• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.207-218
• /
• 2008

The impacts of planted transgenic rice varieties on bacterial communities in paddy soils were monitored using both cultivation and molecular methods. The rice field plot consisted of eighteen subplots planted with two genetically modified (GM) rice and four non-GM rice plants in three replicates. Analysis with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of PCR-amplified 16S rRNA genes revealed that the bacterial community structures were quite similar to each other in a given month, suggesting that there were no significant differences in bacterial communities between GM and non-GM rice soils. The bacterial community structures appeared to be generally stable with the seasons, as shown by a slight variation of microbial population levels and DGGE banding patterns over the year. Comparison analysis of 16S rDNA clone libraries constructed from soil bacterial DNA showed that there were no significant differences between GM and non-GM soil libraries but revealed seasonal differences of phyla distribution between August and December. The composition profile of phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) between GM and non-GM soils also was not significantly different to each other. When soil DNAs were analyzed with PCR by using primers for the bar gene, which was introduced into GM rice, positive DNA bands were found in October and December soils. However, no bar gene sequence was detected in PCR analysis with DNAs extracted from both cultured and uncultured soil bacterial fractions. The result of this study suggested that, in spite of seasonal variations of bacterial communities and persistence of the bar gene, the bacterial communities of the experimental rice field were not significantly affected by cultivation of GM rice varieties.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.184-193
• /
• 2007

In mammalian ovary, steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein mediates the true rate-limiting step of transport of cholesterol from outer to inner mitochondrial membrane. Appropriate expression of StAR gene represents an indispensable component of steroidogenesis and its regulation has been found to be species specific. However, limited information is available regarding StAR gene expression during estrous cycle in buffalo ovary. In the present study, expression, localization and hormonal regulation of StAR mRNA were analyzed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR in buffalo ovary and partial cDNA was cloned. Total RNA was isolated from whole follicles of different sizes, granulosa cells from different size follicles and postovulatory structures like corpus luteum and Corpus albicans. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analyses showed StAR mRNA expression in the postovulatory structure, corpus luteum. No StAR mRNA was detected in total RNA isolated from whole follicles of different size including the preovulatory follicle (>9 mm in diameter). However, granulosa cells isolated from preovulatory follicles showed the moderate expression of StAR mRNA. To assess the hormonal regulation of StAR mRNA, primary culture of buffalo granulosa cells were treated with FSH (100 ng/ml) alone or along with IGF-I (100 ng/ml) for 12 to 18 h. The abundance of StAR mRNA increased in cells treated with FSH alone or FSH with IGF-I. However, effect of FSH with IGF-I on mRNA expression was found highly significant (p<0.01). In conclusion, differential expression of StAR messages was observed during estrous cycle in buffalo ovary. Also, there was a synergistic action of IGF-I on FSH stimulation of StAR gene.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.48 no.5
• /
• pp.574-582
• /
• 2010

In this study, the possibility of a quartz crystal micro-balance(QCM) modification of crystallization of L-Penicillamine and D-Penicillamine with a Vapor Diffused Molecular Assembly Technique and its application to the R-(-)-Mandelic acid and S-(+)- Mandelic acid measurement was investigated. The 3-dimensional structures of L-Penicillamine and D-Penicillamine on the surface of QCM were verified to be different from each other through QCM and AFM analyses. The D-Penicillamine modified QCM had specific recognition to the R-(-)-Mandelic acid, but L-Penicillamine modified QCM had no specificity to the R-(-)-Mandelic acid and S-(+)- Mandelic acid. From these results, it was known that the QCM could be modified with various selective meterials via VDMA, and the chiral isomer such as a Mandelic acid isomer could be detected by using a modified QCM.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.21 no.6
• /
• pp.545-551
• /
• 2020

Cause analysis of surface pitting crack on a waterjet impeller was conducted. The waterjet impeller was made from stainless steel duplex 2205, which is more resistant to corrosion and local corrosion than typical stainless steel 316L and 317L, and has high mechanical strength, making it a useful material in various marine structures and seawater desalination facilities. The measurements were taken by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and molecular ecological detection. The chemical composition of S was examined by SEM in the area of pitting corrosion. The dsrAB gene was detected on the sample of the pitting corrosion of the impeller through molecular ecological detection. Therefore, pitting corrosion on the surface of a waterjet impeller was caused by sulphite-reducing bacteria (SRB). To prevent the spread of SRB, management is required through high temperature treatments (over 65℃), pH management, or the insulation of a hull and waterjet.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.215-218
• /
• 2005

An atlas of high resolution (${\lambda}/{\Delta}{\lambda}$=45,000) profiles of interstellar atomic lines of K I (7665, 7699 ${\AA}$), Na I (D 1, D2), Ca II (H, K), Ca I (4227 ${\AA}$), molecular structures of CH, CH+, CN and the major diffuse interstellar bands at 5780 and 5797 ${\AA}$ based on ${\~}$300 echelle spectra of ${\~}$200 OB stars is presented. Relationships between the reddenings, distances and equivalent widths of NaI, CaII, KI, CH, CH+, CN and diffuse bands are discussed. The equivalent width of K I (7699 ${\AA}$) as well as of CH4300 ${\AA}$ / correlate very tightly with E(B- V) in contrast to the features of neutral sodium, ionized calcium and the molecular ion CH+. The equivalent widths of the Hand K lines of Call grow with distance at a rate ${\~}$250m${\AA}$ per 1 kpc. A similar relation for NaI is much less tight. The strengths of neutral potassium lines, molecular features and diffuse interstellar bands do not correlate practically with distance. These facts suggest that ionized calcium fills the interstellar space quite homogeneously while the other carriers mentioned above, especially K I, CH and these of diffuse bands occupy more and more compact volumes, also filled with dust grains. Apparently the carriers of narrow diffuse bands are spatially correlated with simple molecules and dust grains - all abundant in the so-called 'zeta' type clouds. The same environment seems to be hostile to the carriers of broad diffuse interstellar bands (DIEs) (like 5780 or 6284) and -to a certain extent - also to CaII, NaI and CH+.

• Genomics & Informatics
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.15-24
• /
• 2015

Fatty acid synthase (FASN, EC 2.3.1.85), is a multi-enzyme dimer complex that plays a critical role in lipogenesis. This lipogenic enzyme has gained importance beyond its physiological role due to its implications in several clinical conditions-cancers, obesity, and diabetes. This has made FASN an attractive pharmacological target. Here, we have attempted to predict the theoretical models for the human enoyl reductase (ER) and ${\beta}$-ketoacyl reductase (KR) domains based on the porcine FASN crystal structure, which was the structurally closest template available at the time of this study. Comparative modeling methods were used for studying the structure-function relationships. Different validation studies revealed the predicted structures to be highly plausible. The respective substrates of ER and KR domains-namely, trans-butenoyl and ${\beta}$-ketobutyryl-were computationally docked into active sites using Glide in order to understand the probable binding mode. The molecular dynamics simulations of the apo and holo states of ER and KR showed stable backbone root mean square deviation trajectories with minimal deviation. Ramachandran plot analysis showed 96.0% of residues in the most favorable region for ER and 90.3% for the KR domain, respectively. Thus, the predicted models yielded significant insights into the substrate binding modes of the ER and KR catalytic domains and will aid in identifying novel chemical inhibitors of human FASN that target these domains.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.48 no.12
• /
• pp.685-690
• /
• 2015

The eukaryotic genome is packed into chromatin, which is important for the genomic integrity and gene regulation. Chromatin structures are maintained through assembly and disassembly of nucleosomes catalyzed by histone chaperones. Asf1 (anti-silencing function 1) is a highly conserved histone chaperone that mediates histone transfer on/off DNA and promotes histone H3 lysine 56 acetylation at globular core domain of histone H3. To elucidate the role of Asf1 in the modulation of chromatin structure, we screened and identified small molecules that inhibit Asf1 and H3K56 acetylation without affecting other histone modifications. These pyrimidine-2,4,6-trione derivative molecules inhibited the nucleosome assembly mediated by Asf1 in vitro, and reduced the H3K56 acetylation in HeLa cells. Furthermore, production of HSV viral particles was reduced by these compounds. As Asf1 is implicated in genome integrity, cell proliferation, and cancer, current Asf1 inhibitor molecules may offer an opportunity for the therapeutic development for treatment of diseases.

• Macromolecular Research
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.195-205
• /
• 2004

We have synthesized new aromatic polyesters (DiPEG-HQ and DiPEG-BP) by condensation polymerization of a terephthalic acid derivative bearing a pendant oligo(oxyethylene) (DP = 7, MW = 350), which has a methoxy terminal group, and two different aromatic diols, hydroquinone and 4,4'-biphenoI. The synthesized polymers were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing microscopy, and X-ray diffractometry for their liquid crystallinity (LC), thermal transitions, and structural morphologies in mesophases. The morphology of the LC phases depends strongly on the length of the rigid backbone repeating unit. The DiPEG-BP polymer having a longer repeating unit exhibits both layered and nematic structures before isotropization, whereas the DiPEG-HQ polymer having a shorter repeating unit shows only the layered structure in the mesophase. We found that the layer spacing for DiPEG-HQ is larger than that for DiPEG-BP. Both polymers easily form complexes with LiCF$_3$SO$_3$; we studied this complex formation by FT-IR spectroscopy. The layer spacing of the polymer-electrolyte composites increases upon increasing the amount of the lithium salt. The polymer/salt electrolyte mixtures we investigated at molar ratios of EO:salt in the range of 5-20 exhibit electrical conductivity values at 40$^{\circ}C$ of 2.4${\times}$10$\^$5/ and 1.1${\times}$10$\^$－5/ S/cm for DiPEG-HQ/LiCF$_3$SO$_3$ and DiPEG-BP/LiCF$_3$SO$_3$, respectively. At 80 $^{\circ}C$, these values are higher: 4.6${\times}$10$\^$－3/ and 1.1${\times}$10$\^$－4/ S/cm, respectively. The activation energy of conductivity depends strongly on the salt concentration.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.364-369
• /
• 1998

Insect plasma protein is abundant in the hemolymph of holometabolous insect larvae and is used as a source of amino acids and energy for construction of adult structures during metamorphosis. In order to understand the mechanism of decomposition of larval plasma proteins by hemocyte protease, we tried to purify a cysteine protease from the hemocyte lysate by using Carbobenzoxy-L-Phenylalanyl-L-Arginine-4-Methyl-Coumaryl-7-Amide (Z-Phe-Arg-MCA) as substrate and to identify plasma proteins that are selectively susceptible to the purified protease. Here, we describe the purification and characterization of a cysteine protease that specifically hydrolyzes the plasma protein of the coleopteran insect, Tenebrio molitor, larvae. The molecular mass of this enzyme was 25 kDa, as determined by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions. The amino acids sequence of its $NH_{2}-terminus$ was determined to be Leu-Pro-Gly-Gln-Ile-Asp-Trp-Arg-Asp-Lys-Gly. This sequence contained Pro, Asp, and Arg residues, conserved in many papain superfamily enzymes. The specific cysteine protease inhibitors, such as E-64 and leupetin, inhibited its hydrolytic activity. One plasma protein with a molecular mass of 48 kDa was selectively hydrolyzed within 3 h when the purified enzyme and plasma proteins were incubated in vitro. However, the 48 kDa protein was not hydrolyzed by the purified 25 kDa protease in the presence of E-64. Western blotting analysis at various developmental stages showed that the purified enzyme was detected at larvae, pupae, and adult stages, but not the embryo stage.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.15 no.6
• /
• pp.1250-1257
• /
• 2005

Two groups of exopolysaccharides (designated as Fr-I EPS and Fr-II EPS) were isolated from the culture filtrate of new fungal strain Trichoderma erinaceum DG-312 by Sepharose CL-6B chromatography. The structures of the exopolysaccharides were investigated using gas chromatography (GC), Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, GCMS analysis, and NMR. GC analysis indicated that Fr-I EPS was composed of mainly mannose ($78.9\%$) and galactose ($21.1\%$), whereas Fr-II EPS contained mannose ($68.4\%$), galactose ($26.2\%$), and glucose ($5.4\%$). In the anomeric region ($950-700cm_{-1}$) of the FT-IR spectrum, both EPSs exhibited obvious characteristic absorption of $810\;cm_{-1}$, indicating the existence of mannose. The spectra of $\alpha-and\;\beta$-configurations were assigned at 880 and $914\;cm_{-1}$, respectively. The results of GC-MS analyses confirmed that both EPSs were complex heteropolysaccharides with a ($1{\rightarrow}3$)-linked mannan backbone. The C-1 region that appeared in the $^{13}C-NMR$ spectra of these EPSs indicated a typical anomeric carbon signal. The Fr-I EPS showed two anomeric carbon signals at 102.6 and 99.6 ppm, whereas the Fr-II EPS displayed four anomeric carbon signals at 102.5, 99.6, 98.5, and 94.3 ppm. The molecular characteristics of the EPSs were further investigated using a size exclusion chromatography/multi-angle laser light scattering (SEC/MALLS) system. The SEC/MALLS system revealed that the average molar masses of the EPSs were $6.592{\times}10^{4}$ (Fr-I EPS) and $1.920{\times}10^{4}$ (Fr-II EPS) g/mol, and the molecular conformation of both EPSs in aqueous solution was random coils.