• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.26 no.10
• /
• pp.1207-1213
• /
• 2016

Schisandrae fructus (SF) and Mori folium (MF) have been used as traditional medicines for thousands of years in parts of Asia, including Korea, China, and Japan. Recent researches on SF and MF have documented a wide spectrum of therapeutic properties, including anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, immunomodulatory and anti-angiogenesis effects. However, the toxicity and safety of SF and MF, and their mixture (medicinal herber mixture, MHMIX) were not confirmed. Therefore, this study was performed to evaluate the acute toxicity and safety of SF, MF and MHMIX. SF, MF and MHMIX were orally administered at a dose of 5,000 mg/kg in ICR mice. Animals were monitored for the mortality and changes in the body weight, clinical signs and gross observation during the 14 days after dosing, upon necropsy. We also measured parameters of organ weight, clinical chemistry, and hematology. No dead and no clinical signs were found during the experiment period after administration of a single oral dose of SF, MF and MHMIX. There were no adverse effects on clinical signs, body weight, or organ weight and no gross pathological findings in any treatment group. Therefore, LD50 value of SF, MF and MHMIX may be over 5,000 mg/kg and it may have no side toxic effect to ICR mice. The results on the single-dose toxicity of SF, MF and MHMIX indicate that it is not possible to reach oral dose levels related to death or dose levels with any harmful side effects.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.64-73
• /
• 2008

The cDNA of CCF (coelomic cytolytic factor)-like gene (EC 3.2.1.16), a kind of glycosyl hydorlase, was isolated and cloned from the midgut of the earthworm Eisenia anderi. The size of nucleotide sequence appeared to be 1,152 bp and its predicted coding region was composed of 384 amino acid residues including the initiation methionine. The 17 residues at N-terminal end in the deduced amino acid sequence were regarded to be a signal peptide. Based on the amino acid sequence analysis, it appeared that this CCF-like protein could belong to glycosyl hydrolase family 16 (GHF16) and showed a high sequence homology of about 79~99% with CCF and CCF-like proteins from other earthworm species. The CCFs and CCF-like proteins from various earthworm species exhibited a 100% homology in the polysacchride-binding motif and glucanase motif. It has been reported that the CCFs isolated from E. fedita appeared to show a broader pattern recognition specificity than those from other earthworm species because this species resides in decaying organic matter showing very high microbial activity, implying that CCF-like protein isolated in this study from E. andrei might exhibit a broad substrate specificity that is a useful characteristic for industrial application. A phylogenetic analysis using the deduced amino acid sequences of CCF-related proteins through the BLASTX revealed that GHF16 families could be divided into three groups of metazoa, viriplantae and eubacteria subfamily. Subsequently the CCF-related proteins of metazoa subfamily could clearly be subgroup into lophotrochozoan and edysozoan type including a deuterostome origin. Further understanding of the biological properties of E. andrei CCF-like protein should be addressed to regulate the ${\beta}$-D-glucan hydrolysis and production for the industrial uses.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.63-70
• /
• 2017

A functional screen of 60,672 fosmid metagenomic clones amplified from marine sediment obtained from the Dokdo islets in Korea identified the gene EstES1, whose product, EstES1, displayed lipolytic properties on tributyrin-supplemented media. EstES1 is a 576 amino acid protein with a predicted molecular weight of 59.4 kDa including 37 N-terminal leader amino acids. EstES1 exhibited the highest sequence similarity (44%) to a carboxylesterase found in Haliangium ochraceum DSM14365. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that EstES1 belongs to a currently uncharacterized family of lipases. Within the conserved domain, EstES1 retains the catalytic triad that consists of the consensus penta-peptide motif, GESAG. EstES1 demonstrated a broad substrate specificity toward the long acyl group of ethyl esters (C2-C12), and its optimal activity was recorded toward p-Nitrophenyl butyrate (C4) at pH 9.0 and $40^{\circ}C$ (specific activity of 255.4 U/mg). The enzyme remained stable in the ranges of $60-65^{\circ}C$ and pH 9.0-10.5 and in the presence of methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and dimethyl sulfoxide. Therefore, EstES1 has potential for use in industrial applications involving high temperature, organic solvents, and/or alkaline conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.34 no.8
• /
• pp.1265-1273
• /
• 2005

The purpose of this study was to prepare accelerated salt-fermented anchovy sauce using a shrimp processing byproducts (head, shell and tail) as a fermenting accelerator, and to investigate its physicochemical and enzymatic properties. Four types of sauces were prepared with 0, 10, 20, and 30$\%$ (w/w) addition of shrimp byproduct and fermented at 24$\pm$2$^{\circ}C$ for 360 days. During fermentation, all four type sauces decreased moisture content (67.5$\%$68.0$\%$ to 64.0$\∼$64.8$\%$) and pH (5.52$\∼$7.10 to 5.03$\∼$6.58), but showed increase in their crude protein (7.0$\∼$8.2 to 10.8$\%$) and volatile basic nitrogen contents (40$\∼$75 to 180$\∼$200 mg/100 g of sauce). The ratio of amino nitrogen to total nitrogen contents of control (0$\%$) and sauce with 10$\%$ shrimp byproducts (10$\%$ sauce) were maximized at 270 days, whereas 20$ \% $ and 30$\%$ added sauces were at 180 days. Endoprotease and exoprotease activities of anchovy sauces added with 20$\%$ and 30$\%$ of shrimp byproducts tend to be higher than those of control (0$\%$) and 10$\%$ addition. Proteolytic activities of sauces at pH 9 were about 2 times higher than those at pH 6. Amidolytic activities for LeuPNA decreased remarkably during fermentation, and control (0$\%$) almost lost their activity at 180 days, while additional sauces were relatively stable. These suggest that alkaline pretense of anchovy and shrimp byproducts as a endoprotease mainly contributed to the fermentation of salt-fermented sauces. The protein molecular weight distribution of sauces indicated 2 groups of peaks (peak 1,>70,000 da and peak 2, 3,000$\∼$29,000 da). As the fermentation proceeded, peak 1 tended to decrease in all of sauces, but peak 2 increased rapidly from 30 to 270 days. Optimum fermentation periods of control and 10$\%$ sauces were 270 days and those of 20$\%$ and 30$\%$ sauce were 180 days. The results suggest that shrimp byproduct can be used as accelerator of salt-fermented sauce.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.46 no.5
• /
• pp.562-571
• /
• 2017

In this study, we investigated the anti-oxidant activities [electron-donating ability (EDA), 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging ability, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibitory activity], anti-wrinkle activities [collagenase inhibitory activity, suppression and/or phosphorylation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activity], and mRNA expression levels using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay in ultraviolet (UV) B ray ($50mJ/cm^2$)-irradiated human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Josaengheugchal, Sinneungheugchal (SE), Shintoheug rice, Heugjinju rice, and Heugseol (HE) among colored rice varieties were reported to have excellent antioxidant properties. In the EDA and ABTS radical scavenging assays, extracts of the five colored rice varieties had scavenging activities of 72% at concentrations higher $50{\mu}g/mL$. In the collagenase inhibition assay, ethanol extracts of the five colored rice varieties showed high inhibitory effects of about 60% at concentrations higher $25{\mu}g/mL$. In the ROS inhibition assay, ethanol extracts of HE and SE showed very excellent inhibition efficacies at all concentrations. We determined molecular biological mechanisms of MMPs (MMP-1, -3, -8, and -13) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) with HE, and the results show that HE suppressed expression of MMPs and phosphorylation of MAPK and increased expression of pro-collagen type I in UVB-irradiated cells. It was also confirmed by RT-PCR that HE reduced expression of MMPs mRNA. Therefore, these results suggest that HE has anti-wrinkle and collagen production effects and may be used as a material in the development of functional food and cosmetic industries.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.166-185
• /
• 1983

Aspergillus niger IFO 8541 (NRRL 3112) was investigated through a series of UV rays and N-Methyl-N'-Nitro-N-Nitrosoguanidine (NTG) treatments to induce mutants that produce highly active raw starch saccharifying enzyme, and two mutants with strong enzymatic productivity were obtained. The mutants obtained were investigated for their fungal characters, condition of enzyme production, and other activities. Furthermore, the raw starch saccharifying enzyme was purified and the characteristics of purified enzyme were studied. The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1. The color of conidial head of UV-46 mutant obtained from UV rays treatment was changed to tan type and the gelatinated starch saccharifying enzyme productivity and the raw starch saccharifying enzyme productivity increased up to twice and 1.8 times compared to the productivities of original Aspergillus niger IFO 8541 cultured on the wheat bran, respectively. 2. The conidial head color of NG-41 mutant obtained from NTG treatment became lighter than that of parent strain. The gelatinated starch saccharifying enzyme productivity and raw starch saccharifying enzyme productivity increased about 1.8 times, and twice over the Aspergillus niger IFO 8541 parent strain cultured on wheat bran, respectively. The productivity of ${\alpha}$-amylase increased about 3 times more than the parent strain. 3. Two peaks of glucoanlylase and a peak of ${\alpha}$-amylase were obtained when enzyme solution of mutants and parent strain were passed through DEAE-Sephadex A-50 column chromatography. Glucoamylase I showed only gelatinated starch saccharifying enzyme activity. However, glucoamylase II (raw starch saccharifying enzyme) showed both raw starch saccharifying enzyme activity and gelatinated starch saccharifying enzyme activity. 4. Mutant, UV-46 was strengthened in glucoamylase II productivity and mutant NG-41 was strengthened in ${\alpha}$-amylase productivity. 5. Glucoamylase II of mutants and parent strain were appeared to have the same enzymatic properties. 6. Glucoamylase II of mutants and parent strain were recognized as simple enzyme through electrophoresis. 7. The glucoamylase II crystallized showed rhombic board type. 8. The molecular weight, isoelectric point, optimum pH, and optimum temperature of the glucoamylase II crystallized were estimated as 76,000, 3.4, 3.5 and $60^{\circ}C$, respectively.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.27 no.9
• /
• pp.1070-1077
• /
• 2017

Chondrocyte apoptosis induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Schisandrin A, a bioactive compound found in fruits of the Schisandra genus, has been reported to possess multiple pharmacological and therapeutic properties. Although several studies have described the antioxidant effects of analogues of schisandrin A, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this bioactive compound remain largely unresolved. The present study investigated the cytoprotective effect of schisandrin A against oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide [$H_2O_2$]) in SW1353 human chondrocyte cells. The results showed that schisandrin A preconditioning significantly inhibited $H_2O_2-induced$ growth inhibition and apoptotic cell death by blocking the degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase proteins and down-regulating pro-caspase-3. These antiapoptotic effects of schisandrin A were associated with attenuation of mitochondrial dysfunction and normalization of expression changes of proapoptotic Bax and antiapoptotic Bcl-2 in $H_2O_2-stimulated$ SW1353 chondrocytes. Furthermore, schisandrin A effectively abrogated $H_2O_2-induced$ intracellular ROS accumulation and phosphorylation of histone H2AX at serine 139, a widely used marker of DNA damage. Thus, the present study demonstrates that schisandrin A provides protection against $H_2O_2-induced$ apoptosis and DNA damage in SW1353 chondrocytes, possibly by prevention of ROS generation. Collectively, our data indicate that schisandrin A has therapeutic potential in the treatment of oxidative disorders caused by overproduction of ROS.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.66 no.3
• /
• pp.240-247
• /
• 2021

Anthocyanins are known to be involved in various functions such as antioxidant and antibacterial activities in plants. Although studies on anthocyanins in corn have been conducted recently, basic research related to anthocyanin biosynthesis is insufficient. In this study, we examined the molecular biological and physicochemical properties related to anthocyanin biosynthesis in the tassel and silks of Gwangpyeongok and Dacheongok cultivars. Anthocyanins were not synthesized in either the tassel or silks in Gwangpyeongok, whereas were synthesized in both in Dacheongok. The total anthocyanin content was approximately 30 times higher in the tassel and silks of Dacheongok than in those of Gwangpyeongok. In addition, C-3-G was measured only in the tassel of Dacheongok, and C-3-G, Pg-3-G, and M-3-G were 45.2 times, 27.3 times, and 37.6 times higher, respectively, in the silks of Dacheongok than of Gwangpyeongok. Expression of F3'H, DFR, and GST genes decreased in the tassel, and that of F3'H and DFR genes decreased in the silks of Gwangpyeongok. It was further confirmed that transcription factor P1 and R1 regulate the expression of anthocyanin biosynthetic genes in the tassel and silks, respectively, in Gwangpyeongok. Linoleic acid (C18:2) decreased by 6.6% and 10.9%, and linolenic acid (C18:3) increased by 8.5% and 8.5%, in the tassel and silks, respectively, of Gwangpyeongok compared to those of Dacheongok. Palmitic acid (C16:0) increased by 4.1% and oleic acid (C18:1) decreased by 2.1% in the silks of Gwangpyeongok compared to that in Dacheongok. In addition, the total fatty acid content in the tassel and silks increased by 10.3% and 30.4%, respectively, in Gwangpyeongok compared to that in Dacheongok. However, no significant results were observed in the analysis of phytosterol components. These results may be utilized as useful resources for the development of functional corn containing a large amount of anthocyanins.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.130-136
• /
• 2009

"Hanbaek", a white winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar was developed by the National Institute of Crop Science, RDA. It was derived from the cross "Shan7859/Keumkang"//"Guamuehill" during 1996. "Hanbaek" was evaluated as "Iksan314" in Advanced Yield Trial Test in 2005. It was tested in the regional yield trial between 2006 and 2008. "Hanbaek" is an awned, semi-dwarf and hard winter wheat, similar to "Keumkang" (check cultivar). The heading and maturing date of "Hanbaek" were similar to that of "Keumkang". Culm and spike length of "Hanbaek" were 89 cm and 9.0 cm, which longer culm length and spike length than "Keumkang" (80 cm and 7.9 cm, respectively). "Hanbaek" had lower test weight (797 g) and higher 1,000-grain weight (47.7 g) than "Keumkang" (813 g and 44.9 g, respectively). "Hanbaek" showed resistance to winter hardiness and susceptible to pre-harvest sprouting, which lower withering rate on the high ridge (4.4%) and higher rate of pre-harvest sprouting (47.9%) than "Keumkang" (21.9% and 30.4%, respectively). "Hanbaek" had similar flour yield (74.4%) to "Keumkang" (74.1%) and higher ash content (0.45%) than "Keumkang" (0.42%). "Hanbaek" showed lower lightness (89.13) and similar redness and yellowness (-0.87 and 10.93) in flour color than "Keumkang" (90.02, -1.23 and 9.28, respectively). It showed similar protein content (12.8%) SDS-sedimentation volume (63.0 ml) and gluten content (10.8%) to those of "Keumkang" (11.9%, 62.3 ml and 10.2%, respectively). It showed lower water absorption (59.6%) and mixing time (3.8 min) in mixograph and higher fermentation volume (1,350 ml) than those of "Keumkang" (60.6%, 4.7 min and 1,290 ml, respectively). Amylose content and pasting properties of "Hanbaek " were similar to those of "Keumkang". "Hanbaek" showed same compositions in high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS, 2*, 13+16, 2+12), granule bound starch synthase (Wx-A1a, Wx-B1a, and Wx-D1a) and puroindolines (Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1b) compared to "Keumkang". "Hanbaek" showed lower hardness (4.22N) and similar springiness and cohesiveness of cooked noodles (0.94 and 0.63) to those of "Keumkang" (4.65N, 0.93 and 0.64, respectively). Average yield of "Hanbaek" in the regional adaptation yield trial was 5.98 MT/ha in upland and 5.05 MT/ha in paddy field, which was 8% and 6% higher than those of "Keumkang" (5.55 MT/ha and 4.77 MT/ha, respectively). "Hanbaek" would be suitable for the area above the daily minimum temperature of $-10^{\circ}C$ in January in Korean peninsula.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.6
• /
• pp.653-661
• /
• 2019

The first small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics have recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the U.S., and the demand for a new RNA therapeutics bioanalysis method-which is essential for pharmacokinetics, including the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of siRNA therapeutics-is rapidly increasing. The stem-loop real-time qPCR (RT-qPCR) assay is a useful molecular technique for the identification and quantification of small RNA (e.g., micro RNA and siRNA) and can be applied for the bioanalysis of siRNA therapeutics. When the anti-HPV E6/E7 siRNA therapeutic was used in preclinical trials, the established stem-loop RT-qPCR assay was validated. The limit of detection was sensitive up to 10 fM and the lower limit of quantification up to 100 fM. In fact, the reliability of the established test method was further validated in three intra assays. Here, the correlation coefficient of $R^2$>0.99, the slope of -3.10 ~ -3.40, and the recovery rate within ${\pm}20%$ of the siRNA standard curve confirm its excellent robustness. Finally, the circulation profiles of siRNAs were demonstrated in rat serum, and the pharmacokinetic properties of the anti-HPV E6/E7 siRNA therapeutic were characterized using a stem-loop RT-qPCR assay. Therefore, the stemloop RT-qPCR assay enables accurate, precise, and sensitive siRNA duplex quantification and is suitable for the quantification of small RNA therapeutics using small volumes of biological samples.