• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.383-395
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• 2014

When we investigated seed infestation by fungal pathogens from 51 varieties in 9 crops, the contamination rate of rice and sesame seeds was high. Therefore, to control seed-borne diseases, we obtained extracts from commercial products of Kimchi, Gochujang, Doenjang, Ganjang, Makgeolli and Tohajut and their suppressive effects against seed-borne diseases were studied. In addition, bacterial strains were screened to control rice seed-borne diseases in vitro and in vivo. Among forty food extracts, eleven food-extracts suppressed incidence of seedling rots in vitro and five food extracts increased 8-33% of healthy seedling in the greenhouse. Among 218 isolates from 40 fermented foods, 43 isolates showed high antifungal activity against seven fungal pathogens. When we tested 43 isolates for the reduction of rice seed borne disease, 32 isolates were able to reduce the rice seed borne disease. Among 32 isolates, 17 isolates reduced significantly seedling rot and increased healthy seedlings, the other isolates except for Kc4-2 and Mkl 2-2 increased shoot emergence and the percentage of healthy plants. Thirty isolates with high antifungal activity and suppressive effect against rice seedling rots were identified by 16S rRNA sequencing. Twenty one of thirty isolates were identified as Bacillus spp. Three isolates from Makgeolli were identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae. B. amyloliquifaciens were isolated from six Korean traditional fermented foods except for Ganjang. B. amyloliquifaciens were majority in the effective bacterial population of Gochujang and Jutgal. Relatively diverse Bacillus species including B. subtilis, B. pumilus, and B. amyloliquificiens were isolated from Kimchi. The selected effective microorganisms from Korean fermented foods founded to be effective for controlling seed-borne diseases of rice in vitro and in the greenhouse. We think that Korean fermented foods and their useful microorganisms can be used as biocontrol agents for suppressing rice seed-borne diseases based on above described results.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.10
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• pp.1068-1075
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• 2005

Purpose : The role of ghrelin, which promotes the secretion of growth hormone, was not well known until now. Recently it was found that the mutation of ghrelin gene is related to obesity and diabetes. This study is to find the screening method that can easily and effectively detect the polymorphism of Leu72Met in ghrelin gene of obesity patients and apply it to clinical usage. Methods : We compared PCR-RFLP, PCR-SSCP and ARMS methodologies for analyzing of the polymorphism of Leu72Met in ghrelin gene of obesity children, and also studied the merits and demerits of these methodologies. Results : In this study, we were able to find out the band of peculiar allele of Leu72Met in ghrelin gene using PCR-RFLP, PCR-SSCP and ARMS analyses. The polymorphism of Leu72Met in ghrelin gene determined by all above methodologies was in complete agreement. Compared to the PCR-RFLP and PCR-SSCP, ARMS analysis is simple, inexpensive and also consume less time. It is very sensitive to analyze the polymorphism and easy to understand the results of test. Conclusion : Though PCR-RFLP, PCR-SSCP and ARMS analyses were sensitive to analyze the polymorphism of Leu72Met in ghrelin gene, ARMS analysis appears to be more efficient than PCR-RFLP and PCR-SSCP. Therefore, we conclude that ARMS analysis is suitable to analyze the polymorphism of Leu72Met in ghrelin gene for large quantity of specimens.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.342-351
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• 2006

The aim of this study was to survey susceptibilities of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates against cefotaxime and to determine the prevalences of CTX-M type extended-spectrum $\beta$-lactamases (ESBLs) producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae in Korea. During the period of February to July, 2005, 153 E. coli and 52 K. neumoniae isolates were collected from 2 hospitals in Busan. Antimicrobial susceptibilities to cefotaxime were tested by the disk diffusion method. ESBL production of E. coli and K. pneumoniae was determined by the double disk synergy test. MICs of $\beta$-lactam antibiotics were determined by the agar dilution method. Blac$_{CTX-M}$ genes of the organism were detected by PCR. Among 153 isolates of E. coli and 52 isolates of K. neumoniae, 27 (17.6%) and 25 (48.0%) were intermediate or resistant to cefotaxime, respectively. Twenty-three (15.0%) isolates out of 153 E. coli and 13 (25.0%) out of 52 K. neumoniae isolates showed positive results for ESBL by the double disk synergy test. Twenty isolates out of 23 ESBL producing E. coli and 12 out of 13 ESBL producing K. neumoniae isolates harbored biacTx-M gene,11 of ESBL producing E. coli and 12 of ESBL producing K. neuinoniae isolates harbored bla$_{CTX-M}$ gene, 11 of the ESBL producing E. coli and 2 of ESBL producing K. neumoniae isolates harbored bla$_{TEM}$ gene, and 1 of the ESBL producing E. coli and 12 of ESBL producing K. neumoniae isolates harbored bla$_{SHV}$ gene. E. coli and K. neumoniae isolates producing CTX-M-type ESBLs were not uncommon in Korea. It is thought that continuous survey are necessary for inspecting the spread and novel variants of CTX-M-type ESBL genes. Further me]'e investigation and research on ESBL producing strains are needed in order to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.43-52
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• 2002

This study was performed to provide the basic data for preservation and improvement of genetic resources according to finding genetic construction obtained from analysis of genetic characteristics of $\beta$-casein gene in Korean Native goat and Saanen using the PCR-RFLP. This study confirmed the amplified products of 481bp fragments obtained from the amplification of $\beta$-casein loci by PCR. The $\beta$-casein AB genotype showed 481, 284 and 197bp, and $\beta$-casein BB genotype showed 284 and 197bp fragments in Korean Native goat and Saanen. The frequencies of $\beta$-casein genotype in Korean Native goat were 6.25 and 93.75% for AA and AB and the frequencies of $\beta$-casein genotype in Saanen were 57.14 and 42.86% for AA and AB types. The frequencies of $\beta$-casein A and B alleles were 0.031 and 0.969 in Korean Native goat and the frequencies of $\beta$-casein A and B alleles are 0.286 and 0.714 in Saanen, respectively. The nucleotide sequence of $\beta$-casein gene of Korean Native goat was 97.71% higher homology with 11 nucleotide sequences difference of that of goat reported in GeneBank (M90556). Therefore, this study of molecular genetic characteristics by the analysis of genetic polymorphism and sequencing for $\beta$-casein gene should be used as basic and applying data for preservation and improvement of genetic resources in Korean Native goat breeding.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.406-414
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• 2016

Among 6 leu codons, CUG is the most frequently used codon in E. coli. It is recognized by leu-tRNA(CAG) encoded by four genes scattered on two chromosomal loci (leuT and leuPQV ). In the process of constructing a strain with no functional leu-tRNA (CAG) gene on chromosome, we made two mutant strains separately, one on leuPQV locus (${\Delta}leuPQV$), and the other on leuT locus [$leuT^*$(GAG)], where the anticodon of leuT was changed from CAG to GAG, thereby altering its recognition codon from CUG to CUC. We attempted to combine these two mutations by transduction using $leuT^*$(GAG) strain as a donor and ${\Delta}leuPQV$ strain as a recipient. Large and small colonies appeared from this transduction. From PCR and DNA sequencing, large colony was confirmed to be the reciprocal recombinant as expected, but the small colonies contained both mutant $leuT^*$(GAG) and wild type leuT (CAG) genes in the cell. This heterozygous diploid strain did not show any unusual morphology under microscopic observation, but, interestingly, it showed a linear growth curve in rich medium with much slower growth rate than wild type cell. It always formed homogenous small colonies in the selection medium, but, when there was no selection, it readily segregated into $leuT^*$(GAG) and leuT (CAG). From these observations, we suggested that the strain with both $leuT^*$(GAG) and leuT (CAG) genes was not a partial diploid (merodiploid), but a full diploid cell having two different chromosomes. We proposed a model explaining how such a heterozygous diploid cell was formed and how and why its growth showed a linear growth curve.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.87-92
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• 2009

Purpose : Many gene polymorphisms are associated with coronary artery abnormalities in Kawasaki disease. Catechol-O- methyltransferase (COMT) plays an important role in the metabolism of catecholamines, catechol estrogen, and catechol drugs. Polymorphisms of the COMT gene are reported to be associated with myocardial infarction and coronary artery abnormalities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between COMT gene polymorphisms and coronary artery abnormalities in Kawasaki disease patients. Methods : One hundred and one Korean children with Kawasaki disease and 306 healthy Korean control subjects were enrolled in this study. The polymorphisms of the COMT gene were analyzed by direct sequencing. Results : There were no differences in the genotype and allelic frequency of the rs4680 and rs769224 polymorphic sites between Kawasaki disease and control subjects. Further, no significant difference was found in the rs4680 polymorphism between patients with coronary artery abnormalities and patients without coronary artery abnormalities (codominant P=0.32, dominant P=0.74, recessive P=0.13). However, the distribution of the rs769224 polymorphism was significantly different between patients with coronary artery abnormalities and patients without coronary artery abnormalities (codominant P= 0.0077, dominant P=0.0021, recessive P=0.16). Conclusion : Our results indicate that the polymorphisms of the rs769224 gene might be related to the development of coronary artery abnormalities in Kawasaki disease.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.153-160
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• 2009

Pisidium (Neopisidium) coreanum is a freshwater snail and lives in spring water near mountain areas. Interestingly, this snail has been traditionally regarded as medicinal food, and thus has been used as folk remedies for healing broken bones. Recently, alpha classification on Pisidium (Neopisidium) coreanum through redescription has been conducted. However, not much attention has been made in beta classification. In this study, we performed the beta classification based on metallothionein (MT) genes found from various organisms. To this end, the complete cDNA sequences were obtained from the Expressed Sequence Tag (EST) sequencing project of Pisidium (Neopisidium) coreanum. The coding region (315 bp) encoded an amino acid sequence of 105 residues. The combined results from BLAST analyses, multiple sequence alignment and molecular phylogenetic study of Pc-MT gene indicate that Pisidium (Neopisidium) coreanum has similarity to freshwater bivalve such as Dreissena polymorpha (zebra mussel), Unio tumidus (swollen river mussel) and Crassostrea ariakensis (suminoe oyster).

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.592-597
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• 2010

Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome (HIES) is a rare immunodeficiency disease which is characterized by high serum IgE levels, eczema, and recurrent infections. Herein we present the case of a patient with HIES associated with STAT3 gene ($stat3$) mutation. A 16 year-old girl was admitted to our hospital due to hemoptysis caused by pneumonia with bronchiectasis. She had a history of recurrent skin and respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia caused by MRSA (methicillin-resistant $Staphylococcus$ $aureus$) and $Pseudomonas$ $aeruginosa$. On physical examination, a broad round shaped nose, oral thrush, and chronic eczematous skin rash over her whole body were found. Laboratory data showed an elevated eosinophil count ($750/{\mu}L$) and total IgE level (5,001 U/mL). The patient's National Institutes of Health (NIH) score for HIES was 44. Direct sequencing of the STAT3 gene revealed that the patient was heterozygous for a missense mutation in the DNA binding domain of the STAT3 protein (c.1144C>T, p. Arg382Trp). HIES should be suspected in patients with recurrent infections and can be confirmed by clinical scoring and genetic analysis.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology Conference
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• 1995.06b
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• pp.77-96
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• 1995

To obtain basic informations for the improvement of seed potato production in Korea, some etiological properties of potato virus Y(PVY) distributed in the major seed potato production area(Daekwanryeong) were characterized, and the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the coat protein gene of the PVY strains isolated were analyzed. PVY strains in Daekwonryeong, an alpine area, were identified to be two strains, PVYo and PVYN by symptoms of indicator plants, and their distribution in potato fields was similar. Major symptom on potato varieties by PVY was grouped as either mosaic alone or mosaic accompanied with veinal necrosis in the lower leaves. The symptom occurrence of the two symptoms was similar with Irish Cobbler, but Superior showed a higher rate of mosaic symptom than the other. The PVY strain which was isolated from potato cv. Superior showing typical mosaic symptoms produced symptoms of PVY-O on the indicator plants of Chenopodium amaranticolor, Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi nc and Physalis floridana, but no symptom o Capsicum annum cv. Ace. Moreover, results from the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies showed that the isolated PVY reacts strongly with PYV-O antibodies but does not react specifically with PVY-T antibodies. The purified virus particles were flexious with a size of 730$\times$11nm. On the basis of the above characteristics, the strain was identified to be a PVY-O and named as of PVY-K strain. The flight of vector aphids was observed in late May, however, the first occurrence of infected plants was in mid June with the bait plants surrounded with PVY-infected potato plants and early July with the bait plants surrounded with PVY-free potato plants. PVY infection rates by counting symptoms on bait plants (White Burley) were 1.1% with the field surrounded with PVY-free potato plants and 13.7% the fields surrounded with PVY-infected potato plants, showing the effect of infection pressure. The propagated PVY-K strain on tobacco(N. sylvestris) was purified, and the RNA of the virus was extracted by the method of phenol extraction. The size of PVY-K RNA was measured to be 9, 500 nucleotides on agarose gel electrophoresis. The double-stranded cDNAs of PVY-K coat protein(CP) gene derived by the method of polymerase chain reaction were transformed into the competent cells of E. coli JM 109, and 2 clones(pYK6 and pYK17) among 11 clones were confirmed to contain the full-length cDNA. Purified plasmids from pYK17 were cut with Sph I and Xba I were deleted with exonuclease III and were used for sequencing analysis. The PVY-K CP gene was comprised of 801 nucleotides when counted from the clevage site of CAG(Gln)-GCA(Ala) to the stop codon of TGA and encoded 267 amino acids. The molecular weight of the encoded polypeptides was calculated to be 34, 630 daltons. The base composition of the CP gene was 33.3% of adenine, 25.2% of guanine, 20.1% of cytosine and 21.4% of uracil. The polypeptide encoded by PVY-K CP gene was comprised of 22 alanines, 20 threonines, 19 glutamic acids and 18 glycines in order. The homology of nucleotide sequence of PVY-K CP gene with those of PVY-O(Japan), PVY-T(Japan), PVY-TH(Japan), PVYN(the Netherlands), and PVYN(France) was represented as 97.3%, 88.9%, 89.3%, 89.6% and 98.5%, respectively. The amino acid sequence homology of the polypeptide encoded by PVY-K CP gene with those encoded by viruses was represented as 97.4%, 92.5%, 92.9%, 92.9%, and 98.5%, respectively.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.1057-1063
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• 2012

Epilepsy is the most prevalent chronic neurological disorder and can be controlled by antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in up to 70% of patients. We performed an association study between adverse drug reactions and the genetic polymorphisms of CYP2C9, CYP2C19, ABCB1, and SCN1A. The clinical data of 83 epilepsy patients who had received AEDs containing carbamazepine (CBZ) were collected. We extracted genomic DNA from peripheral blood and then genotyped CYP2C9 ($CYP2C9^*2$, $CYP2C9^*3$), CYP2C19 ($CYP2C9^*2$, $CYP2C9^*3$), ABCB1 (C3435T), and SCN1A (IVS5N+5 G>A) using direct sequencing. The allele frequencies of $CYP2C9^*3$, $CYP2C9^*2$, $CYP2C9^*3$, ABCB1 (3435C>T), and SCN1A (IVS5N+5 G>A) were 0.93, 0.72, 0.91, 0.61, and 0.55, respectively. Statistically significant differences were indicated from the data obtained. Patients with SCN1A genotype CC or CT were compared with patients with SCN1A genotype TT while using more than 500mg of carbamazepine. We have associated functional polymorphisms with the dose used in regular clinical practice for Korean epilepsy patients who had received antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) containing carbamazepine. For AEDs, we found that one of the SCN1A genotypes is associated with a 500 mg dose. There was no association found with CNS ADR caused by AEDs.