• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.642-648
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• 2006

Mushroom tyrosinase (MT) structural changes in the presence of $Cu ^{2+}$ and $Ni ^{2+}$ were studied separately. Far-UV CD spectra of the incubated MT with the either of the metal ions indicated reduction of the well-ordered secondary structure of the enzyme. Increasing in the maximum fluorescence emission of anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonic acid (ANS) was also revealing partial unfolding caused by the conformational changes in the tertiary structure of MT. Thermodynamic studies on the chemical denaturation of MT by dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) showed decrease in the stability of MT in the presence of $Cu ^{2+}$ or $Ni ^{2+}$ using their activation concentrations. Both activities of MT were also assessed in the presence of different concentrations of these ions, separately, with various monophenols and their corresponding diphenols. Kinetic studies revealed that cresolase activity on p-coumaric acid was boosted in the presence of either of the metal ions, but inhibited when phenol, L-tyrosine, or 4-[(4-methylphenyl)azo]-phenol was substrate. Similarly, catecholase activity on caffeic acid was enhanced in the presence of $Cu ^{2+}$ or $Ni ^{2+}$, but inhibited when catechol, L-DOPA, or 4-[(4-methylbenzo)azo]-1,2-benzenediol was substrate. Results of this study suggest that both cations make MT more fragile and less active. However, the effect of the substrate structure on the MT allosteric behavior can not be ignored.

• Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.76-78
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• 2002

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are induced in most living cells by mild heat treatment, ethanol, heavy metal ions and hypoxia. In yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, mild heat pretreatment strongly induces Hsp104 and thus provide acquired thermotolerance. The ability of hsp104 deleted mutant $({\triangle}hsp104)$ to acquire tolerance to extreme temperature is severely impaired. In providing thermotolerance, two ATP binding domains are indispensible, as demonstrated in ClpA and ClpB proteases of E. coli. The mechanisms by which Hsp104 protects cells from severe heat stress are not yet completely elucidated. We have investigated regulation of mitochondrial metabolic pathways controlled by the functional Hsp104 protein using $^{13}C_NMR$ spectroscopy and observed that the turnover rate of TCA cycle was enhanced in the absence of Hsp104. Production of ROS, which are toxic to kill cells radiply via oxidative stress, was also examined by fluorescence assay. Mitochondrial dysfunction was manifested in increased ROS levels and higher sensitivity for oxidative stress in the absence of Hsp104 protein expressed. Finally, we have identified mitochondrial complex I and Ferritin as binding protein(s) of Hsp104 by yeast two hybrid experiment. Based on these observations, we suggest that Hsp104 protein functions as a protector of oxidative stress via either keeping mitochondrial integrity, direct binding to mitochonrial components or regulating metal-catalyzed redox chemistry.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.68-74
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• 2009

We have previously demonstrated that overexpression and characterization of Brassica rapa type-l metallothionein gene (BrMT1) in Arabidopsis which showed enhanced resistance to cadmium and ROS. Here, we present the consistent study of our previous report about BrMTs. BrMT3 expressing DTY167 cells showed resistance to Zn and Pb as well as Cd. Thus, we have developed the BrMT3 overexpression Arabidopsis to enhance capacity for metal stresses. Successful expression and localization were achieved using the rubisco transit peptides of RbcS-BrMT3-GFP protein, which was confirmed by western blot analysis with the GFP antibody and green fluorescence signal from the chloroplast. BrMT3 overexpression Arabidopsis plants exhibited a higher resistance to cadmium compared to control plants. This result indicates that BrMT3 would be applicable to the development of plants with enhanced resistance against heavy metal stresses.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.472-478
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• 2013

Cu and Cr as a base metal and Pt, Pd as a supportive metal were selected for improving adsorption capacity of activated carbon fiber in eliminating especially targeted VOCs. Preparing variables such as metal loading, loading temperature, loading hours and kinds of loaded metals were changed. Properties measurement was carried out by SEM (scanning electron microscope), XRF (x-ray fluorescence analysis) and EDX (Energy Dispersive X-ray spectrometer) and adsorption capacity evaluation were also performed by gas analyzer. Under this study, the adsorption capacity of complex metal loaded activated carbon fiber was improved positively than that of single metal loaded activated carbon fiber. And we found that the best conditions for metal loading were 5 hours loading time at $100^{\circ}C$ and the adsorption capacity was enhanced almost double compared with other condition based activated carbon fiber. Cu-Cr-Pt-Pd loaded activated carbon fiber showed the best adsorption capacity. Also we confirmed that more than 0.5 second is necessary for adsorbate diffusion and adsorption over activated carbon fiber.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.3707-3710
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• 2010

A chromo/fluorogenic $NO_2S_2$-macrocycle L functionalized with nitrobenzofurazan unit as a dual-signaling probe was synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis. In a cation-induced color change experiment, L exhibited excellent $Hg^{2+}$ ion selectivity by showing the color change from orange-red to yellow. However, this hypochromic shift by $Hg^{2+}$ was observed for the weaker coordinating anion system such as ${NO_3}^-$ and ${ClO_4}^-$ ions. The observed anion effect is due to the strong coordination of anions inhibits the bond formation between $Hg^{2+}$ and the macrocyclic tert-N atom, which is sensitive to induce the color change. In the fluorometric experiment, L showed chelate-enhanced fluorescence change effect only with $Hg^{2+}$ ion, together with a change from yellow to green emission. The sensing ability for $Hg^{2+}$ with the proposed chemosensor L is due to the stable complexation with 1:1 stoichiometry (metal-to-ligand).

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.1429-1434
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• 2013

A synthesis and cation-induced fluorescent behavior of the carbazole-attached $NO_2S_2$-macrocycle (L) is described and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis. The photoluminescence spectrum of L in 80% $CH_3CN/CH_2Cl_2$ displays a peak maximum at 431 nm (blue emission). In the metal-induced fluorometric experiment, L showed a drastic chelation-enhanced fluorescence quenching (CHEQ) effect only with $Hg^{2+}$ and $Cu^{2+}$. In ESI-mass study, a 1:1 stoichiometry for complexation of L with $Hg^{2+}$ was confirmed, suggesting the unique sensing behavior of the proposed ligand L due to the selective complexation affinity for $Hg^{2+}$. The observed results indicate that L is a promising turn-off type fluoroionophore for $Hg^{2+}$ and $Cu^{2+}$ detections. Additionally, the $Ag^+$ complex of the precursor macrocycle was prepared and its solid structure was crystallographically characterized.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.457-463
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• 2017

Nanosized $Gd_2O_3:Eu^{3+}$ red phosphor is prepared using a template method from metal salt impregnated into a crystalline cellulose and is dispersed using a bead mill wet process. The driving force of the surface coating between $Gd_2O_3:Eu^{3+}$ and mica is induced by the Coulomb force. The red phosphor nanosol is effectively coated on mica flakes by the electrostatic interaction between positively charged $Gd_2O_3:Eu^{3+}$ and negatively charged mica above pH 6. To prepare $Gd_2O_3:Eu^{3+}$-coated mica ($Gd_2O_3:Eu/mica$), the coating conditions are optimized, including the stirring temperature, pH, calcination temperature, and coating amount (wt%) of $Gd_2O_3:Eu^{3+}$. In spite of the low luminescence of the $Gd_2O_3:Eu/mica$, the luminescent property is recovered after calcination above $600^{\circ}C$ and is enhanced by increasing the $Gd_2O_3:Eu^{3+}$ coating amount. The $Gd_2O_3:Eu/mica$ is characterized using X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, zeta potential measurements, and fluorescence spectrometer analysis.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.1615-1620
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• 2010

Bis-[dipyrido[3,2-$\alpha$:2',3'-c]phenazine)$_2$(1,10-phenanthroline)$_2Ru_2$]$^{2+}$ complexes (bis-Ru(II) complexes) tethered by linkers of various lengths were synthesized and their binding properties to DNA investigated by normal absorption and linear dichroism spectra, and fluorescence techniques in this study. Upon binding to DNA, the bis-Ru(II) complex with the longest linker (1,3-bis-(4-pyridyl)-propane), exhibited a negative $LD^r$ signal whose intensity was as large as that in the DNA absorption region, followed by a complicate $LD^r$ signal in the metal-to-ligand charge transfer region. The luminescence intensity of this bis-Ru(II) complex was enhanced. The observed $LD^r$ and luminescence results resembled that of the [Ru(1,10-phenanthroline)$_2$ dipyrido[3,2-$\alpha$:2',3'-c]phenazine]$^{2+}$ complex, whose dipyrido[3,2-$\alpha$:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz) ligand has been known to intercalate between DNA bases. Hence, it is conclusive that both dppz ligands of the bis-Ru(II) complex intercalate. The binding stoichiometry, however, was a single intercalated dppz per ~ 2.3 bases, which violates the "nearest binding site exclusion" model for intercalation. The length between the two Ru(II) complexes may be barely long enough to accommodate one DNA base between the two dppz ligands, but not for two DNA bases. When the linker was shorter (4,4'-bipyridine or 1,2-bis-(4-pyridyl)-ethane), the magnitude of the LD in the dppz absorption region, as well as the luminescence intensity of both bis-Ru(II) complexes, was half that of the bis-Ru(II) complex bearing a long linker. This observation can be elucidated by a model whereby one of the dppz ligands intercalates while the other is exposed to the aqueous environment.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.221-226
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• 1998

Ternary heavy metal oxide glasses in the $PbO-Bi_2O_3-Ga_2O_3$ system doped with $Er_2O_3$ were prepared and their spectroscopic properties, such as radiative transition probability, calculated and measured radiative lifetimes and cross-sections of 1.5 $\mu\textrm{m}$ and 2.7 $\mu\textrm{m}$ emissions were analyzed. Enhanced quantum efficiencies of some electronic transitions were evident mainly because of the low vibrational phonon energy ($~500cm^{-1}$) inherent in the host glasses. This seems to be the main reason for obtaining the 2.7 $\mu\textrm{m}$ luminescence which is normally quenched in the conventional oxide glasses. In addition, green and red fluorescence emissions were observed through the frequency upconversion processes of the 798 nm excitation. Non-radiative transition due to the multiphonon relaxation is a dominant lifetime-shortening mechanism in the 4f-4f transitions in $Er^{3+}$ ion except for the $^4S_{3/2}{\rightarrow}^4I_{15/2}$ transition where a non-radiative transfer to band-gap excitation of the host glasses is dominant. Melting of glasses under an inert gas atmosphere and (or) addition of the typical glass-network former into glasses is necessary in order to enhance the quantum efficiency of the transition.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.996-1004
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• 2020

Various genetically engineered microorganisms have been developed for the removal of heavy metal contaminants. Metal biosorption by whole-cell biosorbents can be enhanced by overproduction of metal-binding proteins/peptides in the cytoplasm or on the cell surface. However, few studies have compared the biosorption capacity of whole cells expressing intracellular or surface-displayed metal-adsorbing proteins. In this study, several constructs were prepared for expressing intracellular and surface-displayed Ochrobactrum tritici 5bvl1 ChrB in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) cells. E. coli cells expressing surface-displayed ChrB removed more Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions than cells with cytoplasmic ChrB under the same conditions. However, intracellular ChrB was less susceptible to variation in extracellular conditions (pH and ionic strength), and more effectively removed Cr(VI) from industrial wastewater than the surface-displayed ChrB at low pH (<3). An adsorption-desorption experiment demonstrated that compared with intracellular accumulation, cell-surface adsorption is reversible, which allows easy desorption of the adsorbed metal ions and regeneration of the bioadsorbent. In addition, an intrinsic ChrB protein fluorescence assay suggested that pH and salinity may influence the Cr(VI) adsorption capacity of ChrB-expressing E. coli cells by modulating the ChrB protein conformation. Although the characteristics of ChrB may not be universal for all metal-binding proteins, our study provides new insights into different engineering strategies for whole-cell biosorbents for removing heavy metals from industrial effluents.