• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.191-196
• /
• 1993

This method using the synthesis substrate of $5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-{\alpha}-galactoside\;(X-{\alpha}-Gal)$ was examined for the differential enumeration of Bifidobacteria and lactic acid-producing bacteria. Bifidobacteria possess a high level of ${\alpha}-galactosidase$ activity. Bifidobacterium longum KCTC 3215 exhibited the highest ${\alpha}-galactosidase$ specific activity (8.57 units/mg protein). Determination of ${\alpha}-galactosidase$ activity using the PNPG procedure showed that Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Pediococcus, and Leuconostoc strain had lower ${\alpha}-galactosidase$ activity as compared to Bifidobacteria. The $X-{\alpha}-Gal$ based medium is useful to identify Bifidobacteria among lactic acid-producing bacteria since the enzyme action of ${\alpha}-galactosidase$ spills $X-{\alpha}-Gal$ substrate and releases indol which impacts a blue color to Bifidobacterial colonies on agar plates. All strains of Bifidobacteria appeared as blue colonies on MRS agar medium supplemented with $100\;{\mu}M\;X-{\alpha}-Gal$ while colonies of other lactic acid-producing bacteria appeared white or light blue.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.29 no.9
• /
• pp.1755-1760
• /
• 2008

Energy minimization and conformational studies of molecular ions generated by ESI (electrospray ionization) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) can be used for the discrimination of stereoisomeric permethylated and sodium cationized trisaccharides. Sets of fucose-containing trisaccharides having different internal and terminal linkages have been synthesized to analyze the reducing terminal linkage positions using BT and IT fusion approaches. A detailed investigation has been undertaken on the conformational behaviors of four trisaccharide fragments from human milk and blood group determinants of Type 1 and Type 2, namely Fuc($\alpha$1- 3)Gal($\beta$1-3)GalNAc and Fuc($\alpha$1-3)Gal($\beta$1-X)GlcNAc where X = 3, 4 and 6 using molecular modeling methods. Three dimensional rigid and adiabatic phi-psi-energy maps (Surfer program) describing the energy as a function of rotation around corresponding glycosidic linkages were calculated by SYBYL molecular modeling and MM4 force field programs conjunction with cleavage energies of ESI MS/MS for the side group orientations. This approach predicted conformational behaviors exhibited by isomer saccharides for future applications on biologically active glycoconjugates and to exploit a faster method of synthesizing a series of structural isomeric oligosaccharides.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.26 no.9
• /
• pp.1347-1353
• /
• 2005

Sets of sialic acid-containing trisaccharides having different internal and terminal linkages have been synthesized to develop a sensitive method for analysis of the reducing terminal linkage positions. The trisaccharides, sialyl($\alpha$ 2-3)Gal($\beta$ 1-3)GalNAc and sialyl($\alpha$ 2-3)Gal($\beta$ 1-X)GlcNAc where X=3, 4 and 6, were synthesized and examined using electrospray ionization (ESI)-collision induced dissociation (CID) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The compounds chosen for this study are related to terminal groups likely to be found on polylactosamine-like glycoproteins and glycolipids which occur on the surface of mammalian cells. The purpose of this study is to develop tandem mass spectrometral methods to determine detailed carbohydrate structures on permethylated or partially methylated oligosaccharides for future applications on biologically active glycoconjugates and to exploit a faster method of synthesizing a series of structural isomeric oligosaccharides to be used for further mass spectrometry and instrumental analysis.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.42 no.11
• /
• pp.783-793
• /
• 2019

When endoplasmic reticulum (ER) functions are perturbed, the ER induces several signaling pathways called unfolded protein response to reestablish ER homeostasis through three ER transmembrane proteins: inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1), PKR-like ER kinase (PERK), and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6). Although it is important to measure the activity of ATF6 that can indicate the status of the ER, no specific cell-based reporter assay is currently available. Here, we report a new cell-based method for monitoring ER stress based on the cleavage of $ATF6{\alpha}$ by sequential actions of proteases at the Golgi apparatus during ER stress. A new expressing vector was constructed by using fusion gene of GAL4 DNA binding domain (GAL4DBD) and activation domain derived from herpes simplex virus VP16 protein (VP16AD) followed by a human $ATF6{\alpha}$ N-terminal deletion variant. During ER stress, the GAL4DBD-VP16AD(GV)-$hATF6{\alpha}$ deletion variant was cleaved to liberate active transcription activator encompassing GV-$hATF6{\alpha}$ fragment which could translocate into the nucleus. The translocated GV-$hATF6{\alpha}$ fragment strongly induced the expression of firefly luciferase in HeLa Luciferase Reporter cell line containing a stably integrated 5X GAL4 site-luciferase gene. The established double stable reporter cell line HLR-GV-$hATF6{\alpha}$(333) represents an innovative tool to investigate regulated intramembrane proteolysis of $ATF6{\alpha}$. It can substitute active pATF6(N) binding motif-based reporter cell lines.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.243-248
• /
• 1999

Sialic acids are key determinants for biological processes, such as cell-cell interaction and differentiation. Sialyltransferases contribute to the diversity in carbohydrate structure through their attachment of sialic acid in various terminal positions on glycolipid and glycoprotein (N-linked and O-linked) carbohydrate groups. Gal$\beta$ 1,3(4)GlcNAc $\alpha$2,3-sialyltransferase (ST3Gal III) is involved in the biosynthesis of $sLe^{X}$ and sLe^{a}$ known as selection ligands and tumor-associated carbohydrate structures. The appearance and differential distribution of ST3Gal III mRNA during mice embryogenesis [embryonic (E) days; E9, E11, E13, E15] were investigated by in situ hybridization with digoxigenin-labeled RNA probes coupled with alkaline phosphatase detection. On E9, all tissues were positive for ST3Gal III mRNA expression whereas ST3Gal III mRNA on E11 was not detected throughout all tissues. On E13, ST3GAl III mRNA was expressed in different manner in various tissues. In this stage, ST3Gal III mRNA was positive only in the liver, pancreas and bladder. On E15, specific signal for ST3GAl III was detected in the liver, lung and forebrain. These results indicate that ST3Gal III is differently expressed at developmental stages of mice embryo, and this may be importantly related with regulation of organogenesis in mice.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.55 no.1
• /
• pp.56-63
• /
• 2011

Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked inborn error of glycoshpingolipid metabolism resulting from mutation in the enzyme ${\alpha}$-galactosidase A gene. The disease is an X-linked lipid storage disorder and the lack of ${\alpha}$-Gal A causes an intracellular accumulation of glycosphingolipids, mainly globotriaosylceramide (Gb-3). Measurement of Gb-3 in plasma has clinical importance for monitoring after enzyme replacement therapy for confirmed FD patients. Using electrospray ionization MS/MS we had developed, a simple, rapid, and highly sensitive analytical method for Gb-3 in plasma was used for the purpose of screening FD among high risk groups in Korean population. To date, no comprehensive results for FD screening have been performed and reported in Korea. We screened 1,100 outpatients from 13 hospitals (including clinics) to assess the incidence of FD among patients in high risk groups. For patients with borderline level amount of Gb-3, we repeated Gb-3 or performing complementary or confirmative assay with ${\alpha}$-Gal A activity and DNA mutaion analysis for confirmation diagnosis. Of 1,100 we diagnosed 3 FD with 2 classical type and 1 carrier (0.27%).

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.48 no.5
• /
• pp.682-698
• /
• 2000

Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) functions as a suppressor of inflammation by inhibiting the expression of many cytokine genes activated by NF-${\kappa}B$. The goal of this study is to investigate the mechanism by which GR repress NF-${\kappa}B$ activation in lung epithelial cells. We used A549 and BEAS-2B lung epithelia! cell lines. Using Ig$G{\kappa}$-NF-${\kappa}B$ luciferase reporter gene construct, we found that dexamethasone significantly suppressed TNF-$\alpha$-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and the overexpression of GR showed dose-dependent reduction of TNF-$\alpha$-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activity in both cell lines. However, DNA binding of NF-${\kappa}B$ induced by TNF-$\alpha$ in electromobility shift assay was not inhibited by dexamethasone. Super shift assay with anti-p65 antibody demonstrated the existence of p65 in NF-${\kappa}B$ complex induced by $\alpha$ Western blot showed that $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation induced by TNF-$\alpha$ was not affected by dexamethasone and $I{\kappa}B{\kappa}$ was not induced by dexamethasone, neither. To evaluate p65 specific transactivation, we adopted co-transfection study of Gal4-p65TA1 or TA2 fusion protein expression system together with 5xGal4-luciferase vector. Co-transfection of GR with Gal4-p65TA1 or TA2 repressed luciferase activity profoundly to the level of 10-20% of p65TA1- or TA2-induced transcriptional activity. And this transrepressional effect was abolished by co-transfection of CBP of SRC-1 expression vectors. These results suggest that GR-mediated transrepression of NF-${\kappa}B$ in lung epithelial cells is through competing for binding to limiting amounts of transcriptional coactivators, CBP or SRC-1.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.44 no.4 s.140
• /
• pp.303-312
• /
• 2006

Interactions between GRA proteins of dense granules in Toxoplasma gondii and host cell proteins were analyzed by yeast two-hybrid technique. The cMyc-GRA fusion proteins expressed from pGBKT7 plasmid in Y187 yeast were bound to host cell proteins from pGADT7-Rec-HeLa cDNA library transformed to AH109 yeast by mating method. By the selection procedures, a total of 939 colonies of the SD/-AHLT culture, 348 colonies of the $X-\alpha-gal$ positive and PCR, 157 colonies of the $X-\beta-gal$ assay were chosen for sequencing the cDNA and finally 90 colonies containing ORF were selected to analyze the interactions. GRA proteins interacted with a variety of host cell proteins such as enzymes, structural and functional proteins of organellar proteins of broad spectrum. Several specific bindings of each GRA protein to host proteins were discussed presumptively the role of GRA proteins after secreting into the parasitophorous vacuoles (PV) and the PV membrane in the parasitism of this parasite.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.45-52
• /
• 2007

Purpose : A simple, rapid, and highly sensitive analytical method for Gb3 in plasma was developed without labor-ex tensive pre-treatment by electrospray ionization MS/ MS (ESI-MS/MS). Measurement of globotriaosy lceramide (Gb3, ceramide trihex oside) in plasma has clinical importance for monitoring after enzyme replacement therapy in Fabry disease patients. The disease is an X-linked lipid storage disorder that results from a deficiency of the enzyme ${\alpha}$-galactosidase A (${\alpha}$-Gal A). The lack of ${\alpha}$-Gal A causes an intracellular accumulation of glycosphingolipids, mainly Gb3. Methods : Only simple 50-fold dilution of plasma is necessary for the extraction and isolation of Gb3 in plasma. Gb3 in diluted plasma was dissolved in dioxane containing C17:0 Gb3 as an internal standard. After centrifugation it was directly injected and analyzed through guard column by in combination with multiple reaction monitoring mode of ESI-MS/MS. Results : Eight isoforms of Gb3 were completely resolved from plasma matrix. C16:0 Gb3 occupied 50% of total Gb3 as a major component in plasma. Linear relationship for Gb3 isoforms w as found in the range of 0.001-1.0 ${\mu}g$/mL. The limit of detection (S/N=3) was 0.001 ${\mu}g$/mL and limit of quantification was 0.01 ${\mu}g$/mL for C16:0 Gb3 with acceptable precision and accuracy. Correlation coefficient of calibration curves for 8 Gb3 isoforms ranged from 0.9678 to 0.9982. Conclusion : This quantitative method developed could be useful for rapid and sensitive 1st line Fabry disease screening, monitoring and/or diagnostic tool for Fabry disease.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.16 no.11
• /
• pp.1799-1808
• /
• 2006

A food-grade integration vector based on site-specific recombination was constructed. The 5.7-kb vector, pIMA20, contained an integrase gene and a phage attachment site originating from bacteriophage A2, with the ${\alpha}$-galactosidase gene from Lactobacillus plantarum KCTC 3104 as a selection marker. pIMA20 was also equipped with a controllable promoter of nisA ($P_{nisA}$) and a signal peptide-encoding sequence of usp45 ($SP_{usp45}$) for the production and secretion of foreign proteins. pIMA20 and its derivatives mediated site-specific integration into the attB-like site on the Lactococcus lactis NZ9800 chromosome. The vector-integrated recombinant lactococci were easily detected by the appearance of blue colonies on a medium containing $X-{\alpha}-gal$ and also by their ability to grow on a medium containing melibiose as the sole carbon source. Recombinant lactococci maintained these traits in the absence of selection pressure during 100 generations. The ${\alpha}-amylase$ gene from Bacillus licheniformis, lacking a signal peptide-encoding. sequence, was inserted downstream of $P_{nisA}\;and\;SP_{usp45}$ in pIMA20, and the plasmid was integrated into the L. lactis chromosome. ${\alpha}-Amylase$ was successfully produced and secreted by the recombinant L. lactis, controlled by the addition and concentration of nisin.