• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Applied Microbiology Conference
• /
• 2000.04a
• /
• pp.178-181
• /
• 2000

In order to develop the novel gene expression system, we introduced new control elements which could influence the foreign gene expression in animal cells. When the foreign genes are introduced into the genome of higher eukaryotic cells, the expressions from these integrated genes are often low and can vary greatly depending on the positions of the integration sites due to the complex nature of the chromatin structures (1). First we screened the various DNA sequence elements which can function as an insulator of gene expression from these position effects and can cooperate with the SV40 enhancer/promoter. Among the several DNA elements from the various sources, we identified the particular DNA element which confers the increased frequency of the positive colonies, assayed by the reporter gene from stable selections indicating significantly reduced position effects. This element also showed the several fold-increased expression level as well as the copy-number dependent expression with host cell specificity. Second we modified the transcription termination element where we introduced the specific terminator in combination with SV40 polyA signal. This modified terminator showed the increased efficiency and the level of the gene expression. By combining these two elements, we made the animal cell expression system and tested successfully for the recombinant protein productions of TGF ${\beta}$-soluble receptor, Antithrombin III, and single chain Pro-Urokinase. [Supported by grants from MOCIE]

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.115-128
• /
• 1997

Three cDNA fragments located within NS5 region of HCV were synthesized by RT using viral RNA extracted from blood sample of Korean patient as a template. The cDNAs were amplified by PCR, cloned into the T-vector, and the nucleotide sequences were determined. Comparative analysis of the nucleotide and amino acid sequence of NS5 cDNAs showed that it is closely related with HCV type 1b. The cloned NS5 cDNA showed 91-94% homology at the nucleotide sequence level and 96-98% homology at the amino acid sequence level with several strains of the HCV type 1b. The NS5 cDNAs were subcloned into E. coli expression vectors to construct pRSETA5-1, pTHAN5-1, pRSETC5-2, pRSETBB1, pRESTCB1 and pRSETB-H3. Expression of the NS5 proteins was achieved by inducing the promoter with isopropyl-thio-${\beta}$-D-galactoside (IPTG) and confirmed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The NS5 proteins were immunoreactive against sera from Korean hepatitis C patients in Western blot analysis. Among the recombinant NS5 proteins, pRSETAS-1 plasmid derived protein, coded from aa2022 to aa2521 of HCV polyprotein, showed the strongest immunoreactivity against sera from Korean hepatitis C patients in immunoblot analysis. These results suggest that NS5 proteins would be useful as an antigen for detection of antibody against HCV in the blood samples.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 1992

We cloned a gene cluster encoding phenanthrene-degrading enzymes on a 6.8-kb Xhol fragment from the Pseudomonas sp. DJ77 chromosomal DNA into the vector pBLUESCRIPT SIC(+). The resultant clone, containing the recombinant plilsmid pHENX7, was able to convert 3-methylcatechol to a yellow mela-cleavage compound. Since the pHENX7R in which the DNA insert was cloned in the opposite orientation lacked extradiol dioxygenase activity. the direction of transcription was established. Four polypeptides, PhnC (24 kDa). PhnD (31 kDa), PhnE (34 kDa). and PhnF (15 kDa), were identified in E coli JM101 transformed with several pHENX7-derived plasmids. The locations and extents of ~ndividual genes were determined by subcloning. The gene order was phnC-phnD-phnE-phnF-phnG, and phnC, phnD, phnE, and phnG genes encoded glutathione S-transferase, mrta-cleavage compound hydrolase, extradiol dioxygenase, mera-cleavage compound dehydrogenase, respectively.

• Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.383-395
• /
• 2006

Four different Trichoderma strains, T. harzianum CECT 2413, T. asperellum T53, T. atroviride T11 and T. longibrachiatum T52, which represent three of the four sections contained in this genus, were transformed by two different techniques: a protocol based on the isolation of protoplasts and a protocol based on Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Both methods were set up using hygromycin B or phleomycin resistance as the selection markers. Using these techniques, we obtained phenotypically stable transformants of these four different strains. The highest transformation efficiencies were obtained with the T. longibrachiatum T52 strain: 65-70 $transformants/{\mu}g$ DNA when transformed with the plasmid pAN7-1 (hygromycin B resistance) and 280 $transformants/l0^7$ spores when the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation was performed with the plasmid pUR5750 (hygromycin B resistance). Overall, the genetic analysis of the transform ants showed that some of the strains integrated and maintained the transforming DNA in their genome throughout the entire transformation and selection process. In other cases, the integrated DNA was lost.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
• /
• 1999.05a
• /
• pp.162-163
• /
• 1999

The goal of this research was (1) to describe the conditions and parameters required for the cell cycle synchronization and the accumulation of large number of metaphase cells in maize and other cereal root tips, (2) to isolate intact metaphase chromosomes from root tips suitable for characterization by flow cytometry, and (3) to construct chromosome-specific libraries from maize. Plant metaphase chromosomes have been successfully synchronized and isolated from many cereal root-tips. DNA synthesis inhibitor (hydroxyurea) was used to synchronize cell cycle, follwed by treatement with trifluralin to accumulate metaphase chromosomes. Maize flow karyotypes show substantial variation among inbred lines. thish variation should be sueful in isolating individual chromosome types. In addition, flow cytometry is a useful method to measure DNA content of individual chromosomes in a genotyps, and to detect chromosomal variations. Individual chromosome peaks have been sorted from the maize hybrid B73/Mol7. Libraries were generated form the DOP-PCR amplification product from each peak. To date, we have analyzed clones from a library constructed from the maize chromosome 1 peak. Hybridization of labeled genomic DNA to clone inserts indicated that $24\%,\;18\%,\;and\;58\%$ of the clones were highly repetitive, medium repetitive, and low copy, respectively. Fifty percent of putative low cpoy clones showed single bands on inbred screening, blots, and the remaining $50\%$ were low copy repeats. Single copy clones showing polymorphism will be mapped using recombinant inbred mapping populations. Repetitive clones are being characterized by Southern blot analysis, and will be screened by in situ hybridization for their potential utility as chromosome specific markers.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.7-16
• /
• 2002

In order to obtain the specific genes of snailfish a subtracted cDNA library was constructed, and analysed by sequencing and GenBank search. Among them C90-171 clone was turned out to be genes showing low homology and nonredundant genes. This novel clone was named Gomsin(C90-171). Gomsin was shown to be intensely expressed in the epithelial cells, some mesenchymal cells, and sheaths of muscle bundles in the result of immunohistochemistry. In the cross reaction assay of Gomsin antibody against various human tissues, the Gomsin was strongly expressed in the ductal and acinar cells of salivary glands, which was similar to the expression patterns of proline-rich proteins(PRPs) of human. The antibody raised against the Gomsin was clearly cross-reacted with human salivary PRPs and also recombinant proteins of human PRPs in the Western blot and immunoprecipitation analysis. Contrast to the salivary PRPs, the Gomsin was not easily degraded in the mixed saliva, but rapidly attacked on the cultured keratocytes in vitro. The simulated protein structure of Gomsin was similar to the whorled pattern of PRPs, even though the amino acid sequence of Gomsin was quite different from those of PRPs. These data suggest that the Gomsin is a characteristic matrix protein in the skin and body of snailfish, which is also utilized for the tissue protection in the similar way to the PRPs of human muco-secretory organs.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.19 no.8
• /
• pp.33.1-33.7
• /
• 2016

Antifreeze proteins (AFPs) lower the freezing point but not the melting point of aqueous solutions by inhibiting the growth of ice crystals via an adsorption-inhibition mechanism. However, the function of type IV AFP (AFP IV) is questionable, as its antifreeze activity is on the verge of detectable limits, its physiological concentration in adult fish blood is too low to function as a biological antifreeze, and its homologues are present even in fish from tropic oceans as well as freshwater. Therefore, we speculated that AFP IV may have gained antifreeze activity not by selective pressure but by chance. To test this hypothesis, we cloned, expressed, and assayed AFP IV from cultured subtropical olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus), which do not require antifreeze protein for survival. Among the identified expressed sequence tags of the flounder liver sample, a 5'-deleted complementary DNA (cDNA) sequence similar to the afp4 gene of the longhorn sculpin was identified, and its full-length cDNA and genome structure were examined. The deduced amino acid sequence of flounder AFP IV shared 55, 53, 52, and 49 % identity with those of Pleuragramma antarcticum, Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus, Myoxocephalus scorpius, and Notothenia coriiceps, respectively. Furthermore, the genomic structure of this gene was conserved with those of other known AFP IVs. Notably, the recombinant AFP IV showed a weak but distinct thermal hysteresis of $0.07{\pm}0.01^{\circ}C$ at the concentration of 0.5 mg/mL, and ice crystals in an AFP IV solution grew star-shaped, which are very similar to those obtained from other polar AFP IVs. Taken together, our results do not support the hypothesis of evolution of AFP IV by selective pressure, suggesting that the antifreeze activity of AFP IV may have been gained by chance.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.19 no.11
• /
• pp.1522-1528
• /
• 2009

A marine bacterium was isolated from brown seaweeds for its ability to degrade alginate. Analysis of 16S ribosomal DNA sequence revealed that the strain belongs to Streptomyces like strain ALG-5 which was reported previously. New alginate lyase gene of Streptomyces sp. M3 was cloned by using PCR with the specific primers designed from homologous nucleotide sequences. The consensus sequences of N-terminal YXRSELREM and C-terminal YFKAGXYXQ were conserved in the M3 alginate lyase amino acid sequences. The homology model for the M3 alginate lyase showed a characteristic structure of $\beta$-jelly roll fold main domain like alyPG from Corynebacterium sp. ALY-1. The homogenate of the recombinant E. coli with the alginate lyase gene showed more degrading activity for polyguluronate block than polymannuronate block. The results from the multiple alignments and the homology modeling elucidated in the M3 alginate lyase can be classified into family PL-7.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.33 no.11
• /
• pp.3676-3680
• /
• 2012

An Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-based plasmid contains the EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) gene and EBV replication origin (oriP) sequence. Since EBNA1 (the only EBV-encoded protein) is combined with oriP, it is replicated simultaneously with chromosomal DNA in human, primate, and canine cells and is faithfully segregated at a stable copy number upon cell division. Consequently, it can be used to stably express gene inserts over a prolonged time in target cells. We have previously shown that the polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer can be surface-modified with L-arginine. Arginine is present at a high frequency in the transactivator of transcription (Tat) sequences of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It presents high membrane permeability and permits effective transfer of DNA inside the cells. In this study, we constructed two kinds of recombinant DNA by inserting the luciferase gene and enhanced green fluorescence protein (eGFP) gene as reporter genes into the pCEP4 plasmid vector. We measured dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential after preparing PAMAM-based cationic polymer/EBV-based plasmid complexes. We performed transfection of HEK 293 cell lines with the polyplexes, and monitored luciferase activity and green fluorescence protein (GFP) expression. Our results show that PAMAM-based cationic polymer/EBV plasmid complexes provide enhanced and sustained gene expression.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.92-98
• /
• 2001

Lactofenicin is an antibacterial peptide fragment (about 5 kD) derived from lactoferrin (80 kD) that displays the various biological functions. The production of a human lactoferricin (Lactoferricin H) in mouse HC11 mammary epithelial cells was achieved by placing its cDNA under the control of the bovine ${\beta}$-casein gene. To express lactoferricin H in this cell culture system, constructed a hybride-splice signal consisting of bovine ${\beta}$-casein intron I and rabbit ${\beta}$-globin intron II, and a DNA fragment spanning intron 8 of the bovine ${\beta}$-casein gene. Expression of lactofenicin H from this expression vector was identified by RT-PCR, northern and dot blot analysis. RT-PCR using total RNA of HC11 cells transfected with pBL1-cin expression vector yielded a product identified as having a size of the 150bp. Northern blot analysis was identified about 2.3 kb. In dot blot analysis, recombinant lactofenicin H was recognized with anti-human lactofrrnin polyclonal antibody.