• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1016-1022
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• 2019

Owing to increased interest in preventing obesity in an aging society, both men and women spend considerable amount of cost on obesity managements. In this study, we investigated the natural substances on anti-obesity activities in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. Also, to improve anti-obesityeffects, research using 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes cells is crucial. The anti-obesity effect of 70% ethanol extract from Torilis Japonica Decandolle on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes to adipocytes was investigated by suppressing adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation with Oil Red O assay, and western blot analysis. Compared to the control, 70% ethanol extract of Torilis Japonica Decandolle was significantly inhibited adipocyte differentiation and intracellular triglyceride (TG) level at a concentration of $100{\mu}g/ml$. To determine the mechanism of reduction in TG content, we determined the level of protein expression of obesity-related proteins, such as peroxisome-proliferatorsactivated-receptor-${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) and CCAAT enhancer-binding-proteins-${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$), and Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) phosphorylation. As a results, 70% ethanol extract of Torilis Japonica Decandolle significantly decreased protein expression of $PPAR{\gamma}$, $C/EBP{\alpha}$ and ACC phosphorylation. These results indicate that 70% ethanol extract of Torilis Japonica Decandolle is the most effective candidate for preventing obesity. However further studies will be needed to identify the active compounds that confer the anti-obesity activity of Torilis Japonica Decandolle.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1152-1158
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• 2019

Rudbeckia laciniata var. hortensis Bailey is used in home remedy for colic and gastritis in South Korea. Although Rudbeckia laciniata var. hortensis Bailey is used extensively for home remedies, no single study on its efficacy exists. In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity effects of Rudbeckia laciniata var. hortensis Bailey. The anti-obesity effect of a 70% ethanol extract from Rudbeckia laciniata var. hortensis Bailey on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes to adipocytes was investigated with an Oil Red O assay, western blot analysis, and mRNA analysis. Compared to the control (only treated with DM), the 70% ethanol extract of Rudbeckia laciniata var. hortensis Bailey significantly inhibited adipocyte differentiation and intracellular triglyceride (TG) levels at a concentration of $100{\mu}g/ml$. To determine how the TG content was reduced, we measured the level of protein and mRNA expression of obesityrelated agents, such as peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$), CCAAT/enhancer- binding protein ${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation, LPL, and FAS. As a result, the 70% ethanol extract of Rudbeckia laciniata var. hortensis Bailey significantly increased the expression of AMPK and decreased the expression of genes related to adipogenesis and fat storage, such as $PPAR{\gamma}$, $C/EBP{\alpha}$, LPL, and FAS.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.761-770
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• 2021

In this study, the optimal medium composition for enhancing protease production was established by the Bacillus strain isolated from Makgeolli, a traditional fermented food, using the response surface methodology. B. amyloliquefaciens SRCM115785 was selected as the protease producer by productivity analysis and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Plackett-Burman design (PBD) was introduced to analyze the effect of each component on protease production among the 11 selected medium components. As a result, glucose, yeast extract, and beef extract were finally selected as factors for enhancing protease production. Central composite design (CCD) analysis was designed as a method to determine the optimal concentration of each component for protease production and the concentration of each medium composition for maximum protease production was predicted to glucose 6.75 g/l, yeast extract 12.42 g/l and beef extract 17.48 g/l. The suitability of the experimental model was proved using ANOVA analysis and as a result of quantitative analysis to prove this, the amount of increase was 230.47% compared to the LB medium used as a control. Through this study, the optimization of medium composition for enhancing protease production was established, and based on this, it is expected that it can be efficient use of protease as an industrial enzyme.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.28-38
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• 2024

Objective: Tibetan chickens, which have unique adaptations to extreme high-altitude environments, exhibit phenotypic and physiological characteristics that are distinct from those of lowland chickens. However, the mechanisms underlying hypoxic adaptation in the liver of chickens remain unknown. Methods: RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) technology was used to assess the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in hypoxia adaptation in highland chickens (native Tibetan chicken [HT]) and lowland chickens (Langshan chicken [LS], Beijing You chicken [BJ], Qingyuan Partridge chicken [QY], and Chahua chicken [CH]). Results: A total of 352 co-DEGs were specifically screened between HT and four native lowland chicken breeds. Gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analyses indicated that these co-DEGs were widely involved in lipid metabolism processes, such as the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) signaling pathway, fatty acid degradation, fatty acid metabolism and fatty acid biosynthesis. To further determine the relationship from the 352 co-DEGs, protein-protein interaction network was carried out and identified eight genes (ACSL1, CPT1A, ACOX1, PPARC1A, SCD, ACSBG2, ACACA, and FASN) as the potential regulating genes that are responsible for the altitude difference between the HT and other four lowland chicken breeds. Conclusion: This study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms regulating hypoxia adaptation via lipid metabolism in Tibetan chickens and other highland animals.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.58-63
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• 2013

A taxonomic study was carried out to assess the phylogenetic characteristics of isolate JJM57 from marine red algae Laurencia sp. collected from intertidal zone in Jeju Island, South Korea. Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence shows that this isolate belongs to the genus Oceanisphaera. It shows 98.02% and 97.7% sequence similarity with Oceanisphera litoralis DSM $15406^T$ and Oceanisphera donghaensis KCTC $12522^T$, respectively. Strain JJM57 is a Gram-negative, aerobic, moderately halophilic bacterium able to grow in different NaCl concentration ranges from 0.5 to 8.0% and at varying temperatures from 4 to $37^{\circ}C$. Sharing some of the physiological and biochemical properties with O. litoralis and O. donghaensis, JJM57 strain differs in the utilization of ethanol, proline, and alanine. The G+C contents of the strain JJM57 is 61.94 mol% and it is rich in $C_{16:1}$ ${\omega}7c$ and/or iso-$C_{15:0}$ 2-OH, $C_{16:0}$, and $C_{18:1}$ ${\omega}7c$ fatty acids. The DNA-DNA relatedness data separates the strain JJM57 from other species such as O. litoralis and O. donghaensis. On the basis of these polyphasic evidences, present study proposed that strain JJM57 (=KCTC 22371 =AM983543 =CCUG 60764) represents a novel bacterial species of Oceanisphaera.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.389-398
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• 2009

Development of expression vectors is important for the basic and applied researches on kimchi LAB (lactic acid bacteria). An expression vector, pSJE6c was constructed by inserting P6C promoter sequence from Lactococcus lactis into pSJE, a shuttle vector for E. coli and Leuconostoc species. To test the efficiency of pSJE6c, aga ($\alpha$-galactosidase) and lacZ ($\beta$-galactosidase) genes were expressed in Lactobacillus brevis 2.14. Compared to the pSJE, expression levels of both genes were increased, indicating P6C promoter was better than indigenous promoters. Enzyme activities of L. brevis cells harboring pSJE6caga (pSJE6c with aga) or pSJE6Z (pSJE6c with lacZ) were 1.5-2 fold higher than those with pSJEaga (pSJE with aga) or pSJEZ (pSJE with lacZ). More RNA transcripts were detected in cells harboring pSJE6c based recombinant plasmid. The results indicated that heterologous gene expressions in kimchi LAB could be improved significantly by use of efficient expression vectors.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.122-134
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• 2001

Background : Some chemotherapeutic drugs induce NF-${\kappa}B$ activation by degrading the $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ protein in cancer cells which contributes to anticancer drug resistance. We hypothesized that inhibiting $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation would block NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and result in increased tumor cell mortality in response to chemotherapy. Methods : The "superrepressor" form of the NF-${\kappa}B$ inhibitor was transferred by an adenoviral vector (Ad-$I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$-SR) to the human lung cancer cell lines (NCI H157 and NCI H460). With a MIT assay, the level of sensitization to cisplatin and paclitaxel were measured. To confirm the mechanism, an EMSA and Annexin V assay were performed. Results : EMSA showed that $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$-SR effectively blocked the NF-${\kappa}B$ activation induced by cisplatin. Transduction with Ad-$I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$-SR resulted in an increased sensitivity of the lung cancer cell lines to cisplatin and paclitaxel by a factor of 2~3 in terms of $IC_{50}$. Annexin-V analysis suggests that this increment in chemosensitivity to cisplatin probably occurs through the induction of apoptosis. Conclusion : The blockade of chemotherapeutics induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation by inducing Ad-$I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$-SR, increased apoptosis and increasing the chemosensitivity of the lung cancer cell lines tested, subsequently. Gene transfer of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$-SR appears to be a new therapeutic strategy of chemosensitization in lung cancer.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.148-160
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the molecular epidemiology of a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) outbreak at a newborn nursery and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: During the outbreak, from August to September 2017, MRSA isolates collected from neonates and medical staff underwent genotyping and screened for virulence factors. Antibiotic susceptibilities were tested. Results: During the study period, 41 neonates were admitted at the nursery (n=27) and NICU (n=14). Of these, 7 had MRSA infections (skin infection [n=6] and sepsis [n=1]) and 4 were colonized with MRSA. Associated medical staff (n=32) were screened; three were nasal MRSA carriers. Staphylococcal chromosomal cassette mec (SCCmec) type II, sequence type (ST) 89, spa type t375 was found to be the skin infection outbreak causing strain, with multi-drug resistance including low-level mupirocin resistance. SCCmec type IVa, ST 72, and a novel spa type designated t17879, was the cause of MRSA sepsis. Many different types of MRSA were colonized on the neonates; however, SCCmec type IVa, ST 72, spa type t664 was colonized in both neonates and a NICU nurse. All MRSA isolates from colonized infants were positive for the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) toxin gene. Conclusions: The strain causing an outbreak of skin infections had multi-drug resistance. Also, MRSA colonized in the neonates were found to carry the PVL toxin gene. Because different strains are present during an outbreak, molecular epidemiologic studies are important to identify the outbreak strain and colonized strains which aid in effective control and prevention of future MRSA outbreaks.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 2009

To understand the ecological function of heterotrophic bacterial community in water column of large freshwater lakes in the permafrost zone, we investigated the structure and function of bacterial community in Lake Khuvsgul, Mongolia. Species composition of overall bacterial community was analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of 16S rRNA gene fragments, and bacteria that can be cultured at 10oC were isolated and characterized. Based on the depth profile of environmental parameters, thermocline and chemocline were recognized at the 5~10 m zone of the water column. The stratified DGGE profile indicated that the discontinuity of water properties might influence the structure of bacterial community: band profiles in the 0~5 m zone were diverse with large change by depth, but the profile was relatively stable at the $\geq$10 m zone, with predominance of the band identified as Acidovorax facilis. Bacterial cultures were screened for protease, cellulase, amylase and lipase activity, and 23 isolates were selected for high activity of the hydrolytic enzymes. The isolates were identified based on their 16S rRNA gene sequences. In the surface water (zero meter depth), Acidovorax defluvii and Sphingobacterium faecium with high cellulase activity were present. Flavobacterium succinicans, Mycoplana bullata and A. facilis were stably predominant isolates at 2 m, 5 m, and $\geq$10 m depths, respectively. F. succinicans isolates showed high protease activity while M. bullata isolates showed moderate levels of protease and celluase activity. A. facilis isolates showed either cellulase or lipase activity, exclusively to each other. According to the profile of growth rates of the isolates in the temperature range of $0\sim42^{\circ}C$, the surface-zone (0~5 m) isolates were facultative psychrophiles while isolates from $\geq$10 m depth were typical mesophiles. This stratification is believed to be due to stratified availability of organic materials to the bacterial decomposers. In the water column below the chemoline, the environment is extremely oligotrophic so that the trait of rapid growth in low temperature might not be demanded by deep-lake decomposers. The stratified distribution of community composition and decomposer activity in Lake Khuvsgul implies that ecological functions of bacterial community in lakes of cold region are sharply divided by water column stratification.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.187-194
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• 2010

The soybean stay green mutant genotype (SSG) derived from the nuclear gene, d1d2, and cytoplasmic gene, cytG, inhibit the breakdown of chloroplast in the leaves, pod walls, seed coats, and embryos during maturity. Soybean seed with black seed coat and green cotyledon (SBG) are preferred than black seed coat with yellow cotyledon (SBY) especially for cooking with rice and as source of traditional food in Korea. The researchers evaluated the seed's chlorophyll content of SSG and introduced SSG to the SBG variety breeding program. The seed chlorophyll content of SSG with d1d2 was $39.93{\sim}60.80\;{\mu}g/g$ and SSG with cytG $38.08{\sim}39.89\;{\mu}g/g$. The Korean SBG variety which was derived from SSG with cytG, contains $16.35{\sim}37.73\;{\mu}g/g$. The composition of seed chlorophyll differs according to the genetic background of SSG genotype. Inheritance study showed that cotyledon color was segregated 15:1 (yellow:green) at $F_2$ seed indicating two recessive genes control green cotyledon as revealed by previous study. Only less than 3% soybean lines showed black seed coat with green cotyledon among crosses SBY and SSG (d1d2). Results showed that SSG with d1d2 can be used as a good source for SBG with high chlorophyll content in the seed cotyledon, but due to the complex genetic behavior, breeding resource of SBG with d1d2 should be prepared to improve the breeding efficiency for development SBG variety.