• Title/Summary/Keyword: Molecular genetics

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Biological function of CpSlt2, an ortholog of the cell wall integrity (CWI) MAPK of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in the chestnut blight fungus Cryphonectria parasitica

  • So, Kum-Kang;Ko, Yo-Han;Chun, Jeesun;Kim, Jung-Mi;Kim, Dae-Hyuk
    • 한국균학회소식:학술대회논문집
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    • 2018.05a
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    • pp.11-11
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    • 2018
  • Cryphonectria parasitica, chestnut blight fungus, has a characteristic of decreasing pathogenicity when infected with Cryphonectria hypovirus 1. C. parasitica is known to be one of the most representative model systems used to observe the interaction between viruses, plants and fungi. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, which is well conserved in various organisms ranging from yeast to humans, functions in relaying phosphorylation-dependent signals within MAPK cascades to diverse cellular functions involved in the regulation of pheromone, cell wall integrity, and osmotolerance in filamentous fungi. Several genes in the MAPK pathway were revealed to be regulated by hypovirus, or to be involved in pathogenicity in C. parasitica. Among these pathways, the CWI pathway has aroused interest because CpBck1, an ortholog of yeast Bck1 (a CWI MAPKKK), was previously reported to be involved in cell wall integrity and sectorization. Interestingly, sporadic sectorization was observed in the CpBck1 mutant and sectored phenotypes were stably inherited in the progeny that were successively transferred from sectored mycelia. In this study, we analyzed the biological function of CpSlt2, downstream gene of CpBck1, to confirm whether the sectorization phenomenon occurred in the specific single gene or cell wall integrity (CWI) pathway. As results, the CpSlt2-null mutant exhibited marked changes in colonial growth, near absence of conidiation and aerial hyphae, abnormal pigmentation, CWI-related phenotypic defects, and dramatically impaired virulence. As cultivation of the mutant strains progressed, the majority of the colonies showed sporadic sectorization and mycelia from the sectored area stably maintained the sectored phenotype. These results suggest that the unique sectorization is CWI pathway-specific, though the components in the same CWI pathway have common and specific functions.

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High-Level Constitutive Expression of Mouse CD4 and CD4/CD8${\alpha}$ Hybrid Molecules in Transgenic Mice

  • Kim, Joongkyu;Choi, Young-Il;Park, Sang-D;Seong, Rho-H
    • Animal cells and systems
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    • v.1 no.4
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    • pp.657-663
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    • 1997
  • The CD4 and CDS coreceptors, in conjunction with the T cell receptor (TCR) , make important contributions to the differentiation of thymocytes. They have been shown to be involved in the clonal deletion and positive selection processes during T cell development in thymus. To further analyze the role of CD4 and CDS proteins during T cell differentiation, we have generated transgenic mice constitutively expressing high levels of a native CD4 and a CD4{CDSa hybrid protein. The hybrid protein is composed of CD4 extracellular domain linked to the CD8a transmembrane region and cytoplasmic tail. The transgenes were driven by human beta-actin promoter, and therefore, they were expressed in all tissues examined including thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes. The resulting CD4 and CD4{CD8${\alpha}$transgenic mice were found to express the CD4 and CD4{CD8${\alpha}$ respectively, in developing thymocytes and peripheral T cells. The expression levels of transgenic proteins were 5-10 times higher than that of endogenous CD4 in thymus. However, total surface CD4 expression (CD4 or CD4{CD8${\alpha}$ transgenic protein plus endogenous CD4) of the transgenic mice were main. tained at similar levels compared to control littermates. Surface CD4 expression on CDS T cells, however, was significantly lower than that on cells expressing endogenous CD4. These results suggest that a total avidity between developing thymocytes and thymic stromal cells is impor. tant for differentiation of thymocytes.

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Expression of the Apx Toxins of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Its Induction of Immune Response in Mice

  • Park Seung-Moon;Choi Eun-Jin;Kwon Tae-Ho;Jang Yong-Suk;Yoo Han-Sang;Choi Woo Bong;Park Bong-Kyun;Kim Dae-Hyuk
    • Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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    • v.10 no.4
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    • pp.362-366
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    • 2005
  • Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is an important pig pathogen, which is responsible for swine pleuropneumonia, a highly contagious respiratory infection. To develop subunit vaccines for A. pleuropneumoniae infection, the Apx toxin genes, apxI and apxII, which are thought to be important for protective immunity, were expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and the induction of immune responses in mice was examined. The apxI and apxII genes were placed under the control of a yeast hybrid ADH2-GPD promoter (AG), consisting of alcohol dehydrogenase II (ADH2) and the GPD promoter. Western blot analysis confirmed that both toxins were successfully expressed in the yeast. The ApxIA and ApxIIA-specific IgG antibody response assays showed dose dependent increases in the antigen-specific IgG antibody titers. The challenge test revealed that ninety percent of the mice immunized with ApxIIA or a mixture of ApxIA and ApxIIA, and sixty percent of mice immunized with ApxIA survived, while none of those in the control groups survived longer than 36 h. These results suggest that vaccination of the yeast ex­pressing the ApxI and ApxII antigens is effective for the induction of protective immune responses against A. pleuropneumoniae infections in mice.

Direct Detection of (1-3)-$\beta$-Glucanase Isozymes in Isoelectrofocusing Gels Using a Dye -Labeled Substrate (염료착색 기질을 이용한 IEF gel에서(1-3)-$\beta$-glucanase 동위효소의 검출)

  • Yun, Song-Joong;Lee, Myong-Chul;Kwon, In-Sook;Kim, Tae-San;Go, Seung-Joo
    • KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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    • v.39 no.2
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    • pp.121-127
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    • 1994
  • A procedure for the direct detection of (1-3)-$\beta$-glucanase isozymes in electrophoresis gels was developed. The procedure employed the commercial preparation of AZCL-pachyman as a chromogenic substrate for (1-3)-$\beta$-glucanases. The procedure detected the three basic isozymes which have been known to be expressed in germinating barley kernels. A major acidic and a minor isozymes were also detected in germinating kernels. The procedure was proved to be fast, simple and sensitive enough to be used for the analysis of the expression of (1-3)-$\beta$-glucanase isozymes in plant tissues. The detection limit of the procedure for the commercial preparation of Penicillium (1-3)-$\beta$-glucanase was estimated to be as low as 50$\mu$U. The procedure could be used for the investigation of (1-3)-$\beta$-glucanases in laboratories facilitated with ordinary equipments and research personnel.

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Analysis of Genetic Diversity of the Thai Swamp Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Using Cattle Microsatellite DNA Markers

  • Triwitayakorn, K.;Moolmuang, B.;Sraphet, S.;Panyim, S.;Na-Chiangmai, A.;Smith, Duncan R.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.19 no.5
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    • pp.617-621
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    • 2006
  • Recently the numbers of the Thai swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), a native species of Thailand, have been rapidly declining, leading to a requirement for conservation programs for this breed. Such studies of the genetic diversity of this species are essential for conservation decisions and to assist the rational implementation of breeding programs. In this study, the genetic diversity of 80 Thai swamp buffalo, randomly selected from seven different research stations of the Thai Department of Livestock Development, were studied using ten cattle microsatellite markers. Polymorphic PCR products were observed at all microsatellite loci, with percentages of polymorphic loci ranging from 80.00 to 100.00%. The population from Payao showed the lowest level of polymorphism. The mean number of alleles per locus was 4.7 with the highest number of alleles being eight (ETH152) and the lowest being three (HAUT27 and ILSTS030). The average unbiased heterozygosity for all seven populations was 0.61 and varied between 0.5314 (Samui) and 0.6798 (Surin). The genetic distance according to NEI's (1972) ranged from 0.0722 to 0.4427. The populations from Surin and Burirum are the closest populations, while populations from Samui and Payao are the most divergent. The information generated by this study will greatly aid in the establishment of effective breeding and conservation programs for the Thai swamp buffalo.

Association of RASSF1A Promoter Methylation with Lung Cancer Risk: a Meta-analysis

  • Huang, Ying-Ze;Wu, Wei;Wu, Kun;Xu, Xiao-Ning;Tang, Wen-Ru
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.15 no.23
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    • pp.10325-10328
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    • 2015
  • RASSF1A, regarded as a candidate tumor suppressor, is frequently silenced and inactivated by methylation of its promoter region in many human tumors. However, the association between RASSF1A promoter methylation and lung cancer risk remains unclear. To provide a more reliable estimate we conducted a meta-analysis of cohort studies to evaluate the potential role of RASSF1A promoter methylation in lung carcinogenesis. Relevant studies were identified by searches of PubMed, Web of Science, ProQest and Medline databases using the following key words: 'lung cancer or lung neoplasm or lung carcinoma', 'RASSF1A methylation' or 'RASSF1A hypermethylation'. According to the selection standard, 15 articles were identified and analysised by STATA 12.0 software. Combined odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the strength of the association between RASSF1A promoter methylation and lung cancer risk. A chi-square-based Q test and sensitivity analyses were performed to test between-study heterogeneity and the contributions of single studies to the final results, respectively. Funnel plots were carried out to evaluate publication bias. Overall, a significant relationship between RASSF1A promoter methylation and lung cancer risk (OR, 16.12; 95%CI, 11.40-22.81; p<0.001) with no between-study heterogeneity. In subgroup analyses, increased risk of RASSF1A methylation in cases than controls was found for the NSCLC group (OR, 13.66, 95%CI, 9.529-19.57) and in the SCLC group (OR, 314.85, 95%CI, 48.93-2026.2).

Expression of Fungal Phytase on the Cell Surface of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

  • Mo, Ae-Young;Park, Seung-Moon;Kim, Yun-Sik;Yang, Moon-Sik;Kim, Dae-Hyuk
    • Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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    • v.10 no.6
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    • pp.576-581
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    • 2005
  • Phytase improves the bioavailability of phytate phosphorus in plant foods to humans and animals, and reduces the phosphorus pollution of animal waste. We have engineered the cell surface of the yeast. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, by anchoring active fungal phytase on its cell wall, in order to apply it as a dietary supplement containing bioconversional functions in animal foods and a whole cell bio-catalyst for the treatment of waste. The phytase gene (phyA) of Aspergillus niger with a signal peptide of rice amylase 1A (Ramy1A) was fused with the gene encoding the C-terminal half (320 amino acid residues from the C-terminus) of yeast ${\alpha}-agglutinin$, a protein which is involved in mating and is covalently anchored to the cell wall. The resulting fusion construct was introduced into S. cerevisiae and expressed under the control of the constitutive glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) promoter. Phytase plate assay revealed that the surface-engineered cell exhibited a catalytically active opaque zone which was restricted to the margin of the colony. Additionally, the phytase activity was detected in the cell fraction, but was not detected in the culture medium when it was grown in liquid. These results indicate that the phytase was successfully anchored to the cell surface of yeast and was displayed as its active form. The amount of recombinant phytase on the surface of yeast cells was estimated to be 16,000 molecules per cell.

Identification and Characterization of Osmotolerant Yeast Isolated from Soy Paste (된장에서 분리된 내염성 효모의 동정 및 특성조사)

  • Byun, Myung-Ok;Lee, Seung-Bum;Koo, Bon-Sung;Song, Jae-Kyeong;Ryu, Jin-Chang;Lee, Du-Hyung
    • The Korean Journal of Mycology
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    • v.27 no.3 s.90
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    • pp.181-186
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    • 1999
  • Osmotolerant yeast isolated from soy paste could grow on media with 2 M NaCl. This strain was identified as Zygosaccharomyces rouxii by biological characteristics, RFLP of ribosomal DNA and mating with compatible haploid strain. Growing rate of the Z. rouxii YDJ was slower than Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Z. rouxii YDJ accumulated trehalose, which is known as one of the osmolytic protectants, in cells cultured on media with salt. Enzyme activity of trehalose phosphate synthase related to trehalose biosynthesis of the YDJ was lower than those of S. cerevisiae. Trehalase activity related trehalose degradation was also lower in Z. rouxii YDJ than S. cerevisiae. However, as Z. rouxii accumulated trehalose by salt treatment, salt tolerancy of Z. rouxii was assumed to be related to trehalose in additon to glycerol.

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Production and Characterization of a Monoclonal Antibody against Human ${\beta}_2$-adrenergic receptor

  • Kang, Suk-Jo;Shin, Chan-Young;Song, Mi-Ryoung;Lee, Chung-Jae;Cheong, Jae-Hoon;Lee, Sang-Bong;Ko, Kwang-Ho
    • Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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    • v.5 no.4
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    • pp.344-350
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    • 1997
  • The purpose of the present study was to produce and characterize a monoclonal antibody against human ${\beta}_2$-adrenergic receptor. Male BALB/c mice were immunized with glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein of the C-terminal portion of the human ${\beta}_2$-adrenergic receptor which was expressed in E.Coli. The immunized splenocytes were fused with myeloma SP2/0-Agl4 cells. The resulting hybridomas were screened for the production of a monoclonal antibody which can recognize human ${\beta}_2$-adrenergic receptor, and then subcloned by limiting dilution. The resulting monoclonal antibody was named as mAb$\beta$CO2. The mono-clonal antibody $\beta$CO2 was determined as IgM subtype and then purified by anti-mouse IgM-agarose affinity chromatography. The results of ELISA, Western blot, and immunocytochemistry showed that mAb$\beta$CO2 recognized human ${\beta}_2$-adrenergic receptor in the ${\beta}_2$-adrenergic receptor-GST fusion protein and human spider-moid carcinoma cell line A431 with highly specific immunoreactivity, The monoclonal antibody $\beta$CO2 may provide useful tools for the study of the $\beta$-adrenergic receptor of human and other species including rats.

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