• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제23권11호
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• pp.1536-1543
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• 2013

Proteases produced by Xenorhabdus are known to play a significant role in virulence leading to insect mortality. The present study was undertaken to purify and characterize protease from Xenorhabdus indica, an endosymbiont of nematode Steinernema thermophilum, and to decipher its role in insect mortality and its efficacy to control Helicoverpa armigera. A set of 10 strains of Xenorhabdus isolated from different regions of India were screened for protease activity on the basis of zone of clearing on gelatin agar plates. One potent strain of Xenorhabdus indica was selected for the production of protease, and the highest production (1,552 U/ml) was observed at 15-18 h of incubation at $28^{\circ}C$ in soya casein digest broth. The extracellular protease was purified from culture supernatant using ammonium sulfate precipitation and ion-exchange chromatography. The enzyme was further characterized by SDS-PAGE and zymography, which confirmed the purity of the protein and its molecular mass was found to be ~52 kDa. Further MALDI-TOF/TOF analysis and effect of metal chelating agent 1,10-phenanthrolin study revealed the nature of the purified protease as a secreted alkaline metalloprotease. The bioefficacy of the purified protease was also tested against cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) and resulted in $67.9{\pm}0.64%$ mortality within one week. This purified protease has the potential to be developed as a natural insecticidal agent against a broad range of agriculturally important insects.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• 제7권3호
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• pp.144-150
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• 2004

We have investigated the effect of calcium spirulan(Ca-SP) isolated from a blue-green alga Spirulina platensis, which is a sulfated polysaccharide chelating calcium and mainly composed of rhamnose and fructose, on invasion of both B16- BL6 melanoma cells, Colon 26 carcinoma and HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells through reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel). Ca-SP significantly inhibited the invasion of these tumor cells through Matrigel/fibronectin-coated filters in a concentration-dependent manner. Ca-SP also inhibited the haptotactic migration of tumor cells to laminin, but it had no inhibitory effect on tumor cell migration to fibronectin-coated filters. Ca-SP prevented the adhesion of B16-BL6 cells to Matrigel- and laminin-substrates but did not affect the adhesion to fibronectin. The pretreatment of tumor cells with Ca-SP inhibited the adhesion to laminin in a concentration-dependent fashion, while the pretreatment of laminin-substrates did not. Ca-SP had no effect on the production and activation of type IV collagenase in gelatin zymography. In contraset, Ca-SP significantly inhibited degradation of heparan sulfate by purified heparanase. The experimental lung metastasis was significantly reduced by co-injection of B16-BL6 cells with Ca-SP in a dose-dependent manner. Seven intermittent ⅰ.ⅴ. injection of 100$\mu\textrm{g}$ of Ca-SP caused a marked decrease of lung tumor colonization of B16-BL6 cells in a spontaneous lung metastasis model. These results suggest that Ca-SP, a novel sulfated polysaccharide, could reduce the lung colonization of B16-BL6 melanoma cells in experimental metastasis model, by inhibiting the tumor invasion of basement membrane Matrigel, probably through the prevention of the adhesion and migration of tumor cells to laminin-substrate and of the heparanase activity.

• 대한화장품학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한화장품학회 2003년도 IFSCC Conference Proceeding Book I
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• pp.387-412
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• 2003

Influence of gelatinase on basement membrane (BM) structure was investigated by using a skin equivalent (SE) model. The results showed that (1) gelatinase produced by cells degraded the BM and (2) the addition of matrix metalloproteinase-specific inhibitor to the SE medium accelerated the formation of BM structure, indicating that gelatinase is involved in BM impairment. The activity of gelatinase was also studied in healthy human facial skin tissues. The result of in situ zymography revealed gelatinase activity around the basal layer of the epidermis, where BM integrity was severely compromised. Therefore, this enzyme was suggested to be associated with BM decomposition in human facial skin. To assess the behavior of gelatinase in stratum corneum (SC) non-invasively, an immunological study was performed. Since positive immunostaining of pro-gelatinase B was observed in SC stripped from sun-exposed skin, whereas no positive staining detected in SC of non-irradiated skin, gelatinase in the epidermis could be non-invasively detected by measuring gelatinase in SC. Gelatinase in SC of healthy female volunteers was monitored using a special film that sensitively and conveniently detects gelatinase. Ninetr percent of SC from facial skin (l00 women, 40's-50's) was gelatinase-positive. On the other hand, SC from non-irradiated skin was negative. These results strongly suggest that (1) gelatinase is constantly produced in the facial epidermis of most middle-aged woman during their daily life, and (2) the enzyme might be involved in the aging-related degeneration of both BM and the matrix fibers of the upper layer of the dermis, acting as a very important aging factor. Strong inhibitory activity against gelatinase was found in turmeric extract and identified curcumin as the major ingredient. Topical application of cream containing turmeric extract significantly decreased the number of gelatinase-positive SC clusters in human facial skins. These results indicated that turmeric is an effective ingredient to prevent skin from photo aging by suppressing chlonically upregulated gelatinase activity by UV and to improve skin condition.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제33권6호
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• pp.636-642
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• 2007

Background: CpG DNA plays an important role in immune cell function. This study examined whether the temporal control of toll-like receptor (TLR)9 by CpG DNA can regulate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9). Methods and materials: Macrophages were cultured in the presence of 10% FBS. For the various MMP genes analysis, RT-PCR and real-time PCR were performed. In addition, zymography assay performed for the MMP activity. The phosphorylation assay did for the ERK1/2 and NF${\kappa}B$ activation, and luciferase promoter assay was for the NF${\kappa}B$ activity. Results: CpG DNA induced the mRNA expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP-13, but not of MMP-7, MMP-8, and MMP-12, in a time-dependent manner. Especially, the mRNA expression of MMP-9 was strongly induced by CpG DNA using real-time RT-PCR. The TLR9 inhibitor, chloroquine, suppressed CpG DNA-induced MMP-9 expression and its activity. Moreover, CpG DNA induced the phosphorylation of ERK and the inhibition of ERK by U0126 suppressed CpG DNA-induced MMP-9 expression and its activity. CpG DNA stimulated $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ degradation and luciferase activity. In addition, pretreatment of SN-50, the inhibitor of NF${\kappa}B$, strongly blocked the CpG DNA-induced MMP-9 expression and activity. Conclusion: These observations suggest that CpG DNA may play important roles in the activation of macrophages by regulating the production of MMP-9 via the sequential TLR9-ERK-NF${\kappa}B$ signaling pathway.

• BMB Reports
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• 제47권5호
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• pp.262-267
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• 2014

Bcl-2 interacting cell death suppressor (Bis) has been shown to have anti-apoptotic and anti-stress functions. Recently, increased Bis expression was reported to correlate with glioma aggressiveness. Here, we investigated the effect of Bis knockdown on the acquisition of the invasive phenotype of A172 glioma cells, induced by 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-3-acetate (TPA), using a Transwell assay. Bis knockdown resulted in a significant decrease in the migration and invasion of A172 cells. Furthermore, Bis knockdown notably decreased TPA-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity and mRNA expression, as measured by zymography and quantitative real time PCR, respectively. A luciferase reporter assay indicated that Bis suppression significantly down-regulated NF-${\kappa}B$-driven transcription. Finally, we demonstrated that the rapid phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ induced by TPA was remarkably delayed by Bis knockdown. These results suggest that Bis regulates the invasive ability of glioma cells elicited by TPA, by modulating NF-${\kappa}B$ activation, and subsequent induction of MMP-9 mRNA.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.163-170
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• 2016

We examined whether apigenin affects the gene expression, secretion and activity of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in primary cultured rabbit articular chondrocytes, as well as in vivo production of MMP-3 in the knee joint of rat to evaluate the potential chondroprotective effects of apigenin. Rabbit articular chondrocytes were cultured in a monolayer, and reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$)-induced expression of MMP-3, MMP-1, MMP-13, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-4 (ADAMTS-4), and ADAMTS-5. In rabbit articular chondrocytes, the effects of apigenin on IL-$1{\beta}$-induced secretion and proteolytic activity of MMP-3 were investigated using western blot analysis and casein zymography, respectively. The effect of apigenin on MMP-3 protein production was also examined in vivo. In rabbit articular chondrocytes, apigenin inhibited the gene expression of MMP-3, MMP-1, MMP-13, ADAMTS-4, and ADAMTS-5. Furthermore, apigenin inhibited the secretion and proteolytic activity of MMP-3 in vitro, and inhibited production of MMP-3 protein in vivo. These results suggest that apigenin can regulate the gene expression, secretion, and activity of MMP-3, by directly acting on articular chondrocytes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2004

In chronic airway inflammatory diseases such as asthma and chronic bronchitis, it has been suggested that matrix metalloproteinases secreted from infiltrating neutrophil contribute the pathogenesis of the disease and have been a focus of intense investigation. We report here that hamster tracheal surface epithelial goblet cells (HTSE cells) produce matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2). Matrix metalloproteinase activities were investigated using [$^3H$]collagen-digestion assay and gelatin zymography. The subtype of matrix metalloproteinases expressed from HTSE cells was MMP-2 (gelatinase A), which was determined by Western blot with various subtype selective anti-matrix metalloproteinase antibodies. The MMP-2 and TIMP-2 cDNAs from HTSE cells were partially cloned by RT-PCR and they reveal more than 90% of sequence homology with those from human, rat and mouse. The collagenolytic activity was increased with the secretory differentiation of the HTSE cell and it was found that zymogen activation was responsible for the increased MMP-2 activity in HTSE cells. The results from the present study suggest that the metaplastic secretory differentiation of airway goblet cells may affect chronic airway inflammatory process by augmenting the zymogen activation of MMP-2.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.785-791
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• 2014

Crude extracts or phytochemicals obtained from some plants have potential anti-cancer properties. Teucrium persicum is an Iranian endemic plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family which has traditionally been used to relieve abdominal pains. However, the anti-cancer properties of this species of the Teucrium genus have not been investigated previously. In this study, we have used a highly invasive prostate cancer cell line, PC-3, which is an appropriate cell system to study anti-tumor properties of plants. A methanolic extract obtained from T persicum potently inhibited viability of PC-3 cells. The viability of SW480 colon and T47D breast cancer cells was also significantly decreased in the presence of the T persicum extract. Flow cytometry suggested that the reduction of cell viability was due to induction of apoptosis. In addition, the results of wound healing and gelatin zymography experiments supported anti-cell invasion activity of T persicum. Interestingly, sublethal concentrations of T persicum extract induced an epithelial-like morphology in a subpopulation of cells with an increase in E-Cadherin and ${\beta}$-Catenin protein levels at the cell membrane. These results strongly suggest that T persicum is a plant with very potent anti-tumor activity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.72-79
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• 2005

A new Bacillus peptidase, bacillopeptidase DJ-2 (bpDJ-2), with molecular mass of 42 kDa and isoelectric point (pI) of 3.5- 3.7, was purified to homogeneity from Bacillus sp. DJ-2 isolated from Doen-Jang, a traditional Korean soybean fermented food. The enzyme was identified as an extracellular serine fibrinolytic protease. The optimal conditions for the reaction were pH 9.0 and $60^{\circ}C$. The first 18 amino acid residues of the N-terminal amino acid sequence of bpDJ-2 were TDGVEWNVDQIDAPKAW, which is identical to that of bacillopeptidase F (bpf). However, based on their Nterminal amino acid sequence, molecular size, and pI, it is different from that of bpf and extracellular 90 kDa. The whole (2,541 bp, full-bpDJ-2) and mature (1,956 bp, mature-bpDJ-2) genes were cloned, and its nucleotide sequence and deduced amino acid sequence were determined. The expressed proteins, full-bpDJ-2 and mature-bpDJ-2, were detected on SDSPAGE at expected sizes of 92 and 68 kDa, respectively.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.145-151
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• 2006

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) play an important role in the extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation undetphysiological and pathological conditions. The present study examined the influence of (-)epigallocatechin gallate and quercetin on phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced secretion of MMP-2 and MMP-9, when human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were treated with (-)epigallocatechin gallate and quercetin at supraphysiological concentrations of $25{\mu}mol/L$. No cytotoxicity was observed by MIT assay in response to a treatment with PMA in the presence of (-)epigallocatechin gallate and quercetin. Western blot analysis and gelatin zymography revealed that exposure of HUVEC to PMA enhanced the levels and gelatinolytic activities of pro and active forms of MMP-2 and active form of MMP-9. (-)Epigallocatechin gallate attenuated PMA-stimulated secretion of active forms of MMP-2 and MMP-9 concomitantly with a loss of activities of these enzymes, which was related to the decreased mRNA levels of MMP. Quercetin was more potent than (-)epigallocatechin gallate in alleviating MMP-9 protein secretion and activity with a decrease in MMP-9 mRNA accumulation. Taken together, the results indicated that (-)epigallocatechin gallte and quercetin exhibited inhibitory effects on MMP activity and may qualify as chemopreventive and cardiovascular protective agents.