• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 2008

Vibrio vulnificus produces siderophores, low-molecular-weight iron-chelating compounds, to obtain iron under conditions of iron deprivation. To identify genes associated with the biosynthesis of siderophore in V. vulnificus MO6-24/O, we screened clones with mini-Tn5 random insertions for those showing decreased production of siderophore. Among 6,000 clones screened, nine such clones were selected. These clones contain the transposon inserted in VV2_0830 (GenBank accession number) that is a homolog of a nonribosomal peptide synthase (NRPS). There is an another NRPS module, VV2_0831, 49-bp upstream to VV2_0830. We named these two genes vvs (Vibrio vulnificus siderophore synthase) A and B, respectively. Mutation of either vvsA or vvsB showed a decreased production of siderophore. The expression of an NRPS-lux fusion was negatively modulated by the presence of iron, and the regulation was dependent on Fur (ferric uptake regulator). However, the expression of the NRPS genes was still not fully derepressed in the iron-rich condition, even in furnull mutant cells, suggesting that some other unknown factors are involved in the regulation of the genes. We also demonstrated that the NRPS genes are important for virulence of the pathogen in a mice model.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.230-237
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• 2013

Amyloid ${\beta}$ peptide (A${\beta}$) still best known as a molecule to cause Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD is characterized by the accumulation and deposition of A${\beta}$ within the brain, leading to neuronal cell loss and perturbation of synaptic function by causing free radical formation, inflammation and apoptosis. We investigated the inflammatory action of A${\beta}$ on two types of brain cells, neuronal cells (SH-SY5Y) and neuroglia cells (C6), and its mechanism. We measured the production of NO-iNOS, TNF-${\alpha}$, and ICAM-1 using RT-PCR and Western blot analysis less than the concentration of cytotoxic effects (> 70% survivability). A${\beta}$ had no effect on the production of NO and TNF-${\alpha}$, but significantly increases of iNOS and ICAM-1. Based on this, we suggest that the inflammatory effect of A${\beta}$ results from the action of ICAM-1 in neuronal cells, rather than the release of inflammatory mediators such as NO and TNF-${\alpha}$ in neuroglia cells. In addition, we confirmed whether p53 was related to the action of A${\beta}$ by using SH-SY5Y ($p53^{-/-}$) dominant cells. Neither the expression of p53 nor the cytotoxicity of SH-SY5Y ($p53^{-/-}$) cells were directly affected by A${\beta}$. However, ICAM-1 was not expressed in SH-SY5Y ($p53^{-/-}$) cells. This means that p53- independent pathway exists in the expression of ICAM-1 by A${\beta}$ while p53 plays a role as an on-and-off switch.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.1625-1631
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• 2013

In manufacturing of flatfish skin collagen peptide (FSCP) and flatfish protein hydrolysate (FPH) by reuse of dead flatfish from fish farm in Jeju island, the industrial process was optimized with the laboratory scale research and the on-field process. Segmented unit processes from raw material incoming to shipment were established to produce commercial product of FSCP and FPH. Total plate counts of FSCP were twenty five times of FPH, but food poisoning bacteria were not detected in two samples. FSCP and FPH were safe from heavy metal such as Pb(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II). The residual contents of antibiotics and disinfection matter in FSCP and FPH were not detected. The optimized process for mass production made the one-third of the running time and two times of the yield. From economic analysis, the production cost was estimated to 22,000 and 12,000 won/kg for FSCP and FPH, respectively. Therefore the product from the reuse of dead flatfish was expected to have a considerable competitive price and high added-value functional food material compared with other commercially available fish products.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.963-977
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• 2015

The well-characterized gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis is an outstanding industrial candidate for protein expression owing to its single membrane and high capacity of secretion, simplifying the downstream processing of secretory proteins. During the last few years, there has been continuous progress in the illustration of secretion mechanisms and application of this robust host in various fields of life science, such as enzyme production, feed additives, and food and pharmaceutical industries. Here, we review the developments of Bacillus subtilis as a highly promising expression system illuminating strong chemical- and temperatureinducible and other types of promoters, strategies for ribosome-binding-site utilization, and the novel approach of signal peptide selection. Furthermore, we outline the main steps of the Sec pathway and the relevant elements as well as their interactions. In addition, we introduce the latest discoveries of Tat-related complex structures and functions and the countless applications of this full-folded protein secretion pathway. This review also lists some of the current understandings of ATP-binding cassette transporters. According to the extensive knowledge on the genetic modification strategies and molecular biology of Bacillus subtilis, we propose some suggestions and strategies for improving the yield of intended productions. We expect this to promote striking future developments in the optimization and application of this bacterium.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.590-600
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• 2003

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of enzymes responsible for degrading connective tissue. MMPs catalyze the breakdown of collagen from the extracellular matrix, leading to wrinkle formation and accelerated skin aging. Furthermore, ultraviolet irradiation causes increased expression of certain MMPs. In the extracellular matrix turnover, MMPs are interacting with endogenous regulators named tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Using peptide substrate assays, it has been demonstrated that TIMP-MMP complexes interact highly specifically with $K_{i}$ values of 10$^{-9}$ -10$^{-16}$ M. Therefore applications for TIMP as inhibitor of collagen degradation are suggested for cosmetic anti-aging products to prevent wrinkle formation and loss of elasticity. To date four TIMP proteins (TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TIMP-3 and TIMP-4) have been identified which show a high degree in sequence similarity. The production of human TIMP-2, a 194-residue nonglycosylated protein, was performed by fed-batch culture of Escherichia coli. TIMP-2 accumulated in the bacterial cells in an insoluble form as inclusion bodies. The inclusion bodies were solubilized and the protein refolded to yield the native TIMP-2 in the active form. The integrity of the protein was confirmed by mass analysis, Edman sequencing and gel shift experiments with authentic samples. The inhibitory activity of the refolded and purified TIMP-2 was demonstrated with MMP-1 and MMP-2 assays using synthetic fluorogenic peptide substrates.s.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.380-386
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• 2009

In neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer' and Parkinson', microglial cell activation is thought to contribute to CNS injury by producing neurotoxic compounds. Prothrombin and kringle-2 increase levels of NO and the mRNA expression of iNOS, IL-1$\beta$, and TNF-$\alpha$ in microglial cells. In contrast, the human prothrombin kringle-2 derived peptide NSA9 inhibits NO release and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1$\beta$, TNF-$\alpha$, and IL-6 in LPS-activated EOC2 microglia. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of NSA9 in human prothrombin- and kringle-2-stimulated EOC2 microglia. Treatment with 20-100 ${\mu}M$ of NSA9 attenuated both prothrombin- and kringle-2-induced microglial activation. NO production induced by MAPKs and NF-$\kappa$B was similarly reduced by inhibitors of ERK (PD98059), p38 (SB203580), NF-$\kappa$B (N-acetylcysteine), and NSA9. These results suggest that NSA9 acts independently as an inhibitor of microglial activation and that its effects in EOC2 microglia are not influenced by the presence of kringle-2.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.422-427
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• 2005

Our previous data showed the protein isolated from Coptidis Rhizoma (CRP) had antifungal activity. In present study, we examined mode of action of the CRP and its activity against subcutaneous candidiasis due to C. albicans yeast cells. Results showed that the CRP blocked hyphal production from yeast form of C. albicans. The CRP also activated RAW 264.7 monocyte/macrophage cell line, which resulted in nitiric oxide (NO) production from the cells. This activation seemed to increase macrophage phagocytosis to destroy the invaders. Like other antimicrobial peptides, CRP was influenced by ionic strength, thus resulting in a decrease of antifungal activity. In murine model of a subcutaneous candidiasis, the sizes of infected areas of the nude mice given the CRP after subcutaneous injection of C. albicans yeast cells to the dorsal skin were $90\%$ less than those of the nude mice groups that received DPBS instead of the CRP. All data indicate that the CRP, which appeared to act like an antimicrobial peptide and to inhibit the morphological transition from blastoconidia, was effec­tive against the subcutaneous disease.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.101-107
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• 2019

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the anti-aging effects and investigate the effect of simulated gastrointestinal (GI) digestion on the anti-aging properties and intestinal permeation of the potential fish collagen hydrolysates (FCH). Therefore, procollagen synthesis, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) production, and Caco-2 cell permeability were analyzed before and after in vitro digestion for FCHs, low-molecular weight fractions (<1 kDa), and high molecular weight fractions (>1 kDa). After being subjected to GI digestion, the level of MMP-1 inhibition was maintained, although the procollagen production was significantly (>20%) lower with all samples. Also, the digested FCHs and their <1 kDa fraction yielded 9.1 and 13.8% increased peptide transport, respectively, compared to undigested samples. Based on the effective intestinal permeation and high digestive enzyme stability, the <1 kDa fraction of FCHs is a potential bioactive material suitable for anti-aging applications in the food and cosmetics industries.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.1318-1323
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• 2004

This study describes the purification and characterization of a novel antihypertensive angiotensin 1­converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptide from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Maximal production of the ACE inhibitor from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was obtained from 24 h of cultivation at $30^{\circ}C$ and its ACE inhibitory activity was increased by about 1.5 times after treatment of the cell-free extract with pepsin. After the purification of ACE inhibitory peptides with ultrafiltration, Sephadex G-25 column chromatography, and reverse-phase HPLC, an active fraction with an $IC_{50}$ of 0.07 mg and $3.5\%$ yield was obtained. The purified peptide was a novel decapeptide, showing very low similarity to other ACE inhibitory peptide sequences, and its amino acid sequence was Tyr-Asp-Gly-Gly-Val-Phe-Arg-Val-Tyr-Thr. The purified inhibitor competitively inhibited ACE and also showed a clear antihypertensive effect in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) at a dosage of 1 mg/kg body weight.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.7
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• pp.1162-1166
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• 2013

Proteins from sunflower seeds were hydrolyzed with Alcalase and Flavourzyme to isolate iron-binding peptides. The optimal hydrolysis conditions were determined. Hydrolysates were filtered under a 3 kDa membrane and iron-binding peptides separated from the hydrolysates using ion exchange and gel permeation chromatographic methods. A fraction with the highest iron-binding activity (Fe/peptide, 0.69), F22, was obtained. These results suggest that fractions isolated from sunflower seed protein hydrolysates can be applied toward the production of iron supplements.