• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1994.04a
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• pp.267-267
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• 1994

In order to obtain insight into the mechanism by which DNA containing a thymine photo-dimer is recognized by the excision repair enzyme, T$_4$ endonuclease V, we have taken NMR study of this protein and its complex with oligonucleotides. The conformations of five different DNA duplexes DNA I : d(GCGGATGGCG).d(CGCCTACCGC), DNA II d(GCGGTTGGCG) .d(CGCCAACCGC), DNA III : d(GCGGT ^ TGGCG) .d(CGCCAACCGC), DNA IV d(GCGGGCGGCG).d(CGCCCGCCGC) and DNA V d(GCGGCCGGCG) . d(CGCCGGCCGC) were studied by $^1$H NMR. The NMR spectra of these five DNA duplexes in the absence of the enzyme clearly show that the formation of a thymine dimer within the DNA induces only a minor distortion in the structure, and that the overall structure of B type DNA is retained. The photo-dimer formation is found to cause a large change in chemical shifts at the GC7 base pair, which is located at the 3'-side of the thymine dimer, accompanied by the major conformational change at the thymine dimer site. The binding of a mutant T$_4$ endonuclease V (E23Q), which is unable to digest DNA containing a thymine dimer, to the DNA duplex d(GCGGT ^ TGGCG)ㆍd(CGCCAACCGC) causes a large down-field shift in the imino proton resonance of GC7. Therefore, this position is thought to be either the crucial point of the interaction wi th T$_4$ endonuclease V, or the si to of a conformational change in the DNA caused by the binding of T$_4$ endonuclease V. Usually, it is very difficult to assign NMR peaks in DNA * protein complex because of severe peak overlaps. In order to overcome these peak overlaps, we used a method of deuterium incorporation.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.10
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• pp.923-932
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• 2018

Ethylene regulates numerous aspects of plant growth and development. Multiple external and internal factors coordinate ethylene production in plant tissues. Transcriptional and post-translational regulations of ACC synthases (ACSs), which are key enzymes mediating a rate-limiting step in ethylene biosynthesis have been well characterized. However, the regulation and physiological roles of ACC oxidases (ACOs) that catalyze the final step of ethylene biosynthesis are largely unknown in Arabidopsis. Here, we show that Arabidopsis ACO1 exhibits a tissue-specific expression pattern that is regulated by multiple signals, and plays roles in the lateral root development in Arabidopsis. Histochemical analysis of the ACO1 promoter indicated that ACO1 expression was largely modulated by light and plant hormones in a tissue-specific manner. We demonstrated that point mutations in two E-box motifs on the ACO1 promoter reduce the light-regulated expression patterns of ACO1. The aco1-1 mutant showed reduced ethylene production in root tips compared to wild-type. In addition, aco1-1 displayed altered lateral root formation. Our results suggest that Arabidopsis ACO1 integrates various signals into the ethylene biosynthesis that is required for ACO1's intrinsic roles in root physiology.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.109-114
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• 2007

Sar1p is a ras-related GTP-binding protein that functions in intracellular protein transport between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the Golgi complex. The effector domain of Ras family proteins is highly conserved and this domain is functionally interchangeable in plant, yeast and mammalian Sar1. Using a recombinant Brassica sar1 protein (Bsar1p) harboring point mutations in its effector domain, we here investigated the ability of Sar1p to bind and hydrolyze GTP and to interact with the two sar1-specific regulators, GTPase activating protein (GAP) and guanine exchange factor (GEF). The T51A and T55A mutations impaired Bsar1p intrinsic GTP-binding and GDP-dissociation activity. In contrast, mutations in the switch domain of Bsar1 did not affect its intrinsic GTPase activity. Moreover, the P50A, P54A, and S56A mutations affected the interaction between Bsar1p and GAP. P54A mutant protein did not interact with two regulating proteins, GEF and GAP, even though the mutation didn't affect the intrinsic GTP-binding, nucleotide exchange or GTPase activity of Bsar1p.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.322-329
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• 2014

N-acetylglucosamine kinase (GlcNAc kinase or NAGK; EC 2.7.1.59) is highly expressed and plays a critical role in the development of dendrites in brain neurons. In this study, the authors conducted structure-function analysis to verify the previously proposed 3D model structure of GlcNAc/ATP-bound NAGK. Three point NAGK mutants with different substrate binding capacities and reaction velocities were produced. Wild-type (WT) NAGK showed strong substrate preference for GlcNAc. Conversion of Cys143, which does not make direct hydrogen bonds with GlcNAc, to Ser (i.e., C143S) had the least affect on the enzymatic activity of NAGK. Conversion of Asn36, which plays a role in domain closure by making a hydrogen bond with GlcNAc, to Ala (i.e., N36A) mildly reduced NAGK enzyme activity. Conversion of Asp107, which makes hydrogen bonds with GlcNAc and would act as a proton acceptor during nucleophilic attack on the ${\gamma}$-phosphate of ATP, to Ala (i.e., D107A), caused a total loss in enzyme activity. The overexpression of EGFP-tagged WT or any of the mutant NAGKs in rat hippocampal neurons (DIV 5-9) increased dendritic architectural complexity. Finally, the overexpression of the small, but not of the large, domain of NAGK resulted in dendrite degeneration. Our data show the effect of structure on the functional aspects of NAGK, and in particular, that the small domain of NAGK, and not its NAGK kinase activity, plays a critical role in the upregulation of dendritogenesis.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.65-71
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• 2002

We have utilized the PCR-RFLP method to detect the ryanodine receptor(RYR1) gene mutation and to estimate the genotype frequencies of the RYR1 gene in commercial crossbred pig population. The exon region(659bp) including point mutation(C ${\rightarrow}$T; Arg ${\rightarrow}$Cys) in the porcine ryanodine receptor gene, which is a causal mutation for PSS, was amplified by PCR and digested with Cfo I restriction enzyme. The RYR1 gene was classified into three genotypes by agarose gel electrophoresis. The normal homozygous(NN) individuals showed two DNA fragments consisted of 493 and 166bp. The mutant homozygous(nn) individuals showed only one DNA fragment of 659bp. Also, all three fragments(659, 493 and 166bp) were showed in heterozygous(Nn) carrier animals. The proportions of normal, carrier and PSS pigs within crossbred population of pigs were 81%, 15% and 4%, respectively. According to the results of analysis of variance for the association of genotypes of RYR1 of pigs at 30kg, day age at 90kg and average daily gains, the RYR1 nn genotype was very higher than RYR1 NN genotype for day age at 30kg with 5% level of significant difference, but no significant difference for association of any other genotypes with day age at 90kg and average daily gain in crossbred pigs. Therefore, DNA diagnosis by using PCR-RFLP analysis for the PSS gene was useful for large-scale screening of commercial pigs in the swine industry.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.396-403
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• 2008

The first ORF of the ARV S1133 S1 segment encodes the nonstructural protein p10, which is responsible for the induction of cell syncytium formation. However, p10-dependent signaling during syncytium formation is fully unknown. Here, we show that dominant negative RhoA, Rho inhibitor C3 exoenzyme, ROCK/Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 and Rac1 inhibitor NSC23766 inhibit p10-mediated cell fusion. p10 over-expression is concomitant with activation and membrane translocation of RhoA and Rac1, but not cdc42. RhoA and Rac1 downstream events, including JNK phosphorylation and transcription factor AP-1 and $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation, as well as MLC expression and phosphorylation are simultaneously activated by p10. p10 point mutant T13M possessed 20% fusion-inducing ability and four p10 fusion-deficient mutants V15M, V19M, C21S and L32A reduced or lost their ability to activate RhoA and Rac1 signaling. We conclude that p10-mediated syncytium formation proceeds by utilizing RhoA and Rac1-dependent signaling.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.225-236
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• 2021

The epipyrone (EPN) biosynthetic gene cluster of Epicoccum nigrum is composed of epnC, epnB, and epnA, which encode cytochrome P450 oxidase, glycosyltransferase, and highly reducing polyketide synthase, respectively. Gene inactivation mutants for epnA, epnB, and epnC were previously generated, and it was found that all of them were incapable of producing EPN and any of its related compounds. It was also reported that epnB inactivation abolished epnA transcription, generating ΔepnAB. This study shows that the introduction of native epnC readily restored EPN production in ΔepnC, suggesting that epnC is essential for polyketide release from EpnA and implies that EpnC works during the polyketide chain assembly of EpnA. Introduction of epnC promoter-epnA restored EPN production in ΔepnA. The ΔepnB genotype was prepared by introducing the epnA expression vector into ΔepnAB, and it was found that the resulting recombinant strain did not produce any EPN-related compounds. A canonical epnB inactivation strain was also generated by deleting its 5'-end. At the deletion point, an Aspergllus nidulans gpdA promoter was inserted to ensure the transcription of epnA, which is located downstream of epnB. Examination of the metabolite profile of the resulting ΔepnB mutant via LC-mass spectrometry verified that no EPN-related compound was produced in this strain. This substantiates that C-glycosylation by EpnB is a prerequisite for the release of EpnA-tethered product. In conclusion, it is proposed that cytochrome P450 oxidase and glycosyltransferase work in concert with polyketide synthase to generate EPN without the occurrence of any free intermediates.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.7
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• pp.479-494
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• 2022

Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells that have been intensively studied as therapeutic tools for a variety of disorders. To enhance the efficacy of MSCs, therapeutic genes are introduced using retroviral and lentiviral vectors. However, serious adverse events (SAEs) such as tumorigenesis can be induced by insertional mutagenesis. We generated lentiviral vectors encoding the wild-type herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene and a gene containing a point mutation that results in an alanine to histidine substitution at residue 168 (TK(A168H)) and transduced expression in MSCs (MSC-TK and MSC-TK(A168H)). Transduction of lentiviral vectors encoding the TK(A168H) mutant did not alter the proliferation capacity, mesodermal differentiation potential, or surface antigenicity of MSCs. The MSC-TK(A168H) cells were genetically stable, as shown by karyotyping. MSC-TK(A168H) responded to ganciclovir (GCV) with an half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value 10-fold less than that of MSC-TK. Because MSC-TK(A168H) cells were found to be non-tumorigenic, a U87-TK(A168H) subcutaneous tumor was used as a SAE-like condition and we evaluated the effect of valganciclovir (vGCV), an oral prodrug for GCV. U87-TK(A168H) tumors were more efficiently ablated by 200 mg/kg vGCV than U87-TK tumors. These results indicate that MSC-TK(A168H) cells appear to be pre-clinically safe for therapeutic use. We propose that genetic modification with HSV-TK(A168H) makes allogeneic MSC-based ex vivo therapy safer by eliminating transplanted cells during SAEs such as uncontrolled cell proliferation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.155-165
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• 2000

Background: The phagolysosomal function of alveolar macrophage against M. tuberculosis infection is influenced by Nramp1, which is encoded by the NRAMP1 gene. There are several genetic polymorphisms in NRAMP1, and these polymorphisms affect the innate host resistance through the defect in production and function of Nramp1. To investigate this relationship, the NRAMP1 genetic polymorphism in patients with primary tuberculous pleurisy was determined. Methods: Fifty-six primary tuberculous pleurisy patient, who were diagnosed by pleural biopsy, were designated to the pleurisy group and 45 healthy adults were designated to the healthy control group. Three genetic polymorphisms of NRAMP1, such as a single point mutation in intron 4(469+14G/C, INT4), a nonconservative single-base substitution at codon 543 that changes aspartic acid to asparagine(D543N) and a TGTG deletion in the 3' untranslated region(1729+55delI4, 3'UTR), were determined. Polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) were used. Results: The frequencies of mutant genotypes of INT4 and 3'UTR were significantly high in pleurisy group(p=0.001, p=0.023). But the frequencies of D543N were not significantly different between the two groups(p=0.079). The odds ratios, which are a comparison with wild genotype for determining mutant genotypes, were 8. 022(95% confidence interval=2.422-26.572) for INT4 and 5.733(95% confidence interval = 1.137~28.916) for 3'UTR ; these were statistically significant But the ratio for D543N was not significant In the combined analysis of the INT4 and 3'UTR polymorphisms, the odds ratios were 6.000(95% confidence interval = 1.461~24.640) for GC/++ genotype and 14.000(95% confidence interval=1.610~121.754) for GC/+del when compared with GG/++ homozygotes ; these were statistically significant. Conclusion: Among the NRAMP1 genetic polymorphisms, a single point mutation in intron 4(469+14G/C, INT4) and a TGTG deletion in the 3' untranslated region(1729+55del4, 3'UTR) were closely related to the primary tuberculous pleurisy.

• Korean Journal Plant Pathology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.3-11
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• 1985

Three mild mutant strains of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) were isolated from Nicotiana tabacum var. Samsun incubated at $38^{\circ}C$ for 10 days after inoculation with a wild type of TMV-OM strain. They were designated into Tg 5272, Tw 227 and Tw 333. All mild strains could be distinguished from TMV-OM by their reactions on different indicator plants. The mild strains induced the mild mottling without distinct symptoms, whereas the wild strain produced severe mosaic, rugose and stunting on tobacco and red pepper plants. Tw 227 and Tw 333 produced smaller necrotic spots than those of Tg 5272 and TMV-OM on N. glutinosa and Datura stramonium. The former two strains also produced ring spots and mosaic on Gomphrena globosa compared with necrotic spots by the latter strains. Three mild strains were serologically identical to TMV-OM. Their physical properties were thermal inactivation point $80-85^{\circ}C$, dilution end point between $10^{-4}\;and\;10^{-6}$, and longevity in vitro 7days or longer. Ultraviolet absorption spectra of purified preparations of the mild strains and TMV-OM were identical, with a minimum at 247nm, a maximum at 260nm, and a slight shoulder at 290nm. Electrophoresis of the strains in polyacrylamide-agarose gel showed that all the strains formed one major band and two minor bands, except for one minor band of Tw 333. However, when sodium dodecyl sulfate was added to the purified viruses before electrophoresis, each strain formed only one major band.