• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.304-313
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• 2016

One of the issues currently facing nuclear power plants is how to store spent nuclear waste materials which are contaminated with radionuclides such as $^{134}Cs$, $^{135}Cs$, and $^{137}Cs$. Bioremediation processes may offer a potent method of cleaning up radioactive cesium. However, there have only been limited reports on $Cs^+$ tolerant bacteria. In this study, we report the isolation and identification of $Cs^+$ tolerant bacteria in environmental soil and sediment. The resistant $Cs^+$ isolates were screened from enrichment cultures in R2A medium supplemented with 100 mM CsCl for 72 h, followed by microbial community analysis based on sequencing analysis from 16S rRNA gene clone libraries(NCBI's BlastN). The dominant Bacillus anthracis Roh-1 and B. cereus Roh-2 were successfully isolated from the cesium enrichment culture. Importantly, B. cereus Roh-2 is resistant to 30% more $Cs^+$ than is B. anthracis Roh-1 when treated with 50 mM CsCl. Growth experiments clearly demonstrated that the isolate had a higher tolerance to $Cs^+$. In addition, we investigated the adsorption of $0.2mg\;L^{-1}$ $Cs^+$ using B. anthracis Roh-1. The maximum $Cs^+$ biosorption capacity of B. anthracis Roh-1 was $2.01mg\;g^{-1}$ at pH 10. Thus, we show that $Cs^+$ tolerant bacterial isolates could be used for bioremediation of contaminated environments.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.151-157
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• 1999

Purpose : By sequencing the Erpressed Sequence Tags of human 걸ermal papilla CDNA library, we identified a clone named K872 of which the expression decreased during differentiation of HL6O cell line. Materials and Methods : K872 plasmid DNA was isolated according to QIA plasmid extraction kit (Qiagen GmbH, Germany). The nucleotide sequencing was performed by Sanger's method with K872 plasmid DNA. The most updated GenBank EMBL necleic acid banks were searched through the internet by using BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tools) program. Nothern bots were performed using RNA isolated from various human tissues and cancer cell lines. The gene expression of the fusion protein was achieved by His-Patch Thiofusicn expression system and the protein product was identified on SDS-PAGE. Results : K872 clone is 1006 nucleotides long, and has a coding region of 675 nucleotides and a 3' non-coding region of 280 nucleotides. The presumed open reading frame starting at the 5' terminus of K872 encodes 226 amino acids, including the initiation methionine residue. The amino acid sequence deduced from the open reading frame of K872 shares $70\%$, identity with that of rat glutathione 5-transferase kappa 1 (rGSTKl). The transcripts were expressed in a variety of human tissues and cancer cells. The levels of transcript were relatively high in those tissues such as heart, skeletal muscle, and peripheral blood leukocyte. It is noteworthy that K872 was found to be abundantly expressed in coloreetal cancer and melanoma cell lines. Conclusion : Homology search result suggests that K872 clone is the human homolog of the rGSTK1 which is known to be involved in the resistance of cytotoxic therapy. We propose that meticulous functional analysis should be followed to confirm that.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.137-146
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• 2020

Calcium is one of the important secondary signaling molecules in plant cells. Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPK)-the sensor proteins of Ca²⁺ and phosphorylating enzymes-are the most abundant serine/threonine kinases in plant cells. They convert and transmit signals in response to various stimuli, resulting in specific responses in plants. In rice, 31 CDPK gene families have been identified, which are mainly involved in plant growth and development and are known to play roles in response to various stress conditions. However, little is known about the biochemical characteristics of CDPK proteins. In this study, OsCPK11-a CDPK in rice-was partially purified, and its biochemical characteristics were found. Partially purified OsCPK11 from rice seedlings was obtained by three-step column chromatography that involved anion exchange chromatography consisting of DEAE, hydrophobic interaction chromatography consisting of phenyl-Sepharose, and gel filtration chromatography consisting of Sephacryl-200HR. An in vitro kinase assay using partially purified OsCPK11 was also performed. This partially purified OsCPK11 had a molecular weight of 54 kDa and showed a strong hydrophobic interaction with the hydrophobic resin. In vitro kinase assay showed that the OsCPK11 also had Ca²⁺-dependent autophosphorylation activity. The OsCPK11 phosphorylated histone III-S, and the optimum pH for its kinase activity was found to be 7.5~8.0. The native OsCPK11 shared several biochemical characteristics with recombinant OsCPK11 studied previously, and both had Ca²⁺-dependent autophosphorylation activity and favored histone III-S as a substrate for kinase activity, which also had a Ca²⁺-dependence.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.255-269
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• 2005

This study was aimed to investigate genetic relationships, variables, and correlations between economic traits and metabolic materials in serum components according to bleeding periods and breeding locations for the castrated and not castrated Hanwoo cattle at National Livestock Research Institute. Analysis of variance for serum hormones and metabolic materials showed significant differences by breeding locations except for testosterone and globulin. Statistical differences for serum components were detected by birth year except for cortisol, total protein, globulin and creatinine, and by castration except for total protein and BUN. All the serum components were tended to have sire effects except for testosterone resulting in some degree of additive gene actions. Breeding locations showed statistical significances for carcass weight and back fat thickness, but not in carcass rate, KPH, live weight and transportation weight loss. Effects of breeding locations and castration were significant for all weight measurement periods except for 9 month and 6 month, respectively. A significant sire effect was observed in all weight measurements. Least squared means for concentration of serum components by breeding year, season and castration were not significant. High concentration of cortisol, creatinine and triglyceride and low concentration of IGF-1 and glucose were detected in castrated cattle. Concentration of testosterone with castrated cattle was $5.2\%$ corresponding to non castrated cattle. Estimation of heritabilities of serum components using a sire model with restricted maximum likelihood were ranged 0.07 to 0.58. High heritabilities were estimated for total protein, albumin, globulin, cortisol, creatinine and BUN were 0.53, 0.54, 0.42, 0.45, 0.58 and 0.54, respectively. Low heritabilities were estimated fur calcium, testosterone and IGF-1 for 0.07, 0.15 and 0.12, respectively. Heritabilities for carcass weight, back fat thickness, meat yield index, KPH, and IMF were estimated as 0.39, 0.45, 0.30 0.13, and 0.93. Heritabilities of weights on 18, 12, 9, 6, and 24 month were estimated as 0.78, 0.76, 0.62, 0.58 and 0.58. Estimated heritabilities for average daily gain on 6${\~}$2, 12${\~}$18, and 18${\~}$24 month were 0.80, 0.75 and 0.19, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.319-326
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• 2016

An antimicrobial bacterium to pathogenic microorganisms, strain $W5-1^T$ was isolated from Korean fermented-food Kimchi. The isolate was Gram-staining-variable, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, endospore-forming, and motile with peritrichous flagella. It grew at $15-40^{\circ}C$, at pH 6.0-10.0, and in the presence of 0-4% NaCl. Strain $W5-1^T$ could hydrolyze esculin and xylan, and assimilate $\small{D}$-mannose, but not $\small{D}$-mannitol. Strain $W5-1^T$ showed antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella typhi. The G+C content of the DNA of strains $W5-1^T$ was 52.6 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7 (MK-7) and the major cellular fatty acids were $C_{16:0}$, antieiso-$C_{15:0}$, $C_{18:0}$, and $C_{12:0}$. The strain contained meso-diaminopimelic acid in cell-wall peptidoglycan. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence and phylogenetic analysis, the strain W5-1 was shown to belong to the family Paenibacillaceae and was most closely related to Paenibacillus pinihumi $S23^T$ (98.4% similarity) and Paenibacillus tarimensis $SA-7-6^T$ (96.4%). The DNA-DNA relatedness between the isolate and Paenibacillus pinihumi $S23^T$ was 8.5%, indicating that strain $W5-1^T$ represented a species in the genus Paenibacillus. On the basis of the evidence from this polyphasic study, it is proposed that strain $W5-1^T$ is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus kimchicus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is $W5-1^T$ (=KACC $15046^T$ = $LMG 25970^T$).

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1607-1611
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• 2011

To analyze the role of Bombyx mori transferrin (BmTf) in response to microbes or oxidative stress, we investigated the level of BmTf transcripts in B. mori treated with various microbes and oxidative stress inducers. BmTf mRNA was mainly expressed in the epidermis and fat in the bodies of B. mori injected with Escherichia coli, and up regulated in response to microbes such as bacteria, fungi, or viruses, but was hardly altered in response to oxidative stress inducers such as $H_2O_2$, Cu, or $FeCl_3$. We also confirmed that BmTf mRNA expression was increased in Bm5 cells treated with ERK, PLC, PKA, PI3K, MAPK, or JNK inhibitors, respectively. To identify the major inducer of BmTf expression, we analyzed the amount of serum iron in the hemolymph of B. mori after injection or feeding with E. coli or $FeCl_3$. The results showed that the amount of serum iron was not changed by injection and feeding with E. coli, although BmTf mRNA was increased by injection with E. coli. On the contrary, injection and feeding with $FeCl_3$ significantly increased the amount of serum iron, although they did not alter the BmTf mRNA level. On the basis of these results, we assume that up-regulation of BmTf in B. mori is closely related to the defense of microorganism, and BmTf may be expressed at the basal constitutive level when it plays a role in iron metabolism by maintaining iron homeostasis and in the insect defense mechanism against oxidative stress.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.69-78
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• 2013

Vitis amurensis Rupreche, a sort of grape, grows naturally in Asian countries. It is known for important biological effects such as antioxidation, anti-inflammation, neuroprotection, and angiogenesis inhibition. Although its root is used as a traditional folk medicine in Korea, the root's biological activities are poorly studied. In the present study, the effects of V. amurensis root methanol extract (VARM) and its solvent fractions on adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were investigated. The VARM significantly suppressed adipocyte differentiation, lipid accumulation, and the triglyceride (TG) content of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in a dose-dependent manner, without cytotoxicity. To identify active molecules, the VARM was fractionated with a series of organic solvents including dichloromethane ($CH_2Cl_2$), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and n-butanol (n-BuOH). All the fractions also showed inhibition of lipid accumulation in the 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The $CH_2Cl_2$ fraction showed the most powerful anti-obesity effect through the modulation of cytidine-cytidine-adenosine-adenosinethymidine (CCAAT)/enhancer binding protein ${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$), $C/EBP{\beta}$, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) gene and protein expression. Oleanolic acid was one of the main active compounds involved in the anti-obesity activity of the V. amurensis root. These results provide important new insight into the potential potent anti-adipogenic effect of the V. amurensis root and illustrate that one of the main compounds involved in this effect is oleanolic acid.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.202-210
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• 2017

As an effort to find a potential biopreservative, we isolated bacterial strains producing bacteriocin from fermented foods. A strain was finally selected and characteristics of the bacteriocin were investigated. The selected strain was identified as Bacillus subtilis E9-1 based on the 16S rRNA gene analysis. The culture supernatant of B. subtilis E9-1 showed antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Subtilisin A, ${\alpha}$-chymotrypsin, trypsin and proteinase K inactivated the antimicrobial activity, which means its proteinaceous nature, a bacteriocin. The bacteriocin activity was fully retained at the pH range from 2.0 to 8.0 and stable at up to $100^{\circ}C$ for 60 min. Solvents such as ethanol, isopropanol and methanol had no effect on the antimicrobial activity at the concentration of 100% but acetone and acetonitrile reduced the activity at up to 100% concentration. Cell growth of four indicator strains was dramatically decreased in dose-dependent manner. Listeria monocytogenes was the most sensitive, but Enterococcus faecium was the most resistant. Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus showed the medium sensitivity. The bacteriocin showed its antimicrobial activity against B. cereus and L. monocytogenes via bactericidal action. The number of viable cells of L. monocytogenes started to reduce after addition of bacteriocin to the minced beef. The bacteriocin was purified through acetone concentration, gel filtration chromatography and RP-HPLC. The whole purification step led to a 6.82 fold increase in the specific activity and 6% yield of bacteriocin activity. The molecular weight of the purified bacteriocin was determined to be 3.3 kDa by MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.245-255
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• 2018

The research was aimed to analyze the functional constituents (GABA and isoflavone), radical (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and hydroxyl) scavenging activities and enzyme (${\alpha}-glucosidase$ and lipase) inhibitory effects of soypowder milk (SPM) and fermented soy-powder milk (FSPM) with varied Lactobacillus brevis. Ten ${\gamma}-aminobutyric$ acid (GABA) producing lactic acid bacteria that showed 96-99% similarity with L. brevis, according to 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, were isolated from fermented kimchi. The conversion rates of GABA were obtained 66.96-93.51, 63.76-84.58, and 57.05-69.75% in monosodium glutamate, gluten and soy protein, respectively. The levels of pH and glutamic acid of FSPM were found lower than those of SPM, but the acidity and GABA contents were higher. The GABA conversion rate of FSPM with BMK484 strain was attained the highest 69.97%. The contents of isoflavone glycoside ($1290.93{\mu}g/g$) was higher in SPM, but the content of isoflavone aglycone ($287.27-501.9{\mu}g/g$) was higher in FSPM. The levels of isoflavone aglycone such as daidzein, glycitein and genistein, were found as the highest 240.2, 61.24 and $200.45{\mu}g/g$, respectively, when FSPM was made with BMK484 strain. The DPPH, ABTS and hydroxyl radical scavenging and ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities of FSPM made with BMK484 strain were the relatively higher 60.31, 88.10, 61.25, 52.71, and 39.37%, respectively. Therefore, the L. brevis can be used as a material capable of simultaneously enhanced GABA and isoflavone aglycone in FSPM.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.351-354
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• 1993

Z-1-Ethyl-2-nitro-l-butenyl-(4'-methyl)-phenyl sulfone, C$_{13}$H$_{17}$NO$_4$S, Mr = 293.4, monoclinic space group P2$_1$/c, a = 12.194(7), b = 7.290(4), c = 16.532(14)${\AA}$, ${\beta}$ = 103.4(2)$^{\circ}$, V = 1429.5 ${\AA}^3$, Z = 4, D$_c$ = 1.32 gcm$^{-3}$, ${\lambda}$(Mo K${\alpha}$) = 0.71069 ${\AA}$, ${\mu}$ = 2.2 cm$^{-1}$, F(000) = 600, T = 298 K, R = 0.030 for 1762 unique observed reflections with I > 1.0${\sigma}$(I). A molecule has a cis-typed molecular structure having the form of "the substituted butene backbone, C-C(S)=C(NO$_2$)-C, connecting to a sulfur atom with the methylbenzene ring and to a nitro group. The methylbenzene ring and the substituted butene moiety are nearly planar with the maximum deviations from their own molecular planes, 0.018 ${\AA}$ for the C(1) atom of the benzene group and 0.045 ${\AA}$ for the N atom of the NO$_2$ group, respectively. The angles to the plane of the butene backbone are 88.5$^{\circ}$from the plane of the methyl-benzene and 78.6$^{\circ}$from the plane of the nitro group. Rotation of the nitro group from the butene plane seems to reduced contribution of resonance structure involving the nitro group, and resultant repulsion between the O(2) atom of SO$_2$ and the O(3) atom of NO$_2$ appears to be 2.894 ${\AA}$ longer than an expected van der Waals distance of 2.80 ${\AA}$.