• Journal of Marine Life Science
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2018

Myosin is considered as the vital motor protein in vertebrates and invertebrates. Our present study was conducted to decipher the occurrence of myosin in dog fish (Squalus mitsukurii). We isolated one clone containing 979 bp cDNA sequence, which consisted of a complete coding sequence of 453 bp and a deduced amino acid sequence of 150 amino acids from the open reading frame with molecular weight, isoelectric point and aliphatic index are 16.72 Kda, 4.49 and 78.00, respectively. It contained 428 bp long 3' UTR with single potential polyadenylation signals (AATAAA). The predicted EF CA²⁺ binding domains were identified in residue 6-41, 83-118 and 133-150. A BLAST search indicates this protein exhibits a strong similarity to whale shark (Rhincodon typus) MLC3 (91% identical) and also house mouse (Mus musculus) MLC isoform 3f (81% identical). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that this protein is a MLC 3 isoform like protein. This protein also demonstrates highly conserved region with other myosin proteins. Homology modeling of S. mitsukuri was performed using crystal structure of Gallus gallus skeletal muscle myosin II based on high similarity. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative PCR results exhibits dogfish myosin protein is highly expressed in muscle tissue.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.105-113
• /
• 2010

Ixeris dentata var. albiflora Nakai, a herbal plant, is often used to make a strong stomach as an antiphlogistic used when dyspepsia and to improve appetite in Korea and China. And also it is used for adult diseases such as diabetes and liver diseases as Korean traditional medicine. In this study, the composition and DPPH radical scavenging activities of the root of Ixeris dentata var. albiflora Nakai and its effects on cell viability on vero and chang cells were investigated. Moisture, crude ash, crude protein and crude lipid were 79.14, 2.49, 8.28 and 2.56 g/100 g respectively. The highest mineral content was K. The major free sugars were glucose, fructose and sucrose. Major fatty acid are linoleic acid, palmic acid and linolenic acid. Major amino acids were glutamic acid, arginine and aspartic acid and the total contents of amino acids were 28.12 mg/g. The methanol extracts were further fractionated with n-hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate, butanol and water to get an active fraction. In addition, cell viabilities in each fraction were determined. Methanol extract, butanol, and aqueous fraction showed strong survival rates in vero cell and chang cell viability test, and hexane, chloroform, and ethylacetate fraction were examined for toxin in a cell. The root of Ixeris dentata var. albiflora Nakai had scavenging activities against DPPH radicals in a dose-dependent assay. Ethylacetate fraction's SC50 was $6.8\{\mu}g/mL$, very strong DPPH radical scavenging activities, but water fraction did not show any activity.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.187-208
• /
• 2000

By the activation of ovary hormone, many morphological changes occur in the epithelial cell lines and muscle cells in rat uterus. These two cells in uterus are important to the implantation of embryo, maintaining pregnancy and starting parturition. One important change associated with the morphological change of these two cells in uterus is the change on prostaglandin(PG) metabolism. Its presence and synthesis in endometriurn and myometrium in uterus affects estrous cycle and the start of embryo implantation in uterus. It also performs as an important modulator in parturition. So the abnormally weak expression of PG causes difficulty during labor and over-expression causes pre-term labor. PG biosynthesis starts from either free or liberated arachidonic acids from membrane phospholipid by phospholipase. Such arachidonic acids are converted into PG catalyzed by Cyclooxygenase. Under normal physiological condition, Cyclooxygenase-1(COX-1) having 602 units of amino acids controls the synthesis of PG. It acts as a local hormone regulating vasomodulation of blood flow, flexible muscle movement, increasing the blood permeability and contributing the protective role in preserving integrity of the stomach lining and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is induced by the inflammation, pregnancy and increased its expression until parturition. Lipid metabolite like PG is located in uterine and expression of COX-2 increased with pregnancy. Increased expression of COX proteins in epithelial cells and myometrial cells are told to increase the muscle contractility in uterus but decreased right after the labor in rat. It is a good sign indicating that COX proteins are deeply related to the start of labor. Currently, Several studies report the use of PG and COX-2 inhibitor as medication for controlled abortion or to prevent pre-term labor but they entail various side-effects. Our study proposed to suggest use of acupuncture as an another mediator to control abortion or pre-term labor without causing unnecessary side-effects by those medicines. Two acupuncture sites, LI-4 & SP-6 were selected due to their known efficacy. From the immunohistochemical staining of COX-2, normal expression of COX-2 protein in nonpregnant SD rat's uterus revealed that COX-2 protein was primarily detected in the lumina epithelial lining and in the epithelial cell lining contacting the stromal cells. High resolution optical microscopic scanning revealed distinguishable staining in the myometrial mucosa. LI-4 acupuncture administered nonpregnant rat's uterus showed strong expression for COX-2 in endometrium contacted with lumina epithelial lining of rat uterus and in myometrial mucosa. Stromal cells showed more staining than untreated nonpregnant rat's uterus and stronger staining in stromal cells contacting myometrial layer compared to untreated nonpregnant rat's uterus. SP-6 acupuncture administered nonpregnant rat's uterus showed weak expression for COX-2 in myometrial layers and stromal cells but no staining was visible in lumina epitheliai and glandular epithelial cells. Few stromal cells and myometrial mucosa were positively stained for COX-2. Pregnant SD rat's uterus was also immunostained for COX-2 expression after 18 days of pregnancy. Unlike to untreated nonpregnant rat's uterus, luminal epithelial cells were not positively stained for COX-2 but stronger staining for COX-2 was revealed in stromal cells. LI-4 acupunctured SD rat's uterus had very strong expression of COX-2 in luminal epithelial lining. Few stromal cells showed stronger positive COX-2 staining and myometrial layers also showed more expression than untreated pregnant rat. SP-6 acupuncture administered pregnant SD rat's uterus showed positive expression of COX-2 in epithelial cells of luminal mucosa layer but weaker than that of LI-4 acupuncture treatment's case. However, strong positive staining was revealed in stromal mucosa and myometrial layers. Virgin SD rat's uterus motility index during LI-4 acupuncture was 66.52 % (Prob〉T = 0.0197) compared to its motility before the acupuncture treatment but the motility index was slighdy elevated up to 79.58 % (Prob〉T = 0.1175) after the acupuncture. During the SP-6 acupuncture treatment for 30 minutes, uterus motility index was 90.52 % (Prob〉T = 0.1832) showing lesser decrement but consequently reached similar motility index decreasal to 79.95 % (Prob〉T = 0.0215) after the acupuncture treatment as LI-4 showed. LI-4 acupuncture tend to be a quick treatment to reducing the uterus motility in a virgin rat but eventually both two acupuncture administration created very similar reduction of uterus motility seeing the index after the both acupunctures. The uterus movement monitored during the LI-4 acupuncture administered for 30 minutes, Pregnant SD rat showed decreased motility down to 77.90 % (Prob〉 T = 0.0076) compared to uterus motility before the acupuncture and it continuously decreased down to 71.81 %(Prob〉T = 0.0214) after the removal of needle. The statistical analysis using paired t-test showed significance difference for both two motility indexs at =0.05. SP-6 acupuncture administered to pregnant SD rat also had similar pattern of decreasing uterus motility index down to 74.70 % (Prob〉T = 0.1730) during the initial 30 minutes acupuncture administration and it was continuously lowered to 71.52 % (Prob〉T = 0.0155) after the acupuncture. The paired t-test resuit for SP-6 suggest prompt response of uterus motility index to the SP-6 acupuncture treatment but consequently reached same level of inducing the motility reduction as LI-4 at =0.05 level.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.242-256
• /
• 1997

The physico-chemical properties and possible biological functionalities of commercially available persimmon vinegars were studied by measuring the specific gravity, turbidity, color, pH, total acidity, reducing sugars, alcohols, total nitrogen content, composition of organic acids and amino acids, soluble pectin, soluble tannin, ascorbic acid, acetoinic compounds, electron donating ability and nitrite scavenging ability. Persimmon vinegars had low specific gravity(1.005-1.0200) and lightness(40.03-54.95), but high turbidity (0.12-1.311, absorptivity at 660 nm), redness(1.65--0.64) and yellowness(4.54-8.14) compared to the other fruit vinegars reported. These physical property values of the individiual product differed greatly. The tested persimmon vinegars contained relatively large amount of reducing sugars(0.45-0.84%, w/v), alcohol(0.16-3.18%, w/v) and total nitrogen(30-60mg%, w/v). The pH values (average 3.70) of products were relatively high and the total acidities(average 3.04%, w/v) of the tested persimmon vinegars were lower than that($TA{\geq}4.0%$) specified by the Korean standard for fruit vinegar. The major organic acids identified in the tested products were acetic acid(17.6-72.9%) and lactic acid(25.1-74.1%). The acetic acid contents in the 5 products out of the 7 tested persimmon vinegars were lower than lactic acid content. The level of free amino acids of the persimmon vinegars were relatively high in arginine, methionine and threonine. Persimmon vinegars contained relatively large amount of soluble pectin(91.8-232.8mg%, w/v), soluble tannin(49.0-161.7mg%, w/v) and ascorbic acid(12.8-29.6mg%, w/v). The persimmon vinegars were high in 2,3-butanediol (average 166.90ppm) and acetoin(average 111.43ppm). The persimmon vinegars showed strong electron donating ability and nitrite scavenging ability.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.56-62
• /
• 2008

Two hundred and sixty-eight bacterial strains were isolated from pine mushroom (Tricholoma matsutake) basal soil. In the course of screening for antifungal activity against seven plant pathogenic fungi (Alternaria panax, Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum gloeosprioides, Fusarium oxysporum, Phytopthora capsici, Pythium ultimum, Rizoctonia solani) of isolates, strain KM1-15 showed strong antibiotic activity against Alternaria panax and Colletotrichum gloeosprioides. In determining its relationship on the basis of 16S rDNA sequence, KM1-15 strain was most closely related to Bacillus $koguryoae^T$ (AY904033) (99.62%). When assayed with the API 50CHE Kit, unlike Bacillus koguryoae, it is positive for utilization of L-arabinose, cellobiose, inulin, and D-turanose. Results of cellular fatty acid analysis showed that major cellular fatty acids were 15:0 anteiso (35.78%) and 17:0 anteiso (17.97%). In particular, hydroxyl fatty acids such as 13:0 iso 3-OH, 14:0 iso 3-OH, 15:0 iso 3-OH, and 17:0 iso 3-OH were only restricted to strain KM1-15. DNA G+C content was 43.7 mol% and quinone system was MK-7 (100%) in strain KM1-15.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.55 no.3
• /
• pp.239-244
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was to identify mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) cultivars with appropriate characteristics for labor saving culture (whole crop feeding and combine harvesting), and to investigate seed quality in the southern South Korea. Cultivar Dahyeon exhibited strong lodging resistance, excellent disease tolerance, and greater pod numbers per plant resulting in higher yield. Cultivar Owool and Keumseong, the two most common mungbean cultivars in Korea, exhibited lower yield than Dahyeon due to weaker disease tolerance or lower pod numbers per plant. Cultivar Samgang demonstrated higher seed starch content, Jangan, Nampyeong, and Keumseong exhibited higher crude protein content, and Sohyeon exhibited higher vitexin and isovitexin contents. However, no statistical differences were found among the cultivars in crude fat content. Unsaturated fatty acid ranged from 51.8 to 57.2%, with saturated fatty acid ranging from 36.2 to 40.3%. We detected five unsaturated fatty acids including linoleic acid (36.1 to 38.6%), linolenic acid (10.3 to 14.7%), and oleic acid (2.7 to 4.6%), and seven saturated fatty acids including palmitic acid (28.7 to 30.9%), stearic acid (2.9 to 4.1%), and arachidic acid (1.5 to 3.7%). There were significant differences between the cultivars in amylogram properties of seeds: the Nampyeong cultivar exhibited a lower gelatinization temperature; Dahyeon was higher in peak viscosity and breakdown; and Sohyeon, Nampyeong, and Dahyeon were lower in setback.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.143-156
• /
• 2013

Due to the high incidence of cancer and cancer-related mortality in Korea, there is increased concern and psychological anxiety about this disease, leading to increasing numbers of cancer studies. Despite these, the trend of the cancer incidence rate has shown a significant increase. The detection of colorectal cancer, which has a high incidence rate, often tends to be delayed, causing a high mortality rate. Therefore, the prevention of colorectal cancer has become an important emergent issue. The cause of this cancer has not been confirmed. However, it may be attributable to westernized dietary patterns, which include consuming a high quantity of red meat. Consumption of dietary fiber promotes the production of butyrate short-chain fatty acids by enteric bacteria. In the treatment of cancer, anticancer medications have been shown to lead to the apoptosis of tumor cells, and a strong relationship between apoptosis mechanisms of tumor cells and cancer treatment has been confirmed. The results of many studies have confirmed that butyrate can directly promote the apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells. Therefore, increased consumption of dietary fiber, which promotes the production of butyrate shortchain fatty acids, can be expected to have an effect on the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.91-95
• /
• 2009

To examine physico-chemical properties of the polysaccharide extracted from liquid-cultured mycelia of Schizophyllum commune, each the polysaccharide was extracted with hot water treatment and then fractionated with ethanol, alkaline solution and ultrafiltration. And we determined carbohydrate contents, composition of amino acids, infra-red spectrum and viscosity. Carbohydrate contents of polysaccharide treated with ethanol and ultrafiltration were 72.0% and 62.3%, and proteins content were 15.3% and 32.0% respectively. The carbohydrate consisted of four monosaccharides and the protein contained 16 amino acids. The polysaccharide obtained from ultrafiltration was shown an absorption band characteristic of the ${\beta}$-glycosidic linkage by infra red spectra. These results suggest that the polysaccharide extracted from Schizophyllum commune showed the characteristics of proteinbounded polysaccharide, and it was ${\beta}$-glycosidic linkage with strong viscosity.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.264-270
• /
• 2001

In order to improve the quality of traditional kochujang, condiments like garlic and onion were added to kochujang and their effect on microbial characteristics, enzyme activities and taste components were investigated during fermentation. Viable cells of yeasts in the kochujang decreased with the increasing ratio of garlic. However, aerobic and anaerobic bacterial counts did not show any remarkable differences in the garlic or onion added kochujang, they decreased slowly after $6{\sim}10$ weeks of fermentation. The activity of liquefying amylase in kochujang decreased slowly during $2{\sim}10$ weeks of fermentation, but that of saccharifying amylase increased remarkably at $14{\sim}18$ weeks. Amylase activities increased at the late period of fermentation in garlic or onion added kochujang. Protease activities of kochujang were strong in the middle of fermentation, but they decreased by addition of garlic or onion. The major free sugars in kochujang were glucose and fructose, and their contents increased as the ratio of garlic increased. The major organic acids in kochujang were succinic, malic and oxalic acid, and they also decreased by addition of garlic and onion. The contents of total free amino acids and amino nitrogen were the highest in 2% garlic added kochujang. The major free amino acid were glutamic acid, aspartic acid, proline, alanine, leucine, isoleucine and arginine. Serine, glutamic acid, lysine and arginine contents in increased by adding garlic or onion.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.50 no.2
• /
• pp.238-243
• /
• 2012

Laminaria roots have not been practically used in Korea. In this study, the extraction process of carbohydrates and minerals from Laminaria roots was investigated and the properties of extracted components were measured. Hydrochloric acid generally used in carbohydrate extraction from seaweeds in order to obtain high extraction yield. But in this work, to utilize extracted components as a functional food material, organic acids such as citric acid were used. Organic acid as extraction solvent has low extraction yield compared to strong acids. Therefore optimum condition for maximum yield was investigated in carbohydrate extraction from Laminaria roots using organic acid. We measured the extraction yields of carbohydrate with variation of extraction temperature, extraction time, concentration of organic acid and particle size of samples. The extraction yield increased as the particle size decreased and temperature became high. The extraction yield was 19.0 wt% after 4.0 hours extraction with 0.2 wt% citric acid at $100^{\circ}C$. Potassium concentration was high compared other minerals in extraction solution, that is, the ratio of K/Na was about 3.0. Fucoidan from Laminaria roots had same carbohydrate composition and lower molecular weight compared that of Undaria pinnatifida.