Project description:Sake is a traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage prepared by multiple parallel fermentation of rice. The fermentation process of yamahai-ginjo-shikomi sake is mainly performed by three microbes, Aspergillus oryzae, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Lactobacilli; the levels of various metabolites fluctuate during the fermentation of sake. For evaluation of the fermentation process, we monitored the concentration of moderate-sized molecules (m/z: 200-1000) dynamically changed during the fermentation process of yamahai-ginjo-shikomi Japanese sake. This analysis revealed that six compounds were the main factors with characteristic differences in the fermentation process. Among the six compounds, four were leucine- or isoleucine-containing peptides and the remaining two were predicted to be small molecules. Quantification of these compounds revealed that their quantities changed during the month of fermentation process. Our metabolomic approach revealed the dynamic changes observed in moderate-sized molecules during the fermentation process of sake, and the factors found in this analysis will be candidate molecules that indicate the progress of yamahai-ginjo-shikomi sake fermentation.
Project description:The experiments were performed to understand the molecular basis of plant growth promotion in rice by Rhodotorula mucilaginosa JGTA-S1, an endophytic yeast from Typha angustifolia.
Project description:Characterization of rhizosphere and endophytic bacterial communities from roots nodules and roots of Vigna radiata by metagenomic analysis
Project description:Accumulating evidence suggests that lifestyle-related factors may influence radiation responses and the resulting cancer risks through epigenetic mechanisms, such as miRNA regulations. Chronic alcohol consumption is a major risk factor for various pathologies, including alcoholic liver disease. We have recently shown that consumption of Japanese sake promotes glutathione metabolism and anti-oxidative activities in the liver of irradiated C57BL/6 mice. Here we show that chronic alcohol consumption resulted in elevated ciculating levels of the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α and that it triggered specific miRNA regulations (such as the upregulation of the radio-resistant miR-210) that are susceptible to influence the resulting radiation effects in the mouse liver. Japanese sake was administrated to C3H mice irradiated with 3 Gy X-rays. miRNA expression was measured in the livers of 3 mice for each experimental group.
