• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.233-241
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• 2016

DCs, like the sensory neurons, express vanilloid receptor 1 (VR1). Here we demonstrate that the VR1 agonists, capsaicin (CP) and resiniferatoxin (RTX), enhance antiviral CTL responses by increasing MHC class I-restricted viral antigen presentation in dendritic cells (DCs). Bone marrow-derived DCs (BM-DCs) were infected with a recombinant vaccinia virus (VV) expressing OVA (VV-OVA), and then treated with CP or RTX. Both CP and RTX increased MHC class I-restricted presentation of virus-encoded endogenous OVA in BM-DCs. Oral administration of CP or RTX significantly increased MHC class I-restricted OVA presentation by splenic and lymph node DCs in VV-OVA-infected mice, as assessed by directly measuring OVA peptide SIINFEKL-K^b complexes on the cell surface and by performing functional assays using OVA-specific CD8 T cells. Accordingly, oral administration of CP or RTX elicited potent OVA-specific CTL activity in VV-OVA-infected mice. The results from this study demonstrate that VR1 agonists enhance anti-viral CTL responses, as well as a neuro-immune connection in anti-viral immune responses.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2016

The sodium hydrogen exchanger 1 (NHE1), which functions in maintaining the ratio of $Na^+$ and $H^+$ ions, is widely distributed in cell plasma membranes. It plays a prominent role in pH balancing, cell proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, and migration. However, its exact subcellular location and biological functions in Toxoplasma gondii are largely unclear. In this study, we cloned the C-terminal sequence of T. gondii NHE1 (TgNHE1) incorporating the C-terminal peptide of NHE1 (C-NHE1) into the pGEX4T-1 expression plasmid. The peptide sequence was predicted to have good antigenicity based on the information obtained from an immune epitope database. After induction of heterologous gene expression with isopropyl-b-D-thiogalactoside, the recombinant C-NHE1 protein successfully expressed in a soluble form was purified by glutathione sepharose beads as an immunogen for production of a rabbit polyclonal antiserum. The specificity of this antiserum was confirmed by western blotting and immunofluorescence. The antiserum could reduce T. gondii invasion into host cells, indicated by the decreased TgNHE1 expression in T. gondii parasites that were pre-incubated with antiserum in the process of cell entry. Furthermore, the antiserum reduced the virulence of T. gondii parasites to host cells in vitro, possibly by blocking the release of $Ca^{2+}$. In this regard, this antiserum has potential to be a valuable tool for further studies of TgNHE1.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.293-301
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• 2011

Purpose: We have previously reported that tetra-cell adhesion molecule (T-CAM) markedly enhanced the differentiation of osteoblast-like cells grown on anorganic bone mineral (ABM). T-CAM comprises recombinant peptides containing the Arg- Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence in the tenth type III domain, Pro-His-Ser-Arg-Asn (PHSRN) sequence in the ninth type III domain of fibronectin (FN), and the Glu-Pro-Asp-Ilu-Met (EPDIM) and Tyr-His (YH) sequence in the fourth fas-1 domain of ${\beta}$ig-h3. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the cellular activity of osteoblast-like cells and the new bone formation on ABM coated with T-CAM, while comparing the results with those of synthetic cell binding peptide (PepGen P-15). Methods: To analyze the cell viability, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was performed, andto analyze gene expression, northernblot was performed. Mineral nodule formations were evaluated using alizarin red stain. The new bone formations of each group were evaluated using histologic observation and histomorphometrc analysis. Results: Expression of alkaline phosphatase mRNA was similar in all groups on days 10 and 20. The highest expression of osteopontin mRNA was observed in the group cultured with ABM/P-15, followed by those with ABM/T-CAM and ABM on days 20 and 30. Little difference was seen in the level of expression of collagen type I mRNA on the ABM, ABM/T-CAM, and ABM/P-15 cultured on day 20. There were similar growth and proliferation patterns for the ABM/T-CAM and ABM/P-15. The halo of red stain consistent with $Ca^{2+}$ deposition was wider and denser around ABM/T-CAM and ABM/P-15 particles than around the ABM particles. The ABM/T-CAM group seemed to have bone forming bioactivity similar to that of ABM/P-15. A complete bony bridge was seen in two thirds of the defects in the ABM/T-CAM and ABM/P-15 groups. Conclusions: ABM/T-CAM, which seemed to have bone forming bioactivity similar to ABM/P-15, was considered to serve as effective tissue-engineered bone graft material.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.274-280
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• 2005

Pasteurella multocida is known to cause widespread infections in husbandry. To induce homologous and heterologous immunity against the infections, outer membrane proteins (OMPs) in the envelope of P. multocida are thought to be attractive vaccine candidates. Outer membrane protein H is considered as the major component of OMPs. In this study, a gene for OmpH was isolated from pathogenic P. multocida serogroup A. The gene was composed of 1,047 nucleotides coding 348 amino acids with signal peptide of 20 amino acids. The amino acid composition showed about 80 to 98 per cent sequence homologies among other 10 strains of P. multocida serogroup A, reported so far. A recombinant ompH, from which signal peptide was truncated, was generated using pRSET A to name 'pRSET A/OmpH-F2'. The pRSET A/OmpH-F2 was well expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3). The truncated OmpH was purified using nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni-NTA) affinity column chromatography. Its molecular weight was registered to be 40 kDa on SDS-PAGE gel. In order to generate immunesera against the OmpH, 50 ug of the protein was intraperitoneally injected into mice three times. The anti-OmpH immuneserum recognized about $5{\times}10^{-2}$ng quantity of the purified OmpH. It can be used for an effective vaccine production to prevent fowl cholera caused by pathogenic P. multocida (Serogroup A).

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.370-375
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• 2016

Two xylanase genes were cloned into Escherichia coli from Bacillus sp. YB-1401 and B. amyloliquefaciens YB-1402, which had been isolated as mannanase producer from home-made doenjang, respectively, and their nucleotide sequences were determined. Both xylanase genes consisted of 642 nucleotides, encoding polypeptides of 213 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequences of the YB-1401 and YB-1402 xylanase, designated Xyn1401 and Xyn1402, differed from each other by single amino acid residue, Asn for Xyn1401 and Lys for Xyn1402, corresponding to amino acid position of 127. Their amino acid sequences were highly homologous to those of xylanases belonging to the glycosyl hydrolase family 11. The 28 amino acid stretch in the N-terminus of both enzymes was predicted as signal peptide by SignalP4.1 server. Both xylanases were localized at the level of 91−94% in culture filtrate of the recombinant E. coli cells, suggesting they were secreted efficiently in E. coli cells. The optimal reaction conditions were 50℃ and pH 6.0 for Xyn1401, and 55℃ and pH 6.5 for Xyn1402, respectively, indicating one amino acid difference from each other affected pH and temperature profiles of their activities. In addition, their thermostabilities were somewhat different from each other.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.155-161
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• 2017

A gene coding for the xylanase predicted from the partial genomic sequence of Paenibacillus woosongensis was cloned by PCR amplification and sequenced completely. This xylanase gene, designated xyn11B, consisted of 1,071 nucleotides encoding a polypeptide of 356 amino acid residues. Based on the deduced amino acid sequence, Xyn11B was identified to be a modular enzyme, including a single carbohydrate-binding module besides the catalytic domain, and was highly homologous to xylanases belonging to glycosyl hydrolase family 11. The SignalP4.1 server predicted a stretch of 26 residues in the N-terminus to be the signal peptide. Using DEAE-Sepharose and Phenyl-Sepharose column chromatography, Xyn11B was partially purified from the cell-free extract of recombinant Escherichia coli carrying a copy of the P. woosongensis xyn11B gene. The partially purified Xyn11B protein showed maximal activity at $50^{\circ}C$ and pH 6.5. The enzyme was more active on arabinoxylan than on oat spelt xylan and birchwood xylan, whereas it did not exhibit activity towards carboxymethylcellulose, mannan, and para-nitrophenyl-${\beta}$-xylopyranoside. The activity of Xyn11B was slightly increased by $Ca^{2+}$ and $Mg^{2+}$, but was significantly inhibited by $Cu^{2+}$, $Ni^{2+}$, $Fe^{3+}$, and $Mn^{2+}$, and completely inhibited by SDS.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.80-88
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• 2009

Human prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), with comprehensive homology to glandular kallikrein, are representative serum biomarkers of prostate cancer. Dendritic cell (DC), which is the potent antigen-presenting cells(APC) in the immune system, can induce strong T cell responses against viruses, microbial pathogens, and tumors. Therefore, the immunization using DC loaded with tumor-associated antigens is a powerful method for inducing anti-tumor immunity. The CTP (Cytoplasmic Transduction Peptide) technology developed by Creagene which can transport attached bio-polymers like nucleic acids or proteins into the cell with high permeation efficiency. As the active forms of PAP can mediate apoptotic processing, we used multimer forms of PAP as an inactive form for antigen pulsing of DCs. In this study, multimeric forms of CTP-rhPAP was obtained according to the advanced purification process and subsequently confirmed by gel filtration chromatography, western blot and Dynamic Light Scattering. Therefore, CTP-conjugated PA multimers transduced into the cytoplasm were efficiently presented on the cell surface without any harm effect on cells via MHC class I molecules and result in induction of a large number of effector cell.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.555-562
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• 2012

PCR was performed to analyze the ${\beta}$-lactamase genes carried by ampicillin-resistant Vibrio spp. strains isolated from marine environments in Korea between 2006 and 2009. All 36 strains tested showed negative results in PCR with the primers designed from the nucleotide sequences of various known ${\beta}$-lactamase genes. This prompted us to screen new ${\beta}$-lactamase genes. A novel ${\beta}$-lactamase gene was cloned from Vibrio alginolyticus KV3 isolated from the aquaculture water of Geoje Island of Korea. The determined nucleotide sequence (VAK-3 ${\beta}$-lactamase) revealed an open reading frame (ORF) of 852 bp, encoding a protein of 283 amino acids (aa), which displayed low homology to any other ${\beta}$-lactamase genes reported in public databases. The deduced 283 aa sequence of VAK-3, consisting of a 19 aa signal peptide and a 264 aa mature protein, contained highly conserved peptide segments specific to class A ${\beta}$-lactamases including the specific amino acid residues STFK (62-65), SDN (122-124), E (158), and RTG (226-228). Results from PCR performed with primers specific to the VAK-3 ${\beta}$-lactamase gene identified 3 of the 36 isolated strains as V. alginolyticus, Vibrio cholerae, and Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae, indicating the utilization of various ${\beta}$-lactamase genes including unidentified ones in ampicillin-resistant Vibrio spp. strains from the marine environment. In a mating experiment, none of the isolates transfered the VAK-3 ${\beta}$-lactamase gene to the Escherichia coli recipient. This lack of mobility, and the presence of a chromosomal acyl-CoA flanking sequence upstream of the VAK-3 ${\beta}$-lactamase gene, led to the assumption that the location of this new ${\beta}$-lactamase gene was in the chromosome, rather than the mobile plasmid. Antibiotic susceptibility of VAK-3 ${\beta}$-lactamase was indicated by elevated levels of resistance to penicillins, but not to cephalosporins in the wild type and E. coli harboring recombinant plasmid pKV-3, compared with those of the host strain alone. Phylogenetic analysis showed that VAK-3 ${\beta}$-lactamase is a new and separate member of class A ${\beta}$-lactamases.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.336-343
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• 2016

A mannanase gene was cloned into Escherichia coli from Cellulosimicrobium sp. YB-43, which had been found to produce two kinds of mannanase, and sequenced completely. This mannanase gene, designated manB, consisted of 1,284 nucleotides encoding a polypeptide of 427 amino acid residues. Based on the deduced amino acid sequence, the ManB was identified to be a modular enzyme including two carbohydrate binding domains besides the catalytic domain, which was highly homologous to mannanases belonging to the glycosyl hydrolase family 5. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of ManB, purified from a cell-free extract of the recombinant E. coli carrying a Cellulosimicrobium sp. YB-43 manB gene, has been determined as QGASAASDG, which was correctly corresponding to signal peptide predicted by SignalP4.1 server for Gram-negative bacteria. The purified ManB had a pH optimum for its activity at pH 6.5~7.0 and a temperature optimum at $55^{\circ}C$. The enzyme was active on locust bean gum (LBG), konjac and guar gum, while it did not exhibit activity towards carboxymethylcellulose, xylan, starch, and para-nitrophenyl-${\beta}$-mannopyranoside. The activity of enzyme was inhibited very slightly by $Mg^{2+}$, $K^+$, and $Na^+$, and significantly inhibited by $Cu^{2+}$, $Zn^{2+}$, $Mn^{2+}$, and SDS. The enzyme could hydrolyze mannooligosaccharides larger than mannobiose, which was the most predominant product resulting from the ManB hydrolysis for mannooligosaccharides and LBG.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.924-939
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• 2016

The great economic losses caused by Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) infection of peppers has led to the development of genetically modified (GM) CMV-resistant peppers. We developed virus-resistant pepper plants using Agrobacterium tumefaciens -mediated transformation. The expressed recombinant protein was purified using nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid resin and immunoaffinity chromatography, and purity was assessed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Immunoblot analysis revealed the purified CMV coat protein (CMV-CP) had a molecular mass of 25 kDa. After in-gel digestion and desalting, the internal peptide fragments of CMV-CP were sequenced by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight. Most GM pepper and Escherichia coli BL21 internal peptides had identical peptide sequences and contained 137 of 183 whole peptides in CMV-CP. A quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect CMV-resistant GM peppers. We also provide basic information about the expressed protein in GM peppers for further safety assessment. The contents of soluble protein and CMV-CP were measured in GM and control peppers cultivated in three different areas of Korea. Statistical significance in terms of cultivation areas, harvest times, generations, and plant tissue origin were determined based on a P value of 0.05. The highest amount of CMV-CP was detected at the seedling stage from plant grown in each region. T3 and T5 showed significantly different levels of CMV-CP from T4 in leaves in the whorl stage. No statistical differences were observed among GM peppers at different stages of maturity in any cultivation area. The results from this study contribute to the safety evaluation of newly designed CMV-resistant GM peppers and provide a standard against which to compare other virus-resistant GM peppers.