• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.49-54
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• 2013

C3HC4-type RING zinc finger proteins essential in the regulation of plant processes, including responses to abiotic stresses. We previously isolated and examined the C3HC4-type RING zinc finger protein (BrRZFP1) from Brassica rapa under abiotic stresses. To elucidate the role of the BrRZFP1 transcription factor in gene regulation, we transformed tobacco plants with the BrRZFP1 gene. Plants were regenerated from 82 independently transformed callus lines of tobacco and analysed for transgene expression. Transgene integration and expression was confirmed by Southern and RT-PCR analyses, respectively. T2 plants displayed more tolerance to the bacterial pathogens Pectobacterium carotovorum and Ralstonia solanacearum, and the tolerance levels were correlated with BrRZFP1 expression levels. These results suggest that the transcription factor BrRZFP1 is an important determinant of stress response in plants and its overexpression in plants could increase biotic stress resistance.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.23-29
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• 2009

벼의 저온처리 cDNA 은행에서 분리된 CCCH 형태 zinc finger 단백질인 OsZF2의 기능을 분석하기 위하여 벼에서 CaMV 35S 프로모터 조절하에 OsZF2가 발현(35S:OsZF2)되는 형질전환벼 식물체를 개발하였다. 35S:OsZF2 형질전환벼에 대한 하이그로 마이신저항성 검정을 통해 동형접합체 계통을 선발하고 Northern 발현분석에 의해 OsZF2 유전자가 형질전환체에서 과발현되는 것을 확인하였다. 형질전환체와 대조구인 낙동벼를 100 mM NaCl 첨가 MS 배지에서 키운 후 잎과 뿌리의 길이를 측정하여 내염성 검정을 수행한 결과 대조구에 비해 형질전환체 생육이 다소 양호 한 것으로 나타났다. GMO 포장에서 생육상태를 관찰 한 결과 형질전환체는 생육지연으로 인한 왜화 현상을 나타내며 출수기 또한 열흘 정도 지연되나 등숙기에는 대조구와 같은 초장을 보였다. zinc finger 유전자는 식물체의 발달과 분화 단계 및 환경 스트레스 반응 등 중요한 역할을 하는 것으로 알려져 있으므로 유전체발현 분석으로 하위단계에서 조절되는 유전자 발현 양상을 분석하였다. 35S:OsZF2 전환체에서 낙동벼보다 4배 이상 발현이 증가된 유전자 중에서 게놈 주석에 기초한 기능을 유추하면 신호전달과 관련된 protein kinase, DNA 결합단백질과 대사에 관련된 효소 유전자, 스트레스 반응에 관여하는 일부 유전자 및 병 저항성과 관련된 유전자들의 발현이 증가되었다. 따라서 벼에서 분리된 OsZF2 CCCH type zinc finger 유전자는 벼 성장 발달과 스트레스에 반응하는 상위 조절자로서 기능을 할 것으로 추측된다.

• BMB Reports
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• 제51권5호
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• pp.242-248
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• 2018

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) show great promise for replacing current stem cell therapies in the field of regenerative medicine. However, the original method for cellular reprogramming, involving four exogenous transcription factors, is characterized by low efficiency. Here, we focused on using epigenetic modifications to enhance the reprogramming efficiency. We hypothesized that there would be a new reprogramming factor involved in DNA demethylation, acting on the promoters of pluripotency-related genes. We screened proteins that bind to the methylated promoter of Oct4 and identified Zinc finger protein 127 (Zfp127), the functions of which have not yet been identified. We found that Zfp127 binds to the Oct4 promoter. Overexpression of Zfp127 in fibroblasts induced demethylation of the Oct4 promoter, thus enhancing Oct4 promoter activity and gene expression. These results demonstrate that Zfp127 is a novel regulator of Oct4, and may become a potent target to improve cellular reprogramming.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제40권8호
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• pp.533-541
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• 2017

Engineered DNA-binding domains provide a powerful technology for numerous biomedical studies due to their ability to recognize specific DNA sequences. Zinc fingers (ZF) are one of the most common DNA-binding domains and have been extensively studied for a variety of applications, such as gene regulation, genome engineering and diagnostics. Another novel DNA-binding domain known as a transcriptional activator-like effector (TALE) has been more recently discovered, which has a previously undescribed DNA-binding mode. Due to their modular architecture and flexibility, TALEs have been rapidly developed into artificial gene targeting reagents. Here, we describe the methods used to design these DNA-binding proteins and their key applications in biomedical research.

• BMB Reports
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• 제53권3호
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• pp.160-165
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• 2020

The root meristem of Arabidopsis thaliana is protected by the root cap, the size of which is tightly regulated by the balance between the formative cell divisions and the dispersal of the outermost cells. We isolated an enhancer-tagged dominant mutant displaying the short and twisted root by the overexpression of ZINC-FINGER OF ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA1 (ZAT1) encoding an EAR motif-containing zinc-finger protein. The growth inhibition by ZAT1 was shared by ZAT4 and ZAT9, the ZAT1 homologues. The ZAT1 promoter was specifically active in the outermost cells of the root cap, in which ZAT1-GFP was localized when expressed by the ZAT1 promoter. The outermost cell-specific expression pattern of ZAT1 was not altered in the sombrero (smb) or smb bearskin1 (brn1) brn2 accumulating additional root-cap layers. In contrast, ZAT4-GFP and ZAT9-GFP fusion proteins were distributed to the inner root-cap cells in addition to the outermost cells where ZAT4 and ZAT9 promoters were active. Overexpression of ZAT1 induced the ectopic expression of PUTATIVE ASPARTIC PROTEASE3 involved in the programmed cell death. The EAR motif was essential for the growth inhibition by ZAT1. These results suggest that the three related ZATs might regulate the maturation of the outermost cells of the root cap.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.177-183
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• 2008

본 연구는 동진벼 유래의 Ac/Ds 삽입변이집단의 GUS 분석을 통하여 뿌리 및 미숙종자에서 강하게 GUS가 발현한 개체를 선발하여 FST(flanking sequence tag) 분석 한 결과 Ds 전이 인자가 3번 염색체 zinc finger RING-H2 관련 Oszinc626 유전자의 첫 번째 exon 부위에 single copy로 삽입되어 있었으며, 선발변이체는 뿌리 및 종자 발달이 정상인 동진벼에 비해 매우 낮은 것으로 나타났다. Oszinc626 유전자는 RING-H2 type(C3-H2-C3)으로 $Cys-X_2-Cys-X_{28}-Cys-X-His-X_2-His-X_2-Cys-X_{14}-Cys-X_2-Cys$ 배열이 C-terminus 가장 말단에 위치하며, 49 kDa의 분자량을 가지고 있다. 또한 Southern blot 분석에서 Oszinc626 유전자는 벼 게놈상에 single copy로 존재하였다. RT-PCR을 통한 돌연변이 유전자의 발현분석 결과 250 mM의 염과, $4^{\circ}C$ 저온등과 같은abiotic stress에 의해 발현이 증가함을 보였고, 호르몬처리에 있어서 ABA와 IAA의 식물호르몬을 처리했을 경우 24시간까지 계속해서 발현양이 증가하는 것을 보이는 반면, 2,4-D 처리의 경우 30분 후에 발현이 일시적으로 증가되었으나 이후 발현이 급속히 감소한 것을 보였다. 벼의 조직 별 발현 검정에서 미성숙한 종자, 뿌리 분열조직 및 신초 등 주로 생장점 부위에서 강하게 발현되는 것을 보임에 따라 Oszinc626 유전자의 경우 식물의 생장에 관여하는 주동 유전자의 하나로 판단된다.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.385-391
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• 2006

Heterotrimeric GTP binding proteins (G proteins) mediate signals generated by neurotransmitters and hormones Among G proteins, Go is found in a large quantity in brain and growth cone membranes of neurons. In spite of its abundance in neurons, the role of Go is not fully understood. In our previous study, we identified promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein (PLZF) as an interacting partner of alpha subunit of Go ($Go{\alpha}$) and confirmed their interaction employing several biochemical assays. To date, it is reported that PLZF functioned as a cell growth suppressor and a transcription repressor. To determine effect of $Go{\alpha}$ and PLZF interaction on the cellular function of PLZF, we performed luciferase reporter gene assay and BrdU incorporation assay. Co-expression of $Go{\alpha}$ and PLZF synergistically increased the effect of PLZF alone. These results suggest that $Go{\alpha}$ may act as cellular activator of PLZF. This novel feature of Go may provide insights into understanding diverse role of Go-coupled receptor as well as its cellular actions.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.183-187
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• 2009

This study analyzed change of proteins in granulosa cells during the porcine follicuar development by proteomics techniques. Granulosa cells of the follicles, of which the diameter is $2{\sim}4\;mm$ and $6{\sim}10\;mm$, were collected from ovary of slaughtered pig that each follicle of diameter $1{\sim}4\;mm$ and $6{\sim}10\;mm$. We extracted glanulosa cell proteins by M-PER Mammalian Protein Extraction Reagent. Proteins were refined by clean-up kit and quantified by Bradford method until total protein was $200{\mu}l$. Immobilized pH gradient(IPG) strip used 18 cm, $3{\sim}10\;NL$. SDS-PAGE used 10% acrylamide gel. After silver staining, Melanie 7 and naked eye test were used for spot analyzation. Increasing proteins in glanulosa cell of $6{\sim}10\;mm$ follicle were 7 spots. This spots were analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS and searched on NCBInr. In results, 7 spots were similar to zinc/ling finger protein 3 precursor (RING finger protein 203), angiomotin, heat shock 60 kDa protein 1 (chaperonin) isoform 1 (HSP60), similar to transducin-like enhancer protein 1 (TLE 1), SH3 and PX domains 2A (SH3PXD2A). Those proteins were related with transfer between cells. Increase of proteins has an effect on follicular development.

• BMB Reports
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.58-63
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• 2011

Zinc finger (ZNF) proteins play a critical role in cell growth, proliferation, apoptosis, and intracellular signal transduction. In this paper, we cloned and characterized a novel human KRAB-related zinc finger gene, ZNF425, which encodes a protein of 752 amino acids. ZNF425 is strongly expressed in the three month old human embryos and then is almost undetectable in six month old embryos and in adult tissues. An EGFP-ZNF425 fusion protein can be found in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. ZNF425 appears to act as a transcription repressor. Over-expression of ZNF425 inhibits the transcriptional activities of SRE, AP-1, and SRF. Deletion analysis indicates that the C2H2 domain is the main region responsible for the repression. Our results suggest that the ZNF425 gene is a new transcriptional inhibitor that functions in the MAPK signaling pathway.

• 한국어병학회지
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.83-92
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• 2002

EST analysis was performed to identify stress-responsive and immune-related genes from mud loach (Misgurnus mizolepis), cDNA libraries were constructed with liver, intestine and kidney tissues and randomly chosen clones (216 for liver, 198 for intestine and 224 for kidney) were subjected to automated sequence analysis. Of 638 clones sequenced in totlal, approximalely 25% of ESTs was novel sequences (no match to GenBank) or sequences with high homology to hypothrtical/unknown genes. Several potential stress-responsive biomarker and/or immure-related genes were identified in all the tissues examined. It included lectin, MHC class I/II proteins, proteinase inhibitors, superoxide dismulase, catalase, glutathionc-S. transferase, heat-shock protein, warm temperature acclimation protein, complements, methylrransferasc, zinc finger proteins, macrophage maturation associated protein, and others. This information will offer new possibilities as fundamental baseline data for the molecular genetics and breeding of this species with an emphasis on the development of stress. (and disease)-resistsnt fish.