• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.157-167
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• 1987

Benzyl alcohol is known to have dual effect on the red blood cell shape change. At low concentration up to 50 mM benzyl alcohol transformed the shape from discocyte to stomatocyte by preferent binding to the inner hemileaflet, however, at higher concentratransformed the shape from discocyte to stomatocyte by preferential binding to the inner monolayer, however, at higher concentration above 50 mM benzyl alcohol transformed to echinocyte by affecting both monolayers. These results suggest that the effect of benzyl alcohol on the red blood cell shape and $Ca^{++}$ transport across cardiac cell membranes to assess the effects of the drug on the structures and functions of the biological cell membranes. The results are as follows: 1) Benzyl alcohol up to 40 mM caused progressive stomatocytic shap change of the red blood cell but above 50 mM benzyl alcohol caused echinocytic shape change. 2) Benzyl alcohol up to 40 mM inhibited both osmotic hemolysis and osmotic volume change of the red blood cell in hypotonic and hypertonic NaCl solutions, respectively. 3) Benzyl alcohol inhibited both Bowditch Staircase and Wood-worth Staircase phenomena at rat left auricle. 4) Benzyl alcohol at concentration of 5 mM increased $Ca^{++}-ATPase$ activity of red blood cell ghosts slightly but above S mM benzyl alcohol inhibited the $Ca^{++}-ATPase$ activity. 5) Benzyl alcohol at concentrations of 5 mM and 10 mM increased $Ca^{++}-ATPase$ activity slightly at rat gastrocnemius muscle S.R. but above 10 mM benzyl alcohol inhibited the $Ca^{++}-ATPase$ activity. Above results indicate that benzyl alcohol inhibit water permeability and $Ca^{++}$ transport across cell membranes in part via effects on the fluidity and transition temperatures of the bulk lipid by preferential intercalation into cytoplasmic monolayer and in part via other effect on the conformational change of active sites of the $Ca^{++}-ATPase$ molecule extended in cytoplasmic face.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.209-216
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• 2008

A monoclonal antibody against Toxoplasma gondii of Tg556 clone (Tg556) blotted a 29 kDa protein, which was localized in the dense granules of tachyzoites and secreted into the parasitophorous vacuolar membrane (PVM) after infection to host cells. A cDNA fragment encoding the protein was obtained by screening a T. gondii cDNA expression library with Tg556, and the full-length was completed by 5'-RACE of 2,086 bp containing an open reading frame (ORF) of 669 bp. The ORF encoded a polypeptide of 222 amino acids homologous to the revised GRA3 but not to the first reported one. The polypeptide has 3 hydrophobic moieties of an N-terminal stop transfer sequence and 2 transmembrane domains (TMD) in posterior half of the sequence, a cytoplasmic localization motif after the second TMD and an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retrival motif in the C-terminal end, which suggests GRA3 as a type III transmembrane protein. With the ORF of GRA3, yeast two-hybrid assay was performed in HeLa cDNA expression library, which resulted in the interaction of GRA3 with calcium modulating ligand (CAMLG), a type II transmembrane protein of ER. The specific binding of GRA3 and CAMLG was confirmed by glutathione S-transferase (GST) pull-down and immunoprecipitation assays. The localities of fluorescence transfectionally expressed from GRA3 and CAMLG plasmids were overlapped completely in HeLa cell cytoplasm. In immunofluorescence assay, GRA3 and CAMLG were shown to be co-localized in the PVM of host cells. Structural binding of PVM-inserted GRA3 to CAMLG of ER suggested the receptor-ligand of ER recruitment to PVM during the parasitism of T. gondii.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.408-417
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• 2005

Nitric oxide (NO) occurs in various types of cells in the central nervous system. We studied the distribution and morphology of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-containing neurons in the visual cortex of mouse and rabbit with antibody immunocytochemistry. We also compared this labeling to that of calbindin D28K, calretinin, and parvalbumin. Staining for NOS was seen both in the specific layers and in selective cell types. The densest concentration of intense anti-NOS immunoreactive (IR) neurons was found in layer VI, while the weak anti-NOS-IR neurons were found in layer II/III in both animals. The NOS-IR neurons varied in morphology. The large majority of NOS-IR neurons were round or oval cells with many dendrites coursing in all directions. Two-color immunofluorescence revealed that only 16.7% of the NOS-IR cells were double-labeled with calbindin D28K in the mouse visual cortex, while more than half (51.7%) of the NOS-IR cells were double-labeled with calretinin and 25.0% of the NOS-IR cells were double-labeled with parvalbumin in mouse. By contrast, 92.4% of the NOS-IR neurons expressed calbindin D28K while only 2.5% of the NOS-IR neurons expressed calretinin in the rabbit visual cortex. In contrast with the mouse, none of the NOS-IR cells in the rabbit visual cortex were double-labeled with parvalbumin. The results indicate that neurons in the visual cortex of both animals express NOS in specific layers and cell types, which do not correlate with the expression of calbindin D28K, calretinin or parvalbumin between the two animals.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제41권1호
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• pp.96-102
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• 2017

Background: Korean ginseng, Panax ginseng Meyer, has been used as a traditional oriental medicine to treat illness and promote health for several thousand years. Ginsenosides are the main constituents for the pharmacological effects of P. ginseng. Since several ginsenosides, including ginsenoside (G)-Rg3 and G-Rp1, have reported antiplatelet activity, here we investigate the ability of G-Rp4 to modulate adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation. The ginsenoside Rp4, a similar chemical structure of G-Rp1, was prepared from G-Rg1 by chemical modification. Methods: To examine the effects of G-Rp4 on platelet activation, we performed several experiments, including antiplatelet ability, the modulation of intracellular calcium concentration, and P-selectin expression. In addition, we examined the activation of integrin ${\alpha}IIb{\beta}_3$ and the phosphorylation of signaling molecules using fibrinogen binding assay and immunoblotting in rat washed platelets. Results: G-Rp4 inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner. We found that G-Rp4 decreased calcium mobilization and P-selectin expression in ADP-activated platelets. Moreover, fibrinogen binding to integrin ${\alpha}IIb{\beta}_3$ by ADP was attenuated in G-Rp4-treated platelets. G-Rp4 significantly attenuated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2, p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase, as well as protein kinase B, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and phospholipase C-${\gamma}$ phosphorylations. Conclusion: G-Rp4 significantly inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation and this is mediated via modulating the intracellular signaling molecules. These results indicate that G-Rp4 could be a potential candidate as a therapeutic agent against platelet-related cardiovascular diseases.

• 한국동물학회지
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.191-199
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• 1990

토끼의 골격근에서 근소포체를 순수 분리하여 SDS-polyacrylamide gel전기영동법과 125 I-concanavalin A표지법으로 단백질과 당단백질의 조성을 조사하였다. 전기영동사에 나타난 대표적인 단백질은 $Ca^2$+-AThase, 80 Kd protein,calsequestrin,high affinity calcium binding protein, intrinsic glycoprotein이었으며, 160 Kd protein, 94 Kd protein,38 Kd protein, 34 Kd protein,24 Kd proteins도 존재하였다.특히, 막성계에 있는 heak protein으로 알려져 있는 80 Kd protein은 본 연구를 통해 주로 근소포체의 terminal cisternae에 들어 있음이 확인되었다. 한편 125 I-concanavalin A표지에 의해 전기영동성에 나타난 대표적인 당단백질은 160 Kd glycoprotein, 94 Kd glycoprotein, calsequestrin, intrinsic glycoprotein의 4종이었다. 이 가운데 94 Kd glycoprotein은 94 Kd glucose-regulated protein으로 추정되며, 본 연구를 통해 근소포체에서도 특히 T-tubule에 다량으로 존재함이 밝혀졌다.

• Yonsei Medical Journal
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• 제59권9호
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• pp.1064-1071
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• 2018

Purpose: To explore the influence of S100 calcium binding protein A4 (S100A4) knockout (KO) on methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mice. Materials and Methods: S100A4 KO mice (n=20) and their wild-type (WT) counterparts (n=20) were randomly divided into KO/MCD, Ko/methionine-choline-sufficient (MCS), WT/MCD, and WT/MCS groups. After 8 weeks of feeding, blood lipid and liver function-related indexes were measured. HE, Oil Red O, and Masson stainings were used to observe the changes of liver histopathology. Additionally, expressions of S100A4 and proinflammatory and profibrogenic cytokines were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot, while hepatocyte apoptosis was revealed by TUNEL staining. Results: Serum levels of aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, triglyceride, and total cholesterol in mice were increased after 8-week MCD feeding, and hepatocytes performed varying balloon-like changes with increased inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen fibers; however, these effects were improved in mice of KO/MCD group. Meanwhile, total NAFLD activity scores and fibrosis were lower compared to WT+MCD group. Compared to WT/MCS group, S100A4 expression in liver tissue of WT/MCD group was enhanced. The expression of proinflammatory ($TGF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6) and profibrogenic cytokines ($TGF-{\beta}1$, COL1A1, ${\alpha}-SMA$) in MCD-induced NAFLD mice were increased, as well as apoptotic index (AI). For MCD group, the expressions of proinflammatory and profibrogenic cytokines and AI in KO mice were lower than those of WT mice. Conclusion: S100A4 was detected to be upregulated in NAFLD, while S100A4 KO alleviated liver fibrosis and inflammation, in addition to inhibiting hepatocyte apoptosis.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제44권2호
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• pp.88-100
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• 2021

Anoctamin 6/TMEM16F (ANO6) is a dual-function protein with Ca2+-activated ion channel and Ca2+-activated phospholipid scramblase activities, requiring a high intracellular Ca2+ concentration (e.g., half-maximal effective Ca2+ concentration [EC50] of [Ca2+]i > 10 μM), and strong and sustained depolarization above 0 mV. Structural comparison with Anoctamin 1/TMEM16A (ANO1), a canonical Ca2+-activated chloride channel exhibiting higher Ca2+ sensitivity (EC50 of 1 μM) than ANO6, suggested that a homologous Ca2+-transferring site in the N-terminal domain (Nt) might be responsible for the differential Ca2+ sensitivity and kinetics of activation between ANO6 and ANO1. To elucidate the role of the putative Ca2+-transferring reservoir in the Nt (Nt-CaRes), we constructed an ANO6-1-6 chimera in which Nt-CaRes was replaced with the corresponding domain of ANO1. ANO6-1-6 showed higher sensitivity to Ca2+ than ANO6. However, neither the speed of activation nor the voltage-dependence differed between ANO6 and ANO6-1-6. Molecular dynamics simulation revealed a reduced Ca2+ interaction with Nt-CaRes in ANO6 than ANO6-1-6. Moreover, mutations on potentially Ca2+-interacting acidic amino acids in ANO6 Nt-CaRes resulted in reduced Ca2+ sensitivity, implying direct interactions of Ca2+ with these residues. Based on these results, we cautiously suggest that the net charge of Nt-CaRes is responsible for the difference in Ca2+ sensitivity between ANO1 and ANO6.

• 멤브레인
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.7-25
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• 2008

본 연구에서는 칼슘 이온 제거를 위해 칼슘용액에 임계미셀농도(CMC) 이상으로 음이온계면활성제인 sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)를 주입하여 미셀을 형성한 후, 미셀 표면에 칼슘 이온의 흡착 또는 결합으로 형성된 응집체들을 2종류의 세라믹 분리막으로 배제하였다. 그 결과, 99.98% 이상 칼슘 배제율을 보였다. 또한 본 실험범위에서 TMP가 증가할수록 막오염($R_f$)은 증가하는 경향을 보였지만, 구동력의 증가로 인해 총여과부피($V_T$) 및 무차원한 투과선속($J/J_o$), 투과선속(J) 역시 증가하였다. 또한 세라믹 분리막에 대하여 주기적 질소 역세척을 실시할 경우, 질소 역세척 시간(BT) 및 여과 시간(FT), 즉 역세척 주기의 영향을 조사하였다. 그 결과, NCMT-6231 (평균기공 $0.07{\mu}m$) 및 NCMT-7231 ($0.10{\mu}m$) 분리막의 최적 BT는 각각 10초, 15초이었다. 또한, 최적 FT는 2종류 분리막 모두 5분으로, 빈번한 질소 역세척이 막오염을 효과적으로 감소시켰다. 한편 칼슘용액으로 실험하여 도출된 최적 운전조건을 두유 포장팩 세척수로 사용하고 있는 지하수에 적용한 결과, 2종류의 분리막 모두 칼슘을 99.98% 이상 제거할 수 있었다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.27-35
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• 1994

We investigated the alterations in basal tone of aortic strips by changing the Ca concentration, basal $^{45}Ca$ uptake and $^3H-nitrendipine$ binding of the single cells of aortic smooth muscles in the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. While the basal tone of the aortic strips in WKY rats was not affected by alteration of Ca concentration, that in SHR was decreased by the removal of Ca from the bath solution and was recovered by the restoration of Ca to normal levels. This contraction increased in a Ca concentration-dependent manner and reached a maximum at 2 mM Ca. The basal tone of aorta in SHR was suppressed by verapamil $(10^{-6}M)$. The basal tone of aorta in SHR increased about 50% in the strips of endothelial rubbing, compared with that of intact endothelium. Basal $^{45}Ca$ uptake in the aortic single smooth muscle cells of SHR was greater than that of WKY (p<0.01), Specific bindings of $[^3H]nitrendipine$ in the aortic single smooth muscles of SHR and WKY were saturable. The dissociation constant $(K_d)\;was\;0.71{\pm}0.15\;and\;1.18{\pm}0.08nM$ SHR, respectively, and the difference in $K_d$ between two strains was statistically significant (p<0.03). The maximal binding capacity $(B_{max})\;was\;34.6{\pm}3.2\;and\;47.4{\pm}4.3\;fmol/10^6$ SHR respectively, and the difference of $(B_{max})$ between two strains was statistically significant (p<0.05). from the above results, it is suggested that the increase of Ca influx via potential-operated Ca channels and the increase of the number of dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca channels contribute to high basal tone of the aortic strips in SHR.

• 한국세라믹학회지
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• 제47권5호
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• pp.381-386
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• 2010

Some basic properties of inorganic coatings hardened by the room temperature reaction with alkalies were examined. The coating paste was prepared from the powders in the system $Al_2O_3-SiO_2$-CaO using blast furnace slag, fly ash and amorphous ceramic fiber after mixing with a solution of sodium hydroxide and water glass. The mineralogical and morphological examinations were performed for the coatings prepared at room temperature and after heating to $1200^{\circ}C$ respectively. The binding force of the coating hardened at room temperature was caused by the formation of fairly dense matrix mainly composed of oyelite-containing amorphous phase formed by the reaction between blast furnace slag and alkali solution. At the temperature, fly ash and ceramic fiber was not reacted but imbedded in the binding phase, giving the fluidity to the paste and reinforcing the coating respectively. During heating up to $1200^{\circ}C$, instead of a break in the coating, anorthite and gehlenite was crystallized out by the reaction among the binding phase and unreacted components in ternary system. The crystallization of these minerals revealed to be a reason that the coating maintains dense morphology after heating. The maintenance of binding force after heat treatment is seemed to be also caused by the formation of welldispersed fiber-like mineral phase which is originated from the shape of the amorphous ceramic fiber used as a raw materials.