• The Microorganisms and Industry
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.14-21
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• 1994

Low molecular weight molecules and high molecular weight substances were found to have anti-tumor and immuno-modulating activity. Previously polysaccharides have been received much attention because of adhesives, food additives or animal foods (Whistler et al., 1976). In effort of developing new anti-tumor substances with low toxicity, numerous polysaccharides from yeast, algae, bacteria, higher plants and especially fungi have been investigated for anti-tumor and immuno-modulating activities. Thus the high molecular weight molecule was reported to have anti-tumor activity through host mediated immunity. In this brief article, attention will be paid to polysaccharides which is especially fungal origin.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.2005-2017
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• 2007

Diabetic nephropathy remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the diabetic population and is the leading cause of end-stage renal failure. Despite current therapeutics including intensified glycemic control and blood pressure lowering agents, renal disease continues to progress relentlessly in diabetic patients, albeit at a lower rate. Since synthetic drugs for diabetes are known to have side effects, fungal mushrooms as a natural product come into preventing the development of diabetes. Our previous report showed the hypoglycemic effect of extracellular fungal polysaccharides (EPS) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. In this study, we analyzed the differential expression patterns of rat kidney proteins from normal, STZ-induced diabetic, and EPS-treated diabetic rats, to discover diabetes-associated proteins in rat kidney. The results of proteomic analysis revealed that up to 500 protein spots were visualized, of which 291 spots were differentially expressed in the three experimental groups. Eventually, 51 spots were statistically significant and were identified by peptide mass fingerprinting. Among the differentially expressed renal proteins, 10 were increased and 16 were decreased significantly in diabetic rat kidney. The levels of different proteins, altered after diabetes induction, were returned to approximately those of the healthy rats by EPS treatment. A histopathological examination showed that EPS administration restored the impaired kidney to almost normal architecture. The study of protein expression in the normal and diabetic kidney tissues enabled us to find several diabetic nephropathy-specific proteins, such as phospholipids scramblase 3 and tropomyosin 3, which have not been mentioned yet in connection with diabetes.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.8
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• pp.1179-1184
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• 2010

We report the generation of the first monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to the polysaccharide chitosan. Mice were immunized with a mixture of chitosans, and hybridoma clones were screened for specific binders, resulting in the isolation of a single clone secreting a chitosan-specific IgM, mAbG7. In ELISAs, the antibody could bind to chitosans of varying composition, but demonstrated the highest affinity for chitosans with lower degrees of acetylation (DA) and very poor binding to chitin. We tested the ability of the antibody to bind to chitosan in situ, using preparations of fungal cell walls. Immunofluorescence microscopy confirmed that the antibody bound strongly to the cell walls of fungi with high levels of chitosan, whereas poor staining was observed in those species with cell walls of predominantly chitin or cellulose. The potential use of this antibody for the detection of fungal contamination and the protection of plants against fungal pathogens is discussed.

• Mycobiology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.311-316
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• 2014

Lichen studies, including biodiversity, phylogenetic relationships, and conservation concerns require definitive species identification, however many lichens can be challenging to identify at the species level. Molecular techniques have shown efficacy in discriminating among lichen taxa, however, obtaining genomic DNA from herbarium and fresh lichen thalli by conventional methods has been difficult, because lichens contain high proteins, polysaccharides, and other complex compounds in their cell walls. Here we report a rapid, easy, and inexpensive protocol for extracting PCR-quality DNA from various lichen species. This method involves the following two steps: first, cell breakage using a beadbeater; and second, extraction, isolation, and precipitation of genomic DNA. The procedure requires approximately 10 mg of lichen thalli and can be completed within 20 min. The obtained DNAs were of sufficient quality and quantity to amplify the internal transcribed spacer region from the fungal and algal lichen components, as well as to sequence the amplified products. In addition, 26 different lichen taxa were tested, resulting in successful PCR products. The results of this study validated the experimental protocols, and clearly demonstrated the efficacy and value of our KCl extraction method applied in the fungal and algal samples.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.35-49
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• 2003

In this study, in an attempt to search for functional cosmetic ingredients from higher fungal, we have produced exopolysaccharides (GF-l, approximately carbohydrate 75％, protein 25％) and polysaccharide (GF-2) of mycelium extract, by submerged culture of Grifolafrondosa. For applications in anti-aging cosmetic field, we investigated the diverse biological activities. Antioxidant activity and inhibition of Matrixmetalloproteinases (MMPs) were investigated enzymatic assays by measuring the superoxide scavenging activity using xanthine-xanthine oxidase system and the proteolytic activity of MMPs using EnzChek Collagenase/Gelatinase kits, respectively. GF-l polysacchairde showed inhibition of superoxide radical by 90％ at a concentration of 0.2％ (w/v) and inhibition of collagenase by 45％ at 0.2％ (w/v). GF-2 polysaccharide of mycelium extract also exhibited good antioxidant activity. However, MMPs inhibition activity was relatively lower level compared to GF-l polysaccharides. The treatment of human dermal fibroblast (HDF) with GF-l and GF-2 polysaccharides increased the proliferation of fibroblast by approximately 23-25％ at a concentration of 0.5％ (w/v), also showed collagen synthesis increase in HDF by about 50％ at 0.5％ (w/v) compared to that of untreated control. We also report the moisturizing effects of polysaccharides in cosmetic products (O/W emulation) and its own ingredient, in vitro and in vivo. The GF-1 polysaccharide showed higher moisturizing ability than sodium hyaluronate, which is the most commonly used moisturizers ingredient. These results suggest the GF-l polysaccharide, protein-bound polysaccharide, may be used as an ingredient for new moisturizing and anti-aging cosmeceuticals.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.57-66
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• 2010

Passion fruit fiber pectin gels represent a new alternative pectin source with potential for food and non-food applications on a commercial scale. Pectic polysaccharides were extracted from passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) fiber using citric acid as a clean catalyst and autoclaved for 20 to 60 min at $121^{\circ}C$. The best condition of pectin yield with the highest molecular weight was obtained with 1.0% of citric acid (250 mg/g dry passion fruit fiber pectin) for 20 min of autoclaving. Spectroscopic analyses by Fourier transform infrared, enzymatic degradation reactions, and ion-exchange chromatography assays showed that passion fruit pectin extracted for 20 min was homogeneous high methoxylated pectin (70%). Gel permeation analysis confirmed that the pectin extract obtained by autoclaving by 20 min showed higher molecular weights than those autoclaved for 40 and 60 min. Passion fruit pectin extracted for 20 min was enzymatically modified with fungal pectinmethylesterase to create restructured gels. Short autoclave treatment (20 min) with citric acid as extractant resulted in a significant increase of gel strength, improving pectin extraction in terms of functionality. The treatment of solubilized material (pectic polysaccharides) in the presence of insoluble material (cellulose and hemicellulose) with pectinmethylesterase and calcium led to the creation of a stiffer passion fruit fiber pectin gel, while syneresis was not observed.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.142-152
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• 1981

One hundred and thirteen healed pulmonary tuberculosis patients and 11 patients with other underlying diseases were studied for evidence of pulmonary fungal infection because of persisting hemoptysis or chronic cough. Rediological, mycological and serological investigations revealed that 54 out of 124 patients were evidently infected with one or more species of fungi. A. fumigatus was isolated from 4 out of 70 patients whose sera did not react with antigens from this fungus, while it was isolated from 43 out of 47 serological reactors to this fungus. Chest radiography showed a distinct fungus ball in a cyst of one patient and in a preformed cavity in the lung of 17 healed tuberculosis patients and two other patients. The latter two patients were infected with A.flavus. Two patients, who were under the long period of immunosuppressive therapy, apparently succumbed to invasive aspergillosia due to A.fumigatus. A single or dual infection with A. flavus, A. nidulans, A.nidulans var. latus, C. albicans, and P. boydii were noticed in some patients without mycetomal shadow on chest radiographs. Young mycelial extract (ME) of A.fumigatus detected antibody in 95.8 percent of the sera from patients infected with this fungus, while it was isolated from 43 out of 47 serological reactors to this fungus. Chest radiography showed a distinct fungus ball in a cyst of one patient and in a performed cavity in the lung of 17 healed tuberculosis patients and two other patients. The latter two patients were infected with A. flavus. Two patients, who were under the long period of immunosuppressive therapy, apparently succumbed to invasive aspergillosis due to A.fumigatus. A single or dual infection with A. flavus, A. nidulans, A. niduans var. latus, C. albicans, and P. boydii were noticed in some patients without mycetomal shadow on chest radiographs. Young mycelial extract (ME) of A.fumigatus detected antibody in 95.8 percent of the sera from patients infected with this fungus, while the commercial culture filtrate antigen (GL) yielded 78.7 per cent positive result. Culture filtrate antigen, however, was comparable with ME. There was no single antigen with which all the serum specimens reacted. Fractionation of ME resulted in a loss of some activity although it excluded substances that reacted with C-reactive protein in a loss of some activity although it excluded substances that reacted with C-reactive protein. Most reactive and specific precipitinogens distributed in the fraction (FB) which was precipitable at 75 percent saturation with ammonium sulfate and eluted in a second peak in order from gel-filtration and which contained mostly proteinic components. Glycoproteins or polysaccharides rich fractions (FA and ASI) were relatively less effective in detecting antibody. Demonstration of antibody in the serum from patients using a battery of fungal antigens and of etiologically related fungi from clinical specimens are very useful laboratory procedures for the diagnosis of pulmonary fungal infection which is a common complication of tuberculosis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.1250-1257
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• 2005

Two groups of exopolysaccharides (designated as Fr-I EPS and Fr-II EPS) were isolated from the culture filtrate of new fungal strain Trichoderma erinaceum DG-312 by Sepharose CL-6B chromatography. The structures of the exopolysaccharides were investigated using gas chromatography (GC), Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, GCMS analysis, and NMR. GC analysis indicated that Fr-I EPS was composed of mainly mannose ($78.9\%$) and galactose ($21.1\%$), whereas Fr-II EPS contained mannose ($68.4\%$), galactose ($26.2\%$), and glucose ($5.4\%$). In the anomeric region ($950-700cm_{-1}$) of the FT-IR spectrum, both EPSs exhibited obvious characteristic absorption of $810\;cm_{-1}$, indicating the existence of mannose. The spectra of $\alpha-and\;\beta$-configurations were assigned at 880 and $914\;cm_{-1}$, respectively. The results of GC-MS analyses confirmed that both EPSs were complex heteropolysaccharides with a ($1{\rightarrow}3$)-linked mannan backbone. The C-1 region that appeared in the $^{13}C-NMR$ spectra of these EPSs indicated a typical anomeric carbon signal. The Fr-I EPS showed two anomeric carbon signals at 102.6 and 99.6 ppm, whereas the Fr-II EPS displayed four anomeric carbon signals at 102.5, 99.6, 98.5, and 94.3 ppm. The molecular characteristics of the EPSs were further investigated using a size exclusion chromatography/multi-angle laser light scattering (SEC/MALLS) system. The SEC/MALLS system revealed that the average molar masses of the EPSs were $6.592{\times}10^{4}$ (Fr-I EPS) and $1.920{\times}10^{4}$ (Fr-II EPS) g/mol, and the molecular conformation of both EPSs in aqueous solution was random coils.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Applied Microbiology Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.208-213
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• 2000

Penicillium fellutanum produces a phosphorylated, choline-containing extracellular peptido-polysaccharide, peptidophosphogalactomannan (pPxGM) (8). The $\^$13/C-methyl labeled pPxGM ([methyl-$\^$13/C]pPxGM) was prepared from the cultures supplemented with L-[methyl-$\^$13/C]methionine or [2-$\^$13/C]glycine and was used as a probe to monitor the fate of phosphocholine in this polymer. Addition of purified [methyl-$\^$l3/C]pPxGM to growing cultures in low phosphate medium resulted in the disappearance of [methyl-$\^$13/C]phosphocholine and -N,N'-dimethyl-phosphoethanolamine from the added [methyl-$\^$13/C]pPxGM. Two $\^$l3/C-methyl-enriched cytoplasmic solutes, choline-O-sulfate and glycine betaine, were found in mycelial extracts, suggesting that phosphocholine-containing extracellular pPxGM of P.fellutanum is a precursor of intracellular choline-O-sulfate and glycine betaine and thus of phosphatydilcholine (l0). $\^$13/C-Methyl-labeled cells grown in 3 M NaCl-containing medium showed 2.6- and 22-fold more accumulation of $\^$13/C-methyl labeled choline-O-sulfate and glycine betaine, respectively, originated from the extracellular [$\^$13/C-methyl]pPxGM than those grown without added NaCl. The results suggest that, in addition to glycerol and erythritol, glycine betaine and choline-O-sulfate and thus choline are also osmoprotectants and hence that pPxGM is involved in osmotolerance of this fungus (11). Taken collectively, the $\^$l3/C- and $\^$31/P-NMR analyses of cytosolic solute pools and structural modulation of extracellular pPxGM corresponding to environmental stimuli in P. fellutanum, provided evidence that pPxGM is involved in cellular choline metabolism, osmotolerance, and recycling of metabolites.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2007

Oudemansiella radicata, edible and medicinal mushroom belonging to Agaricales of Basidiomycota, has been known to exhibit outstanding curative effects on the fungal infection and hypertension caused by high blood pressure. Neutral saline soluble (0.9% NaCl), hot water soluble and methanol soluble substances (hereinafter referred to Fr, NaCl, Fr. HW and Fr. MeOH, respectively) were extracted from fruiting body of the mushroom. In vitro cytotoxicity test showed that Fr. NaCl was not cytotoxic against NIH3T3 and Sarcoma 180 at the concentration of $10{\sim}1,000\;{\mu}g/ml$. Intraperitoneal injection with Fr. NaCl exhibited antitumor activity with life prolongation effect of $42.9{\sim}66.7%$ in mice inoculated with Sarcoma 180. Fr. NaCl improved the immunopotentiating activity of B lymphocyte by increasing the alkaline phosphatase activity by $1.4{\sim}3$ folds compared with controlled and LPS groups, respectively. Intraperitoneal injection with Fr. MeOH increased the numbers of peritoneal exudate cells and circulating leukocytes by 3.5 and 2.5 folds, respectively. Therefore, the antitumor effect exhibited on mouse Sarcoma 180 cells was likely due to immune-modulating activity of crude polysaccharides extracted from fruiting body of O. radicata.