• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.160-165
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• 2005

We have developed SH (shear horizontal) surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors for detection of the immobilization and hybridization of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) on the gold coated delay line of transverse SAW devices. The experiments of DNA immobilization and hybridization were performed with 15-mer oligonucleotides (probe and complementary target DNA). The sensor consists of twin SAW delay line oscillators operating at 100 MHz fabricated on $36^{\circ}$ rotated Y-cut $LiTaO_3$ piezoelectric single crystals. The relative change in the frequency of the two oscillators was monitored to detect the hybridization between target DNA and immobilized probe DNA in pH 7.4 PBS (phosphate buffered saline) solution. The measurement results showed a good response of the sensor to the mass loading effects of the DNA immobilization and hybridization with the sensitivity up to $1.55{\cal}ng/{\cal}ml/Hz$.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.103-108
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• 2000

We have cloned and analyzed cDNA coding for non-virion (NV) protein of the m V - P R T The NV gene contained 336 bp open readmg frame and encoded a protein of 11 1 amino acids with a molecular weight of 13.2 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence of NV of IHNVPRT was found to be 90-95% identical to those of foreign isolates of IHNV. These results indicate that NV gene of the MNV is highly conserved among &ifferent strains of THNV Northern blot analyses revealed that the levels of NV gene expression were strongly elevated after 20 h post-infection. In order to identify the role of NV in the replication of MNV in fish cells, IHNVinfected cells were treated with antisense oligonucleotides. While IHNV-PRT exposed to glycoprotein (G) antisense oligonucleotide showed severely reduced growth, the growth of virus exposed to NV antisense oligonucleotide was not affected by NV antisense oligonucleotide, which suggests that NV is not essential for replication of IHNV in fish cells.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 1990

To examine the effects of sequence variations near the transcriptional start site on the rate of formation of the open complexes at bacteriophage $\lambda P_{R}$ promoter, two mutant promoters were created by site-specific mutagenesis using synthetic oligonucleotides. Mutant I coatains changes at positions -3 and -4 from TT to CC, thus having a 6-bp long G/C stretch between -10 region and transciptional start site (+1). Mutant II has changes at positions -5 and -6 from GG to AA, thereby having a 9-bp long A/T stretch between positions -11 and -3. Selective filter binding assays were performed to measure the rate of formation of the open complexes between the wild-type or two mutant $P_{R}$ promoters on 664 bp fragments and E. coli RNA polymerase at two temperatures. At 37.deg.C, the wild-type and two mutants showed similar rates for the formation of open complex. The second order rate constant $k_{a}$ and $\tau _{int}$, as determined from the .tau.-plot analysis, were $(6.0\pm0.4)\times10^{6}M^{-1}sec^{-1}$ and $11\pm5$sec, respectively. At 18.deg.C, however, the wild-type and two mutant promoters showed differences in the kinetic parameters. k for the wild-type promoter was (2.2$\pm$0.1)\times 10^{6}M^{-1}sec^{-1}$ and $\tau _{int}$ was 76$\pm$sec. Mutant I and II exhibited differences mainly in the rate of isomerization ($\tau_{int,I}=91\pm$10 sec, int,II=34$\pm$ sec), whereas the second order rate constant $k_{a}$ was similar to the wild type value. This result implies that at $18^{\circ}C$, the isomerization rate is determined by both protein conformational change and DNA melting, which are separable kinetically according to the 3-step mechanism of Roe et al.(1984,1985), and that the base changes affected mainly the rate of DNA melting as predicted.lting as predicted.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.122-129
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• 2020

Objective: The survival of a semi-allogeneic fetus depends on several immunological mechanisms, and it has been suggested that recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) could develop as a result of one or more immunological abnormalities. Methods: Compatibility between partners for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotypes and the relationships between maternal killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) and paternal HLA-Bw4/Bw6 and HLA-C1/C2 supra-groups were investigated in 25 couples with RPL in comparison to healthy couples with children. HLA and KIR genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers and/or sequence-specific oligonucleotides. Results: HLA class I incompatibility between partners, especially in HLA-B alleles, was more common in the RPL group (p= 0.01). HLA-C2 homozygosity was more frequent in the male partners of RPL couples than in other groups (p= 0.03). The KIR2DL5 gene frequency was significantly higher in both the female and male partners of RPL couples, whereas the KIR2DS3 gene frequency in male partners of RPL couples was significantly reduced (p= 0.03). The presence of KIR2DL3 in women with RPL was correlated with the presence of HLA-C2 alleles in their spouses (p= 0.03). Conclusion: Our data from a Turkish population suggest that male HLA-C2 homozygosity may play an important role in RPL. Additionally, an incidental match between male HLA-C2 and female HLA-C1 ligand KIR receptors might perturb the balance between activatory and inhibitory KIR-ligand interactions during pregnancy in couples affected by RPL. The roles of orphan KIR2DL5 and orphan KIR2DS3 in RPL remain obscure.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.122-129
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• 2015

DBM-2198, a six-membered azasugar nucleotide (6-AZN)-containing phosphorothioate (P = S) oligonucleotide (AZPSON), was described in our previous publication [Lee et al. (2005)] with regard to its antiviral activity against a broad spectrum of HIV-1 variants. This report describes the mechanisms underlying the anti-HIV-1 properties of DBM-2198. The LTR-mediated reporter assay indicated that the anti-HIV-1 activity of DBM-2198 is attributed to an extracellular mode of action rather than intracellular sequence-specific antisense activity. Nevertheless, the antiviral properties of DBM-2198 and other AZPSONs were highly restricted to HIV-1. Unlike other P = S oligonucleotides, DBM-2198 caused no host cell activation upon administration to cultures. HIV-1 that was pre-incubated with DBM-2198 did not show any infectivity towards host cells whereas host cells pre-incubated with DBM-2198 remained susceptible to HIV-1 infection, suggesting that DBM-2198 acts on the virus particle rather than cell surface molecules in the inhibition of HIV-1 infection. Competition assays for binding to HIV-1 envelope protein with anti-gp120 and anti-V3 antibodies revealed that DBM-2198 acts on the viral attachment site of HIV-1 gp120, but not on the V3 region. This report provides a better understanding of the antiviral mechanism of DBM-2198 and may contribute to the development of a potential therapeutic drug against a broad spectrum of HIV-1 variants.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.251-258
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• 2011

Here we have investigated how lactosylceramide (LacCer) modulates gene expression of adhesion molecules in TNF-${\alpha}$ and IFN ${\gamma}$ (CM)-stimulated astrocytes. We have observed that stimulation of astrocytes with CM increased the gene expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. D-Threo-1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (PDMP) and N-butyldeoxynojirimycin (NBDNJ), inhibitors of glucosylceramide synthase (GLS) and LacCer synthase (galactosyltransferase, GalT-2), inhibited the gene expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 and activation of their gene promoter induced by CM, which were reversed by exogenously supplied LacCer. Silencing of GalT-2 gene using its antisense oligonucleotides also attenuated CM-induced ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression, which were reversed by LacCer. PDMP treatment and silencing of GalT-2 gene significantly reduced CM-induced luciferase activities in NF-${\kappa}B$, AP-1, GAS, and STAT-3 luciferase vectors-transfected cells. In addition, LacCer reversed the inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ and STAT-1 luciferase activities by PDMP. Taken together, our results suggest that LacCer may play a crucial role in the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 via modulating transcription factors, such as NF-${\kappa}B$, AP-1, STAT-1, and STAT-3 in CM-stimulated astrocytes.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.522-527
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• 1995

To develop an antiviral agent for the rice black-streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV), a hammerhead type ribozyme, which has a potential target site on the genome segment 3, was designed. Oligonucleotides for the ribozyme and its substrate were synthesized, annealed, and cloned into a plasmid pBluescript II KS(+). Ribozyme and substrate RNAs were then synthesized by in vitro transcription with $T_3$ RNA polymerase, obtaining RNAs in expected size, 193 and 182 nucleotides, respectively. The substrate RNA was efficiently cleaved into two fragments when incubated with the ribozyme at $55^{\circ}C$, while the cleavage was not detected at $37^{\circ}C$. In addition, the segment 3 RNA of RBSDV was also cleaved into two fragments by the same ribozyme at $55^{\circ}C$. Taken together, our results demonstrated that the hammerhead ribozyme has an in vitro endonucleolytic activity and may be used as an antiviral agent in transgenic plants.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.118-122
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• 2019

Oxytocin (Oxt) and vasopressin (Avp) are mainly synthesized in neuronal cells of the hypothalamus and are released from the posterior pituitary. The structure and sequences of Oxt and Avp genes imply that they are closely related and that they are the result of a duplication event during evolution. A previous study suggested that a small regulatory microRNA (miRNA), miR-24, regulated Oxt after binding. However, it is not clear whether this miRNA can modulate Avp simultaneously. The aim of the present study was to investigate putative targeting miRNAs of Avp, including miR-24. Targeted candidate miRNA oligonucleotides were transfected into COS-7 cells to elucidate the binding activity of miRNAs and Avp using dual-luciferase assays. The luciferase assay showed that only miR-24 displayed elevated binding activity with Avp as compared to a control and other candidate miRNAs. Transfection with seed mutants of Avp and miR-24 inhibitors clearly showed that miR-24 can directly bind to the Avp gene. These results provide new insight into the regulatory mechanism of neurohypophysial hormones by a single miRNA.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.11
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• pp.846-854
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• 2022

Neurons make long-distance connections via their axons, and the accuracy and stability of these connections are crucial for brain function. Research using various animal models showed that the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the assembly and maintenance of neuronal circuitry are highly conserved in vertebrates. Therefore, to gain a deeper understanding of brain development and maintenance, an efficient vertebrate model is required, where the axons of a defined neuronal cell type can be genetically manipulated and selectively visualized in vivo. Placental mammals pose an experimental challenge, as time-consuming breeding of genetically modified animals is required due to their in utero development. Xenopus laevis, the most commonly used amphibian model, offers comparative advantages, since their embryos ex utero during which embryological manipulations can be performed. However, the tetraploidy of the X. laevis genome makes them not ideal for genetic studies. Here, we use Xenopus tropicalis, a diploid amphibian species, to visualize axonal pathfinding and degeneration of a single central nervous system neuronal cell type, the retinal ganglion cell (RGC). First, we show that RGC axons follow the developmental trajectory previously described in X. laevis with a slightly different timeline. Second, we demonstrate that co-electroporation of DNA and/or oligonucleotides enables the visualization of gene function-altered RGC axons in an intact brain. Finally, using this method, we show that the axon-autonomous, Sarm1-dependent axon destruction program operates in X. tropicalis. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that the visual system of X. tropicalis is a highly efficient model to identify new molecular mechanisms underlying axon guidance and survival.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.328-336
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• 2022

Aptamers are short, chemically synthesized, single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotides that fold into unique three-dimensional structures. In this study, we aim to determine the antibiofilm activity and binding specificity of the six polyclonal DNA aptamers (S15K3, S15K4, S15K6, S15K13, S15K15, and S15K20) on Staphylococcus aureus BPA-12 and Escherichia coli EPEC 4. Aptamer S15K6 showed the highest percentage of antibiofilm activity against S. aureus BPA-12 (37.4%) as shown by the lowest OD570 value of 0.313. Aptamer S15K20 showed the highest percentage of antibiofilm activity against E. coli EPEC 4 (15.4%) as shown by the lowest OD570 value of 0.515. Aptamers S15K13 and S15K20 showed antibiofilm activities against both S. aureus BPA-12 and E. coli EPEC4, and thus potentially have broad reactivity. Furthermore, based on the binding capacity and Kd values from our previous study, the binding specificity assay of selected polyclonal DNA aptamers (S15K3 and S15K15) against S. aureus BPA-12, E. coli EPEC 4, S. aureus BPA-6, S. agalactiae, E. coli MHA-6, and Listeria monocytogenes were performed using qPCR. Aptamers S15K3 and S15K15 showed specific binding to S. aureus BPA-12, E. coli EPEC 4, S. aureus BPA-6, and S. agalactiae, but could not bind to E. coli MHA-6 and L. monocytogenes. Therefore, this study showed that the polyclonal DNA aptamers have antibiofilm activity and were able to bind to S. aureus BPA-12 and E. coli EPEC 4 bacteria.