• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.77.1-77
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• 2003

We have isolated a full-length cDNA clone, CaCDPK4 encoding a typical calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) from hot pepper cDNA library. Genomic southern blot analysis showed that it belongs to a multigene family, but represents a single copy gone in hot pepper genome. RNA expression pattern of this gene revealed that it is induced by infiltration of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines Bra into hot pepper leaves but not by water deficit stress. However, high salt treatment of NaCl (0.4 M) solution to hot pepper plants strongly induced CaCDPK4 gene. In addition, this gene is weakly responsive to the exogenous application of salicylic acid or ethephon. Biochemical study of the GST-CaCDPK4 recominant protein showed that it autophosphorylates in vitro and the presence of EGTA, a calcium chelater, eliminates the kinase activity of the recombinant protein. As a way to identify the in vivo function of CaCDPK4 in plants, VIGS (Virus-Induced Gene Silencing) was employed. Agrobacterium-mediated TRV silencing construct containing the kinase and calmodulin domain of CaCDPK4 resulted in cell death of Nicotiana benthamiana plants. A highly homologous H benthamiana CDPK gene, NbCDPK5, to CaCDPK4 was cloned from N. benthamiana cDNA library. VIGS of NbCDPK5 also resulted in cell death. The molecular characterization of this cell death phenotype is being under investigation.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.146-154
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• 2024

Purpose: Infection by the intracellular apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii has serious clinical consequences in humans and veterinarians around the world. Although about a third of the world's population is infected with T. gondii, there is still no effective vaccine against this disease. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a multimeric vaccine against T. gondii using the proteins calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK)1, CDPK2, CDPK3, and CDPK5. Materials and Methods: Top-ranked major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I and MHC-II binding as well as shared, immunodominant linear B-cell epitopes were predicted and linked using appropriate linkers. Moreover, the 50S ribosomal protein L7/L12 (adjuvant) was mixed with the construct's N-terminal to increase the immunogenicity. Then, the vaccine's physicochemical characteristics, antigenicity, allergenicity, secondary and tertiary structure were predicted. Results: The finally-engineered chimeric vaccine had a length of 680 amino acids with a molecular weight of 74.66 kDa. Analyses of immunogenicity, allergenicity, and multiple physiochemical parameters indicated that the constructed vaccine candidate was soluble, non-allergenic, and immunogenic, making it compatible with humans and hence, a potentially viable and safe vaccine candidate against T. gondii parasite. Conclusion: In silico, the vaccine construct was able to trigger primary immune responses. However, further laboratory studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness and safety.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.321-329
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• 2009

Rapid production of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated in the regulation of innate immunity in plants. A potato calcium-dependent protein kinase (StCDPK5) activates an NADPH oxidase StRBOHA to D by direct phosphorylation of N-terminal regions, and heterologous expression of StCDPK5 and StRBOHs in Nicotiana benthamiana results in oxidative burst. The transgenic potato plants that carry a constitutively active StCDPK5 driven by a pathogen-inducible promoter of the potato showed high resistance to late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans accompanied by HR-like cell death and $H_2O_2$ accumulation in the attacked cells. In contrast, these plants showed high susceptibility to early blight necrotrophic pathogen Alternaria solani, suggesting that oxidative burst confers high resistance to biotrophic pathogen, but high susceptibility to necrotrophic pathogen. NO and ROS synergistically function in defense responses. Two MAPK cascades, MEK2-SIPK and cytokinesis-related MEK1-NTF6, are involved in the induction of NbRBOHB gene in N. benthamiana. On the other hand, NO burst is regulated by the MEK2-SIPK cascade. Conditional activation of SIPK in potato plants induces oxidative and NO bursts, and confers resistance to both biotrophic and necrotrophic pathogens, indicating the plants may have obtained during evolution the signaling pathway which regulates both NO and ROS production to adapt to wide-spectrum pathogens.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.137-146
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• 2020

Calcium is one of the important secondary signaling molecules in plant cells. Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPK)-the sensor proteins of Ca²⁺ and phosphorylating enzymes-are the most abundant serine/threonine kinases in plant cells. They convert and transmit signals in response to various stimuli, resulting in specific responses in plants. In rice, 31 CDPK gene families have been identified, which are mainly involved in plant growth and development and are known to play roles in response to various stress conditions. However, little is known about the biochemical characteristics of CDPK proteins. In this study, OsCPK11-a CDPK in rice-was partially purified, and its biochemical characteristics were found. Partially purified OsCPK11 from rice seedlings was obtained by three-step column chromatography that involved anion exchange chromatography consisting of DEAE, hydrophobic interaction chromatography consisting of phenyl-Sepharose, and gel filtration chromatography consisting of Sephacryl-200HR. An in vitro kinase assay using partially purified OsCPK11 was also performed. This partially purified OsCPK11 had a molecular weight of 54 kDa and showed a strong hydrophobic interaction with the hydrophobic resin. In vitro kinase assay showed that the OsCPK11 also had Ca²⁺-dependent autophosphorylation activity. The OsCPK11 phosphorylated histone III-S, and the optimum pH for its kinase activity was found to be 7.5~8.0. The native OsCPK11 shared several biochemical characteristics with recombinant OsCPK11 studied previously, and both had Ca²⁺-dependent autophosphorylation activity and favored histone III-S as a substrate for kinase activity, which also had a Ca²⁺-dependence.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1233-1244
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• 2017

CDPKs have pivotal roles in plant $Ca^{2+}$-mediated transduction signaling. A total of 29 CDPK genes have been identified in rice (Oryza sativa L.), but their key functions have not been completely noted. This study focused on the OsCPK11 gene, which has not been studied, to determine its functional characteristics. A study of tissue-specific expressions revealed that the OsCPK11 gene is expressed in young leaves, mature leaves and flowers of rice. An expression of the gene was also confirmed in gibberellin-treated aleurone layers of rice. Regarding the phenotypic characteristics of Tos17-inserted OsCPK11 mutants, the heights of the mutants were not distinguishable from the heights of wild type plants, but the number of caryopses and the caryopses' weights were significantly statistically different. In addition, many grains of the mutants had white belly materials in their endosperm. The cDNA of the OsCPK11 was cloned, and an OsCPK11 protein of about 60.5 kD was obtained by using a GST affinity chromatography and an SDS-PAGE. An analysis of the amino-acid sequence of the protein indicated that the OsCPK11 protein has the structural characteristics of typical CDPKs. The results provided useful information about the functions of the OsCPK11 gene and further noted the roles CDPKs have in $Ca^{2+}$-mediated signaling in plants.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1393-1402
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• 2017

In plants, calcium ($Ca^{2+}$)-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are important sensors of $Ca^{2+}$ signals. Previous research demonstrated the expression of the OsCPK11 gene in various tissues at the transcription level, but its developmental and biochemical functions at the protein level were not determined. This study was aimed to identify biochemical characteristics of OsCPK11. GST- OsCPK11 was expressed in E. coli and used for an in vitro kinase assay. Biochemical analyses identified OsCPK11 as a CDPK. OsCPK11 autophosphorylated itself and transphosphorylated histone III-s and MBP as substrates in the presence of $Ca^{2+}$. The activity of the recombinant OsCPK11 was influenced by $Mg^{2+}$, with optimum activity detected at pH 7.0-7.5. OsCPK11 activity was not affected by $Mg^{2+}$, $Mn^{2+}$, or $Na^+$ in the presence of a high level of $Ca^{2+}$. Autophosphorylation of OsCPK11 decreased $Ca^{2+}$ sensitivity of OsCPK11. An anti-OsCPK11 rabbit antibody recognized 95.5 kD of GST-OsCPK11, as shown by an immunoblot analysis. These results shed light on the function of OsCPK11 in $Ca^{2+}$-mediated signaling in rice.