• Membrane Journal
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.181-189
• /
• 2020

In the present study, a biomimetic alumina membrane was fabricated by using selenic acid as an electrolyte to overcome the asymmetry limit of the square pulse anodization process. The prepared membrane has conical channels with a minimum diameter of 10 nm, a maximum diameter of 50 nm, and a length of 5 ㎛. The rectification property was higher than membranes fabricated by sulfuric acid. It showed 2.9 times larger current at +1 V than -1 V. Also, the membrane, which sulfonic acid group was introduced by surface modification, showed 4.2 times larger rectification property at -1 V than +1 V. Theoretical verifications were supported by the numerical analyses of 2D models. The results of the present study present a convenient method to fabricate two type membranes with different rectification properties and are expected to be used to control ion transport.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.297-305
• /
• 2014

Flavonoids have an ability to suppress various ion channels. We determined whether one of flavonoids, cyanidin-3-glucoside, affects adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-induced calcium signaling using digital imaging methods for intracellular free $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ([$Ca^{2+}$]i), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential in PC12 cells. Treatment with ATP ($100{\mu}M$) for 90 sec induced [$Ca^{2+}$]i increases in PC12 cells. Pretreatment with cyanidin-3-glucoside ($1{\mu}g/ml$ to $100{\mu}g/ml$) for 30 min inhibited the ATP-induced [$Ca^{2+}$]i increases in a concentration-dependent manner ($IC_{50}=15.3{\mu}g/ml$). Pretreatment with cyanidin-3-glucoside ($15{\mu}g/ml$) for 30 min significantly inhibited the ATP-induced [$Ca^{2+}$]i responses following removal of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ or depletion of intracellular [$Ca^{2+}$]i stores. Cyanidin-3-glucoside also significantly inhibited the relatively specific P2X2 receptor agonist 2-MeSATP-induced [$Ca^{2+}$]i responses. Cyanidin-3-glucoside significantly inhibited the thapsigargin or ATP-induced store-operated calcium entry. Cyanidin-3-glucoside significantly inhibited the ATP-induced [$Ca^{2+}$]i responses in the presence of nimodipine and ${\omega}$-conotoxin. Cyanidin-3-glucoside also significantly inhibited KCl (50 mM)-induced [$Ca^{2+}$]i increases. Cyanidin-3-glucoside significantly inhibited ATP-induced mitochondrial depolarization. The intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ chelator BAPTA-AM or the mitochondrial $Ca^{2+}$ uniporter inhibitor RU360 blocked the ATP-induced mitochondrial depolarization in the presence of cyanidin-3-glucoside. Cyanidin-3-glucoside blocked ATP-induced formation of ROS. BAPTA-AM further decreased the formation of ROS in the presence of cyanidin-3-glucoside. All these results suggest that cyanidin-3-glucoside inhibits ATP-induced calcium signaling in PC12 cells by inhibiting multiple pathways which are the influx of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ through the nimodipine and ${\omega}$-conotoxin-sensitive and -insensitive pathways and the release of $Ca^{2+}$ from intracellular stores. In addition, cyanidin-3-glucoside inhibits ATP-induced formation of ROS by inhibiting $Ca^{2+}$-induced mitochondrial depolarization.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.407-420
• /
• 2000

삼차신경절의 뉴런이 구강악안면영역에서의 촉각, 입각, 온도각 및 통각 등 다양한 감각을 중추신경계로 전달하는 역할을 하는 것은 주지의 사실이다. 이러한 신경전달에 있어서 이온통로는 감각정보를 전달하는데 핵심적인 역할을 수행하며 특히 소디움 통로는 활동전위의 발생에 중요하다. 소디움 통로는 tetrodotoxin-sensitive(TTX-s) 및 tetrodotoxin-resistant(TTX-r) 통로로 나누어지는 데 이 중 TTX-r 통로에 발생되는 tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium current(TTX-r $I_{Na}$)는 capsaicin에 민감한 일차구심신경세포에서 유해자극에 의해 통각신호를 발생시키고 전달하는데 중요하다. 또한 칼슘 통로는 시냅스 전도에 있어서 필수적인 역할을 수행하고 있다 한편 치과영역에서 치수의 진정 목적으로 eugenol이 흔히 사용되고 있다. 그러나 eugenol의 그 작용 기전에 대해서 현재까지 이온 통로에 대한 상세한 결과가 없는 실정이며 최근의 보고에 의하면 eugenol이 capsaicin 수용기를 통하여 감각신경에 대한 억제작용을 나타낸다고 한다. 따라서 본 실험은 eugenol과 capsaicin이 흰쥐의 삼차신경절의 TTX-r $I_{Na}$와 칼슘통로에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지를 알아보고 eugenol이 capsaicin 수용기를 통하여 작용하는지를 검증하고자 시행되었다. 삼차신경절 뉴런은 100~150g의 흰쥐의 삼차신경절로부터 외과적으로 절제하여 통법의 화학적 및 기계적 처리를 통해 단일세포로 분리하였고 이를 whole-cell patch clamp 방법을 이용하여 시행한 바 다음과 같은 결론을 얻었다. 1. 1mM의 dugenol은 흰쥐 삼차신경절 뉴런의 TTX-r $I_{Na}$와 HVA $I_{Ca}$를 억제하였다. 2. $1{\mu}m$의 capsaicin은 흰쥐 삼차신경절 뉴런의 TTX-r $I_{Na}$와 HVA $I_{Ca}$를 억제하였다. 3. Capsazepine은 capsaicin의 HVA $I_{Ca}$에 대한 억제작용을 차단하였다. 4. Capsazepine은 capsaicin의 HVA $I_{Ca}$에 대한 억제작용을 차단하지 못하였다. 결론적으로 eugenol과 capsaicin은 tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium current(TTX-r $I_{Na}$)와 high voltage-activated calcium current(HVA $I_{Ca}$)를 모두 억제하는 것으로 나타났으며, 이러한 작용이 통각의 발생과 시냅스 전달과정을 차단하여 치수 진정 목적으로 많이 사용하는 eugenol의 작용기전으로 판단된다. 한편 capsaicin의 길항제인 capsazepine을 전처치하였을 때에도 eugenol의 HVA $I_{Ca}$에 대한 억제효과는 변화가 없었다. 이와같은 결과로 보아 HVA $I_{Ca}$에 관한 한 eugenol은 capsaicin 수용기를 통하여 나타나지 않는 것으로 사료된다.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.26 no.10
• /
• pp.868-873
• /
• 2003

Ginsenosides, major active ingredients of Panax ginseng, that exhibit various pharmacological and physiological actions are transformed into compound K (CK) or M4 by intestinal microorganisms. CK is a metabolite derived from protopanaxadiol (PD) ginsenosides, whereas M4 is a metabolite derived from protopanaxatriol (PT) ginsenosides. Recent reports shows that ginsenosides might playa role as pro-drugs for these metabolites. In present study, we investigated the effect of bovine serum albumin (BSA), which is one of major binding proteins on various neurotransmitters, hormones, and other pharmacological agents, on ginsenoside $Rg_{2-}$, CK-, or M4-induced regulation of $\alpha3\beta4$ nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor channel activity expressed in Xenopus oocytes. In the absence of BSA, treatment of ACh elicited inward peak current ($I_{Ach}$) in oocytes expressing $\alpha3\beta4$ nicotinic ACh receptor. Co-treatment of ginsenoside $Rg_2$, CK, or M4 with ACh inhibited IAch in oocytes expressing $\alpha3\beta4$ nicotinic ACh receptor with reversible and dose-dependent manner. In the presence of 1% BSA, treatment of ACh still elicited $I_{Ach}$ in oocytes expressing $\alpha3\beta4$ nicotinic ACh receptor and co-treatment of ginsenoside $Rg_2$ or M4 but not CK with ACh inhibited $I_{Ach}$ in oocytes expressing $\alpha3\beta4$ nicotinic ACh receptor with reversible and dose-dependent manner. These results show that BSA interferes the action of CK rather than M4 on the inhibitory effect of $I_{Ach}$ in oocytes expressing $\alpha3\beta4$ nicotinic ACh receptor and further suggest that BSA exhibits a differential interaction on ginsenoside metabolites.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.60 no.4
• /
• pp.574-581
• /
• 2022

Nanofibers comprising reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and Mo₂C/Mo₂N nanoparticles (Mo₂C/Mo₂N rGO NFs) were prepared for a functional interlayer of Li-S batteries (LSBs). The well-dispersed Mo₂C and Mo₂N nanoparticles in the nanofiber structure served as active polar sites for efficient immobilization of dissolved lithium polysulfide. The rGO nanosheets in the structure also provide conductive channels for fast ion/electron transport during charging-discharging and ensured reuse of lithium polysulfide during redox reactions through a fast charge transfer process. As a result, the cell assembled with Mo₂C/Mo₂N rGO NFs-coated separator and pure sulfur electrode (70 wt% of sulfur content and 2.1 mg cm^-2 of sulfur loading) showed a stable discharge capacity of 476 mA h g^-1 after 400 charge-discharge cycles at 0.1 C. Furthermore, it exhibited a discharge capacity of 574 mA h g^-1 even at a high current density of 1.0 C. Therefore, we believe that the proposed unique nanostructure synthesis strategy could provide new insights into the development of sustainable and highly conductive polar materials as functional interlayers for high performance LSBs.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.521-531
• /
• 2023

Transmembrane protein TMEM16A, which encodes calcium-activated chloride channel has been implicated in tumorigenesis. Overexpression of TMEM16A is associated with poor prognosis and low overall survival in multiple cancers including lung adenocarcinoma, making it a promising biomarker and therapeutic target. In this study, three structure-related sesquiterpene lactones (mecheliolide, costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone) were extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine Aucklandiae Radix and identified as novel TMEM16A inhibitors with comparable inhibitory effects. Their effects on the proliferation and migration of lung adenocarcinoma cells were examined. Whole-cell patch clamp experiments showed that these sesquiterpene lactones potently inhibited recombinant TMEM16A currents in a concentration-dependent manner. The half-maximal concentration (IC50) values for three tested sesquiterpene lactones were 29.9 ± 1.1 µM, 19.7 ± 0.4 µM, and 24.5 ± 2.1 µM, while the maximal effect (E_max) values were 100.0% ± 2.8%, 85.8% ± 0.9%, and 88.3% ± 4.6%, respectively. These sesquiterpene lactones also significantly inhibited the endogenous TMEM16A currents and proliferation, and migration of LA795 lung cancer cells. These results demonstrate that mecheliolide, costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone are novel TMEM16A inhibitors and potential candidates for lung adenocarcinoma therapy.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.157-164
• /
• 1992

Changes in the both inward current and conductance of membrane by the fertilization were observed using the one microelectrode voltage clamp(or switch clamp) technique. Unfertilized eggs and both 1- and 2-cell stage eggs after fertilization were donated from the superovulated mouse (ICR, more than 6 weeks old) treated with PMSG(pregnant mare serum gonadotropin, Sigma) and HCG(human chorionic gonadotropin, Sigma) and naturally mated ones, respectively in this experiment. Membrane potential was held at -90mV and the voltage step was applied from -80mV to 50mV with interval of 10mV or 20mV for 300ms. since both of amplitudes and time courses in the membrane currents were various according to the states of cells and clamping condition, results were presented by their $averages{\pm}SEM$(standard mean error)and ratios or percentages. Inward currents began to appear in response to the step depolarization from -60mV and reached its maximum at -50mV. However, since the potential was not clamped evenly during the voltage step, current-voltage(I-V) relationship might be positively shifted 10 or 20mV. From the steady-state currents plotted in the I-V curve, outward rectification was markedly observed. Peak inward currents$(i_{in})$ at -50mV were $-0.62{\pm}0.23nA$(n=4),$-0.52{\pm}0.25nA$(n=5) and $-0.37{\pm}0.25nA$(n=6), in the 1-cell stage, 2-cell stage fertilized eggs and in the unfertilized eggs, respectively. Pure inward current (difference between steady-state and peak, $i_{in. pure}$) were $-1.01{\pm}0.23nA$, $-0.69{\pm}0.43nA$ and $-0.68{\pm}0.29nA$, respectively in the 1-cell stage fertilized eggs, unfertilized eggs and 2-cell stage fertilized eggs. These results suggested that the outward current in fertilized eggs of 2-cell stage was more increased than those in the unfertilized eggs. Pure inward currents in the all stages of eggs showed a similar fashion in the I-V relationship from -50mV to 50mV and reversal potential at 50mV. Time constant of inactivation$({\tau})$ in the inward current was decreased as the membrane potential was depolarized in the unfertilized and 2-cell stage eggs but in the 1-cell stage eggs t was not likely to be affected significantly. Slope conductances were 14.2nS, 8.9n5 and 7.7nS in the 1-cell, 2-cell stage fertilized eggs and the unfertilized eggs, respectively. Membranes between two cells within a zona pellucida seem to be electrical-connected in the 2-cell stage eggs from the observation made in the analysis for the electronic spread and decay to the current stimuli. Both of inward current and membrane conductance were increased after fertilization in the mouse eggs. Inward current seems to be carried by the same ion or through the same channels up to the 2-cell stage and ion that carried inward current was thought to play important function after fertilization in the mouse eggs.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.37-43
• /
• 2006

Gap junction is an ion channel forming between adjacent cells. It also acts as a membrane channel like sodium or potassium channels in a single cell. The amino acid residues up to the $10^{th}$ position in the amino (N)-terminus of gap junction hemichannel affect gating polarity as well as current-voltage (I-V) relation. While wild-type Cx32 channel shows negative gating polarity and inwardly rectifying I-V relation, T8D channel in which threonine residue at $8^{th}$ position is replaced with negatively charged aspartate residue shows reverse gating polarity and linear I-V relation. It is still unclear whether these changes are resulted from the charge effect or the conformational change of the N-terminus. To clarify this issue, we made a mutant channel harboring cysteine residue at the $8^{th}$ position (T8C) and characterized its biophysical properties using substituted-cysteine accessibility method (SCAM). T8C channel shows negative gating polarity and inwardly rectifying I-V relation as wild-type channel does. This result indicates that the substitution of cysteine residue dose not perturb the original conformation of wild-type channel. To elucidate the charge effect two types of methaenthiosulfonate (MTS) reagents (negatively charged $MTSES^-$ and positively charged $MTSET^+$) were used. When $MTSES^-$ was applied, T8C channel behaved as T8D channel, showing positive gating polarity and linear I-V relation. This result indicates that the addition of a negative charge changes the biophysical properties of T8C channel. However, positively charged $MTSET^+$ maintained the main features of T8C channel as expected. It is likely that the addition of a charge by small MTS reagents does not distort the conformation of the N-terminus. Therefore, the opposite effects of $MTSES^-$ and $MTSETT^+$ on T8C channel suggest that the addition of a charge itself rather than the conformational change of the N-terminus changes gating polarity and I-V relation. Furthermore, the accessibility of MTS reagents to amino acid residues at the $8^{th}$ position supports the idea that the N-terminus of gap junction channel forms or lies in the aqueous pore.