• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.213-218
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• 1999

Fructans are polyfructose molecules that function as nonstructural storage carbohydrates in several plants. In addition, it has been suggested that, due to their solubility, they can play an important role in helping plants survive periods of osmotic stress. In order to study the effect of levan synthesis on plant growth, the coding region of the levansucrase gene, which was isolated from Zymomonas mobilis, was introduced into tobacco plants using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. The presence of the levansucrase gene in transgenic plants was verified by genomic DNA gel blot analysis. RNA gel blot and immunoblot analyses showed an accumulation of the corresponding transcript and protein product of the bacterial levansucrase gene in transgenic plants. Furthermore, a thin layer chromatography analysis revealed that fructans were synthesized and deposited in transgenic tobacco plants. When $T_1$ seeds were germinated and grown under polyethylene glycol-mediated drought stress or cold stress, the transgenic seedlings displayed a substantially higher level of growth than that of untransformed plants. These results suggest that fructans may playa significant role in the tolerance of plants under osmotic stress.

• Rapid Communication in Photoscience
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.42-45
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• 2013

Natural photosynthesis utilizes solar energy to convert carbon dioxide and water to energy-rich carbohydrates. Substantial use of sunlight to meet world energy demands requires energy storage in useful fuels via chemical bonds because sunlight is intermittent. Artificial photosynthesis research focuses the fundamental natural process to design solar energy conversion systems. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide ($NAD^+$) and $NADP^+$ are ubiquitous as electron transporters in biological systems. Enzymatic, chemical, and electrochemical methods have been reported for NADH regeneration. As photochemical systems, visible light-driven catalytic activity of NADH regeneration was carried out using platinum nanoparticles, molecular rhodium and cobalt complexes in the presence of triethanolamine as a sacrificial electron donor. Pt nanoparticles showed photochemical NADH regeneration activity without additional visible light collector molecules, demonstrating that both photoactivating and catalytic activities exist together in Pt nanoparticles. The NADH regeneration of the Pt nanoparticle system was not interfered with the reduction of $O_2$. Molecular cobalt complexes containing dimethylglyoxime ligands also transfer their hydrides to $NAD^+$ with photoactivation of eosin Y in the presence of TEOA. In this photocatalytic reaction, the $NAD^+$ reduction process competed with a proton reduction.

• 셀메드
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.11.1-11.7
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• 2012

Stachys tibetica Vatke (Lamiaceae) is an important medicinal plant in the folk medicine of Ladakh, India and Tibet for the treatment of various mental disorders. Infusion and decoction of the whole plant is used as a cup of tea for a severe fever, headaches and to relieve tension. The recent study is aimed to evaluate the preliminary pharmacognostical and phytochemical nature of Stachys tibetica Vatke. The whole plant material was subjected to successive soxhlet extraction with petroleum ether (40 - $60^{\circ}C$), chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol and finally decocted with water to get the respective extracts. The fluorescence characteristics of the powdered materials were analysed under ultraviolet light and ordinary light. Different physicochemical parameters such as ash value, extractive value, foaming index, pH values, loss on drying and determination of foreign matter were carried out as per WHO guidelines. The total fat, flavonoid, saponin and volatile contents were also determined. Macroscopical studies revealed the authentication of the plant drug. Physicochemical parameters helped to standardize the plant material while preliminary qualitative chemical tests of different extracts showed the presence of Glycosides, Carbohydrates, Phytosterols/triterpenoids, Saponins, Fixed oils, Fats and phenols/tannins. Quantification of the total flavonoids and saponins and contents were determined as $54.66{\pm}0.58mg/g$ and $75.42{\pm}0.48mg/kg$ respectively, while the volatile and fat contents were 6.5% and 0.7% respectively. Results may lay the foundation for the standardization of the drug and discovery of new molecules from S. tibetica for the treatment of various diseases.

• 한국식품영양과학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국식품영양과학회 2001년도 International Symposium on Food,Nutrition and Health for 21st Century
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• pp.187-231
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• 2001

It is a recent observation that about 80 per cent of the body's immune system is localized in the gastrointestinal tract. This explains to a large extent why eating right is important for the modulation the immune response and prevention of disease. I addition it is increasingly recognized that the body has an important digestive system also in the lower gastrointestinal tract where numerous important substances are released by microbial enzymes and absorbed. Among these substances are short chain fatty acids, amino acids, various carbohydrates, polyamines, growth factors, coagulation factors, and many thousands of antioxidants, not only traditional vitamins but numerous flavonoids, carotenoids and similar plant- and vegetable produced antioxidants. Also consumption of health-promoting bacteria (probiotics) and vegetable fibres (prebiotics) from numerous sources are known to have strong health-promoting influence. It has been calculated that the intestine harbours about 300 000 genes, which is much more than the calculated about 60000 for the rest of the human body, indicating a till today totally unexpected metabolic activity in this part of the GI tract. There are seemingly several times more active enzymes in the intestine than in the rest of the body, ready to release hundred thousand or more of substances important for our health and well-being. In addition do the microbial cells produce signal molecules similar to cytokines but called bacteriokines and nitric oxide, with provide modulatory effects both on the mucosal cells, the mucosa-associated lymphoid system (MALT) and the rest of the immune system. Identification of various fermentation products, and often referred to as synbiotics, studies of their role in maintaining health and well-being should be a priority issue during the years to come.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제39권6호
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• pp.495-500
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• 2016

We have solved the crystal structure of a predicted fructose-specific enzyme $IIB^{fruc}$ from Escherichia coli ($EcEIIB^{fruc}$) involved in the phosphoenolpyruvate-carbohydrate phosphotransferase system transferring carbohydrates across the cytoplasmic membrane. $EcEIIB^{fruc}$ belongs to a sequence family with more than 5,000 sequence homologues with 25-99% amino-acid sequence identity. It reveals a conventional Rossmann-like ${\alpha}-{\beta}-{\alpha}$ sandwich fold with a unique ${\beta}$-sheet topology. Its C-terminus is longer than its closest relatives and forms an additional ${\beta}$-strand whereas the shorter C-terminus is random coil in the relatives. Interestingly, its core structure is similar to that of enzyme $IIB^{cellobiose}$ from E. coli ($EcIIB^{cel}$) transferring a phosphate moiety. In the active site of the closest $EcEIIB^{fruc}$ homologues, a unique motif CXXGXAHT comprising a P-loop like architecture including a histidine residue is found. The conserved cysteine on this loop may be deprotonated to act as a nucleophile similar to that of $EcIIB^{cel}$. The conserved histidine residue is presumed to bind the negatively charged phosphate. Therefore, we propose that the catalytic mechanism of $EcEIIB^{fruc}$ is similar to that of $EcIIB^{cel}$ transferring phosphoryl moiety to a specific carbohydrate.

• Mycobiology
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• 제49권1호
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• pp.1-14
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• 2021

Pleurotus species are commercially essential mushrooms and widely cultivated throughout the world. The production of Pleurotus mushrooms alone accounts for around 25% of that total cultivated mushrooms globally. In America and Europe, Pleurotus species are considered specialty mushrooms, whereas, in Korea, their cultivation is economically profitable, and it is one of the highly consumed species. Pleurotus species are predominantly found in tropical forests and often grow on fallen branches, dead and decaying tree stumps, and wet logs. Biographical studies have shown that the Pleurotus genus is among the more conspicuous fungi that induce wood decay in terrestrial ecosystems worldwide due to its formidable lignin-modifying enzymes, including laccase and versatile peroxidases. Pleurotus species can be grown easily due to their fast colonization nature on diversified agro-substrates and their biological efficiency 100%. Pleurotus mushrooms are rich in proteins, dietary fiber, essential amino acids, carbohydrates, water-soluble vitamins, and minerals. These mushrooms are abundant in functional bioactive molecules, though to influence health. Pleurotus mushrooms are finding unique applications as flavoring, aroma, and excellent preservation quality. Apart from its unique applications, Pleurotus mushrooms have a unique status delicacy with high nutritional and medicinal values. The present review provides an insight into the cultivation of Pleurotus spp. using different agro-waste as growth substances paying attention to their effects on the growth and chemical composition.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제40권7호
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• pp.1053-1062
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• 2011

건강한 삶에 대한 현대인의 관심이 나날이 고조되고 있으며, 이에 따라 노화와 질병의 예방에 효과가 있는 항산화제의 연구가 활발히 이루어지고 있다. 특히 천연물이나 식품을 소재로 한 식이성 항산화제에 대한 연구는 꾸준히 증가하고 있는 추세이며, 천연물의 소재나 연구 분야의 폭이 매우 넓다. 따라서 다양한 식품 소재의 항산화능을 조사할 수 있는 측정법의 중요성이 크게 부각되고 있다. 현재 약용 식물이나 상용 채소, 과일을 시료로 하여 여러 가지 radical이나 target molecule에 대한 항산화능을 측정할 수 있는 다수의 생체외(in vitro) 측정법이 사용되고 있다. 이에 본 총설에서는 널리 사용되고 있는 항산화능 측정법의 특징을 분석하고 적용 사례를 검토하였다. 식품의 구성 성분은 단일물질이 아닌 복합체로 구성되어 있으므로 하나의 측정법으로 항산화능을 평가할 수가 없다. 그러므로 채소와 과일을 포함한 여러가지 식물성 식품 추출물의 항산화 활성을 정확히 측정하기 위해서는 각 실험에 사용되는 radical과 기전(mechanism), 실험 조건(온도, pH, 실험기기, 시료추출방법, 소요 시간, 비용) 등을 고려하여 적절히 수행되어야 할 것이다. 그러나 이들 측정법의 다양성과 사용 단위의 차이로 인해 각 시료의 항산화능을 객관적으로 비교하는데 어려움이 있는 실정이다. 따라서 향후 항산화능 측정법의 표준화와 표현 단위의 통일이 절실히 요구된다. 또한 in vitro에서 항산화능을 나타내는 채소, 과일 등의 생체 내 활성은 다양한 biomechanism과 polymerphism으로 인해 그 효과를 예측하기가 매우 어렵다. 따라서 in vitro에서의 항산화능 screening 결과를 바탕으로 in vivo에서의 그 효과를 검증하는 연구가 부가적으로 시행되어야 할 것이라 사료된다.

• KSBB Journal
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.248-254
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• 2006

본 연구에서는 CHO 세포를 이용해 세포를 별도의 적응기간 없이 무혈청 배지에서 배양했을 때 세포의 증식이 중단되는 원인을 찾고 배지 첨가 성분을 통해 이를 개선하고자 했다. 현재 개발된 무혈청 배지는 아직까지 혈청을 대체할 만한 성분을 포함하고 있지 않다. 때문에 무혈청 배지에 적응되지 않은 비적응 세포의 경우 계대 배양에 한계가 있다. 이런 한계가 나타나는 원인은 다양할 것으로 생각이 되지만 혈청의 부재로 인해 세포가 받게 되는 스트레스와 그로 인한 세포주기의 정지가 가장 근본적인 원인으로 생각된다. 무혈청 배지에서 세포가 받는 스트레스의 정도를 알아보고 배양 환경과 첨가물에 따른 ROS 농도의 변화를 측정하기 위해 배지와 세포의 ROS 농도를 측정하였다. ROS 농도를 측정한 결과 무혈청 상태에서 세포내 ROS가 엄청난 양으로 증가하는 것을 알 수 있었다. 이것은 혈청이 항산화능력을 갖고 있어서가 아니라 세포가 무혈청 환경에서 극심한 스트레스상태에 놓이기 때문인 것으로 생각된다. 이렇듯 증가한 ROS가 세포의 증식이 멈추게 되는 원인 중 하나로 생각되고, 항산화제를 첨가한 경우에도 증식력이나 ROS의 농도에 큰 차이가 없었던 것으로 미루어 보아 근본적으로 혈청과 같은 강력하게 증식을 촉진하는 성분을 배지에 첨가해야 할 것으로 여겨진다. ROS 이외에 세포의 증식이 멈추는 또 다른 원인으로 세포사멸의 여부를 확인했다. 무혈청 배지에서 배양한 적응세포와 비적응 세포 모두 특별한 세포사멸의 징후가 나타나지 않았다. 또한 무혈청 배지에서 증식이 멈춘 세포를 회수해 다시 혈청배지에서 배양한 경우 곧바로 증식력이 회복되기 때문에 대규모의 세포사멸은 발생하지 않는 것으로 생각된다. 위와 같은 현상들은 모두 혈청이 없기 때문에 발생하는 것으로 혈청을 대체할 수 있는 첨가물을 배지에 더해주면 세포의 증식이 개선될 것이다. 그래서 몇 가지 첨가물을 이용해 세포의 증식력에 변화가 나타나는지 알아보았다. 첨가물을 이용한 실험에서 IGF-I의 경우 장기간 배양에서 세포의 수를 안정적으로 유지하고 계대 횟수를 증가시키는 효과를 보였다. 이는 IGF-I이 어느정도 세포의 증식을 유지시켜주는 역할을 하기 때문인 것으로 생각된다. 무혈청 배지에서 비적응 CHO 세포의 계대 배양에 한계가 있는 것은 세포주기가 멈추기 때문인 것으로 생각된다. 세포주기가 멈추는 growth factor와 같이 세포의 증식을 지속적으로 유도할 수 있는 물질이 무혈청 배지에서는 부족하기 때문인 것으로 생각되고, IGF-I과 같은 첨가물을 통해 극복할 수 있는 문제라고 여겨진다.