• International Journal of Oncology
• /
• v.56 no.1
• /
• pp.368-378
• /
• 2020

Meridianin C is a marine natural product with anticancer activity. Several meridianin C derivatives (compounds 7a-j) were recently synthesized, and their inhibitory effects on pro-viral integration site for Moloney murine leukemia virus (PIM) kinases, as well as their antiproliferative effects on human leukemia cells, were reported. However, the anti-leukemic effects and mechanisms of action of meridianin C and its derivatives remain largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of meridianin C and its derivatives on MV4-11 human acute myeloid leukemia cell growth. The parent compound meridianin C did not markedly affect the viability and survival of MV4-11 cells. By contrast, MV4-11 cell viability and survival were reduced by meridianin C derivatives, with compound 7a achieving the most prominent reduction. Compound 7a notably inhibited the expression and activity of PIM kinases, as evidenced by reduced B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated death promoter phosphorylation at Ser112. However, meridianin C also suppressed PIM kinase expression and activity, and the pan-PIM kinase inhibitor AZD1208 only slightly suppressed the survival of MV4-11 cells. Thus, the anti-survival effect of compound 7a on MV4-11 cells was unrelated to PIM kinase inhibition. Moreover, compound 7a induced apoptosis, caspase-9 and -3 activation and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage, but did not affect death receptor (DR)-4 or DR-5 expression in MV4-11 cells. Compound 7a also induced the generation of cleaved Bcl-2, and the downregulation of myeloid cell leukemia (Mcl)-1 and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) in MV4-11 cells. Furthermore, compound 7a increased eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF)-2α phosphorylation and decreased S6 phosphorylation, whereas GRP-78 expression was unaffected. Importantly, treatment with a pan-caspase inhibitor (z-VAD-fmk) significantly attenuated compound 7a-induced apoptosis, caspase-9 and -3 activation, PARP cleavage, generation of cleaved Bcl-2 and downregulation of Mcl-1 and XIAP in MV4-11 cells. Collectively, these findings demonstrated the strong anti-survival and pro-apoptotic effects of compound 7a on MV4-11 cells through regulation of caspase-9 and -3, Bcl-2, Mcl-1, XIAP, eIF-2α and S6 molecules.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.317-323
• /
• 2011

Strain A-3, an amylase-producing bacteria, was isolated from coastal seawater near Daecheon in the Republic of Korea. It was seen to possess a single polar flagella and grow well, on ASW-YP agar plates, at temperatures of between $20-37^{\circ}C$. However, it grew more slowly at the temperatures of $15^{\circ}C$ and $40^{\circ}C$. Similarly, it was observed to grow abundantly, in an Artificial Sea Water-Yeast extract-Peptone (ASW-YP) liquid medium, in a pH range of 6-9, but not grow at pHs of 4-5 and a pH of 10. Strain A-3 was noted as being close to Pseudoalteromonas phenolica O-$BC30^T$, Pseudoalteromonas luteoviolacea $NCIMB1893^T$, Pseudoalteromonas rubra $ATCC29570^T$, and Pseudoalteromonas byunsanensis $FR1199^T$, with 98.30%, 97.86%, 97.78%, and 97.25% similarities respectively, in its 16S rRNA sequence. A phylogenetic tree revealed that strain A-3 and P. phenolica O-$BC30^T$ belong to a clade. However, strain A-3 differed from P. phenolica O-$BC30^T$ in relation to a number of physiological characteristics. Strain A-3 exhibited no growth above 5% NaCl concentrations, no utilization of D-glucose, D-mannose, D-maltose, or D-melibose, and no lipase (C-14) activity. All of these properties strongly indicate that strain A-3 is distant from P. phenolica O-$BC30^T$ and thus led us to name it Pseudoalteromonas sp. A-3. Pseudoalteromonas sp. A-3 produces ${\alpha}$-amylase throughout growth. Maximal amylase activities of 144.48 U/mL and 149.20 U/mL were seen at pH 7.0 and $37^{\circ}C$, respectively. Pseudoalteromonas sp. A-3's high, stable production of ${\alpha}$-amylase in addition to its biochemical features, such as alkalitolerance, suggest that it is a good candidate for industrial applications.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.557-566
• /
• 1996

An ecological study on pathogenic vibrios was done in the aquatic environments of southern coast of Korea during summer in 1995, to investigate the distribution and relationship between pathogenic vibrio and zooplankton. Furthermore, special emphasis was given to study on the efforts of zooplankton existence on the wintering of Vibrio cholerae in the aquatic region in Korea. During the study period, pathogenic vibrios were isolated from the samples such as V. parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus, V. mimicus, and V. cholerae non O1, but V. cholerae O1 was not detected in any sample submitted in this study. Adsorption ratio of V. parahaemolyticus onto zooplankton was higher than that of E. coli. The efficiency of adsorption was found to be on the concentration of NaCl and other ions found in sea water. For example, adsorption ratio of V. parahaemolyticus were $75\%\;at\;5\%_{\circ}$ of NaCl solution and $55\%$ at same salinity of diluted sea water, but those were decreased as $20\%\;and\;7\%\;at\;15\%_{\circ}$ salinity of NaCl solution and diluted sea water, respectively. In addition, survival period of pathogenic vibrio was extended in the presence of live copepods at $25^{\circ}C$, but zooplankton existence has no significant effect on the survival rate at $5^{\circ}C$ in closed microcosm and also microalgae and dead copepods do not affect on the survival of V. parahaemolyticus. According to these experimental results, zooplankton has positive effects on the growth and survival rate of pathogenic vibrios in sea water during the summer season, but copepods have no significant effects on the growth and survival rate of them in winter season in Korea. Finally, authors suggest that V. cholerae is not able to over winter with zooplankton in adjacent sea water in Korea.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.285-296
• /
• 2014

Although the problems of the algal blooms have been world-widely observed in freshwater, estuary, and marine throughout the year, it is not yet certain what are the basic causes of such blooms. Consequently, it is very difficult to predict when and where algal blooms occur. The constituents of the Asian dust are in a good agreement with the elements required for the algal growth, which suggests some possible relationship between the algal blooms and the Asian dust. There have been frequently algal blooms in drinking water from rivers or lakes. However, there is no any algal blooms in upwelling waters where the Asian dust cannot penetrate into the soil due to its relatively weak settling velocity (size of particles, $4.5{\pm}1.5{\mu}m$), which implies the possible close relationship of the Asian dust with algal blooms. The present initiative study is thus intended firstly in Korea to illustrate such a relationship by reviewing typical previous studies along with 12 years of weekly iron profiles (2001~2012) and two slant culture experiments with the dissolved Asian dust. The result showed bacterial suspected colonies in the slant culture experiment that are qualitatively in a good agreement with the recent Japanese studies. Since the diatoms require cheap energy (8%) compared to other phytoplankton (100%) to synthesize their cell walls by silicate, the present results can be used to predict algal blooms by diatoms if the concentrations of iron and silicate are available during spring and fall. It can be postulated that the algal blooms occur only if the environmental factors such as light, nutrients, calm water surface layer, temperature, and pH are simultaneously satisfied with the requirements of the micronutrients of mineral ions supplied by the Asian dust as enzymatic cofactors for the rapid bio-synthesis of the macromolecules during algal blooms. Simple eco-friendly methods to regulate the algal blooms are suggested for the initial stage of blooming with limited area: 1) to cover up the water surface with black curtain and inhibit photosynthesis during the day time, 2) to blow air (20.9%) or pure oxygen into the bottom of the water and inhibit rubisco for carbon uptake and nitrate reductase for nitrogen uptake activities in algal growth during the night, 3) to eliminate the resting spores or cysts by suction of bottom sediments as deep as 5 cm to prevent the next year germinations.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.313-319
• /
• 2009

The marine microalga Spirulina maxima was extracted using water or ethanol at 100 or $80^{\circ}C$ and by ultrasonification in water at $60^{\circ}C$. The ultrasonification technique generated the highest yield (19.8%). To be therapeutically useful, the extraction should yield a product with low cytotoxicity and high immunity against skin infections. The cytotoxicity of all extracts (1.0 mg/mL) was below 25%. Moreover, the cytotoxicity of the extract generated by ultrasonification was 5%. Extracts prepared in the described manners could inhibit hyaluronidase activity by up to 40% compared to the control. Increased growth of human B, T and NK cells and an increase in cytokine secretion were observed, confirming the interrelationship between both human immune and skin immune activity. The extract prepared by ultrasonification increased the growth of human B, T and NK cells up to $10.3{\times}10^4$ cells/mL, $11.3{\times}10^4$ cells/mL and $19.1{\times}10^4$ cells/mL, respectively. The extract prepared by ultrasonification also greatly increased the secretion of both IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$. Moreover, it was estimated that protein, Na and leucine occupy a high ratio. Accordingly, this study has confirmed that extracts prepared as described have the potential to effectively increase skin immunity.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.222-234
• /
• 2017

Green tides, which was mainly caused by Ulva spp., have been increasing in severity and frequency globally, and have negatively affected on marine ecosystems. This study was conducted to investigate effects of various physical and chemical factors on the death of Ulva australis (ULAUS) and to consider a practical measures useful for alleviating Ulva bloom. Soaking of ULAUS thalli in pure water for 8 hr didn't induce a death, but incubation in 1.0-1.5% salinity for 7 d inhibited sporulation by about 70%. Desiccation gave rise to a serious damage when more than 40-50% of initial fresh weight was lost. ULAUS growth was sensitive to temperature and seriously inhibited from more than $30^{\circ}C$. At $35^{\circ}C$, $40^{\circ}C$, $45^{\circ}C$ and $50^{\circ}C$, treatment time required for 90-95% death of ULAUS thalli was 1 d, 10 min, 30 sec, and 1 sec, repectively. ULAUS growth was seriously inhibited at lower than pH 6.0 and completely dead at pH 4.0. Several compounds for ULAUS control was selected and the chemcals causing a rapid death were oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide and sodium percarbonate. Taken together, our results suggest that low salinities, dryness, pH, high temp. and compounds could be selected for Ulva bloom control, and high temperature and compounds seems to be useful for a development of practical control methods.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.201-210
• /
• 2001

Salinity, DIN, DIP, DIN/DIP and indigenous algal assay were determined to estimate the limiting nutrient for phytoplankton growth in Gwangyang Bay, South Sea of Korea. Seawater samples were collected at surface and bot-tom water in 4 November 1999 (dry season) and 2 September 2000 (after heavy rain). In 4 November 1999, the salinity, DIN, DIP and DIN/DIP were 29.92 psu, 13.59 ${\mu}M$, 3.41 ${\mu}M$ and 4.14 respectively. In 2 September 2000, These values were 24.62 psu, 27.77 ${\mu}M$, 2.82 ${\mu}M$ and 9.79 respectively. The DIN and DIP concentrations in this study were higher than Deukryang, Yeoja and Gamak Bay, South Sea of Korea. Especially, DIP concentration was 8 times high compared to Deutryang, Yeoja and Gamak Bay. The main sources of nitrogen seem to be freshwater runoff from Somjin River and industrial wastewater. But, the main sources of phosphorus seem to be industrial wastewater around Gwangyang Bay. The limiting nutrient was nitrogen at all station in 4 November 1999. The limiting nutrient was also nitrogen in 2 September 2000 in spite of heavy rain observed because of relatively much volume of phosphorus sup-plied from point sources than nitrogen. In case of below 20 psu in salinity by heavy rain, the limiting nutrient willbe shift from nitrogen to phosphorus at some area of Somjin River estuary. But the limiting nutrient will be never shift to phosphorus throughout Gwangyang Bay, eastern coast of Yeoja and Dolsan because of much volume of phosphorus runoff from point source in coastal area of Gwangyang Bay.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.39-45
• /
• 2001

Black rockfish Sebastes schlegeli is one of scopaenid fish giving birth to yolk-sac larvae and distributed around the coast of Korea and Japan, and is one of main species which is cultured in Korea. The difffrentiation of thyroid gland and the changes of thyroid hormones (THs) concentrations in the whole body during early development of this species were examined and the relationship between thyroid gland and their growth will be presented. Total length (TL) and body weight (BW) of the larva at the parturition were 6.3${\pm}$0.1 mm and 3.6${\pm}$0.1 mg, respectively. The larvae transformed to juvenile after 30th day after parturition. According to Hoshiai(1977), they had gown into stage Fl (TL 13.2${\pm}$0.9 mm, BW 46.5${\pm}$1.5 mg) at 50th day. The thyroid gland of black rockfish was first observed histologically in hatching larvae in mother fish. The larvae just after parturition have 1${\sim}$3 of the thyroid follicles diffrentiated between basibranchial bone and ventral aorta, at the base of the first gill arch. In this time, thyroid follic1e number (TFN),thyroid follicle diameter (TFD) and thyroid cell height (TCH) were 1.6${\pm}$0.8 pieces/inds., 18.1${\pm}$0.6 ${\mu}$m and 4.1${\pm}$0.2 ${\mu}$m, respectively. TFN and TFD at 50th day were increased to 32.5${\pm}$6.9 pieces/inds. and 41.5${\pm}$1.7 ${\mu}$m, respectively. These results indicate that they are related to the growth of black rockfish during early development. However, TCH indicates that the activity of thyroid gland appearedat special day, eg. 5, 20 and 50th day, suggesting that TCH may have some role in the physiological activity. L-thyroxine (T$_4$)concentration decreased sharply to 10 days after parturition, and at 25th day (metamorphosis stage) increased markedly to 3.44${\pm}$0.93ng/g fish. After this time, T$_4$ concentration decreased at 35th day, but then increasedagain to the highest concentration, 5.63${\pm}$0.70ng/g fish. 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine (T$_3$) concentration declined sharply from just after pafurition (4.96${\pm}$1.90 ng/g fish) to 5th day (0.30${\pm}$0.07 ng/g fish). However T$_3$ concentration increased markedly to 0.95${\pm}$0.11 ng/g fish at 30th day and then did not significantly change until 45th day, increased also sharply to 1.67${\pm}$0.23 ng/g fish at 50th day.

• Journal of Aquaculture
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.173-177
• /
• 2006

This study was conducted to evaluate extruded pellets (EP) for growth of adult flounder by comparing with raw fish-based moist pellet (MP). Two replicate groups of 150 fish per each tank (initial mean weight 329 g) were fed one of seven EP (EP1, EP2, EP3, EP4, EP5, EP6 and EP7) and a MP for 8 months. Survival of fish fed the MP was not significantly different from that of fish fed the EP1, EP5 and EP7, but significantly higher than that of fish fed the EP2, EP3, EP4 and EP6 (P<0.05). Weight gain of fish fed the MP was significantly lower than that of fish fed the EPI (P<0.05), but not significantly different from that of fish fed EP2, EP3, EP4, EP5, EP6 and EP7. Feed efficiency of fish fed the MP was significantly lower than EP1, EP3, EP4, EP5 and EP6 (P<0.05), but not significantly different from that of fish fed EP2 and EP7 Feed supply (kg/tank) of fish fed the MP was significantly higher than that of fish fed all EP (P<0.05). Condition factor of fish fed the MP was not significantly different from that of fish fed all EP. The contents of moisture, crude protein and lipid in dorsal muscle and whole body was not significantly different among the groups. It is concluded that the dietary formulation used in the EP1, EP3, TP4, EP5 and EP6 can be applied in the practical extruded pellet feeds for adult flounder (329-680g).

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.27 no.9
• /
• pp.1020-1030
• /
• 2017

Epidemiology studies have reported a reduced incidence of colon cancer among populations that consume a large quantity of ${\omega}3-polyunsaturated$ fatty acids (${\omega}3-PUFAs$) of marine origin. Herein, we demonstrated a mechanism of anticancer action of ${\omega}3-PUFAs$, showing that they suppressed invasion and tumorigenicity in colon cancer cells. Docosahexaenoic acids (DHA) inhibited the cell growth of HT29 cells. This action likely involved apoptosis, given that the DHA treatment increased the cleaved form of PARP and sub G1 cells. Moreover, the invasiveness of HT29 cells was inhibited following DHA treatment, whereas arachidonic acid (AA) had no effect. The levels of Matrix-metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and MMP-2 mRNA decreased after DHA pretreatment. DHA treatment inhibited MMP-9 and MMP-2 promoter activities and reduced VEGF promoter activity. DHA pretreatment also inhibited the activities of prostaglandin-2 (PGE2)-induced MMPs and the VEGF promoter. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) overexpression increased the activity of MMPs and that of the Vascular endotherial growth factor (VEGF) promoter in HT29 cells, and DHA inhibited NF-kB and COX-2 promoter reporter activities. As shown by in vivo experiments, when mouse colon cancer cells (MCA38) were implanted into Fat-1 and wild-type mice, both the tumoral size and volume were dramatically inhibited in Fat-1 transgenic mice. Furthermore, TUNEL-positive cells increased in tumors from Fat-1 mice compared with wild mice. In immunohistochemistry, the intensity of CD31 in Fat-1 tumors was weaker. These findings suggest that ${\omega}3-PUFAs$ may inhibit tumorigenicity and angiogenesis as well as cancer cell invasion by suppression of COX-2, MMPs and VEGF via the reduction of NF-kB in colon cancer.