• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.1039-1046
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• 2009

The cytochrome P450s (P450s) metabolizing natural products are among the most versatile biological catalysts known in plants, but knowledge of the structural basis for their broad substrate specificity has been limited. The activity of p-coumarate 3-hydroxylase (C3H) is thought to be essential for the biosynthesis of lignin and many other phenylpropanoid pathway products in plants however, all attempts to express and purify the protein corresponding C3H gene have failed. As a result, no conditions suitable for the unambiguous assay of the enzyme are known. The detailed understanding of the mechanism and substrate-specificity of C3Hdemands a method for the production of active protein on the milligram scale. We have developed a bacterial expression and purification system for the plant C3H, which allows for the quick expression and purification of active wild-type C3H via introduction of combinational mutagenesis. The modified cytochrome P450 C3H ($C3H_{mod}$) could be purified in the absence of detergent using immobilized metal affinity chromatography and size exclusion chromatography following extraction from isolated membranes in a high salt buffer and catalytically activated. This method makes the use of isotopic labeling of C3H for NMRstudies and X-ray crystallography practical, and is also applicable to other plant cytochrome P450 proteins.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.820-826
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• 2014

The localization to specific subcellular sites and the regulation of cell surface receptors and channels are crucial for proper functioning. Postsynaptic density-95/Disks large/Zonula occludens-1 (PDZ)-domain is involved in recognition of and interaction between various proteins, by which the localization and the regulation are mediated. Multi-PDZ domain protein 1 (MUPP1) contains 13 PDZ domains. MUPP1 serves a scaffolding function for structure proteins and signaling proteins, but the mechanism how MUPP1 is stabilized and signalized has not yet been elucidated. We used the yeast two-hybrid system to identify proteins that interact with PDZ domains of MUPP1. We found an interaction between MUPP1 and Parkin. Parkin is an E3 ubiquitin ligase. Loss-of-function mutations of Parkin gene are known to cause an autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism. Parkin bound to the $12^{th}$ PDZ domain, but not to other PDZ domains of MUPP1. The C-terminal end of Parkin has a type II PDZ-association motif, which was essential for the interaction with MUPP1 in the yeast two-hybrid assay. When co-expressed in HEK-293T cells, Parkin co-localized with MUPP1. When co-expressed with ubiquitin in HEK-293T cells, MUPP1 has been strongly ubiquitinated by Parkin. These findings collectively suggest that MUPP1 is a novel substrate of Parkin and its function or stability could be modulated by Parkin-mediated ubiquitination.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.616-621
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• 2013

Aconitum pesudo-laeve var erectum has been known to possess anti-inflammatory activity and modulate the intestinal immune system. In addition, it has traditionally been used for the treatment of water retention in the body. In this study, the anti-aging and anti-diabetes effects of water and ethanol extracts from Aconitum pesudo-laeve var. erectum were investigated. The activities of each extract were measured by antioxidant tests such as DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity, antioxidant protection factor (PF), TBARs content, and ${\alpha}$-amylase and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition activity assay. DPPH radical scavenging activity was found in over 50% of water and ethanol extracts at $100{\mu}g/ml$, $50{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The ABTS radical scavenging activity of ethanol extract was $99.8{\pm}0.1$% at $1,000{\mu}g/ml$ in water, which was highest among the ethanol extract concentrations. PFs measured with ${\beta}$-carotene-linoleate model systems were in the order of ethanol (1.49 PF at $1,000{\mu}g/ml$) > ethanol (1.40 PF at $500{\mu}g/ml$) > water (1.33 PF at $1,000{\mu}g/ml$) > water (1.27 PF at $500{\mu}g/ml$). TBARs content in ethanol extracts ($1,000{\mu}g/ml$) was $0.16{\pm}0.03{\mu}M$, which was lower than that of water extracts and other ethanol extract concentrations. The extracts also showed over 90% of ${\alpha}$-amylase inhibition and over 60% of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition ratio in water ($1,000{\mu}g/ml$) and ethanol extracts (100~$1,000{\mu}g/ml$). These results suggest that Aconitum pesudo-laeve var. erectum extracts could be used as a cosmetic source and preventive agent for aging and diabetes.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.225-231
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• 1998

Purpose : To determine whether TNF-$\alpha$ increases the antitumor effect of radiotherapy in murine syngeneic tumor system. Materials and Methods : Syngeneic murine tumors of MCa-K or MCa-4 (mammary carcinoma), OCa-I (ovarian carcinoma), or HCa-I(hepatocarcinoma were grown in hind legs of C3Hf/HeJ mice. When tumors were grown to 6 mm in mean diameter mice were treated with TNF-$\alpha$, radiation, or combination of the both. Gamma-radiation was given as a single dose of 30 Gy for HCa-I and 15 Gy for other tumors using Cobalt-60 teletherapy unit. A novel TNF-$\alpha$ mutein developed in Korea, was intraperitoneally administered daily at a dose of 10 ug per mouse for 7 days. In combination of radiation and TNF-$\alpha$, the drug was started 1 hour after radiation. Tumor growth delay assay was used to measure the tumor response to the treatment. Results : Among 4 tested tumors, TNF-$\alpha$ alone showed significant antitumor activity in MCa-K and OCa-I tumors, which showed absolute growth delay (AGD) of 5.0 days and 6.5 days, respectively. In combination with radiation, TNF-$\alpha$ showed significant delay of AGD (41.1 days) in OCA-I compared to AGDs of TNF-$\alpha$ alone and radiation, i.e., 6.5 days and 26.9 days, respectively(p<0.05). Enhancement factor was 1.29 in OCa-I, which showed supraadditive effect. TNF-$\alpha$ did not show significant delay of AGDs in the remaining 3 tumors compared to AGDs of TNF-$\alpha$ alone and radiation. Conclusions: TNF-$\alpha$ alone showed antitumor effects in MCa-K and OCa-I. In combination with radiation, TNF-$\alpha$ acted in supraadditive way in OCa-I only. The results of this study imply that the combination of TNF-$\alpha$ and radiation has different therapeutic potential depending on tumor model and further study is advocated.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.647-657
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• 2016

In this study, the antioxidative effects and active component analysis of 50% ethanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction obtained from Prunella vulgaris L. were investigated. The free radical scavenging activities ($FSC_{50}$) was investigated at 50% ethanol extract ($15.25{\mu}g/mL$), ethyl acetate fraction ($8.68{\mu}g/mL$), and aglycone fraction ($8.25{\mu}g/mL$) respectively. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities ($OSC_{50}$) in $Fe^{3+}-EDTA/H_2O_2$ system using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay was investigated at 50% ethanol extract ($4.68{\mu}g/mL$), ethyl acetate fraction ($1.00{\mu}g/mL$), and aglycone fraction($1.02{\mu}g/mL$) respectively. In the cellular protective effect against $^1O_2$ induced cellular damage of human erythrocytes, extract/fractions of P. vulgaris L. were increased in a concentration dependent manner($1{\sim}25{\mu}g/mL$). Especially, ${\tau}_{50}$ of aglycone fraction at concentrations of $25{\mu}g/mL$ showed the most protective effects at 337.9 min. It's showed nine times higher (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol (${\tau}_{50}=38.7min$) as typical antioxidant in the $^1O_2$-induced photohemolysis of human erythrocytes. TLC and HPLC were used to analyse active components in the ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction of P. vulgaris L. In ethyl acetate fraction, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, quercetin 3-${\beta}$-D-glucoside, rutin, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, astragalin (kaempferol-3-O-glucoside) were identified. In aglycone fraction, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, quercetin, kaempferol were identified. These results indicated that extract/fraction of P. vulgaris L. is may be used in cosmetics industry as natural antioxidants by quenching and/or scavenging $^1O_2$ and other ROS, and protecting cellular membranes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2008

This study investigated the anti-hypertensive effect of Phyllostachys pubescens culm extract (PCE) by examining its effects on renal angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition and blood pressure using the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) system. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured weekly for 8 weeks. Also, total antioxidant capacity and protein oxidation of tissues were examined by plasma Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity assay (TEAC) and hepatic protein carbonyl values, respectively. Twenty male SHR were randomly divided into four groups: PCE50, PCE100, and PCE500 (50, 100, and 500 mg of PCE per kilogram bodyweight daily, respectively), and control group. At week 2, the SBP in all PCE groups appeared to be significantly lower than the control (p<0.05), whereas the DBP were not different until week 4 (p<0.05). At week 8, SBP in the PCE500 was lower by 20% than the control. PCE groups considerably suppressed ACE dose-dependently compared with the control. Plasma TEAC and hepatic protein carbonyl values indicated increased antioxidative activity due to the PCE feed. No adverse effect was observed on the liver of SHR as there was no difference for the GOT and GPT values among the groups. Results of this study suggest that ACE inhibition may be one possible mechanism for the blood pressure lowering effect of PCE; thus, long term consumption of PCE may be beneficial in preventing high blood pressure along with the increased antioxidative status.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.10
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• pp.1271-1278
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• 2007

In this study, the ability of Styela clava or Styela plicata to reduce ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity and hepatic and leucocytic DNA damages was evaluated. Twenty four male SD rats were given 25% ethanol containing water (ad lib, p.o.) and divided into 3 groups; ethanol treated control group (EtOH), ethano1+3% S. clava (EtOH+SC), and ethano1+3% S. plicata (EtOH+SP). After 6 weeks, the supplementation of S. clava reduced the plasma ALT, ALP and LDH activities significantly (p<0.05), while S. plicata induced significant decrease in the plasma LDH activity only. The comet assay was employed to quantify the alcohol-induced DNA damage in rat hepatocytes and leucocytes. A significant protective effect on hepatic and leucocytic DNA damages was observed in S. clava or S. plicata supplemented groups compared to the EtOH control group. The hepatic DNA damage was correlated positively with plasma ALP and LDH activities. These results demonstrated that S. clava or S. plicata supplementation protected alcohol-induced hepatic and leucocytic DNA damage.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 2009

In this study, the antioxidative effects, inhibitory effects on tyrosinase, and component analysis of fermented Melissa officinalis extracts were investigated. The ethyl acetate fraction of fermented extract ($8.38{\mu}g/mL$) showed the most prominent the free radical (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH) scavenging activities ($FSC_{50}$) of extract/fractions of M. officinalis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities ($OSC_{50}$) of some M. officinalis extracts on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}$-EDTA/$H_{2}O_{2}$ system were investigated using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. The ethyl acetate fraction of fermented extract ($0.63{\mu}g/mL$) showed the most prominent ROS scavenging activity. The protective effects of extract/fractions of M. officinalis on the rose-bengal sensitized photohemolysis of human erythrocytes were investigated. The M. officinalis extracts suppressed photohemolysis in a concentration dependent manner ($5\;{\sim}\;75{\mu}g/mL$). The inhibitory effect of M. officinalis extracts on tyrosinase was investigated to assess their whitening efficacy. Inhibitory effects ($IC_{50}$) on tyrosinase of some M. officinalis extracts was 50 % ethanol extract ($365{\mu}g/mL$) < ethyl acetate fraction of fermented extract ($122.43{\mu}g/mL$) < ethylacetate fraction ($94.8{\mu}g/mL$). Fractions of ethyl acetate both from ordinary and fermented M. officinalis extracts showed 2 band in TLC and 2 peak in HPLC (330 nm). In HPLC chromatogram of ethyl acetate fraction, peak 1 (51.64 %) and peak 2 (48.36 %) were identified as caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid in the order of elution time. Also, in HPLC chromatogram of ethyl acetate fraction of fermented extract, peak 1 (4.13 %) and peak 2 (95.87 %) were identified as caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid in the order of elution time. These results indicate that the component and content of ordinary and fermented extracts of M. officinalis are different. And the extract of M. officinalis can be used as an antioxidant.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.337-345
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• 2013

In this study, the antioxidative effects of Aronia melanocarpa fruit and leaf extracts were investigated. The free radical (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH) scavenging activities ($FSC_{50}$) of the ethylacetate and aglycone fractions of fruit extracts were 16.29 ${\mu}g/mL$, and 12.29 ${\mu}g/mL$, respectively. The free radical scavenging activity of fruit extract was higher than that of leaf extracts. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities ($OSC_{50}$) of the ethylacetate and aglycone fractions of fruit extracts on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}-EDTA/H_2O_2$ system using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay showed 2.86 ${\mu}g/mL$, and 1.80 ${\mu}g/mL$, respectively. ROS scavenging activity of the aglycone fraction of fruit extracts was similar to that of L-ascorbic acid (1.50 ${\mu}g/mL$). The ROS scavenging activity of fruit extracts was higher than that of leaf extracts. The cellular protective effects of aglycone fraction of fruit extracts (${\tau}_{50}$ = 72.3 min) on the $^1O_2$-induced cellular damage of human erythrocytes especially were increased in a concentration dependent manner (5 ~ 50 ${\mu}g/mL$). ${\tau}_{50}$ (72.3 min) of the aglycone fraction showed 1.9 times higher than (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol (38 min), known as lipophilic antioxidant at 10 ${\mu}g/mL$. These results incidicate that A. melanocarpa fruit extracts have higher antioxidant effects than leaf extracts and could be applicable to functional cosmetics materials for antioxidants by protecting skin exposed to solar UV radiation against ROS including $^1O_2$.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.10
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• pp.1164-1170
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• 2017

Protaetia brevitarsis larvae (PBL) has recently been registered as a temporary food in Korea, and this study evaluated the application potential of PBL proteins as health functional food materials. Protein hydrolysates were prepared from PBL powder by enzymatic hydrolysis using five different proteases (alcalase, bromelain, flavourzyme, neutrase, and papain), and based on the results from the peptide content and SDS-PAGE analyses, PBL treated with alcalase or flavourzyme showed a high degree of hydrolysis (HD) value, whereas the HD value of those treated with neutrase, bromelain, or papain was minimal. The protein hydrolysates showing a high HD value were separated further into the fractions of >3 kDa and <3 kDa by a centrifugal filter system and then lyophilized, and according to the $RC_{50}$ values of the protein hydrolysates (<3 kDa) obtained from three different antioxidant analyses; the alcalase hydrolysates showed the highest antioxidant activity. Therefore, the alcalase hydrolysates were tested further for their inhibitory effects on the peroxidation of linoleic acid by measuring the thiobarbituric acid values. The results showed that the peroxidation of untreated linoleic acid increased dramatically during 6 days of incubation, but a pretreatment with the hydrolysates ($100{\sim}800{\mu}g/mL$) significantly inhibited the linoleic acid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner for 6 days. Our current studies are focused on the identification of active peptide sequences from alcalase hydrolysates.