• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.65-76
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• 2007

Purpose: It is generally accepted that smooth muscle contraction is triggered by intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) released from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ stores such as sarcoplasmic teticulum (SR) and from the extracellular space. The increased $[Ca^{2+}]^i$ can phosphorylate the 20,000 dalton myosin light chain $(MLC_{20})$ by activating MLC kinase (MLCK), and this initiates smooth muscle contraction. In addition to the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$MACK-tension pathway, a number of intracellular signal molecules, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), protein kinase C (PKC) and others, play important roles in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction. However, the mechanisms regulating contraction of depletion of SR $Ca^{2+}$ in mouse gastric smooth muscle strips is not still clear. Methods: To investigate the rotes of $Ca^{2+}$ influx and SR $Ca^{2+}$ release channel on gastric motility, isometric contraction and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ were examined in mouse gastric smooth muscle strips. Results: High KCl, ryanodine, an activator of $Ca^{2+-}$induced $Ca^{2+}$ release channel, and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), an inhibitor of SR $Ca^{2+-}$ATPase evoked a sustained increase in muscle contraction and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. These increases induced by high KCl, ryanodine, and CPA were partially blocked by application of verapamil ($10{\mu}M$), a L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel inhibitor. Additionally, in $Ca^{2+-}$free solution (1 mM EGTA), ryanodine and CPA had no effect contraction and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ in fundic muscle strips. Conclusion: These results that extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ influx and depletion of SR trigger $Ca^{2+}$ influx through verapamil-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$ channel, and extracellular and SR $Ca^{2+}$ store may functionally involve in the subcellular $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization in mouse gastric muscle.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.57-66
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• 1996

To investigate properties of Ca-release channel in the reptile skeletal muscle, electrophoretical analysis, purification of RyR, $[^3H]ryanodine$binding study, and $^{45}Ca-release$ were carried out in the SR vesicles prepared from the snake skeletal muscle. The snake SR vesicle has the single high molecular weight protein band on SDS-PAGE, and its mobility was similar with that of rat skeletal SR vesicles. The high molecular weight band on SDS-PACE was found in the $[^3H]ryanodine$ peak fractions $(Fr_{5-7})$ obtained from the purification step of the RyR. Maximal binding site and Kd of the snake SR RyR were 6.36 pmole/mg protein and 17.62 nM, respectively. Specific binding of $[^3H]ryanodine$ was significantly increased by calcium and AMP (P<0.05), but not or slightly inhibited by tetracaine, ruthenium red (5.4%), or $MgCl_2$ (21%). $^{45}Ca-release$ from the SR vesicles loaded passively was significantly increased by the low concentration of calcium $(1{\sim}10{\mu}M)$ and AMP (5 mM)(P<0.05), but significantly decreased by the high concentration $(300{\mu}M)$ of calcium, tetracaine (1 mM), ruthenium red $(10{\mu}M)$, and $MgCl_2$ (2 mM)(P <0.05). From the above results, it is suggested that snake SR vesicles also have the RyR showing the similar properties to those of mammalian skeletal RyR with the exceptions of no or slight inhibition of $[^3H]ryanodine-binding$ by tetracaine, ruthenium red, or $MgCl_2$.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.195-202
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• 1993

Oxidative modification of cellular proteins and lipids may play a role in the development of diabetic complications. Diabetic cardiomyopathy has been suggested to be caused by the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ overload in the myocardium, which is partly due to the defect of calcium transport of the cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). In the present study, the possible mechanism of the functional defect of cardiac SR in diabetic rats was studied. Both of the maximal $Ca^{2+}$ uptake and the affinity for $Ca^{2+}$ were decreased in the diabetic rat SR in comparison with the control. To investigate whether the functional defect of the cardiac SR in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat is associated with the oxidative changes of cardiac SR proteins, the carbonyl group content and glycohemoglobin levels were determined. The increase in carbonyl group content of cardiac SR (2.30 nmols/mg protein, DM; 1.78, control) and in glycohemoglobin level $(13{\sim}17%,\;DM;\;3{\sim}5%,\;control)$ were observed in the diabetics. The extent of increase in calcium transport by phospholamban phosphorylation was greater in the diabetic cardiac SR membranes than that in the control. The phosphorylation levels of phospholamban, as determined by SDS-PAGE and autoradiography with $[{\gamma}^{32}P]ATP$, were increased in diabetic cardiac SR. These results suggest that the impaired cardiac SR function in diabetic rat could be a consequence of the less-phosphorylation of phospholamban in the basal state, which is partly due to the depleted norepinephrine stores in the heart. Furthermore, the oxidative damages in cardiac SR membranes might be one of the additional factors leading to the diabetic cardiomyopathy.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.200-205
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• 1997

Bothl $Ca^{2+}$ and Sr$^{2+}$-containing methanol dehydrogenases (MDH) were purified to homogeneity with yields of 48% and 42%, respectively, from Methylabacillus methanolovorus sp. strain SK5. Most of the biochemical and structural properties were similar to each other. However, some differences were found: (1) although the overall shape of the absorption spectrum of Sr$^{2+}$-MDH was very similar to that of $Ca^{2+}$-MDH, the absorption intensity originating from the cofactor in Sr$^{2+}$. MDH was higher than that in $Ca^{2+}$-MDH. Small blue shift of the maximum was also observed. These are probably due to a difference in redox state of the cofactors in $Ca^{2+}$ and Sr$^{2+}$-MDH; (2) Sr$^{2+}$-MDH was more heat-stable than $Ca^{2+}$-MDH above 56$^{\circ}C$; (3) the V$_{max}$ values for the methanol-dependent activities of Sr$^{2+}$- and $Ca^{2+}$-MDH in the presence of 3 mM KCN were 2.038 and 808 nmol/mg protein/min, respectively. In addition, the $K_{m}$ values of Sr$^{2+}$ and $Ca^{2+}$ MDH for methanol were 12 and 21 $\mu$M, respectively; (4) the endogenous activity of $Ca^{2+}$-MDH was more sensitive than that of Sr$^{2+}$-MDH in the presence of cyanide; (5) Diethyl pyrocarbonate treatment increased the enzyme activities of $Ca^{2+}$- and Sr$^{2+}$-MDH 4.2- and 1.4-folds, respectively. These results indicate that Sr$^{2+}$ stabilizes the structural conformation and enhances the activity of MDH more than $Ca^{2+}$.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2001

The study investigated the effects of protein concentration, EGTA and strength of hydrostatic pressure on pH, viscosity and turbidity for ultra filtrated skim milk retentates. The results showed that hydrostatic pressure treatments up to 600 MPa did not affect the viscosity of skim milk, while the turbidity of skim milk increased at higher than 200 MPa. Addition of EGTA caused reduction in turbidity of skim milk, two times (2SR) and three times (3SR) concentrated skim milk retentates. Viscosity for 2SR and 3SR increased proportionally to the amount of EGTA, but viscosity of skim milk was not influenced by EGTA. High pressure treatment also did not cause any difference in viscosity and turbidity of skim milk. However, this treatment decreased viscosity and turbidity for 2SR and 3SR. In particular, 200 MPa treatment showed to induce a higher decrease in turbidity compared with 400 MPa.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 2013

CD8+T cells are key factors mediating hepatitis B virus (HBV) clearance. However, these cells are killed through HBV-induced apoptosis during the antigen-presenting period in HBV-induced chronic liver disease (CLD) patients. Interferon-inducible protein 6 (IFI6) delays type I interferon-induced apoptosis in cells. We hypothesized that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IFI6 could affect the chronicity of CLD. The present study included a discovery stage, in which 195 CLD patients, including chronic hepatitis B (HEP) and cirrhosis patients and 107 spontaneous recovery (SR) controls, were analyzed. The genotype distributions of rs2808426 (C > T) and rs10902662 (C > T) were significantly different between the SR and HEP groups (odds ratio [OR], 6.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.64 to 26.52, p = 0.008 for both SNPs) and between the SR and CLD groups (OR, 4.38; 95% CI, 1.25 to 15.26; p = 0.021 and OR, 4.12; 95% CI, 1.18 to 14.44; p = 0.027, respectively). The distribution of diplotypes that contained these SNPs was significantly different between the SR and HEP groups (OR, 6.58; 95% CI, 1.63 to 25.59; p = 0.008 and OR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.61; p = 0.008, respectively) and between the SR and CLD groups (OR, 4.38; 95% CI, 1.25 to 15.26; p = 0.021 and OR, 4.12; 95% CI, 1.18 to 14.44; p = 0.027, respectively). We were unable to replicate the association shown by secondary enrolled samples. A large-scale validation study should be performed to confirm the association between IFI6 and HBV clearance.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.140-145
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• 2006

E-science refers to the large-scale science that will increasingly be carried out through distributed global collaborations enabled by the Internet. The Grid is a service-oriented architecture proposed to provide access to very large data collections, very large scale computing resources and remote facilities. Web services, which are server applications, enable online access to service providers. Web portal interfaces can further hide the complexity of accessing facility's services. The main use of synchrotron radiation (SR) facilities by protein crystallographers is to collect the best possible diffraction data for reasonably well defined problems. Significant effort is therefore being made throughout the world to automate SR protein crystallography facilities so scientists can achieve high throughput, even if they are not expert in all the techniques. By applying the above technologies, the e-HTPX project, a distributed computing infrastructure, was designed to help scientists remotely plan, initiate and monitor experiments for protein crystallographic structure determination. A description of both the hardware and control software is given together in this paper.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.409-417
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• 2022

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide, and accumulating evidence indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with progressive deterioration in PD patients. Previous studies have shown that sinapic acid has a neuroprotective effect, but its mechanisms of action remain unclear. The neuroprotective effect of sinapic acid was assayed in a PD mouse model generated by the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) as well as in SH-SY5Y cells. Target protein expression was detected by western blotting. Sinapic acid treatment attenuated the behavioral defects and loss of dopaminergic neurons in the PD models. Sinapic acid also improved mitochondrial function in the PD models. MPTP treatment increased the abundance of mitochondrial fission proteins such as dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and phospho-Drp1 Ser616. In addition, MPTP decreased the expression of the REV-ERB α protein. These changes were attenuated by sinapic acid treatment. We used the pharmacological REV-ERB α inhibitor SR8278 to confirmation of protective effect of sinapic acid. Treatment of SR8278 with sinapic acid reversed the protein expression of phospho-Drp1 Ser616 and REV-ERB α on MPTP-treated mice. Our findings demonstrated that sinapic acid protects against MPTP-induced PD and these effects might be related to the inhibiting abnormal mitochondrial fission through REV-ERB α.

• BMB Reports
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.237-243
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• 2013

Heart failure is one of the leading causes of sudden death in developed countries. While current therapies are mostly aimed at mitigating associated symptoms, novel therapies targeting the subcellular mechanisms underlying heart failure are emerging. Failing hearts are characterized by reduced contractile properties caused by impaired $Ca^{2+}$ cycling between the sarcoplasm and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum $Ca^{2+}$ ATPase 2a (SERCA2a) mediates $Ca^{2+}$ reuptake into the SR in cardiomyocytes. Of note, the expression level and/or activity of SERCA2a, translating to the quantity of SR $Ca^{2+}$ uptake, are significantly reduced in failing hearts. Normalization of the SERCA2a expression level by gene delivery has been shown to restore hampered cardiac functions and ameliorate associated symptoms in pre-clinical as well as clinical studies. SERCA2a activity can be regulated at multiple levels of a signaling cascade comprised of phospholamban, protein phosphatase 1, inhibitor-1, and $PKC{\alpha}$. SERCA2 activity is also regulated by post-translational modifications including SUMOylation and acetylation. In this review, we will highlight the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of SERCA2a activity and the potential therapeutic modalities for the treatment of heart failure.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.265-269
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• 2008

Calumenin, a multiple EF-hand $Ca^{2+}$ binding protein is located in the SR of mammalian heart, but the functional role of the protein in the heart is unknown. In the present study, an adenovirus gene transfer system was employed for neonatal rat heart to examine the effects of calumenin over-expression (Calu-OE) on $Ca^{2+}$ transients. Calu-OE (8 folds) did not alter the expression levels of DHPR, RyR2, NCX, SERCA2, CSQ and PLN. However, Calu-OE affected several parameters of $Ca^{2+}$ transients. Among them, prolongation of time to 50% baseline ($T_{50}$) was the most outstanding change in electrically-evoked $Ca^{2+}$ transients. The higher $T_{50}$ was due to an inhibition of SERCA2-mediated $Ca^{2+}$ uptake into SR, as tested by oxalate-supported $Ca^{2+}$ uptake. Furthermore, co-IP study showed a direct interaction between calumenin and SERCA2. Taken together, calumenin in the cardiac SR may play an important role in the regulation of $Ca^{2+}$ uptake during the EC coupling process.