• Mycobiology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.138-141
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• 2012

We measured physiological functionalities, including antihypertensive angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory activity and immun-stimulating ${\beta}$-glucan content for sixty kinds of Makgeolli that is commercially available from the market. As a result, we selected R-12 commercial raw Makgeolli, with a high content of immuno-stimulating ${\beta}$-glucan, and R-14 commercial raw Makgeolli, exhibiting high antihypertensive activity. Due to the similarities in their overall physicochemical properties and raw materials used for fermentation, we compared the microbial flora in order to investigate the reason for the differences in their functionalities. Nested PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis for yeasts and bacteria were performed for analysis of microbial diversity of two different kinds of Makgeolli (i.e., R-12, R-14), which showed immuno-stimulating ${\beta}$-glucan content and exhibited a very high level of antihypertensive activity, respectively. Analysis of the 18S rDNA amplicon revealed a major presence of the yeast strain Pichia burtonii in every Makgeolli sample. Analysis of the 16S rDNA amplicon revealed a predominance of lactic acid bacteria, and the most frequent lactic acid bacteria were Lactobacillus ingluviei, L. fermentum, and L. harbinensis, and Lactobacillus sp. Among these, L. harbinensis was detected only in R-12 and L. ingluviei was found only in R-14. Different functionalities from the individual commercially available Makgeolli may be attributed to actions of different microbial flora during fermentation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.1409-1418
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• 2017

Two typical microbial communities from Chinese rice wine fermentation collected in Yichang city and Suzhou city in China were investigated. Both communities could ferment glutinous rice to rice wine in 2 days. The sugar and ethanol contents were 198.67 and 14.47 mg/g, respectively, for rice wine from Yichang city, and 292.50 and 12.31 mg/g, respectively, for rice wine from Suzhou city. Acetic acid and lactic acid were the most abundant organic acids. Abundant fungi and bacteria were detected in both communities by high-throughput sequencing. Saccharomycopsis fibuligera and Rhizopus oryzae were the dominant fungi in rice wine from Suzhou city, compared with R. oryzae, Wickerhamomyces anomalus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Mucor indicus, and Rhizopus microsporus in rice wine from Yichang city. Bacterial diversity was greater than fungal diversity in both communities. Citrobacter was the most abundant genus. Furthermore, Exiguobacterium, Aeromonas, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, Bacillus, and Lactococcus were highly abundant in both communities.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.151-160
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• 2020

The goal of this study was to investigate the diversity present among wild yeasts obtained from soils of spice fields and from mountain soils, and to further, characterize previously unrecorded novel wild yeast strains. In total, 36 strains from 17 different species of wild yeasts were isolated from 35 soil samples obtained from garlic fields of Geumsan, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea. Among these, six yeast strains of Trichosporon moniliiforme, and four strains each of Papiliotrema flavescens and Candida melibiosica species were isolated. Additionally, 22 strains of 18 different species of wild yeasts were isolated from 32 soil samples collected from the ballonflower and ginger fields of Geumsan, Korea. Finally, 46 strains of wild yeasts were isolated from 35 soil samples obtained from Mt. Daedun in Geumsan, Korea. Among the total of 106 isolated wild yeast strains, 10 strains, including Debaryomyces vindobonensis GHY31-3 represented novel yeast strains which were previously unrecorded. All the 10 previously unrecorded yeasts were oval or global in shape, and five strains, including Filobasidium stepposum SFG1-4 formed ascospores. Three strains, including Pseudozyma alboarmeniaca CD 23-5 grew well in vitamin-free medium. Cell-free extract obtained from Filobasidium magnum SFG1-3 indicated 28.6% of xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.8
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• pp.424-430
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• 2016

Autophagy, an evolutionarily conserved cellular degradation pathway of the lysosome, is associated with many physiological and pathological processes. The hallmark of autophagy is the formation of the autophagosome that engulfs and degrades cytosolic components via its fusion with the lysosome, in either a selective or a non-selective manner. Autophagy is tightly regulated by proteins encoded by autophagy-related (atg) genes. Among these proteins, ATG8/LC3 is essential for autophagosome biogenesis/maturation and it also functions as an adaptor protein for selective autophagy. In mammalian cells, several homologs of yeast Atg8 such as MAP1LC3, GABARAP, and GABARAPL 1/2 have been identified. However, the biological relevance of this gene diversity in higher eukaryotes, and their specific roles, are largely unknown. In this review, we describe the mammalian ATG8/LC3 family and discuss recent advancements in understanding their roles in the autophagic process.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.51-61
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• 2019

The goal of this study was to elucidate wild yeast diversity of Geumgang midstream near Sejong metropolitan autonomous city, Korea. Thirty-seven strains of 32 species of wild yeasts were isolated from 43 water and soil samples under the Bulti bridge of Sejong city, Korea. Seven yeasts of each Candida spp. and Cryptococcus spp. were the predominant species isolated from samples near the Bulti bridge. Holtermanniella takashimae SW048 (NNIBRFG9314), Cystofilobasidium infirmominiatum SW013 (NNIBRFG9310), Mrakia cryoconite SW015 (NNIBRFG9316), Pichia sporocuriosa SW085 (NNIBRFG9326) and Cryptococcus aspenensis SW008 (NNIBRFG9309) represented novel yeast strains found in Korea for the first time. All of these previously unrecorded yeasts, except for Mrakia cryoconite SW015 had ascospores and grew well in yeast extract-peptone-dextrose (YPD), yeast extract-malt extract (YM) and potato-extrose (PD) media. Pichia sporocuriosa SW085 grew well in vitamin-free medium and Holtermanniella takashimae SW048, which was a halotolerant wild yeast, grew well YPD medium containing 5 % NaCl. Twenty-six strains representing eight species of wild yeast were isolated from 22 water and soil samples under the Haetmuri bridge of Sejong city, Korea. Candida pseudolambica (12 strains) and Aureobasidium pullulans (11 strains) were the predominant isolates from samples near the Haetmuri bridge. Occultifur kilbournensis HB060 (NNIBRFG9317), Sampaiozyma vanillica HB014 (NNIBRFG9332), Xenoramularia neerlandica HB039 (NNIBRFG9335), Candida norvegica HB315 (NNIBRFG9306), C. melibiosica HB316 (NNIBRFG9305), C. quercuum GB014 (NNIBRFG9307), and C. succiphila GB015 (NNIBRFG9308) represented novel yeast strains recorded in Korea for the first time. O. kilbournensis HB060 and X. neerlandica HB039 did not form ascospores or pseudo-mycelia. All of these previously unrecorded yeasts, except S. vanillica HB014 and X. neerlandica HB039, grew well in vitaminfree medium, and C. norvegica HB315 and C. succiphila GB015, which were halotolerant wild yeasts, which grew well in YPD medium containing 5 % NaCl.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.9 s.89
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• pp.1294-1297
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• 2007

To define diversity of domestic radish, we analysis genetic relationship of anti-fungal protein genes from several domestic radish (Raphanus sativus L.) seeds. We have isolated from domestic radish (Baekwoon) anti-fungal protein named RAP[12]. In this report, we isolate RNAs and raw protein from radish seeds then, RT-PCR analysis was done with another known anti-fungal sequences of radish from Gene Bank/EMBL and anti-fun- gal, anti-yeast activity were done against Bot교tis cenerea, Saccharomyces cerevisiaeι Candida albicans with it's raw proteins. The anti-fungal activity was shown used all seeds but anti-yeast activity was shown only two seeds (Myungsan, Baekwoon). RT-PCR products (about 0.2 Kb) were not shown only two seeds. To identify the sequencing relationship of the domestic radish, we have cloned and sequenced RAP genes of the radish and analysis the sequence relationship with clustalw program. Thus we report the result that there are some different relationship between domestic radish and known other radish's anti- fungal protein[15].

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.1101-1106
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• 2012

Market fresh makgeolli was stored at different temperatures of $4^{\circ}C$ and $25^{\circ}C$ to assess the change of the microbial diversity according to the storage temperature and period. Yeast counts increased until day 3 of storage and decreased thereafter. General and lactic acid bacterial counts continuously increased during storage. The data indicated that the control of growth of microorganisms, particularly general bacteria and lactic acid bacteria (LAB), is essential. Total acid levels started to decrease in the makgeolli stored at $4^{\circ}C$, and increased from day 6 of storage in the makgeolli stored at $25^{\circ}C$. The increase of total acid in the non-refrigerated condition greatly affected the quality of makgeolli. In both the fresh makgeolli samples stored at $4^{\circ}C$ and $25^{\circ}C$, yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and molds (Aspergillus tubingensis, Candida glaebosa, and Aspergillus niger) were noted. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) band patterns were almost constant regardless of the storage period. As for bacteria, Lactobacillus crustorum, L. brevis, and Microlaena stipoides were found in the makgeolli stored at $4^{\circ}C$, and L. crustorum, Lactobacillus sp., L. plantarum, L. brevis, L. rhamnosus, and L. similis were found in the makgeolli stored at $25^{\circ}C$. In particular, in the makgeolli stored at $25^{\circ}C$, L. crustorum and L. plantarum presented dark bands and were identified as the primary microorganisms that affected spoilage of fresh makgeolli.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2007

Nebulin, a giant modular protein from muscle, is thought to act as molecular ruler in sarcomere assembly. In skeletal muscle, the C-terminal ${\sim}50 kDa$ region of nebulin extends into the Z-line lattice. The most recent studies implicated highlighting its extensive isoform diversity and exciting reports revealed its expression in cardiac and non-muscle tissues containing brain. Also these novel findings are indicating that nebulin is actually a multifunctional filament system, perhaps playing roles in signal transduction, contractile regulation, and myofibril force generation, as well as other not yet defined functions. However the binding protein of nebulin and function in brain is still unknown. A novel binding partner of nebulin C-terminal region was identified by screening a human brain cDNA library using yeast two-hybrid system. Nebulin C-terminus binding protein 51 (NCBP51) was contained a RING-finger domain and identified a new isoform of RING finger protein 125 (RNF125). The interaction was confirmed using the GST pull-down assay. NCBP51 belongs to a family of the RING finger proteins and its function remains to be identified in brain. The role of nebulin and NCBP51 will be studied by loss-of-function using siRNA technique in brain.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.349-357
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• 2007

The ubiquitous family of 14-3-3 proteins functions as regulators in a variety of physiological processes. Eight rice 14-3-3 genes, designated OsGF14a through h, were identified from an exhaustive search of the genome database. Comparisons of deduced amino acid sequences reveal a high degree of identity among members of the OsGF14 family and reported Arabidopsis 14-3-3 proteins. A phylogenetic study indicates that OsGF14s contain both $\varepsilon$ and non-$\varepsilon$ forms, which is also confirmed by a structural analysis of OsGF14 genes. Furthermore, transcripts of OsGF14b, OsGF14c, OsGF14d, OsGF14e, OsGF14f and OsGF14g were detected in rice tissues. Their different expression patterns, the different effects of environmental stresses and plant hormones on their transcription levels, and the different complementary phenotypes in yeast 14-3-3 mutants not only indicates that OsGF14s are responsive to various stress conditions and regulated by multiple signaling pathways, but also suggests that functional similarity and diversity coexist among the members of OsGF14 family.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.825-832
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• 2010

The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity defines biotechnology as "Any technological application that uses biological systems, dead organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use" Biotechnology has made tremendous contributions to improve production efficiency of agriculture during the last century. This article reviews successful examples of application of bio-fermentation in improving swine nutrition efficiency mainly based on the authors'z own research experience. Production of feed grade supplemental amino acids by bio-fermentation allowed nutritionists to formulate accurate feed for optimal lean growth and reduced nitrogen excretion. Recent issues with high feed grain prices caused potential feed quality problems. Bio-fermentation allowed nutritionists to use exogenous supplemental enzymes such as phytase and NSPases in swine diets, thereby improving nutrient utilization and reducing nutrient excretion to the environment. Yeast metabolites are also produced by bio-fermentation and have been repeatedly shown to improve milk production of sows during early lactation even though actual mechanisms are still to be investigated. Bio-fermentation technology also allowed nutritionists to prepare vegetable protein sources with large protein molecules and anti-nutritional factors suitable for feeding newly weaned piglets, as selected microorganisms significantly reduce specific anti-nutritional factors and size of peptides. Preparations of vegetable protein sources suitable for newly weaned pigs will greatly contribute to swine nutrition by providing efficient alternatives to the use of animal protein sources that are often expensive and somewhat against societal preference. Considering the few examples listed above, biotechnology has closely influenced improvement of production efficiency in the swine industry. As we have limited resources to produce meat to satisfy ever-increasing global demands, extensive adaptation of biotechnology to enhance production efficiency should be continued. However, at the same time, wise and careful application of bio-technology should be considered to ensure production of safe food and to meet the expectations of our society.