A novel chimeric promoter that is highly responsive to hypoxia and metals

Lee, J-Y,Lee, Y-S,Kim, J-M,Kim, K L,Lee, J-S,Jang, H-S,Shin, I-S,Suh, W,Jeon, E-S,Byun, J,Kim, D-K Nature Publishing Group 2006 Gene Therapy Vol.13 No.10

To develop a potent hypoxia-inducible promoter, we evaluated the usefulness of chimeric combinations of the (Egr-1)-binding site (EBS) from the Egr-1 gene, the metal-response element (MRE) from the metallothionein gene, and the hypoxia-response element (HRE) from the phosphoglycerate kinase 1 gene. In transient transfection assays, combining three copies of HRE (3 × HRE) with either EBS or MRE significantly increased hypoxia responsiveness. When a three-enhancer combination was tested, the EBS–MRE-3 × HRE (E–M–H) gave a hypoxia induction ratio of 69. The expression induced from E–M–H-pGL3 was 2.4-fold higher than that induced from H-pGL3 and even surpassed the expression from a human cytomegalovirus promoter-driven vector. The high inducibility of E–M–H was confirmed by validation studies in different cells and by expressing other cDNAs. Gel shift assays together with functional overexpression studies suggested that increased levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α, metal transcription factor-1 and Egr-1 may be associated with the high inducibility of the E–M–H chimeric promoter. E–M–H was also induced by hypoxia mimetics such as Co<SUP>2+</SUP> and deferoxamine (DFX) and by hydrogen peroxide. Gene expression from the E–M–H was reversible as shown by the reduced expression of the transgene upon removal of inducers such as hypoxia and DFX. In vivo evaluation of the E–M–H in ischemic muscle revealed that erythropoietin secretion and luciferase and LacZ expression were significantly higher in the E–M–H group than in a control or H group. With its high induction capacity and versatile means of modulation, this novel chimeric promoter should find wide application in the treatment of ischemic diseases and cancer.Gene Therapy (2006) 13, 857–868. doi:10.1038/sj.gt.3302728; published online 9 February 2006

Evaluation of the zoonotic potential of a novel reassortant H1N2 swine influenza virus with gene constellation derived from multiple viral sources

Lee, J.H.,Pascua, P.N.Q.,Decano, A.G.,Kim, S.M.,Park, S.J.,Kwon, H.I.,Kim, E.H.,Kim, Y.I.,Kim, H.,Kim, S.Y.,Song, M.S.,Jang, H.K.,Park, B.K.,Choi, Y.K. Elsevier Science 2015 INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION Vol.34 No.-

In 2011-2012, contemporary North American-like H3N2 swine influenza viruses (SIVs) possessing the 2009 pandemic H1N1 matrix gene (H3N2pM-like virus) were detected in domestic pigs of South Korea where H1N2 SIV strains are endemic. More recently, we isolated novel reassortant H1N2 SIVs bearing the Eurasian avian-like swine H1-like hemagglutinin and Korean swine H1N2-like neuraminidase in the internal gene backbone of the H3N2pM-like virus. In the present study, we clearly provide evidence on the genetic origins of the novel H1N2 SIVs virus through genetic and phylogenetic analyses. In vitro studies demonstrated that, in comparison with a pre-existing 2012 Korean H1N2 SIV [A/swine/Korea/CY03-1½012 (CY03-1½012)], the 2013 novel reassortant H1N2 isolate [A/swine/Korea/CY0423/2013 (CY0423-12/2013)] replicated more efficiently in differentiated primary human bronchial epithelial cells. The CY0423-12/2013 virus induced higher viral titers than the CY03-1½012 virus in the lungs and nasal turbinates of infected mice and nasal wash samples of ferrets. Moreover, the 2013 H1N2 reassortant, but not the intact 2012 H1N2 virus, was transmissible to naive contact ferrets via respiratory-droplets. Noting that the viral precursors have the ability to infect humans, our findings highlight the potential threat of a novel reassortant H1N2 SIV to public health and underscore the need to further strengthen influenza surveillance strategies worldwide, including swine populations.

Small molecule inhibition of Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen-1 DNA binding activity interferes with replication and persistence of the viral genome

Lee, E.K.,Kim, S.Y.,Noh, K.W.,Joo, E.H.,Zhao, B.,Kieff, E.,Kang, M.S. Elsevier/North-Holland 2014 ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH Vol.104 No.-

The replication and persistence of extra chromosomal Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) episome in latently infected cells are primarily dependent on the binding of EBV-encoded nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) to the cognate EBV oriP element. In continuation of the previous study, herein we characterized EBNA1 small molecule inhibitors (H20, H31) and their underlying inhibitory mechanisms. In silico docking analyses predicted that H20 fits into a pocket in the EBNA1 DNA binding domain (DBD). However, H20 did not significantly affect EBNA1 binding to its cognate sequence. A limited structure-relationship study of H20 identified a hydrophobic compound H31, as an EBNA1 inhibitor. An in vitro EBNA1 EMSA and in vivo EGFP-EBNA1 confocal microscopy analysis showed that H31 inhibited EBNA1-dependent oriP sequence-specific DNA binding activity, but not sequence-nonspecific chromosomal association. Consistent with this, H31 repressed the EBNA1-dependent transcription, replication, and persistence of an EBV oriP plasmid. Furthermore, H31 induced progressive loss of EBV episome. In addition, H31 selectively retarded the growth of EBV-infected LCL or Burkitt's lymphoma cells. These data indicate that H31 inhibition of EBNA1-dependent DNA binding decreases transcription from and persistence of EBV episome in EBV-infected cells. These new compounds might be useful probes for dissecting EBNA1 functions in vitro and in vivo.

NMR study of hydrogen exchange during the B-Z transition of a DNA duplex induced by the Zα domains of yatapoxvirus E3L

Lee, E.H.,Seo, Y.J.,Ahn, H.C.,Kang, Y.M.,Kim, H.E.,Lee, Y.M.,Choi, B.S.,Lee, J.H. North-Holland Pub ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2010 FEBS letters Vol.584 No.21

The Yaba-like disease viruses (YLDV) are members of the Yatapoxvirus family and have double-stranded DNA genomes. The E3L protein, which is essential for pathogenesis in the vaccinia virus, consists of two domains: an N-terminal Z-DNA binding domain and a C-terminal RNA binding domain. The crystal structure of the E3L orthologue of YLDV (yabZα<SUB>E3L</SUB>) bound to Z-DNA revealed that the overall structure of yabZα<SUB>E3L</SUB> and its interaction with Z-DNA are very similar to those of hZα<SUB>ADAR1</SUB>. Here we have performed NMR hydrogen exchange experiments on the complexes between yabZα<SUB>E3L</SUB> and d(CGCGCG)<SUB>2</SUB> with a variety of protein-to-DNA molar ratios. This study revealed that yabZα<SUB>E3L</SUB> could efficiently change the B-form helix of the d(CGCGCG)<SUB>2</SUB> to left-handed Z-DNA via the active-mono B-Z transition pathway like hZα<SUB>ADAR1</SUB>1.

Multi-layered hydrogenated p-type microcrystalline silicon windows for a-Si:H thin film solar cells on opaque substrates

Lee, Y.J.,Lee, S.H.,Schropp, R.E.I.,Lee, K.S.,Lim, J.W.,Yun, S.J. Pergamon Press 2016 International journal of hydrogen energy Vol.41 No.15

<P>The effects of multi-layered p-type microcrystalline (mu c-) Si:H windows on the performance of substrate-type amorphous Si:H thin film solar cells on opaque substrates were investigated. The results were well explained in terms of H-2-plasma-induced damage (HPID) at the p/i-interface and the near-interface region of the light-absorbing layer. The mu c-Si:H was deposited using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition in a H-2-rich atmosphere. A high microcrystalline volume fraction was obtained with a high H-2 dilution ratio, which can cause considerable HPID. Cell efficiency was enhanced with a multi-layered p-type mu c-Si:H composed of films with low and high crystalline volume fraction, compared to cells with single-layered mu c-Si:H. In the multi-layered p-type mu c-Si:H, the low crystalline film was placed on an i-Si:H layer to reduce HPID. The present work demonstrated that HPID was reduced at the p/i-interface and the near-interface region of the light-absorbing layer, and that the quality of the p-type mu c-Si:H needs to be a significant consideration to achieve high efficiency. Copyright (C) 2016, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.</P>

Surveillance of avian influenza virus in wild bird fecal samples from South Korea, 2003-2008.

Kang, H M,Jeong, O M,Kim, M C,Kwon, J S,Paek, M R,Choi, J G,Lee, E K,Kim, Y J,Kwon, J H,Lee, Y J [Wildlife Disease Association] 2010 JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES Vol.46 No.3

<P>We analyzed the results from nationwide surveillance of avian influenza (AI) from birds in South Korea's major wild bird habitats and the demilitarized zone of South Korea, 2003-2008. Of 28,214 fecal samples analyzed, 225 yielded influenza viruses, for a prevalence of 0.8%. Hemagglutinin (HA) subtypes H1-H12 and all nine neuraminidase (NA) subtypes were detected. The dominant HA subtypes were H6, H1, and H4, and the most common NA subtypes were N2, N1, and N6. Among the 38 HA/NA subtype combinations, the most common were H4N6, H6N1, and H5N2. Thirty-seven low-pathogenic AI (LPAI) viruses of the H5 and H7 subtype were detected. Among them, we identified bird species for 16 H5- and H7-positive fecal samples using a DNA bar-coding system instituted in 2007; all birds were identified as Anseriformes. The HA gene of the H5 wild bird isolates belonged to the Eurasian avian lineage, and could be clearly distinguished from the sublineage H5N1 highly pathogenic AI (HPAI) of the Eurasian and American avian lineages. Whereas H7 LPAI viruses did not group as a separate sublineage with H7 HPAI viruses, H7 isolates were closely related with the Eurasian avian lineage.</P>

Neural stem cells injured by oxidative stress can be rejuvenated by GV1001, a novel peptide, through scavenging free radicals and enhancing survival signals

Park, H.H.,Yu, H.J.,Kim, S.,Kim, G.,Choi, N.Y.,Lee, E.H.,Lee, Y.J.,Yoon, M.Y.,Lee, K.Y.,Koh, S.H. Elsevier BV 2016 NeuroToxicology Vol.55 No.-

<P>Oxidative stress is a well-known pathogenic mechanism of a diverse array of neurological diseases, and thus, numerous studies have attempted to identify antioxidants that prevent neuronal cell death. GV1001 is a 16-amino-acid peptide derived from human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). Considering that hTERT has a strong antioxidant effect, whether GV1001 also has an antioxidant effect is a question of interest. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of GV1001 against oxidative stress in neural stem cells (NSCs). Primary culture NSCs were treated with different concentrations of GV1001 and/or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for various time durations. The H2O2 decreased the viability of the NSCs in a concentration-dependent manner, with 200 mu M H2O2 significantly decreasing both proliferation and migration. However, treatment with GV1001 rescued the viability, proliferation and migration of H2O2 injured NSCs. Consistently, free radical levels were increased in rat NSCs treated with H2O2, while co-treatment with GV1001 significantly reduced these levels, especially the intracellular levels. In addition, GV1001 restored the expression of survival-related proteins and reduced the expression of death associated ones in NSCs treated with H2O2. In conclusion, GV1001 has antioxidant and neuroprotective effects in NSCs following treatment with H2O2, which appear to be mediated by scavenging free radicals, increasing survival signals and decreasing death signals. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</P>

Supplementation of oil-based inactivated H9N2 vaccine with M2e antigen enhances resistance against heterologous H9N2 avian influenza virus infection

Park, J.K.,Lee, D.H.,Cho, C.H.,Yuk, S.S.,To, E.O.,Kwon, J.H.,Noh, J.Y.,Kim, B.Y.,Choi, S.W.,Shim, B.S.,Song, M.K.,Lee, J.B.,Park, S.Y.,Choi, I.S.,Song, C.S. Elsevier Scientific Pub. Co 2014 Veterinary microbiology Vol.169 No.3

Avian influenza virus (AIV) subtype H9N2 has been evolving rapidly and vaccine escape variants have been reported to cause circulation of infections and economic losses. In the present study, we developed and evaluated ectodomain of the AIV matrix 2 (M2e) protein as a supplementing antigen for oil-based inactivated H9N2 vaccine to increase resistance against vaccine escape variants. AIV H9N2 M2e antigen was expressed in Escherichia coli and supplemented to inactivated H9N2 oil emulsion vaccine. Specific pathogen-free chickens received a single injection of inactivated H9N2 oil emulsion vaccines with or without M2e supplementation. At three weeks post vaccination, hemagglutination inhibition tests and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed to determine serological immune responses. Challenge study using a vaccine escape H9N2 variant was performed to evaluate the efficacy of M2e supplementation. M2e antigen supplemented in oil emulsion vaccine was highly immunogenic, and a single M2e-supplemented vaccination reduced challenge virus replication and shedding more effectively than non-supplemented vaccination.

자외선의 조사간격이 브로일러 병아리의 볏 피부중 비타민 D₃함량에 미치는 영향

조인호,장윤환,이은택,여영수,배은경,김중달 한국축산학회 1994 한국축산학회지 Vol.36 No.1

This study was conducted to determine the content, of previtamin D₃(PreD₃), lumisterol₃(L₃), vitamin D₃(VD₃) and provitamin D₃(ProD₃) in comb skski of broiler chicks exposed to medium ware ultraviolet(UVB) lights in different interval. The broiler Hubbard line day old chicks(199 = 10 control + 3 irradiation interval × 9 elapsed time × 7 replica) were fed vitamin D deficient diet for 3 weeks in a windowless subdued light room and exposed to 297 ㎚ UVB light by 0.068 mJ/㎝-(10 min) three times in 0, 12 or 24 h interval. The comb skin were taken at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 48, 96, 144 or 240 h after last irradiation, and epidermis and dermis were separated. The lipid in sample was extracted by 9% ethyl acetate/hexane and purified by Sep-Pak silica catridge. The stright phase HPI-C was applied to analyze the concentration of Prop; and its photoproducts. When chicks were exposed once to UVB light for 30 min without interval, the mole % of ProD₃ in comb epidermis were 100% at control and 52.65% at 0 h after irradiation, thereafter it increased gradually to 88.17% at 240 h. PreD₃ and L₃ presented the maximum mole % at 0 h. VD₃ showed the peak value at 12 h. then decreased slowly. As UVB light was utilized to irradiate the chicks for 10 thin three times in 12 h interval, the ProD₃ mole portion in epidermis at 0 h was 76.4%, the lowest value among tested. PreD₃ and 1-3 preserved the highest level at 24 and 0 h, respectively, thereafter decreased gradully. VD₃ showed a peak at 6 h after exposure. When 24 h interval system was treated, the lowest value of ProD₃ 83.52% was appeared at 0 h. PreD₃ and L3 showed the highest level at 6 and 0 h, respectively. Mole ale of VD₃ had a peak value at 6 h and thin decreased. The mole % of ProD₃ and its photoproduets in comb dermis presented similar trends of time course variation as in those in epidermis. In respecting the method of UVB irradiation the PreD₃, L, and VDT were produced more quickly and largely in no intend system as compared to the time and amount produced in 12 or 24 h interval system.

Supplemented vaccination with tandem repeat M2e virus-like particles enhances protection against homologous and heterologous HPAI H5 viruses in chickens

Song, B.M.,Kang, H.M.,Lee, E.K.,Jung, S.C.,Kim, M.C.,Lee, Y.N.,Kang, S.M.,Lee, Y.J. Butterworths ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2016 Vaccine Vol.34 No.5

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 viruses derived from A/Goose/Guangdong/1/96 have been continuously circulating globally, severely affecting the public health and poultry industries. The matrix 2 protein ectodomain (M2e) is considered a promising candidate for a universal cross-protective influenza vaccine that provides more effective control over HPAI H5 viruses harboring variant hemagglutinin (HA)-antigens. Here, we evaluated the protective efficacy of a tandem repeat construct of heterologous M2e presented on virus-like particles (M2e5x VLPs) either alone or as a supplement against HPAI H5 viruses in a chicken model. Chickens immunized with M2e5x VLPs alone induced M2e-specific antibodies but were not protected against HPAI H5. The homo- and cross-protective efficacy of M2e5x VLP-supplemented vaccination of chickens was also examined. Importantly, supplementation with M2e5x VLPs induced significantly higher levels of antibodies specific for M2e and different viruses as well as provided improved protection against homologous and heterologous HPAI H5 viruses. Considering the limited efficacy of inactivated vaccines, supplement vaccination with M2e5x VLPs may be an effective measure for preventing outbreaks of HPAI viruses that have the ability to constantly change their antigenic properties in poultry.