Large-scale deletions of mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) have been documented in patients with mitochondrial myopathies and seem to be especially frequent in patients with Kearns-Sayre syndrome (KSS). About one third of all patients shows a 4,977 bp deletion, known as the "common deletion", that removes a segment of DNA that includes several genes encoding for respiratory chain subunits. In this disorder, the population of deleted mtDNA molecules coexists with population of normal, wild-type full length mtDNAs, a situation known as heteroplasmy. We have performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on paraffin-embedded muscle tissues from two korean KSS patients. The PCR analysis revealed the existence of two amplified fragments, the deleted fragments, the deleted fragment of 123 bp characteristic for common deletion and the wild-type fragment of 152 bp.of 152 bp.

Helicobacter pylori is the etiologic agent of human gastritis and peptic ulceration and produces urease as the major protein component on its surface. H. pylori urease is known to serve as a major virulence factor and a potent immunogen. Deletion mutageneses were performed in the H. pylori urease accessory genes by using combinations of restriction enzymes and other DNA modifying enzymes in order to assess the function of these accessory gene products in the expression of the active urease. Selective disruptions in the accessory gene regions resulted in complete abolishment of the urease activity, which is consistent with other bacterial ureases. Interestingly, deletions in ureE-containing regions caused reduced expression of the structural enzyme subunits.

Reduced thiols were important compounds for the maintenance of leukemia and lymphoma cell survival (and growth). In the course of examining the microenvirn-mental effects on lymphoma and leukemia cell growth, we found that cysteine suppressed apoptosis in these cells. In a present study, in order to investigate the role of cystein on the suppression of apoptotic cell death, we used CS21, P388, and L1210 cell lines. The addition of BSO, an inhibitor of glutathione synthase, induced apoptosis of these cells by blocking the cellular uptake of cysteine in CS21 cells. Although L1210 cells underwent apoptosis without thiol compounds, the addition of these compounds suppressed the apoptosis and promoted the growth or L1210 cells. When specific inhibitors of caspase3-like proteases, but not caspase1-like proteases, were activated during the L1210 cell apoptosis but the addition of thiol compounds suppressed the activation of caspase3-like proteases. These results suggest that reduced thiols including cysteine play an important role in the suppression of cell apoptosis by inhibiting the activation of caspase3-like proteases.

Genetic variability was monitored by random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) in dicofol-susceptible (S), dicofol-resistant (R) and its reverse-selected (RS) strains of two-spotted spider mite, of Tetranychus urticae. Before the reverse-selection, RS strain, selected reversely from R strain, was 23-fold resistance ratio at {TEX}$LC_{50}${/TEX} to S strain. The resistance was started to in incline slowly to the resistance level of S strain after one year, and the resistance ratio was 4-fold in the 7 years after then. PCR-amplification of T. urticae DNA showed polymorphism in the amplifications with 12 primers in 100 kinds of arbitrary DNA sequences. RAPD amplification with primer OPR-12 (5`-ACAGGTGCGT-3`) showed amplified bands at 1,000 base pair in the S-and RS-strain, and at 350 base pair in R-strain. The results of polymorphism are genetic variabilities derived from development and selection of resistance in each strain. The peculiarly amplified fragments were guessed to participate in dicofol resistance. From the analysis of genetic similarity, it is inferred the gene composition of S-and RS-strain is much closer than that of R-strain.

Chitosan derivitives, a sulfated N-acetylchitosan was synthesized, and artificial skin of sulfated N-acetylchitosan and N-carboxyl butyl chitosan were investigated. Sulfated derivatives of chitosan were analyzed by {TEX}${13}^C${/TEX}-NMR and the structure on N-acetyl chitosan 3,6-O-disulfate were confirmed. Rabbits underwent a midline laparotomy followed either by a bilateral peritoneal sidewall abraison(3.0×1.5cm). The injured surface was then covered with 0.2mm thick sulfated N-acetyl chitosan membrane. Sulfated N-acetyl chitosan membrane was found to reduce postsurgical bleeding after abraison of peritoneal surface treated with sulfated N-acetyl chitosan membrane. Sulfated N-acetyl chitosan implanted rabbit showed quick wound healing than N-carboxybutyl chitosan. With a sterilization procedure of chemical sterilization, sulfated N-acetyl chitosan seem to be better substitutes than N-carboxybutyl chitosan.

In order to study the mechanism for the adaptation to salt stress, we mutagenized budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae with Ethylmethane sulfonate, and isolated salt-tolerant mutants. Among the salt-tolerant mutants, two strains exhibit additional temperature sensitive phenotype. Here, we report that these two salt-tolerant mutants are specific to {TEX}$Na^{+}${/TEX} rather than general osmotic stress. These mutant strains may contain mutations in the genes involved in {TEX}$Na^{+}${/TEX} home-ostasis.

A thermostable pullulanase has been isolated and purified from Thermus caldophilus GK-24 to a homogeneity by gel-filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. The specific activity of the purified enzyme was 431-fold increase from the crude culture broth with a recovery of 11.4%. The purified enzyme showed $M_{r}$ of 65 kDa on denaturated and natural conditions. The pI of the enzyme was 6.1 and Schiff staining was negative, suggesting that the enzyme is not a glycoprotein. The enzyme was most active at pH 5.5. The activity was maximal at $75^{\cire}C$ and stable up to $95^{\cire}C$ for 30 min at pH 5.5. The enzyme was stable to incubation from pH 3.5 to pH 8.0 at $4^{\cire}C$ for 24hr. The presence of pullulan protected the enzyme from heat inactivation, the extent depending upon the substrate concentration. The activity of the enzyme was simulated by $Mn^{2+}$ ion, }$Ni^{2+}$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Co^{2+}$ ions. The enzyme hydrolyzed the ${\alpha}$-1,6-linkages of amylopectin, glycogens, ${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$-limited dextrin, and pullulan. The enzyme caused the complete hydrolysis of pullulan to maltotriose and the activity was inhibited by $\alpha$, $\beta$, or $\gamma$-cyclodextrins. The $NH_{2}$-terminal amino acid sequence [(Ala-Pro-Gln-(Asp of Tyr)-Asn-Leu-Leu-Xaa-ILe-Gly-Ala(Ser)] was compared with known sequences of various sources and that was compared with known sequences of various sources and that was different from those of bacterial and plant enzymes, suggesting that the enzymes are structurally different.

Elecrophoreticl analysis of a 36 kDa protein was runned by SDS-PAGE, isoelectric focusing (IEF) and two dimensional electrophoresis pattern. Major 36 kDa and 25, 46, 48, 66 kDa protein were detected by Coomassie blue stain on SDS-PAGE. Major 36kDa protein was eluted for production of antiserum for serological analysis, IEF and two dimensional electrophoresis. Isoelectric point of 36kDa was aout pH 8.5. Two dimensional electrophoresis of eluted 36kDa showed one point on the gel. Anti-36 kDa serum made by newzilland rabbit for serological test. In ELISA, final titer of antibody was 100×{TEX}$2^5}${/TEX} : 1. Neutralize ability of serum was examined by slide agglutination test and colonization test in rat. Anti-36 kDa serum agglutinated whole cell of V. vulnificus were inhibited colonization on intestine in rat. Accordingly In this paper contain some electrophoretical analysis and serological test of a 36 kDa OMP of V. vulnificus.

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) is a multifunctional protein that catalyzes the catalyzes the conjugation of glutathione with electrophilic compounds. It exists in a variety of isoenzy-matic froms with a wide range of substrate specificity and plays a pivotal role in detoxification of various drugs. In order to elucidate the GST-${\pi}$'s involvement of multidrug resistance (MDR) in drug-resistant tumor cell lines, we determined GST-${\pi}$ content by "1 step sandwich method". Consequently, adriamycin resistant cells of MCF-7 (MCF-7/ADM) have 7-fold increase of GST-${\pi}$ content than that of MCF-7 cells, while its {TEX}$IC_{50}${/TEX} was 116-fold greater than parent cell line. By northrn blotting, we compared whether MCF-7/ADM cells express GST-${\pi}$ mRNA. The GST-${\pi}$ mRNA expression in these cells was not inducible, but constitutive when treated for 24 h with a concentration of 0, 20, 200, and 2000 nM of adriamycin, respectively. Taken together, these results suggest that GST-${\pi}$ may not be directly associated with multidrug resistance in these human cancer cell lines.ell lines.

Seaweed alginate was acetylated by activated carbon immobilized Pseudomonas syringae in a fluidized bed, up-flow reactor. The acetylation degree of seaweed alginate was about 30%. Calcium-acetylated seaweed alginate gel bead was made and compared to calcium-seaweed alginate gel bead by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Structural difference of two gel beads may results from increased viscosity and decreased affinity of acetylated seaweed alginate for calcium ion. On the basis of interior and exterior structure of calcium-acetylated seaweed alginate gels and property of acetylated seaweed alginate, it seems that acetylated seaweed alginate is used for the supporter for electrophoresis and packing materials for liquid chromatography and gel filtration.

Effects of growth regulators and medium components were tested for shoot multiplication and callus growth from shoot explants of black locust. During shoot multiplication, callus growth at the cut end of shoot explants proceeded shoot development. The basal callus growth seemed to be a function of both mineral components and cytokinin supplemented in the medium. Maximum callus growth was induced by 0.5${\mu}$M BAP and the callus growth decreased as the level of BAP increased. Positive correlations were found between basal callus growth, and shoot multiplication and growth. Shoot multiplication was greatest on BSM medium (black locust shoot culture medium) supplemented with 1 $\mu$M BAP. With medium containing high nitrogen content, both shoot multiplication and growth were significantly enhanced. A new BRM medium was the most effective for rooting of black locust among three rooting media tested.

We have got several clones from Serratia marcescens which stimulated the cells to use maltose as a carbon source in E. coli TP2139 (${\Delta}$lac, ${\Delta}$crp). One of the cloned genes, pCKB13, was further analyzed. In order to find whether the increased expression of the gene under the direction of maltose metabolism, we constructed several recombinant subclones. We have confirmed that the clone, pCKB13 codes Coenzyme A transferase gene by partial nucleotide sequencing in the terminal region. The enzyme activity of Coenzyme A transferase increased after introduction of the multicopy of the cloned gene in E. coli. The recombinant proteins expressed by multicopy and induction with IPTG, two polypeptide of 26-and 28-kDa, were confirmed by SDS-PAGE. Southern hybridization analysis confirmed that the cloned DNA fragment was originated from S. marcescens chromosomal DNA.

Highly metastatic mouse T-lymphoma CS21 cells can grow in vitro when cocultured with CA12 lymph node stromal cells, but they undergo apoptotic cell death when separated from CA12 stromal cells. It has been found that cysteine and interleukin-7(IL-7) as antiapoptotic soluble factors that produced by CA12 stromal cells. In this study, we report that an ICE family protease is activated in CS21 cells when separated from CA12 stromal cells and cultured alone. Enzyme purification using an avidin affinity column revealed that the involved cysteine protease possessed caspase3-like death protease activity. In addition, when IL-7 was added to CS21 cell culture, the protease activity could not be detected during partial purification of the enzyme. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that the caspase3-like protease activation is suppressed by IL-7 as an antiapoptotic factor that leads to abrogation of apoptosis execution.

The properties of purified intracellular adenosine deaminase (adenosine aminohydrolase, EC 3.5.4.4) of Nocardioides sp. J-326TK isolated from soil have been studied. The enzyme deaminated adenosine and 2`-deoxyadenosine and the respective {TEX}$K_{M}${/TEX} values were 4.0×{TEX}$10^{-4}${/TEX} M and 5.0× {TEX}$10^{-4}${/TEX} M, but the enzyme was not active on 8-bromoadenosine, 6-methylaminopurine riboside, ATP, ADP, 2`-AMP, 3`-AMP, 5`-AMP, dAMP, cAMP, NAD, FAD, NADP and adenine. The enzyme activity was strongly inhibited by the addition of {TEX}$Hg^{2+}${/TEX} and {TEX}$Ag^{+}${/TEX}, {TEX}$Cu^{2+}${/TEX}, {TEX}$Co^{2+}${/TEX} and {TEX}$Mn^{2+}${/TEX} also inhibited the activity but much less extent. The effect of alkyl reagents, metal chelating reagents and certain other compounds on the enzyme activity were also examined. No reagent activated the enzyme. On the contrary, the enzyme reaction was slightly inhibited by o-phenanthroline and 6-benzyladenosine.

Some trials to alter the structure of extracellular polysaccharides by means of biotransformation and microbial modification have been reported. Seaweed alginate was acetylated by intact and resting cells of Pseudomonas syringae ATCC 19304. Glucose analogs such as 3-O-methyl-D-glucose used as sole carbon sources was directly incorporated into curdlan by agrobacterium sp. ATCC 31749. The 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose (glucosamine)and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose (N-acetylglucosamine) were incorporated into microbial cellulose by Acetobacter xylinum ATCC 10245. The changed monomeric composition in pullulan by Aureobasidium pullulans ATCC 42023 as well as zooglan by Zoogoea ramigera ATCC 25935 was another effect of glucose analogs used a carbon source. There was no effect of glucose analogs found in polysacharide-7 (PS-7) produced by Beijerinckia indica. ATCC 21423.

2,4-Disubstituted nortropinone derivatives anticipated anticonvulsant activity were respectively synthesized by the reaction of N-substituted nortropinones, ethanol, 5N-NaOH and benzaldehyde ({TEX}$R_{1}${/TEX}CHO)

To determine phylogenetic relatedness of four silk-producing silkmoths (B. mori, B. mandarina, A. yamamai and A. pernyi), internal coding region of arylphorin which is a storage protein in hemolymph protein of insects were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and then sequenced and compared each other. The nucleotide composition was biased toward adenine and thymine(59% A+T) and a strong bias for use of C in the third position of codons was found for Phe and Tyr. Together TTC(Phe) and TAC(Tyr) account for about 16.8% (10 for TTC and 8 for TAC) of all codon usage. The nucleotide similarity of arylphorin gene from B. mori showed 99%, 98% and 97% homology with those of B. mandarina, A. yamamai and A. pernyi, respectively. Also, the nucleotide sequence of arylphorin gene from B. mandarina showed 98% and 97% homology with those of A. yamamai and A.pernyi, respectively. Between A. yamamai and A. pernyi, the sequence homology was 97%. The deduced amino acid sequences in B. mori, B. mandarina and A. yamamai showed almost 99% homology. Although the aryphorin gene provided insufficient variability among the four insect species, A UPGMA tree is generated that supported the monophyly of silk-producing insects, with M. sexta placed basal to it. It is suggest that silk-producing insects have a close relationship and a homogeneous genetic background from comparison with those of other insects.

Deficient thyroglobulin is one of the important causes of congenital hypothyroid goiter with a prevalence of -1/40,000 humans. We now demonstrate that in cog/cog mice showing hypothyroidism, four endoplasmic reticulum-molecular chaperones stably bind to thyroglobulin, providing insight into physiologic regulation of endoplasmic reticulum storage diseases.