• BMB Reports
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.302-314
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• 2007

N type calcium channels (CaV2.2) play a key role in the gating of transmitter release at presynaptic nerve terminals. These channels are generally regarded as parts of a multimolecular complex that can modulate their open probability and ensure their location near the vesicle docking and fusion sites. However, the proteins that comprise this component remain poorly characterized. We have carried out the first open screen of presynaptic CaV2.2 complex members by an antibody-mediated capture of the channel from purified rat brain synaptosome lysate followed by mass spectroscopy. 589 unique peptides resulted in a high confidence match of 104 total proteins and 40 synaptosome proteome proteins. This screen identified several known CaV2.2 interacting proteins including syntaxin 1, VAMP, protein phosphatase 2A, $G_{o\alpha}$, G$\beta$ and spectrin and also a number of novel proteins, including clathrin, adaptin, dynamin, dynein, NSF and actin. The unexpected proteins were classified within a number of functional classes that include exocytosis, endocytosis, cytoplasmic matrix, modulators, chaperones, and cell-signaling molecules and this list was contrasted to previous reports that catalogue the synaptosome proteome. The failure to detect any postsynaptic density proteins suggests that the channel itself does not exhibit stable trans-synaptic attachments. Our results suggest that the channel is anchored to a cytoplasmic matrix related to the previously described particle web.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.95-100
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• 2011

DREAM (downstream regulatory element antagonistic modulator) is a calcium-binding protein that regulates dynorphin expression, promotes potassium channel surface expression, and enhances presenilin processing in an expression level-dependent manner. However, no molecular mechanism has yet explained how protein levels of DREAM are regulated. Here we identified group I mGluR (mGluR1/5) as a positive regulator of DREAM protein expression. Overexpression of mGluR1/5 increased the cellular level of DREAM. Up-regulation of DREAM resulted in increased DREAM protein in both the nucleus and cytoplasm, where the protein acts as a transcriptional repressor and a modulator of its interacting proteins, respectively. DHPG (3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine), a group I mGluR agonist, also up-regulated DREAM expression in cortical neurons. These results suggest that group I mGluR is the first identified receptor that may regulate DREAM activity in neurons.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.451-457
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• 1999

성충초파리의 단안을 일반적인 방법(conventional)과 오스뮴침착법(osmium impregnation)을 이용한 전자현미경적 수준에서 미세구조를 비교하였다. 오스뮴침착법에서는 세포내의 특정 소기관들이 강하게 염색되었는데, 그 중에서도 간상분체의 바로 아래에 있는 SRC가 강하게 염색되고, 복안에서와 같이 그물구조를 보이고 있었다. SSC, ER, 핵막, 색소과립 미토콘드리아 등이 강하게 오스뮴에 의해서 염색된 것이 관찰되었다. 이들 소기관들은 공통적으로 칼슘이온의 저장과 깊은 관계가 있는 것으로 알려져 있다. 결론적으로 오스뮴침착법에 의해 얻어진 강한 명암대비 및 막구조의 강조효과는 이들 칼슘저장고에 존재하는 칼슘이온과 오스뮴의 강한 결합에 의한 것으로 사료된다. 그러므로 저자들은 세포소기관들의 형태를 비교하는 데에는 오스뮴침착법이 유용한 방법이 될 것이다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.251-259
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• 2016

Background: Estrogen signaling pathways are modulated by exogenous factors. Panax ginseng exerts multiple activities in biological systems and is classified as an adaptogen. Zearalenol is a potent mycoestrogen that may be present in herbs and crops arising from contamination or endophytic association. The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of P. ginseng, zearalenol and estradiol in tests on spermatozoal function. Methods: The affinity of these compounds for estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha and beta ($ER{\alpha}$ and $ER{\beta}$)-was assessed in receptor binding assays. Functional tests on boar spermatozoa motility, movement and kinematic parameters were conducted using a computer-assisted sperm analyzer. Tests for capacitation, acrosome reaction (AR), and chromatin decondensation in spermatozoa were performed using microscopic analysis. Results: Zearalenol-but not estradiol ($E_2$)- or ginseng-treated spermatozoa-decreased the percentage of overall, progressive, and rapid motile cells. Zearalenol also decreased spontaneous AR and increased chromatin decondensation. Ginseng decreased chromatin decondensation in response to calcium ionophore and decreased AR in response to progesterone ($P_4$) and ionophore. Conclusion: Zearalenol has adverse effects on sperm motility and function by targeting multiple signaling cascades, including $P_4$, $E_2$, and calcium pathways. Ginseng protects against chromatin damage and thus may be beneficial to reproductive fitness.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.37-44
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• 2003

We examined the effect of polyether-type nonionic surfactants (Brij 35, Triton X-100, Tween 20 and Tween 80) on the potentiometric properties of sodium-, potassium- and calcium-selective membranes which are prepared with widely used ionophores and four kinds of polymer matrices [poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), polyurethane (PU), PVC/PU blend, and silicone rubber (SR)]. It was found that the PVC-based membranes, which provide the best performance among all other matrix-based membranes in the absence of nonionic surfactants, exhibited larger change in their potentiometric properties when nonionic surfactants are added to the sample solution. On the other hand, the sodium-selective SR-based membrane with calix[4]arene, potassium-selective PVC/PU- or SR-based membrane with valinomycin, and the calcium-selective SR-based membrane with ETH 1001 provide almost identical analytical performance in the presence and absence of Tween 20 or Tween 80 surfactants. The origin of nonionic surfactants effect was also investigated by interpreting the experimental results obtained with various matrices and ionophores. The results suggest that the nonionic surfactant extracted into the membrane phase unselectively form complexes with the primary and interfering ions, resulting in increased background potential and lower binding ability for the ionophore. Such effects should result in deteriorated detection limits, reduced response slopes and lower selectivity for the primary ions.

• 한국분말야금학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국분말야금학회 2006년도 Extended Abstracts of 2006 POWDER METALLURGY World Congress Part 1
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• pp.484-485
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• 2006

The process of coprecipitation of biocomposite hydroxyapatite/chitosan from aqueous solution at low temperature in alkali environnement was examined. We have shown that initially we have the formation of amorphous octocalcium phosphates $(Ca_8(HPO_4)(PO_4)_5,\;nH_2O:\;OCP)$ and the transferring from OCP to amorphous calcium phosphate $(Ca_9(PO_4)_3,\;nH_2O:\;TCP)$, and then from TCP to calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite $(Ca_{10-X}\;(HPO_4)_X(PO_4)_{6-x}(OH)_{2-X}\;:\;ACP)$ and hydroxyapatite $(Ca_{10}(PO_4)_6(OH)_2\;:\;HAP)$. The transformation of ACP to HAP was inhibited in the presence of chitosan. The result suggests that there is an affinity binding between ACP and chitosan and subsequently blocking the active growth site of ACP.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제24권5호
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• pp.453-458
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• 2019

Today, concrete remains the most important, durable, and reliable material that has been used in the construction sector, making it the most commonly used material after water. However, cement continues to exert many negative effects on the environment, including the production of carbon dioxide (CO2), which pollutes the atmosphere. Cement production is costly, and it also consumes energy and natural non- renewable resources, which are critical for sustainability. These factors represent the motivation for researchers to examine the various alternatives that can reduce the effects on the environment, natural resources, and energy consumption and enhance the mechanical properties of concrete. Geopolymer is one alternative that has been investigated; this can be produced using aluminosilicate materials such as low calcium (class F) FA, Ultra-Fine GGBS, and high calcium FA (class C, which are available worldwide as industrial, agricultural byproducts.). It has a high percentage of silica and alumina, which react with alkaline solution (activators). Aluminosilicate gel, which forms as a result of this reaction, is an effective binding material for the concrete. This paper presents an up-to-date review regarding the important engineering properties of geopolymer formed by FA and slag binders; the findings demonstrate that this type of geopolymer could be an adequate alternative to ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Due to the significant positive mechanical properties of slag-FA geopolymer cements and their positive effects on the environment, it represents a material that could potentially be used in the construction industry.

• BMB Reports
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• 제54권12호
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• pp.614-619
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• 2021

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is a highly aggressive cancer. HBV X protein (HBx), one of four HBV gene products, plays pivotal roles in the development and metastasis of HCC. It has been reported that HBx induces liver cancer cell migration and reorganizes actin cytoskeleton, however the molecular basis for actin cytoskeleton reorganization remains obscure. In this study, we for the first time report that HBx promotes actin polymerization and liver cancer cell migration by regulating calcium modulated protein, calmodulin (CaM). HBx physically interacts with CaM to control the level of phosphorylated cofilin, an actin depolymerizing factor. Mechanistically, HBx interacts with CaM, liberates Hsp90 from its inhibitory partner CaM, and increases the activity of Hsp90, thus activating LIMK1/cofilin pathway. Interestingly, the interaction between HBx and CaM is calcium-dependent and requires the CaM binding motif on HBx. These results indicate that HBx modulates CaM which plays a regulatory role in Hsp90/LIMK1/cofilin pathway of actin reorganization, suggesting a new mechanism of HBV-induced HCC metastasis specifically derived by HBx.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.146-154
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• 2024

Purpose: Infection by the intracellular apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii has serious clinical consequences in humans and veterinarians around the world. Although about a third of the world's population is infected with T. gondii, there is still no effective vaccine against this disease. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a multimeric vaccine against T. gondii using the proteins calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK)1, CDPK2, CDPK3, and CDPK5. Materials and Methods: Top-ranked major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I and MHC-II binding as well as shared, immunodominant linear B-cell epitopes were predicted and linked using appropriate linkers. Moreover, the 50S ribosomal protein L7/L12 (adjuvant) was mixed with the construct's N-terminal to increase the immunogenicity. Then, the vaccine's physicochemical characteristics, antigenicity, allergenicity, secondary and tertiary structure were predicted. Results: The finally-engineered chimeric vaccine had a length of 680 amino acids with a molecular weight of 74.66 kDa. Analyses of immunogenicity, allergenicity, and multiple physiochemical parameters indicated that the constructed vaccine candidate was soluble, non-allergenic, and immunogenic, making it compatible with humans and hence, a potentially viable and safe vaccine candidate against T. gondii parasite. Conclusion: In silico, the vaccine construct was able to trigger primary immune responses. However, further laboratory studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness and safety.

• BMB Reports
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.315-324
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• 2007

The novel $\alpha$-amylase purified from locally isolated strain, Bacillus sp. KR-8104, (KRA) (Enzyme Microb Technol; 2005; 36: 666-671) is active in a wide range of pH. The enzyme maximum activity is at pH 4.0 and it retains 90% of activity at pH 3.5. The irreversible thermoinactivation patterns of KRA and the enzyme activity are not changed in the presence and absence of $Ca^{2+}$ and EDTA. Therefore, KRA acts as a $Ca^{2+}$-independent enzyme. Based on circular dichroism (CD) data from thermal unfolding of the enzyme recorded at 222 nm, addition of $Ca^{2+}$ and EDTA similar to its irreversible thermoinactivation, does not influence the thermal denaturation of the enzyme and its Tm. The amino acid sequence of KRA was obtained from the nucleotide sequencing of PCR products of encoding gene. The deduced amino acid sequence of the enzyme revealed a very high sequence homology to Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BAA) (85% identity, 90% similarity) and Bacillus licheniformis $\alpha$-amylases (BLA) (81% identity, 88% similarity). To elucidate and understand these characteristics of the $\alpha$-amylase, a model of 3D structure of KRA was constructed using the crystal structure of the mutant of BLA as the platform and refined with a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation program. Interestingly enough, there is only one amino acid substitution for KRA in comparison with BLA and BAA in the region involved in the calcium-binding sites. On the other hand, there are many amino acid differences between BLA and KRA at the interface of A and B domains and around the metal triad and active site area. These alterations could have a role in stabilizing the native structure of the loop in the active site cleft and maintenance and stabilization of the putative metal triad-binding site. The amino acid differences at the active site cleft and around the catalytic residues might affect their pKa values and consequently shift its pH profile. In addition, the intrinsic fluorescence intensity of the enzyme at 350 nm does not show considerable change at pH 3.5-7.0.