• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.194-209
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: High levels of plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol are an important determinant of atherosclerotic lesion formation. The disruption of cholesterol efflux or reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) in peripheral tissues and macrophages may promote atherogenesis. The aim of the current study was to examine whether bioactive ellagic acid, a functional food component, improved RCT functionality and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) function in diet-induced atherogenesis of apolipoproteins E (apoE) knockout (KO) mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Wild type mice and apoE KO mice were fed a high-cholesterol Paigen diet for 10 weeks to induce hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis, and concomitantly received 10 mg/kg ellagic acid via gavage. RESULTS: Supplying ellagic acid enhanced induction of apoE and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter G1 in oxidized LDL-exposed macrophages, facilitating cholesterol efflux associated with RCT. Oral administration of ellagic acid to apoE KO mice fed on Paigen diet improved hypercholesterolemia with reduced atherogenic index. This compound enhanced the expression of ABC transporters in peritoneal macrophages isolated from apoE KO mice fed on Paigen diet, indicating increased cholesterol efflux. Plasma levels of cholesterol ester transport protein and phospholipid transport protein involved in RCT were elevated in mice lack of apoE gene, which was substantially reduced by supplementing ellagic acid to Paigen diet-fed mice. In addition, ellagic acid attenuated hepatic lipid accumulation in apoE KO mice, evidenced by staining of hematoxylin and eosin and oil red O. Furthermore, the supplementation of 10 mg/kg ellagic acid favorably influenced the transcriptional levels of hepatic LDL receptor and scavenger receptor-B1 in Paigen diet-fed apoE KO mice. CONCLUSION: Ellagic acid may be an athero-protective dietary compound encumbering diet-induced atherogenesis though improving the RCT functionality.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.82-85
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• 2002

33kDa extrinsic protein, an important protein in oxygenic photosynthesis, was known to have no fixed configuration in solution. At 20$\^{C}$ and pH 6, 33kDa extrinsic protein showed changes of free energy of -14.6 kJ/mor$\^$-1/ and of standard volume of -120mL/mol, respectively, with increase of hydrostatic pressure, comparatively lower than for most proteins. NBS modification of Trp241 in 33kDa extrinsic protein dramatically changes the secondary protein structure, its affinity to photosystem II as well as photosynthetic oxygen evolution. The relationship between structural change and transport of oxygen, water and proton is deserved a further study.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.11
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• pp.697-704
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• 2009

Membrane proteins play important roles in the biology of the cell, including intercellular communication and molecular transport. Their well-established importance notwithstanding, the high-resolution structures of membrane proteins remain elusive due to difficulties in protein expression, purification and crystallization. Thus, accurate prediction of membrane protein topology can increase the understanding of membrane protein function. Here, we provide a brief review of the diverse computational methods for predicting membrane protein structure and function, including recent progress and essential bioinformatics tools. Our hope is that this review will be instructive to users studying membrane protein biology in their choice of appropriate bioinformatics methods.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.77-81
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• 2008

Testis brain RNA-binding protein (TB-RBP) is a DNA/RNA binding protein. TB-RBP is mainly expressed in testis and brain and highly conserved protein with several functions, including chromosomal translocations, DNA repair, mitotic cell division, and mRNA transport, stabilization, and storage. In our previous study, we identified TB-RBP as an interacting partner for the catalytic subunit $(C{\alpha})$ of protein kinase A(PKA) and verified their interaction with several biochemical analyses. Here, we confirmed interaction between $C{\alpha}$. and TB-RBP in mammalian cells and determined the effect of $C{\alpha}$. on the function of TB-RBP. The activation of $C{\alpha}$. increased the TB-RBP function as a DNA-binding protein. These results suggest that the function of TB-RBP can be modulated by PKA and provide insights into the diverse role of PKA.

• 대한핵의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2001.05a
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• pp.66-75
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• 2001

Although diverse mechanisms are involved in multidrug resistance for chemotherapeutic drugs, the development of cellular P-glycoprotein(Pgp) and multidrug-resistance associated protein (MRP) are important factors in the chemotherapy failure to cancer. Various detection assays provide information about the presence of drug efflux pumps at the mRNA and protein levels. However these methods do not yield information about dynamic function of Pgp and MRP un vivo. Single photon emission tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) are available for the detection of Pgp and MRP-mediated transport. $^{99m}Tc$-sestaMIBl and other $^{99m}Tc$-radiopharmaceuticals are substrates for Pgp and MRP, and have been used in clinical studies for tumor imaging, and to visualize blockade of Pgp-mediated transport after modulation of Pgp pump. Colchicine, verapamil and daunorubicin labeled with $^{11}C$ have been evaluated for the quantification of Pgp-mediated transport with PET in vivo and reported to be feasible substrates with which to image Pgp function in tumors. Leukotrienes are specific substrates for MRP and N-$[^{11}C]$acetyl-leukotriene E4 provides an opportunity to study MRP function non-invasively in vivo. Results obtained from recent publications are reviewed to confirm the feasibility of using SPECT and PET to study the functionality of MDR transporters in vivo.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.55-71
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• 1987

To investigate the effects of lead on the electron transport system and ultrastructure of mouse kidney mitochondria, various lead acetate concentrations were treated in vitro and respiration rate, enzyme activities were measured. Ultrastructural changes at state IV respiration were also observed. To compare with in vivo experiments, mouse were injected intraperitoneally of 100 mg lead acetate per kg body weight and state IV respiration rate and enzyme activities were measured. Ultrastructure of renal proximal tubular cells were also observed. In in vitro treatement, decreased state IV respiration, decreased enzyme activities, ruptured membranes and inhibition of condensed to orthodox transformation were observed. In in vivo treatment, decreased state IV respiration and decreased enzyme activities were observed after 24 hrs of i.p. injection. Cytochrome c oxidase activity showed twice the inhibition compared to NADH-CoQ reductase activity at 24 hrs. Continuous decreased state IV respiration was observed after 48 and 72 hrs of injection, however, the enzyme activities were increased to control level. Lead-protein complex which probably inhibits the toxic effects of lead appeared. To conclude, dominant effect of lead on the electron transport system appeared at cytochrome c oxidase activity, and the increased enzyme activities may be a result of appearance of lead-protein complex.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.335-339
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• 2015

Cryptosporidium andersoni ATP-binding cassette (CaABC) is an important membrane protein involved in substrate transport across the membrane. In this research, the nucleotide binding domain (NBD) of CaABC gene was amplified by PCR, and the eukaryotic expression vector of pEGFP-C1-CaNBD was reconstructed. Then, the recombinant plasmid of pEGFP-C1-CaNBD was transformed into the mouse intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) to study the iron transportation function of CaABC. The results indicated that NBD region of CaABC gene can significantly elevate the transport efficiency of $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $K^+$, and $HCO_3{^-}$ in IECs (P<0.05). The significance of this study is to find the ATPase inhibitors for NBD region of CaABC gene and to inhibit ATP binding and nutrient transport of CaABC transporter. Thus, C. andersoni will be killed by inhibition of nutrient uptake. This will open up a new way for treatment of cryptosporidiosis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.63-76
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• 1996

The aim of present study was to characterize phosphate uptake and to investigate the mechanism for the insulin and insulin-like growth factor(IGF) stimulation of phosphate uptake in primary cultured rabbit renal proximal tubule cells. Results were as follows : 1. The primary cultured proximal tubule cells had accumulated $6.68{\pm}0.70$ nmole phosphate/mg protein in the presence of 140 mM NaCl and $2.07{\pm}0.17$ nmole phosphate/mg protein in the presence of 140 mM KCl during a 60 minute uptake period. Raising the concentration of extracellular phosphate to 100 mM$(48.33{\pm}1.76\;pmole/mg\;protein/min)$ induced decrease in phosphate uptake compared with that in control cells maintained in 1 mM phosphate$(190.66{\pm}13.01\;pmole/mg\;protein/min)$. Optimal phosphate uptake was observed at pH 6.5 in the presence of 140 mM NaCl. Phosphate uptake at pH 7.2 and pH 7.9 decreased to $83.06{\pm}5.75%\;and\;74.61{\pm}3.29%$ of that of pH 6.5, respectively. 2. Phosphate uptake was inhibited by iodoacetic acid(IAA) or valinomycin treatment $(62.41{\pm}4.40%\;and\;12.80{\pm}1.64%\;of\;that\;of\;control,\;respectively)$. When IAA and valinomycin were added together, phosphate uptake was inhibited to $8.04{\pm}0.61%$ of that of control. Phosphate uptake by the primary proximal tubule cells was significantly reduced by ouabain treatment$(80.27{\pm}6.96%\;of\;that\;of\;control)$. Inhibition of protein and/or RNA synthesis by either cycloheximide or actinomycin D markedly attenuated phosphate uptake. 3. Extracellular CAMP and phorbol 12-myristate 13 acetate(PMA) decreased phosphate uptake in a dose-dependent manner in all experimental conditions. Treatment of cells with pertussis toxin or cholera toxin inhibited phosphate uptake. cAMP concentration between $10^{-6}\;M\;and\;10^{-4}\;M$ significantly inhibited phosphate uptake. Phosphate uptake was blocked to about 25% of that of control at 100 ng/ml PMA. 3-Isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine(IBMX) inhibited phosphate uptake. However, in the presence of IBMX, the inhibitory effect of exogenous cAMP was not significantly potentiated. Forskolin decreased phosphate transport. Acetylsalicylic acid did not inhibit phosphate uptake. The 1,2-dioctanoyl-sn-glycorol(DAG) and 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn- glycerol(OAG) showed a inhibitory effect. However, staurosporine had no effect on phosphate uptake. When PMA and staurosporine were treated together, inhibition of phosphate uptake was not observed. In conclusion, phosphate uptake is stimulated by high sodium and low phosphate and pH 6.5 in the culture medium. Membrane potential and intracellular energy levels are also an important factor fer phosphate transport. Insulin and IGF-I stimulate phosphate uptake through a mechanisms that involve do novo protein and/or RNA synthesis and decrease of intracellular cAMP level. Also protein kinase C(PKC) is may play a regulatory role in transducing the insulin and IGF-I signal for phosphate transport in primary cultured proximal tubule cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.107-122
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• 2001

A function of the kidney is elimination of a variety of xenobiotics ingested and wasted endogenous compounds from the body. Organic anion and cation transport systems play important roles to protect the body from harmful substances. The renal proximal tubule is the primary site of carrier-mediated transport from blood into urine. During the last decade, molecular cloning has identified several families of multispecific organic anion and cation transporters, such as organic anion transporter (OAT), organic cation transporter (OCT), and organic anion-transporting polypeptide (oatp). Additional findings also suggested ATP-dependent organic ion transporters such as MDR1/P-glycoprotein and the multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) as efflux pump. The substrate specificity of these transporters is multispecific. These transporters also play an important role as drug transporters. Studies on their functional properties and localization provide information in renal handling of drugs. This review summarizes the latest knowledge on molecular properties and pharmacological significance of renal organic ion transporters.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.1708-1713
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• 2002

Endometrial explants obtained from does between days 13 and 21 of pregnancy were cultured in a modified minimum essential medium in the presence of [$^35S$]methionine and [$^3H$]-leucine. Proteins synthesized and secreted into medium were analyzed by fluorography of two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography. No marked qualitative changes in patterns of protein production by caprine endometrium between days 13-21 of pregnancy. At least 11 proteins showed consistently a clear spot or a grouping of spots with characteristic location on two-dimensional gels. A major low molecular weight protein consisted of two major isoforms (pI 5.3-6.0) of similar molecular mass (21 kDa). Limited N-terminal sequence analysis of these two isoforms showed that the protein had complete homology with bovine placental and plasma retinol-binding protein (RBP) over the first 20 amino acids. Through use of the antiserum raised against bovine placental RBP, immunoreactive RBP was detected in cultures conditioned by uterine explants prepared at days 13, 15 and 21 of pregnancy. In the present study, proteins synthesized and secreted by caprine endometrium during periattachment period of early pregnancy were characterized. The pregnant endometrium secreted a number of neutral-to-acidic proteins which constituted, in part, the histotroph. A vitamin A-transport protein, RBP, was identified in cultures conditioned by endometrium of days 13-21 of pregnancy. The uterine endometrium is the only source of retinol for embryonic tissues. The uterine RBP appears to transport retinol locally toward embryonic tissues. Secretion of RBP by caprine endometrium of days 13, 15 and 21 of pregnancy suggested that retinol played an important role in conceptus development during periattachment period of early pregnancy.