• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.08a
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• pp.112-112
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• 2011

The interaction of water molecules with solid surfaces has been a subject of considerable interests, due to its importance in the fields from atmospheric and environmental phenomena to biology, catalysis and electrochemistry [1,2]. Among various kinds of surfaces, a lot of theoretical and experimental studies have been performed regarding water on MgO(100), however, to date, there has been no direct observation of water molecules on MgO by scanning tunneling microscope (STM) as compared with those on metal surface. Here, we will present the direct observation and manipulation of single water molecules on ultrathin MgO(100) films using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope (LT-STM) [3]. Our results rationalize the previous theoretical predictions of isolated water molecules on MgO including the optimum adsorption sites and non-dissociative adsorption of water. Moreover, we were able to dissociate a water molecule by exciting the vibrational mode of water, which is unattainable on metal surfaces. The enhanced residual time of tunneling electrons in molecules on the insulating film is responsible for this unique pathway toward dissociation of water.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2020

Nicotine, primary component of tobaco produces craving and withdrawal effect both in humans and animals. Nicotine shows a close resemblance to other addictive drugs in molecular, neuroanatomical and pharmacological, particularly the drugs which enhances the cognitive functions. Nicotine mainly shows its action through specific nicotinic acetylcholine receptors located in brain. It stimulates presynaptic acetylcholine receptors thereby enhancing Ach release and metabolism. Dopaminergic system is also stimulated by it, thus increasing the concentration of dopamine in nuclear accumbens. This property of nicotine according to various researchers is responsible for reinforcing behavioral change and dependence of nicotine. Various researchers have also depicted that some non dopaminergic systems are also involved for rewarding effect of nicotinic withdrawal. Neurological systems such as GABAergic, serotonergic, noradrenergic, and brain stem cholinergic may also be involved to mediate the actions of nicotine. Further, the neurobiological pathway to nicotine dependence might perhaps be appropriate to the attachment of nicotine to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, peruse by stimulation of dopaminergic system and activation of general pharmacological changes that might be responsible for nicotine addiction. It is also suggested that MAO A and B both are restrained by nicotine. This enzyme helps in degradation dopamine, which is mainly responsible for nicotinic actions and dependence. Various questions remain uninsurable to nicotine mechanism and require more research. Also, various genetic methods united with modern instrumental analysis might result for more authentic information for nicotine addiction.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.24-27
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• 2011

Hyperthermal ion/surface collisions of bromotoluene radical cations were studied using perfluorinated (F-SAM) and hydroxyl-terminated (OH-SAM) self-assembled monolayer surfaces in a tandem mass spectrometer with BEEQ geometry. The isomers were differentiated by ion abundance ratios taken from surface-induced dissociation (SID). The dissociation rate followed the order of ortho > meta > para isomers. The peak abundance ratio of m/z 51 to m/z 65 showed the best result to discern the isomers. A dissociation channel leading to tolylium ion was suggested to be responsible for the pronounced isomeric differences. The capability of SID to provide high-energy activation with narrow internal energy distribution may have channeled the reaction into the specific dissociation pathway, also facilitating small differences in reaction rates to be effective in the spectral time window of this experiment. All of the molecular ions experiencing reactive collisions with the F-SAM surface undergo transhalogenation, in which a fluorine atom on the surface replaces the bromine in the incoming ions. This reactive collision was dependent on the laboratory collision energy occurring in ca. 40.75 eV range.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.159-168
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• 1994

From the hot water extract of bracken(Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum), a Korean win edible plant, anti-complementary acidic polysaccharides were Isolated. Crude polysaccharide fraction(HPA-1) was obtain ed by methanol reflux, ethanol precipitation, dialysis, and lyophilization. HPA-1 contained 81.80% of total sugar, 30.40% of uronic acid, and 15.60cA of protein. HPA 1 was purified consecutively by cetavlon fractionation and chromatography including ion exchange nth DEAE-Sepharose CL 6B and gel permeation with Sephadex G-100 and Sepharose CL-6B. HPA-2- IVa and HPA-Va-2 were nearly homogeneous on HPLC and had 500,000 and 560,000 daltons of molecular weights, respectively. HPA-2-Wa consisted of fucose, galacturonic acid, and glucuronic acid at the molar ratio of 1.40 : 0.97 : 1.88. HPA-2-Va 2 was composed of rhamnose, galactose, and galacturonic acid at the molar ratio of 1.00 : 1.38 : 1.39. The polysaccharides were found to activate the C3 component both In the presence and In the absence of Ca2+ through the crossed-immunoelectrophoresis suggesting that those Involved in both classical and alternative complement pathway.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.415-422
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• 2001

Many secreted proteins have disulfide bonds that are important for their structure and function. Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI, EC 5.3.1.4.), an enzyme that catalyzes the formation and rearrangement of thiol/disulfide exchange reactions, is a resident of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The subcellular localization and its function as catalyst of disulfide bond formation in the biosynthesis of secretory and cell membrane proteins suggest that PDI plays a key role in the secretory pathway. We have isolated a cDNA encoding protein disulfide isomerase from Bombyx mori(bPDI). It has been characterized under ER stress conditions (dominantly induced by calcium ionophore A23187, tunicamycin and DTT), which is known to cause an accumulation of unfolded proteins in the ER. Furthermore, It has also been examined for tissue distribution(pronounced at the fat body), hormonal regulation (juvenile hormone, insulin and juvenile +transferrin; however, it is not effected by transferrin alone), and the effect of exogenous bacteria (peak at 16 h after infection) on the bPDI mRNA expression. The results suggest that bPDI is a member of the ER stress protein group, and it may play an important role in exogenous bacterial infection in fat body, and that homones regulate its expression.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.154-162
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• 2006

The entire gene cluster involved in the biosynthesis of angucyclines Sch 47554 and Sch 47555 was cloned, sequenced, and characterized. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence of genomic DNA spanning 77.5-kb revealed a total of 55 open reading frames, and the deduced products exhibited strong sequence similarities to type II polyketide synthases, deoxysugar biosynthetic enzymes, and a variety of accessory enzymes. The involvement of this gene cluster in the pathway of Sch 47554 and Sch 47555 was confirmed by genetic inactivation of the aromatase, including a portion of the ketoreductase, which was disrupted by inserting the thiostrepton gene.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.141-145
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• 2006

Uric acid is the end product of the purine degradation pathway in humans. It is catabolized to allantoin by urate oxidase or uricase (E.C. 1.7.3.3.) in most vertebrates except humans, some primates, birds, and certain species of reptiles. Here we provide evidence that mouse transthyretin-related protein facilitates the hydrolysis of 5-hydroxyisourate, the end product of the uricase reaction. Mutagenesis experiments showed that the residues that are absolutely conserved across the TRP family, including His11, Arg51, His102, and the C-terminal Tyr-Arg-Gly-Ser, may constitute the active site of mTRP. Based on these results, we propose that the transthyretin-related proteins present in diverse organisms are not functionally related to transthyretin but actually function as hydroxyisourate hydrolases.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.297-304
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• 2005

Naturally occurring flavonoids are known to modulate various inflammatory and immune processes. Based on structural property, in this study, molecular mechanism of flavonoids in modulating nitric oxide (NO) production and its signaling pathway were investigated using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 cells. Although flavonol-typed flavonoids (kaempferol and quercetin) more potently scavenged reactivity of nitric oxide ($\cdot$NO) as well as peroxynitrite (ONOO$\kappa$) than isoflavones (genistein and genistin), kaempferol, quercetin and genistein showed a little difference in inhibition of both inducible NO synthase expression and NO production, with IC$_{50}$ values of 13.9, 20.1 and 26.8 $\mu$M. However, there was a striking pattern related to structural feature in modulation of LPS-mediated signaling pathways. Thus, flavonols only inhibited transcription factor AP-1 activation, whereas isoflavones suppressed the DNA binding activation of NF-$\kappa$B and C/EBP$\beta$. Therefore, these data suggest that structural feature may be linked to decide drugs target molecule in LPS-mediated signaling pathways, rather than its potency.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.135-140
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• 2016

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a ubiquitous molecular chaperone, which is associated with stabilization of many oncogenic proteins for cancer cell survival. Hsp90 is overexpressed 2-10 fold higher in cancer cells than normal cells. Due to its potential to simultaneously disable multiple signaling pathway, Hsp90 has been identified as a validated target for cancer therapy. Accordingly, we designed and synthesized 2',4'-dimethoxychalcone derivatives to inhibit Hsp90 chaperone function. Among 2',4'-dimethoxychalcone derivatives, we found that compound 1g disrupted Hsp90 chaperoning function and impaired the growth of cancer cells. These findings indicated that 1g could serve a potential lead compound to target Hsp90 in cancer chemotherapy.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.47-51
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• 2014

The transformation of ginsenoside Rb1 into a specific minor ginsenoside using Aspergillus niger KCCM 11239, as well as the identification of the transformed products and the pathway via thin layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography were evaluated to develop a new biologically active material. The conversion of ginsenoside Rb1 generated Rd, Rg3, Rh2, and compound K although the reaction rates were low due to the low concentration. In enzymatic conversion, all of the ginsenoside Rb1 was converted to ginsenoside Rd and ginsenoside Rg3 after 24 h of incubation. The crude enzyme (b-glucosidase) from A. niger KCCM 11239 hydrolyzed the ${\beta}$-($1{\rightarrow}6$)-glucosidic linkage at the C-20 of ginsenoside Rb1 to generate ginsenoside Rd and ginsenoside Rg3. Our experimental demonstration showing that A. niger KCCM 11239 produces the ginsenoside-hydrolyzing b-glucosidase reflects the feasibility of developing a specific bioconversion process to obtain active minor ginsenosides.