• BMB Reports
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.315-319
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• 1997

It was discovered that monoclonal anti-erythropoietin (EPO) antibody CFC-6 can neutralize EPO-induced cell activation. To know the binding site of CFC-6, recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) was digested with Glu-C, followed by a separation using high performance liquid chromato graphy (HPLC). Each HPLC fraction was blotted on the nitrocellulose membrane and the membrane was treated with anti-EPO antibody CFC-6 and anti-mouse antibody which is modified with peroxidase. Only one spot showed the color and the fraction was sequenced by Edman degradation. The results suggest that CFC-6 recognizes amino acid sequence V63-W-Q-G-L-A-L-L-S-E72 which is a part of helix II of the EPO molecule. Binding of CFC-6 to EPO may inhibit EPO binding to its receptor, which implies that the antibody binding site and the receptor binding site are close or overlapping.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.590-600
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• 2003

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of enzymes responsible for degrading connective tissue. MMPs catalyze the breakdown of collagen from the extracellular matrix, leading to wrinkle formation and accelerated skin aging. Furthermore, ultraviolet irradiation causes increased expression of certain MMPs. In the extracellular matrix turnover, MMPs are interacting with endogenous regulators named tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Using peptide substrate assays, it has been demonstrated that TIMP-MMP complexes interact highly specifically with $K_{i}$ values of 10$^{-9}$ -10$^{-16}$ M. Therefore applications for TIMP as inhibitor of collagen degradation are suggested for cosmetic anti-aging products to prevent wrinkle formation and loss of elasticity. To date four TIMP proteins (TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TIMP-3 and TIMP-4) have been identified which show a high degree in sequence similarity. The production of human TIMP-2, a 194-residue nonglycosylated protein, was performed by fed-batch culture of Escherichia coli. TIMP-2 accumulated in the bacterial cells in an insoluble form as inclusion bodies. The inclusion bodies were solubilized and the protein refolded to yield the native TIMP-2 in the active form. The integrity of the protein was confirmed by mass analysis, Edman sequencing and gel shift experiments with authentic samples. The inhibitory activity of the refolded and purified TIMP-2 was demonstrated with MMP-1 and MMP-2 assays using synthetic fluorogenic peptide substrates.s.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.279-284
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• 2001

This paper reports the purification of myomodulin A (MMA) and myomodulin E (MME) from the sea hare. The central nervous systems of 500 sea hare were extracted in an acidified solvent, after which four HPLC column systems were used to obtain pure peptides, The phasic contraction bioassay using a Mytilus edulis anterior byssus retractor muscle (ABRW) was applied to monitor all collected fractions. The pure peptides were submitted to Edman degradation based automated microsequencing. Mass spectrometry and chemical synthesis confirmed the sequence. The primary structures of MMA and MME were Pro-Met-Ser-Met-Leu-Arg-Leu-$NH_2$, (847.41 Da) and Cly-Leu-Gln-Met-Leu-Arg-Leu-$NH_2$, (830.50 Da), respectively. Synthetic peptides showed a modulating activity of phasic contraction in the ABRM of Mrtilus edulis.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.145-149
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• 2012

Cecropin is a well-studied antimicrobial peptide that play important role as key factor in insect humoral immunity. In this study, cecropin-like antimicrobial peptide was isolated and purified from the larval haemolymph of immune-challenged japanese oak silkworm, Antheraea yamamai. To isolate antimicrobial peptide, we separated and compared acidic extracted hemolymph protein bends between control and immune-challenged larvae using SDS-PAGE analysis. In the immune hemolymph extract, but not of non-immune hemolymph, we detected differential expressed peptide band with molecular mass 4,223.01 Da. To understand this peptide better, we successfully purified this peptide using cation exchange chromatography and gel permeation chromatography. Its N-terminal amino acid sequence obtained by Edman degradation evidenced a significant degree of identity with other lepidopteran cecropins. The purified A. yamamai cecropin-like peptide showed a broad spectrum of activity against fungi, Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.880-884
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• 2001

Rumen microbiology research has undergone several evolutionary steps: the isolation and nutritional characterization of readily cultivated microbes; followed by the cloning and sequence analysis of individual genes relevant to key digestive processes; through to the use of small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) sequences for a cultivation-independent examination of microbial diversity. Our knowledge of rumen microbiology has expanded as a result, but the translation of this information into productive alterations of ruminal function has been rather limited. For instance, the cloning and characterization of cellulase genes in Escherichia coli has yielded some valuable information about this complex enzyme system in ruminal bacteria. SSU rRNA analyses have also confirmed that a considerable amount of the microbial diversity in the rumen is not represented in existing culture collections. However, we still have little idea of whether the key, and potentially rate-limiting, gene products and (or) microbial interactions have been identified. Technologies allowing high throughput nucleotide and protein sequence analysis have led to the emergence of two new fields of investigation, genomics and proteomics. Both disciplines can be further subdivided into functional and comparative lines of investigation. The massive accumulation of microbial DNA and protein sequence data, including complete genome sequences, is revolutionizing the way we examine microbial physiology and diversity. We describe here some examples of our use of genomics- and proteomics-based methods, to analyze the cellulase system of Ruminococcus flavefaciens FD-1 and explore the genome of Ruminococcus albus 8. At Illinois, we are using bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) vectors to create libraries containing large (>75 kbases), contiguous segments of DNA from R. flavefaciens FD-1. Considering that every bacterium is not a candidate for whole genome sequencing, BAC libraries offer an attractive, alternative method to perform physical and functional analyses of a bacterium's genome. Our first plan is to use these BAC clones to determine whether or not cellulases and accessory genes in R. flavefaciens exist in clusters of orthologous genes (COGs). Proteomics is also being used to complement the BAC library/DNA sequencing approach. Proteins differentially expressed in response to carbon source are being identified by 2-D SDS-PAGE, followed by in-gel-digests and peptide mass mapping by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry, as well as peptide sequencing by Edman degradation. At Ohio State, we have used a combination of functional proteomics, mutational analysis and differential display RT-PCR to obtain evidence suggesting that in addition to a cellulosome-like mechanism, R. albus 8 possesses other mechanisms for adhesion to plant surfaces. Genome walking on either side of these differentially expressed transcripts has also resulted in two interesting observations: i) a relatively large number of genes with no matches in the current databases and; ii) the identification of genes with a high level of sequence identity to those identified, until now, in the archaebacteria. Genomics and proteomics will also accelerate our understanding of microbial interactions, and allow a greater degree of in situ analyses in the future. The challenge is to utilize genomics and proteomics to improve our fundamental understanding of microbial physiology, diversity and ecology, and overcome constraints to ruminal function.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.1259-1268
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• 2016

In this study, we investigated antimicrobial peptide from the acidified muscle extract of Mytilus coruscus, which mostly inhabits China, Japan, and Korea, to develop a natural product-derived antibiotics substitution in terms of its abuse and restriction. Antimicrobial peptide was purified by $C_{18}$ reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and was detected as having a molecular mass of 6,701 Da by MALDI-TOF/MS. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified peak was obtained from edman degradation, and 20 identified residues shown 100% identity with the N-terminus region of sperm-specific protein and protamine-like PL-II/PL-IV precursor of Mytilus californianus. We also identified 60 open-reading frame (ORF) encoding amino acids with 183 bp of purified peptide based on the obtained amino acid residues. The amino acid sequence of ORF showed 100% and the nucleotide sequence revealed 97.2% identity with the protamine-like PL-II/PL-IV precursor of Mytilus californianus. Synthesized antimicrobial peptide showed antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria, including Bacillus cereus (minimal effective concentration [MEC], $20.8{\mu}g/ml$), Bacillus subtilis (MEC, $0.2{\mu}g/ml$), Streptococcus mutans (MEC, $0.2{\mu}g/ml$), gram-negative bacteria including Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MEC, $5.7{\mu}g/ml$), Escherichia coli (MEC, $2.6{\mu}g/ml$) and fungi, Candida albicans (MEC, $56.3{\mu}g/ml$). In addition, synthesized peptide showed stable activities under heat and salt conditions against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, but was inhibited by salt against only C. albicans. With these results, isolated peptide from M. coruscus could be an alternative agent to antibiotics for defending against pathogenic microorganisms, and helpful information to understand the innate immune system of marine invertebrates.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1276-1289
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• 2017

This study isolated and purified the antimicrobial peptide McSSP-31 from an acidified hemocyte extract of a Mytilus coruscus. The antimicrobial peptide was purified by using a $C_{18}$ reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The peptide was determined to be 3330.549 Da by matrix assisted-laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrophotometer (MALDI-TOF/MS). The N-terminus of a 14 amino-acid sequence was identified as P-S-P-T-R-R-S-T-S-R-S-K-S-R by Edman degradation method. The acquired sequence showed a 93% similarity with the sperm-specific protein Phi-1, which is from M. californianus. The identified open-reading frame (ORF) of peptide was 306 bp encoding 101 amino acids, which was analyzed by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), cloning and sequencing analysis. We compared the full sequence with other known proteins that reveal the sperm-specific protein Phi-1 (93.5%) of M. californianus. Synthesized antimicrobial peptide (McSSP-31) showed antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria including B. subtilis, S. mutans, S. aureus and gram-negative bacteria including E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. mirabilis, P. aeruginosa and fungi, C. albicans. Also, synthesized peptide showed strong antibacterial activity against antibiotic-resistant strains, including S. aureus. The cytotoxicity of the peptide was determined by using the HUVEC human cell line. The peptide did not exhibit any significant cytotoxic effects on the normal human cell line, and it had very low hemolytic activity with flounder hemoglobin. The results demonstrated that peptide purified from the hemocyte of a M. coruscus exhibits antibacterial activity against various bacteria and has the potential to be an alternative antibiotic agent.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.50-56
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• 2017

An antibacterial peptide was purified from an acidified gill extract of the pufferfish Takifugu pardalis. The acidified gill extract was put through a Sep-Pak C18 solid phase extraction cartridge using a stepwise gradient and divided into a flow-through (F.T.) and 60% methanol fraction (RM 60). Among the eluents, RM 60 had potent antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis KCTC 1021. RM 60 was partially purified on a cationic-exchange column (SP-5PW) by a linear gradient, and the antibacterial peptide was then further purified, using a series of cationic-exchange and $C_{18}$ reversed-phase HPLC columns. For characterization of the purified peptide, its molecular weight and amino acid sequence were analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS and Edman degradation. The molecular weight of the peptide was about 1171.6 Da. The amino acid sequence of the peptide was partially determined as: STKEKAPRKQ. A comparison of the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified peptide with that of other known polypeptides revealed high homology with the N-terminus of the histone H3 protein, which belongs to the histone H3 family. Thus, this peptide was designated as a puffer fish gill (PFG)-related antimicrobial peptide. This is the report to describe an antimicrobial function for the N-terminus of histone H3 of an animal species. The findings suggest that this peptide plays a significant role in the innate defense system of the pufferfish.

• BMB Reports
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.239-246
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• 1999

A tripeptidase (PepT) was purified to homogeneity from Bacillus subtilis through four sequential chromatographies including DEAE-Sepharose ion exchange, hydroxylapatite, mono-Q FPLC ion exchange, and Superose-12 FPLC gel filtration. The apparent molecular mass of the enzyme was 49,200 Da and 51,400 Da as determined by sodium dodecylsulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and gel filtration chromatography, respectively, and the enzyme exists in a monomeric form. The physicochemical properties of the enzyme were as follows: optimum pH at 7.5, optimum temperature at $60^{\circ}C$, and pI at 4.9. The $K_m$ and $V_{max}$ values of the enzyme were 4.3 mM and 2.5 mmol/min/mg, respectively, with MetAla-Ser as substrate. The B. subtilis PepT requires $Co^{2+}$ ion(s) for activation, while it is inactivated by EOTA and 1,10-phenanthroline, suggesting that it is a metalloprotein. The enzyme was not inhibited by any of serine protease, aspartic protease, or leucine aminopeptidase inhibitors. The enzyme showed comparable activities towards four different substrates including Met-Ala-Ser, Leu-Gly-Gly, Leu-Ser-Phe, and Leu-Leu-Tyr. The amino terminal sequence of PepT determined by Edman degradation was found to be MKEEIIERFTTYVXV and turned out to be identical to that of PepT deduced from a cloned B. subtilis pepT.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.155-161
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• 2001

A bactriocin produced by Lactrococcus sp. HY449 was purified by sequential purfication steps such as n-propanol-acetone precipitation ion -exchange chromatography using CM-Sequential CL6B. gel filtration chromatography using Sephacry HR100 and reverse-phase chromatography using pro RPC HR 5/10. Reverse-phase chromatography the final step of the purfication yielded a single symmetrical peak of bacteriocin activity The purification resulted in final yield of 3.25% and 413.35 fold increase of the specific activity of bacteriocin. The active fraction from reverse-phase chromatography was used for N-terminal amino acid analysis . The purified bacteriocin contained isoleucine, leucine, methionine, and glycine at but N-terminal end no aromatic amino acids. Calculation of the number of amino acid residues in the bacteriocin revealed that it is consisted of 32 residues assuming the molecular weight of bacteriocin to be about 3.6kDa. Edman degrandation elucidated amino acid residues of the first four of the N-terminus to be $NH_2$-Ile-Leu-Pro-GIn.