• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.6-11
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• 2001

An ${\omega}-3$ fatty acid desaturase gene which is involved in de novo synthesis of -Iinolenate was isolated from cDNA library of Perilla frutescens. A cDNA library was constructed with mRNA extracted from perilla seeds of 12 DAF. The cDNA clone consisting of 1317-bp open reading frame encoding 438 amino acids with a relative MW of 50kDa, was isolated and showed 65-83% similarities to other known genes. This cDNA is deduced to encode a plastidal ${\omega}-3$ fatty acid desaturase based on the fact that it has higher homology to plastidal ones than to microsomal ones and its N-terminal sequence shares several characteristics of transit peptides of chloroplast proteins. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA indicated that more than one gene or alleles for ${\omega}-3$ fatty acid desaturase are present in the genome of perilla. Northern blot analysis showed that the ${\omega}-3$ fatty acid desaturase gene is mainly revealed in early developing seeds and has different expression patterns depending on tissue types compared to the microsomal ones.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.126-133
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• 2011

The fruit of Actinidia arguta (AA) has been used mainly for the treatment of skin diseases, diuresis, diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis in Korean traditional medicine. It is known that AA (hardy kiwi) fruit extract has an effect on 2-chloro-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice. Mode of action for it is associated with the modulation of biphasic Th1/Th2 cytokines. Furthermore, DA9102 containing AA is a herbal medicine currently under phase II clinical trial for atopic dermatitis in Korea. However, no active principles of AA on the decrease of Th2 cytokines including IL-4 and IL-10 have been identified. In this study, bioactivity-guided fractionation of an alcohol extract from the dried fruits of AA using ELISA assay for IL-4 production led to the isolation of $\alpha$-linolenic acid (I), linoleic acid (II), ethyl linolenate (III), ethyl linoleate (IV) and ethyl stearate (V) as the major active components. These compounds showed the down-regulatory effects of IL-4 production in A23187-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells without cytotoxicity.