• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.132-137
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• 1997

A novel protein (HEAAE, High Essential Amino Acid Encoding Protein), rich in essential amino acids ($75{\%}$ of total), was designed and constructed in our laboratory. The designed peptides were analyzed by SYBLE and stable secondary and tertiary structures were predicted. The monomeric form (HEAAE-1) of the protein consists of 20 amino acid residues with four additional amino acids comprising a potential ${\beta}$-turn (HEAAE-4). Size exclusion analysis demonstrated that the monomer is self-aggregates in aqueous solution to form higher ordered multimeric structures, which are very reminiscent of natural plant storage proteins. The DNA encoding this amino acid sequence was synthesized, and from this monomeric gene fragment (heaae-1), the stable tetrameric form of the gene (heaae-4) was generated by subcloning into the E. coli expression vector pKK223-3. A clear 6 kDa polypeptide band corresponding to the molecular weight of the dimeric form (HEAAE-2) was detected. The smeared band which appeared around the molecular weight corresponding to HEAAE-4 of 11 kDa suggested that the tetramer form of this protein might be processed into smaller size products.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.159-169
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• 2011

Antifreeze proteins (AFPs) have ice binding affinity, depress freezing temperature and inhibit ice recystallization which protect cellular membranes in polar organisms. Recent structural studies of antifreeze proteins have significantly expanded our understanding of the structure-function relationship and ice crystal growth inhibition. Although AFPs (Type I-IV AFP from fish, insect AFP and Plant AFP) have completely different fold and no sequence homology, they share a common feature of their surface area for ice binding property. The conserved ice-binding sites are relatively flat and hydrophobic. For example, Type I AFP has an amphipathic, single ${\alpha}$-helix and has regularly spaced Thr-Ala residues which make direct interaction with oxygen atoms of ice crystals. Unlike Type I AFP, Type II and III AFP are compact globular proteins that contain a flat ice-binding patch on the surface. Type II and Type III AFP show a remarkable structural similarity with the sugar binding lectin protein and C-terminal domain of sialic acid synthase, respectively. Type IV is assumed to form a four-helix bundle which has sequence similarity with apolipoprotein. The results of our modeling suggest an ice-binding induced structural change of Type IV AFP. Insect AFP has ${\beta}$-helical structure with a regular array of Thr-X-Thr motif. Threonine residues of each Thr-X-Thr motif fit well into the ice crystal lattice and provide a good surface-surface complementarity. This review focuses on the structural characteristics and details of the ice-binding mechanism of antifreeze proteins.

• Proceedings of the KAIS Fall Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.182-186
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• 2012

human tyrosinase (hTyr) catalyzes first and the rate limiting step in the synthesis of polymerized pigment, melanin which determines skin, hair and eye colors. Mutation of hTyr often brings about decrease of melanin production and further albinism. Meanwhile, a number of cosmetic companies providing skincare products for woman in Asia-Pacific region have tried to develop inhibitors to bright skin color for several decades. In this study, we built a 3D structure by comparative modeling technique based on the crystal structure of tyrosinase from bacillus megaterium as a template to serve structural information of hTyr. According to our model and sequence analysis of type 3 copper protein family proteins, two copper atoms of active site located deep inside are coordinated with six strictly conserved histidine residues coming from four-helix-bundle. Cavity which accommodates substrates was like funnel shape of which entrance was wide and expose to solvent. In addition, protein-substrate and protein-inhibitor complex were modeled with the guide of van der waals surface generated by in house software. Our model suggested that only phenol group or its analogs can fill the binding site near nuclear copper center because inside of binding site has narrow shape relatively. In conclusion, the results of this study may provide helpful information for designing and screening new anti-melanogensis agents.