• Molecules and Cells
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.7-20
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• 2006

The major event in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection is the death of many cells related to host immune response. The demise of these cells is normally explained by cell suicide mechanism, apoptosis. Interestingly, the decrease in the number of immune cells, such as non-CD4+ cells as well as CD4+ T cells, in HIV infection usually occurs in uninfected bystander cells, not in directly infected cells. It has, therefore, been suggested that several soluble factors, including viral protein R (Vpr), are released from the infected cells and induce the death of bystander cells. Some studies show that Vpr interacts directly with adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT) to induce mitochondrial membrane permeabilization (MMP). The MMP results in release of some apoptogenic factors such as cytochrome-c (cyt-c) and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF). Vpr also has indirect effect on mitochondria through enhancing the level of caspase-9 transcription and suppressing nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$). The involvement of p53 in Vpr-induced apoptosis remains to be studied. On the other hand, low level of Vpr expression has anti-apoptotic effect, whereas it's high level of expression induces apoptosis. Extracellular Vpr also exhibits cytotoxicity to uninfected bystander cells through apoptotic or necrotic mechanism. The facts that Vpr has cytotoxic effect on both infected cells and bystander cells, and that it exhibits both proand anti-apoptotic activity may explain its role in viral survival and disease progression.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.493-502
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• 2021

A Vegetative Propagation by Runner(VPR) Algorithm-based on MPPT Algorithm that can track MPP by adapting to external environmental changes is presented. VPR is an optimization algorithm that mimics the plant ecology of movement and reproduction based on vegetation organs. The VPR algorithm includes a procedure for aging and a procedure for searching the surroundings by rhizomes. Accordingly, it is possible to continuously search around the optimal point. Therefore, the VPR-based MPPT algorithm can continuously search for an optimal point by adapting the changes in the external environment in the process of executing the MPPT algorithm. In this paper, we analyzed the performance of the VPR-based MPPT algorithm by a number of simulations. In addition, the superiority of performance was compared by performance comparison in the same environment as MPPT algorithm based on PSO.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.149-155
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• 2021

Background: We have reported that internal deletions in the nef, gag, and pol genes in HIV-1-infected patients are induced in those treated with Korean Red Ginseng (KRG). KRG delays the development of resistance mutations to antiretroviral drugs. Methods: The vif-vpr genes over 26 years in 20 hemophiliacs infected with HIV-1 from a single source were sequenced to investigate whether vif-vpr genes were affected by KRG and KRG plus highly active antiretroviral therapy (ART) (hereafter called GCT) and compared the results with our previous data. Results: A significantly higher number of in-frame small deletions were found in the vif-vpr genes of KRG-treated patients than at the baseline, in control patients, and in ART-alone patients (p < 0.001). These were significantly reduced in GCT patients (p < 0.05). In contrast, sequences harboring a premature stop codon (SC) were more significant in GCT patients (10.1%) than in KRG-alone patients, control (p < 0.01), and ART-alone patients (p = 0.078 for peripheral blood mononuclear cells). The proportion of SC in Vpr was similar to that in Vif, whereas the proportion of sequences revealing SC in the env-nef genes was significantly lower than that in the pol-vif-vpr genes (p < 0.01). The genetic distance was 1.8 times higher in the sequences harboring SC than in the sequences without SC (p < 0.001). Q135P in the vif gene is significantly associated with rapid progression to AIDS (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Our data show that KRG might induce sD in the vif-vpr genes and that vif-vpr genes are similarly affected by lethal mutations.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.1720-1728
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• 2020

We have previously characterized AprESJ4, the major fibrinolytic enzyme from Bacillus subtilis SJ4 (Yao et al., 2019). During that study, we observed a 68 kDa protein with fibrinolytic activity. In this study, we cloned the gene (vprSJ4) encoding the 68 kDa protein, a mature Vpr and minor protease secreted by Bacillus species. vprSJ4 encodes a preproenzyme consisting of 810 amino acids (aa) including signal sequence (28 aa) and prosequence (132 aa). The mature enzyme (650 aa) has a predicted molecular weight of 68,467.35. Unlike Vprs from other B. subtilis strains, VprSJ4 has 4 additional amino acids (DEFA) at the C-terminus. vprSJ4 was overexpressed in Escherichia coli. PreproVprSJ4 was localized in inclusion bodies, and subjected to in vitro renaturation and purification by an affinity column. SDS-PAGE and western blot showed that autoprocessing of preproVprSJ4 occurred and 68 kDa and smaller proteins were produced. The optimum pH and temperature of the recombinant VprSJ4 were pH 7.0 and 40℃, respectively. Kinetic parameters of recombinant VprSJ4 were measured by using an artificial substrate, N-succinyl-ala-ala-pro-phe-p-nitroanilide. Coexpression of vprSJ4 and aprESJ4 using pHY300PLK increased the fibrinolytic activity a further 117% when compared with aprESJ4 single expression using the same vector in B. subtilis WB600.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.457-464
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• 2006

Three extracellular proteases (Vpr, peptidase T, and subtilisin) were identified from the culture supernatant of Bacillus subtilis KCTC 3014. All the proteins were partially purified as a mature form by using a DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange column chromatography. Their activities were determined by using zymography and densitometry. The relative molecular masses of Vpr and peptidase T (PepT) were determined to be 68 and 48 kDa by SDS-PAGE and zymography, respectively. However, subtilisin formed a 'binding mode' at the top of the separating gel. After denaturation by boiling at $100^{\circ}C$ for 5 min, its molecular mass was determined to be 29 kDa, whereas its activity was lost. The optimal pH of Vpr, PepT, and subtilisin were 9.0, 6.0-7.0, and 7.0-8.0, respectively. The optimal temperature of Vpr, PepT, and subtilisin was 40, 50, and $40^{\circ}C$, respectively. Inhibitor test revealed that Vpr and subtilisin were serine proteases and that PepT was a metalloprotease. Interestingly, we found that Vpr showed no enzyme activity on a 2DE zymogram gel. Three genes, vpr, pepT, and apr (encoding subtilisin protein), were cloned and their nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences were determined.

• Journal of Multimedia Information System
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2021

Palmprint has become a popular biometric modality; however, palmprint recognition has not been conducted in video media. Video palmprint recognition (VPR) has some advantages that are absent in image palmprint recognition. In VPR, the registration and recognition can be automatically implemented without users' manual manipulation. A good-quality image can be selected from the video frames or generated from the fusion of multiple video frames. VPR in contactless mode overcomes several problems caused by contact mode; however, contactless mode, especially mobile mode, encounters with several revere challenges. Double-line-single-point (DLSP) assisted placement technique can overcome the challenges as well as effectively reduce the localization error and computation complexity. This paper modifies DLSP technique to reduce the invalid area in the frames. In addition, the valid frames, in which users place their hands correctly, are selected according to finger gap judgement, and then some key frames, which have good quality, are selected from the valid frames as the gallery samples that are matched with the query samples for authentication decision. The VPR algorithm is conducted on the system designed and developed on mobile device.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.468-468
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• 2012

레이더 강우를 적극적으로 활용하기 위해서는 레이더 강우에 포함된 각 오차들에 대한 특성을 파악하고 정량화하는 것이 무엇보다 중요하다. 본 연구에서는 레이더 반사도의 오차구조를 파악하고 그러한 오차구조를 갖는 반사도로부터 표출한 CAPPI의 거리오차를 보정하였다. 이러한 거리오차 파악을 위해서는 참 값으로 가정할 수 있는 기준 반사도가 필요하며 본 연구에서는 VPR 모형으로부터 기준 반사도인 지상 반사도를 추정하였다. 그 결과 일정한 VPR 모형을 적용하게 되면 거리와 상관없이 오차는 일정하고 오직 고도에 의해서만 영향을 받는다. 그러나 일정 고도에서의 반사도 표출 방법인 CAPPI는 지구곡률효과로 인해 실제로 거리가 멀어 질수록 관측 고도가 높아진다. 이에 따라서 오차는 거리가 멀어질수록 커지게 된다. 이는 실제 호우사상에 적용한 결과에서도 유사하게 나타났다. 강릉 기상 레이더의 경우 1.5km CAPPI는 약 100km까지 1.5km 고도를 유지하다 그 이상부터 고도가 점점 높아진다. CAPPI의 오차를 거리에 따라 분포시킨 결과에서도 100km까지는 어느 정도 일정한 오차를 보이다 그 이상부터 오차가 점점 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. CAPPI의 오차를 2차원 평면으로 나타낸 결과에서도 호우가 전반적으로 퍼져있는 시점부터 원거리에서 큰 오차를 보이고 있다. 이는 오차의 평균에서 더욱 명확히 나타났다. 이와 같이 CAPPI는 원거리 자료에서 오차가 크게 나타나고 있다. 이에 CAPPI에 포함된 거리오차를 VPR 모형을 이용하여 보정하였다. 그 결과 원거리에서의 오차가 감소하였음을 확인하였다.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.107-114
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• 1996

본 연구는 인간면역결핍바이러스의 입자를 비이온성 계면활성제로 처리할 때 바이러스 입자구조에서 분리되어 방출되는 바이러스 구조단백질들의 분포를 sucrose gradient로 분석하여, 바이러스 입자를 구성하는 바이러스 구조단백질과 바이러스입자의 생물리학적 특성을 연구하였다. 바이러스입자들을 0.16% NP40 (Nonidet P-40)으로 처리할 때, 바이러스 capsid 단백질과 바이러스 막 단백질 (membrance protein)들은 다른 바이러스 구성성분들과 잘 분리되었다. 계면활성제처리에서 방출되지 않은 구성 성분들은 matrix 단백질, nucleocapsid 단백질, reverse transcriptase, integrase 및 바이러스 RNA genome로써, 이들은 subviral 구조를 형성한다. 이러한 결과는 상대적으로 다른 바이러스들의 capsid 단백질과 면역 결핍 바이러스의 capsid 단백질 (p24)를 비교할 때, 면역결핍바이러스의 capsid 단백질은 바이러스핵을 형성할 때, capsid 단백질 사이의 결합력이 매우 약한 것으로 추정된다. 또한 바이러스 조절단백질의 하나인 vpr 단백질을 함유하는 바이러스입자를 NP40 처리하여 분석하였을 때, vpr 단백질은 subviral 구조에 존재하는 것으로 나타났다.

• Atmosphere
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.309-319
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• 2012

It is important to characterize and quantify the inherent error in the radar rainfall to make full use of the radar rainfall. This study verified the error structure of the reflectivity and corrected the range dependent error in the CAPPI using a VPR (vertical profile of reflectivity) model. The error of the CAPPI to display the reflectivity data becomes bigger for the range longer than 100 km. This range dependent error, however, is significantly improved by corrected the CAPPI data using the VPR model.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 1989.07a
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• pp.356-358
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• 1989

Linear and nonlinear complex permittivities have been measured for an alternating copolymer of vinylidene cyanide(VSCN) with vinyl propionale(VPr). It is found that the third order permittivity ${\varepsilon}_3$ depends upon frequency according to a function V ${\varepsilon}_3$/ ${1+(j{\omega}{\tau}_3)^{\beta}}^3$ while the linear permittivity ${\varepsilon}_1$obeys a Debye type function ${\nabla}{\varepsilon}_1$/ {1+$(j{\omega}{\tau}_1)^{\beta}$}. Experimental results are well fitled by predicted functions except at low frequency where dc conduction dominates. The relaxation times ${\tau}_1$ and ${\tau}_3$ at same teperature are nealy equal and depend upon temperature according to WLF form. The relaxation strengths ${\nabla}{\varepsilon}_1$ and ${\nabla}{\varepsilon}_3$ have a peak at the vicinity of glass transition temperature (Tg). The strength ${\nabla}{\varepsilon}_1$ has a value of -9 order and ${\nabla}{\varepsilon}_3$ has a negative value of -25 order. The analysis of mechanism by combined knowledge about linear and nonlinear permittivities and dipole moment gives us an imformation of the electrical and thermal dipolar motions in this copolymer.