• 대한수의학회지
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• 제39권2호
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• pp.301-310
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• 1999

Anthrax caused by Bacillus anthracis is one of the most important zoonotic diseases. The bacterium produces several virulence factors. Of the factors, protective antigen (PA) of tripatite toxin has been identified as a central component in the pathogenesis of anthrax. However, precise roles of PA and other cellular components in the reaction with the target cells remain to be elucidated, especially in the initial stage of the disease. Three B anthracis antigens were prepared for investigation; PA, sonicated cellular antigens (S-Ag) and formalin-inactivaed whole cell antigens (W-Ag). PA was purified from culture supernatant of the bacterium using FPLC system with MonoQ. S-Ag and W-Ag were prepared by sonication and formalin inactivation of the cultured cells, respectively. Purity of the antigens was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. The roles of these antigens in the production of inflammatory mediators such as NO, IL-6 and $TNF{\alpha}$ from mouse peritoneal macrophages were investigated. PA alone did not induce the production of the inflammatory mediators while the other antigens, S-Ag and W-Ag, did in a dose and time dependent manner. These results suggested that in addition to major virulence factors, other cellular antigens are also involved in the initial stage of the disease by the induction of inflammatory mediators.

• 한국수산과학회지
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• 제54권5호
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• pp.596-616
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• 2021

A global increase in fish consumption has led to a rapid expansion of aquaculture production, which has been linked to enhancing the spread of infectious diseases. Viral diseases can cause high mortality in many cultured fish species, posing a serious threat to the aquaculture industry. Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) is one of the primary threats to aquacultured salmonid species, causing huge economic losses. Since the first report in cultured sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka during the 1950s in North America, IHNV has spread to other regions, including Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa by transportation of infected fish and eggs, causing disease and increasing mortality in a wide variety of salmonid species. Here, we review existing information relevant to IHNV: its phylogenetic characteristics, origin, infection history, virulence determinants, susceptible hosts, vectors, and vaccine development. This review also addresses a possible cross-species transmission of IHNV to a new host, olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus, a cultured fish of economic importance in East Asian countries.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.627-636
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• 2016

The causative agent of pandemic cholera, Vibrio cholerae, infects the anaerobic environment of the human intestine. Production of cholera toxin (CT), a major virulence factor of V. cholerae, is highly induced during anaerobic respiration with trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) as an alternative electron acceptor. However, the molecular mechanism of TMAO-stimulated CT production is not fully understood. Herein, we reveal that CT production during anaerobic TMAO respiration is affected by glucose fermentation. When the seventh pandemic V. cholerae O1 strain N16961 was grown with TMAO and additional glucose, CT production was markedly reduced. Furthermore, an N16961 Δcrp mutant, devoid of cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP), was defective in CT production during growth by anaerobic TMAO respiration, further suggesting a role of glucose metabolism in regulating TMAO-mediated CT production. TMAO reductase activity was noticeably decreased when grown together with glucose or by mutation of the crp gene. A CRP binding region was identified in the promoter region of the torD gene, which encodes a structural subunit of the TMAO reductase. Gel shift assays further confirmed the binding of purified CRP to the torD promoter sequence. Together, our results suggest that the bacterial ability to respire using TMAO is controlled by CRP, whose activity is dependent on glucose availability. Our results reveal a novel mechanism for the regulation of major virulence factor production by V. cholerae under anaerobic growth conditions.

• 미생물학회지
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.10-16
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• 2009

일부 그람양성세균들은 고온, 저온, 염, 에탄올, 산소와 영양분 고갈과 같은 다양한 스트레스 상태에 노출되면, 일반 스트레스반응(general stress response)에 의해서 일련의 스트레스 단백질군을 발현시켜 외부 스트레스를 극복하고 세균의 생존력을 증가시킨다. 비병원성균인 Bacillus subtilis의 일반 스트레스반응에 관해서는 많은 연구가 이루어져 있으므로 다른 균의 연구모델로 이용이 가능하다. 본 총설에서는 B. subtilis와 병원성균인 Listeria monocytogenes의 일반 스트레스반응의 유사성과 차이점을 B. subtilis를 모델로 하여 비교하였다. 두 균의 일반 스트레스반응은 대체 전사 인자인 ${\sigma}^B$ (alternative transcription factor sigma B)에 의해서 조절되고 신호전달 네트워크 또한 매우 유사하며, ${\sigma}^B$ 의존성 유전자들에 의해 150여 개의 스트레스 단백질들이 발현된다. 그러나 L. monocytogenes는 B. subtilis의 에너지 스트레스 신호 경로를 가지고 있지 않은 점과, 일반 스트레스반응에 의해 병독 유전자들(virulence genes)이 조절되는 것이 가장 큰 차이점이다. 그러므로 L. monocytogenes의 생리 및 병원성 규명을 위해서는 일반 스트레스반응에 관한 이해가 매우 중요하다.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제46권1호
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• pp.35-45
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• 2016

Purpose: Porphyromonas gingivalis fimA is a virulence factor associated with periodontal diseases, but its role in the pathogenesis of peri-implantitis remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between the condition of peri-implant tissue and the distribution of P. gingivalis fimA genotypes in Koreans using a new primer. Methods: A total of 248 plaque samples were taken from the peri-implant sulci of 184 subjects. The control group consisted of sound implants with a peri-implant probing depth (PD) of 5 mm or less with no bleeding on probing (BOP). Test group I consisted of implants with a peri-implant PD of 5 mm or less and BOP, and test group II consisted of implants with a peri-implant PD of more than 5 mm and BOP. DNA was extracted from each sample and analyzed a using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with P. gingivalis -specific primers, followed by an additional PCR assay to differentiate the fimA genotypes in P. gingivalis-positive subjects. Results: The Prevalence of P. gingivalis in each group did not significantly differ (P>0.05). The most predominant fimA genotype in all groups was type II. The prevalence of type Ib fimA was significantly greater in test group II than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions: The fimA type Ib genotype of P. gingivalis was found to play a critical role in the destruction of peri-implant tissue, suggesting that it may be a distinct risk factor for periimplantitis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제31권10호
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• pp.1420-1429
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• 2021

The safety of the probiotic strain Q180, which exerts postprandial lipid-lowering effects, was bioinformatically and phenotypically evaluated. The genome of strain Q180 was completely sequenced, and single circular chromosome of 3,197,263 bp without any plasmid was generated. Phylogenetic and related analyses using16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequences revealed that strain Q180 is a member of Lactiplantibacillus (Lp., formerly Lactobacillus) plantarum. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes were bioinformatically analyzed using all Lp. plantarum genomes available in GenBank, which showed that AMR genes are present differently depending on Lp. plantarum strains. Bioinformatic analysis demonstrated that some mobile genetic elements such as prophages and insertion sequences were identified in the genome of strain Q180, but because they did not contain harmful genes such as AMR genes and virulence factor (VF)- and toxin-related genes, it was suggested that there is no transferability of harmful genes. The minimum inhibition concentrations of seven tested antibiotics suggested by the European Food Safety Authority guidelines were slightly lower than or equal to the microbiological cut-off values for Lp. plantarum. Strain Q180 did not show hemolytic and gelatinase activities and biogenic amine-producing ability. Taken together, this study demonstrated the safety of strain Q180 in terms of absence of AMR genes and VF- and toxin-related genes as a probiotic strain.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제33권9호
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• pp.1130-1140
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• 2023

Among the AAA+ proteases in bacteria, FtsH is a membrane-bound ATP-dependent metalloprotease, which is known to degrade many membrane proteins as well as some cytoplasmic proteins. In the intracellular pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, FtsH is responsible for the proteolysis of several proteins including MgtC virulence factor and MgtA/MgtB Mg²⁺ transporters, the transcription of which is controlled by the PhoP/PhoQ two-component regulatory system. Given that PhoP response regulator itself is a cytoplasmic protein and also degraded by the cytoplasmic ClpAP protease, it seems unlikely that FtsH affects PhoP protein levels. Here we report an unexpected role of the FtsH protease protecting PhoP proteolysis from cytoplasmic ClpAP protease. In FtsH-depleted condition, PhoP protein levels decrease by ClpAP proteolysis, lowering protein levels of PhoP-controlled genes. This suggests that FtsH is required for normal activation of PhoP transcription factor. FtsH does not degrade PhoP protein but directly binds to PhoP, thus sequestering PhoP from ClpAP-mediated proteolysis. FtsH's protective effect on PhoP can be overcome by providing excess ClpP. Because PhoP is required for Salmonella's survival inside macrophages and mouse virulence, these data implicate that FtsH's sequestration of PhoP from ClpAP-mediated proteolysis is a mechanism ensuring the amount of PhoP protein during Salmonella infection.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제44권2호
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• pp.218-226
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• 2016

헬리코박터 파이로리균은 인간의 위에 감염하여 위염, 위궤양, 심지어 위암을 포함한 다양한 위장 질환의 발생시키는 원인으로 알려져 있다. 이러한 헬리코박터균의 제균을 위해 항생제 치료법이 이용되고 있지만 이러한 항생제들에 대한 헬리코박터균의 내성 증가가 전세계적인 문제로 대두되고 있다. 보고들에 따르면, 천연물질인 plumbagin은 항균 및 항암 효과를 가지고 있는 것으로 알려져있다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 헬리코박터 표준균주(ATCC 49503)에 plumbagin을 처리한 후 항균효과를 확인하였으며, 세균의 성장 및 병원성과 관련된 다양한 물질들의 발현에 미치는 영향을 immunoblotting 및 RT-PCR 방법을 이용하여 조사하였다. plumbagin의 헬리코박터균 억제효과를 확인하기 위해 한천희석법과 액체배지희석법을 이용해 최소억제농도를 도출하였다. 위와 같은 Plumbagin에 의한 헬리코박터균의 억제기전을 이해하기 위하여 헬리코박터균에 plumbagin을 처리한 후 세균 의 증식과 관련된 물질들을 대상으로 RT-PCR을 수행한 결과 RNA polymerase subunit α (rpoA)의 mRNA 발현이 감소한 것을 확인하였다. 또한, 헬리코박터균에 plumbagin을 처리한 후 주요 병원성인자들의 발현을 조사한 결과 CagA와 VacA 독소들의 mRNA 및 단백질양이 감소한 것을 확인하였으며, 유레아제(ureA)와 부착단백(alpA)의 발현도 plumbagin 처리에 의해 감소한 것을확인하였다. 위와 같은 결과들을 토대로, plumbagin은 본 연구에서 밝힌 기전들을 통해 헬리코박터균의 성장, 감염 및 발병을 억제하는 것으로 사료된다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.366-373
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• 2011

We characterized the proteomes of murine N2a cells following infection with three rabies virus (RV) strains, characterized by distinct virulence phenotypes (i.e., virulent BD06, fixed CVS-11, and attenuated SRV9 strains), and identified 35 changes to protein expression using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis in whole-cell lysates. The annotated functions of these proteins are involved in various cytoskeletal, signal transduction, stress response, and metabolic processes. Specifically, a-enolase, prx-4, vimentin, cytokine-induced apoptosis inhibitor 1 (CIAPIN1) and prx-6 were significantly up-regulated, whereas Trx like-1 and galectin-1 were down-regulated following infection of N2a cells with all three rabies virus strains. However, comparing expressions of all 35 proteins affected between BD06-, CVS-11-, and SRV9-infected cells, specific changes in expression were also observed. The up-regulation of vimentin, CIAPIN1, prx-4, and 14-3-3 ${\theta}/{\delta}$, and down-regulation of NDPK-B and HSP-1 with CVS and SRV9 infection were ${\geq}2$ times greater than with BD06. Meanwhile, Zfp12 protein, splicing factor, and arginine/serine-rich 1 were unaltered in the cells infected with BD06 and CVS-11, but were up-regulated in the group infected with SRV9. The proteomic alterations described here may suggest that these changes to protein expression correlate with the rabies virus' adaptability and virulence in N2a cells, and hence provides new clues as to the response of N2a host cells to rabies virus infections, and may also aid in uncovering new pathways in these cells that are involved in rabies infections. Further characterization of the functions of the affected proteins may contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms of RV infection and pathogenesis.

• 미생물학회지
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.248-252
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• 1999

한국의 환경에서 분리된 47주와 환자 혈액에서 분리된 18주의 Vibrio cholerae serovar non-O1 및 non-O139를 대상으로 하여 콜레라 독소, 콜레라 독소 유전자, 용혈소, 그리고 혈구응집소 등이 병독인자 분포를 알아보았다. 시험된 65균주 중 용혈소만 생산하는 균은 29균주였고, 용혈소와 혈구 응집소를 생산하는 것은 65균주 중 36 균주였다. 용혈소, 콜레라 독소 및 유전자, 그리고 혈구응집소 모두를 가지고 있는 것은 환경에서 분리된 O37형 한 균주이었다. 한편 첨가한 당농도에 따른 혈구응집소 억제시험에서, 1% 이하의 mannose 와 galactose에서 응짐이 억제된 것은 환경분리균주 47 균주 중에서 26균주로 내혈구응집소나 외혈구응집소가 비슷한 비율로 분포하였고, 반면 환자분리균주는 18균주 중에서 5균주가 외혈구응집소의 비율이 훨씬 높았다. 따라서 V.cholerae non-1 및 non-O139의 용혈소가 주독소로 병독인자 분포는 다양하게 나타났다. 콜레라 독소가 유일한 병독이자라고 인식하기는 어려웠고 여러 가지 인자들이 복합적으로 작용될 것으로 생각되었다. 특히 환경분리주 O37 형에서 콜레라 독소 생성윤이 발견된 것을 향후 역학적인 측면에서 많은 연구가 되어야 할 것으로 사료되었다.