• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.369-372
• /
• 2007

O-Methyltransferases (OMTs), one of the ubiquitous enzymes in plants, bacteria, and humans, catalyze a methyl-transfer reaction using S-adenosylmethionine and a wide range of phenolics as a methyl donor and acceptor, respectively. Substrates for most bacterial OMTs have largely remained elusive, but recent investigation using BcOMT2, an OMT from Bacillus cereus, suggested that ortho-dihydroxyflavonoids could serve as substrates. To elucidate the functional and structural features of BcOMT2, we expressed, and purified BcOMT2, and crystallized an apoenzyme and its ternary complex in the presence of a flavonoid and S-adenosylhomocysteine. Each crystal diffracted to $1.8{\AA}$ with its space group of C2 and $P2_{1}2_{1}2_{1}$, respectively. Structural analysis of apo-BcOMT2 and its ternary complex will provide the structural basis of methyl transfer onto (iso)flavonoids in a regiospecific manner.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.117-128
• /
• 2014

Objective : It is known that Pueriaria lobata has an anti-osteoporetic effect, anti-cancer effect, anti-pyretic effect, and anti-diabetic effect. The aim of this study was to evaluate anti-obesity effect of Pueriaria lobata extract (PLE), and elucidate the effect of it on gene expression related to lipid metabolism. Method : The experiments were performed with the use of ovariectomized rats as estrogen-deficient obesity model. They were grouped NC (normal control), OC (estrogen-deficient control), PLH (100mg/kg of PLE), PLL (20mg/kg). PLE was orally administered for 6 weeks. Body weights and serum lipid level were estimated, and real-time PCR was performed to investigate the effect of PLE on gene expression in liver. Results : PLE decreased the body weight and serum cholesterol and triglyceride, but increased HDL-cholesterol. And PLE increased leptin, CYP27, CPT1, CYP8B1, ACAT2, LDLR, and SCD1, but reduced $PPAR{\gamma}$, PGC1A, HMG-CoA-R, ACAT1, SCD1, and APoB gene expression in liver tissue of rat with estrogen-deficient obesity. Conclusion : It is concluded that Pueriaria lobata reduced body weight, and its effect was expressed by regulation of gene expression related to lipid metabolism in rats with estrogen-deficient obesity.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.57-70
• /
• 2013

This study was to investigated the effects of the bee venom on inhibition of cell growth via upregulation of death receptor expression in the A549 human lung cancer cells. Bee venom(1-5 ${\mu}g$/ml) inhibited the growth of A549 lung cancer cells by the induction of apoptotic cell death in a dose dependent manner. Consistent with apoptotic cell death, expression of TNFR1, Fas, death receptors(DR) 3, 4 and 6 was increased in the cells. Expression of DR downstream pro-apoptotic proteins including caspase-3, -9 and Bax was concomitantly increased, but the expression of Bcl-2, NF-${\kappa}B$ were inhibited by treatment with bee venom in A549 cells. Moreover, deletion of DR3, DR4 by small interfering RNA significantly reversed bee venom-induced cell growth inhibitory effect, whereas Apo3L strengthened anti-proliferative effect of bee venom through enhancement of DR3 expression. These results suggest that bee venom should exert anti-tumor effect through induction of apoptotic cell death in lung cancer cells via enhancement of death receptor expression, and that bee venom could be a promising agent for preventing and treating lung cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.10-20
• /
• 1999

This study aimed at investigating correlation of nutrients intake and serum lipids of industrial workers. 226 for adult aged 20yr~59yr (average age 35.9yr) were selected as subjects during 6 months, from June to December, 1997. Nutrients intake was investigated by questionnaire, 24-hour recall method. Antropometric assessments, serum lipids and blood pressure of the subjects were investigated. The results as follows ; In total subjects, calories, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin $B_1$, and vitamin $B_2$ were below Korean RDA(recommended dietary allowances) and protein, iron, vitamin C, niacin and phosphorus were above Korean RDA. Distribution of BMI groups were underweight groups(7.9%), normalweight groups(63.3%) and overweight groups(28.8%). In BMI groups, intakes of calories, carbohydrates, protein, fats, iron, niacin and potassium of overweight groups were higher than those of other groups, significantly(P<0.001). Intakes of calcium of underweight groups were lower than those of other groups, significantly(P<0.05). BMI increased with age. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, apo(b) and atherogenic index of overweight groups were higher than those of other groups, significantly(P<0.001). Calories, carbohydrates, protein, fats, iron, vitamin $B_1$, vitamin $B_2$, niacin, natrium and potassium were positively correlated with BMI, significantly(P<0.001). Calcium and vitamin C were positively correlated with BMI, significantly(P<0.01). vitamin A and phosphorus were positively correlated with BMI, significantly(P<0.05). Total lipid, total-chol., triglyceride, apo(b) and atherogenic index were positively correlated with BMI, significantly(P<0.001). HDL-chol. were negatively correlated with BMI, significantly(P<0.001). Above results, the more BMI and age increased, the worse patterns of serum lipid, so that increased atherogenic index that increased risk of atherosclerosis and degenerative chronic disease connected with serum lipid. After classified by BMI, age and lipid pattern, it will be managed individually for health management of industrial workers. Development and application of efficient program will be urgent for harmonious nutrition counseling and guidance.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.43 no.10
• /
• pp.1491-1499
• /
• 2014

We examined the effects of unripe black raspberry (UBR) and red ginseng (RG) extracts on cholesterol improvement in C57BL/6J mice fed a HCD (high cholesterol diet) for 12 weeks. Hepatic total lipid and total cholesterol contents were significantly induced in hyperlipidemic mice. However, supplementation with UBR, RG and simvastatin effectively reduced these lipid profiles. Further, UBR and co-treatment with UBR and RG increased expression of LDL receptor, SREBP2, and SR-B1 mRNA compared with HCD. The ApoB/ApoA1 ratio was reduced by co-treatment with UBR and RG compared to treatment with UBR. In addition, histopathologic evaluation showed that co-treatment with UBR and RG suppressed lipid accumulation as well as FAS and leptin expression in plasma. These results indicate that co-treatment with UBR and RG may be useful for the prevention of hypercholesterolemia.

• Proceedings of the Korea Crystallographic Association Conference
• /
• 2003.05a
• /
• pp.17-17
• /
• 2003

tRNA (m¹ G37) methyltransferase (TrmD) catalyze s the trans for of a methyl group from S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) to G/sup 37/ within a subset of bacterial tRNA species, which have a residue G at 36th position. The modified guanosine is adjacent to and 3' of the anticodon and is essential for the maintenance of the correct reading frame during translation. We have determined the first crystal structure of TrmD from Haemophilus influenzae, as a binary complex with either AdoMet or S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (AdoHcy), as a ternary complex with AdoHcy/phosphate, and as an apo form. The structure indicates that TrmD functions as a dimer (Figure 1). It also suggests the binding mode of G/sup 36/G/sup 37/ in the active site of TrmD and catalytic mechanism. The N-terminal domain has a trefoil knot, in which AdoMet or AdoHcy is bound in a novel, bent conformation. The C-terminal domain shows a structural similarity to DNA binding domain of trp or tot repressor. We propose a plausible model for the TrmD₂-tRNA₂ complex, which provides insights into recognition of the general tRNA structure by TrmD (Figure 2).

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.93-100
• /
• 2014

Background: Curcumin has has been reported to exert anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation and anti-angiogenic activity in various types of cancer. It has also been shown to induce apoptosis in leukemia cells. We aimed to unravel the role of the redox pathway in Curcumin mediated apoptosis with a panel of human leukemic cells. Materials and Methods: In this study in vitro cytotoxicity of Curcumin was measured by MTT assay and apoptotic effects were assessed by annexin V/PI, DAPI staining, cell cycle analysis, measurement of caspase activity and PARP cleavage. Effects of Curcumin on intracellular redox balance were assessed using fluorescent probes like $H_2DCFDA$, JC1 and an ApoGSH Glutathione Detection Kit respectively. Results: Curcumin showed differential anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects on different human leukemic cell lines in contrast to minimal effects on normal cells. Curcumin induced apoptosis was associated with the generation of intracellular ROS, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular GSH depletion, caspase activation. Conclusions: As Curcumin induces programmed cell death specifically in leukemic cells it holds a great promise as a future therapeutic agent in the treatment of leukemia.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.55 no.6
• /
• pp.485-491
• /
• 2011

Previously, we have reported that apigenin, a natural flavonoid found in a variety of vegetables and fruits, stimulated melanogenesis through the activation of $K^+-Cl^-$-cotransport (KCC) in B16 melanoma cells. In this study we investigated the possible involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the mechanism of apigenin-induced melanogenesis in B16 cells. Apigenin elevated intracellular ROS level in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with various inhibitors of NADPH oxidase, diphenylene iodonium (DPI), apocynin (Apo) and neopterine (NP) significantly inhibited both the generation of ROS and melanogenesis induced by apigenin. In addition these inhibitors profoundly inhibited apigenin-induced $Cl^-$-dependent $K^+$ efflux, a hallmark of KCC activity. However, the apigenin-induced ROS generation was not significantly affected by treatment with a specific KCC inhibitor R-(+)-[(2-n-butyl-6,7-dichloro-2-cyclopentyl-2,3-dihydro-1-oxo-1H-inden-5-yl)oxy]acetic acid (DIOA). These results indicate that the ROS production may be a upstream regulator of the apigenin-induced KCC stimulation, and in turn, melanogenesis in the B16 cells. Taken together, these results suggest that the NADPH oxidase-mediated ROS production may play an important role in the apigenin-induced melanogenesis in B16 cells. These results further suggest that NADPH oxidase may be a good target for the management of hyperpigmentation disorders.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.67-82
• /
• 2005

Effects of Phaseoli Semen rubra Herbal-acupuncture at zusanli(ST-36), Quchi(LI-11) and Sanyinjiao(Sp-6) on lipid composition, liver function, oxidative capacity and molecular biological aspects were investigate in high fat diet induced obese rats. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing about 400g were divided into 4 groups according to body weight and raised four weeks with control, zusanli(ST-36), Quchi(LI-11) and Sanyinjiao(Sp-6) Herbal-acupuncture groups. 1. Plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol showed a low values in the (ST-36) and (LI-11) Herbal-acupuncture groups and HDL-cholesterol showed a high values in the (ST-36) Herbal-acupuncture groups. 2. Plasma triglyceride and glucose showed a low values in the (ST-36) and (LI-11) Herbal-acupuncture groups. 3. The contents of plasma free fatty acids showed a tendence to decrease in the Herbal-acupuncture groups, however in the Herbal-acupuncture groups, the values showed no significantly different. 4. The activities of AST and ALT showed no significantly different in all treatment groups. 5. The contents of plasma ${\beta}-lipoprotein$ and free fatty acids showed a tendency to decrease in the Herbal-acupuncture groups compared to those of control group. In the Herbal-acupuncture groups, the values of (ST-36) and (LI-11) Herbal-acupuncture groups showed a low in the acupuncture groups. 6. Liver total cholesterol and triglyceride showed a low values in the (ST-36) and (LI-11) Herbal-acupuncture groups. 7. Contents of plasma TBARS showed a low values in the (ST-36) and (LI-11) Herbal-acupuncture groups, however contents of liver TBARS showed no significantly different among treatment groups. 8. Values of liver glutathione peroxidase and catalase activity showed a tendency to increase in the (ST-36) and (LI-11) Herbal­acupuncture groups. Values of liver super oxide dismutase activity showed a high in the (ST-36) Herbal-acupuncture groups compared to those of other groups. 9. Expression of apo-B mRNA in liver cell showed a low in (ST-36) Herbal-acupuncture groups, however expression of apo-E mRNA showed a high in Herbal-acupuncture groups and $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA in adipose cell showed no different among all the treatment groups. Expression of Leptin mRNA showed a tendance to decrease in (ST-36) Herbal-acupuncture group. 10. Histological character of liver, those of (ST-36) Herbal-acupuncture group showed a good, however other treatment groups showed slight vasodilation and slight fat accumulation. These results indicated that Phaseoli Semen rubra Herbal-acupuncture at (ST-36) and (LI-22) suppressed adipose tissue mass and lipid peroxidation and increased antioxidant system.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.76-91
• /
• 2002

The lipid lowering and antioxidant effects of Gansoo(BL18), Pungji(GB20) and Eumnungcheun(SP9) acupuncture in rats fed high fat diet were analyzed in biochemical and molecular biological aspects. The results obtained from this study are as follows : 1. In the body weight reduction, all acupuncture groups showed a high reduction compared to those of control group and in acupuncture groups, Gansoo(BL18) and Pungji(GB20) acupuncture groups showed a high reduction. 2. The concentration of plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol with acupuncture groups showed a little decrease and in acupuncture groups, Gansoo(BL18) and Pungji(GB20) groups showed a low values compared to those of other acupuncture groups. However, the tendency of HDL-cholesterol concentration showed no significant different. 3. The concentration of plasma ${\beta}-lipoprotein$ and free fatty acids showed a lowest values in the Gansoo(BL18) and Pungji(GB20) acupuncture groups and the glucose concentration showed to decrease in all treated acupuncture groups. 4. The concentration of liver total cholesterol and triglyceride in Gansoo(BL18) and Pungji(GB20) acupuncture groups showed a lower values than those of control group. 5. In all the acupuncture groups, the plasma glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase(GOT) activity showed a little decrease. In the glutamic pyruvate activity(GPT), Gansoo(BL18) and Pungji(GB20) acupuncture groups showed a lower values than those of control groups. However the values of eumneungcheun acupuncture only group showed no significant difference to those of control group. 6. The plasma and liver Thiobabituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) concentration in Gansoo(BL18) and Pungji(GB20) acupuncture groups were a lower than those of control group. However the values of eumneungcheun acupuncture group showed no significant difference to control group. 7. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in Gansoo(BL18) acupuncture group and Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in Gansoo(BL18) and Pungji(GB20) acupuncture groups showed a high values. The catalase (CAT) activity in all the acupuncture groups showed a higher values than those of control group. 8. In acupuncture groups, DNA expression of Apo-B and Apo-E showed a tendency to decrease, however DNA expression of leptin showed no significant difference in all treatment groups. DNA expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$ showed a increase in acupuncture groups. These results indicate that Gansoo(BL18) and Pungji(GB20) (especially Gansoo(BL18)) acupuncture affect the lipid metabolism and showed possibility of lowering adipose tissue mass and lipid peroxidation.