• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.3 s.76
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• pp.433-441
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• 2006

Polyamines are essential for the normal cell growth and differentiation. They are also known to have paradoxical dual effects on cell proliferation. In this paper we show that the excess amount of polyamines induces apoptosis through the modulation of calcium signaling in LNCaP human prostate cancer cells. Polyamines, particularly spermidine and spermine, stimulated cell proliferation at a lower concentration (under 10 ${\mu}M$), but it inhibited cell viability at a higher concentration (40 ${\mu}M$). The levels of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration were increased only at a high concentration of polyamines treatment without any noticeable changes at lower concentrations. Nifedipine did not alter the increase of polyamine-induced $Ca^{2+}$ levels, but flufenamic acid totally abolished the increase of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ levels. These results mean that polyamines induce $Ca^{2+}$ influx from the surroundings through nonselective cation channels on the cell membrane. The expression of Bcl-2 protein was almost completely blocked, but the level of Bax protein was increased dramatically in the cells treated with high concentration of polyamine. The present study shows that polyamines at a high concentration induce apoptosis through the modulation of intracellular calcium signaling. The increase of intracellular calcium level induced by polyamines, was possibly a result from the extracellular calcium influx through the nonselective cation channels.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.319-324
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• 2010

A family of calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) is a unique enzyme which plays crucial roles in intracellular calcium signaling in plants, algae, and protozoa. CDPKs of malaria parasites are known to be key regulators for stage-specific cellular responses to calcium, a widespread secondary messenger that controls the progression of the parasite. In our study, we identified a gene encoding Plasmodium vivax CDPK4 (PvCDPK4) and characterized its molecular property and cellular localization. PvCDPK4 was a typical CDPK which had well-conserved N-terminal kinase domain and C-terminal calmodulin-like structure with 4-EF hand motifs for calcium-binding. The recombinant protein of EF hand domain of PvCDPK4 was expressed in Echerichia coli and a 34 kDa product was obtained. Immunofluorescence assay by confocal laser microscopy revealed that the protein was expressed at the mature schizont of P. vivax. The expression of PvCDPK4-EF in schizont suggests that it may participate in the proliferation or egress process in the life cycle of this parasite.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.32-40
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• 1986

The present study conducted to examine the effects of proteins from different sources on Ca excretion in 6 healthy young adult Korean women. The subjects were given meat protein diet for 5 days and soy protein diet for subsequent 5 days. the two diets were similar in protein and Ca contents. Urinary and fecal samples were collected for the last 2 days of each diet period and were analyzed for Ca and P. The results were as following ; 1) Mean daily urinary calcium excretion was 126.5$\pm$22.70mg for meat protein diet and 83.7$\pm$17.19mg for soy protein diet and the difference was significant (P<0.025). 2) Fecal Ca excretion did not show significant difference between two experimental preiod ; 466.9$\pm$73.68 mg of meat portein diet 284.4$\pm$54.96mg for soy protein diet. 3) Three out of six subjects showed negative balance on meat protein diet, but only one showed negative balance on soy protein diet. The averageof the balances on meat protein diet was -65.4 $\pm$68.19 and that of soy protein diet was 155.3$\pm$52.28 ; the difference was significant(P<0.025). 4) Urinary P excretion tended to be higher on meat protein diet but was not significant compared to soy protein diet . Fecal P excretion was significantly higher (P<0.001) on soy protein diet. Overall P balances for meat protein diet and soy protein diet were 219.94 mg and 229.46mg respectively (P<0.05). The above results show that urinary Ca excretion was significantly higher on meat protein diet but fecal excretion did not show significant difference between meat protein diet and soy protein diet. The overall Ca balance was significantly higher on Soy protein diet compared to meat protein diet.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.162-168
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• 2020

Calcium is the most abundant stored mineral in the human body and is especially vital for bone health; thus, calcium deficiency can cause bone-related diseases, such as osteopenia and osteoporosis. However, a high concentration of serum calcium, which is commonly known as hypercalcemia, can also lead to weakened bones and, in severe cases, osteosarcoma. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain the concentration of calcium that is appropriate for bone biology. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the effects of high concentration of calcium, approximately 2 folds the normal calcium level, on osteoblast differentiation. The CaCl2 treatment showed dose-dependent suppression of the alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralized nodule formation. Calcium showed cytotoxicity at an extremely high concentration, but a moderately high concentration of calcium that results in inhibitory effects to osteoblast differentiation showed no signs of cytotoxicity. We also confirmed that the CaCl2 treatment repressed the mRNA expression and protein abundance of various osteogenic genes and transcriptional factors. Considered together, these results indicate that a high concentration of calcium negatively regulates the osteoblast differentiation of C2C12 cells.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.251-262
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• 2004

The aim of this study was to assess the nutrient intakes from infant formula and supplemental foods of 246 healthy infants fed infant formula, aged from 5 to 18 months. Subjects were devided into two groups depending on supplemental food type for weaning, Domestic supplemental foods (mainly home-made, n = 129) and Delivery supplemental foods (mainly commercially-delivered, n = 117). Four subgroups were assigned to 5-6 months, 7-8 months, 9-11 months, and 12-18 months by ages, respectively. Dietary assessment was carried out using 24-hour-recall method. Formula intakes in the delivery group tended to decrease accordingly with the ages. However, in the domestic group, formula intakes up to 8 months were similar and decreased after 9 month. Energy, protein, calcium and iron intakes from infant formula and supplemental foods were assessed. Energy intake at 12-18 months were lower than the RDA in both groups. Daily intake of protein and calcium at all ages were much higher than the RDA in both groups. Therefore, protein and calcium overnutrition were elucidated. Especially, protein intake at 5-6 months, calcium intake at all ages from infant formula was higher than the RDA in both groups. Iron intake at 5-6 months from infant formula were higher than the RDA. Consequently, as for infant formula, it was suggested that not only formula intakes but also nutrient content in formula should be reconsidered. On the other hand, nutrient intakes from supplemental foods in the domestic group tended to be higher than that of the delivery group. Especially at 9-11 months, significant differences between the two groups were observed. This may be due to high dependency on commercial powdered baby food in the domestic group. This study revealed that daily nutrient intakes of formula-fed infants are desirable but nutrient intakes from infant formula are too high. Conclusively, this study suggests that as the age of infants increases, formula intakes should be controlled and various supplemental foods besides commercially powdered baby food should be appropriately provided.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.16-21
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• 2008

Cell death of trophoblast, particularly by abnormal release of physiological nitric oxide (NO) has been known to be a causative factor of pre-eclampsia. In the present study, effects of intracellular calcium increase enhancing the activity of NO synthases (neuronal NO synthase, nNOS in this trophoblast cells) on the cell death were examined in a human placental full-term cell line (HT-1). Furthermore, we analyzed the possible mechanisms underlying the augmentation of $Ca^{++}$-mediated NOS activity mediated by protein kinases like PKC, PKA, or CaM-KII. In experiments for cell toxicity, a calcium ionophore (ionomycin $10{\mu}M$) enhanced cell death confirmed by MTT assay, and increased significantly nNOS activity determined with a hemoglobin oxidation assay. This cell death was partially protected by pre-treatment of 7-nitroindazole (7-NI, $10{\mu}M$ and $100{\mu}M$), a nNOS-specific inhibitor. Additionally, $Ca^{++}$-ionophore -induced increase of nNOS activity also was partially normalized by pre-treatment of specific inhibitors of protein kinases, PKC, PKA or CaM-KII. Therefore, we suggest that an increase of calcium influx, leading to the activation of nNOS activity, which in turn may result in the death of trophoblast cells by involvement of signaling mechanisms of protein kinases.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.55-61
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• 1972

Superprecipitation of actomyosin has been considered to be an in vitro model of the muscle contraction. The superprecipitation and ATPase activity (which supplies the energy for contraction) are influenced by several factors which are the large amount of changes in ionic strength, Mg and ATP concentrations. But those behaviors are found to be promptly influenced by the change in a small range of calcium concentration which can be controlled by the cellular function of muscle physiologically only in the presence of the modullatory proteins, tropomyosin and troponin. In order to elucidate the precise roles of calcium in the muscle contraction and relaxation, the effects of calcium on the actin- myosin interaction was observed in the presence of tropomyosin and troponin using the superprecipitation system. The results are summarized as follows: 1. EGTA (glycol ether diaminetetraacetic acid)prolonged the initiation of the superprecipitation of natural actomyosin. 2. Superprecipitation curve was declined by adding EGTA at the time when tile curve reached the half- maximum. The degree of declining was proportional to the amount of EGTA added. Especially, upon adding 0.25 mM EGTA the curve was lowered to the level before the protein superprecipitated. But addition of EGTA did not affect the curve after attaining the maximum. 3. Superprecipitation of Perry myosin B was not affected by EGTA added both before and during the course of the reaction. 4. Tropomyosin did not change the response of Perry myosin B to EGTA added at any time of the reaction. 5. Troponin also did not change the response of Perry myosin B to EGTA. 6. Both tropomyosin and troponin together rendered the Perry myosin B to obtain the same response as natural actomyosin to EGTA. 7. It was concluded that actin-myosin interaction was influenced by the minute change of calcium concentration only in the presence of both tropomyosin and troponin. We could reproduce the contraction and relaxation of the muscle in vitro under the presence of ATP by changing the calcium concentration.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.61-67
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• 2015

The immediate early gene c-fos has long been known as a molecular marker of neural activity. The neuron's activity is transformed into intracellular calcium influx through NMDA receptors and L-type voltage sensitive calcium channels. For the transcription of c-fos, neural activity should be strong enough to activate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway which shows low calcium sensitivity. Upon translation, the auto-inhibition by Fos protein regulates basal Fos expression. The pattern of external stimuli and the valence of the stimulus to the animal change Fos signal, thus the signal reflects learning and memory aspects. Understanding the features of multiple components regulating Fos signaling is necessary for the optimal generation and interpretation of Fos signal.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.163-171
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• 2021

Emiliania huxleyi is a marine phytoplankton that plays a critical role in global carbon and sulfur cycling. The genome of E. huxleyi has been sequenced, and an in-depth proteomic profile of this organism has been reported. This study analyzed the phosphoproteome of E. huxleyi and identified its changes under calcium-limited conditions. A TiO₂ microcolumn was used for phosphopeptide enrichment, followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Overall, we identified 7,010 phosphorylated sites on 3,355 phosphopeptides associated with 2,929 phosphoproteins in E. huxleyi. Quantitative analysis revealed changes in the phosphoproteome in E. huxleyi when ambient conditions changed to calcium-limited conditions, notably the phosphorylation of some transporters was altered. This study provides an overview of protein phosphorylation in E. huxleyi and paves the way for further investigations of its biological functions.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.134-138
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• 1980

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of the level of calcium intake on it's apparent absorption rate in college women. Six college girls aged 19 to 20 were fed general dormitary meals containing approximately500mg of calcium for one week and thereafter, the experimental diets containing about 800mg of calcium were given for one week. Average values for calcium intake, fecal excretion of calcium, and apparent absorption rateof calcium in both periods were determined and these values for two periods were compared by using t-test. 1) Average intakes of calcium, protein, and fat of the subjects during the period of experimental diet were significantly higher than those of general diet period. 2) Higher consumption of three food groups; meat, poultry, and fishes, fruits and vegetables, and fats and oils were noted during experimental period. However, there was no significant difference in the consumption of cereals and milk groups during these two periods. 3) The apparent absorption rate of calcium during the experimental period was higher (64%) than the one for general diet period (56%). It was noteworthy that average calcium intakes was higher during the experimental diet period (785mg) than 536mg for general diet period while the fecal excretions of calcium in both periods were not significantly different.