• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.161-167
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• 2020

Background: The ascomycete fungi Cylindrocarpon destructans (Cd) and Fusarium solani (Fs) cause ginseng root rot and significantly reduce the quality and yield of ginseng. Cd produces the secondary metabolite radicicol, which targets the molecular chaperone Hsp90. Fs is resistant to radicicol, whereas other fungal genera associated with ginseng disease are sensitive to it. Radicicol resistance mechanisms have not yet been elucidated. Methods: Transcriptome analyses of Fs and Cd mycelia treated with or without radicicol were conducted using RNA-seq. All of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were functionally annotated using the Fusarium graminearum transcript database. In addition, deletions of two transporter genes identified by RNA-seq were created to confirm their contributions to radicicol resistance. Results: Treatment with radicicol resulted in upregulation of chitin synthase and cell wall integrity genes in Fs and upregulation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase and sugar transporter genes in Cd. Genes encoding an ATP-binding cassette transporter, an aflatoxin efflux pump, ammonium permease 1 (mep1), and nitrilase were differentially expressed in both Fs and Cd. Among these four genes, only the ABC transporter was upregulated in both Fs and Cd. The aflatoxin efflux pump and mep1 were upregulated in Cd, but downregulated in Fs, whereas nitrilase was downregulated in both Fs and Cd. Conclusion: The transcriptome analyses suggested radicicol resistance pathways, and deletions of the transporter genes indicated that they contribute to radicicol resistance.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.163-174
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• 1978

Plantaginis seed has been applied in Chinese medicine a as well as in folk remedy. It was advocated that Plantaginis S Semeη exerts good therapeutic effects as anti-inflammatory, antitussive, obstipant and diuretic agent in some cases of alimentary, respiratory a and renal disorders. This study was carried out in order to r re-evaluate the pharmacological action, especially the hypotensive a action of Plantaginis Semen and to elucidate the mechanism of its a action, making use of Plantaginis Semen methanol extract (PME), because its basic pharmacological action, i. e., hypotensive action is n not clear. 1) PME, when administered into intravenous route, elicited the h hypotensive response dependent on the dose of PME given to the rabbit anesthetized with urethane. 2) This hypotensive response of P PME was inhibited by atropine and potentiated by physostigmine, but not influ$\varepsilon$need by vagotomization. 3) Depressor effect of PME was blocked by chlorisondamine, phentolamine, and bethanicline, while not altered by cyproheptadine, diphenhydramine and propran¬olol. 4) The secondary pressor response after blocking the depressor e effect of PME by chlorisondamine was produced, but this pressor response was deminished by atropine. 5) PME augmented the pressor e effect of norepinephrine and angiotensin, on the other hand, reduced b blood pressure elevated by carotid occlusion reflex. 6) These observa¬t tions suggest that PME may induce the hypotensive response via dual mechanisms of parasympathomimetic and sympatholytic action, that the positions of this action are cholinergic peripheral site and sympathetic ganglia respectively, and that PME may possess the pressor activity caused by stimulation of "atropine-sensitive site" which seems to existsin the sympathetic ganglia.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.471-477
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• 2003

Three phospholipids (4-6) and three aromatic amines (1-3) were obtained from the methanol extract of Bombycis corpus. Based on spectral data, their structures have been elucidated as nicotiamide (1), cytidine (2), adenine (3), 1-Ο-(9Z-octadecenoyl)-2-Ο-(8Z,11Z-octadecadienoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (4), 1,2-di-Ο-hexadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (5) and 1,2-di-Ο-9Z-octadecenoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (6). We examined the effects of compounds on synthesis of NGF in cultured astrocytes. By RT-PCR analysis, expresison of NGF mRNA in astrocytes cultured in serum-starvation increased after the addition of phospholipid (10 $\mu$M). The NGF content in the culture medium was significantly increased by compound 5, compared with the control value. These results suggest that three phospholipid compounds isolated from the methanol extract of Bombycis corpus may exert neurotrophic effects by stimulation of NGF synthesis in astrocytes.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.91-98
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• 2010

Purpose: Silent mating-type information regulation 2 homologue 1 (SIRT1) is a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent deacetylase. SIRT1 plays an important role in the regulation of cell death/survival and stress response in mammals. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the SIRT1 gene is involved in the development or progression of gastric cancers. Materials and Methods: SIRT1 and p53 genes in 86 gastric cancers were examined for genetic alterations by PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism sequencing, as well as SIRT1 protein expression in 170 gastric cancers by immunohistochemistry. Results: In the genetic analysis, we found SIRT1 and p53 mutations in two and 12 cases, respectively. Two missense mutations, c.599 C>T (T200I) and c.1258 G>A (E420K), were detected in the SIRT1 gene coding region. The SIRT1 and p53 mutation were found in mutually exclusive gastric cancers. The immunohistochemistry revealed that SIRT1 overexpression was found in 95 (55.9%) of 170 gastric cancers. Altered SIRT1 expression was not statistically associated with clinicopathological parameters, including tumor differentiation, location, lymph node metastasis, or p53 expression. Two cases with an SIRT1 mutation showed increased SIRT1 expression. Conclusions: These results suggest that genetic alterations and overexpression of the SIRT1 gene may contribute to gastric cancer development.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.620-627
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• 2000

To determine the prevalence of genetic polymorphisms in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) strains in the Korean population, the restriction site polymorphisms for BamHI and XhoI enzymes were analyzed with 16 EBV isolates from cancer patients and 7 EBV isolates from healthy carriers, using polymerase chain reaction techniques. None of the 23 isolates were found to carry an extra BamHI site in the BamHI F-fragment (f-variant). Of the 12 type-1 isolates from the cancer patients, 10 lost both the LMP1 XhoI site and the BamHI site between the BamHi W1* and I1* fragments (a W1*I1* fusion variant or type C). The latter W1*I1* fusion variant was due to a mutation of thymidine to adenine, as evidenced by a sequence analysis. The remaining two type-1 isolates showed either no variation at both sites or the loss of only the XhoI site. In contrast, two type-2 isolates and two intertypic recombinants with a type-1 allele at the EBNA2 locus and type-2 alleles at all or some of the EBNA3 loci retained both enzyme sites. In similar analyses of the 7 isolates from the healthy carriers, five of six type-1 isolates lost these two sites, however, one type-2 isolate did not. These results clearly indicate a strong association of both the LMP1 XhoI site loss and the W1*I1* fusion variant with the type-1 rather than the type-2 EBV strains circulating in the immunocompetent Korean carriers.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.67-71
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• 1991

A simple and sensitive method was developed for the quantification of free and conjugated bile acids in bezoar without prior hydrolysis. $3{\alpha}-Hydroxy$ bile acids are first oxidized to 3-keto bile acids in the reaction catalyzed by $3{\alpha}-hydroxysteroid$ $dehydrogenase(3{\alpha}-HSD)$. During this oxidative reaction, an equimolar quantity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide(NAD) is reduced to NADH and subsequently oxidized to NAD with concomitant reduction of nitrotetrazolium blue(NTB) to diformazan by the catalytic action of diaphorase. The diformazan has an absorbance maximum at 540 nm. The intensity of the color produced is directly proportional to bile acids concentration in the bezoar extracts. The optimum conditions for the enzymatic reaction such as effects of reaction time, reaction temperature and pH, and stability were investigated. Calibration plots for the sodium chelate observed to be linear and intra-, inter-assay analytical recovery of bile acids averaged $97.65{\pm}3.4%(S.D.)$. Therefore, it is considered that the quality control of total bile acids from bezoar or bezoar-containing liquid preparation using this simple and sensitive assay system will be acceptable. Also current bezoars and bezoar-containing liauid preparations were examined their total bile acids from this method.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.51-57
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• 2002

For the plant regeneration of soybean (Glycine me L. Merr.), the shoot formation rate, optimal medium and tissue conditions were examined using Korean soybean cultivars. Among the parts of seedling, a node that includes one cotyledon showed the highest shoot formation rate among other tissues. Half-strength B5 medium was more efficient than full strength medium. Formation rates of pair shoots (1 to 2 shooting) were higher in the when benzyl adenine was supplemented. The formation rates of multiple shoots, that is, 4 to 5 in shooting, were high when thidiazuron was supplemented. Multiple shoot was de novo formed in cutting side of cotyledonary node. The effective concentration of thidiazuron for shoot induction treatment was 2 mg/L. Among the 27 cultivars, multiple shoot formation rates were high in the 11 cultivars including 'Heugcheongkong, and pair shoot formation rates were high in the 16 cultivars including 'Malikong'.

• Plant Biotechnology Reports
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.205-211
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• 2009

An efficient in vitro regeneration protocol for moth bean [Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Marechal] via somatic embryogenesis has been developed. Embryogenic callus cultures were established from the cotyledonary node as explant on semi-solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with $0.75mg\;1^{-1}$ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and $1.5mg\;1^{-1}$ 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and with various additives ($50mg\;1^{-1}$ ascorbic acid and $25mg\;1^{-1}$ each of adenine sulphate, citric acid and $_L-arginine$). Numerous somatic embryos differentiated on MS basal nutrient medium supplemented with $0.25mg\;1^{-1}$ 2,4-D and $0.5mg\;1^{-1}$ of kinetin (Kin). Sustained cell division resulted in the formation of cell aggregates, which progressed to the globular- and heart-shaped somatic embryos and then, if they differentiated properly, to the torpedo shape and cotyledonary stages. The transfer of embryos onto fresh MS basal medium containing $0.2mg\;1^{-1}$ BA and $2.0mg\;1^{-1}$ gibberellic acid enabled the embryos to achieve complete maturation and germination. More than 80% of somatic embryos were converted into true-to-type fertile plants. In vitro-regenerated plantlets with well-developed roots were successfully hardened in a greenhouse and established in soil.

• Plant Biotechnology Reports
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.243-250
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• 2009

In the present study, a simple one medium formulation protocol for callus culture, somatic embryogenesis and in vitro production of ${\beta}-carboline$ alkaloids and diosgenin in Tribulus terrestris L. was developed. Extensive callus induction and proliferation was obtained in leaf explant on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with $5.0{\mu}M$ 6 benzyl adenine (BA) and $2.5{\mu}M$ ${\alpha}-naphthaleneacetic$ acid (NAA). The embryogenic callus was maintained on subculture to fresh parental medium at 4-week intervals over a period of 28 months. The frequency of embryo formation was at a maximum ($18.1{\pm}0.9$ per g of callus) on MS medium containing $5.0{\mu}M$ BA and $2.5{\mu}M$ NAA together with $75mg\;1^{-1}$ casein hydrolysate. Globular embryo developed into torpedo stage embryo under the influence of starvation. The accumulation of ${\beta}-carboline$ alkaloids (harmaline and harmine) and steroidal saponin (diosgenin) in non-embryogenic and embryogenic callus culture derived from leaf explant was compared with root, leaf, stem, and fruit of the mother plant. The embryogenic callus accumulated equivalent amounts of harmaline ($66.4{\pm}0.5{\mu}g/g$ dry weight), harmine ($82.7{\pm}0.6{\mu}g/g$ dry weight), and diosgenin ($170.7{\pm}1.0{\mu}g/g$ dry weight) to that of the fruit of T. terrestris. The embryogenic callus culture of this species might offer a potential source for production of important pharmaceuticals.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.9
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• pp.784-792
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• 2020

Arginine kinase (AK), a bioenergy-related enzyme, is distributed widely in invertebrates. The role of highly conserved histidines in AKs is still unascertained. In this study, the highly conserved histidine 284 (H284) in AK of Daphnia magna (DmAK) was replaced with alanine to elucidate the role of H284. We examined the alteration of catalytic activity and structural changes of H284A in DmAK. The catalytic activity of H284A was reduced dramatically compared to that in wild type (WT). Thus the crystal structure of H284A displayed several structural changes, including the alteration of D324, a hydrogen-bonding network around H284, and the disruption of π-stacking between the imidazole group of the H284 residue and the adenine ring of ATP. These findings suggest that such alterations might affect a conformational change of the specific loop consisting of G310-V322 at the antiparallel β-sheet region. Thus, we speculated that the H284 residue might play an important role in the conformational change of the specific loop when ATP binds to the substrate-binding site of DmAK.