• Biomedical Science Letters
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.93-96
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• 2009

House dust mites (HDMs) play an important role in the occurrence of allergic diseases such as asthma and atopic dermatitis. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) is one of the most prevalent HDMs. It mediates the activation of T cells and monocytes, and induces the elevation of immunoglobulin E levels in allergic diseases. However, the effects of Der p on human monocytes have not been fully understood. In the present study, we investigated whether or not Der p has a great effect on the chemotactic activity of the human monocytic cell line, THP-1 cells, as induced by CC chemokines. We also show that the Der p extract (DpE) increased the chemotactic activity of THP-1 cells in response to MCP-1, RANTES, MIP-1${\alpha}$, and TARC, but had no effect on the expressions of CC chemokine receptors (CCRs) binding to CC chemokines in THP-1 cells. Protease inhibitors, such as aprotinin and E64, blocked the increased chemotaxis, while cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$ influx mediated by these chemokines was inhibited by DpE. These results indicate that DpE increases the chemotactic activity of THP-1 cells in response to CC chemokines by regulating the cells' protease-dependent mechanism. This finding may be useful in identifying the pathogenesis of allergic diseases induced by Der p.

• BMB Reports
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.408-415
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• 2004

The expression of the Paenibacillus sp. A11 cyclodextrinase (CDase) gene using the pUC 18 vector in Escherichia coli JM 109 resulted in the formation of an insoluble CDase protein in the cell debris in addition to a soluble CDase protein in the cytoplasm. Unlike the expression in Paenibacillus sp. A11, CDase was primarily observed in cytoplasm. However, by adding 0.5 M sorbitol as an osmolyte, the formation of insoluble CDase was prevented while a three-fold increase in cytoplasmic CDase activity was achieved after a 24 h-induction. The recombinant CDase protein was purified to approximately 14-fold with a 31% recovery to a specific activity of 141 units/mg protein by 40-60% ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-Toyopearl 650 M, and Phenyl Sepharose CL-4B chromatography. It was homogeneous by non-denaturing and SDS-PAGE. The enzyme was a single polypeptide with a molecular weight of 80 kDa, as determined by gel filtration and SDS-PAGE. It showed the highest activity at pH 7.0 and $40^{\circ}C$. The catalytic efficiency ($k_{cat}/K_m$) values for $\alpha$-, $\beta$-, and $\gamma$-CD were $3.0{\times}10^5$, $8.8{\times}10^5$, and $5.5{\times}10^5\;M^{-1}\;min^{-1}$, respectively. The enzyme hydrolyzed CDs and linear maltooligosaccharides to yield maltose and glucose with less amounts of maltotriose and maltotetraose. The rates of hydrolysis for polysaccharides, soluble starch, and pullulan were very low. The cloned CDase was strongly inactivated by N-bromosuccinimide and diethylpyrocarbonate, but activated by dithiothreitol. A comparison of the biochemical properties of the CDases from Paenibacillus sp. A11 and E. coli transformant (pJK 555) indicates that they were almost identical.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 대한화장품학회 2003년도 IFSCC Conference Proceeding Book II
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• pp.508-518
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• 2003

SZ95 cell is an immortalized human sebaceous gland cell line that shows the morphologic, phenotypic and functional characteristics of normal human sebocytes. Sebocytes may play crucial parts in the pathophysiologic processes and disorders of the pilosebaceous unit. The secretory activity of the sebaceous gland is remarkably species-specific and acne is an exclusively human disease. Thus, this SZ95 cells offer possibilities for investigations on the physiology of the sebaceous gland and its role in sebum-associated skin disease such as acne. In this study, we investigated the effects of 13-cis-retinoic acid (13-cis-RA) and spironolactone, frequently used as therapeutic agents of acne, on the lipid synthesis and proliferation of human sebocytes. Cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay and cytoplasmic lipid droplets was shown by Oil-red a staining. Total lipid levels were biochemically estimated by the sulfo-phospho-vanilline reagent. 13-cis-RA and spironolactone significantly inhibited proliferation and lipid levels in a dose-dependent manner. Combined treatment with testosterone and 13-cis-RA or spironolactone resulted in a lower total lipid levels than that with androgen alone. These observations indicate that 13-cis-RA and spironolactone are potent inhibitors of both cell proliferation and lipid synthesis in human sebocytes. We will provide experimental evidence that this human sebocyte cell line serves as an adequate tool for evaluating the anti-lipogenic activity of various compounds potentially useful for the bioactive cosmeceutical ingredients on acne skin, and studying the intracellular biochemical markers depending on the types of compounds from various sources.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.111-116
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• 2009

Gymnema sylvestre, a traditional India medicine called a 'Gagaimogouip' in Korea, has been used to regulate sugar metabolism in patients with diabetes mellitus. First, we induced callus from Gymnema sylvestre leaf and mode extract from cultured callus. In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity effect of tissue-cultured Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract in 3T3-L1 cells. The tissue-cultured Gymnema sylvestre extract inhibited the cytoplasmic lipid accumulation as well as adipogenic differentiation of preadipocytes. The tissue-cultured Gymnema sylvestre extract inhibited insulin-induced predipocyte differentiation through the inhibition of expression of the early adipogenic transcription factor C/EBP-${\alpha}$ that regulate adipogenesis. These results indicate that tissue-cultured Gymnema sylvestre extract may be potential natural ingredient for slimming cosmetic products.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.457-464
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• 1995

Hela cells, a transformed human epithelial cell line, attach to various substrata but subsequent spreading is specific to collagen or gelatin. The spreading is initiated by the activation of phospholipase $A_2$ (PLA$_2$) which produces arachidonic acid (AA) as a consequence of cell surface collagen receptor clustering. This study examines the mechanism of PLA$_2$activation and which phospholipids are hydrolyzed by PIA$_2$ to release AA in response to Hela cell adhesion to a gelatin substratum. The levels of phosphatidyicholine decreases, among various phospholipids, during attachment and spreading of Hela cells. Lysophosphatidyicholine Is the only lysophospholipids formed during ileLa cell adhesion indicating that clustered collagen receptors activate PLA$_2$to hydrolyze posphatidylcholine to AA and lysophosphatidylcholine. Among various molecular entitles which are known to regulate PLA$_2$ activation, we have previously shown that PLA2 activation is not mediated by either changes in $Ca_2$+ levels, alkalinization of cytoplasmic p11, or activation of protein hinase C. It is also likely that PIA2 activation is not mediated by either pertussis or cholera toxinsensitive G proteins as those toxins do not affect both AA release and cell spreading.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.103-117
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• 1968

Insect hemocytes during metamorphosis were studies by histchemical and autoradiographic methods is Pieris rapae (Lepidoptera). The hemocytes were classified into six types, prohemocytes, plasmatocytes, podocytes, granular hemocytes, spherule cells and oenocytoids on the basis of the transitions in shapes and inclnsions of cytoplasms. Proteins, nucleic acids, polysaccharides and lipids in the hemocytes were detected histochemically from larval to pupal stages to learn the rise and fall of them during growth and metamorphosis. Most of the granules consisted of glycogen, neutral mucopolysaccharides and mucoprotein in addition to some granules of neutral fats and phospholipids were found in the granular hemocytes and spherule cells. Mitotic figures and DNA synthetic activities were observed in every type of hemocytes from 2nd to 5th instars, suggesting the all types of hemocytes originated from the prohemocytes. The cytoplasmic filaments of plasmatocytes and pdocytes extended very long in prepupa and pupa and the vermiform cells were the transformed plasmatocytes due to their further differentiation.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.43-53
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• 1973

The flight muscles in Pieris rapae have been examined to study ultrastructural changes in mitochondria with aging. All the mitochondira of flight muscle from the butterfly are recognized as type A which has the simple folded cristae and light matrix, and type B which possesses the complex multicristae and dense matrix. In just newly emerged butterflies both A and B type mitochondria are almost equally present. About ten days after emergence the type A mitochondria rapidly decrease, compared with the type B. In ten-day-old butterflies the type B mitochondria vary in ultrastructure with age. Ultrastructural changes of these aged mitochondria are supposed to occur, in part, by reorganization of inner membranes into myelin-like structures which represent the phase of degeneration of the B type with age. Age-dependent increase in size and number of concentric rings in myelin-like whorl are also found. Glycogen particles penetrated from the cytoplasmic matrix of the muscle cell into the mitochondrial matrix to be in the center of their concentric rings.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• 제36권2호
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• pp.145-150
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• 2010

Anoectochilus formosanus, commonly known as "Jewel Orchids", which has been used in traditional folk medicines for feber, pain, and diseases of the lung and liver in Taiwan. We artificially cultured Anoectochilus formosanus plantlet by using the bioreactor culture system for this study from Anoectochilus formosanus. Previously, several studies have been reported on pharmacological activities of lipid-metabolism, hepatoprotective activity, anti-tumor activity and immuno-stimulating effects but other efficacy were not well known as a cosmetic ingredient for skin care. In this study, we investigated the effect of melanogenesis in B16 mouse melanoma cells and lipid droplet accumulation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes about Anoectochilus formosanus plantlet extract. We report that Anoectochilus formosanus plantlet extract inhibits the cytoplasmic lipid droplet accumulation through adipogenic differentiation of preadipocytes as well as inhibition of tyorsinase activity and melanogenesis. As a result, our findings indicate that Anoectochilus formosanus plantlet extract may be the potential natural ingredient for whitening and slimming cosmetic products.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.139-144
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• 2005

The attractant (orange light) or repellent (white light) signal is transmitted from SRI (Sensory Rhodopsin I) via protein-protein interaction with its transducer Htrl (Halobacterial Transducer for Sensory Rhodopsin I) which in turn controls a cytoplasmic phospho-transfer pathway that modulates flagella motor switching in Halobacterium salinarum. Some mutations in both SRI and Htrl showed an unusual mutant phenotype called inverted signaling, in which the cell produces a repellent response to normally attractant light. Twelve mutations at the Glutamate 56 (E56) position in the second transmembrane helix of Htrl were introduced by site-specific random mutagenesis. Almost all E56 mutants showed orange-light inverted responses in pH and temperature-dependent manners except E56D and E56Y. Except for these two mutants, all mutants accelerated the $S_{373}$ decay compared to wild-type at $18^{\circ}C$. This supported that there is an interaction between SRI and the second transmembrane of Htrl. Also a structural model of Htrl based on the Tar crystal structure and the secondary structure prediction program proposed the E56 residue to be in the middle of the proton channel. The most important observation is that the E56 mutant provides the evidence that this residue is very sensitive for signal relay, which can be explained by the open and closed conformations of the channel (A and R conformations) in SRI, as was postulated by the unified conformational shuttling model for transport and signaling.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.105-111
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• 2015

The beta2-adrenergic receptor (${\beta}2AR$) belongs to the G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) family, which is the largest family of cell surface receptors in humans. Extra attention has been focused on the human GPCRs because they have been studied as important protein targets for pharmaceutical drug development. In fact, approximately 40% of marketed drugs directly work on GPCRs. GPCRs respond to various extracellular stimuli, such as sensory signals, neurotransmitters, chemokines, and hormones, to induce structural changes at the cytoplasmic surface, activating downstream signaling pathways, primarily through interactions with heterotrimeric G proteins or through G-protein independent pathways, such as arrestin. Most GPCRs, except for rhodhopsin, which contains covalently linked 11 cis-retinal, bind to diffusible ligands, having various conformational states between inactive and active structures. The first human GPCR structure was determined using an inverse agonist bound ${\beta}2AR$ in 2007 and since then, more than 20 distinct GPCR structures have been solved. However, most GPCR structures were solved as inactive forms, and an agonist bound fully active structure is still hard to obtain. In a structural point of view, ${\beta}2AR$ is relatively well studied since its fully active structure as a complex with G protein as well as several inactive structures are available. The structural comparison of inactive and active states gives an important clue in understanding the activation mechanism of ${\beta}2AR$. In this review, structural features of inactive and active states of ${\beta}2AR$, the interaction of ${\beta}2AR$ with heterotrimeric G protein, and the comparison with ${\beta}1AR$ will be discussed.