• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.1867-1875
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• 2024

Identification of the biochemical metabolic pathway for lignin decomposition and the responsible degradative enzymes is needed for the effective biotechnological valorization of lignin to renewable chemical products. In this study, we investigated the decomposition of kraft lignin by the soil bacterium Pseudomonas kribbensis CHA-19, a strain that can utilize kraft lignin and its main degradation metabolite, vanillic acid, as growth substrates. Gel permeation chromatography revealed that CHA-19 decomposed polymeric lignin and degraded dehydrodivanillin (a representative lignin model compound); however, the degradative enzyme(s) and mechanism were not identified. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction with mRNAs from CHA-19 cells induced in the presence of lignin showed that the putative genes coding for two laccase-like multicopper oxidases (LMCOs) and three dye-decolorizing peroxidases (DyPs) were upregulated by 2.0- to 7.9-fold compared with glucose-induced cells, which indicates possible cooperation with multiple enzymes for lignin decomposition. Computational homology analysis of the protein sequences of LMCOs and DyPs also predicted their roles in lignin decomposition. Based on the above data, CHA-19 appears to initiate oxidative lignin decomposition using multifunctional LMCOs and DyPs, producing smaller metabolites such as vanillic acid, which is further degraded via ortho- and meta-ring cleavage pathways. This study not only helps to better understand the role of bacteria in lignin decomposition and thus in terrestrial ecosystems, but also expands the biocatalytic toolbox with new bacterial cells and their degradative enzymes for lignin valorization.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 2012

Carboxylic acids play an important role in both aerobic and anaerobic metabolic pathways of both the snail and the parasite. Monitoring the effects of infection by schistosome on Biomphalaria alexandrina carboxylic acids metabolic profiles represents a promising additional source of information about the state of metabolic system. We separated and quantified pyruvic, fumaric, malic, oxalic, and acetic acids using ion-suppression reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to detect correlations between these acids in both hemolymph and digestive gland gonad complex (DGG's) samples in a total of 300 B. alexandrina snails (150 infected and 150 controls) at different stages of infection. The results showed that the majority of metabolite pairs did not show significant correlations. However, some high correlations were found between the studied acids within the control group but not in other groups. More striking was the existence of reversed correlations between the same acids at different stages of infection. Some possible explanations of the underlying mechanisms were discussed. Ultimately, however, further data are required for resolving the responsible regulatory events. These findings highlight the potential of metabolomics as a novel approach for fundamental investigations of host-pathogen interactions as well as disease surveillance and control.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.197-203
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• 1978

In order to investigate mechanisms related to the microbial degradation of 3,4-dichloroaniline, it was incubated with a soil fungus, Chaetomium globosum and the following results were obtained. (1) 3,4-Dichloroacetanilide turned out to be the major metabolite, indicating that acetylation is the major scheme. (2) The presence of trace amounts of 3,4-dichloronitrobenzene, 3,3', 4,4'-tetrachloroazo-benzene, 3,4-dichloroaniline is suggestive of the aromatic amine oxidation as the minor pathway. (3) Other metabolites with m/e 112, 114, and 279 were also isolated, but their identities are under investigation. (4) Dechlorination occurring during incubation indicates the possibility of forming hydroxylated and other metabolites.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.207-213
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• 2016

Although propolis is one of the most popular functional foods for human health, there have been no comprehensive studies of herb-drug interactions through cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibition. The purpose of this study was to determine the inhibitory effects of propolis on the activities of CYP1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1 and 3A4 using pooled human liver microsomes (HLMs). Propolis inhibited CYP1A2, CYP2E1 and CYP2C19 with an $IC_{50}$ value of 6.9, 16.8, and $43.1{\mu}g/mL$, respectively, whereas CYP2A6, 2B6, 2C9, 2D6, and 3A4 were unaffected. Based on half-maximal inhibitory concentration shifts between microsomes incubated with and without nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, propolis-induced CYP1A2, CYP2C19, and CYP2E1 inhibition was metabolism-independent. To evaluate the interaction potential between propolis and therapeutic drugs, the effects of propolis on metabolism of duloxetine, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, were determined in HLMs. CYP1A2 and CYP2D6 are involved in hydroxylation of duloxetine to 4-hydroxy duloxetine, the major metabolite, which was decreased following propolis addition in HLMs. These results raise the possibility of interactions between propolis and therapeutic drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.257-265
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• 2017

Ferulic Acid (FA) is a metabolite of phenylalanine and tyrosine, a phenolic compound commonly found in fruits and vegetables. Several studies have shown that FA has various functions such as antioxidant effect, prevention of cell damage from irradiation, protection from cell damage caused by oxygen deficiency, anti-inflammatory action, anti-aging action, liver protective effect and anti-cancer action. In this study, we investigated the maturation rate, intracellular glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) of porcine oocytes by adding FA to the in vitro maturation (IVM) medium and examined subsequent embryonic developmental competence at 5% oxygen through parthenogenesis. There is no significant difference between the control group ($0{\mu}M$) and treatment groups ($5{\mu}M$, $10{\mu}M$, $20{\mu}M$) on maturation rates. Intracellular GSH levels in oocyte treated with $5{\mu}M$ of FA significantly increased (P < 0.05), and $20{\mu}M$ of FA revealed significant decrease (P < 0.05) in intracellular ROS levels compared with the control group. Oocytes treated with FA exhibited significantly higher cleavage rates (79.01% vs 89.19%, 92.20%, 90.89%, respectively) than the control group. Oocytes treated with $10{\mu}M$ showed significantly higher blastocyst formation rates (28.3% vs 40.3%, respectively) after PA than the control group. Total cell numbers in blastocyst of $10{\mu}M$ FA displayed significantly higher (39.4 vs 51.9, respectively) than the control group. In conclusion, these results suggested that treatment with FA during IVM improved the developmental potential of porcine embryos by increasing intracellular GSH synthesis and reducing ROS levels. Also, there was an improvement of cleavage rate, blastocyst formation and total cell numbers in blastocysts. It might be associated with Keap1-Nrf2 pathway as an antioxidant regulate pathway that plays a crucial role in determining the sensitivity of cells to oxidative damages by regulating the basal and inducible expression of enzymes which is related to detoxification and anti-oxidative effects, stress response enzymes and/or proteins and ABC transporters.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.401-408
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• 2016

The present study described the isolation of 2-methylbutyric acid (2-MBA) produced from Bacillus pumilus L1, to subsequently investigate its nematicidal activity for the control of the root-knot nematode. The results showed that 2-MBA could be purified by chromatographic techniques and was identified using nuclear magnetic resonance and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Crude extract and partially purified compounds had a significant effect on the inhibition of egg hatchability and second-stage juvenile (J2) mortality. A dose-dependent effect of 2-MBA was observed for J2 mortality and egg hatchability. Egg hatchability was 69.2%, 59.9%, 32.7%, and 0.0% at 125, 250, 500, and $1000{\mu}g\;mL^{-1}$ of 2-MBA after 4 d of incubation, respectively. Meanwhile, J2 mortality was in the range of 24.4%-100.0% after 2 d of incubation, depending on the concentrations of 2-MBA used. A pot experiment also demonstrated that treatment of B. pumilus L1 culture caused a significant reduction in the number of galls, egg masses, and J2 population than that of the tap water (TW) control. However, as the B. pumilus L1 culture concentration was decreased, the efficacy of nematode control by treatment of B. pumilus L1 culture was reduced compared to that of TW. B. pumilus L1 inoculation at different concentrations also promoted cucumber plant growth. Therefore, our study demonstrated the potential of 2-MBA from B. pumilus L1 as a biocontrol agent against the root-knot nematode and a plant growth promoter for cucumber plants.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.564-570
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• 2005

In the present study, the protective effects of Bcl-2 over-expression in a suspension culture (without any adaptation) and spent medium (low nutrient and high toxic metabolite conditions) were investigated. In the suspension culture without prior adaptation, the viability of the control cell line fall to 0% by day 7, whereas the Bcl-2 cell line had a viability of 65%. The difference in the viability and viable cell density between the Bcl-2 and control cell lines was more apparent in the suspension culture than the static culture, and became even more apparent on day 6. Fluorescence microscopic counting revealed that the major mechanism of cell death in the control cell line in both the static and suspension cultures was apoptosis. For the Bcl-2 cell lines, necrosis was the major mode of cell death in the static culture, but apoptosis became equally important in the suspension culture. When the NS0 6A1 cell line was cultured in spent medium taken from a 14 day batch culture, the control cell line almost completely lost its viability by day 5, whereas, the Bcl-2 still had a viability of 73%. The viable cell density and viability of the Bcl-2 cell line cultivated in fresh medium were 2.2 and 2.7 fold higher, respectively, than those of the control cultures. However, the viable cell density and viability of the Bcl-2 cultivated in the spent medium were 8.7 and 7.8 fold higher, respectively, than those of the control cultures. Most of the dead cells in the control cell line were apoptotic; whereas, the major cell death mechanisms in the Bcl-2 cell line were necrotic.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.592-607
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• 1999

2-(1-Aryl-1-hydroxymethyl)-and 2-aroyl-DHAQ derivatives (DHAQ, 1,4-dihydroxy-,10-anthraquinone), and 2-(1-aryl-1-hydroxymethyl)-ATO derivatives (ATO, anthraceneactivity (T/C 125~128%), though their cytotoxicity was not further improved compared to that of 2-(1-aryl-1-dydroxymethyl)-1,4-dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinones. They manifested no correlation between the cytotoxicity and the antitumor activity. In case of 2-[1-hydroxy-1-(4-propylphenyl)-methyl]-ATO, the most bioactive one in viv-1,4,9,10-tetraone) were synthesized and their antitumor activities were determined. 2-(1-Aryl-1-hydroxymethyl)-DHAQ derivatives showed a stronger cytotoxicity compared to the series of 2-(1-hydroxyalkyl)-1,4-dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone derivatives. It was suggested that the presence of aryl group at the side chain accelerated the bioreductive activation leading to cell death. 2-Aroyl-DHAQ derivatives, despite their higher electrophilicity, revealed smaller cytotoxicity and antitumor activity (expressed by T/C value) than 2-(1-aryl-1-hydroxymethyl)-DHAQ derivatives. Thus, no consistent relationship between the electronic effect on aromatic side chain and the cytotoxicity was observed. ATO series exhibited a higher antitumor o among the same series, it showed an $ED_{50}$ value of 10.2 mg/mL and a T/C value of 218%. It is assumed that the anthrancene1,4,9,10-tetraones after uptake into cellular tissues might be transformed to a cytotoxic metabolite(s).

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.79-92
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• 2007

Oxidative stress have known to be a risk factor for the degenerative processes and closely related to a lot of diseases. It is well established that antioxidants are good in protection and therapeutic means against oxidative damage. There is increasing interest in natural antioxidants and many natural antioxidants have been found and utilized as the possible protection for various diseases and skin aging. We have screened natural antioxidant agents for cosmeceuticals, nutraceuticals, and drugs as therapeutic and preventive means against oxidative stress, and have developed a number of novel antioxidants from various natural sources. A novel melanin synthesis inhibitor, Melanocin A, isolated from the metabolite of a fungal strain Eupenicillium shearii F80695 inhibited mushroom tyrosinase and melanin biosynthesis of B16 melanoma cells with $IC_{50}$ value of 9.0 nM and MIC value of $0.9\;{\mu}M$, respectively. Melanocin A also exhibited potent antioxidant activity by scavenging of DPPH and superoxide anion radicals. UV was found to increase the level of hydrogen peroxides and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) in skin tissues. This increase in ROS may not only alter the structure and function of many genes and proteins directly but may also modulate their expressions through signal transduction pathways and, ultimately, lead to skin damage. We investigated the effect of Melanocin A on UV-induced premature skin aging. Firstly, the effect of Melanocin A on UV-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression in an immortalized human keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT in vitro was investigated. Acute UV irradiation induced MMP-9 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels and Melanocin A suppressed this expression in a dose-dependent manner. We then investigated UV-induced skin changes in hairless mice in vivo by Melanocin A. Chronic exposure of hairless mouse dorsal skin to UV increased skin thickness and induced wrinkle formation and the gelatinase activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Moreover, Melanocin A significantly suppressed UV-induced morphologic skin changes and MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression. These results show that Melanocin A can prevent the harmful effects of UV that lead to skin aging. Therefore, we suggest that Melanocin A should be viewed as a potential therapeutic agent for preventing and/or treating premature skin aging. Terrein is a bioactive fungal metabolite isolated from Penicillium species. Terrein has a relatively simple structure and can be easily synthesized. However, the biologic effects of terrein are comparatively unknown. We found for the first time that terrein potently inhibit melanin production in melanocytes and has a strong hypopigmentary effect in a spontaneously immortalized mouse melanocyte cell line, Mel-Ab. Treatment of Mel-Ab cells with terrein (10-100 mM) for 4 days significantly reduced melanin levels in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, terrein at the same concentration also reduced tyrosinase activity. We then investigated whether terrein influences the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) pathway and the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), which is required for tyrosinase expression. Terrein was found to induce sustained ERK activation and MITF down-regulation, and luciferase assays showed that terrein inhibits MITF promoter activity in a dose-dependent manner. To elucidate the correlation between ERK pathway activation and a decreased MITF transcriptional level, PD98059, a specific inhibitor of the ERK pathway, was applied before terrain treatment and found to abrogate the terrein-induced MITF attenuation. Terrein also reduced the tyrosinase protein level for at least 72 h. These results suggest that terrain reduces melanin synthesis by reducing tyrosinase production via ERK activation, and that this is followed by MITF down-regulation.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.158-164
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• 2016

Plant growth promoting (PGP) hormones, which are produced in a small quantity by bacteria, affect in plant growth and development. PGPs play an important role on the crop productivity in agricultural field. In this study, a photosynthetic bacterial strain producing the PGP was isolated from paddy soil. Bacterial isolate was gram negative, rod-shaped and motility positive. From the 16s rRNA gene sequence analysis, the isolate was identified as Rhodobacter capsulatus PS-2. The mass cultivation of R. capsulatus PS-2 was optimized by considering of the carbon, nitrogen and inorganic salt sources. Optimal medium composition was determined as Na-succinate 4.5 g, yeast extract 5 g, $K_2HPO_4$ 1 g, $MgSO_4$ 5 g, per liter. From the result of 500 L fermentation for 2 days using the optimal medium, the viable cells were $8.7{\times}10^9cfu/mL$. R. capsulatus PS-2 strain produced the carotenoid and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The carotenoid extraction and quantitative analysis were performed by HCl-assisting method. Total carotenoid contents from R. capsulatus PS-2 culture broth were measured as $7.02{\pm}0.04$ and $6.93{\pm}0.05mg/L$ under photoheterotrophic and chemoheterotrophic conditions, respectively. To measure the productivity of IAA, colorimetric method was employed using Salkowski reagent at optical density 535 nm. The results showed that the highest content of IAA was $197.44{\pm}5.92mg/L$ in the optimal medium supplemented with 0.3% tryptophan.