• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.15 no.6 s.73
• /
• pp.994-1004
• /
• 2005

The dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) promoter contains cis-acting element for the transcription factors Spl and E2F. Transcription of dhfr gene shows maximal activity during the Gl/S phase of cell cycle. The member of the Spl transcriptional factor family can act as both negative and positive regulators of gene expression. There was a report that Spl-Rb and E2F4-pl30 complexes cooperate to establish stable repression of dhfr gene expression in CHOC400 cells. Here, we examined the role of HDAC in dhfr, cyclin E, and cyclin A gene regulation using the histone deacetylation inhibitor, trichostatin A (TSA) in U2OS and C33A cells, a Rb-positive human osteosarcoma cell line, and a Rb-negative cervical carcinoma cell line, respectively. When the dhfr promoter constructs were applied in U2OS cells, TSA markedly stimulated over 14-fold of dhfr promoter activity through dhfr-Spl sites by the deletion of an E2F element. In contrast, the deletion of dhfr-Spl binding sites completely abolished promoter stimulation by TSA. The dhfr promoter activity including dhfr-Spl sites increased only 2-fold in C33A cells. Promoter activity containing only dhfr-E2F site did not have much effect by the treatment of TSA in both U2OS and C33A cells. On the other hand, treatment with TSA induced significantly mRNA expression of dhfr and cyclin E, whereas levels of cyclin A decreased in U2OS cells, but had no effect in C33A cells. These results indicate that TSA have contradictory effect, activation of dhfr and cyclin E genes on Gl phase, and down-regulation of cyclin A on G2 phase through transcriptional regulation in U2OS cells.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.105-119
• /
• 2012

Indigenous bacteria isolated from contaminated sites play important roles to remediate contaminated groundwater. Chromium has the most stable oxidation states. Cr(VI) is toxic, carcinogenic, and mobile, but Cr(III) is less toxic and immobile. In this study, indigenous microorganism (MMPH-0) was enriched from Cr(VI) contaminated groundwater, and identified by 16S rRNA gene analysis. Using MMPH-0, the effect of stimulating with e-donors (glucose, lactate, acetate, and no e-donor control), respiration conditions, biomass, tolerance, and geochemical changes on Cr(VI) reduction were investigated in batch experiments for 4 weeks. The changes of Cr(VI) concentration and geochemical conditions were monitored using UV-vis-spectrophotometer and Eh-pH meter. And the morphological and chemical characteristics of MMPH-0 and precipitates in the effluents were characterized by TEM-EDS and SEM-EDS analyses. MMPH-0 (Enterobacter aerogenes) was able to tolerate up to 2000 mg/L Cr(VI) and reduce Cr(VI) under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. MMPH-0 performed faster and higher efficiency of Cr(VI) reduction with electron donors (over 70% after 1 week with e-donor, 10-20% after 4 weeks without e-donor). The changes of Eh-pH in effluents showing the tendency from oxidizing to reducing condition and a bit of acidic change in pH due to microbial oxidation of organic matters donating electrons and protons suggested the roles of MMPH-0 on Cr(VI) in the contaminated water catalyzing to transit geochemical stable zone for more stable $Cr(OH)_3$ or Cr(III) precipitates. TEM/SEM-EDS analyses of MMPH-0 and precipitates indicate direct and indirect Cr(VI) reduction: extracellular polymers capturing Cr component outside cells. These results suggested diverse indigenous bacteria and their biogeochemical reactions might enhance more effective and feasible remediation technology of redox sensitive heavy metals in metal-contaminated in groundwater.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.44 no.5
• /
• pp.600-606
• /
• 2012

A Bacillus sp. that produces fibrinolytic enzyme was isolated from Cheonggukjang, a traditional Korean soybean-fermented food. According to 16S rRNA gene base sequencing, the bacillus was identified as a variety of Bacillus subtilis, and named Bacillus subtilis IDCC 9204. Fibrinolytic enzyme NK-IL9204 was stable up to $60^{\circ}C$ and within pH range of 5-10. Purified NK-IL9204 was detected through fibrin zymography. The molecular weight and isoelectric point of the enzyme were estimated to be 27.7 kDa and 6.7 by SDS-PAGE and 2D electrophoresis, respectively. Its amino acid sequence was similar to that of nattokinase (identities 99.5%) and different from that of nattokinase BPN (identities 86.4%). The plasma fibrinolytic activity of NK-IL9204 was measured by euglobulin clot lysis times (ECLT). The NK-IL9204 was orally administered to SD rats for 3 weeks (1,000 FU/rat/day). The ECLT was significantly shortened by supplementation of NK-IL9204.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.471-478
• /
• 2014

Investigating gene expression of immune cells of whole blood or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) under polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) stimulation is valuable for understanding the immune response of organism to RNA viruses. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) is a standard method for quantification of gene expression studies. However, the reliability of qRT-PCR data critically depends on proper selection of reference genes. In the study, using two different analysis programs, geNorm and NormFinder, we systematically evaluated the gene expression stability of six candidate reference genes (GAPDH, ACTB, B2M, RPL4, TBP, and PPIA) in samples of whole blood and PBMC with or without poly I:C stimulation. Generally, the six candidate genes performed a similar trend of expression stability in the samples of whole blood and PBMC, but more stably expressed in whole blood than in PBMC. geNorm ranked B2M and PPIA as the best combination for gene expression normalization, while according to NormFinder, TBP was ranked as the most stable reference gene, followed by B2M and PPIA. Comprehensively considering the results from the two programs, we recommended using the geometric mean of the three genes, TBP, PPIA and B2M, to normalize the gene expression of whole blood and PBMC with poly I:C stimulation. Our study is the first detailed survey of the gene expression stability in whole blood and PBMC with or without poly I:C stimulation and should be helpful for investigating the molecular mechanism involved in porcine whole blood and PBMC in response to poly I:C stimulation.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.517-527
• /
• 1994

An attempt was made to isolate a causative viral agents from the fecal specimens of the diseased dogs with the gastroenteritis symptoms. Two coronavirus-like agents were isolated by serial dilution end point method and plaque assay. The isolates were characterized in terms of cytopathology, antigenicity, replication, physicochemical and morphological properties. The results obtained through the experiment were as follows; 1. Among 7 fecal specimens collected from the dogs with enteric disease, 2(28.6%)coronavirus-like agents showing typical cytopathic effects of canine coronavirus were isolated, and designated as CCV D1 and CCV D2, respectively. 2. By the cross-neutralization test and indirect immunofluoresence antibody test, the isolates were antigenically indentified as the standard CCV. The viruses were replicated only in the cytoplasm of A-72 cells. 3. The isolates showed no haemagglutinating activity against the erythrocytes from 11 kinds of animals. 4. The electron microscopic observation for the isolates showed spherical and pleomorphic features, covered with club-shaped projections on the surface. The size of particles was ranged from 70 to 150nm. 5. In one-step growth curve for the isolates in A-72 cells, maximum titers of intracellular vius was $10^{4.6}$ $TCID_{50}/0.1ml$ at 46 hrs postinoculation(pi) of CCV Dl and $10^{4.4}$ $TCID_{50}/0.1ml$ at 34 hrs pi of CCV D2. The maximum titers of extracellular virus was $10^{5.5}$ $TCID_{50}/0.1ml$ at 58 hrs pi of CCV D1 and $10^{5.8}$ $TCID_{50}/0.1ml$ at 46 hrs pi of CCV D2. 6. In physicochemical property test, the isolates were very sensitive to choroform and were found to be RNA virus. The viruses was stable at pH 3.0 for 1 hr and at $22{^{\circ}C}$ for 5 hrs. However, infectivity titers reduced remarkably by treatment with $56{^{\circ}C}$ for 10min.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.13 no.6
• /
• pp.960-968
• /
• 2003

A bacterial isolate showing a strong endochitosanase activity was isolated from soil and then characterized. The isolate was identified and designated as Bacillus cereus P16, based on morphological and biochemical properties, assimilation tests, cellular fatty acids pattern, along with 16S rRNA gene sequence. The optimized medium for producing extracellular chitosanase in a batch culture contained 1% tryptone, 0.5% chitosan, and 1% NaCl (pH 7.0). Powder chitosan and tryptone served the best as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively, for the chitosanase production. Chitosanase activity was the highest when culture was completed at $37^{\circ}C$ among various temperatures ($20-42^{\circ}C$) tested in a shaking incubator (200 rpm). The levels of chitosanase activity in the culture fluid were 2.0 U/ml and 3.8 U/ml, respectively, when incubated in a flask for 60 h and in a jar fermenter for 24 h. The culture supernatant showed a strong liquefying activity on the soluble chitosan. The viscosity of 1% chitosan solution, that was incubated with the culture supernatant, was rapidly decreased, suggesting the secretion of endochitosanolytic enzymes by P16. The culture fluid revealed six endo-type chitosanase isozymes, two major (38 and 45 kD), and four minor (54, 65, 82, and 96 kD) forms by staining profile. The crude enzymes were very stable, and full activity was maintained for 4 weeks at $4^{\circ}C\;or\;-20^{\circ}C$ in the culture supernatant, suggesting a highly desirable stability rate for making an industrial application of the crude enzymes. The supernatant also cleaved the insoluble chitosan powder, but the hydrolysis rate was much lower. The enzymic degradation products of chitosan contained $(GlcN)_n$ (n=2-8). The concentration of chitosan in the reaction mixture of the crude enzyme affected the chitooligosaccharides composition of the hydrolysis products. When the higher concentration of chitosan was used, the higher degree of polymerized chitooligosaccharides were produced. By comparison with other commercial chitosanase preparations, P16 was indeed found to be a valuable enzyme source for industrial production of chitooligosaccharides from chitosan.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.470-478
• /
• 2016

A bacterium producing a large amount of chitinolytic enzyme was isolated from the intestinal tract of earthworm. The isolate was identified as Bacillus licheniformis by 16S ribosomal RNA analysis and designated as B. licheniformis GA9. The enzyme was purified by 40-60% ammonium sulfate precipitation, diethyl-aminoethyl groups exchange chromatography, and gel filtration chromatography. The molecular weight was estimated to be 52.1 kDa and the N-terminal amino acid sequence was D-S-G-K-N-G-K-I-I-R-Y-YP-I-R. The optimum activity of the purified chitinolytic enzyme was shown at pH 5.0 and $40^{\circ}C$, and the enzyme was stable in the ranges of $20-50^{\circ}C$ and pH 5.0-6.0. Enzyme activity was increased by $Co^{2+}$, while it was inhibited by $Cu^{2+}$ and $Fe^{2+}$. But it was recovered by chelating metals with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. The $K_m$ and $V_{max}$ values of the purified enzyme were 4.02 mg/ml and 0.52 mg/min, respectively. The chitinolytic enzyme characterized in this study has potential applications in areas such as biotechnology, biomedicine, agriculture, and nutrition.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.40-46
• /
• 2006

A bacterial strain producing high level of a phytase was isolated from cattle feces and identified as Bacillus subtilis, and designated as Bacillus sp. CF 5-26. The production of the phytase from Bacillus sp. CF 5-26 reached the highest level after 72 hours at $37^{\circ}C$. The optimum condition of the media for the production of phytase was 10% rice bran extract, 0.1% whey protein powder, $0.01%\;CaCl_{2},\;0.01%\;KH_{2}PO_4$. The phytase was purified 20.3 folds with ethanol precipitation, Sephadex G-100, CM Sepharose CL-6B and Sephacryl S-100-HR column chromatography. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 66 kDa on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified phytase activity was stable up pH 5.0, 7.0, 11.0 and the remaining activity was 50% when it was treated at $100^{\circ}C$ for 1 hour. The substrate specificity of phytase was most active against sodium phytate and inositol polyphosphate compound. And the phytase hydrolysed tripolyphosphate and pyrophosphate a little. The Km value for the sodium phytate was 0.64 mM and the Vmax value was $4.41\;{\mu}mol/min$.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.26 no.12
• /
• pp.1665-1671
• /
• 2013

Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) is one of the important methods for investigating the changes in mRNA expression levels in cells and tissues. Selection of the proper reference genes is very important when calibrating the results of real-time quantitative PCR. Studies on the selection of reference genes in goat tissues are limited, despite the economic importance of their meat and dairy products. We used real-time quantitative PCR to detect the expression levels of eight reference gene candidates (18S, TBP, HMBS, YWHAZ, ACTB, HPRT1, GAPDH and EEF1A2) in ten tissues types sourced from Boer goats. The optimal reference gene combination was selected according to the results determined by geNorm, NormFinder and Bestkeeper software packages. The analyses showed that tissue is an important variability factor in genes expression stability. When all tissues were considered, 18S, TBP and HMBS is the optimal reference combination for calibrating quantitative PCR analysis of gene expression from goat tissues. Dividing data set by tissues, ACTB was the most stable in stomach, small intestine and ovary, 18S in heart and spleen, HMBS in uterus and lung, TBP in liver, HPRT1 in kidney and GAPDH in muscle. Overall, this study provided valuable information about the goat reference genes that can be used in order to perform a proper normalisation when relative quantification by qRT-PCR studies is undertaken.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.1143-1149
• /
• 2003

To elucidate a method of preventing dental caries, strains producing lytic enzymes were isolated and their characteristics were investigated. Among 5,00 alkalophilic strains isolated from soil, 22 strains showed lytic activity against Streptococcus mutans. Strain No. 4830, with the highest lytic activity, was selected for further study. Strain 4830 showed 94% sequence homology with the 16S rDNA sequence of Bacillus alcalophilus, but it was concluded to be different from Bacillus alcalophilus because of its biochemical characteristics. The strain was named Bacillus sp. 4830. The lytic enzyme from Bacillus sp. 4830 was purified by ethanol precipitation and CM-agarose column chromatography. The molecular weight of the lytic enzyme was determined to be 28 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The lytic enzyme was stable between pH 5.0 and pH 11 and up to $40^{\circ}C$. The optimal pH and temperature for the lytic activity was 9.0 and $50^{\circ}C$, respectively.