• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.121-126
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• 2020

The ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) proteins are a family of membrane-associated proteins known to play roles in cell-shape determination as well as in signaling pathways. We have previously shown that amphetamine decreases phosphorylation levels of these proteins in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc), an important neuronal substrate mediating rewarding effects of drugs of abuse. In the present study, we further examined what molecular pathways may be involved in this process. By direct microinjection of LY294002, a PI3 kinase inhibitor, or of S9 peptide, a proposed GSK3β activator, into the NAcc core, we found that phosphorylation levels of ERM as well as of GSK3β in this site are simultaneously decreased. These results indicate that ERM proteins are under the regulation of Akt-GSK3β signaling pathway in the NAcc core. The present findings have a significant implication to a novel signal pathway possibly leading to structural plasticity in relation with drug addiction.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.18-20
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• 2012

We report observation of laser desorption/ionization (LDI) of peptides from flat surfaces of tungsten silicide ($WSi_2$). In contrast to MALDI (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization) and SALDI (surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization) mass spectrometry, this study did not utilize any matrices and surface nanostructures. In this work, LDI on $WSi_2$ surfaces is demonstrated to cover a mass range up to 1,600 Da (somatostatin; monoisotopic mass = 1637.9 Da). In addition, it exhibited a high sensitivity, which could detect peptides, which could detect peptides of low femtomole levels (20 fmol for angiotensin II). The observed LDI process was discussed to be largely thermal, more specifically, due to laser-induced surface heating that is most likely promoted by the low thermal diffusivity (${\kappa}$) of $WSi_2$ substrate.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.131-138
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• 2002

The cyclophilins (Cyps) are family members of proteins that exhibit peptidylprolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase, EC 5.2.1.8) activity and bind the immunosuppressive agent cyclosprin A (CsA) in varying degrees. During the process of random sequencing of a cDNA library made from Giardia intestinalis WB strain, the cyclophilin gene (gicypl) was isolated. An open reading frame of gicyp1 gene was 576 nucleotides, which corresponded to a translation product of 176 amino acids (Gicypl). The identity with other Cyps was about 58-71%. The 13 residues that constituted the CsA binding site of human cyclophilin were also detected in the amino acid sequence of Gicypl, including tryptophan residue essential for the drug binding. The single copy of the gicypl gene was detected in the G. intestinalis chromosome by southern hybridization analysis. Recombinant Gicyp 1 protein clearly accelerated the rate of cis ${\rightarrow}$ trans isomerization of the peptide substrate and the catalysis was completely inhibited by the addition of $0.5{\;}{\mu}M$ CsA.

• BMB Reports
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.342-345
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• 1997

Catechol 1,2-dioxygenase $I_1$ (CD $I_1$) gene of Acinetobacter Iwoffii K24, $catA_1$ was expressed in Escherichia coli and was partially purified by using a MonoQ column. Expressed CD $I_1$ had the same molecular weight as purified CD $I_1$ from A. Iwoffii K24 on SDS-PAGE. Expressed CD $I_1$ was also identified by Western blotting and peptide sequencing of N-terminal and internal regions. When compared with purified CD $I_1$ of A. Iwoffii K24, expressed CD $I_1$ had similar substrate specificities and the effects of compounds on enzyme activity. N-terminal amino acid sequence of CD I expressed in E. coli was the same as that of purified CD $I_1$, suggesting that CD $I_1$ may be under the same posttranslational processing in E. coli and A. Iwoffii K24.

• BMB Reports
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.83-86
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• 1995

In the course of screening for new aminopeptidase M inhibitors which were expected to be analgesic, immunopotentiating, or anti-metastatic agents, the novel synthetic substance MR-387C[(2S,3R)-3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutanoyl-L-valyl-L-prolyl-L-leucine] (M.W. 504 daltons) was obtained. It was competitive with the substrate and had an $IC_{50}$ value of $0.04\;{\mu}m/ml$ ($7.9{\times}10^{-8}\;M$) and an inhibition constant ($K_i$) of $3.8{\times}10^{-8}\;M$. This novel MR-387C was compared with various known inhibitors of aminopeptidase M. It inhibited the enzyme more strongly than any other microorganism-originated inhibitor, except probestin.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.282-290
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• 2019

Cuphea viscosissima plants accumulate medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), i.e., those containing 8 ~ 14 carbons, in their seeds, in addition to the longer carbon chain fatty acids (≥16 carbons) found in a variety of plant species. Previous studies have reported the existence of three C. viscosissima MCFA-producing acyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) thioesterases with different substrate specificities. In this study, CvFatB4, a novel cDNA clone encoding an acyl-ACP thioesterase (EC 3.1.2.14), was isolated from developing C. viscosissima seeds. Sequence alignment of the deduced amino acid sequence revealed that four catalytic residues for thioesterase activity are conserved and a putative N-terminal chloroplast transit peptide is present. Overexpression of CvFatB4 cDNA, which was under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter, in Arabidopsis thaliana led to an increase in 16:0 fatty acid (palmitate) levels in the seed oil at the expense of 18:1 and other non-MCFAs.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.102-110
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• 1991

Alkalophilic Bacillus sp. YJ-451, which was isolated from soil at several area in Korea, produced a novel type of bacteriolytic enzyme (cell wall peptidoglycan hydrolase) extracellulary. The cell wall hydrolytic activity was identified as a clear zone on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis containing 0.2% (w/v) cell wall of Bacillus sp. as substrate. This enzyme was successively purified 66 fold with 3.2% yield in culture broth by ammonium sulfate precipitation, CM-cellulose column chromatography, and gel filtration, followed by hydroxylapatite column chromatography. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 27,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and gel filtration column chromatography. The optimum pH and temperature for the activity of the enzyme were pH 10.0 and $50^{\circ}C$, respectively. The enzyme was stable between pH 5.0 and 10.0 and up to $40^{\circ}C$. Among the microorganisms used in this experiment the enzyme was active against most of gram negative strains and the genus Bacillus such as B. megaterium, B. licheniformis, B. circulans, B. pumilus, B. macerans, B. polymyxa. The release of dinitrophenylglutamic acid but not reducing group from cell wall peptidoglycan digested by the enzyme suggested that the enzyme is a kind of peptidase which hydrolyzes the peptide bond at the amino group of D-glutamic acid in the peptidoglycan.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.155-164
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• 1992

Attachment and growth of mouse flbroblast cells on block copolypeptides were studied in the pres once or absence of serum proteins. Cells are rapidly attached to she polymer surface within 30 min regardless of substrate in the presence of serum. The number of flbroblast cells attached on the poly mer surface coated by collagen was larger than thats on the bare surface. Attachment of cells Is as a whole suppressed to a low level by the addltion of sodium azide in the absence of serum. Thls suE gests that the active attachment of cells requires the biological metabolism taking place on polymer substrates. In the presence of serum protein, flbroblast cells are more rapidly grown on the bolck co polymer consisting of poly(T-benzyl L-glutamate) (PBLG) and polyoxypropylene(POP) than on other block copolymers. These results were in agreement wish the data obatlned by an Inverted ml croscope.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.373-381
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• 2017

Hippocampus abdominalis, the big belly sea horse, is widely known for its medicinal value in Chinese folk medicine. In this study, extract obtained by proteolytic degradation of this species was investigated for its effects on skeletal muscle development, both in vitro and in vivo. Muscle cell lines ($C_2C_{12}$ and $L_6$) treated with the bioactive peptide did not have any detrimental effects on the cell viability, which was above 80%. Optical microscopy analysis on the morphology of the sea horse extract (SHE)-treated cells showed enhanced differentiating ability with myotube formation. Moreover, cells incubated with the hydrolysate displayed decreased proliferation rate, as recorded by the electric cell substrate impedance sensing system, thereby supporting enhanced differentiation. For a period of 12 weeks, mice models were fed with SHE and simultaneously subjected to treadmill exercise, which increased the expression of Myogenin, a key myogenic regulatory factor. In addition, there was an increase in the expression of AMPK- and Cytochrome C, both of which are important in mitochondrial biogenesis. Thus, the SHE from Hippocampus abdominalis can be a promising candidate as protein supplement aiding muscle development.

• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.11
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• pp.790-795
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• 2008

An inducible lysine 6-dehydrogenase (Lys 6-DH), which catalyzes the oxidative deamination of the 6-amino group of L-lysine in the presence of $NAD^+$, was purified to homogeneity from Achromobacter denitrificans, yielding a homodimeric protein of 80 kDa. The enzyme was specific for the substrate L-lysine and $NAD^+$ served as a cofactor. The dimeric enzyme associated into a hexamer in the presence of 10 mM L-lysine. The $K_m$ values for L-lysine and $NAD^+$ were 5.0 and 0.09 mM, respectively. The lys 6-dh gene was cloned and overexpressed in E. coli. The open reading frame was 1,107 nucleotides long and encoded a peptide containing 368 amino acids with 39,355 Da. The recombinant enzyme was purified to homogeneity and characterized. Enzyme activities and kinetic properties of the recombinant enzyme were almost the same as those of the endogenous enzyme obtained from A. denitrificans. Crystals of the enzyme were obtained using the hanging drop method.