• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.27 no.10
• /
• pp.1618-1622
• /
• 2006

Bacteriophage T7 gp4A' is a ring-shaped hexameric DNA helicase that catalyzes duplex DNA unwinding using dTTP hydrolysis as an energy source. To investigate the effect of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) on the kinetic pathway of dTTP hydrolysis by the T7 DNA helicase complexed with ssDNA, we have first determined optimal concentration of long circular M13 single-stranded DNA and pre-incubation time in the absence of $Mg^{2+}$ which is necessary for the helicase-ssDNA complex formation. Steady state dTTP hydrolysis in the absence of $Mg^{2+}$ by the helicase-ssDNA complex provided $k_{cat}$ of $8.5\;{\times}\;10^{-3}\;sec^{-1}$. Pre-steady state kinetics of the dTTP hydrolysis by the pre-assembled hexameric helicase was monitored by using the rapid chemical quench-flow technique both in the presence and absence of M13 ssDNA. Pre-steady state dTTP hydrolysis showed distinct burst kinetics in both cases, indicating that product release step is slower than dTTP hydrolysis step. Pre-steady state burst rates were similar both in the presence and absence of ssDNA, while steady state dTTP hydrolysis rate in the presence of ssDNA was much faster than in the absence of ssDNA. These results suggest that single-stranded DNA stimulates dTTP hydrolysis reaction by T7 helicase by enhancing the rate of product release step.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.65-73
• /
• 2004

I report that single-stranded antisense as a part of large circular (LC-) genomic DNA of recombinant M13 phage exhibits enhanced stability, sequence specific antisense activity, and no need for target site search. A cDNA fragment (708 bp) of rat TNF-$\alpha$ was inserted into a phagemid vector, and TNF-$\alpha$ antisense molecules (TNF$\alpha$-LCAS) were produced as single-stranded circular DNA. When introduced into a rat monocyte/macrophage cell line, WRT7/P2, TNF$\alpha$-LCAS was able to ablate LPS-induced TNF-$\alpha$ mRNA to completion. The antisense effect of TNF$\alpha$-LCAS was shown to be sequence-specific because expressions of three control genes ($\beta$-actin, GAPDH and IL-1$\beta$) were not significantly altered by the antisense treatment. Further, TNF$\alpha$-LCAS was found to be highly efficacious as only 0.1 $\mu$g (0.24 nM) of TNF$\alpha$-LCAS was sufficient to block TNF-$\alpha$ expression in 1$\times10^5$ WRT7/P2 cells. I have also observed specific antisense activity in reduction of NF-$\kappa$B gene expression. The results suggest that an antisense sequence as a part of single-stranded circular genomic DNA has a specific antisense activity.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.30 no.8
• /
• pp.1724-1728
• /
• 2009

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) helicase separates the double-stranded nucleic acids using the energy from ATP hydrolysis. We have measured ATPase activity of SARS-CoV helicase in the presence of various types of nucleic acids. Steady state ATPase analysis showed that poly(U) has two-times higher turnover number than poly(C) with lower Michaelis constant. When M13 single-stranded DNA is used as substrate, the Michaelis constant was about twenty-times lower than poly(U), whereas turnover numbers were similar. However, stimulation of ATPase activity was not observed in the presence of double-stranded DNA. pH dependent profiles of ATP hydrolysis with the helicase showed that the optimal ATPase activities were in a range of pH 6.2 ~ 6.6. In addition, ATP hydrolysis activity assays performed in the presence of various divalent cations exhibited that $Mg^{2+}$ stimulated the ATPase activity with the highest rate and $Mn^{2+}$ with about 40% rate as compared to the $Mg^{2+}$.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.38 no.6
• /
• pp.690-694
• /
• 2005

Transcription termination of the human mitochondrial genome requires specific binding to termination factor mTERF. In this study, mTERF was produced in E. coli and purified by two-step chromatography. mTERF-binding DNA sequences were isolated from a pool of randomized sequences by the repeated selection of bound sequences by gel-mobility shift assay and polymerase chain reaction. Sequencing and comparison of the 23 isolated clones revealed a 16-bp consensus sequence of 5'-GTG$\b{TGGC}$AGANCCNGG-3' in the light-strand (underlined residues were absolutely conserved), which nicely matched the genomic 13-bp terminator sequence 5'-$\b{TGGC}$AGAGCCCGG-3'. Moreover, mTERF binding assays of heteroduplex and single-stranded DNAs showed mTERF recognized the light strand in preference to the heavy strand. The preferential binding of mTERF with the light-strand may explain its distinct orientation-dependent termination activity.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.305-310
• /
• 2009

Plasmid pGKV21 contains a 229-nucleotide (nt) single-strand DNA initiation (ssi) signal. Using asymmetric PCR, we prepared a small single-stranded (ss) DNA fragment of the ssi signal and, using the 229-nt ssDNA fragment, determined the requirements of RNA polymerase for priming and DNA-protein interaction. The ssi fragment prepared was able to generate primer RNAs with almost the same efficiency as the $M13{\Delta}lac182/229$ phage DNA. However, the cssi (complementary strand of the ssi signal) fragment could not synthesize primer RNAs. This result suggests that the 229-nt ssi signal functions in a strand specific manner. Gel retardation and DNase I footprinting demonstrated that the synthesized ssi fragment could interact with both E. coli RNA polymerase and SSB protein to synthesize primer RNA. In Escherichia coli [pWVAp], an addition of rifampicin resulted in an accumulation of ssDNA, indicating that the host-encoded RNA polymerase is involved in the conversion of ssDNA to double-stranded plasmid DNA.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.88-92
• /
• 1988

The isolation and characterization of a new type II methylase, BmaI methylase, from Bacillus macerans ATCC 8244 were described. BmaI methylase was isolated by procedures of ammonium sulfate fractionation, DEAE-cellulose chromatography and phosphocellulose chromatography. Two types of methylases were present in this strain and only one of the two was a site specific BmaI methylase. The pBR322 DNA methylated by BmaI methylase was not cleaved by BmaI endonuclease, and pBR322 DNA cleaved by BmaI endonuclease was not methylated by BmaI methylase. The optimal pH for the BmaI methylase activity was 7.5, and optimal NaCl concentration was about 50 mM. BmaI methylase could methylate single-stranded M13mp18 DNA.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.209-216
• /
• 1993

This study was conducted to classify Korean native chicken(KNC) and imported chicken by phenotypic performances and DNA fingerprinting. Two lines, KNC and White Leghorn(WL) , of chicken were maintained in the laboratory of Yeungnam University. Economic traits (body weight, sexual maturity, hen-day egg production, egg weight) and phenotypic characteristics (body-type, head, feather, shank) were checked. The DNA fingerprinting was analyzed for both breeds. The growth rate of the KNC was similar to WLS and sexual maturity of the KNC came later than WL. Hen-day egg production of the KNC was also slightly lower than the WL. The egg weight was about 10g lighter than WL. There was no difference in body weight of female KNC compared to the WL after 28 weeks. The study confirms difference between KNC and WL in DNA fingerprinting as well as its outlook. Thus, we suggest that these should be tested in nationwide districts about chickens known as the KNC using DNA fingerprinting. Then, the confirmed KNC populations should be maintained and used for the genetic improvement. Finally, only confirmed KNC should be in market which induce consumer to seek the KNC by its favorite.