• BMB Reports
• /
• v.36 no.5
• /
• pp.508-513
• /
• 2003

The bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis produces toxin inclusions that are deleterious to target insect larvae. These toxins are believed to interact with a specific receptor protein(s) that is present on the gut epithelial cells of the larvae. In various insect species (in particular those belonging to the lepidopteran class), aminopeptidase N (APN) is one of the two receptor proteins that are considered to be involved in toxin-receptor interactions. However, in mosquitoes, the nature and identity of the receptor protein is unknown. Here, using RT-PCR, we identified two isoforms of the APN transcripts in the Aedes aegypti mosquito larval midgut. These results are congruent with a previous report of multiple isoforms of the APN gene expression in lepidopteran larvae. Which of the two isoforms (or other yet unidentified receptor proteins) is involved in the killing of mosquito larvae remains to be elucidated.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.275-279
• /
• 1996

To study the functional roles of dopamine receptors, we decided to raise antibodies against these proteins. To make antigen, we expressed the whole 3rd cytoplasmic loop of dopamine receptors in a fusion protein with glutathione-S-transferase (GST). $For D_2\; and\; D_3$ receptors, it was successful to express and purify fusion proteins for the whole 3rd cytoplasmic loops. However, we could not express the fusion protein for the whole 3rd cytoplasmic loop of $D_4$ dopamine receptor in the bacteria. To study the causes that prevent the bacterial expression of the GST-fusion protein of the 3rd cytoplasmic loop of $D_4$ dopamine receptor, we conducted more detailed studies on $D_4$ dopamine receptor. To locate the region which prevents bacterial expression, we made sequential constructs in the 3rd cytoplasmic loop decreasing the size step by step, and confirmed their expressions in the SDS PAGE. It was found that certain regions of 3rd cytoplasmic loop of $D_4$ dopamine receptor, located in N-terminal side of the 3rd cytoplasmic loop of $D_4$ dopamine receptor suppress the bacterial expression of fusion protein.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.362-369
• /
• 2004

The human folate receptor (hFR) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) linked plasma membrane protein that mediates delivery of folates into cells. We studied the sorting of the hFR using transfection of the hFR cDNA into MDCK cells. MDCK cells are polarized epithelial cells that preferentially sort GPI-linked proteins to their apical membrane. Unlike other GPI-tailed proteins, we found that in MDCK cells, hFR is functional on both the apical and basolateral surfaces. We verified that the same hFR cDNA that transfected into CHO cells produces the hFR protein that is GPI-linked. We also measured the hFR expression on the plasma membrane of type III paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) human erythrocytes. PNH is a disease that is characterized by the inability of cells to express membrane proteins requiring a GPI anchor. Despite this defect, and different from other GPI-tailed proteins, we found similar levels of hFR in normal and type III PNH human erythrocytes. The results suggest the hypothesis that there may be multiple mechanisms for targeting hFR to the plasma membrane.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.150-159
• /
• 2018

Animals use their odorant receptors to receive chemical information from the environment. Insect odorant receptors differ from the G protein-coupled odorant receptors in vertebrates and nematodes, and very little is known about their protein-protein interactions. Here, we introduce a mass spectrometric platform designed for the large-scale analysis of insect odorant receptor protein-protein interactions. Using this platform, we obtained the first Orco interactome from Drosophila melanogaster. From a total of 1,186 identified proteins, we narrowed the interaction candidates to 226, of which only two-thirds have been named. These candidates include the known olfactory proteins Or92a and Obp51a. Around 90% of the proteins having published names likely function inside the cell, and nearly half of these intracellular proteins are associated with the endomembrane system. In a basic loss-of-function electrophysiological screen, we found that the disruption of eight (i.e., Rab5, CG32795, Mpcp, Tom70, Vir-1, CG30427, Eaat1, and CG2781) of 28 randomly selected candidates affects olfactory responses in vivo. Thus, because this Orco interactome includes physiologically meaningful candidates, we anticipate that our platform will help guide further research on the molecular mechanisms of the insect odorant receptor family.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.535-547
• /
• 2000

Recent findings indicate that mechanical strain (deformation) exerted by the extracellular matrix modulates activation of airway smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, cytoskeletal organization in airway smooth muscle appears to be dynamic, and subject to modulation by receptor activation and mechanical strain. Mechanosensitive modulation of crossbridge activation and cytoskeletal organization may represent intracellular feedback mechanisms that limit the shortening of airway smooth muscle during bronchoconstriction. Recent findings suggest that receptor-mediated signal transduction is the primary target of mechanosensitive modulation. Mechanical strain appears to regulate the number of functional G-proteins and/or phospholipase C enzymes in the cell membrane possibly by membrane trafficking and/or protein translocation. Dense plaques, membrane structures analogous to focal adhesions, appear to be the primary target of cytoskeletal regulation. Mechanical strain and receptor-binding appear to regulate the assembly and phosphorylation of dense plaque proteins in airway smooth muscle cells. Understanding these mechanisms may reveal new pharmacological targets for control1ing airway resistance in airway diseases.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
• /
• 1994.11a
• /
• pp.93-98
• /
• 1994

Most drug discovery has focused in recent years on the development of molecules that either interact with or block receptors, proteins that act as on-off switches for genetic activity, on the surfaces of human cells. Now, we have developed a technology that targets “receptors inside the cell” (intracellular receptors), opening a new and compelling avenue for drug discovery. Our receptor-based small molecule drugs can be catagorized in two ways: 1) receptor agonists, or molecules that activate a receptor; and 2) receptor antagonists, or drugs that inactivate a receptor.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.1 no.5
• /
• pp.485-493
• /
• 1997

We investigated the effect of ${\alpha}-adrenergic$ and cholinergic receptor agonists on $Ca^{2+}$ current in adult rat trigeminal ganglion neurons using whole-cell patch clamp methods. The application of acetylcholine, carbachol, and oxotremorine ($50\;{\mu}M\;each$) produced a rapid and reversible reduction of the $Ca^{2+}$ current by $17{\pm}6%,\;19{\pm}3%,\;and\;18{\pm}4%$, respectively. Atropine, a muscarinic antagonist, blocked carbachol- induced $Ca^{2+}$ current inhibition to $3{\pm}1%$. Norepinephrine ($50\;{\mu}M$) reduced $Ca^{2+}$ current by $18{\pm}2%$, while clonidine ($50\;{\mu}M$), an ${\alpha}2-adrenergic$ receptor agonist, inhibited $Ca^{2+}$ current by only $4{\pm}1%$. Yohimbine, an ${\alpha}2-adrenergic$ receptor antagonist, did not block the inhibitory effect of norepinephrine on $Ca^{2+}$ current, whereas prazosin, an ${\alpha}1-adrenergic$ receptor antagonist, attenuated the inhibitory effect of norepinephrine on $Ca^{2+}$ current to $6{\pm}1%$. This pharmacology contrasts with ${\alpha}2-adrenergic$ receptor modulation of $Ca^{2+}$ channels in rat sympathetic neurons, which is sensitive to clonidine and blocked by yohimbine. Our data suggest that the modulation of voltage dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channel by norepinephrine is mediated via an α1-adrenergic receptor. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin (250 ng/ml) for 16 h greatly reduced norepinephrine- and carbachol-induced $Ca^{2+}$ current inhibition from $17{\pm}3%\;and\;18{\pm}3%\;to\;2{\pm}1%\;and\;2{\pm}1%$, respectively. These results demonstrate that norepinephrine, through an ${\alpha}1-adrenergic$ receptor, and carbachol, through a muscarinic receptor, inhibit $Ca^{2+}$ currents in adult rat trigeminal ganglion neurons via pertussis toxin sensitive GTP-binding proteins.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.292-298
• /
• 1996

Receptor-mediated endocytosis of coelomic fluid proteins (CP), yolk precursor proteins, appears to be regulated by multiple GTP-binding proteins during oogenesis of a polychaete, Pseudopotamilla occelata. Transport of 125 I-CP into the oocytes of intermediate size class, at which CP is the most actively transported, is enhanced by GTP but inhibited by GTP analogues, either GTPrS or GTP$\beta$S. The effects of GTP and GTPrS on the transport were also confirmed by tracing internalization of gold-labeled CP with transmission electron microscope. Internalization of gold-labeled CP into the yolk granules was enhanced by GTP but inhibited by GTPrS.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.541-550
• /
• 2003

E2 glycoprotein of hepatitis C virus (HCV) comprises a surface of viral particle together with E1 glycoprotein, and is thought to be involved in the attachment of HCV viral particle to receptor (s) on the permissible cells including hepatocytes, B cells, T cells, and monocytes. We constructed a phage library expressing cellular proteins of hepatocytes on the phage surface, which turned out to be 8.8${\times}$$10^5$ cfu of diversity and carried inserts in 95% of library. We screened both cDNA phage library and 12-mer peptide library to identify the cellular proteins binding to E2 protein. Some intracellular proteins including tensin and membrane band 4.1 which are involved in signal transduction of survival and cytoskeleton organization, were selected from cDNA phage library through several rounds of panning and screening. On the contrary, membrane proteins such as CCR7, CKR-L2, and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor were identified through screening of peptide library. Phages expressing peptides corresponding to those membrane proteins were bound to E2 protein specifically as determined by neutralization of binding assay. Since it is well known that HCV can infect T cells as well as hepatocytes, we examined to see if E2 protein can bind to CCR7, a member of C-protein coupled receptor family expressed on T cells, using CCR7 transfected tells. Human CCR7 cDNA was cloned into pcDNA3.1(-) vector and transfected into human embryonic kidney cell, 293T, and expressed on the surface of the cell as shown by flow cytometer. Binding assay of E2 protein using CCR7 transfected cells indicated that E2 protein bound to CCR7 by dose-dependent mode, giving rise to the possibility that CCR7 might be a putative cellular receptor for HCV.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.81-89
• /
• 2004

Tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$) and lymphotoxin-$\alpha$ (LT-$\alpha$, TNF-$\beta$) can initiate and perpetuate human diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). TNFs can be blocked by the use of soluble TNF receptors. However, since monomeric soluble receptors generally exhibit low affinity or function as agonists, the use of monomeric soluble receptors has been limited in the case of cytokines such as TNF-$\alpha$, TNF-$\alpha$, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-13, which have adapted to a multi component receptor system. For these reasons, very high-affinity inhibitors were created for the purpose of a TNFs antagonist to bind the TNFR and trigger cellular signal by using the multistep polymerase chain reaction method. First, recombinant simple TNFR-Ig fusion proteins were constructed from the cDNA sequences encoding the extracellular domain of the human p55 TNFR (CD120a) and the human p75 TNFR (CD120b), which were linked to hinge and constant regions of human $IgG_1$ heavy chain, respectively using complementary primers (CP) encoding the complementary sequences. Then, concatameric TNFR-Ig fusion proteins were constructed using recombinant PCR and a complementary primer base of recombinant simple TNFR-Ig fusion proteins. For high level expression of recombinant fusion proteins, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were used with a retroviral expression system. The transfected cells produced the simple concatameric TNFR-Ig fusion proteins capable of binding TNF and inactivating it. These soluble versions of simple concantameric TNFR-Ig fusion proteins gave rise to multiple forms such as simple dimers and concatameric homodimers. Simple TNFR-1g fusion proteins were shown to have much more reduced TNF inhibitory activity than concatameric TNFR-Ig fusion proteins. Concatameric TNFR-Ig fusion proteins showed higher affinity than simple TNFR-Ig fusion proteins in a receptor inhibitor binding assay (RIBA). Additionally, concatameric TNFR-Ig fusion proteins were shown to have a progressive effect as a TNF inhibitor compared to the simple TNFR-Ig fusion proteins and conventional TNFR-Fc in cytotoxicity assays, and showed the same results for collagen induced arthritis (CIA) in mice in vivo.