• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.185-191
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• 2006

The photosynthetic bacterium, Rhodospirillum rubrum S1, when grown under anaerobic conditions, generated three different types of catalases. In this study, we purified and characterized the highest molecular weight catalase from the three catalases. The total specific catalase activity of the crude cell extracts was 88 U/mg. After the completion of the final purification step, the specific activity of the purified catalase was 1,256 U/mg. The purified catalase evidenced an estimated molecular mass of 318 kDa, consisting of four identical subunits, each of 79 kDa. The purified enzyme exhibited an apparent Km value of 30.4 mM and a Vmax of 2,564 U against hydrogen peroxide. The enzyme also exhibited a broad optimal pH $(5.0{\sim}9.0)$, and remained stable over a broad temperature range $(20^{\circ}C{\sim}60^{\circ}C)$. It maintained 90% activity against organic solvents (ethanol/chloroform) known hydroperoxidase inhibitors, and exhibited no detectable peroxidase activity. The catalase activity of the purified enzyme was reduced to 19 % of full activity as the result of the administration of 10 mM 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, a heme-containing catalase inhibitor. Sodium cyanide, sodium azide, and hydroxylamine, all of which are known heme protein inhibitors, inhibited catalase activity by 50 % at concentrations of $11.5{\mu}M,\;0.52{\mu}M,\;and\;0.11{\mu}M$, respectively. In accordance with these findings, the enzyme was identified as a type of monofunctional catalase.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.391-396
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• 1996

The Gram-negative marine bacterium Marinomonas vaga, which requires 0.5 M NaCl concentration for optimal growth, is slightly halophilic. The growth of M vaga was highly resistant to the proton conductor, carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) under alkaline pH conditions (pH 8.5) but very sensitive to CCCP under acidic pH conditions (pH 6.5). These results suggest that the respiratory chain-linked NADH oxidase system of M. vaga may lead to generation of a $Na^{+}$ electrochemical gradient. In order to examine the existence of $Na^{+}$-stimulated NADH oxidase in M. vaga, membrane fractions were prepared by the osmotic lysis method. The membrane-bound NADH oxidase oxidized both NADH and deamino-NADH as substrates and required $Na^{+}$ for maximum activity. The maximum activity of NADH oxidase was obtained at about pH 8.5 in the presence of 0.2 M NaCl. The site of $Na^{+}$-dependent activation in the NADH oxidase system was at the NADH:quinone oxidoreductase segment. The NADH oxidase and NADH:quinone oxidoreductase were very sensitive to the respiratory chain inhibitor, 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide (HQNO) in the presence of 0.2 M NaCl but highly resistant to another respiratory inhibitor, rotenone. Based on these findings, we conclude that M. vaga possesses the $Na^{+}$-dependent NADH:quinone oxidoreductase that may function as an electrogenic $Na^{+}$ pump.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.1871-1880
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• 2016

Bio-oxidation is an effective technology for treatment of refractory gold concentrates. However, the unsatisfactory oxidation rate and long residence time, which cause a lower cyanide leaching rate and gold recovery, are key factors that restrict the application of traditional bio-oxidation technology. In this study, the oxidation rate of refractory gold concentrates and the adaption of microorganisms were analyzed to evaluate a newly developed two-step pretreatment process, which includes a high temperature chemical oxidation step and a subsequent bio-oxidation step. The oxidation rate and recovery rate of gold were improved significantly after the two-step process. The results showed that the highest oxidation rate of sulfide sulfur could reach to 99.01 % with an extreme thermophile microbial community when the pulp density was 5%. Accordingly, the recovery rate of gold was elevated to 92.51%. Meanwhile, the results revealed that moderate thermophiles performed better than acidophilic mesophiles and extreme thermophiles, whose oxidation rates declined drastically when the pulp density was increased to 10% and 15%. The oxidation rates of sulfide sulfur with moderate thermophiles were 93.94% and 65.73% when the pulp density was increased to 10% and 15%, respectively. All these results indicated that the two-step pretreatment increased the oxidation rate of refractory gold concentrates and is a potential technology to pretreat the refractory sample. Meanwhile, owing to the sensitivity of the microbial community under different pulp density levels, the optimization of microbial community in bio-oxidation is necessary in industry.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 1961

1) Respiratory metabolism patterns and its enzyme systems in the gill tissue of the fresh water mussels, Cristaria plicata were investigated through the examination on the effects of respiratory enzyme inhibitors, (KCN, NAF) and succinoxidase assay, while studying the effects of neutral salts (NaCL, KCL, CaCl2) and pH on oxygen consumption of the gill tissue. 2) In the limited concentration of KCL (0.3mM) and NaCl (0.4mM) solutions, oxygen consumption of the intact gill tissue was accelerated, but in CaCl2(0.5mM) solution, it showed no significant effect. The oxygen consumption was gradually decreased at the above concentrations of these limitations. The optimum pH for the respiration of the gill was 7.3. 3)Cyanide in 10-8M solution inhibited 88.8% of the respiration of the intact gill tissue. Methylene blue accelerated the respiration of the noral gill tissue, and slightly but significantly reversed the cyaniide poisoned respiration. 4)Oxygen consumption of the gill homogenate was apparently increased by the mixed addition of succinate, cytochrome c and activators (AlCl3 and CaCl2). This results suggested that succinoxidase system acts on the respiratory pattern of the gil tissue. 5) It was able to recognize that the enolase, which acts on the anaerobic glycolytic system, participated in the tissue respiration of the gill for NaF in 5$\times$10-2 M solution inhibited 55.5% of the respiration of the same intact tissue.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.295-303
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• 1988

For microbial production of acetaminophen, a popular analgesic-antipyretic from aniline, we screened various fungi and bacteria. And we succeeded to some extents in acetaminophen production by successful protoplast fusion between S. lividans and S. globisporus and also between S. rimosus and S. aureofaciens. However, more fertile results might be brought via performing the cloning of acetanilide p-hydroxylation genes of Streptomyces in yeast. This study was initiated to determine whether the acetanilide p-hydroxylase of Streptomyces is cytochrome P-450 species or non-heme iron protein species. The p-hydroxylationactivity on acetanilide in S. aureofaciens ATCC 10762 was found to be unstable on exposing to the air. However, 100,000xg supernatant of the cell free extracts which were prepared in $N_2$ atmosphere showed the p-hydroxylation activity. Characteristic absorption peak of cytochrome P-450 after reduction with dithionite and addition of CO was not observed in the region of 450nm. Moreover, metyrapone and 2, 6-dichloroindophenol did not affect this enzyme activity, but sodium azide, sodium cyanide, cupric sulfate, cadmium chloride, ${\alpha}$, ${\alpha}'-dipyridyl$, and o-phenanthroline reduced p-hydroxylase activity considerably. S. fradiae NRRL 2702 was shown to have strong p-hydroxylation activity in intact cells. This activity disappeared in its cell free extracts. In its 100,000xg supernatant, however, characteristic absorption peak of cytochrome P-450 after reduction with dithionite and addition of CO was observed at 446nm. Thus, the results herein presented suggest that acetanilide p-hydroxylase of Streptomyces aureofaciens is not related to cytochrome P-450 and may include non-heme iron protein for its activity. However, it is not clear whether acetanilide p-hydroxylase in S. fradiae belongs to the same category of S. aureofaciens.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.11-25
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• 2004

This study was conducted to explore the impacts of involvement in the Vietnam War on the self-esteem of the veterans in their later lives. In this study, 14 Korean male Vietnam War veterans from 55 to 63 years old were asked about the impacts of their war experiences on their self-esteem. From the analysis of the in-depth interviews the following conclusions were drawn: First, the veterans perceived that their self-esteem improved with both internal and external impacts of their activities in Vietnam. The internal aspects that improved the veterans' self-esteem were recalling their positive memories of Vietnam War, such as being on duty at a war front for the sake of our country, doing volunteer work for the villagers, and becoming a masculine heroic figure in the family legend. The external aspects were positive attitudes and responses toward their war activities from their family, friends, and neighbors. Second, they also felt persistently frustrated with their recurring memories of involvement in killing human beings, experiences of negative family and social responses, and the side effects of herbicidal cyanide they suffer. In this article, the following suggestions were made. First, standardized images and good-will episodes of the Vietnam War need to be provided by the government, in order to improve public images on the veterans. Second, intensive adjustment programs for the families of older veterans in special needs should be developed in collaboration with various veterans' societies and family counseling institutions, so that the spouses and children can be relieved from tension-laden contacts with the veterans and prevent violent incidents.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2013

In order to optimize gold leaching from refractory sulfide concentrate, a HCl-NaClO-$FeCl_3$ solution with varying attributes was applied to the roasted concentrate from Uil mine. The gold from Uil mine occurs in the form of invisible gold that is difficult to leach. The results of the gold leaching experiments showed that the best gold leaching parameters were $550^{\circ}C$ of roasting temperature, 2.0 M of concentration, 1.0% of pulp density, and $70^{\circ}C$ of leaching temperature. It is confirmed that the HCl-NaClO-$FeCl_3$ solution was an environmentally friendly method to leach gold and silver from the refractory sulfide concentrate as an alternative lixiviant to cyanide.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.200-205
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• 1997

Bothl $Ca^{2+}$ and Sr$^{2+}$-containing methanol dehydrogenases (MDH) were purified to homogeneity with yields of 48% and 42%, respectively, from Methylabacillus methanolovorus sp. strain SK5. Most of the biochemical and structural properties were similar to each other. However, some differences were found: (1) although the overall shape of the absorption spectrum of Sr$^{2+}$-MDH was very similar to that of $Ca^{2+}$-MDH, the absorption intensity originating from the cofactor in Sr$^{2+}$. MDH was higher than that in $Ca^{2+}$-MDH. Small blue shift of the maximum was also observed. These are probably due to a difference in redox state of the cofactors in $Ca^{2+}$ and Sr$^{2+}$-MDH; (2) Sr$^{2+}$-MDH was more heat-stable than $Ca^{2+}$-MDH above 56$^{\circ}C$; (3) the V$_{max}$ values for the methanol-dependent activities of Sr$^{2+}$- and $Ca^{2+}$-MDH in the presence of 3 mM KCN were 2.038 and 808 nmol/mg protein/min, respectively. In addition, the $K_{m}$ values of Sr$^{2+}$ and $Ca^{2+}$ MDH for methanol were 12 and 21 $\mu$M, respectively; (4) the endogenous activity of $Ca^{2+}$-MDH was more sensitive than that of Sr$^{2+}$-MDH in the presence of cyanide; (5) Diethyl pyrocarbonate treatment increased the enzyme activities of $Ca^{2+}$- and Sr$^{2+}$-MDH 4.2- and 1.4-folds, respectively. These results indicate that Sr$^{2+}$ stabilizes the structural conformation and enhances the activity of MDH more than $Ca^{2+}$.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.265-269
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• 2000

Iron increased the susceptibilities of clinical isolates Pseudomonas aeruginosa to quinolones. In the presence of iron, increased susceptibilities to ofloxacin were observed in twenty-six out of thirty isolates and with no change in four isolates. In the case of norfloxacin, iran increased susceptibilities of twelve isolates but did not render any change in eighteen isolates. In the case of ciprofloxacin, iron decreased the MICs (Minimal Inhibitory Concentration) of twenty isolates, increased the MIC of one isolate, and did net change the MICs of nine isolates. To find out how iron increased susceptibility to ofloxacin, bacterial cells were grown in Muller Hinton (MH) media and succinate minimal media (SMM) to induce iran acquisition systems and the intracellular ofloxacin concentrations were assayed in the presence of iron. The addition of iron to the media decreased the MICs of cells whether they were grown in MH or SMM. Siderophores, carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (an inhibiter of proton motive force), and ouabain (an inhibitor of ATPase) did not decrease the effect of iron. Results suggested that the increase in the intracellular ofloxacin concentration by iron is accomplished not by decreasing the efflux but by increasing the of ofloxacin permeability.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.370-378
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• 2007

A superoxide dismutase was purified 62-fold in seven steps to homogeneity from Methylobacillus sp. strain SK1, an obligate methanol-oxidizing bacterium, with a yield of 9.6%. The final specific activity was 4,831 units per milligram protein as determined by an assay based on a 50% decrease in the rate of cytochrome c reduction. The molecular weight of the native enzyme was estimated to be 44,000. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis revealed two identical subunits of molecular weight 23,100. The isoelectric point of the purified enzyme was found to be 4.4. Maximum activity of the enzyme was measured at pH 8. The enzyme was stable at pH range from 6 to 8 and at high temperature. The enzyme showed an absorption peak at 280 nm with a shoulder at 292 nm. Hydrogen peroxide and sodium azide, but not sodium cyanide, was found to inhibit the purified enzyme. The enzyme activity in cell-free extracts prepared from cells grown in manganese-rich medium, however, was not inhibited by hydrogen peroxide but inhibited by sodium azide. The activity in cell extracts from cells grown in iron-rich medium was found to be highly sensitive to hydrogen peroxide and sodium azide. One mol of native enzyme was found to contain 1.1 g-atom of iron and 0.7 g-atom of manganese. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified enzyme was Ala-Tyr-Thr-Leu-Pro-Pro-Leu-Asn-Tyr-Ala-Tyr. The superoxide dismutase of Methylobacillus sp. strain SK1 was found to have antigenic sites identical to those of Methylobacillus glycogenes enzyme. The enzyme, however, shared no antigenic sites with Mycobacterium sp. strain JC1, Methylovorus sp. strain SS1, Methylobacterium sp. strain SY1, and Methylosinus trichosproium enzymes.