• BMB Reports
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.541-546
• /
• 1999

When we compared the chitinase activity of various plant sources using colorimetric or active gel-staining assay methods, the specific activity of pumpkin leaves was the highest among the samples we analyzed. The highly active chitinase from pumpkin leaves (designated PL-ChtIII) was purified to homogeneity using affinity chitin gel and HPLC Mono-Q anion-exchange cloumn chromatographies. In contrast to other members of the class III chitinase family, PL-ChtIII showed a strong binding affinity to the regenerated chitin gel column. The apparent molecular weight of PL-ChtIII was estimated to be 29 kDa on SDS-PAGE gel, while its optimum pH and temperature were shown to be pH 6.0 and $60^{\circ}C$, respectively. Analyzing the reaction products of PL-ChtIII with swollen chitin as substrate, the dimer and tetramer of N-acetylglucosamine were produced as major products in the first hour of the enzymatic reaction along with a small amount of monomers and trimers. As the reaction time increased, dimeric N-acetylglucosamine became the predominant form of reaction product.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.567-572
• /
• 1999

We have previously shown that a DNA fragment is responsible for the anticoagulatory effect of an earthworm, Lumbricus rubellus. The anticoagluant increased the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and also inhibited the thrombin activity observed with either N-${\alpha}$-p-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester (TAME) or H-D-phenyl-alanyl-L-pipecoil-L-arginine-p-nitroanilide (S-2238). Since trypsin digestion of the anticoagulant further increased the APTT, the possible presence of a regulatory protein for the anticoagulatory DNA was investigated by digesting the anticoagulant with trypsin and isolating the DNA fragment with C4-reversed phase HPLC. The DNA fragment lacking a regulatory protein was eluted in the flow-through fraction, and analyzed with thrombin and activated factor X. Activated factor X activity was more strongly inhibited than thrombin activity. For DNA digestion, we treated the anticoagulant with DNase and purified the DNA-binding protein with a FPLC Resource-S cation exchange column. The regulatory protein, with an $M_r$ of 55.0 kDa, reduced the anticoagulatory effect of the DNA fragment.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.106-113
• /
• 2006

Phthalate analogues are a plasticizer and solvent used in industry. Phthalates were classified in the category of "suspected" endocrine disruptors. The purpose of our study was to screen and elucidate the endocrine disrupting activity of seven phthalate analogues. E-screen assay was performed in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells with seven phthalate analogues. In this cell proliferation assay, benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) showed high estrogenic activity. Their relative proliferation efficiencies (RPE) were 109 and 106%, respectively. In vitro estrogen receptor (ER) binding assay, BBP, di-n-octyl phthalate (DOP) and dinonyl phthalate (DNP) showed weak relative binding affinity (RBA: 0.02%) compared to $17{\beta}-estradiol\;(E2)$ (RBA: 100%). In uterotrophic assay, E2 produced a significant increase, whereas four tested phthalate analogues had potential estrogenic effects in vitro did not increased in uterus weight in immature rats. From these results, we demonstrated that phthalate analogues exhibit weak estrogenic activity in vitro assays at high concentrations. Although phthalates induced an increase in MCF-7 cell proliferation by an estrogenic effect, they could not induce a uterus weight increase in vivo. From these, we may suggest that these phthalate analogues are easily metabolized to inactive forms in vivo. Further investigation in other in vitro and in vivo experimental systems might be required.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.50-60
• /
• 2002

Objectives: Sunghyangjunggisan (SHJS) is a commonly prescribed drug with a wide neuropharmacological spectrum. The water extracts of SHJS were found to be protective against neurotoxicity elicited by deprivation of serum and glucose. Methods: The morphological examination and Hoechst staining of nucleus also clearly showed that the extracts attenuated the cell shrinkage, membrane blebbing, representing typical neuronal apoptotic phenomena and nucleosome-sized fragmentation under the microscope in PC 12 rat pheochromocytoma cells. Results: Activation of protein kinase A (PKA) with dibutyl-cAMP and forskolin also protected during glucose deprivation, although it was not additive with the effect provided by phorbol ester. Interestingly, treatment with the protein kinase A inhibitor, KT5720, was not neuroprotective in the presence of SHJS. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays were used to characterize the neuroprotective binding of nuclear proteins to consensus sequences for AP-l, nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) after glucose deprivation. When PC 12 cells are induced to undergo apoptosis by serum deprivation, AP-l and $NF-{\kappa}B$ DNA binding activity transiently increases to a slight degree. This stimulation is blocked by the water extracts of SHJS. The site of action of the drugs appeared to involve specific inhibition of AP-1 and nuclear factor kB binding activity. Conclusions: Taken together, these results suggested the possibility that the extracts of SHJS might provide a neurotrophic-like activity in PC 12 cells.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.144-148
• /
• 1998

One hundred and seventeen crude drugs were screened for DNA-binding activity in vitro. The DNA-methyl green assay is a useful biochemical screen for the detection or development of biologically active compounds which bind to DNA. This assay is based upon the fact that free methyl green undergoes rapid spontaneous molecular rearrangement to its colorless carbinol base so that the liberation of the dye from DNA by displacement can be followed spectrophotometrically as a decrease in absorbance at 65Onm. Seven methanolic extracts of crude drugs including Cinnamomi Cortex spissus, Coicis Semen, Coptidis Rhizoma, Perillae Semen, Plantaginis Semen, Polygalae Radix and Zanthoxyli Fructus showed less than 2,000${\mu}$g/ml as their $IC_{50}$ values. The active principles of Plantaginis Semen and Zanthoxyli Fructus were transferred into organic solvents, which showed the $IC_{50}$ values with 588 and 574${\mu}$g/ml, respectively. These fractions have been selected for isolation of biologically active constituents.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.1 s.29
• /
• pp.281-294
• /
• 1995

The effect of Sam Hwa San on the Na-K-ATPase activity was evaluated in microsomal fraction prepared from rabbit cerebral cortex to determine whether Sam Hwa San affects Na-K-ATPase activity of nervous system. Sam Hwa San markedly inhibited the Na-K-ATPase activity in a dose-dependent manner with an estimated $I_{50}$ of 0.12%. Optimal pH for the Na-K-ATPase activity was at 7.5 in the presence or absence of Sam Hwa San. The degree of inhibition by the drug more increased at acidic and alkalic pHs than neutral pH. Kinetic studies of substrate and cationic activation of the enzyme indicate classic noncompetitive inhibition fashion for ATP, Na and K, showing significant reduction in Vmax without a change in Km. Dithiothreitol, a sulfhydryl reducing reagent, partially protects the inhibition of Na-K-ATPase activity by Sam Hwa San. Combination of Sam Hwa San and ouabain showed higher inhibition than cumulative inhibition. These results suggest that Sam Hwa San inhibits Na-K-ATPase activity in central nervous system by reacting with, at least a part, sulfhydryl group and ouabain binding site of the enzyme protein, but with different binding site from those of ATP, Na and K.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.2 s.32
• /
• pp.264-276
• /
• 1996

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Samhwasan on the Na-K-ATPase activity of heart muscle. The Na-K-ATPase activity was prepared from rabbit heart ventricles. Samhwasan markedly inhibited the Na- K - ATPase activity in a dose-dependent manner with an estimated $I_{50}$ of 0.56%. Hill coefficient was 1.70, indicating that the enzyme has more than one binding site for the Samhwasan. Inhibition of enzyme activity by Samhwasan increased as pretreatment time was prolonged. Inhibition by the drug was not affected by a change in enzyme protein concentration. Kinetic studies of substrate activation of the enzyme indicated classical noncompetitive inhibition, showing significant reduction in Vmax without a change in Km value. Inhibitory effect by Samhwasan was not altered by changes in concentration of $Mg^{2+}$, $Na^+$ or $K^+$, dithiothreitol. a sulfhydryl reducing reagent, did not protect the inhibition of Na-K-ATPase activity by Samhwasan combination of Samhwasan and ouabain showed a cumulative inhibition fashion. These results suggest that Samhwasan inhibits Na-K-ATPase activity of heart ventricles with an unique binding site different from that of ATP, $Mg^{2+}$, $Na^+$ or $K^+$ and ouabain.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.77-81
• /
• 2008

Testis brain RNA-binding protein (TB-RBP) is a DNA/RNA binding protein. TB-RBP is mainly expressed in testis and brain and highly conserved protein with several functions, including chromosomal translocations, DNA repair, mitotic cell division, and mRNA transport, stabilization, and storage. In our previous study, we identified TB-RBP as an interacting partner for the catalytic subunit $(C{\alpha})$ of protein kinase A(PKA) and verified their interaction with several biochemical analyses. Here, we confirmed interaction between $C{\alpha}$. and TB-RBP in mammalian cells and determined the effect of $C{\alpha}$. on the function of TB-RBP. The activation of $C{\alpha}$. increased the TB-RBP function as a DNA-binding protein. These results suggest that the function of TB-RBP can be modulated by PKA and provide insights into the diverse role of PKA.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.38 no.6
• /
• pp.690-694
• /
• 2005

Transcription termination of the human mitochondrial genome requires specific binding to termination factor mTERF. In this study, mTERF was produced in E. coli and purified by two-step chromatography. mTERF-binding DNA sequences were isolated from a pool of randomized sequences by the repeated selection of bound sequences by gel-mobility shift assay and polymerase chain reaction. Sequencing and comparison of the 23 isolated clones revealed a 16-bp consensus sequence of 5'-GTG$\b{TGGC}$AGANCCNGG-3' in the light-strand (underlined residues were absolutely conserved), which nicely matched the genomic 13-bp terminator sequence 5'-$\b{TGGC}$AGAGCCCGG-3'. Moreover, mTERF binding assays of heteroduplex and single-stranded DNAs showed mTERF recognized the light strand in preference to the heavy strand. The preferential binding of mTERF with the light-strand may explain its distinct orientation-dependent termination activity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.16 no.12
• /
• pp.1897-1903
• /
• 2006

In order to investigate the functions of the C-terminal region of chitinase ChiCW of Bacillus cereus 28-9, a C-terminal truncated enzyme, ChiCW$\Delta$FC, was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity for biochemical characterization. Compared with ChiCW, ChiCW$\Delta$FC exhibited higher chitinase activity at high temperature and pH, but expressed lower hydrolytic and binding activities toward insoluble substrates. In addition, kinetic properties indicated that ChiCW$\Delta$MC hydrolyzed oligomeric and polymeric substrates less efficiently than ChiCW. These results suggest that the C-terminal region of ChiCW plays important roles in substrate binding and hydrolysis of chitin. In addition, the biological meaning of C-terminal proteolytic modification of ChiCW is discussed.