• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2016

When exposed to gamma-rays, hair follicular cells immediately go through apoptosis, which hampers their rapid differentiation essential for the regeneration of hair. Phloroglucinol (PG) is a phenolic compound of Ecklonia cava, brown algae abundant in Jeju island, Korea. Containing plentiful polyphenols, PG is known for its instructive effects by inhibiting apoptosis, scavenging oxygen radicals, and protecting cells against oxidative stress. In this study, we demonstrate that PG rescues radiosensitive hair follicular cells from gamma radiation-induced apoptosis and DNA damage. To identify protective capacity of PG on hair follicles, we irradiated with 8.5 Gy (1.5 Gy/min) of gamma-rays to the whole body of C57BL/6 mice at day 6 after depilation with or without PG. In mice exposed to radiation, the expression of proapoptotic molecule p53 was downregulated in the skin of PG treated group. On immunohistochemical observation of the skin, PG inhibited the immunoreactivity of p53 and cleaved caspase-3. PG treatment protected hair follicular cells from cell death due to gamma-radiation. Our results suggest that PG presents radioprotective effects by inhibiting apoptosis of radiosensitive hair follicular cells and can protect hair follicular cells from gamma-ray induced damage.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.584-591
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• 2021

Marine algae (seaweed) encompass numerous groups of multicellular organisms with various shapes, sizes, and colors, and serve as important sources of natural bioactive substances. The brown alga Ecklonia cava Kjellman, an edible seaweed, contains many bioactives such as phlorotannins and fucoidans. Here, we evaluated the antioxidative, neuroprotective, and anti-apoptotic effects of E. cava extract (ECE), E. cava phlorotannin-rich extract (ECPE), and the phlorotannin dieckol on neuronal PC-12 cells. The antioxidant capacities of ECPE and ECE were 1,711.5 and 1,050.4 mg vitamin C equivalents/g in the ABTS assay and 704.0 and 474.6 mg vitamin C equivalents/g in the DPPH assay, respectively. The dieckol content of ECPE (58.99 mg/g) was approximately 60% higher than that of ECE (36.97 mg/g). Treatment of PC-12 cells with ECPE and ECE increased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Intracellular oxidative stress in PC-12 cells due to ECPE and ECE decreased dose-independently by up to 63% and 47%, respectively, compared with the stress control (323%). ECPE reduced the production of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and caspase-3 more effectively than ECE. Early and late apoptosis in PC-12 cells were more effectively decreased by ECPE than ECE treatments. From the results obtained in this study, we concluded that ECPE, which is rich in phlorotannins, including the marker compound dieckol, may be applied to the development of functional materials for improving cognition and memory.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.81-87
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• 2021

The monthly variability in marine algal flora and community structure was examined in the intertidal zones of Doripo, and the biomass of an edible alga, Ulva prolifera, at Gaip-ri of Hampyong Bay on the southwestern coast of Korea was investigated over one year from April 2008 to March 2009. A total of 22 seaweeds were identified including five green, four brown, and 13 red algae. Based on importance value, Ulva australis was dominant over the year and the subdominant species were Ulva linza and Caulacanthus ustulatus at the Doripo coast of Hampyong Bay. The vertical distribution in terms of importance values was in the order of Ulva linza - C. ustulatus - U. australis - Sargassum thunbergii from the upper to the lower intertidal zones. The biomass of U. prolifera ranged between 2.4-98.2 g dry wt. m^-2, with a maximum in June and a minimal in November. In the field, U. prolifera biomass could be positively related to seawater temperature. However, further research on the association between biomass and other environmental factors such as nutrients and light intensity is required.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.41-48
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• 2022

Ulva compressa Linnaeus (UCL) is a green algae seaweed that performs photosynthesis and is used as a food material in some Asian regions including Korea. It is known to be the dominant species in copper ion-contaminated seas, and many studies on copper ion resistant mechanisms have been reported. UCL is known to have an excellent antioxidant effect, but limited information is available regarding its other physiological activities. In this study, we investigated the anticancer activity of 30% prethanol extracts of Ulva compressa Linnaeus (30% PeUCL) and the underlying mechanisms of its activity on human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. The 30% PeUCL extracts suppressed FaDu cell viability without affecting normal cells (L929), as determined by MTT and viability assays. Furthermore, the 30% PeUCL extracts induced apoptosis, as determined by DAPI staining. The 30% PeUCL extracts inhibited colony formation effectively as well as wound-healing of FaDu cells, even at noncytotoxic concentrations. In addition, 30% PeUCL extracts induced apoptosis significantly through proteolytic cleavage of caspase-3, -7, and -9, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, and by downregulation of Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax in FaDu cells, as determined by Western blot analysis. Collectively, these results suggest that the inhibitory effect of 30% PeUCL extracts on the growth of oral cancer cells, colony formation and wound-healing may be mediated by caspase- and mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathways in human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. Therefore, 30% PeUCL extracts can be administered as a natural chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of human oral cancers.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.133-144
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• 2023

Auranofin is a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved anti-arthritis medication that functions as a thioredoxin reductase inhibitor. Spermidine, a polyamine present in marine algae, can exert various physiological functions. Herein, we examined the synergistic anticancer activity of auranofin and spermidine in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Combined treatment with auranofin and spermidine suppressed cell viability more efficiently than either treatment alone in HCC Hep3B cells. The isobologram plotted by calculating the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values of each drug indicated that the two drugs exhibited a synergistic effect. Based on the analysis of annexin V and cell cycle distribution, auranofin and spermidine markedly induced apoptosis in Hep3B cells. Moreover, auranofin and spermidine increased mitochondria-mediated apoptosis by promoting mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) loss. Auranofin and spermidine significantly increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in Hep3B cells, and the blocking ROS suppressed apoptosis induced by spermidine and auranofin. In addition, auranofin and spermidine reduced the expression of phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (Akt), and PI3K inhibitor accelerated auranofin- and spermidine-induced apoptosis. Using ROS scavenger and PI3K inhibitor, we revealed that ROS acts upstream of auranofin- and spermidine-induced apoptosis. Collectively, our study suggests that combination treatment with auranofin and spermidine could afford synergistic anticancer activity via ROS overproduction and reduced PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.79-87
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• 2024

We seasonally examined marine macroalgal community structures in the subtidal zones at Gapado Island, Jeju, Korea, from February 2013 to November 2019. A total of 164 macroalgal species were identified, including 15 green, 40 brown, and 109 red algae. Species richness ranged from 54-106 species, with the maximum observed in 2013 and the minimum observed in 2015. Cladophora wrightiana var. minor, Ecklonia cava, Amphiroa anceps, Corallina aberrans, Corallina crassisima, Synarthrophyton chejuense, Sonderophycus capensis and Plocamium telfairiae occurred in all seasons. The average annual seaweed biomass was 1,258.22 g wet wt./m², ranging from 917.51 g/m² in 2017 to 1,551.95 g/m² in 2014. E. cava was the most dominant species, accounting for 46.57% of the total seaweed biomass. The subdominant species were P. telfairiae and A. anceps, comprising 8.64% (108.75 g/m²) and 6.65% (83.61 g/m²) of the total biomass, respectively. The vertical distribution of subtidal seaweeds were represented by E. cava and P. telfairiae at 5-20 m, A. anceps at 10-20 m, C. aberrans and C. crassisima at 5 m and C. wrightiana var. minor at 10 m. Cluster analysis revealed three distinct groups: group A (2014-2018), group B (2019) and group C (2013), indicating significant differences in the annual seaweed community.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.121-129
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• 2014

Marine algal flora and community structure were seasonally investigated at four sites in the vicinity of the Igidae on the southern east coast of Korea from May 2010 to February 2011. A total of 66 species including 9 of Chlorophyta, 14 of Phaeophyta, 43 of Rhodophyta were found during the survey period. Among these species, 16 species were found throughout the year. Seasonal mean biomass in wet weight was 123.6 (spring), 2,061.6 (summer), 412.0 (autumn), 678.9 (winter) $g{\cdot}m^{-2}$. Maximum biomass was recorded in summer($2,061.6g{\cdot}m^{-2}$), and minimum was recorded in spring($123.6g{\cdot}m^{-2}$). Spatial maximum and minimum species number were recorded at station 3 and 4(50 species) and at station 1(47 species). At station 1, 2 directly exposure on Yongho and Daeyeon cheon (stream) run off, and discharge from Nambu sewage treatment plants near coastal area, species diversity was relatively low and dominant species were similar throughout four seasons. The R/P, C/P and (R+C)/P value reflecting flora characteristics were 3.07, 0.64 and 3.71, respectively. The flora investigated could be classified into six functional groups such as coarsely branch form 39.39 %, sheet form 30.30 %, thick leather form 13.64 %, filamentous form 12.12 %, crustose form 3.03% and jointed calcareous form 1.52 % during survey period. The number of marine algae species in Igidea were 96 species at 1996 to 1997 and 66 species at 2010 to 2011, respectively. The change of seaweed species is due to the pollution loaded from sewage treatment plant and stream. We thus recommend that the positive maintenance control method like sewage treatment, for the protection of seaweed bed should be proceeded to near coastal area.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.24-28
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• 1981

As one of the fundamental studies for the breeding of marine algae, this paper deals wit_the effects of plant hormone on the growth of microscopic filamentous gametophyte of Undaria pinnatifida. The results obtained are summarized as follows: (1) All zoospores were settled on slide glass, germinated and developed into gametophytes, without the growth of germination tubes when treated with 0.1 mg/l of 2.4-D, or 0.1, 1.0, or 5.0 mg/1 of Keinetin. (2) The best growth effect in total average was observed at 0.1 mg/1 of Keinetin, when the growth-rate was $248.9\%$ in contrast with control, and was followed by 1.0 mg/1 of IAA ($243.3\%$), and 0.05 mg/1 of 2.4-D ($205.6\%$). (3) It was certain that the growth-effect by each plant hormone had some differences between male and female gametophytes. IAA was very effective in the growth of male gameto-phytes but Keinetin in that of females. Especially in females, the efficiency of Keinetin was recorded best at $239.0\%$ at 5.0 mg/l and $222.0\%$ at 0.1 mg/1. On the other hand, it was $195.1\%$ in its best at 0.5 mg/1 of IAA, and $146.6\%$ was recorded best in 2.4-D at 0.05 mg/1.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.79-85
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• 1981

As one of the fundamental studies for the breeding of marine algae, the effects of several plant hormones (IAA, Gibberellin, 2.4-D, NAA, Kinetin) on the growth of Porphyra-fronds, P. tenera Kjell. form tamatsuensis Miura, were investigated from January 21 to February 21 1981. The fronds used for the experiment were dissected out at $25mm^2$ size, and cultured in modified Provasoli's ESP medium supplemented with various concentrations of each plant growth regulators. The culture was kept under constant water temperature of $5^{\circ}C$ in 14 hrs. photoperiod and illuminated with 2,400 lux by fluorescent light. Based on the results of first experiment, the culture of fronds for the secondary experiment was carried out at $5^{\circ}C\;and\;10^{\circ}C$ in medium containing various levels of Kinetin from April 6 to 24, and compared the growth of two groups at each concentrations with each other, The results obtained are summarized as follows : (1) The best growth efficiencies were observed at 5.0mg/1 of each plant hormones except Gibberellin. Among them, the highest growth-rate was $312.5\%\;(345.3\%\;in\;frond\;size)$ in contrast with control at 5.0mg/1 of Kinetin, and was followed by $257.5\%\;(236.1\%)$ in 2.4-D,$166.7\%(147.6\%)$ in IAA and $141.7\%\;(167.7\%)$ in NAA, but that in Gibberellin was $247.9\%(241.9\%)$ at 10.0mg/l. (2) Especially, the fronds cultured at 5.0mg/1 of Kinetin were deep black-brown in colour, and had vivid, healthy chloroplasts in their all cells. On the contrary, the fronds cultured in other media were discoloured to light black-brown or green-drown, and almost all cells were vacuolated or shrunk gradually into death.(3) There was an obvious difference between the best growth-rates of the fronds cultured at 5.0mg/l of Kinetin at $5^{\circ}C$ and those at $10^{\circ}C$. The former was $366.7\%$, the latter $318.8\%$ but the difference was little at lower concentrations. (4) Many abnormal cells grown up to $25.0-27.5\mu$ in diameter were found among the marginal cells of fronds which showed the best growth in Kinetin, and the fronds wire $41.0-42.0\mu$ in thickness which was thicker by $10.0\mu$ or so than the others. (5) In two fronds at 1.0mg/1 of Kinetin cell-divisions were observed, which might developed into antheridium, but it was doubtful whether due to the efficiency of Kinetin.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.33 no.spc3
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• pp.349-358
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• 2011

In order to ascertain latitudinal variation of lipid contents and compositions in copepods, we collected warm water copepod species (Euchaeta sp. and Pleuromamma spp.) from four different regions from low (sub-tropical) to mid (temperate) latitudes in the Northwest Pacific Ocean. Total lipid contents of Pleuromamma spp. were about 11 $ug{\cdot}ind^{-1}$ with little latitudinal variation, whereas Euchaeta sp. showed slightly higher lipid content (20 $ug{\cdot}ind^{-1}$) than Pleuromamma spp. with latitudinal gradient (low at subtropic and high at temperate). Wax esters, known as the major storage lipid classes, were found to be the dominant lipid classes (accounting for more than 35% of total lipids) in Euchaeta sp., whereas in Pleuromamma spp., phospholipids, known as cellular membrane components, were the dominant lipid classes. However, the exception was specimens from warm pool region exhibiting dominance in storage of lipids as a form of triacylglycerols. Among fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA : 22:6(n-3)) (about 35% of total fatty acids), were most abundant in Euchaeta sp., while saturated fatty acids (SAFA), specially hexadecanoic acid (16:0) (about 30% of total fatty acids), were most abundant in Pleuromamma spp.. Among the neutral fraction of lipids, phytol, originated from the side chain of chlorophyll, was found in all samples which generally indicate active copepods feeding on algae. While only trace amounts of short-chain fatty alcohols were found in Pleuromamma spp., significant amounts of fatty alcohols were found in Euchaeta sp.. Particularly, significant amounts of long chain monounsaturated fatty alcohols (20:1 and 22:1), generally found in cold water species, were found in Euchaeta sp. from low latitudes. The latitudinal variation of trophic lipid markers in these copepods could be significantly related with in-situ food availability and species-specific diet preference. The result of this study suggests that the lipid contents and compositions in copepods may not only indicate their nutritional condition and feeding ecology but also provide insight into species-specific living strategies under different environmental conditions (i.e. water temperature, food availability).