• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.87-93
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• 2004

Dynamic modification of cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins by O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) on Ser and Thr residues is ubiquitous in higher eukaryotes. And this modification may serve as a signaling mod-ification analogous to protein phosphorylation. Addition and cleavage of O-GlcNAc are catalyzed by O-linked GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and O-linked N-acety1glucosaminidase (O-GlcNAcase), respectively. Two types of human O-GlcNAcase gene were cloned and expressed as three fusion proteins in Escherichia coli. O-GlcNA-case activity showed in the order of thioredoxin fusion> $6{\times}His$ tag> GST fusion. O-GlcNAcase had enzy-matic activity against only ${\rho}$NP-GlcNAc of seven tested substrate analogs. Blast search revealed that O-GlcNAcase has two conserved domains, amino terminal hyaluronidase-like domain and carboxy terminal N-acetyltransferase domain. Extensive deletion studies were done to define catalytically important domains. The deletions of hyaluronidase-like domain and N-acetyltransferase domain abolished enzyme activity. But, N-ter-minal 55 amino acid deletion and C-terminal truncation showed lower activity. Based on deletion analysis, we suggest that hyaluronidase-like domain is essential for enzyme activity and carboxy terminal N-acetyltrans-ferase domain may be modulatory function.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.27 no.6 s.93
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• pp.424-429
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• 1999

This study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of polysaccharides isolated from the fruit body and cultured mycelia of Phellinus linteus IY001. All fractions were extracted by hot water, followed by ethanol precipitation (F-THE and M-HE) or ultrafiltration (M-HU) (F-TH, F-THE; fruit body, M-HE, M-HU; cultured mycelia). Among these fractions, F-TH fraction was obtained at the highest yields of 6.83% and yield of F-THE was at the level 2.79%. The carbohydrates of these fractions was found to be a heteroglucan composed of glucose, galactose, mannose, fructose, ribose and xylose by analysis of gas chromatography. The total carbohydrate contents of M-HE and M-HU fractions were 99.2%, and 86.0% respectively. The glucose content of M-HE, M-HU and F-THE ranged from 54 to 84.8% of the total monosaccharide. Amino acid pattern showed that all fractions contained a large amount of aspartic acid, glycine, glutamic acid, alanine. Serine and threonine were found to be involved in the linkage, O-linked type. These fractions, except F. TH, contained polysaccharides with the molecular weights of 12 kD and showed the characteristics of IR absorption for ${\beta}-glucosides$ at $890\;cm^{-1}$.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.147-153
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• 2004

Protein modification by N-acetyl-${\beta}$-D-glucosamine (O-G1cNAc) on the hydroxyl groups of Ser or Thr ubiq-uitously occurs in eukaryotic cells and is involved in many cellular phenomena. The level of O-G1cNAc-mod-ified protein is regulated by OGT and O-GlcNAcase enzymes. We have tried to produce recombinant O-GlcNAcase in E. coli as an effort to establish in vitro screening system for modulators of O-GlcNAcase. The culture conditions for improvement of O-GlcNAcase productivity, were as follows: induction temperature, $30^{\circ}C$; the concentration of L-arabinose, 0.02% and induction time, 5 hr. Under these culture conditions, E. coli cells containing O-GlcNAcase gene had no enzyme activity until up to 3 hr culture. However, O-GlcNAcase activity dramatically increased from 3 to 5 hr culture. It almost maintained the same level after 5 hr culture. Western blot analysis verified the amount of expressed O-GlcNAcase increased with culture time, being con-sistent with activity data. The optimal reaction condition determined in this study was as follows: protein quan-tity, $5{\mu}g$; reaction time, 30 min; reaction temperature, $45^{\circ}C$; substrate concentration, 2 mM; reaction pH, 6.5. Methanol had little effect on O-GlcNAcase activity and 90% of activity were retained at 10%. Only 15% resid-ual activity were detected at 5% of chloroform.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.71-75
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• 2015

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are essential for neurotransmission and important therapeutic targets of diseases related to neurotransmission. A recent experimental study identified three residues (Lys185, Asp187, and Ile188) of the ${\alpha}6$ nAChR subunit as determinants of ${\alpha}$-conotoxin BuIA selectivity, yet how these residues confer toxin selectivity remains unclear. In this study, we performed all-atom molecular dynamics simulations with two toxin-bound ${\alpha}4{\beta}2$ nAChR systems: the wild-type ${\alpha}4{\beta}2$ and one in which we replaced the three ${\alpha}4$ subunit residues with three ${\alpha}6$ subunit residues identified in an experimental study (Tyr185Lys, Thr187Asp, and Arg188Ile). After mutation, Asp199 lost the salt bridge formed with Arg188 in the wild type located around loop C. Then, the loop C conformation changed and became more flexible than that of the wild type. We also detected reduced space between the toxin and the binding site in the mutant simulation, resulting in increased binding affinity to the toxin. Therefore, we propose a new Asp199 mutation that breaks the salt bridge and may produce similar selectivity to that of the Arg188 mutation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.1459-1464
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• 2004

The purpose of this research was to investigate the potential use of cheese whey protein (CWP), a cheese by-product. The physiological activity of calcium-binding peptides in CWP may be used as a food additive that prevents bone disorders. This research also examined the characteristics of calcium-binding peptides. After the CWP was heat treated, it was hydrolyzed by trypsin. Then calcium-binding peptides were separated and purified by ion-exchange chromatography and reverse phase HPLC, respectively. To examine the characteristics of the purified calcium-binding peptides, amino acid composition and amino acid sequence were analyzed. Calcium-binding peptides with a small molecular weight of about 1.4 to 3.4 kDa were identified in the fraction that was flowed out from 0.25 M NaCl step gradient by ion-exchange chromatography of tryptic hydrolysates. The results of the amino acid analysis revealed that glutamic acid in a calcium-binding site took up most part of the amino acids including a quantity of proline, leucine and lysine. The amino acid sequence of calcium-binding peptides showed Phe-Leu-Asp-Asp-Asp-Leu-Thr-Asp and Ile-Leu-Asp-Lys from $\alpha$-LA and Ile-Pro-Ala-Val-Phe-Lys and Val-Tyr-Val-Glu-Glu-Leu-Lys from ${\beta}$-LG.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.44-49
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• 2008

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of kinases involved in the transduction of cellular signals that promote lipid hydrolysis. PKC plays a pivotal role in mediating cellular responses to extracellular stimuli involved in proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Comparative analysis of the PKC-${\alpha},{\beta},{\varepsilon}$ isozymes of 200 recently sequenced microbial genomes was carried out using variety of bioinformatics tools. Diversity and evolution of PKC was determined by sequence alignment. The ser/thr protein kinases of Streptomyces coelicolor A3 (2), is the only bacteria to show sequence alignment score greater than 30% with all the three PKC isotypes in the sequence alignment. S.coelicolor is the subject of our interest because it is notable for the production of pharmaceutically useful compounds including anti-tumor agents, immunosupressants and over two-thirds of all natural antibiotics currently available. The comparative analysis of three human isotypes of PKC and Serine/threonine protein kinase of S.coelicolor was carried out and possible mechanism of action of PKC was derived. Our analysis indicates that Serine/ threonine protein kinase from S. coelicolor can be a good candidate for potent anti-tumor agent. The presence of three representative isotypes of the PKC super family in this organism helps us to understand the mechanism of PKC from evolutionary perspective.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.282-288
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• 2015

Viriditoxin is a fungal metabolite isolated from Paecilomyces variotii, which was derived from the giant jellyfish Nemopilema nomurai. Viriditoxin was reported to inhibit polymerization of FtsZ, which is a key protein for bacterial cell division and a structural homologue of eukaryotic tubulin. Both tubulin and FtsZ contain a GTP-binding domain, have GTPase activity, assemble into protofilaments, two-dimensional sheets, and protofilament rings, and share substantial structural identities. Accordingly, we hypothesized that viriditoxin may inhibit eukaryotic cell division by inhibiting tubulin polymerization as in the case of bacterial FtsZ inhibition. Docking simulation of viriditoxin to ${\beta}-tubulin$ indicated that it binds to the paclitaxel-binding domain and makes hydrogen bonds with Thr276 and Gly370 in the same manner as paclitaxel. Viriditoxin suppressed growth of A549 human lung cancer cells, and inhibited cell division with G2/M cell cycle arrest, leading to apoptotic cell death.

• Proceedings of the Korean Journal of Food and Nutrition Conference
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• 1997.06b
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• pp.13-14
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• 1997

영지의 약리효과는 triterpenoid계의 저분자와 polysaccharide인 고분자로 대별할 수 있다. 저분자 물질은 항염증작용, 항알러지작용, 간암세포 성장 억제작용, 혈압 강하작용, 혈소판 응집저해작용 등이 있으며, 고분자 물질은 혈압강하작용, 정혈작용, 고지혈증 개선작용, 혈당 강하작용, 면역 증강작용 및 항종양작용 등이 있는 것으로 알려졌다. 현재까지의 영지에 관한 연구는 주로 자실체에 대한 연구가 주류를 이루고 있으며 이들의 산지, 환경조건, 채집시기 및 실험자들에 따라 약리 효과 등에 많은 차이가 있다. 이들에 대한 효과가 영지의 대표적 약리효과라고 언급하기엔 부족한 점이 많으므로 약리효과가 우수하고 일관성이 있는 영지 유래 다당류를 얻기 위한 방법으로서는 균사체의 대량배양법 및 분리방법이 확립 되어야만 한다. 본 연구에서는 새로운 항암활성 다당류의 개발을 위해 국내 자생 영지를 채집하여 검색 및 계통적 분류를 행하였으며 분리된 균주의 최적 액체배양 조건, 다당류 분리 조건, 다당류의 물리화학적 특성 및 약리활성 등에 관한 연구를 실시하였다. 그 중 약리활성이 우수한 G- lucidum IY009 균주를 선발 하였다. 구조적 특징과 종양 면역 활성과의 관계 규명을 위해, G- lucidum IY009 배양균사체로부터 다당류를 T-AS, U-AS, M-AS, S 및 H로 분획 하였다. 추출조건에 따른 다당류 GLG의 수율은 열수 추출 분획이 2.98g/l로 가장 높았으며, U-AS및 T-AS에서 각각 2.32g/l, 2.07g/l이었다. GLG의 특성을 조사하기 위하여 수용성과 비수용성으로 분리한 결과 수용성 분획은 비수용성 분획보다 높은 당 함량을 나타냈으며, T-AS는 70.3%의 당과 7.8%의 단백질로 구성 되었다. GLG 대부분의 분획들은 60~93%의 glucose로 구성된 다당류 이었으며, 주로 $\beta$-glucose로 구성된 다당류 이었다. 아미노산은 Asp 및 Glu의 산성 아미노산과 Ala, Leu 등의 함량이 높게 나타났으며, 비알칼리 추출물에서 Ser과 Thr의 함량이 높게 나타났다. 다당류 T-AS는 평균 분자량이 2,000 kD와 12kD에서 주 peak를 나타냈으며, 수용성 분획의 평균 분자량은 12kD이고 비수용성 분획은 36~2,000 kD의 평균 분자량 분포를 갖는 것으로 나타났다. IR과 NMR 분석 결과 890 cm-1에서 흡수 peak를 나타내어 $\beta$-(1,3)0glucan과 $\beta$-(1,6)-glucan의 구조를 갖는 다당류로 확인 되었다. T-AS 분획은 C:H:O:N의 함량비가 38.9:5.7:49.6:1.84%이며, 이 물질의 융점은 163 $^{\circ}C$로 연한 갈색을 나타낸다. 분리된 GLG의 항암활성 기전 규명을 위해, in vivo 항암실험, 항보체 활성능, 항체 생성능, serum protein 분비능, 대식세포의 탐식능과 활성능 및 세포간 물질 분비 등의 상관관계를 조사하였다. 다당류 GLG 분획물들 가운데 항보체의 활성이 높았던 분획은 sarcome 180에 대한 항암 활성이 높게 나타났다. 다당류 T-AS의 보체 활성화 기작은 classical과 alternative complement pathway의 양 경로를 통해 활성화 되었다. T-AS 분획은 mouse내의 특정 혈청단백을 증가시켰으며, 항체 생성능의 증가가 관찰되어 effect T 세포의 활성화가 나타나고 있음을 알 수 있었다. T-AS는 생체내 투여시에 대식세포의 탐식능이 증진되었으며, 대식세포 기능 저해제에 의한 대식세포의 기능 저해 현상이 회복되었다. 이와 같은 결과들로부터, T-AS의 항암 활성은 활성화된 보체 성분 및 당 수용체들이 존재하는 대식세포의 개입을 시사한다.

• Proceedings of the Korean Journal of Food and Nutrition Conference
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• 1997.06b
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• pp.15-17
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• 1997

암 발생의 원인 중 80% 이상이 식사습관과 환경오염에 있는 것으로 인정되고 있다. 음식물, 담배, 술, 대기오염, 스트레스, 자외선이 그 대표적인 원인물질로 꼽을 수 있으며 그 중에서도 매일 섭취하는 음식물이 가장 중요한 발암요인으로 지적되고 있다. 대장암과 유방암의 발생에 대한 Wynder 등의 역학조사에서도 식사습관이 암 발생에 중요함을 시사 하고 있다. 동물성 단백질과 지방의 다량 섭취가 대장암과 유방암의 발생을 증가 시키고 섬유질이 풍부한 곡류와 야채의 섭취는 대장암 발생을 억제한다는 상관관계가 밝혀졌다. 그러나 우리가 늘 섭취하는 음식물 자체는 대장암과 유방암을 유발하는 기능이 거의 없다. 섭취된 음식물이 암을 일으키려면 장내 부패 미생물의 분해작용에 의하여 발암물질로 변환되는 과정이 필요하다. 그 발암물질들이 장관으로 흡수 자극함으로써 암을 유발할 수 있다. 반대로 일부장내 미생물들은 장내 발암물질들을 무독화 하거나 숙주의 면역기능을 증강 시킴으로써 암 발생을 억제할 수도 있다는 사실을 간과해서는 안 될 것이다. Mitsuoka는 장내 미생물이 암을 유발하는 중요한 요인이라고 강조하였다. Veer 등은 유산균 발효유를 많이 섭취하면 유방암 발생이 억제됨을, 국제암연구위원회는 섬유질을 많이 섭취하고 있는 핀란드 쿠피오의 거주자들에게는 덴마크의 코펜하겐에 거주하는 사람들에 비하여 대장암 발생율이 1/4에 불과하고 분변내 유산간균수는 100배 높은 사실을 역학조사에서 밝혔다. 이 외에 유산균과 발효유제품의 항암효과에 대한 실험결과들이 많이 발표되었다. 여기에서는 유산균의 항암효과에 대한 지금까지의 관련 자료들을 요약, 정리하여 고찰하고자 한다.높은 당 함량을 나타냈으며, T-AS는 70.3%의 당과 7.8%의 단백질로 구성 되었다. GLG 대부분의 분획들은 60~93%의 glucose로 구성된 다당류 이었으며, 주로 $\beta$-glucose로 구성된 다당류 이었다. 아미노산은 Asp 및 Glu의 산성 아미노산과 Ala, Leu 등의 함량이 높게 나타났으며, 비알칼리 추출물에서 Ser과 Thr의 함량이 높게 나타났다. 다당류 T-AS는 평균 분자량이 2,000 kD와 12kD에서 주 peak를 나타냈으며, 수용성 분획의 평균 분자량은 12kD이고 비수용성 분획은 36~2,000 kD의 평균 분자량 분포를 갖는 것으로 나타났다. IR과 NMR 분석 결과 890 cm-1에서 흡수 peak를 나타내어 $\beta$-(1,3)0glucan과 $\beta$-(1,6)-glucan의 구조를 갖는 다당류로 확인 되었다. T-AS 분획은 C:H:O:N의 함량비가 38.9:5.7:49.6:1.84%이며, 이 물질의 융점은 163 $^{\circ}C$로 연한 갈색을 나타낸다. 분리된 GLG의 항암활성 기전 규명을 위해, in vivo 항암실험, 항보체 활성능, 항체 생성능, serum protein 분비능, 대식세포의 탐식능과 활성능 및 세포간 물질 분비 등의 상관관계를 조사하였다. 다당류 GLG 분획물들 가운데 항보체의 활성이 높았던 분획은 sarcome 180에 대한 항암 활성이 높게 나타났다. 다당류 T-AS의 보체 활성화 기작은 classical과 alternative complement pathway의 양 경로를 통해 활성화 되었다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.2499-2506
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• 2016

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Several environmental, genetic and epigenetic factors have been suggested to have a role in GC development. Epigenetic mechanisms like histone changes and promoter hyper-methylation are now being increasingly studied. Associations between methylation of many gene promoters with the risk of gastric cancer have been investigated worldwide. Such aberrant methylation may result in silencing of specific genes related to cell cycling, cell adhesion, apoptosis and DNA repair. Thus this molecular mechanism might have a key role in proliferation and migration of cancerous cells. Materials and Methods: In this review article we included studies conducted on DNA methylation and gastric cancer in Iranian populations. Using Science direct, Pubmed/PMC, Springer, Wiley online library and SciELO databases, all published data until 31 January 2016 were gathered. We also searched Science direct data base for similar investigations around the world to make a comparison between Iran and other countries. Results: By searching these databases, we found that the association between methylation of seven gene promoters and gastric cancer had been studied in Iran until 31 January 2016. These genes were p16, hLMH1, E-cadherin, CTLA4, $THR{\beta}$, mir9 and APC. Searching in science direct database also showed that 92 articles had been published around the world till January 2016. Our investigation revealed that despite the importance of GC and its high prevalence in Iran, the methylation status of only a few gene promoters has been studied so far. More studies with higher sample numbers are needed to reveal the relation of methylation status of gene promoters to gastric cancer in Iran. Conclusions: Further studies will be helpful in identifying associations of DNA methylation in candidate genes with gastric cancer risk in Iranian populations.