• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.66-70
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• 2014

In order to the feasibility of silk materials as protein delivery system, silk beads incorporated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) were prepared by dropping silk fibroin extract into dope solution composed of ethanol and dichloromethane. Structural and morphological characteristics of silk beads were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectrometry, and X-ray diffractometry. Swelling ratio of silk beads was also measured. Release behavior of prototypical protein, BSA, was studied by observing the electropheretic phenomenon and release profile. SEM showed that silk beads are spherical with porous interior structure. Infrared spectrometry and X-ray diffraction confirm that the silk beads have a ${\beta}$-sheet conformation. The swelling capability of silk beads increased with the incorporation of the protein. The protein was released from the beads with slow release following an initial burst release. Therefore, silk beads show promise as materials for encasing protein drugs to be delivered to targets in the human body.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.4169-4172
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• 2012

To elucidate the roles of cysteine residues in rice Phi-class GST F3, in this study, all three cysteine residues were replaced with alanine by site-directed mutagenesis in order to obtain mutants C22A, C73A and C77A. Three mutant enzymes were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to electrophoretic homogeneity by affinity chromatography on immobilized GSH. The substitutions of Cys73 and Cys77 residues in OsGSTF3 with alanine did not affect the glutathione conjugation activities, showing non-essentiality of these residues. On the other hand, the substitution of Cys22 residue with alanine resulted in approximately a 60% loss of specific activity toward ethacrynic acid. Moreover, the ${K_m}^{CDNB}$ value of the mutant C22A was approximately 2.2 fold larger than that of the wild type. From these results, the evolutionally conserved cysteine 22 residue seems to participate rather in the structural stability of the active site in OsGSTF3 by stabilizing the electrophilic substrates-binding site's conformation than in the substrate binding directly.

• Proceeding of EDISON Challenge
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• 2013.04a
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• pp.256-259
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• 2013

We investigate co-doping effects of conjugated P-N B-N with increasing of N concentration in the graphene sheets using a first principles based on the density functional theory. N doping sites of the graphene consider two possible sites (pyridinic and porphyrin-like). Energy calculation shows that additional doping of B atom in the porphyrin-like N doped graphene ($V+B-N_x$) is hard to form. At the low chemical potential of N, one N atom with additional doping in the graphene ($V+P-N_1$, $P/B-N_1$) has low formation energy on the other hand at high chemical potential of N, high concentration of N ($V+P-N_4$, $P/B-N_3$) in the graphene is governing conformation. From the results of electronic band structure calculation, it is found that $V+P-N_4$ and $P/B-N_3$ cases change the Fermi energy therefore type change is occurred. On the other hand, the cases of $V+P-N_1$ and N+B recover the electronic structure of pristine graphene.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.163-174
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• 2006

Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone(LHRH) is a decapeptide neurotransmitter known to be regulated by metal ions in the hyperthalamus. Zn-binding LHRH complex was systhesized, and zinc-LHRH complex was studied to understand what kinds of structural modifications would be critical in the LHRH releasing mechanism. Both nonexchangeable and exchangeable $^1H-NMR$ signal assignments were accomplished by pH-dependent and COSY NMR experiments. In addition, $^1H-NMR$ chemical shift changes of a-proton and peptide NH NMR signals at different pH condition, and $^1H-NMR$ signal differences between metal free and metallo-LHRH complex was monitored. NMR signals exhibit that primary metal-binding sites are nitrogens donor of imidazole ring and Arg, and peptide oxygen of Pro-His in the sequence. Structure obtained in this study has a cyclic conformation which is similar to that of energy minimized, and exhibits a specific a-helical turn with residue numbers $(2{\sim}7)$ out of 10 amino acids.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 2016

It is increasingly apparent that nature evolved peroxiredoxins not only as $H_2O_2$ scavengers but also as highly sensitive $H_2O_2$ sensors and signal transducers. Here we ask whether the $H_2O_2$ sensing role of Prx can be exploited to develop probes that allow to monitor intracellular $H_2O_2$ levels with unprecedented sensitivity. Indeed, simple gel shift assays visualizing the oxidation of endogenous 2-Cys peroxiredoxins have already been used to detect subtle changes in intracellular $H_2O_2$ concentration. The challenge however is to create a genetically encoded probe that offers real-time measurements of $H_2O_2$ levels in intact cells via the Prx oxidation state. We discuss potential design strategies for Prx-based probes based on either the redoxsensitive fluorophore roGFP or the conformation-sensitive fluorophore cpYFP. Furthermore, we outline the structural and chemical complexities which need to be addressed when using Prx as a sensing moiety for $H_2O_2$ probes. We suggest experimental strategies to investigate the influence of these complexities on probe behavior. In doing so, we hope to stimulate the development of Prx-based probes which may spearhead the further study of cellular $H_2O_2$ homeostasis and Prx signaling.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.139-143
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• 2018

Short antimicrobial peptide, A4W, have been studied by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation in an explicit dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) micelle. Peptide was aligned with DPC micelle and transferred new peptide-micelle coordinates within the same solvent box using specific micelle topology parameters. After initial energy minimization and equilibration, the conformation and orientation of the peptide were analyzed from trajectories obtained from the RMD (restrained molecular dynamics) or the subsequent free MD. Also, the information of solvation in the backbone and the side chain of the peptide, hydrogen bonding, and the properties of the dynamics were obtained. The results showed that the backbone residues of peptide are either solvated using water or in other case, they relate to hydrogen bonding. These properties could be a critical factor against the insertion mode of interaction. Most of the peptide-micelle interactions come from the hydrophobic interaction between the side chains of peptide and the structural interior of micelle system. The interaction of peptide-micelle, electrostatic potential and hydrogen bonding, between the terminal residues of peptide and the headgroups in micelle were observed. These interactions could be effect on the structure and flexibility of the peptide terminus.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.570-575
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• 2014

This study was conducted to compare the effects of two forms of radiation (electron and X-ray; generated by an electron beam accelerator) on the conformation and antigenic properties of hen's egg albumin, ovalbumin (OVA), which was used as a model protein. OVA solutions (2.0 mg/mL) were individually irradiated by electron beam or X-ray at the absorbed doses of 0 (control), 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 kGy. No differences between the two forms of radiation on the structural properties of OVA were shown by spectrometric and electrophoretic analyses. The turbidity of OVA solution increased and the main OVA bands on polyacrylamide gels disappeared after irradiation, regardless of the radiation source. In competitive indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, OVA samples irradiated by electron beam or X-ray showed different immunological responses in reactions with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies (immunoglobulin G) produced against non-irradiated OVA. The results indicate that electron beam irradiation and X-ray irradiation produced different patterns of structural changes to the OVA molecule.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.1250-1257
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• 2005

Two groups of exopolysaccharides (designated as Fr-I EPS and Fr-II EPS) were isolated from the culture filtrate of new fungal strain Trichoderma erinaceum DG-312 by Sepharose CL-6B chromatography. The structures of the exopolysaccharides were investigated using gas chromatography (GC), Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, GCMS analysis, and NMR. GC analysis indicated that Fr-I EPS was composed of mainly mannose ($78.9\%$) and galactose ($21.1\%$), whereas Fr-II EPS contained mannose ($68.4\%$), galactose ($26.2\%$), and glucose ($5.4\%$). In the anomeric region ($950-700cm_{-1}$) of the FT-IR spectrum, both EPSs exhibited obvious characteristic absorption of $810\;cm_{-1}$, indicating the existence of mannose. The spectra of $\alpha-and\;\beta$-configurations were assigned at 880 and $914\;cm_{-1}$, respectively. The results of GC-MS analyses confirmed that both EPSs were complex heteropolysaccharides with a ($1{\rightarrow}3$)-linked mannan backbone. The C-1 region that appeared in the $^{13}C-NMR$ spectra of these EPSs indicated a typical anomeric carbon signal. The Fr-I EPS showed two anomeric carbon signals at 102.6 and 99.6 ppm, whereas the Fr-II EPS displayed four anomeric carbon signals at 102.5, 99.6, 98.5, and 94.3 ppm. The molecular characteristics of the EPSs were further investigated using a size exclusion chromatography/multi-angle laser light scattering (SEC/MALLS) system. The SEC/MALLS system revealed that the average molar masses of the EPSs were $6.592{\times}10^{4}$ (Fr-I EPS) and $1.920{\times}10^{4}$ (Fr-II EPS) g/mol, and the molecular conformation of both EPSs in aqueous solution was random coils.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.951-959
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• 2009

Most, if not all, Basidiomycetes mushrooms have biologically active polysaccharides showing potent antitumor activity with immunomodulating properties. These polysaccharides have various chemical compositions and belong primarily to the $\beta$-glucan group. In this study, the crude water-soluble polysaccharide HEF-P, which was obtained from the fruiting body of Hericium erinaceus by hot water extraction and ethanol precipitation, was fractionated by DEAE-cellulose and Sepharose CL-6B column chromatographies. This process resulted in four polysaccharide fractions, named HEF-NP Fr I, HEF-NP Fr II, HEF-AP Fr I, and HEF-AP Fr II. Of these fractions, HEF-AP Fr II was able to upregulate the functional events mediated by activated macrophages, such as production of nitric oxide and expression ofcytokines (IL-1${\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$). The molecular mass of HEF-AP Fr II was estimated by gel filtration to be 13 kDa. Its structural characteristics were investigated by a combination of chemical and instrumental analyses, including methylation, reductive cleavage, acetylation, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results indicate that HEF-AP Fr II is a low-molecular-mass polysaccharide with a laminarin-like triple helix conformation of a ${\beta}$-1,3-branched-${\beta}$-1,6-glucan.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.1053-1060
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• 2010

Cordyceps militaris, an entomopathogenic fungus belonging to the class Ascomycetes, has been reported to have beneficial biological activities such as hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antimetastatic, hypolipidemic, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant effects. In this study, the crude water-soluble polysaccharide CMP, which was obtained from the fruiting body of C. militaris by hot water extraction and ethanol precipitation, was fractionated by DEAE-cellulose and Sepharose CL-6B column chromatographies. This process resulted in three polysaccharide fractions, termed CMP Fr I, CMP Fr II, and CMP Fr III. Of these fractions, CMP Fr II, with an average molecular mass of 127 kDa, was able to upregulate effectively the phenotypic functions of macrophages such as NO production and cytokine expression. The chemical property of the stimulatory polysaccharide, CMP Fr II, was determined based on its monosaccharide composition, which consisted of glucose (56.4%), galactose (26.4%), and mannose (17.2%). Its structural characteristics were investigated by a combination of chemical and instrumental analyses, including methylation, reductive cleavage, acetylation, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS). Results indicated that CMP Fr II consisted of the (1${\rightarrow}$4) or (1${\rightarrow}$2) linked glucopyranosyl or galactopyranosyl residue with a (1${\rightarrow}$2) or (1${\rightarrow}$6) linked mannopyranosyl, glucopyranosyl, or galactopyranosyl residue as a side chain. The configuration of the ${\beta}$-linkage and random coil conformation of CMP Fr II were confirmed using a Fungi-Fluor kit and Congo red reagent, respectively.