• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2000

The chloroform and methanol (2;1, v/v) extract from an edible plant, Actinidia arguta Planchon, appeared to possess antitumor activity against human leukemias Jurkat T and U937 cells through inducing apoptosis. The substance in the solvent extract was purified by silica gel column chromatography, preparative TLC, and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Characteristics of the substance analyzed by UV scanning analysis, $^1H$ and $^{13}C$ NMR spectra suggested that the substance belongs to the chlorophyll derivatives-like group. The $IC_{50}$ value of the chlorophyll derivative (Cp-D) determined by MTT assay was $15\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ for Jurkat, $10\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ for U937, and $11.4\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ for HL-60m and was more toxic to these leukemias than to solid tumors or normal fibroblast. In order to elucidate cellular mechanisms underlying the cytotoxicity, the effect of the Cp-D on Jurkat T cells was investigated. When cells were treated with the Cp-D at a concentration of $15\mu\textrm{g}/ml$, [3H]thymidine incorporation declined rapidly and wa undetectable in 1h. However, no significant changes were made in the cell cycle distribution of the cells by 24h. The sub-Gl peak representing apoptotic cells began to be detectable in 36h, at which time apoptotic DNA fragmentation was also detected on agarose gel electrophoresis, demonstrating that the cytotoxic effect of the Cp-D is attributable to the induced apoptosis. Under the same conditions, although the protein level of cyclin-dependent kinases such as cdc4, csk6, cdk2, and cdc2 was not significantly changed until 24h, the kinase activity of all c안 rapidly declined and reached a minimum level within 1-6h and then recovered to the initial level by 12h and sustained until 24h. These results suggest that inactivation of cdks at an inappropriate time during the cell cycle progression in jurkat T cells following a treatment with the Cp-D leads to induction of apoptotic cell death.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.148.1-148
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• 2003

Natural virus infection of cultivated Daphe odora plants showing chlorosis and stunting was observed and their causal agent was investigated. An isolate of isometic virus was purified from infected leaf tissues, and it could infect systemic severe mosaic on Chenopodium quinoa and C. amaranticolor. cDNA library was generated from partially purified viral RNAs and oligo dT primer-pSPORTl system, and recombinant clones were selected and their inserts were sequenced randomly. Nucleotide sequences of the virus were analyzed by BLAST, and it was closely related to members of subgroup B in the genus Nepovirus. The sequence analysis suggest that the virus was identified as an isolate of Cycas necrotic stunt virus (CNSV) because it was 89.7 ％ and 94.7 ％ identical to known CNSV for the CP and 3' noncoding region, respecitively. RT-PCR was performed to screen disease incidence of CNSV in Daphe plants, and five out of 10 plants (50 ％) were infected by CNSV This is the first sequence information of CNSV from Daphe plants.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.209-214
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• 2011

Although the function and utility of RNA transcripts derived from matured spermatozoa remains unclear, they might play important roles in the establishment of a paternal genome and subsequently embryo development. Herein, we investigated the expression of X-chromosome linked RNA transcripts in matured bovine spermatozoa. The total RNA was extracted from the matured spermatozoa, and then converted to cDNA. Autosomal genes (ACT-${\beta}$ and H-2A) and X-chromosome linked genes (ANT3, HPRT, MeCP2, RPS4X, XIAP, XIST and ZFX) were analyzed for the characterization of X-chromosome linked RNA transcripts and compared to female fibroblasts by RT-PCR. The transcripts of autosomal genes (ACT-${\beta}$ and H2A) and X-chromosome linked genes (ANT3, HPRT, MeCP2, RPS4X and ZFX) were not detected in spermatozoa. However, XIAP (X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein) and XIST (X-chromosome inactive-specific transcript, a kind of paternal imprinted gene) transcripts were detected in spermatozoa, and relative levels of XIAP and XIST transcripts were similar and 0.5-fold lower when compared to female fibroblasts, respectively. Based on the findings, it is summarized that the presence of RNA transcripts of XIAP and XIST in the isolated spermatozoa may imply their role in inhibition of apoptosis and induction of X-chromosome inactivation in embryo development.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.245-250
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• 2007

The complete genome sequence of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus stain A (ZYMV-A) isolated from a hollyhock (Althaea rosea) was determined by using RT-PCR with a series of primer sets. The virus genome consisted of 9593 nucleotides (nt), excluding the poly(A) tract at 3' terminus of the virus genome, with 5' and 3' untranslated region of 139 and 211 nt, respectively. The deduced polyprotein of ZYMV-A consisted of 3080 amino acid (aa) residues and was 351 kDa in molecular weight. All proteolytic cleavage sites of the polyprotein of ZYMV-A were compared with those of ZYMV strains, which showed the cleavage sites were conserved among ZYMV strains. The HC-Pro contained the KITC and PTK motifs, and the DAG motif was located at CP ORF of ZYMV-A, suggesting that ZYMV-A is aphid-transmissible. Phylogenetic tree analysis based on the complete genome among ZYMV strains or CP ORFs with other potyviruses showed ZYMV strains formed a distinct group. These results clearly confirmed that ZYMV-A was another distinct strain in ZYMV population at molecular level.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.361-370
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• 2006

Genetic variation and molecular phylogeny of 22 taxa representing 14 extant species and 3 unidentified taxa of Boesenbergia in Thailand and four outgroup species (Cornukaempferia aurantiflora, Hedychium biflorum, Kaempferia parviflora, and Scaphochlamys rubescens) were examined by sequencing of 3 chloroplast (cp) DNA regions (matK, psbA-trnH and petA-psbJ). Low interspecific genetic divergence (0.25-1.74%) were observed in these investigated taxa. The 50% majority-rule consensus tree constructed from combined chloroplast DNA sequences allocated Boesenbergia in this study into 3 different groups. Using psbA-1F/psbA-3R primers, an insertion of 491 bp was observed in B. petiolata. Restriction analysis of the amplicon (380-410 bp) from the remaining species with Rsa I further differentiated Boesenbergia to 2 groupings; I (B. basispicata, B. longiflora, B. longipes, B. plicata, B. pulcherrima, B. tenuispicata, B. thorelii, B. xiphostachya, Boesenbergia sp.1 and Boesenbergia sp.3; phylogenetic clade A) that possesses a Rsa I restriction site and II (B. curtisii, B. regalis, B. rotunda and Boesenbergia sp.2; phylogenetic clade B and B. siamensis; phylogenetic clade C) that lacks a restriction site of Rsa I. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and indels found can be unambiguously applied to authenticate specie-origin of all investigated samples and revealed that Boesenbergia sp.1, Boesenbergia sp.2 and B. pulcherrima (Mahidol University, Kanchanaburi), B. cf. pulcherrima1 (Prachuap Khiri Khan) and B. cf. pulcherrima2 (Thong Pha Phum, Kanchanaburi) are B. plicata, B. rotunda and B. pulcherrima, respectively. In addition, molecular data also suggested that Boesenbergia sp.3 should be further differentiated from B. longiflora and regarded as a newly unidentified Boesenbergia species.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.157-163
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• 2012

The male reproduction is precisely controlled by a number of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. These factors usually involve in expressional regulation of various molecules influencing on sperm production in the testis. A number of ways are employed to control the transcription of specific genes, including epigenetic modifications of DNA and histone molecules. DNA methylation of CpG dinucleotides is a commonly used regulatory mechanism for testicular genes associated with the fertility. Previous studies have demonstrated the infertility induced by improper DNA methylation of these genes. In the present research, we attempted to determine transcriptional expression of some of these genes in the rat testis at different postnatal ages using real-time PCR analysis. These genes include neurotrophin 3 (Ntf3), insulin-like growth factor II (Igf2), JmjC-domain-containing histone demethylase 2A 1 (Jhm2da), paired box 8 transcription factor (Pax8), small nuclear ribonucleoprotein polypeptide N (Snrpn), and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (Mthfr). The expression levels of Ntf3, Igf2, and Snrpn genes were the highest at the neonatal age, followed by transient decreases at the prepubertal age. Expression of Jhm2da and Mthfr genes were continuously increased from the neonate to 1 year of age. The levels of Pax8 mRNA at the early ages were higher than those at the later ages of postnatal development. These findings suggest that expression of some fertility-associated testicular genes in the rat during postnatal period could be differentially regulated by the control of the degree of DNA methylation.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.194-199
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• 2002

Many oxidative metabolites of tetrahydrocannabinols (THCs), active components of marijuana, were pharmacologically active, and 11-hydroxy-THCs, 11-oxo-${\Delta}^8$-THC, 7-oxo-${\Delta}^8$-THC, 8$\beta$, 9$\beta$-epoxyhexahydrocannabinol (EHHC), 9$\alpha$, l0$\alpha$-EHHC and 3'-hydroxy-${\Delta}^9$-THC were more active than THC in pharmacological effects such as catalepsy, hypothermia and barbiturate synergism in mice. Cannabidiol (CBD), another major component, was biotransfomred to two novel metabolites, 6-hydroxymethyl-${\Delta}^9$-THC and 3-pentyl-6, 7, 7a, 8, 9, lla-hexahydro-I, 7-dihydroxy-7, 1O-dimethyldibenzo[b, d]oxepin (PHDO) through 8R, 9-epoxy-CBD and 85, 9-epoxy-CBD, respectively. Both metabolites exhibited some pharmacological effects comparable to d9 - THe. Cannabinol (CBN), the other major component, was mainly metabolized to ll-hydroxy-CBN by hepatic microsomes of animals including humans. The pharmacological effects of the metabolite were higher than those of CBN demonstrating that II-hydroxylation of CBN is metabolic activation pathway of the cannabinoid as is the case in THCs. Tolerance and reciprocal cross-tolerance developed to pharmacological effects d8 - THC and ll-hydroxy-d8-THC , and the magnitude of tolerance development produced by the metabolite was significantly higher than that by d8-THC. The results indicate that ll-hydroxy-d8-THC has an important role not only in the pharmacological effects but also its tolerance development of d8 - THe. THCs and their metabolites competed to the specific binding of CP-55, 940, an agonist of cannabinoid receptor, to synaptic membrane from bovine cerebral cortex. The Ki value of THCs and their metabolites were closely paralleled to their pharmacological effects in mice. A novel cytochrome P450 (cyp2c29) was purified and identified as a major enzyme responsible for the metabolic activation of d8-THC at the II-position in the mouse liver. cDNA of CYP2C29 was cloned from a mouse cDNA library and its sequence was determined. The oxidation mechanism of THC by cyp2c29 was proposed.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.269-279
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• 2000

Alfalfa mosaic alfamoviruses(AIMV) were isolated from infected potato (Solanum tuberosum) and azuki bean (Paseolus angularis) in Korea. Two AIMV isolated from potatoes were named as strain KR (AIMV-KR1 and KR2) and AIMV isolated from azuki bean was named as strain Az (AIMV-Az). Each isolated AIMV strain was characterized by using their host ranges, symptom developments, serological relations and nucleotide sequence analysis of coat protein (CP) gene. Strains KR1, KR2, and Az were readily transmitted to 20 of 22 inoculated plant species including bean, cowpea, tomato, tobacco, and potato. AIMV-KR1 and KR2 produced the typical symptoms like chlorotic or necrotic spots in Chenopodium quinoa and Solanum tuberosum cv. Superior. AIMV-Az caused bright yellow mosaic symptom and leaf malformation in Nicotiana glauca, which were different from the common mosaic symptom caused by AIMV-KR1 and KR2. Electron microscope observation of purified virus showed bacilliform virions containing a single-stranded plus-strand RNAs of 3.6, 2.6, 2.0 and 0.9 kbp in length, respectively, similar in size and appearance to those of Alfamovirus. In SDS-PAGE, the coat protein of the two viruses formed a consistent band that estimated to be about 24kDa. The CP genes of the AIMV strains, KR1, KR2, and Az have been amplified by RT-PCR using the specific primers designed to amplify CP gene from viral RNA-3, cloned and sequenced. Computer aided analysis of the amplified cDNA fragment sequence revealed the presence of a single open reading frame capable of encoding 221 amino acids. The nucleotide and peptide sequence of viral CP gene showed that strain KR1, KR2, and Az shared highest nucleotide sequence identities with AIMV strain 425-M at 97.7%, 98.2%, and 97.2%, respectively. CP gene sequences of two strains were almost identical compared with each other. Altogether, physical, serological, biological and molecular properties of the purified virus.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.165-169
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• 2009

Twelve Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) isolates were isolated from genetically modified (GM) and non-GM Capsicum annuum in two GM fields, Namyangju and Anseong, and their properties were investigated in this study. Coat protein (CP) gene of the CMV isolates were synthesized by RT-PCR using genus-specific primers which designed to amplify a DNA fragment of 950 bp. Purified cDNA fragments were cloned into the pGEMT easy vector for sequence determination. Nucleotide sequences (internal 657 bp) of CMV isolates were compared with Fny-CMV CP sequences and there were no significant collection site specific sequence similarities found. When predicted amino acid sequences (219 amino acids) were compared with Fny-CMV CP amino acids sequences, there were 96.8% to 97.3% similarities found from Namyangju collections and 95.9% to 96.8% similarities from Anseong collections. The phylogenetic analysis with nucleotide sequences showed definite differences in CMVs which have been isolated from the two regions.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.61-74
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• 2002

One of the major aims in studying plant viruses is to minimise the development of symptoms in infected plants. With the advent of in vitro transcript mediated research on plant viruses, substantial progress has been made. This article describes the biology of a plant specific RNA virus, Johnsongrass mosaic virus (JGMV), important to Australian sorghum and corn agriculture and, in particular, at a molecular level which of the RNA sequences in its genome that make it possible for the virus to move from cell to cell, and eventually spread systemically throughout the entire plant. The JGMV has caused considerable yield losses in maize and sorghum over a number of years in Australia. Incidents where 100% of the crop has been infected are on record. The use of this virus is convenient under laboratory conditions because it can be readily transmitted by mechanical inoculation with infected leaf sap, which obviates the need for maintaining aphid colonies. The JGMV is a single stranded positive sense RNA virus.