• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.91-99
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• 2019

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades in fungi are ubiquitously conserved signaling pathways that regulate stress responses, vegetative growth, pathogenicity, and many other developmental processes. Previously, we reported that the AbSte7 gene, which encodes a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK) in Alternaria brassicicola, plays a central role in pathogenicity against host cabbage plants. In this research, we further characterized the role of AbSte7 in the pathogenicity of this fungus using ${\Delta}AbSte7$ mutants. Disruption of the AbSte7 gene of A. brassicicola reduced accumulation of metabolites toxic to the host plant in liquid culture media. The ${\Delta}AbSte7$ mutants could not efficiently detoxify cruciferous phytoalexin brassinin, possibly due to reduced expression of the brassinin hydrolase gene involved in detoxifying brassinin. Disruption of the AbSte7 gene also severely impaired fungal detoxification of reactive oxygen species. AbSte7 gene disruption reduced the enzymatic activity of cell walldegrading enzymes, including cellulase, ${\beta}$-glucosidase, pectin methylesterase, polymethyl-galacturonase, and polygalacturonic acid transeliminase, during host plant infection. Altogether, the data strongly suggest the MAPKK gene AbSte7 plays a pivotal role in A. brassicicola during host infection by regulating multiple steps, and thus increasing pathogenicity and inhibiting host defenses.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.77-83
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• 2021

The number of people suffering from diabetes have been increased around the world. In this study, we investigated the antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of Anthriscus sylvestris(L.) Hoffm and its main compounds. It was divided into root(R) and aerial part(AP) for comparative analysis. Total polyphenol, total flavonoid content was higher in AP extract, but nodakenin content was higher in R(1169.13 ± 6.00 mg/g) extract. Antioxidant activity was also higher in AP extract. To compare antidiabetic efficacy, we analyzed the effects of R and AP extracts on ɑ-glucosidase inhibition(AGI), dipeptidyl peptidase-4(DPP-4) and protein tyrosine phosphatase(PTP)1B activity. R and AP extracts showed similar effects on AGI and DPP-4 activity in a concentration dependent manner, and there was no effect on PTP1B activation. Glucose uptake(139.51 ± 3.19%) in 3T3-L1 cells was more effective in the AP extract-treated group than the positive control, rosiglitazone, group. Both R and AP extracts were effective in protecting against pancreatic beta cell damage caused by hyperglycemia. These results suggest that Anthriscus sylvestris(L.) Hoffm. could be used as a candidate for diabetes treatment.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.926-933
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• 2023

Aspergillus oryzae KCCM 11372 was used to enhance the production of β-glucan using humidity control strategies. Under conditions of 60% humidity, solid-state fermentation (SSF) increased the yields of enzymes (amylase and protease), fungal biomass (ergosterol), and β-glucan. The maximum concentrations obtained were 14800.58 U/g at 72 h, 1068.14 U/g at 120 h, 1.42 mg/g at 72 h, and 12.0% (w/w) at 72 h, respectively. Moreover, the β-glucan containing fermented brown rice (β-glucan-FBR) extracts at concentrations of 25-300 ㎍/ml was considered noncytotoxic to 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. We then studied the inhibitory effects of the extracts on fat droplet formation in 3T3-L1 cells. As a result, 300 ㎍/ml of β-glucan-FBR extracts showed a high inhibition of 38.88% in lipid accumulation. Further, these extracts inhibited adipogenesis in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes by decreasing the expression of C/EBPα, PPARγ, aP2, and GLUT4 genes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.616-621
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• 2013

Aconitum pesudo-laeve var erectum has been known to possess anti-inflammatory activity and modulate the intestinal immune system. In addition, it has traditionally been used for the treatment of water retention in the body. In this study, the anti-aging and anti-diabetes effects of water and ethanol extracts from Aconitum pesudo-laeve var. erectum were investigated. The activities of each extract were measured by antioxidant tests such as DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity, antioxidant protection factor (PF), TBARs content, and ${\alpha}$-amylase and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition activity assay. DPPH radical scavenging activity was found in over 50% of water and ethanol extracts at $100{\mu}g/ml$, $50{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The ABTS radical scavenging activity of ethanol extract was $99.8{\pm}0.1$% at $1,000{\mu}g/ml$ in water, which was highest among the ethanol extract concentrations. PFs measured with ${\beta}$-carotene-linoleate model systems were in the order of ethanol (1.49 PF at $1,000{\mu}g/ml$) > ethanol (1.40 PF at $500{\mu}g/ml$) > water (1.33 PF at $1,000{\mu}g/ml$) > water (1.27 PF at $500{\mu}g/ml$). TBARs content in ethanol extracts ($1,000{\mu}g/ml$) was $0.16{\pm}0.03{\mu}M$, which was lower than that of water extracts and other ethanol extract concentrations. The extracts also showed over 90% of ${\alpha}$-amylase inhibition and over 60% of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition ratio in water ($1,000{\mu}g/ml$) and ethanol extracts (100~$1,000{\mu}g/ml$). These results suggest that Aconitum pesudo-laeve var. erectum extracts could be used as a cosmetic source and preventive agent for aging and diabetes.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.551-558
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• 1992

The extracellular endoinulase from Streptomyces sp. 556 was purified and characterized, The culture broth was fractionated by ammonium sulfate saturation followed by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography and 5ephadex G-200 gel filtration, The ultimately purified fraction revealed a single band in 7.5% polyacrylamide gel electropherogram. The purified enzyme showed the maximal activity at pH 5.5-6.0 and $50^{\circ}C$, but lost 93% of inulase activity after 30 min incubation at $55^{\circ}C$ . The essen.tial amino acid residue for catalytic activity appeared to be tryptophan. This endo inulase was activated by $Mn^{2+}$, whereas inactivated by $Ag^{+}$, $Hg^{+}$, $Cu^{2+}$, $Zn^{2+}$, $Fe^{3+}$ and $Mo^{6+}$ EDTA and 8-hydroxyquinoline inhibited the enzyme so that the enzyme was considered to be a metalloenzyme. The Km value for inulin was 0.287 mM, and no invertase or $\alpha$-glucosidase activity was found in the enzyme.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.714-724
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• 2017

Soju is a Korean traditional distilled alcoholic beverage produced from mashes various crops and Nuruk which is cultured with wild microorganisms. This study was conducted to investigate rice-Soju brewing characteristics of yeasts isolated from Korean traditional Nuruk. The general components of rice (Hanarumbyeo) raw materials were 14.7 g of water, 6.8 g of crude protein, 0.9 g of crude lipid, 0.4 g of crude ash, and 76.5 g of carbohydrate in 100 g. Saccharifying and proteolytic activities in Hanarumbyeo ipguk (solid-state culture of Aspergillus luchuensis) were also determined. The alcohol content of the fermented wash from isolates was 15.37-16.58% (v/v), which is 16.7-36.0% higher than that of industrial yeasts (12.33-13.19%). Reducing sugar contents were 2.04-3.92 and 7.92-8.78 g/100 mL in the isolates and industrial yeasts, respectively. The isolated yeasts showed 25.2-52.7% higher yield of distillates (41% alcohol) compared to industrial yeasts. Forty-one components were detected in the rice distillated Soju (25% alcohol) and principal component analysis revealed differences between the isolated and industrial yeasts with respect to the contents of i-BuOH, isobutanal diethyl acetal, ethyl caprate, and tetradecanoic acid.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.631-641
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• 2021

Background: Main bioactive constituents and pharmacological functions of ripened red ginseng berry (Panax ginseng Meyer) have been frequently reported. Yet, the research gap targeting the beneficial activities of transformed green ginseng berries has not reported elsewhere. Methods: Ginsenosides of new green berry cultivar K-1 (GK-1) were identified by HPLC-QTOF/MS. Ginsenosides bioconversion in GK-1 by bgp1 enzyme was confirmed with HPLC and TLC. Then, mechanisms of GK-1 and β-glucosidase (bgp1) biotransformed GK-1 (BGK-1) were determined by Quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction and Western blot. Results: GK-1 possesses highest ginsenosides especially ginsenoside-Re amongst seven ginseng cultivars including (Chunpoong, Huangsuk, Kumpoong, K-1, Honkaejong, Gopoong, and Yunpoong). Ginseng root's biomass is not affected with the harvest of GK-1 at 3 weeks after flowering period. Then, Re is bioconverted into a promising pharmaceutical effect of Rg2 via bgp1. According to the results of cell assays, BGK-1 shows decrease of tyrosinase and melanin content in α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone challenged-murine melanoma B16 cells. BGK-1 which is comparatively more effective than GK-1 extract shows significant suppression of the nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation and inflammatory target genes, in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusion: These results reported effective whitening and anti-inflammatory of BGK-1 as compared to GK-1.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.215-223
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• 1992

A metabolic study has been conducted to investigate the conversion of pentachlorophenol(PCP) to water soluble metabolites in soybean and rice cell suspension cultures as well as in intact rice plants. PCP in plant cells was found to be exclusively transformed into water soluble metabolites. The relative rate of the metabolic conversion of PCP in decreasing order was soybean cultures > rice cultures > rice plants. Also observed was that, the older the cultures grown, the lower the conversion rate was. Primary water soluble metabolites isolated from both the 5 day old soybean and 8 day old rice cells were specifically hydrolyzed only by ${\beta}$-glucosidic linkage specific glucosidase, suggesting that the metabolites are ${\beta}$-glucose conjugates. The amount of glucose conjugates was increased with increasing time of incubation of PCP up to 24 hr in both soybean and rice cultures; Thereafter, it was decreased progressively. Most of the glucose conjugates were further metabolized to more polar conjugates in cells, but a portion of them was excreted into the culture medium.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.9
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• pp.271-280
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• 2017

Background: Soil microorganisms play key roles in nutrient cycling and are distributed throughout the soil profile. Currently, there is little information about the characteristics of the microbial communities along the soil depth because most studies focus on microorganisms inhabiting the soil surface. To better understand the functions and composition of microbial communities and the biogeochemical factors that shape them at different soil depths, we analyzed microbial activities and bacterial and fungal community composition in soils up to a 120 cm depth at a fallow field located in central Korea. To examine the vertical difference of microbial activities and community composition, ${\beta}$-1,4-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase, ${\beta}$-1,4-xylosidase, ${\beta}$-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase, and acid phosphatase activities were analyzed and barcoded pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA genes (bacteria) and internal transcribed spacer region (fungi) was conducted. Results: The activity of all the soil enzymes analyzed, along with soil C concentration, declined with soil depth. For example, acid phosphatase activity was $125.9({\pm}5.7({\pm}1SE))$, $30.9({\pm}0.9)$, $15.7({\pm}0.6)$, $6.7({\pm}0.9)$, and $3.3({\pm}0.3)nmol\;g^{-1}\;h^{-1}$ at 0-15, 15-30, 30-60, 60-90, and 90-120 cm soil depths, respectively. Among the bacterial groups, the abundance of Proteobacteria (38.5, 23.2, 23.3, 26.1, and 17.5% at 0-15, 15-30, 30-60, 60-90, and 90-120 cm soil depths, respectively) and Firmicutes (12.8, 11.3, 8.6, 4.3, and 0.4% at 0-15, 15-30, 30-60, 60-90, and 90-120 cm soil depths, respectively) decreased with soil depth. On the other hand, the abundance of Ascomycota (51.2, 48.6, 65.7, 46.1, and 45.7% at 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 cm depths, respectively), a dominant fungal group at this site, showed no clear trend along the soil profile. Conclusions: Our results show that soil C availability can determine soil enzyme activity at different soil depths and that bacterial communities have a clear trend along the soil depth at this study site. These metagenomics studies, along with other studies on microbial functions, are expected to enhance our understanding on the complexity of soil microbial communities and their relationship with biogeochemical factors.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.197-205
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• 2015

This study was conducted to investigate the bioconversion of ginsenosides as well as anti-inflammatory activities of fresh ginseng Kkakdugi during fermentation. Fresh ginseng Kkakdugi reached proper ripeness, pH 4.30, and acidity 1.69% at $15^{\circ}C$ after 10 days. Lactic acid bacteria grew until reaching $1.10{\times}10^9CFU/mL$ after 20 days of fermentation, and ${\beta}$-glucosidase activity increased from 1.154 to 1.885 units/g. The bioconversion of ginsenosides was confirmed based on increased content of Rg3, an aglycone, from 0.13 to 0.17 mg/g during fermentation through HPLC. Fresh ginseng Kkakdugi did not display cytotoxicity up to the concentrations of $80{\mu}g/mL$, regardless of ripening period. Nitrite production and expression of inflammation-related proteins, iNOS and COX-2, decreased in a dose-dependent manner regardless of ripening period. From these results, fresh ginseng Kkakdugi showed the bioconversion of ginsenosides to aglycone during the lactic acid fermentation as well as an anti-inflammatory effect through the reduction of NO production and iNOS and COX-2 expression.