• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.2419-2424
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• 2013

Guanosine-5'-diphosphate 3'-diphosphate (ppGpp) serves as alarmone in bacterial stringent responses. In this study, an affinity column was constructed by immobilizing ppGpp to NHS-Sepharose for isolating ppGpp-binding proteins. A novel ppGpp-binding protein, YjgA, was isolated and characterized by MALDI-TOF MS (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry) coupled with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. YjgA and truncated forms of YjgA were cloned and over-expressed in BL21 (DE3). The binding affinity of YjgA to ppGpp was determined by equilibrium dialysis. The interaction of YjgA with ppGpp was very specific, considering that the dissociation constant of YjgA with ppGpp was measured as $5.2{\pm}2.0{\mu}M$, while the affinities to GTP and GDP were about 60 and 30 times weaker than ppGpp. Expression of yjgA gene in Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655 was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RT-PCR results revealed that yjgA was expressed from early to late stationary phase. The yjgA deletion mutant exhibited decreased cell number at stationary phase compared to parent strain and the over-expression of YjgA increased the cell number. These results suggested that YjgA might stimulate cell division under stationary phase. In most prokaryotic genome, about half of the protein candidates are hypothetical, that are expected to be expressed but there is no experimental report on their functions. The approach utilized in this study may serve as an effective mean to probe the functions of hypothetical proteins.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.401-420
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• 2001

A novel glucanhydrolase from a mutant of Lipomyces starkeyi(KSM 22)has been shown effective in hydrolysis of mutan, reduction of mutan formation by Streptococcus mutans and removal pre-formed sucrose-dependent adherent microbial film and Lipomyces starkeyi KSM 22 dextranase has been strongly bound to hydroxyapatitie. These in vitro properties of Lipomyces starkeyi KSM 22 dextranase are desirable for its application as a dental plaque control agent. This study was performed to determine oral hygiene benefits and safety of dextranase(Lipomyces starkeyi KSM 22 dextranase)-containing mouthwash in human experimental gingivitis. This 3-week clinical trial was placebo-controlled double-blind design evaluating 1U/ml dextranase mouthwash and 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwash. A total 39 systemically healthy subjects, who had moderate levels of plaque and gingivitis were included. At baseline, 1, 2 and 3 weeks, subjects were scored for plaque(Silness and $L{\ddot{o}e$ plaque index and plaque severity index), gingivitis($L{\ddot{o}e$ and Silness gingival index), and at baseline and 3 weeks of experiment, subjects were scored for plaque(Turesky-Quingley-Hein's plaque index and plaque severity index), tooth stain(Area and severity index system by Lang et al). Additionally, oral mucosal examinations were performed and subjects questioned for adverse symptoms. Two weeks after pre-experiment examinations and a professional prophylaxis, the subjects provided with allocated mousewash and instructed to use 20-ml volumes for 30s twice dailywithout toothbrushing. All the groups showed significant increase in plaque accumulation since 1 week of experiment. During 3 weeks' period, the dextranase group showed the least increase in plaque accumulation of Silness and $L{\ddot{o}e$ plaque index, compared to the chlorhexidine and placebo groups, but chlorhexidine group showed the least increase inplaque accumulation of Turesky-Quingley-Hein's plaque index. As for gingival inflammation, all the groups showed significant increase during 3 weeks of experiment. The dextranase group also showed the least increase in gingival index score, compared to the chlorhexidine as well as the placebo groups. Whereas the tooth stain was increased significantly in the chlorhexidine group, compared to the baseline score and the placebo group since 3 weeks of mouthrinsing. It was significantly increased after 3 weeks in the dextranase group, still less severe than the chlorhexidine group. As for the oral side effect, the dextranase group showed less tongue accumulation, bad taste, compared to the chlorhexidine group. From these results, mouthrinsing with Lipomyces starkeyi KSM 22 dextranase was comparable to 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwashin inhibition of plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation and local side effects were if anything less frequent and less intense than chlorhexidine, in human experimental gingivitis. All data had provided positive evidence for Lipomyces starkeyi KSM 22 dextranase as an antiplaque agent and suggested that further development of dextranase formulations for plaque control are warranted.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.192-196
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• 2013

Fungal development is largely affected by many environmental factors. In a model filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans, asexual development is promoted by exposure of light, presence of salt and non-fermentable sugars. In other hand, sexual development is largely induced by absence of light, fermentable sugars and hypoxic condition. Also, some important genes including veA and nsdD play positive roles in activating sexual development. Here, we reported that the effect of high concentration of $CO_2$ on developmental decision in A. nidulans. When wild-type $veA^+$ strain was cultured in normal condition, sexual and asexual development occurred in balanced manner. However, high concentration of $CO_2$ (~5%) strongly activated sexual development and inhibited asexual development. Furthermore, this $CO_2$ effect was controlled by the veA or nsdD gene. High $CO_2$ culture of $veA^-$ or $nsdD^-$ mutant didn't activate sexual development, suggesting that the activation of sexual development induced by high $CO_2$ cannot overcome the genetic requirement of sexual development such as veA or nsdD. Since 5% $CO_2$ is an important condition for human pathogenic fungi for surviving and adapting in human body, this developmental pattern of A. nidulans affected by $CO_2$ concentration may provide interesting clues for comparative study with human fungal pathogens including Aspergillus fumigatus.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.261-267
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• 2005

Phase II enzymes are transcriptionally induced by synthetic chemical agents and natural products, and such induction plays critical roles in protection against chemical carcinogens and other toxic xenobiotics. To discover natural products for use as cancer chemopreventive agents, the ability of Citrus aurantium Linn (Jikak) to induce activities of quinone reductase (QR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in wild-type murine hepatoma cell line (Hepa 1c1c7) and Ah-receptor-defective mutant of the same cell line (Bprcl) was investigated. Hexane and chloroform fractions of C. aurantium Linn (Jikak) at doses not exhibiting cytotoxicity were effective inducers of QR (${\sim}1.8-fold$) and GST (${\sim}1.5-fold$) in Hepa 1c1c7 cells, whereas showed low QR induction potency in Bprcl cells, which indicates they have weak monofunctional action. Results suggest C. aurantium Linn (Jikak) as potentially useful cancer chemopteventive agent.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1428-1433
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• 2012

Longevity is an exciting but difficult subject to study because it is determined by complex processes that require the coordinated action of several genetic factors as well as physiological and environmental influences. Genetic approaches have been applied to animal models to identify the molecular mechanism responsible for longevity. Several experimental model organisms obtained over the last decades suggest that the complete deletion of a single gene by gene targeting has proven to be an invaluable tool for the discovery of the mechanisms underlying longevity. The first discovery of long-lived mutants came from Caenorhabditis elegans research, which identified the insulin/IGF-1 pathway as responsible for longevity in this worm. IGF-1 is a multifunctional polypeptide that has sequence similarity to insulin and is involved in normal growth and development of cells. Several factors in the IGF-1 system have since been studied by gene targeting in the control of longevity in lower species, including nematode and fruit fly. In addition, significant progress has been made using mice models to extend the lifespan by targeted mutations that interfere with growth hormone/IGF-1 and IGF-1 signaling cascades. A recent finding that IGF-1 is involved in aging in mice was achieved by using liver-specific knockout mutant mice, and this clearly demonstrated that the IGF-1 signal pathway can extend the lifespan in both invertebrates and vertebrate models. Although the underlying molecular mechanisms for the control of longevity are not fully understood, it is widely accepted that reduced IGF-1 signaling plays an important role in the control of aging and longevity. Several genes involved in the IGF-1 signaling system are reviewed in relation to longevity in genetically modified mice models.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.343-352
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• 2006

Sialic acid is a sugar typically found at the N-glycan termini of glycoproteins in mammalian cells. Lec3 CHO cell mutants are deficient in epimerase activity, due to a defect in the gene that encodes a bifunctional UDP-GlcNAc 2-epimerase/ManNAc kinase (GNE). Sialic acid modification on the cell surface is partially affected in these cells. We have mutagenized Lec3 CHO cells and isolated six mutants (termed C2m) deficient in the cell surface expression of polysialic acid (PSA). Mutant C2m9 was partially defective in expression of cell-surface PSA and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) binding, while in the other five mutants, both cell-surface PSA and WGA binding were undetectable. PSA expression was restored by complementation with the gene encoding the CMP-sialic acid transporter (CST), indicating that CST mutations were responsible for the phenotypes of the C2m cells. We characterized the CST mutations in these cells by Northern blotting and RT-PCR. C2m9 and C2m45 carried missense mutations resulting in glycine to glutamate substitutions at amino acids 217 (G217E) and 256 (G256E), respectively. C2m13, C2m39 and C2m31 had nonsense mutations that resulted in decreased CST mRNA stability, and C2m34 carried a putative splice site mutation. PSA and CD15s expression in CST-deficient Lec2 cells were partially rescued by G217E CST, but not by G256E CST, although both proteins were expressed at similar levels, and localized to the Golgi. These results indicate that the novel missense mutations isolated in this study affect CST activity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.4 s.71
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• pp.553-560
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• 2005

The stf (Salmonella typhimurium fimbriae) operon consisting of stfA(CDEFG assumes to encode putative fimbriae. The complete stf operon is existed in S. typhimurium and S. choleraesuis, whereas it is absent in S. typhi. Analyses of the amino acid residues between major subunit StfA of the Stf fimbriae and those of known other fimbriaes suggested that Stf belongs to class I type fimbriae. Through comparison of StfD chaperone with the other fimbrial chaperones, and of C-terminus in subunits of Stf fimbriae, it belongs to FGS (with a short Fl-G1 loop) subfamily. In order to investigate the expression of stf operon, we have constructed a Salmonella strain containing a chromosomal stfA::lacZYA transcriptional fusion, resulting in S. typhimurium $_X8532$. The strain $_X8532$ lacked the expression of \beta-galactosidase$ under normal culture conditions. However, with longer incubation time of the S. typhimurium $_X8532$, we have isolated 21 individual strains exhibiting $Lac^+$ phenotype. $Lac^+$ phenotype was appeared as approximately 0.03 frequency per generation. All isolates expressed lacZ constitutively in the various environmental conditions. Various global regulatory proteins including RpoS, OmpR, and CpxR were not involved in the regulation of the stf operon. A S. typhimurium $_X8661$ mutant lacking stfAC function attenuated 6.7 folds more than that of wild type $_X3761$ in the mouse virulence test, suggesting in the somehow involved in the Salmonella pathogenesis.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.294-299
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• 2003

The seeds of naturally growing Heteropappus hispidus (Thunb.) were treated by nine different doses (0, 10, 20, 40, 80, 120, 160, 200, 300, 400 Gy) of gamma rays to investigate their germination rate and to quantity the characteristics of their germinated plants as like as leaf appearance and length, the formation rate of anthocyanin color in stem 30 days after germination, the formation rate of rosette leaf and multi-shoot, the flowering and seed-bearing, and shoot length. The germination rate at least up to 120Gy was not greatly affected but was rapidly decreased at over 160Gy. It seemed that lethal dose ($LD_{50}$) of germination was 160Gy. The leaf appearance and growth was also inhibited, but the formation rate of anthocyanin color in the flower stem was enhanced up to 30% with dose. The rosette plants were observed in plants irradiated with higher than 40Gy. Multi-shoots were developed over 80Gy. For a short shoot length and bundle of thin stem, it was considered that they can be selected as the potential pot flower plants, through genetic fixation. In particular, it was suggested that the formation of anthocyanin color in flower stem, rosette and multi-shoot plants induced by the high dose of gamma rays could be utilized as the morphological markers for the mutant selection of Heteropappus hispidus (Thunb.).

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.371-388
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• 2001

A novel glucanhydrolase(DXAMase) from a mutant of Lipomyces starkeyi(KSM 22) has been shown effective in hydrolysis of mutan, reduction of mutan formation by Streptococcus mutans and removal pre-formed sucrose-dependentadherent microbial film and DXAMase has been strongly bound to hydroxyapatitie. These in vitro properties of Lipomyces starkeyi DXAMase are desirable for its application as a dental plaque control agent. This study was performed to determine the adjunctive oral hygiene benefits and safety of dextranase(Lipomyces starkeyi KSM 22 DXAMase)-containing mouthwash when used alongside normal tooth-brushing. This 6-month clinical trial was placebo-controlled double-blind design evaluating 1U/ml dextranase mouthwash and 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwash. A total 39 systemically healthy subjects, who had moderate levels of plaque and gingivitis were included. At baseline, 1, 3 and 6 months, subjects were scored for plaque accumulation(Turesky modification of Quingley-Hein's plaque index), gingivitis status($L\ddot{o}e$ and Silness gingival index), and tooth stain(Area and severity index system by Lang et al). Additionally, oral mucosal examinations were performed and subjects questioned for adverse symptoms. Two weeks after pre-experiment examinations and a professional prophylaxis, the subjects provided with allocated mousewash and instructed to use 20-ml volumes for 30s twice daily after toothbrushing. All the groups showed significant increase in plaque accumulation since 1 month of experiment. During 6 months' period, the Dextranase mouthwash group showed the least increase in plaque accumulation, compared to the Chlorhexidine mouthwash and placebo groups. As for gingival inflammation, all the groups showed significant increase during 6 months of experiment. The Experimental group(Dextranase mouthwash) also showed the least increase in gingival index score, compared to the Positive control(Chlorhexidine mouthwash)as well as the Negative control(placebo)groups. Whereas the tooth stain was increased significantly in the Positive control group, compared to the baseline score and the Negative controlgroup since 3 months of mouthrinsing. It was significantly increased after 6 months in the Experimental group, still less severe than the Positive control group. As for the oral side effect, the Experimental group showed less tongue accumulation, bad taste, compared to the Positive control group. From these results, mouthrinsing with Lipomyces starkeyi KSM 22 dextranase provided adjunctive benefits to toothbrushing, comparable to 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwash in inhibition of plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation and local side effects were if anything less frequent and less intense than chlorhexidine, with long-term use of the mouthwash. All data had provided positive evidence for Lipomyces starkeyi KSM 22 dextranase as an antiplaque agent and suggested that further development of dextranase formulations for plaque control are warranted.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.989-998
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• 2016

Acidic endo-polygalacturonases are the major part of pectinase preparations and extensively applied in the clarification of fruits juice, vegetables extracts, and wines. However, most of the reported fungal endo-polygalacturonases are active and stable under narrow pH range and low temperatures. In this study, an acidic endo-polygalacturonase (EPG4) was purified and characterized from a mutant strain of Penicillium oxalicum. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of EPG4 (ATTCTFSGSNGAASASKSQT) was different from those of reported endo-polygalacturonases. EPG4 displayed optimal pH and temperature at 5.0 and 60-70℃ towards polygalacturonic acid (PGA), respectively, and was notably stable at pH 2.2-7.0. When tested against pectins, EPG4 showed enzyme activity over a broad acidic pH range (>15.0% activity at pH 2.2-6.0 towards citrus pectin; and >26.6% activity at pH 2.2-7.0 towards apple pectin). The K_m and V_max values were determined as 1.27 mg/ml and 5,504.6 U/mg, respectively. The enzyme hydrolyzed PGA in endo-manner, releasing oligo-galacturonates from PGA, as determined by TLC. Addition of EPG4 (3.6 U/ml) significantly reduced the viscosity (by 42.4%) and increased the light transmittance (by 29.5%) of the papaya pulp, and increased the recovery (by 24.4%) of the papaya extraction. All of these properties make the enzyme a potential application in the beverage industry.