Treponema denticola is a gram-negative anaerobe that can cause periodontal disease. The adhesion of this bacterium to host tissues is considered to be the primary event in the colonization and infection of a host. Fibrinogen is generally found in damaged tissues resulting from periodontitis. The binding ability of T. denticola to fibrinogen may therefore be an important virulence factor in inducing periodontal diseases. It has been reported recently that oral spirochetes can be labeled with fluorescent fatty acids and we speculated that this labeling method could be used in an oral spirochete binding assay. The binding of several different strains of T. denticola to immobilized human fibrinogen was therefore tested using the fluorescent fatty acid labeling method. In the case of immobilized fibrinogen, the T. denticola ATCC 35405 strain showed saturable binding to immobilized fibrinogen. Indeed, all four different T. denticola strains tested in this experiment, T. denticola ATCC 35405, T. denticola ATCC 33520, T. denticola ATCC 35404 and T. denticola OTK showed binding to fibrinogen. The fluorescent fatty acid labeling method thus shows utility in binding assays for T. denticola, different strains of which can generally bind to immobilized fibrinogen.

단감 '부유'를 대상으로 과실 비대 및 착색 증진에 위한 결박 처리 시 가지 종류에 따른 효과를 비교하고자 결과모지, 부주지 및 주지에 철사를 이용하여 결박 처리하였다. 철사 제거 직후 6주 동안 과실 직경과 과피색 a값은 무처리에 비해 결과모지 및 주지 결박처리에서 더 많이 증가하였지만 부주지 결박처리에서는 효과를 나타내지 않았다. 결박 처리 8주 후 수확된 과실을 처리하지 않은 과실과 비교하면, 과중은 모든 결박처리에서 더 무거웠는데 특히, 주지 결박처리에서는 월등히 무거웠다. 과고는 주지 결박처리에서만 더 높았고, 과경은 결과모지 및 주지 결박처리에서 더 길었다. 과실 당도는 결과모지 및 부주지 결박처리에서 다소 높거나 비슷하였으나, 주지 결박처리에서는 낮게 나타났다. 과피색 a값은 결과모지 및 주지 결박처리에서 유의하게 높았지만, 이와 반대로 과피색 b값은 낮게 나타남으로써 Chroma값은 결과모지 및 부주지 결박처리에서 높게 나타났다. 과피 내 라이코펜 및 베타카로틴 함량은 부주지 및 주지 결박처리에서 유의하게 높게 나타났지만, 결과모지 결박처리에서는 차이를 나타내지 않았다. 총 엽록소 함량은 모든 결박 처리에서 낮게 나타났다.

The binding affinity constants (p(Od)50) and molecular docking scores (DS) between porcine odorant binding proteins pOBP (1HQP) and pPBP (1GM6) as receptor and a series of tetrahydrofuran-2-yl (A & B) analogues as substrate, and their interactions were discussed quantitatively using three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) models. The statistical qualities of the optimized CoMFA models for pOBP were better than those of the CoMSIA models. The binding affinity constants and DS between substrate and receptor molecules were dependent upon steric and hydrophobic interaction. The DS constants of the substrates into the binding site of OBP (1HQP) were bigger than those of PBP (1GM6). The resulting contour maps produced by the optimized CoMFA model were used to identify the structural features relevant to the binding affinity in binding site of pOBP.

The two dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationships (2D-QSARs) models concerning the binding affinity constants (p[Od.]50) between 2-cyclohexyltetrahydropyrane and 2-cyclohexyltetrahydrofurane analogues as substrates, and bovine odorant binding protein (bOBP) as receptor were derived by multiple regression analyses method and discussed. The statistical quality of the optimized 2D-QSAR model (5) was good (r=0.907). From the model, the binding affinity constants (p[Od.]50) were dependent upon the optimal value ((TL)opt.=2.737) of total lipole (TL) of substrate molecules. Based on these findings, the high active compounds predicted by optimized 2D-QSAR model (5) were 2-(dimethylcyclohexyl)tetrahydropyrane molecule and their isomer molecules. The binding affinity constants regarding bOBP of the tetrahydrofuryl-2-yl family compounds were dependent upon the hydrophobicity (logP) of whole substrate molecules. In any case of porcine odorant-binding proteins (pOBP), the constants were dependent upon the hydrophobicity (πx=logPx－logPH) of substituents (R) in substrate molecules. Also, from the optimal values of hydrophobic constant, the hydrophobicity for bOBP influenced ca. twice time bigger (bOBP>pOBP) than that for pOBP.

Transferrin and ferritin are iron-binding proteins involved in transport and storage of iron as part of iron metabolism. Here, we describe the cDNA cloning and characterization of transferrin (Bi-Tf) and the ferritin heavy chain subunit (Bi-FerHCH), from the bumblebee Bombus ignitus. Bi-Tf cDNA spans 2,340 bp and encodes a protein of 706 amino acids and Bi-FerHCH cDNA spans 1,393 bp and encodes a protein of 217 amino acids. Comparative analysis revealed that Bi-Tf appears to have residues comprising iron-binding sites in the N-terminal lobe, and Bi-FerHCH contains a 5’UTR iron-responsive element and seven conserved amino acid residues associated with a ferroxidase center. The Bi-Tf and Bi-FerHCH cDNAs were expressed as 79 kDa and 27 kDa polypeptides, respectively, in baculovirus-infected insect Sf9 cells. Northern blot analysis revealed that Bi-Tf exhibits fat body-specific expression and Bi-FerHCH shows ubiquitous expression. The expression profiles of the Bi-Tf and Bi-FerHCH in the fat body of B. ignitus worker bees revealed that Bi-Tf and Bi-FerHCH are differentially induced in a time-dependent manner in a single insect by wounding, bacterial challenge, and iron overload.

This study was conducted to analyze the expression pattern of inhibitor of DNA binding proteins (Id)1 and Id2 mRNA on folliculogenesis in rat ovary. The ovaries were obtained from 27 days old Sprague-Dawley rat, fixed, dehydrated, and paraffin embedded. For in situ hybridization, anti-sense and sense Idl and Id2 cRNA probes were prepared and applied to the ovarian section. The ovarian sections were coated with NTB-2 emulsion. After that, the slides were developed and counterstained with hematoxylin and eosin staining. In oocytes, the hybridizational signals of Id1 mRNA were strong in primordial and primary follicles, however, there were no signals in that of atretic or preovulatory follicles. The Id2 mRNA signals were also strong in the oocytes of primordial, primary and secondary follicles. Interestingly, the Id2 mRNA was expressed specifically granulosa cells, but nor in oocyte or theca cells in dominant and preovulatory follicles. Based on these results, Id1 and Id2 mRNA was expressed specifically at follicle stages and follicular tissue and might be closely related with follicle development.

The effects of the applied stretch and MgADP binding on the structure of the actin and myosin cross-bridges in rabbit fibers in the rigor state have been investigatedwith improved resolution by x-ray diffraction using synchrotron radiation. To clarify the structure of the ATP hydrolysis intermediates formed by actin and myosin cross-bridges,the effects of various phosphate analogs in the of MgADP on the structure of the thin and thick filaments in glycerinated rabbit muscle fibers in the rigor state investigated by x-ray diffraction with a short exposure time using synchrotron radiation. These results strongly suggest that when MgADP and phosphate analogs such as metallofluorides(BeF3 and AlF4)and vanadate(VO4(Vi)) were added the rigor fibers in the presence of the ATP-depletion backup system, the intensities of the actin-based layer lines were markedly weakened. We found that the intensity of the 14.5 nm-based meridional reflections increase by 20-50% when phosphate analogs such as metallofluorides(BeF3 and AlF4) and vanadate(VO4(Vi)) was added to the rigor muscle.

Treponema denticola is the best studied oral spirochete and numerous studies have shown that it is strongly associated with periodontitis and expresses several putative virulence factors. In this study, we report on a surface protein of T. denticola, Td92, which is homologous to Tp92 of Treponema pallidum, an agent of syphilis. Immunofluorescence assay and immunogold labeling with anti-Td92 Ab revealed that Td92 had surface-exposed epitopes. And Td92 was capable of binding to fibronectin and KB cells, an oral epithelial cell line. In addition, Td92 could enter the KB cells. These results indicate that Td92 is a fibronectin-binding protein which can bind to and internalize into the host cells, facilitating the virulence of T. denticola.

본 연구는 정자 내의 phsopholipid hydroxide glutathion peroxidase (PHGPx) mRNA 발현 수준, heparin-binding protein (HBP) mRNA 발현 수준, 수태율 그리고 산자수 사이의 관계를 조사하고자 실시하였다. 수태율과 산자수 사이에 있어서 상관관계는 나타나지 않았다. PHGPx mRNA 발현 수준에 있어 산자수가 10두 이상 군에서 (2,414.7±400.7) 8두 미만 군보다 (1,875.8±311.2) 높게 나타났으나 유의적인 차이는 없었다. HBP mRNA 발현 수준에 있어서도 산자수 10두 이상 군에서 (2,255.9±360.8) 8두 미만 군보다 (2,155.4±378.0) 약간 높은 결과를 보였으나, 유의적인 차이는 인정되지 않았다. PHGPx mRNA 발현 수준과 산자수 사이의 관계는 (r=0.206) 정의 상관관계를 보였으나, 유의한 상관관계는 나타나지 않았다. 본 실험의 결과, PHGPx와 HBP의 발현수준이 수태율, 산자수와 유의한 상관관계를 보이지 않았기 때문에 PHGPx와 HBP가 정자의 수정능력을 예측하기에는 미흡한 면이 있다.

가축의 번식과 수요를 조절할 수 있는 생물학적 자극 통제 수단으로 새로운 돼지 페르몬성 냄새 물질를 탐색하고자, 기질 분자로서 2-cyclohexyloxytetrahydrofurane (A), 2-phenoxytetrahydrofurane (B) 유도체들의 설명인자인 물리화학 파라미터와 돼지 페로몬의 수용체 (pOBP)에 대한 결합 친화력 상수(p[Od.]50) 간의 2D-QSAR 모델을 유도하고 검토하였다. 2D-QSAR 모델은 결합 친화력 상수를 약 96.4% 설명하는 매우 양호한 모델(r2=0.964)로서 분자내 치환기의 소수성(SL) 상수에 관한 적정값이 (SL)opt.=1.418일 때 가장 높은 결합 친화력을 나타냄을 알았다. 그러므로 분자내 치환기의 소수성 인자가 결합 친화력 상수에 가장 큰 영향을 미치는 중요한 요소이었다.

돼지 페르몬성 분자를 탐색하기 위하여 일련의 green odorant로서 기질 분자인 2-(cyclohexyloxy)tetrahydrofurane 유도체들의 정량적인 구조와 수용체인 porcine odorant binding protein (pOBP) 사이의 결합 친화력 상수(p(Od)50)에 대한 비교 분자 유사성 지수 분석(CoMSIA)을 실행하였다. 가장 양호한 CoMSIA 모델(I-AI)은 기질 분자내 입체 중심의 절대 배열이 I: C1'(R),C2(S)인 분자를 atom based fit 정렬하였을 경우의 입체장 조건에서 유도되었으며 PLS 분석 결과, 예측성이 r2cv.(q2)=0.856 그리고 적합성이 r2ncv.=0.964이었다. 모델의 CoMSIA 등고도 상, pOBP와 냄새 분자 사이의 상호작용으로부터 가장 높은 결합 친화력을 나타내는 분자의 구조적 특징들을 이해할 수 있었다.

생물학적 자극통제 수단으로 활용하기 위한 돼지 웅성 페르몬성 분자를 탐색하고자 일련의 냄새 분자로서 2-(cyclo-hexyloxy) tetrahydrofurane 유도체들의 정량적인 구조와 수용체인 porcine odorant binding protein (pOBP)간의 결합 친화력 상수(p(Od)50)에 대한 비교 분자장 분석(CoMFA)을 실행하였다. 가장 양호한 CoMFA 모델 AIV (r2 cv.(q2)=0.886 및 r2 ncv.=0.984)은 기질 분자 내 입체 중심(chiral center)의 절대 배열이 C1(R),C2(S)인 분자를 atom based fit 방법으로 배열하였을 경우의 standard field와 indicator field가 조합된 CoMFA장의 조건에서 유도되었다. 이 CoMFA 모델은 입체장 40.8% 정전기장 14.6%및 소수성장 44.6%가 결합 친화력 상수에 영향을 미치는 요소임을 나타내었다. 등고도의 분석 결과로부터 효과적인 결합 친화력 냄새 분자를 수식하는 데 몇 가지 가치 있는 정보를 얻을 수 있었다.

Osteoclasts are multinucleated cells with bone resorbing activity and differentiated from hematopoietic cell lineages of monocyte/macrophages in the presence of receptor activator of NF-xB ligand (RANKL) and M-CSF. However, the exact molecular mechanisms through which RANKL stimulates osteoclastogenesis remain to be elucidated. Here we report that activation of cAMP-response elementbinding protein (CREB) is not involved in osteoclastogenesis from osteoclast precursors in response to RANKL. RANKL induced CREB activation in osteoclast precursors. Using pharmacological inhibitors, we found that RANKL-induced CREB activation is dependent on p38 MAPK pathways. We also found that ectopic expressions of wild type and dominant negative forms of CREB in osteoclast precursors did not affect RANKL-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorbing activity. Furthermore, dominant negative forms of CREB did not alter the expression levels of osteoclast-specific marker genes. Taken together, these data suggest that CREB is dispensable for differentiation and resorbing activity of osteoclasts.