• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.949-956
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• 2002

There are several physiological and pharmacological evidences indicating that opening of voltage dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channels play a critical role in induction of acrosome reaction in mammalian sperm. We determined the intracellular free $Ca^{2+}$ concentration in ejaculated goat sperm using a fluorescent, $Ca^{2+}$-specific probe, Fura2/AM, after the suspension of sperm in KRB medium, capable of sustaining capacitation and the acrosome reaction. We used nifedipine, D-600 and diltiazem, the $Ca^{2+}$ channel antagonists belonging to the classes of dihydropyridines, phenylalkylamines and benzothiazepines, to investigate the possibility that L-type voltage gated $Ca^{2+}$ channels play a role in the progesterone-stimulated exocytotic response. Progesterone promoted a rise in intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ in goat sperm and addition of nifedipine (100 nM) just prior to progesterone induction, significantly inhibited both intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ rise and exocytosis suggesting that $Ca^{2+}$ channels are involved in the process. However, the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ increase during the process of capacitation was not affected with the addition of nifedipine suggesting a role of focal channel for $Ca^{2+}$ during capacitation. Studies using monensin and nigericin, two monovalent cation ionophores showed that an influx of $Na^+$ also may play a role in the opening of $Ca^{2+}$ channels. These results strongly suggests that the entry of $Ca^{2+}$ channels with characteristics similar to those of L-type, voltage-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$ channels found in cardiac and skeletal muscle, is a crucial step in the sequence of events leading to progesterone induced acrosome reaction in goat sperm.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.53-58
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• 1999

The immunocytochemical method was used to identify the existence of voltage-dependent $Ca^{2＋}$-channels in mouse follicular oocytes. Three types of voltage-dependent $Ca^{2＋}$-channels were shown to exist in the follicular oocytes for the first time, the P/Q-type $Ca^{2＋}$-channel, the N-type $Ca^{2＋}$-channel, and the L-type $Ca^{2＋}$-channel. Among proven $Ca^{2＋}$-channels distributions of the P/Q-type $Ca^{2＋}$-channel and L-type $Ca^{2＋}$-channel showed localized staining (clustered pattern) on the oolemma. The distribution of the P/Q-type $Ca^{2＋}$-channel showed all localized staining, and the range of localized staining was from 1 to 8 in staining intensity. As the staining intensity increased from 1 to 8, the number of localized staining decreased. The L-type $Ca^{2＋}$-channel are homogeneously stained (29.4%-54.2%), while some of them (around 28.7%-44.1%) showed localized staining on the oolemma. However, the rest of them showed no staining at all (17.1%- 26.5%). On the contrary, the N-type $Ca^{2＋}$-channel showed mostly homogeneous staining, while nonstaining oocytes were around 33.8%. The rest showed localized staining (10%). However, staining intensity was much weaker than those of the P/Q-type and L-type $Ca^{2＋}$-channel. In fact, the N-type $Ca^{2＋}$-channel has been known to exist only in neurons (from ectoderm origin), but it is unknown how the N-type $Ca^{2＋}$-channel exists in the follicular oocytes (from mesoderm origin). Further studies are needed to examine the expression of $Ca^{2＋}$-channels during the developmental stages of the oocytes.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.85-93
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• 1998

ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channels ($K_{ATP}$) were not identified in gastric smooth muscle cells. However, in tension recording of intact gastric circular muscle, lemakalim of $K_{ATP}$ channels opener in other tissues suppressed mechanical contractions and this effect was blocked by glibenclamide, a specific inhibitor of $K_{ATP}$ channels. The aims of this study were to investigate whether $K_{ATP}$ channels exist in gastric smooth muscle of guinea-pig and to know its physiological role. Whole cell $K^+$ currents activated by lemakalim were recorded from freshly isolated cells with a 0.1 mM ATP, 140 mM KCl pipette solutions. Lemakalim (10 ${\mu}M$) increased inward currents of $-224{\pm}34$ pA (n=13) at -80 mV of holding potential in bath solution contained 90 mM $K^+$. Bath-applied glibenclamide (10 ${\mu}M$) inhibited the lemakalim-activated inward currents by $91{\pm}6%$ (n=5). These lemakalim-activated inward currents were reduced by increased intracellular ATP from 0.1 to 3 mM ($-41{\pm}12$ pA) (n=5). The reversal potential of the glibenclamide- sensitive inward currents was $-5.2{\pm}2.4$ mV (n=3) in external 90 mM $K^+$ and shifted to $-14.8{\pm}3.6$ mV (n=3) in external 60 mM $K^+$, which close to equilibrium potential of $K^+$ ($E_K$). External barium and cesium inhibited the lemakalim-activated inward currents dose-dependently. The half-inhibitory dose ($IC_{50}$) of barium and cesium were 2.3 ${\mu}M$ (n=5) and 0.38 mM (n=4), respectively. 10 mM tetraethylammonium (TEA) also inhibited the lemakalim-activated inward currents by $66{\pm}15%$ (n=5). Both substance P (SP) (5 ${\mu}M$) and acetylcholine (ACh) (5 ${\mu}M$) inhibited lemakalim-activated inward currents. These results suggest that $K_{ATP}$ channels exist in the gastric smooth muscle and its modulation by neurotransmitters may play an important role in regulating gastric motility.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.131-135
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• 2005

Potassium channels in human skin fibroblast have been studied as a possible site of Alzheimer disease pathogenesis. Fibroblasts in Alzheimer disease show alterations in signal transduction pathway such as changes in $Ca^{2+}$ homeostasis and/or $Ca^{2+}-activated$ kinases, phosphatidylinositol cascade, protein kinase C activity, cAMP levels and absence of specific $K^+$ channel. However, little is known so far about electrophysiological and pharmacological characteristics of large-conductance $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ ($BK_{Ca}$) channel in human fibroblast (CRL-1474). In the present study, we found Iberiotoxin- and TEA-sensitive outward rectifying oscillatory current with whole-cell recordings. Single channel analysis showed large conductance $K^{+}$ channels (106 pS of chord conductance at +40 mV in physiological $K^+$ gradient). The 106 pS channels were activated by membrane potential and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, consistent with the known properties of $BK_{Ca}$ channels. $BK_{Ca}$ channels in CRL-1474 were positively regulated by adenylate cyclase activator ($10{\mu}M$ forskolin), 8-Br-cyclic AMP ($300{\mu}M$) or 8-Br-cyclic GMP ($300{\mu}M$). These results suggest that human skin fibroblasts (CR-1474) have typical $BK_{Ca}$ channel and this channel could be modulated by c-AMP and c-GMP. The electrophysiological characteristics of fibroblasts might be used as the diagnostic clues for Alzheimer disease.

• Experimental and Molecular Medicine
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• v.50 no.11
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• pp.4.1-4.13
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• 2018

Two-pore domain $K^+$ (K2P) channels have been shown to modulate neuronal excitability. The physiological role of TWIK-1, the first identified K2P channel, in neuronal cells is largely unknown, and we reported previously that TWIK-1 contributes to the intrinsic excitability of dentate gyrus granule cells (DGGCs) in mice. In the present study, we investigated the coexpression of TWIK-1 and TASK-3, another K2P member, in DGGCs. Immunohistochemical staining data showed that TASK-3 proteins were highly localized in the proximal dendrites and soma of DGGCs, and this localization is similar to the expression pattern of TWIK-1. TWIK-1 was shown to associate with TASK-3 in DGGCs of mouse hippocampus and when both genes were overexpressed in COS-7 cells. shRNA-mediated gene silencing demonstrated that TWIK-1/TASK-3 heterodimeric channels displayed outwardly rectifying currents and contributed to the intrinsic excitability of DGGCs. Neurotensin-neurotensin receptor 1 (NT-NTSR1) signaling triggered the depolarization of DGGCs by inhibiting TWIK-1/TASK-3 heterodimeric channels, causing facilitated excitation of DGGCs. Taken together, our study clearly showed that TWIK-1/TASK-3 heterodimeric channels contribute to the intrinsic excitability of DGGCs and that their activities are regulated by NT-NTSR1 signaling.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 1991

Single smooth muscle cells of the rabbit pulmonary artery were isolated by treatment with collagenase and elastase. Using the patch clamp technique, potassium channel activity was recorded from the inside-out membrane patch. The channel had a sin히e channel conductance of about 360 pS in symmetrical concentration of K on both sides of the patch, 150 mM, and had a linear current-voltage relationship. During the application of 10 mM tetraethylammonium (TEA) to the intracellular membrane surface, the amplitude of single channel current was reduced and very rapid flickering appeared. The open probability $(P_0)$ of this channel was increased by increasing positivity of the potential across the patch membrane, with e-fold increase by 20 mV depolarization, and by increasing the internal $Ca^{2+}$ concentration. These findings are consistent with those of large conductance Ca-activated K channels reported in other tissues. But the shortening of the mean open time by increasing $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, was an unexpected result and one additional closed state which might be arisen from a block of the open channel by Ca binding was suggested. The $P_0-membrane$ potential relationship was modulated by internal pH. Decreasing pH reduced $P_0$. Increasing pH not only increased $P_0$ but also weakened the voltage dependency of the channel opening. The modulation of Ca-activated K channel by pH was thought to be related to the mechanism of regulation of vascular tone by the pH change.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.39-58
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• 2004

Objectives : The aim of this study was to examine the effects of Hwangryunhaedoktang Herbal acupuncture at the PC6(Naegwan) on the EEC of normal human being by using power spectral analysis. Methods : EEC power spectrum exhibit site-specific and state-related differences in specific frequency bands. In this study, power spectrum was used as a measure of complexity. 32 channel EEC study was carried out in 11 subjects (11 males; age=27.8 years). Results : In ${\alpha}(alpha)$ band, the power values at T3, TT1, CP1, T5, Po2, O1, Oz channels(p<0.05) during the PC6-acupoint treatment were increased significantly. In ${\beta}(beta)$ band, the power values at TT1, CP1, T5, P3, Po2, O1, Oz channels(p<0.05) during the PC6-acupoint treatment were increased significantly. In ${\theta}(theta)$ band, the power values at T3, TT1, CP1, Po2, O1, Oz channels(p<0.05) during the PC6-acupoint treatment were increased significantly. In ${\delta}(delta)$ band, the power values at F4, T3, CP1, O1, Oz, O2 channels(p<0.05) during the PC6-acupoint treatment were increased significantly. Conclusions : This results suggest that Hwangryunhaedoktang Herbalacupuncture at the PC6 is significantly in ${\alpha}(alpha)$ band.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.13-24
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• 2001

Objective: In muscle and neuronal cells, calcium channels have been classified by electrophysiological and pharmacological properties into (1) voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$-channel (1) P/Q-type $Ca^{2+}$-channel (2) N-type $Ca^{2+}$-channel (3) L-type $Ca^{2+}$-channel (4) T-type $Ca^{2+}$-channel (5) R-type $Ca^{2+}$-channel. The present study was done in order to investigate whether there is any difference in $Ca^{2+}$-channel distribution between activated and normally fertilized embryos. Methods: The immunocytochemical method was used to identify the existence of voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$-channels in parthenogenetically activated 2-cell embryos by ethanol and $SrCl_2$ treatment. These 2-cell embryos were obtained by exposure to 6% ethanol for 6 min and to 10 mM $SrCl_2$ for 2h. Results: P/Q-type $Ca^{2+}$-channels and L-type $Ca^{2+}$-channels have been identified. Whereas, three type of $Ca^{2+}$-channel P/Q-type, N-type, L-type have been identified in 2-cell embryos fertilized in vivo. Conclusion: Activation by ethanol was faster than those by $SrCl_2$. However, there was difference in DAB staining of the embryos between ethanol and $SrCl_2$ treatment (87.7% and 54.1 %). Intensity of staining was also different between ethanol- and $SrCl_2$-treated group. However, it has not been known why there was some difference in DAB staining and staining intensity in the present study.

• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
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• 2001.06a
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• pp.47-47
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• 2001

Opening of $Ca^{2＋}$ -channels represents the final common pathway for insulin secretion in pancreatic beta-cells and related cell lines. We investigated voltage-sensitive calcium channels (VSCCs) and insulin secretion in RINm5F, an insulinoma cell line derived from rat pancreatic beta-cells. Several types of VSCCs were identified in RINm5f cells： dihydropyridine-sensitive L-type, $\omega$-conotoxin GVIA-sensitive N-type, $\omega$-agatoxin IVA-sensitive P-type channels, and $\omega$-conotoxin MVIIC sensitive Q-type channels.(omitted)

• Journal of Power System Engineering
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.12-18
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• 2014

The local heat transfer of developed turbulent flows in the stationary ribbed rectangular convergent channels has been investigated experimentally. The rectangular convergent channels with one ribbed surface only have the inclination of $0.72^{\circ}$ and $1.43^{\circ}$ at which the ribbed wall is manufactured with a fixed rib height (e) of 10 mm and the ratio of rib spacing (p) to height (e) =10. The measurement was conducted within the range of Reynolds numbers from 15,000 to 89,000. The local heat transfer characteristics of the rectangular convergent channels are quite different from those of the ribbed square straight channel.