• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.219-224
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• 1999

In our search for the anticonvulsant consitutent of Gastrodia elata repeated column chromatographies guided by activity assay led to isolation of an active compound, which was identified as gastrodin on the basis of spectral data. Brain succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) was inactivated by preincubation with gastrodin in a time-dependent manner and the reaction was monitored by absorption and fluorescene spectroscopic methods. The inactivation followed pseudo-first-order kinetics with the second-rate order constant of $1.2{\times}10^{3} M^{-1} min^{-1}$. The time course of the reaction was significantly affected by the coenzyme NAD^{+}$, which affected complete protection against the loss of the catalytic activity, whereas substrate succinic semialdehyde failed to prevent the inactivation of the enzyme. It is postulated that the gastrodin is able to elevate the neurotransmitter GABA levels in central nervous system by inhibitory action on one of the GABA degradative enzymes, SSADH.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.244-255
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• 2019

Xylose isomerase (XI; E.C. 5.3.1.5) catalyzes the isomerization of xylose to xylulose, which can be used to produce bioethanol through fermentation. Therefore, XI has recently gained attention as a key catalyst in the bioenergy industry. Here, we identified, purified, and characterized a XI (PbXI) from the psychrophilic soil microorganism, Paenibacillus sp. R4. Surprisingly, activity assay results showed that PbXI is not a cold-active enzyme, but displays optimal activity at $60^{\circ}C$. We solved the crystal structure of PbXI at $1.94-{\AA}$ resolution to investigate the origin of its thermostability. The PbXI structure shows a $({\beta}/{\alpha})_8$-barrel fold with tight tetrameric interactions and it has three divalent metal ions (CaI, CaII, and CaIII). Two metal ions (CaI and CaII) located in the active site are known to be involved in the enzymatic reaction. The third metal ion (CaIII), located near the ${\beta}4-{\alpha}6$ loop region, was newly identified and is thought to be important for the stability of PbXI. Compared with previously determined thermostable and mesophilic XI structures, the ${\beta}1-{\alpha}2$ loop structures near the substrate binding pocket of PbXI were remarkably different. Site-directed mutagenesis studies suggested that the flexible ${\beta}1-{\alpha}2$ loop region is essential for PbXI activity. Our findings provide valuable insights that can be applied in protein engineering to generate low-temperature purpose-specific XI enzymes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.193-200
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• 2019

Ceramide metabolism is known to be an essential etiology for various diseases, such as atopic dermatitis and Gaucher disease. Glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) is a key enzyme for the synthesis of glucosylceramide (GlcCer), which is a main ceramide metabolism pathway in mammalian cells. In this article, we developed a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to determine GCS activity using synthetic non-natural sphingolipid C8-ceramide as a substrate. The reaction products, C8-GlcCer for GCS, could be separated on a C18 column by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Quantification was conducted using the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode to monitor the precursor-to-product ion transitions of m/z $588.6{\rightarrow}264.4$ for C8-GlcCer at positive ionization mode. The calibration curve was established over the range of 0.625-160 ng/mL, and the correlation coefficient was larger than 0.999. This method was successfully applied to detect GCS in the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2 cells) and mouse peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We also evaluated the inhibition degree of a known GCS inhibitor 1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (PDMP) on GCS enzymatic activity and proved that this method could be successfully applied to GCS inhibitor screening of preventive and therapeutic drugs for ceramide metabolism diseases, such as atopic dermatitis and Gaucher disease.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.44-54
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• 2019

Geldanamycin and its derivatives, inhibitors of heat shock protein 90, are considered potent anticancer drugs, although their biosynthetic pathways have not yet been fully elucidated. The key step of conversion of 4,5-dihydrogeldanamycin to geldanamycin was expected to catalyze by a P450 monooxygenase, Gel16. The adequate bioconversions by cytochrome P450 mostly rely upon its interaction with redox partners. Several ferredoxin and ferredoxin reductases are available in the genome of certain organisms, but only a few suitable partners can operate in full efficiency. In this study, we have expressed cytochrome P450 gel16 in Escherichia coli and performed an in vitro assay using 4,5-dihydrogeldanamycin as a substrate. We demonstrated that the in silico method can be applicable for the efficient mining of convenient endogenous redox partners (9 ferredoxins and 6 ferredoxin reductases) against CYP Gel16 from Streptomyces hygroscopicus. The distances for ligand FDX4-FDR6 were found to be $9.384{\AA}$. Similarly, the binding energy between Gel16-FDX4 and FDX4-FDR6 were -611.88 kcal/mol and -834.48 kcal/mol, respectively, suggesting the lowest distance and binding energy rather than other redox partners. These findings suggest that the best redox partners of Gel16 could be NADPH ${\rightarrow}$ FDR6 ${\rightarrow}$ FDX4 ${\rightarrow}$ Gel16.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제30권6호
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• pp.520-528
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• 2022

Mast cells are an effector cell that plays a pivotal role in type I hypersensitive immune responses. Mast cells exist in connective tissues, such as skin and mucosal tissue, and contain granules which contain bioactive substances such as histamine and heparin in cells. The granules of mast cells are secreted by antigen stimulation to cause the type I allergic hypersensitivity. In addition, stimulated by antigen, mast cells synthesize and secrete various eicosanoids and cytokines. While AT9283 is known to have anticancer effects, the therapeutic effect of AT9283 on allergic disorders is completely unknown. In this study, it was found that AT9283 reversibly inhibited antigen-IgE binding-induced degranulation in mast cells (IC₅₀, approx. 0.58 μM) and suppressed the secretion of the inflammatory cytokines IL-4 (IC₅₀, approx. 0.09 μM) and TNF-α (IC₅₀, approx. 0.19 μM). For a mechanism of mast cell inhibition, while not inhibiting Syk phosphorylation, AT9283 suppressed the activation of LAT, a downstream substrate protein of Syk, in a dose-dependent manner. As expected, AT9283 also inhibited the activation of PLCγ1 and Akt, downstream signaling molecules of Syk/LAT, and MAP kinases such as JNK, Erk1/2, and P38. In an in vitro protein tyrosine kinase assay, AT9283 directly inhibited Syk activity. Next, AT9283 dose-dependently inhibited passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA), an IgE-mediated allergic acute response, in mice (ED50, approx. 34 mg/kg, p.o.). These findings suggest that AT9283 has potential to use as a new drug for alleviating the symptoms of IgE-mediated allergic disorders.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.274-282
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• 2023

Background: Ginsenoside compound K (CK) stimulated activation of the PI3K-Akt signaling is one of the major mechanisms in promoting cell survival after stroke. However, the underlying mediators remain poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the docking protein of ginsenoside CK mediating the neuroprotective effects. Materials and methods: Molecular docking, surface plasmon resonance, and cellular thermal shift assay were performed to explore ginsenoside CK interacting proteins. Neuroscreen-1 cells and middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model in rats were utilized as in-vitro and in-vivo models. Results: Ginsenoside CK interacted with recombinant human PTP1B protein and impaired its tyrosine phosphatase activity. Pathway and process enrichment analysis confirmed the involvement of PTP1B and its interacting proteins in PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. PTP1B overexpression reduced the tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) after oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) in neuroscreen-1 cells. These regulations were confirmed in the ipsilateral ischemic hemisphere of the rat brains after MCAO/R. Ginsenoside CK treatment reversed these alterations and attenuated neuronal apoptosis. Conclusion: Ginsenoside CK binds to PTP1B with a high affinity and inhibits PTP1B-mediated IRS1 tyrosine dephosphorylation. This novel mechanism helps explain the role of ginsenoside CK in activating the neuronal protective PI3K-Akt signaling pathway after ischemia-reperfusion injury.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.257-265
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• 2023

Kidney ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, a common cause of acute kidney injury (AKI), is associated with the migration of inflammatory cells into the kidney. Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1), a member of the Rho family of small GTPase, plays an important role in inflammatory cell migration by cytoskeleton rearrangement. Here, we investigated the role of Rac1 on kidney I/R injury and macrophage migration. Male mice were subjected to either 25 min of bilateral ischemia followed by reperfusion (I/R) or a sham operation. Some mice were administrated with either NSC23766, an inhibitor of Rac1, or 0.9% NaCl (vehicle). Kidney damage and Rac1 activity and expression were measured. The migration and lamellipodia formation of RAW264.7 cells, mouse monocyte/macrophage, induced by monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1, a chemokine) were determined using transwell migration assay and phalloidin staining, respectively. In sham-operated kidneys, Rac1 was expressed in tubular cells and interstitial cells. In I/R-injured kidneys, Rac1 expression was decreased in tubule cells in correlation with the damage of tubular cells, whereas Rac1 expression increased in the interstitium in correlation with an increased population of F4/80 cells, monocytes/macrophages. I/R increased Rac1 activity without changing total Rac1 expression in the whole kidney lysates. NSC23766 administration blocked Rac1 activation and protected the kidney against I/R-induced kidney damage and interstitial F4/80 cell increase. NSC23766 suppressed monocyte MCP-1-induced lamellipodia and filopodia formation and migration of RAW 264.7 cells. These results indicate Rac1 inhibition protects the kidney against I/R via inhibition of monocytes/macrophages migration into the kidney.

• 한국작물학회지
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• 제68권4호
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• pp.294-303
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• 2023

Lipoxygenase gives soybeans their grassy flavor, which can disrupt food processing efficiency. This study aimed to identify soybean genotypes with lipoxygenase deficiency among 1,001 soybean accessions and to develop kompetitive allele specific PCR (KASP) markers that can detect lipoxygenase mutations. Three lipoxygenase isozymes (Lox1, Lox2, and Lox3) were analyzed using a colorimetric assay based on a substrate-enzyme reaction. Among the 1,001 accessions examined, two (IT160160 and IT276392) exhibited a deficiency solely in Lox1, and one (IT269984) lacked both Lox1 and Lox2. IT160160 had a 74-bp deletion in exon 8 of Lox1 (Glyma13g347600), whereas IT276392 displayed a missense mutation involving the change of C to A at position 2,880 of Lox1. Moreover, we successfully developed four KASP markers that specifically target Lox1, Lox2, and Lox3 mutations. To validate the Lox1 KASP markers, we used two F_2:3 populations generated through a cross between Daepung 2 (lipoxygenase wild type, maternal parent), IT160160, and IT276392 (null Lox1, paternal parent). The results revealed that the Daepung 2 × IT160160 group followed the expected 3:1 ratio according to Mendel's law, whereas the Daepung 2 × IT276392 group did not. Furthermore, a comparison between the colorimetric and KASP marker analyses results revealed a high agreement rate of 96%. KASP markers offer a distinct advantage by allowing the distinction of heterozygous types independent of other variables. As a result, we present an opportunity to expedite the lipoxygenase-deficient cultivar development.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.137-146
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• 2020

식물에서 Ca²⁺는 세포의 중요한 2차 신호 전달 분자 중 하나이다. Ca²⁺ 및 인산화 효소의 센서 단백질인 칼슘-의존성 단백질 카이네즈(CDPKs)는 식물 세포에서 가장 풍부한 세린/트레오닌 키나아제이다. 이들은 다양한 자극에 대한 신호를 변환하여 식물에서 특정 반응을 일으킨다. 벼에는 31개의 CDPK 유전자 족이 확인되었다. 그들은 주로 식물의 생장과 발달에 관여하며 다양한 스트레스 조건에 반응하여 기능을 하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 그러나 CDPK 단백질의 생화학적 특성에 대해서는 알려진 바가 별로 없다. 이 연구에서는 벼의 CDPK 중 하나인 OsCPK11을 부분 정제하여 그 생화학적 특성을 조사하고자 하였다. 벼 유식물에서 3단계 칼럼 크로마토그래피 과정을 거쳐 부분 정제된 OsCPK11을 얻었다. 정제 과정에는 DEAE를 사용한 음이온 교환 크로마토그래피, Phenyl-Sepharose를 사용한 소수성 상호작용 크로마토그래피 및 Sephacryl-200HR를 사용한 겔 여과 크로마토그래피를 포함하였다. 부분 정제된 OsCPK11은 분자량이 54kDa이며 소수성 수지와 강한 소수성 상호작용을 보였다. 부분 정제된 OsCPK11으로 in vitro kinase assay를 실시한 결과, OsCPK11은 Ca²⁺-의존성 자가인산화 활성을 가짐을 보여 주었다. OsCPK11은 histone III-S를 인산화 하였으며, 카이네즈 활성의 최적 pH는 7.5-8.0이었다. Native OsCPK11은 이전에 연구된 재조합 OsCPK11과 몇 가지 생화학적 특징을 공유하였는데, 둘 다 Ca²⁺-의존성 자가인산화 활성을 나타냈다. 또한, 둘 모두 카이네즈 활성을 위한 기질로서 histone III-S를 선호하였으며, Ca²⁺ 의존성을 보여 주었다.

• 대한화장품학회지
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.393-397
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• 2004

L-Carnitine $({\beta}-hydroxy-\gamma-trimethyl-ammoniumbutyric{\;}acid)$은 분자량이 적은 수용성 분자로서 세포 내 지방 대사에서 중요한 역할을 수행한다. 지방산의 운반 분자인 아실-코에이(acyl-CoA)가 미토콘드리아의 세포막을 투과하지 못하기 때문에 지방산은 CoA로부터 카르니틴으로 운반되어 미토콘드리아에서 작용한다. 노화와 연관된 L-carnitine의 기능을 확인하기 위하여 MMP inhibition assay와 자외선 조사에 의해 유도된 MMP 발현에 대한 영향을 확인하였다. MMP inhibition assay는 콜라겐을 이용한 형광분석법을 실시하였고 자외선 조사에 의해 유도된 MMP 발현양은 ELISA로 정량하였으며 그 활성은 젤라틴 기질 zymography로 확인하였고 MMP mRNA 발현양은 RT-PCR ELISA로 확인하였다. 또한, 사람을 이용한 임상 실험을 통하여 주름 개선 효과를 평가하였다. L-carnitine은 농도 의존적으로 MMP 저해 활성을 나타났으며 $IC_{50}$값은 2.45 mM이었으며 자외선 조사에 의해 발현된 MMP 활성을 강하게 저해하였다. 자외선 조사에 의해 발현되는 MMP에 대해 단백질의 양적인 변화는 $40\%$ 정도 감소되었으며 L-carnitine 처리에 의해 농도 의존적으로 MMP mRNA의 발현양은 감소되었다. 이러한 실험결과를 통하여 L-carnitine은 MMP 효소의 저해능 뿐만 아니라 자외선 조사에 의해 유도되는 MMP 단백질 발현과 mRNA 유전자 수준에서의 조절이 가능함을 확인하였다. 사람을 이용한 임상 실험에서는 $1\%$ 카르니틴을 함유하는 화장품을 약 3개월간 사용 후에는 유의적으로 주름 개선 효과를 확인하였다. 결론적으로 L-Carnitine은 광노화에 관여하는 MMP 활성과 발현 조절 메커니즘을 통하여 광손상에 대응하는 항노화 소재로서의 화장품에 매우 효과적이었음을 확인하였다.