• Animal cells and systems
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.51-57
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• 2001

We have previously shown that oocyte maturation is induced by an immobilized progesterone, progesterone-3-carboxymethyloxime - bovine serum albumin conjugate (P-BSA) in Rana dybowskii. In this study, we confirmed the maturation inducing activity of P-BSA on Xenopus oocyte and examined the binding character of the immobilized progesterone on the surface of Xenopus oocytes after removal of the vitelline layer. P-BSA induced maturation of Xenopus oocytes but E-BSA failed to do so as observed in Rana. Binding of the immobilized progesterone, fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled progesterone-3-0-carboxymethyloxime-BSA (P-BSA-FITC) on the devitellined oocytes surface was examined by fluorescence confocal microscopy. The binding affinity of P-BSA-FITC to the devitellined oocyte was higher than that of estrogen-BSA-FITC (E-BSA-FITC) or testosterone-BSA-FITC (T-BSA-FITC). The binding disappeared in the presence of excess free progesterone but not in the presence of free estrogen. Maximum binding occurred after two-hours of incubation with P-BSA-FITC at pH 7.5. Stronger binding occurred in oocytes at stage Vl than stage IV, and in vitro treatment of hCG enhanced the binding. Taken together, these results suggest that a specific receptor for progesterone exists on the plasma membrane of Xenopus oocytes and that progesterone acts initially on this putative receptors and triggers generation of membrane-mediated second messengers during the early stage of oocyte maturation In amphibians.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.866-870
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• 2005

The 14 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been evaluated to determine the binding capacity to HT29 cell and Aflatoxin $B_1$ ($AFB_1$). The interaction of LAB to HT29 cells has been further investigated to identify the possibility of competing the binding sites with $AFB_1$. Of 14 LAB strains, Lactobacillus casei KCTC 3260 demonstrated the higher adhesiveness to HT29 and $AFB_1$ with the rate of 19.6% and 46.3%, respectively. In competitive analysis for binding sites, the adhesion of L. casei KCTC 3260 to HT29 cells was reduced with 100 nmol $AFB_1$ by 31.2%. The protoplast of L. casei KCTC 3260 showed no binding capacity to HT29 cells with increment of $AFB_1$ concentration, indicating that cell wall components might serve as a critical factor for the binding. To discriminate the major component influencing on L. casei KCTC 3260 binding to HT29 cells and $AFB_1$, four different pre-treatments (lipase, pronase E, sodium m-periodate, and urea) were employed. Of those, sodium m-periodate treatment caused the lower adhesion of L. casei KCTC 3260 to HT29 cells with the increment of $AFB_1$ concentration. These results indicated that carbohydrate moiety on the cell wall of L. casei KCTC 3260 might be the most critical component in binding to both HT29 cells and $AFB_1$.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.77-80
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• 1997

DOantrolene is a primary specific therapeutic drug for prevention and treatment of malignant hyperthermia symptoms. The mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of the drug are not well understood. The present study aimed at the characterization of the effects of azumolene, a water soluble dantrolene analogue, on ryanodine binding to sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) from normal and malign::lnt hyperthermia susceptible (MHS) swine muscles. Characteristics of $[^3H]ryanodine$ binding were clearly different between the two types of SR. Kinetic analysis of eH]ryanodine binding to SR in the presence of $2{\mu}M$ $Ca^{2+}$ showed that association constant $(K_{ryanodine}_7$ is significantly higher in MHS than normal muscle SR $(2.83 vs. 1.32{\times}10^7 M^{-1}$, whereas the maximal ryanodine binding capacity $(B_{max})$ is similar between the two types of SR. Addition of azumolene $(e.g. 400{\mu}M)$ did not significantly alter both $K_{ryanodine}$ and $B_{max}$ of $[^3H]$ryanodine binding in both types of SR, indicating that the azumolene effect was not on the ryanodine binding sites. Addition of caffeine activated $[^3H]$ ryanodine binding in both types of SR, and caffeine sensitivity was significantly higher in MHS muscle SR than normal muscle SR $(K_{caffeine}:3.24 vs. 0.82 {\times} 10^2 M^{-l}). Addition of azumolene $(e.g.400{\mu}M)$ decreased Kcaffeine without significant change in $B_{max}$ in both types of SR suggesting that azumolene competes with caffeine binding site(s). These results suggest that malignant hyperthermia symptoms are caused at least in part by greater sensitivity of the MHS muscle SR to the $Ca^{2+}$ release drug(s), and that azumolene can reverse the symptoms by reducing the drug affinity to $Ca^{2+}$ release channels.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.71-76
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• 2018

The Arabidopsis SHL1 (${\underline{Sh}}ort$ ${\underline{L}}ife$ 1) gene encodes a small nuclear protein that is critical for the proper expression of the developmental programs that are responsible for controlling plant stature, senescence, flowering and seed formation. The SHL1 contains a single PHD finger domain that works in conjunction with a bromo-adjacent homology (BAH) motif that is thought to function significantly in protein-protein interactions. The TCH4 gene of the Arabidopsis encodes a xylogluclan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase that is transcriptionally regulated by a variety of hormonal and environmental stimuli. We report here in this study that the SHL1 exhibits sequence specific DNA binding properties, recognizing a 14 bp region of the TCH4 promoter in vitro, spanning nucleotides -262 to -275 (GGAAAAAACTCCCA). Chiefly, the nuclear extracts of Arabidopsis contain a protein with similar binding properties as recombinant SHL1, which is absent in identified transgenic plants that are noted as expressing antisense SHL1 RNA. Interestingly, the SHL1 gene expression with a BL treatment in characteristically wild types of seedlings showed that the transcript level of SHL1 is significantly down regulated by the BL treatment. The SHL1 may play a subtle role in regulating the kinetics of induction of the TCH4 in response to several stimuli in vivo.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.323-329
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• 2016

Achyranthes japonica Nakai (AJN) water extract has a variety of physiological properties, including anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-oxidative activities. In the present study, the inhibitory effects of AJN extract were investigated in high affinity immunoglobulin E receptor ($Fc{\varepsilon}RI$)-mediated KU812F cells activation. AJN extract showed suppressive effects on histamine release and intracellular calcium [$Ca^{2+}$]i elevation from anti$Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ antibody (CRA-1)-stimulated cells in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometric analysis showed that AJN extract treatment caused a dose-dependent decrease in the cell surface $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ expression and the binding between the cell surface $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ and the IgE antibody. Moreover, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that levels of the mRNA for the $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ ${\alpha}$ chain was decreased by treatment with AJN extract. These results indicate that AJN extract may exert anti-allergic effects via the inhibition of calcium influx and histamine release, which occurs as a result from the downregulation of the binding of IgE antibody to cell surface $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$. This mechanism may occur through $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ expression inhibition.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.94-101
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• 1995

In order to evaluate the suppressive effects of galangin on the DNA damage induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea(MNU), in vitro sister chromatid exchange(SCE) test using Chinese Hamster ovary(CHO) cells was performed. Also the determinations of [$^{3}$H] MNU-induced total DNA binding and methylated DNA were performed to find out the mechanism of action by galangin. MNU-induced SCEs were significantly decreased by simultaneous and pretreatment of galangin when S-9 mix was added only. In post-treatment, however, the MNU-induced SCEs were not decreased when S-9 mix was added or not. [$^{3}$H] MNU-induced total DNA binding was significantly inhibited by the treatment of galangin in calf thymus DNA and CHO cells. HPLC analysis of DNA hydrolysates shows that galangin caused a dose-dependant decrease in calf thymus DNA, but not significant decrease in CHO cells. These results suggest that the inhibition of galangin on the MNU-induced SCEs is due to the decrease of DNA binding and methylation with MNU. Therefore, galangin may be useful as a chemopreventive agent of alkylating agents.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.276-282
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• 1993

This study has been undertaken to examine the effect of 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) on rat uterine growth and to understand the mechanism of action of 3MC in rat uterus. After diethylstilbesterol(DES) or tamoxifen(TAM) or 3MC or DES plus TAM or DES plus 3MC was administered into immature female rats, uterine weight over corn oil-treated uteri. 3MC treatment had no effect on uterine weight but, DES stimulated uterine weight was inhibited by 3MC concomitant tratment. While TAM alone treatment showed slight increase in uterine wieght, inhibited uterine growth simulated by DES when it was adiministrated with DES condirect binding assay with $[^3H]$ estradiol and the relative binding affinities of 3MC and TAM were estimated by competetion assy. Estradiol tumed out to have high affinity for rat uterine estrogen receptor (kd = 0.4 nM). The relative binding affinities of TAM and 3MC were 1% and 4.7% that of DES for rat uterine estrogen receptor, respectively. 3MC was shown to have similar affinity for eat uterine estrogen receptor to that of TAM. Effects of DES 3MC and TAM administration in vivo on rat uterine estrogen recptor level were examined. It was confirmed that the estrogen, DES and antiestrogen, TAM decreased estrogen receptor levels from rat ulterus and also 3MC decreased rat uterine estrogen receptor level when rats were treated with DES, TAM and 3MC in vivo. Data indicates that 3MC acts as an antiestrogen mediated through estrogen receptor system.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.13-17
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• 1997

Carbamazepine (CBZ), an anticonvulsant, has beeen reported to displace ligands at adenosine receptors. Several studies have demonstrated that as far as $A_2$adenosine receptors is concerned, CBZ acts as an antagonist. However, the situation with regard to Al receptors is less straightforward. In this study, we describe the effects of one-week CBZ treatment (25 mg/kg/day) on cerebrocortical $A_1$ adenosine receptors. $A_1$ adenosine receptor bindings as determined by using $[^3CH]DPCPX$ was not significantly altered in membranes prepared from CBZ-treated rats. However, there was a significant decrease in the $A_1$ adenosine receptor-mediated stimulation of $[^{35}S]GTP_{\gamma}S$ binding to cerebrocortical membranes prepared from CBZ-treated rats (20.0% decrease in basal activity; 17.8% decrease in maximal activity). The basal and $10^{-4}$ M forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activities were relatively unaffected by CBZ treatment, but 10 mM NaF-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity was significantly reduced in CBZ-treated rats. It appears that one-week CBZ treatment caused an uncoupling of adenosine receptors from G proteins without alteration of $A_1$ adenosine receptor molecules, suggesting that CBZ acts as an agonist at $A_1$ adenosine receptors in rat brain.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.30.1-30.13
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• 2023

Ephs belong to the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinase and are highly conserved both sequentially and structurally. The structural organization of Eph is similar to other receptor tyrosine kinases; constituting the extracellular ligand binding domain, a fibronectin domain followed by intracellular juxtamembrane kinase, and SAM domain. Eph binds to respective ephrin ligand, through the ligand binding domain and forms a tetrameric complex to activate the kinase domain. Eph-ephrin regulates many downstream pathways that lead to physiological events such as cell migration, proliferation, and growth. Therefore, considering the importance of Eph-ephrin class of protein in tumorigenesis, 7,620 clinically reported missense mutations belonging to the class of variables of unknown significance were retrieved from cBioPortal and evaluated for pathogenicity. Thirty-two mutations predicted to be pathogenic using SIFT, Polyphen-2, PROVEAN, SNPs&GO, PMut, iSTABLE, and PremPS in-silico tools were found located either in critical functional regions or encompassing interactions at the binding interface of Eph-ephrin. However, seven were reported in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Considering the relevance of receptor tyrosine kinases and Eph in NSCLC, these seven mutations were assessed for change in the folding pattern using molecular dynamic simulation. Structural alterations, stability, flexibility, compactness, and solvent-exposed area was observed in EphA3 Trp790Cys, EphA7 Leu749Phe, EphB1 Gly685Cys, EphB4 Val748Ala, and Ephrin A2 Trp112Cys. Hence, it can be concluded that the evaluated mutations have potential to alter the folding pattern and thus can be further validated by in-vitro, structural and in-vivo studies for clinical management.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2009

A cDNA clone for a transcript preferentially expressed during an early phase of flooding was isolated from Nicotiana tabacum. Nucleotide sequencing of the cDNA clone identified an open reading frame that has high homology to the previously reported glycine-rich RNA-binding proteins. The open reading frame consists of 157 amino acids with an N-terminal RNA-recognition motif and a C-terminal glycine-rich domain, and thus the cDNA clone was designated as Nicotiana tabaccum glycine-rich RNA-binding protein-1 (NtGRP1). Expression of NtGRP1 was upregulated under flooding stress and also increased, but at much lower levels, under conditions of cold, drought, heat, high salt content, and abscisic acid treatment. RNA homopolymer-binding assay showed that NtGRP1 binds to all the RNA homopolymers tested with a higher affinity to poly r(G) and poly r(A) than to poly r(U) and poly r(C). Nucleic acid-binding assays showed that NtGRP1 binds to ssDNA, dsDNA, and mRNA. NtGRP1 suppressed expression of the fire luciferase gene in vitro, and the suppression of luciferase gene expression could be rescued by addition of oligonucleotides. Collectively, the data suggest NtGRP1 as a negative modulator of gene expression by binding to DNA or RNA in bulk that could be advantageous for plants in a stress condition like flooding.