scAAV2-Mediated Expression of Thioredoxin 2 and C3 Transferase Prevents Retinal Ganglion Cell Death and Lowers Intraocular Pressure in a Mouse Model of Glaucoma.

Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma causes retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss and damage to the optic nerve. Although IOP is controlled pharmacologically, no treatment is available to restore retinal and optic nerve function. In this paper, we aimed to develop a novel gene therapy for glaucoma using an AAV2-based thioredoxin 2 (Trx2)-exoenzyme C3 transferase (C3) fusion protein expression vector (scAAV2-Trx2-C3). We evaluated the therapeutic effects of this vector in vitro and in vivo using dexamethasone (DEX)-induced glaucoma models. We found that scAAV2-Trx2-C3-treated HeLa cells had significantly reduced GTP-bound active RhoA and increased phosphor-cofilin Ser3 protein expression levels. scAAV2-Trx2-C3 was also shown to inhibit oxidative stress, fibronectin expression, and alpha-SMA expression in DEX-treated HeLa cells. NeuN immunostaining and TUNEL assay in mouse retinal tissues was performed to evaluate its neuroprotective effect upon RGCs, whereas changes in mouse IOP were monitored via rebound tonometer. The present study showed that scAAV2-Trx2-C3 can protect RGCs from degeneration and reduce IOP in a DEX-induced mouse model of glaucoma, while immunohistochemistry revealed that the expression of fibronectin and alpha-SMA was decreased after the transduction of scAAV2-Trx2-C3 in murine eye tissues. Our results suggest that AAV2-Trx2-C3 modulates the outflow resistance of the trabecular meshwork, protects retinal and other ocular tissues from oxidative damage, and may lead to the development of a gene therapeutic for glaucoma.

Tellurirhabdus rosea gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family Cytophagaceae isolated from soil in South Korea.

Strain U15T, rod-shaped, catalase and oxidase positive, non-motile, hot pink pigmented, Gram-negative bacterium, was isolated from soil of Udo port, Udo Island, South Korea. Growth was observed at 10-48 °C, pH 6-11, and 0% (w/v) NaCl. Optimum growth conditions are 30-40 °C, pH 7-10, and 0% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA sequences showed that strain U15T forms a distinct clade with type strains of the family Cytophagaceae, with similarities below 89%. The major polar lipids are phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine. Strain U15T was found to contain MK-7 as the only menaquinone, and iso-C15:0, C16:1ω5c, iso-C17:0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (comprising C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c) as the major fatty acids (> 10%). The DNA G + C content of strain U15T was determined to be 54.3 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic analysis data, strain U15T (= KCTC 62116T = JCM 32361T) should be classified as representing a novel species of a novel genus within the family Cytophagaceae for which the name Tellurirhabdus rosea gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed.

Edaphocola aurantiacus gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family Chitinophagaceae isolated from wetland soil in South Korea.

A short rod-shaped, yellow-orange pigmented, strictly aerobic bacterium, designated as strain H2T, was isolated from the wetland soil of Halla Mountain, Jeju-island, South Korea. Growth was observed at temperatures of 10-30 °C (optimum at 25-30 °C), pH of 6-8 (optimum at pH 7), and salt concentrations of 0-1% (w/v) NaCl (optimum at 0%). The strain H2T was found to be a catalase and oxidase-positive, non-motile, Gram-negative bacterium. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and phylogenetic analysis, strain H2T was found to be related to the members of the Chitinophagaceae family, being closely related to Taibaiella chishuiensis AY17T (94.3% sequence similarity). The major polar lipids are phosphatidylethanolamine and glycolipid. Strain H2T contained MK-7 as the only menaquinone as well as iso-C15:0, iso-C15:1 G and iso-C17:0 3-OH as the major fatty acids (> 15%). The DNA G+C content of strain H2T was determined to be 48.3 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic analysis data, strain H2T (= KCTC 62115T = JCM 32353T) should be classified as representative of a novel species of a novel genus within the family Chitinophagaceae, for which the name Edaphocola aurantiacus gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed.

KSHV vPK inhibits Wnt signaling via preventing interactions between ß-catenin and TCF4.

Viral factors interact with host cellular proteins, leading to dysregulation of signaling pathways. The Wnt pathway is known to participate in embryonic development and oncogenesis under dysregulation conditions. A downstream factor of the Wnt signaling pathway, ß-catenin, activates T-cell factor (TCF)-dependent transcription, which contributes to cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. In this study, we demonstrated that viral protein kinase (vPK) encoded by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus inhibits the Wnt signaling pathway without affecting nuclear localization and expression of ß-catenin. Coimmunoprecipitation and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that vPK interacts with ß-catenin, reducing the binding affinity on TCF binding regions as well as interactions of ß-catenin with TCF4. Overexpression of vPK led to reduced mRNA expression of cyclin D1, a well-known transcriptional product of Wnt signaling, suggesting that vPK effectively regulates the host signaling pathway through direct interactions with cellular proteins.

Paenibacillus mobilis sp. nov., a Gram-stain-negative bacterium isolated from soil.

A novel Gram-stain-negative bacterium, designated strain S8T, was isolated from a soil sample obtained in Gyeonggi Province, Republic of Korea. Cells of strain S8T were endospore-forming, motile by means of peritrichous flagella, and rod-shaped. S8T colonies were round, convex, wavy and white. Strain S8T grew optimally at 37 °C, pH 6-8, and up to 2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain S8T was affiliated with the genus Paenibacillus in the family Paenibacillaceae and was most closely related to Paenibacillus yonginensis DCY84T and Paenibacillus physcomitrellae XBT (98.8 and 97.1 % sequence similarity). The DNA G+C content of the novel strain was 53.1±0.3 mol%. Strain S8T contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, two phospholipids, four aminophospholipids, an aminolipid and three unidentified lipids. The major fatty acid was anteiso-branched C15 : 0. The quinone was menaquinone MK-7. The peptidoglycan of strain S8T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The DNA-DNA hybridization values of strain S8T with P. yonginensis KCTC 33428T and P. physcomitrellae DSM 29851T were 44 % and 32 %, respectively. Data from the DNA-DNA hybridization, biochemical, phylogenetic and physiological analyses indicate that strain S8T (=KCTC 33848T=JCM 31672T) represents a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus mobilis sp. nov. is proposed.

Differential proteome expression analysis of androgen-dependent and -independent pathways in LNCaP prostate cancer cells.

Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the leading causes of cancer death in men. It commonly develops in older males, but the number of younger men diagnosed with the disease has increased in recent years. Hormone therapies, such as chemical and surgical methods that inhibit androgen synthesis or androgen receptor (AR) activation, have been used for advanced disease. However, castration-resistant PC (CRPC), which exhibits androgen-independent mechanisms for activating AR, develops after a few years of such treatment and no therapy is available. In this study, we examined differences in the proteomes associated with the androgen-dependent (DHT treatment) and -independent (FSK, forskolin treatment) AR signaling conditions in LNCaP prostate cancer cells. Moreover, we used EPI-001, which inhibits AR-mediated transcriptional activity, to examine whether the observed differences in protein expression were directly affected by AR-mediated mechanisms. A total of 213 protein spots were matched in our 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) analysis and 8 proteins with significant expression changes in our 5 different treatment groups were identified by mass spectrometry. Among these proteins, expression levels of PEPCK-M, catalase, tubulin alpha chain, alpha-enolase, and endoplasmic reticulum resident protein 29 were significantly altered by DHT and the levels of HSP 90 and EF-Tu were changed by FSK. These changes were blocked by EPI-001 in DHT-regulated proteins, PEPCK-M, catalase, and tubulin alpha chain and FSK-regulated EF-Tu protein. The results from our immunohistochemical analysis using in vivo xenograft models were consistent with the 2DE data. We therefore report the first identification of differences in proteins that are significantly regulated under androgen-dependent and -independent AR signaling conditions. Our findings could suggest a possible molecular mechanism through which AR is activated in the absence and/or presence of androgen, and might help explain the inhibitory action of EPI-001 on CRPC.

Thalassorhabdus aurantiaca gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from seawater in South Korea.

A novel Gram-negative, orange pigmented, strictly aerobic bacterium, designated strain IP9T, was isolated from seawater at the sea shore of Incheon Eulwang-ri beach, South Korea. Cells of strain IP9T were observed to be straight or slightly curved rods and colonies to be round and convex. Strain IP9T was found to be catalase and oxidase positive, and non-motile. Growth was observed in the temperature range of 10-37 °C (optimum at 30 °C), pH range of 6-10 (optimum at pH 7-8) and salt concentration range of 0-7% (w/v) NaCl (optimum at 0-1%). On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and phylogenetic analysis, strain IP9T was found to be related to the members of the family Flavobacteriaceae, being closely related to Hwangdonia seohaensis KCTC 32177T (95.3% sequence similarity). The DNA G + C content of the novel strain was determined to be 39.1 mol%. The major polar lipids were found to be phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified aminoglycolipids and two unidentified glycolipids. The major fatty acids (> 10%) were identified as iso-C15:0 and iso-C17:0 3-OH. The predominant quinone was found to be menaquinone 6 (MK-6). Based on the biochemical, phylogenetic and physiological data, we conclude that strain IP9T (= KCTC 52523T = JCM 31732T) represents the type species of a novel genus of the family Flavobacteriaceae for which the name Thalassorhabdus aurantiaca gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed.

Lysobacter humi sp. nov., isolated from soil.

A yellow-pigmented and strictly aerobic bacterial strain, designated FJY8T, was isolated from the soil of Goyang, South Korea. The cells of FJY8T were Gram-reaction-negative, non-motile rods. Colonies were circular, convex and transparent. Strain FJY8T grew optimally at 30 °C, with 0 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 8. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of FJY8T revealed a clear affiliation of this bacterium to the family Lysobacteraceae, and it was related to members of the genus Lysobacter, with Lysobacter xinjiangensis KCTC 22558T being its closest relative (98.7 % sequence similarity). The DNA G+C content was 68.0±0.4 mol%. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol were identified as the major polar lipids, and an unidentified phospholipid and two unidentified aminophospholipids were also detected as the minor polar lipids. The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, summed feature 9 (iso-C17 : 1ω9c and/or C16 : 0 10-methyl) and iso-C15 : 0. Only ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) was detected as the isoprenoid quinone. DNA-DNA hybridization values of strain FJY8T with Lysobacter xinjiangensisRCML-52T and Lysobacter mobilis9NM-14T were 55.8±2.0 and 45.2±4.8 %, respectively. On the basis of DNA-DNA hybridization, phylogenetic distinctiveness, and some physiological and biochemical tests, strain FJY8T (=KCTC 42810T=JCM 31019T) represents a novel species of the genus Lysobacter, for which the name Lysobacter humi sp. nov. is proposed.

Hydrogenophaga soli sp. nov., isolated from rice field soil.

A novel Gram-stain-negative bacterial strain, designated strain S10T, was isolated from soil collected in a rice field in Goyang, South Korea. Cells of strain S10T were strictly aerobic, motile and rod-shaped. Colonies were round, convex, smooth and white. The strain grew optimally at 37 °C, pH 7.0 and 0 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain S10T revealed that the bacterium belongs to the family Comamonadaceae and is related to members of the genus Hydrogenophaga, with Hydrogenophaga caeni EMB71T being its closest relative (97.9 % sequence similarity). The DNA G+C content of strain S10T was 68.2 mol%. Strain S10T contained phosphatidylethanolamine and diphosphatidylglycerol as the major polar lipids. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH). The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-8. DNA-DNA hybridization values of strain S10T with Hydrogenophaga caeni KCTC 12613T, Hydrogenophaga atypica DSM 15342T and Hydrogenophaga defluvii DSM 15341T were 16.1±4.8, 49.0±3.2 and 21.9±8.8 %, respectively. Based on phylogenetic distinctiveness, DNA-DNA hybridization and specific physiological and biochemical characteristics, strain S10T (=KCTC 52520T=JCM 31711T) is classified as a novel species of the genus Hydrogenophaga, for which the name Hydrogenophagasoli sp. nov. is proposed.

Spirosoma areae sp. nov., Isolated from Soil.

A yellow-colored Gram-negative strain, Arct 1-12T, was isolated from a soil sample collected in Seoul Women's University, South Korea, and grown on R2A agar at 25 °C. Growth of strain Arct 1-12T was observed at a temperature range of 15-30 °C (optimal 25 °C), but not at 4 or 42 °C. The strain tolerated up to 1% NaCl (w/v) and displayed optimal growth in the absence of NaCl. Growth occurred at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimally at pH 7). According to the 16S rRNA gene sequence, the strain is moderately related to Spirosoma spitsbergense DSM 19989T (93.54%), S. endophyticum EX36T (93.25%), S. linguale LMG 10896T (92%), S. luteum DSM 19990T (93.16%), S. panaciterrae DSM 21099T (91.09%), S. oryzae RHs22T (90.37%), and S. rigui WPCB118T (91.54%). Chemotaxonomic analyses revealed that strain Arct 1-12T possesses MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone, a polar lipid profile consisting of phosphatidylethanolamine, an unknown aminolipid, an unknown aminophospholipid, and an unknown lipid, and iso-C15:0, C16:1 ω5c and Summed Feature 3 (C16:1 ω6c and/or C16:1 ω7c) as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content is 52.3 mol %. Based on polyphasic evidence, strain Arct 1-12T (=JCM 31025 T = KCTC 42814T) is classified as the type strain of a novel Spirosoma species for which the name Spirosoma areae sp. nov. is proposed.

vIRF3 encoded by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus inhibits T-cell factor-dependent transcription via a CREB-binding protein-interaction motif.

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is an etiological agent of Kaposi's sarcoma and primary effusion lymphoma. Like other herpesviruses, KSHV has two distinct life cycles: latent and lytic. Among KSHV latent genes, viral interferon regulatory factor 3 (vIRF3), which shares homology with cellular IRFs, is a multifunctional protein. To identify unknown functions of vIRF3, we performed luciferase-reporter assays in the presence of vIRF3. These analyses revealed that overexpression of vIRF3 inhibited T-cell factor (TCF)-dependent transcriptional activity. This TCF-dependent transcription was associated with the Wnt signaling pathway, which normally regulates embryonic development, but contributes to oncogenesis under dysregulated conditions. Using a mutagenesis analysis, we identified a CREB-binding protein-interaction motif (LXXLL) in vIRF3 as an important region for its inhibitory activity. Collectively, our findings provide insight into the dysregulation of host signaling pathways in KSHV-infected cells.

Activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway by viral interferon regulatory factor 2 of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus.

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus encodes several genes with sequence homology to cellular interferon regulatory factors. Among these, vIRF2 encoded by ORF K11.1 (short form) or K11 (full-length) participates in caspase-3-mediated inactivation of cellular IRF3 and slightly inhibits caspase-3 activity. Here, we have demonstrated that vIRF2 attenuates the transcriptional activity of forkhead box O3A protein via activation of the PI3K/Akt phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway, inhibiting FOXO3A-mediated caspase-3 cleavage. Based on the collective findings, we suggest that vIRF2 acts as an activator in PI3K/Akt pathway.

Deinococcus arenae sp. nov., a novel species isolated from sand in South Korea.

A Gram-negative strain, designated SA1(T), was isolated from a sand specimen from Yangyang Beach, South Korea. The cells of SA1(T) were observed to be red pigmented, strictly aerobic, non-motile rods. Strain SA1(T) was found to grow optimally at 30 °C and pH 7 (pH growth range, pH 7-9). Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of SA1(T) showed that the organism belongs to the phylum Deinococcus-Thermus and forms a branch within the genus Deinococcus, with Deinococcus actinosclerus BM2(T) as a close relative (99.8   % sequence similarity). The strain was found to be catalase positive and oxidase negative and to metabolise 2-ketogluconate, acetate, D,L-3-hydroxybutyrate, D-glucose, D-maltose, D-mannitol, D-mannose, D-melibiose, D-sorbitol, D-sucrose, glycogen, L-alanine, L-histidine, L-malate, L-proline and n-valerate. The guanine plus cytosine (G + C) base composition of the DNA was 69.5 mol %, as determined by the thermal denaturation method. The predominant respiratory quinone was identified as menaquinone with eight isoprene units (MK-8). The polar lipid profile of strain SA1(T) showed the presence of several unidentified glycolipids, phosphoglycolipids, phospholipids, aminophospholipids and unidentified lipids. In addition, the most abundant fatty acids of strain SA1(T) were identified as C15:1 ω6c, C16:1 ω7c and C17:0. On the basis of phylogenetic analyses, DNA-DNA hybridisation and biochemical characteristics, strain SA1(T) (=KCTC 33741(T) = JCM 31047(T)) is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Deinococcus, for which the name Deinococcus arenae sp. nov. is proposed.

Telluribacter humicola gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family Cytophagaceae isolated from soil in South Korea.

A pink-pigmented, gram-negative, non-motile, non-gliding, flexirubin-negative, rod-shaped and strictly aerobic bacterial strain, designated PTR3T, was isolated from a soil sample from Goyang, South Korea. Growth occurred between 10 and 42 °C (optimum 30 °C), 0-4 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0 %) and pH 6-9 (optimum 7-8). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA sequences showed that strain PTR3T forms a distinct clade with type strains of the closely related genus, Dyadobacter, with similarities of 93.6 and 91.3-93.6 %, respectively. The strain produces a pink carotenoid pigment(s). The major polar lipids are an unidentified aminophospholipid and an aminolipid. Strain PTR3T was found to contain MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone and C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c as the major fatty acids. The DNA G + C content of strain PTR3T was deterrmined to be 45.9 mol %. Based on the chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic and other physiological properties, strain PTR3T (=KCTC 42819T = JCM 31133T) is concluded to represent a novel species in a new genus within the family Cytophagaceae, for which the name Telluribacter humicola gen nov., sp. nov., is proposed.

Thalassiella azotovora gen. nov., sp. nov., a New Member of the Family Kineosporiaceae Isolated from Sea Water in South Korea.

A gram-positive, nonmotile, rod-shaped, nonflagellated, aerobic bacterium, designated strain DSD2(T) was isolated from a seawater sample from Sadong wharf, Ulleung-Island, South Korea. Strain DSD2(T) was found to be able to grow at pH ranging from 6 to 11 (optimum 7-8), 0-7 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0 %), at 10-42 °C (optimum 37 °C). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain DSD2(T) was 95.8 % similar to the type strain of Kineosporia rhamnosa KACC 15195(T), 95.8 % similar to Angustibacter aerolatus KACC 15527(T), and 95.5 % similar to Kineococcus xinjiangensis KCTC 19474(T) as its closest relatives. A neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain DSD2(T) related to Micrococcineae and Kineosporiineae suborder clade. The major polar lipids were phosphoglycolipids and phospholipids. Strain DSD2(T) was found to contain MK-8 (H2) and MK-9 (H4) as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C16:0 as the major fatty acid. The isolate contained meso-diaminopimelic acid (meso-A2pm) with alanine, glutamic acid, and glycine as the diagnostic diamino acid. The DNA G+C content of strain DSD2(T) was 73.2 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic, biochemical, chemotaxonomic, and other physiological characteristics, strain DSD2(T) is assigned to a novel species of a novel genus within the suborder Kineosporiineae and the name Thalassiella azotovora gen nov., sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is DSD2(T) (= KCTC 39634(T) = JCM 31134(T)).

Rufibacter soli sp. nov., a Bacterium Isolated from Soil.

A gram-negative bacterium, designated FJY1(T), was isolated from a soil sample obtained from a university campus in South Korea. Examination showed that FJY1(T) was red-pigmented, aerobic, motile, and composed of nonspore-forming rods. This strain grew in a temperature range of 15-37 °C and a pH range of 7-9. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain FJY1(T) was most closely related to Rufibacter roseus H359(T) and Rufibacter tibetensis 1351(T), with sequence similarities of 95.98 and 95.46 %, respectively. Its major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15:0 (18.16 %) and summed feature 4 (C17:1 iso I and C17:1 anteiso B; 15.17 %). The DNA G+C content of FJY1(T) was 49.7 mol%; its predominant quinone was MK-7; and its major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. Phylogenetic analysis and analysis of its physiological and biochemical characteristics indicated that this isolate constituted a novel species, for which we propose the name Rufibacter soli sp. nov., with the type strain FJY1(T) (=KCTC 42815(T) = JCM 31024(T)).

Deinococcus radiotolerans sp. nov., a gamma-radiation-resistant bacterium isolated from gamma ray-irradiated soil.

Two gamma-radiation-resistant bacterial strains, designated C1(T) and C2, were isolated from a soil sample collected at Jeongeup-Si, South Korea. These strains were observed to be Gram-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped, and to form pink colonies. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that these strains belong to the genus Deinococcus in the family Deinococcaceae. Strains C1(T) and C2 have the highest sequence similarities with Deinococcus daejeonensis MJ27(T) (97.56 %) and Deinococcus grandis DSM 39663(T) (97.50 %). Like other members of the genus Deinococcus, the novel isolates showed resistance to gamma-radiation with a D10 value in excess of 8 kGy. The isolates were found to have menaquinone MK-8 as the predominant respiratory quinone and an unidentified phosphoglycolipid as major polar lipid. In addition, the most abundant fatty acids of strain C1(T) were identified as C15:1 ω6c (25.5 %), C16:1 ω7c (18.7 %) and C15:0 (9.7 %). Genomic analysis results showed that the DNA G+C contents of strain C1(T) and C2 are 68.59 and 68.57 %, respectively. Taken together, the polyphasic taxonomic data support the proposal that the isolates C1(T) and C2 represent a novel species of the genus Deinococcus, for which the name Deinococcus radiotolerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is a strain C1(T) (=KCTC 33150(T) = JCM 19173(T)).

Deinococcus soli sp. nov., a gamma-radiation-resistant bacterium isolated from rice field soil.

A Gram-negative, non-motile, short rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated N5(T), was isolated from a rice field soil in South Korea. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the new isolate showed that strain N5(T) belongs to the genus Deinococcus, family Deinococcaceae, showing the highest sequence similarity to Deinococcus grandis KACC 11979(T) (98.4 %) and Deinococcus daejeonensis KCTC 13751(T) (97.5 %). Strain N5(T) exhibits resistance to gamma-radiation similar to that of other members of the genus Deinococcus, with a D10 value in excess of 4 kGy. Chemotaxonomic data showed that the most abundant fatty acids are C16:1ω7c (25.25 %), C15:1ω6c (19.77 %), C17:1ω6c (11.87 %), and C17:0 (9.41 %), and the major polar lipid is an unknown phosphoglycolipid. The predominant respiratory quinone is menaquinone MK-8. The DNA G+C content is 71.4 mol%. Phenotypic, phylogenetic, and chemotaxonomic data support designation of strain N5(T) as a novel species of the genus Deinococcus, for which the name Deinococcus soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is N5(T) (=KCTC 33153(T) = JCM 19176(T)).

Alteration of histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation on putative lytic gene promoters by human Set1 complex during reactivation of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus.

OBJECTIVE: Histone H3 lysine 4 is trimethylated by the human Set1 complex, which regulates the activation of gene expression. The aim of this study was to identify whether the levels of histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) and the recruitment of human Set1 complex at the promoter regions of lytic genes quantitatively change during reactivation from latent to lytic infection of Kaposi's sarcoma-association herpesvirus (KSHV). METHODS: During KSHV reactivation, global changes of H3K4 methylation in KSHV-infected cells were analyzed by Western blot. The relative levels of association between proteins and promoter regions were determined by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and quantitative real-time PCR using specific antibodies and primer sets. RESULTS: Our results showed that KSHV reactivation does not alter the overall cellular levels of H3K4 methylation. We observed that the switch from latency to lytic cycle leads to upregulation of H3K4me3 at the active lytic genes. We also found that the recruitment of RNA pol II and subunits of human Set1 complex were enriched at the same regions in response to KSHV reactivation. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that the increase of H3K4me3 by human Set1 complex is involved in activation of lytic genes during the lytic infection of KSHV.

Kaposi΄s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus ORF36 protein induces chromosome condensation and phosphorylation of histone H3.

Kaposi΄s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) has been known as an agent causing Kaposi΄s sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, and multicentric Castleman΄s disease. In the lytic phase of the virus cycle, various viral genes are expressed, which causes host cell dysregulation. Among the lytic genes, viral protein kinase (vPK) encoded by ORF36 is a member of serine/threonine protein kinase (CHPK) family, which is involved in viral gene expression, viral DNA replication and encapsidation, and nuclear egress of virions. Recent studies have shown that the BGLF4 protein of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a member of the CHPK family, alters the host cell chromatin structure through phosphorylation of its key regulators. The role of KSHV ORF36 in cellular mitotic events, however, is not yet understood. In the current study, we showed that KSHV ORF36 induced chromosome condensation and phosphorylation of histone H3 on Ser 10, which are known as cellular mitosis markers. These processes have occurred in a kinase activity-dependent manner.