• Animal cells and systems
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.97-103
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• 2009

Recently, great advance is achieved in the field of genome-wide functional screening using cell-based assay. Here, we briefly introduce well-established and typical cell-based assays of GPCR and some parameters which should be considered for genome-wide functional screening. Because of characters and importance of GPCR as drug targets, several ways of assay systems were devised. Among them, high-content screening (HCS) that is based on the analysis of image by confocal microscope is becoming favorite choice. The advances in this technology have been driven exclusively by industry for their convenience. Now, it is turn for academy to define more detail signaling networks via HCS using cDNA or siRNA libraries at genome-wide level. By isolating novel signaling mediators using cDNA or siRNA library, and postulating them as new candidates for therapeutic target, more understanding about life science and more increased chances to develop therapeutics against human disease will be achieved.

• BMB Reports
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• 제36권6호
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• pp.538-544
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• 2003

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major causative agent of chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The development of alternative antiviral therapies is warranted because current treatments for the HCV infection affect only a limited number of patients and lead to significant toxicities. The HCV genome is exclusively present in the RNA form; therefore, ribozyme strategies to target certain HCV sequences have been proposed as anti-HCV treatments. In this study, we determined which regions of the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) of HCV are accessible to ribozymes by employing an RNA mapping strategy that is based on a trans-splicing ribozyme library. We then discovered that the loop regions of the domain IIIb of HCV IRES appeared to be particularly accessible. Moreover, to verify if the target sites that were predicted to be accessible are truly the most accessible, we assessed the ribozyme activities by comparing not only the trans-splicing activities in vitro but also the trans-cleavage activities in cells of several ribozymes that targeted different sites. The ribozyme that could target the most accessible site identified by mapping studies was then the most active with high fidelity in cells as well as in vitro. These results demonstrate that the RNA mapping strategy represents an effective method to determine the accessible regions of target RNAs and have important implications for the development of various antiviral therapies which are based on RNA such as ribozyme, antisense, or siRNA.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제31권10호
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• pp.929-936
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• 2021

본 연구에서는 시판하는 천연물 library (Selleckchem, L1400)로부터 암세포 항 성장 활성을 보여주는 천연물을 선별하였다. 즉, 인간 대장암 세포주인 HCT116에 50 μM의 각 천연물을 처리한 후 세포 생존율을 측정하였다. 1차 선별과정을 통하여 5종의 천연물(chrysin, diosmetin, emodin, piperlongumine, tanshinone I)을 선별하였다. 5종의 천연물에 의한 NAG-1 단백질의 발현을 확인한 결과 chrysin과 emodin에 의해서 발현이 현저하게 증가하였다. 또한, chrysin과 emodin은 농도의존적으로 세포 생존율을 감소시켰으며, chrysin과 emodin은 항암 단백질인 NAG-1의 발현을 농도 및 시간 의존적으로 증가시켰다. 게다가, chrysin과 emodin 처리에 의해 증가된 PARP cleavage가 NAG-1 siRNA transfection에 의해서 감소됨을 확인함으로써, chrysin과 emodin에 의한 세포사멸과 NAG-1의 발현 증가가 직접적인 관련이 있음을 증명하였다. 따라서, 본 연구결과는 암세포 항 성장 활성을 보여주는 천연물 선별에 대한 기초 데이터를 제공해 주며, chrysin과 emodin에 의한 암세포 항 성장 활성 및 세포사멸의 기전을 이해하는 데 도움을 줄 것으로 판단된다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제32권7호
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• pp.911-917
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• 2022

As valuable antibiotics, microbial natural products have been in use for decades in various fields. Among them are polyene compounds including nystatin, amphotericin, and nystatin-like Pseudonocardia polyenes (NPPs). Polyene macrolides are known to possess various biological effects, such as antifungal and antiviral activities. NPP A1, which is produced by Pseudonocardia autotrophica, contains a unique disaccharide moiety in the tetraene macrolide backbone. NPP B1, with a heptane structure and improved antifungal activity, was then developed via genetic manipulation of the NPP A1 biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC). Here, we generated a Streptomyces artificial chromosomal DNA library to isolate a large-sized NPP B1 BGC. The NPP B1 BGC was successfully isolated from P. autotrophica chromosome through the construction and screening of a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library, even though the isolated 140-kb BAC clone (named pNPPB1s) lacked approximately 8 kb of the right-end portion of the NPP B1 BGC. The additional introduction of the pNPPB1s as well as co-expression of the 32-kb portion including the missing 8 kb led to a 7.3-fold increase in the production level of NPP B1 in P. autotrophica. The qRT-PCR confirmed that the transcription level of NPP B1 BGC was significantly increased in the P. autotrophica strain containing two copies of the NPP B1 BGCs. Interestingly, the NPP B1 exhibited a previously unidentified SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) inhibition activity in vitro. These results suggest that the Streptomyces BAC cloning of a large-sized, natural product BGC is a valuable approach for titer improvement and biological activity screening of natural products in actinomycetes.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.229-236
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• 1999

The recA gene plays a central role in genetic recombination and SOS DNA repair in Escherichia coli (E. coli). We have previously identified a 42 kDa RecA-like protein inducible by a variety of DNA damages from a fluorescent Pseudomonas strain sp. and characterized its inducible kinetics. In the present study, we cloned and characterized the gene encoding the RecA-like protein by immunological screening of Pseudomonas genomic expression library using polyclonal E. coli anti-RecA antibodies as a probe. From 10$^{5}$ plaques screened, five putative clones were finally isolated. Southern blot analysis indicated that four clones had the same DNA inserts and the recA-like gene was located within the 3.2 kb EcoRI fragment of Pseudomonas chromosomal DNA. In addition, the cloned recA-like gene was transcribed into an RNA transcript approximately 1.1 kb in size, as judged by Northern blot analysis. The cellular level of RNA transcript of the cloned recA-like gene was increased to an average of 5.15- fold upon treatment with DNA damaging agents such as ultraviolet (UV)- light, nalidixic acid (NA), methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), and mitomycin-C (MMC). These results suggest that the cloned gene is inducible by DNA damage similarly to the recA gene in E. coli. However, the cloned gene did not restore the DNA damage sensitivity of the E. coli recA-mutant.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.215-220
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• 2014

Toothbrushes play an essential role in oral hygiene. However, they can be significant in microbial transmission and can increase the risk of infection, since they can serve as a reservoir for microorganisms in healthy, oral-diseased and medically ill adults. This study was conducted to evaluate toothbrush contamination in six toothbrushes donated from four people. Two participants each supplied two toothbrushes - one used in the bathroom and one used in the workplace. The other two people each donated two toothbrushes used in the workplace. Polymerase chain reaction was used to construct a 16S rRNA clone library. Sequences of cloned DNA were compared with those from the reference organisms provided by GenBank. A total 120 clones, representing 20 clones for each toothbrush, were analyzed. They are composed of six pylum, 46 genera and 79 species. The most dominant species were Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus parasanguinis and Haemophilus parainfluenzae. Enterobacter and Escherichia were recovered from toothbrushes used domestically. Toothbrushes used in the workplace did not contain Enterobacteria.

• BMB Reports
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• 제57권5호
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• pp.250-255
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• 2024

Due to their stem-like characteristics and immunosuppressive properties, Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer remarkable potential in regenerative medicine. Much effort has been devoted to enhancing the efficacy of MSC therapy by enhancing MSC migration. In this study, we identified deubiquitinase BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) as an inhibitor of MSC migration. Using deubiquitinase siRNA library screening based on an in vitro wound healing assay, we found that silencing BAP1 significantly augmented MSC migration. Conversely, BAP1 overexpression reduced the migration and invasion capabilities of MSCs. BAP1 depletion in MSCs upregulates ERK phosphorylation, thereby increasing the expression of the migration factor, osteopontin. Further examination revealed that BAP1 interacts with phosphorylated ERK1/2, deubiquitinating their ubiquitins, and thus attenuating the ERK signaling pathway. Overall, our study highlights the critical role of BAP1 in regulating MSC migration through its deubiquitinase activity, and suggests a novel approach to improve the therapeutic potential of MSCs in regenerative medicine.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.1-10
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• 2007

Nebulin, a giant modular protein from muscle, is thought to act as molecular ruler in sarcomere assembly. In skeletal muscle, the C-terminal ${\sim}50 kDa$ region of nebulin extends into the Z-line lattice. The most recent studies implicated highlighting its extensive isoform diversity and exciting reports revealed its expression in cardiac and non-muscle tissues containing brain. Also these novel findings are indicating that nebulin is actually a multifunctional filament system, perhaps playing roles in signal transduction, contractile regulation, and myofibril force generation, as well as other not yet defined functions. However the binding protein of nebulin and function in brain is still unknown. A novel binding partner of nebulin C-terminal region was identified by screening a human brain cDNA library using yeast two-hybrid system. Nebulin C-terminus binding protein 51 (NCBP51) was contained a RING-finger domain and identified a new isoform of RING finger protein 125 (RNF125). The interaction was confirmed using the GST pull-down assay. NCBP51 belongs to a family of the RING finger proteins and its function remains to be identified in brain. The role of nebulin and NCBP51 will be studied by loss-of-function using siRNA technique in brain.

• 미생물학회지
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.125-133
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• 2012

혐기성 소화는 음식물 쓰레기와 같은 폐기물로부터 재생 가능한 에너지원으로 메탄을 생성하는 공정이다. 본 연구에서는 음식물 쓰레기와 폐수를 동시에 처리하는 3단계 메탄생산 공정을 이용한 혐기성 소화공정의 bacteria와 archaea 군집 변화를 조사하였다. 3단계 메탄생산 공정은 음식물 쓰레기 및 폐수를 메탄과 이산화탄소로 전환하는 반혐기성 가수분해/산생성, 혐기성 산생성과 혐기성 메탄생성조로 구성되어있으며, 16 rRNA 유전자 라이브러리의 염기서열 분석과 정량 PCR 등의 분자생물학적 방법으로 주요 미생물 군집을 조사하였다. 메탄생산 공정의 주요 미생물 군집은 VFA-산화 박테리아와 Methanoculleus 속에 속하는 hydrogenotrophic methanogen의 두 종(species)이었다. 또한, 소수의 Picrophilaceae 과(Thermoplasmatales 목)의 archaea도 확인하였다. 음식물을 이용한 3단계 메탄생산 공정은 acetogenesis를 기반으로 하는 고전적 메탄생성 공정과 달리 주로 hydrogenotrophic methanogen의 분해 경로에 의해 이루어 짐을 알 수 있다. 이들 균주의 우점은 중온 소화공정, 중성 pH, 높은 암모니아 농도, 짧은 HRT, Tepidanaerobacter 속 등과 같은 VFA 산화세균과의 상호작용 등에서 기인한 것으로 생각된다.

• Bioinformatics and Biosystems
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• 제1권2호
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• pp.99-102
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• 2006

BLAST(Basic Local Alignment Search Tool)는 서열 데이터베이스 탐색을 위하여 가장 많이 사용되는 프로그램이다. 전체 서열간의 최적 글로벌 정렬을 수행하는 대신에 지역적 유사성이 있는 부분을 찾아 서열 짝짓기를 수행하는 특징을 갖는다. 일반적인 연구자들은 서열 상동성 검색을 위해 NCBI에 접속하여 웹 브라우저를 통해 온라인으로 BLAST를 수행하게 되는데, 이 경우 사용자 각각의 네트워크 환경이나 입력할 데이터양에 따른 검색속도의 지연 및 제한 등과 같은 여러 문제에 부딪히게 되고, 또한 보안유지가 필요한 서열 데이터의 유출 가능성이 존재한다. 그러므로 대량의 서열 데이터에 대하여 빠르고 안전하게 BLAST 상동성 검색이 가능한 Local BLAST 검색 시스템의 필요성이 증대되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 NCBI의 Genbank에서 공개된 동물의 발현 유전자 단편들(ESTs)에 대한 데이터를 이용하여 소, 돼지, 닭, 등의 경제형질과 연관된 유용 유전자만을 추출하여 이들만으로 구성된 새로운 데이터베이스를 구축하였고, 또한 이들을 사용할 수 있는 새로운 검색시스템을 개발하였다 자체 제작한 Perl script를 사용하여 필요한 데이터를 축종별로 추출 하여 새로운 DB를 구축하였으며 이 속에는 소의 경우 650,046개, 돼지의 경우 368,120개, 닭의 경우 693,005개의 발현 유전자 단편들(ESTs)이 포함된다. 또한 이들 DB 분석이 가능한 Local Animal BLAST Web 검색시스템(http://bioinfo.kohost.net)을 고성능 병렬 PC Cluster 시스템과 연동하도록 자체 구축함으로써 본 시스템이 보다 효율적인 생물정보학 연구수행이 기여할 것으로 기대된다.