Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Induction of Drug-Induced, Autoimmune Hepatitis in BALB/c Mice for the Study of Its Pathogenic Mechanisms
Published on: May 29, 2020
Inhibition of plasma hyaluronan-binding protein autoactivation by laccaic acid
Chikako Sekido1, Naoko Nishimura, Masayuki Takai
1Department of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Japan.
Abstract:
Plasma hyaluronan-binding protein (PHBP) is a serine protease implicated in proteolysis under inflammatory conditions. We identified laccaic acid, a widely used food coloring from scale insects, as a potent inhibitor of the protease in terms of both autoactivation of the PHBP proenzyme (IC(50) = 0.35-0.55 µg/ml) and the catalytic activity of the active enzyme (IC(50) = 1.1 µg/ml).
Related Concept Videos
Local Anesthetics: Mechanism of Action
Local anesthetics are amphiphilic molecules consisting of a hydrophobic aromatic part linked to a hydrophilic group by an ester or amide linkage. They are weak bases and are usually available as salts, which increases their solubility and stability. Once administered, LAs exist in the body either...
Glycosaminoglycans
GAGS are found in the extracellular matrix of vertebrates, invertebrates, and bacteria. Due to their polar nature they attract water, and serve as excellent lubricants or shock absorbers in an animal body.
Hyaluronic...
