• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2003

The regulation of pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis has been proved to be controlled by a regulatory protein PyrR-mediated attenuation in the Gram-positive bacteria. After several bacterial genome sequencing projects, we have discovered the PyrR orthologues in the databases for Haemophilus influenzae and Synechocystis and sp. PCC6803 genome sequences. To investigate whether these PyrR orthologue proteins regulate pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis as well as the cases of Bacillus, the PyrR regions of each strains were amplified by PCR and cloned with pUC19 or T-vector in Escherichia coli and with a shuttle vector pHPS9 for E. coli and B. subtilis. For the regulation test of the PyrR orthologues, the aspartate-transcarbamylase (ATCase) assay was carried out. From the results of the ATCase assay, it was confirmed that Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 could not restore by pyrimidines to a B. subtilis, PyrR but H. influenzae PyrR could. For Purification of PyrR orthologue proteins, PyrR orthologue genes were cloned into the expression vector (pET14b). Over-expressed product of PyrR orthologue genes was purified and analyzed by the SDS-PACE. The purified PyrR orthologue proteins from H. influenzae and Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 turned out to be molecular mass of 18 kDa and 21 kDa, respectively. The result of uracil phosphoribosyl transferase (UPRTase) assay with purified PyrR orthologue proteins showed that H. influenzae PyrR protein only has UPRTase activity. In addition, we could predict several regulatory mechanisms that PyrR orthologue proteins regulate pyrimidine de novo synthesis in bacteria, through phylogenetic analysis for PyrR orthologue protein sequences.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.75-82
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• 2016

Pseudomonas rhodesiae KK1 has been reported to degrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), such as anthracene, naphthalene, and phenanthrene, which are considered major environmental contaminants. Interestingly, antioxidant genes, including superoxide dismutase, are known to be expressed at different levels in response to environmental contaminants. This study was performed to identify the superoxide dismutase gene in strain KK1, which may be indirectly involved with degradation of PAHs, as well as to investigate the expression pattern of the superoxide dismutase gene in cells grown on different PAHs. Two types of superoxide dismutase genes responsible for the antioxidant defense mechanism, Mn-superoxide dismutase (sodA) and Fe-superoxide dismutase (sodB), were identified in P. rhodesiae KK1. The sodA gene in strain KK1 shared 95% similarity, based on 141 amino acids, with the Mn-sod of P. fluorescens Pf-5. The sodB strain, based on 135 amino acids, shared 99% similarity with the Fe-sod of P. fluorescens Pf-5. Southern hybridization using the sod gene fragment as a probe showed that at least two copies of superoxide dismutase genes exist in strain KK1. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the sodA and sodB genes were more strongly expressed in response to naphthalene and phenanthrene than to anthracene. Interestingly, sodA and sodB activities were revealed to be maintained in cells grown on all of the tested substrates, including glucose.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1565-1572
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• 2011

Eye-specific lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27, LDH) $C_4$ isozyme in the eyes of greenlings (Hexagrammos otakii) was successfully purified by affinity chromatography and continuous-elution electrophoresis. The molecular weight of the purified eye-specific LDH $C_4$ isozyme was 154.8 kDa, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Optimal pH for enzymatic reaction of the eye-specific LDH $C_4$ isozyme was pH 8.5. $K^{PYR}_m$ value of the purified eye-specific LDH $C_4$ isozyme was $1.88{\times}10^{-5}$ M using pyruvate as a substrate. These results indicate that we must consider pH when measuring eye-specific LDH $C_4$ isozyme activity. The eye-specific LDH $C_4$ isozyme had a higher binding affinity for the substrate as a pyruvate than LDH A4 isozyme. Antibodies produced against the purified eye-specific LDH $C_4$ isozyme may be used in the diagnosis of several human diseases and in comparative physiological studies of fishes.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.311-318
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• 2002

A new bacteriocin producing lactic acid bacteria having antagonistic activity against Lactobacillus plantarum, was isolated from Kimchi. It was identified as Leuconostoc mesenteroides, and designated as Leuconostoc mesenteroides B7. The bacteriocin from Leuconostoc mesenteroides B7 named as bacteriocin B7 was stable in the pH range $2.5{\sim}9.5$. Bacteriocin B7 was active over a wide temperature range from $4^{\circ}C$ to $120^{\circ}C$. It was inactivated by proteinase K, trypsin, ${\alpha}-chymotrypsin$, and protease treatments indicating its proteinous nature. Tricine-SDS-PAGE of the purified bacteriocin B7 showed the presence of a single band, having a molecular mass of about 3,500 dalton. Mixed culture of the producer and the indicator, Lb. plantarum KFRI 464 or Lb. delbruekii KFRI 347, increased production of bacteriocin B7. This result suggested the presence of bacteriocin inducing factor in the indicator strain. The inducing factor was localized in cell debris and intracellular faction of the indicator cell, Lb. plantarum KFRI 464. Treatment of the inducing factor with proteinase K destroyed inducing activity. This result strongly suggested that the inducing factor is a protein.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 1999

Copper-containig enzyme, laccase (Rhus vernicifera) was immobilized onto gold electrode using self-assembly technique and its surface properties and catalytic activities were examined. Laccase is an oxidoreductase capable to oxidize diphenols or diamines by 4-electron reduction of molecular oxygen without superoxide or peroxide intermediates. The electrode surface were modified by $\beta-mercaptopropionate$ to have a net negative charge in neutral solution and positively charged laccase (pI=9) was immobilized by electrostatic interaction. The successful immobilization was confirmed by cyclic voltammograms which showed typical surface-confined shapes and behaviors. The amount of charge to reduce the surface was similar to the charge calculated assuming the surface being covered by monolayer. The activity of the immobilized enzyme was tested by the capbility of oxidizing a substrate, ABTS (2,2-azine-bis-(3-ethylbenzthioline-6-sulfonic acid) and it was maintained for $2\~3$ days at $4^{\circ}C$. The immobilzed laccase showed about $10\~15\%$ activity compared to that in solution. The laccase-modified electrode showed the activity of elefoocatalytic reduction of oxygen in the presence of mediator, $Fe(CN)_6^{3-}$ The addtion of azide which is an inhibitor of laccase compeletly eliminated the catalytic current.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1088-1097
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• 2018

Objective: It is commonly accepted that adiponectin binds to its two receptors to regulate fatty acid metabolism in adipocytes. To better understand their functions in the regulation of intramuscular adipogenesis in goats, we cloned the three genes (adiponectin [AdipoQ], adiponectin receptor 1 [AdipoR1], and AdipoR2) encoding these proteins and detected their mRNA distribution in different tissues. We also determined the role of AdipoQ in the adipogenic differentiation of goat skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs). Methods: SMSCs were isolated using 1 mg/mL Pronase E from the longissimus dorsi muscles of 3-day-old female Nanjiang brown goats. Adipogenic differentiation was induced in satellite cells by transferring the cells to Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium supplemented with an isobutylmethylxanthine, dexamethasone and insulin cocktail. The pEGFP-N1-AD plasmid was transfected into SMSCs using Lipofectamine 2000. Expression of adiponectin in tissues and SMSCs was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemical staining. Results: The three genes were predominantly expressed in adipose and skeletal muscle tissues. According to fluorescence and immunocytochemical analyses, adiponectin protein expression was only observed in the cytoplasm, suggesting that adiponectin is localized to the cytoplasm of goat SMSCs. In SMSCs overexpressing the AdipoQ gene, adiponectin promoted SMSC differentiation into adipocytes and significantly (p<0.05) up-regulated expression of AdipoR2, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty-acid synthase, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1, though expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding $protein-{\alpha}$, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$, and AdipoR1 did not change significantly. Conclusion: Adiponectin induced SMSC differentiation into adipocytes, indicating that adiponectin may promote intramuscular adipogenesis in goat SMSC.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.35-48
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• 1996

Non-biting midges fchironomidae, Dipteral are one of the largest insect families, which are distributed worldwidely and are found in nearly all types of inland waters. They are known to be aggressive inhalant allergens which cause allergenic diseases. In this study, the crude antigens of Chironomus SavipLumn adults which are most widely distributed in Korea were extracted. and their allergens were analysed with the sera from experimentally sensitized mice. The mice were immunized with $1{\;}\mu\textrm{g}{\;}or{\;}10{\;}\mu\textrm{g}$ of the crude antigens, respectively, and the specific serum IgE levels were measured by both ELISA and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) techniques. The highest levels of both total IgE and chironomid-specific IgE were found in the mouse sera obtained after 9 weeks of the first infection with $1{\;}\mu\textrm{g}$ crude antigen. The crude antigen was separated into 16-18 protein bands on gel by SDS-PAGE. The crude extract was assessed by SDS-PAGE/immunoblot analysis. One IgE-binding band (65 kDa) was detected by developing with colorimetric substrate, and 4 IgE-binding bands (65, 52, 35 and 25 kDa) by developing with CSPD chemiluminescent substrate. The SDS-PAGE gel of the crude extract of chironomid adults was equally cut into 30 pieces and each of them was eluted to isolate proteins by molecular weight, and the allergenicity of each eluate was assessed by applying P-K test on rats. Proteins of 65, 35 and 15 KDa showed the highest P-K titer (${\times}512$) which was 16 times higher than that of the crude extract (${\times32}$). The P-K titer of 52 kDa protein was also 4 times higher ($128{\times}$) than that of the crude extract, whereas the 25 kDa protein poorly responded, which seemed not antigenic. In conclusion, the present result in mice demonstrated that adults of Chironomus fcuiplumus, a predominent species in Korea, cause allergenic diseases and the main allergens are 65, 52, 35 and 15 kDa proteins, of which 65 kDa protein seems to be a main allergen.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.106-112
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• 2011

Aromatic copolyamides were prepared and their applicability to proton exchange membrane was studied. The copolymers contain two segments; thermally stable and mechanically strong poly (p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA), and easily processable and good film-forming polysulfone. For the copolymers, different ratios of amine-terminated sulfonated ether sulfone monomer, terephthaloyl chloride, and p-phenylene diamine were sequentially reacted. The obtained copolymers were mixed with trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether (TMPTGE), thermally cured, and converted into proton exchange membranes for fuel cell application. The reactions at each step and the molecular characteristics of precursor copolymers were confirmed by $^1H$ NMR, FTIR, and titration. The performance of the membranes was measured in terms of water uptake and proton conductivity. The water uptake, ion exchange capacity (IEC), and proton conductivity of the membranes increased with the increase of sulfonated ether sulfone segment content. Membrane containing 60 mol% sulfonic acid sulfone segment showed 1.88 meq/g IEC value. Water uptake was limited less than 110 wt% and the highest proton conductivity was up to $7.4{\times}10^{-2}$ S/cm ($25^{\circ}C$, RH=100%).

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.52-59
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• 2011

L-PLA or D-PLA was synthesized in bulk at $140^{\circ}C$ by ring opening polymerization(ROP) of L-lactide or D-lactide as a monomer using tin(II) octoate and lauryl alcohol as a catalyst and an initiator with changing the amounts of catalyst(0.25~1.0 wt%) and initiator(0.l~0.5 wt%). And stereocomplex-PLA was prepared by L-PLA/D-PLA having a wide range of molecular weight(30000~90000 g/mol) and L-PLA/D-PLA blends having different mixing ratio ($X_D$). The melting temperature. thermal degradation temperature and thermal stability of stereocomplex-PLA were higher than those of homopolymers(L-PLA, D-PLA). We supposed that these improvements arose from a strong interaction between L-PLA and D-PLA. The improved mechanical properties and changes in morphology of LPLA/D-PLA blends were compared to those of homopolymers(L-PLA, D-PLA).

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.181-186
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• 2016

The hydrophilic ophthalmic lens with addition of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA) and Ag nanoparticles were manufactured. And also, the cross-linker ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) and the initiator azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) were used for polymerization. The polymerization of the hydrogel lens material was conducted through thermal polymerization in 100 ℃ for 1h. The optical and physical characteristics of hydrogel lens were evaluated by measuring water content, refractive index and optical transmittance. The water content of sample containing HEA, HEMA and HPMA was in the average of 82.12%, 37.06% and 21.57%, respectively. And also, refractive index of the sample containing HEA, HEMA and HPMA was in the average of 1.3540, 1.4330 and 1.4649, respectively. In case of the optical properties of the sample, the results showed that the near-UV transmittance was 82.67%, 80.32% and 79.83%, and the visible transmittance was 89.72%, 88.24% and 86.89%, respectively. And also, optical transmittance of the sample containing Ag nanoparticles showed that the near-UV transmittance of 10.59% and visible transmittance of 43.74% were obtained. From the results, the molecular length influenced on the water content and refractive index of the polymerized material.