• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.81-89
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• 1992

Enuresis is a common voiding disorder among children. There are several therapeutic regimens for the disorder available today; behavioral therapies, psychotherapy, bladder training, sleep interruption, hypnosis and drug therapy. Recently, the efficacy of drug therapy has been acknowledged, particularly of antidepressants. Among the tricyclic antidepressants, imipramine is most frequently employed for the treatment of enuresis. Present study was undertaken to investigate the mechanism of imipramine on the contractility of urinary bladder in relation to the calcium modulation using isolated strips of rat detrusor urinae. 1. The electric fileld stimulation-induced contraction was abolished by imipramine, but partially inhibited by atropine. 2. Imipramine reduced the basal tone and diminished the phasic activity of detrusor muscle concentration-dependently, which was similar to that of diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker. 3. Imipramine suppressed the maximal responses and shifted the concentration-response curves of bethanechol and ATP to right. 4. Imipramine inhibited the calcium-induced recovery of tension in calcium-free physiologic salt solution (PSS) with a mode of action similar to that of diltizaem. 5. A23187, a calcium ionophore recovered the basal tone which had been reduced by imipramine in normal PSS. 6. In calcium-free PSS, A23187 could recover the abolished basal tone with the pretreatment of imipramine, but it exerted a partial recovery with the pretreatment of TMB-8, an inhibitor of intracellular calcium release. Based on these results, it is suggested that the inhibitory action of imipramine on the detrusor muscle exerted in part by blockade of the muscarinic and purinergic receptors, and interference with the influx of extracellular calcium, but not with the release of intracellular stored calcium, is involved in its mechanism of action.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.235-238
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• 1999

ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channels $(K_{ATP})$ are expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells, skeletal muscle cells, pancreatic ${\beta}$ cells, neurons and epithelial cells. $K_{ATP}$ contributes to regulate membrane potential to control vascular tone, to protect myocardial ischemia, and to regulate insulin secretion in pancreatic ${\beta}$ cells. We previously demonstrated that ginseng saponins and ginsenoside $Rg_3$ activated maxi $Ca^{2+}-activated\;K^+$ channel, and this might cause vasodilation. Because $K_{ATP}$ plays an important roles to regulate the resting membrane potential in vascular smooth muscle cells, we investigated whether ginsenoside $Rg_3$ produces vasodilation by activating $K_{ATP}$ We showed in this study that $K_{ATP}$ is expressed in rabbit coronary artery smooth muscle cells. $K_{ATP}$ was inwardly rectifying and was inhibited by intemal application of ATP. Micromolar minoxidil activated, but glyburide inhibited the activity of $K_{ATP}$ Ginsenoside $Rg_3$ relieved inactivaiton of whole-cell $K_{ATP}$ current without affecting the peak amplitude of $K_{ATP}$ currents presumably due to more opening of the channels.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.101-109
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• 1994

Pharmacological characterization of GS 283, a tetrahydroisoquinoline derivative has been elucidated using rat thoracic aorta, guinea pig tenea coli and rabbit mesentery artery in vitro. GS 283 showed calcium antagonistic action in vascular smooth muscle, since high $K^+-induced$ contraction was concentration dependently inhibited. GS 283 also inhibited the contraction induced by ${\alpha}_1$ receptor activation. Vasodilating action of GS 283 was not modified by the propranolol, indicating that GS 283 has no ${\beta}$ receptor stimulatory action. Simultaneous measurement of intracellular calcium change and muscle tension indicated that the inhibitory effect of GS 283 was accompanied by the increase in tissue fluorescence. This increment was not due to fura 2 fluorescence but to endogenous pyridine nucleotide, suggesting that GS 283 has an effect to inhibit mitochondrial function. GS 283 had an inhibitory action on cyclic AMP and GMP-dependent phosphodiesterases from rat brain with Ki values of 2.5 and 6.7 mM. From these findings we concluded that GS 283 has multiple action such as the inhibition of cyclic nucleotide-dependent phosphodiesterases, blocking of calcium channel as well as inhibition of mitochondrial function which are responsible for vasodilatation.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.119-122
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• 1995

We have measured the magnetic susceptibilities of a CuF/sub 2/ .center dot. 2H/sub 2/O sample by means of the SQUID(superconducting quantum interference device) at the magnetic fields of 0.5 T and 1 mT, in the temperature range 5-300 K. The sample was found to contain some nonmagnetic calcium and magnesium impurities by the elemental analysis. Our measurements differ from known results for pure Cu F/sub 2/ .center dot. 2H/sub 2/O and are well explained by the effect of the nonmagnetic impurities in our sample. The purity of our sample derived from the temperature dependence of the susceptibilities was compared with that from the elemental analysis.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.93-97
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• 2008

A $Ca^{2+}-independent$ microbial transglutaminase (mTGase) from the actinomycete Streptomyces mobaraensis IFO13819 is a useful enzyme in the food industry. It is consists 406 amino acid residues, which comprised leader and pro region of 75 amino acid residues and the structure region of 331 amino acid residues. Pro and structure gene of TGase were cloned into the yeast shuttle vector pYAEG-TER and then used to transform Saccharomyces cerevisiae 2805. Expression of mTGase in recombinant was confirmed with Northern hybridization and the maximal activity of TGase was shown 26 mU/ml.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.166-171
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• 2007

The adsorption behavior of $Pb^{2+}$ was compared between calcium alginate beads and capsules, which have different structures of alginate-gel core beads and liquid core alginate-membrane capsules, respectively. In terms of adsorption kinetics and isotherms, adsorption characteristics depending on pH and hardening time were compared for both adsorbents and also released calcium ion during the adsorption process was monitored. The adsorption of $Pb^{2+}$ on both adsorbents was caused by surface complexation and ion exchange mechanisms, both of which have similar effects on adsorption process regardless of the amount of adsorbed $Pb^{2+}$. The dependence of $Pb^{2+}$ adsorption upon pH was also similar for both adsorbents indicating the existence of similar functional groups on the surface of adsorbents. However, a different $Pb^{2+}$ adsorption behavior was observed considering the adsorption kinetics. The adsorption kinetic of $Pb^{2+}$ on alginate beads was slower than on alginate capsules and the maximum adsorption loading ($Q_{max}$) onto alginate beads was also less than onto alginate capsules by 49%. This drawback of alginate beads compared to capsules were ascribed to a diffusion limitation due to solid gel-core structure of alginate beads.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1233-1244
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• 2017

CDPKs have pivotal roles in plant $Ca^{2+}$-mediated transduction signaling. A total of 29 CDPK genes have been identified in rice (Oryza sativa L.), but their key functions have not been completely noted. This study focused on the OsCPK11 gene, which has not been studied, to determine its functional characteristics. A study of tissue-specific expressions revealed that the OsCPK11 gene is expressed in young leaves, mature leaves and flowers of rice. An expression of the gene was also confirmed in gibberellin-treated aleurone layers of rice. Regarding the phenotypic characteristics of Tos17-inserted OsCPK11 mutants, the heights of the mutants were not distinguishable from the heights of wild type plants, but the number of caryopses and the caryopses' weights were significantly statistically different. In addition, many grains of the mutants had white belly materials in their endosperm. The cDNA of the OsCPK11 was cloned, and an OsCPK11 protein of about 60.5 kD was obtained by using a GST affinity chromatography and an SDS-PAGE. An analysis of the amino-acid sequence of the protein indicated that the OsCPK11 protein has the structural characteristics of typical CDPKs. The results provided useful information about the functions of the OsCPK11 gene and further noted the roles CDPKs have in $Ca^{2+}$-mediated signaling in plants.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.13-22
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• 1989

To investigate the effect of diazepam on the contractility of the intestinal smooth muscle, longitudinal muscle strip isolated from rat ileum was prepared for myography in isolated organ bath. 1) Basal tone of ileal muscle was reduced by diazepam concentration-dependently. 2) Higher concentrations(30 and 100 microM) of diazepam inhibited(p<0.05, p<0.001) the carbachol-induced contraction in a concentration-dependent manner ; but lower concentration of diazepam(10 microM) enhanced(p<0.05). 3) Histamine-induced contraction was inhibited by pretreatment with diazepam in a concentration-dependent manner. 4) $Ca^{++}$-induced tension recovery in calcium-free solution was inhibited in the presence of diazepam concentration-dependently. These results suggest diazepam reduces the contractility of the longitudinal muscle isolated from rat ileum via interference with influx of calcium into the muscle cells.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.210-219
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• 2004

Extracellular $K^{+}$ concentration ([ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ ) can be increased within several mM by the efflux of intracellular $K^{+}$. To investigate the effect of an increase in [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ on vascular contractility, we attempted to examine whether extracellular $K^{+}$ might modulate vascular contractility, endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) and intracellular $Ca^2$$^{+}$ concentration ([C $a^2$$^{+}$]$_{i}$ ) in endothelial cells (EC). We observed isometric contractions in rabbit carotid, superior mesenteric, basilar arteries and movse aorta. [C $a^2$$^{+}$]$_{i}$ was recorded by microfluorimeter using Fura-2/AM in EC. No change in contractility was recorded by the increase in [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ from 6 to 12 mM in conduit artery such as rabbit carotid artery. whereas resistant vessels, such as basilar and branches of superior mesenteric arteries (SMA), were relaxed by the increase. In basilar artery, the relaxation by the increase in [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ to from 1 to 3 mM was bigger than that by the increase from 6 to 12 mM. In contrast, in branches of SMA, the relaxation by the increase in [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ to from 6 to 12 mM is bigger than that by the increase from 1 to 3 mM. $Ba^2$$^{+}$ (30 $\mu$M) did not inhibit the relaxation by the increase in [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ from 1 to 3 mM but did inhibit the relaxation by the increase from 6 to 12 mM. In the mouse aorta without the endothelium or treated with $N^{G}$_nitro-L-arginine (30 $\mu$M), nitric oxide synthesis blocker, the increase in [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ from 6 to 12 mM did not change the magnitude of contraction induced either norepinephrine or prostaglandin $F_2$$_{\alpha}$. The increase in [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ up to 12 mM did not induce contraction of mouse aorta but the increase more than 12 mM induced contraction. In the mouse aorta, EDR was completely inhibited on increasing [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ from 6 to 12 mM. In cultured mouse aorta EC, [C $a^2$$^{+}$]$_{i}$ , was increased by acetylcholine or ATP application and the increased [C $a^2$$^{+}$]$_{i}$ , was reduced by the increase in [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ reversibly and concentration-dependently. In human umbilical vein EC, similar effect of extracellular $K^{+}$ was observed. Ouabain, a N $a^{+}$ - $K^{+}$ pump blocker, and N $i^2$$^{+}$, a N $a^{+}$ - $Ca^2$$^{+}$ exchanger blocker, reversed the inhibitory effect of extracellular $K^{+}$. In resistant arteries, the increase in [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ relaxes vascular smooth muscle and the underlying mechanisms differ according to the kinds of the arteries; $Ba^2$$^{+}$-insensitive mechanism in basilar artery and $Ba^2$$^{+}$ -sensitive one in branches of SMA. It also inhibits [C $a^2$$^{+}$]$_{i}$ , increase in EC and thereby EDR. The initial mechanism of the inhibition may be due to the activation of N $a^{+}$ - $K^{+}$pump. activation of N $a^{+}$ - $K^{+}$pump.p.p.p.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.137-146
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• 2020

Calcium is one of the important secondary signaling molecules in plant cells. Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPK)-the sensor proteins of Ca²⁺ and phosphorylating enzymes-are the most abundant serine/threonine kinases in plant cells. They convert and transmit signals in response to various stimuli, resulting in specific responses in plants. In rice, 31 CDPK gene families have been identified, which are mainly involved in plant growth and development and are known to play roles in response to various stress conditions. However, little is known about the biochemical characteristics of CDPK proteins. In this study, OsCPK11-a CDPK in rice-was partially purified, and its biochemical characteristics were found. Partially purified OsCPK11 from rice seedlings was obtained by three-step column chromatography that involved anion exchange chromatography consisting of DEAE, hydrophobic interaction chromatography consisting of phenyl-Sepharose, and gel filtration chromatography consisting of Sephacryl-200HR. An in vitro kinase assay using partially purified OsCPK11 was also performed. This partially purified OsCPK11 had a molecular weight of 54 kDa and showed a strong hydrophobic interaction with the hydrophobic resin. In vitro kinase assay showed that the OsCPK11 also had Ca²⁺-dependent autophosphorylation activity. The OsCPK11 phosphorylated histone III-S, and the optimum pH for its kinase activity was found to be 7.5~8.0. The native OsCPK11 shared several biochemical characteristics with recombinant OsCPK11 studied previously, and both had Ca²⁺-dependent autophosphorylation activity and favored histone III-S as a substrate for kinase activity, which also had a Ca²⁺-dependence.