• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.45-50
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• 2003

Biological activities of PAHs are not known although PAHs are considered as carcinogens. Recent industrial society has human widely exposed to PAHs (polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons) that are comming from the incomplete combustion of organic material as wider spread environmental contaminants. Our laboratory have been studied the effect of PAHs in the human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. In this study, we examined the human breast cancer MCF-7 cells as a new system to evaluate bioactivity of PAHs. We have selected 13 PAHs to examine bioassay using CYP1A1-luciferase reporter gene expression system where CYP1A1 1.6 Kb 5flanking region DNA was cloned in front of luciferase reporter gene and this plasmid was transfected into MCF-7 cells transiently. This cells then used for the study to observe the effect of PAHs. We demonstrated that PAHs induced the CYP1A1 promoter, CYP1A1 mRNA and 7-ethoxyresolufin O-deethylase (EROD) activities in a concentration-dependant manner. None of PAHs that we have tested showed stronger stimulatory effect on CYP1 gene expression than TCDD. Benz(a)anthracene and benzo(b)fluoranthene were weak responders to CYP1A1 promoter activity stimulation, CYP1A1 mRNA and EROD induction in MCF-7 cells and these chemicals seemed to respond less either CYP1A1 mRNA or EROD than CYP1A1 promoter activity. Benzo(k)fluoranthene, chrysene, and dibenzo(a, h)anthracene showed strong response to CYP1A1 promoter activity stimulation, CYP1A1 mRNA increase and also EROD induction in MCF-7 cells. Results of dose response study suggested that two strong responding PAHs, such as benzo(k)fluoranthene and dibenzo(a, h)anthracene might be mediated through Aryl hydrocarbon receptors system in MCF-7 cells.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.135.2-136
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• 2003

To characterize plasmids in Xanthomonu axonopodis pv. glycines, we isolated plasmids pAG1 from the strain AG1 and pXAG81 and PXAG82 from the strain Bra, respectively, and sequenced three plasmids. The size of plasmids, pAG1, pXAG81, and pXAG82 was 15,149-base pairs (bp), 26,727-bp, and 1,496-bp, respectively Fifteen and twenty six possible open reading frames (ORFs) were present in pAG1 and pXAG81, respectively. Only one ORF homologous to a rep gene of Xylella fastidiosa was present in pXAG82. pAG1 contained genes homologous to avrBs3, tnpA, tnpR, repA, htrA, three parA genes, M.XmaI, R.XmaI, and six hypothetical proteins. pXAG81 contained genes homologous to avrBs3, tnpA, tnpR, repA, htrA, two parA genes, pemI, pemK, mobA, mobB, mobC, mobD, mobE, trwB, traF, traH, ISxac2, and eleven hypothetical proteins. Based on DNA sequence analysis, we presume that pXAG81 is a conjugal plasmid. Interestingly, we found 0.5-kb truncated avirulence gene similar to aurXacE3 on the right border of avrBs3 homolgs of pAG1 and pXAG81. Two hundred twenty five isolates were analyzed to find aurBS3 or tra gene homologs by Southern hybridization. The numbers of avrBs3 homolog varied from 3 in AG1 to 8 in AG166. Two hundred seventeen isolates appeared to can conjugative plasmids (pXAG81 type), and thirty eight isolates appeared to carry non-conjugative plamids (pAGl type). This indicated that aurBs3 gene homologs might be spread by conjugation in X. axonopodis pv. glycines.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.496-503
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• 2002

To develop a yeast strain of Pichia pastoris producing an antibacterial peptide, we have attempted the expression and secretion of an insect defensin. The nucleotide sequences corresponding to mature defensin were chemically synthesized by 6 oligomers, assembled in vitro and the synthesized gene was identified by nucleotide sequencing. The prepro sequence of yeast mating factor $\alpha$1 and the defensin gene were recombined into a Pichia expression vector, pPIC9K. The resulting plasmid, pPIDE, was transformed into P. pastoris GSl15 and transformants selected on histidine-deficient minimal plates were tested for antibacterial activity against Micrococcus luteus. Four strains with different antibacterial activity were selected for further analysis. Southern hybridization and RT-PCR verified the defensin gene was maintained and transcribed in a host. Four strains were cultivated in YPD broth for 96 hours to compare cell growth and antibacterial activity, They showed no difference in cell growth, however, each strain showed different antibacterial activity pattern with culture time. The maximal activity was about 550 AU/ $m\ell$.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.153-159
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• 2000

A 4.4 kb DNA fragment encompassing lacA (galactoside acetyltransferase) and lacZ($\beta$-galactosidase) genes from Lactococus lactis ssp. lactis ATCC 7962 (L. lactis 7962) was introduced ito a Lac strain, Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis MG1363 (L. lactis MG1363) by using a lactococcal expression vector, pMG36e and expression level of lacZ was examined. Growth rates and $\beta$-galactosidase ($\beta$-gal) activities of MG1363 cells carrying recombinant plasmid, pMLZ3, on M17 broth containing different carbon sources (1%, w/v) were examined. Contrary to the expectations, MG1363 [pMLZ3] grown on lactose showed the lowest enzyme activity (17 units) and cells grown on galactose had the highest $\beta$-gal activity (41 units). Cells grown on glucose had intermediate activity (33 units). These activities are about one tenth of the values observed in L. lactis 7962 where lacZ is present as a single-copy gene in the chromosome. When the cellular concentrations of lacZ transcript were examined using slot blot hybridization, it was found that MG1363[pMLZ3] produced sufficient amounts of transcript. These results indicate that either proteolytic degradation of $\beta$-gal or other regulatory mechanism prevent the translation or accumulation of $\beta$-gal in L. lactis MG1363 cells. In regard to regulation, the presence of the ccpA gene in L. lactis MG1363 was confirmed by Southern blot.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2001

Transformed Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells expressing baculovirus very late factor (VLF-1) were constructed by using Autograha nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) immediate earthy gene (ie1). Neomycin-resistance gene as a selectable marker was introduced under the control of AcNPV ie1 promoter, and Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis (BmNPV-K1) vlf-1 gene was introduced under the control of the Drosophila heat shock protein gene (hspr70) promoter to yield dual expression plasmid with two independent transcription units. It was transfected into Sf9 cells and cell clones expressing vlf-1 were selected by G4l8 treatment. Genomic DNA from transformed cells was isolated and integration of AcNPV iel harboring vlf-1 was confirmed by PCR using AcNPV iel-specific primers and Southern blot analysis. The transformed cells expressing VLF-1 in an infection-independent manner expressed foreign gene product of recombinant baculovirus in the earlier stage of infection compared with control Sf9 cells. These results suggest the possible to develop highly efficient transformed insect cells for baculovirus expression vector system.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.168-174
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• 1999

Escherichia coli O157 is an important pathogenic organism which causes diarrhea, haemorrhagic colitis, and haemolytic ureamic syndrome (HUS) in human. E. coli O157 KNIH317 was isolated form patients suffering with HUS in Korea. We designed a primer set for cloning shiga-like toxin (slt) gene. The amplified PCR product was used to Southern and colony hybridization as a probe. As a result, we cloned 4.5-kb KpnI fragment containing the slt gene encoding shiga-like toxin from chromosomal DNA of E. coli O157 KNIH317. This recombinant plasmid was named pOVT45. E. coli XL1-Blue harboring pOVT45 showed cytotoxicity in Vero cells. We sequenced the slt gene of this strain. The A-subunit gene of the slt was composed of 960 base pairs with ATG initiation codon and TAA terminationcodon. The B-subunit was composed of 270 base paris with ATG initiation codon and TGA termination codon. Nucleotide sequence comparison of the slt gene exhibited 100%, 98.4%, 93.7%, and 93.7% identity with that of shiga-like toxin type II (sltII) of E. coli bacteriophage 933W, variant slt of E. coli, slt of E. coli, and variant sltII of E. coli, respectively. From these results, it was concluded that the cloned slt gene belongs to SltII family and that the strain used in this study may be a lysogeny of E. coli bcteriphage 933W.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.20-25
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• 1992

The location of the polyhedrin gene of Bmbyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus(BmNPV) was determined by using a cloned polyhedrin gene from the Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus(AcNPV) as a hybridization probe. The 7.4 Kb PstⅠ fragment DNA of Bm-NPV was cloned to plasmid pUC19 vector. A fragment containing this gene was mapped and sequenced in its entire polyhedrin reading frame. Nucleotide sequences comparison of the polyhedrin of the BmNPV to that of previously reported by Ⅰatrou(1985) revealed that the sequence varied in 10 base, Comparison of the amino acid sequence of the two structured gene revealed that coding sequence varied 74 valine to isoleucine, 76 aspargine to serine and 155 methionine to valine.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.30-34
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• 2003

Recent industrial society has human widely exposed to PAHs (polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons) that are comming from the incomplete combustion of organic material as wider spread environmental contaminants. Biological activities of PAHs are not known although PAHs are considered as carcinogens. Our laboratory have been studied the effect of PAHs in the mouse liver hepa 1 cells. In this study, we examined the mouse liver hepa-l cells as a new bioassay system to evaluate bioactivity of PAHs. We have selected 13 PAHs to examine bioassay using cyp1a1-luciferase reporter gene expression system where cyp1a1 1.6 Kb 5flanking region DNA was cloned in front of luciferase reporter gene and this plasmid was transfected into hepa 1 cells transiently. This cells then used for the study to observe the effect of PAHs. We demonstrated that PAHs induced the CYP1A1 promoter and 7-ethoxyresolufin O-deethylase (EROD) activities in a concentration-dependant manner. Some of PAHs showed stronger stimulatory effect on CYP1 gene expression than TCDD. Acenaphthene, anthracene, fluorine, naphthalene, pyrene, phenanthrene, carbazole were weak responders to cyp1a1 promoter activity stimulation and EROD induction in hepa 1 cells and these chemicals seemed to respond less to EROD than cyp1a1 promoter activity. Benz(a)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, chrysene, and dibenzo(a,h)anthracene showed strong response to cyp1a1 promoter activity stimulation and also EROD induction in hepa 1cells. Results of dose response study suggested that four strong responding PAHs, such as benzo(a)anthracene benzo(k)fluoranthene, chrysene, and dibenzo(a, h)anthracene might be mediated through arylhydrocarbon receptor system in hepa1 cells.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.77-83
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• 2006

A gene encoding a $\gamma-butyrolactone$ autoregulator receptor was cloned from Saccharopolyspora erythraea, and the biochemical characteristics, including the autoregulator specificity, were determined with the purified recombinant protein. Using primers designed for the conserved amino acid sequence of Streptomyces $\gamma-butyrolactone$ autoregulator receptors, a 120 bp S. erythraea DNA fragment was obtained by PCR. Southern and colony hybridization with the 120 bp fragment as a probe allowed to select a genomic clone of S. erythraea, pESG, harboring a 3.2 kb SacI fragment. Nucleotide sequencing analysis revealed a 615 bp open reading frame (ORF), showing moderate homology (identity, $31-34\%$; similarity, $45-47\%$) with the $\gamma-butyrolactone$ autoregulator receptors from Streptomyces sp., and this ORF was named seaR (Saccharopolyspora erythraea autoregulator receptor). The seaR/pET-3d plasmid was constructed to overexpress the recombinant SeaR protein (rSeaR) in Escherichia coli, and the rSeaR protein was purified to homogeneity by DEAE-Sephacel column chromatography, followed by DEAE-ion-exchange HPLC. The molecular mass of the purified rSeaR protein was 52 kDa by HPLC gel-filtration chromatography and 27 kDa by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, indicating that the rSeaR protein is present as a dimer. A binding assay with tritium-labeled autoregulators revealed that rSeaR has clear binding activity with a VB-C-type autoregulator as the most effective ligand, demonstrating for the first time that the erythromycin producer S. erythraea possesses a gene for the $\gamma-butyrolactone$autoregulator receptor.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.976-983
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• 2003

Seven Escherichia coli cells defective with aerobic growth were isolated by the insertion of ${\lambda}placMu53$, a hybrid bacteriophage of ${\lambda}$ and Mu, which created a transcriptional fusion to lacZY. These insertion mutant cells were tested on an XG ($5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-{\beta}-D-galactopyranoside$) medium for anaerobic expression of lacZ by fusion to a promoter. The chromosomal DNA from these strains were digested by EcoRI, and the EcoRI fragments that contained the fused gene and lacZ sequence were identified by Southern hybridization, using lacZ containing plasmid as a probe. The EcoRI fragment from each strain was cloned and sequenced. The sequence data were compared with the GenBank database. The mutated gene of three strains, CYT4, CYT5, and OS11, was found to be identical, and it was nrdAB that encoded ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase. The gene nrdAB was at min 50.5 on the Escherichia coli linkage map and 2,348,084 on the physical map, and is involved in hemAe-related reduction-oxidation reaction. OS6 and OS14 mutant strains had insertion at min 8.3 and the mutated gene was hemB. The hemB encodes 5-aminolevulinate dehydratase or porphobilinogen synthase. The OS3 mutant had insertion in cydB at min 16.6. The cydAB encodes cytochrome d oxidase. In the case of OS1, the fusion was made with sucA, the E1 component of ${\alpha}-ketoglutarate$ dehydrogenase.