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Biomedical subjects

Jae Young Kim

Publications and source records attributed to Jae Young Kim.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Molecular characterization of miniature porcine RANTES and its chemotactic effect on human mononuclear cells.

To elucidate the potential role of porcine RANTES (Regulated upon Activation Normal T cells Expressed and Secreted) in xenograft rejection, we investigated its chemotactic activity for human mononuclear cells, as well as the effect of human cytokines on its expression in porcine endothelial cells. Porcine RANTES cDNA was successfully cloned from aortic endothelial cells of miniature pigs, and its protein expression was induced by transfection. Its deduced amino acid sequence was 83.5% identical to that of human RANTES. Porcine RANTES triggered transmigration of human mononuclear cells across the species barrier, and this chemotactic effect was suppressed by anti-RANTES neutralizing antibodies. The chemotactic effect of porcine RANTES was most prominent on human monocytes. Human tumor necrosis factor-alpha induced significant expression of porcine RANTES messenger RNA in endothelial cells; however both human interferon-gamma and interleukin-1beta failed. These results suggest that porcine RANTES can play an important role in xenotransplant rejection, through participating in the interaction between porcine endothelial cells and human monocytes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effect of reactive media composition and co-contaminants on sulfur-based autotrophic denitrification.

As a part of a study developing a biological reactive barrier system to treat nitrate-contaminated groundwater, the effects of reactive media composition and co-contaminants on sulfur-oxidizing autotrophic denitrification were investigated. The size of sulfur granules affected the denitrification rates; kinetic constants of 2.883, 2.949, and 0.677 mg-N(1/2)/L(1/2)/day were obtained when the granule sizes were below 2 mm, between 2 and 5 mm, and over 5 mm, respectively. When the volume ratios of sulfur to limestone were 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, and 4:1, kinetic constants of 5.490, 3.903, 4.072, and 2.984 mg-N(1/2)/L(1/2)/day were obtained, respectively. The presence of TCE up to 20 mg/L didn't significantly affect nitrate removal efficiency. At the TCE concentration of 80 mg/L, however, nitrate removal was markedly inhibited. Also, Zn and Cu inhibited the denitrification activity at more than 0.5 mg/L of concentration whereas Cr (VI) did not significantly affect the nitrate removal efficiency at all levels tested.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

Electrophoretic mobility equation for protein with molecular shape and charge multipole effects.

We derive a simple formula for the free solution electrophoretic mobility of protein by including both molecular shape and charge distribution effects. The molecular shape of protein is described by a deformed sphere model, while the charge distribution is represented in terms of net charge, charge dipole, and charge quadrupole. The deformed sphere model approximates the radial coordinate of the protein surface as a simple quadratic equation based on the atomic coordinate data. Charge dipole does not affect the mobility of protein. Combined with the quadratic coefficients of the surface equation, charge quadrupole affects the mobility. When the charge quadrupole contribution is negligible, the mobility equation simplifies to the Henry equation in which the sphere radius is replaced with the hydrodynamic radius of protein. The deformed sphere model predicts correctly the hydrodynamic radius of protein from the atomic coordinate data. The hydrodynamic radius is not the radius of sphere of equal volume but the effective radius that correlates with the translational diffusivity of protein. To illustrate the utility of our mobility equation we study the electrophoresis of lysozyme and compare our results with previously published works.

Electrophoresis↗

Structural basis for the extended substrate spectrum of CMY-10, a plasmid-encoded class C beta-lactamase.

The emergence and dissemination of extended-spectrum (ES) beta-lactamases induce therapeutic failure and a lack of eradication of clinical isolates even by third-generation beta-lactam antibiotics like ceftazidime. CMY-10 is a plasmid-encoded class C beta-lactamase with a wide spectrum of substrates. Unlike the well-studied class C ES beta-lactamase from Enterobacter cloacae GC1, the Omega-loop does not affect the active site conformation and the catalytic activity of CMY-10. Instead, a three-amino-acid deletion in the R2-loop appears to be responsible for the ES activity of CMY-10. According to the crystal structure solved at 1.55 A resolution, the deletion significantly widens the R2 active site, which accommodates the R2 side-chains of beta-lactam antibiotics. This observation led us to demonstrate the hydrolysing activity of CMY-10 towards imipenem with a long R2 substituent. The forced mutational analyses of P99 beta-lactamase reveal that the introduction of deletion mutations into the R2-loop is able to extend the substrate spectrum of class C non-ES beta-lactamases, which is compatible with the isolation of natural class C ES enzymes harbouring deletion mutations in the R2-loop. Consequently, the opening of the R2 active site by the deletion of some residues in the R2-loop can be considered as an operative molecular strategy of class C beta-lactamases to extend their substrate spectrum.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Early up-regulation of CXC-chemokine expression is associated with strong cellular immune responses to murine skin xenografts.

BACKGROUND: The dynamic pattern of the cellular infiltration and mRNA expression of chemokines in rat-to-mouse skin xenografts were examined to gain an understanding of the possible role of chemokines in the stronger cellular immune responses to xenografts compared with the allo-response. METHODS: The mean survival time of the xenografts was approximately 2 days less than that of allografts (10.7 +/- 0.9 days vs. 8.9 +/- 0.7 days, P < 0.05). In comparison with the allografts, the xenografts were characterized by a very early infiltration of monocytes/macrophages (day 3) and a larger number of CD4+ and CD8+ cells, as well as neutrophil infiltration in the early phase (day 5), and larger number of CD8+ and CD11b+ cells, as well as macrophage infiltration, in the later phase (day 7). Xenografts showed stronger interferon (IFN)-inducible 10-kDa protein (IP-10) and monokine induced by IFN (MIG) mRNA expression levels, which appeared earlier than in the allografts. In the later phase, strong expression of regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted was observed. Cytokine mRNA expression in the xenografts could be summarized by higher expression of IFN-gamma, interleukin (IL)1beta, IL6, and transforming growth factor -beta1 mRNA than in the allografts. These results suggest that the early increased CXC-chemokine expression, such as IP-10 and MIG, which has been known to be mainly produced by macrophages, may play a critical role in the stronger cellular xenograft rejection compared with allograft rejection. Therefore, MIG antiserum or CXCR3 antiserum was administered to the rat skin-engrafted mice every other day until rejection. RESULTS: Compared with the control normal rabbit serum-treated mice, either the MIG antiserum- or CXCR3 antiserum-treated mice showed a delayed rejection of approximately 2 days (8.3 +/- 0.5 days vs. 10.6 +/- 0.5 days or 10.8 +/- 1.9 days, respectively, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Overall, these results suggest that the more aggressive rejection of xenografts compared with allografts is due to the earlier expression of CXC-chemokines, IP-10 and MIG, and subsequent adjuvant effects of proinflammatory cytokines.

Animals↗

Choice of the adequate detection time for the accurate evaluation of the efficiency of siRNA-induced gene silencing.

RNA interference (RNAi) mediated by small interfering RNA (siRNA) has become a popular tool of examining the function of various genes. However, many studies have failed to identify any inhibitory effect of the siRNAs on the expression of the target gene, even though the siRNA being tested had been designed sequence-specifically. In order to determine if this failure is due to the incorrect choice of observation time rather than that of the target site of the gene of interest, this study examined the RNAi efficiency of a vector-driven siRNA targeting two different reporter proteins, EGFP and d2EGFP, whose targeted sequences were identical but the half-lives within the cells differed remarkably from each other (>24h versus 2h), during the time course after transfection. The EGFP expression levels in both cells were reduced in time-dependent manner but the reduction patterns were quite different from each other. The RNAi efficiency varied among the different observation time points and the time required for the maximum RNAi efficiency was proportional to the half-life of the target protein. Stable knocked down cell lines for EGFP expression were then established and the reduced EGFP expression levels in these cell lines were retained for a long period. These results suggest that the choice of an adequate observation time or the establishment of stable knocked down cells by antibiotic selection might be required for making an accurate evaluation of the RNAi effect on the target protein possessing a long half-life.

Animals↗

Molecular cloning, expression and functional characterization of miniature swine CD86.

CD86 is one of the key molecules involved in the co-stimulation of T cells. The complete cDNA encoding CD86 molecule of miniature swine was cloned and analyzed. A comparison of two CD86 amino acid sequences of miniature swine and domestic swine showed only three amino acid differences suggesting that it is unlikely to affect the major structural features of the miniature swine CD86 (msCD86). In the expression study, constitutive expression of CD86 mRNA was detected in various tissues, and the aberrant expression of the transcriptional variant (putative soluble form) was noted. The cDNA and amino acid sequences for this variant were determined and compared with those for the human soluble CD86, which was previously reported to co-stimulate the T cells. Interestingly, an alignment of the two sequences revealed that 51 amino acids corresponding to the sequence for the boundary of the extracellular and intracellular domains including the transmembrane domain are deleted at almost an identical location within the full form of CD86 from both species. This suggests the possibility of a co-stimulatory function of the putative soluble msCD86. In order to determine if the cloned msCD86 molecules has co-stimulatory activity, the proliferative responses of the human CD4(+) T cells to the msCD86-transfected COS cells were measured in the presence of Con A. The results revealed that CD86/COS, but not the mock/COS, efficiently co-stimulated the proliferation of the Con A-stimulated CD4(+) T cells and this co-stimulatory effect was blocked by CTLA4-Ig. The structural and functional information on the miniature swine CD86 from this study will enable a further genetic manipulation of CD86 as a therapeutic strategy for controlling the xenogeneic T cell immune responses mediated by the CD86-CD28 signal pathway.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Down-regulation of MHC class I expression in human neuronal stem cells using viral stealth mechanism.

Due to their unique capacity for self-renewal in addition to their ability to differentiate into cells of all neuronal lineages, neuronal stem cells (NSCs) are promising candidates for cell replacement therapy in neuronal injury and neurodegenerative diseases. However, there are few studies on immune rejection, which is one of the main problems facing successful stem cell therapy. In order to determine if human NSC might be rejected after transplantation the MHC expression level was examined in the HB1.F3 cell line, which has previously been shown to exhibit NSC properties. The results showed low expression levels of the MHC class I molecules on the surfaces of these cells. A dramatic increase in the MHC class I expression level was observed when the cells were treated with IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and IL-1beta, alone or in combination. The maximum induction of MHC class I protein expression was observed at above 20ng/ml IFN-gamma 48h after the treatment. The apparent additive effects of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in combination on the maximum induction of MHC class I expression exerted by IFN-gamma treatment were not observed. The MHC class I levels elevated by IFN-gamma were sustained for 72h after withdrawing the IFN-gamma. Therefore, this study introduced human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) US genes, which are known to be able to reduce the MHC class I expression level on the cell surface after infection, into HB1.F3 cells. The cells transfected with the hCMV US2, US3, US6 or US11 genes showed 20-50% reduction in the MHC class I expression level compared with the mock-transfected cells. These results suggest that NSC expresses high levels of the MHC class I proteins, and unless they are modified, might be rejected upon transplantation. In addition, the various viral stealth mechanisms can be exploited for stem cell transplantation.

Cell Line↗

MHC expression in a human adult stem cell line and its down-regulation by hCMV US gene transfection.

Due to their unique capacity to self-renew and for multiple differentiation, stem cells are considered promising candidates for cell replacement therapy in many devastating diseases. However, studies on immune rejection, which is a major problem facing successful stem cell therapy, are rare. In this study, we examined MHC expression in the M13SV1 cell line, which has previously been shown to have stem cell properties and to be non-tumorigenic, in order to determine whether human adult stem cells might be rejected after transplantation. Our results show low expression levels of MHC class I molecules on the surface of these cells. An induction of MHC class I expression was observed when the cells were treated with IFN-gamma. Maximal induction of MHC class protein expression was observed at 48 h after treatment with concentrations above 5 ng/ml of IFN-gamma. Elevated MHC class I levels were sustained for 72 h after withdrawing IFN-gamma. Therefore, we introduced human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) US genes, which are known to be able to reduce MHC class I expression on the cell surface after infection, into M13SV1 cells. Cells transfected with the hCMV US2, US3, US6 or US11 genes exhibited a reduction (40-60%) of MHC class I expression compared with mock-transfected cells. These results suggest that human adult stem cells are capable of expressing high levels of MHC class I proteins, and thus may be rejected on transplantation unless they are modified. In addition, viral stealth mechanisms can be exploited for stem cell transplantation.

Animals↗

Establishment and characterization of endothelial cell lines from the aorta of miniature pig for the study of xenotransplantation.

Pig endothelial cells are the first cells to interact with human immune components after organ xenotransplantation, which is a procedure currently considered to be the best treatment option for end-stage organ failure. It is, therefore, essential to study the mechanisms of molecular interaction between pig endothelial cells and human immune components, in order to overcome xenograft rejection. The aim of this study was to establish immortalized pig aortic endothelial cell lines, in order to facilitate future in vitro studies of human anti-pig immune responses. Endothelial cell lines were established following the transfection of primary endothelial cells isolated from the aortas of the Minnesota miniature pig with plasmid pRNS-1 carrying genes for neomycin resistance and the SV40 large T antigen. The immortalized cell lines showed a relatively rapid doubling time (17.6h) and the endothelial cell phenotype, as indicated by the formation of typical cobblestone monolayers and by the constitutive expression of PECAM-1 and the von Willebrand factor. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated the constitutive expression of SLA class I and CD86, whereas the expression of E-selectin and SLA class II was only induced after stimulation with human TNF-alpha and pig IFN-gamma, respectively. On the other hand, no CD80 expression was detected in the primary cells or cell lines in the presence or absence of either human TNF-alpha or pig IFN-gamma. A vigorous human T cell proliferation against these cell lines was observed in the mixed lymphocyte-endothelial cell culture. These results suggest that pig endothelial cells, immortalized by the introduction of SV40 T, retain their original characteristics, except for the acquired property of immortalization, and that they may be useful for future in vitro studies of xenogeneic human anti-pig immune responses.

Animals↗

[A case of R122H mutation of cationic trypsinogen gene in a pediatric patient with hereditary pancreatitis complicated by pseudocyst and hemosuccus pancreaticus].

Hereditary pancreatitis is a rare autosomal dominant inherited disease with 80% penetration rate. The disease is characterized by recurrent episodes of pancreatitis often beginning in childhood, positive family history with at least two other affected members and no known precipitating factors. Most forms of hereditary pancreatitis are caused by one of two commoner mutations, R122H in exon 3 and N29I in exon 2 of the cationic trypsinogen (CT) (PRSS1) gene, located on chromosome 7. These genetic defects are speculated to cause excessive trypsin activity or to prevent inactivation of prematurely activated trypsin, resulting in pancreatitis. We performed mutation analysis of a Korean family with two members having clinically suspicious hereditary pancreatitis. We analyzed the CT gene in DNA samples extracted from peripheral blood of five family members. First of all, polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme digestion were performed in exon 3 of the CT gene. And then DNA products were purified and sequenced. We found out that three members of the family, the mother and two daughters, had a R122H mutation of the CT gene. We report the first family of hereditary pancreatitis associated with the CT gene mutation, an arginine to histidine amino acid substitution at residue 122, in Korea.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

The genome sequence of the ethanologenic bacterium Zymomonas mobilis ZM4.

We report the complete genome sequence of Zymomonas mobilis ZM4 (ATCC31821), an ethanologenic microorganism of interest for the production of fuel ethanol. The genome consists of 2,056,416 base pairs forming a circular chromosome with 1,998 open reading frames (ORFs) and three ribosomal RNA transcription units. The genome lacks recognizable genes for 6-phosphofructokinase, an essential enzyme in the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway, and for two enzymes in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex and malate dehydrogenase, so glucose can be metabolized only by the Entner-Doudoroff pathway. Whole genome microarrays were used for genomic comparisons with the Z. mobilis type strain ZM1 (ATCC10988) revealing that 54 ORFs predicted to encode for transport and secretory proteins, transcriptional regulators and oxidoreductase in the ZM4 strain were absent from ZM1. Most of these ORFs were also found to be actively transcribed in association with ethanol production by ZM4.

Biological Transport↗

Cephamycin C production is regulated by relA and rsh genes in Streptomyces clavuligerus ATCC27064.

The effects of growth rate and nutrient uptake rate on the production of cephamycin C were determined in the parental strain, deltarelA mutant, and deltarsh null mutant of S. clavuligerus. Production of cephamycin C was inversely related to mycelium growth and the phosphate feed rate was more critical for the production of cephamycin C. On the contrary, the production of cephamycin C was completely abolished in the deltarelA mutant, but not in deltarsh mutant. The changes in the cephamycin C production by disruption of the relA and rsh genes are presumably associated with the consequent ability of the mutants to accumulate (p)ppGpp under nutrient starvation. Therefore, it is concluded that the stringent response of S. clavuligerus to starvation for nutrients is governed mainly by RelA rather than Rsh and that the response is more apparently regulated by the limitation of phosphate.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Delta-short consensus repeat 4-decay accelerating factor (DAF: CD55) inhibits complement-mediated cytolysis but not NK cell-mediated cytolysis.

NK cells play a critical role in the rejection of xenografts. In this study, we report on an investigation of the effect of complement regulatory protein, a decay accelerating factor (DAF: CD55), in particular, on NK cell-mediated cytolysis. Amelioration of human NK cell-mediated pig endothelial cell (PEC) and pig fibroblast cell lyses by various deletion mutants and point substitutions of DAF was tested, and compared with their complement regulatory function. Although wild-type DAF and the delta-short consensus repeat (SCR) 1-DAF showed clear inhibition of both complement-mediated and NK-mediated PEC lyses, delta-SCR2-DAF and delta-SCR3-DAF failed to suppress either process. However, delta-SCR4-DAF showed a clear complement regulatory effect, but had no effect on NK cells. Conversely, the point substitution of DAF (L147 x F148 to SS and KKK(125-127) to TTT) was half down-regulated in complement inhibitory function, but the inhibition of NK-mediated PEC lysis remained unchanged. Other complement regulatory proteins, such as the cell membrane-bound form factor H, fH-PI, and C1-inactivator, C1-INH-PI, and CD59 were also assessed, but no suppressive effect on NK cell-mediated PEC lysis was found. These data suggest, for DAF to function on NK cells, SCR2-4 is required but no relation to its complement regulatory function exists.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Merlin, a tumor suppressor, interacts with transactivation-responsive RNA-binding protein and inhibits its oncogenic activity.

The neurofibromatosis type 2 gene-encoded protein, merlin, is related to the ERM (ezrin, radixin, and moesin) family of membrane-cytoskeleton-associated proteins. Recent studies suggest that the loss of neurofibromatosis type 2 function contributes to tumor development and metastasis. Although the cellular functions of merlin as a tumor suppressor are relatively well characterized, the cellular mechanism whereby merlin controls cell proliferation from membrane locations is still poorly understood. During our efforts to find potential merlin modulators through protein-protein interactions, we identified transactivation-responsive RNA-binding protein (TRBP) as a merlin-binding protein in a yeast two-hybrid screen. The interaction between TRBP and merlin was confirmed by glutathione S-transferase pull-down assays, co-immunoprecipitation, and co-localization experiments. The carboxyl-terminal regions of each protein were responsible for their interaction. Cells overexpressing TRBP showed enhanced cell growth in cell proliferation assays and also exhibited transformed phenotypes, such as anchorage-independent cell growth and tumor development in mouse xenografts. Merlin efficiently inhibited these oncogenic activities of TRBP in our experiments. These results provide the first clue to the functional interaction between TRBP and merlin and suggest a novel mechanism for the tumor suppressor function of merlin both in vitro and in vivo.

Agar↗

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analyses of CMY-1 and CMY-10, plasmidic class C beta-lactamases with extended substrate spectrum.

Plasmid-encoded class C beta-lactamases, including CMY-1 and CMY-10, hydrolyze the lactam bonds of beta-lactam antibiotics, inducing therapeutic failure and a lack of eradication of clinical isolates by third-generation cephalosporins or cephamycins. Therefore, the enzymes are potential targets for developing agents against pathogens isolated from patients suffering from wound infection, urinary tract infection or pneumonia. CMY-1 and CMY-10 were purified and crystallized at 298 K. X-ray diffraction data from CMY-1 and CMY-10 crystals have been collected to 2.5 and 1.5 A resolution, respectively, using synchrotron radiation. The crystals of the two proteins are isomorphous and belong to the primitive monoclinic space group P2(1).

Cloning, Molecular↗

Dissemination of Escherichia coli producing AmpC-type beta-lactamase (CMY-11) in Korea.

Among the 51 clinical isolates collected from a university hospital in Korea, nine isolates were resistant to cephamycins. Nine isolates were shown to produce CMY-11 and these also included three isolates producing TEM-1. The results from ERIC-PCR revealed that dissemination of CMY-11 was due to outbreaks of resistant species and to the intra-species spread of resistance to cephamycins in Korea. CMY-11 beta-lactamase genes from nine clinical isolates that were responsible for resistance to cephamycins (cefoxitin and cefotetan), amoxicillin, cephalothin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, were cloned and characterised. A sequence identical to the common regions in In6, In7 and a novel integron from pSAL-1 was found upstream from bla(CMY-11) gene at nucleotide 1-71. Eighteen nucleotides between position 71 and 72 were inserted into the bla(CMY-11) gene.

Bacterial Proteins↗