• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.311-318
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• 2002

A new bacteriocin producing lactic acid bacteria having antagonistic activity against Lactobacillus plantarum, was isolated from Kimchi. It was identified as Leuconostoc mesenteroides, and designated as Leuconostoc mesenteroides B7. The bacteriocin from Leuconostoc mesenteroides B7 named as bacteriocin B7 was stable in the pH range $2.5{\sim}9.5$. Bacteriocin B7 was active over a wide temperature range from $4^{\circ}C$ to $120^{\circ}C$. It was inactivated by proteinase K, trypsin, ${\alpha}-chymotrypsin$, and protease treatments indicating its proteinous nature. Tricine-SDS-PAGE of the purified bacteriocin B7 showed the presence of a single band, having a molecular mass of about 3,500 dalton. Mixed culture of the producer and the indicator, Lb. plantarum KFRI 464 or Lb. delbruekii KFRI 347, increased production of bacteriocin B7. This result suggested the presence of bacteriocin inducing factor in the indicator strain. The inducing factor was localized in cell debris and intracellular faction of the indicator cell, Lb. plantarum KFRI 464. Treatment of the inducing factor with proteinase K destroyed inducing activity. This result strongly suggested that the inducing factor is a protein.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1092-1100
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• 2020

The six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate 4 (Steap4) is a metalloreductase that plays a role in intracellular iron and cupper homeostasis, inflammatory response, and glucose and lipid metabolism. Previously, Steap4 has been reported to stimulate adipocyte differentiation; however, the underlying mechanisms of this action remain unexplored. In the present study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms involved in Steap4-induced adipocyte differentiation using 3T3-L1 cells, immortalized brown adipocyte (iBA) cells, and mouse embryonic fibroblast C3H10T1/2 cells. The knockdown of Steap4 using adenovirus-containing shRNA attenuated mitotic clonal expansion (MCE), as evidenced by the impaired proliferation of 3T3-L1 cells, iBA cells, and C3H10T1/2 cells within 48 hr after adding the differentiation medium. Steap4 knockdown downregulated G1/S phase transition-related cell cycle regulators (including cyclin A and cyclin D) and upregulated cell cycle inhibitors (including p21 and p27). Furthermore, Steap4 knockdown inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and Akt. Moreover, Steap4 knockdown repressed the expression of early adipogenic activators, such as CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ) and Kruppel-like factor family factor 4 (KLF4). On the other hand, Steap4 knockdown stimulated the expression of adipogenic inhibitors, including KLF2, KLF3, and GATA2. The overexpression of Steap4 using an adenovirus removed the repressive histone marks H3K9me2 and H3K9me3 on the promoter of C/EBPβ. These results indicate that Stepa4 stimulates adipocyte differentiation through the induction of MCE and the modulation of early adipogenic transcription factors, including C/EBPβ, during the early phase of adipocyte differentiation.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.455-462
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• 2003

A study was conducted to determine the effects of feeding a diet containing no Ca supplement (limestone) during the late finishing period on growth, marbling and serum 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin $D_3$ level in Korean native cattle. Twenty-four steers (20${\sim}$24 mo of age) were divided into two groups of 12 each: one group assigned to a control diet (concentrates containing 2.5% limestone) and the other to a diet containing no calcium supplement. They were allowed to have free access to diets (concentrates and orchard grass hay) and water during the entire feeding period (223 d). Serum $Ca^{2+}$, Ca and P concentrations were not influenced by diets, but serum 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin $D_3$ concentrations determined 2 or 6 mo after the beginning of feeding the experimental diets were higher (P<0.01) in steers fed the diet without Ca supplement than in those fed the control diet (78.3 vs 51.7 and 80.3 vs 51.1 pg/mL, respectively). Steers fed the diet without Ca supplement tended to have a higher intake of concentrates, but a lower intake of hay, compared to those fed the control diet. Average daily gain was higher (P<0.05) in steers fed the diet without Ca supplement than in those fed the control diet. Feeding the diet without Ca supplement remarkably (P<0.01) increased the marbling score (5.1 vs 2.2) and the muscle (M. longissimus dorsi) fat content (10.2 vs 6.7%) with a concomitant decrease in moisture content (67.6 vs 70.4%), compared to feeding the control diet. Ribeye area was increased (77.2 vs 82.8 $cm^2$) with the diet without Ca supplement, compared to the control diet (P<0.05). Meat color, pH and water-holding capacity in longissimus muscle were not different between the two groups. The Warner-Brazler Shear (WBS) force of the longissimus muscle was slightly (P=0.08) lower in steers fed the diet without Ca supplement than in steers fed the control diet (2.9 vs 3.2 kg/1.27-cm diameter core). Sensory evaluation showed that feeding the diet without Ca supplement slightly (P<0.05) improved tenderness (4.9 vs 4.5) and flavor (4.9 vs 4.6), compared to feeding the control diet, but juiciness was not affected by diets. Results showed that deletion of Ca supplement from finishing diets is beneficial, increasing growth and marbling partly through an increased energy intake and induced 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin $D_3$ synthesis that may increase intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration and in turn fat synthesis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.1365-1372
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• 2010

We investigated the inhibitory effects of solvent extracts from dried yam on $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress and growth of cancer cell lines (HT1080 human fibrosarcoma and HT-29 human colon cancer cells). Yam (Dioscoreacea) has been recognized as a healthy food due to its various biological activities, such as anti-obesity, anti-constipation, anti-proliferation, and anti-mutagenic activities, as well as its ability to decrease blood glucose and cholesterol levels. In order to determine the protective effect on $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress, DCFH-DA (dichlorodihydrofluorescin diacetate) assay was conducted. Acetone with methylene chloride (A+M) extract of dried yam appeared to reduce the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) with dose responses. Among the fractions, 85% aq. methanol fraction showed the highest protective effect on production of lipid peroxides. Inhibitory effects of A+M and methanol (MeOH) extracts on the growth of HT1080 and HT-29 cancer cells increased in a dose dependent manner. The treatments of n-hexane, 85% aq. methanol and n-butanol fractions (${\geqq}0.5$ mg/ml concentrations) significantly inhibited the growth of both cancer cells (p<0.05). From these results, 85% aq. methanol fraction showed inhibitory effects on cellular oxidation and growth of human cancer cells, suggesting that this fraction may contain active compounds of dried yam.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2016

A unique Schizosaccharomyces pombe $TrxR^+$ gene encoding thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) was found to be positively regulated by stress-inducing agents through the stress-responsive transcription factor Pap1. In the present study, the protective roles of S. pombe TrxR were evaluated using the TrxR-overexpressing recombinant plasmid pHSM10. In the presence of hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) and superoxide anion-generating menadione (MD), S. pombe TrxR increased cellular growth and the total glutathione (GSH) level, while it reduced levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). The nitric oxide (NO) levels of the TrxR-overexpressing cells, in the presence of $H_2O_2$ and MD, were maintained to be similar to those of the corresponding non-treated cells. Although S. pombe TrxR was able to scavenge NO generated by sodium nitroprusside (SNP), it had no significant modulating effects on cellular growth, ROS levels, or the total GSH level of SNP-exposed yeast cells, compared with the differences in those of the two non-treated cell cultures. TrxR increased the cellular growth and total GSH level, which were diminished by nitrogen starvation. It also scavenged ROS and NO produced during nitrogen starvation. Taken together, the S. pombe TrxR protects against oxidative, nitrosative, and nutritional stresses.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 1994

Cyclic adenosine 3'5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) has been frequently accepted as an intracellular messenger for receptor-mediated action of opioids. In this experiment, it was designed to determine the interaction of dopaminergic and opioidergic system in the mouse striatum in normal and chronic haloperidol treated groups. Haloperidol 750ug/kg I.P. for 10 days was performed for dopamine denervation. The morphine, DAGO, DPDPE, and U5O,488H inhibited the increase of haloperidol-induced cyclic AMP content in chronic haloperidol treated mouse striatum. The inhibition of DAGO and DPDPE showed significant increase compared to normal mouse striatum. Naloxone showed antagonistic effect on the morphine and U5O,488H in chronic haloperidol treated group, and showed antagonistic effect on morphine, DAGO, DPDPE, and U5O, 488H in normal mouse striatum. These findings support that there is a functional interrelationship of dopaminergic and opioidergic pathway in the striatum. This result provides an evidence that following destruction of striatal dopaminergic neuron, there are some changes of cAMP content on the ${\mu},\;{\gamma},\;and\;{\kappa}$ opioid receptor, but the ${\kappa}$ opioid receptor still has its function.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.2660-2667
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• 2011

TREK-1 channel is a member of the two-pore domain potassium (K2P) channel family that is regulated by intracellular pH, membrane stretch, polyunsaturated fatty acids, temperature, and some neuroprotectant agents. TREK-1 channel can influence neuronal excitability by regulating leakage of potassium ions and resting membrane potential. TREK-1 channel has been shown to be overexpressed in prostate cancer cells. Although the importance of these properties, relatively little is known about flavonoid effects in the regulations of TREK-1 channel. The purpose of the study was to screening of flavonoids as the TREK-1 channel modulator using one of electrophysiological techniques such as excised inside-out patch configuration. We demonstrated blocking effect on TREK-1 channel by flavonoids such as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), curcumin and quercetin in CHO cells transiently expressing TREK-1 channel. The inhibition of TREK-1 channel by quercetin and curcumin was reversible, whereas EGCG was little reversible. Quercetin, EGCG and curcumin decreased the relative channel activity to 73%, 91% and 94%, respectively. The half-inhibitory concentration (IC50) of curcumin, quercetin and EGCG was $1.04{\pm}0.19\;{\mu}M$, $1.13{\pm}0.26\;{\mu}M$ and $13.5{\pm}2.20\;{\mu}M$ in CHO cells expressing TREK-1 channel, respectively. These results indicate that flavonoids might regulate TREK-1 and this regulation might be one of the pharmacological actions of flavonoid in nervous systems and cancer cells.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.40-49
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• 2018

We evaluated the antioxidant activity and neuronal cell-protective effect of fucoidan extract from Ecklonia cava (FEC) on hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced cytotoxicity in PC-12 and MC-IXC cells to assess its protective effect against oxidative stress. Antioxidant activities were examined using the ABTS radical scavenging activity and malondialdehyde-inhibitory effect, and the results showed that FEC had significant antioxidant activity. Intracellular ROS contents and neuronal cell viability were investigated using the DCF-DA assay and MTT reduction assay. FEC also showed remarkable neuronal cell-protective effect compared with vitamin C as a positive control for both $H_2O_2$-treated PC-12 and MC-IXC cells. Based on the neuronal cell-protective effects, mitochondrial function was analyzed in PC-12 cells, and FEC significantly restored mitochondrial damage by increasing the mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}m$) and ATP levels and regulating mitochondrial-mediated proteins (p-AMPK and BAX). Finally, the inhibitory effects against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which is a critical hydrolyzing enzyme of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the cholinergic system, were investigated ($IC_{50}$ value = 1.3 mg/ml) and showed a mixed (competitive and noncompetitive) pattern of inhibition. Our findings suggest that FEC may be used as a potential material for alleviating oxidative stress-induced neuronal damage by regulating mitochondrial function and AChE inhibition.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.277-286
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• 2016

Makgeolli lees (ML) has several physiological effects such as antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anticancer properties, but its biological functions have not been determined definitively. Here, we tested whether ML has a cytoprotective effect on paraquat (PQ)-induced oxidative stress in the human lung carcinoma cell line A549. At 0.1 mg/ml ML, viability of PQ-exposed A549 cells was restored by 12.4%, 18.5%, and 48.6% after 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. ML also reduced production of the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) that were generated by PQ treatment. Further experiments revealed that ML treatment enhanced the expression and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) as well as ARE-GFP reporter activity. ML treatment also effectively increased the expression of NRF2's target genes NAD(P)H dehydrogenase quinone 1 (NQO1) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1). Moreover, we found that expression of cytoprotective genes, including glutathione peroxidases (GPXs), superoxide dismutase (SOD1), catalase (CAT), peroxiredoxin 3 (PRDX3), and peroxiredoxin 4 (PRDX4), was greatly enhanced by treatment with ML during PQ exposure. Taken together, the data suggest that treatment of PQ-exposed A549 cells with ML ameliorates cytotoxicity through induction of NRF2 expression and its target genes HO-1, NQO1, and other antioxidant genes. Thus, ML may serve as a functional food applicable to ROS-mediated human diseases.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.789-796
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of sulfinpyrazone on fumonisin $B_1$-induced elevation of free sphingoid bases in LLC-$PK_1$ cells. Fumonis ins are a family of mycotoxins produced by the fungi Fusarium moniliforme which is common contaminant in corn. Fumonisins are also potent inhibiors of sphingosine and sphinganine N-acyltransferases (ceramide synthases), key enzymes in sphingolipid metabolism resulting in the elevation of free sphinganine. The cytosolic concentration of fumonisin B1 was known to be closely proportional to the elevation of free sphinganine in LLC-PK1 cells [Yoo, H.-S., Norred, W.P., Wang, E., Merrill, A.H., Jr., and Riley, R.T. (1992) Toxicol. Appl.Pharmacol. 114. 9-15]. Sulfinpyrazone, an anion transport inhibitor, reduced the elevated level of free sphinganine resulting from fumonisin B1 inhibition of de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis. Fumonisin B1 at a concentration of 20${\mu}$M showed approximately 120pmol/$10^6$ cells relative to 3-10pmol/$10^6$ cells in control cultures, and sulfinpyrazone at a concentration of 200${\mu}$M partially reversed the increased level of free sphinganine induced by fumonisin $B_1$ down to normal level after exposure to fumonisin $B_1$ for 8 to 24hr. However, the reduced effect of sulfinpyrazone on the fumonisin $B_1$-induced elevation of intracellular sphinganine was not shown after 24hr. Fumonisin $B_1$ exposure to LLC-PK1 cells for 36 and 48hr showed approximately 74 and 80pmol per $10^6$ cells relative to 82 and 76pmol,respectively, in fumonisin $B_1$ plus sulfinpyrazone-treated cultures. Sulfinpyrazone-induced less elevation of free sphinganine in confluent cells after exposure to fumonisin $B_1$ suggested that either sulfinpyrazone may block the availability of fumonisin $B_1$ to cells or act on the fumonisin $B_1$ interaction with ceramide synthase.