• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.366-374
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• 2016

Background: In this study, we screened and identified an endophyte JG09 having strong biocatalytic activity for ginsenosides from Platycodon grandiflorum, converted ginseng total saponins and ginsenoside monomers, determined the source of minor ginsenosides and the transformation pathways, and calculated the maximum production of minor ginsenosides for the conversion of ginsenoside Rb1 to assess the transformation activity of endophyte JG09. Methods: The transformation of ginseng total saponins and ginsenoside monomers Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Rg1 into minor ginsenosides F2, C-K and Rh1 using endophyte JG09 isolated by an organizational separation method and Esculin-R2A agar assay, as well as the identification of transformed products via TLC and HPLC, were evaluated. Endophyte JG09 was identified through DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Results: A total of 32 ${\beta}$-glucosidase-producing endophytes were screened out among the isolated 69 endophytes from P. grandiflorum. An endophyte bacteria JG09 identified as Luteibacter sp. effectively converted protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd into minor ginsenosides F2 and C-K, and converted protopanaxatriol-type ginsenoside Rg1 into minor ginsenoside Rh1. The transformation pathways of major ginsenosides by endophyte JG09 were as follows: $Rb1{\rightarrow}Rd{\rightarrow}F2{\rightarrow}C-K$; $Rb2{\rightarrow}C-O{\rightarrow}C-Y{\rightarrow}C-K$; $Rc{\rightarrow}C-Mc1{\rightarrow}C-Mc{\rightarrow}C-K$; $Rg1{\rightarrow}Rh1$. The maximum production rate of ginsenosides F2 and C-K reached 94.53% and 66.34%, respectively. Conclusion: This is the first report about conversion of major ginsenosides into minor ginsenosides by fermentation with P. grandiflorum endophytes. The results of the study indicate endophyte JG09 would be a potential microbial source for obtaining minor ginsenosides.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.635-643
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• 2011

Agar was prepared from Gelidium amansii collected from Jeju Island, South Korea. This agar preparation has high gel strength and low sulfate content compared with G. amansii agar from Morocco. Accordingly, agarose was made from the Jeju agar through the consecutive refining processes of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) extraction and ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) washing. The physicochemical properties of the resulting agarose were compared with those from agarose prepared using only DMSO extraction. Consecutive DMSO extraction and EDTA washing more strongly affected the physicochemical properties of the agarose (purified agarose) compared with the use of DMSO extraction alone. These properties were similar to those of commercial agarose used for electrophoresis. In DNA electrophoresis, the separation and movement speed of the purified agarose were similar to those of the commercial agarose. In a $^{13}C$ NMR analysis, the purified agarose exhibited the same carbon peak as the commercial agarose. When observed under scanning electron microscopy, the agar had an even and smooth surface without irregularities or pores, and the purified agarose had a wide surface area with a large number of pores; the commercial agarose had an irregular surface that would allow the solvent to easily permeate. These results illustrate that the physicochemical properties of agarose prepared from DMSO extraction and EDTA washing were more effective than those observed after DMSO extraction alone; thus, these processes used in succession will be useful in agarose industries.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.273-279
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• 2013

Protease widely exists in the digestive tract of animals and humans, playing a very important role in protein digestion and absorption. In this study, a high protease-producing strain Planomicrobium sp. L-2 was isolated and identified from the digestive tract of Octopus variabilis. The strain was identified by physiological and biochemical experiments and 16S rDNA sequences analysis. A protease was obtained from the strain Planomicrobium sp. L-2 through ammonium sulfate precipitation, dialysis and enrichment, DEAE-Sephadex A50 anion-exchange chromatography, and Sephadex G-100 gel chromatography. The molecular weight and properties of the protease were characterized, including optimum temperature and pH, thermal stability, protease inhibitions and metal ions. According to our results, the protease from Planomicrobium sp. L-2 strain designated as F1-1 was obtained by three-step separation and purification from crude enzyme. The molecular weight of the protease was 61.4 kDa and its optimum temperature was $40^{\circ}C$. The protease F1-1 showed a broad pH profile for casein hydrolysis between 5.0~11.0. No residual activity was observed after incubation for 40 min at $60^{\circ}C$ and 60 min at $50^{\circ}C$. F1-1 protease was inhibited by $Mn^{2+}$, $Hg^{2+}$, $Pb^{2+}$, $Zn^{2+}$, and $Cu^{2+}$ ions, as well as PMSF, indicating that the protease F1-1 was a serine protease. Additionally, research basis provided by this study could be considered for industrial application of octopus intestinal proteases.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.56-66
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• 2019

Histidine triad nucleotide-binding protein (HINT) is a member of the histidine triad (HIT) superfamily, which has hydrolase activity owing to a histidine triad motif. The HIT superfamily can be divided to five classes with functions in galactose metabolism, DNA repair, and tumor suppression. HINTs are highly conserved from archaea to humans and function as tumor suppressors, translation regulators, and neuropathy inhibitors. Although the structures of HINT proteins from various species have been reported, limited structural information is available for fungal species. Here, to elucidate the structural features and functional diversity of HINTs, we determined the crystal structure of HINT from the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans (CaHINT) in complex with zinc ions at a resolution of $2.5{\AA}$. Based on structural comparisons, the monomer of CaHINT overlaid best with HINT protein from the protozoal species Leishmania major. Additionally, structural comparisons with human HINT revealed an additional helix at the C-terminus of CaHINT. Interestingly, the extended C-terminal helix interacted with the N-terminal loop (${\alpha}1-{\beta}1$) and with the ${\alpha}3$ helix, which appeared to stabilize the dimerization of CaHINT. In the C-terminal region, structural and sequence comparisons showed strong relationships among 19 diverse species from archea to humans, suggesting early separation in the course of evolution. Further studies are required to address the functional significance of variations in the C-terminal region. This structural analysis of CaHINT provided important insights into the molecular aspects of evolution within the HIT superfamily.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.3 s.76
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• pp.454-458
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• 2006

HSF1 is the heat shock transcription factor in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. S. cerevisiae KNU5377 can ferment at high temperature such as $40^{\b{o}}C$. We have been the subjects of intense study because Hsf1p mediates gene expression not only to heat shock, but to a variety of cellular and environmental stress challenges. Basing these facts, we firstly tried to construct the hsf1 gene-deleted mutant. PCR-method for fast production of gene disruption cassette was introduced in a thermotolerant yeast S. cerevisiae KNU5377, which allowed the addition of short flanking homology region as short as 45 bp suffice to mediate homologous recombination to kanMX module. Such a cassette is composed of linking genomic DNA of target gene to the selectable marker kanMX4 that confers geneticin (G418) resistance in yeast. That module is extensively used for PCR-based gene replacement of target gene in the laboratory strains. We describe here the generation of hsf1 gene disruption construction using PCR product of selectable marker with primers that provide homology to the hsf1 gene following separation of haploid strain in wild type yeast S. cerevisiae KNU5377. Yeast deletion overview containing replace cassette module, deletion mutant construction and strain confirmation in this study used Saccharomyces Genome Deletion Project (http:://www-sequence.standard.edu/group/yeast_deletion_project). This mutant by genetic manipulation of wild type yeast KNU5377 strain will provide a good system for analyzing the research of the molecular biology underlying their physiology and metabolic process under fermentation and improvement of their fermentative properties.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1192-1198
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• 2004

Sasang Constitutional Medicine is a major branch of Korean Traditional Medicine. The differences of disease susceptibility to be shown in Sasang constitution may be due to genetic factors. Therefore, I examined interrelationship among cerebral infarction (CI), apolipoprotein E (apo E) gene polymorphism, and Sasang constitutional classification. Apo E is a key protein modulating the highly atherogenic apoB containing lipoproteins and is a candidate gene for the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). The ε2 and/or ε4 alleles were the first to be implicated in premature CAD, which resulted in this polymorphism being extensively studied. I investigated the association between apo E genotype and CI by case-control study in a Korean population. I also classified CI patients and control group into groups according to Sasang Constitutional Medicine. 218 CI patients and 379 controls without CI were examined. Apo E genotype was determined by 8% polyacrylamide gel separation after DNA amplification. A frequency of apo E ε3/ε3 in the apo E genotype distribution was higher in the CI patients compared with that in controls. Also, it was widely known that Taeumin was easily attacked with CI, but there was no association between apo E polymorphim and Taeumin. However, the Taeumin constitution did not enhance the relative risk for CI in the subjects with apo E ε2 and/or ε4 alleles. No differences in the apo E genotypes frequencies were observed in the Taeumin compared with that in the other constitutions. In addition, I investigated whether the DD(deletion/deletion) or ID(insertion/deletion) genotype of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene, a candidate gene for CI, was associated with CI, Taeumin constitution, and apo E polymorphism. As a result, the frequency of Taeumin constitution was significantly higher in CI patients with both apo E ε3/ε4 and ACE ID/DD genotypes than in the remaining Sasang constitutions. In summary, it was concluded that the apo E polymorphism is a major risk factor for CI in Koreans and the ACE ID/DD genotype enhanced the relative risk for CI in the subjects with apo E ε3/ε4 genotype and Taeumin constitution.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.143-146
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• 2009

Purpose: We use the centrifugation of refrigeration state in separation of blood serum, Anti-ds-DNA, Vitamin $B_{12}$/Folate and GAD-Ab assay. However, Cortisol urine and 25-Hydroxyvitamin $D_3$ ($25OHD_3$) are conducted centrifuge at room temperature. This is troublesome that change centrifugation temperature into room temperature due to using of most assays at cold temperature. Therefore when using centrifuge after extraction of Cortisol urine and $25OHD_3$, we conducted researches on effect of the centrifugation temperature in assay results. Materials and Methods: In Cortisol urine, add dichloromethane 1.0 mL in urine $500\;{\mu}L$, mix for 15 minutes, and then centrifuge for 8 minutes at 2600rpm. In $25OHD_3$ add acetonitrile 0.5 mL in serum $200\;{\mu}L$, and then centrifuge for 8 minutes at 2600rpm. Those experiments were conducted centrifuge at room temperature and $4^{\circ}C$. And experiments conducted immediately after centrifugation at $4^{\circ}C$ and standing for 20 minutes after centrifugation $4^{\circ}C$. Results: In Cortisol urine, room temperature result in 1.93, 2.18, 2.43, 9.45, 14.2 (${\mu}g/dL$). Experiments of performing immediately after centrifuge at $4^{\circ}C$ result in 1.8, 2.0, 2.3, 8.1, 13.7 (${\mu}g/dL$). Experiments of performing after 20 minutes result in 2.1, 2.1, 2.7, 9.95, 14.35 (${\mu}g/dL$). On the other hand, the $25OHD_3$ tests conducted at room temperature result in 7.13, 26.6, 35.8, 48.2, 74.8 (ng/dL). Experiments were conducted immediately by pipetting after $4^{\circ}C$ centrifugation result in 7.53, 30.9, 40.3, 61.5, 89.1 (ng/dL) as results are higher than experiments at room temperature. The experiments that conducted centrifuge at $4^{\circ}C$ and then left at room temperature for 20 minutes result in 7.40, 32.4, 41.3, 51.6, 85.6 (ng/dL). Conclusions: Experiments were conducted by using centrifuge at $4^{\circ}C$ are higher or lower than room temperature. The differences between results of standing for 20 minutes after centrifuge at $4^{\circ}C$ and those of centrifuge at room temperature are less than conducting immediately. It is concerned that experiments conducted immediately after centrifuge at $4^{\circ}C$ are incorrect, because tubes become dim due to temperature differences between $4^{\circ}C$ and room temperature. Therefore, it is desirable to centrifuge at room temperature as manual and we should pipet promptly without stopping.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.711-719
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• 2009

We determined a portion of mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequences (416 bp) to investigate the genetic structure of the octopus (Octopus minor Ssaki) population in Korea and China. Samples were obtained from Korea (Yeosu, Namhae, Jindo, Muan, Geomundo and Seosan) and China (Sandong) during the period of August 2006 to September 2007. Sequence analyses of 28 individual specimens collected from 7 localities revealed 11 haplotypes, ranging in a sequence divergence of 0.2% - 1.2%. Phylogenetic analyses using PHYLIP and networks subdivided the octopus into two clades (termed clade A and B) and the nucleotide divergence between them was 0.4%. This haplotype subdivision was in accordance with geographic separation: one at Yeosu, Namhae, Muan and Jindo, and the other at Seosan, Geomundo and Sandong. On the basis of hierarchial genetic analysis, genetic distance between localities in Korea and China were also found, but a significant population differentiation was not shown in this study (p>0.05). Consequently, most of the octopus populations in Korea had considerable distribution due to the mitochondrial gene flow that resulted in a formation of a genetically homogenous structure, whereas some of the Korean and Chinese populations had different genetic structures. Gene flow among populations may be restricted due to impassable geographic barriers that promote genetic differentiation.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.104-111
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• 2004

Sasang Constitutional Medicine is a major branch of Korean Traditional Oriental Medicine. The differences of disease susceptibility to be shown in Sasang constitution may be due to genetic factors. Therefore, we examined interrelationship among cerebral infarction (CI), apolipoprotein E (apoE) gene polymorphism, and Sasang constitutional classification. ApoE is a key protein modulating the highly atherogenic apoB containing lipoproteins and is a candidate gene for the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). The ${\varepsilon}2\;and/or\;{\varepsilon}4$ alleles were the first to be implicated in premature CAD, which resulted in this polymorphism being extensively studied. We investigated the association between apoE genotype and CI by case-control study in a Korean population. We also classified CI patients and control group into groups according to Sasang Constitutional Medicine. 196 CI patients and 379 controls without CI were examined. ApoE genotype was determined by 8% polyacrylamide gel separation after DNA amplification. A significant difference in the apoE genotype distribution was observed in the CI patients compared with that in controls ($X^{2}$=14.920, df=4, P=0.005). Also, the frequency of Taeumin constitution in patients with CI was significantly higher than that in controls (58.0% vs. 36.9%; P<0.001). However, the Taeumin constitution did not enhance the relative risk for CI in the subjects with apoE ${\varepsilon}2\;and/or\;{\varepsilon}4$ alleles. No differences in the apoE genotypes frequencies were observed in the Taeumin compared with that in the other constitutions. In addition, we investigated whether the DD genotype of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene, a candidate gene for CI, was associated with CI, Taeumin constitution, and apoE polymorphism. As a result, the frequency of Taeumin constitution was significantly higher in CI patients with both apoE ${\varepsilon}3/{\varepsilon}4$ and ACE ID/DD genotypes than in the remaining Sasang constitutions (14.5% vs. 8.3% and 0%) ($X^{2}$=13.521, df=6, P=0.035). In summary, we concluded that the apoE polymorphism is a major risk factor for CI in Koreans and the ACE ID/DD genotype enhanced the relative risk for CI in the subjects with apoE ${\varepsilon}3/{\varepsilon}4$ genotype and Taeumin constitution.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.201-208
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• 2014

The separation of the bacteria inhibiting Trichoderma sp. mold, the strain causing blue mold disease that occurs frequently when cultivating mushroom while carrying out the efficient fermentation of mushroom medium, from the growth was done. In about 200 strains isolated primarily from fungus garden samples, 6 strains were secondly isolated, which had fast growth rates and a clear zone on the plate medium of SM, AM, and CM. Among the 6 strains isolated, the C-1 strain showed high enzymatic activity of cellulase, amylase, and protease, and strong antibacterial activity for the T. virens and T. harzianum, selected finally. The selected C-1 strain was identified as Paenibacillus polymyxaby the result of the identification by Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology and the analysis of the nucleotide sequence of 16S rRNA, and named as P. polymyxa CK-1. In reviewing the growth conditions of the P. polymyxa CK-1 strain, the optimum cultivation temperature was $45^{\circ}C$, and the optimum pH for growth was in the range of 6.0~7.0. Appropriate incubation time of P. polymyxa CK-1 for the growth inhibition of the fungus T. virens and T. harzianum was 22 to 36 hours. And the fungal growth was not observed, even when leaving two molds inoculated on each petri dishes, which were treated with 24 hour culture solution of P. polymyxa CK-1 strain for 10 days. As a result of studying the thermal stability of the antagonists produced by the P. polymyxa CK-1 strain, no mycelial growth of the two fungi was observed in the test group treated for 20 minutes at $60^{\circ}C$ and $100^{\circ}C$, but mycelial growth was slightly observed in the test group treated for 20 minutes at $121^{\circ}C$. As aresult of reviewing the impact of the P. polymyxa CK-1 culture medium on mushroom mycelial growth, it showed no effect on a variety of mushroom mycelial growth including enoki mushroom and shiitake mushroom.