• BMB Reports
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.195-201
• /
• 2000

A human gene has been reported that may encode the enzyme acetohydroxyacid synthase. Previously this enzyme was thought to be absent from animals although it is present in plants and many microorganisms. In plants, this enzyme is the target of a number of commercial herbicides and the use of these compounds may need to be reassessed if the human enzyme exists and proves to be susceptible to inhibition. Here we report the construction of several plasmid vectors containing the cDNA sequence for this protein, and their expression in Escherichia coli. High levels of expression were observed, but most of the protein proved to be insoluble. The small amounts of soluble protein contained little or no acetohydroxyacid synthase activity. Attempts to refold the insoluble protein were successful insofar as the protein became soluble. However, the refolded protein did not gain any acetohydroxyacid synthase activity. In vivo complementation tests of an E. coli mutant produced no evidence that the protein is active. Incorrect folding, or the lack of another subunit, may explain the data but we favor the interpretation that this gene does not encode an acetohydroxyacid synthase.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.34 no.5
• /
• pp.365-373
• /
• 1990

The effects of the protein fraction of Panax ginseng on primary cultured chicken embryonic brain cells and DRG cultured with a deficient medium were studied. The protein fraction was further fractionated into four groups according to the molecular weight; larger than 10,000 dalton(fraction A), between 5,000 and 10,000 daltons(fraction B), between 1,000 and 5,000 daltons(fraction C), between 500 and 1,000 daltons(fraction D). All four protein fractions at the concentration of $100\;{\mu}g/ml$ significantly increased the number of the brain cells which promoted the neurite outgrowth. The activity of PDHC in the brain cells was elevated significantly by the protein fraction B at the concentration of $100\;{\mu}g/ml$. It was noted that $100\;{\mu}g/ml$ protein fraction C and D significantly enhanced the synthesis of protein in the brain cells. At the concentration of $100\;{\mu}g/ml$, the protein fraction B enhanced RNA synthesis and the protein fraction A significantly enhanced DNA synthesis in the brain cells. The protein fractions B, C, and D significantly promoted the neurite outgrowth of DRG at the concentration of $100\;{\mu}g/ml$.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.211-220
• /
• 2018

Early life exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and low protein diet through complementary foods during weaning is common in parts of Africa and Asia. This study evaluated the effect of co-exposure to AFB1 and low protein diet on the extrahepatic tissues of rats. Twenty-four three-week old weanling male albino rats were used for this study and were randomly assigned into four groups: group 1 served as control and was fed normal protein diet (20% protein), group 2 was fed low protein diet (5% protein), group 3 was fed normal protein diet + 40 ppb AFB1 while group 4 received low protein diet + 40 ppb AFB1, all for eight weeks. Afterward, biomarkers of anemia (packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin) and kidney function (urea, uric acid, and creatinine) were determined in the blood while biomarkers of oxidative stress were determined in the tissues spectrophotometrically. Co-exposure to AFB1 and low protein diet significantly (p < 0.05) decreased body weight gain and PCV, increased biomarkers of kidney functions and induced oxidative stress in the tissues studied. There was significant (p < 0.05) reduction in glutathione concentration while TBARS was significantly increased in the tissues. Co-exposure to AFB1 and low protein diet had additive effects on decreasing the weight gain and potentiation effect of kidney dysfunction in the rats. The co-exposure also decreased antioxidant enzymes and increased oxidant status in the tissues. Our results demonstrate that this co-exposure has deleterious health effects on extrahepatic tissues and should be a public health concern especially in developing countries where AFB1 contamination is common.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.42 no.5
• /
• pp.539-547
• /
• 1997

This study was carried out to identify how soybean seed protein concentration is influenced by climatic factors. Twelve lines selected for seed protein concentration were studied in 13 environments of North Carolina. Sensitivity of seed protein concentration, total seed protein, and seed yield to climatic variables was investigated using a linear regression model. Best response models were determined using two stepwise selection methods, Maximum R-square and Stepwise Selection. There were wide climatic effects in seed protein concentration, total protein and seed yield. The highest protein concentration environment was characterized by the most high temperature days(HTD) and the smallest variance of average daily temperature range (VADTRg), while the lowest protein concentration environment was distinguished by the fewest HTD and the largest VADTRg. For protein concentration, all lines responded positively to average maximum daily temperature(MxDT), HTD, and average daily temperature range(ADTRg) and negatively to ADRa, while they responded positively or negatively to average daily temperature(ADT), variance of average minimum daily temperature (VMnDT), and VADTRg, indicating that genotypes may greatly differ in degrees of sensitivity to each climatic variable. Eleven lines seemed to have best response models with 2 or 3 variables. Exceptionally, NC106 did not show a significant sensitivity to any climatic variable and thus did not have a best response model. This indicates that it may be considered phenotypically more stable. For total seed protein and seed yield, all the lines responded negatively to both ADTRg and VADRa, suggesting that synthesis of seed components may increase with less daily temperature range and less variation in daily rainfall.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.281-286
• /
• 2010

This study was to evaluate the protein profile of seminal plasma using 2-DE in Hanwoo. Seminal plasma was harvested from five mature Hanwoo, and seminal plasma protein was extracted by M-PER Mammalian Protein Extraction Reagent. Proteins were refined by clean-up kit and quantified by Bradford method until total protein was $300\;{\mu}l$. Immobilized pH gradient (IPG) strip was used 18 cm and 3~11 NL. SDS-PAGE was used 12% acrylamide gel. Each gels were visualized by comassie brilliant blue and silver staining. These spots were analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS and searched on NCBInr. The result, 20 proteins of 36 protein spots were searched through peptide sequencing on the NCBInr. 8 proteins profiled by 2-DE were proved through previous bovine studies and the name of each protein was albumin, nucleobindin, clusterin, TIMP-2, spermadhesin Z13, spermadhesin-1 and BSP proteins (BSP 30 kDa and BSP A1/A2). 12 new proteins were ATP synthase, protein MAK16 homolog, Transmembrane protein 214, E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase BRE1A, dual serine/threonine and tyrosine protein kinase, tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2, alpha-actinin-4, RUN domain-containing protein 3B, catenin alpha-1, protein-glutamine gamma-glutamyltransferase 2, plakophilin-1 and inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H1 has not been previously described in the bovine seminal plasma study. These proteins may be contribute to define the type of proteins affecting fertility of male and improve the fertilizing ability of semen in Hanwoo.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.643-654
• /
• 2019

The amino acid composition, protein quality, and protein functionality of protein solution extracted from three edible insect species were investigated. We used 0.02% ascorbic acid and 0.58 M saline solution to extract water-soluble and salt-soluble proteins from the three insect species. Extracted protein solutions of Tenebrio molitor (TM), Allomyrina dichotoma (AD), and Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (PB) were divided into six groups, according to species and solubility: WTM, WAD, WPB (water-soluble), and STM, SAD, and SPB (salt-soluble). Defatted TM had the highest protein content, but its protein solubility was the lowest, for both water and saline solutions. Amino acid composition differed by edible insect species and buffer type; SPB had the highest protein quality, followed by WPB. PB had a higher pH than the other species. Color values also differed among species. SPB had abundant high molecular weight proteins, compared with other treatments; and also had the highest foaming capacity, foam stability, and emulsifying capacity. In conclusion, PB is a good source of functional protein compared with the other studied species. Additionally, protein extraction using saline solution is promising as a useful method for improving edible insect protein functionality.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.36 no.5
• /
• pp.475-487
• /
• 2003

A gene that encodes a homologue to baculoviral p74, an envelope-associated viral structural protein, has been identified and sequenced on the genome of Choristoneura fumiferana granulovirus (ChfuGV). A part of the ChfuGV p74 gene was located on an 8.9 kb BamHI subgenomic fragment using different sets of degenerated primers. These were designed using the results of the protein sequencing of a major 74 kDa structural protein that is associated with the occlusion-derived virus (ODV). The gene has a 1992 nucleotide (nt) open-reading frame (ORF) that encodes a protein with 663 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 74,812 Da. Comparative studies revealed the presence of two major conserved regions in the ChfuGV p74 protein. This study also shows that all of the p74 proteins contain two putative transmembrane domains at their C-terminal segments. At the nucleotide sequence level, two late promoter motifs (TAAG and GTAAG) were located upstream of the first ATG of the p74 gene. The gene contained a canonical poly(A) signal, AATAAA, at its 3' non-translated region. A phylogenetic tree for baculoviral p74 was constructed using a maximum parsimony analysis. The phylogenetic estimation demonstrated that ChfuGV p74 is related the closest to those of Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV) and Phthorimaea operculella granulovirus (PhopGV).

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.36 no.5
• /
• pp.452-458
• /
• 2003

Soybean is a rich source of isoflavones such as genistein and daidzein. Soy isoflavones have both weak estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects and are structurally similar to tamoxifen, an agent that has an effect similar to that of estrogen in terms of reducing postmenopausal bone loss. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of differences in protein source (casein vs soy) and isoflavone levels (reduced vs higher levels) on selected bone markers and hormones in growing male rats. Thirty weanling Sprague-Dawley young rats were divided into 3 groups: The control group was fed a casein-based diet, the soy concentrate group was fed soy protein with totally reduced isoflavones content (isoflavones 0.07 mg/g protein), and the soy isolate group was fed soy protein with a higher than normal isoflavones content (isoflavones 3.4 mg/g protein). The degree of bone formation was estimated by measuring serum osteocalcin and alkaline phosphoatase (ALP). By determining collagen cross-linkage by immunoassay and correcting with creatinine values, the bone resorption rate was compared. Serum osteocalcin, growth hormone, estrogen and calcitonin were analyzed using radio immunoassay kits. The bone formation marker and ALP activity were differentiated by protein source, showing higher values than casein in feeding either soy isolate or soy concentrate. In this study using growing rats, the differences in isoflavone contents were not a significant factor in either bone formation or bone reaborption markers. Moreover, the soy isolate group had significantly higher levels of growth hormone than the casein group. The findings of this study suggest that growth hormone is partially responsible for its bone-formation effects in young growing rats. Soy protein and the isoflavones in soy protein are beneficial for bone-formation in growing male rats. Therefore, exposure to soy protein and isoflavones early in life may have long-term health benefits in preventing bone diseases such as osteoporosis. Further study to evaluate the mechanism of action of isoflavones on bones is warranted. (Korean J Nutrition 36(5): 452∼458, 2003)

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.479-483
• /
• 1994

The effects of the different protein source on serum cholesterol levels were studied in SD strain male rats. Fish protein prepared by the method of SUZUKI from Alaska Pollack (Theragra chalcogramma) was compared with casein and soybean protein isolate. Each protein source was incoporated into a cholesterol-free diet in order to provide a protein level of 20% for 2 weeks. The result obtained are as followed: Concentration of total-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, total-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride in rats fed with fish protein group were significantly lower than those of rats fed with casein and similar to those of rats fed with soybean protein. In addition, it was shown that the ratio of Lys/Arg and Gly/Met+Cys of fish protein was close to that of soybean protein.

• Experimental and Molecular Medicine
• /
• v.50 no.11
• /
• pp.12.1-12.12
• /
• 2018

Drugs targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), such as cetuximab and panitumumab, have been prescribed for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), but patients harboring KRAS mutations are insensitive to them and do not have an alternative drug to overcome the problem. The levels of ${\beta}$-catenin, EGFR, and RAS, especially mutant KRAS, are increased in CRC patient tissues due to mutations of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), which occur in 90% of human CRCs. The increases in these proteins by APC loss synergistically promote tumorigenesis. Therefore, we tested KYA1797K, a recently identified small molecule that degrades both ${\beta}$-catenin and Ras via $GSK3{\beta}$ activation, and its capability to suppress the cetuximab resistance of KRAS-mutated CRC cells. KYA1797K suppressed the growth of tumor xenografts induced by CRC cells as well as tumor organoids derived from CRC patients having both APC and KRAS mutations. Lowering the levels of both ${\beta}$-catenin and RAS as well as EGFR via targeting the $Wnt/{\beta}$-catenin pathway is a therapeutic strategy for controlling CRC and other types of cancer with aberrantly activated the $Wnt/{\beta}$-catenin and EGFR-RAS pathways, including those with resistance to EGFR-targeting drugs attributed to KRAS mutations.