• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.90-95
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• 2001

Kinetic Analysis of Cathepsin B Inhibitor Using a Spectrophotometric Assay. Han, Kil-Hwan and SangDal Kim*. Department of Applied MicrobioJ0f5Yt Yeungnam UniversitYt Kyongsan 77 2-749, Korea - The KHS 10, C4Hl10~6 formula produced from Streptomyces luteogriseus KT-] 0 effectively inhibited a lysosomal cysteine proteinase, cathepsin B. It inhibited the enzyme activity of cathepsin B competitively when the N a-CBZ-Llysine p-nitrophenyl ester HC] (CLN) was used as a substrate. The inhibition const:mt (Ki) of KHS 1 0 for cathepsin B detennined by spectrophotometeric assay was 430 nM. The effective inhibition of cathepsin B was observed at $25^{\circ}C$ :md pH 6.0. The cathepsin B inhibitor, KHSlO needed a preincubation of cathepsin B with the inhibitor for over 5 min. The KHS 10 preserved over 80% inhibition activity even after heat-treatment at $100^{\circ}C$ for ] hr.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.89-97
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• 2016

Obesity is caused by excess accumulation of body fat and contributes to various pathological disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. In this study, we investigated the effect of a 30% ethanol extract of Fructus Rosae laevigata (RLE) on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, measured by triglyceride accumulation and expression of adipogenesis-related transcription factors during differentiation of pre-adipocytes into adipocytes. RLE decreased the intracellular triglyceride contents (assessed by Oil Red-O staining) in a dose-dependent manner. It also downregulated the expression of adipogenic transcription factors and inhibited cell proliferation during the mitotic clonal expansion phase of adipocyte differentiation by inducing G1 phase arrest. We investigated the alterations in the levels of G1 phase arrest-related proteins. The expression of p21 protein significantly increased, while the levels of Cyclin E, Cdk2, and phospho-Rb decreased in a dose-dependent manner in 3T3-L1 cells treated with RLE. These results suggest that RLE inhibits the differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes by suppressing the expression of adipogenic transcription factors and inducing G1 phase arrest in the early stages of adipocyte differentiation.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 2011

The Egr-1 gene is known to be a transcription factor for activating the expression of many tumor-repressing genes. In this study, three strains activating the promoter of the Egr-1 gene were selected, through the use of Egr-1 luciferase reporter assay and western blotting, from amongst approximately 3,800 oligotrophic bacteria isolated from the cultivated soils of various regions within Korea. These strains were identified as Pseudomonas koreensis on the basis of phylogenetic tree analysis of their 16S ribosomal DNA sequences and biochemical characteristics analyses using a variety of commercial kits (API 20NE, ID 32GN, API ZYM kits). In addition, we discovered that these strains produced anti-bacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.273-278
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• 2007

As a model compound of PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) phenanthrene has been regarded as a toxic material, mutagen and carcinogen in various animals. Biodegradation conditions of phenanthrene such as pH, temperature, shaking speed, stabilizer and cofactor of degrading enzymes were investigated with Trametes versicolor and its transformant T. versicolor MrP1 in YMG medium, minimal medium and soil microcosm. T. versicolor MrP1 can overexpress mrp gene encoding Mn-repressed peroxidase that is involved in fungal degradation. Biodegradations of phenanthrene by T. versicolor and T. versicolor MrP1 were optimally performed in conditions of weak-acid (pH 6.0), $30^{\circ}C$, shaken culture and medium containing 5 mM veratryl alcohol or tryptophan. In these optimal conditions, biodegradation of phenanthrene by T. versicolor MrP1 is 31% higher than that of wild type strain in a minimal medium for 20 days. Biodegradation of phenanthrene by T. versicolor MrP1 was also higher than that of wild type in soil microcosm. T. versicolor MrP1 can be a excellent candidate for the bioremediation of PAHs contaminated environments.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.40 no.1 s.182
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• pp.47-66
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• 2007

The Sitting Buddha Carved on Rockcliff (National treasure No. 201) in Bukjiri consists of porphyritic biotite granite, which was fractured by three joint sets of NE-SW, EW and NS directions. They produced a physical weathering that broke many parts of the Buddha and background. The chemical index of alteration is 59 to 61 from the major elements in the granite that was weathered into producing kaolin minerals from alteration of feldspars and biotite. With weathering degree, major element compositions increase in $SiO_2$ and MnO, whereas decrease in $TiO_2,\;{Fe_2O_3}^t,\;MgO,\;CaO\;and\;K_2O$. Change proporations of trace elements to $Al_2O_3$ increase in all transition elements, Rb and Y, whereas decrease in Li, Sr and Ba. REE pattern increases only in HREE. Particularly, a decrease in CaO, $K_2O$, Sr and Ba results in what they are effluxed to dissolve from feldspars by groundwater. The Buddha image has been deteriorated into joints, color changes, brown rusts, granular decay, microorganic smears by the such weathering causes as deformation, moisture, temperature variation and microorganic living. The moisture, which leaks along the joints in the granite, not only dissolve to decompose minerals but also grows many microorganism and is frozen over during winter. NE-SW and NS joint sets affect to seep in water during rainy days to deteriorate the image because they extend outward.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.103-115
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• 2007

Risk assessment by living indicator species provides the information about the ecosystem disturbance, disapperance of symbiosis and change of living group. In the initial stage of this kind research, the degree of contamination was reported using the level of simple number, but simple number may not represent the risk itself which can be casued in the living organisms. Risk assessment using various indicator species overcomes these limitations and can be expanded to the DNA level. In many developed counties, the government has supervised the researches about the indicator species for the monitoring and its application to ecosystem restoration. Several living indicator species found in the vicinity of the abandoned Au mines such as fern, earthworm, bacteria, rhizosphere-rhizoplane, salamamdor and DNA change of these species are described in this paper.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.334-341
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• 2004

Polysaccharides were prepared from Orostachys japonicus by extration with hot steam water (OJPl). The OIPl fraction was further purified by Sephadex G-50 gel filtration chromatography to produce FI (polysaccharides) and FII (oligosaccharides) fraction. The average molecular masses o fFI and FII fraction were determined to be 3050 kDa and 13 kDa, respectively. The antimicrobial activity of OIPl was tested against 8 strains of bacteria and one strain of yeast by the disc diffusion method, fluorescein diacetate (FDA) method and broth dilution method. The OIPl exhibited a very strong growth inhibition to Candida albicans. The OIPl remarkably sup­pressed the growth of Salmonella typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus. The OIPl showed higher growth inhibition to Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa than propolis, positive control. When the anticancer activity of the OIPl, FI or FII was examined against human cancer cell lines and the Sarcoma 180 cells, these widely suppressed the proliferation of cell lines in the MTT assay and morphology study. Especially, they remarkably inhibited the growth of A549, HeLa and AGS cells. Also treatment of cancer cells with OJPl, FI or FII induced apoptotic cell death characterized by DNA fragmentation. The OJPl, FI or FII exhibiting various biological activities such as antimicrobial activity and anticancer activity is expected to be developed as new biohealth products.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1571-1586
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• 2012

On earth, there are about 5,400 kinds of mammals, of which about 1,000 kinds are herbivores. Among herbivores, about 250 kinds are known to be ruminants. As for cattle and sheep, which are ruminants, fermentation takes places mainly in their rumen; in contrast, for pigs and men, which are non-ruminants, fermentation takes place mainly in their caecum, colon, and rectum. As for the kind and dominance of rumen microorganisms, Bacteroidetes account for 51% and Firmicutes for 43%. As for the dominance of the large intestine microorganisms in men, Firmicutes account for 65% and Bacteroidetes for 25%. Cell wall components are decomposed by microorganisms, and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are generated through fermentation; the ratio of acetate, propionate, and butyrate generate is 60:25:15. Butyrate absorbed through the primary butyrate transporter MCT1 (mono carboxylate transports-1) in the intestines activates such SCFA receptors as GPR43 and GPR41. Butyrate has a strong anti-tumorigenic function. Butyrate is characterized by the fact that it has an effect on many cancer cells, contributes to the coordination of functions in the cells, and induces cancer apoptosis. Butyrate activates caspase but inhibits the activity of HDAC (histone deacetylase), so as to induce apoptosis. In addition, it increases p53 expression, so as to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Anti-inflammation actions of SCFA include the reduction of IL-8 expression in intestinal epithelial cells, the inhibition of NO synthesis, and the restraint of the activity of NF-${\kappa}B$ (nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$), so as to suppress the occurrence of cancers caused by inflammation. Butyrate plays an important role in maintaining physiological functions of intestinal mucous membranes and is used as a cure for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.331-337
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• 1998

The biological activities of both ethanol and water extracts from the fruiting body of E. applanata and E. applanata mycelium and the three fractions of ethanol extracts from E. applanata were compared. 91% of MCF7 cell growth was inhibited by adding 0.5 g/l of water extracts of E. applanata and 81% of MCF7 cell growth was inhibited by adding 0.5 g/l of diethyl ether and chloroform fractions. It was also showed that above 60% of Hep3B cell growth was inhibited by adding all samples including the fractions. The ethanol extracts of E. applanata mycelium showed 33.3% of cytotoxicity on normal liver cell, WRL68 in adding 0.5 g/l of the samples and 40% in adding 0.5 g/l of chloroform fractions. The result of anti-mutagenicity of all extracts and fractions including ethanol extracts of Phelinus linteus were showed that diethyl ether fractions were most effective than any other samples. Hypoglycemic activities of diethyl ether and chloroform fractions were the most effective which scores were above 75%. The enhancement of glutathione-S-transferase activity was increased above 2.3 times by adding 1.0 g/l ethanol extracts of E. applanata and diethyl ether, chloroform fractions. It can be concluded that both biological activities of the fruiting body and mycelium of E. applanata were almost equivalent.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.355-361
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• 2003

Immunostimulating effects of lactic acid bacteria as biological response modifier is a subject of growing interest, but the knowledge of these focused on some bacteria as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. In this study, we investigated the effects of Pediococcus pentosaceus EROM101 on the immunostimulating and anti-cancer activity in murine model. P. pentosaceus was mainly found in Kimchi and fermented sea food and is facultatively anaerobic, catalase-netative, gram-positive cocci arranged in pairs, tetrads and clusters. The immunostimulating effects of P. pentosaceus EROM101 were evaluated using IgA production assay of Peyer's patch and proliferation assay of exudated immune cells of Balb/C mice fed P. pentosaceus EROM101 for 3 weeks. The macrophage and splenocyte proliferation were enhanced by orally administrated of P. pentosaceus EROM101. Also, IgA production in Peyer's patch increased by P. pentosaceus EROM101. Anti-cancer activity of P. pentosaceus EROM101 was appeared in Sarcoma 180 tumor-bearing ICR mice. However, this bacterium lysate itself appeared to have noncytotoxic substance against Sarcoma 180 cell in vitro. These results suggested that P. pentosaceus EROM101 reinforce immune system and therefore was revealed to be anti-cancer activity in mice.