• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.91-98
• /
• 2016

The goal of this study was to develop hydrolyzed whey protein powder (23%-GNANA) manufactured with high content of sialic acid, a marker compound that is usually present at 7% concentration in GMP obtained from the milk protein. It is a safe food, used worldwide in infant and baby foods, etc. The test substance was prepared using (7% sialic acid containing) GMP as a raw material. Alcalase, an enzyme approved as a food additive, was used after separating sialic acid, with 100% efficiency, and 23%-GNANA (composed of 23% sialic acid and protein; product name: HELICOBACTROL-23), provided by MEDINUTROL Inc. (Korea), manufactured to have high (23%) content through ethanol soaking and enrichment. Bacterial reverse mutation (Ames) test was conducted in accordance with the GLP Guideline using the test substance specified above. To detect its mutagenicity potential in microorganisms, histidine auxotrophic strains of Salmonella typhimurium, TA98, TA100, TA1535, and TA1537, and tryptophan auxotrophic Escherichia coli strain, WP2uvrA, were used. The bacterial reverse mutation (Ames) test was performed using five concentrations of the test substances (0, 61.7, 185, 556, 1,670, $5,000{\mu}g/plate$). The evaluation did not reveal repetitive increase of colony generating values and positive criteria for reverse mutagenicity for any tested concentration in the five strains regardless of the presence of metabolic activation system, and no dose-dependency. In conclusion, the safety of 23%-GNANA test substance was verified by the bacterial reverse mutation test conducted before registration of 23%-GNANA as a food additive.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.46 no.9
• /
• pp.1045-1052
• /
• 2017

In this study, a battery of genetic-toxicity studies on corn silk extract with high maysin content were performed according to internationally accepted protocols. In a mutation test using Salmonella Typhimurium TA1535, TA1537, TA98, and TA100, the number of mutant colonies did not significantly increase up to a maximum concentration of $5,000{\mu}g/plate$ in the presence or absence of the S9 metabolic activation system. In the chromosome aberration test using Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts, negative results were observed in the concentration up to $1,250{\mu}g/mL$ of corn silk extract. In the micronucleus test using ICR mice, incidence of polymorphonuclear erythrocytes with a maximum concentration of 2,000 mg/kg corn silk extract did not show any significant difference compared to the negative control group. Based on these results, the test substance, con silk extract, did not influence genotoxicity.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.89-93
• /
• 1990

To improve the stability of recombinant pBR322-trip$^+$ plasmid (pLTW24) in E. coli culture, a positive selection system was devised. A DNA fragment containing pheW$^+$ gene (a structural gene for tRNA$^{phe}$ was isolated and inserted into the pBR322-trip$^+$ plasmid(pLTP24). A temperature sensitive host strain. LC901-pheS$^{-ts}$, was constructed for this plasmid by transducing pheS$^{-ts}$ allele (phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase) to E. coli LC901 using P1kc bacteriophage. The LC901-pheS$^{-ts}$ cells were unable to grow at a restrictive temperature when they had lost the pBR322 :: pheW$^+$ (pLTP24) plasmid. The effects of pheW$^+$ gene on the plasmid stability and the expression level of trip$^+$ gene in LC901-pheS$^{-ts}$ strain were investigated. The proportion of Trip$^+$ colonies among LC901-pheS$^{-ts}$ strain carrying plasmid pLTP24 was 99%, whereas that of LC901 strain carrying plasmid pLTW24 was 7% at the end of 20 generations. After 100 generations of growth, the strain LC901-pheS$^{-ts}$ carrying plasmid pLTP24 showed little loss of plasmids. While the majority of plasmid pLTW24 in LC901 strain were lost in the same period. The activities of tryptophan synthetase (T. Sase) and anthranilate synthetase (A. Sase) in LC901 strain carrying pLTW24 were about 1.2 times and 1.8 times respectively of those in LC901-pheS$^{-ts}$ strain carrying pLTP24.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.383-390
• /
• 2013

Mistlero C was shown to be non-genotoxic in a series of genotoxicity tests, including a bacterial reverse mutation test and a combined in vivo mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test. In a bacterial reverse mutation assay, no significant increases in the number of revertant colonies, compared to the negative control, was detected in $5,000{\mu}g/plate$ of Mistlero C. In addition, with Mistlero C, no changes were shown in the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE) among 2,000 polychromatic erythrocytes compared to the negative control. Mistlero C was administered orally in rats to investigate acute toxicity. The $LD_{50}$ values in rats were above 2,000 mg/kg. In a repeated dose, 13-week, oral toxicity study conducted in rats, no compound-related adverse effects were shown at doses of Mistlero C of up to 1,000 mg/kg body weight/day. The results of these studies support the safe use of Mistlero C in food for human consumption.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.10
• /
• pp.1140-1146
• /
• 2018

Dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSPs) play a role in cell growth and differentiation by modulating mitogen-activated protein kinases. DUSPs are considered targets for drugs against cancers, diabetes, immune diseases, and neuronal diseases. Part of the DUSP family, DUSP19 modulates c-Jun N-terminal kinase activity and is involved in osteoarthritis pathogenesis. Here, we report screening of cavity-creating mutants and the crystal structure of a cavity-creating L75A mutant of DUSP19 which has significantly enhanced enzyme activity in comparison to the wild-type protein. The crystal structure reveals a well-formed cavity due to the absent Leu75 side chain and a rotation of the active site-bound sulfate ion. Despite the cavity creation, residues surrounding the cavity did not rearrange significantly. Instead, a tightened hydrophobic interaction by a remote tryptophan residue was observed, indicating that the protein folding of the L75A mutant is stabilized by global folding energy minimization, not by local rearrangements in the cavity region. Conformation of the rotated active site sulfate ion resembles that of the phosphor-tyrosine substrate, indicating that cavity creation induces an optimal active site conformation. The activity enhancement by an internal cavity and its structural information provide insight on allosteric modulation of DUSP19 activity and development of therapeutics.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.302-307
• /
• 2014

Many rhizobacteria can promote plant growth through various direct or indirect mechanisms, and their production of phytohormones such as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) may have pronounced effects on growth and development of plants. Rhizobacterial strain isolated from rhizosphere of foxtail (Setaria viridis), Acinetobacter sp. SW5 produced 118.1 mg/L of IAA and 4.5 mg/L of gibberellin ($GA_3$) in brain heart broth medium at 2 and 1 day of incubation, respectively. In a pot test the lengths of stem and root and fresh weight of the germinated tomato seedlings treated with Acinetobacter sp. SW5 significantly increased by 26.3, 33.3, and 105.3%, respectively compared to those of the uninoculated control in 12 weeks of cultivation. When the root exudate secreted from tomato seedlings was analyzed by HPLC, 3.75 ng mg tomato $root^{-1}$ of tryptophan which is an IAA precursor was detected. Acinetobacter sp. SW5 could produce $4.06{\mu}M$ of IAA from root exudate from 8 tomato seedlings. Together with the capability of growth of Acinetobacter sp. SW5 in the tomato root exudates, this IAA secreted by bacteria might contribute to enhance the growth of tomato plants.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.182-189
• /
• 2013

Halophytes are unique land plants that are capable of thriving in a high-salt environment. They are attracting public attention due to their ability to synthesize bioactive substances such as UV protectants or antioxidizing agents. To achieve unaffected growth under high salinity, halophytes may take advantage of the activities of cell growth factors such as expansins. Expansins are well-known cell wall proteins that are responsible for cell enlargement. They loosen cell walls, thereby contributing to actual plant growth. This study aimed to identify positive roles of expansins in the growth of halophytes. Three expansin cDNA clones were isolated from seedlings of Suaeda japonica. Comparing the deduced amino acid sequences of the expansin genes of S. japonica with those of other plant species suggested that the cDNA clones isolated from S. japonica belong to the EXPA (${\alpha}$-expansin) gene family. A phylogenetic tree based on the deduced amino acid sequences revealed that the expansins of S. japonica share a close evolutionary relationship with those of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) and jujube (Ziziphus jujuba), both of which are woody dicots. SjEXPAs did not show any remarkable change in the gene expression level in different NaCl concentrations, providing a clue to the unaffected seedling growth of S. japonica in a high-salt environment. In conclusion, the present study presents the first report of expansin genes from halophytes and suggests a putative role for these genes in plant growth under high salinity.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.580-595
• /
• 2022

This study looked at the relationship between lifestyle choices and various substance addictions in young adults by applying the Relapse Prevention model of addiction. The data was obtained from a cross-sectional questionnaire (Depression and Anxiety Assessment Test) of 926 young adults aged 18~24 from 24 countries. Of these, 17.6% reported that they had a serious substance addiction, with alcohol addiction being the highest (11.2%), followed by nicotine (10.3%) and illicit drug (8.7%) usage. Results of chi-square test and logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between various lifestyle factors (exercise patterns, intake of dietary nutrients like tryptophan, folic acid, omega-3 fatty acids and micronutrients, spiritual habits such as Bible reading and prayer) and addiction to various substances (illicit drugs, alcohol and nicotine). Depression was also found to be a significant factor influencing substance addiction. Interestingly, the risk of alcohol abuse was the highest at 9.870 (95% CI: 4.525-21.525) times among those who didn't have the habit of daily Bible reading. The highest risk of nicotine and illicit drug addiction was among those who consumed 'less than 1 serving' of dietary micronutrients per day compared to those who consumed '5 or more servings', with odds ratios of 9.606(95% CI: 2.726-30.111) and 8.642(95% CI: 2.022-37.378), respectively. These findings suggest that holistic lifestyle interventions may help prevent and reduce substance addiction in young adults.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.393-402
• /
• 1990

Studies to obtain a fundamental data to improve the quantity and quality of wheat protein and to select the excellent breeding materials suitable for various uses of it were performed on the focuses of protein content, amino acid composition, and its related quality. The range of seed protein content of crossing block consisted with 319 varieties or lines was from 9.9% to 17.6% with the average of 13.2%. The minimum protein content was showed by Wonkwang, and the maximum by Chungnamjaerae and Suwon 210. Among the Korean native varieties or breeding lines of crossing block, at least twelve lines or varieties were selected as the high-protein wheats. In the effects of environmental conditions, the variations of protein content by cultivating locations and year were showed out to be up to 3.6%, and 3.3%, respectively. But the varietal characteristics of wheat protein were seemed to remain constantly. In the results of amino acid analysis, those related with bread quality, except proline were improved with the increase of seed protein. But the improvement of nutritional quality did not agree with the protein content increase of seed. The total content of amino acid essential to adults was very low with 266.6-273.3mg per one gram of protein compare to the 350mg (free from the amino acid of tryptophan) recommended by FAO/WHO. Especially the limiting amino acid such as methionine, lysine and threonine were critically deficient. The correlation between protein contents and sedimentation values was obtained r=0.656$\^$**/ of average notwithstanding widly different environmental conditions, and in some condition the value was obained about to r=0.956$\^$**/.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.33 no.10
• /
• pp.842-850
• /
• 2023

Pyrrolnitrin, pyrrolomycin, and pyoluteorin are functional halogenated phenylpyrrole derivatives (HPDs) derived from microorganisms with diverse antimicrobial activities. Pyrrolnitrin is a secondary metabolite produced from L-tryptophan through four-step reactions in Pseudomonas fluorescens, Burkholderia cepacia, Serratia plymuthica, etc. It is currently used for the treatment of superficial dermatophytic fungal infections, has high antagonistic activities against soil-borne and foliar fungal infections, and has many industrial applications. Since pyrrolnitrin is easily decomposed by light, it is difficult to widely use it outdoors. As an alternative, fludioxonil, a synthetically produced non-systemic surface fungicide that is structurally similar and has excellent light stability, has been commercialized for seed and foliar treatment of plants. However, due to its high toxicity to aquatic organisms and adverse effects in human cell lines, many countries have established maximum residue levels and strictly control its levels. Pyrrolomycin and pyoluteorin, which have antibiotic/antibiofilm activity against Gram-positive bacteria and high anti-oomycete activity against the plant pathogen Pythium ultimum, respectively, were isolated and identified from microorganisms. This review summarizes the biosynthesis and production of natural pyrrolnitrin derived from bacteria and the characteristics of synthetic fludioxonil and other natural phenylpyrrole derivatives among the HPDs. We expect that a plethora of highly effective, novel HPDs that are safe for humans and environments will be developed through the generation of an HPD library by microbial biosynthesis and chemical synthesis.