• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.256-261
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• 2011

PEP-1 peptide has been used for transduction of native protein into mammalian cells. This work describes the findings that the fusion of PEP-1 to target proteins led to protein truncation likely in a non-protein-specific manner. Approximately 75% of PEP-1-MsrA fusion protein was truncated in the N-terminal region of MsrA between Lys-27 and Val-28 during expression in Escherichia coli and purification. This large protein truncation was also observed in another PEP-1 fused protein, PEP-1-MsrB2, in the N-terminal region of MsrB2. The full-length PEP-1-MsrA protein was rapidly transduced into keratinocyte cells within 15 min. The transduced PEP-1-MsrA was functionally active and could protect skin cells against oxidative stress- and ultraviolet radiation-induced cell death. Collectively, our data demonstrated the protective roles of MsrA in skin cells and, moreover, may raise a concern of protein truncation caused by fusion of PEP-1 about the general use of this peptide for protein transduction.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.130-133
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• 2009

The crude extract of the mycelium of Cladosporium was found to exhibit antimicrobial activity against the Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, and multidrug-resistant S. aureus. Bioassayguided fractionation of an organic extract led to the isolation of an acetophenone derivative, clavatol (2',4'-dihydroxy-3',5'-dimethylacetophenone) (1), and a benzodiazepine alkaloid, circumdatin A (2). Compound 1 showed moderate antibacterial activity against S. aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, and multidrug-resistant S. aureus with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 62.5, 62.5, 31.0 $\mu$g/mL, respectively, but compound 2 was inactive. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited UV-A protection activity with ED$_{50}$ values of 227.0 and 82.0 $\mu$M, respectively, indicating that they were more potent than the positive control, oxybenzone (ED$_{50}$ 350 $\mu$M), a common sunscreen agent.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.98-103
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• 2021

The demand for natural substances with anti-melanogenic activity is increasing due to the recent interest in skin whitening. Intensive investigation on the culture broth of Streptomyces sp. SCO-736, a marine bacterium from the Antarctica coast, has led to the isolation of a new natural product named antaroide (1). The chemical structure was established through the interpretation of MS, UV, and NMR spectroscopic data. Antaroide is a nine-membered macrolide with lactone and lactam moieties. To investigate its applicability in skin whitening cosmetics, its anti-melanogenic activity in B16F10 murine melanoma cells was examined. As a result, antaroide displayed strong inhibitory activities against melanin synthesis and also attenuated the dendrite formation induced by the α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH). Antaroide suppressed the mRNA expression of the melanogenic enzymes such as tyrosinase, TRP-1 and TRP-2. This suggests that it may serve as a transcriptional regulator of melanogenesis. Collectively, the discovery of this novel natural nine-membered macrolide and its anti-melanogenic activity could give new insights for the development of skin whitening agents.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2023

The study aimed to enhance the properties of polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable and biocompatible substitute for fossil-based plastics. Since the applicability of PLA has been limited because of its toughness and brittleness, microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) and propolis were introduced into PLA. As a result, the PLA film with MFC/propolis showed significant improvements in mechanical strength, elongation, and storage modulus, while also experiencing a decrease in the glass transition temperature. Additionally, the presence of polyphenols in propolis led to a reduction in light transmittance in the UV wavelength range. These enhancements are attributed to MFC tightly bonding with PLA polymers, and propolis acting as a plasticizer and mediator between MFC and PLA, preventing agglomeration. These reinforced PLA films have the potential to be used in flexible packaging for light-sensitive products.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.492-498
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• 2024

Bioassay and HPLC-UV guided fractionations of the crude extract of marine-derived Streptomyces sp. SNA-077 have led to the isolation of a red pigment, undecylprodigiosin (1). The chemical structure of undecylprodigiosin (1) was revealed by the interpretation of NMR and mass spectroscopic (MS) data. Further, anti-melanogenic effects of undecylprodigiosin (1) were investigated. First, the melanin contents of undecylprodigiosin (1)-treated B16 cells were evaluated. Furthermore, undecylprodigiosin (1) significantly inhibited the key enzymes involved in melanogenesis, including tyrosinase, tyrosinase related protein-1 (TYRP-1), and dopachrome tautomerase (DCT). The mRNA and protein expression levels of Microphthalmia-associated transcriptian factor (MiTF), a critical transcription factor for tyrosinase gene expression, were also suppressed by undecylprodigiosin (1) treatment in B16 analyses. Collectively, our results suggest for the first time that undecylprodigiosin (1), a potent component isolated from an extract of marine Streptomyces sp. SNA-077, critically exerts the anti-melanogenic ability for melanin synthesis.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.81-88
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• 2008

There are increasing public concerns that the disposal of most synthetic carbon-based plastics is a great threat to the environment. These have led to intensive research and development of degradable plastics, such as biodegradable plastics, photodegradable plastics, and multi-degradable plastics. Although these degradable plastics may not completely replace common synthetic plastics, these minimize environmental impacts caused by non degradable plastics. Photodegradable plastics are synthetic polymers into which have been incorporated copolymers or light-sensitive additives to weaken the structural bonds in polymer chains when exposed to UV radiation. A better understanding of photodegradable plastics, which also play an important role in the degradation of multi-degradable plastics, will expand the usage of degradable plastics. The aim of present article is to review the formation, degradation mechanism and properties of photodegradable plastics.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.1035-1038
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• 2009

Phytochemical investigation of the methanolic extract of Diospyros kaki leaves led to the isolation of osmanthuside H (1) and a new phenol glycoside, named gamnamoside [4-(3-hydroxypropyl)-2-methoxyphenol $\beta$-D-apiofuranosyl( 1 $\rightarrow$ 6)$\beta$-D-glucopyranoside] (2) along with (-) catechin (3) through a series of reversed phase column chromatography and preparative C18 HPLC. The structures of the isolates were determined by spectroscopic methods including IR, UV, HRTOFMS, and 2D NMR. Compounds 1, 2, and 3, showed good inhibitory activities ($IC_{50}$) of 175.4, 94.4, and 126.6 ${\mu}g/mL$ respectively, whereas a reversible ADH inhibitor, 4-methylpyrazole, showed the $IC_{50}$ of 326.6 ${\mu}g/mL$ against alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH).

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.445-449
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• 2015

This study was directed to finding an optimum extraction condition of genistein from the S. flavescens with supercritical carbon dioxide as a solvent. In this effort, effects of the extraction conditions including pressure, temperature and a co-solvent on the extraction efficiency were investigated. The aqueous ethanol and methanol solutions were used as co-solvents while the tested operating pressure and temperature ranges were from 200 bar to 300 bar and from 308.15 K to 323.15 K, respectively. The concentration of genistein was determined by means of HPLC equipped with a UV detector. From the results, it was observed that an increase in pressure led to the higher extraction efficiency. Further, methanol showed better performance as a co-slovent than ethanol. The DPPH radical scavenging activities were measured to compare antioxidant activities of S. flavescens extracts.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1629-1635
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• 2019

Azo dyes are recalcitrant pollutants, which are toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic, that constitute a significant burden to the environment. The decolorization and the mineralization efficiency of Remazol Brillant Orange 3R (RBO 3R) was studied using a probiotic consortium (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus plantarum). Biodegradation of RBO 3R (750 ppm) was investigated under shaking condition in Mineral Salt Medium (MSM) solution at pH 11.5 and temperature $25^{\circ}C$. The bio-decolorization process was further confirmed by FTIR and UV-Vis analysis. Under optimal conditions, the bacterial consortium was able to decolorize the dye completely (>99%) within 12 h. The color removal was 99.37% at 750 ppm. Muliplex PCR technique was used to detect the Lactobacillus genes. Using phytotoxicity, cytotoxicity, mutagenicity and biototoxicity endpoints, toxicological studies of RBO 3R before and after biodegradation were examined. A toxicity assay signaled that biodegradation led to detoxification of RBO 3R dye.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.51-56
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• 2022

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic increased awareness regarding the importance of hand hygiene in infection prevention. Although social distancing and vaccination are the strongest ways to prevent infection, personal hand hygiene is the most basic and easiest way to maintain public health. However, in addition to hand washing using running water, sanitizing tissues, and disinfection products are convenient for hand hygiene, especially outdoors. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the appropriateness of individual hand hygiene methods. In this study, we investigated the degree of hand hygiene offered by various hygiene products and hand drying methods for maintaining hand hygiene. Methods: An LED UV light kit was used for fluorescent observation of hand contamination. Bacteria from the hands were cultured to compare the degree of hand hygiene offered by various hygiene products. Bacteria were cultured in a hand-shaped medium dish to identify areas vulnerable to hand hygiene. Moreover, the degree of hand hygiene was observed according to the drying method using bacterial cultures. Results: We confirmed that hand washing under running water with antibacterial soap, sanitizing with alcohol gel disinfectant, and wiping with antibacterial wet wipes was effective for hand hygiene compared to washing under running water alone. However, for all hygiene products, a large number of bacteria were detected on the fingertips. We verified that natural drying, rather than rubbing, is effective in maintaining hand hygiene. Conclusion: These results suggest that hand hygiene products and drying methods are critical in hand hygiene management. Therefore, these results provide a basis for determining whether an individual's hand hygiene management method is appropriate.