• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.677-682
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• 1998

The present study was designed to examine the metabolism of 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS), an anionic compound which is transported into liver via "multispecific organ ic anion transporter", with rat hepatic microsomes. TLC analysis indicated that the fluorescent metabolites were not produced to a measurable extent, which made it possible to assess the ANS metabolism by measuring the fluorescence disappearance. The metabolism of ANS was remarkably inhibited by the presence of SKF-525A as well as by the substitution of 02 by CO gas. ANS metabolism by microsomes also required NADPH as a cofactor. These results indicated that the microsomal monooxygenase system might be mainly responsible for the ANS metabolism. The maximum velocity ($V_{max}$) and Michaelis constant ($K_m$) were calculated to be $4.3{\pm}0.2$ nmol/min/mg protein and $42.1{\pm}2.0\;{\mu}M$, respectively. Assuming that 1g of liver contains 32mg of microsomal protein, the $V_{max}$ value was extrapolated to that per g of liver ($V_{max}^I$). The intrinsic metabolic clearance ($CL_{int}$) under linear conditions calculated from this in vitro metabolic study was 3.3ml/min/g liver, being comparable with that (3.0ml/min/g liver) calculated by analyzing the in vivo plasma disappearance curve in a previous study. Furthermore, the effects of other organic anions on the metabolism of ANS were examined. Bromophenolblue (BPB) and rose bengal (RB) competitively inhibited the metabolism of ANS, while BSP inhibited it only slightly. The inhibition constant ($K_i$) of BPB ($6\;{\mu}M$) was much smaller than that of RB ($200\;{\mu}M$). In conclusion, the microsomal monooxygenase system plays a major role in the metabolism of ANS, and other unmetabolizable organic anions (BPB and RB) compete for this metabolism.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.842-850
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• 2002

Tissue factor (TF, tissue thromboplastin or coagulation factor III) accelerates the blood clotting, activating both the intrinsic and the extrinsic pathways to serve as a cofactor. In order to isolate TF inhibitors from the fruits of Chaenomeles sinensis, an activity-guided purification utilizing a bio-assay method of prothrombin time prolongation, was carried out to yield five active flavoniods such as hovetrichoside C (1) ($IC_{50}$ = 14.0 $\mu$g), luteolin-7-Ο-$\beta$-D-glucuronide (3) ($IC_{50}$ = 31.9$\mu$g), hyperin (4) ($IC_{50}$ = 20.8 $\mu$g), avicularin (6) ($IC_{50}$ = 54.8 $\mu$g) and quercitrin (10) ($IC_{50}$ = 135.7 $\mu$g), along with other inactive compounds such as ($\pm$)-(2E,4E)-Ο-$\beta$-D-glucopyranosyl-4'-hydroxy-$\beta$-ionylideneacetic acid ester (2), genistein-7-Ο-$\beta$-D-glucopyranoside (5), luteolin-3'-methoxy-4'-Ο-$\beta$-D-glucopyranoside (7), luteolin-7-Ο-$\beta$-D-glucuronide methyl ester (8), tricetin-3'-methoxy-4'-Ο-$\beta$-D-glucopyranoside (selagin-4'-Ο-$\beta$-D-glucopyranoside) (9), (-)-epicatechin (11), luteolin-4'-Ο-$\beta$-D-glucopyranoside (12) and apigenin-7-Ο-$\beta$-D-glucuronide methyl ester (13). The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated through spectral analysis. Among them, compounds 1 to 9, 12 and 13 were isolated for the first time from the fruits of this plant and the compound 9 is a new flavonoid.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.649-655
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• 2007

The nsp14 protein is an exoribonuclease that is encoded by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). We have cloned and expressed the nsp14 protein in Escherichia coli, and characterized the nature and the role(s) of the metal ions in the reaction chemistry. The purified recombinant nsp14 protein digested a 5'-labeled RNA molecule, but failed to digest the RNA substrate that is modified with fluorescein group at the 3'-hydroxyl group, suggesting a 3'-to-5' exoribonuclease activity. The exoribonuclease activity requires $Mg^{2+}$ as a cofactor. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) analysis indicated a two-metal binding mode for divalent cations by nsp14. Endogenous tryptophan fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) spectra measurements showed that there was a structural change of nsp14 when binding with metal ions. We propose that the conformational change induced by metal ions may be a prerequisite for catalytic activity by correctly positioning the side chains of the residues located in the active site of the enzyme.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2009

Poplar contains various flavonoids including naringenin, kaempferol, myricetin, apigenin, luteolin, rhamnetin, and quercetin. These flavonoids are synthesized from naringenin with various enzymes. However, none of genes from poplar involved in flavonoid biosynthesis have been biochemically characterized. We cloned PFNS I-1 from Populus deltoids by RT-PCR method. The open reading frame of PFNS I-1 consisted of 1,017-bp and it showed high similarity with other FNS genes. The purified recombinant PFNS I-1, expressed in Escherichia coli, catalyzed the reaction from flavanone (naringenin) to flavone (apigenin). The reaction of PFNS I-1 was enhanced by cofactors such as oxoglutarate, $Fe^{2+}$, ascorbate and catalase. Thus, it is concluded that PFNS N-1 encodes a flavone synthase I.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.331-341
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• 2018

L-pipecolic acid is a non-protein amino acid commonly found in plants, animals, and microorganisms. It is a well-known precursor to numerous microbial secondary metabolites and pharmaceuticals, including anticancer agents, immunosuppressants, and several antibiotics. Lysine cyclodeaminase (LCD) catalyzes ${\beta}$-deamination of L-lysine into L-pipecolic acid using ${\beta}$-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide as a cofactor. Expression of a human homolog of LCD, ${\mu}$-crystallin, is elevated in prostate cancer patients. To understand the structural features and catalytic mechanisms of LCD, we determined the crystal structures of Streptomyces pristinaespiralis LCD (SpLCD) in (i) a binary complex with $NAD^+$, (ii) a ternary complex with $NAD^+$ and L-pipecolic acid, (iii) a ternary complex with $NAD^+$ and L-proline, and (iv) a ternary complex with $NAD^+$ and L-2,4-diamino butyric acid. The overall structure of SpLCD was similar to that of ornithine cyclodeaminase from Pseudomonas putida. In addition, SpLCD recognized L-lysine, L-ornithine, and L-2,4-diamino butyric acid despite differences in the active site, including differences in hydrogen bonding by Asp236, which corresponds with Asp228 from Pseudomonas putida ornithine cyclodeaminase. The substrate binding pocket of SpLCD allowed substrates smaller than lysine to bind, thus enabling binding to ornithine and L-2,4-diamino butyric acid. Our structural and biochemical data facilitate a detailed understanding of substrate and product recognition, thus providing evidence for a reaction mechanism for SpLCD. The proposed mechanism is unusual in that $NAD^+$ is initially converted into NADH and then reverted back into $NAD^+$ at a late stage of the reaction.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.53-60
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• 2005

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting $1\%$ of the population above the age of 65 and is characterized by a selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Although the underlying cause of dopaminergic cell death or the mechanism by which these cells degenerate is still not clearly understood, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and protein misfolding are thought to play important roles in the dopaminergic degeneration in PD. Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is synthesized exclusively in the monoaminergic, including dopaminergic, cells and serves as an endogenous and obligatory cofactor for syntheses of the potential oxidative stressors dopamine and nitric oxide. In addition to its contribution toward the syntheses of these two potentially toxic molecules, BH4 itself can directly generate oxidative stress. BH4 undergoes oxidation during the hydroxylation reaction as well as nonenzymatic autooxidation to produce hydrogen peroxide and superoxide radical. We have previously suggested BH4 as an endogenous molecule responsible for the dopaminergic neurodegeneration. BH4 exerts selective toxicity to dopamine-producing cells via generation of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis. BH4 also induces morphological, biochemical, and behavioral characteristics associated with PD in vivo. BH4 as well as enzyme activity and gene expression of GTP cyclohydrolase I, the rate-limiting enzyme in BH4 synthesis pathway, are readily upregulated by cellular changes such as calcium influx and by various stimuli including stress situations. This points to the possibility that cellular availability of BH4 might be increased in aberrant conditions, leading to increased extracellular BH4 subsequent degeneration. The fact that BH4 is specifically and endogenously synthesized in dopaminergic cells, Is readily upregulated, and generates oxidative stress-related cell death provides physical relevance of this molecule as an attractive candidate with which to explain the mechanism of pathogenesis of PD.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.462-471
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• 2017

Thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP), the active form of thiamine is a cofactor for enzymes involved in central metabolism pathways. However, it is also known to have a role as a stress signaling molecule in response to environmental changes. Anabaena sp. and N. oculata are microorganisms which are abundantly found in Malaysia's freshwater and marine ecosystem. However, not much studies have been done especially in regards to thiamine biosynthesis. This work aimed to amplify of gene transcripts coding for thiamine biosynthesis enzymes besides looking at the expression of thiamine biosynthesis genes upon stress application. Various stress inducers were applied to the cultures and RNA was extracted at different time points. The first two genes, ThiC and ThiG/Thi4 encoding enzymes of the pyrimidine and thiazole branch respectively in the thiamine biosynthesis pathway were identified and amplified. The expression of the genes were analysed via RT-PCR and the intensity of bands were analysed using ImageJ software. The results showed up to 4-fold increase in the expression of ThiC and ThiG gene transcript as compared to control sample in Anabaena sp. ThiC gene in N. oculata showed an expression of 6-fold higher as compared to control sample. In conclusion, stresses induced the expression of the gene coding for one of the most important enzymes in thiamine biosynthesis pathway. This is an agreement with the hypothesis that overexpression of thiamine is crucial in assisting plants to combat abiotic stresses.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.8-16
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• 2010

The phytopathogenic fungus Magnaporthe oryzae is a major limiting factor in rice production. To understand the genetic basis of M. oryzae pathogenic development, we previously analyzed a library of T-DNA insertional mutants of M. oryzae, and identified ATMT0879A1 as one of the pathogenicity-defective mutants. Molecular analyses and database searches revealed that a single TDNA insertion in ATMT0879A1 resulted in functional interference with an annotated gene, MGG00056, which encodes a short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR). The mutant and annotated gene were designated as $MoSDR1^{T-DNA}$ and MoSDR1, respectively. Like other SDR family members, MoSDR1 possesses both a cofactor-binding motif and a catalytic site. The expression pattern of MoSDR1 suggests that the gene is associated with pathogenicity and plays an important role in M. oryzae development. To understand the roles of MoSDR1, the deletion mutant ${\Delta}Mosdr1$ for the gene was obtained via homology-dependent gene replacement. As expected, ${\Delta}Mosdr1$ was nonpathogenic; moreover, the mutant displayed pleiotropic defects in conidiation, conidial germination, appressorium formation, penetration, and growth inside host tissues. These results suggest that MoSDR1 functions as a key metabolic enzyme in the regulation of development and pathogenicity in M. oryzae.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.417-430
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• 2007

The selection of ground stations is one of the essential process of IGS (International GNSS Service) products. High quality GPS data should be collected from the globally distributed ground stations. In this study, we investigated an effect of ground station network selection on GPS satellite ephemeris. The GPS satellite ephemeris obtained from the twelve ground station networks were analyzed to investigate the effect of selection of ground stations. For data quality check, the observations, the number of cycle slips, and multipath of pseudoranges for L1 and L2 were considered. The ideal network defined by Taylor-Karman structure and SOD (Second Order Design) were used to obtain the optimal ground station network.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.161-166
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Energy production and the rebuilding and repair of muscle tissue by physical activity require folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ as a cofactor. Thus, this study investigated the effects of regular moderate exercise training and durations of acute aerobic exercise on plasma folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ concentrations in moderate exercise trained rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: Fifty rats underwent non-exercise training (NT, n = 25) and regular exercise training (ET, n = 25) for 5 weeks. The ET group performed moderate exercise on a treadmill for 30 min/day, 5 days/week. At the end of week 5, each group was subdivided into 4 groups: non-exercise and 3 exercise groups. The non-exercise group (E0) was sacrificed without exercising and the 3 exercise groups were sacrificed immediately after exercising on a treadmill for 0.5 h (E0.5), 1 h (E1), and 2 h (E2). Blood samples were collected and plasma folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ were analyzed. RESULTS: After exercise training, plasma folate level was significantly lower and vitamin $B_{12}$ concentration was significantly higher in the ET group compared with the NT group (P < 0.05). No significant associations were observed between plasma folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ concentrations. In both the NT and ET groups, plasma folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ were not significantly changed by increasing duration of aerobic exercise. Plasma folate concentration of E0.5 was significantly lower in the ET group compared with that in the NT group. Significantly higher vitamin $B_{12}$ concentrations were observed in the E0 and E0.5 groups of the ET group compared to those of the NT group. CONCLUSION: Regular moderate exercise training decreased plasma folate and increased plasma vitamin $B_{12}$ levels. However, no significant changes in plasma folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ concentrations were observed by increasing duration of acute aerobic exercise.