• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.433-445
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• 2012

During the course of evolution, animals encountered the harmful effects of fungi, which are strong pathogens. Therefore, they have developed powerful mechanisms to protect themselves against these fungal invaders. ${\beta}$-Glucans are glucose polymers of a linear ${\beta}$(1,3)-glucan backbone with ${\beta}$(1,6)-linked side chains. The immunostimulatory and antitumor activities of ${\beta}$-glucans have been reported; however, their mechanisms have only begun to be elucidated. Fungal and particulate ${\beta}$-glucans, despite their large size, can be taken up by the M cells of Peyer's patches, and interact with macrophages or dendritic cells (DCs) and activate systemic immune responses to overcome the fungal infection. The sampled ${\beta}$-glucans function as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and are recognized by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) on innate immune cells. Dectin-1 receptor systems have been incorporated as the PRRs of ${\beta}$-glucans in the innate immune cells of higher animal systems, which function on the front line against fungal infection, and have been exploited in cancer treatments to enhance systemic immune function. Dectin-1 on macrophages and DCs performs dual functions: internalization of ${\beta}$-glucan-containing particles and transmittance of its signals into the nucleus. This review will depict in detail how the physicochemical nature of ${\beta}$-glucan contributes to its immunostimulating effect in hosts and the potential uses of ${\beta}$-glucan by elucidating the dectin-1 signal transduction pathway. The elucidation of ${\beta}$-glucan and its signaling pathway will undoubtedly open a new research area on its potential therapeutic applications, including as immunostimulants for antifungal and anti-cancer regimens.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.826-831
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• 1999

${\beta}-Glucan$, one of the major cell wall components of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is known to enhance the immune function, especially by activating macrophages. Accordingly, in an effort to develop a safe and efficient immune stimulatory agent, we prepared crude ${\beta}-glucan$ (glucan-p1) and partially purified ${\beta}-glucan$ that was free of mannoproteins (glucan-p2), and evaluated their effect on both the macrophage function and resistance to E. coli-induced peritonitis. To investigate the function of the macrophages, phagocytosis, $TNF-{\alpha}$ secretion, oxygen burst, and the expression of cytokine genes such as $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-12 were analyzed. Glucan-p2 markedly stimulated the macrophages with all these parameters. Glucan-p1, however, did not stimulate phagocytosis, yet it induced $TNF-{\alpha}$ secretion, oxygen burst, and the expression of $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-12, although less efficiently than glucan-p2. Finally, to test the in vivo protective effect of {\beta}-glucan against infection, the survival of mice from E. coli-induced peritonitis was investigated. After 24 h of the peritoneal challenge of E. coli, all of the mice treated with glucan-p2 survived whereas none survived in the control group. Glucan-p1 showed only a marginal effect in protecting the mice. These results suggest that mannoprotein-free gluean-p2, but not gluean-p1, can serve as an effective immune-stimulating agent.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.41 no.spc1
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• pp.10-24
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• 1996

[ ($1{\to}3$) ], ($1{\to}4$)-${\beta}$-D-glucans(${\beta}-glucans$) are a major component of the cell walls of grasses as a component of the cereal endosperm and aleurone cell walls. Although ${\beta}-glucans$ exist in all cereals, their concentration is highest in oats and barley. Genetic and environmental differences are found in total ${\beta}-glucan$ content. Both oats and barley ${\beta}-glucans$ have cholesterol-lowering effects. This suggests possible use as food additives. Structural characterization of ${\beta}-glucan$ is important because structure can influence physical and physiological properties. In this review, ${\beta}-glucans$ of barley and oats are discussed in details including structure, chemical and physical properties, and nutritional implications. The use of barley and oat products as well as ${\beta}-glucan$ as a food additive continues to increase. This can provide an additional market for barley and oats, thus increasing the value of the crops.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.56-60
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• 2017

Fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum cultivated in Korea were reflux extracted at $90^{\circ}C$ using water and ethanol under different pH conditions. ${\beta}-Glucan$ contents, extraction yield, and antioxidant capacities of extracts were investigated. Antioxidant activities of water and ethanol extracts were measured by DPPH radical scavenging test and the FRAP method, along with their total phenolic contents and total flavonoid contents. Extraction time for the experiment was determined to be 6 h, and ${\beta}-glucan$ contents were the highest. Overall, ${\beta}-glucan$ contents of extracts increased with higher pH values, except those of 90% ethanol extracts (P<0.05). The yields and ${\beta}-glucan$ contents of ethanol extracts were lower than those of water extracts, and highest in water extract at pH 10 ($8.53{\pm}0.17%$, $6.20{\pm}0.12g/100g$, respectively). Ethanol extracts of fruiting bodies of G. lucidum showed stronger antioxidant capacities than water extracts (P<0.05). Especially, total phenolic contents of 30% ethanol extract at pH 10 was highest (35.06 GAE mg/g). Total phenolic contents of water and ethanol extracts showed good correlations with DPPH radical scavenging activities (r=0.969).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.380-385
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• 2016

This study analyzed changes in ${\beta}$-glucan content in Agaricus blazei Murill concentrates according to extrusion and extraction conditions. Screw speed and feed rate were fixed to 250 rpm, and 100 g/min, respectively. Moisture contents (20 and 30%) and barrel temperature (130 and $140^{\circ}C$) were adjusted. ${\beta}$-Glucan content of the extruded sample at a moisture content of 20% and barrel temperature of $130^{\circ}C$ was higher compared to other extrusion conditions. ${\beta}$-Glucan content of the extruded sample at a moisture content of 20% and barrel temperature of $130^{\circ}C$ treated with Rohament CL enzyme was higher compared to Viscozyme L, and Plantase TL enzyme treatments under the same extrusion conditions. In conclusion, extrusion and pretreatment with Rohament CL enzyme enhanced yield of ${\beta}$-glucan extract.

• BMB Reports
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.264-269
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• 2013

Pattern recognition receptors are known to participate in the activation of Prophenoloxidase system. In this study, a 1,3-${\beta}$-D-glucan recognition protein was detected for the first time in Antheraea pernyi larvae (Ap-${\beta}GRP$). Ap-${\beta}GRP$ was purified to 99.9% homogeneity from the hemolymph using traditional chromatographic methods. Ap-${\beta}GRP$ specifically bind 1,3-${\beta}$-D-glucan and yeast, but not E. coli or M. luteus. The 1,3-${\beta}$-D-glucan dependent phenoloxidase (PO) activity of the hemolymph inhibited by anti-Ap-${\beta}GRP$ antibody could be recovered by addition of purified Ap-${\beta}GRP$. These results demonstrate that Ap-${\beta}GRP$ acts as a biosensor of 1,3-${\beta}$-Dglucan to trigger the Prophenoloxidase system. A trace mount of 1,3-${\beta}$-D-glucan or Ap-${\beta}GRP$ alone was unable to trigger the proPO system, but they both did. Ap-${\beta}GRP$ was specifically degraded following the activation of proPO with 1,3-${\beta}$-Dglucan. These results indicate the variation in the amount of Ap-${\beta}GRP$ after specific immune challenge in A. pernyi hemolymph is an important regulation mechanism to immune response.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.146-151
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• 2008

In this study, batch or semi-continuous reactions, introducing site-specific carboxylic acids in ${\beta}$-1,3-glucan structures, were performed to increase water solubility and gel forming ability, using TEMPO/hypobromite with or without NaBr as catalysts. Regio-selective carboxylic acid formations were determined with infrared (IR) and $^{13}C$ nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic analyses. The regio-selective reactions with and without NaBr gave oxidation yields of 92.5 and 85.6%, respectively, in the batch type, and yields of 93.9 and 86.4%, respectively, in the semi-continuous type. The reaction times in the batch and semi-continuous reactions without NaBr were delayed by 100 and 150%, respectively, as compared to those with NaBr. A combination of IR and $^{13}C$ NMR analyses were used to confirm the formation of carboxylic acids in ${\beta}$-1,3-glucan. From the batch reactions with and without NaBr, the water solubilities of oxidized products were 50.0 and 55.6%, respectively, and in the semi-continuous reactions they were 52.6 and 53.5%, respectively; while the water solubility of the native ${\beta}$-1,3-glucan was less than 1.0%. Finally, as compared to the native ${\beta}$-1,3-glucan, the gel forming ability of the reaction products was greatly increased irrespective of the presence of NaBr or the reaction type.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1256-1261
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• 2017

${\beta}$-glucan is a constituent of the cell wall of fungi, yeast and plants. It plays an important role in the immune system such as activation of immunocyte, release of pro-inflammatory and anti-cancer effect. The immune system maintains a healthy immune homeostasis. However, when pathogenic substances enter the body, immune homeostasis can break down and disease can be triggered. Therefore, we studied a substance that regulates immune homeostasis. The purpose of the study we demonstrated whether the ${\beta}$-glucan can be applied to the immune-modulation effects in human monocytic THP-1 cells. ${\beta}$-glucan was incubated in THP-1 cells at various concentrations. The $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA expression and protein levels were analyzed by ELISA and Real-time PCR. Additionally, the expression of MAPKs (p38 and JNK), $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p50 were analyzed by western blot. ${\beta}$-glucan enhanced the production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA expression and protein levels in human monocytic THP-1 cells. In addition, activation of MAPKs (p38 and JNK) and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p50 induced by ${\beta}$-glucan were increased. The study suggests that ${\beta}$-glucan contributes to immune-stimulation effect by production $TNF-{\alpha}$ in human monocytic THP-1 cells, and that MAPKs and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p50 are involved in the process. Synthetically, we have suggested ${\beta}$-glucan may be improved to immune system effect in human monocytic THP-1 cells.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.406-409
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• 2004

Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption ionization Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) was used for enzymes identification related to B -1,3-glucan synthesis. Agrobacterium sp. ATCC31750 was cultivated with two stage Continuous Stirrer Tank Reactor (CSTR) and the cells were harvested and their protein profiles were analysed by two dimensional electrophoresis. The specific enzyme spot was treated with trypsin and ana lysed by MALDI-TOF to get peptide molecular weight. The peptide molecular weights were matched with Agrobacterium tumefacience's Data Base from the matrix science site, then could identify the avaliable key enzymes. In this study, we identified key metabolite of synthesis of beta-1,3-glucan, such as glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, phosphoglucomutase, B-1,3-glucan synthase and glucokinase, and we also identified uracil phosphoribocyl transferase and Ribosome recycling factor also.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.243-251
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• 1985

The activity of Daucus carota L. root $\beta$-glucan synthetase II was observed to increase in the presence of polyamines such as putrescine, spermidine and spermine in vitro, whereas the activity of Daucus carota L. root $\beta$-glucan synthetase I was not affected by the polyamine. The activity $\beta$-glucan synthetase II from Daucus carota L. root protoplasts cultured on medium containing 10-6 M polyamines such as putrescine, spermidine and spermine was observed to be higher than that of the control. Daucus carota L. root protoplasts were observed to have the activities of arginine and ornithine decarboxylases and it was noted that they could produce polyamines, which might have an effect on $\beta$-glucan synthetase II activity.