Expression and characterization of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of Ectropis obliqua virus

( Mei Juan Lin ),( Shan Ye ),( Yi Xiong ),( Da Wei Cai ),( Jia Min Zhang ),( Yuan Yang Hu ) 한국생화학분자생물학회 (구 한국생화학회) 2010 BMB Reports Vol.43 No.4

Replication of positive-strand RNA virus is mediated by a virus- encoded RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). To study the replication of Ectropis obliqua virus (EoV), a newly identified insect virus belonging to the family Iflaviradae, we expressed the RNA polymerase domain in Escherichia coli and purified it on a Ni-chelating HisTrap affinity column. It is demonstrated that EoV RdRp initiated RNA synthesis in a primer- and poly (A)-dependent manner in vitro. Furthermore, the effect of primer concentration, temperature, metal ions (Mg2+, Mn2+, and K+) on enzymatic activity were determined. Our study represented a first step towards understanding the mechanism of EoV replication. [BMB reports 2010; 43(4): 284-290]

Effect of Ion Source Current on the Microstructure and Properties of Cr-DLC Coatings Prepared by Ion Beam-Assisted Arc Ion Plating

Yao Cai,Huidong Liu,Ye Ma,Qiang Wan,Hao Cheng,Yan Liu,Yanming Chen,Qingsong Mei,Bing Yang 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2017 NANO Vol.12 No.5

Cr-containing diamond-like carbon (Cr-DLC) nanocomposite coatings were synthesized by ion beam-assisted arc ion plating with varying hollow cathode ion source (HCIS) currents. The morphologies, compositions and microstructures were characterized by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-Ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Hardness and friction coefficient were investigated by using nanoindentation and ball-on-disc tribometer, respectively. With no HCIS current, the coating exhibits the maximal growth rate and a rough surface, as well as lower hardness and elastic modulus. With the increasing HCIS current from 40 A to 80 A, the growth rate and the content of chromium carbide decrease obviously, the sp3/sp2 ratio increases initially to the maximum at the HCIS current of 60 A, the highest hardness and elastic modulus are obtained at the HCIS current of 50 A. It is also revealed that moderate HCIS current can reduce surface roughness obviously and promote tribological properties. The correlation of the HCIS current with the microstructure and performance of Cr-DLC coating has been established.

Effects of rice potassium level on the fecundity and expression of the vitellogenin gene of Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)

Jing-Lan Liu,Hong-Mei Zhang,Xiao Chen,Xia Yang,Jin-Cai Wu 한국응용곤충학회 2013 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.16 No.4

Potassium (K) is a key component of plant nutrition, significantly influencing crop growth. Levels of this nutrient in plants can also influence a number of pest infestations. The brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), is an important pest of rice in Asia. In this study, we examined K contents in rice grown in hydroponic solution, and its relationship to the fecundity and expression of the vitellogenin (Nlvg) gene of N. lugens which was reared on the rice. Our findings indicated that K contents in rice increased with the increasing K concentration within the hydroponic solution, but reduced at the highest K concentration (160 mg/L). The number of eggs laid by N. lugens which was reared on the rice varied significantly with K concentration, and increased by 0.12 and 0.22 fold under 20 mg/L and 160 mg/L K level compared to that of the control (40 mg/L), decreasing by 0.57 fold under 0 mg/L K. Nlvg mRNA expression increased 1.17 and 1.94 fold in individuals which were reared on rice grown in 20 mg/L and 160 mg/L K level, compared to that of the control before mating; and by 3.36 and 2.97 after mating, respectively. However, Nlvg mRNA expression fold decreased by 0.99 under 0 mg/L K level before mating and 0.91 after mating. The variation of eggs may be attributed to the change of Nlvg mRNA expression, because there was a positive correlation between the eggs and Nlvg mRNA expression. These results demonstrated low (20 mg/L) and highest K levels (160 mg/L) in hydroponic solution showed the lower K level in plants than the control, which facilitated the fecundity of N. lugens. The study of the effects of K levels on the fecundity should have significance for insect control. © 2013 Korean Society of Applied Entomology, Taiwan Entomological Society and Malaysian Plant Protection

The mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) protects against osteoarthritis

Zhou Zhibin,Lu Jiajia,Yang Mei,Cai Jiao,Fu Qiang,Ma Jun,Zhu Lei 생화학분자생물학회 2022 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.54 No.-

The mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) is a mitochondrial-to-nuclear signaling pathway that is activated to maintain mitochondrial function when there is an accumulation of misfolded proteins within mitochondria. Mitochondrial function is essential for chondrocyte homeostasis, and mitochondrial dysfunction is a characteristic of osteoarthritis (OA). However, the role of the UPRmt in OA remains unclear. In the present study, the level of the UPRmt was examined in primary mouse chondrocytes subjected to different stresses and in the articular cartilage of OA model mice and OA patients. The relationship between UPRmt activation and OA progression was studied. The UPRmt was induced in primary mouse chondrocytes subjected to diverse stresses and in the cartilage of OA mice. Enhancement of the UPRmt with nicotinamide riboside (NR) significantly improved mitochondrial function, reduced chondrocyte death, attenuated OA pain, and ameliorated OA progression, and the protective effects decreased significantly in chondrocyte-specific Atf5 knockout (ATF5f/fCol2a1-CreERT2) mice. UPRmt induction was also identified in the articular cartilage of OA patients and was associated with reduced chondrocyte death, less severe hip pain, and lower levels of inflammation in synovial fluid. These findings identify the induction of the UPRmt in primary mouse chondrocytes exposed to pathological stresses and in the articular cartilage of OA model mice and OA patients. Enhancement of the UPRmt ameliorates OA progression, suggesting that the UPRmt exerts a protective effect against OA and may be a potential diagnostic and therapeutic strategy for OA.

Molecular Biology and Omics : Cloning and Characterization of a Novel α-Amylase from a Fecal Microbial Metagenome

( Bo Xu ),( Fu Ya Yang ),( Cai Yun Xiong ),( Jun Jun Li ),( Xiang Hua Tang ),( Jun Pei Zhou ),( Zhen Rong Xie ),( Jun Mei Ding ),( Yun Juan Yang ),( Zun Xi Huang ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2014 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.24 No.4

To isolate novel and useful microbial enzymes from uncultured gastrointestinal microorganisms, a fecal microbial metagenomic library of the pygmy loris was constructed. The library was screened for amylolytic activity, and 8 of 50,000 recombinant clones showed amylolytic activity. Subcloning and sequence analysis of a positive clone led to the identification a novel gene (amyPL) coding for α-amylase. AmyPL was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) and the purified AmyPL was enzymatically characterized. This study is the first to report the molecular and biochemical characterization of a novel α-amylase from a gastrointestinal metagenomic library.

A Study of the Reflexive "ziji" and Pronoun "ta" in Mandarin Chinese

( Xiao Xiang Chen ),( Ru Ya Li ),( Cai Mei Yang ),( Jun Xu ) 경희대학교 비교문화연구소 2007 比較文化硏究 Vol.11 No.1

Sequence Level Analysis of Recently Duplicated Regions in Soybean [ <i>Glycine max</i> (L.) Merr.] Genome

Van, Kyujung,Kim, Dong Hyun,Cai, Chun Mei,Kim, Moon Young,Shin, Jin Hee,Graham, Michelle A.,Shoemaker, Randy C.,Choi, Beom-Soon,Yang, Tae-Jin,Lee, Suk-Ha Oxford University Press 2008 DNA research Vol.15 No.2

<P>A single recessive gene, <I>rxp</I>, on linkage group (LG) D2 controls bacterial leaf-pustule resistance in soybean. We identified two homoeologous contigs (GmA and GmA′) composed of five bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) during the selection of BAC clones around <I>Rxp</I> region. With the recombinant inbred line population from the cross of Pureunkong and Jinpumkong 2, single-nucleotide polymorphism and simple sequence repeat marker genotyping were able to locate GmA′ on LG A1. On the basis of information in the Soybean Breeders Toolbox and our results, parts of LG A1 and LG D2 share duplicated regions. Alignment and annotation revealed that many homoeologous regions contained kinases and proteins related to signal transduction pathway. Interestingly, inserted sequences from GmA and GmA′ had homology with transposase and integrase. Estimation of evolutionary events revealed that speciation of soybean from <I>Medicago</I> and the recent divergence of two soybean homoeologous regions occurred at 60 and 12 million years ago, respectively. Distribution of synonymous substitution patterns, <I>K</I><SUB>s</SUB>, yielded a first secondary peak (mode <I>K</I><SUB>s</SUB> = 0.10–0.15) followed by two smaller bulges were displayed between soybean homologous regions. Thus, diploidized paleopolyploidy of soybean genome was again supported by our study.</P>

Research progress of defective MoS2 for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Liu Chao,Kong Cui,Zhang Feng-Jun,Kai Chun-Mei,Cai Wei-Qin,Sun Xian-Yang,오원춘 한국세라믹학회 2021 한국세라믹학회지 Vol.58 No.2

The potential application of MoS 2 as a potential H 2 precipitation photocatalyst has received widespread attention and is considered a promising alternative to precious metal cocatalysts due to its richness and low cost. However, the catalytic active center of MoS 2 is only along the edge of the MoS 2 layer. Both theoretical and experimental studies have shown that defect engineering can increase the active site of MoS 2 and has superior activity in catalytic reactions. Therefore, this review describes the nature, defect types, and preparation of defective MoS 2 . Due to the recombination of MoS 2 and semiconductor has specifi c interface characteristics, Schottky heterojunctions can provide accelerated charge separation and lower Schottky barriers for photocatalytic applications, they are eff ective photocatalysts. Therefore, the preparation of the defect MoS 2 -supported semiconductor photocatalyst and its application in the photocatalytic water splitting reaction are also introduced. This article’s profound understanding of defects can consolidate basic photocatalysis theory and provide new insights for the rational design of satisfactory defect engineering photocatalytic materials.

The Characteristics and Survival Outcomes in Patients Aged 70 Years and Older with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in the Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy Era

Ya-Nan Jin,Wang-Jian Zhang,Xiu-Yu Cai,Mei-Su Li,Wayne R. Lawrence,Si-Yang Wang,Dong-Mei Mai,Yu-Yun Du,Dong-Hua Luo,Hao-Yuan Mo 대한암학회 2019 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.51 No.1

Purpose We aim to examine nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) characteristics and survival outcomes in patients aged 70 years and older in the intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) era. Materials and Methods From 2006 to 2013, 126 non-metastatic NPC patients aged  70 years who were treated with IMRT +/ chemotherapy were included. Adult Comorbidity Evaluation 27 (ACE-27) was used to measure patient comorbidities. The overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method, and differences were compared using the log-rank test. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to carry out multivariate analyses. Results For the entire group, only two patients (1.6%) presented stage I disease, and up to 84.1% patients had stage III-IVB disease. All patients had a comorbidity score of 0 in 24 (19.0%), 1 in 45 (35.7%), 2 in 42 (33.3%), and 3 in 15 (11.9%) patients. The main acute grade during radiotherapy was 3-4 adverse events consisting of mucositis (25.4%), bone marrow suppression (16.7%), and dermatitis (8.7%). After treatment, four patients (3.2%) developed temporal lobe injury. Five-year CSS and OS rates were 67.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 58.6% to 77.4%) and 54.0% (95% CI, 45.6% to 63.9%), respectively. Five-year OS was significantly higher for ACE-27 score 0-1 than ACE-27 score 2-3 (72.9% and 39.9%, respectively; p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses showed ACE-27 score 0-1 was significantly associated with superior OS (hazard ratio [HR], 3.02; 95% CI, 1.64 to 5.55; p < 0.001). In addition, the rate of OS was higher for stage I-III than that of stage IV, with borderline significance (HR, 1.67; 95% CI, 0.99 to 2.82; p=0.053). But no significant advantage was observed in OS when chemotherapy was used (p > 0.05). Conclusion Our findings suggest IMRT +/– chemotherapy has a manageable toxicity and provides an acceptable survival in patients aged  70 years with NPC. ACE-27 score was significantly associated with survival outcomes in this group population.

Antimicrobial glycoalkaloids from the tubers of Stephania succifera

Yan-Bo Zeng,Dai-Jing Wei,Wen-Hua Dong,Cai-Hong Cai,De-Lan Yang,Hui-Min Zhong,Wen-Li Mei,Hao Fu Dai 대한약학회 2017 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.40 No.4

Three new glycoalkaloids, N-formyl-asimilobine-2-O-b-D-glucoside (1), (-)-1-O-b-D-glucoside-8-oxotetrahydropalmatine(2), and 1-N-monomethylcarbamateargentinine-3-O-b-D-glucoside (3) were isolated fromtubers of Stephania succifera. The structures were establishedbased on spectroscopic analysis, and the antimicrobialactivities of the three glycoalkaloids are reported.