Identification and characterization of a carboxypeptidase N1 from red lip mullet (<i>Liza haematocheila</i>); revealing its immune relevance

Perera, N.C.N.,Godahewa, G.I.,Jung, Sumi,Kim, Myoung-Jin,Nam, Bo-Hye,Lee, Jehee ACADEMIC PRESS LTD 2019 FISH AND SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY Vol.84 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Complement system orchestrates the innate and adaptive immunity <I>via</I> the activation, recruitment, and regulation of immune molecules to destroy pathogens. However, regulation of the complement is essential to avoid injuries to the autologous tissues. The present study unveils the characteristic features of an important complement component, anaphylatoxin inactivator from red lip mullet at its molecular and functional level. Mullet carboxypeptidase N1 (MuCPN1) cDNA sequence possessed an open reading frame of 1347 bp, which encoded a protein of 449 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 51 kDa. <I>In silico</I> analysis discovered two domains of PM14-Zn carboxypeptidase and a C-terminal domain of M14 N/E carboxypeptidase, two zinc-binding signature motifs, and an N-glycosylation site in the MuCPN1 sequence. Homology analysis revealed that most of the residues in the sequence are conserved among the other selected homologs. Phylogeny analysis showed that MuCPN1 closely cladded with the <I>Maylandia zebra</I> CPN1 and clustered together with the teleostean counterparts. A challenge experiment showed modulated expression of MuCPN1 upon polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid and <I>Lactococcus garviae</I> in head kidney, spleen, gill, and liver tissues. The highest upregulation of MuCPN1 was observed 24 h post infection against poly I:C in each tissue. Moreover, the highest relative expressions upon <I>L. garviae</I> challenge were observed at 24 h post infection in head kidney tissue and 48 h post infection in spleen, gill, and liver tissues. MuCPN1 transfected cells triggered a 2.2-fold increase of nitric oxide (NO) production upon LPS stimulation compared to the un-transfected controls suggesting that MuCPN1 is an active protease which releases arginine from complement C3a, C4a, and C5a. These results have driven certain way towards enhancing the understanding of immune role of MuCPN1 in the complement defense mechanism of red lip mullet.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Carboxypeptidase N1 complement component was identified from the red lip mullet. </LI> <LI> Ubiquitous expression of MuCPN1 was observed in healthy mullet tissues. </LI> <LI> Modulated transcriptions of MuCPN1 revealed the importance in the immune responses. </LI> <LI> MuCPN1 was enhanced the nitric oxide production at an inflammatory condition. </LI> </UL> </P>

Molecular, structural, and functional comparison of N lobe and C lobe of the transferrin from rock bream, <i>Oplegnathus fasciatus,</i> with respect to its immune response

Perera, N.C.N.,Godahewa, G.I.,Hwang, Jee Youn,Kwon, Mun Gyeong,Hwang, Seong Don,Lee, Jehee Elsevier 2017 Fish & shellfish immunology Vol.68 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The iron-withholding strategy of innate immunity is an effective antimicrobial defense mechanism that combats microbial infection by depriving microorganisms of Fe<SUP>3+</SUP>, which is important for their growth and propagation. Transferrins (Tfs) are a group of iron-binding proteins that exert their antimicrobial function through Fe<SUP>3+</SUP> sequestration. The current study describes both structural and functional characteristics of a transferrin ortholog from rock bream <I>Oplegnathus fasciatus</I> (RbTf). The RbTf cDNA possesses an open reading frame (ORF) of 2079 bp encoding 693 amino acids. It has a molecular mass of approximately 74 kDa and an isoelectric point of 5.4. <I>In silico</I> analysis revealed that RbTf has two conserved domains: N-terminal domain and C-terminal domain. Pairwise homology analysis and phylogenetic analysis revealed that RbTf shared the highest identity (82.6%) with <I>Dicentrarchus labrax</I> Tf. According to the genomic analysis, RbTf possesses 17 exons and 16 introns, similar to the other orthologs. Here, we cloned the N terminal and C terminal domains of RbTf to evaluate their distinct functional features. Results obtained through the CAS (chrome azurol S) assay confirmed the iron-binding ability of the RbTf, and it was further determined that the iron-binding ability of rRbTfN was higher than that of rRbTfC. The antimicrobial functions of the rRbTfN and the rRbTfC were confirmed via the iron-dependent bacterial growth inhibition assay. Tissue distribution profiling revealed a ubiquitous expression with intense expression in the liver. Temporal assessment revealed that <I>RbTf</I> increased after stimulation of LPS, <I>Edwardsiella tarda,</I> and <I>Streptococcus iniae</I> post injection (p.i.). These findings demonstrated that RbTf is an important antimicrobial protein that can combat bacterial pathogens.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Transferrin was identified from rock bream (<I>RbTf</I>). </LI> <LI> N terminal and C terminal domains of RbTf was separately cloned and evaluated their distinct functional features. </LI> <LI> CAS (chrome azurol S) assay confirmed the iron-binding ability of the RbTf. </LI> <LI> Transcriptional level of <I>RbTf</I> was modulated by pathological stress. </LI> </UL> </P>

Coincidence measurement of the nonmesonic weak decay of ¹²_<i>Λ</i>C

Kim, M.J.,Ajimura, S.,Aoki, K.,Banu, A.,Bhang, H.,Fukuda, T.,Hashimoto, O.,Hwang, J.I.,Kameoka, S.,Kang, B.H.,Kim, E.H.,Kim, J.H.,Maruta, T.,Miura, Y.,Miyake, Y.,Nagae, T.,Nakamura, M.,Nakamura, S.N. Elsevier 2006 Physics letters: B Vol.641 No.1

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>We have measured the angular correlation of the pair nucleons <I>np</I> and <I>nn</I> emitted from the nonmesonic weak decay (NMWD) of <SUP>12</SUP><SUB><I>Λ</I></SUB>C produced via the (<SUP>π+</SUP>,<SUP>K+</SUP>) reaction in coincidence measurement. The Λp→np and Λn→nn modes were clearly identified by measuring the back-to-back correlation of the emitted nucleon pairs which is the characteristic of two-body kinematics. From the measured nucleon pair numbers <SUB>Nnn</SUB> and <SUB>Nnp</SUB>, the ratio <SUB>Γn</SUB>/<SUB>Γp</SUB> of the partial decay widths <SUB>Γn</SUB>(Λn→nn) and <SUB>Γp</SUB>(Λp→np) of <SUP>12</SUP><SUB><I>Λ</I></SUB>C was extracted to be 0.51±0.13(stat)±0.05(syst); this result is almost free from the ambiguity due to the nuclear final state interaction and 3-body decay process, which were inherent in the previous results. The obtained <SUB>Γn</SUB>/<SUB>Γp</SUB> ratio of <SUP>12</SUP><SUB><I>Λ</I></SUB>C (<I>p</I>-shell) is close to that of <SUP>5</SUP><SUB><I>Λ</I></SUB>He (<I>s</I>-shell). The results are consistent with those of recent theoretical calculations.</P>

Manganese-superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), a role player in seahorse (<i>Hippocampus abdominalis</i>) antioxidant defense system and adaptive immune system

Perera, N.C.N.,Godahewa, G.I.,Lee, Seongdo,Kim, Myoung-Jin,Hwang, Jee Youn,Kwon, Mun Gyeong,Hwang, Seong Don,Lee, Jehee Elsevier 2017 Fish & shellfish immunology Vol.68 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is a metaloenzyme that catalyzes dismutation of the hazardous superoxide radicals into less hazardous H<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>2</SUB> and H<SUB>2</SUB>O. Here, we identified a homolog of MnSOD from big belly seahorse (<I>Hippocampus abdominalis</I>; <I>HaMnSOD</I>) and characterized its structural and functional features. HaMnSOD transcript possessed an open reading frame (ORF) of 672 bp which codes for a peptide of 223 amino acids. Pairwise alignment showed that HaMnSOD shared highest identity with rock bream MnSOD. Results of the phylogenetic analysis of HaMnSOD revealed a close proximity with rock bream MnSOD which was consistent with the result of homology alignment. The intense expression of <I>HaMnSOD</I> was observed in the ovary, followed by the heart and the brain. Further, immune related responses of <I>HaMnSOD</I> towards pathogenic stimulation were observed through bacterial and viral challenges. Highest <I>HaMnSOD</I> expression in response to stimulants <I>Edwardsiella tarda</I>, <I>Streptococcus iniae</I>, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) was observed in the late stage in the blood tissue. Xanthine/xanthine oxidase assay (XOD assay) indicated the ROS-scavenging ability of purified recombinant HaMnSOD (rHaMnSOD). The optimum conditions for the SOD activity of rHaMnSOD were pH 9 and the 25 °C. Collectively, the results obtained through the expressional analysis profiles and the functional assays provide insights into potential immune related and antioxidant roles of <I>HaMnSOD</I> in the big belly seahorse.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> MnSOD was identified from big belly seahorse (HaMnSOD). </LI> <LI> HaMnSOD was cloned and expressed to evaluate its distinct functional features. </LI> <LI> XOD (Xanthine oxidase) assay confirmed the superoxide scavenging ability of HaMnSOD. </LI> <LI> Transcriptional level of <I>HaMnSOD</I> was modulated by pathological stress. </LI> </UL> </P>

Interannual variation in summer N₂O concentration in the hypoxic region of the northern Gulf of Mexico, 1985-2007

Kim, I.-N.,Lee, K.,Bange, H. W.,Macdonald, A. M. Copernicus GmbH 2013 Biogeosciences Vol.10 No.11

<P><p><strong>Abstract.</strong> Microbial nitrous oxide (N₂O) production in the ocean is enhanced under low-oxygen (O₂) conditions. This is especially important in the context of increasing hypoxia (i.e., oceanic zones with extremely reduced O₂ concentrations). Here, we present a study on the interannual variation in summertime nitrous oxide (N₂O) concentrations in the bottom waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico (nGOM), which is well-known as the site of the second largest seasonally occurring hypoxic zone worldwide. To this end we developed a simple model that computes bottom-water N₂O concentrations with a tri-linear ΔN₂O/O₂ relationship based on water-column O₂ concentrations, derived from summer (July) Texas-Louisiana shelf-wide hydrographic data between 1985 and 2007. &amp;Delta;N₂O (i.e., excess N₂O) was computed including nitrification and denitrification as the major microbial production and consumption pathways of N₂O. The mean modeled bottom-water N₂O concentration for July in the nGOM was 14.5 ± 2.3 nmol L⁻¹ (min: 11.0 ± 4.5 nmol L⁻¹ in 2000 and max: 20.6 ± 11.3 nmol L⁻¹ in 2002). The mean bottom-water N₂O concentrations were significantly correlated with the areal extent of hypoxia in the nGOM. Our modeling analysis indicates that the nGOM is a persistent summer source of N₂O, and nitrification is dominating N₂O production in this region. Based on the ongoing increase in the areal extent of hypoxia in the nGOM, we conclude that N₂O production (and its subsequent emissions) from this environmentally stressed region will probably continue to increase into the future.</p> </P>

Measurement of $^{93}Nb(n,n{\alpha})^{89m}Y$, $^{93}Nb(n,{\alpha})^{90m}Y$ and $^{93}Nb(n,2n)^{92m}Nb$ Cross Sections for 14 MeV Neutrons

김영석,김낙배,정기형,박혜일,Kim, Y.S.,Kim, N.B.,Chung, K.H.,Bak, H.I. Korean Nuclear Society 1986 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.18 No.2

The $^{93}Nb(n,n\alpha)^{89m}Y$, $^{93}Nb(n,{\alpha})^{90m}Y$ and $^{93}Nb(n,2n)^{92m}Nb$ cross sections at a neutron energy of 14.6 MeV have been measured relative to the $^{27}Al(n,p)^{27}Mg$ and $^{27}Al(n,{\alpha})^{24}Na$ cross sections. A small accelerator utilizing $T(D,n)^4He$ reaction was used as a neutron source and the neutron energy spread is about 0.4MeV at the sample. All induced activities were measured with a 70cc HPGe detector in the same geometry.

Current–voltage and noise characteristics of reverse-biased Au/n-GaAs Schottky diodes with embedded InAs quantum dots

Arpatzanis, N,Tassis, D H,Dimitriadis, C A,Charitidis, C,Song, J D,Choi, W J,Lee, J I Institute of Physics 2007 Semiconductor science and technology Vol.22 No.10

<P>Schottky contacts on n-type GaAs with embedded InAs quantum dots (QDs) were studied by current–voltage (<I>I</I>–<I>V</I>) and low-frequency noise measurements. For comparison, diodes not containing QDs were investigated as reference devices. A wide distribution of the ideality factor was observed, correlated with the level of the leakage current. Reverse <I>I</I>–<I>V</I> characteristics on the logarithmic scale indicate that the space-charge limited current dominates the carrier transport in these diodes. In all diodes, the reverse current noise spectra show 1/<I>f</I> behaviour, attributed to traps uniformly distributed in energy within the band-gap of the GaAs capping layer. Depth profiling measurements of the 1/<I>f</I> noise power spectral density demonstrate the impact of the QDs on these traps. In diodes containing QDs, in addition to the 1/<I>f</I> noise, a generation–recombination noise is found originating from a deep trap level localized in the vicinity of the QD plane.</P>

질소 시비량이 정예피의 생육특성 , 수량 , 및 조성분 함량에 미치는 영향

조남기,강영길,조영일,부창훈 한국동물자원과학회 2001 한국축산학회지 Vol.43 No.2

A native cultivar of Japanese millet [Echinochloa crusgalli var. frumentacea (Roxb.) W. F. Wight) was grown with N rates of 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 ㎏/㏊ from 31 May to 6 September in 1999 to determine the optimum N rate for forage production in a volcanic ash soil of Jeju island. Half of N fertilizer rate was applied at planting and half at 60 days after planting. Days to heading increased from 84 to 90 days as nitrogen rate increased from 0 to 250㎏/㏊. Plant height increased from 144 to 183 cm with increasing nitrogen rate. However, there was no significant difference between 200 and 250 ㎏ N/㏊ for the two characteristics. Increasing N rate from 0 to 250 ㎏/㏊ increased dry matter (DM) yield from 6.76 to 12.67 MT/㏊, crude protein yield from 0.47 to 1.21 MT/㏊, and total digestible nutrients (TDN) yield from 3.46 to 7.18 MT/㏊. However, no significant differences in these yields were found between 200 and 250 ㎏ N/㏊. Nitrogen uptake increased from 75.1 to 194.2 ㎏/㏊ but N use efficiency decreased from 90.0 to 65.2 ㎏ DM/㎏ N with increasing N from 0 to 250 ㎏/㏊. As N rate increased from 0 to 250 ㎏/㏊, CP and TDN contents increased from 6.9 to 9.6% and from 51.3 to 56.7%. respectively. while crude fiber content decreased from 39.5 to 35.9%. Ether extract and nitrogen free extract contents increased up to 200 ㎏ N/㏊ and then did not significantly increase with the further increase in N rate. Crude ash content decreased up to 200 ㎏ N/㏊ and then did not significantly decrease with the further increase in N rate. Based on the these findings, the optimum N rate for forage production of Japanese millet seems to be about 200 ㎏/㏊ in volcanic ash soils of Jeju island.

Three new species of the genus <i>Probles</i> Förster (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Tersilochinae) from South Korea

Khalaim, Andrey I.,Balueva, Ekaterina N.,Kim, Ki-Beom,Lee, Jong-Wook Pensoft Publishers 2013 ZooKeys Vol.348 No.-

<P>Abstract</P><P>Three closely related species of the genus <I>Probles</I> Förster, <I>P. fulgida</I><B>sp. n.</B>, <I>P. korusa</I><B>sp. n.</B> and <I>P. rukora</I><B>sp. n.</B>, belong to the subgenus <I>Euporizon</I> Horstmann and differ from other Palearctic species of the genus by a combination of long and apically weakly sinuate ovipositor and short temple. These three species are assigned to a newly designated <I>fulgida</I> species-group, and a portion of the key for identification of this species-group is provided. Based on the shape of the ovipositor apex, the <I>fulgida</I> species-group resemble members of the subgenus <I>Microdiaparsis</I> Horstmann but are distinct in having a much shorter temple.</P>

Investigation of dislocations in Czochralski grown Si_1−<i>x</i>Ge_<i>x</i> single crystals

Argunova, T S,Jung, J W,Je, J H,Abrosimov, N V,Grekhov, I V,Kostina, L S,Rozhkov, A V,Sorokin, L M,Zabrodskii, A G Institute of Physics [etc.] 2009 Journal of Physics. D, Applied Physics Vol.42 No.8

<P>Dislocations in p-type Si<SUB>1−<I>x</I></SUB>Ge<SUB><I>x</I></SUB> single crystals (2–8 at% Ge) grown with the Czochralski technique are investigated by synchrotron white beam topography in transmission geometry. As the Ge concentration increases, the dislocation structure evolves from individual dislocations to slip bands and sub-grain boundaries, and the dislocation density increases from <10<SUP>2</SUP> cm<SUP>−2</SUP> to 10<SUP>5</SUP>–10<SUP>6</SUP> cm<SUP>−2</SUP> at 8 at%. We discuss the effect of dislocations on the electrical characteristics such as resistivity ρ<SUB><I>v</I></SUB>, Hall hole mobility μ<SUB>p</SUB>, carrier lifetime τ<SUB>e</SUB> and <I>I</I>–<I>V</I> characteristics. Here τ<SUB>e</SUB> and <I>I</I>–<I>V</I> characteristics are measured from the diodes fabricated by bonding the p-Si<SUB>1−<I>x</I></SUB>Ge<SUB><I>x</I></SUB> to n-Si wafers. <I>I</I>–<I>V</I> characteristics are not deteriorated in spite of a five times decrease in τ<SUB>e</SUB> with the Ge concentration.</P>