• BMB Reports
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.7-14
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• 2007

Helicases are ubiquitous enzymes, which utilize the energy liberated during nucleotide triphosphate hydrolysis to separate double-stranded nucleic acids into single strands. These enzymes are very attractive targets for the development of new antibacterial compounds. The PcrA DNA helicase from Staphylococcus aureus is a good candidate for drug discovery. This enzyme is unique in the genome of S. aureus and essential for this bacterium. Furthermore, it has recently been published that it is possible to identify inhibitors of DNA helicases such as PcrA. In this report, we study the properties of recombinant PcrA from S. aureus purified from Escherichia coli to develop ATPase and helicase assays to screen for inhibitors.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• 제24권11호
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• pp.351-359
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• 2021

The red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV) belonging to genus Megalocytivirus is responsible for red sea bream iridoviral disease (RSIVD) in marine and freshwater fishes. Although several diagnostic assays for RSIV have been developed, diagnostic sensitivity (DSe) and specificity (DSp) of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays are not yet evaluated. In this study, we developed a TaqMan probe-based real-time PCR method and evaluated its DSe and DSp. To detect RSIV, the probe and primers were designed based on consensus sequences of the major capsid protein (MCP) genes from megalocytiviruses including RSIV, infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV), and turbot reddish body iridovirus (TRBIV). The probe and primers were shown to be specific for RSIV, ISKNV, and TRBIV-types megalocytiviruses. A 95% limit of detection (LOD_95%) was determined to be 5.3 viral genome copies/µL of plasmid DNA containing the MCP gene from RSIV. The DSe and DSp of the developed real-time PCR assay for field samples (n = 112) were compared with those of conventional PCR assays and found to be 100% and 95.2%, respectively. The quantitative results for SYBR Green and TaqMan probe-based real-time PCR were not significantly different. The TaqMan probe-based real-time PCR assay for RSIV may be used as an appropriate diagnostic tool for qualitative and quantitative analysis.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제51권1호
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• pp.64-70
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• 2019

Dirofilaria immitis (D. immitis)는 개의 심폐사상충증을 일으키는 선형사상충이다. 이 기생충에 감염된 개는 감염 후기 단계에서 하나 이상의 증상과 혈관 주위의 염증을 동반한 심화된 심장 질환을 보인다. 감염 초기단계에 특이적이고 효율적으로 D. immitis를 검출하기 위해서, 선행연구에서 밝혀낸 D. immitis의 cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI)와 개의 glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH)를 검출하는 특이적인 프라이머와 프로브를 이용하여 이중 TaqMan qPCR 방법을 개발했다. 양성 대조군인 플라스미드 유전자는 TA-cloning vector와 D. immitis의 COI나 개의 GAPDH로 구성되었다. 단일과 이중 TaqMan qPCR 방법은 특이적인 프라이머와 프로브, 그리고 게놈 유전자나 플라스미드 유전자로 수행했다. 프라이머의 농도를 최적한 후, 본 연구에서 개발한 이중 반응은 D. immitis의 COI와 개의 GAPDH를 동일 시료에서 동시에 검출했다. 검출 한계는 단일과 이중 방법 모두 25 copies였고, 두 방법 모두 좋은 선형성과 높은 민감도, 그리고 우수한 PCR 효율을 보여주었다. 병원체를 검출하기 위한 이중 방법은 단일 방법에 비해 비용과 노동력, 시간이 적게 든다. 따라서 이중 TaqMan qPCR 방법의 개발은 많은 수의 시료로부터 동시에 효율적으로 D. immitis 검출과 정량이 가능하게 할 것이다.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.40.1-40.8
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• 2020

Avian influenza (AIV) outbreaks can induce fatal human pulmonary infections in addition to economic losses to the poultry industry. In this study, we aimed to develop a rapid and sensitive point-of-care AIV test using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technology. We designed three sets of reverse transcription LAMP (RT-LAMP) primers targeting the matrix (M) and hemagglutinin (HA) genes of the H5 and H9 subtypes. RT-LAMP targeting the universal M gene was designed to screen for the presence of AIV and RT-LAMP assays targeting H5-HA and H9-HA were designed to discriminate between the H5 and H9 subtypes. All three RT-LAMP assays showed specific amplification results without nonspecific reactions. In terms of sensitivity, the detection limits of our RT-LAMP assays were 100 to 1,000 RNA copies per reaction, which were 10 times more sensitive than the detection limits of the reference reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (1,000 to 10,000 RNA copies per reaction). The reaction time of our RT-LAMP assays was less than 30 min, which was approximately four times quicker than that of conventional RT-PCR. Altogether, these assays successfully detected the existence of AIV and discriminated between the H5 or H9 subtypes with higher sensitivity and less time than the conventional RT-PCR assay.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제18권6호
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• pp.1164-1169
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• 2008

We developed multiplex RT-PCR assays that can detect and identify 12 hemagglutinin (H1-H12) and 9 neuraminidase (N1-N9) subtypes that are commonly isolated from avian, swine, and human influenza A viruses. RT-PCR products with unique sizes characteristic of each subtype were amplified by multiplex RT-PCRs, and sequence analysis of each amplicon was demonstrated to be specific for each subtype with 24 reference viruses. The specificity was demonstrated further with DNA or cDNA templates from 7 viruses, 5 bacteria, and 50 influenza A virus-negative specimens. Furthermore, the assays could detect and subtype up to $10^5$ dilution of each of the reference viruses that had an original infectivity titer of $10^6\;EID_{50}/ml$. Of 188 virus isolates, the multiplex RT-PCR results agreed completely with individual RT-PCR subtyping results and with results obtained from virus isolations. Furthermore, the multiplex RT-PCR methods efficiently detected mixed infections with at least two different subtypes of influenza viruses in one host. Therefore, these methods could facilitate rapid and accurate subtyping of influenza A viruses directly from field specimens.

• 식물병연구
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.38-44
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• 2021

Xylella fastidiosa is the most damaging pathogen in many parts of the world. To increase diagnostic capability of X. fastidiosa in the field, the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay were developed to mqsA gene of citrate-synthase (XF 1535) X. fastidiosa and evaluated for specificity and sensitivity. Both assays were more robust than current published tests for detection of X. fastidiosa when screened against 16 isolates representing the four major subgroups of the bacterium from a range of host species. No cross reaction with DNA from healthy hosts or other species of bacteria has been observed. The LAMP and PCR assays could detect 10-4 pmol and 100 copies of the gene, respectively. Hydroxynaphthol blue was evaluated as an endpoint detection method for LAMP. There was a significant color shift that signaled the existence of the bacterium when at least 100 copies of the target template were present.

• 한국동물생명공학회지
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.259-266
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• 2019

Emulsion polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is performed on compartmentalized DNA, allowing a large number of PCR reactions to be carried out in parallel. Emulsion PCR has unique advantages in DNA amplification. It can be applied in many molecular biological assays, especially those requiring highly sensitive and specific DNA amplification. This review discusses the principle of emulsion PCR and its applications in biotechnology. Related technologies are also discussed.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.46.1-46.7
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• 2022

Influenza A virus (IAV) is the most widespread pathogen causing human respiratory infections. Although polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods are currently the most commonly used tools for IAV detection, PCR is not ideal for point-of-care testing. In this study, we aimed to develop a more rapid and sensitive method than PCR-based tools to detect IAV using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technology. We designed reverse-transcriptional (RT)-LAMP primers targeting the hemagglutinin gene. RNAs from reference H1N1 and H3N2 showed specific RT-LAMP signals with the designed primers. We optimized the reaction conditions and developed universal reaction conditions for both LAMP assays. Under these conditions, the detection limit was 50 copies for both RT-LAMP assays. There was no non-specific signal to 19 non-IAV respiratory viruses, such as influenza B virus, coronaviruses, and respiratory syncytial viruses. Regarding the reaction time, a positive signal was detected within 25 min after starting the reaction. In conclusion, our RT-LAMP assay has high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of the H1 and H3 subtypes, making it suitable for point-of-care IAV testing.

• 식물병연구
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.184-190
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• 2011

Ralstonia solanacearum은 풋마름병(bacterial wilt)을 일으키는 종자 전염 병원세균으로 한번 발생하면 방제가 매우 어려운 병이다. 따라서 Ralstonia solanacearum는 한국을 비롯한 여러 나라에서 식물검역병으로 지정되어있다. 본 연구에서는 가지과 종자로부터 Ralstonia solanacearum 검출할 수 있는 PCR 방법을 개발하였다. 프라이머 RSJH-F와 RS-JH-R는 오직 Ralstonia solanacearum race 1, 3으로부터 401 bp 크기의 DNA를 증폭하였다. 1차 PCR 증폭산물의 내부에서 디자인 된 nested PCR 프라이머인 RS-JH-F-ne and RS-JH-R-ne는 오직 Ralstonia solanacearum로부터 131 bp 크기의 DNA를 증폭하였다. 이들 프라이머들은 토마토, 고추를 포함한 가지과 종자 추출액으로부터 어떤 비특이적 DNA도 증폭하지 않았다. 인공적으로 병원균을 접종한 가지과 종자를 이용하여 병원균 검출 민감도를 비교하였을 때, 본 연구에서 개발한 nested PCR 방법이 ELISA나 반선택배지보다 100배 높은 민감도를 보여주었다. 따라서, 본 연구에서 개발한 PCR 방법들은 가지과 종자로부터 Ralstonia solanacearum를 검출하는 매우 유용한 방법으로 생각된다.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.119-129
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• 1996

The present study was conducted to rapidly detect Listeria monocytogenes in raw milk. Specificity and sensitivity of polymerase chain reaction(PCR) technique, and direct PCR were examinded in raw milk, also were compared the calssical culture methods with PCR technique. This method used a pair of primers based on a unique region in the 16S rRNA sequence of L nomocytogenes. In the PCR specificity tests, each of the 10 strains of L monocytogenes tested gave a single 70-bp band. But the other six Listera spp tested gave negative results. Results of the sensitivity tests showed that as few as 2 CFU of L monocytogenes in pure cultures could be detected with 16S rRNA-based primers, L-1 and L-2. In different PCR cycles, a PCR product was detected with $10^3$ cells of L monocytogenes from 25 cycles to 50 cycles and the concentration of PCR products was cycle-dependent. Raw milk samopes added L monocytogenes cells gave negative results. However, these samplers gave a single 70-bp band by pretreatment of pronase, and PCR products were detected with $10^1$ cells of L monocytogenes. To detemine the most sensitive culture protocol to use in conjunction with the PCR assay, raw milk samples were inoculated with L monocytogenes at concentrations ranging from 1 to $5.7{\times}10^4CFU/ml$. PCR assays from Listeria enrichment broth(LEB) containing raw milk samples added L monocytogene EGD could dtect 10 cells in pronase-pretreated samples without incubation, and 1 cell of L monocytogenes in both 12 hr and 24 hr incubation, respectively. Isolation raw of PCR assays was similar to that of classical culture methods, but required time for detection of L monocytogenes could remarkably be reduced compare to culture methods.