• BMB Reports
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.519-524
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• 1996

Peptidylprolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPlase) catalyzes the cis-trans isomerization of prolyl peptide and facilitates the folding of cellular proteins and peptides. PPlase consists of two distinct immunophilins, each specifically binding to the immunosupressive drug cyclosporin A (CsA) or FK506, respectively. A PPlase was isolated and partially purified from porcine spleen. The molecular weight of porcine spleen PPlase was determined to be ~14,000 on the basis of SDS-PAGE. The purified enzyme was strongly inhibited by FK506, but not by CsA. The inhibition constant and the true concentration of enzyme preparations were determined by active site titration using the tight binding inhibitor FK506: $K_{i}=18.7$ nM and $E_{t}=172$ nM. The equilibrium ratio of conformer. [cis]/[trans], of prolyl peptide substrates (N-Suc-Ala-Xaa-Pro-Phe-p-NA) in anhydrous trifluoroethanol/LiCl solvent system varied from 0.24 to 0.85 depending on the nature of Xaa. Overall. in this solvent-salt system, the populations of the cis conformer of substrates in equilibrium are higher than in an aqueous solution so that the substantial error caused by high background absorption can be reduced. The reactivities of porcine spleen PPlase are shown to be highly sensitive to changes in the structure of substrates. Thus, $k_{cat}/K_m$ value for the most reactive substrate (Xaa Leu) is $4.007+10^{6}M^{1}s^{1}$ and, is 2,636 fold higher than that for the least reactive peptide substrate tested, Xaa=Glu.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.1401-1408
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• 2021

This study examined whether the oral administration of low-molecular-weight collagen peptide (LMCP) containing 3% Gly-Pro-Hyp with >15% tripeptide (Gly-X-Y) content could ameliorate osteoarthritis (OA) progression using a rabbit anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) model of induced OA and chondrocytes isolated from a patient with OA. Oral LMCP administration (100 or 200 mg/kg/day) for 12 weeks ameliorated cartilage damage and reduced the loss of proteoglycan compared to the findings in the ACLT control group, resulting in dose-dependent (p < 0.05) improvements of the OARSI score in hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) and Safranin O staining. In micro-computed tomography analysis, LMCP also significantly (p < 0.05) suppressed the deterioration of the microstructure in tibial subchondral bone during OA progression. The elevation of IL-1β and IL-6 concentrations in synovial fluid following OA induction was dose-dependently (p < 0.05) reduced by LMCP treatment. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry illustrated that LMCP significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated type II collagen and downregulated matrix metalloproteinase-13 in cartilage tissue. Consistent with the in vivo results, LMCP significantly (p < 0.05) increased the mRNA expression of COL2A1 and ACAN in chondrocytes isolated from a patient with OA regardless of the conditions for IL-1β induction. These findings suggest that LMCP has potential as a therapeutic treatment for OA that stimulates cartilage regeneration.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.131-134
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• 2008

The magnetism of$Fe_3O_4$ nanoparticles was applied to magnetic bio-panning process for finding specific sequences against $Fe_3O_4$ crystal phase. Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) measurement showed that the coercivity of 30 Oe and the saturation magnetization of 55 emu/g were sufficient in controlling particle movement and magnetizing particles in the media, respectively. This ferrimagnetism of nanoparticles practically enhanced panning efficiency by exaggerating centrifuge step and preventing particle loss. Sequencing results showed that histidine which was commonly found in peptide sequences played an important role in the binding onto $Fe_3O_4$ nanoparticle surface. However, various possible motifs were also observed from several neighboring amino acids of histidine.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.875-885
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• 2022

This study was performed to confirm the optimal extraction method for antimicrobial peptides from the Hard-shelled mussel. Extractions were performed with two processes including 1% HAc/boiling and 1% HAc/non-boiling methods and used extracts for the comparison of the antimicrobial activity, protease stability, action mechanism, AU-PAGE (acid-urea PAGE), and HPLC chromatograms. 1% HAc/boiling extract showed potent antibacterial activities both against Gram-positive and negative bacterium but 1% HAc/non-boiling extract showed antibacterial activity only against Gram-positive bacteria. Treatment of 1% HAc/boiling extract with proteases retained almost antibacterial activity against B. subtilis, but abolished significant antibacterial activity against E. coli D31. Only 1% HAc/boiling extract showed two discrete clearing antibacterial zones including slow migrating and rapid migrating zones. Both extracts showed strong DNA-binding ability but did not show bacterial membrane permeabilizing ability. In comparison of the chromatogram obtained from C₁₈ or cation-exchange HPLC, the eluted peaks from 1% HAc/boiling extract showed high hydrophobic property or absorbance compared to 1% HAc/non-boiling extract, respectively. The concentration of the purified antimicrobial peptide was also higher in 1% HAc/boiling extract than in 1% HAc/non-boiling extract. Our results suggest that the effective extraction condition for antimicrobial peptides from marine invertebrate is boiling process in a weak acetic acid solution (1%).

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.41.1-41.16
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• 2022

The human antimicrobial peptide LL-37 has chemotactic and modulatory activities in various immune cells, including dendritic cells. Because of its characteristics, LL-37 can be considered an adjuvant for vaccine development. In this study, we confirmed the possible adjuvant activity of LL-37 in mucosal vaccine development against Middle East respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (MERS-CoV) by means of intranasal immunization in C57BL/6 and human dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (hDPP4)-transgenic (hDPP4-Tg) mice. Intranasal immunization using the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of MERS-CoV spike protein (S-RBD) recombined with LL-37 (S-RBD-LL-37) induced an efficient mucosal IgA and systemic IgG response with virus-neutralizing activity, compared with S-RBD. Ag-specific CTL stimulation was also efficiently induced in the lungs of mice that had been intranasally immunized with S-RBD-LL-37, compared with S-RBD. Importantly, intranasal immunization of hDPP4-Tg mice with S-RBD-LL-37 led to reduced immune cell infiltration into the lungs after infection with MERS-CoV. Finally, intranasal immunization of hDPP4-Tg mice with S-RBD-LL-37 led to enhanced protective efficacy, with increased survival and reduced body weight loss after challenge infection with MERS-CoV. Collectively, these results suggest that S-RBD-LL-37 is an effective intranasal vaccine candidate molecule against MERS-CoV infection.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.25.1-25.13
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• 2020

Acinetobacter baumannii is known for its multidrug antibiotic resistance. New approaches to treating drug-resistant bacterial infections are urgently required. Cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP) is a murine antimicrobial peptide that exerts diverse immune functions, including both direct bacterial cell killing and immunomodulatory effects. In this study, we sought to identify the role of CRAMP in the host immune response to multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Wild-type (WT) and CRAMP knockout mice were infected intranasally with the bacteria. CRAMP^-/- mice exhibited increased bacterial colony-forming units (CFUs) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid after A. baumannii infection compared to WT mice. The loss of CRAMP expression resulted in a significant decrease in the recruitment of immune cells, primarily neutrophils. The levels of IL-6 and CXCL1 were lower, whereas the levels of IL-10 were significantly higher in the BAL fluid of CRAMP^-/- mice compared to WT mice 1 day after infection. In an in vitro assay using thioglycollate-induced peritoneal neutrophils, the ability of bacterial phagocytosis and killing was impaired in CRAMP^-/- neutrophils compared to the WT cells. CRAMP was also essential for the production of cytokines and chemokines in response to A. baumannii in neutrophils. In addition, the A. baumannii-induced inhibitor of κB-α degradation and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK were impaired in CRAMP^-/- neutrophils, whereas ERK and JNK phosphorylation was upregulated. Our results indicate that CRAMP plays an important role in the host defense against pulmonary infection with A. baumannii by promoting the antibacterial activity of neutrophils and regulating the innate immune responses.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.533-550
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• 2024

Peptides with bioactive effects are being researched for various purposes. However, there is a lack of overall research on pork-derived peptides. In this study, we reviewed the process of obtaining bioactive peptides, available analytical methods, and the study of bioactive peptides derived from pork. Pepsin and trypsin, two representative protein digestive enzymes in the body, are hydrolyzed by other cofactors to produce peptides. Bicinchoninic acid assay, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, chromatography, and in vitro digestion simulation systems are utilized to analyze bioactive peptides for protein digestibility and molecular weight distribution. Pork-derived peptides mainly exhibit antioxidant and antihypertensive activities. The antioxidant activity of bioactive peptides increases the accessibility of amino acid residues by disrupting the three-dimensional structure of proteins, affecting free radical scavenging, reactive oxygen species inactivation, and metal ion chelating. In addition, the antihypertensive activity decreases angiotensin II production by inhibiting angiotensin converting enzyme and suppresses blood pressure by blocking the AT1 receptor. Pork-derived bioactive peptides, primarily obtained using papain and pepsin, exhibit significant antioxidant and antihypertensive activities, with most having low molecular weights below 1 kDa. This study may aid in the future development of bioactive peptides and serve as a valuable reference for pork-derived peptides.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.522-527
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• 2008

Low molecular peptides were isolated from Asterias amurensis via SDS-PAGE. The peptides were separated via consecutive gel filtration as five fractions (F1-F5) according to molecular weights, based on the results of MALDI-TOF MS analysis. The molecular weight of the most active peptide was estimated as 15,000 daltons. The peptide showed cytotoxicity on normal human fibroblast cells at levels as low as 20% when 1.0 mg/mL of the samples was added. The peptide also exhibited higher levels of nitric oxide production from macrophages than the lipopolysaccaharides. It was determined that prostaglendin $E_2$ production was significantly inhibited, up to 127.8% as compared to the control. The low molecular peptide inhibited hyaluronidase activity as 535.7 ${\mu}g/mL$ of $IC_{50}$. It can be concluded that the relatively low molecular weight peptide, fucoidan, from A. amurensis has excellent cosmetic and immunomodulatory activities, which can be considered as a possible resource of new cosmetic agents for skin immunomodulation.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.20-24
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• 2006

An antimicrobial substance was purified from the giant snail body extract (Achatina fulica) using solid-phase extraction and separation on HPLC reversed-phase chromatography. The primary structure were determined by a combination of an automated amino acid sequence and MALDI-TOF Mass. Its molecular mass was found to be 1392.64 Da. This result was in excellent agrement with the theoretical molecular mass calculated from the amino acid sequence. purified peptide showed antimicrobial activity in vitro against Escherichia coli D31. This result indicate that giant snail whole body was potentially antimicrobial.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2006.04a
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• pp.77-90
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• 2006

Beta-amyloid peptide (A$\beta$) is a major component of senile plaques and its aggregation is considered to play a critical role in pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aggregation of A$\beta$ could result from both increased synthesis and decreased degradation of A$\beta$. Our laboratory is interested in understanding the mechanism of A$\beta$ degradation in brain. Recently our laboratory identified a bacterial gene (SKAP) from Streptomyces sp KK565 whose protein product has an activity to cleave A$\beta$ and thus reduce the A$\beta$-induced neurotoxicity. The sequence analysis showed that this gene was closely related to aminopeptidase. Maldi-Tof analysis showed that the recombinant SKAP protein expressed in E. coli cleaves both A$\beta$ 40 and A$\beta$ 42 at the N-terminal of A$\beta$ while an aminopeptidase from Streptomyces griseus (SGAP) cleaves at the C-terminal. We also identified a mammalian homolog of SKAP and the recombinant mammalian protein expressed in Sf-9 insect cells showed a similar proteolytic activity to SGAP, cutting A$\beta$ at the C-terminus. I well discuss the detailed mechanism of the enzyme action and its functional implication in AD.