• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.634-639
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• 2005

Purpose : An understanding of the immunological process is required if primary prevention of atopic diseases is to be developed in early childhood. But, it is too hard to distinguish atopy from nonatopy under the age of two clinically, because the expression of phenotype and cytokines is vague in early childhood. We evaluated DNA methylation changes at Th2 interleukin-4 gene in peripheral blood from atopic children. Methods : We selected 15 allergic children(mild : eight, moderate to severe : seven) and seven normal controls by using family allergy scores and clinical histories. We measured Total IgE and Der f II specific IgE levels and cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells with Der f II stimulation and extracted DNA from Der f II specific T cells. We examined the change of CpG methylation in DNA from atopic and nonatopic children. Results : In T cells from normal children, IL-4 DNA were predominantly methylated; otherwise, CpG demethylation occurred in Der f II specific T cells from allergic children. Conclusion : IL-4 DNA methylation changes occurred in T genes from allergic children and DNA methylation assay in early childhood.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1050-1058
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• 2008

A gene encoding a dextransucrase (dsrBCB4) that synthesizes only ${\alpha}$-1,6-linked dextran was cloned from Leuconostoc mesenteroides B-1299CB4. The coding region consisted of an open reading frame (ORF) of 4,395 bp that coded a 1,465-amino-acids protein with a molecular mass of 163,581 Da. The expressed recombinant DSRBCB4 (rDSRBCB4) synthesized oligosaccharides in the presence of maltose or isomaltose as an acceptor, plus the products included ${\alpha}$-1,6-linked glucosyl residues in addition to the maltosyl or isomaltosyl residue. Alignments of the amino acid sequence of DSRBCB4 with glucansucrases from Streptococcus and Leuconostoc identified conserved amino acid residues in the catalytic core that are critical for enzyme activity. The mutants D530N, E568Q, and D641N displayed a 98- to 10,000-fold reduction of total enzyme activity.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.129-134
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• 1993

The pchAB genes of Pseudomonas sp. DJ-12 produce the enzymes of 4-chlorobipheny] (4CB) dioxygenase and dihydrodiol dehydrogenase which act on the first and second steps in degradation of 4CB and biphenyl. The genes were cloned in E coli XLI-Blue. The pcbAB genes of about 2.2 kb in size were contained in the pCUlO1 hybrid plasmid in the cloned cell of CUIOI. The genes were found to have their own promoter and three restriction sites for HindlII. 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl was detected by the resting cell assay, as the metabolite transformed from biphenyl by the cloned cell of CUIOI. This means that the pcbAB genes are well expressed in E. coli. But dechlorination was unlikely involved in the pchAB gene expression but was believed to occur by functioning on 4CBA produced after ring-cleavage of 4CB.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.229-236
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• 1997

A gene, $phbC_{2.4.1}$ encoding poly-3-hydroxybutyric acid (PHB) synthase of Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1 was cloned by employing heterologous expression in Escherichia coli. R. sphaeroides chromosomal DNA partially digested with MboI was cloned in pUC19 followed by mobilization into E. coli harbouring $phbA,B_{AC}$ in pRK415, which code for ${\beta}$-ketothiolase and acetoacetyl CoA reductase of Alcaligenes eutrophus, respectively. Two E. coli clones carrying R. sphaeroides chromosomal fragment of $phbC_{2.4.1}$ in pUC19 were selected from ca. 10,000 colonies. The PHB-producing colonies had an opaque white appearance due to the intracellular accumulation of PHB. The structure of PHB produced by the recombinant E. coli as well as from R. sphaeroides 2.4.1 was confirmed by [$H^{+}$]-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Restriction analysis of the two pUC19 clones revealed that one insert DNA fragment is contained as a part of the other cloned fragment. An open reading frame of 601 amino acids of $phbC_{2.4.1}$ with approximate M.W. of 66 kDa was found from nucleotide sequence determination of the 2.8-kb SaiI-PstI restriction endonuclease fragment which had been narrowed down to support PHB synthesis through heterologous expression in the E. coli harbouring $phbA,B_{AC}$. The promoter (s) of the $phbC_{2.4.1}$ were localized within a 340-bp DNA region upstream of the $phbC_{2.4.1}$ start codon according to heterologous expression analysis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.240-245
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• 1991

We have constructed a promoter-probe vector pKU20 using pKT230, a derivative of broad-host-range plsmid RSF1010, as a base. The pKU20 contains structural gene for aminoglycoside phos-photransferase (aph), without promoter, and a multiple cloning site upstream the aph. Using this vector, a 412base pairs (bp) PstI fragment showing strong promoter activity both in Escherichia coli LE392 and Pseudomonas putida KCTC1644 has been cloned from Pseudomonas fluorescens chromosomal DNA on the basis of streptomycin resistance. The nucleotide sequence of the 412 bp fragment has been determined and the putative - 35 and -10 region was observed. Insecticidal protein gene of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki HD-73 inserted on downstream of the promoterlike DNA fragment was efficiently expressed in E. coli and P. putida. The toxin protein was efficiently synthesized in an insoluble form in both strains.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.145-148
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• 2003

The Kunang cave paleolithic site is located at Tanyang [$N37^{\circ}2'$, $128^{\circ}21'E$], Chungbuk Province, which is in the Central part of the Korean peninsula. The cave is developed at 312 amsl in a karstic mountainous area. The South Han River flows across this region and other caves can also be found near the river. The site was discovered in 1986 and excavated 3 times by the Chungbuk National University Museum until now. The cave was wellpreserved from modem human activities until the first discovery. The full length of the cave is estimated to be ca. 140 m. However, a spacious part up to 11 m from the entrance has been excavated. Eight lithological units are divided over the vertical profile at a depth of 5 m. Each unit is deposited in ascending order as follow: mud layer (Unit 9), lower complex (Unit 8) which is composed of angular blocks and fragments with a muddy matrix, lower travertine layer (Unit 7； flowstone), middle complex (Unit 6; cultural layer) which is composed of fragments with a muddy matrix, middle travertine layer (Unit 5； flowstone), yellowish muddy layer (Unit 4), upper complex (Unit 3； cultural layer) which has a similar composition to Unit 8. the upper travertine layer (Unit 2； flowstone), and finally surface soil layer (Unit 1). The most abundant vestiges in the cultural layers are the animal bones. They are small fractured pieces and mostly less than 3 cm in length. About 3,800 bone pieces from 25 animal species have been collected so far, 90 percent of them belonging to young deers. Previous archaeological study of these bone pieces shows thatprehistoric people occupied the cavenot for permanent dwelling but for temporary shelter during their seasonal hunting activity. More extensive studies of these bones together with pollen analysis are in progress to reconstruct the paleoenvironment of this cave. Only a single date (12,500 BP) obtained from a U-Th measurement of the upper travertine layer was previously available. In spite of the importance of the cave stratigraphy, there was no detail chronological investigation to establish the depositional process of the cultural layers and to understand the periodic structure of the cave strata, alternating travertine floor and complex layers. We have measured five 14C age dating (38900+/-1000, 36400+/-900, 40600+/-1600, more than 51000 and 52000 14C BP) using Seoul National University 14C AMS facility, conducted systematic process of the collagen extraction from bone fragments samples. From the result, we estimate that sedimentation rate of the cave earth is constant, and that the travertine layers, Unit 2 and Unit 3, was formed during MIS 5a(ca. 80 kBP) and MIS 5c (ca. 100 kBP) respectively. The Kunang Cave site is located at Yochonli of the region of Danyang in the mid-eastern part of Korea. This region is compased of limestones in which many caves were found and the Nam-han river flows meanderingly. The excavations were carried out three times in 1986, 1988, and 1998.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.240-245
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• 2000

Two genes encoding maltooligosyltrehalose synthase (SaMTS) and maltooligosyltrehalose trehalohydrolase (SaMTH) were isolated from a hyperthermophilic microorganism, Sulfolobus acidocaldarius (ATCC 49462). ORFs of the SaMTS and SaMTH genes are 2,163 and 1,671 bp long and encode 720 and 556 amino acid residues, respectively. A bifunctional fusion enzyme (SaMTSH) was constructed through the gene fusion of SaMTS and SaMTH. Recombinant SaMTS, SaMTH, and SaMTSH fusion enzyme were overexpressed in E. coli BL21. SaMTS and SaMTH produced trehalose and maltotriose from maltopentaose in a sequential reaction. SaMTSH fusion enzyme catalyzed the sequential reaction in which the formation of maltotriosyltrehalose was followed by hydrolysis leading to the synthesis of trehalose and maltotriose. The SaMTSH fusion enzyme showed the highest activity at pH 5.0-5.5 and $70-75^{\circ}C$. SaMTS, SaMTH, and SaMTSH fusion enzyme were active in soluble starch, which resulted in the production of trehalose.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2010

xylA promoter is a major promoter in xylose operon of Escherichia coli. xylA promoter is sufficient as the promoter for the construction of new expression vector because this promoter was tightly controlled and induced by the addition of xylose. For the construction of xylose-inducible expression vector, 600 bp of xylA promoter was ligated between AatII and HindIII of pUC18, named pXA600. In order to investigate the effect of XylR protein encoded by xylR gene on the xylA promoter, 1,988 bp of xylR gene including its promoter was ligated into downstream of multiple cloning site to the opposite direction of xylA promoter in pXA600, named pXAR600. For the measurement of expression level, 3,048 bp of lacZ structural gene was fused into xylA promoter in both plasmids pXA600 and pXAR600 as a reporter gene, named pXA600-lacZ and pXAR600-lacZ, respectively. The $\beta$-galactosidase activity of pXA600-lacZ and pXAR600-lacZ in E. coli JM109 was determined to be 1,641 and 2,304 unit by the induction with xylose in LB medium, respectively. The $\beta$-galactosidase activity of pXAR600-lacZ/JM109 was about 1.4 times higher by the induction with xylose than that of pXA600-lacZ/JM109. The $\beta$-galactosidase activity of pXA600-lacZ and pXAR600-lacZ in E.coli JM109 showed 6,282 and 9,320 unit by the induction with xylose in DM minimal medium, respectively. A regulator, xylR protein works as an activator for the gene expression by the addition of xylose in the xylose-inducible vectors because the level of gene expression in pXA600 is increased by the insertion of xylR gene into the same vector. The xynA gene of Streptomyces thermocyaneoviolaceus cloned in pXA600 and pXAR600 was successfully expressed in E. coli BLR(DE3). As a result, plasmids pXA600 and pXAR600 using xylA promoter are sufficient as new expression system to produce a foreign protein in E. coli.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.123-131
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• 1983

1) To delineate the role of central ${\alpha}_2-adrenoceptors$ in the pressor response to raised intracranial pressure(ICP), the influence of yohimbine, an ${alpha}_2-adrenoceptor$ antagonist, on the pressor response to raised ICP was investigated in urethane-anesthetized rabbits. 2) The ICP was raised by infusing saline into a balloon placed in the epidural space. The rise of ICP was slow in the beginning of the infusion but it became sharp as the infusion proceeded. 3) In response to raised ICP, blood pressure(BP) tended to decrease slightly in the beginning and then increased sharply. BP, however, fell abruptly and markedly if ICP was raised further. The maximal pressor response to raised ICP was the increase of $49{\pm}2.4%$ of the original $BP(mean{\pm}SE\;in\;32\;experiments)$, and at this point the volume of saline infused into the balloon was $1.22{\pm}0.15\;ml$, and the ICP $165{\pm}6.4\;mmHg$. 4) Intraventricular yohimbine $(50{\mu}g)$ by itself did not affect BP. After the administration of this dose of yohimbine the increase of both ICP and BP was observed after the infusion of much smaller volume of saline than in the control animals, i.e., after the infusion of $0.83{\pm}0.02\;ml$ of saline the maximal increase of preesor response$(57{\pm}4.5%\;in\;6\;experiments)$ appeared and at this state the ICP was $164{\pm}9.6\;mmHg$. 5) Intraventricular $clonidine(30{\mu}g)$ markedly decreased BP by itself, and in the clonidine-treated rabbits the increase of ICP induced by the infusion was much less than in the control group and the pressor response to raised ICP was hardly seen. 6) The hypotensive effect of intraventricular clonidine was reversed by a susequent intraventricular $yohimbine(500\;{\mu}g)$. At this state the pressor response to raised ICP appeared as in the control animals. 7) These results show that the pressor response to raised ICP was facilitated when ${\alpha}_2-adrenoceptors$ in the rabbit brain was blocked by yohimbine and that yohimbine antagonized the inhibitory effect of clonidine on the pressor response to raised ICP.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1996.04a
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• pp.216-216
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• 1996

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether in vivo noradrenergic neural activity in the locus coeruleus is related to the development of hypertension. Two groups of animals were prepared, 1) young spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and 2) age-matched normotensive wistar kyoto rats (WKY). At il weeks of age, the release of norepinephrine (NE) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DOPEG) from locus coeruleus of young SHR and WKY as an index of neural activity were determined by in vivo microdialysis along with blood pressure (BP) at three conditions : 1) normal; 2) elevated BP by systemic injection of phenylephrine and 3) alpha-1 adrenoceptor stimulated by perfusion of phenylephrine into the locus coeruleus through microdialysis probe. Basal releases of NE and DOPEG from the iocus coeruleus were 0.415+/-0.089pg/20min, 1.311+/-0.293 pg/20min in SHR and 0.204+/-0.078 pg/20min, 1.492+/-0.365 pg/20min in WKY respectively. Basal release of NE from the locus coeruleus of SHR was significantly greater than that of WKY. Phenylephrine systemic injection caused elevation of BP in both SHR and WKY in a dose related manner. Following phenyephrine injection, the releases of NE and DOPEG from the locus coeruleus of SHR were significantly decreased, whereas there were no significant changes in the releases of NE and DOPEG In young WKY. Alpha-1 adrenoceptor stimulation in the locus coeruleus by perfused phenylephrine through microdialysis probe caused pressor responses in both SHR and WKY, but the magnitude of pressor response in SHR was larger compared with that in WKY. The result from the present study suggests that noradrenergic neural activity in locus coeruleus may contribute as one of triggering factors for the expression of hypertension in young SHR.