• Molecules and Cells
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.30-42
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• 2008

The disease-specific (dsp) region and the hypersensitive response and pathogenicity (hrp) genes, including the hrpW, $hrpN_{Ep}$, and hrpC operons have previously been sequenced in Erwinia pyrifoliae WT3 [Shrestha et al. (2005a)]. In this study, the remaining hrp genes, including the hrpC, hrpA, hrpS, hrpXY, hrpL and hrpJ operons, were determined. The hrp genes cluster (ca. 38 kb) was comprised of eight transcriptional units and contained nine hrc (hrp conserved) genes. The genetic organization of the hrp/hrc genes and their orientation for the transcriptions were also similar to and collinear with those of E. amylovora, showing ${\geq}80%$ homologies. However, ORFU1 and ORFU2 of unknown functions, present between the hrpA and hrpS operons of E. amylovora, were absent in E. pyrifoliae. To determine the HR active domains, several proteins were prepared from truncated fragments of the N-terminal and the C-terminal regions of $HrpN_{Ep}$ protein of E. pyrifoliae. The proteins prepared from the N-terminal region elicited HR, but not from those of the C-terminal region indicating that HR active domains are located in only N-terminal region of the $HrpN_{Ep}$ protein. Two synthetic oligopeptides produced HR on tobacco confirming presence of two HR active domains in the $HrpN_{Ep}$. The HR positive N-terminal fragment ($HN{\Delta}C187$) was further narrowed down by deleting C-terminal amino acids and internal amino acids to investigate whether amino acid insertion region have role in faster and stronger HR activity in $HrpN_{Ep}$ than $HrpN_{Ea}$. The $HrpN_{Ep}$ mutant proteins $HN{\Delta}C187$ (D1AIR), $HN{\Delta}C187$ (D2AIR) and $HN{\Delta}C187$ (DM41) retained similar HR activation to that of wild-type $HrpN_{Ep}$. However, the $HrpN_{Ep}$ mutant protein $HN{\Delta}C187$ (D3AIR) lacking third amino acid insertion region (102 to 113 aa) reduced HR when compared to that of wild-type $HrpN_{Ep}$. Reduction in HR elicitation could not be observed when single amino acids at different positions were substituted at third amino acids insertion region. But, substitution of amino acids at L103R, L106K and L110R showed reduction in HR activity on tobacco suggesting their importance in activation of HR faster in the $HrpN_{Ep}$ although it requires further detailed analysis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제23권5호
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• pp.637-643
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• 2013

We have demonstrated that 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) isolated from Bacillus subtilis MORI could enhance the levels of adiponectin and its receptors in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, which has been shown to be effective in lowering blood glucose levels and enhancing insulin sensitivity. DNJ was not toxic to differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes for up to a concentration of $5{\mu}M$. In terms of expression levels of adiponectin and its receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2), DNJ in concentrations as low as $0.5{\mu}M$ elevated both mRNA and protein levels of adiponectin and transcript levels of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2. In addition, DNJ increased phosphorylation of 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in a statistically significant manner. Finally, treatment with DNJ resulted in increased mRNA expression of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), which encodes for a glucose transporter, along with a significant increase in glucose uptake into the adipocytes based on results of a 2-deoxy-D-[$^3H$] glucose uptake assay. Our findings indicate that DNJ may greatly facilitate glucose uptake into adipose tissues by increasing the action of adiponectin via its up-regulated expression as well as its receptor genes. In addition, the glucose-lowering effects of DNJ may be achieved by an increased abundance of GLUT4 protein in the plasma membrane, as a consequence of the increased transcript levels of the GLUT4 gene and the activation of AMPK.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권12호
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• pp.7045-7056
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• 2013

Since the first report of RNA interference (RNAi) less than a decade ago, this type of molecular intervention has been introduced to repress gene expression in vitro and also for in vivo studies in mammals. Understanding the mechanisms of action of synthetic small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) underlies use as therapeutic agents in the areas of cancer and viral infection. Recent studies have also promoted different theories about cell-specific targeting of siRNAs. Design and delivery strategies for successful treatment of human diseases are becomingmore established and relationships between miRNA and RNAi pathways have been revealed as virus-host cell interactions. Although both are well conserved in plants, invertebrates and mammals, there is also variabilityand a more complete understanding of differences will be needed for optimal application. RNA interference (RNAi) is rapid, cheap and selective in complex biological systems and has created new insight sin fields of cancer research, genetic disorders, virology and drug design. Our knowledge about the role of miRNAs and siRNAs pathways in virus-host cell interactions in virus infected cells is incomplete. There are different viral diseases but few antiviral drugs are available. For example, acyclovir for herpes viruses, alpha-interferon for hepatitis C and B viruses and anti-retroviral for HIV are accessible. Also cancer is obviously an important target for siRNA-based therapies, but the main problem in cancer therapy is targeting metastatic cells which spread from the original tumor. There are also other possible reservations and problems that might delay or even hinder siRNA-based therapies for the treatment of certain conditions; however, this remains the most promising approach for a wide range of diseases. Clearly, more studies must be done to allow efficient delivery and better understanding of unwanted side effects of siRNA-based therapies. In this review miRNA and RNAi biology, experimental design, anti-viral and anti-cancer effects are discussed.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제40권9호
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• pp.655-666
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• 2017

We constructed a large $na{\ddot{i}}ve$ human Fab library ($3{\times}10^{10}$ colonies) from the lymphocytes of 809 human donors, assessed available diversities of the heavy-chain variable (VH) and ${\kappa}$ light-chain variable (VK) domain repertoires, and validated the library by selecting Fabs against 10 therapeutically relevant antigens by phage display. We obtained a database of unique 7,373 VH and 41,804 VK sequences by 454 pyrosequencing, and analyzed the repertoires. The distribution of VH and VK subfamilies and germline genes in our antibody repertoires slightly differed from those in earlier published natural antibody libraries. The frequency of somatic hypermutations (SHMs) in heavy-chain complementarity determining region (HCDR)1 and HCDR2 are higher compared with the natural IgM repertoire. Analysis of position-specific SHMs in CDRs indicates that asparagine, threonine, arginine, aspartate and phenylalanine are the most frequent non-germline residues on the antibody-antigen interface and are converted mostly from the germline residues, which are highly represented in germline SHM hotspots. The amino acid composition and length-dependent changes in amino acid frequencies of HCDR3 are similar to those in previous reports, except that frequencies of aspartate and phenylalanine are a little higher in our repertoire. Taken together, the results show that this antibody library shares common features of natural antibody repertoires and also has unique features. The antibody library will be useful in the generation of human antibodies against diverse antigens, and the information about the diversity of natural antibody repertoires will be valuable in the future design of synthetic human antibody libraries with high functional diversity.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.183-189
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• 2010

혈전용해효소를 생산하는 Bacillus sp. J-19가 보편적인 한국의 조미제인 멸치젓갈에서 분리되었다. 그 혈전용해 효소는 에탄올 침전, Sephadex G-50을 이용한 젤 여과법 등을 포함하는 일련의 크로마토그래피 방법으로 순수분리 되었다. 조효소 추출액과 비교해서, 그 효소의 비활성은 1021배 증가하였고, 수율은 23%이었다. 순수분리한 효소의 분자량은 SDS-PAGE 상 약 45 kDa이었다. 특히, 합성기질인 serine protease (H-D-Ile-Pro-Arg-pNA,S-2288)에 대한 아미드활성은 약 17 U/mg이었다. 또한, 그 45 kDa 혈전용해효소의 60% 이상의 활성이 30%(w/v) sodium chloride 의 존재 하에서도 유지되었다. 이러한 발견들은 특이한 혈전용해효소를 제공해서, 실용적인 혈전용해제 개발을 유도할 수 있다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제30권5호
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• pp.420-427
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• 2020

Repebody는 비면역 글로블린 인공 항체로 저렴하고 빠르게 생산 가능한 맞춤형 항체이다. 그러나 의료용 repebody의 생산은 저수율 및 복잡한 정제 공정으로 인해 여전히 어려움을 겪고 있다. Pseudomonas fluorescens의 ABC transporter를 사용한다면 생산 공정을 간소화하고 비용을 줄일 수는 있지만 repebody는 양전하를 띠어 분비 효율이 낮다. 따라서 등전점(pI)이 높은 repebody의 등전점을 낮추어 음전하를 띄도록 해야 한다. 이것을 위해 repebody의 N 말단과 C 말단에 연속된 아스파탐산을 붙여 보았지만 분비가 증가하지 않았다. 다른 방법으로 ABC transporter를 통한 repebody 분비 효율을 높이기 위해 repebody의 항원 결합 부위의 반대쪽에 존재하는 열다섯 개의 양전하 아미노산을 아스파탐산으로 변환하여 repebody 표면이 강한 음전하를 띠도록 하였다. 그 결과, 기존 repebody의 발현 단백질 당 분비효율은 21.2%였으나 변형한 과음전하 repebody의 분비효율은 58.5%로 향상되었다. 결론적으로 과음전하를 통해 만들어진 repebody는 P. fluorescens에 의해 세포 바깥에 분비 생산할 수 있었다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제30권10호
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• pp.919-929
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• 2020

방향족 화합물은 화학, 식품, 고분자, 화장품, 의약 산업 등에 이용되는 중요한 물질로, 현재까지 대부분 화학 합성법 또는 식물 추출법으로 만들어진다. 그러나, 화석 연료의 고갈, 지구 온난화, 환경규제의 강화, 식물자원의 과다한 채취 등의 많은 위협요인에 직면하면서 재생 가능한 생물자원을 이용한 미생물을 이용한 생물공학적 방법으로 방향족 화합물을 생산하는 것은 매우 유망한 대안이다. 대사공학이 합성생물학과 접목되면서, L-트립토판 생합성 경로 유래의 인공 생합성 경로가 재 구축되어 5-히드록시트립토판, 세로토닌, 멜라토닌, 7-염화-L-트립토판, 7-브로모-L-트립토판, 인디고, 인디루빈, 인돌-3-초산, 바이오라세인, 데옥시바이오라세인과 같은 다양한 고부가 화합물을 생산할 수 있게 되었다. 본 총설은 이러한 방향족 화합물의 특성, 용도, 생합성 경로를 요약하였다. 또한 방향족 화합물을 미생물을 이용하여 생산하기 위한 최신의 대사공학 전략과 생산 농도를 올리는데 제기되는 문제들을 극복하기 위한 해결방안 등을 정리하여 보고한다. 시스템 대사 공학에 기반한 균주 개발과 재생 가능한 생물자원을 사용한 배지 및 생물공정의 최적화가 이루어지면 방향족 화합물의 미생물 생산을 위한 상업적으로 실행 가능한 기술 개발을 가능하게 할 것으로 예상된다.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제23권12호
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• pp.1566-1577
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• 2010

Nandrolone, 19-nortestosterone, is a synthetic androgenic-anabolic steroid promoting muscle growth. Nandrolone is also present in pig meat and sera at non-negligible levels. A number of scientific reports have suggested a positive relationship between incidence of infertility and increased meat consumption in humans. The present study was designed to determine out the effect of feeding nandrolone on the testis of the male reproductive tract. Mixtures of food and nandrolone at different concentrations (0.005 ppm and 0.5 ppm) were supplied to pubertal male rats for 6 weeks. Body weight was recorded every week during the entire experimental period. At the end of the treatment, the testis, epididymis, and epididymal fat were collected and weighted. Sperm numbers in the caudal epididymis were counted. Differential gene or protein expression of steroidogenic enzymes in the testes among experimental groups was determined by semi-quantitative real-time PCR or western blotting analysis, respectively. Histological changes of the testis induced by nandrolone treatment were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Immunohistochemical analysis was employed to detect changes in the localization of steroidogenic enzymes in the testes among experimental animals. There were no significant changes on body, testis, epididymis, and epididymal fat weights among experimental groups. A significant increase of caudal sperm number was found in the 0.5 ppm nandrolone-treated group. Histological examination of the testes noted a high frequency of germ cell sloughing in seminiferous tubules of 0.5 ppm nandrolone-treated rats. Even though transcript levels of $3{\beta}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) I, $17{\beta}$-HSD4, and $17{\alpha}$-hydroxylase were influenced by nandrolone treatments, protein levels of all molecules examined in the present study were not significantly affected. Immunohistochemical analysis showed no visible changes in the localization of steroidogenic enzymes in the testes among experimental groups. The current study showed that oral intake of nandrolone in male rats for 6 weeks did not cause significant damage to the testis. It is considered that a feeding effect of nandrolone on male fertility would not be remarkable.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
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• 제2권3호
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• pp.221-229
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• 2013

우리나라에서 제초제 저항성작물의 개발과 저항성작물의 실용화 재배가 이루어질 경우를 대비하기 위하여 제초제 저항성작물 개발 및 잡초방제 연구현황을 분석하고 앞으로의 잡초방제 방향과 전망에 관하여 기술하였다. 제초제 저항성작물 개발은 작물에 대한 약해 없이 한 가지 제초제만을 사용해서 선택적으로 광범한 잡초방제 효과를 나타낼 수 있는 획기적인 잡초관리 기술의 하나이다. Glyphosate 저항성 형질전환 콩, 옥수수, 캐놀라, 면화에서 glyphosate 사용은 단순한 잡초방제법으로 저비용으로 편리하게 잡초를 관리할 수 있다. 한 작물에 glyphosate와 glufosinate에 모두 저항성인 이중저항성작물은 옥수수, 콩, 면화에서 개발되어 glyphosate 저항성잡초를 방제할 수 있었으며, 기존 제초제 기술의 영역을 확장할 수 있을 것이다. 그리고 glyphosate를 ALS 저해형 제초제, 합성옥신 제초제, HPPD 저해형 제초제 혹은 ACCase 저해형 제초제를 포함한 새로운 제초제 저항성작물 개발은 제초제 저항성잡초를 효과적으로 방제하기 위하여 가까운 장래에 개발되기를 기대한다. 또한 제초제 저항성작물만으로는 잡초문제를 해결할 수 없기 때문에 앞으로 다른 작용기작 제초제의 교호사용, 기계적, 경종적 방법을 통합한 종합적잡초관리 체계에 관한 연구가 요망된다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제23권7호
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• pp.863-868
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• 2013

Bacillus sp. HY-20균주 유래 endoxylanase를 코드하는 XylP 유전자를 효모에서 발현시키기 위해 두 개의 발현 플라스미드 pG-xylP와 pGMF-xylP를 구축하였다. 이들 플라스미드는 endoxylanase의 분비발현을 위해 각각 다른 분비서열인 XylP 유전자의 자체 분비서열(XylP s.s)과 최적화된 $MF{\alpha}$ 분비서열($MF{\alpha}_{opt}$ s.s)을 가지고 있으며, S. cerevisiae SEY2102와 FY833균주에 형질전환되어 그 분비활성이 비교 조사되었다. 재조합 endoxylanase는 분비발현시스템과 숙주세포에 따라 23.7~70.1 unit/ml의 활성으로 효모 세포에서 성공적으로 발현되었고, 그 중 SEY2102/pGMF-xylP 형질전환주를 이용해 baffled-flask 배양을 실시한 결과 최대 88.1 unit/ml의 endoxylanase 활성을 보임을 확인하였다. 대부분의 재조합 endoxylanase는 세포 외 분획에 효율적으로 분비 생산되었으며, $MF{\alpha}_{opt}$ 분비서열이 XylP 유전자의 자체 분비서열보다 endoxylanase를 더 효율적으로 분비시킴을 확인할 수 있었다. 그러므로 본 연구에서 개발된 발현시스템은 효모를 숙주세포로 하여 많은 양의 세포 외 endoxylanase의 생산을 가능하게 하고, 바이오에탄올 생산 및 산업적 응용에도 유용하게 사용 될 수 있으리라 기대된다.