• Journal of Microbiology
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• 제45권6호
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• pp.593-596
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• 2007

In this study, we describe the development of a simple and efficient method for cell lysis via the insertion of a bacteriophage lambda lysis gene cluster into the pET22b expression vector in the following order; the T7 promoter, a gene for a target protein intended for production, Sam7 and R. This insertion of R and Sam7 into pET22b exerted no detrimental effects on cellular growth or the production of a target protein. The induction of the T7 promoter did not in itself result in the autolysis of cells in culture but the harvested cells were readily broken by freezing and thawing. We compared the efficiency of the cell lysis technique by freezing and thawing to that observed with sonication, and determined that both methods completely disintegrated the cells and released proteins into the solution. With our modification of pET22b, the lysis of cells became quite simple, efficient, and reliable. This strategy may prove useful for a broad variety of applications, particularly in experiments requiring extensive cell breakage, including library screening and culture condition exploration, in addition to protein purification.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제42권1호
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• pp.17-27
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• 2019

Ubiquitin-specific protease 44 (USP44) has been implicated in tumor progression and metastasis across various tumors. However, the function of USP44 in prostate cancers and regulatory mechanism of histone-modifying enzymes by USP44 in tumors is not well-understood. Here, we found that enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a histone H3 lysine 27 methyltransferase, is regulated by USP44. We showed that EZH2 is a novel target of USP44 and that the protein stability of EZH2 is upregulated by USP44-mediated deubiquitination. In USP44 knockdown prostate cancer cells, the EZH2 protein level and its gene silencing activity were decreased. Furthermore, USP44 knockdown inhibited the tumorigenic characteristics and cancer stem cell-like behaviors of prostate cancer cells. Inhibition of tumorigenesis caused by USP44 knockdown was recovered by ectopic introduction of EZH2. Additionally, USP44 regulates the protein stability of oncogenic EZH2 mutants. Taken together, our results suggest that USP44 promotes the tumorigenesis of prostate cancer cells partly by stabilizing EZH2 and that USP44 is a viable therapeutic target for treating EZH2-dependent cancers.

• BMB Reports
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• 제54권7호
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• pp.380-385
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• 2021

Proper targeting of the βPAK-interacting exchange factor (βPIX)/G protein-coupled receptor kinase-interacting target protein (GIT) complex into distinct cellular compartments is essential for its diverse functions including neurite extension and synaptogenesis. However, the mechanism for translocation of this complex is still unknown. In the present study, we reported that the conventional kinesin, called kinesin-1, can transport the βPIX/GIT complex. Additionally, βPIX bind to KIF5A, a neuronal isoform of kinesin-1 heavy chain, but not KIF1 and KIF3. Mapping analysis revealed that the tail of KIF5s and LZ domain of βPIX were the respective binding domains. Silencing KIF5A or the expression of a variety of mutant forms of KIF5A inhibited βPIX targeting the neurite tips in PC12 cells. Furthermore, truncated mutants of βPIX without LZ domain did not interact with KIF5A, and were unable to target the neurite tips in PC12 cells. These results defined kinesin-1 as a motor protein of βPIX, and may provide new insights into βPIX/GIT complex-dependent neuronal pathophysiology.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권15호
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• pp.6187-6191
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• 2015

In 1997 for the first time, survivin was described by Amborsini et al. as an anti-apoptotic protein. Subsequent studies revealed that survivin is a multifunctional protein that plays critical roles in several crucial cell processes such as apoptosis, cell cycle, chromosome movement, mitosis and cellular stress responses. Moreover, it's overexpression in cancer cells versus normal cells is associated with chemotherapy resistance, increased tumor recurrence, and shorter patient survival. All of these features make survivin a promising target for cancer therapy. Here, we review the potential characteristics of survivin as a tumor marker.

• BMB Reports
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.92-97
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• 2014

We have examined the effect of bithorax complex genes on the expression of castor gene. During the embryonic stages 12-15, both Ultrabithorax and abdominal-A regulated the castor gene expression negatively, whereas Abdominal-B showed a positive correlation with the castor gene expression according to real-time PCR. To investigate whether ABD-B protein directly interacts with the castor gene, electrophoretic mobility shift assays were performed using the recombinant ABD-B homeodomain and oligonucleotides, which are located within the region 10 kb upstream of the castor gene. The results show that ABD-B protein directly binds to the castor gene specifically. ABD-B binds more strongly to oligonucleotides containing two 5'-TTAT-3' canonical core motifs than the probe containing the 5'-TTAC-3' motif. In addition, the sequences flanking the core motif are also involved in the protein-DNA interaction. The results demonstrate the importance of HD for direct binding to target sequences to regulate the expression level of the target genes.

• 한국잠사곤충학회지
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• 제42권2호
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• pp.126-141
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• 2000

A major step towards understanding of the genetic basis of an organism is the complete sequence determination of all genes in target genome. The nucleotide sequence encoded in the genome contains the information that specifies the amino acid sequence of every protein and functional RNA molecule. In principle, it will be possible to identify every protein resposible for the structure and function of the body of the target organism. The pattern of expression in different cell types will specify where and when each protein is used. The amino acid sequence of the proteins encoded by each gene will be derived from the conceptional translation of the nucleotide sequence. Comparison of these sequences with those of known proteins, whose sequences are sorted in database, will suggest an approximate function for many proteins. This mini review describes the development of new sequencing methods and the optimization of sequencing strategies for whole genome, various cDNA and genomic analysis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.241-252
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• 2023

The era of innovative RNA therapies using antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), siRNAs, and mRNAs is beginning. Since the emergence of the concept of ASOs in 1978, it took more than 20 years before they were developed into drugs for commercial use. Nine ASO drugs have been approved to date. However, they target only rare genetic diseases, and the number of chemistries and mechanisms of action of ASOs are limited. Nevertheless, ASOs are accepted as a powerful modality for next-generation medicines as they can theoretically target all disease-related RNAs, including (undruggable) protein-coding RNAs and non-coding RNAs. In addition, ASOs can not only downregulate but also upregulate gene expression through diverse mechanisms of action. This review summarizes the achievements in medicinal chemistry that enabled the translation of the ASO concept into real drugs, the molecular mechanisms of action of ASOs, the structure-activity relationship of ASO-protein binding, and the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology of ASOs. In addition, it discusses recent advances in medicinal chemistry in improving the therapeutic potential of ASOs by reducing their toxicity and enhancing their cellular uptake.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.465-472
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• 2021

Background: Ginseng can help regulate brain excitability, promote learning and memory, and resist cerebral ischemia in the central nervous system. Ginsenosides are the major effective compounds of Ginseng, but their protein targets in the brain have not been determined. Methods: We screened proteins that interact with the main components of ginseng (ginsenosides) by affinity chromatography and identified the 14-3-3 ζ protein as a potential target of ginsenosides in brain tissues. Results: Biolayer interferometry (BLI) analysis showed that 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD), a ginseng saponin metabolite, exhibited the highest direct interaction to the 14-3-3 ζ protein. Subsequently, BLI kinetics analysis and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) assay showed that PPD specifically bound to the 14-3-3 ζ protein. The cocrystal structure of the 14-3-3 ζ protein-PPD complex showed that the main interactions occurred between the residues R56, R127, and Y128 of the 14-3-3 ζ protein and a portion of PPD. Moreover, mutating any of the above residues resulted in a significant decrease of affinity between PPD and the 14-3-3 ζ protein. Conclusion: Our results indicate the 14-3-3 ζ protein is the target of PPD, a ginsenoside metabolite. Crystallographic and mutagenesis studies suggest a direct interaction between PPD and the 14-3-3 ζ protein. This finding can help in the development of small-molecular compounds that bind to the 14-3-3 ζ protein on the basis of the structure of dammarane-type triterpenoid.

• 대한기계학회논문집A
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• 제28권12호
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• pp.1997-2003
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• 2004

This paper presents a new method and an associated device, capable of detecting protein presence and size from the shift of the mechanical stiffness changing points due to the presence and size of proteins in a nano-gap actuator. Compared to the conventional resonant detection method, the present nanomechanical stiffness detection method shows higher precision for protein detection. The present method also offers simple and inexpensive protein detection devices by removing labeling process and optical components. We design and fabricate the nanomechanical protein detector using an electrothermal actuator with a nano-gap. In the experimental study, we measure the stiffness changing points and their coordinate shift from the devices with and without target proteins. The fabricated device detects the protein presence and the protein size of 14.0$\pm$7.4nm based on the coordinate shift of stiffness changing points. We experimentally verify the protein presence and size detection capability of the nanomechanical protein detector for applications to high-precision biomolecule detection.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제28권12호
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• pp.2303-2309
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• 2007

Expressed protein ligation (EPL) technique, joining recombinantly expressed proteins to polypeptides, has been widely adopted for addressing various biological questions and for drug discovery. However, joining two recombinant proteins together is sometimes difficult when proteins are expressed insoluble and unrefoldable, because ligation-active proteins via intein-fusion are obtainable when they are folded correctly. We overcame this limitation coexpressing target protein with additional methionine aminopeptidase (MAP) which enhances removal of the initiation methionine of recombinantly expressed protein. Our approach demonstrated that two domains of 46 kDa 5-Enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase, a target of herbicide glyphosate, were successfully joined by native chemical ligation, although its C-terminal domain was expressed as an inclusion body. The intein-fused N-terminal fragment of EPSP synthase (EPSPSN, residues 1-237) was expressed and the ligation-active thioester tagged N-terminal fragment (EPSPSN-thioester) was purified using a chitin affinity chromatography and mercapto-ethanesulphonate (MESNA) as intein thiolysis reagent. Its Cterminal fragment (EPSPSC, residues Met237-238CYS-427), expressed as an inclusion body, was prepared from an additional MAP-expressing strain. Protein ligation was initiated by mixing ~1 mM of EPSPSN-thioester with ~2 mM of EPSPSCCYS (residues 238CYS-427). Also we found that addition of 2% thiophenol increased the ligation efficiency via thiol exchange. The ligation efficiency was ~85%. The ligated full-length EPSP synthase was dissolved in 6 M GdHCl and refolded. Circular dichroism (CD) and enzyme activity assay of the purified protein showed that the ligated enzyme has distinct secondary structure and ~115% specific activity compared to those of wild-type EPSP synthase. This work demonstrates rare example of EPL between two recombinantly expressed proteins and also provides hands-on protein engineering protocol for large proteins.