• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.57-59
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• 2008

While searching for pancreatic lipase inhibitors, the active compound was found in a methanol extract of Apis mellifera venome. The active compound was isolated by Diaion HP-20 column chromatography, thin layer chromatography and HPLC. The active compound is stable to the extreme pH and heat. There is no loss of activity both in acidic and alkaline solution in the pH range of 2 to 11 by heating for 15 minutes at $90^{\circ}C$. The rf value of the compound was 0.51 at TLC with butanol : methanol: water (4:1:2) solvent system. The molecular weight of the compound was determined to be 293 by EI-MS.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2017

The venome of Phoneutria nigriventer spider has been shown to have side effects including severe painful erections that last for hours. PnTx2-6, a toxin from P. nigriventer spider venom, modulates voltage gated $Na^+$ channels and activation of nitric oxide (NO) production. NO is essential for the regulation of blood flow and pressure. Therefore, PnTx2-6 is expected to be effective not only for erectile dysfunction but also for cardiovascular diseases. A previously has reported cDNA clone for PnTx2-6 toxin, which was expressed in E. coli cytoplasm. We created the same clone and expressed it in a bacterial expression system. PnTx2-6 increased the genes expression of superoxide dismutase 1, glutathione peroxidase 1, and sulfiredoxin 1. We hypothesized that recombinant PnTx2-6 may indirectly regulate blood flow and pressure, resulting in NO production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). These data suggest differential regulation of the vascular ageing process, which may contribute to the anatomic heterogeneity of atherosclerosis. The results of this study may be used for the emergency treatment of sudden cardiovascular disease caused by ageing.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2015

Melittin is the main component of Bee Venom and has antibacterial activity against several bacteria. To produce the melittin antimicrobial peptide, we constructed transgenic silkworm that expressed melittin gene under the control BmA3 promoter using piggyBac vector. The use of the 3xP3-driven EGFP cDNA as a marker allowed us to rapidly distinguish transgenic silkworm. Mixtures of the donor vector and helper vector were micro-injected into 300 eggs of bivoltin silkworms, Baegokjam. In total, 131 larvae (G0) were hatched and allowed to develop into moths. The resulting G1 generation consisted of 36 broods, and we selected 4 broods containing at least 1 EGFP-positive embryo. The rate of successful transgenesis for the G1 broods was 11%. We identified 12 EGFP-positive G1 moths and these were backcrossed with wild-type moths. With the aim of identifying a melittin as antimicrobial peptide, we investigated the Radical diffusion Assay (RDA) and then demonstrated that melittin possesses high antibacterial activities against gramnegative bacteria.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.58-77
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• 1998

Four species(25%) of Viperidae(Agkistrodon brevicaudus, Agkistrodon ussuriensis, Agkistrodon saxatilis) and Cloubridae(Rhabdophis tigrenus tigrenus) were Korean poisonous snake. Copulation season of these species was from July to August. Reproduction mode of genus Agkistrodon species was ovoviviparous but Rhabdophis tigrinus tigrinus was the other pattern of oviparous. Optimal movement temperature range was from 20$\circ $C to 29$\circ $C(March~September). Wjen atmosphere temperature was below 10$\circ $C, at that time they hibernate at the ground, rock bottom, stone wall and embankment around the end of a field. The venom of these snakes consist mainly Hematoxin, Cytolysin, Neurotoxin and Cardiotoxin of poisonous liquids. These material injection to animal cause systemic syndrome such as Dizziness(25.7%), Vomitting(23.1%), Fever(22%), Visual trouble(18%), Headace(17.7%), Dyspnoea(17.6%) and bring about other local syndrome such as Discoloration(54.2%), Bleeding(20.2%), Bullae(10.7%) and Skin ulcer(!0.8%). The annual distribution was appeared to decrease 1972 after 1992 and average snakebiting patients was 25.6 per year, but practically total estimated snakebiting was 2,700 per year. The seasonal distribution was most frequent in August(25%), and mortality was 1.8%(26 per 1,430). The sex ratio was 2:1 and according to age distribution, it was most prevalent at one's fifties(19%). The most frequent place where the accident happened was the field(48.2%) and most predilection site of the body for victim were hand(47.8%) and foot(39.5%), Commonly bite snake were Agkistrodon ussuriensis(27.1%), Agkistrodon brevicaudus(22.6%) and Agkistrodon saxatilis(9.6%) but 40.7% of species could not be identified. Treatment of antivenin patient was 75.9% (1,068/1,407).