• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제27권5호
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• pp.609-615
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• 2014

Appetite-related neuropeptides proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and Neuropeptide Y (NPY) are essential for regulating feeding behavior and energy homeostasis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of variants in POMC and NPY genes on growth, carcass and meat quality traits in rabbits. A total of six SNPs were identified for POMC (n = 2) and NPY (n = 4) genes by direct sequencing. Three SNPs were subsequently genotyped by using MassArray system (Sequenom iPLEXassay) in 235 individuals, which belong to three meat rabbit breeds, including 93 Ira rabbits; 81 Champagne rabbits and 61 Tianfu black rabbits. The SNP c.112-12G>T was in intron-exon boundaries (intron 1) of POMC gene, and the association analysis showed that individuals with TT genotype had a greater 84 d body weight (BW84), eviscerated weight and semi-eviscerated weight than those with GT genotype (p<0.05); the TT individuals were also higher than those GG in the ripe meat ratio (RMR) (p<0.05). The g.1778G>C SNP, which was in complete linkage with other three SNPs (g.1491G>A, g.1525G>T and g.1530C>T) in intron 1 of NPY gene, was significantly correlated with eviscerated slaughter percentage and semi-eviscerated slaughter percentage in rabbits, and the individuals with CC genotype had a better performance than CG genotype (p<0.05). These findings would provide primary clues for the biological roles of POMC and NPY underlying the rabbit growth-related traits.

• Journal of Computational Design and Engineering
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• 제1권2호
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• pp.140-151
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• 2014

Storing, and the loading and unloading of materials at production sites in the manufacturing sector for mass production is a critical problem that affects various aspects: the layout of the factory, line-side space, logistics, workers' work paths and ease of work, automatic procurement of components, and transfer and supply. Traditionally, the nesting problem has been an issue to improve the efficiency of raw materials; further, research into mainly 2D optimization has progressed. Also, recently, research into the expanded usage of 3D models to implement packing optimization has been actively carried out. Nevertheless, packing algorithms using 3D models are not widely used in practice, due to the large decrease in efficiency, owing to the complexity and excessive computational time. In this paper, the problem of efficiently loading and unloading freeform 3D objects into a given container has been solved, by considering the 3D form, ease of loading and unloading, and packing density. For this reason, a Group Packing Approach for workers has been developed, by using analyzed truck packing work patterns and Group Technology, which is to enhance the efficiency of storage in the manufacturing sector. Also, an algorithm for 3D packing has been developed, and implemented in a commercial 3D CAD modeling system. The 3D packing method consists of a grouping algorithm, a sequencing algorithm, an orientating algorithm, and a loading algorithm. These algorithms concern the respective aspects: the packing order, orientation decisions of parts, collision checking among parts and processing, position decisions of parts, efficiency verification, and loading and unloading simulation. Storage optimization and examination of the ease of loading and unloading are possible, and various kinds of engineering analysis, such as work performance analysis, are facilitated through the intelligent 3D packing method developed in this paper, by using the results of the 3D model.

• BMB Reports
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.475-487
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• 2003

A gene that encodes a homologue to baculoviral p74, an envelope-associated viral structural protein, has been identified and sequenced on the genome of Choristoneura fumiferana granulovirus (ChfuGV). A part of the ChfuGV p74 gene was located on an 8.9 kb BamHI subgenomic fragment using different sets of degenerated primers. These were designed using the results of the protein sequencing of a major 74 kDa structural protein that is associated with the occlusion-derived virus (ODV). The gene has a 1992 nucleotide (nt) open-reading frame (ORF) that encodes a protein with 663 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 74,812 Da. Comparative studies revealed the presence of two major conserved regions in the ChfuGV p74 protein. This study also shows that all of the p74 proteins contain two putative transmembrane domains at their C-terminal segments. At the nucleotide sequence level, two late promoter motifs (TAAG and GTAAG) were located upstream of the first ATG of the p74 gene. The gene contained a canonical poly(A) signal, AATAAA, at its 3' non-translated region. A phylogenetic tree for baculoviral p74 was constructed using a maximum parsimony analysis. The phylogenetic estimation demonstrated that ChfuGV p74 is related the closest to those of Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV) and Phthorimaea operculella granulovirus (PhopGV).

• 미생물학회지
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.194-199
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• 2011

알칼리성 protease를 생산하는 호알칼리성 균주를 분리하여 Bacillus pseudofirmus HS-54로 동정하였고, HS-54가 생산하는 알칼리성 protease를 ammonium sulfate 침전, DEAE cellulose chromatography, sephadex G-100 gel filtration을 통과시켜 정제하였는데, 정제된 protease의 분자량은 27 kDa이었다. 정제된 효소의 반응최적 pH는 10.0이었고 pH 7.0-11.0에서 비교적 안정하였다. 또한 정제된 효소의 반응최적 온도는 $50^{\circ}C$이었고 $10-55^{\circ}C$에서 안정하였다. 금속이온에 대한 영향은 $Ca^{2+}$와 $Mg^{2+}$ 등에 의해 효소활성이 촉진되었으나, $Hg^{2+}$, $Zn^{2+}$, $Cu^{2+}$, $Al^{3+}$ 등에 의해서 효소활성이 저해되었다. 본 효소는 PMSF에 의해 강하게 저해를 받는 것으로 보아 serine protease에 속하는 것으로 판단된다.

• BMB Reports
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.270-277
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• 2006

Helices 4 and 5 of the Bacillus thuringiensis Cry4Ba $\delta$-endotoxin have been shown to be important determinants for mosquito-larvicidal activity, likely being involved in membrane-pore formation. In this study, the Cry4Ba mutant protein containing an additional engineered tryptic cleavage site was used to produce the $\alpha4$-$\alpha5$ hairpin peptide by an efficient alternative strategy. Upon solubilization of toxin inclusions expressed in Escherichia coli and subsequent digestion with trypsin, the 130-kDa mutant protoxin was processed to protease-resistant fragments of ca. 47, 10 and 7 kDa. The 7-kDa fragment was identified as the $\alpha4$-loop-$\alpha5$ hairpin via N-terminal sequencing and mass spectrometry, and was successfully purified by size-exclusion FPLC and reversed-phase HPLC. Using circular dichroism spectroscopy, the 7-kDa peptide was found to exist predominantly as an $\alpha$-helical structure. Membrane perturbation studies by using fluorimetric calcein-release assays revealed that the 7-kDa helical hairpin is highly active against unilamellar liposomes compared with the 65-kDa activated full-length toxin. These results directly support the role of the $\alpha4$-loop-$\alpha5$ hairpin in membrane perturbation and pore formation of the full-length Cry4Ba toxin.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.77-83
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• 2006

A gene encoding a $\gamma-butyrolactone$ autoregulator receptor was cloned from Saccharopolyspora erythraea, and the biochemical characteristics, including the autoregulator specificity, were determined with the purified recombinant protein. Using primers designed for the conserved amino acid sequence of Streptomyces $\gamma-butyrolactone$ autoregulator receptors, a 120 bp S. erythraea DNA fragment was obtained by PCR. Southern and colony hybridization with the 120 bp fragment as a probe allowed to select a genomic clone of S. erythraea, pESG, harboring a 3.2 kb SacI fragment. Nucleotide sequencing analysis revealed a 615 bp open reading frame (ORF), showing moderate homology (identity, $31-34\%$; similarity, $45-47\%$) with the $\gamma-butyrolactone$ autoregulator receptors from Streptomyces sp., and this ORF was named seaR (Saccharopolyspora erythraea autoregulator receptor). The seaR/pET-3d plasmid was constructed to overexpress the recombinant SeaR protein (rSeaR) in Escherichia coli, and the rSeaR protein was purified to homogeneity by DEAE-Sephacel column chromatography, followed by DEAE-ion-exchange HPLC. The molecular mass of the purified rSeaR protein was 52 kDa by HPLC gel-filtration chromatography and 27 kDa by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, indicating that the rSeaR protein is present as a dimer. A binding assay with tritium-labeled autoregulators revealed that rSeaR has clear binding activity with a VB-C-type autoregulator as the most effective ligand, demonstrating for the first time that the erythromycin producer S. erythraea possesses a gene for the $\gamma-butyrolactone$autoregulator receptor.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제58권1호
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• pp.3.1-3.6
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• 2016

Background: Uncoupling proteins 2 (UCP2) plays an important role in energy regulation, previous studies suggested that UCP2 is an excellent candidate gene for human obesity and growth-related traits in cattle and chicks. The current study was designed to detect the genetic variation of UCP2 gene, and to explore the association between polymorphism of UCP2 gene and growth, carcass and meat quality traits in rabbits. Results: A synonymous mutation in exon 1 and four variants in the first intron of the UCP2 gene were identified by using PCR-sequencing. The synonymous mutation c.72G>A was subsequently genotyped by MassArray system (Sequenom iPLEXassay) in 248 samples from three meat rabbit breeds (94 Ira rabbits, 83 Champagne rabbits, and 71 Tianfu black rabbits). Association analysis suggested that the individuals with AA and AG genotypes showed greater 70 d body weight (P < 0.05), 84 d body weight (P < 0.01), ADG from 28 to 84 days of age (P < 0.05), eviscerated weight (P < 0.01), semi-eviscerated weight (P < 0.01) and semi-eviscerated slaughter percentage (P < 0.05), respectively. Additionally, the individuals with AA and AG genotype had a lower pH value of longissimus muscle (P < 0.01) and hind leg muscle (P < 0.05) after slaughter 24 h. Conclusions: These findings indicated that UCP2 could be a candidate gene that associated with growth performance, body composition and meat quality in rabbits, and this would contribute to advancements in meat rabbit breeding practice.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제12권3호
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• pp.437-443
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• 2002

A number of soil and wastewater samples were collected from the vicinity of an effluent treatment plant for the chemical industry. Several microorganisms were screened fur their ability to decolorize the triphenylmethane group of dyes. As a result, a novel crystal violet dye-degrading strain LK-24 was isolated. Taxonomic identification including 16S rDNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis indicated that the isolate had a $99.5\%$ homology in its 16S rDNA base sequence with Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The triphenylmethane dye, crystal violet, was degraded extensively by growing cells of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia LK-24 in agitated liquid cultures, although their growth was strongly inhibited in the initial stage of incubation. This group of dyes is toxic, depending on the concentration used. The dye was significantly degraded at a relatively lower concentration, below $100{\mu}g\;ml^-1$, yet the growth of the cells was totally suppressed at a dye concentration of $250{\mu}g\;ml^-1$. The degradation products of crystal violet were identified as 4,4'-bis(dimethylamino)-benzophenone and ${\rho}$-dimethylaminophenol by Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry. The 4,4'-bis(dimethylamino)-benzophenone was easily obtained in a reasonable yield, as it was not metabolized further by S. maltophilia LK-24; however, the ${\rho}$-dimethylaminophenol was not easily identifiable, as it was further metabolized.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.277-285
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• 2009

The nucleotide sequence of the Paenibacillus curdlanolyticus B-6 xyn10A gene, encoding a xylanase Xyn10A, consists of 3,828 nucleotides encoding a protein of 1,276 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 142,726 Da. Sequence analysis indicated that Xyn10A is a multidomain enzyme comprising nine domains in the following order: three family 22 carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs), a family 10 catalytic domain of glycosyl hydrolases (xylanase), a family 9 CBM, a glycine-rich region, and three surface layer homology (SLH) domains. Xyn10A was purified from a recombinant Escherichia coli by a single step of affinity purification on cellulose. It could effectively hydrolyze agricultural wastes and pure insoluble xylans, especially low substituted insoluble xylan. The hydrolysis products were a series of short-chain xylooligosaccharides, indicating that the purified enzyme was an endo-$\beta$-1,4-xylanase. Xyn10A bound to various insoluble polysaccharides including Avicel, $\alpha$-cellulose, insoluble birchwood and oat spelt xylans, chitin, and starches, and the cell wall fragments of P. curdlanolyticus B-6, indicating that both the CBM and the SLH domains are fully functioning in the Xyn10A. Removal of the CBMs from Xyn10A strongly reduced the ability of plant cell wall hydrolysis. These results suggested that the CBMs of Xyn10A play an important role in the hydrolysis of plant cell walls.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제23권5호
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• pp.681-688
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• 2013

This work is aimed to increase knowledge of the functional exopolysaccharide (EPS) from lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in makgeolli, a Korean fermented rice wine. Among LAB strains isolated from makgeolli, strain M76 was selected as a functional strain producing a bioactive EPS, based on its antioxidative activity on the DPPH radical. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis showed a high sequence similarity (99.0%) with P. acidilactici, but had different biochemical properties with the already known P. acidilactici type strains in the aspect of carbohydrates utilization. The obtained P. acidilactici M76 produced a soluble EPS above 2 g/l. One-step chromatography using gel filtration after ethanol precipitation from the supernatant of P. acidilactici M76 was enough to obtain purified EPS with a single peak, showing a molecular mass of approximately 67 kDa. Componential and structural analyses of EPS by TLC, HPLC, and FT-IR indicated that the EPS is a glucan, consisting of glucose units. The purified EPS had antioxidant activity on the DPPH radical of 45.8% at a concentration of 1 mg/ml. The purified EPS also showed proliferative effect on the pancreatic RIN-m5F cell line and remarkable protection activity on alloxan-induced cytotoxicity. This potent antioxidant and antidiabetic EPS by LAB in makgeolli may contribute to understanding the functionality of makgeolli.