• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2006

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are ubiquitously distributed and play important functions in diverse cellular signaling systems. The proteins are largely classified into three groups, such as typical 2-Cys Prx, atypical 2-Cys Prx, and 1-Cys Prx, that are distinguished by their catalytic mechanisms and number of Cys residues. From the three classes of Prxs, the typical 2-Cys Prx containing the two-conserved Cys residues at its N-terminus and C-terminus catalyzes $H_2O_2$ with the use of thioredoxin (Trx) as an electron donor. During the catalytic cycle, the N-terminal Cys residue undergoes a peroxide-dependent oxidation to sulfenic acid, which can be further oxidized to sulfinic acid at the presence of high concentrations of $H_2O_2$ and a Trx system containing Trx, Trx reductase, and NADPH. The sulfinic acid form of 2-Cys Prx is reduced by the action of sulfiredoxin which requires ATP as an energy source. Under the strong oxidative or heat shock stress conditions, 2-Cys Prx in eukaryotes rapidly switches its protein structure from low-molecular-weight species to high-molecular-weight protein structures. In accordance with its structural changes, the protein concomitantly triggers functional switching from a peroxidase to a molecular chaperone, which can protect its substrate denaturation from external stress. In addition to its N-terminal active site, the C-terminal domain including 'YF-motif' of 2-Cys Prx plays a critical role in the structural changes. Therefore, the C-terminal truncated 2-Cys Prxs are not able to regulate their protein structures and highly resistant to $H_2O_2$-dependent hyperoxidation, suggesting that the reaction is guided by the peroxidatic Cys residue. Based on the results, it may be concluded that the peroxidatic Cys of 2-Cys Prx acts as an '$H_2O_2$-sensor' in the cells. The oxidative stress-dependent regulation of 2-Cys Prx provides a means of defense systems in cells to adapt stress conditions by activating intracellular defense signaling pathways. Particularly, 2-Cys Prxs in plants are localized in chloroplasts with a dynamic protein structure. The protein undergoes conformational changes again oxidative stress. Depending on a redox-potential of the chloroplasts, the plant 2-Cys Prx forms super-molecular weight protein structures, which attach to the thylakoid membranes in a reversible manner.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
• /
• 2012.08a
• /
• pp.375-375
• /
• 2012

Graphene is a sp2-hybridized carbon sheet with an atomic-level thickness and a wide range of graphene applications has been intensely investigated due to its unique electrical, optical, and mechanical properties. In particular, hybrid graphene structures combined with various nanomaterials have been studied in energy- and sensor-based applications due to the high conductivity, large surface area and enhanced reactivity of the nanostructures. Conventional metal-catalytic growth method, however, makes useful applications difficult since a transfer process, used to separate graphene from the metal substrate, should be required. Recently several papers have been published on direct graphene growth on the two dimensional planar substrates, but it is necessary to explore a direct growth of hierarchical nanostructures for the future graphene applications. In this study, uniform graphene layers were successfully synthesized on highly dense dielectric nanowires (NWs) without any external catalysts. We also demonstrated that the graphene morphology on NWs can be controlled by the growth parameters, such as temperature or partial pressure in chemical vapor deposition (CVD) system. This direct growth method can be readily applied to the fabrication of nanoscale graphene electrode with designed structures because a wide range of nanostructured template is available. In addition, we believe that the direct growth growth approach and morphological control of graphene are promising for the advanced graphene applications such as super capacitors or bio-sensors.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.28-35
• /
• 2000

In this study, we investigated the characteristics of polyurethane synthesis by simultaneously measuring resonant frequency and resonant resistance with a quartz crystal analyzer. The rapid decrease of resonant frequency was appeared because automatic catalytic reaction was caused by the polyurethane formed in initial stage of polyurethane synthesis. In prepolymer(PP) synthesis, the resonant frequency was slowly stabilized after a rapid decrease at a certain point of time. But in segmented polyurethane synthesis in which chain-extender was involved, the resonant frequency increased again after a rapid decrease at a certain point of time. It was considered that this tendency took place because the chain-extender, 1,4-butandiol, caused a soft segment to change to a hard segment. The resonant resistance was used in the analysis of mechanism. From the results, the characteristics of polyurethane synthesis could be analyzed on-line using a quartz crystal analyzer, and the synthesis mechanism could also be interpreted.