In contrast to chemical medicines, biopharmaceuticals exhibit reduced side effects and enhanced therapeutic efficacy. Antibody therapies have significantly advanced since the first monoclonal antibody's approval in 1986, now dominating the pharmaceutical market with seven out of the top 10 biopharmaceuticals. The bispecific antibody has a distinct capability to bind to two antigens simultaneously, unlike conventional monoclonal antibodies that target just one antigen. The notion of bispecific antibodies was initially introduced in 1960, and by 1997, the first symmetrical form of bispecific antibody was successfully produced. Subsequently, extensive research has been conducted on bispecific antibodies, leading to a significant milestone in 2014 when blinatumomab became the first FDA-approved drug to treat acute lymphocytic leukemia. Despite having a relatively shorter history compared to monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies have proven their potential by targeting two antigens simultaneously, thereby rendering them highly effective as anti-cancer drugs. As of 2023, there are a total of 11 globally approved bispecific antibodies, with six of them receiving approval from FDA. In light of the rapidly expanding market for bispecific antibodies, this review article comprehensively explores the attributes, historical background, applications, and market status of bispecific antibodies. Additionally, it sheds light on the present trends in bispecific antibody development, drawing insights from 96 research articles and 105 clinical studies. Excitingly, we anticipate further progress in the development of bispecific antibodies and clinical trials on a global scale, with the aspiration of utilizing them not only in cancer treatment but also for addressing diverse medical conditions.

We recently found that the insect-derived antimicrobial peptide CopA3 (LLCIALRKK) directly binds to and inhibits the proteolytic activation of caspases, which play essential roles in apoptotic processes. However, the mechanism of CopA3 binding to caspases remained unknown. Here, using recombinant GST-caspase-3 and -6 proteins, we investigated the mechanism by which CopA3 binds to caspases. We showed that replacement of cysteine in CopA3 with alanine caused a marked loss in its binding activity towards caspase-3 and -6. Exposure to DTT, a reducing agent, also diminished their interaction, suggesting that this cysteine plays an essential role in caspase binding. Experiments using deletion mutants of CopA3 showed that the last N-terminal leucine residue of CopA3 peptide is required for binding of CopA3 to caspases, and that C-terminal lysine and arginine residues also contribute to their interaction. These conclusions are supported by binding experiments employing direct addition of CopA3 deletion mutants to human colonocyte (HT29) extracts containing endogenous caspase-3 and -6 proteins. In summary, binding of CopA3 to caspases is dependent on a cysteine in the intermediate region of the CopA3 peptide and a leucine in the N-terminal region, but that both an arginine and two adjacent lysines in the C-terminal region of CopA3 also contribute. Collectively, these results provide insight into the interaction mechanism and the high selectivity of CopA3 for caspases.

Cannabis sativa (CS) has been in the spotlight not only for its medical uses but also as a raw material for cosmetics. As fermented cosmetics are known to have various health benefits, they have been extensively researched. Here, we investigated the characteristics of CS stems fermented using various gut microbes. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay and melanin content analysis revealed that melan-a cells containing CS stems fermented with Weissella paramesenteroides (CSWP) showed considerably reduced melanin content. Additionally, CSWP downregulated the expression of several melanogenesis factors, tyrosinase-related protein-1, and tyrosinase-related protein-2. This study suggests that the anti-melanogenic effect of CSWP could provide a new basis for the development of skin-lightening agents.

The potential polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)-producing bacteria, Bacillus megaterium PP-10, was successfully isolated and studied its feasibility for utilization of pineapple peel waste (PPW) as a cheap carbon substrate. The PPW was pretreated with 1% (v/v) H₂SO₄ under steam sterilization and about 26.4 g/l of total reducing sugar (TRS) in pineapple peel hydrolysate (PPH) was generated and main fermentable sugars were glucose and fructose. A maximum cell growth and PHA concentration of 3.63 ± 0.07 g/l and 1.98 ± 0.09 g/l (about 54.58 ± 2.39%DCW) were received in only 12 h when grown in PPH. Interestingly, PHA productivity and biomass yield (Y_x/s) in PPH was about 4 times and 1.5 times higher than in glucose. To achieve the highest DCW and PHA production, the optimal culture conditions e.g. carbon to nitrogen ratios of 40 mole/mole, incubation temperature at 35℃ and shaking speed of 200 rpm were performed and a maximum DCW up to 4.24 ± 0.04 g/l and PHA concentration of 2.68 ± 0.02 g/l (61% DCW) were obtained. The produced PHA was further examined its monomer composition and found to contain only 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB). This finding corresponded with the presence of class IV PHA synthase gene. Finally, certain thermal properties of the produced PHA i.e. the melting temperature (T_m) and the glass transition temperature (T_g) were about 176℃ and -4℃, respectively whereas the M_w was about 1.07 KDa ; therefore, the newly isolated B. megaterium PP-10 is a promising bacterial candidate for the efficient conversion of low-cost PPH to PHA.

The pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh produces a diverse range of antibiotics for human and animal use, however, waste disposal management is inadequate. This results in substantial quantities of antibiotics being discharged into water bodies, which provide suitable environment for the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, capable of spreading resistance genes. This study intended for exploring the bacterial antibiotic resistance profile in adjoining aquatic environmental sources of pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in Bangladesh. Seven surface water samples were collected from the vicinity of two pharmaceutical industries located in the Savar area and 51 Escherichia coli isolates were identified using both phenotypic and genotypic methods. Antibiotic susceptibility tests revealed the highest percentage of resistance against ampicillin, azithromycin, and nalidixic acid (100%) and the lowest resistance against meropenem (1.96%) out of sixteen different antibiotics tested. 100% of the study E. coli isolates were observed with Multidrug resistance phenotypes, with the Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) value ranging from 0.6-1.0. Furthermore, 69% of the isolates were Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases (ESBL) positive as per the Double Disk Diffusion Synergy Test (DDST). ESBL resistance genes bla_TEM, bla_CTX-M-13, bla_CTX-M-15, and bla_SHV were detected in 70.6% (n = 36), 60.8% (n = 32), 54.9% (n = 28), and 1.96% (n = 1) of the isolates, respectively, by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Additionally, 15.68% (n = 8) of the isolates were positive for E. coli specific virulence genes in PCR. These findings suggest that pharmaceutical wastewater, if not properly treated, could be a formidable source of antibiotic resistance spread in the surrounding aquatic environment. Therefore, continued surveillance for drug resistance among bacterial populations around drug manufacturing facilities in Bangladesh is necessary, along with proper waste disposal management.

딸기는 과육을 제외한 부위는 폐기될 수밖에 없어 활용도가 떨어지는 실정이다. 이에 따라 본 연구에서는 부산물로서 폐기되는 딸기 줄기를 활용하고자 이를 이용하여 항산화 및 항염증 효과를 검증하고자 하였다. 용매별로 추출하여 딸기 줄기의 열수 및 70% 에탄올을 이용하여 추출 후 실험을 진행하였다. 먼저 딸기 줄기의 열수 및 에탄올 추출물의 총 폴리페놀 함량을 확인하였으며, 그 결과 265.4 ± 0.12 mg TAE/100 g, 503.88 ± 0.2 mg TAE/100 g의 폴리페놀 함량을 확인하였다. 항산화 활성을 측정하기 위해 전자공여능 및 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) 라디칼 소거능을 이용하여 항산화력을 측정하였다. 두 추출물 모두 농도 의존적으로 증가함을 확인할 수 있었으며, 고농도에서는 항산화력이 우수함을 확인하였다. 이후 항염증 효능을 확인하기 위해 대식세포를 이용해 실험을 진행하였다. 먼저 시료의 세포 독성을 확인하고 농도를 설정하고자 하였다. 세포 생존율을 측정한 결과, 대식세포인 RAW 264.7에서 딸기 줄기 열수 및 에탄올 추출물 둘다 500 ㎍/ml 농도에서 99% 이상의 세포 생존율을 확인하였다. 이후 세포 생존율이 99% 이상인 농도구간(50, 100, 500 ㎍/ml)을 설정하여 이하의 실험을 진행하였다. 염증성 매개 물질로 알려진 nitric oxide (NO)의 생성 억제 효과를 확인한 결과, 딸기 줄기의 열수 추출물은 37.9%의 억제 효과가 나타났고, 에탄올 추출물은 38.8%의 억제 효과를 확인하여 딸기 줄기 추출물의 NO 생성을 저해하는 효과를 확인하였다. 항염증 활성을 확인하기 위해 RAW 264.7 세포를 이용하여 염증 매개 인자인 iNOS, COX-2의 단백질 및 mRNA 발현량을 측정하였다. 그 결과, 단백질 및 mRNA의 발현에서 LPS 단독 처리군에 비해 딸기 줄기의 열수 및 에탄올 추출물을 처리하였을 때 iNOS와 COX-2의 단백질 발현량이 억제됨을 확인할 수 있었다. 본 연구 결과들을 토대로 딸기 줄기의 열수 및 에탄올 추출물이 항산화 및 항염증 활성이 우수함을 확인하여 천연 소재로서 활용하여 사용할 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

Thermotolerant Bacillus subtilis NIB353 was isolated from Nuruk, a traditional Korean fermentation starter. The complete B. subtilis NIB353 genome sequence was obtained using MinION and Illumina (MiSeq) platforms. The B. subtilis NIB353 genome sequence was 4,247,447 bp with a GC content of 43%. The B. subtilis NIB353 strain exhibited orthologous average nucleotide identity values of 98.39% and 98.38% with B. subtilis 168 and B. subtilis ATCC6051a, respectively. The genome has been deposited in GenBank under the accession number NZ_CP089148.1.

Linezolid, the first oxazolidinone introduced into human clinical use, has become a last resort antibiotic in treatment of serious infections caused by Gram-positive pathogens, including methicillin-resistant staphylococci and vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Although oxazolidinones are strictly prohibited for use in food-producing animals, occurrence of linezolid-resistant staphylococci has recently been reported in livestock farms in Korea. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of an optrA-positive linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus rostri strain PJFA-333 isolated from a pig farm in Korea.

We present the complete genome sequence of Priestia aryabhattai strain S2 isolated from the soybean rhizosphere. The genome consists of a single circular chromosome of 5,070,860 bp with a G+C content of 38.3% and 2 plasmids, P1(148,124 bp, GC content 33.3%) and P2 (76,418 bp, GC content 36.5%).

This research presents the whole-genome sequence of Priestia megaterium S1, which was isolated from the soil of soybean (Glycine max). The genome of the strain is composed of a single chromosome with 5,297,673 bp, and the GC content is 38.12%.

In this study, we report the complete genome sequence of Priestia megaterium strain HyangYak-01, which was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Centella asiatica. The genome consists of 5,086,279 bp of sequences with 38.2 percent GC content and 5,111 coding genes. The genome contains several important genes related to plant growth-promoting activities, which were also confirmed with in vitro media assays.

This research presents the whole-genome sequence of Enterobacter asburiae strain IK3, which was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of soybean (Glycine max). The genome of the strain is composed of a single chromosome with 4 plasmids, total size of 5,084,040 bp, and the GC content is 55.5%.

Here we report essential features of the draft genome of an AmpC-β-lactamase-producing bacterial isolate obtained from farm tomatoes in South Africa. The isolate designated strain Tom1 featured a genome of 4950426 bp with a G+C% of 59.83. It was identified as Serratia marcescens by ribosomal multilocus sequence typing (rMLST), digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH), average nucleotide identity (ANI), and phylogenetic analysis using reference genomes. Its genome encoded an AmpC-β-lactamase (bla_SST-1), an efflux pump providing tetracycline resistance (tet(41)), and an aminoglycoside acetyltransferase (aac(6')-Ic). Additionally, genes encoding proteins involved in prodigiosin biosynthesis and associated with adherence, biofilm formation, virulence, and pathogenicity were detected.

Colistin is one of the last-resort antibiotics used to treat multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infection in both human and animals. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of colistin-resistant Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis strain CRSE-01 isolated from poultry carcass in South Korea. The assembled genome consists of a 4,783,907-bp circular chromosome containing numerous antimicrobial resistance genes and a 59,372-bp plasmid.

Endometrium receptivity is a complex mechanism of intricate pathways that lead to the shift from the proliferative to the secretory phase. Our goal was to identify high-ranking differentially expressed genes and study the pathways associated with the phenomenon. Raw data were retrieved from six GEO datasets and 705 DEGs were identified through robust ranking aggregation after the integration of five datasets. 20 key genes were identified that were further re-validated in an additional dataset. Supporting evidence through the experimental references confirms them as major biomarkers of the shift from the proliferative to the secretory phase.

This paper presents the complete genome sequence of a novel marine actinomycete, Streptomyces sp. MMBL 11-1. The genome of Streptomyces sp. MMBL 11-1 was obtained through next-generation sequencing using the PacBio Sequel system and Illumina platform provided by Macrogen, Korea. The assembled genome consists of five contigs, with a total length of 8,496,900 bp and a G+C content of 71.6%. The genome harbors multiple biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) associated with producing microbial natural products (MNPs). The comprehensive genomic information of this type of strain will serve as a valuable resource for identifying other marine actinomycetes strains.

Genomic information of biotechnologically and industrially important microorganisms provides the basis for understanding their metabolic potential. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of the Neodothiora populina-like yeast strain JAF-11 capable of producing biosurfactant myo-inositol lipids. The draft genome contained genes associated with secondary metabolite biosynthesis, including transport and metabolism of lipids, which are a major component of fungal surfactants. Identification of myo-inositol and acyl chain synthesis genes in the draft genome corresponded to the specific biosurfactant produced by strain JAF-11. Further experimental studies could help to elucidate the genes responsible for the production of biosurfactant by strain JAF-11.