• BMB Reports
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.58-64
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• 2005

Myo-inositol monophosphate phosphatase (IMPP) is a key enzyme in the phosphoinositide cell-signaling system. This study found that incubating the IMPP from a porcine brain with pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) resulted in a time-dependent enzymatic inactivation. Spectral evidence showed that the inactivation proceeds via the formation of a Schiff's base with the amino groups of the enzyme. After the sodium borohydride reduction of the inactivated enzyme, it was observed that 1.8 mol phosphopyridoxyl residues per mole of the enzyme dimer were incorporated. The substrate, myo-inositol-1-phosphate, protected the enzyme against inactivation by PLP. After tryptic digestion of the enzyme modified with PLP, a radioactive peptide absorbing at 210 nm was isolated by reverse-phase HPLC. Amino acid sequencing of the peptide identified a portion of the PLP-binding site as being the region containing the sequence L-Q-V-S-Q-Q-E-D-I-T-X, where X indicates that phenylthiohydantoin amino acid could not be assigned. However, the result of amino acid composition of the peptide indicated that the missing residue could be designated as a phosphopyridoxyl lysine. This suggests that the catalytic function of IMPP is modulated by the binding of PLP to a specific lysyl residue at or near its substrate-binding site of the protein.

• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.408-413
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• 2008

Pyridoxal-5'-phosphate phosphatase (PLPP) catalyzes the dephosphorylation of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP). A human brain PLPP gene was fused with a PEP-1 peptide and produced a genetic in-frame PEP-1-PLPP fusion protein. The purified PEP-1-PLPP fusion protein was efficiently transduced into PC12 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner when added exogenously to culture media. Once inside the cells, the transduced PEP-1-PLPP fusion protein was stable for 36 h. The concentration of PLP was markedly decreased by the addition of exogenous PEP-1-PLPP to media pretreated with the vitamin $B_6$ precursors; pyridoxine, pyridoxal kinase and pyridoxine-5'-phosphate oxidase into cells. The results suggest that the transduction of the PEP-1-PLPP fusion protein can be one mode of PLP level regulation, and to replenish this enzyme in the various neurological disorders related to vitamin $B_6$.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.923-931
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• 2002

Sopungsungi-won (SP) is a known for\mula for senile constipation and diabetes mellitus, based on traditional Korean medicine. The preventive effect of SP on the development of overt diabetes in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats was evaluated. When administered orally through a diet for 8 weeks, diabetic conditions such as hyperglycemia, polydipsia and hypertriglyceridemia were all ameliorated in SP-treated rats. In parallel with the onset and progression of hyperglycemia in the ZDF control rats; there was a marked decline in plasma insulin concentrations from 26.1 $\mu$U/ml, at age 7 weeks, to 14.8 $\mu$U/ml at age 15 weeks. In the SP-treated rats, however, the plasma insulin concentrations did not decline, and SP at a dose of 5 g/kg significantly increased the insulin levels to 31.9 $\mu$U/ml. Early normalization of plasma insulin and a retained ability to subsequently increase plasma insulin were indicative of a pancreatic $\beta$ cell protective action by the SP for\mula. In addition, expressions of an insulin-responsive gene and corresponding protein, glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), in skeletal \muscle, were also determined in SP- and rosiglitazone-treated ZDF rats. mRNA and protein levels of GLUT4 in SP-treated rats were upregulated in a dose dependent manner. Furthermore, when ZDF rats were treated with 2 g/kg of the SP for\mula, the activity of glucose-6-phosphatase was decreased by 49%, whereas the activity of glucokinase was increased by 196%, compared to the ZDF control rats. Taken together, these data provide evidence that the SP for\mula markedly lowered the plasma glucose levels, probably through an effect not only on improvement of insulin action, but through a combined sti\mulation of glycolysis and an inhibition of gluconeogenesis in the liver, and also suggest the validity of SP's clinical use in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus following further toxicological investigation.

• BMB Reports
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.259-265
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• 1999

This study was designed to examine the anticarcinogenic effect of dietary supplementation with garlic powder on rat hepatocarcinogenesis. All rats were initiated by a single dose (200 mg/body weight) intraperitoneal injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEN), and three weeks later, subjected to two-thirds partial hepatectomy. Two weeks after initiation, four groups of rats were given experimental diets supplemented with 0 (control group), 0.5, 2.0, or 5.0% garlic powder for 6 weeks. Rats were sacrificed at eight weeks after initiation. The induction of placental glutathione S-transferase (GST-P) positive foci was significantly inhibited almost equally in all three groups fed garlic diets. Glucose 6-phosphatase (G6Pase) activity was increased in rats fed 0.5% and 2.0% garlic powder, and was negatively correlated with the number and area of GST-P positive foci. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) contents were decreased in rats fed 2.0% and 5.0% garlic powder. Only 5.0% garlic powder supplementation significantly increased the glutathione content and the glutathione S-transferase activity, compared to the control group. Therefore, all levels of garlic powder, 0.5% to 5.0%, exerted an anti promotional effect during hepatocarcinogenesis. Dietary supplementation with garlic powder seemed to maintain microsomal membrane integrity by increasing G6Pase activities. Glutathione-dependent detoxifying enzymes did not seem to contribute to this protective effect directly. The present study suggests that garlic powder is effective in inhibiting the induction of GST-P positive foci, possibly by stabilizing the hepatic microsomal membrane.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.669-675
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• 2007

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) and biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) nano powders were synthesized using the microwave-assisted synthesis process dependent on pH and microwave irradiation time. The average size of a powder was less than 100 nm in diameter. Through in-vitro cytotoxicity tests by an extract dilution method, the HAp and BCP nano powders have shown to be cytocompatible for L-929 fibroblast cells, osteoblastlike MG-63 cells and osteoclast-like Raw 264.7 cells. The activation of osteoblast was estimated by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. When the HAp and BCP were treated to MG-63 cells, alkaline phosphatase activities increased on day 3, compared with those of the untreated cells. Also, the collagen fibers increased when the HAp and BCP powders suspension were treated to MG-63 cells, compared to those of the untreated cells. Quantitative alizarin red S mineralization assays showed a trend toward increasing mineralization in osteoblast cultured with powder suspension. In conclusion, hydroxyapatite and biphasic calcium phosphate appeared to be a bone graft substitute material with optimal biocompatibility and could be further applied to clinical use as an artificial bone graft substitute.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.67-74
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• 2004

Cells consistently face stressful conditions, which cause them to modulate a variety of intracellular processes and adapt to these environmental changes via regulation of gene expression. Hyperosmotic and oxidative stresses are significant stressors that induce cellular damage, and finally cell death. In this study, oligonucleotide microarrays were employed to investigate mRNA level changes in cells exposed to hyperosmotic or oxidative conditions. In addition, since heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is one of the most inducible stress proteins and plays pivotal role to protect cells against stressful condition, we performed microarray analysis in HSP70-overexpressing cells to identify the genes expressed in a HSP70-dependent manner. Under hyperosmotic or oxidative stress conditions, a variety of genes showed altered expression. Down­regulation of protein phosphatase1 beta (PP1 beta) and sphingosine-1-phosphate phosphatase 1 (SPPase1) was detected in both stress conditions. Microarray analysis of HSP70-overexpressing cells demonstrated that diverse mRNA species depend on the level of cellular HSP70. Genes encoding Iysyl oxidase, thrombospondin 1, and procollagen displayed altered expression in all tested conditions. The results of this study will be useful to construct networks of stress response genes.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.81-86
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• 2009

Baicalin is a flavonoid purified from the medicinal plant Scutellaria baicalensis. It has been reported that baicalin exhibits antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. The present study was undertaken to determine the underlying cellular mechanisms of baicalin action in preosteoclasts. The effects of this flavonoid on preosteoclasts were determined by measuring osteoclast generation and osteoclast activity in macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF)-dependent bone marrow cells (MDBMCs) and in co-cultures of MDBMCs and osteoblasts. Osteoclast generation was assayed by measuring the number of tartrateresistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) (+) multinucleated cells after culture. Osteoclast activity was assayed by measuring the area of the resorption pit after culture. We found that osteoclast generation was induced by M-CSF and receptor activator of NF-kB ligand (RANKL), and by the 1.25-dihydroxycholecalciferol in our cultures. Baicalin decreased both osteoclast generation and activity in MDBM cultures and co-cultures indicating that it may inhibit bone resorption.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.619-622
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• 2005

To evaluate the preventive effects of methanolic extract of Angelica koreana(MEAK), this extract was given to rats orally at various doses of 10, 50 and 100 mg/kg before hepatotoxicant, benzo$(\alpha)pyrene$ treatment The increased serum enzyme levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) by benzo$(\alpha)pyrene$ induction were significantly lowered in a dose dependent manner after pretreatment with MEAK. Furthermore, MEAK also decreased the elevated lipid levels after benzo$(\alpha)pyrene$ administration. These results revealed that MEAK could afford a significant protective action in the alleviation of benzoBenzo$(\alpha)pyrene$ induced hepatocellular injury.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.113-127
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• 1992

The present study was investigated to elucidate the effects of chlorambucil the heart tissue of various-aged rats. The male rats ranging from 3 to 36 months were used. The cytochemical and biochemical changes in myocardium of the rats were studied in the aspect of free radical roles in aging process. With the goals of evaluating the potential roles of free radicals in aging process, evidence was shought for alterations of myocardial lipid peroxide levels in control and chlorambucil treated rats. The result are summarized as follows: 1. Cytochemical studies showed that the activities of $Mg^{++}$-ATPase and succinic dehydrogenase increased with age. However, these enzyme activities were decreased with treatment of chlorambucil, when compared with control group. Interestingly it was observed that chlorambucil treatment increased the activity of acid phosphatase from 6 months upto 18 months, and decreased after 18 months. 2. The lipid peroxide level in myocatdium was increased with age; chlorambucil-treated group was higher than that of control group. 3. Age-dependent increase in activities of monoamine oxidase, xanthine oxidase and catalase was observed. But the increase of catalase activity was higher than that of monoamine oxidase and xanthine oxidase activity in control group. However, in chlorambucil-treated group, age-dependent decrease of these enzyme activities was observed, and catalase activity was more significant particularly with regard to other enzymes. In consequently, the morphological alterationsof myocardium due to chlorambucil treatment was exclusively observed. We demonstrate that this alteration is occured by lipid peroxidation upon chlorambucil treatment.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.395-401
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• 2016

Endochondral bone formation is the process by which mesenchymal cells condense into chondrocytes, which are ultimately responsible for new bone formation. The processes of chondrogenic differentiation and hypertrophy are critical for bone formation and are therefore highly regulated. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of aloe-emodin on chondrogenic differentiation in clonal mouse chondrogenic ATDC5 cells. Aloe-emodin treatment stimulated the accumulation of cartilage nodules in a dose-dependent manner. ATDC5 cells were treated with aloe-emodin and stained with alcian blue. Compared with the control cells, the ATDC5 cells showed more intense alcian blue staining. This finding suggested that aloe-emodin induced the synthesis of matrix proteoglycans and increased the activity of alkaline phosphatase. Aloe-emodin also enhanced the expressions of chondrogenic marker genes such as collagen II, collagen X, BSP and RunX2 in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, examination of the MAPK signaling pathway showed that aloe-emodin increased the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), but had no effect on p38 and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Aloe-emodin also enhanced the protein expression of BMP-2 in a time-dependent manner. Thus, these results showed that aloe-emodin exhibited chodromodulating effects via the BMP-2 or ERK signaling pathway. Aloe-emodin may have potential future applications for the treatment of growth disorders.