Microfluidic lab-on-a-chip (LOC) systems have enabled a new generation ofassay technologies in chemical and biomedical sciences. Caliper's microfluidic LOC systems contain a network of microscopic channels through which fluids and chemical are moved in order to perform experiments. The main advantages of these continuous-flow devices are integration and automation of multiple steps in complex analytical procedures to improve the reproducibility of the results, and eliminated the manual labor, time and pipetting errors involved in analyses. The present talk is devoted to give a brief introduction of microfluidic basics and to present in applying continuous-flow microchips to drug screening with model enzyme assays.

The importance of apoptosis in normal development and pathogenesis has been well recognized, and explosive progress towards dissecting its commitment step has been made during the past decade. Mitochondria, Apaf-1, caspase, and bcl-2 family members play central roles in the commitment step. However, it is still unclear how upstream cell survival pathways regulate apoptosis. It is also unknown whether the bcl-2 family members have any effect on the upstream survival pathways. We have demonstrated that the anti-apoptotic gene product bcl-2 greatly induces expression of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in human breast epithelial cells. Surprisingly, we found that TIMP-1, like bcl-2, is a potent inhibitor of apoptosis induced by a variety of stimuli. Functional studies indicate that TIMP-1 inhibits a classical apoptotic pathway mediated by caspases, and that focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/Pl 3-kinase and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) are critical for TIMP- 1 -mediated cell survival. We also showed specific association of TIMP-1 with the cell surface. Consistently, a 150-H)a surface protein was identified in MCF10A cells that specifically binds TIMP-1. Taken together, we hypothesize that TIMP-I binding on the cell surface induces a cell survival pathway that regulates the common apoptosis commitment step. The results of these studies will address a new paradigm in the regulation of apoptosis by an extracellular molecule TIMP-1, and also greatly enhance our understanding of TIMP-1's pleiotropic activity in many physiological and pathological processes. This information may also be useful in designing more rational therapeutic interventions aimed at modulating the anti-apoptotic activity of TIMP-1 .

Life Science Research Center of SK Chemicals has developed a 3rd-generation anticancer platinum drug for the first time in the nation′s 100-year-old pharmaceutical industry. The Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) approved the sale of "Sunpla" (code name SKI 2053R, general name : Heptaplatin) on July 14, 1999 for the treatment of advance, metastatic gastric cancer. Cisplatin, the 1 st-generation anticancer drug, which was developed by Bristol-Myers of the United States in 1976, is one of the most potent anticancer drugs and is a major component of combination chemotherapy for a variety of human cancers. However its clinical usefulness has frequently been limited not only by undesirable side effects such as severe renal toxicity, nausea, vomiting, ototoxicity, and neurotoxicity but also by the development of resistance. Carboplatin, the 2nd-generation anticancer platinum drug, which was also developed by Bristol-Myers in 1986, has modified the problems of the renal and gastrointestinal toxicities of cisplatin. Carboplatin, however, has no enhanced therapeutic efficacy over cisplatin and does not possess the property to overcome cross-resistance to cisplatin.

Phylogenetically conserved Bcl-2 family proteins play a pivotal role in the regulation of apoptosis from virus to human. Members of the Bcl-2 family consist of antiapoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and Bcl-w, and proapoptotic proteins such as BAD, Bax, BOD, and Bok. It has been proposed that anti- and proapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins regulate cell death by binding to each other and forming heterodimers. A delicate balance between anti- and proapoptotic Bcl-2 family members exists in each cell and the relative concentration of these two groups of proteins determines whether the cell survives or undergoes apoptosis. Mcl-1 (Myeloid cell :leukemia-1) is a member of the Bcl-2 family proteins and was originally cloned as a differentiation-induced early gene that was activated in the human myeloblastic leukemia cell line, ML-1 . Mcl-1 is expressed in a wide variety of tissues and cells including neoplastic ones. We recently identified a short splicing variant of Mcl-1 short (Mcl-IS) and designated the known Mcl-1 as Mcl-1 long (Mcl-lL). Mcl-lL protein exhibits antiapoptotic activity and possesses the BH (Bcl-2 homology) 1, BH2, BH3, and transmembrane (TM) domains found in related Bcl-2 proteins. In contrast, Mcl-1 S is a BH3 domain-only proapoptotic protein that heterodimerizes with Mcl-lL. Although both Mc1-lL and Mcl-lS proteins contain BH domains fecund in other Bcl-2 family proteins, they are distinguished by their unusually long N-terminal sequences containing PEST (proline, glutamic acid, serine, and threonine) motifs, four pairs of arginine residues, and alanine- and glycine-rich regions. In addition, the expression pattern of Mcl-1 protein is different from that of Bcl-2 suggesting a unique role (or Mcl-1 in apoptosis regulation. Tankyrasel (TRF1-interacting, ankyrin-related ADP-related polymerasel) was originally isolated based on its binding to TRF 1 (telomeric repeat binding factor-1) and contains the sterile alpha motif (SAM) module, 24 ankyrin (ANK) repeats, and the catalytic domain of poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Previous studies showed that tankyrasel promotes telomere elongation in human cells presumably by inhibiting TRFI though its poly(ADP-ribosyl)action by tankyrasel . In addition, tankyrasel poly(ADP-ribosyl)ates Insulin-responsive amino peptidase (IRAP), a resident protein of GLUT4 vesicles, and insulin stimulates the PARP activity of tankyrase1 through its phosphorylation by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). ADP-ribosylation is a posttranslational modification that usually results in a loss of protein activity presumably by enhancing protein turnover. However, little information is available regarding the physiological function(s) of tankyrase1 other than as a PARP enzyme. In the present study, we found tankyrasel as a specific-binding protein of Mcl-1 Overexpression of tankyrasel led to the inhibition of both the apoptotic activity of Mel-lS and the survival action of Mcl-lL in mammalian cells. Unlike other known tankyrasel-interacting proteins, tankyrasel did not poly(ADP-ribosyl)ate either of the Mcl-1 proteins despite its ability to decrease Mcl-1 proteins expression following coexpression. Therefore, this study provides a novel mechanism to regulate Mcl-1-modulated apoptosis in which tankyrasel downregulates the expression of Mcl-1 proteins without the involvement of its ADP-ribosylation activity.

본 발표에서는 약물 분석 중 특히 생체 매질을 이용하여 임상약리학적 연구나 생체 내 이용률(bioavailability) 연구, 생물학적 동등성(bioequivalence) 연구를 하는 경우의 분석법 검증(bioanalytical method validation)에 대하여 상세히 설명하고자 한다.

Rheum palmatum L. has been used for treatment of hypertension, lipemia, and paramenia in the oriental gerbal medicines for a long time. We have examined the relaxational response to the water extract of Rheum palmaum L. in isolated thoracic aorta from sprague dawley (SD) rat in the presence and absence of endothelium. Rat thoracic aorta was investigated in vessel segments suspended for isometric tension recording by polygraph. Responses to Rhizoma Rhei were investigated in vessels precontracted with 5-hydroxytryptamine. We found that the ghoracic aorta segments responded to the water extract of Rheum palmatum L. (ERP) with a dose-dependent vasorelaxation. We found that 1.The thoracic aorta sehments responded to ERP with a dose-dependent vasodiliation. 2.The 5-HT induced contraction at 10$\^$-4/M were inhibited by 85.8% after addition of the 0.1 g/mL water extract of ERP. 3. The 5-HT induced contraction at 10$\^$-4/ M with and without endothelium were inhibited by 86.4% and 85.8% after addition of the 0.1g/mL ERP. 4. After pre-treatment of the thoracic aorta with 10$\^$-4/M N$\^$G/-monomethyl-L-arginine(L-NMMA), inducible niric oxide synthase inhibitor, the vessels has not response to the contraction. In conclusion, ERP induced reaxation in the isolated rat thoracic aorta were composed of dose-dependent relaxation. and it has potent vasodilation.

Two formulations of tiropramide {(${\pm}$)${\alpha}$-(benzoylamino)-4-[2-(diethylamino)-ethoxy]-N,N-dipropyl-benzenepropanamide hydrochloride}, an antispasmodic agent, were orally administered to 16 healthy Korean male volunteers by Latin crossover design with the purpose of evaluating bioeqivalence and phamacokinetics of tiropramide. Tiropramide in human plasma was determined by a gas chromatography/nitrogen phosphorus detector. Detection limit of tiropramide was 5 ng/ml. C$\_$max/ values in test and reference formulations were 93.9 ${\pm}$ 54.3 and 96.4 ${\pm}$ 51.6 ng/ml, respectively. AUC$\_$0\longrightarrowlast/ and AUC$\_$0\longrightarrowinf/ were, respectively, 330.7 ${\pm}$ 193.9 and 349.5 ${\pm}$ 205.3 ng.hr/ml for test formulation, 348.9 ${\pm}$ 207.7 and 380.8 ${\pm}$ 239.0 ng.hr/ml for reference formulation. Terminal half-life was 2.3-2.6 hr. Bioavailability differences for C/aub max/ and AUC$\_$0\longrightarrowlast/ were 2.48% and 5.22%, respectively. Minimum detection differences were less than 20% in both C$\_$max/ AUC. Based on this results, two formulations of tiropramide were considered to be bioequivalent

The bioequivalence of two 4 mg triamcinolone tablets (Dong-Kwang $\textrm{Tramcinolone}^{(R)}$ vs. Wyeth Korea $\textrm{Ledercoat}^{(R)}$) was assesed in healthy male Korean volunteers after oral administration of 16 mh triamcinolone in a randomized crossover study. Blood samples were collected at specified time intervals, and plasma was analyzed for triamcinolone using a validated HPLC method. The pharmacokinetic parameters of $T_{max}$, $C_{max}$, $AUC_{0{\longrightarrow}last}$. $AUC_{0{\longrightarrow}imf}$, and $T_{1/2,\beta}$ were determined from plasma concentration-time profile of two formulations. The pharmacokinetic parameters were statistically compared to evaluate bioequivalence between two formulations, according to the United State or Korea Food and Drug Administration Guidelines. The analysis of variance did not show any signigicant difference between the two formulations and 90% confidence limits fell within the acceptable range (80-120%) for bioequivalence. Based on these data it was concluded that the two products showed comparable pharmacokinetic profiles and that the Dong-Kwang $\textrm{Tramcinolone}^{(R)}$ tablet is bioequivalent to the $\textrm{Ledercoat}^{(R)}$ tablet produced by Wyeth Korea.

The SPP003 is a mixture of water extract from Schizandrae Fructus, Poligoni multiflori Radix, Ginseng Radix Akba and Hoelen. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-hyperglycemic effect of SPP003 in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, and to monitor the toxicity of SPP003. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed after oral administration of SPP003 100, 300, 600 and 900 mg/kg in normal rats. Blood glucese concentration was measured at -30 min (vehicle, SPP003 or tolbutamide 60 mg/kg, 0 min (glucose treatment), 60, 120 and 180 min. Rats were administerd STZ 65mg/kg (0.1M citrate buffer, pH 4.5) intraperitoneally to induce diabetes and administered vehicle, Spp003 (100, 300 and 600 mg/kg) or tolbutamide (60 mg/kg) orally once a day for 4 weeks. Blood glucose level was measured a 0, 4, 7, 14, 21 and 29 day after initial drug administration. A single oral toxicity of SPP003 was studied in Sprague-Dawley rats of both sexes. In this study, rats were administered with doses of 1, 2 and 5 g/kg of SPP003. In glucose tolerance test, SPP003 900 mg/kg markedly decreased glucose concentration at 1 hr after glucose treatment. Blood glucose levels were much higher in STZ-diabetic rats. These increases were significantly attenuated by SPP003 600 mg/kg. SPP003 did not show any signigicant toxicity. These findings suggest that SPP003 has hypoglycemic properties in STZ-diabetic rats.

Pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase (PDP) is a mitochondrial protein serine/threonine phosphatase that catalyzes the dephosphorylation and concomitant reactivation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase componant of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC). PDP consists of a Mg$\^$+2/ -dependent and Ca$\^$+2)-stimulated catalytic subunit (PDPc) of Mr 52,600 and a FAD-containing regulatory subunit (PDPr) of Mr 95.600. Catalytic subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase (PDPc) has been suggested to have three major functional domains such as dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase(E$_2$)-binding domain, regulatory subunit of PDP(PDPr)-binding domain, and calcium-binding domain. In order to identify functional domains, recombinant catalytic subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase (rPDPc) was expressed in E. coli JM101 and purified to near homogeneity using the unique property of PDPc: PDPm binds to the inner lipoyl domain (L$_2$) of E$_2$ of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) in the presence of Ca$\^$+2/, not under EGTA. PDPc was limited-proteolysed by trypsin, chymotrypsin, Arg-C, and elastase at pH7.0 and 30$^{\circ}C$ and N-terminal analysis of the fragment was done. Chymotrypsin, trypsin, and elastase made two major framents: N-terminal large fragment, approx. 50kD and C-terminal small fragment, approx. 0 kDa. Arg-C made three major fragments: N-terminal fragment, approx. 35 kD, and central fragment, approx. 15 kD, and C-terminal fragment, approx. 10 kD. This study strongly suggest that PDPc consists of three major functional domains. However, further study should be necessary to identify the functional role.

We studied whether kinase pathways are involved in TCDD-induced gene expression by treating specific kinase inhibitors ncluding MEK1 inhibitor PD98059, p38 inhibitor SB202190, PI-3 kinase inhibitor Wortmannin or LY294002 or protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor Genestein and then tested the effects of individual inhibitors on TCDD-induced gene expression of cytochromelAl gene (CYPlAl). Our results show that PD98059, MEK-1 inhibitor reduces dioxin-inducible transcription of CYPlAl. p44/p42MAPK, that is phosphorylated by Mek-1, are phosphorlylated by treatment of TCDD, peaking at lnM, 30min treatments. Overexpressions of p44/p42 MAPK dominant negative mutants suppress dioxin dependent transcription of DRE-driven reporter gene in a dose-dependent manner. Our results demonstrate that p44/p42 MAPK is essential for transcriptional activity of AHR/ARNT heterodimer. We found that PD98059 dose-dependently blocks TCDD-induced DRE binding of the AHR/ARNT heterodimer, thereby it reduces TCDD-induced gene expression. Therefore, our results indicate that Mek-1/p44/p42 MAPK pathway is involved in TCDD-induced gene expression, [This study was supported by a grant from Korean Research Foundation Grant (X01529)to H. Park]

The root of Rumex crispus(Polygonaceae) has been used as one of many oriental medicines ofr the treatment of cathartics, juandice and skin diseases etc. Recently, it is reported as one of anticancer agents and a remedy of acute hepatitis in many traditional medicines. Also, the seed of this plant has been used as a folk medicine for the treatment of digestion problems, liver diseases and many sorts of tumors. In this study we have collected the seed of this plant in rural area and investigated the efficacy of hepatoprotective activity from liver cell damage induced by carbon tetrachloride on mice with methanol extracts, ethylacetate and butanol fractions of this plant