• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.509-516
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• 2009

메주로부터 곰팡이 및 세균 등에 생육 저해활성을 나타내는 균주 B. polyfermenticus CJ6을 분리 동정하였다. 분리 균주 B. polyfermenticus CJ6는 2단 대수기를 나타내는 생육 곡선상 특이점을 나타내었으며 배양 30시간 이후부터 최대 활성을 나타내었고 사멸기 이후 활성이 다소 감소되었으나 120시간까지 활성을 유지하였다. B. polyfermenticus CJ6의 항진균 활성 물질은 $70^{\circ}C$ 이상에서 활성이 감소되었으나 $121^{\circ}C$에서 15분간 열처리 시 역가가 완전히 소실되지 않았다. pH 안정성 실험에서는 pH $3.0{\sim}9.0$ 구간에서 안정한 활성을 나타내었으며, 각종 효소에 대한 영향에서 항진균 활성물질은 proteinase K, protease, ${\alpha}$-chymotrypsin 등의 단백분해효소 처리로 역가를 상실하거나 일부 감소되어 단백질성 물질임을 추정하였다. 균주의 항진균 활성 물질을 $C_{18}$ Sep-Pak column으로 부분 정제한 후 Tricine-SDS-PAGE 및 direct detection 실험을 통하여 분자량이 약 1.4 kDa의 물질임을 확인하였다. B. polyfermenticus CJ6가 생산하는 항진균 활성 물질은 기존에 거의 보고되지 않은 B. polyfermenticus 유래의 단백질성 항진균 활성 물질로서 천연보존제 및 천연항균제재로 사용이 기대되며, 이를 위하여 항진균 활성 물질들의 정제 및 구조분석 등의 연구가 필요하다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제15권5호
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• pp.299-305
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• 2011

Calcineurin (CaN) is activated in diabetes and plays a role in glomerular hypertrophy and extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation. Here, kidneys from diabetic model mice were investigated for the expression of the regulator of CaN 1 (RCAN1) isoform 4 (RCAN1.4) which had been shown to be transcriptionally upregulated by CaN activation. We found the increased immunoreactivity for RCAN1 in the glomerular cells of db/db mice and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. In concordance, the expression of RCAN1 protein and RCAN1.4 mRNA were elevated in the whole kidney sample from db/db mice. Interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and glycated albumin (AGE-BSA) were identified as inducers of RCAN1.4 in mesangial cells. Pretreatment of cyclosporine A blocked the increases of RCAN1.4 stimulated by IL-$1{\beta}$ or AGE-BSA, suggesting that activation of CaN is required for the RCAN1.4 induction. Stable transfection of RCAN1.4 in Mes-13 mesangial cells upregulated several factors relevant to ECM production and degradation. These results suggested that RCAN1.4 might act as a link between CaN activation and ECM turnover in diabetic nephropathy.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.370-381
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• 2017

Rathayibacter tritici, which is a Gram positive, plant pathogenic, non-motile, and rod-shaped bacterium, causes spike blight in wheat and barley. For successful pathogenesis, R. tritici is associated with Anguina tritici, a nematode, which produces seed galls (ear cockles) in certain plant varieties and facilitates spread of infection. Despite significant efforts, little research is available on the mechanism of disease or bacteria-nematode association of this bacterium due to lack of genomic information. Here, we report the first complete genome sequence of R. tritici NCPPB 1953 with diverse features of this strain. The whole genome consists of one circular chromosome of 3,354,681 bp with a GC content of 69.48%. A total of 2,979 genes were predicted, comprising 2,866 protein coding genes and 49 RNA genes. The comparative genomic analyses between R. tritici NCPPB 1953 and R. toxicus strains identified 1,052 specific genes in R. tritici NCPPB 1953. Using the BlastKOALA database, we revealed that the flexible genome of R. tritici NCPPB 1953 is highly enriched in 'Environmental Information Processing' system and metabolic processes for diverse substrates. Furthermore, many specific genes of R. tritici NCPPB 1953 are distributed in substrate-binding proteins for extracellular signals including saccharides, lipids, phosphates, amino acids and metallic cations. These data provides clues on rapid and stable colonization of R. tritici for disease mechanism and nematode association.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제31권12호
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• pp.1656-1666
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• 2021

Dental pathogens lead to chronic diseases like periodontitis, which causes loss of teeth. Here, we examined the plausible antibacterial efficacy of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) synthesized using Cupressus macrocarpa extract (CME) against periodontitis-causing bacteria. The antimicrobial properties of CME-CuNPs were then assessed against oral microbes (M. luteus. B. subtilis, P. aerioginosa) that cause periodontal disease and were identified using morphological/ biochemical analysis, and 16S-rRNA techniques. The CME-CuNPs were characterized, and accordingly, the peak found at 577 nm using UV-Vis spectrometer showed the formation of stable CME-CuNPs. Also, the results revealed the formation of spherical and oblong monodispersed CME-CuNPs with sizes ranged from 11.3 to 22.4 nm. The FTIR analysis suggested that the CME contains reducing agents that consequently had a role in Cu reduction and CME-CuNP formation. Furthermore, the CME-CuNPs exhibited potent antimicrobial efficacy against different isolates which was superior to the reported values in literature. The antibacterial efficacy of CME-CuNPs on oral bacteria was compared to the synergistic solution of clindamycin with CME-CuNPs. The solution exhibited a superior capacity to prevent bacterial growth. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) of CME-CuNPs with clindamycin recorded against the selected periodontal disease-causing microorganisms were observed between the range of 2.6-3.6 ㎍/ml, 4-5 ㎍/ml and 0.312-0.5, respectively. Finally, the synergistic antimicrobial efficacy exhibited by CME-CuNPs with clindamycin against the tested strains could be useful for the future development of more effective treatments to control dental diseases.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.72-80
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• 2022

In this study, the survival capacity (acid and bile salt tolerance, and adhesion to gut epithelial cells) and probiotic properties (enzyme activity-inhibition and anti-inflammatory activities, inhibition of adipogenesis, and stress hormone level reduction) of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LRCC5314, isolated from kimchi (Korean traditional fermented cabbage), were investigated. LRCC5314 exhibited very stable survival at ph 2.0 and in 0.2% bile acid with 89.9% adhesion to Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells after treatment for 2 h. LRCC5314 also inhibited the activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, which are involved in elevating postprandial blood glucose levels, by approximately 72.9% and 51.2%, respectively. Treatment of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells with the LRCC5314 lysate decreased the levels of the inflammatory factors nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and interferon-γ by 88.5%, 49.3%, 97.2%, and 99.8%, respectively, relative to those of the cells treated with LPS alone. LRCC5314 also inhibited adipogenesis in differentiating preadipocytes (3T3-L1 cells), showing a 14.7% decrease in lipid droplet levels and a 74.0% decrease in triglyceride levels, as well as distinct reductions in the mRNA expression levels of adiponectin, FAS, PPAR/γ, C/EBPα, TNF-α, and IL-6. Moreover, LRCC5314 reduced the level of cortisol, a hormone with important effect on stress, by approximately 35.6% in H295R cells. L. plantarum LRCC5314 is identified as a new probiotic with excellent in vitro multifunctional properties. Subsequent in vivo studies may further demonstrate its potential as a functional food or pharmabiotic.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• 제37권6호
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• pp.662-672
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• 2021

Plant growth-promoting bacteria improve plant growth under abiotic stress conditions. However, their effects on microbial succession in the rhizosphere are poorly understood. In this study, the inoculants of Bacillus mesonae strain H20-5 were administered to tomato plants grown in soils with different salinity levels (EC of 2, 4, and 6 dS/m). The bacterial communities in the bulk and rhizosphere soils were examined 14 days after H20-5 treatment using Illumina MiSeq sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. Although the abundance of H20-5 rapidly decreased in the bulk and rhizosphere soils, a shift in the bacterial community was observed following H20-5 treatment. The variation in bacterial communities due to H20-5 treatment was higher in the rhizosphere than in the bulk soils. Additionally, the bacterial species richness and diversity were greater in the H20-5 treated rhizosphere than in the control. The composition and structure of the bacterial communities varied with soil salinity levels, and those in the H20-5 treated rhizosphere soil were clustered. The members of Actinobacteria genera, including Kineosporia, Virgisporangium, Actinoplanes, Gaiella, Blastococcus, and Solirubrobacter, were enriched in the H20-5 treated rhizosphere soils. The microbial co-occurrence network of the bacterial community in the H20-5 treated rhizosphere soils had more modules and keystone taxa compared to the control. These findings revealed that the strain H20-5 induced systemic tolerance in tomato plants and influenced the diversity, composition, structure, and network of bacterial communities. The bacterial community in the H20-5 treated rhizosphere soils also appeared to be relatively stable to soil salinity changes.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.29.1-29.10
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• 2021

In our previous studies, we have demonstrated the association of certain variants of the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR), thyroid peroxidase (TPO), and thyroglobulin (TG) genes with congenital hypothyroidism. Herein, we explored the mechanistic basis for this association using different in silico tools. The mRNA 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) plays key roles in gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. In TSHR variants (rs2268477, rs7144481, and rs17630128), the binding affinity of microRNAs (miRs) (hsa-miR-154-5p, hsa-miR-376a-2-5p, hsa-miR-3935, hsa-miR-4280, and hsa-miR-6858-3p) to the 3'-UTR is disrupted, affecting post-transcriptional gene regulation. TPO and TG are the two key proteins necessary for the biosynthesis of thyroid hormones in the presence of iodide and H₂O₂. Reduced stability of these proteins leads to aberrant biosynthesis of thyroid hormones. Compared to the wild-type TPO protein, the p.S398T variant was found to exhibit less stability and significant rearrangements of intra-atomic bonds affecting the stoichiometry and substrate binding (binding energies, ΔG of wild-type vs. mutant: -15 vs. -13.8 kcal/mol; and dissociation constant, K_d of wild-type vs. mutant: 7.2E^-12 vs. 7.0E^-11 M). The missense mutations p.G653D and p.R1999W on the TG protein showed altered ΔG(0.24 kcal/mol and 0.79 kcal/mol, respectively). In conclusion, an in silico analysis of TSHR genetic variants in the 3'-UTR showed that they alter the binding affinities of different miRs. The TPO protein structure and mutant protein complex (p.S398T) are less stable, with potentially deleterious effects. A structural and energy analysis showed that TG mutations (p.G653D and p.R1999W) reduce the stability of the TG protein and affect its structure-functional relationship.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제33권5호
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• pp.67-72
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• 2018

Objectives : Natural extracts have been extensively studied to replace single agent drugs that cause a variety of side effects. However, studies of changes to the formulation of natural extracts has not been nearly proceed. We aimed to investigate whether pharmacological stability of hyeonggaeyeongyotang gagambang (HYT) is altered by formulation changes for foaming tablet. Methods : In this study, we performed freeze - drying of HYT, which is known to have antioxidant and anti - inflammatory properties, and then changed the formulation by foaming. Results : As a result, the foaming reaction appeared normally when HYT foamed tablets were put into water, and almost all of the substances were dissolved in the aqueous solution. In addition, we confirmed using high-performance liquid chromatograph that the geniposide used as an indicator material of HYT was stable in most of the formulations. It was confirmed that the change of HYT formulation did not affect the antioxidant efficacy by the 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid assay. Moreover, quantitative real-time PCR confirmed that the inhibitory effect of HYT on IL-$1{\beta}$ mRNA expression induced by lipopolysaccharides treatment in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells was similar in the solution of foaming tablet. Conclusions : These results suggest that the materials with various pharmacological effects can be stably maintained even when the formulation is changed by the foaming action of HYT. Our results are expected to provide important basic knowledge on formulation changes using various natural extracts.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제25권12호
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• pp.1408-1414
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• 2015

화학농약의 오남용은 환경오염을 유발하고, 사람의 건강에 악영향을 미치므로 그 대안으로 미생물을 이용한 생물학적 방제에 대한 관심이 높아지고 있다. 본 연구에서는 환경에서 안정성을 유지할 수 있는 생물방제균을 확보하기 위하여 잿빛곰팡이병균인 Botrytis cinerea의 생육을 억제할 수 있는 Bacillus 속 균주를 탐색한 후, 선정된 균주의 항진균 물질 생산을 위한 조건, 항진균 기작 및 물리화학적 안정성에 대하여 조사하였다. 가장 높은 항진균 활성을 가진 균주는 고추의 근권 토양에서 분리된 AF4 균주였으며, 표현형적 특성 및 16S rRNA 유전자 염기 서열에 근거하여 동정한 결과, Bacillus subtilis로 확인되었다. AF4 균주는 최적 탄소원으로 glycerol을, 최적 질소원으로 casein을 요구하였으며, 25-40℃ 및 pH 7-10에서 항진균 활성을 나타내었다. 최적조건에서 항진균 활성은 140±3 AU/ml로, 기본배지보다 활성이 증가했음을 알 수 있었다. AF4 균주는 B. cinereas 균사를 형태적으로 변화시킴으로써 항진균 효과를 나타내는 것으로 추정되었으며, 다양한 식물병원성 곰팡이의 생육을 억제할 수 있었다. 또한 AF4 균주가 생성하는 항진균 물질은 열, pH, 유기용매 및 단백질 분해효소 처리에도 항진균 활성을 유지하였으므로 대단히 안정한 물질인 것으로 판단되었다. 따라서 Bacillus subtilis AF4는 다양한 곰팡이유래 식물질병방제에 적용가능성이 높은 균주임을 알 수 있었다.

• 미생물학회지
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• 제52권3호
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• pp.344-351
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• 2016

대한민국 동해안 울진 앞 바닷물로부터 50-C로 명명한 해양 미생물을 분리하였다. 50-C 균주는 그람-음성, 호기성 세균이며, 노란색 집락을 형성하고, 극성편모를 갖는 박테리아이다. 이 균주는 $20-50^{\circ}C$, pH 5.5-8.5 범위에서 자라며, 비교적 고온인 $40-50^{\circ}C$, pH 6.5-7.5, 2% (w/v) NaCl에서 최적 성장을 보인다. 16S rRNA 유전자 서열 분석결과 50C-3 균주는 Ruegeria 속에 속하는 R. intermedia CC-GIMAT-$2^T$, R. lacuscaerulensis ITI-$1157^T$의 16S rRNA 유전자 서열과 각각 99.4%, 96.98% 상동성을 보였다. 그러나 50C-3 균주는 운동성, 탄소이용능력, 효소생산능력 등의 생리학적 특성에서 두 균주와는 명확히 다른 특성을 보였다. 50C-3 균주의 DNA G+C content는 66.7 mol%이고, 주요한 respiratory quinone은 ubiquinone-10 (Q-10)이었다. 이와 같은 형태학적, 생리학적, 유전학적 특성을 비교하여, 50C-3 균주는 R. intermedia CC-GIMAT-$2^T$와 같은 종에 속하는 새로운 변종으로 판단되며 Ruegeria sp. 50C-3으로 명명하였다(KCTC23890 =DSM25519). 50C-3 균주는 cellulase, agarase 활성은 없었지만, alkaline phosphatase, ${\alpha}$-galactosidase, ${\beta}$-galactosidase를 생산하였고 이들 모두 $50^{\circ}C$ 에서도 활성이 좋은 내열성 효소일 것으로 판단되었다. 특히, ${\beta}$-galactosidase의 경우 $37^{\circ}C$에서 보다 $50^{\circ}C$에서의 활성이 1.9배 증가하여 산업적으로 활용성이 클 것으로 예상된다.