• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2014

During long standing hyperglycaemic state in diabetes mellitus, glucose forms covalent adducts with the plasma proteins through a non-enzymatic process known as glycation. Protein glycation and formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications like retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, cardiomyopathy along with some other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and aging. Glycation of proteins interferes with their normal functions by disrupting molecular conformation, altering enzymatic activity, and interfering with receptor functioning. AGEs form intra- and extracellular cross linking not only with proteins, but with some other endogenous key molecules including lipids and nucleic acids to contribute in the development of diabetic complications. Recent studies suggest that AGEs interact with plasma membrane localized receptors for AGEs (RAGE) to alter intracellular signaling, gene expression, release of pro-inflammatory molecules and free radicals. The present review discusses the glycation of plasma proteins such as albumin, fibrinogen, globulins and collagen to form different types of AGEs. Furthermore, the role of AGEs in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications including retinopathy, cataract, neuropathy, nephropathy and cardiomyopathy is also discussed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.41-41
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• 2003

Small conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (or SKCa channels) are potassium selective, voltage-independent, and activated by intracellular calcium concentration. These channels play important roles in excitable cells such as neuron in the central nervous system (Vergara et al., 1998). The activity of SKCa channels underlies the slow afterhyperpolarization that inhibits neuronal cell firing (Hille, 1991; Vergara et al.,1998). Until now, N-terminal region of rSK2 isn't characterized. To study the role of N-terminus, we constructed the N-terminal deletion mutant and characterized by electrophysiological means. Interestingly, N-terminal deletion mutant be trafficked to membrane couldn't evoke any ionic currents. Thus, N-terminal region has a role in functional rSK2 channel formation. To elucidate the function of N-terminal region, (His)6-conjugated protein was purified and filtrated by affinity column chromatography. Surprisingly, N-terminal region was shown in tetramer size that was supported by cross-linking result. Thus, we predicted that N-terminal region might be involved in the tetramerization of rSK2.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.593-602
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• 1988

Polymer-supported crown ethers (Ps-CE) which can be used for phase-transfer catalyst (PTC) were synthesized for the purpose of allowing reusable function to ordinary crown ethers, and the kinetics of the liquid-solid-liquid triphase-catalyzed nucleophilic displacement reaction of iodide (aqueous phase) on 1-bromooctane (organic phase) using synthesized Ps-CE (solid) were studied. Ps-CE were obtained by grafting of hydroxymethyl crown ethers to 1~2% cross-linked chloromethylated polystyrene. All reactions followed a pseudo-first order dependency on the 1-bromooctane concentration and the observed rate constants $(k_{obsd})$ were linearly related to the molar equivalents of Ps-CE, and were subjected to the influence of cross-linking density of polymer backbone, solvent and the reaction temperature. The catalytic activity of Ps-CE was also compared with that of structurally similar soluble crown ethers, and used Ps-CE were easily recovered after the reaction by simple filtration and could be reused without loss of catalytic activity in the same anionic displacement reaction. Enthalpies and entropies of activation associated with the displacement were 10~20kcal $mol^{-1}, 20~55eu. respectively, and the free energy of activation was ~30kcal mol^{-1}$.

• Clean Technology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.175-180
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• 2016

Tyrosinases catalyze the hydroxylation of a monophenol (monophenolase activity) and the conversion of an o-diphenol to o-quinone (diphenolase activity), which are mainly involved in the modification of tyrosine residues into 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-alanine (DOPA) and DOPA/DOPAquinone-derived intermolecular cross-linking. Previously, we obtained a slightly acidic and cold-active tyrosinase, tyrosinase-CNK, by our recombinant protein approach. The enzyme showed optimal activity at pH 6.0 and 20 ℃ with an abnormally high monophenolase/diphenolase activity ratio and still had approximately 50% activity compared with the highest activity even in ice water. Here, we investigated reaction stability of the recombinant tyrosinase-CNK as a psychrophilic enzyme. The enzyme showed remarkable thermal stability at 0 ℃ and the activity was well conserved in repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Although water-miscible organic solvent as reaction media caused the activity decrease of tyrosinase-CNK as expected, the enzyme activity was not additionally decreased with increased concentration in organic solvents such as ethanol and acetonitrile. Also, the enzyme showed high salt tolerance in chaotropic salts. It was remarkably considered that 2⁺ metal ions might inhibit the incorporation of Cu²⁺ into the active site. We expect that these results could be used to design tyrosinase-mediated enzymatic reaction at low temperature for the production of catechols through minimizing unwanted self-oxidation and enzyme inactivation.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.185-195
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• 1999

This study was carried out to improve the skin care property of the polyester fabric by finishing with sericin. It was known that skin care function, anti-oxidation, anti-tyrosinase activity and anti-elastase activity can be achieved from sericin finish. But, the moisture regain of the finished fabric was measured simply, because the major cause of the discomfort from polyester fabric has been anounced to be wetness. The effects of various treatment conditions on the properties of the finished fabric were measured, and obtained results were as follows: 1. The moisture regain at 40$^{\circ}C$ 90% RH were increased with the sericin uptake increasing. while it was not significant for the effects on the moisture regain depending on the treatment conditions like the degree of polymerization and treatment concentration of the binder. The moisture release of the fabric having sericin uptake 1%, 2% was faster than non treated fabric. The change of the moisture regain of the finished fabric from 40$^{\circ}C$ 90% RH to room temperature was 4∼5 times higher than that of knitted cotton fabric. 2. The frictional static charge was decreased with the degree of polymerization of the binder increasing. While the sericin uptake and treatment concentration of the binder were not significant. 3. The whiteness value of the fabric was slightly decreased by finishing with sericin and binder. In that cases, W values of the finished fabrics were above 90 while that depending on the degree of polymerization of the binder was not significant. 4. The major cause of the yellowness of the finished fabric was proved to be catalyst. The yellowness of the finished fabric with sulfur containing catalyst was lower than that with amine group containing catalyst. 5. The effects of the treatment concentrations of the cross-linking agent, catalyst and drying time on the wash durability were not significant.

• Clean Technology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.24-31
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• 2022

Petroleum-based plastics are used for various purposes and pose a significant threat to the earth's environment and ecosystem. Many efforts have been taken globally in different areas to find alternatives. As part of these efforts, this study manufactured alginate-based polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) blended films by casting from an aqueous solution prepared by mixing 10 wt% petroleum-based PVA with biodegradable, marine biomass-derived alginate. Glutaraldehyde was used as a cross-linking agent, and cardanol, an alkyl phenol-based bio-oil extracted from cashew nut shell, was added in the range of 0.1 to 2.0 wt% to grant antibacterial activity to the films. FTIR and TGA were performed to characterize the manufactured blended films, and the tensile strength, degree of swelling, and antibacterial activity were measured. Results obtained from the FTIR, TGA, and tensile strength test showed that alginate, the main component, was well distributed in the PVA by forming a matrix phase. The brittleness of alginate, a known weakness as a single component, and the low thermal durability of PVA were improved by cross-linking and hydrogen bonding of the functional groups between alginate and PVA. Addition of cardanol to the alginate-based PVA blend significantly improved the antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli. The antibacterial performance was excellent with a death rate of 98% or higher for S. aureus and about 70% for E. coli at a contact time of 60 minutes. The optimal antibacterial activity of the alginate-PVA blended films was found with a cardanol content range between 0.1 to 0.5 wt%. These results show that cardanol-containing alginate-PVA blended films are suitable for use as various antibacterial materials, including as food packaging.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.1-4
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• 2019

In this study, an anthracene cross-linker is introduced to enhance the catalytic activity of glucose oxidase (GOx) based catalysts and to increase the amount of enzyme loading. The crosslinked GOx is bonded with the CNT/PEI support using the electrostatic interaction (AC[CNT/PEI/GOx]). Electrochemical evaluations are done to evaluate the performance of this catalyst and the performance of CNT/PEI/GOx catalyst is also measured as a control. According to the measurements, it is confirmed that the amount of loaded GOx increases, while $K_m$ value calculated by Lineweaver-Burk plot shows that AC[CNT/PEI/GOx] ($K_m$ : 0.73 mM) is superior to CNT/PEI/GOx ($K_m$ : 1.71 mM) without cross-linking reaction. Based on these effects, it is demonstrated that the maximum power density of the enzymatic biofuel cell using AC[CNT/PEI/GOx] increases from $21.2{\mu}W/cm^2$ to $57.4{\mu}W/cm^2$.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2011

To improve the mechanical properties, such as durabilities and antioxidative characteristics, the covalently cross-linked (CL-) SPEEK (sulfonated polyether ether ketone)/Cs-substituted HPA (heteropoly acid) organic-inorganic composite membranes (CL-SPEEK/Cs-HPAs), have been intensively investigated. The composite membrane were prepared by blending cesium-substituted HPAs (Cs-HPAs), including tungstophosphoric acid (TPA), molybdophosphoric acid (MoPA), and tungstosilicic acid (TSiA) with cross-linking agent content of 0.01 mL. And composite electrolytes composed of Cs-HPAs, prepared by immersion (imm.) and titration (titr.) methods to increase the stability of HPAs in water, were applied to polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysis (PEME). As a result, the proton conductivity of Cs-substituted composite membranes increased rapidly over $60^{\circ}C$ but mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, decreased in accordance with added Cs content. The bleeding-out of Cs-TPA membranes by titration method (50 vol.% Cs) decreased steadily to 2.15%. In the oxidative stability test by Fenton solution, the durability of membranes with Cs-HPA significantly increased. In case of CL-SPEEK/ Cs-TPA membrane, duration time increased more than 1200 hours. It is expected that even though CL-SPEEK/Cs-MoPA membrane shows the high proton conductivity, electrocatalytic activity and cell voltage of 1.80 V for water electrolysis, the CL-SPEEK/Cs-TPA (imm.) is more suitable as an alternative membrane in real system with the satisfactory proton conductivity, mechanical properties, anti-oxidative stability and cell voltage of 1.89 V.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.218-225
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• 2007

In Arabidopsis thaliana, the microtubule-associated protein AtMAP65-1 shows various functions on microtubule dynamics and organizations. However, it is still an open question about whether AtMAP65-1 binds to tubulin dimers and how it regulates microtubule dynamics. In present study, the tubulin-binding activity of AtMAP65-1 was investigated. Pull-down and co-sedimentation exp eriments demonstrated that AtMAP65-1 bound to tubulin dimers,at a molar ratio of 1 : 1. Cross-linking experiments showed that AtMAP65-1 bound to tubulin dimers by interacting with $\alpha$-tubulin of the tubulin heterodimer. Interfering the bundling effect of AtMAP65-1 by addition of salt and monitoring the tubulin assembly, the experiment results indicated that AtMAP65-1 promoted tubulin assembly by interacting with tubulin dimers. In addition, five truncated versions of AtMAP65-1, namely AtMAP65-1 $\Delta$N339 (amino acids 340-587); AtMAP65-1 $\Delta$N494 (amino acids 495-587); AtMAP65-1 340-494 (amino acids 340-494); AtMAP65-1 $\Delta$C495 (amino acids 1-494) and AtMAP65-1 $\Delta$C340 (amino acids 1-339), were tested for their binding activities and roles in tubulin polymerization in vitro. Four (AtMAP65-1 $\Delta$N339, $\Delta$N494, AtMAP65-1 340-494 and $\Delta$C495) from the five truncated proteins were able to co-sediment with microtubules, and three (AtMAP65-1 $\Delta$N339, $\Delta$N494 and AtMAP65-1 340-494) of them could bind to tubulin dimers in vitro. Among the three truncated proteins, AtMAP65-1 $\Delta$N339 showed the greatest activity to promote tubulin polymerization, AtMAP65-1 $\Delta$N494 exhibited almost the same activity as the full length protein in promoting tubulin assembly, and AtMAP65-1 340-494 had minor activity to promote tubulin assembly. On the contrast, AtMAP65-1 $\Delta$C495, which bound to microtubules but not to tubulin dimers, did not affect tubulin assembly. Our study suggested that AtMAP65-1 might promote tubulin assembly by binding to tubulin dimers in vivo.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.832-842
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• 1996

TAME synthesis was studied in a fixed bed reactor with 3 different types of exchanged resins i.e, Amberlyst-15, Amberlyst-15(wet) and Amberlyst XN-1010. Amberlyst-15 has highest activity, presumably due to the higher reaction participation of the inner active sites of gel shape microparticular resin structure. The optimum reaction conditions for TAME synthesis were found as follows ; reaction temperature of $135^{\circ}C$, molar ratio(MeOH/I.A.A) of 1.0~4.0 and W/F of 2.0~4.0 gr.-cat. hr/gr.-mole. The cross-linking bond of styrene divinyl benzene was observed at $2{\theta}=20$ in XRD pattern. The DSC analysis showed that the thermal stability was in order of Amberlyst-15>Amberlyst-15(wet)>Amberlyst XN-1010. The apparent activation energies of TAME synthesis reaction with Amberlyst-15, Amberlyst-15(wet) and Amberlyst XN-1010 were 12.36, 12.46 and 14.72 kcal/mole, respectively.