• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.61-71
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• 2000

By screening a cDNA library of auxin-treated mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) hypocotyls, we have isolated two full-length cDNA clones, pVR-ACS6 and pVR-ACS7, for 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) synthase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the ethylene biosynthetic pathway. While PVR-ACS6 corresponds to the previously identified PCR fragment pMBA1, pVR-ACS7 is a new cDNA clone. A comparison of deduced amino acid sequences among auxin-induced ACC synthases reveal that these enzymes share a high degree of homology (65-75%) to VR-ACS6 and VR-ACS7 polypeptides, but only about 50% to VR-ACS1 polypeptide. ACS6 and ACS7 are specifically induced by auxin, while ACS1 is induced by cycloheximide, and to lesser extent by excision and auxin treatment. Results from nuclear run-on transcription assay and RNA gel blot studies revealed that all three genes were transcriptionally active displaying unique patterns of induction by IAA and various hormones in etiolated hypocotyls. Particularly, 24-epibrassinolide (BR), an active brassinosteroid, specifically enhanced the expression of VR-ACS7 by distinct temporal induction mechanism compared to that of IAA. In addition, BR synergistically increased the IAA-induced VR-ACS6 and VR-ACS7 transcript levels, while it effectively abolished both the IAA- and kinetin-induced accumulation of VR-ACS1 mRNA. In light-grown plants, VR-ACS1 was induced by IAA in roots, whereas W-ACS6 in epicotyls. IAA- and BR-treatments were not able to increase the VR-ACS7 transcript in the light-grown tissues. These results indicate that the expression of ACC synthase multigene family is regulated by complex hormonal and developmental networks in a gene- and tissue-specific manner in mung bean plants. The VR-ACS7 gene was isolated, and chimeric fusion between the 2.4 kb 5'-upstream region and the $\beta$-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene was constructed and introduced into Nicotiana tobacum. Analysis of transgenic tobacco plants revealed the VR-ACS7 promoter-driven GUS activity at a highly localized region of the hypocotyl-root junction of control seedlings, while a marked induction of GUS activity was detected only in the hypocotyl region of the IAA-treated transgenic seedlings where rapid cell elongation occurs. Although there was a modest synergistic effect of BR on the IAA-induced GUS activity, BR alone failed to increase the GUS activity, suggesting that induction of VR-ACS7 occurs via separate signaling pathways in response to IAA and BR.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.880-884
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• 2001

Rumen microbiology research has undergone several evolutionary steps: the isolation and nutritional characterization of readily cultivated microbes; followed by the cloning and sequence analysis of individual genes relevant to key digestive processes; through to the use of small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) sequences for a cultivation-independent examination of microbial diversity. Our knowledge of rumen microbiology has expanded as a result, but the translation of this information into productive alterations of ruminal function has been rather limited. For instance, the cloning and characterization of cellulase genes in Escherichia coli has yielded some valuable information about this complex enzyme system in ruminal bacteria. SSU rRNA analyses have also confirmed that a considerable amount of the microbial diversity in the rumen is not represented in existing culture collections. However, we still have little idea of whether the key, and potentially rate-limiting, gene products and (or) microbial interactions have been identified. Technologies allowing high throughput nucleotide and protein sequence analysis have led to the emergence of two new fields of investigation, genomics and proteomics. Both disciplines can be further subdivided into functional and comparative lines of investigation. The massive accumulation of microbial DNA and protein sequence data, including complete genome sequences, is revolutionizing the way we examine microbial physiology and diversity. We describe here some examples of our use of genomics- and proteomics-based methods, to analyze the cellulase system of Ruminococcus flavefaciens FD-1 and explore the genome of Ruminococcus albus 8. At Illinois, we are using bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) vectors to create libraries containing large (>75 kbases), contiguous segments of DNA from R. flavefaciens FD-1. Considering that every bacterium is not a candidate for whole genome sequencing, BAC libraries offer an attractive, alternative method to perform physical and functional analyses of a bacterium's genome. Our first plan is to use these BAC clones to determine whether or not cellulases and accessory genes in R. flavefaciens exist in clusters of orthologous genes (COGs). Proteomics is also being used to complement the BAC library/DNA sequencing approach. Proteins differentially expressed in response to carbon source are being identified by 2-D SDS-PAGE, followed by in-gel-digests and peptide mass mapping by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry, as well as peptide sequencing by Edman degradation. At Ohio State, we have used a combination of functional proteomics, mutational analysis and differential display RT-PCR to obtain evidence suggesting that in addition to a cellulosome-like mechanism, R. albus 8 possesses other mechanisms for adhesion to plant surfaces. Genome walking on either side of these differentially expressed transcripts has also resulted in two interesting observations: i) a relatively large number of genes with no matches in the current databases and; ii) the identification of genes with a high level of sequence identity to those identified, until now, in the archaebacteria. Genomics and proteomics will also accelerate our understanding of microbial interactions, and allow a greater degree of in situ analyses in the future. The challenge is to utilize genomics and proteomics to improve our fundamental understanding of microbial physiology, diversity and ecology, and overcome constraints to ruminal function.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1263-1269
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• 2005

Horseradish peroxidase, had the phenol degradation rate of 95% in aqueous phase, was covalently immobilized on the surface of reticulated vitreous carbon(RVC) and the degradation of phenol was performed with in situ generated $H_2O_2$-immobilized HRP complex in an electrochemical reactor. The incorporation of carboxylic group on the RVC surface was confirmed by FT/IR spectrometry and 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride(EDC) was used for peptide bonds between the carboxylic groups on the RVC surface and amine groups from HRP. The optimal conditions of in situ $H_2O_2$ generation such as concentration($10{\sim}200$ mM) and pH($5.0{\sim}8.0$) of electrolyte, supply of $O_2(10{\sim}50$ mL/min) and applied voltage($-0.2{\sim}-0.8$ volt, vs. Ag/AgCl) from potentiostat/galvanostat were determined by concentration of hydrogen peroxide and current efficiency. It was observed that the RVC immobilized HRP was stable maintaining 89% of the initial activity during 4 weeks. The phenol degradation rate of 86% was attained under the optimal condition of in situ $H_2O_2$ generation.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.123-129
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• 2007

Objectives: Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental spectrum disorder with a strong genetic component. Previous neurochemical and genetic studies have suggested the possible involvement of the serotonin system in autism. Tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase(TDO2) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the catabolism of tryptophan, which is the precursor of serotonin synthesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the TDO2 gene and autism spectrum disorders(ASD) in a Korean population. Methods: The patients were diagnosed with ASD on the basis of the DSM-IV diagnostic classification outlined in the Korean version of the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. The present study included the detection of four single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) in the TDO2 gene(rs2292536, rs6856558, rs6830072, rs6830800) and the family-based association analysis of the single nucleotide polymorphisms in Korean ASD trios using a transmission disequilibrium test(TDT) and haplotype analysis. The family trios of 136 probands were included in analysis. 87.5% were male and 86.0% were diagnosed with autism. The mean age of the probands was $78.5{\pm}35.8$ months(range: 26-264 months). Results: Two SNPs showed no polymorphism, and there was no significant difference in transmission in the other two SNPs. We also could not find any significant transmission in the haplotype analysis(p>.05). Conclusion: We could not find any significant statistical association between the transmission of SNPs in the TDO2 gene and ASD in a Korean population. This result may not support the possible involvement of the TDO2 gene in the development of ASD, and further exploration might be needed to investigate other plausible SNP sites.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.4-9
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• 1957

Effects of antibioties on micro-organism have been reported by many scientists, such as Krampitz and Werkman, Fisher, Gale and Rodwell, Klimick Cavalito and Bailey, Umbreit, etc. On the mechanism by which penicillin act, Fisher(1947), Platt(1947), and Cavallito, considered that penicillin might act on bacteria by inhibiting with the normal function of SH-group of glutathione in the metabolism of the cell. Resenbrance of penicillin to gultathione in structure and the inactivation of penicillin by cysteine make us approve of the above inhibiting theory of SH-group. Galland (1947) and Schmidt (1947) reported that penicillin inhibited the activity of ribonuclease, Phosphatase, and mononucleotidase. Gale (1948) discovered that the gram positive bacteria had lost the power to uptake glutamic acid by ribonucleic acid in the medium contained penicillin: growth of gram positive organism was inhibited by the results that penicillin inhibited the uptake of amino acid byribonucleic acid, acting on ribonucleic acid of gram positive bacteria. Hotchkiss (1950) cultured S. aureus in the medium contained glucose and amino acids, and studied the effect of penicillin on protein synthesis. Peptide formation in living cells was inhibited by penicillin, while amono acid was utilized as before the addition of penicillin. On the otherhand, Binkley (1951) found penicillin interfered hydrolase of glutath one, and Hans (1950) reported penicillin inhibited the transpeptidation. On the machanism by which streptomycin acts. Cohen (1947) reported steptomycin made a irreversible complex with desoxyribonucleic acid, by the fact that desoxyribonucleic acid formed the precipitates with diguanide group of steptomycin. Zeller (1951) reported, on the other hand, streptomycin inhibited diamine oxidease. Geiger (1947) and Umbreit (1949) reported that steptomycin inhibited condensation of oxaloacetate and pyruvate in E. Coli and Oginsky et al (1949) reported steptomycin inhibited oxaloacetate-pyruvate reaction in Kreb's cycle. On the mechanism by which terramycin acts, Hahn & Wisseman (1951) reported that the formation of adaptive enzyme was inhibited by terramycin in E. Coli cultivated in the medium contained loctose, and that the protein synthesis was inhibited by terramycin. However, effects of antibiotics on amino acid metabolism have not been discussed much in spite of its important role in living cells. Especislly, effects of anitibiotics on higher plants have scarcely been reported. Here, to prove the effect of antibiotics on higher plants, and the mechanism by which, through amino acid metabolism, they promote or inhibit growth of plants, amino acids in bean plants treated with penicillin, streptomycin, and terramycin were analyzed by paper chromatography. And to clarify the antagonis of cysteine (as SH-group) against penicillin, through amino acid metabolism, amino acids in bean plants treated with cystene and penicillin, at the same time, were also analyzed.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.482-493
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• 2005

Biomass is originally photosynthesized from inorgainic compounds such as $CO_2$, minerals, water and solar energy. Recent studies have shown that anaerobic bacteria have the ability to convert recalcitrant biomass such as cellullosic or chitinoic materials to useful compounds. The biomass containing agricultural waste, unutilized wood and other garbage is expected to utilize as feed, food and fuel by microbial degradation and other metabolic functions. In this study we isolated several anaerobic, cellulolytic and chitinolytic bacteria from rumen fluid, compost and soil to study their related enzymes and genes. The anaerobic and cellulolytic bacteria, Clostridium thermocellum, Clostridium stercorarium, and Clostridium josui, were isolated from compost and the chitinolytic Clostridium paraputrificum from beach soil and Ruminococcus albus was isolated from cow rumen. After isolation, novel cellulase and xylanase genes from these anaerobes were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The properties of the cloned enzymes showed that some of them were the components of the enzyme (cellulase) complex, i.e., cellulosome, which is known to form complexes by binding cohesin domains on the cellulase integrating protein (Cip: or core protein) and dockerin domains on the enzymes. Several dockerin and cohesin polypeptides were independently produced by E. coli and their binding properties were specified with BIAcore by measuring surface plasmon resonance. Three pairs of cohesin-dockerin with differing binding specificities were selected. Two of their genes encoding their respective cohesin polypeptides were combined to one gene and expressed in E. coli as a chimeric core protein, on which two dockerin-dehydrogenase chimeras, the dockerin-formaldehyde dehydrogenase and the dockerin-NADH dehydrogenase are planning to bind for catalyzing $CO_2$ reduction to formic acid by feeding NADH. This reaction may represent a novel strategy for the reduction of the green house gases. Enzymes from the anaerobes were also expressed in tobacco and rice plants. The activity of a xylanase from C. stercorarium was detected in leaves, stems, and rice grain under the control of CaMV35S promoter. The digestibility of transgenic rice leaves in goat rumen was slightly accelerated. C. paraputrificum was found to solubilize shrimp shells and chitin to generate hydrogen gas. Hydrogen productivity (1.7 mol $H_2/mol$ glucos) of the organism was improved up to 1.8 times by additional expression of the own hydrogenase gene in C. paraputrficum using a modified vector of Clostridiu, perfringens. The hydrygen producing microflora from soil, garbage and dried pelletted garbage, known as refuse derived fuel(RDF), were also found to be effective in converting biomass waste to hydrogen gas.

• 한국생태학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2002.08a
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• pp.119-125
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• 2002

Application of phytoremediation in the polluted area to remove undesirable materials is a complex and difficult subject without detailed investigation and experimentation. We investigated the accumulation patterns of cadmium and lead in plants naturally grown, the bioavailability of plants to accumulate these toxic metals and the responses of P. thunbergii to cadmium and lead. The soil samples contained detectable lead (<17.5$\mu\textrm{g}$/g), whereas cadmium was not detected in the soils of study area. The whole body of Persicaria thunbergii contained detectable lead (<320.8$\mu\textrm{g}$/g) but cadmium was detected only in the stem (<7.4$\mu\textrm{g}$/g) and root (<10.4$\mu\textrm{g}$/g) of P. thunbergii. Cadmium was not detected in Trapa japonica and Nymphoides peltata, whereas lead was detected in T. japonica (<323.7$\mu\textrm{g}$/g) and N. peltata (<177.5$\mu\textrm{g}$/g). Correlation coefficient between lead content in soil and in these plant samples represented positive correlation. The total content of lead in each plant sample increased in the order of N.peltata$\leq$P.thunbergii

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.52-59
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• 2005

The study was targeted to saccharify foodwastes with the cellulolytic and amylolytic enzymes obtained from culture supernatant of Trichoderma harzianum FJ1 and analyze the kinetics of the saccharification in order to enlarge the utilization in industrial application. T. harzianum FJ1 highly produced various cellulolytic (filter paperase 0.9, carboxymethyl cellulase 22.0, ${\beta}$-glucosidase 1.2, Avicelase 0.4, xylanase 30.8, as U/mL-supernatant) and amylolytic (${alpha}$-amylase 5.6, ${\beta}$-amylase 3.1, glucoamylase 2.6, as U/mL-supernatant) enzymes. The $23{\sim}98\;g/L$ of reducing sugars were obtained under various experimental conditions by changing FPase to between $0.2{\sim}0.6\;U/mL$ and foodwastes between $5{\sim}20\%$ (w/v), with fixed conditions at $50^{\circ}C$, pH 5.0, and 100 rpm for 24 h. As the enzymatic hydrolysis of foodwastes were performed in a heterogeneous solid-liquid reaction system, it was significantly influenced by enzyme and substrate concentrations used, where the pH and temperature were fixed at their experimental optima of 5.0 and $50^{\circ}C$, respectively. An empirical model was employed to simplify the kinetics of the saccharification reaction. The reducing sugars concentration (X, g/L) in the saccharification reaction was expressed by a power curve ($X=K{\cdot}t^n$) for the reaction time (t), where the coefficient, K and n. were related to functions of the enzymes concentrations (E) and foodwastes concentrations (S), as follow: $K=10.894{\cdot}Ln(E{\cdot}S^2)-56.768,\;n=0.0608{\cdot}(E/S)^{-0.2130}$. The kinetic developed to analyze the effective saccharification of foodwastes composed of complex organic compounds could adequately explain the cases under various saccharification conditions. The kinetics results would be available for reducing sugars production processes, with the reducing sugars obtained at a lower cost can be used as carbon and energy sources in various fermentation industries.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.223-234
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• 2004

The aim of this study was to investigate intake of health foods and supplements and its associated factors in middle and old-aged adults in order to contribute to health promotion of Korean population by providing a guide for proper use of health foods and supplements. About 69% of the subjects reported that they were currently taking health foods and supplements or had experiences of having them in the past, whereas 31.2 % reported they had never taken them. The most commonly used type of health foods and supplements was vitamin C as reported by 41.8% followed by others such as lactobacillus products, multi-vitamins, tonic medicine and cardiotonic drug, artificially processed Ginseng foods, vitamin B complex, enzyme supplement, calcium, aloe, apricot extract products, chitosan products, loyal honey, squalene, refined fish oil and iron products. The major reason for taking health foods and supplements was 'to protect the weak constitution' with 155 (42.1%) responses, and the motive for the intake was the suggestion from family-relatives with 235 (63.9%) responses, and the place of purchase was pharmacy with 140 (38.0%) responses, the average monthly expense was 20,000-40,000 won with 140 (26.2%) responses, and effects after the intake was 'so and so' with 180 (33.6%) responses as the highest. More health foods and supplements were consumed as age and education were statistically significantly increased (p<0.05). For health and lifestyle and the intake of health foods and supplements, perceived health status, the presence of illness, and the presence of health management were statistically significant (p<0.05). Male subjects than female subjects and the 30s than the 405 and 50s were appeared to have poorer dietary behaviors (p<0.05). For the health locus of control and the intake of health foods and supplements, the health locus of control score was 22.82 for consumers and 22.79 for non-consumers, showing no significant difference. Logistic regression analysis was performed to find out major factors that affect the intake of health foods and supplements, in which gender, education, smoking, perceived health status, the presence of illness, and health management were significant to the intake of health foods and supplements. It is shown that subjects with perception and attitude of 'health foods and supplements are useful in health maintenance and disease prevention' and 'the information and variety for health foods and supplements are great' have higher probability of taking health foods and supplements.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.110-117
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• 1996

To evaluate the feeding effect of oriental medicine on the functional properties of pork, male pigs(Sus scrofa var. domesticus L.) were fed commercial basic diets containing 1.0%, 3.0% and 7.0% of oriental medicine complex from 30 or 45 days before slaughter. The growth pattern and physical conditions of pigs during the feeding period were checked, and after slaughter, the taste of pork and biological characteristics of serum were analyzed. Body weight gain was significantly increased in case of 45 day feeding groups of 3.0 and 7.0% compared with control group (p<0.05), whereas food intakes were slightly decreased in these groups. Triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were effectively decreased in the same feeding groups compared with control group (p<0.01~0.001). Three percent feeding group not only effectively decreased the LDL-cholesterol levels, but also sig-nificantly decreased the atherogenic index in 30 days(p<0.001). Malondialdehyde levels and hy-droxyl radical formations were effectively inhibited in all oriental medicine feeding groups. Superoxide dismutase activities were effectively increased only in 3.0% feeding groups, HDL-cholesterol levels almost did not change in 3.0% and 7.0% feeding groups in 30 days. External and sensory evaluations make satisfactory results in all oriectal medicines feeding groups. According to the experimental results, the growth pattern and physical nomditions of the pigs fed oriental medicine without feeding any antibiotics were relatively superior to those of control group. The authors suggest that, if more than 3.0% of oriental medicine were fed to the pigs from more then 30 days before slaughter the pork is reatively better than those of general pork not only for the modulating the chronic degenerative diseases, but also for its qualities and tastes.