• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.23-34
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• 2004

Escherichia coli transcription termination factor Rho catalyzes the unwinding of RNA/DNA duplex in reactions that are coupled to ATP binding and hydrolysis. Fluorescence stopped-flow methods using ATP and the fluorescent 2'(3')-O-( N-methylanthraniloyl) derivatives (mant-derivatives) of ATP and ADP were used to probe the kinetics of nucleotide binding to and dissociation from the Rho-RNA complex. Presteady state nucleotide binding kinetics provides evidence for the presence of negative cooperativity in nucleotide binding among the multiple nucleotide binding sites on Rho hexamer. The binding of the first nucleotide to the Rho-RNA complex occurs at a bimolecular rate of 3.6${\times}$10$\^$6/ M$\^$-1/ sec$\^$-1/ whereas the second nucleotide binds at a slower rate of 4.7${\times}$10$\^$5/ M$\^$-1/ sec$\^$-1/ at 18$^{\circ}C$, RNA complexed with Rho affects the kinetics of nucleotide interaction with the active sites through conformational changes to the Rho hexamer, allowing the incoming nucleotide to be more accessible to the sites. Adenine nucleotide binding and dissociation is more favorable when RNA is bound to Rho, whereas ATP binding and dissociation step in the absence of RNA occurs significantly slower, at a rate ∼70- and ∼40-fold slower than those observed with the Rho-RNA complex, respectively.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.631-638
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• 2008

Tandem affinity purification (TAP) method combined with LC-MS/MS is the most accurate and reliable way to study the interaction of proteins or proteomics in a genome-wide scale. For the first time, we used a TAP-tag as a mutagenic tool to disrupt protein interactions at the specific site. Although lots of commonly used mutational tools exist to study functions of a gene, such as deletional mutations and site-directed mutagenesis, each method has its own demerit. To test the usefulness of a TAP-tag as a mutagenic tool, we applied a TAP-tag to RNA polymerase II, which is the key enzyme of gene expression and is controlled by hundreds of transcription factors even to transcribe a gene. Our experiment is based on the hypothesis that there will be interrupted interactions between Pol II and transcription factors owing to the TAP-tag attached at the C-terminus of each subunit of Pol II, and the abnormality caused by interrupted protein interactions can be observed by measuring a cell-cycle of each yeast strain. From ten different TAP-tagged strains, Rpb7- and Rpb12-TAP-tagged strains show severe defects in growth rate and morphology. Without a heterodimer of Rpb4/Rpb7, only the ten subunits Pol II can conduct transcription normally, and there is no previously known function of Rpb7. The observed defect of the Rpb7-TAP-tagged strain shows that Rpb7 forms a complex with other proteins or compounds and the interruption of the interaction can interfere with the normal cell cycle and morphology of the cell and nucleus. This is a novel attempt to use a TAP-tag as a proteomic tool to study protein interactions.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.173-178
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• 2016

Liver cells experience hypoxic stress when drug-metabolizing enzymes excessively consume O₂ for hydroxylation. Hypoxic stress changes the transcription of several genes by activating a heterodimeric transcription factor called hypoxia-inducible factor-1α/β (HIF-1α/β). We found that hypoxic stress (0.1% O₂) decreased the expression of cytochrome P450 7A1 (CYP7A1), a rate-limiting enzyme involved in bile acid biosynthesis. Chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), a major component of bile acids, represses CYP7A1 by activating a transcriptional repressor named small heterodimer partner (SHP). We observed that hypoxia decreased the levels of both CDCA and SHP, suggesting that hypoxia repressed CYP7A1 without inducing SHP. The finding that overexpression of HIF-1α increased the activity of the CYP7A1 promoter suggested that hypoxia decreased the expression of CYP7A1 in a HIF-1-independent manner. Thus, the results of this study suggested that hypoxia decreased the activity of CYP7A1 by limiting its substrate O₂, and by decreasing the transcription of CYP7A1.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.360-372
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• 2020

Objective: Specific genomic sites can be recognized and permanently modified by genome editing. The discovery of endonucleases has advanced genome editing in pigs, attenuating xenograft rejection and cross-species disease transmission. However, off-target mutagenesis caused by these nucleases is a major barrier to putative clinical applications. Furthermore, off-target mutagenesis by genome editing has not yet been addressed in pigs. Methods: Here, we generated genetically inheritable α-1,3-galactosyltransferase (GGTA1) knockout Yucatan miniature pigs by combining transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) and nuclear transfer. For precise estimation of genomic mutations induced by TALEN in GGTA1 knockout pigs, we obtained the whole-genome sequence of the donor cells for use as an internal control genome. Results: In-depth whole-genome sequencing analysis demonstrated that TALEN-mediated GGTA1 knockout pigs had a comparable mutation rate to homologous recombination-treated pigs and wild-type strain controls. RNA sequencing analysis associated with genomic mutations revealed that TALEN-induced off-target mutations had no discernable effect on RNA transcript abundance. Conclusion: Therefore, TALEN appears to be a precise and safe tool for generating genomeedited pigs, and the TALEN-mediated GGTA1 knockout Yucatan miniature pigs produced in this study can serve as a safe and effective organ and tissue resource for clinical applications.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.9
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• pp.687-691
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• 2016

Transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) are powerful tools for targeted genome editing in diverse cell types and organisms. However, the highly identical TALE repeat sequences make it challenging to assemble TALEs using conventional cloning approaches, and multiple repeats in one plasmid are easily catalyzed for homologous recombination in bacteria. Although the methods for TALE assembly are constantly improving, these methods are not convenient because of laborious assembly steps or large module libraries, limiting their broad utility. To overcome the barrier of multiple assembly steps, we report a one-step system for the convenient and flexible assembly of a 180 TALE module library. This study is the first demonstration to ligate 9 mono-/dimer modules and one circular TALEN backbone vector in a one step process, generating 9.5 to 18.5 repeat sequences with an overall assembly rate higher than 50%. This system makes TALEN assembly much simpler than the conventional cloning of two DNA fragments because this strategy combines digestion and ligation into one step using circular vectors and different modules to avoid gel extraction. Therefore, this system provides a convenient tool for the application of TALEN-mediated genome editing in scientific studies and clinical trials.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.185-189
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• 2015

Bovine parainfluenza virus type 5 (bPIV5) was isolated from cattle with downer cow syndrome in 2012, and included both respiratory and neurotropic pathogens from a variety of animals. In the current study, we conducted serosurveillance using sera obtained from seven Korean farms and optimized a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay to detect bPIV5. The overall seropositive rate for Korean cattle was 21.4% (163/760). A farm located near the city of Milyang in Gyeoungnam province had a markedly elevated seropositive rate for bPIV5 compared to that of the other six farms. The regional seropositive rates were 4.2% (8/192) for Haman, 19.5% (18/55) for Hwasung, 73.9% (65/88) for Milyang, 26.0% (50/192) for Namwon, 1.0% (1/96) for Uljin, 13.5% (13/96) for Yeongju, and 32.7% (8/41) for Yongin. The sensitivity and specificity of three RT-PCR primer sets used to amplify the conserved fusion gene of bPIV5 were also evaluated. An RT-PCR assay using the bPIVFR3 primer set was 10-fold more sensitive than the assays using the two other primer sets and did not result in non-specific amplification. These results demonstrated that the bPIFR3 primer set can be used to detect bPIV5.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.1165-1169
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• 2012

In April 2009, the H1N1 pandemic influenza virus emerged as a novel influenza virus. The aim of this study was to compare the performances of several molecular assays, including conventional reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), two real-time reverse transcription (rRT)-PCRs, and two multiplex RTPCRs. A total of 381 clinical specimens were collected from patients (223 men and 158 women), and both the Seeplex RV7 assay and rRT-PCR were ordered on different specimens within one week after collection. The concordance rate for the two methods was 87% (332/381), and the discrepancy rate was 13% (49/381). The positive rates for the molecular assays studied included 93.1% for the multiplex Seeplex RV7 assay, 93.1% for conventional reverse transcription (cRT)-PCR, 89.7% for the multiplex Seeplex Flu ACE Subtyping assay, 82.8% for protocol B rRT-PCR, and 58.6% for protocol A rRT-PCR. Our results showed that the multiplex Seeplex assays and the cRT-PCR yielded higher detection rates than rRT-PCRs for detecting the influenza A (H1N1) virus. Although the multiplex Seeplex assays had the advantage of simultaneous detection of several viruses, they were time-consuming and troublesome. Our results show that, although rRT-PCR had the advantage, the detection rates of the molecular assays varied depending upon the source of the influenza A (H1N1)v virus. Our findings also suggest that rRT-PCR sometimes detected virus in extremely low abundance and thus required validation of analytical performance and clinical correlation.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.329-338
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• 2002

This study was carried out to investigate the developmental rates of embryo reconstructed with different cell type and to estimate correlation of transcriptional level of octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct4) and fibroblast growth factor 4 (FCF4) gene on peri-implantation stage embryos. Donor cells were transferred into perivitelline space of enucleated oocytes. The karyoplast-cytoplast couplets were accom- plished by cell to cell fusion and activated with ionomycin and 6-dimethylaminopurine. Reconstructed embryos were co-cultured with bovine oviduct epithelial cells in CR 1 aa medium. There is no difference in blastocyst formation rate following nuclear transfer UT) with fetal fibroblast cell (16/50; 32.0%), cumulus cell (16/49; 32.6%) and ear cell (17/52; 32.6%). The expression level of Oct4 and FCF4 in peri-implantation bovine embryo derived from in vitro fertilization (IVF) and NT were determined by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. In peri-implantation of IVF result in a transient increased of FCF4 paralleled by an increased expression of Oct4. However, Oct4 gene was highly expressed in hatching blastocysts derived from NT compared to IVF. Also, FGF4 expression level in hatching blastocysts and outgrowth stage derived from NT was lower than that of IVF. In conclusion, it is suggested that the different transcription patterns observed in nuclear transfer embryos may lead to a lower rate of embryo development, implantation and pregnancy.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.224-230
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• 2006

Escherichia coli transcription termination factor Rho catalyzes the unwinding of RNA/DNA duplex in reactions that are coupled to ATP binding and hydrolysis. We report here the kinetic mechanism of presteady state ATP binding and hydrolysis by the Rho-RNA complex. Presteady state chemical quenched-flow technique under multiple turnover condition was used to probe the kinetics of ATP binding and hydrolysis by the Rho-RNA complex. The quenched-flow presteady state kinetics of ATP hydrolysis studies show that three ATPs are bound to the Rho-RNA complex with a rate of $4.4\;{\times}\;10^5M^{-1}s^{-1}$, which are subsequently hydrolyzed at a rate of $88s^{-1}$ and released during the initiation process. Global fit of the presteady state ATP hydrolysis kinetic data suggests that a rapid-equilibrium binding of ATP to Rho-RNA complex occurs prior to the first turnover and the chemistry step is not reversible. The initial burst of three ATPs hydrolysis was proposed to be involved in the initialization step that accompanies proper complex formation of Rho-RNA. Based on these results a kinetic model for initiation process for Rho-RNA complex was proposed relating the mechanism of ATP binding and hydrolysis by Rho to the structural transitions of Rho-RNA complex to reach the steady state phase, which is implicated during translocation along the RNA.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.11
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• pp.752-757
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• 2009

Copper is essential but toxic in excess for aerobic organisms. Yeast transcription factor ACE1 functions as a sensor for copper and an inducer for the transcription of CUP1. In addition, ACE1 can activate the transcription of superoxide dismutase gene (sod1) in response to copper. In this study, we introduced the yeast ACE1 into Arabidopsis and analyzed its function in plant. Under high copper stress, the transgenic plants over-expressing ACE1 showed higher survival rate than the wild-type. We also found that over-expression of ACE1 in Arabidopsis increased the activities of SOD and POD, which were beneficial to the cell in copper buffering. Excess copper would suppress the expression of chlorophyll biosynthetic genes in Arabidopsis, RT-PCR analysis revealed that over-expression of ACE1 decrease the suppression. Together, our results indicate that ACE1 may play an important role in response to copper stress in Arabidopsis.