• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.225-231
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• 1996

The production of recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli often leads to the formation of an intracellular inclusion body. Key process steps that can determine the economics of large-scale protein production from inclusion bodies are fermentation, inclusion body recovery, and protein refolding. Compared with protein refolding and fermentation, inclusion body recovery has received scant research attention. Nevertheless, it can control the final product yield and hence process cost for some products. Optimal separation of inclusion bodies and cell debris can also aid subsequent operations by removing contaminant particulates that foul chromatographic resins and contain antigenic pyrogens. In this review, the properties of inclusion bodies and cellular debris are therefore examined. Attempts to optimise the centrifugal separation of inclusion bodies and debris are also discussed.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.290-295
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• 1994

30 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were produced against Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. canadensis. Out of the these, 6 mAbs were selected for further studies. SDS-PAGE analyses of sonicated antigens of 10 8. thuringiensis strains showed that they generally had both predominant protein antigens of molecular weights of 45 kilodalton (kd) except for shandogiensis and konkukian, and 37kd except for israelensis, tochigiensis, and shandogiensis, respectively. These results indicate that 4kd and 37kd may be important for demonstrating common antigens except for a few strains of B. thuringiensis. In comparing the result of the westem blot using mAbs with that of using polyclonal antibodies to canadensis, we found that immunoreactive proteins of 99 and 39 kd were identified as common antigens, which might act as antigenic determinants, and might be surface or flagella antigens. Reactivities of mAbs with 41 strains of 8. thuringiensis demonstrated that mAbs of C-1, C-3, C-4, C-S and C-6 except C-2 did not recognize epitopes of thuringiensis, but that all of the mAbs recognized epitopes of galleriae, kurstaki, dakota, tolrJokuensis, silo, toguchini, and leesis. The potential applications of the mAbs we produced would be useful tools for the clarification of taxonomy, investigation of antigenic relationship between B. thuringiensis strains, and localization of specific surface and flagella antigens.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.155-163
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• 2003

The antigenic characterizations and serological reactions of human liver flukes, Clonorchis sinensis and Opisthorchis viverrini, were analyzed by immunoblot. The antigenic profiles of the crude extract of Clonorchis contained major proteins of 8, 26-28, 34-37, 43, and 70 kDa, and those of Opisthorchis 34-37, 43, 70, and 100 kDa. Of these, the 8, 26-28 and 34-37 kDa bands of Clonorchis and the 100 kDa of Opisthorchis were major components of each excretory-secretory antigen. The 8 and 26-28 kDa bands were specific to Clonorchis but the 100 kDa of Opisthorchis cross-reacted with the sera of clonorchiasis, and the 34-37, 70 and 100 kDa bands cross-reacted with sera of other helminthiases. The frequency and intensity of the immunoblot reactions were positively correlated with the intensity of the liver fluke infection.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2002

The 8 kDa antigenic protein of Clonorchis sinensis was partially purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and subsequently by a column chromatographic steps. The purified protein was separated into 7 and 8 kDa protein bands through SDS-tricine gel electrophoresis, while the protein was fecund to migrate to a 8 kDa band in 7.5-15% SDS-PAGE. The molecular weight of the antigen was estimated to be 110 kDa by Superose 6 HR 10/30 gel filtration. The purified antigen strongly reacted with the human sera of clonorchiasis. The hyperimmune sera of BALB/c mice immunized against the 8 kDa protein were reacted with both the crude extract and the excretory-secretory product of adult worms, but not with the metacercarial extract. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that the protein was distributed to the tegument and subtegumental cells and also to the seminal receptacle. The present findings suggest that the 8 kDa protein is a partition of the multicomplek protein originating from various organs of adult C. sinenis, and that it is composed of several 7 and 8 kDa proteins.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.463-469
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• 2002

Rotaviruses are the world-wide leading causative agents of severe dehydrating gastroenteritis in young children and animals. The outer capsid glycoprotein VP7 and inner capsid glycoprotein VP6 of rotaviruses are highly antigenic and immunogenic. An SFV-based expression system has recently emerged as a useful tool for heterologous protein production in mammalian cells, exhibiting a much more efficient performance compared to other gene expression systems. Accordingly, the current study adopted an SFV-based expression system to express the VP7 of a group A human rotavirus from a Korean isolate, and the VP6 of a group B bovine rotavirus from a Korean isolate, in mammalian cells. The genes of the VP6 and VP7 were inserted into the SFV expression vector pSFV-1. The RNA was transcribed in vitro from pSFV-VP6 and pSFV-VP7 using SP6 polymerase. Each RNA was then electroporated into BHK-21 cells along with pSFV-helper RNA containing the structural protein gene without the packaging signal. The expression of VP6 and VP7 in the cytoplasm was then detected by immunocytochemistry. The recombinant virus was harvested by ultracentrifugation and examined under electron microscopy. After infecting BHK-21 cells with the defective viruses, the expressed proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE and analyzed by a Western blot. The results indicate that an SFV-based expression system fur the VP6 and VP7 of rotaviruses is an efficient tool for developing a diagnostic kit and/or preventive vaccine.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.19.1-19.15
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• 2024

The influenza virus poses a global health burden. Currently, an annual vaccine is used to reduce influenza virus-associated morbidity and mortality. Most influenza vaccines have been developed to elicit neutralizing Abs against influenza virus. These Abs primarily target immunodominant epitopes derived from hemagglutinin (HA) or neuraminidase (NA) of the influenza virus incorporated in vaccines. However, HA and NA are highly variable proteins that are prone to antigenic changes, which can reduce vaccine efficacy. Therefore, it is essential to develop universal vaccines that target immunodominant epitopes derived from conserved regions of the influenza virus, enabling cross-protection among different virus variants. The internal proteins of the influenza virus serve as ideal targets for universal vaccines. These internal proteins are presented by MHC class I molecules on Ag-presenting cells, such as dendritic cells, and recognized by CD8 T cells, which elicit CD8 T cell responses, reducing the likelihood of disease and influenza viral spread by inducing virus-infected cell apoptosis. In this review, we highlight the importance of CD8 T cell-mediated immunity against influenza viruses and that of viral epitopes for developing CD8 T cell-based influenza vaccines.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.73-86
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• 1988

The sensitivity and specificity of crude and affinity-purified antigens of Clcnorchis sinensis obtained from the infected rabbits were studied. Stage-specific antigenic proteins from the eggs, metacercariae and adult worms were characterized by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent astray (ELISA). The results were as follows: 1. The antibody.binding antigen (ABA) purified from whole worm crude antigen (IVWA) by CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography made :l specific bands against rabbit antisera on Ouchterlony gel diffusion plate, while WWA made 7 bands. Major WWA protein bands by SDS-PAGE were found at 16, 300~18, 500 and 28, 000~29, 000 daltons, while major ABA protein bands were at 18, 000~21, 000 and 29, 000~31, 000 daltons. The reactivity of ABA with rabbit anti-sera in ELISA was remarkably less sensitive than that of WWA. 2. Molecular weights of egg antigen (EGA), metacercarial antigen (MEA) and adult worm antigen (WWA) of C. sinensis ranged from 15, 000-200, 000 daltons, 15, 000-100, 000 daltons and 11, 000~80, 000 daltons, respectively. Major WWA proteins consisted mainly of polypeptide bands of low molecular weight, less than 31, 000 daltons, while those of EGA and MEA consisted of higher molecular T.eights than 30, 000 daltons. 3. The ELISA reactivities of WWA to rabbit anti.sera were remarkably greater than those of MEA. EGA showed negative reaction throughout the experiments. WWA showed higher optical density (O.D.) than 1.0, when reacted with rabbit anti-sera obtained at 4~6 weeks after the infection. In the rabbit anti-sera later than 12 weeks after the infection, the O.D. reacting witll WWA showed a plateau without variation. MEA shoT.ed relatively low O.D. values (<0.6), when reacted with anti-sera from lightly in(ected groups throughout the experiments, althougll there were some wealth positive cases (O.D.>0.6) ill heavily infected groups. MEA reacted with rabbit anti-sera showed negative results on Ouchterlony gel diffusion plates. Summarizing the above results, it is suggested that the whole worm antigen prepared from the adult worms of C. sinensis is most highly antigenic. However, this antigen might reveal cross reactions with other trematodes such as Paragonimus westermani, therefore, purification of antigenic proteins from the crude antigen is essential 18 increase the sensitivity and specificity for the immuncdiagnosis of clonorchiasis.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2007

In order to observe the localization of excretory, purified and infected antigenic protein in the tissue of Trichinella spiralis larvae, immunogoldlabeling methodology using IgG and protein A-gold complex was implemented. T. spiralis larvae obtained from rat muscle were initially cultured in medium, and secreted excretory antigen was collected for 1 or 3 days. Purified antigenic protein was obtained from homogenized T. spiralis larvae. Rabbits were then immunized with 1 or 3 days secreted excretory protein and purified 45 kDa protein, and IgG was purified from collected serum. Serum, against infected antigen, collected from rat on 1 and 4 weeks after infection with T. spiralis larvae, and IgG was purified from collected serum. T. spiralis larvae were embedded in Lowicryl HM20 medium. Then they were finally treated with immunized IgG and protein A-gold complex (particle size; 15 nm) and observed under electron microscope. In T. spiralis larvae tissue, the tissue antigen reacted with rabbit IgC antigen Day 1 secreted excretory protein, infected antigenic protein and purified 45 kDa protein. But different distribution pattern of labeled gold particles were observed. When Day 1 secreted excretoy protein was used, gold particle labeling was observed specifically on the cuticle, basal layer, esophagus interstitial matrix (EIM) and ${\alpha}_0,\;{\alpha}_1$ granules of stichocyte of the worm. In a separate group of tissue, the antigen reacted with rabbit IgG against Day 3 secreted excretory protein. Labeled gold particles were specifically distributed on the surface layer of cuticle, EIM and ${\alpha}_0$ granules of stichocyte of the worm. In case of using infected antigenic protein, gold particle labeling was specifically distributed on the cuticle and EIM of the worm. When purifed 45 kDa protein was used gold particle labeling was specifically distributed on the cuticle, basal layer, EIM and ${\alpha}_0,\;{\alpha}_1$ granules of stichocyte of the worm. Therefore, excretory antigens appeared to originate from the cuticle and ${\alpha}_0,\;{\alpha}_1$ granules of stichocyte for the first day but the cuticle layer associated with globular proteins and ${\alpha}_0$ granules of stichocyte after 3 days and infected antigens appeared to originate from the cuticle for 1 and 4 weeks after infection. These results suggest that excretory and infection specific antigens are secreted into the cuticle, basal layer, EIM and ${\alpha}_0,\;{\alpha}_1$ granules of stichocyte and 45 kDa protein may be contained these specific antigens.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.91-100
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• 1992

Tissue origin of individual component proteins in crude extract of adult Paragonimus westermani was investigated. Major soluble component proteins were separated by disc-PAGE in 8% slab gel. By predefined Rf values, strips of gel containing each band protein was cut out. Each band protein was eluted by electrophoresis. Monospecific antibodies were prepared by immunizing rabbits with each band protein. When peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) staining was done, antiserum to Band 1 reacted to content of eggs both in the worm and in the infected lung tissue. Antiserum to Band 2 reacted to parenchymal tissue of the worm. Antiserum to Band 4 showed the positive reaction at intestinal content while that to Band 5 reacted to the intestinal epithelial border. Antiserum to combined proteins of Bands 617 and that to Band 8 reacted to parenchymal tissue of the worm respectively. From the results, the origin of individual proteins in crude extract of adult P. westermani could be differentiated.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.105-113
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• 1997

The truncated $E1_{192-283}$ and $E2_{384-649}$ genes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) linked to the gene for glutathione S-transferase (GST) were constructed and their expressions were analyzed. The $GST-E1_{192-283}$ fusion gene overexpressed the fusion protein in E. coli as a soluble form, while the $GST-E1_{192-383}$ plasmid did not express expected fusion protein. The purified $GST-E1_{192-283}$ fusion protein was efficiently cleaved by thrombin. More than 90% pure, HCV $E1_{192-283}$ protein was obtained by GST-agarose chromatography. The truncated $GST-E2_{384-649}$ fusion gene expressed the fusion protein mainly as an insoluble form, whereas the $GST-E2_{384-740}$ did not express the fusion protein. The truncated $GST-E1_{182-283}$ and $GST-E2_{384-649}$ fusion proteins reacted specifically with an HCV patient serum. In addition, mice immunized with either the purified $E1_{192-283}$ or $GST-E2_{384-649}$ proteins generated specific antibodies to each antigen. The results suggested that hydrophobic carboxyl portions of the E1 and E2 proteins might affect expression levels as well as the solubility of each fusion protein in bacteria. Also, the truncated E1 protein with Tyr-192 to Ser-283 contained antigenic epitope(s) which could be specifically recognized by an HCV patient serum.