• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.533-543
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• 2011

The hERG (human ether-a-go-go related gene) ion channel is a main factor for cardiac repolarization, and the blockade of this channel could induce arrhythmia and sudden death. Therefore, potential hERG ion channel inhibitors are now a primary concern in the drug discovery process, and lots of efforts are focused on the minimizing the cardiotoxic side effect. In this study, $IC_{50}$ data of 202 organic compounds in HEK (human embryonic kidney) cell from literatures were used to develop predictive 2D-QSAR model. Multiple linear regression (MLR), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and artificial neural network (ANN) were utilized to predict inhibition concentration of hERG ion channel as machine learning methods. Population based-forward selection method with cross-validation procedure was combined with each learning method and used to select best subset descriptors for each learning algorithm. The best model was ANN model based on 14 descriptors ($R^2_{CV}$=0.617, RMSECV=0.762, MAECV=0.583) and the MLR model could describe the structural characteristics of inhibitors and interaction with hERG receptors. The validation of QSAR models was evaluated through the 5-fold cross-validation and Y-scrambling test.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.141-145
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• 2001

Objective: We inversigated Small Heterodimer Partner (SHP) gene mutation in Korean Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) patients. SHP protein regulates the activity of nuclear receptors which regulate the cellular development and differentiation. Recently, the mutation of SHP gene was found in the obesity and diabetes patients in Japanese group, and suggested that its mutation may involved in pathogenic mechanism of PCOS. Methods: This study was performed in 20 PCOS patients and 20 normal women. The DNAs were extracted from the peripheral bloods, and amplified at each exon (1 and 2) of SHP gene by PCR method. Subsequently, each PCR product was digested with the restriction enzyme indicated below for studying restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). After enzyme digestion, the results of RFLP were compared PCOS patients with control women to find any sequence variation. Results: We examined 9 regions of exon 1 with Msp I, Pvu II, Dde I and 3 regions of exon 2 with Pst I, Dde I. There is no heterozygous or homozygous mutation in patients and control women at these restriction sites. Conclusion: The genetic analysis at our restriction sites in the SHP gene did not show any genetic variation in Korean PCOS patients. Our PCR-RFLP analysis was not covered the entire SHP gene (68 bp/1,006 bp), we need to further analysis of the entire SHP gene.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.313-318
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to the relationship between sleep disturbances and Burning mouth syndrome(BMS). BMS presents as a chronic burning sensation in the oral mucous membrane that is frequently associated with sleep disturbances. BMS is considered neuropathic pain condition with dysfunction of small diameter afferent sensory fiber. A review of the studies reveals, BMS suggested peripheral and cental nervous system changes. Sleep disruption or Rem sleep deprivation cause an inhibition of opioid protein synthesis and a reduced affinity of ${\mu}$ and ${\delta}$ opioid receptors. Let me say that sleep disturbances suggest a risk factor For BMS and support to evaluate as a part of BMS treatment. Further study will be required to ascertain the relationship between distruption of sleep continuity or Rem sleep deprivation and BMS and the evidence of altered neurochemical degeneration of BMS.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.149-158
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• 2000

The present study was attempted to examine the effect of staurosporine (STS) on secretion of catecholamines (CA) evoked by cholinergic stimulation and membrane depolarization from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland and to establish its mechanism of action. The perfusion of STS $(3{\times}10^{-7}{\sim}3{\times}10^{-8}\;M)$ into an adrenal vein for 20 min produced a dose-dependent inhibition in CA secretion evoked by ACh $(5.32{\times}10^{-3}\;M),$ high $K^+\;(5.6{\times}10^{-2}\;M),$ DMPP $(10^{-4}\;M\;for\;2\;min),$ McN-A-343 $(10^{-4}\;M\;for\;2\;min),$ cyclopiazonic acid $(10^{-5}\;M\;for\;4\;min)$ and Bay-K-8644 $(10^{-5}\;M\;for\;4\;min).$ Also, in the presence of tamoxifen $(2{\times}10^{-6}\;M),$ which is known to be a protein kinase inhibitor, CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high $K^+,$ DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid were also significantly depressed. However, in adrenal glands preloaded with STS $(10^{-7}\;M)$ under the presence of phorbol-12, 13-dibutyrate $(10^{-7}\;M),$ a specific activator of protein kinases (for 20 min), the inhibitory effect of STS on CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high $K^+,$ DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid was greatly recovered to the extent of the control release as compared to those in the presence of STS only. These results demonstrate that STS causes the marked inhibition of CA secretion evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both nicotinic and muscarinic) receptors as well as by membrane depolarization, indicating strongly that this effect may be mediated by inhibiting influx of extracellular calcium and release in intracellular calcium in the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells through preventing activation of protein kinases. Furthermore, these findings also suggest that these STS-sensitive protein kinases play a modulatory role partly in regulating the rat adrenomedullary CA secretion.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.329-338
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• 2020

Rhinorrhea in allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterized by the secretion of electrolytes in the nasal discharge. The secretion of Cl^- and HCO₃^- is mainly regulated by cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) or via the calcium-activated Cl^- channel anoctamin-1 (ANO1) in nasal gland serous cells. Interleukin-4 (IL-4), which is crucial in the development of allergic inflammation, increases the expression and activity of ANO1 by stimulating histamine receptors. In this study, we investigated ANO1 as a potential therapeutic target for rhinorrhea in AR using an ANO1 inhibitor derived from a natural herb. Ethanolic extracts (30%) of Spirodela polyrhiza (SP_EtOH) and its five major flavonoids constituents were prepared. To elucidate whether the activity of human ANO1 (hANO1) was modulated by SP_EtOH and its chemical constituents, a patch clamp experiment was performed in hANO1-HEK293T cells. Luteolin, one of the major chemical constituents in SP_EtOH, significantly inhibited hANO1 activity in hANO1-HEK293T cells. Further, SP_EtOH and luteolin specifically inhibited the calcium-activated chloride current, but not CFTR current in human airway epithelial Calu-3 cells. Calu-3 cells were cultured to confluency on transwell inserts in the presence of IL-4 to measure the electrolyte transport by Ussing chamber. Luteolin also significantly inhibited the ATP-induced increase in electrolyte transport, which was increased in IL-4 sensitized Calu-3 cells. Our findings indicate that SP_EtOH and luteolin may be suitable candidates for the prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis. SP_EtOH^- and luteolin-mediated ANO1 regulation provides a basis for the development of novel approaches for the treatment of allergic rhinitis-induced rhinorrhea.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.97-106
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• 2007

The present study was attempted to investigate the effect of nicorandil, which is an ATP-sensitive potassium ($K_{ATP}$) channel opener, on secretion of catecholamines (CA) evoked by cholinergic stimulation and membrane depolarization from the isolated perfused rat adrenal glands. The perfusion of nicorandil ($0.3{\sim}3.0mM$) into an adrenal vein for 90 min produced relatively dose-and time-dependent inhibition in CA secretion evoked by ACh (5.32 mM), high $k^+$ (a direct membrane depolarizer, 56 mM), DMPP (a selective neuronal nicotinic receptor agonist, $100{\mu}M$ for 2 min), McN-A-343 (a selective muscarinic $M_1$ receptor agonist, $100{\mu}M$ for 4 min), Bay-K-8644 (an activator of L-type dihydropyridine $Ca^{2+}$ channels, $10{\mu}M$ for 4 min) and cyclopiazonic acid (an activator of cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase, $10{\mu}M$ for 4 min). In adrenal glands simultaneously preloaded with nicorandil (1.0 mM) and glibenclamide (a nonspecific $K_{ATP}$-channel blocker, 1.0 mM), the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high potassium, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid were recovered to the considerable extent of the control release in comparison with that of nicorandil-treatment only. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that nicorandil inhibits the adrenal CA secretion in response to stimulation of cholinergic (both nicotinic and muscarinic) receptors as well as by membrane depolarization from the isolated perfused rat adrenal glands. It seems that this inhibitory effect of nicorandil may be mediated by inhibiting both $Ca^{2+}$ influx and the $Ca^{2+}$ release from intracellular store through activation of $K_{ATP}$ channels in the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells. These results suggest that nicorandil-sensitive $K_{ATP}$ channels may play an inhibitory role in the regulation of the rat adrenomedullary CA secretion.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.33-56
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• 2007

Use of chemicals has greatly increased along with development of human civilization. Concerns about potential effects of chemicals on human health and environment have also grown accordingly. Due to the enormous number of chemicals being used, however, it is neither practical nor feasible to regulate all the chemicals. Therefore, it is necessary to identify chemicals that deserve more immediate attention, based on the effects on receptors to be protected. This study was initiated by the need for developing management policies for Shihwa-Banwol Techno Valley and its vicinities of korea, where complaints and concerns on environmental contamination have been raised for long time. This study to identifies major chemicals that deserve most immediate attention in environmental health management in this area. For this purpose, the study employed CHEMS-1(Chemical Hazard Evaluation for Management Strategies), and used chemical data from Toxics Release Inventory(TRI) and environmental contamination data from the environmental pollution monitoring network. Top priority pollutants identified in Shihwa-Banwol Techno Valley area were metals and volatile organic compounds, such as dichloromethane, trichloroethylene, diazinon, tetrachloroethylene, chromium compounds, tin compounds, chloroacetic acid, ethyl acetate, and zinc compounds, in an order of decreasing importance. An evaluation of physicochemical properties of the priority chemicals and the environmental pollution monitoring network database in Shihwa-Banwol Techno Valley suggested that the media that are of potential concern would be the atmosphere and aquatic environment.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.963-969
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• 2016

Kinesin superfamily proteins (KIFs) are microtubule-dependent molecular motor proteins essential for the intracellular transport of organelles and protein complexes in cells. Kinesin 1 is a member of those KIFs that transport various cargoes, including organelles, synaptic vesicles, neurotransmitter receptors, cell signaling molecules, and mRNAs through interaction between its light chain subunit and the cargoes. Kinesin light chains (KLCs) are non-motor subunits that associate with the kinesin heavy chain (KHC) dimer. KLCs interact with many different binding proteins, but their particular binding proteins have not yet been fully identified. We used the yeast two-hybrid assay to identify proteins that interact with the tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domain of KLC1. We found an interaction between the TPR domain of KLC1 and Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein family member 1 (WAVE1), a member of the WASP/WAVE family involved in regulation of actin cytoskeleton. WAVE1 bound to the six TPR domain-containing regions of KLC1 and did not interact with KHCs (KIF5A, KIF5B, and KIF5C) in the yeast two-hybrid assay. The carboxyl (C)-terminal verprolin-cofilin-acidic (VCA) domain of WAVE1 is essential for interaction with KLC1. Also, other WAVE isoforms (WAVE2 and WAVE3) interacted with KLC1 in the yeast two-hybrid assay. When co-expressed in HEK-293T cells, WAVE1 co-localized with KLC1 and co-immunoprecipitated with KLC1 and KIF5B. These results suggest that kinesin 1 motor protein may transport WAVE complexes or WAVE-coated cargoes in cells.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.66-83
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• 2002

Recently, we have provided evidence that ginsenosides, the active components of Panax ginseng, utilize pertussis toxin (PTX)-insensitive $G{\alpha}_{q/11}-phospholipase\;C-{\beta}3(PLC-{\beta}3)$ signal transduction pathway for the enhancement of $Ca^{2+}-activated\;Cl^{-}$ current in the Xenopus oocyte (British J. Pharmacol. 132, 641-647, 2001; JBC 276, 48797-48802, 2001). Other investigators have shown that stimulation of receptors linked to $G{\alpha}-PLC$ pathway inhibits the activity of G proteincoupled inwardly rectifying $K^+$ (GIRK) channel. In the present study, we sought to determine whether ginsenosides influenced the activity of GIRK 1 and GIRK 4 (GIRK 1/4) channels expressed in the Xenopus oocyte, and if so, the underlying signal transduction mechanism. In oocyte injected with GIRK 1/4 channel cRNAs, bath-applied ginsenosides inhibited high potassium (HK) solution-elicited GIRK current $(EC_{50}:4.9{\pm}4.3\;{\mu}g/ml).$ Pretreatment of the oocyte with PTX reduced the HK solution-elicited GIRK current by $49\%,$ but it did not alter the inhibitory ginsenoside effect on GIRK current. Prior intraoocyte injection of cRNA(s) coding $G{\alpha}_q,\;G{\alpha}_{11}\;or\;G{\alpha}_q/G{\alpha}_{11},\;but\;not\;G{\alpha}_{i2}\;or\;G{\alpha}_{oA}$ attenuated the inhibitory ginsenoside effect. Injection of cRNAs coding $G{\beta}_{1{\gamma}2}$ also attenuated the ginsenoside effect. Similarly, injection of the cRNAs coding regulators of G protein signaling 1, 2 and 4 (RGS1, RGS2 and RGS4), which interact with $G{\alpha}_i\;and/or\;G{\alpha}_{q/11}$ and stimulates the hydrolysis of GTP to GDP in active GTP-bound $G{\alpha}$ subunit, resulted in a significant reduction of ginsenoside effect on GIRK current. Preincubation of GIRK channel-expressing oocyte in PLC inhibitor (U73122) or protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor (staurosporine or chelerythrine) blocked the inhibitory ginsenoside effect on GIRK current. On the other hand, intraoocyte injection of BAPTA, a free $Ca^{2+}$ chelator, had no significant effect on the ginsenoside action. Taken together, these results suggest that ginsenosides inhibit the activity of GIRK 1/4 channel expressed in the Xenopus oocyte through a PTX-insensitive and $G{\alpha}_{q/11}$-,PLC-and PKC-mediated signal transduction pathway.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.729-735
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• 2021

Type 2 diabetes occurs when there is an abnormality in the tissue's ability to absorb glucose. Glucose uptake and metabolism by insulin are the basic mechanisms that maintain blood sugar. Glucose uptake goes through various signaling steps initiated by the binding of insulin to receptors on the cell surface. In line with the foregoing, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 2,7-phloroglucinol-6,6-bieckol (PHB), an active compound isolated from Ecklonia cava, on glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Notably, PHB increased glucose uptake in a dose-dependent manner owing to the enhanced glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) expression in the plasma membrane of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These effects of PHB were attributed to the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 and protein kinase B (PKB or AKT), as well as to the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activation in the insulin signaling pathway. PHB also stimulated 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and activation. The phosphorylation and activation of the PI3K/AKT and AMPK pathways by PHB were identified using wortmannin (a PI3K inhibitor) and compound C (an AMPK inhibitor). In this study, we showed that PHB can increase glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by promoting GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane via the PI3K and AMPK pathways. The results indicate that PHB may help improve insulin sensitivity.