• ALGAE
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.105-115
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• 2002

Influences of vrious environmental factors on the eutrophication of Nakdong River were analyzed statistically using water samples collected from 1 January, 1999, to 30 September, 2001 at Namji area. The relationships between the concentration of chlorophyll α (eutrophication index) and environmental factors and were analyzed to develop a statistical model which can predict the status of eutrophication. The concentation of chlorophyll α ranged from 66.2 mg · $m^{-3}$ to 70.8 mg · $m^{-3}$ during dry winter season and the average concentration during this study period was 35.5 mg · $m^{-3}$ Namji area of Nakdong River was in the hypereutrohic stage in terms of water quality. Stephanodiscus sp. and Aulacoseria granulata var. angustissima were dominant species during the witnter to spring time and summer to autumn period, respectively. Based on the correlation analysis and the analysis of variance between chlorophyll α concentration and environmental factors, significantly high positive relationships were found in the order of BOD> pH> COD > KMnO₄ consumption > DO > conductivity > alkalinity. In contrast to these factors, significantly negrative relationships were found as in the order of $PO₄^{3-}-P$ >water level>the rate of Namgang-dam discharge > NH₃-N> the rate of Andong-dam discharge> the rate of Hapchoen-dam discharge. Based on the factors analysis of environmental factors on the concentration of chlorophyll α, we obtained five factors as follows. The first factor included water level, pH, turbiditiy, conductivity, alkalinity and the rate of Namgang-dam discharge. The second factor included water temperature DO, NH₄+-N, NO₃- -N. The third factor included KMnO₄ consumption COD and BOD. The fourth factor included the rate of Andong-dam discharge, the rate of Hapcheon-dam discharge, and the rate of Imha-dam discharge. The final factor included T-N T-P and $PO₄^{3-}-P$ > concentration. We derived two statistica models that can predict the occurrence of eutrophication based on the factors by factor analysis, using regression analysis. The first model is the stepwise regression model whose independent variables are the factors produced by factor analysis : chl α (mg · $m^{-3}$ = 42.923+(18.637 factor 3) + (-17.147 factor 1) + (-12.095 factor 5) + (-4.828 factor 4). The second model is the alternative stepwise regression model whose independent variables are the sums of the standardized main component variables:chl α (mg · $m^{-3}$ = 37.295+(7.326 Zfactor 3) + (-2.704 Zfactor 1)+(-2.341 Zfactor 5).

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.315-324
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• 2007

The novel $\alpha$-amylase purified from locally isolated strain, Bacillus sp. KR-8104, (KRA) (Enzyme Microb Technol; 2005; 36: 666-671) is active in a wide range of pH. The enzyme maximum activity is at pH 4.0 and it retains 90% of activity at pH 3.5. The irreversible thermoinactivation patterns of KRA and the enzyme activity are not changed in the presence and absence of $Ca^{2+}$ and EDTA. Therefore, KRA acts as a $Ca^{2+}$-independent enzyme. Based on circular dichroism (CD) data from thermal unfolding of the enzyme recorded at 222 nm, addition of $Ca^{2+}$ and EDTA similar to its irreversible thermoinactivation, does not influence the thermal denaturation of the enzyme and its Tm. The amino acid sequence of KRA was obtained from the nucleotide sequencing of PCR products of encoding gene. The deduced amino acid sequence of the enzyme revealed a very high sequence homology to Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BAA) (85% identity, 90% similarity) and Bacillus licheniformis $\alpha$-amylases (BLA) (81% identity, 88% similarity). To elucidate and understand these characteristics of the $\alpha$-amylase, a model of 3D structure of KRA was constructed using the crystal structure of the mutant of BLA as the platform and refined with a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation program. Interestingly enough, there is only one amino acid substitution for KRA in comparison with BLA and BAA in the region involved in the calcium-binding sites. On the other hand, there are many amino acid differences between BLA and KRA at the interface of A and B domains and around the metal triad and active site area. These alterations could have a role in stabilizing the native structure of the loop in the active site cleft and maintenance and stabilization of the putative metal triad-binding site. The amino acid differences at the active site cleft and around the catalytic residues might affect their pKa values and consequently shift its pH profile. In addition, the intrinsic fluorescence intensity of the enzyme at 350 nm does not show considerable change at pH 3.5-7.0.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.623-629
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• 2016

(1S,2S,3E,7E,11E)-3,7,11,15-cembratetraen-17,2-olide (LS-1), a marine cembrenolide diterpene, has anticancer activity against colon cancer cells such as HT-29, SNU-C5/5-FU (fluorouracil-resistant SNU-C5) and SNU-C5. However, the action mechanism of LS-1 on SNU-C5 human colon cancer cells has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated whether the anticancer effect of LS-1could result from apoptosis via the modulation of $Wnt/{\beta}$-catenin and the TGF-${\beta}$ pathways. When treated with the LS-1, we could observe the apoptotic characteristics such as apoptotic bodies and the increase of sub-G1 hypodiploid cell population, increase of Bax level, decrease of Bcl-2 expression, cleavage of procaspase-3 and cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase in SNU-C5 cells. Furthermore, the apoptosis induction of SNU-C5 cells upon LS-1 treatment was also accompanied by the down-regulation of $Wnt/{\beta}$-catenin signaling pathway via the decrease of GSK-$3{\beta}$ phosphorylation followed by the decrease of ${\beta}$-catenin level. In addition, the LS-1 induced the activation of TGF-${\beta}$ signaling pathway with the decrease of carcinoembryonic antigen which leads to decrease of c-Myc, an oncoprotein. These data suggest that the LS-1 could induce the apoptosis via the down-regulation of $Wnt/{\beta}$-catenin pathway and the activation of TGF-${\beta}$ pathway in SNU-C5 human colon cancer cells. The results support that the LS-1 might have potential for the treatment of human colon cancer.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.417-426
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• 2017

4-O-methylhonokiol, a neolignan compound from Magnolia Officinalis, has been reported to have various biological activities including hair growth promoting effect. However, although transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ (TGF-${\beta}$) signal pathway has an essential role in the regression induction of hair growth, the effect of 4-O-methylhonokiol on the TGF-${\beta}$ signal pathway has not yet been elucidated. We thus examined the effect of 4-O-methylhonokiol on TGF-${\beta}$-induced canonical and noncanonical pathways in HaCaT human keratinocytes. When HaCaT cells were pretreated with 4-O-methylhonokiol, TGF-${\beta}1$-induced G1/G0 phase arrest and TGF-${\beta}1$-induced p21 expression were decreased. Moreover, 4-O-methylhonokiol inhibited nuclear translocation of Smad2/3, Smad4 and Sp1 in TGF-${\beta}1$-induced canonical pathway. We observed that ERK phosphorylation by TGF-${\beta}1$ was significantly attenuated by treatment with 4-O-methylhonokiol. 4-O-methylhonokiol inhibited TGF-${\beta}1$-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and reduced the increase of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) mRNA level in TGF-${\beta}1$-induced noncanonical pathway. These results indicate that 4-O-methylhonokiol could inhibit TGF-${\beta}1$-induced cell cycle arrest through inhibition of canonical and noncanonical pathways in human keratinocyte HaCaT cell and that 4-O-methylhonokiol might have protective action on TGF-${\beta}1$-induced cell cycle arrest.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.497-502
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• 2016

To know the infection status of zoonotic trematode metacercariae in brackish water fish, we surveyed mullets collected from 18 coastal areas in the Republic of Korea. The metacercariae of Pygidiopsis summa were detected in 236 (68.2%) out of 346 mullets examined. They were found in mullets from 15 areas except for those from Boseong-gun (Jeollanam-do), Pohang-si, and Uljin-gun (Gyeongsangbuk-do). Especially in mullets from Taean-gun (Chungcheongnam-do) and Geoje-si (Gyeongsangnam-do), their prevalences were 100% and 95.5%, and the average metacercarial density was more than 1,000 per fish. They were also detected in mullets from 3 coastal lakes, Gyeongpoho, Songjiho, and Hwajinpoho, in Gangwon-do, and their average densities were 419, 147, and 672 per infected fish, respectively. The metacercariae of 5 other heterophyid species, including Heterophyes nocens, Heterophyopsis continua, Metagonimus sp., Stictodora fuscata, and Stictodora lari, were found in the mullets examined. The metacercariae of H. nocens were detected in 66.7, 100, 28.6, 81.6, 3.9, 61.5, and 27.3% of mullets from Muan-gun, Shinan-gun, Haenam-gun, Gangjin-gun, and Boseong-gun (Jeollanam-do), Hadong-gun, and Geoje-si (Gyeongsangnam-do), and their metacercarial intensities were 64, 84, 119, 99, 1, 24, and 24 per fish infected, respectively. From the above results, it has been confirmed that P. summa metacercariae are heavily infected in mullets from coastal areas of Korea. It is suggested that residents who frequently consume raw mullet dish can be easily infected with heterophyid flukes.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.511-517
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• 2013

Species identification using DNA sequences is the basis for DNA taxonomy. In this study, we sequenced the ribosomal large-subunit RNA gene sequences (3,037-3,061 bp) in length of 13 Chinese Theileria stocks that were infective to cattle and sheep. The complete 28S rRNA gene is relatively difficult to amplify and its conserved region is not important for phylogenetic study. Therefore, we selected the D2-D3 region from the complete 28S rRNA sequences for phylogenetic analysis. Our analyses of 28S rRNA gene sequences showed that the 28S rRNA was useful as a phylogenetic marker for analyzing the relationships among Theileria spp. in ruminants. In addition, the D2-D3 region was a short segment that could be used instead of the whole 28S rRNA sequence during the phylogenetic analysis of Theileria, and it may be an ideal DNA barcode.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.326-329
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• 2015

This study was carried out to anti-diabetic efficacy of alcoholic extracts in Ganoderma species and Phellinus Baumi. Ganoderma species and Phellinus Baumi. showed inhibitory activity of PTP1B, which acts as negative regulator of diabetes. The ${\alpha}-amylase$ is an important enzyme in the digestion of carbohydrates in the saliva and pancreatic. If inhibition of the enzyme Delaying the digestion rate of the carbohydrate can be reduced postprandial rise in blood glucose levels. The results of the tests the active level that showed a similar inhibition ${\alpha}-amylase$ inhibitory activity and a positive control. Phellinus Baumi. showed the inhibitory activity to 89%, Acarbose as positive control. ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ is an essential enzyme in the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates that break down carbohydrates into simple sugars polysaccharides. The results of the tests the active level that showed a low inhibitory activity. It is thought to be able to complement the shortcomings of conventional anti-diabetic drugs.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.305-309
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• 2015

In order to isolate compost-promoting bacteria with high activity of cellulase and xylanase, spent mushroom substrates with sawdust were collected from mushroom cultivation farm, Jinju, Gyeongnam in Korea. Among of the isolates, one strain, designated CA105 was selected by agar diffusion method. The strain CA105 was identified as members of the Bacillus subtilis by biochemical characteristics using VITEK 2 system. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that isolate CA105 formed a distinct phylogenetic tree within the genus Bacillus and was most closely related to Bacillus subtilis with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.9%. On the basis of its physiological properties, biochemical characteristics and phylogenetic distinctiveness, isolate CA105 was classified within the genus Bacillus subtilis, for which the name Bacillus subtilis CA105 is proposed. The cellulase and xylanase activity of B. subtilis CA105 was slightly increased according to bacterial population from exponential phase to stationary phase in growth curve for Bacillus sp. CA105.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.1 s.68
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• pp.55-60
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• 2005

The murine dopamine receptor regulating factor (DRRF) gene is transcribed from a TATA-less promoter that has several putative Sp1 binding sites. The present investigation identifies functional transcription factors that modulate the expression of this gene, In the $D_2-expressing$ NB41A3 cells, Spl potently activates transcription from the DRRF promoter in pCAT-DRRF-1153/+17, but DRRF effectively inhibits it. Deletion of the 31 bp fragment between -1153 and -1122 decreased transcription down to about $60\%$. This fragment contains a functional API binding site. In addition, deletion of the 129 bp region between -901 and -772 further decreased transcription. The latter region has a functional AP2 binding site. Using a DRRF_AP1 (bases -1153 to -1121) probe, a specific retarded band was observed, and the unlabeled AP1 consensus competitor could effectively compete away this retarded band. In addition, using a DRRF_AP2 (bases -873 to -846), a specific retarded band was observed, and the unlabeled AP2 consensus competitor could effectively compete away this retarded band. The present observations suggest that Spl and DRRF regulate the DRRF promoter and that both API and AP2 also modulate this gene.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1319-1323
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• 2015

Aquaculture continues to be an ever-growing sector. However, high-density farming increases disease outbreaks due to deteriorating water quality and internal stress. To prevent disease, the most common method chemotherapy is using antibiotic administration. In this study, probiotic bacteria were isolated from Korean traditional foods, such a Gochu pickle and cutlassfish salted seafood. Various bacteria were isolated, and their 16S rDNA sequences were analyzed. The antimicrobial activities of four isolates from Gochu pickle and seven isolates from cutlassfish salted seafood were assayed, in addition to the antibacterial activity of culture pellet and supernatant. The antibacterial activity of the pellet was higher than that of the supernatant. Isolate JKM-2 showed the highest antibacterial activity against Streptococcus iniae (43 mm), S. parauberis (40 mm), S. mutans (35 mm), and Vibrio vuinificus (26.5 mm). The sequences of the isolated strains were compared with those of Bacillus subtilis (97.71%), B. tequilensis (97.71%), Brevibacterium halotolerans (97.71%), B. subtilis (97.63%), B. subtilis (97.63%), B. mojavensis (97.54%), B. vallismortis (97.46%), B. nanillea (97.45%), B. methylotrophicus (97.37%), and B. ssiamensis (97.37%). Future through analysis and new strains confirmed the bacterial cell material investigation of JKM-3, and to ensure sufficient stability, it is desired to verify the utility value as a substitute material for antibiotics by application to the form of the industry.