• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.563-569
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• 2020

Purpose: The vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in mature animals have implicated to play a major role in the progression of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. This study aimed at optimizing the protocol in culturing primary VSMCs (pVSMCs) from rat thoracic aorta and investigating the effect of cellular zinc (Zn) deficiency on cell proliferation of the isolated pVSMCs. Methods: The thoracic aorta from 7-month-old Sprague Dawley rats was isolated, minced and digested by the enzymatic process of collagenase I and elastase, and then inoculated with the culture Dulbecco Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) at 37℃ in an incubator. The primary cell culture morphology was observed using phase-contrast microscopy and cellular Zn was depleted using Chelex-100 resin (extracellular zinc depletion only) or 3 µM N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridinylmethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine (TPEN) (extracellular and intracellular zinc depletion). Western blot analysis was used for the detection of SM22α and calponin as smooth muscle cell marker proteins and von Willebrand factor as endothelial cell marker protein to detect the culture purity. Cell proliferation by Zn depletion (1 day) was measured by MTT assay. Results: A primary culture protocol for pVSMCs from rat thoracic aorta was developed and optimized. Isolated cultures exhibited hill and valley morphology as the major characteristics of pVSMCs and expressed the smooth muscle cell protein markers, SM22α and calponin, while the endothelial marker von Willebrand factor was hardly detected. Zn deprivation for 1 day culture decreased rat primary vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and this pattern was more prominent under severe Zn depletion (3 µM TPEN), while less prominent under mild Zn depletion (Chelexing). Conclusion: Our results suggest that cellular Zn deprivation decreased pVSMC proliferation and this may be involved in phenotypic modulation of pVSMC in the aorta.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.763-772
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• 2004

The patterns of fungal growth and fiber digestion under the microscope, and tile productions of fibrolytic enzyme were studied in an in vitro culture with Neocallimastix frontalis SA when either filter paper or rice straw was provided as sole energy source. Under the microscopic observation, active zoospores attachment, sporangium development and complex rhizoidal system were founded on the surface and at the edge of filter paper. After 7 days of incubation, a reduced fiber mass, a decreased fiber cohesion and a weakened fiber structure by fungal digestion were clearly observed. Similar fungal development was observed with rice straw, but fungal growth and digestion took place mostly on the damaged and exposed portion of rice straw. Although there were some differences in absolute concentration and pattern, the concentration of both cellulase and xylanase increased with incubation time with the higher activity being obtained with filter paper. Their differences were large especially after 48 and 96hr of incubation(P< 0.05). The filter paper was more good inducer of cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes compared with complex substrate, rice straw. These findings suggest that the filter paper is the better energy source for N frontalis than the complex substrate, and structural disintegration by physical process is able to help rumen fungal growth on the lignified roughage although anaerobic rumen fungi have mechanical and enzymatic functions for fiber digestion.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.86-94
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• 2000

In order to develop the enzymatic hydrolysis system concerned with taste and flavor, strains having the high hydrolyzing activity on the soy protein were selected from some traditional Mejus. Two molds and one bacterium producing enzymes which were different in character of hydrolysis were isolated and identified. Leucine and azodye enzyme activities of both M4 and M5 were relatively high among in the isolated molds. And, leucine enzyme activity of B16 was the lowest in the isolated bacteria. These strains were isolated as microorganisms having a dissimilar hydrolysis pattern on the soy protein by enzymatic reactions. Mold M4 on the culture solid media was mycelium colors of white and its sclerotia colors were changed from white to black. According to the result of slide culture, radial conidial head, subclavate vesicle, conidia of subglobose, stipes of uncolored with smooth walls and metula and phialides were existed. Because M4 was taxonomically similar to the characteristics of Aspergillus oryzae (ahlburg) species, M4 was identified and named as Aspergillus oryzae M4.Mold M5 showed white and black mycelium on the MEA medium. Mold M5 colony exhibited grayish-green color and have long(7 mm) sporangiophores at slide culture. Sporangia became brownish-gray and the wall of larger sporangia was broken to form small collars, and smaller sporangia were fomed continually from large basal membrane. Columella is globose and hyaline, and sporangiospores are ellipsoidal of small diameter$(80\;{\mu}m)$. Because M5 was taxonomically similar to the Mucor circinelloides of zygomycetes, M5 was was identified and named as Mucor circinelloides M5. Bacteria B16 colony was opaque white, circular and lobate, and had rod shaped endospore. B16 was found positive in stain, catalase, ${\beta}-glucosidse$ and V-P tests. B16 was found to utilize D-fructose, ${\alpha}-D-glucose$, maltose, D-mannose, D-raffinose, stachyose and sucrose. By the morphological and physiological results, the characteristics of B16 was thought to correspond to that of Bacillus megaterium. However, fatty acid composition was similar to Paenibacillus marcerans, requiring further study for the definite identification. Accordingly, Bacteria B16 was provisionally classified and named as Bacillus megaterium B16.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.501-512
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• 1999

Gliotoxin, a fungal metabolite, is one of the epipolythiodioxopiperazine classes and has a variety of effects including immunomodulatory and apoptotic agents. This study is designed to evaluate the effect of zinc on gliotoxin-induced death of HL-60 cells. Here, we demonstrated that treatment of gliotoxin decreased cell viability in a dose and time-dependent manner. Gliotoxin-induced cell death was confirmed as apoptosis characterized by chromatin margination, fragmentation and ladder-pattern digestion of genomic DNA. Gliotoxin increased the proteolytic activities of caspase 3, 6, 8, and 9. Caspase-3 activation was further confirmed by the degradation of procaspase-3 and PARP in gliotoxin-treated HL-60 cells. Zinc compounds including $ZnCl_2$ and $ZnSO_4$ markedly inhibited gliotoxin-induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells (from 30% to 90%). Consistent with anti-apoptotic effects, zinc also suppressed the enzymatic activities of caspase-3 and -9 proteases. In addition, cleavage of both PARP and procaspase 3 in gliotoxin-treated HL-60 cells was inhibited by the addition of zinc compounds. We further demonstrated that expression of Fas ligand by gliotoxin was suppressed by zinc compounds. These data suggest that zinc may prevent gliotoxin-induced apoptosis via inhibition of Fas ligand expression as well as suppression of caspase family cysteine proteases-3 and -9 in HL-60 cells.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.159-163
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• 2008

Xylogone sphaerospora ${\beta}$-mannanase was purified by Sephadex G-100 column chromatography. The specific activity of the purified enzyme was 8.44 units/ml protein, representing an 56.27-folds purification of the original crude extract. The final preparation thus obtained showed a single band on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight was determined to be 42kDa. Konjac glucomannan was hydrolyzed by the purified ${\beta}$-mannanase, and then the hydrolysates was separated by activated carbon column chromatography. The main hydrolysates were composed of D.P. (Degree of Polymerization) 3 and 4 glucomannooligosaccharides. For elucidate the structure of D.P 3 and 4 glucomannooligosaccharides, sequential enzymatic action was performed. D.P 3 and 4 were identified as M-G-M and M-M-G-M (G- and M- represent glucosidic and mannosidic link-ages). To investigate the effects of konjac glucomannooligosaccharides on in vitro growth of Bifido-bacterium longum, B. bifidum, B. infantis, B. adolescentis, B. animalis, B. auglutum and B. breve. Bifidobacterium spp. were cultivated individually on the modified-MRS medium containing carbon source such as D.P. 3 and D.P. 4 glucomannooligosaccharides, respectively. B. longum and B. bifidum grew up 3.9-fold and 2.8-fold more effectively by the treatment of D.P. 4 glucomannooligosaccharides, compared to those of standard MRS medium. Especially, D.P. 4 was more effective than D.P. 3 glucomannooligosaccharide on the growth of Bifidobacterium spp.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.267-273
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• 1982

Among 12 kinds of ginsenosides in ginseng saponin, ginsenoside-Rb$_1$was contained the most abundantly. But ginsenoside-Rd which is similar to ginsenoside-Rb$_1$in structure, was known to be superior to ginsenoside-Rb$_1$pharmaceutically. In order to convert ginsenoside-Rb$_1$into ginsenoside-Rd by microbial enzyme treatment, a Rhizopus sp. was selected among various strais of molds found in rotten ginseng roots. Enzyme was prepared from the extract of wheat bran koji culture by ammonium sulfate precipitation (1.0 sat'd) and succeeding ammonium sulfate fractionation method (0.6-0.9 sat'd). For the purpose of use as substrate, saponins were purified by the several purification steps from alcohol extract of red ginseng roots. We obtained the total saponin which was composed of 36.5% of ginsenoside Rb$_1$, 12.2% of ginsenoside-Rd and other ginsenosides. For increase of ginsenoside-Rb$_1$ component ratio, we also obtained further purified ginsenoside-Rb group saponin containing 54.5% of ginsenoside-Rb$_1$, 1.1% of ginsenoside- Rd and other ginsenosides from purified the total saponin. In the enzymatic reaction system including the total saponin or the ginsenoside-Rb group saponin, we confirmed the specific conversion of ginsenoside-Rb$_1$to ginsenoside-Rd proportionally and no change of any other ginsenoside patterns by thin layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2002

It was found that the peptides originated from the hydrolysates of silk fibroin have in vitro immunostimulating effects in murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells. The stimulation effects on nitric oxide (NO) production resulted from treatments of acid or enzymatic hydrolysates were measured. The silk fibroin preparation isolated from cocoon was most efficiently digested by acid hydrolysis. Even though the sole treatment of acid hydrolysate stimulated the NO production in dose-dependent pattern, a part of its activity was found to be caused by the contaminated endotoxin, LPS. When each endotoxin-free hydrolysates obtained by filtering it through an ultrafiltration membrane of molecular weight (MW) cut-off 10,000 to eliminate LPS was used, the peptic hydrolysate with lowest degree of hydrolysis showed the highest activity. The fractions of peptic hydrolysate with MW ranges of 1,000∼10,000, 500∼1,000 and below 500 also showed a higher MW-higher activity correlation. From the analyses of amino acid composition of each hydrolysate, it was found that the contents of arginine, lysine, alanine and glycine residues affected the activity level of hydrolysate. The results of this study showed a possibility of utilizing fibroin as a source for immunostimulating (chemopreventive) functional peptides.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 1993

The effects of enzymatic modification with pepsin and actinidin was studied on molecular weight distributions and functional properties of hydrolysates from soy protein isolate (SPI) differing in degree of hydrolysis. The hydrolyzed SPI by pepsin showed 41.5% degree of hydrolysis after 5 min, and maximum hydrolysis was obtained after 2 hours. Actinidin hydrolyzed SPI 26.71% degree after 1 hour. On SDS-PAGE, native SPI showed 9 distinguishable bands on SDS-PAGE gel. Pepsin treated SPI showed one broad band in the lower part of gel. This band was shifted further to the bottom of the gel and became faint as hydrolysis time increased. While actinidin treated SPI showed different SDS-PAGE pattern from pepsin. However PAGE patterns were similar with pepsin and actinidin treated groups. With pepsin treatment, solubility of SPI distinctively increased around isoelectric point(pI). Emulsifying activity (EA) and emulsifying stability (ES) showed marked increase over pH range of $3.0{\sim}8.0$. 5 min modified group had most excellent foam expansion (FE). Foam stability (FS) was increased as pepsin treatment time increased at pI. With actinidin treatment, solubility was increased. 60 min modified SPI had the most effective EA at pH 4.5. However ES was not effected by actinidin treatment. 5 min modified group was most effect in FE. FS was higher at alkaline pH.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.167-173
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• 2001

To characterize the difference in glycoconjugates of mouse epididymis, lectin labeling of the tissue section was conducted using Ulex europaeus agglutinin I(UEA I), succinylated wheat germ agglutinin(sWGA), and Griffonia simplicifolia lectin-I(GSL-I). UEA I which binds to outer $\alpha$-L-fucose residue that is a terminal sugar of the side chain branched from oligosaccharide chain gave the labeling in the proximal caput epithelia exclusively. Lumen was commonly labeled in all of the organ. It suggested that the glycoconjugates bearing outer $\alpha$ -L-fucose residue were largely expressed in the initial segments ot epididymis and subjected to secretion. GSL-I which binds to terminal $\alpha$ -D-galactosyl residue of glycoconjugates gave the labeling in the cytoplasm of clear cells and basal cells, and cilia in corpus and cauda regions but not in the caput region. There was no vast difference in labeling pattern by sWGA which binds to N-acetyl-glucosamine residue among the epididymal regions. Clear cells in corpus and cauda epithelia showed more intense labeling by sWGA compared to principal cells, suggesting the functional specialization of this type of cells. The labeling intensities of luminal content by UEA I and sWGA decreased in cauda region compared to corpus region suggesting the presence of enzymatic activities responsible for processing the $\alpha$-L-fucose and N-acetyl-glucosamine residues from secreted glycoconjugates. In summary, the difference in glycoconjugates bearing the $\alpha$-L-fucose, $\alpha$-D-galactose, and N-acetyl-glucosamine residues according to the type of epithelial cells and epididymal segments suggests functional specialization and different roles of each segment in the processing of sperm surface antigens during the epididymal transit.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.758-766
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• 2015

Dextran is a generic term for a bacterial exopolysaccharide synthesized from sucrose and composed of chains of D-glucose units connected by ${\alpha}$-1,6-linkages by using dextransucrases. Dextran could be used as vicosifying, stabilizing, emulsifying, gelling, bulking, dietary fiber, prebiotics, and water holding agents. We isolated new strain capable of producing dextran from Korean traditional kimchi and identified as Leuconostoc sp. strain JYY4. Batch fermentation was conducted in bioreactor with a working volume of 3 L. The media was MMY and 15% (w/v) sucrose. Mineral medium consisted of $3.0g\;KH_2PO_4$, $0.01g\;FeSO_4$, $H_2O$, $0.01g\;MnSO_4$, $4H_2O$, $0.2g\;MgSO_4\;7H_2O$, 0.01 g NaCl, $0.05g\;CaCl_2$ per 1 liter deionized water. The pH of media was initially adjusted to 6.0. The inoculation rate was 1.0% (v/v) of the working volume. Temperature was maintained at $28^{\circ}C$. The agitation rate was 100 rpm. The production pattern of dextran was associated with the cell growth. After 24 hr dextran reached its highest concentration of 59.4 g/L. The sucrose was consumed completely after 40 hr. Growth reached stationery phase when sucrose became limiting, regardless of the presence of fructose or mannitol. When the specific growth rate was 0.54 hr-1, utilization averaged 5.8 g/L-hr. The yield and productivity of dextran were 80% and 2.0 g/L-hr, respectively. Dextrans produced by were separated to two different size by an alcohol fraction method. The size of high molecular weight dextran (45% alcohol, v/v), less soluble dextran, was between MW 500,000 and 2,000,000. Soluble dextran (55% alcohol, v/v) was between 70,000 and 150,000. The molecular weight average of total dextran (70% alcohol, v/v) was between 150,000 to 500,000. The enzymatic hydrolyzates of total dextran of ATCC 13146 showed branched dextrans by Penicillium dextranase contained of glucose, isomaltose, isomaltotriose, and isomaltooligosaccharides greater than DP4 (degree of polymerization) that had branch points. Compounds greater than DP4 were branched isomaltooligosaacharides. Hydrolysates by the Lipomyces dextranase produced the same composition of oligosaccharides as those by Penicillin dextranase.