• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.1360-1364
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• 2009

The bacterium Sphingomonas chungbukensis DJ77 produces the extracellular polysaccharide gellan in high yield. Gellan produced by this bacterium is widely used as a gelling agent, and the enzyme UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (UGP) is thought to play a key role in the gellan biosynthetic pathway. The UGP gene has been successfully cloned and over-expressed in E. coli. The expressed enzyme was purified with a molecular weight of approximately 32 kDa, as determined by a SDS-polyacrylamide gel, but the enzyme appears as ca. 63 kDa on a native gel, suggesting that the enzyme is present in a homodimer. Kinetic analysis of UDP-glucose for UGP indicates $K_m$ = 1.14 mM and $V_{max}$ = 10.09 mM/min/mg at pH 8.0, which was determined to be the optimal pH for UGP catalytic activity. Amino acid sequence alignment against other bacteria suggests that the UGP contains two conserved domains: An activator binding site and a glucose-1-phosphate binding site. Site-directed mutagenesis of Lys194, located within the glucose-1-phosphate binding site, indicates that substitution of the charge-reversible residue Asp for Lys194 dramatically impairs the UGP activity, supporting the hypothesis that Lys194 plays a critical role in the catalysis.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.149-157
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• 2009

In both gram-positive and several gram-negative bacteria, the transcription of dnaK and groE operons is negatively regulated by HrcA; however, the mechanism modulating HrcA protein activity upon thermal stress remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that HrcA is modulated via reduction and oligomerization in vitro. Native-PAGE analysis was used to reveal the oligomeric structure of HrcA. The oligomeric HrcA structure became monomeric following treatment with the reducing agent dithothreitol, and this process was reversed by treatment with hydrogen peroxide. Moreover, the mutant HrcA C118S exhibited reduced binding to CIRCE elements and became less oligomerized, suggesting that cysteine residue 118 is important for CIRCE element binding as well as oligomerization. Conversely, HrcA mutant C280S exhibited increased oligomerization. An HrcA double mutant (C118S, C280S) was monomeric and exhibited a level of oligomerization and CIRCE binding similar to wild type HrcA, suggesting that cysteine residues 118 and 280 may function as checks to one another during oligomer formation. Biochemical fractionation of E. coli cells overexpressing HrcA revealed the presence of HrcA in the membrane fraction. Together, these results suggest that the two HrcA cysteine residues at positions 118 and 280 function as reduction sensors in the membrane and mediate oligomerization upon stress.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.7 no.2_3
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• pp.191-200
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• 2013

In this study, a novel bombesin (BBN) analogues, DOTA-Ala($SO_3H$)-4 aminobenzoyl-Gln-Trp-Ala-Val-Gly-His-Leu-Met-$NH_2$ (DOTA-sBBN) and DOTA-Lys(glucose)-4 aminobenzoyl-Gln-Trp-Ala-Val-Gly-His-Leu-Met-$NH_2$ (DOTA-gluBBN), were synthesized and radiolabeled, and their binding affinities were evaluated. Peptides were prepared by a solid phase synthesis method and their purities were over 98%. DOTA is the chelating agent for $^{177}Lu$-labeling, and the DOTA-conjugated peptides were radiolabeled with $^{177}Lu$ by a high radiolabeling yield (>98%). The Log P values of DOTA-sBBN and DOTA-gluBBN were -2.20 and -2.79, respectively. 50.41% of $^{177}Lu$-DOTA-sBBN and 72.97% of $^{177}Lu$-DOTA-gluBBN were left undegraded by the serum incubation at $37^{\circ}C$ for 48 hr. A competitive displacement of $^{125}I-[Tyr^4]$-BBN on the PC-3 human prostate carcinoma cells revealed that 50% inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) were 1.46 nM of DOTA-sBBN and 4.67 nM of DOTA-gluBBN indicating a highly nanomolar binding affinity for GRPR. Therefore, it is concluded that $^{177}Lu$-DOTA-sBBN and $^{177}Lu$-DOTA-gluBBN can be potential candidates as a targeting modality for the Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR)-over-expressing tumors, and further studies to evaluate their biological and pharmacological characteristics are needed.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.405-410
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• 2020

In this study, the following results were obtained by analysis of electric properties with FT-IR, DSC, XRD, and SEM, in the range of temperature 30~160℃ and frequency 0.1~200 kHz, when filling agent (0~100 phr) and silicone oil (0~12 phr) were added to raw silicone rubber. In the case of 100 phr mixed samples, the relative dielectric constant εr gradually decreased from 4.3 to 3.96 as frequency increased, and the dielectric loss tan δ decreased to 0.01 at 300 Hz, then increased to 0.022 at 30 kHz, then decreased to 200 kHz. The FT-IR analysis identified the same binding structure according to the chemical composition of added silica (SiO₂). Through DSC analysis, we could determine the change of heat quantity and the glass transition temperature of each specimen. In the XRD analysis, it was found that the images SiO₂, TiO₂, and Fe₂O₃ appeared for specimens with 0%, 50% and 100% filling agent. Finally, the SEM analysis confirmed that particles of 0.5 to 1.5 ㎛ size with silica (SiO₂) mixing were dispersed evenly.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.371-375
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• 2006

Neomycin coupled to a polymer matrix via a metal linker was prepared and evaluated for prolonging antibacterial activity. Microcrystallized cellulose was chemically modified to cellulose xanthate(MCX) to afford metal binding sites. MCX was treated with Cu(II), Fe(III) or Zn(II) followed by reaction with neomycin (Ne). The release of Ne from MCX-Zn(II)-Ne was investigated and its activity duration was measured by ditch plate method. The amount of metal bound to MCX was 0.36 mmol/g matrix, 0.26 mmol/g matrix and 0.56 mmol/g matrix for Cu(II), Zn(II) and Fe(III), respectively. Ne bound to MCX-metal chelates was 0.006 mmol, 0.07 mmol and 0.01 mmol per g MCX for Cu(II), Zn(II) and Fe(III), respectively. The Ne release from MCX-Zn(II)-Ne was sustained even after seven washes, whereas Ne from MC/Zn(II)/Ne mixture was almost completely released in two washes. Antibacterial activity was prolonged with MCX-Zn(II)-Ne and MCX-Fe(III)-Ne, but not with MCX-Cu(II)-Ne when compared with that of free Ne. Taken together, these results suggest that neomycin coupled to MCX via a proper metal linker has a potential as a polymeric antibacterial agent with sustained activity.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2008.04a
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• pp.103-115
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• 2008

Hemodynamic shear stress, the dragging force generated by blood flow, is known as an anti-atherogenic factor. We tested whether lysyl-tRNA synthetase (KRS) will be utilized as an agent controlling shear-sensing systems. KRS was previously known to be secreted as a pro-inflammatory agent. Here we found that KRS inhibited various shear-stimulated signaling pathways. We further found that KRS binds to detergent-resistant membrane (DRM), indicating that KRS binding molecules exist in DRM, specialized regions of the plasma membrane. DRM plays important roles in a variety of cellular processes and consists of gangliosides, signaling molecules and cytoskeletons. We then determined that KRS was colocalized with integrins ${\alpha}4$, ${\alpha}5$ and $av{\beta}3$. In addition, KRS was shown to be associated with sialic acid, existing at the end of gangliosides. Interestingly, the adherent effect of KRS was inhibited by pretreatment with sialic acid. Moreover, treatment of endothelial cells with neuraminidase appeared to inhibit both the KRS adhesion to endothelial cells and shear-stimulated signaling. In conclusion, KRS is likely to be utilized as a vascular regulator.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.1160-1164
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• 2013

The solid super acid catalyst $SO{_4}^{2-}$/$ZrO_2$ was prepared by impregnation method using $ZrO_2$ as the catalyst support. Catalyst forming was taken into consideration in order to separate catalyst from the mixture of cellulose acetate propionate (CAP). $Al_2O_3$ and sesbania gum powder were selected as binding agent and auxiliary agent respectively. The catalytic properties were evaluated through esterification of cellulose with acetic anhydride, propionic anhydride and characterized by XRD, FTIR and $NH_3$-TPD. In this paper, the effects of concentration of $H_2SO_4$ impregnated, calcination temperature, esterification temperature and esterification time on the yield, acyl content and viscosity of CAP were investigated. The results showed that $SO{_4}^{2-}/ZrO_2$ successfully catalyzed CAP synthesis over catalysts impregnated in 0.75 mol/L $H_2SO_4$ and calcined at $500^{\circ}C$. The yield, acetyl content and propionyl content of CAP reached the maximum value of 105.3%, 29.9% and 25.8% reacted at $50^{\circ}C$ for 8 h.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.485-493
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• 2010

Chemical coagulation destabilizes colloidal particles so that particles grow to larger flocs. Solid particles are then removed by solid-liquid separation after typical precipitation. Rapid precipitation enhances the separation by reducing the precipitation time with larger and denser particles. Conventionally, polyelectolyte compounds (polymers) function as a flocculant aid by introducing a interparticle binding, which increases the particle size and density. And more recent ballasted flocculation adds a ballasting agent (microsand) to form denser particles with its high-density(sp gr=2.65). The current research was to evaluate the manner in which ballasted flocs are formed under different injection timings of microsand and to recognize the effects on floc formation. $FeCl_3$ as a coagulant, anionic polymer for a flocculation aid and microsand were used for the floc formation. Floc size (diameter) was widely ranged with the highest mean value when microsand was injected between $FeCl_3$ and polymer. Mean floc density was larger when the floc formed smaller. Settling velocity increased with larger floc size, whilst not significantly affected by the timing of microsand injection. The additional slow mixing on floc formation increased floc size to some extent.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.330-335
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• 2019

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) encoding the HBV x protein (HBx) is a known causative agent of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Its pathogenic activities in HCC include interference with several signaling pathways associated with cell proliferation and apoptosis. Mutant C-terminal-truncated HBx isoforms are frequently found in human HCC and have been shown to enhance proliferation and invasiveness leading to HCC malignancy. We investigated the molecular mechanism of the reduced doxorubicin cytotoxicity by C-terminal truncated HBx. Cells transfected with C-terminal truncated HBx exhibited reduced cytotoxicity to doxorubicin compared to those transfected with full-length HBx. The doxorubicin resistance of cells expressing C-terminal truncated HBx correlated with upregulation of the ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 1(ABCB1) transporter, resulting in the enhanced efflux of doxorubicin. Inhibiting the activity of ABCB1 and silencing ABCB1 expression by small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) increased the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin. These results indicate that elevated ABCB1 expression induced by C-terminal truncation of HBx was responsible for doxorubicin resistance in HCC. Hence, co-treatment with an ABCB1 inhibitor and an anticancer agent may be effective for the treatment of patients with liver cancer containing the C-terminal truncated HBx.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.51
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• pp.13.1-13.7
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• 2021

The novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has arisen as a global pandemic affecting the respiratory system showing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, there is no targeted therapeutic agent yet and due to the growing cases of infections and the rising death tolls, discovery of the possible drug is the need of the hour. In general, the study for discovering therapeutic agent for SARS-CoV-2 is largely focused on large-scale screening with fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD). With the recent advancement in cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM), it has become one of the widely used tools in structural biology. It is effective in investigating the structure of numerous proteins in high-resolution and also had an intense influence on drug discovery, determining the binding reaction and regulation of known drugs as well as leading the design and development of new drug candidates. Here, we review the application of cryo-EM in a structure-based drug design (SBDD) and in silico screening of the recently acquired FBDD in SARS-CoV-2. Such insights will help deliver better understanding in the procurement of the effective remedial solution for this pandemic.