• BMB Reports
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.101-105
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• 1997

Extracellular phospholipase $A_2$ activity has been detected in urine of patients with acute pyelonephritis (APN). This enzyme required micromolar $Ca^{2+}$ ion for its maximum activity and showed a broad range of pH (4.5~10) optimum. Urine enzyme hydrolyzed phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylserine (PS) more effectively than phosphatidylcholine (PC). $PLA_2$ activity in the urine of patients with APN was about 5-fold higher than that of healthy individuals. When urine was subjected to heparinSepharose column chromatography, phospholipase $A_2$ activity was detected in both heparin-non-binding and binding fractions. Both phospholipase $A_2$ activities were sensitive less than a micromolar calcium concentration and did not react with anti-human 14-kDa group II phospholipase $A_2$ monoclonal antibody, HP-l. These findings suggest that two kinds of novel extracellular phospholipase $A_2$. which may not belong to the 14-kDa group II phospholipase $A_2$ family, exist in the urine of patients with APN.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2011

To understand the roles of purinergic receptors and cellular molecules below the receptors in the vascular inflammatory response, we determined if extracellular nucleotides up-regulated chemokine expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Human aortic smooth muscle cells (AoSMCs) abundantly express $PSY_1$, $PSY_6$, and $PSY_{11}$ receptors, which all respond to extracellular nucleotides. Exposure of human AoSMCs to $NAD^+$, an agonist of the human $PSY_{11}$ receptor, and $NADP^+$ as well as ATP, an agonist for $PSY_1$ and $PSY_{11}$ receptors, caused increase in chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 gene (CCL2) transcript and CCL2 release; however, UPT did not affect CCL2 expression. CCL2 release by $NAD^+$ and $NADP^+$ was inhibited by a concentration dependent manner by suramin, an antagonist of P2-purinergic receptors. $NAD^+$ and $NADP^+$ activated protein kinase C and enhanced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and Akt. $NAD^+$- and $NADP^+$-mediated CCL2 release was significantly attenuated by SP6001250, U0126, LY294002, Akt inhibitor IV, RO318220, GF109203X, and diphenyleneiodium chloride. These results indicate that extracellular nucleotides can promote the proinflammatory VSMC phenotype by up-regulating CCL2 expression, and that multiple cellular elements, including phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, Akt, protein kinase C, and mitogen-activated protein kinases, are involved in that process.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.173-178
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• 1999

The extracellular cytosine deaminase (EC 3.5.4.1) from Chromobacterium violaceum YK 391 was purified 264.7-fold with an overall yield of 14.3%. The enzyme was for the first time homogeneous by the criteria of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis performed in the absence and in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated to be about 156 kDa. The enzyme consisted of two identical subunits of approximate molecular weight 78 kDa. The isoelectric point of the enzyme was pH 5.55. The enzyme had a pH optimum of 7.5 and a temperature optimum of around 40 to $45^{\circ}C$. Besides cytosine, the enzyme deaminated 5-fluorocytosine, cytidine, 5-methylcytosine, and 6-azacytosine, but not 5-azacytosine. The extracellular cytosine deaminase is believed to be unique because it was active not only on cytosine but also on cytidine. The apparent $K_m$ values for cytosine, 5-fluorocytosine, cytidine, and 5-methylcytosine were determined to be 1.55 mM, 5.52 mM, 10.4 mM, and 67.2 mM, respectively. The enzyme activity was strongly inhibited by heavy metal ions such as $Fe^{2+},Pb^{2+},Cd^{2+},Zn^{2+}, Hg^{2+}, and Cu^{2+}$ at 1 mM, and completely by $\alpha,\alpha$'-dipyridyl, and $\rho$-chloromercuribenzoate at 1 mM, and weakly inhibited by 1mM ο-phenanthroline. The enzyme activity was not affected by various nucleosides and nucleotides.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.307-314
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• 2013

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a potent pro-fibrotic factor, which is implicated in fibrosis through extracellular matrix (ECM) induction in diabetic cardiovascular complications. It is an important downstream mediator in the fibrotic action of transforming growth factor ${\beta}$ ($TGF{\beta}$) and is potentially induced by hyperglycemia in human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Therefore, the goal of this study is to identify the signaling pathways of CTGF effects on ECM accumulation and cell proliferation in VSMCs under hyperglycemia. We found that high glucose stimulated the levels of CTGF mRNA and protein and followed by VSMC proliferation and ECM components accumulation such as collagen type 1, collagen type 3 and fibronectin. By depleting endogenous CTGF we showed that CTGF is indispensable for the cell proliferation and ECM components accumulation in high glucose-stimulated VSMCs. In addition, pretreatment with the MEK1/2 specific inhibitors, PD98059 or U0126 potently inhibited the CTGF production and ECM components accumulation in high glucose-stimulated VSMCs. Furthermore, knockdown with ERK1/2 MAPK siRNA resulted in significantly down regulated of CTGF production, ECM components accumulation and cell proliferation in high glucose-stimulated VSMCs. Finally, ERK1/2 signaling regulated Egr-1 protein expression and treatment with recombinant CTGF reversed the Egr-1 expression in high glucose-induced VSMCs. It is conceivable that ERK1/2 MAPK signaling pathway plays an important role in regulating CTGF expression and suggests that blockade of CTGF through ERK1/2 MAPK signaling may be beneficial for therapeutic target of diabetic cardiovascular complication such as atherosclerosis.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.525-529
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• 2003

The phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (p-ERK) in the spinal cord of rats with acute monophasic experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was studied using immunohistochemistry and treatment with inhibitor. P-ERK is constitutively expressed in glial cells in the normal spinal cord. In EAE, some inflammatory cells in the subarachnoid space were positive for p-ERK at the early stage, and its immunoreactivity declined when those cells infiltrated the parenchyma at the peak stage. In a blocking experiment using its inhibitor, the intravenous administration of PD98059 from day 7 to 13 post-immunization did not modulate EAE paralysis. Considering the results, we postulate that intravenous administration of PD98059 is not effective in ameliorating EAE paralysis, although many inflammatory cells express ERK in the subarachnoid space.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.229-244
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• 1991

A bioassay technique and organ bath study were performed to analyze the effects of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ and $Ca^{2+}$-antagonists on endothelium-derived relaxing factor[s][EDRF] released from the endothelial cells of rabbit aorta. Transverse strips with intact endothelium or damaged endothelium were used for the mechanical contraction experiment using organ bath. Long segment including thoracic and abdominal aorta with endothelium [EDRF donor aorta] was perfused with Tyrode solution which was aerated with 95% $O_2-5%$ $CO_2$ mixed gas and kept at 35oC. The perfusate was bioassayed with a transverse strip of thoracic aorta with damaged endothelium. The test strip was contracted with nor-epinephrine and acetylcholine was used to stimulate the release of EDRF from endothelial cells. The results obtained were as follows; 1] The endothelium-dependent relaxation[EDR] induced by acetylcholine was biphasic; an initial rapid relaxation followed by a slow relaxation. 2] EDR induced by acetylcholine was reduced gradually with the decrease in the concentration of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$. The effect of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ on EDR was more prominent in the late slow relaxation phase. 3] EDR to acetylcholine was not altered by acute exposure to organic $Ca^{2+}$-antagonists. Pretreatment with verapamil to the EDRF donor aortic segment did not alter the magnitude of EDR. 4] Among the inorganic $Ca^{2+}$-antagonists $Mn^{2+}$ and $Cd^{2+}$ did not inhibit EDR, whereas $Co^{2+}$ and $La^{3+}$ inhibited EDR. 5] The inhibitory response of $Co^{2+}$ to EDR developed when infused directly on the test strip. That of $La^{3+}$, however, was evoked when added to solution perfusing the donor aortic segment. The above results suggest that $Ca^{2+}$-antagonists do not affect EDR and the inhibitory effect of $Ca^{2+}$ results from influencing the action of EDRF on vascular smooth muscle, whereas that of $La^{3+}$ results from its action on the release of EDRF from endothelial cells.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.321-324
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• 2000

The Effect of pH red pigment production by Monascus purpureus ATCC 16365 has been studied in pH-controlled batch fermenter culture. A maximum of yellow and red pigments were detected using UV-Vis spectrophotometer at 385nm and 495nm, respectively. Fungal growth and pigment production were favoured at low pH(pH 4.0-5.5). Especially extracellular formation rate of orange to yellow pigment was decreased compared with that of orange to red pigment at pH 7.0. In addition, the enhancement of ratio of extracellular to intracellular pigment and the red pigment production in pH 7.0-controlled batch fermenter was observed. However, the pH 7.0-controlled batch cultures depressed the total production of pigments. The pH change from 4.0 to 7.0 during batch fermenter cultivations sharply increased both red pigment production and the extracellular composition.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.574-583
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• 2006

Statement of problem : The use of permanent magnetics is increasing in implant dentistry. Purpose : This study is to know the effect of permanent magnetics on bone matrix formation of osteoblasts. Materials and methods : The konus abutment-shaped permanent magnetics were connected to the implant fixture, and placed on the culture plate. The osteoblast-like cell Mc3T3E1 were used for cell culture. As the control group, the implants were connected to titanium healing caps, and cultured in the same conditions of experimental group. After 3. 7, 14 days, cells were cultured, and we measured and compared the amount of collagen type I, osteocalcin, which is bone matrix protein by Western immunoblotting analysis. Results: As a result of Western immunoblotting analysis for estimating the amount of bone extracellular matrix, there was no difference between osteoblast of the experimental group and the control group during 3 and 7day-osteoblast culturing. However when cells were cultured for 14days, the amount of bone extracellular matrix was increased, on the experimental group. Conclusion: From these results, magnetic field of permanent magnetics might have effect on bone formation of osteoblast, especially at initial stage of implant placement. Therefore, their clinical application for implant or bone graft could be possible.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2004

Endothellial cells are subjected to hemodynamic shear stress, the dragging force generated by blood flow. Shear stress regulates endothelial cell shape, structure, and function, including gene expression. Since endothelial cells must be anchored to their extracellular matrices(ECM) for their survival and growth, we hypothesized that ECMs are crucial for shear-dependent activation of extracellular signalactivated regulated kinase(ERK) that is important for cell proliferation. Shear stress-dependent activation of ERK was observed in cells plated on two different matrices, fibronectin and vitronectin(the two most physiologically relevant ECM in endothelial cells). We then treated bovine aortic endothelial cells(BAECs) with Arg-Gly-Asp(RGD) peptides that block the functional activation of integrin binding to fibronectin and vitronectin, and a nonfunctional peptide as a control. Treatment of cells with the RGD peptides, but not the control peptide, significantly inhibited ERK activity in a concentration-dependent manner. This supports the idea that integrin adhesion to the ligands, fibronectin and vitronectin, mediates shear stress-dependent activation of ERK. Subsequently, whereas antagonists of vitronectin(LM 609, an antibody for integrin ${\alpha}_{\gamma}$/${\beta}_3$ and XT 199, an antagonist specific for integrin ${\alpha}_{\gamma}$/${\beta}_3$) did not have any effect on shear-dependent activation of ERK, antagonists of fibronectin(a neutralizing antibody for integrin ${\alpha}_5$/${\beta}_1$or ${\alpha}_4$${\beta}_1$ and SM256) had an inhibitory effect. These results clearly demonstrate that mechanoactivation of ERK requires anchoring of endothelial cells to fibronectin through integrins.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.212-219
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• 1997

Multiple forms of extracellular phospholipase $A_2$ have been detected in human amniotic fluid (HAF). When HAF was subjected to heparin-Sepharose column chromatography, phospholipase $A_2$ activity was detected in both heparin-non binding and binding fraction. The activity of heparin-non binding fraction was further purified by sequential uses of column chromatographies on butyl-Toy-opearl 650M and DEAE-Sephacel. DEAE-Sephacel fraction contained three different phospholipase $A_2$ activities (Peak I, II, III). The molecular weight of DEAE-Sephacel fraction phospholipase $A_2$ determined by SDS-PAGE were about 52KDa (Peak I). Peak II, III required micromolar $Ca^{2+}$ ion for its maximum activity, but Peak I enzyme showed calcium independent phospholipase $A_2$ activity and showed broad range of pH (6.0~10.0) optimum. All these enzymes were not recognized by a monoclonal antibody raised against phospholipase $A_2$ from human synovial fluid. These results suggest that HAF might contain multiple forms of extracellular phospholipase $A_2$, which may neither belong to the 14KDa group II phospholipase $A_2$ family nor cytosolic phospholipase $A_2$.