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Biomedical subjects

Chang-Soo Lee

Publications and source records attributed to Chang-Soo Lee.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

A split enhanced green fluorescent protein-based reporter in yeast two-hybrid system.

We have developed a novel reporter system involving a yeast two-hybrid assay, which utilizes the reconstitution of the split EGFP reporter in order to characterize the relevant protein-protein interactions. To our knowledge, this study represents the first application of the split EGFP system as a read-out in a yeast two-hybrid assay. In comparison with the existing two-hybrid system, the bait and prey vectors were improved with regard to the reporter and the replication control element. As a result, the reconstituted EGFP has been observed to evidence a restored fluorescence upon protein-protein interactions in yeast, thereby allowing for the characterization of its interactor. The use of a split EGFP reporter has some salient advantages. Firstly, no substrates are required for the production of fluorescence. Secondly, low copy number plasmids may help to solve the protein toxicity problem, via the reduction of expression. Thirdly, this technique may prove useful in overcoming the autoactivation problem, due to the fact that the read-out of the yeast two-hybrid system is transcription-independent. Collectively, our results showed that the split EGFP reporter system might potentially be applied in yeast two-hybrid assays for the high-throughput screening of protein-protein interactions, with a simple and direct fluorescent read-out.

Escherichia coli↗

Simultaneous profiling of N-glycans and proteins from human serum using a parallel-column system directly coupled to mass spectrometry.

A method for the rapid identification of proteins and their N-glycans was developed through the use of two parallel columns directly connected to a mass spectrometer. Both porous graphitic carbon (PGC) and C18 capillary columns were connected in parallel with two switching valves for the simultaneous analysis of glycans and peptides, respectively. To verify the efficiency of the analytical system, profiling of N-glycans and proteins from human serum was demonstrated. This method is suitable for high-throughput analysis and automation, is contamination-free for the identification of N-glycans and proteins in a complex biological sample, and can be applied to glycomics and proteomics.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A method of binding kinetics of a ligand to micropatterned proteins on a microfluidic chip.

A combination of microfluidic protein patterning and quantitative microfluidic handling has been used to analyze the binding kinetics of protein-ligand interactions on the nanoliter scale. The microfluidic handling method employing hydrophobic valving and pneumatic control allowed us to control nanoliter volumes of ligand or protein on a microfluidic chip. A hydrophobic and inert fluorocarbon thin film was patterned on a silicon nitride substrate to prevent non-specific binding on the background. Selectively patterned protein patterns of various sizes were used for quantitative analysis of the kinetic parameters of immobilized proteins on the circular patterns. As a model system, a streptavidin-patterned array of the same-sized pattern, i.e. 150 microm diameter, was used to capture FITC-BSA-biotin present in solution. The fluorescence intensity was well matched with the Langmuir isotherm model results, showing a dissociation constant of 2.43x10(-8)M. Similar streptavidin arrays with different-sized spots, ranging from 50 to 200 microm, showed a consistent dissociation constant of FITC-BSA-biotin with streptavidin pattern. Therefore, the reduction of pattern size of an immobilized protein did not change the dissociation rate of the ligand.

Biosensing Techniques↗

Synthesis of highly monodisperse polystyrene microspheres via dispersion polymerization using an amphoteric initiator.

The highly monodisperse polystyrene (PS) microspheres were produced by dispersion polymerization using an amphoteric initiator, 2,2'-azobis [N-(2-carboxyethyl)-2-2-methylpropionamidine] (VA-057). The polymerization characteristics were investigated and compared with conventional initiators, 2,2-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) and benzoyl peroxide (BPO). The monodisperse PS microspheres having the coefficient of variation (C(v)) of diameter all less than 4% are obtained at very low stabilizer, poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) concentrations of 1 and 2 wt%. It is found that the size dependence of the VA-057 system, D(n) proportional, variant [VA-057](0.267), is less sensitive than a conventional initiator system. When the same amount, 2 wt%, of AIBN, BPO, and VA-057 is used under the identical PVP concentration of 2 wt%, the D(n)/C(v)'s are 1.95/11.57, 1.47/22.44, and 2.08 microm/2.50%, respectively. The uniformity of particles was characterized employing an optical analyzer, Turbiscan. For the VA-057 system, the back scattering intensity is linearly reduced with time having a constant sedimentation rate of 48.98 microm/min throughout the settling process. The uniformity of PS particles in the VA-057 system stems from (1) the higher rate of polymerization in early stage of polymerization, followed by significantly faster reduction of the rate, and (2) good dispersion stability of primary particles. Therefore, it is found that the use of an amphoteric initiator, VA-057, is promising for producing monodisperse particles in dispersion polymerization.

Journal Article↗

Selection of peptides for lipopolysaccharide binding on to epoxy beads and selective detection of Gram-negative bacteria.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding peptides were enriched by using epoxy beads as a novel support to immobilize LPS for a phage displayed peptide library screening. The sequence of Phe-Ala-Pro-Trp (FAPW) was the most significant consensus motif of 10 selected clones, and Pro-Phe (PF) was the key dipeptide for binding at the apex of the loop to form a characteristic structure of CXXPFXXXC. Moreover, AWLPWAK, one of the highly conserved heptamer peptides, could detect specifically Gram-negative bacteria via a whole cell binding test at 10(6) cells ml(-1).

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗

Comparison of the surface characteristics of polypropylene films treated by Ar and mixed gas (Ar/O2) atmospheric pressure plasma.

In an attempt to modify the hydrophobic surface properties of polypropylene (PP) films, this study examined the optimum process parameters of atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) using Ar gas. Under optimized conditions, the effects of a mixed gas (Ar/O2) plasma treatment on the surface-free energy of a PP film were investigated as a function of the O2 content. The polar contribution of the surface-free energy of the PP film increased with increasing O2 content in the gas mixture. However, slightly more oxygen-containing polar functional groups such as CO, CO, and COO were introduced on the PP film surface by the Ar gas only rather than by the Ar/O2 gas mixture. In addition, AFM analysis showed that the Ar plasma treatment of the PP film produced the smoothest surface as a result of the relatively homogeneous etching process.

Journal Article↗

Spore-displayed streptavidin: a live diagnostic tool in biotechnology.

Streptavidin, which is one of the most widely used proteins in biotechnological application field and is active only in tetrameric form, was surface expressed on the surface of Bacillus subtilis spore. Spore coat protein of B. subtilis, CotG, was used as an anchoring motif to display streptavidin. FACS using anti-streptavidin antibody was used for the verification of surface localization of expressed CotG-streptavidin fusion protein. FACS and dot-blot were used for the verification of biological activity of displayed streptavidin with FITC-labeled biotin.

Bacillus subtilis↗

Screening of LPS-specific peptides from a phage display library using epoxy beads.

The selection of identical or highly homologous peptides from phage display combinatorial peptide libraries has been unsuccessful in biopanning experiments using microtiter plates. In the present study, by biopanning on LPS-conjugated epoxy beads, we repeatedly enriched clones encoding AWLPWAK and NLQEFLF. These peptides were found to interact with the polysaccharide moiety of LPS, which is highly variable among gram negative bacterial species. In addition, phages encoding these peptides preferentially bound to the LPS of Salmonella family. AWLPWAK-conjugated beads absorbed Salmonella enteritidis from solution and showed a preference for S. enteritidis over Escherichia coli. In summary, this study shows for the first time that a peptide screened from phage displays of combinatorial peptide libraries can be synthesized on beads and be used practically to concentrate bacterial cells from solution.

Bacteriophages↗

Cloning and developmental expression of a metzincin family metalloprotease cDNA from oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus.

A cDNA clone, PoMTP, encoding a putative metzincin family metalloprotease was isolated from the expressed sequence tags of a basidiomycete Pleurotus ostreatus. The 5'-end sequence of PoMTP was determined by the 5'-RACE method. Full-length cDNA sequence (1140 bp) of PoMTP contained a 870 bp open reading frame encoding a protein product of 290 amino acids in addition to a 99 bp of 5'-untranslated sequence and a 171 bp of 3'-untranslated sequence with a poly(A) tail. The deduced amino-acid sequences of PoMTP contained an extensive zinc-binding consensus sequence and a so-called Met-turn sequence which are typical for the metzincin family of metalloproteases, indicating that the PoMTP protein belongs to the metzincin metalloproteases. Four cysteine residues were also observed in the zinc-binding region of PoMTP amino-acid sequence, which are known to be important for the structure and the function of some subfamilies of the metzincins. Comparison of the PoMTP in sequence database showed no significant homology with functionally known metalloproteases of Armillaria mellea, Grifola frondosa, Lentinula edodes, Pleurotus ostreatus, Schizophyllum commune and Tricholoma saponaceum in mushroom. Northern blot and qunatitative RT-PCR analyses indicated the PoMTP mRNA to be abundant at primordial and fruit body stages, but scarce at the mycelial stage, suggesting that the PoMTP metalloprotease plays an important role in mushroom fruiting.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structural analysis of lipid A from Escherichia coli O157:H7:K- using thin-layer chromatography and ion-trap mass spectrometry.

Rapid separation and structural identification of lipid A from Escherichia coli were performed using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and mass spectrometry (MS). After the resolved spot of the lipid A had been scraped from TLC plate, the sample was re-extracted from the removed powder with chloroform-methanol (2 : 1, v/v) and analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) and electrospray ionization (ESI) ion-trap MS. For detailed structural characterization, multiple-stage mass analysis (MS(4)) of the major species in ESI-MS/MS provided important information about the series of fragment ions. The dominant fragment ions in each MS stage were produced from the loss of fatty acyl groups mainly driven by charge-remote processes, and this information about the fragment ions can be used to deduce the composition or the position of the fatty acid substituent in the lipid A. In contrast, MALDI-TOFMS indicated that fragmentation resulted from charge-driven processes. Molecular mass profiling and fragmentation analysis provides essential information for clarifying the detailed structure of the lipid A from E. coli O157:H7:K(-).

Chromatography, Thin Layer↗

Differential expression profiling of the proteomes and their mRNAs in porcine white and red skeletal muscles.

Skeletal muscle is an heterogeneous tissue with various biochemical and physical properties of several fiber types. In this study, we carried out the comparative study of protein expression patterns in white and red muscles using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). From more than 500 protein spots detected on each 2-DE gel, we screened five proteins that were differentially expressed between white and red muscles. Using peptide mass fingerprint and tandem mass spectrometry analysis these proteins were identified as myoglobin, two slow-twitch isoforms of myosin light chain and two small heat shock proteins (HSP20 and HSP27). The protein levels of myoglobin, myosin light chain and HSP20 were higher in red muscle, whereas HSP27 was higher in white muscle. In addition, genes of the identified proteins were cloned and their mRNAs were examined. Positive correlations between protein content and their mRNA levels were observed in white and red muscle. These results may provide us with valuable information to understand the different expression profiling between white and red muscle at the protein level.

Animals↗

Hypoxia activates signal transducers and activators of transcription 5 (STAT5) and increases its binding activity to the GAS element in mammary epithelial cells.

STATs (signal transducers and activators of transcription) are proteins with dual functions: signal transducers in the cytoplasm and transcriptional activators in the nucleus. STAT proteins act as transcription factors activated by phosphorylation on its tyrosine residues upon stimulation by various cytokines. The phosphorylated STAT molecules then form homo- or heterodimers through SH2-mediated interaction and translocate into the nucleus to activate the transcription of various target genes. STAT5 recognizes the interferon-gamma activated site TTCNNNGAA (GAS sequence) in the promoter region of the beta-casein gene. Except for prolactin-dependent beta-casein production in mammary gland cells, the biological consequences of STAT5a activation in various systems are not clear. Here we showed that STAT5a was phosphorylated 10 min after desferrioxamine (DFO) treatment, and reached a maximum induction at 4 h in mammary epithelial cells (HC11) and transfected COS-7 cells. Under hypoxic conditions (2% O2), a maximal phosphorylation of STAT5a was observed within 6 h. EMSA (electrophoretic mobility shift assay) showed that DFO or hypoxia enhanced the binding activities of STAT5a DNA to beta-casein gene promoter in mammary epithelial cells (HC11) and transfected COS-7 cells. These results showed that DFO or hypoxia induces tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT5a and also increases the binding activity of STAT5a DNA in mammary epithelial cells. Our data suggest that the STAT5 may act as a mediator in hypoxia-mediated gene expression.

Animals↗

Protein patterning on silicon-based surface using background hydrophobic thin film.

A new and convenient protein patterning method on silicon-based surface was developed for protein array by spin coating of hydrophobic thin film (CYTOP). Photolithographic lift-off process was used to display two-dimensional patterns of spatially hydrophilic region. The background hydrophobic thin film was used to suppress nonspecific protein binding, and the hydrophilic target protein binding region was chemically modified to introduce aldehyde group after removal of the photoresist layer. The difference in surface energy between the hydrophilic pattern and background hydrophobic film would induce easier covalent binding of proteins onto defined hydrophilic areas having physical and chemical constraints. Below 1 microg/ml of total protein concentration, the CYTOP hydrophobic film effectively suppressed nonspecific binding of the protein. During the process of protein patterning, inherent property of the hydrophobic thin film was not changed judging from static and dynamic contact angle survey. Quantitative analysis of the protein binding was demonstrated by streptavidin-biotin system.

Biosensing Techniques↗

Regulation of cyclic AMP-dependent response element-binding protein (CREB) by the nociceptin/orphanin FQ in human dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells.

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ), an endogenous ligand for opioid receptor-like (ORL1) receptor, transduces signaling cascades implicated in MAPK, PKC, PLC, and calcium, etc. This study was designed to investigate the intracellular signaling mechanism of N/OFQ in human dopaminergic neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. N/OFQ rapidly induced the phosphorylation of CREB, which was significantly suppressed by pretreatment of PKA inhibitor, but not by MAPK inhibitors. It also time-dependently increased the phosphorylation of MAPK, which was proven as ERKs, whereas it did not affect the PI3K activity. Interestingly, KT5720, a specific inhibitor of PKA, markedly suppressed the phosphorylation of MAPK by N/OFQ in SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, BAPTA-AM, an intracellular chelator of Ca(2+), completely abolished the phosphorylation of CREB as well as MAPK in N/OFQ-treated SH-SY5Y cells. Taken together, these results suggest that N/OFQ independently induces the activation of CREB prior to MAPK phosphorylation, which was also modulated by PKA. Furthermore, Ca(2+)-related signaling implicates in the phosphorylation processes of CREB and MAPK simultaneously.

Calcium↗

Comparative analysis of sequences expressed during the liquid-cultured mycelia and fruit body stages of Pleurotus ostreatus.

To characterize genes involved in fruit body development, two complementary DNA (cDNA) libraries were constructed from RNA isolated from liquid-cultured mycelia and fruit bodies of Pleurotus ostreatus. Using single-pass sequencing of cDNA clones, 952 and 1069 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were generated from liquid-cultured mycelia and fruit body cDNA library, respectively. A BLASTX search revealed that 390 of the liquid-cultured mycelia ESTs (41%) and 531 of the fruit body ESTs (50%) showed significant similarity to protein sequences described in the nonredudant database (E values < or =1 x 10(-5)). When liquid-cultured mycelia and fruit body ESTs were compared by the SeqMan II program, among the total of 2021 ESTs, 1256 ESTs were unigenes, and 66 unigenes (5.3%) were commonly expressed during both stages. The functional catalogs of the ESTs were made by comparison with functionally identified Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes. Liquid-cultured mycelium ESTs were compared with fruit body ESTs and changes of the expressed genes during fruit body development were analyzed.

Culture Media↗