• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.311-317
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• 2006

Using PCR amplification, we cloned a cellulase gene (ce/H) from the Bacillus subtilis AH18 which has plant growth-promoting activity and antagonistic ability against pepper blight caused by Phytophthora capsici. The 1.6 kb PCR fragment contained the full sequence of the cellulase gene and the 1,582 bp gene deduced a 508 amino acid sequence. Similarity search in protein database revealed that the cellulase of B. subtilis AH18 was more than 98% homologous in the amino acid sequence to those of several major Bacillus spp. The ce/H was expressed in E. coli under an IPTG inducible lac promoter on the vector, had apparent molecular weight of about 55 kDa upon CMC-SDS-PAGE analysis. Partially purified cellulase had not only cellulolytic activity toward carboxymethyl-cellulose (CMC) but also insoluble cellulose, such as Avicel and filter paper (Whatman No. 1). In addition, the cellulase could degrade a fungal cell wall of Phytophthora capsici. The optimum pH and temperature of the ce/H coded cellulase were determined to be pH 5.0 and $50^{\circ}C$. The enzyme activity was activated by $AgNO_3$ or $CoCl_2$. However its activity was Inhibited by $HgC1_2$. The enzyme activity was activated by hydroxy urea or sodium azide and inhibited by CDTA or EDTA. The results indicate that the cellulase gene, ce/H is an antifungal mechanism of B. subtilis AH18 against phytophthora blight disease in red-pepper.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.208-211
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• 2011

Limonoids are abundant as bitter taste in citrus fruit and other plants. Interestingly. limonoid UDP-glucosyltransferase (LUGT) effectively ameliorates the bitterness from limonoid. The high level of LUGT expression in Escherichia coli can result in the formation of insoluble aggregates known as inclusion bodies. We isolated the soluble LUGT protein when this inclusion body was renaturated with ${\beta}$-cyclidextrin treatment after protein denaturation by urea. Our present results suggest that the isolation of LUGT from inclusion body in cells leads to shed light to characterize the enzyme for food industry purposes.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 1996

Antigenic domain of jai or surface protein (p30) of Toxoplosmc Sondii was analyzed after polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of its gene fragments. Hydrophilic or hydrophobic moiety of amino acid sequences were expressed as glutathione S-transferase (G57) fusion proteins. Fragments of p30 gene were as follows: 737, total p30 open reading frame (ORF) ; S28, total ORF excluding N-terminal signal sequence and C-terminal hydrophobic sequence; Al9, N-terminal 2/3 parts of A28; A19, N-terminal 2/3 of S28; P9, C-terminal 2/3 part of S28; Z9. middle 1/3 of S28; and 29, C-terminal 1/3 of S28. respectively. Primer of each fragment was synthesized to include clamp sequence of EcoR I restriction site. PCR amplified DNA was inserted info GST (26 kDa) expression vector, PGEX-47-1 to transform into Escheri,hia coei (.JM105 strain). G57 fusion proteins were expressed with IPTG induction as 63. 54, 45, 45, 35, 36. and 35 kDa proteins measured by SDS-PAGE. Each fusion protein was confirmed with G57 detection kit. Western blot analysis with the serum of a toxoplasmosis patient revealed antigenicity in proteins expressed by T37. S28, and Al9 but not those by Pl8. X9, Y10, and Z9. Antigenicity of p30 seems to be located either in N-terminal 115 part in the presence of middle 1/3 part or in the oligopeptides between margins of the first and second 1/3 parts.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.478-482
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• 2018

Human rotavirus is a causative agent of acute diarrhea among children. The artificial gene encoding the truncated $VP8^*$ protein of human rotavirus A (serotype 1 strain WA) was synthesized according to the Escherichia coli codon preference. The synthetic $VP8^*$ gene also possessed the NdeI and HindIII restriction sites for the convenient in-frame cloning for translation and a 6-histidine tag at C-terminus for Ni+ affinity purification. Molecular weight of the truncated $VP8^*$ protein deduced from the nucleotide sequences of the artificial gene was a 19.7-kDa. This synthetic $VP8^*$ DNA fragment was inserted into the pT7-7 expression vector and transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3). Transformants harboring the synthetic gene encoding the $VP8^*$ protein was induced by supplement of a final concentration of 0.05 mM ITPG at $20^{\circ}C$. Protein crude extract from the E. coli transformants was subjected to Western blotting with the mouse anti-rotavirus capsid antibody, showing ~20-kDa $VP8^*$ protein band. The truncated $VP8^*$ protein band was also observed by Western blotting using the rabbit polyclonal antibody serum made against the truncated $VP8^*$ protein. This study suggested that the synthetic gene could be used as an easy way to produce the antigenic vaccine candidate for control of virus-associated diseases or to develop antibodies for diagnostic purpose.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.99-104
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• 2018

Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the major pathogens in community-acquired diseases, and it contains several factors that promote its pathogenesis, including pneumolysin (PLY). PLY is a member of the cholesterol-dependent cytolysin family, which attacks cholesterol-containing membranes, thereby forming ring-shaped pores. Thus, it is a major key target for vaccines against pneumococcal disease. We cloned the PLY gene from S. pneumoniae D39 and inserted it into the pQE-30 vector. Recombinant PLY (rPLY) was overexpressed in Escherichia coli M15 and purified by $Ni^{2+}$ affinity chromatography. Similarly, a PLY-EGFP fusion gene was produced by inserting the EGFP gene at the 3' end of the PLY gene in the same vector, and the recombinant protein was purified. Sodium dodecyl sulfate - polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed that both recombinant proteins were purified. rPLY exhibited significant hemolytic activity against 1% human red blood cells (RBCs). Complete hemolysis was obtained at 500 ng/ml, and 50% hemolysis was found with a 240 ng/ml concentration. In contrast, rPLY-EGFP did not show hemolytic activity. However, rPLY-EGFP did bind the RBC membrane, indicating that rPLY-EGFP lost hemolytic activity via EGFP fusion, while retaining its membrane-binding ability. These data suggest that PLY's C terminus is important for its hemolytic activity. Therefore, these two recombinant proteins can be extremely useful for investigating the toxin mechanism of PLY and cell damage during pneumonia.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.77-90
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• 1996

Nucleocapsid protein (NP)which exists in the particle of hantavirus and surrounds the viral RNA genome is one of the major structural proteins and plays role of antigen to elicit the antibody detected predorminantly right after infection of the virus in the patients of hemorragic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS)or experimental animals. NP is important target antigen in serological diagnostic system of HFRS utilizing whole antigens from the native virus particle, such as IFA, ELISA and Western blotting. Therefore, the preparation of this protein in the level of higher quantity and purity is desirasble for developed dianosis of the disease. The purpose of this study is the cloning of NP gene which exists in the S genome segment of Maaji (MAA) virus and expression of the gene to obtain qualified, genetically engineered NP to be utilized as an immunodiagnostic antigen. First of all, for the purpose of amplifing the MAA-NP gene by PCR, the specific primers were built from the known nucleotide sequence of Hantaan viral NP gene. The viral cDNA of the NP gene was synthesized by using the primers and RNase $H^-$ AMV reverse transcriptase. Thereafter, using this cDNA as a template, the NP gene was amplified specifically by Taq DNA polymrerase. The pT7blue (R)T-overhang vector systems were used for cloning of the amplified NP gene. The expression system was consisted of BL21 (DE3)pLysS and pET16b as a host and a plasmid repectively. Into Ndel site of pET16b, NP gene was ligated with cohesive end for the expression. Insertion of NP gene in the plasmid was confirmed by PCR and mini prep methods. For expression, IPTG was used and the expressed protein was characterized by Western blotting. The MAA-NP was expressed as the form of inclusion body (insoluble fraction)and the protein purified by affinity and metal chealating columns reacted specifically with the sera from patients of HFRS as to be tested by ELISA and Western blotting.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 2004

In this study the extracellular production of 5-aminolevulinic aicd (ALA) by recombinant E. coli BL2l (DE3) pLysS harboring the plasmid pFLS45 are investigated. Optimum concentrations of succinic acid and glycine for cell growth and ALA production were found to be 30 mM and 15 mM, respectively. Levulinic acid (LA) as an inhibitor of ALAD was added to the culture medium in the end of exponential cell growth phase and its optimum concentration was 30 mM. Growth of recombinant E. coli BL2l (DE3) pLysS (pFLS45) was largely dependent upon the pH value of culture medium. When the pH of culture medium was in the range of 6.0 and 6.5, high cell mass and ALA production were obtained. IPTG induction for the expression of the fusion gene did not enhance the production of ALA. Recombinant cell grew at 30't faster than at 37$^{\circ}C$, but ALA productivity was lower than at 37$^{\circ}C$. Repeated addition of glycine, succinic acid, and LA increased the production of ALA and the inhibition of intracellular ALA dehydratase activity, with up to 1.3 g/L ALA having been produced in the cultivation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.638-643
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• 2007

The full encoding sequence for human type II hexokinase (HXK II) was cloned into the E. coli expression vector pET 21b and expressed as a C-terminally hexahistidine-tagged protein in the BL2l (DE3) strain. The IPTG-induced HXK II approximately accounted for 17% of the total E. coli proteins, and 81% of HXK $II_{6{\times}His}$ existed in inclusion bodies. To improve the production of soluble recombinant HXK II protein, in the functionally active form, we used low temperature, and the osmotic stress expression method. When expressed at $18^{\circ}C$, about 83% of HXK $II_{6{\times}His}$ existed in the soluble fraction, which amounted to a 4.1-fold yield over that expressed at $37^{\circ}C$. The soluble form of HXK $II_{6{\times}His}$ was also highly produced in the presence of 1M sorbitol under the standard condition $(37^{\circ}C)$, which indicated that temperature downshift and low water potentials were required to improve the yield of active recombinant HXK II protein. The expressed protein was purified by metal chelate affinity chromatography performed in an IDA Excellose column charged with $Ni^{2+}$ ions, resulting in about 40mg recombinant HXK II protein obtained with purity over 89% from 51 of E. coli culture. The identity of HXK $II_{6{\times}His}$ was confirmed by Western blotting analysis. Taken together, using the stress-governed expression described in this study, human active HXK II can be purified in sufficient amounts for biochemical and biomedical studies.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.93-97
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• 2014

Subolesin (4D8), the ortholog of insect akirins, is a highly conserved protective antigen and thus has the potential for development of a broad-spectrum vaccine against ticks and mosquitoes. To date, no protective antigens have been characterized nor tested as candidate vaccines against Dermacentor silvarum bites and transmission of associated pathogens. In this study, we cloned the open reading frame (ORF) of D. silvarum 4D8 cDNA (Ds4D8), which consisted of 498 bp encoding 165 amino acid residues. The results of sequence alignments and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that D. silvarum 4D8 (Ds4D8) is highly conserved showing more than 81% identity of amino acid sequences with those of other hard ticks. Additionally, Ds4D8 containing restriction sites was ligated into the pET-32(a+) expression vector and the recombinant plasmid was transformed into Escherichia coli rosetta. The recombinant Ds4D8 (rDs4D8) was induced by isopropyl ${\beta}$-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) and purified using Ni affinity chromatography. The SDS-PAGE results showed that the molecular weight of rDs4D8 was 40 kDa, which was consistent with the expected molecular mass considering 22 kDa histidine-tagged thioredoxin (TRX) protein from the expression vector. Western blot results showed that rabbit anti-D. silvarum serum recognized the expressed rDs4D8, suggesting an immune response against rDs4D8. These results provided the basis for developing a candidate vaccine against D. silvarum ticks and transmission of associated pathogens.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.665-680
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• 1996

Bovine Pneumonic Pasteurellosis는 수송열(輸送熱)로 일반적으로 알려져 있는 질병으로서, 여러가지 요인의 복합적(複合的)인 작용에 의해 발병하는 것으로 알려져 있으나, Pasteurella haemolytica A1이 가장 주요(主要)한 인자(因子)로 밝혀져 있다. P haemolytica A1은 leukotoxin(LKT), lipopolysaccharide(LPS), capsular polysaccharide 등 여러가지의 병원성인자(病原性因子)을 생성한다. 이들 인자중 LKT가 가장 중요한 병원성인자로 밝혀져 있다. 이에 본 실험은 P haemolytical A1의 LKT 유전자를 Bacillus subtilis에서 발현(發現)시킴으로서 LPS에 오염(汚染)되지 않은 LKT을 대량으로 생산할 목적으로 실시되었다. 실험의 첫 단계(段階)로서 pLKT52 plasmid을 Sau3 A1의 제한효소을 이용하여 부분소화(部分消化)시킨 후 이 부분 소화(消化)된 유전자들로부터 3~5kb 크기의 유전자들을 순수분리하여 pUC18와 결합시킨 후 E coli NM522에 형질전환(形質轉換)시켰다. 이때 형질전환된 균주들은 LKT에 대한 단크론 항체인 MAb601을 이용하여 colony blot 법에 의해서 LKT 유전자 보유 및 발현여부(發現與否)을 조사하였다. 이들 양성 clone들은 제한효소분석(制限酵素分析), 염기서열분석(鹽基序列分析) 및 Western blot 등에 의해서 재확인(再確認)하였다. 총 9개의 양성 clone중 위의 방법에 의해서 한 clone을 선택(選擇)하여 lktCA insert를 재분리하여 shuttle vector에 subcloning 하였다. Subcloning된 LKT 유전자들은 shuttle vector의 종류(種類)(pHPS9, p602/20, pHPS9-Sac)와 각기(各其) 다른 종류(種類)의 B subtilis(spoO12A, BR121, WB3O, Raj1105) 숙주내(宿主內)에서 발현정도를 Western blot 법에 의해서 비교(比較)하였다. 이때 최적발현조건(最適發現條件)은 p602/20와 pBL1의 dual plasmid system을 이용하여 B subtilis spoO12A에서 2시간동안 IPTG로 발현을 유도(誘導)하는 것이었다. B subtilis에서 발현된 LKT을 visual 법과 neutral red uptake 법을 이용하여 소 폐포(肺胞) 대식구(大食求)에 대한 biological activity를 확인하였다. 발현된 LKT에 대한 LPS 오염은 LKT을 SDS-PAGE 후 silver stain에 의해서 확인하였다. 본 실험을 통해서 볼 때에 lktCA 유전자를 보유(保有)하고 있는 p602/20는 B subtilis에서 매우 불안정(不安定)하였고, 발현된 LKT는 세균자체(細菌自體)에서 생성되는 protease들에 의해서 파괴(破壞)됨으로서 농도(濃度)가 매우 낮았다. 이러한 문제점들은 다음 단계(段階)의 실험에서 해결되어야할 문제들이다.