• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.285-289
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• 2022

In this study, the growth characteristics of an agar-degrading bacterium isolated from seawater samples collected from Yeongheungdo, Incheon, and the characteristics of its agarase were analyzed. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolated strain was 95% similar to that of the genus Agarivorans, and thus the isolated strain was named Agarivorans sp. HY-1. When Agarivorans sp. HY-1 was cultured in a marine broth 2216 medium at 27℃ and 250 rpm, it showed maximum growth on day 1 and showed maximum enzymatic activity on day 2. A crude enzyme solution was prepared from secreted agarase in the culture medium. The extracellular agarase of the Agarivorans sp. HY-1 strain showed maximal activity at 40℃ and pH 7.0 (20 mM Tris-HCl) with 591.91 U/l. The agarase exhibited relative activities of 64, 91, 100, 97, 89, and 60% at 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70℃, respectively. At pH 5, 6, 7, and 8, the relative activities were 79, 95, 100, and 55%, respectively. Furthermore, the agarase exhibited >86% residual activity at 20, 30, and 40℃ for 2 hr and >44% residual activity at 50℃ after 2 hr. A TLC analysis confirmed that Agarivorans sp. HY-1 produced α-agarase. As the degradation products of α-agarase have anticancer and antioxidant effects, Agarivorans sp. HY-1 and its agarase may well prove useful.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.51-55
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• 2022

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) enzymes are responsible for the degradation and formation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), and overproduction of MMPs is observed in several diseases, such as cancer and asthma, that progress with metastatic characteristics. Natural products, especially phytochemicals, have been an important source of MMP inhibitors with reduced side effects. Although the majority of phytochemicals inhibit the enzymatic activity of MMPs, some suppress MMP production. In this context, the current study evaluated the potential of Corydalis heterocarpa, a halophyte with reported bioactivities, to inhibit MMP expression in PMA-stimulated HT-1080 cells. A crude C. heterocarpa extract was shown to decrease the mRNA and protein expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 while increasing the endogenous MMP inhibitors TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 which regulate MMP expression in healthy tissues. In addition, our results show that the inhibitory effects of C. heterocarpa might occur through suppression of the phosphorylation of MAPK signaling, the upstream activator of MMP overexpression. In conclusion, C. heterocarpa is a potential source of antimetastatic compounds that might serve as lead molecules to develop novel MMP inhibitors.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.28-38
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• 2024

Objective: Tibetan chickens, which have unique adaptations to extreme high-altitude environments, exhibit phenotypic and physiological characteristics that are distinct from those of lowland chickens. However, the mechanisms underlying hypoxic adaptation in the liver of chickens remain unknown. Methods: RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) technology was used to assess the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in hypoxia adaptation in highland chickens (native Tibetan chicken [HT]) and lowland chickens (Langshan chicken [LS], Beijing You chicken [BJ], Qingyuan Partridge chicken [QY], and Chahua chicken [CH]). Results: A total of 352 co-DEGs were specifically screened between HT and four native lowland chicken breeds. Gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analyses indicated that these co-DEGs were widely involved in lipid metabolism processes, such as the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) signaling pathway, fatty acid degradation, fatty acid metabolism and fatty acid biosynthesis. To further determine the relationship from the 352 co-DEGs, protein-protein interaction network was carried out and identified eight genes (ACSL1, CPT1A, ACOX1, PPARC1A, SCD, ACSBG2, ACACA, and FASN) as the potential regulating genes that are responsible for the altitude difference between the HT and other four lowland chicken breeds. Conclusion: This study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms regulating hypoxia adaptation via lipid metabolism in Tibetan chickens and other highland animals.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.67-75
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• 2024

Skin aging progresses due to external factors such as ultraviolet rays and infections. These factors cause skin fibroblasts to secrete proteolytic enzymes, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). MMPs induce the degradation of collagen located in the extracellular matrix, directly influencing aging. The stems of Akebia quinata Decaisne have been reported to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the anti-aging effect of Akebia quinata Decaisne stem ethanol extract (AQSEE) is not known. Therefore, we studied the TNF-α-induced MMP-1 inhibitory effect in human fibroblasts. When the cell viability of AQSEE was confirmed through MTT asaay, it showed no toxicity up to 400 ㎍/mL. The inhibition of MMP-1 mRNA and protein secretion was confirmed through RT-qPCR and ELISA, and results showed a significant decrease at concentrations of 100, 200, 400 ㎍/mL. We also confirmed by Western blotting that phosphorylation of MAPKs signaling pathway and transcription factors was reduced. As a result, phosphorylation of p38, c-Jun, p65 was significantly decreased at all concentrations. DPPH and ABTS assays were performed to confirm the radical scavenging ability of AQSEE, and the results showed a significant decrease at all concentrations. The results of this study confirmed the MMP-1 inhibitory effect and radical scavenging ability, which suggests that it can be used as an anti-aging substance.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.28 no.1 s.66
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• pp.165-174
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• 1998

The turnover of collagen is controlled by the balance between collagen synthesis and degradation. The production of collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase-1) and its inhibitor, tissue inhibitor of matrix metallopmteinase-1 (TIMP-1) are one of the substances which regulate this balance. The periodontal ligament fibroblast plays an important role in collagen metabolism during orthodontic treatment and is believed to be an origin of the osteoblast in the alveolar bone. The collagenase secreted by the periodontal ligament fibroblast and the osteoblast initiates the bone resorption by removing the osteoid layer in the alveloar bone. The interleukin-$1{\beta}$ is secreted by the macrophage during orthodontic treatment. The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of mechanical stress and interleukin-$1{\beta}$ on the expression of collagenase and TIMP-1 in the periodontal ligament fibroblasts using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining. The periodontal ligament fibroblasts were stitched by placing the $Petriperm dish^{\circledR}$ dish on the top of spheroidal convex watch glass ($5\%$ surface increase) and tented with interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (1.0 ng/ml), or treated with both of them. Treatment with mechanical stress and/or interleukin-$1{\beta}$ resulted in increased collagenase mRNA expression. The mechanical stress treated group (1.61, 1.62, 1.37 fold increase), the interleukin-$1{\beta}$, tented group (1.68, 1.60, 3.78 fold increase), the mechanical stress and interleukin-$1{\beta}$ treated group (1.89, 1.72, 5.48 fold increase) induced increases in collagenase mRNA compared with the control group after 2, 4, 8 hours respectively. But TIMP-1 mRNA expressions at experimental groups were decreased after 2, 4 hours and increased after 8 hours. The mechanical stress treated group (0.16, 0.49 fold decrease and 3.77 fold increase), the interleukin-$1{\beta}$ treated group (0.15,0.44 fold decrease and 4.46 fold increase), the mechanical stress and interleukin-$1{\beta}$ tented group (0.15, 0.69 fold decrease and 4.81 fold increase) induced changes in TIMP-1 mRNA compared with the control group after 2, 4, 8 hours, respectively. Immunohistochemical stain showed that increased collagenase and TIMP-1 staining of the mechanical stress tented group, the interleukin-$1{\beta}$ treated group, and the mechanical stress and interleukin-$1{\beta}$ treated group compared with that of the control group after 8 hours. These findings suggest that mechanical stress and interleukin-$1{\beta}$ regulate expression of collagenase and TIMP-1.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.315-324
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• 2001

Background : IL-8 is a potent chemotactic cytokine that plays an important role in the host defense mechanism against M. tuberculosis by recruiting inflammatory cells to the site of the infection. Lung epithelial cells, as well as alveolar macrophages are known to produce IL-8 in response to M. tuberculosis. IL-8 gene expression is mainly regulated on the level of transcription by NF-${\kappa}B$. This study investigated whether or not A549 cells produce IL-8 in NF-${\kappa}B$ dependent mechanism in response to macrophages phagocytosing M. tuberculosis. Methods : Peripheral blood monocytes that were obtained from healthy donors were cultured for 24 h with M. tuberculosis and a conditioned medium(CoMTB) was obtained. As a negative control, the conditioned medium without M. tuberculosis (CoMCont) was used. A549 cells were stimulated with M. tuberculosis, CoMCont and CoMTB and the IL-8 concentration in the culture media was measured by ELISA. The CoMTB induced IL-8 mRNA expression in the A549 cells was evaluated using RT-PCR, and CoMTB induced $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation was measured using western blot analysis. CoMTB induced nuclear translocation and DNA binding of NF-${\kappa}B$ was also examined using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay(EMSA), and the CoMTB induced NF-${\kappa}B$ dependent IL-8 transcriptional activity was measured using a luciferase reporter gene assay. Results : CoMTB induced IL-8 production by A549 cells($46.8{\pm}4.8\;ng/ml$) was higher than with direct stimulation with M. tuberculosis ($6.8{\pm}2.9\;ng/ml$). CoMTB induced IL-8 mRNA expression increased after 2 h of stimulation and was sustained for 24 h. $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ was degraded after 10 min of CoMTB stimulation and reappeared by 60 min. CoMTB stimulated the nuclear translocation and DNA binding of NF-${\kappa}B$. The CoMTB induced NF-${\kappa}B$ dependent IL-8 transcriptional activity($13.6{\pm}4.3$ times control) was higher than either CoMCont($2.0{\pm}0.6$ times control) or M. tuberculosis ($1.4{\pm}0.6$ times control). Conclusion : A conditioned medium of peripheral blood monocytes phagocytosing M. tuberculosis stimulates NF-${\kappa}B$ dependent IL-8 production by the lung epithelial cells.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.323-329
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• 2018

Purpose: The dried body of Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans has long been used as a traditional Korean medicinal food, but little is known about its mechanisms of action. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activities of Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans and possible mechanisms in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Methods: Cytotoxicity of Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans extract (SSME) was measured by MTT assay, anti-inflammatory activities were analyzed by nitric oxide (NO) production, the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and the mRNA level of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as $interleukin-1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) p65 subunit and degradation of inhibitory kappa B ($I{\kappa}B$) were examined by western blot. Results: SSME inhibited LPS-induced NO production and iNOS expression without cytotoxicity. Up-regulation of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines, $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-6 was dose dependently attenuated by SSME. Exposure of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, an $NF-{\kappa}B$ specific inhibitor, accelerated the inhibitory effects of SSME on NO production and iNOS expression in LPS-stimulated cells. Moreover, translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ from the cytosol to the nucleus and degradation of $I{\kappa}B$ were decreased by treatment with SSME in LPS-induced cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that the SSME might have the inhibitory effects on inflammation, partly through inhibition of the $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathway.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.6165-6171
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• 2013

This study aimed to analyze the expression and clinical significance of cyclin G2 (CCNG2) in thyroid carcinoma and the biological effects of CCNG2 overexpression in a cell line. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to analyze CCNG2 protein expression in 63 cases of thyroid cancer and normal tissues to allow the relationship with clinical factors to be assessed. CCNG2 lentiviral and empty vectors were transfected into the thyroid cancer K1 cell line. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were applied to detect the mRNA and protein levels of CCNG2. MTT assay and cell cycle were also conducted to assess the influence of up-regulated expression of CCNG2 on K1 cell biology. The level of CCNG2 protein expression was found to be significantly lower in thyroid cancer tissue than normal tissues (P<0.05). Western blot: The relative amount of CCNG2 protein in thyroid cancer tissue was respectively found to be significantly lower than in normal tissues (P<0.05), correlating with lymph node metastasis, clinic stage and histological grade (P<0.05), but not gender, age or tumor size (P>0.05). Loss of CCNG2 expression correlated significantly with poor overall survival time on Kaplan-Meier analysis (P<0.05). The results for biological functions showed that K1 cell transfected CCNG2 had a lower survival fraction, a greater percentage in the G0/G1 phases, and lower cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) protein expression compared with K1 cells non-transfected with CCNG2 (P<0.05). CCNG2 expression decreased in thyroid cancer and correlated significantly lymph node metastasis, clinic stage, histological grade and poor overall survival, suggesting that CCNG2 may play important roles as a negative regulator in thyroid cancer K1 cells by promoting degradation of CDK2.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2018

Objective: The aim of the study was to isolate gossypol-degrading bacteria and to assess its potential for gossypol degradation. Methods: Rumen liquid was collected from fistulated cows grazing the experimental pasture. Approximately 1 mL of the rumen liquid was spread onto basal medium plates containing 2 g/L gossypol as the only source of carbon and was then cultured at $39^{\circ}C$ to isolate gossypol-degrading bacteria. The isolated colonies were cultured for 6 h and then their size and shape observed by microscope and scanning electron microscope. The 16S rRNA gene of isolated colonies was sequenced and aligned using National Center for Biotechnology Information-Basic Local Alignment Search Tool. The various fermentation conditions, initial pH, incubation temperature, inoculum level and fermentationperiod were analyzed in cottonseed meal (CSM). The crude protein (CP), total gossypol (TG), and free gossypol (FG) were determined in CSM after fermentation with isolated strain at $39^{\circ}C$ for 72 h. Results: Screening results showed that a single bacterial isolate, named Rumen Bacillus Subtilis (RBS), could use gossypol as a carbon source. The bacterium was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing as being 98% homologous to the sequence of Bacillus subtilis strain GH38. The optimum fermentation conditions were found to be 72 h, $39^{\circ}C$, pH 6.5, moisture 50%, inoculum level $10^7cell/g$. In the optimum fermentation conditions, the FG and TG content in fermented CSM decreased 78.86% and 49% relative to the control. The content of CP and the essential amino acids of the fermented CSM increased respectively, compared with the control. Conclusion: The isolation of a gossypol-degrading bacterium from the cow rumen is of great importance for gossypol biodegradation and may be a valuable potential source for gossypol-degradation of CSM.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.677-685
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• 2006

Proteins that are unfolded or misfolded in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) must be targeted for refolding or degradation to maintain the homeostasis of the ER. Derlin-1 was reportedly implicated in the retro-translocation of misfolded proteins from the ER to the cytosol for degradation. In this report, we showed that Derlin-1 was down-regulated in the endothelial cells derived from human hepatic cavernous hemangioma (CHEC) compared with other tested cells. Electron microscopy analysis showed that ER was aberrantly enlarged in CHEC cells, but not in other tested cells. When overexpressed, Derlin-1 induced the dilated ER to return normal size. This ER dynamic was associated with the activation of unfolded protein response (UPR). In CHEC cells where Derlin-1 was down-regulated, increased expression of the immunoglobulin heavy chain-binding protein (Bip) and UPR-specific splicing of X-box DNA-binding protein 1 (XBP1) mRNA were detected, as compared with that in other tested cells, indicating that UPR was activated. After Derlin-1 overexpression, the extent of UPR activation diminished, as evidenced by decreased expression of Bip, reduced amount of the spliced form of XBP1 ($XBP1_S$), and elevated expression of the unspliced form of XBP1 ($XBP1_U$). Taken together, these findings provide another example of a single protein being able to affect ER dynamic in mammalian cells, and an insight into the possible molecular mechanism(s).