• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.175-181
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• 1977

Lysosomal enzyme latency was demonstrated for hydrolases from porcine leukocyte by suspending sediment sfrom differential centrifugation in 0.125 to 0.250 M sucrose. Specific activities pH optima and activation energies were determined for hydrolases distributed in various sedimentation fractions and for enzymes solubilized by n-butyl alcohol extraction. Specific activities of the hydrolases revealed the heterogeneity of the Iysosomal fractions relative to enzyme content. pH optima identified the enzyme as acid hydrolases with optima for cathepsin D and aryl sulfatase also at pH 6.8. Activation energies of some hydrolases were low revealing that these enzymes could function efficiently during low temperature aging of meat.

• BMB Reports
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.428-431
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• 2002

The often-encountered problem of disrupting bacteria for the purpose of extracting soluble protein has generated various methods. Many require specialized equipment. Very often, especially during preliminary studies, investigators need a simple, fast, and inexpensive method for cell disruption that preserves biological activity. This paper compares some simple and inexpensive methods for cell disruption, such as bead-vortexing, freesing-thawing, French pressing, and sonication. It also provides some tips to increase protein yield and preserve biological activity. If performed under optimal conditions, bead-vortexing gives protein yields that are comparable to French pressing and sonication. It also preserves the activities of labile enzymes and releases periplasmic enzymes. Vortexing with glass beads appears to be the simplest method for cell disruption.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.132-135
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• 2007

An efficient production method of chlorella extract was developed by enzymatic treatment using cell lytic and proteolytic enzymes. The suitable dosage of Tunicase, a cell lytic enzyme, was found to be 1.0% (w/w). Proteolytic enzymes were screened to obtain high chlorella growth factor (CGF) index, which indicates crude CGF content and solid recovery. Among the seven tested proteases, Esperase, whose optimal dosage was 1.0% (w/w), was selected. By co-treatment using optimal dosages of Tunicase and Esperase, the highest CGF index and solid recovery were obtained. The CGF index and solid recovery of co-treatment were remarkably enhanced by 250 ($4.36{\rightarrow}15.21$) and 220% ($12.65%{\rightarrow}40.15%$), respectively, than those of the non-treated extracts.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.10
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• pp.589-594
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• 2019

Single-molecule techniques have been used successfully to visualize real-time enzymatic activities, revealing transient complex properties and heterogeneity of various biological events. Especially, conventional force spectroscopy including optical tweezers and magnetic tweezers has been widely used to monitor change in DNA length by enzymes with high spatiotemporal resolutions of ~nanometers and ~milliseconds. However, DNA metabolism results from coordination of a number of components during the processes, requiring efficient monitoring of a complex of proteins catalyzing DNA substrates. In this min-review, we will introduce a simple and multiplexed single-molecule assay to detect DNA substrates catalyzed by enzymes with high-throughput data collection. We conclude with a perspective of possible directions that enhance capability of the assay to reveal complex biological events with higher resolution.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.179-190
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• 2019

Bacillus subtilis spore surface display (BSSD) technology is considered to be one of the most promising approaches for expressing heterologous proteins with high activity and stability. Currently, this technology is used for various purposes, such as the production of enzymes, oral vaccines, drugs and multimeric proteins, and the control of environmental pollution. This paper presents an overview of the latest developments in BSSD technology and its application in protein engineering. Finally, the major limitations of this technology and future directions for its research are discussed.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.242-248
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• 2002

Previously, it was reported that the nonhomologous C-terminal regions of the D-hydantoinases are nonessential for catalysis, but affect the oligomeric structure of the enzyme [3]. In an effort to further confirm the above observation, the C-terminal region-inserted enzyme was constructed by attaching a peptide (22 residues) at the C-terminal of the D-hydantoinase from Bacillus thermocatenulatus GH2, and its structural and biochemical properties were compared with both the wild-type and C-terminal region-truncated enzymes. As a result, native tetrameric D-hydantoinase was dimerized as the truncated enzyme, and the inserted mutant with a new sequence was expressed as a catalytically active form in E. coli. Expression level of the inserted and truncated enzymes were found to be significantly increased compared to the level of the wild-type enzyme, and this appears to be due to the reduced toxic effect of the mutant enzymes on host cells. Dimerized enzymes exhibited increased thermo- and pH stabilities considerably when compared with the corresponding wild-type enzyme. Comparison of the substrate specificity between the mutant and wild-type enzymes suggests that the substrate specificity of the D-hydantoinase is closely linked with the oligomeric structure.

• Journal of Korea Soil Environment Society
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.3-12
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• 1997

Phytoremediation, using plants to remediate toxic organic and inorganic pollutants in contaminated soils, is an emerging technology for environmental cleanup. Three strategies of this technology are applicable to the remediation of toxic heavy metals, radionuclides, and toxic organic pollutants: They are (1) phytoextraction, in which plants anumulate the contaminants and are harvested for the downstream processing; (2) phytodegradation, in which plant-released enzymes or plant-associated microorganisms convert toxic pollutants into non-toxic materials; and (3) phytostabilization, in which toxic pollutants are precipitated from solution or absorbed in either the plant tissue or the soil matrix. Phytoremediation is more effective and less expensive than other current treatment technologies.

• BMB Reports
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• v.47 no.11
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• pp.609-618
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• 2014

DNA methylation at cytosines (5mC) is a major epigenetic modification involved in the regulation of multiple biological processes in mammals. How methylation is reversed was until recently poorly understood. The family of dioxygenases commonly known as Ten-eleven translocation (Tet) proteins are responsible for the oxidation of 5mC into three new forms, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), 5-formylcytosine (5fC) and 5-carboxylcytosine (5caC). Current models link Tet-mediated 5mC oxidation with active DNA demethylation. The higher oxidation products (5fC and 5caC) are recognized and excised by the DNA glycosylase TDG via the base excision repair pathway. Like DNA methyltransferases, Tet enzymes are important for embryonic development. We will examine the mechanism and biological significance of Tet-mediated 5mC oxidation in the context of pronuclear DNA demethylation in mouse early embryos. In contrast to its role in active demethylation in the germ cells and early embryo, a number of lines of evidence suggest that the intragenic 5hmC present in brain may act as a stable mark instead. This short review explores mechanistic aspects of TET oxidation activity, the impact Tet enzymes have on epigenome organization and their contribution to the regulation of early embryonic and neuronal development.

• BMB Reports
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.86-91
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• 2013

Glucose effects on the vegetative growth of Dictyostelium discoideum Ax2 were studied by examining oxidative stress and tetrahydropteridine synthesis in cells cultured with different concentrations (0.5X, 7.7 g $L^{-1}$; 1X, 15.4 g $L^{-1}$; 2X, 30.8 g $L^{-1}$) of glucose. The growth rate was optimal in 1X cells (cells grown in 1X glucose) but was impaired drastically in 2X cells, below the level of 0.5X cells. There were glucose-dependent increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and mitochondrial dysfunction in parallel with the mRNA copy numbers of the enzymes catalyzing tetrahydropteridine synthesis and regeneration. On the other hand, both the specific activities of the enzymes and tetrahydropteridine levels in 2X cells were lower than those in 1X cells, but were higher than those in 0.5X cells. Given the antioxidant function of tetrahydropteridines and both the beneficial and harmful effects of ROS, the results suggest glucose-induced oxidative stress in Dictyostelium, a process that might originate from aerobic glycolysis, as well as a protective role of tetrahydropteridines against this stress.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.223-228
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• 2004

Agricultural waste products, beech wood and walnut shells, were hydrolyzed at 40$^{\circ}C$ using mixed crude enzymes produced by Penicillium sp. AHT-1 and Rhizomucor pusillus HHT-1. D-xylose, 4.1 g and 15.1 g was produced from the hydrolysis of 100 g of beech wood and walnut shells, respectively. For xylitol production, Candida tropicalis IFO0618 and the waste product hydrolyzed solutions were used. The effects on xylitol production, of adding glucose as a NADPH source, D-xylose and yeast extract, were examined. Finally, a 50% yield of xylitol was obtained by using the beech wood hydrolyzed solution with the addition of 1% yeast extract and 1% glucose at an initial concentration.