• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.503-510
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• 2015

The iLOV protein belongs to a family of blue-light photoreceptor proteins containing a light-oxygen-voltage sensing domain with a noncovalently bound flavin mononucleotide (FMN) as its chromophore. Owing to advantages such as its small size, oxygen-independent nature, and pH stability, iLOV is an ideal candidate over other reporter fluorescent proteins such as GFP and DsRed. Here, for the first time, we describe the feasibility of applying LOV domain-based fluorescent iLOV as a metal sensor by measuring the fluorescence quenching of a protein with respect to the concentration of metal ions. In the present study, we demonstrated the inherent copper sensing property of the iLOV protein and identified the possible amino acids responsible for metal binding. The fluorescence quenching upon exposure to Cu²⁺ was highly sensitive and exhibited reversibility upon the addition of the metal chelator EDTA. The copper binding constant was found to be 4.72 ± 0.84 µM. In addition, Cu²⁺-bound iLOV showed high fluorescence quenching at near physiological pH. Further computational analysis yielded a better insight into understanding the possible amino acids responsible for Cu²⁺ binding with the iLOV protein.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.440-446
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• 2014

The carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) is an important domain of most cellulases that plays a key role in the hydrolysis of cellulose. The neutral endoglucanase (EG1) gene was reconstructed. A redesigned endoglucanase, named EG2, was constructed with a CBM containing a linker from Corticium rolfsii (GenBank Accession No. D49448). The redesigned EG genes were expressed in Escherichia coli, and their characteristics are discussed. Results showed that the degradation of cellulose by EG2 was about double that by EG1. The specific activities of EG1 and EG2 were tested under optimal conditions, and EG2 had higher activity ($169.1{\pm}2.74$ U/mg) toward CMC-Na than did EG1 ($84.0{\pm}1.98$) in the process of cellulose degradation. The optimal pH and temperature, pH stability, and heat stability of EG1 and EG2 were similar. Results indicated that the CBM plays an essential role in the hydrolysis of cellulose. We can improve EG's catalytic power by adding the CBM from Corticium rolfsii.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.44-51
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• 2012

In this study, hardened loess bodies, which did not compose of cement or any chemical binder, were made and tested to evaluate the physical properties such as slump, air content, and compressive strength. Addition of a natural binding material to mixture of loess and lime showed better performance in physical properties. However a lime among natural binding materials is considered as a superior binder to improve the properties of the hardened bodies. According to the experimental results, mixing proportion with 45% of W/B ratio, $285kg/m^3$ of water content, and 60% lime substitution ratio was recommended to acquire the good performance of physical properties for the hardened loess bodies.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.76-81
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• 2016

Copper is an elemental ion in living organisms. CopP from Helicobacter Pylori (HpCopP) is a copper(I)-binding protein and was suggested as regulator of copper metabolism in vivo. Previously, the metal binding property of HpCopP for Ag(I), Cu(I), and Cu(II) as well as the tertiary structure of HpCopP was shown. In this study, the dynamic profiles of HpCopP depending on metal binding were studied using ${^1H}-^{15}N$ steady-state NOE analysis. The heteroNOE experiment was performed for apo-CopP or metal-bound CopP. The obtained NOE values were analyzed and compared to figure out the effect of metals on the structural flexibility of HpCopP. As a result, Ag(I) and Cu(I) ions improved the rigidity of the structure while Cu(II) ion increased the flexibility of the structure, suggesting the oxidation of the CXXC motif decreases the structural stability of HpCopP.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.173-178
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• 2021

The DM9 domain is a protein unit of 60-75 amino acids that has been first detected in the fruit fly Drosophila as a repeated motif of unknown function. Recent research on proteins carrying DM9 domains in the mosquito Anopheles gambiae and the oyster Crassostrea gigas indicated an association with the uptake of microbial organisms. Likewise, in the trematode Fasciola gigantica DM9-1 showed intracellular relocalization following microbial, heat and drug stress. In the present research, we show that FgDM9-1 is a lectin with a novel mannose-binding site that has been recently described for the protein CGL1 of Crassostrea gigas. This property allowed FgDM9-1 to agglutinate gram-positive and -negative bacteria with appropriate cell surface glycosylation patterns. Furthermore, FgDM9-1 caused hemagglutination across all ABO blood group phenotypes. It is speculated that the parenchymal located FgDM9-1 has a role in cellular processes that involve the transport of mannose-carrying molecules in the parenchymal cells of the parasite.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.338-342
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• 2003

Adhesion between Cu and low-k films has been investigated. Low-k films deposited using a mixture of hexamethyldisilane(HMDS) and Para-xylene had a dielectric constant as low as 2.7, showing the thermally stable properties up to $400^{\circ}C$. In this study, Ti glue layer, boron dopant, and $N_2$plasma treatment were used to improve adhesion property of between Cu and low-k films. Ti glue layer slightly improved adhesion property. After $N_2$plasma treatment, the adhesion property was significantly improved due to the increased roughness and the formation of new binding states between Ti and plasma-treated PPpX : HMDS. However, $300^{\circ}C$ annealing of $N_2$plasma treated sample caused the diffusion of Cu into the PPpX : HMDS, degrading the low-k properties. In the case of Cu(B)/Ti/PPpX : HMDS, the adhesion was remarkably increased. This enhanced adhesion was attributed to formation of Ti-boride at the Cu-Ti interface. It is because the formed Ti-boride prevented the diffusion of Cu into the PPpX : HMDS and the Cu-Ti reaction at the Ti interface.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.527-532
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• 2011

IQ motif-containing GTPase-activating protein 1 (IQGAP1), which is a well-known $Ca^{2+}$-independent calmodulin (CaM) binding protein, is involved in various cellular functions such as cell proliferation and cell migration. IQGAP1 has four repeated IQ motifs, which are crucial for CaM binding. It has been shown that all four IQ motifs of IQGAP1 can bind to $Ca^{2+}$/CaM, while the third and fourth IQ motifs of IQGAP1 can bind to apoCaM. However, it has not been clear whether the CaM binding of IQ motifs of IQGAP1 was mediated directly or indirectly. In this study, we examined whether the binding between CaM and each IQ motif of IQGAP1 was direct in vitro. As a result, we found that IQ1 motif has a weak $Ca^{2+}$-dependent CaM binding. In contrast, IQ3 has a $Ca^{2+}$-dependent CaM binding. All other motifs have no significant CaM binding. We also found that IQ(2.7-3) and IQ(3.5-4.4) have CaM binding capacity. This finding indicates that IQ motifs of IQGAP1 plays a dynamic role via different motif interactions with $Ca^{2+}$/CaM or proCaM.

• Proceedings of the Polymer Society of Korea Conference
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• 2006.10a
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• pp.37-38
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• 2006

Conjugated diacetylene supramolecules are interesting biomimetic materials in view of application to chemical and label-free biological sensors. These supramolecules are unique in changing color from blue to red upon specific binding events. Various binding events including viruses, toxins, glucose, and ionic interactions have been reported detectible. Here, we focus on fabrication of polydiacetylene supramolecule dot array patterns on solid substrates by using a conventional microarrayer. Each dot is found to possess the color-changing property as well as the fluorescence self-emission. This technique allows us, for the first time, to fabricate biochips based on polydiacetylene supramolecules. Label-free detection of small molecules and biological targets will be discussed.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.302-309
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• 2001

Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) pectin, which binds to human melanoma cell line, was conjugated with Praecoxin A using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide as a cross-linking agent. Physical mixture (PM) of WGA and Praecoxin A was also prepared by using a non-specific binding property of Praecoxin A to WGA. The WGA:Praecoxin A ratio in the conjugate and PM was approximately 1:18 and 1:20, respectively. The results of hemagglutination assay and enzyme-linked lectin assay indicated that the conjugate and PM maintained the lectin-like properties of the WGA. The binding ratio of conjugate was about 70% during 4-24 hr, but the most of Praecoxin A was released within 24 hr in the case of PM. These results lead to the conclusion that the conjugate is potentially useful for the formulation of injection that requires targeting for melanoma as well as sustained release at the site.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.347-354
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• 2014

Larrea nitida is a plant that belongs to the Zygophyllaceae family and is widely used in South America to treat inflammatory diseases, tumors and menstrual pain. However, its pharmacological activity remains unclear. In this study we evaluated the property of selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) of Larrea nitida extracts (LNE) as a phytoestrogen that can mimic, modulate or disrupt the actions of endogenous estrogens, depending on the tissue and relative amount of other SERMs. To investigate the property of SERM of LNE, we performed MCF-7 cell proliferation assays, estrogen response element (ERE)-luciferase reporter gene assay, human estrogen receptor (hER) binding assays and in vivo uterotrophic assay. To gain insight into the active principles, we performed a bioassay-guided analysis of LNE employing solvents of various polarities and using classical column chromatography, which yielded 16 fractions (LNs). LNE showed high binding affinities for $hER{\alpha}$ and $hER{\beta}$ with $IC_{50}$ values of $1.20{\times}10^{-7}$ g/ml and $1.00{\times}10^{-7}$ g/ml, respectively. LNE induced $17{\beta}$-estradiol (E2)-induced MCF-7 cell proliferation, however, it reduced the proliferation in the presence of E2. Furthermore, LNE had an atrophic effect in the uterus of immature rats through reducing the expression level of progesterone receptor (PR) proteins. LN08 and LN10 had more potent affinities for binding on $hER{\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$ than other fractions. Our results indicate that LNE had higher binding affinities for $hER{\beta}$ than $hER{\alpha}$, and showed SERM properties in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and the rat uterus. LNE may be useful for the treatment of estrogen-related conditions, such as female cancers and menopause.