• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.321-327
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• 2014

TGF-${\beta}$ induces IgA class switching by B cells. We previously reported that Smad3 and Smad4, pivotal TGF-${\beta}$ signal-transducing transcription factors, mediate germline (GL) ${\alpha}$ transcription induced by TGF-${\beta}1$, resulting in IgA switching by mouse B cells. Post-translational sumoylation of Smad3 and Smad4 regulates TGF-${\beta}$-induced transcriptional activation in certain cell types. In the present study, we investigated the effect of sumoylation on TGF-${\beta}1$-induced, Smad3/4-mediated $GL{\alpha}$ transcription and IgA switching by mouse B cell line, CH12F3-2A. Overexpression of small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)-1, SUMO-2 or SUMO-3 did not affect TGF-${\beta}1$-induced, Smad3/4-mediated $GL{\alpha}$ promoter activity, expression of endogenous $GL{\alpha}$ transcripts, surface IgA expression, and IgA production. Next, we tested the effect of the E3 ligase PIASy on TGF-${\beta}1$-induced, Smad3/4-mediated $GL{\alpha}$ promoter activity. We found that PIASy overexpression suppresses the $GL{\alpha}$ promoter activity in cooperation with histone deacetylase 1. Taken together, these results suggest that SUMO itself does not affect regulation of $GL{\alpha}$ transcription and IgA switching induced by TGF-${\beta}1$/Smad3/4, while PIASy acts as a repressor.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.655-661
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• 2010

The nutraceutical role of fermented omija (Schizandra chinensis) beverage (FOB) was determined through the analysis of fibrinolytic and alcohol metabolizing activities, nitrite scavenging activity, and angiotensin converting enzyme and $\alpha$-glucosidase inhibitory effects. Firstly, FOB increased fibrinolytic activity in a dose-dependent manner and indicated angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activity of 94.8% at 20% FOB (0.6 mg/mL). In addition, the inhibitory activities of FOB on $\alpha$-amylase and $\alpha$-glucosidase were determined to be 100% at 100% FOB (3 mg/mL) and 49% at 60% FOB (1.8 mg/mL), respectively. Nitrite scavenging activity of FOB was about 96.1%, 72.3%, and 68.3% on pH 1.2, 3.0, and 6.0 at 100% FOB, respectively. To determine influence of FOB on alcohol metabolism, the generating activities of reduced-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) were measured. Facilitating rate of ADH activity was 70.3% at 50% FOB, but ALDH activity was not affected. These results revealed that FOB has a strong alcohol metabolizing activity, and fibrinolytic and nitrite scavenging activities and exhibits the angiotensin converting enzyme, $\alpha$-amylase, and $\alpha$-glucosidase inhibitory activities.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.204-212
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• 2009

A strain producing ${\alpha}$-galactosidase and ${\beta}$-glucosidase was isolated from Kimchi. The isolated strain was identified as Weissella cibaria by 16S rDNA analysis and designated as Weissella cibaria K-M1-4. The enzyme activity of ${\alpha}$-galactosidase and ${\beta}$-glucosidase reached the maximum in the soy medium at $37^{\circ}C$ for 24 hr. The enzymes were purified by ethanol fractionation, DEAE sepharose fast flow, and sephacryl S-100HR column chromatography. ${\alpha}$-Galactosidase specific activity was shown by 576 Units/mg protein and the yield was 3.5% of the total activity of crude extracts. ${\beta}$-glucosidase specific activity was shown by 480 Units/mg protein and the yield was 2.9% of the total activity of crude extracts. The optimum temperature for ${\alpha}$-galactosidase was $60^{\circ}C$ and 43% of its original activity remained when it was treated at $80^{\circ}C$ for 30 min. For ${\alpha}$-galactosidase shows the optimum pH of 8.0 and is fairly stable between pH5.0 and pH9.0. The enzyme activity was increased in the presence of $Fe^{2+}$ and $Cu^{2+}$. The value of Km and Vmax for the enzyme were 0.98 mM and $1.81{\mu}$mole/min, respectively. The ${\beta}$-glucosidase has the optimum temperature of $50^{\circ}C$ and 46% of its original activity remained when it was treated at $80^{\circ}C$ for 30min. Its optimum pH of 7.0 and is fairly stable between pH5.0 and pH9.0. The enzyme activity was increased in the presence of $Fe^{2+},\;Co^{2+}$ and $Cu^{2+}$. The value of Km and Vmax for the enzyme were 1.24 mM and $6.81{\mu}$mole/min, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 1982

The effect of metolachlor [2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl 1-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-l-methylethyl)-acetamide] on starch, sugar and protein content in relation with ${\alpha}$-amylase activity, and its interaction with GA in the germinating stage of rice were determined. The distinctive phytotoxic symptom was the failure of the primary leaf of rice to break the coleoptile. An inhibitory effect of metolachlor was nullified by the external application of GA $10^{-3}$M. A significantly slower starch degradation accompanying the lower content of sugars was observed in the gain of the metolachlor treated seedlings. Further, the total ${\alpha}$-amylase activity was significantly lower in the grain of rice seedlings treated with metolachlor than that of the untreated one, and the lower total ${\alpha}$-amylase activity could be due to an inhibition of ${\alpha}$-amylase formation.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.423-429
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• 2010

In this study, we examined the anti-diabetic activity in vitro by the mixed Korean herb water extracts(JDG) composed of Lycium chinense, Cordyceps militaris, and Acanthopanax senticosus on hepatic glucose-regulating enzyme activities such as glucokinase(GK), acetyl-CoA carboxylase(ACC), and inhibition activity of $\alpha$-glucosidase. The hepatic cytosol fraction of a type II diabetic animal(Goto-Kakizaki rat) was used in GK and ACC activity assays. JDG mixed water extracts significantly increased the hepatic GK and ACC activity. The highest anti-$\alpha$-glucosidase activity was observed in JDG 5 water extract when compared to the acarbose control, inhibitor of $\alpha$-glucosidase. We suggest that Lycium chinense, Cordyceps militaris, and Acanthopanax senticosus mixed water extracts may exert an anti-diabetic activity by enhancing the glucose metabolism and may be used as natural $\alpha$-glucosidase inhibitors in type 2 diabetic conditions.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.8-18
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• 2018

Background: This present study was conducted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory effects of Aucklandia lappa Decne (AL). Methods and Results: We measured cytotoxicity, nitric oxide (NO) content, mRNA expression (iNOS, IL-1${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and TNF-${\alpha}$), protein expression (iNOS, COX-2, and $I{\kappa}B$) and phagocytic activity in RAW264.7 cells. Male BALB/c mice were fed 100 mg/kg AL (Aucklandia lappa Decneon 70% ethanol extract) and 250 mg/kg AL for 4 weeks; thereafter, we observed B/T or $CD4^+/CD8^+$ lymphocyte subpopulation change, and expression patterns of $CD4^+$ and $CD8^+$ lymphocytes by immunohistochemical staining in mouse splenocytes and/or thymocytes. To determine the experimental concentration of AL, cell viability was measured by MTT assay and tested at $12.5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ or less. AL inhibited the levels of NO, lymphokine production (IL-$1{\beta}$, and TNF-${\alpha}$), and mRNA (iNOS, IL-1${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and TNF-${\alpha}$) and protein (iNOS, and COX-2) expression. Additionally, the levels of $I{\kappa}B$, phagocytic activity, and splenic and thymic T lymphocytes, especially $T_H$ and $T_C$ cells were significantly increased in AL administered mice. The immuno-reactive density of $CD4^+$ and $CD8^+$ lymphocytes was stronger in AL groups than in the normal group. AL stimulated NO, iNOS, and COX-2, and regulated IL-1${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, and $I{\kappa}B$ in macrophages treated with LPS (lipopolysaccharide). In addition, AL increased the phagocytic activity of macrophages and the immunity of mouse T ($T_H$, and $T_C$) cells. Conclusions: These results suggested that AL might show anti-inflammatory activity via the suppression of various inflammatory markers and immuno-regulatory activity.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.164-169
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• 2015

This study evaluated in vitro antioxidant activity, antioxidant content, and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities of ethanol extracts of samnamul (shoot of Aruncus dioicus), miyeokchwi (Solidago virgaurea), daraesoon (shoot of Actinidia arguta Planchon), and bangpungnamul (leaves of Ledebouriella seseloides), as muknamul, and fresh chamnamul (Pimpinella brachycarpa). Tocopherol content (4.8-78.3 mg/100 g) of sanchae was lower than polyphenols (4.4-12.2 g/100 g). Daraesoon with high tocopherol contents showed high antioxidant activity and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities. Samnamul had the highest levels of polyphenols and flavonoids, the highest antioxidant activity, and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition. Antioxidant activity was correlated with flavonoid content ($r^2=0.8895$), but was not correlated with the levels of other antioxidants tested, suggesting that polyphenol content in samnamul, miyeokchwi, daraesoon, bangpung, and chamnamul might not be critical determinant of antioxidant activity. Our results strongly suggest that samnamul and daraesoon could be useful in the treatment of diabetes and obesity.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.39-44
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• 2013

Objectives : Gambigyeongsinhwan 16 (GGEx16), gambigyeongsinhwan 18 (GGEx18) and gambitongseong capsule are shown to be involved in the regulation of obesity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the reporter activity of anti-obesity genes such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\alpha}$ ($PPAR{\alpha}$) and $PPAR{\delta}$ by GGEx16, GGEx18 and gambitongseong capsule. Methods : After NMu2Li liver cells, C2C12 skeletal muscle cells and 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were treated with GGEx16 (1 ${\mu}g/ml$), GGEx18 (1 ${\mu}g/ml$) and different concentrations of gambitongseong capsule, the transactivation of $PPAR{\alpha}$ and $PPAR{\delta}$ was measured by a luciferase reporter gene assay. Results : $PPAR{\alpha}$ reporter gene activity in NMu2Li liver cells and 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was significantly increased by GGEx16, GGEx18 and gambitongseong capsule compared with control, whereas $PPAR{\alpha}$ reporter gene activity in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells was significantly increased by GGEx18 only compared with control. Similarly, $PPAR{\delta}$ reporter gene activity in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was also significantly increased by GGEx18 compared with control. $PPAR{\delta}$ reporter gene activity in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells was significantly increased by GGEx16 and GGEx18 compared with control although $PPAR{\delta}$ reporter gene activity in NMu2Li liver cells was not changed by these three formulas. Conclusions : These results suggest that all three formulas have the ability to stimulate $PPAR{\alpha}$ and $PPAR{\delta}$ transactivation in animal cell lines with high metabolic rates. In particular, this effects were most prominent in GGEx18-treated cells. In addition, it is likely that GGEx18 may be used as an effective anti-obesity composition.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.475-478
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• 2002

In zoological research, penetration of light has been reported of the frontal bones of fish, birds, and reptiles, suggesting the existence of physiologically direct photic routes to frontal lobes and/or deep parts of the brain. We studied the influences of frontal exposure to photodiode light on frontal alpha wave and peripheral NK cells. Repetitive exposure of the subject's forehead to a red light diode (660nm) significantly increased the effective amplitude of the frontal alpha waves (using a mean frequency with a range of +1.0 Hz), peripheral NK activity, and the level of CD57-CD16+. Frontal alpha wave activity and the level of CD57-CD16+ increased, suggesting the possibility of a non-invasive procedure for the activation of the frontal lobe and the increase of NK cells. This light is considered to penetrate the frontal bones of humans directly, and to act on the frontal lobe and/or other immunological regulatory centers in the brain, resulting in some neuro-immunological changes.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.583-589
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• 2001

To estalish bio-indices for detection of the development of multistep hepatotumorigenesis, rats were fed water containing 0.01% diethylnitrosamine (DEN) ad libitum for 13-14 weeks. Hepatocellular carcinoma was developed by treatment with DEN, DEN only was able to induce hepatic tumors in rats without any other cocarcinogen. Compared to control group, liver cytosol protein concentration in all treated grous was significantly decreased (p<0.05). From week to week, $20{\alpha}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase ($20{\alpha}$-HSD) activity was increased and the highest activity was observed on the 12th week (p<0.05). In addition, the urine biopterin concentration was also significantly increased compared to control groups (p<0.05) in a time course manner. These results indicated that $20{\alpha}$-HSD activity, urine biopterin and liver cytosol protein concentration might be very useful maker to hepatic tumorigenesis.