• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.286-292
• /
• 2008

This study was conducted to analyze and determine the formation potential of chlorination DBPs from seven urinary compounds with or without Br$^-$. Three of seven components were kynurenine, indole and uracil that were relatively shown high the formation potential of chlorination DBPs concentrations. The reported results of THMs/DOC with or without Br$^-$ in kynurenine showed that THMs/DOC was detected 86.9 $\mu$g/mg when Br$^-$ was not added, and THMs/DOC was detected 100.8 $\mu$g/mg when Br$^-$ was presented. In indole, THMs/DOC was increased from 6.58 $\mu$g/mg to 31.4 $\mu$g/mg when Br$^-$ was added. Moreover, among them, the highest, second-highest and third-highest HAAs/DOC were shown in kynurenine, uracil and indole respectively. Specially, HAAs/DOC was significantly deceased in kynurenine and indole when Br$^-$ was presented. This was a totally different phenomenon for THMs/DOC. TCAA was dominated in HAAs for kynurenine and indole, and DCAA was also dominated in HAAs for uracil. The highest formation of HANs/DOC was shown in kynurenine whether or not Br$^-$ presented, and DCAN was predominant in HANs. HANs was not formed by chlorination in uracil. In addition, the formation of CH/DOC was relatively low in kynurenine and indole. The formation of CH/DOC was specially high(1,270 $\mu$g/mg) in uracil when Br$^-$ was not added. The formation of CH/DOC was 1,027 $\mu$g/mg in uracil when Br$^-$ was added. The formations of THMs and HAAs were also investigated in kynurenine, indole and uracil when Br$^-$ was presented or not. The formation of THMs/DOC was higher in kynurenine and indole when Br$^-$ was presented. The formation of HAAs/DOC was reduced in kynurenine when Br$^-$ was added. The result could be attributed to higher formation of THMs/DOC in kynurenine when Br$^-$ was added. The formation of HAAs/DOC was also reduced in indole when Br$^-$ was added. To the contrary, this result was not attributed to higher formation of THMs/DOC in indole when Br$^-$ was added.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.173-176
• /
• 2008

MJ0684 from Methanococcus jannaschii is a hypothetical protein belonging to the subfamily Ig of amino acid aminotransferases. In the present study, the crystal structure of MJ0684 has been determined at 2.2 resolution. It reveals that MJ0684 has an overall structure similar to subfamily Ig aminotransferases and its active site architecture is most similar to that of kynurenine aminotransferases among several kinds of aminotransferases in the subfamily Ig?. It has two hydrophobic active site residues conserved in the kynurenine aminotransferases for recognizing hydrophobic substrates. In addition, the absence of any basic residue for recognizing the side chain carboxylic group of the aspartate in the active site rules out the possibility that MJ0684 would act as an aspartate aminotransferase. These structural observations collectively imply that MJ0684 is a novel archaeal homolog of the subfamily Ig kynurenine aminotransferase.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.233-239
• /
• 2014

The present study was designed to investigate the effect Hypericum Perforatum (HP), on behavioral changes, corticosterone, TNF-${\alpha}$ levels and tryptophan metabolism and disposition in bilateral ovariectomized rats compared to $17{\alpha}$-ethinylestradiol. Behavioral analysis by measuring immobility time in forced swimming test and open field test, serum and hippocampal corticosterone and TNF-${\alpha}$ along with hippocampal kynurenine/tryptophan ratio were determined in mature ovariectomized rats treated orally either by HP at three different doses 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg/day or by $17{\alpha}$-ethinylestradiol $30{\mu}g/kg/day$ for 30 days. Ovariectomized rats showed significant increase in immobility time in the forced swimming test. Along with elevation in serum and hippocampal TNF-${\alpha}$ and corticosterone levels associated with significant increase in hippocampal kynurenine/tryptophan ratio. Immobility time in the forced swimming test was decreased in rats treated by different doses of HP in a dose dependent manner and $17{\alpha}$-ethinylestradiol with no concomitant changes in the open field test. Only Rats treated with HP exhibited significant decrease in the elevated serum and hippocampal TNF-${\alpha}$ and corticosterone, which couldn't explain the associated insignificant effect on hippocampaus kynurenine/tryptophan ratio in comparison to ovariectomized untreated rats. It is concluded that increased tryptophan metabolism toward kynurenine secondary to elevated corticosterone and TNF-${\alpha}$ might be one of the pathohphysiological mechanisms that could explain depression like state observed in this rat model. Further, the observed attenuating effect of HP on TNF-${\alpha}$ and corticosterone could contribute in its antidepressant effect in this animal model by other ways than their effects on tryptophan-kynurenine metabolism pathway.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.134-139
• /
• 1997

To elucidate genetical and biochemical characters of the white egg strains preserved in National Sericultural and Entomology Research Institute(NSERI), RDA of Korea, the genetic segregation ratios in egg colours were investigated by crossing test, and egg pigment precursors were also analyzed by paper chromatography and UV-spectrophotometer scanning. The result obtained by crossing test between the white egg strains and normal one illustrated that the most of white egg strains showed typical segregation ratio of white egg-2(w-2), while maternal inheritance which can be seen in white egg-1(w-1) was not found in any white egg strains. Paper chromatographic analysis showed that egg extracts of all the white egg strains contained 3OH-kynurenine, while kynurenine which is known to existed in white egg-1(w-1) could not be detected at all. From the results of these experiments, it was found that all the white egg strains preserved in NSERI were classified as the white egg-2(w-2) strain.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.9
• /
• pp.4241-4244
• /
• 2012

The lung adenocarcinoma is considered more aggressive than other types of non-small cell lung cancer. As metabolites of tryptophan degradation along the kynurenine pathway, including kynurenic acid, have been shown to induce immunosuppression and facilitate escape of tumor cells from immune surveillance, a hypothesis was set up that differences in biological behavior between types of lung cancer may be associated with altered activity of the kynurenine metabolic pathway. The aim of the study was to determine kynurenic acid levels in the serum of patients with bronchial adenocarcinoma for comparison with other types of non-small cell lung cancer. A total of 227 patients with non-small cell lung cancer were enrolled in the study, including 71 with adenocarcinoma and 96 with squamous cell carcinoma. Serum kynurenic acid concentration was determined with use of high performance liquid chromatography and fluorometry. The level of kynurenic acid in the serum of patients with adenocarcinoma was significantly higher than in those with squamous cell lung cancer ($107.1{\pm}62.8$ pmol/ml; 95%CI: 92.4 to 132.3 pmol/ml versus $82.1{\pm}47.6$ pmol/ml; 95%CI: 78.5 to 91.2 pmol/ml, respectively; p = 0.027). Differences between other histological types of lung cancer were insignificant. We conclude that increased activity of kynurenine metabolic pathway manifested by elevated serum kynurenic acid level may be one of the factors associated with clinically distinct biological behavior of adenocarcinoma, in particular high invasiveness and rapid progression.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
• /
• v.43 no.1
• /
• pp.29-36
• /
• 2021

Silkworms have long been bred with human history to produce silk. It has been with humans for longer than other industrial insects, and the silkworm variety has been continuously improved. Silkworms have been developed into the optimal form for producing high quality silk and pupae. Recently, the production of transgenic silkworms has further expanded the possibility of industrial value of silkworms. Kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO), which is a flavin enzyme, is known for its involvement in ommochrome pigment synthesis. In the field of mammals, including humans, previous studies have revealed the function and role of KMO, which is an important enzyme for various immune responses and cell protection. However, in the case of insects, the function of KMO has only been studied to be involved in the formation of pigment, and accordingly, KMO is used exclusively on screening for generation of transgenic insects as a marker. In this study, using KMO-edited silkworms, it was intended to discover the novel functions and roles of KMO in silkworms by identifying changes in the expression of various genes associated with stress and growth. The changes were observed in expressions of genes regulating on stresses to survive and those on ecdysteroid hormone between wild-type (WT) silkworms and kmo mutant silkworms. The loss of KMO, in particular, decreased the expression of the shadow (sad) gene, one of the Halloween genes in the synthesis of ecdysteroid. In conclusion, these results suggest that silkworm KMO is responsible for potential functions regarding stress response and ecdysteroid synthesis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.19-22
• /
• 1971

The effect based upon changes of body weight and effect of X-ray irradiation on tryptophan pyrrolase (TPO) activity in liver homogenate of albino rats was studied. 1. The average TPO activity of control group of 33 rats weighing $95{\sim}172g$\;was\;2.372{\pm}0.165{\mu}$ moles kynurenine/g protein/hr. 2. Correlation between body weight of 33 rats and its TPO activity was not showed practically(r=0.011). 3. TPO activity of whole-body X-ray irradiated rats (700r) was increased about double at 3hours and increased for a period of 4 days after irradiation, but after 6 days it was decreased gradually. This result is that whole-body X-ray irradiation showed dual effect on TPO activity in rat liver.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.264-268
• /
• 2021

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major infectious disease that threatens the life and health of people globally. Here, we performed a metabolomic analysis of serum samples from patients with intractable TB to identify biomarkers that might shorten the TB treatment period. Serum samples collected at the commencement of patients' treatment and healthy controls were analyzed using the capillary electrophoresis and time-of-flight mass spectrometry metabolome analysis method. The analysis identified the metabolites cystine, kynurenine, glyceric acid, and cystathionine, which might be useful markers for monitoring the TB treatment course. Furthermore, our research may provide experimental data to develop potential biomarkers in the TB treatment course.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.32 no.7
• /
• pp.927-937
• /
• 2022

To confirm the therapeutic effect of the water extract from Ecklonia cava (WEE) against PM_2.5 induced systemic health damage, we evaluated gut health with a focus on the microbiota and metabolites. Systemic damage in mice was induced through PM_2.5 exposure for 12 weeks in a whole-body chamber. After exposure for 12 weeks, body weight and food intake decreased, and WEE at 200 mg/kg body weight (mpk) alleviated these metabolic efficiency changes. In addition, PM_2.5 induced changes in the length of the colon and fecal water content. The administration of the WEE at 200 mpk oral dose effectively reduced changes in the colon caused by PM_2.5 exposure. We also attempted to confirm whether the effect of the WEE is mediated via regulation of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in mice with PM_2.5 induced systemic damage. We examined changes in the fecal microbiota and gut metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and kynurenine metabolites. In the PM_2.5 exposed group, a decrease in the abundance of Lactobacillus (Family: Lactobacillaceae) and an increase in the abundance of Alistipes (Family: Rikenellaceae) were observed, and the administration of the WEE showed a beneficial effect on the gut microbiota. In addition, the WEE effectively increased the levels of SCFAs (acetate, propionate, and butyrate). Furthermore, kynurenic acid (KYNA), which is a critical neuroprotective metabolite in the gut-brain axis, was increased by the administration of the WEE. Our findings suggest that the WEE could be used as a potential therapeutic against PM_2.5 induced health damage by regulating gut function.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.4-9
• /
• 2018

Cancer metabolism as a field of research was founded almost 100 years ago by Otto Warburg, who described the propensity for cancers to convert glucose to lactate despite the presence of oxygen, which in yeast diminishes glycolytic metabolism known as the Pasteur effect. In the past 20 years, the resurgence of interest in cancer metabolism provided significant insights into processes involved in maintenance metabolism of non-proliferating cells and proliferative metabolism, which is regulated by proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressors in normal proliferating cells. In cancer cells, depending on the driving oncogenic event, metabolism is re-wired for nutrient import, redox homeostasis, protein quality control, and biosynthesis to support cell growth and division. In general, resting cells rely on oxidative metabolism, while proliferating cells rewire metabolism toward glycolysis, which favors many biosynthetic pathways for proliferation. Oncogenes such as MYC, BRAF, KRAS, and PI3K have been documented to rewire metabolism in favor of proliferation. These cell intrinsic mechanisms, however, are insufficient to drive tumorigenesis because immune surveillance continuously seeks to destroy neo-antigenic tumor cells. In this regard, evasion of cancer cells from immunity involves checkpoints that blunt cytotoxic T cells, which are also attenuated by the metabolic tumor microenvironment, which is rich in immuno-modulating metabolites such as lactate, 2-hydroxyglutarate, kynurenine, and the proton (low pH). As such, a full understanding of tumor metabolism requires an appreciation of the convergence of cancer cell intrinsic metabolism and that of the tumor microenvironment including stromal and immune cells.