• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제28권9호
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• pp.1482-1492
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• 2018

Fusarium oxysporum trypsin (FOT) is a fungal serine protease similar to mammal trypsin. The FOT could be successfully expressed in Pichiapastoris by engineering the natural propeptide APQEIPN. In this study, we constructed two recombinant enzymes with engineered amino acid sequences added to the N-terminus of FOT and expressed in P. pastoris. The N-terminal residues had various effects on the structural and functional properties of trypsin. The FOT, and the recombinants TE (with peptide YVEF) and TS (with peptide YV) displayed the same optimum temperature ($40^{\circ}C$) and pH (8.0). However, the combinants TE and TS showed significantly increased thermal stability at $40^{\circ}C$ and $50^{\circ}C$. Moreover, the combinants TE and TS also showed enhanced tolerance of alkaline pH conditions. Compared with those of wild-type FOT, the intramolecular hydrogen bonds and the cation ${\pi}$-interactions of the recombinants TE and TS were significantly increased. The recombinants TE and TS also had significantly increased catalytic efficiencies (referring to the specificity constant, $k_{cat}/K_m$), 1.75-fold and 1.23-fold than wild-type FOT. In silico modeling analysis uncovered that the introduction of the peptides YVEF and YV resulted in shorter distances between the substrate binding pocket (D174, G198, and G208) and catalytic triad (His42, Asp102, and Ser180), which would improve the electron transfer rate and catalytic efficiency. In addition, N-terminal residues modification described here may be a useful approach for improving the catalytic efficiencies and characteristics of other target enzymes.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권12호
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• pp.7473-7482
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• 2013

The G-protein coupled receptor 87 (GPR87) is a recently discovered orphan GPCR which means that the search of their endogenous ligands has been a novel challenge. GPR87 has been shown to be overexpressed in squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) or adenocarcinomas in lungs and bladder. The 3D structure of GPR87 was here modeled using two templates (2VT4 and 2ZIY) by a threading method. Functional assignment of GPR87 by SVM revealed that along with transporter activity, various novel functions were predicted. The 3D structure was further validated by comparison with structural features of the templates through Verify-3D, ProSA and ERRAT for determining correct stereochemical parameters. The resulting model was evaluated by Ramachandran plot and good 3D structure compatibility was evidenced by DOPE score. Molecular dynamics simulation and solvation of protein were studied through explicit spherical boundaries with a harmonic restraint membrane water system. A DRY-motif (Asp-Arg-Tyr sequence) was found at the end of transmembrane helix3, where GPCR binds and thus activation of signals is transduced. In a search for better inhibitors of GPR87, in silico modification of some substrate ligands was carried out to form polar interactions with Arg115 and Lys296. Thus, this study provides early insights into the structure of a major drug target for SCCs.

• 한국약용작물학회지
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.7-13
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• 2016

Background : Ginger has been extensively used in foods and traditional medicines in Asian countries. Despite its frequent consumption in daily life, the mechanism of potential interactions between ginger components-drug has not been examined. To elucidate the mechanism of governing the effects of 6-shogaol, a primary constituent of dried ginger, on human cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzymes an incubation studies were carried out using pooled human liver microsome (HLM). Methods and Results : CYP isoenzyme specific substrate was incubated with multiple concentrations of inhibitor, HLM and cofactors. 6-shogaol showed a potent inhibitory effect on CYP2C9, CYP1A2 and CYP2C19 with half maximal inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) values of 29.20, 20.68 and $18.78{\mu}M$ respectively. To estimate the value of the inhibition constant ($K_i$) and the mode of inhibition, an incubation study with varying concentrations of each CYP isoenzyme-specific probe was performed. 6-shogaol inhibited CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 noncompetitively ($K_i=29.02$ and $19.26{\mu}M$ respectively), in contrast, the inhibition of CYP1A2 was best explained by competitive inhibition ($K_i=6.33{\mu}M$). Conclusions : These findings suggest that 6-shogaol may possess inhibitory effects on metabolic activities mediated by CYP1A2, CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 in humans.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.97-105
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• 2006

Several features of the implant surface, such as roughness, topography, and composition play a relevant role in implant integration with bone. This study was conducted in order to determine the effects of ceramic-coatings on Ti surfaces on the biological responses of a human osteoblast-like cell line (MG63). MG63 cells were cultured on Zr (Zrconium-coated surface), Nb (Niobium-coated surface), and control (Uncoated Titanium) Ti. The morphology of these cells was assessed by SEM. The cDNAs prepared from the total RNAs of the MG63 were hybridized into a human cDNA microarray (1,152 elements). The appearances of the surfaces observed by SEM were different on each of the three dental substrate types. MG63 cells cultured on Zr, Nb and control exhibited cell-matrix interactions. In the expression of several genes were up-, and down-regulated on the different surfaces. The attachment and expression of key osteogenic regulatory genes were enhanced by the surface morphology of the dental materials used.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.36-45
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• 2007

Several features of the implant surface, such as topography, roughness, and composition play a relevant role in implant integration with bone. This study was conducted in order to determine the effects of different-coatings on Ti surfaces on the biological responses of a human osteoblast-like cell line (MG63). MG63 cells were cultured on HA (Hydroxyapatite coating on Titanium), Ano (HA coating on anodized surface Titanium), Zr (zirconium-coating on Titanium), and control (non-coating on Titanium). The morphology of these cells was assessed by SEM. The cDNAs prepared from the total RNAs of the MG63 were hybridized into a human cDNA microarray (1,152 elements). The appearances of the surfaces observed by SEM were different on each of the three dental substrate types. MG63 cells cultured on HA, Ano, Zr, and control exhibited cell-matrix interactions. In the expression of several genes were up-, and down-regulated on the different surfaces. The attachment and expression of key osteogenic regulatory genes were enhanced by the surface morphology of the dental materials used.

• 공업화학
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• 제29권5호
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• pp.519-523
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• 2018

사이클로덱스트린(cyclodextrin)은 환형다당류(cyclic oligosaccharide) 분자들의 일종으로서, 독성을 거의 지니지 않으며, 다른 분자를 포획할 수 있는 기능을 갖고 있다. 따라서, 이 분자들은 유해물질이나 유독가스를 제거하는데 활용되어 왔다. 본 연구에서는, 이 분자들이 다른 분자를 포획하여 host-guest 화합물을 형성할 수 있다는 점에 착안하여, 이 화합물의 생성 시에 수반되는 전기화학적 변화를 감지하는 방법론을 탐구하고자 한다. 먼저, host-guest 화합물의 형성은 자외선 분광기를 통해서 고찰한다. 사이클로덱스트린의 농도를 바꿔가면서 화합물의 형성을 모니터링한다. 그리고, 실질적인 검출은 금전극에 표면 처리 과정을 거쳐 사이클로덱스트린 분자를 도입하고, 이 전극에 모델분자인 메틸파라벤(methyl paraben)을 도입하여 전기화학적 변화를 감지하는 방식으로 도모하였다. 그 결과, host-guest 화합물 형성 시에 전하의 전이가 일어나고, 이를 전기화학적 측정 방식으로도 검출할 수 있다는 가능성을 실험적으로 보여주었다. 이는 무독성 분자인 사이클로덱스트린의 활용도를 넓힐 수 있는 의미있는 결과로 기대된다.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제35권7호
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• pp.2081-2085
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• 2014

Second-order rate constants ($k_N$) have been measured spectrophotometrically for the reactions of phenyl 2- pyridyl carbonate (6) with a series of cyclic secondary amines in MeCN at $25.0{\pm}0.1^{\circ}C$. The Br${\o}$nsted-type plot for the reaction of 6 is linear with ${\beta}_{nuc}$ = 0.54, which is typical for reactions reported previously to proceed through a concerted mechanism. Substrate 6 is over $10^3$ times more reactive than 2-pyridyl benzoate (5), although the reactions of 6 and 5 proceed through the same mechanism. A combination of steric hindrance, inductive effect and resonance contribution is responsible for the kinetic results. The reactions of 6 and 5 proceed through a cyclic transition state (TS) in which H-bonding interactions increase the nucleofugality of the leaving group (i.e., 2-pyridiniumoxide). The enhanced nucleofugality forces the reactions of 6 and 5 to proceed through a concerted mechanism. In contrast, the corresponding reaction of 4-nitrophenyl 2-pyridyl carbonate (7) proceeds through a stepwise mechanism with quantitative liberation of 4-nitrophenoxide ion as the leaving group, indicating that replacement of the 4-nitrophenoxy group in 7 by the PhO group in 6 changes the reaction mechanism (i.e., from a stepwise mechanism to a concerted pathway) as well as the leaving group (i.e., from 4-nitrophenoxide to 2-pyridiniumoxide). The strong electron-withdrawing ability of the 4-nitrophenoxy group in 7 inhibits formation of a H-bonded cyclic TS. The presence or absence of a H-bonded cyclic TS governs the reaction mechanism (i.e., a concerted or stepwise mechanism) as well as the leaving group (i.e., 2-pyridiniumoxide or 4-nitrophenoxide).

• 한국자기학회:학술대회 개요집
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• 한국자기학회 2003년도 하계학술연구발표회 및 한.일 공동심포지엄
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• pp.220-221
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• 2003

Equiatomic FePt and CoPt alloy thin films have received considerable attention as possible magnetic and magneto-optic recording because of their high magnetic anisotropy energy and high coercivity. The high coercivity in these thin films is due to the presence of finely dispersed ordered FePt phase mixed with disordered FePt phase. However, a high temperature treatment, either substrate heating during deposition or post annealing, is needed to obtain the ordered L1$\_$0/ phase with high value of magneto crystalline anisotropy. Recent microstructural studies on these films suggest that the average grain size ranges from 10-50 nm and the grains are magnetically coupled between each other. On the other hand, the ultrahigh-density magnetic recording media with low media noise imposes the need of a material, which consists of magnetically isolated grains with size below 10 nm. The magnetic grain isolation can be controlled by the amount of additional non-magnetic element in the system which determines the interparticle separation and therefore the interparticle interactions. Recently, much research work has been done on various non-magnetic matrices. Preliminary studies showed that the samples prepared in B$_2$O$_3$ and Carbon matrices have shown strong perpendicular anisotropy and fine grain size down to 4nm, which suggest these nanocomposite films are very promising and may lead to the realization of a magnetic medium capable of recording densities beyond 1 Tb/in$^2$. So, in this work, the effect of Carbon doping on the magnetic properties of FePt nanoparticles were investigated.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.837-845
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• 2014

Background: Overweight and obesity are recognized as major drivers of cancers including breast cancer. Several cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10 and lipocalin 2 (LCN2), as well as dysregulated cell cycle proteins are implicated in breast carcinogenesis. The nuclear, casein kinase and cyclin-dependent kinase substrate-1 (NUCKS-1), is a nuclear DNA-binding protein that has been implicated in several human cancers, including breast cancer. Objectives: The present study was conducted to evaluate NUCKS-1 mRNA expression in breast tissue from obese patients with and without breast cancer and lean controls. NUCKS-1 expression was correlated to cytokine profiles as prognostic and monitoring tools for breast cancer, providing a molecular basis for a causal link between obesity and risk. Materials and Methods: This study included 39 females with breast cancer (G III) that was furtherly subdivided into two subgroups according to cancer grading (G IIIa and G IIIb) and 10 control obese females (G II) in addition to 10 age-matched healthy lean controls (G I). NUCKS-1 expression was studied in breast tissue biopsies by means of real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Serum cytokine profiles were determined by immunoassay. Lipid profiles and glycemic status as well as anthropometric measures were also recorded for all participants. Results: IL-6, IL-12 and LCN2 were significantly higher in control obese and breast cancer group than their relevant lean controls (p<0.05), while NUCKS-1 mRNA expression was significantly higher in the breast cancer group compared to the other groups (p<0.05). Significant higher levels of IL-6, IL-12, and LCN2 as well as NUCKS-1 mRNA levels were reported in G IIIb than G IIIa, and positively correlated with obesity markers in all obese patients. Conclusions: Evaluation of cytokine levels as well as related gene expression may provide a new tool for understanding interactions for three axes of carcinogenesis, innate immunity, inflammation and cell cycling, and hope for new strategies of management.

• 한국진공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국진공학회 2014년도 제46회 동계 정기학술대회 초록집
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• pp.185.2-185.2
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• 2014

We have studied the atomic and electronic structure of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) on a hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) sheet with intercalated atoms using first-principles calculations. The h-BN sheet is an insulator with the band gap about 6 eV and then it may a good candidate as a supporting dielectric substrate for graphene-based nanodevices. Especially, the h-BN sheet has the similar bond structure as graphene with a slightly longer lattice constant. For the computation, we use the Vienna ab initio simulation package (VASP). The generalized gradient approximation (GGA) in the form of the PBE-type parameterization is employed. The ions are described via the projector augmented wave potentials, and the cutoff energy for the plane-wave basis is set to 400 eV. To include weak van der Waals (vdW) interactions, we adopt the Grimme's DFT-D2 vdW correction based on a semi-empirical GGA-type theory. Our calculations reveal that the localized states appear at the zigzag edge of the GNR on the h-BN sheet due to the flat band of the zigzag edge at the Fermi level and the localized states rapidly decay into the bulk. The open-edged graphene with a large corrugation allows some space between graphene and h-BN sheet. Therefore, atoms or molecules can be intercalated between them. We have considered various types of atoms for intercalation. The atoms are initially placed at the edge of the GNR or inserted in between GNR and h-BN sheet to find the effect of intercalated atoms on the atomic and electronic structure of graphene. We find that the impurity atoms at the edge of GNR are more stable than in between GNR and h-BN sheet for all cases considered. The nickel atom has the lowest energy difference of ~0.2 eV, which means that it is relatively easy to intercalate the Ni atom in this structure. Finally, the magnetic properties of intercalated atoms between GNR and h-BN sheet are investigated.