• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.227-237
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• 2021

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a cardioprotectant and potential cardiovascular therapeutic agent. Human cardiac fibroblasts (HCFs) are important determinants of myocardial structure and function. Large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channel is a potential therapeutic target for cardiovascular disease. We investigated whether CO modulates BK channels and the signaling pathways in HCFs using whole-cell mode patch-clamp recordings. CO-releasing molecules (CORMs; CORM-2 and CORM-3) significantly increased the amplitudes of BK currents (IBK). The CO-induced stimulating effects on IBK were blocked by pre-treatment with specific nitric oxide synthase (NOS) blockers (L-NG-monomethyl arginine citrate and L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester). 8-bromo-cyclic GMP increased IBK. KT5823 (inhibits PKG) or ODQ (inhibits soluble guanylate cyclase) blocked the CO-stimulating effect on IBK. Moreover, 8-bromo-cyclic AMP also increased IBK, and pre-treatment with KT5720 (inhibits PKA) or SQ22536 (inhibits adenylate cyclase) blocked the CO effect. Pre-treatment with N-ethylmaleimide (a thiol-alkylating reagent) also blocked the CO effect on IBK, and DL-dithiothreitol (a reducing agent) reversed the CO effect. These data suggest that CO activates IBK through NO via the NOS and through the PKG, PKA, and S-nitrosylation pathways.

• BMB Reports
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• 제55권3호
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• pp.154-159
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• 2022

Protein S-glutathionylation is a reversible post-translational modification on cysteine residues forming a mixed disulfide with glutathione. S-glutathionylation, not only protects proteins from oxidation but also regulates the functions of proteins involved in various cellular signaling pathways. In this study, we developed a method for the detection of S-glutathionylated proteins (ProSSG) using eosin-glutathione (E-GSH) and mouse glutaredoxin 1 (mGrx1). ProSSG was efficiently and specifically labeled with E-GSH to form ProSSG-E via thiol-disulfide exchange. ProSSG-E was readily luminescent allowing the detection of ProSSG with semi-quantitative determination. In addition, a deglutathionylation enzyme mGrx1 specifically released E-GSH from ProSSG-E, which increased fluorescence allowing a sensitive determination of ProSSG levels. Application of the method to the adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells showed specific detection of ProSSG and its increase upon differentiation induction, which was consistent with the result obtained by conventional immunoblot analysis, but with greater specificity and sensitivity.

• 한국자기공명학회논문지
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.17-23
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• 2021

High mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) is a highly conserved, non-histone, chromatin associated nuclear protein encoded by HMGB1 gene. HMGB1 proteins may be general co-factors in Hox-mediated transcriptional activation that facilitate the access of Hox proteins to specific DNA targets. It is unclear that the exact binding interface of Hoxc9DBD and HMGB1. To identify the interface and binding affinity of Hoxc9DBD and HMGB1 A-box, the paramagnetic probe, MTSL was used in NMR titration experiment. It is attached to the N-terminal end of HMGB1 A-box by reaction with thiol groups. The backbone assignment of HMGB1 A-box was achieved with 3D NMR techinques. The ¹⁵N-labeled HMGB1 A-box was titrated with MTSL-labeled Hoxc9DBD respectively. Based on the chemical shift changes we can identify the interacting residues and further map out the binding sites on the protein structure. The NMR titration result showed that the binding interface of HMGB1 A-box is around loop-1 between helix-1 and helix-2. In addition, the additional contacts were found in N- and C-terminus. The N-terminal arm region of Hoxc9DBD is the major binding region and the loop between helix1 and helix2 is the minor binding region.

• BMB Reports
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.414-418
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• 1999

A novel gene for malonyl-CoA decarboxylase was discovered in the mat operon, which encodes a set of genes involved in the malonate metabolism of Rhizobium trifolii (An and Kim, 1998). The subunit mass determined by SDS-PAGE was 53 kDa, which correspond to the deduced mass from the sequence data. The molecular mass of the native enzyme determined by field flow fractionation was 208 kDa, indicating that R. trifolii malonyl-CoA decarboxylase is homotetrameric. R. trifolii malonyl-CoA decarboxylase converted malonyl-CoA to acetyl-CoA with a specific activity of 100 unit/mg protein. Methylmalonyl-CoA was decarboxylated with a specific activity of 0.1 unit/mg protein. p-Chloromercuribenzoate inhibited this enzyme activity, suggesting that thiol group(s) is(are) essential for this enzyme catalysis. Database analysis showed that malonyl-CoA decarboxylase from R. trifolii shared 32.7% and 28.1% identity in amino acid sequence with those from goose and human, respectively, and it would be located in the cytoplasm. However, there is no sequence homology between this enzyme and that from Saccharopolyspora erythreus, suggesting that malonyl-CoA decarboxylases from human, goose, and R. trifolii are in the same class, whereas that from S. erythreus is in a different class or even a different enzyme, methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase. According to the homology analysis, Cys-214 among three cysteine residues in the enzyme was found in the homologous region, suggesting that the cysteine was located at or near the active site and plays a critical role in catalysis.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.275-282
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• 2006

In order to get insight into the mechanism of cadmium (Cd)-induced brain injury, we investigated the effects of Cd on the induction of COX-2 in bEnd.3 mouse brain endothelial cells. Cd induced COX-2 expression and $PGE_2$ release, which were attenuated by thiol-reducing antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) indicating oxidative components might contribute to these events. Indeed, Cd increased cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and DNA binding activity of nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB), an oxidative stress sensitive transcription factor. Cd-induced $PGE_2$ production and COX-2 expression were significantly attenuated by Bay 11 7082, a specific inhibitor of NF-kB and by SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK). These data suggest that Cd induces COX-2 expression through activation of NF-kB and p38 MAPK, the oxidative stress-sensitive signaling molecules, in brain endothelial cells.

• 농업과학연구
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• 제48권4호
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• pp.1003-1013
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• 2021

Thioredoxin (TRX) protein is an antioxidant responsible for reducing other proteins by exchanging cysteine thiol-disulfide and is also known for its anti-allergic and anti-aging properties. On the other hand, epidermal growth factor (EGF) is an important material used in the cosmetics industry and an essential protein necessary for dermal wound healing facilitated by the proliferation and migration of keratinocytes. EGF also assists in the formation of granulation tissues and stimulates the motility of fibroblasts. Hence, genetically modified soybeans were developed to overexpress these industrially important proteins for mass production. A single-dose oral-toxicity-based study was conducted to evaluate the potential toxic effects of TRX and EGF proteins, as safety assessments are necessary for the commercial use of seed-specific protein-expressing transgenic soybeans. To achieve this rationale, TRX and EGF proteins were mass purified from recombinant E. coli. The single-dose oral-toxicity tests of the TRX and EGF proteins were carried out in six-week old male and female Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice. The initial evaluation of the single-dose TRF and EGF treatments was based on monitoring the toxicity signatures and mortality rates among the mice, and the resultant mortality rates did not show any specific clinical symptoms related to the proteins. Furthermore, no significant differences were observed in the weights between the treatment and control groups of male and female ICR mice. After 14 days of treatment, no differences were observed in the autopsy reports between the various treatment and control groups. These results suggest that the minimum lethal dose of TRX and EGF proteins is higher than the allowed 2,000 mg·kg^-1 limit.

• 대한약리학회지
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.433-444
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• 1996

본 연구에서는 열충격에 의한 세포내 단백질 변성을 정량하는 방법을 소개하고 있다. Thiol compound인 diamide [azodicarboxylic acid bis (dimethylamide)]는 단백질변성시 노출된 sulfyhydryl기를 cross-link 시킨다. 정상 상태에서는 노출되지 않는 sulfyhydryl group이 변성된 단백질에서는 노출되기 때문에 diamide에 의한 cross-linking이 선택적으로 일어날 것이다. 그러므로 diamide는 변성된 단백질을 "trap"하는 작용을 할 수 있다. 본 연구진은 세포내 열충격후 고분자 단백질 응집물 (high molecular weight protein aggregate, HAA)이 나타남을 비환원 (non reducing) SDS-PAGE에서 관찰하였고 이를 gas flow counter로 scanning하여 정량하였다. 실험 결과 세포에 열충격을 가한후 diamide를 처리하면 HMA가 열충격 용량의존적으로 증가함을 관찰하였다. 이는 HMA의 양을 측정함으로써 열충격에 의하여 변성된 단백질을 정량할 수 있음을 반증한다. 열내성이 유도된 세포와 그렇지 않은 세포를 비교하였을 때 열내성이 유도된 세포에서는 열충격에 의한 HMA의 형성이 억제됨을 관찰하였다. 열충격후 정상온도에서 회복기를 주면서 시간대별로 diamide를 첨가하고 이때 형성된 HMA양을 측정하여, 단백질 원형복구의 역동성을 실험하였다. 그 결과, HMA는 열내성의 유도 여부와 상관없이 빠르게 없어짐을 알 수 있었다. 그러나 열내성이 유도된 세포에서 HSP70 단항체를 electroporation에 의하여 투여하였을 때 HMA가 현저히 증가하였고, 이는 열내성이 유도된 세포에서는 HSP70의 증가에 의하여 HMA생성이 억제되었음을 나타낸다. HSP70 항체를 이용하여 면역침전을 시행한 결과 변성된 세포내 단백질이 HSP70과 같이 침전됨이 관찰되었다. 이 결과는 HSP70 단백질이 변성된 단백질과 일시적으로 결합하여 정상 상태로 돌아가거나 복구될 수 있도록 도와줄 수 있음을 시사한다.

• 폴리머
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.238-243
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• 2011

유기/무기 혼합 물질은 뛰어난 성능으로 인해 지난 수년간 다양한 분야에서 많은 관심을 받고 있다. 고분자 매트릭스에서의 무기 나노입자의 위치 및 분산을 조절하기 위해 싸이올(-SH) 기능기로 말단이 치환된 고분자 리간드가 나노입자의 표면 성질을 개질하는 데에 많이 사용되고 있다. 그러나 싸이올 기능기와 금속 나노입자간의 특정한 결합은 높은 온도에서는 매우 불안정하다. 본 연구진은 UV 경화가 가능한 azide 그룹을 고분자 리간드에 도입하여 열적으로 매우 안정한 금나노입자를 합성하여 보고한 바 있다. 본 연구에서는 더 나아가 표면 성질이 개질된 열적으로 안정한 금나노입자를 얻기 위해서 상대적으로 극성인 UV 경화 가능한 azide와 무극성인 스티렌의 공급 몰 비를 각각 다르게 해서 다양한 UV 경화성 고분자 리간드를 합성하였다. 이를 이용해 합성한 금나노입자는 열적으로 매우 안정하였으며 PS-b-PMMA와 같은 블록공중합체 매트릭스 내에서 금나노입자의 위치를 한 도메인에서 계면으로 정교하게 조절 할 수 있음을 확인하였다.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.272-277
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• 2007

P. pastoris는 대장균에 비해 정확한 접힘, 당화, 효율적인 분비기작등의 장점을 가지고 있어 재조합 단백질의 생산을 위한 균주로서 관심을 받고 있다. 또한 재조합 단백질의 효율적인 생산공정 개발을 위하여 배양공정 중 특정 시간이나 조건에서 발현될 수 있는 효율적인 유도성 프로모터의 개발도 중요 관심 분야이다. 본 연구에서는 연속배양을 이용하여 P. pastoris의 배양 중 특정 기질이 소모되었을 때 발현되는 자동 유도성 프로모터를 개발하기 위하여, 인산이 고갈되었을 때 과발현 되는 유전자들을 탐색하였다. 인산 제한 연속배양의 정상상태에서 얻어진 균체로 부터 total RNA와 mRNA를 분리하였고, 이로부터 cDN를 합성하여 인산제한조건에서 과발현되는 유전자들을 확보하였다. 그 중 빈도수가 높은 8종의 유전자 3-phosphoglycerate kinase, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase(GAPDH), glucokinase, thiol-specific antioxidant protein, triosephosphate isomerase, sodium/phosphate symporter(NPS) 그리고 pyruvate decarboxylase를 선별하였고, Northern blot analysis를 수행한 결과 인산 섭취에 관련된 NPS 유전자가 인산제한조건에서 과발현 됨을 확인하였다. 본 연구실에서는 자동유도성 프로모터로서 NPS유래의 프로모터의 잠재성을 알아보기 위하여, 관련 유전자를 확보하여 외래 유전자를 이용한 발현연구를 진행 중이다.

• 한국식물병리학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국식물병리학회 2003년도 정기총회 및 추계학술발표회
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• pp.72.2-73
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• 2003

We found a soybean (Glycine max) cultivar 561 that was strongly resistant to a virulent bacterial strain of a Pseudomonas spp. Further identification revealed that the Pseudomonas spp. was a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Furthermore we identified specific genes involved in the resistance of soybean 561 and analyzed the pattern of gene expression against the Pseudomonas infection using differential-display reverse transcription PCR (DDRT-PCR). More than 126 cDNA fragments representing mRNAs were induced within 48 hours of bacteria inoculation. Among them, 28 cDNA fragments were cloned and sequenced. Twelve differentially displayed clones with open reading frames had unknown functions. Sixteen selected cDNA clones were homologous to known genes in the other organisms. Some of the identified cDNAs were pathogenesis-related genes (PR genes) and PR-like genes. These cDNAs included a putative calmodulin-binding protein, an endo-1,3-1,4-b-D-glucanase, a b-1,3-endoglucanase, a b-1,3-exoglucanase, a phytochelatin synthetase-like gene, a thiol pretense, a cycloartenol synthase, and a putative receptor-like sorineithreonine protein kinase. Among them, we found that four genes were putative pathogenesis-related genes (PR) induced significantly by the p. aeruginosa infection. These included a calmodulin-binding protein gene, a b-1,3-endoglucanase gene, a receptor-like sorine/threonine protein kinase gene, and pS321 (unknown function). These results suggest that the differentially expressed genes may mediate the strong resistance of soybean 561 to Pseudomonas aeruoginosa.