• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.58-62
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• 2006

Rapid assay of enzyme is a primary requirement for successful application of directed evolution technology. Halo generation on a turbid plate would be a method of choice for high throughput screening of enzymes in this context. Here we report a new approach to prepare turbid plates, by controlling the crystallization of tyrosine to form needle-like particles. In the presence of tyrosine phenol-lyase (TPL), the needle-like tyrosine crystals were converted to soluble phenol rapidly than the usual rectangular tyrosine crystals. When an error-prone PCR library of Citrobacter freundii TPL was spread on the turbid plate, approximately 10% of the colonies displayed recognizable halos after 24 hours of incubation at $37^{\circ}C$. Representative positives from the turbid plates were transferred to LB-medium in 96-wellplates, cultivated overnight, and assayed for the enzyme activity with L-tyrosine as the substrate. The assay results were approximated to be proportional to the halo size on turbid plates, suggesting the screening system is directly applicable to the directed evolution of TPL. Actually, two best mutants on the turbid plates were identified to be $2{\sim}2.5$ and 1.5-fold improved in the activity.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.54-59
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• 2024

A 12-year-old female small-clawed Asian otter (Anoyx cinereus) with a one-week history of anorexia, chills, and abdominal distension was found dead. Grossly, yellowish-brown turbid fluids accumulated in abdominal cavity of the otter, and yellowish thread-like fibrinous materials were found on the surface of abdominal organs. Several variable sized yellowish-white crystalloids were scattered on the medullary space of kidneys. Histologically, diffuse serositis (peritonitis) characterized by the fibrinous exudates, thickened serosal capsule and the swelling of mesothelial cells were observed in the serosa of liver, spleen, stomach, and intestine. Multifocal necrosis, hemorrhage, infiltration of macrophage, and brown pigments were presented in the liver. Isolated bacteria from ascites and fibrinous materials in abdominal visceral surface were white, smooth and convex with characteristic mousy odor on blood agar plate. These bacteria were confirmed as Pasteurella (P.) multocida type A by polymerase chain reaction analysis. Based on the gross examination, histopathologic findings and bacterial experiments, this otter was diagnosed as severe peritonitis associated with P. multocida and necrotic hepatitis.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.165-178
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• 1979

Phages of Lactobaciilus casei (PLC) isolated from plant drainage were classified and characterized. The results are as follows : 1. On the basis of host range pattern, phages could be divided into 2 groups (PLC-B and PLC-C). PLC-B group phages could be further divided into 5 sub-groups $(B_1, \;B_2, \;B_3, \;B_4, \;and\;B_5)$. Although PLC-C group phages had the same host range, they could be also divided into 2 sub-groups $(C_1\;and\;C_2)$ by morphlogical type. 2. It was $B_3$ group phages that represented a major proportion (44.4%) of phages tested. However, $B_1$ group phages were shown to have the widest host range. 3. Electron micrographs revealed that the phages fell into three different morphological types. $(B_1, \;B_2, \;and\;B_3)$ group phages hd a hexagonal head (52nm in diameter) and a sheathless noncontractile (245 nm in length). $B_4\;and\;C_2$ group phages had a hexagonal head (56 nm) and a short flexible tail (169nm) having no sheath. $B_5\;and\;C_1$ group phages were shown to have a hexagonal head (81 nm) and a contractile tail (140 nm) having a sheath, a base plate and tail fibers. 4. The inactivation of the phages by antisera indicated that serological relationships correlated completely with morphological types. 5. $B_1, \;C_1\;and\;C_2$ group phages produced a large (1, 2 mm in diameter) plaque with a clear ring. The morphology of plaques of $B_3\;and\;B_5$ group phages was the same as those produced by the above, but the average plaque sizes for $B_3\;and\;B_5$ were 0.8 mm abd 0.5 mm, respectively. $B_2\;and\;B_4$ group phages produced a small (0.5 mm) turbid plaque with an irregular edge. 6. The latent period and the average burst size of $B_1\;and\;B_3$ group phages were 90 min and 100, respectively. These phages reuqired calcium ions for their miltiplication. 7. $B_3$ group phages could not be absrobed to R-variant $KC_1$. 8. The order of resistance of phages to heat was $B_2\;>\;B_1, B_4\;and\;B_5\;>\;B_3\;and\;C_2, \;B_5$ group phages were more stable than $B_3$ in various pH values. $C_2$ group phages were more sensitive to UV irradiation than $B_1\;and\;B_3$ group phages. 9. Strains YIT9018 and IAM 1043 were induced by mitomycin C treatment. Phage particles detected in the lysates had a hexagonal head (38 and 49 nm, respectively), but no tail. Any sensitive indicator strain could not be isolated in spite of repaeated trials.