Opsin3 (OPN3) is a photoreceptor membrane protein with a typical seven-alpha helical transmembrane structure that belongs to the G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily and is widely expressed in brain. In recent years, it has been reported that OPN3 is also highly expressed in adipose tissue, and the protein is associated with the production of skin melanin. We found that the N82 site is the glycosylation site of OPN3. SNAP-tag^TM has diverse functions and can be applied to a variety of different studies. By constructing a SNAP-tagged OPN3 recombinant protein, the distribution position of SNAP-OPN3 in cells can be clearly observed by fluorescence confocal microscopy using SNAP-Surface^® 549 and SNAP-Cell^® OregonGreen^®, which provides a new method for studying the function of OPN3. It also shows that SNAP-tag does not affect the function of OPN3. Using the SNAP tag we found that OPN3 cannot be taken up to the cell membrane after glycosylation site mutation.
Cell Membrane ; Glycosylation ; Melanins ; Membrane Proteins ; Skin

Humans ; Liver Diseases ; Membrane Proteins

Membrane Proteins/metabolism* ; Protein Binding

Microfluidics technology may be an effective method to solve some problems in cryopreservation. This review presents the research progress of microfluidics technology in the field of cell membrane transport properties, cryoprotectant addition and washout and the vitrification for cryopreservation of biological materials. Existing problems of microfluidics technology in the application of cryopreservation are summarized and future research directions are indicated as well.
Cell Membrane ; Cryopreservation ; Cryoprotective Agents ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; Microfluidics

Most of subepithelial tumor (SET) in stomach is incidentally found during esophagogastroduodenoscpic examination. Even small gastric SETs less than 2.0 cm might have malignant potential, thus ambiguous cases should be removed and pathologically confirmed for optimal diagnosis and treatment. As endoscopic techniques are developed, endoscopic removal of gastric SETs has been reported increasingly. The endoscopic procedures for resection of gastric SETs include classic methods such as snare polypectomy or incisional enucleation, and more progressive and standard technique such as endoscopic submucosal dissection. For gastric SETs originated from deeper layer including muscularis mucosa, novel procedures such as endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection and endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) are now being introduced, and cooperation with laparoscopic approach such as laparoscopy- assisted EFTR might be an alternative option to overcome shortcomings of endoscopic procedures only and ensure more safe and complete resection.
Diagnosis ; Endoscopy ; Mucous Membrane ; SNARE Proteins ; Stomach

Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal ; metabolism ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; biosynthesis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Most polyps encountered during a colonoscopic polypectomy are small. Thus, accurate evaluation of small polyp histology is important in the decision-making process. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the histological quality of polyps obtained by the use of snare polypectomy with two different electric currents. METHODS: Consecutive polyps less than 1 cm were identified and removed by use of either the blend mode (Blended mode, Circon, BC-200) or automatic cutting and coagulation mode (Endocut Q mode, effect 3, 40 watts, ERBE, VAIO-300). An experienced gastrointestinal pathologist evaluated the specimens for cautery damage, margin, architecture, presence of muscularis mucosa and general histological quality. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients (77.2% men; mean age, 60.2+/-9.2 years) underwent 109 polypectomies (53 using the blended mode and 56 using the Endocut Q mode; mean polyp diameter, 0.87+/-0.17 mm). Age, gender, location, diameter and the histology of the polyp was not different with the use of both methods. The cautery amount (> or =2) with use of the blended mode was not significantly different than with the use of the Endocut mode (50.9% vs. 39.2%, p=0.22). The cautery degree, margin, architecture, presence of muscular mucosa and overall histological quality was not different with the use of both methods. CONCLUSIONS: The histological quality of polyps less than 1 cm obtained by use of either the blended mode or Endocut Q mode was not different.
Cautery ; Humans ; Mucous Membrane ; Polyps ; SNARE Proteins

The snare technique has been used for the removal of ureteral stents. If, however, a stent has migrated to theupper or lower pole calyx, snaring-due to close contact between the stent and the calyceal mucosa or narrow spaceof the renal calyx-is impossible. By using the second suare technique, which involves snaring the previouslyinserted guidewire, the large renal pelvic space can be used for the removal of a migrated ureteral stent. Wedeseribe two cases and discuss the safety and efficacy of this technique.
Mucous Membrane ; SNARE Proteins* ; Stents* ; Ureter*

A rapid dissemination of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. represents a significant clinical threat. Production of OXA carbapenemases and metallo-beta- lactamases (MBLs) is the most important mechanism in acquiring carbapenem resistance in Acinetobacter spp. Carbapenem resistance has also ascribed to non- enzymatic mechanisms, including changes in outer membrane proteins, alterations in the affinity or expression of penicillin-binding proteins, and overexpression of efflux pumps. The most important mechanism in A. baumannii isolates from Korea is the production of OXA-23, while that in other species of Acinetobacter is the production of metallo-beta-lactamases.
Acinetobacter ; Korea ; Membrane Proteins ; Oxytocin ; Penicillin-Binding Proteins

Cell membrane proteins play crucial roles in the cell's molecular interaction with its environment and within itself. They consist of membrane-bound proteins and many types of transmembrane (TM) proteins such as receptors, transporters, channel proteins, and enzymes. Membrane proteomes of cellular organisms reveal some characteristics in their global topological distribution according to their evolutionary positions, and show their own information transfer complexity. Predicted transmembrane segments (TMSs) in membrane proteomes with HMMTOP showed near power-law distribution and frequency characteristics in 6-TMS and 7-TMS proteins in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, respectively. This reaffirms the important roles of membrane receptors in cellular communication and biological evolutionary history.
Eukaryota ; Membrane Proteins ; Membranes ; Proteins ; Proteome ; Signal Transduction