Showing papers in "Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry in 1995"
TL;DR: The results suggest that THU1 must play an important role in the antioxidative mechanism of U1 in vivo by converting U1 intoTHU1, which had the strongest antioxidative activity among all curcuminoids in each assay system.
Abstract: In order to develop a new type of antioxidative compound which has both the phenolic and β-diketone moiety in the same molecule, we converted three known curcuminoids, curcumin (diferuloylmethane, U1), (4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamoyl)methane (U2), and bis-(4-hydroxycinnamoyl)methane (U3), which are the natural antioxidants of Curcuma longa L. (turmeric), to tetrahydrocurcuminoids (THU1, THU2, and THU3, respectively) by hydrogenation, and evaluated their antioxidative activity by using linoleic acid as the substrate in an ethanol/water system. Further, we used the rabbit erythrocyte membrane ghost and rat liver microsome as in vitro systems and determined the antioxidative activity of these curcuminoids. When we evaluated their anti oxidative activity by these assays, it was found that THU1 had the strongest antioxidative activity among all curcuminoids in each assay system. THU1 has been reported to be one of the main metabolites of U1 in vivo [Holder et al., Xenohiotica, 8, 761–768 (1978)]. These results s...
301 citations
TL;DR: The brain 5-hydroxyindole level was significantly decreased by theanine administration to both WKY and SHR, the decrease being dose-dependent.
Abstract: The effect of theanine, one of the components of green tea, on the blood pressure and brain 5-hydroxyindoles in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) was investigated by intraperitoneally administering theanine. The effect of glutamine, which is structurally similar to theanine, was also examined. When SHR were injected with various amounts of theanine (0, 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 mg/kg), the change was dose-dependent, and a significant decrease in blood pressure was observed with the high doses (1500 and 2000 mg/kg). A dose of 2000 mg/kg of theanine did not alter the blood pressure of WKY, while the same dose to SHR decreased it significantly. On the other hand, glutamine administration to SHR did not change either the blood pressure or the heart rate. The brain 5-hydroxyindole level was significantly decreased by theanine administration to both WKY and SHR, the decrease being dose-dependent.
194 citations
TL;DR: Neutral and acidic polysaccharides and their protein complexes were fractionated and purified from the brown seaweed umitoranoo by fractional extraction, iron-exchange chromatography, and gel filtration and found to be a fucoidan or L-fucan containing approx.
Abstract: Neutral and acidic polysaccharides and their protein complexes were fractionated and purified from the brown seaweed umitoranoo (Sargassum thunbergii) by fractional extraction, iron-exchange chromatography, and gel filtration. Thirty-one polysaccharide fractions were obtained and tested for antitumor activity in mice with Ehrlich carcinoma transplanted i.p. Two of the fractions, GIV-A ([alpha]25D -127 degrees and mol. wt., 19,000) and GIV-B ([alpha]25D -110 degrees and mol. wt., 13,500) had such activity. On the basis of chemical and spectral analyses, these compounds were found to be a fucoidan or L-fucan containing approx. 30% sulfate ester groups per fucose residue, about 10% uronic acid, and less than 2% protein.
189 citations
TL;DR: No correlation between the amounts of cellulose accumulated in shaken and static cultures was observed, and the producer that yielded the highest cellulose accumulation in shaken culture was selected and named Acetobacter sp.
Abstract: Extensive screening for cellulose-producing Acetobacter strains suitable for agitated culture was done by developing the screening conditions. A total of 2096 strains were isolated; isolation from fruits was particularly efficient. The cellulose productivities of 412 isolates were estimated by culturing in two different media under both shaken and static conditions. No correlation between the amounts of cellulose accumulated in shaken and static cultures was observed. Higher cellulose accumulation was obtained in the shaken cultures using a corn steep liquor/fructose-based medium than a conventional yeast extract/peptone/glucose-based one. Many isolates showed higher cellulose accumulation than well-known cellulose-producing strains. The producer that yielded the highest cellulose accumulation in shaken culture was selected and named Acetobacter sp. BPR 2001. Using this strain, cellulose was produced in a jar fermentor.
185 citations
TL;DR: L-ascrobic acid, L-ascorbic acid 6-palmitate, glutathione (reduced form), (+)-catechin, and (-)-epicatechin showed effective SOD-like activity, while some antioxidants could not be measured because of the intense color or low solubility.
Abstract: The superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity of natural antioxidants was evaluated by measuring the inhibition of pyrogallol autoxidation that is catalyzed by the superoxide radical. Among 22 water-soluble antioxidants tested, L-ascrobic acid, L-ascorbic acid 6-palmitate, glutathione (reduced form), (+)-catechin, and (-)-epicatechin showed effective SOD-like activity. To analyze lipophilic antioxidants, an optically clear organic system composed of diethyl ether, surfactant (dioctyl sulfosuccinate, AOT) and water, called reverse micelles, was developed. The optimum concentrations of AOT, water and pyrogallol for determining SOD-like activity were found to be 50 mM, 1.3 M, and 40 mM, respectively. After proving that pyrogallol autoxidation was mediated by the superoxide anion in that system, the SOD-like activity of 24 lipophilic antioxidants was measured. Cinnamon oil, gamma-oryzanol, extract of rosemary leaf, L-alpha-lecithin, and L-alpha-cephalin exhibited activity, although the activity of some antioxidants could not be measured because of the intense color or low solubility.
176 citations
TL;DR: The keratinase produced by Bacillus licheniformis PWD-1 was induced by feather powder and was stable from pH 5 to 12.5, and the relative activity of this enzyme toward casein, feather powder, keratin, elastin, and collagen was 100:52:41:18:7.
Abstract: The keratinase produced by Bacillus licheniformis PWD-1 was induced by feather powder. Maximal enzyme production could be achieved by culturing in a medium containing 1% hammer-milled feather powder (100 mesh) at 45 degrees C for 30 h. Maximal growth of PWD-1 was achieved at 50 degrees C, and maximal enzyme induction was at 45 degrees C. The molecular mass and isoelectric point of this enzyme were 31.4 kDa and 8.5, respectively. This enzyme was stable from pH 5 to 12. The optimal reaction pHs for feather powder and casein were 8.5 and 10.5 to 11.5, respectively. The optimal reaction temperature was 50 degrees C to 55 degrees C. The relative activity of this enzyme toward casein, feather powder, keratin, elastin, and collagen was 100:52:41:18:7, and 100:56:32:3 for Suc-AAPL-pNA, Suc-AAPF-pNA, Suc-AAPM-pNA, and Suc-AAVA-pNA (Suc, succinyl; pNA, p-nitrophenylanilide).
175 citations
TL;DR: The effects of α- and β-arbutin on the activity of tyrosinases from mushroom and mouse melanoma were examined in this paper, where α-Arbutin was synthesized from hydroquinone and starch using glucoside synthetase (GSase).
Abstract: The effects of α- and β-arbutin on the activity of tyrosinases from mushroom and mouse melanoma were examined. α-Arbutin was synthesized from hydroquinone and starch using glucoside synthetase (GSase). β-Arbutin inhibited both tyrosinase activities from mushroom and mouse melanoma. α-Arbutin inhibited only the tyrosinase from mouse melanoma, 10 times as strongly as β-arbutin. The IC50 of α-arbutin was 0.48 mM and its inhibitory mechanism was speculated to be mixed type inhibition, while that of β-arbutin was noncompetitive.
171 citations
TL;DR: Results indicate that the sulfate groups in PASF, probably porphyran, contributed to the macrophage stimulating activity, although a larger number of sulfate Groups did not always cause stronger activity.
Abstract: The polysaccharide fraction from Porphyra yezoensis (PASF) has already been shown to stimulate murine phagocytic functions in vivo and in vitro [Yo Yoshizawa et al., Biosci. Biotech. Biochem., 57, 1862–1866 (1993)]. In this study, various treatments were applied to PASF to assess its structure–function relationships. Desulfation of PASF decreased in vitro macrophage-stimulation activity, while further sulfation of PASF did not change the activity. Among 7 fractions obtained by anion-exchange chromatography of PASF, stronger activity was found in the fractions having a lower or higher sulfate content than in those having a medium sulfate content. Digests of PASF with β-agarase showed higher activity and solubility, and lower viscosity, than undigested PASF. These results indicate that the sulfate groups in PASF, probably porphyran, contributed to the macrophage stimulating activity, although a larger number of sulfate groups did not always cause stronger activity.
161 citations
TL;DR: GOS, which is fermented by bacteria in the lower part of the intestine, enhanced volatile fatty acid production, and thus prevented bone loss and lower serum total cholesterol concentration in the ovariectomized rats.
Abstract: The effects of galactooligosaccharides (GOS), a mixture of galactosyl oligosaccharides formed from lactose by the transgalactosyl reaction of beta-D-galactosidase derived from Bacillus circulans, on calcium absorption and prevention of bone loss were examined in ovariectomized (OVX) Wistar rats. Rats fed on a diet containing GOS absorbed calcium more efficiently than those on the control diet after 8-10 days and 18-20 days, and the bone (femur and tibia) ash weight and tibia calcium content of OVX rats fed on the GOS diet were significantly higher than those of the control animals. Although the serum total cholesterol of the ovariectomized rats was significantly elevated, GOS produced a significant hypocholesterolemic effect in the OVX rats. GOS, which is fermented by bacteria in the lower part of the intestine, enhanced volatile fatty acid production, and thus prevented bone loss and lower serum total cholesterol concentration in the ovariectomized rats.
152 citations
TL;DR: Angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitory activity was detected in soy sauce, fish sauce, natto, nyufu, and cheese, but not in mirin, sake, or vinegar.
Abstract: Angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE, E.C. 3.4.15.1) inhibitory activity were measured with 11 kinds (31 items) of fermented foods. Strong inhibitory activity was detected in soy sauce, fish sauce, natto, nyufu, and cheese, but not in mirin, sake, or vinegar.
150 citations
TL;DR: The results imply that high pressure treatment applied to food sterilization at lower temperatures has a greater effect with smaller pressure without destroying the original taste and flavor.
Abstract: Inactivation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by high pressure treatment from 120 to 300 MPa in the range of –20 to 50°C followed pseudo first order reaction kinetics. The regression analysis of 43 inactivation rates showed that pressurization at sub-zero temperatures (-20 and -10°C) enhanced the effects of pressure as pressurization at higher temperatures: i.e., pressurization at 190 MPa and -20°C gave the same effect as pressurization at 320 MPa and room temperature. The results imply that high pressure treatment applied to food sterilization at lower temperatures has a greater effect with smaller pressure without destroying the original taste and flavor. Additional effects of sugars and salts on inactivation of yeast are also described.
TL;DR: The synergistic effect of ascorbate (AsA) on the inhibition of fat digestion by chitosan is thought not to be acid-dependent but due to the specificity of AsA itself, according to the data resulting from using preparations supplemented with sodiumAsN.
Abstract: We investigated the mechanism for the inhibition of fat digestion by chitosan, and the synergistic effect of ascorbate. The important inhibition characteristics of fat digestion by chitosan from observations of the ileal contents were that it dissolved in the stomach and then changed to a gelled form, entrapping fat in the intestine. The synergistic effect of ascorbate (AsA) on the inhibition of fat digestion by chitosan is thought not to be acid-dependent but due to the specificity of AsA itself, according to the data resulting from using preparations supplemented with sodium ascorbate (AsN). The mechanism for the synergistic effect is considered to be 1) viscosity reduction in the stomach, which implies that chitosan mixed with a lipid is better than chitosan alone, 2) an increase in the oil-holding capacity of the chitosan gel, and 3) the chitosan-fat gel being more flexible and less likely to leak entrapped fat in the intestinal tract.
TL;DR: One of the major allergenic proteins in the soybean 7S-globulin fraction, which was recognized by sera of about 25% soybean-sensitive patients with atopic dermatitis, was identified as α-subunit of β-conglycinin.
Abstract: One of the major allergenic proteins in the soybean 7S-globulin fraction, which was recognized by sera of about 25% soybean-sensitive patients with atopic dermatitis, was identified as alpha-subunit of beta-conglycinin. The IgE antibodies recognizing the alpha-subunit did not show a cross-reactivity against both alpha'- and beta-subunits known to be highly homologous to alpha-subunit, and also against other allergenic components identified in soybeans [Ogawa et al., J. Nutr. Sci. Vitaminol., 35, 555-565 (1993)]. The IgE-binding site(s) was estimated to be located on the peptide 232-283 of alpha-subunit.
TL;DR: A trehalose-producing bacterium, Arthrobacter sp.
Abstract: A trehalose-producing bacterium, Arthrobacter sp. strain Q36, was isolated from soil. From a supernatant of the culture broth, two novel enzymes related to trehalose synthesis were partially purified by Sepabeads FP-DA column chromatography. One enzyme catalyzed the conversion of maltopentaose into maltotriosyl trehalose by intramolecular transglycosylation, showing it to be maltooligosyl trehalose synthase. The other hydrolyzed the product transferred by the former into maltotriose and trehalose specifically, showing it to be maltooligosyl trehalose trehalohydrolase. In addition to the bacterial strain isolated, several bacteria kept in our laboratory were found to produce these enzymes. The enzymatic system was proposed to be a novel biosynthesis of trehalose in bacteria involving the following reactions : maltodextrin→maltooligosyl trehalose, maltooligosyl trehalose→maltodextrin + trehalose. When these enzymes acted on amylose simultaneously, the trehalose in the reaction mixture reached more than 80% in content.
TL;DR: The results suggested that suppression of CAD activity in tobacco plants results in an increase of cinnamaldehyde groups in lignin, but no significant change inLignin content.
Abstract: An antisense gene for Aralia cordata cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) was introduced into tobacco plants. Two transgenic plants showed 55 and 20% reduction of the CAD activity comparedto that of the control plant. Lignin content measured by the acetyl bromide method showed no significant differences between these plants and the control plant. However, the content of p-hydroxycinnamaldehydegroups in lignin was higher in the transgenic than in the control plants. The increase of p-hydroxycinnamaldehydegroups correlated inversely with the levels of CAD activity. Phloroglucinol staining of transverse sections of stem internode indicated that the fiber secondary wall reacted more strongly with the reagentin the transgenic plants. These results suggested that suppression of CAD activity in tobacco plants results in an increase of cinnamaldehyde groups in lignin, but no significant change in lignin content.
TL;DR: The possibility that the lower liver TBARS content in those rats fed on the cholesterol-free diet with added flavonoid is ascribable in part to the direct antioxidative and superoxide anion generation-suppressing activities of flavonoids and/or their metabolites absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract is suggested.
Abstract: The effects of isorhamnetin, rhamnetin and quercetin on the serum and liver cholesterol concentrations, liver lipoperoxide (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances: TBARS) content, and antioxidative enzyme activities were examined with rats fed on cholesterol-enriched and cholesterol-free diets. The total serum cholesterol of those rats fed with the cholesterol-enriched diet was decreased by feeding each all these flavonoids. The total liver cholesterol concentration and TBARS content in the rats fed with the cholesterol-free diet were decreased by feeding isorhamnetin, rhamnetin and quercetin. The activities of liver superoxide dismutase and catalase were almost unaffected by feeding these flavonoids. These results, the in vitro antioxidative activities of isorhamnetin, rhamnetin and quercetin, and the activities of these flavonoids in suppressing the generation of the superoxide anion in vitro suggest the possibility that the lower liver TBARS content in those rats fed on the cholesterol-free diet with added flavonoids is ascribable in part to the direct antioxidative and superoxide anion generation-suppressing activities of flavonoids and/or their metabolites absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.
TL;DR: A search for sequences homologous to these ORFs found that the former product strongly resembles that of the 6-hydroxylation enzyme for oxytetracycline biosynthesis, and that the latter product has a weak but significant similarity to the hydroxyindole O-methyltransferase of bovine pineal gland.
Abstract: Two cosmid clones containing distinct types of self-defense gene of a 6-demethylchlortetracycline producer, Streptomyces aureofaciens NRRL3203, were isolated. The gene responsible for chlorination of tetracycline (chl gene) was subcloned from one of the cosmid clones by complementation of a chlorination-deficient mutant, using a gene cloning system for strain NRRL3203 developed in this study. The nucleotide sequence analysis of a 4.4-kb SacI-BamHI fragment containing the chl gene showed that the predicted product of the chl gene is a polypeptide of 452 amino acids, and that the chl gene was preceded by two open reading frames, which could endode polypeptides of 50 kDa and 32 kDa, respectively. A search for sequences homologous to these ORFs found that the former product strongly resembles that of the 6-hydroxylation enzyme for oxytetracycline biosynthesis, and that the latter product has a weak but significant similarity to the hydroxyindole O-methyltransferase of bovine pineal gland. By Northern blot analysis, these three genes were suggested to be polycistronically transcribed.
TL;DR: This result indicates that the beta, beta'-triketone moiety of the lupulones has LIA.
Abstract: Hop bitter acids, humulones (1) and lupulones (2), were shown to have potent DPPH radical scavenging activity (RSA) and lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity (LIA). Furthermore, 5-acetyl lupulones (3) and 4-methyl lupulones (4) had more potent LIA than native lupulones but no RSA. This result indicates that the β,β’-triketone moiety of the lupulones has LIA.
TL;DR: Eleven oligosaccharides formed by a transglycosylation reaction during lactose hydrolysis with Bacillus circulans β-galactosidase were purified and shown to be predominantly used by human intestinal bifidobacteria.
Abstract: Eleven oligosaccharides formed by a transglycosylation reaction during lactose hydrolysis with Bacillus circulans β-galactosidase were purified by gel permeation chromatography, charcoal chromatography, and HPLC. From the results of methylation analysis, and MS and NMR studies, it was concluded that these oligosaccharides were β-D-Galp-(1→3)-D-Glc, β-D-Galp-(1→6)-D-Glc, β-D-Galp-(1→2)-D-Glc, β-D-Galp-(1→4)-β-D-Galp-(1→4)-D-Glc, β-D-Galp-(1→6)-[β-D-Galp-(1→2)]-D-Glc, β-D-Galp-(1→6)-[β-D-Galp-(1→4)]-D-Glc, β-D-Galp-(1→4)-β-D-Galp-(1→3)-D-Glc, β-D-Galp-(1→4)-β-D-Galp-(1→2)-D-Glc, β-D-Galp-(1→4)-[β-D-Galp-(1→2)]-D-Glc, β-D-Galp-(1→4)-β-D-Galp-(1→6)-D-Glc, β-D-Galp-(1→6)[β-D-Galp-(1→3)]-D-Glc. The last five are newly observed oligosaccharides. The results of a use test (in vitro) by human intestinal bacteria showed that the oligosaccharides containing lactose units were predominantly used by human intestinal bifidobacteria.
TL;DR: Ovokinin, a vasorelaxing octapeptide derived from ovalbumin, significantly lowered the systolic blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) when orally administered as an emulsion in 30% egg yolk at a dose of 25 mg/kg.
Abstract: Ovokinin, a vasorelaxing octapeptide derived from ovalbumin, significantly lowered the systolic blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) when orally administered as an emulsion in 30% egg yolk at a dose of 25 mg/kg, this effect being larger than that of the peptide administered as a solution at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Egg phospholipid, especially phosphatidylcholine, showed essentially the same effect as egg yolk. However, egg neutral lipid was ineffective. Soybean phospholipid was less effective than egg phospholipid in potentiating the antihypertensive activity of ovokinin.
TL;DR: The scavenging activity of DDMP saponin is caused by the DDMP moiety attached to the triterpene aglycone in leguminous seeds.
Abstract: DDMP saponin, which is widely distributed in leguminous seeds, scavenged oxygen radicals when assayed using the xanthine oxidase-NH2OH method, electron spin resonance (ESR), and chemiluminescence. One mg of DDMP saponin/ml scavenged superoxide at a degree equivalent to 17.1 units of superoxide dismutase/ml by the ESR spin trapping method. This scavenging activity of DDMP saponin is caused by the DDMP moiety attached to the triterpene aglycone since soybean saponin Bb, which is derived from soyasaponin βg, but which lacks this group, did not show the scavenging activity.
TL;DR: The enzyme showed the highest activity at pH 7.0 and 40 degrees C, and was stable from pH 6.0 to 9.5 and up to 40 degreesC, and the enzyme activity was inhibited by Hg2+ and Cu2+.
Abstract: Arthrobacter sp. Q36 produces a novel enzyme, maltooligosyl trehalose synthase, which catalyzes the conversion of maltooligosaccharide into the non-reducing saccharide, maltooligosyl trehalose (α-maltooligosyl α-D-glucoside) by intramolecular transglycosylation. The enzyme was purified from a cell-free extract to an electrophoretically homogeneous state by successive column chromatography on Sepabeads FP-DA13, DEAE-Sephadex A-50, Ultrogel AcA44, and Butyl-Toyopearl 650M. The enzyme was specific for maltooligosaccharides except maltose, and catalyzed the conversion to form maltooligosyl trehalose. The Km of the enzyme for maltotetraose, maltopentaose, maltohexaose, and maltoheptaose were 22.9mM, 8.7mM, 1.4mM, and 0.9mM, respectively. The enzyme had a molecular mass of 81,000 by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and a pI of 4.1 by gel isoelectrofocusing. The N-terminal and C-terminal amino acids of the enzyme were methionine and serine, respectively. The enzyme showed the highest activity at pH 7.0 and...
TL;DR: It is suggested that sialyllactose, a predominant sialylated component of human milk, is responsible for the inhibitory activity of milk on cholera toxin.
Abstract: The effects of human milk fractions on clolera toxin B subunit binding to monosialoganglioside 1 (GM1) were investigated. Human milk, human defatted milk, whey, and a low-molecular-weight fraction of human milk inhibited the binding, but casein did not inhibit it. The inhibitory activity of whey from bovine-milk-based infant formula was less than that of whey from human milk. Differences in composition between human and bovine whey seemed to influence the extent of the inhibitory activity. Sialylated oligosaccharides were considered to be the possible components that inhibited cholera toxin. The effects of sialyllactose, a predominant sialylated component of human milk, on cholera toxin-induced diarrhea were investigated by the rabbit intestinal loop method. Sialyllactose inhibited the cholera toxin inducing fluid accumulation, although neither sialic acid nor lactose had an effect on it. The results suggest that sialyllactose is responsible for the inhibitory activity of milk on cholera toxin.
TL;DR: The absorption of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate into the circulation system was studied in rats and the concentration of EGCg in the plasma reaching the highest level about an hour after dosing, and then decreasing quickly.
Abstract: The absorption of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) into the circulation system was studied in rats. EGCg was detected in rat plasma after an oral administration of 50mg, the concentration of EGCg in the plasma reaching the highest level about an hour after dosing, and then decreasing quickly.
TL;DR: Nonenzymatic glycation of bovine serum albumin was inhibited in vitro by some extracts of 34 kinds of spices, and the methanol extract of thyme had the most potent inhibitory activity among them.
Abstract: Nonenzymatic glycation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) was inhibited in vitro by some extracts of 34 kinds of spices. The methanol extract of thyme (Thymus vulgaris) had the most potent inhibitory activity among them. Chromatographic purification yielded four flavonoids, quercetin (1), eriodictyol (2), 5,6,4'-trihydroxy-7,8,3'-trimethoxyflavone (3), and cirsilineol (4). These known flavonoids suppressed the levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and fructosamines, shown by the measurement of specific fluorescent groups and the reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT), respectively. The inhibitory activities were compared with those of other structure-related flavonoids and aminoguanidine.
TL;DR: Oligosaccharides (from trisaccharide to decasacaride) in yacon tuberous roots were purified by charcoal-Celite column and gel filtration chromatographies.
Abstract: Oligosaccharides (from trisaccharide to decasaccharide) in yacon tuberous roots were purified by charcoal-Celite column and gel filtration chromatographies. The oligosaccharides were confirmed to be β-(2→1)fructooligosaccharides with terminal sucrose (inulin type oligofructans) by using enzymatic, 13C-NMR, and methylation analyses.
TL;DR: In this article, a dibenzothiophene (DBT)-desulfurizing bacterium, Rhodococcus sp. strain SY1, was found to degrade DMS in the oxidative pathway via DMSO, dimethyl sulfone (DMSO2), and methanol in the culture medium and methane in the gas phase, and methanesulfonate desulfonation.
Abstract: A dibenzothiophene (DBT)-desulfurizing bacterium, Rhodococcus sp. strain SY1 could also use dimethyl sulfide (DMS), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and several alkylsulfonates as sole sources of sulfur. Strain SY1 grown on DMSO accumulated DMS, dimethyl sulfone (DMSO2), and methanol in the culture medium and methane in the gas phase, and methane was the product of methanesulfonate desulfonation. These results indicated that strain SY1 could finally degrade DMS in the oxidative pathway via DMSO, DMSO2, and methanesulfonate to methane and sulfate, reducing a part of DMSO back to DMS. From desulfonation patterns of alkyl and aromatic sulfonates, different types of desulfonation are proposed. Sulfate was suggested to repress the expression of the enzymes involved in DBT desulfurization. Removal of the sulfate produced by the addition of BaCl2 enhanced the degradation rate of DBT about 14%.
TL;DR: Results indicate that LF induces cell proliferation by a mechanism distinct from that of TF, and a synergistic effect of LF and EGF was observed in both cell proliferation and DNA synthesis assays.
Abstract: The cell growth-stimulating activity of lactoferrin (LF) in combination with epidermal growth factor (EGF) was evaluated by using a rat intestinal epithelial cell line, IEC-18. LF was found to be more effective than EGF for inducing an increase in cell numbers when cultured for over 6 days using a medium containing 0.2% fetal calf serum (FCS), although the 3H-thymidine incorporation-stimulating activity of EGF was more potent than that of LF. A synergistic effect of LF and EGF was observed in both cell proliferation and DNA synthesis assays. The increase in cell numbers when stimulated with LF plus EGF corresponded to about 5 times that of the control. Iron was not required for manifestation of these effects of LF. On the other hand, iron-saturated transferrin (TF) had cell-growth-stimulating activity, but iron-free TF did not, either in the presence or absence of EGF. These results indicate that LF induces cell proliferation by a mechanism distinct from that of TF. A pepsin-generated hydrolysate of LF (L...
TL;DR: In this paper, a β-glucosidase-C forming a single band on CM-Sephadex C-50 ion exchange chromatography, and on Butyl-Toyopearl 650C and Sephadesadex G-150 gel filtration was isolated from soybean cotyledons.
Abstract: β-Glucosidases (A, B, and C) have been isolated from soybean cotyledons. The isolated enzyme is a β-Glucosidase-C forming a single band on CM-Sephadex C-50 ion exchange chromatography, and on Butyl-Toyopearl 650C and Sephadex G-150 gel filtration. The homogeneity of the purified enzyme was proved by SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. The molecular weight was estimated to be 81,000 and 36,000 by HPLC gel filtration on TSKgel G3000SWXL and SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, respectively. The isoelectric point was estimated to be 6.68. The enzyme showed optimum activity at pH 4.5 and 45°C, and its pH range of action was 3.5–7.0. The enzyme was stable from pH 4.0 to 6.0 at 5°C. The enzyme hydrolyzed the isoflavone glucosides, daidzin, and genistin, to yield daidzein and genistein.
TL;DR: This is the first report on the simultaneous occurrence of two carcinogenic mycotoxins, fumonisins and aflatoxin, together with Fusarium mycot oxins (nivalenol and zearlenone) in corn from Asian tropics.
Abstract: Corn samples collected from the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia were surveyed for the natural occurrence of Fusarium mycotoxins (fumonisins, trichothecenes, and zearalenone) and aflatoxins. Fumonisins B1 and B2 were found in over 50% of corn samples in individual countries, and their co-occurrences with aflatoxins at the incidence of 48% were noted. In addition to these mycotoxins, a trichothecene, nivalenol, and an estrogen, zearalenone, both mycotoxins of Fusarium species, were detected in these Southeast Asian samples. This is the first report on the simultaneous occurrence of two carcinogenic mycotoxins, fumonisins and aflatoxins, together with Fusarium mycotoxins (nivalenol and zearlenone) in corn from Asian tropics.