• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제33권8호
• /
• pp.1030-1038
• /
• 2023

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, previously named Lactobacillus plantarum, is a facultative, homofermentative lactic acid bacterium widely distributed in nature. Several Lpb. plantarum strains have been demonstrated to possess good probiotic properties, and Lpb. plantarum HOM3204 is a potential probiotic strain isolated from homemade pickled cabbage plants. In this study, whole-genome sequencing was performed to acquire genetic information and predict the function of HOM3204, which has a circular chromosome of 3,232,697 bp and two plasmids of 48,573 and 17,060 bp, respectively. Moreover, various oxidative stress-related genes were identified in the strain, and its antioxidant activity was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Compared to reference strains, the intracellular cell-free extracts of Lpb. plantarum HOM3204 at a dose of 10¹⁰ colony-forming units (CFU)/ml in vitro exhibited stronger antioxidant properties, such as total antioxidant activity, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging rate, superoxide dismutase activity, and glutathione (GSH) content. Daily administration of 10⁹ CFU Lpb. plantarum HOM3204 for 45 days significantly improved the antioxidant function by increasing the glutathione peroxidase activity in the whole blood and GSH concentration in the livers of D-galactose-induced aging mice. These results suggest that Lpb. plantarum HOM3204 can potentially be used as a food ingredient with good antioxidant properties.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• 제36권11호
• /
• pp.1693-1699
• /
• 2023

Objective: Cows that are nursing get around 80% of their glucose from liver gluconeogenesis. Propionate, a significant precursor of liver gluconeogenesis, can regulate the key genes involved in hepatic gluconeogenesis expression, but its precise effects on the activity of enzymes have not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of propionate on the activity, gene expression, and protein abundance of the key enzymes involved in the gluconeogenesis of dairy cow hepatocytes. Methods: The hepatocytes were cultured and treated with various concentrations of sodium propionate (0, 1.25, 2.50, 3.75, and 5.00 mM) for 12 h. Glucose content in the culture media was determined by an enzymatic coloring method. The activities of gluconeogenesis related enzymes were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kits, and the levels of gene expression and protein abundance of the enzymes were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively. Results: Propionate supplementation considerably increased the amount of glucose in the culture medium compared to the control (p<0.05); while there was no discernible difference among the various treatment concentrations (p>0.05). The activities of cytoplasmic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCK1), mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCK2), pyruvate carboxylase (PC), and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6PC) were increased with the addition of 2.50 and 3.75 mM propionate; the gene expressions and protein abundances of PEPCK1, PEPCK2, PC, and G6PC were increased by 3.75 mM propionate addition. Conclusion: Propionate encouraged glucose synthesis in bovine hepatocytes, and 3.75 mM propionate directly increased the activities, gene expressions and protein abundances of PC, PEPCK1, PEPCK2, and G6PC in bovine hepatocytes, providing a theoretical basis of propionate-regulating gluconeogenesis in bovine hepatocytes.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제33권8호
• /
• pp.1084-1090
• /
• 2023

The strain KIST612, initially identified as E. limosum, was a suspected member of E. callanderi due to differences in phenotype, genotype, and average nucleotide identity (ANI). Here, we found that E. limosum ATCC 8486^T and KIST612 are genetically different in their central metabolic pathways, such as that of carbon metabolism. Although 16S rDNA sequencing of KIST612 revealed high identity with E. limosum ATCC 8486^T (99.2%) and E. callanderi DSM 3662^T (99.8%), phylogenetic analysis of housekeeping genes and genome metrics clearly indicated that KIST612 belongs to E. callanderi. The phylogenies showed that KIST612 is closer to E. callanderi DSM 3662^T than to E. limosum ATCC 8486^T. The ANI between KIST612 and E. callanderi DSM 3662^T was 99.8%, which was above the species cut-off of 96%, Meanwhile, the ANI value with E. limosum ATCC 8486^T was not significant, showing only 94.6%. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) results also supported the ANI values. The dDDH between KIST612 and E. callanderi DSM 3662^T was 98.4%, whereas between KIST612 and E. limosum ATCC 8486^T , it was 57.8%, which is lower than the species cut-off of 70%. Based on these findings, we propose the reclassification of E. limosum KIST612 as E. callanderi KIST612.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제33권9호
• /
• pp.1130-1140
• /
• 2023

Among the AAA+ proteases in bacteria, FtsH is a membrane-bound ATP-dependent metalloprotease, which is known to degrade many membrane proteins as well as some cytoplasmic proteins. In the intracellular pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, FtsH is responsible for the proteolysis of several proteins including MgtC virulence factor and MgtA/MgtB Mg²⁺ transporters, the transcription of which is controlled by the PhoP/PhoQ two-component regulatory system. Given that PhoP response regulator itself is a cytoplasmic protein and also degraded by the cytoplasmic ClpAP protease, it seems unlikely that FtsH affects PhoP protein levels. Here we report an unexpected role of the FtsH protease protecting PhoP proteolysis from cytoplasmic ClpAP protease. In FtsH-depleted condition, PhoP protein levels decrease by ClpAP proteolysis, lowering protein levels of PhoP-controlled genes. This suggests that FtsH is required for normal activation of PhoP transcription factor. FtsH does not degrade PhoP protein but directly binds to PhoP, thus sequestering PhoP from ClpAP-mediated proteolysis. FtsH's protective effect on PhoP can be overcome by providing excess ClpP. Because PhoP is required for Salmonella's survival inside macrophages and mouse virulence, these data implicate that FtsH's sequestration of PhoP from ClpAP-mediated proteolysis is a mechanism ensuring the amount of PhoP protein during Salmonella infection.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제33권9호
• /
• pp.1228-1237
• /
• 2023

The CRISPR-Cas system has emerged as the most efficient genome editing technique for a wide range of cells. Delivery of the Cas9-sgRNA ribonucleoprotein complex (Cas9 RNP) has gained popularity. The objective of this study was to develop a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based assay to quantify the double-strand break reaction mediated by Cas9 RNP. To accomplish this, the dextransucrase gene (dsr) from Leuconostoc citreum was selected as the target DNA. The Cas9 protein was produced using recombinant Escherichia coli BL21, and two sgRNAs were synthesized through in vitro transcription to facilitate binding with the dsr gene. Under optimized in vitro conditions, the 2.6 kb dsr DNA was specifically cleaved into 1.1 and 1.5 kb fragments by both Cas9-sgRNA365 and Cas9-sgRNA433. By monitoring changes in dsr concentration using qPCR, the endonuclease activities of the two Cas9 RNPs were measured, and their efficiencies were compared. Specifically, the specific activities of dsr365RNP and dsr433RNP were 28.74 and 34.48 (unit/㎍ RNP), respectively. The versatility of this method was also verified using different target genes, uracil phosphoribosyl transferase (upp) gene, of Bifidobacterium bifidum and specific sgRNAs. The assay method was also utilized to determine the impact of high electrical field on Cas9 RNP activity during an efficient electroporation process. Overall, the results demonstrated that the qPCR-based method is an effective tool for measuring the endonuclease activity of Cas9 RNP.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제33권10호
• /
• pp.1337-1350
• /
• 2023

Caproic acid is a precursor substance for the synthesis of ethyl caproate, the main flavor substance of nongxiangxing baijiu liquor. In this study, Clostridium butyricum GD1-1, a strain with high caproic acid concentration (3.86 g/l), was isolated from the storage pit mud of nongxiangxing baijiu for sequencing and analysis. The strain's genome was 3,840,048 bp in length with 4,050 open reading frames. In addition, virulence factor annotation analysis showed C. butyricum GD1-1 to be safe at the genetic level. However, the annotation results using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Automatic Annotation Server predicted a deficiency in the strain's synthesis of alanine, methionine, and biotin. These results were confirmed by essential nutrient factor validation experiments. Furthermore, the optimized medium conditions for caproic acid concentration by strain GD1-1 were (g/l): glucose 30, NaCl 5, yeast extract 10, peptone 10, beef paste 10, sodium acetate 11, L-cysteine 0.6, biotin 0.004, starch 2, and 2.0% ethanol. The optimized fermentation conditions for caproic acid production by C. butyricum GD1-1 on a single-factor basis were: 5% inoculum volume, 35℃, pH 7, and 90% loading volume. Under optimal conditions, the caproic acid concentration of strain GD1-1 reached 5.42 g/l, which was 1.40 times higher than the initial concentration. C. butyricum GD1-1 could be further used in caproic acid production, NXXB pit mud strengthening and maintenance, and artificial pit mud preparation.

• Genomics & Informatics
• /
• 제21권3호
• /
• pp.38.1-38.8
• /
• 2023

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is an important cause of cancer-associated deaths worldwide. Therefore, the exact molecular mechanisms of NSCLC are unidentified. The present investigation aims to identify the miRNAs with predictive value in NSCLC. The two datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNA) and mRNAs (DEmRNA) were selected from the normalized data. Next, miRNA-mRNA interactions were determined. Then, co-expression network analysis was completed using the WGCNA package in R software. The co-expression network between DEmiRNAs and DEmRNAs was calculated to prioritize the miRNAs. Next, the enrichment analysis was performed for DEmiRNA and DEmRNA. Finally, the drug-gene interaction network was constructed by importing the gene list to dgidb database. A total of 3,033 differentially expressed genes and 58 DEmiRNA were recognized from two datasets. The co-expression network analysis was utilized to build a gene co- expression network. Next, four modules were selected based on the Z_summary score. In the next step, a bipartite miRNA-gene network was constructed and hub miRNAs (let-7a-2-3p, let-7d-5p, let-7b-5p, let-7a-5p, and let-7b-3p) were selected. Finally, a drug-gene network was constructed while SUNITINIB, MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE, DOFETILIDE, HALOPERIDOL, and CALCITRIOL drugs were recognized as a beneficial drug in NSCLC. The hub miRNAs and repurposed drugs may act a vital role in NSCLC progression and treatment, respectively; however, these results must validate in further clinical and experimental assessments.

• 한국자원식물학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국자원식물학회 2020년도 추계국제학술대회
• /
• pp.63-63
• /
• 2020

Rice stripe virus (RSV) disease is one of the major constraints in rice production, transmitted by the small brown planthopper (SBPH; Laodelphax striatellus). Upon RSV infection, plants develop typical symptoms, which include chlorosis and weakness of newly emerged leaves, white and yellow spots, stripe on leaves, and necrotic and wilting leaves, resulting in plant growth inhibition, oxidative damage that may culminate in programmed cell death (PCD) and plant death in severe epidemics. Although RSV-resistant quantitative trait loci (QTLs), Stv-a, Stv-b, and Stv-bi, were mapped using various resistant varieties, one RSV-resistant gene, OsSOT1, has been identified so far. In this study, we used the rice cultivar Zenith, known to carry Stv-b, to investigate novel RSV-genes through fine mapping. Therefore, we crossed Zenith (Donor parent, RSV resistant) with Ilpum (Recurrent parent, RSV susceptible) to fine-map using a BC₂F₂ population of 2100 plants. Chromosome segment introgression lines that were heterozygous at a different region were selected, two types of heterozygous lines showed an heterozygous genotype between Sid2 and Sid75 to Indel9 and RM6680. Interestingly, we identified qSTV11^Z region harboring Stv-b, covering about 171-kb region between the InDel markers Sid75 and Indel8. The localization of qSTV11^Z provides useful information that could be used for marker-assisted selection and determination of genetic resources in rice breeding.

• 한국자원식물학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국자원식물학회 2023년도 임시총회 및 춘계학술대회
• /
• pp.12-12
• /
• 2023

Plant biomass, or lignocellulose, is one of the most abundant natural resources on earth. Lignocellulosic biomass, such as agricultural and forestry residue, serves as a renewable feedstock for microbial cell factories due to its low price and abundant availability. However, the recalcitrance of lignocellulosic biomass requires a pretreatment process prior to microbial fermentation, from which fermentable sugars including xylose and glucose are generated along with various inhibitory compounds. The presence of furan derivatives, such as 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde and 2-furaldehyde (furfural), hampers the microbial conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into value-added commodities. In this study, furfural tolerance was improved by investigating the detoxification mechanism in non-model yeast. The genes encoding aldehyde dehydrogenases were overexpressed to enhance furfural tolerance and resulted in improving cell growth and lipid production that can be converted into biofuel. Taken together, this approach contributes to the understanding of the reducing toxicity mechanism of furfural by the aldehyde dehydrogenases and provides a promising strategy that the use of microorganism as an industrial workhorse to treat efficiently lignocellulosic biomass as sustainable plant derivatives.

• 한국자원식물학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국자원식물학회 2020년도 춘계학술대회
• /
• pp.49-49
• /
• 2020

Bacterial leaf blight (BLB), caused by X. oryzae pv. oryzae(Xoo), is one of the most destructive diseases of rice due to its high epidemic potential. Understanding BLB resistance at a genetic level is important to further improve the rice breeding that provides one of the best approaches to control BLB disease. In the present investigation, a total of 10,000 accessions of rice germplasm were tested to resistance degree of four Korean isolated races (K1, K2, K3 and K3a) of Xoo by bioassay and a diverse 268 accessions was selected to the genome-wide association study (GWAS) using high quality 34,724 SNPs to identify the associated with resistance loci. LOC_Os04g53160 of chromosome 4 was significantly associated with K1 race resistant. LOC_Os11g46230 and LOC_Os11g47150 of chromosome 11 were highly associated with K2 and K3 races as 23.7 and 27.4 of -log(P) value, but K3a resistant loci was weakly associated at LOC_Os03g55270 of chromosome 3. The results of the GWAS validate known gene of BLB resistant and identified novel loci of R genes that provide useful targets for further investigation to help the breeding system and identified gene and QTL provide valuable sources for further functional characterization.