• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.361-364
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• 1999

The binding characteristics of Anagrapha falcifera nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AtNPV) to Spodoptera frugiperda 21 (Sf21) cells were investigated. The cells displayed an affinity of 4.7×10/sup 10/M/sup -1/ with about 3,300 binding sites per cell. The biochemical nature of the AfNPV-binding sites on the cell surface was also partially identified. Our findings suggest that the binding-site moiety has a glycoprotein component, but that the direct involvement of oligosacccharides containing N-acetylglucosamine or sialic acid residues in binding is unlikely, and that AfNPV entry into Sf21 cells may be via receptor-mediated endocytosis.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.80-84
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• 2015

Here, we demonstrate the use of MALDI-TOF as a fast and simple analytical approach to evaluate the DNA-binding capability of various peptides. Specifically, by varying the amino acid sequence of the peptides consisting of lysine (K) and tryptophan (W), we identified peptides with strong DNA-binding capabilities using MALDI-TOF. Mass spectrometric analysis reveals an interesting novel finding that lysine residues show sequence selective preference, which used to be considered as mediator of electrostatic interactions with DNA phosphate backbones. Moreover, tryptophan residues show higher affinity to DNA than lysine residues. Since there are numerous possible combinations to make peptide oligomers, it is valuable to introduce a simple and reliable analytical approach in order to quickly identify DNA-binding peptides.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.355-358
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• 1990

In order to investigate the cellular mechanisms of hypoglycemic of brazilin, hepatocyte monolayer culture was introduced and, glycogen synthesis rate and insulin binding were measured as parameters. Glycogen synthesis and insulin sensitivity were remarkably augmented by the treatment of brazilin. Brazilin slightely increased insulin binding. Scatchard analysis revealed that this increase in insulin binding was not due to increase in the binding capacity but in binding affinity. These results suggest that the augmentation of hepatic glycogenesis and insulin sensitivity by brazilin may play an important role in the improvement of hyperglycemia.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.297-302
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• 2005

The integrity and proper functioning of telomeres require association of telomeric DNA sequences with specific binding proteins. We have characterized PLP-1, a $PUR{\alpha}$ homolog encoded by F45E4.2, which we previously identified as a candidate double stranded telomere binding protein, by affinity chromatography followed by mass spectrometry. PLP-1 bound double-stranded telomeric DNA in vitro as shown by competition assays. Core binding was provided by the third and fourth nucleotides of the TTAGGC telomeric repeat. This is quite different from the binding sequence of CEH-37, another C. elegans telomere binding protein, suggesting that multiple proteins may bind nematode telomeric DNA simultaneously in vivo.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.1207-1212
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• 2000

The free energy simulation technique is used to evaluate the relative binding affinity of a set of hydroxyethylene isostere inhibitors of the HIV-1 protease. The binding reactions and an alchemical mutation construct the thermodynamic cycle, which reduces the free energy difference of the binding interactions into that of the alchemical processes. In the alchemical process, a methyl group is mutated into a hydrogen atom. Albeit the change is a small perturbation to the inhibitor-protease complex, it results in 25 fold difference in the binding constants. The simulation reproduces the experimentally measured binding affinities within 2% of the free energy difference. The protonation state of the catalytic aspartic acid residues is also investigated through the free energy simulations.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.165.3-166
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• 2000

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.846-848
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• 1999

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.165.1-165.1
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• 2000

• BMB Reports
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.541-546
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• 1999

When we compared the chitinase activity of various plant sources using colorimetric or active gel-staining assay methods, the specific activity of pumpkin leaves was the highest among the samples we analyzed. The highly active chitinase from pumpkin leaves (designated PL-ChtIII) was purified to homogeneity using affinity chitin gel and HPLC Mono-Q anion-exchange cloumn chromatographies. In contrast to other members of the class III chitinase family, PL-ChtIII showed a strong binding affinity to the regenerated chitin gel column. The apparent molecular weight of PL-ChtIII was estimated to be 29 kDa on SDS-PAGE gel, while its optimum pH and temperature were shown to be pH 6.0 and $60^{\circ}C$, respectively. Analyzing the reaction products of PL-ChtIII with swollen chitin as substrate, the dimer and tetramer of N-acetylglucosamine were produced as major products in the first hour of the enzymatic reaction along with a small amount of monomers and trimers. As the reaction time increased, dimeric N-acetylglucosamine became the predominant form of reaction product.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.36-44
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• 2008

Organic forms of arsenic (As) were determined through fractionation procedure of soil organic matter (SOM) in soil, sediments and mine tailing samples from the Myungbong, Dongil, and Okdong mining areas of southern Korea. An alkaline extraction method was applied to soil samples followed by the fractionation procedures of SOM by the DAX-8 and XAD-4 resin adsorption method. Major fraction of organic As species (42% to 98%) was found in acid-soluble fraction, whereas minor fraction (0.1 % to 67.8%) was present in the humic-associated As. In acid-soluble fractions, the transphillic- and hydrophilic-associated As were dominant in addition to As binding with humic and fulvic SOM. Arsenic binding was the strongest between pH 6 to 8 and reduced to about 70% at both low and high pH regions. The amount of both transphillic and hydrophillic associated As was less changed than humic and fulvic-associated As, in both low and high pH regions. This apparently indicates that As has stronger affinity towards hydrophillic rather than hydrophobic organics. From the experimental observation of As-binding SOM in natural soil, the ligand exchange model may be a feasible explanation of transphillic and hydrophillic affinity of As.