• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.714-720
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• 2000

Antigens of Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) strain F were immunoblotted to identify the most immunodominant one, and the localization of this antigen was then studied using immunoelectron microscopy. The 67.8 kDa antigen appeared to be the most immunodominant one in a mouse model, and it showed randomly scattered and partially clustered distribution on the surface of the virion. The localization study was performed using immunogold with polyclonal anti-HSV-1 sera produced from BALB/c mice, and immunofluorescence demonstrated that the viral products in the HSV-2 infected Vero cells were distributed throughout the infected host cell, however, mainly on the surface of the host membrane.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.110-117
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• 1995

This study was carried out to immunologically characterize Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t) antigens. Protein patterns of ultrasonicated- antigens of B. thuringiensis subspecies using SDS- PAGE revealed marked similarities among all the strains analyzed except for the difference between quantative variations of bands and some protein antigens. The comparison of the protein patterns showed that the protein antigen of 45 kilodalton (kd) was common in 11 strains and that the difference between B. thuringiensis subsp. canadensis and galleriae was noticed in quantative variations of bands despite of ambiguous serogrouping, suggesting a useful method for identification. All strains examined showed similar antigenic patterns in SDS-PAGE, while immunodominant bands differed in antigenic reactivity in western blot using polyclonal antibodies. Polyclonal antibody to B. thuringiensis subsp. thuringiensis and israelensis in indirect immunofluorescence assay reacted with flagella and cell surface antigens. The present study indicates that SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis may be used as tools for differentiation and identification of B. thuringiensis subspecies.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 1991

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) causes a deadly infectious disease, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (ADIS). As a first step to develop a reliable and fast diagnostic procedure for HIV-1 infection, we cloned various immunodominant epitopes of HIV-1 in bacterial expression vectors containing tac or trp promoter. While the protein level of direct expression of gp160 was low, trp E fused gp120, gp41 and p17-p24 were produced at high levels (15-30% of total bacterial proteins) in E. coli. Since gp120 and gp41 contain relatively conserved regions which can react with antibodies in the plasma from most of HIV-1 infected individuals, these expression clones were used for large preparations of HIV-1 antigens.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.174-181
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• 2017

Purpose: Epitope spreading is a phenomenon in which distinct subdominant epitopes become major targets of the immune response. Heat shock protein (HSP) 60 from Porphyromonas gingivalis (PgHSP60) and peptide 19 from PgHSP60 (Pep19) are immunodominant epitopes in autoimmune disease patients, including those with periodontitis. It remains unclear whether Pep19 is a dominant epitope in subjects without periodontitis or autoimmune disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the epitope spreading pattern and verify Pep19 as an immunodominant epitope in healthy teenagers using dot immunoblot analysis. The patterns of epitope spreading in age-matched patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (type 1 DM) and healthy 20- to 29-year old subjects were compared with those of healthy teenagers. Methods: Peptide from PgHSP60, Mycobacterium tuberculosis HSP60 (MtHSP60), and Chlamydia pneumoniae HSP60 (CpHSP60) was synthesized for comparative recognition by sera from healthy subjects and patients with autoimmune disease (type 1 DM). Dot immunoblot analysis against a panel of peptides of PgHSP60 and human HSP60 (HuHSP60) was performed to identify epitope spreading, and a densitometric image analysis was conducted. Results: Of the peptide from PgHSP60, MtHSP60, and CpHSP60, PgHSP60 was the predominant epitope and was most consistently recognized by the serum samples of healthy teenagers. Most sera from healthy subjects and patients with type 1 DM reacted more strongly with PgHSP60 and Pep19 than the other peptides. The relative intensity of antibody reactivity to Pep19 was higher in the type 1 DM group than in the healthy groups. Conclusions: Pep19 is an immunodominant epitope, not only in autoimmune disease patients, but also in healthy young subjects, as evidenced by their robust immunoreactivity. This result suggests that the Pep19-specific immune response may be an initiator that triggers autoimmune diseases.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.87-94
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• 1995

Western immunoblot analysis of antigen of T sergenti merozoite revealed that the immunodominant proteins of this organism were characterized as the 18KD, 29KD, 34KD, 45KD and 105KD in Korea. The 34KD and 45KD among those immunodominant proteins of the parasite were isolated and their amino acid sequences from the $NH_2$-terminus were determined and synthesized. They respective polypeptides were cationized to enhance their antigenicity, fortified with Freund's adjuvant and tested for immunogenicity in rabbits and cattle. The results obtained were as follows; 1. Theileria sergenti merozoite antigen was shown in 120KD, 100KD, 66KD, 45KD, 34KD and 30KD in western immunoblot using serum of rabbits immunized with 34KD synthetic polypeptide and 70KD, 58KD, 55KD and 45KD using bovine serum. In western immunoblot, 45KD, 34KD and 30KD were recognized by immunized rabbits, and 50KD and 45KD by cattle sera immunized with 45KD synthetic polypeptide, respectively. 2. The ELISA utilizing the synthetic polypeptides demonstrated significant antibody response to the respective peptides. After the 2nd booster injection, an OD of 0.760(preimmunization 0.132) in rabbits and an OD of 0.645(preimmunization 0.488) to 34KD synthetic polypeptide in cattle were observed. In animals immunized with 45KD synthetic polypeptide, after the 2nd booster injection, an OD of 0.640(preimmunization 0.144) in rabbit, and an OD of 0.776 (preimmunization 0.477) in cattle were measured. 3. After the 2nd booster the reciprocal IFA titer was 1:64 in rabbits and 1:512 in cattle immunized with the 34KD synthetic polypeptide. The IFA titre was observed as 1:512 in rabbit and 1:1,024 in cattle in immunized with the 45KD synthetic polypeptide.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Life Science Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.117-117
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• 2003

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.111-116
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• 1994

Immunoblot analysis utilizing bovine sera from naturally or experimentally infected with Theileria sergenti were used to determine the immunodominant polypeptides of T sergenti (Korean isolated. The previously recognized major bands, 18 kDa,29 kDa, 34 kDa and 45 kDa, were excised after electrophoresis and transfer to PnF membrane. The individual bands were sequenced. The 34 kDa polypeptide which was the most antigenic and immunogenic peptide was observed in the Western blot. However, Chou-Fasman prediction sites (antigenic site) for antigen determinants of the 45 kDa, 34 kDa, 29 kDa and 18 kDa polypeptide were 6, 4, 2 and 0, respectively. However, the 45 kDa polypetide showed no reaction with anti- T sergenti hyperimmune serum.

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
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• 1998.10b
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• pp.364.1-364
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• 1998

No Abstract, See Full Text

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Life Science Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.88-88
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• 2003

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.1047-1054
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• 2013

Witches' broom of lime is a disease caused by Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia, which represents the most significant global threat to the production of lime trees (Citrus aurantifolia). Conventional disease management strategies have shown little success, and new approaches based on genetic engineering need to be considered. The expression of recombinant antibodies and fragments thereof in plant cells is a powerful approach that can be used to suppress plant pathogens. We have developed a single-chain variable fragment antibody (scFvIMP6) against the immunodominant membrane protein (IMP) of witches' broom phytoplasma and expressed it in different plant cell compartments. We isolated scFvIMP6 from a naïve scFv phage display library and expressed it in bacteria to demonstrate its binding activity against both recombinant IMP and intact phytoplasma cells. The expression of scFvIMP6 in plants was evaluated by transferring the scFvIMP6 cDNA to plant expression vectors featuring constitutive or phloem specific promoters in cassettes with or without secretion signals, therefore causing the protein to accumulate either in the cytosol or apoplast. All constructs were transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana by agroinfiltration, and antibodies of the anticipated size were detected by immunoblotting. Plant-derived scFvIMP6 was purified by affinity chromatography, and specific binding to recombinant IMP was demonstrated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Our results indicate that scFvIMP6 binds with high activity and can be used for the detection of Ca. Phytoplasma aurantifolia and is also a suitable candidate for stable expression in lime trees to suppress witches' broom of lime.