• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.666-674
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• 2016

The bacterial strains were screened as potential starters for fermenting low-salt doenjang (a Korean traditional fermented soybean paste) using Korean doenjang based on proteolytic and antipathogenic activities under 6.5-7.5% NaCl conditions. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that they all belonged to the genus Bacillus. Proteolytic and antipathogenic activities against Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Aspergillus flavus, as well as fibrinolytic, amylase, and cellulase activities of the 10 strains were quantitatively evaluated. Of these, strains D2-2, JJ-D34, and D12-5 were selected, based on their activities. The functional, phenotypic, and safety-related characteristics of these three strains were additionally investigated and strains D2-2 and D12-5, which lacked antibiotic resistance, were finally selected. Strains D2-2 and D12-5 produced poly-γ-glutamic acid and showed various enzyme activities, including α-glucosidase and β-glucosidase. Growth properties of strains D2-2 and D12-5 included wide temperature and pH ranges, growth in up to 16% NaCl, and weak anaerobic growth, suggesting that they facilitate low-salt doenjang fermentation. Strains D2-2 and D12-5 were not hemolytic, carried no toxin genes, and did not produce biogenic amines. These results suggest that strains D2-2 and D12-5 can serve as appropriate starter cultures for fermenting low-salt doenjang with high quality and safety.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제19권6호
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• pp.549-555
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• 2015

We attempted to investigate molecular mechanisms underlying phenotypic change of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) by determining signaling molecules involved in chemokine production. Treatment of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HAoSMCs) with thrombin resulted not only in elevated transcription of the (C-C motif) ligand 11 (CCL11) gene but also in enhanced secretion of CCL11 protein. Co-treatment of HAoSMCs with GF109230X, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, or GW5074, an inhibitor of Raf-1 kinase, caused inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation and significantly attenuated expression of CCL11 at transcriptional and protein levels induced by thrombin. Both Akt phosphorylation and CCL11 expression induced by thrombin were attenuated in the presence of pertussis toxin (PTX), an inhibitor of Gi protein-coupled receptor, or LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor. In addition, thrombin-induced production of CCL11 was significantly attenuated by pharmacological inhibition of Akt or MEK which phosphorylates ERK1/2. These results indicate that thrombin is likely to promote expression of CCL11 via PKC/Raf-1/ERK1/2 and PTX-sensitive protease-activated receptors /PI3K/Akt pathways in HAoSMCs. We propose that multiple signaling pathways are involved in change of VSMCs to a secretory phenotype.

• 대한화장품학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한화장품학회 2003년도 IFSCC Conference Proceeding Book I
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• pp.352-373
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• 2003

Rhamnose-rich (RROP-s) and fucose-rich (FROP-s) oligo-and polysaccharides were prepared and extensively characterised by physical and chemical procedures [1,2] and compared to L-fucose. Their biological properties were then studied on human skin fibroblast cell cultures, human skin explant cultures and on hairless rat skin, using a variety of cell-biological, biochemical and computerised morphometrical procedures. Among the most important properties we could establish, the following are of particular interest for the tretment and prevention of age-dependent modifications of human skin (loss of skin-tissue, cells and matrix, wrinkle formation and others) : stimulation of cell proliferation (by $^3$[H]-thymidine incorporation and the MTT test), scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) using several different procedures, and protease (MMP-2 and MMP-9) down-regulation. A topical preparation, using RROP-s and FROP-s, and/or L-fucose, was shown to increase cell proliferation, dermal matrix synthesis, efficient scavenging of ROS-s and to increase also the thickness of dermal tissue when applied for 4 weeks on hairless rat skin, accompanied by the densification of collagen bundles as well as by an increase of elastin synthesis. Using fluorescent labeled FROPs, it could be shown that these oligosaccharides react with cell-membrane receptors and especially with the elastin-laminin-receptor and the fucose-mannose receptor, but they penetrate also in the cell nucleus, suggesting the possibility of a direct action on the regulation of gene expression. When applied to the human skin of a team of voluntary women encompassing all age-groups, the efficiency of FROP-containing preparation could be confirmed using indentometry and computerised evaluation of skin micro-relief, as well as evaluation of periorbital wrinkles. It appears therefore that these preparations correspond to all the requirements of active anti-aging principles.

• 한국패류학회지
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.155-161
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• 2013

Cathepsins are lysosomal/cysteine proteases belong to papain family (C1 family) that is involved in intracellular protein degradation, antigen processing, hormone maturation, and immune responses. In this study, member of cathepsin family was identified from Manila clam (Mc-Cathepsin D) and investigated the immune response against brown ring disease (BRD) causing Vibrio tapetis challenge. The identified Mc-Cathepsin D gene encodes characteristic features typical for the cathepsin family including eukaryotic and viral aspartyl protease signature domain and two highly conserved active sites ($^{84}VVFDTGSSNLWV^{95}$ and $^{270}IADTGTSLLAG^{281}$). Moreover, MC-Cathepsin D shows higher identity values (-50-70%) and conserved amino acids with known cathepsin D members. Transcriptional results (by quantitative real-time RT-PCR) showed that Mc-Cathepsin D was expressed at higher levels in gills and hemocytes than mantle, adductor muscle, foot, and siphon. After the V. tapetis challenge under laboratory conditions, Mc-Cathepsin D mRNA was up-regulated in gills and hemocytes. Present study indicates that Mc-Cathepsin D is constitutively expressed in different tissues and potentially inducible when infecting BRD by V. tapetis. It is further suggesting that Mc-Cathepsin D may be involved in multiple role including immune response reactions against BRD.

• BMB Reports
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.116-126
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• 2002

Nitric oxide (NO), synthesized from L-arginine by NO synthases, is a small, lipophilic, diffusible, highly reactive molecule with dichotomous regulatory roles in many biological events under physiological and pathological conditions. NO can promote apoptosis (pro-apoptosis) in some cells, whereas it inhibits apoptosis (anti-apoptosis) in other cells. This complexity is a consequence of the rate of NO production and the interaction with biological molecules such as metal ion, thiol, protein tyrosine, and reactive oxygen species. Long-lasting overproduction of NO acts as a pro-apoptotic modulator, activating caspase family proteases through the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c into cytosol, up-regulation of the p53 expression, and alterations in the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins, including the Bcl-2 family. However, low or physiological concentrations of NO prevent cells from apoptosis that is induced by the trophic factor withdrawal, Fas, $TNF{\alpha}$/ActD, and LPS. The anti-apoptotic mechanism is understood on the basis of gene transcription of protective proteins. These include: heat shock protein, hemeoxygenase, or cyclooxygenase-2 and direct inhibition of the apoptotic executive effectors caspase family protease by S-nitrosylation of the cysteine thiol group in their catalytic site in a cell specific way. Our current understanding of the mechanisms by which NO exerts both pro- and anti-apototic action is discussed in this review article.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2013

Parkin is known to be a tumor suppressor protein. Previously, we determined that parkin expression restores susceptibility to TNF-${\alpha}$-induced death of HeLa cells, a human cervical cancer cell line resistant to TNF-${\alpha}$-induced cell death. MMP-3 is a zinc-dependent protease recently reported to activate intracellular apoptotic signaling. In this study we examined the regulation of MMP-3 expression by parkin in TNF-${\alpha}$-treated HeLa cells. Furthermore, we investigated the signaling pathway involved in parkin-induced expression of MMP-3. We found that HeLa cells exhibit low levels of MMP-3 but is induced after introduction of the parkin gene into HeLa cells. Furthermore, MMP-3 expression increased further when parkin expressing cells were treated with TNF-${\alpha}$. Using chemical inhibitors of cell signaling pathways, we found that MEK-1 (PD98059), PI3K (LY294002), p38 MAPK (SB203580), and JNK inhibitors alleviated parkin-induced up-regulation of MMP-3. Finally, we show that TNF-${\alpha}$-induced cell death in parkin expressing cells is inhibited by using a MMP-3 inhibitor. These results suggest that parkin expression induces prolonged expression of MMP-3 via MEK-1, PI3K, MAPK, and JNK pathway in HeLa cells allowing the HeLa cells to become sensitive to TNF-${\alpha}$-induced cell death. These results implicate a role of MMP-3 in parkin-induced cell death in TNF-${\alpha}$ treated HeLa cells.

• 대한바이러스학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.197-207
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• 1997

To investigate the NS4 region of JEV, NS4 cDNA of K94P05 (JEV strain isolated from Korea in 1994) was amplified by RT-PCR and analyzed by sequencing PCR product. Genomic size of NS4 was 1212bp and nucleotide sequence was compared with that of other JEV strains. Nucleotide homology between JaOAr582 and K94P05 was 91.1% and that between Beijing and K94P05 was 89.8%, respectively. But the nucleotide sequence of E region of JaOAr582 and K94P05 showed 97.0% homology and that of Beijing and K94P05 did 95.8% homology. NS4 protein was expressed as a form of fusion protein by a prokaryotic expression system. The induced fusion product showed a lower molecular weight than predicted size and remained insoluble. The NS4 protein might be cleavaged by E. coli protease. Concluding above results, high hydrophobicity of the NS4 protein supported the fact that this protein played a role as a membrane component and the poor nucleotide sequence conservativity among JEV strains suggested that this region might be important to adapt each viral growth environment.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제20권11호
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• pp.1577-1584
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• 2010

In total, 140 halotolerant bacterial strains were isolated from both the soil of barren fields and the rhizosphere of six naturally growing halophytic plants in the vicinity of the Yellow Sea, near the city of Incheon in the Republic of Korea. All of these strains were characterized for multiple plant growth promoting traits, such as the production of indole acetic acid (IAA), nitrogen fixation, phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) solubilization, thiosulfate ($S_2O_3$) oxidation, the production of ammonia ($NH_3$), and the production of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes such as protease, chitinase, pectinase, cellulase, and lipase under in vitro conditions. From the original 140 strains tested, on the basis of the latter tests for plant growth promotional activity, 36 were selected for further examination. These 36 halotolerant bacterial strains were then tested for 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase activity. Twenty-five of these were found to be positive, and to be exhibiting significantly varying levels of activity. 16S rRNA gene sequencing analyses of the 36 halotolerant strains showed that they belong to 10 different bacterial genera: Bacillus, Brevibacterium, Planococcus, Zhihengliuella, Halomonas, Exiguobacterium, Oceanimonas, Corynebacterium, Arthrobacter, and Micrococcus. Inoculation of the 14 halotolerant bacterial strains to ameliorate salt stress (150 mM NaCl) in canola plants produced an increase in root length of between 5.2% and 47.8%, and dry weight of between 16.2% and 43%, in comparison with the uninoculated positive controls. In particular, three of the bacteria, Brevibacterium epidermidis RS15, Micrococcus yunnanensis RS222, and Bacillus aryabhattai RS341, all showed more than 40% increase in root elongation and dry weight when compared with uninoculated salt-stressed canola seedlings. These results indicate that certain halotolerant bacteria, isolated from coastal soils, have a real potential to enhance plant growth under saline stress, through the reduction of ethylene production via ACC deaminase activity.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제50권10호
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• pp.931-937
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• 2007

The hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a rare disease of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, low platelet count and renal impairment. HUS usually occurs in young children after hemorrhagic colitis by shigatoxin-producing enterohemorrhagic E. coli (D+HUS). HUS is the most common cause of acute renal failure in infants and young children, and is a substantial cause of acute mortality and morbidity; however, renal function recovers in most of them. About 10% of children with HUS do not reveal preceding diarrheal illness, and is referred to as D- HUS or atypical HUS. Atypical HUS comprises a heterogeneous group of thrombomicroangiopathy (TMA) triggered by non-enteric infection, virus, drug, malignancies, transplantation, and other underlying medical condition. Emerging data indicate dysregulation of alternative complement pathway in atypical HUS, and genetic analyses have identified mutations of several regulatory genes; i.e. the fluid phase complement regulator Factor H (CFH), the integral membrane regulator membrane cofactor protein (MCP; CD46) and the serine protease Factor I (IF). The uncontrolled activation of the complement alternative pathway results in the excessive consumption of C3. Plasma exchange or plasma infusion is recommended for treatment of, and has dropped the mortality rate. However, overall prognosis is poor, and many patients succumb to end-stage renal disease. Clinical presentations, response to plasma therapy, and outcome after renal transplantation are influenced by the genotype of the complement regulators. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), another type of TMA, occurs mainly in adults as an acquired disease accompanied by fever, neurologic deficits and renal abnormalities. However, less frequent cases of congenital or hereditary TTP associated with ADAMTS-13 (a disintegrin and metalloprotease, with thrombospondin 1-like domains 13) gene mutations have been reported, also. Recent advances in molecular genetics better allow various HUS to be distinguished on the basis of their pathogenesis. The genetic analysis of HUS is important in defining the underlying etiology, predicting the genotype-related outcome and optimizing the management of the patients.

• 한국환경과학회지
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• 제29권9호
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• pp.925-933
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• 2020

To develop eco-friendly microbial inoculants, siderophore-producing bacteria were isolated and identified, and their production characteristics and plant growth-promoting abilities were investigated. A strain S21 was isolated from rhizosphere of Korean perilla (Perilla frutescens) and identified as Enterobacter amnigenus by phenotypic properties and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The highest siderophore production was obtained in a medium containing 0.5% fructose, 0.1% urea, 0.5% K₂HPO₄ and 0.1% succinic acid. By using this improved medium, siderophore production increased by 2.5 times compared to that of basal medium. The strain S21 showed insoluble phosphate solubilizing, ammonification and antifungal activities, and also produced hydrolytic enzymes (protease and lipase), indoleacetic acid and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase. Our data suggest that E. amnigenus S21 is a potential candidate that can be used as eco-friendly biocontrol agent and biofertilizer.