• KSBB Journal
• /
• 제25권4호
• /
• pp.311-318
• /
• 2010

Lactic acid bacteria display a relatively simple metabolism wherein the sugar is converted mainly to lactic acid. The extensive knowledge of metabolic pathways and the increasing information of the genes involved allows for the rerouting of natural metabolic pathways by genetic and physiological engineering. In this contribution, the lactic acid bacteria as an efficient cell factory for different (food) ingredients will be presented. The emphasis will be on some successful examples of metabolic engineering and on the physiology of these bacteria, which makes them so suitable as a cell factory.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• 제42권4호
• /
• pp.292-300
• /
• 2019

Immunometabolism, defined as the interaction of metabolic pathways with the immune system, influences the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases. Metformin and carbon monoxide (CO) are two pharmacological agents known to ameliorate metabolic disorders. There are notable similarities and differences in the reported effects of metformin and CO on immunometabolism. Metformin, an anti-diabetes drug, has positive effects on metabolism and can exert anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects via adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-dependent and AMPK-independent mechanisms. CO, an endogenous product of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), can exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects at low concentration. CO can confer cytoprotection in metabolic disorders and cancer via selective activation of the protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum (ER) kinase (PERK) pathway. Both metformin and CO can induce mitochondrial stress to produce a mild elevation of mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) by distinct mechanisms. Metformin inhibits complex I of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC), while CO inhibits ETC complex IV. Both metformin and CO can differentially induce several protein factors, including fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and sestrin2 (SESN2), which maintain metabolic homeostasis; nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a master regulator of the antioxidant response; and REDD1, which exhibits an anticancer effect. However, metformin and CO regulate these effects via different pathways. Metformin stimulates p53- and AMPK-dependent pathways whereas CO can selectively trigger the PERK-dependent signaling pathway. Although further studies are needed to identify the mechanistic differences between metformin and CO, pharmacological application of these agents may represent useful strategies to ameliorate metabolic diseases associated with altered immunometabolism.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제48권1호
• /
• pp.103-111
• /
• 2024

Background: Ginseng (Panax ginseng Mayer) is an important natural medicine. However, a long culture period and challenging quality control requirements limit its further use. Although artificial cultivation can yield a sustainable medicinal supply, research on the association between the transplantation and chaining of metabolic networks, especially the regulation of ginsenoside biosynthetic pathways, is limited. Methods: Herein, we performed Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry based metabolomic measurements to evaluate ginsenoside accumulation and categorise differentially abundant metabolites (DAMs). Transcriptome measurements using an Illumina Platform were then conducted to probe the landscape of genetic alterations in ginseng at various ages in transplantation mode. Using pathway data and crosstalk DAMs obtained by MapMan, we constructed a metabolic profile of transplantation Ginseng. Results: Accumulation of active ingredients was not obvious during the first 4 years (in the field), but following transplantation, the ginsenoside content increased significantly from 6-8 years (in the wild). Glycerolipid metabolism and Glycerophospholipid metabolism were the most significant metabolic pathways, as Lipids and lipid-like molecule affected the yield of ginsenosides. Starch and sucrose were the most active metabolic pathways during transplantation Ginseng growth. Conclusion: This study expands our understanding of metabolic network features and the accumulation of specific compounds during different growth stages of this perennial herbaceous plant when growing in transplantation mode. The findings provide a basis for selecting the optimal transplanting time.

• 생명과학회지
• /
• 제29권1호
• /
• pp.123-128
• /
• 2019

원핵생물 분류의 기본단위인 종(species)의 동정에 16S rDNA가 사용되지만 한계가 있고 원핵생물의 속(genus)에 대한 연구가 많지 않다. 본 연구에서는 보존 유전자를 확보한 COG database와 대사경로를 확보한 MetaCyc database에 공통적인 원핵생물 중 속이 같고 종이 다른 13개 속 28개의 원핵생물을 대상으로 속 수준에서 연구하였다. 전체 유전자에서 core-genome인 속 보존 유전자의 비율은 최저 27.62%(Nostoc 속)에서 71.76%(Spiribacter 속)의 범위로 평균 46.72%였다. 각 원핵생물에서 core-genome의 비율이 낮으면 특이한 생명현상을 보이거나 서식지가 다양할 수 있을 것이다. 속 수준의 공통 대사경로의 비율은 최저 58.79%(Clostridium 속)에서 최대 96.31%(Mycoplasma 속), 평균 75.86%로 core-genome의 비율보다 높았다. 비교대상을 확장하면 속 특이 보존 유전자와 대사경로는 확인할 수 없었다. 보존 유전자와 대사경로 보유 계통수에서는 대체로 같은 속의 구성원들이 가장 인접하였으며, Bacillus속과 Clostridium 속이 그룹을 형성하였고, 고세균끼리 그룹을 형성하였다. 보존 유전자 보유계통수에서는 Acidobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Proteobacteria 문(phylum)의 Granulicella, Nostoc, Bradyrhizobium의 3개 속이 하나의 그룹을 형성하였다. 본 연구 결과는 (i) 각 계통 단계에서 보존유전자와 대사경로의 확인, (ii) 수평적 유전자 전달 또는 부위 지정 돌연변이를 통한 균주의 개선 등의 분야에 기초자료로 활용될 수 있을 것이다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제38권2호
• /
• pp.83-88
• /
• 2014

The adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key sensor of cellular energy. Once activated, it switches on catabolic pathways generating adenosine triphosphate (ATP), while switching off biosynthetic pathways consuming ATP. Pharmacological activation of AMPK by metformin holds a therapeutic potential to reverse metabolic abnormalities such as type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. In addition, altered metabolism of tumor cells is widely recognized and AMPK is a potential target for cancer prevention and/or treatment. Panax ginseng is known to be useful for treatment and/or prevention of cancer and metabolic diseases including diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and obesity. In this review, we discuss the ginseng extracts and ginsenosides that activate AMPK, we clarify the various mechanisms by which they achieve this, and we discuss the evidence that shows that ginseng or ginsenosides might be useful in the treatment and/or prevention of metabolic diseases and cancer.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제15권1호
• /
• pp.206-215
• /
• 2005

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are homo or hetero polyesters of (R)-hydroxyalkanoates accumulated in various microorganisms under growth-limiting condition in the presence of excess carbon source. They have been suggested as biodegradable substitutes for chemically synthesized polymers. Recombinant Escherichia coli is one of the promising host strains for the economical production of PHAs, and has been extensively investigated for the process development. The heterologous PHA biosynthetic pathways have been established through the metabolic engineering and inherent metabolic pathways of E. coli have been redirected to supply PHA precursors. Fermentation strategies for cultivating these recombinant E. coli strains have also been developed for the efficient production of PHAs. Nowadays, short-chain-length (SCL) PHAs are being re-invited due to its improved mechanical properties and possible applications in the biomedical area. In this article, recent advances in the development of metabolically engineered E. coli strains for the enhanced production of SCL-PHAs are reviewed. Also, medical applications of SCL-PHAs are discussed.

• 대한유전성대사질환학회지
• /
• 제5권1호
• /
• pp.76-87
• /
• 2005

Various disorders cause hyperammonemia during childhood. Amongthem are those caused by inherited defects in urea synthesis and related metabolic pathways. These disorders can be grouped into two types: disorders of the enzymes that comprise the urea cycle, and disorders of the transporters or metabolites of theamino acids related to the urea cycle. Principal clinical features of these disorders are caused by elevated levels of blood ammonium. Additional disease-specific symptoms are related to the particular metabolic defect. These specific clinical manifestations are often due to an excess or lack of specific amino acids. Treatment of urea cycle disorders and related metabolic diseases consists of nutritional restriction of proteins, administration of specific amino acids, and use of alternative pathways for discarding excess nitrogen. Although combinations of these treatments are extensively employed, the prognosis of severe cases remains unsatisfactory. Liver transplantation is one alternative for which a better prognosis is reported.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제13권4호
• /
• pp.571-577
• /
• 2003

The intracellular metabolic fluxes can be calculated by metabolic flux analysis, which uses a stoichiometric model for the intracellulal reactions along with mass balances around the intracellular metabolites. In this study, metabolic flux analyses were carried out to estimate flux distributions for the maximum in silico yields of various metabolites in Escherichia coli. The maximum in silico yields of acetic acid and lactic acid were identical to their theoretical yields. On the other hand, the in silico yields of succinic acid and ethanol were only 83% and 6.5% of their theoretical yields, respectively. The lower in silico yield of succinic acid was found to be due to the insufficient reducing power. but this lower yield could be increased to its theoretical yield by supplying more reducing power. The maximum theoretical yield of ethanol could be achieved, when a reaction catalyzed by pyruvate decarboxylase was added in the metabolic network. Futhermore, optimal metabolic pathways for the production of various metabolites could be proposed, based on the results of metabolic flux analyses. In the case of succinic acid production, it was found that the pyruvate carboxylation pathway should be used for its optimal production in E. coli rather than the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylation pathway.

• 미생물과산업
• /
• 제27권2호
• /
• pp.30-39
• /
• 2001

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
• /
• 제9권6호
• /
• pp.506-513
• /
• 2004

Spirulina produces $\gamma$-linolenic acid (GLA), an important pharmaceutical substance, in a relatively low level compared with fungi and plants, prompting more research to improve its GLA yield. In this study, metabolic flux analysis was applied to determine the cellular metabolic flux distributions in the GLA synthetic pathways of two Spiru/ina strains, wild type BP and a high­GLA producing mutant Z19/2. Simplified pathways involving the GLA synthesis of S. platensis formulated comprise of photosynthesis, gluconeogenesis, the pentose phosphate pathway, the anaplerotic pathway, the tricarboxylic cycle, the GLA synthesis pathway, and the biomass syn­thesis pathway. A stoichiometric model reflecting these pathways contains 17 intermediates and 22 reactions. Three fluxes - the bicarbonate (C-source) uptake rate, the specific growth rate, and the GLA synthesis rate - were measured and the remaining fluxes were calculated using lin­ear optimization. The calculation showed that the flux through the reaction converting acetyl­CoA into malonyl-CoA in the mutant strain was nearly three times higher than that in the wild­type strain. This finding implies that this reaction is rate controlling. This suggestion was sup­ported by experiments, in which the stimulating factors for this reaction $(NADPH\;and\;MgCl_{2})$ were added into the culture medium, resulting in an increased GLA-synthesis rate in the wild type strain.