• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.427-448
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• 2019

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) and its receptor, nociceptin opioid peptide (NOP) receptor, are localized in brain areas implicated in depression including the amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, habenula, and monoaminergic nuclei in the brain stem. N/OFQ inhibits neuronal excitability of monoaminergic neurons and monoamine release from their terminals by activation of G protein-coupled inwardly rectifying $K^+$ channels and inhibition of voltage sensitive calcium channels, respectively. Therefore, NOP receptor antagonists have been proposed as a potential antidepressant. Indeed, mounting evidence shows that NOP receptor antagonists have antidepressant-like effects in various preclinical animal models of depression, and recent clinical studies again confirmed the idea that blockade of NOP receptor signaling could provide a novel strategy for the treatment of depression. In this review, we describe the pharmacological effects of N/OFQ in relation to depression and explore the possible mechanism of NOP receptor antagonists as potential antidepressants.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.316-324
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• 2022

Hair loss causes psychological stress due to its effect on appearance. Therefore, the global market for hair loss treatment products is rapidly growing. The present study demonstrated that ginseng berry-derived and sequence-modified peptides promoted the proliferation rate of dermal papilla (DP) cells and keratinocytes, in addition to having antioxidant properties. Moreover, the potential role of these ginseng berry peptides as TGF-β2 antagonists was confirmed through in silico computer docking. In addition to promoting the growth of ,the ginseng berry-derived peptides also promoted the proliferation of keratinocytes experimental Particularly, an unmodified ginseng berry-derived peptide (GB-1) and two peptides with sequence modifications (GB-2 and GB-3) decreased ROS generation and exhibited a protective effect on damaged HaCaT keratinocytes. Computer-aided peptide discovery was conducted to identify the potential interactions of important proteins with transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-β2), a key protein that plays a crucial role in the human hair growth cycle. Our results demonstrated that MAGH, an amino acid sequence present in herbal supplements and plant-based natural compounds, can inhibit TGF-β2.

• 대한화학회지
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• 제58권2호
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• pp.186-192
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• 2014

A series of novel pseudopeptides contained coumarin skeleton were synthesized through the Ugi-four-component reaction. The 3-substituted coumarin-3-carboxamides were formed through reaction of benzaldehyde derivatives, anilines, coumarin-3-carboxylic acid and isocyanides with high yields and high bond-forming efficiency at room temperature. These novel amidated coumarins exhibit brilliant fluorescence in range of 535-547 nm in chloroform.

• 한국응용과학기술학회지
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.438-448
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• 2011

Chitosan is widely used in cosmetics and medical fields. Special emphasis has been put on the chemical modification of chitosan to explore its full potential. We have described the synthesis and biological activity of novel peptide amino acid derivatives. The polyamino acid derivatives were synthesized by introducing alkylamine functional group on chitosan at C-6. The poor aqueous solubility of chitosan derivatives hinder both pharmacological studies and pharmaceutical development. To make amino acid coupled chitosan derivatives with improved biological effect and solubility, some attempts have been taken to consist of amino peptide group like aspartic acid and phenylalanine-aspartic acid derivatives onto chitosan C-6. The resultingly substituted chitosan was characterized by solubility in various solvents. We measured chitosan derivatives with $^1H$-NMR and $^{13}C$-NMR. Also, We were investigated on the physical properties and biological activities of these products.

• KSBB Journal
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• 제28권5호
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• pp.310-314
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• 2013

Antifreeze peptide from Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus was overexpressed and purified in Escherichia coli. Green fluorescence protein-AFP chimera was constructed by integrating gfp and afp genes. Produced GFP-AFP chimera protein was purified using polyhistidine tag which was inserted at C-terminus. By addition of GFP-AFP chimera protein, freezing point of elution buffer was decreased from $-13^{\circ}C$ to $-20^{\circ}C$. This result suggested that GFP-AFP chimera can be considered as a potential candidate of novel inhibitor for gas hydrates.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.93-100
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• 2008

Targeting protein kinases has been active area in drug discovery. The c-Jun N-terminal kinases(JNKs) have also been target for development of novel therapy in various diseases, since the roles of JNK signaling in pathological conditions were revealed in studies using jnk-deficient mice. Small molecule inhibitors and peptide inhibitors are identified for therapeutic intervention of JNK signaling pathway. SP-600125, an anthrapyrazole small molecule inhibitor for JNK with high potency and selectivity has been widely used for dissecting JNK signaling pathway. CC-401 is the first JNK inhibitor that went into clinical trial for inflammation and leukemia. Inhibitor for mixed lineage kinase (MLK), CEP-1347 also negatively regulates JNK signaling, and tried for potential use in Parkinson's disease. Cell-permeable peptide inhibitor D-JNKI-1 is being developed for the treatment of hearing loss. The current status of these JNK inhibitors and safety issue is discussed in the minireview.

• 한국응용약물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국응용약물학회 1995년도 제3회 추계심포지움
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• pp.41-48
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• 1995

To increase the folding efficiency of proinsulin, we have designed a series of mini-proinsulins having the central C-peptide region replaced with sequences forming reverse turns. These proteins were produced as fusion proteins in E. coli in the form of inclusion bodies. After isolation process of the sulfonated mini-proinsulins, the subsequent refolding experiments indicate that the mini-proinsulins, with non-native penta-peptide sequences inserted between two of the enzyme processing sites, show substantially increased folding yields compared with the proinsulin. The correct disulfide connections were verified by fingerprint analysis using Glu-C endoproteinase. These novel mini-proinsulins could be used for the study of folding mechanism of proinsulin.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.12-19
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• 2016

Neuropeptides produced from prohormones by selective action of endopeptidases are vital signaling molecules, playing a critical role in a variety of physiological processes, such as addiction, depression, pain, and circadian rhythms. Neuropeptides bind to post-synaptic receptors and elicit cellular effects like classical neurotransmitters. While each neuropeptide could have its own biological function, mass spectrometry (MS) allows for the identification of the precise molecular forms of each peptide without a priori knowledge of the peptide identity and for the quantitation of neuropeptides in different conditions of the samples. MS-based neuropeptidomics approaches have been applied to various animal models and conditions to characterize and quantify novel neuropeptides, as well as known neuropeptides, advancing our understanding of nervous system function over the past decade. Here, we will present an overview of neuropeptides and MS-based neuropeptidomic strategies for the identification and quantitation of neuropeptides.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.138-143
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• 1997

We have designed and constructed a gene encoding novel high essential amino acid encoding protein(HEAAE). The resultant DNA fragment was tested for in vitro and in vivo expression and then cloned into plant expression vector pBI121, under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. Agrobacterium tumefaciens, strain LBA4404, was subsequently transformed with this new construct and Nicotiana tabacum var. Xanthi transgenic plants were obtained. DNA analysis by Southern procedure confirmed the presence of the multi-copy number of genes in the transformed plants. Analysis of RNA and protein synthesized in these transgenic plants demonstrated the stable expression of this gene.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제22권6호
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• pp.570-574
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• 2001

Magnesium isotope separation was investigated by chemical ion exchange with the 1-aza-12-crown-4 bonded Merrifield peptide resin using an elution chromatographic technique. The capacity of the novel azacrown ion exchanger was 1.0 meq/g dry resin. The heavier isotopes of magnesium were enriched in the resin phase, while the lighter isotopes were enriched in the solution phase. The single stage separation factor was determined according to the method of Glueckauf from the elution curve and isotopic assys. The separation factors of $^{24}Mg^{2+}$-$^{25}Mg^{2+}$, $^{24}Mg^{2+}$-$^{26}Mg^{2+}$, and $^{25}Mg^{2+}$-$^{26}Mg^{2+}$ were 1.008, 1.019, and 1.006, respectively.