• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.42.1-42.23
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• 2023

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the causative agent of tuberculosis, one of the most deadly infections in humans. The emergence of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant Mtb strains presents a global challenge. Mtb has shown resistance to many frontline antibiotics, including rifampicin, kanamycin, isoniazid, and capreomycin. The only licensed vaccine, Bacille Calmette-Guerin, does not efficiently protect against adult pulmonary tuberculosis. Therefore, it is urgently necessary to develop new vaccines to prevent infections caused by these strains. We used a subtractive proteomics approach on 23 virulent Mtb strains and identified a conserved membrane protein (MmpL4, NP_214964.1) as both a potential drug target and vaccine candidate. MmpL4 is a non-homologous essential protein in the host and is involved in the pathogen-specific pathway. Furthermore, MmpL4 shows no homology with anti-targets and has limited homology to human gut microflora, potentially reducing the likelihood of adverse effects and cross-reactivity if therapeutics specific to this protein are developed. Subsequently, we constructed a highly soluble, safe, antigenic, and stable multi-subunit vaccine from the MmpL4 protein using immunoinformatics. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed the stability of the vaccine-bound Tolllike receptor-4 complex on a nanosecond scale, and immune simulations indicated strong primary and secondary immune responses in the host. Therefore, our study identifies a new target that could expedite the design of effective therapeutics, and the designed vaccine should be validated. Future directions include an extensive molecular interaction analysis, in silico cloning, wet-lab experiments, and evaluation and comparison of the designed candidate as both a DNA vaccine and protein vaccine.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.30.1-30.13
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• 2023

Ephs belong to the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinase and are highly conserved both sequentially and structurally. The structural organization of Eph is similar to other receptor tyrosine kinases; constituting the extracellular ligand binding domain, a fibronectin domain followed by intracellular juxtamembrane kinase, and SAM domain. Eph binds to respective ephrin ligand, through the ligand binding domain and forms a tetrameric complex to activate the kinase domain. Eph-ephrin regulates many downstream pathways that lead to physiological events such as cell migration, proliferation, and growth. Therefore, considering the importance of Eph-ephrin class of protein in tumorigenesis, 7,620 clinically reported missense mutations belonging to the class of variables of unknown significance were retrieved from cBioPortal and evaluated for pathogenicity. Thirty-two mutations predicted to be pathogenic using SIFT, Polyphen-2, PROVEAN, SNPs&GO, PMut, iSTABLE, and PremPS in-silico tools were found located either in critical functional regions or encompassing interactions at the binding interface of Eph-ephrin. However, seven were reported in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Considering the relevance of receptor tyrosine kinases and Eph in NSCLC, these seven mutations were assessed for change in the folding pattern using molecular dynamic simulation. Structural alterations, stability, flexibility, compactness, and solvent-exposed area was observed in EphA3 Trp790Cys, EphA7 Leu749Phe, EphB1 Gly685Cys, EphB4 Val748Ala, and Ephrin A2 Trp112Cys. Hence, it can be concluded that the evaluated mutations have potential to alter the folding pattern and thus can be further validated by in-vitro, structural and in-vivo studies for clinical management.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제48권1호
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• pp.40-51
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• 2024

Background: Ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 shows promising tumor-suppressive effects in ovarian cancer via inhibiting NF-kB signaling. This study aimed to explore the downstream tumor suppressive mechanisms of ginsenoside Rg3 via this signaling pathway. Materials and methods: A systematical screening was applied to examine the expression profile of 41 kinesin family member genes in ovarian cancer. The regulatory effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on KIF20A expression was studied. In addition, we explored interacting proteins of KIF20A and their molecular regulations in ovarian cancer. RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was used for bioinformatic analysis. Epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV3 and A2780 were used as in vitro and in vivo cell models. Commercial human ovarian cancer tissue arrays were used for immunohistochemistry staining. Results: KIF20A is a biomarker of poor prognosis among the kinesin genes. It promotes ovarian cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Ginsenoside Rg3 can suppress the transcription of KIF20A. GST pull-down and co-immunoprecipitation (IP) assays confirmed that KIF20A physically interacts with BTRC (β-TrCP1), a substrate recognition subunit for SCF^β-TrCP E3 ubiquitin ligase. In vitro ubiquitination and cycloheximide (CHX) chase assays showed that via interacting with BTRC, KIF20A reduces BTRC-mediated CDC25A poly-ubiquitination and enhances its stability. Ginsenoside Rg3 treatment partly abrogates KIF20A overexpression-induced CDC25A upregulation. Conclusion: This study revealed a novel anti-tumor mechanism of ginsenoside Rg3. It can inhibit KIF20A transcription and promote CDC25A proteasomal degradation in epithelial ovarian cancer.

• BMB Reports
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• 제57권2호
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• pp.98-103
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• 2024

The mammalian sirtuin family (SIRT1-SIRT7) has shown diverse biological roles in the regulation and maintenance of genome stability under genotoxic stress. SIRT7, one of the least studied sirtuin, has been demonstrated to be a key factor for DNA damage response (DDR). However, conflicting results have proposed that Sirt7 is an oncogenic factor to promote transformation in cancer cells. To address this inconsistency, we investigated properties of SIRT7 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) regulation under DNA damage and found that loss of hepatic Sirt7 accelerated HCC progression. Specifically, the number, size, and volume of hepatic tumor colonies in diethylnitrosamine (DEN) injected Sirt7-deficient liver were markedly enhanced. Further, levels of HCC progression markers and pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly elevated in the absence of hepatic Sirt7, unlike those in the control. In chromatin, SIRT7 was stabilized and colocalized to damage site by inhibiting the induction of γH2AX under DNA damage. Together, our findings suggest that SIRT7 is a crucial factor for DNA damage repair and that hepatic loss-of-Sirt7 can promote genomic instability and accelerate HCC development, unlike early studies describing that Sirt7 is an oncogenic factor.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.125-138
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• 2024

Citrus yellow vein clearing virus (CYVCV) is a member of the Alphaflexiviridae family that causes yellow vein clearing symptoms on citrus leaves. A total of 118 leaf samples from nine regions of six provinces in Korea were collected from various citrus species in 2020 and 2021. Viral diagnosis using next-generation sequencing and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) identified four viruses: citrus tristeza virus, citrus leaf blotch virus, citrus vein enation virus, and CYVCV. A CYVCV incidence of 9.3% was observed in six host plants, including calamansi, kumquat, Persian lime, and Eureka lemon. Among the citrus infected by CYVCV, only three samples showed a single infection; the other showed a mixed infection with other viruses. Eureka lemon and Persian lime exhibited yellow vein clearing, leaf distortion, and water-soak symptom underside of the leaves, while the other hosts showed only yellowing symptoms on the leaves. The complete genome sequences were obtained from five CYVCV isolates. Comparison of the isolates reported from the different geographical regions and hosts revealed the high sequence identity (95.2% to 98.8%). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that all the five isolates from Korea were clustered into same clade but were not distinctly apart from isolates from China, Pakistan, India, and Türkiye. To develop an efficient diagnosis system for the four viruses, a simultaneous detection method was constructed using multiplex RT-PCR. Sensitivity evaluation, simplex RT-PCR, and stability testing were conducted to verify the multiplex RT-PCR system developed in this study. This information will be useful for developing effective disease management strategies for citrus growers in Korea.

• 미생물학회지
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.236-242
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• 1998

박테리오파지 P2-P4 시스템은 바이러스 조립과정 기작 연구를 위한 뛰어난 실험 소재로 연구되어 왔으나, 이 시스템에 유전자 조작상 필수적인 유용한 플라스미드가 없는 관계로 그의 필요성이 대두되고 있다. 본연구에서는 도움파지가 없을 때 플라스미드 상태로 존재하는 P4 ash8 (sid71)을 시작물질로, 항생제 내성 유전자를 도입하여 선택성을 줄 목적으로 P4 파지 증식에 불필요한 P4 DNA 단편을 pUC4-K 플라스미드의 kmr(kanamycin resistance) 유전자로 치환하여 P4 ash8(sid71) kmr을 생성하였다. 이 플라스미드는 박테리오파지 P2로 induction하여 박테리오파지 P4 상태로 증식시킬 수 있게 그 genome 크기를 조정하였으며, 파지 상태로 전환된 것을 burst size 결정 및 CsCl 부양 균등밀도 편차실험을 통해 입증하였다. 생성된 P4 플라스미드 유도체를 유전자 조작하여 P4의 integrase 기능을 잃은 변이체를 쉽게 만들 수 있었으며, 역시 박테리오파지 P4 상태로 증식시킬 수 있었다. 이러한 변이체 플라스미드의 안정성 실험을 수행하여, P4의 integrase 기능이 지속적인 플라스미드 상태 유지를 위해 필요하다는 것을 보여주었다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제30권11호
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• pp.947-955
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• 2020

구제역바이러스(FMDV)는 피코나바이러스 과에 속하는 바이러스로서 야생과 가축화된 소와 돼지에 감염된다. FMDV는 제어되기 어려워서 가축의 생산과 국제통상에 큰 장애가 되고 있다. FMDV RNA 게놈의 복제 과정에서 3D 중합효소가 특이적인 복제 기능을 담당하는데 게놈에 결합하는 부위가 매우 중요하다. 이 사실은 FMDV 게놈의 비코딩영역 내에서 3D 중합효소에 의해 인지되는 특이 RNA 구조가 관여함을 제시한다. 이 과정에서 cis-acting replication element (CRE)는 RNA 복제를 위한 개시에 필요하다. FMDV CRE는 15-17 뉴클레오티드의 고리와 이를 지지하는 이중가닥으로 형성된 줄기-고리 모양을 가지며 이들을 구성하는 RNA 뉴클레오티드 서열의 차이가 다른 RNA 이차구조를 생성한다. CRE 이외에 FMDV 복제를 위해서 많은 바이러스와 세포 인자들이 단백질-단백질 결합과 단백질-RNA 결합을 통해 협조적인 네트워크를 만들어낸다. 이 연구에서 국내에서 2010년부터 2017년 까지 구제역이 발생한 소와 돼지에서 FMDV를 분리하여 CRE 서열을 분석하였으며 이들 FMDV들은 A형과 O형의 유전자형을 가졌다. 흥미롭게 국내 FMDV들의 CRE RNA 이차구조의 변이들은 바이러스 간의 계통유전학적 상관관련성과 일치하며 특정 숙주 동물종의 FMDV 감염의 특이성을 밝혀주었다. 이를 토대로 국내 FMDV의 각 유전군의 분류는 독특한 기능적 CRE에 의해 특징지을 수 있으며 새로운 유전적 계통의 진화학적 연속성은 특징있는 CRE 모티프의 구분과 연관지을 수 있다. 그러므로 CRE의 특이적 RNA 구조는 숙주 동물종 의존적인 FMDV 부류의 부가적인 단서로 활용할 수 있음을 제안한다. 이들 연구 결과들은 향후 FMDV 대량감염이 발생할 때 숙주동물종의 특이성을 CRE 서열로 조기에 정확히 분석하는데 도움이 될 것이다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권19호
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• pp.8051-8055
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• 2014

Background: A common genetic variant rs3757318, located in intron of C6orf97, was firstly identified to be associated with breast cancer (BC) risk by a genome-wide association (GWA) study. However, subsequent validation studies with different ethnicities have yielded conflicting results. Materials and Methods: We performed a meta-analysis to synthesize all available data for evaluating the precise effect of this variant on BC susceptibility. Results: A total of 8 articles containing 11 studies with 62,891 cases and 65,635 controls were included in this meta-analysis. When compared to the G allele, the rs3757318-A allele was significantly associated with BC risk with the pooled OR of 1.21 (95% CI=1.15 - 1.29, P<0.001) but with obvious between-study heterogeneity (P=0.040). Stratified analysis suggested that diversity of ethnicity along with control source may explain part of the heterogeneity. Similarly, significant associations were also identified in heterozygote, homozygote, dominant and recessive genetic models. Sensitivity and publication bias analyses indicated robust stability of our results. Conclusions: Our present meta-analysis demonstrated that the variant rs3757318 is associated with increased BC risk. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to clarify the underlying biological mechanisms.

• 미생물학회지
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• 제50권2호
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• pp.95-100
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• 2014

Hrq1은 곰팡이 유전체에서 생물정보분석에 의해 발견된 새로운 RecQ helicase이다. 이 단백질은 인간의 RECQL4와 가장 상동성이 높으며 최근의 유전학적 생화학적 연구를 통해서 유전체 안정성을 유지하는데 어떤 역할을 할 것으로 예상되었다. 본 연구에서는 RECQL4와 상호작용하는 것으로 알려진 인간 유전자들과 상동성이 있는 효모 유전자들이 Hrq1과 상호작용하는지를 yeast two-hybrid assay를 이용하여 조사하였다. 총 11개의 유전자를 조사한 결과, nucleotide excision repair (NER) 인자 중의 하나인 Rad14이 Hrq1과 상호작용하는 것을 발견하였다. 또한 정제한 단백질을 이용한 pull-down assay로 Hrq1과 Rad14 사이의 직접적인 상호작용을 확인하였다. Hrq1과 Rad14 사이의 yeast two-hybrid 상호작용은 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide에 의한 DNA 손상으로 더욱 증가하였으며, 이러한 상호작용의 증가는 또 다른 NER 인자인 Rad4에 의존적이었다. 이러한 결과들은 Hrq1이 Rad14과의 상호작용을 통하여 NER 과정에 어떤 역할을 할 가능성을 제시하고 있다.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.243-250
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• 2005

한국 분리주 감자잎말림바이러스 (PLRV)로부터 627bp 크기의 외피단백질 유전자의 ORF (AF296280)를 분리하여 장려품종 감자인 '수미'를 형질전환 하였다. 17계통의 형질전환체를 선발하여 온실과 포장에서 5세대를 증식하면서 PLRV에 대한 저항성이 큰 5계통을 선발 하였다. 도입된 유전자들의 유전적인 안정성을 확인하기위해 PCR, Southern, 그리고 northern blot 분석을 수행하였다. 또한 클론으로 증식된 형질전환 감자들의 특성과 저항성도 검정하였다. 형질전환된 감자들에서 PLRV의 외피단백질 유전자는 안전적으로 발현되며 저항성을 유지하였으며, 유사도가 비교적 낮은 감자 바이러스 Y (PVY)에는 저항성을 나타내지 않았다. 따라서 이러한 저항성은 도입된 유전자와 유사성도가 높은 바이러스에 저항성을 나타내는 homology dependent gene silencing으로 판단되었다. 유망계통 형질전환 감자 계통들의 포장평가를 통해 PLRV에 대한 저항성을 제외한 주요한 농업적 특성과 식물학적 특성은 형질전환 되지 않은 감자와 큰 차이를 보이지 않았다.