• Animal cells and systems
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• 제3권3호
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• pp.319-329
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• 1999

Onset of female puberty follows a series of prepubertal cellular and molecular events including changes of synaptic plasticity, synthetic and releasing activity and gene expression. Dramatic increase of gonadal steroid level is one of the most prominent changes before the onset of puberty. Based on the importance of steroid feedback upon the hypothalamus, we adopted an estrogen sterilized rat (ESR) model where 100 ng of 17$\eta$-estradiol were administered into neonatal pubs for 7 days after birth. To identify genes involved in the onset of female puberty, we applied PCR differential display using RNA samples derived from ESR and control rat hypothalami. About 100 out of more than 1000 RNA species examined displayed differential expression patterns between a 60-day old control rat and ESR. Sequence analysis of differentially amplified PCR products showed homology with genes such as mouse kinesin superfamily-associated protein 3 (KAP3) and several cDNAs previously described by others in mouse and human tissues. Several gene products such as 2-1 and 8-1 corresponded to novel DNA sequences. We analyzed mRNA levels of KAP3, 2-1 and 8-1 genes in the hypothalami derived from neonatal, 6-, 28-, 31-, and 40-day old rats. Northern blot analysis showed that mRNAs of KAP3, 2-1 and 8-1 genes were markedly increased before the initiation of puberty. Neonatal treatment of estrogen clearly inhibited prepubertal increases in KAP3, 2-1 and 8-1 mRNA levels. Therefore, these genes may play important roles in the initiation of hypothalamic puberty. In addition, intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of antisense KAP3 oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) clearly delayed puberty initiation determined by vaginal opening, which further confirmed that KAP3 plays an important role in the regulation of puberty initiation.

• 생태와환경
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• 제37권1호통권106호
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• pp.122-129
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• 2004

In an effort to develop the biomarker for monitoring the contamination of xenoestrogen in the freshwater environment of Korea, reverse transcription-polymerasechain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of vitellogenin (VTG) gene expression was optimized in Hearisarsus Iaseo, Based on the homology of the VTG cDNA sequences between the common carp and zebra fish, a set of PCR primers for VTG mRNA amplification for H; labo was designed. VTG mRNA level in livers from female and male fishes was analyzed by RT-PCR following single injection of 17 beta estradiol($E_2$ 10 mg $kg^{-1}$ B.W.). As an internal control, beta actin mRNA was amplified. One us of total liver RNA was subjected to RT-PCR. In female the amount of PCR productof VfC gradually increased in the range from 16 to 34 cycles of amplification. On the contrary, in control male, PCR product first detected at 32 cycles of amplification and linearly increased up to 40 cycles of amplification. In $E_2$ injected male liver, the VTC mRNA level was similar to that in the female. Taken together, this result suggests that liver of male H. labo expresses minute amount of VTG mRNA which are2-l6 equivalent of female and that induction of VTG mRNA occurs in male liver after estrogen treatment. In conclusion, the optimized protocol for RT-PCR analysis of VTG mRNA expression in liver of male H. labo will provide the environmental monitoring method for the xenoestrogen contamination in the rivers in Korea.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.1-6
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• 2012

$Toxoplasma$ $gondii$ penetrates all kinds of nucleated eukaryotic cells but modulates host cells differently for its intracellular survival. In a previous study, we found out that serine protease inhibitors B3 and B4 (SERPIN B3/B4 because of their very high homology) were significantly induced in THP-1-derived macrophages infected with $T.$ $gondii$ through activation of STAT6. In this study, to evaluate the effects of the induced SERPIN B3/B4 on the apoptosis of $T.$ $gondii$-infected THP-1 cells, we designed and tested various small interfering (si-) RNAs of SERPIN B3 or B4 in staurosporine-induced apoptosis of THP-1 cells. Anti-apoptotic characteristics of THP-1 cells after infection with $T.$ $gondii$ disappeared when SERPIN B3/B4 were knock-downed with gene specific si-RNAs transfected into THP-1 cells as detected by the cleaved caspase 3, poly-ADP ribose polymerase and DNA fragmentation. This anti-apoptotic effect was confirmed in SERPIN B3/B4 overexpressed HeLa cells. We also investigated whether inhibition of STAT6 affects the function of SERPIN B3/B4, and vice versa. Inhibition of SERPIN B3/B4 did not influence STAT6 expression but SERPIN B3/B4 expression was inhibited by STAT6 si-RNA transfection, which confirmed that SERPIN B3/B4 was induced under the control of STAT6 activation. These results suggest that $T.$ $gondii$ induces SERPIN B3/B4 expression via STAT6 activation to inhibit the apoptosis of infected THP-1 cells for longer survival of the intracellular parasites themselves.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제20권11호
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• pp.1636-1650
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• 2007

As an initial step toward a better understanding of the genome structure of Korean cattle (Hanwoo breed) and initiation of the framework for genomic research in this bovine, the bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) end sequencing of 21,024 clones was recently completed. Among these clones, BAC End Sequences (BESs) of 20,158 clones with high quality sequences (Phred score ${\geq}20$, average BES equaled 620 bp and totaled 23,585,814 bp), after editing sequencing results by eliminating vector sequences, were used initially to compare sequence homology with the known bovine chromosomal DNA sequence by using BLASTN analysis. Blast analysis of the BESs against the NCBI Genome database for Bos taurus (Build 2.1) indicated that the BESs from 13,201 clones matched bovine contig sequences with significant blast hits (E<$e^{-40}$), including 7,075 single-end hits and 6,126 paired-end hits. Finally, a total of 5,105 clones of the Korean cattle BAC clones with paired-end hits, including 4,053 clones from the primary analysis and 1,052 clones from the secondary analysis, were mapped to the bovine chromosome with very high accuracy.

• 한국약용작물학회지
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.266-272
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• 2009

Cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD, EC 1.1.1.95), catalyzes the reduction of hydroxycinnamaldehydes to give hydroxycinnamyl alcohols, or "monolignols," the monomeric precursors of lignin. Lignins are important components of cell walls and lignified secondary cell walls play crucial roles in long distance transport of water and nutrients during plant growth and development and in plant defense against biotic and abiotic stresses. Here a cDNA clone containing a CAD gene, named as PgCAD, was isolated from a commercial medicinal plant Panax ginseng. PgCAD is predicted to encode a precursor protein of 177 amino acid residues, and its sequence shares high homology with a number of other plant CADS. The expression of PgCAD in adventitious roots and hairy roots of P. ginseng was analyzed using reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR under various abiotic stresses such as salt, salicylic acid, wounding and chilling treatment that triggered a significant induction of PgCAD at different time points within 2-48 h post-treatment. This study revealed that PgCAD may help the plants to survive against various abiotic stresses.

• 한국환경과학회지
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.439-449
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• 2008

Algicidal bacterium was isolated from sea water during the declining period of Cochlodinium polykrikoides blooms and this bacterium had a significant algicidal activity against C. polykrikoides. In this study, algicidal bacterium was identified on the basis of biochemical and chemotaxonomic characteristics, and analysis of 16S rDNA sequences. The algicidal bacterium showed 98.6% homology with Micrococcus luteus ATCC $381^T$. Therefore, this bacterium was designated Micrococcus luteus SY-13. The optimal culture conditions of the algicidal bacterium was $25^{\circ}C$, initial pH 8.0, and 3.0% NaCl concentration. M. luteus SY-13 is assumed to produce secondary metabolites which have algicidal activity. When 10% culture filtrate of this strain was applied to C. polykrikoides ($1.0\;{\times}\;10^4\;cells/ml$) cultures, over 98% of C, polykrikoides cells were destroyed within 6 hours. The culture filtrate of M. luteus SY-13 exhibited similar algicidal activity after heat-treatment at $121^{\circ}C$ for 15 min. While algicidal activity remained in filtrates with pH adjusted to 8.0, loss of algicidal activity occurred when the pHs of filtrates were adjusted to over 9.0 or heat-treated at $121{\times}180^{\circ}C$ for 1 hour. M. luteus SY-13 showed significant algicidal activities against C. polykrikoides (98.9%) and a wide algicidal range against various harmful algal bloom (HAB) species. However, there was no algicidal effect on diatom and marine livefood organisms except Isocrysis galbana. These results suggest that M. luteus SY-13 could be a candidate for use in the control of HABs.

• BMB Reports
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.571-576
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• 2007

Three anti-apoptosis genes, Ls-iap2, iap3 and p49 were found in Leucania separata multiple nuclear polyhedrovirus. Amino acid sequence homology of Ls-IAP2 and Ls-IAP3 with Op-IAP2 and Op-IAP3 from Orgyia pseddotsugata MNPV were 20% and 42%, while that of Ls-P49 is 28% with Sl-P49 from Spodoptera littorolis MNPV. Ls-IAP2 contains one baculoviral IAP repeat (BIR) domain followed by a RING domain, while Ls-IAP3 contains two BIRs and a RING. Ls-P49 contains a reactive site loop, predicted cleavage site (KKLD$^{74}{\downarrow}$G) that is different from Sl-P49 (TVID$^{94}{\downarrow}$G). Expressed Ls-iap3 or Ls-p49 under presence of actinomycin D in SF9 cells, DNA ladder assayrevealed that Ls- IAP3 or Ls-P49 could block the apoptosis of SF9 cells induced by actinomycin D. Replication of p35 deficient-mutant Autographa californica MNPV in SF9 cells was also rescued when Ls-iap3 or Ls-p49 was expressed transiently. No anti-apoptotic activity was observed for Ls-IAP2. The results showed that both of Ls-IAP3 and Ls-P49 were functional apoptotic suppressors in SF9 cells.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.67-74
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• 2009

Autophagy degrades toxic materials and old organelles, and recycles nutrients in eukaryotic cells. Whereas the studies on autophagy have been reported in other eukaryotic cells, its functioning in plants has not been well elucidated. We analyzed the roles of OsATG10 genes, which are autophagy-related. Two rice ATG10 genes - OsATG10a and OsATG10b - share significant sequence homology (about 75%), and were ubiquitously expressed in all organs examined here. GUS assay indicated that OsATG10b was highly expressed in the mesophyll cells and vascular tissue of younger leaves, but its level of expression decreased in older leaves. We identified T-DNA insertional mutants in that gene. Those osatg10b mutants were sensitive to treatments with high salt and methyl viologen (MV). Monodansylcadaverine-staining experiments showed that the number of autophagosomes was significantly decreased in the mutants compared with the WT. Furthermore, the amount of oxidized proteins increased in MV-treated mutant seedlings. These results demonstrate that OsATG10b plays an important role in the survival of rice cells against oxidative stresses.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.317-324
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• 2005

A method for sex determination of pigs was examined using polymerase chain reaction(PCR). Sex determining region Y(SRY) gene encoded on Y chromosome plays a key role for primary male development. Zinc finger X-Y(ZFX-ZFY) gene, one of the X-V homology gene group was found on the X and Y chromosomes, respectively, We tested for molecular sexing by amplification patterns of SRY and ZF genes. Genomic DNAs from various resources including porcine hairs and semen collected from domestic pig breeds and native pigs was used for PCR assay of each gene. The amplified products for porcine SRY gene were yielded only in males but not in females. On the other hand, two differential patterns were observed in amplification of ZF gene reflecting the chromosomal dimorphism by a length polymorphism between X and Y chromosomes. Of both, a common band was detected in all individuals tested so that this band might be amplified from ZFX gene as a PCR template, but another is specific for males indicated that from ZFY. The result of PCR assay provides identical information to that from investigation of phenotypic genders of the pigs tested. We suggest that this PCR strategy to determine porcine sexes using comparison of the amplification patterns of the SRY gene specific for Y chromosome and the dimorphic ZF gene between X and Y chromosomes may be a rapid and precise method for discrimination of two sexes and applied to DNA analysis of small samples such as embryonic blastomere, semen, and hairs.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.153-159
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• 2001

In order to clone the peptide synthetase gene form Lysobacter lactamgenus IFO 14,288, the gene fragments were amplified using primers for the adenylation domain and the thionylation domain of the peptide synthetase genes in other organisms by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The resulting 0.5-kb fragment was cloned in a pGEM-T vector, and the nucleotide sequences were determined. Six different PCR products were obtained; three were identified to be a part of L-$\alpha$-aminoadipyl-L-cysteinyl-D-valine (ACV) synthetase and three to be other peptide synthetases. Using each of the two different classes of PCR products as mixed probes, a cosmid library of L. lactamgenus chromosomal DNA constructed in a pHC79 vector was screened by an in situ hybridization procedure, and one positive clone was selected which was bound by peptide synthetase gene fragments as well as ACV synthetase gene fragments. The partial sequence analysis formt he obtained pPTS-5 cosmid showed th presence of more than two open reading frames. These were for two putative membrane transporters, which were homologous with several integral membrane proteins including the ABC transporter ATP-binding protein of E. coli (YbjZ) and the metal ion uptake protein of Bacillus subtilis (YvrN). A 45% homology was also found between the two transporter proteins at the carboxy terminus. Through a hydropathy analysis and transmembrane analysis. 4-5 transmembrane domains were found in these two proteins. When the genes were expressed in Escherichia coli, the gene products inhibited the hose cell growth, probably due to the disturbance of the membrane transport system.