• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.119-132
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• 2001

An immunoelectron microscopy employing immunogold labeling method was performed to detect tissue origin of Dl fraction (DIA) among 5 antigenic protein fractions partially purified by DEAE- anion exchange chromatography from water- soluble crude antigen (PIWA) of adult Paragonimus iloktsuenensis. Immune reactions of adult worm tissues with rabbit serum immunoglobulin immunized with crude antigen (PI-Ig) and D1 antigen (D1-Ig), as well as rat serum immunoglobulin infected with P. iloktsuenensis were observed. DlA showed strong antigenicity in the intestinal epithelium of the worms during the early infection period of 2-4 weeks after infection. The vitellaria also showed stronger antigenicity than the other tissue sites in immune reaction of tissues against all immunoglobulins from 4 to 33 weeks after vitelline development. Therefore, it is suggested that DlA was mainly originated from the intestinal epithelial tissues before the development of vitelline gland of the parasites. Immune-reactivity of two immunoglobulins (PI-Ig, Dl-Ig) was significantly different in intestinal epithelial cytoplasmic protrusions (CP) and intestinal epithelial secretory granules (SG). In the experimental group with Dl-Ig, gold particles were labeled significantly in CP than in SG when compared to the PI-Ig group. Thus, the major antigenic materials in Dl antigen having a strong antigenicity in the early infection period was considered to be originated from the intestinal epithelial tissue .

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.258-265
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• 1997

The effects of medium pH and culture temperature on the expression and secretion of inulinase and invertase were investigated with recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. These cells were obtained by transformation of 2$\mu$-based plasmids pYI10 and pYS10 which contain Kluyveromyces marxianus inulinase gene (INU1A) and S. cerevisiae invertase gene (SUC2), respectively, in the downstream of GAL1 promoter. The expression level and localization of inulinase and invertase were not affected significantly by the initial medium pH: secretion efficiencies of inulinase and invertase into the medium were about 90% and 60%, respectively, in the pH ranges of 4.0 to 6.5. However, the expression and secretion of both enzymes were strongly dependent on the culture temperature. The highest expression (7.7 units/mL) and secretion (6.7 units/mL) of inulinase were observed at 28$\circ$C and 30$\circ$C. As a consequence of decreased localization of inulinase in the periplasmic space, the secretion efficiency increased from 68% at 20$\circ$C, to 95% at 35$\circ$C,. The total expression level and secretion efficiency of invertase increased from 19 units/mL and 55% at 20$\circ$C to 25 units/mL and 68% at 35$\circ$C, respectively. Irrespective of the culture temperature, the invertase activity in the cellular fraction (periplasmic space and cytoplasmic fractions) was kept constant at around 33-45%.

• Ocean Science Journal
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.43-51
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• 2006

Concentration and distribution of Fe, Zn, Cu, Cd, Mn, Pb, Ni among subcellular fractions (cellular membrane structures and cytosol) and Zn, Cu, Cd among cytoplasmic proteins in the kidney and digestive gland of mussel Modiolus modiolus living along a polymetallic concentration gradient were studied. It was found in the kidney of M. modiolus from contaminated sites that the Fe percent increased in the "membrane" fraction, whereas Zn, Pb, Ni and Mn percent increased in the cytosol compared to the kidney of the control mussel. Note kidney cytosol of M. modiolus from clean and contaminated sites sequestered major parts of Cu and Cd. In the digestive gland of M. modiolus from contaminated sites Fe, Zn, Cd, Mn, Ni percent increased in the "membrane" fraction, whereas Cu, Pb percent increased in the cytosol compared to digestive gland of control mussel. Gel-filtration chromatography shows kidney of M. modiolus contains increased metallothionein-like protein levels irrespective of ambient dissolved metal concentrations. It was shown that the metal detoxification system in the kidney and digestive gland of M. modiolus was efficient under extremely high ambient metal levels. However, under complex environmental contamination in the kidney of M. modiolus, the metal detoxification capacity of metallothionein-like proteins was damaged.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.877-883
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• 2006

The immunostimulatory activities of Lactobacillus plantarum, the major microorganism in kimchi fermentations were investigated. Five strains of L. plantarum exhibited weak immunopotentiating activity, but L. plantarum PS-21 showed as strong a mitogenic activity as Bifidobacterium adolescentis M101-4, a known positive strain. It is of interest that, L. plantarum PS-21 stimulated proliferation of Peyer's patch cells, one of the most important tissues in the gut-associated lymphoreticular system. Cell' wall fractions from L. plantarum PS-21 also showed strong mitogenic activity compared with the soluble cytoplasmic fraction. A peptidoglycan fraction (PG) extracted from the cell wall of L. plantarum PS-21 was identified as an active mitogenic component when used in murine lymph node and spleen cell test systems. PG showed dose-dependent mitogenic activity and significantly enhanced antibody production in lymph node cells when studied in vitro. The lysosomal enzyme activity of murine peritoneal macrophages was increased when analyzed following injection of PG to the host animal. Furthermore, PG enhanced the production of cytokines such ($TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6) in the in vitro culture of RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.36-48
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• 2013

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of several fractions obtained from methylene chloride ($CH_2Cl_2$) extract of self-fermented pine needle (SFPNE) on the acetylcholine (ACh)-evoked CA release from the isolated perfused model of the rat adrenal medulla and to establish the mechanism of the most active fraction (Fr.)-induced inhibitory action on the CA release. We obtained 6 fractions from $CH_2Cl_2$ extract of self-fermented pine needle. For the ACh (5.32 mM)-evoked CA release, the following rank order of inhibitory potency was obtained: Fr.4-5 > Fr.8-11 ${\gg}$ Fr.3 > Fr.6 = Fr.7 > Fr.1-2. Fr. 4 - 5 (60 ${\mu}g/mL$) perfused into an adrenal vein for 90 min produced relatively time-dependent inhibition of the CA secretory responses to ACh (5.32 mM), DMPP (100 ${\mu}M$), McN-A-343 (100 ${\mu}M$) and high $K^+$ (56 mM). Fr. 4 - 5 itself did not affect basal CA secretion. Also, in the presence of Fr. 4 - 5 (60 ${\mu}g/mL$), the CA secretory responses to angiotensin II (AngII, 0.1 ${\mu}M$), veratridine (50 ${\mu}M$), Bay-K-8644 (10 ${\mu}M$), and cyclopiazonic acid (10 ${\mu}M$) were significantly reduced, respectively. In the simultaneous presence of Fr. 4 - 5 (60 ${\mu}g/mL$) and L-NAME (30 ${\mu}M$), the inhibitory responses of Fr. 4 - 5 on the CA secretion evoked by ACh, DMPP, high $K^+$, AngII, Bay-K-8644 and veratridine were considerably recovered to the extent of the corresponding control secretion compared with that of Fr. 4 - 5-treatment alone. The level of NO released from adrenal medulla after the treatment of Fr. 4 - 5 (60 ${\mu}g/mL$) was greatly elevated compared with the basal level. Taken together, these results demonstrate that Fr. 4 - 5 inhibits the CA secretion from the isolated perfused rat adrenal medulla evoked by stimulation of cholinergic receptors as well as by direct membrane-depolarization. It seems that this inhibitory effect of Fr. 4 - 5 is mediated by blocking the influx of $Ca^{2+}$ and $Na^+$ into the adrenomedullary chromaffin cells as well as by inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ release from the cytoplasmic calcium store, which is evoked at least partly through the increased NO production due to the activation of NO synthase. Based on these results, it is also thought that Fr. 4 - 5 isolated from $CH_2Cl_2$ extract of pine needle may contain beneficial antihypertensive components to prevent or treat hypertension.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.61-68
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• 2008

Purpose: Protein kinase C (PKC) is a member of a family of serine/threonine kinases that are activated by diacylglycerol (DG) and PKC stimulants. PKC play a key role in signal transduction, including muscle contraction, cell migration, apoptosis, cell proliferation and differentiation. However, the mechanism relating mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and PKC, especially in the volume-dependent hypertensive state, remains unclear. Methods: In the present study, I investigated the relationship between PKC and MAPKs for isometric contraction, PKC translocation, and enzymatic activity from normotensive sham-operated rats (NSR) and aldosterone-analogue deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) hypertensive rats (ADHR). Results: Systolic blood pressure was significantly increased in ADHR than in NSR. Physiological salt solution (PSS)-induced resting tension and the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ([$Ca^{2+}{_i}$]) were different in the ADHR and NSR. The expression of PKC$\alpha$, PKC$\beta$II, PKC$\delta$, PKC$\varepsilon$ and PKC$\xi$ were different between the cytoplasmic and membranous fractions. However, expression of the PKC isoforms did not differ for the ADHR and NSR. The use of 12-deoxyphorbol 13-isobutyrate (DPB, a PKC stimulant) induced isometric contraction in $Ca^{2+}$-free medium, which was diminished in muscle strips from ADHR as compared to NSR. Increased vasoconstriction and phosphorylation induced by the use of 1 ${\mu}$M DPB were inhibited by treatment with 10 ${\mu}$M PD098059 and 10 ${\mu}$M SB203580, inhibitors of extracellular-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38 MAPK from ADHR, respectively. Conclusion: These results suggest that the development of aldosterone analogue-induced hypertension is associated with an altered blood pressure, resting tension, [$Ca^{2+}{_i}$], and that the $Ca^{2+}$-independent contraction evoked by PKC stimulants is due to the activation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK in volume-dependent hypertension. Therefore, it is suggested that PKC activity affects volume-dependent hypertension and the need to develop cardiovascular disease-specialized physical therapy.

• BMB Reports
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.585-593
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• 1999

The water and methanol extracts of Artemisia argyi showed significant cytotoxicities against J774A.1 cells but not so much against normal leukocytes. The cytotoxicities were found to be dependent on the extract concentration and the incubation time. The concentration of water and methanol extracts inhibiting 50% of cell proliferation ($IC_{50}$) were estimated to be 44.2 mg/ml and 71.6 mg/ml, respectively. In the presence of Artemisia argyi water extract, total superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD and MnSOD) activities of media, cytoplasmic and mitochondrial fractions of J774A.1 cells increased in accordance with cytotoxicity. MnSOD was found to be the main component of enhanced total SOD activities, particulary in the mitochondrial fraction. In contrast to SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were not found in any instance of the current investigation. In addition, substantial amount of $O_2^-$ appeared to be generated in the mitochondrial fraction under the influence of Artemisia argyi. All data put together, it is postulated that Artemisia argyi extracts seem to stimulate $O_2^-$ generation in mitochondria of J774A.1 cells with concomitant increases of SODs. Since $H_2O_2$, the reaction product of SOD on $O_2^-$, is known to be readily converted to very toxic $OH{\cdot}$ in the absence of catalase and/or GPx cooperation, toxicity derived from ROS such as $O_2^-$, $H_2O_2$, and $OH{\cdot}$ may be the main cause of necrosis and/or apoptosis of J774A.1 cells.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.157-162
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• 1985

The cell cultures and crude extracts of Bacillus sphaericus 1593 K-5 and its mutant Spo-Dl216 were respectively bioassayed against Culex pipiens var. pollens mosquito larvae. The B. sphaeriucs 1593 K-5 showed toxic activity against the larvae. LC$_{50}$ values (cells/$m\ell$) was 2.6$\times$10$^2$. Also the LC$_{50}$ ($\mu\textrm{g}$ Protein/$m\ell$) of the crude extract was 10.26. However, B. sphaericus Spo-Dl216 didn't show toxic activity against the larvae. The soluble cytoplasmic toxin in broken B. sphaeriucs 1593k-5 cells was partially purified by gel permeation chromatography and ion exchange chromatography. Among the fractions of the gel permeation chromatography only a single fraction was found to be toxic. LC$_{50}$ values ($\mu\textrm{g}$ protein/$m\ell$) of the active fraction was 0.182. The active fraction of the gel permeation was subjected to ion exchange chromatography. Only a single fraction showed toxic activity and its LC$_{50}$ values ($\mu\textrm{g}$ protein/$m\ell$) was 0.02..02.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.826-831
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• 2003

ADP-ribose pyrophosphatase (ADPRase) hydrolyzes ADP-ribose (ADPR) into AMP and ribose-5'-phosphate. It is classified into two groups, $Mg^{2+}$-dependent and $Mg^{2+}$-independent ADPRase, depending on its $Mg^{2+}$requirement. Here, we purified $Mg^{2+}$-dependent ADPRase from rabbit liver and examined what factors affect $Mg^{2+}$ requirement. The purified enzyme showed a single band with the molecular weight of 34 kDa on SDS-PAGE both in the presence and absence of 2-mercaptoethanol. The molecular weight of the native enzyme calculated by gel filtration was 68 kDa, indicating that ADPRase is a dimer made up of two identical subunits. $Mg^{2+}$-dependent ADPRase with the highest ADPR affinity had a $K_m$ of 160$\pm$10 $\mu$M and a pH optimum of around pH 9.5. Treatment of the purified ADPRase with heated cytosol fractions at 37$^{\circ}C$ for 3 h caused some changes in the chemical properties of the enzyme, including an increase in molecular weight, a decrease in solubility, and a loss of $Mg^{2+}$-dependency. The molecular weight of the cytosol-treated ADPRase measured by gel filtration was over 420 kDa, suggesting, for the first time, that ADPRase could be polymerized by undefined cytoplasmic factors, and that polymerization is accompanied by changes in the solubility and metal ion dependency of the enzyme.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.1-31
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• 1984

Flacherie, as one of the most prevalent silkworm diseases, causes severe economic damage to sericultural industry and its pathogens have been proved to be flacherie virus (FV) and densonucleosis virus (DNV). Multiplications of the viruses in the larvae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, were studied by the sucrose density gradient centrifugation and electron microscopy. The quantitative and qualitative changes of nucleic acids and proteins were investigated from the midgut and hemolymph in the silkworm larvae infected separately with FV and DNV. The histopathological changes of epithelial cells of infected midgut also were examined by an electron microscope. 1. Purified fractions of FV or DNV in a sucrose density gradient centrifugation yielded one homogenous and sharp peak without a shoulder, suggesting no heterogenous materials in the preparation. Electron microscopy also revealed that FV and DNV were spherical particles, 27nm and 21nm in diameter, respectively. 2. Silkworm larvae showed a decrease in body weight on the 6th day and in midgut weight on the 3rd day after inoculation with FV or DNV. 3. DNA content was higher in the midgut when infected with FV or DNV, but the hemolymph of the infected larvae showed no difference during first 6 days after inoculation, after which DNA concentration declined rapidly. 4. RNA synthesis of silkworm larvae infected separately with FV and DNV was stimulated in the midgut, but RNA content was reduced in the hemolymph at the early stage of virus multiplication. At the late stage of virus multiplication, however, it was extremely reduced in both midgut and hemolymph. 5. The concentration of protein in the midgut and hemolymph of silkworm larvae infected separately with FV and DNV showed no difference from that of the healthy larvae at the early stage of virus multiplication, but it was significantly reduced at the late stage of virus multiplication. 6. There was no difference in the electrophoretic patterns of RNAs extracted from the midgut of healthy or virus-infected larvae. 7. The electrophoresis of proteins extracted from the midgut infected with FV or DNV, when carried out on the 1st and 5th day after virus inoculation, showed no difference from that of the healthy larvae. But, there was an additional band with medium motility in the proteins on the 8th day after virus inoculation, while a band with low mobility shown in the proteins of healthy larvae disappeared in the infected larvae. However, a band with high mobility in the healthy larvae was separated into two fractions in the infected larvae. 8. The electrophoretic pattern of hemolymph proteins of the silkworm larvae infected separately with FV and DNV was similar to that of the healthy larvae, but the concentration of hemolymph proteins in the infected larvae was lower than that of the healthy larvae at the late stage. 9. Two types of inclusion bodies were shown by the double staining of pyronin-methyl green in the columnar cell of the midgut on the 8th day after FV inoculation. 10. Electron microscopy of the infected midgut revealed that the 'cytoplasmic wall' of the goblet cell thickened on the 5th day after FV inoculation and several types of the cytopathogenic structures, such as virus$.$specific vesicles, virus particles, linear structures, tubular structures, and high electron-dense matrices were observed in the cytoplasm of the goblet cell. The virus particles were also observed in the microvilli and the structures similar to spherical virus particles were observed around the virus-specific vesicles, suggesting the virus assembly in the cytoplasm. 11. Fluorescence micrograph of the infected midgut stained with acridine orange showed that the nucleus, the site of DNV multiplication in the columnar cell, enlarged on the 5th day after virus inoculation. 12. Electron microscopic examination of DNV infected midgut revealed that the nucleolus of the columnar cell was broken into granules and those granules dispersed into apical region of the nucleus on the 5th day after virus inoculation. On the 8th day after inoculation, it was also observed that the nucleus of the columnar cell was full with the high electron-dense virogenic stroma which were similar to virus particles. These facts suggest that the virogenic stroma were the sites of virus assembly in the process of DNV multiplication.