Inactivation of mrpigH Gene in Monascus ruber M7 Results in Increased Monascus Pigments and Decreased Citrinin with mrpyrG Selection Marker

Monascus pigments (MPs) have been used as food colorants for several centuries in Asian countries and are currently used around the world via Asian catering. The MPs biosynthetic pathway has been well-illustrated; however, the functions of a few genes including mrpigH in the MPs gene cluster of M. ruber M7 are still unclear. In the current study, mrpigH was disrupted in Δmrlig4ΔmrpyrG, a highly efficient gene modification system, using mrpyrG as a selection marker, and ΔmrpigHΔmrlig4ΔmrpyrG::mrpyrG and ΔmrpigHΔmrlig4ΔmrpyrG have been obtained. Subsequently, their morphologies, biomasses, MPs and citrinin (CIT) production were analyzed, respectively. These results have revealed that the deletion of mrpigH has significant effects on the morphology and growth of M. ruber M7. Moreover, compared with M. ruber M7, the yields of MPs and CIT were drastically increased and decreased in mrpigH mutants, respectively.

Download Full-text

Inactivation of MrPigH in Monascus ruber M7 Results in its Monascus Pigments Increase and Citrinin Decrease with mrpyrG Selection Marker

10.20944/preprints202111.0347.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Li Li ◽

Na Xu ◽

Fusheng Chen

Keyword(s):

Gene Cluster ◽

Biosynthetic Pathway ◽

Selection Marker ◽

Asian Countries ◽

Gene Modification ◽

Monascus Ruber ◽

Food Colorants ◽

Modification System ◽

Monascus Pigments ◽

Efficient Gene

Monascus pigments (MPs) have been used as food colorants for several centuries in Asian countries and nowadays in the whole world via Asian catering. The MPs biosynthetic pathway has been well-illustrated, however, the functions of a few genes including mrpigH in the MPs gene cluster of M. ruber M7 are still unclear. In current study, mrpigH was disrupted in Δmrlig4ΔmrpyrG, a highly efficient gene modification system, using mrpyrG as a selection marker, and ΔmrpigHΔmrlig4ΔmrpyrG::mrpyrG and ΔmrpigHΔmrlig4ΔmrpyrG have been obtained. Subsequently, their morphologies, biomasses, MPs and citrinin (CIT) production were analyzed, respectively. These results have revealed that the deletion of mrpigH has significant effects on the morphology and growth of M. ruber M7. Moreover, compared with M. ruber M7, the yields of MPs and CIT were drastically increased and decreased in mrpigH mutants, respectively.

Download Full-text

Effects of mrpigG on Development and Secondary Metabolism of Monascus ruber M7

Journal of Fungi ◽

10.3390/jof6030156 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 156

Author(s):

Li Li ◽

Fusheng Chen

Keyword(s):

Biosynthetic Pathway ◽

Gene Deletion ◽

The Other ◽

Side Chain ◽

Asian Countries ◽

Monascus Ruber ◽

Monascus Pigments ◽

The World ◽

Carbon Side Chain ◽

Yellow Pigments

Monascus pigments (MPs) have been used as food colorants for several centuries in Asian countries and are now used throughout the world via Asian catering. The MP biosynthetic pathway has been well-illustrated, but the functions of a few genes, including mrpigG, in the MP gene cluster are still unclear. In the current study, in order to investigate the function of mrpigG in M. ruber M7, gene deletion (ΔmrpigG), complementation (ΔmrpigG::mrpigG) and overexpression (M7::PtrpC-mrpigG) mutants were successfully obtained. The morphologies and biomasses, as well as the MP and citrinin production, of these mutants were analyzed. The results revealed that the disruption, complementation and overexpression of mrpigG showed no apparent defects in morphology, biomass or citrinin production (except MP production) in ΔmrpigG compared with M. ruber M7. Although the MP profiles of ΔmrpigG and M. ruber M7 were almost the same—with both having four yellow pigments, two orange pigments (OPs) and two red pigments (RPs)—their yields were decreased in ΔmrpigG to a certain extent. Particularly, the content of rubropunctatin (an OP) and its derivative rubropunctamine (an RP) in ΔmrpigG, both of which have a five-carbon side chain, accounted for 57.7%, and 22.3% of those in M. ruber M7. On the other hand, monascorubrin (an OP) and its derivative monascorubramine (an RP), both of which have a seven-carbon side chain, were increased by 1.15 and 2.55 times, respectively, in ΔmrpigG compared with M. ruber M7. These results suggest that the MrPigG protein may preferentially catalyze the biosynthesis of MPs with a five-carbon side chain.

Download Full-text

Whole Genome Analysis Revealed the Genes Responsible for Citreoviridin Biosynthesis in Penicillium citreonigrum

Toxins ◽

10.3390/toxins12020125 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 125

Author(s):

Takumi Okano ◽

Naoki Kobayashi ◽

Kazuki Izawa ◽

Tomoya Yoshinari ◽

Yoshiko Sugita-Konishi

Keyword(s):

Gene Cluster ◽

Biosynthetic Pathway ◽

Aspergillus Terreus ◽

Draft Genome ◽

Agricultural Products ◽

Whole Genome Analysis ◽

Homologous Genes ◽

Wide Range ◽

The World ◽

Highly Correlated

Citreoviridin (CTV) is a mycotoxin that is produced by Aspergillus terreus, Eupenicillium ochrosalmoneum and Penicillium citreonigrum, and CTV has been detected in a wide range of cereal grains throughout the world. Furthermore, it is especially a serious problem in regions where rice is consumed as a staple food. Moreover, CTV is a well-known yellow rice toxin, and outbreaks of beriberi have occurred due to consumption of rice that is contaminated by CTV even in the recent years. Although CTV biosynthetic genes of A. terreus have been described, those of P. citreonigrum remain unclear, which is concerning since P. citreonigrum is the main cause of CTV contamination in rice. In the present study, we determined the draft genome of the P. citreonigrum strain IMI92228 and revealed the presence of all four genes that form a gene cluster and that are homologous to the CTV biosynthesis genes of A. terreus. The expression of these four homologous genes were highly correlated with CTV production, suggesting that they may play an important role in CTV biosynthesis in P. citreonigrum. We concluded that the gene cluster is a CTV biosynthesis cluster of P. citreonigrum. The findings will contribute to the understanding of the biosynthetic pathway of CTV and will ultimately lead to improvements in the CTV management of agricultural products.

Download Full-text

Sex Differences in Mass Media Preferences Across Four Asian Countries

Journal of Media Psychology Theories Methods and Applications ◽

10.1027/1864-1105/a000054 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 23 (4) ◽

pp. 186-191 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Malini Ratnasingam ◽

Lee Ellis

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Sex Differences ◽

Mass Media ◽

The United States ◽

Female Students ◽

The Internet ◽

Evolutionary Explanation ◽

Asian Countries ◽

The World ◽

Media Preferences

Background. Nearly all of the research on sex differences in mass media utilization has been based on samples from the United States and a few other Western countries. Aim. The present study examines sex differences in mass media utilization in four Asian countries (Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, and Singapore). Methods. College students self-reported the frequency with which they accessed the following five mass media outlets: television dramas, televised news and documentaries, music, newspapers and magazines, and the Internet. Results. Two significant sex differences were found when participants from the four countries were considered as a whole: Women watched television dramas more than did men; and in Japan, female students listened to music more than did their male counterparts. Limitations. A wider array of mass media outlets could have been explored. Conclusions. Findings were largely consistent with results from studies conducted elsewhere in the world, particularly regarding sex differences in television drama viewing. A neurohormonal evolutionary explanation is offered for the basic findings.

Download Full-text

The Anticholinesterase Activity of Three Local Food Spices and Their Anti-Alzheimer Application

Current Nutraceuticals ◽

10.2174/2665978601999200925203745 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 01 ◽

Author(s):

Ruqia Bibi ◽

Saima Gul ◽

Abdul Wahab ◽

Mohammad Iqbal Khan ◽

Murad Ali Khan

Keyword(s):

Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽

Curcuma Longa ◽

Chloroform Extract ◽

Food Plants ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Assay Method ◽

Inhibiting Activity ◽

Asian Countries ◽

Phytochemical Study ◽

The World

Background: The incidence of dementia is increasing as the aging population of the world is increasing. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system. There are presently 7.3 million patents of AD and the number may rise to 34 million at this pace in the coming thirty years. In the disease, the level of Acetylcholine is reduced and as a result, causes the loss of cholinergic neurons in the brain. The disease is less common in Asian countries as compared to the western nations of the world. This work aimed to establish the role of the common medicinal and food plants against Alzheimer. Methods: The enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is the enzyme responsible for hydrolysis and reduction of Acetylcholine. The anti-acetylcholinesterase activity of different extracts of three local plants used as spices in the daily food, Curcuma longa, Cinnnamomum tamala, and Zingiber officinale, were determined using the Microplate Assay method. Results: The phytochemical study of the selected plants revealed the presence of alkaloids, terpenes, flavones, saponins, and tannins in these plants. The chloroform extract of all the three plants presented promising AChE inhibiting activity having IC50 >200μg/ml. A probable reason will be the alkaloids and terpenes present in the chloroform extract. Conclusion: The chloroform extract of all three plants presented promising AChE inhibiting activity and can become a reasonable therapy for the cure/ prevention of Alzheimer disease. The frequent use of these spices may be a possible reason for the fever incidence of Alzheimer in Asian countries. Further in vivo studies are required to find its action and studies to find the exact compound responsible for the action.

Download Full-text

Beyond Technonationalism

10.11126/stanford/9781503605473.001.0001 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Kathryn C. Ibata-Arens

Keyword(s):

Innovation Policy ◽

High Technology ◽

Entrepreneurial Activity ◽

Asian Countries ◽

Firm Creation ◽

Biomedical Innovation ◽

The World ◽

Asian Economies ◽

Biomedical Industry ◽

Innovation And Entrepreneurship

What explains the rapid and sustained economic rise of Asian countries in high-technology industries, including biomedicals? The biomedical industry, comprised mainly of biopharmaceuticals and medical devices, is among the fastest growing globally and has been an economic-development target of national governments around the world. The book presents a conceptual framework to assess national government management of innovation and entrepreneurship in the fast-growing biomedical industry in Asia, which at current growth rates is on track to become the center of the world economy. Four Asian countries—China, India, Japan, and Singapore—are compared in terms of innovation capacities, government policy, and firm-level strategies underlying competitive advantages in high technology. The book argues that countries that pursue networked technonationalism have been effective in upgrading innovation capacity and also encouraging entrepreneurial activity in targeted industries. The study begins with a global-level analysis of biomedical innovation and entrepreneurship, identifying emerging concentrations of scientific citation, patenting, and firm creation—paying close attention to trends in Asian economies and future prospects. Findings indicate a gradual shift to Asian economies of many biomedical-innovation and new-business-creation activities. The book concludes with implications for innovation policy and entrepreneurship strategy in Asia and elsewhere.

Download Full-text

Effect of Static Magnetic Field on Monascus ruber M7 Based on Transcriptome Analysis

Journal of Fungi ◽

10.3390/jof7040256 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 256

Author(s):

Shuyan Yang ◽

Hongyi Zhou ◽

Weihua Dai ◽

Juan Xiong ◽

Fusheng Chen

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Field ◽

Static Magnetic Field ◽

Morphological Characteristics ◽

Mapk Signaling ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽

Primary Metabolism ◽

Monascus Ruber ◽

Growing Period ◽

Monascus Pigments ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein

The effects of a static magnetic field (SMF) on Monascus ruber M7 (M. ruber M7) cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates under SMF treatment at different intensities (5, 10, and 30 mT) were investigated in this paper. The results revealed that, compared with the control (CK, no SMF treatment), the SMF at all tested intensities did not significantly influence the morphological characteristics of M. ruber M7, while the intracellular and extracellular Monascus pigments (MPs) and extracellular citrinin (CIT) of M. ruber M7 were increased at 10 and 30 mT SMF but there was no impact on the MPs and CIT at 5 mT SMF. The transcriptome data of M. ruber M7 cultured at 30 mT SMF on PDA for 3 and 7 d showed that the SMF could increase the transcriptional levels of some relative genes with the primary metabolism, including the carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and lipid metabolism, especially in the early growing period (3 d). SMF could also affect the transcriptional levels of the related genes to the biosynthetic pathways of MPs, CIT, and ergosterol, and improve the transcription of the relative genes in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway of M. ruber M7. These findings provide insights into a comprehensive understanding of the effects of SMF on filamentous fungi.

Download Full-text

Faux Fur Trade Networks Using Macroscopic Data: A Social Network Approach

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13031427 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 1427

Author(s):

Yeong-Hyeon Choi ◽

Seong Eun Kim ◽

Kyu-Hye Lee

Keyword(s):

Social Network ◽

The United States ◽

Asian Countries ◽

Total Trade ◽

Trade Networks ◽

Alternative Materials ◽

The World ◽

Social Network Approach ◽

Materials Used ◽

And Control

This study used social network analysis, which is often adopted to analyze changes in trade structures and the world trade network for faux fur products, which are alternative materials used in vegan fashion. The data on the total trade value of artificial fur (HS Code: 4304) and animal fur and leather (HS Code: 0505) imports and exports between countries were collected through UN Comtrade, and the degree and betweenness centralities were used to analyze the trade structure of faux fur in 2009, 2014, and 2019 using NodeXL 1.0.1 programs. The results of the study are as follows: First, while the total amount of export and import of faux fur is increasing globally every day, the total amount of export and import in other Asian countries and Vietnam is decreasing. Second, due to the reduction in exports of the main producing countries of animal materials such as China, global imports of animal fur and leather decreased. Third, China was the largest ex-porter of faux fur, exporting to a large number of countries; it also played an important role in the intermediation and control over faux fur export. In exporting faux fur, the influence of other Asian countries declined over time, and Vietnam and the United States played an outstanding role as arbitrators in the export network. Fourth, Italy and France were the largest importers of faux fur from various countries and exerted significant influence as intermediaries in the import network of faux fur. On the other hand, Vietnam’s influence in import network decreased. Saudi Arabia appeared to be an important arbitrator in mediating the import. This study is significant due to its findings, obtained through micro-trading data, in respect of industrial moves of ethical fashion in the form of increased trade in faux fur and decline in the trade of animal fur and leather.

Download Full-text

The Global Environmental Agenda of 2021 and the tasks of sustainable energy-ecological development and cooperation between Japan and countries Southeast Asia

10.33920/vne-04-2112-04 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 951-965

Author(s):

Yana Vadimovna Mishchenko

Keyword(s):

Southeast Asia ◽

Power Plants ◽

Thermal Power ◽

Energy Transition ◽

Southeast Asian ◽

Asia Pacific ◽

Asian Countries ◽

Global Environmental ◽

The World ◽

Southeast Asian Countries

The article discusses the main results of two major international summits held in October-November 2021, the key topics of which were the issues of the global fight against climate change and environmental protection. The decisions taken at these conferences, with the broad participation of world leaders, reflect the fundamental trends of the global environmental agenda. Within the framework of this agenda, Japan and the countries of Southeast Asia are building their modern energy and environmental cooperation. In this context, the article examines the main urgent tasks of energy-environmental interaction and sustainable development of Japan and the states of Southeast Asia. These countries are located in the Asia-Pacific region, which remains until now the main emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. However, the indicators of environmental pollution by Japan and the Southeast Asian countries are relatively not so high, compared to some other states in the region and the world. The article discusses the most relevant and significant examples of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between these countries in areas related to curbing global warming and climate protection. It has been revealed that with all the efforts made, since the 1990s, the indicators of reducing harmful emissions into the atmosphere in Japan remain modest and even lag behind some of the Western countries. The Southeast Asian countries show a serious attitude to the development of renewable energy, but their intention to abandon coal still raises some doubts about the methods of implementing this ambitious plan. In particular, it is currently not entirely clear whether these countries are preparing to make a full-fledged "energy transition" in the coming decades, or whether they just intend to replace their coal-fired thermal power plants with gas ones.

Download Full-text

Indian Contribution to Open Access: A Study of e-LIS

Indian Journal of Information Sources and Services ◽

10.51983/ijiss.2019.9.2.620 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 72-75

Author(s):

Subhash Khode

Keyword(s):

Open Access ◽

Information Science ◽

Journal Article ◽

Library And Information Science ◽

Asian Countries ◽

Library And Information Studies ◽

Information Studies ◽

The World ◽

Indian Contribution

The concept of open access has been increased in recent years around the world and India is also contributing in open access movement actively. e-LIS is an international open repository in the field of library and information science established in 2003 and as of today e-LIS contains 21,123 various types of documents. The basic aim of this study is to provide an analysis of Indian contribution towards open access movement, particularly the documents submitted in the e-LIS. This study provides analysis of 1090 various types of documents submitted to e-LIS (Eprint for Library and Information Science) from India as on 30 January, 2019. It found that the position of India in terms of number of documents submitted in the e-LIS is first among Asian countries. The maximum documents (432) are submitted as” Journal Article (Print and Online)” and maximum documents (72) are published in 2006.The maximum numbers of submitted articles (35) were published in “Annals of Library and Information Studies”.

Download Full-text