• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.271-278
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• 1995

The relative distribution ratio of barbiturates between hyarocarbon interior and surface region of outer monolayer of synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicles (RSPMV) isolated from rat whole brain was determined by employing the fluorescent probe technique. The two fluorescent probes N- octadecylnaphthyl-2-amine-6-sulfonic acid (ONS) and 12-(9-anthroyloxy) stearic acid (AS) were utilized as probes for hydrocarbon interior and surface of outer monolayer of RSPMV. respectively. The Stern-Volmer equation for fluorescent quenching was modified to calculate the relative distribution ratio. The analysis of preferential quenching of these probes by barbiturates indicates that pentobarbital, hexobarbital, amobarbital and phenobarbital are predominantly distributed on the surface region. whereas thiopental sodium has an accessibility to the hydrocarbon interior of the outer monolayer of the RSPMV. From these results, it is strongly suggested that the more effective penetration into the hydrocarbon interior of the outer monolayer of the membrane lipid bilayer could result in higher general anesthetic activity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.49-60
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• 1991

The change of the acridine orange absorbance was used to monitor the formation and/or dissipation of a pH gradient in microvillous membrane vesicles (MVV) isolated from human term placenta. Under $Na^+$ efflux conditions, an acidification of the intravesicular space occured and it was completely inhibited by 0.1 mM amiloride. Under $K^+$ efflux conditions, an acidification of the intravesicular space occured and it was potentiated by valinomycin or FCCP. An inwardly directed chloride gradient also induced a minor intravesicular acidification, but it was not observed in voltage-clampled MVV. The initial rate of the dissipation of a pH gradient was accelerated by pulse injections of $Na^+$ in a saturable manner and $Li^+$ could replace $Na^+$. The kinetic parameter of $Na^+$ in placental $Na^+/H^+$ exchange was similar to that of renal $Na^+/H^+$ exchange. Amiloride was a inhibitor of directly coupled $Na^+/H^+$ exchange and its $IC_{50}$ in placental MVV was about 14-fold higher than that in renal brush border membrane. These results indicate that $Na^+/H^+$ exchanger exists in human placental MVV and that its kinetic characteristics is similar to that of renal $Na^+/H^+$ exchanger but its pharmacological characteristics is different. In placental MVV $K^+,\;H^+$, and, relatively minor chloride conductances are present. The magnitude of $Cl^-/OH^-$ exchange, even though it exists, seems to be smaller than that of $Na^+/H^+$ exchange.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.157-163
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• 1993

Intramolecular excimer formation with the fluorescent probe 1,3-di(1-pyrenyl)propane (Py-3-Py) was used to investigate the effects of methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol, 1-pentanol, 1-hexanol, 1-heptanol, 1-octanol, 1-nonanol and 1-decanol on the lateral diffusion of synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicles isolated from bovine cerebral cortex (SPMV). The n-alkanols increased the excimer to monomer fluorescence intensity ratio (I'/I) of Py-3-Py in the SPMV. In a dose-dependent manner, n-alkanols increased lateral diffusion of hydrocarbon region of bulk (inner+outer monolayers) SPMV lipid bilayers, and the potencies of n-alkanols up to l-nonanol increased with carbon chain length. It appears that the potencies in bilayer fluidization due to the lateral diffusion increase 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 hydrocarbon length resulted in a decrease in pharmacological activity.

• Mycobiology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.15-18
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• 2001

Protoplast fusion is a useful technique for establishing fungal hybrids to overcome the natural barriers. The ultrastructure of protoplast and its fusion process were observed using a scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and a transmission electron microscopy(TEM). The protoplasts were variable in size from $0.5{\sim}15{\mu}m$ in diameter, and the mean diameter was about $3{\sim}5{\mu}m$. It was impossible to discriminate protoplasts of Lentinula edodes from protoplasts of Coriolus versicolor by size and surface structure. Big aggregates of the dehydrated protoplasts were observed, after polyethylene glycol 4000 treatment. Nucleus, mitochondria, lipid granules and various vesicles having granules were scattered in the cytoplasm. The vesicles were heterogeneous in size and vary from one protoplast to another. The fused membrane layer of the two protoplasts was observed. Time protoplast membrane contact and reorganization of membrane components were essential condition for protoplast fusion. Transmission electron micrograph showed fused protoplasts and flattening of the cells in the area of the membrane contact. We hope that our electron microscopic observations provide some insights into the understanding of the fusion process of protoplast in fungi.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.67 no.2
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• pp.89-98
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• 2023

The cell membrane, also known as the biological membrane, surrounds every living cell. The main components of cell membranes are lipids and therefore called as lipid membranes. These membranes are mainly made up of a two-dimensional lipid bilayer along with integral and peripheral proteins. The complex nature of lipid membranes makes it difficult to study and hence artificial lipid membranes are prepared which mimic the original lipid membranes. These artificial lipid membranes are prepared from phospholipid vesicles (liposomes). The liposomes are formed when self-forming phospholipid bilayer comes in contact with water. Liposomes can be unilamellar or multilamellar vesicles which comprises of phospholipids that can be produced naturally or synthetically. The phospholipids are non-toxic, biodegradable and are readily produced on a large scale. These liposomes are mostly used in the drug delivery systems. This paper offers comprehensive literature with insights on developing basic understanding of lipid membranes from its structure, organization, and phase behavior to its potential use in biomedical applications. The progress in the field of artificial membrane models considering methods of preparation of liposomes for mimicking lipid membranes, interactions between the lipid membranes, and characterizing techniques such as UV-visible, FTIR, Calorimetry and X-ray diffraction are explained in a concise manner.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.37-41
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• 2009

Previous studies have demonstrated that Shewanella decolorationis S12 can grow on the azo compound amaranth as the sole electron acceptor. Thus, to explore the mechanism of energy generation in this metabolism, membranous vesicles (MVs) were prepared and the mechanism of energy generation was investigated. The membrane, which was fragmentized during preparation, automatically formed vesicles ranging from 37.5-112.5 nm in diameter under electron micrograph observation. Energy was conserved when coupling the azoreduction by the MVs of an azo compound or Fe(III) as the sole electron acceptor with $H_2$, formate, or lactate as the electron donor. The amaranth reduction by the vesicles was found to be inhibited by specific respiratory inhibitors, including $Cu^{2+}$ ions, dicumarol, stigmatellin, and metyrapone, indicating that the azoreduction was indeed a respiration reaction. This finding was further confirmed by the fact that the ATP synthesis was repressed by the ATPase inhibitor N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD). Therefore, this study offers solid evidence of a mechanism of microbial dissimilatory azoreduction on a subcell level.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 1994

The integumental secretory structure is exocrine unicellular gland located in the epidermis of goldfish, Carassius auratus, and divided into two groups, mucous and granular cells. By the histochemical studies of integumental secretions the mucos cells reacted for acidic polysaccharides, and the granular cells for neutral glycoprotein. According to concentration of the secretion the integumental mucous are gradually sulphated. The mucous cells are typical form of goblet cell located in the upper region of the epidermis, and membrane bounded vesicles of the mucous are observed several size and electron densities by the cellular differentiation. The granular cells in middle and lower epidermis are present syncitial forms occasionally, and contain electron dense granules sized $1.0{\mu}m$ which are accumulated in cytoplasmic process held the cells to the basal lamina. The precursors of the integumental secretory materials are originated from the rough endoplasmic reticulum and next transported through the Golgi apparatus as a form of membrane bounded vesicles. After accomplish this process mature secretions are extruded to integumental surface by the mechanism of merocrine secretion in response to nerve stimulations respectively.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.26-43
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• 2017

Endocytosis is a process by which cells absorb extracellular materials via the inward budding of vesicles formed from the plasma membrane. Receptor-mediated endocytosis is a highly selective process where receptors with specific binding sites for extracellular molecules internalize via vesicles. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest single family of plasma-membrane receptors with more than 1000 family members. But the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of GPCRs are believed to be highly conserved. For example, receptor phosphorylation in collaboration with ${\beta}$-arrestins plays major roles in desensitization and endocytosis of most GPCRs. Nevertheless, a number of subsequent studies showed that GPCR regulation, such as that by endocytosis, occurs through various pathways with a multitude of cellular components and processes. This review focused on i) functional interactions between homologous and heterologous pathways, ii) methodologies applied for determining receptor endocytosis, iii) experimental tools to determine specific endocytic routes, iv) roles of small guanosine triphosphate-binding proteins in GPCR endocytosis, and v) role of post-translational modification of the receptors in endocytosis.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 1983

Ultrathin sections of intact mycelia, released protoplast and fused protoplast of Micromonospora rosaria were observed by electron microscopy Intact mycelia showed a typical gram-positive bacterial cell wall structure and mesosomes. Released protoplasts had no cell wall components and fibrous nuclear region was distinguished from cytoplsmic region clearly. Protoplasts which treated with sucrose supplemented buffer were stable. But those treated with buffer without sucrose were extensively damaged, forming mom braneous vesicles. It was surmised that those vesicles originated from the damaged cytoplasmic membrane. High frequency of fusion was achieved by 50%(w/v). polyethylene-glycol 1,000 Fusion bodies in different stage of fusion were observed. Cell membrane barrier was stepwise relieved.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.441-446
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• 2009

During epididymal transit, mammalian sperm acquire selected proteins secreted by the epididymis. We previously showed that a disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM) 7 is expressed specifically in the epididymis and transferred to the sperm surface during epididymal transit. Here, we show that mouse ADAM7 secreted to the epididymal lumen is associated with membranous vesicles known as epididymosomes. Furthermore, we found that ADAM7 can be transferred directly from epididymal vesicles to sperm and that it is an integral plasma membrane protein in sperm. Thus, our study provides new information regarding the unique mode of secretion and interaction of ADAM7 during the epididymis-to-sperm transfer process.