• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.53-59
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• 2015

In developing countries threat of cholera is a significant health concern whenever water purification and sewage disposal systems are inadequate. Vibrio cholerae is one of the responsible bacteria involved in cholera disease. The complete genome sequence of V. cholerae deciphers the presence of various genes and hypothetical proteins whose function are not yet understood. Hence analyzing and annotating the structure and function of hypothetical proteins is important for understanding the V. cholerae. V. cholerae O139 is the most common and pathogenic bacterial strain among various V. cholerae strains. In this study sequence of six hypothetical proteins of V. cholerae O139 has been annotated from NCBI. Various computational tools and databases have been used to determine domain family, protein-protein interaction, solubility of protein, ligand binding sites etc. The three dimensional structure of two proteins were modeled and their ligand binding sites were identified. We have found domains and families of only one protein. The analysis revealed that these proteins might have antibiotic resistance activity, DNA breaking-rejoining activity, integrase enzyme activity, restriction endonuclease, etc. Structural prediction of these proteins and detection of binding sites from this study would indicate a potential target aiding docking studies for therapeutic designing against cholera.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.208-214
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• 1995

The effects of various 2, 4-D-degradative plasmids on the axenic growth patterns, the degradation phenotypes, and the competitiveness of different host bacteria were evaluated in liquid cultures; the organisms and plasmids used were Alcaligenes eutrophus JMP134/pJP4, Alcaligenes paradoxus/p2811, Pseudomonas pickettii/p712, pJP4, and p712 or p 2811 exhibited very different restriction fragment profiles in restriction endonuclease digests. These plasmids were transferred to the recipients (P. cepacia and Alcaligenes JMP228) at relatively high frequencies ranging from 8.9 $\times$ 10$^3$ to 1.6 $\times$ 10$^5$ per donar cell. In the axenic liquid cultures the fast-growing strains, such as P. pseudomallei/p745 and P. cepacia/pJP4, exhibited short lag periods, high specific growth rates, and high relative fitness coefficients, while the slow-growing strains, such as P. pickettii/p712 and A. paradoxus/p2811, had long lag periods, low specific growth rates, and low relative fitness coefficients. Depending on the type of plasmid containing the genes for the 2, 4-D pathway, some transconjugants exhibited intermediate grwoth patterns between the fast-growing strains and the slow-growing strains. The plasmid and plasmid-host interactions determined specific growth rate and lag time, respectively, which were shown to be principal determinants of competitiveness among the strains, but relative fitness coefficient derived from the axenic culture was not always predictive for the mixed culture condition.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2019

Genome editing by CRISPR/Cas9, a third-generation gene scissor in molecular breeding at the genome level, is attracting much attention as one of the breeding techniques of the future. In this study, genetic and phenotypic analysis was used to examine the responsiveness of the Bakokjam variety of the silkworm Bombyx mori to molecular breeding using CRISPR/Cas9 in editing the white egg 2 (w-2) gene. The nucleotide sequence of the w-2 gene was analyzed and three different guide RNAs (gRNA) were prepared. The synthesized gRNA was combined with Cas9 protein and then analyzed by T7 endonuclease I after introduction into the Bm-N silkworm cell line. To edit the silkworm gene, W1N and W2P gRNA and Cas9 complexes were microinjected into silkworm embryos. Based on the results of microinjection, the hatching rate was 16-24% and the incidence of mutation was 33-37%. The gene mutation was verified in the heterozygous F1 generation, but no phenotypic change was observed. In F2 homozygotes generated by F1 self-crosses, a mutant phenotype was observed. These results suggest that silkworm molecular breeding using the CRISPR/Cas9 system is possible and will be a very effective way to shorten the time required than the traditional breeding process.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2021

More and more available fungal genome sequence data reveal a large amount of secondary metabolite (SM) biosynthetic 'dark matter' to be discovered. Heterogeneous expression is one of the most effective approaches to exploit these novel natural products, but it is limited by having to clone entire biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) without errors. So far, few effective technologies have been developed to manipulate the specific large DNA fragments in filamentous fungi. Here, we developed a fungal BGC-capturing system based on CRISPR/Cas9 cleavage in vitro. In our system, Cas9 protein was purified and CRISPR guide sequences in combination with in vivo yeast assembly were rationally designed. Using targeted cleavages of plasmid DNAs with linear (8.5 kb) or circular (8.5 kb and 28 kb) states, we were able to cleave the plasmids precisely, demonstrating the high efficiency of this system. Furthermore, we successfully captured the entire Nrc gene cluster from the genomic DNA of Neosartorya fischeri. Our results provide an easy and efficient approach to manipulate fungal genomic DNA based on the in vitro application of Cas9 endonuclease. Our methodology will lay a foundation for capturing entire groups of BGCs in filamentous fungi and accelerate fungal SMs mining.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.169-178
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• 2020

L-ascorbic acid (L-AA; vitamin C) induces apoptosis in cancer cells. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of L-AA-induced apoptosis in human laryngeal epidermoid carcinoma Hep-2 cells. L-AA suppressed the viability of Hep-2 cells and induced apoptosis, as shown by the cleavage and condensation of nuclear chromatin and increased number of Annexin V-positive cells. L-AA decreased Bcl-2 protein expression but upregulated Bax protein levels. In addition, cytochrome c release from the mitochondria into the cytosol and activation of caspase-9, -8, and -3 were enhanced by L-AA treatment. Furthermore, apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) and endonuclease G (EndoG) were translocated into the nucleus during apoptosis of L-AA-treated Hep-2 cells. L-AA effectively inhibited the constitutive nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation and attenuated the nuclear expression of the p65 subunit of NF-κB. Interestingly, L-AA treatment of Hep-2 cells markedly activated Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK; extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase [JNK]) and and LY294002 (Akt inhibitor), SB203580 (p38 inhibitor) or SP600125 (a JNK inhibitor) decreased the levels of Annexin V-positive cells. These results suggested that L-AA induces the apoptosis of Hep-2 cells via the nuclear translocation of AIF and EndoG by modulating the Bcl-2 family and MAPK/Akt signaling pathways.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.253-261
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• 2023

Objective: Azoospermia (the total absence of sperm in the ejaculate) affects approximately 10% of infertile males. Despite diagnostic advances, azoospermia remains the most challenging issue associated with infertility treatment. Our study evaluated transition nuclear protein 2 (TNP2) and synaptonemal complex protein 3 (SYCP3) polymorphisms, azoospermia factor a (AZFa) microdeletion, and gene expression levels in 100 patients with azoospermia. Methods: We investigated a TNP2 single-nucleotide polymorphism through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis using a particular endonuclease. An allele-specific PCR assay for SYCP3 was performed utilizing two forward primers and a common reverse primer in two PCR reactions. Based on the European Academy of Andrology guidelines, AZFa microdeletions were evaluated by multiplex PCR. TNP2, SYCP3, and the AZFa region main gene (DEAD-box helicase 3 and Y-linked [DDX3Y]) expression levels were assessed via quantitative PCR, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine the diagnostic capability of these genes. Results: The TNP2 genotyping and allelic frequency in infertile males did not differ significantly from fertile volunteers. In participants with azoospermia, the allelic frequency of the SYCP3 mutant allele (C allele) was significantly altered. Deletion of sY84 and sY86 was discovered in patients with azoospermia and oligozoospermia. Moreover, SYCP3 and DDX3Y showed decreased expression levels in the azoospermia group, and they exhibited potential as biomarkers for diagnosing azoospermia (area under the curve, 0.722 and 0.720, respectively). Conclusion: These results suggest that reduced SYCP3 and DDX3Y mRNA expression profiles in testicular tissue are associated with a higher likelihood of retrieving spermatozoa in individuals with azoospermia. The homozygous genotype TT of the SYCP3 polymorphism was significantly associated with azoospermia.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.701-707
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• 2020

Gene editing technology using the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) and the CRISPR associated protein (Cas)9 has been highly anticipated in developing breeding techniques. In this study, we discuss gene scissors as a tool for silkworm molecular breeding through analysis of Bombyx mori Kynurenine 3-Monooxygenase (BmKMO) gene editing using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and analysis of generational transmission through mutagenesis and selective crossing. The nucleotide sequence of the BmKMO gene was analyzed, and three guide RNAs (gRNAs) were prepared. Each synthesized gRNA was combined with Cas9 protein and then analyzed by T7 endonuclease I after introduction into the BM-N silkworm cell line. To edit the silkworm gene, K1P gRNA and Cas9 complexes were subsequently microinjected into the silkworm embryos; the hatching rate was 18% and the incidence of mutation was 60%. The gene mutation was verified in the heterozygous G0 generation, but no phenotypic change was observed. In homozygotes generated by self-crossing, a mutant phenotype was observed. These results suggest that silkworm molecular breeding using the CRISPR/Cas9 system is possible and could be an effective way of shortening the time required.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.272-281
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• 2007

선박제조업을 비롯한 운송업 및 건축업 등의 다양한 분야에서 용접기술이 이용되어 옴에 따라 용접근로자들에 대한 산업보건학적 관심이 높아지고 있다. 노출정도가 다양하기는 하지만 용접흄은 6가 크롬을 비롯한 금속화합물과 유해가스, 화학물질 등을 복합적으로 포함하고 있는 스테인레스 스틸 용접흄에 대한 유전독성영향을 평가하기 위하여 흡입챔버를 이용, 실험동물인 영장류에 스테인레스 스틸 용접흄을 노출시키고 혈액 내 lymphocytes에 생성된 용접흄 노출농도 및 시간별 DNA 손상정도 및 그 회복효소를 측정함으로써, 유해성이 완전하게 확인되지 않은 용접흄에 노출되어 나타날 수 있는 암을 비롯한 심각한 건강영향을 예방하기 위한 각 지표들을 찾아 그 유용성을 비교하고자 하였다. 영장류를 노출시키기 위해 robotic arm을 장치한 영장류 흡입노출 시스템을 개발하였으며, 이 노출 시스템을 이용하여 수컷 영장류 6마리에 대해 용접흄 노출시험을 실시하였는데 실험군은 대조군 2, 저농도 ($31mg/m^3$) 노출군 2, 고농도 ($63mg/m^3$) 노출군 2마리로 구성하였고, 1일 2시간씩 일주일에 5일 동안 용접흄에 노출시켰다. 노출 농도는 지속적으로 모니터링 하였고, 노출과정 중에 영장류의 혈액을 채취하여 lymphocytes를 분리, 단세포 DNA 손상을 선별하기 위해 DNA 손상회복 효소인 E. coli formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase (Fpg)와 endonuclease Ⅲ (Thymine Glycol-DNA glycosylase) 투여와 Comet asaay (single cell gel electrophoresis, 단세포겔전기영동기법)를 결합시켜 이용하는 Fpg/Endo III FLARE 분석법을 사용하였다. Fpg enzyme에 의한 olive tail moment값의 변화는 16주 노출군부터 노출부검(34주)군 까지 노출농도가 높아짐에 따른 olive tail moment 기하평균 값의 양 반응관계를 보기는 어렵지만, 고농도군의 경우 27주 노출군에서 가장 높은 olive tail moment 값을 보이고 이후 차츰 감소하였다. 한편 16주에서 22주까지의 노출기간에서는 대조군에 비해 노출군에서 DNA손상정도(olive tail moment값)는 모두 유의하게 높았으나, 6, 12, 18, 25, 31, 33, 35주간 노출하였을 때는 다른 결과를 보였다. 각 실험군의 Fpg enzyme에 의한 tail length값의 분포를 살펴볼 때, 저농도군 및 고농도군에서 27주간 노출하였을 때 가장 높은 tail length 값을 보이고 이후 차츰 감소하는 경향을 보였다. 또한 16, 22주간 노출하였을 때 대조군에 비해 노출군에서 tail length 값이 유의하게 높았으나, 20주간에서만 양 반응관계가 관찰되었고, 다른 주간에서는 양 반응 및 기간 반응관계를 나타내지는 않았다. Endo III enzyme에 의한 olive tail moment값의 변화는 기간별 노출군에서 대조군에 비해 높은 DNA손상정도(olive tail moment값)를 나타내는 결과들이 있었지만, 10, 12, 16, 22, 25, 31주간 노출하였을 때 등 상당수 노출기간에서 반응관계를 나타내지는 않았다. 각 실험군의 Endo III enzyme에 의한 tail length값의 분포를 살펴볼 때, 18, 20, 27, 33주간 노출하였을 때 대조군에 비해 노출군에서 tail length 값이 조금 높았지만, 양 반응 및 기간 반응관계를 보이지 않았고 수치의 크기가 불규칙하게 변화하였다. 즉, DNA에 있어 산화된 pyrimidine을 형성하여 손상된 부위의 염기를 제거함으로써 AP site (abasic site)를 만들고 이들이 Comet assay를 통해 break로 전환된 것을 포함한 DNA손상을 측정하기 위하여 endonuclease III (Endo III)를 첨가시킨 Endo III FLARE 분석법을 실시한 결과, 본 연구에서 나타난 결과는 용접흄 노출 영장류에서 Olive tail moment 및 tail length 공히 노출량 및 노출기간 반응관계를 볼 수 없었다. Endo III FLARE 분석법을 통한 산화적 DNA 손상지표는 영장류에 적용하기에는 적응반응현상으로 대조군과 유의한 차이도 관찰할 수 없었고 더욱이 역으로 대조군에서의 자연발생적 수치가 더 높아질 수 있어 용접흄 노출 영장류의 모니터링 지표로 사용하기에는 제한점이 있었다.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.537-544
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• 2019

Genome editing technology employing gene scissors has generated interest in molecular breeding in various fields, and the development of the third-generation gene scissors of the clustered, regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) system has accelerated the field of molecular breeding through genome editing. In this study, we analyzed the possibility of silkworm molecular breeding using gene scissors by genomic and phenotypic analysis after editing the biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles (BmBLOS) gene of Bakokjam using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Three types of guide RNAs (gRNA) were synthesized based on the BmBLOS gene sequence of Bakokjam. Complexes of the prepared gRNA and Cas9 protein were formed and introduced into Bombyx mori BM-N cells by electroporation. Analysis of the gene editing efficiency by T7 endonuclease I analysis revealed that the B4N gRNA showed the best efficiency. The silkworm genome was edited by microinjecting the Cas9/B4N gRNA complex into silkworm early embryos and raising the silkworms after hatching. The hatching rate was as low as 18%, but the incidence of mutation was over 40%. In addition, phenotypic changes were observed in about 70% of the G0 generation silkworms. Sequence analysis showed that the BmBLOS gene appeared to be a heterozygote carrying the wild-type and mutation in most individuals, and the genotype of the BmBLOS gene was also different in all individuals. These results suggest that although the possibility of silkworm molecular breeding using the CRISPR/Cas9 system would be very high, continued research on breeding and screening methods will be necessary to improve gene editing efficiency and to obtain homozygotes.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.312-320
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• 2000

Abstract The full sequence of the plasmid pKJ36, which was derived from Bifidobacterium longum KJ, was determined and analyzed to construct shuttle vectors between E. coli and Bifidobacterium. The plasmid pKJ36 was composed of 3,625 base pairs with a 65.1% G+C content. The structural organization of pKJ36 was highly similar to that of pKJ50, and the three major ORFs on pKJ36 showed high amino acid sequence homologies with those of pKJ50. The putative proteins coded by these three ORFs were designated as RepB (32.0 kDa, pI=9.25), MembB (29.0 kDa, pI=12.25), and MobB (39.0 kDa, pI=IO.66), respectively. The amino acid sequence of RepB showed a 57% identity and 70% similarity with that of the RepA protein of pKJ50. Upstream of the repB gene, the so-called iteron sequence was directly repeated four-and-ahalf times and a conserved dnaA box was identified. An amino acid sequence comparison between the MobB and MobA of pKJ50 revealed a 48% identity and 61 % similarity. A conserved oriT sequence with an inverted repeat identical to that of pKJ50 was also found upstream of the mobB gene. A hydropathy analysis of MembB revealed four possible transmembrane regions. The expressions of the repB and membB genes were confirmed by RT-PCR. The in vitro translation reaction of pKJ36 showed protein bands with anticipated sizes with respect to each putative gene product. S 1 endonuclease treatment and Southern hybridization suggested that pKJ36 replicates by a rolling circle mechanism via a single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) intermediate. A shuttle vector between E. coli and Bifidobacterium sp. was constructed using the pKJ36, pBR322, and staphylococcal chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) gene. The successful transformation of the Bifidobacterium strains was shown by Southern hybridization and PCR. The transformation efficiency differed from strain to strain and, depending on the electroporation conditions, with a range between $1.2{\times}10^1-2.6{\times}10^2{\;}cfu/\mu\textrm{g}$ DNA.X> DNA.