• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.302-310
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• 2002

Purpose : X-linked agammaglobulinemia(XLA) is an immunodeficiency caused by abnormalities in Bruton's tyrosine kinase(Btk), and is characterized by a deficiency of peripheral blood B cells. We studied cytoplasmic expression of Btk protein and analyzed the Btk gene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC) from three XLA families in Korea. Methods : Heparinized venous blood samples were collected from four XLA patients and additional family members in three unrelated XLA families. Mononuclear cells were separated from their blood and the intracellular Btk protein was characterized by a flow cytometry. The mutation analysis was performed using direct sequencing. Results : Cytoplasmic expression of Btk protein in monocytes was not detected in the patients with XLA. We observed a novel deletion and two point mutations within introns(intron 1 and intron 18) resulting in alternative splicings. In XLA family 2, a 980 bp deletion(from intron 9+191 T to intron 10-215 C) including exon 10 was found in patient P2. He was the only sporadic case in this study, because his mother and brother showed a normal Btk expression by flow cytometry. Conclusion : These identified genetic alterations support the molecular heterogeneity of Btk gene in XLA disease. Additionally, by means of flow cytometric analysis, we diagnosed three hypogammaglobulinemia patients as XLA. Advancements in diagnostic methods has facilitated a prompt and definite diagnosis of this disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.4393-4398
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• 2013

Background: Chromosomal translocations are genetic aberrations associated with specific non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) subtypes. This study investigated the differential gene expression profile of Egyptian NHL cases based on a microarray approach. Materials and Methods: The study included tissue samples from 40 NHL patients and 20 normal lymph nodes used as controls. Total RNA was extracted and used for cDNA microarray assays. The quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction was used to identify the aberrantly expressed genes in cancer. Results: Significant associations of 8 up-regulated and 4 down-regulated genes with NHL were observed. Aberrant expression of a new group of genes not reported previously was apparent, including down-regulated NAG14 protein, 3 beta hydroxy-delta 5-c27 steroid oxi-reductase, oxi-glutarate dehydrogenase (lipo-amide), immunoglobulin lambda like polypeptide 3, protein kinase x linked, Hmt1, and caveolin 2 Tetra protein. The up-regulated genes were Rb binding protein 5, DKFZP586J1624 protein, protein kinase inhibitor gamma, zinc finger protein 3, choline ethanolamine phospho-transferase CEPT1, protein phosphatase, and histone deacetylase-3. Conclusions: This study revealed that new differentially expressed genes that may be markers for NHL patients and individuals who are at high risk for cancer development.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.183-191
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• 2002

Purpose : X-linked agammaglobulinemia(XLA) is an immunodeficiency caused by abnormalities in Bruton's tyrosine kinase(Btk), and is characterized by a deficiency of peripheral blood B cells. We studied the cytoplasmic expression of Btk protein and analyzed the Btk gene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from two siblings and one cousin with XLA, as well as additional family members. Methods : Btk protein expression was analyzed by flow cytometry. Isolation of the coding sequence of the Btk gene was performed by amplification using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) technique. Sequence alterations were screened by the single-stranded conformation polymorphism(SSCP) method and characterized by standard sequencing protocols. Results : Cytoplasmic expression of Btk protein in monocytes was not detected in three patients with XLA. In addition, Btk protein analysis clearly showed cellular mosaicism in monocytes from four obligate carriers, findings further supported by SSCP. A single base pair mutation(T to C) in Btk-exon three, which encodes the PH domain, was identified in four XLA patients. A diagnostic sequencing analysis was established to detect heterozygotic pattern in 4 carrier females. Furthermore, we found significant clinical heterogeneity in individuals with the same gene mutation. Conclusion : The implicating genetic alteration provided valuable clues to the pathogenesis of XLA in Korea and the flow cytometric analysis was suggested as a useful tool for rapid detection of XLA patients and carriers. The present study has identified a genetic mutation in the Btk coding region and demonstrated heterogeneity in clinical manifestations among patients with the same mutation. A flow cytometric analysis was found to be informative in establishing a deficiency of Btk protein in both patients and carriers and is recommended as a frontline procedure in the molecular diagnosis and work-up of XLA.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.146-152
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• 2004

Ghrelin is an acylated peptide recently identified as the endogenous ligand for the growth hormone (GH) secretagogues receptor 1a (GHS-R1a) and is involved in a novel system for regulating GH release. To understand the long-term effects of ghrelin, here we constructed six myogenic expression vectors containing the cDNA of swine mature ghrelin (pGEM-wt-sGhln, pGEM-wt-hGhln), ghrelin mutant of $Ser^3$ with $Trp^3$ (pGEM-mt-sGhln, pGEM-mt-hGhln) and truncated ghrelin derivative (pGEM-tmtsGhln, pGEM-tmt-hGhln) encompassing the first 7 residues of ghrelin (including $Ser^3$ substituted with $Trp^3$) and adding a basic amino acid, Lys (K) in the C-terminus. The constructs, pGEM-wt-sGhln, pGEM-mt-sGhln and pGEM-tmt-sGhln were linked with the ghrelin leader sequence, while the pGEM-wt-hGhln, pGEM-mt-hGhln and pGEM-tmt-hGhln were linked with a leader sequence from the human growth hormone releasing hormone (hGHRH). Intramuscular injection of 200 ${\mu}g$ pGEM-wt-sGhln or pGEM-tmt-sGhln augmented growth over 3 weeks in normal rats and peaked at day 21 or 14 post-injection respectively, whose body weight gains were on average approximately 6% or 19% heavier over controls. However, other injectable vectors had no such enhanced growth effects. Our results suggested that the efficacy of the ghrelin leader sequence was more effective than that of hGHRH in our system. Moreover, the results indicated that skeletal muscle might have the ability to posttranslationally modify the in vivo expressed ghrelin. And the most strikingly, the short ghrelin analog seems to mimic the biological effects more efficiently when compared with the full-length ghrelin.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.234-243
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• 2018

The Antarctic Ocean contains numerous microorganisms that produce novel biocatalysts that can have applications in various industries. We screened various psychrophilic bacterial strains isolated from the Ross Sea and found that a Croceibacter atlanticus strain (Stock No. 40-F12) showed high lipolytic activity on a tributyrin plate. We isolated the corresponding lipase gene (lipCA) by shotgun cloning and expressed the LipCA enzyme in Escherichia coli cells. Homology modeling of LipCA was carried out using the Spain Arreo lake metagenome alpha/beta hydrolase as a template. According to the model, LipCA has an ${\alpha}/{\beta}$ hydrolase fold, Gly-X-Ser-X-Glymotif, and lid sequence, indicating that LipCA is a typical lipase enzyme. Active LipCA enzyme was purified fromthe cell-free extract by ammonium sulfate precipitation and gel filtration chromatography. We determined its enzymatic properties including optimum temperature and pH, stability, substrate specificity, and organic solvent stability. LipCA was immobilized by the cross-linked enzyme aggregate (CLEA) method and its enzymatic properties were compared to those of free LipCA. After cross-linking, temperature, pH, and organic solvent stability increased considerably, whereas substrate specificities did not changed. The LipCA CLEA was recovered by centrifugation and showed approximately 40% activity after 4th recovery. This is the first report of the expression, characterization, and immobilization of a C. atlanticus lipase, and this lipase could have potential industrial application.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.126-132
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• 2004

A single chain variable fragment (scFv) specific towards B. pseudomallei exotoxin had previously been generated from an existing hybridoma cell line (6E6AF83B) and cloned into the phage display vector pComb3H. In this study, the scFv was subcloned into the pComb3X vector to facilitate the detection and purification of expressed antibodies. Detection was facilitated by the presence of a hemagglutinin (HA) tag, and purification was facilitated by the presence of a histidine tag. The culture was grown at 30$^{\circ}C$ until log phase was achieved and then induced with 1 mM IPTG in the absence of any additional carbon source. Induction was continued at 30$^{\circ}C$ for five h. The scFv was discerned by dual processes-direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), and Western blotting. When compared to E. coli strains ER2537 and HB2151, scFv expression was observed to be highest in the E. coli strain Topl0F'. The expressed scFv protein was purified via nickel-mediated affinity chromatography and results indicated that two proteins a 52 kDa protein, and a 30 kDa protein were co-purified. These antibodies, when blotted against immobilized exotoxin, exhibited significant specificity towards the exotoxin, com-pared to other B. pseudomallei antigens. Thus, these antibodies should serve as suitable reagents for future affinity purification of the exotoxin.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.232-237
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• 2009

Sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c plays a crucial role in the regulation of lipogenic enzymes in the liver. We previously reported that an X-chromosome-linked RNA binding motif (RBMX) regulates the promoter activity of Srebp-1c. However, still unknown was how it regulates the gene expression. To elucidate this mechanism, we screened the cDNA library from mouse liver by yeast two-hybrid assay using RBMX as bait and identified scaffold attachment factor B1 (SAFB1). Immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated binding of SAFB1 to RBMX. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed binding of both SAFB1 and RBMX to the upstream region of Srebp-1c gene. RNA interference of Safb1 reduced the basal and RBMX-induced Srebp-1c promoter activities, resulting in reduced Srebp-1c gene expression. The effect of SAFB1 overexpression on Srebp-1c promoter was found only in the presence of RBMX. These results indicate a major role for SAFB1 in the activation of Srebp-1c through its interaction with RBMX.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2015

Objectives: Quercetin, a flavonoid compound, has been reported to induce apoptosis in cancer cells, but its anti-inflammatory effects, which are also closely linked with apoptosis, if any, on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have not so far been critically examined. In this study, we tried to determine if quercetin had any demonstrable anti-inflammatory potential, which also could significantly contribute to inducing apoptosis in a NSCLC cell line, A549. Methods: In this context, several assays, including cytotoxicity, flow cytometry and fluorimetry, were done. Gene expression was analyzed by using a western blot analysis. Results: Results revealed that quercetin could induce apoptosis in A549 cells through mitochondrial depolarization by causing an imbalance in B-cell lymphoma 2/Bcl2 Antagonist X (Bcl2/Bax) ratio and by down-regulating the interleukine-6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (IL-6/STAT3) signaling pathway. An analysis of the data revealed that quercetin could block nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-${\kappa}B$) activity at early hours, which might cause a down-regulation of the IL-6 titer, and the IL-6 expression, in turn, could inhibit p-STAT3 expression. Down-regulation of both the STAT3 and the NF-${\kappa}B$ expressions might, therefore, cause down-regulation of Bcl2 activity because both are major upstream effectors of Bcl2. Alteration in Bcl2 responses might result in an imbalance in the Bcl2/Bax ratio, which could ultimately bring about mitochondria mediated apoptosis in A549 cells. Conclusion: Overall, the finding of this study indicates that a quercetin induced anti-inflammatory pathway in A549 cells appeared to make a significant contribution towards induction of apoptosis in NSCLC and, thus, may have a therapeutic use such as a strong apoptosis inducer in cancer cells.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.275-279
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• 2005

Insect cell transformants, stably expressing human $GFP_{uv}-{\beta}1$, 3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 2 $({\beta}3GnT2)$ as the green fluorescent protein $(GFP_{uv})-fused$ protein, were efficiently isolated on Western blot by the quantification of the densitometric intensity of the fusion protein. From almost 150 transformants containing the fusion gene linked to three different types of signal sequence, two transformants, Tn-pXme4a and -pX28a, were successfully selected, showing 8.3 and 8.6 mU/mL ${\beta}3GnT$ activity, respectively. This method requires a screening time almost one-half that required in the isolation of stably transformed cells with high expression levels, and at the same time allows the handling a large number of transformants.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1471-1476
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• 2012

Background and Aim: Currently available systemic therapies for malignant melanoma produce low response rates in patients, and more effective treatment modalities are clearly needed. The tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand has a significant impact on therapy for patients with X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein-downregulation malignant melanoma. The primary objective of this study was to assess its therapeutic potential. Materials and Methods: We employed a conditionally replicating oncolytic adenoviral vector, named CRAd5.TRAIL/siXIAP, with the characteristics of over-expression of the therapeutic gene TRAIL and downregulation of XIAP in one vector. B16F10-luc cells were employed to detect anti-tumor activity of CRAd5.TRAIL/siXIAP in vitro and in vivo. Results: CRAd5.TRAIL/siXIAP enhanced caspase-8 activation and caspase-3 maturation in B16F10 cells in vitro. Furthermore, it more effectively infected and killed melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo than other adenoviruses. Conclusion: Taken together, the combination of upregulation of TRAIL and downregulation of siXIAP with one oncolytic adenoviral vector holds promise for development of an effective therapy for melanomas and other common cancers.