• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.1228-1237
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• 2023

The CRISPR-Cas system has emerged as the most efficient genome editing technique for a wide range of cells. Delivery of the Cas9-sgRNA ribonucleoprotein complex (Cas9 RNP) has gained popularity. The objective of this study was to develop a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based assay to quantify the double-strand break reaction mediated by Cas9 RNP. To accomplish this, the dextransucrase gene (dsr) from Leuconostoc citreum was selected as the target DNA. The Cas9 protein was produced using recombinant Escherichia coli BL21, and two sgRNAs were synthesized through in vitro transcription to facilitate binding with the dsr gene. Under optimized in vitro conditions, the 2.6 kb dsr DNA was specifically cleaved into 1.1 and 1.5 kb fragments by both Cas9-sgRNA365 and Cas9-sgRNA433. By monitoring changes in dsr concentration using qPCR, the endonuclease activities of the two Cas9 RNPs were measured, and their efficiencies were compared. Specifically, the specific activities of dsr365RNP and dsr433RNP were 28.74 and 34.48 (unit/㎍ RNP), respectively. The versatility of this method was also verified using different target genes, uracil phosphoribosyl transferase (upp) gene, of Bifidobacterium bifidum and specific sgRNAs. The assay method was also utilized to determine the impact of high electrical field on Cas9 RNP activity during an efficient electroporation process. Overall, the results demonstrated that the qPCR-based method is an effective tool for measuring the endonuclease activity of Cas9 RNP.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.181-187
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• 1988

Using a Tn5-Mob system, pEA9 was characterized as a self-transmissible plasmid carrying a kanamycin resistance marker. The self-transfer frequencies of pEA9 varied greatly depending on pH values. The transfer frequency was about $4\times 10^{-5}$ at pH 5, that was 10 times higher than one at pH 6.5. With a helper plasmid, transfer frequencies were increased about $10^{4}$ times than the frequencies obtained without it.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.69-74
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• 2012

Purpose: By confirm the change of popliteal arterial position when extension or flexion of the knee and estimate the change of popliteal arterial position after posterior capsular release, we tried to know the position can minimize injury of popliteal artery during arthroscopic surgery and usefulness of posterior capsular release. Materials and Methods: Total of two middle-aged man and woman, fresh frozen cadavers as systemic, all four cases of the knee were included in this study. After the knee was flexed to 0 degrees, 30 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees angle, we estimated distance from posterior tibial cortex to popliteal artery at articular surface, the distal 1 cm and 2 cm from articular surface. We performed posterior capsular release by arthroscopy, and estimated distance between posterior tibial cortex and popliteal artery in the same way. Results: Mean distance between popliteal artery and posterior tibial cortex was 6.3 mm (4.5~7), 4.6 mm (3.6~6), 4.9 mm (3.9~5.8) when knee flexion to 0 degrees at articular surface, distal 1 cm and 2 cm from articular surface each. When knee flexion to 30 degrees, it was 7.4 mm (5.2~9), 4.9 mm (3.6~7.2), 5.3 mm (3.8~6.6). When knee flexion to 60 degrees, it was 8.7 mm (5.4~11), 5.2 mm (4.9~7.3), 6.2 mm (5.4~9.6). When knee flexion to 90 degrees, it was 9.8 mm (5.8~12.1), 5.5 mm (5.1~7.4), 6.5 mm (5.4~10.7). After posterior capsule release, the distance was 6.5 mm (5.5~7.5), 5.8 mm (3.9~7.2), 5.2 mm (3.8~7.0) when knee flexion to 0 degrees, 7.7 mm (5.5~9,1), 7.1 mm (4.6~7.6), 5.5 mm (4.1~6.9) when knee flexion to 30 degrees, 8.9 mm (5.7~11.2), 8.5 mm (5.5~9.2), 6.4 mm (5.3~10.1) when knee flexion to 60 degrees and 10.2 mm (6.3~13.6), 9.5 mm (6.5~11), 6.6 mm (5.9~9.8) when knee flexion to 90 degrees. Conclusion: As knee joint is flexed, the distance from posterial tibial cortex to popliteal artery are increased beween knee joint articular surface and distal 2 cm from knee joint. So popliteal artery injury will be reduced at knee joint surgery. Posterior capsular release could also reduce popliteal artery injury by increasing distance between posterior tibial cortex and popliteal artery.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.548-553
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• 2003

Purpose : Matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-9 is known to breakdown the blood-brain barrier by degrading the extracellular matrix of the subendothelial basement membrane in meningitis. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase(TIMP)-1, a known inhibitor of MMP-9, has been postulated to inhibit the proteolytic activity of MMP-9 by bindng to MMP-9, but their interaction has not been fully understood yet. So far, there have been some reports on the relationship of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in bacterial meningitis, but few reports in viral meningitis. Furthermore, there has been no report on this in Korea. We investigated the concentrations of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of patients with viral meningitis and control subjects, and evaluated their relationship with other clinical parameters of meningitis. Methods : CSF and blood were obtained from 25 subjects with viral meningitis and 14 control subjects. After centrifugation, supernatants were stored at $-20^{\circ}C$ and we assayed concentrations of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 by the sandwich ELISA method. Results : Concentrations of CSF MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were significantly elevated in patients with viral meningitis, when compared with those in control subjects. Their serum levels showed no differences between the two groups. MMP-9 levels were closely correlated with TIMP-1 levels in the CSF($r_s=0.42$, P<0.05). CSF MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios were significantly higher in patients with viral meningitis than those in the control subjects(P<0.05). Both CSF MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels positively correlated with CSF total leukocyte counts($r_s=0.43$, P<0.05, $r_s=0.48$, P<0.05). TIMP-1 levels positively correlated with total protein concentrations in the CSF($r_s=0.43$, P<0.05). Conclusion : MMP-9 and TIMP-1 may play an important role in the breakdown and maintenance of BBB in viral meningitis, respectively.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.770-780
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• 2009

A new photosensitizer, 9-Hydroxypheophorbide-a (9-HpbD-a), was derived from Spirulina platensis. We conducted a series of experiments, in vitro and in vivo, to evaluate the anticancer effect and mechanism of photodynamic therapy using 9-HpbD-a and 660 nm diode lasers on a squamous carcinoma cell line. We studied the cytotoxic effects of pheophytin-a, 9-HpbD-a, 9-HpbD-a red and 660 nm diode lasers in a human head and neck cancer cell line (SNU-1041). Cell growth inhibition was determined by using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay. The effects of 9-HpbD was higher than those of 9-HpbD-a red or pheophytin-a in PDT. We then tested the cytotoxic effects of 9-hydroxypheophorbide-a (9-HpbD-a) in vitro. The cultured SNU-I041 cells were treated with serial concentrations of 9-HpbD-a followed by various energy doses (0, 0.1, 0.5, 3.2 J/$cm^{2}$) and by various interval times (0, 3, 6, 9, 12 hr) until laser irradiation, then MTT assay was applied to measure the relative inhibitory effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT). Optimal laser irradiation time was 30 minutes and the cytotoxic effects according to incubation time after 9-HpbD-a treatment increased until 6 hours, after which it then showed no increase. To observe the cell death mechanism after PDT, SUN-I041 cells were stained by Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide after PDT, and observed under transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The principal mechanism of PDT at a low dose of 9-HpbD-a was apoptosis, and at a high dose of 9-HpbD-a it was necrosis. PDT effects were also observed in a xenografted nude mouse model. Group I (no 9-HpbD-a, no laser irradiation) and Group II (9-HpbD-a injection only) showed no response (4/4, 100%), and Group III (laser irradiation only) showed recurrence (1/4,25%) or no response (3/4, 75 %). Group IV (9-HpbD-a + laser irradiation) showed complete response (10/16, 62.5%), recurrence (4/16, 25%) or no response (2/16, 12.5%). Group IV showed a significant remission rate compared to other groups (p<0.05). These results suggest that 9-HpbD-a is a promising photosensitizer for the future and that further studies on biodistribution, toxicity and mechanism of action would be needed to use 9-HpbD-a as a photosensitizer in the clinical setting.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.985-990
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• 2009

Fatty acid composition, protein content, and shape change of Listeria monocytogenes treated with ethanol extracts from Schizandra chinensis were examined. Transmission electron micrography of cells treated with ethanolic S. chinensis extracts showed development of morphological changes. Cell surfaces were irregular, swollen, or even disrupted after treatment with ethanol extracts, compared with the smooth surfaces of normal cells. Interestingly, cell protein content was decreased by ethanol extract treatment. Cell fatty acid composition was also changed after treatment with ethanol extracts. The levels of 13-methylpentadecanoic acid (i-15:0), 12-methylpentadecanoic acid (a-15:0) and 15-methylpentadecanoic acid (i-17:0) of L. monocytogenes Scott A and L. monocytogenes ATCC 19111 were decreased, but the concentrations of Cis-9,12 octadecanoic acid ($18:2^{9,12}$) and cis-9-octadecanoic acid ($18:1^9$) were increased. 13-methylpentadecanoic acid (i-15:0) and 12-methylpentadecanoic acid (a-15:0) levels in L. monocytogenes Brie I were decreased but the concentrations of Cis-9,12 octadecanoic acid ($18:2^{9,12}$) and cis-9-octadecanoic acid ($18:1^9$) were increased after treatment with ethanolic extracts. Notably, the levels of 12-methylpentadecanoic acid (a-15:0) significantly were decreased but those of cis-9,12 octadecanoic acid ($18:2^{9,12}$) significantly were increased in all tested microorganisms.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.339-344
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• 2011

Matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-9 is considered important in tissue destruction in periodontitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of smoking on MMP-9 in the gingival crevicular fluid(GCF). GCF samples in upper incisors area from 332 male subjects were collected after the informed consent. The dental examination included the assessment of oral hygiene, gingival inflammation and probing pocket depth. A quantitative assessment of MMP-9 levels in GCF was performed utilizing and immunological procedure. The mean MMP-9 concentrations found in GCF of smokers(30.86 ng/ml) and quit-smokers(29.82 ng/ml) differed from non-smokers(11.33 ng/ml), adjusted by age, gingival index and Community periodontal index(p<0.001). Smoking seems to influence MMP-9 in GCF regardless of gingival inflammation and age. It means smoking can destruct the periodontal tissue for itself.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.119-126
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• 1985

To evaluate the performance characteristics of CA 19-9 radioimmunoassay and the clinical significance of serum CA 19-9 assay in patients with malignancy, serum CA 19-9 levels were measured by radioimmunoassay using monoclonal antibody in 135 normal controls, 81 patients with various untreated malignancy, 9 patients of postoperative colon cancer without recurrence and 20 patients with benign gastrointestinal diseases, who visited Seoul National University Hospital from June, 1984 to March, 1985. The results were as follows; 1) The CA 19-9 radioimmunoassay was simple to perform and can be completed in one work day. And the between-assay reproducibility and the assay recovery were both excellent. 2) The mean serum CA 19-9 level in 135 normal controls was $8.4{\pm}4.2U/mL$. Normal upper limit of serum CA 19-9 was defined as 21.0 U/mL. 4 out of 135(3.0%) normal controls showed elevated CA 19-9 levels above the normal upper limit. 3) One out of 20(5.0%) patients with benign gastrointestinal diseases showed elevated serum CA 19-9 level above the normal upper limit. 4) In 81 patients with various' untreated malignancy, 41 patients(50.6%) showed elevated serum CA 19-9 levels. 66.7% of 18 patients with colorectal cancer, 100% of 2 patients with pancreatic cancer, 100% of 3 patients with common bile duct cancer, 47.1% of 17 patients with stomach cancer, 28.6% of 28 patients with hepatoma and 60.0% of 5 other gastrointestinal tract cancers showed elevated serum CA 19-9 levels. 5) The sensitivities of serum CA 19-9 related to resectability in colorectal and stomach cancer were 33.3% in resectable colorectal cancer, 83.3% in unresectable colorectal cancer, 41.7% in resectable stomach cancer, 60.0% in unresectable stomach cancer respectively. 6) The sensitivity of serum CA 19-9 in 9 patients of postoperative colorectal cancer without recurrence were 33.3% and significantly decreased compared with that of untreated colorectal cancer, 66.7% (p<0.05). 7) In patients with colorectal cancer, simultaneous measurement of serum CA 19-9 and serum CEA levels increased sensitivities. From above results, we concluded that serum CA 19-9 radioimmunoassay is simple to perform and reproducible, and is a useful indicator reflecting tumor extent and responses to the treatment in patients with malignancy.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.216-222
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• 2003

Human caspase-9, an essential apoptosis initiator protease, was excessively degraded when expressed in Escherichia coli under the conventional induction condition. To optimize the conditions for induction and develop a rapid purification method for obtaining significant amounts of wild-type procaspase-9, we expressed procaspase-9 as GST fusion in E. coli. The addition of 0.01 mM IPTG as an inducer to the bacterial culture and decreasing the culture temperature to 25oC improved the production of procasapse-9 protein by circumventing proteolytic degradation in E. coli. The wild-type procaspae-9 was purified to approximately 70% purity with relatively high yields using the method developed in this study. In addition, we found that GST-caspase-9 is autocatalytically cleaved after aspartic acid 315, which is the same site for processing in mammalian cells, during expression in E. coli.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.95-100
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• 1999

Growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9) is a member of the transforming growth factor $\beta$ (TGF-$\beta$) superfamily. It has been known that GDF-9 is a growth factor having a crucial role in normal folliculogenesis and its expression is oocyte-specific. The present study was aimed to elucidate the expression of GDF-9 mRNA in the mouse primordial follicles as well as in the other developmental stages. The semiquantitative analysis of GDF-9 mRNA expression was conducted. Total RNA was extracted from the ICR mice ovaries at gestational day 19, postnatal day 1, day 10, day 21, and day 28, and RT-PCR was performed to measure GDF-9 and $\beta$-actin mRNA levels. Level of GDF-9 mRNA were normalized against the level of $\beta$-actin mRNA, and compared among different stages. GDF-9 mRNA was detected in all samples including the fetal ovaries that mainly consists of primordial follicles. The highest level of mRNA was observed in ovaries obtained at day 10 that mainly consists of growing follicles. The present result suggests that GDF-9 may play an important role in the early stage of folliculogenesis.