• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.207-213
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• 2009

Starch serves not only as an energy source for plants, animals, and humans but also as an environmentally friendly alternative for fossil fuels. Progress in understanding of starch biosynthesis, and the isolation of many genes involved in this process have enabled the genetic modification of crops in a rational manner to produce novel starches with improved functionality. Starch is composed of two glucose polymers, amylose and amylopectin. The amylose and amylopectin ratio in starch affects its physical and physicochemical properties. Alteration in starch structure can be achieved by modifying genes encoding the enzymes responsible for starch biosynthesis and starch hydrolysis. Here, we describe recent findings concerning the starch modification in sweetpotato. Sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] ranks seventh in annual production among food crops in the world as an important starch source. To develop transgenic sweetpotato plants with modifying starch composition, we constructed transformation vectors overexpressing granule bound starch synthase I and inhibiting amylopectin synthesis genes such as starch branching enzyme and isoamylase under the control of 35S promoter, respectively. Transformation of sweetpotato (cv. Yulmi) is in progress.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.274-281
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• 2019

Pistacia chinensis Bunge has not only been used as a medicinal plant to treat various illnesses but its young shoots and leaves have also been used as vegetables. In addition, P. chinensis is used as a rootstock for Pistacia vera (pistachio). Here, the transcriptome of P. chinensis was sequenced to enrich genetic resources and identify secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathways using Illumina RNA-seq methods. De novo assembly resulted in 18,524 unigenes with an average length of 873 bp from 19 million RNA-seq reads. A Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) annotation tool assigned KO (KEGG orthology) numbers to 6,553 (36.2%) unigenes, among which 4,061 unigenes were mapped into 391 different metabolic pathways. For terpenoid backbone and carotenoid biosynthesis pathways, 44 and 22 unigenes encode enzymes corresponding to 30 and 16 entries, respectively. Twenty-two unigenes encode proteins for 16 entries of the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway. As for the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways, 63 and 24 unigenes were homologous to 17 and 14 entry proteins, respectively. Mining of simple sequence repeat identified 2,599 simple sequence repeats from P. chinensis unigenes. The results of the present study provide a valuable resource for in-depth studies on comparative and functional genomics to unravel the underlying mechanisms of the medicinal properties of Pistacia L.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제16권9호
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• pp.1291-1296
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• 2003

Effects of feeding of 9.95 mg free gossypol/kg live weight through cottonseed meal (CSM) were studied in 20 intact male calves fed barley or sorghum as source of cereal during the experimental duration of 210 days. Serum concentration of total protein, albumin, globulin and their ratio did not vary because of protein (gossypol) or cereal sources. Serum level of cholesterol and urea were lower (p<0.05) in sorghum than barley fed calves. Feeding of gossypol through CSM enhanced (p<0.05) serum cholesterol. An interaction between protein and period was observed with respect to serum concentrations of urea, creatinine and alanine transferase. The levels of serum creatinine and alanine transferase increased (p<0.05) following 120 days of experimental feeding in calves fed CSM diets compared to the control animals fed groundnut meal diets. No effect of feeding gossypol was, however, evident on the serum enzymes viz. alanine and aspartate transferases and alkaline phosphatase. Moreover, the source of cereal and protein did not appear to influence the metabolic profile of the calves. Humoral immune response, measured through antibody titre against Brucella abortus S99 innoculation, revealed a delayed and depressed seroreactivity indicative of immunocompromisation because of the phytotoxin gossypol. In conclusion, the feeding of gossypol at the designated levels, although had no deleterious clinico-biochemical manifestations, affected the humoral immune response of the calves.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권8호
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• pp.4739-4742
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• 2013

Carboplatin, a second generation platinum drug, is widely used to treat different types of cancers. However, myelosuppression remains a major consideration in its use. Genetic polymorphisms of enzymes involved in drug disposition can influence therapeutic outcome. The homozygous null deletion of phase II metabolic gene GSTT1 that abolishes its xenobiotic- detoxifying ability may be associated with carboplatin toxicity. Further, since carboplatin generates oxidative stress, polymorphisms of oxidative stress genes that regulate the cellular level of free radicals may have important roles in generating drug- related adverse effects. We here investigated the null polymorphism of GSTT1, and the -463G>A promoter polymorphism of oxidative stress gene myeloperoxidase (MPO) for carboplatin toxicity in a population of northern India. Cancer patients who were treated with carboplatin, and developed toxicity was considered. The study group comprised of 10 patients who developed therapy- related adverse effects. Peripheral blood was taken from patients for DNA isolation. GSTT1 null genotype was determined by conducting duplex PCR and MPO-463 G>A was determined by PCR followed by RFLP. Hematologic toxicity was experienced by 5 patients, 2 of them had grade 3 and 4 toxicity and 3 others had grade 2 toxicity. They also had gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity. Remaining 5 individuals developed GI toxicity but no hematological toxicity. While GG homozygous of MPO was present in majority of patients having hematologic toxicity (in 4 out of 5 individuals), one A allele (AG genotype) was present in 4 patients who did not have any hematological toxicity. Thus variant A allele of MPO -463G>A may be related to lower hematological toxicity. These preliminary data, however, are required to be confirmed in larger studies along with other relevant polymorphisms.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제24권8호
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• pp.1060-1068
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• 2011

The LDH isozymes are key catalysts in the glycolytic pathway of energy metabolism. It is well known that the distribution of the LDH isozymes vary in accordance with the metabolic requirements of different tissues. The substrates required for energy production change noticeably at successive stages of testes development suggesting a significant flexibility in the expression of glycolytic enzymes. Therefore, expression of LHDA and LDHB mRNAs was examined in adult and prepubertal quail testis. The mRNA of both LDHA and LDHB were expressed and no significant difference was observed in prepubertal testes. The mRNA levels of LDHB significantly increased during testicular development. In the adult testis, LDHA mRNA was not expressed. Expression studies revealed the presence of different LDH isozymes during testicular development. In contrast, electrophoresis of both testicular samples revealed only single band at a position indicative of an extreme type of LDH isozyme in quail testes. Furthermore, nucleotide and amino acid sequence analysis revealed significant similarity to chicken, duck and rock pigeon. These sequence results confirmed the similarity of LDHA and LDHB subunit protein in different avian species.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제53권4호
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• pp.598-602
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• 2010

신생아 일과성 고암모니아혈증은 고암모니아혈증을 특징으로 하며 대부분 호흡곤란 치료를 받는 미숙아에서 발생한다. 발생원인은 정확히 알려져 있지 않으나 생후 2-3일에 호흡 곤란, 기면, 경련, 혼수 등의 임상 증상을 보이고, 생화학적 검사 상 혈중암모니아 농도가 현저히 증가하며 요소회로 효소 치는 정상을 보인다. 치료가 늦으면 사망에 이르는 응급을 요하는 질환이나 즉각적이고 적절한 치료 시 신경학적 손상을 남기지 않고 호전 가능하다. 저자들은 호흡곤란을 보여 호흡기 치료를 받던 35주 미숙아에서 48시간 내에 경련과 함께 혼수상태에 빠지고 검사상 고암모니아혈증을 보여 신투석 등의 치료 후 회복되었으며 2년 추적관찰에서 정상을 보인 환아를 보고하는 바이다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제28권7호
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• pp.1147-1155
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• 2018

The degradation efficiency and catabolism pathways of the different methylxanthines (MXs) in isolated caffeine-tolerant strain Pseudomonas putida CT25 were comprehensively studied. The results showed that the degradation efficiency of various MXs varied with the number and position of the methyl groups on the molecule (i.e., xanthine > 7-methylxanthine ${\approx}$ theobromine > caffeine > theophylline > 1-methylxanthine). Multiple MX catabolism pathways coexisted in strain CT25, and a different pathway would be triggered by various MXs. Demethylation dominated in the degradation of N-7-methylated MXs (such as 7-methylxanthine, theobromine, and caffeine), where C-8 oxidation was the major pathway in the catabolism of 1-methylxanthine, whereas demethylation and C-8 oxidation are likely both involved in the degradation of theophylline. Enzymes responsible for MX degradation were located inside the cell. Both cell culture and cell-free enzyme assays revealed that N-1 demethylation might be a rate-limiting step for the catabolism of the MXs. Surprisingly, accumulation of uric acid was observed in a cell-free reaction system, which might be attributed to the lack of activity of uricase, a cytochrome c-coupled membrane integral enzyme.

• 대한예방한의학회지
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.65-74
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• 2003

Objective : The aim of present study is to evaluate the inhibitory potential of licorice extract and glycyrrhizin on cytochrome P450(CYP) in human liver microsomes. Methods : Using human liver microsomes, water extract of licorice and glycyrrhizin as an inhibitor were co-incubated with each probe drug representing selective CYP isoform activity. We measured relative metabolic activity in incubation condition compared to that with no extract of licorice using HPLC system. Results : Both water extracts of licorice and glycyrrhizin showed inhibitory effect on CYP-catalyzed reactions. CYP2C19 $(IC_{50}=126.7{\mu}g/ml)$ is most potently inhibited by water extract than other tested CYP isoforms$(IC_{50}>450{\mu}g/ml)$, but glycyrrhizin exhibited potent inhibition on CYP1A2$(IC_{50}=106.9{\mu}g/ml)$ followed by CYP2C9 and CYP2D6. Conclusion: These results indicate that water extract of licorice and glycyrrhizin have inhibitory potential on CYP-catalyzed reaction in human liver microsomes. But the mechanism of inhibition was slightly different between them Water extract of licorice mainly inhibited CYP2C19, and glycyrrhizin primarily inhibited CYP1A2. The inhibition by water extract of licorice and glycyrrhizin on CYP isoforms may cause drug interaction with co-administered drug leading to toxicity or treatment failure.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제19권6호
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• pp.1568-1572
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• 2005

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), such as benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P), are toxic environmental contaminants known to enhance oxidative stress, production of pro-inflammatory and inflammatory cytokines. The present study was designed in order to determine whether wild ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) protect PAH-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. B(a)P (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) treatment increased the distribution of immunoreactive cells for tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-\alpha$ and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in peri-portal triad region and immunoreaction was shown in the cytoplasm of macrophage. Pre-treatment with wild ginseng significantly decreased immune responses in the rats treated with B(a)p. The rats given 50 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks before B(a)P treatment had 1.39-fold and 1.5-fold inhibition of $TNF-\alpha$ and COX-2 positive reaction, respectively. Wild ginseng extract alone had no effect on the distributional changes. The SOD activity as scavenger enzymes after wild ginseng administration dose-dependantly increased compared with butylated hydroxytoluene, a general radical scavenger. These data likely indicate that wild ginseng extract may act as inflammatory regulator in conjunction with inhibition of oxidant dependent metabolic activation in environmental contaminants-induced hepatic inflammation.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.167-182
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• 1990

Dietary restriction (caloric restriction) is the only intervention which has been reliably shown to extend the maximum life span of warm-blooded animals and delay the many phenomena associated with aging. It is also one of the most effective modulators of toxicity, especially cancer endpoints. In spite of the known modulator effects of caloric restriction, the biological mechanisms responsible for these effects had not been in vestigated until recently. The National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR), in a collaborative effort with the National Institute of Aging (NIA), initiated a project whereby nine (9) combinations of rodent species/strains and diets were fed both restricted and ad libitum. The NIA's initiative was to identify biomarkers of aging whereas NCTR's initiative was to identify the biological effects associated with the profound effects caloric restriction has in protecting against both spontaneous (age-related) and chemically-induced toxic endpoints. Independent of sex or species, caloric restriction has similar effects on body temperature, oxygen consumption and $CO_2$production. Caloric restriction also decreased lipid glycolysis and metabolism in rats and mice, which suggest decreased production of metabolites which could lead to fatty acid epoxide formation. The age-associated loss of ciradian regulation of intermediate enzymes is also significantly reduced. Moreover, caloric restriction reduced the age-associated feminization of sexually dimorphic liver isozymes, increased several glucocorticoid responsive isozymes, elevated glucagon/insulin ratios, produced less microsomal superoxide and enhanced the capacity for utilzing detoxicating metabolic pathways. Calorically restricted rats have less than half the number of aflatoxin ($AFB_1$)-DNA adducts than ad libitum animals and urinary excretion of $AFB_1$ was increased significantly. Finally, DNA repair mechanisms are enhanced and oncogene expression is decreased in calorically restricted animals.