• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.497-503
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• 2010

This paper reports a chemomechanical explosive sensor based on a thin polymer membrane. The sensor consists of thin parylene membrane and electrodes. Parylene membrane is functionalized with 4-mercaptophenol which interacts strongly with nitrotoluene based explosives. The membrane deflection caused by molecular interaction between the surface and explosives is monitored by capacitance between the membrane and the substrate. To measure the capacitance, electrodes are formed on the membrane and the substrate. While the previous cantilever system requires a bulky optical measuring system, this purely electric monitoring method offers a compact and effective system. Thus, this explosive sensor can be readily miniaturized and used in the field. The developed sensor can reliably detect dinitrotoluene and its limit of detection is evaluated as approximately 110 ppb.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 2003

Ankyrins are a ubiquitously expressed family of intracellular adaptor proteins involved in targeting diverse proteins to specialized membrane domains in both the plasma membrane and the endoplasmic reticulum. Canonical ankyrins are 190-220 kDa proteins expressed in most tissues and cell types and comprise a membrane-binding domain (MBD) of 24 ANK repeats, a spectrin-binding domain, a death domain and a C-terminal domain. Rescue studies with ankyrin-B/G chimeras have identified the C-terminal domain of ankyrin-B as the defining domain in specifying ankyrin-B activity, but the function of C-terminal domain of ankyrin-B is, however, not known. We report here that the C-terminal domain of ankyrin-B is capable of interacting with the C-terminal Region of Hsp40. The Hsps are induced not only by heat shock but also by various other environmental stresses. Hsps are also expressed constitutively at normal growth temperatures and have basic and indispensable functions in the life cycle of proteins as molecular chaperones, as well as playing a role in protecting cells from the deleterious stresses. The binding sites required in the interaction between C-terminal domain of ankyrin-B and C-terminal region of Hsp40 were characterized using the yeast two-hybrid system and GST-pull down assay. The interaction between ankyrin-B and Hsp40 represents the first direct evidence of ankyrin's role as chaperones.

• Korean Membrane Journal
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.39-50
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• 2001

The counter-diffusion of two gaseous substances permeating a polymeric membrane has been investigated both experimentally and theoretically. The aim of the study was to find mutual effects, if any, that could influence the permeability and diffusivity data. The experimental data were obtained with an isostatic permeameter operating at ambient pressure and 303 K: helium, nitrogen, carbon dioxide methane were used as permeating gas at different partial pressure; helium or nitrogen as equilibrating or carrier gas. No evident mutual effect of the counter-diffusing gas was observed. The theoretical analysis gave some insight into the phenomena and it was concluded that at near-atmospheric pressures, and in the absence of swelling phenomena no mutual interaction exists. On a theoretical basis any mutual interaction between diffusing and counter-diffusing gases could only occur: i) at high pressures , when the free movement of permeating gas molecules within the polymer is hindered by the counter-diffusing gas; ii) when a large part of the free volume fraction is occupied by the counter--diffusing gas; iii) swelling phenomena modify the structure and free volume fraction of the polymer.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.649-655
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• 2021

Nanotechnology is widely considered a major technology of the twenty-first century. Nanoparticles (NPs) has been shown to pass through reproductively significant biological barriers such as the blood-testicle and placental barriers. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of silver Nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) on sperm-egg interaction and spermatozoa quality parameters in quail spermatozoa. Semen was suspended in Ringer solution containing Ag-NPs levels at 5.5 × 106 sperm/ml (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 ppm). The results indicated that when sperm were counted at 0.1 ppm, the number of holes formed on the inner perivitelline layer was significantly increased compared to the control. The 10 ppm group had a significant reduction in sperm viability. At 0.1 and 1 ppm, the membrane integrity was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). All treatments (except 0.01 ppm Ag-NPs) had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on the percentage of spermatozoa with an intact acrosome when compared to the control group. At 0.1, 1, and 10 ppm Ag-NPs, morphological defects in the acrosome were observed. As a result, Ag-NPs is likely capable of destroying the acrosome membrane. This research indicates that Ag-NPs may be cytotoxic to spermatozoa by impairing sperm functionality and increasing sperm mortality.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1744-1754
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• 2014

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA genome is replicated by an RNA replicase complex (RC) consisting of cellular proteins and viral nonstructural (NS) proteins, including NS5B, an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and key enzyme for viral RNA genome replication. The HCV RC is known to be associated with an intracellular membrane structure, but the cellular components of the RC and their roles in the formation of the HCV RC have not been well characterized. In this study, we took a proteomic approach to identify stomatin, a member of the integral proteins of lipid rafts, as a cellular protein interacting with HCV NS5B. Co-immunoprecipitation and co-localization studies confirmed the interaction between stomatin and NS5B. We demonstrated that the subcellular fraction containing viral NS proteins and stomatin displays RdRp activity. Membrane flotation assays with the HCV genome replication-competent subcellular fraction revealed that the HCV RdRp and stomatin are associated with the lipid raft-like domain of membranous structures. Stomatin silencing by RNA interference led to the release of NS5B from the detergent-resistant membrane, thereby inhibiting HCV replication in both HCV subgenomic replicon-harboring cells and HCV-infected cells. Our results identify stomatin as a cellular protein that plays a role in the formation of an enzymatically active HCV RC on a detergent-resistant membrane structure.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.2722-2726
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• 2011

Plasticized poly(vinyl chloride), PVCs, with different membrane compositions tested for use in the construction of an ion-selective sensor for the determination dibucaine. A prepared membrane with dioctyl phthalate-PVC and ion-pair of N-(1-naphthyl)ethylenediamine dihydrochloride-tetraphenyl borate had a good potential to acts as a potentiometric sensor for the analysis of dibucaine. A linear relationship was obtained between potential and logC varying between $1.0{\times}10^{-6}$ and $1.0{\times}10^{-2}$ M dibucaine with a good repeatability and reproducibility. The sensor was applied for the determination of the drug in pharmaceuticals and biological fluids such as plasma and urine samples with satisfactory results. The drug electrode has also been used to study the interaction of bovine serum albumin (BSA) with dibucaine. The saturated quantities of dibucaine binding were 13.04, 5.30 and 9.70 mol/mol in 0.01, 0.02 and 0.1% of protein, respectively.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.246-251
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• 1990

Intermolecular interaction between barbiturates and membrane components such as phospholipid and cholesterol were investigated on $^1$H-NMR spectra and infrared spectra. According to previous reports, barbiturates interacted with phospholipid through intermolecular hydrogen bonds. We also investigated thi observation using dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) as phospholipid in deuterochloroform, and characterized quantitatively. Also, the observed drug could interact with cholesterol which is one of the major components of biomembranes through hydrogen bonds. It was the carbonyl groups of barbiturate and the hydroxyl group of cholesterol that formed hydrogen bond complex. In addition to spectroscopic studies, we investigated the direct effect of phenobarbital on lipid multibilayer vesicles, whose compositions were varied, by calorimetric method. Phenobarbital caused a reduction in the temperature of phase transition of vesicles. These studies may provided a basis for interpreting the mode of action of barbiturates.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.783-794
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• 2024

The antifungal activity of fisetin against Candida albicans is explored, elucidating a mechanism centered on membrane permeabilization and ensuing disruption of pH homeostasis. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of fisetin, indicative of its interaction with the fungal membrane, increases in the presence of ergosterol. Hoechst 33342 and propidium-iodide staining reveal substantial propidium-iodide accumulation in fisetin-treated C. albicans cells at their MIC, with crystal violet uptake assays confirming fisetin-induced membrane permeabilization. Leakage analysis demonstrates a significant release of DNA and proteins in fisetin-treated cells compared to controls, underscoring the antifungal effect through membrane disruption. Green fluorescence, evident in both the cytoplasm and vacuoles of fisetin-treated cells under BCECF, AM staining, stands in contrast to controls where only acidic vacuoles exhibit staining. Ratiometric pH measurements using BCECF, AM reveal a noteworthy reduction in intracellular pH in fisetin-treated cells, emphasizing its impact on pH homeostasis. DiBAC4(3) uptake assays demonstrate membrane hyperpolarization in fisetintreated cells, suggesting potential disruptions in ion flux and cellular homeostasis. These results provide comprehensive insights into the antifungal mechanisms of fisetin, positioning it as a promising therapeutic agent against Candida infections.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.459-468
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• 1984

The currently accepted model of membrane structure proposes a dynamic, asymmetric lipid matrix of phospholipids and cholesterol with globular proteins embedded across the membrane to various degrees. Most phospholipids are in the bilayer arrangement and also closely associated with integral membrane proteins or loosely associated with peripheral proteins. Biological functions of membrane, such as membrane-bound enzyme functions and transport systems, are influenced by the membrane physical properties, which are determined by fatty acid composition of phospholipids, polar head group composition and membrane cholesterol content. Polar and non-polar region of the phospholipid molecule can interact, with changes in the conformation of a membrane-associated protein altering either its catalytic activity or the protein's interaction with other membrane proteins. Mammalian dietary studies attempted to change the lipid composition of a few cell membranes have shown comparisons, using essential fatty acid-deficient diets. In recent years, Clandinin and a few other workers have pioneered the study proving the influence of dietary fat fed in a nutritionally complete diet on composition of phospholipid classes of cell membrane. Modulation caused by diet fat was rapid and reversible in phospholipid fatty acyl composition of membranes of cardiac mitochondria, liver cell, brain synaptosome and lymphocytes. These changes were at the same time, accompanied by variety of membrane associated functions controlled by membrane-bound enzymes, tranporter and receptor proteins. The findings suggest the basic concept of the necessity of dietary fatty acid balance if consistency of optimal membrane structural lipid composition is to be maintained, as well as the overall inadequacy of describing the nutritional-biochemical quality of a dietary fat solely by its content of linoleic acid. Furthermore, they give light on the possible application to clinical and preventive medicine.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2007

Transporters are membrane proteins that mediate the transfer of substrate across the cellular membrane. In this overview, the characteristics and the toxicological relevance were discussed for various types of transporters. For drug transporters, the overview focused on ATP-binding cassette transporters and solute carrier family 21A/22A member transporters. Except for OCTN transporters and OATP transporters, drug transporters tend to have broad substrate specificity, suggesting drug-drug interaction at the level of transport processes (e.g., interaction between methotrexate and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents) is likely. For metal transporters, transporters for zinc, copper and multiple metals were discussed in this overview. These metal transporters have comparatively narrow substrate specificity, except for multiple metal transporters, suggesting that inter-substrate interaction at the level of transport is less likely. In contrast, the expressions of the transporters are often regulated by their substrates, suggesting cellular adaptation mechanism exists for these transporters. The drug-drug interactions in drug transporters and the cellular adaptation mechanisms for metal transporters are likely to lead to alterations in pharmacokinetics and cellular metal homeostasis, which may be linked to the development of toxicity. Therefore, the transporter-mediated alterations may have toxicological relevance.