• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.115-121
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• 2009

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 2 is a potent osteogenic factor. Although both Smad1/5 and mitogenactivated protein kinases (MAPKs) are activated by BMP2, the hierarchical relationship between them is unclear. In this study, we examined if BMP2-stimulated MAPK activation is regulated by Smad1/5 or vice versa. When C2C12 cells were treated with BMP2, the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 MAPK and c-Jun-N-terminal kinase was evident within 5 min. The knockdown of both Smad1 and Smad5 by small interfering RNA did not affect the activation of these MAPKs. In addition, neither the overexpression of Smad1 nor Smad5 induced ERK activation. When ERK activation was induced by constitutively active MEK1 expression, the protein level and activation of Smad1 increased. Furthermore, the inhibition of constitutively active BMP receptor type IB-induced ERK activation significantly suppressed Smad1 activation. These results indicate that Smad1/5 activation is not necessary for BMP2-induced MAPK activation and also that ERK positively regulates Smad1 activation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권2호
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• pp.316-324
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• 2021

Background: Korea Red Ginseng (KRG) has been used as remedies with hepato-protective effects in liver-related condition. Microbiota related gut-liver axis plays key roles in the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease. We evaluated the effect of KRG on gut-liver axis in patients with nonalcoholic statohepatitis by the modulation of gut-microbiota. Methods: A total of 94 patients (KRG: 45 and placebo: 49) were prospectively randomized to receive KRG (2,000 mg/day, ginsenoside Rg1+Rb1+Rg3 4.5mg/g) or placebo during 30 days. Liver function test, cytokeraton 18, and fatigue score were measured. Gut microbiota was analyzed by MiSeq systems based on 16S rRNA genes. Results: In KRG group, the mean levels (before vs. after) of aspartate aminotransferase (53 ± 19 vs. 45 ± 23 IU/L), alanine aminotransferase (75 ± 40 vs. 64 ± 39 IU/L) and fatigue score (33 ± 13 vs. 26 ± 13) were improved (p < 0.05). In placebo group, only fatigue score (34 ± 13 vs. 31 ± 15) was ameliorated (p < 0.05). The changes of phyla were not statistically significant on both groups. In KRG group, increased abundance of Lactobacillus was related with improved alanine aminotransferase level and increased abundance of Clostridium and Intestinibacter was associated with no improvement after KRG supplementation. In placebo group, increased abundance of Lachnospiraceae could be related with aggravation of liver enzyme (p < 0.05). Conclusion: KRG effectively improved liver enzymes and fatigue score by modulating gut-microbiota in patients with fatty liver disease. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanism of improvement of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. ClnicalTrials.gov: NCT03945123 (www.ClinicalTrials.gov).

• 생명과학회지
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• 제34권5호
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• pp.304-312
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• 2024

가금류 우모는 환경오염 물질이자 병원성 세균의 저장소로 간주되는 축산폐기물이다. 따라서 우모 폐기물을 관리하기 위한 지속 가능하고, 환경친화적인 방법을 개발하는 것은 매우 중요하다. 본 연구는 폐기된 닭의 우모로부터 분리된 Y10 균주를 동정하고, 특성화하기 위하여 수행되었다. Y10 균주는 표현형 및 16S rRNA 유전자 분석을 통해 Bacillus amyloliquefaciens에 속하는 것으로 확인되었다. B. amyloliquefaciens Y10은 곰팡이 세포성분을 분해하는 효소(cellulase, lipase, protease and pectinase), siderophore, 암모니아 및 IAA 생성과 같은 식물 성장 촉진 활성을 나타내었다. 나아가 Y10 균주는 일부 식물병원성 곰팡이의 균사체 생육을 억제할 수 있었다. 기본배지에 탄소원으로 sucrose 0.1%, 질소원으로 casein 0.05%를 첨가한 후, 배지의 pH를 10으로 조정하여 35℃에서 배양했을 때, 실험균주에 의한 우모 분해율은 기본배지 대비 약 2배 증가되었으며, 배양 4일에 우모는 완전히 분해되었다. 또한 실험균주는 개선된 조건에서 오리 우모, 양모, 사람의 손발톱과 같은 다양한 케라틴 기질을 분해할 수 있었다. Y3 균주를 이용하여 조제된 우모 분해산물은 DPPH 라디칼 소거능(EC₅₀ = 0.38 mg/ml)과 SOD 유사활성(EC₅₀ = 183.7 mg/ml)과 같은 항산화능이 있음을 확인하였다. 이 결과는 실험균주는 케라틴 폐기물의 미생물학적 처리뿐만 아니라 농축산 산업에 적용할 수 있는 생물 비료, 생물 농약 및 사료첨가제 개발의 잠재적인 후보가 될 수 있을 시사한다.