• 자원환경지질
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• 제52권2호
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• pp.141-158
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• 2019

경남에 소재하는 삼천포 및 하동 석탄 화력발전소 인근 농경지 토양을 대상으로 중금속 함량을 측정하였다. 삼천포지역 48개, 하동 지역 61개의 표토 및 심토를 대상으로 분석한 결과, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn는 모두 토양오염 우려기준 미만으로 나타났으나 Cd는 삼천포 38개, 하동 13개 시료에서 우려기준을 초과하였다. 지질부하지수와 농축계수를 구한 결과 Cd는 높은 오염도를 보였으며 Cd와 Pb는 인위적 오염원에 의한 토양 내 농축인 것으로 보인다. 그러나 연속추출을 통해 중금속의 존재형태를 규명한 결과 Cd를 포함한 토양 내 중금속들은 대부분 용출 가능성이 매우 적은 형태로 존재하여 생물이용도가 낮게 나타났다. 이러한 결과는 석탄 화력발전소 인근 토양이 인위적인 요인으로 인해 Cd로 오염되었으나 인근 생태계로 유입될 가능성은 낮음을 의미한다.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.184-190
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• 2020

This study was performed to find antibacterial substances contained in Scutellariae Radix (SR) using a systems pharmacological analysis method and to establish an effective strategy for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. Analysis of the main active ingredients of SR was performed using Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) Database and Analysis Platform. 36 active compounds were screened by the parameter values of Drug-Likeness (DL), Oral Bioavailability (OB), and Caco-2 permeability (Caco-2), which were based on the drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion indicators. The UniProt database was used to obtain information on 159 genes associated with active compounds. The main active compounds with antibacterial effects were wogonin, β-sitosterol, baicalein, acacetin and oroxylin-A. Target proteins associated with the antibacterial action were chemokine ligand 2, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor, caspase-8,9 and mitogen-activated protein kinase 14. In the future, systems pharmacological analysis of traditional medicine will be able to make it easy to find the important mechanism of action of active substances present in natural medicines and to optimize the efficacy of medicinal effects for combinations of major ingredients to help treat certain diseases.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제49권2호
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• pp.174-180
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• 2021

Chalcones exhibit multiple biological activities. Various studies have attempted to modify the structure of chalcones with a special focus on the addition of substituents to the benzene rings. However, these chemical modifications did not improve the water solubility and bioavailability of chalcones. Glycosylation can markedly affect the physical and chemical properties of hydrophobic compounds. Here, we evaluated the ability of a highly promiscuous glycosyltransferase (GT) BsGT1 from Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 to biosynthesize chalcone glucosides. Purified BsGT1 catalyzed the conversion of 4'-hydroxychalcone (compound 1), 4'-hydroxy-4-methylchalcone (compound 2), and 4-hydroxy-4'-methoxychalcone (compound 3), into chalcone 4'-O-β-D-glucoside (compound 1a), 4-methylchalcone 4'-O-β-D-glucoside (compound 2a), and 4'-methoxychalcone 4-O-β-D-glucoside (compound 3a), respectively. To avoid the addition of expensive uridine diphosphate glucose (UDP-Glc), a whole-cell biotransformation system was employed to provide a natural intracellular environment for in situ co-factor regeneration. The yields of compounds 1a, 2a, and 3a were as high as 90.38%, 100% and 74.79%, respectively. The successful co-expression of BsGT1 with phosphoglucomutase (PGM) and UDP-Glc pyrophosphorylase (GalU), which are involved in the biosynthetic pathway of UDP-Glc, further improved the conversion rates of chalcones (the yields of compounds 1a and 3a increased by approximately 10%). In conclusion, we demonstrated an effective whole-cell biocatalytic system for the enzymatic biosynthesis of chalcone β-D-glucoside derivatives.

• 운동영양학회지
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.28-35
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• 2021

[Purpose] As Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (ginseng) exhibits various physiological activities and is associated with exercise, we investigated the potential active components of ginseng and related target genes through network pharmacological analysis. Additionally, we analyzed the association between ginseng-related genes, such as the G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), and improved exercise capacity. [Methods] Active compounds in ginseng and the related target genes were searched in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). Gene ontology functional analysis was performed to identify biological processes related to the collected genes, and a compound-target network was visualized using Cytoscape 3.7.2. [Results] A total of 21 ginseng active compounds were detected, and 110 targets regulated by 17 active substances were identified. We found that the active compound protein was involved in the biological process of adrenergic receptor activity in 80%, G-protein-coupled neurotransmitter in 10%, and leucocyte adhesion to arteries in 10%. Additionally, the biological response centered on adrenergic receptor activity showed a close relationship with G protein through the beta-1 adrenergic receptor gene reactivity. [Conclusion] According to bioavailability analysis, ginseng comprises 21 active compounds. Furthermore, we investigated the ginseng-stimulated gene activation using ontology analysis. GPCR, a gene upregulated by ginseng, is positively correlated to exercise. Therefore, if a study on this factor is conducted, it will provide useful basic data for improving exercise performance and health.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.171-180
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• 2024

Background: Epimers of ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) have a low bioavailability and are prone to deglycosylation, which produces epimers of ginsenoside Rh2 (S-Rh2 and R-Rh2) and protopanaxadiol (S-PPD and R-PPD). The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and potency of these molecules as anti-cancer agents. Methods: Crystal violet staining was used to study the anti-proliferatory action of the molecules on a human epithelial breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and compare their potency. Cell death and cell cycle were studied using flow cytometry and mode of cell death was studied using live cell imaging. Anti-angiogenic effects of the drug were studied using loop formation assay. Molecular docking showed the interaction of these molecules with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) and aquaporin (AQP) water channels. VEGF bioassay was used to study the interaction of Rh2 with VEGFR2, in vitro. Results: HUVEC was the more sensitive cell line to the anti-proliferative effects of S-Rh2, S-PPD and R-PPD. The molecules induced necroptosis/necrosis in MDA-MB-231 and apoptosis in HUVEC. S-Rh2 was the most potent inhibitor of loop formation. In silico molecular docking predicted a good binding score between Rh2 or PPD and the ATP-binding pocket of VEGFR2. VEGF bioassay showed that Rh2 was an allosteric modulator of VEGFR2. In addition, SRh2 and PPD had good binding scores with AQP1 and AQP5, both of which play roles in cell migration and proliferation. Conclusion: The combination of these molecules might be responsible for the anti-cancer effects observed by Rg3.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제48권1호
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• pp.77-88
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• 2024

Background: Lung inflammation occurs in many lung diseases, but has limited effective therapeutics. Ginseng and its derivatives have anti-inflammatory effects, but their unstable physicochemical and metabolic properties hinder their application in the treatment. Panaxadiol (PD) is a stable saponin among ginsenosides. Inhalation administration may solve these issues, and the specific mechanism of action needs to be studied. Methods: A mouse model of lung inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an in vitro macrophage inflammation model, and a coculture model of epithelial cells and macrophages were used to study the effects and mechanisms of inhalation delivery of PD. Pathology and molecular assessments were used to evaluate efficacy. Transcriptome sequencing was used to screen the mechanism and target. Finally, the efficacy and mechanism were verified in a human BALF cell model. Results: Inhaled PD reduced LPS-induced lung inflammation in mice in a dose-dependent manner, including inflammatory cell infiltration, lung tissue pathology, and inflammatory factor expression. Meanwhile, the dose of inhalation was much lower than that of intragastric administration under the same therapeutic effect, which may be related to its higher bioavailability and superior pharmacokinetic parameters. Using transcriptome analysis and verification by a coculture model of macrophage and epithelial cells, we found that PD may act by inhibiting TNFA/TNFAR and IL7/IL7R signaling to reduce macrophage inflammatory factor-induced epithelial apoptosis and promote proliferation. Conclusion: PD inhalation alleviates lung inflammation and pathology by inhibiting TNFA/TNFAR and IL7/IL7R signaling between macrophages and epithelial cells. PD may be a novel drug for the clinical treatment of lung inflammation.

• 한국환경농학회지
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.300-307
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• 2012

본 연구에서는 농산물 중 중금속 함량과 토양 중 중금속 함량을 확인하여 이들의 상관성 및 전이계수를 확인하고자 하였다. 대상 농산물로는 곡류(쌀, 보리, 옥수수), 과채류(콩류, 상추류, 호박류, 사과류, 배류, 감귤류) 9종에 대한 주산단지를 중심으로 비소, 카드뮴 및 납의 함량을 조사하였다. 농산물 및 토양 중 중금속 함량을 조사한 결과 비소, 카드뮴, 납의 농산물로의 전이는 토양 내 이들의 침출성 함량이 주 영향요인으로 작용하였다. 비소의 전이계수는 평균 0.006~0.309, 카드뮴의 전이계수는 평균 0.002~6.185, 납은 평균 0.003~0.602로 카드뮴의 침출성 함량이 다른 금속에 비하여 전이계수가 높게 산정되었다. 토양 내 중금속 침출성 함량에 대한 농산물의 전이능 순서는 비소는 쌀(0.309), 카드뮴은 상추(6.185), 배(0.717), 납은 상추(0.602), 호박(0.536)순으로 비소의 경우 쌀에서, 카드뮴 및 납의 경우, 과채류에서 높게 나타났다. 쌀의 비소 함량은 토양 내 비소 전 함량과 높은 상관성(r=0.41, p < 0.05)을, 콩류 내 카드뮴 함량은 토양 내 카드뮴 전 함량과 높은 상관성(r=0.44, p < 0.05)을, 호박의 카드뮴 함량은 토양 내 카드뮴 전 함량과 높은 상관성(r=0.38, p < 0.05)을 나타내었으며, 영향을 미치는 주 요인으로 작용하였다. 본 연구 결과, 농산물 군에 따라 전이율이 다르나 본 연구 대상 농산물 중 비소의 경우 과채류에 비하여 곡류 중 쌀의 전이율이 높았으며, 이에 대한 기준 설정 및 추가 연구가 필요하며, 카드뮴 및 납은 토양과 근접한 상추 등과 같은 작물에서 높은 전이율을 나타내었다. 또한, 토양 중 중금속 함량이 증가함으로써 작물 내 중금속 함량이 증가함을 확인하였다. 추후 농산물에 대한 전이계수를 산출하면 토양에 따른 농산물의 흡수이행 함량을 예측할 수 있으며, 토양과 농산물간 위해성 평가 및 흡수이행 연구에 기여할 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제28권7호
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• pp.653-674
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• 1995

This study was aimed at comparing the dietary patterns of university female students according to their residence type. As for subjects, one hundred and twenty students of Kongju national university were chosen as a total. They were devided into three groups ; those who live in family home, or university dormitory, or self-boarding house. In this study, intakes of food and nutrient and dietary behaviors of each group were investigated through two-day food records and questionnaire. The result was that mean daily intakes of calcium and iron were lower than RDAs in all groups. According to residence type, subjects of family home and self-boarding seemed to have more serious problem in the nutrients mentioned above considering the proportions of less than 2/3 of RDAs. Especially, iron status was poorer than any other nutrients in the aspects of this proportion and food source. Iron was taken largely from vegetable foods which were recognized as a source of low bioavailability of iron. The average distribution ratios of breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack to total calorie intake was 22, 29, 30 and 19. Thus, it proved that breakfast tended to be more negligent than any other meals, and that snack was an important means to give nutrients for subjects. This meal pattern might be one of the factor for the decrease of the dietary quality. Processed foods were founded to be an important source for providing nutrients. Percentages of calorie, carbohydrate and fat consumed by processed foods to total nutrients. Percentages of calorie, carbohydrate and fat consumed by processed foods to total nutrients intake were 30.6, 29.5 and 46.2. However, other nutrient intakes from processed foods such as vitamin and mineral were small. And processed foods which give nutrients were mainly cereal products like ra myon, bread, and milk and milk products. Consequently, processed foods seemed to be selected as a combinient substitute food which supply calorie to fill their hunger. According to the living type, dormitory students had them more frequently than any other groups. Food habit score was within the category of poor or fair. Particularly, the score of self-boarding students was the lowest of groups(p<0.05). The major dietary problems were small or overating, missing meal and irregular eating. The degree of these problems was a little different among groups(P<0.01). Nineteen kinds of food were consumed per day, and family home and self-boarding students had foods less variously than dormitory students(P<0.05). Proportions of skipping breakfast, lunch and dinner were 20.8, 12.5 and 8.3%. Accordingly, breakfast was missed more often than any other meals. And self-boarding students missed breakfast more often than any other groups. As a conclusion, subjects should take more calcium and iron, and eat diverse foods to improve their nutritional status. And it is also necessary that breakfast should be regarded more importantly, and that processed foods should be taken considering nutritional balance. In view of residence type, subjects of family home or self-boarding had more dietary problems than dormitory subjects. Thus, these results suggest that university female students might have low ability of meal management, and dietary patterns were different by their residence type. Therefore, nutrition education for them should be carried out with respect to dewelling environment.

• 환경생물
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.136-145
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• 2002

Ag와 Cu로 오염된 퇴적물이 이매패류 Macoma balthica에 미치는 만성독성영향과 주요한 중금속 흡수경로를 평가하기 위해, 실험실에서 미소생태계 실험이 수행되었다. 실험생물인 M. balthica는 4개의 농도구배를 갖는 $Ag(0.01-0.87\mu{mol}\;g^{-1})$와 $Cu(0.75-5.55\mu{mol\;g^{-1})$로 오염된 퇴적물에서 90일 동안 배양되었다. 퇴적물 내 중금속의 지화학적 분포 특성과 생물이용도를 조절한다고 알려진 AVS(acid volatile sulfide)의 농도를 변화시켜, AVS가 M. balthica의 Ag와 Cu의 체내축적에 미치는 영향을 평가하였다. 90일간 노출된 후, M. balthica가 축적한 Ag와 Cu의 농도는 1 N HCI로 추출된 퇴적물 내 중금속의 농도(SEM, simultaneously extracted metal)와 양의 상관성을 보이며 증가하였다. Ag와 Cu의 체내 축적은 [SEM]-[AVS]값에 큰 영향을 받지 않았는데, 이것은 공극수 내 용존태로 존재하는 Ag와 Cu가 생물 체내 축적에 크게 기여하지 않았다는 것을 암시한다. 체내 축적된 Ag와 Cu는 M. balthica의 여수율과 글리코겐 함량에 직접적인 영향을 미쳤다. 최대 $1.0\pm{0.2}\mu{mol}\;Ag\;g^{-1}$와 $2.7\pm{0.3}\mu{mol}\;Cu\;g^{-1}$를 축적한 M. balthica의 여수율은 오염되지 않은 퇴적물에 노출된 실험조개의 18-43%에 불과하였다. 이와 유사하게, 중금속 처리군에 노출된 M. balthica의 글리코겐 함량은 체내 Ag와 Cu의 농도와 음의 상관성을 나타내었다. 본 연구의 결과는 Ag와 Cu로 오염된 퇴적물에 노출된 M. balthica는 주로 퇴적물의 섭식을 통해 중금속을 축적하며, 여수율과 글리코겐 함량의 감소와 같은 만성독성영향을 나타낼 수 있다는 것을 암시한다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제24권10호
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• pp.1413-1420
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• 2014

Phytate is an antinutritional factor that impacts the bioavailability of essential minerals such as $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Mn^{2+}$, $Zn^{2+}$, and $Fe^{2+}$ by forming insoluble mineral-phytate salts. These insoluble mineral-phytate salts are hydrolyzed rarely by monogastric animals, because they lack the hydrolyzing phytases and thus excrete the majority of them. The ${\beta}$-propeller phytases (BPPs) hydrolyze these insoluble mineral-phytate salts efficiently. In this study, we cloned a novel BPP gene from a marine Pseudomonas sp. This Pseudomonas BPP gene (PsBPP) had low sequence identity with other known phytases and contained an extra internal repeat domain (residues 24-279) and a typical BPP domain (residues 280-634) at the C-terminus. Structure-based sequence alignment suggested that the N-terminal repeat domain did not possess the active-site residues, whereas the C-terminal BPP domain contained multiple calcium-binding sites, which provide a favorable electrostatic environment for substrate binding and catalytic activity. Thus, we overexpressed the BPP domain from Pseudomonas sp. to potentially hydrolyze insoluble mineral-phytate salts. Purified recombinant PsBPP required $Ca^{2+}$ or $Fe^{2+}$ for phytase activity, indicating that PsBPP hydrolyzes insoluble $Fe^{2+}$-phytate or $Ca^{2+}$-phytate salts. The optimal temperature and pH for the hydrolysis of $Ca^{2+}$-phytate by PsBPP were $50^{\circ}C$ and 6.0, respectively. Biochemical and kinetic studies clearly showed that PsBPP efficiently hydrolyzed $Ca^{2+}$-phytate salts and yielded myo-inositol 2,4,6-trisphosphate and three phosphate groups as final products. Finally, we showed that PsBPP was highly effective for hydrolyzing rice bran with high phytate content. Taken together, our results suggest that PsBPP has great potential in the animal feed industry for reducing phytates.