• Molecules and Cells
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.431-439
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• 2009

Rice Oryza sativa accelerated cell death and resistance 1 (OsACDR1) encodes a putative Raf-like mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK). We had previously reported upregulation of the OsACDR1 transcript by a range of environmental stimuli involved in eliciting defense-related pathways. Here we apply biochemical, gain and loss-of-function approaches to characterize OsACDR1 function in rice. The OsACDR1 protein showed autophosphorylation and possessed kinase activity. Rice plants overexpressing OsACDR1 exhibited spontaneous hypersensitive response (HR)-like lesions on leaves, upregulation of defense-related marker genes and accumulation of phenolic compounds and secondary metabolites (phytoalexins). These transgenic plants also acquired enhanced resistance to a fungal pathogen (Magnaporthe grisea) and showed inhibition of appressorial penetration on the leaf surface. In contrast, loss-of-function and RNA silenced OsACDR1 rice mutant plants showed downregulation of defense-related marker genes expressions and susceptibility to M. grisea. Furthermore, transient expression of an OsACDR1:GFP fusion protein in rice protoplast and onion epidermal cells revealed its localization to the nucleus. These results indicate that OsACDR1 plays an important role in the positive regulation of disease resistance in rice.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.414-419
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• 2023

In 2023, a number of seeds suspected to be discolored black oat seeds on oat farms in Gangjin were observed and examined for fungal infection. The species Alternaria alternata was predominant, accounting for 84% of all fungal infections. The appearance and quality of seeds harvested in 2022 were compared with seeds harvested in 2023 from the same field. The lightness value was lower in the seeds harvested in 2023, while the electrical conductivity was higher in the seeds harvested in 2023. The content of avenanthramide was found to be 10 times higher in the 2023 seeds than in those harvested in 2022. The accumulated precipitation in Gangjin in May 2023 was 230 times higher than that in May 2022, and the average relative humidity was high. These conditions created an environment suitable for infection of A. alternata, which were thought to have caused discolored black oat seeds.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.155-161
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• 2022

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of isolated lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on the quality of high moisture rye silage. Rye forage (Secale cereale L.) was harvested at the heading stage (27.3% of dry matter (DM)) and cut into approximately 3-5 cm lengths. Then, the forage divided into 4 treatments with different inoculants: 1) No additives (CON); 2) Lactobacillus brevis strain 100D8 at a 1.2 × 10⁵ colony-forming unit (cfu)/g of fresh forage (LBR); 3) Leuconostoc holzapfelii strain 5H4 at a 1.0 × 10⁵ cfu/g of fresh forage (LHO); and 4) Mixture of LBR and LHO (1:1 ratio) applied at a 1.0 × 10⁵ cfu/g of fresh forage (MIX). About 3 kg of forage from each treatment was ensiled into a 20 L mini-bucket silo in quadruplicate for 100 days. After silo opening, silage was collected for analyses of chemical compositions, in vitro nutrient digestibilities, fermentation characteristics, and microbial enumerations. The CON silage had the highest concentrations of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber (p = 0.006; p = 0.008) and a lowest in vitro DM digestibility (p < 0.001). The pH was highest in CON silage, while lowest in LBR and MIX silages (p < 0.001). The concentrations of ammonia-N, lactate, and acetate were highest in LBR silage (p = 0.008; p < 0.001; p < 0.001). Propionate and butyrate concentrations were highest in CON silage (p = 0.004; p < 0.001). The LAB and yeast counts were higher in CON and LHO silages compare to LBR and MIX silages (p < 0.001). However, the mold did not detect in all treatments. Therefore, this study could conclude that L. brevis 100D8 and Leu. holzapfelii strain 5H4 can improve the digestibility and anti-fungal activity of high moisture rye silage.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.243-249
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• 2007

The French paradox has been attributed to the antioxidant properties of flavonoids present in the red wine. Amentoflavone(AF) is a bi-flavonoid compound with anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory activities. We isolated AF from Selaginella tamariscina, and studied its effects on nuclear factor-B(NF-B)-mediated MMP-9 gene expression in RAW264.7 cells. AF blocked the lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced expression of MMP-9. Zymographic and immunoblot analyses showed that AF suppressed LPS-induced MMP-9 expression in a dose-dependent manner. To clarify the mechanistic basis for its inhibition of MMP-9 induction, we examined the effect of AF on the transactivation of MMP-9 gene by luciferase reporter activity using -1.59 kb flanking region. AF potently suppressed the reporter gene activity. This inhibition was characterized by down-regulation of MMP-9, which was transcriptionally regulated at NF-B site and activation protein-1 (AP-1) site in the MMP-9 promoter, two important nuclear transcription factors that are involved in MMP-9 expression. These findings indicate the efficacy of AF in inhibiting MMP-9 expression through the transcription factors NF-B and AP-1 on LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.141-147
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• 2007

Cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine), which comes from Cordyceps militaris, the Chinese medicinal fungal genus Cordyceps, is used in the treatment of various diseases such as cancer and chronic inflammation. We recently reported that cordycepin has a novel antiplatelet effect through the down regulation of $[Ca^{2+}]_{i}$ and the elevation of cGMP/cAMP production. In this study, we further investigated the effect of cordycepin on collagen-induced platelet aggregation in the presence of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG)- or cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA)-inhibitor. PKG inhibitor Rp-8-pCPT-cGMPS potentiated the collagen-induced platelet aggregation, but PKA inhibitor Rp-8-Br-cAMPS did not. However, both Rp-8-pCPT-cGMPS and Rp-8-Br-cAMPS reduced inhibition by cordycepin of collagen-induced platelet aggregation. Moreover, cordycepin inhibited $Ca^{2+}-dependent$ phosphorylation of both 47 kDa- and 20 kDa-protein in the presence of both PKG inhibitor and PKA inhibitor. Taken altogether, these results suggest that the inhibitory effect of cordycepin on collagen-induced platelet aggregation is associated with cGMP/PKG- and cAMP/PKA-pathways, and thus cordycepin may be an efficacious intervention against platelet aggregation-mediated thrombotic disease.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.306-312
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• 2013

Costunolide ($C_{15}H_{20}O_2$) is a sesquiterpene lactone that was isolated from many herbal medicines and it has diverse effects (anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory) according to previous reports. However, the anti-cancer effects of Costunolide and its mechanism of actions are not well known in estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. In this study, we observed that costunolide suppresses cell growth in estrogen receptor positive MCF-7 breast cancer cells as shown by MTT assay and soft agar colony formation assay. To examine the mechanism by which costunolide inhibits MCF-7 cell growth, we performed FACS analysis. We found that costunolide induced G2/M and S cell cycle arrest, and regulated cycle-related protein expression. In addition, costunolide inhibited ERK signaling pathway and induced autophagy. Therefore, costunolide might be a good and useful chemotherapy agent for estrogen receptor positive breast cancer patients.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Food Hygiene and Safety Conference
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• 1992.07a
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• pp.7-19
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• 1992

Fish pathology is one of the main scientific bases upon which this expansion in aquaculture has been dependent and requires a wide knowledge of the environmental constraints, the physiology and characteristics of the various pathogens, the responses of the host and the methods by which they may be controlled. The primary disease and parasite problems in aquaculture animals relate to viral, bacterial, fungal and protozoan epizootics. Parasitic nematodes, trematodes and cestodes are commonly found in aquaculture animals, but seldom are they present in concentrations sufficinet to cause significant problems. When an epizootic does occur and chemical treatment is indicated, the appropriate chemical must be selected and properly applied. We have antibiotics, sulfa, nitrofuran and other chemicals for treatment of fish diseases. Some may be mixed with the fred during formulation, added to the pellets of feed as a surface coating, given in the dorm of an injection or used as a bath. Even though a drug or chemical has been officially approved for use in aquaculture, the substance should never be used unless there is a clear need. Some of the reasions for this view are as follows: (1) the constant use of antibiotics can lead to the development of resistant strains of bacteria, (2) biofilter efficiency may be impaired or destroyed by chemicals added to closed recirculating water systems, and (3) the injudicious use of chemicals can have a damaging effect on the environment as well as on human.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.315-320
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• 2013

Here, we show that radicicol, a fungal antibiotic, resulted in marked inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) transcription by the pancreatic beta cell line MIN6N8a in response to cytokine mixture (CM: TNF-${\alpha}$, IFN-${\gamma}$, and IL-$1{\beta}$). Treatment of MIN6N8a cells with radicicol inhibited CM-stimulated activation of NF-${\kappa}B$/Rel, which plays a critical role in iNOS transcription, in a dose-related manner. Nitrite production in the presence of PD98059, a specific inhibitor of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase-1 and 2 (ERK1/2) pathway, was dramatically diminished, suggesting that the ERK1/2 pathway is involved in CM-induced iNOS expression. In contrast, SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38, had no effect on nitrite generation. Collectively, this series of experiments indicates that radicicol inhibits iNOS gene expression by blocking ERK1/2 signaling. Due to the critical role that NO release plays in mediating destruction of pancreatic beta cells, the inhibitory effects of radicicol on iNOS expression suggest that radicicol may represent a useful anti-diabetic activity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.832-838
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• 1999

Two different types of lipases (lipase I and lipase II) secreted into culture medium by Rhizopus sp. L-I were purified using a hydrophobic chromatography and were partially characterized. Both enzymes were monomeric as revealed by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration. The molecular masses of the enzymes were identified as 45 kDa (lipase I) and 69 kDa (lipase II). The isoelectric points were estimated to be 3.6 and 5.2 for lipase I and lipase II, respectively. pH and temperature activity optima for lipase I were as 7.5 and $50^{\circ}C$, respectively, whereas the corresponding parameters for lipase II were 6.0 and $45^{\circ}C$. The amino terminal sequences of lipase I and lipase II, determined by Edman degradation, were found to be Leu-Val-Met-Ile-Gln-Arg and Leu-Val-Met-Lys-Gln-Arg, respectively. By western blotting analysis, the two lipases were found to have a common antigenic determinant. Immuno-electron cytochemistry conducted with polyclonal anti-lipase I antibody indicated the enzyme located in both the periplasm and the adjacent vesicles of fungal hyphae. Fortunately, the sites on the cell envelope where lipase was exported into the culture medium was also identified.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.1663-1669
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• 2007

Acute transverse myelitis(ATM) is defined as an acute intramedullary dysfunction of the spinal cord, ascendng or static involving both halves of the cord and appearing without any history of previous neurological diseases due to traumatic accident, tumor of all kind, encephalitis and of course excluding all possible viral, bacterial and fungal infection. It is mainly characterized by acute motor disorder of both limbs in respect to which spinal segments are affected as well as sensory disorder and dysuria & dyschezia. The exact cause is unknown, however it is recently suggested that immunological factors are highly involved. It has been reported by several reliable sources that it is often accompanied by immunological diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE). As treatments non steroid anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDS) are primarily recommended as to steroids, limited doses are injected only with the proper prescription from the physician. Operative methods are not options as traumatic accidents and tumors are excluded as factors. To enhance muscle strength and prevent articular contracture physical therapy and passive exercise is imperative. The following patient whose chief complaints were mainly about hypoesthesia of Rt. lower limb and stiffness of phalanges of both fingers as well as to weakness of lower extermity. Therefore it has been diagnosed as arthalgia syndrome. In oriental medicine factors such as wind evil heat-evil, dampness-heat evil, cold evil cause the arthalgia syndrome. In this case the patient was diagnosed as dampness-heat evil and herbal medicine Chunglijagam-Tang and Dong-Qi acupuncture was applied to treat bladder disorder.