• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.861-869
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• 2007

The enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR; EC1.1.1.34) catalyzes the first committed step of isoprenoids biosynthesis in MVA pathway. Here we report for the first time the cloning and characterization of a full-length cDNA encoding HMGR (designated as CgHMGR, GenBank accession number EF206343) from hazel (Corylus avellana L. Gasaway), a taxol-producing plant species. The full-length cDNA of CgHMGR was 2064 bp containing a 1704-bp ORF encoding 567 amino acids. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that the deduced CgHMGR had extensive homology with other plant HMGRs and contained two transmembrane domains and a catalytic domain. The predicted 3-D model of CgHMGR had a typical spatial structure of HMGRs. Southern blot analysis indicated that CgHMGR belonged to a small gene family. Expression analysis revealed that CgHMGR expressed high in roots, and low in leaves and stems, and the expression of CgHMGR could be up-regulated by methyl jasmonate (MeJA). The functional color assay in Escherichia coli showed that CgHMGR could accelerate the biosynthesis of $\beta$-carotene, indicating that CgHMGR encoded a functional protein. The cloning, characterization and functional analysis of CgHMGR gene will enable us to further understand the role of CgHMGR involved in taxol biosynthetic pathway in C. avellana at molecular level.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.502-510
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• 2006

2C-methyl-D-erythritol 2, 4-cyclodiphosphate synthase (MECPS, EC: 4.6.1.12) is the fifth enzyme of the non-mevalonate terpenoid pathway for isopentenyl diphosphate biosynthesis and is involved in the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway for ginkgolide biosynthesis. The full-length mecps cDNA sequence (designated as Gbmecps) was cloned and characterized for the first time from gymnosperm plant species, Ginkgo biloba, using RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) technique. The full-length cDNA of Gbmecps was 874 bp containing a 720 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a peptide of 239 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 26.03 kDa and an isoelectric point of 8.83. Comparative and bioinformatic analyses revealed that GbMECPS showed extensive homology with MECPSs from other species and contained conserved residues owned by the MECPS protein family. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that GbMECPS was more ancient than other plant MECPSs. Tissue expression pattern analysis indicated that GbMECPS expressed the highest in roots, followed by in leaves, and the lowest in seeds. The color complementation assay indicated that GbMECPS could accelerate the accumulation of $\beta$-carotene. The cloning, characterization and functional analysis of GbMECPS will be helpful to understand more about the role of MECPS involved in the ginkgolides biosynthesis at the molecular level.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.684-690
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• 2006

Eriobotrya japonica has been used as a folk medicine for treatment of skin diseases, inflammation, coughing, phlegm, and ulcers in Korea and other Asian countries. In a search for possible bioactive agents from natural sources, we found that the methanolic extracts from various parts of E. japonica showed moderate antioxidative and antimicrobial activities in several in vitro bioassay systems. Additionally, the respective parts of E. japonica were irradiated at 20 kGy to investigate the effects of irradiation. Gamma irradiation of E. japonica extracts removed the deep greenish color without affecting its natural biological activities such as its antioxidative and antimicrobial properties. Based on these findings, the methanolic extracts of this plant source may be not affected by gamma irradiation as its bioactive constituents may be insensitive to this irradiation. Moreover, the methanolic extract of E. japonica may serve as a good natural resource for beneficial functions in food and other related industries.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.644-649
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• 2012

The edible barnyard millets(Echinochloa spp.) which have essentially vanished in the farmhouses environment and in agricultural germplasm were evaluated with the aim of restoration as a crop. The proximate components and mineral elements of milled millet were nutritionally similar or better than brown rice, and the vitamin contents of $B_1$ and $B_2$ exceeded those of rice by 1.3 times and 2.3 times, respectively. ${\beta}$-Carotene which is absent from brown rice was detected at levels ranging from 15~31 ${\mu}g$ in millet samples. Nine essential amino acids, including histidine and arginine and eight non-essential amino acids, such as aspartic acid were detected. The sum of all amino acids was determined to be IEC518>525>510 in the range of 69~106 mg/g. Analysis of physiological active substances via their electron donating ability(EDA) revealed values ranging from 3.4~8.2%, with the total polyphenol component being 51.1~69.4 mg/g and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition ability determined as 8.3~10.9%. In terms of agronomical characteristics and yields of barnyard millet, three millet varieties(IEC510, 518, and 525) were suitable as edible crops. IEC525 was selected as optimum variety for cultivation on the basis of nutritional ingredients, physiological active substances, and yield.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.237-243
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• 2010

This study was investigated the effect of antioxidative vitamin supplementation ($\beta$-carotene 175 mg, vitamin C 200 mg, vitamin E 33.5 mg) for 12 weeks on antioxidant status and autistic related behaviors in autistic children. The antioxidative vitamin-supplemented children had significantly lower concentrations of toxic mineral, such as cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) in hair, while they had higher concentration of antioxidant minerals (Se, Zn, Fe) in hair. Antioxidant vitamin supplementation for 12 weeks reduced free radical while it increased the hair levels of serotonin compared to the beginning of the study. Additionally, antioxidative vitamin supplementation resulted in significant improvement in social age. These results indicate that the consumption of antioxidative vitamin supplementation for 12 weeks in autistic children may increase plasma antioxidant mineral concentration, resulting in reduced toxic mineral and free radical and improved autistic behavior.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1555-1561
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• 2016

Shank skin color of Korean native chicken (KNC) shows large color variations. It varies from white, yellow, green, bluish or grey to black, whilst in the majority of European breeds the shanks are typically yellow-colored. Three shank skin color-related traits (i.e., lightness [$L^*$], redness [$a^*$], and yellowness [$b^*$]) were measured by a spectrophotometer in 585 progeny from 68 nuclear families in the KNC resource population. We performed genome scan linkage analysis to identify loci that affect quantitatively measured shank skin color traits in KNC. All these birds were genotyped with 167 DNA markers located throughout the 26 autosomes. The SOLAR program was used to conduct multipoint variance-component quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses. We detected a major QTL that affects $b^*$ value (logarithm of odds [LOD] = 47.5, $p=1.60{\times}10^{-49}$) on GGA24 (GGA for Gallus gallus). At the same location, we also detected a QTL that influences $a^*$ value (LOD = 14.2, $p=6.14{\times}10^{-16}$). Additionally, beta-carotene dioxygenase 2 (BCDO2), the obvious positional candidate gene under the linkage peaks on GGA24, was investigated by the two association tests: i.e., measured genotype association (MGA) and quantitative transmission disequilibrium test (QTDT). Significant associations were detected between BCDO2 g.9367 A>C and $a^*$ ($P_{MGA}=1.69{\times}10^{-28}$; $P_{QTDT}=2.40{\times}10^{-25}$). The strongest associations were between BCDO2 g.9367 A>C and $b^*$ ($P_{MGA}=3.56{\times}10^{-66}$; $P_{QTDT}=1.68{\times}10^{-65}$). However, linkage analyses conditional on the single nucleotide polymorphism indicated that other functional variants should exist. Taken together, we demonstrate for the first time the linkage and association between the BCDO2 locus on GGA24 and quantitatively measured shank skin color traits in KNC.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.431-438
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• 2002

This study was performed to investigate the effects of green tea or antioxidant vitamins on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme system in various regions of rat brain aged 9 and 12 months. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were raised on the experimental diets; 3% green tea powder diet, antioxidant vitamins diet containing the $\beta$-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E in the level same as in the 3% green tea powder diet, and control diet far 3 weeks. We measured concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxide (GSH-Px) in various brain regions such as cortex, cerebellum, striatum, and hippocampus. Green tea powder or antioxidant vitamin supplementation decreased MDA concentrations in the striatum and the hippocampus, and increased SOB activities in the striatum, and GSH-Px activities in the cortex. There was no significant difference in the observed antioxidative effects between the green tea powder and antioxidant vitamin supplementation. A significant difference between 9 month- and 12 month-old rats was found in MDA concentrations and GSH-Px activities in all brain regions. These results suggest that green tea powder can have protective effects on various regions of rat brain and that these effects on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes are different by age. In inhibiting lipid peroxidation, there was no difference between green tea powder and antioxidant vitamins.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.499-512
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• 2001

This study was performed to investigate effects of dried leaf powders, water, 75% and 95% ethanol extracts of persimmon leaf and green tea on lipid metabolism, lipid peroxidation and antioxidative enzyme activity in 12-month-old rats. Fifty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 542$\pm$4.5g were blocked into groups according to their body weight and were raised for four weeks with the diets containing 5%(w/w) dried leaf powders of persimmon(Diospyros kaki Thunb) and green tea(Camellia Sinensis O. Ktze), water or 75% and 95% ethanol extracts from same amount of each dried tea powder. Food intake was not significantly different among all groups, but weight gain of green tea powder group was significantly lower than that of control group. Plasma and liver lipid levels of all the tea diet groups were lower than those of control group. Especially, 75% ethanol extract of persimmon leaf decreased total lipid and triglyceride concentrations in plasma and 95% ethanol extract of persimmon leaf decreased liver total lipid level. However, there was no difference between 75% ethanol extracts groups and 95% ethanol extracts groups in lipid metabolism. Superoxide dismutase(SOD) and catalase activities in erythrocyte were remarkably increased by all the green tea diets. SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities in liver were increased by the feeding of ethanol extracts from green tea and persimmon leaf powder. Liver xanthine oxidase activity was not different among all groups. Plasma Thiobarbirutic acid reactive substance(TBARS) concentrations of all the green tea diet groups were significantly low. It was thought that high flavonoids in green tea inhibited plasma lipid peroxidation by promoting SOD, catalase activities in erythrocyte. 95% ethanol extract of persimmon leaf also inhibited plasma lipid peroxidation by high vitamin E and beta-carotene. Persimmon leaf powder decreased liver TBARS concentration by vitamin E, betacarotene and vitamin C and by increasing activities of antioxidative enzymes with flavonoids. In conclusion, dried leaf powders, water, 75% and 95% ethanol extracts of persimmon leaf and green tea were effective in lowering lipid levels and inhibiting lipid peroxidation in 12-month-old rats. Above all, ethanol extracts of persimmon leaf decreased plasma and liver lipid levels and persimmon leaf powder effectively inhibited liver lipid peroxidation. Extracts of green tea leaf inhibited plasma lipid peroxidation. In lowering lipid levels and inhibiting lipid peroxidation, ethanol extracts were more effective than water extracts, but there was no difference between 75% ethanol extracts and 95% ethanol extracts in lipid metabolism. (Korean J Nutrition 34(5) : 499~512, 2001)

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.680-685
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• 2008

In this study, we assessed the functional characteristics of Aralia continentalis Kitagawa (AcK) and Aralia continentalis Kitagawa leaf (AcK-leaf), including crude saponin contents, antioxidant activity, nutritive elements, dietary fiber, and chlorophyll contents. The results of our analysis of nutritive elements in AcK, the contents of the general components, inorganic components, and vitamins were all relatively high. The contents of inorganic components were also high in the following order: K>Ca>P>Na>Mg. Among vitamins, $\beta$-carotene and vitamin C contents were all high. The crude saponin content was 63.7 mg/g in the AcK and 63.5 mg/g in the AcK leaf, and the antioxidant activity was determined to be relatively high. With regard to the dietary fiber content, the total dietary fiber content was 2.13% (soluble 0.40, insoluble 1.72) in the AcK and 5.98% (soluble 1.06, insoluble 4.89) in the AcK leaf, and the total chlorophyll content was 92.58 mg in the AcK and 147.25 mg/100 g in the AcK-leaf.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.367-375
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• 2013

Kalopanax pictus has pharmacologically anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect and is known to respond to treatment of backache, knee pain and etc. In this study, we investigated the effects on gastric lesions of Kalopanax pictus both from Korea (KPK) and China (KPC) compared with their related origin, Znthoxylum ailanthoide both from Korea (ZAK) and China (ZAC), and Korean Bombax malabaricum (BMK). In preliminary screening, KPK and KPC shown effective inhibition of HCI EtOH-induced gastritis in rats. To elucidate their protective effects on gastric lesions, we assessed inhibition of H. pylori colonization, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) radical scavenging activities, reducing power test, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. KPK was the most effective from antioxidant assays. KPK also shown the inhibition of indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Gastric secretion in rats, KPK reduced the secretion of gastric juice and total acidity and raised pH. Therefore, it is possible that KPK can be developed as health functional food and natural medicine. In addition, it can contribute to the standardization with objectivity and reliability for KPK through the criteria establishment of the precise origin of medicine, the prevention of indiscriminate distribution of imitation, and the rising rate of dependence on imports of medicinal herbs, and mixing prevention of low-quality goods.