• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.122-128
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• 2009

Cancer serum biomarkers have advanced our ability to more accurately predict tumor classification, prognostic/metastatic potential, and response potential to novel chemotherapies. Serum amyloid A (SAA) and Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have potential utility as a serum biomarker for lung cancer. Quantum dots, nanometer-sized crystals, have a high quantum yield, sensitivity, and pronounced photostability. The properties of quantum dots can be efficiently applied to the detection of serum biomarkers in immunoassays as fluorescent probe. We used quantum dots as fluorescent probes in immunoassays and attempted to detect serum amyloid A and vascular endothelial growth factor as serum biomarkers of lung cancer. This fluorescence immunoassay based on the properties of quantum dots is applicable to the detection of serum biomarkers for lung cancer. The fluorescence immunoassay with quantum dots should allow the efficient and specific detection of serum amyloid A (SAA) for the possible diagnosis of lung cancer.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.201-205
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• 2022

Babesia microti is one of the most common causative agents of babesiosis. A sensitive and rapid detection is necessary for screening potentially infected individuals. In this study, B. microti cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) was selected as the target gene, multiple primers were designed, and optimized by a recombinase-aided amplification (RAA) assay. The optimal primers and probe were labeled with fluorescein. The sensitivity of fluorescent RAA (fRAA) was evaluated using gradient diluents of the cox1 recombinant plasmid and genomic DNA extracted from whole blood of B. microti infected mice. The specificity of fRAA was assessed by other transfusion transmitted parasites. The analytical sensitivity of the fRAA assay was 10 copies of recombinant plasmid per reaction and 10 fg/µl B. microti genomic DNA. No cross-reaction with any other blood-transmitted parasites was observed. Our results demonstrated that the fRAA assay would be rapid, sensitive, and specific for the detection of B. microti.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 1997

We determined the microviscosity of synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicles (SPMV) isolated from bovine cerebral cortex and liposomes of total lipids (SPMTL) and phospholipids (SPMPL) extracted from SPMV. Changes in the microviscosity induced by the range and rate of lateral diffusion were measured by the intramolecular excimerization of 1, 3-di(1-pyrenyl)propane (Py-3-Py). The microviscosity values of the direct probe environment in SPMV, SPMTL and SPMPL were 38.17, 31.11 and 27.64 cP, respectively, at$37^{\circ}C$and the activation energies $(E_a)$ of the excimer formation of Py-3-Py in SPMV, SPMTL and SPMPL were 8.236, 7.448 amd 7.025 kcal/mol, respectively. Probe location was measured by polarity and polarizability parameters of the probe Py-3-Py and probe analogues, pyrene, 1-pyrenenonanol and 1-pyrenemethyl-3${\beta}$-hydroxy-22, 23-bisnor-5-cholenate (PMC), incorporated into membranes or solubilized in reference solvents. There existed a good linear relationship between the first absorption peak of the $^1_a$ band and the polarizability parameter $(n^{2}-1)/(2n^{2}+1)$.The calculated refractive index values for SPMV, SPMTL and SPMPL were close to 1.50, which is higher than that of liquid paraffin (n=l.475). The probe location was also determined by using a polarity parameter $(f-1/2f^{I})$. Here f=$({\varepsilon}-1)/(2{\varepsilon}+1)$ is the dielectric constant function and $f^I=(n^2-1)/(2n^2+1)$ is the refractive index function. A correlation existed between the monomer fluorescence intensity ratio and the solvent polarity parameter. The probes incorporated in SPMV, SPMTL, and SPMPL report a polarity value close to that of 1-hexanol $({\varepsilon}=13.29)$. In conclusion, Py-3-Py is located completely inside the membrane, not in the very hydrophobic core, but displaced toward the polar head groups of phospholipid molecules, e.g., central methylene region of aliphatic chains of phospholipid molecules.

• BMB Reports
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.221-227
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• 2000

The distribution of barbiturates in the model membranes of total lipids (SPMVTL) and total phospholipids (SPMVPL) extracted from synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicles was determined by employing a fluorescent probe technique. The two fluorescent probes 2-(9-anthroyl)stearic acid and 12-(9-anthroyl)stearic acid were utilized as probes for the surface and the hydrocarbon interior of the outer monolayer of the SPMVTL and SPMVPL, respectively. The Stern-Volmer equation of fluorescent quenching was modified to calculate the relative distribution. The analysis of preferential quenching of these probes by barbiturates indicates that pentobarbital, hexobarbital, amobarbital and phenobarbital are predominantly distributed on the surface area, while thiopental sodium has an accessibility to the hydrocarbon interior of the outer monolayer of the SPMVTL and SPMVPL. From these results, it is strongly suggested that the more effective penetration into the hydrocarbon interior of the outer monolayer of the membrane lipid bilayer could result in a higher general anesthetic activity.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.3-5
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• 1999

이식 전 수정란의 성판정은 많은 축산인의 소망이었다. 많은 방법이 제기되었지만, 세포유전학적 분석방법은 ET의 상용화에 거의 무의미할 정도로 한계가 많았고, 이후 개발된 응성 특이적 항원이나 X-염색체에서 발현되는 효소의 활동을 통한 성판정 방법은 흥미롭기는 하나 산업적 적용에 제약이 많았다. 80년대 중반 Y-염색체 특이적인 DNA 탐침자의 개발과 PCR을 통한 DNA증폭기술의 개발은 수정란 성판정을 획기적으로 개선시켰다. DNA기술을 통한 수정란의 성판정은 분자생물학을 현장으로 진출시킨 첫 경우이기도 했다. 90년대에 세포유전학적 분석에서 FISH가 소개되었으며, 염색체 특이적 library는 다른 기초적이고 응용세포유전학적 연구에 유용한 도구가 되었다. 최근에는 사람에서는 착상전 수정란의 성판별 및 유전진단을 위해 실시되고 있는 형광직접접합법(fluorescent in situ hybridization, FISH)은 효소적 유전자 증폭(polymerase chain reaction; PCR)에 비해 높은 민감도와 정확성을 보이고 있으나 hybridization 및 washing 과정에 매우 긴 시간이 소요되고, 절차도 까다로워 현장에서의 적용이 용이치 않았다. 그러나 direct labelled probe의 이용, heat programmable instrument의 개발, denaturing chemical의 사용배제 등을 통해 소요시간 및 절차의 대폭적인 간소화를 이루어 현장의 적용 가능성을 한층 높이고 있다. 현재 사람의 세포유전학 및 종양학에서는 FISH의 다양한 기술이 많이 이용하고 있으나 소에서는 탐침자(probe)가 개발되어 있지 않아 그 이용이 미미하다. 본 연구는 FISH를 이용하기 위한 탐침자의 개발을 궁극적인 목표로 삼았으며, 이를 위해 접근이 용이한 방식을 개발하여 기존의 방식과는 다른 소 배아세포의 성을 판별 할 수 있는 접근방법을 소개 하고자한다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1179-1183
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• 2011

In this study, the chromosome-encoded pcuRCAXB genes that are required for p-cresol degradation have been identified by using a newly constructed green fluorescent protein (GFP)-based promoter probe transposon in the long-chain alkylphenol degrader Pseudomonas alkylphenolia. The deduced amino acid sequences of the genes showed the highest identities at the levels of 65-93% compared with those in the databases. The transposon was identified to be inserted in the pcuA gene, with the promoterless gfp gene being under the control of the pcu catabolic gene promoter. The expression of GFP was positively induced by p-cresol and was about 10 times higher by cells grown on agar than those in liquid culture. In addition, p-hydroxybenzoic acid was detected during p-cresol degradation. These results indicate that P. alkylphenolia additionally possesses a protocatechuate ortho-cleavage route for p-cresol degradation that is dominantly expressed in colonies.

• Korean Journal Plant Pathology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.177-183
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• 1998

A DNA fragment which is involved in tolassin production was cloned to obtain a molecular marker of Pseudomonas tolaasii, a casual agent of bacterial brown blotch disease of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). Tolaasin is a lipodepsipeptide toxin and known as a primary disease determinant of the P. tolaasii. It is responsible for formation of white line in agar when P. tolaasii were cultured against white line reacting organisms (WLROs). White line negative mutants (WL-) were generated by conjugation between rifampicin resistant strain of P. tolaasii and E. coli carrying suicidal plasmid pSUP2021 : : Tn5. The ability of tolaasin production of the WL- mutants was examined by hemolysis test, pathogenicity test, and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of culture filtrate. All of the WL- mutants were lost the ability of tolaasin production (Tol-). Genomic library of the Tol- mutant was constructed in pLAFR3 and the cosmid clone containing Tn5 was selected. DNA fragment fro franking region of Tn5 was cloned from the plasmid and used as a probe in Southern blot. DNA-DNA hybridization with the probe to total DNA from group of bacteria ecologically similar to P. tolaasii including WLORs, fluorescent Pseudomonads isolated from oyster mushroom, P. agarici, P. gingeri, and some of other species of Psedomonas showed that some of the tested bacteria do not have any hybridized band and others have bands sowing RFLP. The cloned DNA fragment or its nucleotide sequence will be useful in detection and identification of the P. tolaasii.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 2016

It is increasingly apparent that nature evolved peroxiredoxins not only as $H_2O_2$ scavengers but also as highly sensitive $H_2O_2$ sensors and signal transducers. Here we ask whether the $H_2O_2$ sensing role of Prx can be exploited to develop probes that allow to monitor intracellular $H_2O_2$ levels with unprecedented sensitivity. Indeed, simple gel shift assays visualizing the oxidation of endogenous 2-Cys peroxiredoxins have already been used to detect subtle changes in intracellular $H_2O_2$ concentration. The challenge however is to create a genetically encoded probe that offers real-time measurements of $H_2O_2$ levels in intact cells via the Prx oxidation state. We discuss potential design strategies for Prx-based probes based on either the redoxsensitive fluorophore roGFP or the conformation-sensitive fluorophore cpYFP. Furthermore, we outline the structural and chemical complexities which need to be addressed when using Prx as a sensing moiety for $H_2O_2$ probes. We suggest experimental strategies to investigate the influence of these complexities on probe behavior. In doing so, we hope to stimulate the development of Prx-based probes which may spearhead the further study of cellular $H_2O_2$ homeostasis and Prx signaling.

• Nano
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.1850116.1-1850116.14
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• 2018

In this study, we report the mercury ions ($Hg^{2+}$) mediated phosphorus-containing carbon dots (PCDs) as a selective "off-on" fluorescence probe for glutathione (GSH), cysteine (Cys) and homocysteine (Hcys). PCDs obtained by hydrothermal reaction are sensitive to $Hg^{2+}$ ions and its fluorescence can be significantly quenched owing to the electron transfer from the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of PCDs to $Hg^{2+}$. Interestingly, the weak fluorescence of $Hg^{2+}$-mediated PCDs could be gradually recovered with the addition of GSH, Cys and Hcys. This can be attributed to the formation of $Hg^{2+}-S$ complex due to the super affinity of $Hg^{2+}$-sulfydryl bond. The formation of $Hg^{2+}-S$ complex extremely reduces the oxidation ability of $Hg^{2+}$ that inhibits the electron transfer from LUMO of PCDs to $Hg^{2+}$ and re-opens the native electron transition from LUMO to the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of PCDs. Thus, the green fluorescence of PCDs is switched on. Furthermore, the present $Hg^{2+}$-mediated PCDs assay exhibits a high selectivity for GSH, Cys and Hcy and has been successfully used to detect the total biothiols content in human urine samples.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.328-338
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• 1998

Porphyromonas endodontalis, an anaerobic Gram negative cocobacillus which was known to be associated with the infected root canals and periapical lesions, is very difficult to culture and to detect by the traditional method in that it requires much time to induce the specific black pigmentation, and it is very sensitive to oxygen and the antibiotics added in the culture medium. In this study, the nucleotide sequences of the 'probe h' (0.73kb), one of the specific DNA probes top. endodontalis (ATCC 35406) which had been developed by our department, was determined and then a pair of primers for PCR amplification was fabricated to identify P. endodontalis. The plasmids containing 'probe h' were purified by $Wizard^{TM}$ Midipreps DNA Purification System (Promega Corp.), and the nucleotide sequences of the 'probe h' were determined by the dideoxy chain termination method using TaqTrack Sequencing System (Promega Corp.) and detected by fluorescent labelling method. The sense/antisense PCR primers were designed with computer software (Lasergene, DNASTAR Ind. PCR was done with a programmable GeneAmp PCR System 2400 (Perkin Elmer-Cetus Co.). Each sample containing the whole genomic DNA of P. endodontalis and other black-pigmented Bacteroides was itailly denatured at $94^{\circ}C$ for 5 min and then subjected to 30 cycles, each of them consisting of 60s at $94^{\circ}C$, 60s at $60^{\circ}C$, and 90s. at $72^{\circ}C$. The amplified DNA was resolved electrophoretically in a 1.0 % agarose gel in 1X TAE buffer, stained with EtBr, and photographed on a UV transilluminator. The results were as follows : 1. The nucleotide sequences of 'probe h' (743 base pairs) were obtained by dideoxy chain termination method, and from that results the specific primers to P. endodontalis (ATCC 35406), 'Primer H1/ Primer H2', were designed. 2. It has been found that 'Primer H1/H2' could detect P. endodontalis (ATCC 35406) using PCR. 3. The PCR system with this primers may be a powerful technique to amplify the specific sequences of 'probe h' of P. endodontalis (ATCC 35406) that produce distinct identification of it from other black-pigmented Bacteroides, and this could help us to determine the nature of periapical disease.