• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.412-417
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• 2006

We examined the intracellular localization of NS5 protein of Dendrolimus punctatus cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (DpCPV) by expressing NS5-GFP fusion protein and proteins from deletion mutants of NS5 in baculovirus recombinant infected insect Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf-9) cells. It was found that the NS5 protein was present at the plasma membrane of the cells, and that the N-terminal portion of the protein played a key role in the localization. A transmembrane region was identified to be present in the N-terminal portion of the protein, and the detailed transmembrane domain (SQIHMVWVKSGLVFF, 57-71aa) of N-terminal portion of NS5 was further determined, which was accorded with the predicted results, these findings suggested that NS5 might have an important function in viral life cycle.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Pathology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 1999

The morphologic changes of small intestinal epithelium in pigs diagnosed as porcine epidemic diarrhea(PED} by virus isolation and immunohistochemistry were studied through light microscope and transmissible electron microscope. On semi-thin section, the histologic findings showed severe villous atrophy and fusion with hyperplasia of cuboidal epithelium in the villi, inflammatory cell infiltration in lamina propria, and increased mitotic figures in the crypt. The structural changes were mostly restricted to the cytoplasm of affected absorptive epithelium of villi. 3 types of epithelial changes were found; degenerated virus-affected cells, undifferentiated cuboidal cells, and normal columnar cells. On electron microscopy, round to spherical viral particles of 50∼l00nm in diameter were found within the dilated vesicles and endoplasmic reticulums of degenerated cells, which had decreased their cytoplasmic electron density due to dilated and missing organelles(e.g. mitochondria, ERs, etc.). Microvilli were shortened and sparse, leaving denuded terminal web of the villous epithelial cells. Fat globules were often found within slightly degenerated enterocytes. On the tip of villi, severely damaged cells were exfoliated and replaced by undifferentiated cuboidal cells We found distinct ultrastructural changes in the jejunal epithelium confirming PED virus infection is involved in malabsorptive diarrhea.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.45 no.2 s.142
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• pp.87-94
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• 2007

In this study, we describe Korean isolates of Trichomonas vaginalis infected with double-stranded (ds) RNA virus (TVV). One T. vaginalis isolate infected with TVV IH-2 evidenced weak pathogenicity in the mouse assay coupled with the persistent presence of a dsRNA, thereby indicating a hypovirulence effect of dsRNA in T. vaginalis. Cloning and sequence analysis results revealed that the genomic dsRNA of TVV IH-2 was 4,647 bp in length and evidenced a sequence identity of 80% with the previously-described TVV 1-1 and 1-5, but only a 42% identity with TVV 2-1 and 3 isolates. It harbored 2 overlapping open reading frames of the putative capsid protein and dsRNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). As previously observed in the TVV isolates 1-1 and 1-5, a conserved ribosomal slip-page heptamer (CCUUUUU) and its surrounding sequence context within the consensus 14-nt overlap implied the gene expression of a capsid protein-RdRp fusion protein, occurring as the result of a potential ribosomal frameshift event. The phylogenetic analysis of RdRp showed that the Korean TVV If-2 isolate formed a compact group with TVV 1-1 and 1-5 isolates, which was divergent from TVV 2-1, 3 and other viral isolates classified as members of the Giardiavirus genus.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1.1-1.6
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• 2024

IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) was originally discovered in 1999 while attempting to identify an IL-18 receptor ligand binding chain (also known as IL-18Rα) by subjecting concentrated human urine to an IL-18 ligand affinity column. The IL-18 ligand chromatography purified molecule was analyzed by protein microsequencing. The result revealed a novel 40 amino acid polypeptide. To isolate the complete open reading frame (ORF), various human and mouse cDNA libraries were screened using cDNA probe derived from the novel IL-18 affinity column bound molecule. The identified entire ORF gene was thought to be an IL-18Rα gene. However, IL-18BP has been proven to be a unique soluble antagonist that shares homology with a variety of viral proteins that are distinct from the IL-18Rα and IL-18Rβ chains. The IL-18BP cDNA was used to generate recombinant IL-18BP (rIL-18BP), which was indispensable for characterizing the role of IL-18BP in vitro and in vivo. Mammalian cell lines were used to produce rIL-18BP due to its glycosylation-dependent activity of IL-18BP (approximately 20 kDa). Various forms of rIL-18BP, intact, C-terminal his-tag, and Fc fusion proteins were produced for in vitro and in vivo experiments. Data showed potent neutralization of IL-18 activity, which seems promising for clinical application in immune diseases involving IL-18. However, it was a long journey from discovery to clinical use although there have been various clinical trials since IL-18BP was discovered in 1999. This review primarily covers the discovery of IL-18BP along with how basic research influences the clinical development of IL-18BP.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.93-102
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• 2017

A duplex RT-PCR (dRT-PCR) assay was developed for the simultaneous detection and discrimination of non-virulent and virulent Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in a single PCR tube. Primers targeting the large polymerase protein (L) gene and the fusion protein (F) gene of NDV were designed to detect all NDVs (by common type PCR primers) and virulent NDVs (by pathotype PCR primers), respectively and evaluated experimentally with reference NDV strains and other poultry viral pathogens. PCR products of the expected size of 386 bp were amplified from all NDV samples whereas PCR products of the expected size of 229 bp were amplified from virulent NDV samples alone. Cross reaction was not observed with other avian viral pathogens. The detection limit of NDV by the dRT-PCR was estimated to be $10^3$ 50% egg infectious dose/0.1 mL. In the dRT-PCR using field isolates of NDV, the pathotype PCR primers detected specifically all of virulent field isolates of NDV from Malaysia, Pakistan and China whereas common type PCR primers detected 94.4% (51/54) of field isolates of NDV from China. Three Chinese NDV isolates with false negative result were non-virulent viruses. Our results indicate that the dRT-PCR might provide a rapid and simple tool for rapid simultaneous detection and discrimination of non-virulent and virulent NDVs. Therefore the developed dRT-PCR assay provides a powerful novel means for the rapid diagnosis of Newcastle disease.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.78-82
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• 2018

Detection of pathogenic microorganisms takes several days by conventional methods. It is necessary to assess microorganisms in a timely manner to reduce the risk of spreading infection. For this purpose, bacteriophages are chosen for use as a biosensing tool due to their host specificity, wide abundance, and safety. However, their lytic cycle limits their efficacy as biosensors. Phage proteins involved in binding to bacteria could be a robust alternative in resolving this drawback. Here, a fragment of tail protein J (residues 784 to 1,132) of phage lambda fused with 6X His-tag (6HN-J) at its N-terminus was cloned, overexpressed, purified, and characterized for its binding with microorganisms. The purified protein demonstrated a size of about 38 kDa in sodium dodecyl sulfate - polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and bound with anti-His monoclonal antibodies. It bound specifically to Escherichia coli K-12, and not Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus subtilis, or Pseudomonas aeruginosa in dot blotting. Binding of the protein to E. coli K-12 inhibited about 50% of the in vivo adsorption of the phage lambda to host cells at a concentration of $1{\mu}g/ml$ 6HN-J protein and almost 100% at $25{\mu}g/ml$ 6HN-J. The results suggest that a fusion viral protein could be utilized as a biosensing element (e.g., protein chips) for detecting microorganisms in real time.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.1782-1789
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• 2012

We have developed a novel type of polymer nanogel loaded with anticancer drug based on bio-derived poly(${\gamma}$-glutamic acid) (${\gamma}$-PGA). ${\gamma}$-PGA is a highly anionic polymer that is synthesized naturally by microbial species, most prominently in various bacilli, and has been shown to have excellent biocompatibility. Thiolated ${\gamma}$-PGA was synthesized by covalent coupling between the carboxyl groups of ${\gamma}$-PGA and the primary amine group of cysteamine. Doxorubicin (Dox)-loaded ${\gamma}$-PGA nanogels were fabricated using the following steps: (1) an ionic nanocomplex was formed between thiolated ${\gamma}$-PGA as the negative charge component, and Dox as the positive charge component; (2) addition of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) induced hydrogen-bond interactions between thiol groups of thiolated ${\gamma}$-PGA and hydroxyl groups of PEG, resulting in the nanocomplex; and (3) disulfide crosslinked ${\gamma}$-PGA nanogels were fabricated by ultrasonication. The average size and surface charge of Dox-loaded disulfide cross-linked ${\gamma}$-PGA nanogels in aqueous solution were $136.3{\pm}37.6$ nm and $-32.5{\pm}5.3$ mV, respectively. The loading amount of Dox was approximately 38.7 ${\mu}g$ per mg of ${\gamma}$-PGA nanogel. The Dox-loaded disulfide cross-linked ${\gamma}$-PGA nanogels showed controlled drug release behavior in the presence of reducing agents, glutathione (GSH) (1-10 mM). Through fluorescence microscopy and FACS, the cellular uptake of ${\gamma}$-PGA nanogels into breast cancer cells (MCF-7) was analyzed. The cytotoxic effect was evaluated using the MTT assay and was determined to be dependent on both the concentration and treatment time of ${\gamma}$-PGA nanogels. The bio-derived ${\gamma}$-PGA nanogels are expected to be a well-designed delivery carrier for controlled drug delivery applications.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.401-409
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• 2006

Purpose : Human metapneumovirus(hMPV) is a respiratory viral pathogen that causes a wide spectrum of illnesses, ranging from asymptomatic infection to severe bronchiolitis. The virus has been identified world widely, but so far it has not been published in Korea. Methods : We obtained clinical samples by nasopharyngeal aspiration from 218 children hospitalized due to acute lower respiratory tract infections at Soonchunhyang University Hospital in Cheonan from October, 2004 to April, 2005. We designed specific primers from conserved region of fusion glycoprotein of hMPV. Total RNA was extracted and RT-PCR was performed, and single specific 423 bp product was obtained. The PCR product was confirmed to be fusion glycoprotein RNA by sequencing. Results : We detected hMPV in 15(6.9 percent) of the 218 hospitalized children. The infected children comprised nine boys and six girls; their mean age was 2.8 years(5 mo-12 yrs) and they were diagnosed with pneumonia(60 percent), bronchiolitis(33.3 percent), croup(6.6 percent). The number of cases of detected hMPV in Korea increased dramatically during the period from March to May 2005. Conclusion : hMPV is circulating in Korean children and is associated with respiratory tract infection. Additional studies are required to define the epidemiology and the extent of diseases in the general population caused by hMPV.