• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.23 no.8
• /
• pp.1047-1054
• /
• 2013

Witches' broom of lime is a disease caused by Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia, which represents the most significant global threat to the production of lime trees (Citrus aurantifolia). Conventional disease management strategies have shown little success, and new approaches based on genetic engineering need to be considered. The expression of recombinant antibodies and fragments thereof in plant cells is a powerful approach that can be used to suppress plant pathogens. We have developed a single-chain variable fragment antibody (scFvIMP6) against the immunodominant membrane protein (IMP) of witches' broom phytoplasma and expressed it in different plant cell compartments. We isolated scFvIMP6 from a naïve scFv phage display library and expressed it in bacteria to demonstrate its binding activity against both recombinant IMP and intact phytoplasma cells. The expression of scFvIMP6 in plants was evaluated by transferring the scFvIMP6 cDNA to plant expression vectors featuring constitutive or phloem specific promoters in cassettes with or without secretion signals, therefore causing the protein to accumulate either in the cytosol or apoplast. All constructs were transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana by agroinfiltration, and antibodies of the anticipated size were detected by immunoblotting. Plant-derived scFvIMP6 was purified by affinity chromatography, and specific binding to recombinant IMP was demonstrated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Our results indicate that scFvIMP6 binds with high activity and can be used for the detection of Ca. Phytoplasma aurantifolia and is also a suitable candidate for stable expression in lime trees to suppress witches' broom of lime.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.651-657
• /
• 2019

Although smallpox was eradicated in 1980, it is still considered a potential agent of biowarfare and bioterrorism. Smallpox has the potential for high mortality rates along with a major public health impact, eventually causing public panic and social disruption. Passive administration of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is an effective intervention for various adverse reactions caused by vaccination and the unpredictable nature of emerging and bioterrorist-related infections. Currently, vaccinia immune globulin (VIG) is manufactured from vaccinia vaccine-boosted plasma; however, this production method is not ideal because of its limited availability, low specific activity, and risk of contamination with blood-borne infectious agents. To overcome the limitations of VIG production from human plasma, we isolated two human single-chain variable fragments (scFvs), (SC34 and SC212), bound to vaccinia virus (VACV), from a scFv phage library constructed from the B cells of VACV vaccine-boosted volunteers. The scFvs were converted to human IgG1 (VC34 and VC212). These two anti-VACV mAbs were produced in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) DG44 cells. The binding affinities of VC34 and VC212 were estimated by competition ELISA to $IC_{50}$ values of $2{\mu}g/ml$ (13.33 nM) and $22{\mu}g/ml$ (146.67 nM), respectively. Only the VC212 mAb was proven to neutralize the VACV, as evidenced by the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) result with a $PRNT_{50}$ of ~0.16 mg/ml (${\sim}1.07{\mu}M$). This VC212 could serve as a valuable starting material for further development of VACV-neutralizing human immunoglobulin for a prophylactic measure against post-vaccination complications and for post-exposure treatment against smallpox.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.91-95
• /
• 2002

Background: In order to characterize human antibodies with specificity for mite allergens at the molecular level, a scFv phage display library was constructed using peripheral blood mononuclear lymphocytes from an asthma patient allergic to mite as Ig gene sources. Methods: Immunoglobulin $V_H$ and V gene fragments were obtained by polymerase chain reaction, and randomly combined in pCANTAB-5E vector. The resulting human scFv phage display library had $3{\times}10^4$ independent clones, and biopanning was performed with house dust mite extracts. Results: Four scFv clones specific for house dust mite extract were isolated. Immunoblot assay showed that our clones reacted to 25 kDa and 50~60 kDa proteins with unknown identity in mite extracts. Sequence analysis indicated that two clones (b7 and c15) are identical, and all clones belong to human $V_H3$ subgroup. On the other hand, light chain usage was different in that two clones (a2 and b7 / c15) belonging to V ${\kappa}4$ subgroup, but a4 used V ${\kappa}1$ light chain gene. Conclusion: Our approach should facilitate provision of useful information on the antibody responses against allergens at the molecular level in humans.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.797-805
• /
• 1999

T sergenti cDNA library were constructed to get a more broad information about the structural, functional or antigenic properties of the proteins, and analyzes for their partial cDNA sequences and expression sequences tags(ESTg). The mRNA were purified from T sergenti isolates to identify the information of antigen gene, then first and second strand cDNA was synthesized. EcoR I adaptor ligation and Xho I enzyme restriction were used to the synthesized cDNA, and ligated into a Uni-ZAP XR vector. T sergenti cDNA library was constructed with packaging and amplification in vitro. Antibody screening was performed with constructed T sergenti cDNA library using antisera against T sergenti. Among those clones, eight phagemids were rescued from the recombinant in vivo excision with f1 helper phage. Using the analysis of endonuclease restriction and PCR, the recombinant cDNA were proved having a 0.5-3.0kb of inserts. The eight of partial cDNA clones' sequences were obtained and examined for their homology using BLASTN and BLASTX. The eight of sequenced clones were classified into three groups according to the basis of database searches. A total 3,045bp of partial cDNA sequence were determined from six clones. The putatively identified clones contain a cytochrome c gene, a heat shock protein gene, a cyclophilin gene, and a ribosomal protein gene. The unidentified clones have a homology to ATP-binding protein(mtrA) gene of S argillaceus, DNA-binding protein(DBP) gene of Pseudorabies virus 85kDa merozoite protein gene of B bovis, mRNA spm1 protein of T annulata and glycine-rich RNA-binding protein mRNA of O sativa etc.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.663-676
• /
• 1999

Porphyromonas gingivalis, a Gram negative, anaerobic, asaccharolytic rod, is one of the most frequently implicated pathogens in human periodontal disease and has a requirement for hemin for growth. A 30 kDa (heated 24 kDa) hemin-binding protein whose expression is both hemin and iron regulated has recently been purified and characterized in this oral pathogen. This study has identified a hemin-binding P. gingivalis protein by expression of a P. gingivalis genomic library in Escherichia coli, a bacterium which does not require or transport exogenous hemin. A library of genomic DNA fragments from P. gingivalis was constructed in plasmid pUC18, transformed into Escherichia coli strain $DH5{\alpha}$ , and screened for recombinant clones with hemin-binding activity by plating onto hemin-containing agar. Of approximately 10,000 recombinant E. coli colonies screened on LB-amp-hemin agar, 10 exhibited a clearly pigmented phenotype. Each clone contained various insert DNA. The Hind III fragment transferred to the T7 RNA polymerase/promoter expression vector system produced a sligltly smaller (21 kDa) protein, a precursor form, immunoreactive to the antibody against the 24 kDa protein, suggesting that the cloned DNA fragment probably carried an entire gene for the 24 kDa hemin-binding protein.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.159-172
• /
• 1998

사람 성장호르몬 수용체(hGHR) cDNA는 PCR방법에 의하여 fagment로서 보고되어진 바 있으나, liver cDNA로 부터 전장을 cloning한 보고는 없는 실정으로 본 연구에서는 기능을 가진 약 4.6kbp의 cDNA hGHR을 cloning 하는데 성공하였다. 먼저 cloning하기 위하여 human liver mRNA와 human breast cancer tissue로부터 회수한 mRNA를 RT-PCR방법에 의하여 human cDNA library와 cloning에 필요한 probe를 제작하였다. human library mRNA는 GT-PCR방법에 의하여 증폭하여 증폭되어진 산물은 λZAP Vector를 이용하여 cDNA library를 구축하였고,screeing을 위하여 임 보고 되어진 hGHR fragment native sequence를 기초로 N-terminal부분의 primer를 설계하여 950bp의 probe를 얻는데 성공하였다. 이 probe를 이용하여 준비된 human liver cDNA library로부터 2.5$\times$10 6개의 plaque로부터 6개의 positive clone을 획득하였고, 이들중 poly Asignal인 "AATAAA"를 포함하고 있는 가장 긴 약 3.8kbp의 clone을 sequencing한 결과 open reading frame을 포함하고 있었으나, 5'부분의 결손되어 있었다. 그리하여 이 부분은 human breast cancer tissue로 부터 회수한 mRNA를 RT-PCR에 의하여 증폭하였고, sequencing결과 이미 보고되어진 native hGHR와 비교한 결과 하나의 nucleotide가 silent mutation으로 판명되었다.한편 human liver cDNA library로부터 cloning한 3.8cp의 positive clone의 5'end의 결손된 부분에 silent mutation된 PCR 산물을 연결함으로써 native hGHR와 유사한 cDNA hGHR subcloning에 성공하였다. 이러한 cDNA hGHR의 clone이 function을 가지고 있는지를 검토하기 위하여 eukaryotic 발현 vector인 pCXN2에 의거 ligation한 후 chinese hamster ovary cell[CHO-KI]에 transfect를 실시하였다. Dexamethasone은 첨가하지 않고 hGH만의 존재하에서 이들 cell을 배양시키고 cell menbrane에서 발현 여부를 판정키 위하여 hGHR monocloual antibody를 사용하여 flow cytometery해석을 실시하는 한편 125I-hGH binding assay에 의하여 hGH binding activity를 측정하였다. 최종적으로 GH signal transduction의 target genedf으로 알려져 있는 serine protease inhibitor 2.1(Spi 2.1) gene의 promotor activity를 검토한 결과 hGHR을 transfect한 CHO Cell에 있어서 hGH의 농도에 의존적으로 증가되었다. 따라서 본 실험에서 cloning한 cDNA hGHR는 native hGHR와 같은 기능을 가지는 것으로 판명되었다.것으로 판명되었다.

• Animal cells and systems
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.283-288
• /
• 2009

The ubiquitous plasma membrane $Na^+/H^+$ exchanger 1 (NHE1) is rapidly activated in response to various extracellular stimuli and maintains normal cytoplasmic pH. Yeast two-hybrid screening was used in order to identify proteins interacting with NHE1 using its cytoplasmic domain as a bait from HeLa cDNA library. One of the interacting cDNA clones was human Lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB). In vitro translated LDHB was pulled down together with GST-NHE1.cd protein in the GST pull down assay, confirming the interaction in vitro. LDHB antibody immunoprecipitated endogenous LDHB together with NHE1 from H9c2 cells, validating cellular interaction between NHE1 and LDHB. Subsequent analysis revealed that the overexpression of LDHB increased intracellular PH, implying opening of the NHE1 transporter. Moreover, overexpression of LDHB activated caspase 3 and induced cell death, consistent with the expected phenotype of hyper-activation of NHE1. Collectively, our data indicate that LDHB modulates NHE1 activity via physical interaction.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.59-64
• /
• 2002

A Cryptosporidium parvum sporozoite and oocyst λgt11 cDNA library was screened with a hyperimmune rabbit serum that was developed against insoluble fragments of ultrasonicated oocysts. A clone named Cp22.4.1 encoding a protein of 231 amino acids with 4 zinc-finger domains characterized by a Cys-X2-Cys-X4-His-X4-Cys motif was isolated and characterized. There was a complete match between the sequencing data of the coding region of Cp22.4.1 and the corresponding gene at chromosomal level. Cloning in a pBAD-TOPO-TA expression vector permitted to evaluate the antigenicty of the recombinant His-tagged antigen. This antigen was recognized by 2 out of 5 sera from Cruptosporidium immune calves and not by sera from parasite naive animals.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.176-179
• /
• 2003

A library of unlimited number of novel lectins with diverse specificities has been previously generated by randomly mutating the carbohydrate-recognition domain of Maackia amurensis hemagglutinin (MAH). To establish the experimental environment capable of selecting high affinity mutant lectins in E. coli, phage display system was adapted. Carbohydrate binding capacity of two phagemid vectors, pComb3 and pComb8 displaying wild-type MAH lectin was assessed. Specific bindings of pComb3 and pComb8 phages expressing w.t. MAH to affinity-purified polyclonal anti-MAH antibody and to glycophorin was demonstrated. Both phages also showed strong hemagglutinating activity to intact but not sialidase-treated human erythrocytes, which is consistent to the specificity of native MAH. Taken together, two different phage display vectors successfully allowed the expression of active MAH as a fusion protein on the surface of bacteriophage, which will lead to preparation of unique plant lectins with high affinity toward a variety of carbohydrate chains.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.287-294
• /
• 1992

배양 중의 골격근 세포는 증식을 거쳐 세포융합을 통해 다핵세포로 분화되므로 세포분화의 연구에 좋은 모델로서 이용되고 있다. 이전 실험에서 근원세포 융합을 억제하는 단일클론항체(MII-3J31)가 제작되었으며(Kim et al., 1992)이 항체에 대한 항원은 분자량이 약 35 kDa인 세포막 단백질로 추정되었다. 본 실험에서는 13일 계배와 성체의 근섬유 mRNA에서 CDNA라이브러리를 제작하여 근원세포 분화에 특이적으로 나타나는 유전자를 추적하였다. 근원세포 융합에 관여하는 단백질에 대한 CDNA는 계배 13일 째의 근원세포 CDNA라이브러리에서 단일클론항체를 사용한 immunoscreening 방법을 이용하여 확인하였다. 이 CDNA의 크기는 약 1.5 kb였다. 한편 13일 계배와성체 근섬유 CDNA 라이브러 리를 이용하여 13일 계배에만 특이하게 유전자 발현 이 일어 나고 성체에서는 나타나지 않는 약 0.8 kb의 CDNA플 찾았다.