• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.930-939
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• 2024

Mushroom laccases play a crucial role in lignin depolymerization, one of the most critical challenges in lignin utilization. Importantly, laccases can utilize a wide range of substrates, such as toxicants and antibiotics. This study isolated a novel laccase, named HeLac4c, from endophytic white-rot fungi Hericium erinaceus mushrooms. The cDNAs for this enzyme were 1569 bp in length and encoded a protein of 523 amino acids, including a 20 amino-acid signal peptide. Active extracellular production of glycosylated laccases from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was successfully achieved by selecting an optimal translational fusion partner. We observed that 5 and 10 mM Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, and K⁺ increased laccase activity, whereas 5 mM Fe²⁺ and Al³⁺ inhibited laccase activity. The laccase activity was inhibited by the addition of low concentrations of sodium azide and ⳑ-cysteine. The optimal pH for the 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt was 4.4. Guaiacylglycerol-β-guaiacyl ether, a lignin model compound, was polymerized by the HeLac4c enzyme. These results indicated that HeLac4c is a novel oxidase biocatalyst for the bioconversion of lignin into value-added products for environmental biotechnological applications.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.34-40
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• 2014

SPLITT fractionation (SF) allows continuous (and thus a preparative scale) separation of micronsized particles into two size fractions ('fraction-a' and 'fraction-b'). SF is usually carried out in a thin rectangular channel with two inlets and two outlets, which is equipped with flow stream splitters at the inlet and the outlet of the channel, respectively. A new large scale splitter-less gravitational SF (GSF) system had been assembled, which was designed to eliminate the flow stream splitters and thus is operated by the full feed depletion (FFD) mode (FFD-GSF). In the FFD mode, there is only one inlet through which the sample is fed. There is no carrier liquid fed into the channel, and thus prevents the sample dilution. The effects of the sample-feeding flow rate, the channel thickness on the fractionation efficiency (FE, number % of particles that have the size predicted by theory) of FFD-GSF was investigated using industrial polyurethane (PU) latex beads. The carrier liquid was water containing 0.1% FL-70 (particle dispersing agent) and 0.02% sodium azide (used as bactericide). The sample loading rate was varied from about 4 to 7 L/hr with the sample concentration fixed at 0.01%. The GSF channel thickness was varied from 900 to $1300{\mu}m$. Particles exiting the GSF channel were collected and monitored by optical microscopy (OM). Sample recovery was monitored by collecting the fractionated particles on a $0.45{\mu}m$ membrane filter. It was found that FE of fraction-a was increased as the channel thickness increases, and FE of fraction-b was increased as the flow rate was increased. In all cases, the sample recovery has higher than 95%. It seems the new splitter-less FFD GSF system could become a useful tool for large scale separations of various types of micron-sized particles.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.451-459
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• 2005

The protective effects of ethanol extracts from 5 seaweeds on the mutagenic and cytotoxic damage were evaluated. They were separately extracted using ethanol from dried samples at room temperature, and freeze-dried. The inhibition effects on the mutagenicity in Salmonella assay by Ames test and cancer cell inhibitory effect in HeLa cell, MCF-7 cell and SNU -638 cell by MTT assay were assayed. Seaweed fusiforme, sea tangle and green laver showed strong inhibitory effect against 2-nitrofluorene, sodium azide- or 2-anthramine-induced mutagenicities in Salmonella Typhimurium TA 98 and TA 100 at the level of 2.5 mg ethanol extract per plate. Cancer cell inhibitory effect was shown with all of the seaweed extracts. Green laver, sea mustard, sea tangle and seaweed fusiforme showed strong cytotoxicity against HeLa and MCF-7 cells, with inhibiting by $92\~93\%$ and $89\~92\%$, respectively. These data show that 5 seaweeds tested in this study might be potent functional foods for cancer prevention, and consumption of these seaweeds in adequate amount is recommended.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.448-457
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• 2015

Developing rice lines with various amylose contents is necessary to diverse usages of rice in terms of raw materials for processed food production, and thereby to promote rice consumption in Korea. A rice mutant line, 'Namil(SA)-dull1' was established through sodium azide mutagenesis on 'Namil', a non-glutinous Korean Japonica rice cultivar. Namil(SA)-dull1' had dull endosperm characteristics and the evaluated amylose content was 12.2%. A total of 94 F2 progenies from a cross between 'Namil(SA)-dull1' and 'Milyang23', a non-glutinous Tongil-type rice cultivar, was used for genetic studies on the endosperm amylose content. Association analyses, between marker genotypes of 53 SSR anchor markers and evaluated amylose contents of each 94 F2:3 seeds, initially localized rice chromosome 6 as the harboring place for the modified allele(s) directing low amylose content of 'Namil(SA)-dull1'. By increasing SSR marker density on the putative chromosomal region followed by association analyses, the target region was narrowed down 0.94 Mbp segment, expanding from 28.95 Mbp to 29.89 Mbp, on rice chromosome 6 pseudomolecule. Among the SSR loci, RM7555 explained 84.2% of total variation of amylose contents in the $F_2$ population. Further physical mapping on the target region directing low amylose content of 'Namil(SA)-dull1' would increase the breeding efficiency in developing promising rice cultivars with various endosperm characteristics.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.487-495
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• 2015

We carried out pH stability, chemical inhibition, chemical modification, and pH-dependent kinetic parameter assessments to further characterize protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase from Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes KF707. Protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase was stable in the pH range of 4.5~10.5. L-ascorbate and glutathione were competitive inhibitors with $K_{is}$ values of 0.17 mM and 0.86 mM, respectively. DL-dithiothreitol was a noncompetitive inhibitor with a $K_{is}$ value of 1.57 mM and a $K_{ii}$ value of 8.08 mM. Potassium cyanide, p-hydroxybenzoate, and sodium azide showed a noncompetitive inhibition pattern with $K_{is}$ values of 55.7 mM, 0.22 mM, and 15.64 mM, and $K_{ii}$ values of 94.1 mM, 8.08 mM, and 662.64 mM, respectively. $FeCl_{2}$ was the best competitive inhibitor with a $K_{is}$ value of $29{\mu}M$. $FeCl_{3}$, $MnCl_{2}$, $CoCl_{2}$, and $AlCl_{3}$ were also competitive inhibitors with $K_{is}$ values of 1.21 mM, 0.85 mM, 3.98 mM, and 0.21 mM, respectively. Other metal ions showed noncompetitive inhibition patterns. The pH-dependent kinetic parameter data showed that there may be at least two catalytic groups with pK values of 6.2 and 9.4 and two binding groups with pK values of 5.5 and 9.0. Lysine, cysteine, tyrosine, carboxyl, and histidine were modified by their own specific chemical modifiers, indicating that they are involved in substrate binding and catalysis.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.188-194
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• 1994

The inhibitory effects of rice extract on mutagenicity induced by 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido [4,3-b]indole(Trp-P-1), 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido [4,3-b]indole(Trp-P-2), sodium azide(SA), 2-nitrofluorene(2NF), mitomycin C(MMC), aflatoxin $B_1(AFB_1)$ and 4-nitroquinoline oxide(4-NQO) were investigated using Salmonella typhimurium reversion assay, SOS chromotest and spore rec-assay. In Salmonella typhimurium reversion assay, methanol extract from brown rice (Illpumbyeo, Japonica variety) showed the highest inhibitory effect among other extracting solvent including hexane, chloroform and water. Methanol extract showed stronger inhibitory effect, above 85%, on indirect-acting mutagens(Trp-P-1, Trp-P-2 and $AFB_1$) than those on direct-acting mutagens(4-NQO, 2NF). In SOS chromotest, methanol extracts showed $77.6{\sim}88.9%$ effects on SOS function induced by Trp-P-1, Trp-P-2, $AFB_1$ and 4-NQO. In spore rec-assay, methanol extracts inhibited the mutagenicity induced by $AFB_1$ and MMC. As the concentration of methanol extract increased, inhibitory effect on mutagenicity increased but reached at steady state as inhibition rate of 90% when the concentration was above 5 mg/plate. In inhibitory effects of methanol extracts by various rice varieties, all of 11 varieties turned out to have inhibitory effect on mutagenicity. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in inhibitory effect of methanol extracts between brown and white rice against Trp-P-1, but showed difference (p<0.05) against 4-NQO.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.95-100
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• 2007

The cellulase gene of Bacillus licheniformis K11 which has plant growth-promoting activity by auxin and antagonistic ability by siderophore was cloned in pUC18 using PCR employing heterologous primers. The 1.6kb PCR fragment contained the full sequence of the cellulase gene, denoted celW which has been reported to encode a 499 amino acid protein. Similarity search in protein data base revealed that the cellulase from B. licheniformis K11 was more than 97% identical in amino acid sequence to those of various Bacillus spp. The cellulase protein from B. licheniformis K11, overproduced in E. coli DH5${\alpha}$ by the lac promoter on the vector, had apparent molecular weight of 55 kDa upon CMC-SDS-PAGE analysis. The protein not only had enzymatic activity toward carboxymethyl-cellulose (CMC), but also was able to degrade insoluble cellulose, such as Avicel and filter paper (Whatman$^{\circledR}$ No. 1). In addition, the cellulase could degrade a fungal cell wall of Phytophthora capsici. Consequently B. licheniformis K11 was able to suppress the peperblight causing P. capsici by its cellulase. Biochemical analysis showed that the enzyme had a maximum activity at 60$^{\circ}C$ and pH 6.0. Also, the enzyme activity was activated by Co$^{2+}$ of Mn$^{2+}$ but inhibited by Fe$^{3+}$ or Hg$^{2+}$. Moreover, enzyme activity was not inhibited by SDS or sodium azide.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.332-338
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• 2009

A xylan-decomposing bacterium, HY-20, was isolated from the gut of a honeybee, Apis mellifera, and identified as Bacillus sp. The extracellular GH11 xylanase (XylP) gene (687-bp) of strain HY-20 encoded a protein of 228 amino acids with a deduced molecular mass of 25,522 Da and a calculated pI of 9.33. The primary structure of XylP was 97% identical to that of B. pumilus xylanase (GenBank accession no.: AY526092) that has not been characterized yet. The recombinant His-tagged enzyme (rXylP) overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21 harboring pET-28a(+)/xylP was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity by cation exchange and gel permeation chromatographies. The purified enzyme exhibited the highest catalytic activity toward birchwood xylan at pH 6.5 and $50^{\circ}C$ and retained approximately 50% of its original activity when pre-incubated at $55^{\circ}C$ for 15 min. The recombinant enzyme was completely inactivated by $Hg^{2+}$ (1 mM) and N-bromosuccinimide (5 mM), while its activity was slightly stimulated by approximately 10% in the presence of $Mn^{2+}$ (1 mM), $Fe^{2+}$ (1 mM), and sodium azide (5 mM). rXylP was able to efficiently degrade various polymeric xylose-based substrates but PNP-sugar derivatives and glucose-based polymers were not susceptible to the enzyme.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.412-420
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• 2005

In order to investigate factors affecting the denitrification in the F-STEP PROCESS using a loess ball as support media and Pseudomonas DWC 17-8, calcining temperature, loess ball size, pH, nitrate concentration, working temperature, and inhibitor were studied in batch mode using synthetic sludge. A 5- 10 mm of loess ball (960$^{circ}$ of calcining temperature) was the most suitable for denitrification. When the initial pH was increased from 3.0 to 7.0, the removal efficiency of nitrate was increased. Specifically, at initial pH of 7.0, the maximum removal efficiency of nitrate was 5.0 mg/min. When the initial concentration of nitrate was increased from 100 to 400 mg/l, the removal efficiency of nitrate was proportional to the concentration of nitrate. The maximum removal efficiency of nitrate was 5.72 mg/min at 400 mg/l of initial concentration. When the operating temperature was increased from 10 to 30$^{circ}$, the removal efficiency of nitrate was increased from 0.76 to 6.15 mg/min, and at above 40$^{circ}$ of operating temperature, it was decreased from 4.0 to 2.0 mg/min. Among the various inhibitors, higher than 10$^{-1}$ M of sodium azide abolished this reaction completely. When the KCN concentration was above 10$^{-1}$ M, the reaction was inhibited completely. In the case of 2,4-dinitrophenol and sodium sulphide, it was inhibited at above 10$^{-2}$ M completely. For testing the various flow orders of the F-STEP PROCESS for effective denitrification using practical wastewater, continuous experiments under the optimum conditions were carried out for 60 days. Among the various processes, the PROCESS A gave the highest efficiencies of denitrification, nitrification, and total nitrogen (TN) removal with 86.5, 89.5, and $90\%$, respectively. For scale-up in the PROCESS A, real farm wastewater was used and pilot tests carried out for 90 days. The denitrification efficiency was $97.5\%$, which was increased by $12.7\%$. The efficiencies of TN removal and nitrification were 96.6 and $70.0\%$, respectively. The removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand (COD) was $63.7\%$, which was increased by $20\%$.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.230-234
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• 2011

The present study describes the synthesis of 4,5-dihydro-6-(4-methoxy-3-methylphenyl)-3(2H)-pyridazinone derivatives. The synthesis of the first target compound, 4,5-dihydro-6-(4-methoxy-3-methylphenyl)-3(2H)-pyridazinone (1), was achieved by Friedel-Crafts acylation of o-cresyl methyl ether with succinic anhydride and subsequent cyclization of the intermediary g-keto acid with hydrazine hydrate. Condensation of compound 1 with aromatic aldehydes in the presence of sodium ethoxide affords the corresponding 4-substituted benzyl pyridazinones (3a-d). The dihydropyridazinone 1 underwent dehydrogenation upon treatment with bromine/acetic acid mixture to give (4). Pyridazine (5) has been synthesized upon the reaction of pyridazinone (1) with 1,3-diphenyl-2-propen-1-one under the Michael addition reaction. N-dialkylaminomethyl derivatives 6a-b have been obtained from the reaction of pyridazinone 1 with formaldehyde and secondary amine, whereas reaction of 1 with formaldehyde gives N-hydroxymethyl derivative (7). This study also includes the synthesis of the 3-chloropyridazine derivative 8 in excellent yield by heating pyridazinone 3b in phosphorus oxychloride. The behaviour of the chloro derivative toward sodium azide, benzyl amine and anthranilic acid was also studied. The proposed structures of the products were confirmed by elemental analysis, spectral data and chemical evidence.