No abstract

Methylobacterium sp. KCTC 0048 isolated from soil, could synthesize a variety of copolyesters when secondary carbon substrates were added to nitrogen:limited cultures containing methanol as a major carbon and energy source. The copolyester of 3-hydroxybutyrate and 3-hydroxyvalerate, P(3HB-CO-3HV) accumulated when valeric acid, pentanol or heptanoic acid was added to the nitrogen-limited medium containing .methanol. The copolyester of 3-hydroxybutyrate and 4-hydroxybutyrate, P(3HB-co-4HB) was synthesized from 4-hydroxybutyrate, 1,4-butanediol, or y-butyrolactone, and the copolyester of 3-hydroxybutyrate and 3-hydroxypropionate (P(3HB-co-3HP)), from 3-hydroxypropionate as the secondary carbon substrates, respectively.

Chungkookjang, fermented soybeans, contains diverse peptides produced during fermentation. Fermented soybean extracts containing the peptides can affect cellular signal transduction. Proliferation of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells were repressed dependent on concentrations of fermented soybean extracts. Since fermented soybean extracts inhibited breast cancer cell's growth, and inflammation is related to cancer, it is determined whether it can suppress inflammatory TNFα expression. TNFα expression in MDA-MB 231 cells treated with fermented soybean extracts was repressed by that extracts. TNFα inhibitors were developed as drugs for autoimmune diseases. Since fermented soybean extracts suppressed TNFα expression, it can be developed as those drugs.

Chungkookjang (fermented soybeans) contains diverse peptides. Human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with peptide H derived from Chungkookjang, and TNFα expression in the cells was conspicuously repressed, suggesting peptide H's regulation of IL6 since IL6 is induced by TNFα. The structure of peptide H was different from those of glucocorticoid and dexamethasone, suggesting different mechanisms of TNFα expression suppression. Peptide H which reduces TNFα expression can be developed as drugs for cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease, after more investigation.