Enzymatic synthesis of β-d-fructofuranosyl α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-d-glucopyranoside using Escherichia coli glycoside phosphorylase YcjT.

YcjT is a kojibiose phosphorylase found in Escherichia coli. We found that sucrose was a good acceptor of YcjT in reverse phosphorolysis using β-d-glucose 1-phosphate as a donor. The product was identified as β-d-fructofuranosyl α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-d-glucopyranoside.

Functional characterization of a novel GH94 glycoside phosphorylase, 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl β-d-glucuronide phosphorylase, and implication of the metabolic pathway of acidic carbohydrates in Paenibacillus borealis.

Glycoside hydrolase family 94 (GH94) contains enzymes that reversibly catalyze the phosphorolysis of β-glycosides. We conducted this study to investigate a GH94 protein (PBOR_13355) encoded in the genome of Paenibacillus borealis DSM 13188 with low sequence identity to known phosphorylases. Screening of acceptor substrates for reverse phosphorolysis in the presence of α-d-glucose 1-phosphate as a donor substrate showed that PBOR_13355 utilized d-glucuronic acid and p-nitrophenyl β-d-glucuronide as acceptors.

The Immunomodulating Effect of Phlorotannins from a Brown Alga, Eisenia nipponica, on Mice Stimulated with Ovalbumin through T Cell Regulation.

The immunomodulating effect of phlorotannin was investigated in mice stimulated by ovalbumin. When analyzing the main components of phlorotannin concentrate (PTC) from Eisenia nipponica, seven phlorotannins [eckol, 6,6'-bieckol, 6,8'-bieckol, 8,8'-bieckol, dieckol, phlorofucofuroeckol (PFF)-A, and PFF-B] were detected. These phlorotannins accounted for approximately 80% of PTC.

Zebrafish obesogenic test identifies anti-adipogenic fraction in leaf extracts.

The zebrafish obesogenic test (ZOT) is a powerful tool for identifying anti-adipogenic compounds for in vivo screening. In our previous study, we found that (MO) leaf powder suppressed the accumulation of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in ZOT. MO demonstrates a wide range of pharmacological effects; however, little is known about its functional constituents.

Preventive Effects of Green Tea Extract against Obesity Development in Zebrafish.

Various natural products (NPs) have been used to treat obesity and related diseases. However, the best way to fight obesity is preventive, with accurate body weight management through exercise, diet, or bioactive NPs to avoid obesity development. We demonstrated that green tea extract (GTE) is an anti-obesity NP using a zebrafish obesity model.