• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.543-553
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• 1992

Properties of unitary ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channels were studied using planar lipid bilayer technique. Vesicles were prepared from bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) skeletal muscle. ATP-sensitive $K^+$ (K (ATP)) channels were identified by their unitary conductance and sensitivity to ATP. In the symmetrical solution containing 200mM KCI, 10mM Hepes, 1mM EGTA and pH 7.2, single K (ATP) channels showed a linear current-voltage relations with slight inward rectification. Slope conductance at reversal potential was $60.1{\pm}0.43$ pS(n=3)). Micromolar ATP reversibly inhibited the channel activity when applied to the cytoplasmic side. In the range of -50~＋50 mV, the channel activity was not voltage-dependent, but the channel gating within a burst was more frequent at negative voltage range. Varying the concentrations of external/internal KCl(mM) to 40/200, 200/200, 200/100 and 200/40 shifted reversal potentials to $-30.8{\pm}2.9$(n=3), $-1.1{\pm}2.7$(n=3), 10.5 and 30.6(mV), respecrivety. These reversal potentials were close to the expected values by the Nernst equation, indicating nearly ideal selectivity for $K^+$ over $Cl^-$. Under bi-ionic conditions of 200mM external test ions and 200mM internal $K^+$, the reversal potentials for each test ion/K pair were measured. The measured reversal potentials were used for the calculation of the releative permeability of alkali cations to $K^+$ ions using the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation. The permeability sequence of 5 cations relative to $K^+$ was $K^+$(1), $Rb^+$(0.49), $Cs^+$(0.27), $Na^+$(0.027) and $Li^+$(0.021). This sequence was recognized as Eisenman's selectivity sequence IV. In addition, modelling the permeation of $K^+$ ion through ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channel revealed that a 3-barrier 2-site multiple occupancy model can reasonably predict the observed current-voltage relations.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 1996

Comparing hibernation with active periods, the regional distribution and relative frequencies of gastrointestinal endocrine cells were studied immunohist-ochemically in the GITs of the Rana dybowskii. Six kinds of endocrine cells were identified in this study. In this study, several novel findings were emerged: in hibernation period, the perdominant presence of immunoreactive cells; the widely distributional regions of glucagon-, Gas/CCK- and BPP-immunoreactive cells; the intense reaction of immunostaining against the antiserum; and the existence of 5-HT- and somatostat-in-immunoreactive cells in upper regions of the fundic glands. These results suggest that the gastro-entero-endocrine cells in hibernation period synthesize continuously its gut hormones and accumulate in their cytoplasms.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.81-88
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• 2010

The fine structural characteristics of the apoptotic cells in the cutaneous epithelium of the anuran tadpole of the black-spotted frog, Rana nigromaculata was examined using the TUNEL (Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated biotinylated d-Uridine triphosphate Nick End Labeling) staining technique and TEM (transmission electron microscopy) observations. The cutaneous epithelium of the tadpole was composed of stratified cuboidal cells and the apoptotic cell death was observed continuously during the tail degeneration stages from the Shumway stage number 31 to 33. The early apoptotic cells shown in the epithelium demonstrated condensation and margination of the chromatin material at the nuclear periphery, and nuclear breakdown and cytoplasmic condensation were followed. Subsequent cytoplasmic degeneration of the apoptotic cell were produced by membrane-bounded cell fragments with relatively well preserved organelles. Following the processes of autophagic degradation, the late apoptotic cells being phagocytosed by other surrounding cells. These nearby cells, presumptive intraepithelial macrophages, contain a variety of lysosomal residual bodies which fuses with other cell organelles or other cytoplasmatic material to form secondary lysosomes. They are soon transformed into lamellar shaped vesicles and finally disappeared during the process of degradation.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.99-105
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• 1997

Using three species of Korean frogs (Rana dybowskii, R. rugosa and R. nigromaculata), the annual spermatogenic pattern, the seasonal changes in the steroidogenic competence, and responsiveness of testis to gonadotropins in terms of testosterone secretion in vitro were examined. The spermatogenic pattern of R. dybowskii was classified as a discontinuous type since spermatogenesis stops completely after spawning in late winter (February) until mid-summer (July). In contrast, the pattern of R. nigromaculata and R. rugosa was classified as a potent continuous type since sperm was always present in the seminiferous tubules all year round. In all three species, the levels of testicular testosterone and that of testosterone secreted by testis following in vitro culture were very low in late summer (August), but increased thereafter until winter (hibernation period). Interestingly, responsiveness of testis in vitro to gonadotropins in terms of testosterone secretion increased markedly in November (early hibernation period). Specifically, bullfrog LH was more effective than FSH in stimulating the secretion of testosterone by frog testis in vitro during hibernation period. This fact suggests that testosterone secretion by testis during hibernation is at least regulated by the pituitary gonadotropin rather than environmental factors. Taken together, the data presented here suggest that testicular cycles of three species of Korean frogs are closely linked to their females breeding cycles, and are eventually controlled by various environmental cues.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.161-173
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• 1994

면역효소법을 이용하여 3종의 한국산 개구리 참개구리(Rono nigromaculuto), 옴개구리(R. rugosa), 북방산개구리(R. 겨대bowskii)의 뇌에서 GnRH 뉴우런의 분포 부위와 GnRH의 종류 등을 연구하였다. 1차 항체로는 anti-rat GnRH, anti-salmon GnRH anti-chicken 11 GnRH 항체를 사용하였다. 3종의 개구리에서 mGnRH cGnRH 11와 sGnRH가 이둔 동정되었으나 3가지 항체에 대한 각 종의 면역 반응성은 종에 따라 달리 나타났다 mGnRH는 옴개구리와 참개구리에서, sGnRH는 북방산개구리에서 강한 면역 반응을 나타냈으며 cGnRH 11는 3종의 개구리에서 중간 정도의 면역 반응을 나타냈다. 각각의 GnRH의 상대적인 양에는 차이가 있으나 일부 경우를 제외하고는 뇌의 동일한 지역에 분포하였다. 참개구리에서는 GnRH가 중격 내측핵(NMS), Broca band 핵(NDB)에 집단으로 분포하였다. 북방산개구리에서는 GnRH가 중격 내측핵, Broca bnad 핵에서 등쪽에서 배쪽으로 길게 선상으로 가장 협소하게 분포하였으며, 번식기와 직전(1월-3월)에만 면역 반응을 나타냈다. 옴개구리의 뇌에서 가장 광범위한 지역, 즉 종뇌의 중격 내측핵, Broca band 핵, 아래 교차 지역(SCA)과 간뇌에 GnRH 신경세포가 분포하였으며. 제3뇌실 맥락얼기에서 mGnRH 신경세포가 처음으로 동정되었다. 3종에서 공통적으로 중격 내측핵과 Broca band 핵에서 유래한 신경섬유는 복측 시상하부를 거쳐 정중융기에 이르렀다. 이러한 결과는 GnRH가 뇌하수체에서 생식소 자극 호르몬의 분비 조절에 밀접한 관계가 있음을 뜻한다.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.231-240
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• 1984

The authors observed pigment cells in the dorsal skin of Korean frog (Rana nigromaculata coreana Okada) under an electron microscope. The traits of pigment cells were as follows. The three kinds of dermal chromatophores were horizontally expanded; adjacent closely contiguous and partially overlapped with one another and there were the intercellular space between a xanthophore and an iridophore, or an iridophore and a melanophore. 1. Xanthophores: Xanthophores were filled with pterinosomes and carotenoid vesicles, the formers of which were evenly distributed in each cell. Pterinosomes were five kinds of types (type I, type II, type III, type IV and type V pterinosomes). Especially typical type II and type III pterinosomes were well observed in the cytoplasm. 2. Iridophores: Xanthophores were closely contiguous to the xanthophore situated above and they were filled with reflective platelets. Mostly these platelets are arranged regularly, that is, in parallel with the surface of skin, but partly, nonparallel. 3. Melanophores: Melanophores were filled with melanin granules, each of which revealed the same electron density. The pocesses of melanophore entended to bilateral sides of iridophores and melanin granules were dispersed especially in the processes.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.53-62
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• 1990

Fully grown amphibian oocytes undergo their maturation (germinal vesicle breakdown, GVBD) during in vitro follicle culture when they are stimulated with frog pituitary homogenate (FPH) or progesterone. Present experiments were designed to determine whether proteolytic enzymes are involved in the regulation of the matunation process. Treatment of a $\alpha$ -chymoiyypsin inhibitor, N a -tosyl-L-phenylalanine-chloromethyl-ketone(TP) to the oocytes exhibited a biphasic phenomenon, the induction of the maturation without added hormone at relatively low doses (0.001-1 $\mu$M) and inhibition of the hormone induced oocyte maturation at a high dose (100 $\mu$M). Treatment of a trypsin inhibitor, N a -tosyl-L-lysine-chloromethyl ketone(TLCK) to the oocytes did not induce the maturation, but rather suppressed the hormone induced oocyte maturation in a high dose(100 $\mu$ M). Treatment of exogenous iyypsin to the oocyte induced their maturation without added hormone in a dose dependent manner (0.001-1 $\mu$ M). The data presented here indicate that some proteolytic enzymes play a role in the regulation of the maturation(meiotic arrest or reinitiation) in amphibians.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.203-209
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• 2006

Azoles are widely used antifungal agents, which inhibit the biosynthesis of fungal cell-membrane ergosterol. In this study, using an amphibian follicle culture system, the effects of azoles on follicular steroidogenesis in frogs were examined. Itraconazole (ICZ), clotrimazole (CTZ) and ketoconazole (KCZ) suppressed pregnenolone ($P_5$) production by the follicles ($ED_{50};\;0.04_{\mu}M,\;0.33_{\mu} M,\;and\;0.91_{\mu}M$, respectively) in response to frog pituitary homogenates (FPH). However, fluconazole (FCZ), miconazole (MCZ) and econazole (ECZ) were not effective in the suppression of $P_5$ production. Not all the azoles examined suppressed the conversion of exogenous $P_5$ to progesterone ($P_4$) (by $3{\beta}$- HSD) or $P_4$ to $17{\alpha}$-hydroxyprogesterone ($17{\alpha}$-OHP) (by $17{\alpha}$-hydroxylase), or androstenedione (AD) to testosterone (T) (by $17{\beta}$-HSD). In contrast, CTZ, MCZ and ECZ in medium partially suppressed the conversion of $17{\alpha}$-OHP to AD (by C17-20 lyase) ($ED_{50};\;0.25{\mu} M,\;4.5{\mu}M,\;and\;0.7{mu}M$, respectively) and CTZ, KCZ, ECZ and MCZ strongly suppressed the conversion of exogenous T to estradiol ($E_2$) (by aromatase) ($ED_{50};\;0.02{\mu}M,\;8{\mu}M,\;0.07{\mu}M,\;0.8{\mu}M$, respectively). These results demonstrated that some azole agents strongly suppress amphibian follicular steroidogenesis and particularly, P450scc and aromatase are more sensitive to azoles than other steroidogenic enzymes.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.11 no.1 s.17
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• pp.7-13
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• 1975

In Chinese medicine, it is said that Aconiti tuber has cardiotonic, diuretic and analgesic effects. Kim et al reported that alkaloid free part of Aconiti tuber, $CHCI_3$ insoluble fraction, showed inotropic effect on isolated frog heart and inotropic effect is potenciated by n-butanol fractionation. To investigate the effect of Aconiti tuber butanol fraction on the mechanical and electrical properties of heart, change of active tension, excitability and refractory period of isolated rabbit atrium in the presence of butanol fraction were measured and the comparison with that of ouabain and quinidine was done. The observed results are as follows. 1. $5{\times}10^{-4}g/ml$ concentration of Aconiti tuber butanol fraction showed approximately same effect with therapeutic concentration of ouabain on the increment of contractile force, and the effect of $2{\times}10^{-3}g/ml$ was greater than that of $1{\times}10^{-5}g/ml$ of ouabain. 2. Acceleration of rate of contractile force increment in the presence of Aconiti tuber butanol fraction was greater than in ouabain, and the time to maximum tension was shorter in Aconiti tuber butanol fraction than in ouabain. 3. The excitability of isolated atrium was slightly increased at low concentration of Aconiti tuber butanol fraction, while decreased at higher concentration. 4. Aconiti tuber butanol fraction slightly prolonged refractory period of isolated right atrium at the concentration of $2{\times}10^{-3}g/ml$.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.12-17
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• 1995

It is essential to clone the preptide transporter in order to obtain better understanding of its molecular structure, regulation, and substrate specificity. Characteristics of an endogenous peptide transporter in oocytes were studied along with expression of an exogenous protor/peptide cotransporter from rabbit intestine. And further efforts toward cloning the transporter were performed. The presence of an endogenous peptide transporter was detected in Xenopus laevis oocytes by measuring the uptake of $0.25/{mu}M(10{\;}{\mu}Ci/ml)[^3H]$-glycylsarcosine (Gly-Sar) at pH 5.5 with or without inhibitors. Yptake of Gly-Sae in oocytes was significantly inhibited by $25{\mu}M$ glycine nd sarcosine. This result suggests that a selective transporter is involved in the endogneous uptake of dipeptides. Collagenase treatment of oocytes used to strip oocytes from ovarian follicles did not affect the Gly-Sar uptake. Changing pH from 5.5 to 7.5 did not affect the Gly-Sae uptake significantly, suggesting no depedence of the endogenous transporter on a transmembrane proton gradient. An exogenous $H^+/pep-tide$ contransported was expressed after microinjection of polyadenylated messenger ribonucleic acid $[poly(A)^+ -mRNA]$ obtained from rabbit small intestine. The Gly-Sar uptake in mRNA-injected oocytes was 9 times thigher than that in water-injected oocyltes. Thus, frog occytes can be utilized fro expression cloning of the genes encoding intestinal $H^+$peptide contransporters. Size fractionation of mRNA was successfully obtained using this technique.