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We performed comparative proteomic analyses in order to understand the physiological responses of ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) to high light (HL). As a first step, we analyzed the proteins expressed in ginseng leaves. Proteins extracted from leaves were separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Protein spots were identified by tandem mass spectra analysis using electrospray ionization quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (ESI Q-TOF MS). We used a ginseng expressed sequence tag (EST) database as well as a nonredundant protein database from NCBI to identify proteins. Eighty-one proteins were identified using the nr protein database, 51 of which were also verified from the ginseng EST database. An additional 66 proteins were identified only from the ginseng EST database. Proteins that function in energy metabolism, protein stabilization, and protection against oxidative stress were abundant. To understand the light responses of ginseng leaves, we studied time dependent changes in expressed proteins produced by 0-4 h of HL exposure. Six HL-responsive proteins were identified: three proteins were up-regulated (cytosolic small heat-shock protein, cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase, and putative major latex-like protein) and three proteins were down-regulated (Rieske Fe/S protein, putative 3-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/isomerase-like protein, and oxygen-evolving enhancer-like protein). Our results show that the ginseng EST database combined with ESI Q-TOF MS analysis can be used to identify ginseng proteins and to elucidate the protective mechanism of ginseng against HL induced damage.

Background:The prevalence of neonatal group B streptococcal infection depends mainly on the colonization rate of pregnant women by group B streptococci (GBS). Although the colonization rate of Korean women by GBS is considered lower than in other countries, recent data on the maternal colonization rate of GBS are sparse. Methods: From

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We investigated bleached human hair by FT-IR microspectroscopy and chemical imaging. The cross sectioned hair is approximately 90 μm in diameter, showed cuticle and cortex in chemical imaging. Differential amide I/II absorbance ratio and broadening amide I band between in the cortex and cuticle were confirmed in FT-IR microspectroscopy and chemical imaging. The cystine monoxide band from the products of disulfide oxidation of the amino acid cystine is associated with hair damaging during bleaching process. With increase bleaching time, the band for cystine monoxide shows more intense and larger area in chemical image. The spatially chemical change was investigated in detail by FT-IR microspectroscopy and chemical imaging during the bleached process.