• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제16권11호
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• pp.1753-1759
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• 2006

Paenibacillus sp. HY-8 isolated from the digestive tracts of the longicorn beetle, Moechotypa diphysis, produced an extracellular endoxylanase with a molecular weight of 20 kDa estimated by SDS-PAGE. The xylanase was purified to near electrophoretic homogeneity from the culture supernatant after ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration, and ionexchange chromatography. The purified xylanase exhibited the highest activities at pH 6.0 and $50^{\circ}C$. The $K_m\;and\;V_{max}$ values were 7.2 mg/ml and 16.3 U/mg, respectively, for birchwood xylan as the substrate. Nucleotide sequence of the PCR-cloned gene was determined to have the open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of 212 amino acids. The N-terminal amino acid sequence and the nucleotide sequence analyses predicted that the precursor xylanase contained a signal peptide composed of 28 amino acids and a catalytically active 19.9-kDa peptide fragment. The deduced amino acid sequence shared extensive similarity with those of the glycoside hydrolase family 11 of xylanases from other bacteria. The predicted amino acid sequence contained two glutamate residues, previously identified as essential and conserved for active sites in other xylanases of the glycoside hydrolase family 11.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제17권6호
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• pp.905-912
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• 2007

A novel ${\beta}-glucosidase$ gene, bglA, was isolated from uncultured soil bacteria and characterized. Using genomic libraries constructed from soil DNA, a gene encoding a protein that hydrolyzes a fluorogenic analog of cellulose, 4-methylumbelliferyl ${\beta}-D-cellobioside$ (MUC), was isolated using a microtiter plate assay. The gene, bglA, was sequenced using a shotgun approach, and expressed in E. coli. The deduced 55-kDa amino acid sequence for bglA showed a 56% identity with the family 1 glycosyl hydrolase Chloroflexus aurantiacus. BglA included two conserved family 1 glycosyl hydrolase regions. When using $p-nitrophenyl-{\beta}-D-glucoside$ (pNPG) as the substrate, the maximum activity of the purified ${\beta}-glucosidase$ exhibited at pH 6.5 and $55^{\circ}C$, and was enhanced in the presence of $Mn^{2+}$. The $K_m\;and\;V_{max}$ values for the purified enzyme with pNPG were 0.16 mM and $19.10{\mu}mol/min$, respectively. The purified BglA enzyme hydrolyzed both pNPG and $p-nitrophenyl-{\beta}-D-fucoside$. The enzyme also exhibited substantial glycosyl hydrolase activities with natural glycosyl substrates, such as sophorose, cellobiose, cellotriose, cellotetraose, and cellopentaose, yet low hydrolytic activities with gentiobiose, salicin, and arbutin. Moreover, BglA was able to convert the major ginsenoside $Rb_1$ into the pharmaceutically active minor ginsenoside Rd within 24 h.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• 제35권6호
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• pp.397-402
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of probencid on the pharmacokinetics of oral pranoprofen in rats. Pranoprofen (5 mg/kg) was coadministered with 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg of probenecid orally. Coadministration of probenecid significantly altered the pharmacokinetics of pranoprofen at 10 and 20 mg/kg. Compared with the control group, probenecid significantly (p<0.05) increased the absorption rate constant $(K_{a})$, the peak concentrations $(C_{max})$ and accordingly the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of pranoprofen at the dose level of 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg of probenecid. The relative bioavailability (RB%) of pranoprofen was 1.64- to 1.82- fold increased. Furthermore, 10 and 20 mg/kg probenecid induced the decreased elimination constants $(K_{el})$ and the prolonged half-lives $(t_{1/2})$ of pranoprofen with significance (p<0.05). Coadministration of 10 and 20 mg/kg of probenecid lowered the excreted amounts of pranoprofen in the urine by 21.3-22.5% compared to the control. Overall, probenecid enhanced the bioavailability of pranoprofen and decreased its elimination rate to a greater degree at higher dose. Based on the effect of probenecid on the pharmacokinetic behavior of pranoprofen, the dosage regimen of pranoprofen should be taken into consideration when pranoprofen is administered with probenecid in the clinical setting to the patients especially with peptic ulcer or renal failure.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.209-213
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• 2002

Diltiazem inhibits calcium channels and Iεads to vascular smooth muscle rεlaxation and negative inotropic and chronotropic effects in the hεart. Diltiazem is almost completely absorbεd after oral administration, but its extent of absolute oral bioavailability is reduced because of considerable first-pass hepatic metabolism. Diltiazem is able to dilate renal vasculature and can increase the glomerular filtration rate and renal sodium excretion. The purpose of this study was to report the pharmacokinetic changes of diltiazem after oral administration of diltiazem, 20 mg/kg, in rabbits coadministered with cimetidine, 20 mg/kg and pretreated twice per day for 3 days at cimetidine dose of 20 mg/kg. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of diltiazem was significantly higher in rabbits pretreated with cimetidine than that in control rabbits (p<0.01), showing about 149% increased relative bioavailability. The peak plasma concentration $(C_{max})$ and elimination half-life of diltiazem were increased significantly (p<0.05) in rabbits pretreated with cimetidine compared with those in control rabbits. This findings could be due to significant reduction of elimination rate constant by pretreated with cimetidine. The effects of cimetidine on the pharmacokinetics of oral diltiazem were more considerable in rabbits pretreated with cimetidine compared with those in control rabbits. The results suggest that the dosage of diltiazem should be adjusted when the drug would be co-administerεd chronically with cimetidine in a clinical situation.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.71-76
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• 2009

Salivary lipocalin (SAL1) is a member of the lipocalin protein family that has a property to associate with many lipophilic molecules. The importance of SAL1 during pregnancy in pigs has been suggested by our previous study which has shown that SAL1 is expressed in the uterine endometrium in a cell type- and implantation stage-specific manner and secreted into the uterine lumen. However, function of SAL1 in the uterus during pregnancy in pigs is not known. To understand SAL1 function in the uterus during pregnancy, we generated recombinant porcine SAL1 protein in an insect cell line. Porcine SAL1 cDNA was cloned into a baculovirus expression vector using RT-PCR and total RNA from uterine endometrium on day 12 of pregnancy, and the expression vector was used to generate recombinant Bacmid containing the SAL1 gene. The recombinant Bacmid was then transfected Sf9 cell to produce recombinant baculovirus. By infecting Sf9 cell with recombinant baculovirus, we established a SAL1-expressing insect cell expression system. Immunoblot analysis confirmed SAL1 expression in the infected cells. Recombinant SAL1 produced by the Sf9 cell line will be useful for understanding physiological function of SAL1 during pregnancy in pigs.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• 제41권5호
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• pp.301-307
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• 2011

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of kaempferol on the pharmacokinetics of nimodipine in rats. Nimodipine and kaempferol interact with cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and P-glycoprotein (P-gp), and the increase in the use of health supplements may result in kaempferol being taken concomitantly with nimodipine as a combination therapy to treat orprevent cardiovascular disease. The effect of kaempferol on P-gp and CYP3A4 activity was evaluated and Pharmacokinetic parameters of nimodipine were determined in rats after an oral (12 mg/kg) and intravenous (3 mg/kg) administration of nimodipine to rats in the presence and absence of kaempferol (0.5, 2.5, and 10 mg/kg). Kaempferol inhibited CYP3A4 enzyme activity in a concentration-dependent manner with 50% inhibition concentration ($IC_{50}$) of $17.1{\mu}M$. In addition, kaempferol significantly enhanced the cellular accumulation of rhodamine-123 in MCF-7/ADR cells overexpressing P-gp. Compared to the oral control group, the area under the plasma concentration-time curve ($AUC_{0-\infty}$) and the peak plasma concentration ($C_{max}$) of nimodipine significantly increased, respectively. Consequently, the absolute bioavailability of nimodipine in the presence of kaempferol (2.5 and 10 mg/kg) was 29.1-33.3%, which was significantly enhanced compared to the oral control group (22.3%). Moreover, the relative bioavailability of nimodipine was 1.30- to 1.49-fold greater than that of the control group. The pharmacokinetics of intravenous nimodipine was not affected by kaempferol in contrast to those of oral nimodipine. Kaempferol significantly enhanced the oral bioavailability of nimodipine, which might be mainly due to inhibition of the CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of nimodipine in the small intestine and /or in the liver and to inhibition of the P-gp efflux transporter in the small intestine by kaempferol. The increase in oral bioavailability of nimodipine in the presence of kaempferol should be taken into consideration of potential drug interactions between nimodipine and kaempferol.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• 제41권5호
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• pp.273-278
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• 2011

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of efonidipine on the pharmacokinetics of warfarin after oral and intravenous administration of warfarin in rats. Warfarin was administered orally (0.2 mg/kg) or intravenously (0.05 mg/kg) without or with oral administration of efonidipine (1 or 3 mg/kg) in rats. The effect of efonidipine on the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 activity was also evaluated. Efonidipine inhibited CYP3A4 enzyme activity with 50% inhibition concentration ($IC_{50}$) of $0.08{\mu}M$. Compared to those in the oral control group (warfarin without efonidipine), the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of warfarin was significantly greater (1 mg/kg, P<0.05; 3 mg/kg, P<0.01) by 25.9-59.0%, and the peak plasma concentration ($C_{max}$) was significantly higher (3 mg/kg, P<0.05) by 26.2% after oral administration of warfarin with efonidipine, respectively. The total body clearance of warfarin was significantly (3 mg/kg, P<0.05) decreased by efonidifine. Consequently, the relative bioavailability of warfarin was increased by 1.26- to 1.59-fold and the absolute bioavailability of warfarin with efonidipine was significantly greater by 59.7-75.4 % compared to that in the control group (47.4%). In contrast, efonidipine had no effect on any pharmacokinetic parameters of warfarin given intravenously. Therefore, the enhanced oral bioavailability of warfarin may be due to inhibition of CYP 3A4-mediated metabolism in the intestine and/or liver and to reduction of total body celarance rather than renal elimination, resulting in reducing first-pass metabolism by efonidipine.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제19권9호
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• pp.873-880
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• 2009

A novel xylanase gene, Kxyn, was cloned from Kocuria sp. Mn22, a bacteria isolated from the deep sea of the east Pacific. Kxyn consists of 1,170 bp and encodes a protein of 390 amino acids that shows the highest identity (63%) with a xylanase from Thermohifida fusca YX. The mature protein with a molecular mass of approximately 40 kDa was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The recombinant Kxyn displayed its maximum activity at $55^{\circ}C$ and at pH 8.5. The $K_m,\;V_{max}$, and $k_{cat}$ values of Kxyn for birchwood xylan were 5.4 mg/ml, $272{\mu}mol/min{\cdot}mg$, and 185.1/s, respectively. Kxyn hydrolyzed birchwood xylan to produce xylobiose and xylotriose as the predominant products. The activity of Kxyn was not affected by $Ca^{2+},\;Mg^{2+},\;Na^+,\;K^+$, ${\beta}$-mercaptoethanol, DTT, or SDS, but was strongly inhibited by $Hg^{2+},\;Cu^{2+},Zn^{2+}$, and $Pb^{2+}$. It was stable over a wide pH range, retaining more than 80% activity after overnight incubation at pH 7.5-12. Kxyn is a cellulase-free xylanase. Therefore, these properties make it a candidate for various industrial applications.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.638-644
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• 2018

In this study, the immobilization of xylanase using a protein-inorganic hybrid nanoflower system was assessed to improve the enzyme properties. The synthesis of hybrid xylanase nanoflowers was very effective at $4^{\circ}C$ for 72 h, using 0.25 mg/ml protein, and efficient immobilization of xylanase was observed, with a maximum encapsulation yield and relative activity of 78.5% and 148%, respectively. Immobilized xylanase showed high residual activity at broad pH and temperature ranges. Using birchwood xylan as a substrate, the $V_{max}$ and $K_m$ values of xylanase nanoflowers were 1.60 mg/ml and $455{\mu}mol/min/mg$ protein, compared with 1.42 mg/ml and $300{\mu}mol/min/mg$ protein, respectively, for the free enzyme. After 5 and 10 cycles of reuse, the xylanase nanoflowers retained 87.5% and 75.8% residual activity, respectively. These results demonstrate that xylanase immobilization using a proteininorganic hybrid nanoflower system is an effective approach for its potential biotechnological applications.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.107-115
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• 2017

Over the last decade, physiologically based pharmacokinetics (PBPK) application has been extended significantly not only to predicting preclinical/human PK but also to evaluating the drug-drug interaction (DDI) liability at the drug discovery or development stage. Herein, we describe a case study to illustrate the use of PBPK approach in predicting human PK as well as DDI using in silico, in vivo and in vitro derived parameters. This case was composed of five steps such as: simulation, verification, understanding of parameter sensitivity, optimization of the parameter and final evaluation. Caffeine and ciprofloxacin were used as tool compounds to demonstrate the "fit for purpose" application of PBPK modeling and simulation for this study. Compared to caffeine, the PBPK modeling for ciprofloxacin was challenging due to several factors including solubility, permeability, clearance and tissue distribution etc. Therefore, intensive parameter sensitivity analysis (PSA) was conducted to optimize the PBPK model for ciprofloxacin. Overall, the increase in $C_{max}$ of caffeine by ciprofloxacin was not significant. However, the increase in AUC was observed and was proportional to the administered dose of ciprofloxacin. The predicted DDI and PK results were comparable to observed clinical data published in the literatures. This approach would be helpful in identifying potential key factors that could lead to significant impact on PBPK modeling and simulation for challenging compounds.