• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Bioinformatics Conference
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• 2005.09a
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• pp.215-220
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• 2005

Generally, enzymes in the starch biosynthesis pathway exist in many isoforms, contributing to the difficulties in the dissection of their specific roles in controlling starch properties. In this study, we present an algorithm as an alternative method to classify isoforms of starch biosynthesis enzymes based on their conserved secondary structures. Analysis of the predicted secondary structure of plant soluble starch synthase I (SSI) and soluble starch synthase II (SSII) demonstrates that these two classes of isoform can be reclassified into three subsets, SS-A, SS-B and SS-C, according to the differences in the secondary structure of the protein at C-terminus. SS-A reveals unique structural features that are conserved only in cereal plants, while those of SS-B are found in all plants and SS-C is restricted to barley. These findings enable us to increase the accuracy in the estimation of evolutionary distance between isoforms of starch synthases. Moreover, it facilitates the elucidation of correlations between the functions of each enzyme isoforms and the properties of starches. Our secondary structure analysis tool can be applicable to study the functions of other plant enzyme isoforms of economical importance.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.363-370
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• 2018

Many studies reported reduced antioxidant capacity in the vasculature under hypertensive conditions. However, little is known about the effects of antihypertensive treatments on the regulation of vascular antioxidant enzymes. Thus, we hypothesized that antihypertensive treatments prevent the reduction of antioxidant enzyme activity and expression in the small vessels of angiotensin II-induced hypertensive rats (ANG). We observed the small mesenteric arteries and small renal vessels of normotensive rats (NORM), ANG, and ANG treated with a triple antihypertensive therapy of reserpine, hydrochlorothiazide, and hydralazine (ANG + TTx). Systolic blood pressure was increased in ANG, which was attenuated by 2 weeks of triple therapy (127, 191, and 143 mmHg for NORM, ANG, and ANG + TTx, respectively; p < 0.05). Total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the small mesenteric arteries of ANG was lower than that of NORM. The protein expression of SOD1 was lower in ANG than in NORM, whereas SOD2 and SOD3 expression was not different between the groups. Reduced SOD activity and SOD1 expression in ANG was not restored in ANG + TTx. Both SOD activity and SOD isoform expression in the small renal vessels of ANG were not different from those of NORM. Interestingly, SOD activity in the small renal vessels was reduced by TTx. Between groups, there was no difference in catalase activity or expression in both the small mesenteric arteries and small renal vessels. In conclusion, SOD activity in the small mesenteric arteries decreased by angiotensin II administration, but not by hypertension, which is caused by decreased SOD1 expression.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.81-86
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• 2018

Four isoforms of calcium binding proteins containing 2 EF hand motifs and a dynein light chain-like domain in the human liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini, namely OvCaBP1, 2, 3, and 4, were characterized. They had molecular weights of 22.7, 21.6, 23.7, and 22.5 kDa, respectively and showed 37.2-42.1% sequence identity to CaBP22.8 of O. viverrini. All were detected in 2- and 4-week-old immature and mature parasites. Additionally, OvCaBP4 was found in newly excysted juveniles. Polyclonal antibodies against each isoform were generated to detect the native proteins in parasite extracts by Western blot analysis. All OvCaBPs were detected in soluble and insoluble crude worm extracts and in the excretory-secretory product, at approximate sizes of 21-23 kDa. The ion-binding properties of the proteins were analyzed by mobility shift assays with the divalent cations $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Zn^{2+}$, and $Cu^{2+}$. All OvCaBPs showed mobility shifts with $Ca^{2+}$ and $Zn^{2+}$. OvCaBP1 showed also positive results with $Mg^{2+}$ and $Cu^{2+}$. As tegumental proteins, OvCaBP1, 2, and 3 are interesting drug targets for the treatment of opisthorchiasis.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1994.04a
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• pp.301-301
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• 1994

〔$^3$H〕Ouabain binding parameters(K$\_$D/ and B$\_$max/,) in homogenates prepared fpom control rat ventricular strip and Langendorff preparations which were not previously exposed to ouabain were compared to those in homogenates from ventricular strip and Langendorff preparations that had been first exposed to a complete ouabain dose-response curve(10$\^$-7/M to 10$\^$-4/ M). In rat ventricular strips and Langendorff perfused rat heart preparations, cumulative dose-response cruves of ouabain revealed biphasic positive inotropic effects, a "low-dose" and a "high-dose" effect with ED$\_$50/ values of 0.5${\mu}$M and 35${\mu}$M ouabain, respectively- The "low-dose" effect in rat ventricular strips disappeared or was diminished significantly when the ouabain dose-response curve wag repeated after the washout of the effects of the first curve, whereas the maximal "high-dose" effect was identical in both exposures to oubain. However, there was no change in the "low-dose" effects in both sets of the Langendorff perfused hearts. The contractile activity of the pre-exposed strips did not indicate the presence of residual ouabain since their basal contractile force was decreased 10% compared to initial control. 〔$^3$H〕Ouabain binding parameters, K$\_$D/ and B$\_$max/, were not changed comparing homogenate of control ventricular strips with that of strips pre-exposed to ouabain. These results suggest that digitalis receptor desensitization in the rat ventricular strip may due to the change of post-receptor events induced by ouabain binding to a high affinity site(${\alpha}$$_2$ isoform).

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 2014

The transcription factor CP2 regulates various biological systems at diverse tissues and cells. However, none of the four CP2 isoforms has been solved in structure yet. In particular, two different regions of the CP2b isoform have been characterized to interact with the PIAS1 in nucleus to regulate the ${\alpha}$-globin gene expression. Among them, in this study, the region encompassing residues 251-309 of CP2b was prepared as a recombinant protein and its solution structure was characterized by NMR spectroscopy. The results indicated that the CP2b(251-309) fold belongs to typical IDRs (intrinsically disordered regions), likely to facilitate promiscuous interactions with various target proteins. Unfortunately, however, its interaction with the N-terminal domain of PIAS1 (residues 1-70), which has been identified as one of the CP2b-binding sites, was not observed in the NMR-based titration experiments. Therefore, it could be postulated that the 251-309 region of CP2b would not contact with the PIAS1(1-70), but alternatively interact with another CP2b-binding region that encompasses residues 400-651 of PIAS1.

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.9
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• pp.566-571
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• 2011

Although the phospholipase C (PLC)${\beta}$-1 isoform is associated with spontaneous seizure and distinctively expressed in the telencephalon, the distribution of PLC${\beta}$-1 expression in the epileptic gerbil hippocampus remains controversial. Therefore, we determined whether PLC${\beta}$-1 is associated with spontaneous seizure in an animal model of genetic epilepsy. In the present study, PLC${\beta}$-1 immunoreactivity was down-regulated in seizure-sensitive (SS) gerbils more than in seizure-resistant (SR) gerbils. The expression of PLC${\beta}$-1 within calretinin (CR)-positive neurons was rarely detected within the dentate hilar region of SS gerbils. PLC${\beta}$-1 immunoreactivity in the hippocampus was significantly elevated as compared to that in pre-seizure SS gerbil 3 h post-ictal. These findings suggest that alterations in PLC${\beta}$-1 immunoreactivity in the SS gerbil hippocampus may be closely related to the epileptic state of the gerbil brain and transiently elevated PLC${\beta}$-1 protein levels following seizure episodes. Such alterations may be compensatory responses in the SS gerbil hippocampus.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.143-150
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• 2018

It has been demonstrated that vanadate causes nephrotoxicity. Vanadate inhibits renal sodium potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na, K-ATPase) activity and this is more pronounced in injured renal tissues. Cardiac cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is enhanced by vanadate, while increased cAMP suppresses Na, K-ATPase action in renal tubular cells. There are no in vivo data collectively demonstrating the effect of vanadate on renal cAMP levels; on the abundance of the alpha 1 isoform (${\alpha}_1$) of the Na, K-ATPase protein or its cellular localization; or on renal tissue injury. In this study, rats received a normal saline solution or vanadate (5 mg/kg BW) by intraperitoneal injection for 10 days. Levels of vanadium, cAMP, and malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation were measured in renal tissues. Protein abundance and the localization of renal ${\alpha}_1-Na$, K-ATPase was determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Renal tissue injury was examined by histological evaluation and renal function was assessed by blood biochemical parameters. Rats treated with vanadate had markedly increased vanadium levels in their plasma, urine, and renal tissues. Vanadate significantly induced renal cAMP and MDA accumulation, whereas the protein level of ${\alpha}_1-Na$, K-ATPase was suppressed. Vanadate caused renal damage, azotemia, hypokalemia, and hypophosphatemia. Fractional excretions of all studied electrolytes were increased with vanadate administration. These in vivo findings demonstrate that vanadate might suppress renal ${\alpha}_1-Na$, K-ATPase protein functionally by enhancing cAMP and structurally by augmenting lipid peroxidation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.1267-1274
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• 2004

Colostrum contains various kinds of cytokines including TGF-$\beta$ that has potent regulatory effects on cells of the immune system. We compared the levels of TGF-$\beta$1 and TGF-$\beta$2 in bovine and human colostrum. Based on the isoform-specific ELISA, bovine colostrum collected on day 1 post-delivery retained $53.71{\pm}29.55\;ng/ml$ of TGF-$\beta$1 and $40.41{\pm}21.78\;{\mu}g/ml$ of TGF-$\beta$2 (n=4), while in human, $381.45{\pm}158.24\;ng/ml$ of TGF-$\beta$1 and $41.47{\pm}9.63\;ng/ml$ of TGF-$\beta$2 (n=5). Thus, dominant TGF-$\beta$ isoforms were completely opposite between human and bovine colostrum samples. The concentrations of both isoforms declined as lactation proceeded. Biological activities of the colostrum samples were determined using an MV1LU cell line. Consistent with the result from the immunoassay, TGF-$\beta$1 in human and TGF-$\beta$2 in bovine colostrum were responsible for the anti proliferative activity against MV1LU cells. Furthermore, bovine colostrum increased IgA secretion by LPS-stimulated mesenteric lymph node (MLN) cells, and this effect was abrogated by either anti­TGF-$\beta$2 antibody or combined anti-TGF-$\beta$1/$\beta$2 antibody, but not by anti- TGF-$\beta$1 antibody alone. Similarly, TGF-$\beta$2 in bovine colostrum enhanced the Ig germ line (GL) promoter activity, which is the earliest event toward IgA isotype switching. Taken together, these results suggest that TGF-$\beta$ isoforms, differentially expressed in human and bovine colostrum, may promote IgA isotype production in the neonatal intestine.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.253-260
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• 2007

To examine the differential protein expression pattern in the 11.5 day post-coitus (dpc) and 18.5 dpc placenta of mouse, we have used the global proteomics approach by 2-D gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and MALDI-TOF-MS. The differential protein patterns of 3 placentae at the 11.5 dpc and 18.5 dpc from nature mating mice were analyzed. Proteins within isoelectric point range of $3.0{\sim}10.0$, separately were analyzed in 2DE with 3 replications of each sample. A total of approximately 1,600 spots were detected in placental 2-D gel stained with Coomassie-blue. In the comparison of 11.5 dpc and 18.5 dpc placentae, a total of 108 spots were identified as differentially expressed proteins, of which 51 spots were up-regulated proteins such as alpha-fetoprotein, mKIAA0635 protein and transferrin, annexin A5, while 48 spots were down-regulated proteins such as Pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor l(PBEF), aldolase 1, A isoform, while 4 spots were 11.5 dpc specific proteins such as chaperonin and Acidic ribosomal phosphoprotein P0, while 3 spots were 18.5 dpc specific proteins such as aldo-keto reductase family 1, member B7 and CAST1/ERC2 splicing variant-1. Most identified proteins in this analysis appeared to be related with catabolism, cell growth, metabolism and regulation. Our results revealed composite profiles of key proteins involved in mouse placenta during pregnancy.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.203-212
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• 2020

Promyelocytic leukemia (PML) gene, through alternative splicing of its C-terminal region, generates several PML isoforms that interact with specific partners and perform distinct functions. The PML protein is a tumor suppressor that plays an important role by interacting with various proteins. Herein, we investigated the effect of the PML isoforms on oncostatin M (OSM)-induced signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT-3) transcriptional activity. PML influenced OSM-induced STAT-3 activity in a cell type-specific manner, which was dependent on the p53 status of the cells but regardless of PML isoform. Interestingly, overexpression of PML exerted opposite effects on OSM-induced STAT-3 activity in p53 wild-type and mutant cells. Specifically, overexpression of PML in the cell lines bearing wild-type p53 (NIH3T3 and U87-MG cells) decreased OSM-induced STAT-3 transcriptional activity, whereas overexpression of PML increased OSM-induced STAT-3 transcriptional activity in mutant p53-bearing cell lines (HEK293T and U251-MG cells). When wild-type p53 cells were co-transfected with PML-IV and R273H-p53 mutant, OSM-mediated STAT-3 transcriptional activity was significantly enhanced, compared to that of cells which were transfected with PML-IV alone; however, when cells bearing mutant p53 were co-transfected with PML-IV and wild-type p53, OSM-induced STAT-3 transcriptional activity was significantly decreased, compared to that of transfected cells with PML-IV alone. In conclusion, PML acts together with wild-type or mutant p53 and influences OSM-mediated STAT-3 activity in a negative or positive manner, resulting in the aberrant activation of STAT-3 in cancer cells bearing mutant p53 probably might occur through the interaction of mutant p53 with PML.