• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.20 no.5
• /
• pp.50-62
• /
• 2003

Objective: Bee Venom(BV) has been used for various kinds of inflammatory or painful conditions in Oriental Medicine clinics, and there publishes reports on its therapeutic effects and the probable mechanism of those therapeutic effects, where CDs and cytokines plays important role. This study investigated the influences of bee venom on the expressions of CDs and cytokines of HMC cell line Methods: In this study we analysed the expression profile of HMC cell line treated with BV of 10-2ug/ml in relation to that of HMC cell line treated with vehicle by way of CD/cytokine microarray hybridization with 342 genes on it. Results: There were no upregulated genes by more than 3 fold, while there showed some downregulated genes by less than 1/3 fold as follows: colony stimulating factor 2, CD122, IL-7, CD112, TNF-alpha, CD138, CD166, TGFbetaR2, CD42b, CD62L, CD111, interleukin 10 receptor alpha, colony stimulating factor 1(macrophage), CD38 antigen(p45), CD121a, CD33 antigen(gp67), colony stimulating factor 1 receptor, B cell linker protein (SLP65) mRNA, CD94, alanyl(membrane) aminopeptidase, immunoglobulin(CD79A) binding protein 1, CD205, CD241, CD207, CDw121b, integrin alpha L(CD11a), integrin beta 1(CD29), CD91, CD42b. Conclusions: Bee venom treatment induced downregulation of some CDs or cytokines including $TNF-{\alpha}$. IL-1R with its possible implication in an antiinflammatory action of BV. Further research on expression profile changes induced by BV treatment is expected.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.47 no.2
• /
• pp.135-143
• /
• 2014

Exopeptidase active fractions from the hepatopancreas of the Argentina shortfin squid Illex argentinus, were obtained with acetone (AC 30-40%), ammonium sulfate (AS 60-70% saturation), anion exchange chromatography (AE-II, 0.2 M NaCl) and gel filtration chromatography (GF-I, 30-50 kDa) fractionation methods. A bitter peptide solution that has a bitterness equivalent to that of 2% glycylphenylalanine and prepared by tryptic hydrolysis of milk casein, was treated with the exopeptidase active fractions. The GF-I fraction was the best based on aminopeptidase activity (35.3 U/mg), percentage of recovery (30.7%) and a sensory evaluation (1.7). The amount of released amino acids increased as incubation time increased, and the bitterness of the enzyme reaction mixtures decreased. Incubation with the GF-I fraction for 24 h resulted in the hydrolysis of several peptides as revealed by the reverse-phase high performance liguid chromatography profile, with three peaks (3, 5 and 6) decreasing in area (%) and three peaks (1, 2 and 4) increasing in area (%). Therefore, the GF-I fraction appeared to be ideally suited to reduce bitterness in protein hydrolysates by catalyzing the hydrolysis of bitter peptides.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.535-545
• /
• 1999

Crease of Streptococcus salivarius is believed to play a critical role in bacterial ecology and pH homeostasis in the mouth, and consequently affect the pathogenesis of dental caries and periodontal diseases. Expression of the urease gene is greatly enhanced by low p. f. excess of Carbohydrate, and faster growth. It was observed that urease activity of the strains of S. salivarius that exhibited no of low urease activity was not increased even in low pH condition. In this study, it was hypothesized that the urease gene of the strains is absent, defected, or greatly changed by genetic combination. In order to prove this hypothesis, chromosomes were obtained from 28 S. salivarius strains which had been isolated from normal teeth and carious lesions, subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers encoding highly conserved sequence from ureC, and then the obtained PCR products were compared. The results were as follows: 1. After PCR the strains generated either one of 0.54- and 1.3-kbp PCR products, or none. 2. All 16 strains having a higher urease activity(<50${\mu}mol/min/mg$) produced 0.54-kbp PCR products. 3. Twelve strains without urease activity and with a lower urease activity(<50${\mu}mol/min/mg$) yield either one of 0.54 and 1.3-kbp PCR products, or none. 4. The DNA sequence of the 0.54-kbp PCR product (pCAP-0.54) exhibited 95% identity to the ureC of S. salivarus 57.I; 30bp were found to be different, which led to difference of only 2 amino acids in the sequence. 5. The DNA sequence of the 1.3-kbp PCR product(pCAP-1.3) was found to be highly homologous to the aminopeptidase C gene of Streptococcus thermophilus. Overall results indicate that there are considerable variations of the urease genes from S. salivarus strains and the variations may affect the uncolytic activity of the bacteria directly of indirectly.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.654-662
• /
• 2024

To investigate the effect of the predominant fungal species from Korean traditional meju and doenjang on soybean fermentation, the enzymatic activity and amino acid production of twenty-two fungal strains were assessed through solid- and liquid-state soybean fermentation. Enzymatic activity analyses of solid-state fermented soybeans revealed different enzyme activities involving protease, leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), carboxypeptidase (CaP), glutaminase, γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and amylase, depending on the fungal species. These enzymatic activities significantly affected the amino acid profile throughout liquid-state fermentation. Strains belonging to Mucoromycota, including Lichtheimia, Mucor, Rhizomucor, and Rhizopus, produced smaller amounts of total amino acids and umami-producing amino acids, such as glutamic acid and aspartic acid, than strains belonging to Aspergillus subgenus circumdati. The genera Penicillium and Scopulariopsis produced large amounts of total amino acids and glutamic acid, suggesting that these genera play an essential role in producing umami and kokumi tastes in fermented soybean products. Strains belonging to Aspergillus subgenus circumdati, including A. oryzae, showed the highest amino acid content, including glutamic acid, suggesting the potential benefits of A. oryzae as a starter for soybean fermentation. This study showed the potential of traditional meju strains as starters for soybean fermentation. However, further analysis of processes such as the production of G-peptide for kokumi taste and volatile compounds for flavor and safety is needed.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.117-125
• /
• 2019

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of zinc (Zn) sources (zinc oxide and Zn-methionine) on performance, organ weights, blood biochemical profiles, and digestive enzymes of the pancreas and small intestine in Korean native chicks (KNC). A total of 144 KNC (n=6) were fed a basal diet (CON, 100 ppm of Zn), a basal diet supplemented with 50 ppm of Zn with ZnO (ZNO), or a basal diet supplemented with 50 ppm of Zn with Zn-methionine (ZMT) for 28 days. There was no significant difference in body weight, gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio among the three groups. The relative weights of the liver, spleen, and intestinal mucosa were unaffected by the dietary source of Zn, whereas pancreas weight in the ZNO group decreased (P<0.05) compared with that in the CON and ZMT groups. Blood biochemical components including aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were unaffected by dietary Zn supplementation. Pancreatic trypsin activity in the ZNO and ZMT groups was significantly (P<0.05) enhanced compared with that in the CON group. However, the activities of ${\alpha}$-amylase and carboxypeptidase A were not altered by dietary Zn supplementation. The activities of maltase and sucrase were unchanged, whereas the activity of leucine aminopeptidase tended (P=0.08) to be increased by dietary Zn supplementation. In conclusion, the supplementation with 50 ppm of ZnO or Zn-methionine resulted in an activation of protein digestive enzymes in the pancreas and small intestine without affecting animal performance in KNC.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.261-270
• /
• 2010

Increasing atmospheric $CO_2$ affects the soil carbon cycle by influencing microbial activity and the carbon pool. In this study, the effects of elevated $CO_2$ on extracellular enzyme activities (EEA; ${\beta}$-glucosidase, N-acetylglucosaminidase, aminopeptidase) in salt marsh sediment vegetated with Suaeda japonica were assessed under ambient atmospheric $CO_2$ concentration (380 ppm) or elevated $CO_2$ concentration (760 ppm) conditions. Additionally, the community structure of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) was analyzed via terminal restriction fragments length polymorphism (T-RFLP). Sediment with S. japonica samples were collected from the Hwangsando intertidal flat in May 2005, and placed in small pots (diameter 6 cm, height 10 cm). The pots were incubated for 60 days in a growth chamber under two different $CO_2$ concentration conditions. Sediment samples for all measurements were subdivided into two parts: surface (0-2 cm) and rhizome (4-6 cm) soils. No significant differences were detected in EEA with different $CO_2$ treatments in the surface and rhizome soils. However, the ratio of ${\beta}$-glucosidase activity to N-acetylglucosaminidase activity in rhizome soil was significantly lower (P < 0.01) at 760 ppm $CO_2$ than at 380 ppm $CO_2$, thereby suggesting that the contribution of fungi to the decomposition of soil organic matter might in some cases prove larger than that of bacteria. Community structures of SRB were separated according to different $CO_2$ treatments, suggesting that elevated $CO_2$ may affect the carbon and sulfur cycle in salt marshes.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
• /
• 1996.04a
• /
• pp.213-213
• /
• 1996

The effects of the anti-tumor agent, SDZ-y2434, on rat kidney were investigated to predict the toxicities of its derivatives and to develope less toxic derivatives. After adjusted in metabolic cages for 5 days, rats were treated SDZ-62434(acute : 25mg/kg, i.p, once and 50mg/kg, i.p., once; subacute ; 10mg/kg, i.p., daily for 7 days). Kidney weights and urine volume during the treatment were observed. Creatinine concentration, protein concentration and the activities of N-acetyl-${\beta}$-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), alanine aminopeptidase (AAP), ${\gamma}$-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) in 24 hr urine were also determined. The kidney weights after the acute and subacute administration didn't show any difference. Urine volume increased 5 days after the acute administration (50mg/kg) and 3 days after the subacute administration. The excretion of creatinine was increased 5 days after the acute (50mg/kg) and subacute administration. However, the protein excretion didn't show any change. NAG acivity declined 7 days after the subacute administration. AAP and GGT activites increased 3 days after the acute administration (50mg/kg) but, returned to the control value. LDH activity showed continuousely high value after the subacute administration. These results indicates that the acute administration of SDZ-62434 might damage on glomerulus and that the subacute administration might be cytotoxic to kidney cells.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.20-28
• /
• 2009

According to traditional oriental medicine, only non-coagulated native deer blood is said to be effective, and coagulated deer blood is ineffective. Thus, a drying and tablet-producing method for deer blood was developed to maintain its physiological and therapeutic activity, and so that after drying, it can be redissolved and protected from coagulation. Proteases such as trypsin, pepsin, chymotrypsin, and aminopeptidase were added to the deer blood indicating that it coagulated in an hour, as shown by the reference. Wax gourd extract, which is high in protease, was added to the blood resulting in anticoagulation for 31 hours. Also, additions of 1% EDTA, 0.38% sodium citrate, 0.16% calcium oxalate, 1.2% ethanol, and 0.006% heparin to the deer blood resulted in anticoagulation for 1 hour, 4 hours, 2 hours, 1 hour, and 31 hours, respectively. In an experiment using 0.19% sodium citrate plus 1% wax gourd extract, and 0.006% heparin plus 1% wax gourd extract, anticoagulation was maintained for up to 72 hours. However, since heparin can not be used in food, the deer blood tablet was made with the addition of 0.19% sodium citrate and 1% wax gourd extract, followed by freeze drying. The dissolution rate for the tablet manufactured in this manner was 96.7%. And the dissolution rates for spray-dried deer blood, vacuum-dried deer blood, and marketed deer blood tablets were 85%, 81%, and 25.5%, respectively. The composition of the tablet produced from the freeze-dried deer blood was 56.4% protein, 18.7% lactose, 1.2% amino acids, 1.0% glucose, 0.7% lipids, 180 mg/100 g of iron, 13 mg/100 g of potassium, 39.1 mg/100 g of calcium, 480 mg/100 g of sodium, 368 mg/100 g of chloride, each.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.246-249
• /
• 2007

DL-phenylalanine (DLPA) is known as an essential amino acid exhibiting opiate capacities by inhibiting the degradation of enkephalins. From the viewpoint of developing a drink containing DLPA, its solubility and stability in aqueous solutions were investigated at some processing conditions such as temperature and pH. When the solubility was analyzed by transmittance at 600 nm, the solutions containing DLPA of 0.1% to 2% showed transmittance over 98% above $60^{\circ}C$ and over 99% at wide range of pH (3.0, 7.0, and 10.0). The valuable stability was also recognized through HPLC analysis for DLPA content, that is, 61-71% DLPA was still remained even after processing at high temperature and wide pH range, indicating the possibility of de-velopment of drink containing DLPA. Among flavors considered for the improvement of consumers' acceptability on drink, orange and amino acid flavors were superior to others. Microbial growth was not detected during 6-week storage after drink preparation.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.50-55
• /
• 2001

A new bacteriocin produced by Bacillus subtilis cx1, was partially purified and characterized. The bactericoin from B. subtilis cx1 was stable in the range of pH 2.5-9.5. B. subtilis csx1 retained its antimicrobial activity to long-term exposure at $-20^{\circ}C$ and $-70^{\circ}C$. However, B. subtilis cx1 was inactivated completely within 15 min over $60^{\circ}C$ and lost 50% of its antimicrobial activity within 15 min at $50^{\circ}C$, B. subtilis cx1 was inactivated by protease, trypsin, proteinase K and carboxypeptidase, which indi-cates its protein nature. Direct detection of the antimicrobial activity on Tricine -SDS-PAGE suggested an apparent molecular mass of about 9,500 dalton.