• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.1056-1069
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• 2015

Osmotic pressure is a critical factor for erythritol production with osmophilic yeast. Protein expression patterns of an erythritol-producing yeast, Yarrowia lipolytica, were analyzed to identify differentially-expressed proteins in response to osmotic pressure. In order to analyze intracellular protein levels quantitatively, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was performed to separate and visualize the differential expression of the intracellular proteins extracted from Y. lipolytica cultured under low (3.17 osmol/kg) and high (4.21 osmol/kg) osmotic pressures. Proteomic analyses allowed identification of 54 differentially-expressed proteins among the proteins distributed in the range of pI 3-10 and 14.4-97.4 kDa molecular mass between the osmotic stress conditions. Remarkably, the main proteins were involved in the pathway of energy, metabolism, cell rescue, and stress response. The expression of such enzymes related to protein and nucleotide biosynthesis was inhibited drastically, reflecting the growth arrest of Y. lipolytica under hyperosmotic stress. The improvement of erythritol production under high osmotic stress was due to the significant induction of a range of crucial enzymes related to polyols biosynthesis, such as transketolase and triosephosphate isomerase, and the osmotic stress responsive proteins like pyridoxine-4-dehydrogenase and the AKRs family. The polyols biosynthesis was really related to an osmotic response and a protection mechanism against hyperosmotic stress in Y. lipolytica. Additionally, the high osmotic stress could also induce other cell stress responses as with heat shock and oxidation stress responses, and these responsive proteins, such as the HSPs family, catalase T, and superoxide dismutase, also had drastically increased expression levels under hyperosmotic pressure.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.67-70
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• 1998

In order to understand the influence of ferroxidase center on the protein assembly and solubility of tadpole ferrin, three mutant plasmids, pTH58K, pTH61G, and pTHKG were constructed with the aid of site-directed mutagenesis and mutant proteins were produced in Eshcerichia coli. Mutant ferritin H-subunits produced by the cells carrying plasmids pTH58K and pTHKG were active soluble proteins, whereas the mutant obtained from the plasmid pTH61G was soluble only under osmotic stress in the presence obtained from the plasmid pTH61G was soluble only under osmotic stress in the presence of sorbitol and betaine. Especially, the cells carrying pTH61G together with the plasmid pGroESL harboring the molecular chaperone genes produced soluble ferritin. The mutant ferritin H-subunits were all assembled into ferritin-like holoproteins. These mutant ferritns were capable of forming stable iron cores, which means the mutants are able to accumulate iron with such modified ferroxidase sites. Further functional analysis was also made on the individual amino acid residues of ferroxidase center.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.255-261
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• 2001

Vitis vinifera thaumatin-like protein (VVTL1) is a fruit-specific and ripening-related protein in grape. In order to isolate VVTL1-homolog gene and fruit-specific promoter from Campbell cultivar, we isolated a genomic clone containing VVTL1-homolog gene from grape genomic library through plaque hybridization. VVTL1-homolog gene has an intronless genomic structure, which the pattern is matched with those of other PR5 genes such as osmotin and osmotin-like protein genes. Transcription start site was determined by primer extension analysis. The promoter region of VVTL1-homolog gene contains a sequence or structure, especially the location and number of TCA box and ABRE (abscisic acid-responsive element), distinct from other reported plant PR5 genes, though with several known functional elements such as a TATA box and CAAT box. These results suggested that VVTL1-homolog gene may be regulated by a plant hormone, abscisic acid, and one or several stresses such osmotic pressure and pathogen infection. The isolation of fruit-specific promoter may be helpful to breed a genetically modified grape with valuable phenotype or materials in fruits.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.1547-1552
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• 2022

β-Amyrin is a pentacyclic triterpene widely distributed in leaves and stems worldwide. The ability of β-amyrin to induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in microorganisms suggests its potential as an antimicrobial agent. Thus, this study aimed to elucidate the antibacterial mode of action of β-amyrin. We treated Escherichia coli cells with β-amyrin and found that it triggered ROS accumulation. Excessive stress caused by ROS, particularly hydroxyl radicals, induces glutathione (GSH) dysfunction. GSH protects cells from oxidative and osmotic stresses; thus, its dysfunction leads to membrane depolarization. The resultant change in membrane potential leads to the release of apoptotic proteins, such as caspases. The activated caspases-like protein promotes the cleavage of DNA into single strands, which is a hallmark of apoptosis-like death in bacteria. Apoptotic cells usually undergo events such as DNA fragmentation and phosphatidylserine exposure, differentiating them from necrotic cells, and the cells treated with β-amyrin in this study were positive for annexin V and negative for propidium iodide, indicating apoptosis-like death. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the antibacterial mode of action of β-amyrin involves the induction of ROS, which resulted in apoptosis-like death in E. coli.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.563-571
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• 2003

Dysfunction of mesangial cells has been contributed to the onset of diabetic nephropathy. Insulin like growth factors (IGFs) are also implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. However, it is not yet known about the effect of high glucose on IGF-I and IGF-II secretion in the mesangial cells. Furthermore, the relationship between cAMP and high glucose on the secretion of IGFs was not elucidated. Thus, we examined the mechanisms by which high glucose regulates secretion of IGFs in mesangial cells. Glucose increased IGF-I secretion in a time- (>8 hr) and dose- (>15 mM) dependent manner (p<0.05). Stimulatory effect of high glucose on IGF-I secretion is predominantly observed in 25 mM glucose (high glucose), while 25 mM glucose did not affect cell viability and lactate dehydrogenase release. High glucose also increased IGF-II secretion. The increase of IGF-I and IGF-II secretion is not mediated by osmotic effect, since mannitol and L-glucose did not affect IGF-I and IGF-II secretion. 8-Br-cAMP mimicked high glucose-induced secretion of IGF-I and IGF-II. High glucose-induced stimulation of IGF-I and IGF-II secretion was blocked not by pertussis toxin but by SQ 22536 (adenylate cyclase inhibitor). Rp-cAMP (cAMP antagonist), and myristoylated protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor amide 14-22 (protein kinase A inhibitor). These results suggest that cAMP/PKA pathways independent of Gi protein may mediate high glucose-induced increase of IGF-I and IGF-II secretion in mesangial cells. Indeed, glucose (>15 mM glucose) increased cAMP formation. In conclusion, high glucose stimulates IGF-I and IGF-II secretion via cAMP/PKA pathway in mesangial cells.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.1760-1764
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• 2002

In order to elucidate the physiological function of circulating IGF-I on muscle protein synthesis in the chicken under malnutritional conditions, we administrated recombinant chicken IGF-I using a osmotic mini pump to fasted young chickens and measured the rate of muscle protein synthesis and plasma metabolite. The pumps delivered IGF-I at the rate of $22{\mu}g/d\{300{\mu}g{\cdot}(kg\;body\;weight{\cdot}d)^{-1}\}$. Fractional rate of protein synthesis in the muscle was measured using a large dose injection of L-[$2,6-^3H$]phenylalanine. Constant infusion of chicken IGF-I did not affect plasma glucose level. Significant interaction between dietary treatment and IGF-I infusion was observed in plasma NEFA and total cholesterol concentrations. When chicks were fasted, IGF-I infusion decreased plasma NEFA and total cholesterol concentrations. On the other hand, IGF-I administration did not affect plasma levels of both metabolites. Fasting reduced plasma triglyceride concentration significantly. IGF-I infusion also decreased the level of plasma triglyceride. Plasma IGF-I concentration of young chickens was halved by fasting for 1 d. IGF-I infusion using an osmotic minipump for 1 d increased plasma IGF-I concentration in fasted chicks to the level of fed chicks. Fasting decreased body weight and the loss of body weight was significantly ameliorated by IGF-I infusion. There was a significant interaction between dietary treatment and IGF-I infusion in the fractional rate of breast muscle protein synthesis. There was no effect of IGF-I infusion on muscle protein synthesis in fed chicks. Muscle protein synthesis reduced by fasting was ameliorated by IGF-I infusion, but did not reach to the level of fed control. Muscle weight of fasted chicks infused with IGF-I was similar to fasted birds without IGF-I infusion, which suggests that muscle protein degradation would be increased by IGF-I infusion as well as protein synthesis in fasted chicks.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.411-418
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• 1995

In order to clarify the originality of several Alisma Rhizomes, we investigated the differences of their morphological, anatomical and physiochemical characteristics. Morphological observation shows the variability of Alisma shape and quality. The diversities in morphological shapes and qualities of tuber were observed among different origins. Chinese product looked like corm shape, but korean's irregular shape. The microscopic observation of korean Alisma revealed the presence of irregular vascular bundle which was scattered transversely and longitudinaly, which was different from that of the rhizome. This facts suggest that the portion of crude drug in Alisma should be the corm rather than the rhizome. In the physicochemical differences, chinese Alisma contains larger amount of mineral elements such as K, Na and Ca than korean Alisma. On the contrary, protein contents in lyophilized powder of aqueous extracts in korean Alisma rhizome was significantly higher than chinese Alisma rhizome. The leaves and stems contained larger amount of Ca and Na than tuber, and may be used as the osmotic diuretics for chinese traditional medicine.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.9
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• pp.1030-1041
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• 2018

Abiotic stresses limit the growth and productivity of plants. Cellular adaptation to abiotic stresses requires coordinated regulation in gene expression directed by complex mechanisms. This study used the activation tagging system to identify novel salt stress-responsive genes. The study selected 9 activation tagging lines that showed salt stress-tolerant phenotypes during their germination stages. Thermal asymmetric interlaced-PCR (TAIL-PCR) was used to identify the T-DNA tagging sites on the Arabidopsis genome in selected activation tagging lines, including AT7508, AT7512, AT7527, AT7544, AT7548, and AT7556. RT-PCR analysis showed that ClpC2/HSP93-III (At3g48870), plant thionin family (At2g20605), anti-muellerian hormone type-2 receptor (At3g50685), vacuolar iron transporter family protein (At4g27870), and microtubule-associated protein (At5g16730) were activated in AT7508, AT7512, AT7527, AT7544, and AT7556, respectively. Interestingly, in AT7548, both the genes adjacent to the T-DNA insertion site were activated: Arabinogalactan protein 13 (AGP13) (At4g26320) and F-box/RNI-like/FBD-like domains-containing protein (At4g26340). All of the seven genes were newly identified as salt stress-responsive genes from this study. Among them, the expression of ClpC2/HSP93-III, AGP13, F-box/RNI-like/FBD-like domains-containing protein gene, and microtubule-associated protein gene were increased under salt-stress condition. In addition, AT7508, AT7527, and AT7544 were more tolerant to salt stress than wild type at seedling development stage, functionally validating the screening results of the activation tagging lines. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the activation tagging system is useful for identifying novel stress-responsive genes.

• Mycobiology
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.52-58
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• 2014

A nucleoside diphosphate-linked moiety X (Nudix) hydrolase-like gene, YSA1, has been identified as one of the gromwell plant extract-responsive genes in Cryptococcus neoformans. Ysa1 is known to control intracellular concentrations of ADP-ribose or O-acetyl-ADP-ribose, and has diverse biological functions, including the response to oxidative stress in the ascomycete yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this study, we characterized the role of YSA1 in the stress response and adaptation of the basidiomycete yeast, C. neoformans. We constructed three independent deletion mutants for YSA1, and analyzed their mutant phenotypes. We found that ysa1 mutants did not show increased sensitivity to reactive oxygen species-producing oxidative damage agents, such as hydrogen peroxide and menadione, but exhibited increased sensitivity to diamide, which is a thiol-specific oxidant. Ysa1 was dispensable for the response to most environmental stresses, such as genotoxic, osmotic, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. In conclusion, modulation of YSA1 may regulate the cellular response and adaptation of C. neoformans to certain oxidative stresses and contribute to the evolution of antifungal drug resistance.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.264-273
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• 2002

We have isolated and artificially expressed three cDNA clones of Capsicum annuum PR5 genes for elucidating the antifungal activity against Phytophthora capsici which contracted a hot pepper root rot in field condition. Three divergent PR5 proteins from hot pepper were designated as CAPR5-1 and CAPR5-2 from susceptible cultivar (Subicho) as well as CAPR5-3 from resistant cultivar (CM331) in response to P. capsici. The cDNA similarity was found over 80% of identity among the three CAPR5s, and deduced amino acid sequence was characterized that all of CAPR5s contained 16 cysteine residues which possibly had a significant role in the structural formation. The result of genomic DNA blot showed that CAPR5-1 and CAPR5-2 existed as single copy in the Subicho genome. Three recombinant CPARs in E. coli were identified by SDS-PACE, and each expressed protein was treated on the PDA medium which contained cultured pathogens. Although three CAPR5 proteins did not affected the hyphal growth of Glomerella glycines and Colletotrichum fagenarium, CAPR5-1, CAPR5-2, and CAPR5-3 showed a specific antifungal activities against P. capsici.