• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제32권6호
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• pp.749-760
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• 2022

α-Galactosidase is a debranching enzyme widely used in the food, feed, paper, and pharmaceuticals industries and plays an important role in hemicellulose degradation. Here, T26, an aerobic bacterial strain with thermostable α-galactosidase activity, was isolated from laboratory-preserved lignocellulolytic microbial consortium TMC7, and identified as Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius. The α-galactosidase, called T26GAL and derived from the T26 culture supernatant, exhibited a maximum enzyme activity of 0.4976 IU/ml when cultured at 60℃ and 180 rpm for 2 days. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the α-galactosidase T26GAL belongs to the GH36 family. Subsequently, the pET-26 vector was used for the heterologous expression of the T26 α-galactosidase gene in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The optimum pH for α-galactosidase T26GAL was determined to be 8.0, while the optimum temperature was 60℃. In addition, T26GAL demonstrated a remarkable thermostability with more than 93% enzyme activity, even at a high temperature of 90℃. Furthermore, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ promoted the activity of T26GAL while Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ inhibited it. The substrate specificity studies revealed that T26GAL efficiently degraded raffinose, stachyose, and guar gum, but not locust bean gum. This study thus facilitated the discovery of an effective heat-resistant α-galactosidase with potent industrial application. Meanwhile, as part of our research on lignocellulose degradation by a microbial consortium, the present work provides an important basis for encouraging further investigation into this enzyme complex.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제32권8호
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• pp.1041-1046
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• 2022

Nucleoside deoxyribosyltransferase (NDT) is an enzyme that replaces the purine or pyrimidine base of 2'-deoxyribonucleoside. This enzyme is generally used in the nucleotide salvage pathway in vivo and synthesizes many nucleoside analogs in vitro for various biotechnological purposes. Since NDT is known to exhibit relatively low reactivity toward nucleoside analogs such as 2'-fluoro-2'-deoxynucleoside, it is necessary to develop an enhanced NDT mutant enzyme suitable for nucleoside analogs. In this study, molecular evolution strategy via error-prone PCR was performed with ndt gene derived from Lactobacillus leichmannii as a template to obtain an engineered NDT with higher substrate specificity to 2FDU (2'-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine). A mutant library of 214 ndt genes with different sequences was obtained and performed for the conversion of 2FDU to 2FDA (2'-fluoro-2'-deoxyadenosine). The E. coli containing a mutant NDT, named NDT^L59Q, showed 1.7-fold (at 40℃) and 4.4-fold (at 50℃) higher 2FDU-to-2FDA conversions compared to the NDT^WT, respectively. Subsequently, both NDT^WT and NDT^L59Q enzymes were over-expressed and purified using a His-tag system in E. coli. Characterization and enzyme kinetics revealed that the NDT^L59Q mutant enzyme containing a single point mutation of leucine to glutamine at the 59^th position exhibited superior thermal stability with enhanced substrate specificity to 2FDU.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.291-301
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• 2023

Introduction: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients are particularly vulnerable to the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19). Currently, no anti-NSCLC/COVID-19 treatment options are available. As ginsenoside Rg3 is beneficial to NSCLC patients and has been identified as an entry inhibitor of the virus, this study aims to explore underlying pharmacological mechanisms of ginsenoside Rg3 for the treatment of NSCLC patients with COVID-19. Methods: Based on a large-scale data mining and systemic biological analysis, this study investigated target genes, biological processes, pharmacological mechanisms, and underlying immune implications of ginsenoside Rg3 for NSCLC patients with COVID-19. Results: An important gene set containing 26 target genes was built. Target genes with significant prognostic value were identified, including baculoviral IAP repeat containing 5 (BIRC5), carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9), endothelin receptor type B (EDNRB), glucagon receptor (GCGR), interleukin 2 (IL2), peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PADI4), and solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 1B1 (SLCO1B1). The expression of target genes was significantly correlated with the infiltration level of macrophages, eosinophils, natural killer cells, and T lymphocytes. Ginsenoside Rg3 may benefit NSCLC patients with COVID-19 by regulating signaling pathways primarily involved in anti-inflammation, immunomodulation, cell cycle, cell fate, carcinogenesis, and hemodynamics. Conclusions: This study provided a comprehensive strategy for drug discovery in NSCLC and COVID-19 based on systemic biology approaches. Ginsenoside Rg3 may be a prospective drug for NSCLC patients with COVID-19. Future studies are needed to determine the value of ginsenoside Rg3 for NSCLC patients with COVID-19.

• 대한예방한의학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.35-48
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• 2023

Objective : We studied prognostic biomarkers discovery for lung cancer based on the pattern identification for the personalized Korean medicine. Methods : Using 30 tissue samples, we performed a whole exome sequencing to examine the genetic differences among three groups. Results : The exome sequencing identified among 23,490 SNPs germline variants, 12 variants showed significant frequency differences between Xu and Stasis groups (P<0.0005). As similar, 18 and 10 variants were identified in analysis for Xu vs. Gentleness group and Stasis vs. Gentleness group, respectively (P<0.001). Our exome sequencing also found 8,792 lung cancer specific variants and among the groups identified 6, 34, and 12 variants which showed significant allele frequency differences in the comparison groups; Xu vs. Stasis, Xu vs. Gentleness group, and Stasis vs. Gentleness group. As a result of PCA analysis, in germline data set, Xu group was divided from other groups. Analysis using somatic variants also showed similar result. And in gene ontology analysis using pattern identification variants, we found genes like as FUT3, MYCBPAP, and ST5 were related to tumorigenicity, and tumor metastasis in comparison between Xu and Stasis. Other significant SNPs for two were responsible for eye morphogenesis and olfactory receptor activity. Classification of somatic pattern identification variants showed close relationship in multicellular organism reproduction, anion-anion antiporter activity, and GTPase regulator activity. Conclusions : Taken together, our study identified 40 variants in 29 genes in association with germline difference of pattern identification groups and 52 variants in 47 genes in somatic cancer tissues.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제62권1호
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• pp.85-97
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• 2024

This study aimed to describe the morphological and molecular characteristics of Paralecithodendrium longiforme (Digenea: Lecithodendriidae) adults and cercariae isolated in Thailand. Adult flukes were isolated from the Chinese pipistrelle bat (Hypsugo sp.), and cercariae were detected in the viviparid snail (Filopaludina martensi martensi) from Chiang Mai province. The morphological characteristics were observed and described using conventional methods, and the molecular characteristics with internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) and 28S rDNA gene sequences. The adult flukes were fusiform, 0.84-0.98 mm in length, and 0.37-0.49 mm in width, and were distinguishable from other species by the presence of longitudinal uterine coils. The cercariae were nonvirgulate xiphidiocercariae, with the oral sucker bigger than the acetabulum, the tail without fin fold, a body size of 117.5-138.3×48.3-52.2 ㎛, and a tail size of 100.7-103.7×15.0-18.9 ㎛. Molecular studies revealed that the adults and cercariae shared 99.3% (ITS2) and 99.6% (28S rDNA) homology with each other. They were phylogenetically close to P. longiforme with an identity of 94.5% for ITS2 and 98.7% for 28S rDNA. This study provides new information on the natural definitive host and first intermediate host of P. longiforme in Thailand. The discovery of its cercarial stage in Filopaludina snails highlights the importance of monitoring the associated second intermediate host and prevention and control of this potentially zoonotic trematode.

• 분석과학
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• 제24권6호
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• pp.533-543
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• 2011

hERG (human ether-a-go-go related gene) 이온채널은 심장 재분극의 중요 요소이며 이 채널의 저해제는 부정맥과 돌연사를 유발할 수 있다. 따라서, 신약개발과정에서 후보물질이 hERG 이온채널의 잠재적인 저해제일 경우에는 심장독성 부작용을 유발하므로, 이를 최소화하고자 많은 노력이 집중되고 있다. 본 연구는 HEK(인간 배아 신장)세포에서 얻은 202개 유기화합물의 $IC_{50}$ 데이터를 이용하여 2차원 구조-활성의 정량적 관계(2D-QSAR)방법으로 예측하는 모델을 개발하였다. hERG이온채널 저해제의 기계 학습방법으로는 다중선형회귀(Multiple Linear Regression), 서포트 벡터 머신(Support Vector Machine: SVM)방법과 인공신경망(Artificial Neural Network)방법이며, 교차검증을 적용한 모집단 기반 전진선택(forward selection)방법과 결합하여 각 학습모델에 적합한 최적의 표현자들을 결정하였다. 가장 우수한 방법은 14종의 표현자를 사용한 인공신경망방법($R^2_{CV}$=0.617, RMSECV=0.762, MAECV=0.583)이었고, 다중선형회귀방법을 통해서 hERG이온채널 저해물질의 구조적 특징과 수용체와의 상호작용을 설명할 수 있다. QSAR모델의 검증은 교차검증과 Y-scrambling test방법으로 수행하였다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.331-337
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• 2009

Interleukin-13 (IL-13) has been proposed as a therapeutic target for bronchial asthma as it plays crucial roles in the pathogenesis of the disease. We developed an in vitro test system measuring transcriptional downregulatory activities on IL-13 as a primary screening method to select drug candidates from natural products. The promoter region of IL-13 (-2,048 to +1) was cloned into the upstream of a luciferase gene in the plasmid pGL4.14 containing the hygromycin resistance gene as a selection marker, generating pGL4.14-IL-13. The EL-4 thymoma and RBL-2H3 mast cells transiently expressing this plasmid highly produced the luciferase activities by responding to PI (PMA and ionomycin) stimulation up to 8-fold and 13-fold compared with the control, respectively, whereas cyclosporin A, a well-known antiasthmatic agent, significantly downregulated the activities. The BF1 clone of RBL-2H3 cells constitutively expressing pGL4.14-IL-13 was established by selecting surviving cells under a constant lethal dose of hygromycin treatment. The feasibility of this system was evaluated by measuring the downregulatory activities of 354 natural products on the IL-13 promoter using the BF1 clone. An extract from Morus bombycis (named TBRC 156) significantly inhibited PI-induced luciferase activities and IL-13 mRNA expression, but not the protein expression. Fisetin (named TBRC 353) inhibited not only PI-induced luciferase activities and mRNA expression, but also the IL-13 protein secretion, whereas myricetin (named TBRC 354) could not suppress the IL-13 expression at all. Our data indicated that this in vitro test system is able to discriminate the effects on IL-13 expression, and furthermore, that it might be suitable as a simple and time-saving primary screening system to select antiasthmatic agents by measuring transcriptional activities of the IL-13 promoter.

• 한국어류학회지
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.283-292
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• 2006

넙치 (Paralichthys olivaceus) 신장에서 추출한 mRNA로부터 cDNA library를 제작하고 이를 이용하여 EST (Expressed sequence tag) 분석을 하였다. 넙치의 신장 cDNA library에서 무작위로 선별한 390개의 EST를 조사한 결과, 250개의 EST는 이미 밝혀진 유전자와 유사성이 있는 것으로 나타났으며, 140개의 EST는 새로운 유전자로 밝혀졌다. 유전자의 기능이 밝혀진 250개의 EST 중 14 (5.6%)개의 EST는 이미 알려진 넙치 EST와 상동성이 있는 유전자로 확인되었고, 198 (79.2%)개의 EST는 다른 생물에서 알려진 유전자와 상동성이 있는 것으로 나타났다. 그러나 38 (15.2%)개의 EST는 전혀 기능이 알려지지 않은 새로운 유전자로 밝혀졌다. EST 분석은 새로운 유전자 뿐만 아니라 기능적으로 중요한 유전자를 탐색하는데도 아주 강력한 연구 방법이다. 이에 따라 본 연구에서는 넙치 신장 EST 분석을 통해 C-, L-type lectin과 MHC class II-invariant chain like proteins (li) 같은 면역기능과 관련이 있는 여러 개의 유전자를 확인하였고, 이들 유전자들은 질병감염 후 유전자 발현에서 나타나는 차이를 분석하는데 이용되는 cDNA microarray 연구에 유용하게 사용될 것으로 보인다.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.504-511
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• 2010

Diabetes is a disease that contains a high concentration of glucose in blood and due to defects in either insulin secretion or insulin action. Although the distinctive causes and factors of diabetes have not been clarified, the genetic factors are suggested as a main susceptibility until now. SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism), as the most common genetic variation, has an influence on personal susceptibility for diseases. A nonsynonymous SNP, which changes the amino acid of the protein and its function, is especially important. Therefore, this study hypothesized that there are associations between specific SNPs of the targeted genes. Transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) and fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) genes were selected as target genes from the results of genome-wide association and other related research studies. Second, four nonsynonymous SNPs (three in TCF7L2 and one in FTO gene) were selected as target SNPs by using public database of NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information). The recruited personnel was classified into three subgroups of diabetes, impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and normal groups. The individual genotypes of each group were analyzed by resequencing. None of genetic variations at four targeted SNP sites was revealed in all samples of this study. However, this study found two new SNPs that were not reported in TCF7L2 gene. One is synonymous SNP, which is heterozygous of C/T and no amino acid change of asparagine/asparagines, was located at c1641 and found in one normal person. Another is nonsynonymous SNP, which is heterozygous of G/A, was located at c1501 and found in two samples. This new discovered nonsynonymous SNP induce the amino acid change from alanine to threonine. Moreover, this new nonsynonymous SNP was found among two persons, one of whom was a diabetes patient and the other one was a person at boundary between IFG and normal, suggesting that this variant might be associated with IFG or diabetes. Even if there is a limitation of sample number for statistical power, this study has an importance due to the discovery of new SNPs. In the future study, a large sample number of diabetes cohort will be needed to investigate the frequency and association with new discovered SNP.

• 한국식품위생안전성학회지
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• 제35권6호
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• pp.535-543
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• 2020

유전적 조절, 유전자 발현 그리고 환경적 단서, 화학적 신호에 대응하는 표현형 변이에서 세포 RNA는 ubiquitous 역할 이외에도 세포 외 RNA(exRNA)라 하는 새로운 형태의 RNA는 추후 연구의 방향을 제시한다. exRNA는 membrane vesicles 또는 세포 외 소포체(EV)로 알려진 membrane blebs를 통해 세포 외부로 운반된다. EV의 형성은 원핵생물, 진핵생물, 고세균을 포함한 모든 미생물군에 우세하게 보존되어있다. 본 리뷰는 세균 유래 exRNA에 관해 세가지 주제에 초점을 두었다. exRNA의 발견과 박테리아 유전자 배열에 대한 외부 RNA의 영향, b. exRNA의 분비기작을 통한 방출, c. 다른 그람음성 및 그람양성균에 의해 분비되는 exRNA로 고안될 수 있는 응용 가능분야이다. 본 리뷰에서 장내 미생물군의 probiotics 및 후성유전학적 규제에서 본 exRNA와 exRNA마커와 같은 EV파생 응용프로그램에 대한 의견을 제공할 것이다.