• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.276-287
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• 2017

RcsA is a positive activator of extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) synthesis in the Enterobacteriaceae. The rcsA gene of the soft rot pathogen Pantoea sp. strain PPE7 in Pleurotus eryngii was cloned by PCR amplification, and its role in EPS synthesis and virulence was investigated. The RcsA protein contains 3 highly conserved domains, and the C-terminal end of the open reading frame shared significant amino acid homology to the helix-turn-helix DNA binding motif of bacterial activator proteins. The inactivation of rcsA by insertional mutagenesis created mutants that had decreased production of EPS compared to the wild-type strain and abolished the virulence of Pantoea sp. strain PPE7 in P. eryngii. The Pantoea sp. strain PPE7 rcsA gene was shown to strongly affect the formation of the disease symptoms of a mushroom pathogen and to act as the virulence factor to cause soft rot disease in P. eryngii.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1109-1121
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• 2009

In an attempt to discover novel biomarker proteins in type 2 diabetes prognosis, we investigated the influence of hypoglycemic extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) obtained from the macrofungus Tremella fuciformis on the differential levels of plasma proteins in ob/ob mice using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). The 2-DE analysis demonstrated that 92 spots from about 900 visualized spots were differentially regulated, of which 40 spots were identified as principal diabetes-associated proteins. By comparing control with EPS-fed mice, we found that at least six proteins were significantly altered in ob/ob mice, including Apo A-I, IV, C-III, E, retinol-binding protein 4, and transferrin, and their levels were interestingly normalized after EPS treatment. Western blot analysis revealed that the altered levels of the two regulatory molecules highlighted in diabetes and obesity (e.g., resistin and adiponectin) were also normalized in response to EPS. The Mouse Diabetes PCR Array profiles showed that the expression of 84 genes related to the onset, development, and progression of diabetes were significantly downregulated in liver, adipocyte, and muscle of ob/ob mice. EPS might act as a potent regulator of gene expression for a wide variety of genes in ob/ob mice, particularly in obesity, insulin resistance, and complications from diabetes mellitus.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.212-217
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• 2007

Fucoidan (fucan sulfate) is a fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharide from brown algae such as Fucus vesiculosus, Ecklonia kurome, and Cladosiphon okamuranus. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of fucoidan on the expression of diabetes-related genes in mouse cell line 3T3-L1. 3T3-L1 adipocytes were cultured for 48 hr with or without fucoidan (10, 100, and 500 ppm) on a 60 mm dish. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used for measurement of peroxisome proliferators activated receptor ${\gamma}\;(PPAR{\gamma})$, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein ${\alpha}\;(C/EBP{\gamma})$, and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) RT-PCR analysis revealed that expression level of GLUT4, $PPAR{\gamma}$, and $C/EBP{\alpha}$ mRNAs increased with fucoidan treatment from 10 to 500 ppm in a dose-dependent manner. Fucoidan appears to enhance insulin sensitivity by increasing the expression level of diabetes-related genes in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Therefore, fucoidan is potentially useful as a natural therapeutic material for hyperglycemia in type II diabetes patients.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.447-451
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• 1998

Functional properties such as anti-blood coagulation, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity, fat binding capacity, foaming properties, emulsifying properties and chemical components of sulfated polysaccharides isolated from ascidian tunics were investigated. The sulfated polysaccharide mainly consisted of sulfate, uronic acid, protein, and chondroitin sulfate, among which chondroitin sulfate showed higher concentration while sulfate and uronic acid did lower. Compositional menosaccharides were arabinose, xylose, glucose, galactose, glucuronic acid, N-acetylgalactosamine and N-acetyglucosamine. Especially, galactose content was dominant among them. And emulsifiability and foaminess of the sulfated polysaccharide was higher than the control group. Anti-blood coagulation of sulfated polysaccharide showed with respect to APTT (Activated partial thromboplastin time). ACE inhibitory activity showed about $16.7\%$.