• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.531-537
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• 2023

Intracellular and axonal transport is mediated by microtubule-dependent motor proteins, such as kinesins and cytoplasmic dynein. Kinesin moves along the microtubule to the positive end of the microtubule, while dynein moves to the negative end of the microtubule. Kinesin-1 was first identified as a kinesin superfamily protein (KIF) that functions in the intracellular transport of various cargoes, including organelles, neurotransmitter receptors, and mRNA-protein complexes, through interactions between the carboxyl (C)-terminal domain and the cargo. It interacts with other cargoes, but the adapter/scaffold proteins that mediate between kinesin-1 and the cargo have yet to be fully identified. In this study, a yeast two-hybrid screen was used to identify adapter proteins that interact with the C-terminal region of KIF5A. We found an association between the C-terminal region of KIF5A and the cyclin-dependent kinase 2-associated protein 1 (CDK2AP1), originally identified in malignant hamster oral keratinocytes. CDK2AP1 bound to the C-terminal region of KIF5A and did not interact with KIF3A (the motor of kinesin-2), KIF5B, KIF5C, and kinesin light chain 1 (KLC1). The C-terminal region of CDK2AP1 is essential for its interaction with KIF5A. When co-expressed in HEK-293T cells, CDK2AP1 and kinesin-1 co-immunoprecipitated and co-localized in the cells. These results suggest that the KIF5A-CDK2AP1 interaction serves as an adapter protein connecting kinesin-1 and the cargo when kinesin-1 transports cargo in cells.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2024

In 2023, symptoms like damping-off disease were observed in 74 paprika growing in greenhouses in Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do, Korea. In this study, we tried to find the cause of the damping-off disease outbreak. We collected symptomatic seedlings and observed the typical crescent-shaped conidia of Fusarium oxysporum by microscope. To confirm the presence of F. oxysporum in the samples, polymerase chain reaction was performed using primers specific for F. oxysporum; the resulting sequence showed 99.11% identity with F. oxysporum. To confirm the pathogenicity of the F. oxysporum (CW) isolated from the samples, healthy paprika plants were inoculated with F. oxysporum CW and damping-off symptoms were observed 2 weeks later. To investigate whether the damping-off disease outbreak in Cheorwon-gun was caused by F. oxysporum-contaminated seeds, 100 paprika seeds were disinfected and placed in Murashige and Skoog medium. Typical pink F. oxysporum hyphae were found only in control non-disinfected seeds. An 18S rRNA-based and a TEF genebased phylogenetic analysis showed that the F. oxysporum CW isolate was not grouped with a F. oxysporum isolate reported from Cheorwon-gun in 2019. This study is the first report that an outbreak of damping-off disease in paprika in Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do, Korea, was caused by contamination of F. oxysporum seeds.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate on the antimicrobial effect on the periodontal pathogens and anti-inflammatory effect of Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba. Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba has been used for treating as Artemisiae Capilaris Herba in Korea. Methods : Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba was prepared by extracting medicinal herb with water. We investigated antimicrobial activity by the minimun inhibitory concentration (MIC) test. We also investigated inhibition of IL-$1{\beta}$-induced collagenase-l(MMP-l), stromelysin-1(MMP-3), interleukin-6 gene expression in human gingival fibroblasts. Results : The antimicrobial effect of Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba was evaluated with MIC against periodontopathogens; Porphyromonas gingivalis 2561, W50, A7A1-28, 9-14K-1, Prevotella intermedia28, and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans Y4, MICs of Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba were 0.156 mg/ml, 0.625 mg/ml, 0.313 mg/ml, 1.25 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml. The anti-inflammatory effect of Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba was evaluated with Influence of herbs on the IL-$1{\beta}$-induced expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, interleukin-6, IL-$1{\beta}$ increased MMP-1, MMP-3, interleukin-6 mRNA levels. Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba significantly inhibited IL-$1{\beta}$-induced MMP-1, MMP-3, interleukin-6 gene expressions in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions : These results suggested that Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba might reduce the excessive proteolytic capacity of the gingival fibroblast during inflammation and could be developed a new drug in periodontitis.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.141-148
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to develop a new starter for fermented milk. The approach started with 103 acid-producing isolates from Kimchi, a type of spiced, fermented cabbage and then PCR screening was used to identify 72 Lactobacillus strains. The ability to inhibit the growth of food-borne human pathogens (Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus) of these strains were measured, using the paper disk method. Among them, one bacterium (LHB55) that showed a strong antibacterial activity against food-borne human pathogens was identified and further characterized, using 16S rDNA sequencing and API 50CHL system. Because this isolate was identified as L. plantarum, it was named as L. plantarum LHB55. The yogurt produced using commercial LAB with L. plantarum LHB55 did not display properties that are microbially or physico-chemically different from the control group, which suggests that L. plantarum LHB55 can be used as a useful starter for yogurt containing high antibacterial activity. We think that identifying effective starter strains enabling further development of fermented milk that can deliver better health benefits such as antimicrobial properties is of high significance, and thus our effort in this type of approach will continue.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.326-332
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• 2011

The authors examined the effects of operating parameters on the $H_2$ production by dark fermentation of the wastewater generated from food waste recycling facilities, in short "food waste wastewater (FWW)". Central composite design based response surface methodology was applied to analyze the effect of initial pH (5.5-8.5) and substrate concentration (2-20 g Carbo. COD/L) on $H_2$ production. The experiment was conducted under mesophilic ($35^{\circ}C$) condition and a heat-treated ($90^{\circ}C$ for 20min)anaerobic digester sludge was used as a seeding source. Although there was a little difference in carbohydrate removal, $H_2$ yield was largely affected by the experimental conditions, from 0.38 to 1.77 mol $H_2$/mol $hexose_{added}$. By applying regression analysis, $H_2$ yield was well fitted based on the coded value to a second order polynomial equation (p = 0.0243): Y = $1.78-0.17X_1+0.30X_2+0.37X_1X_2-0.29X_1{^2}-0.35X_2{^2}$, where $X_1$, $X_2$, and Y are pH, substrate concentration (g Carbo. COD/L), and hydrogen yield (mol $H_2$/mol $hexose_{added}$), respectively. The 2-D response surface clearly showed a high inter-dependency between initial pH and substrate concentration, and the role of these two factors was to control the pH during fermentation. According to the statistical optimization, the optimum condition of initial pH and substrate concentration were 7.0 and 13.4 g Carbo. COD/L, respectively, under which predicted $H_2$ yield was 1.84 mol $H_2$/mol $hexose_{added}$. Microbial analysis using 16S rRNA PCR-DGGE showed that $Clostridium$ sp. such as $Clostridium$ $perfringens$, $Clostridium$ $sticklandii$, and $Clostridium$ $bifermentans$ were main $H_2$-producers.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.206-211
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• 2014

Anaplasmosis is a rickettsial zoonosis mediated by blood-sucking arthropods, such as ticks, flies, and mosquitos. Migratory birds are common hosts of ticks that are mediators of anaplasmosis, in particular, the tick infection rate in thrushes (family Turdidae) has been known to be high. The main purpose of this study is to survey the occurrence and prevalence of Anaplasma spp. from the migratory thrushes in Jeju island. We collected blood samples from 6 thrushes rescued at the Jeju Wildlife Rescue Center and from 34 wild-caught thrushes on Mara island which is a satellite island of Jeju. As a result, the nested PCR confirmed that seven out of 40 individuals (17.5%) were infected by Anaplasma spp. and all of them were identified as A. phagocytophilum based on sequences obtained from partial 16S rRNA. All the infected birds were on their northward migration in spring, our results suggest that the Turdidae family, which is a common and abundant migrant group passing through Jeju island, may act a role as active reservoir and disperser of A. phagocytophilum causing potential influx of the zoonotic pathogens from its wintering grounds in lower latitude to the mainland Korea as well as Jeju.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.177-183
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• 2012

Bacterial wilt (brown rot) caused by Ralstonia solanacearum (Rs) is one of the most devastating bacterial plant diseases in potatoes. To isolate bacterial wilt disease resistance-related genes from the potato, the StACRE (HM749652) gene was isolated and a sequenced search was performed using functional orthologs of Solanaceae from potatoes. StACRE is homologous to the tobacco NtACRE 132 protein and belongs to the ATL family involved in ubiquitination. To analyze the expression pattern of this gene, RT-PCR was performed with potato treated with salicylic acid (SA) and Rs (KACC 10722). StACRE was strongly induced 3 hours after treatment with SA and 12 hours after infection with Rs. To investigate its biological functions in the potato, we constructed a vector for overexpression in the potato by the Gateway system, and then generated transgenic potato plants. The gene expression of transgenic potato was analyzed by northern blot analysis. In the results of disease resistance assay in relation to bacterial wilt, StACRE overexpressed transgenic potato plants were shown to have more resistance than wild-type potato.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.137-145
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• 2012

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is the most important etiologic agent of aggressive periodontitis and can interact with endothelial cells. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) are chemokines, playing important roles in periodontal pathogenesis. In our current study, the effects of A. actinomycetemcomitans on the production of MCP-1 and IL-8 by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were investigated. A. actinomycetemcomitans strongly induced the gene expression and protein release of both MCP-1 and IL-8 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Dead A. actinomycetemcomitans cells were as effective as live bacteria in this induction. Treatment of HUVEC with cytochalasin D, an inhibitor of endocytosis, did not affect the mRNA up-regulation of MCP-1 and IL-8 by A. actinomycetemcomitans. However, genistein, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinases, substantially inhibited the MCP-1 and IL-8 production by A. actinomycetemcomitans, whereas pharmacological inhibition of each of three members of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family had little effect. Furthermore, gel shift assays showed that A. actinomycetemcomitans induces a biphasic activation (early at 1-2 h and late at 8-16 h) of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) and an early brief activation (0.5-2 h) of activator protein-1 (AP-1). Activation of canonical NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway ($I{\kappa}B$ kinase activation and $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ degradation) was also demonstrated in these experiments. Although lipopolysaccharide from A. actinomycetemcomitans also induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation, this activation profile over time differed from that of live A. actinomycetemcomitans. These results suggest that the expression of MCP-1 and IL-8 is potently increased by A. actinomycetemcomitans in endothelial cells, and that the viability of A. actinomycetemcomitans and bacterial internalization are not required for this effect, whereas the activation of protein tyrosine kinase(s), NF-${\kappa}B$, and AP-1 appears to play important roles. The secretion of high levels of MCP-1 and IL-8 resulting from interactions of A. actinomycetemcomitans with endothelial cells may thus contribute to the pathogenesis of aggressive periodontitis.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.248-254
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• 2013

A Gram-negative bacterium was isolated from mushroom media that markedly reduces the level of extracellular toxins (i.e., tolaasins) produced by Pseudomonas tolaasii, the most destructive pathogen of cultivated mushrooms. The HC1 strain was selected as detoxifying tolaasin by bioassay on potato and it was identified Pseudomonas sp. by the cultural, morphological and physiological characteristics, and analysis of the 16S rRNA. The isolated bacterium is saprophytic but not parasitic nor pathogenic to cultivation mushroom. The isolated bacterium for P. tolaasii cell, was sufficient for detoxification in vitro. Inoculation of the isolated bacterium prevents the development of bacterial disease in Pleurotus ostreatus, Flammunia velutipes and Agaricus bisporus. Control efficacy of brown blotch of strain HC1 treatment was 69, 68 and 55% on Agaricus bisporus, Flammulina velutipes and Pleurotus ostreatus, respectively. The suppressive bacterium may be useful in future for the development of biocontrol system and the construction of genetically modified edible fungi resistant to the disease caused by P. tolaasii.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2008

Interleukin-23 (IL-23) is a novel pro-inflammatory cytokine which has been implicated to play a pathogenic role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study was undertaken to investigate the IL-23 inductive activity of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-17, $IL-1{\beta}$ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-${\alpha}$) in RA synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMC). Expression of IL-23p19, IL-17, $IL-1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ in joint was examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) of patients with RA and osteoarthritis (OA). The effects of IL-17 and $IL-1{\beta}$ on expression of IL-23p19 in human SFMC from RA patients were determined by reverse transcriptase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IL-23p19 was expressed in the RA fibroblast like synoviocyte (FLS), but not from OA FLS. Similar to the protein expression, IL-23p19 mRNA could be detected by RT-PCR in RA SFMC. IL-17 and $IL-1{\beta}$ could induce RA SFMC to produce the IL-23p19. The effects of IL-17 were much stronger than $IL-1{\beta}$ or TNF-${\alpha}$. These responses were observed in a doseresponsive manner. In addition, IL-17 or $IL-1{\beta}$ neutralizing antibody down-regulated the expression of IL-23p19 induced by LPS in RA-SFMC. Our results demonstrate that IL-23p19 is overexpressed in RA synovium and IL-17 and $IL-1{\beta}$ appears to upregulate the expression of IL-23p19 in RA-SFMC.