• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.135-142
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• 1990

The quality improvement of antigen (crude saline extract) of Spirometra maptscni 1)lerocercoid (sparganum) was investigated by protein purificatioll. The crude extract was fractionated by gel filtration through Sephacryl S-300 Superfine. Its third fraction was purified by affinity chromatography using a monoclonal antibody as ligand. When observed by SDS-PAGE, the purified protein was composed of 2 bands of 36 kDa and 29 kDa which were found already as the most sensitive components in the crude extract by immunoblots with patients sera. The quality of the purified antigen was evaluated in comparison with the crude extract by ensyme-linked imnunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the specific (IgG) antibody in sera of human sparganosis, other parasitic and neurologic diseases, and normal control. When the purified antigen was used: the sensitivity was not altered but remained high (96.4%) while the specificity was increased from 86.8% to 96.9%.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.421-426
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• 1997

We evaluated the in vivo kinetics, distribution, and pharmacology of N-(4-[$^{18}F$]fluoromethylbenzyl)spiperone ([$^{18}F$]FMBS), a newly developed derivative of spiperone, as a potentially more selective radiotracer for the dopamine (DA) $D_2$ receptors. Mice received 1.9-3.7 MBq (1.8-3.6 nmol/kg) of [$^{18}F$]FMBS by tail vein injection. The time course and regional distribution of the tracer in brain were assessed. Blocking studies were carried out by intravenously preinjecting DA $D_2$ receptor blockers (spiperone, butaclamol) as well as drugs with high affinity for DA $D_1$ (SCH 23390), DA transporter (GBR 12909), and serotonin $S_2$ ($5-HT_2$) (ketanserin) sites. After injection of the tracer, the radioactivity in striatum increased steadily over time, resulting in a striatal-to-cerebellar ratio of 4.8 at 120 min postinjection. By contrast, the radioactivity in cerebellum, frontal cortex, and remaining cortex washed out rapidly. Preinjection of unlabeled FMBS (1 mg/kg) and spiperone (1 mg/kg) reduced [$^{18}F$]FMBS striatal-to-cerebellar ratio by 41% and 80%, respectively. (+)-Butaclamol (1 mg/kg) blocked 80% of the striatal [$^{18}F$]FMBS binding, while (-)-butaclamol (1 mg/kg) did not. Preinjection of SCH 23390 (1 mg/kg) and GBR 12909 (5 mg/kg) had no significant effect on [$^{18}F$]FMBS binding. Ketanserin (1 mg/kg), a ligand for the $5-HT_2$ receptors, did not cause significant inhibition either in striatum, in frontal cortex, or the remaining cortex. The results demonstrate that [$^{18}F$]FMBS labels DA $D_2$ receptors selectively in vivo in the mouse brain. It may hold promise as a selective radiotracer for studying DA $D_2$ receptors in vivo by PET.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.6 s.86
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• pp.783-790
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• 2007

G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) transmit various extracellular signals into the cells. Upon binding of the ligands, conformational changes in the extracellular and/or transmembrane (TM) domains of CPCRs were propagated into the cytoplasmic (CP) domain of the molecule leading to the activation of their cognate heterotrimeric C proteins and kinases. Constitutively active GPCR mutants causing the activation of C Protein signaling even in the absence of ligand binding are of interest for the study of activation mechanism of GPCRs. Two classes of constitutively active mutations, categorized by their effects on the salt bridge between Ell3 and K296, were found in the TM domain of rhodopsin. Opsin mutants containing combinations of the mutations were constructed to study the conformational changes required for the activation of rhodopsin. Rhodopsin chromophore regenerated with 11-cis-retinal showed a thermal stability inversely correlated with its constitutive activity. In contrast, rhodopsin mutants exhibited a binding affinity to an agonist, all-trans-retinal, in a constitutive activity-dependent manner. In order to test whether the conformational changes responsible for the activation of trans-ducin (Gt) are the same as the conformation required for the recognition of rhodopsin kinase, analysis of the mutants were carried out with phosphorylation by rhodopsin kinase. Rhodopsin mutants containing combinations of different classes of the mutations showed a strong synergistic effect on the phosphorylation of the mutants in the dark as similar to that of Gt activation. The results suggest that at least two or three kinds of segmental and independent conformational changes are required for the activation of rhodopsin and the conformational changes responsible for activating rhodopsin kinase and Gt are similar to each other.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.7-18
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• 2015

Objectives: Lawsone (1,4 naphthoquinone) is a non redox cycling compound that can be catalyzed by DT diaphorase (DTD) into 1,2,4-trihydroxynaphthalene (THN), which can generate reactive oxygen species by auto oxidation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of the phytomarker 1,4 naphthoquinone and its metabolite THN by using the molecular docking program AutoDock 4. Methods: The 3D structure of ligands such as hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen (NADPH) were drawn using hyperchem drawing tools and minimizing the energy of all pdb files with the help of hyperchem by $MM^+$ followed by a semi-empirical (PM3) method. The docking process was studied with ligand molecules to identify suitable dockings at protein binding sites through annealing and genetic simulation algorithms. The program auto dock tools (ADT) was released as an extension suite to the python molecular viewer used to prepare proteins and ligands. Grids centered on active sites were obtained with spacings of $54{\times}55{\times}56$, and a grid spacing of 0.503 was calculated. Comparisons of Global and Local Search Methods in Drug Docking were adopted to determine parameters; a maximum number of 250,000 energy evaluations, a maximum number of generations of 27,000, and mutation and crossover rates of 0.02 and 0.8 were used. The number of docking runs was set to 10. Results: Lawsone and THN can be considered to efficiently bind with NOS, CAT, GSH, GR, G6PDH and NADPH, which has been confirmed through hydrogen bond affinity with the respective amino acids. Conclusion: Naphthoquinone derivatives of lawsone, which can be metabolized into THN by a catalyst DTD, were examined. Lawsone and THN were found to be identically potent molecules for their affinities for selected proteins.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.137-142
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• 1986

The luminescence spectra of $Ru(bpy)_3^{2+}$ in poly(methacrylic acid) (PMA) solutions varied sensitively with pH. At pH < 5.5, the emission intensity increased with pH up to 4 times, while it decreased with pH beyond the pH. The enhanced emission intensity was accompanied by blue-shift of the emission maxima as much as 15 nm. The enhancement of emission intensity was attributed to the restricted rotational mobility of ligand of the cation bound to densely coiled PMA molecules at pH < 5.5. The sharp decrease in emission intensity with increasing pH near pH 5.6 was accounted for conformational transition of the polymer to more extended structure, which was also revealed in viscosity measurement. The enhancement of emission intensity became higher as NaCl concentration of the solution increased. The binding constant of $Ru(bpy)_3^{2+}$ with two carboxylate groups of PMA was calculated as $2{\times}10^5\;M^{-1}$ in 0.1 M NaCl at pH 5.2. The pH dependence of luminescence quenching rate of $Ru(bpy)_3^{2+}$ by $Cu^{++}$ also showed maximum near pH 5, and the rate was more than $10^3$ times higher than that in water, whereas the maximum enhancement of quenching rate (about 20 times) in poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) solution occurred at pH 4.5. On the other hand, the pH dependence for neutral water soluble nitrobenzene (NB) exhibited opposite trend to that of $Cu^{++}$. The quenching constant vs pH curve for $MV^{++}$ was composite of those for $Cu^{++}$ and NB. The anomalous high quenching rate for $Cu^{++}$ in PMA solution at pH < 5.5 was attributed to the binding of $Ru(bpy)_3^{2+}$ and $Cu^{++}$ to the same region of PMA, when it conforms densely coiled structure in the pH range. The observation of mininium quenching rate for NB near pH 5.5 indicated that the $Ru(bpy)_3^{2+}$ bound to the densely coiled PMA is not accessible by NB, which is in bulk water phase. The composite nature of the pH dependence of quenching rate for $MV^{++}$ in PMA solution was attributed to the smaller binding affinity of the cation to PMA, compared to that of $Cu^{++}$. The sharp, cooperative conformational transition with pH observed in PMA was not revealed in PAA. But, the pH dependence of quenching rates in this polymer reflected increased charge density and, thus, binding of cations to the polymer, and expansion of the polymer chain with pH.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.687-691
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• 1993

Complexation of $Cd^{2+},\;Pb^{2+}\;and\;Hg^{2+}$ ions with four cryptands were studied by potentiometry and solution calorimetry in various weight percent methanol-aqueous solvent at 25${\circ}$C under $CO_2$free nitrogen atmosphere. The stabilities of the complexes were dependent on the cavity size of macrocycles. The $Hg^{2+}$ ion stability constants are higher than those of $Cd^{2+}\;and\;Pb^{2+}$ ion. All the cryptands formed complexes having 1 : 1 (metal to ligand) mole-ratio except for $Hg^{2+}-L_1$ (cryptand 1,2b: 3,5-benzo-9,14,17-trioxa-1,7-diazabicyclo-(8,5,5) heptadecane) and $Cd^{2+}-L_2$ (cryptand 2,2b: 3,5-benzo-10,13,18,21-tetraoxa-1,7-diazabicyclo (8,5,5) eicosane) complexes. $Hg^{2+}-L_1$ complex was a sandwitch type, and the $Cd^{2+}-L_2$ complex showed two stepwise reactions. Thermodynamic parameters of the $Cd^{2+}-L_2$ complex were $6.08(log\;K_1)$, -7.28 Kcal/mol $({\Delta}H_1)$, and $4.78\;(log\;K_2)$, -4.62 Kcal/mol $({\Delta}H_2)$, respectively, for 1 : 1 and 2: 1 mole-ratio. The sequences of the selectivity were increased in the order of $Hg^{2+}\;>Pb^{2+}\;>Cd^{2+}$ ion for $L_3\;and\;L_4$ macrocycles, and the $L_2$-macrocycle has a selectivity for $Cd^{2+}$ ion relative to $Zn^{2+},\;Ni^{2+},\;Pb^{2+}\;and\;Hg^{2+}$ ions. Thus, it is expected that the $L_2$ can be used as carrier for seperation of the post transition metals by macrocycles-mediated liquid membrane because $L_2$ is not soluble in water, and the difference of stability constants of the metal complexes with $L_2$ are large as compared with the other transition metal complexes. The $^1H\;and\;^{13}C-NMR studies indicated that the nitrogen atoms of cryptands have greater affinity to the post transition metal ions than the oxygen atoms, and that the planarities of the macrocycles were lost by complexation with the metal ions because of the perturbation of ring current of benzene molecule attached to macrocycles and counter-anions.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.119-127
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• 1991

The protonation and the metal ion complexation of 15 to 18 membered diaza crown ether such as 1,12-diaza-3, 4 : 9, 10-dibenzo-5, 8-dioxacyclopentadecane(NtnOenH$_4$), 1,13-diaza-3,4 : 10,11-dibenzo-hydroxy-5,9-dioxacyclohexadecane(NtnOtnH$_4$), 1,13-diaza-3,4 : 10,11-dibenzo-15-hydroxy-5,9-dioxacyclohexadecane(Ntn(OH)OtnH$_4$), 1,15-diaza-3,4 : 12,13-dibenzo-5,8,11-trioxacycloheptadecane (NenOdienH$_4$) and 1,15-diaza-3,4 : 12,13-dibenzo-5,8,11-trioxacyclooctadecane(NtnOdienH$_4$) were studlied by potentiometry and NMR spectroscopy. The protonation constants were used to predict basicity of crown ethers. The sequence of the basicity was NenOdienH$_4$ < Ntn(OH)OtnH$_4$ < NtnOenH$_4$ < NtnOtnH$_4$ < NtnOdienH$_4$. Changes on the basicity were explained in terms of the effects of substituents and the degree of twistness of the macrocyclic ring. The sequence of the complex stabilities were Co(II) < Ni(II) < Cu(II) < Zn(II) for the transition metal complexes and Cd(II) < pb(II) < Hg(II) for the post-transition metal complexes. These changes on the stabilities were dependent on the basicity of the ligand and cavity size of the ring. For the heavy post-transiton metal complexes and Zn(Ⅱ) complex, the former factor was predominent and for the other transition metal complexes, the latter was affected on the stabilities. $^1$H and $^{13}$C-NMR studies for heavy post-transition metal complexes indicated that the nitrogen atom has greater affinity on metal ions than oxygen atom and the planarity of the rings was losed by the complexation with metal ions.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.167-176
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• 1990

In the present study, we examined the effects of tamoxifen and LY117018 on various parameters for the estrogenic actions in order to understand the mechanism by which tamoxifen and LY117018 act on the uterine cells in 21-23 day old immature rats. Tamoxifen and LY117018 stimulated uterine weight and uterine contents of DNA, protein, and peroxidase activity in the absence of estradiol while inhibited above parameters in the presence of estradiol. Both cytosolic and nuclear progesterone receptors were increased by the treatment of tamoxifen and LY117018 as well as estradiol, but estradiol-induced increase in the progesterone receptors were reduced by the treatment of antiestrogens. These effects were enhanced by the multiple injections of antiestrogens. It seemed that tamoxifen was more agonistic than LY117018 but less antagonistic than LY117018, judged by their effects on various parameters for the estrogenic action. The affinities of estradiol, tamoxifen, and LY117018 for the estrogen receptor were $0.17{\pm}0.01nM(100%)$, $1.10{\pm}0.01nM(6.3%)$, and $0.23{\pm}0.01nM(77%)$, respectively. Furthermore, LY117018 was the competitive ligand for the estrogen receptor in dose-related manner but tamoxifen was not. Following estradiol treatment, nuclear estrogen receptor was sharply increased by 1 h, reaching the maximum by 16 h, while tamoxifen and LY117018 slightly increased nuclear estrogen receptor by 1 h and then decreased thereafter. It is therefore concluded that LY117018 is a competitive antagonist for the estrogen receptor with less estrogenic activity, compared to tamoxifen with low affinity to the estrogen receptor, and tamoxifen may act through other binding site than the estrogen receptor.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.17-23
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• 1984

For nearly a century it has been known that chemical activity accompanies mental activity, but only recently has it been possible to begin to examine its exact nature. Positron-emitting radioactive tracers have made it possible to study the chemistry of the human mind in health and disease, using chiefly cyclotron-produced radionuclides, carbon-11, fluorine-18 and oxygen-15. It is now well established that measurable increases in regional cerebral blood flow, glucose and oxygen metabolism accompany the mental functions of perception, cognition, emotion and motion. On May 25, 1983 the first imaging of a neuroreceptor in the human brain was accomplished with carbon-11 methyl spiperone, a ligand that binds preferentially to dopamine-2 receptors, 80% of which are located in the caudate nucleus and putamen. Quantitative imaging of serotonin-2, opiate, benzodiazapine and muscarinic cholinergic receptors has subsequently been accomplished. In studies of normal men and women, it has been found that dopamine and serotonin receptor activity decreases dramatically with age, such a decrease being more pronounced in men than in women and greater in the case of dopamine receptors than serotonin-2 receptors. Preliminary studies in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders suggests that dopamine-2 receptor activity is diminished in the caudate nucleus of patients with Huntington's disease. Positron tomography permits quantitative assay of picomolar quantities of neuro-receptors within the living human brain. Studies of patients with Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, acute and chronic pain states and drug addiction are now in progress. The growth of any scientific field is based on a paradigm or set of ideas that the community of scientists accepts. The unifying principle of nuclear medicine is the tracer principle applied to the study of human disease. Nineteen hundred and sixty-three was a landmark year in which technetium-99m and the Anger camera combined to move the field from its latent stage into a second stage characterized by exponential growth within the framework of the paradigm. The third stage, characterized by gradually declining growth, began in 1973. Faced with competing advances, such as computed tomography and ultrasonography, proponents and participants in the field of nuclear medicine began to search for greener pastures or to pursue narrow sub-specialties. Research became characterized by refinements of existing techniques. In 1983 nuclear medicine experienced what could be a profound change. A new paradigm was born when it was demonstrated that, despite their extremely low chemical concentrations, in the picomolar range, it was possible to image and quantify the distribution of receptors in the human body. Thus, nuclear medicine was able to move beyond physiology into biochemistry and pharmacology. Fundamental to the science of pharmacology is the concept that many drugs and endogenous substances, such as neurotransmitters, react with specific macromolecules that mediate their pharmacologic actions. Such receptors are usually identified in the study of excised tissues, cells or cell membranes, or in autoradiographic studies in animals. The first imaging and quantification of a neuroreceptor in a living human being was performed on May 25, 1983 and reported in the September 23, 1983 issue of SCIENCE. The study involved the development and use of carbon-11 N-methyl spiperone (NMSP), a drug with a high affinity for dopamine receptors. Since then, studies of dopamine and serotonin receptors have been carried out in over 100 normal persons or patients with various neuropsychiatric disorders. Exactly one year later, the first imaging of opitate receptors in a living human being was performed [1].