• KSBB Journal
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• 제24권5호
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• pp.432-438
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• 2009

본 연구는 환경샘플 중 병원균을 진단하기 위한 목적을 가진다. 최소 챔버 칩에서 환경 샘플 중 병원균을 농축하고 mRNA를 증폭하여 효과적이고 간단한 진단방법을 고안하였다. PDMS로 면적 $1.5\;cm{\times}\;1.5\;cm$, 높이 $100\;{\mu}L$의 칩을 제작하여 유리에 부착시켰다. RNase에 의한 진단 오류 또는 실패를 막고자 RNase away 처리를 하고, RNA와 PDMS의 결합을 막기 위해 BSA 처리를 하였다. 수질에 있는 병원균은 매우 적은 농도로 존재하므로 농축의 과정이 필요하다. 농축의 방법에는 여러 가지가 있으나 본 연구에서는 유리 비드를 칩 내에 삽입하고 저농도의 시료를 주입함으로서 고농도로 농축을 하는 방법을 사용하였다. 그러나 부피가 작은 칩 내에서 수행하기에는 내부 압력이 작용하여 문제가 발생하여 $100\;{\mu}m$의 유리 비드를 사용하고 유리비드의 칩 내부 이탈을 방지하기 위하여 댐을 만들어 농축에 가장 적합한 칩의 형태를 잡았다. 시료의 주입속도에 따라 내부 압력이 상승하여 댐의 기능이 상실하여 유리 비드가 이탈하게 되므로 그것을 방지하기 위하여 칩 내에 댐을 강화하여 만들고 내부압력 증가가 방지되는 최적의 댐을 개발하여 시료의 주입 속도 5 mL/min까지 유리 비드의 이탈을 막았다. 유리 비드에서의 RNA 농축은 pH 5에서 효과적이고 pH가 증가할수록 유리 비드와 RNA의 결합이 끊어지는 현상을 보였으므로 시료에 pH 5의 버퍼를 첨가하여 농축을 진행하고 중성의 NASBA 용액을 주입하여 유리비드에서 탈착된 농축된 고농도의 RNA를 증폭하였다. NASBA는 항온 수조에서 온도에 변화 없이 $41^{\circ}C$에서 1시간 30분 동안 진행하며 증폭된 mRNA는 직접 확인하였다. 이 방법은 LOC 기술을 적용하여 저농도의 시료를 효과적으로 측정할 수 있도록 편리한 바이오 칩을 개발함으로써 대용량의 샘플 중 극 저농도의 대장균을 효과적으로 검출할 수 있는 장점을 가지고 있다.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제20권12호
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• pp.117-124
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• 2019

비브리오 콜레라는 수산물과 선박평형수 내에서 모니터링되고 있는 중요 병원성 박테리아이다. 이를 검출하기 위한 여러 방법들이 개발되어 왔으나, 시간 소모가 크고 민감도에서 한계가 있었다. 본 연구는 비브리오 콜레라를 보다 정확하게 검출하기 위한 방법을 개발하는 목적으로 수행하였다. PNA 기반 비대칭 real-time PCR 기술에 적용하기 위하여 펩티드 핵산(Peptide nucleic acid, PNA) 프로브를 개발하였다. 독성 유전자인 Cholera enterotoxin subunit B (ctxB)를 비브리오 콜레라 검출을 위한 타겟 유전자로 선정하고, conventional PCR과 real-time PCR을 위한 positive template를 합성하였다. Real-time PCR 프라이머와 PNA 프로브를 디자인하여, 정량 분석을 위한 표준곡선 실험을 수행하였다. 선택된 PNA 프로브는 비브리오 콜레라에 특이적으로 반응하였으며, 검출한계는 0.1 cfu/100 mL이었다. 종합해 보면, 본 연구에서 개발된 PNA 프로브와 비대칭 real-time PCR 방법은 수산물과 선박평형수 뿐만 아니라 해양환경에 있는 비브리오 콜레라를 신속하고 정확하게 모니터링할 수 있는 기술로 판단된다.

• 미생물학회지
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.293-298
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• 2008

HCV는 HIV등과 함께 수혈이나 혈장된 획물질을 통하여 감염되는 주요 바이러스이다. 주로 혈액이나 혈장에서 HCV에 대한 항체를 검출함으로서 HCV의 감염을 방지하고 있다. 그러나 바이러스에 감염되었으나 항체가 생성되기 이전이나 항체의 양이 적은 경우에는 HCV의 검출이 어렵다. 따라서 핵산중폭시험(nucleic acid amplification tests, NAT)을 이용한 HCV 유전자를 검출하려는 시도들이 진행되고 있다. 이 연구의 목적은 혈장분획물질에서 HCV RNA를 검출할 수 있는 핵산증폭시험 방법을 개발하는 것이다. 5종류의 PCR primer를선별하여 실험에 이용하였다. 혈장분획물질의 HCV RNA 추출에는 컬럼 방법을 이용하는 것이 유용한 것으로나타났다. 핵산중폭시험의 결합 온도는 $48^{\circ}C$가 가장 적절한 것으로 나타났다. 또한 2차 PCR의 경우, 1차 PCR 산물 $1{\mu}l$와 30 pmol의 primer즐 사용하였을 때 높은 민감도와 특이성을 보이는 것을 알 수 있었다. 혈장 분획물질에 HCV를 주입하여 혈장중폭시험을 수행한 결과, 100 IU/ml까지 검출 할 수 있었다. 한편 근육주사용항체(IMIG)의 경우 핵산중폭시험을 통한 검출한계는 100IU/ml로 COBAS amplicor HCV2.0의 500 IU/ml 이상의 검출한계보다 민감도가 더 높은 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 결과들로 보아 본 실험에 이용된 핵산증폭시험이 혈장분획물질에서 HCV RNA를 검출하는데 유용한 방법으로 사용될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• 한국버섯학회지
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• 제12권3호
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• pp.193-200
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• 2014

일반성분 중 조회분 함량은 버섯이 균사체 보다 높은 조회분 함량을 보였다. 조단백질은 모든 시험구에서 19% 내외로 나타났고, 조지방 함량은 동충하초 균사체에서 가장 높았으며, 조섬유는 팽이버섯에서 가장 높게 나타났다. 가용성물질소물은 팽이버섯균사체와 동충하초균사체에서 60% 이상의 함량을 나타내었다. 각 시료별 총단백질과 총당의 구성 비율은 팽이버섯과 팽이버섯 균사체의 단백다당류의 구성이 다름을 확인하였다. 시료별 핵산관련물질 함량은 팽이버섯에서 5'-GMP, 5'-XMP, 5'-IMP순으로 높게 나타났고, 팽이버섯 균사체는 5'-XMP, 5'-GMP, 5'-IMP, 동충하초 균사체는 5'-XMP, 5'-IMP, 5'-GMP순으로 높게 나타났다. 모든시료에서 각각 17종의 아미노산이 검출되었다. 각 시료의 총 아미노산 함량을 살펴보면 팽이버섯 18,980 mg%, 팽이버섯 균사체 17,604 mg%, 동충하초 균사체 18,429 mg%로 나타났고 모든 시료에서 glutamic acid 함량이 가장 높았다. 유리아미노산 함량도 구성아미노산과 유사하게 팽이버섯, 팽이버섯 균사체, 동충하초 균사체 순으로 높게 나타났다. 본 실험결과 팽이버섯, 팽이버섯 균사체 및 동충하초 균사체는 핵산관련 물질과 아미노산 함량이 높게 나타나, 아미노산 함유 식품 개발에 적합한 자원으로 활용도가 기대된다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.249-255
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• 2016

Exogenous nucleic acids induce an innate immune response in mammalian host cells through activation of the retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I). We evaluated RIG-I protein for RNA binding and ATPase stimulation with RNA ligands to investigate the correlation with the extent of immune response through RIG-I activation in cells. RIG-I protein favored blunt-ended, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) ligands over sticky-ended dsRNA. Moreover, the presence of the 5'-triphosphate (5'-ppp) moiety in dsRNA further enhanced binding affinity to RIG-I. Two structural motifs in RNA, blunt ends in dsRNA and 5'-ppp, stimulated the ATP hydrolysis activity of RIG-I. These structural motifs also strongly induced IFN expression as an innate immune response in cells. Therefore, we suggest that IFN induction through RIG-I activation is mainly determined by structural motifs in dsRNA that increase its affinity for RIG-I protein and stimulate ATPase activity in RIG-I.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.163-168
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• 1972

Previously identified female pupae were X-irradiated with a dose of 1000r one day prior to moth transformation. Female mothes from irradiated and non-irradiated pupae were copulated with normal male ones and allowed to lay eggs. Fertilized eggs were collected at 6 intervals such as 5, 15, 45, 90 minutes, 12 and 40 hours after laying, and deep-freezed immediately after each collection until measurements. RNase activity and nucleic acid content were determined with each sample and following results were obtained. 1) It was proved to exist two RNases in silk worm eggs as in mammalian tissues, one active maximally at pH 5.8 and the other at pH 8.0, and the acid RNase activity was much higher than that of alkaline RNase. 2) The activity of acid and alkaline RNases increased remarkably during early development of the embryo of silk worm eggs, reaching the maximum activity at 45 minutes from laying time in non-irradiated group. There was no appreciable difference in two RNase activities for 45 minutes after laying in both control and irradiated groups, but the activity of acid and alkaline RNases in latter group was three times as much as that in former group, at 90 minutes from laying time and it was also found the acid RNase activity was 1.8 times higher than alkaline one in irradiated group. 3) The RNA-P content of control group increased considerably for initial 45 minutes, followed by a decline 45 minutes later with sight but steady increase thereafter. The RNA-P content of irradiated group, however, increased at initial 5 minutes, followed by a marked fall 90 minutes after laying, with no change thereafter. The DNA-P of control group showed a sharp increase for initial 45 minutes, followed by a decline 45 minutes later with no appreciable change thereafter, whereas that of irradiated group showed an increase at initial 15 minutes, followed by a sharp decline for following 45 minutes with a gradual increase thereafter. It was thus proved that the synthesis of nucleic acid in silk worm eggs was much suppressed by X-irradiation during early development of embryo. 4) The RNase activity varied in parallel with the RNA-P content in control group, but the RNA-P content in irradiated group was shown to be minimum value in concidence with the maximum activity of both RNases.

• BMB Reports
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• 제53권9호
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• pp.453-457
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• 2020

The right-handed double-helical structure of DNA (B-DNA), which follows the Watson-Crick model, is the canonical form of DNA existing in normal physiological settings. Even though an alternative left-handed structure of DNA (Z-DNA) was discovered in the late 1970s, Z-form nucleic acid has not received much attention from biologists, because it is extremely unstable under physiological conditions, has an ill-defined mechanism of its formation, and has obscure biological functions. The debate about the physiological relevance of Z-DNA was settled only after a class of proteins was found to potentially recognize the Z-form architecture of DNA. Interestingly, these Z-DNA binding proteins can bind not only the left-handed form of DNA but also the equivalent structure of RNA (Z-RNA). The Z-DNA/RNA binding proteins present from viruses to humans function as important regulators of biological processes. In particular, the proteins ADAR1 and ZBP1 are currently being extensively re-evaluated in the field to understand potential roles of the noncanonical Z-conformation of nucleic acids in host immune responses and human disease. Despite a growing body of evidence supporting the biological importance of Z-DNA/RNA, there remain many unanswered principal questions, such as when Z-form nucleic acids arise and how they signal to downstream pathways. Understanding Z-DNA/RNA and the sensors in different pathophysiological conditions will widen our view on the regulation of immune responses and open a new door of opportunity to develop novel types of immunomodulatory therapeutic possibilities.

• Macromolecular Research
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.359-366
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• 2004

The polysaccharide, (1\longrightarrow5)-$\alpha$-D-ribofuranan, was synthesized by a cationic ring-opening polymerization of 1,4-anhydro-2,3-di-O-benzyl-$\alpha$-D-ribopyranose with the aid of boron trifluoride etherate and subsequent debenzylation. This polysaccharide catalyzed the hydrolysis of ethyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate, uridylyl(3'\longrightarrow5')uridine ammonium salt, and 4-tert-butylcatechol cyclic phosphate N-methyl pyridinium. The polymer also catalyzed the cleavage of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). The hydrolysis of ethyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate in the presence of the polymer was accelerated by 1.5 ${\times}$ 10$^3$ times relative to the uncatalyzed reaction. The catalytic activity was attributable to the vic-cis-diols of the riboses being located inside the active center that is formed by polymer chain folding; these diols form hydrogen bonds with two phosphoryl oxygen atoms of the phosphates so as to activate the phosphorus atoms to be attacked by nucleophile ($H_2O$).

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권5호
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• pp.1919-1924
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• 2015

Polymorphisms in the region of the interleukin IL-28 gene on chromosome 19 have been related with clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV), a major human pathogen responsible for chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. About 3% of the world's population is infected with HCV. The long-term response to therapy is influenced by many host and viral factors, and recent evidence has indicated that some host genetic polymorphisms related to IL-28 are the most powerful predictors of virological response in patients with HCV. This study assessed frequency of the IL-28 polymorphism (rs8099917) in 50 patients (39 men and 11 women) with chronic hepatitis C using ZNA probe real time PCR new method. All patients were tested for genotype of HCV and the HCV viral load. In parallel, the levels of SGOT, SGPT and ALK enzymes were assessed. Treatment using Peg-interferon alpha with ribavirin was conducted for patients and subsequently samples were collected to detect any change in viral load or liver enzyme rates. The overall frequency of the TT allele is 74%, TG allele 20% and GG allele 6% and the percent of patients who had T allele was 84%. Clear reduction in viral load and liver enzymes was reported in patients with the T allele. Especially for genotype 1 which is relatively resistant to treatment, these alleles may have a role in this decline. In conclusion, we showed that IL-28 polymorphism rs8099917 strongly predicts virological response in HCV infection and that real-time PCR with Zip nucleic acid probes is a sensitive, specific and rapid detection method for detection of SNPs which will be essential for monitoring patients undergoing antiviral therapy.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.735-742
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• 2013

Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) that bind to complementary nucleic acid sequences with extraordinarily high affinity and sequence specificity can be used as antisense oligonucleotides against microRNAs, namely antagomir PNAs. However, methods for efficient cellular delivery must be developed for effective use of PNAs as therapeutic agents. Here, we demonstrate that antagomir PNAs can be delivered to hepatic cells by complementary DNA oligonucleotide and cationic liposomes containing galactosylated ceramide and a novel cationic lipid, DMKE (O,O'-dimyristyl-N-lysyl glutamate), through glycoprotein-mediated endocytosis. An antagomir PNA was designed to target miR-122, which is required for translation of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome in hepatocytes, and was hybridized to a DNA oligonucleotide for complexation with cationic liposome. The PNA-DNA hybrid molecules were efficiently internalized into hepatic cells by complexing with the galactosylated cationic liposome in vitro. Galactosylation of liposome significantly enhanced both lipoplex cell binding and PNA delivery to the hepatic cells. After 4-h incubation with galactosylated lipoplexes, PNAs were efficiently delivered into hepatic cells and HCV genome translation was suppressed more than 70% through sequestration of miR-122 in cytoplasm. PNAs were readily released from the PNA-DNA hybrid in the low pH environment of the endosome. The present study indicates that transfection of PNA-DNA hybrid molecules using galactosylated cationic liposomes can be used as an efficient non-viral carrier for antagomir PNAs targeted to hepatocytes.