• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.813-819
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• 2019

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) induces severe respiratory impairment with a reported mortality rate of ~36% in humans. The absence of clinically available MERS-CoV vaccines and treatments to date has resulted in uncontrolled incidence and propagation of the virus. In vaccine design, fusion with the IgG Fc domain is reported to increase the immunogenicity of various vaccine antigens. However, limited reports have documented the potential negative effects of Fc fusion on vaccine antigens. To determine whether Fc fusion affects the immunogenicity of MERS-CoV antigen, we constructed a Fcassociated MERS-CoV spike protein (eS770-Fc, 110 kDa), whereby human IgG4 Fc domain was fused to MERS-CoV spike protein (eS770) via a Gly/Pro linker using baculovirus as the expression system. For comparative analyses, two eS770 proteins lacking the IgG4 Fc domain were generated using the IdeS protease ($eS770-{\Delta}Fc$) or His tag attachment (eS770-His) and the immunogenicity of the above constructs were examined following intramuscular immunization in mice. Contrary to expectations, non-Fc spike proteins ($eS770-{\Delta}Fc$, eS770-His; 90 kDa) showed higher immunogenicity than the Fc fusion protein (eS770-Fc). Moreover, unlike non-Fc spike proteins, eS770-Fc immunization did not elicit neutralizing antibodies against MERS-CoV. The lower immunogenicity of Fc-fused eS770 was related to alterations in the structural conformation of the spike protein. Taken together, our results indicate that IgG Fc fusion reduces the immunogenicity of eS770 by interfering with the proper folding structure.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2024

Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) is a highly contagious enteric viral disease of pigs with watery diarrhea in piglets, which ultimately results in huge economic losses in the swine industry. The spike (S) protein plays an important role in viral pathogenicity, tissue tropism, infection, dissemination and the trypsin-dependent proliferation of the PED virus (PEDV). In the present study, we determined the full-length spike (S) gene sequences of twenty PEDV field strains detected in Jeonbuk province in 2022. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the twenty PEDV field strains were classified into G2b group and shared 98.6~100% of nucleotide homology and 97.4~100% of amino acid homology with each other. Mutations of amino acid sequences on the neutralizing epitope of S protein were observed in the twenty field strains compared to the previous vaccine strain SM-98-1 (G1a group). Therefore, these amino acid mutations in the PEDV S protein may result in a new genotype of the virus and highly pathogenic virus, so continuous monitoring is required.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.627-633
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• 1996

To analyze the genomic diversity of transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), the N-terminal half of the spike (S) glycoprotein gene and nonstructural protein gene (open reading frames 3 and 3-1) were amplified by reverse transcriptase reaction and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and analyzed using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns of the amplified DNA. In this study, TGEV Miller (M6) and Purdue (P115) strains were used as reference strains, and two vaccine strains (MSV and STC3) and four Korea isolates (P44, VRI-WP, VRI-41, and VRI-48) were analyzed. All TGEV strains were amplified with three TGEV primer pairs. Although there was some exception in RFLP analysis, this method differentiated TGEV strains into following groups : Miller group (M6 and MSV), Purdue group (PUS, STC3, P44, VRI-WP, VRI-41, and VRI-48). Using Sau3AI and SspI, VRI-48 was differentiated from the Miller and Purdue type viruses. The RT/PCR in conjuction with RFLP analysis was a rapid and valuable tool for differentiating several strains of TGEV. This study revealed the occurences of distinct difference in genome of TGEV strains.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.44.1-44.7
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• 2020

The severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), greatly varies from patient to patient. In the present study, we explored and compared mutation profiles of SARS-CoV-2 isolated from mildly affected and severely affected COVID-19 patients in order to explore any relationship between mutation profile and disease severity. Genomic sequences of SARS-CoV-2 were downloaded from Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID) database. With the help of Genome Detective Coronavirus Typing Tool, genomic sequences were aligned with the Wuhan seafood market pneumonia virus reference sequence and all the mutations were identified. Distribution of mutant variants was then compared between mildly and severely affected groups. Among the numerous mutations detected, 14408C>T and 23403A>G mutations resulting in RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) P323L and spike protein D614G mutations, respectively, were found predominantly in severely affected group (>82%) compared with mildly affected group (<46%, p < 0.001). The 241C>T mutation in the non-coding region of the genome was also found predominantly in severely affected group (p < 0.001). The 3037C>T, a silent mutation, also appeared in relatively high frequency in severely affected group compared with mildly affected group, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.06). We concluded that spike protein D614G and RdRp P323L mutations in SARS-CoV-2 are associated with severity of COVID-19. Further studies will be required to explore whether these mutations have any impact on the severity of disease.

• ALGAE
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.295-306
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• 2023

Human coronavirus diseases, particularly severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, still remain a persistent public health issue, and many recent studies are focusing on the quest for new leads against coronaviruses. To contribute to this growing pool of knowledge and explore the available marine natural products against coronaviruses, this study investigated the antiviral effects of fucoxanthin isolated from Sargassum siliquastrum-a brown alga found on Jeju Island, South Korea. The antiviral effects of fucoxanthin were confirmed in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-infected Vero cells, and its structural characteristics were verified in silico using molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations and in vitro colorimetric method. Fucoxanthin inhibited the infection in a concentration-dependent manner, without showing cytotoxicity. Molecular docking simulations revealed that fucoxanthin binds to the angiotensinconverting enzyme 2-spike protein (binding energy -318.306 kcal mol^-1) and main protease (binding energy -205.118 kcal mol^-1). Moreover, molecular dynamic simulations showed that fucoxanthin remains docked to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-spike protein for 20 ns, whereas it breaks away from main protease after 3 ns. Also, the in silico prediction of the fucoxanthin was verified through the in vitro colorimetric method by inhibiting the binding between angiotensinconverting enzyme 2 and spike protein in a concentration-dependent manner. These results indicate that fucoxanthin exhibits antiviral effects against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 by blocking the entry of the virus. Therefore, fucoxanthin from S. siliquastrum can be a potential candidate for treating coronavirus infection.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.397-402
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• 2019

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) uses the spike (S) glycoprotein to recognize and enter target cells. In this study, we selected two epitope peptide sequences within the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the MERS-CoV S protein. We used a complex consisting of the epitope peptide of the MERS-CoV S protein and CpG-DNA encapsulated in liposome complex to immunize mice, and produced the monoclonal antibodies 506-2G10G5 and 492-1G10E4E2. The western blotting data showed that both monoclonal antibodies detected the S protein and immunoprecipitated the native form of the S protein. Indirect immunofluorescence and confocal analysis suggested strong reactivity of the antibodies towards the S protein of MERS-CoV virus infected Vero cells. Furthermore, the 506-2G10G5 monoclonal antibody significantly reduced plaque formation in MERS-CoV infected Vero cells compared to normal mouse IgG and 492-1G10E4E2. Thus, we successfully produced a monoclonal antibody directed against the RBD domain of the S protein which could be used in the development of diagnostics and therapeutic applications in the future.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.140-145
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• 2011

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) infection causes acute enteritis with lethal watery diarrhea resulting in a high mortality rate in piglets. As with the other members of group 1 coronaviruses, PEDV also utilizes the host aminopeptidase N (APN) as the major cellular receptor for entry into target cells. The coronavirus spike (S) protein is known to interact with the cellular surface for viral attachment and the S1 domain of all characterized coronaviruses contains a receptor-binding domain (RBD) that mediates a specific high-affinity interaction with their respective cellular receptors. Although the RBDs of several coronaviruses have been mapped, the location of the PEDV RBD has to date not been defined. As a first step toward the identification of the region of the S protein of the PEDV that is critical for recognition with the cellular receptor, we generated a series of S1-truncated variants and examined their abilities to bind to the porcine APN (pAPN) receptor. Our data indicate that the N-terminus of the S1 domain is required for pAPN association. The results from the present study may assist in our understanding of the molecular interactions between the PEDV S protein and the pAPN receptor.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.239-252
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• 2013

Agronomic characteristics and grain properties of Korean wheat of 175 farmers in nationwide for two years, 2010/2011 and 2011/2012, were evaluated to support basic data for improving grain quality of Korean wheat and enhancing Korean wheat consumption. Agronomic characteristics, including culm length, spike length, number of $spike/m^2$ and rate of off-type plant, and grain properties, including 1000 kernel weight, test weight, moisture, ash and protein content, were influenced by year and location. Number of $spike/m^2$, test weight, moisture, ash and protein content of wheat cultivated in 2011 were higher than those of 2012 and culm length, spike length, rate of off-type plant and 1000 kernel weight of 2012 were higher than those of 2011. Wheat cultivated in southern part of Korea showed higher culm length and 1000 kernel weight and lower test weight than those of northern part of Korea. Spike length, number of $spike/m^2$ and test weight were reduced by additional fertilization after mid of March, although there was no significant difference between date of additional fertilization and grain properties. Cultivated wheats in Jeollabuk-do showed lower ash content and higher protein content than those of other provinces and cultivated wheats in Jeollanam-do exhibited higher ash content than that of other provinces. As amount of fertilization increased, culm length, 1000 kernel weight and protein content increased and spike length and ash content were decreased, although date of additional fertilization did not effect on agronomic characteristics and grain properties. Amount of fertilization was positively correlated with 1000 kernel weight and protein content (r = 0.159, P < 0.05 and r = 0.212, P < 0.01, respectively) and was negatively correlated with ash content (r = -0.185, P < 0.05). Thousand kernel weight was negatively correlated with ash content (r = -0.226, P < 0.01) and positively correlated with protein content (r = 0.207, P < 0.01). Ash content increased as test weight and culm length decreased and 1000 kernel weight was influenced by culm and spike length (r = 0.397, P < 0.001 and r = -0.205, P < 0.01, respectively).

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.16.1-16.8
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• 2021

Patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) demonstrate dysregulated immune responses including exacerbated neutrophil functions. Massive neutrophil infiltrations accompanying neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formations are also observed in patients with severe COVID-19. However, the mechanism underlying severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-induced NET formation has not yet been elucidated. Here we show that 2 viral proteins encoded by SARS-CoV-2, the nucleocapsid protein and the whole spike protein, induce NET formation from neutrophils. NET formation was ROSindependent and was completely inhibited by the spleen tyrosine kinase inhibition. The inhibition of p38 MAPK, protein kinase C, and JNK signaling pathways also inhibited viral protein-induced NET formation. Our findings demonstrate one method by which SARSCoV-2 evades innate immunity and provide a potential target for therapeutics to treat patients with severe COVID-19.

• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.217-222
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• 2008

Based on a five-letter model of the 20 amino acids, we propose a new 2-D graphical representation of protein sequence. Then we transform the 2-D graphical representation into a numerical characterization that will facilitate quantitative comparisons of protein sequences. As an application, we construct the phylogenetic tree of 56 coronavirus spike proteins. The resulting tree agrees well with the established taxonomic groups.