• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2012.11a
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• pp.4-4
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• 2012

Proteins enable biology to be viable through molecular interactions (such as in antigen-antibody, ligand-receptor, and drug-target) with

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.59-62
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• 2016

Purpose: Zinc, a biomineral present within and outside cells, manages various cellular mechanisms. In this study, we examined whether zinc was involved in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) calcification via regulation of calcification inhibitor protein, osteopontin (OPN). Methods: Rat aorta cell line (A7r5 cells) and primary vascular smooth muscle cells (pVSMCs) from rat aorta were cultured with phosphate (1-5 mM) and zinc ($0-15{\mu}M$) as appropriate, along with osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1) as control. The cells were then stained for Ca and P deposition for calcification examination as well as osteopontin expression as calcification inhibitor protein was measured. Results: Both Ca and phosphate deposition increased as the addition of phosphate increased. In the same manner, the expression of osteopontin was upregulated as the addition of phosphate increased in both cell types. When zinc was added, Ca and P deposition decreased in VSMCs, while it increased in osteoblasts. Conclusion: The results imply that zinc may prevent VSMC calcification by stimulating calcification inhibitor protein OPN synthesis in VSMCs.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.363-366
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• 2014

Zinc is considered to be involved in maintaining healthy vascular condition. Atherosclerotic calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) occurs via the mechanism of cell death; therefore, cell viability is a critical factor for preventing VSMC calcification. In this study, we tested whether zinc affected VSMC viability under both normal physiological non-calcifying (0 mM P) and atherosclerotic calcifying conditions (3 and 5 mM P), since VSMC physiological characters change during the VSMC calcification process. The study results showed that an optimal zinc level ($15{\mu}M$) restored the decreased VSMC viability which was induced under low zinc levels (0 and $1{\mu}M$) and calcifying conditions (3 and 5 mM P) at 9 and 15 days culture. This zinc-protecting effect for VSMC viability is more prominent under atherosclerotic calcifying condition (3 and 5 mM P) than normal condition (0 mM P). Also, the increased VSMC viability was consistent with the decreased Ca and P accumulation in VSMC cell layers. The results suggested that zinc could be an effective biomineral for preventing VSMC calcification under atherosclerotic calcifying conditions.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.34-43
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• 2018

Silicon has become of increasing importance as the basic element of many high-technology products. Its synthesis is very difficult requiring high temperature solid-state reactions (> $1000^{\circ}C$) or lower temperature methods ($100-200^{\circ}C$) involving hydrothermal and solvothermal reactions under extreme pH conditions. In nature, on the other hand, a wide range of living organisms have collectively evolved the means of biosilicification at the astounding rate of gigatons/year. This is impressive because biosilicification in these organisms occurs under mild physiological conditions. Marine sponges possess the ability to sequester soluble silicon sources from their environments and assemble them into intricate 3D architecture. The advent of molecular biology has recently made it possible to glean molecular information about biosilicification from these systems and it turned out that enzyme silicatein is the core of biosilicification. In this review, biosilicification regulated by silicatein and its mechanism are described. Also, production of silicatein through recombinant technology and several applications of recombinant silicatein are described including immobilization of silicatein, formation of Au or Ag nanoparticles on nanowires, nanolithography approaches, core-shell materials, encapsulation, bone replacement materials, and microstructured optical fibers.

• KEPCO Journal on Electric Power and Energy
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.295-299
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• 2021

Recently, interest in maintenance has been increasing due to the enlargement and aging of infra structures. Therefore, a new paradigm is required to secure and improve the durability of structures differentiated from the past. Accordingly, research on smart concrete incorporating the concept of self-healing into concrete is being actively conducted. In this study, the crack healing performance and durability performance of self-healing concrete applied with a hydrogel containing biomineral-forming microorganisms were evaluated. As a result of evaluating the dispersion of the hydrogel in concrete, it was confirmed that the hydrogel was well distributed in concrete matrix with a dispersion coefficient of 0.35 to 0.46. The crack healing performance evaluation was verified by a water permeability test, and showed a recovery rate of 95% or more at the age of 28 days, confirming the applicability of self-healing concrete. The durability performance of self-healing concrete was evaluated in terms of resistance to penetration of chloride ion and freezing and thawing. Regardless of the mixing of the hydrogel, the same level of durability performance was shown for various compressive strength level. Therefore, it was confirmed that the microbial admixture did not affect concrete durability. In the future, long-term crack healing performance and durability verification studies should be supplemented.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.174-178
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• 2010

Calcium and iron binding peptides were prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis and ultrafiltration of rice bran protein (RBP), which was isolated from defatted rice bran by phytase and xylanase treatment and ultrasonication. The isolated RBP had a molecular weight in the range of 10-66 kDa. The extracted proteins were hydrolyzed using Flavourzyme for 6 hr. After ultrafiltration under 5 kDa as molecular weight, the peptides were fractionated into 4 peaks by Sephadex G-15 gel permeation chromatography, and each fraction was determined for calcium and iron binding activity. As the result, Fl and F2 fractions were the best candidate for calcium and iron chelation, respectively. These results suggest that the calcium and iron binding peptides can be used as functional food additives in food industry.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.903-907
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• 2010

We isolated a calcium-binding substance from Smilacis rhizoma hot-water extract using ion exchange, normal phase HPLC, and gel filtration chromatography; fractions were analyzed for calcium-binding activity. Fractions (F6) with the highest calcium-binding activity from the resource Q coulmn were pooled and further purified on an $NH_2$ column. Two major peaks were separated and the fraction (F61) with the higher calcium-binding activity was then loaded onto a $Superdex^{TM}$ column. A single peak (F611) with calcium-binding activity was finally obtained. These results suggest that the isolated calcium-binding fraction could be used as a functional food additive, similar to a calcium supplement, in the food industry.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.103-108
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• 2023

In this study, basic research was conducted to secure microbial resources applicable to autonomous crack healing concrete. To this end, in this experiment, biomineral-forming microorganisms were separated from natural sources, and the ability of survival in cement and calcium carbonate precipitation were compared to secure suitable microbial resources. Bacillus-type bacteria forming endospores were isolated from the sample, and the amount of calcium carbonate produced by the six microorganisms identified by 16S rRNA sequencing was compared. Two types of microorganisms, Bacillus velezensis and Bacillus subtilis, with the highest calcium carbonate precipitation were selected, and the survival of the microorganisms was confirmed through phase contrast microscopy after being cured after being added to the mortar. In addition, it was confirmed that the autonomous crack healing capability by the crack healing material produced by microorganisms was confirmed by artificially generating cracks in the mortar.