• Genomics & Informatics
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.61-66
• /
• 2004

Fusion proteins resulting from chimeric sequences are excellent targets for therapeutic drug development. We developed a database of chimeric sequences by examining the genomic alignment of mRNA and EST sequences in the GenBank. We identified 688 chimeric mRNA and 20,998 chimeric EST sequences. Including EST sequences greatly expands the scope of chimeric sequences even though it inevitably accompanies many artifacts. Chimeric sequences are clustered according to the ECgene ID so that the user can easily find chimeric sequences related to a specific gene. Alignments of chimeric sequences are displayed as custom tracks in the UCSC genome browser. ChimerDB, available at http://genome.ewha.ac.kr/ECgene/ChimerDB/, should be a valuable resource for finding drug targets to treat cancers.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.133-140
• /
• 2012

Cancers claim millions of lives each year. Early detection that can enable a higher chance of cure is of paramount importance to cancer patients. However, diagnostic tools for many forms of tumors have been lacking. Over the last few years, studies of chimeric RNAs as biomarkers have emerged. Numerous reports using bioinformatics and screening methodologies have described more than 30,000 expressed sequence tags (EST) or cDNA sequences as putative chimeric RNAs. While cancer cells have been well known to contain fusion genes derived from chromosomal translocations, rearrangements or deletions, recent studies suggest that trans-splicing in cells may be another source of chimeric RNA production. Unlike cis-splicing, trans-splicing takes place between two pre-mRNA molecules, which are in most cases derived from two different genes, generating a chimeric non-co-linear RNA. It is possible that trans-splicing occurs in normal cells at high frequencies but the resulting chimeric RNAs exist only at low levels. However the levels of certain RNA chimeras may be elevated in cancers, leading to the formation of fusion genes. In light of the fact that chimeric RNAs have been shown to be overrepresented in various tumors, studies of the mechanisms that produce chimeric RNAs and identification of signature RNA chimeras as biomarkers present an opportunity for the development of diagnoses for early tumor detection.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.1106-1111
• /
• 2017

Escherichia coli was engineered to sense methanol by employing a chimeric two-component system (TCS) strategy. A chimeric MxaY/EnvZ (MxaYZ) TCS was constructed by fusing the Paracoccus denitrificans MxaY with the E. coli EnvZ. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis and GFP-based fluorescence analysis showed maximum transcription of ompC and the fluorescence at 0.01% of methanol, respectively. These results suggested that E. coli was successfully engineered to sense methanol by the introduction of chimeric MxaYZ. By using this strategy, various chimeric TCS-based bacterial biosensors can be constructed and used for the development of biochemical-producing recombinant microorganisms.

• Journal of fish pathology
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.17-23
• /
• 2024

Spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV) poses a significant threat to numerous cyprinid fish species, particularly the common carp (Cyprinus carpio), often resulting in substantial mortalities. This study explores the potential use of a chimeric recombinant snakehead rhabdovirus carrying the SVCV G gene (rSHRV-Gsvcv) as a live vaccine against SVCV infection. Through virulence testing in zebrafish at different temperatures (15 ℃ and 20 ℃), no mortality was observed in groups infected with either rSHRV-wild or chimeric rSHRV-Gsvcv at both temperatures, whereas 100% mortality occurred in fish infected with wild-type SVCV. Subsequently, as no mortality was observed by rSHRV-Gsvcv, three independent experiments were conducted to determine the possible usage of chimeric rSHRV-Gsvcv as a vaccine candidate against SVCV infection. Fish were immunized with either rSHRV-Gsvcv or rSHRV-wild, and their survival rates against the SVCV challenge were compared with a control group injected with buffer alone at four weeks post-immunization. The results showed that chimeric rSHRV-Gsvcv induced significantly higher fish survival rates compared to rSHRV-wild and the control groups. These findings suggest that genetically engineered chimeric rSHRV-Gsvcv holds the potential for a prophylactic measure to protect fish against SVCV infection.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.451-455
• /
• 2000

Gene targeting are very useful tools for the research on the gene function in vivo, mass production of foreign materials and biomedical approach of therapeutic process. But this process is very complicated and necessary highly skilled technique, because it is very different from ES cell origin, genetic background of embryo, and experimental conditions. We investigated the productivity ability of chimeric mouse after aggregation with TT2 ES cells. Increse of ES cell density caused gradual decrease in embryo development in vitro and in th $\varepsilon$ production of chimeric mice in vivo. One million ES cell density for the aggregation was very efficient to produce high percentage chimeric mice in their coat color. These results suggested that appropriate cell density plays a key role in the development and production of chimeric mice by a 8-cell aggregation method.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.15-25
• /
• 2003

발생학에서 키메라(chimera)는 2개 이상의 다른 유전자형의 세포, 또는 다른 종의 세포로부터 만들어진 1개의 생물개체를 뜻하는 말로, 이는 초기 수정란의 발달과 포유류의 분화를 연구하는데 이용되고 있다. 키메라를 만드는 방법에는 할구와 내세포괴를 응집시키는 방법과 배반포 내에 여러 종류의 세포를 주입하는 방법이 있다 본 실험에서는 서로 다른 두 가지 방법의 활성화 처리법, 즉, ionomycin 처리 후 Cycloheximide (CHX) 또는 6-Dimetylaminopurine (6-DMAP)에 따른 단위 발생란의 분할과 단계적인 발달율을 살펴 보고자 하였으며, 서로 다른 방법에 의해 생산된 단위발생란 유래의 할구와 체외수정란 유래 할구를 응집하여 키메라 수정란(chimeric embryo)를 만든 후 체외수정란과 발달율을 비교해 보았다. 도축장 유래의 난소에서 난자를 채취하여 체외에서 22~24시간 성숙시킨 후 난구세포를 제거하고 metaphase II 단계의 난자를 5 $\mu$M ionomycin에 4분간 처리한 후, 10 $\mu$g/ml CHX/5 $\mu$g/ml cytochalasin B (CCB)에 5시간 또는 1.9 mM 6-DMAP에 4시간 처리하여 분할율과 배반포기 발달율을 비교 조사하였다. 난자 분할율에서는 체외수정란과 6-DMAP처리 단위 발생란에서 각각가 83.7 와 85.5%로 CHX/CCB 처리 단위발생란의 57.9%보다 유의적으로 높게(P<0.05) 나타났으며, 배반포기 발달율에 있어서는 체외수정란의 발달율이 27.8%로 6-DMAP처리 활성란 12.3%와 CHX/CCB 처리 활성란 5.3%보다 유의적으로 높게 (P<0.05) 나타났다. 키메라 수정란(chimeric embryo)은 서로 다른 두 가지 처리에 의해 생산된 단위발생란의 할구 2개와 체외수정란 유래의 할구 2개를 빈 투명대 내에서 응집시켜 제조하였다 빈 투명대 내에 키메라 수정란(chimeric embryos)의 8 세포기까지의 발달율은, 체외 수정란 할구 2개와 CHX/CCB 처리에 의한 할구 2개를 응집한 그룹은 46.1%, 체외 수정란 할구와 6-DMAP 유래 할구 2개를 응집한 그룹은 52.8% 였으며, handled control은 54.7%로 체외 수정란 77.7%에 비해 유의적으로 낮게(P<0.05) 나타났다. 배반포기까지의 발달율은 체외 수정란과 CHX/CCB에 의해 생산된 키메라 수정란(chimeric embryo)은 12.8%, 체외 수정란과 6-DMAP에 의한 키메라 수정란(chimeric embryo)은 18.8%로 handled control의 21.4%에 비해 유의적으로 낮았으며(P<0.05), 이들 키메라 수정란(chimeric embryos)은 체외 수정란의 34.9%에 비해 유의적으로 낮게(P<0.05)나타났다. 6-DMAP 처리 단위발생이 유기된 수정란 할구 2개와 체외수정란의 할구 2개의 응집에 의한 키메라 수정란(chimeric embryos)의 발달율이 CHX/CCB와 체외수정란의 응집에 의한 키메라 수정란(chimeric embryos)에 비해 다소 높게 나타났으나, 유의적인 차이는 없었다. 본 실험의 결과 서로 다른 방법에 의한 단위 발생란 유래의 할구와 체외 수정란 유래의 할구가 응집에 의한 재조합이 가능하였고 이들을 체외에서 배양하여 배반포기의 수정란까지 발달시켰다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.101-106
• /
• 2005

The generation of secretory IgA antibodies (Abs) for specific immune protection of mucosal surfaces depends on stimulation of the mucosal immune system, but this is not effectively achieved by parenteral or even oral administration of most soluble antigens. Thus, to produce a possible vaccine antigen against urinary tract infections, the uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) adhesin was genetically coupled to the heat-labile Escherichia coli enterotoxin A2B (ltxa2b) gene and cloned into a pMAL-p2E expression vector. The chimeric construction of pMALfimH/ltxa2b was then transformed into E. coli K-12 TB1 and its nucleotide sequence was verified. The chimeric protein was then purified by applying the affinity chromatography. The purified chimeric protein was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and westem blotting using antibodies to the maltose binding protein (MBP) or the heat labile E. coli subunit B (LTXB), plus the N-terminal amino acid sequence was analyzedd. The orderly-assembled chimeric protein was confirmed by a modified $G_{M1}$-ganglioside ELISA using antibodies to adhesin. The results indicate that the purified chimeric protein was an Adhesin/LTXA2B protein containing UPEC adhesin and the $G_{M1}$-ganglioside binding activity of LTXB. thisstudy also demonstrate that peroral administration of this chimeric immunogen in mice elicited high level of secretory IgA (sIgA) and serum IgG Abs to the UPEC adhesin. The results suggest that the genetically linked LTXA2B acts as a useful mucosal adjuvant, and that adhesin/LTXA2A chimeric protein might be a potential antigen for oral immunization against UPEC.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.304-316
• /
• 2021

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza virus infections. However, conventional vaccines based on hemagglutinin (HA) have to be annually updated because the HA of influenza viruses constantly mutates. In this study, we produced a 3M2e-3HA2-NP chimeric protein as a vaccine antigen candidate using an Escherichia coli expression system. The vaccination of chimeric protein (15 ㎍) conferred complete protection against A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1N1; PR8) in mice. It strongly induced influenza virus-specific antibody responses, cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity, and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. To spare the dose and enhance the cross-reactivity of the chimeric, we used a complex of poly-γ-glutamic acid and alum (PGA/alum) as an adjuvant. PGA/alum-adjuvanted, low-dose chimeric protein (1 or 5 ㎍) exhibited higher cross-protective effects against influenza A viruses (PR8, CA04, and H3N2) compared with those of chimeric alone or alum-adjuvanted proteins in vaccinated mice. Moreover, the depletion of CD4+ T, CD8+ T, and NK cells reduced the survival rate and efficacy of the PGA/alum-adjuvanted chimeric protein. Collectively, the vaccination of PGA/alum-adjuvanted chimeric protein induced strong protection efficacy against homologous and heterologous influenza viruses in mice, which suggests that it may be a promising universal influenza vaccine candidate.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.389-393
• /
• 1991

To obtain monozygotic multiplets from 8-cell mouse embryos, we artificially constructed chimeric embryos by introducing one blastomere (donor) of 8-cell embryos of Fl hybrid (C57BL/6 X CBA) mice into 4-cell ICR mouse embryos (carrier) of which one blastomere had been previously removed with a micromanipulator. After 42 h of culture, the developmental frequency of chimeric embryos to normal morula and blastocyst was 95% (310/328). When chimeric embryos at morula or blastocvst stage were transferred to pseudopregnant mice,39%, (70/180) of them were born. Most of the offspring (56/70) were the carrier type in coat color, whereas only three of them were the donor type, of which ho were assumed to be derived from single 8-cell donor embryo. Because the two donor type mice Ivere the same sex and produced only the donor type offspring from a testcross, they are probably monozvgotic multiplets of 8-cell mouse embryos. However, since their internal chimerism was not able to be examined, it remains to be determined if their genetic constitutions are identical.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.14 no.8
• /
• pp.1188-1195
• /
• 2001

A tetraparental chimeric bull was successfully produced by aggregating bovine IVF embryos of F1 (female Holstein${\times}$male Japanese Black) and F1(female Japanese Brown${\times}$male Limousin) and culturing in vitro without the zona pellucida at Yamaguchi Research Station in Japan. In the microsatellite genotyping, 12% (28/228) microsatellite primer sets ware potentially useful for this parentage analysis in the chimeric bull, 78.6% (22/28) of microsatellite present in the chimeric bull were uniquely contributed from the Japanese Black and 21.4% (6/28) from Limousin. This chimeric bull semen was used in producing IVF embryos. The chromosome preparations were made from peripheral lymphocytes. Based on chromosome analysis the Chimera had apparently normal chromosomes (29 acrocentric pairs, one large sub metacentric X chromosome and one small sub metacentric Y chromosome). The proportion of acrosome reacted spermatozoa after 1 h of incubation was higher (p<0.01) with the Chimera than with the Holstein and in Japanese Brown bulls. But did not differ from Japanese Black and Limousin bull sperm. Fertilization rates observed after 5 h of sperm-oocyte incubation with Chimera sperm were higher (p<0.05) than with Japanese Brown and (p<0.01) than with Holstein sperm, but did not differ from Japanese Black and Limousin sperm. The cleavage rates of IVF oocytes inseminated with Chimera sperm were also higher (p<0.001) compared with Holstein, (p<0.01) Japanese Brown and (p<0.05) Limousin, but did not differ from Japanese Black sperm. The blastocyst rates of IVM oocytes inseminated with sperm were higher (p<0.05) than in Limousin, Japanese Brown and Holstein, but did not differ from Japanese Black. Chimeric cattles were produced by aggregation of parthenogenetic (Japanese Brown) and in vitro fertilized (Holstein) bovine embryos at the Yamaguchi Research Station in Japan and by aggregation of parthenogenetic (Red Angus) and in vitro fertilized (Holstein) embryos at the St. Gabriel Research Station in Louisiana. The aggregation rate of the reconstructed demi-embryos cultured in vitro without agar embedding was significantly lower than with agar embedding. The aggregation was also lower when the aggregation resulted from a whole parthenogenetic and IVF-derieved embryos cultured without agar than when cultured with agar. The development rate to blastocysts, however, was not different among the treatment. To verify parthenogenetic and the cells derieved from the male IVF embryos in blastocyst formation, 51 embryos were karyotyped, resulting in 27 embryos having both XX and XY chromosome plates in the same sample, 14 embryos with XY and 10 embryos with XX. The viability and the percentage of zonafree chimeric embryos at 24 h following cryopreservation in EG plus T with 10% PVP were significantly greater than those cryopreserved without PVP. Pregnancies were diagnosed in both stations after the transfer of chimeric blastocysts. Twin male and single chimeric calves were delivered at the Yamaguchi station, with each having both XX and XY chromosomes detected. Three pregnancies resulted from the transfer of 40 chimeric embryos at the Louisiana station. Two pregnancies were Jost prior to 4 months and one phenotypically chimeric viable male born.