• Title/Summary/Keyword: Motifs

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Partial Characterization of Two Cathepsin D Family Aspartic Peptidases of Clonorchis sinensis

  • Kang, Jung-Mi;Yoo, Won-Gi;Le, Huong Giang;Thai, Thi Lam;Hong, Sung-Jong;Sohn, Woon-Mok;Na, Byoung-Kuk
    • Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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    • v.57 no.6
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    • pp.671-680
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    • 2019
  • Cathepsin D (CatD, EC 3.4.23.5) is a member belonging to the subfamily of aspartic endopeptidases, which are classified into the MEROPS clan AA, family A1. Helminth parasites express a large set of different peptidases that play pivotal roles in parasite biology and pathophysiology. However, CatD is less well known than the other classes of peptidases in terms of biochemical properties and biological functions. In this study, we identified 2 novel CatDs (CsCatD1 and CsCatD2) of Clonorchis sinensis and partially characterized their properties. Both CsCatDs represent typical enzymes sharing amino acid residues and motifs that are tightly conserved in the CatD superfamily of proteins. Both CsCatDs showed similar patterns of expression in different developmental stages of C. sinensis, but CsCatD2 was also expressed in metacercariae. CsCatD2 was mainly expressed in the intestines and eggs of C. sinensis. Sera obtained from rats experimentally infected with C. sinensis reacted with recombinant CsCatD2 beginning 2 weeks after infection and the antibody titers were gradually increased by maturation of the parasite. Structural analysis of CsCatD2 revealed a bilobed enzyme structure consisting of 2 antiparallel β-sheet domains packed against each other forming a homodimeric structure. These results suggested a plausible biological role of CsCatD2 in the nutrition and reproduction of parasite and its potential utility as a serodiagnostic antigen in clonorchiasis.

Functional and Physiological Characteristic of RIPK and MLKL in TNF Signaling (TNF 신호전달에서 RIPK와 MLKL의 기능적 생리적 특성)

  • Park, Young-Hoon;Jeong, Mi Suk;Jang, Se Bok
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.26 no.7
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    • pp.868-874
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    • 2016
  • Receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) and RIPK3 are members of the serine or threonine protein kinase superfamily that phosphorylates the hydroxyl group of serine or threonine through the highly conserved kinase region. The RIPK family plays a crucial role not only in inflammation and innate immunity, but also in mediating programmed cell death, such as apoptosis and necroptosis. The interaction between RIPK1 and other TNFR1-related proteins has been shown to assemble a signaling complex I that controls activation of the pro-survival transcription factor NF-κB upon binding of cytokines to TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1). Moreover, RIPK1 and RIPK3 interact through their RIP homotypic interaction motifs (RHIMs) to mediate programmed necrosis, which has long been considered an accidental and uncontrolled cell death form with morphological characteristics differing from those of apoptosis. Highly conserved sequences of RHIM in RIPK1 and RIPK3 were shown to regulate their binary interaction, leading to assembly of a cytosolic amyloid complex termed the “necrosome”. The necrosome also contains mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL), which has been found recently to be a substrate of RIPK3 to mediate downstream signaling. This review provides an overview of the functional and physiological characteristics of RIPKs and MLKL in TNF signaling.

Paired Ig-Like Type 2 Receptor-Derived Agonist Ligands Ameliorate Inflammatory Reactions by Downregulating β1 Integrin Activity

  • Lee, Kyoung-Jin;Lim, Dongyoung;Yoo, Yeon Ho;Park, Eun-Ji;Lee, Sun-Hee;Yadav, Birendra Kumar;Lee, Yong-Ki;Park, Jeong Hyun;Kim, Daejoong;Park, Kyeong Han;Hahn, Jang-Hee
    • Molecules and Cells
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    • v.39 no.7
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    • pp.557-565
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    • 2016
  • The paired immunoglobulin-like type 2 receptor (PILR) family consists of two functionally opposite members, inhibitory $PILR{\alpha}$ and activating $PILR{\beta}$ receptors. PILRs are widely expressed in various immune cells and interact with their ligands, especially CD99 expressed on activated T cells, to participate in immune responses. Here we investigated whether PILR-derived agonists inhibit ${\beta}1$ integrin activity as ligands for CD99. PILR-derived peptides as well as PILR-Fc fusion proteins prevented cell adhesion to fibronectin through the regulation of ${\beta}1$ integrin activity. Especially, PILRpep3, a representative 3-mer peptide covering the conserved motifs of the PILR extracellular domain, prevented the clustering and activation of ${\beta}1$ integrin by dephosphorylating FAK and vinculin, which are major components of focal adhesion. In addition, PILRpep3 inhibited transendothelial migration of monocytes as well as endothelial cell tube formation. Furthermore, upon intraperitoneal injection of PILRpep3 into mice with collagen-induced arthritis, the inflammatory response of rheumatoid arthritis was strongly suppressed. Taken together, these results suggest that PILR-derived agonist ligands may prevent the inflammatory reactions of rheumatoid arthritis by activating CD99.

Fashion-cultural Products Design Development Based on the Lian Pu of Chinese Beijing Opera: Focused on Chinese Four Major Novels of Wonder (중국 경극 검보를 활용한 패션문화상품 디자인개발: 중국의 사대기서를 중심으로)

  • Zho, Xu;Kim, Jiyoung
    • Journal of Fashion Business
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    • v.19 no.2
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    • pp.53-68
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    • 2015
  • The Beijing Opera is one of the leading representatives of Chinese culture, which includes literature, music, dance, martial arts, and a type of performance that stems from the Chinese cultural history that is still relevant today. The purpose of this study is to develop fashion-cultural products from the Lian Pu of the Beijing Opera, a Chinese cultural tradition that receives abundant positive feedback from around the world, showing its value in both academic and practical fields. This study was carried out first as a theoretical study of the literature, definition and types of facial make up used in the Opera, as a way of examining the formative aspect. Secondly, an analysis was conducted on the main characters, 'Guan Yu' and 'Zhang Fei' of "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms", 'Li Kiu' and 'Lu Zhishen' of "All Men are Brothers" and 'Monkey King' of "Journey to West", employing the collection belonging to 'Yongqi Zhao' who is an expert on the Chinese Beijing Opera. Thirdly, two concepts were categorized, based on the analytic results of the abovementioned characters, each of which were then further categorized into three sub concepts. In regard to cultural development designs, the results of an analysis on the facial make-up color, form, and texture of the four main characters were utilized to construct the themes, "Modern Chic" and "Traditional Splendor". The simplest form that has been represented in the four figures has been applied to "Modern Chic" to show a modern image in which black, white and light blue has been used alongside the vivid red, which is a Chinese favorite, to highlight the characters. In "Traditional Splendor", which is focused on the stage art of the Opera, we see more artistic traditions and colors, to further appeal to our emotions. Traditional motifs have been applied using traditional Chinese arts, in order to develop strong and brilliant colors. The two styles of cultural products were developed in the form of women's scarves and men's ties; a total of 24 designs were expressed, using Illustrator CS6. In the final step, 4 scarves and 6 ties were produced as a sample, using high quality silk. The development of these cultural fashion products will bring an opportunity to show how Chinese traditional culture can be widely utilized in commercial market design.

The Mask-Dance Performances in the Shaman Rituals: and (굿 속의 탈놀이:<영산 할아?.할?굿>과 <탈굿>)

  • Lee, Meewon
    • Journal of Korean Theatre Studies Association
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    • no.40
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    • pp.5-27
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    • 2010
  • The Korean Mask-Dance Theatre has been developed closely related to Korean Shaman rituals. As many scholars noticed, the performers of the Mask-Dance Theatre were closely related to the Shaman family. In addition, there are mask-dance performances in actual shaman rituals. and are the representative performances among them. This essay intends to compare these two mask-dance performances in the shaman rituals to the similar performance of Old Grandpa and Grandma episode in the regional Mask-Dance Theatre. This study would bring us further in proving the close relation between the shaman ritual and the Mask-Dance Theatre. is one episode, Keori, in the shaman ritual of 'Baeyeonsin-kut' and 'Taedong-kut' in the mid-west seashore area. 'Taedong-kut' is the village shaman ritual for fertility and prosperity, while 'Baeyeonsin-kut' is a private shaman ritual for a large catch of the ship. is held in the later part of the whole shaman ritual since the later part tend to be more for entertainment than actual ritual. The story of is very similar that of in Pongsan Mask-Dance Theatre of the mid-west region. In addition, some of their dialogues are very similar. Only the later part is different. These similarities indicate that the Mask-Dance Theatre, which came into being in later period than the shaman ritual, has likely taken the story motif of the shaman ritual. is also a performance in the shaman ritual of east coasts. is more elaborate and recreational than of the west coasts. is also performed near the end of the ritual, and sometimes it is not performed at all. This indicates that has little ritual meaning left. When we compare it with the regional Mask-Dance Theatres such as Keosung Okwangdae, Tongyong Okwangdae, and Suyong Yaryu, the structure and the story lines are also very similar. It is a question why only the motif of the Grandpa and Grandma isfound both in the shaman ritual and the Mask-Dance Theatre. Many other motifs of other episodes in the Mask-Dance Theatre are not found in the shaman rituals. It seems that the Grandpa and Grandma motif is related to the ur-belief in fertility. In other words, this motif seems to be originated from the old belief in the fertility couple of Chonha Taechanggun and Jiha Yeochanggun. The shaman ritual for fertility first picked up this motif, and then the mask-dance theatre also adapted this motif for its recreational purpose. When we compare with , still has more aspects of fertility ritual, while lost its ritualistic meaning and its main purpose is to develop dramatic needs. and are invaluable existent performances to prove theatre's origin in ritual. The existence of mask-dance performances in the shaman rituals shows us the transit performance between theatre and ritual.

N-Acyl-Homoserine Lactone Quorum Sensing Switch from Acidogenesis to Solventogenesis during the Fermentation Process in Serratia marcescens MG1

  • Jin, Wensong;Lin, Hui;Gao, Huifang;Guo, Zewang;Li, Jiahuan;Xu, Quanming;Sun, Shujing;Hu, Kaihui;Lee, Jung-Kul;Zhang, Liaoyuan
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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    • v.29 no.4
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    • pp.596-606
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    • 2019
  • N-acyl-homoserine lactone quorum sensing (AHL-QS) has been shown to regulate many physiological behaviors in Serratia marcescens MG1. In the current study, the effects of AHL-QS on the biosynthesis of acid and neutral products by S. marcescens MG1 and its isogenic ${\Delta}swrI$ with or without supplementing exogenous N-hexanoyl-L-homoserine lactone ($C_6-HSL$) were systematically investigated. The results showed that swrI disruption resulted in rapid pH drops from 7.0 to 4.8, which could be restored to wild type by supplementing $C_6-HSL$. Furthermore, fermentation product analysis indicated that ${\Delta}swrI$ could lead to obvious accumulation for acidogenesis products such as lactic acid and succinic acid, especially excess acetic acid (2.27 g/l) produced at the early stage of fermentation, whereas solventogenesis products by ${\Delta}swrI$ appeared to noticeably decrease by an approximate 30% for acetoin during 32-48 h and by an approximate 20% for 2,3-butanediol during 24-40 h, when compared to those by wild type. Interestingly, the excess acetic acid produced could be removed in an AHL-QS-independent manner. Subsequently, quantitative real-time PCR was used to determine the mRNA expression levels of genes responsible for acidogenesis and solventogenesis and showed consistent results with those of product synthesis. Finally, by close examination of promoter regions of the analyzed genes, four putative luxI box-like motifs were found upstream of genes encoding acetyl-CoA synthase, lactate dehydrogenase, ${\alpha}$-acetolactate decarboxylase, and Lys-like regulator. The information from this study provides a novel insight into the roles played by AHL-QS in switching from acidogenesis to solventogenesis in S. marcescens MG1.

Key Structural Features of PigCD45RO as an Essential Regulator of T-cell Antigen Receptor Signaling (T-세포 항원 수용체 매개 신호전달 조절자로서 돼지 CD45RO 구조특성)

  • Chai, Han-Ha;Lim, Dajeong
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.20 no.9
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    • pp.211-226
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    • 2019
  • Pig CD45, the leukocyte common antigen, is encoded by the PTPRC gene and CD45 is a T cell-type specific tyrosine phosphatase with alternative splicing of its exons. The CD45 is a coordinated regulator of T cell antigen receptor (TCR) signal transduction achieved by dephosphorylating the phosphotyrosine of its substances, including $CD3{\zeta}$ chain of TCR, Lck, Fyn, and Zap-70 kinase. A dysregulation of CD45 is associated with a multitude of immune disease and has been a target for immuno-drug discovery. To characterize its key structural features with the effects of regulating TCR signaling, this study predicted the unknown structure of pig CD45RO (the smallest isoform) and the complex structure bound to the ITAM (REEpYDV) of $CD3{\zeta}$ chain via homology modeling and docking the peptide, based on the known human CD45 structures. These features were integrated into the structural plasticity of extracellular domains and functional KNRY and PTP signature motifs (the role of a narrow entrance into ITAM binding site) of the tyrosine phosphatase domains in a cytoplasmic region from pig CD45RO. This contributes to the selective recognition of phosphotyrosine from its substrates by adjusting the structural stability and binding affinity of the complex. The characterized features of pigCD45RO can be applied in virtual screening of the T-cell specific immunomodulator.

Natural and synthetic pathogen associated molecular patterns modulate galectin expression in cow blood

  • Asiamah, Emmanuel Kwaku;Ekwemalor, Kingsley;Adjei-Fremah, Sarah;Osei, Bertha;Newman, Robert;Worku, Mulumebet
    • Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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    • v.61 no.5
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    • pp.245-253
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    • 2019
  • Pathogen-associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs) are highly conserved structural motifs that are recognized by Pathogen Recognition receptors (PRRs) to initiate immune responses. Infection by these pathogens and the immune response to PAMPS such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Peptidoglycan (PGN), bacterial oligodeoxynucleotides [CpG oligodeoxynucleotides 2006 (CpG ODN2006) and CpG oligodeoxynucleotides 2216 (CpG ODN2216)], and viral RNA Polyinosinic-Polycytidylic Acid (Poly I:C), are associated with infectious and metabolic diseases in animals impacting health and production. It is established that PAMPs mediate the production of cytokines by binding to PRRs such as Toll-like receptors (TLR) on immune cells. Galectins (Gal) are carbohydrate-binding proteins that when expressed play essential roles in the resolution of infectious and metabolic diseases. Thus it is important to determine if the expression of galectin gene (LGALS) and Gal secretion in blood are affected by exposure to LPS and PGN, PolyI:C and bacterial CpG ODNs. LPS increased transcription of LGALS4 and 12 (2.5 and 2.02 folds respectively) and decreased secretion of Gal 4 (p < 0.05). PGN increased transcription of LGALS-1, -2, -3, -4, -7, and -12 (3.0, 2.3, 2.0, 4.1, 3.3, and 2.4 folds respectively) and secretion of Gal-8 and Gal-9 (p < 0.05). Poly I:C tended to increase the transcription of LGALS1, LGALS4, and LGALS8 (1.78, 1.88, and 1.73 folds respectively). Secretion of Gal-1, -3, -8 and nine were significantly increased in treated samples compared to control (p < 0.05). CpG ODN2006 did not cause any significant fold changes in LGALS transcription (FC < 2) but increased secretion of Gal-1, and-3 (p < 0.05) in plasma compared to control. Gal-4 was however reduced in plasma (p < 0.05). CpG ODN2216 increased transcription of LGALS1 and LGALS3 (3.8 and 1.6 folds respectively), but reduced LGALS2, LGALS4, LGALS7, and LGALS12 (-1.9, -2.0, -2.0 and; -2.7 folds respectively). Secretion of Gal-2 and -3 in plasma was increased compared to control (p < 0.05). Gal-4 secretion was reduced in plasma (p < 0.05). The results demonstrate that PAMPs differentially modulate galectin transcription and translation of galectins in cow blood.

Genetic Characterization of H7-subtype Avian Influenza Viruses (H7 아형 조류인플루엔자 바이러스의 유전자 특성)

  • Yeo, Jiin;Kwon, Hyuk-Moo;Sung, Haan-Woo
    • Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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    • v.46 no.3
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    • pp.173-183
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    • 2019
  • Based on their virulence, the avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are classified into two pathotypes: low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) virus and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus. Among the 16 HA subtypes of AIV, only the H5 and H7 subtypes are classified as HPAI. Some AIVs, including H5 and H7 viruses, can infect humans directly. Six H7 subtype isolates from wild birds of the H7N7 (n=4) and H7N1 (n=2) subtypes were characterized in this study. Phylogenetic analysis showed that eight viral genes (HA, NA, PB2, PB1, PA, NP, M, and NS) of the H7 isolates clustered in the Eurasian lineage, the genetic diversity of which is indicated by its division into several sublineages. The Korean H7 isolates had two motifs, PEIPKGR and PELPKGR, at the HA cleavage site, which have been associated with LPAI viruses. Six H7 isolates encoded glutamine (Q) and glycine (G) at positions 226 (H3 numbering) and 228 of HA, suggesting avian-type receptor-binding specificity. None of the Korean H7 isolates had the amino acid substitutions E627K in PB2 and I368V in PB1, which are critical for efficient replication in human cells. The Korean H7 isolates showed no deletions in the NA stalk region and in NS. These results suggest that the Korean H7 isolates from wild birds are different from the H7N9 influenza viruses isolated in China in 2013, which are capable of infecting humans.

Deciphering the role of a membrane-targeting domain in assisting endosomal and autophagic membrane localization of a RavZ protein catalytic domain

  • Park, Jui-Hee;Lee, Seung-Hwan;Park, Sang-Won;Jun, Yong-Woo;Kim, Kunhyung;Jeon, Pureum;Kim, Myungjin;Lee, Jin-A;Jang, Deok-Jin
    • BMB Reports
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    • v.54 no.2
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    • pp.118-123
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    • 2021
  • The bacterial effector protein RavZ from a pathogen can impair autophagy in the host by delipidating the mammalian autophagy-related gene 8 (mATG8)-phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) on autophagic membranes. In RavZ, the membrane-targeting (MT) domain is an essential function. However, the molecular mechanism of this domain in regulating the intracellular localization of RavZ in cells is unclear. In this study, we found that the fusion of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) to the MT domain of RavZ (GFP-MT) resulted in localization primarily to the cytosol and nucleus, whereas the GFP-fused duplicated-MT domain (GFP-2xMT) localized to Rab5- or Rab7-positive endosomes. Similarly, GFP fusion to the catalytic domain (CA) of RavZ (GFP-CA) resulted in localization primarily to the cytosol and nucleus, even in autophagy-induced cells. However, by adding the MT domain to GFP-CA (GFP-CA-MT), the cooperation of MT and CA led to localization on the Rab5-positive endosomal membranes in a wortmannin-sensitive manner under nutrient-rich conditions, and to autophagic membranes in autophagy-induced cells. In autophagic membranes, GFP-CA-MT delipidated overexpressed or endogenous mATG8-PE. Furthermore, GFP-CA△α3-MT, an α3 helix deletion within the CA domain, failed to localize to the endosomal or autophagic membranes and could not delipidate overexpressed mATG8-PE. Thus, the CA or MT domain alone is insufficient for stable membrane localization in cells, but the cooperation of MT and CA leads to localization to the endosomal and autophagic membranes. In autophagic membranes, the CA domain can delipidate mATG8-PE without requiring substrate recognition mediated by LC3-interacting region (LIR) motifs.