• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제17권9호
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• pp.1437-1444
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• 2007

A response surface model was developed for predicting the growth rates of Staphylococcus aureus in tryptic soy broth (TSB) medium as a function of combined effects of temperature, pH, and NaCl. The TSB containing six different concentrations of NaCl (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10%) was adjusted to an initial of six different pH levels (pH 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10) and incubated at 10, 20, 30, and $40^{\circ}C$. In all experimental variables, the primary growth curves were well ($r^2=0.9000$ to 0.9975) fitted to a Gompertz equation to obtain growth rates. The secondary response surface model for natural logarithm transformations of growth rates as a function of combined effects of temperature, pH, and NaCl was obtained by SAS's general linear analysis. The predicted growth rates of the S. aureus were generally decreased by basic (pH 9-10) or acidic (pH 5-6) conditions and higher NaCl concentrations. The response surface model was identified as an appropriate secondary model for growth rates on the basis of correlation coefficient (r=0.9703), determination coefficient ($r^2=0.9415$), mean square error (MSE=0.0185), bias factor ($B_f=1.0216$), and accuracy factor ($A_f=1.2583$). Therefore, the developed secondary model proved reliable for predictions of the combined effect of temperature, NaCl, and pH on growth rates for S. aureus in TSB medium.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제17권9호
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• pp.1460-1468
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• 2007

In this study, an approx. 2.5-kb gene fragment including the catalase gene from Rhodospirillum rubrum S1 was cloned and characterized. The determination of the complete nucleotide sequence revealed that the cloned DNA fragment was organized into three open reading frames, designated as ORF1, catalase, and ORF3 in that order. The catalase gene consisted of 1,455 nucleotides and 484 amino acids, including the initiation and stop codons, and was located 326 bp upstream in the opposite direction of ORF1. The catalase was overproduced in Escherichia coli UM255, a catalase-deficient mutant, and then purified for the biochemical characterization of the enzyme. The purified catalase had an estimated molecular mass of 189 kDa, consisting of four identical subunits of 61 kDa. The enzyme exhibited activity over a broad pH range from pH 5.0 to pH 11.0 and temperature range from $20^{\circ}C$ to $60^{\circ}C$C. The catalase activity was inhibited by 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, cyanide, azide, and hydroxylamine. The enzyme's $K_m$ value and $V_{max}$ of the catalase for $H_2O_2$ were 21.8 mM and 39,960 U/mg, respectively. Spectrophotometric analysis revealed that the ratio of $A_{406}$ to $A_{280}$ for the catalase was 0.97, indicating the presence of a ferric component. The absorption spectrum of catalase-4 exhibited a Soret band at 406 nm, which is typical of a heme-containing catalase. Treatment of the enzyme with dithionite did not alter the spectral shape and revealed no peroxidase activity. The combined results of the gene sequence and biochemical characterization proved that the catalase cloned from strain S1 in this study was a typical monofunctional catalase, which differed from the other types of catalases found in strain S1.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제20권11호
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• pp.1563-1570
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• 2010

To construct a highly sensitive detection system for endocrine disruptors (EDs), we have compared the activity of promoters with the n-alkane-inducible cytochrome P450 gene (ALK1), isocitrate lyase gene (ICL1), ribosomal protein S7 gene (RPS7), and the translation elongation factor-1${\alpha}$ gene (TEF1) for the heterologous gene in Yarrowia lipolytica. The promoters were introduced into the upstream of the lacZ or hERa reporter genes, respectively, and the activity was evaluated by ${\beta}$-galactosidase assay for lacZ and Western blot analysis for hER${\alpha}$. The expression analysis revealed that the ALK1 and ICL1 promoters were induced by n-decane and by EtOH, respectively. The constitutive promoter of RPS7 and TEF1 showed mostly a high level of expression in the presence of glucose and glycerol, respectively. In particular, the TEF1 promoter showed the highest ${\beta}$-galactosidase activity and a significant signal by Western blotting with the anti-estrogen receptor, compared with the other promoters. Moreover, the detection system was constructed with promoters linked to the upstream of the expression vector for the hER${\alpha}$ gene transformed into the Y. lipolytica with a chromosome-integrated lacZ reporter gene under the control of estrogen response elements (EREs). It was indicated that a combination of pTEF1p-hER${\alpha}$ and CXAU1-2XERE was the most effective system for the $E_2$-dependent induction of the ${\beta}$-galactosidase activity. This system showed the highest ${\beta}$-galactosidase activity at $10^{-6}\;M\;E_2$, and the activity could be detected at even the concentration of $10^{-10}\;M\;E_2$. As a result, we have constructed a strongly sensitive detection system with Y. lipolitica to evaluate recognized/suspected ED chemicals, such as natural/synthetic hormones, pesticides, and commercial chemicals. The results demonstrate the utility, sensitivity, and reproducibility of the system for identifying and characterizing environmental estrogens.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제41권3호
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• pp.350-357
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• 2013

지의류는 사막에서 북극지방까지 이르는 극한 환경에서도 생존 가능한 곰팡이, 조류 또는 시아노박테리아 등으로 구성된 공생체이다. 몇몇 지의류 공생체들은 항균, 항곰팡이, 항바이러스, 항암, 항산화 및 항염증 등과 같은 많은 생물학적 활성을 지닌 넓은 범위의 이차대사물질을 생산한다. 지의류와 공생 관계인 박테리아에 관하여는 아주 일부 알려져 있다. 최근 본 연구팀은 북극 지의류 Stereocaulon spp로부터 4종류의 미생물을 분리하였으며, DPPH와 ABTS 측정법을 이용하여 그들의 항산화능을 조사하였다. 또한 총 폴리페놀 함량과 총 플라보노이드 함량 분석 등도 측정되었다. 강력한 라디컬 소거능은 지의류 추출물을 이용하여 수행하였다. 본 연구에서 조사된 4종류 중, Bosea vestrisii 36546(T)의 에틸아세테이트 추출액은 DPPH 분석에서 86.8% 그리고 ABTS 분석에서 75.2%에 달하는 억제력과 함께 가장 강력한 자유 라디컬 소거능을 보여주었다. 따라서 이러한 결과들로부터 지의류 유래 박테리아 종들이 천연 항산화제로서 잠재적인 소재가 될 수 있다는 것을 제안한다.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.263-268
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• 1989

유전자의 재조합 균주의 생산성을 향상시키기 위한 발효시스템 개발을 목적으로 regulated promoter 인 SUC2 gene 갖는 유전자 재조합 S. cerebisiae를 모델로하여 유전자 산물인 Invertase 발현에 미치는 글루코오스 농도의 영향, 발효 중 플라스미드의 불안정성, 생육특성 및 continuous fed batch system을 연구하였다. 유전자 재조합 균주는 biphasic growth 현상을 보였으며 글루코오스 농도가 0.9g/$\ell$에서 2.2g/L로 증가함에 따라 비증식 속도는 0.224 h$^{-1}$에서 0.226 h$^{-1}$로 증가했으며 숙주효모보다 낮은 값을 나타내었다. 유전자 재조합 균주의 invertase 생산은 발효조내의 글루코오스 농도에 크게 영향을 받아 글루코오스 농도가 0.25~0.4g/L로 감소될 때 invertase 생산이 시작되었으며 회분발효중 플라스미드의 분리는 글루코오스 자화기간 동안에 빈번히 일어났으나 에탄을 자화기간에는 완만해지는 경향을 보였다. 또한 통기를 해주지 않고 배지의 용존산소만으로 배양시킨 결과 통기를 한 경우에 비하여 invertase의 비활성과 총활성이 각각 1.5 및 1.3 배 증가되었다. 균체의 증식단계와 유전자의 발현단계로 구분하여 발효시키기 위하여 영양분을 함유한 글루코오스 용액을 48m1/h(0.096g 글루코오스/48L의 유량으로 12시간 연속적으로 공급하여 fed batch 배양한 결과 invertase의 비활성과 총활성이 비통기적 회분배양 보다 각각 1.74, 2.74배 증가되었다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.390-394
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• 2004

The genetically modified glyphosate-tolerant soybean contains the following introduced DNA sequences: the EPSPS (5-enol-pyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase) gene from Agrobacterium sp. strain CP4, the 35S promoter from the cauliflower mosaic virus, and the NOS terminator from Agrobacterium tumefaciens. In the present study, detection of these introduced DNAs was performed by amplification using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A multiplex PCR method was also applied to prevent false positive results. When primers for 35S promoter, nos3', CTP(chloroplast transit peptide), and CP4 EPSPS (EPSPS from Agrobacterium sp. CP4) were used, positive results were obtained in PCR reactions using DNA from genetically modified glyphosate-tolerant soybeans. There were no false positive results when using DNA from non-genetically modified soybeans. The CP4 EPSPS gene was detected when less than 125 pg glyphosate-tolerant soybean DNA was amplified. Lectin Lel and psb A were amplified from both non-genetically modified and genetically modified glyphosate-tolerant soybean DNA. Multiplex PCR was performed using different primer sets for actin Sacl, 35S promoter and CP4 EPSPS. The actin gene was detectable in both non-genetically modified and glyphosate-tolerant soybeans as a constant endogenous gene. Target DNAs for the 35S promoter, and CP4 EPSPS were detected in samples containing 0.01-0.1% glyphosate-tolerant soybean, although there were variations depending on primers by multiplex PCR. Soybean seeds from five plants of non-genetically modified soybean were co-cultivated for six months with those of genetically modified soybean, and they were analyzed by PCR. As a result, they were not positive for 35S promoter, nos3' or CP4 EPSPS. Therefore, these results suggest there was no natural crossing of genes between glyphosate-tolerant and non-genetically modified soybean during co-cultivation, which indicates that gene transfer between these plants is unlikely to occur in nature.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제48권3호
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• pp.237-243
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• 2010

Comprehensive quarterly serosurveillance on scrub typhus in small mammals collected from military training sites located near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), northern Gyeonggi-do (Province), ROK was conducted to determine the potential rodent-borne and associated ectoparasite disease risks to military personnel. A total of 1,196 rodents and insectivores representing 8 species, Apodemus agrarius (87.3%, n = 1,044), Mus musculus (5.4%, n = 65), Crocidura lasiura (3.3%, n = 40), Microtus fortis (2.6%, n = 31), Micromys minutus (0.3%, n = 4), Tscherskia triton (0.3%, n = 4), Rattus norvegicus (0.3%, n = 4), and Myodes regulus (0.3%, n = 4) were assayed for the presence of antibodies to Orientia tsutsugamushi. O. tsutsugamushi antibodies were detected in 6 of 8 species and seroprevalence determined; A. agrarius (45.6%), M. musculus (23.1%), M. fortis (48.4%), M. minutus (50.0%), T. triton (50.0%), and R. norvegicus (25.0%). A total of 31,184 chigger mites collected from 508 rodents and insectivores were slide-mounted and 10 species belonging to 4 genera were identified. Leptotrombidium pallidum (53.4%) was the most frequently collected, followed by L. pal pale (15.7%), Neotrombicula tam/yai (14.3%), L. orientate (10.7%), L. zetum (3.1%), Walchia fragilis (2.1%), and L. gemiticutum (0.8%), while the remaining 3 species, L subintennedium, N. gardellai, and Euschoengastia koreaensis were rarely observed (prevalence < 10%). In contrast to previous surveys, higher chigger indices of the primary scrub typhus vectors, L. pallidum (165.4), L. orientale (45.0), and L. palpate (21.4), were observed during the spring season.

• 한국미생물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국미생물학회 2008년도 International Meeting of the Microbiological Society of Korea
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• pp.42-44
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• 2008

Bacterial biofilms are analogous to multi-cellular organisms or to clonal communities of higher organisms. In this respect, it can be demonstrated that biofilms display the type of genetic variation associated with macroorganisms. The formation of genetic variants from biofilms is the result of internally produced and regulated signals and the appearance of these variants coincides with dispersal from the biofilm. Moreover, the generation of such variation, has similar outcomes for the bacterial community, where diversification of phenotypic traits ensures that the bacterial community optimizes its chances of success when dispersing or surviving when challenged with environmental stress. These observations increase the complexity with which we view bacteria and also suggest that microbial systems can serve as models for the testing of eukaryotic ecological theories.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.136-141
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• 2005

고형 양식사료에 포함된 질소와 인의 미생물학적 제거 공정을 알아보기 위하여 벤치규모의 실험을 수행하였다. CK-10과 CK-13 균주가 새우양식장의 물시료로부터 분리되었다. CK-10과 CK-13의 혼합배양에서 N/P의 동시제거 실험을 실시하였다. 그 결과, $400\;{\mu}M\;NH^{+}_4$ 와 $NO^{-}_2$는 12시간 이내에 제거되었고, $NO^{-}_3$는 36시간 이내에 각각 제거되었으며, $500\;{\mu}M\;PO^{3-}_4$ 36시간 이내에 제거되었다. CK-10과 CK-13 배양을 새우양식사료에서 용출된 N와 P의 제거에 적용하였다. HPAEC-PAD 시스템을 이용하여 양식사료의 당을 분석하였으며, glucose, galactose, galatosamine, mammonse, fucose 등의 여러 가지 당이 분석되었다. 세균에 의한 질소와 인 제거를 수행하기 위하여 인공 해수에서 $0.2\%$(w/v)의 양식사료를 용출시켰으며, 72 시간동안 용출된 질소의 양은 대략 $33.3\;{\mu}M\;NH^{+}_4,\;12.9\;{\mu}M\;NO^{-}_2.\;81.5\;{\mu}M\;NO^{-}_3,\;248\;{\mu}M\;PO^{-3}_4$였다. 혼합배양은 $0.2\%$ 사료에 포함된 질소와 인을 84시간 이내에 완전히 제거하였으나, 단일배양은 주어진 배양기간동안 질소와 인을 완전제거 하지 못하였다. 이 연구에서 CK-10과 CK-13 배양은 새우양식사료에서 유래하는 질소와 인을 효과적으로 제거하는 것이 입증되었다.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.301-310
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• 2006

Two pathways of ammonium assimilation and glutamate biosynthesis have been identified in microorganisms. One pathway involves the NADP-linked glutamate dehydrogenase, which catalyzes the amination of 2-oxoglutarate to form glutamate. An alternative pathway involves the combined activities of glutamine synthetase, which aminates glutamate to form glutamine, and glutamate synthase, which transfers the amide group of glutamine to 2-oxoglutarate to yield two molecules of glutamate. We have cloned the large subunit of the glutamate synthase (GOGAT) from Salmonella typhimurium by screening the expression of GOGAT and complementing the gene in E. coli GOGAT large subunit-deficient mutants. Three positive clones (named pUC19C12, pUC19C13 and pUC19C15) contained identical Sau3AI fragments, as determined by restriction mapping and Southern hybridization, and expressed GOGAT efficiently and constitutively using its own promoter in the heterologous host. The coding region expressed in Escherichia coli was about 170 kDa on SDS-PAGE. This gene spans 4,732 bases, contains an open reading frame of 4,458 nucleotides, and encodes a mature protein of 1,486 amino acid residues (Mr =166,208). The EMN-binding domain of GOGAT contains 12 glycine residues, and the 3Fe-4S cluster has 3 cysteine residues. The comparison of the translated amino acid sequence of the Salmonella GOGAT with sequences from other bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Shigella flexneri, Yersinia pestis, Vibrio vulnificus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa shows sequence identity between 87 and 95%.