• Title/Summary/Keyword: molecular shape

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Nano-Precision Tweezers for Mechanosensitive Proteins and Beyond

  • Yang, Taehyun;Park, Celine;Rah, Sang-Hyun;Shon, Min Ju
    • Molecules and Cells
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    • v.45 no.1
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    • pp.16-25
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    • 2022
  • Mechanical forces play pivotal roles in regulating cell shape, function, and fate. Key players that govern the mechanobiological interplay are the mechanosensitive proteins found on cell membranes and in cytoskeleton. Their unique nanomechanics can be interrogated using single-molecule tweezers, which can apply controlled forces to the proteins and simultaneously measure the ensuing structural changes. Breakthroughs in high-resolution tweezers have enabled the routine monitoring of nanometer-scale, millisecond dynamics as a function of force. Undoubtedly, the advancement of structural biology will be further fueled by integrating static atomic-resolution structures and their dynamic changes and interactions observed with the force application techniques. In this minireview, we will introduce the general principles of single-molecule tweezers and their recent applications to the studies of force-bearing proteins, including the synaptic proteins that need to be categorized as mechanosensitive in a broad sense. We anticipate that the impact of nano-precision approaches in mechanobiology research will continue to grow in the future.

MEASUREMENT OF PESTICIDES RESIDUES USING SPECTROSCOPY ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

  • Kim, Y. W.;S. H. Noh
    • Proceedings of the Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery Conference
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    • 2000.11c
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    • pp.525-532
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    • 2000
  • A new spectroscopic method for pesticide residues detection on agricultural products was developed. The general determination methods are high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC) or GC-mass spectrometry. They have provided relatively good detection limit and accuracy with complicated and time-consuming (5hrs above) procedures. In addition freshness is very important for evaluating qualities of agricultural products. This requires a simple and fast method for detection of pesticides. Reflectance, transmittance and fluorescence spectrometry of pesticides were tested using UV range because most of pesticides contain conjugation band in the molecular structures. Fluorescence spectrometry showed better sensitive to detect pesticide residues than did reflectance and transmittance spectrometry. Intensity and shape of fluorescence spectra showed different patterns with different structures of pesticides. Detection limit for fluorescence spectrometry was 0.1 ppm to 10 ppm depending on the structures of pesticides. Application of fluorescence spectrometry appears to be an easy method for detection of pesticide residues on agricultural products.

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Magneto-optical and optical properties of Fe-Au alloy films in a wide composition range

  • Hyun, Y.H.;Kim, C.O.;Lee, Y.P.;Kudryavtsev, Y.V.;Gontarz, R.;Kim, K.W.
    • Journal of Korean Vacuum Science & Technology
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    • v.5 no.2
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    • pp.43-46
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    • 2001
  • Fe-Au alloys are characterized by the complete solubility, and exhibit an fcc-bcc structural transformation at the Fe-rich side. The magneto-optical(equatorial Ken effect : EKE) and optical properties of Fe$\_$1-x/Aux (0 < x < 1) were investigated in the 0.5 - 5.0 eV energy range. The x-ray diffraction study shows the structural fcc-bcc transformation about 80 at. % of Fe. Noticeable changes in the optical properties caused by the fcc-bcc structural transformation was observed. The shape and intensity of the EKE spectra as well as the field dependence of the magneto-optical response were also significantly changed. It is thought that these changes are mainly comes from the induced magnetic moment in Au(and/or the emhanced magnetic moment of Fe). The nature of the prominent structure observed in the UV range of the magneto-optical Ken effect of Au/Fe multilayered films are disscussed in connection with the above results.

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Nuclear structures and their emerging roles in cell differentiation and development

  • Hye Ji Cha
    • BMB Reports
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    • v.57 no.9
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    • pp.381-387
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    • 2024
  • The nucleus, a highly organized and dynamic organelle, plays a crucial role in regulating cellular processes. During cell differentiation, profound changes occur in gene expression, chromatin organization, and nuclear morphology. This review explores the intricate relationship between nuclear architecture and cellular function, focusing on the roles of the nuclear lamina, nuclear pore complexes (NPCs), sub-nuclear bodies, and the nuclear scaffold. These components collectively maintain nuclear integrity, organize chromatin, and interact with key regulatory factors. The dynamic remodeling of chromatin, its interactions with nuclear structures, and epigenetic modifications work in concert to modulate gene accessibility and ensure precise spatiotemporal control of gene expression. The nuclear lamina stabilizes nuclear shape and is associated with inactive chromatin regions, while NPCs facilitate selective transport. Sub-nuclear bodies contribute to genome organization and gene regulation, often by influencing RNA processing. The nuclear scaffold provides structural support, impacting 3D genome organization, which is crucial for proper gene expression during differentiation. This review underscores the significance of nuclear architecture in regulating gene expression and guiding cell differentiation. Further investigation into nuclear structure and 3D genome organization will deepen our understanding of the mechanisms governing cell fate determination.

Electrochemical Mass Transport Control in Biomimetic Solid-State Nanopores (생체모사형 나노포어를 활용한 전기화학 기반 물질전달 조절 시스템)

  • Soongyu Han;Yerin Bang;Joon-Hwa Lee;Seung-Ryong Kwon
    • Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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    • v.26 no.4
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    • pp.43-55
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    • 2023
  • Mass transport through nanoporous structures such as nanopores or nanochannels has fundamental electrochemical implications and many potential applications as well. These structures can be particularly useful for water treatment, energy conversion, biosensing, and controlled delivery of substances. Earlier research focused on creating nanopores with diameters ranging from tens to hundreds of nanometers that can selectively transport cationic or anionic charged species. However, recent studies have shown that nanopores with diameters of a few nanometers or even less can achieve more complex and versatile transport control. For example, nanopores that mimic biological channels can be functionalized with specific receptors to detect viruses, small molecules, and even ions, or can be made hydrophobic and responsive to external stimuli, such as light and electric field, to act as efficient valves. This review summarizes the latest developments in nanopore-based systems that can control mass transport based on the size of the nanopores (e.g., length, diameter, and shape) and the physical/chemical properties of their inner surfaces. It also provides some examples of practical applications of these systems.

Physicochemical Properties and Gel-forming Properties of corn & Red bean crude Starches (옥수수와 팥 조전분의 이화학적 특성 및 겔 형성)

  • 노정해;이혜수
    • Korean journal of food and cookery science
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    • v.4 no.1
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    • pp.1-8
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    • 1988
  • The physicochemical properties and gel-forming properties of corn & red bean crude starches were investigated. The results were as follows: 1. The shape of corn crude starch granule was polygonal and the mean value of minor axis and major axis were $11.5\mu\textrm{m}$ and $14.9\mu\textrm{m}$, respectively. In the meantime, the shape of red bean crude starch granule was oval and the mean value of minor axis and major axis were $22.3\mu\textrm{m}$ and $31.4\mu\textrm{m}$. 2. Amylose content of corn and red bean refined starch were 16.52 and 43.61% respectively. 3. Blue value of corn and red bean crude starch were 0.099 and 0.842, respectively. 4. Amylose of corn had molecular weight of 107,000 and degree of polymerization of 660. Amylopectin had degree of branching of 6.9 per 100 glucose units and glucose units of 14.6 persegment of amylopectin. Amylose of red bean had molecular weight of 118,000 and amylopectin had degree of branching of 5.2. 5. Water binding capacities of corn and red bean starch were 238.5 and 284.8. 6. Both swelling powers of corn and red bean starch were increased rapidly from $70^{\circ}C$ to $90^{\circ}C$. 7, Gelatinization of corn and red bean were 75.6 and $61.8^{\circ}C$. 8. Brabender hot-paste viscosities of corn at 6% and 8% showed the similar amylogrm patterns with peak viscosity. And red bean had no peak viscosity. 9. The difference of sensory characteristics for ‘Mook’ and kidney bean & red bean starch gels was significant.

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Molecular Phylogenetic Study of Anemone pendulisepala (Ranunculaceae) (태백바람꽃(Anemone pendulisepala, Ranunculaceae)의 분자계통학적 검토)

  • Lee, Chang Shook;Lee, Nam Sook;Yeau, Sung Hee
    • Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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    • v.36 no.4
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    • pp.263-277
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    • 2006
  • Anemone pendulisepala, recently described as a new species, is distributed in sympatry with A. reflexa, A. amurensis, and A. raddeana at Mt. taebeark and Mt. Baekdu. Anemone pendulisepala was previously proposed to be a hybrid species between A. reflexa and A. amurensis becaue it displavs overlapping features with them in involucre shape, petiole length, sepal apex and xylem shape, To verify the taxonomic status and to examine the hybridity of A. pendulisepala, sequences of ITS region of nuclear ribosomal DNA and the psba-trnH, rps16 and trnLF region of cpDNA from 36 accessions of 5 taxa including outgroup were analyzed. In maximum parsimony tree based on ITS sequences, A. pendulisepala had the same sequences of A. reflexa and was clustered with monophyletic A. amurensis, and then A. raddeana. Anemone pendulisepala was distinguished from the other taxa by having four base insertion in rps16 region, two species-specific bases and insertion in trnLF region. In the phylogenetic trees of combined cpDNA, A. pendulisepala showed monophyly with the bootstrap 100%. Anemone pendulisepala exhibited no polymorphism and shared no sequences with putative parental or related taxa examined in this study. Molecular data suggest that A. pendulisepala should be a distinct species, and no evidence of the hybridization was detectcd.

Antifungal Effect and activity spectrum of crude antifungal proteins from hemolymph of larvae of Tenebrio molitor in Korea (한국산 갈색거저리로부터 분리된 항진균단백질의 항균효과와 그 작용 범위)

  • Chung, Seung-Jo;Lee, Young-Hoon;Chung, Jae-Hoon;Lee, Bok-Ruel;Han, Dong-Min
    • The Korean Journal of Mycology
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    • v.23 no.3 s.74
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    • pp.232-237
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    • 1995
  • Antifungal protein from the hemolymph of larvae of Tenebrio molitor in Korea was partially purified by $C_{18}$ open column chromatography and assayed for the activity spectrum using 3 kinds of yeast and 4 kinds of filamentous fungi. The crude antifungal protein showed static activity for a broad range of fungal species. Weak cidal effects were observed in growing yeast type cells, including Candida and Saccharomyces. The affected cells were changed from ovoid to swollen and spherical form in shape. For filamentous fungi including Aspergillus and Fusarium, the crude antifungal protein affected the spore germination and the hyphal growth but not the viability significantly.

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Probing Organic Ligands and their Binding Schemes on Nanocrystals by Mass Spectrometric and FT-IR Spectroscopic Imaging

  • Son, Jin Gyeong;Choi, Eunjin;Piao, Yuanzhe;Han, Sang Woo;Lee, Tae Geol
    • Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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    • 2016.02a
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    • pp.355-355
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    • 2016
  • There has been an explosive development of nanocrystal (NC) synthesis and application due to their composition-dependent specific properties. Despite the composition, shape, and size of NCs foremost determine their physicochemical properties, the surface state and molecule conjugation also drastically change their characteristics. To make practical use of NCs, it is a prerequisite to understand the NC surface state and the degree to which they have been modified because the reaction occurs on the interface between the NCs and the surrounding medium. We report in here an analysis method to identify conjugated ligands and their binding states on semiconductor nanocrystals based on their molecular information. Surface science techniques, such as time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and FT-IR spectroscopy, are adopted based on the micro-aggregated sampling method. Typical trioctylphosphine oxide-based synthesis methods of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) have been criticized because of the peculiar effects of impurities on the synthesis processes. Since the ToF-SIMS technique provides molecular composition evidence on the existence of certain ligands, we were able to clearly identify the n-octylphosphonic acid (OPA) as a surface ligand on CdSe/ZnS QDs. Furthermore, the complementary use of the ToF-SIMS technique with the FT-IR technique could reveals the OPA ligands' binding state as bidentate complexes.

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Genetic characterization of microsporidians infecting Indian non-mulberry silkworms (Antheraea assamensis and Samia cynthia ricini) by using PCR based ISSR and RAPD markers assay

  • Hassan, Wazid;Nath, B. Surendra
    • International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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    • v.30 no.1
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    • pp.6-16
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    • 2015
  • This study established the genetic characterisation of 10 microsporidian isolates infecting non-mulberry silkworms (Antheraea assamensis and Samia cynthia ricini) collected from biogeographical forest locations in the State of Assam, India, using PCR-based markers assays: inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). A Nosema type species (NIK-1s_mys) was used as control for comparison. The shape of mature microsporidian spores were observed oval to elongated, measuring 3.80 to $4.90{\mu}m$ in length and 2.60 to $3.05{\mu}m$ in width. Fourteen ISSR primers generated reproducible profiles and yielded 178 fragments, of which 175 were polymorphic (98%), while 16 RAPD primers generated reproducible profiles with 198 amplified fragments displaying 95% of polymorphism. Estimation of genetic distance coefficients based on dice coefficients method and clustering with un-weighted pair group method using arithmetic average (UPGMA) analysis was done to unravel the genetic diversity of microsporidians infecting Indian muga and eri silkworm. The similarity coefficients varied from 0.385 to 0.941 in ISSR and 0.083 to 0.938 in RAPD data. UPGMA analysis generated dendrograms with two microsporidian groups, which appear to be different from each other. Based on Euclidean distance matrix method, 2-dimensional distribution also revealed considerable variability among different identified microsporidians. Clustering of these microsporidian isolates was in accordance with their host and biogeographic origin. Both techniques represent a useful and efficient tool for taxonomical grouping as well as for phylogenetic classification of different microsporidians in general and genotyping of these pathogens in particular.