• Mycobiology
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.385-391
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• 2017

The ability of Bacillus subtilis, strain ALICA to produce three mycolytic enzymes (chitinase, ${\beta}$-1,3-glucanase, and protease), was carried out by the chemical standard methods. Bacillus subtilis ALICA was screened based on their antifungal activity in dual plate assay and cell-free culture filtrate (25%) against five different phytopathogenic fungi Alternaria alternata, Macrophomina sp., Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Botrytis cinerea, and Sclerotium rolfesii. The B. subtilis ALICA detected positive for chitinase, ${\beta}$-1,3-glucanase and protease enzymes. Fungal growth inhibition by both strain ALICA and its cell-free culture filtrate ranged from 51.36% to 86.3% and 38.43% to 68.6%, respectively. Moreover, hyphal morphological changes like damage, broken, swelling, distortions abnormal morphology were observed. Genes expression of protease, ${\beta}$-1,3-glucanase, and lipopeptides (subtilosin and subtilisin) were confirmed their presence in the supernatant of strain ALICA. Our findings indicated that strain ALICA provided a broad spectrum of antifungal activities against various phytopathogenic fungi and may be a potential effective alternative to chemical fungicides.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제32권11호
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• pp.1406-1415
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• 2022

The formation of macrophage foam cells stimulated by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) is deemed an important cause of atherosclerosis. Transcription factor Yin Yang 1 (YY1), which is a universally expressed multifunctional protein, is closely related to cell metabolism disorders such as lipid metabolism, sugar metabolism, and bile acid metabolism. However, whether YY1 is involved in macrophage inflammation and lipid accumulation still remains unknown. After mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7 cells were induced by ox-LDL, YY1 and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) expressions were found to be increased while low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) expression was lowly expressed. Subsequently, through reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Western blot analysis, Oil Red O staining and cholesterol quantification, it turned out that silencing of YY1 attenuated the inflammatory response and lipid accumulation in RAW264.7 cells caused by ox-LDL. Moreover, results from the JASPAR database, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay, luciferase reporter assay and Western blot analysis suggested that YY1 activated PCSK9 by binding to PCSK9 promoter and modulated the expression of LDLR in the downstream of PCSK9. In addition, the results of functional experiments demonstrated that the inhibitory effects of YY1 interference on ox-LDL-mediated macrophage inflammation and lipid accumulation were reversed by PCSK9 overexpression. To sum up, YY1 depletion inhibited its activation of PCSK9, thereby reducing cellular inflammatory response, cholesterol homeostasis imbalance, and lipid accumulation caused by ox-LDL.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.197-208
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• 2014

A novel protease gene from Bacillus gibsonii, aprBG, was cloned, expressed in B. subtilis, and characterized. High-level expression of aprBG was achieved in the recombinant strain when a junction was present between the promoter and the target gene. The purified recombinant enzyme exhibited similar N-terminal sequences and catalytic properties to the native enzyme, including high affinity and hydrolytic efficiency toward various substrates and a superior performance when exposed to various metal ions, surfactants, oxidants, and commercial detergents. AprBG was remarkably stable in 50% organic solvents and retained 100% activity and stability in 0-4 M NaCl, which is better than the characteristics of previously reported proteases. AprBG was most closely related to the high-alkaline proteases of the subtilisin family with a 57-68% identity. The secretion and maturation mechanism of AprBG was dependent on the enzyme activity, as analyzed by site-directed mutagenesis. Thus, when taken together, the results revealed that the halo-solvent-tolerant protease AprBG displays significant activity and stability under various extreme conditions, indicating its potential for use in many biotechnology applications.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.522-529
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• 2019

A Bacillus strain, SJ4, exhibiting strong fibrinolytic activity was isolated from saeu (shrimp, Acetes chinensis) jeotgal, a Korean traditional fermented food and was identified as B. subtilis. The B. subtilis SJ4 strain can grow at a NaCl concentration of up to 15% (w/v). The fibrinolytic activity of B. subtilis SJ4 (152.0 U/ml) cultured in Luria-Bertani (LB) broth for 48 h at 37℃ with aeration was higher than that of B. subtilis SJ4 cultured in TSB (124.5 U/ml) under same culture conditions. The major proteins in the LB culture supernatant of B. subtilis SJ4 were analyzed by SDS-PAGE, which revealed three major bands (23, 25, and 28 kDa). The band (23 kDa) with strong fibrinolytic activity, analyzed on fibrin zymogram, was observed at 60-96 h of cultivation. The aprESJ4 gene encoding the major fibrinolytic enzyme, AprESJ4, was cloned by PCR. The aprESJ4 gene sequence exhibited high similarities with the fibrinolytic gene sequences of other Bacillus species. The amino acid sequence of AprESJ4 exhibited 98.9 and 98.4% similarity with subtilisin NAT and AprE2 of B. subtilis, respectively. Hence, B. subtilis SJ4 can be a potential starter culture for jeotgal products.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.101-108
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• 2015

Objectives : Positive effects of Ginseng has great research attentions such as anticancer, anti-diabetic, antiaging, liver, immune function, CNS, etc. In this study, we investigated Hydroponic-cultured Ginseng Folium fermented byBacillus subtilisto establish fermentation conditions for enhancing functionality.Methods : Ginseng Folium were cultivated hydroponic-cultured and were extracted with methanol. We inoculateBacillus subtilisfor fermentation by adding to 0%, 3% and 5% sugar respectively and checked antioxidant activities, total phenolic content and total saponin content in 2 days intervals during 11 days. The antioxidant activities were studied by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl(DPPH) radical, 2, 2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6 sulfonic acid) diammonium salt(ABTS) radical scavenging assay and Reducing power assay. We analyzed the Total phenol content, crude saponin content and ginsenoside content. Moreever, Hepatoprotective effects by Glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase(GOT) and Glutamic pyruvic transaminase(GPT) in Sprague-Dawley rat.Results : The results of DPPH and ABTS were 66.89% and 96.72%, respectively. The reducing power was resulted in optical density of 0.7312 with 3% sugar after 9 days of fermentation. and the concentration at 200 ㎍/㎖. Total phenol content was 36.92㎎/g with 3% sugar after 9 days of fermentation, in which crude saponin content wasn't changed, and ginsenoside content such as Rg3, Re and Rb was increased. Activities of GOT and GPT concentration were decreased in rat.Conclusions : This study suggests that hydroponic-cultured Ginseng Folium fermented byBacillus subtilisin 9 days showed significant efficacy of hepato-protection as well as antioxidant compared to the others. In addition, it shows not only improved value but also utilized hydroponic-cultured Ginseng Folium by fermentation.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.45-50
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• 2020

Objective : This study was performed to evaluate the toxicity after a single oral administration of black raspberry extract to male and female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and to determine the approximate lethal dose (ALD). Methods : We previously showed that the black raspberry extract repressed the simvastatin-mediated expression of Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and improved Low-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) uptake by hepatocytes through the induction of the Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor expression in hepatocytes. The groups consisted of black raspberry extract groups, as an oral dose of 2,000 mg/kg and a control group. 5 weeks SD rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups of 5 rats. Each male and female SD rats were administered orally once. For 14 days after the administration, mortality, clinical signs, changes in body weight, and necropsy findings were observed according to the "Standard for Toxicity Study of Pharmaceuticals" of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) guideline and "Acute Oral Toxicity- Fixed Dose Procedure" of OECD Test Guideline. Results : There were no cases of mortality in the group administered with 2,000 mg/kg of male and female, and no abnormalities in body weight change and clinical signs. Also, no gross abnormalities were observed at the autopsy. Conclusions : As a result of a single oral administration of the black raspberry extract to SD rats, the ALD was determined to exceed 2,000 mg/kg for both male and female SD rats.

• 지질동맥경화학회지
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.77-87
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• 2018

Lowering serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is the mainstay for reduction of risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), the second most common cause of death in Korea. The 2015 Korean guidelines for management of dyslipidemia strongly recommend the use of statins in patients at risk of CVD. Statin therapy, which is the gold standard for CVD, reduces LDL-C level by 40% to 60% and is generally well tolerated. However, many patients are intolerant to statins and discontinue therapy or become nonadherent to therapy because of actual/perceived side effects. The most common of these side effects is the statin-associated muscle symptom (SAMS). Discontinuation and repetitive re-challenge with statins can help identify SAMS. If serum creatinine kinase level is more than 10 times the upper limit of normal, statin therapy must be stopped immediately, and the physician should identify possible causes including rhabdomyolysis and treat appropriately. In other patients, it might help to switch to a less potent statin or to use statins at intermittent non-daily dosing. To achieve target LDL-C level, non-statin lipid-lowering therapies such as dietary modifications, ezetimibe, and bile acid sequestrants may be added. Several new drugs have recently been approved for lowering LDL-C level. Alirocumab and evolocumab are monoclonal antibodies that inhibit proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9, and both drugs cause large reductions in LDL-C, similar to statins. Lomitapide and mipomersen are orphan drugs used as adjuncts to other lipid-lowering therapies in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

• 한국식품위생안전성학회지
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.113-118
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• 2016

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) 유전자는 주로 간에서 분비되며 저밀도지단백질 수용체(LDLR)와 결합체를 이루어 세포 내 저밀도지단백질 수용체를 약화시킴에 따라 저밀도지단백질(LDL) 흡수를 감소시킨다. PCSK9은 심혈관 질환 및 상염색체 우성 가족성 고콜레스테롤혈증과 깊은 연관성을 나타내며 발병 메커니즘을 조절하는 주요한 인자로서 치료제 개발을 위해 많은 연구가 진행 중에 있다. 하지만 생식계통 내에서 PCSK9의 발현 및 기능에 대한 연구가 미비한 현실이다. 이에 본 연구에서는 고 콜레스테롤 식이에 따라 수컷 랫드의 생식기관 (음경, 전립선, 정소) 내 Pcsk9의 발현 변화를 확인하고자 한다. 과도한 콜레스테롤의 축적으로 인한 이상지질혈증은 수컷 랫드의 생식기능장애와 내분비교란을 유발하지만 이를 일으키는 조절 인자와 메커니즘은 명확하게 밝혀지지 않았다. 본 연구진의 선행연구에서는 고 콜레스테롤 식이에 의해 혈중 총 콜레스테롤, 저밀도지단백질 콜레스테롤 레벨이 증가 및 고밀도지단백질(HDL) 콜레스테롤의 감소를 확인하였다. 이 후, Pcsk9의 mRNA 발현은 음경 조직 내에서 80% 감소하는 것으로 나타났고 그 발현은 주로 발기 조직인 음경해면체 및 요도해면체 내 요도상피세포에서 주를 이룸을 확인하였다. 또한 Pcsk9은 고콜레스테롤 식이에 의해 발생하는 전립선 비대증 조직 내에서 20% 감소하는 것으로 나타났다. 그리고 마지막으로 Pcsk9은 고 콜레스테롤 식이를 섭취한 랫드의 정소 조직내에서 정상 정소 조직에 비해 약 28% 감소하였으며 정자발생에 주요한 정세관 내 정원세포, 정모세포, 정세포에서 그 발현이 확인되었다. 본 연구결과를 통해 Pcsk9 유전자가 수컷 랫드 생식기관 (음경, 전립선, 정소)에서 고콜레스테롤 식이에 의해 발현이 감소하는 것을 확인하였으며, 이는 Pcsk9이 남성 생식기관의 성장 및 발달 메커니즘에 중요한 역할을 미칠 것으로 사료된다.

• 미생물학회지
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• 제54권1호
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• pp.60-68
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• 2018

남극 해양세균 Pseudoalteromonas arctica PAMC 21717로부터 저온활성 alkaline protease (Pro21717)를 부분정제하였다. Pro21717 효소 추출액은 skim milk를 포함하는 zymogram gel 상에서 약 37 kDa (낮은 활성)과 74 kDa (높은 활성) 위치에서 두 개의 뚜렷한 투명밴드(clear zone)를 형성하였다. 단백질 분해활성을 나타내는 두 개의 효소단백질은 동일한 N-말단 아미노산 서열을 가지고 있었으며, 하나의 유전자에서 발현된 미성숙 단백질(precursor)이 37 kDa 크기의 단백질분해효소로 성숙화과정을 거친 후 74 kDa 크기로 이량체화됨으로써 좀 더 높은 활성을 가지는 것으로 판단된다. Pro21717은 $0-40^{\circ}C$ (최고활성 온도 $40^{\circ}C$) 온도 범위에서 단백질분해활성을 나타내었고 pH 5.0-10.0 (최적 pH 9.0) 범위에서 효소활성을 유지하였다. 주목할만한 특성으로써, Pro21717은 $40^{\circ}C$에서의 최고 효소활성(100%) 대비, $0^{\circ}C$와 $10^{\circ}C$에서 각각 30%와 45%의 높은 저온활성을 나타내었다. 또한 다양한 합성 펩타이드류에 대해 분해활성을 나타내는 Pro21717은 $Cu^{2+}$에 의해 활성이 증가하였으며, 시판용 세탁세제(commercial detergent formulation)에 포함되어 있는 다양한 종류의 계면활성제, 화학성분, 금속이온에 의해 활성이 감소되지 않았다. 전반적으로 저온활성 Pro21717은 글로벌 상업용효소 생산회사 Novozymes이 시판하고 있는 중온성 효소 Subtilisin Carlsberg (trademark Alcalase)에 버금가는 유용한 효소학적 특성이 있는 동시에 상대적으로 더 높은 저온활성을 보여주고 있다. 위의 실험결과들은, Pro21717은 $15^{\circ}C$ 이하의 차가운 수돗물에서도 세척력을 유지하는 새로운 세탁세제 효소첨가제로서의 개발 가능성을 보여주고 있다.