• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.166-176
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• 2020

Objective: An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of L-arginine (L-Arg) and N-carbamoylglutamic acid (NCG) on the growth, metabolism, immunity and community of cecal bacterial flora of weanling and young rabbits. Methods: Eighteen normal-grade male weanling Japanese White rabbits (JWR) were selected and randomly divided into 6 groups with or without L-Arg and NCG supplementation. The whole feeding process was divided into weanling stage (day 37 to 65) and young stage (day 66 to 85). The effects of L-Arg and NCG on the growth, metabolism, immunity and development of the ileum and jejunum were compared via nutrient metabolism experiments and histological assessment. The different communities of cecal bacterial flora affected by L-Arg and NCG were assessed using high-throughput sequencing technology and bioinformatics analysis. Results: The addition of L-Arg and NCG enhanced the growth of weanling and young rabbit by increasing the nitrogen metabolism, protein efficiency ratio, and biological value, as well as feed intake and daily weight gain. Both L-Arg and NCG increased the concentration of immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgM, and IgG. NCG was superior to L-Arg in promoting intestinal villus development by increasing villus height, villus height/crypt depth index, and reducing the crypt depth. The effects of L-Arg and NCG on the cecal bacterial flora were mainly concentrated in different genera, including Parabacteroides, Roseburia, dgA-11_gut_group, Alistipes, Bacteroides, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005. These bacteria function mainly in amino acid transport and metabolism, energy production and conversion, lipid transport and metabolism, recombination and repair, cell cycle control, cell division, and cell motility. Conclusion: L-Arg and NCG can promote the growth and immunity of weanling and young JWR, as well as effecting the jejunum and ileum villi. L-Arg and NCG have different effects in the promotion of nutrient utilization, relieving inflammation and enhancing adaptability through regulating microbial community.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.413-424
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• 2022

Suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (SMAD) 4 is a pluripotent signaling mediator that regulates myriad cellular functions, including cell growth, cell division, angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell invasion, and metastasis, through transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)-dependent and -independent pathways. SMAD4 is a critical modulator in signal transduction and functions primarily as a transcription factor or cofactor. Apart from being a DNA-binding factor, the additional SMAD4 mechanisms in tumor suppression remain elusive. We previously identified methyl malonyl aciduria cobalamin deficiency B type (MMAB) as a critical SMAD4 binding protein using a proto array analysis. This study confirmed the interaction between SMAD4 and MMAB using bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay, proximity ligation assay (PLA), and conventional immunoprecipitation. We found that transient SMAD4 overexpression down-regulates MMAB expression via a proteasome-dependent pathway. SMAD4-MMAB interaction was independent of TGF-β signaling. Finally, we determined the effect of MMAB downregulation on cancer cells. siRNA-mediated knockdown of MMAB affected cancer cell metabolism in HeLa cells by decreasing ATP production and glucose consumption as well as inducing apoptosis. These findings suggest that SMAD4 controls cancer cell metabolism by regulating MMAB.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 1973

A study was made on enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in T. concretivorus grown with and without glucose. The present results show that T. concretivorus possesses high activities of pentose shunt pathway and related enzymes, glucokinase, G-6-P dehydrogenase, 6-PG dehydrogenase, and phosphoglucoisomerase, but low activities of enzymes unique to EMP(fructose-1, 6-diphosphate aldolase). Although the synthesis of the latter enzymes remains largely unaffected by the growth enviroment, that of the former is stimulated by glucose. And the failure to detect ED pathway enzymes in cells grown in thiosulate or thiosulfate-glucose medium eliminates the ED pathway as a significant route of glucose catabolism in T.concretivorus. These results suggest that pentose shunt pathway performs an energetic role in glucose metabolism by T.concretivorus with EMP as a subway. The absence of ED pathway and the presence of pentose shunt pathway which is the major route of catabolism in T.concretivorus are similar to those of other obligately chemolitho-trophic thiobacilli. The G-6-P and 6-PG dehydrogenase are both NAD and NADP specific, but MAD predominant. However, the 3-PGAL dehydrogenase is only NAD specific. Since the specific activity of 3-PGAL generated from glucose is converted mainly into pyruvate which is channeled into the TCA cycle. All enzymes of the TCA cycle tested and NADH oxidase are detected in the cells of T.concretivorus grown in thiosulfate. The specific activities of fumarase and isocitrate dehydrogenase are high and others are low. The presence of two isocitrate dehydrogenase (NAD-and NADP-linked) may have important regulatory function for this organism. The activity of NAD-oxidase, which is implicated in the energy generating metabolism, was very high in the crude cell-free extract of T.concretivorus, recording 55.11 m$\mu$ mole/min/mg protein. This well coincides with the fact that activities of NAD-linked G-6-P dehydrogenase, 6-PG dehydrogenase and 3-PGAL dehydrogenase were high.

• ALGAE
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.17-30
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• 2024

Red macroalga Pyropia yezoensis is a high valuable cultivated marine crop. Its acclimation to cold stress is especially important for long cultivation period across winter in coasts of warm temperate zone in East Asia. In this study, the response of P. yezoensis thalli to low temperature was analyzed on physiology and transcriptome level, to explore its acclimation mechanism to cold stress. The results showed that the practical photosynthesis activity (indicated by Φ_PSII and qP) was depressed and pigment allophycocyanin content was decreased during the cold stress of 48 h. However, the F_v/F_m and non-photochemical quenching increased significantly after 24 h, and the average growth rate of thalli also rebounded from 24 to 48 h, indicating a certain extent of acclimation to cold stress. On transcriptionally, the low temperature promoted the expression of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to carbohydrate metabolism and energy metabolism, while genes related to photosynthetic system were depressed. The increased expression of DEGs involved in ribosomal biogenesis and lipid metabolism which could accelerate protein synthesis and enhance the degree of fatty acid unsaturation, might help P. yezoensis thallus cells to cope with cold stress. Further co-expression network analysis revealed differential expression trends along with stress time, and corresponding hub genes play important roles in the systemic acquired acclimation to cold stress. This study provides basic mechanisms of P. yezoensis acclimation to cold temperature and may aid in exploration of functional genes for genetic breeding of economic macroalgae.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.547-553
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• 2001

This study was designed to observe the change of body composition and nutrient metabolites and the excretion of minerals during complete fasting for 10 days in thirty women. Average loss of body weight was 7.98kg and body fat was gradually reduced after 9 days fasting, but the loss of lean body mass was reduced after 7 days fasting. Serum glucose level was sustained at constant level, but serum levels of blood urea nitrogen, free acid and $\beta$-hydroxybutyrate were significantly increased during fasting but decreased after re-feeding. Urinary excretions of 3-methylhistidine, total creatinine, and urea were high in the beginning of fasting but gradually decreased. Serum level of parathyroid hormone was significantly reduced by fasting but regained after re-feeding. Serum level of minerals was at the constant level throughout the experimental period. The urinary excretion of minerals(Ca, K, Mg, P) was significantly increased in the early stage of fasting and then reduced from 7 days, but the excretion of Zn was continuously increased until the late stage of fasting. These results showed that amino acid fatty acid released from the breakdown of muscle protein and body fat, respectively, were utilized for energy during fasting. Body weight and BMI were reduced because of the increased muscle protein breakdown and body water excretion during early stage of fasting, but the significant body fat loss was after 9 days fasting. Therefore, it could be suggested to fast for longer than 10 days if the reduction of body fat was planned by fasting, and recommed to exercise and ingest more vitamins and minerals to replace the excreted minerals during fasting. (Korean J Nutrition 34(5) : 547~553, 2001)

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1702-1710
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• 2017

Objective: The study examined the effect of condensed tannins (CT) containing Ficus infectoria and Psidium guajava leaf meal mixture (LMM) supplementation on nutrient metabolism, methane emission and performance of lambs. Methods: Twenty four lambs of ~6 months age (average body weight $10.1{\pm}0.60kg$) were randomly divided into 4 dietary treatments (CT-0, CT-1, CT-1.5, and CT-2 containing 0, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 percent CT through LMM, respectively) consisting of 6 lambs each in a completely randomized design. All the lambs were offered a basal diet of wheat straw ad libitum, oat hay (100 g/d) along with required amount of concentrate mixture to meet their nutrient requirements for a period of 6 months. After 3 months of experimental feeding, a metabolism trial of 6 days duration was conducted on all 24 lambs to determine nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance. Urinary excretion of purine derivatives and microbial protein synthesis were determined using high performance liquid chromatography. Respiration chamber study was started at the mid of 5th month of experimental feeding trial. Whole energy balance trials were conducted on individual lamb one after the other, in an open circuit respiration calorimeter. Results: Intake of dry matter and organic matter (g/d) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in CT-1.5 than control. Digestibility of various nutrients did not differ irrespective of treatments. Nitrogen retention and microbial nitrogen synthesis (g/d) was significantly (p<0.01) higher in CT-1.5 and CT-2 groups relative to CT-0.Total body weight gain (kg) and average daily gain (g) were significantly (linear, p<0.01) higher in CT-1.5 followed by CT-1 and CT-0, respectively. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) by lambs was significantly (linear, p<0.01) better in CT-1.5 followed by CT-2 and CT-0, respectively. Total wool yield (g; g/d) was linearly (p<0.05) higher for CT-1.5 than CT-0. Methane emission was linearly decreased (p<0.05) in CT groups and reduction was highest (p<0.01) in CT-2 followed by CT-1.5 and CT-1. Methane energy (kcal/d) was linearly decreased (p<0.05) in CT groups. Conclusion: The CT supplementation at 1% to 2% of the diet through Ficus infectoria and Psidium guajava LMM significantly improved nitrogen metabolism, growth performance, wool yield, FCR and reduced methane emission by lambs.

• Interdisciplinary Bio Central
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.9.1-9.7
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• 2013

Introduction: Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated protein 1 (TRAP1) is a mitochondrial heat shock protein (HSP), which belongs to HSP90 family. It plays important roles in regulating mitochondrial integrity, protecting against oxidative stress, and inhibiting cell death. Recent studies suggest that TRAP1 is linked to mitochondria and its metabolism. In this study, we established TRAP1 transgenic mice and performed partial hepatectomy (PH) on wild-type (WT) and TRAP1 transgenic mice to investigate the function of TRAP1 during liver regeneration. Results and Discussion: We found that TRAP1 was highly expressed in liver as well as kidney. In addition, liver regeneration slightly decreased together with increased fatty liver and inflammation at 72 hr after PH in TRAP1 transgenic mice compared with WT control group mice. Concomitantly, we observed decreased levels of p38 protein in TRAP1 transgenic mice compared with WT control group mice. These results suggest that TRAP1 plays a critical role in liver energy balance by regulating lipid accumulation during liver regeneration. Conclusions and Prospects: To our knowledge, we reported, for the first time, that liver regeneration slightly reduced together with increased fat accumulations after PH in TRAP1 transgenic mice compared with WT control group mice. Concomitantly, we observed decreased levels of p38 protein in TRAP1 transgenic mice compared with WT control group mice. Overexpression of TRAP1 might affect liver regeneration via disturbing mitochondrial function leading to fatty liver in vivo.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.42-46
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to examine the intake of Cr, Cu, and Zn, which play important roles in lipid metabolism, and the relationship of these microminerals with serum lipids of healthy college living in the Choongnam area. The nutritional status of the subjects(35 women) was evaluated based on anthropometric measurements, 24-hr dietary recall for 3 days. Three-day meals and fasting blood were collected to analyze Cr, Cu, and Zn. The mean age, height, weight and BMI were 20 years, 158 cm, 55kg and 22.42kg/$m^2$ respectively. The mean daily energy intake was 85.9% of RDA for Koreans. The ratio of energy from carbohydrate, protein and fat was 60 : 24 : 16. The mean daily intake of Cr, Cu, and Zn was 60.07 $\mu\textrm{g}$/day, 2.64 mg/day, and 11.35 mg/day, respectively. The mean serum levels of Cr, Cu, and Zn were 143$\mu$g/dl, 81.34$\mu$g/dl, adn 101.54$\mu$g/dl, respectively. The mean serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol were 158.56mg/dl, 29.27 mg/dl, 56.00mg/dl, 6.12mg/dl, respectively. In conclusion, the subjects of the present study were healthy and consumed normal levls of dietary Cr, Cu and Zn, which play roles in lipid metabolism. Therefore, serum lipids of the subjects were all in the normal range. There was no significant correlation between dietary microminerals and serum lipids.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.170-174
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• 2005

Barley plants growing in the wet paddy field easily encounter suboptimal oxygen concentration in the rhizosphere that causes molecular oxygen deficiency in root cells. The capacity of root cells to utilize energy sources is known to be positively related to resistance to hypoxia stress. This study was conducted to investigate effects of hypoxia on enzymes involved in the starch and sucrose metabolism. Barley seedlings at the third leaf stage were subjected to hypoxia (1 ppm dissolved oxygen) by purging the culture solution with nitrogen gas for up to seven days. The protein content was slightly decreased by hypoxia for 7 days. $\alpha-Amylase$ activities increased significantly in the root but not in the shoot after 3 to 7 days of hypoxia. $\beta-Amylase$ activities were not affected significantly in both tissues. Additionally, sucrose synthase activities were affected little in both tissues by 7 days of hypoxia. The results indicate that root cells activate break­down of polysaccharide reserves in response to an acute hypoxia to supply energy sources for fermentative glycolysis and cell wall fortification.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.167-182
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• 2014

Korean Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (P. ginseng) is a well-known and one of the most important tonic herbs used in traditional Korean medicine. The pharmacological effects of P. ginseng have been reported by many researchers. Nevertheless, little is known between the mechanism of action and the active compounds. In this study, we performed a comprehensive proteomic analysis and protein categorization in order to understand the physiological characteristics of the major components in the adventitious roots of P. ginseng. Whole proteins extracted from the cultured adventitious roots of P. ginseng were separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-DE). Among the 1000 spots which were detected by silver staining, 113 spots were labeled and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Our results showed that 40 proteins were identified among the 113 spots, with a hit ratio of 35.3%. A number of proteins identified on the 2-DE gels (30%; 16 spots) were involved in energy metabolism. These proteomic data will be helpful to better understand the physiological and pharmacological effects of P. ginseng.