• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.275-281
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to investigate what protein(s) of porcine epididymal fluid (pEF) are able to enhance the nuclear maturation of porcine germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes in vitro. Proteins of pEF were fractionated by affinity, ion exchange, and gel filtration chromatography. Porcine cumulus-oocytes complexes (COC) from follicles were cultured in tissue culture medium (TCM 199) containing various fractions obtained by chromatography. Porcine COCs were also cultured in TCM 199 containing various meiosis inhibitors and pEF. After 24 or 48 h culture, oocytes were examined for evidence of GV breakdown, metaphase I, anaphase-telophase I, and metaphase II. When porcine COCs were cultured in the medium with meiosis inhibitor such as, dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) and forskolin (Fo), more than 80% of oocytes were unable to resume meiosis. However, porcine COCs supplemented with pEF were able to overcome the inhibitory effect of dbcAMP and Fo. Maturation rate of oocytes was significantly (p<0.05) increased in the media supplemented with cationic protein(s) during in vitro maturation than in those with anionic protein(s) (44.1% vs 20.0%). When oocytes were cultured in the TCM 199 with fractions obtained by gel filtration, the maturation rate of oocytes was significantly (p<0.05) higher in fraction 11 containing 18 kDa than other fractions. The present study suggests that 1) dbcAMP and Fo prevent the spontaneous maturation of oocyte after isolation from follicles, and that pEF contain a substance(s) that improves meiosis resumption in vitro of porcine COCs, 2) cationic 18 kDa protein(s) are responsible for promotion of Mil stage.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1999

Sulfonated polyetherimide having anionic charge and better hydrophilicity than polyetherimide was prepared by reacting polyetherimide with chlorosulfonic acid. To prepare casting solution, from which the membrane having good performance can produce. Polyvinylpyrrolidone as a pore forming agent and volatile weak solvent such as dichloromethane to foml the dense skin layer were added to the sulfonated polyetherimide / N -methyl-2-pyrrolidone solution. Membrane fabricated sulfonated PEl showed better fouling resistance to the protein than those fabricated PEL because of its hydrophilicity. Solute having negative charge was removed effectively with membrane fabricated from the sulfonated PEl because of its the same electron charge.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.250-255
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• 2007

The RecA protein of Deinococcus radiodurans is essential for the extreme radiation resistance of this organism. The central steps involved in recombinational DNA repair require DNA-dependent ATP hydrolysis by recA protein. Key feature of RecA protein-mediated activities is the interactions with ssDNA and dsDNA. The ssDNA is the site where RecA protein filament formation nucleates and where initiation of DNA strand exchange takes place. The effect of sequence heterogeneity of ssDNA was examined in this experiment. The rate of homopolymeric synthetic ssDNA-dependent ATP hydrolysis was constant or nearly so over a broader range of pHs. For poly(dT)-dependent ATP or dATP hydrolysis, rates were generally faster, with a broader optimum between pH 7.0 and 8.0. Activities of RecA protein were affected by the ionic environment. The ATPase activity was shown to have different sensitivity to anionic species. The presence of glutamate seemed to slimulate the hydrolytic activity. Dr RecA protein was shown to require $Mg^{2+}$ ion greater than 2 mM for binding to etheno ssDNA and the binding stoichiometry of 3 nucleotide for RecA protein monomer.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.128-133
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• 1999

To enhance functional properties of 4 different hoki frame protein hydrolysates (30K, 10K, 5K and 1K hydrolysate) fractionated through a series of 30, 10, 5 and 1 kDa molecular weight cut-off membranes in order to decrease pore size, all hydrolysates were phosphorylated with sodium trimetaphosphate and altered phosphorylated 30K, 10K, 5K and 1K (P-30K, P-10K, P-5K and P-1K), respectively. The covalent attachment of anionic phosphate groups to polypeptide chains improved the functional properties, such as solubility, emulsifying properties and foaming properties, of hoki frame protein hydrolysates. Especially, P-30K hydrolysate with the highest molecular weight fraction possessed the most excellent functional properties among 4 different phosphorylated hydrolysates.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.31 no.1 s.49
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• pp.51-58
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• 2005

Alkyl ethoxy sulfate type surfactants, widely used in commercial cleansers, are easily adsorbed to skin to often cause skin irritation and inflammation if not thoroughly rinsed nut. In order to replace or complement existing surfactants, we screened the existing surfactants through protein denaturation method, cell cytotoxicity assay and human IL-1$\alpha$ assay, etc. Fourteen surfactants have been chosen from among too irritant anionic, cationic and/or zwitter-ionic ones and investigated for cell cytotoxicity in human fibroblast cell lines using monolayer culture with the thirteen commercially available cleansers for sensitive skin. From these results, we selected 5 surfactants and 2 commercial cleansers (names not shown), such as sodium laureth sulfate (anionic), sodium cocoyl isethionate (anionic), sodium lauroamphoacetate (zwitter-ionic), and cocamidopropyl betaine (zwitter-ionic), alkyl polyglycoside (non-ionic). 20 formulations were made out of 5 surfactants and five of them were chosen through a protein denaturation method (lower than 3 M sodium dodecyl sulfate solution ($13.2\%$)), cell cytotoxicity and human patch test. These five selected formulations containing preservatives were compared to two selected commercial cleansers by cell cytotoxicity and human IL-1$\alpha$ ELISA assay using dermal equivalent. Finally, we selected the best formulation. To this formulation, fructan ($3\%$ or $5\%$) or/and portulaca extract ($3\%$ or $5\%$) well known for its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects were added and investigated for cell cytotoxicity using dermal equivalent. In cytotoxicity assay using dermal equivalent, two formulations containing $5\%$ fructan and $3\%$ or $5\%$ portulaca extract were less toxic than the others. In cytotoxicity assay and human IL-1$\alpha$ ELISA using 3D culture, the selected formulation containing $5\%$ fructan and $5\%$ portulaca extract showed better efficiency than those of the others and 2 commercial cleansers. As a result, we could develop a low irritant and safe liquid cleanser.

• Biomaterials and Biomechanics in Bioengineering
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2014

Polymer multilayered hydrogels were prepared on a titanium alloy (Ti) substrate using a layer-by-layer (LBL) process to load a cell growth factor. Two water-soluble polymers were used to fabricate the multilayered hydrogels, a phospholipid polymer with both N, N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) units and 4-vinylphenylboronic acid (VPBA) units [poly(MPC-co-DMAEMA-co-VPBA) (PMDV)], and the polysaccharide alginate (ALG). PMDV interacted with ALG through a selective reaction between the VPBA units in PMDV and the hydroxyl groups in ALG and through electrostatic interactions between the DMAEMA units in PMDA and the anionic carboxyl groups in ALG. First, the Ti substrate was covered with photoreactive poly vinyl alcohol, and then the Ti alloy was alternately immersed in the respective polymer solutions to form the PMDV/ALG multilayered hydrogels. In this multilayered hydrogel, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was introduced in different layers during the LbL process under mild conditions. Release of VEGF from the multilayered hydrogels was dependent on the location; however, release continued for 2 weeks. Endothelial cells adhered to the hydrogel and proliferated, and these corresponded to the VEGF release profile from the hydrogel. We concluded that multilayered hydrogels composed of PMDV and ALG could be loaded with cell growth factors that have high activity and can control cell functions. Therefore, this system provides a cell function controllable substrate based on the controlled release of biologically active proteins.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.65-70
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• 2015

It is well known that proteins present in the primary urine are reabsorbed in the renal proximal tubules, and that this reabsorption is mediated via the megalin-cubilin complex and the neonatal $Fc{\gamma}$ receptor. However, the reabsorption is also thought to be influenced by an electrostatic interaction between protein molecules and the microvilli of the renal proximal tubules. By analyzing the charge diversity of urinary IgG, we showed that this reabsorption process occurs in a cationic charge-preferential manner. The charge-selective molecular sieving function of the glomerular capillary walls has long been a target of research since Brenner et al. demonstrated the existence of this function by a differential clearance study by using the anionic dextran sulfate polymer. However, conclusive evidence was not obtained when the study was performed using differential clearance of serum proteins. We noted that immunoglobulin (Ig) A and IgG have similar molecular sizes but distinct molecular isoelectric points. Therefore, we studied the differential clearance of these serum proteins (clearance IgA/clearance IgG) in podocyte diseases and glomerulonephritis. In addition, we studied this differential clearance in patients with Dent disease rather than in normal subjects because the glomerular sieving function is considered to be normal in subjects with Dent disease. Our results clearly showed that the charge-selective barrier is operational in Dent disease, impaired in podocyte disease, and lacking in glomerulonephritis.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.193-198
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• 2012

This study was to examine expression of the recombinant full-length adiponectin (recombinant adiponectin) in insect ovarian cell culture system and to characterize structural properties of the recombinant adiponectin secreted in medium. Gene construct encoding the recombinant adiponectin contained N-terminal collagen-like domain (110 Amino Acids, AAs), C-terminal globular domain (137 AAs) and C-terminal peptides for detection with V5 antibody (26 AAs included adaptor peptide) and purification using the 6xHis tag (6 AAs). The approximate molecular weight of the product (monomer) was 35 kDa. Molecular mass species of the expressed recombinant adiponectin were monomer (~35 kDa), dimer (~70 kDa), trimer (~105 kDa) and hexamer (~210 kDa). The major secreted species were the LMW forms, such as monomer, dimer, and trimer. There was MMW of hexamer as minor form. HMW multimers (~300 kDa) were shown as a tracer or not detected on the SDS-PAGE in several experiments (data not shown). The multimer forms in this study were not compatible to those in animal or human serum and adipose tissue by other researcher's study in which the major multimer forms were HMW. By protein denaturing experiments with reducing reagent (${\beta}$-MeOH), anionic detergent (SDS) and heat ($95^{\circ}C$) on the SDS-PAGE, not all adiponectin multimers seemed to have disulfide bond linked structure to form multimers. The recombinant adiponectin which expressed in insect ovarian cell culture system seemed to have the limitation as full physiological regulator for the application to animal and human study.

• Korean Journal Plant Pathology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.278-285
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• 1998

Effects of chitosan on growth of tomato plant, and suppression of Fusaruim wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici and late blight casued by Phytophthora infestans, were examined. Both late blight and fusarium wilt were suppressed by spray and irrigation of chitosan, respectively. Inhibition of mycelial growth was not greatly affected by molecular size of chitosan but, concentration dependent effects was observed. Ninty percent of P. infestans and 80% of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici of mycelial growth was inhibited by 1,000 ppm of chitosan (MW 30,000~50,000) when amended in plate media. Induction of defense-related gene expression in plant by chitosan treatments were observed when chitosan treated tobacco and tomato RNA samples were hybridized with several defense-related genes as probes. The results revealed that $\beta$-1,3-glucanase and chitinase genes were strongly induced, while pathogenesis-related protein-1, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, anionic peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase genes were weakly induced by chitosan treatment. These results suggest that chitosan have dual effects on these host-pathogen interactions. Possible roles of chitosan in suppression of tomato diseases by inhibition of mycelial growth and activation of plant defense responses are discussed.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2006

In this study, we have purified and characterized the membrane bound nitrate reductase obtained from the denitrifying bacteria, Ochrobactrum anthropi SY509, which was isolated from soil samples. O. anthropi SY509 can grow in minimal medium using nitrate as a nitrogen source. We achieved an overall purification rate of 15-fold from the protein extracted from the membrane fraction, with a recovery of approximately 12% of activity. The enzyme exhibited its highest level of activity at pH 5.5, and the activity was increased up to $70^{\circ}C$. Periplasmic and cytochromic proteins, including nitrite and nitrous oxide reductase, were excluded during centrifugation and were verified using enzyme essay. Reduced methyl viologen was determined to be the most efficient electron donor among a variety of anionic and cationic dyestuffs, which could be also used as an electron donor with dimethyl dithionite. The effects of purification and storage conditions on the stability of enzyme were also investigated. The activity of the membranebound nitrate reductase was stably maintained for over 2 weeks in solution. To maintain the stability of enzyme, the cell was disrupted using sonication at low temperatures, and enzyme was extracted by hot water without any surfactant. The purified enzyme was stored in solution with no salt to prevent any significant losses in activity levels.