• Molecules and Cells
• /
• 제19권1호
• /
• pp.39-45
• /
• 2005

RPK118 is a sphingosine kinase-1-binding protein that has been implicated in sphingosine 1 phosphate-mediated signaling. It contains a PX (phox homology) domain and two pseudo-kinase domains, and co-localizes with sphingosine kinase-1 on early endosomes. In this study we identified a novel RPK118-binding protein, PRDX3 (peroxiredoxin-3), by yeast two-hybrid screening. The interaction between these proteins was confirmed by pull-down assays and co-immunoprecipitation experiments. Deletion studies showed that RPK118 interacted with PRDX3 through its pseudokinase domains, and with early endosomes through its PX domain. Double immunofluorescence experiments demonstrated that PRDX3 co-localized with RPK118 on early endosomes in COS7 cells. PRDX3 is a member of the antioxidant family of proteins synthesized in the cytoplasm and functioning in mitochondria. Our findings indicate that RPK118 is a PRDX3-binding protein that may be involved in transporting PRDX3 from the cytoplasm to its mitochondrial site of function or to other membrane structures via endosome trafficking.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제21권4호
• /
• pp.374-378
• /
• 2011

To find alternative genetic resources for D-serine dehydratase (E.C. 4.3.1.18, dsdA) mediating the deamination of D-serine into pyruvate, metagenomic libraries were screened. The chromosomal dsdA gene of a wild-type Escherichia coli W3110 strain was disrupted by inserting the tetracycline resistance gene (tet), using double-crossover, for use as a screening host. The W3110 dsdA::tet strain was not able to grow in a medium containing D-serine as a sole carbon source, whereas wild-type W3110 and the complement W3110 dsdA::tet strain containing a dsdA-expression plasmid were able to grow. After introducing metagenome libraries into the screening host, a strain containing a 40-kb DNA fragment obtained from the metagenomic souce derived from a compost was selected based on its capability to grow on the agar plate containing D-serine as a sole carbon source. For identification of the genetic resource responsible for the D-serine degrading capability, transposon-${\mu}$ was randomly inserted into the 40-kb metagenome. Two strains that had lost their D-serine degrading ability were negatively selected, and the two 6-kb contigs responsible for the D-serine degrading capability were sequenced and deposited (GenBank code: HQ829474.1 and HQ829475.1). Therefore, new alternative genetic resources for D-serine dehydratase was found from the metagenomic resource, and the corresponding ORFs are discussed.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제16권11호
• /
• pp.1706-1712
• /
• 2006

Because of the need for new antimicrobial substances with novel mechanisms of action, we report here the use of an Acinetobacter reporter system for high-throughput screening of active antimicrobial agents. The bioreporter Acinetobacter strain DF4/PUTK2 carrying luciferase genes luxCDABE was chosen because of its ecological importance and it is widespread in nature. This bioreporter is genetically engineered to emit light constitutively that can be measured in real time by luminometry. Hence, this reporter system was employed to determine the bacteriostatic actions of spent-culture supernatants derived from twelve bacterial isolates. Out of the results, the strongest bioluminescence inhibitory effect of the supernatants was recorded with Bacillus cereus strain BAC (S5). Subsequently, ethyl acetate extracts of extracellular products of strain BAC (S5) were separated by a thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Based on the bioluminescence inhibitory assay, three fractions were found to have antimicrobial activity. One fraction (C) having the strongest antimicrobial activity was further purified using TLC and characterized by IR, $^1H$ NMR, mass spectrometry, SDS-PAGE, and amino acid composition analysis. The results predicted the presence of 2-pyrrolidone-S-carboxylic acid (PCA) and the octadeconic-acid-like fatty acid. Fraction C also demonstrated a broad inhibitory activity on several Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. In conclusion, the Acinetobacter reporter system shows great potential to be a reliable, sensitive, and real-time indicator of the bacteriostatic actions of the antimicrobial agents.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제16권18호
• /
• pp.8191-8196
• /
• 2016

Inhibition of EGFR-EGF interactions forms an important therapeutic rationale in treatment of non-small cell lung carcinoma. Established inhibitors have been successful in reducing proliferative processes observed in NSCLC, however patients suffer serious side effects. Considering the narrow therapeutic window of present EGFR inhibitors, the present study centred on identifying high efficacy EGFR inhibitors through structure based virtual screening strategies. Established inhibitors - Afatinib, Dacomitinib, Erlotinib, Lapatinib, Rociletinib formed parent compounds to retrieve similar compounds by linear fingerprint based tanimoto search with a threshold of 90%. The compounds (parents and respective similars) were docked at the EGF binding cleft of EGFR. Patch dock supervised protein-protein interactions were established between EGF and ligand (query and similar) bound and free states of EGFR. Compounds ADS103317, AKOS024836912, AGN-PC-0MXVWT, GNF-Pf-3539, SCHEMBL15205939 were retrieved respectively similar to Afatinib, Dacomitinib, Erlotinib, Lapatinib, Rociletinib. Compound-AGN-PC-0MXVWT akin to Erlotinib showed highest affinity against EGFR amongst all the compounds (parent and similar) assessed in the study. Further, AGN-PC-0MXVWT brought about significant blocking of EGFR-EGF interactions in addition showed appreciable ADMET properties and pharmacophoric features. In the study, we report AGN-PC-0MXVWT to be an efficient and high efficacy inhibitor of EGFR-EGF interactions identified through computational approaches.

• 대한유전성대사질환학회지
• /
• 제4권1호
• /
• pp.13-17
• /
• 2004

저자들은 생후 28일된 발열, 간종대, 출혈성 경향, 구토, 잦은 보챔, 전신의 황달 증상을 보이던 환아를 MS-MS 이용한 신생아 대사 이상 검사와 혈중 아미노산 분석, 뇨중 유기산 분석을 통하여 hereditary tyrosinemia type I으로 진단하였다. 저 페닐알라닌/타이로신 식이와 NTBC 사용으로 국내 첫 타이로신혈증 I 치료 성공례를 경험하였다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• 제14권1호
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2006

Drug dependence deals a heavy socioeconomic burden to the society. For adolescents, the damage from drug dependence is greater than adults considering their higher susceptibility to drug effect and increasing chance for violence leading to criminal punishment process. Habitual drug use depends on genetic and environmental factors and the complex interactions between the two. Mammalian model systems have been useful in understanding the neurochemical and cellular impacts of abused drugs on specific regions of the brain, and in identifying the molecular targets of drugs. More elucidation is required whether biological effects of drugs actually cause the habitual dependence at the cellular level. Although there is much insight available on the nature of drug abuse problems, none of the systems designed to help drug dependent individuals is efficient in screening functional ingredients of the drug, and thus resulting in the failure of helping drug dependent individuals recover from drug dependence. Alternative model systems draw the attention of researchers, such as the invertebrate model systems of nematodes (Caenorhabditis elegans) and fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster). These models should provide new insight into the mechanisms leading to the behavior of drug users (even functional studies analyzing molecular mechanism), and screening useful components to help remove drug dependence among drug users. The relatively simple anatomy and gene expression of the invertebrate model systems should enable researchers to coordinate current knowledge on drug abuse. Furthermore, the invertebrate model systems should facilitate advance in experiments on the susceptibility of specific genetic backgrounds and the interaction between genetic factors to drug dependence.

• 한국유기농업학회지
• /
• 제23권3호
• /
• pp.497-507
• /
• 2015

내병성 포도 신품종을 육성하기 위해서는 병해 저항성인 유전자원을 선발하는 것이 요구된다. 본 연구에서는 머스카딘포도와 플로리다 교잡종포도를 대상으로 병원균을 상처접종하여 포도나무 줄기혹병에 대한 저항성을 검정하였다. 3종류의 Agrobacterium vitis 균주를 접종한 포도나무는 품종 간에는 혹의 형성에 차이를 나타내었지만, 병원균의 균주 간에는 차이가 나타나지 않았다. 머스카딘포도는 많은 품종이 감수성이었으며, 'Gold Isle'과 'Africa Queen'은 고도의 감수성이었고 'Welder'와 'Jumbo'는 저항성이었다. 플로리다 교잡종포도는 머스카딘포도에 비해 덜 민감하였으며 'Daytona'와 'Stover' 등은 감수성이고, 'Blanc du Bois'는 중도감수성이었다. 본 연구는 머스카딘포도를 대상으로 줄기혹병에 대한 품종저항성을 판별함으로써 아속간 교잡을 통한 줄기혹병 저항성 포도 신품종육성에 중요한 정보를 제공할 것이다.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
• /
• 제17권2호
• /
• pp.68-72
• /
• 2020

Purpose: Trisomy 21, the cause of Down syndrome (DS) with various medical problems, is the most common aneuploidy during the fetal period. For diagnosis, a non-invasive screening test using maternal blood, which cannot be confirmed and invasive confirmation test with a risk of miscarriage, may be performed. The trophoblast retrieval and isolation of the cervix (TRIC) have been proposed by some researchers as an alternative to overcome the limitations of current tests. We experimented using TRIC to identify the possibility of trisomy 21 for the first time in Asia. Materials and Methods: Three cases of DS were analyzed confirmed by invasive tests (chorionic villus sampling, amniocentesis). All samples of trophoblasts immediately were immersed in phosphate-buffered saline and processed with formalin for fixation. The trophoblasts were isolated using an anti-human leukocyte antigen-G antibody coupled to magnetic nanoparticles. β-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-expressing cells were considered as trophoblast cells, and the detection rate calculated. DS was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Results: The mean trophoblast detection rate using β-hCG was 78.1%, and the detection rate using FISH was 22.2%. In all cases, the trisomy of chromosome 21 was identified. Conclusion: Trophoblast can be obtained from the five weeks of gestation and has a high detection rate, so it is noted that it can replace the current prenatal genetic test. To realize the clinical application as a prenatal genetic test, we will need additional efforts to identify trisomy 21 as well as other chromosomal abnormalities in future large-scale studies.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
• /
• 제39권2호
• /
• pp.104-110
• /
• 2011

방선균은 그램양성 토양 박테리아로서 항생제, 항암제, 항구충제, 면역억제제 등 유용한 2차 대사산물을 생산하는 유용 산업미생물이다. 비록 대부분의 방선균이 속해있는 스트렙토마이세스는 지난 수 십 년간 분자수준에서의 연구가 집중적으로 진행되어 왔으나, 최근에 분리된 잠재적 유용성을 갖는 스트렙토마이세스 이외의 희소방선균들은 유전자 조작시스템의 부재로 그 특성이 잘 규명되지 않고 있다. 본 연구에서는 독립적으로 분리된 180 여 방선균주들 중에서 희소방선균만을 선별하기 위하여 중합효소연쇄반응을 이용한 유전체 스크리닝 전략을 시도하였으며, 이 전략을 통하여 7종의 희소방선균을 성공적으로 분리하였다. 특히 여러 생리활성 테스트를 통하여, 항진균 및 항생제 활성을 띄는 잠재적 유용성이 높은 노카이디옵시스 균주 MMBL010을 선별하였다. 또한 전통적인 방선균 유전자 조작기법이 작동하지 않는 본 MMBL010 균주를 대장균 접합을 통한 유전자 전달 시스템도 최적화시킴으로써, 유전체 스크리닝을 통한 유용희소방선균의 선별 및 유전자 조작시스템 구축은 궁극적으로 희소방선균의 잠재적 유용성을 극대화시킬 수 있는 효율적인 전략으로 사료된다.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
• /
• 제17권4호
• /
• pp.295-300
• /
• 1989

B. thuringiensis가 생산하는 살충성 독소 단백질의 생태학적 응용방법을 개발하기 위한 목적으로 우선 독소 단백질 유전자를 옮겨 발현시키기에 적합한 숙주 미생물의 분리작업을 수행하였다. 국내 주요농산물인 고추, 감자, 무우 등 7가지 농작물의 뿌리부근에 군락을 형성하는 35종의 형광성Pseudomonas들을 분리하였고 독소 단백질 유전자를 함유하는 재조합 plasmid에 대한 숙주로서의 이응가능성을 검토해 보기 위하여 분리균주 35주에 대한 형질전환을 실시한 결과 4주에 독소 단백질 유전자의 도입이 가능하였고 생물검정과 면역학적인 방법 등에 의한 결과 BT 독소 유전자의 발현을 확인하였다.