• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.284-292
• /
• 2018

A novel ${\beta}$-agarase, AgaJ5, was identified from an agar-degrading marine bacterium, Gayadomonas joobiniege G7. It belongs to the glycoside hydrolase family 86 and is composed of 805 amino acids with a 30-amino-acid signal peptide. Zymogram analysis showed that purified AgaJ5 has agarase activity. The optimum temperature and pH for AgaJ5 activity were determined to be $30^{\circ}C$ and 4.5, respectively. AgaJ5 was an acidic ${\beta}$-agarase that had strong activity at a narrow pH range of 4.5-5.5, and was a cold-adapted enzyme, retaining 40% of enzymatic activity at $10^{\circ}C$. AgaJ5 required monovalent ions such as $Na^+$ and $K^+$ for its maximum activity, but its activity was severely inhibited by several metal ions. The $K_m$ and $V_{max}$ of AgaJ5 for agarose were 8.9 mg/ml and 188.6 U/mg, respectively. Notably, thin-layer chromatography, mass spectrometry, and agarose-liquefication analyses revealed that AgaJ5 was an endo-type ${\beta}$-agarase producing neoagarohexaose as the final main product of agarose hydrolysis. Therefore, these results suggest that AgaJ5 from G. joobiniege G7 is a novel endo-type neoagarohexaose-producing ${\beta}$-agarase having specific biochemical features that may be useful for industrial applications.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.50 no.2
• /
• pp.136-143
• /
• 2006

Roots of Scutellaria baicalensis have been used for fever remedy; diuresis, antiphlogistic. For the investigation of the active component from aerial parts of Scutellaria baicalensis, MeOH extracts from aerial parts of Scutellaria baicalensis were suspended with $H_2O$, and partitioned by $CHCl_3$. In order to investigate the efficacy of antioxidative activity the activity guided fraction and isolation of physiologically active substance were peformed. Its $H_2O,\;30\%,\;60\%$ MeOH and MeOH fractions were examined on antioxidative activity using DPPH method and TBARS assay; It was revealed that $30\%\;and\;60\%$ MeOH fractions have significant anti-oxidative activity. its fractions testing type I allergy, compound 48/80 induced systemic anaphylaxis was applied. As a result, compared with reference (cromolygate), these fraction significantly inhibited systemic anaphylaxis by $71\%\;and\;57\%$, respectively. From $30\%,\;60\%$ MeOH fraction, five compounds were isolated and elucidated apigenin 6-C-${\alpha}$-L-arabinopyranosyl-8-C-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside (isoschaftside, I), scutellarein 7-O-${\beta}$-D-glucuronopyranoside (scutellarin, II), apigenin 7-O- ${\beta}$-D-glucuronopyranoside (III), isoscutellarein 8-O-${\beta}$-D-glucuronopyranoside (IV), kaempferol 3-O-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside (V) through their physicochemical data and spectroscopic methods. We measured radical scavenging activity with DPPH method and anti-lipid peroxidative efficacy on human LDL with TBARS assay. [$I] showed antioxidant activities in order. Type I allergy compound 48/80 induced systemic anaphylaxis was applied. $[V inhibited systemic anaphylaxis in order.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.629-636
• /
• 2002

Protein kinase CKII (CKII) is required for progression through the cell division cycle. We recently reported that the $\beta$ subunit of protein kinase CKII ($CKII{\beta}$) associates with CKBBP1 that contains the Ring-H2 finger motif in the yeast two-hybrid system. We demonstrate here that the Ring-H2 finger-disrupted mutant of CKBBP1 does not interact with purified $CKII{\beta}$ in vitro, which shows that the Ring-H2 finger motif is critical for direct interaction with $CKII{\beta}$. The CKII holoenzyme is efficiently co-precipitated with the wild-type CKBBP1, but not with the Ring-H2 finger-disrupted CKBBP1, from whole cell extracts when epitope-tagged CKBBP1 is transiently expressed in HeLa cells. Disruption of the Ring-H2 finger motif does not affect the cellular localization of CKBBP1 in HeLa cells. The increased expression of either the wild-type CKBBP1 or Ring-H2 finger-disrupted CKBBP1 does not modulate the protein or the activity levels of CKII in HeLa cells. However, the stable expression of Ring-H2 finger-disrupted CKBBP1 in HeLa cells suppresses cell proliferation and causes the accumulation of the G1/G0 peak of the cell cycle. The Ring-H2 finger motif is required for maximal CKBBP1 phosphorylation by CKII, suggesting that the stable binding of CKBBP1 to CKII is necessary for its efficient phosphorylation. Taken together, these results suggest that the complex formation of $CKII{\beta}$ with CKBBP1 and/or CKII-mediated CKBBP1 phosphorylation is important for the G1/S phase transition of the cell cycle.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.247-255
• /
• 2006

Yeast cell wall matrix particles are composed entirely of mannoprotein and ${\beta}-glucan$. The mannoproteins of yeast cell wall can systemically enhance the immune system. We previously purified and analyzed alkali-soluble ${\beta}-glucans$ [${\beta}$-(1,3)- and ${\beta}$-(1,6)-glucans] [10]. In the present study, a wild-type strain was first mutagenized with ultraviolet light, and the cell wall mutants were then selected by treatment with 1.0 mg/ml laminarinase (endo-${\beta}$-(1,3)-D-glucanase). Mannoproteins of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were released by laminarinase, purified by concanavalin-A affinity and ion-exchange chromatography. The results indicated that the mutants yielded 3-fold more mannoprotein than the wild-type. The mannoprotein mass of mutant K48L3 was 2.25 mg/100 mg of yeast cell dry mass. Carbohydrate analysis revealed that they contained mannose, glucose, and N-acetylglucosamine. Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall components, mannoproteins, are known to interact with macrophages through receptors, thereby inducing release of tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$) and nitric oxide. Mannoprotein tractions in the present study had a higher macrophage activity of secretion of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and nitric oxide and direct phagocytosis than positive control ($1{\mu}g$ of lipopolysaccharide). In particular, F1 and F3 fractions in mannoproteins of K48L3 enhanced and upregulated the activity of nitric oxide secretion and macrophage phagocytosis by approximately two- and four-fold, respectively.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.219-223
• /
• 1986

In order to preparr the hybridoma cells which produce a monoclonal antibody to human fibroblast interferon(Hu IFN-$\beta$), spleen cells from BALB/cmice immunized with the purified Hu IFN-$\beta$ were fused with NS-O cells, a myeloma cell line. Forty hybrids with high titer among 1300 hybrids Isolated by an ELISA screening method were subcloned using the soft agarose cloning and limiting dilution methods, and 11 hybrids were selected. As a result of iso-typing the hybrids using the mouse monoclonal typing kit, two hybridomas were found to produce 1gG 2a type of monoclonal an-tibodies. The ascites fluid from nude mice inoculated intraperitoneally with the above hybridomas was removed and purified using a protein A-Sepharose CL-4B. Monoclonal antibody was proven to have only the heavy and light chains on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.363-368
• /
• 2013

The main attributes of yogurt that affect consumer satisfaction are taste, consistency, and a firm texture. This study evaluates the influence of xanthan gum, barley beta-glucan, and guar gum in concentrations of 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3% on probiotic yogurt. The set-type yogurt samples were prepared by using raw cow's milk. The statistical analysis showed that none of these gum additions had any marked effect on pH, titratable acidity, total solids content, and probiotic bacteria counts of yogurt samples. Evaluations for syneresis and water-holding capacity (WHC) in the yogurt samples were affected by the type and concentration of the stabilizer. Yogurts treated with 0.1% xanthan gum and 0.3% beta-glucan recorded the highest WHC and the least syneresis. The largest amount of gel firmness was recorded in yogurt samples treated with 0.2% xanthan gum and 0.3% beta-glucan. Yogurt samples treated with 0.1% xanthan gum and 0.3% beta-glucan were considered acceptable by trained panelists and gained the highest scores in sensory evaluations. The correlation coefficient between the amount of syneresis, WHC and stiffness of texture was significant compared to scores for sensory evaluation (p<0.01). Results for effects of guar gum on the tested parameters were contrary to the results expected from a gum. According to this study, the use of xanthan gum and beta-glucan are highly recommended for low-fat yogurt production.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.1857-1862
• /
• 2013

Dermal fibroblasts produce the many components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that are needed to maintain connective tissue integrity and repair tissue injuries. This study investigated the effects of Areca catechu extract (ACE) on dermal fibroblast cell activation. Cultured human dermal fibroblasts were treated with ACE, and then ECM production was determined by ELISA, Western blot and RT-PCR. ACE significantly accelerated the production of type 1 collagen, fibronectin, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}1$ by ELISA and type 1 collagen by Western blot assay. ACE also increased the gene expression of COL1A1, TGF-${\beta}1$, keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and insulin growth factor (IGF)-1. These results suggest that ACE has the potential to stimulate ECM production and that it might be suitable for maintaining skin texture.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.367-373
• /
• 2004

The prevalence of type-2 diabetes increases remarkably in post-menopausal women, possibly because insulin secretion fails to compensate for the insulin resistance induced in various tissues by estrogen insufficiency. However, this has not been fully defined. Therefore, the present study investigated whether an ovariectomy (OVX) would increase insulin resistance and decrease the $\beta$-cell function and mass in female rats with and without a $90\%$ pancreatectomy (Px). Female rats aged 15 weeks were divided into four groups: 1) OVX + Px, 2) SOVX (sham operation of OVX) + Px, 3) OVX + SPx (sham operation of Px), and 4) SOVX + SPx, and given a $30\%$ fat diet for 8 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, the islet function and insulin resistance were determined using a hyperglycemic clamp and a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp, respectively. The OVX only increased the body weight in the SPx rats, which was partially related to the food intake. Yet, the OVX did increase the peripheral insulin resistance, while the Px increased this resistance further. The OVX and Px both exacerbated the islet function, as measured by the insulin secretion pattern, while delaying and decreasing the first-phase insulin secretion. The OVX only decreased the proliferation of $\beta$-cells in the Px rats, while increasing apoptosis in both the Px and SPx rats. As a result, the OVX decreased the $\beta$-cell mass in the Px rats, but increased the mass in the SPx rats. In conclusion, an OVX was found to accelerate the development and progression of diabetes by increasing the insulin resistance and decreasing the $\beta$-cell mass. Therefore, menopause can be a risk factor for type-2 diabetes, mainly due to a deceased proliferation of $\beta$-cells.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.38 no.8
• /
• pp.723-728
• /
• 2015

Smurf2, a member of the HECT domain E3 ligase family, is well known for its role as a negative regulator of TGF-${\beta}$ signaling by targeting Smads and TGF-${\beta}$ receptor. However, the regulatory mechanism of Smurf2 has not been elucidated. Arginine methylation is a type of post-translational modification that produces monomethylated or dimethylated arginine residues. In this report, we demonstrated methylation of Smurf2 by PRMT1. In vitro methylation assay showed that Smurf2, not Smurf1, was methylated by PRMT1. Among the type I PRMT family, only PRMT1 showed activity for Smurf2. Transiently expressed Smurf2 was methylated by PRMT1, indicating Smurf2 is a novel substrate of PRMT1. Using deletion constructs, methylation sites were shown to be located within amino acid region 224-298 of Smurf2. In vitro methylation assay following point mutation of putative methylation sites confirmed the presence of Arg232, Arg234, Arg237, and Arg239. Knockdown of PRMT1 resulted in increased Smurf2 expression as well as inhibition of TGF-${\beta}$-mediated reporter activity. Although it is unclear whether or not increased Smurf2 expression can be directly attributed to lack of methylation of arginine residues, our results suggest that methylation by PRMT1 may regulate Smurf2 stability and control TGF-${\beta}$ signaling.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.50 no.3
• /
• pp.217-224
• /
• 2017

Purpose: Although it is well known thatmortality and morbidity due to cardiovascular diseases are higher in salt-sensitive subjects than in salt-resistant subjects, their underlying mechanisms related to obesity remain unclear. Here, we focused on salt-sensitive gene variants unrelated to monogenic obesity that interacted with sodium intake in humans. Methods: This review was written based on the modified $3^rd$ step of Khans' systematic review. Instead of the literature, subject genes were based on candidate genes screened from our preliminary Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS). Finally, literature related to five genes strongly associated with salt sensitivity were analyzed to elucidate the mechanism of obesity. Results: Salt sensitivity is a measure of how blood pressure responds to salt intake, and people are either salt-sensitive or salt-resistant. Otherwise, dietary sodium restriction may not be beneficial for everyone since salt sensitivity may be associated with inherited susceptibility. According to our previous GWAS studies, 10 candidate genes and 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with salt sensitivity were suggested, including angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), ${\alpha}$-adducin1 (ADD1), angiotensinogen (AGT), cytochrome P450 family 11-subfamily ${\beta}$-2 ($CYP11{\beta}$-2), epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), G-protein b3 subunit (GNB3), G protein-coupled receptor kinases type 4 (GRK4 A142V, GRK4 A486V), $11{\beta}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type-2 (HSD $11{\beta}$-2), neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally down regulated 4 like (NEDD4L),and solute carrier family 12(sodium/chloride transporters)-member 3 (SLC 12A3). We found that polymorphisms of salt-sensitive genes such as ACE, $CYP11{\beta}$-2, GRK4, SLC12A3, and GNB3 may be positively associated with human obesity. Conclusion: Despite gender, ethnic, and age differences in genetics studies, hypertensive obese children and adults who are carriers of specific salt-sensitive genes are recommended to reduce their sodium intake. We believe that our findings can contribute to the prevention of early-onset of chronic diseases in obese children by facilitating personalized diet-management of obesity from childhood to adulthood.