• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.220-224
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• 1996

Ultrastructural organization of encysting zoospores of Allomyces macrogynus was examined using the methods of cryofixation and freeze substitution. During enxcystment, obvious changes were observed at the surface of the plasma membrane and in the structure of gamma particles. Many multivesicular bodies associated with the plasma membrane were observed at early stages of encystment. After induction of encystment, vesicles were found within the gamma particles. These vesicles appeared to leave gamma particles after forming multivesicular bodies. This study suggests that the cell wall formation during encystment is mediated by the fusion of multivesicular bodies with the plasma membrane.

• BMB Reports
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.552-555
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• 1995

Treatment of microsomal vesicles isolated from etiolated Pisum sativum L cv. Alaska epicotyl tissue with agents inhibiting protein dephosphorylation, namely NaF and/or ATP, resulted in increased binding of the phytotropin NPA to the putative auxin efflux carriers localized on the plasma membrane. The phytotropin effect was especially conspicuous if the vesicles were simultaneously treated with Triton X-100. Kinetic analysis of the binding indicated the existance of two distinct sites for NPA, each having different affinities. Increased binding of the phytotropin to the membrane where protein dephosphorylation was inhibited was attributable to the increased ligand affinity of both sites. Treatment of tissue segments with flubride was found to enhance in vivo auxin transport. Implications of covalent modification of the auxin efflux carrier complex for the regulation of membrane transport of auxin molecules are discussed.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.1343-1347
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• 2016

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are spherical nanostructures that are ubiquitously shed from gram-negative bacteria both in vitro and in vivo. Recent findings revealed that OMVs, which contain diverse components derived from the parent bacterium, play an important role in communication with neighboring bacteria and the environment. Furthermore, nanoscale proteoliposomes decorated with pathogen-associated molecules attract considerable attention as a non-replicative carrier for vaccines and drug materials. This review introduces recent advances in OMV biogenesis and discusses the roles of OMVs in the context of bacterial communication and virulence regulation. It also describes the remarkable accomplishments in OMV engineering for diverse therapeutic applications.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.118-122
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• 1993

The effects of n-alkanols on the rotational relaxation time of 1, 6-dipheny-1, 3, 5-hexatriene (DPH) in synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicles isolate from fresh bovine cerbral contex were investigated. n-Alknols decreased the rotational relaxation time of 1, 6-diphenyl-1, 3, 5-hexatriene in the native membranes and the potencies of n-alkanols up to 1-nonanol increased by 1 order of magnitude as the carbon chain length increases by two carbon atoms, The cut-off phenomenon was reached at 1-decanol, where further increase in hydocabon length resulted in an increase in the rotational relaxation time of DPH in the native membranes.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.223-230
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• 2004

To identify the structural basis of mutations that affect synaptic transmission we have begun quantitative ultrastructural descriptions of synapses in cultured Drosophila embryonic neurons. In wild-type cultures, synapses are distinguished by the parallel arrangement of a thickened pre- and post synaptic membrane separated by a synaptic cleft. The presynaptic active zones and postsynaptic densities are defined by electron dense material close to the membrane. Presynaptic regions are also characterized by the presence of one or more electron dense regions, presynaptic densities, around which a variable number of small, clear core synaptic vesicles (mean $35.1{\pm}1.44$ nm in diameter) are clustered. Subsets of these vesicles are in direct contact with either the presynaptic density or the membrane and are considered morphologically docked. A small number of larger, dense core vesicles are also observed in most presynaptic profiles.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.428-435
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• 2006

Specific interaction of the epsin N-terminal homology(ENTH) domain with the plasma membrane appears to bridge other related proteins to the specific regions of the membrane that are invaginated to form endocytic vesicles. An additional $\alpha$-helix, referred to as helix 0 (H0), is formed in the presence of the soluble ligand inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate [$Ins(1,4,5)P_3$] at the N terminus of the ENTH domain (amino acid residues 3-15). The ENTH domain alone and full-length epsin cause tubulation of liposomes made of brain lipids. Thus, it is believed that H0 is membrane-inserted when it is coordinated with the phospholipid phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate [$PtdIns(4,5)P_2$], resulting in membrane deformation as well as recruitment of accessory factors to the membrane. However, formation of H0 in a real biological membrane has not been demonstrated. In the present study, the membrane structure of H0 was determined by measurement of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) nitroxide accessibility. H0 was located at the phosphate head-group region of the membrane. Moreover, EPR line-shape analysis indicated that no pre-formed H0-like structure were present on normal acidic membranes. $PtdIns(4,5)P_2$ was necessary and sufficient for interaction of the H0 region with the membrane. H0 was stable only in the membrane. In conclusion, the H0 region of the ENTH domain has an intrinsic ability to form H0 in a $PtdIns(4,5)P_2$-containing membrane, perhaps functioning as a sensor of membrane patches enriched with $PtdIns(4,5)P_2$ that will initiate curvature to form endocytic vesicles.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.23 no.11
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• pp.1616-1622
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• 2002

If the surfaces of vesicles are chemically modified so that they can be dispersed in organic solvents, the application of vesicular colloids may be expanded. A polymerizable surfactant (BDAC) and nonpolymerizable bipolar surfactant (BPAS) were synthesized in multi-steps. Large vesicles composed of BDAC and BPAS with embedded a cross-linking agent (divinylbenzene) underwent a radical polymerization. BPAS was extracted out using methanol (skeletonization). The headgroup of BDAC was cleaved off via hydrolysis in an acidic condition to yield vesicles where surfaces were covered with -COOH groups. There was no significant change in the overall shape. The skeletonized vesicles appear to have many holes with diameters up to about 25 nm. The holes retained even after hydrolysis. The hydrolyzed vesicles were not dispersed in water and most organic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran and chloroform, but dispersed in methanol.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.103-107
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• 2017

The effect of the trehalose incorporation on the biological membranes was investigated with respect to the phase of the membranes using the fluorescence intensity change. Spherical phospholipid bilayers, vesicles, were prepared only with the variation in the phase of each layer via a double emulsion technique. In the aqueous inside of the vesicles, 8-Aminonaphthalene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid disodium salt(ANTS) was encapsulated. As a quencher, p-Xylene-bis(N-pyridinium bromide)(DPX) was included in the buffer where the vesicles were dispersed. The fluorescence scale was calibrated with the fluorescence of ANTS vesicles in p-Xylene-bis(N-pyridinium bromide)(DPX)-included-buffer taken as 100% fluorescence and the mixture of ANTS and DPX in the buffer as 0% fluorescence. Trehalose injection into the vesicle solution led the distortion of the membrane. It was found that the distortion was related to the phase of each layer the vesicle up on the ratio of trehalose to lipid. In the identical measurements at glucose, the behavior of the distortion was completely different from that of trehalose. These results seem to depend on the stability of the vesicles, due to the osmotic and volumetric effects on the headgroup packing disruption.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.335-340
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• 2023

During normal physiological and abnormal pathophysiological conditions, all cells release membrane vesicles, termed extracellular vesicles (EVs). Growing evidence has revealed that EVs act as important messengers in intercellular communication. EVs play emerging roles in cellular responses and the modulation of immune responses during virus infection. EVs contribute to triggering antiviral responses to restrict virus infection and replication. Conversely, the role of EVs in the facilitation of virus spread and pathogenesis has been widely documented. Depending on the cell of origin, EVs carry effector functions from one cell to the other by horizontal transfer of their bioactive cargoes, including DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids, and metabolites. The diverse constituents of EVs can reflect the altered states of cells or tissues during virus infection, thereby offering a diagnostic readout. The exchanges of cellular and/or viral components by EVs can inform the therapeutic potential of EVs for infectious diseases. This review discusses recent advances of EVs to explore the complex roles of EVs during virus infection and their therapeutic potential, focusing on HIV-1.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.535-543
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• 2020

In addition to the ubiquitous roles of cellular RNA in genetic regulations, gene expression and phenotypic variations in response to environmental cues and chemotactic signals, the regulatory roles of a new type of RNA called extracellular RNAs (exRNAs) are an up-and-coming area of research interest. exRNA is transported outside the cell through membrane blebs known as membrane vesicles or extracellular vesicles (EVs). EV formation is predominant and conserved among all microbial forms, including prokaryotes, eukaryotes, and archaea. This review will focus on the three major topics concerning bacterially derived exRNAs, i.e., 1) the discovery of exRNA and influence of extraneous RNA over bacterial gene regulations, 2) the known secretion mechanism for the release of exRNA, and 3) the possible applications that can be devised with these exRNA secreted by different gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Further, this review will also provide an opinion on exRNA- and EV-derived applications such as the species-specific exRNA markers for diagnostics and the possible roles of exRNA in probiotics and the epigenetic regulations of the gut microbiome.