• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.507-513
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• 2017

Bacillus subtilis spores can be used for protein display to engineer protein properties. This method overcomes viability and protein-folding concerns associated with traditional protein display methods. Spores remain viable under extreme conditions and the genotype/phenotype connection remains intact. In addition, the natural sporulation process eliminates protein-folding concerns that are coupled to the target protein traveling through cell membranes. Furthermore, ATP-dependent chaperones are present to assist in protein folding. CotA was optimized as a whole-cell biocatalyst immobilized in an inert matrix of the spore. In general, proteins that are immobilized have advantages in biocatalysis. For example, the protein can be easily removed from the reaction and it is more stable. The aim is to improve the pH stability using spore display. The maximum activity of CotA is between pH 4 and 5 for the substrate ABTS (ABTS = diammonium 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate). However, the activity dramatically decreases at pH 4. The activity is not significantly altered at pH 5. A library of approximately 3,000 clones was screened. A E498G variant was identified to have a half-life of inactivation ($t_{1/2}$) at pH 4 that was 24.8 times greater compared with wt-CotA. In a previous investigation, a CotA library was screened for organic solvent resistance and a T480A mutant was found. Consequently, T480A/E498G-CotA was constructed and the $t_{1/2}$ was 62.1 times greater than wt-CotA. Finally, E498G-CotA and T480A/E498G-CotA yielded 3.7- and 5.3-fold more product than did wt-CotA after recycling the biocatalyst seven times over 42 h.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.378-384
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• 2005

Estrogen metabolites are carcinogenic. The comparative mitogenic activities of $17{\beta}$-estradiol (E2) and four metabolites, 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OHE2), 4-hydroxyestradiol (4-OHE2), $16{\alpha}$-hydroxyestrone ($16{\alpha}$-OHE1) and 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME), were determined in estrogen receptor(ER)-positive MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Each of the E2 metabolites caused proliferation of the MCF-7 cells, but only E2 and $16{\alpha}$-OHE1 induced a greater than 20-fold increases in transcripts of the progesterone receptor (PR) gene, a classical ER-mediated gene. This suggests that the mitogenic action of E2 and $16{\alpha}$-OHE1 could result from their effects on gene expression via the ER. E2 metabolites altered the expression of E2-regulated proteins including heat shock proteins (Hsps). $16{\alpha}$-OHE1 and 2-ME as well as E2 increased levels of Hsp56, Hsp60, $Hsp90{\alpha}$ and Hsp110 transcripts, and the patterns of these inductions resembled that of PR. Hsp56 and Hsp60 protein levels were increased by all the E2 metabolites. Levels of the transcripts of 3 E2-upregulated proteins (XTP3-transactivated protein A, protein disulfide isomerase-associated 4 protein and stathmin 1) and an E2-downregulated protein (aminoacylase 1) were also affected by the E2 metabolites. These results suggest that the altered expression of Hsps (especially Hsp56 and Hsp60) by E2 metabolites such as E2, $16{\alpha}$-OHE1 and 2-ME could be closely linked to their mitogenic action.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.3961-3968
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• 2015

Background: Variants of human papillomavirus (HPV) show more oncogenicity than do prototypes. The HPV16 Asian variant (HPV16As) plays a major role in cervical cancer of Asian populations. Some amino acid changes in the E6 protein of HPV16 variants affect E6 functions such as p53 interaction and host immune surveillance. This study aimed to investigate activities of HPV16As E6 protein on modulation of expression of miRNA-21 as well as interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) 1, 3, 7 and c-fos. Materials and Methods: Vectors expressing E6 protein of HPV16As (E6D25E) or HPV16 prototype (E6Pro) were constructed and transfected into C33A cells. HCK1T cells expressing E6D25E or E6Pro were established by transducing retrovirus-containing E6D25E or 16E6Pro. The E6AP-binding activity of E6 and proliferation of the transfected C33A cells were determined. MiR-21 and mRNA of interesting genes were detected in the transfected C33A cells and/or the HCK1T cells, with or without treatment by culture medium from HeLa cells (HeLa-CM). Results: E6D25E showed binding activity with E6AP similar to that of E6Pro. Interestingly, E6D25E showed a higher activity of miR-21 induction than did E6Pro in C33A cells expressing E6 protein. This result was similar to the HCK1T cells expressing E6 protein, with HeLa-CM treatment. The miR-21 up-regulation significantly corresponded to its target expression. Different levels of expression of IRFs were also observed in the HCK1T cells expressing E6 protein. Interestingly, when treated with HeLa-CM, IRFs 1, 3 and 7 as well as c-fos were significantly suppressed in the HCK1T cells expressing E6D25E, whereas those in the HCK1T cells expressing E6Pro were induced. A similar situation was seen for IFN-${\alpha}$ and IFN-${\beta}$. Conclusions: E6D25E of the HPV16As variant differed from the E6 prototype in its activities on epigenetic modulation and immune surveillance and this might be a key factor for the important role of this variant in cervical cancer progression.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.780-786
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• 2002

An immunosensor based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) with a self-assembled protein G layer was developed for the detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7. A self-assembled protein C layer on a gold (Au) surface was fabricated by adsorbing the mixture of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) and hexanethiol at various molar ratios and by activating chemical binding between free amine (-$NH_2$) of protein G and 11-(MUA) using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDAC) in series. The formation of a self-assembled protein G layer on an Au substrate and the binding of the antibody and antigen in series were confirmed by SPR spectroscopy. The surface morphology analyses of the self-assembled protein G layer on the Au substrate, monoclonal antibody (Mab) against E. coli O157:H7 which was immobilized on protein G, and bound E. coli O157:H7 extracts on Immobilized Mab against E. coii O157:H7 were performed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The detection limit of the SPR-based immunosensor for E. coli O157:H7 was found to be about $10^4$ cells/ml.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.1475-1481
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• 2003

The aim of this paper was to use the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS), that reports diet energy and protein value and animal requirements, as net energy for lactation ($NE_1$) and metabolizable protein (MP) respectively, to evaluate some rations for lactating Italian Mediterranean buffaloes. The investigation was carried out on six farms in the province of Caserta (southern Italy), where the milk production was controlled four times monthly on 10 animals (changing every time) chosen at different lactation days (5 categories): <2 months (A), 2-4 months (B), 4-6 months (C), 6-8 months (D), >8 months (E). Milk fat and protein were determined. Diet $NE_1$ and MP were estimated with the CPM-Dairy program (1998) using diet component chemical characteristics; then energy and protein intakes were estimated. $NE_1$ and MP requirements were estimated with two methods: 1) using CPM-Dairy that considers produced milk, fat and protein content, lactation phase and body condition score as main factors; 2) by applying the theory that to produce 1 kg of energy corrected milk, the buffalo needs 3.56 MJ of $NE_1$ and the efficiency to convert the absorbed aminoacids into milk protein is lower than cow (CNCPS). As regards energy, with method 1 the requirements were satisfactory starting from category A (4 out of 6 farms) and category B (5/6 farms); however, a surplus resulted for category E (5/6 farms). With method 2 a deficit in category A (5/6 farms) and B (3/6 farms) was observed, while the energy requirements were satisfied for all categories except E, where on only one buffalo farm had a surplus of energy intake. As regards protein, with method 1 the requirements were substantially satisfied for all the categories except E (3/6 farms); with method 2 the MP trend was much less favourable than with method 1. Indeed, a protein deficit was observed for all animals in categories A and B (5/6 farms). Moreover, on one farm the protein intake never satisfied animal requirements. In our experimental conditions, the use of the CNCPS to characterise diets for lactating buffalo and to calculate their requirements led to satisfactory results. By contrast, we cannot say the same for method 2, which applies a lower use efficiency of NE and MP for lactation in buffalo compared to cow.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.941-946
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• 2013

Local protein synthesis at subsynaptic sites plays a key role in the regulation of the protein composition in local domains. In this study, we carried out immunocytochemistry of cultured rat hippocampal neurons in various developmental stages to investigate the expression of eIF4E and its binding protein, eIF4EBP1. Both proteins were distributed in dendrites. In addition, eIF4EBP1 was highly expressed in the nucleus throughout the development, whereas eIF4E was not expressed in the nucleus. Punctate expression of eIF4E and eIF4EBP1 was evident in DIV 3. The colocalization rates of eIF4E or eIF4EBP1 puncta with PSD95 were higher in the dendrogenic than in the mature stages. In contrast, the colocalization rates of eIF4E and eIF4EBP1 puncta were higher in the mature than in the dendrogenic stages. As eIF4E is inactive when it is bound to eIF4EBP1, these data indicate that most dendritic eIF4E's are active during development but that they are mostly under inhibition in mature neurons.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.224-229
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• 2008

Eucommia ulmoides (Duchung) is commonly used for treatment of diabetes in Korean traditional medicine. However, the exact mechanism of its anti-diabetic effect has not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, the effect of E. ulmoides extract on glucose uptake was investigated in L6 rat skeletal muscle cells. E. ulmoides extract stimulated the activity of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase that is a major regulatory molecule in glucose uptake pathway. Protein kinase B (PKB) and protein kinase C-${\xi}$ (PKC-${\xi}$), downstream mediators of PI 3-kinase, were also activated by E. ulmoides extract. We assessed the activity of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), another regulatory molecule in glucose uptake pathway. Phosphorylation level of AMPK did not change with treatment of E. ulmoides extract. Phosphorylations of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), downstream mediators of AMPK, were not significantly different. Taken together, our results suggest that E. ulmoides may stimulate glucose uptake through PI 3-kinase but not AMPK in L6 skeletal muscle cells.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.287-295
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• 2023

Amifostine was developed to protect cells, but it is known to induce cytotoxicity and apoptosis, and the exact mechanism is unknown. In this study, we investigated how the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) system interacts with p53 to prevent apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and cytoprotective effects induced by amifostine. HCT116 colon cancer cells sublines HCT116/p53+,HCT116/p53+, HCT116/p53-, HCT116/E6 and HCT116+ch3/E6 cells were used for evaluation. Amifostine induced G1 arrest and increased toxicity two-fold in p53- cells regardless of MMR expression. Both G1 cell cycle arrest and induction of p53 protein peaked at 24 h after the start of amifostine exposure. Both G1 cell cycle arrest and induction of p53 protein peaked at 24 h after the start of amifostine exposure. Amifostine induced the expression of p21 protein in both p53+ and p53- cells. As for apoptosis, compared to p53- cells, p53+ cells showed 3.5~4.2 times resistance to amifostine-induced apoptosis. HCT116+E6 with both p53 and MMR loss showed maximum apoptosis at 48 h, and HCT116+ch3/E6HCT116+ch3/E6 with p53 loss showed maximum apoptosis at 24 h. As a result, it was confirmed through in vitro experiments that amifostine-induced G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis are mediated through a pathway dependent on MMR and p53 protein.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.871-880
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• 1999

The effects of dry roasting (110, 130, $150^{\circ}C$ for 15, 30, 45 min) on potential ruminant protein nutritional values in terms of: a), rumen bypass protein (BCP); b), rumen bypass starch (BST); c), fermented organic matter (FOM); d), true absorbed bypass protein (ABCP); e) microbial protein synthesized in the rumen based on available energy (E_MP); f), microbial protein synthesized in the rumen based on available nitrogen (N_MP); g), true protein supplied to the small intestine (TPSI); h), true absorbed rumen synthesized microbial protein (AMP); i), endogenous protein losses (ENDP); j), true digested protein in the small intestine (DVE); k), degraded protein balance (OEB) of whole lupin seeds (WLS) and faba beans (WFB) were evaluated by the new Dutch DV/OEB protein evaluation system. Dry roasting significantly increased BCP, BST, TPSI, ABCP, DVE (p<0.001) and decreased FOM, E_MP, AMP, N_MP and OEB (p<0.001) with increasing temperatures and times except that when temperature was at $110^{\circ}C$. The values of BCP, BST, TPSI, ABCP and DVE at $150^{\circ}C/45min$ for WLS and WFB were increased 2.2, 3.7; -, 2.0; 1.7, 1.7; 2.3, 3.7 and 1.7, 1.7 times and the values of FOM, E_MP, AMP, N_MP and OEB at $150^{\circ}C/45min$ for WLS and WFB were decreased by 15.3, 25.8; 18.1, 25.8; 18.7, 25.8; 54.6, 41.6 and 82.3% 54.7%, respectively, over the raw WLS and WFB. The results indicated that though dry roasting reduced microbial protein synthesis due to reducing FOM, TPSI didn't decrease but highly increased due to increasing BCP more than enough for compensation of the microbial protein decreasing. Therefore the net absorbable DVE in the small intestine was highly increased. The OEB values were significantly reduced for both WLS and WFB but not to the level of negative. It indicated that microbial protein synthesis might not be impaired due to the sufficient N supplied in the rumen, but the high positive OEB values in the most treatments except of $150^{\circ}C$ for 30 and 45 min of WLS (The OEB values: 54.8 and 26.0 g/kg DM) indicated that there were the large amounts of N loss in the rumen. It was concluded that dry roasting at high temperature was effective in shifting protein degradation from rumen to intestines and it increased the DVE values without reaching the negative OEB values. No optimal treatment was found in WLS due to the too high OEB values in all treatments. But dry roasting at $150^{\circ}C$ for 30 and 45 min might be optimal treatments for WLS due to the very lower OEB values.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.238-242
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• 2001

Food allergy is a disease caused by an abnormal immunological reaction to specific food proteins. Whole milk and soy beans are the most frequent causes of food allergy, some studies show that 2.2~2.8% of children aged between 1 and 2 year are allergic to milk. It can be classified to acute (urticaria, asthma, anaphylaxis) or chronic (diarrhea, atopic dermatitis) allergy according to clinical symptoms, or to IgE related or non IgE related allergy by an immunological aspect. Generally, allergies invading only the GI tract are mostly due to a non IgE related reaction. These hypersensitive, immunologic reactions of the GI tract, not related to specific IgE for food, present themselves in many ways such as food protein-induced enteropathy, food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES), celiac disease, food induced protocolitis, or allergic eosinophillic gastroenteritis. FPIES is one kind of non IgE related allergic reaction and is manifested as severe vomiting and diarrhea in infants between 1 week and 3 months. We report a case of FPIES in a 40-day old male infant presenting with 3 times of repeated events of watery diarrhea after cow's milk feeding.