• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1233-1237
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• 2004

The effects of four tanshinones isolated from Tanshen (the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, Labiatae) were tested for their inhibition of nitric oxide production in macrophage cells, and the underlying molecular mechanisms studied. Of the four tanshinones used, 15, 16-dihydrotanshinone- I, tanshinone-IIA and cryptotanshinone, but not tanshinone I, demonstrated significant inhibition of the LPS-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells, with calculated $IC_{50}$ values of 5, 8, and 1.5 ${\mu}M$ , respectively. Tanshinones exerted inhibitory activities on the LPS-induced nitric oxide production only when applied concurrently with LPS, and tanshinone- IIA and cryptotanshinone were found to inhibit LPS-induced NF-$_KB$ mobilization and extracellular- regulated kinase (ERK) activation, respectively. These results suggest that tanshinones inhibit LPS-induced nitric oxide generation by interfering with the initial stage of LPS-induced expression of certain genes. NF-$_KB$ and ERK could be the molecular targets for tanshinones for the inhibition of LPS-induced nitric oxide production in macrophage cells.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2009

Among the toxicants in the environment dioxin-like compounds, including TCDD(2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin), are well known as carcinogen and teratogen. TCDD the most toxic of these compounds, may result in a wide variety of adverse health effects in humans and environment, including carconogenesis, hepatotoxicity, teratogenesis, and immunotoxicity. Also TCDD increases superoxide, peroxide radicals and induces oxidative stress that leads to breakage of DNA single-strand and mitochondrial dysfunction. Recently, there have been reports that persistent organic pollutants(POPs) may be causing metabolic disease through mitochondrial toxicity. In order to examine if dioxin brings about toxicity on mitochondria directly, we measured the change of the mitochondrial membrane potential after exposure to TCDD using JC-1 dye. After short time exposure of dioxin, mitochondrial depolarization was observed but it recovered to the control level immediately. This TCDD effect on mitochondrial membrane potential was not correlated either to the production of reactive oxygen species(ROS) or extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ by TCDD. Less than 2 hours exposure of TCDD did not show any change in ROS production but 0.25 nM TCDD for 48 hours or 0.5 nM TCDD for 12 hours exposure did increase in ROS production. Under these conditions of ROS production by TCDD, no changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential by TCDD was observed.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.355-361
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• 1988

The aims of the present studies were to understand the physiolosical and genetic characters of Streptomyces sp. isolated from soil. It revealed that Streptomyces sp. SMF301 had very fast growth rate and produced extracellular protease and heavily sporulated on rich media. It also showed $\beta$-lactamase activity and pigment production. Nonsporulating mutants were isolated after NTG or acriflavin treatment and their characters were compared with the parent strain. It was found that the mutants obtained by acriflavin treatment and ghier characters were compared with the parent strain. It was found that the mutants obtained by acriflavin treatment lost the pigment formation and $\beta$-lactamase production. Protease actibity of the mutant was lowered and the pH optimum was changed toward neutral. It was found that the changes were resulted from the reduction of alkaline protease biosynthesis in the bald mutant. Therefore it is considered that sporulation, pigment formation, $\beta$-lactamase production, and alkaline protease production in Streptomyces sp. might be controlled with a closely related relationship.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.525-528
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• 2000

Time course monitoring of FCW/DCW ratio, production of intra and extracellular protein, and peroxidase activity were performed during suspension culture of Taxus chinensis cells. The observed FCW/DCW ratio was 12 at day 14, which was the lowest value during cultivation, and the specific protein production, based on dry cell weight, was also the lowest at day 14, which showed 4.3 mg/g DCW. The pattern of POD activity was similar to that of protein production. The results in this report were obtained using actively growing cells in flasks, therefore it is possible to use those results to control the process and indicate the stresses imposed on cells during large-scale cultivation.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2022

Bacteria communicate with each other through an intricate communication mechanism known as quorum sensing (QS). QS regulates different behavioral aspects in bacteria, such as biofilm formation, sporulation, virulence gene expression, antibiotic production, and bioluminescence. Several different chemical signals and signal detection systems play vital roles in promoting highly efficient intra- and interspecies communication. Gram-negative bacteria coordinate gene regulation through the production of acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs). Gram-positive bacteria do not code for AHL production, while some gram-negative bacteria have an incomplete AHL-QS system. Despite this fact, these microbes can detect AHLs owing to the presence of LuxR solo receptors. Various studies have reported the role of AHLs in interspecies signaling. Moreover, as bacteria live in a polymicrobial community, the production of extracellular compounds to compete for resources is imperative. Thus, AHL-mediated signaling and inhibition are considered to affect virulence in bacteria. In the current review, we focus on the synthesis and regulation mechanisms of AHLs and highlight their role in interspecies bacterial signaling. Exploring interspecies bacterial signaling will further help us understand host-pathogen interactions, thereby contributing to the development of therapeutic strategies intended to target chronic polymicrobial infections.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.303-310
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• 2021

In the present study, kaempferol, a flavonoidal natural compound found in Polygonati Rhizoma, was investigated for its potential effect on the gene expression and production of airway MUC5AC mucin. A human respiratory epithelial NCI-H292 cells was pretreated with kaempferol for 30 min and stimulated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), for the following 24 h. The effect on PMA-induced nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway or EGF-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway was investigated. Kaempferol suppressed the production and gene expression of MUC5AC mucins, induced by PMA through the inhibition of degradation of inhibitory kappa Bα (IκBα), and NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation. Also, kaempferol inhibited EGF-induced gene expression and production of MUC5AC mucin through regulating the phosphorylation of EGFR, phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 (p44/42), and the nuclear expression of specificity protein-1 (Sp1). These results suggest kaempferol regulates the gene expression and production of mucin through regulation of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, in human airway epithelial cells.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.552-557
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• 2001

By UV-irradiation of Eremothecium ashbyii DTl, a higWy flavinogenic mutant (UV-18-57) and a nonflavinogenic mutant (UV -85) were obtained. The physio-morphological characteristics of these three strains were studied on glucose medium in submerged fermentation. Glucose utilization and mycelial growth occurred in 0 - 2 days of fermentation. By the third day, the biomass had declined. Extracellular riboflavin excretion was distinct from the second day, reaching a maximum rate by the fourth day. The hyphae of the highly flavinogenic mutant UV-18-57 were broader than DTl, while the nonflavinogenic UV-85 hyphae were very thin. Riboflavin accumulation was high in UV-18-57 (extracellular riboflavin,$825\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ , and intracellular, $490\mu\textrm{g}/ml$) and caused the mycelia to swell into bulbous forms. Riboflavin accumulation was less in DTl ($108\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ extracellular and $24\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ intracellular) and correspondingly its hyphae were thinner than those of UV-18-57 and swollen bulbous mycelia were not prominent. UV-85 was nonflavinogenic and, accordingly, its mOlphological characteristics included long thin filaments with no intracellular riboflavin accumulation. A large number of greenish fluorescence spores were seen in UV-18-57, whereas DTI had less spores and UV-85 was nonsporulating. Sporulation is correlated with riboflavin production. UV-18-57 had better mycelial integrity and lysis started only by the seventh day, whereas DTI and UV -85 started to lyze earlier by 4 -5 days. By the late stage of fermentation (eighth day), DTl had a few long, thin filaments indicating some secondary growth, whereas UV -85 showed a compact pellet form of mycelia. Most mycelia of UV-18-57 still appeared intact.

• BMB Reports
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.509-516
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• 2001

A genomic DNA fragment that contains the gene, which codes for a novel extracellular serine protease in Burkholderia pseudomallei, was cloned by using pQE40 as a vector. It was maintained in Escherichia coli JM109. The expression of the gene(s) resulted in the production of a 52 kDa protease. The recombinant protease was purified from the culture filtrate via ammonium sulfate fractionation, gel filtration, and anion-exchange chromatography. The purified protease had an optimum pH and temperature of pH 8.9 and $38^{\circ}C$, respectively. The protease activity was inhibited by EGTA, EDTA, and PMSF, but not 1,10-phenanthroline. The first 11 amino acid residues from the N-terminus of the purified protease were identified as LAPNDPYYYGY. PNDPYY was found to show homology to the Bacillus cereus microbial serine protease and B. subtilis PD498 serine protease. These results indicate that the protease that was purified in this study is an extracellular calcium-dependent serine protease. The purified protease was able to digest the human serum 19A, IgG, albumin, and transferrin, as well as bovine muscle actin and myosin. Furthermore, it was able to promote or cause dermonecrosis in experimental rabbits. These results propose the possible role of a novel B. pseudomallei extracellular calcium-dependent serine protease in the virulence of the pathogen.

• BMB Reports
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• v.46 no.8
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• pp.404-409
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• 2013

Extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) is a metallo-protein and functions as an antioxidant enzyme. In this study, we used lentiviral vectors to generate transgenic chickens that express the human EC-SOD gene. The recombinant lentiviruses were injected into the subgerminal cavity of freshly laid eggs. Subsequently, the embryos were incubated to hatch using phases II and III of the surrogate shell ex vivo culture system. Of 158 injected embryos, 16 chicks (G0) hatched and were screened for the hEC-SOD by PCR. Only 1 chick was identified as a transgenic bird containing the transgene in its germline. This founder (G0) bird was mated with wild-type hens to produce transgenic progeny, and 2 transgenic chicks (G1) were produced. In the generated transgenic hens (G2), the hEC-SOD protein was expressed in the egg white and showed antioxidant activity. These results highlight the potential of the chicken for production of biologically active proteins in egg white.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.508-513
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• 2006

The effect of acteoside, a phenylpropanoid glycoside isolated from Clerodendron trichotomum Thunberg, on histamine and arachidonic acid release was investigated in RBL 2H3 cells. Histamine was dose-dependently released from RBL 2H3 cells by melittin, arachidonic acid and thapsigargin. In extracellular $Ca^{2+}-free$ solution, basal secretion of histamins increased by two fold. The response of histamine release to melittin and thapsigargin in $Ca^{2+}-free$ solution was significantly decreased, whereas the response to arachidonic acid was significantly increased as compared with those in normal solution. Acteoside inhibited histamine release induced by melittin, arachidonic acid and thapsigargin in a dose-dependent manner in the presence or absence of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$. However, the inhibitory activity of acteoside was more potent in normal solution than that in $Ca^{2+}-free$ solution. These data suggest that inhibitory mechanism of acteoside on histamine release may be related to extracellular $Ca^{2+}$. On the other hand, acteoside significantly inhibited arachidonic acid release and prostaglandin $E_2$ production Induced by $0.5\;{\mu}M$ melittin. It is possible that acteoside may be developed as an anti-inflammatory agent.