• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.631-637
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• 1996

The structures of fully dehydrated Ca2+- and Rb+-exchanged zeolite X, Ca31Rb30Si100Al92O384(Ca31Rb30-X; a=25.009(1) Å) and Ca28Rb36Si100Al92O384(Ca28Rb36-X; a=24.977(1) Å), have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods in the cubic space group Fd&bar{3} at 21(1) ℃. Their structures were refined to the final error indices R1=0.048 and R2=0.041 with 236 reflections for Ca31Rb30-X, and R1=0.052 and R2=0.043 with 313 reflections for Ca28Rb36-X; I>3σ(I). In both structures, Ca2+ and Rb+ ions are located at six different crystallographic sites. In dehydrated Ca31Rb30-X, sixteen Ca2+ ions fill site I, at the centers of the double 6-rings (Ca-O=2.43(1) Å and O-Ca-O=93.3(3)°). Another fifteen Ca2+ ions occupy site II (Ca-O=2.29(1) Å, O-Ca-O=119.5(5)°) and fifteen Rb+ ions occupy site II opposite single six-rings in the supercage; each is 1.60 Å from the plane of three oxygens (Rb-O=2.77(1) Å and O-Rb-O=91.1(4)°). About two Rb+ ions are found at site II', 1.99 Å into sodalite cavity from their three-oxygen plane (Rb-O=2.99(1) Å and O-Rb-O=82.8(4)°). The remaining thirteen Rb+ ions are statistically distributed over site III, a 48-fold equipoint in the supercages on twofold axes (Rb-O=3.05(1) Å and Rb-O=3.38(1) Å). In dehydrated Ca28Rb36-X, sixteen Ca2+ ions fill site I (Ca-O=2.41(1) Å and O-Ca-O=93.6(3)°) and twelve Ca2+ ions occupy site II (Ca-O=2.31(1) Å, O-Ca-O=119.7(4)°). Sixteen Rb+ ions occupy site II; each is 1.60 Å from the plane of three oxygens (Rb-O=2.81(1) Å and O-Rb-O=90.6(3)°) and four Rb+ ions occupy site II'; each is 1.88 Å into sodalite cavity from their three-oxygen plane (Rb-O=2.99(1) Å and O-Rb-O=83.8(2)°). The remaining sixteen Rb+ ions are found at III site in the supercage (Rb-O=2.97(1) Å and Rb-O=3.39(1) Å). It appears that Ca2+ ions prefer sites I and II in that order, and that Rb+ ions occupy the remaining sites. Rb+ ions are too large to be stable at site I, when they are competing with other smaller cations like Ca2+ ions.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.101-110
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• 2004

Voltage-sensitive release mechanism was pharmacologically dissected from the $Ca^{2+}-induced\;Ca^{2+}\;release$ in the SR $Ca^{2+}$ release in the rat ventricular myocytes patch-clamped in a whole-cell mode. SR $Ca^{2+}$ release process was monitored by using forward-mode $Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchange after restriction of the interactions between $Ca^{2+}$ from SR and $Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchange within micro-domains with heavy cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ buffering with 10 mM BAPTA. During stimulation every 10 s with a pulse roughly mimicking action potential, the initial outward current gradually turned into a huge inward current of $-12.9{\pm}0.5\;pA/pF$. From the inward current, two different inward $I_{NCX}s$ were identified. One was $10\;{\mu}M$ ryanodine-sensitive, constituting $14.2{\pm}2.3%$. It was completely blocked by $CdCl_2$ (0.1 mM and 0.5 mM) and by $Na^+-depletion$. The other was identified by 5 mM $NiCl_2$ after suppression of $I_{CaL}$ and ryanodine receptor, constituting $14.8{\pm}1.6%$. This latter was blocked by either 10 mM caffeine-induced SR $Ca^{2+}-depletion$ or 1 mM tetracaine. IV-relationships illustrated that the latter was activated until the peak in $30{\sim}35\;mV$ lower voltages than the former. Overall, it was concluded that the SR $Ca^{2+}$ release process in the rat ventricular myocytes is mediated by the voltage-sensitive release mechanism in addition to the $Ca^{2+}-induced-Ca^{2+}\;release$.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.6
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• pp.725-732
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• 1998

In order to elucidate the molecular mechanism of the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ overload frequently reported from diabetic heart, diabetic rats were induced by the administration of streptozotocin, the membrane vesicles of junctional SR (heavy SR, HSR) were isolated from the ventricular myocytes, and SR $Ca^{2+}$ uptake and SR $Ca^{2+}$ release were measured. The activity of SR $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ was $562{\pm}14$ nmol/min/mg protein in control heart. The activity was decreased to $413{\pm}30$ nmol/min/mg protein in diabetic heart and it was partially recovered to $485{\pm}18$ nmol/min/mg protein in insulin-treated diabetic heart. A similar pattern was observed in SR $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ uptakes; the specific uptake was the highest in control heart and it was the lowest in diabetic heart. In SR $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ release experiment, the highest release, 45% of SR $^{45}Ca^{2+}$, was observed in control heart. The release of diabetic heart was 20% and it was 30% in insulin-treated diabetic heart. Our results showed that the activities of both SR $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ and SR $Ca^{2+}$ release channel were decreased in diabetic heart. In order to evaluate how these two factors contribute to SR $Ca^{2+}$ storage, the activity of SR $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ was measured in the uncoupled leaky vesicles. The uncoupling effect which is able to increase the activity of SR $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ was observed in control heart; however, no significant increments of SR $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ activities were measured in both diabetic and insulin-treated diabetic rats. These results represent that the $Ca^{2+}$ storage in SR is significantly depressed and, therefore, $Ca^{2+}-sequestering$ activity of SR may be also depressed in diabetic heart.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.352-357
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• 2004

Atrial myocytes have two functionally separate groups of ryanodine receptors (RyRs): those at the periphery colocalized with L-type $Ca^{2+}$channels (DHPRS) and those a t the cell interior not associated with DHPRs. $Ca^{2+}$ current ($I_{ca}$) directly gates peripheral RyRs on action potential and the subsequent peripheral $Ca^{2+}$ release propagates into the center of atrial myocytes. The mechanisms that regulate the $Ca^{2+}$+ propagation wave remain Poorly understood. Using 2-D confocal$Ca^{2+}$ imaging, we examined the role of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP $_3R$) and mitochondria on ($I_{ca}$)- gated local $Ca^{2+}$ signaling in rat atrial myocytes. Blockade of IP $_3R$ by xestospongin C (XeC) partially suppressed the magnitudes of I ca-gated central and peripheral $Ca^{2+}$ releases with no effect on $I_{ca}$. Mitochondrial staining revealed that mitochondria were aligned with ${\thickapprox}2-{\mu}m$ separations in the entire cytoplasm of ventricular and atrial myocytes. Membrane depolarization induced rapid mitochondrial $Ca^{2+}$ rise and decay in the cell periphery with slower rise in the center, suggesting that mitochondria may immediately uptake cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$, released from the peripheral SR on depolarization, and re-release the $Ca^{2+}$ into the cytosol to activate neighboring central RyRs. Our data suggest that the activation of IP $_3R$ and mitochondrial $Ca^{2+}$ handing on action potential may serve as a cofactor for the $Ca^{2+}$ propagation from the DHPR-coupled RyRs to the DHPR-uncoupled RyRs with large gaps between them.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 2004

It is widely accepted that smooth muscle contraction is triggered by intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) released from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ stores such as sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and from the extracellular space, The increased $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ can phosphorylate the 20-kDa myosin light chain ($MLC_{20}$) by activating MLC kinase (MLCK), and this initiates smooth muscle contraction. In addition to the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$-MLCK-tension pathway, a number of intracellular signal molecules, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), protein kinase C (PKC), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and Rho-associated coiled coil-forming protein kinase (ROCK), play important roles in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction. However, the mechanisms regulating contraction of caldesmon (CaD), actin-binding protein, are not entirely elucidated in the presence of $Ca^{2+}$. It is known that CaD tightly interacts with actin and inhibits actomyosin ATPase activity. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the roles of $Ca^{2+}$-dependent CaD in smooth muscle contraction. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), G-protein coupled receptor agonist and vasoconstrictor, increased both vascular smooth contraction and phosphorylation of CaD in the presence of $Ca^{2+}$. These results suggest that ET-1 induces contraction and phosphorylation of CaD in rat aortic smooth muscle, which may he mediated by the increase of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.78-88
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• 2015

Purpose: The objective of this study is to review researches regarding factors that potentially affect adolescent calcium (Ca) metabolism, and to suggest a potential modeling approach for optimizing gastrointestinal Ca absorption and peak bone mass. Background: Optimal gastrointestinal Ca absorption is a key to maximizing peak bone mass in adolescents. Urine Ca excretion in adolescents rises only after bone accretion is saturated, indicating that higher intestinal Ca absorption and bone retention is necessary to ensure maximum bone accretion. Hence, maximizing peak bone mass is possible by controlling the factors influencing gastrointestinal Ca absorption and bone accretion. However, a mechanism that explains the unique adolescent Ca metabolism has not yet been elucidated. Review: Dietary factors that enhance gastrointestinal Ca absorption may increase the available Ca pool usable for bone accretion, and a specific hormone may direct optimal Ca utilization to maximize peak bone mass. IGF-1 is an endocrine hormone whose levels peak during adolescence and increase fractional Ca absorption and bone Ca accretion. Prebiotics, generally obtained from dietary sources, have been reported to exert a beneficial effect on Ca absorption via microbiota activity. We selected and reviewed three candidates that could be used to propose a comprehensive Ca metabolic model for optimal Ca absorption and peak bone mass in adolescents. Modeling: Modeling has been used to investigate Ca metabolism and its regulators. Herein, we reviewed previous Ca modeling studies. Based on this review, we proposed a method for developing a comprehensive model that includes regulatory effectors of IGF-1 and prebiotics.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.173-179
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• 2004

In this study, the influence of heat treatment and Ca contents on the electrochemical behavior was investigated. Mg-Ca alloys, i.e., Mg-0.22wt%Ca, Mg-0.56wt%Ca, Mg-1.31wt%Ca are prepared by ingot metallurgy. As-cast Mg-Ca alloys exhibited better electrochemical properties than pure Mg. Especially, Mg-0.22wt%Ca alloy improves its anode efficiency up to 62% and lowers the OCP up to -1.72VSCE. Microstructure and XRD patterns of Mg-Ca alloys show that additive Ca element is mainly solid-solutioned. While, the others show the microstructure and XRD pattern with large $Mg_2Ca$ at grain boundary. To assess the effect of heat treatment on the as-cast Mg-alloy, the specimens were heat treated at $200^{\circ}C$ for 2 hours under $CO_2$ gas atmosphere. Although corrosion properties of Mg-Ca alloys are somewhat deteriorated by heat treatment at $200^{\circ}C$ Mg-0.22wt%Ca alloy with uniformly distributed nano-sized $Mg_2Ca$ phase in ${\alpha}$-Mg matrix show still better corrosion properties than pure Mg specimen.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.297-306
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• 2020

Repetitive changes in the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]i) triggers egg activation, including cortical granule exocytosis, resumption of second meiosis, block to polyspermy, and initiating embryonic development. [Ca²⁺]i oscillations that continue for several hours, are required for the early events of egg activation and possibly connected to further development to the blastocyst stage. The sources of Ca²⁺ ion elevation during [Ca²⁺]i oscillations are Ca²⁺ release from endoplasmic reticulum through inositol 1,4,5 tri-phosphate receptor and Ca²⁺ ion influx through Ca²⁺ channel on the plasma membrane. Ca²⁺ channels have been characterized into voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels (VDCCs), ligand-gated Ca²⁺ channel, and leak-channel. VDCCs expressed on muscle cell or neuron is specified into L, T, N, P, Q, and R type VDCs by their activation threshold or their sensitivity to peptide toxins isolated from cone snails and spiders. The present study was aimed to investigate the localization pattern of N and P/Q type voltage-dependent calcium channels in mouse eggs and the role in fertilization. [Ca²⁺]i oscillation was observed in a Ca²⁺ contained medium with sperm factor or adenophostin A injection but disappeared in Ca²⁺ free medium. Ca²⁺ influx was decreased by Lat A. N-VDCC specific inhibitor, ω-Conotoxin CVIIA induced abnormal [Ca²⁺]i oscillation profiles in SrCl₂ treatment. N or P/Q type VDC were distributed on the plasma membrane in cortical cluster form, not in the cytoplasm. Ca²⁺ influx is essential for [Ca²⁺]i oscillation during mammalian fertilization. This Ca²⁺ influx might be controlled through the N or P/Q type VDCCs. Abnormal VDCCs expression of eggs could be tested in fertilization failure or low fertilization eggs in subfertility women.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.683-694
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• 2021

Background: Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) has been well documented to be effective against various cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Rg1 on mechanical stress-induced cardiac injury and its possible mechanism with a focus on the calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) signaling pathway. Methods: Mechanical stress was implemented on rats through abdominal aortic constriction (AAC) procedure and on cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts by mechanical stretching with Bioflex Collagen I plates. The effects of Rg1 on cell hypertrophy, fibrosis, cardiac function, [Ca²⁺]_i, and the expression of CaSR and calcineurin (CaN) were assayed both on rat and cellular level. Results: Rg1 alleviated cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, and improved cardiac decompensation induced by AAC in rat myocardial tissue and cultured cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts. Importantly, Rg1 treatment inhibited CaSR expression and increase of [Ca²⁺]_i, which similar to the CaSR inhibitor NPS2143. In addition, Rg1 treatment inhibited CaN and TGF-b1 pathways activation. Mechanistic analysis showed that the CaSR agonist GdCl₃ could not further increase the [Ca²⁺]_i and CaN pathway related protein expression induced by mechanical stretching in cultured cardiomyocytes. CsA, an inhibitor of CaN, inhibited cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac fibrosis, [Ca²⁺]_i and CaN signaling but had no effect on CaSR expression. Conclusion: The activation of CaN pathway and the increase of [Ca²⁺]_i mediated by CaSR are involved in cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, that may be the target of cardioprotection of Rg1 against myocardial injury.

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.10
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• pp.635-646
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• 2011

Due to its high external and low internal concentration the $Ca^{2+}$ ion is used ubiquitously as an intracellular signaling molecule, and a great many $Ca^{2+}$-sensing proteins have evolved to receive and propagate $Ca^{2+}$ signals. Among them are ion channel proteins, whose $Ca^{2+}$ sensitivity allows internal $Ca^{2+}$ to influence the electrical activity of cell membranes and to feedback-inhibit further $Ca^{2+}$ entry into the cytoplasm. In this review I will describe what is understood about the $Ca^{2+}$ sensing mechanisms of the three best studied classes of $Ca^{2+}$-sensitive ion channels: Large-conductance $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channels, small-conductance $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channels, and voltage-gated $Ca^{2+}$ channels. Great strides in mechanistic understanding have be made for each of these channel types in just the past few years.