• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.36-46
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• 1996

An endogenous phenoloxidase (EPO) from earthworm, Lumbricus rubellus, has been purified and characterized. The purified EPO using ammonium sulfate fractionation, Blue-2, Phenyl-, and Q-sepharose chromatography steps was revealed in SDS-PAGE as a single protein banri with Mr. of 59 kl)a. A native strudure of the enzyme was examined with an in situ staining of a nondenatudng-PAGE using DL-dopa as a substrate. The result showed that a single band due to the EPO activity was located siighdy above a standard polypeptide with Mr. of 210 kl)a. These fads indicate that the EPO is an oligomeric enzyme. The presence of a monophenolase activity of the purified EPO, which hydroxylates tyrosine to dopa, was confirmed by observing dopachrome accumulation at 475 nm at PH 8.0 with a typical lag phase during 60 mm. of meausrement. A series of inhibition study has been performed for the enzyme with several divalent cation chelators such as phenyithiourea (Flu), 1, lO-phenanthroline, EDTA, and EGTA. Among them, only V'flj inhibited the enzyme with 1C0.5 of 65 MM, which indicated that copper was critical for the catalysis of EPO. The enzyme was maximally active at 35'C and pH 8.0 when L-dopa to dopachrome conversion was spectrophotometricaily monitored at 475 nm. The apparent Km values of P0 for L-opa were obtained as 1.86 mM and 13.8 mM at pH 6.5 and 8.0, respectively. The catalytic efficiencies at both pH were almost identical [(kat/Km)pH8.0/(kcat/Km)pH6.5 = O.92] while the Vmax at p11 8.0 was 6.6-fold higher than that at pH 6.5. This fact may indicate that pH affeds the catalysis at substrate and/or enzyme-substrate complex level rather than the enzyme itself. Taken together, the EPO was an oligomeric enzyme which did not require proteolysis for its activation. These results also indicated that the enzyme can exist, at least, in part as a latent form In vivo, which might be distinct from the prophenoloxidase activating system. Therefore, it is pertinent to consider that there must be certain regulatory molecules or phenomena in L. rubellus which make the 1,0 in a latent form in vivo before the foreign invasions.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.198-209
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• 1979

L-Tyrosine, 2-chloro-L-tyrosine, 2-bromo-L-tyrosine, and 2-iodo-L-tyrosine were synthesized by ${\beta}-tyrosinase$ obtained from cells of Escherichia intermedia A-21, through the reversal of the ${\alpha},{\beta}-elimination$ reaction, and their molecular structures were analyzed by element analysis, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and IR spectroscopy. Rates of synthesis and hydrolysis of halogenated tyrosines by ${\beta}-tyrosinase$, inhibition of the enzyme activity by halogenated phenols, and effects of addition of m-bromophenol on the synthesis of 2-bromotyrosine were determined. The results obtained were as follows: 1) In the synthesis of halogenated tyrosines, the yield of 2-chlorotyrosine from m-chlorophenol were approximately 15 per cent, that of 2-bromotyrosine from m-bromophenol 13.8 per cent, and that of 2-iodotyrosine from m-iodophenol 9.8 per cent. 2) Rate of synthesis of halogenated tyrosines by ${\beta}-tyrosinase$ was slower than that of tyrosine and the rates were decreased in the order of chlorine, bromine and iodine, that is, by increasing the atomic radius. Relative rate of 2-chlorotyrosine synthesis was determined to be 28.2, that of 2-bromotyrosine to be 8.13, and that of 2-iodotyrosine to be 0.98, respectively, against 100 of tyrosine. However 3-iodotyrosine was not synthesized by the enzyme. 3) The relative rate of 2-chlorotyrosine hydrolysis by ${\beta}-tyrosinase$ was 70.7, that of 2-bromotyrosine was 39.0, and that of 2-iodotyrosine was 12.6 against 100 of tyrosine, respectively. The rate of hydrolysis appeared to be decreased in the order of chlorine, bromine and iodine, that is, by increasing the atomic radius or by decreasing the electronegativity. But 3-iodotyrosine was not hydrolyzed by the enzyme. 4) The activity of ${\beta}-tyrosinase$ was inhibited by phenol markedly. Of the halogenated phenols, o-, or m-chlorophenol and o-bromophenol gave marked inhibition on the enzyme action, however inhibition by iodophenol was not strong. Plotting by Lineweaver-Burk method, a mixed-type inhibition by m-chlorophenol was observed and its Ki value was found to be $5.46{\times}10^{-4}M$. 5) During the synthesizing reaction of 2-bromotyrosine by the enzyme, sequential addition of substrate which was m-bromophenol with time intervals and in a small amount resulted in better yield of the product. 6) The halogenated tyrosines which were produced by ${\beta}-tyrosinase$ from pyruvate, ammonia and m-halogenated phenols were analysed to determine their molecular structures by element analysis, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and IR spectroscopy. The result indicated that they were 2-chloro-L-tyrosine, 2-bromo-L-tyrosine, and 2-iodo-L-tyrosine, respectively.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.116-131
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• 2017

Purpose: The entry of bacteria or harmful substances through the epithelial seal of human gingival keratinocytes (HGKs) in the junctional epithelium (JE) is blocked by specialized intercellular junctions such as E-cadherin junctions (ECJs). However, the influence of roughened substrates, which may occur due to apical migration of the JE, root planing, or peri-implantitis, on the development of the ECJs of HGKs remains largely unknown. Methods: HGKs were cultured on substrates with varying levels of roughness, which were prepared by rubbing hydrophobic polystyrene dishes with silicon carbide papers. The activity of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was inhibited with SP600125 or by transfection with JNK short hairpin RNA. The development of intercellular junctions was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy or confocal laser scanning microscopy after immunohistochemical staining of the cells for E-cadherin. The expression level of phospho-JNK was assessed by immunoblotting. Results: HGKs developed tight intercellular junctions devoid of wide intercellular gaps on smooth substrates and on rough substrates with low-nanometer dimensions (average roughness $[Ra]=121.3{\pm}13.4nm$), although the ECJs of HGKs on rough substrates with low-nanometer dimensions developed later than those of HGKs on smooth substrates. In contrast, HGKs developed short intercellular junctions with wide intercellular gaps on rough substrates with mid- or high-nanometer dimensions ($Ra=505.3{\pm}115.3nm$, $867.0{\pm}168.6nm$). Notably, the stability of the ECJs was low on the rough substrates, as demonstrated by the rapid destruction of the cell junction following calcium depletion. Inhibition of JNK activity promoted ECJ development in HGKs. JNK was closely associated with cortical actin in the regulation of ECJs in HGKs. Conclusions: These results indicate that on rough substrates with nanometer dimensions, the ECJs of HGKs develop slowly or defectively, and that this effect can be reversed by inhibiting JNK.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.247-256
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• 2018

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) are widely used drugs for lowering blood lipid levels and preventing cardiovascular diseases. HMG-CoA reductase is a key enzyme to control the biosynthesis of cholesterol. We have tested HMG-CoA reductase-inhibitory activity on the flavonoids of 98 species in vitro. The anti-hypercholesterolemic activities of flavonoids were studied using an HMG-CoA reductase assay equipped with a 96-well UV plate. This assay was based on the spectrophotometric measurement of the decrease in absorbance, which represents the oxidation of NADPH by the catalytic subunit of HMG-CoA reductase in the presence of the substrate HMG-CoA. Among the clinically available statins, pravastatin was used as a positive control. Among the tested compounds, kuraridin, morin and sophoraflavanone G showed strong inhibition activities. In particular, morin and sophoraflavanone G inhibited HMG-CoA reductase by 45.0% and 54.6% at a concentration of $10{\mu}g/ml$, and the $IC_{50}$ values were calculated to $13.31{\mu}g/ml$ and $7.26{\mu}g/ml$ respectively.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.778-785
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• 2018

Autophagy is a complex signaling process and has been implicated in tumor suppression and anticancer therapy resistance. Autophagy can produce tumor-suppressive effect by inducing autophagic cell death, either in collaboration with apoptosis. In this current study, we found that celecoxib (CCB), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with multifaceted effects, induced autophagy including enhanced LC3 conversion (LC3-I to LC3-II) and reduced autophagy substrate protein p62 level in multidrug-resistant (MDR) cancer cells. CCB sensitized human multidrug resistant (MDR) cancer cells to the ansamycin-based HSP90 inhibitor 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), a benzoquinoid ansamycin, which causes the degradation of several oncogenic and signaling proteins, by inducing autophagic cell death and apoptosis. CCB significantly augmented 17-AAG-mediated level of LC3-II/LC-I, indicating the combined effect of 17-AAG and CCB on the induction of autophagy. Autophagic degradation of mutant p53 (mutp53) and activation of caspase-3 in 17-AAG-treated MDR cells were accelerated by CCB. Inhibition of caspase-3-mediated apoptotic pathway by Z-DEVD-FMK, a caspase-3 inhibitor, did not completely block CCB-induced cell death in MCF7-MDR cells. In addition, treatment of MDR cells with Z-DEVD-FMK failed to prevent activation of autophagy by combined treatment with 17-AAG and CCB. Based on our findings, the ability of clinically used drug CCB to induce autophagy has important implications for its development as a sensitizing agent in combination with Hsp90 inhibitor of MDR cancer.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.1 s.34
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• pp.1-11
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• 1984

The present study was performed to determine oxygen metabolites involved in cell-free MPO/$H_2O_2/Cl^-$ system by observing the effects of their scavengers on NADH oxidation and ethylene production from methional by the action of MPO prepared from human leukocytes. It was clearly demonstrated that NADH was oxidized by the cell-free MPO/$H_2O_2/Cl^-$ system as evidenced by complete inhibition of the oxidation of the substrate in the presence of eiher azide or catalase, or by omitting $Cl^-$. The MPO-mediated oxidation of NADH was completely abolished by a $^1O_2$ quencher, DABCO but not by $OH{\cdot}$ scavengers, mannitol, benzoate, formate and methanol. In ethylene assay, no ethylene was detected from methional in the MPO/$H_2O_2/Cl^-$ system with evident production of the gas by xanthine-oxidase and $Cu^{++}-H_2O_2$ systems which are suggested to generate $OH{\cdot}$. From the results obtained, it is concluded that $^1O_2$ is a major mediator with exclusion of $OH{\cdot}$ involvement in the cell-free MPO-mediated oxidation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.2 s.75
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• pp.245-252
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• 2006

A bacterial strain, identified as Staphylococcus aureus JJ-11, producing collagenase was isolated out of 40 persons having skin troubles. S. aureus JJ-11 produced collagenase optimally in the media containing 1.5%(w/v) gelatin, 1%(w/v) yeast extract, 0.4%(w/v) $K_2HPO_4$, 0.005%(w/v) $NiSO_4{\cdot}6H_2O$ at $37^{\circ}C$ for 18 hrs. The collagenase produced by Staphylococcus aureus JJ-11 was purified at 6.66-folds purity through application of chromatography with Amberlite IRA-900 and Sephacryl S-300 HR columns. The molecular weight of the partially purified enzyme was estimated to be 62 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The protein exhibited optimum enzymatic activity at pH 7.0, and showed a stable activity at pH 4-8. The optimum temperature for collagenase was at $37^{\circ}C$, and activity was maintained upto $40^{\circ}C$. The enzyme activity was slightly elevated in the presence of divalents such as, $Fe^{2+},\;Co^{2+}\;and\;Ba^{2+}$ However, the activity was inhibited in the presence of $Sr^{2+}\;or\;Hg^{2+}$. The inhibition of activity by O-phenanthroline and EDTA suggested that the enzyme may contain metal which is required for activity. The enzyme showed the highest activity when insoluble collagen (type I) was, used as a substrate.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 1989

Lauryl alcohol was used as extracting solvent of ethanol, and its toxicity on the free cells or immobilized cells was tested. To increase ethanol productivity, extractive fermentation method combined with ethanol fermentation and ethanol recovery was applied to the immobilized batch and continuous fermenter. As the concentration of LaOH was increased, the lag phase became longer, but specific growth rate did not change greatly. And a cell entrapment technique could protect the yeast cells against both substrate inhibition and solvent toxicity. When the glucose concentration was 400 g/l and the LaOH/fermentation medium ratio was 4, total ethanol productivity increased with the enhancement of LaOH volume, and maximum productivity was 2.75 g/l.hr in the immobilized batch fermentation.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.151-158
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• 1996

For the effective ethanol fermentation, the high concentration of sugar as the substrate of microbial fermentation is required. The most important reason in the inefficient hydrolysis; the easy deactivation of enzyme by temperature or shear stress and the severe inhibition effects of its products. In our work, we comprehended the kinetic characteristics of cellulose and ${\beta}$-glucosidase in the progress of hydrolysis, and observed the potential inhibitory effects of the hydrolyzed products and the deactivation of enzymes. We also tried to present the kinetic model of enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose, which is applicable to process at the high concentration of sugar. Cellulase and ,${\beta}$-glucosidase exhibit diverse kinetic behaviors. At a level of only 5g/$\ell$ of glucose, the ${\beta}$-glucosidase activity was reduced by more than 70%. This result means that ${\beta}$-glucosldase was the most severely inhibited by glucose. Also at l0g/$\ell$ of cellobiose, the cellulose lost approximately 70% of its activity. ${\beta}$-glucosldase was more sensitive to deactivation than cellulose by about 1.6 times. The comprehensive kinetic model in the range of confidence was obtained and the agreement between the model prediction and the experimental data was reasonably good, testifying to the validity of the model equations used and the associated parameters.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.299-304
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• 2009

Rosiglitazone maleate (RGM) is widely used for improving insulin resistance. RGM is a moderate inhibitor of cytochrome P450 2C8 (CYP2C8) and is also mainly metabolized by CYP2C8. The aim of this study was to determine whether the effect of RGM on CYP2C8 is altered by co-treatment with other drugs, and whether amlodipine camsylate (AC) changes the pharmacokinetics (PK) of RGM. Of the 11 drugs that are likely to be co-administered with RGM in diabetic patients, seven drugs lowered the $IC_{50}$ value of RGM on CYP2C8 by more than 80%. In vitro CYP2C8 inhibitory assays of RGM in combination with drugs of interest showed that the $IC_{50}$ of RGM was decreased by 98.9% by AC. In a pharmacokinetic study, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were orally administered 1 mg/kg of RGM following by single or 10-consecutive daily administrations of 1.5 mg/kg/day of AC. No significant changes in the pharmacokinetic parameters of RGM were observed after a single administration of AC, but the AUC and $C_{max}$ values of RGM were significantly reduced by 36% and 31%, respectively, by multiple administrations of AC. In conclusion, RGM was found to be affected by AC by in vitro CYP2C8 inhibition testing, and multiple dosing of AC appreciably changed the pharmacokinetics of RGM. These findings suggest that a drug interaction exists between AC and RGM.