were utilized to examine the brick wall surface and the adhesive disks of P. tricuspidata that attached to the surface successfully. The study was mainly focused the outermost layers of both structures before and after adhesion to find out whether there has been some structural and/or physical interactions between the two. The adhesive disks adhered firmly to the brick wall by secreting adhesive materials that help them for a tight attachment to the surface. The rough wall surface appeared facilitating better attachment of the adhesive disks by infiltrating the materials into those spaces leading to some degree of interactions at the interface. EDS analysis on the outermost layers of the adhesive disks that were separated from the substrates was also consistent with the SEM data on the interaction between the adhesive disks and the substrate surface. EDS analysis of the brick wall surface and the adhesive disks demonstrated similar elements of O, Si, Fe, Al, K, Mg, and Na in their components.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.308-316
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• 2010

Odontoblasts are anchorage dependent cells adhering to a substrate via cell adhesive molecules. Receptor ligands such as integrins bind to these proteins and are known to function as signal transduction molecules in a series of critical recognition events of cell-substratum. The aim of this study is to examine the interaction of odontoblast (MDPC-23 cell) with type I Col and the effect of TGF-${\beta}1$ and TNF-$\alpha$ on the expression of cell adhesion molecules. In this study, MDPC-23 cells adhered to type I Col dose-dependently. Immunofluorescence data demonstrated that integrin ${\alpha}1$, ${\alpha}2$ and CD44 were expressed on cell surface, and FAK and paxillin were localized in focal adhesion plaques in MDPC-23 cells adhesion to Col. Cytokine TGF-${\beta}1$ increased the adhesion of MDPC-23 cells to Col and the expression level of integrin ${\alpha}1$, 4{\alpha}2$ and chondroitin sulfate on MDPC-23 cells. RT-PCR data demonstrated that cytokine TGF-${\beta}1$ increased the amount of integrin ${\alpha}1$ mRNA in MDPC-23 cells. Therefore, MDPC-23 cells adhere to collagen type I Col and expressed a complex pattern of integrins and proteoglycans, including ${\alpha}1$, ${\alpha}2$, chondroitin sulfate and CD44 detected by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence assay. TGF-${\beta}1$ treatment enhanced the expression of adhesion molecules such as integrin ${\alpha}1$, ${\alpha}2$ and chondroitin sulfate.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.1100-1106
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• 2008

In this study, we presented rapid and simple fabrication method of functionalized surface on various substrates as a universal platform for the selective immobilization of cells. The functionalized surface was achieved by using deposition of polyelectrolyte such as poly(allyamine hydrochloride) (PAH), poly(diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride) (PDAC), poly(4-ammonium styrene sulfonic acid) (PSS), poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and fabrication of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) microstructure through micro-molding in capillaries (MIMIC) technique on each glass, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polystyrene (PS) and poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) substrate. The polyelectrolyte multilayer provides adhesion force via strong electrostatic attraction between cell and surface. On the other hand, PEG microstructures also lead to prevent non-specific binding of cells because of physical and biological barrier. The characteristic of each modified surface was examined by using static contact angle measurement. The modified surface onto several substrates provides appropriate environment for cellular adhesion, which is essential technology for cell patterning with high yield and viability in the micropatterning technology. The proposed method is reproducible, convenient and rapid. In addition, the fabrication process is environmentally friendly process due to the no use of harsh solvent. It can be applied to the fabrication of biological sensor, biomolecules patterning, microelectronics devices, screening system, and study of cell-surface interaction.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 1999

Copper-containig enzyme, laccase (Rhus vernicifera) was immobilized onto gold electrode using self-assembly technique and its surface properties and catalytic activities were examined. Laccase is an oxidoreductase capable to oxidize diphenols or diamines by 4-electron reduction of molecular oxygen without superoxide or peroxide intermediates. The electrode surface were modified by $\beta-mercaptopropionate$ to have a net negative charge in neutral solution and positively charged laccase (pI=9) was immobilized by electrostatic interaction. The successful immobilization was confirmed by cyclic voltammograms which showed typical surface-confined shapes and behaviors. The amount of charge to reduce the surface was similar to the charge calculated assuming the surface being covered by monolayer. The activity of the immobilized enzyme was tested by the capbility of oxidizing a substrate, ABTS (2,2-azine-bis-(3-ethylbenzthioline-6-sulfonic acid) and it was maintained for $2\~3$ days at $4^{\circ}C$. The immobilzed laccase showed about $10\~15\%$ activity compared to that in solution. The laccase-modified electrode showed the activity of elefoocatalytic reduction of oxygen in the presence of mediator, $Fe(CN)_6^{3-}$ The addtion of azide which is an inhibitor of laccase compeletly eliminated the catalytic current.

• Proceedings of the Korea Crystallographic Association Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.18-18
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• 2003

Thioredoxin (Trx) is a small redox protein that is ubiquitously distributed from achaes to human. In diverse organisms, the protein is involved in various physiological roles by acting as electron donor and regulators of transcription and apoptosis as well as antioxidants. Sequences of Trx within various species are 27～69% identical to that of E. coli and all Trx proteins have the same overall fold, which consists of central five β strands surrounded by four α helices. The N-terminal cysteine in WCGPC motif of Trx is redox sensitive and the motif is highly conserved. Compared with general cysteine, the N-terminal cysteine has low pKa value. The result leads to increased reduction activity of protein. Recently, novel thio.edoxin-related protein (TRP14) was found from rat brain. TRP14 acts as disulfide reductase like Trx1, and its redox potential and pKa are similar to those of Trx1. However, TRP14 takes up electrons from cytosolic thioredoxin reductase (TrxR1), not from the mitochondrial thioredoxin reductase (TrxR2). Biological roles of TES14 were reported to be involved in regulating TNF-α induced signaling pathways in different manner with Trx1. In depletion experiments, depletion of TRP14 increased TNF-α induced phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα more than the depletion Trx1 did. It also facilitated activation of JNK and p38 MAP kinase induced by TNF-α. Unlike Trx1, TRP14 shows neither interaction nor interference with ASK1. Here, we determined three-dimensional crystal structure of TRP14 by MAD method at 1.8Å. The structure reveals that the conserved cis-Pro (Pro90) and active site-W-C-X-X-C motif, which may be involved in substrate recognition similar to Trx1 , are located at the beginning position of strand β4 and helix α2, respectively. The TRP14 structure also shows that surface of TRP14 in the vicinity of the active site, which is surrounded by an extended flexible loop and an additional short a helix, is different from that of Trx1. In addition, the structure exhibits that TRP14 interact with a distinct target proteins compared with Trx1 and the binding may depend mainly on hydrophobic and charge interactions. Consequently, the structure supports biological data that the TRP14 is involved in regulating TNF-α induced signaling pathways in different manner with Trx1.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.1140-1146
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• 2018

Dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSPs) play a role in cell growth and differentiation by modulating mitogen-activated protein kinases. DUSPs are considered targets for drugs against cancers, diabetes, immune diseases, and neuronal diseases. Part of the DUSP family, DUSP19 modulates c-Jun N-terminal kinase activity and is involved in osteoarthritis pathogenesis. Here, we report screening of cavity-creating mutants and the crystal structure of a cavity-creating L75A mutant of DUSP19 which has significantly enhanced enzyme activity in comparison to the wild-type protein. The crystal structure reveals a well-formed cavity due to the absent Leu75 side chain and a rotation of the active site-bound sulfate ion. Despite the cavity creation, residues surrounding the cavity did not rearrange significantly. Instead, a tightened hydrophobic interaction by a remote tryptophan residue was observed, indicating that the protein folding of the L75A mutant is stabilized by global folding energy minimization, not by local rearrangements in the cavity region. Conformation of the rotated active site sulfate ion resembles that of the phosphor-tyrosine substrate, indicating that cavity creation induces an optimal active site conformation. The activity enhancement by an internal cavity and its structural information provide insight on allosteric modulation of DUSP19 activity and development of therapeutics.