• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.208-215
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• 2013

3-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-propionic acid (HPP) is a bacterial metabolite synthesized and released by an entomopathogenic bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophila K1. In this study, the control efficacy of HPP was tested against Phytophthora blight and anthracnose of red pepper plants. HPP suppressed mycelial growth of Phytophthora blight and anthracnose pathogens. Under natural sunlight condition, HPP maintained the antifungal activity on the diseases for at least twenty five days. The antifungal activity was not decreased even in the condition of soil-water. It was proved that HPP was able to penetrate the roots and travel upward of the red pepper plants. When HPP suspension was applied to soil rhizosphere before transplanting the red pepper seedlings or was regularly sprayed to the foliage of the plants with ten days interval, it resulted in significant reduction of the disease occurrences (Phytophthora blight and anthracnose) without any phytotoxicity. These results suggested that HPP can be developed to a systemic agrochemical against Phytophthora blight and anthracnose of red pepper plants.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.264-268
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• 2000

High activity of acidic ethylacetate extract from the culture supernatant of ginseng growth-promoting bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens KGPP 207 and its fractions were demonstrated through wheat coleoptile bioassay. The following auxins and auxin-like compounds were identified in these fractions by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry: indole-3-acetic acid, indole-3-acetic acid methyl and ethyl ester, indole-3-butyric acid, indole-3-lactic acid and its methyl ester, indole-3-propionic acid, indole-3-pyruvic acid, p-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid, p-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid methyl and ethyl ester, phenyl acetic acid and its methyl ester. The bacterium KGPP 207 belongs to the strain of P. fluorescens which produces plant growth regulators and its beneficial effect on the ginseng growth may be due to the formation of the identified compounds.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.276-285
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• 2020

Circadian rhythm is an endogenous oscillation of about 24-h period in many physiological processes and behaviors. This daily oscillation is maintained by the molecular clock machinery with transcriptional-translational feedback loops mediated by clock genes including Period2 (Per2) and Bmal1. Recently, it was revealed that gut microbiome exerts a significant impact on the circadian physiology and behavior of its host; however, the mechanism through which it regulates the molecular clock has remained elusive. 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid (4-OH-PPA) and 3-phenylpropionic acid (PPA) are major metabolites exclusively produced by Clostridium sporogenes and may function as unique chemical messengers communicating with its host. In the present study, we examined if two C. sporogenes-derived metabolites can modulate the oscillation of mammalian molecular clock. Interestingly, 4-OH-PPA and PPA increased the amplitude of both PER2 and Bmal1 oscillation in a dose-dependent manner following their administration immediately after the nadir or the peak of their rhythm. The phase of PER2 oscillation responded differently depending on the mode of administration of the metabolites. In addition, using an organotypic slice culture ex vivo, treatment with 4-OH-PPA increased the amplitude and lengthened the period of PER2 oscillation in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and other tissues. In summary, two C. sporogenes-derived metabolites are involved in the regulation of circadian oscillation of Per2 and Bmal1 clock genes in the host's peripheral and central clock machineries.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.165-169
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• 1998

Inhibitory effects of 16 cinnamic acid analogs on formyl-Met-Leu-Phe(fMLP)-induced chemotaxis of rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes were determined by using a microchemotaxis appa ratus. 3,4-Dlhydrocinnamic acid called as caffeic acid exhibited the highest inhibitory effect on the chemotaxis among cinnamic acid analogs tested in this study. Hydroxycinnamic acids exhibited stronger inhibitory effects on the chemotaxis than cinnnamic acid. Hydroxycinnamic acids with one hydroxy group at ortho, meta or para position exhibited similar inhibitory effects on the chemotaxis with corresponding methoxy cinnamic acids, but 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid did stronger inhibitory effects than 3,4-dimethoxycinnamic acid. 3,4-Dimethoxycinnamic acid exhibited weaker inhibitory effects on the chemotaxis than 1,2-dimethoxy-4-propenylbenzene and 3,4-dimethoxy cinnamonitrile with -CH=CHCN or -CH=$CHCH_3$, group instead of -CH=CHCOOH group. 4-Hydroxy cinnamic acid and 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid exhibited stronger exhibitory effects on the chemotaxis than 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyhydrocinnamic acid with -$CH_2CH_2$COOH group instead of -CH=CHCOOH group.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.137-142
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• 2005

We showed recently that ginsenosides inhibit the activity of various types of ion channel. Here we have investigated the role of the carbohydrate component of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ in the inhibition of $Na^+$ channels. The channels were expressed in Xenopus oocytes by injecting cRNAs encoding rat brain Nav1.2 ${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}1$ subunits, and analyzed by the two-electrode voltage clamp technique. Treatment with $Rg_3$ reversibly inhibited the inward $Na^+$ peak current ($I_{Na}$) with an $IC_{50}$ of $32.2{\pm}4.5{\mu}M$, and the inhibition was voltage-dependent. To examine the role of the sugar moiety, we prepared a straight chain form of the second glucose and a conjugate of this glucose with 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid hydrazide (HPPH). Neither derivative inhibited $I_{Na}$. Treatment with the carbohydrate portion of ginsenoside $Rg_3$, sophorose [${\beta}-D-glucopyranosyl$ ($1{\rightarrow}2$)-${\beta}-glucopyranoside$], or the aglycone (protopanaxadiol), on their own or in combination had no effect on $I_{Na}$. These observations indicate that the carbohydrate portion of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ plays an important role in its effect on the $Na^+$ channel.