• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.402-409
• /
• 2006

Although microorganisms are, in fact, the most diverse and abundant type of organism on Earth, the ecological functions of microbial populations remains poorly understood. A variety of bacteria including marine Vibrios encounter numerous ecological challenges, such as UV light, predation, competition, and seasonal variations in seawater including pH, salinity, nutrient levels, temperature and so forth. In order to survive and proliferate under variable conditions, they have to develop elaborate means of communication to meet the challenges to which they are exposed. In bacteria, a range of biological functions have recently been found to be regulated by a population density-dependent cell-cell signaling mechanism known as quorum-sensing (QS). In other words, bacterial cells sense population density by monitoring the presence of self-produced extracellular autoinducers (AI). N-acylhomoserine lactone (AHL)-dependent quorum-sensing was first discovered in two luminescent marine bacteria, Vibrio fischeri and Vibrio harveyi. The LuxI/R system of V. fischeriis the paradigm of Gram-negative quorum-sensing systems. At high population density, the accumulated signalstrigger the expression of target genes and thereby initiate a new set of biological activities. Several QS systems have been identified so far. Among them, an AHL-dependent QS system has been found to control biofilm formation in several bacterial species, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aeromonas hydrophila, Burkholderia cepacia, and Serratia liquefaciens. Bacterial biofilm is a structured community of bacterial cells enclosed in a self-produced polymeric matrix that adheres to an inert or living surface. Extracellular signal molecules have been implicated in biofilm formation. Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain NT1(traR, tra::lacZ749) and Chromobacterium violaceum strain CV026 are used as biosensors to detect AHL signals. Quorum sensing in lactic acid bacteria involves peptides that are directly sensed by membrane-located histidine kinases, after which the signal is transmitted to an intracellular regulator. In the nisin autoregulation process in Lactococcus lactis, the NisK protein acts as the sensor for nisin, and NisR protein as the response regulator activatingthe transcription of target genes. For control over growth and survival in bacterial communities, various strategies need to be developed by which receptors of the signal molecules are interfered with or the synthesis and release of the molecules is controlled. However, much is still unknown about the metabolic processes involved in such signal transduction and whether or not various foods and food ingredients may affect communication between spoilage or pathogenic bacteria. In five to ten years, we will be able to discover new signal molecules, some of which may have applications in food preservation to inhibit the growth of pathogens on foods.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.59-68
• /
• 1994

The effects of silt and clay, water temperature and salinity on the metabolic activities: rates of respiration, filtration and nitrogen excretion in the clam, Mactra veneriformis, were investigated in ranges of $0{\sim}250ppm,\;15{\sim}25^{\circ}C\;and\;10{\sim}30\%0$ respectively. The weight specific respiration rate decreased with shell length and significantly declined at lower temperatures and lower salinity levels. Average respiration rates, filtration rates and ammonia excretion rates of the clam groups declined as water temperature was lowered. The respiration rate(R) and the filtration rate(F) decreased as the concentration of silt and clay(C) increased, the relationships between the two parameters were expressed as a regression line, R=a+b LogC and LogF=a+b LogC, respectively. On the rearing experiment treated with 50ppm of silt and clay, the relationship between the accumulative mortality(M) and the elapsed day(T) was $M=0.0186T^{2.7965}$, and the median lethal time was calculated at 16.8 days. From the rearing experiment, both rate of respiration and ammonia nitrogen excretion of experimental groups and control groups decreased with elapsed days, the rates of experimental groups, especially declined more compared with those of the control groups.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.33 no.6
• /
• pp.604-614
• /
• 2020

Chronological aging and photoaging affect appearance, causing wrinkles, pigmentation, texture changes, and loss of elasticity in the skin. Phragmites communis is a tall perennial herb used for its high nutritional value and for medicinal purposes, such as relief from fever and vomiting and facilitation of diuresis. In this study, we investigated the effects of ethanol extract of P. communis rhizome (PCE) on skin aging. The total flavonoid and total phenolic content in PCE were 2.92 ± 0.007 ㎍ of quercetin equivalents (QE) and 231.8 ± 0.001 ㎍ of gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per 100 mg of dried extract (n = 3). The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of PCE for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities were 0.96 and 0.97 mg/mL, respectively. PCE showed inhibitory effects on tyrosinase when L-tyrosine (IC50 = 1.25 mg/mL) and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (IC50 = 0.92 mg/mL) were used as substrates. PCE treatment up to 200 ㎍/mL for 24 h did not cause any significant cytotoxicity in B16F10 melanocytes, human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), and HaCaT keratinocytes. In B16F10 melanocytes, PCE (25 and 50 ㎍ /mL) inhibited melanin production and cellular tyrosinase activity after challenge with α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH; p < 0.05). In HDFs, PCE suppressed the mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and reduced the activity of elastase (p < 0.05). In addition, ultraviolet B (UVB)-mediated downregulation of hyaluronic acid synthase-2 gene expression in HaCaT keratinocytes was also effectively suppressed by PCE treatment. Overall, our results showed that PCE has potential anti-skin aging activity associated with the suppression of hyperpigmentation, wrinkle formation, and reduction in dryness. PCE is a promising candidate for the development of an anti-skin aging cosmetic ingredient.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
• /
• 2001.10a
• /
• pp.109-113
• /
• 2001

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) has been shown to modulate transactivations by the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)$\gamma$ and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF$\kappa$B). In this study, the oxLDL signaling pathways involved with the NF$\kappa$B transactivation were investigated by utilizing a reporter construct driven by three upstream NF$\kappa$B binding sites, and various pharmacological inhibitors. OxLDL and its constituent lysophophatidylcholine (lysoPC) induced a rapid and transient increase of intracellular calcium and stimulated the NF-KB transactivation in resting RAW264.7 macrophage cells in an oxidation-dependent manner. The NF$\kappa$B activation by oxLDL or lysoPC was inhibited by protein kinase C inhibitors or an intracellular calcium chelator. Tyrosine kinase or PI3 kinase inhibitors did not block the NF$\kappa$B transactivation. Furthermore, the oxLDL-induced NF$\kappa$B activity was abolished by the PPAR$\gamma$ ligands. When the endocytosis of oxLDL was blocked by cytochalasin B, the NF$\kappa$B transactivation by oxLDL was synergistically increased, while PPAR transactivation was blocked. These results suggest that oxLDL activates NF-$\kappa$B in resting macrophages via protein kinase C- and/or calcium-dependent pathways, which does not involve the endocytic processing of oxLDL. The endocytosis-dependent PPAR$\gamma$ activation by oxLDL may function as an inactivation route of the oxLDL induced NF$\kappa$B signal. Short heterodimer partner (SHP), specifically expressed in liver and a limited number of other tissues, is an unusual orphan nuclear receptor that lacks the conventional DNA-binding domain. In this work, we found that SHP expression is abundant in murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 but suppressed by oxLDL and its constituent I3-HODE, a ligand for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor y. Furthermore, SHP acted as a transcription coactivator of nuclear factor-$\kappa$B (NF$\kappa$B) and was essential for the previously described NF$\kappa$B transactivation by lysoPC, one of the oxLDL constituents. Accordingly, NF$\kappa$B, transcriptionally active in the beginning, became progressively inert in oxLDL-treated RAW 264.7 cells, as oxLDL decreased the SHP expression. Thus, SHP appears to be an important modulatory component to regulate the transcriptional activities of NF$\kappa$B in oxLDL-treated, resting macrophage cells.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
• /
• v.27 no.4 s.63
• /
• pp.623-632
• /
• 1997

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of magnetic field on cellular activity of MC3T3-E1 cells. The cellular activity was monitored by alkaline phosphatase and DNA synthetic activity in control, static magnetic field and pulsed electromagnetic field groups. A static magnetic field was applied to the cell by placing one, two, three, foue, and five samarium-cobalt magnets above and below each cell plate for 24hours per day. A pulsed electromagnetic field with a frequency of 100 herz was applied for 10 hours per day. After 10 days of magnetic field exposure, there were increase of alkaline phosphatase activity in static magnetic field groups consisted of one, two and three magnetic groups. Alkaline phosphatase activities were not significantly increased in four and five magnetic groups. Application of pulsed electromagnetic field did not result in significant increase in alkaline phosphatase activity compared to control. DNA synthetic activity in both static and pulsed electromagnetic field group were not significantly different from that in control group. The result of this study suggest that magnetic field could have effect on the metabolism of bone cells related to the cellular metabolic process.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.331-348
• /
• 1994

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the shape and ultrastructure of the articular disc of the rat mandibular joint with aging. Mechanical stress applied to the articular disc changes during neonatal, suckling, juvenile, adult and senile stages. Mandibular joints of 6 groups of rats(1-, 7-, 17-, 27-, 55-day and over-1-year groups) were removed en bloc and processed for light and electro microscopic study. The changes in the shape of articular disc were examined by light microscope in each group. Structural and ultrastructural changes in the articular disc were examined by light and electron microscope in each group. The results were as follows : In the 1-day and 7-day groups, the articular disc was long and slender in shape and the articular disc was not fitted with the shape of the mandibular fossa and condyle. However' after that time, the anterior and posterior portions of the articular disc were more bulged and the middle portion was shorter and biconcave. Thus the articular disc was well fitted with the shape of the mandibular fossa and condyle. The cell density decreased with aging. In the l -day and 7-day groups, the Golgi apparatus, rough endoplasmic reticulum and free ribosome, which are involved in the synthesis of intracellular and extracellular matrix, were developed. In the 17-day, 27-day and 55-day groups, not only the cell organelles involved in the synthesis of the intracellular and extracellular matrix but also the cell organelles involved in the remodeling of the extracellular matrix(i.e., finger-like cell process, lysosome and mitochondria)were well developed. With advancing age, intracytoplasmic microfilaments were more accumulated and condroid cells increased. In the over-1-year group, the majority of cells of the articular disc were chondroid cells. The majority of cytoplasmic compartment were filled with intracytoplasmic microfilaments and cell organelles were not developed. Therefore, metabolic activities of the cell was markedly reduced and cells contained structures enduring mechanical stress, and cells which were in the process of degeneration were observed occasionally.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.360-367
• /
• 2014

Candida albicans is an opportunistic and the most prevalent fungal pathogen that can cause superficial and systemic infections in immunocompromised patients. C. albicans can promote the transition from budding yeast to filamentous form, generating biofilms. Infections associated with C. albicans biofilms are frequently resistant to conventional antifungal therapy. Therefore, the development of more effective antifungal drugs related with biofilm formation is required urgently. The roots of Rheum undulatum have been used for medicinal purposes in Korea and China traditionally. The aim of present study was to evaluate the effect of R. undulatum extract upon preformed biofilms of 12 clinical C. albicans isolates and the antifungal activities. Its effect on preformed biofilms was evaluated using XTT reduction assay, and metabolic activity of all tested strains was reduced significantly ($49.4{\pm}6.0%$) at 0.098 mg/ml R. undulatum. The R. undulatum extract blocked the adhesion of C. albicans biofilms to polystyrene surfaces, and damaged the cell membrane integrity of C. albicans which was analyzed by CFDA, AM, and propidium iodide double staining. It caused cell lysis which was observed by Confocal laser scanning and phase contrast microscope after propidium iodide and neutral red staining, respectively. Membrane permeability was changed as evidenced by crystal violet uptake. The data suggest that R. undulatum inhibits biofilm formation by C. albicans, which can be associated with the damage of the cell membrane integrity, the changes in the membrane permeability and the cell lysis of C. albicans.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.22 no.10
• /
• pp.1330-1335
• /
• 2012

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is one of the acute infectious diseases in hoofed and even-toed mammals, including pigs, and it occurs via acute infection by Aphthovirus. When FMD is suspected, animals around the location of origin are typically slaughtered and buried. Other methods such as rendering, composting, and incineration have not been verified in practice in Korea. After the FMD incident, the regular monitoring of the microbial community is required, as microorganisms greatly modify the characteristics of the ecosystem in which they live. This is the result of their metabolic activities causing chemical changes to take place in the surrounding environment. In this study, we investigated changes in the microbial community during a 24 week period with DNA extracts from leachate, formed by the decomposition of buried pigs at a laboratory test site, using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) with a genomic DNA. Our results revealed that Bacteroides coprosuis, which is common in pig excreta, and Sporanaerobacter acetigenes, which is a sulfur-reduced microbe, were continuously observed. During the early stages (0~2 weeks) of tissue decomposition, Clostridium cochlearium, Fusobacterium ulcerans, and Fusobacterium sp., which are involved in skin decomposition, were also observed. In addition, various microbes such as Turicibacter sanguinis, Clostridium haemolyticum, Bacteroides propionicifaciens, and Comamonas sp. were seen during the later stages (16~24 weeks). In particular, the number of existing microbial species gradually increased during the early stages, including the exponential phase, decreased during the middle stages, and then increased again during the later stages. Therefore, these results indicate that the decomposition of pigs continues for a long period of time and leachate is created continuously during this process. It is known that leachate can easily flow into the neighboring environment, so a long-term management plan is needed in burial locations for FMD-infected animals.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.57 no.2
• /
• pp.103-111
• /
• 2014

A1E is an extract from traditional Asian medicinal plants that has therapeutic activities against cancers, metabolic disease, and other intractable conditions. However, its mechanism of action on cervical cancer has not been studied. In order to ascertain if A1E would have pronounced anti-cervical cancer effect, cervical cancer cells were incubated with A1E and apoptosis was detected by nuclear morphological changes, annexin V-FITC/PI staining, cell cycle analysis, western blotting, Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential. Expression of human papiloma virus E6 and E7 oncogenes was down-regulated in A1E-treated cervical cancer cells, while p53 and retinoblastoma protein levels were enhanced. A1E also perturbed cell cycle progression at sub-G1 and altered cell cycle regulatory factors in SiHa cervical cancer cells. A1E activated apoptotic intrinsic pathway markers such as caspase-9, caspase-3 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase, and down-regulated expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl. A1E induced mitochondrial membrane potential collapse and cytochrome c release, and inhibited phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, key factors involved in cell survival signaling. Taken all these results, A1E induced apoptosis via activation of the intrinsic pathway and inhibition of the PI3K/Akt survival-signaling pathway in SiHa cervical cancer cells. In conclusion, A1E exerts anti-proliferative action growth inhibition on cervical cancer cells through apoptosis which demonstrates its anti-cervical cancer properties.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.143-150
• /
• 2009

Deicing salt is used to melt snow and ice on the road for traffic safety during the winter season, which accumulates in the roadside vegetation and induces visible injuries. The damage may accelerate particularly when it coincides with early spring leaf out. In order to better understand the response mechanisms, C. kousa (3-year-old) was irrigated twice prior to leaf bud in a rhizosphere with solutions of 0.5, 1.0, and 3.0% calcium chloride ($CaCl_2$) concentration, that were made by using an industrial $CaCl_2$ reagent practical deicing material in Seoul. Physiological traits of the mature leaves were progressively reduced by $CaCl_2$ treatment, resulting in reductions of total chlorophyll contents, chlorophyll a:b, photosynthetic rate, quantum yield, stomatal conductance, $F_V/F_M$, and NPQ. On the contrary, light compensation point and dark respiration were increased at high $CaCl_2$ concentration. A decrease in intercellular $CO_2$ concentration by stomatal closure first resulted in a reduced photosynthetic rate and then was accompanied by low substance metabolic rates and photochemical damage. Based on the reduction of physiological activities at all treatments ($CaCl_2$ 0.5%, 1.0%, and 3.0%), C. kousa was determined as one of the sensitive species to $CaCl_2$.