• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.115-125
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• 1993

In Euglena gracilis arginine deiminase was located in the mitochondrial matrix. The highly purified enzyme required $Co^{2+}$ for the enzyme reaction with the $K_m$ value of 0.23 nM, and its optimum pH was 9.7 to 10.3. The molecular weight of the native enzyme protein was 87,000 by gel filtration, and SDS-acrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that the enzyme consisted of two identical subunits with a molecular weight of 48,000. Euglena arginine deiminase was inhibited by sulfhydryl inhibitors, indicating that a sulfhydryl group is involved in the active center of the enzyme. It exhibited negative cooperativity in binding with arginine. $L-{\alpha}-amino-{\beta}-guanidino-propionate$, D-arginine, and L-homoarginine strongly inhibited the enzyme while ${\beta}-guanidinopro-pionate$, ${\gamma}-guanidinobutyrate$, and guanidinosuccinate did not. Considerable inhibition was also observed with citrulline and ornithine. We discuss the effects of the unique properties of the Euglena arginine deiminase on the regulation of arginine metabolism in this protozoon.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.1491-1497
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• 2007

Arginine deiminase (ADI, E.C. 3.5.3.6), one of the arginine deprivation enzymes, exhibits anticarcinogenic activities. The present study investigated the anti-inflammatory activities of the purified recombinant ADI originating from Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis ATCC7962 (LADI). LADI dose-dependently inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase and the production of nitric oxide in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. The induction of cyclooxygenase-2 expression and subsequent production of prostaglandin $E_2$ by LPS was also attenuated by LADI treatment. Moreover, LADI inhibited the production of interleukin-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. These results indicate that LADI exerts anti-inflammatory effects, which may in part explain its chemopreventive potential.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.305-311
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• 2008

After successful clinical application, arginine deiminase (ADI) has been proposed to be a new cancer therapeutic. In the present study, we examined the effect of ADI in combination with ionizing radiation (IR) on MCF-7 cell growth and clonogenic cell death. Cell growth was inhibited by IR in a dose-dependent manner and ADI enhanced the radiosensitivity. ADI itself did not suppress the growth of MCF-7 cells due to the high level of expression of argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS), which convert citrulline, a product of arginine degradation by ADI, to arginine. Previously, it was suggested that ammonia, another product of arginine degradation by ADI, is the main cause of the growth inhibition of irradiated hepatoma cells contaminated with ADI-expressing mycoplasma [van Rijn et al. (2003)]. However, we found that ammonia is not the only factor that enhances radiosensitivity, as enhancement was also observed in the absence of ammonia. In order to identify the enhancing effect, levels of ASS and proteins related to the cell cycle were examined. ASS was unchanged by ADI plus IR, but p21 (a CDK inhibitor) was upregulated and c-Myc downregulated. These findings indicate that changes in the expressions of cell cycle proteins are involved in the enhancement of radiosensitivity by ADI. We suggest that ADI is a potential adjunct to cancer therapy.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.286-292
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• 2009

Arginine deiminase (ADI), an arginine-degrading enzyme, has anti-proliferative and anti-tumor activities and is capable of inhibiting the production of nitric oxide (NO). Modulation of nitric oxide (NO) production is considered a promising approach for the treatment of various diseases including cancer, inflammation and neuronal disorders. In this study, an ADI gene was fused with an HIV-1 Tat peptide in a bacterial expression vector to produce an genetic in-frame Tat-ADI fusion protein. When added exogenously to the culture media, the expressed and purified Tat-ADI fusion proteins were efficiently transduced into macrophage Raw 264.7 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, transduced Tat-ADI fusion proteins markedly increased cell viability in cells treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This increase in viability was mediated by an inhibition of NO production. These results suggest that this Tat-ADI fusion protein can be used in protein therapies of NO-related disorders such as cancer, inflammation and neuronal diseases.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.315-323
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• 2013

Ginseng is known to have antistress effects. Previously, red ginseng (RG) was shown to repress stress-induced peptidyl arginine deiminase type IV (PADI4) via estrogen receptor ${\beta}$ ($ER{\beta}$) in the brain, thus inhibiting brain cell apoptosis. Moreover, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ plays a critical role in immobilization (IMO) stress. However, the signaling pathway of RG-mediated repressesion of inflammation is not completely understood. In this study, we determined how RG modulated gene expression in stressed brain cells. Since secretion of TNF-${\alpha}$ is modulated via TNF-${\alpha}$ converting enzyme (TACE) and nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$, we examined the inflammatory pathway in stressed brain cells. Immunohistochemistry revealed that TACE was induced by IMO stress, but RG repressed TACE induction. Moreover, PADI4 siRNA repressed TACE expression compared to the mock transfected control suggesting that PADI4 was required for TACE expression. A reporter assay also revealed that $H_2O_2$ oxidative stress induced NF-${\kappa}B$ in neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells, however, RG pretreatment repressed NF-${\kappa}B$ induction. These findings were supported by significant induction of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species (ROS) by oxidative stress, which could be repressed by RG administration. Taken together, RG appeared to repress stress-induced PADI4 via TACE and NF-${\kappa}B$ in brain cells thus preventing production of ROS and subsequently protecting brain cells from apoptosis.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.426-434
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• 2014

Peptidylarginine deiminase type 2 (PADI2) deiminates (or citrullinates) arginine residues in protein to citrulline residues in a $Ca^{2+}$-dependent manner, and is found in lymphocytes and macrophages. Vimentin is an intermediate filament protein and a well-known substrate of PADI2. Citrullinated vimentin is found in ionomycin-induced macrophage apoptosis. Citrullinated vimentin is the target of anti-Sa antibodies, which are specific to rheumatoid arthritis, and play a critical role in the pathogenesis of the disease. To investigate the role of PADI2 in apoptosis, we generated a Jurkat cell line that overexpressed the PADI2 transgene from a tetracycline-inducible promoter, and used a combination of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and ionomycin to activate Jurkat cells. We found that PADI2 overexpression reduced the cell viability of activated Jurkat cells in1a dose- and time-dependent manner. The PADI2-overexpressed and -activated Jurkat cells presented typical manifestations of apoptosis, and exhibited greater levels of citrullinated proteins, including citrullinated vimentin. Vimentin overexpression rescued a portion of the cells from apoptosis. In conclusion, PADI2 overexpression induces apoptosis in activated Jurkat cells. Vimentin is involved in PADI2-induced apoptosis. Moreover, PADI2-overexpressed Jurkat cells secreted greater levels of vimentin after activation, and expressed more vimentin on their cell surfaces when undergoing apoptosis. Through artificially highlighting PADI2 and vimentin, we demonstrated that PADI2 and vimentin participate in the apoptotic mechanisms of activated T lymphocytes. The secretion and surface expression of vimentin are possible ways of autoantigen presentation to the immune system.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.1162-1173
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the fermentation profiles, bacterial community and predicted metabolic characteristics of Sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense Stapf.) during ensiling. Methods: First-cutting Sudangrass was harvested at the vegetative stage and ensiled in laboratory-scale silos (1 L capacity). Triplicate silos were sampled after 1, 3, 7, 15, 30, and 60 days of ensiling, respectively. The bacterial communities on day 3 and 60 were assessed through high-throughput sequencing technology, and 16S rRNA-gene predicted functional profiles were analyzed according to the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes using Tax4Fun. Results: The Sudangrass silages showed good fermentation quality, indicated by higher lactic acid contents, and lower pH, butyric acid and ammonia nitrogen contents. The dominant genus Lactococcus on day 3 was replaced by Lactobacillus on day 60. The metabolism of amino acid, energy, cofactors and vitamins was restricted, and metabolism of nucleotide and carbohydrate was promoted after ensiling. The 1-phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase of bacterial community seemed to play important roles in stimulating the lactic acid fermentation, and the promotion of arginine deiminase could help lactic acid bacteria to tolerate the acidic environment. Conclusion: High-throughput sequencing technology combined with 16S rRNA gene-predicted functional analyses revealed the differences during the early and late stages of Sudangrass ensiling not only for distinct bacterial community but also for specific functional metabolites. The results could provide a comprehensive insight into bacterial community and metabolic characteristics to further improve the silage quality.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.291-301
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• 2023

Introduction: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients are particularly vulnerable to the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19). Currently, no anti-NSCLC/COVID-19 treatment options are available. As ginsenoside Rg3 is beneficial to NSCLC patients and has been identified as an entry inhibitor of the virus, this study aims to explore underlying pharmacological mechanisms of ginsenoside Rg3 for the treatment of NSCLC patients with COVID-19. Methods: Based on a large-scale data mining and systemic biological analysis, this study investigated target genes, biological processes, pharmacological mechanisms, and underlying immune implications of ginsenoside Rg3 for NSCLC patients with COVID-19. Results: An important gene set containing 26 target genes was built. Target genes with significant prognostic value were identified, including baculoviral IAP repeat containing 5 (BIRC5), carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9), endothelin receptor type B (EDNRB), glucagon receptor (GCGR), interleukin 2 (IL2), peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PADI4), and solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 1B1 (SLCO1B1). The expression of target genes was significantly correlated with the infiltration level of macrophages, eosinophils, natural killer cells, and T lymphocytes. Ginsenoside Rg3 may benefit NSCLC patients with COVID-19 by regulating signaling pathways primarily involved in anti-inflammation, immunomodulation, cell cycle, cell fate, carcinogenesis, and hemodynamics. Conclusions: This study provided a comprehensive strategy for drug discovery in NSCLC and COVID-19 based on systemic biology approaches. Ginsenoside Rg3 may be a prospective drug for NSCLC patients with COVID-19. Future studies are needed to determine the value of ginsenoside Rg3 for NSCLC patients with COVID-19.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.966-973
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• 2013

Using a newly constructed de novo assembly pipeline, finished genome level assembly had been conducted for the probiotic candidate strain E. faecalis KACC 91532 isolated from a stool samples of Korean neonates. Our gene prediction identified 3,061 genes in the assembled genome of the strain. Among these, nine genes were specific only for the E. faecalis KACC 91532, compared with all of the four known reference genomes (EF62, D32, V583, OG1RF). We identified genes related to phenotypic characters and detected E. faecalis KACC 91532-specific evolutionarily accelerated genes using dN/dS analysis. From these results, we found the potential risk of KACC 91532 as a useful probiotic strain and identified some candidate genetic variations that could affect the function of enzymes.