• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.237-252
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• 1989

Effect of a $Na^+$ gradient on $Ca^{2+}$ uptake was studied in isolated sarcolemmal vesicles of cat ileal longitudinal muscle. $Ca^{2+}$ uptake was markedly stimulated in the presence of an outwardly directed $Na^+$ gradient. External $Na^+$, monensin and A23187 abolished the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake. Monovalent cations such as $K^+$, $Li^+$, $Rb^+$, $Cs^+$ and choline could not substitute for $Na^+$ in enhancement of $Ca^{2+}$ uptake. Divalent cations such as $Ba^{2+}$, $Sr^{2+}$, $Mn^{2+}$ and $Cd^{2+}$ but not $Mg^{2+}$ inhibited the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake. Increase in external pH in the range of 6.0 to 8.0 stimulated the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake. Amiloride inhibited the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake at concentrations above 0.5 mM, whereas diltiazem or vanadate did not. The apparent Km of the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake for $Ca^{2+}$ was 18.2 ${\mu}M$ and apparent Vmax was 689.7 pmole/mg protein/5 sec. Kinetic analysis of the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake showed a noncompetitive interaction between internal $Na^+$ and external $Ca^{2+}$. The dependence of $Ca^{2+}$ uptake on internal $Na^+$ showed sigmoidal kinetics and Hill coefficient for internal $Na^+$ was 2.52. Inside positive membrane potential generated by imposing an inwardly directed $K^+$ gradient and valinomycin significantly stimulated the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake. These results indicate that a $Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchange system exists in the sarcolemmal membranes isolated from cat ileal longitudinal muscle and it might operate as an electrogenic process.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.9
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• pp.1177-1185
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• 2008

In the present work, we show that spermine (spm)-induced cytotoxicity is due to the mitochondrial-dependent pathway triggered by the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ increase in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Spm induced the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ increase in a dose-dependent manner in the medium containing 1.5 mM $Ca^{2+}$. Even in the $Ca^{2+}$-free medium, spm could induce a minor $Ca^{2+}$ increase in a dose-dependent fashion, suggesting a probable leak from the internal storage. The cytotoxic effect of $Ca^{2+}$ could be further proved by using either BAPTA or ionophore. Spm-induced $Ca^{2+}$ increase led to the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol and the change of mitochondrial membrane potential. In MCF-7 cells, caspase-7 plays a key role in the downstream of apoptosis because caspase-3 is absent. In the cells treated with spm, the cleavage of caspase-7 and -12 was increased almost two-fold. The level of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein decreased to 35% of the control; however, the cells showed increased expression of pro-apoptotic Bax protein about two-fold in response to spm. These results imply that the apoptotic signaling pathway activated by spm is likely to be mediated via the mitochondrial-dependent pathway.

• BMB Reports
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 1996

The present study showed that receptor-mediated activation of rabbit kidney proximal tubule cells by angiotensin II, the $Ca^{2+}$ ionophore A23187, or the protein kinase C activator phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) all stimulated phospholipase D (PLD). This was demonstrated by the increased formation of phosphatidic acid, and in the presence of 0.5% ethanol, phosphatidylethanol (PEt) accumulation. Angiotensin II leads to a rapid increase in phosphatidic acid and diacylglycerol, and phosphatidic acid formation preceeded the formation of diacylglycerol. This result suggests that some phosphatidic acid seems to be formed directly from phosphatidylcholine hydrolyzed by Pill. On the other hand, EGTA substantially attenuated angiotensin II and A23187-induced PEt formation, and when the cells were pretreated with verapamil angiotensin II-induced Pill activation was completely abolished. These results provide the evidence that calcium ion influx is essential for the agonist-induced Pill activation. In addition, staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, strongly inhibited PMA-induced PEt formation, but was ineffective on angiotensin II-induced PEt accumulation. $GTP{\gamma}S$ also stimulates PEt formation in digitonin-permeabilized cells, but pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin failed to suppress angiotensin II-induced PEt formation. From these results, we conclude that in the rabbit kidney proximal tubule cells the mechanisms of angiotensin II- and PMA-induced Pill activation are different from each other and mediated via a pertussis toxin-insensitive trimeric G protein.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 1997

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of seminal vesicle fluid (SVF) on the acrosome reaction (AR) occurred spontaneously or induced by $Ca^{2+}$ ionophore A23187, follicular fluid, and progesterone in mouse epididymal sperm. SVF was divided into high (MW>10 kD) and low (MW<10 kD) fractions by ultrafiltration. The low MW fraction of SVF decreased the rate of spontaneous AR, however the high MW fraction did not. It suggested that the low MW fraction of SVF might have contained decapacitation factor(s) responsible for prolonging of time need for capacitation. When sperm preincubated for 60 min in the presence of SVF, the rate of AR induced by A23187 was decreased, but prolongation of preincubation time for 120 min significantly potentiated the AR by A23187. It suggested that addition of SVF into sperm preincubation medium imposed the epididymal sperm a condition similar to ejaculation. AR induced by human follicular fluid or progesterone was also inhibited by SVF. It suggested that substance in SVF might have affected AR of mouse sperm by inhibiting the interaction between AR inducing ligands and sperm surface receptors involved in acrosomal exocytosis.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.116-116
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• 2002

Further development of reconstructed embryos may be dependent upon the synchronization of donor nucleus and recipient cytoplasm at cell fusion, To control the synchronization of donor and recipient cells, the enucleated MII arrested oocytes are artificially stimulated prior to embryo reconstruction. Destruction of cyclin B results in the exit of cells from M-phase of cell cycle. This study was designed to investigate the effects of single or combined stimulation affected cyclin B1 mRNA and protein levels in mouse oocytes. The oocyte activation was induced by 7% ethanol or 10$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ Ca-ionophore without (single) or with (combined) 10$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ cycloheximide. Competitive quantitative PCR for cyclin Bl mRNA and western blot analysis for cyclin B1 protein was preformed in mouse oocytes. Cyclin B1 mRNA level was significantly reduced in single (P<0.05) and combined (P<0.05) stimulation groups. However, this level did not change in non-activated group and increased in intact group. Cyclin B1 protein level was also significantly reduced in both single (P<0.05) and combined (P<0.05) stimulation groups. In conclusion, single and combined stimulation induces the degradation of cyclin B1 mRNA and protein after activation in enucleated mouse oocytes.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.115-115
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• 2002

To evaluate the correlations between the expression of cyclin B1 mRNA and protein after stimulation and oocyte activation and development of nuclear transferred mouse embryos, this study was performed. The oocyte activation was induced by 7% ethanol or 10$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ Ca-ionophore without (single) or with (combined) 10$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ cycloheximide (CH). Cyclin B1 mRNA and protein in mouse oocytes was evaluated by PCR and western blot. The activation and blastocyst development in both single (P<0.05) and combined (P<0.01) stimulation was higher than in non-activated group. The cyclin B1 mRNA and protein levels were significantly reduced in both single and combined stimulation groups (P<0.05), respectively. Cyclin B1 mRNA expression showed a negative correlation between activation and blastocyst development in both single and combined stimulation groups. And also the expression of cyclin B1 protein showed a negative correlation with between oocyte activation and blastocysts development in both single and combined stimulation groups. In conclusion, it may suggest that single and combined stimulation increases the oocyte activation and blastocyst development of nuclear transferred embryos, because it induces the degradation of cyclin B1 mRNA and protein after activation in enucleated mouse oocytes.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.49-53
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• 2012

The present study was conducted to examine the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during micromanipulation procedures in bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos. Bovine enucleated oocytes were electrofused with donor cells, activated by a combination of Ca-ionophore and 6-dimethylaminopurine culture. Oocytes and embryos were stained in dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate or 3'-(p-hydroxyphenyl) fluorescein dye and the $H_2O_2$ or $^.OH$ radical levels were measured. $In$ $vitro$ fertilization (IVF) was performed for controls. The samples were examined with a fluorescent microscope, and fluorescence intensity was analyzed in each oocyte and embryo. The $H_2O_2$ and $^.OH$ radical levels of reconstituted oocytes were increased during manipulation (37.2~49.7 and 51.0~55.2 pixels, respectively) as compared to those of mature oocytes ($p$<0.05). During early $In$ $vitro$ culture, the ROS levels of SCNT embryos were significantly higher than those of IVF embryos ($p$<0.05). These results suggest that the cellular stress during micromanipulation procedures can generate the ROS in bovine SCNT embryos.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.132-134
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• 2006

The main component governing selectivity in ion-selective electrodes and optodes is the ionophore. For this reason, a member of natural products that possess selective ion-binding properties have long been sought after. By applying this principle, the performance of tetracycline used as neutral carriers for cation selective polymeric membrane electrode was investigated. The cation ion-selective electrode based on tetracycline gave a good Nernstian response of 26.6 mV per decade for calcium ion in the activity range $1x10^{-6}M$ to $1x10^{-2}M$ with and without lipophilic additives. The optimized cation ion-selective membrane electrodes displayed very comparable potentiometric responses to various mono and di-valent cations of alkali and alkaline earth metal ions except $Mg^{2+}$.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.286-290
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• 2013

This study was carried out to the determine the effects of the water extract of Viticis Fructus (Verbenaceae, WEVF) on experimental allergic reactions and inflammation. WEVF was anally administered to mice for high and fast absorption. WEVF inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylaxis and immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated local allergic reaction. Histamine releasing from mast cells was reduced by WEVF, which was mediated by modulation of intracellular calcium. In addition, WEVF decreased the gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187 (PMACI)-stimulated HMC-1 cells. These findings demonstrate that the WEVF possesses antiallergic and anti-inflammatory activities, which may be mediated by reducing the release of mediators such as histamine from mast cells and weakening the inflammatory action of these mediators.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.56-56
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• 2001

This study was carried out to investigate on the improvement of fertilizing and developing ability of in vitro matured oocytes from individuals of bulls, sperm type, pretreatment of sperm or oocytes obtained by intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI). 1. The male pronuclear formation and developmental rates of oocytes obtained by ICSI treated individual of bulls were 73.9%-87.0% and 33.3%-60.9%, respectively. 2. The male pronuclear formation and developmental rates of oocytes obtained by ICSI treated fresh and frozen sperm, tail-cutting and tail-scoring sperm were 82.0%, 78.0%, 42.2%, 51.1% and 56.0%, 42.0%, 17.8%, 22.2% respectively. and these values of fresh sperm injection were higher than that of frozen sperm, tail-cutting and tail-scoring. 3. The male pronuclear formation and developmental rates of oocytes obtained by sperm pretreated heparin, BFF(bovine follicula fluid), His, Ca Ionophore(Ⅰ) and Ⅰ ＋ caffeine methods were 66.7%-82.2% and 33.3%-60.6%, respectively. and these values of treatment of Ⅰ＋ caffeine were higher than that of other methods. 4. The male pronuclear formation and developmental rates of oocytes obtained by ICSI treated with or without zona pellucida were 80.0%, 72.0% and 46.0%, 36.0%, respectively.