• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.272-281
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• 2020

Environmental agents, including viral and bacterial infectious agents, are involved in the alteration of physicochemical and biological parameters in the nasal epithelium. Hyaluronan (HA) has an important role in the regulation of tissue healing properties. High molecular weight HA (HMW-HA) shows greater anti-inflammatory responses than medium molecular weight HA (MMW-HA) and low molecular weight HA (LMW-HA). We investigated the effect of HMW-HA, MMW-HA and LMW-HA on the regulation of physicochemical and biological parameters in an "in vitro" model that might mimic viral infections of the nasal epithelium. Human nasal epithelial cell line RPMI2650 was stimulated with double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) Poly(I:C) for 5 days in air-liquid-interface (ALI) culture (3D model of airway tissue). dsRNA Poly(I:C) treatment significantly decreased transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) in the stratified nasal epithelium of RPMI2650 and increased pH values, rheological parameters (elastic G' and viscous G''), and Muc5AC and Muc5B production in the apical wash of ALI culture of RPMI2650 in comparison to untreated cells. RPMI2650 treated with dsRNA Poly(I:C) in the presence of HMW-HA showed lower pH values, Muc5AC and Muc5B production, and rheological parameters, as well as increased TEER values in ALI culture, compared to cells treated with Poly(I:C) alone or pretreated with LMW-HA and MMW-HA. Our 3D "in vitro" model of epithelium suggests that HMW-HA might be a coadjuvant in the pharmacological treatment of viral infections, allowing for the control of some physicochemical and biological properties affecting the epithelial barrier of the nose during infection.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology Conference
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.65-66
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• 2005

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2008

Three isolates of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) were isolated from weed hosts showing typical mosaic symptoms, and some properties of the viruses were investigated. CMV isolates, designated as Is-CMV, Jd-CMV and Pla-CMV from Isodon inflexus, Jeffersonia dubia and Phryma leptostachya var. asiatica, respectively, were identified and characterized by biological reaction in several host plants, serological property, dsRNA analysis, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), restriction fragment-length polymorphism (RFLP). All isolates systemically infected in Nicotiana benthamiana, Cucurbita pepo cv. Black beauty and Cucumis sativus, and did not reveal any differences in these host plants between the isolates. However, remarkable difference in the symptoms was found between the CMVs in Capsicum annuum. Is-CMV induced an asymptomatic symptoms, while Jd-CMV and Pla-CMV produced severe mosaic symptoms in C. annuum plants. In dsRNA analysis, all isolates revealed four major bands with estimated molecular size of 3.4, 3.2, 2.1 and 1.0 kbp. The cDNAs of coat protein gene of the isolates were amplified by RT-PCR using a genus-specific single pair primers that designed to amplify a DNA fragment of approximately ranging from 938 to 966 bp. By restriction mapping analysis using RFLP of the RT-PCR products as well as by serological properties of gel diffusion test, the CMV isolates belong to a typical members of CMV subgroup IA. This is the first report on the occurrence of CMV in the three weed hosts.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.219-230
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• 2023

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common autosomal aneuploidy caused by trisomy of chromosome 21. Previous studies demonstrated that DS affected mitochondrial functions, which may be associated with the abnormal development of the nervous system in patients with DS. Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) is an encoding gene located on chromosome 21. It has been reported that RUNX1 may affect cell apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway. The present study investigated whether RUNX1 plays a critical role in mitochondrial dysfunction in DS and explored the mechanism by which RUNX1 affects mitochondrial functions. Expression of RUNX1 was detected in induced pluripotent stem cells of patients with DS (DS-iPSCs) and normal iPSCs (N-iPSCs), and the mitochondrial functions were investigated in the current study. Subsequently, RUNX1 was overexpressed in N-iPSCs and inhibited in DS-iPSCs. The mitochondrial functions were investigated thoroughly, including reactive oxygen species levels, mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP content, and lysosomal activity. Finally, RNA-sequencing was used to explore the global expression pattern. It was observed that the expression levels of RUNX1 in DS-iPSCs were significantly higher than those in normal controls. Impaired mitochondrial functions were observed in DS-iPSCs. Of note, overexpression of RUNX1 in N-iPSCs resulted in mitochondrial dysfunction, while inhibition of RUNX1 expression could improve the mitochondrial function in DS-iPSCs. Global gene expression analysis indicated that overexpression of RUNX1 may promote the induction of apoptosis in DS-iPSCs by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The present findings indicate that abnormal expression of RUNX1 may play a critical role in mitochondrial dysfunction in DS-iPSCs.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.254-258
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• 2009

An isolate of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), called as Lag-CMV, was identified from Lagenaria leucantha var. gourda showing mosaic symptom, and its properties was compared to Fny-CMV (subgroup IA) and As-CMV (subgroup IB) by host reaction in several indicator plants, dsRNA analysis, RT-PCR analysis, restriction enzyme profile of the PCR products and nucleotide sequence of coat protein gene. Lag-CMV was similar to As-CMV used as a control CMV by the induced chlorotic spot on inoculated leaves and mosaic symptoms on upper leaves of N. tabacum. cv. Xanthi nc. In the cucumber and zucchini squash, Lag-CMV and As-CMV induced a mild mosaic symptoms than that of Fny-CMV. Size and shapes of local lesions on Chenophodium amaranticolor and Vigna unguiculata induced by Lag-CMV was similar those by Fny-CMV or As-CMV. In experiments of dsRNA profiles and RT-PCR analysis of coat protein gene, Lag-CMV was come within subgroup I CMV. Moreover, restriction enzyme analysis using EcoRI, SalI, MspI, XhoI, and HindIII of the RTPCR products and nucleotide sequence analysis of the coat protein gene showed that Lag-CMV belong to a member of CMV subgroup IB of the same to As-CMV.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.224-228
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• 2004

A potyvirus causing chlorotic mottle and yellow spots on leaves of Dianthus barbatus was isolated and identified as an isolate of Carnation vein mottle virus (CVMV). Purified preparations of Chenopodium quinoa infected with CVMV-K showed filamentous particles between 695 and 785 om long. Many cytoplasmic inclusions were observed, and these consisted of pinwheels, dense bands, loops, and circles. The coat protein of CVMV-K was about 32 KDa in western blot analysis using a CVMV antibody. The nucleotide sequence of coat protein gene showed 97.6％ homology with a Japanese isolate. The genome size of CVMV-K was about 9.0 kb by dsRNA analysis. These results indicate that the virus is an isolate of CVMV. This is the first report on CVMV in Korea.

• Proceedings of the Korea Crystallographic Association Conference
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.23-23
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• 2007

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.43.1-43.13
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• 2024

Importance: Haemaphysalis longicornis is an obligate blood-sucking ectoparasite that has gained attention due its role of transmitting medically and veterinary significant pathogens and it is the most common tick species in Republic of Korea. The preferred strategy for controlling ticks is a multi-antigenic vaccination. Testing the efficiency of a combination antigen is a promising method for creating a tick vaccine. Objective: The aim of the current research was to analyze the role of subolesin and enolase in feeding and reproduction of H. longicornis by gene silencing. Methods: In this study, we used RNA interference to silence salivary enolase and subolesin in H. longicornis. Unfed female ticks injected with double-stranded RNA targeting subolesin and enolase were attached and fed normally on the rabbit's ear. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to confirm the extent of knockdown. Results: Ticks in the subolesin or enolase dsRNA groups showed knockdown rates of 80% and 60% respectively. Ticks in the combination dsRNA (subolesin and enolase) group showed an 80% knockdown. Knockdown of subolesin and enolase resulted in significant depletion in feeding, blood engorgement weight, attachment rate, and egg laying. Silencing of both resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in tick engorgement, egg laying, egg hatching (15%), and reproduction. Conclusions and Relevance: Our results suggest that subolesin and enolase are an exciting target for future tick control strategies.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.271-276
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• 2009

Functional gene studies in the cultivated white button mushroom Agaricus bisporus have been constrained by the absence of effective gene-silencing tools. Using two endogenous genes from A. bisporus, we have tested the utility of dsRNA hairpin constructs to mediate downregulation of specific genes. Hairpin constructs for genes encoding orotidine 5'-monophosphate decarboxylase (URA3) and carboxin resistance (CBX) were introduced into A. bisporus using Agrobacteriummediated transfection. Although predicted changes in phenotype were not observed in vitro, quantitative-PCR analyses indicated unambiguously that transcripts in several transformants were substantially reduced compared with the non-transformed controls. Interestingly, some hairpin transformants exhibited increased transcription of target genes. Our observations show that hairpin transgenic sequences can mediate downregulation of A. bisporus endogenous genes and that the technology has the potential to expedite functional genomics of the mushroom.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.471-488
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• 2019

Random genes were screened in two transforming ways to investigate the new genes of a ladybug using the Harmonia axyridis cDNA library stock cell cloned in the LITMUS 28i vector in a previous study. Phenotypic variation was observed after injection of the synthesized double-stranded RNA through the in vitro transcription process. The cDNA library of H. axyridis was transformed into E. coli $DH5{\alpha}$ and 10B competent cells by heat shock. Analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the 42 clones with the insert DNAs revealed that 21 clones were homologous with the genes of insects, and only one clone had a gene from H. axyridis. Thirteen of the 21 insect genes were homologous with genes from coleopteran insects. Fourteen genes were selected, which were identified by the gene screening results, and were synthesized as double-stranded RNA through in vitro transcription. One microgram of the synthesized double-stranded RNA between segments T1 and T2 were injected using a syringe into each anesthetized fourth larvae which were under 2 days old. As a result, a phenotypic variation appeared in the larva injected with the two genes. While the eggs of H. axyridis injected with distilled water hatched out three days after oviposition, the eggs of H. axyridis injected with dsHma 06 did not hatch but become shrivel a week after oviposition. Most of the H. axyridis injected with dsHma 08 died and were unable to complete the pupation or eclosion during ecdysis.