• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2619-2623
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• 2014

Aim: To investigate signaling pathways for reversal of EGF-mediated multi-drug resistance (MDR) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) models. Materials and Methods: HCC MDR cell strain HepG2/adriamycin (ADM) and SMMC7721/ADM models were established using a method of exposure to medium with ADM between low and high concentration with gradually increasing concentration. Drug sensitivity and reversal of multi-drug resistance by EGF were determined and the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. Phosphorylation of ERK1, ERK2, ERK5 and expression of Bim were detected by Western blotting. Results: The results showed that HepG2/ADM and SMMC7721/ADM cells were resistant not only to ADM, but also to multiple anticancer drugs. When used alone, EGF had no anti-tumor activity in HepG2/ADM and SMMC7721/ADM cells in vitro, while it increased the cytotoxicity of ADM. EGF induced cell apoptosis and G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest in HepG2/ADM And SMMC7721/ADM cells, while enhancing activity of p-ERKs and up-regulated expression of BimEL. Conclusions: EGF might enhance the chemosensitivity of HepG2/ADM and SMMC7721/ADM cells via up-regulating p-ERKs and BimEL protein.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.162-170
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• 2018

Non-typhoidal Salmonella is one of the main pathogens causing food-borne illness in humans, with up to 20% of cases resulting from consumption of pork products. Over the gastroenteritis signs, multidrug resistant Salmonella has arisen. In this study, pan-susceptible phenotypic strains of Salmonella enterica serotype Weltevreden recovered from pig production chain in Chiang Mai, Thailand during 2012-2014 were chosen for analysis. The aim of this study was to use whole genome sequencing (WGS) data with an emphasis on antimicrobial resistance gene investigation to assess their pathogenic potential and genetic diversity determination based on whole genome Multilocus Sequence Typing (wgMLST) to expand epidemiological knowledge and to provide additional guidance for disease control. Analyis using ResFinder 3.0 for WGS database tracing found that one of pan-susceptible phenotypic strain carried five classes of resistance genes: aminoglycoside, beta-lactam, phenicol, sulfonamide, and tetracycline associated genes. Twenty four and 36 loci differences were detected by core genome Multilocus Sequence Typing (cgMLST) and pan genome Multilocus Sequence Typing (pgMLST), respectively, in two matching strains (44/13 vs A543057 and A543056 vs 204/13) initially assigned by conventional MLST and Pulsed-field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE). One hundread percent discriminant ability can be achieved using the wgMLST technique. WGS is currently the ultimate molecular technique for various in-depth studies. As the findings stated above, a new of "gold standard typing method era" for routine works in genome study is being set.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.361-367
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• 1987

A DL-seleno-methionine resistant mutant, Cephalosporium acremonium MS-92 showed increased activities of sulfate and L-methionine uptake than the parent strain, and accumulated excess methionine and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) intracellularly. And the sulfate uptake system was severely inhibited by L-cysteine. In crude enzyme extracts, the mutant MS-92 showed lower L-serine sulfhydrylase (identical with cystathionine $\beta$-synthase) activity than the parent. Also, cysteine desulfhydrylase activity, an index of intracellular L-cysteine concentration, of the mutant MS-92 was decreased by about 50% as com-pared with that of the parent. Thus, it was supposed that the mutant MS-92 should have n lower level of L-cysteine than the parent. In C. acremonium like A. nidulans, the enzymes related to the biosynthesis of methionine might be regulated by L-cysteine, but not by methionine or SAM.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.196-205
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• 2015

A Sulfolobus-E. coli shuttle vector for an efficient expression of the target gene in S. acidocaldarius strain was constructed. The plasmid-based vector pSM21 and its derivative pSM21N were generated based on the pUC18 and Sulfolobus cryptic plasmid pRN1. They carried the S. solfataricus P2 pyrEF gene for the selection marker, a multiple cloning site (MCS) with C-terminal histidine tag, and a constitutive promoter of the S. acidocaldarius gdhA gene for strong expression of the target gene, as well as the pBR322 origin and ampicillin-resistant gene for E. coli propagation. The advantage of pSM21 over other Sulfolobus shuttle vectors is that it contains a MCS and a histidine tag for the simple and easy cloning of a target gene as well as one-step purification by histidine affinity chromatography. For successful expression of the foreign genes, two genes from archaeal origins (PH0193 and Ta0298) were cloned into pSM21N and the functional expression was examined by enzyme activity assay. The recombinant PH0193 was successfully expressed under the control of the gdhA promoter and purified from the cultures by His-tag affinity chromatography. The yield was approximately 1 mg of protein per liter of cultures. The enzyme activity measurements of PH0913 and Ta0298 revealed that both proteins were expressed as an active form in S. acidocaldarius. These results indicate that the pSM21N shuttle vector can be used for the functional expression of foreign archaeal genes that form insoluble aggregates in the E. coli system.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.56-63
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• 1985

We have characterized the plasmids of zymomonas, and constructed E. coli-Zymomonas shuttle vector. Plasmids have been detected in four strains of Zymomonas mobilis. All strains tested had at least one plasmid ranging in size from about 1.7 to 46kb. Antibiotics resistances of Z. mobilis were tested to select the host strain. All strains were very sensitive to tetracycline and chloramphenicol. Homology tests between the plasmids in four strains showed that the plasmids of ATCC10988 is highly homologous to those of ZM1, and that there is no homology between plasmids of ZM4 and Agll. The 1.7kb plasmid of ATCC10988, named as pZM886, also has no homology with plasmids of ZM4. A hybrid plasmid, designated to pBZ41, was constructed from pZM886 and pBR322. A restriction map of pBZ41 was established. Replicon of pZM886 didn't operate in E.coli and pBR322 seemed not to replicate in Zymomonas. pBZ41 was transfered from E. coli to Zymomonas by conjugal mobilization. The transconjugants were resistant to tetracycline and maintained pBZ41 stably.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.337-340
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• 2007

Pseudomonas syringae Pv. syringae is a causal agent of bacterial blossom blight of kiwifruit in Korea. Eleven strains of the pathogen were isolated from different kiwifruit orchards in Korea and the plasmid profiles were obtained by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. They could be clustered into six groups according to the number and size of plasmids. The number of plasmids per strain and size of these plasmids ranged from 0 to 4 and from 22 to 160 kb, respectively. Among them, four strains belonging to Group III which harbored two plasmids were resistant to copper sulfate. Southern blot hybridization of the plasmid DNA indicated that the copper resistance determinant was carried on a 48 kb plasmid.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.346-350
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• 2007

We analyzed the phenotypic changes in coagulase serotype of S. aureus isolated from clinical sources and nasal cavities of healthy persons, $1994{\sim}2005$. A total of 715 isolates, 408 methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) from clinical sources and 307 methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), were classified into eight coagulase sero-types, I to VIII. The most prevalent serotype in MRSA was type II (54.3%, 222/408) and followed IV (24.7%), III (10.9%), and V (5.2%), whereas the majorities in MSSA were type VII (30.9%, 95/307), IV (22.2%), V (22.2%) and II (7.1%). Among the isolates collected periods, significant changes of coagulase serotypes in both strains were observed. In MRSA strains, the serotype V was not detected until 1997, but rapidly increased to 18.5% (20/108) in 2005, and the serotypes III decreased from 27% (31/115) in 1994 to 0.9% (1/108) in 2005. A similar trend in MSSA strains was observed but serotype II strain was not detected in 2005. The antigenic shift and changes in the coagulase of S. aureus were confirmed.

• BMB Reports
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.20-24
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• 1999

The first step of the branch pathway in tryptophan biosynthesis is catalyzed by anthranilate synthase, which is subjected to feedback inhibition by the end product of the pathway. The $trpE^{FBR}$ gene from a mutant Escherichia coli strain coding for anthranilate synthase that was insensitive to feedback inhibition by tryptophan has been cloned. To identify the amino acid changes involved in the feedback regulation of anthranilate synthase, the nucleotide sequence of the mutant $trpE^{FBR}$ gene was determined. Sequence analysis of the $trpE^{FBR}$ gene revealed that four bases were changed in the structural gene while alteration was not found in the 5' control region. Among these base changes, only two base substitutions caused the alterations in amino acid sequences. From the results of restriction fragment exchange mapping, the 61st nucleotide, C to A substitution, that changed $Pro^{21}{\rightarrow}Ser$ was identified as the cause of the desensitization to feedback inhibition by tryptophan. Additional feedback-resistant enzymes of the E. coli anthranilate synthases were constructed by site-directed mutagenesis to examine the effect of the $Ser^{40}\;{\rightarrow}\;Arg^{40}$ change found in the $trpE^{FBR}$ gene of Brevibacterium lactofermentum. From the feedback inhibition analysis, the $Pro^{21}{\rightarrow}Ser$ and $Ser^{40}{\rightarrow}Arg$ mutants maintained about 50% and 90% of their maximal activities, respectively, even at the extreme concentration of 10 mM tryptophan. From these results, we suggest that the $Pro^{21}$ and $Ser^{40}$ residues are involved in the tryptophan binding in the E. coli enzyme.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.589-594
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• 2013

In intestinal helminth infections, Th2 immune respones are generally associated with mucin secretion for worm expulsion from the host intestine. In particular, IL-4 and IL-13 are the important cytokines related with intestinal mucus production via STAT6 signalling in nematode infections. However, this perspective has never been studied in Gymnophalloides seoi infection. The present study aimed to observe the STAT6 signalling and cytokine responses in C57BL/6 mice, a mouse strain resistant to infection with this trematode. The results showed that worm expulsion occurred actively during days 1-2 post-infection (PI), when goblet cells began to proliferate in the small intestine. The STAT6 gene expression in the mouse spleen became remarkable from day 2 PI. Moreover, G. seoi infection induced a significant increase of IL-13 from day 4 PI in the spleen of infected mice. Our results suggested that goblet cell hyperplasia and worm expulsion in G. seoi-infected mice should be induced by STAT6 signalling, in which IL-13 may be involved as a dominant triggering cytokine.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.609-616
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• 2011

In this study, a LCH1227 bacterial strain that possesses anti-listerial activity was isolated from fermented food and identified as Lactobacillus salivarius LCH1227 based on its morphological and biochemical properties, as well as its 16S rRNA gene sequences. Anti-listerial substance also inhibited the growth of various Gram-positive bacteria, such as vancomycinresistant Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus agalactiae, Bacillus cereus, Lactobacillus fermentum. The highest level of production of antimicrobial substances from L. salivarius LCH1227 occurred during the early stationary phase. The antilisterial activity was found to be stable over a broad range of pH values (2.0-12.0) and after heat treatment. However, it was inactivated by proteolytic enzymes, indicating its proteinaceous nature. The apparent molecular mass of the partially purified anti-listerial substance, as measured by Tricine-SDS-PAGE, was approximately 5 kDa.