• Animal cells and systems
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.403-410
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• 1998

The Tcf-1 (T cell specific factor-1) is a transcription factor uniquely expressed in T-lineage cells. Its expression is developmentally regulated, which is high in the specific stage of immature thymocytes, but is much lower in mature T cells. We cloned the Tcf-1 gene by subtractive hybridization and found it to be highly expressed in the thymus compared to the mRNA level in the spleen as expected. Since apoptosis occurs enormously in the thymus, we were interested in whether Tcf-1 gene expression could be regulated by such a high level of apoptotic assault. By using T cell hybridoma 70.7 cells, we induced apoptosis by incubating cells with anti-CD3 antibody in vitro. After apoptosis induction, Tcf-1 mRNA level was found to be significantly reduced compared to normal cells. Since Tcf-1 is a transcription factor for the CD3-e gene, we tested how CD3-e expression is regulated in apoptotic cells. The surface level of CD3-e protein is also down-regulated after apoptosis induction. Such a down-modulation of CD3-e protein would reduce the TCR/CD3 complex on the cell surface, which would be an important regulator for T cell apoptosis.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.108-112
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• 2003

We have constructed a molecular linkage map of pepper (Capsicum spp.) in an interspecific $F_2$ population of 107 plants with 320 RFLP, 136 AFLP, and 46 SSR markers. The resulting linkage map consists of 15 linkage groups covering 1,720 cM with an average map distance of 3.7 cM between framework markers. Most RFLP markers ($80\%$) were pepper-derived clones and these markers were evenly distributed all over the genome. Genes for defense and biosynthesis of carotenoids and capsaicinoids were mapped on this linkage map. By using 30 primer combinations, AFLP markers were generated in the $F_2$ population. For development of SSR markers in Capsicum, microsatellites were isolated from two small-insert genomic libraries and the GenBank database. This combined map provides a starting point for high-resolution QTL analysis, gene isolation, and molecular breeding.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.389-399
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• 2010

Fertilization is a complex process comprised of numerous steps. During fertilization, two highly specialized and differentiated cells (sperm and egg) fuse and subsequently trigger the development of an embryo from a quiescent, arrested oocyte. Molecular interactions between the sperm and egg are necessary for regulating the developmental potential of an oocyte, and precise coordination and regulation of gene expression and protein function are critical for proper embryonic development. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has emerged as a valuable model system for identifying genes involved in fertilization and the oocyte-to-embryo transition as well as for understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern these processes. In this review, we will address current knowledge of the molecular underpinnings of gamete interactions during fertilization and the oocyte-to-embryo transition in C. elegans. We will also compare our knowledge of these processes in C. elegans to what is known about similar processes in mammalian, specifically mouse, model systems.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.288-298
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• 2023

Host defense peptides are expressed in various immune cells, including phagocytic cells and epithelial cells. These peptides selectively alter innate immune pathways in response to infections by pathogens, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and modify the subsequent adaptive immune environment. Consequently, they play a wide range of roles in both innate and adaptive immune responses. These peptides are of increasing importance due to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and their functions as mediators linking innate and adaptive immune responses. This review focuses on the pleiotropic biological functions and related mechanisms of action of human host defense peptides and discusses their potential clinical applications.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.44.1-44.19
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• 2020

The human body is continuously threatened by pathogens, and the immune system must maintain a balance between fighting infection and becoming over-activated. Mucosal surfaces cover several anatomically diverse organs throughout the body, such as the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, and are directly exposed to the external environment. Various pathogens invade the body through mucosal surfaces, making the mucosa the frontline of immune defense. The immune systems of various mucosal tissues display distinctive features that reflect the tissues' anatomical and functional characteristics. This review discusses the cellular components that constitute the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts; in particular, it highlights the complex interactions between epithelial and immune cells to induce Ag-specific immune responses in the lung and gut. This information on mucosal immunity may facilitate understanding of the defense mechanisms against infectious agents that invade mucosal surfaces, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, and provide insight into effective vaccine development.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.158-163
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• 2005

Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is a recently developed gene transcript suppression technique for characterizing the function of plant genes. However, efficient VIGS has only been studied in a few plant species. In order to extend the application of VIGS, we examined whether a VIGS vector based on TRV would produce recognizable phenotypes in soybean. Here, we report that VIGS using the Tobacco rattle virus (TRV) viral vector can be used in several soybean cultivars employing various agro-inoculation methods including leaf infiltration, spray inoculation, and agrodrench. cDNA fragments of the soybean phytoene desaturase(PDS) was inserted into TRV RNA-2 vector. By agrodrench, we successfully silenced the expression of PDS encoding gene in soybean. The silenced phenotype of PDS was invariably obvious 3 weeks after inoculation with the TRV-based vector. Real-time RT-PCR analyses showed that the endogenous level of GmPDS transcripts was dramatically reduced in the silenced leaf tissues. These observations confirm that the silenced phenotype is closely correlated with the pattern of tissue expression. The TRV-based VIGS using agrodrench can be applied to functional genomics in a soybean plants to study genes involved in a wide range of biological processes. To our knowledge, this is the first high frequency VIGS method in soybean plants.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.292-296
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• 2004

The recombinant soluble human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (hTNF-$\alpha$) was expressed in a yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its cytotoxicity was evaluated. A cDNA encoding hTNF-$\alpha$ was placed under the control of two different promoters: a glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) promoter and a yeast hybrid ADH2-GPD promoter, consisting of alcohol dehydrogenase II (ADH2) and the GPD promoter. A Northern blot analysis revealed that, although variation in the expression level of hTNF-$\alpha$ existed among transformants, the higher expression was obtained with the GPD promoter. Expressed hTNF-$\alpha$ protein (rhTNF-$\alpha$) was successfully secreted into the culture medium, producing 2.5 mg per liter of culture filtrate, with no changes in cell growth. The bioassay for observing the cytotoxicity to the murine L929 fibroblast cell line, with serial dilution of rhTNF-$\alpha$, indicated that the secreted rhTNF-$\alpha$ was bioactive and its dose-response was improved eight to ten times over that of the E. coli-derived rhTNF-$\alpha$.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.299-305
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• 2006

Aromatic L-amino acid transaminase is an enzyme that is able to transfer the amino group from L-glutamate to unnatural aromatic ${\alpha}-keto$ acids to generate ${\alpha}-ketoglutarate$ and unnatural aromatic L-amino acids, respectively. Enrichment culture was used to isolate thermophilic Bacillus sp. T30 expressing this enzyme for use in the synthesis of unnatural L-amino acids. The asymmetric syntheses of L-homophenylalanine and L-phenylglycine resulted in conversion yields of >95% and >93% from 150 mM 2-oxo-4-phenylbutyrate and phenylglyoxylate, respectively, using L-glutamate as an amino donor at $60^{\circ}C$. Synthesized L-homophenylalanine and L-phenylglycine were optically pure (>99% enantiomeric excess) and continuously pre-cipitated in the reaction solution due to their low solubility at the given reaction pH. While the solubility of the ${\alpha}-keto$ acid substrates is dependent on temperature, the solubility of the unnatural L-amino acid products is dependent on the reaction pH. As the solubility difference between substrate and product at the given reaction pH is therefore larger at higher temperature, the thermophilic transaminase was successfully used to shift the reaction equilibrium toward rapid product formation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.9
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• pp.1537-1543
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• 2008

We tested Trichoderma harzianum as a biocontrol agent for Rhizoctonia solani AG2-1, using six natural antifungal materials to improve its efficacy. Among the six materials tested, peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) root bark (PRB) showed the strongest antifungal activity against R. solani AG2-1, and was not antagonistic to T. harzianum. Scanning electron microscopy showed that treatment with PRB extract resulted in shortened and deformed R. so/ani AG2-1 hyphal cells. The control of radish damping-off caused by R. so/ani AG2-1 was greatly increased by combined treatments of T. harzianum and PRB, as compared with either of the two treatments alone, with the control effect increased from 42.3-51.5% to 71.4-87.6%. The antifungal compound in PRB, which was isolated in chloroform and identified as paeonol by mass spectrometry, $^1H$ NMR, and $^{13}C$ NMR analyses, inhibited the growth of R. so/ani AG2-1 but not that of T. harzianum. Thus, PRB powder or extract may be used as a safe additive to T. harzianum to improve the control of the soil borne diseases caused by R. so/ani AG2-1.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.606-612
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• 1998

A microbial flocculant-producing gram-positive bacterium, strain TE11, was isolated from soil samples, and was identified as Bacillus subtilis by using the Midi system, the Biolog system, 16S rDNA sequence analysis, and some physiological and morphological characteristics. The maximum flocculant capsular biopolymer of TE11 strain (BCP, 4.9mg/ml) was obtained when it was grown in GA broth medium containing 3% glutamic acid, 2% glycerol, 0.5% citric acid, 0.5% $NH_4$Cl, 0.05% $MgSO_4.7H_2O,\; 0.05%\;K_2HPO_4\;,\; and\; 0.004%\; FeC1_3. 6H_2O,\; pH 7.2,\; at\; 30^{\circ}C$ for 70 h with shaking. When glycerol was used as an additional carbon source in the GA medium, TE11 produced only flocculant BCP without any by-product. The flocculant (BCP) was found to aggregate suspended kaolin and activated charcoal powder without cations, and its flocculating activity was significantly enhanced by the addition of bivalent cations such as $Ca^{2＋}.Zn^{2},\; and\; Mn^{2＋}$. The flocculation activity by addition of $Ca^{2+}$ was high in an acidic pH 4.0. In the case of $Zn^{2＋}$, high flocculating activity remained without significant loss in the broad range of pH 4.0 to 9.0.