• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.17-24
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• 2002

We have cloned a cDNA encoding a cysteine proteinase of the Acanthamoeba healui OC-3A strain isolated from the brain of a granulomatous amoebic encephalitis patient. A DNA probe for an A. healui cDNA library screening was amplified by PCR using degenerate oligonucleotide primers designed on the basis of conserved amino acids franking the active sites of cysteine and asparagine residues that are conserved in the eukaryotic cysteine proteinases. Cysteine proteinase gene of A. healui (AhCPI) was composed of 330 amino acids with signal sequence, a proposed pro-domain and a predicted active site made up of the catalytic residues, $Cys^{25},{\;}His^{159},{\;}and{\;}Asn^{175}$. Deduced amino acid sequence analysis indicates that AhCPI belong to ERFNIN subfamily of C 1 peptidases. By Northern blot analysis. no direct correlation was observed between AhCPI mRNA expression and virulence of Acanthamoeba, but the gene was expressed at higher level in amoebae isolated from soil than amoeba from clinical samples. These findings raise the possibility that AhCPI protein may play a role in protein metabolism and digestion of phagocytosed bacteria or host tissue debris rather than in invasion of amoebae into host tissue.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.506-511
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• 1998

When the spermine, which is one of the polyamines containing cation in vivo, binds to DNA, it can increase the stability of DNA. At the same time, it can cause B-form to Z-form transformations of DNA. However, because we cannot determine the binding geometry of the spermine to DNA by using spectroscopic methods, nobody can show the accurate binding mechanism of a DNA-spermine complex. Thus, we used DAPI as a spectroscopic probe of spermine, which binding geometry was well known. At the result of base selective binding geometry of spermine to synthetic DNA, the concentration of spermine gets higher, it grows the hydrophobic environment of DAPI which bound the minor groove of adenine-thymine base pair. Simultaneously, spermine seems to bridge the backbones around the minor groove of $poly[d(A-T)_2]$. So that, the intensity of fluorescence spectrum of that shows sudden increasement. In guanine-cytocine base pair, $poly[d(G-C)_2]$, we can suppose that spermine bind to the major groove of that, shoving out the DAPI which is partially intercalated between the base pocket across the major groove of it. In both cases, spermine doesn't show the base selectivity against to DNA.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.117-123
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• 2003

For screening of autoregulator receptor gene from Saccharopolyspora erythraea, PCR was performed with primers of receptor gene designed on the basis of amino acid sequences of autoregulator receptor proteins with known function. PCR products were subcloned into the BamHI site of pUC19 and transformed into the E. coli DH5$\alpha$. The isolated plasmid from transformant contained the fragment of 120 bp, which was detected on 2% gel after BamHI treatment. The insert, 120 bp PCR product, was confirmed as the expected internal segment of gene encoding autoregulator receptor protein by sequencing. Southern and colony hybridization using Saccha. erythraea chromosomal DNA were performed with the insert as probe. The plasmid (pEsg) having 3.2 kbp SacI DNA fragment from Saccha. erythraea is obtained. The 3.2 kbp SacI DNA fragment was sequenced by the dye terminator sequencing. The nucleotide sequence data was analyzed with GENETYX-WIN (ver 3.2) computer program and DNA database. frame analyses of the nucleotide sequence revealed a gene encoding autoregulator receptor protein which is a region including KpnI and SalI sites on 3.2 kbp SacI DNA fragment. The autoregulator receptor protein consisting of 205 amino acid was named EsgR by author. In comparison with known autoregulator receptor proteins, homology of EsgR showed above 30%.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.57-64
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• 2001

The cDNA encoding human NeuAc ${\alpha}$2,3Gal$\beta$ 1,3GalNAc GalNac ${\alpha}$2,6-Sialyltransferase (hST6GalNac IV) was isolated by screening of human fetal liver cDNA library with a DNA probe generated from the cDNA sequence of mouse ST6Gal NAc IV (mkST6GalNAc IV). The cDNA sequence included an open reading frame coding for 302 amino acids, and comparative analysis of this cDNA with mST6GalNAc IV showed that each sequence of the predicted coding region contains 88% and 85% identifies in nucleotide and amino acid levels, respecively. The primary structure of this enzyme suggested a putative domain structure, like that in other glycosyltransferases, consisting of a short N-terminal cytoplamic domain, a transmembrane domain and a large C-terminal active domain. This enzyme expressed in COS-7 cells echibited transferase activity toward NeuAc ${\alpha}$2,3Gal$\beta$ 1,3GalNAc, fetuin and GM1b, although the activity toward the later is very low, no significant activity being detected toward Gal${\beta}$ 1,3Gal NAc or asialofetuin, the other glycoprotein substrates tested. The $^{14}$ C-sialylated residue of fetuin sialylated by this enzyem with CMP-[$^{14}$C]NeuAc was sensitive to treatment with ${\alpha}$2,8-specific sialidase of Vibrio cholerae but resistant to treatment with ${\alpha}$2,3-specific sialidase (NaNase I), and ${\alpha}$2,3- and ${\alpha}$2,8-specific sialidase of Newcastle disease virus. These results clearly indicated that the expressed enzyme is a type of GalNAc ${\alpha}$2,6-sialyltransferase like mST6GalNAc IV, which requires sialic acid residues linked to Gal${\beta}$1,3GalNAc-residues for its activity.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.312.2-312.2
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• 2002

The metal-ligand complex, ［Ru(phen)$_2$(dppz)]^{2＋}$ (phen = 1.10-phenanthroline, dppz = dipyrido［3.2-a:2', 3'-c］phenazine) (RuPD), was used as a spectroscopic probe for studying nucleic acid dynamics. The RuPD complex displays a long lifetime and a molecular light switch property upon DNA binding due to shielding of its dppz ligand from water. (omitted)

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.1531-1535
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• 2002

It has been known that the sex of chicken cells can be most accurately identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). However, the presently available FISH has not been widely used for sex identification, because the procedures for cell preparation and FISH itself are complicated and time-consuming. The present study was undertaken to test a rapid FISH procedure for sexing chicken. A FISH probe was simultaneously synthesized and labeled with digoxigenin by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting a 416 bp segment of the 717 bp XhoI family fragment which is repeated over 10 thousand times exclusively in the W chromosome. Sexing by FISH was performed on cytological preparations of early embryos, adult lymphocytes and feather pulps of newly hatched chicks. The DNA probe hybridized to all types of uncultured interphase as well as metaphase female but not male cells that had been examined. Moreover, consistent with the known site of the XhoI family, the hybridization signal was localized to the pericentromeric region of the W chromosome. We, therefore, conclude that the present PCR-based FISH can be used as a rapid and reliable sex identification procedure for chicken.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.223-232
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• 2000

Comparative study was performed for the assessment of DNA damage and Chromosomal aberration in human lymphocyte exposed to low dose radiation using fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH) and single cell gel electrophoresis(SCGE). Chromosomal aberrations in human lymphocytes exposed to radiation at doses of 5, 10, 30 and 50cGy were analysed with whole chromosome-specific probes by human chromosome 1, 2 and 4 according to PAINT system. FISH with chromosome-specific probe has been used to be a valid and rapid method fer detection of chromosome rearrangements induced by low dose radiation. The frequencies of stable translocation per cell equivalents were 0.0116, 0.0375, 0.040f, 0.0727 and 0.0814 for 0, 5, 10, 30 and 50cGy, respectively, and those of dicentric were 0.00, 0.0125, 0.174, 0.0291 and 0.0407 respectively. Radiation induced DNA damage in human lymphocyte in a dose-dependent manner at low doses from 5cGy to 50cGy, which were analysed by single tell gel electrophoresis(SCGE). From above results, FISH seemed to be useful for radiation biodosimetry by which the frequencies of stable aberrations in human lymphocyte can be observed more easily than by conventional method and SCGE also seemed to be sensitive method f9r detecting DNA damage by low dose radiation exposure, so that those methods will improve our technique to perform meaningful biodosimetry for radiation at low doses.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.209-219
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• 2005

This study was carried out to examine the effect of the DNA repair inhibitors, Cytosine Arabinoside(Ara C), 3-Aminobenzamide(3AB) and Hydroxyurea(HU) on the frequencies of radiation-induced micronuclei(MNi) and aneuploidy. Irradiated lymphocytes(1-3Gy) were treated with DNA repair inhibitors, Ara C, 3AB and HU for 3 hours and CBMN assay - FISH technique with DNA probe for chromosome 1 and 4 was performed. The frequencies of x-ray induced MNi and aneuploidy of chromosome 1 and 4 were increased in a dose-dependent manner. Ara C, 3AB and HU enhanced the frequencies of radiation-induced MNi and the frequencies of radiation-induced aneuploidy of chromosome 1 and 4 were enhanced by HU and Ara C while no effect was observed by 3AB. The frequency of radiation-induced aneuploidy of chromosome 1 was higher than that of chromosome 4. These results suggest that there are different mechanisms involved in the formation of MNi and aneuploidy by radiation.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 2015

A real-time PCR assay using hybridization probe (HybProbe) has been developed to detect Brucella (B.) melitensis strains. The primer and HybProbe sets were designed based on the gap gene of chromosome I with a specific single nucleotide polymorphism of B. melitensis. Specificity of the assay was confirmed by comparison to reference Brucella species and other related strains. In the melting curve analysis, B. melitensis generated a peak at $67^{\circ}C$ unlike those for other Brucella species observed at $61^{\circ}C$. Sensitivity of the assay for B. melitensis ranged from 20 ng to 200 fg of genomic DNA. The ability to identify 94 Mongolian B. melitensis isolates using the real-time PCR assay was identical to that of classical biotyping methods and differential multiplex PCR. These data showed that this new molecular technique is a simple and quick method for detecting B. melitensis, which will be important for the control and prevention of brucellosis.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.59-64
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• 2001

Pepper plants (Nogkwang, 60-day old) were inoculated with Phytophthora capsici to induce sesquiterpene cyclase associated with the biosynthesis of phytoalexin (capsidiol), a substance related to the defense against pathogens in plants. One day after inoculation, mRNA was isolated from the root, cDNA synthesized, and a library constructed in a ZAP express XR vector. The efficiency was $2{\times}10^6pfu/{\mu}g$. Sesquiterpene cyclase cDNA from Hyoscyamus muticus was labeled with $^{32}P$ and used as a probe for screening the cDNA library. After the third screening, 25 positive clones were selected. Through restrictive digestion and DNA gel-blot analysis, six different cyclase gene expressions were identified. PSC1B sequences of the six clones were determined, which were 1966 base pairs encoded 556 amino acids with an expected molecular weight of 63.8 kDa. Response against the pathogen was different between the resistant and susceptible peppers. After the infection of the pathogen, the expression of PSC genes continued in the resistant peppers while the plants were alive. The expression in the susceptible peppers lasted for only 4 days.