• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1961-1970
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• 2017

Lespedeza cuneata G. Don is a traditional herb that has been associated with multiple biological activities. In this study, we investigated the antioxidative/antiaging activities and performed an active component analysis of the non-fermented and fermented (using Lactobacillus pentosus) extracts of Lespedeza cuneata G. Don. The antioxidative activities of the fermented extract were higher than those of non-fermented extracts. The elastase inhibitory activity, inhibitory effects on UV-induced MMP-1 expression, and ability to promote type I procollagen synthesis were investigated in Hs68 human fibroblasts cells. These tests also revealed that the fermented extract had increased antiaging activities compared with the non-fermented extract. A component analysis of the ethyl acetate fractions of non-fermented and fermented extracts was performed using TLC, HPLC, and LC/ESI-MS/MS to observe changes in the components before and after fermentation. Six components that were different before and after fermentation were investigated. It was thought that kaempferol and quercetin were converted from kaempferol glucosides and quercetin glucosides, respectively, via bioconversion with the fermentation strain. These results indicate that the fermented extract of L. cuneata G. Don has potential for use as a natural cosmetic material with antioxidative and antiaging effects.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.381-388
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• 2006

Heat shock proteins (Hsp) 70 are a ubiquitous family of molecular chaperones involved in many cellular processes. A yeast strain, ssa1/2, with two functionally redundant cytosolic Hsp70s (SSA1 and SSA2) deleted shows thermotolerance comparable to mildly heatshocked wild type yeast, as well as increased protein synthesis and ubiquitin-proteasome protein degradation. Since mRNA abundance does not always correlate well with protein expression levels it is essential to study proteins directly. We used a gel-based approach to identify stress-responsive proteins in the ssa1/2 mutant and identified 43 differentially expressed spots. These were trypsin-digested and analyzed by nano electrospray ionization liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (nESI-LC-MS/MS). A total of 22 non-redundant proteins were identified, 11 of which were confirmed by N-terminal sequencing. Nine proteins, most of which were up-regulated (2-fold or more) in the ssa1/2 mutant, proved to be stress-inducible proteins such as molecular chaperones and anti-oxidant proteins, or proteins related to carbohydrate metabolism. Interestingly, a translational factor Hyp2p up-regulated in the mutant was also found to be highly phosphorylated. These results indicate that the cytosolic Hsp70s, Ssa1p and Ssa2p, regulate an abundance of proteins mainly involved in stress responses and protein synthesis.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.375-382
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• 2006

From its initial colonization to causation of disease, Streptococcus pneumoniae has evolved strategies to cope with a number of stressful in vivo environmental conditions. In order to analyze a global view of this organism's response to heat shock, we established a 2-D electrophoresis proteome map of the S. pneumoniae D39 soluble proteins under in vitro culture conditions and performed the comparative proteome analysis to a 37 to $42^{\circ}C$ temperature up-shift in S. pneumoniae. When the temperature of an exponentially growing S. pneumoniae D39 culture was raised to $42^{\circ}C$, the expression level of 25 proteins showed changes when compared to the control. Among these 25 proteins, 12 were identified by MALDI-TOF and LC-coupled ESI MS/MS. The identified proteins were shown to be involved in the general stress response, energy metabolism, nucleotide biosynthesis pathways, and purine metabolism. These results provide clues for understanding the mechanism of adaptation to heat shock by S. pneumoniae and may facilitate the assessment of a possible role for these proteins in the physiology and pathogenesis of this pathogen.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.63-69
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• 2014

In this study, we present a new isotope-coded carbamidomethylation (iCCM)-based quantitative proteomics, as a complementary strategy for conventional isotope labeling strategies, with providing the simplicity, ease of use, and robustness. In iCCM-based quantification, two proteome samples can be separately isotope-labeled by means of covalently reaction of all cysteinyl residues in proteins with iodoacetamide (IAA) and its isotope (IAA-$^{13}C_2$, $D_2$), denoted as CM and iCCM, respectively, leading to a mass shift of all cysteinyl residues to be + 4 Da. To evaluate iCCM-based isotope labeling in proteomic quantification, 6 protein standards (i.e., bovine serum albumin, serotransferrin, lysozyme, beta-lactoglobulin, beta-galactosidase, and alpha-lactalbumin) isotopically labeled with IAA and its isotope, mixed equally, and followed by proteolytic digestion. The resulting CM-/iCCM-labeled peptide mixtures were analyzed using a nLC-ESI-FT orbitrap-MS/MS. From our experimental results, we found that the efficiency of iCCM-based quantification is more superior to that of mTRAQ, as a conventional nonisobaric labeling method, in which both of a number of identified peptides from 6 protein standards and the less quantitative variations in the relative abundance ratios of heavy-/light-labeled corresponding peptide pairs. Finally, we applied the developed iCCM-based quantitative method to lung cancer serum proteome in order to evaluate the potential in biomarker discovery study.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.773-783
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• 2023

Background: Gray mold, caused by Botrytis cinerea, is one of the major fungal diseases in agriculture. Biological methods are preferred over chemical fungicides to control gray mold since they are less toxic to the environment and could induce the resistance to pathogens in plants. In this work, we try to understand if ginseng defense to B. cinerea could be induced by fungal hypovirulent strain △BcSpd1. BcSpd1 encodes Zn(II)₂Cys₆ transcription factor which regulates fungal pathogenicity and we recently reported △BcSpd1 mutants reduced fungal virulence. Methods: We performed transcriptomic analysis of the host to investigate the induced defense response of ginseng treated by B. cinerea △BcSpd1. The metabolites in ginseng flavonoids pathway were determined by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS and the antifungal activates were then performed. Results: We found that △BcSpd1 enhanced the ginseng defense response when applied to healthy ginseng leaves and further changed the metabolism of flavonoids. Compared with untreated plants, the application of △BcSpd1 on ginseng leaves significantly increased the accumulation of p-coumaric acid and myricetin, which could inhibit the fungal growth. Conclusion: B. cinerea △BcSpd1 could effectively induce the medicinal plant defense and is referred to as the biological control agent in ginseng disease management.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.28.1-28.20
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• 2023

Lipid accumulation in macrophages is a prominent phenomenon observed in atherosclerosis. Previously, intimal foamy macrophages (FM) showed decreased inflammatory gene expression compared to intimal non-foamy macrophages (NFM). Since reprogramming of lipid metabolism in macrophages affects immunological functions, lipid profiling of intimal macrophages appears to be important for understanding the phenotypic changes of macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions. While lipidomic analysis has been performed in atherosclerotic aortic tissues and cultured macrophages, direct lipid profiling has not been performed in primary aortic macrophages from atherosclerotic aortas. We utilized nanoflow ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to provide comprehensive lipid profiles of intimal non-foamy and foamy macrophages and adventitial macrophages from Ldlr^-/- mouse aortas. We also analyzed the gene expression of each macrophage type related to lipid metabolism. FM showed increased levels of fatty acids, cholesterol esters, phosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, and sphingomyelin. However, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidic acid, and ceramide levels were decreased in FM compared to those in NFM. Interestingly, FM showed decreased triacylglycerol (TG) levels. Expressions of lipolysis-related genes including Pnpla2 and Lpl were markedly increased but expressions of Lpin2 and Dgat1 related to TG synthesis were decreased in FM. Analysis of transcriptome and lipidome data revealed differences in the regulation of each lipid metabolic pathway in aortic macrophages. These comprehensive lipidomic data could clarify the phenotypes of macrophages in the atherosclerotic aorta.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.1029-1039
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• 2024

This study explores beneficial bacteria isolated from the roots and rhizosphere soil of Khao Rai Leum Pua Phetchabun rice plants. A total of 315 bacterial isolates (KK001 to KK315) were obtained. Plant growth-promoting traits (phosphate solubilization and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production), and antimicrobial activity against three rice pathogens (Curvularia lunata NUF001, Bipolaris oryzae 2464, and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae) were assessed. KK074 was the most prolific in IAA production, generating 362.6 ± 28.0 ㎍/ml, and KK007 excelled in tricalcium phosphate solubilization, achieving 714.2 ± 12.1 ㎍/ml. In antimicrobial assays using the dual culture method, KK024 and KK281 exhibited strong inhibitory activity against C. lunata, and KK269 was particularly effective against B. oryzae. In the evaluation of antimicrobial metabolite production, KK281 and KK288 exhibited strong antifungal activities in cell-free supernatants. Given the superior performance of KK281, taxonomically identified as Bacillus sp. KK281, it was investigated further. Lipopeptide extracts from KK281 had significant antimicrobial activity against C. lunata and a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 3.1 mg/ml against X. oryzae pv. oryzae. LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis revealed the presence of surfactin in the lipopeptide extract. The crude extract was non-cytotoxic to the L-929 cell line at tested concentrations. In conclusion, the in vitro plant growth-promoting and disease-controlling attributes of Bacillus sp. KK281 make it a strong candidate for field evaluation to boost plant growth and manage disease in upland rice.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.391-402
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• 2014

In this study, the antioxidative effects and component analysis for the extracts of Rumex acetosa L. were investigated. All experiments were performed with 50% ethanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction obtained from dried R. acetosa L.. Free radical scavenging activities (1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl) size of, in the order of aglycone fraction > ethyl acetate fraction > 50% ethanol extract, aglycone fraction ($45.10{\mu}g/mL$) showed the highest radical scavenging activity. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity (total antioxidant capacity, $OSC_{50}$) on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}-EDTA/H_2O_2$ system was also, in the order of ethyl acetate fraction> aglycone fraction> 50% ethyl acetate fraction, ethyl acetate fraction ($2.68{\mu}g/mL$) was shown a great antioxidant capacity. The total antioxidant capacity of the ethyl acetate fraction was found to be greater than L-ascorbic acid, known as a typical hydrophilic antioxidant ($6.88 {\mu}g/mL$). The cellular protective effects of R. acetosa L. extracts on the $^1O_2$-induced cellular damage of human erythrocytes were exhibited at all concentration-dependent ($1{\sim}25{\mu}g/mL$). Especially, aglycone fraction (${\tau}_{50}$, 104.80 min) in $25{\mu}g/mL$ showed the most protective effect among extracts. Components of the ethyl acetate fraction obtained from R. acetosa L. extracts were analyzed by TLC, HPLC chromatogram, LC/ESI-MS/MS. As a result, the ethyl acetate fraction contained several flavonoids, such as orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, isovitexin. These results indicate that the R. acetosa L. extracts can be used as antioxidants in biological systems, particularly skins exposed to UV radiation by quenching and/or scavenging $^1O_2$ and other ROS. Thus, the extracts of R. acetosa L. could be applicable to new anti-aging cosmeceutical ingredients.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.696-704
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• 2017

In this study, we investigated antioxidative and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) inhibitory effects of Sorbus commixta twig extracts and fermented extracts with Lactobacillus pentosus and analyzed active ingredients. The free radical scavenging activity ($FSC_{50}$) of non-fermented and fermented extracts of S. commixta twig' were 41.04 and $58.2{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. In the $Fe^{3+}-EDTA/H_2O_2$ system, the active oxygen scavenging activity ($OSC_{50}$) was 2.6 and $3.0{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. In the dermal fibroblasts, the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity was 35.3% for non-fermented extract and 40.2% for fermented extracts at the concentration of $10{\mu}g/mL$. Also at the same concentration, the expression of MMPs (MMP-1, -2, -3) by western blot was 68.3, 35.0 and 24.2%, respectively for non-fermented extracts and 84.3, 70.5 and 69.2% for fermented extracts. TLC, HPLC, and LC/ESI-MS/MS were used for measuring the changes in the components of the extract before and after fermentation. As a result, caffeic acid, (-)-epicatechin, isoquercitrin, and quercetin were identified. From the results, S. commixta twig fermented extracts by L. pentosus showed greater ROS scavenging activity and inhibitory effects on MMPs expression than those of using non-fermented extracts. Therefore, it is suggested that S. commixta twig fermented extracts can be used as an anti-aging cosmetic material.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.1684-1688
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• 2013

A rapid and sensitive method for determining usnic acid of Lethariella cladonioides in rat was established using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) tandem mass (MS/MS). Rat plasma was pretreated by mixture of acetonitrile and chloroform to precipitate plasma proteins. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a column ($50{\times}2.1$ mm, $5{\mu}m$) with a mobile phase consisting of water (containing $5{\times}10^{-3}$ M ammonium formate, pH was adjusted to 3.0 with formic acid) and acetonitrile (20:80, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. A tandem mass spectrometric detection with an electrospray ionization (ESI) interface was conducted via collision induced dissociation (CID) under negative ionization mode. The MS/MS transitions monitored were m/z 343.0448 ${\rightarrow}$ m/z 313.2017 for usnic acid and m/z 153.1024 ${\rightarrow}$ m/z 136.2136 for protocatechuic acid (internal standard). The linear range was calculated to be 2.0-160.0 ng/mL with a detection limit of 3.0 pg/mL. The inter- and intra-day accuracy and precision were within ${\pm}7.0%$. Pharmacokinetic study showed that the apartment of usnic acid in vivo confirmed to be a two compartment open model. The method was fully valid and will probably be an alternative for pharmacokinetic study of usnic acid.