Here, we investigated antioxidant defense mechanism in the spermatheca of A. mellifera queens via RNA-seq analysis of spermathecae in both mated and virgin queens. We identified the genes encoding antioxidant proteins, which were differentially expressed in the spermatheca of mated queens. The concentrations of antioxidant proteins, such as superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GTPX), and transferrin (Tf) together with the levels of ROS, H2O2, and iron were higher in the spermathecal fluid of mated queens as opposed to those in the spermathecal fluid of virgin queens; this indicated that increase in antioxidant protein concentration is an antioxidant defense mechanism occurring in the spermathecal fluid of mated queens against ROS; this mechanism involves conversion of ROS using antioxidant enzymes and Tf-mediated inhibition of the Fenton reaction occurring between Fe2+ and H2O2. Our data indicate that an increased expression of antioxidant proteins could facilitate prolonged storage and survival of sperms in the spermatheca of mated queens, suggesting the role of antioxidant proteins in antioxidative defense against ROS.

Bisphenol A (BPA), a representative endocrine disrupting chemicals, has adverse effects on growth, development and reproduction in aquatic organisms. The object of this study was to investigate the modulation of antioxidant enzyme - coding genes using quantitative real time RT - PCR (qRT - PCR), enzyme activity and total protein content, to understand oxidative stress responses after exposure to BPA for 48 h in brackish water flea Diaphanosoma celebensis. The BPA (3 mg L-1) significantly upregulated the expression of Cu / Zn - SOD, Mn-SOD, and catalase (CAT ) mRNA. Three GST isoforms (GST-kappa, GST-mu, and GST-theta) mRNA levels significantly increased at the rate of 0.12 mg L-1 of BPA. In particular, GST-mu showed the highest expression level, indicating its key role in antioxidant response to BPA. SOD activity was induced with a concentration - dependent manner, and total protein contents was reduced. These findings indicate that BPA can induce oxidative stress in this species, and these antioxidants may be involved in cellular protection against BPA exposure. This study will provide a better understanding of molecular mode of action of BPA toxicity in aquatic organisms.

담쟁이 덩굴 추출물로부터 항암예방제로서의 물질을 탐색코자 항산화 비효소활성 및 효소활성을 조사해 본 결과, 부위별 항산화력 및 효소활성들은 차이를 나타내었다. 부위별 에틸아세테이트 분획물은 잎에서 DPPH 소거활성이 가장 높았으며, 실리카겔 컬럼크로마토그래피에서 잎, 줄기, 뿔리에서 각각 7.06, 6.99, 12.39(μg/ml)이었다. 에틸아세테이트 분획에서 활성이 가장 높은 분획을 Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography로 분리 정제한 결과 잎, 줄기 그리고 뿔리에서 각각 5.5, 6.11, 5.29 (μg/ml)의 DPPH 활성이 높은 분획을 얻었다. Sephadex LH-20에 의해 활성이 가장 높은 분획을 GC/MS로 분석한 결과, Benzoic acid(Gallic acid), 1,2,3-Benzenetriol, 4-amino-Benzenemethanol과 같은 페놀화합물의 항산화물질들이 동정되었다. 줄기와 뿌리에서 POD활서은 잎에서 보다 활성이 높았고, SOD 활성은 잎, 줄기 그리고 뿌리 순으로 높은 활성을 나타내었으며 특히, 잎은 뿌리보다 2배 이상의 높은 활성을 보였다.